Michael Bradley signs (page 6)

[Concrete John]

I much prefer two proper forward ups front I'm I'm honest.  I'd hate to see Agbonlahor and Delfouneso leave because they don't get enough chances to start.

I like to see it aswell, but I'm not convinced Gezza does!  Players like gabby and the Fonz should get chances as he likes to rotate.

[VillaZogmariner]

I much prefer two proper forward ups front I'm I'm honest.  I'd hate to see Agbonlahor and Delfouneso leave because they don't get enough chances to start.

I agree, I much prefer the 4-4-2. But at the same time I think it's a bit outdated at the moment. What I do like is that GH is starting to build a squad capable of being big enough to put a strong XI out all the time, with only a bit of tinkering match by match. 2/3 changes each week. By doing that I think he will be able to keep Gabby and Fonz happy with enough game time. Especially as both of them can also be used in that attacking midfield/deep striker/wide man role too.

---Albrighton-----Young-----Downing-----
---Agbonlahor---Bannan---Delfouenso---

----------------------Bent-----------------------
--------------------Heskey----------------------

[Concrete John]

I'd like to see both Gabby and Delfouneso given a chance as the lone striker.  It suits Gabby, although I'm not as convinced it does for the Fonz, but neither of them are good wide, IMO. 

[Dave Cooper please]

  I'd hate to see Agbonlahor and Delfouneso leave because they don't get enough chances to start. 

There are going to be casualties in the Villa revolution!
I think Delfouneso will be given another few months to try to prove to Hotlips that he can fit in but I reckon Gabby will be off in the summer.
Hotlips doesn't seem to fancy Gabby as the central striker in his preferred formation and he is not doing much playing wide either. It would be a shame to see a local lad playing elsewhere but if he can't play in a Houllier team then he'll have to go.

[Chris Smith]

I think we're all writing players off too quickly. It seems clear to me that we're going to play 4-3-3 with Gabby used as a left sided forward rather than a winger as some suggest. It's a newish role for him but he's shown before that he's adaptable and I see no reason why he won't develop into the role, he's a goal scorer and it would be daft to lose him.

I also think, as Ozz says, that we're going to have to get used to more rotation and that it will be a horses for courses approach.

[Simon Ward]

Can I just welcome to Mr Bradley and I hope he proves an astute buy.

[Concrete John]

I'm all for a bit of rotation, but Gabby's best position in that 433/451/4231 formation is as the central striker.  I'd maybe give him the odd game wide, but mainly I'd use him as cover/competition for Bent.

[Simon Ward]

I think we're all writing players off too quickly. It seems clear to me that we're going to play 4-3-3 with Gabby used as a left sided forward rather than a winger as some suggest. It's a newish role for him but he's shown before that he's adaptable and I see no reason why he won't develop into the role, he's a goal scorer and it would be daft to lose him.

I also think, as Ozz says, that we're going to have to get used to more rotation and that it will be a horses for courses approach.

I agree

[ozzjim]

Rooney and Anelka are best down the centre, but their sides are better as a team with them wide. Villa have got results with Gabby playing the left striker role coming in from wide. In time he will come more centrally at the right times and score goals.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I can see Ashley fucking off in the Summer

I could see him fucking off, but now I've a sneaking feeling that he might sign a new contract over the next couple of months. We'll wait and see.

I hope so, hopefully he'll see the signings as a statement of our intent.
I'd rather not lose him.

I wonder how much of an influence Gabby will be with him? If Gabby continues to get stuck out on the left or even dropped to the bench, I can't see him being too happy. A happy Gabby could go a long way in helping us keep Ashley, what with them being such good friends. Another top signing in the summer wouldn't hurt either.

[Mazrim]

Options, we have them.
I'm sure Delfouneso and Gabby are very much a part of the long term plans of this club and I can eventually see Delfouneso being Bent's regular partner up front.
Heskey will be phased out over the next season or so and Weimann will hopefully come through with maybe another big striker coming in. Gabby will have to take his chances when he gets them.

A lot of good players will be watching from the bench and stands at times. That's just how it is. At least they know they will be used now, if they deserve to be.

[CheeriOneill]

...but I reckon Gabby will be off in the summer.
Hotlips doesn't seem to fancy Gabby as the central striker

I think the fact he is trying to accommodate Gabby, even slightly out of position, means he does want to keep him and play him if possible. Also with our probable line-up/system Gabby is the perfect back-up for Bent, granted not as clinical but that should be his aim.

[Brend'Watkins]

I feel Gabby is finding it difficult to adapt to his new role.  He needs to start producing there as i fear Houllier is not one to have players who are undroppable. 

The formation is what Houllier wants so players need to adapt and adapt quickly otherwise there are options.

[Concrete John]

Rooney and Anelka are best down the centre, but their sides are better as a team with them wide. Villa have got results with Gabby playing the left striker role coming in from wide. In time he will come more centrally at the right times and score goals.

Both are also much better technical footballers than Gabby.  Results have picked up lately, but to me he hasn't really influenced things from wide as he could/would in the centre.  He'd be behind Ash, Downing and Albrighton as a wide player, plus maybe Bannan and Delph, but pushing Bent hard for the central striking role.
 

[Irish villain]

Welcome to villa park Michael, hoping you can help fire us up the table.