Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[LeeS]

Given will take a pay cut to play I think. He's a model pro and a few grand wont matter much to him vs spending his twilight career on the bench. And he still has a good reputation so there will be takers.

Completely agree, Maz. I suspect that once a player reaches the final couple of years, the lure of game time outweighs money (unless they have spunked their career earnings away). It must be a hard reality to face, that time has moved on and your playing days are nearing the end. If I were a pro I'd just keep dropping down the divisions until my body gave up.

[manic-road]

According to today's Sun paper we have made a £4m bid for Peterborough's Dwight Gayle.

I don't know anything about the lad but I do remember the last time we signed someone called Dwight and he turned out to be all right.

[tomd2103]

Given will take a pay cut to play I think. He's a model pro and a few grand wont matter much to him vs spending his twilight career on the bench. And he still has a good reputation so there will be takers.

From the four players we're bound to get rid of (Hutton, Ireland, Bent and Given), Given will probably easiest to get rid of and would probably take biggest pay cut. When I've seen him interviewed he's always come out as utter professional.

I saw him in Goals on Sunday in the fall and he said that Lambert had talked with all the keepers several times and talked things through with them which he seemed to really appreciate - in contrast of what Mancini who just dropped him without talking with him at all.

I don't know what the coaching set up is like at the moment, but maybe a reduced wage offer to Given with the prospect of being involved with goalkeeping coaching at the club might tempt him.  Like others have said, he comes across as being a top pro though and watching him in goal during the warm ups, his reflexes still look sharp.

[fbriai]

According to today's Sun paper we have made a £4m bid for Peterborough's Dwight Gayle.

I don't know anything about the lad but I do remember the last time we signed someone called Dwight and he turned out to be all right.

I'd take that with a pinch of salt.

Every time I hear of a Peterborough player being linked with a big money move I just think of Barry Fry and Jonathan Hunt apparently being worth £25 million.

[not3bad]

Door is not closed for Richard Dunne?

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-richard-dunnes-claret-3569264?

[rob_bridge]

Given will take a pay cut to play I think. He's a model pro and a few grand wont matter much to him vs spending his twilight career on the bench. And he still has a good reputation so there will be takers.

From the four players we're bound to get rid of (Hutton, Ireland, Bent and Given), Given will probably easiest to get rid of and would probably take biggest pay cut. When I've seen him interviewed he's always come out as utter professional.

I saw him in Goals on Sunday in the fall and he said that Lambert had talked with all the keepers several times and talked things through with them which he seemed to really appreciate - in contrast of what Mancini who just dropped him without talking with him at all.

I don't know what the coaching set up is like at the moment, but maybe a reduced wage offer to Given with the prospect of being involved with goalkeeping coaching at the club might tempt him.  Like others have said, he comes across as being a top pro though and watching him in goal during the warm ups, his reflexes still look sharp.

Given was a fantastic keeper - unfortunately his best days are quite a while ago. (Pre 2008) But yes model pro - just like Friedal. Wish there were more like them.

[Concrete John]

Door is not closed for Richard Dunne?

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-richard-dunnes-claret-3569264?

Asked about the prospect of Dunne being offered a new contract, Lambert replied: “I haven’t spoken to him at all about that."

Out of contract in 7 weeks and nothing even discussed yet?  I wouldn't worry too much over that one!

[Mazrim]

Indeed. He couldn't be more of a goner if his name was Sir Richard Gonnington- Departier and made minister for doing one in an outgoing cabinet.

[jonzy85]

Door is not closed for Richard Dunne?

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-richard-dunnes-claret-3569264?

Asked about the prospect of Dunne being offered a new contract, Lambert replied: “I haven’t spoken to him at all about that."

Out of contract in 7 weeks and nothing even discussed yet?  I wouldn't worry too much over that one!

I posted a different article in the Richard Dunne thread, he goes on to say

"The most important thing for me is that he can continue playing. He is an international player and this injury has been an absolute nightmare for us and him. Once I know we are all right in the league I can address this situation.
“The most important thing at the moment is for us to get over the line. But the door is certainly not closed in regard to Richard Dunne.”

I think this would be a bit of a no-brainer for us. We will be in a position of strength to offer a short term pay as you play deal for the year so that he can prove he can still play. If he really is crocked, not much of a loss. Otherwise, we have an experienced centre-half, the type we have been missing all year.

A lot of people on here have a bee in their bonnet about Dunne, which stems back to the summer we signed him. I remember this forum going into meltdown when it was suggested. He went on to be named in the PFA team of the year, was one of the main reasons a poor Ireland team got to the Euros and has generally been quite a good player for us when fit. He has struggled with fitness throughout his career, but this year might have given him the frighteners that his career could be over and give him the extra impetus to improve his fitness.

I'd like to think we could be in the market for someone like Lescott, who is a good bit younger, but I think that could be a bridge too far. As far as I can see we need 2 more experienced centre halves, so if Dunne can make a comeback, that means we can put those resources into getting one.

[pauliewalnuts]

He then went on to prove himself to be a calamity magnet, and came back after training every summer distinctly overweight.

We're going to be in a situation where we need a new centre half this summer, I don't see having had a couple of decent seasons several years ago as a good enough reason to spend that money on a 34 year old who hasn't kicked a ball in anger for more than a year.

It just doesn't tally remotely with what we're trying to do.

[Jarpie]

We should get rid of Dunne, he haven't played almost for a year and given his age and the injury problems he's had this season what do you think his fitness and especially game sharpness would be?

[jonzy85]

I admit, I think it is unlikely he is going to come back to play at the level required. I do think it is worth a punt though. Lambert also seems to, judging from his quotes.

[pauliewalnuts]

I admit, I think it is unlikely he is going to come back to play at the level required.

Then why bother even taking the risk.

Because if we do, and he proves to be a waste of time, that's more money down the toilet.

Lambert won't give him another deal, I'd ignore those quotes, he's hardly going to say "nope, we're letting him go" to the press at this point.

[tomd2103]

He then went on to prove himself to be a calamity magnet, and came back after training every summer distinctly overweight.

We're going to be in a situation where we need a new centre half this summer, I don't see having had a couple of decent seasons several years ago as a good enough reason to spend that money on a 34 year old who hasn't kicked a ball in anger for more than a year.

It just doesn't tally remotely with what we're trying to do.

His interest seemed to wane when O'Neill walked out and since then his performance level has been very erratic.   

[LeeS]

He then went on to prove himself to be a calamity magnet, and came back after training every summer distinctly overweight.

We're going to be in a situation where we need a new centre half this summer, I don't see having had a couple of decent seasons several years ago as a good enough reason to spend that money on a 34 year old who hasn't kicked a ball in anger for more than a year.

It just doesn't tally remotely with what we're trying to do.

His interest seemed to wane when O'Neill walked out and since then his performance level has been very erratic.   

Maybe he'd be another in that category of seeing his best days behind him and his retirement looming and think it is time for one last Indian Summer. Under the right management, he would have something to offer. I'm not suggesting we give him another 4 year, £50k p/w contract. But a one-year deal with payment by performance would be a limited risk to us.