Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albion blog: Looking Forward
Friday 22nd May 2009, 9:15AM BST.
Albion blogger Jarrod Hill unveils his penultimate blog of a trying season in the Premier League with his tips on the relegation issues.
With the last game against Blackburn now inconsequential, I am sure the atmosphere will be somewhat relaxed.
Most peoples eyes and ears will be on who will be joining us in the Championship, so I am guessing Hull, Newcastle and Sunderland fans will be having a restless night tonight.
I have left out Middlesbrough because barring a miracle they are Championship bound. Personally if pushed on making a choice, and I have been a number of times this week, I would prefer Newcastle to stay up.
Anyway back to the Baggies, my final blog of the season next week will look more in depth at were we go from here.
But one thing I do believe will be key to us having a successful summer in preparation for next season is players and club making a decision on who is staying and who is going EARLY.
We witnessed last year how it can completely disrupt your plans when issues regarding players staying or leaving drags on and on.
We have already been linked to a host of players and it has already been made clear that our recruitment is going to be dictated largely by players going out the door in terms of finance and what will be required.
So from that point of view it would be helpful if manager Tony Mowbray and chairman Jeremy Peace do not drag their feet on deciding who goes and then negotiating their departures.
As disappointing as this season has been, I am still finding things to look forward to for next season. I am keen to see the development of players like Graham Dorrans, Gianni Zuiverloon and young striker Chris Wood.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a couple of others make first team appearances too, my money would be on Lateef Elford-Alliyu, Ryan Allsop and Joss Labadie.
I am also looking forward to the regular return of midweek night games, as many of you know I love them.
I just hope the Hawthorns can keep the same atmosphere that has been generated this season, but the fact we have already sold 16,000 season tickets seems to suggest it won’t be a problem.
Anyway to all those going to Blackburn have great day and I will see you all next season, I will be writing my last blog next week, although I will try to contribute the odd one here and there across the summer.
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I agree! We need to get the squad sorted as early as is possible. When are we going to get rid of the transfer window system? I’m convinced and not the only one that this benefits the really big clubs who stay in the premiership and have huge expensive squads.
Teams such as the Baggies, who tend to move between divisions, (don’t we know it?) do not have the time to get competitive squads together. They also often risk getting into financial problems by gambling on players without the time to do the proper scouting.
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I agree Bomber, get things sorted early this Summer. Who’s going, who’s staying, where we need to strengthen and how much the budget is.
Knowing JP, he’s already got the wheels in motion for this ages ago, but he does like to haggle doesn’t he, so that’s what usually drags things out for us.
I’m looking forward to Sunday, it’ll be nice to get to the game without my bumhole twitching, and I’m really looking forwrd to the day in Blackpool on Saturday too.
If any see’s a bloke from Dudley wearing a ‘Kiss me quick’ hat whilst riding a donkey through the arcade, with fish n chips in one hand and a pint in the other, please come and say hello!! :-)
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If your at blackpool and you see a scruffy looking bloke pont tail,roll up in one hand bottle of meths in the other a hat with idiot wrote on the front sitting in a shop doorway come over and say hello laffinwolf aye boing boing spare a penny
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There’s a cracking interview with JP that can be found by searching on Newsnow.
He’s backed TM like we asked for yesterday; confirmed that we’re taking up both options on Mulumbu – £130k- and Menseguez – undisclosed as yet – (providing they want to join us); and said that 11 players will be leaving to trim the squad from 31 to 20 senior pros.
Among those going are Donk, Simpson, Pele, Hoff, Hodgkiss and Fortune. 5 more tbc.
He also insists that as we are trimming the squad to ensure quality not quantity exists that the bigger names don’t have to go/won’t be going.
And Ferguson gets a mention too: “if he’s available we’ll have a word”.
I disagree with wanting Newcastle to stay up – nobody has a divine right to be in the Prem and after the mess they’ve made of things this year they deserve to go down – the table doesn’t lie!
I hope SAF puts out his kids plus ferdinand and fletcher on Sunday and Hull get at least a point!
Good luck to ‘em – even though it’ll cost me 400 notes from my 40/1 bet when they were 4th!
I mentioned Jermain Beckford from Leeds yesterday should be one we’re looking at – what’s everyone else think about that?
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hi jarrod i,ll be at blackburn and im gunna drink um dry like we did at qpr, cant remember if that pub by the ground as got any steps aye boing boing 8 pints a bitter plz cock
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2. The best thing about Sunday is the weather forecast. Mowbray could do with putting the players on Blackpool beach and charging £1 a ride, he might make enough money for the fare home. In the second div where we belong.
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Getting things sorted quickly is the ideal scenario but won’t be easy as players, clubs and agents hang on as long as possible for the best deal.
I see JP has already announced a few going today so that we can see what positions any new recruits might fill. No surprises in that list really although I wouldn’t be surprised if Hoefkens & Donk secure themselves a decent club at a reasonable level somewhere – they could both play at Championship level, but question marks over other matters mean they will be better doing it with another club. You could also put Cech and Bednar (regrettably in both cases) into that category.
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5. you will need 8 pints inside to watch the dross we parade on Sunday.
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Regarding who joins us and Boro in the Fizzy next season, I would prefer it to be Hull as they have the least chance of mounting a decent promotion campaign next season…..and also because they are, IMO, the worst team in the League.
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i also want newcastle to go down i remember when we got relegated and we played them last game of the season when there fans where waving and singing cheerio well hopefuly they will know what it feels like come sunday,and they could well be another leeds,aye boing boing whey hey lad
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5 – Tez, if you’re on about the large pub on the left when you’re approaching the away end, it has got steps, but a ramp to the right hand side if my memory serves me right, I’m sure it’s called the Fernhurst.
That’s where we’re goping when we eventually make it over to Blackburn on Sunday.
Again, I’ll have Ned and a number 7 on my back (hopefully I’ll still have my ‘Kiss me quick’ hat on too) so if you see me, give me a shout.
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hi ned, i,ll say hi but i aint gunna kiss ya quick nor slow for that matter,glad its got a ramp im not very good on steps when i come out of pubs,i will look out for ya,should be in there bout 2,my daughter will be dressed as a ref as a tribute rob styles,aye boing boing hic hic
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12 – Not a problem my lord.
I’ll keep an eye out for a ref and the handsome fella next to her then mate.
See you Sunday
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Good day Bomber, and all baggie fans.
Also a special hello to the dingle posing as a baggie posts 6 & 8 your disguise is about as convincing as a girraffe in dark glasses trying to get into a polar bears only golf club.
Anyhow Bomber, as you know i missed a large chunk of the season due to work, but i had an amusing experience regarding your “glory hunting” fans last week.
I watched the Liverpool game in a sports bar in Warsaw, it was packed with scousers with common scouse names on the back of their shirts
Valdek, Stanislaw, Gregorz,etc.
Unfortunately i couldn`t hear the TV but sky kept showing the Albion crowd, it looked like they were making a fair old din and really got behind TM and the team…….pleased about that wished i could have been there.
Have a good summer everyone, ps Bomber if you fancy a pint you know where i will be later.
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6 and 8 god day “loffin at wolves” how are you. You dont need to use an alias on our page aswell as your own. We know you are a fool so use tour own login name.
Terry 3….. made me laugh that one lol
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Message to myself (post 15) check spelling before pressing “Post Comment” lol
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There was a young blogger called bomber
Who was having a break for the summer
But his blogs. They create
Intellectual debate
And now I’m a little bit glummer…
Cheers Bomber
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I am not bothered who comes down as long as we go straight back up. 4 SuperMaths, I think Beckford may be a potential target but I was concerend watching the play off second leg when he came across as bottler with a bad attitude.
Maybe Mesenguez and Miller will prove good enough?
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I think 17 tonyc says it all. Your blogs are great at promoting debate, apart from the odd brain donor 6&8. We need you during the long dog days of summer Jarrod.
4 Supermaths.
I’m with Wakey on this one. He could be an inspired signing or he could be a monumental flop. I’m sure Leeds will want a good price for him and clubs like Fulham, Blackburn and dare I say it Wolves have the money to gamble, we don’t. I also believe that if we can hang onto Menseguez he could be a revelation, whereas Beckford is untried at a higher level, not writing him off though, Lee Hughes and Jason Roberts did it.
14 Forever.
Good to have you back. There have been times this year when the voices of sanity have been all but drown out on here.
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