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

[Maradona10]

What's Fletcher by the way?

[Toronto Villa]

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

Not neccessarily. Defending also consists of knowing your roles and position, and acting as a unit as opposed to individuals. We were very fragmented last year. With the right organisation and everyone pulling in the same direction any midfield can be taught to defend well. I don't think you need specific types of players in midfield or defence to keep the ball out of the net. The last two games of the season we looked far more cohesive and we've only lost Reo-Coker since. I don't think his absence suddenly makes us significantly weaker.

[Concrete John]

The last two games of the season we looked far more cohesive and we've only lost Reo-Coker since. I don't think his absence suddenly makes us significantly weaker.

Given what his strengths as a player were and that those attributes are what we seem to lack from the rest of our midfielders, then I'd strongly argue that it does.

That's not so say we can't make up for it by everyone else working harder and Makoun delivering, but it's an NRC type player we badly need right now, IMO. 

[VillaAlways]

Still really twitchy about this.Some Sunderland fans seem convinced they are going to match our bid.What does 4/11 mean in betting terms  ? Was expecting the book to be closed this morning.

[pauliewalnuts]

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

Not neccessarily. Defending also consists of knowing your roles and position, and acting as a unit as opposed to individuals. We were very fragmented last year. With the right organisation and everyone pulling in the same direction any midfield can be taught to defend well. I don't think you need specific types of players in midfield or defence to keep the ball out of the net. The last two games of the season we looked far more cohesive and we've only lost Reo-Coker since. I don't think his absence suddenly makes us significantly weaker.

We also need someone who can tackle in the middle, though, and of that midfield, the only one who can is Delph, and he's got a tendency to go in feet first, too.

That midfield is far too lightweight for my liking.

[N'ZMAV]

Gabby on the right of a front 3 wouldn't be too bad. As long as he's not expected to provide whipped crosses into the box. He'd be better off as an Anelka or Walcott, type right sided forward, rather than a like for like replacement for Albrighton.

[Toronto Villa]

The last two games of the season we looked far more cohesive and we've only lost Reo-Coker since. I don't think his absence suddenly makes us significantly weaker.

Given what his strengths as a player were and that those attributes are what we seem to lack from the rest of our midfielders, then I'd strongly argue that it does.

That's not so say we can't make up for it by everyone else working harder and Makoun delivering, but it's an NRC type player we badly need right now, IMO. 

thing is John NRC played in all of the games that we were conceding goals for fun too. Our midfield with him in didn't have much organisation and the defence was all at sea. What you saw in the final few games of the season is all of it coming together. I don't disagree that having a player dedicated to breaking down opposition moves is useful but it's a bit of a luxury when that's pretty much all he can do. He certianly isn't the box-to-box midfielder he would have you believe. I'd sooner have 4 or 5 players who are more versatile doing that than one being relied upon to do the bulk of it. The defence and goalkeeper will be critical to that too this season.

[UsualSuspect]

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

Not neccessarily. Defending also consists of knowing your roles and position, and acting as a unit as opposed to individuals. We were very fragmented last year. With the right organisation and everyone pulling in the same direction any midfield can be taught to defend well. I don't think you need specific types of players in midfield or defence to keep the ball out of the net. The last two games of the season we looked far more cohesive and we've only lost Reo-Coker since. I don't think his absence suddenly makes us significantly weaker.

We also need someone who can tackle in the middle, though, and of that midfield, the only one who can is Delph, and he's got a tendency to go in feet first, too.

That midfield is far too lightweight for my liking.

Agree totally

Delph does go in but will pick up a shedload of bookings

[N'ZMAV]

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

Not neccessarily. Defending also consists of knowing your roles and position, and acting as a unit as opposed to individuals. We were very fragmented last year. With the right organisation and everyone pulling in the same direction any midfield can be taught to defend well. I don't think you need specific types of players in midfield or defence to keep the ball out of the net. The last two games of the season we looked far more cohesive and we've only lost Reo-Coker since. I don't think his absence suddenly makes us significantly weaker.

We also need someone who can tackle in the middle, though, and of that midfield, the only one who can is Delph, and he's got a tendency to go in feet first, too.

That midfield is far too lightweight for my liking.

I agree. Delph can't tacke lthat well, he does tackle, but dives in. A breaker up of the play is good to have, like Reo-Coker, but can we have someone who can pass the ball please?

[VillaAlways]

SSN-Deal agreed for £9.5 million Thank the lord

[citizenDJ]

I agree up to a point, TV, but I think the 'defending is knowing your position' argument applies more to wingers and attacking midfielders (in fact, it was something that Ashley Young was excellent at, and which I suspect we might miss as much as his attacking play).
I really think that we do need a tackling ball-winner in that central three/five. NRC wasn't bad at it at all, but other aspects of his game let him down. Parker excels in that role, but I doubt he is a realistic option for us. I actually think that Clark could learn the role, but would rather get a specialist in.

[Toronto Villa]

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

Not neccessarily. Defending also consists of knowing your roles and position, and acting as a unit as opposed to individuals. We were very fragmented last year. With the right organisation and everyone pulling in the same direction any midfield can be taught to defend well. I don't think you need specific types of players in midfield or defence to keep the ball out of the net. The last two games of the season we looked far more cohesive and we've only lost Reo-Coker since. I don't think his absence suddenly makes us significantly weaker.

We also need someone who can tackle in the middle, though, and of that midfield, the only one who can is Delph, and he's got a tendency to go in feet first, too.

That midfield is far too lightweight for my liking.

it's something Delph has to get better at there's no doubt. If AM decides he needs to go with a stronger player in the middle plus Gabby I wouldn't be surprised to see us play with only one recognised winger.

[Toronto Villa]

SSN-Deal agreed Thank the lord

is that a deal agreed or Sky Sports understands deal agreed?

[eastie]

£9.5m deal agreed- welcome charlie!

[VillaAlways]

SSN-Deal agreed Thank the lord

is that a deal agreed or Sky Sports understands deal agreed?

No, can confiirm deal agreed for £9.5 million