Deano’s wishlist - the Jan transfer speculation/guaranteed nonsense thread

[footyskillz]

So Smith wants to bring down age of squad.
Makes sense with the time of football pressing to play and having energy and tempo

Here is the squad with Current age (and age by end of season)

30s
Glenn Whelan 35
Mile Jedinak   34
Mark Bunn 34
Alan Hutton   34
Ross McCormack ! 32!!
Ahmed Elmohamady   31
Tommy Elphick   31
Albert Adomah   31
Birkir Bjarnason   30 (31 end of May)
Ritchie de Laet!   30!
Micah Richards!   30! (31 June)
Neil Taylor 29 (30 in Feb)
James Chester   29 (30 in a week or so)

20s
Jonathan Kodjia   29
Lovre Kalinić   28 (29 in April)
Ørjan Nyland   28
Henri Lansbury 28
Conor Hourihane   27 (28 in Feb)
Scott Hogan   26 (27 in April)
Jed Steer   26
Gary Gardner ! 26!

24 and under
John McGinn 24
Aaron Tshibola ! 24!
Jack Grealish 23
Keinan Davis   21
James Bree 21
Andre Green   20 (21 in Feb)
Callum O’Hare 20   (21 in may)

[willenhall villa]

That list seems a little scary to me. Is it just a reflection on how Bruce gambled on experience to get us promoted?
There will be a few big holes to fill come the summer whatever the outcome is!

At the Trust AGM, the u23’s was talked about in a way of not producing the next generation. This could save us a shed load of cash if the lads take their opportunity.

[jwarry]

Wow that’s an eye opener. No wonder we are struggling. This lot don’t have the legs to play Deano’s way

[Ads]

You forgot Bree and Hause.

[brian green]

And JT

[manic-road]

Wow that’s an eye opener. No wonder we are struggling. This lot don’t have the legs to play Deano’s way

Absolutely, the age of that squad won't have the legs to play a high pressing game for 60 minutes never mind 90.

[footyskillz]

You forgot Bree and Hause.

Bree (21) I initially left out as it's veganuary!

Hause 23 as I wasn't aware he was a permanent move however are we correct in saying he will be come end of season ??

[Dazvillain]

You forgot Bree and Hause.

Bree (21) I initially left out as it's veganuary!

Hause 23 as I wasn't aware he was a permanent move however are we correct in saying he will be come end of season ??

Not based on first few touches last week I hope

[Ads]

Seems a like a good sample to decide.

Anyhoo...

It would be interesting to see what the number of games the players have played, to see how much time the over 30s have compared to younger elements of the squad over the past 10 games.

[footyskillz]

Deano has spoken!

On squad age:

What we want to do is have competition for places and find a better balance for the squad. That will be position-wise but also age-wise. We are a fairly old squad in this league.

“With Jack [Grealish] and Axel [Tuanzebe] coming out of the team we probably need to look at that and balance it with a bit more youth.”

On transfer out:

"Possibly but you always need suitors. We will listen but we don’t particularly want to push anybody out because it is a quality squad, People who aren’t playing will get frustrated."

On younger players / loans:
"If they’re not playing for us at the moment, then they need to be playing elsewhere for their development, for the future of Aston Villa"

[Ads]

He meat with Sawiris and Purslow in London apparently. Sounds like a strategic meeting for long term planning as much as anything.

[garyshawsknee]

Good work Skillz, never realised the squad was that old. Interesting DS mentioning needing suitors for transfers out, sounds to me that no one is interested in the players we don't want, no wonder really as their wages will be high.

[footyskillz]

Yes with the sporting directiir and CEO .

Smith prefers term 'spinning plates' to bruce 'irons in the fire'

Ads or anyone have any other phrases we could call such Transfer tryouts ?

 

[brian green]

Slightly off topic but he was by a mile the most impressive Championship manager on the Sky collage talking about Spygate.  Mature, measured and sensible, even humour with his quip about a long held hope of being the first ginger James Bond.  A true son of Brum.

[Border villan]

Yes with the sporting directiir and CEO .

Smith prefers term 'spinning plates' to bruce 'irons in the fire'

Ads or anyone have any other phrases we could call such Transfer tryouts ?

 

"Balls in the air"
Just too easy to misinterpret.