McCormack wants to join us and fee agreed with fulham

[ron obvious 1,499]

Looks like he''s gawn:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3719927/Aston-Villa-beat-Norwich-14m-signing-Fulham-striker-Ross-McCormack.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

[Thecanaryfan 0]

[quote user="ron obvious"]Looks like he''s gawn:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3719927/Aston-Villa-beat-Norwich-14m-signing-Fulham-striker-Ross-McCormack.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490[/quote]

One doe not simply buy Ross McCormack. Tomorrow morning the Daily Mail will look like a bunch of dix, again.

Though if it is true, which I doubt, we should all collectively breathe a sigh of relief. 12m was more than generous.

[Thecanaryfan 0]

[quote user="Dame to Blame"]Just get him in , if we go up 12 million plus is small change.[/quote]

And what if we don''t go up clever cloggs?

[Essjayess 307]

Hopefully now  this 39 page topic can slide down the messageboard ladder, for someone to create the start of a 39 page Assambalonga topic, which should happily take us to end of August when finally we can concentrate on Cam and Laffs carrying us thru until January.

[Dame to Blame 95]

[quote user="Thecanaryfan"][quote user="Dame to Blame"]Just get him in , if we go up 12 million plus is small change.[/quote]

And what if we don''t go up clever cloggs?

[/quote]

We would have a better chance with him in the squad than the miss firing strikers we have in the team ATM . A proven Striker at this level for the last 4 years . And if we didnt go up and the club needed to sell we could probably still get 6 to 8 million for him. Worth the gamble without a doubt. If your so clever Thecanaryfan what would your solution be then im all ears.

[Alex Moss 2,165]

Thank f*** for that! - now let''s go get someone below state pension age 👍

[Katie Borkins 1]

This season''s Quagiarella award goes to Ross McCormack.

[93vintage 16]

I wouldn''t be averse to this kind of signing if our squad were in a good condition. Maybe worth pushing the boat out in the knowledge that we were well stocked and could afford the gamble. A calculated risk to help push us over the line.The problem is that our squad desperately needs replenishing to the extent that we''re already past the point at which we''re not going to be able to afford to maintain the quality, let alone improve it.We''re certainly not going to be able to compete, and it will take longer to develop a team when when we need to replace several of the (older) core of our squad in a short space of time. Something has got to give somewhere, regardless of what division we''re in.What seems to be emerging is that post-McNally we don''t really have a football board, or any kind of board-level transfer strategy in place. I''d have to wonder if trying to buy McCormack would happen if a relative spendthrift like Jex Moxey was behind his desk at Carrow Road.

[Jim Smith 2,314]

[quote user="93vintage"]I wouldn''t be averse to this kind of signing if our squad were in a good condition. Maybe worth pushing the boat out in the knowledge that we were well stocked and could afford the gamble. A calculated risk to help push us over the line.The problem is that our squad desperately needs replenishing to the extent that we''re already past the point at which we''re not going to be able to afford to maintain the quality, let alone improve it.We''re certainly not going to be able to compete, and it will take longer to develop a team when when we need to replace several of the (older) core of our squad in a short space of time. Something has got to give somewhere, regardless of what division we''re in.What seems to be emerging is that post-McNally we don''t really have a football board, or any kind of board-level transfer strategy in place. I''d have to wonder if trying to buy McCormack would happen if a relative spendthrift like Jex Moxey was behind his desk at Carrow Road.[/quote]

Vintage - I don''t really agree about the squad. I think our squad is generally strong with the one glaring omission being up front (and left back if Olsson is allowed to leave). We have good experience across the board and a decent crop of youngsters who are now perhaps ready to be gradually introduced. That''s why we can afford to spend on a marquee signing, an oven ready proven goalscorer such as McCormack and why it''s so disappointing we have missed out and a rival has strengthened in the process.

[cornish sam 944]

It''s interesting that you use this as a chance to bash the post McNally board vintage. One could just as reasonably argue that this is an example of McNally''s shortsightedness and lack of succession planning that has left us in such a situation and we are now trying to play catch up....

[Alex Moss 2,165]

To be fair, he isn''t a Villa player yet officially. It maybe (read likely) that Fulham are stirring this all up to maximise what they can get for him - we may go back in with a better offer, with a more attractive deal for McCormack himself. Personally am not that fussed either way but if he comes will welcome with open arms like all new signings, if not then I look forward to seeing what our next move is 👍

[Yellowbeagle 0]

[quote user="cornish sam"]It''s interesting that you use this as a chance to bash the post McNally board vintage. One could just as reasonably argue that this is an example of McNally''s shortsightedness and lack of succession planning that has left us in such a situation and we are now trying to play catch up....[/quote]

For Christ sake it''s not a monarchy. When do you know anyone to look for their own successor at work unless they actually own the business.

[Woodman 92]

Moose on Talksport says we''re in for Pritchard now - would probably suit our system more than McCormack, but I think we still need another target man type striker if Jerome is injured or off form.

[Indy_Bones 441]

I just hope it''s true, that he has gone to Villa and thus we''ve dodged a massive bullet in the process.14 mil for a guy who''s pretty much 30, has no re-sale value, doesn''t fit AN''s system and takes up likely the vast majority of our transfer budget - no f**king thank you.You only have to look at the prices that FAR better players have been signed for to realise that Fulham were just trying to extort the carp out of whoever they could:Bony to Swansea - 12 milDzeko to Roma - 9.25 milBalotelli to Liverpool - 16 milSturridge to Liverpool - 12 milTevez to Juventus - 12 milVan Persie to Fenerbahce - 4 milI could go on for ages, but there isn''t a single player in that short list that isn''t TWICE the player McCormack is, ALL of whom are proven goalscorers at the top level and aside from Balotelli, ALL of them cost less than what Villa are apparently paying for McCormack!!!14 mil for a Championship level striker at the wrong end of the age spectrum is beyond laughable and into an entirely new world of the ridiculous...

[Alex Moss 2,165]

Interesting Woodman, I was thinking about this last night actually.

A lot of you folks know plenty more about Pritchard than myself - would you say he''s a similar sort of player to McCormack because he sounds like it to me, far younger with an eye for goal (and from the little I''ve seen he could easily play that part?).

[Alex Moss 2,165]

I dunno Indy Bones, in all fairness Balotelli started brightly at Man City but seems to have got worse and worse...

None of those strikers are possibilities though, even if they did go for less money than what Ross McCormack eventually will.

[Indy_Bones 441]

[quote user="Alex "]None of those strikers are possibilities though, even if they did go for less money than what Ross McCormack eventually will.[/quote]It shouldn''t matter as to whether or not they''d come here though Alex, the point being that those guys (and plenty more besides) are all superior players to McCormack, and most importantly - they were all cheaper in terms of a transfer fee (I expect wages were crazy in some cases though).Let me put it another way, if you were paying Ferrari money, you''d expect the dealership to deliver a Ferrari, and not a souped up Escort Cosworth that may well be as fast as you need in most cases, but it simply isn''t as good as a Ferrari, and more importantly - isn''t worth even half what the Ferrari is, so why the hell would you pay Ferrari money instead of Cosworth money when in fact you''re getting a Cosworth delivered???

[Essjayess 307]

Only problem with that transfer list you showed Indy is  none of them are from this close season, when the Sky money to the Prem is vastly bigger, which affects all deals, plus simple fact is Fulham paid 11 mill for McCormack 2 yrs ago and were insistant on a profit. As regards money only, discounting age, you would not get Kodjia or Assombalonga for 12 million either, so McCormacks fee is not that over priced any longer.

[Alex Moss 2,165]

I get what you''re saying IB, but RM, I''m lead to believe, is a Ferrari in this division. As RvW was a Relient Robin 😉

[unique 434]

So Norwich have spent two weeks trying to play clever over signing one of THE guaranteed goal scorers in the Championship, only for Aston Villa to snatch him from under their noses.

Norwich City''s transfer dealings couldn''t come across more amateurish if they tried.

[Van wink 2,994]

What disappoints me is if we really wanted him we should have done enough to get him. If we didn''t really want him then why bother.

[Stone 0]

[quote user="Indy_Bones"]I just hope it''s true, that he has gone to Villa and thus we''ve dodged a massive bullet in the process.14 mil for a guy who''s pretty much 30, has no re-sale value, doesn''t fit AN''s system and takes up likely the vast majority of our transfer budget - no f**king thank you.You only have to look at the prices that FAR better players have been signed for to realise that Fulham were just trying to extort the carp out of whoever they could:Bony to Swansea - 12 milDzeko to Roma - 9.25 milBalotelli to Liverpool - 16 milSturridge to Liverpool - 12 milTevez to Juventus - 12 milVan Persie to Fenerbahce - 4 milI could go on for ages, but there isn''t a single player in that short list that isn''t TWICE the player McCormack is, ALL of whom are proven goalscorers at the top level and aside from Balotelli, ALL of them cost less than what Villa are apparently paying for McCormack!!!14 mil for a Championship level striker at the wrong end of the age spectrum is beyond laughable and into an entirely new world of the ridiculous...[/quote]

The transfer fees for those players may be less than McCormack is going to go for but the wages for most of those players are in a different stratosphere and over the course of a contract they would cost significantly more than the overall cost of signing McCormack.

It''s also a case of where you are and what you need... we''re in the championship and need a proven goal scorer at the this level. For what it''s worth I agree with you that he doesn''t seem a suitable option for us given his age and how we tend to set up as a team.

[ZLF 271]

To me it looks like Fulham have played a blinder; they have cash from dembele sale (Celtic as no prem interest) so are not desperate for money or a quick sale.

They have RM for 4 years so can insist on both price and payment terms - RM wishes largely out of the equation.

They know clubs will increase offers the closer the window shutting gets; yes newcastle dropped out and villa went quiet but no harm for them to wait.

Will sell a couple of players and have the cash to offer more.

Waiting game has paid off. OTT fee agreed. Which means we either pay OTT too (for a player that doesnt fit our needs well) or move on.

RM hasnt signed for Villa yet - if RM does prefer here he will be getting his agent to see how he can encourage us to raise our offer.

Personally I am happy for us to walk away as his signing seemed a square peg for a round hole signing.

[Essjayess 307]

Many on this topic said if we really wanted McCormack why not just throw the extra million or two at Fulham to get it done, but plainly we are a relegated team which  not an everlasting pot of money to throw at clubs,especially after our January signings. Alex said at the weekend that City would  not be spending no more than they had offered at that moment, indicating they had reached the ceiling on the amount they could offer. Its fine if you  have mega rich owners, throwing "another million or two" is simple.I think Alex may rue what he said after Saturdays game, along with McCormack "we may get one or two others over the line". Quite possibly may get none at all Alex.

[93vintage 16]

[quote user="Jim Smith"][quote user="93vintage"]I wouldn''t be averse to this kind of signing if our squad were in a good condition. Maybe worth pushing the boat out in the knowledge that we were well stocked and could afford the gamble. A calculated risk to help push us over the line.The problem is that our squad desperately needs replenishing to the extent that we''re already past the point at which we''re not going to be able to afford to maintain the quality, let alone improve it.We''re certainly not going to be able to compete, and it will take longer to develop a team when when we need to replace several of the (older) core of our squad in a short space of time. Something has got to give somewhere, regardless of what division we''re in.What seems to be emerging is that post-McNally we don''t really have a football board, or any kind of board-level transfer strategy in place. I''d have to wonder if trying to buy McCormack would happen if a relative spendthrift like Jex Moxey was behind his desk at Carrow Road.[/quote]

Vintage - I don''t really agree about the squad. I think our squad is generally strong with the one glaring omission being up front (and left back if Olsson is allowed to leave). We have good experience across the board and a decent crop of youngsters who are now perhaps ready to be gradually introduced. That''s why we can afford to spend on a marquee signing, an oven ready proven goalscorer such as McCormack and why it''s so disappointing we have missed out and a rival has strengthened in the process.[/quote]Don''t get me wrong, some of the youngsters we''ve bought (or nurtured via our academy) look promising, but several are 18-21 and hence might take a while to improve enough to become regulars. Some might not even make the grade.In general I think there are too many older heads that''ll need replacing in a relatively short period. Instead of buying more older players, we need more in their mid 20s who are experienced enough to go straight into the first team, but young enough to improve and fatten the wallet after a few years service. A few more purchases like Howson, Ryan Bennett and Brady would see us more sustainable, and hopefully more successful.Bottom line, we might have a few seasons of underperformance as we realise that we don''t have the money to buy like-for-like replacements in terms of quality and experience. Prices keep rising, but we''re at the mercy of the market rather than taking advantage of it.

[First Wazzock 902]

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/08/02/aston-villa-agree-ross-mccormack-deal/

Medical today...

[ricardo 7,343]

Paying more than you can afford is the road to ruin. When the price goes above your ceiling, you walk away.

[Alex Moss 2,165]

[quote user="First Wazzock"]http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/08/02/aston-villa-agree-ross-mccormack-deal/

Medical today...[/quote]

👍

Still don''t know how many can blame OUR club when we know NOTHING of the circumstances surrounding this transfer. It''s assumed that we''ve f***ed up but how do you truly know?

[93vintage 16]

[quote user="cornish sam"]It''s interesting that you use this as a chance to bash the post McNally board vintage. One could just as reasonably argue that this is an example of McNally''s shortsightedness and lack of succession planning that has left us in such a situation and we are now trying to play catch up....[/quote]Well I''d sound like a broken record if I made the same points each and every week. But a lot of what''s being said about buying an older player like McCormack for big money echos what I''ve been saying for several months.We need to be a bit more old school, and build up the club via buying low and selling high. As soon as we get away from that, dazzled by the bright lights and big money, then we start to lose our way.I''d agree about McNally leaving us in a state, and it seems like he''s responsible for a lot of the mess left behind as he had a lot of power (according to Tilly''s secret sauce). I''ll leave bashing the board up to Jez Moxey, as I''m sure he''ll knock a few heads together when he arrives.

[cornish sam 944]

I was talking about succession planning across the team, not his own successor. It''s something that any good manager should do, plan for when team members move on or get too old and that hasn''t been done effectively for a while now due to the short-termisim that permeates football.