chunkyluke

I think it's either Clarke (and he is my choice) or Gabby. That said if he plays regularly Senderos could be a decent choice, or for a real dark horse maybe Westwood.

Similar to how I would line up. Except but Richards on RB, Okore on CB. Push bacuna up to RW, and then gabby on the bench. For games we want to attach we keep Richardson at LB, and swap Sanchez for Westwood. Or if we are coming up against a team we need to contain then Sanchez to man-Mark their key player, and swap Richardson for Cissoko. However this puts all creative pressure on Graelish which I am concerned about. Also Gabby on bench to go on against tired defenders. Unfortunately. I place for Hutton on the 11, but he gives us a quality option at RB if Micah goes central or can't play. Have to admit that this 11 could get some points! Although would greatly prefer Delph to give us some drive, concerned that all out CMs left all prefer to play deeper and not drive forward.

"30 left backs" everyone of them garbage. 50 shades of left back

Neither, as a professional I have a lot of respect for Cole. And even his cameos this season just gone have been good. Just need more game time. However in happy for him to be around as a mentor for Graelish as well.

said it in the Guzan thread. We should go after Mat Ryan from Club Brugge. Might be biased as an Aussie but Ryan is class! Best of a very good batch of Aussie keepers at the moment, him and Mitch Langerak are both very good.

TYPO! Apologies, now fixed for all you Cieran Clarke, Sharewood and Guzman haters Guzman? Reminds me of Community

And leave with a signed contract hopefully

Lazio probably more up Aleksander's street. Jeez imagine the fun him and Di Canio could have got up to...

This. Must be relatively confidant the big marn ain't going nowhere, or that would be number one priority. Just because there's not more links in the media doesn't mean he's not leaving. More just lazy journalism. We'd be a hard club to make a striker rumor for if Benteke is leaving. I know that a lot of transfer talk is just rubbish "throw a dart" journalism, but considering that everyday we are hearing about Liverpool buying Benteke, wouldn't that flow on to lazily linking us with strikers too? Apart from the lambert/borini as part of swap deal

Yes on the face of it. But we need to have the option of going front 2 for periods as well.

Guess it depends on the formation we plan on playing, how ever I reckon we will see another striker at the club before the end of the transfer window. Just depends on how expensive, if tekkers leaves or not.

This. Must be relatively confidant the big marn ain't going nowhere, or that would be number one priority.

From my understanding Gueye is not an attacking midfielder, more defensive or box to box. I think Essyric is another option in the Chery, Praet saga

Either way I'm happy with the business the club is doing ATM. If it does mean that Delph is out at least they are making a strong replacement signing. On the other hand if he stays then this is also a great platform to start building a team and season from. I'm just happy we are going after and attracting high level targets. Long may it continue.

Sensing a common theme. This was mentioned in Richards signing as well.

Source? Chilli most likely

Tim?

he has the longest throw in football!!! ITK?

Worrying, if true. Isn't that the same figure as Delph's release clause?

He will be missed if not replaced properly. He is a different type of centre half then what we have at the club. Clarke is a fire and brimstone defender, baker is a monster in the air, closest we have to Vlaar is Okore I feel (even then they are different). Him and Senderos complimented each other well, and I think they might be used to playing with a different type of player (more continental). I remember seeing stats regarding villa's clearances versus passing out from the back when he is there and I think that sums up well what he can add.

Are you ITK tho? I can feel it in my bones. Then it's good enough for me

I think the two are rather highly correlated problems... This is part and parcel of the position though isn't it. I mean let's say Benteke fluffs a pass a to Zog, the opposition defence pick it up and build and attack but from there half. Now Sanchez fluffs his pass to Delph and suddenly their centre forward is barrelling down towards Vlaar( who is probably think how best he can wait for him to get into the box and then give away a penalty!) In his area of the park any miscued passes result in direct pressure on our defence. So these errors are more costly and stand out more.

Didn't he just have a birthday, turning 27? Or was it that Sherwood never plays him? Or is it that Liverpool want him, but not for his release clause, but they are crap. Or is it that sliced kick against Man City? Or that good things don't happen to us? I get a little confused with all the regular VT convos

He's definitely not doing anything to help is cause hahahaha. God I hope we don't get a Wilshire version 2.0

There is a special level of bad reserved for Gabor Kirarly.... Him and his bloody tracksuit pants! Is it just me or was over half his career solely based on being loaned out to clubs up a certain creek without a certain propulsion device with regards to keepers