Fak

Probably the order you posted. We don't have left footed winger. If Schar or Burn get crocked next season we'll have Botman back. Keeper priority may move up should we sell Dubravka.

DCL isn't mediocre.

for clarity here, I don't think anyone is "excited" about the prospect of signing DCL. I think we're very much aware there's a vacancy to be filled (replacing Wilson) and we can do that on a free transfer. And by signing him on a free it allows to us actually go out and sign the more expensive players in positions that are more pressing like RW, CB and GK. it's a free transfer, it's low risk. And as the Lloyd Kelly freebie has shown; someone might come in after a few games and offer us silly money for him. I think it's your comment about us aspiring for mediocrity because we're potentially signing a backup for nowt that's rubbed people up the wrong way. Did you think Villa were aspiring for mediocrity when they signed 30 year old Ross Barkley from a relegated Luton side just after they had qualified for the CL?

"Signed for nowt, chipped in with a few goals. A less expensive Chris Wood if you like and never gave us two relegations like Coloccini."

I never said you were?

First season here like everyone he was rubbish. Found his feet in the Championship, steady the season we came back up and outstanding the year we finished 5th. He was an absolute parody every season after that.

Nobody isn't saying you're views aren't allowed or welcomed. Just we don't agree with them.

He was shite for the majority of his time here.

that signing Calvert Lewin as a backup for nowt has your knickers in a twist and you've dubbed it an Ashley signing, yet your avatar is actually of a clown Ashley signed that was relegated with us twice.

That doesn't make sense.

We wouldn't meet DCLs wage demands under Ashley.

PauloGeordio - the forums most happiest and positive poster - going toe-to-toe with it's most miserablist.

if you look the part then you're halfway there.

Do you reckon if we weren't shackled by PSR we'd be making a move for DCL on a free? I don't.

It's basically a rehash of the 2006/07 training stuff we had under Roeder.

I think we all would ideally.

Not sure if Globo are reliable or not, but they're saying Cunha to Man Utd deal is close. He's way too good for them man.

Not every transfer is going to be a banger. Villa signed 30-year old Ross Barkley from a relegated Luton side to pad their squad out. Signing DCL as backup for nowt doesn't diminish the quality in our starting XI. He's a decent age and a canny player, he'll chip in with a few goals. His injury record obviously isn't great but I don't think it's as bad as people have made out: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dominic-calvert-lewin/verletzungen/spieler/306024 It's definitely an improvement on Wilson's this season: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/callum-wilson/verletzungen/spieler/123682

We only knocked him back because his wage demands were too high no?

No, but getting a squad filler on a freebie allows us to be more creative in the market in more pressing positions like RW. I assume that's where Mitchell's creativity will come into play.

There's nothing wrong with DCL on a free as a backup.

https://www.adidas.co.uk/newcastle-united-fc-ubp-doubleknit-hoodie/JF2729.html?forceSelSize=M https://www.adidas.co.uk/newcastle-united-fc-ubp-track-top/JF2727.html https://www.adidas.co.uk/newcastle-united-fc-ubp-t-shirt/JF2730.html?pr=pdpctl_rr&slot=1&rec=ds

And then asked Howe where Paul Mitchell was on his bromance barometer.

21 years ago

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6227789/2025/04/25/aston-villa-finances-champons-league-wage-bill-losses/ Full piece in the latest BookKeeper series in The Athletic about Aston Villa's finances.