Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[eamonn]

A bit disheartening. More unproven players will mean another brave campaign finishing in the bottom half. We arguably need one or two "names" which surely can't be beyond us if we get shot of the non-functioning fun boy trio (Ireland, Given, Bent/Dunne).

Disagree. This season Lambert effectively changed the entire team with Gabby the only player who could be deemed experienced at this level. The others were either new to the league or had never had a sustained run in the first team. Next season the general core of the team will remain the same, will continue to evolve and I'm sure Lambert will make a few well-judged signings to both complement and enhance the squad. There is absolutely no reason next season will be a repeat of this one just because we won't be getting any 'names' as you put it.

I didn't say a repeat, I said bottom half. Our form since Feb suggests we'll be comfortable next season but we'll be relying on the front three to continue being in-form at the same time over a longer amount of time and that's a big ask.
This summer with half the league changing their shaggin' managers there is definitely scope for us to really build on this season with the experience the young players have gained as you mention.

I just think supplementing that with a couple of proven players - who tend to be on the pricey side especially if already plying their trade here, hence why I use the word "name" (if they're unknown and prove to be as good as Benteke then fantastic) would really drive us forward. If we only buy five players from Campionship and League One/the Lowlands, I think the process of development, while perhaps satisfactory in the long run will continue being gradual.

[neo_Villan]

Fair point Eamonn and apologies for slightly misunderstanding what you said. I still personally believe we can have a good solid top-half season without having to go for an established EPL player. Swansea a good example. I think a part of our problem this season was not so much inexperience but Lambert not knowing his best team and formation. I think you make a valid point about the front three and I think this is why we need to invest in more attacking options this summer.

[Matt C]

"I look at players with character, not those who just want money."

Works for me.

[Steve R]

The good thing about Sylla is that whilst he joined in January he was given time to bed into the team. It's only within the last month he has been picked regularly. He didn't have to hit the ground running in the same way that the August signing did.

The same will be true of whoever signs this summer, they won't be straight in at the deep end. If it's a trade off between experience/price and ability/attitude I'd rather Lambert carried on the way he has done things so far. We are far better placed to live with the learning curve this time around.

Perhaps the bigger concern should be that when Lambert arrived he came with a list of targets he had probably been building up for a while, and bought most of the cream from that list. Maybe Generation II will come from a poorer pool.

I hope that in addition to swatting alligators as he extricated himself from the swamp this season he took the trouble to keep an eye on the rest of the world.

[mike]

"I look at players with character, not those who just want money."

Works for me.

I have character and would play for next to nothing. You wouldn't want me turning out at centre half for Alvechurch let alone the Villa.

[ozzjim]

I think we all knew this was going to be the way we went. Look at his hit rate so far and what their value to the club is now, in comparison to the last 7-8 bigger name comparisons, and how many of each walk into our side.

I would bet that you would get back 60 million plus on the signings he has made so far. Compare that against the huge losses you see on Bent, NZogbia, Ireland, Dunne, Hutton, Warnock, Makoun etc.

If it were my club, and my money, I would be looking at Lambert and thinking he is out ticket to financial security and stability.

[Mister E]

I think we all knew this was going to be the way we went. Look at his hit rate so far and what their value to the club is now, in comparison to the last 7-8 bigger name comparisons, and how many of each walk into our side.

I would bet that you would get back 60 million plus on the signings he has made so far. Compare that against the huge losses you see on Bent, NZogbia, Ireland, Dunne, Hutton, Warnock, Makoun etc.

If it were my club, and my money, I would be looking at Lambert and thinking he is out ticket to financial security and stability.

Yep.
The critical bit for me is to offload the high earners and use the freed-up funds to bring in other potentials.
I'd agree with others that we need one or two experienced players to come in: I think Lambert will do that (as he did with KEA and Vlaar last summer), and he will have learned a thing or two about the time it takes even for the experienced player to bed in. So, maybe we will see players with P'ship experience join us.
I do think that we may see a rejuvenated KEA next season as well: I suspect he'll be a far better player after a full 12 months in the squad.

The good news is that if I were a reasonably switched-on player, I'd love to play in a Lambert team: he will be hopefully a magnet for good, young and ambitious players.

[Dante Lavelli]

Perhaps the bigger concern should be that when Lambert arrived he came with a list of targets he had probably been building up for a while, and bought most of the cream from that list. Maybe Generation II will come from a poorer pool.

Could be, but equally as likely is that last years list was prepared with Norwich in mind (Westwood's 30 game dossier suggests he'd been watching for a long time), whereas I'd like to think that he sees the potential of Villa attracting better players than Norwich could.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Buying / developing quality players for under 10 millions and sell them for 30 millions and putting money back into club to develop more players and sell them again like Arsenal would be best way to use transfer money instead of MON's methods. I like what Paul Lambert is doing so far.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm fine with the strategy provided the players who come in have quality as well.

[PaulWinch again]

I see Weimann's agent is starting to make noises of other clubs in for him. Tie him down to a contract Villa.

[Mister E]

The one thing we do need are a couple of set piece experts - not sure we really have anyone currently who does it well.

[mrfuse]

The one thing we do need are a couple of set piece experts - not sure we really have anyone currently who does it well.

Back in for Maloney?

[Toronto Villa]

I think we all knew this was going to be the way we went. Look at his hit rate so far and what their value to the club is now, in comparison to the last 7-8 bigger name comparisons, and how many of each walk into our side.

I would bet that you would get back 60 million plus on the signings he has made so far. Compare that against the huge losses you see on Bent, NZogbia, Ireland, Dunne, Hutton, Warnock, Makoun etc.

If it were my club, and my money, I would be looking at Lambert and thinking he is out ticket to financial security and stability.

Of that list Ozz, Bent's not a loss. Not only did his goals keep us up which more than paid for his fee, we've also made money from merchandise sales. And maybe with exception of N'Zog who'll still command a decent fee the rest I agree with. To now replace them with motivated players, as good at what will likely be in most cases a fraction of the price is the way we are likely go.

[Mister E]

The one thing we do need are a couple of set piece experts - not sure we really have anyone currently who does it well.

Back in for Maloney?

Certainly wasn't thinking that.