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

[ADVILLAFAN]

Sounds like Van Persie is available 

[Irish villain]

Sounds like Van Persie is available 

We have Bent and Gabby, wouldn't want another squad player.

[DrGonzo]

Is the Guzan thing fact or just twitter twitterings?

Saying on Sky that he close to agreeing a new deal with us

And Steve Bruce is quoted as saying that he was 1st choice to be the new keeper there, but that 'he looks like he's staying with Villa".

[spangley1812]

Is the Guzan thing fact or just twitter twitterings?

Saying on Sky that he close to agreeing a new deal with us

And Steve Bruce is quoted as saying that he was 1st choice to be the new keeper there, but that 'he looks like he's staying with Villa".

In my opinion Championship is just about his level.........

[villainjock]

another aussie at the club    http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/red-devil-junior-to-trial-with-aston-villa/2614171.aspx

[Brend'Watkins]

Sounds like Van Persie is available 

He leaves when he wants, he leaves when he wants.  Robin Van Perseie leaves when he wants.

[Mazrim]

"A TWO week trial at one of the world’s most famous soccer clubs."

This is why I am fond of Australians. Proper respect.

[tomd2103]

You can't teach or train a player to be clever and within that there are different levels. We're not talking Xavi here. However, Ireland is clever and if you put the right pieces around him he can do things other players can't. You could see that last year with some of his movement and touhes that didn't always come off because others couldn't see it. You put willing players around him then he becomes that much better.

Goes back to the question though - is he influential and more importantly, reliable enough to build a team around?  We would have to play a formation that would accommodate him in the "hole" and I don't think it is wise to build a team entirely around a player who was only able to manage a few games here and there last season.  His talent on the ball is undoubted, but on the evidence of last season I don't know if he is going to contribute enough goals and assists to be considered truly effective in that position.  On top of that, there is then there is the issue of his wages. 

Don't want to appear too negative here, as I really hope that Ireland can become the player that we all want him to be over the next few seasons.  I just have my doubts that he will. 

I would not suggest that we base an entire formation around one player.  However we have to decide whether we go down the route of having specialist attacking and defensive midfielders in the central areas.  If Ireland failed then arguably Bannan could fill the role, or even Holman (I understand he can play there).

There’s a good article on the BBC about teams doing better once they have a consistent tactical identity.  This is something I think Villa have lacked recently and is something we should look to build under Lambert.
Sorry slightly off topic but (I think) interesting nonetheless:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2012/07/what_best_sides_share_is_a_sen.html

Agree with the point in bold Dante and I think one of McLeish's many downfalls was that he really had no idea which system to use and kept changing it from game-to-game. 

[Mazrim]

Yes, McLeish kept changing it.... wait, what?

[Toronto Villa]

this lad Brahimi that we are linked with reminds me a lot of a very raw Ash when he was confident and just ran at people. Before all of the theatrics. Will be interesting if that deal comes off.

[spaf]

You can't teach or train a player to be clever and within that there are different levels. We're not talking Xavi here. However, Ireland is clever and if you put the right pieces around him he can do things other players can't. You could see that last year with some of his movement and touhes that didn't always come off because others couldn't see it. You put willing players around him then he becomes that much better.

Goes back to the question though - is he influential and more importantly, reliable enough to build a team around?  We would have to play a formation that would accommodate him in the "hole" and I don't think it is wise to build a team entirely around a player who was only able to manage a few games here and there last season.  His talent on the ball is undoubted, but on the evidence of last season I don't know if he is going to contribute enough goals and assists to be considered truly effective in that position.  On top of that, there is then there is the issue of his wages. 

Don't want to appear too negative here, as I really hope that Ireland can become the player that we all want him to be over the next few seasons.  I just have my doubts that he will. 

I would not suggest that we base an entire formation around one player.  However we have to decide whether we go down the route of having specialist attacking and defensive midfielders in the central areas.  If Ireland failed then arguably Bannan could fill the role, or even Holman (I understand he can play there).

There’s a good article on the BBC about teams doing better once they have a consistent tactical identity.  This is something I think Villa have lacked recently and is something we should look to build under Lambert.
Sorry slightly off topic but (I think) interesting nonetheless:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2012/07/what_best_sides_share_is_a_sen.html

Agree with the point in bold Dante and I think one of McLeish's many downfalls was that he really had no idea which system to use and kept changing it from game-to-game. 

I bet Ireland could also play on the top of midfield diamond.

I present you Aston Villa as Prandelli's Italy:

Mario=Bent/Weimann/Gabby
Cassano=NZog/Gabby/Holman

Montolivo=Ireland
Marchisio=Holman/Gardner
De Rossi=El Ahmadi/Herd/Clark
Pirlo=Bannan *rolleyes*

Not saying we should play this way, just that there are other options for getting the best out of Ireland instead of playing him behind the main striker. This role might suit him even better because he'd get more of the ball.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think with the work he began to put in towards the end of the season, Ireland showed signs that maybe he might be trusted in a two in centre mid, maybe depending on the opposition.

[villastikz]

I've seen and heard a lot from people about this player should play or that player should, people giving their different team sheets and formations, to which we all have our own ideas and opinions for.

It does show though that we are now building up a lot more options in our team with plenty of combinations of players that can start a game or brought on during the game and I expect we will see a handful of players brought in before the deadline adding even more options - can't wait to see the revamped squad come the start of the season.

[N'ZMAV]

Not Bannan.

[Mazrim]

Mat Kendrick reckons we're looking at Sheffield United right back/centre half/defensive midfielder/gas fitter/signwriter/special constable Matthew Lowton.