Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[paul_e]

If you want to shield the back 4/3, then keeping the ball is a good way of doing that. Having an ability to push the game on with it too, is also pretty useful.

Exactly, i had this discussion yesterday with someone who is insistent that our problems are that we're shit out wide, as I pointed out, with our shape where we expect the width to come from the full backs if you keep the ball for 3 passes before punting it long again your fullbacks are never going to be in position to offer that unless they just sprint up field as soon as we get the ball, which will clearly leave big gaps. We need to start holding on to the ball in the middle and moving the opposition around.  Last year we panicked and went back as soon as we were challenged which led to the long ball punts.

Add to that the lack of support for the fullbacks in defence and it's easy to think out wide is the main problem when it really isn't.

[brian green]

You have it precisely Paul.  Our two biggest faults last season were ball retention and bad passing. Improve those and we will start to win games again.

[RussellC]

If you want to shield the back 4/3, then keeping the ball is a good way of doing that. Having an ability to push the game on with it too, is also pretty useful.

Exactly, i had this discussion yesterday with someone who is insistent that our problems are that we're shit out wide, as I pointed out, with our shape where we expect the width to come from the full backs if you keep the ball for 3 passes before punting it long again your fullbacks are never going to be in position to offer that unless they just sprint up field as soon as we get the ball, which will clearly leave big gaps. We need to start holding on to the ball in the middle and moving the opposition around.  Last year we panicked and went back as soon as we were challenged which led to the long ball punts.

Add to that the lack of support for the fullbacks in defence and it's easy to think out wide is the main problem when it really isn't.

Spot on, and if we are to play a 3-5-2 more regularly next season (as some have suggested) ball retention will become even more important, otherwise you're asking a hell of a lot of your two wing-backs.

[villasjf]

Sylla has completed his medical with the Turkish club.

[mr underhill]

the guy showed some real form intermittently in his first season and very little, if at all, last time, so there might be a player in there somewhere. I hope it works out for him.

[RussellC]

It's a very strange loan move for Sylla isn't it? How we will anyone be able to gage how well he's done, given that it's very much an unknown league?

I would have thought a loan move to a Championship Club or back to Ligue 1 would have made much more sense. I think we've probably seen the last of him in a Villa shirt.

[RussellC]

It's a very strange loan move for Sylla isn't it? How will anyone be able to gage how well he's done, given that it's very much an unknown league?

I would have thought a loan move to a Championship Club or back to Ligue 1 would have made much more sense. I think we've probably seen the last of him in a Villa shirt.

[Dr Butler]

It's the East Anglia effect Dr B. Always looking for cheap.

still alot cheaper than Hitzlesperger

[kippaxvilla2]

Or alternatively we have bitten the hand off the first and only bidder for him.

[Steve67]

Or alternatively we have bitten the hand off the first and only bidder for him.

That's a fair comment. Equally, we can watch from a distance to see if he picks up his game or not. I would have liked him to go to a championship club though, so he's closer to home and in the shop window.

[KevinGage]

Hi Gents, not sure if this sheds any more light on the Ki deal, but just been chatting to a mate who is a Swans ST holder and any deal is apparently all dependent on the permanent signing of de Guzman from Villareal.

Apparently the Swans are looking to finish their business this week, and de Guzman is more or less done at £8m.

A word of warning though, apparently Ki hits the ground running and starts amazingly, but fades quickly, very much depends on his mood and attitude whether or not he fancies turning up.

Not an ITK by any means, just sharing what I'd heard from the Swans side of the speculation.

That would be a concern.

Reading up on him earlier, he also had tendinitis in the knee for several months of last season and had to manage that injury.  He eventually missed the last month of the season. 

Maybe that is why Slumberland didn't push for a permanent deal? 

In our situation though, we can't turn our noses up at quality.

Hopefully  that break before the World Cup and directly after has given his knee ample opportunity to heal, and playing for a club as majestic as the Villa means he won't coast.

[MyDadIsBiggerThanYourDad]

No doubt we will be signing Claude Makelele to play the `Claude Makelele Role.`

Just awaiting clearance on his pension now.

Apparently we have beaten off all challengers for his signature by virtue of the fact that there are no other suitors for his signature.

Can't wait for the official announcement on AVTV.

[mr underhill]

I don't think we have an exhumation licence, so bullet dodged

[Ads]

No doubt we will be signing Claude Makelele to play the `Claude Makele Role.`

Just awaiting clearance on his pension now.

Apparently we have beaten off all challengers for his signature by virtue of the fact that there are no other suitors for his signature.

Can't wait for the official announcement on AVTV.

Okaaaaay.

[Matt Collins]

Would we be playing Ki and Westwood as to deep lying ball playing midfielders? Ki is supposed to be quite athletic isn't he? More than capable of pressing, but I think the fact he is a footballer first is what we need, which should compliment Westwood. Our inability to retain possession at times is very worrying.

If the above is the case, then it would be nice to see Delph with that little bit more licence to make forward runs and start receiving the ball that little bit higher up the pitch, rather than dropping in amongst our back four to collect and have forty yards to go before we hit the box.

I was wondering about this. Obviously it would mean having to play 4231 or 3412. And it would mean no n'zogbia or cole in that role.

I can't quite see it to be honest