Concrete Ron

[citizenDJ]

It doesn't seem too fanciful to me to think that Vlaar could leave for Southampton. They are pretty flush with cash right now and would likely offer both a good fee to buy him and big enough wages to be attractive to the player.

Against that is the current situation at Southampton where, after a year where they built up a lot of goodwill and appeared very attractive to many players, I'd have thought, they seem to be in a different circumstance and have sold a good number of their best players.

Is a new contract we offer Vlaar likely to be better than a new contract Southampton offer him? I wouldn't count on it. Is Villa in our current state a better bet for him than Southampton in their current state? That's a tough call, too.

I wouldn't be too surprised if he left, to be honest.

[Chris Smith]

I can't see the Southampton thing at all. They are a side that has pretty much just sold all of their best players to help clear their debts, after coming off a world cup where he has been lauded by all and sundry surely he would set his sights a little higher if looking for a move (which I am far from convinced is the case anyway).

[RussellC]

Which confirms that we don't know the full facts.

You could apply that logic to any post on any thread on this message board. Of course we don't. We can only speculate given the evidence we have in front of us. Which is what I'm doing.

[kippaxvilla2]

I honestly think he will only leave for a truly better side and by that I mean a CL side or maybe manure if van gaal came calling.  But we've said he isn't for sale.

[RussellC]

I can't see the Southampton thing at all. They are a side that has pretty much just sold all of their best players to help clear their debts, after coming off a world cup where he has been lauded by all and sundry surely he would set his sights a little higher if looking for a move (which I am far from convinced is the case anyway).

Yeah, I can't see him being tempted by Southampton either, and I honestly don't think the club will look to cash in this summer. I'm more concerned by the prospect of getting to January with Vlaar having only a few months left on his deal.

[silhillvilla]

I honestly think he will only leave for a truly better side and by that I mean a CL side or maybe manure if van gaal came calling.  But we've said he isn't for sale.

I think that's very naive . He'll leave for someone offering a great contract.

[Dave]

I honestly think he will only leave for a truly better side and by that I mean a CL side or maybe manure if van gaal came calling.  But we've said he isn't for sale.

I think that's very naive . He'll leave for someone offering a great contract.

He can't leave for anyone for another 12 months. He can't be offered a 'great contract' until then unless we give them permission to speak to him.

[silhillvilla]

Sorry yes what I meant to say is in 12 months. When is he free to start talking to other clubs ? January ?
You'd like to think an offer is already on the table from villa but this club is currently being run by muppets so who knows.

[supertom]

Southampton may struggle to attract decent recruits. Anyone with any ambition will look at them and see a club that's going to lose pretty much the entire spine of the side. Every single one of their better players has been sold, or has one foot out the door. They'll struggle this season. Likewise, any decent player joining, probably will do so viewing them as little more than a stepping stone.

For me, Ron is at the stage of his career where he's probably got one last big move in him. Does he want to waste that on Southampton? Or does he hold out for a top side who will compete for trophies? Probably the latter. I think he'll happily see out his final year. Conversely, if the likes of Utd don't make an offer, I think he'll sign a deal should we offer him a good deal.

[SoccerHQ]

I too wouldn't believe he'd go to Southampton either, just that Koeman is their manager, someone he played for quite a while at Feyenoord so clearly has respect for him.

[Gregorys Boy]

Lambert has also said that there has been no offers so far.  I tend to think the Southampton link is lazy press based on the manager being Dutch, and them having sold/about to sell a centre back...  Also I think they are closing in on a deal for a another defender?

[LeeB]

Lambert has also said that there has been no offers so far.  I tend to think the Southampton link is lazy press based on the manager being Dutch, and them having sold/about to sell a centre back...  Also I think they are closing in on a deal for a another defender?

Far be it from me to defend those lazy bastards in  the media, but I think the link comes from their manager naming him as a possible replacement in a press conference.

[Gregorys Boy]

Lambert has also said that there has been no offers so far.  I tend to think the Southampton link is lazy press based on the manager being Dutch, and them having sold/about to sell a centre back...  Also I think they are closing in on a deal for a another defender?

Far be it from me to defend those lazy bastards in  the media, but I think the link comes from their manager naming him as a possible replacement in a press conference.

I'd forgotten about that.  If you take the quote for red though he was quite causal about it, like "maybe Ron Vlaar" which may mean he is just one of a number of players he is looking at.

[Villa in Denmark]

This keeps getting rolled out like its a definitive answer and in some way an end to the debate. Whether you agree or not, there are still those of us who think the club have made a mistake in allowing Vlaar and Delph's contracts to run this far without being renewed. And if we're really expected to cut the club some slack because they were too busy dealing with the Culverhouse/Karsa fiasco, then we really are in a mess.

Fair enough, you're getting fed up of regularly seeing this trotted out.
Some of us are fed up with the assertion that everything to do with the club is unremittingly FUBAR.

Let's try it from another perspective.
I've explained why I think it's not unreasonable to have ended up here with Vlaar's contract, based on consensus around his fitness, performance levels and external distractions.

Can you specifically say when you'd have offered one, justified by his performances and taking into account whatever else was going on at the club that is now public knowledge?

[silhillvilla]

It's a good point Den. Id also suggest we are not going to see the sort of form vlaar displayed in the WC (what a brilliant tournament it was) in a villa shirt when he's got Baker and Clark for company. As it stands now if no tempting bids emerge , I'd wait until December / January and reevaluate then.