Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[claretandbeer]

This was mentioned last year, but i'd rather spend a substantial amount of money on a brilliant defensive coach than bring in another defender that isn't up to it.

Wasn't one of the new additions to the coaching team over the summer a defensive coach?

I might have actually just imagined that, though, so may be wrong.

It is worth reiterating that Lambert's teams,prior to his Villa appointment,had a very good defensive record.In his first season at Norwich ,he turned around a defence that suffered an opening home loss of 7-0,inflicted by his own side,into the meanest in that league.Check the defensive records of Wycombe 2006-8 and Colchester 2008-9 in comparison to their league positions.
I do agree ,however,that if Okore does not possess good aerial prowess then a dominant centre back should be bought. That is not an indictment of the defensive coaching but of the personnel in defence.

[pauliewalnuts]

Not too sure it's that straightforward.

His Norwich side, in their first season up, conceded more away goals than anyone that season with the exception of the relegated sides and QPR, and more home goals than anyone other than the relegated sides.

he obviously did something right to get them there in the first place, and then keep them there, but I don't really see anything to suggest his teams have ever really defended that well.

[FranzBiberkopf]

I do agree ,however,that if Okore does not possess good aerial prowess then a dominant centre back should be bought. That is not an indictment of the defensive coaching but of the personnel in defence.

I think Lambert knows this. He seems to be adding height to the team since Jan (Sylla, Okore) to give us more of a 'presence'.

[pauliewalnuts]

A shiver has just gone down my spine at the thought of introducing Steven Taylor to our already shambolic defence. 

It'd be like moaning to the Mrs that the kids are making a mess in the living room, then ushering a wild boar in to the room.

[UK Redsox]

This was mentioned last year, but i'd rather spend a substantial amount of money on a brilliant defensive coach than bring in another defender that isn't up to it.

The last "Defensive Co-ordinator" that I remember was Mark Lawrenson at Newcastle. Did that work ?

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Was quite impressed with Sean Morrison at reading. 6ft 4ins 21 yrs and was very good at aerial challenges. Young and hungry ?

[claretandbeer]

Was quite impressed with Sean Morrison at reading. 6ft 4ins 21 yrs and was very good at aerial challenges. Young and hungry ?

Good shout.

[villasjf]

So according to the papers on The OS Bent is on £80,000 a week over 4m a year no wonder we want rid and  he hasnt gone yet.

[sid1964]

unbelievable what some of our players are paid - for not achieving a lot!

[PeterWithesShin]

The Bent goals guaranteed us staying up in 10/11 and 11/12. We could give him away tomorrow and his signing would have paid for itself.

[dekko]

Not too sure it's that straightforward.

His Norwich side, in their first season up, conceded more away goals than anyone that season with the exception of the relegated sides and QPR, and more home goals than anyone other than the relegated sides.

he obviously did something right to get them there in the first place, and then keep them there, but I don't really see anything to suggest his teams have ever really defended that well.

In 11/12 Norwich only kept 2 clean sheets in the league all season (0-0 against Chelsea in January and 2-0 against us in May).

[PeterWithesShin]

Not too sure it's that straightforward.

His Norwich side, in their first season up, conceded more away goals than anyone that season with the exception of the relegated sides and QPR, and more home goals than anyone other than the relegated sides.

he obviously did something right to get them there in the first place, and then keep them there, but I don't really see anything to suggest his teams have ever really defended that well.

In 11/12 Norwich only kept 2 clean sheets in the league all season (0-0 against Chelsea in January and 2-0 against us in May).

And at home to Bolton.

[eamonn]

Somebody should write a book about Villa c. 2010-2013. I'd put Bent on the cover. Sums up what a mad journey we have been on!

Makoun would sum it up nicely and should be on the cover.  Plus, then at least PL would finally know what he looks like.

I'd go for a cartoon picture from On the Buses, with Mackoun, Ireland, Bent and Hutton smiling on the top deck, driven by Mcleish towards a town signposted "Wilderness".  On the way they startle Paul Faulkner, who is pushing Jermaine Jenas along the pavement in a wheelchair.  One of the houses they pass has Randy Lerner at the bedroom window; he seems to be rather pleased with a letter in his hand.

That website run by an artist who takes suggestions of unlikely cultural scenarios, perhaps sporting too and illustrates them needs to see this and we can make it real. Can't remember his name but it's Plumbutt Cooper's favourite thing on the internetz.

[adrenachrome]

Eat Sleep Sport

Fulham have dropped out of the running to sign Aston Villa's Darren Bent over his wages, leaving Newcastle in pole position.
The out-of-favour striker is desperate to get away from Villa Park after being overlooked by boss Paul Lambert, but appears reluctant to drop his earnings from £80,00-a-week.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol, despite seemingly having funds at his disposal following the club's takeover, has baulked at the size of the deal required - which could have amounted to more than £12million over three seasons just on wages.

Bent cost Villa a club-record £24m when he joined them from Sunderland in January, 2011.

But he was frozen out by the arrival of Christian Benteke last year and, with the Belgian hitman withdrawing a transfer request to sign a new deal, he knows he won't be featuring much if he were to stay at Villa Park.

However, he flourished under Newcastle United manager Pardew when the pair worked together at Charlton from 2005-07.

And he was recorded this week telling a young Villa fan: "I'll be out of here pretty soon, I'm sure."

[sirlordbaltimore]

unbelievable what some of our players are paid - for not achieving a lot!

i'd say Bent's done exactly what he was brought in to do. to get on the end of the service and stick the ball in the net

a. he didn't know that within 6 months of coming in we'd have sold the Young & Downing supply line for a combined 38m and tried to replace with a 9m N'Zogbia who's assist record was never on a par with even one of them never mind the pair

b. he's also missed about a season with injury and then been frozen out by Lambert despite the team struggling to score and win games

it's all a rather sad and depressing story to my mind