Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albion are back on John Carew alert
Tuesday 18th January 2011, 11:29AM GMT.
Albion were back on ‘Carew alert’ today as leading scorer Peter Odemwingie claimed he would welcome extra competition for his place.
Villa’s prospective signing of Darren Bent left the Baggies hoping their on-off loan deal for John Carew can be resurrected in the days ahead.
And Nigeria international Odemwingie, who has hit eight goals in 16 Albion starts, insisted he would be happy to see a new rival for his place.
With Bent expected to sign for Villa from Sunderland and Emile Heskey just one match away from completing his three-match suspension, Albion will hope Carew becomes available again.
The clubs had agreed a loan move for the 31-year-old out-of-favour striker but Heskey’s red card against Sunderland put the deal on ice.
Carew remains at the top of the January hit-list for Albion, who are keen to add extra firepower with Odemwingie proving prolific but prone to injury.
He said: “You cannot avoid this competition. Every team has competition between players. It’s something that must be there and we have it already.
“If someone else comes in and he’s good then maybe I will need to do extra that I’ve never done before to get a shirt.
“I know that.”
Albion will hope the groundwork they did last month can give them the edge in signing Carew, but reports from London suggest they could face competition if Villa decide the player is back on the market.
West Ham are thought to be keen if they confirm former Villa boss Martin O’Neill as their new manager, while big-spending Championship club QPR have also been linked.
Albion have alternative targets, but reports claiming they will go head-to-head with West Ham for Peguy Luyindula are exaggerated.
The 31-year-old Frenchman, currently with Paris Saint-Germain, has been on the Baggies’ watchlist for several years and was linked strongly with a move to the Hawthorns in previous transfer window.
But Luyindula is not believed to be high on their current shortlist.
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Please No.
As I’ve said before these ex Villa never do anything for us.
It just don’t work.
Over the years I can’t recall any good coming out of them.
The fans don’t like the connection either.
Look at the Carson situation.
See the scousers are being linked with Thomas now.
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BrierleyHillBaggie
Kevin Phillips and Nicky Shorey
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If this came off would we possibly see us play 2 up front? I doubt it.
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Ah forgot those 2 Warren just that overall it don’t pay off.
Over many years.
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4 Brierley Hill.
Darren Bradley and Robert Hopkins. Not World beaters but two of our better players in those dark days.
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BrierleyHillBaggie
in fairness i think carson has pulled off more wonder saves than he has blunders, sure they have cost on occasion but you can’t look at the bad without ignoring the good he has done, he had to be captain for something.
i’m glad myhill got a start though.
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Get Gera back from Fulham at a cut price, sign Carew, keep Thomas
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BHB
History may repeat itself for the good, as per Warrens post, rather than the failed ones.
Incidently, i dont view Carson as a failure, just a bloke out of form.
Anyway, Carew. I only see his signature as a positive, he would give us a different option to what we have at present, and is surely better than what we have.
Miller, constant injury problems
Bednar, looked to be on his way before our injury crisis.
MAF, good player, but seems out of touch.
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BrierleyHillBaggie
I take your point. My own Grandad who was solely responsible for my Albion addiction had barely introduced me in the late 80′s before explaining in great detail how we’d “never had anything but rubbish” from the Villa down the years.
However I think this one could have it’s merits. It’s a loan deal and is essentially low risk; John Carew brings something to the table that we don’t currently have in our squad in terms of size, strength and heading ability; He’s an established international with Champions League experience and has a good goalscoring record including being Villa’s top scorer for the last 3 years. I think a tell-tale sign is that most Villa fans want to keep him.
Worst-case scenario- he fails, we send him back in May at a cost of probably circa £1m for the loan fee. £1m that we can probably afford that could guarantee us another £20m in Prem money next year. Are there any better alternatives?
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Not sure that Carew is a good move? how many strikers do we need. The problem we have, is that we concede too many goals, look at the goals against column. A blind man can see the defence is the problem. Not sure what Mr. Matteo is thinking, but time will tell. By the way, if we stay up, lets hope all the other midlands sides stay up. I use to watch Mick McCarthy when he was an excellent centre half for Barnsley, and if you think Rory Delap can throw a ball, you should have seen Mick.
Up the Baggies
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Sorry but after watching Carew on Sunday I dont think hes any better than what we have on the bench……..I would rather have Wood back, hes doing OK at Brighton.
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9 Warren, makes you wonder why they want to get rid of such a talent.
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I don’t think for one minute that Carew would replace St Peter in the side, or that he would play as a second striker.
We need him to offer soemthing different from the bench when things are going against us or when we have injuries or suspensions.
He would also give us more of a physical presence in the latter stages of a game when we are trying to hang on against a bombardment of free kicks and corners (which we seem incapable of doing at the moment).
If we accept from the start that he isn’t going to be a player in the current Albion mould and that he won’t be busting a gut for us then we’ll be fine. Horses for courses and all that……..
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Carew as been for villa over the years what we need from Miller, and if he comes here to show him how its done and get him back on track after his injuries it can only be a good thing for all.
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Every signing is a risk. None of them have a cast-iron guarantee. Carew has experience that Chris Wood is currently getting at Brighton in Div 1 but looking a good player down there is different to the pressures in the PL.
Carew appears to have a history of problems with Houllier, although this is from rumour control he was virtually an ever present under O’Neill.
As Warren says, this deal if it comes off is fairly low risk for us. If he fails to do well he will take some of the pressure off Scott Carson, some fans seem to be lining him up for this role before he’s even signed.
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Get Super KeV back off the blues for the remainder of the season – he would have had 4 against b’pool !! And he’d bang a few in against the Dingles – just like he’s done before !! He would play the super sub role for us – no better finisher in the league – the amount of chances we make each game he’d get 20 goals before the end of the season !! Boing Boing !!
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AJM
Because Houllier and Carew fell out when they were at Lyon and still don’t get on
The Hoff sums it up perfectly in post 13.
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Various contributors are correct in pointing out that very few moves from Villa Park have worked but Kevin Phillips was the exception to the rule. I can’t see why Odemwingie and Carew cant be accomodated in the same team with Odemwingie playing in an advanced midfield role. One certainty without PO we have little goal threat and he can’t be expected to play or score in every game and for that reason I really hope he joins us. As for those who would prefer the defence to be strengthened we should take into account that Olsen and Pablo have been injured and Tamas suspended. Even Chelsea could not cope when all their central defenders were out.
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one of the worst to come from villa was Andy Townsend..rotten!
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would be a fantastic signing IF and only IF his attitude is right. At the moment under Houllier it isn’t. As TRBH points out Houllier and JC don’t get on – goes back to when they were at Lyon together. If he wants to play for the Albion and is up for the fight then playing him up top with St Peter just off him is perfect? I commented yesterday that I didn’t feel Morrison is the man for the job in this position. The work rate and link play that St Peter provides is top drawer but too many times he ends up out wide with no one in the middle to aim at.
I would certainly like to see him join – as Warren said – who are the alternatives?
Need a right back in my opinion but that will be addressed in the summer rather than Jan I’m sure.
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If we get Carew, I’d like to see him and Osaze goal hunt as a pair.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Carew in our footballing team…I’ve already slightly modified the Villa chant my great grandson sings as taught by his Dad,
Jon Carew, Carew, He’s better than you and me,
He’s gonna score two or three, every game for we.
Look, what did you expect? Shakespeare?
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cyril, that was terrible, stick to the quality reminiscing and punditry. on the striker front i’d prefer to see Mbokani from monaco. i was really impressed with him when he played in europe for standard liege. as quick as st peter, with a box full of tricks. also a superb goal ratio. on the defence, it’ll be interesting to see how we fare when jonas is back. i’d pair him with pablo or scharner, but, like many i trust in RDM. forza albion
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jth. i’m feeling that!Another Toshack/Keegan?
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If he’s on loan for the remainder then I would go for it. He’s a proven goal scorer and will take the weight off St Pete’s shoulders.
Surely we will be playing 4-4-2 if he was there with Thomas and Brunt providing for him?.
I wonder what will happen with Bednar and Fortiune?
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2. WOZZA, Please please dont re-sign Kevin Phillips!!! Not before youve played us at least. That really would give me nightmares. The thought is just to hideous to contemplate.
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Tony Morley did a decent enough job for us.
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This ‘from Villa = rubbish’ line is not so clear.
Direct from Villa were a mixed bunch: Darren Bradley, John Deehan, Lloyd Dyer, Andy Gray, Mark Kinsella, Ken McNaught, Tony Morley, Kevin Phillips, Nicky Shorey, Nigel Spink.
Ex Villains who joined from other clubs were even more mixed: Scott Carson, Robert Hopkins, Steve Hunt, Kenny Swain, Andy Townsend, Steve Watson.
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Scharner didn’t say ” Idle ” in his interview.
Neither did BBC-WM.
Express and star did in their blog.
What do we expect from a cheap skate newspaper.
JACK the HAT.
P.S.
What’s happened to freedom of speech?.
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Toshack/Keegan ??? Is somebody having a laugh here?
Carew (if he bothers to join the Baggyboys) has the mobility of a Stegasaurus and Oddlywinkie has to learn that proper centre backs like Stearman and Berra, unlike Blackpool, don’t let the ball bounce in the penalty area when Albion resort to hoof ball.
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one look at the place and its tara
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another miss fit
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23jordao. Yup, on re-reading it….I’d still give Carew a go in our team though, sometimes with St.Peter, sometimes last 20 minute sub.
What he offers, we don’t have. I can’t help wondering if Roman Bednar needs a chat with the club psychologist that straightened out Odemgoldenslippers. We might get him back too.
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22CR
If we sign Carew it should be;
John Carew, Carew,
He now plays in white and blue,
And he hates the Villa too,
John Carew, Carew……. repeat !!
Still think were all missing a trick for a song about mulumbu… can anyone put words to ‘in the jungle the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight’……..
At the Hawthorns the mighty hawthorns Mulumbu plays tonight…………
Suggestions please……
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I didn’t want to raise this topic ever again, but if Peter Odem needed psychological help when he’s always been treated like a God, what does booing do to players on the fringe of the team or having a bad spell?
I’m purely pointing out that players are human beings, regardless of pay and suffer the same slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Or should that be Fortuné?
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It’s often the case that a player fits in well at one club,but may be struggling at another.It’s always a gamble,but IF Carew felt happier with us,and enjoyed our style of football,who knows? You have to think of what might be…..we have no real height in front of goal,so most crosses currently end up going nowhere,but Carew would either reach them,or at the very least,cause some panic in the defence.The other main point is that over the last couple of months we’ve created countless attempts at goal,but missed most of ‘em.Carew has been villa’s top scorer for the last three seasons,he can’t suddenly forget what he’s done throughout his career-find the net! Just one more thing-he was very much part of Martin O’Neill’s plans,and that will do for me.
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30 to 32- there was me,previously saying ‘all you jealous wolves fans keep on sending your desperate posts here,we could do with a laugh from you lot,over there on the welsh border’.So what happens? All at the same time,we get FARMER TED and the BENNY HILLS visit us.I’m sorry,but I just fell off my chair laughing.It reminds me of the 80′s and 90′s,when the molineux grass was being grazed by one Bull and ten Donkeys.Comedy gold.
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wasnt impressed with Carew in St Andrews match didnt bust a gut did he but if our shrinks can work on him who knows he would be a physical presence and hes a decent goals ratio at Vile have wondered why Bedner was sent back feel sorry for Simon Cox signed for
his goals but because of the system played he
dosent get much of a look in if fit send Ish out on loan Hurst at rt back Jara midfield we
do have a decent squad but Peter needs help
whats happened to Barnes?
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Talking of strikers,villa could end up paying 24 mil. for Darren Bent.According to figures,his goal average is one every two and a half games.Out of interest,St. Peter’s Premiership average this season is one goal every two games.Does that mean his current value must be around 30 mil.? And thinking about it,working on the same ratio of goals to games,I make it that Fletcher and Doyle down the road must now be valued at,what,about 30 quid? It’s a funny old game…….
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Farmer Ted.
Stearman and Berra proper centre backs?
No ball bounce.
Blackpool seem to be doing ok to me at this stage of the season in all departments.
Table shows that.
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we must look on enviously at deals being done
however we have to do what we can afford
Earlier after good results it looked as though
we would have no worries about survival but
events at Blackpool derailed our momentum
hopefully with a full squad we can climb the table what would be the worth of Odemwinge hes
scored 8 in 16 if we can keep him fit how many
will he score if all goes well will we hang on to him?
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16 good shout mate.
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Can’t see anyone coming as jp said a few years back that he doesn’t like doing deals in January .sorry to say this but how much has jp spent this season again .the sums don’t add up were has all that money gone jp remember koumas and kamara,Davies ,Gera and money for going up ,were has it all gone jp get the cash book out and buy a striker and a defender asap cus times a wasting .Carew could get us 8 goals but only on loan .
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30. I’ve always wondered who looks after the turnips down at the Molineux. Thanks!!
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(30)
OH R Ay,
Well spotted (24) CG is one of yours having a bit of banter. Go to the desk and collect your brownie point.
Thems centre backs, Don’t insult the position, oh ar. Haven’t you got your own terminology as I quite often use that to describe your lots lack of talent.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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(24)
Carly G,
If you’re right, We’ll win the league.
(40)
Jonah,
Now you know, Ted the farmer.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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@34
He’s Mulumbu
Youssouf Mulumbu
Your shins will weep tonight…
:)
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9 Warren,how can you say its not high risk,i think its very high risk,Carew as been our only target if we sign him and he ends up like all the other rubbish we have had from villa then we could be in big trouble,even lose out premiership status,and to me that is very high risk,i really dont think he is any better than what we already have,i think the money would be better spent on a half decent right back.
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Liverpond are considering offering £5m for Jerome Thomas. Liverpond ” Keep considering “.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Jottings from the dark side. No doubt we’ll have another orange and black issue of the E&S tonight to celebrate the double achievement of thrashing mighty Donny AND reaching round four (Mick’s already talking about how difficult the semi and final might be.)
This is also Wolves biggest win since 2003 when they handed out a 6-0 drubbing to… Gillingham.
It was widely pointed out to us earlier in the season by Shadrag and his ‘pals’ that we could only muster a paltry crowd of 10,418 for round 3 of the LEAGUE CUP. This would never happen to the mighty Wolves of course with their massive loyal following. Last nights attendance at the Mol (soon to have a 50,000 capacity) for round 3 of the FA CUP… 10,031.
Don’t they ever get tired of shooting themselves in the foot??????????
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50. Do I sense a hint of jealousy? Our squad players/players returning from injury shown your first team players how to beat a Championship side.
With our players returning from injury it won’t be long before we take our rightful place above you in the table and we look forward to beating at The Poorthorns on February 22nd.
PS Look at the average attendances in THE PREMIER LEAGUE.
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I would like to see carew come in on loan and hopefully prove himself worthy of a contract – but what about Ngoh from Liverpool ??
We nearly signed him on loan pre season before Torres was injured and he seems to be outside their starting 11….. would it be worth considering a swap with JT ????
Just a thought……
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Carew would be a fantastic signing for us. We were all demanding a proven Prem goalscorer at the start of the season and here he is. Big stong and knows where the back of the net is and all we can do is shoot him down for having played for Villa. His form and confidence is due to two successive managers having it in for him. He doesn’t want to play for Villa. He wants a fresh challenge at a club willing to give him a fair crack of the whip. Reminds me of how Locomotiv were treating St Peter if you ask me. Whose to say he won’t repay our career saving interventions with some season saving goals?
To write him off because he plays for Villa is absurd. The same comments were made when we were signing Phillips and Shorey. What a load of drivle. As we found out not so long ago, when Peter gets injured we don’t have a Premiership quality option to step in. I like Cox but he’s not ready yet. Same applies to Wood, but Miller, Bednar and Fortune are just not good enough at this level. I like them as players because they try hard and have flashes of footballing genius. No one can argue that they are not fantastic at Chapionship level, but when it comes to knocking about with the big boys, only a fool would suggest that those three are in the same league as Carew.
Comments about us needing to strengthen defesively are right but lack of fire power has been our chief concern for a good few years now, personally I wouldn’t give up the chance of rectifying that for anything. Good defensive cover is easier to find than a predator up front.
Come on lads. Booing club captains (or any players) and turning our nose up at perfectly good players because They’re from Villa is dingle territory. Opinions are fine but we need to get behind the team 100% man and boy if we’re going to spur them on to avoid the drop. Booing players just makes them hate us and want to leave.
Boing Boing
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51 Laughing stock – Attendances really is not a worry although we are more concerned with points which we have had more of than you all season.
Chill out!
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Laughed at wolf – well done on beating a championship side – that will come in handy for you next season (you do know its the bottom three that get relegated and not just who you want….??)
Come on lads – hands up all those albion fans jealous of the wolves,….. come on now…. amyone ??….. anyone at all…..???? No….??
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Well said 53 boing boing
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AJM
I’d say it’s not high risk because if Carew turns out to be rubbish like you suggest, then RDM just doesn’t play him and the team is no worse off than it was before his arrival. As for him being no better than who we have, I’d still argue his CV is a lot more glamorous than any of our strikers (maybe St Peter aside). However as CR78 says, it often comes down to whether a player fits at a certain place. If he enjoys life at the Albion, he’s more than capable of scoring goals.
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Oh Christ, look who’s back at post 51.
You’d think after spouting off all pre-season, he’d just keep his mouth shut…..!!
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Happy.
In answer to two of your questions.
52. No, no, no, no, no.
55. I suppose I must be jealous of the Wolves because Shadrag says I am. And we all know how good his predictions are.
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48 AJM
Don’t you rate the kid Hurst? I think he could do a job for us and see how he goes for the next few games to save spending money on that position OK if it doesn’t work we have Jara or Reid to fill in.
Adeu
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51 laughingstock- I mentioned a while back how you seemed obsessed with wolves injuries,you talked about them on nearly every post.Now,on your latest post,you mention ‘injuries’ again,TWICE.What are you,a paramedic? While everybody else reads the match programme at half time,I bet you’ve got a copy of the first aid manual to browse through.Have a look at the chapter on ‘feeling sick’-it’ll come in handy at the end of the season when you get relegated.
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59 TRBH- to quote shadrag-’it won’t be long before we take our rightful place…’.Whoever said wolves fans were arrogant and living in a fantasy world? The last time I heard that said was by the Klingons in Star Trek,after they drew up plans to rule the universe.What a sad bunch.
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God I’ve missed you shadrag! Those witty posts and totally accurate predictions, please don’t go again we like a good laugh on here! :-)))
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