Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Jarpie]

A top quality CB aside, I'm not sure how many more "starters" we need to sign this summer. 

I think we need to avoid the mindset of signing "starters" at all - that was MON's problem.

We need to sign players who will compete for positions in the starting XI, nobody should be brought in as a designated starter.

Especially avoid players from other premier league clubs unless they are utter professionals, transfer fees and salaries would be too high compared to what they'd be worth. We can probably get as good players abroad or lower division with lower fees and salaries.

For example, are there really any central defenders in premier league who'd be worth the 7-10 million transfer fee and 40-50k/week salary which they'd certainly cost? I'd think probably only Lescott would be a worth the shot and maybe couple others but they'd take even higher salary and would they be motivated enough?

[eamonn]

Surely we do need to sign "starters" - players that are better than what we have, and that MON often did the opposite - Harewood, Beye, Salifou etc. were never going to be starters.

We have a big squad in terms of numbers but half of them are probably not going to make it or are eating-up the wage bill while contributing little.

[saunders_heroes]

Surely we do need to sign "starters" - players that are better than what we have, and that MON often did the opposite - Harewood, Beye, Salifou etc. were never going to be starters.

We have a big squad in terms of numbers but half of them are probably not going to make it or are eating-up the wage bill while contributing little.

Of course we've got to sign "starters". Last season was painful and some players need to be replaced with better ones else we'll find ourselves in a 4th consecutive relegation battle. Last season was too close for comfort. It would be folly to assume these players will improve by default over the summer.

[jeowje]

I'm almost glad we conceded that scrappy goal against Wigan just to serve as a bit of a dose of reality, a reminder that although we have improved, our defence at times has been truly awful, and this needs addressing.

[saunders_heroes]

I'm almost glad we conceded that scrappy goal against Wigan just to serve as a bit of a dose of reality, a reminder that although we have improved, our defence at times has been truly awful, and this needs addressing.

Precisely. The defence has been awful and some of them need to be replaced with better defenders, not with someone equally as poor to act as competition.

[not3bad]

It would be folly to assume these players will improve by default over the summer.

Indeed it would be folly - but it would be equally wrong to assume they won't.  Therefore you cannot assume these new players would be "starters" by default can you?  Because if these players do improve, the new ones won't necessarily start, will they?

[supertom]

A squad of 22 starters would be nice.

[pauliewalnuts]

Surely we do need to sign "starters" - players that are better than what we have, and that MON often did the opposite - Harewood, Beye, Salifou etc. were never going to be starters.

We have a big squad in terms of numbers but half of them are probably not going to make it or are eating-up the wage bill while contributing little.

That's exactly what I meant when I referred to not signing 'starters', though.

I'd imagine Shay Given was signed as one by McLeish, and played all the time under him as a result, but now he's sat on the bench costing us a fortune. Same with other players.

What we need to do is strengthen the squad, but add some players who are better than we already have and add more competition for places. The likes of Bennett, Lowton, Baker etc don't need to be treated with kid gloves, ie not signing players in their positions so we don't block their development, they need to prove they're worth a place and if the competition for places is stronger (which it should be as a club improves), they're going to have to work that bit harder to get in.

The flip side should be that if they're good enough, they get into the team. Like Guzan did ahead of Given.

re O'Neill, his problem was that he saw XI 'starters' and next to nothing beyond that.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It would be great to have somebody on the bench that could come on and offer something different.
Our subs this season have generally been a worse version of the player they're replacing and make us a weaker side.

[alteavilla]

look at the stats
leave the attackers alone done well, see goals scorded
replace the defenders done bad,see goals conceaded

[PaulWinch again]

Surely we do need to sign "starters" - players that are better than what we have, and that MON often did the opposite - Harewood, Beye, Salifou etc. were never going to be starters.

We have a big squad in terms of numbers but half of them are probably not going to make it or are eating-up the wage bill while contributing little.

That's exactly what I meant when I referred to not signing 'starters', though.

I'd imagine Shay Given was signed as one by McLeish, and played all the time under him as a result, but now he's sat on the bench costing us a fortune. Same with other players.

What we need to do is strengthen the squad, but add some players who are better than we already have and add more competition for places. The likes of Bennett, Lowton, Baker etc don't need to be treated with kid gloves, ie not signing players in their positions so we don't block their development, they need to prove they're worth a place and if the competition for places is stronger (which it should be as a club improves), they're going to have to work that bit harder to get in.

The flip side should be that if they're good enough, they get into the team. Like Guzan did ahead of Given.

re O'Neill, his problem was that he saw XI 'starters' and next to nothing beyond that.

Yep progression is all about improving the squad, if we bring in quality players you would hope those players already at the club would raise their game.

[OCD]

look at the stats
leave the attackers alone done well, see goals scorded
replace the defenders done bad,see goals conceaded

Sure. So when Gabby/Benteke/Weimann has a lengthy injury we're screwed.

In the last few months we probably beat every side outside of the top 8 except Fulham when Gabby was injured and Wigan when Benteke was suspended.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Any idea what Chelsea will ask for Lukaku. Could we do a deal with Darren Bent going other way (and Stephen Ireland )

[PaulWinch again]

Any idea what Chelsea will ask for Lukaku. Could we do a deal with Darren Bent going other way (and Stephen Ireland )

Absolutely no chance.

[PaulWinch again]

In fact we should be glad Chelsea have Lukaku as Mourinho will see him as a young Drogba. You can guarantee if they didn't have him Mourinho would come for Benteke.