I'm finishing my job today, so I'm available. Sadly, Big Martin hasn't rung yet. I'll keep you all posted. Are we in the market for an ageing, overweight striker whose best days are long since behind him but would happily pocket a hefty weekly paycheque... oh wait a minute, maybe I should contact QPR.
Bidley ... yes, I read that, too. Dempsey does not want to go to Villa. Villa's arguably a bigger team, but why make the move if it's not a Champions League club. And though Villa in years past have easily finished in the top half, I'm not sure that will be so easy this year considering the personnel and management.
Lambert is a very good manager who will improve Villa, although I think it might take him longer than it has at his previous clubs. Other than the implication that he's part of Villa's problem, I agree with DRs assessment of this not being the kind of move Dempsey was after. But at this stage, Clint might feel he has burned his bridges with us and be willing to accept a sideways move (which is, at best, what this one amounts to) just for the sake of making a fresh start. Bidley, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the Villa move before. Try to keep up.
Confirmation of what Bidley said earlier (see Bidders, we do notice): http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19435575
Captain, I meant Villa's management in a general sense (I agree that Lambert's a good manager). Until recently Villa had been in a position, in terms of money and players, to consistantly finish up there with Tottenham, Everton and the other second-tier teams. But they've been selling off the family jewels during the last two years (Downing, Luke & Ashley Young, Friedel, Milner, Barry), and you can't do that without paying the price.
Ahh, I see. Yes, in that case I think we agree entirely. It's academic anyway, now that your namesake has turned the move down.
Thank God he turned it down. I sit next to a Villa fan at work who I am taking to the game on 20th October. It would have just been too much to bear going with him and watching Dempsey run out at the Cottage in a Villa shirt.
