I’m currently sunning my bony proverbial in Marmaris, Turkey. Very nice at a balmy 35c it is too.
I’ve been sort of keeping up with events, but basically we’re enjoying it so much, I just haven’t found time to post something.
Basically I just thought it would be a good idea to start a new post, just so it looks a bit more relevant.
There’s been a couple of events; some good, some not so, in my opinion.
First off, the great news is that John Mcginn has extended his contract.
I think everyone’s happy about that and my son in law summed it up perfectly for me, in saying that he fully deserves it. Of course, I think he was talking about the no doubt massive payrise.
We weren’t sure what McGinn was earning, but I had £47k in mind, where the sil’s thought were that he was quite well down the Aston Villa pay grade.
Given that he’s the captain and looks like he will be in future too, I’d guess he’s probably going to be earning around the £150k a week mark. In the scheme of things, as much as it makes me feel sick, he’s good value if my guess is anywhere near the mark. I love the bloke as a Villa player, because he represents everything I want to see from a footballer.
And then it’s onto the shirt.
Is it really £70? Wow, that’s a jump isn’t it?
My grandsons, (who are also on holiday with us) think it’s “quality”. Which leads me to a bit of tangent.
Before we came out here, I’d told them about the dirt cheap, but reasonable quality of the snide football shirts. They went out yesterday and came back with an Al Nassr and a PSG shirt. Yes, with Messi and Ronaldo on the back.
Anyway, I think the new Villa shirt is meh; a much of a muchness, albeit with a much better badge.
Will the missus buy it for me, as she usually does? I really don’t know.
And then the thing that disappointed was us being sponsored by a betting company.
I’m not going to get “holier than thou” about it, but for me, the quicker these companies get banned from this sort of advertising, the better.
Some of you long time readers may remember that the site used to advertise Bet365, so I may come across as a bit hypercritical, but that wasn’t my choice. It was an attempt to try and monetise the site so it paid for itself. It didn’t work, as Oohah (there’s a blast from the past!) weren’t the pr/marketing types. To be honest, the live score widget for the Prem was good though, I thought.
Anyway we sacked it off and still have the “don’t gamble” thing at the bottom of the page.
So why don’t I like gambling?
I do. If it can be done at a sensible, affordable level. Then, I have no problem with it.
But I’ve also seen someone get into serious trouble over it. So much so that it led to payday loans to try and fund it.
Long story short, is someone who earns minimum wage was around £3500 in debt.
No, it’s not one of those stories where he loses his house and all, but it caused serious stress.
All this from a previously very sensible person too.
That’s why I don’t like it.
I think the issue for me is that in a world where every other shop seems to be a bookies, is that it’s pushing something that’s already overly available and for me, very dangerous.
I was reading an article recently that talked about this. My memory isn’t what it used to be, but I get the feeling that it suggested around 3 million people in the UK have a gambling problem to some extent.
Consider that the Coates family Bet365’s owners) are amongst the richest in the UK and you instantly get what it’s all about.
Taking Apple’s cheap labour aside, I can appreciate a company making a profit. And their’s is obscene.
But when it comes at the cost of people suffering, hmm.
Comments
110 responses to “A bit of a round up.”
Off out to a Turkish night and a foam party..
It’s a hard life 🙂
Oops. For clarity, I should correct something.
It was both of us who aren’t PR types, not just Ooahh.
Hi Badger take a taxi boat or a bus and see Icmeler and Turunc local seaside places, done 18 years in Turkey 🇹🇷 you’ll find it’s interesting. Hope you at least see other small towns like I did. Enjoy I’m organising another cruise with family soon you enjoy yours .
I enjoyed Marmaris Badger when I was there about a decade ago so I’m guessing it’s changed a bit now. It was bloody hot though 🥵
Like Bill said, Icmeler is great too and is the quieter neighbour.
Hopefully we will have signed someone before you get back to give us something to talk about other than our disappointment of the shirt sponsor.
Ichmeler’s on the list. I’ve stayed there previously and I think this might be our 8th time in Turkey. We love it and I honestly think Turkish food is the best I’ve eaten anywhere.
Anyway, to try and stay on track 🙂
We’ve signed a couple of kids from Linfield for a significant fee.
I know I’ve slated our academy for years, but I do think we might actually get to see some results this time;
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-complete-double-transfer-27193732
Maybe the next George Best?
( Wishful thinking😁)
Enjoy your hols Badger.
Have a great time in Turkey Badger – I know you will.
Been a couple of times – the missus has been far more often – as our daughter worked in Alanya as a children’s rep with a well known holiday firm.
Strangely (or maybe not) we have a granddaughter Alanya – shades of the Beckhams :-).
Or even 🙂
On the question of Saudi clubs signing players from the EPL.
In principle should be no problem – but and there’s a big but – take the Neves deal as an example.
£47m for a player with just one year left on his contract – a player, at 26, who should be playing in the European Championship. That’s an inflated price beyond any reason.
Other than his agent and his association with Wolves who, surprise, surprise have got problems with FFP – or, should I say did have problems with FFP.
Then look at Chelsea, similar FFP problems who are allegedly unloading four high earners to Saudi for inflated prices. They say there is no link but I think we’ll find their owner has a business link with them.
If Derby got done for selling their stadium for an inflated price to try and avoid FFP isn’t there a case here for the EPL to look at?
Of course they won’t will they?
Some interesting free agents out there, having seen the listings – with a deeper squad needed, would the following appeal to anyone:
Moutinho (Wolves), Lanzini (West Ham), Moura (Spurs), Firmino (Liverpool), Maitland Niles (Arsenal). I’ve only picked the best of the ‘released’ players – there are a few more such as Longstaff at Newcastle and McArthur at Palace who could do a job but wondering if those first 5 are worth a sniff?
Worth adding that I appreciate we’re not shopping in the bargain-bucket section and these players would be back-up and used in the cups, unless they were to produce some phenomenal form.
Firmino – hardly bargain basement! Blimey that would be a coup but he’s off to Barca or another Champions League side.
I’ve always liked Moura but he’s a little like Bailey – very good in flashes.
I think getting Tielemans, a proven international and only 26, on a free was an astute piece of business on par with the Kamara deal – although, I suspect he will be one of our higher earners. I was surprised other clubs weren’t in for him or did Emery persuade him Villa was the place to be and that he would get game time?
Think that Tielemans on a ‘free’ was good business; but I’m surprised that the only links I see (OK, I know it’s only “B’ham Live”…) are for yet more midfielders of central defenders.
To me, those would have to be squad-fillers, in that I can’t see us attracting some CL player who’d cost £50m+, and we’re already pretty well-off in those areas.
I want to see Villa doing some serious business for full-backs, wingers and maybe another striker.
Spot on Ardent – it’s generally thought that Emery wants a full back, a winger and a striker.
How that sits with the continuing Pau Torres rumours – left sided centre back – is hard to fathom. If Emery is after Torres then either Carlos or Mings will be ‘surplus to requirements – unless that is Emery sees Carlos playing at left full back – not beyond possibility!
Emery is such a good coach it will be interesting to see how he shapes the squad.
HAPPY DAYS
UTMV
BS story of the day. Man U to offer £40mill for Martinez;
https://www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-aston-villa-braced-for-man-united-offer-for-emiliano-martinez-after-new-twist-sources/
Utter joke. Double it and it might be nearer the mark.
They always take the p1ss. But that was when Fergie ruled the roost.
Drivel.
On the Rice deal at £105m+, would you think he’s worth more than Jack who’s a real game changer? £55m at most for me…Another Kalvin Philips type signing…
Where are our signings though?????
Rice is one of those players who seems constantly over-hyped by the media.
Sure, he’s a ‘good’ player – possibly a ‘very good’ player; but anything around the £100m for him seems vastly over-priced to me. Maybe that’s what inflation is doing…
Rice, an ok player but certainly no Zinedine Zidane and £100m?
Just a tad overpriced imo.
Yeah, right.
And they won’t offer even that in cash, they’ll try to swap him for The Donkey that they want to get rid-of !
See Ramsey and Archer played for U21’s with Ramsey setting up Archer for the first goal – 2-0 England.
A Villa 1 – 2 then.
This is taken from thehardtackle.com…
“Though they are flush with cash, there are indications that Villa can only spend a little in this window. They have concerns with FFP and could look at bargain transfers to add quality to their squad in this market.”
Given the lack of action on the transfer front could there be some foundation to this?
We must have something to spend. We haven’t spent a bean so far. Even if we’re allowed to spend £80m on say 4 players, a £20m player doesn’t get u much in todays market.
Shame we’re not one of the Sky 6. We could break the rules as we see fit…Patience required here. I can see Jacob’s brother stepping up along with Archer this season. Don’t think the Moore brothers are going to make it though…
Or maybe one marquee signing?
According to David Michaels (MOMS) Purslow told the Fan Consultation Group that Villa would ‘go hard’ in the summer window.
That suggests they do have financial room to invest in new players.
Pau Torres – Sky are saying £45m probably over a 5 year contract that’s just £9m off the bottom line per season plus wages of course.
Wages are more of an issue with FFP than spread transfer fees especially as all of an incoming fee can be added to the bottom line.
Expect we’ll see a few departing to raise some cash and reduce the wage bill – the most intriguing is whether Villa ship Coutinho out to Saudi for an inflated fee!
Pau Torres, 26, from Villareal. Seems to be a lot in Villa wanting to sign this guy. He has already worked with our manager and also has plenty of European experience. It does seem very quiet out there.
Seems as though it’s confirmed!!!! Whoooo!!!!
According to “B’ham Live”, the deal’s virtually been done.
Top top signing, great player and can certainly help take us to another level this season. From my own view of the team I think a RB a number 10 (I would love Eze) and a very pacey winger is needed now. I’d love to see Archer given a big chance this season, he’s a natural in the box, I personally believe give him and Watkins the same chances Archer would score more.
Certainly think it’s time for Archer to be given a chance to show what he can do in the Prem. No point in loaning him out yet again, we alreadyknow that he can score in the lower divisions.
And for England, Ardent.
Even at Boro he was scoring very regularly. Gotta give the lad a chance.
I’d forgotten about his England U21 exploits!
Test – just resetting my details to avoid a lag on posting.
Good business all around today. Torres is someone Emery holds in the highest regard, which bodes well for our future. With Tilesman already signed, we are stronger already than last year.
Further Kaine Kesler-Hayden loaned out to Plymouth for the season. They have been promoted to the championship, which will be good for his development. Further, they had Aziz last season and proved they could be trusted with developing our players.
So whose next Tyler Adams or Harvey Barnes or both?
“So whose next Tyler Adams or Harvey Barnes or both?”
Personally I don’t see why we need any more midfielders – surely we’ve got enough?
I’d rather see another quality RB to give Matty Cash some competition, and one or more quality wingers, and I also think we need a better back-up to Martinez in goal…
We need to strengthen the right side with a wide player and a full back in the style of Moreno who could play as a wing back.
With respect to Archer, who I think has earned the chance to show he can cut it in the EPL, we also need another proven striker.
Assuming Emery signs Torres will he go three at the back – or, at least, have theatre option – plus two wing backs?
Very intriguing.
*have that option
I think Torres can play LB as well as CB. With Ashley Young gone we need cover at RB for Cash. A quality RW to improve on Bailey and Traore surely is a priority. A back up for Martinez is definitely needed. I would love Harvey Barnes at VP, although he usually plays LW although we need strength in depth given our European matches too. I would also like Eze for the RW position but can’t see that happening. Is Guendouzi still in Enery’s thoughts? Add to the above Archer and Aaron Ramsey and we will have a quality squad. I think the next two weeks could see a lot more activity in the transfer market leading up to our first friendly game against Walsall. I do believe that when the transfer window closes, we will be one of the biggest spenders. I don’t think Monchi would have been lured by a £70-£80m budget. Don’t be surprised if it’s double that.
“I don’t think Monchi would have been lured by a £70-£80m budget.” – that’s a very good point, and one that I’d certainly forgotten.
I’m enjoying the fact that none of the national media (& that includes the TV outlets) seem to have any clue what Villa are doing until the club makes an announcement – or perhaps they simply aren’t interested…
Off topic but can you believe Jesse Lingard has been released by Forest?
How the mighty have fallen.
Remember Dele Alli ? – another who seemed to make a very rapid fall from grace recently.
He’s back at Goodison.
Selling pies or programmes?
🙂
Is he any good at either?
England U21 v Portugal U21 tomorrow at 17:00 on UEFA.tv.
Yeah some footy 😍
Neither. RSS. He’s spraying aftershave on fans who’ve just used the toilet.
Eau de toilette BB?
😁
David de Gea released by Man U?
This is a weird pre season, like football is readjusting itself and ain’t willing (or able) to pay contracts of £375k per week to Joe Average and/or prima donna’s?
Completely off topic but I see the Aussies are ‘cheating’ yet again,
Winning at any cost is unacceptable.
Remember that under arm bowl back in the day?
It’s in their DNA Hitch.
I do RSS.
And sandpaper as well.
Surprising how all their bans were lifted just before the World Cup!
Best day of my cricketing life was to be at Edgbaston to watch England stuff them in the WC semi final.
Now we need to get ‘nasty’ and beat these cheats over the next three games.
England through to the semi final of the european under 21’s beating Portugal. Archer didn’t play and Ramsay was useful in the 1-0 win. Ramsay didn’t look good enough for a top six Premier team just yet
More seriously is Ramsey being seen on crutches after the game. We don’t want him crocked for the start of the season as a result of an inconsequential international.
From what I have seen, I doubt Ramsey will be involved at the start of the Premiership season, and that is at the very least.
It’s them bloody plimsolls they use, put a pair of boots in my days you don’t get toes and ankles injuries. England Gerry was lucky today but glad we did , we did seem to get over run after Ramsey came off and as for not playing Archer it’s saying a lot to me. Still we are in the semi finals Wednesday just hope we get to the finals.
On watching that game I’m a little confused by big noses England set up.
Now I’m no expert on international football but isn’t the whole idea of St George’s that the England set up from top to bottom is they’re all singing from the same hymn sheet?
That the players progressing through know what’s expected of them?
Well with that in mind how come the U21’s very rarely played out from the back ?And the ball was launched up the pitch from a goal kick regularly?
Now I have no problem with this, modern football bores me to tears but is it conducive with the style of the first team?
Big nose is winging this (IMO).
100% right. The bloke is a clown and will continue to do precisely Jack with the best resources any England manager has ever had.
I seen it on utv podcast lads hope it’s not serious
Rumoured Coutinho going to Beshiktas on a one year loan with an option to buy for £8m. Villa to pay 60% of his wages.
Not one of Villa’s best deals although tbf the Barca fans did warn us!
Saudi Pro League Al-Ettifaq have signed up Gerrard as their new manager
If we are paying 60% of Coutinho’s wages we might as well keep him as a mascot. Seriously I still think he has something to offer.
Or maybe he’ll rejoin his mate in Saudi for an over inflated fee and wage – maybe we could even make a profit on the deal – now that would represent a good piece of business.
Call up Mr Gerrard quick!
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-open-philippe-coutinho-27252841
Looks on the cards Hitch