With a week to go until the transfer window closes, it remains all quiet on the Villa front, writes Villa blogger Gregg Williams.
Unlike other free spending managers, Martin O’Neill has a very specific idea of the type of players that he wants to bring in, not only in terms of ability but also mental toughness and attitude.
This means that the potential number of players to fit into the squad he wants is much smaller than those targeted by other clubs.
I think some fans are frustrated by the lack of signings as there is a genuine fear that with a couple of injuries we could be left in trouble.
I understand those fears but the last thing we need is a couple of panic signings that either don’t perform on the pitch or even worse upset the strong spirit and balance in the squad.
In the past when we have been close to being title contenders or chasing Europe, we’ve spent big money in transfer fees or wages on the likes of Stan Collymore, Sasa Curcic, Bosko Balaban, David Ginola etc, and look where that got us.
Who is to say that if we had been more patient and spent more carefully back then, we wouldn’t have performed much better in the seasons that followed?
Martin has a plan for us, and he is sticking to it. I’m sure that if there is a player that he wants and there is any suggestion from their club that they are available, he and Randy will go all out to get them.
It seems that we just have to be patient and trust them. Don’t get me wrong, if we bring in three players of real quality next week i’ll be ecstatic, but it won’t be the end of the world if we don’t and i’m sure it won’t be for a lack of trying on the club’s part.
Tomorrow we face Blackburn, if we win we go fourth.
Traditionally this is the sort of game in which we will slip up and drop points.
I can only hope that Barry is fit and we can put out a full strength team.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Super Marlon get a start either, I think he deserves it.
He played like a man possessed when he came on at Anfield and should be full of confidence.
Maybe Gabby can be rested or moved to the wing.
Just a thought Martin, I’ll let you pick the team though.
Villa fans have your say below, are you worried about the lack of signings or does the manager know exactly what he is doing?
14 Comments
well after last years activity in january you cannot moan at the lack of activity,because we all know MON likes to leave it to the last minute before pulling in a few players.
We I understand that he is looking for particular players, but we dont seem to be getting any and any player we are linked with it is instantly dismissed. Are we not going to try for players like Anelka or SWP!!!!! Newcastle seem to be able to purchase or be linked with World Class players why not us!!!! Dont we have a World Class manager and a team full of young hungry players(apart from Moore!!!! Sorry)
It’s no secret that we have the smallest first team squad in the Premiership, but the position we currently occupy in the league is a tribute to the talent and ability within that small pool of players. If we can carry on adding players of a similar standard, then we’re potentially looking at great times ahead.
However, we can’t take our eyes off the ball this season. Europe is within touching distance, and qualification for the UEFA Cup or even the Champions League would open up new avenues for us in terms of the quality of players we’re able to recruit. Another season without Europe could see us struggle to bring in players who are better or even comparable to those we already have.
Our players have battled hard so fasr this season and done extremely well to get us into the position we are now in, but in recent weeks one or two players have started to look tired, and with injuries to Barry and Maloney, players racking up bookings, Mellberg potentially on his way and Carew still to get to full fitness, we could really do with one or two new faces to help out. It would be a shame to see us risk missing out on European qualification and all the potential rewards it can bring, simply because we were unable to strengthen our squad in the coming week. O’Neill knows this better than anyone however, and I’m sure he’ll pull a rabbit or two out of the hat before the window closes.
Why would you want someone like Anelka at the club, the guy is an overated idiot that would upset the apple cart.
We need good quality young english players or established foreigners and they aren’t that easy to find!
NO TIME WASTERS PLEAE!
we are all frustrated…extremely frustrated!..ashley young out for the fulham game…many of our players on 4 yellows..we could fall apart at the final hurdle if oneills not careful
Anelka is exactly the type of player we should be going for. I don’t why people keep saying we should be looking for young English players all the time. More often then not they are far more expensive and less gifted. MON needs to start looking at the best young talent on the continent like Man UTD, Arsenal and Chelsea do. That is why they are at the top of the league.
Well said adrian.
I am fed up looking at the same players linked, is Doyle going to get us to the next level - No.
Anelka is a quality striker, shows that they way he played at Bolton, he would have been excellent for us. I hear were linked with Falcoa, never heard of him, but if he has potential then yes, lets take a chance and get him in. Remember all teams gamble, PSG did on Ronaldinho!!!!!! Arsenal and Manure do it all the time. We should not stick to UK based youngsters.
HAVE FAITH TRUST THE MANAGER DONT PANIC IT WILL ALL UNFOLD IN TIME AND WHEN EUROPE HAS BEEN CONQUERD YOU WILL ALL LOOK BACK AND SAY WHAT WAS ALL THE PANIC ABOUT !!
This season has given me so many things to smile about so far. I’m 22, finally this year i was able to afford my first season ticket but its been great value. Never a dull moment, good or bad and it just goes to show that all the money and trust we as fans have put into our club is being repaid well. The money is being spent carefully and in return we may well be able to enjoy UEFA again next year. Champions league would be incredible but its unlikely.
Keep the faith everyone and to those of you who are angry that we have no signings you are idiots. to put it simply. You remind me of newcastle fans who want it all now and not later. tut tut
Thom, I dont want it all now, I want something. Have you been lit up by any of our Signings so far, No, me neither!!!!. Granted they all have their parts to play in the squad, but dont you want to shock the other teams with a Big Name signing, if we finish in the TOP 8 this season I will be the happiest man alive. If we finish in europe I will be over the moon. But can you see this happening with the current squad depth or talent????Unless we spend and spend now!!!! We never strenghened in the past when we were in a good position too, we have to start this month!!!!
I think so many people are worried about the lack of transfers because of the way MON failed to bring in players in the summer. This is the only area where i feel he leaves himself down. He seems to be way over cautious. This is a good aspect to a point but you also have to take a chance from time to time and gamble. I know we have had a great season so far but i really believe that if MON had got his act together in the summer we would have at least 8pts more. We would have beaten Sunderland,Newcastle and Spurs away and would prob have beaten City at home as well. I know people are saying that you have to build slowly but you also have to take opertunities when thay come along. We might never again get such a chance to get 4th. The big 4 will only get stronger each year.I just hope that MON has transfers lined up and will come in at the last minute but after the summer i can’t be sure. If we dont then just watch us fall down to 7th.
Finally someone talking some sense
keep the faith
up the villa
I am not sure on the last minuete signings either. I got a funny feeling Juve want Mellberg before the summer and at the 11th hour will make us an offer we cannot refuse. 1mil would do it, that would leave us even more understrength than before. I just want us to show that we are willing to compete with Spurs and Everton, when are we going to sign a proven goal scorer or midfield playmaker. I understand the 5 year plan but surely we should be starting to build with more quality signings than we have????
what happened to our world wide scouting network