Concrete Ron

[Steve R]

It must be the way that I read that but he seemed to be hinting that he had been patched up and pushed back into action a little too soon last January onwards.

The Erasmus MC is a fine name for a hospital. Not on the same level as the Queen Elizabeth, but still pretty good. The Rotterdam Hospital sponsored by Erasmic would have been even better.

[cdbearsfan]

I would hope, however he may have treated Villa, that we offer him a 6 months deal starting in January on the promise to help him through the next few weeks.

Sorry, but I think that's a terrible idea.  We haven't agreed a new contract with him up to now, so why would we knowing that he's injured again?  I agree with SH, good luck to him, but wouldn't want him any more under any circumstances.

Because if it was on the provision that he was fit then we have nothing to lose if the operation is successful. He only gets a deal if he can prove his fitness but it is there as a carrot for him.

Still a no from me. If he's fit three games, then out for two, then fit three, then out for two, I think that causes more disruption to our defence than just not having him at all. Even if we'd only be paying him six weeks out of the ten, I still think it would be a bad idea.

I'm far more bothered about getting Clark to sign a new deal.

[Villa in Denmark]

The only way it would make sense for us is as experienced cover on the bench, where we wouldn't be risking the kind of unstable pairings we've suffered from the last 3-4 years but have some genuine quality to come in if needed.

I'd definitely start with Okore and Clark, unless we bring someone else in and have Richards at RB.

With Amavi at LB, the slowest player then would be Clark, so we could play with a pretty high line against most teams without worrying about getting caught out behind, and give a foundation to press much higher up the pitch.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'd hope we offer him our facilities and help with his recuperation.  It'd be the classy thing to do and would only reflect well on the club.
Having him about might also be beneficial to the younger players.

[pauliewalnuts]

I would hope, however he may have treated Villa, that we offer him a 6 months deal starting in January on the promise to help him through the next few weeks.

Sorry, but I think that's a terrible idea.  We haven't agreed a new contract with him up to now, so why would we knowing that he's injured again?  I agree with SH, good luck to him, but wouldn't want him any more under any circumstances.

Because if it was on the provision that he was fit then we have nothing to lose if the operation is successful. He only gets a deal if he can prove his fitness but it is there as a carrot for him.

Why not just sign a centre half who doesn't have a serious injury?

We also already have two centre halves in Baker and Senderos who are made of glass.

I wish him all the best - I suspect this is the flip side of taking your time with a view to becoming a free agent - but I don't want us acting as a charitable institution here.

[cdbearsfan]

Richards is playing centre-back. Not sure why people keep suggesting him at right-back when he only signed on the basis he'd be playing in the middle.

I think Richards and Okore are too short to play together. So I'd have Richards and Clark first choice, Okore and Baker back-up. Senderos for emergencies. Donacien maybe at the end of the season for a game or two if we have nothing to play for.

[pauliewalnuts]

Incidentally re his insinuation that his earlier operation was a fuck up, I saw Kozak say very similar about his injury.

[Dante Lavelli]

Donacien should go on loan for the first half of the season, maybe the whole season.  Game time is more important than training with the squad.

[Villa in Denmark]

Richards is playing centre-back. Not sure why people keep suggesting him at right-back when he only signed on the basis he'd be playing in the middle.

I think Richards and Okore are too short to play together. So I'd have Richards and Clark first choice, Okore and Baker back-up. Senderos for emergencies. Donacien maybe at the end of the season for a game or two if we have nothing to play for.

I know it's reported that he's been signed to play CB, I just personally think it's not making the best back 4 out of what we've got.

Completely agree Richards and Okore should not be paired together as CBs unless absolute emergency. As you say, together too short and in addition they're both completely right footed so whoever is on the left side is going to be in bother.

[tomd2103]

Richards is playing centre-back. Not sure why people keep suggesting him at right-back when he only signed on the basis he'd be playing in the middle.

I think Richards and Okore are too short to play together. So I'd have Richards and Clark first choice, Okore and Baker back-up. Senderos for emergencies. Donacien maybe at the end of the season for a game or two if we have nothing to play for.

I know it's reported that he's been signed to play CB, I just personally think it's not making the best back 4 out of what we've got.

Completely agree Richards and Okore should not be paired together as CBs unless absolute emergency. As you say, together too short and in addition they're both completely right footed so whoever is on the left side is going to be in bother.

I agree and think the back four would look stronger with Richards at RB with either Okore or Senderos partnering Clark, than Richards at CB with either Hutton or Bacuna at RB. 

[olaftab]

I would hope, however he may have treated Villa, that we offer him a 6 months deal starting in January on the promise to help him through the next few weeks.

We are not a charity and he has been paid millions and millions by us with very poor return. I m sure he can take care of himself.

[kippaxvilla2]

He was offered a pay as you play deal by all accounts.  Now he has got a no pay as you don't play deal.

[paulcomben]

Ron needs knee surgery and will be unable to ply his trade for a few months. And we aren't paying for it this time. Whoop!

[paul_e]

I'd hope we offer him our facilities and help with his recuperation.  It'd be the classy thing to do and would only reflect well on the club.
Having him about might also be beneficial to the younger players.

I agree, offer him use of the club facilities whilst he gets fit, it's the right thing to do, I don't think I'd want to offer him another contract but it reflects well on the club to offer to let him train with us, etc.

[Boz]

Ron needs knee surgery and will be unable to ply his trade for a few months. And we aren't paying for it this time. Whoop!

About time Villa were more realistic. Given how we looked after Downing and Delph, it counted for nothing when the money started talking.

I'm sorry for Vlaar, but he opted not to sign a new contract so he has to accept the consequences and pay for his own treatment.