Fools rush in, where Martin fears to tread
Written by Damian   
Thursday, 31 January 2008

Well, it's the last day of the transfer window and the net result is we've got exactly the same size squad as we had when we entered the transfer window - are any of us surprised?

Annoyed we can be but if anyone says they are surprised, mad they must be. Yes, Star Wars is on in the background but no I didn't have my usual glass at lunch.

So, where do we find ourselves? We're desperately waiting for a right back and I've got a source telling me that we'll be signing someone from Portugal today. It's not Bosingwa, but someone else - for now I'm going to call him the 'mystery right back'.

We should expect a new goalkeeper to come in which should clear the path for Sorensen to leave and there is a chance that we'll also be getting a striker which would also see the way clear for Luke Moore to depart. It will be sad to see Moore go, but his heart doesn't appear to be in it, so it's probably best for all parties.

We should also not forget the fresh Prince rumour from yesterday - I'd quite like that one to happen but I guess it all comes down to one man - Mr O'Neill.

Anyway, I'm off to watch the rest of this film and I'll update below with any more rumours or if you have any of your own feel free to comment.

Comments (62)add comment

Luke Marson said:

Not the usual glass? Must be that 2 pinter you had made with AVFC engraved in the bottom smilies/grin.gif
January 31, 2008 | url

Chrisodon said:

Miguel ? The valencia RB. I'll be glad once Moore sods off everytime he comes on he just really can't be arsed to be playing for us. Also with Pompy being linked to Defoe and now Benjani is off to Man City have we again missed a genuine 20 goals a season striker to a club below us ? It would p**s me off if we have.
January 31, 2008

Oscar said:

I think its a bit silly to say Miguel would come to us. If you look at the signings we have made its clear we're not going to get anyone like Miguel. Why swap champions league football to fight for UEFA football. I don't think we'll be getting a RB. Probably a forward and maybe that kid from Crystal Palaca.
January 31, 2008

Quit you Jibba Jabba said:

Interesting article... I didn't realise 13:00 was the close of the window, silly me!
January 31, 2008

richard w said:

If we dont sign anyone which is most liky and we fall down the table thats Martins fault im afraid. Can you remember when we were top if the prem under JG and it was Ellis who put the block on players coming in, and we finished outside the top 6 that year. We are close to europe, but squad wise are miles away, if we gets injuries we are f.ed
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

at Quit you Jibba Jabba

sorry, but don't understand .. can you explain what you mean
January 31, 2008 | url

Mark Taylor said:

If Defoe goes to Pompey that will just sum us up to a tee..I'm going to have a rant now, This reminds me off the season, not sure maybe 98 when we were flying in the league and we had a chance to really push on, Junihno was linked to join us and thats what we needed at the time,we did'nt get him because as per usual we would'nt pay the wages, Sorry if we want top class then we have to pay top class wages. i see we were linked with Diarra who went to Pompey, if you've seen him play his last two games he was awesome, skillfull, strong in the tackle and has already scored, he didn't come because we wouldn't spend the money on the wages. If we don't sign a Right Back by 12 then that is Criminal, we've had since last August and maybe even longer when Bardsley was there. Martin please prove me wrong and shell the money out...If our season capitulates because of lack of players because of injuries and we miss out on Europe then you will be the man to blame..
January 31, 2008

JonnyW said:

where is your faith people, trust MON, he is building a dynasty
January 31, 2008

richie p said:

it seems for some people whatever the club does its still not good enough, it will be dissapointing if we dont sign any more players but we wont really be any worse off or better than when the window opened. weve done pretty well for the 1st 6 months of the season with the players we have and were sitting in 5th. were still moving in the right direction, im sure MON knows more about his football than we do thats why he is manager of the villa and were sitting at our homes or work writting our opinions on this site
January 31, 2008

PJ said:

Mark Taylor - please prove that Diarra didn't come to Villa because we didn't want to pay the wages. I'll assume silence means you can't.
January 31, 2008

Quit you Jibba Jabba said:

I was sarcasticly pointing out that the window is still open, you are all talking like it's over! I know you lot are pecemistic but jeez, you'd sentance a man halfway into a trial you lot!

"excuse me your honor, but the last man we tried was guilty, this trial has many similarities, therefore we need not go on, lock him up"
January 31, 2008

Quit you Jibba Jabba said:

ps, prepare for supprise witnesses!
January 31, 2008

Chrisodon said:

At Oscar.
Miguel wouldn't be swapping Champions League or Uefa Cup to come join us as they're already out of the Champions League & finished 4th so they didn't get a Uefa Cup place. And the manager isn't keen on him since his bust up with fernandes and they're sitting lower in there league than we are in ours. So not as silly sounding now is it ? I Believe he's a very realistic target for us.
January 31, 2008

Villaninnyc said:

mmm.....this reminds me of that last summer last day deadline, only this time we know its about building us to keep us in the top six. (Something we were relishing the thought of last August) We are not lacking goals this season and are only third in the league behind the top two with goals scored! However we still need a goalscorer to ease the pressure. However we need that right-back.
I really hope we do sign some good players today. I have faith in MON.

Remember that 'great Gregory' around this time. When Ellis wouldnt coff up that 10m for Juninho? I think he would of made the difference to that great season. Lets not burn out our currently great squad. Bring in a couple and lets be smiling in May....UP THE VILLA
January 31, 2008

Badger said:

Word is going round that we've agreed a £12mill fee for a player and it's come down to personal terms.
From the clues, I think it's Defoe.

It's only what I've heard smilies/cry.gif
January 31, 2008

Chrisodon said:

Where did you hear that ?
January 31, 2008

Badger said:

It's on the Evening mail forum.
The poster is long term and not known for being a WUM.
January 31, 2008

Jimmy D said:

I personally don't think it's too outrageous to think that Miguel could join us. I can't see Chimbonda coming and I don't think we're willing to pay the money wanted for Bosingwa. It's going to be tight if we're to bring in more players now but hopefully we will. I think we still need another striker whether Moore stays or goes but at this stage of the window what quality striker are we going to be able to bring in?
January 31, 2008

Chrisodon said:

It would be good if it is defoe but it'll probably be Bent smilies/kiss.gif
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

at Quit you Jibba Jabba

sorry - i'm not with it today .. but i do see your sarcasm now

i'm actually quite hopeful for 3 more players but i think we've also to accept that if we get those 3 - 2 will be leaving (sorensen and moore)

and like i've said in the title - only fools rush in - MO'N hasn't rushed and he wiated until the time is right ..
January 31, 2008 | url

Chrisodon said:

Cheers Badger
January 31, 2008

Mark Taylor said:

Pj, How do you know it wasn't true. And my silence, shut your mouth you cheeky p****

January 31, 2008

Villain of the North said:

Why do people get so annoyed at media speculation... So many people get sucked in. Who says we went in for diarra and didn't pay his wages? Given the nature of the tight ship that MON runs, i severely doubt you are privvy to any information that the rest of the world issn't.

I understand the frustrations of lack of big name signings, but isn't our standing in the league proof that it isn't the necessary be all and end all to success in the league? I liked that it was pointed out that Wenger hasn't in the past spent huge on big names, but unearthed talent and turned them into stars. I think MON has that same talent, perhaps not quite upto Wenger yet but our league standing speaks for itself... CHILL OUT villains, hold the faith until the end of the season and THEN rant if he effs it up.
January 31, 2008

THE PHANTOM said:

Could be-
Luís Fernandes- BENFICA
José Bosingwa- FC PORTO
Pedro Alves da Silva- SPORTING
Paulo Renato- SPORTING

REMEMBER MY CLARET AND BLUE BROTHERS AND SISTERS KEEP THE FAITH!
January 31, 2008 | url

Chrisodon said:

I Think MO'N likes the end of transfer windows because it's more straight forward because the offers on the table for the player and he's less likely to want to wait and ask for more cash due to the deadline looming over them so you can sort see his reasoning in always leaving it late so with that i'm expecting 2 or 3 players to come in. Here's the hopeful list, Defoe, Miguel & N'Zogbia. smilies/grin.gif
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

at THE PHANTOM

it could be one of those .. or it could be someone else smilies/wink.gif
January 31, 2008 | url

PJ said:

At Mark Taylor - great argument that, "how do you know it wasn't true?"

Villa want to sign Ronaldo from United but we won't pay his wages. How do you know that's not true?

In fact, I might as well write a load of nonsense, and as long as you can't prove me wrong it's ok.

If wrote stuff like that at work I'd get sacked.
January 31, 2008

Chrisodon said:

Damien you sly dog you've got a name haven't you ?
January 31, 2008

Astonguerilla said:

Darth Vader turns out to be Luke's father, just incase you didn't know.
January 31, 2008

Donut said:

It makes me laugh, people were complaining in the Routledge thread that we are buying cast offs from teams that are below us, now people seem dead pleased we could be signing Defoe and I just dont see it, he's no more proven than Routledge, the last two Spurs managers just havent wanted him which I find a worry for a potential England rated striker.
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

I couldn't possibly comment on that, only to say that if someone had told me a name and asked me not to mention the name, for fear that so few people knew, that he or she would get rumbled - then that is exactly what I would do.

This is also not a done deal but at the stage of player negotiation - so it really can be classed as a rumour.
January 31, 2008 | url

PJ said:

@ Villain of the North - you're spot on imo - I'm 99% sure that Mark Taylor has no idea about (a) whether we were in for Diarra or not and (b) whether we backed down becuase we didn't want to pay his wages.

I wouldn't be that bothered, but a whole argument about the club's willingness to pay high wages (or not) is based on absolute complete and utter nonsense.
January 31, 2008

Chrisodon said:

Gotcha. Let's hope your source is right and we get whoever it is. I've a feeling it's Bosingwa but Miguel seems more likely.
January 31, 2008

Dizzy Mugs said:

Kris Boyd - Luke Moore straight swap smilies/cool.gif
January 31, 2008 | url

yeh said:

so this source found out which position this player plays, which part of the world hes from but didnt get the name ? hmmm smilies/shocked.gif
January 31, 2008

avfc 4 lyf said:

kris boyd's sh*t!!
rangers pr*k
Bosingwa and bently!!
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

yeh - something like that

read up
January 31, 2008 | url

Dizzy Mugs said:

Bentley? Kind of on a 5 year deal at Blackburn...no chance of signing him for at least 4 years, and by then he'll have earned another contract.
January 31, 2008 | url

lucky4 said:

Id love to know who this mystery right back is!maybe it could be bosingwa cause mon did say the right back he was after would be available in january,so it could well still happen!!come on mon suprise us all with some great additions!right back and another midfielder or striker pleeeaaassseee
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

lucky4 - its still speculation but the guy/girl did say it wasn't bosingwa
January 31, 2008 | url

Tommy T said:

It's suprising how little you lot know about football. I'm guessing most of you are arm chair/ motd fans!
January 31, 2008

Villain from Texas said:

AT PJ:

Mark Taylor is right. MON said that Diarra's agent approached him about coming to Villa but that the agent was asking for too much money.
January 31, 2008

xandeh said:

I'll come clean. It was me, I informed Damian that we're re-signing Aaron Hughes, the whole Portugal link was because he's currently there dusting up his golfing skills, as boss Roy Hodgson has informed him that his recent presence on the green hasn't been up to scratch.
The fee will be around £30 million.
Signing a 3 and a half week contract. And he can't play against his former team, Fulham.
January 31, 2008

caleb said:

brad guzan not coming to villa - work permit turned down.
January 31, 2008

Dizzy Mugs said:

Do we not meet your requirements as fans anymore Tommy T?
January 31, 2008 | url

tosh said:

4 Villa players in the England Team,
smilies/grin.gif
January 31, 2008

avfc-anthony said:

could it be a cheeky bid for quaresma
January 31, 2008

Chrisodon said:

You just never know. It could be RONALDO Whoooooop!
January 31, 2008

Chrisodon said:

Looks like we're missing out on Defoe.
January 31, 2008

beano123 said:

Carson, Davies, Gabby, Barry, Young, all announced for the England squad !!!!!!

Up the Villa smilies/smiley.gif


January 31, 2008

NickC said:

Talksport reporting that Tottenham and Portsmouth have agreed a transfer fee for Defoe.
Lets just hope that MON is planning to step in and take him from under Harrys' nose.
January 31, 2008

naldy said:

PJ,I think you'll find MON did say we were indeed in for Diarra but his financial terms 'didn't sit comfortably with me'!
These were MON'S words!
This was reported in one of the local papers!
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

Just had a message it reads like this:

Confirmed. No deal
January 31, 2008 | url

Badger said:

So you can tell us who it was then?
January 31, 2008

Badger said:

Looks like we're going to lose out on Defoe and the only other juicy rumour has gone tits up. I'm gutted now.
Still can't believe it's going to be one in, one out though.
January 31, 2008

Damian said:

it was Nélson from benfica according to the man ..
January 31, 2008 | url

Badger said:

Damm, at least we tried.
What a choker.
January 31, 2008

alexb said:

Any idea why? Was it the player not wanting to join us, or the fee/personal terms?

Ive had it with MON in the transfer market. Hes a complete coward, is too over cautious and seems to enjoy selling off our family silver when numbers are low anyway. If he complains about a small squad again this season itll be very hard to swallow.

One in one out, with a 3.75m profit. How small time does our club look?
January 31, 2008

somersetvilla said:

if MON mentions the words small squad and strength in depth again this season,,he needs his teeth kicked in....europe..building a dynasty..five year plan,,,world class players...what a joke.....we all sat and waited in the summer..didnt happen...so we built our hopes up again for jan didnt happen...and now we sit in fifth place in the prem,,really could make a push for europe and it still didnt happen...the words taking the p**s should be on every ones lips today...you watch pompey...everton,,man city and liverpool push on now and villa----well we only have a small squad so we are really punching above our weight...crap...but im sure the MON loving muppets will still believe in the winging bulls**t........god and i thought it was bad with ellis..come back doug,,im sure the bright lights of europe would have made you insist on getting some extra players in,,cause you never know we mite get injuries and suspensions ..but as the guys say in mon we trust...the only thing id trust him with is my money..that would be safe as houses...
February 01, 2008

ozavfc21 said:

oh well inter two bob cup for us again then bright future is looking a bit dim oh well don't know why i got excited i should have known that being a villa fan always end in disappointment. not too bothered about defoe as he's a d**k head prima donna. but would have liked a right back though as mellberg will still play there but might not go in quite as hard so as not to ruin his chances at juventus.
February 01, 2008

davida said:

Kids, kids, kids - calm down. Take a look at the league table. Moan when you have something to moan about - not before.
February 01, 2008

THE PHANTOM said:

YOU GUYS EMPHAISIE TO MUCH ON BUYING PLAYERS JUST TO MAKE YOU GUYS HAPPY AND NOT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEAM.

YES YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO SEE US SPLASH OUT ON BIG NAMES, BUT LOOK AT MANCHESTER UNITED AND CHELSEA AND LIVERPOOL BUYING VERON, KEZMAN AND DJIBRIL CISSE PLAYERS WHO WERE WELL KNOWN BUT COULDN’T HANDLE THE PREMIER LEAGUE. ALSO NOT TO MENTION BAROS.

I MEAN WITH THE ENTIRE DEBACLE OVER THE NATIONAL TEAM AND ENGLISH PLAYERS CAN’T YOU SEE THAT MO’N IS ACTUALLY HELPING OUR NATIONAL SIDE AND ALL SO USING HIS BRAINS. WHY TAKE THE RISK WITH A BIG MONEY FOREIGN PLAYER WHEN YOU CAN PURCHASE AN ENGLISH PLAYER WHO ALL READY KNOWS THE GAME.

DON’T YOU REMEMBER MO’N IS THE MAN THAT WE ALL WERE GLAD TO SEE WHEN DOUG ENLISTED HIM TO GET US OUT OF THE s**t THAT DAVID O’LEARY HAD LEFT US IN.

I THINK MO’N ASSESSES THE SIDE AND THEN THINK WERE CAN WE ADD A BIT OF PANACHE, TEMPO AND SKILL.

MY SNOUT TELLS ME THAT MO’N WAS LOOKING AT PLAYERS FROM THE AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS. HE HAS SEEN A VERY EXCELLENT ATTACKING RIGHT BACK AND SOME OTHER PLAYERS THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HEARD ABOUT BUT ARE DYNANMITE ON THE PITCH. NOT TRYING TO GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY.

WATCH FOR THE SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW, THERE WILL BE SIGNINGS AND THERE WILL BE DEPARTURE.

REMEMBER CLARET AND BLUE BROTHERS AND SISTERS KEEP THE FAITH
February 01, 2008 | url

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