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

[aev]

Lyon midfielder Gueida Fofana has been forced to retire at the age of 25 after failing to overcome an ankle injury.

Was this the bloke we were linked with ages ago (possibly Houllier time)?

[Phil from the upper holte]

Rumours of that Barnsley Kid coming and McCormack to Derby

[Phil from the upper holte]

If he doesn't go to Fulham that is

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Lyon midfielder Gueida Fofana has been forced to retire at the age of 25 after failing to overcome an ankle injury.

Was this the bloke we were linked with ages ago (possibly Houllier time)?

we were linked with his brother last week.

[old man villa fan]

If Bruce doesn't address the midfield problem, bringing in another forward would be just bringing in a player for the sake of it.  Something he said we have done in the past and we wouldn't repeat going forward.

We desperately need to sort out both areas though. 

We need a forward who can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game, especially away from home.  And, of course, we also need central midfielders who can control the game and take the game to the opposition as well.

It's easy to see the midfield problems, but the centre forward ones seem just as much of an issue to me.

I'm not disputing that but what I said was that it would be a waste of money in isolation.  Bringing in a forward will not offset the issues in midfield.

[oldhill_avfc]

If Bruce doesn't address the midfield problem, bringing in another forward would be just bringing in a player for the sake of it.  Something he said we have done in the past and we wouldn't repeat going forward.

We desperately need to sort out both areas though. 

We need a forward who can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game, especially away from home.  And, of course, we also need central midfielders who can control the game and take the game to the opposition as well.

It's easy to see the midfield problems, but the centre forward ones seem just as much of an issue to me.

I'm not disputing that but what I said was that it would be a waste of money in isolation.  Bringing in a forward will not offset the issues in midfield.

Absolutely - I said we need to sort both out.

[auntiesledd]

If he doesn't go to Fulham that is

Well I hope somebody takes him (McCormack) off our hands asap - as we might just get a replacement in who might actually give a shit about playing for us. I guess we can but hope...

[mr underhill]

reports of a £10m bid for Rhodes being turned down by Boro - apparently we offered £6m up front with add ons

[Gareth]

Rhodes like McCormack has always scored goals in this division although they've barely had a promotion challenge between them, Rhodes was parachuted into one last Jan but wasn't there for the groundwork. 

Personally I think the experience with McCormack should act as a huge warning that stats aren't everything, we need goals throughout a functioning team not a goalscorer who is a passenger.

Also happy that there seems to be a focus on shifting players out as much as players in, this is an overhaul job that will take 2/3 transfer windows so club has to be prudent and balance the books....whilst leaving us with a balanced squad not a mishmash of individuals.

[Richard E]

Rhodes would be a Colossus for us.

[villabear]

Pat Murphy just tweeted:

"I understand Jordan Rhodes won't be coming to @AVFCOfficial after an enquiry to Boro".

[PeterWithesShin]

Moderately interesting, possibly, but 6 years ago today we signed Darren Bent.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Pat Murphy just tweeted:

"I understand Jordan Rhodes won't be coming to @AVFCOfficial after an enquiry to Boro".

I hope Pat's right.

[eamonn]

Moderately interesting, possibly, but 6 years ago today we signed Darren Bent.

£24m - World - ''Villa are desperate'' Us - ''Count the Benjamins suckas, we mean business''.

[Havencheese]

Why don't we confront Villasboro head on with a fax, "Mikkel Beck £1.75m* offer, take it or leave it!"

*alice band add ons bringing it up to £2m