Aly Cissokho - sold

[KevinGage]

Happy with this.  Bennett isn't a complete travesty of a player, he has some quality on the ball but gets pushed off it far too easily. 

Luna is a bit shit, it has to be said. 

Pre season friendlies aren't always the best barometer, but he was getting pulled out of position against the mighty Shamrock Rovers last summer.

Bertrand was personally responsible for a number of goals we conceded last year too.  After a bright start, In a poor team, he somehow managed to look poorer than most of the other duds.

He might have his faults (and, lets be honest, if he'd been outstanding for Liverpool last year, he'd have better options than us) but I don't think with the strength and size of Cissokho he'll be getting pushed off the ball that easily.  By all accounts he's better defensively than going forward, so teams will need to be a bit more imaginative when attacking us now.  It has been far to easy to exploit our left hand side for the past three seasons.

[ChicagoLion]

I am pretty sure he played Defensive Midfield some games

[Pete3206]

I think Luna got a raw deal after some poor performances. Bertrand didn't look any better to me. No idea on Cissokho, although a cursory glance at RAWK reveals that 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' fans were not too impressed with his contribution last season.

[Malandro]

I am pretty sure he played Defensive Midfield some games

Mmm didn't know that, perhaps Lambert has that in mind with Richardson lb. He's got all the requirements for a good DM.

[ciggiesnbeer]

One other positive that is worth repeating. He is a bloody big strong lad. With Aly, Hutton, Senderos and Vlaar we have a back line that is actually full of big hulking nasty characters who have all learnt an unpleasant trick or two over the years. Occasionally swap in (or add one for a back 5) a fast younger lad and you have something that starts to feel rather intimidating. Thats not bad, not bad at all.

[gabbythelegend]

Especially with Okore instead of Senderos in there - he's not exactly a shrinking violet from what I've seen.

[Steve67]

One other positive that is worth repeating. He is a bloody big strong lad. With Aly, Hutton, Senderos and Vlaar we have a back line that is actually full of big hulking nasty characters who have all learnt an unpleasant trick or two over the years. Occasionally swap in (or add one for a back 5) a fast younger lad and you have something that starts to feel rather intimidating. Thats not bad, not bad at all.

I agree with you that strength is a major factor for defenders. I do also think though that they have to do the basics right first and foremost. I hope they are being coached better these days and that we will only use Baker in an emergency. Okore can be eased in over the season and might be the best of the lot in time. I don't think we need to sign any more defenders this window, that's for sure!

[old man villa fan]

Gary Neville gave a very good description of what a fullback needs.  Basically he said that in addition to being able to defend he has to have the energy to get up and down the touchline to give support to the other players.  He does not have to be brilliant at beating players but needs to make the runs to pull opposition players out of the centre.

[Gregorys Boy]

One thing for me is that if Cissokho is the man to take us forward in that position (in Lamberts eyes) then we need to give him a run of games and stop messing about with the lineup.  Bennett I don't think is good enough right now, and seems a long way off being good enough, so we might as well give Cissokho a go.  While the defence is still trying to gel the protection from midfield could be key.

[dave.woodhall]

I think Luna got a raw deal after some poor performances. Bertrand didn't look any better to me. No idea on Cissokho, although a cursory glance at RAWK reveals that 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' fans were not too impressed with his contribution last season.

Liverpool supporters are never impressed with anyone who isn't King Kenny, Souness or Billy Liddell.

[paul_e]

I think Luna got a raw deal after some poor performances. Bertrand didn't look any better to me. No idea on Cissokho, although a cursory glance at RAWK reveals that 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' fans were not too impressed with his contribution last season.

I struggle to care about the opinions of people who think being banned for racial abuse or biting is unfair.

[KevinGage]

The other thing about most of these signings is that they have all played for decent sized clubs before. 

We probably don't realise it, but Villa Park can be a hard place to adapt to for a younger player trying to make his way.  Big ground, big pitch and many of the other trappings of a big club. 

Too many of them have looked just outright nervous at VP in recent years, be that some of our own young players coming through or the likes of Westwood, Bennett and Lowton from smaller clubs. 

Senderos, Richardson, Cole and Cissokho shouldn't have that issue, at least. 

I'd still prefer it if we were targeting younger players who view the club as a step up and who want to make their name with us, but the balance has been skewed over the past two seasons. And the young players we sign need to be good enough to make the transition in the first place, which has also been an issue in recent years. 

[Damo70]

The other thing about most of these signings is that they have all played for decent sized clubs before. 

We probably don't realise it, but Villa Park can be a hard place to adapt to for a younger player trying to make his way.  Big ground, big pitch and many of the other trappings of a big club. 

Too many of them have looked just outright nervous at VP in recent years, be that some of our own young players coming through or the likes of Westwood, Bennett and Lowton from smaller clubs. 

Senderos, Richardson, Cole and Cissokho shouldn't have that issue, at least. 

I'd still prefer it if we were targeting younger players who view the club as a step up and who want to make their name with us, but the balance has been skewed over the past two seasons. And the young players we sign need to be good enough to make the transition in the first place, which has also been an issue in recent years.

Excellent point. I am sure Joe Cole will take a Villa Park debut in his stride far better than Westwood for example. We might all have different opinions on the merits of our signings but they have the experience we have been crying out for.

[silhillvilla]

With 2 solid full backs we could be a decent proposition. I think it was the 70s early 80s last time we had 2 great full backs

[tomd2103]

One other positive that is worth repeating. He is a bloody big strong lad. With Aly, Hutton, Senderos and Vlaar we have a back line that is actually full of big hulking nasty characters who have all learnt an unpleasant trick or two over the years. Occasionally swap in (or add one for a back 5) a fast younger lad and you have something that starts to feel rather intimidating. Thats not bad, not bad at all.

I agree with you that strength is a major factor for defenders. I do also think though that they have to do the basics right first and foremost. I hope they are being coached better these days and that we will only use Baker in an emergency. Okore can be eased in over the season and might be the best of the lot in time. I don't think we need to sign any more defenders this window, that's for sure!

I think pace is a major requirement in the modern game, especially at full-back.  Part of the problem with Lowton, Bennett and Luna is that if they are beaten, caught out of position or make a mistake, they don't have the pace to recover.  Same applies to Baker and Clark in the centre.