Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[Clampy]

I don't think we put 9 men behind the ball either. We just don't create enough clear cut chances.

[Dave]

you are watching different games to me then ads...

If you think that we've been putting 'nine men behind the ball' then you certainly haven't been watching Villa matches.

[Ads]

you are watching different games to me then ads...

I must be, because I cannot fathom your comments at all.

[Ger Regan]

you are watching different games to me then ads...

I must be, because I cannot fathom your comments at all.

Nor me.

[eastie]

Last week eck said anyone leaving would be replaced as the squad was very light -since then hogg, young, weimann and now maybe makoun will have departed, so i would hope we see at least 2 or 3 replacements.

If young is not replaced we will be lacking at full back with experience and an injury to warnock would leave us far too short- luke could cover left or right and although lichaj has potential he is far from the finished article yet.

Right back and a midfielder are a must in my opinion.

[Clampy]

If any team played negatively on Saturday, it was Wolves, who at 0-0 took off their two wide men and replaced them with two full backs.

[pablopicasso_10]

during the wolves game there were many a time when we had lots of men behind the ball when it wasnt necessarily needed... most frustrating element of that is that we were also second to the loose ball in front of a wall of villa players...

maybe we all see different things in games... personally i like to focus on things that i think we can improve on and watching us recently, the main issue is getting back behind the ball in too greater numbers... the terminology behind that is more simplistic than anything else...

but everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if their opinion is just to "abuse" others...

[asgpaul]

What's worrying is that there are a lot of clubs needing to strengthen prior to the window closing, surely that will drive prices up! 

What's for sure is the next few days will be interesting, exciting (optimistic) and extremely frustrating, and not in equal measure!

[citizenDJ]

you are watching different games to me then ads...

I must be, because I cannot fathom your comments at all.

Nor me.

Sorry Pablo, but I'm not seeing that either.

I fact, I think McLeish has got the formation just about spot on - the 4-2-3-1 is a formation that is very solid defensively and I think it gets the best out of Petrov (who has done well this early season, I'd say) as well as Delph who looks very good.

It might not look as fluid as we'd like it to be right now because, well, it's still new and we've got N'Zogbia who is still getting up to speed and settling in. But as the season goes on I think it will be a successful formation, especially if Bannan can make that attacking midfielder/No.10 role his own. Agbolahor and Nzogbia on the wings looks good to me too, very good for counter attacking away from home.

As to incoming transfers, I think we'll be surprised. Whether in a good way or bad, I haven't made up my mind yet!

[pablopicasso_10]

thats fine cnz, and i respect the fact that you havent just instantly dismissed my admittedly 'simplistic' generalisation as purely"talking shit", as that makes your viewpoint a little more likely to be taken on board... apologies to all for the over simplified generalisation, as it doesnt make my view that easy to understand...

yes, we are solid defensively, but as i said, with lots of men behind the ball and no link up player between the striker and the two holding midfielders leaves us completely isolated up front... whether thats an intentional ploy to be more solid defensively or not, doesnt alter the fact that we are faling to create because there is no support or service to the lone striker...

watching the game, and looking at the statistics (the guardians chalkboard), neither delph or petrov made a tackle in the oppositions half on saturday... n'zogbias challenges were 80% round the half way line... gabbys were 50% round the half way line or behind... same with heskey... and while we want our "wingers" to track back and work hard, i also want some pressing done further up the pitch and not wait until they get in and around our half...

defending starts from the front, but we are not doing that much...

but this is taking the topic away from "transfers", so i will leave it at that

[PaulWinch again]

Frankly at the moment we are an asset stripping joke. The board need to look very carefully at what they're doing. I understand the need to restrict the wage bill, but the approach we are taking is absolutely insane.

[eastie]

I must disagree, i think petrov has been very good so far this season and along with delph deserves his place , my change would be bannan or ireland in place of heskey as both have excellent passing and vision and could create more .

[eastie]

Frankly at the moment we are an asset stripping joke. The board need to look very carefully at what they're doing. I understand the need to restrict the wage bill, but the approach we are taking is absolutely insane.

Its beginning to look as if randy has given up on his top 4 dream and either settling for surviving i the premiership or getting back some of his money -would he sell up if the right investor made him an offer, i wonder?

[PaulWinch again]

Frankly at the moment we are an asset stripping joke. The board need to look very carefully at what they're doing. I understand the need to restrict the wage bill, but the approach we are taking is absolutely insane.

Its beginning to look as if randy has given up on his top 4 dream and either settling for surviving i the premiership or getting back some of his money -would he sell up if the right investor made him an offer, i wonder?

Beginning to look, I think we are well past that stage.

[BedsVillain]

I think we should definitely be looking to Chelsea for a loan with option to buy for one of Sturridge or Kalou. Chelsea now have Torres, Drogba, Lukaku, Anelka, Sturridge, Kalou, Mata and maybe even Modric for their attacking options, someone will have to make way from that list. Especially when you consider AVB played with a very settled front line at Porto, Falcao and Hulk played virtually every game on the way to winning 3 trophies! Sturridge or Kalou would do nicely in a front three with Gabby and Bent.