Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[paul_e]

Pulis would jump at the chance to manage a team with Kozak and Benteke up front.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

As a small note of critique on Gabby, the element that has frustrated me the most across his whole career has been his reluctance/ability to make a run in between the full back and centre backs (or between the centre backs) and go through one on one. With his pace it should be a much more regular ocurrence. In his younger days, when perhaps his pace was a touch more 'electric' he might accidentally find himself in that position, but still not enough.

In recent years he hardly ever going through one on one, being much happier receiving ball with his back to goal and having a wrestle with the defender. He simply doesn't make the right runs, preferring to act the big man and knock the defenders around. Of course, this delights the defenders, as they would be petrified if he tried to run in behind them. Michael Owen went through on goal pretty much every game I ever saw him play. He loved using his pace to make those runs, with no interest in getting tangled up with the defenders.

Caveats, he DOES run the channels quite well, providing a useful outlet, and we do lack a midfielder who can play those defence splitting passes, but again, Gabby simply doesn't make the relevant runs through the middle.

He has other strengths and weaknesses, but I just wanted to pick up on this point. He could add a number of goals to his game if he could ever develop this skill, as, despite age and laziness he still has some proper gas.

Agreed JP.

This is what he did against Norwich a few seasons ago and scored two cracking goals...and against Arse away last season - they just couldn't handle his pace and route to goal...but he seems to do it so rarely these days.
I've often said that Gabby reamins our most dnagerous forward because defenders just can't deal with his pace and direction. It just seems to be him that doesn't know it and therefore doesn't do it - enough!

He's still an asset but needs to work on his strengths even more rather than try to be an out and out No 9 which is what he seems to think is his best position.

[Clark W Griswold]

Pulis would jump at the chance to manage a team with Kozak and Benteke up front.

No pun intended....:-)

He'd probably get better results than Lamberts been getting, but the hoof mentality might not sit right with the football purists in the crowd!

[Damo70]

The kid at Small Heath who has asked for a transfer and has been linked to Cardiff (and us apparently, but I have only read that on here). Lee Clark says if he leaves it should only be for a Premier League club.

[Damo70]

Pulis would jump at the chance to manage a team with Kozak and Benteke up front.

No pun intended....:-)

He'd probably get better results than Lamberts been getting, but the hoof mentality might not sit right with the football purists in the crowd!

I am not sure I would describe the last three seasons as 'liquid football'.

[villabear]

So Tony Moon has gone. I know he didn't work out (like a lot of Lamberts signings) but I will always remember his goal first game last season. Pissing off the Arsenal fans outside after the game singing 'that' song over and over again was especially satisfying. Mind you the season went downhill from there. Peaked early methinks.

[pauliewalnuts]

Pulis would jump at the chance to manage a team with Kozak and Benteke up front.

No pun intended....:-)

He'd probably get better results than Lamberts been getting, but the hoof mentality might not sit right with the football purists in the crowd!

I am not sure I would describe the last three seasons as 'liquid football'.

Unless comparing it to the sort of liquid which squirts from the arse when suffering diaorrhea.

[PeterWithesShin]

Seconded. The last-minute winner at Norwich two years ago was vital.

If he scored more often it wouldn't be a vital goal on the odd occasion he does score.

[PeterWithesShin]

Should have read the next page before commenting as others have said the same.

[mal]

Now that David Villa has moved to New York, I don't even have the fleeting glimmer of excitement when I see the word 'Villa' in the transfer news pages. 

As has Lampard who is now turning out for Man City for six months apparently.  Cheeky little loan bid to get Villa up to speed?

He's already doing that in Melbourne.

I should have checked but couldn't resist the puns.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Seriously though, the manager worries me more than the squad, a good manager would get enough out of what we have to make us comfortable. Not that I'm particularly happy that's the most we can hope for btw.

Absolutely. 90% of managers have to work with what they've got, most can't just go out there and buy success, they have to develop a system that suits the players available. After two years of Lambert I still struggle every week to see what he's trying to do.

Can you imagine the opposition scouting report on the Villa.. "Tactics? Erm.. They have a good keeper, are weak at the back, midfield only athletic and attack disjointed and disheartened to continuous hoofing. Occasionally threaten to do something on 85 minutes when 4-1 down. Most of their possession is across the back line. Recommendation: Give them the ball as they'll give it back allowing us attack at will".

[Clampy]

So Tony Moon has gone. I know he didn't work out (like a lot of Lamberts signings) but I will always remember his goal first game last season. Pissing off the Arsenal fans outside after the game singing 'that' song over and over again was especially satisfying. Mind you the season went downhill from there. Peaked early methinks.

I don't think he got enough of a chance, although i didn't see him training every day.

[ciggiesnbeer]

So Tony Moon has gone. I know he didn't work out (like a lot of Lamberts signings) but I will always remember his goal first game last season. Pissing off the Arsenal fans outside after the game singing 'that' song over and over again was especially satisfying. Mind you the season went downhill from there. Peaked early methinks.

That was a great day. I loved his expression. Arsenal fans were the biggest set of whiney losers last season.

[Jockey Randall]

So Tony Moon has gone. I know he didn't work out (like a lot of Lamberts signings) but I will always remember his goal first game last season. Pissing off the Arsenal fans outside after the game singing 'that' song over and over again was especially satisfying. Mind you the season went downhill from there. Peaked early methinks.

I don't think he got enough of a chance, although i didn't see him training every day.

Maybe he didn't but that match against Ben Arfa at our place last season was horrendous viewing. I don't think he ever recovered.

[Clampy]

So Tony Moon has gone. I know he didn't work out (like a lot of Lamberts signings) but I will always remember his goal first game last season. Pissing off the Arsenal fans outside after the game singing 'that' song over and over again was especially satisfying. Mind you the season went downhill from there. Peaked early methinks.

That was a great day. I loved his expression. Arsenal fans were the biggest set of whiney losers last season.

I remember that one bloke who was filmed outside the ground having a right old whinge. It was amazing, they'd only lost one game.