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

[ktvillan]

i don't think i've ever seen a defender so regularly out of position as Davies. Young used to do at least one double take a match when he suddenly found his centre-half more wide than he was. In that respect he'd probably fit right in after the last month.

Have a close look at Clark if you want to see a player more often out of position than Davies.  His positioning and ball watching are shocking.  I can't fathom why loads of supporters think he's the dog's nob.  James Collins was pretty good at getting dragged all over the place too.

I always think Davies got a raw deal from Villa fans.  How many really bad games did he have for us?  I can recall the pub player game, which he held his hand up for, the Rapid Vienna game (when O'Neill had totally shattered any confidence the lad had) and I can remember one awful home league game where the opposition were running freely through our central defence of Davies and Cuellar.  For some reason Davies was crucified whilst the lumbering scattergun Cuellar was apparently blameless, as were the midfield who went AWOL.   Maybe one or two other games.   I've seen Cuellar, Collins and even Dunne have as many shockers as Davies had, yet they don't get a tenth of the stick.  And his critics also seem to forget he played some blinders for us - for example the 3-1 at Anfield when he scored and then defended like a demon,  the away win at the Emirates where he got crocked.  I'd have him back because he's give us some much needed pace at the back and because if the manager shows faith in him he'd be a good player more often than not.

[MoetVillan]

I have given Dunne far more stick than Davies, mostly because he should defend better than Davies with his experience.  And while Davies had some shockers, you could rely on Collins to have at least one big rick/game (He has continued this vein at Wet Spam).  But I dont see that discussing him is that positive.  He may improve us in the short term, but ultimatly we need to be making better use of money than going back to a player.  Cuellar, Im starting to think i look back too fondly on a player who in reality lacked pace, an ability to pass, and his sometimes complete and baffling lack of knowledge of players around him

[tomd2103]

i don't think i've ever seen a defender so regularly out of position as Davies. Young used to do at least one double take a match when he suddenly found his centre-half more wide than he was. In that respect he'd probably fit right in after the last month.

Have a close look at Clark if you want to see a player more often out of position than Davies.  His positioning and ball watching are shocking.  I can't fathom why loads of supporters think the the dog's nob.  James Collins was pretty good at getting dragged all over the place too.

Baker is the same.  I sat on the left side of the lower North Stand against Southampton so got a fairly close up view of him and he is another who doesn't really read the game and just reacts to things going on around him.  My concern is that he hasn't really got the pace to be that kind of defender and he got caught out a couple of times in that game.  I think the fact that he doesn't really read the game and hasn't really got the pace to make up for it is reflected in the number of last ditch sliding tackles he makes in a game.   

[ozzjim]

Young defenders don't read the game though. They rely on youth and pace to dig themselves out of the shite.

It is why at 27 Davies for a million and a half might be worth a shot, he is now getting to the age where they have learned to read things a bit better. Older defenders are invariably better.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Clark gives too many goals away by being drawn out, 2 against Wigan, at fault for the 1st goal against Chelsk, not quick enough or strong enough, whereas Baker is quicker and stronger.Baker will be a good, probably top quality defender, Clark will be in the Championship in a couple of years time.

 I really hope he makes it, i just can't see it.

[kiddylion]

Just noticed Simon Lappin who played under PL at Norwich has had his contract cancelled.
Don't really no anything about him apart from he's a centre midfielder & was on loan at Cardiff earlier in the season.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Would just prefer to be told we have no money and will not be buying this window, than hoping and praying us fans and Lerner are reading from the same page. Why invest £200m + then let the squad become so weak we have hardly got a premiership looking first team ??

[Mister E]

Just noticed Simon Lappin who played under PL at Norwich has had his contract cancelled.
Don't really no anything about him apart from he's a centre midfielder & was on loan at Cardiff earlier in the season.

Distinctly mediocre career, TBH. Couldn't make first-pick for Cardiff.

[Legion]

Jack Butland might be available.

[Nirog72]

So might a number of Blues players

[Mister E]

Jack Butland might be available.

Everton and N'castle are rumoured to be after him, and GK is not really a priority for Randy's constrained wallet.

[Surrey Villain]

One of the reasons our central defenders are often out of position is because they go out to cover the 'wing backs' who are caught up the pitch too often.

[Nirog72]

Redmond would be a good addition but not a priority for us unless the firesale prices make it worthwhile.

[Greg N'Ash]

If we've only got 2-3m then offer it to the blose for their entire squad and then release them on a free the next day. Won't keep us up but it would be funneh.

[ozzjim]

If they are available on the cheap, a deal for Davies and Redmond would be well worth doing.