Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[RussellC]

I've heard that Keown's on a free, but no doubt we'll let him go to The Baggies.

[Ads]

I am not really sure what Richardson's best position is (no jokes please) as I remember him breaking through as a wideman, but of late at Sunderland and Fulham he has been a full back.

Maybe we will go back to the 352, with an emphasis on the 3 and 5 rather than the other way round.

I have no issue with Hutton staying. I don't think he is very good, but based on Lowton of last year, there isn't much difference in quality.

[Clampy]

Lowton and Weimann had difficult second seasons last year. I wouldn't be writing them off just yet, there's a pair of decent players there I reckon.

[curiousorange]

These are signings which, had O'Neill made them when he first came in in 2006, would probably have made you nod appreciatively and thought he was building a decent squad.

Eight years later, we sign them, with eight years worth of injuries, poor form, relegations and knowledge that they've all peaked as footballers. If you're pleased by these bargain bucket signings, you may have spent too long in the sun.

[RussellC]

Lowton,

Lowton and Weimann had difficult second seasons last year. I wouldn't be writing them off just yet, there's a pair of decent players there I reckon.

Lowton I agree with you about, but Wiemann I just can't figure out.  His movement is good, but his touch, awareness and decision-making were all very poor for the main-part of the season. Aside from the through-ball to Luna on the opening day and his two goals against Hull at home, I generally thought he was very poor on a weekly basis.

[adrenachrome]

Daily Mail

Kieran Richardson to have Aston Villa medical with Fulham winger set to snub West Ham, West Brom and Crystal Palace


Villa medical set for Friday ahead of proposed transfer for undisclosed fee

By SORIEBAH KAJUE

PUBLISHED: 15:21, 10 July 2014 | UPDATED: 15:23, 10 July 2014

Kieran Richardson is expected to have a medical at Aston Villa on Friday ahead of his proposed transfer for an undisclosed fee.

The 29-year-old had been the subject of interest from West Ham, West Brom and Crystal Palace, but Villa now seem poised to sign him.

Richardson had seemed keen to stay in London following Fulham’s relegation, but the arrival of Roy Keane at Villa Park as Paul Lambert’s number two is believed to have swayed his decision.

Keane was captain of Manchester United when Richardson was emerging through the ranks at Old Trafford, and made him Sunderland’s record signing in 2007 while manager.

Owner Randy Lerner has made it clear to Lambert there will be little funds for new signings in this transfer window.

And the acquisition of the former England midfielder is seen as an astute piece of business due to his versatility that allows him to play left-back, midfield and in an attacking role.

Fulham are still dealing with the financial ramifications of their relegation from the Premier League and will let the former Black Cat midfielder leave for a modest fee.

The news of Richardson’s likely switch to Villa Park will come as a blow to West Brom where he is still fondly remembered after playing an integral role in helping retaining their Premier League status in 2005.

[yaliekins]

These are signings which, had O'Neill made them when he first came in in 2006, would probably have made you nod appreciatively and thought he was building a decent squad.

Eight years later, we sign them, with eight years worth of injuries, poor form, relegations and knowledge that they've all peaked as footballers. If you're pleased by these bargain bucket signings, you may have spent too long in the sun.

Absolutely spot on.  It's quite clear we're f*cked, no point in trying to put a positive spin on it all, we're signing shite players who may or may not be a slight improvement over the current batch of shite players we have.  If Lerner doesn't sell, though, will we not be lumbered with an even more ridiculous wage bill if we're signing old, past it players on 20k a pop for 2 years a time?

[Clampy]

Lowton,

Lowton and Weimann had difficult second seasons last year. I wouldn't be writing them off just yet, there's a pair of decent players there I reckon.

Lowton I agree with you about, but Wiemann I just can't figure out.  His movement is good, but his touch, awareness and decision-making were all very poor for the main-part of the season. Aside from the through-ball to Luna on the opening day and his two goals against Hull at home, I generally thought he was very poor on a weekly basis.

He probably played too many games in fairness and maybe if Benteke and Kozak had not got injured, we might have used him a bit less. I like him a lot, he's still young enough to improve.

[Des Little]

My favourite part of it is the standard upbeat announcement pish on Pravda with the reminder to snap up season tickets at the bottom, like signings like this will have them queuing round the block. 

[RussellC]

Edit: In response to Clampy.

That's true, and he has looked good in (albeit very rare) patches. His work-rate and willingness to help out defensively is a big plus for me also.

[Steve kirk]

In our current state of limbo we wont be spending much if anything so freebies it is but these signinings have top flight experience,  maybe people would prefer that we were bringing more lower league fodder with zero experience?

[Tuscans]

The way I always try and look at new signings is are they better than what we already have. For me I would have to say yes, Kieran Richardson is better, probably better than Bennett and easily miles better than Luna who we may as well write off.

Is Joe Cole better than what we had in midfield last season...again I would have to say yes as my guess is he will be replacing KEA in that three man midfield and his job will be to supply and chip in with goals...something KEA can't do although I know he wasn't being asked to.

Senderos, well...the jury is out if he is actually better than Baker or Clark. Personally I'm not bothered by it as a fit Vlaar and Okore will keep all 3 out.

[ciggiesnbeer]

These signings are a pretty clear indication we are not going to be sold anytime soon aren't they?

Le sigh

[pauliewalnuts]

In our current state of limbo we wont be spending much if anything so freebies it is but these signinings have top flight experience,  maybe people would prefer that we were bringing more lower league fodder with zero experience?

Or better players.

It's not as if the choice is "lower league, inexperienced dross" or "proven mediocrity" with nothing in between.

[hilts_coolerking]

How is it that we can only sign frees, and mediocre frees at that, when our owner has hundred of millions in the bank?