Barry has fallen for the flattery big time - I found that quite disappointing - and wants away now whatever the cost. MON is being villified in some quarters for standing his ground and sticking to the fee we have asked. I am amazed by the number of articles I have read that paint his behaviour as akin to a spoilt boy, stamping his feet because Liverpool won't capitulate; some acknowledge that he should be praised for not allowing Villa to be walked all over by the likes of Liverpool.

The most recent story about the 5pm deadline is also manipulated to read in different ways.."Midlanders changing the goalpost at the last minute" when apparently we disputed the payment schedule that LFC submitted after the deadline. Just what is the truth in all this? I really would like to know!

I guess, in the end, he will go - somewhere. I really believe that if he ends up at Liverpool he will not get a regular slot and will ultimately regret his decision. If Barry really is not in it for the money, why hasn't he put in a transfer request? Would that not have made the move smoother?

I don't understand how the Keane move went through so quickly - where did the money for that come from?

What I do know is that I want this resolved once and for all and I want to read about players who want to come and play for us - not the ones who want to go. The PR is damaging us and I have a theory that LFC are doing this deliberately because they want to muck up our summer transfer business. I reckon of all the clubs hot on the heels of that 4th spot (the LFC spot), Liverpool fear us the most in the longer term and all this mess with the Barry transfer - or not- is wrecking our ability to focus on who we want to attract to the club. It can't be helping prospective players' view of AVFC, especially the foreign ones. It's damaging. So although MON is right to stick to his guns, it's not doing our chances of bringing new blood to Villa any good at all. Surely Barry must see that it is damaging the club?

So, here's to a quick resolution to this ridiculous saga!

If LFC were really willing to sell Steve Finnan to us as part of the deal yesterday, why did they let him play in the match last night against Villareal?

Over and out!