Delfouneso & Bannan

[Clampy]

I wonder if Lambert sees Bowery as someone who can come on and hold the ball up in games. Maybe that's his long term plan for him because I can't see many goals in him at all.

[adrenachrome]

I wonder if Lambert sees Bowery as someone who can come on and hold the ball up in games. Maybe that's his long term plan for him because I can't see many goals in him at all.

I agree, and beyond that he seems to pick Benteke to do specialist job and carry out precise instructions.   

[paul_e]

I would also have Fonz ahead of Bowery at this point. That said, I think we're fine without either going into the new season. Fonz should be sold, Bowery loaned out. I think JB would benefit from playing in the championship. The one thing that worries me about Bowery is that you never ever fancy him to score. No matter the game, whether pre-season or what. When Fonzy first broke through his goals to minutes ratio was actually quite good. He looked quite lively and looked like he could finish, but obviously he's just not had the mentality to really push on and establish himself.

At the moment I'd like to see Burke, Grealish and Carruthers ahead of JB in the pecking order for front 3 spots.

As cover for Gabby and Weimann's wide positions I think Callum Robinson should be ahead of Carruthers and Burke.  Carruthers should be eyeing up playing as the more attacking one of a midfield 3, I don't think he'll make it further forward but he's got a very good chance as an attacking midfielder.  Burke I'm not convinced by not big enough to play central and not sharp enough to play wider (both pace and movement).  He will probably do a good job as a 10 going forward but I'm not sure he'll get the opportunity with us.

[Lastfootstamper]

I wonder, sometimes, whether the Fonz's Villa future would've panned out differently if he'd buried the chances he had at Fulham in TSMs first game.

Wrong match I think, it was the previous season's match at Fulham when he missed a hatful, under Houllier, Bannan played a blinder, Albrighton scored a cracker , Hangeland scored a last minute equaliser and Fonz missed a hatful.

I was behind the bench Houllier was doing his nut at the Fonz for his generally running off the ball and positional sense , it was quite an eye opener

Fulham aways are generally a bit of a blur! I remember a league cup game when he was being constantly yelled at, too.
I seem to recall people who'd watched him through the ranks fair raving about his finishing, but without positional sense and knowing where and when to move off the ball, he'll never live up to his promise up front at top-division level

[Ron Manager]

Still think Dutch football would suit Barry Bannan to a tee.

[eamonn]

I think the ''what could have been moment" for Fonz was in January 2011 when we drew at Blose. He came on as a sub and swivelled and struck an absolute thunderbolt which had Ben Foster beaten but crashed down off the bar. It was a tight game and that likely would have been the winner. Could have been just the confidence-boost he needed.

O'Neill raved about him like no other youth prospect when he was here. He scored on his debut at 17 in the Europa Cup and had that flair about him on the ball that got you excited. A real pisser all-round that it's fizzled out the way it has for him with us.

[SoccerHQ]

I wonder, sometimes, whether the Fonz's Villa future would've panned out differently if he'd buried the chances he had at Fulham in TSMs first game.

Wrong match I think, it was the previous season's match at Fulham when he missed a hatful, under Houllier, Bannan played a blinder, Albrighton scored a cracker , Hangeland scored a last minute equaliser and Fonz missed a hatful.

The Fonz scored in the next game anyway against Blackpool. He was then dropped for the next game at home to Man. United where Gabby had a stormer and ran their back 4 ragged for 70 minutes. Fonz came on and we barely crossed the halfway line cue the inevitable comeback.

10/11 should've really been his breakthrough season especially as we had a ridiculous number of striker injuries in the first half but he couldn't quite grasp the opportunity and we then signed Bent.

[SoccerHQ]

I wonder if Lambert sees Bowery as someone who can come on and hold the ball up in games. Maybe that's his long term plan for him because I can't see many goals in him at all.

I think we'll just see him against the physical sides again, he did fine at Stoke and o.k against West Ham and at least is another big unit to bring back for set pieces.

[supertom]

I would also have Fonz ahead of Bowery at this point. That said, I think we're fine without either going into the new season. Fonz should be sold, Bowery loaned out. I think JB would benefit from playing in the championship. The one thing that worries me about Bowery is that you never ever fancy him to score. No matter the game, whether pre-season or what. When Fonzy first broke through his goals to minutes ratio was actually quite good. He looked quite lively and looked like he could finish, but obviously he's just not had the mentality to really push on and establish himself.

At the moment I'd like to see Burke, Grealish and Carruthers ahead of JB in the pecking order for front 3 spots.

As cover for Gabby and Weimann's wide positions I think Callum Robinson should be ahead of Carruthers and Burke.  Carruthers should be eyeing up playing as the more attacking one of a midfield 3, I don't think he'll make it further forward but he's got a very good chance as an attacking midfielder.  Burke I'm not convinced by not big enough to play central and not sharp enough to play wider (both pace and movement).  He will probably do a good job as a 10 going forward but I'm not sure he'll get the opportunity with us.

On tonights showing. I agree. Robinson looked very good. He and Grealish look a bit special. Johnson too looks a lot livelier and industrious in mid than KEA. KEA slows everything down too much. His passes just trickle along the ground and not always with the accuracy you'd expect either. He can't tackle worth shite either.

[Dave]

Delfouneso has signed for Blackpool on a permanent one year deal.

They now have twelve players.

[SoccerHQ]

He must have been on loan there at least three times in the last few years.

Can't see him scoring that many in their inevitable relegation season tbh. On the downside one less relegation spot for SHA to worry about.

[Matt C]

The catch this time is that he's going to play in goal.

[eamonn]

Delfouneso has signed for Blackpool on a permanent one year deal.

Doesn't sound that permanent to me (whistley emoticon)

[Gregorys Boy]

Good luck to Fonz he will need it at Blackpool

Thought he was a decent sub for us and had promise, but over the years his chances have just tried up.  I think there is talent there, but right now the Championship is the right level for him.

Bannan isn't bad, but wouldn't have him in the Villa team right now.  He needs to settle at a club for awhile instead of floating about.

[old man villa fan]

I wish Delfouneso all the best and hope the permanent deal (although it is only 1 year) gives him the confidence to play to his potential.  He has the talent but seems to lack self belief.