Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[damon loves JT]

Sixth place, eh. Sixth! Them was the days

[Irish villain]

A few stories in the press today that Newcastle are considering making an offer for D Bent.

I hope so as I would like to see a bidding war for him.

Bent seems to have a habit of rocking up at big clubs that find themselves in the doldrums. He probably should have had more success in his career than he has.

[eastie]

Sixth place, eh. Sixth! Them was the days

Once upon a time there was a tavern...

[saunders_heroes]

A few stories in the press today that Newcastle are considering making an offer for D Bent.

I hope so as I would like to see a bidding war for him.

Bent seems to have a habit of rocking up at big clubs that find themselves in the doldrums. He probably should have had more success in his career than he has.

He'd do a good job at Arsenal.

[eastie]

A few stories in the press today that Newcastle are considering making an offer for D Bent.

I hope so as I would like to see a bidding war for him.

Bent seems to have a habit of rocking up at big clubs that find themselves in the doldrums. He probably should have had more success in his career than he has.

He'd do a good job at Arsenal.

Always thought that , the chances they create he would have a field day but not a wenger type of player, will probably knock in 20 a season on Tyneside.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I think there is zero chance that lambert will ever go for a player like Lescott.

I think your right, I think he probably would have loaned him last season but that's it

[Mister E]

A few stories in the press today that Newcastle are considering making an offer for D Bent.

I hope so as I would like to see a bidding war for him.

Bent seems to have a habit of rocking up at big clubs that find themselves in the doldrums. He probably should have had more success in his career than he has.

Look at the pattern of his transfers - he does well for 18-24 months and then moves on, the goals often having dried up.
He or his agent or both are on a 're-cycle the contract' gig, IMHO.

[Morten]

An interesting thing about Okore is that he actually turned down a move to Chelsea in January, as he did not think he would get enough playing time.

[RussellC]

I think I'm probably in the minority but I don't think we need a new left-back.

Yes, Bennett had some shaky games last season, but I thought he finished it very well and was particularly good at home to Sunderland (although I realise they all were).
From the little we've all seen of him, Stevens is adequate cover (remember the ManUre home game?) and Baker and Clark can also play there if needed.

Above all else, I think that signing a new left-back would almost be like PL writing Bennett off (and therefore admitting he made a mistake) and I can't for the life of me see him doing that without giving him another season first.

[saunders_heroes]

I think I'm probably in the minority but I don't think we need a new left-back.

Yes, Bennett had some shaky games last season, but I thought he finished it very well and was particularly good at home to Sunderland (although I realise they all were).
From the little we've all seen of him, Stevens is adequate cover (remember the ManUre home game?) and Baker and Clark can also play there if needed.

Above all else, I think that signing a new left-back would almost be like PL writing Bennett off (and therefore admitting he made a mistake) and I can't for the life of me see him doing that without giving him another season first.

I couldn't go through another season of watching Bennett getting destroyed down the left.

[RussellC]

I couldn't go through another season of watching Bennett getting destroyed down the left.

Don't you think he improved during the season though and is therefore likely to better next?

[eastie]

I think I'm probably in the minority but I don't think we need a new left-back.

Yes, Bennett had some shaky games last season, but I thought he finished it very well and was particularly good at home to Sunderland (although I realise they all were).
From the little we've all seen of him, Stevens is adequate cover (remember the ManUre home game?) and Baker and Clark can also play there if needed.

Above all else, I think that signing a new left-back would almost be like PL writing Bennett off (and therefore admitting he made a mistake) and I can't for the life of me see him doing that without giving him another season first.

I couldn't go through another season of watching Bennett getting destroyed down the left.

Bit harsh , once he found his form and fitness his game improved a lot . Wouldnt be worried if lambert bought in competition at left back or or not , centre defence is the main weakness.

[midnite]

Just read that. Good news. Apparently can play at left back too, so may, with Baker, Clarke and Okore able to play there, mean the interest in Cresswell will diminish.

I'm pleased he can play left back as well. I'd have preferred Lescott personally because we know what we would have been getting but like someone suggested the other day, maybe Lambert is looking at Vlaar as the experienced man at the back.

My thoughts too. I said a few weeks ago, I wouldn't be surprised to see lambert look at vlaar now as the seasoned veteran and sign a new unknown CB. Would rather go with Okore than lescott.

[nigel]

I think I'm probably in the minority but I don't think we need a new left-back.

Yes, Bennett had some shaky games last season, but I thought he finished it very well and was particularly good at home to Sunderland (although I realise they all were).
From the little we've all seen of him, Stevens is adequate cover (remember the ManUre home game?) and Baker and Clark can also play there if needed.

Above all else, I think that signing a new left-back would almost be like PL writing Bennett off (and therefore admitting he made a mistake) and I can't for the life of me see him doing that without giving him another season first.

I couldn't go through another season of watching Bennett getting destroyed down the left.

I don't think you will. as he's going to prove a lot of doubters wrong this season by having a great one.

[fredm]

I think the whole of the defence will be stronger/more composed with a decent, settled midfield in front of them.  Don't think it was any coincidence that our form got better at the back end of the season when we had a reasonably settled team and people began to understand each others play a bit better.  Hopefully, with a decent pre-season under their belts, and maybe a couple of new faces to gee those in possession to improve even further, we will not suffer the horrors of last season.