Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Ivo Stas on September 21, 2016, 10:07:32 PM
-
...let's decide which of this summer signings is going to turn out the best (transfer fee taken into consideration).
For what it's worth, here is my ill-informed opinion (based on having seen every game except Bristol City away):
Albert Adomah - in his cameo against Ipswich, didn't look particularly like an upgrade on Andre Green.
James Chester - our best defender? Don't notice him much which is probably a sign that he isn't having to make recovery challenges, etc.
Ritchie De Laet - looked like an upgrade defensively on Bacuna/Hutton, was still deciding about his crossing ability.
Tommy Elphick - perhaps not the next Shaun Teale (man of steel) but good at this level.
Pierluigi Gollini - I have a bit of a Bosnich-feeling about him but probably I'm just projecting my hopes on him. I'm thinking of the Villa Bosnich, not the Chelsea version.
Mile Jedinak - I'm stunned that we gave Palace £4 million for someone they probably wanted off their wage bill. Not that I dislike him but I can't say I particularly rated him before he signed. He does add height to our midfield. With all our defensive midfielder signings, I ask myself "are they really any better than Sylla was?". And I didn't particularly rate Sylla but we haven't half wasted a lot of money replacing him with Sanchez, Gueye and now Jedinak.
Jonathan Kodjia - if my striker is going to have an anonymous game, I want him heading a certain goal off his own goal-line in injury time. Has scored one goal and saved one goal in two games and earned us two points.
Ross McCormack - no pace, no dribbling skills, no aerial prowess, but my vote for our best signing because I think he has the most natural ability. There are not many current Villa players who could feel certain to get picked each week but he'd be the first name on my team-sheet.
Aaron Tshibola - hopefully the answer to our midfield woes, seen some good and bad from him so far but a definite prospect.
-
McCormack for me too, intelligent team player, scores and assists.
-
McCormack as well. I like the fact that he is completely prolific due to a skill set that wont diminish as fast as others. peope may be concerned its alot to pay for a 30yo but I would hope he will still be a big contributor late into his 30s
-
Early days but I've been most impressed with Jonathan Kodjia - hopefully we'll play him in the centre rather than out wide and we'll get/see the best out of him.
-
Kodjia looks a good player, him and McCormack up top for me, I think they could strike up a real partnership.
-
some of those transfer fees look WAY off what we paid
-
Yeah we haven't spent £60.5m
-
Kodjia looks a good player, him and McCormack up top for me, I think they could strike up a real partnership.
Speaking of whom...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/22/jonathan-kodjia-ivory-coast-new-didier-drogba-aston-villa
-
I've voted Gollini simply because Guzan cost us so many points last season. Fingers crossed, but since Huddesfield Gollini looks solid.
-
Great interview with Codger, that. Now go and get the winner on Saturday, big man.
-
Kodjia looks a good player, him and McCormack up top for me, I think they could strike up a real partnership.
Speaking of whom...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/22/jonathan-kodjia-ivory-coast-new-didier-drogba-aston-villa
Good article... We need him to start banging them in...!
-
Kodjia looks a good player, him and McCormack up top for me, I think they could strike up a real partnership.
Speaking of whom...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/22/jonathan-kodjia-ivory-coast-new-didier-drogba-aston-villa
Good article... We need him to start banging them in...!
Interesting quote considering last year
it really is full-on here for 90 minutes and not every player coming from France can cope.
-
Nice to read a feel good piece Villa related, even if it's a tad on the fluffy side Kodjia's a good story though. Probably worked twice as hard to get here in the end and probably actually enjoys playing football. Compared to the many who get their first big contract just out of their teens, then turn into a twatty wannabe rockstar with poor taste in everything and a wanker hairdo.
-
McCormack, potentially. For too long we've missed that bit of ingenuity in attack. Here's someone who can shoot, assist, pick intelligent passes, take dangerous positions and other things I've forgotten that strikers can sometimes do.
-
Gutted for Ritchie De Laet getting injured.
-
Just watched some highlights and with each week I'm starting to think that Gollini is very good.
-
I've voted Gollini simply because Guzan cost us so many points last season. Fingers crossed, but since Huddesfield Gollini looks solid.
i wasn't sure about Gollini early on and thought we needed to sign another keeper. It makes me happy that people are now saying he might be the business.
-
Tshibola was my pick. I think we've a good player there, 5.5m not cheap, but reasonable in the crazy world of transfer fees.
-
Based on the last 2 or 3 games Gollini looks a good signing for sure. Kodjia is very very good and can't wait to see him with McCormack back fit. The most talented is Tsishbola but if he's the best will only be shown if he can stay fit. So I think I will plump for Jedinak. I know he's liked poor last couple of games but he was pushing us on yesterday in the last half hour and unnoticed did get his foot in really well as few times second half. Given time, and someone not as anonymous as Westwood with him he will be great.