Summer transfer, gossip, speculation thread

[Hookeysmith]

Do you think we were too hasty to release the likes of Jedi / Whelan etc without direct replacements coming in or do we think it is all part of the cunning plan.

I am not really bothered about any of the other players released as the only one I think that would have been a starter (Tammy) has been replaced almost immediately. Obviously Mings we should sign but I think this is more Bournemouth trying to play hard ball to get a little more cash so I am hopeful it is only detail that's holding it up.

But the DM role is pivotal to our improvement

[SW9-VILLA]

Can't understand people's arses flapping when it's still June. Some people just love being miserable.

[Monty]

Can't understand people's arses flapping when it's still June. Some people just love being miserable.

Obviously nothing is decided yet. However I have to say, even with a few additions, at the level we've been shopping I can well see next season turning into a struggle.

[Brend'Watkins]

Some rumours of Kalinic to Nantes with Valentin Rongier coming to us. Skilful midfielder

We should take him on a temporary basis. It would be great to see 'The Loan Rongier' in a Villa shirt. Hi Ho Aston Villa!

If we go down that route we would also need to sign David Silva.

[kippaxvilla2]

Can't understand people's arses flapping when it's still June. Some people just love being miserable.

You cheery barsteward.  I am happy being sad.

[paul_e]

I understand people getting a bit twitchy but I also think Villa fans in general have a bit of a habit of over-estimating how good other teams are (I guess it's natural brummie pessimism). Norwich won't be anything like as effective in the premier league, Sheffield Utd look pretty weak and then Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle (as it stands) and Burnley all look pretty average as well.

I don't think we need to do a huge amount of business to be better than most of those if we can get the team working as we want, and I trust Smith and the coaches to do that part after the improvement we saw last season.

This is what I meant when I asked what 'competitive' means on the Mings thread, does it mean being the best of that group of teams or does it mean pushing on further to challenging people like West Ham, Everton and Wolves for the top 8? I assume no one is genuinely thinking any higher than that.  For me personally it means not being worried about relegation at Easter for next season, we all know that it's a big step up and that Bruce left us with a mess of a squad that will take some time to fix so staying up without too much drama is as far as I'm willing to look.

[Smithy]

Can't understand people's arses flapping when it's still June. Some people just love being miserable.

Obviously nothing is decided yet. However I have to say, even with a few additions, at the level we've been shopping I can well see next season turning into a struggle.

It's still pretty early in the transfer window, and at this stage the only signings I would expect to see happen at those lesser known players moving up a level or two (where there's not a huge amount of transfer competition), and players moving for very big money (where there's not a huge amount of competition, but for different reasons).  Most of the parallel moves between top tier clubs are only likely to start once the merry-go-round gets underway. I would guess our preferred DM is perhaps in this bracket - so unlikely to move unless his club can secure a replacement, which requires movement in the market as a whole.

I would LOVE to see everyone signed before pre-season gets underway, but the reality is that this will only happen if their club doesn't want them, or they don't care/worry about getting replacements.  Yes, we're in the premier league again, but we're not shopping at the top of the food chain, so the chances are a few moves will have to take place before we get the chance to secure our preferred targets.

I'll start to worry a little if we get to the end of July and still don't have a first choice DM replacement for Jedi/Whelan.

[jcsutv]

Smith is not Bruce. I’m confident he will go into the season with the right number of players in the right positions. After last summer it’s understandable that some are twitchy, but I think we are in good hands with Deano.

[hilts_coolerking]

I understand people getting a bit twitchy but I also think Villa fans in general have a bit of a habit of over-estimating how good other teams are (I guess it's natural brummie pessimism). Norwich won't be anything like as effective in the premier league, Sheffield Utd look pretty weak and then Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle (as it stands) and Burnley all look pretty average as well.

And they'll all be strengthening just as we are.  They may or may not achieve that better than we do.

[olaftab]

I'm willing to offer £10 million plus Hogan.

Have we got a deal?

I think that's a fair offer however I would include a box, full box, of Balti Chicken Pukka Pies.

[Duncan Shaw]

Do you think we were too hasty to release the likes of Jedi / Whelan etc without direct replacements coming in or do we think it is all part of the cunning plan.

I am not really bothered about any of the other players released as the only one I think that would have been a starter (Tammy) has been replaced almost immediately. Obviously Mings we should sign but I think this is more Bournemouth trying to play hard ball to get a little more cash so I am hopeful it is only detail that's holding it up.

But the DM role is pivotal to our improvement

I really thought we would give Whelan another year, so that we didn't suggests they are confident of replacing him, or he had something else on the table.

[VILLA MOLE]

do we think any of the kids will step up ?

[hilts_coolerking]

do we think any of the kids will step up ?

I'm afraid not.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm willing to offer £10 million plus Hogan.

Have we got a deal?

I think that's a fair offer however I would include a box, full box, of Balti Chicken Pukka Pies.

No deal, sorry. I want them.

[Dave Cooper please]

You cheery barsteward.  I am happy being sad.

Have you got sunshine in a bag?