Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[Villafirst]

A ruptured Achilles is worse than a broken leg; minimum 6 months to recover - in which case Benteke wont be ready until October/ November.

[Merv]

We need a centre forward while Benteke & Kozak recover - when they do, we actually have a pretty balanced and decent forward line. I would have thought a season-long loan (or even a six month loan) would have been ideal.

What perplexes me about our signings so far - and I appreciate Lambert has a seriously limited budget, by Premier League standards - is that we're now bringing in players who are, in almost every way, complete opposites to the new recruits of the last two years. Two years of young, unproven, totally new to either English football or the Prem Leg, and now this. Why can't we look at the middle ground? We've snapped up two (possibly three) guys just released by other PL clubs.

On Bendtner: I actually think he's a reasonably talented striker. But he's done barely anything for two or three years and his off-field exploits should be a concern.

[LeeB]

We need a centre forward while Benteke & Kozak recover - when they do, we actually have a pretty balanced and decent forward line. I would have thought a season-long loan (or even a six month loan) would have been ideal.

What perplexes me about our signings so far - and I appreciate Lambert has a seriously limited budget, by Premier League standards - is that we're now bringing in players who are, in almost every way, complete opposites to the new recruits of the last two years. Two years of young, unproven, totally new to either English football or the Prem Leg, and now this. Why can't we look at the middle ground? We've snapped up two (possibly three) guys just released by other PL clubs.

On Bendtner: I actually think he's a reasonably talented striker. But he's done barely anything for two or three years and his off-field exploits should be a concern.

I suspect the middle ground is also the most expensive ground.

[Merv]

To a point, obviously. We all know there's a level of player we can't recruit.

But you're not telling me there aren't players available, playing overseas, who are available either on frees, or season loans, who'd be happy at £20k a week? Today's scouting networks and systems, and we can't target those players?

[LeeB]

To a point, obviously. We all know there's a level of player we can't recruit.

But you're not telling me there aren't players available, playing overseas, who are available either on frees, or season loans, who'd be happy at £20k a week? Today's scouting networks and systems, and we can't target those players?

Evidence appears to suggest we can't, no.

[Merv]

Clearly we can't.

It feels very short term. But then, that's probably deliberate, of course, given the club's situation.

[supertom]

To a point, obviously. We all know there's a level of player we can't recruit.

But you're not telling me there aren't players available, playing overseas, who are available either on frees, or season loans, who'd be happy at £20k a week? Today's scouting networks and systems, and we can't target those players?

I think part of the problem is that Lamberts mindset now suggests there's an acknowledgement that his signings, mostly cheap foreign imports or lower league, have come up short on the whole. Whilst there might be plenty of potential free's in Europe to have. It seems his eyes are firmly set on what we'd probably call very MON-esque signings.
It's a shame we're not eyeing German, Italian and Spanish clubs release lists in some ways, but I suppose part of Lambo's thinking is he wants tried and tested in this division.
It's clear he's concentrating very much on the immediate now and long term signings are probably not on his agenda quite so much. Lets face it, he's walking on thin ice. A takeover likely means the end of his reign. I suspect his pride means he wants to finish on a high.

[supertom]

There has to be somebody better though?  Pains me to say it, but I'd rather us get somebody like Bobby Zamora.

Cant believe we're having these discussions.

Also Bobby is under contract (on something we couldn't hope to afford) and thus not in our budget.

Yep...that's right...we can't afford a 32 year old Bobby Zamora.

Is there a good freebies list out there somewhere?

[sirlordbaltimore]

We bought Kozak to cover Benteke (not sure how, totally different players and miles apart in terms of quality) and now we're buying Bendtner to cover the injured cover ?

So what happens when all 3 are fit ? How many strikers do we need ?

Might as well just sell Agbonlahor and Weimann and replace with one DECENT replacement to my mind. They've done NOTHING to warrant staying and could make way for someone far more useful i'm sure

[E I Adio]

As always, The Fiver has an interesting slant:

"And in what could be our favourite story of the day, Nicklas Bendtner is reportedly making his way from Instagram to Aston Villa. Him and Roy Keane together. What could possibly go wrong, eh?"

[Gregorys Boy]

Hope there is no truth that Kozak won't be back until December rumour.  And this talk of CNZ returning is very concerning.

[Small Rodent]

I think Weimann, when played through the middle offers a lot.

[pauliewalnuts]

And this talk of CNZ returning is very concerning.

Why?

He cost us £10m, and our squad is piss poor, the fact we've decided finally to let him play with the grown ups again can only be a positive thing.

[Ads]

Agreed. N'Zogbia lacks consitency and has his faults, but he is a good player capable of improving our side more often than not.

Kozak is in light training, so I doubt it will be another 5 months.

[RussellC]

I think Weimann, when played through the middle offers a lot.

I thought he was truly dreadful last season for the main part last season. Aside form is through ball to Luna on the opening day and his goals against Hull towards the end, he generally looked like he was out of his depth in the Premiership.

His movement is decent, but his touch, vision and decision making are all pretty poor and he'd need to play upfront in a 2, rather than a 3 to make any impact as a direct striker, in my opinion.