Joleon Lescott - GONE

[john e]

I reckon Evans will do a Brown/O'Shea. Look quite shit as soon as he is away from the better players of Man Utd. I don't see him as a long term CB for us.

O'Shay and Brown are right up there with Titus Bramble , they have got to be the worst in the league, Evans isn't as bad as that

[Toronto Villa]

He'll come in with the ability to start when needed, the ability to act as a solid alternative for Clark as required, and very importantly with a mountain of experience and professionalism. He'll be the consummate pro and be a really important positive influence in the dressing room. He isn't the player he once was but he won't let us down when asked to do a job.

Sherwood wanted a winning mentality at the club and he is slowly but surely mixing in that with new players who don't stench of the old and comfortable despair and losing mindset. This is a zero risk signing. We've made a good number of other promising now for the future signings so I don't get why anyone would see their blood pressure go up over this one. An experienced player with a couple of good years left. But each to their own.

[Matt C]

Based on our recent record with centre half injuries five should just about be enough.

[Dave]

I reckon Evans will do a Brown/O'Shea. Look quite shit as soon as he is away from the better players of Man Utd. I don't see him as a long term CB for us.

O'Shay and Brown are right up there with Titus Bramble , they have got to be the worst in the league, Evans isn't as bad as that

Yet they were both perfectly fine as squad players at Man Utd when surrounded by better. Just like Evans has been.

[kippaxvilla2]

I can't see what can possibly be wrong with this signing.  Put it another way.  How much would you pay for three centre halves of the quality of Clark, Richards and Lescott at today's prices if they were all attached to clubs with time on their contracts?  These three we will have picked up for a combined £2.5m in transfer fees not bad I don't think.

[Toronto Villa]

I can't see what can possibly be wrong with this signing.  Put it another way.  How much would you pay for three centre halves of the quality of Clark, Richards and Lescott at today's prices if they were all attached to clubs with time on their contracts?  These three we will have picked up for a combined £2.5m in transfer fees not bad I don't think.

Throw in Okore and Senderos for another £4m, so that's yer lot for about £6.5m

[passitsideways]

I had a quick scoot over to RedCafe to read their threads about Evans back when we were linked and they basically say that in Fergie's final two seasons, he was often the first-choice CB whenever healthy and he looked the part in his own right, and plenty thought he would be a long-term option for them. So I think it's a confidence rather than an ability thing with him.

Don't think I would've paid 6 million for him though.

[Clark W Griswold]

I think if he comes he'll be first choice for this season at least. Clark is still not quite there yet, although he's not too bad to fall back on if Lescott doesn't cut the mustard (which i very much doubt). Albion fans telling me he's far classier than any other defenders they have or have had in recent years. We have the pace with Richards, Lescott will give ud the steady head. Quality siging and my only complaint is that he hasn't cone sooner.
Johnny Evans for four times as much. Fuck that. I'd sooner Lescott for 12-18 months and then put Clark back in.

[Duncan Shaw]

Don't see a down side to this at all.  We need experience now and he fits the bill.

[aj2k77]

Johnny Evans is pish, he looks Ok in a side that spends most of the time attacking and dominating possession, in the exact same way people used to rave on about Brown, O'Shea etc, they're protected in very good teams. The guy will struggle at West Brom, we've seen it all before.

Very good deal for Man Utd, good money for another average player in his final year.

Lescott, even now, he's the better player.

[Damo70]

I have never rated Johnny Evans. Nor O'Shea although he has been a better player over his career than Evans. Brown could have been a great player if it wasn't for his injury problems. United let him go at the right time I think. I don't think Evans or O'Shea can be talked about in the same class as Brown or Lescott. If we were pinning all our hopes on Lescott at this stage in his career I would be worried but as a defensive option I would be glad to sign him.

[KRS]

You really can't go wrong for £2m. I can't see him being first choice but Lescott will provide some much needed experience in this team, and will provide cover across the back four...surely a better option than the likes of Baker and Senderos.

[Damo70]

You really can't go wrong for £2m. I can't see him being first choice but Lescott will provide some much needed experience in this team, and will provide cover across the back four...surely a better option than the likes of Baker and Senderos.

In Lescott's case I totally agree. But after Lambert's signings I'm not sure we should use the phrase 'you can't go wrong for £2m.'

[JPartington]

Very pleased with this. He can fight Clark for the LCB spot and provide general cover. Having him on board will provide assurance and some tactical nous, and it also means Baker will probably play 3-4 league games as cover (hopefully less) as opposed to 10-15.

If you were Amavi, who would you prefer to play inside you, Lescott or Baker?

[olaftab]

If I were Amavi I would be quite chuffed that I play left back for Aston Villa.