Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[Clampy]

If we're lacking anything now, i think it's someone else with pace going forward. There's only really Gabby and and there was no-one on the bench on Saturday who could have come on and caused a tiring defence problems. Zaha is an interesting one, he's obviously got talent and might be worth having a look at.

[RussellC]

If we're lacking anything now, i think it's someone else with pace going forward. There's only really Gabby and and there was no-one on the bench on Saturday who could have come on and caused a tiring defence problems. Zaha is an interesting one, he's obviously got talent and might be worth having a look at.

There are a few options for that type of player around at the moment. Another is Oussama Assaidi who was on loan at Stoke from Liverpool last season, and got 4 goals in 19 games. Stoke have apparently been baulking at the asking price, but now that they'v got Moses,  he may be available for another loan elsewhere?

[Holte L2]

If we're lacking anything now, i think it's someone else with pace going forward. There's only really Gabby and and there was no-one on the bench on Saturday who could have come on and caused a tiring defence problems. Zaha is an interesting one, he's obviously got talent and might be worth having a look at.

There are a few options for that type of player around at the moment. Another is Oussama Assaidi who was on loan at Stoke from Liverpool last season, and got 4 goals in 19 games. Stoke have apparently been baulking at the asking price, but now that they'v got Moses,  he may be available for another loan elsewhere?

I've seen that Assaidi a few times, and he looks very erratic, and sloppy in possession. He reminds me of Fabio Rochemback who played for Middlesbrough

[UK Redsox]

If we're lacking anything now, i think it's someone else with pace going forward. There's only really Gabby and and there was no-one on the bench on Saturday who could have come on and caused a tiring defence problems. Zaha is an interesting one, he's obviously got talent and might be worth having a look at.

Yes there was, and he did. Jack Grealish.

I'd like to see him given chances before bringing in a Zaha or Chadli. If Jack can't hack it then address the situation in January.

In any case, once Tekkers and/or Kozak are back, Gabby can take the role of impact sub.

[ozzjim]

I disagree. Gabby is a poor imitation of Gabby from 2 seasons back, and Grealish can't be our only bench option. I think a pacey wide/ forward and another midfield player to allow KEA to leave early would be ideal.

[Clampy]

If we're lacking anything now, i think it's someone else with pace going forward. There's only really Gabby and and there was no-one on the bench on Saturday who could have come on and caused a tiring defence problems. Zaha is an interesting one, he's obviously got talent and might be worth having a look at.

Yes there was, and he did. Jack Grealish.

I'd like to see him given chances before bringing in a Zaha or Chadli. If Jack can't hack it then address the situation in January.

In any case, once Tekkers and/or Kozak are back, Gabby can take the role of impact sub.

I meant someone with Gabby type pace, who could maybe come on and play a similar role to what Sterling did yesterday for Liverpool. That said, i wouldn't like to see Grealish held back too much. Gabby being an impact sub is a good idea as well.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's important Grelish gets games this year.  We either need to play him a fair amount or send him on loan.
I realise we could do with his ability this year but long term he/we may be served better by him playing 30 odd games again like last season.  A stop -gap loan of our own, like gnarby, may allow this to happen if we can afford it.

[papa lazarou]

I think that our next step would be to address the question of possession and ball retention. Hopefully Sanchez will have an influence on this but we have regularly seen huge deficits in percentage of possession. This was evident again on Saturday, even though Stoke were never going to hurt us on the day, but if we had improved this we could have won more convincingly. Currently our forwards are not "hold-up" forwards which doesn't help.

[paul_e]

If we're to play a 433, then the current frontline options are Gabby, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Cole, Kozak and Benteke.  So, in our era of financial prudence, will we take on another big wage to go into that pool?  And if a loan like Gnarby, I'd much rather we give Grealish a chance. 

The issue there is that only nzogbia is naturally suited to the wider role, Gabby and Weimann can do a job in those roles but we really could do with some else who is comfortable out wide and capable of going outside and crossing or cutting in and shooting.

[tomd2103]

Dembele or Holtby are the two players I'd most like to see arrive at VP.

I think Chadli would be also a good addition and probably more realistic than either of those 2. He wasn't even on the bench on Saturday and (I'd imagine) be on lower wages than the other 2.

Haven't those two been at Fulham in recent seasons?  I know it was another London team, but surely we'd be in with a chance of at least loaning them. 

[Des Little]

Didn't Lambert hint at 2 players possibly coming in?

[tomd2103]

If we're lacking anything now, i think it's someone else with pace going forward. There's only really Gabby and and there was no-one on the bench on Saturday who could have come on and caused a tiring defence problems. Zaha is an interesting one, he's obviously got talent and might be worth having a look at.

Not sure about him really.  Hardly set the world alight at Cardiff last season and is reported to have a questionable attitude.  I'm not sure that's what we really need at the moment to be honest.   

[tomd2103]

If we're to play a 433, then the current frontline options are Gabby, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Cole, Kozak and Benteke.  So, in our era of financial prudence, will we take on another big wage to go into that pool?  And if a loan like Gnarby, I'd much rather we give Grealish a chance. 

The issue there is that only nzogbia is naturally suited to the wider role, Gabby and Weimann can do a job in those roles but we really could do with some else who is comfortable out wide and capable of going outside and crossing or cutting in and shooting.

Richardson could maybe do a job out wide, though someone on Radio WM was saying on the commentary on Saturday that he prefers to play in the middle.

[RussellC]

Didn't Lambert hint at 2 players possibly coming in?

He did;

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-lambert-thanks-aston-villa-7630184

[paul_e]

If we're to play a 433, then the current frontline options are Gabby, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Cole, Kozak and Benteke.  So, in our era of financial prudence, will we take on another big wage to go into that pool?  And if a loan like Gnarby, I'd much rather we give Grealish a chance. 

The issue there is that only nzogbia is naturally suited to the wider role, Gabby and Weimann can do a job in those roles but we really could do with some else who is comfortable out wide and capable of going outside and crossing or cutting in and shooting.

Richardson could maybe do a job out wide, though someone on Radio WM was saying on the commentary on Saturday that he prefers to play in the middle.

This is the thing though, we've got people 'doing a job' out there already.  In a solid 433 a big part of your creativity needs to come from the wide forwards and that just isn't happening for us because all of our wide players aren't particularly well suited to the role they're needing to play (even nzogbia who is far too willing to go 'all or nothing' every time he gets the ball). Grealish made a big impression on Saturday because he's got the technique and brains to play that role properly, and I think he'll get plenty of game time to show what he can do, but I'd really like another option as well, preferably some one with explosive pace who can get behind teams.