two to take us up to seventh heaven.

[hettonist]

Cutey, I agree completely, can't see Bent coming back and doubt Pav would fancy what he probably wrongly perceives as the cultural wastelands of the North with a pay cut. I think Harry said he wanted to keep him as well. Haven't seen this Cisse fella but judging by the comments on here he'd be an exciting one, if a bit of a gamble. Feel that in reality Gyan or Noble may be the best bet with Mon working his management magic. Whickam is only going to get better so either of these two off him at some point in the future could be good to watch. Typing as I think, a 1 year deal for Heskey in light of this may not be the end of the world and I'm shocked to be saying this, what do you think?

 

[cuteybuns]

well i am not really up on my russian teams i have to admit, but when pav played for all 3 they were in the Russian 1st division but the only one he ever did anything with was spartak, but he would have been a young kid for the other 2.

But i really dont think bent will come back, think we have more chance of getting Henderson (and we dont have a chance with that yet).

MON may not bring in anyone yet, we do have Campbell coming back soon and Bendtner who should be doing it (just isnt scoring) Whickam, Ji, Noble, and sess as a makeshift one, sothats 5 maybe 6 strikers on the books, OK not of them world class, but still 6, if they start scoring we dont need anyone, its just that they couldnt score in a brothel atm, everyone is clamouring for a striker. but do we actually "need" one?

Hiya, Well, the Russians have a "Top Division" (like our Prem) and their "First Division" is like our Championship. I believe at the time Pav played for Rotor they were still in the Top Division. But they were dropping like a stone, and he got out at the right time - the following season they were relegated and the year after that had their license to operate as a professional club revoked! Stavropol were usually bottom half of the First Division - something like our Barnsley or Doncaster. So Bent's Ipswich time shouldn't be seen as inferior to that. Heart of hearts? - I agree about Bent. I think the reception our crowd gave him a month ago was the final nail in that coffin - and that's without the wage issue!

I think you're right about the potential up front. But I still think MON will try for guaranteed goals, even if it's just a loan to see us to summer. I don't get the impression he wants to gamble our future on potential. We'll see.

 

[cuteybuns]

Cutey, I agree completely, can't see Bent coming back and doubt Pav would fancy what he probably wrongly perceives as the cultural wastelands of the North with a pay cut. I think Harry said he wanted to keep him as well. Haven't seen this Cisse fella but judging by the comments on here he'd be an exciting one, if a bit of a gamble. Feel that in reality Gyan or Noble may be the best bet with Mon working his management magic. Whickam is only going to get better so either of these two off him at some point in the future could be good to watch. Typing as I think, a 1 year deal for Heskey in light of this may not be the end of the world and I'm shocked to be saying this, what do you think?

Good points. Tbh, I'm still trying to figure O'Neill out, and don't know what he'll do. He seems to be a common sense 'logic' man (rather like Clough was). I'm not sure he's going to lash out a lot on Cisse, Pav, or anyone else while the Gyan matter is unresolved. If he could get Bent for a couple of mill and and wipe off Villa's debt, he'd probably go for that. A hit-man like that for very little cash outlay is certainly logical - I just can't see Bent wanting it.

I can't see him going for Heskey. Every manager loves having him, and every player loves to be alongside him (he really is a terrific worker) but we need goals and that's the one thing Emile has always fallen short on. Mind you, he'd probably prefer Heskey to Jones - neither score many goals and Jones isn't a terrific worker! I can't see Kenwyne at all! Steve's just made a good point - do we need anyone? He might be right. If MON thinks he can get goals out of what he's got and if there's a good chance of Gyan returning in summer, he might just try to get along till then. But then that's the sort of thing you and I won't be allowed to know until it's sorted.

Ha, who knows?