Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Risso]

No way should we offer Dunne anything other than the way to the door. I think we'll see a big turnover of players this summer. Lambert has had a year to have a look at things and will now have a perfect picture of who to move on and who to keep.

In my opinion, out will be:
Bent, Ireland, Given, Dunne, Bannan, Holman, Delfouneso, Hutton, Makoun, Marshall, Petrov (sadly) and possibly the likes of Lichaj, Stephens, Albrighton etc.

That would free up something in the region of £400k p/w and bring in circa £17m - £20m too. Sounds easy, I know but that's something like what needs to happen.

As for who comes in, well I haven't the foggiest. I reckon we might go for Weimanns mate Dragovic. He fits the profile of the type of player I reckon we're looking at. We're clearly after a skillful playmaker. Who this will be is anybody's guess but probably a virtual unknown who turns out to be ace. Apart from that, replacements for those outgoing who will actually figure more, a senior left back, another senior centre half maybe.

A few will go out on loan, like Bowery. Also a few wil be promoted from the academy, or will figure more. Like Carruthers, Johnson, Drennan, Burke and Williams. Maybe on short loans too.

The only way it'll free up wages is if some other mug team is dumb enough to pay the likes of Ireland and Given what they're currently earning, or very close to.  If we cancel their contracts we'll have to pay them off so it'll free up nowt.

[not3bad]

No way should we offer Dunne anything other than the way to the door. I think we'll see a big turnover of players this summer. Lambert has had a year to have a look at things and will now have a perfect picture of who to move on and who to keep.

In my opinion, out will be:
Bent, Ireland, Given, Dunne, Bannan, Holman, Delfouneso, Hutton, Makoun, Marshall, Petrov (sadly) and possibly the likes of Lichaj, Stephens, Albrighton etc.

That would free up something in the region of £400k p/w and bring in circa £17m - £20m too. Sounds easy, I know but that's something like what needs to happen.

As for who comes in, well I haven't the foggiest. I reckon we might go for Weimanns mate Dragovic. He fits the profile of the type of player I reckon we're looking at. We're clearly after a skillful playmaker. Who this will be is anybody's guess but probably a virtual unknown who turns out to be ace. Apart from that, replacements for those outgoing who will actually figure more, a senior left back, another senior centre half maybe.

A few will go out on loan, like Bowery. Also a few wil be promoted from the academy, or will figure more. Like Carruthers, Johnson, Drennan, Burke and Williams. Maybe on short loans too.

The only way it'll free up wages is if some other mug team is dumb enough to pay the likes of Ireland and Given what they're currently earning, or very close to.  If we cancel their contracts we'll have to pay them off so it'll free up nowt.

It's difficult to see what team might be crazy enough to take Ireland off our hands.  I did read one opinion that Given should swap the Villa Park bench for the Old Trafford one!

[paulcomben]

Ireland must be kicking himself that he did not wait for QPR to come knocking. Mercenary idle wasters on tens of thousands a week - his ideal set-up.

On the subject, do we know what was the final straw that made Lambert boot Mr Hookah Pipe into the long grass?

[Mazrim]

There are teams that will take those players.
I think the likes of Bent and Given will leave for professional reasons and there will be takers for them even on their Villa wages. Certainly Bent. Dunne is off anyway. The only real problem is Ireland and we only have him for one season more so we can speculate.
So I reckon we'll free up lots.

[hipkiss92]

Ireland must be kicking himself that he did not wait for QPR to come knocking. Mercenary idle wasters on tens of thousands a week - his ideal set-up.

On the subject, do we know what was the final straw that made Lambert boot Mr Hookah Pipe into the long grass?

He's crap?

[Legion]

He's not crap. Not at all. He's just not interested in producing what he is capable of.

[paulcomben]

Just checked and he was dropped after the 15-0 Christmas then Bradford. Good choice of scapegoat to help the mental state of the keen, young, reasonably paid players. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=41708

[PaulWinch again]

He's not crap. Not at all. He's just not interested in producing what he is capable of.

Yep very talented player, just no application.

[rob_bridge]

Ireland must be kicking himself that he did not wait for QPR to come knocking. Mercenary idle wasters on tens of thousands a week - his ideal set-up.

On the subject, do we know what was the final straw that made Lambert boot Mr Hookah Pipe into the long grass?

I dunno but I saw Ireland on the pitch v Wigan, had to look hard mind and couldn't suggest he actually played that day. What a twunt!

[paul_e]

He's not crap. Not at all. He's just not interested in producing what he is capable of.

Yep very talented player, just no application.

I debate how talented he really is, he's had half a season in 8 years of looking like a quality player.  The rest of his career he's been very average, as well as being a lazy twunt.

[Matt C]

All the ability, none of the application. As one of the Man City coaches once said of him - in terms of natural ability he was their best player, but in terms of training application and mentality, one of their worst.

I can see him ending up at QPR on loan next season.

[paulcomben]

Ireland must be kicking himself that he did not wait for QPR to come knocking. Mercenary idle wasters on tens of thousands a week - his ideal set-up.

On the subject, do we know what was the final straw that made Lambert boot Mr Hookah Pipe into the long grass?

I dunno but I saw Ireland on the pitch v Wigan, had to look hard mind and couldn't suggest he actually played that day. What a twunt!

Yes, that was the last time I saw him play 'live' and he convincingly conveyed '0-3, don't care, hate all of you'.

[SoccerHQ]

Ireland must be kicking himself that he did not wait for QPR to come knocking. Mercenary idle wasters on tens of thousands a week - his ideal set-up.

On the subject, do we know what was the final straw that made Lambert boot Mr Hookah Pipe into the long grass?

I thought his disgrace of a performance against Wigan (I was a fan until then) but he popped up randomly a month later at home to Bradford and was equally as dire.

[OCD]

All the ability, none of the application. As one of the Man City coaches once said of him - in terms of natural ability he was their best player, but in terms of training application and mentality, one of their worst.

I can see him ending up at QPR on loan next season.

You would think they would have learnt their lesson. They're in enough of a mess already with how they've been running.

[eamonn]

He's a player you have to accommodate and unless you're a very good side he's a liability unfortunately. It's a shame because it's rare we have a midfielder who has the ability to play that role between the lines so well.

I can't equate the Stephen Ireland who went to court to get custody of his kids and is often hands-on at representing the club at Acorns/Community initiatives and the one who even Paul Lambert can't motivate. Sad.