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

[Hookeysmith]

If Carrol does leave as is being mooted i wonder if 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' will sniff round Bent?

If so then we should remind Benty that his partner would be that rascist fecker Suarez

[Mazrim]

I'd be delighted with getting Carroll without losing Bent.

[Dave]

They're signing Borini from Roma.

[Mister E]

Applicants interested in filling the vacancy are invited to fill in the requisite forms.
Stephen's in the pool, I'm looking for real class off the ball to buff up the silver and hand around the canapes.
It's a tough job but...somebody's out there.

Ooooh, errrr, Missus.


[Titter yee not, madam]

[Ryu]

That mirror article also mentions Lambert rating Clark and wants to give him a chance to earn a starting place. I hope this is true as I think we could have a real star on our hands there.  I've always thougt him the most likely to be a top player of our other academy players in his age group.

[citizenDJ]

I'd be delighted with getting Carroll without losing Bent.

Yes, I'd add to my earlier post that I would rather keep Bent, than replace him with Carroll. But Carroll alongside Bent? That could work.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I'd be happy to see the end of both of the fuckers

[Breezeblock]

Try to hold back the tears but tomorrow's Mirror reports Hutton & Warnock to go:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-want-to-keep-darren-1137748

Hutton can go but I want to keep Warnock.

Problem solved. Hutton to Small Heath, Warnock to Louzie!

Thanks.  There's an opening for a butler downstairs.

you rang m'lady ?

[Concrete John]

If I was going to keep one out of Hutton and Warnock, it's be Hutton.  That would be based on the benefit of the doubt that we've only seen him for one season in a poor Villa side.  Warnock's been shit for a few years now.  However, with signing Lowton I don't think Bertie sees it that way, so fair enough.

I don't think Carroll and bent would work as both seem to have a limited all round game, but are excellent in their areas of strength.  Who would be the one dropping deep or wide to link play and help create chances?

[ozzjim]

I think Carroll and Bent would be devastating in contrast. Carroll can hold the ball really well, bring midfield and wingers into play that can get the ball in for Bent. Would work like a dream, but would be pointless as we ain't going to get Carroll for anything short of 20 million.

[Concrete John]

If we're looking to play Carroll as a link man, as opposed to the battering ram he really is, then there's much better and cheaper options out there!

[Mazrim]

Carroll and Bent could work very well together. Carroll wins everything in the air and Bent would anticipate his knock downs better than most. I also think Carroll has better appreciation of his surroundings than he's given credit for. At Newcastle he had touch and awareness that seems to desert him at Liverpool but I just think that's down to him not settling there and feeling pressure.
Unfortunately I think he'll stay there and do well. But I'd like to think we could go for him if they are thinking of getting rid.

The two things we lack up front is a powerhouse and a magician. I think we need one or the other if not both. And both would suit Bent, the archetypal poacher.

Any more of this Bertie nonsense john and I'm going to say a prayer to Paul McGrath to have you permabanned.

[Concrete John]

It'll grow on you, Maz!   

[Le Lapin]

If Carrol does leave as is being mooted i wonder if 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' will sniff round Bent?

If so then we should remind Benty that his partner would be that rascist fecker Suarez

That does worry me, hopefully Bent has his sights set on having a good season with us and won't have his head turned if they come around to tap him up. But they are about to sign some Italian guy. Hopefully that will be the end of it.

[paul_e]

Why would you need someone dropping deep with that pair up front, surely you play a style to suit them, which lambert has form for... 

Look at how Norwich played last year, Holt was the target man and Morison the poacher (they were the common pairing).  They then had a very defensive midfielder who sat right in front of the central defenders and a 3 in midfield (hoolahan playing slightly ahead and more often the one who went wide) who were all happy drift out wide when they had the ball, with both full backs also getting forward to create width.  It meant that when they got to the wings they usually had at least a couple of players around the ball and the 'creativity' was in finding space to get the ball in.  Holt then battled in the air, to get a shot in, get a nod down or do enough to stop the defender getting it clear.  Morison's job was then to sniff around for the scraps from the aerial battles.  (later in the season they sapped it about, with wilbraham the target and holt the poacher).  They also got a man to the edge of the box (usually pilkington) to win the 2nd ball if it came clear.

The singings so far support the idea that he wants better cover in midfield and better quality going forward at full back so that he has this style at least as an option.  Carroll is unlikely as they'd want £25m+ to try to get back some of their investment but I think a player in that mould (but probably a little more mobile) is high on the list (the link to Luuk de jong makes sense as I think he could do well in either 'role' from what I've seen of him).

I'm fairly certain we'll see Villa play that way at least sometimes, it's how willing he is to change it and attack through the middle that I haven't decided on.