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

[LeeB]

If the established wisdom is that Bent and Benteke doesn't work, why would Benteke and Hernandez work?

Because unlike Bent, Hernandez works like a dog.

[Dave]

No he doesn't.

They both play off the shoulder of the defender and rely on their movement in the penalty area while relying on others to do most of the running around.

If we sold Bent, then I don't think we could find a more similar replacement striker anywhere than Hernandez.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Hernandez has been playing as the Inside foward all season as shown at VP earlier this season , playing off RVP. His workrate, and attitude means he is quite adaptable, and you could play Hernandez and Weimann alongside Benteke.

 Play 2 holding midfielders, no problem

[Monty]

Well, Hernandez does have better technique, and will tend to have loads more touches in a game than Bent. That said, I prefer Weimann with Benteke in our team, Andy plays both behind Benteke and beyond him, they just know when which one should move back into space and the other should run beyond.

[seanthevillan]

If Hernandez leaves it will be to another Champions League club, or at a stretch somewhere a bit closer to home (though I doubt he'd go back to Mexico).

[eastie]

I'd be surprised if united let Hernandez leave .

[Dante Lavelli]

Chicarito is a good player but not right for Villa.

[supertom]

Hernandez would have far too many CL options to go to, before even considering us. But yes, he's better than Bent. Technically better, and he puts the work in too. He's the modern, more continental answer to the Bent style of striker.
I also foresee Weimann and Benteke being a very good partnership, so I'd stick with that. If we sign another forward, then perhaps another of Lamberts signings of potential, unless he thinks Bowery is close to being ready. Given Lamberts judgement so far, I'd no doubt him.

We need to sort out midfield firstly though and possibly a replacement for Dunne and we'll be in good shape. For me, Delph isn't good enough in midfield. Think we need another body there. Replacements for the erratic Ireland and CNZ would also be good. We could do with some creativity, particularly for home games. Holman was brilliant against Liverpool. His impact was good, in a game where we needed that work rate. But in matches where we dictate things, I think a more deft of touch player is required, who can pick out a defence splitting pass and make runs beyond the forwards.

[Mazrim]

Benteke is looking like becoming the complete centre forward. So if we're going to get another one in it could be any sort of striker and Benteke would work with him but it would be best in my opinion if it was a creative number 10 player. This player would link play with Benteke and the rest but also work with Benteke in creating chances for others.
I'm a big fan of Hernandez but I'd be suprised if he ended up here. He's not really the sort of player I've just mentioned, however he's such a natural predator that I'd be delighted to have him and fit him in somewhere.

Weimann deserves his chance to see how far his partnership can go with Benteke can go which I believe is very far indeed. I love Gabby but Weimann has already shown an understading and appreciation of working with a strike partner than Gabby ever has or will. I also think we'll keep Bent for the rest of the season and when fit again will figure and do well. Then probably leave in the summer. So in forward terms we'll stick with what we have.

In fact what I'd look a doing is spending whatever we have on a midfield general, centre half cover and a top attacking midfielder. I want to see this team (and the youngsters coming through behind them)  develop and for the first time in ages, I'm not that bothered if we sign anybody. Of course, I'd like a couple of players just because its fun and exciting.

[tomd2103]

Benteke is looking like becoming the complete centre forward. So if we're going to get another one in it could be any sort of striker and Benteke would work with him but it would be best in my opinion if it was a creative number 10 player. This player would link play with Benteke and the rest but also work with Benteke in creating chances for others.
I'm a big fan of Hernandez but I'd be suprised if he ended up here. He's not really the sort of player I've just mentioned, however he's such a natural predator that I'd be delighted to have him and fit him in somewhere.

Weimann deserves his chance to see how far his partnership can go with Benteke can go which I believe is very far indeed. I love Gabby but Weimann has already shown an understading and appreciation of working with a strike partner than Gabby ever has or will. I also think we'll keep Bent for the rest of the season and when fit again will figure and do well. Then probably leave in the summer. So in forward terms we'll stick with what we have.

In fact what I'd look a doing is spending whatever we have on a midfield general, centre half cover and a top attacking midfielder. I want to see this team (and the youngsters coming through behind them)  develop and for the first time in ages, I'm not that bothered if we sign anybody. Of course, I'd like a couple of players just because its fun and exciting.

I agree with that Maz, but if we are going to bring another striker in, then I think it should be a target man type of player in case Benteke gets injured.  I think the rest of the striking options we currently have are fine, but we would struggle to hold the ball up front if Benteke is out.   

[tomd2103]

We need to sort out midfield firstly though and possibly a replacement for Dunne and we'll be in good shape. For me, Delph isn't good enough in midfield. Think we need another body there. Replacements for the erratic Ireland and CNZ would also be good. We could do with some creativity, particularly for home games. Holman was brilliant against Liverpool. His impact was good, in a game where we needed that work rate. But in matches where we dictate things, I think a more deft of touch player is required, who can pick out a defence splitting pass and make runs beyond the forwards.

I know he is 30, but I have been really impressed with Wes Hoolahan (thought he was very good when we played Norwich at home this season) and if rumours about him being out of contract at the end of the season are true, then he could be a good addition in the attacking midfield role.

[Dante Lavelli]

I wouldn't be that bothered if we didn't sign anyone either which is a compliment to the current youngsters.

[Dante Lavelli]

I agree with that Maz, but if we are going to bring another striker in, then I think it should be a target man type of player in case Benteke gets injured.  I think the rest of the striking options we currently have are fine, but we would struggle to hold the ball up front if Benteke is out.   

I reckon gabby is pretty adept at that.  Certainly good enough to question the need to spend 6 or so million for a guy that is likely to be on the bench.

[tomd2103]

I agree with that Maz, but if we are going to bring another striker in, then I think it should be a target man type of player in case Benteke gets injured.  I think the rest of the striking options we currently have are fine, but we would struggle to hold the ball up front if Benteke is out.   

I reckon gabby is pretty adept at that.  Certainly good enough to question the need to spend 6 or so million for a guy that is likely to be on the bench.

Not sure about Gabby as a target man Dante.  You only have to see how many aerial balls Benteke wins in a game to see how important that type of player is in our current gameplan.

[LeeB]

Hernandez would have far too many CL options to go to, before even considering us. But yes, he's better than Bent. Technically better, and he puts the work in too. He's the modern, more continental answer to the Bent style of striker.
I also foresee Weimann and Benteke being a very good partnership, so I'd stick with that. If we sign another forward, then perhaps another of Lamberts signings of potential, unless he thinks Bowery is close to being ready. Given Lamberts judgement so far, I'd no doubt him.

We need to sort out midfield firstly though and possibly a replacement for Dunne and we'll be in good shape. For me, Delph isn't good enough in midfield. Think we need another body there. Replacements for the erratic Ireland and CNZ would also be good. We could do with some creativity, particularly for home games. Holman was brilliant against Liverpool. His impact was good, in a game where we needed that work rate. But in matches where we dictate things, I think a more deft of touch player is required, who can pick out a defence splitting pass and make runs beyond the forwards.

Holman and Delph were our best players on Tuesday until we started to run riot.