Summer Transfer Thread and Gustavo Cisneros Type Rumours.

[Chris Smith]

So, in the year where FFP doesn't apply, we've decided to come over all Dougish? I appreciate the board say they've got ambition and all but come on. The squad is thin, imbalanced and obviously, painfully lacking in areas. It needs sorting.

Come over all Dougish? We've spent over £90m. I'm sure they want more players in, it's just getting them. But yes, the owners are acting like Doug.

Net spend, me old mate, net spend is in the minus. Hence the FFP comment. And obviously the 'Dougish' thing was just hyperbole.

Net spend is obviously massively distorted due to the sum we got for one player so not sure it’s particularly relevant. We go into the season with better options than we had last season but without that one star attraction. We’re not in the market, currently, to buy players at that level so we’ve had to do things slightly differently.

Some of you give the impression that you’ve given up on the season already.

And some of us treat any criticism of the club ever as if it were personal criticism of ourselves. Or that any criticism must entail every hysterical interpretation, i.e. 'net spend is down and there are holes in the squad which ought to be addressed' = 'sack the manager, sack the board, forfeit the season and convert VP into an Asda'.

Touchy.

A little. The bloke you came in to bat for, however, said that my good-faith explanation of something was 'bollocks', so forgive me for feeling a little riled.

A nice turn of phrase but I wasn’t batting for anyone but myself. I’ve found it dispiriting reading parts of this site recently so have tended to steer clear. I felt like contributing today and your post was the most recent one to respond to.

[Monty]

Well then, apart from the 'Dougish' bit (which I honestly didn't imagine anyone could take literally), what about my original post suggests I've 'given up on the season'? Like I said, not every criticism is meant as a prediction of catastrophe.

[Clark W Griswold]

I don't want to come over all unappreciative of what's gone on so far with the current owners at all but;
To elaborate on squad imbalance, when you're talking about players that are good enough to be regular in a team pushing for europe we have the following;
GK 1 for 1 position
Defence 5 and 1 borderline for 4 positions
Midfield 1 and 1 borderline for 3 positions
Forwards 4 and 1 borderline for 3 positions (assuming the 3 new guys do well)
I get the part about not being in europe yet so we may not be able to have quite the strength in depth of teams that are, but we're short. If the ambition is as strong as it's made out to be and we're in credit this summer with transfers surely we need to look for more still. I thought our scouting network was meant to be the dogs bollocks, surely if a couple a players turn us down we can come up with other options to fill the gaps, we should be looking at this all year round, not just in the 3 months they have to do something over the summer (which should be enough in itself).

I just hope for all the good work done so far we're not going to put the brakes on. We don't necessarily even have to spend a fortune, just find someone to make us more effective in midfield, primarily at stopping the opposition just running through us.

[PaulWinch again]

I’d be pretty disappointed if we don’t make another substantial signing.

[chrisw1]

Bit harsh if you're talking about 'pushing for Europe' as opposed o top 4.

I don't want to come over all unappreciative of what's gone on so far with the current owners at all but;
To elaborate on squad imbalance, when you're talking about players that are good enough to be regular in a team pushing for europe we have the following;
GK 1 for 1 position
Defence 5 and 1 borderline for 4 positions - Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Axel, Young (Coutney Borderline)?
Midfield 1 and 1 borderline for 3 positions McGinn, Luiz, Buendia (if used as a 10) (Ramsey, Sanson borderline? - Sanson has played in Europe)
Forwards 4 and 1 borderline for 3 positions (assuming the 3 new guys do well) Watkins, Ings, Bailey, Traore (+ Buendia if used wide)
itself).

I just hope for all the good work done so far we're not going to put the brakes on. We don't necessarily even have to spend a fortune, just find someone to make us more effective in midfield, primarily at stopping the opposition just running through us.

[wince]

If midfield is not sorted we will be in a Relegation fight,Mark my words.

I can't believe how bad this summer has been.

Where's the money??

Waiting for the monster energy cheque to clear.

[Clark W Griswold]

Chris, i'm talking about what i've seen so far in a Villa shirt and i'm talking about playing regularly not just filling in here and there, as we have a few that are fine for that but;
Last seasons back 4 plus Young are all good enough no doubt, Hause might be but inconsistant. Tuenzebe i've seen little of at PL level and he is injury prone. Guilbert is not quite at the standard to be a regular but ok for the squad.
Mcginn is good enough and Luiz might be if he can toughen a little and find some consistancy. He's still young and i'm sure he'll get there but i'm talking about next season only at this point. Sanson has done nowt yet and for Nakamba, Hourahane and Ramsey (at this point) see Guilbert comment. Chucky is a kid still.
Watkins is good enough and i'm sure Ings is, Buendia and Bailey on the face of it also but early days. Traore is borderline, talented but inconsistant and sometimes a bit half arsed. El Ghazi, Davis and a recovering Wesley see Guilbert comment.

So we're fine for defence and forwards but way off for midfield and i wouldn't mind seeing another goalkeeper as well.

[SaddVillan]

Weston McKennie:

As previously stated:

Miralem Pjanic is yet to secure a move away from FC Barcelona, and the clock is ticking. The Bosnian international is keen to return to Juventus and his former coach, Massimo Allegri, would like to work with him again. Even though all parties would like a move to happen, Juventus would need to lower their wage bill before bringing in the unwanted Barcelona player. As things stand, the Turin club are yet to receive any offers for ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who is one of the club's top earners. Now, it looks as if Pjanic's future is dependent on American midfielder Weston McKennie making a move to the Premier League.

[ozzjim]

McKennie and Sarr apparently in talks with Spurs.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m delighted with the signings we’ve made, but we’re still short.

[Risso]

McKennie and Sarr apparently in talks with Spurs.

FFS, two very good players indeed. I really don't get it, why do 75% of a good window, but not address the serious shortcomings?

[London Villan]

Spurs are spending the kane money.

[Hairbandinho]

Aware this may be controversial but I don't really think much of our transfer window. Most of the players we have bought in are actually effecting the balance of the team almost creating square pegs in round holes.

And yet still the central midfield that is a big problem hasn't been improved.

[Lescottstweets]

Aware this may be controversial but I don't really think much of our transfer window. Most of the players we have bought in are actually effecting the balance of the team almost creating square pegs in round holes.

And yet still the central midfield that is a big problem hasn't been improved.

Completely agree, however looking at this from another angle I doubt very much that the club does not recognise this. However if the right player isn’t available then there’s not a fat lot that can be done about it, frustrating as it is.

[KRS]

If you ignore the fact that we lost our best player, the signings we have made are significant improvements and upgrades to the team and squad when he who shalt be named was out injured. Whether or not we’ll be a better team without him now he’s gone is a different question altogether and can’t be answered until the transfer window is over.