Who Stays and Who goes

[Rigadon]

If we'd have been challenging the top four this season we'd have seen countless stories linking Guzan and Benteke with our rivals (spurs et al).  It's only because we're no threat that this hasn't happened in earnest.  Doesn't mean it won't happen though.  I'd be amazed and ecstatic if both were still at the club at the start of next season.

[Ads]

I think all three of Andi, Benteke and Guzan will be here, the later two being so early into their contracts will strengthen our hands.

Hopefully we use the money wisely and really invest in the spine of the squad. I don’t expect us to sign him, but if we got somebody of Sinclair’s ilk to add a bit of creativity, then our attack really is top six material.

Then it is a question of doing something about the defence. Bennett has a future at the Villa, but for me it is as a left midfielder. He’s pretty quick, can cross the ball, can actually beat a man, but he is too lightweight and loose in his positioning to be a full back.

A centre half is a must too and then we need two players in that midfield.

There are a number who can go, and hopefully we will be able to off load them, but for me we would not miss; Bent, Given, Ireland, Licjah, Stevens, Herd, Holman or Albrighton.

[Concrete John]

Bennett has a future at the Villa, but for me it is as a left midfielder. He’s pretty quick, can cross the ball, can actually beat a man, but he is too lightweight and loose in his positioning to be a full back.

That's pretty much what most people were saying about Ashley Cole at the start of his career.

We need to persevere with Bennett at LB.

[Steve R]

...

I'd like to see Holman given another year and, if possible, makoun back for a season.  Apart from that, I agree with your clear out...assuming brad, weimann and benteke all stay.

I liked Makoun and it's a real shame he never really got going with us. I assume the issues that stopped him getting a work permit last year would still be a problem.

[Steve R]

Bennett has a future at the Villa, but for me it is as a left midfielder. He’s pretty quick, can cross the ball, can actually beat a man, but he is too lightweight and loose in his positioning to be a full back.

That's pretty much what most people were sayign about Ashley Cole at the start of his career.

We need to persevere with Bennett at LB.

I take comfort from the fact that Kenny Swain looked a real liability at rb after Ron Saunders first moved him there from the wing. That turned out ok.

I'd still like to see another LB signed as a genuine first choice contender rather than 'backup', a concept I've never really understood.

[Malandro]

...

I'd like to see Holman given another year and, if possible, makoun back for a season.  Apart from that, I agree with your clear out...assuming brad, weimann and benteke all stay.

I liked Makoun and it's a real shame he never really got going with us. I assume the issues that stopped him getting a work permit last year would still be a problem.

The work permit rules should be altered for football. If a club is prepared to invest four million pounds and 30k p/w on an individual he surely should have the right to work here.

[Doorbell]

...

I'd like to see Holman given another year and, if possible, makoun back for a season.  Apart from that, I agree with your clear out...assuming brad, weimann and benteke all stay.

I liked Makoun and it's a real shame he never really got going with us. I assume the issues that stopped him getting a work permit last year would still be a problem.

The work permit rules should be altered for football. If a club is prepared to invest four million pounds and 30k p/w on an individual he surely should have the right to work here.

You'd think that would class as some form of sponsorship!  I'd like to see makoun work with lambert, I also think having our own French trio would help him settle and improve his English.

[Steve R]

...

I'd like to see Holman given another year and, if possible, makoun back for a season.  Apart from that, I agree with your clear out...assuming brad, weimann and benteke all stay.

I liked Makoun and it's a real shame he never really got going with us. I assume the issues that stopped him getting a work permit last year would still be a problem.

The work permit rules should be altered for football. If a club is prepared to invest four million pounds and 30k p/w on an individual he surely should have the right to work here.

The rules on 'must be better than locally available' seem fair enough, especially as with football there is some kind of benchmark - international caps.

The 'command of English' one that did for Makoun I'd never heard of.

Which raises an interesting point. If Scotland gets independence will it still be part of the EU? If not Paul Lambert may well have to be shipped back north of the border.

[Merv]

Go:

Given - too good, really, to be sitting on the bench at this stage of his career, too expensive not to play every week
Dunne - injury problems, contract up, take the change to clear his wages
Hutton - no future here, encourage a permanent move; talk of full-time switch to Mallorca
Ireland - three seasons in, just not done enough. Get what we can back on him.
Herd - just don't think he's good enough in any position; tough kid and tries hard but we need better
Delfouneso - shame, but time to let him go
Makoun - just get it done, transfer away
Bent - clearly doesn't fit in, sell him while we may still bring in £10m.

Would be tempted to consider the futures too of Lichaj, Stevens and Albrighton, but also happy to keep them as squad players. Thinking about it again, there might be a case for keeping Herd and selling Lichaj as he's perhaps more versatile and a better RB (given the chance)

[onje_villa]

Sign Weimann up.

He completely embodies the positivity I feel about Villa at the moment despite the mostly terrible season we've endured.

Am glad that most fans are in agreement that we need to keep building with a couple of quality additions but also give most inexperienced/young players more time to prove themselves as this season (should we survive) will inevitably make them stronger.

Midfield has started to look better, defence has to be a huge priority.

[MoetVillan]

Manyoo fans were complaining about Evra in his first six months/season.  He turned it around.  I think Bennett has shown more desire/skill/pace in that position than anyone for four years for us.

Weimann kept us up last season too.  That last minute goal against Fulham

[FatSam]

Bennett has a future at the Villa, but for me it is as a left midfielder. He’s pretty quick, can cross the ball, can actually beat a man, but he is too lightweight and loose in his positioning to be a full back.

That's pretty much what most people were saying about Ashley Cole at the start of his career.

We need to persevere with Bennett at LB.

Ashley Cole was well into double figures of England caps, and had won the English league and cup double by the time he was Bennett's age. I agree that Bennett shouldn't be ruled out from a full back spot, and I don't blame him completely for the first goal on Saturday, but do I think that this is an area that we need to improve. There might be oppositions against which, and systems in which he can play as a full back, and others where he would be better further forward.

[Concrete John]

Bennett has a future at the Villa, but for me it is as a left midfielder. He’s pretty quick, can cross the ball, can actually beat a man, but he is too lightweight and loose in his positioning to be a full back.

That's pretty much what most people were saying about Ashley Cole at the start of his career.

We need to persevere with Bennett at LB.

Ashley Cole was well into double figures of England caps, and had won the English league and cup double by the time he was Bennett's age. I agree that Bennett shouldn't be ruled out from a full back spot, and I don't blame him completely for the first goal on Saturday, but do I think that this is an area that we need to improve. There might be oppositions against which, and systems in which he can play as a full back, and others where he would be better further forward.

It's unfair to compare them like that when you consider Cole emerged into a very good Arsenal team and Bennet was Middlesborough and then recruited into a struggling Villa side.  And if he turns out half as good I'll be quite happy! 

[FatSam]

I'm not sure this is the correct thread, but I do think that we are one of the clubs whose current recruitment policy most closely follows moneyball principles.

If you think about it, most of the players Lambert brought in are in their early twenties, rather than teenagers. It seems that we don't have the funds to pick up the players who demonstrate a precocious talent at a young age, as these are invariably recruited by the top six teams - I'm thinking about people like Wilfred Zaha, Nick Powell, or Phil Jones. In fact, I'm not sure we can afford to take the risk on them, should they not develop into top players.

As anyone who has read the book will recall, the Oakland Athletics focus on college rather than high school aged baseball players, as there was less competition for them, and it they could more reliably judge their proposects. There is of course also the phenomenon of late developers in all sports (with the possible exception of rythmic gymnastics).

Liverpool, despite the background of their owners, seemed to follow an anti-moneyball principles, as they went for players everyone was already aware of. They were also obviously so determined to get specific players that they overpaid to do the deals. In the book, the Oakland Athletics would always have a range of options, and wouldn't be held to ransom.

[Brend'Watkins]

Manyoo fans were complaining about Evra in his first six months/season.  He turned it around.  I think Bennett has shown more desire/skill/pace in that position than anyone for four years for us.

Weimann kept us up last season too.  That last minute goal against Fulham

If he has pace I've yet to see it.  If there's one thing wrong with our two full backs it's the complete lack of pace. . It might explain the amount of catching that Guzan has to make as a result of the crosses coming in.  That said, I'd still hang on to Bennett as his overall game is good and can get better.

I also think Herd can do a job when called upon too.  Certain games need his kind of strength so I'd keep him as well. 

Be gone with you.....

Given
Dunne
Hutton
Ireland
Delfouneso
Makoun
Bent
Albrighton
and that kid from Spurs/MLS