The summer signings

[supertom]

I was never a huge Carrick fan but last season he was one of the most consistent performers in the league. He was excellent and IMO, finally came of age for Utd. He and Scholes were arguably the best midfield partership in the league. I was one who really felt we could have done with him for England in the Euro's. If you're picking on form, he'd have made the starting 11. Last season he finally managed to hold down a place, and also looked far better in other facets of his game, such as tackling and creating. It wasn't just being a good passer anymore. Carrick was influential.

So yeah, if we happen to have a young Carrick, then I'm quite happy. If his desire and commitment is more, and if he's quicker, then he (Westwood) could potentially be better.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

I gave 8 out of 10. I think Lambert has done very well with the budget he has, and the agenda we're working too. A nice mix of experienced players through the spine of the team and young inexperienced players to bolster the squad.

The only way I think it might have been better would have been to get an experienced defensive midfielder who knows his way around the premiership, but I won't beat Lambert up about that. I would have offered Warnock to Blackburn for Nzonzi, but of course that may have happened for all we know.

[Chris Jameson]

As I'd never heard of any of them until we signed them I'll wait until Xmas to award my highly anticipated mark. As I'm a pessimistic sod anyway I can't say any of the past few days signings particularly excite me and fear it is going to be another traumatic season.

[brian green]

It will be a very interesting season and that will be a massive improvement on the river of pain which TSM inflicted upon us.

[saunders_heroes]

It will be a very interesting season and that will be a massive improvement on the river of pain which TSM inflicted upon us.

Really? Did you see the way we played against Everton?

[rob_bridge]

It will be a very interesting season and that will be a massive improvement on the river of pain which TSM inflicted upon us.

Really? Did you see the way we played against Everton?

I am willing to wait until the other (41) games have been played until making a decision. Everton were on fire and buzzing after beating Tampa Bay Manchester.

We lost the first 4 in 1997-98 after we signed the saviour Collymore and were mainly poor until February and we ended up 7th or 8th IIRC.

[Small Rodent]

I'm sure all the new signings will give it all.

Once again, it's up to the "regulars" to give the same.

I worry more about the "regulars" than the newcomers.

[ozzjim]

I will dig this thread out come January and reset the poll Chris, so might as well award that score now and they do it over then.

[Rigadon]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/01/aston-villa-karim-el-ahmadi

KEA likes David O'Leary ?  How dare he.

[eastie]

We needed a big squad shake up and that's what we got- players need time to bed in but I'm fairly happy with our deals.

[Risso]

It will be a very interesting season and that will be a massive improvement on the river of pain which TSM inflicted upon us.

Really? Did you see the way we played against Everton?

I am willing to wait until the other (41) games have been played until making a decision. Everton were on fire and buzzing after beating Tampa Bay Manchester.

We lost the first 4 in 1997-98 after we signed the saviour Collymore and were mainly poor until February and we ended up 7th or 8th IIRC.

Only because Gregory came in and won something like 10 out of 12.

[cheltenhamlion]

Difficult to judge until we see how the new boys settle down. At least Lambert has recognised that we needed numbers and seems to be building  a squad for the future. We can always dip into the market in January if needs  be.

[eastie]

May lack premier experience but still far more experience that the Norwich team that came 12th last season- Paul will do the business.

[Risso]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/01/aston-villa-karim-el-ahmadi

KEA likes David O'Leary ?  How dare he.

This bit is illuminating:

"I don't know what it is like in England but in Holland street football is very big. A lot of technical players have [gained their ability] from the streets. We would put a bottle of water down and you had to kick the bottle of water over, playing one-on-one or two-on-two. We'd make goals with everything, things like shoes. Sometimes we would just have the ball with four or five guys and you would see who was best at keeping it the most."

It used to be like that mate, but not any more.

[oldtimernow]

We were so poor we used to kick a piece of wood instead of a ball and play continued underneath the one car in the street