Philosopher

Two seasons back Tammy and Ollie had almost the exact same goal contributions, but one played for Chelsea, and the other played every game. For me they are at a similar level, Tammy a better goalscorer, Ollie better at linking and pressing.

Arsenal have had a good summer window. Added real quality. Still think they lack a lethal goalscorer, but they now have no notable weaknesses. They will have a good crack at 4th place. I do think our goalie, back four and probably DM are better than theirs. If we add that midfielder then the midfield will be at least as good. However their creative assets are superior IMO. But that could turn on its head. To many unknowns about our attack still for me. Bailey and Buendia, how good are they really? Coutinho, can he be consistent? Watkins and Ings, do they have the qualities to shine in this set up? For me this summer was always about re-inforcing the foundation and spine (back four and quality in those central areas). Next summer the focus should be the attack.

If you want to make a proper comparison, then just look at Lukaku. Went to Inter looked like one of the best in the world. Came back to Chelsea looked like the same Lukaku at Man U. Lukaku is a good striker, but not world class. At inter he looked world class. The reality is the Premier league is a level above Serie A right now. Also Serie A isn't the uber defensive league it used to be. It's still somewhat defensive, but that plays into the hands of bigger, stronger forwards, as it means deeper defensive lines. Also in the Premier league almost all centre backs are 6 foot plus, and muscular. In Italy there are some smaller ones. I'm very interested in how Martinez is going to do at Man U. I worry about Ten Hag as it looks to me like he thinks he can get by on the formula he used at Ajax. I fear he is in for a rude awakening. Martinez and DeJong are very good players, but they will need a lot of protection, which Man U don't really have.

O'Neill didn’t want him. He loved Gabby, who at the time was a real hard worker. Mon played a front 2. Bent fit Houillier because we played 3 Attacking mids, and we just needed a finisher. Bent scored 9 goals in half a season (but contributed nothing else in those 6 months). After that the supply line did indeed dry up alot, the much heralded N'Zogbia was a total flop, and Bent who scored goals at an average at best Charlton team saw his goal return gradually dry. Up.

The Sangare hype train reminds of the summer before we signed Darren Bent. Everyone was mentioning him, saying how he was a great goalscorer which was exactly what we lacked. But when we got him, we found out his workrate and link up play was trash. His finishing was good, but not great, then he got injured came back fat and was never the same again. All those youtube highlights of Sangare on the ball he has the time to take 2 or 3 touches to get the ball under control. You don't get that time in the prem. I can see an expensive flop for any prem team that signs him. He would do better in Italy or Spain.

I know, but they have called a number of things before anyone else also. They were the first to call Jack to citeh, first to say Smith was under pressure and before the bad form even started. Everyone thought that was bs but the statement after his sacking pretty much confirmed this. First to say Gerrard was taking over.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-sensation-sources/ Apparently asking for 100k per week. Madness!!!!

Soucek is 50m at the most. Now Rice is 100m. I expect Bouba to be in a similar class to Rice in a couple seasons. McGinn and Luiz are 40m players with 2 or 3 years left on their contracts. Then JJ is worth at least 30m. We have more depth in CM.

I didn't know Luiz fellipe declared for Italy, the traitor! Naldo was very much around in previous years keeping Carlos out. Also previously his ball playing was in doubt, although last season or two he has shown considerable improvement in that area.

Luis Fellipe is a big up and and comer. Then there is also Naldo.

Triple post

Triple post

He has also improved a lot over the last 3 seasons and been instrumental in a Europa league winning defense. At international level he has been behind Thiago Silva and Marqinihos, as well as several other quality centre backs. Brazil has a lot of talent at cb. Also I said top class, not world class. God was the best in the world.

But what you pointed out is the case for most midtable teams. If they can get their first 11 out and fully fit, they are a threat to any team, but 2 or 3 injuries to key players and a relegation scrap is on the horizon.

I think Mings is borderline top class. I can't wait to see how he fares with a genuine top class CB, alongside him. I suspect he will look good. I tried to make a Conservative estimate, and was trying to avoid a Mings debate, as well as a Luiz, Mcginn, Ings, and Watkins debate. I think it's fair to set a baseline of good prem players for them.

Actually we signed 12 players not a whole squad. We already had Grealish, and McGinn, and we added a top half prem CB (Mings), 2 decent prem CB'S (Konsa and Hause), one decent prem LB (Targett), a good prem midfielder (Luiz), and a decent prem DM (Nakamba). So we got 6 prem players 2 good enough to still be first teamers, we already had two quality prem players. The business was generally good. We built on that really well with Cash, Martinez, and Watkins. A world class keeper and two top half prem players. We also added a midtable RW in Traore. At this point we had a midtable first team. We were a midtable team in terms of playing staff two summer windows ago. We will have had 2 more summer transfer window since to make that a top half of the prem team, with only one major outgoing in Jack. At this point we have added a top half striker (Ings) two midtable at the worst, but probably better creative players ( Buendia and Bailey). A top class creative player (Coutinho), and we have added a top class LB (Digne), and a solid back up keeper. Now we have to see how our 3 unseen signings (in a Villa shirt) will fair, but we all believe two of them are also top class. So to say we should be aiming for 7th or 8th is very realistic IMO. Last seasons 14th place was down to many factors, most of which could have similar effects on at least 14 teams in this league. Injury crisis at the start along with losing our only established quality creative player. Change of manager, changing tactical direction, bedding in a new attack. Last seasons 14th simply wasn't a true reflection of the squads capabilities. I would say the team that finished last season would with stability get 10th comfortably. I would say our squad is on West Ham, Wolves, and Leicester's level now. If we managed to poach Tielimans for example we'd have the best midfield outside the top 6, along with IMO the best defense outside the top 6, while weakening a direct competitor. A conservative estimate of first team quality: GK - world class CB's - Top Class, Good Prem Player. RB - Good prem player. LB - Top class DM - Top class. CM - 3 good prem players Creators - Top class, 2 good prem players. Striker - Two good prem players Even all the squad players now are premier league level. Add to that some precocious talent as well, we are in a good place. It can always be better, but we have come a long way. The balance is looking good too. Like everyone else I believe a top class CM that will blend in well with what we have would really set us up nicely. And a top class attacker would be the icing on the cake. But as we are now is good.

Yup top ten is the minimum. 7th or 8th with European qualification is what we really need. This would be a statement of intent, more money, more games so we'd be able.to accommodate a Deeper squad, and make us more attractive to those top tier talents. I'm pretty sure the board are desperate for this.

I would say Cash is good enough for the mean time. Guilbert lacks the quality. However Cash is rarely injured and Chambers is a capable back up fullback. After all we have 4 other centre backs. For me Chambers place in the squad is as much back up right back and DM, as centre back. The quality of right back we need could well be KKH. So to stick with Cash, and have Chambers and Young as back ups to right back, while KKH develops some more makes sense.

I agree with this mostly. I'd say Coutinho and Bailey offer better pentration and Bailey is a more direct threat to Buendia. I think Buendia offers more industry though. Bailey brings something that none of our other creative players do. Which is direct running at pace. We have more variety with Bailey and Coutinho as a result.

Of all the midfielder links and suggestions, on Bissouma had me excited. The endless youtube videos of Kone, Sangre, Laimer, and so on only ever looked to me like the prem would be a step too far them. That was until I saw Thuram! This kid is the real deal. Power, pace, aggression, and a good touch. He is has a big future if he can stay focused and free of injury. Would love to see this young man in a Villa shirt. I'm pretty sure however that PSG are all over this one.

Still doesn't look cut out for a possession based system.

Looking like he is exactly what we need. Between him and Carlos, two of our major weaknesses (playing out against the high press, and a DM that both passes well and protects the defense well) are sorted.

This is what I'm hoping. He is pretty much the only DM signing we could have signed that has this potential. It will probably take 20 games for him settle though. Once he does though our midfield will be a different animal. Well that's if all goes well!

He could be good, but will need time. Getting used to the lack of time on the ball is what troubles players from Italy most. Vialli and Ravanelli, needed time to adjust. Veron and Shevchenko never made the adjustment. It's the intelligent, quick thinking, technical players that seem to do better from Italy.

He look desperate to get fit, so he can fight for his place. He's definitely had his nose put out of joint with Carlos' arrival. The squad is looking really hungry. If we can steer clear of injuries then I think we'll have a good season.