M_Afro

50 minutes ago, Monkeypuzzle said:

Cash is not a weak link in our team. I have no idea where you get this idea that he is nervous on the ball and can't pass the ball. Utter rubbish! He has been a solid player for us since his arrival, is rarely responsible for conceded goals and is quite capable going forward. Nothing he has done makes me concerned about him as a player for us. No he isn't our best player on the pitch but the idea that he desperately needs to be replaced is nonsense. What we need is another right back to compete with him who can offer different strengths to give us options.

A bit aggressive for a Sunday afternoon mate. Anyway, I didn’t say that he can’t pass the ball. I do however think that when he receives the ball in tight areas he struggles. He either loses possession or plays the ball down the line into the channel. This is not what Unai wants. 

Having let Young leave, we must be in the market for a new right back. I know that Chambers and Konsa could fill in there but neither are anything more than an emergency fill in. I also think that Cashy is the obvious weakness in our first eleven in terms of technical capability. He is so nervous in possession and although we tend to focus attack down the left I’m sure Unai must want a more technically assured player at right back.

The links to alternative right backs do seem to be a bit thin on the ground. There have been a few mentions in the media but nothing with any traction. I would think that we’ll try and move some players on before returning to right back in a few weeks. Maybe a loan with option to buy. Anyone got any ideas? Someone who is comfortable in possession, quick, physical and fairly tall would be the ideal.

I genuinely think that second is achievable. City will probably finish top again, unless something unforeseen happens. After that, the gaps between the squads starts to get much closer. Fortune and injuries will play a big part in where those teams finish but the other key factor is the quality of the coaching team. Ours is the second best in my view, behind City. That could be the difference that gets us higher than anyone expects. In Unai we trust.

I still think we will move for Brennan Johnson. He can play anywhere across the front three and gives us even more pace and energy to the attack.

Whatever happens I suspect the focus will shift to off loading some players now. We will need to free up some wages at some stage. The three players bought in so far will be on massive wages compared to the rest of our squad, with a few obvious exceptions.

I wonder if our 3 new signings will encourage Ollie to sign a new contract. All 3 have abilities that will improve the number and quality of chances that he will get each match. If he stays fit, he really will have the chance to get 20 plus league goals this season. That will put him right in the mix for the next Euros even with Spudgate in charge.

Hopefully this will get sorted before too long. He has his weaknesses Ollie but he is still really great for where we are right now.

7 minutes ago, nick76 said:

But they’ll be living in the more liberal Bahrain and only going to Saudi for games and I’m sure the lavish tax free lifestyle combined with being treated like superstars wherever they go….they won’t be seeing the normal Saudi that you refer to.

Probably but we can live in hope. If a couple of high profile football players come out and condemn the experience in any way it could snowball. I don’t know how a father of a daughter could have anything to do with a state that treats women in the way that Saudi does.

34 minutes ago, nick76 said:

What makes you think future windows are going to be better? If anything they will be a continuation of this window and may even be worse as Saudi’s target younger players and more players in their prime.

I’m hoping, maybe unrealistically, that the reality of playing/living in Saudi will hit some of these early movers hard. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a mass exodus this time next year when people realise what they’re actually signing up to. You take a year of insane wages and then try to come back to a more established and liberal country. I don’t care what anyone says, Saudi is a barbaric state. Surely most reasonable footballers will see that once experienced up close and walk away.

1 hour ago, Anything11 said:

Johnson has that "it" factor that i think we all see as lacking in someone like Bailey. Even in a struggling side he always seemed to be on the front foot and has an air of confidence about him. Reminds me a little of Bowen in that way.

I think he has a bit more class than Bowen, although I do like Bowen. Maybe it’s the Welsh thing but Johnson reminds me a bit of Craig Bellamy. I always rated Bellamy as a player and I think Johnson can be a classier version of him.

18 minutes ago, villan-scott said:

Feels like Monchi has got to work this week!  

Maybe he’s had to wait for his work mobile to be delivered! No matter how often you call our procurement department at my work, I don’t think they’ve ever managed to get a phone for a new starter, on their first day, yet.

Getting seriously close to “Agent Villa at the back post” territory! Assuming they’re allowed to use their phones at playtime.

12 minutes ago, Zatman said:

Romano confirmed it with a HERE WE GO

Here we roe?

Openda looks similar in style to Brennan Johnson. He is physical and quick and pls with his head up most of the time. I think he would do well in the PL (all based upon my extensive research, I.E. a 10 mini YouTube video!)

I think we may be waiting for a few to go out before signing any more new players. It sounds as though Sanson, Nakamba, Coutinho, Davis and Dendonker may all be on the move fairly soon. I think you could probably add a few more to that too who we may wish to move on permanently or on loan.
Once the decks have been cleared things may start to speed up again. We’ve had a great start to the window with our two incoming players. We just need Monchi to start working his magic with the outgoings now.

We’ve come so far. Getting two current international players, from tier 1 nations, who are both approaching their peak years is pretty much unheard of for Villa. Hopefully their signings will ease the passage for other top players. We are going to be rocking next year. UTV

34 minutes ago, GlobalVillan said:

More than £52million on one player. This summer? That is absolutely not happening for a number of reasons. Mark MY words.

You have absolutely no idea of whether it will happen or not! Why be so forthright? This thread is becoming quite unpleasant to be honest. For what it’s worth, I think there’s a good chance we will spend that amount of money, on a single player, within this transfer window……..Just a feeling though and I could be well wide of the mark. I certainly think we would be prepared to spend that for the right player but convincing them to come will be the difficult bit.

There seems to be a lot of unbelievable negativity around villa fans at the moment. I really can’t quite understand it. Why on earth are people so agitated? Most villa fans have never had it so good.

Anyway. Here’s a bit of shameless positivity. Signing Youri on a free is easily the best bit of business that any Premier League team has done so far. Up the Youri. Up the Villa.

I like the shirt. I agree that it could be better but it’s still pretty cool I think.

It was always going to be difficult for us to get our top targets this summer. We will have to be patient. For once though, I totally trust us to make good decisions and if that means we wait, then that’s exactly what we should do.

For years we’ve had decent managers and average players representing England. Now we’ve actually got some really great players and we’re stuck with Safegate. It’s absolutely infuriating. I just can’t even be bothered to watch anymore. What a waste.

1 minute ago, VillaAlex said:

Feels like Rodrigo will be our next signing and I think it's a smart one. He's experienced and will be happy to play second fiddle to Watkins. 

He will also be of good use in Europe. 

He actually had a good season for Leeds last season as well. 

I agree so long as the fee and wages are reasonable 

Man Utd last away game of 23 and first away game of 24. Sweet. Get to beat rat face twice in quick succession.

1 hour ago, Adam2003 said:

‘Unless’

For comparison they offered Wilf Zaha £600,000 per week.

Wilf has proven that he can still run in the last 6 months.

I doubt little Phil will fancy Saudi unless the cash on offer is ridiculous. I kind of want to see him succeed at Villa but do accept that if he moves on, it may be good for all parties. It will be interesting to see what happens.