I was mooching around the various Villa related sites this evening, exactly the same as I always do and came across a comment that Villa were in the bottom five when it came to Premier League club’s spending during Paul Lambert’s reign as our glorious manager.
I couldn’t resist questioning this, so looked into it for my own satisfaction.
The table below is what I’ve worked out, with the figures having come courtesy of http://www.transferleague.co.uk/
Now, I’m not 100% convinced the figures are entirely accurate, as they have Christian Benteke down as having cost £10 million, which I don’t think is correct.
But if you assume similar errors apply to all the other clubs and average out, I think it’s fair to say that the previous comment I mentioned was incorrect.
The table makes for some fascinating reading.
Take Spurs, for example. That’s a classic case of what you get if you seriously invest in the right way.
There are a few provisos though.
I’ve rounded up the odd numbers, merely to save me typing so much.
Some clubs have already spent in this window and others are yet to do so.
And I may have made mistakes.
But I doubt these figures are far off the mark, overall.
Food for thought and somewhat puts paid to the fact that Lambert has had no money to spend, in my opinion.
And we’re quite simply under-performing, if you use this as a benchmark.
All figures are NET spends.
CLUB 14/15 13/14 12/13 TOTAL AVERAGE
1 Man Utd 113.2 66.7 51.1 231 77
2 Chelsea 16.1 49.3 72 137.4 45.8
3 Man City 24 89.8 14 127.8 42.6
4 Liverpool 44.1 20.3 41.3 105.7 35.2
5 Arsenal 53.8 32.5 8.6 94.9 31.6
6 West Ham 25.75 25 18.25 69 23
7 Hull 22.5 24.4 4.1 51 17
8 QPR 19 -5.5 36 49.5 16.5
9 VILLA 5.75 16.5 23.7 45.95 15.3
10 Sunderland 11.9 7.4 18.35 37.65 12.5
11 Southampton -34.7 35.75 32.7 33.75 11.25
12 Stoke -0.1 2 21.1 23 7.66
13 Swansea 7.05 20.1 -6.45 20.6 6.8
14 Newcastle 25 -19.1 13.5 19.4 6.5
15 Palace 9.5 26 -17.1 18.33 6.11
16 Everton 36.5 -16.5 -1.8 18.2 6.06
17 WBA 13.1 2.29 0 15.3 5.1
18 Leicester 11 -0.25 3.45 14.2 4.73
19 Burnley 6.5 -3.6 -5.2 -2.3 -0.75
20 Spurs -1.25 -9.8 -1.3 -12.35 -4.1
Well its starting if any of you are on Facebook there is gonna be a protest at Liverpool game all fans to empty the holte end for the first 8 mins of the game go on Aston villa worldwide it’s on their about it fans have had enough where it works or helps is up to you thoughts please
Protest bollocks
Wait so I’m gonna go to Villa Park after paying my money already and then protest for 8 minutes. Fuck off.
Anyone in support of this idea needs their bloody head shaken
The idea is to stay away for the first 8 minutes, not piss off after 8 minutes…
Are you pissed bum bum. That’s exaclty what I said pal..
Exactly New regime, I made my mind up ages ago not to go down again until things change.
If you spend your money, then watch only real way to protest is to leave empty seats
Absolutely right on the money Turv
Aahahahahhahahaha – Protest for 8 minutes……Couldn’t make it up. Not only does our football make us look like a joke but now some fans do too!!!!
Most fans are 8 mins late finishing their pie n beer anyway
Clowns
The clowns are the one’s who just sit there every home game and do nothing.
Fair play to them – although similar to Newcastle earlier this season, I can’t see it going through.
So how does that work where are the fans going to stand inside and outside ground for first 8 mins. Are fans just going to stand underneath holte. I think it’s ridiculous and can’t see many fans going for it. We should just protest for lamberk out for 90 mins but get behind rest of team. Trouble is if we score in first 5 mins fans will be licking lamberks arse again
Yep exactly helenius clowns to say the least. We all love the Villa but not turning up for 8 minuites will achieve nothing at all, if the whole of the Holte was empty for the whole match that would be different
If fans want to protest its their choice. They pay their money they can do what they want. I know u can protest by not going. Maybe these fans are thinking this is the only way to get Lerners attention.
But it does seem a strange protest, as your saying give the money? don’t watch for 8 minutes then go back and cheer? I’m sure that’s going to make news for the wrong reasons, be like me 4 seats empty from me.
Bill i agree with you just stay away.
Maybe turn your backs for 8 minutes like the NYC Cops…
If the last few weeks are anything to go by. We won’t miss anything by coming in late.
Why not leave it til half time. We normally get a shot off after the break.
Funny Steve but sadly true at the same time
I specifically never wrote about this protest because I don’t think many will take part in it.
Why cough up the money to go and then miss a chunk of the game?
That said, if people think that’s the way to go about it, I’ve no problem with it.
More importantly, it shows that the fans are turning and if things carry on I can only see things escalating.
I’m not sure how though, now that under the new gestapo type rules you’re not even allowed to take in protest banners.
A disgraceful decision, that one, imo.