Part of this is also about sell on value, it has to be for Villa after the disastrous signings under O'Neill and then Houllier and McLeish that will cost the club fortunes in never getting their money back following poor displays on the pitch.
Benetek 9.5 I defy anyone to find a better 21 year old centre forward for us to buy for in or under £7 million quid. Big, powerful, quick, good attitude and lovely touch for a big fella (tm P.Crouch) great in the air and knows where the net is. Frightening to think what he will be at 25, and even more so how good he would be in a good team. I reckon we would see little less than £20m if he were to leave next summer, judging on other fees such as Carroll, given his age too. Terrific signing.
Lowton 8- Really like him, can't think of a shocker he's had this season. Not much to add, doubled his value for sure, and reminds me of Mark Delaney without the slide!
Ron 8- Thought he took a bit of time to adjust, but since being captain has grown by the week. Big man, big heart and big player for us. Getting an international centre half for £3 million was robbery. We paid 5 for Collins and gave him more in wages. We paid 10 for Curtis Davies. Vlaar was a steal.
Westwood 8- Classy footballer. Rarely gives it away and has a maturity on the pitch. Very good signing for £2 million, considering what we paid for Delph, and again considering his age.
KEA 5- Looks a bit like Petrov did when he arrived to me, decent first outing, but then constantly struggling with the physical nature and the pace of the league. Not written him off having a very good second season, unless he is used to get another player out of holland in exchange. Paid so little I doubt we will lose out on the deal.
Bennett 5 - Rabbit caught in headlights so far. Needs bulk, heart and fitness to come good. 2-3 months in the reserves and he could re-emerge. Looked to have a very decent left peg. Can't see us losing money on him long term.
Guzan - 9 - It took Lambert coming to re sign Brad, so he should be seen as his signing. On a free, his performance after taking the lead the other night showed what a good keeper he is becoming. Brad Snr and Given would not have taken the pressure off their side the way Brad did by coming and getting the ball off the heads of the forwards. Not many better keepers in the league, and Given is very unlucky that he has had Hart and Guzan maturing behind him at City and Villa. Worth a fortune now, and very thankful we signed him.
The reason we are down the bottom is not these players. It is the depth of the squad around them being very weak, and I am sure given 2-3 seasons if Lambert is given time, he will continue to increase the size of the squad, increase the competition and sign some more good players. I am sure there will be the odd duffer too, but he has done bloody well with the 22-23 million he spent last summer for me.