Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[bobdylan]

If two more were coming in as some are saying I'd have expected Albrighton and Herd to be in the bomb squad, the fact they are not gives us 2 players for every position plus Bowery plus kids like Carruthers, Burke etc., even if all 8 of the bomb squad are shifted I think we are well covered.

[oldtimernow]

I don' think the bomb squad contains players that give a shit for the Villa just those that are either not suited to the new way of doing things or are deliberately obstructive..

Neither Albrighton or Herd deserve to be lumped with the likes of Ireland et al

[nigel]

Herd & Albrighton have had a fair bit of pre season game time, so I can't see them going.

[supertom]

Alby's gonna get his chance I think. Because he didn't get a shot last season, Lambert will give him a last stab at it. He may only give him until Jan to prove himself. I hope he does well. So many injuries aren't helping the lad though.
Herdy has a great work ethic and is adaptable, so he'll have one more year. But at his age, if he's not getting much game time, then this will probably be his last year. Like Lichaj there's no complaints about his attitude or commitment. It's just it's an age where he's wasting himself if he's not playing. I'd expect if Herd isn't regularly among the 18 match day players, then he'll be on his last year here. After that he should drop a level to get playing week in and out.

[pauliewalnuts]

I don' think the bomb squad contains players that give a shit for the Villa just those that are either not suited to the new way of doing things or are deliberately obstructive..

Neither Albrighton or Herd deserve to be lumped with the likes of Ireland et al

And Bent and Given?

It's possible to "not be suited to the new way of doing things" (although not sure how that applies to a keeper) without being obstructive.

This group of players are ones the manager doesn't want to keep. That's fair enough and understandable but I don't see why we are so keen to label them in some way troublesome.

I've never heard Bent or Given described as troublesome. Or Hutton for that matter.

[LeeB]

I don' think the bomb squad contains players that give a shit for the Villa just those that are either not suited to the new way of doing things or are deliberately obstructive..

Neither Albrighton or Herd deserve to be lumped with the likes of Ireland et al

And Bent and Given?

It's possible to "not be suited to the new way of doing things" (although not sure how that applies to a keeper) without being obstructive.

This group of players are ones the manager doesn't want to keep. That's fair enough and understandable but I don't see why we are so keen to label them in some way troublesome.

I've never heard Bent or Given described as troublesome. Or Hutton for that matter.

I thought he'd covered that with the 'or' bit.

Agree with Hutton though, his only crime has been not quite being good enough. His attitude has been good from where I'm standing, he's gone out to wherever to get himself some games and do what he actually gets paid for, and he hasn't moaned about it.

[mattjpa]

What I dont get about this bloody bomb squad is do they not have any proffesional integrity? Non of them are bad players so I dont understand why they struggle to find other clubs. Its got to be all about money but if it was me id be thinking bugger it, im gonna drop a few grand a week and go to brighton or hull or wherever and be somewhere Im wanted.

[Monty]

What I dont get about this bloody bomb squad is do they not have any proffesional integrity? Non of them are bad players so I dont understand why they struggle to find other clubs. Its got to be all about money but if it was me id be thinking bugger it, im gonna drop a few grand a week and go to brighton or hull or wherever and be somewhere Im wanted.

They're the last remnants of Randy's previous manager's strategies - oldish to old, highly paid, unsuited to Lambert's Dortmundball style (with a couple of failed hopes in Bannan and the Fonz). Some ancien regime players have adapted, like Gabby, but they haven't. The last of MON has gone with Dunne, now it's GH and especially TSM's signings who need to be cleared out. This is all about Lambert stamping his total control and identity over the Villa squad.

[Dante Lavelli]

What I dont get about this bloody bomb squad is do they not have any proffesional integrity? Non of them are bad players so I dont understand why they struggle to find other clubs. Its got to be all about money but if it was me id be thinking bugger it, im gonna drop a few grand a week and go to brighton or hull or wherever and be somewhere Im wanted.

They're the last remnants of Randy's previous manager's strategies - oldish to old, highly paid, unsuited to Lambert's Dortmundball style (with a couple of failed hopes in Bannan and the Fonz). Some ancien regime players have adapted, like Gabby, but they haven't. The last of MON has gone with Dunne, now it's GH and especially TSM's signings who need to be cleared out. This is all about Lambert stamping his total control and identity over the Villa squad.

I agree with all of that but it still surprises me that the players themselves would prefer to sit on the bench (if they're lucky) rather than feel wanted and play somewhere else.  I know they have egos but they are human and being on the outside like this must affect them.  Surely?

[Monty]

Well they probably have friends outside of football. Also they'll have families - you suspect wives especially - who will be pressuring them into not taking wage reductions to go and play somewhere else. They are only human and the situation can get difficult, just look at Bent - one of the highest paid English strikers out there for the best part of a decade, and then suddenly the game's moved on and his style is unwanted by anyone who can pay him the same.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I heard them saying on SSN this morning that Given wasn't ready to drop down yet. Problem is no one in the top flight wants him

[Salsa Party Animal]

I think the bomb squad should buy a small championship club and move together and play for this team. Perhaps a small club in Coventry.

[LeeB]

I think the bomb squad should buy a small championship club and move together and play for this team. Perhaps a small club in Coventry.

I like this idea.

They can go self-employed like I'm having to.

[Chipsticks]

SSN saying that Fulham have offered us an estimated 6 million for Bent after we rejected a bid of 4 million.

Sorry if this is old news but I hadn't heard this yet.

[warleyboy]

I would like to see PL bring in a Lescott or Huth type defender.
Personally do not see this happening, as I feel PL has got plenty of new signings to work with and seems he is satisfied with what he has currently.

The last 3 months of last season were thoroughly entertaining, with our squad very capable of taking on most teams during this period.
Weak spots for myself were Bennett, Sylla sometimes, Gabby if he went missing & our obvious defensive weakness especially from set pieces.
Luna seems to have made left back his own, good defensively and loves to get forward at any opportunity.
Bacuna maybe the attacking midfielder we have been waiting for, little early but promising.
Tonev has that injury, but again looks like he has some speed and agility in his locker.
If Benteke does have an off day or we need a goal in last 20 minutes of a game, Helenius looks a handfull for any defense.
Which leaves the lacklustre defense, now Okore could be the final piece to the jigsaw, the poor lad is missing his pre season due to niggling injury, I really feel that this guy is the real deal, and I think that Vlaar is hoping this to, because he has been left wanting as much as Clark & Baker last season and this pre season.
Seems to be a lot of talk about the youngster Donacien who looks like he may get a chance at some stage, so Clark, Baker better keep looking over their shoulder.

I am very confident that we have a top 8 team, but if the defense can get it together and Okore settles nicely, 6th spot is very achievable.
We are going to score a lot of goals this season, let's hope we can stop conceding at the other end.
UTV.