Libor Kozák (confirmed post #190)

[bobdylan]

If we have Ł7 mill for another forward I assume we must have plenty for an attacking mid when the right one comes along.

[Lambert and Payne]

Has he signed yet?

[TheSandman]

A couple of reports say that he's a versatile attacking player, so I wonder if his record is as much a product of being played on the wing rather than just being a bit like Heskey? It also suggests to me that he provides an option to rotate in for any of our attacking three rather than just Benteke.

[eastie]

@MatKendrick: Only a matter of time before Libor Kozak is unveiled as an #avfc player, I think. Just finalising the finer details at the Heath of Bodymoor

[RussellC]

There's a been a question mark over how the majority of our signings would adapt to the Premiership, so far this summer.  Tonev from the Polish league, Helenius and Okore from Denmark and Bacuna from Holland. Now we’re on the brink of signing a full International form Lazio. Aside from his bitty league record, he was the top-scorer in last season’s Europa League (including a hat-trick against Stuttgart). Gven Lambert’s recruitment history thus far, I’m actually quite excited about this one.

[Monty]

It's not a bitty record, it's an average-to-poor record. Look, I'm glad it's Lambert and not me doing the transfers because he clearly knows what he's doing, but I think this is a misstep. We already have a tendency to lump the ball aerially - we don't need any more encouragement.

[TheSandman]

Have you seen him play?

[PaulWinch again]

It's not a bitty record, it's an average-to-poor record. Look, I'm glad it's Lambert and not me doing the transfers because he clearly knows what he's doing, but I think this is a misstep. We already have a tendency to lump the ball aerially - we don't need any more encouragement.

If he doesn't play as an out and out centre forward it's not that bad.

[Monty]

Yes, I watch a depressing and life-wasting amount of Serie A. However, I haven't seen him play all that much because frankly he doesn't play all that much. He's not terrible, decent first touch and able in the air and all that - it's just that he's another bit-part big striker who lumbers on when the game's being chased and is perennially uninspiring. The odd good game, but I think Lazio will be delighted with Ł7m (and I hate it when Lazio are delighted with anything).

[rob_bridge]

It's not a bitty record, it's an average-to-poor record. Look, I'm glad it's Lambert and not me doing the transfers because he clearly knows what he's doing, but I think this is a misstep. We already have a tendency to lump the ball aerially - we don't need any more encouragement.

Give Lambert a chance on this Monty - after many years / multiple managers he finally got Gabby into his best position.

His record on front players is pretty smart

[LeeB]

Yes, I watch a depressing and life-wasting amount of Serie A. However, I haven't seen him play all that much because frankly he doesn't play all that much. He's not terrible, decent first touch and able in the air and all that - it's just that he's another bit-part big striker who lumbers on when the game's being chased and is perennially uninspiring. The odd good game, but I think Lazio will be delighted with Ł7m (and I hate it when Lazio are delighted with anything).

That description has a familiar tone, I don't think it's far off what Belgian Villa was saying about Benteke this time last year.

[TheSandman]

Yes, I watch a depressing and life-wasting amount of Serie A. However, I haven't seen him play all that much because frankly he doesn't play all that much. He's not terrible, decent first touch and able in the air and all that - it's just that he's another bit-part big striker who lumbers on when the game's being chased and is perennially uninspiring. The odd good game, but I think Lazio will be delighted with Ł7m (and I hate it when Lazio are delighted with anything).

Thanks for that. Now I'm a bit more dubious about him. What's his pace like?

[Monty]

It's not a bitty record, it's an average-to-poor record. Look, I'm glad it's Lambert and not me doing the transfers because he clearly knows what he's doing, but I think this is a misstep. We already have a tendency to lump the ball aerially - we don't need any more encouragement.

Give Lambert a chance on this Monty - after many years / multiple managers he finally got Gabby into his best position.

His record on front players is pretty smart

He does have a good record but he also has a tendancy to overrate size. It paid off with Benteke and with resurrecting the career of Grant Holt, but it looks less clever with Steve Morison and Jordan Bowery.

We'll see on Kozak, but my first instinct is that we don't really need another big man centre forward. Also, he's not a full international - got called up for the Czech squad but didn't actually play. Of course, I hope I'm wrong and he's a genius, but we'll see.

Thanks for that. Now I'm a bit more dubious about him. What's his pace like?

It isn't, particularly. Not bad when into his stride but takes him a while to get there, very slow acceleration. Bit like Carew.

That description has a familiar tone, I don't think it's far off what Belgian Villa was saying about Benteke this time last year.

Well here's hoping, but Benteke was two years younger and already a goalscoring full international for a much better national side.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I think Paul Lambert realised we need another big striker upfront to help Benteke to Bully two central defenders easier. I mean Liverpool mark Benteke out and he become ineffective as he can't bully Toure. Plus it might help us to improve aerial strength for set pieces and knock down ball for Benteke to pouch.  Don't know much about the Kozak
 

[ozzjim]

We shall see. I am uninspired purely on the view position wise it seems an odd signing. Lambert has a great record and is a bargain hunter so he must have something.