Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[mrastonvilla]

It looks like we will play 3 at the back for some of the games this season. Having tried Herd and Westwood out as part of the defence in preseason lets hope that we are looking at Batth from wolves because neither have been particularly convincing in this position rather than as a Vlaar replacement.

[Matt Collins]

My take is that herd is there to fill a position and allow is to try 352. He'll have five centre backs ahead of him in the pecking order.

[edgysatsuma89]

My take is that herd is there to fill a position and allow is to try 352. He'll have five centre backs ahead of him in the pecking order.

That's how i see it. Vlaar replacement HAS to be proven if he goes, not this wolves lad. They can have Baker if they want swapsies.

[olaftab]

There will be 8/9 defenders listed in the 25. I assume those are Hutton, Baker, Clark, Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, Donacien, Bennett and Stevens. I hope Herd is not in the 25. Richardson will be in midfield list but  I guess players don't have to listed by position  only  by 25 names?

[dave shelley]

For those who are worrying over bringing in central defenders with no top league experience, without giving it too much thought, we signed both Chris Nicholl and Leighton Phillips both of whom had never played top flight football.  They learnt on the job with us and IIRC neither made too many mistakes.  I will add though, that both of these players moved into decent sides we had at the time.

[olaftab]

Ahaa Leighton Phillips one of my favourites. Elegant footballing class  oozed from that man.

[Gregorys Boy]

For those who are worrying over bringing in central defenders with no top league experience, without giving it too much thought, we signed both Chris Nicholl and Leighton Phillips both of whom had never played top flight football.  They learnt on the job with us and IIRC neither made too many mistakes.  I will add though, that both of these players moved into decent sides we had at the time.

Well I do have hope for Clark, out of him and Baker he looks more like the one who could become a really solid player, he just needs time.  So then it just depends on if we can keep Okore fit, if he turns out to be a good buy, and if he and Vlaar can strike up an understanding, if so then we may not need to buy in that area.  Notice I managed not to mention that Vlaar might leave, OPPS...

[dave shelley]

Ahaa Leighton Phillips one of my favourites. Elegant footballing class  oozed from that man.

Do you remember a home match against Spurs where, I think it was Terry Naylor fouled Phillips in midfield ending up with Naylor on the floor with Phillips standing over him?  What happened next was Phillips looked up to see where the ref was, saw he wasn't looking then grabbed Naylor by the shirt front lifting him up from the ground then nutting him!  Brilliant, as he ran back towards the Holte to rapturous cheers.

[Ron Manager]

Ahaa Leighton Phillips one of my favourites. Elegant footballing class  oozed from that man.

Wonderful cultured player. Class of the highest order.

[dave shelley]

Ahaa Leighton Phillips one of my favourites. Elegant footballing class  oozed from that man.

Wonderful cultured player. Class of the highest order.

I once saw Phillips gather the ball on his own goal line after it beat the keeper, and as he was being closed down by two opponents; instead of just booting it away ASAP, he did a drag back with the sole of his boot and come away with the ball leaving two players in his wake.  He then played the ball out of defence to...yes you've got it, one of his own players.  As you say, he oozed class.

[dave.woodhall]

For those who are worrying over bringing in central defenders with no top league experience, without giving it too much thought, we signed both Chris Nicholl and Leighton Phillips both of whom had never played top flight football.  They learnt on the job with us and IIRC neither made too many mistakes.  I will add though, that both of these players moved into decent sides we had at the time.

They moved into third/second division sides respectively and had time to improve their game as our team improved.

[bobdylan]

As it stands, we have 5 centre backs. We're not going to have 5 centre backs listed in a 25 man squad so who's going to drop out ?. With Lambert's seemingly bizarre faith in Baker last season i'm starting to think if Vlaar does go we'll plough on with the other four and not replace him

#shudder

I'm sure you're right, Herd and Lowton can both play there and Donacien has just signed a new contract.  Senderos was Vlaar's replacement before he left, bit like Sidwell was Barry's and Kozak Benteke's.  Remember in Lambo's 1st season he ran with just Baker, Clark and Herd with Vlaar out injured and last year just Vlaar, Baker and Clark with Herd and Okore unavailable, so to have four fit front line centre halves in Senderos, Okore, Clark and Baker plus Lowton, Herd and Donacien, I think he'll prioritise signings elsewhere.

[Dave]

There will be 8/9 defenders listed in the 25. I assume those are Hutton, Baker, Clark, Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, Donacien, Bennett and Stevens.

Donacien won't be listed in the 25 will he?

[RussellC]

There will be 8/9 defenders listed in the 25. I assume those are Hutton, Baker, Clark, Okore, Vlaar, Senderos, Donacien, Bennett and Stevens.

Donacien won't be listed in the 25 will he?

Isn't he under 21 and therefore not required to be listed...?

[pooligan]

I well remember that incident when Phillips nutted Naylor,it happened just in front of where i was sitting .I was told at the time by one of the reserve team players i use to chat to that Phillips was probably the hardest man at the club and nobody messed with him