If you could guarantee an upgrade that wouldn't change our transfer strategy then of course, get rid of everyone if you can upgrade and that would be the case for any player at any club in the world. But for areas that we need to strengthen/ replace right now, goalkeeper isn't a priority for me.

Amos is capable and the fact he doesn't stand out but still performs well is a bonus. He's not flash or gobby and gets the job done. That seemed to instill more confidence in the defence as well.

As much as it could be financially good for us, it’s all very bleak isn’t it?

5 hours ago, WilliamBriscoe said:

We desperately need a first choice goalkeeper. This would leave Amos as a decent second choice.

We will bring in another keeper but that will be to compete for the number one spot and not to go automatically in there,Amos has done nothing wrong to lose the shirt as it stands imo

 

Experienced keeper Scott Flinders has failed to agree terms with Mansfield so has left them but at 39 I would think we will be looking at a younger keeper maybe 23/24 who we can sign on a longer deal

1 hour ago, JoeB2 said:

As much as it could be financially good for us, it’s all very bleak isn’t it?

In what way Joe?

Edited June 19, 2025Jun 19 by Brian Johnson

12 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

In what Joe?

Iran-Israel conflict. Carol's mission of peace and harmony through the Foundation will attract well known pacifist Barry Bannan as his wage will instead be donated to UNICEF, but for the rest of us, its World War 3.

How would that Freddie Lawrie transfer work (if it did happen)? Does anyone know?

Do we get some sort of sell-on/percentage cut if Man City pay more than Villa did for him? 

At the time Lawrie moved from Vale to Villa it was reported to be a club record move for a teenager for Villa. Their previous record was £600k so presumably Lawrie cost more than that. 

Hopefully, we do get a cut and Man City think he's worth about £50m. That would do nicely... 

 

2 hours ago, barny61 said:

Not having a go at you here WB, but can you name an available keeper that you think would be an upgrade on Amos (without breaking the bank) 

I thought Amos had a decent season and added a sense of calmness to the defence once Ripley had gone. 

He let the odd goal in that perhaps we all think he should have saved, but even the best keepers do that. 

There is a dearth of good, reliable, in their prime goalkeepers at a lower level. Even Birmingham and Wrexham, who got promoted at League One level last year, faffed about with their goalkeepers.

Young loanees are always going to be expected to play by their parent clubs, like Goodman at Wimbledon, Sharman-Lowe at Doncaster, and Simkin at Walsall, while experienced number ones come at a price or high wages for the level. You very rarely pick up a cheap goalkeeper and they end up being a reliable number one. Look at Nathan Broome.

Amos came last year no doubt because of the wages on offer and his prior relationship with Gary Walsh, and we all predicted at the time he would start ahead of Ripley, which was wrong. He's the exception to the rule.

4 minutes ago, robf said:

How would that Freddie Lawrie transfer work (if it did happen)? Does anyone know?

Do we get some sort of sell-on/percentage cut if Man City pay more than Villa did for him? 

At the time Lawrie moved from Vale to Villa it was reported to be a club record move for a teenager for Villa. Their previous record was £600k so presumably Lawrie cost more than that. 

Hopefully, we do get a cut and Man City think he's worth about £50m. That would do nicely... 

 

I think it would be better for us Rob if he stayed at Villa and made the first team and then was sold for a fair whack,sadly Man City will pay a lot less than if he was a first team player which is bad for us really. We just have to hope that Man City isn't the only club who wants him

Hello! New to the forum, and no idea if this has been discussed on here before (embarrassing if so), but you've been in talks with Ben Waine for a while now. He was released from Plymouth in the summer. 

1 minute ago, werstayinup said:

I think it would be better for us Rob if he stayed at Villa and made the first team and then was sold for a fair whack,sadly Man City will pay a lot less than if he was a first team player which is bad for us really. We just have to hope that Man City isn't the only club who wants him

I would agree. However, even if he did move now it could be a (smaller) windfall. From Villa's perspective if they have paid over £600k for a teenager they are hardly going to let him go for peanuts so I would imagine it would take a few million to get him even now. However, as you say, if he gets into the first-team then that amount could potentially be tens of millions. 

I think there is normally a percentage for the "founding" club if a youth team player moves on so here's hoping...

1 minute ago, icomeinpeace said:

Hello! New to the forum, and no idea if this has been discussed on here before (embarrassing if so), but you've been in talks with Ben Waine for a while now. He was released from Plymouth in the summer. 

Thanks and I hope you enjoy OVF. 

9 minutes ago, robf said:

How would that Freddie Lawrie transfer work (if it did happen)? Does anyone know?

Do we get some sort of sell-on/percentage cut if Man City pay more than Villa did for him? 

As I understand, Clubs that have trained a player at youth level are eligible to a % of solidarity payment. It scales based on how long they were at the club, between the ages of 12-23.

But, if it was a free transfer, then I don't think there is anything, obviously. And this only applies to international transfers. 

For domestic transfers there would have to be a clause built in, I believe. 

4 minutes ago, NW9Valiant said:

As I understand, Clubs that have trained a player at youth level are eligible to a % of solidarity payment. It scales based on how long they were at the club, between the ages of 12-23.

But, if it was a free transfer, then I don't think there is anything, obviously. And this only applies to international transfers. 

For domestic transfers there would have to be a clause built in, I believe. 

I think all the kids that moved on have clauses in their deals even when really young like Ndala was