Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Loxton01 on January 07, 2014, 10:31:14 AM
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So weve seen a number of the players for a good period this season so who cuts the mustard and who has to go.
Goalkeepers
Keep both
Defenders
Luna - without doubt one of the worst defenders I have seen - has to go
Bennett - one last chance once he gets fit - last legs
Lowton - Keep but needs a rocket
Herd - Utility player keep
Okore - Showed Glimpses keep
Vlaar - Keep
Baker - Keep
Clark - not good enough for me and hasnt progressed - Go
Midfielders
El Ahmadi - Keep just some good games some bad - last chance saloon
Westwood - See lowton comment
Sylla - tries but isnt good enough at this level - Go
Gardner - deserves a chance - go out on loan - Keep
Delph - Keep
Albrighton - Keep - we have nothing like him needs confidence
Tonev - Oh dear oh dear - what do you do with him - not good enough - Go
Bacuna - Can progress - Keep
Forwards
Benteke - Keep
Gabby - Keep
Kozak - Keep
Helenius - Loan out needs game time
Bowery - Must go - not good enough
Weimann - Kick up the arse required
What a real poor quality squad we really have. We need 4-5 of them out and then reinvest in experience and quality
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The only one i'd let go at this moment in time is Bowery.
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Hard to argue with most of that, although I'd swap the Clark and Baker ones around.
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Luna, El Ahmadi and Bowery.
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Hard to argue with most of that, although I'd swap the Clark and Baker ones around.
Agreed and I think that would be the case. Lambert has a high opinion of Clark I think.
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Keep
Guzan - solid keeper
Okore - looks a quality player
Vlaar - makes a huge difference to the team when available
Clark - squad player, improving
Bennett - squad player, has potential and still young enough to improve
Lowton - keep, but buy another decent right back to compete.
Westwood - squad player, tidy player but needs better players around him
Delph - improving all the time
NZogbia - quality player
Benteke - hopefully not a one season wonder
Gabby - part of the furniture
Bent - need to reintegrate him
Bakuna - squad player
loan out
Helenius, Gardner, Grealish, Donacian
Dump
Baker, Luna, Hutton, KEA, Weimann, Steer
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I think Luna needs to be given into next season. He's had a couple of niggly injuries here and there but I don't think he's a bad as people make out. He's just taking time to find his feet.
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Luna, El Ahmadi and Bowery.
This.
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I wonder how many Tony Moon t shirts the club shop has shifted recently?
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All seems sane except for your assessments of Baker and Clark, and I can only assume you've got them mixed up. 'Doing a Baker' is giving the ball away with a square ball in your own half at least once a match. He's really terrible, and Clark has spent his season trying to mop up Baker's mistakes.
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I wonder how many Tony Moon t shirts the club shop has shifted recently?
The bloke has evidently been identified as the weak link by every team we have played lately (when he's been fit) as he has had the run around nearly every match by the opposition's right side attacker. Needs to step up if he's not to be shipped out but I think we need to give him a little longer - as someone said earlier he has had one or two niggly injuries which can't have helped.
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All seems sane except for your assessments of Baker and Clark, and I can only assume you've got them mixed up. 'Doing a Baker' is giving the ball away with a square ball in your own half at least once a match. He's really terrible, and Clark has spent his season trying to mop up Baker's mistakes.
Yes, agreed. Baker is an old fashioned stopper in the Brendan Ormsby mould but has zero ability on the ball and his tackling is still as reckless as it was when he first came into the side.
Luna is just the worst left back I've ever seen in the shirt. Embarrassingly weak and targeted by every team we play.
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A bit harsh on Clark there, OP.
Think he's been better this season. Baker has had a rough patch, and prob shouldn't have featured in so many games this season and last.
But I maintain he'll be better for it longterm.
I'd go with Luna, KEA, Bennett, Bowery, Bent, N'Zog and Herd.
Might be tough on Herd, that. I actually liked the look of him as a reserve fullback, but when he comes in at centre half (and that's where Lambert seems to favour him) we invariably turn to shite. It's not just down to him by any means, but it's happened too often to be a coincidence now.
I'd be tempted to move Weimann on too, if we received a suitable offer. He still has a future at this level, but -like Bannan- he might benefit from a change of scenery.
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I wonder how many Tony Moon t shirts the club shop has shifted recently?
The bloke has evidently been identified as the weak link by every team we have played lately (when he's been fit) as he has had the run around nearly every match by the opposition's right side attacker. Needs to step up if he's not to be shipped out but I think we need to give him a little longer - as someone said earlier he has had one or two niggly injuries which can't have helped.
He's also had a fullback running into his area without a lot of assistance, he's been left 2 on 1 a lot this season. I don't think he's as bad as has been made out and I think if we weren't giving away 60% possession every game he'd look better as well.
I'd let Bowery go, I don't think he'll ever be good enough, I'd let KEA go because at his age he needs to be contributing regularly and giving us some stability in there. Hutton, Given, Bent and Nzogbia are all available if we can get rid of them as well. I'd be tempted to let Herd go as well.
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Priority to go
Luna, Bennett, Hutton, Given, Bent, Kea, Bowery, Baker, Delfouneso
Time running out on
Albrighton, Gardner, Tonev, Nzogbia, Herd
Need serious improvement before end of season
Lowton, Weimann, Westwood, Sylla
despite albrighton's recent improvement, he is at an age where he needs regular football and I cant see him getting it at a decent Villa side. Herd and Gardner need to get out of the club to progress. we should be fair to all three and let them leave for low fees.
the addition of quality players to the squad might lift a few of them out of their stupor but really that squad isnt anywhere near what a club like Villa should have available
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Have to say that Baker seems to have taken a backward step this season.
I still think he will prove to be an excellent centre back
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Incredibly kind on Baker and KEA there.
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Have to say that Baker seems to have taken a backward step this season.
I still think he will prove to be an excellent centre back
Disagree completely. At no point has he shown any sign of being able to read the game, far too James Collinsesque in his last ditch tackling and his positioning is poor. You can't fault his heart and commitment and I expect him to be a solid lower league player but he doesn't have the extra quality required at the top.
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I wouldn't bother keeping Baker, KEA, Bennett, Bowery or Herd of those around the first team squad at the moment.
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I'd get rid of them all and then buy Sheffied Utd's entire squad. ;)
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I agree with paul e's comments regarding Luna. One on one he's generally been okay, but he's not been helped at all by Weimann (usually) who tends to leave Luna very exposed. look at Vlaar this season as compared to last season - a totally different player who looks every much the 1st choice international he has become.
I think Clark is close to being player of the season and I've been highly critical of him so I'd keep him. Baker is a favourite of mine but is a liability with the ball, so he can go.
KEA is not good enough and produces little so he can go. As can Herd. Versatile but not good enough.
Bowery really hasn't developed so unless he's going to be loaned out to help him develop - he's still young - then sell him.
Make a decision how to use Bacuna also. Because he and Lowton do not seem to compliment each other. Lowton has been below par this season but I think he's a better player. bacuna, a couple of free-kicks apart really hasn't shown that much to suggest he should be ahead of Lowton.
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Bowery doesn't offer much for me, he could go.
Baker is a liability and never a top flight player for me.
KEA, he has popped up with a few goals and assists, more so than Westwood, but I feel he contributes little.
Weiman, based on his form thus far, has been absolutely abysmal.
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To add, I wouldn't get rid of Andi, but he needs to sort himself out.
Looking at the other three though and the way they are used (Bowery being a wide attacking option), you cannot help but see the issue as clear as day when you consider the three we have been linked with; Lescott, Defour and Hoolahoop.
There just isn't anywhere near enough quality in the squad beyond the likes of Gabby, Benteke, Vlaar and Delph. Having those three players, or players of their ilk, to choose from would give this mid-table outfit the boost we need to kick on.
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I agree with paul e's comments regarding Luna. One on one he's generally been okay, but he's not been helped at all by Weimann (usually) who tends to leave Luna very exposed.
Weimann normally operates on the right side, so as poor as he's been I don't think we can really lay that one at his door.
Over exposed FBs was a key feature in our poor run last season, which was eventually solved when we signed Sylla and he and Delph operated wide of Westwood in a three, giving them a decent starting position to get across and help out the FBs. Playing Westwood and KEA together has negated that, as it pushes the thrid midfielder, usually Delph, further forward and the two of them are narrower, leaving a larger gap to the space where they can cover and neither is the most mobile either.
For most teams who play 4-3-3 the wide attackers offer the cover as they're more natural widemen who would be equally comfortable as traditional wingers in a 4-4-2. We use converted central strikers, which even when putting a shift in, hurts us defensively.
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El Ahmadi - One of the worst players I have ever seen, does very little besides jog around and lose the ball
Tonev - Must go, cannot shoot, cannot cross, just no end prooduct
Bacuna - Wretched at defending, other than 3-4 free kicks a season I cannot see him bringing much more
may sound harsh, but will any of these players progress us? in my eyes no chance
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Bacuna's no RB, but overall I think he's done Ok and wouldn't be looking to sell him on. In fact, I'd like to see him play more often in the midfield.
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Keep the keepers
Luna - Not impressed, dont think he'll ever be good enough BUT I always think that foreign signings need to be given at least a full season to adjust to the league. Keep for now.
Bennett - Terrible for most of last season, but there was enough there during the run in to make me think he'll be ok. Keep (but get a better LB to be first choice).
Clark - Keep
Vlaar - Definently keep
Okore - See above
Baker - I like his commitment, i like his bravery, but I dont think hes good enough for the prem. Regretfully get rid.
Lowton - Keep, but needs a kick up the arse
Bacuna - Keep, I really like this guy, just dont use him as a right back!
Herd- Useful utility player, but not long term. Sell him if we get a bid, let his contract run down if we don't.
KEA - Not nearly as bad as his reputation suggests, but still not that good. Get rid
Westwood - See Lowton
Delph - Keep
Sylla - Dunno
Gardner - Give him another (short term) contract to see if he can prove himself. If we let him go you just know he'll do a Cahill.
Albrighton - Not convinced he'll ever be brilliant, but he's got something nobody else in our squad has, so for now keep
Tonev - See Luna
Helenius - Keep
Bowery - Get rid
Weimann - See Lowton/Westwood (although im losing patience with the lad)
Agbonlahor - Knighthood
Benteke - Keep
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The only player I'd keep for certain is Guzan. The rest can man-up a bit or do one.
Edit: Sorry, I'd joyously keep Gabby too.
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I'd keep Guzan, Vlaar, Okore, Delph and Benteke as part of the starting eleven. Lowton, Clark, Gardner, Helenius, Agbonlahor and Weimann as part of the squad. Not particularly bothered about the rest.
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i'm mostly with Dekko, I'm not quite ready to get rid of baker though, I think he can be a decent 4th choice for now.
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i'm mostly with Dekko, I'm not quite ready to get rid of baker though, I think he can be a decent 4th choice for now.
Agree.
Buy a new first choice CB now, then, when Okore's fit, loan him out to a Championship club to see how he does and potentially put him in the shop window.
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The trouble is with operating on a fairly tight budget is that we can't afford to have any passengers in the squad. To have a situation where out defence starts leaking goals when one player is out injured is simply unacceptable. There are players in the team at the moment, let alone the squad, who are contributing next to nothing.
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We should be rid of KEA ,Tonev and Bowery it is pretty obvious they are no where near PL standard.
NZogbia Bent Given Hutton Ireland should be off the wage bill pretty soon.
Baker, Clarke, Gardener, Weiman, Sylla, Lowton, Luna, Herd, Bennett, Delfouneso, are squad fillers and should improve or be phased out
That leaves Gabby Okore Vlaar Guzan Kozac Allbrighton Helnius Delf
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Priority to go
Luna, Bennett, Hutton, Given, Bent, Kea, Bowery, Baker, Delfouneso
Time running out on
Albrighton, Gardner, Tonev, Nzogbia, Herd
Need serious improvement before end of season
Lowton, Weimann, Westwood, Sylla
despite albrighton's recent improvement, he is at an age where he needs regular football and I cant see him getting it at a decent Villa side. Herd and Gardner need to get out of the club to progress. we should be fair to all three and let them leave for low fees.
the addition of quality players to the squad might lift a few of them out of their stupor but really that squad isnt anywhere near what a club like Villa should have available
Definitely this for me, although I would Herd in the out category. I would also give Nzogbia more time when he comes back.
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We hardly have the depth to go willy-nilly cutting players, this sort of thread really winds me up.
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I think there could be a massive forward clear out in the summer.
Benteke. Almost certainly
Weimann. Can't see us keeping him if his current wretched form continues
Bowery. No explanation necessary
Delfouneso. Lad needs to do something soon
Agbonlahor. Do we keep him out of his love for the club despite the fact he has maybe one good game in five (and that's being generous) and on a big wage ?
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Apart from the bomb squad KEA is the only one i'm running out of patience with. And even with him I remember how long it took Stan to adjust to the PL.
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At the moment no one at all. They all deserve a chance to settle in. A bit more competition and quality players could still bring out the best of them all. Too early to judge the summer signings. Last years were fine, just out of form.
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Agree with Ian J, I'd persist with all of them for now, just add to them with some players of quality this month. If the right additions are made then think the likes of Bowery & Gardner might benefit from loan spells elsewhere.
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The issue is with the squad we have registered
squad lists (http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/sep/premier-league-squad-lists-201314.html)
25 squad players
Player (Home Grown)
Agbonlahor, Gabriel (Yes)
Albrighton, Marc Kevin (Yes)
Bacuna, Leandro Jones Johan (No)
Baker, Nathan Luke (Yes)
N'Zogbia, Charles (Yes)
Bennett, Joseph (Yes)
Benteke, Christian (No)
Bowery, Jordan (Yes)
Clark, Ciaran (Yes)
Delph, Fabian (Yes)
El Ahmadi Aroussi, Karim (No)
Given, Shay John James (Yes)
Guzan, Bradley Edwin (No)
Jensen, Nicklaus Helenius (No)
Herd, Christopher (Yes)
Kozak, Libor (No)
Lowton, Matthew John (Yes)
Luna Rodriguez, Antonio Manuel (No)
Stevens, Enda (No)
Stieber, Andras (Yes)
Sylla, Yacouba (No)
Tonev, Aleksandar Antonov (No)
Vlaar, Ron Peter (No)
Weimann, Andreas (Yes)
Westwood, Ashley Roy (Yes)
I guess we can lose Stevens and Steiber without any worries, Given is a possible depending on the length of the loan/subsequent loan and we may as we ll remove Kozak for this year. So 4 spots, 1 of which is only temporary.
That's probably enough for now but we're going to have to "sell to buy" in the summer as it stands.
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This time last year Vlaar would have been an "out" so lets not be hasty.
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I think there could be a massive forward clear out in the summer.
Benteke. Almost certainly
Weimann. Can't see us keeping him if his current wretched form continues
Bowery. No explanation necessary
Delfouneso. Lad needs to do something soon
Agbonlahor. Do we keep him out of his love for the club despite the fact he has maybe one good game in five (and that's being generous) and on a big wage ?
(http://i.imgur.com/fjyWgJY.gif)
Wow.
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The issue is with the squad we have registered
squad lists (http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/sep/premier-league-squad-lists-201314.html)
25 squad players
Player (Home Grown)
Agbonlahor, Gabriel (Yes)
Albrighton, Marc Kevin (Yes)
Bacuna, Leandro Jones Johan (No)
Baker, Nathan Luke (Yes)
N'Zogbia, Charles (Yes)
Bennett, Joseph (Yes)
Benteke, Christian (No)
Bowery, Jordan (Yes)
Clark, Ciaran (Yes)
Delph, Fabian (Yes)
El Ahmadi Aroussi, Karim (No)
Given, Shay John James (Yes)
Guzan, Bradley Edwin (No)
Jensen, Nicklaus Helenius (No)
Herd, Christopher (Yes)
Kozak, Libor (No)
Lowton, Matthew John (Yes)
Luna Rodriguez, Antonio Manuel (No)
Stevens, Enda (No)
Stieber, Andras (Yes)
Sylla, Yacouba (No)
Tonev, Aleksandar Antonov (No)
Vlaar, Ron Peter (No)
Weimann, Andreas (Yes)
Westwood, Ashley Roy (Yes)
I guess we can lose Stevens and Steiber without any worries, Given is a possible depending on the length of the loan/subsequent loan and we may as we ll remove Kozak for this year. So 4 spots, 1 of which is only temporary.
That's probably enough for now but we're going to have to "sell to buy" in the summer as it stands.
If i didn't know anything about football.....i would hazard a guess and say the above list is a sample of trade's men in the west Midlands area who pass themselves off as dodgy builders....
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ditch Lambert and let Big Ron decide
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I'd view it slightly differently if I was the manager and ask myself the question "where do we want to finish next season and the season after". The answer is presumably comfortable mid-table progressing to upper mid table the year after (assuming we survive this year of course!)
Therefore I would assess which which players are capable of holding down (or developing into) a place in an upper mid table squad.
From the squad listed on an earlier post I'd say:
Agbonlahor
Albrighton
N'Zogbia
Benteke
Clark
Delph
Guzan
Vlaar
Okore - probably/unproven
Weimann, Andreas - possibly
Westwood, Ashley Roy - possibly
Kozak - possibly
Baker - possibly
Herd - possibly
Steer - untested
The rest need to be moved on. None of them are obvious talents (e.g. like Cahill) so if they make it good elsewhere so be it.
Edit: I'd keep all the untested academy players e.g. Gardner
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I don't think people would literally cut these players out of the team
👍
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The squads too small to let hardly anyone go. And all players need at least one full season and a half to show what they can do.
I would let Delfouneso go and thats it.
Luna may get better. Joe Bennett was starting to improve. Ron Vlaar has come to terms with the top flight. Benteke will no doubt clear off and I couldnt care less where. Libor is coming along nicely. Baker and Sylla I'm just not sure.
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Assuming the bomb squad leave and Gardner and Albrighton's contracts run down that leaves us with 22 players plus kids, I think that's ok, we can sign 3 quality players in key positions which will make a massive difference. Doubtless in time Herd, Baker, Bowery etc will look to leave as their playing time diminishes
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I believe the OP is more of a theoritcal question so no need to get bogged down in the 'Lambert wont sell him...' 'squad is too thin' debates ... Just wanted to talk about the centre back situation really.
For the last two (or more) seasons I think Clark has failed to show that he can progress into a top half PL defender. I don't really understand why he gets so much support on forums/Twitter other than the fact that he's come from the academy because I think it's quite clear that he's just not very good. Having said that, he did have a good start to the season when filling in for Okore but I think he's gone off the boil again for the last month or so.
He's ever so slightly better than Baker but I just don't see how Villa fans can moan about such a porous defence yet not want to have a shake up with our centre backs! The full backs have been dreadful, granted, which hasn't helped either Clark or Baker show what they can do. But I still think that if we want to improve our defence then tough decisions have to be made, and if it were my call I'd dump both of them in the summer and look to add one experienced defender and maybe one young promising cheap one. I've also been really impressed with Donacien and think he could turn out to be a better centre half than both of them.
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If I were running the show I'd probably be quite brutal to be honest.
Out- Given, Hutton, Ireland, Delfouneso, N'Zogbia, Luna, Bennett, KEA, Baker, Gardner (out of contract, not worth renewing), Albrighton (likewise), Bowery, Benteke (sell him to fund new purchases), Bent, Herd, Weimann.
From all that mob we'd hopefully save a gazillion in wages and have 30-40ish million to spend on 6-7 decent new players (all first 11 quality).
Last chance saloon- Westwood, Lowton, Clark, Bacuna, Helenius
Good books- Gabby, Delph, Vlaar, Guzan, Steer, Kozak.
Bring through the likes of Donacien, Johnson, Robinson, Carruthers, Grealish etc.
Job done.
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What do people think of Steer? I've only watched him twice, at home to Rotherham when he didnt really have anything to do, and at home to Spurs where he seemed to be a pretty good shot-stopper but made some really awful decisions, having a kick charged down by Defoe and coming out for their 4th goal but then changing his mind and backtracking (although I suppose good reactions - poor decisions are what you'd expect from a 21 year old keeper).
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Interesting to see the large degree of agreement in who's good enough and who should be got rid of (or will go of their own accord).
Big January and summer ahead I think if we're ever going to exit this slump.
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If I were running the show I'd probably be quite brutal to be honest.
Out- Given, Hutton, Ireland, Delfouneso, N'Zogbia, Luna, Bennett, KEA, Baker, Gardner (out of contract, not worth renewing), Albrighton (likewise), Bowery, Benteke (sell him to fund new purchases), Bent, Herd, Weimann.
From all that mob we'd hopefully save a gazillion in wages and have 30-40ish million to spend on 6-7 decent new players (all first 11 quality).
Last chance saloon- Westwood, Lowton, Clark, Bacuna, Helenius
Good books- Gabby, Delph, Vlaar, Guzan, Steer, Kozak.
Bring through the likes of Donacien, Johnson, Robinson, Carruthers, Grealish etc.
Job done.
Such wholesale changes would really be detrimental to the club. If that was the plan, they'd be looking to do it over 2 to 3 windows at least.
As I see it, there are a few categories:-
1. Big wages contributing nothing
Hutton, Given, Bent, N'Zogbia
Perhaps unfair on the injured N'Zogbia, but ultimately the sooner they go the better
2. First choices who we can move forward with
Guzan, Vlaar, Delph, Gabby, Benteke, Kozak, Okore
Benteke stays in there despite current form and Okore should technically be in category 4 below, but I like what I've seen so far.
3. Shown promise, but need to kick on a bit more
Weimann, Lowton, Westwood, Clark,
All of these should be aiming to be get into category 2
4. Too early to tell
Steer, Luna, Bacuna, Helenius, Tonev, Bennet, Albrighton, Sylla
Some have been better than others, but if you add up the actual amount of games they've played (since Lambert's been here in Marc's case) then it really is too early to say.
5. Need to move on
Bowery, KEA, Baker, Herd
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I mean yeah. In real world terms I think aside from the bombers and players out of contract this summer, I'd limit it to 2-3 more being sold.
But if I was at the helm, or going through this on FM, then I'd be ruthless. But that's why I'm not a football manager.
As for Steer. I think from the little we've seen of him he's got potential and I think I'm more than happy to have him carry on as Number 2. But ask me again if Guzan suddenly breaks a wrist and is out for 2 months. Steers had the odd mistake but other than that hasn't done a lot wrong. I'd rather pay him 10-15kish a week rather than 50k for Given.
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I sort of agree with you Concrete but I think Supertom has a point about needing wider ranging changes.
Given we seem to have this policy of buying low priced speculative players (your categories 3 & 4) then presumably the aim is to look at them pre-season, in training, the odd (cup?) game or even loan them out to see what they're capable of.
I would have thought those that haven't made a breakthrough into the team within 12 months ought to be shipped out. Let's face it, if they can't get in the current Villa team do we really think they have a future in the premiership?
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I can definitely see where you're coming from with regards to Gardner Oldhill, but I do question Lambert's team selection (well, I think he hasn't got much of a clue in that department) and worry that he HAS got a lot to offer but he just isn't his 'type' of player. I can't imagine Bacuna is a much better player, yet he has been given game time over GG since his return from injury. Can most definitely see him going elsewhere and carving out a good career for himself while we all bemoan another one that got away ...
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What do people think of Steer? I've only watched him twice, at home to Rotherham when he didnt really have anything to do, and at home to Spurs where he seemed to be a pretty good shot-stopper but made some really awful decisions, having a kick charged down by Defoe and coming out for their 4th goal but then changing his mind and backtracking (although I suppose good reactions - poor decisions are what you'd expect from a 21 year old keeper).
It is difficult for 2nd choice keepers these days as they don't get many games. Apart from an injury to Guzan, we are unlikely to see Steer in the first team again this season. Who would have expected Guzan to turn out so good?
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For me, I can't see how Steer is superior to Siegriest.
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For me, I can't see how Steer is superior to Siegriest.
Too early to tell for either of them, I think both have the potential to make it in the premier league though, just depends on getting the chance and making the most of it.
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If I were running the show I'd probably be quite brutal to be honest.
Out- Given, Hutton, Ireland, Delfouneso, N'Zogbia, Luna, Bennett, KEA, Baker, Gardner (out of contract, not worth renewing), Albrighton (likewise), Bowery, Benteke (sell him to fund new purchases), Bent, Herd, Weimann.
From all that mob we'd hopefully save a gazillion in wages and have 30-40ish million to spend on 6-7 decent new players (all first 11 quality).
Last chance saloon- Westwood, Lowton, Clark, Bacuna, Helenius
Good books- Gabby, Delph, Vlaar, Guzan, Steer, Kozak.
Bring through the likes of Donacien, Johnson, Robinson, Carruthers, Grealish etc.
Job done.
Such wholesale changes would really be detrimental to the club. If that was the plan, they'd be looking to do it over 2 to 3 windows at least.
As I see it, there are a few categories:-
1. Big wages contributing nothing
Hutton, Given, Bent, N'Zogbia
Perhaps unfair on the injured N'Zogbia, but ultimately the sooner they go the better
2. First choices who we can move forward with
Guzan, Vlaar, Delph, Gabby, Benteke, Kozak, Okore
Benteke stays in there despite current form and Okore should technically be in category 4 below, but I like what I've seen so far.
3. Shown promise, but need to kick on a bit more
Weimann, Lowton, Westwood, Clark,
All of these should be aiming to be get into category 2
4. Too early to tell
Steer, Luna, Bacuna, Helenius, Tonev, Bennet, Albrighton, Sylla
Some have been better than others, but if you add up the actual amount of games they've played (since Lambert's been here in Marc's case) then it really is too early to say.
5. Need to move on
Bowery, KEA, Baker, Herd
Too early to tell? how many times has the bloke got too smash the ball 40 feet wide, misplace every pass and run around like he has been blind folded before you can tell.
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What if the next one he hits for 35 yards flies in the top corner and gives him the confidence he's been missing? You can see him hitting shots like that in Poland and the talk seems to be that he does just that in training so I don;t see the harm in waiting for more than the 9 or 10 starts he's had so far.
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Hard to argue with most of that, although I'd swap the Clark and Baker ones around.
Agreed and I think that would be the case. Lambert has a high opinion of Clark I think.
How could anyone rate baker over clark on the evidence of this season?
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If we'd have had this thread three to five years ago- and I'm sure we did- I wonder what the consensus would have been on:
Craig Gardner
Liam ridgewell
Phil bardsley
Steven Davis
Wayne routledge
Because i bet it would have been 'not good enough' or even 'not prem quality'.
All of those players would now improve our side.
I think we should be less hasty to completely write people off
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Liam Ridgewell is utter shite, so say the Albion fans I know. I am inclined to agree with them.
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He'd walk into our team ahead of luna. And by definition he is a prem player as he's been playing in prem sides for about five consecutive years
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Not for me. All I ever hear is how utter shite Ridgewell is at full back.
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If we'd have had this thread three to five years ago- and I'm sure we did- I wonder what the consensus would have been on:
Craig Gardner
Liam ridgewell
Phil bardsley
Steven Davis
Wayne routledge
Because i bet it would have been 'not good enough' or even 'not prem quality'.
All of those players would now improve our side.
I think we should be less hasty to completely write people off
5 years ago we were a much better side than we are now, so it's hardly a fair comparison.
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The players I'd be prepared to release or sell, based on what I've seen so far this season, are:
Herd
Bowery
Tonev
Luna, Bennett, Baker and Gardner have some convincing to do between now and May.
Obviously, the likes of Given, Hutton, Ireland and Bent I've already written off.
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You'd imagine there will be a cull in central midfield as this will obviously be a priority in the next 6 months as we're already seeing with Hoolahan.
I'd cut our loses on KEA. He's had some decent games this season but overall his plodding nature emphasises how utterly average we are in central midfield compared to most other teams we play. Not many have mentioned Sylla. He has been very disappointing considering the level he was showing at the end of last season so wouldn't shock me if he went.
I normally give players time but I really haven't seen anything from Tonev to suggest in time he's going to be a decent premier league player so I'd look to move him on and CNZ to allow us room to bring in a decent wide player.
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What if the next one he hits for 35 yards flies in the top corner and gives him the confidence he's been missing? You can see him hitting shots like that in Poland and the talk seems to be that he does just that in training so I don;t see the harm in waiting for more than the 9 or 10 starts he's had so far.
I think he is more likely to hit a Pig flying over the Holte End.
Obviously you and Lambert can see something there that I don't, I hope you are both right.
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I would like villa to keep expiring contact players herd , gards and albrighton but move on the fonz
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After yesterday's good win we should and I express the word should stay up.
The summer is huge to me if we are to ever break out of the shackles of the same old every season.
We are a million miles away from the top six or seven clubs however with some investment [40m] and some good purchases of players who are ready for the first team in my opinion we should be challenging the middle of the table southampton newcastle etc.
Having had a few further months I think it is clear to me Lambert wont be leaving so he has got to get this transfer window right. Not buy alot of unknowns like last season the large majority have flopped.
In terms of players leaving I put in the following brackets
Def GO
Given [50K]
Hutton [40K]
NZog [50K]
Fonz [15K]
Bowery [10K]
Luna [20K]
Sylla [15K]
Tonev [10K]
Helenius [10K]
Bent [60K]
The 10 above players clearly Lambert wants out or doesnt rate or has been a complete disaster. Some are out of contract others I would take big losses just to get them off the wage bill. I reckon theres a saving of 280-300K a week.
For the right offer
Bennett
Ciaran Clark
Lowton [because I think Lambert has fallen out with him]
The above two players I dont think are good enough for Aston Villa Football Club however we will need 25 players next season and these may have to stay next season
Leaves Squad of
Keepers
Guzan and Steer - Ok
RB
Bacuna and Lowton - if Lowton goes we need a new RB
LB
Need two new ones
CB
Vlaar Baker Okore - need another one
Midfielder
Delph
Westwood
El Ahmadi
Albrighton [new deal]
Gardner [new deal - 1 year last chance saloon]
Two new ones
Strikers
Benteke
Gabby
Weimann
Kozak
Need a new one
Youth
Carruthers/Grealish/Drennan/Robinson
From my review I think we need 6 new players. 5 first team players and one back. With 40 million and the wages from the ridding of the deadwood I genuinely feel we could then challenge for top 8-10.
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Neither Sylla or Helenius fall into the categories you list for binning players.
-
I wouldn't necessarily get rid of anybody.
The problem we have got is that much of the squad lacks both age and maturity, which has an effect on quality output. Look at how greatly we are influenced by a talisman and confidence.
There are a lot of decent players who can do a good job in a squad, but lack the consistency to do it week in week out. If we can bring in Bertrand, a right back and two or three good midfielders with our £20 odd million, then I think we will find that consistency that has alluded us for a long time.
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Based on what I've seen this season then luna and Bowery would be the main two to go - jury is out on a few others who may be squad players at best .
-
Out:
Baker
KEA
Helenius
Albrighton
Tonev
Bowery
Helenius
Given
Hutton
Fonz
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I'd keep Baker. As long as you don't play him and Clark together he looks a decent player. Did well at Newcastle and again yesterday.
-
I'd keep Baker. As long as you don't play him and Clark together he looks a decent player. Did well at Newcastle and again yesterday.
Keep baker as back up definately.
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El Ahmadi played well yesterday and has looked good in certain away games like Arsenal and Liverpool. I wouldn't sell him but I would bring some quality into the midfield in the summer so that he goes from guaranteed first team starter to useful squad player.
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El Ahmadi played well yesterday and has looked good in certain away games like Arsenal and Liverpool. I wouldn't sell him but I would bring some quality into the midfield in the summer so that he goes from guaranteed first team starter to useful squad player.
I'd be inclined to get rid of KEA regardless of your valid points above. Sell him in the summer and we might get £2-3m for him (pretty much our money back) whereas if he stays another season I think he'll be approaching 30 and a lot harder to get rid of.
This, of course, is on the assumption that CM is a position that we target in the summer transfer window which would push KEA down a spot (or two) in the pecking order.
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I was thinking this while watching the game yesterday
replace Weimann , Gabby and KEA with better quality - keep weimann and gabby in squad but not good to start for me
get another midfield in and Okore fit and we will start to have a decent team , Lambert there or not .
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I was thinking this while watching the game yesterday
replace Weimann , Gabby and KEA with better quality - keep weimann and gabby in squad but not good to start for me
get another midfield in and Okore fit and we will start to have a decent team , Lambert there or not .
I'd agree with gabby and Weimann - squad players for me - we do need better quality in those positions.
I think Bertrand, two midfielders and at least one quality wideman would be my priority.
Add a couple of the youngsters to the squad and unload 6 or 7 of the current lot .
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I was thinking this while watching the game yesterday
replace Weimann , Gabby and KEA with better quality - keep weimann and gabby in squad but not good to start for me
get another midfield in and Okore fit and we will start to have a decent team , Lambert there or not .
I'd agree with gabby and Weimann - squad players for me - we do need better quality in those positions.
I think Bertrand, two midfielders and at least one quality wideman would be my priority.
Add a couple of the youngsters to the squad and unload 6 or 7 of the current lot .
yes Im sure they will add Bertrand full time
having weimann and Gabby on bench will look better
but has starters they are not good enough . Weimann might come back so on the bench is fine but both need replacing for better quality if Lambert is playing his system .
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Out:
Baker
KEA
Helenius
Albrighton
Tonev
Bowery
Helenius
Given
Hutton
Fonz
You've obviously got a real downer on Helenius: you've named him twice.
How a judgement can be made on him, considering he's only had a bout 40 minutes of first-team action, is beyond me.
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so two midfield - defensive and creative
left back - RBertrand
wideman
okore fit again
plenty of strikers for me still , depends on CB staying of course
but you have CB , Kozak , Gabby , Weimann and Robinson . The no 10 signing or wideman type could play off a striker too.
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I'd keep Baker. As long as you don't play him and Clark together he looks a decent player. Did well at Newcastle and again yesterday.
Keep baker as back up definately.
After taking his obligatory first half whack in the head, Baker played better than I've seen him for a while.
He started to clatter a few Norwich players whilst going in for headers and that gave him more space/time as the game progressed when they didn't fancy challenging him
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Does anyone else think that Brad Guzan's performances have not been anywhere near as good as last season? I think we need a good goalkeeper in the summer to make Guzan's position less secure - it'll either bring out the best in him or see him replaced.
From what I've seen of Jed Steer I'm not overly impressed. But then, only a couple of cup games does not seem like a solid foundation to condemn someone on. Besides, in goalkeeping terms he is still rather young.
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I'd say bye to:
Bowery
Given
Hutton
Delfounseo
Tony Moon
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Well Given, Hutton and Bent will most likely be gone which will save a fortune in wages and allow us to bring in a couple.
As for others I'd let go Bowery, Fonz and depending whether we're allowed to keep Bertrand, I'd listen to offers for Bennett or send him out on loan.
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Well Given, Hutton and Bent will most likely be gone which will save a fortune in wages and allow us to bring in a couple.
As for others I'd let go Bowery, Fonz and depending whether we're allowed to keep Bertrand, I'd listen to offers for Bennett or send him out on loan.
I'd rather keep Bennett as back up than luna.
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Baker, Bowery, Sylla, Fonz, Luna should all be out in my opinion.
That's on top of Hutton, Given and Bent and probably N'Zog.
-
As well as the remainder of the 'bomb squad (Bent, Given, Hutton, Fonz) I think Tonev, Luna & Bowery will go. The rest will be kept on, I think though I'm not sure about N'Zogbia.
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As well as the remainder of the 'bomb squad (Bent, Given, Hutton, Fonz) I think Tonev, Luna & Bowery will go. The rest will be kept on, I think though I'm not sure about N'Zogbia.
N'Zog will have a Lazarus moment of Dunne-sized proportions when released in the summer ....
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Does anyone else think that Brad Guzan's performances have not been anywhere near as good as last season? I think we need a good goalkeeper in the summer to make Guzan's position less secure - it'll either bring out the best in him or see him replaced.
From what I've seen of Jed Steer I'm not overly impressed. But then, only a couple of cup games does not seem like a solid foundation to condemn someone on. Besides, in goalkeeping terms he is still rather young.
To be fair to Brad, he's had a lot less to do. Thus fewer saves to be made.
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I think Guzan has been very good and consistent - if injured though I have no idea how good steer could be.
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Well Given, Hutton and Bent will most likely be gone which will save a fortune in wages and allow us to bring in a couple.
As for others I'd let go Bowery, Fonz and depending whether we're allowed to keep Bertrand, I'd listen to offers for Bennett or send him out on loan.
I'd rather keep Bennett as back up than luna.
I just think Luna deserves another season rather than booting him out the door before he can show what he can do.
I'm actually surprised that KEA wasn't on your out list bearing in mind the other day you said about him 'the less said the better'.
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Well Given, Hutton and Bent will most likely be gone which will save a fortune in wages and allow us to bring in a couple.
As for others I'd let go Bowery, Fonz and depending whether we're allowed to keep Bertrand, I'd listen to offers for Bennett or send him out on loan.
I'd rather keep Bennett as back up than luna.
I just think Luna deserves another season rather than booting him out the door before he can show what he can do.
I'm actually surprised that KEA wasn't on your out list bearing in mind the other day you said about him 'the less said the better'.
As I said there are a few who the jury is still out on - kea was very good yesterday but is very inconsistent and maybe a squad player but not a regular for me - he has has some good games but far more bad than good - I'm undecided on the likes of tonev too , if we get Bertrand then I think Bennett is adequate cover and luna could go , obviously the likes of Fonz, bent, given and Hutton are available and Bowery is not good enough .
Kea needs to show yesterday's form on a regular basis as I would hope we would add a couple of quality midfielders in the summer .
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I wouldn't necessarily get rid of anybody.
The problem we have got is that much of the squad lacks both age and maturity, which has an effect on quality output. Look at how greatly we are influenced by a talisman and confidence.
There are a lot of decent players who can do a good job in a squad, but lack the consistency to do it week in week out. If we can bring in Bertrand, a right back and two or three good midfielders with our £20 odd million, then I think we will find that consistency that has alluded us for a long time.
Sort of agree and disagree at the same time!
As you say we need to bring in midfielders and sort out the full backs.
I do think we need off players though for exactly the reasons you cite. There are too many who can't consistently play well enough at this level - we need them off the wage bill bill.
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Given, Bent, Fonz, Hutton, Bowery. They are probably the only ones I definitely want to see leave. There's a fair others I wouldn't be fussed if they left, and some certainly need to be replaced as starters, but some of those named like Tonev and even Luna I won't write off yet even if they have looked a bit pony so far.
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Anyone signed in the summer should be given another season IMHO. Sometimes it takes that time.
I think Given,Hutton,Bent & Nzog obviously. Beyond that, probably Bennett. Sadly as I wanted the lad to succeed.
The one area we cannot afford to boot anybody because we are so thin and need to spend just about all of our transfer budget on it is midfield, midfield, midfield. Our current three may (and probably should) end up being squad players rather than first choice selections and that would be fine.
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Out - Given, Hutton, Bent, Nzog, Bowery, Bennet (or Luna), Fonz and KEA (the players I think are bad value for their wages).
Loan - Tonev, Sylla, Gardner, Luna (or Bennet), Helenius as well as the other youngsters.
Buy - Bertrand, 10m on decent midfielder and 10m on 'number ten'
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Out - Given, Hutton, Bent, Nzog, Bowery, Bennet (or Luna), Fonz and KEA (the players I think are bad value for their wages).
Loan - Tonev, Sylla, Gardner, Luna (or Bennet), Helenius as well as the other youngsters.
Buy - Bertrand, 10m on decent midfielder and 10m on 'number ten'
What valuation would you pay for Bertrand out of interest?
-
Around 5 or 6 million i'd guess at.
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Out - Given, Hutton, Bent, Nzog, Bowery, Bennet (or Luna), Fonz and KEA (the players I think are bad value for their wages).
Loan - Tonev, Sylla, Gardner, Luna (or Bennet), Helenius as well as the other youngsters.
Buy - Bertrand, 10m on decent midfielder and 10m on 'number ten'
Would that not give us a squad of about 15 players?
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Out - Given, Hutton, Bent, Nzog, Bowery, Bennet (or Luna), Fonz and KEA (the players I think are bad value for their wages).
Loan - Tonev, Sylla, Gardner, Luna (or Bennet), Helenius as well as the other youngsters.
Buy - Bertrand, 10m on decent midfielder and 10m on 'number ten'
Would that not give us a squad of about 15 players?
Yeah probably, I suppose I should have said these would be on x and y list with market forces/demand deciding which ones actually leave. I hadn't given it too much thought to be honest although that lot up there have probably started about 15-20 games combined (ignoring Luna as Bertrand arrived in January) so the new CM and number 10 would cover a lot of that void.
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Did we not win the league in 80/81 with about 15 players.
I am allowed to dream are'nt i
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Out Tonev, KEA, Luna, Sylla Bowery- the bomb squad.
Jury still out Bennett Fonz Lowton not too fussed.
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I'm edging towards thinking Lowton will go. Lambert denied there was a rift there a couple of weeks ago but Lowton still hasn't made the squad since.
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I'm edging towards thinking Lowton will go. Lambert denied there was a rift there a couple of weeks ago but Lowton still hasn't made the squad since.
I'd like to see us keep him because there's a lot of potential there but I would'nt be surprised to see him go.
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Culverhouse would be a good start, after that Bowery, Luna & Bennett.
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Would look to trade in Vlaar and a Gabby this summer. Both are too injury prone for key players and a gabby is far too inconsistent for a big earner. Vlaar has had a good season but I think is well overrated on here generally.
If we got a decent offer for Weimann would also get rid. Not happy with his conditioning this season or technical ability. Definitely think a fit Nzogbia can do more in the same position next season.
Bertrand would be a good first signing this summer, it's been a problem position for years but we won't be the only ones putting in bids.
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Would look to trade in Vlaar and a Gabby this summer. Both are too injury prone for key players and a gabby is far too inconsistent for a big earner. Vlaar has had a good season but I think is well overrated on here generally.
If we got a decent offer for Weimann would also get rid. Not happy with his conditioning this season or technical ability. Definitely think a fit Nzogbia can do more in the same position next season.
Bertrand would be a good first signing this summer, it's been a problem position for years but we won't be the only ones putting in bids.
It would be crazy to get rid of our two experienced outfield players to be honest. I think you're underestimating their contribution this season, we'd be a lot worse off without them. Weimann too, although he's not setting the world on fire, I'd be very reluctant to get rid of two of the current forward three. He's a very hard worker and when those three click, they're unplayable. Get in some support so we can rest/switch things up by all means, but getting rid of three established players would be a bad idea.
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Would look to trade in Vlaar and a Gabby this summer. Both are too injury prone for key players and a gabby is far too inconsistent for a big earner. Vlaar has had a good season but I think is well overrated on here generally.
If we got a decent offer for Weimann would also get rid. Not happy with his conditioning this season or technical ability. Definitely think a fit Nzogbia can do more in the same position next season.
Bertrand would be a good first signing this summer, it's been a problem position for years but we won't be the only ones putting in bids.
It would be crazy to get rid of our two experienced outfield players to be honest. I think you're underestimating their contribution this season, we'd be a lot worse off without them. Weimann too, although he's not setting the world on fire, I'd be very reluctant to get rid of two of the current forward three. He's a very hard worker and when those three click, they're unplayable. Get in some support so we can rest/switch things up by all means, but getting rid of three established players would be a bad idea.
Completeley agree, and i don't think you'd be able to replace them with equal quality with the money we'd get for them.
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Culverhouse would be a good start, after that Bowery, Luna & Bennett.
And still space for KEA in the car as well. Bonus.
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If KEA plays like he did on Sunday he has a role to play.
-
I would keep most of the Holte end & North stand fans. Ship out almost all of lower Trinity.
-
KEEP LIST
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bertrand
Bennet
Baker
Clark
El Ahmadi
Westwood
Delph
Albrighton
Bacuna
Benteke
Gabby
Weimann
N'Zogbia
NOT FUSSED
Kozak
Helenius
Bennett
Steer
Herd
Tonev
LET GO
Lambert & Staff
Bowery
Luna
Holt
Given
-
KEEP LIST
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bertrand
Bennet
Baker
Clark
El Ahmadi
Westwood
Delph
Albrighton
Bacuna
Benteke
Gabby
Weimann
N'Zogbia
NOT FUSSED
Kozak
Helenius
Bennett
Steer
Herd
Tonev
LET GO
Lambert & Staff
Bowery
Luna
Holt
Given
You've put Bennett in twice?
-
KEEP LIST
Guzan
KEEP LIST
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bertrand
Bennet
Baker
Clark
El Ahmadi
Westwood
Delph
Albrighton
Bacuna
Benteke
Gabby
Weimann
N'Zogbia
NOT FUSSED
Kozak
Helenius
Bennett
Steer
Herd
Tonev
LET GO
Lambert & Staff
Bowery
Luna
Holt
Given
You've put Bennett in twice?
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bertrand
Bennet
Baker
Clark
El Ahmadi
Westwood
Delph
Albrighton
Bacuna
Benteke
Gabby
Weimann
N'Zogbia
NOT FUSSED
Kozak
Helenius
Bennett
Steer
Herd
Tonev
LET GO
Lambert & Staff
Bowery
Luna
Holt
Given
You've put Bennett in twice?
And forgot our worst player IMO Sylla
-
I'll be bold and predict that Sylla would go in the "Not Fussed" category.
-
Logically we should expect to see Lambert offload the players he's not using on a regular basis.
I think this lot should give him a bit of room for manoeuvre in the summer.
Not using
Tonev
Sylla
Albrighton
Herd
Luna
Lowton
Bennett
Bowery
Bomb Squad/Short Term
Given
Bent
Hutton
Holt
?Nzogbia
-
Show the do door to:
Lowton
Bennett
Herd
Given
Bent
Hutton
Bowery
El Ahmadi
Enda Stevens
Delfouneso
Keep the rest, coach them and play them.
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I'd give all of last summer's signings another season. If we use the logic that they're shit then Vlaar would have been shifted on and we wouldn't have benefited from his improved second season. People, in this day and age, are far too quick to right players off at the drop of the hat. I think fans forget they're are people not robots that can turn their lives upside down, move half way across the globe and perform instantly in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Look how long it took Guzan to make the grade, he'd have been cast aside as useless years ago especially after that horrendous cup game at VP if some fans had their way. Now with patience, he looks the real deal.
-
I hope Lambert doesn't employ the ridiculous and counter-productive 'bomb squad' policy this summer. It just reduces their value and lets all potential buyers know that we are desperate to sell as there is no way back into the team for those players.
-
I can't help but think the term "bomb squad" makes us the footballing equivalent of Primark.
-
I hope Lambert doesn't employ the ridiculous and counter-productive 'bomb squad' policy this summer. It just reduces their value and lets all potential buyers know that we are desperate to sell as there is no way back into the team for those players.
I don't know who came up with the term "bomb squad" but it's completely unnecessary; it's just a negatively emotive label that conveniently forms another stick with which to thrash our manager. Unless you're telling me that Lambert furnished each unwanted player with a shirt saying, "Bomb Squad", showed them to their very own "Bomb Squad" dressing room, pointed them to the training pitch with the legend "Bomb Squad Training Area" emblazoned on an illuminated arch by the touchline, circulated a "Bomb Squad" team photo to all other managers in Europe and made a public presentation entitled "Introducing the Bomb Squad..." in which case I stand corrected and take all that back.
All we've got is what every club in the league has - players who are out of favour, surplus to requirements and available for transfer. They're just players who, for whatever reason, are not part of Lambert's plans. If you're expecting him to change his policy of not playing players he doesn't want to play then I think you'll be disappointed.
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Well that's an unnecessarily pedantic post in my opinion. Obviously 'bomb squad' isn't some sort of official term (which is why I add the apostrophes) but has become a term used by fans and media alike to describe the current policy of alienation that Lambert prescribes for unwanted players. I'm not saying he should play players that he doesn't want at the club but at the same time, there is no need to banish them to the reserves and openly state they'll never play for the club again. Making it clear to the whole world that the bridges have been burnt between manager and player puts the club in a weak position when negotiating to sell them. Perhaps you could point out all the other clubs in the league who adopt a similar policy when trying to offload players?
-
In fairness I'm pretty sure it was one of the players that gave it the term in an interview.
-
KEEP LIST
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Okore
Bertrand
Bennet
Baker
Clark
El Ahmadi
Westwood
Delph
Albrighton
Bacuna
Benteke
Gabby
Weimann
N'Zogbia
NOT FUSSED
Kozak
Helenius
Bennett
Steer
Herd
Tonev
LET GO
Lambert & Staff
Bowery
Luna
Holt
Given
You've put Bennett in twice?
Presumably just to make sure that if he misses the boat the first time he gets caught on the second?
Not sure Kozak should be on the not fussed list. He might not have style but he is effective and has done little wrong so far.
-
I'd only keep Guzan, Vlaar, Lowton, Bertrand, Bacuna, Delph, Westwood, Agbonlahor and Benteke. The rest are pretty shite.
-
So we're working from a squad of nine players, one of whom we don't own?
Good plan.
-
luna
Herd
Gardner
Bowery
Sylla
Holt
Delfouneso
Hutton
Bent
Given
-
So we're working from a squad of nine players, one of whom we don't own?
Good plan.
He's right though in the sense that the number of players that are core and not for sale is very limited.
The majority have simply not shown themselves to be able to play consistently at the standard needed and we ought to consider offers so that we can rebuild the squad.
-
Guzan, Steer, Lowton, Bacuna, Okore, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Bennett, Gardner, Delph, Westwood, Benteke, Weiman, Agbonlahor, Kozak - keep
Sign - Bertrand, a defensive midfielder to replace KEA, a top quality playmaker and a number 10 (merson type)
Get rid - Given, Hutton, Luna, KEA, Bowery, Tonev, Helenius, Bent, Delfouneso, ALbrighton
Promote - Doncien, Jordan Graham, Grealish, Robinson from youth squad
-
Guzan, Steer, Lowton, Bacuna, Okore, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Bennett, Gardner, Delph, Westwood, Benteke, Weiman, Agbonlahor, Kozak - keep
Sign - Bertrand, a defensive midfielder to replace KEA, a top quality playmaker and a number 10 (merson type)
Get rid - Given, Hutton, Luna, KEA, Bowery, Tonev, Helenius, Bent, Delfouneso, ALbrighton
Promote - Doncien, Jordan Graham, Grealish, Robinson from youth squad
Albrighton? No way I'd want him to go. He needs to be played more.
-
What players are out of contract in the summer does anyone know?
Albrighton, Herd, Gardner, Delfouneso only?
Albrighton's recent form should see him get a few decent offers but at his age I dont see the point keeping him on.
The argument to keep Gardner on is unfortunately a weak one. The other two have no-one to blame but themselves.
Easy to say get rid of players but someone has to want to buy them.
Id say Lambert might well be getting of Matt Lowton this summer.
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Apparently Lowton and Lambert have had "clear the air" talks, and lowton is happy about them:
http://www.clubcall.com/aston-villa/villa-defender-keen-to-stay-after-boss-talks-1715948.html?
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clubcall? I'm not clicking that link, they will charge me 50p a minute to tell me absolutely nothing. I fell for that scam in the 90s.
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clubcall? I'm not clicking that link, they will charge me 50p a minute to tell me absolutely nothing. I fell for that scam in the 90s.
0898 12 11 48 ( I think was the number, although that may have been erm, something else).
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Get rid of everyone who played the first 20 mins of the Norwich game and keep everyone who played the next 20.
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Get rid of everyone who played the first 20 mins of the Norwich game and keep everyone who played the next 20.
I like it. It shows you are thinking (out of your box). Extrapolate, exterminate, regenerate.
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I see it as 3 categories, which are the players that we should be building a side or squad around, those that have shown promise/potential and finally those that probably aren't up to it:-
Build Around
Guzan, Vlaar, Bertrand, Delph, Benteke, Gabby, Kozak
Promise/Potential
Steer, Okore, Clark, Baker, Lowton, Bacuna, Westwood, Weimann, Helenius, Albrighton
Not good enough
Bennett, Luna, Sylla, Kea, Tonev
That obviously excludes the bomb squad and Holt.
I want to see quality over quantity this summer, so that may mean keeping some of category 3, so as to avoid needing large numbers coming in for the third summer in a row. The idea being that take the 7 in category 1 and make it 10 or 11 by the end of the 14/15 season.
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I see it as 3 categories, which are the players that we should be building a side or squad around, those that have shown promise/potential and finally those that probably aren't up to it:-
Build Around
Guzan, Vlaar, Bertrand, Delph, Benteke, Gabby, Kozak
Promise/Potential
Steer, Okore, Clark, Baker, Lowton, Bacuna, Westwood, Weimann, Helenius, Albrighton
Not good enough
Bennett, Luna, Sylla, Kea, Tonev
That obviously excludes the bomb squad and Holt.
I want to see quality over quantity this summer, so that may mean keeping some of category 3, so as to avoid needing large numbers coming in for the third summer in a row. The idea being that take the 7 in category 1 and make it 10 or 11 by the end of the 14/15 season.
I'd largely agree with this, especially about getting quality over quantity. Bertrand is certainly the best left back we've played this season, but then I am not sure yet if he's as good as a lot of people think.
Not convinced yet by Helenius but we haven't seen enough, similarly Steer (just 3 cup matches) and Okore.
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I see it as 3 categories, which are the players that we should be building a side or squad around, those that have shown promise/potential and finally those that probably aren't up to it:-
Build Around
Guzan, Vlaar, Bertrand, Delph, Benteke, Gabby, Kozak
Promise/Potential
Steer, Okore, Clark, Baker, Lowton, Bacuna, Westwood, Weimann, Helenius, Albrighton
Not good enough
Bennett, Luna, Sylla, Kea, Tonev
That obviously excludes the bomb squad and Holt.
I want to see quality over quantity this summer, so that may mean keeping some of category 3, so as to avoid needing large numbers coming in for the third summer in a row. The idea being that take the 7 in category 1 and make it 10 or 11 by the end of the 14/15 season.
Good shout, I agree we should be looking to improve the team.
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How many games has Clark played for the first team? Can we continue to say that he has promise if he has played so many games? He needs to push and and become a proper player, quickly. Ditto Wiemann.
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How many games has Clark played for the first team? Can we continue to say that he has promise if he has played so many games? He needs to push and and become a proper player, quickly. Ditto Wiemann.
Definitely for Clark. He's looked good in a number of the those games he's played so should not be jettisoned yet. Besides centre backs usually improve with age.
Furthermore I'd value him between £4-6m. At that price a player is always likely to have a flaw in his game or be considered potential. Therefore we'd have to pay a fair chunk more to improve the team and I think that money should be prioritised elsewhere.
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I see it as 3 categories, which are the players that we should be building a side or squad around, those that have shown promise/potential and finally those that probably aren't up to it:-
Build Around
Guzan, Vlaar, Bertrand, Delph, Benteke, Gabby, Kozak
Promise/Potential
Steer, Okore, Clark, Baker, Lowton, Bacuna, Westwood, Weimann, Helenius, Albrighton
Not good enough
Bennett, Luna, Sylla, Kea, Tonev
That obviously excludes the bomb squad and Holt.
I want to see quality over quantity this summer, so that may mean keeping some of category 3, so as to avoid needing large numbers coming in for the third summer in a row. The idea being that take the 7 in category 1 and make it 10 or 11 by the end of the 14/15 season.
Agree. I think many of those listed in category 2 would be OK as squad players, but as the last couple of seasons have shown, cthey can't be relied on to perform week in week out. I read a story in a paper today saying that we are looking to make the Bertrand deal permanent in the summer, which would be a good start. Add a similar level right-back, an attacking midfielder and a creative wide player who could also tuck inside and we would be in decent shape. Oh, yeah and re-signing Gareth Barry!!