Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Chipsticks on June 30, 2013, 04:44:20 PM
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On a similar, yet more positive note than the 'scapegoat' thread, who do you think will be the 'surprise' player next season, as in someone who performs well above expectations.
Last season was obviously Benteke, especially considering the sitters he missed in his early games. For the two seasons before I'd have to say it was Albrighton under Houllier and probably Weimann under McLeish? In Bent's absence we desperately relied on him and he came up with some big moments such as the late, late winner against Fulham and his beautiful finesse goal against Stoke.
My money on next season is Tonev, from what I've heard he's absolutely rapid and I can see him tearing up fullbacks on either side. Though with the amount of young, unproven players in our squad it could be absolutely anyone.
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Pongo Waring.
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Joe Bennett. Although he might fit more into a 'most improved' category.
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Herd under AM. Delph last season. Benteke looked quality from the word go, despite some folks jumping on him for missing only a few chances. Of which probably only 2 were pretty easy, Swansea and Spurs. Mind I wasn't that surprised with Delph, I stood up for him a lot as always felt he could do it. But I think he surprised a lot of people.
This coming season i'm going for The Gladiator.
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Okore will not only be a stand out player for us, he will be one for the whole league. This time next year we wil wondering if he will sign a new improved contract and whether Arsenal will put a bid in for him, which we will laugh at if it is under £25m.
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Don't think we should sign any of the Gladiators. Last time we signed someone that had shagged Ulrika, he turned out to be shite.
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Albrighton for me.
Lambert sees something in him and is giving him another chance, I think he might have a good season.
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I have a feeling bacuna will be emerging as a contender for player of the season .
Of the crop who were already here i think Gardner could have a very good season .
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Jed Steer.
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I just checked a few Youtube videos of Tonev - he's very fast,as Chipsticks says - but, also, I notice he can strike from long range with both feet. He also seems a real athlete in the sense of his body shape when he strikes the ball, if that makes sense? I reckon (hope) he has huge potential.
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I've got a feeling it might be Bennett.
He was gash for great spells of last season, I thought, but you can see he has something. I don't think he was ready last season, he might be this coming one.
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I've got a feeling it might be Bennett.
He was gash for great spells of last season, I thought, but you can see he has something. I don't think he was ready last season, he might be this coming one.
I think Bennett is a good player, bit naive defensively but a definate one to watch , although he may have his work cut out holding onto his place as i feel luna will prove a very good signing too.
At least we have good competition for places as last season some of the younger lads looked shattered at times - the squad is definately looking better .
I am feeling very positive about the season ahead although the only slight drawback is with a tough opening 2 games and the 3rd postponed we may be playing catch up early on - would be nice to get a couple of early wins on the board but i think top 8 is certainly achievable.
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Bacuna could be the one for me, he sounds full of promise.
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Bennett. Something about this lad. Reminds me of Brazilian full backs. My hunch is his first goal will be the catalyst for his talents to take off.
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I spoke with a Boro fan a few weeks back about Bennett, he couldn't believe we played him as a left back. He said Bennett is a brilliant footballer and a great winger but defensively will never have a clue.
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Vlaar
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Bennett, if he is played further forward.
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Everybody's intrigued by all these new summer signings.
For me personally, as long as he stays injury free, Gardner..
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Everybody's intrigued by all these new summer signings.
For me personally, as long as he stays injury free, Gardner..
Would certainly be interesting to see if he can live up to his hype, he must be horrendously frustrated with his injuries.
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Gardner is a good shout. I really hope he can do well next season.
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Bacuna for me, I think he'll provide something we've missed in midfield for a long time, I'm not even being it on what I've seen of him, I just have a feeling that he'll make the step up far quicker than he has any right to and will give us the drive and goals that we've not had consistently for a long time.
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I'd go for Tonev. Have a feeling he'll make a Solano-like impact.
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I'd go for Tonev. Have a feeling he'll make a Solano-like impact.
What? He'll be overrated and not as good as people think?
I'll go for bowery. Only because no-one else has.
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Vlaar
He get's my vote as well. I've got a feeling he'll be much better than he was last season.
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I'd go for Tonev. Have a feeling he'll make a Solano-like impact.
What? He'll be overrated and not as good as people think?
I'll go for bowery. Only because no-one else has.
I'm talking about impact. Solano's arrival had a big impact on the team. Sadly not that good the next season.
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On the subject of Bennett, he suggests on his Twitter account that he suffers from anxiety. From someone who has suffered from this, I know how debilitating it can be. Hopefully he is getting help dealing with that. I do think he will come good.
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Helenius gets my vote.
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Not really a surprise, but I am going Delph on this thread too... I chose him as the most likely scapegoat if his firm dips, but equally if it doesn't and he kicks on I think he could make the world cup.
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Not really a surprise, but I am going Delph on this thread too... I chose him as the most likely scapegoat if his firm dips, but equally if it doesn't and he kicks on I think he could make the world cup.
Potentially he's as good as anyone in this country, and I think he's on the way, so I'll throw my hat on him.
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Bacuna for me, I think he'll provide something we've missed in midfield for a long time, I'm not even being it on what I've seen of him, I just have a feeling that he'll make the step up far quicker than he has any right to and will give us the drive and goals that we've not had consistently for a long time.
Don't see it. The guy hasn't had great reviews in Holland and hasn't come with as much positivity from there as Holman, Vlaar and KEA did. I don't see him as a starter at all tbh, certainly not as the attacking midfielder saviour. Think he'll be the weakest of our 5 summer signings.
As for surprise, I think helenius will prove to be our first supersub in a while who can come on and score goals and maybe even show there is life after Benteke which would be brilliant for 1.5m.
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On the subject of Bennett, he suggests on his Twitter account that he suffers from anxiety. From someone who has suffered from this, I know how debilitating it can be. Hopefully he is getting help dealing with that. I do think he will come good.
I agree on all your points.
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On the subject of Bennett, he suggests on his Twitter account that he suffers from anxiety. From someone who has suffered from this, I know how debilitating it can be. Hopefully he is getting help dealing with that. I do think he will come good.
I agree on all your points.
Heard several comments in the past about him visibly 'shaking like a leaf' when he's gotten stick from the fans at VT, so maybe there's something to it. There's no reason someone should be immune from such a common condition as anxiety just because they happen to be a footballer.
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On the subject of Bennett, he suggests on his Twitter account that he suffers from anxiety. From someone who has suffered from this, I know how debilitating it can be. Hopefully he is getting help dealing with that. I do think he will come good.
I agree on all your points.
Heard several comments in the past about him visibly 'shaking like a leaf' when he's gotten stick from the fans at VT, so maybe there's something to it. There's no reason someone should be immune from such a common condition as anxiety just because they happen to be a footballer.
Sounds like a job for Steve Peters.
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I'd like it to be Samir Carruthers.
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On the subject of Bennett, he suggests on his Twitter account that he suffers from anxiety. From someone who has suffered from this, I know how debilitating it can be. Hopefully he is getting help dealing with that. I do think he will come good.
I agree on all your points.
Heard several comments in the past about him visibly 'shaking like a leaf' when he's gotten stick from the fans at VT, so maybe there's something to it. There's no reason someone should be immune from such a common condition as anxiety just because they happen to be a footballer.
Sounds like a job for Steve Peters.
Now, if we could get him to work with us I'm sure we'd improve.
KEA will come good and surprise a few people next season - thus creating a bit of a selection headache for PL, with GG, Bacuna, Tonev, Sylla, Delph and Westie all playing well!
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No more suggestions, it will spoil the surprise
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Not really a surprise, but I am going Delph on this thread too... I chose him as the most likely scapegoat if his firm dips, but equally if it doesn't and he kicks on I think he could make the world cup.
I was just about to say Delph. If he gives us a full season the way he played the last 2 months or so, then he'll be pushing for England recognition. Over the summer he needs to work on his finishing, his right-foot, and certainly his decision making. When he was playing well he made some good surging runs drifting passed people, but because he's runs were made centrally when it came to him needing to shoot he'd be too central to hit it with his left. He didn't trust his right so instead of looking to lay it off simply to the right, he'd immediately try to check back onto his left to get a shot away. Sometimes he would retain possession andget the pass away it was always down the left hand side because of his initial mindset of just shooting, then when you see the opportunity closing, look for the right pass before he's struggling to do it.
Work hard on that - and where he should start making his runs from - and he could be a very good player for us.
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I'll stick my neck out on this one and say KEA
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Great to see so many different people being mentioned, realyl excited about the coming season. Looking forward to seeing us continue to progress, have to say Okore hopefully will be the surprise player for the whole premiership
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Bowery.
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Carruthers for me. He has fantastic potential and should have played more in the first eleven last season, in my view.
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Benteke,he will knock 30 plus in,we know he is good ,but he will move to another level
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Weinmann for me, think he will score 20 plus next season
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I think that if Delph gets an early goal he can get into double figures, and turn into the midfield general we've lacked since Andy Townsend.
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Delph certainly showed at Leeds he has a goal or two in him, have to say double figures is asking a lot, especially if he is alongside Westood in the middle. Could he do the attacking midfield role?
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Joe Bennett. He showed great progress towards the end and his confidence grew and grew.
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I've done the maths and this thread has us winning the league by 20 points.
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Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.
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I'd love it to be Delph, I really would. I've given him some stick over the past few seasons but mainly out of frustration because I know there's a good player in there somewhere.
If as dave said he gets an early goal in the season I would agree and think it will push him on. Maybe with the likes of the new look midfield if will give him the capability and the motivation to push forward and shoot on sight more.
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Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.
I would like to see Gardner given 6 months on loan in the Championship to regain fitness and confidence then bring him back second half of the season stronger for it.
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I'm not sure Delph would hit double figures, purely because of how we play, but I think he he is more than capable of getting half a dozen.
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Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.
I would like to see Gardner given 6 months on loan in the Championship to regain fitness and confidence then bring him back second half of the season stronger for it.
So would I, pointless having him come back from fitness only to sit him on the bench and make the odd 10 minute appearance here or there.
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I think that if Delph gets an early goal he can get into double figures, and turn into the midfield general we've lacked since Andy Townsend.
Delph just get a little stronger. He has so many if the other attributes already to being a really good midfielder. And his attitude has always been spot on.
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Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.
I would like to see Gardner given 6 months on loan in the Championship to regain fitness and confidence then bring him back second half of the season stronger for it.
I agree. In fact, in retrospect, it would have been good if he had been loaned out more before now with him only having a few games for Coventry. He's not much younger than some of the lads who are regulars for us last season but whereas Westwood was coming into play for us after 120 games for Crewe Gardner has had very little of that kind of experience yet.
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Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.
I would like to see Gardner given 6 months on loan in the Championship to regain fitness and confidence then bring him back second half of the season stronger for it.
I agree. In fact, in retrospect, it would have been good if he had been loaned out more before now with him only having a few games for Coventry. He's not much younger than some of the lads who are regulars for us last season but whereas Westwood was coming into play for us after 120 games for Crewe Gardner has had very little of that kind of experience yet.
In fairness Gardner is 3 years younger than Westwood and has missed the best of 2 years through injury. That is going to have had a big impact on loan options and appearances.
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I agree it would have been difficult but there were times when he was fit and not getting a game for us. Gardner will most likely be getting a new contract next summer and at that time there will be only a few months difference in age from Westwood when we signed him (April 1990 vs June 1992). I'd just like/have liked him to get a good taste of first team football before then and, with hindsight, before now. I'm not going to jump on the club for not sending him out on loan as they'd have to have been psychic to know at the time. The situation now, with our emphasis on youth, means there is more expectation for younger players to make a more immediate and greater contribution.
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I agree that we don't make use of the loan system as well as i'd like with our youngsters. If they aren't going to feature much in the first team squad i'd like us to send a lot of the NextGen lads out on loan next season.
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Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.
I would like to see Gardner given 6 months on loan in the Championship to regain fitness and confidence then bring him back second half of the season stronger for it.
So would I, pointless having him come back from fitness only to sit him on the bench and make the odd 10 minute appearance here or there.
I can see the logic of this but with a player of his ability and goalscoring prowess at England U21 and Nextgen ,he has to be aiming for a first team berth now.To send him on loan is almost like saying we don't trust your ability at first team level and also come January he will still be behind others who have staked a place in midfield. Could be one unhappy bunny in his final year of a contract. If he succeeds on loan,it will have alerted other clubs,without him having tied down a spot in our midfield.We should make him feel an important member of our first team squad.A loan is fine for players who are not quite ready for our first team but need the extra competitive edge provided by the Football League and gives the staff a chance to assess their ability to make the move into the first team squad but not for players who have already tasted first team action such as Gardner and Albrighton.
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I'm looking forward to Delph and Gardner running riot in midfield next season. Sylla will have to take a back seat with Bacuna, on whom I agree with SoccerHQ - I have higher hopes for Helenius, Okore and Tonev who seem more highly-rated.
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I think that if Delph gets an early goal he can get into double figures, and turn into the midfield general we've lacked since Andy Townsend.
There's a few more goals in him but i'm not sure about double figures.
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Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.
I would like to see Gardner given 6 months on loan in the Championship to regain fitness and confidence then bring him back second half of the season stronger for it.
I would as well although it might depend who we have left for cover if or when Ireland and Bannan leave.
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I think that if Delph gets an early goal he can get into double figures, and turn into the midfield general we've lacked since Andy Townsend.
There's a few more goals in him but i'm not sure about double figures.
Cant see it either - if he gets 4 or 5 it will be a big improvement.
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Hutton
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Yes, I'm surprised he's still a Villa player aswell.
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I think it's kind of make or break for Gardner now, given the time left on his contract he needs to make an impact with us now.
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Bacuna (mattata) or Tonev.
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What is so refreshing is going through a young squad list of players and thinking how many options we have (ignoring the players like Ireland et al that will be gone) - The bright future is nearly here ! :)
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Great thread. Well done for starting it Chipsticks.
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I'm gonna say Delph. I think towards the end of last season he was really beginning to show promise and if he can start smashing in 25 yard screamers like he used to do at Leeds I think he'll become a new fan-favourite.
I also think Bennett will win over a lot of his critics this season - theres nothing wrong with his game that experience on the pitch and time in the gym won't fix.
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I'm gonna say Delph. I think towards the end of last season he was really beginning to show promise and if he can start smashing in 25 yard screamers like he used to do at Leeds I think he'll become a new fan-favourite.
I also think Bennett will win over a lot of his critics this season - theres nothing wrong with his game that experience on the pitch and time in the gym won't fix.
I think the success of Bennet will be quite linked to that of Delph. The more games Delph played last year the fitter and more comfortable he became. In the last couple of months he was covering every proverbial blade of grass and as a result providing Bennet with a fair amount of protection (especially compared to Ireland/Nzogbia and others who played in in our muddled midfield during the first 2/3rds of the season).
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I think the success of Bennet will be quite linked to that of Delph. The more games Delph played last year the fitter and more comfortable he became. In the last couple of months he was covering every proverbial blade of grass and as a result providing Bennet with a fair amount of protection (especially compared to Ireland/Nzogbia and others who played in in our muddled midfield during the first 2/3rds of the season).
Good point. I also think Luna's arrival might light a fire under his backside...
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Gabby to get over 25 goals.
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No THAT would be a surprise.
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I like Bennett and rate him highly but I do think luna will prove to be a real asset and may well establish himself in the left back role .
It's good to have 2 decent options as Bennett looked out on his feet at times last season but i don't think Stevens was a good option .
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Forget surprise players! I think we will be the surprise team.
We were followers under MON, running around after the League's established journeymen trying to be something. Under TSM we just looked lost- selling players and buying more cloggers like Hutton. Last year we looked like a club having a fresh start. In fact, we looked like a (footballing) patient coming out of intensive care and learning how to play proper football again. You got the sense it would take time and it would be a work-in-progress.
This pre-season feels so different. We now have our own, distinct footballing strategy and a manager ruthlessly going about implementing it. We have plenty of new faces, more competitition for places and something of a stronger psychology. You can see a siege mentality developing at the club with players and management focussed on the strategy and sticking to the script. You can even sense it in the pre-season training pics today. This squad and this manager mean business and most importantly have self-belief.
We will shock a few teams this year. I can just sense it. Surprise player: Tonev to chip in with a few screamers.
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I would like to see Gardner after the time he's had with injury's I would like to see him be the surprise player of the season.
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Yeah, we're by no means the finished article, but after having all the players together for a good pre season and another improving season where we'll probably slide up and down mid table for most of it, the season after will be a terrifyingly good prospect, minus a Benteke or two.
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Has anybody said what a big surprise it would be if it were Stephen Ireland, yet?
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Delph for me, he's got all the makings to be a top midfield player. I also think this Okore kid is going to be a revelation and live up to all the hype, by all accounts he's the real deal.
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Ciaran Clark. I am convinced that there is a bloody good player in there somewhere and this is the season we will see it.
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Ciaran Clark. I am convinced that there is a bloody good player in there somewhere and this is the season we will see it.
In midfield maybe. I honestly don't think he's cut out to be a defender.
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Clark is a central defender, and a very decent one at that. He suffered last season when we had a lot of injuries and he was being asked to be the defensive leader and captain, whilst struggling for form and with defenders around him who were either not defenders (Herd), were new to the league (Vlaar), had made a big step up (Lowton, Bennett, Stevens) or were very inexperienced (Baker).
He needs to show the mental strength to get his belief back but if he can do that he'll turn into a very good defender. All young central defenders make mistakes, it comes with the territory, but Clark had the mistakes of the rest of the defence dumped on him as well. I think the injury will actually turn out to be a bit of a blessing. He desperately needed a break but I don't think Lambert wanted to damage his fragile confidence by dropping him.
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Ciaran Clark. I am convinced that there is a bloody good player in there somewhere and this is the season we will see it.
In midfield maybe. I honestly don't think he's cut out to be a defender.
Too many options in midfield now for him to get a chance there, so it's defender or nowhere for Clark at Villa.
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Clark is a central defender, and a very decent one at that. He suffered last season when we had a lot of injuries and he was being asked to be the defensive leader and captain, whilst struggling for form and with defenders around him who were either not defenders (Herd), were new to the league (Vlaar), had made a big step up (Lowton, Bennett, Stevens) or were very inexperienced (Baker).
He needs to show the mental strength to get his belief back but if he can do that he'll turn into a very good defender. All young central defenders make mistakes, it comes with the territory, but Clark had the mistakes of the rest of the defence dumped on him as well. I think the injury will actually turn out to be a bit of a blessing. He desperately needed a break but I don't think Lambert wanted to damage his fragile confidence by dropping him.
Whilst I don't disagree with any of the points you make, the simple fact is he didn't play well last season and I think Baker came out of it looking the better defender. He now has another problem next season in the form of Okore, so he unlikely to get as much game time.
Make or break time I think.
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Clark is a central defender, and a very decent one at that. He suffered last season when we had a lot of injuries and he was being asked to be the defensive leader and captain, whilst struggling for form and with defenders around him who were either not defenders (Herd), were new to the league (Vlaar), had made a big step up (Lowton, Bennett, Stevens) or were very inexperienced (Baker).
He needs to show the mental strength to get his belief back but if he can do that he'll turn into a very good defender. All young central defenders make mistakes, it comes with the territory, but Clark had the mistakes of the rest of the defence dumped on him as well. I think the injury will actually turn out to be a bit of a blessing. He desperately needed a break but I don't think Lambert wanted to damage his fragile confidence by dropping him.
Whilst I don't disagree with any of the points you make, the simple fact is he didn't play well last season and I think Baker came out of it looking the better defender. He now has another problem next season in the form of Okore, so he unlikely to get as much game time.
Make or break time I think.
That's the point with my last paragraph, he had a tough season and made mistakes but where he goes next is down to how he reacts. If he comes out of it stronger he'll be a very good premier league defender, if not he'll drop down the leagues. The ability is there he just needs to cut out the errors.
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The problem with Clark last season was that he needed a break. Players of that age do sometimes and it showed with him and with Weimann at times. He was our main centre half last year when Vlaar was out and maybe the pressure got to him a little as well.
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The problem with Clark last season was that he needed a break. Players of that age do sometimes and it showed with him and with Weimann at times. He was our main centre half last year when Vlaar was out and maybe the pressure got to him a little as well.
That was the problem with several of the younger lads who looked out on their feet at times but the bench was so poor we couldn't rest them - this season the squad looks much better with the additions made looking a lot better options than the likes of kea, bannan, Ireland , lichaj and Bowery.
Lambert should be able to give players a rest if required and competition for places will be stronger.
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Clark is a central defender, and a very decent one at that. He suffered last season when we had a lot of injuries and he was being asked to be the defensive leader and captain, whilst struggling for form and with defenders around him who were either not defenders (Herd), were new to the league (Vlaar), had made a big step up (Lowton, Bennett, Stevens) or were very inexperienced (Baker).
He needs to show the mental strength to get his belief back but if he can do that he'll turn into a very good defender. All young central defenders make mistakes, it comes with the territory, but Clark had the mistakes of the rest of the defence dumped on him as well. I think the injury will actually turn out to be a bit of a blessing. He desperately needed a break but I don't think Lambert wanted to damage his fragile confidence by dropping him.
Whilst I don't disagree with any of the points you make, the simple fact is he didn't play well last season and I think Baker came out of it looking the better defender. He now has another problem next season in the form of Okore, so he unlikely to get as much game time.
Make or break time I think.
That's the point with my last paragraph, he had a tough season and made mistakes but where he goes next is down to how he reacts. If he comes out of it stronger he'll be a very good premier league defender, if not he'll drop down the leagues. The ability is there he just needs to cut out the errors.
Clark certainly has ability on the ball,perhaps not so evident last season and your point about the 'tough season' was probably a big factor. But it's the errors and most of them seemed to stem from him 'ball watching' and consequently losing a player.I'm not too sure that's solvable,Zat Knight suffered badly from that malaise.
Similarly,in midfield where he seems to have the right attributes for a holding role,he appeared under TSM to be incapable of reading the game and of getting to grips with his opponents.
But he has ability and physical attributes,so let's hope.
One thing is for sure,there's several who are already at a reasonable standard and have the potential to step up another level.Should be an interesting season and beyond that I'm getting more and more optimistic.
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I've got a good feeling about Okore above our other signings, but I can't say that with much foundation. I've never seen him play.
I do however predict that Delph will be a standout player this season, and get noticed across the leagues. I thought he was looking really excellent in the last third of the season
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Jozy Altidore ;) who we should have signed but if its Villa players then I would take Tonev