Aston Villa sign Charles N'Zogbia (Reply#1151)

[Mazrim]

Personally, I think £10m is a bit of a bargain, especially when you consider what we got for downing.

I know that the popular party line is to be outraged that we are selling our best players, but in isolation I think selling downing for £20m and buying Nzogbia for £10m (or there abouts) is excellent business

It is. I think N'Zogbia is the better player comfortably and in isolation the deal is outstanding business. But it would be even better business if we reinvested at least the other £10m from Downing in the squad.
Starting with a quality defensive midfielder and winger back up.

Rather than Downing, N'Zogbia replaces Young as well as we could hope for.
We can look forward to better set pieces too.
I'd imagine Zog and Albrighton taking corners, Zog taking direct free kicks and Bent taking penalties. And that sounds pretty good to me.

I think the intention is that N'Zog does replace Downing on the left and Ash's replacemnt in the centre will be Ireland, with Marc on the right.

It's a bit risky as it's a kid, a nutter and a new signing, but ability wise there's lots to look forward to and be excited about there!

Well, Downing played right as much as left so Albrighton will replace him I think and it's no secret I think he'll be a better player. N'Zogbia is far more like Young in terms of style of play and what he offers but you're right, there are encouraging points.
Ireland is going to be the attacking central midfielder and is at least natural there whereas Young was hit and miss in this position. I like what I'm seeing and hearing regarding Ireland but obviously still wary it could go tits up.
What an asset he'll be if he can knuckle down though. I was delighted we signed him when we did and I'd like to believe in him again. He's the type of player who could be more than useful finding the likes of Zog and Albrighton with killer balls. As could Delph and Makoun.

A dedicated tackler light perhaps but what passing ability and movement a midfield of

N'Zogbia                        Ireland                     Albrighton
                     Delph                        Makoun

would have. I'd like to try it in pre season at some stage.

And as has been said, I dont want to stick to one formation either and want to see two strikers as often as not. We really could do with signing a quality defensive/box to box midfielder to make this happen though.

[Risso]

Playing that midfield in front of a defence consisting of Collins and Dunne would see us concede 5 goals a game.

[Concrete John]

That 5-man midfield certainly has goals and creativity in it, but agree about the lack of a tackler.  What I'd like to see is us start with Petrov and Makoun, as he has the experience and defensive savvy to help shore things up.  Then, as Makoun gets more used to the PL and we see what he's all about, phase Delph in for Petrov, with Makoun sitting deeper to make up for Petrov being out of the side.

[Greg N'Ash]

i'm still not totally convinced AM will play two wingers anyway

[PaulTheVillan]

i'm still not totally convinced AM will play two wingers anyway

What will he do then?

[Greg N'Ash]

Drop allbrighton and play a more defensively minded right midfielder possibly.   I doubt its in his contract to stick with MON's formation :0)

[Concrete John]

Can't see that.  It leaves a side unbalanced and if our only attacking avenue is down one side, then it's too easy to mark that player out of a game.  More likely we'll see him play two wide men, but give them some strict defensive responsibilities, thereby inhibiting their attacking potential.

[Mazrim]

Playing that midfield in front of a defence consisting of Collins and Dunne would see us concede 5 goals a game.

It's not that bad. Delph is a tenacious midfielder with far more mobility than Petrov and Makoun is exerienced enough and strong enough to get involved in the dfensive side of things too, especially when used to this league.
I admit, it's not ideal with a true destroyer being absent but in tems of keeping and using the ball its very convincing and its not completely weak defensively.
Its not Albrighton's forte but he works hard and gets back to help out, as does N'Zogbia who used to be a left back.

All I'm saying is it's worth trying occasionally. Especially against teams we feel we could outmaneuver and pass to death.

[N'ZMAV]

I'd sure he will play 2 wingers. Maybe we'll see Gabby on the right at times, if Albrighton is struggling?

[Greg N'Ash]

Can't see that.  It leaves a side unbalanced and if our only attacking avenue is down one side, then it's too easy to mark that player out of a game.  More likely we'll see him play two wide men, but give them some strict defensive responsibilities, thereby inhibiting their attacking potential.

trouble is neither of them are much cop at defending. With only the two wingers if N'zogbia joins, well its very unlikely both will play every match with injuries and suspensions so we are going to have games when we'll have to play someone else in their position. If he only uses 1 winger  I could see Allbrighton being back up with AM swapping N'zogbia about, with mebbe 1 up front?

[N'ZMAV]

As for the centre of midfield we'll be best of playing Petrov & Makoun, with Ireland just forward of that. Cover for the centre backs is crucial.

[UsualSuspect]

i think that with a central midfield of ireland, petrov and makoun we will get steamrollered.

For the past 2 seasons we have sat far too deep and invited teams onto us.

Ireland wont track back, petrov will be breathing out of his arse and makoun will be wanting too much time on the ball, then getting dispossessed and then booked

[pedro25]

What is it about having this destroyer.  Did last yr's champions Man U have one, no they played with 2 wingers, 2 centre forwards and Carrick and Giggs as their central midfield duo, Makoun and Delph have better engines and are better tacklers than those two in my opinion.  Obviuosly Man U have superior players but it's crazy to say that we would concede 5 every game by playing 4-5-1, it's about the most defensive formation in the history of the game for God's sake and means we have 3 central midfielders, who will often outnumber the opposition in there.

[Concrete John]

Can't see that.  It leaves a side unbalanced and if our only attacking avenue is down one side, then it's too easy to mark that player out of a game.  More likely we'll see him play two wide men, but give them some strict defensive responsibilities, thereby inhibiting their attacking potential.

trouble is neither of them are much cop at defending. With only the two wingers if N'zogbia joins, well its very unlikely both will play every match with injuries and suspensions so we are going to have games when we'll have to play someone else in their position. If he only uses 1 winger  I could see Allbrighton being back up with AM swapping N'zogbia about, with mebbe 1 up front?

I can see Bannan and Gabby/The Fonz being used as back up widemen.

And I'd disagree they're 'not much cop at defending'.  N'Zogbia started as a full back, for a start.  Modern defending is not about tackling, but being in the right position and tracking runs.  This defensive organization is a strength of AM's, so I expect the side to be well drilled and knowing what their jobs are without the ball.

[citizenDJ]

Can't see that.  It leaves a side unbalanced and if our only attacking avenue is down one side, then it's too easy to mark that player out of a game.  More likely we'll see him play two wide men, but give them some strict defensive responsibilities, thereby inhibiting their attacking potential.

trouble is neither of them are much cop at defending. With only the two wingers if N'zogbia joins, well its very unlikely both will play every match with injuries and suspensions so we are going to have games when we'll have to play someone else in their position. If he only uses 1 winger  I could see Allbrighton being back up with AM swapping N'zogbia about, with mebbe 1 up front?

I can see Bannan and Gabby/The Fonz being used as back up widemen.

And I'd disagree they're 'not much cop at defending'.  N'Zogbia started as a full back, for a start.  Modern defending is not about tackling, but being in the right position and tracking runs.  This defensive organization is a strength of AM's, so I expect the side to be well drilled and knowing what their jobs are without the ball.

I agree about Gabby and Bannan, I think they'll provide the cover we need. I've never minded Gabby on the left of a forward three, as it happens, although I do prefer him as a striker.

I can't see past a 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 formation for us at all, and it would definitely be making the best of our available players at this point. However, as plenty have pointed out, I'd be much happier if we signed a combative, ball-winning midfielder to 'sit' in front of the defense.