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

[Dave]

Hopefully with Sam Johnstone we have an option to buy otherwise I think it is rather pointless.

Agreed. We should never just do loans that help other clubs to develop their players.

If he improves us, I couldn't give a toss about developing players on behalf of others.  It is not as if we are at the same level as them.  First and foremost is Aston Villa.

And if him playing deprives Gollini of the necessary experience that means he would continue to develop and be our keeper for the next decade, does that benefit us?

[old man villa fan]

Hopefully with Sam Johnstone we have an option to buy otherwise I think it is rather pointless.

Agreed. We should never just do loans that help other clubs to develop their players.

If he improves us, I couldn't give a toss about developing players on behalf of others.  It is not as if we are at the same level as them.  First and foremost is Aston Villa.

And if him playing deprives Gollini of the necessary experience that means he would continue to develop and be our keeper for the next decade, does that benefit us?

That is a different question but the answer is the same.  First and foremost, what is best for Aston Villa.

[nigel]

Hopefully with Sam Johnstone we have an option to buy otherwise I think it is rather pointless.

Agreed. We should never just do loans that help other clubs to develop their players.

If he improves us, I couldn't give a toss about developing players on behalf of others.  It is not as if we are at the same level as them.  First and foremost is Aston Villa.

And if him playing deprives Gollini of the necessary experience that means he would continue to develop and be our keeper for the next decade, does that benefit us?

I think Goldini is an excellent prospect.
Maybe Bruce thinks he needs to adjust to the English game a bit longer before he's ready. He  has first team experience in italy so I don't think that's an issue.

[Tayls_7]

Hopefully with Sam Johnstone we have an option to buy otherwise I think it is rather pointless.

Agreed. We should never just do loans that help other clubs to develop their players.

If he improves us, I couldn't give a toss about developing players on behalf of others.  It is not as if we are at the same level as them.  First and foremost is Aston Villa.

And if him playing deprives Gollini of the necessary experience that means he would continue to develop and be our keeper for the next decade, does that benefit us?

I think Goldini is an excellent prospect.
Maybe Bruce thinks he needs to adjust to the English game a bit longer before he's ready. He  has first team experience in italy so I don't think that's an issue.

The Great Goldini! Marvellous.

[SoccerHQ]

I saw Sam Johnstone play for Walsall a few seasons back. He was seen as a good prospect then.

He's had 6 months at PNE at this level....I think that's what SB is on about having experience of the championship as I think the error Gollini made at Leeds with the cross was when talk of him being replaced started.

I do think if he does well Man. United will let him go permanently. There was a chance when DDG was about to leave for Madrid that he might've got a chance there but LVG signed Valdes and Romero and he's not had a sniff since.

[themossman]

I think there's inherent tension between the two approaches. Getting back up the quick way probably requires us to look just one season ahead and get the best 11 players together we can. We can't be sniffy about mercenaries with no sell on value or loanees that benefit other teams more than us in the long term. It's equally valid to say we should plan for the long term, but that might mean we don't get back up as quickly.

[Jimsta]

Have we signed anybody yet, Its 2017 here in Thailand so come on Villa pull your finger out

[paul_e]

I think there's inherent tension between the two approaches. Getting back up the quick way probably requires us to look just one season ahead and get the best 11 players together we can. We can't be sniffy about mercenaries with no sell on value or loanees that benefit other teams more than us in the long term. It's equally valid to say we should plan for the long term, but that might mean we don't get back up as quickly.

I agree totally, I just think we'v been stuck in a 10 year cycle of looking 1 season ahead and it's led us here and we need a bit of rebalancing.  I don't mind Johnstone if he thinks it's a good move but when you combine it with Tish and RHM not getting a look in it's starting to look like he's willing to dump the promising youngsters we have in the hopes of a quick return the concern is that if he doesn't think they're worth a place on the bench in the championship it's not going to change in the premier league.

[Dave]

I think there's inherent tension between the two approaches. Getting back up the quick way probably requires us to look just one season ahead and get the best 11 players together we can. We can't be sniffy about mercenaries with no sell on value or loanees that benefit other teams more than us in the long term. It's equally valid to say we should plan for the long term, but that might mean we don't get back up as quickly.

I agree totally, I just think we'v been stuck in a 10 year cycle of looking 1 season ahead and it's led us here and we need a bit of rebalancing.  I don't mind Johnstone if he thinks it's a good move but when you combine it with Tish and RHM not getting a look in it's starting to look like he's willing to dump the promising youngsters we have in the hopes of a quick return the concern is that if he doesn't think they're worth a place on the bench in the championship it's not going to change in the premier league.

Bruce has plenty of plus points, but a willingness to give young players a chance I don't think has really been on his list at any of his clubs.

[KevinGage]

Talk of Watford, Swansea and the Olbiyun being in for Ashley Young on loan.

Could understand the appeal of Watford as he is a local lad, but if that is the calibre of club in for him, might be worth a bid.

We've barely turned up this season and we're still not a million miles off the play-offs. Get it right with us, be part of the journey back to the top flight and we dwarf those two bob outfits.

[Steve67]

Strike early Villa.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

No way will ashley young come back

or barry, or milner or benteke or delph

[brontebilly]

Talk of Watford, Swansea and the Olbiyun being in for Ashley Young on loan.

Could understand the appeal of Watford as he is a local lad, but if that is the calibre of club in for him, might be worth a bid.

We've barely turned up this season and we're still not a million miles off the play-offs. Get it right with us, be part of the journey back to the top flight and we dwarf those two bob outfits.

Young has had a lot on injury problems, stay fit and would definitely be a good signing. Can't imagine he would want to drop a division unless we were paying serious wages.

[supertom]

No way will ashley young come back

or barry, or milner or benteke or delph

Watching MOTD made me really miss Jimmy Milner. Exactly the sort of player we need. Someone with that attitude and kind of consistency. Someone who could run all day long. We're obviously not going to get Milner himself, but someone of that ilk is definitely required.

[villabear]

No way will ashley young come back

or barry, or milner or benteke or delph

Watching MOTD made me really miss Jimmy Milner. Exactly the sort of player we need. Someone with that attitude and kind of consistency. Someone who could run all day long. We're obviously not going to get Milner himself, but someone of that ilk is definitely required.

Someone like the job Aaron Mooy at Huddersfield (Man City) and Ryan Woods at Brentford do. Let's hope Steve has got the wheels in motion already. I think he must realise our midfield shortcomings.