Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[Villa in Denmark]

We're in danger of being like the redscouse over Benteke if we think Austin isn't god enough for us.

There's a difference between thinking he's not good enough for us and thinking he's not a good fit for us.

Personally I'm in the second group.  I think it would be like re-booting the Darren Bent conundrum - either you have the entire team built around him to get anything like the best return or you're wasting a shirt.

We've been bitching about one dimensional football since the latter end of Gregory's days, pretty much without a break apart from some brief exceptions.
Nailing us into one pattern of play, just as we've seen some semblance of fluidity for the first time in over a decade seems a bit foolish to me.

[ozzjim]

I saw Austin about 5 times last season which is nowhere near enough to judge the player but he looked streets ahead of Bent as a player and took on a shot very early whenever he could. I would like him in but the local media seen adamant he is not in our thoughts.

[warleyboy]

I really think Kozak could be a shining star this season, and looking at the way we may set up, I feel 1 striker is all we will be using with Gil, Grealish, playing off the front man.
I would bring in Adebayor on a 12 month contract and bring in Bamford on loan for the season.
I would spend any serious money available on a quality midfielder and Centre Back.

[Toronto Villa]

I saw Austin about 5 times last season which is nowhere near enough to judge the player but he looked streets ahead of Bent as a player and took on a shot very early whenever he could. I would like him in but the local media seen adamant he is not in our thoughts.

If the local media don't think he's going to be signing then it's nailed on he'll be signing!

I like him, and I think he's good for a solid 15-20 goals a year in all competitions.

[Des Little]

Austin Villa. There's your headline for Thursday morning chaps

[Dante Lavelli]

yeh maybe but I think there is creativity in our side. I think of how Gil and Grealish will mature, Sinclair, and also now Amavi. To your point I think we'll buy a couple more too I imagine, maybe not of that value but good players. And also QPR found ways to get the ball to him so I think we'd be ok.

from the goals I saw him score for QPR, the play generally bypassed the equivalent of our creative players and were largely a consequence of knock downs and instinctive whacks.  I'm not convinced.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

We're in danger of being like the redscouse over Benteke if we think Austin isn't god enough for us.

I didn't say Austin wasn't good enough for us.
But imho he has done well being part (at least half) of a striking partnership...the idea that most on here have floated re Austin is that he has scored x number of goals in the Prem and will automatically do the same with us.
I don't think it's as simple as that.
We will need to completely change the way we play (nothing wrong with that - much needed perhaps).
 
Bent will score goals given the service, but we didn't.

[ozzjim]

15 instinctive whacks a season and I am all good!

[Toronto Villa]

15 instinctive whacks a season and I am all good!

yeh me too. I wish Gabby could score 10 goals from whacks and knock downs, let alone 15!

[silhillvilla]

Im not sure what Austin was valued at last week (£10m ?) but now qpr know we have the Benteke money (or first instalment) , the price has just gone up.

[Dante Lavelli]

I honestly picked this at random, but in the 20 goals only 5 (if I counted correctly) involved more than one touch.

Their might be more to his game but I don't ever recall him working the channels  or linking play.  It is unfair to compare him to Benteke but he did all of the above AND scored goals.  I'd prefer that we aim high and fail than play it "safe" (=15m quid).  In fact I'd be inclined to throw the dice with what we have with Gabby and Kozak ahead of Austin (assuming the money is still spent somewhere else).

[silhillvilla]

Austin gets the ball into the net. That's all that matters . We need him or a similar goal scorer .

[john e]

I would agree with all the negative stuff about Adebayor it wasn't for one thing,
 Sherwood knows him
He's worked with him, seen what his attitude is in training, knows if he's lazy on or of the pitch, seen how he is around other team mates, knows all the bits and pieces we will never know.

So I just think if Sherwood thinks he's worth bringing in then maybe it's not the worst thing in the world

[dave.woodhall]

Im not sure what Austin was valued at last week (£10m ?) but now qpr know we have the Benteke money (or first instalment) , the price has just gone up.

If only we hadn't told anyone we were selling him. 

[paul_e]

Austin is a finisher who is alive in the box but doesn't do much outside of it. I'm not saying there's anything particularly wrong with that, it's just not, in my opinion, what we need, I think Kozak can fill that role for us and I don't really see the sense in spending £15m on another poacher in case the one we have doesn't recover from his injury.  I'm not saying I certain Kozak will be fine I'm just saying we can't really afford to replace him without seeing if we need to. I'd much rather we concentrate on bringing in someone with the potential to be better than both and then we avoid putting too many expensive barriers between that guy and the first 11. If we could sell Gabby I'd be more tempted to do the whole 1 experienced and 1 prospect thing that people are calling for but otherwise Gabby and Kozak have got to be our experienced options for the season.