RichiBoi11

I can't see it. It's smart to essentially put the message out you're happy with your squad as it might stop clubs trying to overcharge too much if they think you will walk away, but after the bids for JWP and the rejected bid for the Oxford keeper I still fully expect 2 more signings. You can talk about the Smith-Rowe bids being an alternative to Bailey etc, but we haven't signed a centre mid or keeper despite officially bidding for both.

3 per game as per usual, but expanded to 9 on the bench.

He scored 10 league goals last season, 4 of which were penalties, so he's actually contributed a higher number of goals from open play than from the penalty spot. He's not a world beater, but this notion some people have that his only contribution is penalties is ridiculous.

This would be an interesting one in that I'm unsure if it would be an Under 23 signing, or a first team squad one. Obviously he's very young, but is older than his brother and older than all our youth team forwards like Barry and Young. I wonder if he'd be essentially taking the spot Wesley or Davis currnetly occupy if one leaves on loan.

I can't see him starting, he's only met the squad properly today. I think he will get 20-30 minutes off the bench though.

I could see this one happening, but possibly not until as late as deadline day. There's a lot of moving parts to this due to the fee which will no doubt be inflated, and the fact he's not fully fit currently, but if Southampton really are desperate for money it might come down to testing their resolve closer to the end of the window. The player himself might be happy to stay, but he made it clear he wasn't happy to just miss out on the Euros squad, and if he's there on deadline day and Southampton look like a sinking ship he might force the issue. Plus on deadline day they may say they want a ludicrous fee, of 50 plus for example, but if they're as desperate for cash as it seems due to the Chinese ownership, and we tell them, well you can have £40m now, or nothing until January, they might snap our hands off.

Considering noone is discussing it I'd say you might be on to something lol

This has really amused me. Kudos sir.

I think you could argue the opposite on the first 11. Yes there's no player of Grealish's quality anymore, but surely by having attacking threat across all three forward sections rather than just the left, that in turn improves the first 11. Sometimes a cohesive unit can be greater than a side built around one fulcrum.

If this is anyone other than Mings I'd be shocked. We have a lot of leaders, and Martinez etc would make great captains in their own right, but I think this armband could give Mings a boost and take him up another level. Yes some players feel pressure when they have an armband and crumble, but others thrive. Especially after his open dialogue about the Euros, imagine coming back to a roaring Villa Park where he's widely accepted and it's the minority that are unsure of him, and then stick an armband on him. He would go from strength to strength.

If he is he also said McNeil was our main target and we were after Bellingham. These could be true, but I'd be more inclined to say he's just making things up.

No idea what you're referring to mate...

He is definitely more of a Dean Smith style player than a specialist CDM would be. He's liked having technicians with high work rate in midfield at every club he's managed. That coupled with his free kicks is why he's probably the number one target ahead of a Sarr or Doucoure style signing.

Exactly. It's just not something most professional players would do.

Not necessarily, it depends what value we could get regarding our finances and the team versus what we'd lose. People can argue El Ghazy's general play and impact all day long, but the fact is he got us 10 Premier League goals last season. The management would have to weigh up if they can replace him and that with better, and depending on how the remaining budget was split, could we concievably replace that with better for £17 million. That's for the scouts and coaches to decide, but in this market I think you'd struggle.

Yeah the guys comments certainly suggest there's discussions around him leaving. I could see this one happening, especially as we have MacKenzie in the club.

I really don't see the point in selling El Ghazy right now, definitely not unless there's a surprise replacement ready to be announced like the Ings deal. Trezeguet is sidelined, Buendia missed the last 2 friendlies, Bailey is in isolation and hasn't even trained with the team and our starting left sided player has just swanned off to City. If you sell El Ghazy now who is there as a viable wide option? As much as people might not like it, he's needed right now. Also I know Philogene-Bidace has had a very good pre season and he's the one people would probably suggest ahead of El Ghazy, but it's very different performing in the Premier League to friendlies. What happens if he's chucked in with no alternatives if he isn't playing well? You negatively affect the team and his confidence. I know I'm in the minority on this thread, but £17m or not, I don't see the benefit to selling Anwar, especially not imminently.

That fee is ludicrous.

Also after a quick scan of his likes, he likes EVERY comment anyone puts on any of his posts, so there's absolutely no relevance to him liking posts about him joining Villa. You could comment that he's a terrible footballer that would never be good enough and he'd probably like it. Nothing to see on that. That's not to say we aren't in for him, but his social media activity is irrelevant to that.

I can't see him going personally. It's true this summer is probably where he's at his most saleable, but considering his goal output last season and the loss of Jack I think Smith sees him as a very solid back up. Plus he's been playing all of pre season and due to the lack of time for the new signings, he's likely to start the first few games of the season as well. If Jack had stayed he'd probably be off, but due to that I think Smith will keep him around for another season.

The line from one of his interviews I found interesting was concerning formations. When asked about Ings and Bailey he specifically said we could play with three forwards, a front 2, or 1 up top with a shadow striker. I think this season we will be alot less predictable, with differing formations in every game. It might take a while to gel, but with the attacking intelligence we now have we could become a very exciting proposition this season.

I like the idea of this as well. People think he's going to play either as a 10 or a wide player (understandably) but he has all the attributes to play deeper behind a front three like you've mentioned. He has the vision and creativity to excel when supporting the attack or playing them in, but also the tenacity and workrate to work well in a more orthodox central midfield, especially as part of a three with a dedicated holding player.

If he is utilised on the left I don't think it'll be as a winger though. Watrkins, Ings, Bailey could be used as a narrower front three, similar to Liverpool, where the wide players are playing mainly between the full back and centre back. We have full backs that are good crossers as well so this could suit the likes of Ollie down to the ground. However, for that to be a viable option, I think a new defensive midfielder would be required, unless Smith thinks this is the season Nakamba becomes a first 11 regular. It's just nice to have options, rather than a flat 11. Competition and balance usually produces an improved team.

Traore is a very good player. Yes he can be frustrating as he can drift between being dominant and ineffective week to week, but apart from the very top tier that is true of all wingers. Now he's in a position with the likes of Bailey and Bunedia where if he's on the pitch he has to perform, and if he isn't, someone else gets a chance. He's a solid building block for having a squad with real depth, and on his day he can do the unthinkable. A very good player to have around and I think the competition could make him up his game.

Something seems to really be up at Southampton. I could see this one actually happening, although if it does, it'll be right before the end of the transfer window.