Barry Bannan to Leeds on loan.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Petrov
NRC
Makoun
Bradley
Delph
Herd
Gardner
Johnson (Youth captain has been in a couple of squads)
Clark (if required)
Hogg can be recalled
Downing can play in that centre role too
Pires for the attacking/behind the striker role
Salifou

I think it's safe to say that we've got enough cover at the moment, and we'd be very very unlucky to have another injury crisis again in midfield. [quote/]



Petrov - Legs going
NRC - Not creative
Makoun - Good
Bradley -  Can't see it
Delph - Good
Herd - Nope
Gardner - Nope
Johnson (Youth captain has been in a couple of squads) - Nope
Clark (if required) - He'll be needed at left back
Hogg can be recalled - Not creative
Downing -  need him where he is
Pires - Too old, too crusty
Salifou - Blecch!

[VillaZogmariner]

Makoun has had 1 very good game and is being hailed as a masterstroke signing.
Bradley has had 1 very bad game and is being hailed as a flop.

[Dante Lavelli]

One thing about wee Barry - anyone else wondering exactly where he would fit in best in the 4-2-3-1 formation?

I really rate him, but doubt he has the attacking flair to be behind the striker in Ash's role and his stature may count against him in regards to the 2 DCMs in that formation.  He's not a wide player.  He's a game lad and will get stuck in, but I can only see him really flourishing with a strong and specialist DCM next to him, which we don't have.

Next time spurs are on TV watch Modric. With his incisive passing I hope Bannan could play in the back 2 as a sort of quarter back. Whilst he may not have a huge physical presence (...Modric?) in that position, facing the play, a lot of the defensive work is shepparding the opposition into less threatening areas.

It's probably one of the most pivotal positions on the pitch though which somewhat justifies the loan move to Leeds as hopefully he'll get more experience/games there. Good long term planning by Houllier in my book.

[Mr Diggles]

Makoun has had 1 very good game and is being hailed as a masterstroke signing.
Bradley has had 1 very bad game and is being hailed as a flop.

Are you new here?!

[KevinGage]

A little suprised to hear the news but won't do him no harm at all..  shame its not Soton , would have liked first option on that Chamberlain player.

I'm hoping this is a cunning way of getting Grayson to villa as head coach by showing him the quality of our youth (...Houllier as DoF obviously).

Director of Fcuk Up's?

No to Grayson too.

[WikiVilla]

Makoun has had 1 very good game and is being hailed as a masterstroke signing.
Bradley has had 1 very bad game and is being hailed as a flop.

Jury still out on both players

[Concrete John]

@Dante Lavelli

Yep - Modric is a good example.  However the defensive duties of covering runs and sheperding players away from danger zones is something that comes with experience.  At Leeds he'll be amongst their best players, so I'd expect him to be played further forward and not necessarily learn that there.  Also Modric is playing in a better side where he has some freedom, plus having Palacious or Huddlestone beside him, which us struggling against relegation do not have.

   

[Dave P]

On the train to Sheffield Utd in January when the Man City and Sunderland debacles were still on our mind, I suggested Simon Grayson as our new coach and it was positivly received.  Grayson pulling the stings on the pitch and Houllier pulling them off it is not the worst idea in the world.

[Risso]

Houllier as a director of football would be a terrible idea in my opinion.

[WikiVilla]

Director of Football is a bad idea full stop

[JJ-AV]

I don't think Bannan will be first choice next season. But I do think he'll be alot more involved.

I think Makoun, Delph, Downing and Albrighton will be four of the five, and then another to tuck in behind Bent.

My only issue with that is none of them are over 6 foot. So presuming we're gonna get 3/4's of a new back four that are all massive, we're gonna be in the shit when it comes to set pieces, again.

Or maybe we'll be back in for Forfana

and It'll be....

Forfana
Albrighton - Makoun - Delph - Downing
Bent

Which looks OK. Downing, Albrighton and Bent should get 30 league goals between them. Then you've got Delph, Gabby, Heskey (lol), Bannan, Delfouneso all adding them in too

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Don't understand this at all. He's a good player.

[Pete3206]

Don't understand this at all. He's a good player.

Agreed. At least he attempts a forward pass.

[Olneythelonely]

Do I think Bannan is a world beater who Houllier is mad to let out on loan?  No.

Do I think he's better than some of the players still in the squad, and that we'd be better of keeping him in case of injuries or suspensions?  Yes.

Spot on.
Who's to say we won't have another nightmare with the injury list again?

Then we recall him.

[Risso]

Do I think Bannan is a world beater who Houllier is mad to let out on loan?  No.

Do I think he's better than some of the players still in the squad, and that we'd be better of keeping him in case of injuries or suspensions?  Yes.

Spot on.
Who's to say we won't have another nightmare with the injury list again?

Then we recall him.

Which we can't do for a month.