Great article Damo at last we agree!

Peter (bubba!) :) :) :)

Damo, ur totally right that we need 8 to 10 players in but do you honestly think thats gonna happen, to even buy in that many squad players would cost the club an absolute fortune, personally i can see us signing four and ending up in the same predicament as we did last year, no doubt through no lack or trying from randy and the general, but that is just the nature of the transfer market of the modern era.

You hit the nail on the head there. To keep Barry we need to show him that we are serious about tryng to break into the top 4 and that means buying big players and paying the large wages that they will no doubt demand. Also wih Liverpol sniffin MON will have do this asap and not do his usual last minute dealing crap.

Problem is, bringing in 8-10 players will be highly disruptive to the club, any sense of team spirit and coherence developed this season will be shattered, how long would it take to restore? Evolution not revolution, but MON does need numbers. His lack of transfer activity in the past may come back to haunt him.

Players such as Moore, Berger and Sorenson played little or no part this season, so the imbalance of ins/outs is not as important as you suggest. Personally, assuming Barry stays, I'd be happy with five or six new players of real quality.

totally agree, though I wouldn't mind seeing some of the good young lads play next season (o'halloran, delfouneso, steiber, etc.). don't think mon will sign anyone too soon...he does seem to like making us wait!

Ciaran, that's not 100% correct! Look at who we've been linked with, Stearman and Mattock who collectively could cost around 3 million. Let's say we get 4-5 young talents which cost around 9 million and then buy 2-3 quality players for 8-10 million each. that could work out as an investment of around 30 million pending some revenue being generated from players leaving. I really think we need an investment of 30 - 40 million to have just a [b]decent squad.[/b]

Rogale

I think I'd be happy with five or six on that basis, but we'd also have to hope for a relatively injury free season again - how lucky can we hope to be?

But your numbers, 5 or 6 (with Barry staying) isn't actually that far off mine ..

Although, the disruption factor is important to consider, which is why I think you've got to see it happening sooner rather than August.

I think it will be a nice balance between a few quality players and some young talent coming through and perhaps get some more young players in. It sounds daft but i think routledge will come good i dont know why just a feeling

Darragh

I agree with the numbers, but I'd like to see your number spent on two players .. ;)

But I'm greedy and expecting ..

Certainly eight to ten players is not unreasonable considering the current size of the squad. I would hope that 4 of which would be top quality and maybe a mix of squad players and young prospects for the rest. The interesting thing is that FIFA are voting on the 29th of May whether to bring in new regulations about fielding a squad containing 6 home grown players i.e. players born in the country. This could do two things. The first is obviously increase the price of all English players and the second is offer a distinct advantage to the likes of Villa who have a large number of British nationals playing in the first team. Maybe O’Neill was a lot smarter than people gave him credit for. If this does go through I would be seriously concerned if I was a top four supporter. Also you can imagine how valuable a player like Barry would become.

Damian, I'd like that too but realistically i don't think thats going to happen. I beleive we'll sign 2-3 very good players and with a few free transfers, cheap young talent and loans i believe we could hit your 8-10 players target without bankrupting the club :)

I agree.

We'll need [b]3-4 high quality signings[/b] (a keeper, right back, right wing and possible a striker) for our first team.

We then need another [b]3 players to cover and put pressure on defensive positions[/b] (right back, centre back, left back). These need to be signings who won't complain about being on the bench or out of the squad most of the year, so young players might fit the bill. This number could be cut to 2 if one of those players can play in more than one position.

We then need [b]1 more player to add competition to the defensive midfield slot and another at striker if we don't spend big money in that position.[/b]

So I make it [b]8 players[/b], broken down as follows:

3-4 players @ £10 million each

3 young defenders @ £2 million each

1 defensive midfield cover @ £5 million

0-1 striker cover @ £6 million

[b]Total: £47 million - £51 million[/b] (although something tells me MON will get them in for less than that!).

The fifa thing would be nice and if it happened they would have to give clubs a couple of years to work it out.With current squads i think we would easily break into the top 4, only problem is european law on free trade wont allow it,Platini has even said he doesnt think it can go through even though he has proposed it

I dont think I can go through another transfer window like Jan / last summer.... waiting and waiting and then getting very little. Someone high profile and early to show we mean business would settle things down very nicely!!

i miss my olof already
seriously, 4 good signings and 4 squad players!
think shawn maloney will be staying?

Originally the issue was free trade within the EU but now it looks like clubs could claim discrimination against foreign players. As it is only 6 home grown players that means clubs can still buy as many foreign players as they wish but it is likely that they would be more inclined towards home grown talent. The main stumbling block here is that the big clubs or G14 will most likely side together against this. It will be interesting to see what the likes of Barca do as they are being stripped at an early stage of development. I personally think it’s a great idea although like anyone I think foreign players have brought a lot to the game. It could certainly shake things up in the transfer market though so it will be very interesting to watch.

I don't see us going bankrupt any time soon, we have a solid group of staff at the club who'll keep things in order I'm sure.

Green Villan:
If that rule was decided it wouldn't be brought into effect until the 09/10 season if not the one after that. Teams may require a couple of windows to bring in more players, or lay some off, especially those clubs at the top who are currently saturated with overseas players.

An after thought Is that surely this will see a decline (temporarily) of the quality of the EPL, leaving us on the backfoot as far as UEFA Cup & the Champions League are concerned?

Barry is set to leave

“If your captain wants to leave it’s a problem. But that’s football.” Maybe a more accurate description would be "If your captain has been chased around Benny Hill-like by me for the last few months then that's your problem". 4-5 good young players plus 2-3 top quality signings AND keep Barry would do me. I see in today's transfer rumours that Gamst-Pedersen might be on the market, could he add a spark of creativity to our midfield? And what about the teams going down, any cherries to be picked? Or maybe Man City, if they carry on imploding might it be a good time to tempt Micah Richards or Joe Hart down to the Villa?

I agree with most of the above, but the quality players I want to try to see us sign are more in the 15m type category....like the quality of Bentley, Dunne, Micah Richards, etc. Blackburn and ManCity looking like no UEFA next year, so let's tempt them with a decent bid and get some REAL QUALITY in! At least we should be bidding for them even if we end up losing out to one of the top4. The likes of Crouch, Sidwell, and Myhill we're being linked with just won't cut it for me, and I suggest not for our Gareth either....those type of signings will at best help us consolidate in or around 5th to 8th next season. No more false dawns or saving for a rainy day. It's raining now - let's push on and finally spend those pennies!

Nelson wont be coming,he wants to stay in Portugal,in other words he is waiting for one of the top 3 to come in for him.He said he has had 2 offers but he wants to stay in Portugal.Surely we are one of them 2 offers.

To the original point about transfers...I agree Damian that the one you highlight are on their way. I think one, maybe two more may also be? I expect one or two of the reserves to feature in the first team next year. So it's reasonable to assume that some young potential should be the ticket to keep building. Lets face it, theres that many leaving that we will have certainly more signings than January 2008! I'm not interested in speculating who were are or should buy, because at the end of the day MON usually comes up with suprise signings and we will get whoever we get, so relax and sit back and look forward to July in the 'Tin Pot Cup'. I think it's tha last year of the 'Tin Pot Cup' so hopefully Villa can win the last ever one> Anyone confirm that it's the last, but I am pretty sure it is?

With regards the 6 foreign player rule it would probably not be that good. Yes we have more 'home grown' players than most, but lets face it.....in the real world the ones with the money will still be able to buy the best of the 'home grown'. Therefore evything equals out, so don't get carried away that we will all of a sudden become a top four team with such a ruling. Also with the economy and popund to euro exchange I can tell you that mainland european teams will grow in strength because the big star players will want to be paid in euros. It was great to come here upto 5 years ago and get nearly two pounds to the euro and double your earnings, but now it's on the slide will they think lets bugger off back home and earn decent money where the sun shines and they don't get taxed by a robbing goevernment and the cost of living is less. Only a thought?!

UTV...

All depends on the budget I guess. I think it's safe to say he'll strengthen the backline as we concede too many and O'neil has already mentioned this. I think we also need a quality creative CM player and a proven goal scorer. I think both Carew and gabby have been great this season but don't get nearly enough goals!

I'd also like to see Stieber in the first team, looks like quality to me!

I dont see having 8-10 new players come in be that big a problem of unsettling the team with the new changes to having 7 subs on the bench. Work around the nucleus and do some rotating (not Rafa style).

We all know a keeper, right back and right midfielder are likely to come in and probably go straight to first team, that could leave 5-7 new signings to slot into the bench. Rotate a few throughout the season, give the young talent/signings plently of sub appearances and theres good cover for injurys.

When people talk about 8-10 players coming in and causing desruption ,you will probably find only 2 or 3 of the them will go straight into the team and the rest will be rotated to suite individual games.

Benitez hits back at O'Neil

LINK POST MATCH TRANSFERS.mp3

Spanish Twat

how can we take anythin benitez says seriously when he goes an criticises arsenal for spendin too much on younger players. here is the truth benitez, arsenal finished higher then u. shut the fuck up you piece of shit.
on the other note, i wud like to see atleast 5 players come in, and blood 2-3 younger players. lets get those young talent exposed to the top level, it will enhance them surely, as long as they are handeled rite.

jimmy villain. i think uve summed it up. with regards to numbers i pretty much agree with everyone - assumin we get into UEFA cup we need 7/8 just to get by. i have a couple of questions tho. firstly, i dont recall EVER seeing barry say he "wants to leave" as benitez thinks. OK hes said he wants to win trophies and play champs lge but has always maintained he'd rather do it at villa. i havent missed something have i (just to put my mind at rest!)? also, well, not really a question. more a thought - barrys a reasonable bloke. hes NOT gonna hand in a transfer request as the times or someone suggested. secondly, damo u say barry is tired of all the blarney, which im sure he is. but isnt he the type of player that wont make a rash decision? the transfer windows open until september and there might not be much activity til after the euros, cant he just wait and see who actually comes in (as opposed to MON saying im "gonna try" and get Mr X, Y & Z). if we havent signed anyone decent by the end of july GB can be on his merry way, and frankly i wouldnt blame him!

i forgot to mention if MON can persuade him to stay til july to see who we buy he can play in the intertoto thus makin him cup tied for europe i think, which frankly would piss the scousers off so much id laugh so hard my head would explode. anythin to annoy that prick benitez

i forgot another thing - am i the only person that would be concerned about us signing not one but TWO defenders from a side that got relegated from the championship!?

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez on Monday suggested Martin O'Neill should come to terms with the prospect of losing captain Gareth Barry. May 2008
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho suggested Rafa Benitez should come to terms with the prospect of losing captain Steven Gerrard. May 2006
If memory serves me correctly, Rafa acted like a complete twat through that whole transfer saga too.

I know 8-10 medioca players would cost a good 60mill.. so quality. i think we are looking to splash around £100,000,000.

This would make sense for me if you think about the following...

Aston Villa at the start of last season boasted so much about reversing their ticket prices... yet this year they Discriminate the disabled and children at any cost punlicly to get extra money in.... now this time it cant be for the training ground or any other projects at VP.

i would suggest that this is because they seriously know what its going to take to get the players they need and as generous randy is i would be a little nervous to splash £100, 000, 000 despite it being only 5% of his wealth.

so i think thaT DURING THE LAST TWO (SUMMER AND WINTER ) TRANSFER WINDOWS HE MAY HAVE BEEN DOING A LONG HAUL INVESTIGATION INTO CLASS PLAYERS THAT CAN JUST ARRIVE WITHOUT ANYONE KNOWING. (ok, maybe a dream a little)

wouldnt it be nice to see us Grab David Villa after the top 4 think they have him in the Bag.

Sorry, but what would be the point of bringing in 8 or more players? We'll be slating half of them before christmas has even arrived. We brought in Harewood and Knight as squad players and people couldn't wait to tear into them. I'd rather see some of our exceptional young talent as backup and two or three real quality signings rather than a mass of recognisable names just to make up numbers.

dont forget all the youngsters 16-19 year olds that we have signed or are coming through the ranks as well

We only need one midfielder and some defenders. We scored SEVENTY ONE goals this season and they came from all over the park. Only Man Utd and Arsenal managed more. Keep Barry and sort the defence out then we will easily overtake Liverpoo.

I think we need a new keeper, right-back and left-back. Laursen and Davies looked absolutely amazing together.

i just want to point out that what the pants is wrong with sorrenson and taylor cos they are ok goalies dont u remember wen taylor saved a pen against (wo)manchester utd :o 8) 8) ;)

8-10 players - you must be kidding - even if the finance were in place - there just isn't the time to bring in that many players - unless you just sign players for the sake of it - which MON isn't going to do - 4 arrivals of any substance 2 loans & promote a few youth team players

Sorry to tell you guys a few home truths.It`s the Liverpool echo that broke the story,not benitez.Its MON who persists to keep talking about it.I love and respect MON but then again could anybody blame barry for going to further his carreer and play in the CL.
He gaves us a lot of good years so i think we shouldn`t have sour grapes and sell him for a fee.
It`s going to be a long time before anybody breaks into the top 4 and i like to think it will be us when it does happen.Lets face it the inter toto cup isn`t exactly a competition we can sell to players.
Lads i might sound harsh but its reality.

Hi guys..been a while. Thought i'd comment on the above, I reckon Damo's thoughts are pretty spot on and the players out in the little box really must be players out. Curtis is a done deal from last year as far as i'm concerned and hurry up and get fit son !
I like Stuart Taylor and he will get his chance again but we will still need to buy a goalie if Carson goes back to Pool (which i hope he does and Sorenson goes (which i hope he does) !
The two lads from Leicester, Richard Stearman and Joe Mattock, have been getting rave reports with Stearman getting Player and Players Player of the Year I believe...at 21 ! I'm sure i read that even though Leicester got relegated, they had one of the best defensive records ! But i don't know how true that is without looking it up. Get them in while we can to go with Harry Forrester, Nathan Delfuenso, Stephen O'Halloran, Zoltan Steiber etc
Victor Moses and Sean Scannell at Palace are making waves too, two exciting forwards for the future, get them in as well.
I personally don't much like the idea of buying old blokes like Nobby Salono and Richard Dunne. Admittedly, they are great players but they're too old and it hardly fits into the plan does it ?
The two from Leicester, two from Palace, up to four great prospects (free) from or own reserves and three or four real shit hot, experienced signings (£10 to 15 million jobs)for our wanting first team positions would be amazing.
Further comments...Rafa Benitez is a twat. Unprofessional, unsettling for the player and he's showed himself up (again) to be the most tactless and disrespectful manager in Liverpool's proud history. Why their fans seem to like him, i don't know.
Green Villain...your "home grown" description and your name make you sound like a right stoner ! no offence intended. Obviously FIFA are not in the EU or you could play as many foreigners as you liked !
andyarkitekt...you won't be calling it the Tin Pot Cup this time next year when we've qualified thru it and won the UEFA Cup !!! I thought your post was good though ;)
Waiting for signings now...like i said, i can only see three or four big money necessities but some exciting young stuff will come.
I reckon MON is trying to do what Fergy has done for years at Man U, snapping up all the young talent..check Ashley Young, Harry Forrester, that young Yank centre half in the reserves (soz mate can't remember your name...YET)
Anyway, transfers will come thick and fast...bring it on !

UP THE VILLA ;) ;)

Not much to comment on, but good article and I agree.

kingrollo

the thing is, i dont think anyone is thinking martin o'neill is only just starting his dealing, now that the window is open - he's had 2 years to know who he wants and by his own admission he wants a bigger squad than he had this season

so thats 4 players straight away ... with the added games for next season and probably the desire to do better in the domestic cups, 8 to 10 really isn't that big a figure to be thinking

Has anyone watched Bristol City's right back? Bradley Orr? well I think he'd be a very good signing for us, he is only young he'd fit in lovely, he's strong,good tackler, gets forward and most of all seems very passioate.

great article damian but i think we will have to settle for 5 or 6 newcomers with 1 or 2 coming through the ranks its rhe defence that wants sorting out and a new goal keeper and then maybe someone whos a bit better then petrov and another attacker unless barry goes then of course another replacement for him, amount mon will spend i reckon 25 million to 30 million. if we are lucky.

yes bradley orr would relish the chance of playing for aston villa, he would be cheap and MON would make him even better