Concrete Ron

[Gregorys Boy]

I get the whole if they offer a lot of money lets cash in argument, but with the season starting and the transfer window not far off closing, it would be very hard for us to get a replacement in time.  At this point I think we need to keep him.  I honesty don't think Vlaar will go now.  Southampton are the only ones you have expressed serous interest (to my knowledge) and I don't see why he would leave us for them.  He doesn't seem to have had his head turned in anyway, and would stay committed while he is here.

[john2710]

Southampton paid £8.5m for a centre half today, are they likely to need another?

If they want him they need to pay up, if we want him we should put an offer on the table. If we are not offering Vlar what others are prepared to then he's going to leave.

What we can't have is a situation where at the last minute he goes & we do not get a player of his equal to replace him. Quite how we've allowed this situation to develop this far shows stunning incompetence.

A bit harsh john. He hasn't gone yet!!

We have 3 key / first choice players now in the last year of their contracts, you can also add Grealish to that list. Personally, I think that's a dangerous position to leave the club in, irrespective of what happens.

[kippaxvilla2]

The fact that we are all still talking about south fcukin Hampton being a viable alternative for him to villa is in itself astonishing.  Surely they are just a stalking horse in all of this.

[ozzjim]

I agree. I think he will be at United by the end of the window.

And we will sign some German/ Dutch/ Polish replacement for 2-3m that will be solid and do what we need.

In fact, my biggest issue with Vlaar going is Gabby being the full time captain.

[Villafirst]

I wouldn't blame Ron for moving. What ambition have Villa shown this summer to convince him to stay? The signings so far have hardly excited anyone. I'm sick and tired of Lerner and his austerity measures, so disappointing that he's still the owner. Also, what about Delph's contract? The club is a joke.

[dicedlam]

In fact, my biggest issue with Vlaar going is Gabby being the full time captain.

Delph should be made captain if Vlaar goes.

[Mister E]

]

We have 3 key / first choice players now in the last year of their contracts, you can also add Grealish to that list. Personally, I think that's a dangerous position to leave the club in, irrespective of what happens.

It is a dangerous situation. As I've said before, I think Lerner is gambling that he can get the club sold before Xmas. Then, the new owner would be making the long-term commitment. If nothing has happened re the sale by early December, he will have to deal with those contracts that are winding down.
It's a crazy situation really, but the sale is creating a different decision-making framework.

[Chris Smith]

]

We have 3 key / first choice players now in the last year of their contracts, you can also add Grealish to that list. Personally, I think that's a dangerous position to leave the club in, irrespective of what happens.

It is a dangerous situation. As I've said before, I think Lerner is gambling that he can get the club sold before Xmas. Then, the new owner would be making the long-term commitment. If nothing has happened re the sale by early December, he will have to deal with those contracts that are winding down.
It's a crazy situation really, but the sale is creating a different decision-making framework.

That's how I see it too. It has echoes of the last few months of Doug's time, in retrospect it was clear that everything was on hold pending the sale but at the time it just looked like parsimony.

[Matt Collins]

I thought there was mounting speculation that Lerner isn't optimistic of a short term sale and is in it for the medium term?

[silhillvilla]

If he's in it for the medium term he should be investing and sorting out contracts for key players. Shambles springs to mind.

[rob_bridge]

The fact that we are all still talking about south fcukin Hampton being a viable alternative for him to villa is in itself astonishing.  Surely they are just a stalking horse in all of this.

Not really. They have maybe upto £50m still to spend based on income generated from profits on players. We haven't.

They have a fairly big named coach who has worked with Vlaar in the past.

[rob_bridge]

If he's in it for the medium term he should be investing and sorting out contracts for key players. Shambles springs to mind.

Too Kind.

4 Years of Omnishambles.

[Chris Smith]

The fact that we are all still talking about south fcukin Hampton being a viable alternative for him to villa is in itself astonishing.  Surely they are just a stalking horse in all of this.

Not really. They have maybe upto £50m still to spend based on income generated from profits on players. We haven't.

They have a fairly big named coach who has worked with Vlaar in the past.

If he has any ambition to compete for trophies then he will not move to Southampton. A big proportion of the money raised is to service their debts, I would be gobsmacked if they spend anywhere near that amount.

[PaulWinch again]

I agree, but we're hardly an attractive option either given that we are showing and have shown no ambition over the last few years. I suspect he'll got to Man Utd.

[Chris Smith]

I thought there was mounting speculation that Lerner isn't optimistic of a short term sale and is in it for the medium term?

Speculation is all it is though, which is just symptomatic of the times where everything is expected yesterday.