Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: passitsideways on May 28, 2019, 03:16:09 PM
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Apologies if this is unnecessary, just toss it into the rumours thread if it is, but I thought it'd be worth a separate thread for talking about how the squad ought to shape up going into next season, in terms of who should go, who might go, which positions need filling, and so on.
Having had a look, it does seem like a ton of cleaning up will be taking place. From how I see it:
Contracts expiring: Hutton, Whelan, Jedinak, Richards, Elphick, Bunn, De Laet, Adomah - can't see us retaining most of them, maybe Adomah, Whelan or Hutton at varying rates of probability.
Gone/no realistic future at the club: Tshibola, McCormack.
On the outside looking in, good chance of being sold if even a slightly decent offer comes in: Bjarnason, Lansbury, Hogan, Bree, Gardner, maybe Nyland, maybe even Kodjia.
Just gathering together some of the posts made in the transfer thread (and across the Internet, really), and assuming El Ghazi and Mings and maybe Hause are made permanent, it's pretty much been universally agreed that an upgrade at LB, a striker (assuming Tammy won't be back), and at least one more winger aside from El Ghazi is needed. Secondary to those, it seems like there's also openings for another CB option, an athletic ball-playing defensive midfielder, and a no. 10 type player who can operate between the midfield and defensive lines.
What is everyone else thinking in terms of who should be going out and the positions to target?
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I suspect we were in for a major squad overhaul even if we hadn’t gone up, in fact probably bigger. I am expecting at least 6 but wouldn’t be surprised to see 9 or 10
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According to this, Albert has another year on his contract
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/berateruebersicht/verein/405
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Albert does have another year, the club announced it as a 4 year deal when he signed in 2016.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2016/08/31/adomah-signs
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He couldn’t manage the championship properly last season let alone the premier
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Yep left back, possibly right back, deep midfield, attacking midfield, up front and possibly goalkeeper are areas we have to look at - and that's after the assumed signings of Mings and El Ghazi which are by no means certain. There's a big job on here.
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Assumed outgoings: Jedinak, Richards, Hutton, Elphick, Bunn, De Laet, Lansbury, Bree, Hogan, Tshibola, Gardner, McCormack.
Leaves:
Steer Nyland Kalinic
Mings Hause Chester Tuanzebe
Taylor Elmohamedy Guilbert
McGinn Grealish Whelan Hourihane
El Ghazi Green Adomah
Abraham Kodja Davis
If we got our loanees permanently that's five signings already.
But I'd add a left back a central midfielder a winger and a striker.
Nine signings. That's a lot of business to try and do.
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Not sure if this fits into this thread, but here goes anyway:
We now have owners who are proper money men, in terms of how the've made their fortunes, the amounts of dosh available and their financial abilities.
In the modern business world there is huge kudos in being linked with/owning a successful EPL team and I think we can be certain that these 2 haven't bought Villa for it to be a plaything or a distraction.
Looking back, it's now obvious that despite what we thought at the time (wishful thinking?) that their predecessors: Lerner - inherited Daddy's money, no business acumen and Dr T - nice guy, but out of his depth financially; didn't really have sufficient financial firepower or executive skills for the modern game - hence last summer's crisis.
In contrast our current owners have made serious money and have shown their intentions to support the club from the day they came in - see the numerous injections of money on the balance sheet
Let's hope that Edens has used his American connections and seen/learned from how the Glazers, Kroenke and John Henry have managed things at ManU, Arsenal and Liverpool and Sawiris will has also picked up on Man Citeh and PSG etc. and they have formulated have plans in place to capitalise on Monday's result.
Dean Smith has proven to be a shrewd operator in the transfer market - not overpaying, but finding players who he can improve and, who at the same to time fit in with both his overall tactical philosophy whilst not upsetting the strong team spirit he creates.
I'm sure that the club has already started the rebuilding process - Dean has already pruned out the Academy players and will, no doubt be moving on a number of the first team squad.
He knows who he wants to re-sign from our loan players and depending on the success or failure there will have targets already lined up.
For once we have directors who have the money to back him.
I don't expect us to be spaffing (thanks Boris) £100m+ like Fulham did last year on a bunch of players who won't fit in we all saw how that has ended.
I think we'll be both pleased and surprised by some of his signings - her's to finding several more SJMs.
We've had too many false dawns over recent years - we need to ensure that this isn't another one.
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Assumed outgoings: Jedinak, Richards, Hutton, Elphick, Bunn, De Laet, Lansbury, Bree, Hogan, Tshibola, Gardner, McCormack.
Leaves:
Steer Nyland Kalinic
Mings Hause Chester Tuanzebe
Taylor Elmohamedy Guilbert
McGinn Grealish Whelan Hourihane
El Ghazi Green Adomah
Abraham Kodja Davis
If we got our loanees permanently that's five signings already.
But I'd add a left back a central midfielder a winger and a striker.
Nine signings. That's a lot of business to try and do.
I don't see Kodjia sticking around; and, I suspect that if we get an offer for Adomah we'll take it.
Which means the attacking need is high up on the priority list.
Add to that some more athleticism at CMF, a left back and a replacement for Tuanzebe - as a minimum.
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You might be right, but I expect Kodja to see out his contract as I don't think he's played in the premier league before and I doubt another club will match what we're paying him.
Expect McCormack to stay too, but just put him with the outgoings more in hope than expectation.
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Hope we can get rid of McCormack...according to an article his wages will increase to £70k per week after promotion. Boils my piss.
https://www.balls.ie/football/ross-mccormack-contract-411300
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A few principles that need to be used to base the build upon;
- It’s Dean Smiths team so he will want it to be attacking not just surviving.
- Much will depend on a persons personality and fit with the team and management not just their skill.
- We need a Premiership team not a Championship team+. The big difference is SPEED. Strength is fine but SPEED is the X factor at every position.
- Skills are important but worth nothing if the footballing brain is weak; Smith picks those who desire to be better footballers every day and can cope with tactical nuance and flexibility.
- Structurally we will need the flexibility Dean has built in already and this will be increased next season. Lets’ specify the squad for a 4-3-3/4-4-2 regime because it can morph into lots of diamond, attacking wing-back and attacking midfielder schemes if the players are good enough.
Goalies
Steer deserves to be in the starting mix in the Premiership; he’s deserved it, worth it and we should value him.
Kalinic has been a valuable investment which needs to pay off now. Give him a chance. If he sees himself as automatic Number 1 he won’t fit in and I’d expect him to be sold if so.
Nyland will be fit again over the Summer but won’t get games as third choice so he should be sold for the benefit of his career.
Sarkic needs to be told he will be squad backup to top 2; developing young players for the future is what our club can be about. Here’s an example; ask him to step up and see if he does.
Bunn to go.
Centre Backs
Richards and Elphick to end contract and leave.
Chester will not be the player he was, we’ve now been told. Best we can expect here is a squad backup player for next year.
Mings needs to be snapped-up quickly. He wants it, we need it; get it done!
Tuanzebe would be great but won’t be available as a purchase and loans will not be our best priority in this position, it’s too important so reluctantly we won’t see Axel at VP next year, in my opinion.
Hause has not earned being purchased IMO and I’d expect the VP team to have a range of options from Cahill to who-the-hell-else-might-be-available but we need AT LEAST 2 in here who fit in, are speedy and technical ball-playing centre backs mainly because Suliman has not become a candidate.
Right Backs
Hutton to go with our best wishes.
Bree to be squad backup if the VP team assess him as worthwhile; we don’t know yet. If not, he’ll be sold.
De Laet; see below.
Elmohamady to fight for his place at RB alongside Guilbert who will join us now.
Left Backs
Taylor to stay and fight for a place against whoever we bring in because we need to bring someone in for this position, no doubt. There is no squad backup so we need to address that at U23/U20 level as well.
Defensive Midfield
Whelan may be given a one-year contract but solely as squad backup. Speed, remember?
Tshibola and Jedinak to go.
We have no-one else who can adequately play DM in the premiership so we need at least 2. If Fabian Delph is available as hinted at (he only has 1 year left on his contract at Citteh) I’d wrench him here as a priority; he could be the difference between surviving and kicking-on versus being relegated. He’s that good. Other possibilities are available as well but this is a priority now and will be fascinating to see.
Centre Midfield
McGinn is a diamond and a real Premiership-quality player already. Worth his weight in gold and an automatic selection.
Hourihane is useful and gets a place normally as well. I’m not as down on him as others; he will be useful in the prem.
Gardner can go.
We therefore need at least one good player here. No suggestions yet but the VP team will have candidates already. Watch this space unless they decide Bjarnason will fit the bill.
Attacking Midfield
Grealish is a diamond and a real Premiership-quality player already and he’s staying for next year so an automatic selection when fit.
Lansbury is my surprise here; I think he can be useful and deserves a squad place. You may hate him and if the VP team agree he’ll be moved-on. Me, I’d give him a chance IF his personality fits with the team.
My squad backup option here is O’Hare who I think has real potential and should be developed as a priority. We’ll need him.
Attacking Right
Adomah is not good enough so if not moved-on will be a squad backup only.
Green has not impressed so can only get a squad backup role if Adomah is not sold. Expect to be loaned next season until he improves, I’m sorry to say.
Here’s another surprise for you; Richie De Laet has been banging goals in in Belgium for 6 months and has always had a nose for goal as a genuine attacking right winger. So use him there if he wants the gig.
Of course, if Smith has already got a real plan to buy Lolley then the position is sorted.
Attacking Left
El Ghazi would be worthwhile but I’m not as wild about him as some other people but he’s good enough for next season.
We have no-one else so I’m looking for candidates to emerge. One to follow.
Strikers
Tammy will be going back to Chelsea not stay with us under any plan so needs to be replaced. Mitrovic has been mentioned, Maupay has been mentioned and I expect a bunch more will mention themselves. This is the other main priority; goalscoring striker. It will cost us real money but if we get it right we’ll stay up if not, we’ll really struggle.
Davis is a young development star and should be asked to push for a regular place. Keep and push-on.
Kodjia will stay for at least a year and be an option; I hope he takes the chance to get back to where he was. It’s his last chance IMO.
Hepburn-Murphy is no more than a possibility and loanee-in-waiting at the moment but I hope he improves.
McCormack is a hack who deserves to burn in hell and we don’t need him under any circumstances.
Hogan to be sold.
Which leaves our basic 23/24/25 squad members plus squad backups in brackets as;
GK; Steer, Kalinic, (Sarkic)
CB; Mings, Chester, +2
LB; Taylor, +1
RB; Guilbert, Elmohamady, (Bree)
DM; +2, (Whelan?)
CM; McGinn, Hourihane, +1
AM; Grealish, Lansbury, (O’Hare)
AL; El Ghazi, +1
AR; De Laet, (Green)
Striker; Kodjia, Davis, +1, (Hepburn-Murphy)
That’s all the current squad, losses taken into account and 8 purchases. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of observations 😊
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We need to keep the nucleus of the dressing room together. There is a good spirit there but obviously add additional quality. However there is a financial necessity to offload some players because too many times in the past we have got lumbered with players right until the very end. If we can we should be looking to sell some of the more sale able championship players, even if it means wage subsidies to a degree.
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Great first post that! I think it’s an accurate assessment of how things stand as far as we all know. Not sure about Lansbury personally but can’t see us shifting him.
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Great first post that! I think it’s an accurate assessment of how things stand as far as we all know. Not sure about Lansbury personally but can’t see us shifting him.
Season long loan I expect to a mid table championship club, Lansbury somehow still has 2 years left on his contract with us hence selling him is very unlikely. Milk turns faster than Lansbury whose agent really pulled the pants down on Xia/Wynnes.
Assuming this is accurate - https://astonvillacentral.com/squad/contracts/ ....it's paints a picture of a squad, a few gems aside that's very average without the loan players.
A fair chunk will go off our wage bill from those out of contract this season alone. I'm assuming that's all of them.
The guys with a year left - Steer and Hourihane will almost certainly stay on. Elmo deserves another year but is 32 in Sept so I wouldn't be surprised to see him move on given we have a new right back signed alreadya. Chester will stay too as backup particularly after his recent injury comments. None of the other experienced guys will be in Smith's plans, though shifting them will take work. Of the kids, I'm utterly unconvinced by Green and the others are likely to continue loan spells elsewhere.
None of the 2021 crew are top division standard but shifting them will be a real challenge. James Bree is another one whose agent deserves serious kudos. Bruce's first transfer window was a real shitshow.
I don't see anything other than a complete transformation of our playing squad this summer. Hopefully we get a few signed up quickly, likes of Mings, El Ghazi. Would have no problem with former loanees Snodgrass and Johnstone permanently returning either.
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A few principles that need to be used to base the build upon;
- It’s Dean Smiths team so he will want it to be attacking not just surviving.
- Much will depend on a persons personality and fit with the team and management not just their skill.
- We need a Premiership team not a Championship team+. The big difference is SPEED. Strength is fine but SPEED is the X factor at every position.
- Skills are important but worth nothing if the footballing brain is weak; Smith picks those who desire to be better footballers every day and can cope with tactical nuance and flexibility.
- Structurally we will need the flexibility Dean has built in already and this will be increased next season. Lets’ specify the squad for a 4-3-3/4-4-2 regime because it can morph into lots of diamond, attacking wing-back and attacking midfielder schemes if the players are good enough.
Goalies
Steer deserves to be in the starting mix in the Premiership; he’s deserved it, worth it and we should value him.
Kalinic has been a valuable investment which needs to pay off now. Give him a chance. If he sees himself as automatic Number 1 he won’t fit in and I’d expect him to be sold if so.
Nyland will be fit again over the Summer but won’t get games as third choice so he should be sold for the benefit of his career.
Sarkic needs to be told he will be squad backup to top 2; developing young players for the future is what our club can be about. Here’s an example; ask him to step up and see if he does.
Bunn to go.
Centre Backs
Richards and Elphick to end contract and leave.
Chester will not be the player he was, we’ve now been told. Best we can expect here is a squad backup player for next year.
Mings needs to be snapped-up quickly. He wants it, we need it; get it done!
Tuanzebe would be great but won’t be available as a purchase and loans will not be our best priority in this position, it’s too important so reluctantly we won’t see Axel at VP next year, in my opinion.
Hause has not earned being purchased IMO and I’d expect the VP team to have a range of options from Cahill to who-the-hell-else-might-be-available but we need AT LEAST 2 in here who fit in, are speedy and technical ball-playing centre backs mainly because Suliman has not become a candidate.
Right Backs
Hutton to go with our best wishes.
Bree to be squad backup if the VP team assess him as worthwhile; we don’t know yet. If not, he’ll be sold.
De Laet; see below.
Elmohamady to fight for his place at RB alongside Guilbert who will join us now.
Left Backs
Taylor to stay and fight for a place against whoever we bring in because we need to bring someone in for this position, no doubt. There is no squad backup so we need to address that at U23/U20 level as well.
Defensive Midfield
Whelan may be given a one-year contract but solely as squad backup. Speed, remember?
Tshibola and Jedinak to go.
We have no-one else who can adequately play DM in the premiership so we need at least 2. If Fabian Delph is available as hinted at (he only has 1 year left on his contract at Citteh) I’d wrench him here as a priority; he could be the difference between surviving and kicking-on versus being relegated. He’s that good. Other possibilities are available as well but this is a priority now and will be fascinating to see.
Centre Midfield
McGinn is a diamond and a real Premiership-quality player already. Worth his weight in gold and an automatic selection.
Hourihane is useful and gets a place normally as well. I’m not as down on him as others; he will be useful in the prem.
Gardner can go.
We therefore need at least one good player here. No suggestions yet but the VP team will have candidates already. Watch this space unless they decide Bjarnason will fit the bill.
Attacking Midfield
Grealish is a diamond and a real Premiership-quality player already and he’s staying for next year so an automatic selection when fit.
Lansbury is my surprise here; I think he can be useful and deserves a squad place. You may hate him and if the VP team agree he’ll be moved-on. Me, I’d give him a chance IF his personality fits with the team.
My squad backup option here is O’Hare who I think has real potential and should be developed as a priority. We’ll need him.
Attacking Right
Adomah is not good enough so if not moved-on will be a squad backup only.
Green has not impressed so can only get a squad backup role if Adomah is not sold. Expect to be loaned next season until he improves, I’m sorry to say.
Here’s another surprise for you; Richie De Laet has been banging goals in in Belgium for 6 months and has always had a nose for goal as a genuine attacking right winger. So use him there if he wants the gig.
Of course, if Smith has already got a real plan to buy Lolley then the position is sorted.
Attacking Left
El Ghazi would be worthwhile but I’m not as wild about him as some other people but he’s good enough for next season.
We have no-one else so I’m looking for candidates to emerge. One to follow.
Strikers
Tammy will be going back to Chelsea not stay with us under any plan so needs to be replaced. Mitrovic has been mentioned, Maupay has been mentioned and I expect a bunch more will mention themselves. This is the other main priority; goalscoring striker. It will cost us real money but if we get it right we’ll stay up if not, we’ll really struggle.
Davis is a young development star and should be asked to push for a regular place. Keep and push-on.
Kodjia will stay for at least a year and be an option; I hope he takes the chance to get back to where he was. It’s his last chance IMO.
Hepburn-Murphy is no more than a possibility and loanee-in-waiting at the moment but I hope he improves.
McCormack is a hack who deserves to burn in hell and we don’t need him under any circumstances.
Hogan to be sold.
Which leaves our basic 23/24/25 squad members plus squad backups in brackets as;
GK; Steer, Kalinic, (Sarkic)
CB; Mings, Chester, +2
LB; Taylor, +1
RB; Guilbert, Elmohamady, (Bree)
DM; +2, (Whelan?)
CM; McGinn, Hourihane, +1
AM; Grealish, Lansbury, (O’Hare)
AL; El Ghazi, +1
AR; De Laet, (Green)
Striker; Kodjia, Davis, +1, (Hepburn-Murphy)
That’s all the current squad, losses taken into account and 8 purchases. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of observations 😊
You've put a bit of effort into that. Fair play to you.
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Great first post that! I think it’s an accurate assessment of how things stand as far as we all know. Not sure about Lansbury personally but can’t see us shifting him.
Season long loan I expect to a mid table championship club, Lansbury somehow still has 2 years left on his contract with us hence selling him is very unlikely. Milk turns faster than Lansbury whose agent really pulled the pants down on Xia/Wynnes.
Assuming this is accurate - https://astonvillacentral.com/squad/contracts/ ....it's paints a picture of a squad, a few gems aside that's very average without the loan players.
A fair chunk will go off our wage bill from those out of contract this season alone. I'm assuming that's all of them.
The guys with a year left - Steer and Hourihane will almost certainly stay on. Elmo deserves another year but is 32 in Sept so I wouldn't be surprised to see him move on given we have a new right back signed alreadya. Chester will stay too as backup particularly after his recent injury comments. None of the other experienced guys will be in Smith's plans, though shifting them will take work. Of the kids, I'm utterly unconvinced by Green and the others are likely to continue loan spells elsewhere.
None of the 2021 crew are top division standard but shifting them will be a real challenge. James Bree is another one whose agent deserves serious kudos. Bruce's first transfer window was a real shitshow.
I don't see anything other than a complete transformation of our playing squad this summer. Hopefully we get a few signed up quickly, likes of Mings, El Ghazi. Would have no problem with former loanees Snodgrass and Johnstone permanently returning either.
Bruce's first transfer window included Hourihane and Johnstone.
Hogan should be minus points x10, but still better than some of the crud that accumulated in previous windows.
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Two points
Christian Purstrings is on record as stating that it is not the intention for Villa to be merely a selling club - which is nice to hear - obviously a reference to selling our best to increase income.
I thought that RdL had been scoring in Australia - not Belgium ??
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Great first post AllanW. Agree with much of that, not sure about De Laat though and Lansbury. Would love to see Delph back. What about taking Benteke for the right deal too and really get the band back together?
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Considering we keep all our contract players at a minimum I would like to sign the following players Mings Hause Milner Stephens El Gazi Maupy I think we could consolidate with this squad I would love to see making mega signings but I think the owners will wait a season.
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Hope we can get rid of McCormack...according to an article his wages will increase to £70k per week after promotion. Boils my piss.
https://www.balls.ie/football/ross-mccormack-contract-411300
is there not a pragmatic case for trying to reintegrate RM? His fallout was with Bruce. He acted like a prick with the gate none sense.
But new manager, clean slate? I’m just thinking, if he’s trousering 70k a week, could we make use of him in some way?
Tuanzebe, I’d like to see us try and get for next season along with Mings and El Ghazi. Abraham would do well for us next season, but he’s already talking up going back to Chelsea, even whilst the dust settles. Fair play to him for backing himself to get in the Chelsea side, but I don’t think he’s that good really, but I wish him the best of luck.
I reckon whelan could get another season.
We need to strengthen at LB. derby’s only real outlet in then final was down their right, as I recall for most of the game.
Not sure about the GK situation, Steer has looked alright
Since he came in, but I feel we could get a better keeper.
Most important position in my books. But I’d definitely keep him. Haven’t seen enough of the other two to offer opinions.
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I'd be hoping to see Mings, Hause and El Ghazi made permanent. Would love to see Axel and Tammy bought too, but I suspect they'll both get a shot at their respective clubs next season.
For me it's important to maintain some dressing room consistency. Making a few of those loans permanent helps that (and also means a few of those players will already be acclimatised).
Potential experienced signings that may be useful to bring in. Cahill and Milner. Both know the club, both have a good few years to offer at this level. Milner is the kind of influence you want in the dressing room. I think Liverpool will let him go now, given his age. For us, he'd be an excellent signing. Above all, he could cover left+right back, either wing, and CM. He could also anchor, or play further up. Very adaptable. And you know you get 7/10 minimum.
Of our current squad, Steer, Kalinic are worth looking at as our keeper. Address that in january/summer 2020 if they've struggled. I think Steer will step up very well. Kalinic will come good too. Nyland may be sold, because he needs to play to keep his interntaional place. He'll get destroyed in the Championship though.
Chessie will step up okay. He just needs a good rest over summer and a good pre-season. Taylor and Elmo useful squad players. RDL and Bree may be worth keeping.
Midfield is our strength coming up. Grealish, McGinn and Hourihane are premier league standard. Grealish will be our star turn. If he's fit and gets form quickly, we won't struggle (if we've made the right signings around him of course). I like Whelan. A one year deal is possible, but at 35 I think he'll struggle to be more than an impact player from the bench to solidify). If we signed someone like Milner, I'd say Whelan may not be needed as that older head.
Wing- Green needs a good pre-season and to keep clear of injury. I think there's a good player there. Definitely keep. He's a Villa boy. He's becoming a senior now.
Albert won't make the step up. I like him, but he's not going to make it. Get El Ghazi + 1
Strikers- Kodjia I'd keep. He's unpredictable, but on his day a very good player. Again, he's struggled a little with injuries. He's also had to fit into being a winger at times. I think if he's our back up to either Tammy or a new signing, he'll be useful. I could see him staying to have a crack at the Premiership.
We need to spend big on a top forward. Either that's Tammy (unlikely sadly). Or we look to Mitrovic or someone proven in Europe. Maupay is decent but it's a gamble bringing him in as anything other than a squad player. And the 20 odd he'd cost, is probably too much for a bench player. That said, he can play wide too, so has a bit of adaptability.
As far as signing forwards, those missed opportunities over the years, in favour of 'safe' bets, I'd like to see us go for the potential flair. I want a Falcao rather than a Heskey. I appreciate Falcao came to the Prem and then played like Emile but we need to be a bit braver and a bit imaginitive in some of the marquee signings but I think Deano+Purslow will be. So if we can't sign Tammy. He'd cost at least 25-30 I think. Maybe we spend 30 on Maupay or Mitrovic and someone who's banged in goals in one of the decent Euro leagues.
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Great first post AllanW.
Cheers!
Agree with much of that, not sure about De Laat though and Lansbury.
Nor am I but it's worth thinking about because we don't want to 'Do a Fulham' and change the team wholesale and fail to make them gel. Disaster.
Would love to see Delph back.
I think it would do him and us a lot of good; he'd become a legend back here again and end his career on a real high. He's a really good player underused at Citteh.
What about taking Benteke for the right deal too and really get the band back together?
Never in a million years, mate :) We won't make that mistake again.
All the best.
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I'd be hoping to see Mings, Hause and El Ghazi made permanent. Would love to see Axel and Tammy bought too, but I suspect they'll both get a shot at their respective clubs next season.
For me it's important to maintain some dressing room consistency. Making a few of those loans permanent helps that (and also means a few of those players will already be acclimatised).
Completely agree with you.
Potential experienced signings that may be useful to bring in. Cahill and Milner. Both know the club, both have a good few years to offer at this level. Milner is the kind of influence you want in the dressing room. I think Liverpool will let him go now, given his age. For us, he'd be an excellent signing. Above all, he could cover left+right back, either wing, and CM. He could also anchor, or play further up. Very adaptable. And you know you get 7/10 minimum.
Agree again. If we signed Mings, El Ghazi, Milner, Delph and Cahill I think we'd be almost all the way to having a decent first season back and looking up the table not down it. Would all be possible on the money we have now and would offer real possibilities for young squad members to step up during the season. And as you say we'd only need to add a good striker for the package to be pretty complete.
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We need to sign the equivalent to Wolves getting Joao Moutinho last summer, it was a masterstroke (easy with the Portuguese links, granted). I'm not suggesting a name for it, but that type of thing will be the key signing for us I think.
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Too much obsession with the past isn't necessarily a great idea. Much as I love Milner and don't actually hate Delph, they hardly seem a) incredibly realistic (both could sign for Champions League clubs around Europe if they wanted) or b) cost effective.
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I love our midfield three but if we want to survive then CH will need to be replaced with a top holding midfielder that can use the ball well. A Barry type player that can run a game at PL level. McGinn and Jack will be fine and CH will get plenty of game time as back up but we need better in there as first choice.
We need two strikers - one could be Tammy but even then we'd need someone else. I see nothing in the other options we have to see them scoring in the PL.
Right wing obviously needs improvement and then of course pretty much the whole defence will need some additions. No idea what the RB is like.
Get it right and we're on our way!
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I get the impression from the excellent interview with Christian and Dean on the Official website that we are only interested in young and hungry and then only to buy not to rent. The days of giving Cahill a pension are now over. We have no idea who Pitarch and his team have been watching but we now know he already has his list and it’s now down to Christian and Dean to get them in. I am not expecting names I’ve heard of e.g Guilbert, but I am expecting young and hungry
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Well, whoever they have in mind we need someone who can bag double figures. We aren't going to play in a way that will see us nicking games 1-0.
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Seem to remember seeing something about the U23's and academy being transformed root and branch, so a hell of a lot of players on our books could be on their way out. Will be an interesting time between now and the end of June, when most clubs have published their retained/released player lists.
The following are definitely out of contract by the end of June;
Hutton, Whelan, Bunn, Richards, Jedinak, Elphick, De Laet, Guy, Rowe, Farr, McConnachie, Odutayo, Suliman, Patterson, Vassilev, Bazeley-Graham, Clarke, Walker, Ige, Lomax, Bridge.
Not sure if any of the above will get another deal.
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Didn't Smith say post match on Monday that he'd be having meetings with players today to tell them if the club is prepared to offer them a new contract or release them.
Can we expect an announcement re those to be released?
I expect that those being offered contracts might want to speak to their advisers before accepting so announcements about their fate may be delayed. If they do speak to their agents, then we'll want a decision quickly (by Friday) so that if they turn us down we can start the search for replacements.
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Cahill and Milner are both 33, a bit too old for what we are building.
Delph is 29 and could play at left back or CM - worth an enquiry to check the price and availability.
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Mitrovic? - please not!
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Yet Suliman is in the England U21 squad.....
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The outline to strengthen is a simple model as I see it.
Strongest 18 selected Saturday so to improve ,we need 4 or 5 new faces better than those on starting 11. Those 4/5 then become more often bench players .
4/5 of Saturdays bench become more often squad members and 4/5 of Saturdays squad that were outside of the 18 Saturday get moved on
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SKY were suggesting yesterday we were prepared to spend ten million on Joe Lolley. They also said we were looking to sign up Mings, El Ghazi and Abraham permanently. They didn't mention Hause and Tuanzebe. Surely Carroll and Bolasie will not be seen in Villa shirts again. Also McCormack's and Tshibola's loans finished last week so they are back. Gardner, Hepburn-Murphy, Hogan and Bree's loans are all up today so they are back too.
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not a massive surprise, but jedinak and elphick are confirmed as leaving.
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not a massive surprise, but jedinak and elphick are confirmed as leaving.
I was reading the Evening Mail whilst waiting to be seated in an Indian restaurant last night and they reckoned Jedinak would be staying, or at least it seemed he wanted to.
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Jedinak was a key man for us up until this season and, even then, showed nerves of steel taking that penalty with his first touch. I don't think we always saw the very best of Elphick, but he is another one who seemed to "get" the club. The image of him sitting in the away end at Small Heath was great.
Good luck to them both, wherever they end up. Can see Jedinak being a star attraction in the A-League if he decides to go home.
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Well it looks like Jedinak, Elphick, Richards, DeLaet, and Adomah are all out.
Can see us taking any offers for Bjarnson, Gardner, Bree, Kodjia, McCormack, Hogan and Lansbury.
That leaves us short in defense, wing, forwards and defensive midfield - plenty of work to do. Will be very interesting to see what the starting 11 is next season!
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I'm happy with a swap of Jota for Gardner. Good business by Deano et al. Kills 2 birds with one stone; brings in a right-sided attacking-mid or right wing with skill and experience that he's worked with before (successfully; look at his Brentford ratings and stats versus last year) and gets rid of a costly problem we did not value.
Nice.
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A few principles that need to be used to base the build upon;
- It’s Dean Smiths team so he will want it to be attacking not just surviving.
- Much will depend on a persons personality and fit with the team and management not just their skill.
- We need a Premiership team not a Championship team+. The big difference is SPEED. Strength is fine but SPEED is the X factor at every position.
- Skills are important but worth nothing if the footballing brain is weak; Smith picks those who desire to be better footballers every day and can cope with tactical nuance and flexibility.
- Structurally we will need the flexibility Dean has built in already and this will be increased next season. Lets’ specify the squad for a 4-3-3/4-4-2 regime because it can morph into lots of diamond, attacking wing-back and attacking midfielder schemes if the players are good enough.
Goalies
Steer deserves to be in the starting mix in the Premiership; he’s deserved it, worth it and we should value him.
Kalinic has been a valuable investment which needs to pay off now. Give him a chance. If he sees himself as automatic Number 1 he won’t fit in and I’d expect him to be sold if so.
Nyland will be fit again over the Summer but won’t get games as third choice so he should be sold for the benefit of his career.
Sarkic needs to be told he will be squad backup to top 2; developing young players for the future is what our club can be about. Here’s an example; ask him to step up and see if he does.
Bunn to go.
Centre Backs
Richards and Elphick to end contract and leave.
Chester will not be the player he was, we’ve now been told. Best we can expect here is a squad backup player for next year.
Mings needs to be snapped-up quickly. He wants it, we need it; get it done!
Tuanzebe would be great but won’t be available as a purchase and loans will not be our best priority in this position, it’s too important so reluctantly we won’t see Axel at VP next year, in my opinion.
Hause has not earned being purchased IMO and I’d expect the VP team to have a range of options from Cahill to who-the-hell-else-might-be-available but we need AT LEAST 2 in here who fit in, are speedy and technical ball-playing centre backs mainly because Suliman has not become a candidate.
Right Backs
Hutton to go with our best wishes.
Bree to be squad backup if the VP team assess him as worthwhile; we don’t know yet. If not, he’ll be sold.
De Laet; see below.
Elmohamady to fight for his place at RB alongside Guilbert who will join us now.
Left Backs
Taylor to stay and fight for a place against whoever we bring in because we need to bring someone in for this position, no doubt. There is no squad backup so we need to address that at U23/U20 level as well.
Defensive Midfield
Whelan may be given a one-year contract but solely as squad backup. Speed, remember?
Tshibola and Jedinak to go.
We have no-one else who can adequately play DM in the premiership so we need at least 2. If Fabian Delph is available as hinted at (he only has 1 year left on his contract at Citteh) I’d wrench him here as a priority; he could be the difference between surviving and kicking-on versus being relegated. He’s that good. Other possibilities are available as well but this is a priority now and will be fascinating to see.
Centre Midfield
McGinn is a diamond and a real Premiership-quality player already. Worth his weight in gold and an automatic selection.
Hourihane is useful and gets a place normally as well. I’m not as down on him as others; he will be useful in the prem.
Gardner can go.
We therefore need at least one good player here. No suggestions yet but the VP team will have candidates already. Watch this space unless they decide Bjarnason will fit the bill.
Attacking Midfield
Grealish is a diamond and a real Premiership-quality player already and he’s staying for next year so an automatic selection when fit.
Lansbury is my surprise here; I think he can be useful and deserves a squad place. You may hate him and if the VP team agree he’ll be moved-on. Me, I’d give him a chance IF his personality fits with the team.
My squad backup option here is O’Hare who I think has real potential and should be developed as a priority. We’ll need him.
Attacking Right
Adomah is not good enough so if not moved-on will be a squad backup only.
Green has not impressed so can only get a squad backup role if Adomah is not sold. Expect to be loaned next season until he improves, I’m sorry to say.
Here’s another surprise for you; Richie De Laet has been banging goals in in Belgium for 6 months and has always had a nose for goal as a genuine attacking right winger. So use him there if he wants the gig.
Of course, if Smith has already got a real plan to buy Lolley then the position is sorted.
Attacking Left
El Ghazi would be worthwhile but I’m not as wild about him as some other people but he’s good enough for next season.
We have no-one else so I’m looking for candidates to emerge. One to follow.
Strikers
Tammy will be going back to Chelsea not stay with us under any plan so needs to be replaced. Mitrovic has been mentioned, Maupay has been mentioned and I expect a bunch more will mention themselves. This is the other main priority; goalscoring striker. It will cost us real money but if we get it right we’ll stay up if not, we’ll really struggle.
Davis is a young development star and should be asked to push for a regular place. Keep and push-on.
Kodjia will stay for at least a year and be an option; I hope he takes the chance to get back to where he was. It’s his last chance IMO.
Hepburn-Murphy is no more than a possibility and loanee-in-waiting at the moment but I hope he improves.
McCormack is a hack who deserves to burn in hell and we don’t need him under any circumstances.
Hogan to be sold.
Which leaves our basic 23/24/25 squad members plus squad backups in brackets as;
GK; Steer, Kalinic, (Sarkic)
CB; Mings, Chester, +2
LB; Taylor, +1
RB; Guilbert, Elmohamady, (Bree)
DM; +2, (Whelan?)
CM; McGinn, Hourihane, +1
AM; Grealish, Lansbury, (O’Hare)
AL; El Ghazi, +1
AR; De Laet, (Green)
Striker; Kodjia, Davis, +1, (Hepburn-Murphy)
That’s all the current squad, losses taken into account and 8 purchases. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of observations 😊
Could you expand on that a little bit, please?
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Most people put less effort into their university dissertations.
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hey guys let's give a newby some slack here , let him settle in then take the piss as is the want of some on here.
I found his analysis a good read he has probably not read these and other threads as thoroughly as many others have and it's just his opinions.
Welcome Allan W.
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To avoid doubt, it was an excellent, insightful post.
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Thanks
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With the players released today (Mile Jedinak, Alan Hutton, Tommy Elphick, Albert Adomah, Glenn Whelan, Ritchie De Laet, Mark Bunn and Micah Richards)
Do we think taking into account the promotion pay rises given to Hogan, McCormack etc that our wage bill is now less than at the end of the season?
If so we have a bit of leeway to sensibly build the team in the places that need improvement.
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How do we know players have had pay rises?
Usually a relegation clause would lead to the off set amount in wages being repaid as a bonus and the contract normalising at what it was pre-relegation. But there's no generic uplift on promotion clause.
It's been suggested McCormack's has risen, no evidence for it though.
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I can imagine players who were bought while in the Championship might have a promotion clause or bonus. And it might depend on percentage of games played versus just a number that clicks in. But why would Micah Richards have it when we signed him in the PL?
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I am sure some wages have gone up after promotion. Who that is specifically isn't that relevant, as long as those who have had pay rises still have contracts that run until next summer we will need to pay.
I was merely theorising wether after the slew of releases announced, if we were better off now in terms of the wage bill or if these pay rises clauses have nullified the savings from these releases in part. I am not sure we have a huge amount to spend (nor should we) I would rather be prudent than do for example what Fulham did. Four key signings at LB,CD,DM and striker are a must to consider survival.