The Next 11 Games.

[JJ-AV]

After the window we've just had I'd be looking more at Handamovic, Spahic and Lescott, personally. Baines and Walker would be nice too.

[Toronto Villa]

I said during the game yesterday, by the start of next season I can only see Collins still being in the side, and that is at a push. I think the entire back 4 will be overhauled come the summer, and quite rightly.

What must be disappointing to Randy and Faulkner is that we only just shelled out massive amounts of the club's money on a new defence and we seemingly have to do so again. In all likelihood, we'll take a loss on all of those dealings (with the exception of Freidel, and maybe Collins). We'll likely sell or release Young, Beye, Warnock, Dunne with Davies already gone for a song. Incredible when you think about it.

[ozzjim]

After the window we've just had I'd be looking more at Handamovic, Spahic and Lescott, personally. Baines and Walker would be nice too.

Yep. The days of shopping for Aldi standard players at Waitrose prices are over IMO, we are now shopping in Sainsbury's for Sainsbury's top end players.

[ez]

I said during the game yesterday, by the start of next season I can only see Collins still being in the side, and that is at a push. I think the entire back 4 will be overhauled come the summer, and quite rightly.

What must be disappointing to Randy and Faulkner is that we only just shelled out massive amounts of the club's money on a new defence and we seemingly have to do so again. In all likelihood, we'll take a loss on all of those dealings (with the exception of Freidel, and maybe Collins). We'll likely sell or release Young, Beye, Warnock, Dunne with Davies already gone for a song. Incredible when you think about it.

I can't fathom how the defense went from being one of the best in the league last season to one of the worst this.

[ozzjim]

Keeper gone past his tipping point, Dunne over 30 and showing it, Warnock lost form near on a year ago, and Luke Young has been injured or out of form, and is also over 30. They were a unit that were never going to last forever due to the ages of the key men.

[Toronto Villa]

Keeper gone past his tipping point, Dunne over 30 and showing it, Warnock lost form near on a year ago, and Luke Young has been injured or out of form, and is also over 30. They were a unit that were never going to last forever due to the ages of the key men.

all of that and the players being asked to play football as opposed to just clearing it. We need to clear house and get in younger faster players. Clark and Walker are just the start.

[Holtenderinthesky]

Keeper gone past his tipping point, Dunne over 30 and showing it, Warnock lost form near on a year ago, and Luke Young has been injured or out of form, and is also over 30. They were a unit that were never going to last forever due to the ages of the key men.

all of that and the players being asked to play football as opposed to just clearing it. We need to clear house and get in younger faster players. Clark and Walker are just the start.

Walker wll go back to Spurs, plus I think his crossing is poor and he suspect at the back even though he is excellent going forward at times.    He is a bit of a Glen Johnson.  (Puts tin hat on)

[Toronto Villa]

Keeper gone past his tipping point, Dunne over 30 and showing it, Warnock lost form near on a year ago, and Luke Young has been injured or out of form, and is also over 30. They were a unit that were never going to last forever due to the ages of the key men.

all of that and the players being asked to play football as opposed to just clearing it. We need to clear house and get in younger faster players. Clark and Walker are just the start.

Walker wll go back to Spurs, plus I think his crossing is poor and he suspect at the back even though he is excellent going forward at times.    He is a bit of a Glen Johnson.  (Puts tin hat on)

Glen Johnson has regressed badly, but it's also worth noting that before his head and ego swelled, he was actually a very good player. Kyle Walker just doesn't seem that kind of person, but as importantly he's very young, seemingly willing to learn and will cost us a fraction of what Johnson cost Liverpool. I also think that GH is looking for fast overlapping full backs so he fits the mould entirely, and it's why Clark is only at LB until we get a more attacking LB in the summer. I just hope we've agreed a fee with Spurs already.

[SoccerHQ]

The frustrating thing is the best defender at the club, Cuellar, will be leaving in the summer due to inactivity for most of this season.

I see Clark at centre half next season, alongside a more experience premier league defender but not Dunney or Collins (who can stay as a squad player). Wouldn't be against signing Walker, looks promising.

Would try and Get Onouha in as he can play RB or centre half well but will be difficult if Sunderland qualify for europe.

As for the thread title, I think we'll finish 9th or 10th on 48 points.

[hawkeye]

The frustrating thing is the best defender at the club, Cuellar, will be leaving in the summer due to inactivity for most of this season.

I see Clark at centre half next season, alongside a more experience premier league defender but not Dunney or Collins (who can stay as a squad player). Wouldn't be against signing Walker, looks promising.

Would try and Get Onouha in as he can play RB or centre half well but will be difficult if Sunderland qualify for europe.

As for the thread title, I think we'll finish 9th or 10th on 48 points.

Agree i really like Cuellar, he cant pass but he is excellent at defending, a great leap and timeing of clearing headers, the second goal was down to Friedel but also Dunne lost his marker

[SoccerHQ]

Cuellar is the Mellberg in the current squad, very good defender at reading the play and intercepting and competant in the air, bit hopeless regarding distribution but generally the best CB combos are one who's aerially dominant (like a Laursen) with a better footballer and ready of the game alongside him. In time i hope the footballing one will be Clark as I expect him at LB is just astop gap to the summer.

Problem with Carlos is I think the summer he'll only have one year left on his contract and no chance him signing a new one with GH still as manager so I expect him to go back to Spain.

[nick harper]

Cuellar is the Mellberg in the current squad, very good defender at reading the play and intercepting and competant in the air, bit hopeless regarding distribution but generally the best CB combos are one who's aerially dominant (like a Laursen) with a better footballer and ready of the game alongside him. In time i hope the footballing one will be Clark as I expect him at LB is just astop gap to the summer.

Problem with Carlos is I think the summer he'll only have one year left on his contract and no chance him signing a new one with GH still as manager so I expect him to go back to Spain.

Clark still has a way to go to be considered a first choice centre half. He is certainly composed and good on the ball but he can be outmuscled and is prone to diving in (though this will improve with experience). He is also not great in the air. He will need a really strong centre half alongside him next season if that is the way Houllier is planning to go.

[cheltenhamlion]

It wasn't Dunne who lost his man for the second equaliser. It was Collins.

[*shellac*]

Blackpool v Aston Villa - Draw
Aston Villa v Blackburn - Win
Bolton v Aston Villa - Draw
Aston Villa v Wolverhampton - Win
Everton v Aston Villa - Lose
Aston Villa v Newcastle - Win
West Ham v Aston Villa - Win
Aston Villa v Stoke - Draw
West Brom v Aston Villa - Win
Aston Villa v Wigan - Win

6 W 3 D 1 L = 21 points & +9 GD

[Concrete John]

I really like Collins and would see him and Clark forming a good partnership.  Collins as the big 'head it kick it' physical defender and Clark covering behind him with better on the ball ability.  Hopefully either Dunne or Cuellar will stay as experienced cover.  Then two attacking fullbacks are needed, whith hopefully one of them being Walker.