Winter transfer, gossip, speculation and usual butter ollocks thread

[Mister E]

But we don't make many chances. We've gone from a position of making around 20 a game down to no more than a handful if we're lucky. Our biggest problem isn't having a centre-forward not putting chances away, it's that we've stopped creating those chances.

This.

[Ads]

From Villa Park adulation and cult status, the main man, to the fishbowl and pressure of Liverpool, where they didn't play to his strengths, although he didn't do badly. Tim Sherwood did play to those strengths as did Lambert, Klopp didn't and couldn't get a good a tune out of him. The weird way football works.

From a huge club with adulation at every turn, to one of the very biggest, to... Crystal Palace. Crystal. Palace. With Blakey publically criticising you at the same time.

I've often wondered if such falls from grace have an affect on a player. If he did sign, the minute he stepped on the pitch at the home of football, as a 68th minute substitute he would get 40,000 giving him the 7 Narion Army treatment. Which might lead to his little ears twitching, which might see a centre half rag dolled like a child, more roars of approval. Maybe some thing odd, like a goal. I dunno.

As I said elsewhere, sometimes a player and club just click.

He could also be a failure. Or mediocre. Who knows.

Let's just sign a good centre forward and fingers crossed it works.

[Villafirst]

I hope any new signings are through the door by this time next week. The squad desperately needs reinforcements to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

[Rigadon]

Benteke would be a gamble.  One worth taking if we could maybe get him on loan / on the cheap, but also sign a proven goal scorer, and not, you know, put all our eggs in one basket.

[Villafirst]

Benteke on-loan would be a good option. But another striker as well.

[john2710]

Whoever we buy we need experience not potential. That doesn't mean someone on their last legs but the team is crying out for some calmness.

Watching Wolves last night, Moutinho adds that level of experience we're missing.

[GarTomas]

What about Andre Ayew? Been brilliant for Swansea and experienced. 18 months left on his deal and they're always looking to sell. Much better player than Trez or Anwar.

Him and Joe Allen would give us a lot more experience in areas we need it. A couple of players in the 28-32 range would really make a difference IMO.

That's a superb shout.
Best of the window outside of my Lallana suggestion

Self praise is no praise.

[tomd2103]

Whoever we buy we need experience not potential. That doesn't mean someone on their last legs but the team is crying out for some calmness.

Watching Wolves last night, Moutinho adds that level of experience we're missing.

We also need a clear of idea of the formation and the role they are going to fit into.  Wesley is a prime example of a player who has been expected to play a role that he is just not suited to. 

I would like us to have a clear idea of the formation we are going to use going forward and fill the gaps in the side accordingly. 

[Rudy65]

What about Andre Ayew? Been brilliant for Swansea and experienced. 18 months left on his deal and they're always looking to sell. Much better player than Trez or Anwar.

Him and Joe Allen would give us a lot more experience in areas we need it. A couple of players in the 28-32 range would really make a difference IMO.

That's a superb shout.
Best of the window outside of my Lallana suggestion

Lallana? Laughs hysterically

[richtheholtender]

You’d think given his age and that he has won the league that Albrighton would be keen to come back and help the villa out

[ROBBO]

Looked very slow today great crosser of the ball which is no good to us but got caught in possession three times.

[ROBBO]

Benteke didn't make the squad today, injured or off ?

[cdbearsfan]

Injured.

[ROBBO]

Every time I have watched Aaron Mooy play this season he has stood out, on loan from Huddersfield how I wish he was with us he would be a great back up if jack got injured.

[mr underhill]

Benteke is not returning to Villa and nor should he. Don't look back.