Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: N'Zimidy on January 20, 2013, 12:56:45 PM
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I think its time we had a proper discussion on someone who clearly divides the Villa support.
Do you think he's going to make it at the Villa, and if so, what role in the team? His performance at the Baggies was probably the best midfield display of anyone weve had for at least a couple of seasons. He's only just turned 23 years old and he looks to have got past the most major of his injury scares. Then again, can we rely on him to do the business week in, week out? If we keep him, but on the bench, will we slow his development even further when he needs to be having a run of games starting? Is he too much of a hazard on the pitch with his consistent yellow cards?
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If he keeps playing like he did yesterday, avoids picking up stupid tackles and goes a long spell of time without getting injured he'll be a star.
That's still too much of a gamble for me though so we should sign a ball-winning midfielder to compete with/play alongside him just in case.
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He certainly van hold onto the ball and definitely seems to be maturing, would love him to add a few goals to his repertoire as we currently don't have a goalscoring midfielder
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Edit: can
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He needs to show this isn't a flash in the pan performance. We did suffer when he went off.
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Theres a good footballer there somewhere, might just have seen it the last few weeks. Similar with N'Zogbia
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For me Delph/Westwood/Bannan are the same kind of player.Young players who all have a pass mon them, work hard, and have varying amounts of pace and ability.
At times Delph has moments of real top quality, better than the other 2, but then will give the ball away in a dangerous position.He is still young, and has more pace and energy than the other 2, but i would still play Westwood ahead of him because for me he just has a bit more tactical nous about him.
They all need to play alongside a Sissokho/Capoue kind of player though, as no combination of central midfielders at our disposal is good enough.
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As CD says, play like he did yesterday on a regular basis and we'll have a really good talent on our hands. I just hope he can get a spell free from injuries to demonstrate whether or not he's up to it, otherwise he'd destined to be one of those "what if" players.
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Delphi and Westwood dominated the midfield in the first half. Delph has been good in the last two or three games. I never thought I would be worried if he were ever subbed but yesterday I did.
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I think the worse we are as a team, the more Delph will shine. He's very much an in-your-face type midfielder, the type we need when we're struggling. He'll work, he'll graft, and his distribution CAN be good at times. If we we're comfortably mid table, pushing for Europe we would be saying he isn't good enough.
I'd have Delph in my team at the moment everytime instead of Barry Bannan who is almost anonymous.
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Not for me Delph's first touch touch is horrendous and if he hasn't got that by now he never will have. I think he is okay but get the feeling we only use him because we have too.
Championship player at best which is a shame because i wanted so much more
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If he plays as a defensive holding player then i'm sorry i wouldn't pay him in washers - he is too much of a liability in that position giving the ball and too many free kicks away. He,too often turns with the ball into trouble losing possession and his first touch is dire resulting in ball bouncing off him and him lunging to retrieve thereby giving free kick or possession away.
We signed him to play further forward and in a position where he is allowed to place the ball into areas whereby our wider players/ strikers can go onto create. There is an air of greater confidence from him when playing further forward ....but i fear whilst we play 3 at back with 2 wing backs and CNZ in the hole behind the strikers he aint gonna get the opportunity to do so. I am not sure what line up probably a 442 formation may allow this to happen,but i dont think our current squad of available players is suited to a 442 system as to play that i think we would be forced to play either players out of position or out of form players ie Albrighton. Am i making sense!!!
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If he keeps playing like he did yesterday, avoids picking up stupid tackles and goes a long spell of time without getting injured he'll be a star.
That's still too much of a gamble for me though so we should sign a ball-winning midfielder to compete with/play alongside him just in case.
did you notice he pulled out of some tackles outside the box yesterday and tried to stay on his feet , it worked .
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One of the most talented teenagers i've ever seen at the Villa, I was suprised MON didn't use him more. Then he had a couple of serious injuries and it completely threw him off track. Now he barely looks Premier League quality. I also don't like the way he handles himself at times, looks like he's got a chip on his shoulder. He is still young though and can't be completely written off yet.
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Always rated him, he was our best player yesterday, really looks to be maturing.
If we sign this Stephens chap a midfield 3 of Westwood-Delph-Stephens would have a real balance and quality to it. Yes ideally we need a specialist DM, but we are skint. :-(
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He's never really been given a decent run now he's starting a few games he's showing his class, I've always rated him
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I think Delph has been pretty decent in the past few games. Works well with Westwood
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To me he's just one of those frustrating players, he can do some good stuff and you think yeah this is progress right before he kicks it to the oppositions feet. I think the way a lot of people perceive him comes down to who he's playing with and whether it's 4 or 5 in the middle etc.
as others have said, a great talent, I'd just like to see the consistency.
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I think he's been almost diabolically poor up until the last few weeks when he's played really well and surprised me hugely in the process. Good on him.
I think it's his energy which gives him a chance. His first touch is often poor which doesn't help him but hopefully he could end up being a player who carries the ball forward for us and even gets a few goals.
Ironic that him and N'Zogbia have been our best players the last few weeks.
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He was good yesterday, his first good performance in a damn long time. He needs to start doing this week in, week out.
He's 23, it's past the point that we can keep going on about potential.
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He's a genuine deep midfielder whose tackling has got better. He and Westwood did well despite the system totally outnumbering them, and when he went off we really lost something.
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If he keeps playing like he did yesterday, avoids picking up stupid tackles and goes a long spell of time without getting injured he'll be a star.
That's still too much of a gamble for me though so we should sign a ball-winning midfielder to compete with/play alongside him just in case.
did you notice he pulled out of some tackles outside the box yesterday and tried to stay on his feet , it worked .
I notice that "picking up stupid tackles" makes no sense. I meant "picking up stupid bookings with silly tackles".
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He was good yesterday, his first good performance in a damn long time. He needs to start doing this week in, week out.
He's 23, it's past the point that we can keep going on about potential.
He's lost about two years to injury, to be fair.
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Good performance, no doubt he has the quality - but injuries and a change in management has obviously impacted on him.
The worrying thing with him is that he's making the same mistakes he made 4 years ago.
That said, he's still very young and has time to turn it around.
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Always thought that there was a good player in there, needs a run in the team & to stay clear of injury. For me he has all the attributes to be a very good midfielder. He also has the one attribute that all top midfielders have, a burst of pace to get away from his markers. Although he is 23 he's had little time in the first team due to injuries. O'Neil, Houllier, TSM have all rated him high enough but circumstances have stopped him from playing.
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I wonder if he could be the answer to our left back problem. I remember him starring in that role in an FA Cup game a couple of years back.
He's getting a run of games now and gradually showing the talent he has. I think he would flourish even more further forward because he has an eye for a pass and a decent shot on him with that left foot though we've barely seen that compared to his Leeds days.
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Hmmm. The future of Delphi? I need to consult the oracle.
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I wonder if he could be the answer to our left back problem. I remember him starring in that role in an FA Cup game a couple of years back.
He's getting a run of games now and gradually showing the talent he has. I think he would flourish even more further forward because he has an eye for a pass and a decent shot on him with that left foot though we've barely seen that compared to his Leeds days.
Well, I've said more than once on here that he could make a very good left wing-back, although I'd prefer a specialist FB / WB.
I didn't see the game yesterday so cannot comment on his performance. I don't see him as a DMF; his best work at Leeds was as an attacking MF, where his turn of pace and close control were very effective.
He, Westie and an experienced DMF would probably work very well.
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It finally seems to be coming together for him.
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Not a fan but he played very well yesterday and decent against Southampton.
Problem with him is that when he does play well for a few games he then gets injured which was a problem in the Houllier season.
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If we're playing Delph I'd like to see us use 433. I think it would suit his energy and allow him to get forward a bit more.
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Seriously he seems to be responding to coaching. It has taken long enough. All we need now is to get Barry Bannan to keep it simple, KEA to tackle from the front, Clark, Baker, Lowton, Bennett and Stevens to talk to each other, Holman to stop being Road Runner and some of our troubles may be behind us.
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Last couple of games he's been good, hopefully that'll continue.
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Seems to be getting involved in this fight. Has improved recently. Still has a lot do to to be a Premier League performer on a consistent basis.
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Still not convinced with Delph personally but I accept he's trying harder. He just looked brainless against Southampton when he found the ball at his feet in our penalty area. He looked at it for what seemed a full minute and then lumped against the Villa defender standing next to him, the rest is history and the reason we didn't get even a point from that match.
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To be honest, disappointed with Delph, £6 million i think we eventually paid from a Div 1 side, heralded as a future England player, was also touted by Spurs, but they obviously looked a little deeper. Better than Bannan though at the moment and to be fair did play well yesterday but performances like that are too and few far between.
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I think Delph has been pretty decent in the past few games. Works well with Westwood
Agree
He's having a decent run of games which is helping.
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I was beginning to lose patience with Delph. His main ability seemed to be giving the ball away cheaply and picking up yellow cards for stupid tackles but he's looked good in recent games. We've got to remember he's still only 21 and has had a lot of injuries since he's been with us. I'd like to see what he can do in the position he played at Leeds. His U-Tube highlights in his natural position of attacking midfield were pretty impressive.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on a Villa shirt.
However, his first half performance was a vast improvement to his previous outings. He still fails to realise where he needs to be. His positioning is poor. As is, usually, his passing, tackling, heading, running and controlling of the ball.
One half in however many matches he's had is not good enough. It's the central midfield that has let us down extremely badly this season, in my opinion. No protection of the defence at all. They've been pretty much non-existent at times.
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He has been very good for the last 4 or 5 games in my opinion and seems to have curbed his loose cannon proclivities.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa shirt.
He's a long, long, long way from being the worst player to wear the Villa shirt.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa shirt.
He's a long, long, long way from being the worst player to wear the Villa shirt.
yes think of the company he keeps
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Delph is better than Bannan. I know that's not exactly a ringing endorsement but it should be enough to keep him starting regularly
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
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If we are to play the 4231 formation then we need 4 to compete for the 2 DM positions - Westwood & Delph could be 2 of the 4 - Bannan & KEA have a long to go to convince.
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I'll say the same as I said on the Bannan thread: the problem we have is that - with the players available to us - it is difficult to know what our best midfield looks like. Lambert clearly has some uncertainty in that he keeps switching it around without having any obvious tactical benefit.
If KEA had delivered what we all thought he could - DMF with a passing capability - and Vlaar had stayed fit, we'd have a much better idea of the individual capabillities of the other midfield players, because we'd have had a bedrock around which to experiment.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on a Villa shirt.
What an incredible statement!
You're entitled to your opinion of course but I can only assume you are a younger supporter and didn't see the likes of Nigel Callaghan and Bernie Gallagher.
As far as Delph goes, get off his back. I see the guy maturing lately. He's been our best player twice in a row, in an area we all acknowledge we're weakest in.
Hes only 23 but in teal tems you can put his his age to one side, it's irrelevant . Because of his injuries you have to appreciate he's having to work his way up from the back of the grid. You do realise he has less than 40 starts in a Villa shirt? Including half assed cup ties.
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I have been a fan of Delph since we signed him. Has alot of talent going forward but has this habit of putting in a bad tackle. If he could curb that and avoid injuries he may well be a massive plus. Lately we have seen some of the early promise. Couldn't understand why he needed to kick the Albion bloke and injure himself. Cost us 3 points in the end.
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has really surprised me in the last couple of games. Adds some badly needed pace in midfield (Westwood, Bannan, Ireland and Holman are ridiculously slow) but with the confidence of playing well, he has become much better on the ball. Long way to go positionally etc, this is where an experienced brute next to him would add a lot of value. Guess that is where Kea was meant to fit in but he has been incredibly lightweight and ineffective thus far.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on a Villa shirt.
I love seeing opinions like this. It reminds me never to take chat rooms too seriously and how outlandish and ridiculous some people's opinions are. 2 years hampered by injury, changing managers with different systems, being played out of position (he's an AMF) and coming back into a side stripped of confidence, direction and fight by a third relegation battle in 3 years and he's the worst you've ever seen? He's not even the worst in our team. He'll, he's not even the worst in our midfield!
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The thing I like about him is that he carries the ball going forward at pace, which can get you out of trouble fast, but also put the opposition on the back foot. If, much like Nzogbia, he can maintain this form he will be a cracking player.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
That would mean you think he was the worse player in the last week, yes?
And no, ST last 6 years and also 96-99.
Perhaps I was exaggerating slightly, but he's not far off. Definitely in the lower regions of Villa standards.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on a Villa shirt.
I love seeing opinions like this. It reminds me never to take chat rooms too seriously and how outlandish and ridiculous some people's opinions are. 2 years hampered by injury, changing managers with different systems, being played out of position (he's an AMF) and coming back into a side stripped of confidence, direction and fight by a third relegation battle in 3 years and he's the worst you've ever seen? He's not even the worst in our team. He'll, he's not even the worst in our midfield!
He's shit, no doubt about that. It can't be denied our centre midfield has contributed greatly to where we are. And he's part of it.
I also posted it in slight jest from a previous thread where I pointed out the only people who usually get replies post something extreme.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on a Villa shirt.
I agree, he's not an all time great, but you've seen Ireland play right?
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on a Villa shirt.
I agree, he's not an all time great, but you've seen Ireland play right?
Not sure that I've seen him on the right but he's been shit in the middle.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
That would mean you think he was the worse player in the last week, yes?
And no, ST last 6 years and also 96-99.
Perhaps I was exaggerating slightly, but he's not far off. Definitely in the lower regions of Villa standards.
Spectacular bit of quoting here.
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I like a lot about him, his energy and drive. He seems to have lost the walking yellow card tag, ironically usually due to either wanting it too much, or playing himself into trouble (as he tries too hard). he seems to be edging out some of the errors, and i thought him very good in the first half on saturday. Worst player in a villa shirt statement seems far too harsh to me. Im a relative newcomer to a ST, only my fourth season, but been to plenty of games before, and he is far from a bad player.
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I like a lot about him, his energy and drive. He seems to have lost the walking yellow card tag, ironically usually due to either wanting it too much, or playing himself into trouble (as he tries too hard). he seems to be edging out some of the errors, and i thought him very good in the first half on saturday. Worst player in a villa shirt statement seems far too harsh to me. Im a relative newcomer to a ST, only my fourth season, but been to plenty of games before, and he is far from a bad player.
IMO Delph has most promise to be a good prermier league midfielder from our midfielders, and the horrible game against Bradford seemed to have great impact on him as he has upped his game tremendously.
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I like a lot about him, his energy and drive. He seems to have lost the walking yellow card tag, ironically usually due to either wanting it too much, or playing himself into trouble (as he tries too hard). he seems to be edging out some of the errors, and i thought him very good in the first half on saturday. Worst player in a villa shirt statement seems far too harsh to me. Im a relative newcomer to a ST, only my fourth season, but been to plenty of games before, and he is far from a bad player.
A perceptive post.
I would venture to suggest that the preponderance of the word shit in posts varies inversely with the quantity of liitle grey cells in the cranium.
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I like a lot about him, his energy and drive. He seems to have lost the walking yellow card tag, ironically usually due to either wanting it too much, or playing himself into trouble (as he tries too hard). he seems to be edging out some of the errors, and i thought him very good in the first half on saturday. Worst player in a villa shirt statement seems far too harsh to me. Im a relative newcomer to a ST, only my fourth season, but been to plenty of games before, and he is far from a bad player.
I disagree slightly with the route cause of the bookings. I've thought for a while it was a sharpness issue. Until he limped off on saturday he was looking fitter than he has since we signed him. I think that extra fitness has given him a little edge that means he's not having to throw himself around as much.
That said, the injury that picked up was pure stupidity and he can blame no one but himself.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on the Villa how long you been watching villa? A week ?
That would mean you think he was the worse player in the last week, yes?
And no, ST last 6 years and also 96-99.
Perhaps I was exaggerating slightly, but he's not far off. Definitely in the lower regions of Villa standards.
Spectacular bit of quoting here.
You sure?
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I'll also add that at least he puts himself in line, although sometimes too much and too harshly. Has a single other our midfielder shown the drive and effort he's put? He needs to learn to see when to tackle and when not to but that should come with age and match fitness.
He's not hot-headed asshole like Roy Keane was who also collected yellow cards, but Delph seems to be much more level-headed so he'll get there.
When we get proper defending midfielder, Lambert can start to give him more freedom to get forward and play him in more advanced role.
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We need a versatile bunch of 5-6 who can play in any pairing and fill the 2 deeper midfield roles, Currently Westwood and Delph look like long term options in there, KEA might make it still as the 3rd and then I'm happy for Gardner and Johnson to be considered as backup options. That still means we need another experienced body in there, but I wouldn't want it to be a purely defensive player so Delph can be pushed forward. I see Delph as more of a box-to-box player in there (which is why he'd do a decent job at left back as well) then the role in front of the 2 can be covered by Nzog, Bannan and a new creative player who is also needed.
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I have not really rated Delph at all, but thought he did well in his last couple of games.
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For the chap who quoted "worst player in a villa Shirt", might I just remind him of Djemba-Djemba. So bad they named him twice.
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Personally I think he's possibly the worst player to put on a Villa shirt.
I love seeing opinions like this. It reminds me never to take chat rooms too seriously and how outlandish and ridiculous some people's opinions are. 2 years hampered by injury, changing managers with different systems, being played out of position (he's an AMF) and coming back into a side stripped of confidence, direction and fight by a third relegation battle in 3 years and he's the worst you've ever seen? He's not even the worst in our team. He'll, he's not even the worst in our midfield!
He's shit, no doubt about that. It can't be denied our centre midfield has contributed greatly to where we are. And he's part of it.
I also posted it in slight jest from a previous thread where I pointed out the only people who usually get replies post something extreme.
Fair play, top bantz. You have indeed got a reaction! But back to the point. I would argue that if Delph was sitting in a mf 4 with tiote, Milner and Barry for example we would be challenging for European places. The problem is that most of our team is good enough to get where we want to be, we just no longer have the 2/3 outstanding players that are required. Delph is most definately good enough, I hope we stay up and am confident you will be proved wrong
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Now he's having a good run in the team hes starting to show us how good he is and why we signed him. He is definitely our best midfielder
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Now he's having a good run in the team hes starting to show us how good he is and why we signed him. He is definitely our best midfielder
Is his contract up soon?
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Looking a lot better now, just needs to watch his first touch sometimes.
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Strange how both he and Zog have started finding form at the same time. Anyone would think no Bannan or Ireland was a good thing.
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Now he's having a good run in the team hes starting to show us how good he is and why we signed him. He is definitely our best midfielder
Careful - you'll have "Can Bent Be Bothered" after you.
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I have not really rated Delph at all, but thought he did well in his last couple of games.
Same here. I think the big difference is he's now allowed a bit of freedom to get forward whereas before he'd be stuck back as a defensive midfielder, something he's never been and never will be.
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Still think if he and Westwood are our central midfield partnership next season, then we will struggle again.
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I've stuck up for Delph a lot on here, with one of my main points being we would never see the best of him as long as he was forced to be a defensive MF. His game has always been more about getting forward and roaming around more. Now he's started doing that we're seeing a better player.
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He's starting to do the defensive aspect of the role pretty well.
But jeez his first touch on occasions is still pretty awful. One promising break in the first half today, he was breaking forward with decent options left and right and he totally overcooked his touch and lost the ball.
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He's, arguably, been one of our best performers over the last 4 or 5 games.
As PWS says, he seems to be playing further forward, which suits him better.
He was an attacking midfielder at Leeds when MO'N bought him, then oddly decided to turn him into a DM!!
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Started to play with confidence, decent runs forward taking people on and getting stuck in when needed. Easily one of our better players at the minute
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Now he's having a good run in the team hes starting to show us how good he is and why we signed him. He is definitely our best midfielder
Careful - you'll have "Can Bent Be Bothered" after you.
I think somebody should tell him, in the Democratic Republic of H&V, he's allowed to change his mind. ;)
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He is starting to look lke a proper player, lets hope it continues, I think he can be a premiership player
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I have high hopes for him. I think he's overcome some very tough hurdles.
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What I think is nice, even if we do go down, we could have a midfield three of:
Delph - Westwood - Gardner
To me that is such a well balanced midfield that could be our '3' for the next 5-6 years!
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We have the making of a very, very decent team, and Delph epitomises that. Talented very clearly, committed, hard working. But so far very inconsistent, but has been excellent now for 4-5 games. Hope he can stay fit.
The only gripe I have with him is when he runs the ball out to be careful on touch 3-4, where he often over runs it and has to tackle rather than make a pass.
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We have the making of a very, very decent team, and Delph epitomises that. Talented very clearly, committed, hard working. But so far very inconsistent, but has been excellent now for 4-5 games. Hope he can stay fit.
The only gripe I have with him is when he runs the ball out to be careful on touch 3-4, where he often over runs it and has to tackle rather than make a pass.
Hmm not sure about that Ozz. We need several additions before we'd have a very decent team. I wouldn't want the likes of Baker and Bennett having to play a sequence of first team games.
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Yep credit where it is due. Seems more settled and relaxed, that he belongs and it is showing. Starting to show really good signs - maybe losing the cert bet for a yellow card?
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We have the making of a very, very decent team, and Delph epitomises that. Talented very clearly, committed, hard working. But so far very inconsistent, but has been excellent now for 4-5 games. Hope he can stay fit.
The only gripe I have with him is when he runs the ball out to be careful on touch 3-4, where he often over runs it and has to tackle rather than make a pass.
Hmm not sure about that Ozz. We need several additions before we'd have a very decent team. I wouldn't want the likes of Baker and Bennett having to play a sequence of first team games.
Bennett will come good trust me, there is a player in there too.
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Delph couldn't do anything right for the guys sitting behind me.
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I believe that Delph is good enough - then again I think the vast majority of our young players are good enough. There are exceptions. Lichaj is a solid enough player - but I think he is at the top of his development. Given, Ireland, and Bent can all go to pastures new in the summer for me. I think the kids have what it takes - sure they'll make silly mistakes - but that is only down to a lack of premiership experience - something they didn't get enough of under both Houllier and McRubbish - who preferred experienced journeymen over raw promise.
This season alone - for all the horrible thrashings - I have seen them get better and better. Today they managed to defeat a West Ham team that played both Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole up front and simply pumped the ball into the box. Two months ago West Ham would have got something for their long balls. Today they didn't.
Delph was enormous today. He showed himself to be quick, tricky, and aggressive - yet played within the laws. OK, once or twice he over-ran the ball again - but that doesn't take away from his contribution. He will learn to break forward with more composure and when he does I think we will have a real player on our hands. I may also add that Baker was immense today - as were Clark and Lowton. Young men really working hard to earn their place in the team.
Yet how often have we heard the lament that these young men are not good enough. It is myopic negative rubbish.
The sad fact is that some who follow our great club know very little about how to progress in football - or indeed about how to progress in anything. Progress doesn't come from seeking someone to blame, for scapegoats, or from continually sacking managers. It comes from being supportive, learning from mistakes, being honest with oneself and one's colleagues, and working hard toward a shared goal. Albeit - with no guarantees.
We may not be out of the woods yet - but recent performances suggest a corner has been turned on the park. I hope a corner has been turned among message boarders too.
We should be proud of our young exciting team - show the world we are proud of them - and roar them up the table - and on to even greater glory.
UTV
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Delph is in the same boat as 80% of the current side, in 5 years time they'll be better than they currently are. The defenders especially.
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Still not convinced considering what we paid for him. It seems mental he's been here 3 and a half years and still hasn't made 40 appearances. Okay he had a bad injury but he's been back 2 years now. Needs to do more than shine in a few games a season before he gets transferred from the considerable "MON's transfer mistakes" list to the much more select "MON's transfer successes" one.
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Still not convinced considering what we paid for him. It seems mental he's been here 3 and a half years and still hasn't made 40 appearances. Okay he had a bad injury but he's been back 2 years now. Needs to do more than shine in a few games a season before he gets transferred from the considerable "MON's transfer mistakes" list to the much more select "MON's transfer successes" one.
As far as I'm concerned MON will have nothing to do with any success Delph has. Sure, he brought him to the club but did very little to develop him. TSM did more for his career than him.
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Still not convinced considering what we paid for him. It seems mental he's been here 3 and a half years and still hasn't made 40 appearances. Okay he had a bad injury but he's been back 2 years now. Needs to do more than shine in a few games a season before he gets transferred from the considerable "MON's transfer mistakes" list to the much more select "MON's transfer successes" one.
Not really when he was out for best part of a season with injury and then sent on loan for half a season. Plus he was hardly used his first season.
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Still not convinced considering what we paid for him. It seems mental he's been here 3 and a half years and still hasn't made 40 appearances. Okay he had a bad injury but he's been back 2 years now. Needs to do more than shine in a few games a season before he gets transferred from the considerable "MON's transfer mistakes" list to the much more select "MON's transfer successes" one.
Not really when he was out for best part of a season with injury and then sent on loan for half a season. Plus he was hardly used his first season.
well that was because the manager(s) didn't think he was up to it i presume
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Or maybe they realised that he wasn't ready yet. There's a big difference.
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
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Delph racked up some very impressive stats today. 91% passing accuracy from 47 attempts. Backed up with the most tackles (5) and interceptions (6).
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
You can't really compare them on that as we didn't buy any of those 3 players.
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Delph couldn't do anything right for the guys sitting behind me.
Don't suppose, by any chance, they give it Bannan from the off when he plays, too? I'm sure there's plenty go just so's they can have something to moan about
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
You can't really compare them on that as we didn't buy any of those 3 players.
thats exactly why i'm comparing them. For 7m you want someone a bit special not a youth player who's gonna take 3 and a half years to make it. The price tag is not his fault but we could have sure used that 7m in January.
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
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Fair enough, Leeds fleeced us given how much he had to develop. He's not useless by any stretch though and is still improving.
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
I think he's playing better but yes as i said in my original post for 7m i'd want someome special not a promising youngster
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
I think he's playing better but yes as i said in my original post for 7m i'd want someome special not a promising youngster
Well he was signed by Mo'N of course we paid over the odds.
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Fair enough, Leeds fleeced us given how much he had to develop. He's not useless by any stretch though and is still improving.
I thought he did well today. Hopefully he'll continue in that vein though i'm not sure he's in credit this season yet overall. Not many of our players are.
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
I think he's playing better but yes as i said in my original post for 7m i'd want someome special not a promising youngster
He cost £6m rising to £8m, not £7million. When you take a punt on a quality youngster you pay a premium more often than not. How quickly, or even how far, they develop is always a gamble. Obviously doing his cruciates set him back a long way.
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
I think he's playing better but yes as i said in my original post for 7m i'd want someome special not a promising youngster
Well he was signed by Mo'N of course we paid over the odds.
well we're in a totally different transfer market now so i guess lambchop will never have the luxury of having a punt like that. Someone like westwood at 2m looks better value than delpth at the moment but then we know MON was hardly a genuis in picking up bargains or needed to be given the money thrown in his direction
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Wenger paid £12m for Lucozade-Chamberlain. If you want a player and have the money then you pay it. As we did with Benteke.
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Another great game from him. Up there with the West Brom game. He's becoming quite the player and reminded me a lot of Stan today. Intercepted the ball a lot and was very smart with the ball. He has a bit more movement to his game than Petrov and if he refines his game just a touch more he will be an excellent player.
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
I think he's playing better but yes as i said in my original post for 7m i'd want someome special not a promising youngster
He cost £6m rising to £8m, not £7million. When you take a punt on a quality youngster you pay a premium more often than not. How quickly, or even how far, they develop is always a gamble. Obviously doing his cruciates set him back a long way.
6.8m i seem to remember, but 6m or 8m it was still a transfer fee that hinted at more than we've got even when he plays well We could have got nearly a benteke for that. Or most of Lambchop's signings combined :0)
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What Delph needs to add is a goal or two.
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He cost £6m rising to £8m, not £7million. When you take a punt on a quality youngster you pay a premium more often than not. How quickly, or even how far, they develop is always a gamble. Obviously doing his cruciates set him back a long way.
6.8m i seem to remember, but 6m or 8m it was still a transfer fee that hinted at more than we've got even when he plays well We could have got nearly a benteke for that. Or most of Lambchop's signings combined :0)
Or a Steve Stone or a Steven Warnock.
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
I think he's playing better but yes as i said in my original post for 7m i'd want someome special not a promising youngster
Why do you insist on quoting the wrong figure for the transfer fee, does it give you a little thrill and make you feel better?
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He's the same age as the likes of clark, bannon, albrighton and co but they didn't cost 7m
So despite him currently being better than any of them it's because he cost £6million that you don't rate him?
I think he's playing better but yes as i said in my original post for 7m i'd want someome special not a promising youngster
Why do you insist on quoting the wrong figure for the transfer fee, does it give you a little thrill and make you feel better?
ok 6.8m. Point still stands
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What Delph needs to add is a goal or two.
That could be said of quite a few players. I dread to think when the last time one of our midfielders scored for us before N'Zogbia' freekick today.
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Delph racked up some very impressive stats today. 91% passing accuracy from 47 attempts. Backed up with the most tackles (5) and interceptions (6).
Jockey - don't get all factual me old china - they'll be blaming you for the headaches if you keep this scientific stuff up - a hater is a hater in the face of evidence or indeed the lack of evidence. 'Stats is a load of shit' is a statement I once encountered during such a discussion. It's opinion that counts every time - and the more vehement the better. Unless of course you get diagnosed with something nasty. Then science is brilliant and the facts and figures (especially regarding survival rates) seem to matter a great deal more.
The fee we paid can't be held against the lad - he was after all signed by the guru of talent spotters, that model of value, prudence and commitment, Mr Martin O'Neill. Lambert would have paid £2million and still got him.
Delph was good today - if someone can't see that - they weren't at the game. Ooops.
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he's been doing better recently. however, I thought he was poor yesterday overll because of his very poor first touch, or how he overran the ball often and had to lunge in. Although the positives outweighed the negatives, and his touch usually was more good than bad, he and we were lucky that West ham didn't make more fof his errors. But, at least he's starting to look a player. If he an N/Zog carry on like this then relegation will have to be won ratehr than just accepted. I hope we're at shit at that as we have been at trying to avoid it recently.
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I thought he had one of his better games yesterday, he was always looking to get on the ball and he drove forward whenever he could. On the downside his tackling leaves a bit to be desired and someone needs to tell him he has a right foot!
Like most of our midfielders you get the impression there's a good player in there somewhere, he just needs to add consistency to his game.
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Lambert would have paid £2million and still got him.
Doubtful as Redknapp and Spurs were sniffing round him as well. He may have got him, but it wouldn't have been for £2m.
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It's not really fair to complain that's he's not been worth his fee, he was worth 6m at the time because that's what we had to pay to get him. He then had 2 seasons where he was barely available and last year he kept picking up niggly injuries and couldn't get a run of games.
I've long thought that, given a run of games, he could be a very good box-to-box midfielder. A lot of the diving in to tackles he's been accused of has been a fitness issue for me, now that he looks fully fit he's not having to throw himself in anymore and he looks better for it.
I'll admit to writing him off a little earlier this season when him and KEA were in there together, but with Westwood anchoring things in there he looks a much better player.
We have the makings of a good midfield (Westwood, Delph, Banan, Gardner and KEA are all potentially very good, Sylla I haven't seen enough to know just yet), but there's no experience there for them to mentally fall back on if things don't go to plan. When (I'm convinced we're going to be ok) they stay up this year it will help them all. They'll have been down as low as you can get as a premier league footballer and shown they have the will and talent to get things back on track.
I'd guess this response is what Lambert was banking on when he didn't get an experienced midfielder or defender in. It was a big show of confidence in the likes of Clark, Baker, Delph and Westwood to do what he did and he's put his reputation (and the clubs status) on the line to give them this shot. I actually think that faith in them is partly the reason we've improved in recent games.
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It's not really fair to complain that's he's not been worth his fee, he was worth 6m at the time because that's what we had to pay to get him. He then had 2 seasons where he was barely available and last year he kept picking up niggly injuries and couldn't get a run of games.
I've long thought that, given a run of games, he could be a very good box-to-box midfielder. A lot of the diving in to tackles he's been accused of has been a fitness issue for me, now that he looks fully fit he's not having to throw himself in anymore and he looks better for it.
I'll admit to writing him off a little earlier this season when him and KEA were in there together, but with Westwood anchoring things in there he looks a much better player.
We have the makings of a good midfield (Westwood, Delph, Banan, Gardner and KEA are all potentially very good, Sylla I haven't seen enough to know just yet), but there's no experience there for them to mentally fall back on if things don't go to plan. When (I'm convinced we're going to be ok) they stay up this year it will help them all. They'll have been down as low as you can get as a premier league footballer and shown they have the will and talent to get things back on track.
I'd guess this response is what Lambert was banking on when he didn't get an experienced midfielder or defender in. It was a big show of confidence in the likes of Clark, Baker, Delph and Westwood to do what he did and he's put his reputation (and the clubs status) on the line to give them this shot. I actually think that faith in them is partly the reason we've improved in recent games.
I agree with that, especially that last line.
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Delph has matured lately. Maybe he's been given more responsibility?
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Or maybe that useless little twat Bannon has been taken out of the side
Thought Delph and Westy held their own against a very big and tough midfield yesterday
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It's not really fair to complain that's he's not been worth his fee, he was worth 6m at the time because that's what we had to pay to get him. He then had 2 seasons where he was barely available and last year he kept picking up niggly injuries and couldn't get a run of games.
I've long thought that, given a run of games, he could be a very good box-to-box midfielder. A lot of the diving in to tackles he's been accused of has been a fitness issue for me, now that he looks fully fit he's not having to throw himself in anymore and he looks better for it.
I'll admit to writing him off a little earlier this season when him and KEA were in there together, but with Westwood anchoring things in there he looks a much better player.
We have the makings of a good midfield (Westwood, Delph, Banan, Gardner and KEA are all potentially very good, Sylla I haven't seen enough to know just yet), but there's no experience there for them to mentally fall back on if things don't go to plan. When (I'm convinced we're going to be ok) they stay up this year it will help them all. They'll have been down as low as you can get as a premier league footballer and shown they have the will and talent to get things back on track.
I'd guess this response is what Lambert was banking on when he didn't get an experienced midfielder or defender in. It was a big show of confidence in the likes of Clark, Baker, Delph and Westwood to do what he did and he's put his reputation (and the clubs status) on the line to give them this shot. I actually think that faith in them is partly the reason we've improved in recent games.
I agree with that, especially that last line.
Thats a really good analysis on where we're at. I have to admit I've been one of Delph's biggest critics over the past few seasons. Delph looks alot better without the liability that is Barry Bannan. I'd realy like to see a three man midfield of Westwood,Delph,Gardner next season with N'Zogbia and Gabby operating as the wide man.
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We paid the fee we needed to to sign him. Remember that City offered the same as us, so we couldn't dip below the £6m. Transfer fees are dictated by market value, and that was Delph's market value at the time.
Delph did well yesterday. It was him driving Villa on in the first half, especially, getting beyond our strikers, making runs, one or two great advances into the WHU half which won us free-kicks. Used the ball very well (was it 43 passes completed from 47 attempted?). Took responsibility, I thought. Westwood is a good foil or him, because he's not the deepest midfielder.
It would be nice if he could add a goal or two, but we can't ignore what his role in this team is, and with Villa effectively playing four attacking players ahead of the two central midfielders, his job isn't about scoring goals.
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It would be nice if he could add a goal or two, but we can't ignore what his role in this team is, and with Villa effectively playing four attacking players ahead of the two central midfielders, his job isn't about scoring goals.
I think the goals will come, we already know he has it in him, some of the goals he scored for Leeds were belters.
As for his original fee, I always thought it was £6m rising to £8m, not that it matters any more. I'm more concerned with seeing what he can do when played in the correct position. If yesterday is anything to go by, it will be money well spent.
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Or maybe that useless little twat Bannon has been taken out of the side
Thought Delph and Westy held their own against a very big and tough midfield yesterday
Calling one of our own players a twat is poor, and to not even spell his name right when you do it is silly. Bannan has had an ok season, he's rarely been the worst player on the pitch for us and has often been the one working the hardest to get something out of a game. If you don't like him as a player that's fine but I don't think he deserves being called a twat, or to have fans stating that dropping him is the reason for the turn in form.
The change in fortunes is mostly down to the injuries settling down and Nzogbia starting to live up to his price tag.
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Or maybe that useless little twat Bannon has been taken out of the side
Thought Delph and Westy held their own against a very big and tough midfield yesterday
Calling one of our own players a twat is poor, and to not even spell his name right when you do it is silly. Bannan has had an ok season, he's rarely been the worst player on the pitch for us and has often been the one working the hardest to get something out of a game. If you don't like him as a player that's fine but I don't think he deserves being called a twat, or to have fans stating that dropping him is the reason for the turn in form.
The change in fortunes is mostly down to the injuries settling down and Nzogbia starting to live up to his price tag.
Don't worry about it Paul. Some people will be content to not think he's a good player, others will feel the need to hate him for whatever personal resentment they have.
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Or maybe that useless little twat Bannon has been taken out of the side
Thought Delph and Westy held their own against a very big and tough midfield yesterday
Calling one of our own players a twat is poor, and to not even spell his name right when you do it is silly. Bannan has had an ok season, he's rarely been the worst player on the pitch for us and has often been the one working the hardest to get something out of a game. If you don't like him as a player that's fine but I don't think he deserves being called a twat, or to have fans stating that dropping him is the reason for the turn in form.
The change in fortunes is mostly down to the injuries settling down and Nzogbia starting to live up to his price tag.
Don't worry about it Paul. Some people will be content to not think he's a good player, others will feel the need to hate him for whatever personal resentment they have.
It just frustrates me that despite all the journeymen and arseholes we've had in the last 10years I've never seen anyone take as much stick as him, even with Heskey it never felt like people genuinely hated him, despite all the pisstaking.
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Or maybe that useless little twat Bannon has been taken out of the side
Thought Delph and Westy held their own against a very big and tough midfield yesterday
Calling one of our own players a twat is poor, and to not even spell his name right when you do it is silly. Bannan has had an ok season, he's rarely been the worst player on the pitch for us and has often been the one working the hardest to get something out of a game. If you don't like him as a player that's fine but I don't think he deserves being called a twat, or to have fans stating that dropping him is the reason for the turn in form.
The change in fortunes is mostly down to the injuries settling down and Nzogbia starting to live up to his price tag.
Don't worry about it Paul. Some people will be content to not think he's a good player, others will feel the need to hate him for whatever personal resentment they have.
It just frustrates me that despite all the journeymen and arseholes we've had in the last 10years I've never seen anyone take as much stick as him, even with Heskey it never felt like people genuinely hated him, despite all the pisstaking.
Completely agree, and it's also frustrating that the 'hollywood pass' tag has even crept into radio coverage of our games. At the same time though I put it down to supporters taking out their annoyance on one player, he's just a bit unlucky in that regard, and I don't blame anyone for being annoyed at what's been served up this season.
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Bannan never hides when we're playing poorly and still shows for the ball. Meaning he's on it more often and therefore gets the blame for a bad performance.
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I don't think it was Spurs or City who were in for Delph but Everton who we had to beat for his signature. We were praised for the nature of our approach, as I recall.
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If Delph could improve his first touch and keep the ball close to his feet when running with it he wouldn`t have to make stupid tackles - I thought he had a decent game yesterday. He should no longer be considered a "prospect" - he needs to show that level every game.
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Nail on head there, VCTM. There will have to be a decision or two on some of our 'prospects' at the end of the season. Delph (23) and Bannan (10 days younger) have both had a great opportunity to show what they're about.
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When he has some confidence, and starts driving forward with the ball, I look at him and think that over the next couple of seasons, staying injury free, he could be an absolute star.
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Nail on head there, VCTM. There will have to be a decision or two on some of our 'prospects' at the end of the season. Delph (23) and Bannan (10 days younger) have both had a great opportunity to show what they're about.
I agree with that. I think one of Bannan and Delph will have to leave as I'd still like to see us sign another players in there, plus we'll have Gardner back from injury.
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Or maybe that useless little twat Bannon has been taken out of the side
Thought Delph and Westy held their own against a very big and tough midfield yesterday
Calling one of our own players a twat is poor, and to not even spell his name right when you do it is silly.
Quite agree. It shows how some posters have limited abilty to write something constructive.
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Bannan never hides when we're playing poorly and still shows for the ball. Meaning he's on it more often and therefore gets the blame for a bad performance.
well he needs to play a bit better then, doesn't he?
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Christ, one win and everyone is becoming a "I'm a better fan than you" poster.
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That reminds me I'm great.
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I'm better.
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He's been good lately, just needs to watch the rash challenges and his first touch.
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I had written him off. So nice to see him finding a bit of form recently. I think he is probably top of the CM pecking order at the moment. I'd actually like to see him partnered with Sylla. As I think he and Westwood are too similar and don't complement each other.
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I'd like to see Sylla get a start and see what he's all about. I was originally thinking him and Westwood, but Delph shouldn't be dropped at the moment.
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I think Westwood is different, he's more of a controlling midfielder who dictates tempo. Delph is more high energy and attacking.
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Yes. Against West Ham, Westwood was holding his position, Delph was driving forward. I think a few of us feel we'd like to see Delph getting into that final third, where he can score goals. Last season, particularly, he was used way too deep and I think he's got some great attacking traits to his game. He should be allowed to get forward - Westwood prefers a Carrick-like role so the two could dovetail well. Barely seen Sylla but reports suggest he's a holding type too, so he could challenge/deputise for Westwood.
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I agree but I don't think Delph can get forward as much as he would like when he is partnered by Westwood. He isn't a holding midfielder and doesn't offer the defence any protection.
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I think they'd work best in a three. As above, Westwood controls the tempo whereas Delph buzzes around and bursts forward. Sylla would be their body guard ensuring that the opposition know they've been in a game.
Whilst Westwood and Delph works versus West Ham I think we'd need more grunt versus any of the top ten sides.
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Christ, one win and everyone is becoming a "I'm a better fan than you" poster.
One win and people think Delph is the greatest player ever.
My Nan has a better touch than Delph and she's been dead 3/4 years.
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I think they'd work best in a three. As above, Westwood controls the tempo whereas Delph buzzes around and bursts forward. Sylla would be their body guard ensuring that the opposition know they've been in a game.
Whilst Westwood and Delph works versus West Ham I think we'd need more grunt versus any of the top ten sides.
True. In a 4-2-3-1 midfield with two CM and three attacking players behind the lonely striker, one of the two CM must be an holding midfileder and Westwood and Delph are not, so we should either change formation in 4-3-3 or have one holding midfielder (Sylla? Hmmmm) that protects Delp when he goes forward in a Diaby like role.
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Christ, one win and everyone is becoming a "I'm a better fan than you" poster.
One win and people think Delph is the greatest player ever.
My Nan has a better touch than Delph and she's been dead 3/4 years.
I think you're way out.
Delph has been playing well for sometime now and it shows in his game. He now has the confidence to drive the ball on and use the pace that he has, whereas previously he would square the ball.
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Or maybe that useless little twat Bannon has been taken out of the side
Thought Delph and Westy held their own against a very big and tough midfield yesterday
Calling one of our own players a twat is poor, and to not even spell his name right when you do it is silly. Bannan has had an ok season, he's rarely been the worst player on the pitch for us and has often been the one working the hardest to get something out of a game. If you don't like him as a player that's fine but I don't think he deserves being called a twat, or to have fans stating that dropping him is the reason for the turn in form.
The change in fortunes is mostly down to the injuries settling down and Nzogbia starting to live up to his price tag.
Don't worry about it Paul. Some people will be content to not think he's a good player, others will feel the need to hate him for whatever personal resentment they have.
It just frustrates me that despite all the journeymen and arseholes we've had in the last 10years I've never seen anyone take as much stick as him, even with Heskey it never felt like people genuinely hated him, despite all the pisstaking.
I like Bannan, I still think he has a huge amount of unfulfilled potential. The problem is, at the end of his career he will probably still have a huge amount of unfulfilled potential due to the way he carries on in his social life.
I've said it a thousand times, he is pissing his talent up the wall and its a real shame because the guy has real ability.
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Christ, one win and everyone is becoming a "I'm a better fan than you" poster.
One win and people think Delph is the greatest player ever.
My Nan has a better touch than Delph and she's been dead 3/4 years.
I think you're way out.
Delph has been playing well for sometime now and it shows in his game. He now has the confidence to drive the ball on and use the pace that he has, whereas previously he would square the ball.
Ye i agree with that Ads. Trouble with putting Delph in a holding role is he is a terrible tackler and becomes a liability. We are still desperate for a dynamic holding MF (Sylla) ? not likely but PL will watch him in training and might mould him for the run in .....
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There's a nice touch of self effacement in the last quote in this interview:
Fabian Delph regrets both the yellow card that forces him out of Villa’s two biggest matches of the season – and the ‘boring’ climate in which the previous nine have been picked up.
The workhorse midfielder’s man-of-the-match performance against Manchester City on Monday night was marred by his tenth booking of the campaign and a suspension that means he will not be able to play against Reading this weekend or at home to QPR on Saturday week.
Delph admitted he is disappointed to miss the two matches that will be pivotal in Villa’s fight to stay in the Premier League, but he has also defended his combative approach and insisted he has never set out to hurt an opponent.
Football appears to have changed around him, though, even during the 23-year-old’s relatively short career, especially the way tackling is officiated.
“Yes, it (ten yellow cards) does look bad,” Delph conceded, ‘‘but I like to be competitive and there are a lot of players who play that way.
“I think it is a dying breed now. Football is a lot more technical and a bit more sensible.
“Referees have got a bit soft and it’s something I’ll look to curb.”
The Bradford-born player even thinks that tackling is a dying art.
“It’s got a bit boring hasn’t it?’’ he added.
‘‘ No-one is allowed to kick anyone these days. I was probably worse when I was at Leeds.
“It’s something I’ll look at and something I have looked at before. I don’t think I make as many ‘guess’ challenges as I have done in the past. I pick and choose when I go to ground now.
“Obviously you are playing against world-class players and you can get the ball popped around you. I want to stay competitive but I will try to curb it and hopefully not get booked or cut them down.
“The gaffer loves that competitive side in all of his players and I think I make fair challenges. I can mistime some of them. I am only human.
“But I honestly don’t think I deserve a lot of the yellow cards I’ve picked up this season. The game has changed and I’ve got to change.”
However, Delph’s latest caution came in the dying seconds of Monday night for a handball rather than a bad challenge as City looked to break away.
Having also been booked against Arsenal in his last match that took the battler into double figures and Paul Lambert now must choose who to to play alongside Ashley Westwood at the Madejski Stadium.
“It’s a huge blow,” Delph said. ‘‘I am disappointed. I don’t think it was a yellow card to be honest with you. I am not a cheat and I didn’t mean to handle the ball.
“If I’m being totally honest it’s my tenth booking, I think I deserve three. I’m just being brutally honest there. I am not a malicious player.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries myself so I would never go to try and injure a player. I think I have won the ball in all of the yellow cards I’ve received this season.
“I have got to look at myself and obviously I have let myself down.
‘On another level there are midfielders in the team who can step in and do a job. If not do a better job. I am sure the team won’t miss me too much.”
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-fabian-delph-having-1722424?
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Well he's finally showing form, so hopefully he can help us in the remaining 8 games he can play. We'll need between 3 and 5 wins from those games.
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If he can continue his upward curve of recent times, we may have a quality player on our hands. It's worth noting he played really well against a strong midfield on Monday.
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Very pleased with him recently but he must cut out these silly bookings from his game - could yet prove to be a good asset for us.
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Bit worrying that he has tried to curb his tackling, yet still dives into 1/2 rash sliding challenges per game which will obviously lead to him getting booked.
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Delph may be enthusiastic, but he charges around like a mad dog and gets booked practically every single game. Me and my mates have a sweepstake on the time of his booking every game, and we very rarely have a rollover.
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He looked great the other night . I don't mind his tackles , its those 180 degree turns in dangerous areas that make me drop kittens.
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Like the way any media training he's had hasn't turned him into a cliché merchant like most players.
Hard to take the Yorkshire out of a lad. I think in his current form and Petrov's of last season we'd be sorted in midfield.
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I wonder whether we'll see KEA or Sylla in his place on Sat, or even a return for Bannan. I think on balance I'd stick Bannan in there.
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I'd stick Sylla in. We need to see what he can do.
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Herd is another option. He also likes a tackle or two. I'd prefer Lambert to organise us with a bit of steel in central midfield, let them get their tackles in, win the ball and give it to either Gabby or N'Zogbia to run at them.
As for Delph, I'm delighted for the lad finally having a manager that knows his best position. It's only taken 5 years to get him playing where he played his best football for Leeds.
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I'd forgot about Herd. Maybe throw him in. Decent shout.
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I wouldn't say no to a 4-3-3 with Herd, Sylla, and Westwood being the three players holding in midfield, although it would be a pretty big gamble considering two of those have barely played this season.
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I wouldn't say no to a 4-3-3 with Herd, Sylla, and Westwood being the three players holding in midfield, although it would be a pretty big gamble considering two of those have barely played this season.
Eh? Finally we have a formation where the fullbacks aren't exposed and you want to go back to a three man midfielder. Bizarre.
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I wonder whether we'll see KEA or Sylla in his place on Sat, or even a return for Bannan. I think on balance I'd stick Bannan in there.
I would'nt thrown Bannan back in but i'd have him back on the bench. Giving Sylla a game would'nt be a bad shout.
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Put Sylla in. Bannan is a waste of space.
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I would play Herd or KEA Saturday
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If he can continue his upward curve of recent times, we may have a quality player on our hands. It's worth noting he played really well against a strong midfield on Monday.
Yes he did play very well, a silly booking though.
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KEA did ok at Everton so I would imagine he will start.
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KEA will start, fairly sure of that. I've actually thought his cameos in recent games quite impressive.
He gives us presence in the middle and his close control and give-and-go has looked sharper as if the sub appearances have made him more eager to please.
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KEA will start, fairly sure of that. I've actually thought his cameos in recent games quite impressive.
He gives us presence in the middle and his close control and give-and-go has looked sharper as if the sub appearances have made him more eager to please.
I also thought he did pretty well in his brief appearance on Monday night. He looked a bit sharper and more like the player who did well at the start of the season. Same applies to Holman.
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KEA will start, fairly sure of that. I've actually thought his cameos in recent games quite impressive.
He gives us presence in the middle and his close control and give-and-go has looked sharper as if the sub appearances have made him more eager to please.
I also thought he did pretty well in his brief appearance on Monday night. He looked a bit sharper and more like the player who did well at the start of the season. Same applies to Holman.
Yes, he looked like he can do that close control give and go. So can Westwood. So can Ireland. So Can Bannan.
But can they tackle? If I said the jury was out, I think I would be erring on the side of incredulity.
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What we need is a central midfielder who isn't afraid of getting forward and playing the ball into Benteke's feet. If we keep lumping it then we are just creating a 50/50 at best situation.
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KEA will start, fairly sure of that. I've actually thought his cameos in recent games quite impressive.
He gives us presence in the middle and his close control and give-and-go has looked sharper as if the sub appearances have made him more eager to please.
I also thought he did pretty well in his brief appearance on Monday night. He looked a bit sharper and more like the player who did well at the start of the season. Same applies to Holman.
Yes, he looked like he can do that close control give and go. So can Westwood. So can Ireland. So Can Bannan.
But can they tackle? If I said the jury was out, I think I would be erring on the side of incredulity.
The way games are refereed these days it's almost academic whether or not he can tackle as they'll give a foul anyway.
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it doesn't help that his second touch is usually a lunge though.
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I'm afraid KEA doesn't do anything for me too lightweight and gives the ball away easily, I would have to gamble on Sylla alongside Westwood.
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Kea and bannan are not good enough- give sylla chance and lets see what he can do , Delph will be will a huge miss.
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I'd rather Herd played than KEA.
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I'd rather play Thora Herd than KEA
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KEA did ok at Everton so I would imagine he will start.
I would go with KEA as he looked decent in the time he had against Man City as well.
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I'd rather play Thora Herd than KEA
I'd rather play Douglas Hurd than bannan.
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Go with Herd, thought he was half decent last season
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Go with Herd
If only to piss off PaulWinch again again. ;)
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Herd if he gets himself forward. We can't have midfielders holdingf. I understand the thought process behind it as our back 4 needs protection from itself as much as anything, but we need to try and score more than the opposition. We're not going to eke out 1-0 vistories so we will have to score twice in order to win games and that means getting players forward.
Thinking about it wasn't this one of the criticisms of Lambert's Norwich? That they scored a few but conceded a lot also?
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I'd rather play Thora Herd than KEA
I'd rather play Douglas Hurd than bannan.
I heard.
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Just an idea but if you look at a number of the Delph bookings, and they have been 'desperation' challenges, when teams have broke fast, turned defence into attack and left us exposed. This is because it is Delph that stays back when we have a corner.
Last night he was left one-on-one with Dzeko, so he was forced into a challenge. The Bradford home leg booking was also late on and when Bradford had broke from a corner, I'm not saying he was forced into that challenge, but it was partly because he was last man.
I remember another couple like that too, but cannot recall the exact games.
So.......don't leave him on the halfway line when we have a corner, that will cut back at least 33% of his bookings. Any two out of Lowton, Bennett and Westwood should be kept back maybe.
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If Herd's fit, play him. He'll give 110% and is reasonably reliable in a midfield role.
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I talked him down a bit before this game. But I'm happy to admit I was wrong. Thought he looked solid when watching and just seen that he topped the passing stats. Fair play to him.
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I thought that he had an excellent game. Very composed on the ball and loves to get stuc in. A decent performance from him alround
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He was very good and has been for a few games now.
This is a hobby horse of mine, but how anyone can suggest herd should be in our midfield is beyond me. Ad la,best clearly agrees, he's only picked him there once - against Everton - and he was completely anonymous. He's a headless chicken. A McLeish midfielder but not a Lambert midfielder
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I agree. Herd isn't a ball wanting player for me. It's ok to play a holding midfielder, but one that can at least play a bit, like Petrov
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In the last half a dozen games we have seen the real Delph step up to the plate- long may it continue.
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In the last half a dozen games we have seen the real Delph step up to the plate- long may it continue.
Agree, arguably our best midfielder over the last 7 or 8 games he's played.
He didn't get booked yesterday either, which is a bonus :)
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In the last half a dozen games we have seen the real Delph step up to the plate- long may it continue.
Absolutely. Always liked him and glad he's coming good.
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He did well yesterday, no doubt. But let's not kid ourselves - he's still only starting to look solid in what is still a relegation-threatened team. I don't think he's any better than a bottom of the Prem/Championship player and if we're looking to progress next year we should be looking to a midfield without him.
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He did well yesterday, no doubt. But let's not kid ourselves - he's still only starting to look solid in what is still a relegation-threatened team. I still don't think he's any better than a bottom of the Prem/Championship player and if we're looking to progress next year we should be looking to a midfield without him.
I think he's been plagued by injury , having finally got himself fit and a run in the team he looks a decent player- i would be happy to keep him.
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We've also got to bear in mind he cost us £6m. It's not like he's come through the youth ranks and cost us nothing.
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Sounds like Westwood and Delph were a good combo, great to hear.
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Sounds like Westwood and Delph were a good combo, great to hear.
They looked good together, when is Delph's contract up?
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Sounds like Westwood and Delph were a good combo, great to hear.
They looked good together, when is Delph's contract up?
I know that he definitely signed a new deal under Houllier.
just looked it up, its up to 2015.
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A few months ago he was one of the many players branded by many on here as not up to Premiership standard, just goes to show what a decent run of form can do.
I hope he continues to improve as I reckon he could be pivotal next season.
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He did well yesterday, no doubt. But let's not kid ourselves - he's still only starting to look solid in what is still a relegation-threatened team. I don't think he's any better than a bottom of the Prem/Championship player and if we're looking to progress next year we should be looking to a midfield without him.
Delph's finally coming into his own and proving those who dismissed him so easily wrong. So now you invent another level of dismissal? I'd rather see him complete his development, which has not yet happened. You are correct he was purchased for £6 million, and he was not purchased to play in a "bottom of the table" team.
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he's only picked him there once - against Everton - and he was completely anonymous.
Unfair that. He was played out wide against Everton. When the team-sheet was revealed that day, everybody assumed that Herd was picked to counter Fellaini. Instead that job was shockingly left to Wee Bannan. TBH that team selection was one of the strangest I ever seen by a Villa manager.
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He did well yesterday, no doubt. But let's not kid ourselves - he's still only starting to look solid in what is still a relegation-threatened team. I don't think he's any better than a bottom of the Prem/Championship player and if we're looking to progress next year we should be looking to a midfield without him.
Delph's finally coming into his own and proving those who dismissed him so easily wrong. So now you invent another level of dismissal? I'd rather see him complete his development, which has not yet happened. You are correct he was purchased for £6 million, and he was not purchased to play in a "bottom of the table" team.
I am in full agreement with you not3bad, and more importantly so is PL by the look of things.
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For me Westwood is the key. He seems to gel with whoever partners him. He's always there for the ball. Always available. Bannan clicks pretty well with Westy too, though he's still inconsistent.
Delph has really been excellent though. The stats for both Delph and Westwood show that they rarely waste the ball.
What we do need to see more from Delph now is a goal threat. He was more attack minded at Leeds and known for being able to spank a shot in from distance. I'd like to see more driving runs from midfield, using his pace.
For me he's good enough. I was not convinced in the slightest before this season but fair play to Delph, he's finally had a good run in the side and he's settled now.
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For me Westwood is the key. He seems to gel with whoever partners him. He's always there for the ball. Always available. Bannan clicks pretty well with Westy too, though he's still inconsistent.
Delph has really been excellent though. The stats for both Delph and Westwood show that they rarely waste the ball.
What we do need to see more from Delph now is a goal threat. He was more attack minded at Leeds and known for being able to spank a shot in from distance. I'd like to see more driving runs from midfield, using his pace.
For me he's good enough. I was not convinced in the slightest before this season but fair play to Delph, he's finally had a good run in the side and he's settled now.
Totally agree, I think sylla complements them both nicely too.
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Agree with Ad@m to an extent. A short while ago, there was a consensus that this was one of the worst Villa squads ever. That hasn't suddenly changed because we have won a few games. There is no sentimentality in football. If we stay up, then there needs to be a major restructuring of the squad to ensure we can progress.
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Agree with Ad@m to an extent. A short while ago, there was a consensus that this was one of the worst Villa squads ever. That hasn't suddenly changed because we have won a few games. There is no sentimentality in football. If we stay up, then there needs to be a major restructuring of the squad to ensure we can progress.
It was/is a poor squad but due to the players' ages they're likely to improve as they get more experience. Bennet in particular looks like a kid.
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Agree with Ad@m to an extent. A short while ago, there was a consensus that this was one of the worst Villa squads ever. That hasn't suddenly changed because we have won a few games. There is no sentimentality in football. If we stay up, then there needs to be a major restructuring of the squad to ensure we can progress.
Lambert has now finally found a formation that works and suits the players , with the confidence and new system of play they look much better - a major restructuring is not needed - a bit of pruning and three of four experienced heads will add a lot - Gardner will be like a new signing and we have promising young lads on the fringe.
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Agree with Ad@m to an extent. A short while ago, there was a consensus that this was one of the worst Villa squads ever. That hasn't suddenly changed because we have won a few games. There is no sentimentality in football. If we stay up, then there needs to be a major restructuring of the squad to ensure we can progress.
I'm not sure "major re-structuring" is either required or likely.
I do think that Lambert should learn from this season (and with the hoped-for departure of Ireland, Dunne, Charles, Bent and Mutton) and secure the services of 2 Premier-experienced (premier-quality) CB and at least one experienced CMF.
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Agree with Ad@m to an extent. A short while ago, there was a consensus that this was one of the worst Villa squads ever. That hasn't suddenly changed because we have won a few games. There is no sentimentality in football. If we stay up, then there needs to be a major restructuring of the squad to ensure we can progress.
Without doubt. I still think Delph makes the cut. Bannan? Not too sure. He hasn't shown enough. I've no problems with Westwood or Delph in CM long term.
Currently this is one of the weakest squads we've ever had in the Prem. That said it's potential is better than many of them. We've had a few average aging squads over the years, like SGT2 with the likes of Leonhardsen, Kinsella, Johnsen etc. Obviously O Neill made many a dubious signing too.
I'd expect a lot of these lads to really kick on next season though. There's talent. They get better with more experience with every game. Looking at things there's potential all through the side. Guzan in goal is brilliant. Lowton, Vlaar is looking solid now, Westy looks potentially very good. Could come within sniffing distance of Barry and Milner. If he added goals he'd be very close. Then of course Benteke up front is pure class.
The more these youngsters learn and the manager, the better we'll be for next season. 3-4 good signings, keeping Tekkers, and we'll be right up in the heady heights of top 8 again. Below the top 7 there's very little in it. Lamberts got the right ideas.
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Agree with Ad@m to an extent. A short while ago, there was a consensus that this was one of the worst Villa squads ever. That hasn't suddenly changed because we have won a few games. There is no sentimentality in football. If we stay up, then there needs to be a major restructuring of the squad to ensure we can progress.
There wasn't a consensus, there were a few prolific posters repeating the same argument. Most people could see that we were a work in progress and were prepared to give them time. Of course we need to strengthen but to build on what we have, not major reconstruction.
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Agree with Ad@m to an extent. A short while ago, there was a consensus that this was one of the worst Villa squads ever. That hasn't suddenly changed because we have won a few games. There is no sentimentality in football. If we stay up, then there needs to be a major restructuring of the squad to ensure we can progress.
There wasn't a consensus, there were a few prolific posters repeating the same argument. Most people could see that we were a work in progress and were prepared to give them time. Of course we need to strengthen but to build on what we have, not major reconstruction.
So with just a little tinkering here and there you think we could go places with this squad?
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
With the slight tweak for Clark (who I think will be good enough) I agree 100%. This squad will not improve enough over the summer to not be involved in another relegation battle. Yes the players have promise but the squad looks like one of a newly promoted side.
Whilst I don't think major reconstruction is needed what we do need is some genuine quality in centre midfield and central defence.
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
With the slight tweak for Clark (who I think will be good enough) I agree 100%. This squad will not improve enough over the summer to not be involved in another relegation battle. Yes the players have promise but the squad looks like one of a newly promoted side.
Whilst I don't think major reconstruction is needed what we do need is some genuine quality in centre midfield and central defence.
Very true. The defence needs serious rebuilding. I wouldn't trust the likes of Clark and Baker in my defence as far as I could throw them, and both fullbacks fill me with dread.
There's a lot of work to be done before we can start looking towards the other side of the table to the one we've been staring at all season.
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To me it's clear, our central defence and central midfield are very weak. Sort those positions out with some reliable players and we could easily be pushing top 8 next season I reckon. Don't and it will be another struggle.
Westwood is a good player but he needs better alongside him. In fairness Delph has stepped up recently but previously when he's started to string two decent games together, he's got injured. And this run of form has been punctured by a two match ban for 10 yellows.
I actually think our attack has the potential to be better than what we had in the MON years. That's what will save us this season and one area of the pitch where there is real quality and Gabby is showing his best form since 09/10.
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he's only picked him there once - against Everton - and he was completely anonymous.
Unfair that. He was played out wide against Everton. When the team-sheet was revealed that day, everybody assumed that Herd was picked to counter Fellaini. Instead that job was shockingly left to Wee Bannan. TBH that team selection was one of the strangest I ever seen by a Villa manager.
Yep and the Fonz starting over Weimann was another shocker.
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
With the slight tweak for Clark (who I think will be good enough) I agree 100%. This squad will not improve enough over the summer to not be involved in another relegation battle. Yes the players have promise but the squad looks like one of a newly promoted side.
Whilst I don't think major reconstruction is needed what we do need is some genuine quality in centre midfield and central defence.
over the course of the season we've not been good enough to not be in a relegation battle. Since the start of the year we're comfortably mid-table. So with minor tweaks we'd likely carry that on and be mid-table. get those tweaks right and we can push for the top half.
You seem to be missing the fact that we've got a team full of kids who had their confidence trampled all over for a month and yet we're only 6 points away from 10th, bit more steel against a few sides where we gave away 2 goal leads and we'd be well up there.
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He did well yesterday, no doubt. But let's not kid ourselves - he's still only starting to look solid in what is still a relegation-threatened team. I don't think he's any better than a bottom of the Prem/Championship player and if we're looking to progress next year we should be looking to a midfield without him.
Or been a big part in the side looking mid table or better since the end of January in reality.
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The difference next season will be that - with 12 months together - the squad will have so much more cohesion. Assuming that we (i) stay up and (ii) keep the key players we want to keep (e.g Weimann, Benteke, Guzan), I would expect the addition of two experienced CB and at least one experienced CMF to make a significant difference to what we've seen this season.
I do think that we need to ship out the dead wood but this squad ain't that far off being very good.
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I'd be happy to see the entire defence replaced and I think you could call that major reconstruction.
I think the midfield needs a leader but there is a nice mix there and we don't have a problem at all up top.
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
With the slight tweak for Clark (who I think will be good enough) I agree 100%. This squad will not improve enough over the summer to not be involved in another relegation battle. Yes the players have promise but the squad looks like one of a newly promoted side.
Whilst I don't think major reconstruction is needed what we do need is some genuine quality in centre midfield and central defence.
over the course of the season we've not been good enough to not be in a relegation battle. Since the start of the year we're comfortably mid-table. So with minor tweaks we'd likely carry that on and be mid-table. get those tweaks right and we can push for the top half.
You seem to be missing the fact that we've got a team full of kids who had their confidence trampled all over for a month and yet we're only 6 points away from 10th, bit more steel against a few sides where we gave away 2 goal leads and we'd be well up there.
6 points away from 10th having played two games more than them. You can say all you like about confidence and chucking leads but we can't blame our position on anything other than the quality of the squad. The team is in the position it deserves to be in and without significant investment we'll have a similar season next year. Yes there is promise in some of the kids but they're not going to become top 10 players over the summer and some of them won't make it to that level at all.
To bring it back on topic, if we're aiming to be a top 10 club again I don't think Delph is good enough. Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
With the slight tweak for Clark (who I think will be good enough) I agree 100%. This squad will not improve enough over the summer to not be involved in another relegation battle. Yes the players have promise but the squad looks like one of a newly promoted side.
Whilst I don't think major reconstruction is needed what we do need is some genuine quality in centre midfield and central defence.
... both fullbacks fill me with dread ...
Well, I understand what you mean and have had a similar view this season. But I think that Lambert bought these two guys essentially for their attacking skills, expecting to have a better CB pairing and some better defensive MF players. His focus should be in these areas, initially, over the close season, since both Lowton and Bennett are improving.
But we certainly need cover in all the defensive positions.
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To bring it back on topic, if we're aiming to be a top 10 club again I don't think Delph is good enough. Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
Well, he was good enough for Citeh to be v pissed off when he came to Villa rather than to them.
I think he'd look rather good in a good side! - one wheere he wasn't having to struggle along with the rest of the team.
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To bring it back on topic, if we're aiming to be a top 10 club again I don't think Delph is good enough. Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
Well, he was good enough for Citeh to be v pissed off when he came to Villa rather than to them.
I think he'd look rather good in a good side! - one wheere he wasn't having to struggle along with the rest of the team.
That's not really answering the question. The answer is that he wouldn't get into the midfield of the half-decent clubs in the division. I doubt even Westwood would be a regular in any of them. Saying he would look better in a good team is a mute point because we are not currently a good team.
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To bring it back on topic, if we're aiming to be a top 10 club again I don't think Delph is good enough. Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
Well, he was good enough for Citeh to be v pissed off when he came to Villa rather than to them.
I think he'd look rather good in a good side! - one wheere he wasn't having to struggle along with the rest of the team.
Do you honestly think he'd get anywhere near Man City's side?! He's not good enough to polish the boots of any of their midfielders.
He reminds me a lot of NRC. At best, an average Premier League player. Although at the moment I think Delph has the potential to be at best, an average Premier League player, rather than him actually being one. If we're looking to get away from the bottom Delph shouldn't play a part in that.
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To bring it back on topic, if we're aiming to be a top 10 club again I don't think Delph is good enough. Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
Well, he was good enough for Citeh to be v pissed off when he came to Villa rather than to them.
I think he'd look rather good in a good side! - one wheere he wasn't having to struggle along with the rest of the team.
Do you honestly think he'd get anywhere near Man City's side?! He's not good enough to polish the boots of any of their midfielders.
He reminds me a lot of NRC. At best, an average Premier League player. Although at the moment I think Delph has the potential to be at best, an average Premier League player, rather than him actually being one. If we're looking to get away from the bottom Delph shouldn't play a part in that.
Delph has looked much improved since getting a decent run in the side , long may it continue- i find it somewhat strange that you are criticising him when he's showing his best form in 3 years.
If he carries on in his current form then he fully deserves his place in the side.
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To bring it back on topic, if we're aiming to be a top 10 club again I don't think Delph is good enough. Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
Well, he was good enough for Citeh to be v pissed off when he came to Villa rather than to them.
I think he'd look rather good in a good side! - one wheere he wasn't having to struggle along with the rest of the team.
Do you honestly think he'd get anywhere near Man City's side?! He's not good enough to polish the boots of any of their midfielders.
He reminds me a lot of NRC. At best, an average Premier League player. Although at the moment I think Delph has the potential to be at best, an average Premier League player, rather than him actually being one. If we're looking to get away from the bottom Delph shouldn't play a part in that.
Delph has looked much improved since getting a decent run in the side , long may it continue- i find it somewhat strange that you are criticising him when he's showing his best form in 3 years.
If he carries on in his current form then he fully deserves his place in the side.
I'm not criticising him I'm just saying let's not get carried away. He looks ok in a side that's just dragged itself out of the relegation zone. I don't want to see Villa in a relegation battle every year and when we get to that point I just don't think Delph will be good enough.
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To bring it back on topic, if we're aiming to be a top 10 club again I don't think Delph is good enough. Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
Well, he was good enough for Citeh to be v pissed off when he came to Villa rather than to them.
I think he'd look rather good in a good side! - one wheere he wasn't having to struggle along with the rest of the team.
Do you honestly think he'd get anywhere near Man City's side?! He's not good enough to polish the boots of any of their midfielders.
He reminds me a lot of NRC. At best, an average Premier League player. Although at the moment I think Delph has the potential to be at best, an average Premier League player, rather than him actually being one. If we're looking to get away from the bottom Delph shouldn't play a part in that.
Delph has looked much improved since getting a decent run in the side , long may it continue- i find it somewhat strange that you are criticising him when he's showing his best form in 3 years.
If he carries on in his current form then he fully deserves his place in the side.
I'm not criticising him I'm just saying let's not get carried away. He looks ok in a side that's just dragged itself out of the relegation zone. I don't want to see Villa in a relegation battle every year and when we get to that point I just don't think Delph will be good enough.
Do you think selling 10-11 players and having to buy replacements who will need to settle into the squad will be better than making 4-5 changes and keeping most of the squad together? If you think the former then maybe Delph and a lot of others are options to be sold but no club has ever been successful doing that (except maybe the odd time where someone was playing with monopoly money).
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Our midfield is very weak though.
You can get away with having a leaky defence if the rest of your team is up to scratch, Norwich did it last season, Keegan's newcastle were challenging for the title despite conceding every week are two examples.
We've won 3 out of 4 league games recently despite last keeping a clean sheet in the ice age. A reason? Our front three have been top class recently. Imagine they'd be even better if we had a more creativity and solid midfield giving them the ball.
We conceded a lot of goals in 07/08 but were top 6 due to the midfield of Young-Barry- Petrov-NRC having a nice balance to it which was strengthed with Milner coming in.
You really can't compare it to the options we have now....
Bannan- Poor
Ireland- lol
Delph- playing well, let's see him do that for half a season injury free though.
Westwood- good player.
Sylla- Looks o.k, could be a decent squad player in time.
Petrov- sadly missed
Holman and KEA- Looked decent in the opening few games but both have been insignificant since Xmas.
Gardner- see what shape he's in from the latest injury.
I'd ship out Holman, KEA and Bannan close season and try to find two quality central midfielders from here and abroad to add some quality, someone like Diego at Wolfsburg who's had good spells at Atletico Madrid and Werder Bremen would be a good pickup I reckon, probably on less wages than Ireland.
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That Fer chap who failed his Everton medical would be decent in our setup. Overall though I think we need a tricky attacking option and an experienced strong midfield player, coupled with a centre half and full back competition. We would have conceded less if the forwards had been more clinical too this season I reckon. Also Dunne being fully fit would have been a big plus.
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I somewhat agree, ship out Ireland for sure, then we probably need to move on 1-2 more as well, with holman, nzogbia, bannan and kea being the 4 to choose from.
Defensively we'll have lost Warnock, Hutton, Dunne and Lichaj
Up front a lot depends on Bent's future, if he's happy to be part of the squad behind Benteke then keep him, if not we'll need to see if we can find a home for him and get a replacement there too.
From that you'd be looking at 6-7 players either gone or going most of whom need to be replaced, that's already a massive amount of work in finding the right quality and attitude. We shouldn't add to that by selling off players like Delph, Clark, Baker, etc who have shown a lot of promise this season, at times.
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I somewhat agree, ship out Ireland for sure, then we probably need to move on 1-2 more as well, with holman, nzogbia, bannan and kea being the 4 to choose from.
Defensively we'll have lost Warnock, Hutton, Dunne and Lichaj
Up front a lot depends on Bent's future, if he's happy to be part of the squad behind Benteke then keep him, if not we'll need to see if we can find a home for him and get a replacement there too.
From that you'd be looking at 6-7 players either gone or going most of whom need to be replaced, that's already a massive amount of work in finding the right quality and attitude. We shouldn't add to that by selling off players like Delph, Clark, Baker, etc who have shown a lot of promise this season, at times.
Would agree with that post Paul, but I do think if we stay up we will need to add a few quality players in the summer if we are to move on. A quality centre half and a creative attacking midfielder are musts in my opinion and then we could also do with another option at left back and a wide player.
Given, Hutton, Dunne Ireland and Bent are the ones who really need to be moved on.
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I think a right back should be high on the list.
My shopping list would be:
Right back (can be experienced or potential, just need another option)
Centre back (experienced - Lescott or Douglas are the 2 obvious options)
Central midfielder/attacking midfielder (one who can add some goals to the side - I'd love us to go for someone a bit special here)
Striker (who can play wide or central - Bony would be excellent)
Once we've got those spots filled we can review the quality and add 1-2 others but we need squad options in those spots.
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Delph should be a squad player. He has improved but he is not a first team starter. We have to get a MF player who can pick passes for the likes of Benteke and Weimann also who can tackle without looking like he is going to get sent off every game .....
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
With the slight tweak for Clark (who I think will be good enough) I agree 100%. This squad will not improve enough over the summer to not be involved in another relegation battle. Yes the players have promise but the squad looks like one of a newly promoted side.
Whilst I don't think major reconstruction is needed what we do need is some genuine quality in centre midfield and central defence.
over the course of the season we've not been good enough to not be in a relegation battle. Since the start of the year we're comfortably mid-table. So with minor tweaks we'd likely carry that on and be mid-table. get those tweaks right and we can push for the top half.
You seem to be missing the fact that we've got a team full of kids who had their confidence trampled all over for a month and yet we're only 6 points away from 10th, bit more steel against a few sides where we gave away 2 goal leads and we'd be well up there.
That 'steel' is wishful thinking with the defence we currently have. Its exactly why we are where we are.
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Look at it this way, do you think Delph would get anywhere near the first 11 of any of the teams in the top half of the table?
I'd play him over Sidwell. There's one for a start.
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I think he would start more often than not, on current form in all of the sides from 6th to 10th. Westwood and he are good enough footballers and are growing in stature. They need support to do that, and IMO someone like Barry would be a great signing to sit in with them now.
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Delph didn't look a disaster waiting to happen yesterday. He put in some good strong tackles, carried the ball well an passed it well too.
I do wonder whether his spate of yellow cards and indifferent contribution earlier in the season were a product of lack of fitness rather than ability. Let's face it he has hardly had a chance to get up to PL speed since he got here and has spent a protracted period where he hasn't played football at any level.
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Delph didn't look a disaster waiting to happen yesterday. He put in some good strong tackles, carried the ball well an passed it well too.
I do wonder whether his spate of yellow cards and indifferent contribution earlier in the season were a product of lack of fitness rather than ability. Let's face it he has hardly had a chance to get up to PL speed since he got here and has spent a protracted period where he hasn't played football at any level.
Would agree with that Steve. He has showed glimpses in the past of what he can do, but has never had a good run in the side due to injury. He seems to be playing with a bit confidence at the moment and is beginning to put in decent performances.
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I think a right back should be high on the list.
My shopping list would be:
Right back (can be experienced or potential, just need another option)
Centre back (experienced - Lescott or Douglas are the 2 obvious options)
Central midfielder/attacking midfielder (one who can add some goals to the side - I'd love us to go for someone a bit special here)
Striker (who can play wide or central - Bony would be excellent)
Once we've got those spots filled we can review the quality and add 1-2 others but we need squad options in those spots.
I'd definitely agree with that Paul. In Westwood, Delph, Sylla, El Ahmadi, Gardner and even Clark we have enough enough defensive midfield options. What we are really missing is a creative player who can sit just in front of them and link everything up. I too would love to see a real quality player come in that position and if the rumours that we were interested are true, it is a shame that we missed on Coutinho as he looks exactly like the kind of player we need.
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I think he would start more often than not, on current form in all of the sides from 6th to 10th. Westwood and he are good enough footballers and are growing in stature. They need support to do that, and IMO someone like Barry would be a great signing to sit in with them now.
Absolutely- the time is right for Gareth to come home.
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Coutinho looks a class act, but would kill us if he played in one of the 3 midfield roles. He plays more forward for Liverpool and would have for us I am sure.
We need someone more like a 20 year old Lampard, that is big and physical enough to play in the centre of midfield but will join up and get 10-15 goals.
Erm.. Ian Taylor 2 if you like.
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Coutinho looks a class act, but would kill us if he played in one of the 3 midfield roles. He plays more forward for Liverpool and would have for us I am sure.
We need someone more like a 20 year old Lampard, that is big and physical enough to play in the centre of midfield but will join up and get 10-15 goals.
Erm.. Ian Taylor 2 if you like.
Exactly what I'm hoping Gary Gardner will develop into.
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We do have defensive midfield options. But there's at least a question about whichever combination we use being defensively strong enough.
I don't think fans should get too excited about Gardner too soon. As with delph, he's missed so much football at key stages of his development. He could take a year or so to really get into the groove. I'm not sure he's ready based on what we saw before anyway if I'm honest.
Delph on the other hand has got some of the 'zip' into his game that had been missing. But I'd be happy to lose KEA ad Bannan and get one athletic central midfielder with a bit of physical presence in. I wondered about Nzonzi but he looked poor on Saturday. Leroy Fer from Holland?
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... But I'd be happy to lose KEA and Bannan and get one athletic central midfielder with a bit of physical presence in ...
Yep; I'd probably lose Holman as well, although I do think that - if we can channel his energy - there's a player in there somewhere.
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Coutinho looks a class act, but would kill us if he played in one of the 3 midfield roles. He plays more forward for Liverpool and would have for us I am sure.
We need someone more like a 20 year old Lampard, that is big and physical enough to play in the centre of midfield but will join up and get 10-15 goals.
Erm.. Ian Taylor 2 if you like.
I think that Delph is quite capable of getting a few goals himself if given the opportunity to drive forward and not be restricted to a defensive role. Take away his injuries, he was shackled last season by seemingly being told not to go over the half way line. Now he has had a bit of a run with some liberty to push forward, I think with the other players around him also growing in confidence, or another decent class addition in there, he could become an all rounder in the midfield area.
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'Restructuring' maybe was too strong a word. Many players from the current squad need culling though. Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Clark, Stevens, Bannan, KEA, Holman, Albrighton, Ireland (won't happen as nobody will have him), Bent all need to be shipped out. I'm not even convinced the likes of Baker, Bennett, Delph, Sylla should remain anything other then squad players.
With the slight tweak for Clark (who I think will be good enough) I agree 100%. This squad will not improve enough over the summer to not be involved in another relegation battle. Yes the players have promise but the squad looks like one of a newly promoted side.
Whilst I don't think major reconstruction is needed what we do need is some genuine quality in centre midfield and central defence.
over the course of the season we've not been good enough to not be in a relegation battle. Since the start of the year we're comfortably mid-table. So with minor tweaks we'd likely carry that on and be mid-table. get those tweaks right and we can push for the top half.
You seem to be missing the fact that we've got a team full of kids who had their confidence trampled all over for a month and yet we're only 6 points away from 10th, bit more steel against a few sides where we gave away 2 goal leads and we'd be well up there.
That 'steel' is wishful thinking with the defence we currently have. Its exactly why we are where we are.
That's exactly what he's saying isn't it?
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I think a right back should be high on the list.
My shopping list would be:
Right back (can be experienced or potential, just need another option)
Centre back (experienced - Lescott or Douglas are the 2 obvious options)
Central midfielder/attacking midfielder (one who can add some goals to the side - I'd love us to go for someone a bit special here)
Striker (who can play wide or central - Bony would be excellent)
Once we've got those spots filled we can review the quality and add 1-2 others but we need squad options in those spots.
I'd definitely agree with that Paul. In Westwood, Delph, Sylla, El Ahmadi, Gardner and even Clark we have enough enough defensive midfield options. What we are really missing is a creative player who can sit just in front of them and link everything up. I too would love to see a real quality player come in that position and if the rumours that we were interested are true, it is a shame that we missed on Coutinho as he looks exactly like the kind of player we need.
The problem is that of the players you mentioned, only Sylla is possibly a natural DCM. Not that we'd get him, but someone like Parker is needed. KEA is a bit of an enigma and may not make it here now, but if we get that player and have him, Sylla, Westwood and Delph fighting for two places I'd be quite happy with that.
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Coutinho looks a class act, but would kill us if he played in one of the 3 midfield roles. He plays more forward for Liverpool and would have for us I am sure.
We need someone more like a 20 year old Lampard, that is big and physical enough to play in the centre of midfield but will join up and get 10-15 goals.
Erm.. Ian Taylor 2 if you like.
Given his try for Dempsey in the summer, I think Lambert may well agree with you!
If we persist with the present formation, then that furthest forward of the midfield three is a ket position. Despite the strikers scoring well, we're down the bottom of the goal scoring charts because the midfield haven't contributed.
I'd take Lampard on a short term deal if the wages weren't daft!
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I think a right back should be high on the list.
My shopping list would be:
Right back (can be experienced or potential, just need another option)
Centre back (experienced - Lescott or Douglas are the 2 obvious options)
Central midfielder/attacking midfielder (one who can add some goals to the side - I'd love us to go for someone a bit special here)
Striker (who can play wide or central - Bony would be excellent)
Once we've got those spots filled we can review the quality and add 1-2 others but we need squad options in those spots.
I'd definitely agree with that Paul. In Westwood, Delph, Sylla, El Ahmadi, Gardner and even Clark we have enough enough defensive midfield options. What we are really missing is a creative player who can sit just in front of them and link everything up. I too would love to see a real quality player come in that position and if the rumours that we were interested are true, it is a shame that we missed on Coutinho as he looks exactly like the kind of player we need.
The problem is that of the players you mentioned, only Sylla is possibly a natural DCM. Not that we'd get him, but someone like Parker is needed. KEA is a bit of an enigma and may not make it here now, but if we get that player and have him, Sylla, Westwood and Delph fighting for two places I'd be quite happy with that.
I think I'd let KEA go, along with Ireland and probably 1 of Bannan, Holman and Nzog.
I've said before my 2 to replace them would be Kevin Strootman (at PSV) and Adam Maher (at AZ). Both fit the young and hungry criteria, but they are also both full internationals for Holland and have bags of ability. I think both are probably out of our reach but it doesn't hurt to ask the question. Maher would cover the 3 roles behind Benteke and Strootman would be one of the more defensive midfielders. The pair would be £25m ish which again is a big outlay but that's the reason why I don't want us trying to sell and replace 10-11 players.
With those 2 in (or similar players at least) we'd need a centre back and backup right back and the squad would be 'right' in terms of numbers.
After that if Bent goes we replace him, same with Given (although that backup role might fall to Seigrist anyway).
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I wonder if we will go for Dempsey? He's not done much at Spurs.
But is he better than we have? I'm not sure I see him in the nuymber 10 role really and I like Weimann and Gabby wide.
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I would definitely keep N'Zog. We're starting to see the best of him in the last few months. Now that he knows the club and that Lambert knows how best to employ him we will see far better from him from now on.
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Dempsey would be a good option. and I'd keep CNz, and flog Ireland.
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I would definitely keep N'Zog. We're starting to see the best of him in the last few months. Now that he knows the club and that Lambert knows how best to employ him we will see far better from him from now on.
I think individually he's been fine but we're a better team without him (we've won 3 in 4 since he was dropped). I also don't think he's enough of a goal threat from that position given how little he offers in other areas. If we could replace him with someone with similar talent but a better work ethic and a few more goals it would be very useful, we really need 10goals a year from that role (roughly in line with Gabby and Weimann in the wider roles).
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I would definitely keep N'Zog. We're starting to see the best of him in the last few months. Now that he knows the club and that Lambert knows how best to employ him we will see far better from him from now on.
I think individually he's been fine but we're a better team without him (we've won 3 in 4 since he was dropped). I also don't think he's enough of a goal threat from that position given how little he offers in other areas. If we could replace him with someone with similar talent but a better work ethic and a few more goals it would be very useful, we really need 10goals a year from that role (roughly in line with Gabby and Weimann in the wider roles).
I've never been a fan of Charles and this season he has - like last - shown his flakiness.
I'd try and capitalise what we can from him in the transfer market, and move on.
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Lambo was watching Luke Murphy a Crewe midfielder yesterday.
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Lambo was watching Luke Murphy a Crewe midfielder yesterday.
He's the lad that took over from Westie as their central midfield general, I believe.
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I would definitely keep N'Zog. We're starting to see the best of him in the last few months. Now that he knows the club and that Lambert knows how best to employ him we will see far better from him from now on.
I think individually he's been fine but we're a better team without him (we've won 3 in 4 since he was dropped). I also don't think he's enough of a goal threat from that position given how little he offers in other areas. If we could replace him with someone with similar talent but a better work ethic and a few more goals it would be very useful, we really need 10goals a year from that role (roughly in line with Gabby and Weimann in the wider roles).
Again, I agree Paul. N'Zogbia has done well at times this season, but i just don't think he is active enough in the role, and as you said he doesn't really offer a goal threat. I thought Robbie Keane was excellent when he played for us in that position last season and contributed with both goals and assists.
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Capoue, Bony, Onohua, Douglas, and Canales.That would do me.
Delph has grown into his position in the last 2/3 months, and is worth keeping, he has good pace, at times a very good pass, and puts himself about.Not sure he is a 1st teamer, but is getting to be quite a capable understudy for me.
Keep Delph, Westwood, Gardener, let KEA, Bannan, Holman, Herd, Ireland go imho.
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Lambo was watching Luke Murphy a Crewe midfielder yesterday.
He's the lad that took over from Westie as their central midfield general, I believe.
Crewe manager saying Murphy is better than Westwood. He has scored 14 goals this season. 2-3m go get him ......
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That Fer chap who failed his Everton medical would be decent in our setup. Overall though I think we need a tricky attacking option and an experienced strong midfield player, coupled with a centre half and full back competition. We would have conceded less if the forwards had been more clinical too this season I reckon. Also Dunne being fully fit would have been a big plus.
I agree, two new central midfielders are a must this summer if only to freshen things as the likes of Bannan and Delph have been around the first team squad for a few years now.
In fairness Bennett has played well recently but we still lack depth in the full back area as Baker has to play there when he's injured.
An experience LB like say Jon Arne Riise or maybe to push the boat out a little someone like Kolorov from Man. City on a season long loan to challenge Bennett would be good.
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Lambo was watching Luke Murphy a Crewe midfielder yesterday.
He's the lad that took over from Westie as their central midfield general, I believe.
Crewe manager saying Murphy is better than Westwood. He has scored 14 goals this season. 2-3m go get him ......
We didnt we buy him instead then?
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Delph didn't look a disaster waiting to happen yesterday. He put in some good strong tackles, carried the ball well an passed it well too.
I do wonder whether his spate of yellow cards and indifferent contribution earlier in the season were a product of lack of fitness rather than ability. Let's face it he has hardly had a chance to get up to PL speed since he got here and has spent a protracted period where he hasn't played football at any level.
Good points. I thought Delph was hopeless whenever he was in the side last year. The turning point for me was the West Ham game. i thought Delph was brilliant that day and has been ever since.
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Delph didn't look a disaster waiting to happen yesterday. He put in some good strong tackles, carried the ball well an passed it well too.
I do wonder whether his spate of yellow cards and indifferent contribution earlier in the season were a product of lack of fitness rather than ability. Let's face it he has hardly had a chance to get up to PL speed since he got here and has spent a protracted period where he hasn't played football at any level.
Good points. I thought Delph was hopeless whenever he was in the side last year. The turning point for me was the West Ham game. i thought Delph was brilliant that day and has been ever since.
I've thought it was more fitness than anything else for a long time. He always seemed half a yard off the pace and was throwing himself in out of frustration more often than not. He's still reckless but he's not the walking yellow card he had been, his touch looks better as well, and he's looking up a lot more when he has the ball, both a things that go to pot when you're unfit/tiring at the end of a game.
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He was fantastic at west brom too. That was the first time I saw real dynamism and sharpness in his play. He's got really quick feet to manoeuvre out of right situations.
Can't cross a ball though can he?
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He was fantastic at west brom too. That was the first time I saw real dynamism and sharpness in his play. He's got really quick feet to manoeuvre out of right situations.
Can't cross a ball though can he?
He scored a few at Leeds and I'd like to see him do that here, one area where we lack goals badly is midfield .
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Lambo was watching Luke Murphy a Crewe midfielder yesterday.
He's the lad that took over from Westie as their central midfield general, I believe.
Crewe manager saying Murphy is better than Westwood. He has scored 14 goals this season. 2-3m go get him ......
I believe we have been monitoring this kid all season!
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He was fantastic at west brom too. That was the first time I saw real dynamism and sharpness in his play. He's got really quick feet to manoeuvre out of right situations.
Can't cross a ball though can he?
He scored a few at Leeds and I'd like to see him do that here, one area where we lack goals badly is midfield .
This season in particular one of our biggest problems has been the lack of goals from the rest of the team. Benteke, Weimann and recently Gabby have scored 27 league goals between them, which is a perfectly acceptable, add a couple for Bent and the strikeforce have provided 29goals in the league.
We've scored 35 in total so the rest of the team have totalled 6 in 32 games (2 for lowton and 1 each for Holman, Nzog, KEA and Clark). That's absolutely pathetic and serves as, in my opinion, one of the main reasons we're at the wrong end of the table.
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If we are looking for an experienced holding midfielder would this guy be of use for a year of so?
@indykaila: Breaking news: Everton captain Phil Neville will leave club at end of season #EFC
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No thanks. He is just a bit too past it.
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I would like Diame.
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I quite like him too. But, he'd want massive wages. Wanyama at Celtic is good, but we'd be hoping he adapted quickly to the Premier League, we couldn't carry him like we did with Petrov for 18 months.
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I would like Diame.
He had a spell just before he got injured where he looked really good. Not sure what he's been like since he's been back but he'd be a decent buy.
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I'd go for Mulumbu or Jacob at WBA.
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James McCarthy at Wigan is a good midfielder. Seems to be able to get up and down the pitch.
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Lambo was watching Luke Murphy a Crewe midfielder yesterday.
He's the lad that took over from Westie as their central midfield general, I believe.
Crewe manager saying Murphy is better than Westwood. He has scored 14 goals this season. 2-3m go get him ......
I believe we have been monitoring this kid all season!
And the good thing about the approach we have adopted is that when there are players of real promise in the lower leagues, Aston Villa have become a really attractive proposition.
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James McCarthy at Wigan is a good midfielder. Seems to be able to get up and down the pitch.
He's a good player but the thought of a summer-long transfer saga conducted by Whelan via SSN is too much to take.
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James McCarthy at Wigan is a good midfielder. Seems to be able to get up and down the pitch.
That's a really good shout, especially if they go down.
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Pilkington at Norwich might be another option .
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McCarthy's a good player, but not exactly in the "goalscoring midfielder" bracket that we probably need.
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Delph's been very good since the Albion game. I was gutted when he was banned for two games. I wouldn't have said that three months ago.
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Delph's been very good since the Albion game. I was gutted when he was banned for two games. I wouldn't have said that three months ago.
Me too but we won those games without him which is encouraging , pleased hes back in the team though.
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Delph's been very good since the Albion game. I was gutted when he was banned for two games. I wouldn't have said that three months ago.
Me too but we won those games without him which is encouraging , pleased to deserve him back on the side though.
That's my way of thinking as well, rather than saying that we're a better side without him. I think we're just starting to click and be more consistent now. We didn't win those couple of games he was out because he wasn't there, its the team as a whole playing better together.
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Most improved player of the season I think. I started the season not wanting him anywhere near the team and now I'm happy he's here and hoping he can push on and keep improving with us into next season.
I still wish he wouldn't dive in with those stupid challenges though.
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If he adds goals to his game he could become indispensable to us. I do think in the coming years he's got to add that to his arsenal, or he may well lose his place.
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Regarding his scoring, as we grow more as a team I think he'll get the confidence to get ahead of the forwards more but currently we play Benteke, Weimann, Gabby and then maybe N'Zogbia or Bowery, it may even be instructions not to get ahead of the forwards and leave us open or he is just being restraint himself. He's got a good shot on him himself so I'm sure he's got a goal of the month in him or 2.
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Regarding his scoring, as we grow more as a team I think he'll get the confidence to get ahead of the forwards more but currently we play Benteke, Weimann, Gabby and then maybe N'Zogbia or Bowery, it may even be instructions not to get ahead of the forwards and leave us open or he is just being restraint himself. He's got a good shot on him himself so I'm sure he's got a goal of the month in him or 2.
Yeah, I don't see him as the Gerrard type, who'll break into the box regularly and score.
But he's got the ability to spank a decent strike from 20+yards. I'd like to see him go for it a little more and try and get 4-5 goals a season.
That said, first and foremost we need more goals from Charles. He's the sort of midfielder you'd expect to be hitting around 10 a season and hitting double figures with assists. Currently 1 goal and 4 assists isn't enough. Though he's still our most productive midfielder with assists+goals. (unless you count Gab as a mid).
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Regarding his scoring, as we grow more as a team I think he'll get the confidence to get ahead of the forwards more but currently we play Benteke, Weimann, Gabby and then maybe N'Zogbia or Bowery, it may even be instructions not to get ahead of the forwards and leave us open or he is just being restraint himself. He's got a good shot on him himself so I'm sure he's got a goal of the month in him or 2.
Yeah, I don't see him as the Gerrard type, who'll break into the box regularly and score.
But this is what Delph did for Leeds, so there is no reason to think he can't do so for us; and he has quick feet.
I think he's played the way successive managers have asked him to: sit mid-to-deep rather than mid-to-attacking. And when he's played we have tended to have other attacking MF on the pitch IIRC.
I'm afraid Chalres is not going to be our salvation for a scoring MF: too flaky and not hard-working enough.
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But this is what Delph did for Leeds, so there is no reason to think he can't do so for us
At Leeds he played as the advanced midfielder though. Since he has joined us, he has only been played as a deep (almost defensive) midfielder which I have never understood.
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Actually that Fer chap who was going to Everton is a good shout.Exactly the kind of player we need.
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Regarding his scoring, as we grow more as a team I think he'll get the confidence to get ahead of the forwards more but currently we play Benteke, Weimann, Gabby and then maybe N'Zogbia or Bowery, it may even be instructions not to get ahead of the forwards and leave us open or he is just being restraint himself. He's got a good shot on him himself so I'm sure he's got a goal of the month in him or 2.
Yeah, I don't see him as the Gerrard type, who'll break into the box regularly and score.
But this is what Delph did for Leeds, so there is no reason to think he can't do so for us; and he has quick feet.
I think he's played the way successive managers have asked him to: sit mid-to-deep rather than mid-to-attacking. And when he's played we have tended to have other attacking MF on the pitch IIRC.
I'm afraid Chalres is not going to be our salvation for a scoring MF: too flaky and not hard-working enough.
Nzogbia has been a disappointment in his 2 seasons , for his fee and wages he hasn't delivered nearly enough.
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We're a better team with Delph in it now and I think that's the first time I've said that since we signed him.
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Fab by name Fab by nature once he sorts his tackle and scores... :P
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Much improved.
I still think he's going to get at least a yellow card every time I see him going into a challenge, though.
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We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.
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We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.
He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true. Either way, such figures dont tell us much. Buying youngsters from League 1 is always a bit of a punt and this one is just starting to pay off. If he keeps improving this season and next he has the potential to become a stalwart of the side.
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We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.
He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true.
Well, he was a MON signing.....
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We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.
He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true. Either way, such figures dont tell us much. Buying youngsters from League 1 is always a bit of a punt and this one is just starting to pay off. If he keeps improving this season and next he has the potential to become a stalwart of the side.
You shouldn't be spending £6m on 'a bit of a punt' though.
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We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.
He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true. Either way, such figures dont tell us much. Buying youngsters from League 1 is always a bit of a punt and this one is just starting to pay off. If he keeps improving this season and next he has the potential to become a stalwart of the side.
You shouldn't be spending £6m on 'a bit of a punt' though.
Arsenal have spent more doing that.
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We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.
He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true. Either way, such figures dont tell us much. Buying youngsters from League 1 is always a bit of a punt and this one is just starting to pay off. If he keeps improving this season and next he has the potential to become a stalwart of the side.
You shouldn't be spending £6m on 'a bit of a punt' though.
This was at a time when we paid 10m ish for curtis davies, I think the money spent on Delph can be ignored largely, MoN was throwing cash around on a lot of shit, it's nice to see another of his splurges is repaying us eventually.
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I think Gardner may add goals from midfield next season if he gets a run in the team - i like the way we seem to be doing our homework on new signings now, as these words from Crewe boss Steve Evans testify-
"Clubs had monitored Ash for a long period of time. Villa came in, we thought Villa was a bit of a surprise. But then we found out that they had a thirty game dossier on him so they've done their homework; they knew what they were getting. But nobody else did, so fair play to them; they came in late with all their money and what a fantastic opportunity for him."
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I think Gardner may add goals from midfield next season if he gets a run in the team - i like the way we seem to be doing our homework on new signings now, as these words from Crewe boss Steve Evans testify-
"Clubs had monitored Ash for a long period of time. Villa came in, we thought Villa was a bit of a surprise. But then we found out that they had a thirty game dossier on him so they've done their homework; they knew what they were getting. But nobody else did, so fair play to them; they came in late with all their money and what a fantastic opportunity for him."
That makes lovely reading. I'm a firm believer that a well run club should have similar levels of scouting information on 6-7players for every position prior to any transfer window, with a full break down of strengths, weaknesses, testimonies from coaches, etc. It's just sensible scouting, if we can get that part right anyone who leaves we should be able to say what wqe're looking for as a replacement and have a list of targets within minutes of receiving the offer.
Man City offer £30m for Benteke - "right here are a bunch of target men forwards, these guys have similar qualities to him and are in the right age range and available for Xm, Ym and Zm do you want me to talk to their agents?" I know it's not that simple, but the concept is the only sensible way to compete with the restrictions we have.
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Pilkington at Norwich might be another option .
Chuckle :)
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I think Gardner may add goals from midfield next season if he gets a run in the team - i like the way we seem to be doing our homework on new signings now, as these words from Crewe boss Steve Evans testify-
"Clubs had monitored Ash for a long period of time. Villa came in, we thought Villa was a bit of a surprise. But then we found out that they had a thirty game dossier on him so they've done their homework; they knew what they were getting. But nobody else did, so fair play to them; they came in late with all their money and what a fantastic opportunity for him."
That makes lovely reading. I'm a firm believer that a well run club should have similar levels of scouting information on 6-7players for every position prior to any transfer window, with a full break down of strengths, weaknesses, testimonies from coaches, etc. It's just sensible scouting, if we can get that part right anyone who leaves we should be able to say what wqe're looking for as a replacement and have a list of targets within minutes of receiving the offer.
Man City offer £30m for Benteke - "right here are a bunch of target men forwards, these guys have similar qualities to him and are in the right age range and available for Xm, Ym and Zm do you want me to talk to their agents?" I know it's not that simple, but the concept is the only sensible way to compete with the restrictions we have.
You're bang on the money there paul_e. I think there is a reluctant acceptance that we will not be able to hold onto Benteke after the World Cup so we should be searching for replacements now. It would be a dereliction of duty to not have replacements identified.
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I like Delph, but is it only me that thinks/knows everytime he lines up a shot, he will not score? I kind of get the same feeling with Bannan, but not as hopeless.
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Another thread worthy of a bump. Delph is looking good at the moment. if he carries this form on we will safe.
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Pilkington at Norwich might be another option .
Chuckle :)
I think he will come this summer Soccer!
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the best thing I can say about Delph now is that when he has a good game it goes unnoticed because we just expect him to have a good game,
he has at last developed into a good midfield player for us, and we are now expecting high standard sfrom him every game, and that's a great compliment to him
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He's vastly improved since January. But, he still has the annoying habit sometimes of a first touch that's the same as an 8 year old playing 'swing ball'.
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I'm liking the idea of having Gary Gardener alongside Delph/Westie next season.
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I'm liking the idea of having Gary Gardener alongside Delph/Westie next season.
Gardner will be the cream of the crop of youngsters in my view, if he can get over his injury he will add greatly to our team.
Very happy with Delph , westy and sylla too.
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His first touch is sometimes a bit iffy, but he's been consistently good for a while now. I hope it continues and he continues to improve, we're finally seeing the sort of potential we thought we'd bought. He does need to add goals to his game though.
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The turn around in our midfield is the main reason for the uplift in form post Jan. Delph has played a big role in this and has really stepped up to the plate in 2013.
A midfield three of Westwood and Delph plus a battler will be a good balance. Not convinced the KEA or Sylla are the answer for that third place, but both are good enough to be competing for one of the three places if injuries happen.
I hope Delph stays injury free for a couple of seasons now, if he does that then maybe we will finally see the player MON thought he was buying. In fairness to young delph due to injuries and frequent managerial changes he has never had a good run in the team until now.
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His first touch is sometimes a bit iffy, but he's been consistently good for a while now. I hope it continues and he continues to improve, we're finally seeing the sort of potential we thought we'd bought. He does need to add goals to his game though.
Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught - goals is one thing we do need to see from midfield.
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Yep - the return from midfield has been very poor this season and is one of the reasons we've struggled.
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I think we're judging the current midfield'd scoring rate based on an old fashioned 442. In a 433 it's rare that they break past the forwards, so they're less likely to score.
Whereas on other threads people have been saying they can't remember the last time we had three forwards get 10+ goals.
Swings and roundabouts innit.
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Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught
Frustrating to see and something he needs to work on without doubt.
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Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught
Frustrating to see and something he needs to work on without doubt.
He seemed to score quite often at Leeds and had a decent shot on him from outside the box.
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I think we're judging the current midfield'd scoring rate based on an old fashioned 442. In a 433 it's rare that they break past the forwards, so they're less likely to score.
Whereas on other threads people have been saying they can't remember the last time we had three forwards get 10+ goals.
Swings and roundabouts innit.
You should still normally have the most advanced of the middle 3 chipping in with a few - Lampard/Gerrard like - we don't.
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His first touch is sometimes a bit iffy, but he's been consistently good for a while now. I hope it continues and he continues to improve, we're finally seeing the sort of potential we thought we'd bought. He does need to add goals to his game though.
Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught - goals is one thing we do need to see from midfield.
He worked that opening brilliantly for himself, he needs to trust his right foot when it's needed.
Just bloody hit it!
You don't shoot, you sure as hell won't score.
That'd be my only criticism of him of late. His tackling has vastly improved, he no longer looks like a booking waiting to happen. Perhaps that's down to this extended run in the side allowing him to hone his timing of the game at this level.
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He's also clearly got a sense of humour...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447
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He's also clearly got a sense of humour...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447
WM supportive as ever, there.
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How old does Delph sound in that article?
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He's also clearly got a sense of humour...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447
WM supportive as ever, there.
WM just bore me to death these days. I remember them praising Reo-Coker one game saying he should play for England, then the next game they was saying he wasn't good enough for Villa. Totally clueless at times.
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He's also clearly got a sense of humour...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447
WM supportive as ever, there.
Does anyone know what they were negative about after the Sunderland game? I know they rolled out the old "why isn't Bent starting?" after the Fulham one.
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He's also clearly got a sense of humour...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447
WM supportive as ever, there.
Does anyone know what they were negative about after the Sunderland game? I know they rolled out the old "why isn't Bent starting?" after the Fulham one.
The weather? Traffic?
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Most improved player this season for me. Maybe that's lamberts influence on him I don't know. But from what he was like last season and the beginning of this season, the difference is night and day.
Still a little rash at times but I don't mind that. It was the constant leaping off the ground and two footed challenges that would wind me up. You knew before he's even made the tackle he was going to get booked.
Much more mature and composed on the ball and I can see the reasons why we bought him
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How old does Delph sound in that article?
I dunno..how old?
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Injury free, run of games, we're beginning to see why O'Neil bought him
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I thought he was incredible today. He was excellent at Norwich too, plucking the ball down for Westwood to play Gabby in, but he is a brilliant athlete, and ran Ramires ragged until he got sent, which is some feat. Fair play, he and Westwood are well cemented in the side now.
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Just needs to spend the summer in his back garden practicing his shooting.
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The front 3 has been settled since about February and the middle 3 has settled in recent weeks. They have a really good balance and the first choice 11 are a very decent side. Delph has become the player we hoped he would be when we signed him.
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The front 3 has been settled since about February and the middle 3 has settled in recent weeks. They have a really good balance and the first choice 11 are a very decent side. Delph has become the player we hoped he would be when we signed him.
I find his energy levels astounding. It would be nice to have someone to give him a break or help half way through the second half, but the transformation from groaning oh god anyone but Delph, to about 3rd name on the team sheet has been mightily impressive.
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Agreed, Delph, Sylla and Westwood have the makings of a really well balanced Midfield. All young with good engines, all look like they are comfortable on the ball and all can see a pass and make it. They all look like they believe that they belong at this level, which for a while they didn't.
I'm also sure that goals will come from that Midfield at some stage too.
What they lack is that bit of guile that comes with experience and that's partly what cost us against Chelsea.
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To carry on the ozzjim love-in...I agree
Delph has been very impressive during our recent run. I just think its a confidence thing with his shooting rather than lack of ability. His right foot needs attention but I won't start with my bugbear about professionals who cannot use both feet. Delph was out for a long time and was poor to average when he came in. There has always been huge expectation around him and when he was not playing well he would never shoot. Something which was an important facet to his game when bought from Leeds. Now, he's in the team on merit and just needs to build up that confidence when in a position to shoot again. He needs to feel that he won't be criticized for failing.
Over the past few games he has tried to shoot more. I thought today, again, he was excellent. When we were chasing the game we didn't just hoof it, but with Delph orchestrating it we were still spreading the ball and looking for openings. He even had a brilliant moment in injury time when he outskilled someone, ghosted past them and set up another attack. As much as the much vaunted front 3, if we stay up Delph just behind them will be the fulcrum of a very potent attacking unit.
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I'm also sure that goals will come from that Midfield at some stage too.
I was just about to say I think that's the next step. Our front 3 will threaten anyone with their movement but we need the rest of the team to contribute goals too. Delph's been going close for a few weeks and today Sylla looked capable. Westwood even went close and he doesn't usually get into positions to score from.
Really like the first XI but look forward to it becoming a strong 18 with Lambert being able to pick and choose from a selection depending on which tactics he wants to deploy given who the opponent is. Obviously it would help to cope better when there's fixture congestion - which played a big part in what happened over Christmas.
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You look back to when he was at Leeds and some of his goal are worldies. Dribbling past players and finishing from 25 yrds with apparent ease. Its in his locker still, maybe he's just a little rusty after all the injuries, but finishing aside I really like the little scamp, always have done.
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I think he's adapting to the Premier League and getting the confidence of knowing this. He's not only had injuries (some serious) but several managers to contend with - including the anti-football McLeish. He's still only young too. I think he was 19 when we signed him and given the fact that he was going up 2 leagues, his injuries and the managers, he was always going to struggle.
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Seeing him dance through one of the best midfields in Europe over and over again was a joy to behold. I feel that Delph was forced to play extremely deep over the past two years and told to never get forward. This is detrimental to his strengths which is gliding past players and sliding in passes or going for goal. Fortunately Lambert is playing him in his much more natural position and over the past 3 months Delph has just been getting better and better game on game. It's going to take time for him to get back on the scoresheet regularly but there were signs today with his excellent effort that hit the netting.
The most improved player this year for sure. Keep playing him in this position and he'll be a revelation next year. :)
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Seeing him dance through one of the best midfields in Europe over and over again was a joy to behold. I feel that Delph was forced to play extremely deep over the past two years and told to never get forward. This is detrimental to his strengths which is gliding past players and sliding in passes or going for goal. Fortunately Lambert is playing him in his much more natural position and over the past 3 months Delph has just been getting better and better game on game. It's going to take time for him to get back on the scoresheet regularly but there were signs today with his excellent effort that hit the netting.
The most improved player this year for sure. Keep playing him in this position and he'll be a revelation next year. :)
This
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I think it is sometimes forgotten he is still only 23, and not 24 till November.
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Was my MOTM today, thought he was excellent, especially taking into account the players he was up against, not bad for the worst player ever to play for the club. When I used to defend him I always said he never struck me as the defensive type player we seemed to be trying to turn him into. Now he's fit, getting a run of games and seems to be allowed to go forward more at times he looks a monster, a real athlete as well if that makes sense.
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Seeing him dance through one of the best midfields in Europe over and over again was a joy to behold. I feel that Delph was forced to play extremely deep over the past two years and told to never get forward. This is detrimental to his strengths which is gliding past players and sliding in passes or going for goal. Fortunately Lambert is playing him in his much more natural position and over the past 3 months Delph has just been getting better and better game on game. It's going to take time for him to get back on the scoresheet regularly but there were signs today with his excellent effort that hit the netting.
The most improved player this year for sure. Keep playing him in this position and he'll be a revelation next year. :)
I agree with everything except the last line. Guzan is the most improved player, he's gone from an ok backup to being player of the season and one of the top 4-5 keepers in the league (for me), his rise has been spectacular so it's no shame that the likes of Delph and Weimann aren't quite in the same category.
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Maybe he meant 2013 rather than the whole season as it's the only last few months that he's started to really shine.
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I think the difference is predominantly that he's physically much stronger now. He's gliding past players in a way that he just want able to before, whatever his tactical instruction.
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Maybe he meant 2013 rather than the whole season as it's the only last few months that he's started to really shine.
He's been excellent in recent months.
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I thought Delph was stunning yesterday.
The fact that he win motm is testament to how well Sylla played.
Westwood, Delph and Sylla is becoming a bit of a dream midfield.
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Seeing him dance through one of the best midfields in Europe over and over again was a joy to behold. I feel that Delph was forced to play extremely deep over the past two years and told to never get forward. This is detrimental to his strengths which is gliding past players and sliding in passes or going for goal. Fortunately Lambert is playing him in his much more natural position and over the past 3 months Delph has just been getting better and better game on game. It's going to take time for him to get back on the scoresheet regularly but there were signs today with his excellent effort that hit the netting.
The most improved player this year for sure. Keep playing him in this position and he'll be a revelation next year. :)
I agree with everything except the last line. Guzan is the most improved player, he's gone from an ok backup to being player of the season and one of the top 4-5 keepers in the league (for me), his rise has been spectacular so it's no shame that the likes of Delph and Weimann aren't quite in the same category.
I disagree, Guzan showed how good he was last year and should never have been replaced by Given. Guzan was always good, but wasn't given a chance.
I remember being shot down when I said Guzan is a better all round keeper than Given has ever been. Surely this season, I've been proved right?
Delph and Weimann are the most improved this year for me.
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Delph has now got to a level where I expect yesterday like performance from him every match. He now contributes every match where as in previous seasons his liability outweighed his benefit.
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He was outstanding - needs to score more, would be my only 'development' observation.
Now that he's not being asked to hold up MF and is limiting his diving-in antics, he really is a revelation.
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Exciting that we have players who genuinely can go on an get even better. Up until this year I have probably been his biggest critic, I couldn't see anything in there worth persevering with. But what a transformation, I still haven't seen the game yesterday but his recent performances have been very encouraging indeed.
Well played Fab and we look forward to continued improvement next season.
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Watching MOTD last night, and no disrespect to Westwood, but a Frank Lampard , passing, attacking midfielder alongside Sylla and Delph would be a dream.
When we 1st bought Delph, i thought he was the kind of player we need to buy, a young, up-and -coming player, who could grow into a £20m+ kind of player.He then had a serious injury, and then a long period of time to find his confidence and his touch.He now has them both, and looks a real player.The thing i really enjoyed yday was how many times Delph and Sylla had the confidence to take on the Chelsea midfield , and get past them quite easily.Delph got the ball in about the 89th minute, deep in our half, showed Mata the ball, went past him, asdrove at their defence, it was a joy to behold.
The futures of Benteke and Weimann are very important, but the emergence of Sylla, and resurgence of Delph, might be just as important.Better foward players than Gabby and Weimann yday, and we would have won.
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I thought Delph was stunning yesterday.
The fact that he win motm is testament to how well Sylla played.
Westwood, Delph and Sylla is becoming a bit of a dream midfield.
The best midfield we have had all season ang getting better as they learn to play together as a unit
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Exciting that we have players who genuinely can go on an get even better. Up until this year I have probably been his biggest critic, I couldn't see anything in there worth persevering with. But what a transformation, I still haven't seen the game yesterday but his recent performances have been very encouraging indeed.
Well played Fab and we look forward to continued improvement next season.
I had the same view of Delph. I thought we'd been sold a pup who just wasn't good enough for the Prem, but over the course of this season he's grown into a tremendous player. He still has the tendency to drop a bollock (Fulham og for example) but overall he's now easily Prem standard.
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This midfield 3 needs to add goals from somewhere. Delph is the more likely, given he did so at Leeds.
Actually, if we could bring back Jimmy Milner to fit in with 2 of Sylla, Westy and Delph we'd have the goals element. He'd be ideal and also offer plenty of experience. Milney will become obsolete for City. He's beefed his bank account. If he were willing to take a pay cut and come back, he'd get us pushing for the top 8 again (alongside a couple of good defensive signings).
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Milner has been one of their best players this season, I was amazed they left him out. I am even more amazed they still play him wide. Not a chance of him coming back!
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Exciting that we have players who genuinely can go on an get even better. Up until this year I have probably been his biggest critic, I couldn't see anything in there worth persevering with. But what a transformation, I still haven't seen the game yesterday but his recent performances have been very encouraging indeed.
Well played Fab and we look forward to continued improvement next season.
I had the same view of Delph. I thought we'd been sold a pup who just wasn't good enough for the Prem, but over the course of this season he's grown into a tremendous player. He still has the tendency to drop a bollock (Fulham og for example) but overall he's now easily Prem standard.
I noticed yesterday that we had changed Delph's position in set-pieces. If I'm recalling it correctly, Sylla was in the area that Delph was in against Fulham and Delph was at the edge of the 18 yard box. That would help him to participate in counter attacks too.
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Watching MOTD last night, and no disrespect to Westwood, but a Frank Lampard , passing, attacking midfielder alongside Sylla and Delph would be a dream.
When we 1st bought Delph, i thought he was the kind of player we need to buy, a young, up-and -coming player, who could grow into a £20m+ kind of player.He then had a serious injury, and then a long period of time to find his confidence and his touch.He now has them both, and looks a real player.The thing i really enjoyed yday was how many times Delph and Sylla had the confidence to take on the Chelsea midfield , and get past them quite easily.Delph got the ball in about the 89th minute, deep in our half, showed Mata the ball, went past him, asdrove at their defence, it was a joy to behold.
The futures of Benteke and Weimann are very important, but the emergence of Sylla, and resurgence of Delph, might be just as important.Better foward players than Gabby and Weimann yday, and we would have won.
Take Westwood out and the others would look half as good. He is the option. Look at how many times in a game they pass it to him. Without him in there they would struggle a lot more. It would be Sylla or Delph that would have to come out for the goals.
Agree on Gabby and Weiman though. Options for them are almost as important as a centre mid and centre half this summer. Neither have composure on the ball around the box. Weimann does in front of goal, but on the ball he often breaks the attack down. Long way to go to be the finished article for him.
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This midfield 3 needs to add goals from somewhere. Delph is the more likely, given he did so at Leeds.
Delph's finishing and composure in front of goal is absolutely shocking - how he scored goals at Leeds I'll never know.
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... Gabby and Weiman though. Options for them are almost as important as a centre mid and centre half this summer. Neither have composure on the ball around the box. Weimann does in front of goal, but on the ball he often breaks the attack down. Long way to go to be the finished article for him.
Yeah, interesting point, Ozz. I feel that when either of them has too long on the balll - requiring them to think - they foul up. Instinctively, they play well and score.
An example yesterday was when Weimann had the ball on the right byline on a quick break and opted to lift the ball into the box (which might have been okay had Benteke still been on the pitch) instead of putting in a low hard cross for Gabby to attack. as it was, it came to nothing. Frustratingly unintelligent play.
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This midfield 3 needs to add goals from somewhere. Delph is the more likely, given he did so at Leeds.
Delph's finishing and composure in front of goal is absolutely shocking - how he scored goals at Leeds I'll never know.
It's a confidence thing, I reckon. I remember seeing some highlights of his time at Leeds on TV and he scored some crackers, so the ability is there.
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Watching MOTD last night, and no disrespect to Westwood, but a Frank Lampard , passing, attacking midfielder alongside Sylla and Delph would be a dream.
Someone who could say, play a defence-splitting pass through the our striker in the last minute to score a winning goal?
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203 goals from midfield?
Trying to be a smart arse yet again Dave?
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Westwood is the best midfielder at the club but he's better from deep, he couldn't play as a number 10.
We need a David Platt type who can get in on things in the box, probably the last we had was Sidwell but he was shite at all other aspects of midfield play.
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Watching MOTD last night, and no disrespect to Westwood, but a Frank Lampard , passing, attacking midfielder alongside Sylla and Delph would be a dream.
When we 1st bought Delph, i thought he was the kind of player we need to buy, a young, up-and -coming player, who could grow into a £20m+ kind of player.He then had a serious injury, and then a long period of time to find his confidence and his touch.He now has them both, and looks a real player.The thing i really enjoyed yday was how many times Delph and Sylla had the confidence to take on the Chelsea midfield , and get past them quite easily.Delph got the ball in about the 89th minute, deep in our half, showed Mata the ball, went past him, asdrove at their defence, it was a joy to behold.
The futures of Benteke and Weimann are very important, but the emergence of Sylla, and resurgence of Delph, might be just as important.Better foward players than Gabby and Weimann yday, and we would have won.
Lampard is too much of luxury player for me that teams outside the "big Clubs" cant afford to have, all of our midfield worked twice as hard as he did yesterday.
Unfortunately they don't posses his knack of arriving in around the box that he does.
I thought Delph was excellent yesterday it seemed to me like he beat a man with ease before attempting to beat another one.
His effort that landed on top of the goal (something once again escaped MOTD attention) could have beaten Lowton for goal of the season had it gone in.
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What an absolute pleasure reading all these positive threads about our players, Delph, Guzan, Gabby, Bennett, Benteke etc. And all well deserved too. Good times ahead I reckon.
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I've been a fan of Delph since he joined and that debut(?) against Fiorentina one pre-season. He's always had the talent and bravery but a lack of enough game time to build-up form and fitness has really held back his career. Finally now with a spell of games where he isn't just the sitting midfielder has reaped dividends. He looks really comfortable on the ball, isn't afraid to drive through midfields of more experience and has stopped with the rash challenges. He will only improve. Adding goals to his game will come next.
Good to have a Yorkshire lad in the team, he's always a bit more off the cuff and less press-trained in interviews than most. Which is nice.
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Westwood is the best midfielder at the club but he's better from deep, he couldn't play as a number 10.
We need a David Platt type who can get in on things in the box, probably the last we had was Sidwell but he was shite at all other aspects of midfield play.
Pity he couldn't clear a football when he needed to, might've had a point yesterday...
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I thought he was absolutely magnificent yesterday.
In fact, I'd go as far as to say it was as good a display from a Villa midfielder that I've seen in many a year.
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Most improved player of the season goes to Delph. Rally impressed with him as he's been as much a part of our improvement as anyone else. I used to criticise him lots because he was an awful player at one point. Now he's a completely different player. He makes some great surging runs and actually has some lovely skills.
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Westwood is the best midfielder at the club but he's better from deep, he couldn't play as a number 10.
We need a David Platt type who can get in on things in the box, probably the last we had was Sidwell but he was shite at all other aspects of midfield play.
Apart from retrieving the ball from the advertising boards
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Westwood is the best midfielder at the club but he's better from deep, he couldn't play as a number 10.
We need a David Platt type who can get in on things in the box, probably the last we had was Sidwell but he was shite at all other aspects of midfield play.
Apart from retrieving the ball from the advertising boards
Lol
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Still not sure exactly where he's lining up in relation to Sylla.
When Sylla was signed I expected to see him as the most defensive but I guess Lambert likes Westwood as the ball playing defensive midfielder.
So is it
Westwood
Sylla
Delph
or
Westwood
Sylla Delph
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More like the latter.
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But you could play Delph and Sylla deeper, and have a more attacking midfielder, a la Platt.Maybe a Sigurdsson kind of player from Spuds.I like Westwood, but i think we need more goals from midfield, and for me that is the area where we need to improve.A bit of competition did nobody any harm anyway.
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It shouldn't be a case of either/or. The squad as a whole has to become stronger. There should be competition for places and enough different types of players for the manager to be able to make certain selections and tactical choices according to who the opponents are.
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It shouldn't be a case of either/or. The squad as a whole has to become stronger. There should be competition for places and enough different types of players for the manager to be able to make certain selections and tactical choices according to who the opponents are.
Exactly. We need to be looking at strengthening the squad so that people can be rested/different formations used. We need to have people on the bench who can come on and shut the game up/chase the game as the case may be. By having better players in the squad will improve the current ones as they will have to step up a level or fall by the wayside. Plus there is the bonus that work on the training ground will be of a higher quality with better players to play against.
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It shouldn't be a case of either/or. The squad as a whole has to become stronger. There should be competition for places and enough different types of players for the manager to be able to make certain selections and tactical choices according to who the opponents are.
Exactly. We need to be looking at strengthening the squad so that people can be rested/different formations used. We need to have people on the bench who can come on and shut the game up/chase the game as the case may be. By having better players in the squad will improve the current ones as they will have to step up a level or fall by the wayside. Plus there is the bonus that work on the training ground will be of a higher quality with better players to play against.
Yesterday was the perfect example of why we should do this re strength, as you could have taken Westwood and Sylla off and bought 2 equally good options that would have given Chelsea something different to consider. Instead they had to make it to the end and tired, unsurprisingly. A couple more, equally talented options to the 3 in there would be grand.
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Hopefully Gardner will be a new option next season.
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Hopefully Gardner will be a new option next season.
A lot of people (not necessarily you PWS) are expecting big things from Gardner next season. What if his form is of the same standards as Delphs was prior to the New Year? Will he be getting the "not fit to wear the shirt" treatment or will he be excused because he is "one of ours"?
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Will Delph and Gardner be competing for the same role I wonder.
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We seem to play Westwwod central and then Sylla and Delph either side and a little more advanced. If you have Gardner back and I'd personally keep KEA, that's one slot for a new midfielder to get 6 for three positions, which is healthy competition. I'd be looking at a more defensive type. This would change the midfield shape slightly, so that you'd have him sitting with Westwood, thereby making us defensively stronger, but that would mean the 3rd man has more freedom to get forward.
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Don't forget Chris Herd.
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Chris Herd isn't good enough if we want to progress. He's ok, but we need better.
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Don't forget Chris Herd.
Why would I want to remember Herd??
In fairness he looked ok in a McLeish side playing defensive midfield, but I just can't see a role for him now. One I would sell if we got an offer of anything over 1m.
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Don't forget Chris Herd.
Why would I want to remember Herd??
In fairness he looked ok in a McLeish side playing defensive midfield, but I just can't see a role for him now. One I would sell if we got an offer of anything over 1m.
Along with
Bannon
Dunne Interestingly not on the lap with other players
Ireland Interestingly not on the lap with other players
N'Zogbia
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Don't forget Chris Herd.
Why would I want to remember Herd??
In fairness he looked ok in a McLeish side playing defensive midfield, but I just can't see a role for him now. One I would sell if we got an offer of anything over 1m.
Along with
Bannon
Dunne Interestingly not on the lap with other players
Ireland Interestingly not on the lap with other players
N'Zogbia
Dunne can't run that far anymore
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Herd can go. I don't see a premier league player in him.
Lots of effort, no quality
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Can't see much of future for Herd other than squad-player as Lambert prefers players who are more versatile. I really hope Delph stays fit, keeps his form and steady progress we've seen in the last two-three months.
I've also liked that he has managed to cut out getting obligatory yellow card on every game.
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Bannan flew to Scotland straight after the match Saturday from bhx. He was telling someone who works there that he's fed up as wants to play more and would like a move to Swansea or Spain
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Banana flew to Scotland straight after the match Saturday from bhx. He was telling someone who works there that he's fed up as wants to play more and would like a move to Swansea or Spain
Spain? Barry "Messi" Bannan gone to his head.
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Banana flew to Scotland straight after the match Saturday from bhx. He was telling someone who works there that he's fed up as wants to play more and would like a move to Swansea or Spain
Spain? Barry "Messi" Bannan gone to his head.
Or maybe he's seen how much hutton is enjoying it ;-)
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Holman can go also.
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Bannan flew to Scotland straight after the match Saturday from bhx. He was telling someone who works there that he's fed up as wants to play more and would like a move to Swansea or Spain
Think he might be setting his sights a little high there. I still think a move to Celtic would be his best bet.
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Wee Barry would do very well at Celtic.
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I'd agree on Holman, Bannan and Herd going. We have to be ruthless over the next year and start getting our squad up to standard. We don't want to be fighting relegation again.
There's little use saying that Herd is okay, or Lichaj, because they can cover several positions to a mediocre level at best.
In centre mid, only Westy, Delph and Sylla look the part long term. So we need another 2 in to compete with them. Not just cover, but be capable of taking their place and being as effective or more effective. We still could do with a really quality, experienced midfielder. If we could get Milner back, that would be fantastic. GG coming through has plenty of potential.
Sentiment can't count for too much now. Fighting relegation isn't good enough. If Lambo has a similar summer to last year, 6-7 new players in, a mix from at home, overseas, with a couple of experienced heads amongst them, we'll be all the better.
There's a lot of wasters here and players who are either not good enough, or don't earn their keep. For me, over the few windows, the following have to go:
Bannan, Hutton, Ireland, Dunne, Lichaj, Given, N'Zogbia, Bent, Holman, Herd, Albrighton.
Question marks still remain on Baker and Clark.
Lambo's signings need another year to prove themselves, and I'd expect Bennett to get better and would hope KEA settles in better next season.
In some cases it might seem harsh but we need a squad that's totally capable and will be so for the next 5-10 years. In some cases, like Bannan, they've had their chances, under 3(4 if you count O Neill) managers and haven't shown enough consistency and/or quality.
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Wee Barry would do very well at Celtic.
Would do better at Cowdenbeath.
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Wee Barry would do very well at Celtic.
I think he would as well. I hope we keep him personally though.
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Until we have someone else who can play at full-back, centre-back and in midfield, I think we should keep Herd. Nothing special but does the job. I'm a bit concerned that he is injury prone though.
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Until we have someone else who can play at full-back, centre-back and in midfield, I think we should keep Herd. Nothing special but does the job. I'm a bit concerned that he is injury prone though.
I wouldn't be adverse to seeing herd staying on .
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I don't think we need to be too ruthless with getting rid of players. Lichaj, Bannan, and Herd are decent cover. We aren't in a position to replace our cover yet, we need to sort out a first choice centre back, left back and midfielder. Lambert got it right last year, he had to go for quantity as well as potential quality. If we stay up and keep our squad together we just need a few quality additions.
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I don't think we need to be too ruthless with getting rid of players. Lichaj, Bannan, and Herd are decent cover. We aren't in a position to replace our cover yet, we need to sort out a first choice centre back, left back and midfielder. Lambert got it right last year, he had to go for quantity as well as potential quality. If we stay up and keep our squad together we just need a few quality additions.
We have a left back who doesn't need replacing - as for bannan being decent cover - not for me , the likes of bannan, Holman , albrighton, Ireland can all move on for me.
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Our squad quality does need improving. One of the major reasons we're in our position is that the likes of Bannan, Lichaj and Herd aren't good enough when they come into the team for anything more than the odd game. Our squad needs to offer more than that.
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One step at a time I think. We still need to improve our first team before we start expecting quality squad players as well.
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Yes but it kind of goes hand in hand, as you improve the first team some of those players currently in the first team become squad players.
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Good point.
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Like many of us, no doubt, I check NewsNow daily so that I don't miss any Villa story.
I was pleased to discover today that the BBC is reporting that he's signed a new five year contract and will loyally remain with us until 2019.
So that's me up to date then.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30974613
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That's a relief, was worried he might be a treacherous snake. Sorry to have doubted you Fabian.
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"Back to the Future" with Marty McFly-Away.
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Will now stay at the Premier League side until at least 2019.
"I am a loyal person and committing my future will hopefully show everybody what type of guy I am," he said.
Yes we know what sort of guy you are.
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An ideal opportunity for the club to write in a huge buy-out fee clause so we don't get peanuts if one of the rich clubs want him.
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Will now stay at the Premier League side until at least the end of the month
FTFY
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Like many of us, no doubt, I check NewsNow daily so that I don't miss any Villa story.
I was pleased to discover today that the BBC is reporting that he's signed a new five year contract and will loyally remain with us until 2019.
So that's me up to date then.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30974613
Great news. Now if we can just persuade Milner and Young to stay and Barry to take the penalties , I reckon we are going to be ok. I’m off to share the news with my friends on MySpace...
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Like many of us, no doubt, I check NewsNow daily so that I don't miss any Villa story.
I was pleased to discover today that the BBC is reporting that he's signed a new five year contract and will loyally remain with us until 2019.
So that's me up to date then.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30974613
Great news. Now if we can just persuade Milner and Young to stay and Barry to take the penalties , I reckon we are going to be ok. I’m off to share the news with my friends on MySpace...
You're so down with the kids. I'm going to use Friends Reunited.