Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[eastie]

I really loathe the term wonderkid.

A label given him by the Dutch media i believe.

[UK Redsox]

I really loathe the term wonderkid.

Is his name "Buddy" and does he shrug and sigh ?

[UK Redsox]

Fischer: A Bobby dazzler of a player or just a Pawn in a bigger game ?

[ADVILLAFAN]

I kind of agree that there is a risk of buying too many overseas players. But i also think that risk is mitigated if they all speak good English. It sounds as though our current crop do.

I don't think Tony Moon knows much English yet, but otherwise I imagine they all speak good English. Probably better than a lot of our English players in fact.

[Small Rodent]

I really loathe the term wonderkid.

Me too. Much prefer Wunderkind

[ozzjim]

I really loathe the term wonderkid.

A label given him by the Dutch media i believe.

Speak much Dutch?

[Ron Manager]

Fischer: A Bobby dazzler of a player or just a Pawn in a bigger game ?

Is he a czech..mate?

[tomd2103]

I would take Shawcross like a shot but can't see it.

I think he's stagnated in the last couple of years. A move could do him good. I don't think he's as good as he potentially was expected to be. He is however an upgrade on Baker and probably Vlaar.

I think being at Stoke under Pulis probably did that to him.  He probably was one of the players that epitomised Stoke under Pulis, but it also has to be remembered that he did come through the ranks at Manchester United so had a good grounding.  Can't see it happening as he is ready made for a Mark Hughes team, but he would be a very good signing for us.   

[villa kicks]

Disappointed we didn't move on in on parker ! Would have beefed the midfield and added playing nous

He's 32 and has got a three year contract at Fulham.

Would you have wanted us to give him that length deal?

no a 1 year loan deal in exchange for bent though now i realse he was at spurs and insteading of pressing delete i just carried on.. who else does that but presses delete instead be honest we al  do !!

[olaftab]

You are unique VK.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

The thing with Shawcross, and many others that have been mentioned, is that Lambert will look at him, the fee and the wages and think "I can get just as good from abroad at half the price."

And he'd be right.

The jury is very much out on Vlaar.

eamonn I think me and you and a small minority are the only people who can see this. Most people just keep saying Vlaar will get better. Guzan made two fantastic saves but the only real mistake was when Vlaar came out the defence and got lost, leaving the defence totally exposed. I  hope PL is quietly lining up a powerful young CB good in the air and ready for a challenge. Okore will be very good but we still need aerial dominance and positioning. Baker is getting there but injury prone. Clark had a good game Saturday but generally inconsistent .......

[ozzjim]

I give Vlaar till Christmas. The only saving grace is we are better, much, with him than without.

[villa kicks]

The thing with Shawcross, and many others that have been mentioned, is that Lambert will look at him, the fee and the wages and think "I can get just as good from abroad at half the price."

And he'd be right.

The jury is very much out on Vlaar.

eamonn I think me and you and a small minority are the only people who can see this. Most people just keep saying Vlaar will get better. Guzan made two fantastic saves but the only real mistake was when Vlaar came out the defence and got lost, leaving the defence totally exposed. I  hope PL is quietly lining up a powerful young CB good in the air and ready for a challenge. Okore will be very good but we still need aerial dominance and positioning. Baker is getting there but injury prone. Clark had a good game Saturday but generally inconsistent .......

I'm with you in particular pieces of play Vlaar made saturday. however i also think he takes on alot of responbility as both A . Captain and B a senior pro. Also the midfield were nt trusted so he came and stepped in high up the field.
I hope he continues as like his spirit and attitude

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

The thing with Shawcross, and many others that have been mentioned, is that Lambert will look at him, the fee and the wages and think "I can get just as good from abroad at half the price."

And he'd be right.

The jury is very much out on Vlaar.

eamonn I think me and you and a small minority are the only people who can see this. Most people just keep saying Vlaar will get better. Guzan made two fantastic saves but the only real mistake was when Vlaar came out the defence and got lost, leaving the defence totally exposed. I  hope PL is quietly lining up a powerful young CB good in the air and ready for a challenge. Okore will be very good but we still need aerial dominance and positioning. Baker is getting there but injury prone. Clark had a good game Saturday but generally inconsistent .......

I'm with you in particular pieces of play Vlaar made saturday. however i also think he takes on alot of responbility as both A . Captain and B a senior pro. Also the midfield were nt trusted so he came and stepped in high up the field.
I hope he continues as like his spirit and attitude

VK I agree he has a presence as a senior player and he does have a good spirit. But a CB needs to be dominant in the air and be positionally aware of his defenders and any potential threat. He has to make these decisions instinctively. Vlaar has been caught many times ball watching. failing to win crucial challenges in the air and being out of position at vital moments. He is 27 and is not going to get better imao. If PL brings in one of his well scouted choices at CB I think we would be better off rather than leaving it until Vlaar loses all credibility. This is not being harsh on him just a reality. Remember when we were on the verge of relegation. Vlaar said he might have to consider his future with Villa as it is world cup year, that's football ...

[Dante Lavelli]

VK I agree he has a presence as a senior player and he does have a good spirit. But a CB needs to be dominant in the air and be positionally aware of his defenders and any potential threat. He has to make these decisions instinctively. Vlaar has been caught many times ball watching. failing to win crucial challenges in the air and being out of position at vital moments. He is 27 and is not going to get better imao. If PL brings in one of his well scouted choices at CB I think we would be better off rather than leaving it until Vlaar loses all credibility. This is not being harsh on him just a reality. Remember when we were on the verge of relegation. Vlaar said he might have to consider his future with Villa as it is world cup year, that's football ...

I tend to agree that Vlaar is the weak link in our defence, not because he is the worst player but because he is the senior pro and the guy responsible for dragging the others up through his example, leadership and organisation.

That said, I do not agree that he cannot improve - regardless of being 27 - he is an individual playing in a team sport, in a foreign country and a different style of football.  There are a whole world of variables that could change for the better there (i.e. simply knowing his team mates better) and I think he deserves another half of a season (at least) to prove he's good enough.