“We’re not close on anything.”

Intriguing comments coming out of Villa today:

Steven Gerrard on whether he has responsibility for transfer decisions:

“If we want to make signings here or in the other direction and we want people to go on loan or transfer a player in a different direction, it has to feel right collectively for the right people at the club. If it’s a case of that not feeling right, we discuss it and make a collective decision.”

Steven Gerrard on the likelihood of squad additions before the transfer window shuts in five days:

“There’s a lot of hard work going on in the background. We’re trying to explore one or two different situations to add to the group. There’s still time left and, when there’s something to say that’s concrete for our supporters, we’ll say and we’ll tell you that news but, at the moment, we’re not close on anything.”

Steven Gerrard on his squad:

“We continue to work and analyse if there’s anyone who can come in and help us. Until that happens, we work with what we’ve got to try and improve every single day. Hopefully by doing that, putting in the minutes in and coaching on the training ground, the mistakes or goals that we’re conceding will dry up. We’ve got a lot of talent and ability in the group but that doesn’t guarantee you consistency. There are a lot of things that need to fall into place.”

Steven Gerrard on his future:

“When you take over a club the size and the challenge of Aston Villa, there are numerous things you need to work on and progress: the team, the squad, the culture of the club, and the mentality of the players and staff around the building. It takes time and it’s a process. I believe we’ll get there in the end. I didn’t expect any quick fix or overnight fix. We’re certainly working every minute we can to improve the team and get to those consistent levels.”

Steven Gerrard on his influence on transfers:

“I think the easy thing in my position is to want, want, want and to try and be forceful. But I won’t do that because it doesn’t guarantee the results that you need when you’re going to make additions. If it means we have to be patient, I’m prepared to do that. I won’t be selfish in that way and, as I’ve said many times, if we are making additions they have to help us in the short, medium and long term."

Steven Gerrard on the owners’ parameters:

“OK if, for example, the right loan was available, that might make sense in this situation because we know Diego will make a return at some stage in the season and will return strong.”

Steven Gerrard on the squad he inherited:

“What we don’t want to do is collect players. I think I inherited a large group and it’s been quite challenging to find some of them football so we don’t want to get into a situation where we’re collecting players.

Steven Gerrard on the need for immediate improvement:

“They have to be the right players to improve us now. It’s a results-driven business and I’m aware that to make additions they have to make us more likely to get results in the short term.”

Steven Gerrard on where Villa can be this season: “

"Spending a lot doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to finish seventh in this league. There’s a lot of things you’ve got to go and show. Yeah, you can spend well and recruit well and that certainly helps but there’s a lot of components that you’ve got to be to operate at the top-end of the Premier League. It’s the most brutal league in the world but, if we’re fully fit and we keep making the right decisions, I’m confident we can move up this table, for sure.”

That to us does not sound like a guy who is 100% in charge of the direction anymore.

Continually denigrating his squad never seemed the most enlightened thing to do even in the pomp of his early results. Now though it looks like the sign of a guy gone fishing.

It might also be a good time to remind ourselves that Gerrard took over a side, and a squad, that had finished 11th in the Premier League the previous season....

And before anyone makes the obvious comparison don't forget:

• Smith without Grealish: Loss Rate 39%, Points Per Game 1.30

• Gerrard: Loss Rate 48%, Points Per Game 1.23