The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[glasses]

We'll get £5m for Vlaar when he goes so there's some more for the kitty...

I am as negative as the next man, but am I alone in thinking Ron has looked pretty much, well, "meh", in this tournament?

I've thought the same. He has looked better for having a bit of protection in front of him with the very strong De Jong

[Ger Regan]

From memory, N'Zogbia does not have the most impressive stats when it comes to creating chances for others. Even in his seasons with wigan, i seem to remember him having a very low amount of assists. Cole I'm willing to give a chance to as, in the right set-up, he could prove useful on that score.

[DrGonzo]

  It's more than possible Cole was surplus to requirements at West Ham because he likes to pass the ball on the floor...

[RussellC]

  It's more than possible Cole was surplus to requirements at West Ham because he likes to pass the ball on the floor...

In which case joining a team who were proven to play more long balls than West Ham last season makes even less sense.

[Dave]

From memory, N'Zogbia does not have the most impressive stats when it comes to creating chances for others. Even in his seasons with wigan, i seem to remember him having a very low amount of assists

How much of that though was Hugo Rodallega and Franco di Santo shanking chances all over the place? If it were Benteke (or even Darren Bent) in that Wigan team then the figure might look quite a bit higher.

It's always difficult to judge 'assists', for that reason.

[Ger Regan]

From memory, N'Zogbia does not have the most impressive stats when it comes to creating chances for others. Even in his seasons with wigan, i seem to remember him having a very low amount of assists

How much of that though was Hugo Rodallega and Franco di Santo shanking chances all over the place? If it were Benteke (or even Darren Bent) in that Wigan team then the figure might look quite a bit higher.

It's always difficult to judge 'assists', for that reason.

Fair point, and you may well be correct, but I can't shake the feeling that he's more of a selfish player than a creative type. That said, if he plays like he did in his last couple of seasons for wigan I won't complain too much.

[RussellC]

The worry with N'Zogbia is that he's literally not played football for a year and doesn't strike me as the sort of guy who'd be diligent enough to keep himself in tiptop condition during his break.

We're also just assuming that the bomb-squad members are going to be willing to come back and put in a shift for a manger who essentially has stunted all of their careers, regardless of the reasons. I'm sorry for the negativity, but this season has "clusterfuck" written all over it to me. I was actually lying in bed last night wondering if I'd rather us sign Bendtner or Samaras next.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think there are decent arguments pro and anti N'Zogbia as a player but if it is considered that the likes of Senderos and Cole will strengthen our squad, then I can't see how N'Zogbia wouldn't fit that description as well.

[Dave Cooper please]

It's seems to be acceptable to 'keep our heads above water' now....is that all the ambition the club is now showing?

Nobody is saying that at all, Chris was just countering the numerous "We are fucked" and "I think we're doomed this season" comments with the assertion that we survived last season (with games to spare in the end) and are arguably stronger this season so should have enough to survive again.
Of course it isn't good enough for Aston Villa, but we are where we are, some of us haven't given up just yet! The World Cup hasn't finished, the only transfers going ahead at the moment are the mega-deals to the big clubs for players we were never going to be in for anyway.
 It'll be okay, I promise!

[silhillvilla]

I like nzogbia , I think he's an exciting player with the ability to do something brilliant out of nothing now and again. My main issue with him is he does a lot of running down dead end cul de sacs and has the peripheral vision of a blinkered horse with dark sunglasses on. He needs to get his head up and look about when he's on the ball.

[RussellC]

the only transfers going ahead at the moment are the mega-deals to the big clubs for players we were never going to be in for anyway.

But that's not true, and is kind of the point that some us are making. The likes of Hull, West Brom and Sunderland are all snapping-up players that would have strengthened us whilst we've brought in 2 players who would have been widely ridiculed had they signed for one of our rivals.

Believe me, I'm usually in the positivity club at this time of year, but facts is facts and there's nothing going on at the club at present which does anything other than fill me with dread.

[Dr Butler]

  It's more than possible Cole was surplus to requirements at West Ham because he likes to pass the ball on the floor...

I believe he moved as he had a sore neck from watching the ball sail over his head up to Andy Carroll....let's hope the Villa dispense with that "tactic" this season..

[Dave Cooper please]

the only transfers going ahead at the moment are the mega-deals to the big clubs for players we were never going to be in for anyway.

But that's not true, and is kind of the point that some us are making. The likes of Hull, West Brom and Sunderland are all snapping-up players that would have strengthened us whilst we've brought in 2 players who would have been widely ridiculed had they signed for one of our rivals.

Are they? I know Stripeyfilth got Lescott (who might be good but has hardly played for ages), who else has been snapped up that we might have got?
 

[silhillvilla]

Craig Gardner ?

[Dave Cooper please]

Craig Gardner ?

Nah, you're alright.