Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Londonvilla on September 02, 2013, 11:02:42 PM
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So what have we learnt from this transfer window?
Love it or hate it, the 2013 summer transfer window is now closed. In recent times none of our managers have been able to hold onto their jobs (for one reason or another) and conduct business over three transfer windows. So it is reasonable for us to start judging whether Paul Lambert is either a man with a plan or turning us into the next Wigan?
So what have we learnt from this transfer window?
1) Lambert said that he wanted young hungry players; did he get this type of player in the transfer window? The answer is probably yes, in that he got players who want to prove themselves in the most popular league in the world. However have you noticed that all the new players also other things in common ,have a great engine, can shoot from anywhere, can play in different positions and whose natural instincts are to pass the ball. However will this mean that we will be the new Dortmund selling our young talent when we want, at the top prices, or the new Wigan selling our best players and not re-investing the money into the squad?
2) Some players bought in the summer transfer window may not come good until the end of the season or the beginning of the next season. – For a lot of Villa fans KEA and concrete Ron were not good enough to ply their trade in the premiership and certainly not good enough for the Villa. So far this season both have proved that they can play at this level and if they can add consistency to their overall performance and they will prove to be successful purchases. I wouldn’t expect too much from the new players until after Christmas when hopefully we will get a run in the FA Cup. They’re all young players and we will see the best of them next season.
3) We tried and failed to get a creative midfield player, however at least Lambert knows we need one. – If you’re not going to the win the league, then you should try to be entertaining at home. Over the last three seasons our performance at home has been dreadful. The main reason has been that if a team comes to Villa Park and shuts up shop then we do not have the “magic man” who can unlock a defence. On this site there have been a number of arguments about whether we need an attacking midfield player playing behind a central striker. This is missing the point. It does not matter whether your “magic man” plays wide (like bale did for Tottenham) or plays deep (like Stephen Gerard does for Liverpool) as long as you have one, we need someone who can dribble past a defender, or play a defence splitting pass. If we had this type of player Benteke would score 30 goals this season. Our failure to capture a creative midfield player who can dribble and take free kicks will stop us from getting into the Europa league.
4) Gary Gardner your time has come. – Cometh the hour cometh the man. Could Gary Gardner be the missing link? Superb at set pieces, possesses a range of passing skills, can shoot from distance, and as slow as my grandmother. The players who have moved into the first-team squad from the youth team (like Grealish) now have an opportunity (up to Christmas when the new players will have bedded in) to show us whether they can cut it at this level. The question is will they take the chance.
5) Fishmongers never shout come here and buy your rotten fish. – All fishmongers lie, they have signs outside their shops saying fresh fish, however the fish they sell are dead and the moment living things die, they start to decay. What fishmongers know is that you can’t sell fish by shouting, “come and get you’re slightly decaying’s salmon.” With this in mind I think the bomb squad was a bad idea we should have allowed these players to play in at least one preseason game so that other clubs could take a look at them. None of the bomb squad ever slagged off the club or the fans and should have been treated with a little bit more respect. In saying that I’m glad, overjoyed, and relieved, that they’ve gone and I’m sure that they will prove themselves which will mean that we will get a transfer fee from the ones who are still in contract.
6) Aston Villa are a work in progress our problem will be if we do really well this season how long before Lambert is offered a job in Germany? With no director of football when Lambert eventually goes (he’s never showed any loyalty to his previous clubs) he’ll take his coaching staff and we will be starting back at the beginning. We should have a director of football to ensure continuity in relation to transfer dealings. It works for Barcelona, Madrid and Tottenham so why not us?
7) Randy Lerner will not spend big money until he recoups some the £150 million + that he laid out in transfer fees. Randy Lerner is not as rich as he was when he first came to the Villa if you look at his net worth in terms of cash and assets. Villa Park, the Villa first-team, and Villa fans are not cash cows. Compare us to Tottenham who pay double what we do for season tickets, they have a huge waiting list for season tickets and will fill out any new stadium they build. They buy players cheaply then lone them out so they get experience and then sell them at high prices. (Admittedly I hope they get their fingers burnt with a bunch of high-paid primadonna’s that they’ve just brought into their club) however the point is clear, we don’t yet generate the income to support ready-made world-class players. So we need to continue to buy rough diamonds and work on them until they sparkle. This means Villa fans need to be patient. It’s taken three years for Delph to shine and all the fans need to remember this when our new young players make mistakes.
Let’s tell the truth getting rid of most of the bomb squad, and keeping Christian Benteke, means that the summer transfer window has been a huge success, but what if you disregard players signing new contracts and players leaving the club. Has this been a good summer transfer window for players coming into the club?
Taking all of the above into consideration I think everyone at the club can congratulate themselves on a very good summer transfer window and if you give Tottenham 9 out of 10 for their transfer window (bale is not worth more than Ronaldo) and West Brom 1 out of 10 (they did get rid of Odemwingie ) then I think that the Villa transfer window in relation to incoming players can be considered a 6 out of10 which could rise to an 8 out of 10 next season when these players have bedded in. In relation to outgoing players the only score you can give it is 9 out of ten, but what do you think?
Marks for incoming transfers?
Marks for outgoing transfers?
So what have we learnt from this transfer window?
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Natalie Sawyers lost to much weight
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I think a lot of the other premier league teams look much weaker than last season after tonight.
Take West Ham, I think they'll be comfortably mid table this season and never be in any danger of being relegated but they barely had a shot on target at home to Stoke who are one of the worst away teams in the league.
I actually think the three promoted teams have a good shot at staying up now, think Hull have signed really well getting in Figueroa, Shane Long, Huddlestone etc. Palace might still go down but they were much better than Sunderland at the weekend.
What it means for us is we can finish in the top 10 and have a good year as long as people don't panic if we lose a few more games.
That said I wanted a playmaker in today ahead of another out and out striker. Think that's a missed opportunity.
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We're back!
(http://media.nowpublic.net/images//93/3/93366d61ee4e2da45cad6678003c1202.jpg)
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The gravitas of SSN showing Big Ben chime 11.00pm almost had me in tears - of laughter.
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You never get everything you want in a transfer window but we got a lot of what we needed. We are much better off through addition and subtraction to this time last season. Let the games begin!
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Londonvilla has made some good points,especially the fact that Lerner is intent on recouping some money.Next year the bomb squad's wages will have been reduced ,so perhaps that will be the season for reinvestment.The bomb squad is the only issue I have with Lambert.I think that you should sell as dear as possible and that means praising players and not ostracising them,Spurs are a good example.
As for Lambert leaving and a director of football,I think they are intertwined. He has his preferred coach/assistant ,Culverhouse,and his scout/assessor of the opposition (forgot his name),so there's a team in place with a good scouting system. So a director of football doesn't seem relevant here and I can't see them relocating to Germany ,on less money as well.It has been mentioned before ,but there aren't many bigger clubs than Villa who are not in the Champions League and the only way Lambert will get one of them is by getting Villa into the CL and we won't have any worries then.
As for an exciting midfielder,a player I would like to have seen,at least it doesn't block Gardner,Tonev,Helenius or Grealish.
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So what have we learnt from this transfer window?
Love it or hate it, the 2013 summer transfer window is now closed. In recent times none of our managers have been able to hold onto their jobs (for one reason or another) and conduct business over three transfer windows. So it is reasonable for us to start judging whether Paul Lambert is either a man with a plan or turning us into the next Wigan?
So what have we learnt from this transfer window?
3) We tried and failed to get a creative midfield player, however at least Lambert knows we need one. – If you’re not going to the win the league, then you should try to be entertaining at home. Over the last three seasons our performance at home has been dreadful. The main reason has been that if a team comes to Villa Park and shuts up shop then we do not have the “magic man” who can unlock a defence. On this site there have been a number of arguments about whether we need an attacking midfield player playing behind a central striker. This is missing the point. It does not matter whether your “magic man” plays wide (like bale did for Tottenham) or plays deep (like Stephen Gerard does for Liverpool) as long as you have one, we need someone who can dribble past a defender, or play a defence splitting pass. If we had this type of player Benteke would score 30 goals this season. Our failure to capture a creative midfield player who can dribble and take free kicks will stop us from getting into the Europa league.
I too would have liked to seen that type of player come in, but perhaps PL sees Tonev as being able to play that role and felt that a further addition was unnecessary.
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An excellent TF for AVFC. Very pleased with work done by Lambert and Faulkner. One thing is clear that neither ITK here or elsewhere or media are going to guess what Paul Lambert will do in the market. He knows and has good scouting support to pick players without anyone getting a sniff. Even our eastie has struggled!
Well done Villa.
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Good window for Villa. Probably could have done with some creative spark but meh. We should be a good bet for a top eight finish now.
What have I learned? Clubs at the 'top table' NEED big transfers every window even if they actually don't need the player. Psychologically, they are damaged if they don't spend about £18m+ on at least one player. At the 'top' it's all psychology and mind games. If Moyes signed nobody his rivals would have a psychological advantage on his side/in the media etc.
If we reach the top four again I hope we stick to our guns as I'd hate to see us join that circus. Sadly, we'd probably have to in order to fuel the onward push. Modern football is a load of balls.
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Arsene Wenger is not a great player in the transfer market.
Manchester United aren't as big a draw without Fergie.
You could put 'Arry in charge of Shard End Paperboys and he would still get players on loan from the Premier League and be interveiwed on SKY.
Turns out Blues could afford to bring someone in. (Undisclosed fee).
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I actually think the three promoted teams have a good shot at staying up now, think Hull have signed really well getting in Figueroa, Shane Long, Huddlestone etc.
"We asked 100 people someone Hull signed in the transfer window, you said Shane Long, our survey said......."
Duh- Duh
(https://lh5.ggpht.com/8myCjMCOPMbK3qxvk2Z71zhyrUOZCALzKIPuFcMMd0lELt6WiTJonGGry6zrhidov9g=w170)
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The exciting thing for me is that we just don't know how good the window has been for us. Take this time last year - if someone had said mark the signings of Benteke, Lowton, Guzan, Westwood, I think most people would have been at best in the 'meh' camp. If even 2 or 3 of his signings this year are near that standard, we are going to have a good year. Based on evidence so far Okore and Luna look to me to be exactly that at the very least.
What have we learnt? Lambert doesn't put up with the likes of Dunne and Ireland. It's his way or you're gone. And about time too.
Exciting times.
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Reasonable window, it now waits to see how they perform throughout the season.
Re Gary Gardner, I've seen a fair bit of him (not as much as many on here) but I have to say I haven't been massively impressed. I really hope I am proved wrong but I haven't seen much evidence to say he is better than his brother.
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I'm delighted with this window. Take a look at our squad and see the potential it has and the youth of it. The change in this squad in the 3 transfer windows Lambert has had is staggering.
I love you Paul.
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Good summary.
Agree on Gardner. Set pieces and a great strike apart, he looks very slow indeed and gives the ball away.
But worth remembering the difference between Delph now and even 12 months ago. He's added so much zest to his game. So we need to give Gardner plenty of time to recover from two very serious injuries.
I'd put him out on loan, but I'm not sure we've the cover really? Only bacuna to come into the middle if we want to maintain the current formation.
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Good summary.
Agree on Gardner. Set pieces and a great strike apart, he looks very slow indeed and gives the ball away.
But worth remembering the difference between Delph now and even 12 months ago. He's added so much zest to his game. So we need to give Gardner plenty of time to recover from two very serious injuries.
I'd put him out on loan, but I'm not sure we've the cover really? Only bacuna to come into the middle if we want to maintain the current formation.
In the middle - Westie, Sylla, Delph, KEA, Bacuna. Also add in Charles and Grealish. It's tight, but I'd agree that GG foing out on loan for a few months (with a call-back clause) would make sense; as long as it's to a decent Championship side.
As regards the OT, it's too early to say for sure what we have - each of the acquisitions seems to have something a little different to add to the existing core of players. How they will kick on remains to be seen.
The two surprise packages will be Bacuna and Helenius, IMHO.
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What we could do with is Charles N'Zogbia playing consistently well when he has recovered. He is quite capable of playing to the level that Delph has attained and that would be a major plus if we are to do anything this season. Gary Gardner may or may not make progress this season. I havent seen a lot so far to suggest he will forfil his obvious talent.
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Ireland has gone - that is worth a great deal. Lots of other deadwood has been cleared out.
I'm am reasonably optimistic about all of the new boys making a positive contribution and assuming they have the right attitude will be given opportunities.
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We learned again that so-called "ITKs" and media doesn't have a fecking sniff on our transfers; Lambert said that we've been trying to sign Kozak for past couple months and we found about it on sunday night. Kept it very well under the radar.
I'm a bit surprised that we didn't sign any players from lower divisions this time, probably the prices weren't right. Transfer windows under Lambert are much more exciting than in many other teams as we have that "Ooh, can't wait to see how good they are!"-factor, rather than many teams buying known quantities.
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The gravitas of SSN showing Big Ben chime 11.00pm almost had me in tears - of laughter.
Oh dear, i'm very glad I stayed clear of it.
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What we have now is pretty much Lamberts squad. He's gone about this quickly and efficiently in 3 windows. We've not outlayed much at all. He's already outdone Martin O Neill's level of signings in the space of a year. Our midfielders look like good players. We've unearthed a world class center forward. Benteke could destroy any defence he felt like.
Re-signing and putting faith in Guzan has paid off dividends.
Most of our previous managers in windows left us well short in certain areas. We'd be crying out for 1-2 good players. It was like that horrendous wait under O Neill for a right back. Then he signed Luke Young, and played him half the time at left back.
What Lambert appears to have done is have two solid players for every position. We've got depth in our squad. How quality some of these players are remain to be seen. We're definitely not short of striking options. Striking options are something we've been perennially thin on since O Neill took over really.
We've also done what they probably should have done at Chelsea. Certain senior figures, possibly with a negative sense of status among the squad, have been bombed out. Out with the old, like Dunne and Collins (who's off field influence was more than questionable) and now Ireland. AVB seemed to have that plan for Chelsea. Rebuild a younger, fresher side. Slowly put the Terry and Lampard clique out to pasture. Build a squad all on a level hierachy, all together and cohesive. That's what we appear to have done.
Many of the other clubs around us have taken a few wild last day punts. Whether they work, or whether they are a bit desperate remains to be seen. Doing our business early was great.
Inward transfers- 8
Outward transfers- 8
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We learned again that so-called "ITKs" and media doesn't have a fecking sniff on our transfers; Lambert said that we've been trying to sign Kozak for past couple months and we found about it on sunday night. Kept it very well under the radar.
I'm a bit surprised that we didn't sign any players from lower divisions this time, probably the prices weren't right. Transfer windows under Lambert are much more exciting than in many other teams as we have that "Ooh, can't wait to see how good they are!"-factor, rather than many teams buying known quantities.
I think that's a symptom of the success of Lowton and Westwood. Teams are adding a few mill to the fees if they see us sniffing around now. I mean for two windows we were linked with Cresswell at Ipswich. Some papers quoted up to 6 million (normally between 3-6) for what they wanted. How interested we really were is another matter, but we've signed Luna from abroad very cheap and he looks the business. Bennett showed enough toward the tail end of last season to suggest he'll be a good back up.
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We've learnt that, with Okore, Lambert has found another one.
I also think that, with Kozak, we've seen his weakness for overrating big men come to the fore again, but time will tell. Even if he is a failure, well, every manager has them.
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We've learnt that, with Okore, Lambert has found another one.
I also think that, with Kozak, we've seen his weakness for overrating big men come to the fore again, but time will tell. Even if he is a failure, well, every manager has them.
I think, with Kozak, we'll see the manager bring the best out of the player because of the system we play.
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We've learnt that, with Okore, Lambert has found another one.
I also think that, with Kozak, we've seen his weakness for overrating big men come to the fore again, but time will tell. Even if he is a failure, well, every manager has them.
I think, with Kozak, we'll see the manager bring the best out of the player because of the system we play.
Christ I hope not. We already have far too much of a tendency to lump it forward, and we only get away with it because Benteke's a genius. No, we play very well through the midfield, and with an inferior player there to Benteke we'd never get the ball to them.
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Really good sensible progression which is what excites me about Lambert. He said something along the lines of "we've improved the squad and we'll continue to improve it". It says to me that he still knows we need more quality but by making sensible additions at the right pace, we will grow at the right pace. The playmaker wasn't right this time around but it'll happen when the time's right.
I am absolutely convinced Lambert has big plans for the future. Although results and performances haven't yet been great, all the groundwork is being laid for a "bright future".
Oh and Okore is class.
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I'm not sure the playmaker wasn't right this time around. It may well be that PL has identified who he wants but was unable, for whatever reason, to bring him in. So instead of splashing money on someone who was second choice he maybe prefers to wait a little longer and nab the one he really wants.
But with PL, who the hell knows??
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We learned again that so-called "ITKs" and media doesn't have a fecking sniff on our transfers; Lambert said that we've been trying to sign Kozak for past couple months and we found about it on sunday night. Kept it very well under the radar.
I'm a bit surprised that we didn't sign any players from lower divisions this time, probably the prices weren't right. Transfer windows under Lambert are much more exciting than in many other teams as we have that "Ooh, can't wait to see how good they are!"-factor, rather than many teams buying known quantities.
I think that's a symptom of the success of Lowton and Westwood. Teams are adding a few mill to the fees if they see us sniffing around now. I mean for two windows we were linked with Cresswell at Ipswich. Some papers quoted up to 6 million (normally between 3-6) for what they wanted. How interested we really were is another matter, but we've signed Luna from abroad very cheap and he looks the business. Bennett showed enough toward the tail end of last season to suggest he'll be a good back up.
Oh definitely, hopefully in january or next summer the prices will be more reasonable, I feel that there'd be a lot of potential in young english footballers but either they aren't given chances or they're gonna get immensively hyped up and put under a lot of pressure. It seems that Lambert . My friend who knows spanish and portuguese football told me that Luna was considered as very promising left back two-three years ago but hadn't claimed on that, hopefully he reaches that potential at Villa.
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Time will tell, I really like PL but home games this season could be as bad as the last 3 seasons as teams will sit back like Liverpool in the 2nd half. Can this team control possession and create? not on the evidence so far.
Second observation, have we brought too many cheap imports that may block our youngsters development?
I'm looking forward to seeing how this all works out and hoping that PL has got it right.
We go again!
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What have we learned? That for January H&V shouldn't bother with a transfer thread as we never sign anyone we've heard of before, making all speculation redundant.
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Paul Lambert is the new Martin Lewis.
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Natalie Sawyers lost to much weight
She had great boobs til she married Sam Matterface
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Overall a good window for us, and I think we're much stronger than this time last year through a combination of signings and experience gained from the players at the club already. We do really need to press on and get a quality attacking midfielder at some point though.
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Natalie Sawyers lost to much weight
She had great boobs til she married Sam Matterface
Her face was all that ever mattered to him.
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All things considered, it's been a decent enough window. If i'm being overly picky, i'd have liked to have seen another wide attacker with a bit of pace to cover for Gabby but i'm happy apart from that.
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Natalie Sawyers lost to much weight
She had great boobs til she married Sam Matterface
Her face was all that ever mattered to him.
Shurely shome mishtake. Sounds like Wassaface is obsessed by teets and a heavy suckler.
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Villa have strengthened enough to do much better this season that we did last (top 10 a realistic target). We are still short in some areas, but as the OP said, we're a work in progress. I look forward to seeing how the new players get on this season, and seeing if some of the youngsters can break into the first team. Gonna be a good season I think.
The point about continuity planning is a very good one. I don't think Lambert will be tempted away until he has fulfilled some of the targets that a team like Aston Villa should aim for - i.e. top 6 finishes, trophies, European football etc. But once a buzz has been built up and links start getting made then I hope Lerner and Faulkner will be prepared.
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The main thing I think i've learned is our managers Plan B appears to be throw on as many strikers as possible.
Not sure i'm looking forward to that kind of panic reaction again after the Bradford debacle to be honest
I was hoping for a sign that we'd be trying to play more football through the middle with the addition of a playmaker
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We learned that even though you could have bought the player you wanted a month earlier for £23m and had him available for the first three games of the season, if you wait long enough you can get him for £27m.
I wonder if Everton have stopped laughing yet ?
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I've been happy with our transfer dealings this window well done Paul.
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The main thing I think i've learned is our managers Plan B appears to be throw on as many strikers as possible.
Not sure i'm looking forward to that kind of panic reaction again after the Bradford debacle to be honest
I was hoping for a sign that we'd be trying to play more football through the middle with the addition of a playmaker
To be fair that was Bradford only and hasn't been repeated, so I think it's harsh to conisder it his plan B.
I agree with the last bit about a playmaker, but you can't have everything. There's enough ability to create and score goals in our side that it shouldn't impact us too badly.
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I think that the prices wanted for the playmakers we were after were so high that we couldn't make the deals, Lambert obviously feels that they weren't good enough for the prices asked. I can understand that very well, didn't we always whine how MON, Houllier and TSM paid over the odds for the players they wanted?
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I think that the prices wanted for the playmakers we were after were so high that we couldn't make the deals, Lambert obviously feels that they weren't good enough for the prices asked. I can understand that very well, didn't we always whine how MON, Houllier and TSM paid over the odds for the players they wanted?
I can well understand that. We shouldn't be in relegation trouble this year so no improvements to the side needed are particularly desperate ones, so we can take our time. I wouldn't be surprised if we're doing what Spurs have done and what Lyon did for years and waiting to spend next year's Benteke money - which, let's face it, should be considerable.
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We learnt that shopping early for targets you've spent months scouting is far better than hoying money around on deadline day like a burst hydrant.
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We learnt that shopping early for targets you've spent months scouting is far better than hoying money around on deadline day like a burst hydrant.
Yep.
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I think that the prices wanted for the playmakers we were after were so high that we couldn't make the deals, Lambert obviously feels that they weren't good enough for the prices asked. I can understand that very well, didn't we always whine how MON, Houllier and TSM paid over the odds for the players they wanted?
We did always whine and I can't think of any 'bargains' they signed. We recouped a lot more than outlayed on Ashley Young and Milner as well as Downing (God knows how). The rest were over priced in terms of transfer outlay, though without Bent we would have been relegated if not in 2011 then certainly 2012.
I much prefer the current, sustainable approach.
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Natalie Sawyers lost to much weight
Agreed!
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A good window for us , offloaded a few and brought in 7 players who will strengthen the squad and add competition for places - very good.
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I think that the prices wanted for the playmakers we were after were so high that we couldn't make the deals, Lambert obviously feels that they weren't good enough for the prices asked. I can understand that very well, didn't we always whine how MON, Houllier and TSM paid over the odds for the players they wanted?
We did always whine and I can't think of any 'bargains' they signed. We recouped a lot more than outlayed on Ashley Young and Milner as well as Downing (God knows how). The rest were over priced in terms of transfer outlay, though without Bent we would have been relegated if not in 2011 then certainly 2012.
I much prefer the current, sustainable approach.
Yeah, Young and Milner were worth of their fees we paid for them and we made some profit on Downing. I agree that we were saved from relegation by Bent but we still paid over the odds for him, he will be one of those players thought as "Only if we'd gotten him two years earlier" when he would've really shone under MON when we were chasing Top 4 finish.
As well as Lambert has done on transfer windows, I think that optimal situation would be to buy one or couple real quality-players and then some unknown quantities like we've bought under Lambert but in the last 3-4 years the quality of the player vs. the fees wanted has been very lobsided, especially in the UK.
Okore seems to be another brilliant buy in the vein of Benteke and Luna seems to be another very good buy so far. Tonev and Bacuna looks promising if/when they get their mentalities coached straight and Helenius looks to have potential to be brilliant player, hopefully in the vein of Laudrup brothers ;).
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we shouldnt have a transfer window
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I think that the prices wanted for the playmakers we were after were so high that we couldn't make the deals, Lambert obviously feels that they weren't good enough for the prices asked. I can understand that very well, didn't we always whine how MON, Houllier and TSM paid over the odds for the players they wanted?
We did always whine and I can't think of any 'bargains' they signed. We recouped a lot more than outlayed on Ashley Young and Milner as well as Downing (God knows how). The rest were over priced in terms of transfer outlay, though without Bent we would have been relegated if not in 2011 then certainly 2012.
I much prefer the current, sustainable approach.
Yeah, Young and Milner were worth of their fees we paid for them and we made some profit on Downing. I agree that we were saved from relegation by Bent but we still paid over the odds for him, he will be one of those players thought as "Only if we'd gotten him two years earlier" when he would've really shone under MON when we were chasing Top 4 finish.
As well as Lambert has done on transfer windows, I think that optimal situation would be to buy one or couple real quality-players and then some unknown quantities like we've bought under Lambert but in the last 3-4 years the quality of the player vs. the fees wanted has been very lobsided, especially in the UK.
Okore seems to be another brilliant buy in the vein of Benteke and Luna seems to be another very good buy so far. Tonev and Bacuna looks promising if/when they get their mentalities coached straight and Helenius looks to have potential to be brilliant player, hopefully in the vein of Laudrup brothers ;).
I think that's difficult in our position. We could easily go out and spend £10m or more on a player, but in our current stage of development we're probably not that attractive to players actually worth that sort of tranfer fee. So you get those who are either over inflated price wise or just coming for the money or probably both.
There will come a time when improving this side will need a player in that higher price bracket. I hope when that time comes Lambert and Randy will buy them, but more importantly that we're doing well enough on the pitch to actually attract them.
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the media will focus on those who made a "splash" on deadline day. We did our business quietly and efficiently and most of it very early on which many outside of this parish will soon forget. Those players are better integrated than players arriving at new clubs yesterday. Time will tell whether we have bought well off course, but I am happy with what we did, and for me, getting Benteke to sign a new deal was just like splashing out £40m on a top forward.
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we shouldnt have a transfer window
Agreed we should have a "round window" though!
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I tell you what I have learned.
No matter who the player is, what club they play for, how many appearances that have made. If we are linked with them there will be no shortage of people claiming to know all about them.
Not even claiming they are a beast on FM, or they had them in FIFA and they we the dogs bollocks. But rather like "oh Henrik Laddum, yeah saw him a couple times playing in the Turkish second division for Bodrum Utd. Decent left back, good tackler. Tends to show people on the inside a little too much, but he has the pace to recover."
You are all filthy liars
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I tell you what I have learned.
No matter who the player is, what club they play for, how many appearances that have made. If we are linked with them there will be no shortage of people claiming to know all about them.
Not even claiming they are a beast on FM, or they had them in FIFA and they we the dogs bollocks. But rather like "oh Henrik Laddum, yeah saw him a couple times playing in the Turkish second division for Bodrum Utd. Decent left back, good tackler. Tends to show people on the inside a little too much, but he has the pace to recover."
You are all filthy liars
I had no idea about Luna, Okore, Helenius, Bacuna or Sylla, and anyone who claims they did must either live in the country they were playing in or be fibbing.
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The majority of the wider media have no idea about Paul Lambert and what he is trying to achieve at Villa.
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we shouldnt have a transfer window
disagree, if there were no window the rumour ofbids and players leaving would be never ending
I mean at least we now know Benteke is with us till at least Jan probably the rest of the season, if there were no window he would be leaving and getting unsettled every week
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The majority of the wider media have no idea about Paul Lambert and what he is trying to achieve at Villa.
it took a while for a lot of people on this site to work that one out as well
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We've learned that RL will still back managers with a reasonable transfer kitty.
£23 million + last year, £18 million last year. With no significant (fee wise) outgoings.
When he bought the club, there was talk (OK, newspaper speculation) that £20 million per year being made available for transfers. That's pretty much how it's worked out, some years more, some years less. But never much less.
We've also learned -if ever anybody doubted it- that it doesn't pay to make saleable assets train with the kids and generally ostracise them. It only sends the price down, to the point where we have to effectively give them away.
PL has some very good qualities, but I agree with the point about a DoF or technical director. Lambert can say behind closed doors that he doesn't rate x or y, that he's not part of his plans. But not to the outside world. We need to be cuter than that. I agree on the succession/ stability aspect too. Should Lambert leave in one year, two years or three years (he'll be doing incredibly well to go beyond that based on our record post WWII) we can't have the whole thing turning to shit again, with a new manager and a completely new direction.
Our spend this year has been dwarfed by clubs such as Norwich and Swansea, but £18 million is still a significant amount. Those clubs have less overheads and commitments than us as far as existing contracts were concerned (I'm guessing). So they were in a better position to spend the TV money early. It is a concern to me that most of the players we've bought in are at the lower end of the scale vis a vis wages. I hope that wasn't the primary motivation when signing them.
Signings like Hutton, Warnock and co prove that paying a player £40k per week plus isn't a guarantee of quality, true. But there is a direct correlation more often than not between overall wage bill and final league placing. I'm not hugely bothered about the financial aspect of things, truth be told, If player x earns more than player y. But that last part -as a football fan- concerns me.
It's fine to have a squad with a number of promising young players looking to prove themselves, but we are big enough to have a core of players closer to the finished article, and I would have liked to have seen more of that type arrive this summer, particularly for the key spots in defence.
We could have utilized our transfer budget a bit better. Last year the defence looked an obvious Achilles heel, and I would have liked to see another CB come in alongside Okore. Perhaps even an experienced CB on loan. Luna looks decent, but not a huge upgrade on Bennett. With our formation, the fullback positions are vital for us, so I would like to have seen genuine top quality there. We are a central midfielder light too, be that an attacking midfielder or the more traditional jack of all trades type.
So overall, 6 for incoming and 6 for outgoing.
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It is a concern to me that most of the players we've bought in are at the lower end of the scale vis a vis wages. I hope that wasn't the primary motivation when signing them.
Signings like Hutton, Warnock and co prove that paying a player £40k per week plus isn't a guarantee of quality, true. But there is a direct correlation more often than not between overall wage bill and final league placing. I'm not hugely bothered about the financial aspect of things, truth be told, If player x earns more than player y. But that last part -as a football fan- concerns me.
It's fine to have a squad with a number of promising young players looking to prove themselves, but we are big enough to have a core of players closer to the finished article, and I would have liked to have seen more of that type arrive this summer, particularly for the key spots in defence.
But this is Lambert's philosophy. Good and very thorough scouting for young, hungry players who will see Villa as a big step-up and challenge. This will always see some players unable to make the step-up of course, but with relatively low price fees and initial wages it's never a massive gamble when it doesn't work out.
And we have shown with recent contract extensions that we are willing to reward those who do make the grade, so there's another incentive as well as being able to make their name in the Premier League.
You can either buy into this philosophy or not, but Plumbutt isn't going to change so constantly hoping for a "marquee" signing or some proven experience at a high initial wage cost is pointless, it just isn't going to happen, Lambert didn't panic buy when it looked like it was going to shit last season so I doubt he's going to change his ways now it looks like were on track.
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I can well understand that. We shouldn't be in relegation trouble this year so no improvements to the side needed are particularly desperate ones, so we can take our time. I wouldn't be surprised if we're doing what Spurs have done and what Lyon did for years and waiting to spend next year's Benteke money - which, let's face it, should be considerable.
This is what bugs me most though. Imagine us with a top creative playmaker with Benteke in the side. It could have brought us untold joy this season. Now we'll only likely get one by selling the best striker we've had in decades
Same old story. Never complete the jigsaw, just keep moving the pieces around
The money was there, it must have been. We just don't want to spend it
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Agree more or less with what Gagey says.
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I generally agree with Plumbutt Cooper (young hingry players) except that the "scatter gun" approach used so far (albeit with seemingly excellent scouting) will only get us so far as the squad is now pretty full, whereas at the start of his reign the quality and size of the squad allowed Lambert to give lots of players a go.
Now we have a complete squad (give or take) I predict that we'll sign fewer players but they'll have a higher likelihood of being good (i.e. bigger price tag). I'd be surprised if we saw 7 signings again in a window. My guess is any signings will still be young and eager to improve but more along the lines of Ashley Young/Milner/Foreign Equivalent.
That's my hunch and I think Lambert's dilemma, as it's a different category to scout for compared to what he's done so far at Villa and previously at Norwich. We were heavily linked with Pierre-Emerrick Aubameyang last summer (he moved to dortmund this season) and Coutinho (now at Liverpool) so it suggests he has an eye for a player but possibly/arguably we were not good enough to tempt them at the time.
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I generally agree with Plumbutt Cooper (young hingry players) except that the "scatter gun" approach used so far (albeit with seemingly excellent scouting) will only get us so far as the squad is now pretty full, whereas at the start of his reign the quality and size of the squad allowed Lambert to give lots of players a go.
Now we have a complete squad (give or take) I predict that we'll sign fewer players but they'll have a higher likelihood of being good (i.e. bigger price tag). I'd be surprised if we saw 7 signings again in a window. My guess is any signings will still be young and eager to improve but more along the lines of Ashley Young/Milner/Foreign Equivalent.
That's my hunch and I think Lambert's dilemma, as it's a different category to scout for compared to what he's done so far at Villa and previously at Norwich. We were heavily linked with Pierre-Emerrick Aubameyang last summer (he moved to dortmund this season) and Coutinho (now at Liverpool) so it suggests he has an eye for a player but possibly/arguably we were not good enough to tempt them at the time.
I think the only signings you could call 'scatter gun' were KEA and Vlaar, both cheap and reasonably experienced and signed to fill immediate gaps (and probably both plucked from the scouting reports at the club already given we had a dutch scout under TSM). Every other player fits the same mould and plays in a position where we needed competition. Yes he's signed big numbers but I think he had to but the choice of signings is quite clinical, he has a very clear picture of the skill set he wants and it's evident in every signing (except possibly Kozak but I'll withhold commenting on his abilities until I've seen him play).
That said I think windows from now will be more 'surgical' in that it will be 1 in 1 out (with some of the ins coming through the ranks) and they'll fill thge same role. The only addition is that Im positive we'll see an attacking midfielder, we've been linked with far too many for it not to be a role PL wants to fill.
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It is a concern to me that most of the players we've bought in are at the lower end of the scale vis a vis wages. I hope that wasn't the primary motivation when signing them.
Signings like Hutton, Warnock and co prove that paying a player £40k per week plus isn't a guarantee of quality, true. But there is a direct correlation more often than not between overall wage bill and final league placing. I'm not hugely bothered about the financial aspect of things, truth be told, If player x earns more than player y. But that last part -as a football fan- concerns me.
It's fine to have a squad with a number of promising young players looking to prove themselves, but we are big enough to have a core of players closer to the finished article, and I would have liked to have seen more of that type arrive this summer, particularly for the key spots in defence.
But this is Lambert's philosophy. Good and very thorough scouting for young, hungry players who will see Villa as a big step-up and challenge. This will always see some players unable to make the step-up of course, but with relatively low price fees and initial wages it's never a massive gamble when it doesn't work out.
And we have shown with recent contract extensions that we are willing to reward those who do make the grade, so there's another incentive as well as being able to make their name in the Premier League.
You can either buy into this philosophy or not, but Plumbutt isn't going to change so constantly hoping for a "marquee" signing or some proven experience at a high initial wage cost is pointless, it just isn't going to happen, Lambert didn't panic buy when it looked like it was going to shit last season so I doubt he's going to change his ways now it looks like were on track.
Maybe it is purely his philosophy, his choice alone. He's purposely buying young, hungry players who want to play for the club, and the lower wages are merely a by product of that. Rather than the main criteria.
The bid for Dempsey and the interest in Lescott last Jan would be at odds with that, but who knows.
The concern would be if we are prioritising the wage bill above all else. Are the club realistically aiming for European qualification anytime soon, or is the target to have one of the lowest wages to turnover ratios in the top flight? We must easily be outside the top 10 in that particular category now.
Of course it's never as simple as 6th highest wage bill in the league = 6 place guaranteed. Newcastle went down in 2009 with a wage bill far in excess of at least 10 clubs above them, we struggled in in 2011 and 2012 with a wage bill far higher than most clubs around us. That's the beauty of sport, it can't always be condensed to a numbers game. There is scope for good coaching, team dynamic and team chemistry to upset the balance.
But if -as a club- we are specifically aiming to have a wage bill at the lower end of the scale compared to the rest of the league, we can't then be surprised if our league position reflects that.
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I don't agree that their lower wages are in any way an indication of policy. I think we have identified players that are talented and are looking for the opportunity to prove themselves and earn that next contract. Something that club has not messed about on when said players have earned them. It's one thing buying a player that is worth x amount per a week and another paying a player that has done something with you to actually deserve it.
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It is a concern to me that most of the players we've bought in are at the lower end of the scale vis a vis wages. I hope that wasn't the primary motivation when signing them.
Signings like Hutton, Warnock and co prove that paying a player £40k per week plus isn't a guarantee of quality, true. But there is a direct correlation more often than not between overall wage bill and final league placing. I'm not hugely bothered about the financial aspect of things, truth be told, If player x earns more than player y. But that last part -as a football fan- concerns me.
It's fine to have a squad with a number of promising young players looking to prove themselves, but we are big enough to have a core of players closer to the finished article, and I would have liked to have seen more of that type arrive this summer, particularly for the key spots in defence.
But this is Lambert's philosophy. Good and very thorough scouting for young, hungry players who will see Villa as a big step-up and challenge. This will always see some players unable to make the step-up of course, but with relatively low price fees and initial wages it's never a massive gamble when it doesn't work out.
And we have shown with recent contract extensions that we are willing to reward those who do make the grade, so there's another incentive as well as being able to make their name in the Premier League.
You can either buy into this philosophy or not, but Plumbutt isn't going to change so constantly hoping for a "marquee" signing or some proven experience at a high initial wage cost is pointless, it just isn't going to happen, Lambert didn't panic buy when it looked like it was going to shit last season so I doubt he's going to change his ways now it looks like were on track.
Maybe it is purely his philosophy, his choice alone. He's purposely buying young, hungry players who want to play for the club, and the lower wages are merely a by product of that. Rather than the main criteria.
The bid for Dempsey and the interest in Lescott last Jan would be at odds with that, but who knows.
The concern would be if we are prioritising the wage bill above all else. Are the club realistically aiming for European qualification anytime soon, or is the target to have one of the lowest wages to turnover ratios in the top flight? We must easily be outside the top 10 in that particular category now.
Of course it's never as simple as 6th highest wage bill in the league = 6 place guaranteed. Newcastle went down in 2009 with a wage bill far in excess of at least 10 clubs above them, we struggled in in 2011 and 2012 with a wage bill far higher than most clubs around us. That's the beauty of sport, it can't always be condensed to a numbers game. There is scope for good coaching, team dynamic and team chemistry to upset the balance.
But if -as a club- we are specifically aiming to have a wage bill at the lower end of the scale compared to the rest of the league, we can't then be surprised if our league position reflects that.
As we get rid of those high paid players from the bomb squad we should see new players on higher salaries than young players we got now. I do wonder how big salary bump Westwood, Lowton, Weimann etc got in the summer when they signed new contracts and Benteke got 15-20k more per week than he was on before if I'm not mistaken.
The MO now is probably to gradually climb up the table and in the progress to get players get in we need rather than buying now the players on inflated fees and wages who could push us to top 6.
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I don't agree that their lower wages are in any way an indication of policy. I think we have identified players that are talented and are looking for the opportunity to prove themselves and earn that next contract. Something that club has not messed about on when said players have earned them. It's one thing buying a player that is worth x amount per a week and another paying a player that has done something with you to actually deserve it.
With this in mind it's interesting to note Ireland's comment today about being linked up with Hughes again as "he knows how to get the best out of me".
Implies that Lambert didn't, but also that Ireland relies a little too much on others to get the best out of him rather than taking some responsibility and getting on with it himself!
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I can well understand that. We shouldn't be in relegation trouble this year so no improvements to the side needed are particularly desperate ones, so we can take our time. I wouldn't be surprised if we're doing what Spurs have done and what Lyon did for years and waiting to spend next year's Benteke money - which, let's face it, should be considerable.
This is what bugs me most though. Imagine us with a top creative playmaker with Benteke in the side. It could have brought us untold joy this season. Now we'll only likely get one by selling the best striker we've had in decades
Same old story. Never complete the jigsaw, just keep moving the pieces around
The money was there, it must have been. We just don't want to spend it
Is that a serious post?
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its about having a long term cohesive policy, our forward line of Benteke, Wieman and Gabby would cost 50 mill to replace like for like, but it cost us 7,5 million
so can Lambert and the club keep doing it, well yes but they will have to be pretty special
the new striker we have bought in raised eyebrows including mine because we were already strong in that department, but maybe its Lamberts long term policy, he is looking 3/4 years down the line, if that's the case we are in new territory,
Kevin G makes some good points, but I would argue the reason the league top spenders are in the leagues top positions is because no ones ever done it a different way before
the Dortmund model gets mentioned, i'm not to clued up on exactly how that evolved, but they look to be doing there own thing in a different way, Lamberts connections with them can only be good for us
we hear all the time from supporters of clubs, Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs etc, spend spend spend, we were crying the same thing last January because in a football fans mind its the only way, buy yourself success, but Lambert didn't, he stuck to his principles and saw it through
most people now believe we are in a stronger place because of it, how much would Delph, Westwood, Lowton, Okore cost now to replace with new for old, an awfull lot of money many milllions
so why cant this keep being done for the next 5, 10 years, you need the right man in charge and the right owners to keep the faith and supporters who don't panic, and can see the project
maybe its fancifull, and the game is all about money, but I would like to think we are bucking the trend and doing something groundbreaking here
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Take a bow john e!
I think you speak for quite a few of us there.
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Spot on john.
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I agree with a good chunk of that John e.
As I've said on numerous occasions in the past, there is merit to what PL is doing.
We ourselves have seen the negative impact older players on fat contracts can cause.
I just think that with the sums of money involved in the game now, there was scope to bring in 2/3 players closer to the finished article to supplement what we already have. Not necessarily 'marquee' types either.
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John, top post pal.
Kevin Gage, I see where you're coming from, but I think we need a bit of trust.
I think they've earned it.
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Not sure the Lerner comment in the OP is that accurate, since he took over he has had a divorce but as sold Cleveland Browns for decent money and the Bank America Share Price has rallied quite a bit.
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I don't agree that their lower wages are in any way an indication of policy. I think we have identified players that are talented and are looking for the opportunity to prove themselves and earn that next contract. Something that club has not messed about on when said players have earned them. It's one thing buying a player that is worth x amount per a week and another paying a player that has done something with you to actually deserve it.
Hmmmm, I think there's an element of "money ball" in what he's doing in that they're identifying players who look good value in both transfer and wages. I think part of their plan is that they can be sold for a profit and re-invested, and repeat etc.
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Next summer should be easier as we won't have to worry about bomb squad.
Darren Bent probably get another year loan in Fulham/or move there permanently.
Alan Hutton probably find someone to take him
Shay Given might move to another club who need a goalkeeper.
plus we will have more freedom to spend on transfer market with increased budget for wages and no worry about selling anyone. Paul Lambert will improve scouting as he have more people from his old club to work with.
Don't think we will need too much transfer activity next season.
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We have learnt that Joe kinnear is a completely useless arsehole.
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We have learnt that Joe kinnear is a completely useless arsehole.
I could have told you that 20 years ago mate! ;)
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We have learnt that Joe kinnear is a completely useless arsehole.
He speaks highly of you. Tried to sign you, apparently. 10 years ago, when he was managing Real Milan.
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Great post John e. I totally agree with the sentiment and deep down that's what we are all buying into.
Here's to 'The Successful Villa Model'.
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We have learnt that Joe kinnear is a completely useless arsehole.
He speaks highly of you. Tried to sign you, apparently. 10 years ago, when he was managing Real Milan.
Yes I refused when he referred to me as Kofta bob! Just think of the nightmare scenario that Ashley buys Villa and appoints the wanker to run us... sorry ruin us.
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Yes we may have a low wage total now, but as I said, Plumbutt and the club have already shown that they will reward the players who prove themselves with improved contracts even if they have plenty of time to run on the old one. That's a great incentive for these youngsters he is bringing in.
I'm also not too concerned about the apparent scatter-gun approach to signings, his hit-rate so far has been very good, and just about every player he has bought in will leave on similar or better transfer fees, so no real risk involved. I can see a continued highish turnover of players, as Plumbutt gradually finds the very best he can get in each position he will move players on. He hasn't had to do too much of moving his own signings on yet as he had plenty of deadwood to get rid of, but the likes of Bowery and Bennett will be moved on unless they improve and other youngsters will come in as he scouts them. What is for sure is that all of these players will be better off for the experience of working under him at Aston Villa.
I suppose the acid test will be when someone like Benteke (but not necessarily him) moves on for massive money, then Plumbutt will have money to spend, real money! Will he break the mould and go for big signings on big wages to replace him or will he just continue the same way? Time will tell.
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Yes we may have a low wage total now, but as I said, Plumbutt and the club have already shown that they will reward the players who prove themselves with improved contracts even if they have plenty of time to run on the old one. That's a great incentive for these youngsters he is bringing in.
I'm also not too concerned about the apparent scatter-gun approach to signings, his hit-rate so far has been very good, and just about every player he has bought in will leave on similar or better transfer fees, so no real risk involved. I can see a continued highish turnover of players, as Plumbutt gradually finds the very best he can get in each position he will move players on. He hasn't had to do too much of moving his own signings on yet as he had plenty of deadwood to get rid of, but the likes of Bowery and Bennett will be moved on unless they improve and other youngsters will come in as he scouts them. What is for sure is that all of these players will be better off for the experience of working under him at Aston Villa.
I suppose the acid test will be when someone like Benteke (but not necessarily him) moves on for massive money, then Plumbutt will have money to spend, real money! Will he break the mould and go for big signings on big wages to replace him or will he just continue the same way? Time will tell.
I'm fairly convinced it will be closer to the latter, I genuinely think he wants players who see it as a step up. Again the lastest addition is the only anomoly but given how he was used at Lazio I guess he's still got a lot to prove.
Regarding turnover I think it depends on how many of our players we can keep happy. Given the ages of the squad now I think hell largely try to keep the group together so they can grow as a unit. We saw in the 2nd half of last season how important the team unity is in the way we play, High turnover of players every summer doesn't help with that so I think it will largely be replacements for players who we get big bids on or for players who Lambert loses faith in.
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Why the fuck is he Plumbutt?
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Why the fuck is he Plumbutt?
If you say Paul Lambert very quickly it becomes Plumbutt.
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Yes it does however DC I assume you uttered plumbutt after 10 pints of ale?
(Disclaimer: I would like to state that I an not inferring anything but good character traits here)
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I think we are setting some very good foundations for the future. One more window and the remaining bomb squad should be gone (summer window latest)
All this sets us on track for the future. More investment in a couple of areas and we have a very good young footballing side. Regardless of whether Benteke goes in the summer or not, we will at least have £50m to reinvest in our young squad.
Under PL we have hope for a future! Looking forward to seeing us develop more
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Confident. I am going for 7 points from the next 3 games.
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I learnt that British players are still massively over-priced and over-rated. Ozil is twice the player and half the money of Bale.
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Next summer should be easier as we won't have to worry about bomb squad.
plus we will have more freedom to spend on transfer market with increased budget for wages and no worry about selling anyone. Paul Lambert will improve scouting as he have more people from his old club to work with.
apart from selling Benteke to the highest bidder of course
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I suppose the acid test will be when someone like Benteke (but not necessarily him) moves on for massive money, then Plumbutt will have money to spend, real money! Will he break the mould and go for big signings on big wages to replace him or will he just continue the same way? Time will tell.
I think that will depend on where we are when/if Benteke goes. If we're mid-table, he might want to bank the money (or a proportion of it) and carry on as now. If we've reached the level when we're top six material and Benteke ups sticks, he might have to spend big to replace him with someone of similar abilities, to keep us there. How he keeps the progression going will be telling for me - I'm sure he's spot on, at the moment.
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Why the fuck is he Plumbutt?
If you say Paul Lambert very quickly it becomes Plumbutt.
Hahaha! Now this I like
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Yes we may have a low wage total now, but as I said, Plumbutt and the club have already shown that they will reward the players who prove themselves with improved contracts even if they have plenty of time to run on the old one. That's a great incentive for these youngsters he is bringing in.
I'm also not too concerned about the apparent scatter-gun approach to signings, his hit-rate so far has been very good, and just about every player he has bought in will leave on similar or better transfer fees, so no real risk involved. I can see a continued highish turnover of players, as Plumbutt gradually finds the very best he can get in each position he will move players on. He hasn't had to do too much of moving his own signings on yet as he had plenty of deadwood to get rid of, but the likes of Bowery and Bennett will be moved on unless they improve and other youngsters will come in as he scouts them. What is for sure is that all of these players will be better off for the experience of working under him at Aston Villa.
I suppose the acid test will be when someone like Benteke (but not necessarily him) moves on for massive money, then Plumbutt will have money to spend, real money! Will he break the mould and go for big signings on big wages to replace him or will he just continue the same way? Time will tell.
I'm fairly convinced it will be closer to the latter, I genuinely think he wants players who see it as a step up. Again the lastest addition is the only anomoly but given how he was used at Lazio I guess he's still got a lot to prove.
I suppose the negative to that is that if/when we hit a 'glass ceiling' pressure will be on to get a 'name' in. We've already heard the first moans in that direction ("they've got the money they just don't want to spend it").
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Why the fuck is he Plumbutt?
If you say Paul Lambert very quickly it becomes Plumbutt.
Hahaha! Now this I like
Plumbutt's Claret Blue Army?
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Why the fuck is he Plumbutt?
If you say Paul Lambert very quickly it becomes Plumbutt.
Hahaha! Now this I like
Plumbutt's Claret Blue Army?
Doesn't scan.
Scansion is important to da yoots who age down with the beats.
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I learnt that British players are still massively over-priced and over-rated. Ozil is twice the player and half the money of Bale.
Or not (not my opinion but an interesting look at things):
http://www.soccerbythenumbers.com/2012/11/the-myth-of-english-premium.html
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Natalie Sawyers lost to much weight
She had great boobs til she married Sam Matterface
Yeah I was thinking she'd lost a lot of weight. No wedding ring I noticed... maybe they've split and she's had a rough time, bless her.
Anyway, good transfer window for us I thought, lots of potential in without breaking the bank.
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Why the fuck is he Plumbutt?
If you say Paul Lambert very quickly it becomes Plumbutt.
Hahaha! Now this I like
Plumbutt's Claret Blue Army?
Excellent, I wondered too why Plumbutt!
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I learnt that British players are still massively over-priced and over-rated. Ozil is twice the player and half the money of Bale.
Or not (not my opinion but an interesting look at things):
http://www.soccerbythenumbers.com/2012/11/the-myth-of-english-premium.html
It might be me, but I think the author has missed the point.
It's not which country is issuing a players passport, but transfers within the UK, and particularly within the PL that command the premium.
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Confident. I am going for 7 points from the next 3 games.
So you are not confident that we will beat man city?