Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Mazrim]

I just don't see the point at all. Let him go and get a long term solution in.
We know Lambert was interested in Lescott. That's what we need. Lescott and say, Dragovic or Kjaer, plus another left back and the defence is sorted.
It's time Joleon stopped fucking about and came home.

[Concrete John]

A lot of people on here have a bee in their bonnet about Dunne, which stems back to the summer we signed him. I remember this forum going into meltdown when it was suggested. He went on to be named in the PFA team of the year, was one of the main reasons a poor Ireland team got to the Euros and has generally been quite a good player for us when fit. He has struggled with fitness throughout his career, but this year might have given him the frighteners that his career could be over and give him the extra impetus to improve his fitness.

I think he was a good signing at the time and did well for us initially.  That's not in dispute as far as I'm concerned.  What is is whether he's worth persisting with past this summer.  To me, that's a bif fat 'no'.

[Jarpie]

I just don't see the point at all. Let him go and get a long term solution in.
We know Lambert was interested in Lescott. That's what we need. Lescott and say, Dragovic or Kjaer, plus another left back and the defence is sorted.
It's time Joleon stopped fucking about and came home.

That'd be great, Lescott and Vlaar as regular starters, Dragovic could be backup/rotating for them if either gets injured and have Baker + Clark as understudies. Vlaar imo deserves to keep his place, he has brought a lot of stability and calmness into the game and has the real air of captaincy around him.

[Mazrim]

Dragovic would most likely start.

[Smoke]

A CB pairing of Vlaar & Dragovic sounds like a pair of Vampires. The old fashioned scary horror types not the new hollywood pussy hole emo types.

[Concrete John]

I can't see us running with 5 CBs.  I think it'll be a new regular and experienced partner for Vlaar, Lescott being my choice, and then Baker and Clark as the cover.  Given that three of them can also cover LB, that would give us some protection for Bennett not progressing as well.

[Hoppo]

We only need to buy one centre half. Baker is getting better every game. Vlaar is a Lambert signing and captain. Tonne new deal no chance.

[jonzy85]

I just don't see the point at all. Let him go and get a long term solution in.
We know Lambert was interested in Lescott. That's what we need. Lescott and say, Dragovic or Kjaer, plus another left back and the defence is sorted.
It's time Joleon stopped fucking about and came home.

That'd be great, Lescott and Vlaar as regular starters, Dragovic could be backup/rotating for them if either gets injured and have Baker + Clark as understudies. Vlaar imo deserves to keep his place, he has brought a lot of stability and calmness into the game and has the real air of captaincy around him.

I agree that would be the ideal scenario, but I haven't got it in me to be that optimistic right now.

[David_Nab]

Should have more cash to spend this summer ...we don't have to pay off any managers or comp for new managers !!!

[glasses]

I like Dunne. Always thought he was a good defender. Lescott, who many are suggesting we go after (myself included) isn't immune to dropping the odd clanger that Dunne does on occasion. The difference for me is that Dunne is 34, ending a contract, and hasn't kicked a ball this season. It's common sense as it's easy to just let him go and replace him with someone who we can get more years out of.

[Mazrim]

I would rather have 5 centre halves considering 2 are still relative rookies. A couple of injuries and you're vulnerable. Just as we were this season. Also, form. There is much to admire about Vlaar and Im sure he'll be better next season but there are still question marks over him as far as I'm concerned. He's not great in the air for instance.

[Steve67]

A good, solid centre back, a midfield tough nut and a creative behind the front man type player please.  Hopefully, there will be a revolving door this summer with Given, Marshall, Albrighton, Fonz, Hutton and Bannan joining fat Richard in leaving the club.  Would be lovely to see Stan Petrov back as a coach at some point, when he's won his battle.

[Merv]

I think Lambert's just being kind with Dunne. Too much respect to say he's out. Let's face it, given the past 12 months, to have him out of contract in June is the ideal scenario.

We need two centre-backs this summer, IMO, although it would be really useful if one was versatile enough to fill in at RB if needed - that way we could let Lichaj go too and have cover for Lowton. Vlaar has a history of injury problems, Clark and Baker both spent periods out injured, and I'd really like us to have a season where we don't have to spend half of it playing musical defensive chairs, shuffling defenders around.

[OCD]

I think Lambert's just being kind with Dunne. Too much respect to say he's out. Let's face it, given the past 12 months, to have him out of contract in June is the ideal scenario.

I don't think you're likely to hear Lambert saying anything negative about any of his players either. At that meeting last year someone had a dig at Warnock/Hutton and he didn't know how to respond. He's had various chances to have a pop at the likes of Bent, Ireland, Bannan and probably others but he's always been diplomatic so I wouldn't expect him to say anything negative about Dunne.

[Toronto Villa]

Vlaar would benefit massively from having an established, quality PL CB next to him. I don't think the club has any issue paying a little extra for proper PL players who will actually contribute. Lescott brings that in spades and is a natural leader to boot. You can never have too many of those on the pitch.