Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Concrete John on June 14, 2013, 09:58:36 AM
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Although I do think Lambert is building a squad and not just a first team, I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone thought our strongest 11 is, in whatever formation you like, now we've signed a few players. Obviosuly, this can then evolve as we sign more and start seeing them in pre-season.
Anyway, here's mine playing a 4-3-3-:-
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bennett
Delph
Westwood
Sylla
Weimann
Benteke
Tonev
I think that midfield three worked well the end of last season, so it's up to Bacuna to fight his way into it. I've included Tonev as I've always felt Gabby would be a great impact player from the bench, but we've rarely had the attacking options to use him that way.
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Very harsh on Gabby after the season he's had to suggest dropping him for a player we've not seen play yet.
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Fooking hell. 4-3-3, liquid football, full backs getting up front? Thank you based Lambert. I enjoy watching us play again.
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I think Gabby has to start based on his end of season form, plus he is the only real experience we have. Other than that I would have to agree.
It does beg the question, where can/should we improve?
I think the jury is out on Bennet. Definitely has potential, but needs to up his defensive side to be a long term LB. I would like to sign another LB to, at least, give him some competition.
Vlaar was ok last year, 6/10 kind of form for me, but clearly is a good influence. A lot is already expected of Okore, so we have to see how he handles that. I would be more comfortable if we had another CB, perhaps a utility type Defender who can cover all across the back 4 (we do need some cover for Lowton with Lichaj gone).
Centre Midfield - I am pleased with how the 3 of them finished the season, Westwood was impressive pretty much all year. I am worried about the 2nd season syndrome with him in particular. I think a lot of managers will have seen how he makes us tick and put more pressure on him. All in all, I think it is unlikely these 3 will play all 38 games at the level required, so another CM is very much needed in my opinion.
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I don't think there will be a first team as such, maybe the exception being Benteke and Guzan. I think players will be rested and most will be involved. I don't think you will see anyone frozen out our being a permanent sub
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Based on the high probability that we won't be signing a guaranteed first team player (not that I'm complaining about that, it just seems like PL won't be signing, for example, Messi), then for the first game of the season, I'd go with:
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore\Baker\Clark - not really sure about this one
Bennett
Delph
Westwood
Sylla
Weimann
Benteke
Gabby
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I don't think there will be a first team as such, maybe the exception being Benteke and Guzan. I think players will be rested and most will be involved. I don't think you will see anyone frozen out our being a permanent sub
I'd agree with that and pretty much said it in my opening post.
As for what you say about Benteke, I think that also goes for Vlaar (captain), Lowton, Westwood and of course Guzan. I'm hoping Okore quickly also puts himself in that category as if he did that would go a long way to curing our achilles heel from last season.
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From what we know now (and assuming the disposal of the likely suspects), the players at Lambert's disposal currently are:
Guzan, Siegrist
Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Herd, Baker, Clark, Bennett, Stevens, Williams, Donacien
Bacuna, Gardner, Sylla, Westwood, Delph, KEA, Tonev, Albrighton, Johnson
Weimann, Benteke, Gabby, Helenius, Bowery, Burke
The likely must-picks are Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Westwood and Benteke.
For the rest, it is going to depend on (i) who we're playing against, (ii) the desired formation / set-up and (iii) form and fitness.
It's a callow squad, to be sure, but there's physicality, guile and goals in there. The key will be our ability to stop conceding.
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The way that we finished last season, it should be up to the new signings to play themselves into the team through looking good in training, sub appearances etc. The one exception I might make to that is Okore in central defence. It's the one area where we still obviously had issues at the end of the season.
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The way that we finished last season, it should be up to the new signings to play themselves into the team through looking good in training, sub appearances etc. The one exception I might make to that is Okore in central defence. It's the one area where we still obviously had issues at the end of the season.
Yep would agree with that. I think Okore would go straight into the side and if we buy an established left back, Bennett might lose his place. Apart from that, I think the rest of players who finished last season in the team will go into pre-season as first choice. That could leave us with a much stronger bench of:
Herd, Baker, Tonev, Helenius, Bacuna, KEA, Gardner and a sub keeper.
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Much depends on pre-season as well I guess. Personally I think Okore starts from the off. He looks that good. He's also got the pace we don't have anywhere else at CH. He's first name in for me. Vlaar then plays too because he's the skipper.
Other than that I'd probably stay as is. Weimann's form dropped toward the end, so Tonev will be pushing him all the way.
The key next season is that we don't overplay anyone. Plays will get rested when needs be because we'll have better personnel to come in. Bannan and Holman for example just aren't adequate. I'd expect and hope Bacuna could have far more impact on a game. I also think KEA will improve dramatically next season too.
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Helenius hasn't signed yet and has apparently said he's not coming to sit on the bench! Things have also gone quiet with Benteke, he doesn't look to be rushing to sign an extension to his contract.
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guaranteed for me - end of season form
Guzan Lowton Okore Vlarr Westwood Benteke
there is only one way to find out for the rest - fight ;)
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Bennett
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
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guaranteed for me - end of season form
Guzan Lowton Okore Vlarr Westwood Benteke
there is only one way to find out for the rest - fight ;)
How can you include Okore when he has no end of season form at Villa to judge by? And what about Gabby, Sylla and Delph? They were all excellent in the second half of last season.
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If we take the team that played against Norwich away and switch Okore for Baker, then I think that will be close to our first starting XI.
We then have a genuine midfield option in Bacuna to come on, Tonev up top/wide and also a striker in Helenius who can fill Benteke's shoes should he elbow somebody in the face.
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guaranteed for me - end of season form
Guzan Lowton Okore Vlarr Westwood Benteke
there is only one way to find out for the rest - fight ;)
How can you include Okore when he has no end of season form at Villa to judge by? And what about Gabby, Sylla and Delph? They were all excellent in the second half of last season.
I think Gabby will start and If he keeps doing what he was doing , he will keep his place but he has to be consistent for me .
We let in stupid goals ,the defence is poor . Okore will start for me .
I think there will be more signings and I dont think the rest are yet guaranteed first starters thou Delph as improved a lot , thank Mcgrath. There is a lot of competiton for places becoming now , which is great.
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Fooking hell. 4-3-3, liquid football, full backs getting up front? Thank you based Lambert. I enjoy watching us play again.
Agree I can see myself getting firm more often than not next season
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Fooking hell. 4-3-3, liquid football, full backs getting up front? Thank you based Lambert. I enjoy watching us play again.
Agree I can see myself getting firm more often than not next season
Prefer to see the defence getting firmer ;)
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Bennett
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
Think this is likely to be the best 11 that we have right now.
Doesn't fill me with massive confidence to be honest. Weakest area is clearly defence. A solid pro or two in the spine would be nice.
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Bennett
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
Think this is likely to be the best 11 that we have right now.
Doesn't fill me with massive confidence to be honest. Weakest area is clearly defence. A solid pro or two in the spine would be nice.
Back 4 doesn't have much protection with that? No defensive midefielder.
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How can anyone put forward a best XI and include players we've never seen play in the premier league before?
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How can anyone put forward a best XI and include players we've never seen play in the premier league before?
the beauty of the fictitious internet world at it's best. A bit of fun innit?
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Things have also gone quiet with Benteke, he doesn't look to be rushing to sign an extension to his contract.
I'm guessing he's back in Belgium for the summer and things are being done via call/e-mail with his agent, so no actual story/decision until he's back for pre-season.
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Things have also gone quiet with Benteke, he doesn't look to be rushing to sign an extension to his contract.
I'm guessing he's back in Belgium for the summer and things are being done via call/e-mail with his agent, so no actual story/decision until he's back for pre-season.
I think it will be sorted before that - the noises from lambert and the agent were that talks would be held after the internationals.
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Bennett
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
Think this is likely to be the best 11 that we have right now.
Doesn't fill me with massive confidence to be honest. Weakest area is clearly defence. A solid pro or two in the spine would be nice.
Back 4 doesn't have much protection with that? No defensive midefielder.
Although that team has Bacuna where I'd start with Sylla personally, the game is moving away from specialist DCMs. Westwood models his game on Michael Carrick, who does the role for Man Utd as more of a deep lying playmaker. The laws on tackling being what they are, you are better having someone like that who can cover runs and close done space more than tackle. With two energetic players beside him, that gives good protection when done right.
It should be similar to the 95/96 side under Brian Little, where none of Townsend, Taylor or Draper were specialist holding players.
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Although I do think Lambert is building a squad and not just a first team, I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone thought our strongest 11 is, in whatever formation you like, now we've signed a few players. Obviosuly, this can then evolve as we sign more and start seeing them in pre-season.
Anyway, here's mine playing a 4-3-3-:-
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bennett
Delph
Westwood
Sylla
Weimann
Benteke
Tonev
I think that midfield three worked well the end of last season, so it's up to Bacuna to fight his way into it. I've included Tonev as I've always felt Gabby would be a great impact player from the bench, but we've rarely had the attacking options to use him that way.
I will go with this CJ.
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I think we also have to consider that 4-3-3 may not be set in stone forever into the future. It's true that when Lambert, almost stumbled on this formation, he eventually got the best out of the squad.
But he has shown that he is not afraid tinker with the tactics and I would worry that we would become too predictable, making it easier for teams to set up against us.
I'm sure we will start pretty much how we finished, but as the season evolves and the new signings get their bearings, we suffer injuries, it could change, especially depending on the opposition. At the moment, we are set up brilliantly for the counter attack, but what about games against weaker teams coming to Villa Park. I wouldn't rule out something like the following:
4
Tonev - Delph - Westwood - Bacuna
Benteke - Helenius
This assuming these new signings are any use and of course the personnel is interchangeable. I am just using this as an example.
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I also think the formations will change, although a straight 4-4-2 is unlikely, IMO.
Perhaps a midfield diamond (Westood at the base, two of Delph/Sylla/Bacuna and then Tonev at the point) or a 4-2-3-1 with Tonev, Gabby and Weimann all playing.
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I think we'll mix and match between 3 main formations (all of which we've used since christmas).
433 - we all know about.
4213 - where one of the midfielders plays higher, we've used Nzogbia and Sylla in this role offering both sides of it, Nzog as the attacking link and Sylla to pressure the opposition DCM.
4312 - with the 2 playing wide and the 1 breaking from deep. We did this when Weimann was out with Benteke and Bowery playing as the 2 and Gabby wandering behind.
We need to start mixing and matching the players a little more often.
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How can anyone put forward a best XI and include players we've never seen play in the premier league before?
This. I'd probably start with the team that finished the season and blend the others in.
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How can anyone put forward a best XI and include players we've never seen play in the premier league before?
This. I'd probably start with the team that finished the season and blend the others in.
That's what pre- season is for to blend players in and get a settled team and build fitness, started with new players last season and i see no reason okore and bacuna shouldn't start if they perform well in pre season.
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How can anyone put forward a best XI and include players we've never seen play in the premier league before?
This. I'd probably start with the team that finished the season and blend the others in.
see I wouldn't. They should all fight for their places again. It's still a team that finished just above the relegation zone but one that is being built on the fact that no job is safe. If day one Westwood isn't in the starting line up, as an example, then it's on him because somebody has done better in pre-season or training. Not that I expect that to be the case.
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Using the right subs at the right time will be a big factor next season, I feel, and it may take some time for Lambert to perfect it.
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How can anyone put forward a best XI and include players we've never seen play in the premier league before?
This. I'd probably start with the team that finished the season and blend the others in.
see I wouldn't. They should all fight for their places again. It's still a team that finished just above the relegation zone but one that is being built on the fact that no job is safe. If day one Westwood isn't in the starting line up, as an example, then it's on him because somebody has done better in pre-season or training. Not that I expect that to be the case.
I see where you're coming from. Maybe pre-season form will dictate who plays and who dose'nt. I can't think of too many players out of the 11 that finished the season who i'd drop though. The midfield three of Sylla, Delph and Westwood for instance looked like they were developing an understanding.
As for Paulie's point, people are putting players in their starting line ups who they have'nt even seen play. I would'nt play Tonev instead of Gabby for instance because i don't know if he's any better because i have'nt seen him.
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This dear clampy, is where we trust in mr lambert's judgement .
The forward three looked good i agree , but there's no doubt okore is an upgrade on our current central defenders and i include Vlaar in that.
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I feel Clark's days are numbered now. Baker's new contract, Okore signing.....last year should have been the season he established himself and he didn't.
I'm quite disappointed as I had high hopes for him.
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I feel Clark's days are numbered now. Baker's new contract, Okore signing.....last year should have been the season he established himself and he didn't.
I'm quite disappointed as I had high hopes for him.
Clark is a useful player as he can cover defence, full back or defensive midfield - he is worth keeping and its up to him to take his chance when it comes.
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This dear clampy, is where we trust in mr lambert's judgement .
Of course we do, but i'm not Mr Lambert. I'm just saying that i can't sit here and pick Bacuna ahead of Sylla because i have'nt seen Bacuna play. That's the point Paulie was making and i agree.
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This dear clampy, is where we trust in mr lambert's judgement .
Of course we do, but i'm not Mr Lambert. I'm just saying that i can't sit here and pick Bacuna ahead of Sylla because i have'nt seen Bacuna play. That's the point Paulie was making and i agree.
Maybe but its not for real is it , just a bit of fun - i think it will also depend on opposition , a tough away game and sylla is the man but a team who need to be broken down like stoke then maybe bacuna would get the nod- the good thing is we now have decent options not the likes of bannan, Ireland and Bowery.
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Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bennett
Sylla
Westwood
Delph
Weimann
Helenius
Gabby
I fear the worst with Benteke. Sad face emoticon.
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I feel Clark's days are numbered now. Baker's new contract, Okore signing.....last year should have been the season he established himself and he didn't.
I'm quite disappointed as I had high hopes for him.
I still Clark has a lot to offer and that he can be an important player for us.
He was largely a victim of circumstance last year. Just when the whole team started to show some form he got injured and couldn't get back in. Over the Christmas period where the wheels came off he was under far too much pressure for a guy who was still very much in a situation of proving he could be a regular, to add senior defender and captain on top of that was unavoidable but incredibly harsh.
He needs to cut out the errors in judgement (like the man city goal) and he needs to get his confidence in his own ability back but we shouldn't be dumping him just yet.
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Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bennett
Sylla
Westwood
Delph
Weimann
Helenius
Gabby
I fear the worst with Benteke. Sad face emoticon.
If so Percy and he is sold then surely with the big money for him we would buy 2 or 3 others including maybe a striker other than helenius - lets hope he stays , but I am starting to fear the worst too.
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I feel Clark's days are numbered now. Baker's new contract, Okore signing.....last year should have been the season he established himself and he didn't.
I'm quite disappointed as I had high hopes for him.
Clark is a useful player as he can cover defence, full back or defensive midfield - he is worth keeping and its up to him to take his chance when it comes.
Aargh how many times am I going to hear that Clark can cover full back. Sure he can if you are happy with an absolutely cack full back in the team, but otherwise no. Not to mention he isn't even very good in his main position of CB. He had his chance last season and he blew it big time. I'd get shot of him while there may still be people out there who actually think he can play at PL level.
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I really don't want to lose Benteke but if he doesn't see the potential in this squad and want to be part of it, then let him have his move for as much money as we can get. We've had our fingers burned too many times to not realise that footballers these days have absolutely zero loyalty. It's the way the game has become.
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Clark's not a full back. Centre mid is where i'd play him if anywhere.
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Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bennett
Sylla
Westwood
Delph
Weimann
Helenius
Gabby
I fear the worst with Benteke. Sad face emoticon.
If so Percy and he is sold then surely with the big money for him we would buy 2 or 3 others including maybe a striker other than helenius - lets hope he stays , but I am starting to fear the worst too.
Yes, but I probably won't have heard of them, so doubt I'd have much luck guessing who they'll be or who they'll replace.
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1. I can see no change in the Benteke situation to start 'fearing the worst'. I expect him to stay.
2. Clark shouldn't be sold, but he does need to get back on track after a poor season.
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Clark's not a full back. Centre mid is where i'd play him if anywhere.
He can cover left back if needed - not great there but adequate if needed, he is versatile and will be useful as he can cover centre back or midfield too .
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Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bennett
Sylla
Westwood
Delph
Weimann
Helenius
Gabby
I fear the worst with Benteke. Sad face emoticon.
If so Percy and he is sold then surely with the big money for him we would buy 2 or 3 others including maybe a striker other than helenius - lets hope he stays , but I am starting to fear the worst too.
What we have in our favour is that he is top dog and he'll get a very good pay rise.
Against us is that we don't know who is or will be interested. I suspect Bale or Suarez being sold could trigger a hostile (to us) approach.
The nagging doubt I have is Chavski as he is similar to Drogba in many ways and Mouinomouth is back there and may fancy him as an updated version. We'll see.
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1. I can see no change in the Benteke situation to start 'fearing the worst'. I expect him to stay.
It's gone quiet, but i'm not fearing the worst either just yet.
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Clark's not a full back. Centre mid is where i'd play him if anywhere.
He can cover left back if needed - not great there but adequate if needed, he is versatile and will be useful as he can cover centre back or midfield too .
Lambert doesn't need to "cover fullback" unless he feels he has a FB replacement. With the squad he has now he could play three at the back with two WB. This would work if we have injury / selection problems in left-defence.
If you check out the squad (Guzan, Siegrist, Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Herd, Baker, Clark, Bennett, Stevens, Williams, Donacien, Bacuna, Gardner, Sylla, Westwood, Delph, KEA, Tonev, Albrighton, Johnson, Weimann, Benteke, Gabby, Helenius, Bowery, Burke) Delph, Tonev nad Bacuna can all play WB if required and we have Herd and Lowton as well.
CC will only play cover at FB if Lambert is deserate, I suspect.
How we play is going to depend on (i) who we're playing against, (ii) the desired formation / set-up and (iii) form and fitness.
It's a callow squad, to be sure, but there's physicality, guile and goals in there. The key will be our ability to stop conceding.
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I don't really think that I could name a first 11, with 4 new players that I've never seen play before.
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1. I can see no change in the Benteke situation to start 'fearing the worst'. I expect him to stay.
It's gone quiet, but i'm not fearing the worst either just yet.
Quiet is fine:
-He's got three years left on his contract, we don't need to be panicking if he doesn't sign a new one.
-There's no reports he wants to leave with any foundation, just lots of speculation.
-There's no reports of offers actually having been made, just lots of 'preparing to bid' stories.
-There's plenty of reports from the last few months that he's very happy here.
I don't get why so many villa fans are so willing to believe he's on the way out, I also find all the "if he doesn't want to be here just sell him" comments a bit silly.
Until anything official is announced about a bid being accepted I'm completely ignoring anything written about him leaving.
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I really don't want to lose Benteke but if he doesn't see the potential in this squad and want to be part of it, then let him have his move for as much money as we can get. We've had our fingers burned too many times to not realise that footballers these days have absolutely zero loyalty. It's the way the game has become.
But Villa hold the trump card with the 3 years left on his contract. They can demand £35-40M which may put most clubs off. I still think he'll be here for next season - he does seem to respect PL.
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Clark's not a full back. Centre mid is where i'd play him if anywhere.
He can cover left back if needed - not great there but adequate if needed, he is versatile and will be useful as he can cover centre back or midfield too .
He is not even adequate in his main position of CB and is nowhere near adequate at LB. If versatility means being poor in several positions then yes he's versatile.
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Although I do think Lambert is building a squad and not just a first team, I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone thought our strongest 11 is, in whatever formation you like, now we've signed a few players. Obviosuly, this can then evolve as we sign more and start seeing them in pre-season.
Anyway, here's mine playing a 4-3-3-:-
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bennett
Delph
Westwood
Sylla
Weimann
Benteke
Tonev
I think that midfield three worked well the end of last season, so it's up to Bacuna to fight his way into it. I've included Tonev as I've always felt Gabby would be a great impact player from the bench, but we've rarely had the attacking options to use him that way.
Unbelievably harsh on Gabby.
In the last three seasons when he's been playing as wideman/midfielder/floating striker he has a better goal scoring record than either Ashley Young or Tony Morley.
What on earth is he supposed to do to warrant a place in what will likely be a mid table team?
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I reckon we're going to sign between three and five more players this summer so it's too early to speculate on our best side.
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Clark's not a full back. Centre mid is where i'd play him if anywhere.
He can cover left back if needed - not great there but adequate if needed, he is versatile and will be useful as he can cover centre back or midfield too .
He is not even adequate in his main position of CB and is nowhere near adequate at LB. If versatility means being poor in several positions then yes he's versatile.
I think you are wrong, not sure of his best position but there is a player in there.
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I really don't want to lose Benteke but if he doesn't see the potential in this squad and want to be part of it, then let him have his move for as much money as we can get. We've had our fingers burned too many times to not realise that footballers these days have absolutely zero loyalty. It's the way the game has become.
But Villa hold the trump card with the 3 years left on his contract. They can demand £35-40M which may put most clubs off. I still think he'll be here for next season - he does seem to respect PL.
Benteke is going nowhere. He may leave at the end of next season, if, and if he has as good a season as he has had in his first in the Prem.
One good season is not enough to make top clubs pay stupid money for him. 2 good seasons then we could cash in. It all depends on Benteke's mindset.
Is he willing to sit on the bench every other game for a top European side and take the cash ? Or his he going to put his career first, another season with us, score loads of goals and then be in the shop window for the best clubs in Europe ? Lets not forget that we could be a club in Europe at the end of next season. Young lads, growing together, playing together, playing bloody good football. That is us next season, so lets not just presume that Benteke is going anywhere. We found him, we have him on a four year deal. If any of the top clubs want him then they will have to pay and pay well to get him.
He will be ours for at least another season i think." No f'in Winky thing either"
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I think the new guys are being brought in as an "alternative" formation for when we need to breakdown a side, rather than counter-attack one.
So I'm thinking the 4-3-3 will stay pretty much as is, with:
Lowton. Vlaar. Okore. Bennett.
Sylla. Westwood. Delph.
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
Tonev could replace Gabby or Weimann if they're having one of those out-of-form spells. Helenius could plug in for Benteke when needed. Bacuna and Gardner could plug in anywhere in the middle if needed. KEA too if he can find some form. And Herd, Baker and Clark would provide cover in the back.
When we need to break a team down, we could play a more MON-esque type 4-4-2 with:
Lowton. Vlaar. Okore. Bennett.
Tonev. Bacuna. Westwood. Gabby.
Helenius. Benteke.
With the usual bench options.
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The thought that to break down a team we need to play more like a MON side is amusing!
I know what you mean though, Weimann and gabby are both capable of having their form dip. In fact it's almost a racing certainty. That's why I don't think we'll sell CNZ. Not least because lambert was effusive about his performances after Xmas.
Getting the midfield balance right would be great. I like the 433 and its what is play from the off, but it can leave us lacking penetration in the middle. CNZ can add that, but it leaves Westwood and Delph looking exposed and we struggle to get a grip on the game.
Lacuna might be the sort of box to box goal scoring midfielder we need, as might Gardner, though both are young and unproven. Tonev could presumably play a more advanced role too. But I still think its a position that could be strengthened. Someone like Milner, but gettable.
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Delph Westwood
Tonev
Weimann Agbonlahor
Benteke
Sub: GK? Bennett, Baker, Clarke Sylla, Bacuna Helenius
I think N'Zogbia, Bannan, Hutton, Holman, Bent and Ireland will all be gone by September.
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I think N'Zog will still be here. He seemed to buy into his role well under Lambert. The others are surplus to requirements and represents the best part of 400k a week savings in wages when you the in Given and those already gone.
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I hope we can shift Given, Stevens and Delfouneso also. I'd say there was a chance he may wish to keep one of Albrighton and N'Zogbia, certainly not both, if we could shift both that ought to free up room for maybe one more signing.
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A continue of standard 4-2-3-1 which can be 4-4-2, with Big Ben target man who can drop back and allow gabby,tonev, bacuna or helenuis to move forward. Luna and Lowton will be the full backs who this season will be used attacking wise. Also the wide players will be tracking back so that we remains compact. Westwood and Delph maybe Barry Gardner Herd Kea Sylla can be holding the middle whilst Helenuis Nzogbia Weimann Bacuna Agbonlahor will play wide and also just off Big ben.
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Delph Westwood
Bacuna
Weimann Agbonlahor
Benteke
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
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What about "Gardz"?
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
A combination of Bacuna and Tonev's goal scoring record make that formation unlikely to succeed.
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Guzman
Lowton Vlaar. Okore. Luna
Tonev. Delph Westwood Gabby
Benteke. Helenius
Can see lots of crosses coming in this season, big tall squad with speed....
Just hope PL keeps them knocking that ball around, don't really want to see the MON mentality but new team players seem to ave height ?
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Guzan
Lowton Okore Vlarr Luna
Sylla
Delph Westwood
Gabby Tonev
Benteke
Though Weimann was relatively poor towards the end of the season and will need to earn his place back.
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One interesting thing about a lot of these new signings is their versatility - Tonev can play on either wing, and behind the striker. Bacuna is a box-to-box midfielder but has played up front as well as out wide, defensive midfielder and right back. Neilsen was saying the other day how Helenius could be a good second striker/attacking midfielder, and with his pace I imagine we'll see him being used out wide in the front 3 as well.
Also when Lambert was at Norwich he was constantly switching formations (sometimes a couple of times per match), and frequently rotating players in and out of the squad. So now that this is more recognisably his team, I think we're going to be seeing a lot more rotation, and a lot more formations and tactical shifts.
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Looking forward to seeing Guzan in the hole behind Benteke. ;)
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Looking forward to seeing Guzan in the hole behind Benteke. ;)
When the fancy-pants passing wont work, just send ALL the big lads up front!
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Guzan
Lowton Okore Vlarr Luna
Sylla
Delph Westwood
Gabby Tonev
Benteke
Though Weimann was relatively poor towards the end of the season and will need to earn his place back.
You've got Sylla in the wrong place. He was the furthest forward of the 3 every time he played last season, I don't see why that will change. The key to what we're trying to do defensively is for the wide forwards and 1 of the midfielders to close down the defenders when they get on the ball and force them to rush passes. Sylla looked very good because he worked his butt off doing exactly that. It's also why we struggled with various other players in that role, they just didn't pressure the opposition effectively enough.
I do worry that there aren't enough goals in that midfield though and I think we might see Bacuna play a fair bit (unless we sign another attacking midfielder before the start of the season) as I think he'll be the one who can add some goals in there.
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Most of Bacuna's goals came from the penalty spot though (which will be hard to do assuming Benteke is still here) so I think he's still a very unknown quantity in terms of adding goals.
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Most of Bacuna's goals came from the penalty spot though (which will be hard to do assuming Benteke is still here) so I think he's still a very unknown quantity in terms of adding goals.
Probably. I do think that Bacuna and Tonev certainly seem like they like to have a crack from distance. I'd hope we might see a few screamers from them next season.
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Most of Bacuna's goals came from the penalty spot though (which will be hard to do assuming Benteke is still here) so I think he's still a very unknown quantity in terms of adding goals.
Probably. I do think that Bacuna and Tonev certainly seem like they like to have a crack from distance. I'd hope we might see a few screamers from them next season.
Nobody will ever object to a goal however it's scored, but for a midfielder to contribute regularly they have to 'hit the box'. Nobody did that last season - hopefully one of the new guys has that ability.
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Looking forward to seeing Guzan in the hole behind Benteke. ;)
When the fancy-pants passing wont work, just send ALL the big lads up front!
Are you making rumours about off field fun or do you have videos
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Not arguing with the validity of the selections, but as an England supporter, as well as a Villa fan, i can see Englands chances at international level receding by the hour.
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Not arguing with the validity of the selections, but as an England supporter, as well as a Villa fan, i can see Englands chances at international level receding by the hour.
So what's wrong with Lowton and Westwood?
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Looking forward to seeing Guzan in the hole behind Benteke. ;)
When the fancy-pants passing wont work, just send ALL the big lads up front!
Are you making rumours about off field fun or do you have videos
Going by the 'Bloopers Reel' from BMHeath at the AVFC Xmas party!
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Not arguing with the validity of the selections, but as an England supporter, as well as a Villa fan, i can see Englands chances at international level receding by the hour.
England's chances have been receding for years.
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Not arguing with the validity of the selections, but as an England supporter, as well as a Villa fan, i can see Englands chances at international level receding by the hour.
England's chances have been receding for years.
A bit like your hair clamps ;)
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Not arguing with the validity of the selections, but as an England supporter, as well as a Villa fan, i can see Englands chances at international level receding by the hour.
It's not so long ago we were fielding almost eleven English players and England were still crap, I think(?) we had 6 players in one of the squads chosen back then, definitely 5.
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Not arguing with the validity of the selections, but as an England supporter, as well as a Villa fan, i can see Englands chances at international level receding by the hour.
England's chances have been receding for years.
A bit like your hair clamps ;)
You're not wrong Easts.
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Until I/we see the new players in action I don't know how you can put any of them into the 1st eleven. I'm hoping they are all "world class" but I don't think you buy the best at the prices we have paid and most seem to be squad fillers imo. All inexperienced (bar perhaps Okore) youngsters with potential, I feel we will need to be patient with them although us Villans are hardly know for our patience, just ask Bennett.
Delph was one of our best players last season and with GG to come back I have my doubts if Bacuna will start the season ahead of either of them however if he is better then once again PL have found a gem although he could be another KEA who isn't good enough for the Premier League.
I also find it hard to picture a Villa team without Gabby in the line up, talking of which I think (hope) that we will see the real Gabby this season with the increased competition along with Gabby being one of our elder statesmen. If so then it can only be a good thing for Villa, exciting times indeed.
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Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Okore Luna
Sylla Westwood
Bacuna
Tonev Weimann
Benteke
Until I/we see the new players in action I don't know how you can put any of them into the 1st eleven. I'm hoping they are all "world class" but I don't think you buy the best at the prices we have paid and most seem to be squad fillers imo. All inexperienced (bar perhaps Okore) youngsters with potential, I feel we will need to be patient with them although us Villans are hardly know for our patience, just ask Bennett.
Delph was one of our best players last season and with GG to come back I have my doubts if Bacuna will start the season ahead of either of them however if he is better then once again PL have found a gem although he could be another KEA who isn't good enough for the Premier League.
I also find it hard to picture a Villa team without Gabby in the line up, talking of which I think (hope) that we will see the real Gabby this season with the increased competition along with Gabby being one of our elder statesmen. If so then it can only be a good thing for Villa, exciting times indeed.
I kind of took this to be "how the team would look if most/all the new players were used" rather than "this is how I think the first team should look".
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I think Delph, Westwood, Lowton, Bennett and Gabby will all be in our first 11 t the start of the season. As said above, until the others play and show they are the part, I think the ones that earnt the shirt last season will hold their place early on.
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Hopefully next season will be the one where Gary Gardner emerges as an option for attacking midfielder.
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I think Okore will start, but the rest are squad players.
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Guzan
Lowton. Baker. Vlaar. Bennett
Sylla. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Luna
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
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If I'd seen ANY of the new signings play before I may have included them. However I havent so I can't. It's up to each of them to win the jersey. Luna should be ok unless he's terrible
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Luna
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
With you there eastie. Think Bacuna will be a tough tackling MF but will be able to do a lot more on the ball than anyone else we currently have. Also I am so hoping Luna is going to surprise a few of us ......
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Not sure how you can put players like Luna straight into our starting XI. Difficult to imagine I know, but he comes from a collective defence worse than ours from last season.
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I think the only players almost guaranteed of a start if all remains the same are Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Westwood, Delph?, Benteke and maybe Gabby. Is good that players have to fight for their places, I think Sylla will continue to improve, Bennett will as well and Weimann has to continue to progress and he seems to have the right attitude. Will be good to see the new signings and am sure there will be a couple of gems at least.
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I think Lambert Is trying to get 2 players jostling for each position.
A simple yet healthy and effective policy. Also without any prima donas couldn't give a fuck type players around, just lads who want to play and improve.
Good model.
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Guzan
Lowton. Baker. Vlaar. Bennett
Sylla. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
This would be my team i think for now.
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We have a fair number of pre season games and it will be interesting to see how the new lads settle in - last summer lambert introduced several players who hadn't played in the premiership and i daresay if they impress and stake a claim in pre season then he will have no qualms about putting new signings in from the start- it will be an interesting pre season.
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Not sure where to post this... as I dont think he will be part of the starting 11 but carruthers looked a good prospect a few seasons ago...
Do you think he will get a chance?
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The pre season will decide on which formation and players Lambert decides to use. The only cast iron certainties are Guzan, Westwood and Lowton.
Benteke may not be with us....or hopefully he will be.
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Not sure where to post this... as I dont think he will be part of the starting 11 but carruthers looked a good prospect a few seasons ago...
Do you think he will get a chance?
I felt he should get a chance last season but lambert didnt give him a go - probably less likely this season as we seem to have a few players ahead of him.
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Not sure where to post this... as I dont think he will be part of the starting 11 but carruthers looked a good prospect a few seasons ago...
Do you think he will get a chance?
Good point, I think you could put Gary Gardner in this category too.
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Luna
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
With you there eastie. Think Bacuna will be a tough tackling MF but will be able to do a lot more on the ball than anyone else we currently have. Also I am so hoping Luna is going to surprise a few of us ......
After the way Sylla finished last season I would be very surprised if anyone is ahead of him at the start of next.
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Guzan
Lowton. Okore. Vlaar. Luna
Bacuna. Westwood. Delph
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
With you there eastie. Think Bacuna will be a tough tackling MF but will be able to do a lot more on the ball than anyone else we currently have. Also I am so hoping Luna is going to surprise a few of us ......
After the way Sylla finished last season I would be very surprised if anyone is ahead of him at the start of next.
All depends on pre-season, I'd guess.