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

[paul_e]

Can I just go on record as saying Bertie isn't growing on me at all, neither is Lambo.

[Mister E]

from that list Nzogbia, Albrighton, Ireland, Holman, El Ahmadi, Delph, Clark, Herd, Bannan, Gardner, Makoun

I wouldn't like to class, Delph, Clark, Herd as Clark & Herd are defenders and I don't want defenders in midfield, Also Delph isn't good enough

You're certainly right about Clark - HE'S A CENTREBACK, EVERYONE!
As for Herd, I liked him as a defensive MF and his covering from that position was excellent; as well as his eye for goal; but I accept that he can play FB. With Lowton, he may not get a chance at RB.
Delph? - possible LB.

[pr_N'villa]

from that list Nzogbia, Albrighton, Ireland, Holman, El Ahmadi, Delph, Clark, Herd, Bannan, Gardner, Makoun

I wouldn't like to class, Delph, Clark, Herd as Clark & Herd are defenders and I don't want defenders in midfield, Also Delph isn't good enough

Herd is a natural midfielder, he only covered at right back last season, but your right about clark. He is a central defender and has the potential to be a great defender

[eastie]

Delph is not a left back thats for sure and i dont think hes a good enough midfielder either- let martin take him or let him out on loan - i dont think he will make it at villa.

[Concrete John]

Agree with Herd as a midfielder. 

Delph as a LB would be interesting to see if it could work, but in truth I have a feeling his Villa days are numbered. 

[Mister E]

Agree with Herd as a midfielder. 

Delph as a LB would be interesting to see if it could work, but in truth I have a feeling his Villa days are numbered. 

You're probably right re Delph, and I say that reluctantly since he's got some great talents - his ball control, dribbling and energy are excellent. But his passing can be wayward and he may not yet have the poise and coolness required to flourish as an EPL player.

[tomd2103]

We will need to play with 3 centre midfielders to get any sucess this season. with 2 wide players and 1 striker. One of the 3 in the middle of the park, probably Ireland getting forward and supporting the forward. 2 in the middle of the park these days seem to get over run. Unless they are both very deep and dictating the play, like Scholes and Carrick did.

Would agree with that and think the current players we have would suit that system.  The two defensive midfielders could be El Ahmadi and Makoun (or a possible new signing), with Ireland in front of them.  Obviously our style of play would have to change and most of our play would have to go through Ireland.  Instead of having traditional wide men, the two players either side of Bent could tuck in more and find spaces inside, something which would suit N'Zogbia.  Again the emphasis would be on finding these players in the spaces and hopefully they could provide Bent with the service he needs, as well as chipping in with goals themselves.  The width would come from the full-backs. 

If we were to play that system, we would only really need an attacking LB, a central midfielder and another wide man in the mould of N'Zogbia (someone like Phillips from Blackpool).  The CB situation would still require sorting as well.

[paul_e]

I think Herd and Clark (and now Lowton as well) fall in that category of being good defenders and being good footballers.  It means they can slot into all the defensive roles quite easily, be that fullback, centre back or anchoring midfield.  It's great to have a few players like that around as it gives us a bit more flexibility to change things on the ptich without making subs.

Given that I think the numbers are about right.  Gardner we should be looking at seeing 15-20 times, mostly from the bench, so he can't really be counted.

You then have to take albrighton and nzogbia out of things as they should only be playing wide, I don't think we'll always play wide men and I think it will be very rare we play both so they should be fine, but we'll probably see another arrive to give more options.

For the attacking midfield spot you've got Ireland and Holman as the main options.
For the defensive spot you've got KEA and Herd.
Then you have Bannan, Makoun and Delph as more general midfielders.

That's a pretty good balance for me.  If we sign another central player it will be a sign that someone is likely to leave though I think.  I'd say that it will be a defensive player as well as I think KEA is probably more attacking than I'm giving him credit for.

Behind that I'd like to see Hutton, Warnock and dunne/collins go (i think we need to keep 1 of them) and see us get in a left back and a centre back.

That means Stevens as the only dedicated cover at left back if the new guy has problems but Baker, Clark, Lichaj and probably Delph can all fill a spot there if nothing else so we wouldn't be taking too big a risk.

Right back we don't have an established option but with Herd, Lichaj and Lowton we've probably got enough there for the time being to give them all a chance to make it their own spot.

Up front I definitely think we'll see a target man of some kind, be that a big guy who they can hit the ball long at or smaller player who can take the ball to feet and bring people in.  I think that will probably mean a loan move for the fonz to give him a last chance to go away and prove he can make it.

[garyshawsknee]

I wouldn't write off Delph just yet. Lambert has got a lot out of players with less natural talent than him. My worry is if he can stay stay injury free.

Lambert has shown at Norwich that he uses different formations,so I expect the squad to be fully used,unlike certain managers we've had.

[tomd2103]

I wouldn't write off Delph just yet. Lambert has got a lot out of players with less natural talent than him. My worry is if he can stay stay injury free.

I would agree with that.  I think Delph has shown glimpses of quality in the few times he has featured for us, but he has not been able to stay injury free and put a run of games together.  I definitely think he is worth persevering with, but it might be an idea to send him out on loan to get a run of games under his belt.   

[Concrete John]

Sign Snodgrass with Delph on loan for a season as part of the deal?

[tomd2103]

Sign Snodgrass with Delph on loan for a season as part of the deal?

I like it.  You're wasted on here John!!

[Mister E]

You then have to take albrighton and nzogbia out of things as they should only be playing wide, I don't think we'll always play wide men and I think it will be very rare we play both so they should be fine, but we'll probably see another arrive to give more options.

If you're right here - about the use of wingers tactically / sparingly - then I'd fancy that N'Zog will get cashed in by PL. We already have Ireland and Holman as attacking Midfielders (and Makoun) and can use Albie and Carruthers tactically.

[Concrete John]

I've often thought so.

[Mister E]

I think Herd and Clark (and now Lowton as well) fall in that category of being good defenders and being good footballers.  It means they can slot into all the defensive roles quite easily, be that fullback, centre back or anchoring midfield.  It's great to have a few players like that around as it gives us a bit more flexibility to change things on the ptich without making subs.

I know what you're saying here about the versatility of Herd, Lowton and Clark, but I think we need to be careful  not to deploy them simply as 'fillers': it won't aid their development as players and may well piss them off individually. I'd prefer to see PL agree with them their preferred position and let them fight for their place in the starting XI.