Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[Monty]

Strikers thrive on decent service - give Austin the right service, he scores! Simple really isn't it? Austin is a proven goalscorer in the PL. You can pay big bucks for a highly rated foreign player and he doesn't cut it in the PL.

The right service appears to be launching it all game from one box to the other and, eventually, he'll score one from a knock-down.

How players score goals is very important. It would be as strange for Swansea, for instance, to buy Kevin Nolan and expect him to keep scoring goals with their style of play. If you think Austin would be a good signing, you have to a) believe that we should change the whole style which, under Sherwood, kept us in the league to accommodate him (a style which got his former employers very expensively relegated), or b) explain what you've seen to make you think Austin would fit in with our style as it exists, which I haven't seen. Just saying 'he scores goals' is a bit like saying 'he wins headers' - what would he do with us? That's what matters.

[Salsa Party Animal]

If we are buying two strikers for our team, should we look for already made partnership so we can hit the ground running quicker. It doesn't have to be club team partners as it could be national team as well.

[PaulWinch again]

Personally I don't mind either way on Austin, but I suspect the link in the press and people putting money on him joining Villa are simply basing it on the fact we're on the look out for a striker.

[Lastfootstamper]

Having just watched a montage of some of Austin's goals from last season, I will say he's nothing special. In fact, he reminds me of someone already at the club, ability-wise. However, unlike said person, Austin's brain appears to have an "on" switch.

[Karl Bridges]

Bamford is going to Palace apparently.

[chrisw1]

explain what you've seen to make you think Austin would fit in with our style as it exists, which I haven't seen. Just saying 'he scores goals' is a bit like saying 'he wins headers' - what would he do with us? That's what matters.

I've seen him kick the ball with his foot and it go into the net.  Lots and lots of times.  This is something that seemed beyond any of our players last season other than Benteke.

Being slightly less flippant, I think he would thrive on the sort of through balls I would expect the likes of Gil, Grealish & Sinclair to deliver.

[warleyboy]

Bamford is going to Palace apparently.

That's a shame, was hoping TS would take a punt on him for season long loan.

[old man villa fan]

explain what you've seen to make you think Austin would fit in with our style as it exists, which I haven't seen. Just saying 'he scores goals' is a bit like saying 'he wins headers' - what would he do with us? That's what matters.

I've seen him kick the ball with his foot and it go into the net.  Lots and lots of times.  This is something that seemed beyond any of our players last season other than Benteke.

Being slightly less flippant, I think he would thrive on the sort of through balls I would expect the likes of Gil, Grealish & Sinclair to deliver.

Monty is right in commenting on fitting into a system. From what I have seen, Austin has played in a front 2 at QPR and before that at Burnley. Does Sherwood want to play that way or, alternatively, can Austin adapt. Prior to last season he has played all his football at a lower level.

The manager decides on the systems he wants to play and then buys players that fit in.  That's how it should work but there are some that buy 'name' available.

[RussellC]

On a different note, Cambiasso's still not signed a deal with Leicester and apparently Ranieri has issued an ultimatum to sign soon. Could be a great signing on a short-term deal for us.

[Ads]

Interesting to note that we are going to be playing 433.

We need anoher two central midfielders and two forwards to do that with success.

[SamTheMouse]

It's not that I think Austin is shit, he's clearly not. He's got a decent goalscoring record at every level he's played at. But for me he's just OK. I want Benteke's replacement to at least have the potential to go on and be as good as Benteke. Instead of paying 15 or 20 million for the known quantity that is Austin (known, that is, when playing as part of a two-man strike partnership), I'd much rather we put some faith in a couple of younger players who can really excite us and might just make us some money in the long run.

[curiousorange]

I'm torn at the moment between wanting a decent prospect or a proven striker like Austin. We'd pay a fair chunk of the Benteke money for Austin, but I think he'd do just fine at Villa and would be better than he's being painted by some. I also think he's less likely to get taken off us by the shithouses of the league - he's already got fifteen or so goals for a relegated club and none of them seem remotely interested.

That said, there's no room for improvement with Austin - what you see is what he's got, and I seem to recall he may have some long term underlying injury thing with his shoulder, which is worrying for someone we want to be our main striker.

However, as intriguing as it is to be linked to more great Belgians and suchlike, they all seem to be hovering around the same price bracket a deal for Austin is (maybe a few million less, but not a huge amount), so maybe it's a case of better the devil you know.

[RussellC]

Interesting to note that we are going to be playing 433.

We need anoher two central midfielders and two forwards to do that with success.

There were a few links to Tom Carroll on Twitter earlier. Has always looked a good prospect without ever really making an impact. Sherwood will know him well though, and it appears that he's available relatively cheaply.

[Ads]

Interesting to note that we are going to be playing 433.

We need anoher two central midfielders and two forwards to do that with success.

There were a few links to Tom Carroll on Twitter earlier. Has always looked a good prospect without ever really making an impact. Sherwood will know him well though, and it appears that he's available relatively cheaply.

I'm not sure he's any better than Westwood.

If we play a three, then it would likely be Sanchez/Westwood in the holding role, Gueye box to box, with Gil as number 10. That's not too bad, but I'd like to see us improve upon Sanchez/Westwood and add another box to box type for variety.

Wouldn't surprise me if we get Townsend in the end. Sinclair I like, as he will score goals, while Grealish will feature wide or as a second number 10, but I think he'd like another winger too.

[mr underhill]

we are now being linked in the French media with Alassane Plea from Nice. Another Benteke lookalike