alreadyexists

My strongest side (before injury returns) would be something like:

Guzan

Hutton Vlaar Senderos Cissokho

Westwood Sanchez Cleverley Delph

Gabby Weimann

It's a shame to leave Richardson, and to a certain extent N'Zog on the bench after positive starts but I think that's the strongest we can field at the moment.

diamond then in midfield? Lambert was certainly looking to play that when he first got the job, maybe he'll give it another crack. would require sanchez to cover when the full backs are up the pitch as otherwise we'd have no width.

Judging by the signings of Sanchez and Cleverley it certainly seems that's what will happen, unless we're going to play a 5man midfield, with Sanchez as DM still and the wingbacks giving us width, and cleverly/N'Zog(?) in a AM role, and then just have Bentekkers up on his own once fit. He's more than capable, but against the weaker sides it would be nice to see us play more attacking with two strikers.

Something that stands out to me at the moment is that most people are picking the same back four (where as last year it was difficult to pick) and we're finding it hard to pick a midfield without leaving someone out who would have walked in last year. Positive stuff.

Would love a top 10, and I don't think it's too out of our reach, but I think a lot of the sides around us have strengthened so that could push us lower, maybe realistically 12th would be a good finish, but honestly I'd take us getting to delegations safety in April. That would be a result.

My strongest side (before injury returns) would be something like:

Guzan

Hutton Vlaar Senderos Cissokho

Westwood Sanchez Cleverley Delph

Gabby Weimann

It's a shame to leave Richardson, and to a certain extent N'Zog on the bench after positive starts but I think that's the strongest we can field at the moment.

Jack's virtually playing on his own. I think he's the only player (Irish) that comes from a prem side, there's a couple of reading players and a blackburn I think. It does sort of show so far (although I know good players can play for lower teams).

I would buy that t-shirt. I love that his catchphrase is a misspelling, and can't wait for this lad to come back. If he can turn the glimmer of promise he has shown in to performances then we'll have some player on our hands.

I'm obviously bias but he totally made the right choice coming to us, at Chelsea he might've played a handful of league cup games or a couple of prem games. As it stands that's all he's played for us, but he would've, and I'm sure will go on to, play a lot more.

Poor Phil. I wonder what's in those bags; I assume misery and his own tears.

Cissokho was player of the month for August, Here, and I agree that he played really well. Hard to choose between him and rest of the back four but he's done great so far.

Something about his head makes me aggressive. Also his nose is too big and his mouth is too small.

He could look like a pile of crap draped in a villa shirt for all I care, as long as he plays well and helps the team out.

 

He does a bit.

Ha! My point is the way someone looks has nothing to do with how they play football. If he turns out to be crap for us, then he's crap, and that's that, and if he's good he's good, it's nothing to do with his nose, or mouth.

Anyone think it's worth a punt on cleverley, he's still down as Man U at the mo, and is 5.3m... A bit of money for unknown result, but if he plays in an advanced role could get a few assists and goals?

 

Bit of a risk seeing as we dont even know if he'll start for us

True but could be a good gamble it if pays off, I'm not sure either though.

Love this! He looks like he gives Jack whiplash he hugs so hard.

Something about his head makes me aggressive. Also his nose is too big and his mouth is too small.

He could look like a pile of crap draped in a villa shirt for all I care, as long as he plays well and helps the team out.

The Swiss Troll

Season 2 is good.  3 is a joke, then it slightly redeems itself for season 4.  But I wish I could have told myself to stop at 2.

 

Been watching "In the club" with my wife (who's preggerz, didn't you know? ) it's about women giving birth and stuff.  Pretty good actually.  The bloke from 2 pints of larger is in it and he's actually good.

Agreed. I loved season 1 of PB, 2 was pretty good, but 3 was terrible so I stopped watching.

Anyone think it's worth a punt on cleverley, he's still down as Man U at the mo, and is 5.3m... A bit of money for unknown result, but if he plays in an advanced role could get a few assists and goals?

I wonder if this time next year we'll be reading about links between Jack and the top four clubs. Could happen as he's clearly a massive talent. I don't think I've ever wanted a villa youngster to succeed as much as I want it for Jack, but he's got so much promise and seems to be a proper villa lad. I think he'll be great for us, and if one day the top 4 do come calling, I hope he stays with the club.

Keep it up Jack. UTV.

 

Well it would help if we could offer him a new deal as he will be playing for another club this time next year otherwise.

That's a good point, he could walk out the door rather than re-sign if he wants. Would be a shame though, really should be a priority to sign a new contract with him (and the others) as soon as possible.

Maybe the mods could do a poll for the nickname in this thread? I think I'd vote for either Bald Eagle or Senderlols, both are excellent.

Guzan

Hutton--Senderos--Vlaar--Cissokho

The Rock

Cleverley--Westwood--Delph

Weimann

Benteke

Subs: Given,Okore,Bacuna,Richardson,Grealish,Gabby,Kozak. With Zog/Cole/Bent as really decent squad players who can push for a place in the squad and Baker/Clark/Herd/Lowton/Robinson as back-ups. I'd probably put Robinson ahead of Bent tbh.

I think that's a good side. Richardson has played well, although he does seem knackered by about 75mins, so it seems harsh to drop him, but I think that would probably be the plan. I'd probably out Zog on the bench ahead of Richardson... But that's debatable.

Who would have thought that we'd have a back four we all pretty much agreed on!? With Okore to come back too makes it evens stronger with competition for places.

I can only assume those getting in a lather over the intricacies of this move are our younger brethren.

Do you have any idea of the shenanigans that sent on in the seventies over transfers ?!

Had we had rolling news and the internet we could easily have discovered we were not peter withes first choice, for example.....would that have mattered ?

Get over yourselves !

Welcome aboard to a decent player with his best years ahead of him.

That's true. I suppose as fans we expect players to have the same ultimate and unswerving loyalty to a club as we do, and that is very rarely the case. It's a bit like your missus mentioning an ex, you know there were others, but you'd prefer not to think about it.

Tom Cleverley, welcome to the best club in the world, work hard, play well and we'll love you.

I imagine if wages were the stumbling block, as was mentioned yesterday, then perhaps we've said come on loan and we'll pay your current wage in exchange for first team football, and of you do well, we'll make you an offer in January for wages we think are fair (by which time it might not be randy's problem). Sounds like win win for villa; he does well, we do well, he does poorly, we're no worse off (other than 1.5m ish in wages).

This was a strange deal, but I stand by my original thoughts that this can only be good for the team.

UTV.

This gif has been the highlight of the thread

It's been the gif highlight of my life (with the possible exception of Bowery spinning in the wheelchair). Partly because it's such a mystery; who is that man, whys he so happy, who made the gif?

Have no idea who the chap is but he reminds me of the type of person who would be a contestant on Going For Gold!!! (showing my age a little there!)

Lol. Henry Kelly was the best. He does look like he's won a game show, maybe GFG or perhaps Strike it Lucky?

It's our new owner

Ah, so he's the head of that US Consortium, he seems balanced and well informed.

This gif has been the highlight of the thread

It's been the gif highlight of my life (with the possible exception of Bowery spinning in the wheelchair). Partly because it's such a mystery; who is that man, whys he so happy, who made the gif?

Well that's the end of that. Not a bad window overall, certainly a stronger squad, just could've been stronger still of we'd added a couple more.

Who the hell is Trevor?

An come on ya know Trevor surely? Everyone knows him...

Oh Trevor, that Trevor...

You know Old Trevo, he's that bloke who sat three rows behind you at VP and shouts at players using only their first name.