Jose Angel Crespo: CONFIRMED

[old man villa fan]

I'm probably one of the few here who rates Westwood.   He's not quite Barry or Petrov level controlling the game from deep but a few of our better performances under sherwood he was the one keeping things ticking over in midfield.  He might need good players around him but I think he does a good job.  What we need IMO is another midfielder with legs next to Gueye.
 

With the position that Westwood has been playing, there are defensive responsibilities which he is not capable of at PL level.  If he was a great distributor of the ball, you could afford to carry him but he is not.  I think he is better suited further forward but is still not up to 1st team level for a top ten side.  As a squad player, I would keep him.

[Matt Collins]

That's how I feel on westy too. Could do with someone who can regularly perform in a two man midfield

[passitsideways]

I'm probably one of the few here who rates Westwood.   He's not quite Barry or Petrov level controlling the game from deep but a few of our better performances under sherwood he was the one keeping things ticking over in midfield.  He might need good players around him but I think he does a good job.  What we need IMO is another midfielder with legs next to Gueye.

Agreed on all counts.

I think a lot of people here like Westwood in terms of his work rate and composure on the ball: it's more just a matter of realism about his level of quality given his relative lack of physical tools. As you say, he just doesn't quite have the controlling ability capable of making him a starter for most teams in spite of his physical limitations.

[Risso]

But, but, he's not French!

Non, merci.

Because we've signed loads of french players.

Well, one, to be precise.

Speaks French, comes from a French team = French according to my limited world view, especially when used to make a shit joke first thing in the morning.

[Ryu]

Seems like The Daily Star regard Crespo and Ayew as 'major signings'. I don't Im afraid,not at all. Both minor signings. Even at 35 I would regard Cambiasso as a major signing. Ayew could be a temperamental version of Collymore.or he may not and surprise some of us. Crespo
doesn't have a track record that suggests he will be a valuable addition to the ranks. As his transfer fee will reflect. A filler in.

Wan't Collymore a temperamental version of Collymore?

I don't agree that spending about £10m on an international forward who's more than likely going to be a regular starter as a minor signing, either.

And I wouldn't be getting too excited over signing a 35 year old who's best days are behind him in a position we have decent cover.

Ayew would be a major signing no doubt, may do well or may not as with signing most players, particularly from overseas. Crespo may turn out to be a very useful player and a bargain, or he might end up being shite. We'll see. I personally think Cambiasso would be excellent for us though.

Maybe he would, I'm not as convinced as some.  I think people might be remembering Leicester's crazy few weeks at the end of the season rather than the rubbish 7 or 8 months before that, though.

But we need a Delph replacement, as Cambiasso would just be playing where Westwood or Sanchez currently do, wouldn't he?

Probably be in the same position as those 2 yes, but i think we need a bit of added insurance of getting a consistently good player there. I think Westwood has had plenty of opportunity and only just cuts it at this level, Sanchez has had a slow start and I both think and hope he will pick up this season, but no guarantees. Cambiasso probably had that 'getting used to it' period but picked up before the end, Sanchez hasn't really yet. It's a pretty critical position as well.

I'm probably one of the few here who rates Westwood.   He's not quite Barry or Petrov level controlling the game from deep but a few of our better performances under sherwood he was the one keeping things ticking over in midfield.  He might need good players around him but I think he does a good job.  What we need IMO is another midfielder with legs next to Gueye.

I like Ashley Westwood, but I feel that he is limited to one role in the top flight, that being in front of the defence in a midfield three, with two energetic players either side of him.  He just hasn't got the athletic or physical attributes to be effective in any other role  at the top level.   

Which is why I think another all action type is what we need rather than an old, old pro.

[Ryu]

I'm probably one of the few here who rates Westwood.   He's not quite Barry or Petrov level controlling the game from deep but a few of our better performances under sherwood he was the one keeping things ticking over in midfield.  He might need good players around him but I think he does a good job.  What we need IMO is another midfielder with legs next to Gueye.

Agreed on all counts.

I think a lot of people here like Westwood in terms of his work rate and composure on the ball: it's more just a matter of realism about his level of quality given his relative lack of physical tools. As you say, he just doesn't quite have the controlling ability capable of making him a starter for most teams in spite of his physical limitations.

I get what you're saying but lacking physical attributes doesn't necessarily stop players performing certain roles. Most no villa watching football fans see Delph as a defensive midfielder even though he's a slip of wind.   I think it's an attitude thing. Maybe Westwood doesn't have that sort of attitude but we also have Sanchez who is a bit more imposing.

Bottom line Ive hated Cambiasso since they played us at Villa Park last season and I'm trying to justify not wanting him.

[Toronto Villa]

Westwood is like vanilla ice cream. Has value, somewhat versatile, can be used in multiple situations, but you're not serving it up as option to impress anyone.

[Chris Jameson]

Only ice cream I like is vanilla. Even then it has to be Häagen-Dazs. I don't eat much ice cream.

[ozzjim]

I would like to see Westwood given a more advanced role to see how he plays. He losses his man and switches off way to often as a holding player.

[Chris Smith]

Reminds me of the line we were taunted with at school; Aston Vanilla, easy to lick.

[Big Dick Edwards]

I know it is only YouTube but I saw a clip and he looks tall and quite quick over the ground and more importantly likes to stay on his feet.

UTV
The Doc

Sounds like Habib Beye...

[Clark W Griswold]

Yeah, just watched the YouTube clips, he's quick and I didn't see any evidence of him being particularly crap with the ball either. Plus he's experienced and can play a number of positions. Could surprise a few this one I reckon.

[Dr Butler]

I know it is only YouTube but I saw a clip and he looks tall and quite quick over the ground and more importantly likes to stay on his feet.

UTV
The Doc

Sounds like Habib Beye...

blimey Dick I'm 52 and played football for the first time in 5 years two weeks ago and I'm quicker than Habib Beye and I can play with both feet

PS: mind you my knees are still seriously effing killing me....

UTV
The Doc

[brian green]

I saw you playing on the green about a year ago you big fibber.

[LeeB]

Looks like we've taken advantage of an unusually low release clause.

Amazing that by putting in a management structure, we appear to be making smart decisions. Whoda thunk it?