Fans Worried Over Villa Future

[ROBBO]

I think it's clear reading about his time at Celtic that we've all been banging our heads against the wall for nothing. MON never intended to sign the bulk of new players until the last two days of the transfer window.
He is like those at the supermarket who wait for the butcher to drop the prices of the meat the day before the expiry date.
And what kind of a name is Padraig? except Irish of course.
I'm bored.

[peter w]

I've said on here before that that is when MON does his work. if we cannot negotiate the first twoo weeks of the season without messing up then whether we get them on Aug 31st, or July 31st is irrelevant. As long as we get them. It can also work in our favour. 4 games in Defoe, SWP find their situation is exactly the same as last season. Then, they are more inclined to jump ship than pre-season when everyone, including players, is full of optimism.

[ROBBO]

Problem with the theory though is that it would be difficult to intergrate three or four new players into the side when the seasons under way.

[LeeB]

Problem with the theory though is that it would be difficult to intergrate three or four new players into the side when the seasons under way.

Even if we signed 4 new players, I think the most that would start immediately would be 2 (right back, right midfield?), so it wouldn't be that much of a problem.

'Intergrating' players into the side/squad over close season is perceived wisdom, but may or may not actually be that important.

I often think that managers trot out the "He needs a good pre-season with us, before we can see what he can do" line to cover the fact that they've bought a dud.

[Hillbilly]

I presume we've all noticed that Eriksson seems to be building a Swedish/Scandi all star team. Is anyone else worried that he may come for our contingent? Also will he sign up our own Edvard Remberg as a Citeh fan?

[peter w]

Well Eddies from the Faroes so he'll be safe. I wouldn't blink an eyelid if Mellberg was to go if we had a decent replacement. But this season taht looks like Gardner from tottenham

Robbo, I agree to a point but Carew settled quickly. Some do some don't and as Lee said it isn't as if all the new signings would be bloodied at the same time. Apart from a right-back we have cover in all positions, its just that to go on a level we need better qusality in certain positons. IE a wide man, full back, keeper, centre-half.

[peter w]

Good hat-trick from Luke. maybe we don't need another forward.

[JD]

I'm not worried about the signing of Harewood, with JPA and Sutton leaving I see him as the back up to Big John. If Luke Moore can finally reach his potential and Gabby has another good season then we do have great competition up front (I for one would rather see Carew/Moore than Carew/Defoe).
Get us in a decent right ack and another decent midfield player and we will have the makings of a very decent team.

I am not too worried yet, but I will be if we don't sign anyone else before the transfer window ends.

Still then again there's always Mark Delaney. Remember him?

I agree Peter. I think this could be Luke's year.

[peter w]

Well it needs to be JD. I think he knows its now or never. If he can get a full season under his belt and bang in a few he will save MON 10-15m.

[JD]

Agree. I think a fit Luke Moore will bag 15+ goals this season.  =D>

[paul_e]

With the midfield we're putting together luke will score goals, he's a natural finisher (I'd actually say he's up there with the best I've seen at the club), he has been at every level with us.  The issue he's had is that too often he's either been brought in as a desperate attempt to halt a slide (when Dolly was here) or he's been messed up by injuries just when things have started to click.

I think defoe would be a huge waste of money ths summer.  if things don't work out we can always pick up a frontman in january but luke has earned his chance to see if he can do it, lets hope he takes it.

[peter w]

I actually like the shape of the midfield. The defence is a problem. Right-back, maybe another centre-half, and a keeper. I think we need a wide man as well. The problem being the type of player we need won't come to us to sit on the bench, so we are really looking at squad fillers for now -except t right-back. We need to be in Europe to get better players than the Harewoods of this world. I'll point out that that isn't a knock at Harewood. But, would a Defoe, or Bent, really come to a mid table team?

[JD]

That's the thing Peter. If Defoe joined it means neither Luke or Gabby are likely to be first choice. Personally I would like to see them battle it out for one of the forward slots, with the other being Carew with Harewood as back up.
Of course Gabby could also interchange with Young as well, so we are starting to have more options.

[peter w]

I think as a 4-3-3 Gabby does well on the right. he needed to be dropped, or rested, around Feb/March or even slightly earlier last season, and now we have Harewood he can be.

The jury is still out on Luke Moore for me. He flatters to deceive. Natural finisher yes, but he doesn't break his neck to get into the right position, get the ball on the half-way line and take players on, tring to take players on full stop. He seems too lethargic.

That's why this season needs to be the one where he proves he can not only survive at this level but pushes himself on. For all our gushing over him he should be spotted at International level. He hasn't because he is happy to settle for second best (injurues aside). He needs to pick it up and show that he wants it for himself as much as anything.

[damon loves JT]

That's why this season needs to be the one where [Luke] proves he can not only survive at this level but pushes himself on.

You could say that about all of our players. We've got lots of good players who've never actually done anything. I think Gareth Barry is great but he's top of the list