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

[four fornicholl]

....and as for Traore. Well just point him I'm the direction of the opposition goal and see whatever happens.
Usually a bit of ooh-aahh and then nothing. Not what we need then , nor now.

You dont mean a young, hungry, but as yet raw winger then?

[Steve67]

I see that Belgian centre back we are supposedly interested in isn't starting tonight for his side. Smoke and fire?

[passport1]

For what it is worth, if Traore is a shit player as plenty of you say, he is the only shit Villa player in my 70 years watching home and away that has had 2000 fans singing for him to come onto the field.

They used to sing for Salifou as well. He was pretty shit.

[BOB MANSFIELD]

Yup. That's what I mean......we don't need " raw ". We don't seem to want to " coach " players any more. We expect immediate suitability......and raw doesn't cut it. We need READY TO GO.

[Rudy65]

Traore is shit. If he can't cut it at Boro he's not going to pull any trees up at Chelsea.

I disagree. He has massive potential

He obviously can cut it Boro, he's in the team and is their biggest threat and it seems Chelsea want him. So how is that not 'cutting' it at Boro?

No goals and no assists is probably 'not cutting it'. Just doesnt seem to have the end product or footballing intelligence to become a decent player. His best chance is to probably be surrounded by much better players and coached by someone like Conte, so Chelsea would be a great move.

Definitely one to get you out your seat but then quickly sit down again as he loses the ball or wastes a pass

[Goldie.7]

I find the obsession with Rudy fascinating. He showed absolutely no skills in leading the line, in defending from the front or in having goal-scoring instincts.

He was our second top scorer. We should be the ones who dictate when we sell and not leave ourselves short is the point.

Resorting to playing Gabby a has-been, one goal in 22 months, waste of oxygen up-front should never be an option for a club looking to get promotion.

[N'ZMAV]

Gestede > Gabby

Although that is like comparing tit wanks from Jo Brand and Mo Mowlam

[garyshawsknee]

Gestede was never the answer, but to sell him without a replacement leaving us with just Gabby is really bad management from top to bottom.

[timeoutbigbar]

Gestede > Gabby

Although that is like comparing tit wanks from Jo Brand and Mo Mowlam

Was never his biggest fan but with Kodjia and Ayew away, it was a no brainer to string it out until the deadline, especially if we weren't planning on replacing him.

[BOB MANSFIELD]

Football's a business...not a game.
Steve Bruce has an expensively paid asset in Agbonlahor that NO other team would give pennies for. AND he would not want to go. He wouldn't understand any other club and couldn't live anywhere else, I am pretty sure. I reckon he and his financial adviser are simply working through his contract and waiting for the end. Goodnoght, So long and thanks for all the shish.
Gestede, on the other hand seemed to be a more valuable asset who COULD be sold. And so, was.
It's all business my boy.

Whereas it is as important as anything to all of us who think it's still our football club down there in the back streets of Witton. Ah, those were the days. Entrance to the first team games for a shilling and the reserves for a tanner.

[Mister E]

Gestede was never the answer, but to sell him without a replacement leaving us with just Gabby is really bad management from top to bottom.

Maybe, but maybe it was simply the deal being offered.

Would Rudy have really made any significant contribution to the games he's since missed? - I doubt it.

[Ian.]

I find the obsession with Rudy fascinating. He showed absolutely no skills in leading the line, in defending from the front or in having goal-scoring instincts. I've no doubt - in certain systems - that he might have a role but I couldn't imagine how it might have worked with us.
As to the timing of his departure, I suspect the buyer dictated that; and, with a handsome fee, why would we argue that too hard?

I completely agree. I can't believe we got that sort of fee. It was a great bit of business sense for once.

The problem has not been the centre forwards we still have left to replace Kodja and Ayew but our shit midfield and service into the box. I don't see how Rudy would have stepped up to be our creator, goal scorer and saviour when he's looked useless since we bought him.

[garyshawsknee]

Gestede was never the answer, but to sell him without a replacement leaving us with just Gabby is really bad management from top to bottom.

Maybe, but maybe it was simply the deal being offered.

Would Rudy have really made any significant contribution to the games he's since missed? - I doubt it.

Probably not much, but the idea of having Gab lead the line for the rest of the month is worse I think.

[Seb_AVFC]

I see that Belgian centre back we are supposedly interested in isn't starting tonight for his side. Smoke and fire?

He's not very good. Plenty of other Belgian defenders I'd rather sign.

[KevinGage]

Football's a business...not a game.
Steve Bruce has an expensively paid asset in Agbonlahor that NO other team would give pennies for. AND he would not want to go. He wouldn't understand any other club and couldn't live anywhere else, I am pretty sure. I reckon he and his financial adviser are simply working through his contract and waiting for the end. Goodnoght, So long and thanks for all the shish.
Gestede, on the other hand seemed to be a more valuable asset who COULD be sold. And so, was.
It's all business my boy.

It will be a great bit of business if this Jan puts the kybosh on our promotion hopes once and for all.

£6 million now -or the obscene riches available for a quick return to the top flight?  Tough one.

Gestede has his obvious limitations, but in tight games as per the Cardiff and Wolves ones, it's not unthinkable he could have come off the bench and turned the game. He's done it before: this season.  Gabby has offered little for two seasons and hasn't done anything worth remotely being near the coach on match day, nevermind starting the shagging game.

I wasn't unhappy to see Gestede go in early Jan, as that intimated we had someone lined up to come in and bridge the gap.  In Bruceworld, If that someone was Gabby all along -because he is here, and because we are already paying him- that's incredibly short-sighted.