Libor Kozák (confirmed post #190)

[ozzjim]

He is an interesting one. He almost makes you think 25 million for Benteke and 4 6-7 million signings into the side around Kozak might be the best way for the team to move forward. He can score goals with the supply.

Him and Gabby together in a 4-4-2 at home might work really well.

[paul_e]

I think this £5-7m thing is a bit of a red herring. Aren't there only two who have cost that much? Kozak and Benteke. Okore is next highest at £4m? So surely a bit of a small sample to draw conclusions from.

And I didn't call you Shirley.

When i suggested it I specifically said anyone we'd spent decent money on, I include Vlaar and over £3m and Okore at around £4m.  I don't think anyone else was over £2m from what I've read but it is tough to know for sure.  Those 4 are definitely the 4 biggest fees Lambert has paid and 3 have played really well and the other had a few games of looking genuinely world class before his injury.

After that I'm happy with Bacuna (for the free kicks), Westwood, Lowton and Steer as being part of the squad.  Luna, Bennett and Sylla could go either way, along with Tonev and Helenius who need time to settle so I'd give them all until the summer.  KEA and Bowery I'm decided on as not good enough and they're the 2 I'd be looking to replace in the window, with a genuine defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder.

[Tayls_7]

"Villa fans have always had a strange relationship with big tall targetman strikers...all started with the legend of Peter Withe.

Peter McParland? Tony Hately?

Leonard ? Dougan ? Pongo ?

My guess is that this happened many years ago.

Before we were born.

How long ago do you think these players played, and how old do you think 'we' are?

Well, Andy Gray came before Peter Withe.

The caveat was big tall target man. Gray was no height at all.

[paul_e]

but you applied it to Kozak who isn't a target man.  I've pointed this out enough times now that I'd hope people start paying attention to me soon.  The key,above all else, for a targetman is that they can play with their back to goal.  Kozak isn't good with his back to goal, turn him around and have things happening in front of him and he's sharp and alert, as well as being a decent finisher and good in the air.  To make the most of him we need to start putting the ball in front of him in the box, do it regularly and, in slight disagreement with SHQ, I think he can be a 15-20 a season man in the premier league.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep Kozak isn't a target man at all.

[dekko]

Just look at this suave bastard:

[Monty]

Kozak can be a target man, but it's useless thinking like that because the midfield pump it up long to him, and he wins it - with no support around him whatsoever.

[Matt Collins]

He's not the type to lump aimless balls to. But he's decent at playing with his back to goal and acting as a wall to play balls up to. I also think he seems to have good movement. Unfortunately we don't really have the midfielders to consistently pick him out

[brian green]

Our defence and midfield do not lump the ball forward to find a target man.   They would do it if we had Barry Bannan playing centre forward.   They do it because it is the safe, easy, lazy, soft option.   The long ball forward in the air is the stock in trade of players who either are not good enough or do not have the confidence to play the ball with precision and speed along the ground.

[Ads]

Just look at this suave bastard:

"No Mr Bond, I expect you to die!"

[eastie]

Just look at this suave bastard:

"No Mr Bond, I expect you to die!"

Next frame , mr Kozak to break.

[Mister E]

After that I'm happy with Bacuna (for the free kicks), Westwood, Lowton and Steer as being part of the squad.  Luna, Bennett and Sylla could go either way, along with Tonev and Helenius who need time to settle so I'd give them all until the summer.  KEA and Bowery I'm decided on as not good enough and they're the 2 I'd be looking to replace in the window, with a genuine defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder.

Agree with your view here about the incomers but I'd add that Baker is not good enough and needs replacing with a decent footballing CB (Clark is good enough but Baker ain't). We cannot rely on Brittle Ron and Okore remaining fit and available throughout a season.

[Mister E]

So, who's your next 'hit'?

[Ron Manager]

"Villa fans have always had a strange relationship with big tall targetman strikers...all started with the legend of Peter Withe.

Peter McParland? Tony Hately?

Leonard ? Dougan ? Pongo ?

My guess is that this happened many years ago.

Before we were born.

But not before I was born.

Peter McParland (the finest Villa player I have ever seen) was basically a left winger who could fill in from time to time as a centre forward
he was not a target man in any sense of the word.
Big Tony Hateley was a goalscoring machine in a very poor team.Probably in the top three of all time in the air but lower league standard on the floor.
Keith Leonard had excellent skills  for a big man but very little pace.A serious injury cut short a very promising career.
Doog was a big character (at all his clubs) but did very little at Villa Park. Came good at Leicester and then Wolves.
Pongo Waring was before even my time! His goalscoring record speaks volumes.

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Pongo was quick with his hands wasn't he?