penguin

Doesn't look like Kozak has played regularly anywhere, aside from the season he broke through at Opava. I don't think a loan would be the worst idea in the world, especially if he is going to be right down the pecking order.

Seen this a few times that he's only had one good season and I have no idea where it's coming from. He scored 13 in 27 games in the 13/14 season for Christ sake, and he was a substitute in 6 of those.

I understand the point about the lack of importance of pre-season games although I feel its a little naive to simply dismiss the fact a player has shown a clear weakness in his game, which hasn't improved in the run of games at all imo, as the games being 'meaningless'. And yes every player has made mistakes but Richards has consistently shown the tendency to get caught too high up the pitch, leaving our defence exposed on a number of occasions, when he is where he's supposed to be he has made a few decent clearances and in fact surprised me how good he seems in the air, but that isn't the issue.

Those Leicester fans "Why would he join a sinking ship" "Shows he has a lack of self-belief if he joins Villa" Anybody would think they were knocking on the top 4s door instead of being incredibly shit for the most of last season.

Observations are fine. But saying he is balls or would rather play anyone than him at CB or saying he is waste of money and can't understand the signing is a little OTT in my opinion. Of course, but you will get hyperbole like this in pretty much every players thread. It's hardly been the majority, nearly every criticism I've read has been reasoned and based and what he's showed thus far. The suggestions he is already the scapegoat and this will be the thread thats bumped when you lose, as if the criticisms have been baseless are utter bollocks though imo. Strong criticism of a new player based on a couple of meaningless friendlies which are only there for match fitness is ridiculous. Training is where they do tactics, pre season friendlies is where they do fitness. I saw people refusing to give Guzan credit earlier this summer because he was only playing meaningless competitive internationals, but now it's perfectly fine to dish out the criticism to Richards because of these oh so meaningful pre season friendlies? Eagerly awaiting Richards making his first mistake of the season (as everyone makes) for the inevitable "stealing a living" / "right back or gtfo" comments that will be coming. I think it would be interesting to do a "Richards Vs Gil mistake counter" counting each stray pass / poor positioning etc and see if the number of mistakes they make has any bearing on how we feel about them because for some it feels like Gil can do no wrong, and Richards very little right. Of course I can't imagine anyone having enough time on their hands to actually do that! So because you saw that some Villa fans not give Guzan credit for preseason games that means others can't use it to judge a player on how he's performed? You do realise the Villa fanbase is comprised of a number of different people right? So it doesn't make it hypocritical at all, unless its the same person of course. As for the Gil remark. Yes i'm sure you are right ,nobody would have time to do that, especially as it would be a completely useless comparative measure. People are rating Gil because they feel he's played well (surely you should be in the Gil thread telling them they aren't allowed to judge a player on how he's performed in meaningless pre-season game, maybe pop into the Kozak thread as well) and a number of people have been criticising Richards because he hasn't. Nothing to do with scapegoating which I get the impression your post is eluding to.

Unfollowed the club as well apparently. Surely going.

Observations are fine. But saying he is balls or would rather play anyone than him at CB or saying he is waste of money and can't understand the signing is a little OTT in my opinion. Of course, but you will get hyperbole like this in pretty much every players thread. It's hardly been the majority, nearly every criticism I've read has been reasoned and based and what he's showed thus far. The suggestions he is already the scapegoat and this will be the thread thats bumped when you lose, as if the criticisms have been baseless are utter bollocks though imo.

It does and I hope this is the case as it looks like he'd be far better at RB imo.

He hasn't looked great at CB; suspect positioning coupled with a tendancy to run too high up the pitch has caused a goal scoring oppourtunity against us in every preseason game I've watched him feature in. And has been previously mentioned, yes a defence is a unit, hence why one of the players being out of position is so costly; a chain is only as strong as its weakest link as they say. How anyone who's watched the games so far and isn't even slightly concerned is pretty much baffling to me and making observations to weakness of his game isn't making him a scapegoat, its stating facts.

If this comes off off and he's as good as some are making out, then who knows with Gueye looking as good as he has in pre-season it could be a good thing Delph **** off.

Aerial threat. Admittedly can only judge from highlights myself really, but Gestede looks just as good as Benteke in the air. Won more aerial duels than any other player in the championship last season, including defenders. Also read that he's scored at least 4 more headed goals than anyone else in the championship in the last two seasons. With some of the balls Amavi puts in I could see Gestede scoring a load, I really hope we get him.

Kozak is available according to Nixon.

From what I've seen of Amavi his crossing is excellent so could see a player like Gestede scoring a handful just from his deliveries.

Anyone know if this Nixon guy is reliable? Sounding like a deal for Gestede is close from what he's saying.

Nice unbiased article there.

What hate? Some people don't rate him very highly but I haven't seen any hate.

Most strikers won't be, even at the top level. He was in a class of his own at times.

Pure class. I'm already starting to hope it's true now.

This is how I'm feeling about it. I remember watching him at VP when he was at Spurs, 07/08 season I think, and it was probably one of the best performances from a striker I've ever seen in the flesh, brilliant movement, link up play and he just glided around so effortlessly. But at 34 it would really have to be questioned whether he's still got it, cant say I've followed him at Monaco.

Still getting caught out of position by being too high up the pitch, his pace does get him out of trouble but hopefully will be a bit more conservative about bombing forward when the real games start.

Had a good game but no chance he was MOTM. Gueye, Kozak and Bacuna all better imo.

Class act. Ran the show tonight.

Villa conceding a late goal. Say it aint so.