vreitti

Based on last night, and his recent 'form', I'm starting to think us having bought Taylor wasn't such a terrible move after all.

Honestly I don't know. I'd have probably started with Lansbury and Hourihane regardless. I think I'd also have gone for Grealish. It really is impossible to say what the hell is wrong at Villa. It don't seem to matter how 'good' a player is, the moment they pull on our claret and blue shirt, they turn to garbage. I actually refrained from posting last night, mostly to give myself more time to gain some perspective, and in order to minimize the amount of overreactions on here. Sadly it didn't help diddly squat. I feel really let down at the moment, although we've arguably already played even worse since Bruce arrived. I was firmly against the appointment from start. He then almost won me over with the early results, and now all I can see again is a clueless manager. I don't wanna see him sacked, but I'm not expecting anything more than a modest improvement at best.

My only criticism of Bruce for last nights pathetic display is trying to breed in all the signings at once. That to me, is a sign of a clueless manager, way out of his depth. With that wealth of experience, he really should know better. I'm still willing to accept it takes time 'to gel' and to develop a tactic that best suits our (new) players. However, we have to see some more improvement in the coming weeks & months.

There's something strange at work here now, I can't seem to find the Westwood thread anywhere...

What the bloody hell is this!? We just keep signing player after player. I was already over the moon with our midfield acquisitions, and now it seems we'll be getting Hogan in as well. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, we've pretty much addressed every single weakness in the squad, and all in one window. At the end of the day, I'm sure some of them might end up being a bit lackluster, but the level of excitement and joy I'm now feeling is unreal. There can be no denying we are firmly headed in the right direction after more than 5 years of total misery. Thank you Dr. T!

The way we've done business in this window, it's a certainty we have a replacement coming in for Ayew.

I get this Lampardesque vibe about Hourihane. It's a strange feeling, one I haven't felt for ages...

Did I say you have to my word for it? Look it up yourself FFS if it concerns you. I just stated an opinion based upon Swansea matches I've seen this season, which oddly is quite a few. Honestly I could give a rats ass about whether it's true or not, as I don't particularly rate him either way.

I could see Ashley Young returning.

I think he'll be a starter in a three man midfield with Lansbury and Hourihane.

A loan is fine now that we have options. Let him develop, then re-evaluate the situation.

And at no point did I say you said it would happen. I just said "it's absurd to expect..." Maybe you yourself should read posts more carefully.

Well, from what I've seen he's never really stood out for me in a defensive point of view. He's rather lightweight, and also seems to have trouble with positioning. Gets exposed quite easily imo. He's however decent with the ball, and can also cross. I still think he's a lesser player than Amavi. Also you have to look at this years results with Swansea, he's really been part of a disastrous defense. I haven't looked up the stats, but my gut feeling is that Swansea have let in less when he's been injured.

I don't rate him at all, and do not think he's 'premier league quality'. Would rather see we go after an unknown quantity.

I've been seeing comments like this sprouted around for a while now. It's getting really tiresome. The goals won't miraculously just reappear because he "busts his arse". When will people finally realise he's more or less done at this level. The statistics speak for themselves. I think it's great he's been playing better, and I do hope it continues, but it's absurd to expect some sort of massive turnover in terms of goals.

Wouldn't you then agree he's been the best of the worst? There is a reason you know, he's getting picked ahead of others. Therefore he most certainly not don't warrant the abuse he's getting.

What a load of bollocks. I really can't understand the expectations!? Westwood isn't a box-to-box midfielder, neither is he a tough-tackling midfielder, nor a supreme creative attacking force, that'll constantly provide the killer through pass. People need to accept he's a limited footballer, who's fairly decent at retaining possession and 'making us tick'. He's been nowhere near as bad as some are making out.

Jack is a modern day luxury player, and now that we finally have a midfield we can get the best out of him. Would be utter madness to sell him at this point.

I don't really know what to think about the others, but Hourihane looks like an actual footballer.

Great backup for Hutton!

We aren't actually that far off yet, only need to win all of our remaining games.

Miguel?

Signing Hourihane will likely give us a chance of premier league football in the not so distant future.

This couldn't really have come at a worse time. We never seem to get a break. So disappointing. Then again, Gabby got a second chance, the same should apply to RMc. Sincerely hope he takes it, otherwise he can piss off.

Getting some more accomplished midfielders besides him might actually raise his game, and perhaps Jedinak is the one that will have to get used to the bench. Either way it gives us much needed options.