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

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Call me old school and boring (both of which I am) but I like full backs that can defend. Anything in addition is a bonus

Game's changed. If your full-backs can't attack your chances of scoring basically ever go down dramatically these days.

Full backs need to both defend and attack which is why we should we looking to bring in a new left back. Neither Targett or Taylor are good enough.

True, but of the two I'd much, much rather have Targett.

For me they're as bad as each other. If we could mold them into one player we'd have a more than decent left back.

[Brazilian Villain]

1 more, a centre mid coming in is really important. Shifting some out is clearly needed as well but I don't think they'll miss out on the signings we need because Lansbury (for example) gets no offers.

I hope so, since the end of last season my dad''s being banging on about the importance of getting a centre midfielder in. Not even any tangible links yet.

[Monty]

See I disagree, Taylor's just so bad on the ball that he's kind of defensively bad as well, as you'll just find yourself on the back foot so often the likelihood is you'd give more chances away even if your defensive skills were Maldini-level (and, to state the obvious, his ain't).

[eamonn]

1 more, a centre mid coming in is really important. Shifting some out is clearly needed as well but I don't think they'll miss out on the signings we need because Lansbury (for example) gets no offers.

I hope so, since the end of last season my dad''s being banging on about the importance of getting a centre midfielder in. Not even any tangible links yet.

Thats because its the hush-hush secret signing that no one expects Villa to pull off. It's going to be our Rude Gullet to Chelsea in the mid-90s equivalent.

[Baldy]

BBC saying Delph is surplus to requirement at Everton. Grievances aside, could he do a job for us at left back?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

See I disagree, Taylor's just so bad on the ball that he's kind of defensively bad as well, as you'll just find yourself on the back foot so often the likelihood is you'd give more chances away even if your defensive skills were Maldini-level (and, to state the obvious, his ain't).

Taylor and Maldini in the same sentence? Oh Monty! Defensively he's as good/bad as any of our right backs if not better. Targett is shockingly poor but gains praise on the days he has nobody to mark. That said, he did show some improvement after the break so I'd possibly keep him around as back up to a proper left back. I'm feeling extremely kind today.

[MalcolmP]

See I disagree, Taylor's just so bad on the ball that he's kind of defensively bad as well, as you'll just find yourself on the back foot so often the likelihood is you'd give more chances away even if your defensive skills were Maldini-level (and, to state the obvious, his ain't).

So bad on the ball with the goal assist for Watkins against Burton, so so bad? Mings was responsible for numerous goals conceded last season - is he so bad too? Taylor is nowhere near as bad as some on here make out.

[Border villan]

Take what you will but Ross Barkley was all in favour of Grealish staying at Villa giving him congrats via Instagram.

Signing Barkley makes sense and isn't out of the realms.
I can see the Barkley at number 8 coming into this team.
Like Grealish he's a bit of a ball hog but I think he would be an improvement to the engine in midfield.
On field he's good .
Off field needs to settle .

Can't see him being the first choice once all Chelsea players are fit and a move could suit.
It's a big enough statement in some ways and the only concern would be how he is off field impacting on field performance.

It’s a no from me Simon.

[robleflaneur]

Seen a couple of links to Rico Henry, personally if Taylor was to be moved on I’d hope that we would sign a ‘boring’ left back who can actually defend.  Henry strikes me as a faster version of Targett but equally poor defensively.

Maybe it’s just me but I have a real bugbear about the amount of easy ball that comes in from wide areas & sadly I tend to judge wingers also on their ability to track back & defend :-)

The problem is, I think, that Smith wants his back four to be a close unit and has the full backs tucking in alongside the centre backs.  Presumably he then wants the wide front men to track back and cover the opposing wide men. Unfortunately they cannot be relied upon to do this 100% of the time and even if they do they will be knackered after an hour. But I agree with you, all this does is allow the opposing wingers freedom of the park to get their crosses in which has me pulling my hair out.  I am with MON on this one, full backs job is to get out wide and stop any crosses coming into the box.  If a cross came in during his time at the club the full back soon got an earful.

Call me old school and boring (both of which I am) but I like full backs that can defend. Anything in addition is a bonus

Game's changed. If your full-backs can't attack your chances of scoring basically ever go down dramatically these days.

Yep, the fullbacks are the players who get the most space to work in of any position on the pitch. They have so much time and space to work with that the idea of letting them sit on the halfway line and not get involved is almost unthinkable in modern football.

Attacking football now is about either getting an overload or moving teams out of their defensive formation to create gaps. Having someone like Jack who draws players in is great for the 2nd part but you can do it purely with tactics. Teams that hold their shape better have better defensive records (once you get to a level where defensive errors are uncommon).

What I suspect will come soon as a 'trend' is full backs who underlap wide players and break into the box from deep to try to create confusion as to who defends against them, if the timing is right you could have 3-4 people moving into the box from different places at the same time and that creates a lot of chances for errors.

Man City use this tactic a lot ,a player not too wide of the box plays a short pass into the box for a player making an outward diagonal run.The defence is turned and the cross is made from inside the box.The variant is the Grealish pass that set up Targett v Brighton and Taylor v Burton.Liverpool are more traditional with the crosses coming in from fullbacks at great pace and bending in to favour the attackers.The modern  lightweight ball makes this easier.
Villa need to replace Taylor who is barely Championship  level.

[chrisw1]

Arsenal did it well with Maitland Niles & Bellerin on Saturday.

[mike]

Call me old school and boring (both of which I am) but I like full backs that can defend. Anything in addition is a bonus

Game's changed. If your full-backs can't attack your chances of scoring basically ever go down dramatically these days.

Full backs need to both defend and attack which is why we should we looking to bring in a new left back. Neither Targett or Taylor are good enough.

True, but of the two I'd much, much rather have Targett.

For me they're as bad as each other. If we could mold them into one player we'd have a more than decent left back.

Or a completely shit one if you’re unlucky. Born in Brum.

[KevinGage]

So bad on the ball with the goal assist for Watkins against Burton, so so bad?

Yes, you're absolutely right. Let's give him a 5 year contract at £120k per week.

One decent moment in a glorified pre season game (and the odd decent performance in Bruce's first full season) doesn't counter all the dross served up over the last three and a bit years.

[Fred Crump]

BBC saying Delph is surplus to requirement at Everton. Grievances aside, could he do a job for us at left back?

Glad you suggested it. As you haven’t received the expected tsunami of pelters, I’m going to very timidly agree ( runs away and hides).
Presumably his wages would be too high but our Ashley did well converting into a left back at the unmentionables and perhaps Mr Snake could do a similar job extending his career too. Plus emergency cover for Dougie.
After all, we are really his first love 

[KevinGage]

BBC saying Delph is surplus to requirement at Everton. Grievances aside, could he do a job for us at left back?

Glad you suggested it. As you haven’t received the expected tsunami of pelters, I’m going to very timidly agree ( runs away and hides).
Presumably his wages would be too high but our Ashley did well converting into a left back at the unmentionables and perhaps Mr Snake could do a similar job extending his career too. Plus emergency cover for Dougie.

If he'd never played for us, maybe.

But he has, so no.

[passport1]

According  a news report  someone stepped onto a bus with a live snake wrapped around his face as a replacement face mask. So if all else fails......