Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Little 77, Aston Milan, AVFC48, Fear 
Date:Thursday July 12 2007
Time: 8:40PM
UK time is: 06:26:39
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Transfer Saga Or Lack Of Patience?
There certainly seems mixed feelings on the transfer activity, or lack of it at Aston Villa so far. AVFC48 yesterday asked:
Time to training 0 days
Time to first Friendly 14 days
Time to first Premiership match 31 days
Time to window closing 51 days
Time needed to bed players in ???????
Some are calling for patience, others for new signings and plenty of them, that is for sure!
As the transfer saga continues, I saw comments by Vital Villa member Aston Milan the other day. He said:
Another quality midfielder, right-back/defender and maybe a striker is what we need at the moment. We have a good basis of a squad at the moment which will improve under O'Neill. It is small though so he must have players in negotiations, some may come some won't, but we will be the last to know.
He has got rid of the weaker players who don't fit in with his plans, so he must have options coming in, and he will have a full pre-season to get the team gelled together. We finished the season strong, only Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal lost fewer games, so it was starting to happen. Have a little faith.
I must admit there are no whispers coming out of Villa Park at all these days. I have spoken to a few from within recently, staff who would usually have all the gossip and tittle tattle. They say the same. Nothing is being leaked, no idle gossip, no mad rumours and no private negotiations.
Now that either means we aren't in there dealing for players - I cannot see that in a million years - OR that at last we have a professional set up at Villa who don't allow what the previous board did, leaking information and tipping off pretty much everyone within earshot.
Ok, fair enough, whilst we wait for players it gets frustrating not getting the rumours etc and it did used to be nice to post the odd article on the web that actually turned out to be true, but I would much prefer the situation now, with one slight ammendment obviously, ie a few more press conferences with a few new arrivals.
Personally I thought we'd have got more in by now, BUT I am not in the panic mode that some are - frustrated and bored yes but I get like that every close season ! - but not panicking. I'd have rathered seen the exits after the new arrivals but hey ho, I'm not the manager - aka the man with his job on the line. I have faith that they know what they are doing, they would not have let so many squad players leave if they weren't confident of new arrivals.... at least I hope not!
Meanwhile Little 77 submitted the following posing some questions rather than answers:
Are we Expecting too much ?
Ok I think we all agree from the most optimistic to the 'put the Smiths on I cant take any more' brigade that we would have liked to see more happening at our club.
Do you think that after years of Mr. Ellis and being told there's no money or budgeting to be the best in the Midlands and all the missed chances to move onwards, that at the first sign of a decent manager and a board that appear to know how to run a club we have gone into overdrive?
Are we a big club and can we really expect the top or topish (is that a word?) {no! edit JF!} come to us.
Is it that we have a slow and steady building of the club, playing staff and management?
Discuss
You heard the man, discuss!
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Your Comments
I'm happy that we have got a great owner and top manager think back to last season, nob head manager (sold de hammer) nob head owner that had the audacity to name a stand after him self for achieving nothing. utv
chris the villan
The only concern for me is the time factor - will a large number of new arrivals have enough time to gel if we don't sign them pretty damn quick. Or, is MON planning to start the campaign with more or less the same team that finished the last one and so isn't under pressure to bring the amount of players required? One thing is for sure - we need a RB (two) I would say this is a priority because this is the only position that we don't have effective cover for. Melberg hasn't the basic skill to cover this position well - ie running and passing. Expectations high? Of coarse they are, but I don't believe the majority have a too high an expectation. Expectations rose when MON and Lerner arrived - only natural. They rose even higher when the CEO stated that exciting new signings would arrive. They haven't so far and people are getting frustrated - only natural. Panic is illogical, as what have we got to panic about? It's only Jul 12 (in some places it's Friday the 13th) so we still have at least a fortnight b4 the friendlies begin. I'm sure everyone at the club involved in the transfer wealling and dealling are working extremely hard to make the expected new arrivals happen. So to everyone out there - CHILL.
myleftfoot
We will get a right back, and i know it would be nice to make a load of big signings, but with no European football on offer it must make getting top player's a lot harder for MON, but get a RB and we have got the best team we've had for a few year's.
chris the villan
I think its quite obvious that management is SLOWLY building a team. All of our buys have been guys under 30 years old. A good chunk of our core is under 25. This is a wise thing! Even the deepest pockets can be emptied going for the quick fix. Honestly, I figure Villa will finish the upcoming season mid-table once again. The next year, though...if hard work is added to great talent... Villa could be scary good. Just my 2 cents worth...
attila11101
jam tomorrow, results today you choose.
has O'Neill got it wrong, we don't know, come September 1 we will all have a much better idea.
every other manager financially able to buy, has, some several times, they have new players bedding in as the pre season ticks on
Have we, no our single transfer is on holiday
avfc48
MON is a genius and we should all have faith... As bored as I am with trawling Newsnow every few minutes and watching Sky SPorts News, I believe he will deliver the goods when he's good and ready. He won't waste Randy's money. Every penny will be put to good use.
Keep the faith. Up the Villa.
(Please Hurry Martin - I can't take it any longer!!!!!)
melski
I have faith but it be nice to see some players coming through tomarrow I go off on holiday in my BMW and I expect to see more signings
Christo
Liverpool 50m, Spurs 40m, Villa 0m
tarzan
I just want to know why the wait....what could possibly be the point. You should have your targets identified before the season ends so what is the point in waiting. This leads me to think we have either missed our targets or not spending. Thats why im panicking. . . .for those people saying 'chill' please try and explain why we might want to wait so late before making moves.
bigdiondubs
Who said we are not making moves? Just because other clubs are panic buying it does'nt mean we have to follow suit! I'm quite sure there's plenty happening behind the scene's, it's just means a lot of wrangling between clubs, plus a fair bit of bluff calling over valuations of players e.t.c. I believe that come the start of the season, we will look back and say; What was all the fuss about. I'll say it again, keep the faith.
Nigel-not-Reo
rome wasn't built in a day.
Pking
People are either positive,negative or pessimistic,if he gets the 4 or 5 that NRC states that MON wants then totally happy days but has just come slower than we were told. Guess we can all accept that!!
ASPINALL
Well i think Randy Lerner is the only one of the foreig owners who knows how to use his money properly, and Martin O'Neill, the only manager in the league with a strategic plan to better the squad by being careful who he invests time and money in to bring to the club rather than being a Portsmouth who only sign free agent 30+ year old Africans. Either way, maybe im just impatient, but i have a feeling come november, well be in the same ***** we were last season, with a ****ty polish weirdo who tries to be eccentric with his pyjama pants in goal. I'm praying Martin will pull a rabbit out of his hat, even if it is the last couple of days before the window shuts, but right now, with no new news even from bull***** websites, it better be a bloody big rabbit
AussieVilla
As I said, patience is a virtue. MON wants players who will give their all, he has the best opportunity of his own management carreer to go for glory and believe me glory is what he will achieve for Aston Villa. Most of the players we have been linked with are mediocre and have been linked with Newcastle, Man City and Portsmouth aswell, because the press can assume the top four get the cream and the next in line are us three with a bit of money to spend. The squad were starting to gel towards the end of the season, and the last thing you want is to bring in 6 or 7 players and upset that. As I posted the other day, a right back and center back will arrive, a goalkeeper and maybe a striker and another winger/midfielder. Check out Re0-Coker in the sun (Iknow, but it is from his own mouth), he is quoted as saying 'The manager has told me their are another four or five signings to come' and one thing about MON is that he is the most honest and genuine manager in the business. Players will be signed ready for the tour, have faith.
astonmilan
Could'nt have put it better myself, well said astonmilan!
By the way, well done ASPINALL. You seem to have overcome your doubts. Stay positive my friend...it will all happen soon!
Nigel-not-Reo
Aggghhhh Anthony Gardner,Agggghhhh we`ve spent 8.5m on the "new Neil Lennon " wasn`t the old one sh`te? Statistically 80% of transfers will be in August so no panic but i hope the "masterplan" is all OK.
ASPINALL
don't players want to sign for you? its well documented that you have the funds for new players so whats happening? maybe oneill is too fussy.
Dales_Dad
Whilst I remain one of the brigade who has faith that the new regime will deliver, I would say that as there is only one full week to go prior to flying out to America, I would like to see movement as soon as possible now. Those who aren't signed in time to go on the tour are not going to be up to the standards of fitness or preparation that the rest of the squad will be, and that's when I'll start getting slightly worried. The fact is the kind of transfers we're trying to push through now are time-consuming and require a good deal of finesse. But what nobody should lose sight of is that whoever is signed, this coming season is about results. Last term was always going to be one of transition, but this year we need to accomplish something. Qualification for the UEFA Cup is a bare minimum requirement from this season onwards - anything less is failure and that's the mentality I believe the club is adopting. As such, extra care is probably being exercised in all areas of our transfer policy.
Alec
I would be somewhat disapointing to bring in 4 or 5 new playerss in a bums rush on closing day, however that is a good while away and like all other supporters I will be delighted when more new players arrive next week (or the week after)
col8
I think the main point of all of this is do we really think MON and his staff would let so many leave a small squad without having players lined up? Do we think there is any plan to the transfer (in)activity? Is the master plan a complete rebuilding of the club that will take a lot longer than any of us would hope.
LITTLE 77
must admit I'm looking at Spurs, one of the teams that we have let (before the new regime) catch us up and over take us. They have bought well this summer and the new players are now playing pre-season friendlies with the rest of the squad. That said, there aren't that many transfers done just yet but time is ticking I guess!!!
The Fear
oh, and with Man utd paying what they have, I reckon they have all but guaranteed the league again this season, funny when chelski do it we say they have bought the league, when manure do it, we don't seem to blink!
The Fear
I'm just bored now. Gardner wouldn't be a bad squad addition along with Young but they don't excite me - Curtis Davies does - lots of potential and hungry for Premier League. I've wanted SWP and Defoe since last season and I stand by that still. I am only worried about the time frame left for players to be bought and gelled in with the new team. Martin will buy some very good players we already know and a few surprises that we don't, I'm sure.
koolbill
I would like to take this moment to remind the fans that we essentially have three players who were new to the team last season that will play even better this season: Carew, Young, and...Petrov. All of whom will have had an extra amount of settling in time to adjust fully. I can't wait to see them all on form with Luke and Gabby firing in some goals. NRC is going to be able to let Petrov go forward as his natural game dictates. That will be awesome to see.
koolbill
p.s. Please sign another player soon. I am losing lots of face with other supporters at work and want something to shout about too.
koolbill
ive heard rumours that alot will happen next week,or to quote a source, "something big".
groseyboy
what source is this Groseyboy ?
notthedougellisstand
The writting is on the wall guys - were right back to sell to buy - no coincidence that the revenue raised through sales - is almost exactly what we paid for reo coker. We are now buying a goalie on the cheap- and a 3rd choice centre back - no doubt these will be funded by the sale of ridgewell.....nothing has changed - net outlay - nil ......'wheres the money gone '
qKing
the club need to move to reassure the fans. alot are starting to worry, and the split is getting greater.
Stig
I agree Stig. There are a lot of fans out there who are concerned and worried with the lack of activity. Comments like the one from qking don't help. However, he is entitled to his opinion but you only have to look at the money that has been spent since Mr Lerner brought the club to show that this has not been the case. Petrov for £8m, Young for £8m up front plus add ons, NRC for £7.5m plus add ons. Maloney for £1m. Total money from sales amounts to £4m Davis, £1m Hughes, £1m McCann. A total outlay of nearly £25m and £6m returned into the club. How this suggests we're back to the penny-pinching ways of Doug I don't know.
notthedougellisstand
Sirs (and indeed ladies if there are any about), whilst I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I am a tiny bit concerned at the lack of transfer activity, I have no doubt whatsoever that Martin and Randy will deliver. Time may be marching on, but it's well known that the transfer market is like a merry-go-round - clubs bring new players in, making existing players surplus to requirements and available to move to new clubs (does anybody really see Defoe staying at Spurs and playing fourth fiddle to Bent, Berbatov and Keane?) and that's exactly what's happening now. If the sticking point on any transfer activity at Villa is down to the selling clubs, then what would be gained by anybody at the club pointing the finger and potentially ruining any pre-agreed deals? Another point worth noting is that whlist we have let a number of players go, there is a wealth of talent that have come up from the youth squad to replace them - the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor, Craig Gardner, Gary Cahill, Liam Ridgewell and Isiah Osbourne. MO'N has already tried to re-assure us by saying that the signings will come and has made numerous references saying that now NRC has signed, he can push on with getting more players through the door....there's not much more he can do to let us know what's going on except for revealing who we're going for, and I don't think that's the kind of man that he is. Stay patient, keep the faith and things will turn out just fine. Villa for life...
jeffg_utv
I am a patient,Heartlands-just had me cast fitted for broken 5th metatarsol!!!! If we have 30m to spend can we just buy a fantastic RB and keeper rather than 5 squad additions as i think we need to up the quality,12m Buffon and 14m Alves please.
ASPINALL
Nice thought Aspinall but we both know it ain't going to happen
notthedougellisstand
We don`t seem to be linked with the standard fare,so on a positive note maybe we`re shopping in another league entirely ( let me have a dream ) Natives are getting restless though,even some of my mates who are always positive and MON/Randy love-childs are whinging like an old fart like me!
ASPINALL
It is frustrating but I think we have just got to sit tight until the season starts. If no more new arrivals, then vent your frustration
notthedougellisstand
What happened to the Lerner millions you were going to spend?
merlin
Just an observation.This summer the prices are crackers.I noted awhile ago that when the millions being made available to teams, would be craved by other clubs & agents.We know the money is there but any transfer is all about the value you have on a specific target.MON won't waste Randy's money.Let's look on the bright side, if doug was still in charge we would have been donald ducked this summer.Look at Everton, they have been completely priced out of deals, like many other teams for certain players.Come the 31st August we will get on with whoever is in.So let's keep the faith.
OneloveVilla
its all good keeping the fait but at some point we have to deliver. I still argue this is no reason to wait this long. Earlier buys will sell more season tickets, get fans excited (not panicking) and show other targets your ambition. We should not be 'weighing up' bids at this time. If you identified the players as good enough get a bid in early. We should also not be leaving for a pre-season tour without the new palyers i.e. Bent is already scoring for spurs. This to me is the first bit of bad management from the new regime because we have fallen behind other clubs (i.e. if you were available and pompey and villa were in for you, you could see how Pompey have strengthened and presume they are the ones going places so you would be forgiven for choosing them). Also we could have sold more season tickets. They could have gelled for longer in the squad and we could have a better start to the season than we might do. Also an error is the lack of communication from the club. They should be calming our fears they clearly keep a track of sites like this so why they are letting us whip into panic I dont know.
tylervilla
Some great points tylervilla,it doesn`t make sense to delay as proved by the top teams which is what we are supposed to be aspiring towards ?
ASPINALL
Fulham have just brought Konchesky from West Ham. People will probably say he isn't good enough but I think Konchesky is a very good player and would have been a great addition to our squad to play/cover either left back or left midfield. I continue to wait and wonder who we are interested in and if we are going to sign anymore players.
notthedougellisstand
Koncheskey is a donkey, you must be blind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tarzansbrother
Sanchez has bought another N.I international,this is a record surely? He`s buying 1 a day!
ASPINALL
They are all ****** aswell.
tarzansbrother
bit like ebay
myleftfoot
ok tarzansbrother, your entitled to your opinion
notthedougellisstand
Say to yourself a hundred times, just as I have, 'Martin knows what he's doing, Martin knows where we're heading'. It easies the uncertainty, the concern, and the doubts. We all have names of players who we feel we should have been in this summer, players that we feel who have slipped through our grasp, but obviously they weren't individuals who fitted in with Martin's plans for the upcoming campaign. It'll all come together before we depart for Uncle Sam country....surely it will?
glensider
glensider,of that we pray
ASPINALL
31st August 2007!
myleftfoot
Would you rather have more twins or more Berson or more smiler or more bargain buys. Reo is u21 capt and quality. Young, quality, Petrov, quality. Buy more quality and less players. The quality kids stay and fill the squad out. We have a 5 year plan, I would not expect many more players this window. With the emergence of Gabby, Osbourne, Moore, Cahill, Ridge, and by all accounts more coming through, players departed have been replaced by these quality young lads. We spent a lot of money on bodymore heath for a good reason. Good signings great housekeeping, solid foundations, entertaining footie. We will not do a JG, or Wigan or reading, long game ladies and gents!!!!!
morky13villa
Sorry, forgot Gardner and Maloney. UTV
morky13villa
Morky,we don`t have a right-back and do you think Cahill and Ridgewell are good enough to take us into top-8 if Laursen got injured ?
ASPINALL
with you on that one aspinall......i have come to the conclusion that we are going to sign some mega players to be unveiled with the new kit....its the only explanation so here ends my panic and criticism of events so far.
bigdiondubs
Yep bigdiondubs it gotta be the reason ! Let`s all use mind control over all fellow VitalVillains,please all chant "NEW KIT LAUNCH,NEW KIT LAUNCH" over the weekend wherever you may be and our prayers will come true. Carson/Alves/Drenthe/Mellberg/Laursen/Barry/Young/NRC/Petrov/Gabby/Carew=Villa 3 Liverpool 0
ASPINALL
Aspinall, point taken, however I did post, I did not expect many more players and not anymore. Right back is a problem. Cahill and Ridge get better each time they play.
morky13villa
Ok matey,guess your right about the improvements ( slightly worried about Cahills dip in form but he is a nipper )
ASPINALL
Certainly nowhere near the transfer activity we all wanted and expected, this despite a clear-out of the deadwood that has been hanging around for a while. We're definitely way below strength in key areas.
glensider
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