Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Concrete John]

A player like N'Zog should be scoring 1 in 4 minimum. He played 21 games this season in the league, scored 2 and had 4 assists. That's nothing near good enough. Granted it's Messi-esque compared to Ireland but for a 9.5mill valued player, you expect far more.
We have to flog him now whilst we can get a reasonable fee for him. The money we'd get and wages we'd save could go a long way for us.

Though he's only had 11 starts.  When you flip it around and say in 11 starts he's scored 2 and 4 assists that doesnt read too bad.  I agree, I'd expect more. But since Christmas his form has improved.  And we need attacking options. He's a good option to replace Gabby or Weimann. He's a good impact sub too and play in a few different midfield positons.  Still one to keep -unless we get offered too good a deal to turn down.

I have to say his attitude to being a sub and being used by Lambert in different ways has been first class too. Very unlucky not to be in over Weimann last few games, although workrate is the contributing factor. If he played every week in that front 3 he would get 10 plus goals and assists a season.

As well as general work rate, if he is played wide he tends to drift and not hold his position, offering very little protection to his FB.  We onyl really see his best when he has that free role behind Benteke.

[Brend'Watkins]

A player like N'Zog should be scoring 1 in 4 minimum. He played 21 games this season in the league, scored 2 and had 4 assists. That's nothing near good enough. Granted it's Messi-esque compared to Ireland but for a 9.5mill valued player, you expect far more.
We have to flog him now whilst we can get a reasonable fee for him. The money we'd get and wages we'd save could go a long way for us.

Though he's only had 11 starts.  When you flip it around and say in 11 starts he's scored 2 and 4 assists that doesnt read too bad.  I agree, I'd expect more. But since Christmas his form has improved.  And we need attacking options. He's a good option to replace Gabby or Weimann. He's a good impact sub too and play in a few different midfield positons.  Still one to keep -unless we get offered too good a deal to turn down.

I have to say his attitude to being a sub and being used by Lambert in different ways has been first class too. Very unlucky not to be in over Weimann last few games, although workrate is the contributing factor. If he played every week in that front 3 he would get 10 plus goals and assists a season.

As well as general work rate, if he is played wide he tends to drift and not hold his position, offering very little protection to his FB.  We onyl really see his best when he has that free role behind Benteke.

Which suits N'Zog perfectly.  We offer more threat with Gabby and Andi on the flanks as the latter part of the season has shown.  Even so, if we need to change it the N'Zog option behind Benteke is as good as we could wish for.

[ozzjim]

The discipline of holding that position is something that needs to be coached into him though. His performance at West Brom, home to Fulham and his free kick against West Ham were probably solely responsible for those 5 points this season, so he is clearly very useful. Just whether someone offers enough fro Lambert to think he can get better options.

[eamonn]

West Ham are signing Romania's left back, Razvan Rat from Shakhtar on a free. Apart from having the best name in football, the fella is quality. Over 50 games in the Champions League, nearly 100 caps for Romania. He's initially signed a one-year deal with an option of extending it. Would have been ideal to help mentor Bennett.

32 and probably after that 'last big payday'.  Exactly the sort of player Lambert seems to want to avoid.

Plus, if he was as good as you suggest he wouldn't be going to West Ham and they'd be offering him more than a one year deal!

31 and Shakhtar offered him big money to stay but he has taught himself English and wanted to come here. Presumably West Ham are using Prem football as leverage so as to give them some protection with the contract - the one year as he'll be on good wages, option to extend if both parties are happy at the end. He mightn't be top four/five quality but his pedigree is very decent for a team like us at the moment.

I know most people on this thread are dimissing any player 30+ but there's no harm in a couple of them if they offer decent value for money and have a good attitude which I think this fella does. Never mind - lets cross our fingers that Bennett and/or Cresswell etc. learn to swim quickly.

[Small Rodent]

West Ham are signing Romania's left back, Razvan Rat from Shakhtar on a free. Apart from having the best name in football, the fella is quality. Over 50 games in the Champions League, nearly 100 caps for Romania. He's initially signed a one-year deal with an option of extending it. Would have been ideal to help mentor Bennett.

32 and probably after that 'last big payday'.  Exactly the sort of player Lambert seems to want to avoid.

Plus, if he was as good as you suggest he wouldn't be going to West Ham and they'd be offering him more than a one year deal!

31 and Shakhtar offered him big money to stay but he has taught himself English and wanted to come here. Presumably West Ham are using Prem football as leverage so as to give them some protection with the contract - the one year as he'll be on good wages, option to extend if both parties are happy at the end. He mightn't be top four/five quality but his pedigree is very decent for a team like us at the moment.

I reckon they offered 3 years, then got the nod on Carroll, so had to claw back some cash!

[PeterWithe]

Is that the first recorded instance of a rat joining a sinking ship?

[Concrete John]

West Ham are signing Romania's left back, Razvan Rat from Shakhtar on a free. Apart from having the best name in football, the fella is quality. Over 50 games in the Champions League, nearly 100 caps for Romania. He's initially signed a one-year deal with an option of extending it. Would have been ideal to help mentor Bennett.

32 and probably after that 'last big payday'.  Exactly the sort of player Lambert seems to want to avoid.

Plus, if he was as good as you suggest he wouldn't be going to West Ham and they'd be offering him more than a one year deal!

31 and Shakhtar offered him big money to stay but he has taught himself English and wanted to come here. Presumably West Ham are using Prem football as leverage so as to give them some protection with the contract - the one year as he'll be on good wages, option to extend if both parties are happy at the end. He mightn't be top four/five quality but his pedigree is very decent for a team like us at the moment.

I know most people on this thread are dimissing any player 30+ but there's no harm in a couple of them if they offer decent value for money and have a good attitude which I think this fella does. Never mind - lets cross our fingers that Bennett and/or Cresswell etc. learn to swim quickly.

He's 32 in a few days.

I have nothing against older players and have been advocating we go for Lescott for a while now.  But we need to be selective in who we get at that age and wage band and I see a signing like this as the wrong man to break the 'young and hungry' approach for. 

[neo_Villan]

I really hope Nursey is wrong about Lescott being a target. Would've been good as a short-term loan in January but is almost over the hill now. We can do better and I hate signing players who are over 30. Also we have had enough problems with Citeh rejects. Will this club never learn?

pie in the sky I grant you, but if James Milner was offered back to us you'd decline because of some former Man City signings haven't panned out? Not sure I understand the logic.

I think I added that part more due to frustration that Lescott might be a target. I admit though that it was an irrational thing to say and I'd obviously have Milner back in a shot. Although to be fair, that wasn't my main argument and my problem is with Lescott who is almost past it and even looks poor in Citeh's defence (the best in the division) so imagine how he'd look in ours.

[PaulWinch again]

Lescott isn't past it, and in fairness he hasn't really been playing for Citeh.

[john e]

Lescott isn't past it, and in fairness he hasn't really been playing for Citeh.

did you see Howson of Norwich go past him on Saturday, it was the sort of defending we have been giving Baker and Clarke all manner of stick to all season, at least they have an excuse,

 all defenders will make mistakes at times, but he looked for all the world passed it on Saturday when he was wobbling all over the floor with his legs kicking around in the air as Howson stroked the ball into the net

[JUAN PABLO]

Lescott isn't past it, and in fairness he hasn't really been playing for Citeh.

did you see Howson of Norwich go past him on Saturday, it was the sort of defending we have been giving Baker and Clarke all manner of stick to all season, at least they have an excuse,

 all defenders will make mistakes at times, but he looked for all the world passed it on Saturday when he was wobbling all over the floor with his legs kicking around in the air as Howson stroked the ball into the net

true John

not sure he's made as many as Baker etc

did you see Benteke go past Cahill. Would you have Cahill back? 

[supertom]

City are letting Kolo Toure go. If they let Lescott leave, they'll need at least two big signings at centre half to replace them. Granted I know they have the money, but I wonder if Lescott may be kept on now. I'd love him here. Ideal player to improve our backline.

[john e]

 

Lescott isn't past it, and in fairness he hasn't really been playing for Citeh.

did you see Howson of Norwich go past him on Saturday, it was the sort of defending we have been giving Baker and Clarke all manner of stick to all season, at least they have an excuse,

 all defenders will make mistakes at times, but he looked for all the world passed it on Saturday when he was wobbling all over the floor with his legs kicking around in the air as Howson stroked the ball into the net

true John

not sure he's made as many as Baker etc

did you see Benteke go past Cahill. Would you have Cahill back? 

good point, but Howson is no Benteke my friend   

[Concrete John]

He may have had a bad game, but he's generally looked strong and dependable for City and England this season.

[MonsXI]

Is that the first recorded instance of a rat joining a sinking ship?

Can't believe this gem has gone unnoticed!