Summer transfer, gossip and speculation thread

[SoccerHQ]

If we throw Abraham possibly into the mix I wonder how SB would play it as El Ghazi and Bolaise are obvious starters.

3-4-1-2?

[sirlordbaltimore]

I thought Albert had a good game against Brentford really went at them more of the same please Albert.

One good cross in the entire time he was on the pitch. If that's good from a winger we might as well pack in

[Ads]

I imagine Abraham coming in is balances with Hogan going to Sheffield United.

[PeterWithe]

Albert did a lot of good work but failed in his most important; delivery.

His crossing was very poor, with a solitary exception. The delivery intonthe box all season from open play has been by and large poor.

One of my long held gripes against SB is that he sees a problem, lack of quality ball into the box in this case, and then can be guilty of signing the wrong kind of player to address it, I hope Bolasie doesnt fall into the same catagory.

He did this last year when he correctly identified that we lacked midfielders who could carry the ball forward, hten signed Lansbury, Houlihane and Barney to address it, none of which were remotely suited to solving that problem.

[footyskillz]

Grabban - Abraham ?

Johnstone- Nyland
Snodgrass-El Gazhi
Onamah -Mcginn

Tuanzebe-Tuanzebe
( But also as a kinda JT , Samba replacements )

[footyskillz]

If we throw Abraham possibly into the mix I wonder how SB would play it as El Ghazi and Bolaise are obvious starters.

3-4-1-2?

Thinking about Abrahams I found him Carlton Cole esque and last season was a mixture also for england under 21 he misses clear chances and fails to find net when it's easier to score .

Some of his misses are shocking.

He was excellent in the Bristol city team but I think more now a Shane long would be preferred to Abraham for me as I'm not sure if he can hold the ball you much .

That said he can be at times dynamic but I'm not even sure their is truth in him moving to the villa

I can see him going abroad for loan this season similar loftus cheek as they would feel they are stepping back and down if they go championship level.

I also don't know how much game time Abrahams would get as Kodija would be first choice striker

Dominke Solanke of Liverpool could be a good option but again these young loansters may not get the minutes wanted.
However he is perhaps more feasible but I would say RHM and Davis have potential to be better and could be as good as these 2 so let them develop  if we are to get young players keep our own.

I guess Abrahams and Solanke are further down the line and would be welcome edition but I think a tried and tested or a left field mendes type striker may come in rather than Abrahams.

I mean have we seen or heard anything concrete about this ?
No

[SoccerHQ]

I imagine Abraham coming in is balances with Hogan going to Sheffield United.

Hogan's just a squad striker for us, Abraham will be a certain starter. Kodjia if he stays fit has to start with the form he's running into.

Of course you need loads of options in this league but interesting to see how SB rotates and indeed balances the team as the season goes on as we'll have many more options in the forward area than last year and they'll all be expecting to start every game.

[sirlordbaltimore]

I reckon we'll see a lot more rotating with Kodjia and Abraham (IF the latter happens) which would be ideal as it will keep them both fresh and on their toes. I suspect we'll see Kodj playing on the right a bit more as well.

Good to have options.

[footyskillz]

Options at left back and centre half is the worry!

[Drummond]

Options at left back and centre half is the worry!

We have Hutton and Taylor at LB.

I'd like someone in at centre half though, and for Jedi to be cover in a game, if really needed.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Options at left back and centre half is the worry!

Hutton / Taylor

Chester / Jedi / Elphick / Axel

[The Edge]

Options at left back and centre half is the worry!

Hutton / Taylor

Chester / Jedi / Elphick / Axel

Steve Bruce is the only person in the free world who thinks Jedinak is a centre half. He clearly doesn't rate Elphick and he's extremely reluctant to play Axel there. That leaves Chester. Bringing in one or possibly two central defenders will make or break our season in my view. We haven't kept a clean sheet yet and shipped 4 goals in 2 games at home. But I'm sure they're aware of this!

[Brassneck]

Options at left back and centre half is the worry!

Hutton / Taylor

Chester / Jedi / Elphick / Axel

So a worry then.

[PeterWithe]

Steve Bruce is the only person in the free world who thinks Jedinak is a centre half.

He's not great there but one wayward header apart, was he really that bad against Brentford? I didn't think so.

I can see why Bruce plays him, he won everything in the air.

[cdbearsfan]

Options at left back and centre half is the worry!

Hutton / Taylor

Chester / Jedi / Elphick / Axel

Jesus Christ.