‘One of THE typical annual transfer rumours that have Villa supporters sentimentally looking backwards rather than progressively to the future.’
Aston Villa’s transfer news and rumours this week have been so lacklustre that the General Election was even a welcome distraction from the having to think too much about the names mentioned in the media. Still, the actual opening of the window is still three weeks away, so there isn’t too much cause for concern.
So what’s been shaking in the past week?
Glen Whelan
It was reported by the Daily telegraph that Villa had a £500,000 bid for Stoke City’s Glen Whelan turned down. This would be quite a symbolic kind of signing, in terms of Steve Bruce’s footballing philosophy if the transfer were to happen.
Whelan is often celebrated as the model pro in terms of his commitment on the pitch and has certainly contributed in recent years to Stoke’s resilience in the Premier League. Turning 34 next January, would suggests he’s very much for the short-term and to reinforce solidity in Villa’s midfield.
Midfield competition has built up for Whelan in the past year or so at the Potters, with Darren Fletcher’s switch there, perhaps the final straw for him.
The Irish international isn’t know as the greatest passer of the ball and with his legs not getting fresher with age, wouldn’t it be better to have a defensive midfielder or deep sitting midfielder that could perhaps offer more getting attacks going?
It could be argued that Mile Jedinak has looked good because he is playing within a comfortable remit, essentially as a third centre-back, sweeping up in front of the defence, but adding very little to the midfield over the half-way line.
Is this mentality of Bruce holding Villa back as an attacking threat?
Whelan could be considered more dynamic than Jedinak and could do a job for next season, but after that?
There’s certainly pro’s and cons to the transfer.
MOMS prefers the idea of Villa building a team for all seasons, and not just with short-termism in mind. Still, if the price is right he’s certainly worth consideration. If the reported rejected bid of 500k is true, how much higher should Villa go, if Bruce really is keen?
Jackson Irvine
After helping to keep Burton in the Championship last term, it seems that Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine wants to upgrade his team in the Championship and operate at the other end of the table.
The website of Australian TV channel SBS has suggested that the hunt for Burton’s Aussie continues, with Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham also vying for the 24-year-old’s signature after a decent debut season at the Pirelli Stadium.
Whether in terms of Villa, it’s a rehash of old talk from the January window, it remains to be seen. Do Villa want to be losing him and Miles Jedinak both to long haul international duty throughout next season?
Would it be better to focus on getting the best out of Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury first? Is Irvine an upgrade? Perhaps not. Both players last season would have been regarded as better than Irvine, but Bruce hasn’t got the way that Villa’s midfield play worked out yet.
Certainly Villa’s midfield needs sorting out once and for all, but the overall picture needs to be addressed. A clear understanding of its function and blend is needed, instead of buying in odds and sods.
Grant Hanley
Despite signing a five-year contract with Newcastle before they started their Championship campaign, the Newcastle number 5 was very much a bit part player. Since he’s hardly going to get a start in the Premier League, it’s been reported in various quarters that Derby were in for the centre-back, but with Gary Rowlett signing up former Villan Curtis Davis, it’s been suggested that Hanley could be suitable centre-back cover for Villa.
In MOMS opinion, it’s doubtful that Bruce could justify any incoming centre-backs until Micah Richards and/or Tommy Elphick are shipped out, although they may still be in Bruce’s plans.
Hanley looks more of a legit target for the Blues than Villa.
Ashley Young
Ashley Young? One of the typical annual transfer rumours that have Villa supporters sentimentally looking backwards rather than progressively to the future. While Young hasn’t featured consistently for Manchester United, a lot of that recently has been down to injury.
Young is 31, so he still has time for one more big pay day and certainly is still Premier League class, if he wants to remain in English football. A Championship team won’t be the destination for the player any time soon.
John Terry
Another wild goose chase, but it doesn’t seem to stop the Birmingham Mail and crappy websites churning out stories about him. Oh, a picture of him playing golf with Steve Bruce…must mean he’s signing for Villa.
Ask yourself, why would Terry want to sign off his career with Villa and a season in the Championship? It. Doesn’t. Make. Any. Sense.
However, saying that, JT has previously shown in his judgement not to be the smartest guy, so you never know.
If I was him, I’d head to the USA and enjoy a different football experience as a player while he can.
As you were.
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There are 2 important issues in the ne t couple of months.
1. Get rid of as many of those dozen or so players who will not ever play more than 3 games this season. They are not only a huge drain in wages but a a huge negative influence that helped us to under achieve last season. Yes maybe some funds could be used sensibly to improve creativity in the team.
2. Bruce needs to learn from his mistakes, and there were many, and set his stall out to win matches against the many teams who should be swept aside as Newcastle did to them. If we can get a good start and instill confidence I believe that the players we have should be more than good enough to get promotion. We have purchased the best strikers, best midfield players in the division. Bruce is the manager, he needs to start managing his substantial resources to achieve the required results. A poor start and he should go.
Oops I must be getting memory loss @ least I was right about him being @ a Welsh team
The only interesting thing that I’ve heard this week is the possibility although a long shot of Ashley Young re signing, can’t see it but I would welcome it. Don’t know which is the most nonsense this or politics
More MOMS bollocks; same arrogant shit writing as always. Nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to see here.
Aha, the number one troll returns! You’re not forced to read it Mr Thornton, if it offends you so. Stick to being miserable and reading Shoot magazine or the Birmingham Mail, or whatever it is you define as great writing. UTV
agree and it would be fantastic if lyden finally gets his chance,,,, big season for him and gardner
both have still to really make their mark…
whelan still has a lot to give both on and off the pitch and you only have to look at jedis influence settling
the side when he returned from injury was very telling
i think he would be a very safe signing although i see him and jedi as cover for each other
jedi might just drop back into defence,,,, it would give us options in that way
biggest key to next season is getting the midfield and up front firing together and just killing off games
the quality is there but we need to see some good partnerships developing and goals from midfield
I still think we’ve already got Jedi’s replacement in the shape of young Aussie Jordan Lyden so let’s see how he shapes up in pre season
As for oldies I hear Swans are releasing Peter Whitingham a player we should never have let go of
Peter Whittingham plays for Cardiff! Will be interesting to see if Lyden makes an impression in preseason though. Last chance to impress?