Summer transfer madness thread

[SoccerHQ]

For a spell Ridgewell was massively out of his depth in the premier league (2005). Went through a run where he conceded a penalty 4 or 5 games running.

[Tayls_7]

Steve Bruce has 'moved to reassure fans that Alan Hutton isn't going anywhere,'  apparently.

That is a relief.

If true,that's a distressingly out of touch as making Richards captain in pre-season friendlies.

[ozzjim]

Said it in the match thread but we are a couple of players away now IMO from top 2. Defence is solid, as is the midfield. We have to find a role for Hourihane over Lansbury, the latter being a pretty boy who does very little for me. But crucially I think we are a goal-scoring creative wide player and a target man away from being certain automatic. At the moment I think we will get in the playoffs through sheer bloody minded result grinding boredom, but with a target man and a a quality wide player I think we would win a lot of games comfortably. Crouch and Snodgrass would be my top choices if we could get anywhere near them, but there must be other options too. Green is very talented but will need times out of the side, Grealish is quality but not consistently and likewise Adomah is very in and out. Snodgrass has had a failed move to West Ham but was excellent before that for Hull and Bruce knows him well. Crouch would be the best target man in the division at his age and could play alongside any of our forward line.

[tomd2103]

Said it in the match thread but we are a couple of players away now IMO from top 2. Defence is solid, as is the midfield. We have to find a role for Hourihane over Lansbury, the latter being a pretty boy who does very little for me. But crucially I think we are a goal-scoring creative wide player and a target man away from being certain automatic. At the moment I think we will get in the playoffs through sheer bloody minded result grinding boredom, but with a target man and a a quality wide player I think we would win a lot of games comfortably. Crouch and Snodgrass would be my top choices if we could get anywhere near them, but there must be other options too. Green is very talented but will need times out of the side, Grealish is quality but not consistently and likewise Adomah is very in and out. Snodgrass has had a failed move to West Ham but was excellent before that for Hull and Bruce knows him well. Crouch would be the best target man in the division at his age and could play alongside any of our forward line.

As I said before, I agree about needing a left winger and a target man striker.  Seeing that today, Lansbury, Hourihane and Bjarnason concerned me a bit in that they all looked a bit sluggish and one paced. 

[pauliewalnuts]

Bjarnason looked crap to me.

[Damo70]

Elphick is the worst Villa centre half I have ever seen.  He will hold that prize until we sign Alex Bruce next week.

I think Micah Richards is the worst centre half I have seen in a Villa shirt.

My vote would go to Brendan Ormsby or Paul Elliott.

[tomd2103]

Bjarnason looked crap to me.

I just don't see him as being a wide player.  Got caught in possession quite a few times today as well. 

[Damo70]

Elphick is the worst Villa centre half I have ever seen.  He will hold that prize until we sign Alex Bruce next week.

Carl Tiler must be up there

...just behind Paul Elliot.

Ivo Stas.

Did he ever get to play for us? Thought his injuries prevented it or am I thinking of Neale Cooper or both?

I saw him score for us. Great header - keeper had no chance.

I saw Ivo Stas score for us at the right end. Away to Witney Town pre season 1991. Although I am pretty sure the ball sneaked in through the outside side netting and shouldn't have been allowed. When I tell people I have seen Ivo Stas play for and score for Villa they usually look at me as if I have claimed to have been abducted by aliens, taken to their home planet and had invasive medical procedures performed on me!

[ChicagoLion]

Said it in the match thread but we are a couple of players away now IMO from top 2. Defence is solid, as is the midfield. We have to find a role for Hourihane over Lansbury, the latter being a pretty boy who does very little for me. But crucially I think we are a goal-scoring creative wide player and a target man away from being certain automatic. At the moment I think we will get in the playoffs through sheer bloody minded result grinding boredom, but with a target man and a a quality wide player I think we would win a lot of games comfortably. Crouch and Snodgrass would be my top choices if we could get anywhere near them, but there must be other options too. Green is very talented but will need times out of the side, Grealish is quality but not consistently and likewise Adomah is very in and out. Snodgrass has had a failed move to West Ham but was excellent before that for Hull and Bruce knows him well. Crouch would be the best target man in the division at his age and could play alongside any of our forward line.

As I said before, I agree about needing a left winger and a target man striker.  Seeing that today, Lansbury, Hourihane and Bjarnason concerned me a bit in that they all looked a bit sluggish and one paced.

And we have spent over 20 mill on McGate and Hogan, which would get you Crouch and Snodgrass,

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

Steve Bruce has 'moved to reassure fans that Alan Hutton isn't going anywhere,'  apparently.

Just like all of his crosses.  How apt.

[ozzjim]

Bjarnason looked crap to me.

Bjarnason looks like one of those weird players that while looking utter shite can get themselves in very dangerous positions. I would not be shocked to see him get 6-7 goals this season, while being poor most weeks.

Hourihane needs to just be allowed to sit in front of Whelan and play. Watched him a few times for Barnsley last season and he was genuinely quality, always looking to make something happen, but then had willing runners and freedom to play.

Not sure on Lansbury at all. I fear he is a MOTD show pony type.

[dave shelley]

Bjarnason looked crap to me.
[/quote

Bjarnason looked crap to me.

Did everything right until he got the ball.

[passitsideways]

Bjarnason looked crap to me.

Bjarnason looks like one of those weird players that while looking utter shite can get themselves in very dangerous positions. I would not be shocked to see him get 6-7 goals this season, while being poor most weeks.

Hourihane needs to just be allowed to sit in front of Whelan and play. Watched him a few times for Barnsley last season and he was genuinely quality, always looking to make something happen, but then had willing runners and freedom to play.

Not sure on Lansbury at all. I fear he is a MOTD show pony type.

Don't know what Bjarnason is like centrally, but I think I'd rather have him there than Lansbury based on what I've seen so far. Whelan and Hourihane providing the guile from deeper (with the latter getting opportunities to move forward wherever he sees fit), and Bjarnason to provide energy and movement if not necessarily quality. Don't know whether Green or Grealish would be better out left though - Jack might make better use of the space that Bjarnason theoretically opens up with his running, but I'd be worried about being one-paced if it's just Elmo with any real pace in the lineup.

[PeterWithe]

I'm afraid Barney is my current pet hate, he just seems so technically inept, unable to master the basics of controlling the ball.

[tomd2103]

Bjarnason looked crap to me.

Bjarnason looks like one of those weird players that while looking utter shite can get themselves in very dangerous positions. I would not be shocked to see him get 6-7 goals this season, while being poor most weeks.

Hourihane needs to just be allowed to sit in front of Whelan and play. Watched him a few times for Barnsley last season and he was genuinely quality, always looking to make something happen, but then had willing runners and freedom to play.

Not sure on Lansbury at all. I fear he is a MOTD show pony type.

Hourihane playing alongside Whelan might give us a bit more balance seeing as he is left footed.