Summer Transfer Thread: Speculation, Lies, Absolute Cr*p and Bosman Rumours

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I think Lambert will want a specialist full back in there. I get the impression that at times we may go narrow and so he will want somebody who can attack and provide width from both full back positions. Lowton can offer than and I reckon he would value somebody at left back supplying the same.

We meed another central player of a defensive/box-to-box stripe. If KEA gets injured then we're struggling.

[johnny from donny]

Does nobody think Enda Stevens will stake a claim for the left back berth this season? I haven't seen him play so I can't judge, what do you all think?
Regarding Adam Johnson, yes he has talent, but I don't think his attitude does him any favours. Seems to be unpopular with his team mates; deifintely was at Boro, i remember he scored a goal at Doncaster and his team mates all walked away from him while he celebrated alone. Can't see him fitting in with the Paul Lambert way of thinking

[JJ-AV]

Neil Taylor for me. Will cost £5-6m, but he's proven, young, British and can play right back too.

[Dante Lavelli]

Neil Taylor for me. Will cost £5-6m, but he's proven, young, British and can play right back too.

He’s looked good in the Olympics.  I think PL is waiting for Team GB to get knocked out as there Bertrand and Taylor playing who could both be targets.

[DrGonzo]

I'm hoping they don't get knocked out tonight, just about to set off for Cardiff for the game tonight, the ticket lottery turned out quite well, althugh I would have preferred the Brazil game to be honest, but...

I think the LB thing is probably dependent on whether we can find a taker for Warnock.  We have 2 LBs and a number of players who can cover that position so I can't see that we will put another £20k on our wage bill unless we lighten the load first.

[Doorbell]

For me, I'd rather any funds that we have available were utilised to get a decent/the right type of LB in, especially with the way PL looks to be setting up the team.  I can understand the arguments for wanting another striker, but like others have said, I'd wait until Dec, giving the fonz and weimann some game time.  If we find ourselves short of options up front, then I fancy that Holman could put in a good shift in as a supporting striker, he's looked quite tidy thus far.  I get the feeling our midfield will be a little more prolific in front of goal this season too..

[Big Dick Edwards]

If we brought Douglas then Clark or Baker could play left back?

Neither are good enough to play that position on a long term basis.

[PeterWithesShin]

Will we go aftr a replacement for Makoun if things aren't sorted soon?

PAUL Lambert admitted he doesn’t know if forgotten man Jean Makoun will be part of his Villa plans because he has yet to see him in action.

The Cameroon midfielder has not kicked a ball under the watchful eye of the new manager and his absence shows no immediate signs of coming to an end due to an ongoing work permit problem.

Whether £5 million Makoun will become part of Lambert’s plans is simply unknown at this stage because the Scot has no first-hand knowledge of what the 29-year-old is capable of producing.

Some of the confusion surrounding his unknown squad number was cleared up this week when Villa issued him the No.17 shirt but it is still not clear when his paperwork will finally go through.

When asked why Makoun hasn’t been around since his arrival Lambert said: “It is because of the work permit.

“He has not been with us since I’ve been here so we’ll have to wait on that.

“Will he be part of my plans? I haven’t seen him yet. I’ll have to wait and see.

“I know the work permit is a big thing here and the group at the minute is very good.

“I am trying to build the squad and we will see what happens.

“The group are coming along nicely and that is all you can ask for.”

The extra documentation is required following Makoun’s year-long loan spell with Olympiakos in Greece.

Part of the complications appear to be his inability to pass an English language test as his lessons ended when he temporarily moved away from the Midlands last season. Initially, the delay was not thought to be serious but just two weeks remain until the first game of the season and Makoun could potentially make a difference to Villa’s Premier League campaign.

Missing almost the entire pre-season programme will, of course, leave him weeks behind his team-mates in terms of fitness if he was to return and feature.

Last season the £5 million signing was deemed surplus to requirements by ex-boss Alex McLeish and spent the season helping Olympiakos win the league.

Lambert does have plenty of options available to him in midfield but Makoun has the experience that could help Villa’s youngsters flourish.

One man who is showing great promise is Brett Holman.

The versatile attacker scored his second goal of pre-season against Peterborough on Wednesday and may get a start in today’s pre-seaqson friendly at Nottingham Forest.

“Brett has looked like a very clever player so far,” said Lambert.

“He is a smart player who has impressed me and I’ve seen a few things in him that proves he is a very talented player.

“He is a player that I am looking forward to watching when it starts for real as I am the rest of the lads.

“I am sure the guys who are new are excited about the start of the season.

“I think Brett is a player who can be both a provider of goals and someone who can score them as well.

“If he can contribute to the team that is the most important thing because as I’ve said before we’re a team not a group of individuals.”

[andyaston]

I'm hoping they don't get knocked out tonight, just about to set off for Cardiff for the game tonight, the ticket lottery turned out quite well, althugh I would have preferred the Brazil game to be honest, but...

I think the LB thing is probably dependent on whether we can find a taker for Warnock.  We have 2 LBs and a number of players who can cover that position so I can't see that we will put another £20k on our wage bill unless we lighten the load first.

I went their on Wednesday night its a cracking place to go. I wish Villa got there before the Cup finals were brought back to crappy Wembley.

[brontebilly]

If we brought Douglas then Clark or Baker could play left back?

Neither are good enough to play that position on a long term basis.

or even in the short term

[nigel]

I like this Douglas Teixeira cat. I think he'd plug in nicely at the Villa, however I'd hate to see Clark get a more limited roll because of it. We certainly need CB coverage though with Dunney out for an extended period.
 
As for the strikers I think Weimann and even Danny could hold down the fort while Gabby's unfit. Our midfield will be flying come the West Ham opener and goals will be coming from all sorts of players.

We have to sign him.  Our centre-halves would be Ron and Doug.  Immense.

Ron would walk.

Why would Ron walk?

[Chipsticks]

I like this Douglas Teixeira cat. I think he'd plug in nicely at the Villa, however I'd hate to see Clark get a more limited roll because of it. We certainly need CB coverage though with Dunney out for an extended period.
 
As for the strikers I think Weimann and even Danny could hold down the fort while Gabby's unfit. Our midfield will be flying come the West Ham opener and goals will be coming from all sorts of players.

We have to sign him.  Our centre-halves would be Ron and Doug.  Immense.

Ron would walk.

Why would Ron walk?

Ron doesn't walk. The ground beneath his feet moves until he is satisfied.

[Doorbell]

I like this Douglas Teixeira cat. I think he'd plug in nicely at the Villa, however I'd hate to see Clark get a more limited roll because of it. We certainly need CB coverage though with Dunney out for an extended period.
 
As for the strikers I think Weimann and even Danny could hold down the fort while Gabby's unfit. Our midfield will be flying come the West Ham opener and goals will be coming from all sorts of players.

We have to sign him.  Our centre-halves would be Ron and Doug.  Immense.

Ron would walk.

Why would Ron walk?

Ron doesn't walk. The ground beneath his feet moves until he is satisfied.

 

[paul_e]

Adam Gemili coming up in the 100m soon, he was playing as a left back until 6months ago, so maybe we're waiting to see how he does here before offering a contract.

[Nastylee]

Not being funny but Warnock could just play at LB. Let's face most on here say he's better going forward so let's try and get him back on the form that earned him England recognition. It's funny how people use the McCleish being crap argument to justufy poor form from some players yet forget it when it's someone they dislike. Warnock isn't nearly as bad as some poeple on here make out, he always gives 100% and like many last year suffered from low confidence so rather than getting stung for £6m to purchase as unknown, bide our time and get value for money at the right time. It's not an urgent position IMO with Enda as back up.