The Aston Villa Countdown: Hours to go, but don't expect much
Monday, 02 February 09, 05:12 AM · Comments (402)
Morning all and well, what can I say, that you don't already know. Martin O'Neill has as good as said that there probably won't be any more players in, so today really is just about waiting to see if he was spot on or not. I expect he will be.
It is a little frustrating and if, come the end of the season, we've given up top four, some will point to his reluctance to get his business done in January as where it all went wrong. I've not decided yet how I'm going to feel about signing one player in this window, so I'm going to let it stew.
There is good news though when you think about players. Carew is back, as is Ashley Young - as in he can play again and we know he was only out for three games but he was missed.
We've also got Bouma getting back very soon and with that we'll have a defensive line that is playing in each of their preferred positions - surely something that is going to make us stronger.
With Young back and hopefully us going back to 4-5-1/4-3-3 we're going to be scoring lots more and not letting as many in. This 4-4-2 isn't going to work for us - we don't have the right type of players and we need to control midfield and 'counter attack' to be effective.
Playing 4-4-2 has just seen us play long ball football and I don't think it's for us.
But it is the last few hours of the transfer window and as such, we'll all be biting our nails and if we were to sing Richards and Sturridge from Manchester City, it doesn't necessarily mean we'll finish top four, so getting players or not, maybe won't be the point about this season.
It's going to be exceptionally difficult now. I have enquired about one or two things, possibly more in hope than expectation, but I think it is going to be hard. I am going to keep working up until 5pm on Monday because I would like to do something. - Martin O'Neill, January 31st 2009
I believe we can do it with a fair crack of the whip, so who needs new players right now? Let's spend big in the summer when we've got Champions League football to offer - after all that is the real pull, isn't it?
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402 Comments · Add yours
fingers crossed...
Lets go MON get Richards
Damian, dont you think that grabbing these types of players (Sturridge, Richards and Johnson) and having them grow together, then just adding the Diego type that we are all begging for, that would hold us in good stead and also keep us at a decent wage bill.....Getting the Owens of the world would upset the apple cart in many ways.....
Ah man, I dunno, we signed Ashley in the January window couple of years back didn't we? Seems like now's the perfect time to be adding to the quality that we already have to the mix doesn't it? Come on Martin - Pull something out of the bag!!
Leroy
You've got a point and I agree to an extent - you've got to hope to develop players rather than have to buy them in.
But sometimes, you need to buy in the ready made player or two - e.g. if we make Champions League this season - we're going to need one or tow of them if we want to have any chance of getting through the first stage and not end up playing UEFA Cup in 2010 ...
RIP Paul Birch
The FA are in talks with Fifa about extending the window because of the weather !
Bringing in a wide player would be, in my opinion, far more beneficial to the side than a defender or striker. We have seen in the last 3 games how important Ash Young is and if he or Milner get suspended or injured we will struggle.
I am not expecting another signing however, so I wont be disappointed if we dont sign anyone.
Paul Birch - R.I.P.
Altan
Tell me you are joking ...
dejá vu
Newcastle are in for Johnson of City. and Damien he's not joking it's on ssn.
It always annoys me when i see the likes of Spurs being linked with quality like Ricardo Quaresma, when we never seem to attempt to go for creative playmakers that could reduce our reliance on Ash. We have a strong team, and we are capable enough but unless we get another player who can open stubborn defences, i´m not sure we will be able to cut it with the big boys. Its great to hear that Bouma is back on the mend, i think we´ll improve with him.
As for 4-4-2, we payed it at the start of the season and score a hatful of goals with Carew and Gab up front. Why cant we succeed with that system?
dejá vu
Reply to AVFCBlog:
No , it's on sky sports news !
Reply to AVFCBlog:
Couldnt agree more. I know our midfield has been decent so far, but watching the Liverpool/Chelsea made me realize just how far behind in the middle we are compared to the Champions League level. Our midfield definitely would need to be reconstructed if we made top 4, thats for sure. Diego and Moutinho types are the only acceptable answers for me. Just gotta get there now!
Hi Damian,
Would it be possible on behalf of the Blog, and all the Villa fans it represents, to send an official message to the club expressing our total and unconditional support for the players and management. Clearly MoN and the players have been upset by those few people who booed at the end of the game on Saturday.
While everyone who pays to see the team has a right to their view, I would just like the opinion of the overwhelming majority of fans (95% +) to be conveyed to the club. And if this expression of absolute support was given on an official basis from the leading Blog, it would carry more weight.
The team is doing superbly well - we are in fourth position and exceeding all expectations. I can't wait for the game against Chelsea. I am not going to allow the booing of a misguided minority to spoil the enjoymenmt of a remarkable season.
Best regards.
Forest Hill Villan.
Reply to Altan:
No its ture, because the weather is slowing people down and medicals have to be re-arranged.
Reply to AVFCBlog:
no Damian Altan is correct thre Premire League, F.A, and UEFA are in talks to extend it maybe by one or two days. So expect it to extended even if it aint by one or two days, and i think that will trigger transfer activity at Villa park. UTV
any idea of when it'll be extended till?
That Routledge at QPR looks like a good player... probably get him in for about £5m!!
But seriously, i think the loan move for Grandin might be a good move.
Micah Richard swould be nice but i've always thought of him as a right back.
looks like we could well see a signing now if the window is extended, gives MON more time! and less room for any excuses about times
Reply to villa_tommy:
2 days max.
All medicals have to be done in the next two days (if they go ahead) no more then 2 days tho.
Damian
Would have to disagree on the 4-4-2. Barry had his best game for a long time, and Petrov likes it too. The reason it didnt work that well is because gardner cant cross a ball and with milner its just the law of averages. Put ashley young on the left and one or two good crosses a game from milner and suddenly there is a big supply for the front two. The other thing is that while cuellar had one of his better games at right back, hes a bit of a donkey. Luke young is a good footballer and would change our right side a lot if he eventually gets back there when bouma is fit. Milner needs a good fullback behind him otherwise he's always 2 on 1 against him.
Young doesnt need an attacking full back to see the best of him
Best wishes go to the family of Paul Birch who sadly died of cancer today,
RIP Birchey.
Reply to hitman83:
Grandin not coming, i think i read that hes off somewhere else on loan...not good enough anyway really....
11.36 There is news coming in from the Premier League that they are negotiating with the FA and Fifa to extend the transfer deadline from 5pm this evening. We will keep you posted if there is any change - and update our countdown clock accordingly
Reply to Mlockey89:
thats SSN btw
Reply to RSamVillaFan:
Second That!
i've lost the faith.... but its all good cus it's snowing, get in there
ohhh, look at that!!! It was a chicken and I just counted it!!!
haha looks like robbie keane is actually on his way back to spurs! im sorry this is a joke, spurs is just resigning all their old players! crazy!
Reply to Mlockey89:
sounds like a bit of a farce!
FOREST HILL VILLAN YOUR SPOT ON, THAT SMALL PERCENTAGE OF SO CALLED SUPPORTERS SHOULD HOLD THEIR HEADS IN SHAME FOR BOOING THE BOYS! WE ARE MEANT TO BE THE 12TH MAN! I SICK OF HEARING PEOPLE SO NEGATIVE AROUND ME AT GAMES! BELIEVE!
RIP BIRCHEY
Reply to Forest Hill Villan:
I think this is a good idea. MON looked clearly upset by those booing behind the dug out at the end of Wigan match. Some people clearly don't know when they are onto a good thing. I would hate to see a small minority of disgruntled fans drive away the best Manager we have had in years. What would those fans of done if we had actually lost a match!!!
Im sorry but if we don't bring in more players and we fail to get 4th from this position then MON is totally responsible. No excuses really. He has the cash, we now have the name and stature so why aren't we competing to get bring in the required numbers? If it is over paying a few million more then what MON value's them at then i believe that is very short sighted as what we would make this a lot more back from being t in the Chamions league. And don't saying the palyers he wanted weren't available as that is excuse in both summer and Jan windows since he became our manager. Time to start making his targets available by being more decisive.
Quaresma was only signed in the summer and Mourinho has deemed him surplus already? There is more goin on there than just not fancying him i think, being Portugese and a winger, you'd have thought Mourinho would love him. Let Spurs have him, they always sign the damaged and over-priced goods.
Reply to ak_27:
If Villa don't sign anyone and finish top 4, will you come on here and give MON the kudos he would richly deserve or find another excuse like saying we were lucky with injuries etc
I would have thought that we would be in for Glen Johnson from Portsmouth. He has signed a new contract but understand there is a 10m release clause. Portsmouth may want Harewood (we could even offer him on loan till end of season).
Michah Richards please
DonRifle,
Agree with 4-4-2 formation. We played better against Wigan, and looked threatening going forward, despite only drawing,
We will be using the 'long ball' more during games because we've got a 7ft striker. It's our best option at the moment until we buy new creative players in the summer. Lets stick to what we're good at.
GABBY has tried his heart out up front on his own, but is not really a goal threat cos he hasn't got the extra dimension to his game; yet! GABBY has welcomed the arrival of HESKEY, but I think he's more chuffed now JC is back.
Reply to JonnyW:
Yes i will Johnny. Id have his babies if he wanted if he got us 4th.
Reply to DonRifle:
Quite right.. Cuellar really doesnt have the ball control to play at right back, lets hope Bouma is back soon and Luke back on the right. If Quaresma is going to Spurs, what about Bentley and Lennon..? Bentley is a horrible little man who needs to learn football is a team game, but Lennon would be a great signing for us..!!
Reply to RENDELLAVFC:
gotta agree with you, its disgusting!
Reply to Howard:
either richards or glen johnson would be quality
The people who booed on Saturday are just knobs.
We havent lost in the premiership since November 9th!!! Thats nearly 3 months.
And were 4th in the league and 5 points clear of Arsenal, to me this is still a dream, i just wish some other villans would show some positivity!!!
YES WE CAN!
Reply to HoofHearted:
completely agree with you, read this: LINK (I wrote a post about it)
Reply to ak_27:
Cool, respect where respect is due. My opinion is that MON didn't expect the other 'big' teams in the Prem to do so poorly this season and for Villa to be in with a shout of 4th and he won't change his plans for signing players because thats where they are, Heskey would have been a target for January if Villa were 5th or 6th.
If Villa finish 4th then MON can spend the money he didn't spend in January on players who are more available and at better prices too, i mean £14M for Palacios and £14M for Bellamy, they are not worth that money.
Reply to villa_tommy:
yer lol thats fifa 4 yu
apparently there has been no bids for Fabian Delph, pitty
There have been bids for delph, but theyve been so far below Ken Bates's estimates that they've been kept quiet.
I don't really like Glen Johnson, he's another one of those west ham players that Redknapp raved about for years until they went down.
Still hasn't really done anything, he looks good at pompey because his competition are in their late 30's.
Richards would love, but can't see it, same with Sturridge.
I dont understand how teams like Bolton and Newcastle are being linked with the likes of Veloso and we're being linked with everyone elses cast offs.
cant believe we not having a punt at johnson from man citeh
Villa 123
The point about Johnson (and Richards) is that if you sign one its almost like signing two players.
It means that we dont have Cuellar or NRC playing at RB. So Cuella or Knight can parter Davies in the centre and then you have the choice of Bouma or Young at LB.
Also means that you have 4 central midfield players to chose from + Gardner because NRC is not needed at RB anymore.
RIP BIRCH
I have a bad habit of submitting before I've finished!
Anyway Onto Spurs, they get linked to everyone and their mothers because the club and its supporters are so mouthy and so full of themselves they leak every person theyre interested to out on purpose for the publicity. Even more so now they have that moron in charge, MR "i dont need to spend money, i'm not that sort of manager"
Realistically if you look at it from players POV, Villa are the 4th maybe 5th biggest attraction in the league.
Even more so if you're english. Man city are only attracvtive because of money, and if players pick them over us, then we wouldnt want them anyway.
We've had enough idiots robbing the club blind.
Reply to howard:
precisely it gives us a lot more cover and versatility!
Johnson is still injured though...
Anymore about this kid from Shrewsbury, still our only linked player left on sky sports site.
What a lot of people are forgetting is that the the players and squad that we've had all season that have got us in the position we are now in.
Yes the numbers are a bit low but getting in Heskey has been a positive move and we have other coming back from injury and suspension.
If we get any more bodies in great but we should all put our faith in the team that has given us our hopes and dreams in first place!
UTV!
p.s. anyone who booed on Saturday should go and support the bloody Bluenoses.
Reply to Spencer:
lol loving the bit about BCFC.
Heskey has been and will be a great signing! simple as that! plus more importantly he is great value for money, compared to all this rubbish from Man City, no way is bridge worth 12million or bellamy worth 14mn! Crazy!
I am a little dissapointed we haven't gone in for Keane. It shows Spurs are willing to spend the money even though they are in a relegation fight.
I think with one or two quiality signings it would cement our place in the top four.
Come on Randy...splash the cash!
Reply to Hadders7:
Who do you suggest?
got to disagree about keane Im loving the strikers we have at present!
Guys, if you're annoyed we haven't strenghtened further during this window, just take a look at the other teams in the top 5...
Arsenal haven't signed anyone, and it looks like the Arseshaving deal might be off.
Chelsea haven't signed anyone.
Liverpool haven't signed anyone, and infact might even be losing Robbie Keane.
Man Utd haven't signed anyone who will make an impact this season.
We're the only team who has added to our starting XI so far! If we don't finish in the top 4, it will be because of the results, not because we didn't buy more players.
Reply to Hadders7:
We already have 4 strikers but only 2 wingers and 2 full backs. Surely that is where we have to strenghten next?
Reply to vivavilla86:
fair point completely agree with you!
Reply to ak_27:
5 Strikers, and they can all do a job if given the chance!
plus we have an increasing squad depth in one sense, we almost have a completely fit squad, its brilliant, whereas other teams are struggling atm!
Also, dont use Spurs as an example, they are spending stupid money and not gettiing anywhere, looking at how much they spent during the summer and look where they are now!
Reply to fox-in-the-box:
Bent would be available with his if Keane deal goes through and his premiership goal scoring record is immense...far better than Gabby's and with half the games played! He is young, english and I think would be a good quality signing.
Richards would be a great defensive buy but interestingly enough, N'Zogbia has yet to sign for Wigan...I wonder why???
Btw MON has already said defence is his priority!
Reply to JonnyW:
I understand what you are saying but surely when an opportunity this good comes along you have to look at it and say lets just go for it. I honestly thought we were in with a great shout this time last year and MON did not bring in the needed players (who were available) and we dropped off from the chance of getting 4th. I would honestly count getting 5th as a huge disappointment at this stage. I suppose that goes to show what a job MON has done but i will be realy gutted if don't qualify for the champions league this season.
PS - That would allow Marlene to leave!
A far better quartet of strikers!
Reply to ak_27:
lol im finding the whole N'zogbia saga quite funny!
Agree with the Spurs thing completely, With the Stupid amounts of money they spend and their location they constantly attract the wrong types of players.
This is where MON earns his corn...... we only get snippets of what the attitudes of these players are like in dressing rooms/ trining etc.
I know its frustrating sometimes but you have to trust MON and his team to do the best for the club!
Reply to Hadders7:
Because he is a spoilt waiting for Villa or Arse to put in a bid. Don't think I want him at VP, think he will disrupt the dressing room.
Reply to 1874AVFC:
brat
No thankyou to Insomnia
There are 2 clubs in for Dos Santos. Reckon any chance could be villa? Young and very skilful player with a huge future ahead....if he gets out of Spurs anyway!
Reply to fox-in-the-box:
I must say i kinda like the way Joe Kinnear acts. Did anyone else see the footage of him getting off the bus before the Newcastle game yesterday. Legend.
Pure speculation....just joining in
Spurs have accepted two bids for Giovanni - one is obviously Pompy, who is the other? Would love it to be us, could be a quality signing!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
where did u hear that from? im watching sky sports news atm, but am also doiing some work! lol not going brilliantly as you can imagine! btw he would be a quality signing!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
He would be a useful player to bring on in games like Sats againest Wigan. The last 20mins if we had a player on the right who could go past the full back i reckon we would have scored.
Reply to ak_27:
I hate him....how you can call him a legend is beyond me!
Reply to ak_27:
haven't seen it, but he was always good value when he was at Wimbledon
Reply to Villa_1_2_3:
Its on the clockwatch section of skysportsnews.com.....
LINKreloaded
Reply to Villa_Chris:
I just find him funny. He is a character. Id rather him anyday to Wenger, SAF or the fat waiter anyday.
cheers chris!
btw apparently Man city is a closed shop in terms of transfers, coming in as well as going out! so may well be no richard or johnson!
btw chris its just come on my tv screen about two clubs and giovani dos santos!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
This guy will be awesome. I doubt that we're in for him, but it'd be great.
I can't imagine that we'll sign anyone at this point.
ak_27,
What would you do if we bought in two or three more players and came 6th? Who would you shift blame to then? MON for not man managing them properly? or not adjusting the system to accommodate them? If we go on and come 4th with our current squad, MON will still be berated or accused of being lucky etc...Remember, our current squad has acquitted themselves well against the supposed 'top 4'. The smart managers don't tinker with the team too much half way through the season
Poor old MON gets boo'd by his own fans (probably people like you) who get greedy and want instant success. Unfortunately the man has integrity and a code of principles much higher than the likes of dodgy 'Arry and players will run to the waft of cash.
Reply to Texas_Villain:
Haven't seen a lot of Dos Santos but he looks a bit light weight for the prem - Name sounds like he should be good though!
Reply to fox-in-the-box:
I saw him play a few times for Barca last season, and he is one of my most feared players when the US plays Mexico. To me, he also looked like a threat in the few games he got for Spurs.
lol im liking the reference about his name!
carnt say im to happy with this transfer window mon should have signed player(s) by know im not saying a boat load but may be another one to casual again another window wasted lets just hope we dont go on a bad run or i can see lots more booing now please understand im not saying its right what happened with the booing but this session could be for nothing if it goes up the swanie, we should be or should have done more
Reply to Texas_Villain:
I thought he looked like a livewire when he came on against Villa earlier this season when we beat them. He's a young, foreign, flair player that I would love here at Villa. Think he was tipped to be the 'next Ronaldinho' when he was Barca too. Not a bad player to be compared to!
Bloody hell do you reckon Berbatov will be the next player in for a medical at Spurs?!? Keane is apparantly ready to take a medical now!
Reply to Ipbopmalik:
My only issue is if we fail due to a lack of players when MON has had ample time to get them inover the last 3 years. If he brings in the players we need and we fail then i would have no complaints at all. At least he had a go. We have no proper cover the full backs or wingers and all it will take is a few inj/suspensions that could seriously put us in trouble. Do you agree that we need more players in or do you not have any opinions of your own?
Ok, a little topic for debate for those that are interested or just bored - which one player (keep it as realistic as you want) would you sign b4 the 5pm deadline.
Try to keep MON in mind so KAKA probably isn't on his radar and give some rationale to your choice.
Mine would be JOE COLE, fits the MON criteria of Young English and the scouts wouldn't have to get on a plane. Also solve our lack of creativity problem.
think it's a joke that anyone would boo after that performance.
Reply to fox-in-the-box:
Maybe wouldn't have to get on a plane, but he'd probably have to travel to Villa Park in a snow plough!
Reply to MFVillan:
completely agree, it is disgusting, I was absolutely over-joyed with that performance one of the best I have seen from Villa from the last few games, we really looked rejuvinated, was literally wave after wave of Villa attacks. In all fairness those that boo'd obviously do not have any brain cells between them!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Apparently Gary Mabbutt is on his way to the lane as we speak...
haha nothing would surprise me with spurs!
Have people been drinking on here?
Joe Cole - out until July 09, that will help this season then
Dos Santos - can't even get in a shit Spurs team and you want him..... Jeez
Reply to fox-in-the-box:
Arshavin who is now stuck in limbo as Arsenal deal looks to dead. Or else try and steal Quaresma on loan from Spurs. Maybe try for Hangeland and Kyle Naughton also.
This just in, Harry Redknapp is apparently closing in on the signings of Ronnie Rosenthal, Erik Thorstvedt and Ruel Fox.
More to follow.
Reply to 1874AVFC:
Hes been injured I think....
Reply to 1874AVFC:
Because they've got an idiot for a manager... jeez.
Reply to fox-in-the-box:
If I can could have absolutley anyone it would be Bastian Schweinsteiger, the guy is absolute class, and no I havnt been drinking, I know he's not coming
Reply to 1874AVFC:
I would agree with you about Dos Santos except there is only a few hours left and anyone at this stage is better then nobody. It's being reported on a web site now that we are the other team after him.
Reply to 1874AVFC:
Blimey - Watch the blood pressure mate....... its just a blog
Reply to DanWilson82:
That's better, keeping it real
right deadline is extended, but there are conditions! and by god i cannot be asked to read out all the conditions but essentially the deal has to be in place already with email confirmation. While there has to also be proof that the weather has caused problems.
Deadline extended , sort of , ie paperwork can be completed after five !
Dos Santos is a Pompey player according to some wag on wiki.
LINK check club career stats
Reply to ak_27:
got a link mate?
Reply to xandeh:
Is he injured, or just holding back till the end of transfer window
???
09. ak_27 Wrote: | 14.15GMT | Feb 2, 2009
I would agree with you about Dos Santos except there is only a few hours left and anyone at this stage is better then nobody. It's being reported on a web site now that we are the other team after him.
Whats the link mate?
LINK
Reply to Villa_Chris:
LINK
Apparently he's already having a medical at Pompy though?
Sounds too late for us.
Ha ha Im not 'sources' am I??
There's nothing on the portsmouth page about him being there.
Then again if their sites anything like ours...
Whats this nonsense about Dos Santos ? He's a light weight plodder for chrissake.Why do you think he can't get in the Spurs team ?
I think Micah Richards was always a non starter,as much as I'd like him.
Why would Man City let him go when that is an area they are short in ?
We'll sign nobody and fall short of Champions League as a result.
I'm sure that signing players is more difficult than most of us would appreciate but I'm equally sure it's not as difficult as O'neill makes out either.
3 Years in charge and we are still short at fullback...A Joke !
Most managers have a weakness in some area.MON,s is now becoming a glaring one and will cost us us dearly
And just in case someone asks, no I don't want DOL back either
Reply to phaedrus:
Joseph Venglos perhaps?
Reply to phaedrus:
Did you ever watch Dos Santos play for Barcelona? Obviously not based on your comments.
Reply to phaedrus:
You're pathetic mate... forgot who has got us where we are?
Chamionship manager isn't real my friend! Obviously a 'Boo Boy'!
Do you want DOL instead?!?
Reply to phaedrus:
In MON we trust
We will finish 4th at least!!! 
Still think MON will surprise us all and sneak a right back and a midfielder/striker in before the end of the window
So what if we have only signed one player in the transfer window (two I guess, if you count Halfuid - spelling?). Still think we can make CL. Get behind the team boys. Have you never heard of Positive Mental Attitude?!
Reply to MFVillan:
Here, here. If Martin O'Neill decides it is not worth the hassle and eventually takes over for Sir Alex, we will have no-one to blame but our own fans.
Did sombody say Alan Curbishly
I suppose eveyone has a right to boo if thy have paid £25 for a ticket, but I believe that you Damian need to let the players know, and the club, that this blog is behind them. Every player is giving 100% and so is the manager and chairman. What more can we ask?? Several players,particulaly Zat and Luke Young are improving----these 2 could be surprise call ups for England Squad. MON is doing a great job with what I call 'PROJECT ENGLAND'. It is also great that JC seems to want to talk to media and fans now. WE have a front two that can offer30/31 stone of solid,speedy and tall muscle heading towards the opposition .I for one would be scared facing that.
ak_27,
In response to 'do we or should we get more players?', my answer at this stage of the season is "No." Freddy will be back soon, and that means cover for RB and LB. IMO, it is too risky drafting in too many players with only 14 games left of the season.
We are expecting too much of MON, who has progressed this club from the minute he took charge. I'd prefer he used this time to focus and encourage the current squad instead of throwing cash willy nilly at anybody reputedly to be brilliant.
Spuds and Citeh will eventually buy themselves out of trouble. Players go there because of the money. We have a squad of players who are proud to play for the badge first and foremost, a sense of loyalty and togetherness. Fuck yer Defoe, Bentley, Keane, Bellamy, etc.. We're doing fine without you!
They just said on talksport that an employee of a holiday inn in Birmingham has just seen Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards who are meeting MON. We can hope its true, that'd be absolutely incredible for a deadline deal. Its probably shite.
Reply to NickC:
lol
Reply to NickC:
lol
I will run around naked in the snow if the sturridge and richards deal happens!! There are decent players moving in this window,particularly today,but for some reason mon doesnt want any of them! Id love quaresma or keane at villa!
Reply to NickC:
Like to think you were right NickC, but they haven't bought anyone have they, and just lost Jo to Everton - can City afford to lose 3 players on the last day and not bring any in?
Reply to Ipbopmalik:
I honestly believe if continue to play players out of position we will drop needless points which could untimately cost us 4th. NRC is a CM not a FB or RW. Gardner is also a CM not a winger and playing a Cullar at RB and Young at LB is making our team unbalanced. We have got away with this up to now (except for games like Wigan, Fulham) but this IMO will cost 4th. Yes Bouma is back but if he gets injured again we have to move 2 or 3 players in order to replace him.
Also you say our players play for the jersey which is true but the reason they do that is down to MON and his man mangement. I have no doubt that Dofoe, Bellamy and all the others would do like wise once MON had access to them to work his magic.
Reply to lucky4:
I'll have a threesome with me mum and my sister if that happens!!!!
Reply to NickC:
Lol what a load of shite lol. They woulden't be at a holiday inn, they would be at the training ground. But as for Dos Santos deal there is definetly a mystery club who have agreed a fee for Dos Santos. But there is no mentionof who the mystery club is, so maybe it could be Vila who knows. So guess its up to the player who he decides to go to. UTV
Reply to custard_K3:
That is so Wrong
Reply to custard_K3:
if this deal goes through i feel sorry for ur mom n sister
Richards was probably just popping in their for a carvery, if the NOTW story from last year is true he loves a good roast!!
Reply to Squirrel:
LMFAO
Indeed...why on earth would they be at a Holiday Inn?
talking out of your arse
Reply to Chater1703:
I hope the deal goes through......
Reply to 1874AVFC:
that wud be a horrid thought tho
Reply to Chater1703:
Have you seen his siter though
Reply to Jonesy08:
I agree it probably is shite but I haven't heard that Manchester Airport is shut or Birmingham. There is a Holiday Inn near the airport at Birmingham and its right on the M42. Surely it'd be a quieter place to meet. MON keeps deals quiet (fees would have been agreed before the players would be allowed to travel and talk)so it would be down to personals to be agreed, they aren't that far to get up to Bodymoor for medicals from there.Its wishful thinking but it could be possible.
sister
Reply to NickC:
Ok fair enough, was it on talksport.com or the radio station that you heard it. UTV
Reply to NickC:
ARE YOU SURE IT WASNT A PREMIER INN??? WAS LENNY HENRY THERE ASWELL????
The only reason sturridge would be having talks would be if MON has a deal in place that if Man City sign Santa Cruz then we get Sturridge
man city have turnd down the offer to sign santa cruz for 25 mill so it aint happening me thinks
I think its disgraceful that sky sports news have not been to the midlands once today about any potential deals! They have been everywhere esle! They could at least go there to say we arent doing anything!!!!
Reply to lucky4:
And say what? Nothing is happening!
Villa could swap dos santos for nrc I personally wouldn't mind as he can't pass the ball past his nose I don't mind not signing anyone because our bench will benefit from Carew and Bouma comin back
Reply to Andrew Murdoch:
They were there at the training ground earlier, saying something about the weather
Reply to lucky4:
Yeah but what does that tell you? Think about it
ak_27,
I think we'll have to agree to differ. MON tried for Bentley and Defoe, but their aspirations also lay outside of football. He can't compete with Citeh for Santa Cruz. This player actually wants to play for his old manager.
What great RB and LB are available? that can add more than our current players? It's not like we're asking l. young to play keeper or striker. Can we not just accept that MON has his own inimitable style of management, which doesn't suit everybody. Remember he tried to but Bosingwa. Not even Man.Ure could compete for that one. He knows his limitations and so sticks to his own plan which is doing fine.
His CV is there to see,it doesn't lie. I would say he knows vastly more about football than any wannabe on this site. Our realistic expectation this season was 5th. It looks as though he is going to exceed our expectations AGAIN.
Reply to jus nasty:
NRC is quality, I don't see how anyone can have any complaints about him after all the good work he's done this season is multiple positions which arn't his forte. - swapping him for dos santos would be ridiculous.
Reply to Bedsvilla:
Anyhting exciting? Sun? Rain? Snow? What, just any news will do.....
The only way Villa will sign anybody now is if the weather has affected the deal. If so then they can sign the player or players after the deadline. If not we wont sign no1, its to late now.
N'Zogbia about to sign for Wigan, Ryan Taylor going the other way!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
I do get tired of having to explain this Chris,but I will
Worrying about a critical weakness in our current manager does not or never will make me a"boo boy" and I'm dissapointed that it's not obvious to you.
I agree, MON has got us where we are.Do you not then think it would be criminal not to seize the opportunity we have and put ourselves back in the big time ?
I will be at Villa park long after MON.
If you don't agree with my point of view thats fine.Counter it and try to persuade me other wise.I'm not too proud to change my mind.But trading insults doesn't cut it mate and it's not something I'll get in to
Reply to Jonesy08:
Unless we pop over to Wolves for Michael Kightley that is... Please mon this guy would be another Ash Young
Giovanni deal off.
Dos Santos to Portsmouth deal off
Reply to Jonesy08:
does anybody know why
Reply to DanWilson82:
True true but Wolves won't let him go. But in the summer he would be good for us i think.
Reply to adamskin1207:
SSN say that he is not really match fit, he last played in October or Novemeber. So i think it's becuase he is just not fit enough.
Reply to vivavilla86:
Yes mate I did, he looked great.
Remind me where he's playing now ?
Totally different ball game.
Reply to Andrew Murdoch:
Well at least if they said nothing was happening then i could not waste my time sat in front of sky sports news waiting for something to happen! Would be nice if they gave us some updates either way!!
Reply to lucky4:
i know im dying to go and make a snowman lol
Reply to phaedrus:
Remind me how many chances he's been given to show what he can do?
Same ball game. Different manager.
Dos santos played the other day?
maybe hes just found out the other team was the villa
We don't even know if we were the other team linked with Dos Santos, he's been down portsmouth so won't be coming to us even if we had been linked with him so who cares?
id be happy with another rumour me
Reply to 1874AVFC:
They said training is cancelled due to the snow, as a result JC said titties on me! and took everyone off to the lap dancing club
Bored now! Another let down in the transfer market!
Is Randy Lerner Doug Ellis's grandson??? or is MON jewish???
Just seen Richards and Sturridge pelting snowballs at a snowman that looked suspiciously like Mark Huges - does this mean they want to sign for us?
It would make more sense if MON went for Richards & Sturrage in the summer as Citeh will be openning the cheque book, and their little gems will be all but forgottan. Then we can pick up two top quality players to bulk up our squad for our Champions League season, significantly cheaper than now
Reply to AVFCBlog:
It's the word that pompy have just taken Dos Santos from spurr's for 3.5 million,what a steal,i've been saying for weeks that we could have taken him for a small fee and look what's happend, why won't MON bye non british player's, let's hope he make's some sort of singing before the window shut's UP THE VILLA
n'zogbias gone to wigan now, and donated half his months wages to charity...thanked the fans and newcastle, not so much of a whinger now is he.
people are far too quick to judge when things get thrust into the limelight, he'd have been a good backup for us if anything, weve got 2 wingers, weve been crap, basically, without ashley in the team, if we get anymore injuries/suspensions to young or milner were stuffed, we cant keep playing players in the wrong positions for the rest of the season.
and to people saying dos santos is too lightweight - your stupid, the kids what, 18? remember gabby was too lightweight last season, but bulked up over the summer. dos santos can do the same, plus hes gonna get bigger with age. think about it.
p.s the move to pompey is OFF, skysports have just said.
Reply to runner:
Pompey turned the deal down after Dos Sanos was declared non fit. It was also for 7mil I believe. I really don't feel like we missed out on that one!
rumour has it that martin has assigned harewood's squad number to villas new super striker - a snowman!
We didn't go and sign a Yeti? It just does not feel like the last hour of the transfer window
Robbie keane going to spurs! Just shows that if you do persist with a player enough then a club will sell to you! Maybe mon just said a polite 'ok' when told he couldnt sign the players from various clubs!
A Yeti? Doesn't he manage spurs?
BREAKING NEWS MARLON HAREWOOD HEADING UP TO NEWCASTLE FOR 2m. YOUVE HEARD IT HERE FIRST
Lets face it, with less than an hour left, there is no chance we will sign anybody in this window. Just think about the Heskey story when it came out..we would have heard many rumours by now if we were goign to do any business
Reply to J CLOVER:
2 million for a snowman and marlene going for free? sounds about right
Reply to J CLOVER:
Do Newcastle not wanna swap him for Oba/Owen?
Keane wasn't Redknapps first choice though was he, just shows you.
Desperate times from a desperate team.
All this money they made in the summer with their sales and how well they'd done.
I bet we won't hear them mention it again now it's all spent.
Fact is tottenham are the worst club in the league for signing people and ruining them, just ask Simon Jordan..
Why dont we now go in for Bent?! Keane has gone to the spuds, they will want some money, give them £15m for Bent and Dos Santos
bent and dos santos - quality id be well chuffed with that
Agree with nik986
What purpose does NRC have now letting him go wouldn't be too bad he can't even get in the team he is basically waitin for petrov to get injured and even then he may not make it personally I think he will be sold in the summer and replaced with someone who can actually play football sorry dan82
in fact, id go as far as saying £15m plus Shorey for Bent, Dos Santos and Bale
SSN has just said that there could well be a late deal for Santa Cruz to Man City. They said that Man City may have bid the £25 million needed to get him. Now this may just let sturridge join us. Highly unlikely he will be if Santa Cruz does go, you never know Sturridge could already be in Brum waiting round.
Reply to jus nasty:
I rate NRC right up there with Petrov, plus he can cover right back and right mid. ven if he is a sub he is a class one. We can't just have a topp starting 11 and a bunch of dead wood sitting on the bench.
Reply to jus nasty:
He is there to strengthen the squad. Where would be be this season without him. Who would we have played at RB, RM? We have a small squad as it is, selling versatile players who can fill in in several positions wouln't be a good idea. He might not be first choice but he is but he still has a role within the team.
Oh dear! Good bye top 4, it was nice while lasted. Is it ambition we lack or cash? Redknap might be arrested over his transfers but at least he gets the job done. Think he'd want to be Villas director of football ?
Reply to RichT:
Hope that was meant as sarcasm!
Reply to vivavilla86:
Why was he not given the chances ?
We could bat this back and forward all day mate and lets face it...it wont happen
Reply to RichT:
at least itd make transfer windows exciting, though im not sure i want to see djemba-djemba, baros and samuel back at the club...
another wasted transfer window ffs god i hope we keep this up in the top 4
who would like to join me in a song while we see the other 30 mins slip away
Must be the most dissapointing transfer window for villa so far! Not one story of interest on newsnow and not one reporter in the midlands to tell us anything on villa! Reckon sky sports news must have already knew we werent signing anyone seen as they didnt bother telling a reporter to go up to birmingham! Looks like randy lerner has wasted his time and money on a plane ticket to england today!
Newcastle just had a bid rejected of 8 million for Johnson. If MON really wants him he must be waiting in the wings, maybe hes even outbid castle! You never know with MON!
Chelsea in for Quaresma
theres a song that tells it all for villa transfer windows "same old scene "
Who's Johnson? Andy? Glen? I would hope MON isn't trying to push these through. F@ck it if it is a quiet window, the transfers have to be right
Reply to ronvilla:
MoN - Get in and sign Richards, Johnson & Sturridge from Citeh and then Bale, Dos Santos and Bent from the Spuds and then send Delfounesso on loan and give Harewood one of the lion suits for each game - be a good mascot
Quaresma is off on loan, and the champions league registration deadline has gone so he cant play in that anyway so why not get him in O'Neill, will provide good back up
Just watchin Setanta, Their breaking news is that the transfer window has been extended and their reporters standing outside the wrong hospital waiting for Robbie keanes medical
Classic Setanta!
do you think mr horny student will be happy with the lack of signings if we blow 4th
well i hope keane has a fantastic debut as it should be against arsenal
OVERPRICED AVERAGE PLAYERS!
£8M JOHNSON BID FROM NEWCASTLE TURNED DOWN !
MON GO WITH WHAT WEVE GOT AND THE LADS THAT AV GOT US THERE!
look back on this day,as the day we blew 4th place,and possibly 3rd or 2nd
if i hear once more from him we have a smaal squad ill kick the tele in
I'm saving this page, so if we finish in the top 4 come the end of the season, I'll expect full apologies from all of you moaners to everyone else here, MON and the club.
Reply to redeye:
Ridiculous - we won't look back on this day if we don't make it, we will look at the dropped points between now and end of the season
arse
Reply to phaedrus:
Because, for the third time, his manager is an idiot.
thats it...all over.....
i think mon has dropped a right mistake here has had 4 weeks and yet again 1 player, real bad i expect more from a team who is going for the top 4, and xandeh ill be the first to come on and say yes i was wrong. but mate i cant see it we should have done more.
Reply to xandeh:
totally agree!
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!
There is no news. We'll have to go with whats got us here so far + Heskey.
i personally think mons weighed up his options and is going to go with whats got us where we are today! i believe whatever players he could of brought in would of been mediocure players for inflated prices which then come the summer when we get into the chumps league would more than likely be sold on for a loss due to us going for the quality that we all want in. i know its a let down for some but i think its great man management!!! imagine how solid a team we're going to have when we get chumps league place the experience gained and the self belief the team that has got us where we have today. so please will you all just get behind the team that has taken us this far and look forward to the summer where players will want to come to us and we pay sensible money for quality players. lads keep the faith we're supporters remember!!!!!! UTV
Reply to nik986:
just a thought what will be said if we dont like i said before i real hope im wrong but we do not have the squad to cope with the cups and league
Oh well, thats it then...... At least there was know Harewood esc deal for us all to moan about!
C'mon Villa!!!!
Okay fair enough we might have a shed load of injuries in the next couple of months, but remember we've got one of the best youth systems in the country, We've got two long term injury players more or less back in the squad, and we've now got 4 strikers, better than we've been for a while.
Look at the positives!
Keep the faith
Reply to xandeh:
AGREE TOTALLY!
HAVE FAITH!
A.V.F.C FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE!
reply to nik986 Ridiculous - we won't look back on this day if we don't make it, we will look at the dropped points between now and end of the season
yea and what do you think will be one of the major contributing factors to points dropped between now and the end of the season....ooohh lets see,injuries,suspensions and no real quality cover,because of low numbers.So i think we can look back at this day,as after all it is the end of the transfer window,and no new players signed!!
im just concered what if gabby picks up an injury who's going to come in pinhead he couldnt score in a brothel
Reply to avfc_lee:
thats a fair comment, but O'Neill has already stated that he'll throw the cups for the league
All over. 6th place here we come. Gutted.
a little bit of flexibility.....still a chance MoN
Reply to NickC:
must be embarrassed... what a load of shite lmfao
so nik986 we have entered the uefa cup for nothing then i find that a slap in the face to the fans who turn up and pay to watch a match that he will throw for the league thats a bad comment to make from a bloke who has had 4 weeks to sign players, its like this every transfer window just waiting for what excuses he will come out with this time
serious why are u being so pessimistic!
we all talk about injuries crippling us but we've been without mighty martin(club captain), ashley young(our top attacking star) and big jc(great target man) and we've still not lost games the players that have come in have done a job(we have depth) but above all this we have BELIEF!!!!! you ask spuds, man citeh and newcastle about belief???? you can buy players for millions but belief is something built into players and mons a great builder of belief.
Lets just w8 & c
No action to be taken against Bosingwa... disgusting!
Reply to RichT:
6th are you joking or have you just got problems. we are alot better than everton who will finish 6th and its out of us arsenal and maybe even chelsea for 4th. we've been through the whole season with the same squad and realy it makes no difference in this 2nd half. if the players are unfit at #40,000 a week then they should not be playing
Reply to avfc_lee:
So which would you take 4th or some progression in UEFA cup. The point is the players MoN wanted clearly werent available, so he has left it. We have a big enough squad as it stands, with cover in most positions. Who would you have signed that would have been a definite hit? There is no-one who you could guarantee is there? He has obviously decided there was nothing there for him, and fair enough no point wasting money.
Reply to tonky17:
Agree with you, good positive comment
Hang on, whats wrong with the squad weve got!!?
Whats the point of buying players for the sake. MON's had faith with the lads so far, so why not stick with it?
Some of you so called Villa fans don'k know when to praise the club, its makes me sick!
Reply to nik986:
keane from liverpool, who wouldnt sign him i now i wish we would have.
Reply to ash91:
are we not many points clear of everton? 4th is ours to throw away and if we do, well we will still take 5th which we would have taken at the start of the season. I think some people forget where we were under DoL very recently.
Reply to avfc_lee:
YOU NEED TO CHEER UP MATE!ARE YOU A GUNNER IN DISGUISE?
HAVE FAITH IN MON HE IS AFTER ALL THE PERSON WHO HAS GOT US WHERE WE ARE TODAY!
Reply to nik986:
How the heck are Everton going to make up 10 points on us?
LEE - I for one wouldnt sign Keane. His form has been awful for Liverpool. And before you say it, he's had plenty of time to settle in for a 2o million pound signing!
i think considering mon had a 5 year plan when he joined we should be pretty grateful for where we are at the moment for fucks sake UTV
Reply to RENDELLAVFC:
a gunner how dare you say that go and wash your mouth out with soap lol i just think we had a great chance to strenghten the squad with the position we are in and we havent
Reply to tonky17:
well said mate!
Reply to avfc_lee:
And how would keane fit into our system? clearly 4-5-1/4-3-3 is preferred so where would he go?
Reply to ronvilla:
Agreed. Liverpool have essentially paid ~£6m for a 5 month loan deal.
Reply to vivavilla86:
Thats 2 managers now that thought he was shite.
One bought him then instantly regretted it, the other just hasn't rated him.
Tony Adams went in for him though so he must be good ?
Reply to nik986:
i agree we are 11 points clear of everton don't think they have a chance of catchin us. and it might be a blow for arsenal arshavin stil hasnt completed his move yet. i don't know why everyone is so down. we still could finish second and another win against chelsea like last season will be great
he gives a different option 442 and he scores goals thats how he fits in pin head were does he fit in to plans but we have him
Reply to phaedrus:
he is clearly not 'shite' as you put it, but has had a difficult year or so. Having watched him for Barca, he clearly is a good player. As with a certain R Keane, he is also a good player just had a bad 6 months.
Form is temporary, Class is permanent
i swear down people who think weve got the squad to keep up 4th place are blind, or mad, mons been saying for aslong as hes been at the club, that weve got a tiny squad and need more players.
he had the perfect opportunity to sign some real quality, maybe overpriced, but in the current market, and with a billionaire, who cares?! theyd have been quality, they WERE available, ANYONE is available if you persist, and for the right amount, hence keane hence arshavin.
Well after all that, I have to say I'm really happy with what we have. Only really wanted to see someone sign today for a bit of excitement and to be honest, I don't want to see our boat rocked at this stage.
4th place will be ours if not better, and i'm looking forwards to Champions League next year already! Keep up the good work villa boys!
Reply to JustRich:
What's the problem? 4th place after 24 games, what makes you think it's going to all fall apart with only 14 games left?
We have got the squad to finish 4th, and the proof is in the table.
does anyone else think liverpool may just of made a massive mistake in selling keane??? torres being pretty much injury prone i mean i for one cant see him going the rest of the season without being injured again?? so no plan b?? who are they going to play without torres?? wishfull thinking i know but i just feel its weakend there squad?? chelsea dont seem to have bolsterd and utd are unchanged! so above us it all seems plausible for chumps league. Arsenal ok arshavin but i dont believe its what they needed they needed a defensive midfield player not another flair player and everton i believe we're well clear of?? share your thoughts please.
right im off on the xbox medal of honor 4 take out my anger at the lack of signing anyone. wish it had been a better day, but great discussion guys today hope im proven wrong and if i am drinks on me lol
Reply to avfc_lee:
and we look so good in a 4-4-2?!?! Mate you are obviously one of he booers, can you not see how far we have come in 3 years?
Please follow these instructions:
1)Type in www.premierleague .com
2)Click on 'Full Table' or just click this link LINK
3)Smile and be thankful
4)Amen
Reply to JustRich:
Santa Cruz wasn't available and i'm sure citeh were persistant!
I can't believe all this MON bashing, These same people will be crying when Man U come and take him away when Fergie finally retires
Some people do my nut in. We are now almost title contenders, 3 years after DoL almost took us down. Villa Park is an exciting place to be for both fans and players. Why are people whinging?
right we are half way through the season the players are just as tired as they were 5-10 games ago as the season progresses the players feel better feel more fit and they can do more work.
gabby has said a few games ago he didnt want to be kept out of the cup match becauuse he isnt tired. he is obviously fit just like the rest of them and when you dont play then you are unfit just like carew coming back. then when he has played something like 5 more games he will feel fit enough to carry on and he justs get fitter each game so the tired thing is aload of shite.
Reply to tonky17:
Yes, but to be honest I don't think Rafa is any good at making players feel good about themselves whatsoever. It was obvious Keane was playing to the standard he has in the past and instead of having some faith he just got dumped off. Benitez is a waste of space, where as our manager is a genius.
Reply to ash91:
I agree, and at the end of the day the don't train that much, 4 times a week normally and place once or twice a week. I play once a week, and work and ive still got energy!
Re: The Booing
I think this has been completely misinterpretted. I wasn't one of the booers, I was clapping quietly, still in shock that the Wigan goal had lead such a charmed life, some of the defending was heroic - you'd think their lives depended on it - and some of our attacking wasn't far behind in effort and application terms. But... I just interpretted all the booing as for Rob Styles, not the players, they got a great reception when in the centre circle... I hope this isn't the press and others trying to stir something up, when there's nothing there....then again we should be flattered that they wanna knock us down, we must be doing something good and worth taking note of....UTV!! and lets hope we never see Rob Styles again (but ahey, at least we didn't have Mike Riley. That was heading to a nil-nil with 20mins to go...he may have cost us more in the long run, by giving Liverpool two more points than they should have!)
arshavin no go !!!!
HAHAHAHA... Arseshaving deal breaks down!
Reply to vivavilla86:
yeah, only problem is weve been lucky, and played crap in ALOT of games.
the fact is, were playing above ourselves, and weve showed no ambition or indication that we want to stay in the top 4 whatsoever, and i dont wanna win things chelski-esque (by winning ugly) man utd won practically the lot last season and played amazing football
Bill the muppet
LINK
Arshavin hasn't signed!! ha ha
No Arshavin = Arsenal struggles for the rest of the season. We may put 4th place away before Fabregas and the rest get back into the team.
Reply to JustRich:
Are you kidding? Winning is winning. You don't fluke your way to 7 straight away wins, you do it by getting things right.
Would you sacrifice 4th place just so we can start playing attractive football? Of course you wouldn't.
Disappointed not to get anybody in but not suprised, i hope MON knows what he's doing. We are at the moment on the cusp of one of our best seasons in the last 10 years or so, i just hope when the season finishes and we look back at this transfer window we wont be saying ..."if only we would have got a few players for cover"...
Reply to Fitzy_7:
I'm not embarrassed at all. I just quoted something said on Talksport. You put things out there and those people in the know make calls and you soon find out. I said it was probably shite as every single rumour we've read on here over the last month was. The only good thing was that they did buy Heskey and I think he'll do a good job for us.
Keep laughing though, its better than crying which is what alot of people on here seem to be doing.
Like every supporter on here, you all live in hope that it'll be us making the big signings but reality dictates that Villa's wage structure wont allow the real "big time charlies" to sign. The Owen thing could happen in the summer as he'll be a free agent and a few mill signing on fee would make up for the shortfall in his wages that he wouldn't get from anyone else but both Manc teams,Liverpool and Spuds. Perhaps the Sturridge thing could happen in the summer as any young player will see that MON is more than happy to use them and bring them on.
We live in hope.
Take care my friend and enjoy the rest of the season.
Any substance at all in Villa being the "other" team vying with Pompey for Giovani Dos Santos?
And where does he play. He's obviously an attacker, but a few clips on youtube suggest a right winger. Or is he anywhere up front?
On the pinnacle and lost it. Not just a chance of 4th blown but the chance of finishing 2cnd. This is not just me, lots of football pundits that are ex players said we needed to sign new players or at least 1 big signing to push on. Gutted yet again, I just want 1 star player, i said 6 months ago we would get Heskey and we did, you can see MON signings a mile off.
Reply to JustRich:
BOTTOM LINE IS WERE WINNING GAMES! SUPPOSED NICE FOOTBALL AND GREAT FLAIR PLAYERS!WHERE ARE ARSENAL?
HAVE FAITH!
Reply to Scrumpy:
I didnt see anything to suggest we were the other team other than 2 sentaces on some site saying we were.
However, wikipedia earlier said that he was now our player!! It also said that his dad was hulk hogan and that his mum was Karen Brady, and I had nothing to do with it...
Reply to taglor:
Clueless. Absolutely clueless. O'Neill has done nothing but earn out implicit trust and people like you come out with embarassing jokes of comments like that. When has O'Neill ever blown anything for us?
Fans like you are ungrateful and shortsighted. The very least you should be doing is accepting that O'Neill knows what he is doing and still believe we can achieve what he believes we can achieve. He's done absolutely nothing to suggest we are going to fall apart and finish outside the top four, you at least owe him to hold off any criticism until the end of the season.
Reply to NickC:
i was refering to talksport not u
Reply to taglor:
Which star player do you want, Gerrard, Rooney, Messi, Kaka, Fabregas?
I feel your frustration mate, but what if Real Madrid or A.C Milan had wanted one more star player and come in for Ashley Young, you wouldn't sell especially not in Jan.
Reply to vogra:
Yeah, because obviously he's demonstrated he knows sweet FA about football.
Reply to vivavilla86:
fluke = luck, and weve had plenty, so yes, you do win 7 straight games by fluke, as we have done, granted, weve worked hard, and had flashes of brilliance, but we HAVENT been consistent enough, if you dont agree with that then i duno what games youve been watching, if any.
Reply to JustRich:
haha, how is not losing in 11games in a row not being consistent...
Reply to JustRich:
Comment 298 says more than I ever could. You really should read back what you've written mate, it makes no sense what so ever.
Reply to kohoutek:
yeah thanks for that comment, didn't realise i can't express my own opinion on here..sorry.
LINK
loving the last comment jack cough ....class!
Worst thing is I was willing to think of Heskey as a good buy as a squad player now I think he's a shit signing. As for he holds the ball up well, I want my strikers to bloody score not hold the ball up.
Reply to vivavilla86:
Well that's my opinion and I can say what I like especially on a blog. i support Villa too so get over it you child and just fuck yourself sideways.
In response to Forest Hill Villan:
100% agree. Despite some idealistic differences we may have on here, one thing is obvious (for 99%)...we are ALL behind the lads and think what we have achieved so far is fantastic. If we are to kick on and secure Top 4 status, booing the lads and MON is NOT the way to go. Every team has games like we did against Wigan.
Anyone would think the boo-boys were upset that we were like Spurs and up & down like a yo-yo in the bottom half of the table!!!
Everywhere we post, let's make it clear the next game we will sing it loud & proud to drown out the glory-hunters who these 1% must represent....
You are my villa. oohh.
My only villa. oohh.
You make me happy when skies are grey.
I hope you know just how much we love you,
So please don't take my villa away.
VILLA. VILLA. VILLA. VILLA.
UTV
Let's stop it, before they start it!!
Claret & Blue, through and through.
Bravo VivaVilla86. Spot on.
We're sitting 4th in the Premier League arguing over a missed chance to go 2nd. 3 years ago, the only 2nd we were arguing about was which team was going to be our 2nd Away win of the season as we hadn't managed it for about 18 months!!
I'm willing to accept that people are entitled to their opinions, but look how far we've come and let's look at where we are in May. It was only 2 months ago people were saying Man Utd & Chelsea had blown it and this year would be Liverpool's year. Things change & no doubt they will change again (except Man Utd will win the league).
If we beat Chelsea...what will the doubters say then?
Sustainable progress. That's what MON is trying to achieve and he has the Chariman's backing. Are we now saying we don't like the new Chairman...the man who has transformed Villa as a Social entity as well as business entity.
If you want 'Galacticos' that run crying home to the Ivory Coast (no names) the minute things go awry or win one game 5-0 and lose the next 4-0 (again no names) , then go support those teams. MON & Randy Lerner have made it quite clear they are not in that business (yet).
Keep the faith that I think MON has earned and let your chest swell with pride as you sing out loud to get behind the lads each and every day!!
UTV
I think we should of sold barry to liverpool for 20 million, and buy him back for 10 in the summer because we wont get 4th and martin knoob o'neil will be blamed
I so agree with jozinho. PROJECT ENGLAND will come third or fourth. Zat and Young[the other one} for England
Reply to taglor:
damn right tags!
Once again I'm amused by those who seem to think MON's been tapped on the shoulder and told,
"You know Martin, it's January, and you can buy and sell players all month!"
"Really? I wouldn't have thought so. That's really quite extraordinary. Fantastic, you might say."
"Yes, it is, rather."
"Well, then. Perhaps I should see who's for sale. Are there classified listings or some such?"
"No...unless you count the papers. I think you have to ring people up, see if they want to sell anyone, throw out some numbers."
"Oh, I see. That's a wee bit of a complication, isn't it? What if we don't have their phone numbers?"
"I'm sure we can round a few up. Any ideas where you'd like to start?"
"That would be lovely. Well, Manchester United have some brilliant players, don't they? Really top class. I remember a few from the last draw. Wasn't it Roomey, or Rainey, or something? Bit thick, but gets stuck in, plays for England i think. Oh, and they had that lad with gel in his hair. Christo, Christina, or something or other. Perhaps a wee bit greasy for my liking, but seems very good on the ball. I don't know. Does seem like rather a lot of bother. And besides how do we know how much to pay? I don't like paying over the odds, you know. I've not looked at the account lately, didn't realize I should've been saving up for players. Maybe I could call Randy."
"Well, you just read the papers. Or you can take what you think the player's true 'value' is and just double or triple it, and tell the team you'll send the cash straight over. Then, the player usually arrives in a taxi at the ground after being spotted at every airport, train station, and estate agent's in England, someone welcomes him, gives him a look round, finds a shirt, and tells him which lapdancing club he can find the other lads at."
"Perhaps it's something we'll have a look at. But I've promised the missus a night down the pub, some darts, maybe some crisps. So perhaps I'll wait. I don't fancy shopping in the cold anyway."
Hi i was wondering if anyone heard any new about villa signing anyone yet.
Reply to vogra:
You can say silly things all you like, just don't expect to not have them pointed out.
MON turning with his arms outstretched to the boo-birds behind the dugout.
All that needs to be said.
Loans deals are still possible?
When does the Russian season start again? Extremely doubtful, but are there any players from the Russian League that could do with a month or two in England on loan to get there fitness up? Could make the difference having an extra player of two around the squad.
Personally I'm quite happy with how the window has gone. Clearly shows the quality isn't available that MON is after and now we wait till the summer again for new additions. Absolutely fine by me. Quality players like Carew and Bouma coming back and sitting quite nicely in 4th ... I'm a grateful Villa fan.
Now the transfer window has closed does that mean we cannot sign players on loan?
Reply to taglor:
Whatever you say mate. When we finish 4th you're going to look like an absolute tit for slagging off O'Neill and his policies, though by then you'll probably have forgotten you ever said it.
Reply to notsosilentbob:
Ha Ha Steve...Try the link now..!!!
LINK
what a waste of time and money of flying over to brum in ya private jey then randy if u aint even gonna spend anything...
or is it a ritual you and oniel have the last 3 / 4 windows to get pissed infront of a pc looking at all the speculation going around knowing u aint done a thing but buy a good for nothing bloke who is just about in retirement.
Reply to taglor:
Perhaps someone can arrange a sort of question and answer session with fans, ticket-holders, something, so all of these brilliant suggestions to MON about how to run a football club could be made in person, and he could just laugh directly in your faces instead of having us weary sheep, terribly disappointed being even on points with Scolari's Chelsea and ahead of Wenger's Arsenal, try and make sense.
Perhaps a competition...I nominate any of the true Eeyores on the site to shadow MON for week, set him straight, report back to us how MON has now learned to manage a football club thanks to the genius of their insight into the transfer market.
Reply to kohoutek:
awesome!!!
Reply to vdave:
Come on Dave, you know as well as me.O'neill wont sign any world class players in August.
A couple of centre halves (you can always play them as fullbacks) and a replacement for Marlon.
Has Lee Chapman retired yet ?
Maybe I'm wrong and MON does want to sign top players but isn't being supported by Randy.Either way, we have a problem in terms of staying in top 4
Reply to Top_SIX_Villa:
btw....
sarcasm
Reply to __AA__:
lol nice aa i've left a little message with him see how that pans out!
18.57 Chelsea have completed the signing of Ricardo Quaresma from Inter Milan on loan until the end of the season.
Looks like chelsea have they're wide man
Reply to vdave:
What was his name, the left back for Russia.... Jurij Zjirkov was the name. God I'd love seeing him in claret and blue
18.57 Chelsea have completed the signing of Ricardo Quaresma from Inter Milan on loan until the end of the season.
Looks like chelsea have they're wide man
Reply to Jozinho:
Who's talking about Galacticous? Im talking about about filling the glaring gaps in the squad with a few squad players so that we don't have to play players out of position. Seriously disappointed with MON but i should be used to it now as he does the same in every transfer window. If by this time next year we are sitting in 5th or 6th well off 4th this is the moment when you can say we blew our chance of once again becoming a great club.
Reply to avfcjonny:
Well that all depends on which Quaresma shows up. Mourinho once hailed him as having the potential to become the best winger in world football (including Ronaldo).
But only last month, he criticised him publically, left him out of Inter's Champions League squad and he was voted the worst import in Serie A.
Could go either way for Chelsea.
Reply to vivavilla86:
Yep very true, agree with that. Hopefully it will be the latter that turns up for chelsea. UTV
Phaedrus....
What would you rather have? Us in our position now in the league and still in both cups with our current squad. Or in Spurs or Man Citys position and buying every Tom, Dick and Harry?....
I get alot more pleasure by looking at the current League table and all the other stat tables that we are excelling in then i do bitching about our squad list....O'Neill is the man who has got us where we are and he doesnt seem overly worried bout the lack of transfers so why are you?....I bet you were one of the guys on here in the summer expecting us to be in a relegation battle by now because of our transfers!!!!!....Well i got news for you buddy, whatever O'Neill's transfer policy is, its working, so be gratefull!!!!!
Theres thousands of people out of work in this current financial situation and plenty of football clubs, both big and small, struggling to survive and some how a small amount of fans on here want us throw money around at potentially useless players!!!!....Wake up!
Reply to maindog:
A voice of reason! Very good points. O'Neill knows exactly what he's doing and i cant wait to hear some of these doubters comments when we're playing champions league football. Not many people trult believed we could break the top 4 at the start of the season but finally people are starting to take notice!
A month ago this was posted with tongue in cheek:
"The window has only jut opened, which means Martin O'Neill has looked at his kitchen calender and started to panic. Nobody told him that he could start speaking to agents or other clubs about players and now he has to rush, which means we'll get a player or two in the last week of the window and they'd have wasted three weeks of playing for us.
He'll make a resolution that for the next January transfer window he'll have players lined up early so they can maybe make an impact in the actual month".
For some reason I knew not to waste my time today and watch Sky Sports. I hope to be able to turn to my friends that support Manure, Chelski, Thiefpool or Arse and say MON was right we didn't need to strengthen in January but i reckon they will be pointing and laughing at me....i'll get my coat will probably be my reply. MON knows what he is doing - small squad, playing football since July and a subs bench he can't trust!!!
its all ifs lads. wait till the end of the season and then IF weve blown it ave a go but at the moment were sitting 4th .5 points clear of arse and looking good like the old saying goes IF me aunty had boll//ks shed be me uncle
Reply to avfcjonny:
You speak of reason jonny but do you not think it reason to have a few players to cover certain positions? What happens if Milner or Young get injured? Who do we have to play on the wing? 2 centre midfielders who are mostly ineffective out there. Same can be said for the full back positions. Yes we might get camps league with our current squad but why take such a huge gamble instead of spending 10m or 15m on 2 or 3 squad players? He did the same last year and we feel off the pace. We have more games to play this year so i find this unimaginable that he hasn't brought in at least a few loan players. Maybe he has and we just haven't heard yet or am i just clucthing at straws?
Reply to avfcjonny:
"O'Neill knows exactly what he's doing"
you are right. so when he publicly says
IF WE DONT BOLSTER WE ARE GOING TO FIND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR US TO CARRY ON THE WAY WE HAVE WITH OUR LUCK...
Kind of puts how much of a stumbling block his tightness could be....
unless of course he has something up his sleave..
a loan move
or has lodged an intent to sign with the PL / FA and has been allowed an extension in accordence with their statement today
Reply to ak_27:
probably clutching at straws!! dont get me wrong, i really did hope we would make more signings and am quite disappointed. I just dont want to be moaning about it until we see how it all pans out. we have done incredibly well so far and i can see it continuing until the end of the season. just trying to stay positive!
I'm feeling too mellow tonight to get uptight about some of the muppetry on here today. If there's one reason to ditch the transfer window (and there are many) it's to give some of the glass-half-empty merchants one less reason to predict the end of the world as we know it.
I'm pretty convinced that O'Neill had targets in mind and that those deals didn't come off. People should know by now that we are not a club that makes sure everyone hears about failed bids (unlike some others I could mention). Yes it would have been good to buy a couple of players, but not for the sake of it.
Heskey is a great deal. The team has fantastic spirit, something that some of the bigger spending wannbes can only dream of, and yet some expect MON to risk throwing it all away to make some flash signings. We've been through our worst period of suspensions and injuries and managed the best run of results of the season.
MON runs a side that takes time to get into and stay in - it's the performance of the players that we've got that will determine where we finish and it was always going to be that way.
Good.
Glad that nonsense is over.
No clowns signed.
Money sitting in the bank.
Waiting to be spent when we secure 4th place.
Reply to kohoutek:
The problem is we are fighting on 3 fronts and do not have the strength and depth to do that, Liverpool will dump us out of the cup with a 1-0 win, uefa we are already struggling in and the premiership we only need a couple of losses to plummet. Come back and tell me I am wrong by all means when we have won the cup, uefa and finished 4th, but unless we miraculously have no injuries and suspensions we will struggle, our great run has already happened, even man utd have bad runs. I don't doubt MON as a man manager apart from lack of subs in games but as for wanting a star player for my troubles I have no apologies, I help pay their fucking ridiculous wages, give me something back for 20 years of nothing.
Reply to Top_SIX_Villa:
OK, you got me there
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
Now there's an outlook I wish others would share.
Reply to taglor:
I just think the point is that none of us knows. We all want Villa to return to glory days. MON's doing better than anyone else has recently at the helm.
It's one thing to say we know football, another to say we really know fuck all about actually managing a club.
You could be entirely right, entirely wrong, somewhere in between, same for the rest of us. But what most are advocating is the Spurs school of football, and it's clear that it just doesn't work very well.
I guess all I'm really trying to say in the end is that if MON only signed Heskey, there's a reason, and it's not that MON is thick, or doesn't understand football, or wasn't prepared. Likewise, if he's not going to his bench, there's a reason...maybe he thinks they're all donkeys. Maybe he wants the players on the pitch to learn how to play all 90mins, and have no excuses. Maybe the starting 11 are so much clearly better in training it would be an insult to bring them off.
I don't know. But...and here's the big but, I don't think for a minute that I know any better than MON. Now, if we were talking Lawrie Sanchez or some similar prat, it might be obvious to one and all that the milkman would be a better manager.
But MON doesn't fall into that category.
You never once thought this side would be even on points with Chelsea at the beginning of February. The doom and gloom may well be proved right at the end of the season. But you never even thought they'd get this far, and said so in no uncertain terms. So you could say, "I've been wrong up to now, but let's see how this finishes."
To which I'd say, "Fair play."
Reply to taglor:
Oh, and I should say, as MON has, I don't care about the UEFA or FA Cups. Just the league. And that's always been MON's number-one priority, I think.
So, for all the naysayers to be wrong, Villa simply need to crack the top 4.
Everyone seems to forget they are probably four of the best 10 teams in the world. We're not keeping bad company for all MON's incompetence and mismanagement