Re: Transfer Deadline Day with CABA One thread for all discussion for the day.

[villabromsgrove]

I think during this transfer window we practiced a more upmarket version of buying "young and hungry" that we followed when lambert was manager. That was an abject failure because we ended up with squad players who weren't good enough for the first team. There are signs that Sherwood is currently less than impressed with some of this summer's "young and talented" selection.

Other teams have bought 3 or 4 more established "stars" for higher prices, and they are sure to feature as valued first teamers.

The difference between "them" and "us" is simple .... Randy has slapped an unbreakable and derisory wage cap (for a Premier League team) on our transfer deals, which means that players like Payet, Austin, Cabaye and Shaqiri wouldn't even talk to us. I'm guessing that Lescott is being paid what would have been Vlaar's new contract wages had he re-signed. Apart from that I would think 25/30,000 pound contracts have been handed out.

As long as Lerner remains the owner of AVFC I think we will be limited by this ridiculously short sighted policy.

[villabromsgrove]

I like Clark as well Sandie, and thought that he played very well at times in the last couple of seasons. He's made it hard for himself with several school boy errors this season, and it's unfortunate for him that lescott became available at the time Clark was busy drawing attention to himself for the wrong reasons.

[Kimbo]

[Kimbo]

(That was about Adebayor. Obviously)

[villabromsgrove]

Where on earth (or otherwise) is this "quote" from?

[Sandie]

That's utterly bizarre. Would beat Unsworth and his commute for the most bizarre deal that wasn't.

In other news, this Berahino business does not seem to reflect well on anyone: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34121198

[Sandie]

Ilori confirmed: http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4973555,00.html

[Kimbo]

Where on earth (or otherwise) is this "quote" from?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11837986/Emmanuel-Adebayor-refuses-to-leave-Tottenham-Hotspur-because-he-needs-a-sign-from-God.html

[Jim Villan]

I think its going to be a case of the proof will be in the pudding. We have gambled in a big way this summer, Sherwood as a man and a charater doesn't strike me as someone who is scared of a gamble. Our transfer policy has put sherwood under considerable pressure as he only has Lescott as someone who has genuine top level experience in the whole squad. Sherwood cited a winning mentality as a key attribute in the players he wanted to get in. Again it is only Lescott who really comes with that mentality.

Having said that I do feel that we have built a much more balanced squad and what I mean by that is that we have a much more diverse amount of strengths and key attributes in our side/squad than last years. We now have A genuinely gifted attacking fullback (Amavi), a proven centrehalf who has bags of experience and is very strong in the Air Lescott. A truly gifted winger Traore, who has the potential to be the best signing of any team in the transfer window. A tencious box to box midfielder who can break up play effectively and contribute to attacks (Gueye) A Striker who on paper can carry just as much as an arial threat as Benteke (Guestede.)

The biggets question of all is, can we score enough goals? I think we can, but they will be spread out amongst the strikers and the midfielders, not through one as previously.

Only time will tell whether the gamble will pay off. all that we can do as fans is to do (and in the words of Hunter S Thompson) is to buy the ticket and take the ride!!

[villabromsgrove]

I think its going to be a case of the proof will be in the pudding. We have gambled in a big way this summer, Sherwood as a man and a charater doesn't strike me as someone who is scared of a gamble. Our transfer policy has put sherwood under considerable pressure as he only has Lescott as someone who has genuine top level experience in the whole squad. Sherwood cited a winning mentality as a key attribute in the players he wanted to get in. Again it is only Lescott who really comes with that mentality.

Having said that I do feel that we have built a much more balanced squad and what I mean by that is that we have a much more diverse amount of strengths and key attributes in our side/squad than last years.  We now have A genuinely gifted attacking fullback (Amavi), a proven centrehalf who has bags of experience and is very strong in the Air Lescott. A truly gifted winger Traore, who has the potential to be the best signing of any team in the transfer window. A tencious box to box midfielder who can break up play effectively and contribute to attacks (Gueye) A Striker who on paper can carry just as much as an arial threat as Benteke (Guestede.)

The biggets question of all is, can we score enough goals? I think we can, but they will be spread out amongst the strikers and the midfielders, not through one as previously.

Only time will tell whether the gamble will pay off.  all that we can do as fans is to do (and in the words of Hunter S Thompson) is to buy the ticket and take the ride!!

I like your positivity JV. I'm still deflated by thoughts of what might have been if we were able to spend the right amount. Ah well, I'll come round to seeing some positives .... but not yet. UTV

[villabromsgrove]

Where on earth (or otherwise) is this "quote" from?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11837986/Emmanuel-Adebayor-refuses-to-leave-Tottenham-Hotspur-because-he-needs-a-sign-from-God.html

I think we dodged a bullet here then! Thanks for posting it Kimbo.

[Sandie]

Going back to comments RE spending, saw this posted on Facebook:



So if this is accurate, fifth for gross spend but third bottom for net spend. Doesn't mean much really, I'd back the two below us to have decent seasons! Not sure Southampton's figure includes Van Dijk though?

[GadgetMan]

Well I missed very little the last few hours of the window I see. I had a choice. See out the last hour or go and pick up my children, race back and watch frustratingly as we once again fail to really push on when it matters, or stay out and enjoy a lovely dinner. I chose dinner thankfully.

I come back to ponder what could of been had we added real firepower to our ranks. Now we're left to play chance we a bunch of very talented, but ultimately untried and unproven (at EPL level) players, familiar?

I'm frankly annoyed we haven't added to our excellent work with a proven (finished article) of a striker. I had it on good authority Adebayor was destined for us, had knowledge of a medical and knew he'd had his picture taken in the shirt, what I wasn't to know (or the person telling me) was we were waiting on God!! FFS!!!!

As you said VB, dodged a Bullet there. He spoke with TS several times and assured him he wanted to come to villa if he could secure his release from Spurs, no mention of God in those little promises.

Anyway screw EA, it's Randy I'm most pissed off at. 4 to 8m net spend (depending on your source) yes 4 to 8m you read it right.

We're an EPL team that has just about avoided relegation for 4 years, has seen its best two players leave and its owner f**k up the sale of the club for two years straight (some might argue, rather calculatingly) well Randy, 4 to 8m doesn't even come close to cutting it pal. If this risk by Sherwood doesn't pay off, we could be back down at the bottom end again with no real fire power to save us. Negligent, but then we know that of you as an owner now.

All you had to do was release a chunk of the extra sponsorship money, the TV money, some of Fox's astronomical salary and we could of had a top striker and a really good chance of pushing on. Too much though eh?! Thanks Randy, thanks a bunch!!!

Rant over

[Morddred]

It is truly horrendous the way randy has fucked the club up. He is surly one piss poor owner with no ambition other than bumbling along hoping to spend as little as possible to protect his investment.

[South London Villan]

Can't change things now, tis what it is.

Objectively the defence should be stronger, in turn I hope that means we concede less, stop giving away fouls and posession in dangerous positions. There should also be decent strength in depth at the back (as Clark is accumulating yellow cards at a rate so proloific I wish our forwards would score at such a rate) we are bound to need cover for suspensions, injuries etc.
The midfield is looking strong and they should be able to chip in with some goals, Traore, Grealish, Gana, Veretout, Gil should get 5 goals each. Joe Cole not everyones cup of tea but I can't fault his contribution so far, will also help blood the new and young lads.
Ayew will score, I hope he works on his understanding with his felliw forwards, Sinclair definitely has goals in him, Rudy a few headers set pieces, Kozak give him a chance. Gabby give him a kick up the arse and grt him working on his finishing 8 hours a day.

All in all we are looking better than last season, would Snake get in to the team?

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