Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: ROBBO on November 28, 2012, 08:38:41 AM
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Watching the game last night i thought the players the he bought in played well. How high would you rate the players he's bought.
1.Benteke 8
2.Westwood 7
3.Kea 5
4. Ron 8
5. Lowton 7
6. Bennet 4
7.Guzan 8
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Guzan & Benteke 9
Ron Vladir 8
Lowton and Westwood 7
Others 5
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Benteke, Westwood and Vlaar 8
Lowton, Guzan 7
Kea gets a six just thanks to that great goal against everton
Bennet 5, need to see more
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1.Benteke 8 Big potential
2.Westwood 9 Looks a class act and can only get better
3.Kea 5 steady
4. Ron 4/5 I'm unconvinced so far. Some good performances, some glaring errors
5. Lowton 7 Looks a good solid full back
6. Bennet 4 Good on the ball, needs to be stronger for me
7.Guzan 8 Good decision to re-sign him
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I don't think you can look at the purchases in isolation; although it's a good measure of their eye for talent..
But I think the new management / coaching team have also exploited the talent in BB, Lichaj, Weimann, Stevens and Baker.
Taken together, I think the jury is out on Bennett and KEA, but the rest are looking good.
There's work to be done with Clark who has a had a mixed season and gives too many fouls away. And I'm disappointed that Herd has not had more pitch time (although he's also had an injury that has stunted his opportunities).
There's much to be optimistic about, but only if we retain the EPL status.
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Benteke - 8 - delivering the goods already
KEA - 4 - not convinced by him at all, doesn't appear to be particularly good at any one thing in midfield
Vlaar - 6 - decent defender
Lowton - 7 - has made the step up quite well, needs to be better with his final ball
Bennett - 5 - not much to go on, but looks weak and not ready for a full Premier League season
Westwood - 6 - doesn't look out of his depth and is neat and tidy
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1.Benteke 8 - On good form. Be interested to see how he performs with better service from the wings.
2.Westwood 7 - Tidy midfielder. One of this new breed of tidy 10 yard passers like Britton, Allen and Carrick. Fashionable.
3.Kea 6 - Not sure what his best role would be in the team. Can pass and works hard. Nothing special. Squad player.
4. Ron 7 - Tough and physical. Lack of pace and poor positioning at times. A steady player. First choice.
5. Lowton 8 - Now one of the first picks in the team. Has grown quickly.
6. Bennet 5 - Unsure, looks too lightweight. Nicky Shorey Mark II.
7.Guzan 8 - A real presence. Better than Friedel was when he was here and a vast improvement on a fading Given. Top drawer.
8. Bowery - Unknown.
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Benteke Westwood , Lowton & Guzan -8. All look very good
Vlaar 7. Solid
Bennett 6 not really been match fit and injury plagued
Kea 5. Needs to up the tempo
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Considering the cost of the players who came in I am largely impressed. Benteke, Vlaar, Westwood an Lowton the pick of the bunch. I've not seen enough of Bennet to decide but he's looked decent with plenty of scope for improvement. KEA might not cut it, he seems to be struggling to find his feet, and let's face it he's had as much time as Jean II so no doubt we'll be calling for him to be fucked off in Jan. It's not the finished article but a work in progress. Oh and sorry I hate rating by numbers.
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They all look good with the exception of KEA, who has been more average than poor, and Bennett, who it's unfair to judge yet given injuries.
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1.Benteke 9- He's our main goal threat with Bent out of the team. He has already proven himself a match-winner and can only get better. Hope we hold onto him for a few seasons. If not, we are sure to make a good profit.
2.Westwood 8 - Wasn't sure at first but we look better since he came into the side and that can't be a coincidence.
3. Kea 5 - Hasn't kicked on yet. Was shocking the last couple of times after a bright start.
4. Ron 8 - Probably the foundation of the side, an experienced and steady head who rarely puts a foot wrong.
5. Lowton 8 - Like a Mark Delaney or Dennis Irwin. Slots in and does a job. Looks like he has played this level years.
6. Bennet 5 - He hasn't played enough to rate. Initial thoughts: he won't be as good as Lowton.
7.Guzan 8 - Probably will be one of the best 'keepers in the league before long.Immense.
8. Bowery - I doubt any of us can asnwer that one...
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Potentially they all look good signings.However, with 13 points from 14 games I think it's a bit premature to be rating them highly as they have all played large chunks of the games. End of the season will be fairer to assess.
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Benteke - 9. Currently our best player and capable of scoring and making chances, having a physical presence helps the team, and he is proving to be a real handful for opposition defenders. Cost a few bob, and looks worth it.
Westwood - 8. Composed, available, and rarely gives the ball away. The team has looked a lot more solid since he came in, and he is at an age where he is likely to get better and better. Possibly a future captain.
Vlaar - 6. Expected more from Vlaar given his age and pedigree. I like his leadership, but he does seem rather average in ability. Workmanlike.
Bennett - 4. Poor thus far, but there is time for him to improve and expect he will turn out reasonable.
KEA - 5. Not very good at anything, ponderous, and not the ball winner/ leader I thought we were getting. Disappointing, especially considering how good he looked pre season.
Guzan - 8. Much better than Given, and was a freebie.
Bowery - 6. Hard to judge till he plays, but inexpensive at least. Keeping a 20 million pound player on the bench!
Lowton - 8. Currently our best player in defence, and when you consider how much we paid for his predecessor it illustrates what great value he was.
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Benteke 9
Lowton 8
Westwood 7 (earlier days for him)
Vlaar 7
Bennett 3 - has struggled
KEA - 5
Bowery 10 - must be awesome if he's relegated Bent to the stands.
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For the money paid most are pretty good signings. but how many of them would have been in our first team 3 to 4 seasons ago.
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For the money paid most are pretty good signings. but how many of them would have been in our first team 3 to 4 seasons ago.
I thought that when they showed the clip of Laursen scoring on Sky Sports last night. A team with Young, Laursen and Carew etc.
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Benteke 8 - looks a real handful and is contributing with goals.
Guzan 8 - inspired move to re-sign him. Has been very solid.
Vlaar 7- natural leader who is strong defensively and is decent on the ball.
Lowton 7 - has adapted well to the Premier League and is reminiscent of Mark Delaney. Needs to offer more going forward though.
Westwood 7 - has been good the past few games and looks comfortable in the top flight.
KEA 6 - has faded a little over the past few weeks after a good start to the season.
Bennett 5 - has struggled a little in the few games he has played, but has shown glimpses of quality.
Bowery - unfair to make an assessment at this point.
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Bowery 10 - must be awesome if he's relegated Bent to the stands.
Unless there's a couple of injuries, all we'll see him do is warm up (kind of the new Mattieu Berson or Vaclav Drobny)
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
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1.Benteke 8. Probably be 10 by the end of the season. What a gem.
2.Westwood 7. Again, it'll rise. The lad is talent. It could be an 8 in a few weeks if he keeps up this level of performance.
3.KEA 6. He started well, seems everyone has given up on him already but he has talent and he'll do well for us.
4. Vlaar 8. Concrete Ron. Enough said.
5. Lowton 8. Most surprisingly he's already the most settled. Benteke, Westy & Vlaar all look brilliant but you can see they're not 100% settled yet. Lowton is. He's made a massive step up and he's settled in perfectly. Every inch the Premiership full back. Bargain.
6. Bennett 6. Early to judge, but he's good. Needs to maybe work on the physical side and get stronger but a good signing none the less.
7. Guzan 8. What a god-damn keeper. Sensational. Great shot stopper, commanding and a vital part of our team.
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For the money paid most are pretty good signings. but how many of them would have been in our first team 3 to 4 seasons ago.
Benteke would be there or thereabouts. RB was always pretty weak for us in the MON years so I think Lowton would have. Or alternatively, if we're talking the years when Olly was playing RB, then Vlaar would get in at CB.
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
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For the money paid most are pretty good signings. but how many of them would have been in our first team 3 to 4 seasons ago.
Benteke would be there or thereabouts. RB was always pretty weak for us in the MON years so I think Lowton would have. Or alternatively, if we're talking the years when Olly was playing RB, then Vlaar would get in at CB.
I think that's a fair point, although he'd probably have had Lowton at left back and Vlaar at right back. *Bing bong, Percy to the thread please*
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I agree. I like the idea of what we're trying to do and of course long term I'll stick with the plan. It's frustrating to watch match to match though because of the inconsistency of performance that comes with a long term plan.
I suppose 3 extra points from where we are now would make it all a bit more relaxing. Obviously everyone is different but I find what we are trying to achieve now more enjoyable than the MON era which ultimately achieved nothing other than debt. How more enjoyable will a nice steady climb up the league over a few seasons be and then ending up as a self sustaining top 6 club.
Back to thread, Guzan, Bentike, Westwood will be part of the squad for as long as we can keep them. The rest will be part of the rotation of the squad upwards over time. Don't think we'll lose money on any of them.
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
If it's a case of rating them out of ten on how they're doing so far I can't see see how scores of 8's and 9's can be bandied around when we're in 17th spot. Potentially yes, but currently no.
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
It's like a waiter asking how your meal was half way through your starter.
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
It's like a waiter asking how your meal was half way through your starter.
No, it's like a waiter asking how your starter is halfway through your starter.
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
It's like a waiter asking how your meal was half way through your starter.
No, it's like a waiter asking how your starter is halfway through your starter.
"Looks good but potentially might give me the shits mate"
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1.Benteke 8 Big potential
2.Westwood 9 Looks a class act and can only get better
3.Kea 5 steady
4. Ron 4/5 I'm unconvinced so far. Some good performances, some glaring errors
5. Lowton 7 Looks a good solid full back
6. Bennet 4 Good on the ball, needs to be stronger for me
7.Guzan 8 Good decision to re-sign him
about right , maybe 6 for Ronny
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It's like the waiter asking how your starter is after Martin O'neill's wanked in the soup.
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Do think Bennett will get better . I thought he was pretty poor from his first game to be fair but speaking to Boro friends they really rated him up there , yes its a lower division but he has time on his side and we dont know how fit he was from the start .
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Benteke 9
Westwood 7
Kea 5
Concrete 6.5
Lowton 7
Bennet 4
Guzan 8.5 although still not convinced he properly qualifies as a new signing.
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Do think Bennett will get better . I thought he was pretty poor from his first game to be fair but speaking to Boro friends they really rated him up there , yes its a lower division but he has time on his side and we dont know how fit he was from the start .
He was injured when he signed and has been injured and suspended since so he hasn't really had a decent run in the side yet, I think once he gets a few games under his belt he will prove to be a decent signing and make the left back berth his own.
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For the money paid most are pretty good signings. but how many of them would have been in our first team 3 to 4 seasons ago.
Benteke would be there or thereabouts. RB was always pretty weak for us in the MON years so I think Lowton would have. Or alternatively, if we're talking the years when Olly was playing RB, then Vlaar would get in at CB.
I can see your point, but it stems largely from our best players currently occupying the positions that were weakest during much of the MON period. But I would still doubt Vlaar would have displaced Dunne, Collins, or Cuellar at that time.
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
It's like a waiter asking how your meal was half way through your starter.
No, it's like a waiter asking how your starter is halfway through your starter.
It's like him asking how your starter is when you've only just picked up your spoon (you're having soup).
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
It's like a waiter asking how your meal was half way through your starter.
No, it's like a waiter asking how your starter is halfway through your starter.
It's like him asking how your starter is when you've only just picked up your spoon (you're having soup).
It's like going to a new restaurant because of the reputation of the Chef and his house specials which can be a bit hit or miss depending on which night you go.
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They're proving, on the whole, good value so far. I hoped for big things from Benteke, and he's delivering.
For me the signings, maybe KEA and Bennett aside (and Bowery obviously), have all fitted in nicely. The bigger problem we've had is probably what Lambert inherited. The more he shapes his own team, the better I think he'll get, but ideally with a few experienced signings too. If he signs only kids we'll struggle to turn things round. It's early days. Some might get better, others may well fade.
I think what's evident though, is that PL has a good eye.
You look at what was here with Bannan, Delph, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Stevens, Clark, Baker, Weimann in terms of the youngsters. I think maybe 2-3 of them would make the grade, probably the latter 3.
Our seniors, Hutton, Warnock, Makoun, Collins (out with minimal fuss thankfully), Dunne, Ireland, N'Zogbia and obviously Bent now, are obviously not in PL's long term plans. I think PL knows he can't build a side he wants around Bent. As for the others, they range from inconsistent, past it, shite or they signed for money, or just didn't particularly want to join.
It's a bunch that needs vast improvement on. Maybe 1-2 will have a Villa future. Ireland might if he fulfills his promise. Dunne might be useful if he's ever fit again. CNZ is one of the biggest wastes of talent we've had in years. Hugely disappointing.
In the next few windows I'd say he'll want a minimum of half a dozen in and out.
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We were promised a selection of the finest Scottish gourmet delights like Loch Fyne oysters, but so far it's been more deep-fried Mars Bar.
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A bit early to judge I think, we've had players before who start brilliantly only to fade and others who are slow burners but turn out to be mainstays of the side. I will say though that I like this approach and I think I'm going to enjoy watching them develop, individually and collectively, over the next couple of years.
Bloody hell Chris, nobody is asking you to give a binding, cast iron five year prediction, just say how they're doing so far!
It's like a waiter asking how your meal was half way through your starter.
No, it's like a waiter asking how your starter is halfway through your starter.
It's like him asking how your starter is when you've only just picked up your spoon (you're having soup).
Are you picking up the spoon before or after MON has jerked his stuff into it (see earlier post as reference)?
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We were promised a selection of the finest Scottish gourmet delights like Loch Fyne oysters, but so far it's been more deep-fried Mars Bar.
Nah, the deep-fried Mars bar was last season and we all nearly choked on its sickliness.
This season I was expecting Fish & Chips but we've so far had only bits / scraps; and we've been battered a couple of times.
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The cow is not yet ready to be eaten, it might just be palatable now but it will taste far better next year after the farmer has had to time to fatten her up for the table.
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Anyone for a waffer thin mint to finish off their meal?
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It's like the waiter asking how your starter is after Martin O'neill's wanked in the soup.
"It's a bit milky..."
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The cow is not yet ready to be eaten, it might just be palatable now but it will taste far better next year after the farmer has had to time to fatten her up for the table.
More likely to be struck down with Mad Cow disease, and carted off to the knackers yard.
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Whoever this waiter is, I wish he would just let me enjoy my meal.
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Too soon to say.
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Hi, I'm Randy. But don't let that worry you fellas. An average of TEN. They are cheap and I might not have to sell a Championship club for a knockdown price, if that latest coach works a miracle.
Hi, I'm a lifelong Villa fan old enough to enjoy 1981-2 and then get not much else. An average of 5. They show some promise, but not in the final third. They would not trouble the owner financially as a lower league club.
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I don't think it's too early at all to make a judgement bout Lambert's signings. We may well be wiser in a year's time, but we've seen enough to make some kind of call.
If the starter being put in front of me had a large Hutton-shaped bogey floating in it I wouldn't be too optimistic about the main course.
Taking 5 as the no pain and no gain line. i.e. they didn't do much but didn't cost much either.
Guzan - 9 Incredibly good decision to bring him back. Finding a reliable keeper troubles better budgets than ours. Over the next two years we're probably more likely to lose him to a better placed outfit than Benteke
Benteke - 8 Has added a lot to the squad, will improve and has it in him to be a top player. Couldn't have done better for the money
Lowton - 8 He didn't have to beat much to be better than the player he replaced. Has looked at times like an England international in the making.
Westwood - 7 Has looked very good. Impressive temperament and a good footballer. Excellent find.
Vlaar - 7 Hasn't been quite as commanded as expected but has played well. Current Dutch international for 3-4 mill? We'd get that back and more any time
KEA - 6 Looked very good to start with, but now seems to be taking the the apparent 6 months it needs for a foreign
Bennett - 6 Has looked to be not yet ready for top flight football but has improved a lot since his early games.
Bowery - 5 No real impact at first team level but the few reports I've seen of him from u-21 games sound very encouraging. At 1 million it would be hard for his signing to be a failure.
All in all, 8 signings and not a single Balaban/Curcic/Alan Thomson amongst thm. Lambert's purchases have been our better players in most games. They have needed to be. It is quite an achievement to buy so many and make so few mistakes.
Looking at the squad and what needs to change for us to get into the top half of the table, as many as 9 players either will want to leave or will need to be replaced. Over the next 2 transfer windows Lambert is going to have to do the same again and possibly better.
He will probably also need to make a few 8 to 10 mill signings, something he ha snot done before.
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Benetek 9- Magnificent. Maybe I'm overrating him a bit as he's only scored 3 league goals but this lad has everything and will go to the very top. Enjoy him while we can.
Lowton 8- Really like him, can't think of a shocker he's had this season.
Concrete 7- Thought he looked pretty dodgy first few games which is understandable but been really good since Fulham away.
Westwood 6- Hasn't played too much but clearly has talent so rating could be higher by the end of the season.
KEA 5- I thought he was our best player first 4-5 games of the season so disappointing to see him slump a fair bit since then. At least the KEA-Delph experiment has been binned.
Bennett 4- Haven't really been impressed, think he could've benefited from another year in the championship for Boro. LB is still a weak spot in our team and ideally I'd get someone else in January.
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They show some promise, but not in the final third.
Except for Benteke right?
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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.
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1.Benteke 8
2.Westwood 7
3.Kea 3
4. Ron 7
5. Lowton 8
6. Bennet 4
7.Guzan 7
In comparison to the chosen one its a bloody good record.