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

[footyskillz]

Sexy move. But it's a short term fuchs.
 

[villa `cross the mersey]

For Fuchs sake.

There. Pun done. No more needed.

Yes there is:)
"Christian thrown to the Lions"

[Brassneck]

As the weeks roll on, the need for new blood increases.  I'd be happy for an entirely new back 4.  We don't seem to have a decent full back at the club and I still don't see Elphick as the answer at CB.  I would reluctantly give Chester a chance on the right but he's been pretty poor so far this season.

A defensive midfielder is also essential which is frustrating, given the amount of players we have who can play there.  Then there is cover/replacement for Jack.  Since Jack has been missing, we've been completely devoid of creativity and have virtually reverted back to Bruceball.

Striker is an issue now - Do we stick with what we have to see how we fare or do we gamble on a replacement for Abraham.

January is traditionally difficult and prices tend to be over inflated but it's becoming increasingly clear that our current players  aren't going to adapt to Smith's style of play.  I think it's a case of getting 2 or 3 in now and the rest in the summer.  September 1 2019 will see an almost entirely new line up to the one we have seen over the past few games.

[curiousorange]

An unpopular opinion possibly, but I wouldn't prioritise Abraham's replacement, simply because it wasn't so very long ago that we were thanking all the gods that Kodjia was coming back early from the Africa Cup of Nations. The guy can still score and is more than capable of leading the line, even if at the moment he's struggling. Part of the issue for me has been fitting Abraham and Kodjia in the same team. So (and I'm not saying we shouldn't be looking for another option up front, btw) if I was Smith I'd be looking at other areas first instead of panicking and paying the January premium like we did with Hogan.

[SoccerHQ]

An unpopular opinion possibly, but I wouldn't prioritise Abraham's replacement, simply because it wasn't so very long ago that we were thanking all the gods that Kodjia was coming back early from the Africa Cup of Nations. The guy can still score and is more than capable of leading the line, even if at the moment he's struggling. Part of the issue for me has been fitting Abraham and Kodjia in the same team. So (and I'm not saying we shouldn't be looking for another option up front, btw) if I was Smith I'd be looking at other areas first instead of panicking and paying the January premium like we did with Hogan.

Kodjia will chip in with goals but I think the two bad injuries he's had since his excellent 16/17 have reduced his effectiveness. He's gone from being a 1 in 2 goalscorer to now a goal every 3-4 games.

I'm not sure moving him back permanently centrally will solve that. I also don't want that because of all the endless whingeing posts on here and elsewhere that he holds onto the ball too long, he's bad but Baros still easily the worst Villa striker I've watched for ball hogging.

Anyway we were taking Tammy's goals for granted in the end so going to be tough to replace but we have to try.

We tried replacing Benteke another way and it was comical. Generally as a rule when clubs lose a top striker they go out and sign another.....Liverpool lost Torres and went out and got Suarez for example rather than just replacing him internally.

Logical suggests a move for a younger striker so wouldn't have an issue with Maupay being targeted.

[Malandro]

I’m sure we’ll be buying one or two players from Brentford this window.
The chairman said he wouldn’t have a problem selling to Smith, as long as they were not looking likely to be in the playoffs.

I doubt very much we have the funds for Maupay, Mepham or the full back (name escapes me) Sawyers should be within reach.

They’ve had a long time to evaluate the squad, let’s hope we can get at least four solid signings.

[curiousorange]

I don't know much anout Maupay, but I get the impression he's more Hogan than Abraham. If we're going to attack from the wings while Grealish is injured, would he be the best option for that?

[Malandro]

I don't know much anout Maupay, but I get the impression he's more Hogan than Abraham. If we're going to attack from the wings while Grealish is injured, would he be the best option for that?

Davis, in my opinion.

[Brassneck]

An unpopular opinion possibly, but I wouldn't prioritise Abraham's replacement, simply because it wasn't so very long ago that we were thanking all the gods that Kodjia was coming back early from the Africa Cup of Nations. The guy can still score and is more than capable of leading the line, even if at the moment he's struggling. Part of the issue for me has been fitting Abraham and Kodjia in the same team. So (and I'm not saying we shouldn't be looking for another option up front, btw) if I was Smith I'd be looking at other areas first instead of panicking and paying the January premium like we did with Hogan.

No - I agree, striker isn't a priority and I'd be prepared to give Kodjia a run given we're virtually out of the race for top 2.

Kodjia would return to being penalty taker which would net him a couple possibly - He'd also score a couple of the sitters that Tammy misses so I don't think the difference would be that great.  Kodjia is also deceptively good in the air when he is in the box.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter who scores the goals and with improvements further back, we have the potential to share them around a bit.

[curiousorange]

By all means sign Maupay, but we signed Hogan because he was scoring, nothing more. If we don't yet have the players or the method to get the best from him, what's the point?

[mr underhill]

I'd do little more than try and shore up the defense . The time for squad rebuilding is  as soon as the season finishes. There will be 20 players out of contract or going home then, plus one ot two more Dean will want to shift, so that's the ideal opportunity to start a lengthy rebuild.

[tomd2103]

I'd do little more than try and shore up the defense . The time for squad rebuilding is  as soon as the season finishes. There will be 20 players out of contract or going home then, plus one ot two more Dean will want to shift, so that's the ideal opportunity to start a lengthy rebuild.

Have to agree with this.  No point in panic buying this month and potentially adding to the lengthy list of players who are not really good enough just so we can get some bodies in.  If there are players who are going to come in and add to the team then so be it, but I want us to be much more considered in our transfer dealings.

If Abraham goes, then I think Kodjia and Davis should be given the opportunity to fight it out to lead the line.  If a quality left back, centre half and defensive midfielder can be identified then I would go for it, but wouldn't be looking for much else until the summer.

[aj2k77]

Priority needs to be a centre back and 2 full backs.

It was only a month ago that we were lauding the team after hammering the rags, Middlesboro,Derby and outplaying the Bitters. We know there are problems but if the defense is more sturdy we will be up there.

[ChicagoLion]

The priority will be determined by wether we are building for the future or scrambling to make the play offs.

[footyskillz]

Priority for me are full back left side.
Centre midfielder , deep lying ball player and Centre back.
Maybe another striker.