Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: kippaxvilla2 on September 01, 2014, 11:06:22 PM
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Positives.
Sorted the defence out by the looks of it. For the money spent, satisfactory replacements. Poor backups in case of injuries.
Sanchez coming in will assist as well in this area.
Cleverley not coming in on 80k a week and taking the piss.
Negatives.
Less than 1% of the total spend in the window was spent by Villa.
I remain to be convinced that £7m is anything like enough to get us competitive in this league again meaning in my view the gap between us and the rest will just grow.
Woefully short of creative options in midfield and already Joe Cole is looking like bad business.
Welcome to the new owner.
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I think we got good value for the tiny amount of money spent. Aly, Senderos look ace and Sanchez I have faith in. Cole is Cole, any playtime he gets is just upside.
The good news is Lerner freed up some money so presumably we can strengthen in January which I think will be needed.
I am also happy we were not mugged by Cleverley. He split the fan base to begin with, and he made it clear he wants a pay day rather than trying to restart his career. He can bugger off.
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Just glad that the defence seems to be sorted out, fingers crossed.
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The only money wasted is Joe Cole. That's a stupid signing.
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We've sorted the defensive side of the team but done nothing to improve the attacking midfielder problem.
It seems it was Cleverley or nobody just like in January when it was Hoolihan or no one. It's amateurish.
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3/10
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3/10
This.
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Vlaar stayed so I'm happy.
Anyone who expected a Chairman who wants to leave to spend tens of millions is a mentallist.
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We had three objectives I reckon:
Sort defence - done a good job. Baker's still currently first choice reserve though
Keep hold of best players - check
Improve creativity and attacking players - pretty poor
Grade C
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Could have done with a striker (on loan at least) and some wingers. I also think the goalkeeping situation needed to be looked at. Guzan and Given are average at best and if one of both gets injured, we're in trouble.
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I'm very pleased to be honest. We kept hold of our key players, strengthened in all the areas we needed to, and got some experienced players on frees. Seems typical that people are already writing off a player who has only played 62 minutes for the club.
7/10, far better than I'd expected.
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disappointing that we couldn't get someone in today to cap things off. Overall, as usual the window and especially is a load hyped up bollocks. We addressed some needs and our defence which wasn't all that bad before the Stoke collapse. It will be far better this time around. We showed some signs of creativity at the weekend but we still needed a proven option for the middle. Not overly fussed about missing out on Cleverely; would have been a nice addition for the right price and wage. Still there were positives and yet a load of question marks.
6/10
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Think we will find the money we didn't spend tonight will go on Delph and vlaar contracts.
#sensible soccer
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Sanchez and Cissokho were more than I expected but, as it turned out, there was money for more, so I am a bit disappointed. Was Lambert told too late that he had money to spend or was it always there.
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Guzan average? Harsh
Concerned about the numbers in midfield but I guess you could say we've swapped:
Sanchez for sylla (improvement)
Richardson for KEA (improvement)
N'zogbia for albrighton (ditto, probably)
Grealish for Tonev (ditto)
Cole for no similar option (costly minor improvement)
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It looks like some but slow progression.
We have Benteke, Okore Kozak to come back, we have Grealish as a potential creative player.
We are stronger at the back and in midfield.
We are getting rid of a lot of the dross.
Because I did not think we would be making exciting purchases I am not disappointed.
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We didn't sign Cleverley . So 10/10.
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Hutton's like a new signing - but on his "big" wages - 8 out of 10
Senderos has been 9 out of 10 so far
Cissokho has been 8 out of 10 so far
Cole's been shite/absent - 2/10
Sanchez - 6 out of 10 so far
That's better than 3!
But I'm shit at sums!
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We're a stronger unit today than we were at the end of last season, on & off the pitch, so I'm pleased.
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I am thinking that Lambert does not know what creativity is. Defensively better, more physicality at the back. However, we are in for a season of counter attacking, low possession football. We will be very short in midfield come suspensions and injuries. The bomb squad were available last year, but Lambert chose not to use them, so he cannot take any credit for them strengthening us as they might have been better utilised since the beginning of his tenure. We are woefully short of anything resembling a goal scoring player other than big Christian.
5/10 for sorting the defence, but forgetting that we also have to score goals to win games. Great start to the season but unsustainable with this squad.
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Things are better.
We've brought back the Bomb Squad and they've improved us. We got Cissokho in, he's good. Senderos is starting well. Sanchez will be good for us, I reckon. Cole may play for us one day, I guess.
Kept hold of Vlaar, Delph and Benteke.. fantastic all round there.
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Oh, Vlaar and Delph signing new contracts, whilst fantastic news, does not strengthen the squad.
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We still never managed to move on the dead wood; Bent, N'Zogbia, and Given. That's 150k a week /waste of space.We let Albrighton go when we more than likely could have got a few million for him. Very sloppy.
Happy with the few we've bought in so far but fear they may turn out to be the duds we first thought they were.
Agree with Paulie - 3/10.
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No, it doesn't. But it's part of the business we did in the summer, and uses some of our budget.
So it counts
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Yesterday's deadwood is today's fine mahogany. Bent Hutton Zog given.
#2ndchance
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Oh, Vlaar and Delph signing new contracts, whilst fantastic news, does not strengthen the squad.
And it's not even fantastic news, as it hasn't happened.
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No, it doesn't. But it's part of the business we did in the summer, and uses some of our budget.
So it counts
What does?
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No, it doesn't. But it's part of the business we did in the summer, and uses some of our budget.
So it counts
What does?
Was in reply to whomever said keeping hold of Vlaar and Delph doesn't make us stronger.
I don't see it as making us stronger, but keeping some of the strength we had.
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disappointing that we couldn't get someone in today to cap things off. Overall, as usual the window and especially is a load hyped up bollocks. We addressed some needs and our defence which wasn't all that bad before the Stoke collapse. It will be far better this time around. We showed some signs of creativity at the weekend but we still needed a proven option for the middle. Not overly fussed about missing out on Cleverely; would have been a nice addition for the right price and wage. Still there were positives and yet a load of question marks.
6/10
Agree with that summation. After yesterday, it felt like we were building a little bit of momentum and a decent signing today would have added to that. We put two bids in, but got a custard pie from both players, so wasn't to be I guess. We've got Benteke to come back, who will make a big diference if he recaptures his previous form, and hopefully the likes of Cole and N'Zogbia can produce some form. My one concern is that the squad looks light again, especially in central midfield. It looks like the injury to Vlaar means Baker will be back in, which is the last thing we need with the run of games we have coming up.
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No, it doesn't. But it's part of the business we did in the summer, and uses some of our budget.
So it counts
What does?
Was in reply to whomever said keeping hold of Vlaar and Delph doesn't make us stronger.
I don't see it as making us stronger, but keeping some of the strength we had.
But not selling them is not using up any of our summer budget.
Getting them to sign new contracts, maybe, but they haven't actually done that.
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Yesterday's deadwood is today's fine mahogany. Bent Hutton Zog given.
#2ndchance
I'll give you Hutton but if the other three weren't here nobody would notice except Randy's bank manager.
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No, it doesn't. But it's part of the business we did in the summer, and uses some of our budget.
So it counts
What does?
Was in reply to whomever said keeping hold of Vlaar and Delph doesn't make us stronger.
I don't see it as making us stronger, but keeping some of the strength we had.
But not selling them is not using up any of our summer budget.
Getting them to sign new contracts, maybe, but they haven't actually done that.
That part is more hopeful of new deals.
Keeping them is good business, is my general point.
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Cissokho and Senderos look a lot better than the players they replaced. Sanchez offers physical presence but is going to take time to get used to the game. Richardson is a better addition to the squad than Kea. Joe Cole is a leech. With the exception of Cole the other additions seem solid enough.
However I expect us to be utterly humiliated in the next four games and be brought back to reality pretty quickly. One injury to Vlaar and suddenly Baker is next in line shows how weak the squad is.
Very disappointing how we didn't add any attacking options over the summer. Plenty of better players available on loan that what we have available.
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So predictably, Lerner had got away with spending nothing and we've marginally strengthened thanks to the freebies - defence being the major beneficiary - which really couldn't possibly be ignored.
A great window for Lerner but a poor one overall for the supporters of Aston Villa.
We should be ok so long as we don't get any injuries or suspensions - that's what it boils down to.
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Cissokho and Senderos look a lot better than the players they replaced. Sanchez offers physical presence but is going to take time to get used to the game. Richardson is a better addition to the squad than Kea. Joe Cole is a leech. With the exception of Cole the other additions seem solid enough.
However I expect us to be utterly humiliated in the next four games and be brought back to reality pretty quickly. One injury to Vlaar and suddenly Baker is next in line shows how weak the squad is. Very disappointing how we didn't add any attacking options over the summer. Plenty of better players available on loan that what we have available.
To think he could be in the back line for the upcoming run of games is the stuff of nightmares. I can just picture him now head in hands after giving away an own goal / penalty / goalscoring chance. To be fair, Okore should be next in line, but I'm not sure what the situation with him is at the moment.
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Underwhelming signings that won't shift many tickets but as a unit we look much stronger.
Just need Benteke back.
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Very disappointed not to get someone in today. Think we did well defensively but still feel underwhelmed.
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5/10. Better defence and midfield. Somewhat underwhelming window yet again. Zero ambition from the club yet again. Lerner has zero imagination in the market; no wonder ST sales are low and crowds have dropped to 28k....
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Ok, we're better off in experience and not numbers. We're missing that link from midfield to attack we desperately needed. That might not be so apparent when Benteke is fit and raring to go. When that will be I don't know. Jack might come in and be that link, again, who knows. I would have liked at least one more tonight.
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If we go on to have a reasonable season after spending 7 mill in the window
Will that not show clubs owners that it can be done and bottom half type clubs don't have to spend millions on Mcarther, Long, and a host of other average players for mega millions +wages
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No, I thought not
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5/10
We are stronger than last season since a few of lamberts crap signings have gone and he brought back the perm experience we already had.
I think we have enough quality to survive this season but if we had just got two signings in especially a creative one we could have pushed up to half way.
Joe Cole was a stupid signing .
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It does prove that the story that broke mid summer about a transfer budget including wages if 10m wasn't fhat far off the mark.
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If we go on to have a reasonable season after spending 7 mill in the window
Will that not show clubs owners that it can be done and bottom half type clubs don't have to spend millions on Mcarther, Long, and a host of other average players for mega millions +wages
I think that if we do have an improved season it'll be more to do with the signings plugging gaps in our side making it a better all round unit, therefore allowing our better players to do a bit more to win us games.
I think I'd give the window 6/10. On the main solid signings given our budget constraints, but nothing 'sexy' that you can't wait to see in a Villa shirt.
I think Joe Cole will be one of those signings that in a few years most people will have actually forgot ever played for us.
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3/10. Swat team have nothing to do with this window.
Sum up my feelings after the SSN spunkfest in 2 words you say?
Naive. Unambitious.
P.S. i want hutton to revert to his old self and two foot TC23 (That C**t x 23) in the face. May have to play Hutton in a reserve game just to achieve this. I'm glad he's been slaughtered and made a scapegoat now. Glad he didn't come though.
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It funny that if you'd have said that this would be the squad after spending a transfer budget of 7m you'd say it's been a pretty good window.
But the fact that the total spend was only 7m though makes it a predictably poor one overall.
I think Lamberts done about as well as could be expected given the budgetary constraints. Lerner must be delighted.
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Lambert is not a spender as such. I honestly think you could give him £20m and he'd spend about £7m . In that way I respect him and I can start to see why he got the job.
Rumour was a year or 2 back when Bent rocked up at BH in his new gleaming Ferrari he wasn't flavour of the month. He's a good old fashioned jock .
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Lambert is not a spender as such. I honestly think you could give him £20m and he'd spend about £7m . In that way I respect him and I can start to see why he got the job.
Rumour was a year or 2 back when Bent rocked up at BH in his new gleaming Ferrari he wasn't flavour of the month. He's a good old fashioned jock .
Of course he's a spender. He just hasn't been given the budget that all.
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It does prove that the story that broke mid summer about a transfer budget including wages if 10m wasn't fhat far off the mark.
So you don't believe we tried to spend another £8m plus wages on TC23 then?
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Overall we're stronger as the window closes than we were when it opened which should be the objective every summer one would hope.
However, deadline hysteria aside, even given financial constraint, it's hard to shake the sense that we've fallen short.
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There's way too much stock placed on the last day in judging the overall success or failure of a window. For me the question is always did we address our needs? For the most part I think we did. Like everyone the most glaring omission remains the attacking or creative midfielder which continues to allude us.
The hope now is that along with players returning, and importantly a much stronger defence will always keeps us in games until our proven superstar CF returns to make and score goals.
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Shame we left it so late with Cleverley but glad we didn't flinch, we should have had someone else lined up but we can't do much about it now.
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We started too late in the window to try and get Canales. That was an error however I am pleased with what we have done.
7/10.
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The starting 11 is stronger than the team that managed to accumulate 38 points last season, after that we are still woefully weak, 2 weeks into the season we have the worrying sight of Vlarr limping down the tunnel, Okore not sure where we are with him, but again made of glass appears his constitution. Benteke and Kojak, not sure what state they will come back in and how long it will take to hit the ground running.
Senderos and Hutton bonus, but what back up.
Richardson again upgrade on what we had last year.
Bent and Cole waste of a squad number.
Every Villa fan needs to cross everything they have, because if we get a run of injuries, something we seem to have gotten every season for god know how long, then again so do most clubs, we could be struggling big time.
Overall poor window, especially starting from the position we did.
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yes no matter how you try and colour this, it's very poor, a predictable re run of Hooligan-gate in January with no alternative strategies. Hull and a few others and did some great business imo, we did the absolute bare minimum.
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Ben Arfa to Hull? And on-loan. Surely, he would've been a great addition? Hurry up and sell-up Lerner.
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Well if we were worried about denying jack grealish a chance, we're clearly going to see a fair bit of him
Let's hope we don't repeat our luck with injuries over the last three years
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Thank McGrath that is over. For the time being, anyway.
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@TheBig_Sam: Karren Brady keeps sending me video of fella waving dildo at Sky reporter. "I've ground that model to a dusty nub," she claims. Terrifying.
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Injuries and the ability of players to avoid or recover from them will be the biggest determinant of our season; certainly to January at least.
I'm glad we didn't pay crazy money for mediocrity: it gives us a better platform to spend wisely in the future.
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My verdict - when 913,138 people in the UK had to use food banks last year, for over £800 million to be spent on footballers, it shows how fucking ludicrous this game has become. It's not easy to fall out of love with what's been a lifelong passion, but Jesus, modern football is making it a whole lot pissing easier. It's all bollocks.
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A very wise man I worked for as a lad and the founder of a major international property company, once said to me when I commiserated with him over an unsuccessful tender, "it's the deals you don't do that make you a success or a failure more than the ones you do do". Not caving in to Cleverley was a big tick. He had Stephen Ireland written all over him.
For a club with an uncertain future, for which the owner must take all the blame, those left to look after the club did a decent job in my opinion. Their only mistake was Cole but I can live with that.
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Was never convinced Cleverley is what we need so think that's an expensive mistake avoided. I was only thinking at half time Sunday that our substitutes are an improvement on last year. Leading up to yesterday I was more concerned about players leaving at the death, none did so reasonably happy. As many have said we could do with a major injury free season. The injuries table is one we have been very high in for the last few years which certainly hasn't helped.
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Pretty reasonable.
The squad has more depth to it that we can rely upon and they have sorted the defence out, which was a major failing for two seasons.
We have finally bought that destroyer in midfield and he has shown in flashes that he can move the ball on too. It will be good to see Sanchez bedded in and up to speed.
The emergence of Grealish is also a bonus that takes some of the heat off our lack of creative options. It will be nice to see him get more game time and progress. N'Zogbia still looks like he is getting up to speed too.
We are short two midfielders and that elusive attacking option both wide and centrally. I am glad we haven't caved on Cleverley for the money discussed, but it's still a bit disappointing not to have picked somebody up.
We are ahy up front too, but that is a temporary problem. All in all, not bad and better than expected.
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ads did you relieve yourself at the stroke of 11?
Considering we have a owner with no clue, who doesn't want to be here, I think we had a fantastic summer.
You have to give Lambert credit for that. Good business.
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My verdict - when 913,138 people in the UK had to use food banks last year, for over £800 million to be spent on footballers, it shows how fucking ludicrous this game has become. It's not easy to fall out of love with what's been a lifelong passion, but Jesus, modern football is making it a whole lot pissing easier. It's all bollocks.
Totally agree, people (including me) are foaming at the mouth and ready to riot about bankers bonus payments but these absurd payments to footballers seems is treated like a great celebration with people out there chanting their names before they've even kicked a ball, or feeling disappointed if their club hasn't entered into it. Something's gone very wrong.
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I think our signings have all been good value for money, but I'm disappointed we didn't spend some more money to bring in some quality attacking players. In Premier League terms we have not really spent anywhere near a sufficient amount. It also means we're very reliant on Grealish to be a creative spark, and better hope there are no injuries in centre mid. It is now critical we give new deals to Delph and Vlaar.
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I'd have liked to have seen another couple in, but overall i think we've done ok.
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Read the United supporters and they are devastated he is still there and puzzled as to why Villa would want him. Eight million for a player in his last year of contract who can't get in to your first team was taking the piss and us prepared to pay it was stupid. Wouldn't mind a couple that Hull got.
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I think we narrowly avoided a major catastrophe by not getting TC23.......phew an expensive one too but perhaps not as much as Falcao might yet turn out to be for them (fingers crossed)
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Brilliant window, when you sit back and remember where we are as a club, we've done such good business.
With a mix of new signings, bringing people back and people getting fit, we've added 8 players to the squad. And most of them have improved the squad and we still have Benteke and Kozak to come back.
Also Grealish looks like he will step up to the mark this year, so we've a lot more to be optimistic about this season.
Hutton
N'Zogbia
Cissoko
Senderos
Given
Bent
Cole
Sanchez
Well Done Lambert.
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I don't want to piss on your chips in any way but the problem with that list is that some of the bomb squad are gash and Cole is made of glass and will spend more time off the pitch than on. My problem with the window is that we simply never seem to have an alternative to plan A and in this case, in strategically plan A also happened to be a narcissistic avaricious semi-talented prick of Bendtner like proportions. TC23 would have been a total waste of money but I'm disappointed no one else came in. One or two of Hull's buys would have done us nicely.
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We kept Vlaar and Delph for at least till January, that's the best part of it. Plugging some gaps at the back in Senderos and Cissokho is good news too. Sanchez in with KEA going out improves us. All in all in our current plight I'm pleased with our business.
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Pretty good for saying we're up for sale. Finally bought in some experience in defence and holding midfield, plus Richardson is experienced and versatile. Could have done with a creative player, but if Cole can have an Indian summer it could be him (not likely though). Bought back 2 from nowhere who can help add more experience, 2 back from injury and 2 more to come all of some quality. Plus one exciting attacking youth player. In theory miles better than what finished the season but can Lambert finally cut the mustard?
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One thing that is clear is that it's pretty important that we get a new owner in soon, because we can't continue to spend at this level long term and hope to remain in the league. I think we've done reasonably well given how much we've spent, but that can't continue.
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Brilliant window, when you sit back and remember where we are as a club, we've done such good business.
With a mix of new signings, bringing people back and people getting fit, we've added 8 players to the squad. And most of them have improved the squad and we still have Benteke and Kozak to come back.
Also Grealish looks like he will step up to the mark this year, so we've a lot more to be optimistic about this season.
Hutton
N'Zogbia
Cissoko
Senderos
Given
Bent
Cole
Sanchez
Well Done Lambert.
Agree with this. Interesting how Richardson always slips through the mentions list, probably because that's the kind of player he is - a steady Eddy who you don't notice because he keeps things ticking over in midfield. I'm pleased with him. Intelligent footballer who gets on with it.
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Defensively we've done well, and a big part of that is bringing Hutton back. If we can keep that back 4 fit for the majority of the season we'll have a much defensive record than last season.
Sanchez will also contribute towards this, and I'm hopeful that we'll see a vast improvement in Westwood's game with a dedicated holding player behind him. He certainly seems to have been given a licence to play further up the pitch in the first few games.
However, I really am annoyed about the lack of creativity brought in. Granted, it's only really the Orient game but Cole looks a really poor signing, in an area that we crucially needed to address. We've had all summer to sort this out, and have seen players like Moses, Assaidi, Ben Arfa, Ramires and Zarate go elsewhere. Granted the likes of Holtby were understandably out of our reach, but I would probably have rather kept hold of Tonev and/or Albrighton then bring Joe Cole into the squad. I'm surprised that nobody at the club seemed to think that signing a flare-player might have had an impact on ticket-sales either - or at least didn't act on it if they did.
Obviously the success of the window will ultimately be based on how many points we accumulate pre-January, but as it stands I'd say 4/10, 5 if we're crediting the re-birth of Hutton to Lambert rather than necessity.
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Oldtime
'the best bit of transfer deadline day is the wit and humour exhibited on this website'
Without it we would not be the Villa! Sometimes you need a lot of it to fend off the reality..cor nearly said the Bl*es..
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If Gary Gardner gets some decent game time at Brighton and starts to meet the potential we believe he may have, what's the odds on him being recalled from his loan spell to play for us.
Hopefully the agreement means we can recall him.
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No plan B. I think that's a bit simplistic.
What do you do if you are trying to buy an 8 million pound player and it falls through on deadline day? Ring up another at 10pm?
Perhaps you should do your shopping earlier, but the whole transfer setup has made it a bit of a game.
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I would say 5. More experience, solid and organised. Richardson, cissokho and Senderos look like good footballers. Sanchez is a good signing by the look of him.
Cole might give us some Berger bench moments.
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I'd give it 6 out of 10. The squad looks stronger and more balanced than last year and we still have three key players to come back in Okore, Kozak and the Beast. Once they are back and with us not selling any key players I think we will have a fairly decent squad.
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I'd probably go for 6.5 out of 10. The only area that we haven't strengthened that we really needed to is attacking midfield (Cole and Grealish is a start but one is too old and the other too young) and up front (although this is mitigated by players coming back from injury soon). Would've been nice to have brought in another CM for cover, but I suppose we can always recall Gardner.
Overall - fairly uninspiring but considering the owner wants out and hasn't spent any significant amount of money, I'd say we've done ok.
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I'll go for 6 but suspect that I'll want to reduce that by December when the lack of midfield creativity will be more evident.
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No plan B. I think that's a bit simplistic.
What do you do if you are trying to buy an 8 million pound player and it falls through on deadline day? Ring up another at 10pm?
Perhaps you should do your shopping earlier, but the whole transfer setup has made it a bit of a game.
I thought this Canales guy was plan B?
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I think the squad is stronger than last year, principally because we've abandonned our previous strategy and realised that experience is important to a team. Therefore hopefully we'll be in a much better position this year. However the lack of money spent addressing the creative side of our team is still a big worry and we need a new owner in soon.
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Cole might give us some Berger bench moments.
I'd love to think so, but I can't see it. Against Orient he looked completely shot after 15 minutes. He's never had explosive pace but he looks like he's even lost the bit of acceleration that he had to get away from players in tight spaces. If anything, when everyone's fit, I think he's going to struggle to even get onto the bench.
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Ask me again, once we are safe from relegation. By March - brilliant summer window. By April - clever summer window. In May - we'll take any new owner at all, even that lunatic currently at Leeds.
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Brilliant window, when you sit back and remember where we are as a club, we've done such good business.
With a mix of new signings, bringing people back and people getting fit, we've added 8 players to the squad. And most of them have improved the squad and we still have Benteke and Kozak to come back.
Also Grealish looks like he will step up to the mark this year, so we've a lot more to be optimistic about this season.
Hutton
N'Zogbia
Cissoko
Senderos
Given
Bent
Cole
Sanchez
Well Done Lambert.
Agree with this. Interesting how Richardson always slips through the mentions list, probably because that's the kind of player he is - a steady Eddy who you don't notice because he keeps things ticking over in midfield. I'm pleased with him. Intelligent footballer who gets on with it.
I'm really pleased with the business we've do
Defensively we've done well, and a big part of that is bringing Hutton back. If we can keep that back 4 fit for the majority of the season we'll have a much defensive record than last season.
Defensively we've done well, and a big part of that is bringing Hutton back. If we can keep that back 4 fit for the majority of the season we'll have a much defensive record than last season.
Sanchez will also contribute towards this, and I'm hopeful that we'll see a vast improvement in Westwood's game with a dedicated holding player behind him. He certainly seems to have been given a licence to play further up the pitch in the first few games.
However, I really am annoyed about the lack of creativity brought in. Granted, it's only really the Orient game but Cole looks a really poor signing, in an area that we crucially needed to address. We've had all summer to sort this out, and have seen players like Moses, Assaidi, Ben Arfa, Ramires and Zarate go elsewhere. Granted the likes of Holtby were understandably out of our reach, but I would probably have rather kept hold of Tonev and/or Albrighton then bring Joe Cole into the squad. I'm surprised that nobody at the club seemed to think that signing a flare-player might have had an impact on ticket-sales either - or at least didn't act on it if they did.
Obviously the success of the window will ultimately be based on how many points we accumulate pre-January, but as it stands I'd say 4/10, 5 if we're crediting the re-birth of Hutton to Lambert rather than necessity.
Sanchez will also contribute towards this, and I'm hopeful that we'll see a vast improvement in Westwood's game with a dedicated holding player behind him. He certainly seems to have been given a licence to play further up the pitch in the first few games.
However, I really am annoyed about the lack of creativity brought in. Granted, it's only really the Orient game but Cole looks a really poor signing, in an area that we crucially needed to address. We've had all summer to sort this out, and have seen players like Moses, Assaidi, Ben Arfa, Ramires and Zarate go elsewhere. Granted the likes of Holtby were understandably out of our reach, but I would probably have rather kept hold of Tonev and/or Albrighton then bring Joe Cole into the squad. I'm surprised that nobody at the club seemed to think that signing a flare-player might have had an impact on ticket-sales either - or at least didn't act on it if they did.
Obviously the success of the window will ultimately be based on how many points we accumulate pre-January, but as it stands I'd say 4/10, 5 if we're crediting the re-birth of Hutton to Lambert rather than necessity.
That's the Albrighton and Tonev that are yet to make an impact at Leicester and Celtic. If nothing else, from reading the recent players interviews Cole will have a positive affect in the dressing room. And will be a great mentor for Grealish.
I'm delighted we didn't panic last minute and sign a Ben Arfa. Further creativity is required in midfield but hopefully we'll have enough to get us through until Janaury. I'd also like to see Clark cover in midfield.
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but I would probably have rather kept hold of Tonev and/or Albrighton then bring Joe Cole into the squad. I'm surprised that nobody at the club seemed to think that signing a flare-player might have had an impact on ticket-sales either - or at least didn't act on it if they did.
Wasn't his biggest fan and obviously don't know about his wage demands or what he was offered elsewhere, but seeing as we only now have N'Zogbia as a wide option it might have been worth keeping him.
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12 players have gone out this window, either through being bought, loans or ran out their contract, we have bought in 5, I refuse to count the bomb squad as new players, AVFC were paying their cheques each month, so they are existing players, if the manager, owner did not want to use them fine, but they were AVFC assets (all be it depreciating assets) and at anytime they could have been brought back in and used, the fact we did not, yet can see now what a better player Hutton is than what we had in that position tells it's own story. Being stubborn is fine as long as you are getting results to back it up.
We cannot expect improvement if investment is not forthcoming and the Cleverly deal, I think bullet missed, but does have the slight smell of one of Uncle Dougs.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
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6/10
All the sounds from the club are we will be very defensive this year so the purchases have been with that in mind.
However some time soon we are going to have to sit at the bigger boys table and start targeting and buying better players because another summer of us spending £6m and the rest of the league going bonkers will catch up with us.
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Tweets from James Pearce...
James Pearce @Pearcesport · 11m
Cleverley maybe going to Villa after all. Villa came back VERY late when Everton collapsed. Season loan if Premier League accept paperwork
James Pearce @Pearcesport · 6m
Cleverley was still at Carrington at 2am trying to get the deal across line. Timings very tight though. Ball now in Premier League court
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If the Cleverly deal comes through on loan well done to the Villa for playing hardball and not bowing to his demands.
On loan for a season, no silly transfer fee, can't be bad can it?
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I can't help feeling we'd be better off telling him to do one if we really were unhappy with the way he handled it.
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John Percy reckons it'll be a loan until January. Hmmmm. Not sure how I feel about this.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
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John Percy reckons it'll be a loan until January. Hmmmm. Not sure how I feel about this.
I feel significantly better about it being a loan rather than us spunking £8m on him.
Especially now it looks like he may be a bit of a knob end.
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Overall I think we've done enough to fulfill Mr Lerner's aim - to stay in the Premier League while he looks for a new owner. We've also got the return of Benteke and the continued progress of Jack Grealish to look forward to so hopefully we won't be completely without a bit of entertainment while we hang around in limboland.
6/10
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Would have loved for us to get Canales. I was living in Spain at the time he burst onto the scene with Racing Santender over the winter of 2009/10 and as is their wont, Real Madrid swooped on a young kid as soon as he turns heads with a smaller club, stockpile him before loaning him out to get games and eventually selling him a couple of years later. See Chelsea for English equivalent.
I think Lambert may have taken a glance across to Stoke this summer and seen Hughes signing Bojan and thought a similar potentially bargain move for a still-young but slightly faded tricky attacker was worth going for. The type of thing that makes me have some faith in him and glad that he didn't pick-up all his teacher, MON's, bad habits (i.e. avoiding those type of players and those playing outside of the UK like the plague)
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My verdict - when 913,138 people in the UK had to use food banks last year, for over £800 million to be spent on footballers, it shows how fucking ludicrous this game has become. It's not easy to fall out of love with what's been a lifelong passion, but Jesus, modern football is making it a whole lot pissing easier. It's all bollocks.
Well said. The gap between haves and have nots is getting greater and footballers are an extreme and very bad example of money going in one direction only.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Well, in the absence of any really bad news, I'm assuming it's short-term.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
I specified newly-available players. Kozak and CB were not available at the start or the end of the window.
October 4th for Benteke isn't it?
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
They missed large chunks of last season as well though and will hopefully be available for more of this season than last.
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5/10
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Brilliant window, when you sit back and remember where we are as a club, we've done such good business.
With a mix of new signings, bringing people back and people getting fit, we've added 8 players to the squad. And most of them have improved the squad and we still have Benteke and Kozak to come back.
Also Grealish looks like he will step up to the mark this year, so we've a lot more to be optimistic about this season.
Hutton
N'Zogbia
Cissoko
Senderos
Given
Bent
Cole
Sanchez
Well Done Lambert.
if Gardner does well at Brighton, he might also be in the midfield mix for the second half of the season. I haven't seen grealish yet, but by all accounts he could well be the creative spark we knew we needed but were unable to sign. Let's hope he grabs his chance and makes the best of it.
As for the other incoming and outgoing players- only really would have kept hold of albrighton and not really unhappy with how any of the new boys seem to be doing. Cole will get his chance to prove if he's still got the skills and desire from time to time this season.
Okore Benteke and Kozak coming back will be like having 3 new signings- all three well rated with Benteke the obvious stand out.
Add to this the players already in the side seem to be a significant improvement over last season interms of early results and when you factor in our up for sale circumstances (we would never be splashing big money this window) then I am fairly pleased with how it seems to have panned out.
Let's also not forget the likes of Hutton and given returning to the fold and perhaps potentially the most significant addition off the field in keane who let's face it was always a gamble- would've been hugely more so if he'd been brought in to replace lambert- and I think we've done better than ok considering the money spent.
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Ignoring the return of the bomb squad and injuries.
Senderos and Cissokho were good signings and are clearly much better than the men they replaced.
Richardson is a solid pro at this level and his link-up play might be a key ingredient in our improving style of football this season.
Sanchez is a bit of a punt, but provided he can adapt to the pace of English football, he has all the attributes to do just fine.
Cole was clearly a total spin of the wheel. High risk, high payoff. I'd hope we have appearance clauses in his contract to mitigate that.
Given the funds available, I'd say this is Lambert's best transfer window so far in terms of bang for buck, and most importantly, he's addressed the key areas of weakness.
8/10 for Lambert.
5/10 for what Aston Villa Football Club should be aiming for.
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If the Cleverly deal comes through on loan well done to the Villa for playing hardball and not bowing to his demands.
On loan for a season, no silly transfer fee, can't be bad can it?
how arsed will he be though if he knows it's just a season on loan?
If he didn't really want to come here in the first place, I mean.
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SSN last night had us down for 7 players in. I can only think of Senderos, Cissokho, Richardson, Cole and Sanchez. So who are the other two?
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SSN last night had us down for 7 players in. I can only think of Senderos, Cissokho, Richardson, Cole and Sanchez. So who are the other two?
Couple of Southampton youngsters.
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SSN last night had us down for 7 players in. I can only think of Senderos, Cissokho, Richardson, Cole and Sanchez. So who are the other two?
The two youth players from Southampton probably.
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If the Cleverly deal comes through on loan well done to the Villa for playing hardball and not bowing to his demands.
On loan for a season, no silly transfer fee, can't be bad can it?
how arsed will he be though if he knows it's just a season on loan?
Hopefully Mr Keane will know how to motivate him.
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I can't help feeling we'd be better off telling him to do one if we really were unhappy with the way he handled it.
I agree, he's a knobber, let him sit on the bench at ManUre and see his contract out. As a young guy who was in the England set up with Gerrard and Lampard eventually out of the way it's a great opportunity for young midfielders, but not for money chasers like not so Cleverley.
Offered Fabian a great chance though.
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Overall I think its been wise to deal with the inflated wagebill.
To be honest...accomplishing that while still staying up has been Lamberts only success.
In every window though there has been mistakes that could have been avoided with scouting and better internal communication,
Last year the ones that stand out is Luna and Tonev, and Helenious to a lesser extent though he really never got much of a chance.
This year I think its Cole. He is over the hill, unmotivated and even unfit. The team needed experience and but in as way that is offered by Richardson. He is limited but he still has that desire to win and is prepared to work hard to make it happen. Cole just doesn't and have not for years.
Overall its not bad (6/10) though we could have made another gamble and signed Guidetti who was there for the taking. Cheap but with a huge potential.
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Guidetti looked like Ben Arfa's fat cousin last season at Stoke though.
Cole I am not going to write off. He is reletively cheap (25k a week?) and I still think in home games might have the key to the door if it is tight. If he creates 3-4 winners this season, I reckon that would have been worth the gamble alone. He may not do it, but it was a gamble worth taking.
Getting Cleverley on loan probably nudges it to a 6 for me.
I have been genuinely surprised by how decent a footballer Richardson is, and how hard he works and how much he wants to get beyond the front men from central midfield.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
They missed large chunks of last season as well though and will hopefully be available for more of this season than last.
They're both going to be out for a while yet, so they're already missing a decent chunk of this season, too.
Benteke played almost every match until the Chelsea game Percy referred to, as well. After he came back from injury it took him a while to start showing his best again. This time, he's had a much worse injury so it'll probably take him longer. Kozak's injury is a bad one, too.
I think we need to realise they're not going to come back and instantly be at their best after bad injuries.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
They missed large chunks of last season as well though and will hopefully be available for more of this season than last.
They're both going to be out for a while yet, so they're already missing a decent chunk of this season, too.
Benteke played almost every match until the Chelsea game Percy referred to, as well.
I thought he missed about a month early season also.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
They missed large chunks of last season as well though and will hopefully be available for more of this season than last.
They're both going to be out for a while yet, so they're already missing a decent chunk of this season, too.
Benteke played almost every match until the Chelsea game Percy referred to, as well.
I thought he missed about a month early season also.
He did - hence the "almost". Chelsea was our 29th league match, Benteke played in 24 of them up to that point.
I think it's fair to say it'll take him a while to get back up to anything like his best once he's back.
Not seen much mention of Kozak of late. I wonder what's going on there.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
They missed large chunks of last season as well though and will hopefully be available for more of this season than last.
They're both going to be out for a while yet, so they're already missing a decent chunk of this season, too.
Benteke played almost every match until the Chelsea game Percy referred to, as well.
I thought he missed about a month early season also.
He did - hence the "almost". Chelsea was our 29th league match, Benteke played in 24 of them up to that point.
I think it's fair to say it'll take him a while to get back up to anything like his best once he's back.
Not seen much mention of Kozak of late. I wonder what's going on there.
Think Lambert said that Benteke is ahead of Kozak in terms of getting back to fitness.
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I think it's pertinent to take into account the rehabilitation of injured players, the bomb squad and the emergence of Grealish. Although not new players, they affected the signings we had to make.
So, in addition to the squad that didn't really struggle until after the Chelsea game we have:
Given
Hutton
Senderos
Cissokho
Okore
Richardson
N'Zogbia
Cole
Grealish
Sanchez
That's ten who are newly available to pick from, quite a turnover in a 25-man squad. A rose-tinted (perhaps) 7/10 from me, with one point included for not selling Vlaar and Delph.
Is Okore 'available to pick from' ?
I thought that he was injured again.
Also, what about the players who aren't available through injury - Kozak and Benteke, for whom we don't even have return dates?
They missed large chunks of last season as well though and will hopefully be available for more of this season than last.
They're both going to be out for a while yet, so they're already missing a decent chunk of this season, too.
Benteke played almost every match until the Chelsea game Percy referred to, as well.
I thought he missed about a month early season also.
He did - hence the "almost". Chelsea was our 29th league match, Benteke played in 24 of them up to that point.
I think it's fair to say it'll take him a while to get back up to anything like his best once he's back.
Not seen much mention of Kozak of late. I wonder what's going on there.
He could still feature in 35 games this season though.
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Guidetti looked like Ben Arfa's fat cousin last season at Stoke though.
Cole I am not going to write off. He is reletively cheap (25k a week?) and I still think in home games might have the key to the door if it is tight. If he creates 3-4 winners this season, I reckon that would have been worth the gamble alone. He may not do it, but it was a gamble worth taking.
Getting Cleverley on loan probably nudges it to a 6 for me.
I have been genuinely surprised by how decent a footballer Richardson is, and how hard he works and how much he wants to get beyond the front men from central midfield.
the photo of Ben Arfa had to be taken with the panormamic setting. He wasn't stretching the Hull shirt, just holding it up.
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He could still feature in 35 games this season though.
He's not going to, though, is he? If he were going to be back a week Saturday, we'd have heard about it.
But that's not really the point I was making, which was a more general one - that if one factors in players returning from injury as improving the squad, you also need to bare in mind players with long term injuries detracting from the available squad options.
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Guidetti looked like Ben Arfa's fat cousin last season at Stoke though.
Cole I am not going to write off. He is reletively cheap (25k a week?) and I still think in home games might have the key to the door if it is tight. If he creates 3-4 winners this season, I reckon that would have been worth the gamble alone. He may not do it, but it was a gamble worth taking.
Getting Cleverley on loan probably nudges it to a 6 for me.
I have been genuinely surprised by how decent a footballer Richardson is, and how hard he works and how much he wants to get beyond the front men from central midfield.
the photo of Ben Arfa had to be taken with the panormamic setting. He wasn't stretching the Hull shirt, just holding it up.
He was probably trying to eat it.
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Overall i'm satisfied with how most of the players brought in look. Senderos, Aly, Sanchez and Richardson look like they will improve us a reasonable amount. Disappointed though that we didn't bring a couple more in, even ic TC23 does sign on loan. That said, with Hutton and Zog looking like they will be of benefit to us as players this season, and Jack breaking through, our squad looks a lot better than it did when last season ended.
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Overall i'm satisfied with how most of the players brought in look. Senderos, Aly, Sanchez and Richardson look like they will improve us a reasonable amount. Disappointed though that we didn't bring a couple more in, even ic TC23 does sign on loan. That said, with Hutton and Zog looking like they will be of benefit to us as players this season, and Jack breaking through, our squad looks a lot better than it did when last season ended.
That is going to stick, isn't it?
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I was using it as a pisstake. I'm ok with him signing, the TC23 stuff is very knobbish though.
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He could still feature in 35 games this season though.
He's not going to, though, is he? If he were going to be back a week Saturday, we'd have heard about it.
But that's not really the point I was making, which was a more general one - that if one factors in players returning from injury as improving the squad, you also need to bare in mind players with long term injuries detracting from the available squad options.
I know, but i just don't think there are any. Given they'll both be back around October time Benteke and Kozak will likely be available for more games this season than last. Ok it's not certain, but it looks probable, so any potential detraction is surely unforeseen at this juncture and just conjecture.
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He could still feature in 35 games this season though.
He's not going to, though, is he? If he were going to be back a week Saturday, we'd have heard about it.
But that's not really the point I was making, which was a more general one - that if one factors in players returning from injury as improving the squad, you also need to bare in mind players with long term injuries detracting from the available squad options.
I know, but i just don't think there are any. Given they'll both be back around October time Benteke and Kozak will likely be available for more games this season than last. Ok it's not certain, but it looks probable, so any potential detraction is surely unforeseen at this juncture and just conjecture.
Well, not really. Conjecture would be saying "I reckon Guzan will be out for at least 6 games at some point". It is based on nothing.
In the case of these two players, they already have long term injuries with no firm return dates, so it's not unforeseen or conjecture.
FWIW the original quote was comparing the squad now against the squad up to the post Chelsea win descent, and pointing out players returned from injury. I was just adding that it ignored the two important players currently out with injuries.
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He could still feature in 35 games this season though.
He's not going to, though, is he? If he were going to be back a week Saturday, we'd have heard about it.
But that's not really the point I was making, which was a more general one - that if one factors in players returning from injury as improving the squad, you also need to bare in mind players with long term injuries detracting from the available squad options.
I know, but i just don't think there are any. Given they'll both be back around October time Benteke and Kozak will likely be available for more games this season than last. Ok it's not certain, but it looks probable, so any potential detraction is surely unforeseen at this juncture and just conjecture.
Well, not really. Conjecture would be saying "I reckon Guzan will be out for at least 6 games at some point". It is based on nothing.
In the case of these two players, they already have long term injuries with no firm return dates, so it's not unforeseen or conjecture.
FWIW the original quote was comparing the squad now against the squad up to the post Chelsea win descent, and pointing out players returned from injury. I was just adding that it ignored the two important players currently out with injuries.
Combined they made 40 league appearances last year, this season it could be as high as 70, we're told they are both in light training and doing well, so to assume they will therefore not back until after Christmas seems rather conservative.
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Sadly, there is zero chance they will make 70 league appearances between them. We'll be lucky to get 55.
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This is when you know the game is fucked. 26 fucking players out on loan. What chance do clubs, including us, have when Chavski have a whole fecking squad out on loan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_F.C.#Out_on_loan
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I think it is fair to highlight the seeming lack of Plan B, but I do not particularly blame Lambert. There should be a different person doing a lot of this work (scouting / schmoozing the agents / negotiating contracts) as this job - if done well - demand too much time of the manager.
Regardless of the above the squad looks slightly better than last year and have kept Vlaar and Delph, so overall I'm happy.
It's frustrating that there was seemingly another £10+ available which went unspent.
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He could still feature in 35 games this season though.
He's not going to, though, is he? If he were going to be back a week Saturday, we'd have heard about it.
But that's not really the point I was making, which was a more general one - that if one factors in players returning from injury as improving the squad, you also need to bare in mind players with long term injuries detracting from the available squad options.
I know, but i just don't think there are any. Given they'll both be back around October time Benteke and Kozak will likely be available for more games this season than last. Ok it's not certain, but it looks probable, so any potential detraction is surely unforeseen at this juncture and just conjecture.
Well, not really. Conjecture would be saying "I reckon Guzan will be out for at least 6 games at some point". It is based on nothing.
In the case of these two players, they already have long term injuries with no firm return dates, so it's not unforeseen or conjecture.
FWIW the original quote was comparing the squad now against the squad up to the post Chelsea win descent, and pointing out players returned from injury. I was just adding that it ignored the two important players currently out with injuries.
Combined they made 40 league appearances last year, this season it could be as high as 70, we're told they are both in light training and doing well, so to assume they will therefore not back until after Christmas seems rather conservative.
Who said anything about Christmas?
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I think if you consider where we were at the end of the season and the thought that we might be losing our better players then we have undoubtedly come out of it pretty well. On the face of it we have a much more competitive squad than last season. The manager has options, we have players to come back from injury and an exciting youngster forcing his way through. I feel that will result in competition for places that should keep everyone on their toes.
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Verdict: I'm happy.
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I think if you consider where we were at the end of the season and the thought that we might be losing our better players then we have undoubtedly come out of it pretty well. On the face of it we have a much more competitive squad than last season. The manager has options, we have players to come back from injury and an exciting youngster forcing his way through. I feel that will result in competition for places that should keep everyone on their toes.
agree. Add in Cleverely and it becomes solid if unspectacular which is how I want the season to be. No more relegation battles and heading into whatever the future brings a lot more stable base to build from.
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If we add Cleverley then it looks better, still haven't addressed our attacking issues though.
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ITS GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
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Now that we've got cleverly on loan I'm upping my rating from a 6 to a 7.
It probably still lacks a little creativity, but options from:
Delph/Westy/Sanchez/Richardson/Cleverly
Is clearly better than
Delph/Westy/Sylla/Bacuna/KEA
We've gone from 2 premier league standard Midfielders to at least 3, and arguably 5 (if Sanchez settles well and if Richardson can stay fit/consistent).
Add in the new defence and Grealish's potential and we've got a much, much better squad than last year. Still not great, but decent enough for a mid table finish once Kozak and the Beast are back.
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I'm pleasantly surprised by the transfer dealings. All barring cole look to be bargains, and we're certainly stronger at the back than last season. It's a little frustrating that we didn't add anything up front or on the creative front (excluding cole again), but considering the ownership situation, it could have been an awful lot worse. If we do get sold then the new owner will have a very solid squad to add to. Credit where it's due.
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The team and the squad are clearly the better for the turnover of players during the window, and I think that's all you need to say really.
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The team and the squad are clearly the better for the turnover of players during the window, and I think that's all you need to say really.
That sums it up for me too.
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You've got to say that for a net outlay of probably less than £3m lambert's done very well all in all
Defence loads better; midfield much more competitive. Still lacking a bit of creativity but better than last season
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ITS GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
BETTER BETTER BETTER
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As others have pointed out Lambert has effectively got a new team to choose from this year.
I am eager to see how the personnel Lambert now has at his disposal gel as a unit.
If they do then the arguments about creativity and goal scorers could become redundant, since better players in the squad usually make better players of those there already.
Certainly the early signs are positive .
I'd give the window 8.
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Pretty good - stronger and deeper.
Intrigued as to how much influence Keane has had on things - it's a complete turnaround for Lambert's young and hungry approach - or just common sense?
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Experience.
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I guess I am more happy with the later signings than the first lot, but overall we seem to have improved, and have shown signs that we will be harder to beat this season which is important.
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Last night my verdict would have been in the words of Janice Nicholls (for those old enough to remember) "Oi'll give it foive".
On reflection, with the loan signing of Cleverley and the money available I would change it to 7/10. Keeping hold of Vlaar (was there interest from other clubs or was it just the media?), bringing in experience in defence and strengthening the midfield has clearly been the plan. Building from the back is not going to make us overly attractive but I would go with that if we do not have to go through what we have for the last three seasons.
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On holibobs in Crete. I didn't realise we had signed Cleverley until I checked the bbc website this evening. I spent all day sulking too. Much better window because Lambert now has added physical presence and experience. I am not a massive fan of Cleverley but the guy is an international so I can't moan too much.
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I am not a massive fan of Cleverley but the guy is an international so I can't moan too much.
So was Salifou (winking emoticon)
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I am not a massive fan of Cleverley but the guy is an international so I can't moan too much.
So was Salifou (winking emoticon)
Very true Dave!! Hope this one has more influence!
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Ok, we're better off in experience and not numbers. We're missing that link from midfield to attack we desperately needed. That might not be so apparent when Benteke is fit and raring to go. When that will be I don't know. Jack might come in and be that link, again, who knows. I would have liked at least one more tonight.
Well that was last night, after that surprise today now I'm pretty happy with all the deals so far. Good business Lambert and Keane, well done.
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ITS GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
BETTER BETTER BETTER
you got it.
Thank you
its getting better all the time
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Just doing the best 11 on the other thread made me realise just how much of a blinder they have had for little more than 7 million quid. Overall I still give it a 6, but for the money they have really done exceptionally well to change a side that we could all pick, and pick with a heavy heart on the final day of last season, to a side we could now all pick differently, in different systems, and feel confident there was a solidity and some chance of nicking goals the other end.
Who do we reckon will be this year's Luna by May, and who do we reckon will be the ace in the pack?
I am going for Cole as Luna as I think we will hardly see him, and Richardson as the best value.
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Who do we reckon will be this year's Luna by May, and who do we reckon will be the ace in the pack?
I am going for Cole as Luna as I think we will hardly see him, and Richardson as the best value.
Agree about Cole. Hope to be wrong. The best? Honestly I think Cissokho. Every game he has played so far he has been excellent. Does not seem to have a weak part of his game. I guess we will start to see the true level of the new signings this month as they come up against very hard opposition.
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I reckon Cole will play a decent role in this side when called upon. More important than that he'll play a blinder behind the scenes offering his knowledge and experience to the young kids. Easy to forget but he was a really talented footballer. I wouldn't write him off just yet. I reckon Sanchez will be a star and I still think Okore will take over from Senderos by the end of the season. Benteke to be a monster from about late January onwards propelling us to around 8th by seasons end.
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This is the best squad we have had for a few seasons. Even under MON we always had a weak area or 2 it now looks like we have a balanced team with some cover. I am not going to get carried away but I am more confident now than I have been for a few seasons.
The most important signing was probably Roy Keane.
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I know it isn't thread related but anyone seen this?!
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2184170-radamel-falcao-was-offered-to-aston-villa-for-5m-but-boss-signed-emile-heskey
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Looking at this and the thread on the best starting 11, it makes me realise how much time and effort has been wasted over the last 2-3 seasons. For relatively little outlay and some imagination, Lambert and Keane have constructed an interesting squad.
If they can get through the next four games relatively unembarrassed, and get Benteke back playing again, we won't look too shabby, methinks.
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I know it isn't thread related but anyone seen this?!
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2184170-radamel-falcao-was-offered-to-aston-villa-for-5m-but-boss-signed-emile-heskey
I definitely remember a link to this unknown Colombian guy who was a great prospect. Even checked him out and started hoping we'd land him. The rest is ... well you know how it finishes.
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I reckon Cole will play a decent role in this side when called upon. More important than that he'll play a blinder behind the scenes offering his knowledge and experience to the young kids. Easy to forget but he was a really talented footballer. I wouldn't write him off just yet. I reckon Sanchez will be a star and I still think Okore will take over from Senderos by the end of the season. Benteke to be a monster from about late January onwards propelling us to around 8th by seasons end.
I feel the same about Cole, especially as he'll have a super hard working midfield around him.
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I think quite a lot of our signings have been really impressive, in particular Aly and Senderos. Although I think it's the overall experience that's been added to the squad which is the biggest factor.
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Wonder what difference getting rid of PL's two mates and bringing in RK has made to the mindset in relation to incoming players? RK almost certainly will not have had any qualms about bringing in experienced international players but I wonder if those two were against the idea?
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Delighted with the window -strengthened our team & squad in all areas, apart from keeper and strikers (where returnees may make additions superfluous).
Kept Concrete and Fab Cruyff.
Sent Gardner & Donacien on loan and they're getting some games.
Job's a good 'un!
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A month ago I was worried and looked at the squad, thinking Vlaar would go and we were dead certs for relegation. Now I'm quite optimistic and even slightly excited about how the squad will perform this season. I'm even looking forward to see how we will perform over the next month (previously I was just scared).
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I'm pleased with the way it all worked out.
In particular, I'm happy that Grealish has the chance to develop properly, without having to be thrown in at the deep end and sink or swim, while around him the team is getting a thumping and being dragged all over the park. We haven't been in this situation regarding promising youngsters for some time now.
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A month ago I was worried and looked at the squad, thinking Vlaar would go and we were dead certs for relegation. Now I'm quite optimistic and even slightly excited about how the squad will perform this season. I'm even looking forward to see how we will perform over the next month (previously I was just scared).
Also happy with the players coming in during the window and the decision to reintroduce certain members of the squad. Early days yet, but:
Hutton looks a different player and is more solid than Lowton and Bacuna at RB
Senderos is a huge improvement on Baker and Clark
Cissokho looks an inspired signing so far and is way better than Bennett and Luna
Sanchez will challenge Westwood and give us a more physical presence in midfield
Richardson and Cleverley are clear upgrades on Sylla and KEA
Cole and N'Zogbia haven't started too well, but will hopefully add some creativity
Bent is a better bench option than Bowery
All in all, some clear improvements made to the squad, which will hopefully result in an upturn in our fortunes. I still think we could have done with adding a wide option, but with Benteke and Kozak hopefully coming back soon then things look OK.
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We don't do transfer windows, linked with Gaetano D'Agostini, free agent
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Not sure you can put a rating on the transfer window until we have had enough games to really see what the signings have added. Maybe a six from me for now.
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The one thing I love about all three "new" defenders (yes including Hutton in that group) is that they are all big, none of them are mugs. They won't be intimidated or pushed around and more than capable of sticking a player into the front row if needed. Or more importantly just have a presence about them. Now, we'll see over the next few weeks how they are against the best the league has to offer. If we can come through this test relatively unscathed, maintain our overall discipline and composure, then we can look back at this window and consider it a very good one. So far so good, but a long way to go and so many things can change. On the other end getting Gabby scoring again could is big piece of the puzzle if only to bridge the gap before the Return of the King.
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Combination of the football we played first half on Sunday, the league position and the new aquisitions over the summer- especially the high-profile capture of Cleverley, have left me feeling more positive and optimistic than i have for ages... Notwithstanding the upcoming fixtures.
For such a modest outlay, the on-paper improvement appears stark. As others rightly point out, the proof of the pudding and all that...
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The one thing I love about all three "new" defenders (yes including Hutton in that group) is that they are all big, none of them are mugs. They won't be intimidated or pushed around and more than capable of sticking a player into the front row if needed. Or more importantly just have a presence about them. Now, we'll see over the next few weeks how they are against the best the league has to offer. If we can come through this test relatively unscathed, maintain our overall discipline and composure, then we can look back at this window and consider it a very good one. So far so good, but a long way to go and so many things can change. On the other end getting Gabby scoring again could is big piece of the puzzle if only to bridge the gap before the Return of the King.
I have long argued unless you have really silly money, signing big, rugged defenders that are positionally sound works. I like the fact we have no weeds back there now, we won't be pushed around and we look a bit more organised back there.
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Not sure you can put a rating on the transfer window until we have had enough games to really see what the signings have added. Maybe a six from me for now.
I bet the manager wished he had that luxury when looking to see who to buy.
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I have long argued unless you have really silly money, signing big, rugged defenders that are positionally sound works. I like the fact we have no weeds back there now, we won't be pushed around and we look a bit more organised back there.
A bit????
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Think a lot of praise should be given to PL - RK. I think the introduction of RK has consciously upped PL`s game and judgement. Having at last recognised our need for a number "10" i am a bit worried about Cole as the main man. Otherwise a very good window ......
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I am also quite excited about how the squad looks and how it might perform this season, it doesn't take much to make us all a bit happier :)
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It’s clear Lambert had identified the same weaknesses in the side that we had in the stands, with 2 creative midfielders, a holding anchor-man, another option at centre half and 2 players able to play at left back being brought in.
All seem capable of being first teamers for top 10 teams, and all have played for their respective countries. For a spend kept to seven digits, that’s far more than I’d hoped for, and to me at least – a good indicator of the progression the club is trying to make.
Wrote a transfer window verdict on my Villa blog here: http://chipsticksvilla.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/summer-2014-transfer-roundup.html
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Nice article. Just a little reminder, though, that we have a dedicated thread for that.
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Nice article. Just a little reminder, though, that we have a dedicated thread for that.
Crap. I did know that and normally post it in there, sorry.
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It’s clear Lambert had identified the same weaknesses in the side that we had in the stands, with 2 creative midfielders, a holding anchor-man, another option at centre half and 2 players able to play at left back being brought in.
All seem capable of being first teamers for top 10 teams, and all have played for their respective countries. For a spend kept to seven digits, that’s far more than I’d hoped for, and to me at least – a good indicator of the progression the club is trying to make.
Wrote a transfer window verdict on my Villa blog here: http://chipsticksvilla.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/summer-2014-transfer-roundup.html
I think top ten calibre is over egging it. There's a reason none of them were at top ten clubs already surely?cleverley's the exception of course
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Nice article. Just a little reminder, though, that we have a dedicated thread for that.
Crap. I did know that and normally post it in there, sorry.
No big deal.
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It’s clear Lambert had identified the same weaknesses in the side that we had in the stands, with 2 creative midfielders, a holding anchor-man, another option at centre half and 2 players able to play at left back being brought in.
All seem capable of being first teamers for top 10 teams, and all have played for their respective countries. For a spend kept to seven digits, that’s far more than I’d hoped for, and to me at least – a good indicator of the progression the club is trying to make.
Wrote a transfer window verdict on my Villa blog here: http://chipsticksvilla.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/summer-2014-transfer-roundup.html
I think top ten calibre is over egging it. There's a reason none of them were at top ten clubs already surely?cleverley's the exception of course
I'd say the players previously in the premier league: Cole, Senderos, and Richardson would be three of the better players at their respective clubs, but as always it's just a matter of opinion.
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It’s clear Lambert had identified the same weaknesses in the side that we had in the stands, with 2 creative midfielders, a holding anchor-man, another option at centre half and 2 players able to play at left back being brought in.
All seem capable of being first teamers for top 10 teams, and all have played for their respective countries. For a spend kept to seven digits, that’s far more than I’d hoped for, and to me at least – a good indicator of the progression the club is trying to make.
Wrote a transfer window verdict on my Villa blog here: http://chipsticksvilla.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/summer-2014-transfer-roundup.html
I think top ten calibre is over egging it. There's a reason none of them were at top ten clubs already surely?cleverley's the exception of course
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I'd say the players previously in the premier league: Cole, Senderos, and Richardson would be three of the better players at their respective clubs, but as always it's just a matter of opinion.
have to say I was a bit puzzled by the howls of discontent at the signing of senderos. Granted I haven't taken much notice of him in recent seasons and was a bit underwhelmed by getting in a cast off from a relegated side, but I do remember being very impressed with him when he first signed for arsenal and did think he could do a decent job for us alongside Ron.
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Why does Senderos always look like he is going to cry? I was watching him specifically a few times against Hull where a loose ball from a corner set Hull up on a counter attack. The ball went in the air for a Hull player and instead of doing the Baker/Clark thing of competing for the ball or doing a nothing halfway house, he read the situation and dropped to intercept the header; superbly read.
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Why does Senderos always look like he is going to cry? I was watching him specifically a few times against Hull where a loose ball from a corner set Hull up on a counter attack. The ball went in the air for a Hull player and instead of doing the Baker/Clark thing of competing for the ball or doing a nothing halfway house, he read the situation and dropped to intercept the header; superbly read.
Nice to have a player that cares
Gabby laughs when he misses a sitter
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Why does Senderos always look like he is going to cry?
Ha. He looks to me like he carries the expression of someone who has been given some very bad news but still must get on with his job.
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Why does Senderos always look like he is going to cry? I was watching him specifically a few times against Hull where a loose ball from a corner set Hull up on a counter attack. The ball went in the air for a Hull player and instead of doing the Baker/Clark thing of competing for the ball or doing a nothing halfway house, he read the situation and dropped to intercept the header; superbly read.
Nice to have a player that cares
Gabby laughs when he misses a sitter
rueful smile ?
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http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news/a-record-spend-but-what-about-supporters
Joint statement re transfer window AVST
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Thanks Simon, interesting read.
I'm reasonably happy with the players brought in considering our owner wants out and gave the manager little (in comparison to other clubs) to spend. I'm not knocking Lerner at all as I don't believe that Villa should be spending money like we have seen other clubs do.
20m, 30m 40m and so on for 1 player isn't what I want to see Villa do but I understand that unless something changes, which I doubt will be happening any time soon means that Villa will not win any trophies.
Such is life, I'm a Villan always have been always will be. As The Doc once said hang 11 Villa shirts on a cloths line and thousands of Villan will turn up to watch, I'm one of those.
Fuck Sky, fuck Manchester, fuck Chelsea, fuck Liverpool and fuck the FA, UEFA, FIFA and all the thieving agents. One day someone will expose this corruption and I hope I'm around to see it blow up.
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It's good that certain clubs are joining forces to agree match prices for away fans (i think us and Hull have this season) and that's a step in the right direction and the free coach travel to some games is a fantastic idea. Unfortunately, we still have the likes of Chelsea who think it's acceptable to charge £55 for a match ticket so there's still a way to go.
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Let's hope the away ticket is worth it for Pool and we now have enough in the locker to spring a surprise. Benteke ran rings round them.. when was that two years ago? We can now do it again! UTV.
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http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/09/06/aston-villa-outcast-i-do-not-even-know-myself-why-lambert-droppe/
Could it be to do with not being very good.
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Yeah when every opponent relentlessly targets your left back you know you need to change something
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First few weeks he looked alright against decent opponents but was a proper liability but the time we got to xmas, think Man. United and Palace at home.
Still I wish him well in Italy. Slower pace of the game there will help him.
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It's the lack of self awareness that annoys me about Luna in this instance. Every player should be their own harshest critic, I think it's fair to say that he started off in decent fashion but surely he must realise that his performance by January was nothing more than dire. Contrast this with the likes of Hutton, a player who has obviously taken a look at his career and realised exactly where he stands and what he's got to do.
Perhaps on the other hand Tony Moon is all to self aware that he's realistically out of his depth and trying to sell himself to a potential new fan base?
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This not in the top 10 business. Cissokho came from Liverpool via Valencia. Cleverley from United. Cole is on the down slide so agreed he is nowhere near it, but Sanchez is. Senderos was at Valencia last season, and Richardson looks a mid table premier league player to me. Granted they are not top 4-6 class, but compared to the level we have been at previously, they are pretty solid signings.
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This not in the top 10 business. Cissokho came from Liverpool via Valencia. Cleverley from United. Cole is on the down slide so agreed he is nowhere near it, but Sanchez is. Senderos was at Valencia last season, and Richardson looks a mid table premier league player to me. Granted they are not top 4-6 class, but compared to the level we have been at previously, they are pretty solid signings.
This is spot on - the signings we've made haven't been spectacular but solid, and solidity is exactly what we've needed for the last two years (and fingers crossed what we've seen in the last few matches against teams we might have slipped up against last season). Hopefully it will allow players like Delph, Westy, Weimann, Benteke when he's back - who have all undoubtedly got talent - to focus more on improving and playing their own games and push the club forward.
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This not in the top 10 business. Cissokho came from Liverpool via Valencia. Cleverley from United. Cole is on the down slide so agreed he is nowhere near it, but Sanchez is. Senderos was at Valencia last season, and Richardson looks a mid table premier league player to me. Granted they are not top 4-6 class, but compared to the level we have been at previously, they are pretty solid signings.
Cissokho, senderos and cleverley we're hardly first choice though were they? I'm excited about sanchez but he's never played for a top ten side in a major European league by 28. So I won't overdo the excitement until he's shown it domestically
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But I completely agree they are very solid signings and the squad looks hugely better than last season.
Cissokho for luna
Hutton for Lowton (who I still like but he can't defend)
Senderos and Okore for baker and Clark
Sanchez for sylla
Cleverley for KEA
n'zogbia for albrighton
Grealish for Tonev
Cole for helenius, sort of
There's no question we're much stronger
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I think we did okay in the window. Getting Cleverley in at the end put us just over the line for the bare minimum we needed. I think re-instating the bomb squad will prove fruitful on the whole.
All our outgoings were dross.
We've made some reasonable signings, ranging from quite astute, to potentially good. Cole seems to be the duff signing, but given he was a freebie and a bit of punt, there's no harm with that. If he shows up and has 5 games where he produces his best, then we'll have got value out of him, and I think he's also there for Grealish to learn a little from too.
At the very least I'm pleased Randy showed a willingness to spend some money, when it seemed the suggestion was that he'd not be spending anything. We've managed to get 6 players in. Randy also would have funded Cleverleys deal on a permanent too, had Tom not asked for wages he doesn't warrant. But again, that happens if you buy from Man Utd. That 10 million banded around as our budget (inc wages) appears to be wide of the mark. I think had TC's wage demands been more sensible we'd have forked out 7-8 mill to make him a permanent member of the side. As it is, I prefer getting him in on loan so we can road test him first.
Ultimately our defence and midfield looks improved now. Also the best business we've done this window has been keeping Vlaar and Delph. Had either pushed for a move you couldn't blame them, and I'm just glad we weren't tempted to cash in, particularly with Vlaar having had such a good World Cup. Lets face it, then moment Senderos signed, everyone outside of Villa, and some of the more nervous among us probably thought we'd just signed Rons replacement, as opposed to a new partner.
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Looking at some of our rivals in the bottom 12 range, I'm not massively worried. Have Soton done enough to replace their outgoings? Not sure. They didn't lose Rodriguez or Schneiderlin in the end I suppose.
A lot has been said of Hull's business. But I don't see signing both Arfa and Ramirez as anything but a huge gamble. Both very erratic. I don't look enviously at their lot by any means. We've got our own mercurial talent back with Zogbia. He'll be stunning one day, dire the next. He'll look well up for it one day, and like he can't be arsed the next.
I think what it boils down to is that there are a lot of very similar sides in terms of talent. How many of our relegation rivals have a spine as good as Guzan, Vlaar, Delph and Benteke? Not many. I think that's why we should be safe this year. I think we'll be mid-table. Again, we need injuries to go our way this year.
Some sides won't do as well as they did last year. Palace for starters. Southampton won't, but I think they've enough in them not to struggle. Newcastle will struggle because of the management and lack of a top forward. Sunderland will also struggle for lack of a decent striker. Brom and West Ham will also struggle, as will the promoted clubs.
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Looking at some of our rivals in the bottom 12 range, I'm not massively worried. Have Soton done enough to replace their outgoings? Not sure. They didn't lose Rodriguez or Schneiderlin in the end I suppose.
A lot has been said of Hull's business. But I don't see signing both Arfa and Ramirez as anything but a huge gamble. Both very erratic. I don't look enviously at their lot by any means. We've got our own mercurial talent back with Zogbia. He'll be stunning one day, dire the next. He'll look well up for it one day, and like he can't be arsed the next.
I think what it boils down to is that there are a lot of very similar sides in terms of talent. How many of our relegation rivals have a spine as good as Guzan, Vlaar, Delph and Benteke? Not many. I think that's why we should be safe this year. I think we'll be mid-table. Again, we need injuries to go our way this year.
Some sides won't do as well as they did last year. Palace for starters. Southampton won't, but I think they've enough in them not to struggle. Newcastle will struggle because of the management and lack of a top forward. Sunderland will also struggle for lack of a decent striker. Brom and West Ham will also struggle, as will the promoted clubs.
As ever, I think you are spot on and this reflects my own thinking exactly. I am pretty sure that a number of teams that finished above us last season will do worse whilst we will most definitely be better. I think 10th to 12th, even possibly higher if we can keep everyone and that spine you refer to is very much in our grasp. Not that I am very proud of that being our aspiration these days seemingly!
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Our solid signings will hopefully give some of our current players a new lease of life. Westwood / Delph / Benteke and even Gabby/Weimann will hopefully benefit from having a narrower role/responsibility in the teams rather than having to be the 'jack of all trades' due to other players' weaknesses.
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Looking at some of our rivals in the bottom 12 range, I'm not massively worried. Have Soton done enough to replace their outgoings? Not sure. They didn't lose Rodriguez or Schneiderlin in the end I suppose.
A lot has been said of Hull's business. But I don't see signing both Arfa and Ramirez as anything but a huge gamble. Both very erratic. I don't look enviously at their lot by any means. We've got our own mercurial talent back with Zogbia. He'll be stunning one day, dire the next. He'll look well up for it one day, and like he can't be arsed the next.
I think what it boils down to is that there are a lot of very similar sides in terms of talent. How many of our relegation rivals have a spine as good as Guzan, Vlaar, Delph and Benteke? Not many. I think that's why we should be safe this year. I think we'll be mid-table. Again, we need injuries to go our way this year.
Some sides won't do as well as they did last year. Palace for starters. Southampton won't, but I think they've enough in them not to struggle. Newcastle will struggle because of the management and lack of a top forward. Sunderland will also struggle for lack of a decent striker. Brom and West Ham will also struggle, as will the promoted clubs.
As ever, I think you are spot on and this reflects my own thinking exactly. I am pretty sure that a number of teams that finished above us last season will do worse whilst we will most definitely be better. I think 10th to 12th, even possibly higher if we can keep everyone and that spine you refer to is very much in our grasp. Not that I am very proud of that being our aspiration these days seemingly!
Yep and in a transfer window these days it's just as key which players you keep hold of as the ones you bring in. Having kept hold of Vlaar, Delph and Benteke is great for us. Other clubs haven't been quite as lucky. Southampton of course is the obvious example, and they've got to hope the majority of their more adventurous signings come off. But losing a solid performer like Lambert for example, who'd been there for a few years and scored frequently, is big for them. They need his replacement to hit the ground running. Indeed Lallana, who created a lot for Lambert too, is also a massive loss. You're not just replacing two players, you're also trying to replace the bond in the team that said players had.
At this level having a 15-20 goal striker is like gold dust. Currently we have one in our squad. 12 million spent on Long was a mark of desperation and that doesn't even buy you a natural goalscorer. We're lucky we weren't in that market.