Scott Marshall.

[tomd2103]

I can see Lowton leaving in the summer tbh for numerous reasons so I'd take someone like Russell Martin from Norwich especially if they go down as I imagine they won't be so petty and small time about selling to us then.

Someone who's experience in the prem, an international and can play CB or RB so ideal squad cover.

If we can't get Bertrand full time, I'd look at getting Neil Taylor in from Swansea. Can't get in there team, wouldn't cost a huge amount wages wise, good age and was linked with a 5m move the other day so realistic transfer fee.

Agree with both suggestions there. 

[SoccerHQ]

Isn't it good looking at the league table seeing we've conceded 38 goals then looking at the teams above us and seeing Southampton conceding 37 goals, Spurs 38, Man. United 34, Arsenal 34 and Liverpool 38.

So that's defences assembled for millions and millions while ours cost just over 5m and yet we're roughly on a par with them. So refreshing after last season.

Infact aside from Man. United we're facing some of the lowest scorers in the league in the next few weeks so it could be even better. Imagine at the end of season having something like the 5th or 6th best defence in the league?!

[N'ZMAV]

I guess Steve Bould at Arsenal has done similar things with the Gooners and it feels like another ex Arsenal defender is doing it at Villa too. We look a lot more organised and stubborn then last season and I think some of that might have something to do with Mr Marshall.

That made me laugh.

[villan from luton]

Baker has done great, but Okore will improve us even more IMHO. I think Bacuna will end up in midfield, but there is a problem with Lowton and such a shame as he has potential and I am sure he will regret it in the long term.

[SoccerHQ]

Isn't it good looking at the league table seeing we've conceded 38 goals then looking at the teams above us and seeing Southampton conceding 37 goals, Spurs 38, Man. United 34, Arsenal 34 and Liverpool 38.

So that's defences assembled for millions and millions while ours cost just over 5m and yet we're roughly on a par with them. So refreshing after last season.

Infact aside from Man. United we're facing some of the lowest scorers in the league in the next few weeks so it could be even better. Imagine at the end of season having something like the 5th or 6th best defence in the league?!

That was a good jinx post wasn't it, jeez!

[caster troy]

Must have had this week off....

[Mister E]

All four of the back four yesterday were awful. All made significant individual errors. Stoke obviously targeted Bacuna and I really don't get why Lambert has to continue playing the lad out of positoion and eschewing the benefits of a specialist right back in the form of Lowton.

[supertom]

Must have had this week off....

To be honest I felt we lacked effort yesterday. I think the players really didn't show up, aside from Delph, Benteke and more so Albrighton. All that concentration and organisation we showed against Chelsea just flew out the window. It was as much as anything, very nonchalant. I don't think we gave Stoke the respect they deserve as a footballing side. If we'd played Chelsea only 3-4 days ago, I could have understood a bit of mental and physical exhaustion, but we've had a week off.

[Clampy]

All four of the back four yesterday were awful. All made significant individual errors. Stoke obviously targeted Bacuna and I really don't get why Lambert has to continue playing the lad out of positoion and eschewing the benefits of a specialist right back in the form of Lowton.

That said, in fairness he had a decent game against a good attacking Chelsea side. He just had an off day yesterday like the other 10..

[eastie]

The problem is there are far too many off days.

[ktvillan]

To be honest the defence were all over the  place for much of the game against Norwich as well.  Fortunately their finishing was as awful as their defending, or they could easily have had four as well.