January Transfer Window Rumours/Suggestions/Hearsay/Heresy/Horseplay

[john e]

the crazy thing is with the desperate need for midfielders is we have Veretout, Sanchez and Gill all playing around the world and they are probably no worse than the ones we are linked with

[eamonn]

Are we giving-up on promotion this January just as we gave up on survival last January? I guess our odds of getting promoted won't be much lower than surviving relegation a year ago (even after our Palace and Norwich wins).

[Proposition Joe]

Loads of rumours of Bruce having to sell to buy now. Norwich now in for Lansbury too. So far this window is rivalling last January

Even if so, the 6m we got for Guestede covers the asking prices we've heard quoted for Lansbury and Hourihane doesn't it?

[Toronto Villa]

Are we giving-up on promotion this January just as we gave up on survival last January? I guess our odds of getting promoted won't be much lower than surviving relegation a year ago (even after our Palace and Norwich wins).

Why are we now perceived as giving up just because we haven't bought anyone yet?

[peter w]

If you believe  'readastonvilla '  ( @http://readastonvilla.com/2017/01/17/will-villa-sign-bookies-odds/)  Lansbury & Hourihane are pretty much nailed down certainties .

"Steve Bruce has identified his targets – Herni Lansbury and Conor Hourihane – and the bookmakers believe that these two players are almost guaranteed to become Villa players by the end of the month; so much so, that you will be hard pushed to find one who give you odds on the pair "
They also report that , apparently,  the Meaning Evil are publishing the odds below on possible signings , most are the ' usual suspects'  and ' wish listers' , but such short odds on Alan Judge came as a bit of a surprise, he hasn't been mentioned much on these here pages but would be a step in the right direction, imho.........Godzvilla!

Odds to Join Villa
Jordan Rhodes (Middlesbrough)- 1/5
Alan Judge (Brentford) – 1/3
Stewart Downing  (Middlesbrough) – 9/1
Fabian Delph (Manchester City) -12/1
Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace) 12/1
Robbie Brady (Norwich) – 14/1
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle) – 16/1
Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace) – 16/1
Robert Snodgrass (Norwich) 25/1
Ashley Young Manchester United) -25/1
James McCarthy (Everton) – 25/1
Frank Lampard (Free agent) – 25/1

out of that list, Delph would make the biggest difference to the team

The more I think about it, he is exactly what we need

Alan Judge is another "number ten", clever player but another one to swerve imo

Judge is more of a right sided midfielder isn't he. i'd definitely take him - he's had a broken something (leg? ankle?) and is only now back in training after about 6 months out. But, and I think its fairly safe to say that we'll be lining up in the Championship next season. A fit Judge will be the type of player we need to go up. Get him into the team before the end of the season - as in up and running - and then we'll have a good player in a good position ready for next season.

[JUAN PABLO]

Watching his goals again unless Bruce does find a way of getting more crosses and through balls into him, Rhodes will look just like the others.  Hourihane and Lansbury are the vital ones.  I would even take the winner at Peterborough if he can cross a ball and not just lose it like Grealish seems to have started doing lately.

this

I think Rhodes is a Darren Bent type , he will be great If he gets the service.

so Lansburys,houriane and Bree with Rhodes i would be very happy.

Jedink will improve too with these midfielders.

I think bruce will probably want to get rid of ayew to get some funds in .

[brontebilly]

If you believe  'readastonvilla '  ( @http://readastonvilla.com/2017/01/17/will-villa-sign-bookies-odds/)  Lansbury & Hourihane are pretty much nailed down certainties .

"Steve Bruce has identified his targets – Herni Lansbury and Conor Hourihane – and the bookmakers believe that these two players are almost guaranteed to become Villa players by the end of the month; so much so, that you will be hard pushed to find one who give you odds on the pair "
They also report that , apparently,  the Meaning Evil are publishing the odds below on possible signings , most are the ' usual suspects'  and ' wish listers' , but such short odds on Alan Judge came as a bit of a surprise, he hasn't been mentioned much on these here pages but would be a step in the right direction, imho.........Godzvilla!

Odds to Join Villa
Jordan Rhodes (Middlesbrough)- 1/5
Alan Judge (Brentford) – 1/3
Stewart Downing  (Middlesbrough) – 9/1
Fabian Delph (Manchester City) -12/1
Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace) 12/1
Robbie Brady (Norwich) – 14/1
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle) – 16/1
Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace) – 16/1
Robert Snodgrass (Norwich) 25/1
Ashley Young Manchester United) -25/1
James McCarthy (Everton) – 25/1
Frank Lampard (Free agent) – 25/1

out of that list, Delph would make the biggest difference to the team

The more I think about it, he is exactly what we need

Alan Judge is another "number ten", clever player but another one to swerve imo

Judge is more of a right sided midfielder isn't he. i'd definitely take him - he's had a broken something (leg? ankle?) and is only now back in training after about 6 months out. But, and I think its fairly safe to say that we'll be lining up in the Championship next season. A fit Judge will be the type of player we need to go up. Get him into the team before the end of the season - as in up and running - and then we'll have a good player in a good position ready for next season.

yes, he broke his leg last season when in great form, bit of a horror tackle if I recall

right sided was his position for years but Im pretty sure his great form came about when Brentford moved him inside off the front man, lacks a bit of pace for outwide

[brian green]

I think Judge had a broken gavel Peter.  Nasty.

[sid1964]

maybe Tony's backers are a bit underwhelmed of how we have done this season, and have decided to pull in the reins of our spending, as we don't look like getting promoted this season!!

[Clark W Griswold]

Surely we only need Rhodes if we're going to play 4-4-2. I would have thought Brady was the obvious forward player to go for if we're playing 4-3-3. Plus the 2 midfielders and right back either way and a centre back.

[Clark W Griswold]

And a left back now.

[Richard E]

I think Judge had a broken gavel Peter.  Nasty.

Judges in this country don't have gavels. They conduct trials not auctions!

[Chris Jameson]

When we signed Gestede a couple of Blackburn season ticket holders told me they were gutted to see him leave and rated him more highly than Rhodes. Make of that what you will.

[sirlordbaltimore]

maybe Tony's backers are a bit underwhelmed of how we have done this season, and have decided to pull in the reins of our spending, as we don't look like getting promoted this season!!

What backers ?

[eamonn]

Are we giving-up on promotion this January just as we gave up on survival last January? I guess our odds of getting promoted won't be much lower than surviving relegation a year ago (even after our Palace and Norwich wins).

Why are we now perceived as giving up just because we haven't bought anyone yet?

I'm only asking the question but quotes from Bruce after the Wolves game, like below, don't exactly sound encouraging regarding buying the quality and quantity of players we need.

Bruce Said:

We can’t keep adding surgery because that is what we’ve done in the past.

We’ll work with what we’ve got, try to make us better and get away from this mentality.