Bob has said he wants to strengthen this area, but surely its all a bit late now? btw, Guradiola has an offer from Villa which he is likely to accept.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Answers

guardiola

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

funny that, as villa are saying that the toon are in the best position to sign guradiola and are waiting to see if we qualify for Europe before we will sign him!!

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

I'm puzzled at the fact the Robson still feeels that we need another CENTRAL midfielder. He says that Dyer will play in the centre, presumably alongside a new signing.

So what of Speed, Lee, Acuna and Bassedas?

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Well, I don't know about you but I can't say I'm really looking forward to seeing a midfield comprising Solano (who could be gone of course) Dyer, ANO, Robert - unless ANO turns out to be Patrick Viera, of course.
Looks as weak as water to me!

While I'm rabbitting - I'm not sure that Laurent Robert looks a natural winger. I'd kinda like to see him playing in the Pedro role - he certainly looks the closest we've had to the Great One, and looks to get in where it hurts the opposition, just as Peter did.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

where are villa saying that?

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

FTT (from the terraces) see below

Villa and Newcastle Lead Guardiola Chase... Should Villa be successful against Basel on Tuesday then expect Gregory to quickly move to attempt to sign Barcelona's Pep Guardiola who wants to play for a Premiership club in Europe... It seems that John Gregory’s ‘second man’ has been revealed at last, and the reason for Sergei Kandaurov being put onto ‘the back burner’ is also becoming clear. The player that Gregory hopes to sign this week is none other than Barcelona skipper Pep Guardiola, according to the Sunday Mirror and unnamed sources at Villa Park. The 30 year-old Guardiola is currently out of contract at Barcelona, and has been heavily linked with a move to Spurs this summer. However, the Spanish International will only join a club in Europe, and if Villa are successful against Basel on Tuesday then Gregory is expected to hold talks with Guardiola immediately afterwards. He would probably demand wages in excess of £40,000 per week, and like Balaban will need to be registered by Friday’s UEFA Cup deadline. Newcastle are also expected to talk with him if they are successful against Troyes also on Tuesday night, and the presence of Bobby Robson probably makes the Car-Toons slight favourites in this race, and Villa will turn to Kandaurov if they are unsuccessful. Guardiola has been at Barca for more than 10 years now, and has often been described as the ‘engine room’ of that club, playing in a central midfield role. His forward passing for the likes of Romario and Ronaldo down the years is a thought that I am sure will make all Villa fans’ mouths water. Imagine JPA or Bosko breaking away to be fed by the killer pass from Pep… However, as I say, Newcastle must be regarded as favourites to land this particular Bosman free, so don’t get too excited just yet. In any event, we have to see off Basel first to even be at the races… Peter Bosworth Editor FTT Villa

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

"Imagine JPA or Bosko breaking away to be fed by the killer pass from Pep.....".

I couldn't imagine Angel even breaking wind given his performance at SJP at the end of last season.

You have to love these passionate footballers don't you. Apparently Guardiola would rather sit on his @rse, growing old and earning nothing, rather than play for a Club that isn't in Europe. Go figure!

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001