Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[Ads]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

[RussellC]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

You're kidding, I presume?

[paul_e]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

You're kidding, I presume?

Who has a better set of forwards than Benteke, Kozak, Weimann, Bent and Gabby? (if you dismiss the side challenging for the CL places)

[Clampy]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

You're kidding, I presume?

No, he's probably right.

[LeeB]

I would like to believe that we don't see ourselves as cronies or a gang or a closed shop or whatever term you want to pick. I would like to think that we are a bunch of people who support Villa who are totally different characters who will inevitably have differences of opinion. Occasionally it gets a bit heated and occasionally some of us let ourselves down. But generally it is in good spirit and arguments fizzle out or get solved and often apologies are given. You appear to have an agenda, you appear to want conflict. I can only presume that is the only reason you are on here because you don't appear to like many any of us any much.

Why not chill out and have some fun with us on the off topic, timewasters or Small Heath the gift that gives on giving thread?

speak for yourself, I'm in a big gang on here, its a proper clique to be fair

I be rollin' wit John's crew, we're the Newport Pagnall Services Posse

[dave.woodhall]

I'm still in Percys gang.

[supertom]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

You're kidding, I presume?

Who has a better set of forwards than Benteke, Kozak, Weimann, Bent and Gabby? (if you dismiss the side challenging for the CL places)

Undoubtedly. Benteke is the key man. We're talking about a very classy player on his day and no one else in the bottom half currently has anyone as good up front. Swansea have Bony who's decent (but not a patch on Tekkers) but he looks set to move to a bigger club.

Bent could hit double figures given enough game time and decent service. I think Ze Germans proved that the out and out poacher might not be entirely obsolete now. They still found ample room for Klose who's 6-7 years older than Bent.

Kozak can finish a chance. He's got a lot of similarities with Klose.

Weimann, playing through the middle will score goals. He looked like he'd shed some weight last night too. If he's worked very hard on his fitness, isn't worked into the ground like last season, he could do well.

One more creative midfield option and we've got the front men to put the chances away.

[FranzBiberkopf]

Benteke - 10-15 (depending on how much he plays)
Kozak - 10
Gabby - 5
Weimann - 5-10 (depending on his position)
Bent - 5-10 (depending on how much he plays)

I admire the optimism.

Two forwards coming back from long-term injuries to get 20-25 goals between them? Really?

[Clampy]

Benteke - 10-15 (depending on how much he plays)
Kozak - 10
Gabby - 5
Weimann - 5-10 (depending on his position)
Bent - 5-10 (depending on how much he plays)

I admire the optimism.

Two forwards coming back from long-term injuries to get 20-25 goals between them? Really?

It's what they're capable of, which is probably what he meant.

[RussellC]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

You're kidding, I presume?

Who has a better set of forwards than Benteke, Kozak, Weimann, Bent and Gabby? (if you dismiss the side challenging for the CL places)

Just to check, are we completely ignore the fact that the first 2 won't even be in training when the season kicks off for the purpose of this debate?

[supertom]

Benteke - 10-15 (depending on how much he plays)
Kozak - 10
Gabby - 5
Weimann - 5-10 (depending on his position)
Bent - 5-10 (depending on how much he plays)

I admire the optimism.

Two forwards coming back from long-term injuries to get 20-25 goals between them? Really?

I think it'll depend very much on service. Service is the key. In particular if you look at Kozak, Bent and Weimann, at their best they're about movement in the box, finding space and generally they'll put the chances away.

Benteke we all know can make something out of nothing.

Of course much depends on how quickly Tekkers and Kozak can recover from horrific injuries. At least for Kozak he's never had any pace to rely on.
Whether Benteke loses a yard or two remains to be seen. Though he has so many other attributes in his locker too.

[supertom]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

You're kidding, I presume?

Who has a better set of forwards than Benteke, Kozak, Weimann, Bent and Gabby? (if you dismiss the side challenging for the CL places)

Just to check, are we completely ignore the fact that the first 2 won't even be in training when the season kicks off for the purpose of this debate?

Yes because it's a long season and apparently we'll have both back by september. We can't really account for form or anything like that, but on paper, I think we've got a good set of forwards. If we sort our midfield out (finally), we'll score more goals.
It may take a month or two for Kozak and Bent to get up to speed, but they'll still have over half a season to have an impact.

In any case I'm quite satisfied with our striking options for the coming season. I don't think there's any need to be blowing any of our budget on someone like Bendtner for example.

[Gregorys Boy]

Benteke - 10-15 (depending on how much he plays)
Kozak - 10
Gabby - 5
Weimann - 5-10 (depending on his position)
Bent - 5-10 (depending on how much he plays)

I admire the optimism.

Two forwards coming back from long-term injuries to get 20-25 goals between them? Really?

I think it'll depend very much on service. Service is the key. In particular if you look at Kozak, Bent and Weimann, at their best they're about movement in the box, finding space and generally they'll put the chances away.

Benteke we all know can make something out of nothing.

Of course much depends on how quickly Tekkers and Kozak can recover from horrific injuries. At least for Kozak he's never had any pace to rely on.
Whether Benteke loses a yard or two remains to be seen. Though he has so many other attributes in his locker too.

Pretty much this.  Attack is our strongest department, sadly we have a suspect injury record there, are still trying to get the right balance, and have a avenge midfield, and poor supply line.

[Clampy]

We have significantly better forward options than anybody else in the bottom half.

You're kidding, I presume?

Who has a better set of forwards than Benteke, Kozak, Weimann, Bent and Gabby? (if you dismiss the side challenging for the CL places)

Just to check, are we completely ignore the fact that the first 2 won't even be in training when the season kicks off for the purpose of this debate?

That's not the point he was making. He said that we probably have better forwards than anyone in the bottom half of the division and we probably do. The fact that they're injured doesn't make that claim any less true.

[RussellC]

I guess it depends on how you look at it. One way is to ask, would you rather start the season with Wiemann, Agbonlahor and Bent upfront, or with Crouch, Odemwingie and Walters. I know which trio I'd rather go with.

The thing is - in my honest opinion - unless Benteke is one of the 3 front players, it's a pretty blunt attack. Gabby and Wiemann certainly look lost without him and, as we all know, Bent is a completely different player. Gabby, Bent and Wiemann are all capable of scoring goals individually, but as a trio the lack of creativity between them is frightening. When you factor in that we don't have a lot of creativity in the midfield (and virtually none from out wide) I'd say that, as per last year, we'll struggle to score as many goals as the likes of Swansea, Stoke, Newcastle and Hull again.