January 2016 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[OzVilla]

We are snookered now really.  Anyone who thinks Lerner will spend big in January is deluded and hasn't seen the table. We'll be 10 points adrift (maybe more) by then.

It'll all be about minimizing loses. We won't pay over the odds on mercenaries with relegation virtually nailed on.  Not to the degree that we'd need to stay up which if £50m minimum across at least 4 positions. 

[Stirchley Villain]

We'l spend next to nothing in January, resigned to going down. We can only hope we spend in the summer to get back up. There's not guarantees however, us being Aston Villa.

[German James]

To have more points than Derby County did.

[Stirchley Villain]

To have more points than Derby County did.

And it looks like they'll take our place. How ironic...

[ozzjim]

A keeper, genuine goalscorer, winger that can cross, a proper holding midfielder that does not just give the ball away and let people run in behind.

Just to start.

For our planning of next season, I would be looking to get Jedinak of Palace to add some nasty in the middle of the park and because he is a leader, an experienced head and would put some bite into us.

Centre half is needed, but - and don't laugh - Senderos is worth a look 2nd half of the season. Lets face it, Richards and Clark are fucking terrible together, so get in a couple of solid, dependable lumps that can fucking defend. Richards should be right back from now on, and if not happy, sell the fucker, because his leadership skills are as good as Timmy's tactics.

Up front Crouch was a good shout the other day. Holds the ball up brilliantly and would give Ayew, Sinclair and Traore someone to play off.

[footyskillz]

If money isn't thrown at villa there's a smart option of taking a chance on some non league strikers or lower league high scoring ability. I think the cruise of players like vardy is indication and contrast to the academy development players. A lower league or non league player with raw ability and goal scoring prowess could be unearthed and given chance. There's argument but means more to such a player rather than those who think they made it . it's only an idea but to see players with pride and determination would be great and a striker who knows how to get goals and shows fight will give it all. Garde though is an artisan so a busy player with endeavour isn't maybe what would come in .

[supertom]

By January we'll probably be in a position where attracting half decent players with a bit of experience will be nigh on impossible. I can't see many wanting to join when we are so inevitably going down. It might be that all we can do is buy more promise, more over the hill or start our championship rebuild.

[footyskillz]

Clauses written in, loan deals and big money offered these options would entice players who are either not playing first team footy or are of decent quality up for challenge

[OzVilla]

I think if that's the choice I'd be looking a the Championship rebuild option. Jedinek in a great shout and exactly what we'll need to come back. We must make the most of that 1st season opportunity teams that go down have. Miss that and we'll struggle for a while.

As for non league players or lower league players young and hungry types, you must be joking.  That's exactly the type of thinking that bought the likes of Westwood, Lowton, Bennett etc to ruin the squad In the first place.  For every Jamie Vardy there's 10 Jordan Bowry's.

[ozzjim]

By January we'll probably be in a position where attracting half decent players with a bit of experience will be nigh on impossible. I can't see many wanting to join when we are so inevitably going down. It might be that all we can do is buy more promise, more over the hill or start our championship rebuild.

Its the right over the hill that we will need. We have promise, and most are likely to stay through lack of takers. Sinclair/ Ayew might get sniffs but we would want 7-8 million for them easy. Gana has been poor of late but might get a few glances, Veretout will still be here, Westwood will. Need to start playing the likes of Gardner now too to get them ready for it, at least he has performed well at that level. So has Baker by the sounds of it, so get him back in. We could end up with a half decent side that will hold their own, but it will need 3-4 experienced players that can bring us back up

[tomd2103]

We are snookered now really.  Anyone who thinks Lerner will spend big in January is deluded and hasn't seen the table. We'll be 10 points adrift (maybe more) by then.

Who would want to cone to us in that position?  No decent top flight player would due to the good chance we will be going down and players at good Championship sides won't because they might be going up. 

[OzVilla]

Clauses written in, loan deals and big money offered these options would entice players who are either not playing first team footy or are of decent quality up for challenge

Ask yourself this.

Why would they not be playing 1st team football?
If they are decent quality, why would their sides let them go?
When has a footballer last joined a side 10 points adrift in January for the 'challenge'?
What makes us think Lerner would spend over the odds in January when we'll be sunk anyway when he hasn't at any stage since 2010?

I admire your optimism but I think you'll be mightily disappointed come January because what we need and what we'll get will be miles apart.  If the gap was 5 points or less maybe but it just won't be. 

[IFWaters]

In this situation we simply have to pay an absolute fortune in win bonuses or survival bonuses to persuade half decent players elsewhere to come in.

Above all we need leadership and experience. There have been some good suggestions such as Crouch and Jedinak but I still think the biggest area for improvement is defensively, keeper included.

[Steve67]

We need to rebuild the defence. I wonder if Richards won't be shifted to right back because we have agreed to play him centre back. If so, we either manage him better or bring in someone capable of playing next to him. Bringing Cissokho back won't help either, he's crap too. Perhaps a better standard of crap than Richardson though.  We need to start with the keeper. We have to bring in someone who the defenders have some faith in.

[ROBBO]

Maybe thats the way to attract decent players in January offer them a huge bonus if we stay up.