Summer 2016: Transfer rumours and suggestions

[Matt Collins]

McCormack is a 20 a season man. Although that probably includes penalties

But he has never been a number 9 as far as I know. And that's the player we need, and have needed since benteke left

If McCormack was more match fit and in form, I think we might have polished off teams of late. But we'd still need that out ball into the channels

[robbo1874]

let's hope our indifferent start to the season doesn't hinder us too much between now and Wednesday night

im not too bothered about the indifferent start. In a way, it just gives RDM and Clark ammo to keep the pressure on Tone. And whilst I've had a snowball's chance in hell of seeing any of our games now that I have no Foxtel, and much less, even reading a newspaper match report; from what I've gathered reading on here, we've been murdering teams, but without getting the goals so far.

Few more signings and we'll come good I reckon. Might be too late to 'piss this league', but if we're not top six by Jan and looking to kick on from there, then the questions will be rightly asked of the management team. Much as everybody says of the premiership being a race, as opposed to a sprint; it's even more so over 46 games.

Even if we miss out this season, you'd have to fancy us to finish top 2 next season. I'd prefer we went straight back up, but if it takes 2 seasons, so be it.

[robbo1874]

McCormack is a 20 a season man. Although that probably includes penalties

But he has never been a number 9 as far as I know. And that's the player we need, and have needed since benteke left

If McCormack was more match fit and in form, I think we might have polished off teams of late. But we'd still need that out ball into the channels

its funny how people talk about 'number 9s' and 'number 10s' these days. When I think in those terms, I just automatically think of Withe and Sid. No other Villa players from the past get a look in, in those positions as far as I'm concerned.

[robbo1874]

And what the fk is a 'false 9' anyway?

[Matt Collins]

Think messi when he plays up front. The most forward facing player but doesn't play up against the centre backs - drops off to pick it up deeper instead

[robbo1874]

so Messi has had a new position named after himself? Fair enough, he deserves it I suppose.

[MalcolmP]

so Messi has had a new position named after himself? Fair enough, he deserves it I suppose.

All this talk about numbers and positions is too Messi for me - bring back the match day numbers 1-11  and do away with squad numbers. 
Squad numbers are only to make more money on  shirt sales anyway!

[Dave]

so Messi has had a new position named after himself? Fair enough, he deserves it I suppose.

The tactic predates Messi by a long way.

The concept is basically that with a typical number nine you're aiming your pass at that player in the penalty area.

With a false nine you're aiming that pass into the empty space that is there because the player has dragged someone else out of position and another of your players can use the space created.

[Eckybloke]

Squad numbers are only to make more money on  shirt sales anyway!

Which mostly goes to the manufacturer anyway.

[robbo1874]

Or in our case, the ball goes straight through to the keeper? Right, I think I've got it now 😄

[frank]

so Messi has had a new position named after himself? Fair enough, he deserves it I suppose.

The tactic predates Messi by a long way.

e.g. Don Revie for Man City in the 1950's

[Chris Jameson]

They should give the goalkeeper the number 9 shirt and make them the 'false 9', give the number 1 to a central defender and they can be the 'false goalkeeper' etc.

[ChicagoLion]

A false number 9 is an upside down 6.

[mr underhill]

A few reports suggesting the guy from Borough has passed the medical and agreed terms

[ozzjim]

Good. We need width and pace, and no matter how up and down he is, he looks like he can be a real pain to the opposition.