Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Ads on October 09, 2018, 04:52:45 PM
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Son of McGrath now our new Sporting Director.
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He...sounds mad.
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Apparently signed Reyes and Forlan to Atletico. I'll take a couple of signings like that. I expect the manager piece to pick up pace now.
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He's got an interesting Wiki page (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesús_García_Pitarch)
I wonder if that's what's been holding up a managerial appointment?
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He's got an interesting Wiki page (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesús_García_Pitarch)
I wonder if that's what's be8 holding up a managerial appointment?
I imagine the club would not want to a hire a manager without this appointment. Optically it needs to be his appointment.
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Does this give us any pointers to who the new boss will be ?
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Make it so......Pitarch
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He...sounds mad.
Should fit right in then!
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Looking at his wiki I couldn’t see an English style manager working with him. Seems he likes a significant degree of autonomy in respect to transfers. Looks like we may be hiring a head coach rather than a belt and braces manager
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I struggled with his Moralia.
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If we are going to have signings dictated by a Director of football, then it would make sense to have a management team that is used to this. Dean Smith works under this system at Brentford, and is a good coach. Smith plus Terry might be where we are going and I would be happy with that.
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So do we know specifically what he's here to do? (And if anyone says 'Direct sport' I'll set fire to their hair.)
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There's clearly been a lot going on behind the scenes then! Interesting to see that he was DOF at Valencia when a certain Rafael Benítez was manager (before the latter went to Liverpool).
Welcome to Villa Señor Pitarch. May you be a huge success. :)
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So do we know specifically what he's here to do? (And if anyone says 'Direct sport' I'll set fire to their hair.)
*Posseses shaved head, yet tosses it in from a distance*
I’ve heard...he’s going to be directing sports
*pegs it*
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Any official confirmation?
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Nothing yet on PrAVda.
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So do we know specifically what he's here to do? (And if anyone says 'Direct sport' I'll set fire to their hair.)
*Posseses shaved head, yet tosses it in from a distance*
I’ve heard...he’s going to be directing sports
*pegs it*
I'm afraid I'm going to need your address. Signed, A. Twisted-Firestarter.
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Link from world's worst newspaper website written by the universe's worst reporter (https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latest-aston-villas-sporting-director-15259498)
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Link from world's worst newspaper website written by the universe's worst reporter (https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latest-aston-villas-sporting-director-15259498)
So click bait and it’s likely all made up?
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a readable positive description
http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/52938/valencia-club-de-futbol-are-proud-to-announce-the-appointment-of-jesus-garcia-pitarch-as-sporting-director-.html (http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/52938/valencia-club-de-futbol-are-proud-to-announce-the-appointment-of-jesus-garcia-pitarch-as-sporting-director-.html)
January, 13 2016
Valencia Club de Fútbol are proud to announce the appointment of Jesús García-Pitarch as Sporting Director.
Mr García-Pitarch is a familiar face to the club. He defended the Valencia CF badge between 1982 and 1985. He was also the Director of the Escuela Paterna school between 2000 and 2002 and the Sporting Director of the club from 2002 to 2004, helping the club clinch a La Liga title and a UEFA Cup win.
The 52-year-old went on to be the Sporting Director at Atletico Madrid where he won the Europa League and European Super Cup. In addition, he has held high-level positions at Spanish clubs Hércules and Real Zaragoza as the President and Director General respectively. He has served in the Baniyas Football Club in the Arab Emirates.
Valencia CF Chairwoman, Ms Lay Hoon Chan, welcomed the arrival of Mr García-Pitarch to the club. She said: “We had assured our fans and stakeholders that we would constantly review our sporting structure. We are very happy with this appointment because we have someone on board who is not only a proven professional but also one who is rooted in Valencianismo. Jesús has enjoyed success at the highest levels in his sporting career and knows Valencia CF well. We believe that he is the ideal person for such an important position.”
That a year later turned into
Jan 8, 2017
Valencia's tumultuous season has taken another twist with the resignation of sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch.
Currently sitting 17th in La Liga, Los Che are only out of the relegation zone because of a better head-to-head record than Sporting Gijon.
Club stalwart Voro Gonzalez was brought in for his fourth spell as caretaker coach after the resignation of Cesare Prandelli in December, and now the club has confirmed that academy director Jose Ramon Alesanco will take the reins from Pitarch.
Ms Lay Hoon Chan was perhaps wrong.
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Link from world's worst newspaper website written by the universe's worst reporter (https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latest-aston-villas-sporting-director-15259498)
Interesting and vomit-inducing in equal measure. 'Slick and savvy' is a phrase used to compliment businessmen that should definitely be punishable by torture.
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Looking at his wiki I couldn’t see an English style manager working with him. Seems he likes a significant degree of autonomy in respect to transfers. Looks like we may be hiring a head coach rather than a belt and braces manager
Dean Smith could fit
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
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Did Gary Neville work with him?
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Maybe he can pass on some advice to our defence on how to deal with crosses
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Did he hire Prandelli then?
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Did Gary Neville work with him?
For a short time. Neville was already there when he returned.
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Looks like Richard Madeley
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
Not sure of his CV. I'll be cross if we sign him.
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
How do you know?
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Looks like Richard Madeley
Richard Madeley is going to be our manager?
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Looks like Richard Madeley
Richard Madeley is going to be our manager?
He looks like Richard Madeley and Charles Aznavour's love child.
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Looks like Richard Madeley
Richard Madeley is going to be our manager?
He looks like Richard Madeley and Charles Aznavour's love child.
Just what we need, a shoplifting frog.
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
How do you know?
I know his father.
Just don't crucify me if I'm wrong.
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
How do you know?
I know his father.
Just don't crucify me if I'm wrong.
You know God? Can I have his autograph, please?
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Looks like Richard Madeley
Richard Madeley is going to be our manager?
He looks like Richard Madeley and Charles Aznavour's love child.
Or Richard Madeley and Mark E Smith’s love child
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
How do you know?
I know his father.
Just don't crucify me if I'm wrong.
I won't, but I'll be bloody cross.
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
How do you know?
I know his father.
Just don't crucify me if I'm wrong.
You know God? Can I have his autograph, please?
Storm clouds gather... Skies darken... Lightning strikes and Legion gets taken to A&E.
Cheers Ads...
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If he was DOF at Valencia, does this mean Benitez will become the next (24hr) bookies favourite?
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It looks like he's failed at most of his recent appointments pretty quickly so not overjoyed with this.
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If he was DOF at Valencia, does this mean Benitez will become the next (24hr) bookies favourite?
Nah it’s Gary Neville
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If he was DOF at Valencia, does this mean Benitez will become the next (24hr) bookies favourite?
Nah it’s Gary Neville
don't even joke about it !!!
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
Not sure of his CV. I'll be cross if we sign him.
Don't be so short sighted, he could lead our resurrection.
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
Not sure of his CV. I'll be cross if we sign him.
Don't be so short sighted, he could lead our resurrection.
Jesus on Trinity Road?
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If he was DOF at Valencia, does this mean Benitez will become the next (24hr) bookies favourite?
Nah it’s Gary Neville
Mierda! Thanks for the advanced warning (I'm now getting a drink and switching off all contact with the outside world for the next 24hrs).
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
How do you know?
I know his father.
Just don't crucify me if I'm wrong.
You know God? Can I have his autograph, please?
I found His book traumatic.
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Never mind water into wine. Can he change the cabbage into a centre back.
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Never mind water into wine. Can he change the cabbage into a centre back.
Won’t matter because we haven’t got a divine right to go up.
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Never mind water into wine. Can he change the cabbage into a centre back.
Can he turn Taylor into a left back ?!!
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He is not the Messiah.........................
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One of his quotes; “Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.” Ah no, that’s Plutarch, my bad.
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So, basically, no more confirmed than it was yesterday?
Hmmmkay.
His appointment is nailed on.
How do you know?
I know his father.
Just don't crucify me if I'm wrong.
You know God? Can I have his autograph, please?
Storm clouds gather... Skies darken... Lightning strikes and Legion gets taken to A&E.
Cheers Ads...
The ambulance broke down.
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He is not the Messiah.........................
He's a very naught boy.
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He is not the Messiah.........................
He's a very naught boy.
A very nautical bhoy?
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He is not the Messiah.........................
He's a very naught boy.
A very nautical bhoy?
I sea what you did there.
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I do like the idea of a head coach .
Would also hopefully mean that there is not to much disruption when one leaves and another comes in as opposed to the ever encompassing manager role.
This Jesus patriarch type character could be ruling things in some fatherly fashion .
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If this is true, he, along with Purslow, are an indication that the new owners are going to actually bring people onboard who have direct experience of what they are being asked to do. It feels to me like we might just be being brought into the modern world of football at long last. Whilst they might not be the most high profile candidates, with the most un-blemished track records, they both seem like about the best we could expect given the circumstances. Now on to the really important appointment...
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There seems to be some thought being given to the process. Which while it might be a frustrating for us fans, who have got used to quick appointments made by blokes with little or know knowledge of the game, or by mates employing mates as we saw with Bruce by Wyness, taking our time is the right approach. Seems a bit more structured now. That we are putting in place experienced football professionals who we all hope have a long term plan beyond this appointment. I know we’ve kind of been down this road before and been burned by what transpired, so let’s hope this is for real this time.
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There was 9 days between RDM being sacked and Bruce being appointed, it's only been a week since Bruce was potted. Both times the international break meant there was less of a rush. I'll start to worry if we haven't gotten anyone in by Monday or Tuesday.
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There was 9 days between RDM being sacked and Bruce being appointed, it's only been a week since Bruce was potted. Both times the international break meant there was less of a rush. I'll start to worry if we haven't gotten anyone in by Monday or Tuesday.
Mark Regan was saying on WM last night that he thinks it could all be sorted by tomorrow or Friday.
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Potentially a more important appointment than Smith, especially if we are mirroring the brentford model.
There's a good chance that the footballing philosophy will be dictated by this fella, anyone know much about how his previous clubs played and whether there is an identifiable trend?
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Interesting times at villa park and for once it,s for all the right reasons.
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An unusual career history. Sporting director at some big teams, with spells not being involved at all, or at much smaller clubs, including as chairman. And never outside Spain.
Not sure what to make of it. But my gut reaction is that it's an odd move for all parties. Although if he can get some cheap talented Spaniards then that might be great. We've only had one Spanish player and he seemed to be the one Spaniard who couldn't pass the ball
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Fast forward to 10:29
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Cheers TV. Sounds promising.
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An unusual career history. Sporting director at some big teams, with spells not being involved at all, or at much smaller clubs, including as chairman. And never outside Spain.
Not sure what to make of it. But my gut reaction is that it's an odd move for all parties. Although if he can get some cheap talented Spaniards then that might be great. We've only had one Spanish player and he seemed to be the one Spaniard who couldn't pass the ball
I assume you're thinking of Cuellar but forgetting about Luna, Crespo and Gil who all came afterwards.
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He looks like an exotic Richard Madeley.
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He looks like an exotic Richard Madeley.
Better than an idiotic Richard Madeley which would be some idiot.
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Let's face it, anything is an upgrade on the likes of Stan Ternant and Ian Atkins.
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Fast forward to 10:29
He was an important figure at both Valencia and Athletico Madrid when they were each doing well domestically and in Europe.
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He looks like an exotic Richard Madeley.
He looks like a mixed up identikit picture of Richard Madeley, Lembit Opik and Marty Feldman.
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Let's face it, anything is an upgrade on the likes of Stan Ternant and Ian Atkins.
Scott McGinn for £2.3m was our best bargain in years
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John McGinn WAS our best bargain for years last month. Less so of late.
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Fast forward to 10:29
Thanks. Sounds promising
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It looks like he's failed at most of his recent appointments pretty quickly so not overjoyed with this.
From the little digging on him today my worst fear is he's a Mendes puppet. I really hope I'm wrong but only time will tell.
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It looks like he's failed at most of his recent appointments pretty quickly so not overjoyed with this.
From the little digging on him today my worst fear is he's a Mendes puppet. I really hope I'm wrong but only time will tell.
I wouldn't mind if they both have access to the same type of players that went to Wolves.
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Fast forward to 10:29
Thanks. Sounds promising
I agree that does sound more promising than I thought. atleti had been out of Europe for 6 years and he oversaw the recruitment that started the current phase. Even if that's a generous description it's pretty good on the CV
You just have to wonder what he's been doing in recent years and whether his heart is in it
As others have said, if we can get the next Ruben neves I couldn't give shit whose stooge he is
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I really hope this appointment works out. You could say that our downward trajectory sprang from MON walking out in a fit of pique days before the start of the season, leaving no one with any football knowledge inside the building. If there had been a DOF at that time things might not have been so bad. We never really got to see whether Steve Round was a good DOF, but the early signs weren’t very impressive. This guy knows what worked from his previous positions that he can transfer here.
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If we'd had a proper DoF we certainly wouldn't have signed some of the players Mon did for the price he paid
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If we'd had a proper DoF we certainly wouldn't have signed some of the players Mon did for the price he paid
It would certainly have broadened our UKIP transfer policy (Petrov and Carew aside) at the time.
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If we'd had a proper DoF we certainly wouldn't have signed some of the players Mon did for the price he paid
MON would almost certainly never have countenanced having a proper DoF above him.
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MON wanted and got total control. Wasn't he behind the removal of that CEO we got from Fulham (Bruce something?) who only stayed a short while, because he didn't want anyone else interfering in his fiefdom?
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MON wanted and got total control. Wasn't he behind the removal of that CEO we got from Fulham (Bruce something?) who only stayed a short while, because he didn't want anyone else interfering in his fiefdom?
Bruce Langham. He was CEO under Ellis. O'Neill got rid of Richard FitzGerald.
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the groundsman reported directly to MON
I don't mean MON could ask for the pitch to be watered or not or the dimensions to be set to his choosing that's a given at most clubs I assume
I mean the groundstaff reported directly to him
the man was a control freak
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the groundsman reported directly to MON
I don't mean MON could ask for the pitch to be watered or not or the dimensions to be set to his choosing that's a given at most clubs I assume
I mean the groundstaff reported directly to him
the man was a control freak
Like Clough with half the ability.
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the groundsman reported directly to MON
I don't mean MON could ask for the pitch to be watered or not or the dimensions to be set to his choosing that's a given at most clubs I assume
I mean the groundstaff reported directly to him
the man was a control freak
Like Clough with half the ability.
No way has MON got 1% of Clough’s talent.
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Not sure I learnt much from this other than he likes GoT!
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2018/10/18/youtube-jesus-garcia-pitarch-interview
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And looks like Richard Madeley.
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Not sure I learnt much from this other than he likes GoT!
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2018/10/18/youtube-jesus-garcia-pitarch-interview
To be fair the David Bradley interview/video he's talking about is one of my favourite things we've done for years, it's right up there with the Benjamin Zephaniah one from before the cup final for me.
I thought he came across pretty well, I liked that he mentioned that being one of the fans and making the fans happy is a key part of the role though.
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And looks like Richard Madeley.
Didn't Richard Madeley used to present One Man and his Dog ?
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And looks like Richard Madeley.
Didn't Richard Madeley used to present One Man and his Dog ?
I know he used to present as one man with a dog.
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And looks like Richard Madeley.
Didn't Richard Madeley used to present One Man and his Dog ?
I know he used to present as one man with a dog.
I know Judy is a bit past it - but there is no reason to call her a dog.
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the groundsman reported directly to MON
I don't mean MON could ask for the pitch to be watered or not or the dimensions to be set to his choosing that's a given at most clubs I assume
I mean the groundstaff reported directly to him
the man was a control freak
Like Clough with half the ability.
No way has MON got 1% of Clough’s talent.
The media are beginning to turn up the heat under him over here now. He's come out and said ' there's no need for the FAI to appoint a new manager'. When asked to elaborate his reply was 'because I'm good'.
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the groundsman reported directly to MON
I don't mean MON could ask for the pitch to be watered or not or the dimensions to be set to his choosing that's a given at most clubs I assume
I mean the groundstaff reported directly to him
the man was a control freak
Like Clough with half the ability.
No way has MON got 1% of Clough’s talent.
The media are beginning to turn up the heat under him over here now. He's come out and said ' there's no need for the FAI to appoint a new manager'. When asked to elaborate his reply was 'because I'm good'.
Suppose we can add deluded to outdated now then as well
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the groundsman reported directly to MON
I don't mean MON could ask for the pitch to be watered or not or the dimensions to be set to his choosing that's a given at most clubs I assume
I mean the groundstaff reported directly to him
the man was a control freak
Like Clough with half the ability.
No way has MON got 1% of Clough’s talent.
The media are beginning to turn up the heat under him over here now. He's come out and said ' there's no need for the FAI to appoint a new manager'. When asked to elaborate his reply was 'because I'm good'.
Obviously the Republic of Ireland currently have nowhere near the talent available to them in the late eighties, nineties and even into the noughties, but their results have been poor and it doesn't help that even smaller countries like Northern Ireland and Wales have out performed them in recent years.
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What a fucking job this bloke has done. Absolutely superb
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Does anyone think he has slept since the playoff final?
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He and Dean must have had much of this in place ready to go before the play off.
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Live to know his budget that was given !
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He and Dean must have had much of this in place ready to go before the play off.
Purslow said as much. That essentially they had a PL plan and one for the Championship mapped out.
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That's what you like to hear. It's pretty simple really but seems alien to a lot of folk / organisations.
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Dare I say it, but this is starting to feel like what a Chelsea, Liverpool or Man City fan must have felt like over the last however many years. Luiz looks like the real deal, a proper top 4 kind of player.
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Well he's definitely got the business done very efficiently. We won't really know if it's the right business (in the main) until they get into competitive action, but it's certainly encouraging.
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Well the important thing is that Sam Allardyce thinks he's doing a terrible job.
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Dare I say it, but this is starting to feel like what a Chelsea, Liverpool or Man City fan must have felt like over the last however many years. Luiz looks like the real deal, a proper top 4 kind of player.
My initial gut reaction is that Wesley might be too, but it is very early days.
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Dare I say it, but this is starting to feel like what a Chelsea, Liverpool or Man City fan must have felt like over the last however many years. Luiz looks like the real deal, a proper top 4 kind of player.
Agreed.
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I think the recruitment has been superb.....however I thought that when we bought all those French players.
I do think we are in good hands now though and cannot wait to take my seat at Villa Park this coming season.
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Expand the stadium. It’s not going to be big enough.
Cracking job Richard! And Dean!
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Well he's definitely got the business done very efficiently. We won't really know if it's the right business (in the main) until they get into competitive action, but it's certainly encouraging.
That's where I am.
Cautiously hopeful
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I think the recruitment has been superb.....however I thought that when we bought all those French players.
I do think we are in good hands now though and cannot wait to take my seat at Villa Park this coming season.
Difference is we had clowns running the club and a massive fucking bell end as manager.
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Live to know his budget that was given !
https://egyptindependent.com/forbes-billionaire-sawiris-net-worth-soars-to-7-9-billion/
"Budget, Jesus? What budget?"
Not forgetting Wes' paltry $2bn of course.
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Live to know his budget that was given !
Up to £200m was what someone told me at the time Purslow and Deano were doing interviews about summer plans. We ain't done yet I reckon!
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I think the recruitment has been superb.....however I thought that when we bought all those French players.
I do think we are in good hands now though and cannot wait to take my seat at Villa Park this coming season.
Difference is we had clowns running the club and a massive fucking bell end as manager.
Very true....
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I think the recruitment has been superb.....however I thought that when we bought all those French players.
I do think we are in good hands now though and cannot wait to take my seat at Villa Park this coming season.
It turns out those French players weren't half bad. They arrived into a complete shitshow and unsurprisingly sunk without trace. Veretout I'm not surprised with, even in that season he showed flashes of his ability. Gueye used play well for about an hour before a mistake or two would have him down tools.
This time it appears like guys have been bought as part of a coherent plan. That's the big change. Still no guarantee of success mind you, all our signings are completely unproven at the level they are stepping up to.
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I think the recruitment has been superb.....however I thought that when we bought all those French players.
I do think we are in good hands now though and cannot wait to take my seat at Villa Park this coming season.
It turns out those French players weren't half bad. They arrived into a complete shitshow and unsurprisingly sunk without trace. Veretout I'm not surprised with, even in that season he showed flashes of his ability. Gueye used play well for about an hour before a mistake or two would have him down tools.
This time it appears like guys have been bought as part of a coherent plan. That's the big change. Still no guarantee of success mind you, all our signings are completely unproven at the level they are stepping up to.
right players wrong manager and club set up
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I think the recruitment has been superb.....however I thought that when we bought all those French players.
I do think we are in good hands now though and cannot wait to take my seat at Villa Park this coming season.
It turns out those French players weren't half bad. They arrived into a complete shitshow and unsurprisingly sunk without trace. Veretout I'm not surprised with, even in that season he showed flashes of his ability. Gueye used play well for about an hour before a mistake or two would have him down tools.
This time it appears like guys have been bought as part of a coherent plan. That's the big change. Still no guarantee of success mind you, all our signings are completely unproven at the level they are stepping up to.
right players wrong manager and club set up
Generally speaking yes, but a couple of 'wrong' players too to throw into the equation.
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Rudy Gestede for example.
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Wasn't there a mix of strategies (no coherent, joined up plan) with some of the signings being Sherwood's.
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Wasn't there a mix of strategies (no coherent, joined up plan) with some of the signings being Sherwood's.
Yes. Weren't Richards and Lescott Sherwood signings?
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I don't think anyone knows what were Sherwood's signings, and that includes Sherwood.
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Just Head could barely even do that but he is usually cited as one of Dim's. We made most of our money back on Rudi, amazingly.
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Have we not signed anyone yet today?
Richard OUT!
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A lot of people wanted Gestede though so I think some of the criticism for Sherwood over signing him is unfair. He wasn't good enough, and his complete inability to link the play was a major factor in how poor we were that year, but it's not just Sherwood that missed the mark on him.
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A lot of people wanted Gestede though so I think some of the criticism for Sherwood over signing him is unfair. He wasn't good enough, and his complete inability to link the play was a major factor in how poor we were that year, but it's not just Sherwood that missed the mark on him.
Sherwood was the one paid the million pound salary to get it right though. Gestede is comfortably one of the worst footballers I've ever seen at Villa Park. He just couldn't run with the ball, at all.
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A lot of people wanted Gestede though so I think some of the criticism for Sherwood over signing him is unfair. He wasn't good enough, and his complete inability to link the play was a major factor in how poor we were that year, but it's not just Sherwood that missed the mark on him.
Sherwood was the one paid the million pound salary to get it right though. Gestede is comfortably one of the worst footballers I've ever seen at Villa Park. He just couldn't run with the ball, at all.
Of course, I'm just pointing out that there were a lot of people that were very happy about him signing and, after a cameo against Bournemouth, thought he'd prove to be a bargain. The biggest problem was that he clearly needed lots of crosses into the box but we just weren't putting enough in (other than Amavi) to get that benefit and instead tried to use him as if he was Benteke. Sherwood was fucking awful but, in my opinion, Gestede was a long way from being his worst mistake (despite being, as you say, a fucking awful footballer).
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A lot of people wanted Gestede though so I think some of the criticism for Sherwood over signing him is unfair. He wasn't good enough, and his complete inability to link the play was a major factor in how poor we were that year, but it's not just Sherwood that missed the mark on him.
Sherwood was the one paid the million pound salary to get it right though. Gestede is comfortably one of the worst footballers I've ever seen at Villa Park. He just couldn't run with the ball, at all.
Of course, I'm just pointing out that there were a lot of people that were very happy about him signing and, after a cameo against Bournemouth, thought he'd prove to be a bargain. The biggest problem was that he clearly needed lots of crosses into the box but we just weren't putting enough in (other than Amavi) to get that benefit and instead tried to use him as if he was Benteke. Sherwood was fucking awful but, in my opinion, Gestede was a long way from being his worst mistake (despite being, as you say, a fucking awful footballer).
I agree with Risso he’s one of the worst I’ve seen ability wise,
his attitude and work ethic were fine and I have no hard feelings toward him
He scored goals for others at that level that’s why I don’t overrate players who score a lot of goals in the championship I reckon even I could hit double figures and I’m nearer 60 than 50 nowadays
Gestede was good with his head but the ball had to actually land directly on his head he wasn’t going to be doing any moving towards it (blues apart)
he really was a walking bollard on the pitch
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A lot of people wanted Gestede though so I think some of the criticism for Sherwood over signing him is unfair. He wasn't good enough, and his complete inability to link the play was a major factor in how poor we were that year, but it's not just Sherwood that missed the mark on him.
Sherwood was the one paid the million pound salary to get it right though. Gestede is comfortably one of the worst footballers I've ever seen at Villa Park. He just couldn't run with the ball, at all.
Of course, I'm just pointing out that there were a lot of people that were very happy about him signing and, after a cameo against Bournemouth, thought he'd prove to be a bargain. The biggest problem was that he clearly needed lots of crosses into the box but we just weren't putting enough in (other than Amavi) to get that benefit and instead tried to use him as if he was Benteke. Sherwood was fucking awful but, in my opinion, Gestede was a long way from being his worst mistake (despite being, as you say, a fucking awful footballer).
I agree with Risso he’s one of the worst I’ve seen ability wise,
his attitude and work ethic were fine and I have no hard feelings toward him
He scored goals for others at that level that’s why I don’t overrate players who score a lot of goals in the championship I reckon even I could hit double figures and I’m nearer 60 than 50 nowadays
Gestede was good with his head but the ball had to actually land directly on his head he wasn’t going to be doing any moving towards it (blues apart)
he really was a walking bollard on the pitch
I don't dispute any of that, I thought most of it before he signed and couldn't work out why people wanted him, but as I say he isn't the reason (or even one of the major ones) Sherwood failed and we got relegated. In much the same way that Hogan is similarly limited but isn't the reason Bruce failed to get promotion.
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You're right Paul, but a manager's efforts will always be hindered if they choose to buy a semi-mobile hatstand or an ineffective human sausage to spearhead their attack.
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Time for this to be resurrected. With what we now know with approaching half the season gone, I think the question has to be asked, is he all that? (This isn’t to absolve Dean or the players from their part in where we find ourselves)
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I think it’s too early to call, Rome was not built in a day,
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Time for this to be resurrected. With what we now know with approaching half the season gone, I think the question has to be asked, is he all that? (This isn’t to absolve Dean or the players from their part in where we find ourselves)
Way too early to even start this debate
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He hasn't been at the last couple of home matches, from what I could see. Hopefully he's scouring the world for a decent forward.
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He hasn't been at the last couple of home matches, from what I could see. Hopefully he's scouring the world for a decent forward.
Been too busy at supermarkets getting the Chirstmas booze in for Judy.
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He hasn't been at the last couple of home matches, from what I could see. Hopefully he's scouring the world for a decent forward.
Let’s hope so.
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I actually think we’ve recruited well given the amount of players and the budget. We’re just a quality CF short.
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I actually think we’ve recruited well given the amount of players and the budget. We’re just a quality CF short.
Let's go through them all 15 games in, ignoring the guys who were on loan last season
Wesley - disaster, poorly scouted and completely unsuited to the critical role he was brought him to perform
Luiz - clearly has talent but given he is struggling to keep Hourihane or even Lansbury out of the side, it says a lot
Targett - decent v Newcastle, or average sides when we dominate possession, but very poor for the price paid. Snail like
Konsa - clearly has potential but horrible ball watching habit needs urgent correcting
Nakamba - decent enough I guess for the price paid and can improve further
Trez - stats aren't bad but ability wise looks decidedly average
Heaton - decent shotsopper but his glue like addiction to his goal line doesn't help matters
Engels - very decent defender, lack of pace aside,
Jota - cheap but a lazy signing, not and will never be up to the required standard
Guilbert - quality signing, especially given the price
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How on earth is he struggling to keep Lansbury out the team? Lansbury has made 5 sub appearances in the league and Luiz started 4 of those games.
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Seems to me that no focus on overseas recruitment rather than home leagues .
Players right in front of eyes could be bought or looked at but options have come from abroad.
I actually like the majority of signings however it makes the task ultra difficult with moulding and incorporating the players and team to adapt to new ways of life let alone playing.
That needs to be considered .
Players coming from around uk and may not even having to move or players having to come to new country.
By all means love that 2 Brazilian were signed however it's very make or break and strategic .
Business investment seems too high an agenda at times.
Its getting right balance because we all know what happend with last owner. (And others)
I just hope Suso has some understanding of what it takes for premier league.
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Also I think Smith being unable to land Maupay speaks to how much his input has .
Instead we had a Suso recommendation for new striker.
Smith isn't the say on the money and why would he have not wanted Maupay.
I think this Suso has his say and came up with a record Brazilian signing .
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How on earth is he struggling to keep Lansbury out the team? Lansbury has made 5 sub appearances in the league and Luiz started 4 of those games.
Lansbury was first man on at Old Trafford
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How on earth is he struggling to keep Lansbury out the team? Lansbury has made 5 sub appearances in the league and Luiz started 4 of those games.
Lansbury was first man on at Old Trafford
Second man on, and Lansbury replaced Conor. Luiz played the full game, so again, how is Luiz struggling to keep Lansbury out the team?
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I think a decent Centre forward and we'd have at least 4 more points and 6+ places higher in the league, that'd end the conversation.
I still think all of our signing have done ok to well when you consider the money we spent - $120mill across 12 players.
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How on earth is he struggling to keep Lansbury out the team? Lansbury has made 5 sub appearances in the league and Luiz started 4 of those games.
Lansbury was first man on at Old Trafford
Second man on, and Lansbury replaced Conor. Luiz played the full game, so again, how is Luiz struggling to keep Lansbury out the team?
My mind playing tricks on me re Lansbury evidently...
Not so re Hourihane, general point still stands, Luiz has been a disappointment thus far. Fitness, aggression and attitude are not to the required standard yet.
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Luiz’s issue is around fit. We’ve got an abundance of midfielders who can do a bit of everything and like playing centrally. Considering we were building around JG and SJM, both of whom have stepped up just as well as expected in the PL, we were crying out for proper wide players and a proper play spoiling defensive midfielder to get the best out of them. Instead we’ve got them both playing out of their favoured positions and SJM looking frustrated.
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Nakamba is the defensive destroyer to go with Grealish and McGinn in centre midfield, and I think that would work damn well.....if the 2 wide men and CF were good enough but they aint.
The problem with this team and why we find ourselves dragged into a survival dogfight instead of comfortably mid table and safe is Wesley and Trezeguet/El Ghazi are not good enough.
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Nakamba is the defensive destroyer to go with Grealish and McGinn in centre midfield, and I think that would work damn well.....if the 2 wide men and CF were good enough but they aint.
The problem with this team and why we find ourselves dragged into a survival dogfight instead of comfortably mid table and safe is Wesley and Trezeguet/El Ghazi are not good enough.
I think you’re right, we can moan all we like about defence and midfield, we have the squad to fix that, our biggest problems are up front and out wide, Wes is struggling with no adequate back up, Trez hasn’t settled, Jota has been injured and AEG is at his frustrating unreliable best. Pushing Grealish forwards helps paper over the cracks as we can play another midfielder where we have some depth but we are severely lacking up front and out wide.
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We're doing about as well as a side promoted through the play-offs should be expected to have done. Our goal difference isn't bad. We've been on the end of a couple of nasty results, Leicester, City, Wolves and been very close in other games, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool. And we've had a couple of really good wins too, Everton, Newcastle, Norwich.
To me that evidences that we have a good part to play in this league. We're not out of our depth and it shows we're a new side.
All these signings are playing to a relatively decent standard, some have had great moments, some not as good, but it's all about a team having time to gel. We've bought for the future, and with players who can get better remember, these buys aren't players who are supposed to be there already but who can get better.
Time will tell but the signs are there.
I think a couple could do with a rest.
Overall I'm happy with what we've bought.
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We're doing about as well as a side promoted through the play-offs should be expected to have done. Our goal difference isn't bad. We've been on the end of a couple of nasty results, Leicester, City, Wolves and been very close in other games, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool. And we've had a couple of really good wins too, Everton, Newcastle, Norwich.
To me that evidences that we have a good part to play in this league. We're not out of our depth and it shows we're a new side.
All these signings are playing to a relatively decent standard, some have had great moments, some not as good, but it's all about a team having time to gel. We've bought for the future, and with players who can get better remember, these buys aren't players who are supposed to be there already but who can get better.
Time will tell but the signs are there.
I think a couple could do with a rest.
Overall I'm happy with what we've bought.
pretty much spot on. The first half of the season was always going to be tough because we had so little experience. Lets not forget the only player outside of defence who had ever played in the premier league before the season started was Grealish and behind them you only have Heaton, Elmo, Taylor and Chester with more than a handful of appearances.
We need to step up in the next 4 games, that much is clear but 7-8 points wouldn't be a shock given how we play against the bottom half sides and then things look a lot healthier going into the window.
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I think we'll struggle to get anything away at Sheffield United. They're playing well and have a better manager, and a well organised squad. After that, we should beat Southampton and Norwich, but don't think Watford will be a walk in the park. I can see a loss against Sheffield, draw against Southampton, win against Norwich and draw against Watford.
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I wouldn't disagree with that Risso. Though I hope you're fucking wrong about Sheff Utd.
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He hasn't been at the last couple of home matches, from what I could see. Hopefully he's scouring the world for a decent forward.
He's in a monastery doing penance for his involvement in the signing of Wesley.
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I wouldn't disagree with that Risso. Though I hope you're fucking wrong about Sheff Utd.
I've got tickets, so let me know if you fancy a pint!
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I think we'll do ok against them but it's a hard one to call a result for.
I think we'll beat Southampton and Norwich, they're both quite open (like us) and we have the attacking players to take advantage of that. Watford are harder to judge because whilst they're really shit the team on paper doesn't look all that bad, I think we'll beat them though.
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I wouldn't disagree with that Risso. Though I hope you're fucking wrong about Sheff Utd.
I've got tickets, so let me know if you fancy a pint!
I'm up for a couple beforehand but have to shoot off somewhere else after. Plenty of places to have a decent beer.
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I think we'll struggle to get anything away at Sheffield United. They're playing well and have a better manager, and a well organised squad. After that, we should beat Southampton and Norwich, but don't think Watford will be a walk in the park. I can see a loss against Sheffield, draw against Southampton, win against Norwich and draw against Watford.
Agreed. Can’t see us getting anything at Sheffield Utd either, but we need to be turning over Norwich, Southampton and Watford.
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Pitarch had better be out there working on some truly magical deals. The man responsible for going into this season with an attack that's not fit for purpose and a defence that's conceding two goals a game on average should be clocking up some airmiles and sweating his arse off trying to put things right.
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More chance of Santa squeezing down my chimney on Tuesday night .........and no that's not a euphemism for some kind of sexual pleasure .....I know how some of your twisted minds work out there
Merry Christmas H and V ers (and even you Ads :) )
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Pitarch had better be out there working on some truly magical deals. The man responsible for going into this season with an attack that's not fit for purpose and a defence that's conceding two goals a game on average should be clocking up some airmiles and sweating his arse off trying to put things right.
For all we know, he possibly is. Maybe we have deals lined up, we just don't know. Let's hope so anyway.
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Pitarch had better be out there working on some truly magical deals. The man responsible for going into this season with an attack that's not fit for purpose and a defence that's conceding two goals a game on average should be clocking up some airmiles and sweating his arse off trying to put things right.
If, as you say in the Smith thread, he's not been at the last few games then you'd imagine that's exactly what he's doing.
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Did you two have that pint in Sheffield and shake hands on your differences?!
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I think we'll struggle to get anything away at Sheffield United. They're playing well and have a better manager, and a well organised squad. After that, we should beat Southampton and Norwich, but don't think Watford will be a walk in the park. I can see a loss against Sheffield, draw against Southampton, win against Norwich and draw against Watford.
Agreed. Can’t see us getting anything at Sheffield Utd either, but we need to be turning over Norwich, Southampton and Watford.
1 down 2 to go.
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Not having 20 points by mid season would be really poor and that's looking pretty likely. Even if we rally and beat Norwich I don't think we've got the grit to dig out draws at Watford or Burnley.
Second half of the season we're simply going to have to beat a couple of the better sides at Villa Park. We've used up many of the winnable home games already.
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Did you two have that pint in Sheffield and shake hands on your differences?!
No, the bastard didn't show.
Having said that we didn't actually arrange to meet.
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Just what does this bloke actually do?
Isn't research and recruitment his domain. It is 4 & a half months since the last transfer window closed. Time enough for scouting and getting potential deals lined up for the 1st January.
Yet here we are a week in and if today's news is correct then the deeply flawed Drinkwater will be the first recruit. Taking up 1 of 2 loans allowed.
Indeed this proposed deal smacks of desperation.
Where are the 2 strikers that are an urgent priority.
If Drinkwater is the best he can do then he needs sacking with immediately effect!
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Just what does this bloke actually do?
Isn't research and recruitment his domain. It is 4 & a half months since the last transfer window closed. Time enough for scouting and getting potential deals lined up for the 1st January.
Yet here we are a week in and if today's news is correct then the deeply flawed Drinkwater will be the first recruit. Taking up 1 of 2 loans allowed.
Indeed this proposed deal smacks of desperation.
Where are the 2 strikers that are an urgent priority.
If Drinkwater is the best he can do then he needs sacking with immediately effect!
Whilst it is virtually impossible to get most deals done during the first week of the January window, I am not impressed with Suso so far.
The European signings have been average at best and it stinks to high Heaven that we signed 2 payers from the same team for around £30 million, neither of whom look ready for the PL.
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Just what does this bloke actually do?
Isn't research and recruitment his domain. It is 4 & a half months since the last transfer window closed. Time enough for scouting and getting potential deals lined up for the 1st January.
Yet here we are a week in and if today's news is correct then the deeply flawed Drinkwater will be the first recruit. Taking up 1 of 2 loans allowed.
Indeed this proposed deal smacks of desperation.
Where are the 2 strikers that are an urgent priority.
If Drinkwater is the best he can do then he needs sacking with immediately effect!
Whilst it is virtually impossible to get most deals done during the first week of the January window, I am not impressed with Suso so far.
The European signings have been average at best and it stinks to high Heaven that we signed 2 payers from the same team for around £30 million, neither of whom look ready for the PL.
In fairness, they couldn't have predicted McGinn, Heaton, and Wesley all suffering long term injuries right at the star of the tranfer window.
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Just what does this bloke actually do?
Isn't research and recruitment his domain. It is 4 & a half months since the last transfer window closed. Time enough for scouting and getting potential deals lined up for the 1st January.
Yet here we are a week in and if today's news is correct then the deeply flawed Drinkwater will be the first recruit. Taking up 1 of 2 loans allowed.
Indeed this proposed deal smacks of desperation.
Where are the 2 strikers that are an urgent priority.
If Drinkwater is the best he can do then he needs sacking with immediately effect!
Whilst it is virtually impossible to get most deals done during the first week of the January window, I am not impressed with Suso so far.
The European signings have been average at best and it stinks to high Heaven that we signed 2 payers from the same team for around £30 million, neither of whom look ready for the PL.
In fairness, they couldn't have predicted McGinn, Heaton, and Wesley all suffering long term injuries right at the star of the tranfer window.
Yes but that isn't my point. My point being that the signings generally attributed to Suso have not been great. They also appear to be alternatives to Smith's first choice preferences.
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Yes but that isn't my point. My point being that the signings generally attributed to Suso have not been great. They also appear to be alternatives to Smith's first choice preferences.
Is there any evidence that this is the case?
I have no inside knowledge of our recruitment process whatsoever but has it not been fairly widely stated that all transfers are agreed/decided upon by Smith, Suso and Purslow together.
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The signings we've made thus far are players who will improve.
Drinkwater is an experienced league winner, who struggles to get in to the Chelsea team, which isn't a surprise given the players they have. As for Burnley, I'd agree it hasn't gone well.
Just because you'd like a player signed at a second past midnight on New Year's Day doesn't mean it's feasible. Look at every club and note the lack of activity. The only way to try and move it quicker is to pay absolutely stupid money.
I think the majority of the signings we've made of late will go for more money than we've paid and they will get better.
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Yes but that isn't my point. My point being that the signings generally attributed to Suso have not been great. They also appear to be alternatives to Smith's first choice preferences.
Is there any evidence that this is the case?
I have no inside knowledge of our recruitment process whatsoever but has it not been fairly widely stated that all transfers are agreed/decided upon by Smith, Suso and Purslow together.
Well if it isn't the case then I'd agree with Nelson Lodge - WTF does Suso do?
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This isn’t a window where long term targets are going to be signed. The players that moved in the summer like Engels, Nakamba etc would not be moving mid season as you’d need to pay a premium as clubs are loathe to sell their players without replacements.
Look at it from this perspective, we have players we’d probably agree to let go if a suitable offer came in even though it’s January as they are not really in the first team picture, maybe Hogan, Lansbury or Chester for example.
We then have another group that we may want to move on and replace to improve the squad in the summer, maybe Hourihane, Taylor etc come into that bucket. However we’d probably want more for them in this window than the summer as they’ve longer to run on their contracts and we’d need to replace with better, who in turn would cost us more for the same reason.
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Just what does this bloke actually do?
Isn't research and recruitment his domain. It is 4 & a half months since the last transfer window closed. Time enough for scouting and getting potential deals lined up for the 1st January.
Yet here we are a week in and if today's news is correct then the deeply flawed Drinkwater will be the first recruit. Taking up 1 of 2 loans allowed.
Indeed this proposed deal smacks of desperation.
Where are the 2 strikers that are an urgent priority.
If Drinkwater is the best he can do then he needs sacking with immediately effect!
Both Valencia and Athletico Madrid were very successful when he was their director of football, reaching finals of European competitions.
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Trust us to get a "Jesus, that can't get things nailed on"
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Forgive him! For he knows not what he does.
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He's travelling 24/7 at the moment to get deals done and WhatsApping Dean all the time with suitable emojis. Give him a fucking break.
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This isn’t a window where long term targets are going to be signed.
No, Barry (L) definitely isn't that.
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This isn’t a window where long term targets are going to be signed.
No, Barry (L) definitely isn't that.
Ok I accept that!
Let me rephrase; long term targets to go straight into the first team!
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Trouble on the horizon for Suso?
https://twitter.com/greggevans40/status/1239606865937514496
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Trouble on the horizon for Suso?
https://twitter.com/greggevans40/status/1239606865937514496
Those things never tend to end well...
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What has he said?
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No idea.
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The Meaning Evil has the full story.
His days might be numbered.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-news-suso-coronavirus-17935304
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Hope there is a Spanish equivalent of “dead man walking” that he is familiar with.
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Daft thing to do when there's a finger that's looking for something to point at.
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That link will not open for me for some reason, would some kind individual summarise it for me please?
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That link will not open for me for some reason, would some kind individual summarise it for me please?
Google the line below and click the first link from the search
/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-news-suso-coronavirus-17935304
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That link will not open for me for some reason, would some kind individual summarise it for me please?
It's very short, typical Mail. He says that there doesn't appear to be an appetite for any of the Premier Division clubs to be relegated. Nothing to see here and I don't see why he's getting sacked just because he's saying what people are thinking.
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That link will not open for me for some reason, would some kind individual summarise it for me please?
It's very short, typical Mail. He says that there doesn't appear to be an appetite for any of the Premier Division clubs to be relegated. Nothing to see here and I don't see why he's getting sacked just because he's saying what people are thinking.
It is the reply from AVFC that is significant, saying that this is his personal opinion and nothing to do with the club. Normally a club will support one of its senior employees.
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That link will not open for me for some reason, would some kind individual summarise it for me please?
It's very short, typical Mail. He says that there doesn't appear to be an appetite for any of the Premier Division clubs to be relegated. Nothing to see here and I don't see why he's getting sacked just because he's saying what people are thinking.
It is the reply from AVFC that is significant, saying that this is his personal opinion and nothing to do with the club. Normally a club will support one of its senior employees.
It also feeds the narrative with the other clubs that clubs like he likes of West Ham and now us just want to shirk what's coming our way.
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Thanks all.
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He has followed Karen Brady's lead on this one and wants promotion and relegation suspended this season. I am sure the powers that be of all the relegation threatened PL clubs would agree. Just as the Champions elect Liverpool and the clubs on course for next seasons European places would suggest just the opposite regarding the top of the table.
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Aston Villa have distanced themselves from comments made by Jesus Garcia Pitarch in a damning statement issued about the sporting director.
Pitarch - also known as Suso - conducted a rare interview with Spanish media this week about the potential impact the coronavirus could have on the Premier League.
In the interview, with newspaper Cope, he claimed there is a consensus among top-flight clubs that no sides will be relegated this season.
He said: “If the peak of the coronavirus is to occur in May, no one thinks of a competition in which players, coaches, health personnel of the club will continue to appear every day, there are clubs that do not see an option that the competition possibly resumes on June 30.
"The most reasonable solution if the League has to be stopped is that there are no relegations. There is a certain unanimity that there should be no relegations."
He also said that Liverpool must be crowned as champions if it is not possible to fulfil the remaining nine fixtures becuase of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The 20 top-flight clubs are due to meet later this week to hold talks over what should happen next with matches already having been postponed until early April.
And amid what is an unprecedented situation, Villa have released a short statement in response to Pitarch’s comments.
It said: “The views attributed to Mr Garcia Pitarch in the Spanish media are not those of Aston Villa. Now is not the time to be speculating about future arrangements for Premier League football this season."
Pitarch's position at Villa is thought to be at risk with Dean Smith's side in 19th place after a summer of heavy investment in the transfer market.
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He's said aloud what Paul Barber (Brighton CEO) wouldn't admit on TV on Saturday.
His position is in trouble regardless with the botched January transfer window anyway. Same for DS.
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He has spoken out of turn, this is not his responsibility and I would suggest that the Club wants to control the narrative and not have someone shooting their mouth off.
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This football season will be like the the series of Dallas when Bobby Ewing died but it was all a dream and he was just taking a really long shower. Pam Ewing will wake up from the dream and find out that Bobby is alive and well and Liverpool still haven't won the league since 1990.
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He has spoken out of turn, this is not his responsibility and I would suggest that the Club wants to control the narrative and not have someone shooting their mouth off.
that's exactly it.
Good excuse to offload him, if Purslow wants to.
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Agreed
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Whilst sacking him if he’s not up to the job is fine for me, and a poor transfer window, I’m not sure hat he’s said is that outrageous.
Karen Brady said the same very publically at the weekend.
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That press release from the club is pretty cold. They don't even refer to him as Suso.
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Whilst sacking him if he’s not up to the job is fine for me, and a poor transfer window, I’m not sure hat he’s said is that outrageous.
Karen Brady said the same very publically at the weekend.
Not the point, he is not the spokesperson for Aston Villa and should not be commenting on matters outside of his remit.
Lady I luv u Karun is the WHU spokesperson.
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Echoing the sentiments of Karen Shady, sorry Brady should be a sackable offense at the Villa in itself.
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That link will not open for me for some reason, would some kind individual summarise it for me please?
It's because the link title has been changed.
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I don't read that statement the same way as everyone else, I see that as "the decisions are yet to be made so we won't discuss the matter publicly and hence these are personal opinions not those of the club". I don't see it as evidence he should start packing, just a sensible approach to what will be a big topic if games don't restart in early April (as is almost certainly going to be the case).
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I see that Stephen Warnock has said that he heard that Deano only chose three of our signings last summer.
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I see that Stephen Warnock has said that he heard that Deano only chose three of our signings last summer.
I cannot imagine Pitarch flying totally solo- as has been said before, Purslow would need to be involved because he is signing off the spend on a specific player. Smith would certainly have been given the opportunity to veto a signing - I can't imagine a working environment where he is simply presented with faits accomplis.
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Stephen fackin' Warnock, what would he know?
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I see that Stephen Warnock has said that he heard that Deano only chose three of our signings last summer.
I cannot imagine Pitarch flying totally solo- as has been said before, Purslow would need to be involved because he is signing off the spend on a specific player. Smith would certainly have been given the opportunity to veto a signing - I can't imagine a working environment where he is simply presented with faits accomplis.
I really don't think he had much say, which is why I think some of the critisism it tough.
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I see that Stephen Warnock has said that he heard that Deano only chose three of our signings last summer.
I cannot imagine Pitarch flying totally solo- as has been said before, Purslow would need to be involved because he is signing off the spend on a specific player. Smith would certainly have been given the opportunity to veto a signing - I can't imagine a working environment where he is simply presented with faits accomplis.
I really don't think he had much say, which is why I think some of the critisism it tough.
That - if true, Chris - reflects poorly on Purslow.
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Must be Konsa?
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Stephen fackin' Warnock, what would he know?
Former Villa player.....quite possibly a bit.
We had previous here in this club not too long ago with Sherwood leaking to his cronies that the Johnny foreigner types weren't his signings. If Smith is at the same craic now too, it only exposes him further as he claimed he had final say last summer.
In terms of scouting I highly doubt anyone but Smith recommended Konsa or Targett to be signed, we overpaid crazily for those two. Jota was his daft gamble. Engels he tried to sign at Brentford and re-signing AEG, Hause and Mings he was surely ok with. So that leaves Heaton, Guilbert, Luiz, Nakamba, Trez, Wesley, Samatta, Reina, Drinky and Baston.
When the dust settles Smith and Suso will have to go.
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How on earth would Stephen Warnock know anything about the finer workings of our transfer dealings? He's not played for us for 8 years!
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Stephen fackin' Warnock, what would he know?
Former Villa player.....quite possibly a bit.
Doubtful. It's been years since he's played for us. The club has been through three different owners since and very few of the club hierarchy if any will have been here in his time. He won't have played with any of the players and the management staff are all new. So where do you think he gets his inside knowledge from?
He wasn't even very good at doing his own job so I'm certainly not taking his cutting edge insight in to what's going on at Villa nearly a decade later.
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Warnock isn't a bad pundit, but what are his sources?
No old HP jokes, please!
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Stephen fackin' Warnock, what would he know?
Former Villa player.....quite possibly a bit.
Doubtful. It's been years since he's played for us. The club has been through three different owners since and very few of the club hierarchy if any will have been here in his time. He won't have played with any of the players and the management staff are all new. So where do you think he gets his inside knowledge from?
He wasn't even very good at doing his own job so I'm certainly not taking his cutting edge insight in to what's going on at Villa nearly a decade later.
Pundit on the circuit...would hardly be a surprise if he had a well informed source within Villa Park. He was in a World Cup squad (hard to believe!) with one of the backroom staff for starters.
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As an ex professional footballer who played at the highest level I would think he is better placed than the majority of muppets posting on here.
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Need a hug Hun?
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Other media are available.
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Should be the first for the chop. I believe it was said that we were going to sign players with decent sell on value. Other than Luiz, we will struggle to get our money back on any one of his signings. Wasted an insane amount of money on some absolute wank.
Whatever the fuck we get when Jack fucks off I dont want him anywhere near it.
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Time for this charlatan to be shown the door.
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I actually think we did end up with Richard Madeley.
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This chancer joins a long, long list of chancers who have rocked up at villa this past decade, stolen a living, and been incompetent.
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This chancer joins a long, long list of chancers who have rocked up at villa this past decade, stolen a living, and been incompetent.
This. He should be the very first out the door.
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This chancer joins a long, long list of chancers who have rocked up at villa this past decade, stolen a living, and been incompetent.
This. He should be the very first out the door.
the
I wonder why we're waiting?
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I'm sure he's already gone, but what would be the point in making it public before the season is over?
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Well he's definitely got the business done very efficiently. We won't really know if it's the right business (in the main) until they get into competitive action, but it's certainly encouraging.
You're a wise man, Ger. We now know why he got the 'business done very efficiently'. Every club bit our hand off.
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What I don't get is we got majority of signings done by Mid July yet DS said this week the squad hadn't been fit enough for most of the season?!
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I suspect many of those we signed were deals done and discussed with the thought of us being in the Championship.
As such, they'd have had a chance to develop and grow, individually and as a team, in less of a spotlight. As it turned out, we did a bit better, gambled on them and it's not worked. Doesn't mean they won't come good (see Veretout, Gueye etc before) but it's been a baptism of fire.
Poor preparation in any event but bringing so many in together at the same time was never a good recipe.
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They had the right idea to try a bridge the gap from a play-off winning side to the PL, but they just bought poorly. We needed a overhaul yes to give us a chance to stay up, but they are not good enough.
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What I don't get is we got majority of signings done by Mid July yet DS said this week the squad hadn't been fit enough for most of the season?!
Underestimated the speed and intensity of this league maybe?
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What I don't get is we got majority of signings done by Mid July yet DS said this week the squad hadn't been fit enough for most of the season?!
Underestimated the speed and intensity of this league maybe?
You could understand that in August and September but we've generally looked much worse since December in our performances.
Would've thought a week's training camp somewhere abroad to get everyone up to speed would've been logical but guess we couldn't fit it in given our league cup run.
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He said what? Absolutely no excuse for saying we’ve not been fit enough 34 games in. I’m flabbergasted by that.
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I suspect many of those we signed were deals done and discussed with the thought of us being in the Championship.
As such, they'd have had a chance to develop and grow, individually and as a team, in less of a spotlight. As it turned out, we did a bit better, gambled on them and it's not worked. Doesn't mean they won't come good (see Veretout, Gueye etc before) but it's been a baptism of fire.
Poor preparation in any event but bringing so many in together at the same time was never a good recipe.
I don’t buy the first bit, they made a big deal of plan A & B for promotion or not.
Prior mismanagement left a limited hand to be played. The amount of churn needed was risky.
You *could* argue we didn’t spend *that* much relative to what we needed (average player price).
Of course Sheffield United show what’s possible when the project is evolved over time for good value.
I’m willing to buy that Dean didn’t get a couple he wanted and got what he was given on a couple to a degree.
Where it left us was highly dependent on
a) a lot making the step up and
b) a lot hitting the ground running, when we weren’t allowed to spend what we needed for guaranteed quality - the ongoing travesty of FFP fixing the top table of football.
A bunch did neither, *and* then injuries (S-ishJM, Heaton, Wes) hamstrung us.
VAR has not been kind either.
Same rules for all but I do have sympathy how the extra subs have benefitted the big/deep squads more.
What seems to compound all of it, what all that pivots around, what it’s meant has been *crucial* is what we’ve got out of the resources we’ve got/brought in.
The slowness to make changes in-match, failure to play safe/maintain concentration to hold on to wins or draws, maybe a naivety in thinking we were safe enough to go hung ho. It’s just not felt Dean has been able to get the most out of them.
I think he has shown some shifts since lockdown, (which itself gave us a second chance to change momentum), but yes very concerning if we blame fitness at this stage.
It’s got me down, and I imagine Jack too even more, who we rely on too much to drive the team. Nullify/kick Jack out the game and we are too impotent.
I’m open to the fact Dean is learning, but it’s not really been quick enough and despite turning us round so well last year from coming in and post a bad run, he can’t have too many complaints if he gets binned.
(Apart from all the list of complaints above that is!)
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Last summer’s business has been shown over the course of the season to be poor.
I think we would not be in quite such a mess had Wesley stayed fit, as the chances are he would have improved with more experience of the league. I do think though that it was a massive leap of faith to go into the season with a rookie as our only realistic striker option. Kodjia showed last season that He wouldn’t contribute much.
I was a bit suspicious of why the Belgian league seemed to have been identified as the best source of players, in a sort of moneyball way. We didn’t seem to be getting particularly good value considering the relatively low standard of football there.
With hindsight the move away from loans was probably a bit too limiting as well, given how many signings we had to make in one go. To expect enough of them to work out was overly optimistic.
Someone mentioned in another thread that a few Craig Dawson type signings mixed in would have been better. I tend to agree with that. Players who know the league and can guide the rookies. Jedinak, Whelan, Elphick and Chester did have to go, but their leadership qualities weren’t adequately replaced.
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Leaving the club
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Praise the Lord, Jesus is gone
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Without knowing the mechanics of the relationships, it feels like a good decision from the outside. I can imagine that Nakamba, Samatta, Engels and others will be speaking to their agents pronto.
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I hope Smith told the board to get rid
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Leaving the club
Oh Christ no what are we going to do?
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Leaving the club
Oh Christ no what are we going to do?
I read that in a Glasgow accent.
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Btw what's the source for this? Can't find any such confirmation online anywhere
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Rumours on twatter
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Reported on BBC apparently!
Hope it's true!
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Rumours on twatter
Rumour started byy BBC Sport journo
https://twitter.com/sistoney67/status/1287837161820127233
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Leaving the club
Oh Christ no what are we going to do?
I read that in a Glasgow accent.
Les Dennis' Mavis Riley.
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Suso-long.
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confirmation
https://twitter.com/PreeceObserver/status/1287845045907992577
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Ok so now what? Kind of odd timing, or are we to believe they think he was good at finding championship players but not premier league level players?
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That’s not a good sign imo. Who has been planning this window’s transfers?
Unless we’ve extracted the information required and politely sacked him I think it is a worry that we will be reliant just on the manager to sign this year’s new players.
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Will we replace him? Or just have Smith signing players?
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I’d have thought this was agreed a while ago, and things are already in place.
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Our scouts? Coaches? Or maybe deals are done already.
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I don't think this decision was made today. It was planned all along and we must have someone else lined up. I think he was done however the season ended.
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Suso been Suso been gone Suso been gone my baby.
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Something had to give. Last summer's recruitment wasn't great. I wonder whether they'll try to get someone better or give more control to Dean.
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If he had a role in bringing in Douglas Luiz then I would like to say thank you.
If he had a role in bringing in Drinkwater, Baston, Samatta, Nakamba etc...
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Will we replace him? Or just have Smith signing players?
I would assume they’d replace him. There’s clearly a model they want in place.
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Interesting comments from Dean Smith last night in hindsight then. He said it was important to get the recruitment right this summer and that the 3 of them (him, Purslow and Pitarch) were meeting today.
Some of the comments make it sound like there's only ever one go involved in transfers. As far as I know, there's a recruitment department.
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If he had a role in bringing in Douglas Luiz then I would like to say thank you.
If he had a role in bringing in Drinkwater, Baston, Samatta, Nakamba etc...
Bit harsh to place Nakamba in that bracket.
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I wonder if they may do away with the role, promote Dean to Manager and bring in another coach. Perhaps promote JT to Assistant Manager? Probably not, bring in another DOF? A better one who uses their history and connections that they have as Suso didn't appear to use the Spanish connection.
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Great news. Let’s not dress it up, the recruitment was a disaster, especially in January. We gambled on players that weren’t even setting a second rate Belgian league alight and they aren’t even near the standard required. January was just atrocious recruitment, even in the restrictions of FFP our loan market moves were laughable, a real lack of ingenuity and understanding that we were in deep shit. £10m on Nakamba - I know it’s not a lot of money in today’s market but West Ham went and got Soucek on loan who looks 3 times the player. Hope we’ve had someone lined up for some time and we’ve already got irons in the fire so we can hit the ground running in Sept
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If he had a role in bringing in Douglas Luiz then I would like to say thank you.
If he had a role in bringing in Drinkwater, Baston, Samatta, Nakamba etc...
Bit harsh to place Nakamba in that bracket.
I don't know man. He always scares me when he's on the pitch. He had some decent games but too many where he's looked lost or given the ball away a lot. I'm not convinced at all he's PL quality.
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Great news. Let’s not dress it up, the recruitment was a disaster, especially in January. We gambled on players that weren’t even setting a second rate Belgian league alight and they aren’t even near the standard required. January was just atrocious recruitment, even in the restrictions of FFP our loan market moves were laughable, a real lack of ingenuity and understanding that we were in deep shit. £10m on Nakamba - I know it’s not a lot of money in today’s market but West Ham went and got Soucek on loan who looks 3 times the player. Hope we’ve had someone lined up for some time and we’ve already got irons in the fire so we can hit the ground running in Sept
Fair comment. Nakamba will hopefully get better but at the moment looks pants. The January recruitment was absolutely terrible, Reina apart, and let's be honest, if Steer was fit, Reina wouldn't have been recruited. Baston? For fuck sake. If the owners are serious about this football club, they will simply not allow this kind of incompetence in recruitment going forward.
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If he had a role in bringing in Douglas Luiz then I would like to say thank you.
If he had a role in bringing in Drinkwater, Baston, Samatta, Nakamba etc...
Bit harsh to place Nakamba in that bracket.
I don't know man. He always scares me when he's on the pitch. He had some decent games but too many where he's looked lost or given the ball away a lot. I'm not convinced at all he's PL quality.
He’s no where near it. If he’s a £10m premier league player then the world has gone mad. He’s bang average. He reminds me of Isiah Osborne
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Great news. Let’s not dress it up, the recruitment was a disaster, especially in January. We gambled on players that weren’t even setting a second rate Belgian league alight and they aren’t even near the standard required. January was just atrocious recruitment, even in the restrictions of FFP our loan market moves were laughable, a real lack of ingenuity and understanding that we were in deep shit. £10m on Nakamba - I know it’s not a lot of money in today’s market but West Ham went and got Soucek on loan who looks 3 times the player. Hope we’ve had someone lined up for some time and we’ve already got irons in the fire so we can hit the ground running in Sept
Fair comment. Nakamba will hopefully get better but at the moment looks pants. The January recruitment was absolutely terrible, Reina apart, and let's be honest, if Steer was fit, Reina wouldn't have been recruited. Baston? For fuck sake. If the owners are serious about this football club, they will simply not allow this kind of incompetence in recruitment going forward.
We sign Baston who couldn’t make Swansea’s bench and Swansea take a punt on Brewster on loan who looks a handful and would have done a job for us. Disastrous recruitment with nearly dire consequences.
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If he had a role in bringing in Douglas Luiz then I would like to say thank you.
If he had a role in bringing in Drinkwater, Baston, Samatta, Nakamba etc...
Bit harsh to place Nakamba in that bracket.
I don't know man. He always scares me when he's on the pitch. He had some decent games but too many where he's looked lost or given the ball away a lot. I'm not convinced at all he's PL quality.
He’s no where near it. If he’s a £10m premier league player then the world has gone mad. He’s bang average. He reminds me of Isiah Osborne
The world has gone mad. He is what £10 million gets you. He started off well, lost form and hopefully the experience will have done him good.
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We are going to need (at least) 4 £25m players. Someone needs to have done their homework.
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What I do like is there has been no fannying about. It hasn't worked, get rid and don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. We need players in quickly and I hope there is a plan in place to do this but I'm pleased that we have acted swiftly. Businesslike and purposeful.
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I would give Nakamba more time, some players just take longer. Luiz had his critics six months ago, look at him now.
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Think that's a great move to get susso out.
Dean Smith learning Spanish was a waste. Hopefully a footballing person now will come in alongside Smith and help recruit.
Or alternatively if a proper analytics people can come in and do a high end recruitment effort a la Brentford . Maybe take their people even.
Susso should have gone for the recruitment in January.
Pleased Dean Smith stays and gets to build .
Thanks a little bit Pitarch but generally didn't give the players deemed suited to help us finish higher than 17th.
Onwards and up the villa
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Nakamba is a decent squad player.
Luiz was a brilliant signing.
Wesley, Trez and Samatta not so.
Suso hasn't done great, but also not as badly as its made out.
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Got to be honest this does sound alarm bells for me slightly. It's nothing to do with the job Suso has done but more that it brings the ownership's judgement into question for pretty much the first time (other than maybe Bruce).
For whatever reason they obviously thought he was the right man for the job and it hasn't worked. Hopefully it was just a one off mistake and not something they are going to repeat. If we have to keep changing high profile roles at the club because we keep appointing the wrong people, we'll only go backwards. I think stability is going to be key to any long term success.
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Maybe Suso was the best we could attract back in the Championship. Now we are in the market for better?
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Nakamba is shite.
For me, it's accepting players that crap which is what got us into such a mess this season in the first place. Wesley, Nakamba, Samatta, Jota, Drinkwater (!!), possibly Targett not good enough.
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Got to be honest this does sound alarm bells for me slightly. It's nothing to do with the job Suso has done but more that it brings the ownership's judgement into question for pretty much the first time (other than maybe Bruce).
For whatever reason they obviously thought he was the right man for the job and it hasn't worked. Hopefully it was just a one off mistake and not something they are going to repeat. If we have to keep changing high profile roles at the club because we keep appointing the wrong people, we'll only go backwards. I think stability is going to be key to any long term success.
I don’t think for one minute Suso was the owners man. That’s what they appoint a CEO for.
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Nakamba is shite.
For me, it's accepting players that crap which is what got us into such a mess this season in the first place. Wesley, Nakamba, Samatta, Jota, Drinkwater (!!), possibly Targett not good enough.
Correct. Nakamba is shite. No where near good enough and if we have serious intentions of being comfortably mid table next year then he gets no where the side.
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Nakamba isn't shite. Lots of people were saying the same about Luiz a few months ago, and said the same about Gana Gueye. I reckon he'll come good.
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We used to think Reo-Coker was poor in his inability to reliably pass the ball three feet to a team-mate, but he's Rodri compared to Nakamba.
I've seen absolutely nothing to suggest he's got it. It doesn't really matter, though, as I am sure we'll get the chance to see him try again soon enough, but to my mind he's emblematic of the piss poor markets we spent a lot of money in last summer.
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Got to be honest this does sound alarm bells for me slightly. It's nothing to do with the job Suso has done but more that it brings the ownership's judgement into question for pretty much the first time (other than maybe Bruce).
For whatever reason they obviously thought he was the right man for the job and it hasn't worked. Hopefully it was just a one off mistake and not something they are going to repeat. If we have to keep changing high profile roles at the club because we keep appointing the wrong people, we'll only go backwards. I think stability is going to be key to any long term success.
I don’t think for one minute Suso was the owners man. That’s what they appoint a CEO for.
A fair point although I would still doubt that they would not have the final say on a position like this.
On the basis he was Purslow's man you would have to say questions would then need to be asked of him. Either way we still have people involved in the club who have made errors in judgement regarding the original appointment.
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That’s not a good sign imo. Who has been planning this window’s transfers?
Unless we’ve extracted the information required and politely sacked him I think it is a worry that we will be reliant just on the manager to sign this year’s new players.
Guess in the short term DS will submit a list of 5-6 to go after and we'll try to sign some of them which seems pretty logical to me.
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Nakamba is a bit of a nothing player at the moment. He isn't a great passer, doesn't move the ball quickly, doesn't burst in to the oppo box and doesn't make tough tackles. I am confused as to what kind of player he is. I daresay, he will adjust, but he needs to be shoehorned into a type of game that suits us. At the moment, he only gets a game because someone else is blowing out of their arse.
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Got to be honest this does sound alarm bells for me slightly. It's nothing to do with the job Suso has done but more that it brings the ownership's judgement into question for pretty much the first time (other than maybe Bruce).
For whatever reason they obviously thought he was the right man for the job and it hasn't worked. Hopefully it was just a one off mistake and not something they are going to repeat. If we have to keep changing high profile roles at the club because we keep appointing the wrong people, we'll only go backwards. I think stability is going to be key to any long term success.
I don’t think for one minute Suso was the owners man. That’s what they appoint a CEO for.
exactly
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Got to be honest this does sound alarm bells for me slightly. It's nothing to do with the job Suso has done but more that it brings the ownership's judgement into question for pretty much the first time (other than maybe Bruce).
For whatever reason they obviously thought he was the right man for the job and it hasn't worked. Hopefully it was just a one off mistake and not something they are going to repeat. If we have to keep changing high profile roles at the club because we keep appointing the wrong people, we'll only go backwards. I think stability is going to be key to any long term success.
I don’t think for one minute Suso was the owners man. That’s what they appoint a CEO for.
A fair point although I would still doubt that they would not have the final say on a position like this.
On the basis he was Purslow's man you would have to say questions would then need to be asked of him. Either way we still have people involved in the club who have made errors in judgement regarding the original appointment.
Unless Pitarch was in place before Purslow was appointed, I'd see it as pretty much unthinkable that they'd appoint him as CEO and then appoint someone who reports to him over his head. That's piss poor corporate governance, I find it hard to believe Edens and Sawiris would do something like that.
Whatever, though, clearly they've realised something hasn't worked and have done something about it - although, has anyone confirmed he's been pushed rather than jumped?
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Nakamba is shite.
For me, it's accepting players that crap which is what got us into such a mess this season in the first place. Wesley, Nakamba, Samatta, Jota, Drinkwater (!!), possibly Targett not good enough.
Was randomly watching highlights of the Everton home win the other day and Jota was actually great in that. He was only going to be a low cost squad player, surprised how little he's been used in last six months and might go back to Spain if he gets a decent offer.
We just gambled too much in key positions and just about got away with it. How we stayed up with the strikeforce contributing six goals all season is actually incredible.
Whoever is calling the shots on transfers in next few weeks needs to learn the lessons of last summer.
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How we stayed up with the strikeforce contributing six goals all season is actually incredible.
That is remarkable.
We need to get real. Keinan Davis has scored two league goals in his entire career, both in the championship. He's the only striker I can think of in recent years who i struggle to remember even having a shot, let alone scoring. Yeah, he's a big unit and he puts himself about a bit, but he can't hit a barn door from ten paces, has the acceleration of your average ice cream van and just never looks like scoring.
Seriously, can anyone remember him looking like scoring in the top flight?
We really do need to up our standards. Relying on Wesley, Kodjia and Davis at the start of the season was absolutely insane. Wesley getting injured, Kodjia going and then relying on Davis and the utterly hopeless Samatta was insane.
Like you said, incredible we've stayed up given that.
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How we stayed up with the strikeforce contributing six goals all season is actually incredible.
That is remarkable.
We need to get real. Keinan Davis has scored two league goals in his entire career, both in the championship. He's the only striker I can think of in recent years who i struggle to remember even having a shot, let alone scoring. Yeah, he's a big unit and he puts himself about a bit, but he can't hit a barn door from ten paces, has the acceleration of your average ice cream van and just never looks like scoring.
Seriously, can anyone remember him looking like scoring in the top flight?
We really do need to up our standards. Relying on Wesley, Kodjia and Davis at the start of the season was absolutely insane. Wesley getting injured, Kodjia going and then relying on Davis and the utterly hopeless Samatta was insane.
Like you said, incredible we've stayed up given that.
Have to credit Dean for the miracle worked in that case. Even more humble pie for me to eat!
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So no good at judging forwards - but presume he was responsible for Luiz, McGinn, Mings, Heaton
So not all bad?
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So no good at judging forwards - but presume he was responsible for Luiz, McGinn, Mings, Heaton
So not all bad?
McGinn joined before Pitarch did.
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McGinn was signed by Bruce.
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Could have got Danny Ings for £2m less than we paid for Wesley. Imagine if we did have a decent striker Jack's assist total would have been double figures easily. Ball played in to Davis for his miss v Arsenal would have been one if the guy knew how to score. Two new strikers, preferably at least one with Prem experience is a must this window. Cut our loses with Samatta for sure, keep Wesley as a backup
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How we stayed up with the strikeforce contributing six goals all season is actually incredible.
That is remarkable.
We need to get real. Keinan Davis has scored two league goals in his entire career, both in the championship. He's the only striker I can think of in recent years who i struggle to remember even having a shot, let alone scoring. Yeah, he's a big unit and he puts himself about a bit, but he can't hit a barn door from ten paces, has the acceleration of your average ice cream van and just never looks like scoring.
Seriously, can anyone remember him looking like scoring in the top flight?
We really do need to up our standards. Relying on Wesley, Kodjia and Davis at the start of the season was absolutely insane. Wesley getting injured, Kodjia going and then relying on Davis and the utterly hopeless Samatta was insane.
Like you said, incredible we've stayed up given that.
He had that chance v Arsenal he should have buried, and one v West Ham that someone like Danny Ings scores in his sleep albeit a tough chance. I agree though, for all his endeavour he ain’t good enough
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Worth remembering that, behind the scenes, he did the deal for Kalinic he is worse than Lee Butler
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Ah okay, so he is the bad guy
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I would give Nakamba more time, some players just take longer. Luiz had his critics six months ago, look at him now.
Luiz always had the talent though. It was his application that was badly found wanting for 3/4 of the season, risible effort to stop Traore v Wolves a particular low light. Now that's fixed his talents are coming to the fore.
Nakamba tried hard but isn't overly athletic and is very limited with the ball at his feet. I think he is one for the cull alright. We need a much better player next to Luiz and McGinn needs competition for his place too. Hourihane is a handy option but our midfield needs a lot of improvement.
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Always a chance he might return in a few days though....
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Pity. Heard aly dia was lined up.
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I would give Nakamba more time, some players just take longer. Luiz had his critics six months ago, look at him now.
Luiz always had the talent though. It was his application that was badly found wanting for 3/4 of the season, risible effort to stop Traore v Wolves a particular low light. Now that's fixed his talents are coming to the fore.
Nakamba tried hard but isn't overly athletic and is very limited with the ball at his feet. I think he is one for the cull alright. We need a much better player next to Luiz and McGinn needs competition for his place too. Hourihane is a handy option but our midfield needs a lot of improvement.
Douglas Luiz form seems to have improved along with his ability to communicate with his coaches and team mates.
A lesson for future signings?
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Who appointed Pitarch? Did he have any knowledge of the Premier League? Terrible appointment.
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Well I hope he isn't the one who let a load of highly talented young and up coming players go like o hare , Green and GK Sarkick . Because that's another fail in his strategy.
Suppose he helped with the Barcelona and Barry move what with his Spanish connections and Barry villa boy .
Seems he doesn't do much extra outstanding work .as that's an easy deal him being Spanish and everything .
Wonder what his other moves were like at other clubs. Any real coup? Or high swoops.
But if he was involved with releasing or not extended contracts of some young players and now he's left I want several re instated and brought back to villa
Barry will almost certainly have been down to Mark Harrison , Footy.
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thank God he's gone.
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Who appointed Pitarch? Did he have any knowledge of the Premier League? Terrible appointment.
Purslow.
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He’s being scapegoated isn’t he?
By the clubs own admission we had to bring in loads of new players last summer, but it takes time to create a team.
Not including emergency loanees like Drinkpisswater and Baston, it’s difficult to pick out any real duffers that were bought other than Kalinic.
It seems strange to use a reason for under performance that it’s a new squad that needs time to gel, and then when it does eventually gel, albeit due to unusual circumstances (a 3 month break which gave the coaches time to get their shit together) and goes on to actually achieve the goal that was set, that you sack the bloke who brought those players in.
Most of our squad isn’t shit. We are happy with most of our squad, as being discussed elsewhere on the site, and with some real quality additions we will improve the squad and the team.
I just hope the coaching and management of those players is good enough.
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I think there is some football manager specs on regarding the idea we should have been buying British etc last summer. Smith himself has said more than once that we simply could not afford it with the number of positions we needed, and we know we were close to signing Phillips from Leeds over Nakamba but he chose not to come. Trez scored the goals to keep us up in the end. Engels was Smiths signing having tracked him at Brentford. Reina was a really good loan, dressing room wise as well as on the pitch.
The issue we had was signing a striker to get 12 goals to keep us up. Wesley was on what, 6 when he got injured and looked like he was starting to come to terms with it. Who knows how he would have developed over the second half of the season. Certainly a lot better than Samatta and Davis have been, although the former looked OK before lockdown.
This summer now we actually have a squad of we can add 5 players of real quality in that 25m bracket, we will be much more comfortable next season.
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Move out. Nyland, Taylor, Hause, Jota, Lansbury, El Ghazi, Trez, Davies.
Move in. God knows but four or five experienced, quality in those positions. Evolution needed.
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I think there is some football manager specs on regarding the idea we should have been buying British etc last summer. Smith himself has said more than once that we simply could not afford it with the number of positions we needed, and we know we were close to signing Phillips from Leeds over Nakamba but he chose not to come. Trez scored the goals to keep us up in the end. Engels was Smiths signing having tracked him at Brentford. Reina was a really good loan, dressing room wise as well as on the pitch.
The issue we had was signing a striker to get 12 goals to keep us up. Wesley was on what, 6 when he got injured and looked like he was starting to come to terms with it. Who knows how he would have developed over the second half of the season. Certainly a lot better than Samatta and Davis have been, although the former looked OK before lockdown.
This summer now we actually have a squad of we can add 5 players of real quality in that 25m bracket, we will be much more comfortable next season.
That last sentence is absolutely what we must do next season. Now it's up to the hierarchy to decide who gets to spend the money and on which players. We must kick on now as a club. No more days like Sunday anytime soon please Villa.
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Interesting article from John Percy in the DT
Hope the link works
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/07/27/aston-villa-sack-sporting-director-jesus-garcia-pitarch-john/?li_source=LI&li_medium=liftigniter-rhr#comment
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To me, there's a common-sense way to fairly judge both the director of football & head coach.
Head coach is results on the pitch, and if the players at his/her disposal have improved / become more valuable over & above what you'd expect them to. You can use stats like xG to objectively measure how much a game has been affected by luck, so compensate against that when looking at performance. You should also be able to say how much you'd expect, say, a player with John McGinn's age & attibutes to improve over the course of a season, and see if the coaching is better or worse than average.
For the DoF, I'd look at long term progression of the club (is the club in a stronger position now than 1/2/5 years ago? Is it likely to be in a stronger position in 1/2/5 years if nothing changes?). You'd also look at the immediate quality of the signings, were the right players brought in, and were they good value for money?
If Dean Smith's been a big influence in bringing in some players, you could also compare those with the ones that Suso signed. Has Suso done a better job than Dean would've done without him?
I'd suspect that last thing is what might've been the nail in the coffin for Suso. If he can't out perform the head coach, there ain't much point in him being there.
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Interesting article from John Percy in the DT
Hope the link works
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/07/27/aston-villa-sack-sporting-director-jesus-garcia-pitarch-john/?li_source=LI&li_medium=liftigniter-rhr#comment
It’s behind the paywall but McGinn Carling for more quality players I hope has some context to it.
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Would that be Black Label players Kippax?
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Villa sporting chief pays price for £140m spree despite great escape
The Daily Telegraph 28 Jul 2020 John Percy
Aston Villa have sacked sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch after securing Premier League survival only on the final day of the season.
Pitarch was axed yesterday as the club took action over the muchmaligned £140 million Villa spent on recruitment last summer, with the decision rubber-stamped by owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
Villa avoided the drop on Sunday and, as reported by The Daily Telegraph last month, are conducting a full review of their football operations, with the inquest led by chief executive Christian Purslow.
Pitarch has paid the price after a number of signings failed to pay off. It is understood the Spaniard was behind the recruitment of record £21 million signing Wesley, plus Trezeguet, Matt Targett, Mbwana Samatta and Marvelous Nakamba, who have all struggled to impress.
Villa will look to replace Pitarch, known as “Suso”, as a priority.
Dean Smith, the head coach, has been assured of funds for new signings over the summer and will target players in attacking areas, plus a central midfielder, a right-back and possibly another centre-back.
John McGinn, the Scotland international, is expecting major changes and has warned that Villa cannot risk another season struggling near the bottom.
“I think everyone is aware we need quality added. We obviously spent a lot of money last summer and we may need to go and do it again,” McGinn said.
“We can’t get complacent and think everything is all right now. It was a poor season overall, we know that, us as players, and I am sure everyone upstairs is fully aware of that.
“There will be changes, I am sure of that. There is no way we should be celebrating finishing 17th with the size and stature of this place and the money we have spent.”
Villa’s summer strategy appears likely to be defined by the future of captain Jack Grealish, who is on the radar of both Manchester clubs, although his hopes of a move to Old Trafford have been fading for some time. Manchester United have little appetite to pay anywhere near the £80 million asking fee and their priorities have changed, with Paul Pogba staying and the impact of Bruno Fernandes.
Grealish scored the goal at West Ham United on Sunday which ultimately secured Villa’s survival, and he admitted last week that he was uncertain where he would be playing next season.
McGinn said: “Our focus last season was getting the club promoted, our focus this year was keeping them in the league and we managed to do that. What happens now I’m not sure, but Jack is still contracted here.”
McGinn has confirmed he suffered a second stress fracture in March, after initially breaking his ankle in December. The 25-year-old admitted 2020 had been “horrible”, but believed Villa silenced their critics by staying up.
“With four games to go we were seven points behind and not one person outside the club really believed we could stay up,” he said. “In that sense the togetherness and character we showed to keep this club up is unbelievable.
“I’ve never known pressure like it before. There is a massive feeling of relief and elation.”
Smith has revealed he slept in his office at the training ground after a night of celebrations on Sunday. Villa’s players had returned to Bodymoor Heath after the West Ham game, and the party went on into the early hours.
“I’m not great because it was a heavy night, but I’m OK,” Smith told TalkSport yesterday morning. “I’m not sure what time it was. I slipped off before the lads could see me.
“I am immensely proud of the players and the staff because we had been written off. We walked off the pitch against Leicester [a 4-0 defeat in March] and everybody was saying we had been relegated.”
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Most of our squad isn’t shit. We are happy with most of our squad, as being discussed elsewhere on the site
Really? In terms of the players brought in during his tenure, I wouldn't say general consensus is that we are happy with them, far from it.
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McGinn confirming there why he was so far behind what we expected when he came back after the restart.
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Interesting article from John Percy in the DT
Hope the link works
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/07/27/aston-villa-sack-sporting-director-jesus-garcia-pitarch-john/?li_source=LI&li_medium=liftigniter-rhr#comment
There must surely be zero chance they've not been talking about who they wanted to replace him with these last few months. Hopefully we'll move very quick.
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Most of our squad isn’t shit. We are happy with most of our squad, as being discussed elsewhere on the site
Really? In terms of the players brought in during his tenure, I wouldn't say general consensus is that we are happy with them, far from it.
It looks like it in other threads on here. We all know the players who aren’t up to it, but no one is suggesting wholesale changes.
Quality additions is what’s needed.
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At least it sounds from that interview that McGinn isn’t going anywhere. Obviously hasn’t been the same since the injury, but can’t forget what an important player he has been for us. He could massive again for us next season along with Luiz. Add an another physical dynamic centre midfield to those two and it could be a very decent midfield
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Although I would not want to rejoice in anyone losing their job, I do think the sacking of Pitarch is a good sign really. Firstly, it shows that there is an acceptance that this season has not been good enough and secondly, that there is a bit of a ruthless approach at the club to improve.
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
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Although I would not want to rejoice in anyone losing their job, I do think the sacking of Pitarch is a good sign really. Firstly, it shows that there is an acceptance that this season has not been good enough and secondly, that there is a bit of a ruthless approach at the club to improve.
I agree. Well done everyone for staying up and everything but something clearly has to change if we're going to kick on.
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Here’s the shortlist of Sporting Directors.
1. Michael Emenalo
The end.
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
His overall gameplay is very poor. Yes he scored some vital goals, but that doesn't paper over the fact that he hasn't been good enough. We're not going to have PL clubs kicking our doors in to take him off us.
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I wouldn't say his overall play is poor. He lacks pace and strength and that means he doesn't get into good positions to deliver quality into the box.
He works very hard though and developed a fortune dose of the Allbäck syndrome.
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I wouldn't say his overall play is poor. He lacks pace and strength and that means he doesn't get into good positions to deliver quality into the box.
He works very hard though and developed a fortune dose of the Allbäck syndrome.
There's some tinted specs here. Did he make a single assist? He scored a few goals as our tactics were put him on the far side of the box at corners and opposition clubs seemed not to pick this up. He missed a few this way too.
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I wouldn't say his overall play is poor. He lacks pace and strength and that means he doesn't get into good positions to deliver quality into the box.
Surely pace and strength are fairly important attributes for a winger/wide forward in the Premier League these days. That and the ability to beat a man. I'd be happy enough for him to stay, but not as first choice, we need a big upgrade on Trez and El Ghazi.
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I wouldn't say his overall play is poor. He lacks pace and strength and that means he doesn't get into good positions to deliver quality into the box.
Surely pace and strength are fairly important attributes for a winger/wide forward in the Premier League these days. That and the ability to beat a man. I'd be happy enough for him to stay, but not as first choice, we need a big upgrade on Trez and El Ghazi.
I don't disagree. A really good and quick wide option is what we need to improve the starting XI. I think a player capable of scoring important goals and against decent sides (Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester) is worth having in the squad though.
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It’s strange how we see things differently.
I thought one of the few attributes Trezeguet does have is pace.
He’s just not very good.
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It’s strange how we see things differently.
I thought one of the few attributes Trezeguet does have is pace.
He’s just not very good.
If he has got pace, then he just doesn't have as much as any defender I've ever seen him up against! ;)
On Pitarch, it's no surprise he's gone really. Something had to give, and it's clear the combination of him and Smith just hasn't worked. With us staying up, there was no chance of them potting Smith now, so that leaves Suso as the fall guy. If they're going to back Smith, they either have to let him do the recruiting himself, or bring in a Director of Football he can actually work with. I think Smith had Pitarch and Terry foisted on him, he needs to start standing up for himself a bit now.
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Here’s the shortlist of Sporting Directors.
1. Michael Emenalo
The end.
When I heard the news my immediate thought was Arsene Wenger. Don’t know why never even cared before beyond the match day team.
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Made official on Pravda/OS.
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Another several million going on compensation no doubt.
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Depends on who takes his place of course but I expect us to be getting better players in than those getting replaced. The big one will be strikers - we have to get someone who can connect to Grealish and McGinn / Luiz and be a threat. Hopefully it's someone with a bag of strikers on his books.
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Another several million going on compensation no doubt.
It says his contract has ended so maybe he only signed a 1 year one, I'm not sure.
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Would that be Black Label players Kippax?
No recovery from that one !
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Another several million going on compensation no doubt.
Several million? How much do you think a Sporting Director makes?
I don’t think he was shit. Some signings across his time at the club have worked out others haven’t. That also lies at the door of the manger and he developed them. And we all saw some absolutely dire use of tactics during the course of the season. So the responsibility for the success or failure of certain players shouldn’t be placed squarely at the door or Suso.
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Here’s the shortlist of Sporting Directors.
1. Michael Emenalo
The end.
The right person for the job, IMO.
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Here’s the shortlist of Sporting Directors.
1. Michael Emenalo
The end.
The right person for the job, IMO.
Don't really know him, what is his track record?
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Another several million going on compensation no doubt.
I don’t think he was shit. Some signings across his time at the club have worked out others haven’t. That also lies at the door of the manger and he developed them. And we all saw some absolutely dire use of tactics during the course of the season. So the responsibility for the success or failure of certain players shouldn’t be placed squarely at the door or Suso.
Whether he was shit or if the players he signed have potential is a moot point. But what I would have thought was undeniable is as a group they were not what we needed in our specific circumstances - ie to jump straight into the starting squad of a newly promoted PL team. And for that he surely has to take rsponsibility?
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Here’s the shortlist of Sporting Directors.
1. Michael Emenalo
The end.
The right person for the job, IMO.
Don't really know him, what is his track record?
Monaco and Chelsea
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Another several million going on compensation no doubt.
Several million? How much do you think a Sporting Director makes?
I don’t think he was shit. Some signings across his time at the club have worked out others haven’t. That also lies at the door of the manger and he developed them. And we all saw some absolutely dire use of tactics during the course of the season. So the responsibility for the success or failure of certain players shouldn’t be placed squarely at the door or Suso.
Billions.
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I'd be extending my sporting directors contract if I was Brentford owner, right about now.
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If he cant control his Mrs Judy , theres no chance he can control Villa's signing .
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and whoever extended Drinkwaters contract needs the boot.
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Another several million going on compensation no doubt.
I don’t think he was shit. Some signings across his time at the club have worked out others haven’t. That also lies at the door of the manger and he developed them. And we all saw some absolutely dire use of tactics during the course of the season. So the responsibility for the success or failure of certain players shouldn’t be placed squarely at the door or Suso.
Whether he was shit or if the players he signed have potential is a moot point. But what I would have thought was undeniable is as a group they were not what we needed in our specific circumstances - ie to jump straight into the starting squad of a newly promoted PL team. And for that he surely has to take rsponsibility?
I could never understand why they didn't buy a solid midfielder with Premier League experience to replace Whelan and Jedinak in the pre-season. I actually think that Nakamba may come good, but we needed an experienced head (no not Drinkwater) in there.
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Here’s the shortlist of Sporting Directors.
1. Michael Emenalo
The end.
The right person for the job, IMO.
Don't really know him, what is his track record?
Was in charge when they signed Drinkwater so should be popular on here...
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I wouldn't say his overall play is poor. He lacks pace and strength and that means he doesn't get into good positions to deliver quality into the box.
He works very hard though and developed a fortune dose of the Allbäck syndrome.
There's some tinted specs here. Did he make a single assist? He scored a few goals as our tactics were put him on the far side of the box at corners and opposition clubs seemed not to pick this up. He missed a few this way too.
I don't give a shit that he didn't make a single assist. He scored 3 very important goals in our pursuit for avoiding the drop. They were worth more to us than anything else. He's not a brilliant player by any stretch but for a first season at this level he's done fine by me. He works very hard for the team and will improve. And, he has a knack that we don't have in any other current player and that is that he finds himself or makes himself be in positions where he might score from.
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Trez was unfortunate to have a goal at Old Trafford chalked of for offside or did I imagine that?
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Could have got Danny Ings for £2m less than we paid for Wesley. Imagine if we did have a decent striker Jack's assist total would have been double figures easily. Ball played in to Davis for his miss v Arsenal would have been one if the guy knew how to score. Two new strikers, preferably at least one with Prem experience is a must this window. Cut our loses with Samatta for sure, keep Wesley as a backup
No we couldn't, it was a loan in 2018 and converted to a permanent transfer last summer.
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It'd impossible to prove either way, but I do think we'd have been better off with Maupay, who cost a similar amount to Wesley. I think him linking up with the likes of Jack and McGinn would have seen him, and us, score more goals. Pitarch did confirm that we were interested in him, but we obviously plumped for Wesley instead.
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Another several million going on compensation no doubt.
Several million? How much do you think a Sporting Director makes?
I don’t think he was shit. Some signings across his time at the club have worked out others haven’t. That also lies at the door of the manger and he developed them. And we all saw some absolutely dire use of tactics during the course of the season. So the responsibility for the success or failure of certain players shouldn’t be placed squarely at the door or Suso.
Which of Pitarch's inadequates that we'll look to let go will possibly emulate many of The Class Of 2016, if their lack of progression is down to the manager? Which ones were similarly hindered by our tactics? We'll keep those that have improved or that the coaching staff believe could still reach a sufficient level, and let all the others go if we can find suitors. I really don't envisage any of their departures ever coming back to bite us on the arse.
I don't see anything too suspect in this development. We're where I believe we wanted to be at this point in time, kicking off 2020/21 as a PL club. I dare say his position isn't the only one at the club that's up for review around now.
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It'd impossible to prove either way, but I do think we'd have been better off with Maupay, who cost a similar amount to Wesley. I think him linking up with the likes of Jack and McGinn would have seen him, and us, score more goals. Pitarch did confirm that we were interested in him, but we obviously plumped for Wesley instead.
Possibly, but their strike rates were similar overall. Think the fact Brighton only managed to sign him five days before the season started was probably a factor too. Would have been down to multiple factors but I don’t think we could have risked waiting that long.
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Contract expired so he was only on a 12 month gig after all it appears.
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It’s strange how we see things differently.
I thought one of the few attributes Trezeguet does have is pace.
He’s just not very good.
Don't think he is slow, but he hasn't got the electric pace that is now required in the top flight. Scored some vital goals in the last few games for us, but shouldn't be in the starting XI come next season.
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Suso responds via Guillem Balague
Main points
Suso asked what manager to replace Smith if required Suggested Houghton ,Javi Garcia and Bruno Large
Purslow wanted Terry or Gerrard
He wasn't there when signing Drinkwater it was Smith and Purslow
Owners asked Suso for better quality players next season he established contacts but Purslow felt left out and relationship deteriorated
Feels Himself and Smith taken criticism when Purslow is the issue
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Bloody hell.
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If Purslow wants Terry or Gerrard in charge and thinks Drinkwater is still a footballer, get him gone, too.
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Suso responds via Guillem Balague
Main points
Suso asked what manager to replace Smith if required Suggested Houghton ,Javi Garcia and Bruno Large
Purslow wanted Terry or Gerrard
He wasn't there when signing Drinkwater it was Smith and Purslow
Owners asked Suso for better quality players next season he established contacts but Purslow felt left out and relationship deteriorated
Feels Himself and Smith taken criticism when Purslow is the issue
[/quoteA lot of that makes very little sense probably file under bollocks]
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Also suggesting that he was in London trying to get Nzonzi while Drinkwater was signed.
All fun and games...
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If that is mostly true then our most urgent challenge is the CEO position.
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Will be he said she said and a certain amount of face saving going on.
Kalinic
Tom Carroll
Trezeguet
Nakamba
Samatta
Targett
Baston
Wesley
All 100% Suso signings
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Isn't it amazing how these people are always signing some amazing player just before they leave.
And the list of managers from him and Purslow is as uninspiring as it gets. Whoever replaces Suso will be a Purslow man you would think.
As for the owners not being at a game for 7 months, well... not like the world has had anything else to deal with in that time is it.
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Guillem Ballague
It may seem strange that Suso García Pitarch leaves Aston Villa after promoting the team two years earlier than planned, taking him to a cup final and guaranteeing his presence in the Premier (that is, sports success is undeniable), but it is not I pray all that glitters ..
CEO Christian Purslow did not always readily accept the owners' relationship with the sports director. In case Dean Smith had to be replaced, he was asked for advice (Suso suggested Javi Gracia, Chris Hughton, Bruno Lage, Purslow wanted Steven Gerrard or John Terry)
Without the presence of the owners (they haven't been to see the team for seven months), Purslow (who does not live in Birmingham) covers a lot of ground. Thus the signing of Drinkwater was his and Dean Smith's (Suso was in London signing Nzonzi)
The owners asked Suso for a quality jump in the squad and on the bench for the following season. Contacts were established with high-level coaches eager to get on the bandwagon. But the CEO felt sidelined and the relationship with Suso deteriorated.
Smith and Suso have received media criticism for passing on interesting information that protects Purslow. Difficult to work in these conditions. Suso has preferred not to continue despite having one more year of contract, and he told the owners a while ago.
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To be fair Ballugue often spouts a load of bollocks.
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That's a bit worrying if true, looks like the owners need to keep Purslow out of football matters.
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If it can be believed, that says he quit and was not sacked at all !
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That's a bit worrying if true, looks like the owners need to keep Purslow out of football matters.
Purslow was heavily criticised at Liverpool and Chelsea for interference on the football side.
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To be fair Ballugue often spouts a load of bollocks.
Yes, he seems to form relationships with certain parties then acts as their media outlet. I suspect it's got him where he is today.
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Will be he said she said and a certain amount of face saving going on.
Kalinic
Tom Carroll
Trezeguet
Nakamba
Samatta
Targett
Baston
Wesley
All 100% Suso signings
Not saying that isn't true, but how do you know?
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It was noticeable that for the for the first half of the season, Purslow and Pitarch were sat together in the directors' box, and Suso was usually around for a chat afterwards. From around the end of Jan onwards though, I don't remember seeing Pitarch at the games very much at all.
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Wouldn't surprise me if Pitarch rolls up at Valencia again this summer.
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An interfering CEO at the Villa? Oh god it’s Ellis all over again isn’t it.
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An interfering CEO at the Villa? Oh god it’s Ellis all over again isn’t it.
Is it interfering if he's ultimately responsible? If he was going into the changing room and undermining the manager in there then I'd have an issue but being involved in discussions about signings and staffing is clearly part of his role.
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I’d guess Ballague is very close to Suso, hence the slightly bitter angle to that piece. Never mind.
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Never sure on Balague. As a pundit on Sky's La Liga coverage he was very knowledgeable and likeable. In print, I often find he comes across giving it the Big I Am.
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An interfering CEO at the Villa? Oh god it’s Ellis all over again isn’t it.
Is it interfering if he's ultimately responsible? If he was going into the changing room and undermining the manager in there then I'd have an issue but being involved in discussions about signings and staffing is clearly part of his role.
Well Dean Smith always looks comfortable in his company. Remember Purslow has skin in the game I would expect him to have an active role. I can see no evidence that he has undermined the Head Coach but as you say he has ultimate responsibility.
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An interfering CEO at the Villa? Oh god it’s Ellis all over again isn’t it.
Is it interfering if he's ultimately responsible? If he was going into the changing room and undermining the manager in there then I'd have an issue but being involved in discussions about signings and staffing is clearly part of his role.
Err it was a joke.
Though I don’t disagree with you on his remit.
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I can imagine Purslow interfering, seems to enjoy the limelight
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I can imagine Purslow interfering, seems to enjoy the limelight
He is the Chief Executive is role is very wide ranging given his responsibility, but as most have said there is no evidence or indication that he has interfered with Dean Smith's role as head coach
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Obviously some disharmony behind the scenes, but it makes the achievement of staying up all the more impressive.
I don’t like the way Suso couldn’t wait to start talking to the media, but hey, he’s gone now, it will be interesting to see who, and how quickly we replace him with.
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Has anyone heard from our man in Brussels? He’ll be gutted at this news.
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Sounds a little dysfunctional behind the scenes, which was always used as a reason to not have a structure like that. But it's not the structure, it's the personnel.
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Sounds a little dysfunctional behind the scenes, which was always used as a reason to not have a structure like that. But it's not the structure, it's the personnel.
Exactly. If the right people are in place, and they respect one another's boundaries, any structure will work fine.
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So the Sporting Director tries to claim that he got on well with the owners (his boss' boss) and not his boss. Yet he is the one who goes. Hmmmm
File under bullshit; or smoke and mirrors.
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An interfering CEO at the Villa? Oh god it’s Ellis all over again isn’t it.
Is it interfering if he's ultimately responsible? If he was going into the changing room and undermining the manager in there then I'd have an issue but being involved in discussions about signings and staffing is clearly part of his role.
Err it was a joke.
Though I don’t disagree with you on his remit.
I got that, I was just pointing out what I think of when someone talks about an interfering ceo/board/chairman in sport.
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Will be he said she said and a certain amount of face saving going on.
Kalinic
Tom Carroll
Trezeguet
Nakamba
Samatta
Targett
Baston
Wesley
All 100% Suso signings
Not saying that isn't true, but how do you know?
Not saying smith didn’t sign off on them as well In the end but know these were Suso contacts and he pushed for them. Smith wanted Cahill, Benrahma, Phillips, Maupay, Giroud - Suso pressed ahead with his selections
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So the Sporting Director tries to claim that he got on well with the owners (his boss' boss) and not his boss. Yet he is the one who goes. Hmmmm
File under bullshit; or smoke and mirrors.
It might be true. In the sense that I don't think Nassef Sawiris or Wes Edens would paint themselves as football experts. They're more big picture types who take a step back and would have no necessity to be hostile to Smith or Suso on a day to day basis.
But Suso was directly accountable to Purslow and the success rate of his signings this season is there for all to see.
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Not saying smith didn’t sign off on them as well In the end but know these were Suso contacts and he pushed for them. Smith wanted Cahill, Benrahma, Phillips, Maupay, Giroud - Suso pressed ahead with his selections
Is that really true? Benrahma was being talked about as twice the cost of Trez, Philips was closer to 3 times what we paid for Nakamba, Maupay there seemed to be a delay that we didn't want to deal with so we signed someone who could be with all pre-season instead, Cahill and Giroud never came across as wanting to come to us. I don't think any of them were missed out on because Suso thought he knew better.
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Has anyone heard from our man in Brussels? He’ll be gutted at this news.
Up yours, Delors.
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That bit about "They haven't been to see the team for seven months" is understandable given what's happened since March.
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That bit about "They haven't been to see the team for seven months" is understandable given what's happened since March.
Weren’t they both there at Wembley as well so it isn’t seven months.
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I mean Suso has been shown up for his transfer failings but I've never really taken to the Purslow fella . Find him altogether disingenuous though that's the circle he's in -especially that he loves his business speak and being seen in dealings in affairs.
Purslow clearly wants to be involved outside of his remit but makes it his business to be involved.
Fair play in his attempts during the Premier league meetings for project restart but tellinh he Was the only representative physically present at those Premier league meetings then revelling in the spotlight as some sort of spokesperson on what would happen with no real soundbite
I most found it altogether cringe when he sat next to Smith after we were promoted and had to get involved in an interview with Deano talking about the plans and ambitions.
https://youtu.be/nfkEFwk3SCk
Can't be just leave it to Smith.
It's like purslow is on a campaign trail.
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'Altogether cringe' is a terrific summary of Purslow's manner in general, must say.
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I most found it altogether cringe when he sat next to Smith after we were promoted and had to get involved in an interview with Deano talking about the plans and ambitions.
Do you remember HDE?
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I would have serious concerns if Purslow is deeply involved in the selection of transfer targets as that's not really he remit. He clearly needs to be the one to ultimately approves things, but it should be on the basis of what is recommended to him.
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Interesting reading from Guillem Balague
It may seem strange that Suso García Pitarch leaves Aston Villa after promoting the team two years earlier than planned, taking them to a cup final and guaranteeing their presence in the Premier (that is, sports success is undeniable), but it is not I pray all that glitters.
CEO Christian Purslow did not always readily accept the owners' relationship with the sports director. In case Dean Smith had to be replaced, he was asked for advice (Suso suggested Javi Gracia, Chris Hughton, Bruno Lage, Purslow wanted Steven Gerrard or John Terry)
Without the presence of the owners (they haven't been to see the team for seven months), Purslow (who does not live in Birmingham) covers a lot of ground. Thus the signing of Drinkwater was his and Dean Smith's (Suso was in London signing Nzonzi)
The owners asked Suso for a quality jump in the squad and on the bench for the following season. Contacts were established with high-level coaches eager to get on the bandwagon. But the CEO felt sidelined and the relationship with Suso deteriorated.
Smith and Suso have received media criticism for passing on interesting information that protects Purslow. Difficult to work in these conditions. Suso has preferred not to continue despite having one more year of contract, and he told the owners a while ago.
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Well if he does end up at Valencia lets see how many of those players he delivered to Villa he comes breaking the door down for. Tell you what I'll answer it myself - NONE!!
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Well if he does end up at Valencia lets see how many of those players he delivered to Villa he comes breaking the door down for. Tell you what I'll answer it myself - NONE!!
Indeed
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*We were promoted one year earlier than planned, not two.
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Just re-read it. That first paragraph renders the rest of the article null and void. Suso didn’t get us promoted, to the cup final or keep us up; Deano and the coaching staff did.
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
For most of the season I didn't rate him particularly highly but when the pressure was on towards the end of the season and the going got tough Trezeguet stepped up as much as anybody for me.
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I know it’s not as black and white as this, but without Trezeget we’d be down. Therefore money well spent.
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I was excited with the Pitarch appointment as he was at both Valencia and Athletico Madrid when they were reaching European finals and challenging Barcelona and Real Madrid. But I am impressed that Villa have moved so quickly and decisively to take action having obviously decided he hadn't done well enough in his role.
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From my experience of working with orgnisations and CEOs, and from what I've read on this thread, Purslow's behaviour is exactly what would be expected of the man who has ultimate responsibility. Furthermore, in the context of a football club and his previous experience at two big clubs of course he is going to be involved in the football: that's what the club does, after all!
Regarding Pitarch, I don't mourn his departure at all: I don't see anything that he's done to celebrate particularly.
But, the next 3-4 weeks will show whether the new direction is better than the previous one on the transfer market.
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don't think Judy is going to be happy with him at home all day now
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From my experience of working with orgnisations and CEOs, and from what I've read on this thread, Purslow's behaviour is exactly what would be expected of the man who has ultimate responsibility. Furthermore, in the context of a football club and his previous experience at two big clubs of course he is going to be involved in the football: that's what the club does, after all!
Regarding Pitarch, I don't mourn his departure at all: I don't see anything that he's done to celebrate particularly.
But, the next 3-4 weeks will show whether the new direction is better than the previous one on the transfer market.
That is how I see it too. We already have absent owners so we need a man on the ground who’s finger prints are on everything. By that I don’t mean interfering but more so making sure each department is challenged and accountable for their actions.
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If he's out of work then his local supermarkets and better hire some more security.
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Granted Suso is trying to salvage some of his reputation with a friendly media pundit but some of what is suggested there is very concerning. I've never taken to Purslow either I must say, wasn't he the one pushing Thierry Henry from day one? If there is any truth that Purslow was pushing for Terry then his position as assistant is untenable.
I think Smith needs to take a lot of the blame regarding the signings, didn't he say last summer that he had final say? There is no way he didn't know what Matt Targett was capable of for example. Engels, Konsa, Jota were all his. No doubt Drinky was always going to be the example used in the blame game and to be fair I highly doubt Suso had anything to do with that clusterfuck.
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From my experience of working with orgnisations and CEOs, and from what I've read on this thread, Purslow's behaviour is exactly what would be expected of the man who has ultimate responsibility. Furthermore, in the context of a football club and his previous experience at two big clubs of course he is going to be involved in the football: that's what the club does, after all!
Regarding Pitarch, I don't mourn his departure at all: I don't see anything that he's done to celebrate particularly.
But, the next 3-4 weeks will show whether the new direction is better than the previous one on the transfer market.
That is how I see it too. We already have absent owners so we need a man on the ground who’s finger prints are on everything. By that I don’t mean interfering but more so making sure each department is challenged and accountable for their actions.
I see this mentioned about our owners a fair bit. How many top flight, billionaire, owners are hands-on? They’re putting the money in and hiring people to do the job of running the club, I don’t see the problem with that.
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He scouted Wesley, Samatta and Nakamba for a combined £40m. He can fuck off with his excuses and stories.
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He scouted Wesley, Samatta and Nakamba for a combined £40m. He can fuck off with his excuses and stories.
Or one Joelinton and almost a full Alex Iwobi. I get they haven’t exactly worked out but let’s put spending £40M in the proper context at PL level.
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He scouted Wesley, Samatta and Nakamba for a combined £40m. He can fuck off with his excuses and stories.
Wesley was starting to show signs of promise then suffered the serious injury. Samatta looked pretty decent pre-lockdown then turned into Ali Dia. Nakamba was marvellous for a while then went right off the boil.
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He scouted Wesley, Samatta and Nakamba for a combined £40m. He can fuck off with his excuses and stories.
Wesley was starting to show signs of promise then suffered the serious injury. Samatta looked pretty decent pre-lockdown then turned into Ali Dia. Nakamba was marvellous for a while then went right off the boil.
Wesley had scored 1 in 14 league games immediately before lockdown, 1 goal between October and his injury. Samatta scored one goal in 14 league games.
We need to get away from the mindset whereby we think players who deliver as little as that are the answer.
EDIT
although Davis is the worst, a striker who puts himself about but literally never looks like scoring, doesn't even manage to get shots off.
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I think for all 3 (along with others) it's fair to say they had a good start and then dropped off. It happens a LOT with players coming into the premier league for the first time because the intensity of the games is pretty overwhelming when it's games every few days. The important bit is whether they adapt and come back stronger. Luiz had the same problem, the game was too quick for him and he was getting caught out. He's shown what can happen with a bit of time. That's why i won't write any of them off yet (although because of his age I have less patience for Samatta).
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Man U develop Rashford and Greenwood who score for fun. We get Keinan Davis who rarely ever gets a shot away. A goal but a pipe dream. How does that happen?
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Grealish hasn't been too bad.
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It would be nice if we could bring through a half-decent player more than once a decade or whatever.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
His overall gameplay is very poor. Yes he scored some vital goals, but that doesn't paper over the fact that he hasn't been good enough. We're not going to have PL clubs kicking our doors in to take him off us.
With respect that's total garbage his pace keeps the opposition on their back foot, take Spurs and Arsenal away (arsenal away especially) where we were winning when he was playing he got subbed then we lost. Arsenal was the prime example that Trezeguet has been a good buy, arsenal were shit scared of him getting in behind them, when he went off they unleashed both barrels on us.
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I wouldn't say his overall play is poor. He lacks pace and strength and that means he doesn't get into good positions to deliver quality into the box.
He works very hard though and developed a fortune dose of the Allbäck syndrome.
Lacks pace?? Hasn't a stat just come out that only Adama Traore and Kyle Walker are faster than him.
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The truth is somewhere in the middle, I feel.
He's not as shit as some of us have let on, but his end product is often lacking.
My friend, a neutral, was at VP with me before the lockdown; he reads the game very well and because he's not emotionally invested he reflected on the game in a different way.
I was just about to have a grumble about Trezeguet's uselessness when he said "I like the look of Trezeguet." I was visibly surprised so he acknowledged that it was a frustrating 90 mins in terms of end product for him, but he reckoned there was a baller in there. He said he'd spent more time watching Trez than Grealish because he kept expecting a moment of magic from him which never came, but it seemed as if the cogs were turning every time the ball came near him and he'd get caught in two minds about what to do with it.
Perhaps in a team that isn't struggling so much, he'd feel more freedom to play instinctively.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
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The truth is somewhere in the middle, I feel.
He's not as shit as some of us have let on, but his end product is often lacking.
My friend, a neutral, was at VP with me before the lockdown; he reads the game very well and because he's not emotionally invested he reflected on the game in a different way.
I was just about to have a grumble about Trezeguet's uselessness when he said "I like the look of Trezeguet." I was visibly surprised so he acknowledged that it was a frustrating 90 mins in terms of end product for him, but he reckoned there was a baller in there. He said he'd spent more time watching Trez than Grealish because he kept expecting a moment of magic from him which never came, but it seemed as if the cogs were turning every time the ball came near him and he'd get caught in two minds about what to do with it.
Perhaps in a team that isn't struggling so much, he'd feel more freedom to play instinctively.
I think he has all the potential tools in his locker but just needs good coaching which I think he has received post-lockdown which has led to his improvement?
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
Might also be the case this time. Too many young players finding their feet in one batch. Think Najamba, Luiz, Konsa and Guilbert will all come good. Less hopeful with Samata and Wesley. Think Trez and El Ghazi could be useful squad players too in time.
If Smith stays we definitely need to look at the coaching and change it up.
In recruitment we need more proven players but fewer of them to help bed this lot in, with maybe a couple more ones for the future.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
Even if some of them did turn out to be good players, it was still demonstrably the wrong approach.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
Even if some of them did turn out to be good players, it was still demonstrably the wrong approach.
If we'd bought similar quality British players in the same quantity last summer we would have had to spend twice as much money due to the premium on home grown talent, money that we couldn't afford due to financial fair play restrictions.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
Even if some of them did turn out to be good players, it was still demonstrably the wrong approach.
Well yes, having a shit manager demonstrably was the wrong approach.
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Agree with that. To buy upcoming players with potential was daft. We finished 5th a division lower and should just got in experienced Prem players. Ok, I maybe not be the approach the club wants to take but needs must...we were not in a luxurious position to try to bed in so many players.
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
His overall gameplay is very poor. Yes he scored some vital goals, but that doesn't paper over the fact that he hasn't been good enough. We're not going to have PL clubs kicking our doors in to take him off us.
With respect that's total garbage his pace keeps the opposition on their back foot, take Spurs and Arsenal away (arsenal away especially) where we were winning when he was playing he got subbed then we lost. Arsenal was the prime example that Trezeguet has been a good buy, arsenal were shit scared of him getting in behind them, when he went off they unleashed both barrels on us.
You must be watching a different player to the rest of us as it's pretty clear that whilst enthusiastic he has been mostly shit this season. Take a scroll through his thread if you think I'm the only one being harsh.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
It's not just about whether they are or may ultimately become good players, it's whether as a group of signings they were right for a team in that position at that time. I think in both cases the answer was 'no.' It would be a very different prospect easing them in individually into a team in a more stable position.
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Let's not fool ourselves now that we've stayed up. Yes we had an upturn in the last 4 games but we've stayed up by the skin of our teeth. Grealish has been fantastic for big periods but by and large the rest of the team have been very poor. It would be folly to take the last couple of games in extreme circumstances and paint a picture of the signings being good and the team looking the part. We need big improvements and Pitarch's signing selections have been abysmal.
As for Nzonzi, why would Pitarch be on his own in London about to seal the deal whilst the rest of the transfer team are elsewhere, it's jackanory bullshit. The bloke has done very poorly and deserved the sack.
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Agree with that. To buy upcoming players with potential was daft. We finished 5th a division lower and should just got in experienced Prem players. Ok, I maybe not be the approach the club wants to take but needs must...we were not in a luxurious position to try to bed in so many players.
1: They would have cost much more money
2: They'd all be a year older now and worth less
3: We we're in such a position, because we did and we stayed up.
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Yep, we went down the route we did and achieved our primary aim for the season and now we a squad that is still young, with experience of playing at this level. All that suggests that, as tight as it was, we didn't get things wrong last summer. By doing it the way we did we have the basis of a squad that we can build around over the next 2-3 seasons. If we'd gone all out for premier league experience we'd either be looking at replacing most of those signings over the next year or 2 or we'd have had a much smaller squad and still be in the process of building that base.
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Yep, we went down the route we did and achieved our primary aim for the season and now we a squad that is still young, with experience of playing at this level. All that suggests that, as tight as it was, we didn't get things wrong last summer. By doing it the way we did we have the basis of a squad that we can build around over the next 2-3 seasons. If we'd gone all out for premier league experience we'd either be looking at replacing most of those signings over the next year or 2 or we'd have had a much smaller squad and still be in the process of building that base.
We swallowed our medicine and will be better for it going forward.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
This is certainly my take.
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I still reckon there might be hope for Davies. He does, apart from not scoring any goals, bring the hold up play and bring others into the game. He also gets on the end of decent chances. I’m sure he will believe that if he gets a couple of goals they may start to flow a bit. We absolutely have to strengthen in that department as the top priority, but I would still have him as a squad player. You never know. I’d also keep Wes and probably Bin Samatta and the one we signed from Wales. At least one, hopefully 2 quality proven goalscorers in is a must. I’ve got no idea who though, hopefully Smith does.
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I still reckon there might be hope for Davies. He does, apart from not scoring any goals, bring the hold up play and bring others into the game. He also gets on the end of decent chances. I’m sure he will believe that if he gets a couple of goals they may start to flow a bit. We absolutely have to strengthen in that department as the top priority, but I would still have him as a squad player. You never know. I’d also keep Wes and probably Bin Samatta and the one we signed from Wales. At least one, hopefully 2 quality proven goalscorers in is a must. I’ve got no idea who though, hopefully Smith does.
Kevin Davies?
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I still reckon there might be hope for Davies. He does, apart from not scoring any goals, bring the hold up play and bring others into the game. He also gets on the end of decent chances. I’m sure he will believe that if he gets a couple of goals they may start to flow a bit. We absolutely have to strengthen in that department as the top priority, but I would still have him as a squad player. You never know. I’d also keep Wes and probably Bin Samatta and the one we signed from Wales. At least one, hopefully 2 quality proven goalscorers in is a must. I’ve got no idea who though, hopefully Smith does.
Kevin Davies?
Man I hated that c**t.
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Mate - it’s all opinions on here, you’re welcome to yours and I’ll say mine, I’m just saying I wouldn’t write him off yet. I think keeping hold of Tammy Abraham would’ve been a massive help last season, but for whatever reason (probably money related) we couldn’t do it. I reckon we’ll do a lot better next season with Davies, Wes and a couple (hopefully) of quality strikers. As I said though, which ones? I’ve got no clue. Don’t play Football manager, or really take any notice of clubs other than Villa.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
Even if some of them did turn out to be good players, it was still demonstrably the wrong approach.
Yes I think what I was trying to say was lumping your whole PL future on a load of untried players from European leagues as opposed to sprinkling with some seasoned professionals.
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Mate - it’s all opinions on here, you’re welcome to yours and I’ll say mine, I’m just saying I wouldn’t write him off yet. I think keeping hold of Tammy Abraham would’ve been a massive help last season, but for whatever reason (probably money related) we couldn’t do it. I reckon we’ll do a lot better next season with Davies, Wes and a couple (hopefully) of quality strikers. As I said though, which ones? I’ve got no clue. Don’t play Football manager, or really take any notice of clubs other than Villa.
I'm with you pal, to be clear. I think he's a player and will come good.
It's that one-and-a-half headed cheating bastard from Bolton I couldn't stand.
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I think keeping hold of Tammy Abraham would’ve been a massive help last season, but for whatever reason (probably money related) we couldn’t do it
Because Chelsea were serving a transfer ban, couldn't sign anybody and would have only had one striker had they sold him.
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So essentially money-related. They couldn’t spend any and wouldn’t let us have him, because they needed him and he was good enough for them.
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Agree with that. To buy upcoming players with potential was daft. We finished 5th a division lower and should just got in experienced Prem players. Ok, I maybe not be the approach the club wants to take but needs must...we were not in a luxurious position to try to bed in so many players.
1: They would have cost much more money
2: They'd all be a year older now and worth less
3: We we're in such a position, because we did and we stayed up.
Yes we did stay up but we could have spend less money on better options than we did and would not have been shitting our pants up until 6pm Sunday, IMO.
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Agree with that. To buy upcoming players with potential was daft. We finished 5th a division lower and should just got in experienced Prem players. Ok, I maybe not be the approach the club wants to take but needs must...we were not in a luxurious position to try to bed in so many players.
1: They would have cost much more money
2: They'd all be a year older now and worth less
3: We we're in such a position, because we did and we stayed up.
Yes we did stay up but we could have spend less money on better options than we did and would not have been shitting our pants up until 6pm Sunday, IMO.
Who then?
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I think Cahill for Engels would have been a decent shout at adding that bit of experience. Beyond that, I think we did not use loans well at all last summer, and should have got a couple in. Danny Rose on loan rather than 17 on Targett, with another pacey forward might have been a better call, but it is academic now, and we are in a better place for having a squad that has played at this level for a year. Now we must add 5 much better quality players to move it forward.
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Mate - it’s all opinions on here, you’re welcome to yours and I’ll say mine, I’m just saying I wouldn’t write him off yet. I think keeping hold of Tammy Abraham would’ve been a massive help last season, but for whatever reason (probably money related) we couldn’t do it. I reckon we’ll do a lot better next season with Davies, Wes and a couple (hopefully) of quality strikers. As I said though, which ones? I’ve got no clue. Don’t play Football manager, or really take any notice of clubs other than Villa.
I'm with you pal, to be clear. I think he's a player and will come good.
It's that one-and-a-half headed cheating bastard from Bolton I couldn't stand.
Agree on Davis. He'll never be a John Hartson-style prolific Big Man, but he could easily be a Heskey (who had a great career, despite his detractors).
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Mate - it’s all opinions on here, you’re welcome to yours and I’ll say mine, I’m just saying I wouldn’t write him off yet. I think keeping hold of Tammy Abraham would’ve been a massive help last season, but for whatever reason (probably money related) we couldn’t do it. I reckon we’ll do a lot better next season with Davies, Wes and a couple (hopefully) of quality strikers. As I said though, which ones? I’ve got no clue. Don’t play Football manager, or really take any notice of clubs other than Villa.
I'm with you pal, to be clear. I think he's a player and will come good.
It's that one-and-a-half headed cheating bastard from Bolton I couldn't stand.
Agree on Davis. He'll never be a John Hartson-style prolific Big Man, but he could easily be a Heskey (who had a great career, despite his detractors).
Hmm. By the time that Heskey was Davis's age he'd played nearly 150 games, scored 40 or so goals, had a dozen England caps and was about to move to Liverpool.
Players adapt at different rates etc, but I don't think Davis shows anything to suggest he'll be anything like a Heskey.
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Mate - it’s all opinions on here, you’re welcome to yours and I’ll say mine, I’m just saying I wouldn’t write him off yet. I think keeping hold of Tammy Abraham would’ve been a massive help last season, but for whatever reason (probably money related) we couldn’t do it. I reckon we’ll do a lot better next season with Davies, Wes and a couple (hopefully) of quality strikers. As I said though, which ones? I’ve got no clue. Don’t play Football manager, or really take any notice of clubs other than Villa.
I'm with you pal, to be clear. I think he's a player and will come good.
It's that one-and-a-half headed cheating bastard from Bolton I couldn't stand.
Agree on Davis. He'll never be a John Hartson-style prolific Big Man, but he could easily be a Heskey (who had a great career, despite his detractors).
Hmm. By the time that Heskey was Davis's age he'd played nearly 150 games, scored 40 or so goals, had a dozen England caps and was about to move to Liverpool.
Players adapt at different rates etc, but I don't think Davis shows anything to suggest he'll be anything like a Heskey.
Not as 'good' as Heskey, no, but he could do the job that he did very competently if he can add a hanful of goals.
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He’s a long, long way from Heskey. Heskey has pace to go with his great strength. And could score some good goals too.
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It's not a hill I intend to expire on so I'll leave it there.
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You love that "die on a hill" phrase!
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Yep, we went down the route we did and achieved our primary aim for the season and now we a squad that is still young, with experience of playing at this level. All that suggests that, as tight as it was, we didn't get things wrong last summer. By doing it the way we did we have the basis of a squad that we can build around over the next 2-3 seasons. If we'd gone all out for premier league experience we'd either be looking at replacing most of those signings over the next year or 2 or we'd have had a much smaller squad and still be in the process of building that base.
This year reminds me of summer 2013. Lambert's first and we also stayed up from an unlikely position given our from from December 2012 up to the March.
We had Guzan in good form back then plus Vlaar, Delph and a front 3 who ended the season all in excellent form so stronger spine than now arguably. Benteke also u turned that summer from joining Spurs.
That was the time to push on. Instead we just did exactly the same transfer policy as 12 months before and signed (deep breath) Helenius, Kozak, Luna, Bacuna, Okore and Tonev.
I really hope lessons have been learnt.
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Yes, Lerner/Lambert had given-up at that point. We should expect a marked difference in approach this time.
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Yep, we went down the route we did and achieved our primary aim for the season and now we a squad that is still young, with experience of playing at this level. All that suggests that, as tight as it was, we didn't get things wrong last summer. By doing it the way we did we have the basis of a squad that we can build around over the next 2-3 seasons. If we'd gone all out for premier league experience we'd either be looking at replacing most of those signings over the next year or 2 or we'd have had a much smaller squad and still be in the process of building that base.
This year reminds me of summer 2013. Lambert's first and we also stayed up from an unlikely position given our from from December 2012 up to the March.
We had Guzan in good form back then plus Vlaar, Delph and a front 3 who ended the season all in excellent form so stronger spine than now arguably. Benteke also u turned that summer from joining Spurs.
That was the time to push on. Instead we just did exactly the same transfer policy as 12 months before and signed (deep breath) Helenius, Kozak, Luna, Bacuna, Okore and Tonev.
I really hope lessons have been learnt.
That really was the shittest of all shitty transfer windows. It even had those brown UPVC frames.
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Yep, we went down the route we did and achieved our primary aim for the season and now we a squad that is still young, with experience of playing at this level. All that suggests that, as tight as it was, we didn't get things wrong last summer. By doing it the way we did we have the basis of a squad that we can build around over the next 2-3 seasons. If we'd gone all out for premier league experience we'd either be looking at replacing most of those signings over the next year or 2 or we'd have had a much smaller squad and still be in the process of building that base.
This year reminds me of summer 2013. Lambert's first and we also stayed up from an unlikely position given our from from December 2012 up to the March.
We had Guzan in good form back then plus Vlaar, Delph and a front 3 who ended the season all in excellent form so stronger spine than now arguably. Benteke also u turned that summer from joining Spurs.
That was the time to push on. Instead we just did exactly the same transfer policy as 12 months before and signed (deep breath) Helenius, Kozak, Luna, Bacuna, Okore and Tonev.
I really hope lessons have been learnt.
That really was the shittest of all shitty transfer windows. It even had those brown UPVC frames.
Dunno about that. Considering the summer after was Senderos, Kieron Richardson, Joe Cole and Carlos Sanchez the one above feels like the summer of '95 in comparison!
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The more I think about the more I'm amazed we stayed up when the consider the fact that after NewYears Day precisely 1 goal game from a Centre Forward.
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Yep, we went down the route we did and achieved our primary aim for the season and now we a squad that is still young, with experience of playing at this level. All that suggests that, as tight as it was, we didn't get things wrong last summer. By doing it the way we did we have the basis of a squad that we can build around over the next 2-3 seasons. If we'd gone all out for premier league experience we'd either be looking at replacing most of those signings over the next year or 2 or we'd have had a much smaller squad and still be in the process of building that base.
This year reminds me of summer 2013. Lambert's first and we also stayed up from an unlikely position given our from from December 2012 up to the March.
We had Guzan in good form back then plus Vlaar, Delph and a front 3 who ended the season all in excellent form so stronger spine than now arguably. Benteke also u turned that summer from joining Spurs.
That was the time to push on. Instead we just did exactly the same transfer policy as 12 months before and signed (deep breath) Helenius, Kozak, Luna, Bacuna, Okore and Tonev.
I really hope lessons have been learnt.
That really was the shittest of all shitty transfer windows. It even had those brown UPVC frames.
Dunno about that. Considering the summer after was Senderos, Kieron Richardson, Joe Cole and Carlos Sanchez the one above feels like the summer of '95 in comparison!
At least those players had had the ability to play in the top flight even if it was long gone on most cases.
Not one of those young guns went on to perform at anything like the level we'd bought them for. And they missed out Bowery.
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The more I think about the more I'm amazed we stayed up when the consider the fact that after NewYears Day precisely 1 goal game from a Centre Forward.
I take that as a positive: add a decent striker an someone who can provide the ammo and we're well-set for next season.
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Sheff U have a striker called David McGoldrick. He's no out and out goalscorer this season in fact his return for goals is low in the premier league.
McGoldrick however is highly effectively to the way the team at Sheff Utd play .
It's what Keinan brings too in his link up play and the way Villa play aside from goals .
If he's comparable surely it's to the sheff utd front man.
Maybe too Wesley will bring that to the party rather than any major hope of 20+ goals
Would be happy for 12-15 from either and a decent link up play.
Good points, VIA.
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The more I think about the more I'm amazed we stayed up when the consider the fact that after NewYears Day precisely 1 goal game from a Centre Forward.
I take that as a positive: add a decent striker an someone who can provide the ammo and we're well-set for next season.
If Davis ever scores 12-15 goals in the Premier League then I'll donate a ton to any charity you wish. He's a great lad no doubt but he's not a top division striker.
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I think strikers scoring shit loads of goals is rarer than people imagine in the top leagues and I can see it going further away from that over time. Strikers are, in my opinion, the most specialised position in the game after goalkeepers and some one who does a lot of good work with their back to goal can be more valuable than an out and out goalscorer if you build your team around them. For example our strikers got 6 goals between them, which isn't great, but they guys played on the wings for us got 18 between them and we got 9 more from central midfield.
Look at Liverpool as another example, the 2 genuine centre forwards in their squad are Firmino and Origi who got 13 between them out of 85 they scored in total.
Goalscorers don't have to be centre forwards any more, this is why I think Jacob Ramsey could have a big future, he plays in central midfield but he scores goals (6 in 12 for the U23s and 3 in 7 on loan at Doncaster). Before the season started I said I'd be happy with about 15 goals from the strikers so long as the wingers and midfield got 25-30 and the defenders got about 10. The strikers let me down but I still think that holds true and I'll be hoping for similar next year.
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The more I think about the more I'm amazed we stayed up when the consider the fact that after NewYears Day precisely 1 goal game from a Centre Forward.
I take that as a positive: add a decent striker an someone who can provide the ammo and we're well-set for next season.
If Davis ever scores 12-15 goals in the Premier League then I'll donate a ton to any charity you wish. He's a great lad no doubt but he's not a top division striker.
He won’t score 12-15 in his career let alone one season.
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The more I think about the more I'm amazed we stayed up when the consider the fact that after NewYears Day precisely 1 goal game from a Centre Forward.
I take that as a positive: add a decent striker an someone who can provide the ammo and we're well-set for next season.
If Davis ever scores 12-15 goals in the Premier League then I'll donate a ton to any charity you wish. He's a great lad no doubt but he's not a top division striker.
I’ll match your donation if I spend a night in with Kylie Minogue and the Corrs sisters.
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Davis only cost us a round of drinks and worked his bollocks off to help keep us in the Premiership. I think you should give the lad a break. Save it for wastrels like Hogan and McCormack.
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Davis only cost us a round of drinks and worked his bollocks off to help keep us in the Premiership. I think you should give the lad a break. Save it for wastrels like Hogan and McCormack.
True.
Would be nice for him to score a goal every now and again though :)
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Davis only cost us a round of drinks and worked his bollocks off to help keep us in the Premiership. I think you should give the lad a break. Save it for wastrels like Hogan and McCormack.
Agree with this. I’m not sure if he’ll make it or not, but I’d definitely keep him around as a squad player. He had that poor miss against Arsenal and whilst that could of cost us, the more interesting thing for me was the way he out muscled the defender to latch onto Grealish’s through ball. I just don’t think for a minute Samatta would of even got into the position to shoot. If Davies is coached well and gets one or two to build his confidence, he may get a few more.
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I think strikers scoring shit loads of goals is rarer than people imagine in the top leagues and I can see it going further away from that over time. Strikers are, in my opinion, the most specialised position in the game after goalkeepers and some one who does a lot of good work with their back to goal can be more valuable than an out and out goalscorer if you build your team around them. For example our strikers got 6 goals between them, which isn't great, but they guys played on the wings for us got 18 between them and we got 9 more from central midfield.
Look at Liverpool as another example, the 2 genuine centre forwards in their squad are Firmino and Origi who got 13 between them out of 85 they scored in total.
Goalscorers don't have to be centre forwards any more, this is why I think Jacob Ramsey could have a big future, he plays in central midfield but he scores goals (6 in 12 for the U23s and 3 in 7 on loan at Doncaster). Before the season started I said I'd be happy with about 15 goals from the strikers so long as the wingers and midfield got 25-30 and the defenders got about 10. The strikers let me down but I still think that holds true and I'll be hoping for similar next year.
Agree with all this.
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
His overall gameplay is very poor. Yes he scored some vital goals, but that doesn't paper over the fact that he hasn't been good enough. We're not going to have PL clubs kicking our doors in to take him off us.
With respect that's total garbage his pace keeps the opposition on their back foot, take Spurs and Arsenal away (arsenal away especially) where we were winning when he was playing he got subbed then we lost. Arsenal was the prime example that Trezeguet has been a good buy, arsenal were shit scared of him getting in behind them, when he went off they unleashed both barrels on us.
You must be watching a different player to the rest of us as it's pretty clear that whilst enthusiastic he has been mostly shit this season. Take a scroll through his thread if you think I'm the only one being harsh.
No you're alright i went to every game before the lock down, i'll trust my own eyes instead of letting a thread on an internet forum sway my opinion of a player.
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He’s a long, long way from Heskey. Heskey has pace to go with his great strength. And could score some good goals too.
Agree , I think Heskey’s career goals ratio is 1:4 which isn’t bad, probably corrupted by him scoring regularly whilst at Leicester mind . Still like Davies mind and for what we paid I’d keep him around .
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We haven't been a comfortable top flight side now for nearly a decade. We need better than strikers who haven't scored in 2 and a half years or we will carry on circling the drain. I've no doubt he's a top bloke, works hard and cost a packet of crisps but if he's not going to score goals then I'd have him as distant 4th choice at most and if we're still in the top flight the season after gone by then.
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The more I think about the more I'm amazed we stayed up when the consider the fact that after NewYears Day precisely 1 goal game from a Centre Forward.
I take that as a positive: add a decent striker an someone who can provide the ammo and we're well-set for next season.
If Davis ever scores 12-15 goals in the Premier League then I'll donate a ton to any charity you wish. He's a great lad no doubt but he's not a top division striker.
I’ll match your donation if I spend a night in with Kylie Minogue and the Corrs sisters.
Is it nice? The nursing home you all live in
;)
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Loan him out at a lower level for experience. Worked quite well for Grealish at Notts County!
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
His overall gameplay is very poor. Yes he scored some vital goals, but that doesn't paper over the fact that he hasn't been good enough. We're not going to have PL clubs kicking our doors in to take him off us.
With respect that's total garbage his pace keeps the opposition on their back foot, take Spurs and Arsenal away (arsenal away especially) where we were winning when he was playing he got subbed then we lost. Arsenal was the prime example that Trezeguet has been a good buy, arsenal were shit scared of him getting in behind them, when he went off they unleashed both barrels on us.
You must be watching a different player to the rest of us as it's pretty clear that whilst enthusiastic he has been mostly shit this season. Take a scroll through his thread if you think I'm the only one being harsh.
No you're alright i went to every game before the lock down, i'll trust my own eyes instead of letting a thread on an internet forum sway my opinion of a player.
Nice. What did you think of Benteke, by the way?
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Loan him out at a lower level for experience. Worked quite well for Grealish at Notts County!
He's 22. Grealish went to Notts County when he was 17.
Davis isn't a young prospect anymore. He's the same age as Tammy Abraham, who has played 200 odd matches and scored 80 goals.
He'll probably have a decent lower-league career to get him through life but he's very much riding the Delfouneso highway.
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Agreed. Just not good enough at this level and never will be.
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Let not forget according to some Trezeguet is shit as well 😂
His overall gameplay is very poor. Yes he scored some vital goals, but that doesn't paper over the fact that he hasn't been good enough. We're not going to have PL clubs kicking our doors in to take him off us.
With respect that's total garbage his pace keeps the opposition on their back foot, take Spurs and Arsenal away (arsenal away especially) where we were winning when he was playing he got subbed then we lost. Arsenal was the prime example that Trezeguet has been a good buy, arsenal were shit scared of him getting in behind them, when he went off they unleashed both barrels on us.
You must be watching a different player to the rest of us as it's pretty clear that whilst enthusiastic he has been mostly shit this season. Take a scroll through his thread if you think I'm the only one being harsh.
No you're alright i went to every game before the lock down, i'll trust my own eyes instead of letting a thread on an internet forum sway my opinion of a player.
Nice. What did you think of Benteke, by the way?
I thought he was ace when he was with us, if a little slow to start off with. I wonder what the returning poster under another username thought?
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Loan him out at a lower level for experience. Worked quite well for Grealish at Notts County!
He's 22. Grealish went to Notts County when he was 17.
Davis isn't a young prospect anymore. He's the same age as Tammy Abraham, who has played 200 odd matches and scored 80 goals.
He'll probably have a decent lower-league career to get him through life but he's very much riding the Delfouneso highway.
Weren't you still holding out hope for Nathan until last season? (winky face)
In my dreams I still hope for an all-conquering strike force of Luke Moore and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy. I willed them and the Fonz on so much to do the business for us, alas.
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The above-named were goalscorers who didn't score any goals. Davis has shown that he offers us something that none of our other players do, and when it mattered.
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I think strikers scoring shit loads of goals is rarer than people imagine in the top leagues and I can see it going further away from that over time. Strikers are, in my opinion, the most specialised position in the game after goalkeepers and some one who does a lot of good work with their back to goal can be more valuable than an out and out goalscorer if you build your team around them. For example our strikers got 6 goals between them, which isn't great, but they guys played on the wings for us got 18 between them and we got 9 more from central midfield.
Look at Liverpool as another example, the 2 genuine centre forwards in their squad are Firmino and Origi who got 13 between them out of 85 they scored in total.
Goalscorers don't have to be centre forwards any more, this is why I think Jacob Ramsey could have a big future, he plays in central midfield but he scores goals (6 in 12 for the U23s and 3 in 7 on loan at Doncaster). Before the season started I said I'd be happy with about 15 goals from the strikers so long as the wingers and midfield got 25-30 and the defenders got about 10. The strikers let me down but I still think that holds true and I'll be hoping for similar next year.
Someone in the summer transfers thread pointed out that a large proportion of the top scorers in the division were over 30, and all (?) over 23. So not being prolific at 22, I'm not sure it's such a massive problem. Plus, as others have said, he offers something different, and maybe isn't best thought it as a traditional centre forward.
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Davis creates problems when he comes on the pitch for the opposition. His shot accross the goal against West Ham was a decent effort imo and needed someone following in at the far post. And Jack's goal was started by good play from Davis. He will never be prolific but does need to add some goals into his game. But there's something about him that I like as a player.
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Davis creates problems when he comes on the pitch for the opposition. His shot accross the goal against West Ham was a decent effort imo and needed someone following in at the far post. And Jack's goal was started by good play from Davis. He will never be prolific but does need to add some goals into his game. But there's something about him that I like as a player.
Even with the goal, his sharp take and turn from the throw opened up the space for McGinn to find Grealish, he didn't just stand and receive the ball. All game every time the ball went into Samatta he'd get hustled off it if he tried more than just laying it off first time.
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It would be nice if every so often we didn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. See Riley, P.
I thought most people had finally got round to the idea that Riley actually signed quite a lot of very good players that were mismanaged into the ground by an incompetent halfwit?
Even if some of them did turn out to be good players, it was still demonstrably the wrong approach.
Yes I think what I was trying to say was lumping your whole PL future on a load of untried players from European leagues as opposed to sprinkling with some seasoned professionals.
You mean seasoned professionals like Richards and Lescott added to seasoned professionls like Gabby , Kozak, Senderos, Cole and N'Zogbia? Adebayor would have been another if Tim Dim had had his way. I'd say the approach was about right, a balance of new young signings with promise combined with a few seasoned professionals, if only the latter weren't either shite, not interested, had a bad attitude, crocks or past it or a combination of these. It was the so-called seasoned professional who let us down that season, not Riley's picks.
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Trezeguet looked an atrocious signing all the way through the season, offered little or nothing. I'm grateful for the fact he found a streak of goals to help us stay up and maybe it's a sign that there is a player in there somewhere - but it doesn't disguise the fact that for the most part he's been absolute utter garbage and nowhere near good enough for a top half PL team.
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Davis creates problems when he comes on the pitch for the opposition. His shot accross the goal against West Ham was a decent effort imo and needed someone following in at the far post. And Jack's goal was started by good play from Davis. He will never be prolific but does need to add some goals into his game. But there's something about him that I like as a player.
Even with the goal, his sharp take and turn from the throw opened up the space for McGinn to find Grealish, he didn't just stand and receive the ball. All game every time the ball went into Samatta he'd get hustled off it if he tried more than just laying it off first time.
It's a weird one with Davis. He looks a very good player in every facet of the game apart from actually scoring. Even if he had a late vintage Heskey type 1 goal every 8 games strike rate, you could make a case from him, but it's not even that. It's not even famously goal shy John Jensen levels of goal avoiding..
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Not much worse than Joelinton either. Don't watch enough of Newcastle to notice if he adds more.
I would loan Keinan out to a Ch'ship team where he'll get chances. He looks like a confidence player to me. Bang a few in and he might be worth taking back and having on the bench as a plan B.
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The "not as bad as Joelinton" argument seems to get trotted out a fair bit as a defence of Wesley and Davis. It doesn't really help our case that another club wasted a load of money on a useless lump does it?
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Not defending him, hence the suggestion to let him show us if he can do it in the second division. Just glad we got him for tuppence from the non-league rather than a Solanke/Jo Linton fee.
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Not much worse than Joelinton either. Don't watch enough of Newcastle to notice if he adds more.
I would loan Keinan out to a Ch'ship team where he'll get chances. He looks like a confidence player to me. Bang a few in and he might be worth taking back and having on the bench as a plan B.
Yeah but Joelinton is a recognised by-word for "shit" so not sure that's the best comparison.
Davis does other stuff, he just never, ever looks like scoring.
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Some were saying the same (loan him out to score goals then bring him back) about Hepburn-Murphy, and look how that ended.
Maybe Keenan is not all that.