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

[ozzjim]

I'd go with:

Good Enough Now - Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark (although I'd prefer him in midfield), Vlaar, Bannan, Bent, Benteke, Weimann, Dunne (in the sense that we could do with him back now)

Unconvinced  - Holman, Bennett, KEA, Stephens, Gabby (mainly due to a comparison of what we could get out of him versus what we actually do get).

Not Good Enough - Lichaj, Herd, Delph, Delfouneso

Sell - Given, Hutton, Warnock, Ireland (I like him, but too inconsistent), N'Zogbia (I sometimes forget he plays for us)

No idea - Bowery, Johnson, Carruthers

I see gabby and bannan as bench players really , not regular starters- you forgot albrighton, who I really don't think is good enough at this level, sorry that Carruthers hasn't been given a try because I think he could be very useful.

Ah, good point, forgot Albrighton.

I'd have him in the not good enough pot, too, sadly.

I would agree totally with your assessment Paulie

[PaulWinch again]

I'd go with:

Good Enough Now - Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark (although I'd prefer him in midfield), Vlaar, Bannan, Bent, Benteke, Weimann, Dunne (in the sense that we could do with him back now)

Unconvinced  - Holman, Bennett, KEA, Stephens, Gabby (mainly due to a comparison of what we could get out of him versus what we actually do get).

Not Good Enough - Lichaj, Herd, Delph, Delfouneso

Sell - Given, Hutton, Warnock, Ireland (I like him, but too inconsistent), N'Zogbia (I sometimes forget he plays for us)

No idea - Bowery, Johnson, Carruthers

I see gabby and bannan as bench players really , not regular starters- you forgot albrighton, who I really don't think is good enough at this level, sorry that Carruthers hasn't been given a try because I think he could be very useful.

Ah, good point, forgot Albrighton.

I'd have him in the not good enough pot, too, sadly.

I'd agree with that although I'd have Westwood in the good enough category.

[N'ZMAV]

I'd sell Bannan. He doesn't have many good games.

[glasses]

I'd go with:

Good Enough Now - Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark (although I'd prefer him in midfield), Vlaar, Bannan, Bent, Benteke, Weimann, Dunne (in the sense that we could do with him back now)

Unconvinced  - Holman, Bennett, KEA, Stephens, Gabby (mainly due to a comparison of what we could get out of him versus what we actually do get).

Not Good Enough - Lichaj, Herd, Delph, Delfouneso

Sell - Given, Hutton, Warnock, Ireland (I like him, but too inconsistent), N'Zogbia (I sometimes forget he plays for us)

No idea - Bowery, Johnson, Carruthers

I see gabby and bannan as bench players really , not regular starters- you forgot albrighton, who I really don't think is good enough at this level, sorry that Carruthers hasn't been given a try because I think he could be very useful.

Ah, good point, forgot Albrighton.

I'd have him in the not good enough pot, too, sadly.

I think you have nailed my feelings pretty much there, Paulie. Only slight changes for me. I'm unconvinced by Bannan, think we miss Gabby when he isn't fit, so would bump him up maybe (although, he makes it hard to disagree with your placement), and I'd bump Albrighton into the 'unconvinced' with Bannan. He can be good enough, and he loves the club, but his confidence is shot to pieces. He gets an awful lot of stick for a youngster.

[Mister E]

I'd go with:

Good Enough Now - Westwood, Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark (although I'd prefer him in midfield), Vlaar, Bannan, Bent, Benteke, Weimann, Dunne (in the sense that we could do with him back now)

Unconvinced  - Holman, Bennett, KEA, Stephens, Gabby (mainly due to a comparison of what we could get out of him versus what we actually do get).

Not Good Enough - Lichaj, Herd, Delph, Delfouneso, Albrighton

Sell - Given, Hutton, Warnock, Ireland (I like him, but too inconsistent), N'Zogbia (I sometimes forget he plays for us)

No idea - Bowery, Johnson, Carruthers

I'd agree with Paulie's list, with the appropriate addition of Westie and Albie.

My only change would be that I would still like to see Herd back in MF; I just don't see him as a CB. But I do see him as a valuable squad player.

[Des Little]

Allbrighton is a woeful shadow of his early career promise.  if we can get money for him, move him on.

[Dave]

Chris Samba would be awesome, what is he up to now?

Being paid twice our annual wage budget to challenge for the title in Russia.

This is the problem - people say "we need Premier League experience" and expect that it means Lescott, Samba or Hangeland. As if they're not going to have a dozen or so more attractive options.

In our current situation it actually means Dann, Johnson, Bramble or Wheater.

Then they get very disappointed and shouty.

For the midfield, it Stuart Holden could get through a stringent medical then I'd be delighted with him.

[ozzjim]

Yeah Westwood would be in the good enough too. Thing for me is growing that list to a point where if we have an injury nightmare there are good players coming in. That takes time, especially after having to so drastically rebuild last summer.

[Concrete John]

For me:-

Happy with and can progress with
Guzan, Benteke, Weimann, Westwood, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker

Happy to stay as squad players
Bannan, Clark, Albrighton, Gabby, Given (although maybe move on due to his wages), Lichaj, Stephens, Holman

Undecided
Bowery, Bennett, KEA

Need to move on
Bent, Ireland, N'Zogbia, Dunne, Warnock, Hutton, Delph, Delfouneso

[claretandbeer]

Clark was so anonymous in midfield last season, I can't believe we think he's going to solve any problems this time. He needs to make it as a centre half or not at all.

He badly needs some experience alongside him but he also needs to toughen up. He too often gets outmuscled.

Totally agree with Clark's performances in midfield.He has enough ability to play there but doesn't seem comfortable in that role being unable to read the game,especially when to pick up an opponent or when to go forward.Warnock would appeal to me in that role but probably not to the staff and some of the players as the Guardian podcast suggests.

[danlanza]

On the Villa page on SSN it says that Lambert does not plan to spend big in January ! So then, take from that what you will. Loads of loan signings, whilst shipping out the players that are not doing the buisness for us, or does that mean we are going to have the under 12's on the bench for some games ?
We have to get some experience into the squad, god knows where it is coming from, heard no rumours so far.

[paul_e]

I'd go with:

Good Enough Now - Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark (although I'd prefer him in midfield), Vlaar, Bannan, Bent, Benteke, Weimann, Dunne (in the sense that we could do with him back now)

Unconvinced  - Holman, Bennett, KEA, Stephens, Gabby (mainly due to a comparison of what we could get out of him versus what we actually do get).

Not Good Enough - Lichaj, Herd, Delph, Delfouneso

Sell - Given, Hutton, Warnock, Ireland (I like him, but too inconsistent), N'Zogbia (I sometimes forget he plays for us)

No idea - Bowery, Johnson, Carruthers

I'd move Delfouneso to Unconvinced and put Albrighton in there with him but otherwise that's spot on and highlights the problem we have.  Too many senior players are in your 'sell' section (which is really not all that different to the 'not good enough' section).

[Dave]

On the Villa page on SSN it says that Lambert does not plan to spend big in January ! So then, take from that what you will. Loads of loan signings, whilst shipping out the players that are not doing the buisness for us, or does that mean we are going to have the under 12's on the bench for some games ?

Or Dan, it means fuck all. I don't recall seeing the club make a statement on it, so they're guessing.

[saunders_heroes]

I'd sell Bannan. He doesn't have many good games.

Agreed. He's Championship standard. Never understood his popularity with many Villa fans. Perhaps it's because he came through the ranks.  His distribution is poor, he loses possession and his corners are shite. Get rid.

[eastie]

On the Villa page on SSN it says that Lambert does not plan to spend big in January ! So then, take from that what you will. Loads of loan signings, whilst shipping out the players that are not doing the buisness for us, or does that mean we are going to have the under 12's on the bench for some games ?
We have to get some experience into the squad, god knows where it is coming from, heard no rumours so far.

Wouldn't read too much into that , there have been reports of Lerner backing lambert financially as well, I don't think anyone knows what money is available to spend or who the targets are - its all guesswork at the moment - I do hope that deals are done early in jan rather than later though.