Premier League - Aston Villa can't afford to be much worse this season

[oldhill_avfc]

Performances under Sherwood were around mid-table and arguably we've lost the three best players from that period. 

Sherwood didn't have many options and, in my opinion has executed the only strategy availble to him in terms of what he's brought in.  But (and it's a massive but), all of the new players are totally unproven.

For me, predicting how the season will pan out is impossible - anywhere from rock bottom to upper mid table seems possible. 

On that basis the article is fair and accurate.

[ozzjim]

3 points on the board. A point a game from here and we are safe.

[robbo1874]

Still think we need a centreback in. A big commanding centreback who dominates in the air. I know that's easier said than done, but I don't trust either Baker, Okore or Clark, and Richards is injury prone. Once we sign one I can relax a bit, but until then the defence still worries me.

Not either Okore? I thought he played really well last season and he is the one out them who I expect to step up.  The defence does not convince me at all though.

My worry about signing a CB is that any new player would block the progress of either Okore/Clark.  Furthermore, if the Stones figures are any sort of benchmark, we would have to spend north of £10m to get a player who is guaranteed to be better.  I think we're better off keeping the money and coaching the arse off the players.

On a slight tangent, I watched a documentary about Team Sky/Froome the other day, and to paraphrase one of the key points, 'they (Sky) discovered that overall the team is better off by spending $800k on a rider and $200k on coaching, rather than $1m on one rider.'  Thankfully Villa appear to be adopting a strategy more aligned to this than the 'bibs and 'cones' which we have suffered recently.

if we have the money and the right players are available, sure bring a couple more in and let a couple go. I trust Sherwood if he thinks he needs a couple more or is happy with what we've done already. The key thing for me is they look to have made good progress off the pitch with the appointments. Wilkins was a weird one to me at the time, but I now think he will be a positive addition. If you're still going down the route of young talented, yet largely unproven players (in the prem at least) then it is vital to have experience there to bring them along. They've already exceeded my expectations in the first match. Thought we'd draw and concede at least one, so good work Villa.

[Villa in Denmark]

3 points on the board. A point a game from here and we are safe.

Good morning Mr McLeish, how are you today? 😃