Cizzler

None of which are actually left backs and all of which are massive step down on Targett.

He'd start ahead of Luiz in the '6' role. Gerrard has alluded to the fact that Luiz is "filling in" in Nakamba's absence and doing "okay". Whether Luiz would then push Ramsey out of the first XI remains to be seen. Gerrard said he wants two players for each position. McGinn, Ramsey, Luiz and Sanson would compete for the two '8' roles. Nakamba would then hopefully become depth to a new DM signing. Chukwuemeka is a notable omission - whether Gerrard sees him as a '10' or whether he'll be frozen out due to his contract remains to be seen.

Because they will be able to offer considerably more wages and higher transfer fees to the selling club.

Because they are at risk of relegation. If they stay up, they will be a better option than us in the summer. That's not "fear", that's a reality. It's not like we can offer European football or any recent success. They will be most players preferred option.

KKH looks set to go to MK Dons (and is a right back anyway). Ashley Young has mostly played left back in a 3-5-2 - and is miles worse than Targett anyway. It's more frustrating that we are helping them stay up. We get nothing back from loaning a 26 year old out. It should be a sale or nothing.

Utterly moronic to loan him to the Barcodes. The option to buy is irrelevant. If they stay up, they will obviously just sign someone a lot better. Why on Earth would we want to help that mob stay up. Getting relegated would set them back a couple of years. If they stay up, they’ll be signing the players we want. If we sold him for an inflated fee I could just about understand. A season-long loan is just incompetence.

A loan would be really disappointing - helps them and doesn't help us at all.

Only because the latter two have been injured/have knocks.

It’s a gif of spongebob squarepants… hardly “abhorrent”.

Pathetic reaction from Spurs fans hammering him for tweets he made whilst being a 15 year old Arsenal fan. Although I have no doubt Villa’s Twitter following would be just as low in similar circumstances. Twitter can be a cesspit.

I'd rather Chambers against a decent team and KKH against a poor team, if Cash couldn't play.

Bit of a strange one as I think Seb Revan got about 2 appearances there.

You’re right - Vs. United - drew a good save from De Gea. Agree with the above poster. A million x better now that Cash ‘long’ throw nonsense is in the bin.

He will play in one of the roles either side of the lone striker. Gary McAllister has said he fits Gerrard's preferred system. He won't be playing full-back (?). Some of the reactions in this thread are quite bizarre. He's returned one goal and two assists in 9 appearances. Grealish has two + two in 15 games. Sancho has 1 + 0 in 17 games. It's a tough transition from the Bundesliga (Havertz, Werner, Sancho, Konate, etc.) - but he's passed the eye test every time I've seen him play. He's only 24. People on this forum seem scared of having a squad of players that actually challenge each other. Traore, Coutinho, Buendia and Bailey are great options for two positions. As are Ings and Watkins, Digne and Targett, etc.

Kodjia > Watkins is certainly an interesting take (which I would massively disagree to) - but fair play. Kodjia left for nothing, whereas Watkins has enhanced his value. Think it’s too early for all of the summer signings. Although not sure why you are down on Bailey, I think he’s looked excellent in a couple of his cameos. Emi Martinez is currently our best player imo. Not sure what an “A” is, if it’s not signing one of the best keepers in the world for £15m.

Pay him what he wants.

Is this any better than Dean? Lost 5 on the bounce now, cheers Gerrard

As if we made a £2m loss on signing Idrissa Gueye...

This fans/no fans thing is so irrelevant. Grealish elevated his game. It gave Targett space to overlap and an easy out-ball rolling it to Jack's feet every time. The opposition RW was more preoccupied defensively too, 'doubling' Jack. No one who's played LW for us warrants that same attention this season. Such a lazy, recycled argument that he is 'mentally weak' and can only play with a lack of atmosphere. The team dynamic has changed. He's a limited player who benefited greatly having one of the best players in the league ahead of him. I'd like him to stay, but LB was in need of an upgrade. He'll be a decent back-up for a team challenging for Europe.

Yes, he is, - that's him there in third . Unrelated - but little peculiar that 3 of the top 4 most expensive left backs are Senegalese/part-Senegalese.

All of Mali's best players are centre mids tbf. Samassekou, Haidara and Mohamed Camara have all gone via the Red Bull route to European football.

Had a trial with us at 15, so looks like he's been on our radar for a while. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/1616119/exclusive-highly-rated-young-dundee-united-defender-kerr-smith-to-join-aston-villa/

Chukwuemeka? Sanson? The players look knackered?

At AFCON

Ah yes, James picked up by that massive Qatari club Al-Rayyan. Clearly his performances for Everton put him in their window. If Coutinho is motivated, he’ll be an unbelievable signing. He’ll be the most talented player in the squad by a country mile.