Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Monty]

I would agree. A wide forward for me more than a number 10, simply because I don't think there are many sides we can afford not to have 3 in the centre of the pitch, win the battle before the war and all that. A central midfielder that will do the work with the flair to also unlock the opposition and get some goals would be great though! Someone like Kagowa at United when he gets going would be grand. Double deal for Fischer and Erikson would be grand.

My point is that we should sign a player who is both no. 10 and a pest in midfield - like Kiyotake, or Eriksen (though we won't get Eriksen), rather than Fischer who is essentially the same player as Tonev or Weimann. Our attacks look a little predictable at the moment, and while that's fine on the counter against teams who will attack us, against massed defences I can see us having the same problems as the MON years.

[Clampy]

I think we do need maybe another couple. We're only 2 games in and some players are on two bookings already.

[eastie]

I'm not expecting anymore signings , I'd be happy enough to go with the squad we have as there is plenty of competition for places now.

If the right attacking midfielder became available however then we may look to do something but i feel it will be a quite deadline day regarding incomings, hopefully we may shift 2 or 3 out though.

[ozzjim]

I would agree. A wide forward for me more than a number 10, simply because I don't think there are many sides we can afford not to have 3 in the centre of the pitch, win the battle before the war and all that. A central midfielder that will do the work with the flair to also unlock the opposition and get some goals would be great though! Someone like Kagowa at United when he gets going would be grand. Double deal for Fischer and Erikson would be grand.

My point is that we should sign a player who is both no. 10 and a pest in midfield - like Kiyotake, or Eriksen (though we won't get Eriksen), rather than Fischer who is essentially the same player as Tonev or Weimann. Our attacks look a little predictable at the moment, and while that's fine on the counter against teams who will attack us, against massed defences I can see us having the same problems as the MON years.

I agree in the longer term, and if the cash is there to get both then great.

At this moment though, I would sooner have a really top player in the Gabby as an essential part of the way we play should we lose him, and remain solid in the centre of the park. Long term we need both I completely agree with you, for the games that you suggest. A cheap option might be someone like Maloney for a couple of seasons.

[SoccerHQ]

So yes this number 10 fellow to break down mass defences like Liverpool today......

[Monty]

And to help us keep the ball better. We looked frantic and short of ideas today.

[ozzjim]

We certainly need a player in the middle of the park that when going forward can put his foot on it, find a pass and maybe beat a man, but our movement needs to be better too.

[Monty]

We certainly need a player in the middle of the park that when going forward can put his foot on it, find a pass and maybe beat a man, but our movement needs to be better too.

Agreed, and while this kind of player can make a big difference to the players around him, the players around him need to be brave and move off the ball as well.

[SoccerHQ]

It does but I just want someone who's a bit of a wildcard, who sees trying to break down a mass defence with throughballs to the striker as a challenge rather than just passing sideways all the time. Oh and who can chip in with a goal or two as the strikers won't score every single game.

We do have some good central midfielders at the club now but I think it's fair to say they all excel at the more defensive aspects of the game than going forward.

They are out there, I really had a good feeling about the Japanese lad at Nuremburg, shame that link is dead but someone of that ilk would be a great addition to the squad I feel.

[ozzjim]

It does but I just want someone who's a bit of a wildcard, who sees trying to break down a mass defence with throughballs to the striker as a challenge rather than just passing sideways all the time. Oh and who can chip in with a goal or two as the strikers won't score every single game.

We do have some good central midfielders at the club now but I think it's fair to say they all excel at the more defensive aspects of the game than going forward.

They are out there, I really had a good feeling about the Japanese lad at Nuremburg, shame that link is dead but someone of that ilk would be a great addition to the squad I feel.

We need a couple more attacking options, 1 from midfield and 1 from the wide roles essentially, but that are 1st team level.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

We certainly need a player in the middle of the park that when going forward can put his foot on it, find a pass and maybe beat a man, but our movement needs to be better too.

Agreed, and while this kind of player can make a big difference to the players around him, the players around him need to be brave and move off the ball as well.

Thought we were incredibly static up front today.
With more movement our current midfield are capable of providing the service.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I think we should find a good playmaker and get this kid Jese from Real Madrid on season loan. As he is supposed to be really good. http://www.marca.com/2013/08/24/en/football/real_madrid/1377332125.html  Just a suggestion in case Paul Lambert or coaching staff is looking for ideas.

[danlanza]

Having watched the first three games my take on it is that we really need a creative midfielder, someone to put some spark back in. So i think we should go all out for the Japanese lad from Germany, cannot remember his name, had a couple of sherberts you know. But He does seem to offer what we need.
I know he would be expensive, but, he, or someone similar could be the making of our season. A big fee would be involved and also very decent wages but it would make us far better. Just my opinion.

[Tuscans]

Having watched the first three games my take on it is that we really need a creative midfielder, someone to put some spark back in. So i think we should go all out for the Japanese lad from Germany, cannot remember his name, had a couple of sherberts you know. But He does seem to offer what we need.
I know he would be expensive, but, he, or someone similar could be the making of our season. A big fee would be involved and also very decent wages but it would make us far better. Just my opinion.

Hiroshi Kiyotake?

[Monty]

The current set-up is generally fine for midtable, maybe lower midtable like 12th, which makes this attacking midfielder less of an absolute necessity than, say, Benteke was last year (or this year, in fact). The playmaker would move us up to the 8th-9th sort of region, as with one I think we'd have been as good as Liverpool yesterday.

However, here's a thought: as we've all (sadly) pretty much accepted that Benteke's off next year, and given that we're hopefully not in real relegation trouble this year, it might be sensible to hold off on signing this top playmaker that we need until we have the Benteke money.