Philosopher

Yes and I am very happy about the Buendia signing. He is perfect for us. This move smells of failures sign our preferred targets or simply don't have much more money to spend.

Upto 20 million I would be fine with. I feel that and a quality 6 or JWP (ideally both). This would see us have a first team capable of mixing it with any team in the league. A striker that can play wide and 10 would be the icing on the cake.

Konsa threw in 8's and 5's. It evened out

If we still sign a pacy left back then I'm cool with that.

That's my view. It's not insulting. He is a solid, reliable performer that has his limitations. One good season as a defensive fullback, doesn't make him a top fullback.

No he wasn't. Jack was! Our most improved player yes, most reliable defender yes. Watkins was better than him, Konsa was on par with him. Targett went from needing to be replaced to undropable. That is certainly fine work. But he is still limited.

Basically the 4-2-3-1, played just like we used it last season, only with slightly more creativity. This won't take us forward unless we sign at least one top class specialist 6 and a quality shadow striker.

Sorry but this move really disappoints me. I don’t rate Targett as anything more than a reliable 6-7 out of ten player. I was hoping for real competition here. For me this is a position where we need a viable quality alternative, with pace and energy. It all hints to the tactical approach we are likely to take, which doesn't excite me.

Those guys one were world class. Ashley as much as I love him never was. They both play in more sedentary positions where they just need to hold their position and not cover large distances. They don't require lots of explosive bursts either.

Great memories, which belong in the past, whose only value is look back upon fondly. This move seems desperate, I'm genuinely concerned for the rest of the summer.

He has been in Italy for 2 seasons where he has done fairly well. But the rigors of the Premier league break aging players. This has disaster written all over it. Fortunately we aren't in a position where we have to throw him into the first team straight away.

All I can say is Joleon Lescott!

Balls! This would be pointless doesn't improve us one bit.

Are there any concrete links yet? As all I see is Birmingham live in the sewers rubbish. I'm still very sceptical on both if a deal is being done and how useful he would be to us. I think he'd be lucky to get a game.

And a left back. I still remember how people were upset at 'missing out' on Maupay, and how much better than Wesley he would have been! This season that debate might finally be settled, however Maupay is clearly very average at this level.

How is 10 to 20 million the rest of our transfer budget. No way is target one of the best left backs. He has had one good season being played quite defensively, and one bad season playing quite offensively. He is decent but limited. Certainly not one of the best. If you really think that you're in dream land.

Like said 3 times already speed and energy. A left back better suited to overlapping on a regular basis, to put it bluntly. A large part of the reason Targett had a good season is the more measured attacking intent. He basically was played like a traditional fullback that defends first and rarely gets beyond the winger to the byline. Young at 35 won't be able to do this. And he isn't going to be as good as Targett let alone better. So how is that competition? They're not good enough to be competition for Targett, they're in decline, and will want higher wages as they are on a free. They probably also want hefty signing on fees. It's not logical.

If those 3 teams are really interested, he must be talented as those teams are very good at identifying raw talents. Doesn't mean he'll make.it, but maybe worth speculating on.

When did I say replace him. It's about getting competition for places in every position and increasing the quality of the first team and squad, whether that's from player improving or better players coming. Increased competition mean having to work harder to keep your place and thus pushing players to improve. If the competition is too tough then a better player will emerge. I'm sorry if you don't understand this concept, I'm also sorry if you misconstrue what I'm saying and i apologise if you feel I'm am targeting you even if you aren't the only person to endorse a move for Bertrand or Young. Long live Dean Smith!

Let also be clear on something, guys like Cavani, Ronaldo, Ibrahomovic, and Fernandinho as well as being world class and consummate professionals are exceptions to the rule. Over 90% of top division footballers aren't good enough once they hit 33 / 34.

And all three are players whose games have never relied on pace. They are all players that no longer offer the same workrate. There is a certain type of player that can play until their mid to late 30s. Players whom have excellent technique, and intelligence, that can play their position in a way that doesn't require running 10kms per game, or long sprints. Ronaldo keeps his bursts of speed to 10 to 20 yards in and around the 18 yard box. He plays as hybrid target man / trequartista / fox in the box. Fullback is a position that requires high fitness levels and at least reasonable speed (which Targett struggles with). We don't need right back cover. Left back cover is little to no use. Cover at left back when Targett played every prem game, and both Hause and Mings can play there. Competition and a Viable alternative with pace and energy is what is needed.

My post wasn't directed at Smith or the club. I don’t believe any of the players I mentioned are genuinely being looked at. Over 30s are simply not part of our strategy, unless the cost and quality are high, like Heaton. The Heaton deal backfired, and actually became an example of the dangers of signing aging players. At 31 plus player 2 games a week will lead to injury and there is alway a heightened risk of injury. Bertrand for example has a history of knee and hamstring injuries.

As a master builder I can tell you that if a builder does a stop gap job, half the time it won't last for as long as you want it to, if by chance it does then it will probably be neglected till it becomes a major.problem again and need more work to correct t than in the first place. Stop gaps cost you more in the longer term.

Where have they shown this? I'm sure they're looking at talented young left backs. Targett certainly won't (nor should be) thrown to the wayside for a new LB. Targett will still go into preseason as the first choice regardless of who we sign, and it will be up to the new signing to show he deserves to start ahead of Targett. It's about competition, and keeping players on their toes, while looking to progress the club. Stop gaps don't serve any real purpose unless you have a young player in that position you are EXTREMELY confident about, or a quality player that is out injured for 4 months of the season or more. Otherwise they're simply acts of desperation, because of a lack of a better option. Villa have a f ton of options right now.

Everyone keeps banging on about our Owners and the ambitions of the club then want us to sign Bertrand, Ashley Young and Ross Turnbull! I think we are too used to thinking small time! Villa are building for the future. How is signing past it players, and players that clearly lack the physical qualities to succeed in the Premier league. The other thing that annoys me is the 'we have Targett so we only need cover.' Now i like Targett, but he is limited, and his limitations restrict our tactics. He has good technique, solid in the tackle, decent in air (for a fullback), and found real consistency. Lots to admire for sure. But no top team would sign him because he is too slow and doesn't have the natural fitness to tear up and down the touchline relentlessly for a full 90. Used as traditional fullback he has shown quality. Used as a modern fullback he has shown to be a liability. A good season doesn't make a top player. He needs competition, and Villa need a speedy, energetic alternative.