Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[LeeB]

I entirely agree with you.

Obviously, some of our younger players will have matured after last season, but I can't help but think that just adding more young players, whilst it means we can rejoice in our ability to find young promise, is not really going to be enough to improve on last season significantly.

Helenius has done well, yes, in the Danish league. Okore had that decent game against Chelsea and looks like a good athlete. Tonev? Have any of us seen him play yet? Bacuna?

All promising young players, and I am as excited as anyone for next season - at the very least, it'll be very, very interesting again. I do think, though, that a lot of people are overlooking the fact we've a squad very short of proven quality, and short of experience.

It'd make sense to add the odd experienced head into the mix. No, that doesn't mean replacing Weimann with someone on the basis they're older, and it doesn't mean buying experienced players for the sake of it. I mean to add them where we think they'd contribute.

We played much of last season with a defence of Bennett, Lowton, Vlaar and Baker or Clark. We managed a 25 (or so) game run with not a single clean sheet. If that continues next season, we are going to struggle, no doubt about it. We need to significantly improve things there. Is the addition of Okore enough? I find it hard to believe.

I like the look of Okore, but let's be realistic regarding how much he can add, moving up to the PL (and see Martin Laursen's comments on the OS regarding him and Helenius and how they need time for more on this). I've seen Helenius mooted as one of the players we have on the bench who can replace anyone in our front line with no drop in quality. Really? That's a big shout for a player with so little experience, and at such a lower level.

I am a massive fan of Lambert and what he is trying to do, and I am not being negative for the sake of it, but really, we've still got a lot of transfer work to do before our squad will be anything like strong enough.

Here's hoping we do it.

Like you, and the vast majority of us, I haven't seen any of them play, in fact, I can honestly say I hadn't heard of them either.
The important thing is, Lambert and his team have seen them play, and that's good enough for me.
We have to buy into what he's doing. It's certainly not going to happen over night, but I feel that we could be in a position to shock a few teams this season.

Of course Lambert will have seen something he likes, but cautioning against unrealistic expectations from young players moving up several levels in one jump doesn't mean not buying into what we're doing, not at all.

I know what you're saying, and by any measure of conventional thinking you're correct.

But I really can't see what the benefit would be in bringing someone in for the benefit of experience, when the alternative is to bring in another talented youngster to shape into the way we play.

We're fast becoming the place to come if you're talented young player with your head screwed on, and the style of play will bring out the best in them.

 

[TheSandman]

We signed Vlaar as an experienced player last season. Admittedly not with premier league experience but he is no-ones idea of a young player. Experience is not anathema to Lambert. What I think would derail a move for someone like Parker or Lescott is the wages that are common place in the Premiership. We're not going to bring in a new player for £70-80K per week. Maybe if somebody like that buys into our vision or plan and accepts lower wages but why should they when somebody like West Ham or Stoke will give them that?

[SamTheMouse]

I agree with Paulie on the need for some experience. We missed Petrov very badly indeed, and we really lacked a leader last season. The fact that Vlaar made such an impact when he was in the side - despite being defensively pretty suspect himself - showed how much we needed someone to marshall the troops, especially at the back.

The kids did pretty well in the main, but with three of the back four being youngsters (all four when Vlaar was injured), we suffered horrifically at times. You could see they desperately needed somone to keep calm and tell them where to go and what to do when they came under the cosh, and at just 20, Okora is going to struggle to provide the necessary authority and assurance, even if he has got good ability.

It's not like anyone's calling for loads of expensive old heads to come in, stifling the young talent and clogging up the wage bill - even just one would probably be enough to make the difference.

[TheSandman]

I don't disagree, I also think we need an experienced head or two. Where I disagree is that I don't think Lambert is purposely avoiding them. I think we might pick one up later on in the window but it'll be a Vlaar-style move. Someone from abroad from a league where wages are lower. I think one of the things Lambert values is squad cohesion. Bring in someone like Lescott and Parker and they will probably be on a lot more than the rest of our squad. The others will either be aggrieved or chapping on Lambert's door asking for more cash.

[danlanza]

I don't disagree, I also think we need an experienced head or two. Where I disagree is that I don't think Lambert is purposely avoiding them. I think we might pick one up later on in the window but it'll be a Vlaar-style move. Someone from abroad from a league where wages are lower. I think one of the things Lambert values is squad cohesion. Bring in someone like Lescott and Parker and they will probably be on a lot more than the rest of our squad. The others will either be aggrieved or chapping on Lambert's door asking for more cash.

And that would destroy the team ethic that Lambert is trying to install.

[villa kicks]

A player I always like look of is Gio Dos Santos and playing against Brazil tonite looks useful once again. Last seen in Spain a move to bring him back to premier league as the creative midfield man providing the link to attack would be a positive statement. Certainly i feel he would be far more influential than any current player and would not be too expensive. I much prefer than Nzogbia for example. 

[villa kicks]

I feel there is a definite need to bring n one or two players with experience. I also feel their is a need for a creative player.

[eamonn]

Lambert has been consistent in batting-away the question of experience when asked. The wages they ask for is potentially crippling. And he's, presumably, had the final say in wanting to ship-out Warnock, Hutton, Dunne and likely Given, Bent and Ireland. I think he's more comfortable working with young players who see Villa as a step-up but who knows, if we get the wage-bill down sufficiently in the summer he might surprise with one or two proven signings. The right ones could make all the difference to this squad.

[villadom]

If we get something out of the first three games (Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea), then it would seem we are on the right track. If we suffer some heavy defeats then there will still be time for Lambert to make some last minute signings.

[Ads]

I know what you are saying Paulie and agree in the main (although my point was that Tonev and Helenius give us wide options we didn't have before; they may be awful but fingers crossed).

However, from January to May we were 8th in the form table. We found a system and confidence too. I think its the intention to take that on into the next campaign.

Then again, it isn't July yet and we have signed 4 players for less than £10 million and I wouldn't be surprised if they're all on less than 65k combined, so pleny of room.

[danlanza]

If we get something out of the first three games (Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea), then it would seem we are on the right track. If we suffer some heavy defeats then there will still be time for Lambert to make some last minute signings.

Arsenal away 2-1 Villa

Liverpool home 1-0 Villa

Chelsea away 2-3 Villa.

Easy innit.

[pauliewalnuts]

Then again, it isn't July yet and we have signed 4 players for less than £10 million and I wouldn't be surprised if they're all on less than 65k combined, so pleny of room.

Let's hope so!

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't disagree, I also think we need an experienced head or two. Where I disagree is that I don't think Lambert is purposely avoiding them. I think we might pick one up later on in the window but it'll be a Vlaar-style move. Someone from abroad from a league where wages are lower. I think one of the things Lambert values is squad cohesion. Bring in someone like Lescott and Parker and they will probably be on a lot more than the rest of our squad. The others will either be aggrieved or chapping on Lambert's door asking for more cash.

And that would destroy the team ethic that Lambert is trying to install.

Not really - besides, after a certain point, experienced players earn less as they get older, not more.

Buying in the odd player who has been around a bit and knows his stuff doesn't mean you're going to start paying Joleon Lescott £100k a week, does it?

[OCD]

Another way to look at is by taking negative scenarios e.g. say Vlaar is out for a lengthy period like the chunk of the season where we really suffered. If we lost someone like him, it would be a bigger blow than it would be if we had another organiser to come in. There is a balance to get between experience and youth. That said, it's mid-June and Lambert has probably only signed the low hanging fruit and it will help those players to settle down and by getting a full pre-season in. It won't be until the window's closed that we will see Lambert's full vision. At that point, we'll either be excited or nervous in case we lost one or two key players at any point or a mixture of the two.

The Chelsea game will be re-arranged by the way as they have their European Super Cup game.

[pauliewalnuts]

I agree with Paulie on the need for some experience. We missed Petrov very badly indeed, and we really lacked a leader last season. The fact that Vlaar made such an impact when he was in the side - despite being defensively pretty suspect himself - showed how much we needed someone to marshall the troops, especially at the back.

That's exactly it, and it's what makes it extra sad what happened to Petrov. I really do think the addition of him to that side would have paid off hugely, he'd have contributed way more than just his presence on the pitch.