Concrete Ron

[mr underhill]

well, let's not get too carried away. I can think of two - and Ron is a qualified one. Having said that, if someone bids crazy money on the back of a great World Cup I wouldn't blame him, or, given his financial restraints, Lambert, if he goes.

[Steve67]

I think Vlaar always has a mistake in him, so, not that bothered if we were to sell him. I also think that it'll be interesting to see if he comes back with a big balls attitude now his country have enjoyed a good WC. It's quite simple for Villa though. Cash in, given their WC success or offer him a contract. If we do the latter, we have to have an indication that he'll sign. I don't want him to walk away for nowt.

[pauliewalnuts]

He's had a great tournament.

Playing for us, he's been decent, by and large, although he seems to be injury prone.

Whilst I can think of plenty players I was more sad to see go in days gone by than I would be if Vlaar went, I would rather we concentrated on the positions in the squad where we clearly have a need to strengthen, rather than creating that need elsewhere by moving Vlaar on.

I also suspect we'd see Senderos in the starting CB position if Vlaar went. Which doesn't fill me with confidence.

[paul_e]

I think Vlaar always has a mistake in him, so, not that bothered if we were to sell him. I also think that it'll be interesting to see if he comes back with a big balls attitude now his country have enjoyed a good WC. It's quite simple for Villa though. Cash in, given their WC success or offer him a contract. If we do the latter, we have to have an indication that he'll sign. I don't want him to walk away for nowt.

In order of preference for me:

sign a deal
leave on a free next summer
leave for big money this summer
anything else

I seriously have no issue with him leaving free next summer, by that time we'll hopefully have been sold and the financial situation will be much better suited to looking for a top quality replacement.  If we get £8-10m this summer I'd accept it, less than that I'd just keep him around.

I want him talking to the likes of Grealish, Robinson, Okore and explaining how brilliant being in a world cup semi-final is and how much it hurts to get so close.  Iwant our youngsters dreaming of games like that, which is the experience that money can't buy.

[glasses]

I didn't take it that TV had gone the route of suggesting Vlaar is better than McGrath. 

Only a few defenders who have ever played the game could say that, and Vlaar isn't in that elite category. 

It is an interesting discussion though, at a time when players are even fitter and sharper than in the era McGrath played in, Vlaar has looked outstanding.  Not just in one game, but throughout the entire length of the biggest tournament in world football.  McGrath has many accolades, but he doesn't have that.

A poster mentioned it earlier, and it's a valid point: Imagine Vlaar alongside a Mellberg or a Laursen.  He would have been far more highly thought of than seems to be the case at present.  Equally, imagine Mellberg, Laursen or even Southgate and Ehiogu having to operate alongside some of the deadbeats that have managed to sneak their way into a Villa shirt in recent years.  They had talent, for sure.  But there are only so many times you can cover for the shite alongside you. 

I actually think it's what's in front of him that is what exposes Vlaar.

Nigel De Jong and Sneijder instead of Delph and Westwood.

[hilts_coolerking]

I don't know why Paul McGrath is being mentioned in context of the Vlaar discussion - it's a complete red herring.  Vlaar is one of our best players, admittedly in something of a lean period to put it mildly, and we'd be weakened if he left.  I'd worry about our ability to attract and afford a player of a similar standard.  I'm not saying it's impossible, just that it's not something which fills me confidence.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

We'd be buggered if he goes. Another Okore injury (who is unknown really) and we'd have Senderos, Clark and Baker.

[Matt Collins]

Agreed. I just can't see who we'd get in to replace him that wouldn't leave us hugely vulnerable.

[silhillvilla]

Doubt we'll see Ron on Thursday at Mansfield. Hoping Okore gets a run out though.

[David_Nab]

If anyone comes in for him lets hope it's united , with their Kit deal and shirt sponsor they are loaded so that will be £20 mil please chaps

[sirlordbaltimore]

We'd be buggered if he goes. Another Okore injury (who is unknown really) and we'd have Senderos, Clark and Baker.

Except we'd replace him if sold obviously

[UK Redsox]

Doubt we'll see Ron on Thursday at Mansfield. 

The bloody lightweight

[dave shelley]

I heard he's booked a fortnight's holiday there to unwind.

[paul_e]

Doubt we'll see Ron on Thursday at Mansfield. 

The bloody lightweight

I hope we see him in the ground even if not on the pitch, him being at the friendlies would potentially be a good sign about his future

[dave.woodhall]

Doubt we'll see Ron on Thursday at Mansfield. 

The bloody lightweight

I hope we see him in the ground even if not on the pitch, him being at the friendlies would potentially be a good sign about his future

He's just got back from Brazil and you expect him to turn up at Mansfield two days later?