Lowton to Villa £3m

[Worksop_Blade]

Or that McCabe would prefer that the club be self sustaining?

A self sustaining football club is possible.

A self sustaining yet successful football club is an idea that belongs in a world of Unicorns and Mermaids, in other words bollocks.

It just can't be done.

 

[cooperblade]

Bear in mind that Cresswell was under contract at Stoke in the Premiership when we brought him on loan in September 2009. At the time we had just received £8m for Naughton and Walker, and before Cresswell was signed permanently we had sold Howard for 500k and Cotterill for 600k, as well as got rid of senior players like Hendrie, Bromby and Carney. I am quite sure that Blackwell was allowed to spend quite a lot, and at the time we prefered to spend our money on wages, not transfer fees - probably as the immediate expense doesn't seem too bad. We were then foolish enough to extend Cresswell's contract long before it was due to expire. My guess is 13k a week, not a problem if people don't believe that.

£13,000 a week would represent a very significant cut (over 20%) on what I'm, pretty reliably I think, told he was on at Stoke.

I can't imagine he'd have been willing to take much more of a cut than that (certainly not 50% plus) at a time when he didn't really need to.

The extensions handed out to Cresswell, Montgomery and Morgan are classic examples of McCabe showing ambition (he spent big to protect us from the threat, real or imagined, of losing our most experienced players) but being totally misguided in how and when he did it.

I think almost all of the mistakes that we're suffering the consequence of now were due to bad football decisions and misplaced ambition, a lack of ambition has not been the main cause of our downfall in my opinion.

 

[Darren]

£13,000 a week would represent a very significant cut (over 20%) on what I'm, pretty reliably I think, told he was on at Stoke.

I can't imagine he'd have been willing to take much more of a cut than that (certainly not 50% plus) at a time when he didn't really need to.

The extensions handed out to Cresswell, Montgomery and Morgan are classic examples of McCabe showing ambition (he spent big to protect us from the threat, real or imagined, of losing our most experienced players) but being totally misguided in how and when he did it.

I think almost all of the mistakes that we're suffering the consequence of now were due to bad football decisions and misplaced ambition, a lack of ambition has not been the main cause of our downfall in my opinion.

How long did he have left on his Stoke contract, though?

If his Stoke contract expired at the end of 2009-10, then he may well have taken the view that the most he was going to get from then on, given his age and so on, was around £6-8K a week and have been prepared to accept that with the added consolation of first team football (and I think Beattie mark II shows a player made financially secure by a career in the PL may be willing to take a significant drop in wages for first team football).

There is also the possibillity that Stoke paid off his contract with a lump sum in order to get him off their hands.

 

[broomhillblade]

Balham says it all. We missed the boat last year and now we have to face up to the consequences.

We've missed a lot of boats in recent years.

The one we're on now may be heading up the creek, but we've got to keep paddling.

 

[metalblade]

Nah we caught the boat sadly it was the Costa Concordia

 

[super_pig]

big Villa fan that works with me tells me that the fee for Lowton was 700k plus addons.. so if he plays 200 games, plays ten times for england and gets transferred to Real Madrid for 15 million then we might get somewhere near 2.5 mill. 3 million my arse..
i'm getting a bit fed up of this 'good business' argument. it would be 'good business' to shut the club down completely

 

[Balham]

Funny, isn't it, that we'll take any Villa fan's word for it that it was only £700k for Lowton when all the media types were happily reporting £3m.

I would have thought that the initial figure was £1m, with £1m guaranteed in instalments and a further £1m dependent on future success.

Oh, and please tell me United put a sell-on clause in.

 

[baggie192]

A self sustaining football club is possible.

A self sustaining yet successful football club is an idea that belongs in a world of Unicorns and Mermaids, in other words bollocks.

It just can't be done.

We seem to be doing ok, though. being 10th in Premier League, In fact we made a profit £9 Million last year. This how we did it. Every year we got promoted we made sure to strengthen the team maybe not to Premiership standard at first, but, Good enough to get out of the Championship at the first or second attempt. Then we'd go up and strengthen again. It truly surprises me that other teams didn't folllow our business model

 

[Worksop_Blade]

We seem to be doing ok, though. being 10th in Premier League, In fact we made a profit £9 Million last year. This how we did it. Every year we got promoted we made sure to strengthen the team maybe not to Premiership standard at first, but, Good enough to get out of the Championship at the first or second attempt. Then we'd go up and strengthen again. It truly surprises me that other teams didn't folllow our business model

West Brom's yoyo approach has paid off to an extent.

It depends on how you measure success?

I'd be delighted to finish 10th in the Prem but then the following season I'd be disappointed not to challenge for Europe.

Is making up the numbers in the Premiership better than gunning for promotion or fighting relegation (Wigan style)?

Its a good question.

 

[Kenilworth]

We seem to be doing ok, though. being 10th in Premier League, In fact we made a profit £9 Million last year. This how we did it. Every year we got promoted we made sure to strengthen the team maybe not to Premiership standard at first, but, Good enough to get out of the Championship at the first or second attempt. Then we'd go up and strengthen again. It truly surprises me that other teams didn't folllow our business model

You mean like getting rid of Robson before he royally fucked your club over with contracts that you could not afford?

Oh, shit!

 

[Kenilworth]

Aston Villa's Matt Lowton aims to emulate Phil Jagielka

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18767939

You mean fuck up in the last match you ever play for us (PoF pen) then piss off to the Prem and watch Sheff Utd slide down the leagues whilst your career goes from strenght to strength?

 

[metalblade]

Aston Villa's Matt Lowton aims to emulate Phil Jagielka

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18767939

You mean fuck up in the last match you ever play for us (PoF pen) then piss off to the Prem and watch Sheff Utd slide down the leagues whilst your career goes from strenght to strength?

only one trouble there is we can only slide down one more

 

[Kenilworth]

only one trouble there is we can only slide down one more

Like Luton, you mean?

 

[baggie192]

West Brom's yoyo approach has paid off to an extent.

It depends on how you measure success?

I'd be delighted to finish 10th in the Prem but then the following season I'd be disappointed not to challenge for Europe.

Is making up the numbers in the Premiership better than gunning for promotion or fighting relegation (Wigan style)?

Its a good question.

Well it beats a slow death in League 1

 

[Kenilworth]

Well it beats a slow death in League 1

I always thought that Megson was a snivelling gyppo. It's probably his curse that's still hanging over us.
I thought he just had a voodoo doll of Colin and had done with it. Must have been mistaken.


By the way, the death has not been that slow. You must be mistaking it for the pace of our forward line.

 

[baggie192]

I always thought that Megson was a snivelling gyppo. It's probably his curse that's still hanging over us.
I thought he just had a voodoo doll of Colin and had done with it. Must have been mistaken.


By the way, the death has not been that slow. You must be mistaking it for the pace of our forward line.

I understand That SGM is hated here for obvious reasons. It cannot be denied however that he laid the foundations of our success with two promotions. However by far the most important man at WBA is Dan Ashworth (the sporting & technical director) who was appointed in 2006. He brought Tony Mowbray, RDM and Roy Hodgson to the club. He's kind of a cross between Manager and Chief Scout. He's the reason why that since Robson we haven't had a manager. The title has become "Head Coach", he consults with the coach and brings in affordable players that inprove the team. The original poster I replied to said that a self sustaining club in the prem is a pipe dream. We are proof that he's wrong. Another said the yo yo approach only worked to extent, again he's missing the point. From 2009 onwards we've steadly improved ourselves within our own means. Its all about reinvestment and improvement that is all it takes

 

[Kenilworth]

I understand That SGM is hated here for obvious reasons. It cannot be denied however that he laid the foundations of our success with two promotions. However by far the most important man at WBA is Dan Ashworth (the sporting & technical director) who was appointed in 2006. He brought Tony Mowbray, RDM and Roy Hodgson to the club. He's kind of a cross between Manager and Chief Scout. He's the reason why that since Robson we haven't had a manager. The title has become "Head Coach", he consults with the coach and brings in affordable players that inprove the team. The original poster I replied to said that a self sustaining club in the prem is a pipe dream. We are proof that he's wrong. Another said the yo yo approach only worked to extent, again he's missing the point. From 2009 onwards we've steadly improved ourselves within our own means. Its all about reinvestment and improvement that is all it takes

Absolutely agree. WBA is a very good example of how well a modern day football club, without a hugely wealthy benefactor, should be run. Unfortunately the Blades are light years behind you guys.
While you are boinging we are bumping and the base of the barrel is an uncomfortable place.

 

[JohnDenver]

He's the reason why that since Robson we haven't had a manager.

You had Bryan Robson and recovered to become strong and sustainable. We had Bryan Robson and he condemned us to a decade of picking in the bins.

Kudos to Dan Ashworth.

 

[baggie192]

Absolutely agree. WBA is a very good example of how well a modern day football club, without a hugely wealthy benefactor, should be run. Unfortunately the Blades are light years behind you guys.
While you are boinging we are bumping and the base of the barrel is an uncomfortable place.

Thats what I've never understood, why other teams don't or haven't followed our lead. It only takes one promotion to do this, SGM proved this You go up build for the championship the next season come down strengthen again you're more then likely to go up again. Before Megson we were heading for League 1 and money trouble. This was 2001 so not that long ago. You have to be ruthless though Robson was a hero player for was sacked for underperforming when we were ninth. Mowbray came in we lost the play off final to Derby. The next year we were champions. Teams such as yourselves, Derby and Hull all seem to disappear. If the parachute payment are used as a parachute, you can't really fail

 

[Villafaninpeace]

Hello all, Villa fan here in peace.

It's interesting to read your comments on Lowton and it seems that we've signed ourselves a decent enough player with a good pedigree with the potential to improve. Although from what you fella's are saying there are still some flaws in his game so let's hope Lambert will help him develop as a player.

With all due respect to Sheffield United, it shows how far backwards we have gone as a club that we're happy to take on board a 3rd tier Right Back. I think in all honesty he'll have to fight for his place with the impressive Eric Lihaj rather than the bag of cack Alan Hutton. I wouldn't wish him on anybody, he's truly a liability!

It's interesting to see how you fans have seen this sale as an opportunity to have a knock at your club for selling another one of your prospects. I guess we're not too dissimilar really, when you consider we've had to sell on Barry, Milner, Young and Downing in the last two or three seasons. Football unfortunately is like that these days, and I'm sure you'll pick off the players from teams in your respective food chain.

I'm looking forward to Lambert's reign at Villa, and pleased we've signed Lowton, he seems like a decent enough chap who is well thought of by fans. The fee from down here seems to be around £1m, with add ons based on appearances and such which could rise to £3m, I think in terms of where you are at the moment if you'd have wanted much more than that then we might not have pursued the deal. The days of us throwing silly money around are long gone.

Anyway, good luck to you chaps for next season, I've always enjoyed my trips to Brammall Lane and found you lot to be far more knowledgeably about football and decent than the numbnuts from across your city. Hopefully you be back in the Premier League soon!

 

[metalblade]

Thats what I've never understood, why other teams don't or haven't followed our lead. It only takes one promotion to do this, SGM proved this You go up build for the championship the next season come down strengthen again you're more then likely to go up again. Before Megson we were heading for League 1 and money trouble. This was 2001 so not that long ago. You have to be ruthless though Robson was a hero player for was sacked for underperforming when we were ninth. Mowbray came in we lost the play off final to Derby. The next year we were champions. Teams such as yourselves, Derby and Hull all seem to disappear. If the parachute payment are used as a parachute, you can't really fail

Nah then my Baggie friend, nothing against your club or anything like that so don't take offence but what will you do when the Sky TV money runs dry as it surely will one day ? I could well be wrong here but personally I don't give a flying one about the Premiership and think a fair amount of the real football fans round the country are starting to feel the same, F1 is going the same way now it has sold out to Sky in other words the overpaid over-hyped losers the like of what we see in the England shirt are for many becoming a huge turn off, nobody really gives a fuck about a few millionaires who run about for 90 mins once a week and think they work hard. Seeing as you don't have Russian or Arab backer should the TV money stop you would find your club in a situation just like we are now in other words without TV cash you are nothing.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Nah then my Baggie friend, nothing against your club or anything like that so don't take offence but what will you do when the Sky TV money runs dry as it surely will one day ?

No sign of that happening at all.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Hello all, Villa fan here in peace.

It's interesting to read your comments on Lowton and it seems that we've signed ourselves a decent enough player with a good pedigree with the potential to improve. Although from what you fella's are saying there are still some flaws in his game so let's hope Lambert will help him develop as a player.

With all due respect to Sheffield United, it shows how far backwards we have gone as a club that we're happy to take on board a 3rd tier Right Back. I think in all honesty he'll have to fight for his place with the impressive Eric Lihaj rather than the bag of cack Alan Hutton. I wouldn't wish him on anybody, he's truly a liability!

It's interesting to see how you fans have seen this sale as an opportunity to have a knock at your club for selling another one of your prospects. I guess we're not too dissimilar really, when you consider we've had to sell on Barry, Milner, Young and Downing in the last two or three seasons. Football unfortunately is like that these days, and I'm sure you'll pick off the players from teams in your respective food chain.

I'm looking forward to Lambert's reign at Villa, and pleased we've signed Lowton, he seems like a decent enough chap who is well thought of by fans. The fee from down here seems to be around £1m, with add ons based on appearances and such which could rise to £3m, I think in terms of where you are at the moment if you'd have wanted much more than that then we might not have pursued the deal. The days of us throwing silly money around are long gone.

Anyway, good luck to you chaps for next season, I've always enjoyed my trips to Brammall Lane and found you lot to be far more knowledgeably about football and decent than the numbnuts from across your city. Hopefully you be back in the Premier League soon!

Eh up Villafan,

You've got yourself a little bargain in Lowton. Don't be too concerned about the comments regarding his defensive qualities, its a little exaggerated if you ask me. He is a decent enough defender but is very good going forward and I'm sure he will improve defensively as he matures. Kyle Walker was the same.

You're getting someone who is versatile and comfortable playing in a passing side. He can take players on and delivers a good ball into the box. Scores remarkably often for a full back as well but I imagine he will find scoring chances harder to come by in the top flight.

It will be a steep learning curve for him as he's young but he has all the attributes. If Lambert perseveres with him you'll have a very good player on your hands.

 

[Kenilworth]

It's interesting to see how you fans have seen this sale as an opportunity to have a knock at your club for selling another one of your prospects. I guess we're not too dissimilar really, when you consider we've had to sell on Barry, Milner, Young and Downing in the last two or three seasons.

Complete and UTTER BOLLOCKS my Villa friend. Let's look at "your prospects" shall we?

Barry = Brighton
Milner = Leeds
Young = Watford
Downing = 'Boro

Not one was a product of your academy - which is first class by the way (I did my level one there)

You could have had
Agbonlewendywhore
Delfouneso
Albrighton

None of whom have been sold on (the first one is shit anyway - headless chicken the second looks like he is following the same path) I like Albrighton, though

Possibly the only one you could claim was Cahill - sold for £5 mill to the Ginger Pig at Boulton.
Having said that you had to farm him out to Blades to get him in the shop window and the management (M'ON) didn't want him so hardly a similar scenario.

Let's face it - the players you cited that have moved on from Villa have been because a moeny bags team fancied them - not because you had failed miserably and then had a fire sale to survive in a shitter league.

Count your blessing feller - Pain is not found in supporting Villa

 

[JohnDenver]

Blimey, having a bad morning Kenners?

 

[Kenilworth]

Blimey, having a bad morning Kenners?

Not especially JD - I am a Blade - Nuff said

It's just some poncey, glory premiership boy comes on here offering empathy where none exists and thinks we are going to sympathise with his plight. Just putting him straight, that's all.

 

[Darren]

Eh up Villafan,

You've got yourself a little bargain in Lowton. Don't be too concerned about the comments regarding his defensive qualities, its a little exaggerated if you ask me. He is a decent enough defender but is very good going forward and I'm sure he will improve defensively as he matures. Kyle Walker was the same.

You're getting someone who is versatile and comfortable playing in a passing side. He can take players on and delivers a good ball into the box. Scores remarkably often for a full back as well but I imagine he will find scoring chances harder to come by in the top flight.

It will be a steep learning curve for him as he's young but he has all the attributes. If Lambert perseveres with him you'll have a very good player on your hands.

On a point of information, Walker is a year younger than Lowton. Whilst the former was winning the PFA young player of the year award and playing for England, the latter was being a decent player in Division 3. The two are hardly comparable.

Lowton is 23, so not that young at all in football terms and, it seemed, found his level in a top half third division team (he couldn't get in a top half second tier team). I would be highly surprised if he goes straight into Villa's first team.

 

[raul]

Neglect not also the fact that, if a couple or maybe three tops results had gone differently, we'd be playing them this year, though this is not suggest we're as big as Villa.

I'm very interested in the Bggies comments though but would suggest the credit needs to go to Jeremy Peace rather than Cocksocket, for a) dispensing with Cocksocket when Cocksocket was on his "I am the messiah and the fans love me Mr Chariman, now do my bidding" one, b) for correctly identifying the best way to run a successful football club is by running the football club rather than using it as a dooropener in new markets for your day job and finally c) sticking to your long term plan when short term setbacks intervene.

It may well go wrong further down the line as it did for Charlton, but they've managed Premiership football on 24k crowds with ST prices lower than ours in some areas for a few years now, it has to be a "well done" from me.

 

[Chris1012]

Just bring back Borbokis, that would sort it all out

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

On a point of information, Walker is a year younger than Lowton. Whilst the former was winning the PFA young player of the year award and playing for England, the latter was being a decent player in Division 3. The two are hardly comparable.

Lowton is 23, so not that young at all in football terms and, it seemed, found his level in a top half third division team (he couldn't get in a top half second tier team). I would be highly surprised if he goes straight into Villa's first team.

I was merely comparing criticism of their defensive qualities, which Kyle Walker also received a bit of when he was sold to Spurs. All I'm saying is things can be improved as long as you've got the natural talent.

Think you're underestimating Lowton a tad. He was being a decent player in division 3 because he had previously received limited opportunities to prove he was any better (with the exception of a few good performances in the Championship I might add). 23 is not that old either, he's still relatively young and at that age he has years of improvement ahead.

Whether he gets straight into Villa's starting eleven, only Lambert knows but he's certainly making those kind of sounds about it.