2024 January transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[Brazilian Villain]

When have you ever seen Sinisalo or Marschall play?

I doubt he can find the time, what with watching all those Boro, Hull, FC Copenhagen and Adelaide United games.

[Clampy]

I do like the way some fans slag off players before they've kicked a ball for us then come out with the old 'I hope he proves me wrong' in case they are actually wrong.

[Percy McCarthy]

19-year-old left back Lino Sousa incoming from Arsenal.

[eamonn]

The guy deserves respect if he watches A-League every week.

[pablo_picasso]

The standard of Australian football is not great.

The A'League is a poor league on par with League 1 or 2.

At best, its Scottish Premier League outside of the Old Firm.

I think probably the best player playing for the national side at the moment is probably Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli) or Harry Souttar (Leicester).

The best prospect is probably Nestor Irankunda, who will be joining Bayern Munich when he turns 18. He scored a free kick on his debut at the age of 15 & has scored quite a few absolute bangers over the time that I have been watching Adelaide.

So having 2 caps for Australia in its current state, is not the same as when the likes of Bosnich, Schwarzer, etc, played.

When have you ever seen Sinisalo or Marschall play?

I have seen Sinisalo play for each of his previous three loans. I have seen Marschall play for us & for Gateshead last year.

All have been on TV, either TNT for Gateshead & Sky Sports for the others.

I don't specifically remember each of the games though, I will admit that.

The point is, Exeter City or MK Dons play at equal to or stronger levels than Adelaide Utd in the A'League.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy watching it early mornings at the weekends, but then I get pleasure out of any football & TNT offer MLS, Canadian, Australian, South African, youth games, womens games, Italian, French, La Liga (I think its them), etc...

[pablo_picasso]

Do you actually watch the A league, Pablo?

Yes I do. Every weekend, early mornings to about lunchtime. Adelaide are the team I enjoy watching because they are not afraid to blood young players.

I do like the way some fans slag off players before they've kicked a ball for us then come out with the old 'I hope he proves me wrong' in case they are actually wrong.

What is wrong in having an opinion based on my own eyes & then hoping to be wrong if it benefits Villa?

Its not like I want us to sign players who aren't incrdible.

When have you ever seen Sinisalo or Marschall play?

I doubt he can find the time, what with watching all those Boro, Hull, FC Copenhagen and Adelaide United games.

I watch a lot of football mate.

[Dogtanian]

The guy deserves respect if he watches A-League every week.

Absolutely. I get dizzy standing on my head for even a few minutes at a stretch, let alone 90.

[Toronto Villa]

Shows just how restrictive the market is when most clubs are limited to signing prospects or loans. Not one big transfer to be found anywhere.

[PeterWithe]

It does seem a little harsh to criticise a poster for speaking about a player he's seen play.

[algy]

19-year-old left back Lino Sousa incoming from Arsenal.

Pass on him.  I've heard he's always on the floor.

[chrisw1]

I do like the way some fans slag off players before they've kicked a ball for us then come out with the old 'I hope he proves me wrong' in case they are actually wrong.

In fairness it seems like Pablo is more qualified to comment on this transfer than most.  And obviously given his opinion he would hope he's wrong.

[pablo_picasso]

It does seem a little harsh to criticise a poster for speaking about a player he's seen play.

I wont lie, I am genuinely perplexed at the tone of some of the responses to my view on a player we might be purchasing that I have seen plenty of over the past three years of watching the A'League.

It's almost insulting to have people question whether I have even watched the league, never mind the player, for what seems like the disappointment over my opinion on the player.

Like I said, my opinion is out there, if anybody wants to take heed of that, then great, if not, then great.

I am past giving a fuck either way...

[chrisw1]

I think it was a genuine question Pab.  I'm sure most of us like football on this forum but there can't be many who regularly get up early to watch the A League.  That's impressive dedication.

[Holy Trinity]

Well goal keepers are generally shite until their mid 20's anyway so it can't hurt having him come in and learn from one of the best in the world!
Cup games now and again over the next few years and take over emi in 2028! Unless he turns out to be another enkelman

[Demitri_C]

Sousa from arsenal incoming according to fabrizo

Thats a shock