Concrete Ron

[adrenachrome]

Let's be honest. At our level of spending, all of the players we bring in will have flaws.

If Vlaar was not so injury  prone, we would not have got him at that price. I well remember rumbles from BH after his first injury that he was far from keen to come back too quickly.  He is a good player in a well organised defence, but he is not a leader. Nor does he have the ability to play well on his wrong side. A top player would, but they would cost considerably more. Likewise Senderos: everybody and their uncle knew he would be crocked for the better part of the season.

Even Benteke. He is a phenomenal player, no doubt, but in his first season many of his lay-offs would balloon backwards to the opposition. I remember thinking when it was suggested that Arsenal were after him "yeah, Wenger will love it when the whole team pile forward and CB back heels it to the half way line".

[Toronto Villa]

I remember the Dutch side having a nightmare and finishing bottom of their group. I don't recall Vlaar being singled out for being any worse than anyone else in that side, and certainly not one of the worst defenders of the tournament. His injury record since the WC will limit his options. If he was going to get his one big move it would have happened right after the WC/ But didn't he injured in pre-season or something or soon after the season started?

[adrenachrome]

Play Ron on the right side of a well organised central defence in a 2 or 3 for 20 games a season, and he is the dog's bollocks. Van Gaal might be interested in such a prospect. And a few MLS or yerpeen clubs, I would say. We shall see soon enough.

I am sure TS would like to replace him in an ideal world, but the budget will be the major factor.

[Toronto Villa]

Play Ron on the right side of a well organised central defence in a 2 or 3 for 20 games a season, and he is the dog's bollocks. Van Gaal might be interested in such a prospect. And a few MLS or yerpeen clubs, I would say. We shall see soon enough.

I am sure TS would like to replace him in an ideal world, but the budget will be the major factor.

Ron on the left is a disaster waiting to happen. When he plays on the right he starts to resemble God in flashes, but that would mean Okore is dropped. Clark has made the left side his own when fit. I wonder why they haven't tried Okore on the left unless they have in training and he's even worse than Vlaar.

[adrenachrome]

Yes. Put either of Clark or Baker on the left with Okore or Vlaar or Senderos on the right and we are in some kind of business. Full backs who can defend and a DCM who can defend and we are cooking on oil. 

[Matt Collins]

Tim saying he expects Ron to sign on this summer

[Dante Lavelli]

First choice:  Vlaar ---Clark
Reserves:  Okore---Baker

Has good balance in my opinion.  Okore (and Baker for that matter) will get plenty of games due to Vlaar's injuries and form.  Velar signing could save us ten million quid in my opinion.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Vlaar offers a lot to the squad and not just in a playing capacity. I'd be glad if he stays.

[The Man With A Stick]

Happy for him to stay, but Okore and Clark should be our first choice pairing.

[peter w]

Its in most of the nationals about the club and Vlaar wanting to get a contract sorted with Sherwood saying that they aren't far off agreeing a deal. The Evening/Birmingham (whatever) mail's line? '...Sherwood claims that both parties would like to strike a deal but so far there has been no breakthrough'. Why even try and put a negative spin on it when the story is that both parties are in talks?

[andyh]

Its in most of the nationals about the club and Vlaar wanting to get a contract sorted with Sherwood saying that they aren't far off agreeing a deal. The Evening/Birmingham (whatever) mail's line? '...Sherwood claims that both parties would like to strike a deal but so far there has been no breakthrough'. Why even try and put a negative spin on it when the story is that both parties are in talks?

Because it's the Birmingham Mail.
The only local paper in the country that gives the impression it really doesn't like its biggest local team.
They'll will be all over Villa like a fucking rash next week, and then basking in reflected glory the week after.
Tossers!

[Dante Lavelli]

It is worth adding that if we can convince both Delph and Vlaar to accept contract extensions, when they presumably could have earnt more money elsewhere, is a pretty big positive.   

[Clampy]

I've got mixed feeling about this one. He's a good defender and his experience will be a bonus but at the same time, I can't help thinking he wouldn't be that big a miss if he went.

[Mister E]

It is worth adding that if we can convince both Delph and Vlaar to accept contract extensions when they presumably could have learnt more money elsewhere is a pretty big positive.   

I think this an important point: from the outside, it looks like TS has created a sense of stability and that has to be a good thing when considering potential signings over the summer.
Vlaar has a role to play in the squad next season, as long as we are not going to overpay him.

[dekko]

An upgrade on Vlaar would be welcome, but ultimatley I like him and think that when fit hes usually performed well.  Keep him, spend the money we'd save elsewhere