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

[PaulTheVillan]

James Nursey reckons Lamberts after 2 fullbacks, a centre half, a central midfielder and a striker with Naughton "looking likely".
I think that's at least what we need.

I think Given will go to QPR and Ruddy will come to Villa, with that Butland kid moving to Norwich. I think there's too many question marks over Shay at the moment.

As well as Given did last season I believe he's on the decline.

[Concrete John]

I'm not too sure we need a striker?  Although I expect Delfouneso to go,  Bent, Gabby and Weimann are enough if we're playing with one upfront.  I wouldn't say no, especailly if he has a physical presence to give us a different option, but with a limited budget I'd rather the money go on a wide player or on getting extra quality in midfield/defence.

[N'ZMAV]

I'm not too sure we need a striker?  Although I expect Delfouneso to go,  Bent, Gabby and Weimann are enough if we're playing with one upfront.  I wouldn't say no, especailly if he has a physical presence to give us a different option, but with a limited budget I'd rather the money go on a wide player or on getting extra quality in midfield/defence.

We do need a forward. We can't rely on Gabby to get us goals when Bent isn't available, and Weimann, as promising as he is, needs more time for us to see if he scores goals or not. As for Delfouneso, get rid. He's coasting now, and not doing a fat lot.

[PaulTheVillan]

If Lambert is after what Nursey says then he's spot on in my opinion.

[N'ZMAV]

It hasn't taken Lambert long to spot what's required. I'm pleased with that so far. But, it was fucking obvious wasn't it?..

[Concrete John]

I think it depends on what sort of team Gabby is in when playing as a straiker. 

When upfront, and not hindered by TSM tactics, he's proven to the level of 10-15 a season.  But more importantly he plays the lone forward well, which we saw under MON, so with good attacking midfielders supporting him I think we'll score enough goals as a team, even if not as much as with Bent in the side.

I can't see a better striker then Gabby willing to come to us right now and sit on the bench until Bent is injured.

[Mazrim]

I'm sure a good link man could get Bent and Gabby working as a front 2. But I wouldnt be suprised if we went after an up and coming powerful striker like Jordan Rhodes or Lukaku on loan or maybe Sturridge. Did DiMatteo play him much? Without checking I dont think he did or at least I think his chances will be more limited next season. He'd be a star here. He may fancy that.

Gabby and Sturridge either side of Bent sounds like a good idea to me. And behind them Ireland (or Holman) pulling the strings, a box to box workhorse (Frimpong) and a defensive powerhouse midfielder (Moussa Sissoko).

[Merv]

If Lambert is after what Nursey says then he's spot on in my opinion.

Those are definitely the positions we need strengthening in. Again, a bit of debate about a striker; I guess it depends on the model we're looking at. If it's a centre forward with two wide strikers/attacking players either side, we could perhaps do with one of those instead of a striker.

One CB, if accurate, suggests one of Dunne or Collins staying.

[Neil Hawkes]

One CB, if accurate, suggests one of Dunne or Collins staying.

Not necessarily, haven't we got 2 x  promising (and more importantly blooded), young centre halves already?

[Surrey Villain]

If Lambert is after what Nursey says then he's spot on in my opinion.

Those are definitely the positions we need strengthening in. Again, a bit of debate about a striker; I guess it depends on the model we're looking at. If it's a centre forward with two wide strikers/attacking players either side, we could perhaps do with one of those instead of a striker.

One CB, if accurate, suggests one of Dunne or Collins staying.

Or promotion for Clark and Baker?

[Surrey Villain]

I think Nursey is just regurgitating the vibes from fans.  It makes him popular and sells more papers.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I'd definately get another striker in, If anything happens to Bent the goals dry up, Gabby isn't doing it I'd get rid of the Fonz, Weinerman is good prospect but you can't rely on him

[Concrete John]

Well, if both go, we promote Clark and Baker (not sure 'promote' is the right word as they've played a fair bit) and sign a new CB then that's only three, where you normally want 4 so there's two for each position.

I think one will stay.

[tomd2103]

James Nursey reckons Lamberts after 2 fullbacks, a centre half, a central midfielder and a striker with Naughton "looking likely".
I think that's at least what we need.

Well he's bang on the money there if that's what he's looking for.

Would agree with that, but also feel we are a little short in wide options, particularly on the left side. 

[pauliewalnuts]

I think Nursey is just regurgitating the vibes from fans.  It makes him popular and sells more papers.

I don't like to defend the Mirror or its football journos, but for a while now, Nursey has repeatedly got things right about Villa.

He used to be the biggest, most consistent whinger about the club, Randy etc, till he got invited to meet Houllier at BMH, after which he underwent some kind of dramatic opinion change, and became constantly supportive.

Whether he's getting fed snippets, I don't know, but he's been right far more often than wrong recently.