Summer transfer, gossip, speculation and the usual butter ollocks thread

[N'ZMAV]

I think Smith May add to the back line. Maybe he will sell Engels. Something doesn’t seem right there. And Hause doesn’t seem up to it for me.

[Mister E]

Toney confirmed for Brentford, so would guess that means Watkins will be moving very shortly.

The Birmingham Live website seem to think we have Watkins as good as in the bag.

My feeling is that signing Watkins is a really important first step, because he gives us much-needed dynamism and strength across the front line. This means we don't have to start with Trez and AEG wide; or Grealish wide; or Samatta through the middle. We have options; something Smith didn't really have last season.
As long as he is the first of 3 or 4 newbies, of course.

[N'ZMAV]

Ideally, a right-winger to play on the right of Watkins, with Grealish on the left would improve the side. Trez and El-Ghazi aren't up to it all season between them.

[Dante Lavelli]

From what I have read Watkins can play wide as well as centrally, this should give us flexibility during games. 

Start with a three of Grealish, Striker and Watkins and you can play with a two up top occasionally and with Grealish as a number ten.  Hopefully he has some pace too as that has been missing.

[pelty]

Just need a vent because this type of "journalism" from ESPN drives me crazy:

"Grealish, 24, has been on United's radar for some time and is valued at £80m. Villa won't get that much for the midfielder but are working on reducing their demands as they seek more depth in attacking areas ahead of next season."

We "are working on reducing [our] demands"?!?! As though we are trying to make it happen for Manchester United because they are so important and who are we to ask for such an outlandish price?!? Feck right off!! Sets my blood boiling. Sorry for the outburst; carry on.

[Monty]

Just need a vent because this type of "journalism" from ESPN drives me crazy:

"Grealish, 24, has been on United's radar for some time and is valued at £80m. Villa won't get that much for the midfielder but are working on reducing their demands as they seek more depth in attacking areas ahead of next season."

We "are working on reducing [our] demands"?!?! As though we are trying to make it happen for Manchester United because they are so important and who are we to ask for such an outlandish price?!? Feck right off!! Sets my blood boiling. Sorry for the outburst; carry on.

Outburst justified, that's a faintly despicable bit of writing.

And quite apart from anything else, how are we meant to get more 'depth in attacking areas' if we a) sell first team attackers and b) can't afford to replace them?

[OCD]

I want to see Grealish moved inside and to have better wide options this year. Main reason Grealish ended up on the left was because the wide options were so poor.

[Nii Lamptey]

He's going nowhere.

[Monty]

He's going nowhere.

That could extremely go either way. And no I don't care about the grammar.

[paul_e]

I want to see Grealish moved inside and to have better wide options this year. Main reason Grealish ended up on the left was because the wide options were so poor.

I think he's better on the left than playing as an 8. If he moved inside it would have to be to play as a 10 but then you'd want 2 more defensive midfielders in behind which means no place for McGinn. I don't think 8 works because he ends up spending too much time on the ball in our half which isn't where we want him.

That said I like having options and would be happy to have someone else who can play on the left. In a perfect world I'd want to sign 2 forwards who can play central or out wide, 1 for either side, and then a spoiler centre mid, Watkins fits the bill for one of the forwards.

[Londonvilla]

Christian Luyindama (Galatasaray defender)

No new link but he is now fit again and "Christian Luyindama is a versatile player, who can also play as a defensive midfielder and forward"

He's a big unit and could be a good plan B if the price was right and we were linked with him in both last summer and winter transfer windows.

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[kippaxvilla2]

Nixon saying Cash is almost done.  I reckon if he signs he will play as a winger.

[Londonvilla]

Nixon saying Cash is almost done.  I reckon if he signs he will play as a winger.

Not sure about that he was Nottingham forest player of the year playing 90% of his games as right back.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Nixon saying Cash is almost done.  I reckon if he signs he will play as a winger.

Not sure about that he was Nottingham forest player of the year playing 90% of his games as right back.

And before that he was crap as a winger. it was only due to an injury crisis that he was thrown in at right back/right wing back and has never looked back.

[ktvillan]

Hopefully the new Kenny Swain