Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Irish villain]

I wonder if Holman will leave?

He seemed set to become a cult hero at the start of the season, now, well do we even miss him?

[eastie]

If Lambert emulates his business in the window of last summer, I think we could be looking at a top 10 finish.

You have seen the current league table right?

A bit more experience in the players would be an advantage

Daft as it seems win on Saturday and we could be 3 points off the top 10 , in fact if we win our 3 home games and beat Norwich and wigan we would probably finish top 10 this season .

[paul_e]

For me:

Out
Dunne (contract runs out)
Lichaj (contract runs out)
Hutton
Ireland
Given (he deserves to be starting for someone)
Bent

In
centre back (lescott or douglas)
right back
Central midfielder (Strootman)
Attacking midfielder/Forward (preferably can play central or wide - needs to be a goalscorer - Adam Maher is my favourite but well out of our reach)
Forward (compete with Benteke, or start behind or wide - Bony looks like he could play on the right as well as central)

[PaulWinch again]

Strootman will be going to someone a bit higher up the food chain than us unfortunately.

[curiousorange]

Anyway Lambert's first signing will be  Will Grigg

Is that confirmed? Thought that was just paper talk.

He should have signed him in January on a pre-deal like Man Yoo did with Zaha. The kid is superb.

[Concrete John]

I'm not saying we should sign him, but if we do then you can see why Lambert will have.

Has Lambert ever signed a player like that?

Most of his Norwich squad were 25 or over, in fact only 5 out of the 24 were under the age of 25 so he certainly can't be accused of shying away from experienced players.

Did they have Premier League experience?...

I think it'll be interesting to see what Lambert does this summer. 

We've only had two windows, one being the notoriously difficult January, so can we really say what his philosophy is?  We needed quantity last summer, but less so now, meaning quality/experience could be focused on more.  So was it a case of he wanted to buy young players or needed to?  I can certainly agree with him that when money is tight I'd rather see us take a chance of someone like Westwood than buy another Mark Kinsella.   

Villa in 2013 is different to Villa in 2012, so will that mean his approach differs?  He's said we've missed Dunne, so that shows he values, or has at least seen that we are lacking, an experienced CB.  There was talk of Lescott in Jan, so I'm guessing that will be top of his list and go against what we saw in summer 2012.

Personally, I don't want a manager who stubbornly sticks to one tactis in the market.  MON did that with PL experience and I don't wnat to see Lambert be just as stubborn the other way.  A mixed approach is what's needed, so let's hope we can and will expand our net this summer to give us the best chance of progress.

[hartman_1982]

Strootman will be going to someone a bit higher up the food chain than us unfortunately.

for about £20 million

[Ger Regan]

If Lambert emulates his business in the window of last summer, I think we could be looking at a top 10 finish.

You have seen the current league table right?

A bit more experience in the players would be an advantage

Daft as it seems win on Saturday and we could be 3 points off the top 10 , in fact if we win our 3 home games and beat Norwich and wigan we would probably finish top 10 this season .

One thing I would like to see is if we did somehow finish top ten (can't see it happening btw) would be how those pointing to the league table as evidence of what a failed transfer policy buying mostly young players is would change their argument. I'm not taking anything for granted btw, we're obviously right in the mix relegation-wise still, but it just shows how close everything is.

[paul_e]

I agree, just looking at the type of player I'd like, the names are really to give an idea of who I'd like.

I typed Draxler in the Attacking midfield spot as well and then removed him, another one who can play the role that I think we need someone in.

I actually think the attacking midfielder and forward are the 2 most important players for us to get right.  I know our defence is poor and needs experience but with the right attacking signings I can see us having 2-3 goals in us every game, which means just minor improvements in defence would be enough.  Given Lamberts attacking philosophy I'd be much happier to see us aiming to score 70+ in the league and just blitz teams.

[Ger Regan]

Personally, I don't want a manager who stubbornly sticks to one tactis in the market.  MON did that with PL experience and I don't wnat to see Lambert be just as stubborn the other way.  A mixed approach is what's needed, so let's hope we can and will expand our net this summer to give us the best chance of progress.

Lambert does seem to prefer signing young / inexperienced players, but to say it's his only tactic is wrong imo. He also brought in 3 internationals (4 if you include Benteke). I'd be happy with a similar number of "established" players this summer (but obviously ones being more successful than KEA).

[Jockey Randall]

I trust the manager to get the right squad together over the summer which will see us mid table if we stay up. Strange as it sounds I wouldn't be too fussed if not many came in as I think the current crop will improve again next season. If we do stay up I would expect a few more experienced heads to be added and a couple of the youngsters who don't look like they will make the grade to leave.

[Concrete John]

Personally, I don't want a manager who stubbornly sticks to one tactis in the market.  MON did that with PL experience and I don't wnat to see Lambert be just as stubborn the other way.  A mixed approach is what's needed, so let's hope we can and will expand our net this summer to give us the best chance of progress.

Lambert does seem to prefer signing young / inexperienced players, but to say it's his only tactic is wrong imo. He also brought in 3 internationals (4 if you include Benteke). I'd be happy with a similar number of "established" players this summer (but obviously ones being more successful than KEA).

However, none of those 3/4 were PL experienced, which I think has hurt us this season.  That's not to say he was wrong in who he bought, as getting PL experience would have meant that 3/4 possibly becoming 1/2.

A player like Lescott would be exactly what I think we need this summer.  And that would be a departure from his approach in 2012. 

[Ger Regan]

However, none of those 3/4 were PL experienced, which I think has hurt us this season.  That's not to say he was wrong in who he bought, as getting PL experience would have meant that 3/4 possibly becoming 1/2.

A player like Lescott would be exactly what I think we need this summer.  And that would be a departure from his approach in 2012. 

In fairness I'd say Vlaar's injuries were more problematic than his lack of PL experience. I'll grant you KEA, but neither Guzan nor Benteke's performances were particularly hindered by much PL playing time.

Not arguing on the likes of Lescott being a good signing btw. If some of the bigger earners move on it could well happen. I just get irked when people (not saying you) try and say that we only buy youngsters from the lower leagues, as it's untrue.

[eastie]

Interesting that only gabby has started over 20 games in each of the last 2 seasons in our squad which shows how much the side changed in the summer , I think now we have the nucleus of a decent side and possibly need only 3 or 4 quality players to add to the 1st team.

[NiiLamptey]

I think we have had our transitional season...

any lambert buys now dont need to gel as a group.. they are improving on what we have so we dont need PL experience or a desire to pay over the top for players...

I think we can add to the existing team like we did last summer without the experience worry now... and i am proud of that fact!