If the usual rag newspapers are to be believed, it seems our move to sign Sam Johnstone permanently has been massively undermined by Middlesbrough putting a £2.5 million bid in, topped up with add-ons that might run out at £5 million.
This is obviously bad news for Villa on the face of it, as it would seem that if we want to retain the goalie’s services, we’re going to have to get involved in a bidding war; which ultimately Boro would probably win, with them having a nice fat chunk of Premier league money, even though they were relegated.
But I’m not convinced Boro will win out here.
I’d have thought we have probably already matched that sort of bid, as after all, £2.5 mill isn’t a large amount to pay upfront.
Well, yes it is, to most clubs, but it’s not beyond the Villa, even if we add FFP into it, is my point.
So my opinion says it’s more likely to come down to the package that we offer the player.
And we all know that we’re very willing to pay over the odds if we want someone.
I have to be honest and say that while I see promise in Johnstone, I can’t say he massively convinced me of anything.
I personally believe that his record for us as regards clean sheets etc, improved because the defence got better overall.
Of course, you could say that a better goalie inspired the defence to get more confident and hence perform better. But I don’t believe that to be the case and think it was very much the other way round.
Suffice to say, I’d like to keep Johnstone.
But if we can’t do it at the right money, I certainly don’t want to see us go out on a limb at the cost of say, the midfield.
We also have another plus point in our favour.
No disrespect to Boro, but as bleak as people might see Birmingham, I’d suggest it isn’t as bad as Middlesbrough, even if you throw the trendy end that is Yarm, into account.
As per usual it’s all about the money and if Johnstone prefers to go elsewhere, fair enough.
I can’t say I’ll be sorry.
He either buys the Villa story, or he doesn’t.
Comments
79 responses to “Johnstone to Boro? Not necessarily.”
The new home & away kits look nice, unfortunately no good for me as their not designed for beer swillers UTV
Not inspired by the new sponsors but suspect it’s probably the best we can do from the Championship. What I do like is that it’s only a one season deal – that shows both strategic and positive thinking towards a return to the Prem where we would expect a much more lucrative sponsorship deal next season.
Like the new kit though
The new home kit ticks the boxes, it is Claret & Blue in the classic body and sleeves combo.
But the away kit? Oh dear. As a potential new recruit would definitely not remark “Some black **** in a black shirt under Millwall’s lights? I hope he smiles when I’m trying to find him and shuts it when the oppos are.”
Ray Grayson leaves Villa Park,
On this day in 1977, Ray Graydon left Villa to join Coventry City.
The transfer to Highfield Road brought to an end an impressive Villa career which spanned 232 games following his arrival from Bristol Rovers six years earlier.
Graydon was a free-scoring winger, whose 81 goals included the winner against Norwich City in the 1975 League Cup final and Villa’s first in European competition, against Royal Antwerp. Thanks Ray for the memories of your playing years.
Loved Graydon one if my favourite players. We had a brilliant front line them days. Little, Gray, Graydon and Deehan would score a lot also. Then Gidman and Smith on the overlap remember the 76/77 home season when we tore everyone to pieces at home and finished 4th. Beat the might Liverpool 5.1 Arsenal 5.1 Utd 3.2 those were the days. Unfortunately our away form was crap or we would of won the league that year. Best attacking Villa team ever imo.
Always remember that 5-1 demolition of Liverpool – that was the score at half time as well. Was in the Trinity Road stand with the missus – great days.
We only lost one home game as well that season to the scum of all people. Il always remember our piss poor defending for John Connaleys goal though he did finish well. I was in holte that day as a 13 year old and went home in tears. Still haunts me to this day
Happy, Happy days, this is why I feel sorry for our fans that never seen a side that was a shock to them teams of today, we should have not broken up dedicated players of them days, i got to know some of them players and Villa Park was like a family-friendly place, to wear a shirt was a privilege to most of them, our reserves was fighting to get into the first team, then the power struggle started and I think you know who was the main person, did you know that Steve Stride at one stage walked away?but asked for his job back ,it was boardroom up evil that cause Villa to change direction.let’s get back to being that family place.