Sam Johnstone - now retired

[Ozzjim]

If we can't use 4m of the Amavi fee to get Johnstone there is something seriously wrong.

[sickbeggar]

I don't think he would sign for us now. Our main hope is he digs his heels in and come the summer, WBA won't be in any better position than we are now.

[SashasGrandad]

Baggies are desperate to stay up - so if this rumour is true they are looking to a) have decent cover should their current keeper get injured and b) they are shitting themselves at the thought that they might go down and we go up - so would do what  they can to mess up our chances (slim as they are)

Surely Sam can see he he'd worse off going to play 2nd fiddle at a second rate team - it's time to prove we are still the best team in the Midlands

[tomd2103]

I'm still not totally sold on him, as I still think there are areas of his game which are questionable (his ability to deal with aerial balls into the box and his distribution being the two major ones).  That said, him leaving would mean either giving Steer a run in the side or bringing in a replacement, which would both be a bit of a risk at an important stage of the season.

[Dougs Socks]

Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?

Apparently, hes refusing to come back if recalled, something to do with the way Bruce treated him.

He wasnt good enough anyway.

No argument. If Johnstone does go, then Jed Steer is a promising replacement.

[paul_e]

I'm still not totally sold on him, as I still think there are areas of his game which are questionable (his ability to deal with aerial balls into the box and his distribution being the two major ones).  That said, him leaving would mean either giving Steer a run in the side or bringing in a replacement, which would both be a bit of a risk at an important stage of the season.

This is the issue for me.  I don't think he's good enough at the bits and pieces jobs to be a starter if we're promoted so I'm not sure I'd want us spending the little money we have available on making him permanent.  Keeping the loan going until the summer and then seeing where we are is a much better idea for me if we can arrange it.

[kippaxvilla2]

Smethwick would probably take the piss and loan him back to us for the rest of the season.

[Ozzjim]

Steer has looked decent in his games this season, and has played at this level before.

Could not believe Tim Krul is now reserve at Brighton, thought he was a decent keeper at Newcastle. There must be a viable loan option out there if it does turn out to be true. He would be mad to take a move to Albion though. Pardew looks clueless there.

[VinnieChase84]

Unless it was clearly a once in a lifetime career move opportunity then I can’t see him deciding his permanent future this month.
If he has any good guidance around him it would be see the season out and see what your options are in the summer (naturally there will be more than in Jan)

[VillaAlways]

Sam Johnstone has told his ‘close pals’ he’s joining West Brom. [express & star] #avfc

[Ads]

What an idiotic move.

[LeeB]

Let’s make sure we wave at him on the way past in the summer.

[PaulWinch again]

That would be a very short sighted and stupid move.

[Richard E]

Sam Johnstone has told his ‘close pals’ he’s joining West Brom. [express & star] #avfc

Not what the Express and Star website is saying:-

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2017/12/31/west-brom-interested-in-aston-villa-loanee-sam-johnstone-but-priorities-currently-lie-elsewhere/

Edit - sorry, re-read it and it does say that.

[saunders_heroes]

Sam Johnstone has told his ‘close pals’ he’s joining West Brom. [express & star] #avfc

Not what the Express and Star website is saying:-

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2017/12/31/west-brom-interested-in-aston-villa-loanee-sam-johnstone-but-priorities-currently-lie-elsewhere/

Well it does actually say that further into the article.
God knows what the attraction to Albion is, I mean they’re bloody rock bottom of the PL. Perhaps we won’t cough up the money for him?