Who Stays and Who goes

[paul_e]

The last 2 years were down to a number of things:

Changes in managers and more importantly philosophy.

That leads on to:
Off-field problems with various players mouthing off in the press, etc.

Replacements not filling the gaps:
If Ireland had filled the gap Milner left as expected would we have been 9th?
If Nzog had filled the Young gap and Albrighton had kept his form to replace downing would we have battled relegation?

Injuries:
3 years in a row we've had a massive injury crisis at a point in the season, that's got to be pretty unique for a premier league team.

A change in the atmosphere around the club - After a few heady years of being bankrolled and thinking we could break into the sky 4 the club in general has been on a bit of a downer since the annual march slump in MONs last season.  With the talk of Milner leaving, MON pimping himself for the red scouse job, no transfers, MON walking out, GH pissing a lot of fans off, the whole TSM debacle and all the above happening in between the fans have been a pretty pissed off bunch for a few years.

The last one needs to change.  We need to start believing again at some point and I think there's enough potential in the current squad that it's worth believing in, so long as we fill a few gaps this summer.

[tomd2103]

The last 2 years were down to a number of things:

Changes in managers and more importantly philosophy.

That leads on to:
Off-field problems with various players mouthing off in the press, etc.

Replacements not filling the gaps:
If Ireland had filled the gap Milner left as expected would we have been 9th?
If Nzog had filled the Young gap and Albrighton had kept his form to replace downing would we have battled relegation?

Injuries:
3 years in a row we've had a massive injury crisis at a point in the season, that's got to be pretty unique for a premier league team.

A change in the atmosphere around the club - After a few heady years of being bankrolled and thinking we could break into the sky 4 the club in general has been on a bit of a downer since the annual march slump in MONs last season.  With the talk of Milner leaving, MON pimping himself for the red scouse job, no transfers, MON walking out, GH pissing a lot of fans off, the whole TSM debacle and all the above happening in between the fans have been a pretty pissed off bunch for a few years.

The last one needs to change.  We need to start believing again at some point and I think there's enough potential in the current squad that it's worth believing in, so long as we fill a few gaps this summer.

Again, I'd agree with that Paul.  Hopefully we can stay up and with Lambert staying on we can have a bit of the stability and continuity we have been missing for a few seasons.  I'm still not overly confident about our transfer policy (mainly because of what happened in January), but hopefully with the right signings in the summer we can make progress next season. 

Looking back, I think the poor start to the season impacted on the belief of a lot of fans.  There was certainly a lot of belief amongst the 3,000 that travelled to Forest for the pre season game, but the ineptitude shown that day followed by starting the season with poor performances against West Ham and Everton had an impact. 

[Drummond]

"@OptaJoe: 328 - Ciaran Clark of Aston Villa has made more defensive clearances than any other Premier League player."

A good case to keep?

[Dante Lavelli]

The problem is, we're going to have to stomach 3-4 more 'transition seasons' before we get anywhere near top 6. (Assuming we stay up!)

The reality is that even if we're pushing top six most fans will be wanting top 4.  That's the nature of the game.  I think "the transition" season is pretty typical for most clubs nowadays as players seemingly leave at their whim.  I suppose my point is that we have to try enjoy it more as whether we are, bottom 6, top six the expectations will never be satisfied.

[brontebilly]

so where do we stand now on who should be going in and out this summer?

out

given, lichaj, dunne, hutton, makoun, Ireland, Albrighton, El Ahmadi, Stevens, Holman, Dawkins, Bent

We are going to find it difficult to shift the likes of Given, Ireland and Bent unless they are willing to take a decent pay cut at a new club

maybe

Clark/baker, Nzogbia, Bannan, Herd

Wont be too many tears shed if Bannan or Herd head off elsewhere but they are decent squad players to have around. Centre back is a priority in the summer and think we need to prioritise which of Baker or Clark we are going to give more time to. Two left sided reserve centre halves is unnecessary. Does Nzogbia do enough for the wages he is getting us from us? Debatable

What we need

At least one centre half. Not sure what our budget is like but Lescott is an obvious choice. Chico Flores at Swansea is a bit of a hot head but is a better defender than Williams I reckon. Both of them are decent with the ball and we need someone to bring the ball out from the back. Kaboul at Spurs is a decent defender but we have had it with injury prone defenders this season I reckon. Micah Richards is worth swerving for the same reasons.

Cover at full back

lambert seems to have give up on Lichaj and both of our young full backs have suffered horror shows at times this season. Marc Wilson despite being utter shite yesterday provides cover in a number of positions. Stoke will be needing to balance the books next summer regardless of what division their in. Think he would be a good fit for us.

Midfield

Delph and Westwood seem to have struck up a decent deep lying partnership in midfield. We certainly need a body comfortable coming forward supporting the strikers. Id like to bring in an experienced player here who has been successful elsewhere and will be keen to bring along the likes of Westwood further. Milner is probably a pipe dream, Lampard would be ideal but we wont be able to afford him either. The player I think that would be ideal to come in is....... Gareth Barry.

His best days may be over but he comes back to the club having played at World Cup and Champions League level. Also league medal in his back pocket. Yesterday and at many times during the season we were crying out to bring on an experienced head to settle us down. If Barry could come in and play 25 games next season I think that would be ideal for us. Think he is capable of playing further forward like he did to great effect towards the end of his Villa days.

Would need probably 2 new midfielders to come in really. Likely to be a lot of interest in De Guzman but he would suit our style of play a lot.

Up front

if Bent does go we are probably a bit light up front. Definitely think to play 3 up top suits us and Nzogbia fits in that system also. But Gabby and Nzogbia in particular can be very inconsistent. Another option is likely to be needed. Scott Sinclair is obvious but id be wary of his motivations. Jay Rodriguez would be pricey but is on fire at the moment and is likely to improve further. Id money was freed up, wouldnt mind paying over the odds for him.

[Matt Collins]

Priority one is keep hold of benteke.

Priority two is keep hold of benteke and Weimann.

After that, surely we don't want another mass exodus? I'd have thought we should try to shift Ireland, warock, lichaj probably Dunne.

Then listen to offers for KEA, Albrighton, Herd and if its big money,bent. But in reality I suspect most will stay.

I can't see anyone from man city or Chelsea joining villa. There's too big a wage differential.

[brontebilly]

Priority one is keep hold of benteke.

Priority two is keep hold of benteke and Weimann.

After that, surely we don't want another mass exodus? I'd have thought we should try to shift Ireland, warock, lichaj probably Dunne.

Then listen to offers for KEA, Albrighton, Herd and if its big money,bent. But in reality I suspect most will stay.

I can't see anyone from man city or Chelsea joining villa. There's too big a wage differential.

Dunne is out of contract so is gone anyway, think Warnock officially left in January.

Barry and Lescott only have a year left on their contracts at City. City will want to cash in on them both in the summer with all the noise about Uefa rules re salary caps. Barry might hold out for one last season there but Lescott surely will be looking for first team football with the World Cup coming up. Everton probably isnt an option for him. Villa fan from Birmingham, wouldnt be surprised to see that move come off in the summer to be honest. What other better options than Villa will he have?

[ozzjim]

I can see us in for Lescott if we shift Bent and Ireland.

The out list appears obvious to include:

Given - he will want to play I am sure, and a newly promoted side or even an Arsenal or United might fancy him as a rotation option.
Hutton - looks like he might stay in Spain, which would be grand. The animal.
Dunne - Out of contract and can't see him ever being fit enough to play top flight again.
Petrov - Clearly not going to play again and hopefully will move into the coaching set up. All we want for Stan is to be well.
Ireland - Will go for 1-2 million somewhere mad enough to take the chance, but someone will, they always do.
Bent - 8-10 million will still come in for him from someone and put that, together with the wages saved, and the TV money and we could have 25 million to spend again like last summer.

Question is, of the last 4-5 villa manager, who would you want spending 25 million this summer. For me Lambert wins that at a canter.

[Doorbell]

Priority one is keep hold of benteke.

Priority two is keep hold of benteke and Weimann.

After that, surely we don't want another mass exodus? I'd have thought we should try to shift Ireland, warock, lichaj probably Dunne.

Then listen to offers for KEA, Albrighton, Herd and if its big money,bent. But in reality I suspect most will stay.

I can't see anyone from man city or Chelsea joining villa. There's too big a wage differential.

Shouldn't that be;

Priority one is keep hold of benteke AND Guzan

Priority two is keep hold of Weimann.

 

[eastie]

Priority one is keep hold of benteke.

Priority two is keep hold of benteke and Weimann.

After that, surely we don't want another mass exodus? I'd have thought we should try to shift Ireland, warock, lichaj probably Dunne.

Then listen to offers for KEA, Albrighton, Herd and if its big money,bent. But in reality I suspect most will stay.

I can't see anyone from man city or Chelsea joining villa. There's too big a wage differential.

Shouldn't that be;

Priority one is keep hold of benteke AND Guzan

Priority two is keep hold of Weimann.

 

I don't think there's any chance of Guzan going anywhere , he seems very happy at the club - Weimann and benteke will probably stay should we survive .

We have a crop of good youngsters coming through to bolster the squad and Gary Gardner also nearing a return- i see him having a huge part to play .

It will be difficult to move on given and Ireland due to wages but the players I'd be prepared to let leave under the right offer are -

Holman , dunne, bent, given, Ireland, bannan, albrighton,lichaj, Fonz,kea.
The only real money from them would be bent but for £12m plus other investment i  think the addition of 3 or 4 experienced players and we will have a decent season next year.

[ozzjim]

I had forgotton Holman. I would imagine he will be off.

[brontebilly]

Unless we can trade Bent for someone else, I really can't see a club going for him. He is on huge money and been injured for over 18 months. Think we are going to have to get him back fit and scoring goals for other clubs to have an interest. Benteke has a lot more to his game but with the way we are playing now Bent would probably still score a few if he played more. Some fall from grace from a player that was starting with England not too long ago

MLS or A-league for Stephen Ireland. Unless Hughes gets a club again he is toast at premier league level.

No idea who will go for Given. On last seasons club form he could easily hold his own at most clubs but same problems as Bent, on a big contract with injury problems. Can't help feeling that Euro 2012 finished him as a player though.

[eastie]

Unless we can trade Bent for someone else, I really can't see a club going for him. He is on huge money and been injured for over 18 months. Think we are going to have to get him back fit and scoring goals for other clubs to have an interest. Benteke has a lot more to his game but with the way we are playing now Bent would probably still score a few if he played more. Some fall from grace from a player that was starting with England not too long ago

MLS or A-league for Stephen Ireland. Unless Hughes gets a club again he is toast at premier league level.

No idea who will go for Given. On last seasons club form he could easily hold his own at most clubs but same problems as Bent, on a big contract with injury problems. Can't help feeling that Euro 2012 finished him as a player though.

I think bent will attract interest , he is a goalscorer and they are always in demand- cant see us getting more than £12m though.

[not3bad]

Given, Hutton (already found his club), Ireland, Dunne, Delfounso, Holman would go.

Bent if we get an offer of £12 million or over.

Dawkins would return after his loan period was over.  Maybe one of Lichaj and Herd can go.  I would keep Herd and turn him into a right back as he was very good in that position.  He could back up/compete with Lowton.

The Enda Stephens?  Not sure, haven't seen enough of him.

The rest I would keep, Albrighton I would give another chance to, I still think there's a player there. 

[Clampy]

Given, Hutton (already found his club), Ireland, Dunne, Delfounso, Holman would go.

Bent if we get an offer of £12 million or over.

Dawkins would return after his loan period was over.  Maybe one of Lichaj and Herd can go.  I would keep Herd and turn him into a right back as he was very good in that position.  He could back up/compete with Lowton.

The Enda Stephens?  Not sure, haven't seen enough of him.

The rest I would keep, Albrighton I would give another chance to, I still think there's a player there. 

I'd agree with almost all that. I'd still like to keep Bent and i would'nt be against keeping Dunne for another year if he was fit enough but i can't see that one happening.