Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[N'ZMAV]

We do really need a better striker than Agbonlahor for the opening game.

[paulcomben]

We do really need a better striker than Agbonlahor for the opening game.

Meaning that he will be just fine for the other 37, or...

[N'ZMAV]

We do really need a better striker than Agbonlahor for the opening game.

Meaning that he will be just fine for the other 37, or...

Gabby probably won't have another good 37 games for the rest of his career.

[brontebilly]

New predictions for the opening match line up?

Guzan-Bacuna, Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, TBC-Westwood, Delph, Cole-Weimann, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Steer, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Grealish, TBC, Robinson.

Injured: Benteke, Kozak. Not selected: Given, Nzogbia, Hutton, Carruthers, Gardner, Bent.

Sold or on loan: Helenius, Herd, Bennett, Luna, Sylla.

That is an appalling first team squad.

Im assuming Nzogbia will be fit by August and an option as a starter. Would prefer him over Joe Cole. Kozak broke his leg in Jan so I'm expecting he will be back fit also in time for next season.

As others have said, can see Okore starting the season at right back.

You are missing the amazing Alexander Tonev from that list.

[ozzjim]

Anyone think he could still go for Lescott and play him left back? Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, Lescott as a back 4.

[Chris Jameson]

We do really need a better striker than Agbonlahor for the opening game.

Michael Owen has practically begged Villa to sign him tonight on Twitter.

[Tuscans]

Anyone think he could still go for Lescott and play him left back? Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, Lescott as a back 4.

There's a punchline in there somewhere.

[paulcomben]

New predictions for the opening match line up?

Guzan-Bacuna, Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, TBC-Westwood, Delph, Cole-Weimann, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Steer, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Grealish, TBC, Robinson.

Injured: Benteke, Kozak. Not selected: Given, Nzogbia, Hutton, Carruthers, Gardner, Bent.

Sold or on loan: Helenius, Herd, Bennett, Luna, Sylla.

That is an appalling first team squad.

Im assuming Nzogbia will be fit by August and an option as a starter. Would prefer him over Joe Cole. Kozak broke his leg in Jan so I'm expecting he will be back fit also in time for next season.

As others have said, can see Okore starting the season at right back.

You are missing the amazing Alexander Tonev from that list.

I did include Tonev, but the text missed the page.

[pauliewalnuts]

New predictions for the opening match line up?

Guzan-Bacuna, Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, TBC-Westwood, Delph, Cole-Weimann, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Steer, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Grealish, TBC, Robinson.

Injured: Benteke, Kozak. Not selected: Given, Nzogbia, Hutton, Carruthers, Gardner, Bent.

Sold or on loan: Helenius, Herd, Bennett, Luna, Sylla.

That is an appalling first team squad.

I agree, nothing like strong enough, unless the TBCs are significantly better than the players they are replacing.

[Clark W Griswold]

I don't think it's that bad really, with everyone fit. I think if we signed a very good defensive midfielder (which we still definately need) and ideally a better left back, the squad as a whole would be comfortably Premier League standard, with a bit of luck into mid table.

[ozzjim]

Agreed Clark. And spearheaded by Bendtner what can go wrong.

[aj2k77]

I'm willing to bet Hutton, Bent and Nzogbia will be included in match squads next season, two out of the 3 at least.

[RussellC]

The lack of goals in that team is terrifying!! There won't be many weaker starting XIs than that on the opening day, if any.

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't think it's that bad really, with everyone fit. I think if we signed a very good defensive midfielder (which we still definately need) and ideally a better left back, the squad as a whole would be comfortably Premier League standard, with a bit of luck into mid table.

The thing is, we won't have everyone fit during the season, nobody does.

We need three or four players who are better than those we have. At least. Adding more third choices and largely ignoring the starting spots is the mistake we made last summer.

[ozzjim]

Sadly though, if playing 3-5-2 Senderos will be a first choice, as will Cole.

We need a left back, holding midfielder that are first choice, and a striker that will be better than Gabby and Weimann. Sadly that all has to be done with freebies it would seem. Barry, Bentdner and Riise is is.