Keener window-cleaner

It was only a couple of minutes, but I think he showed that he right away can cope with the tempo and physicality, he looked really fast, strong and competitive, and a willing runner. Signs are good for this one!

Not favourite XI but most entertaining would be this, in a nice 3-4-3: Örjan Nyland Didier Agathe Dion Dublin Tony Moon Adama Traoré Sasa Curcic Eric Djemba-Djemba Aleksandar Tonev Tommy Johnsson Marlon Harewood Grant Holt Subs: Nzogbia Traoré Macoun Kodjia Hadji Samba

I think it's quite difficult to say, for both of them it depends so much on how used they are to the other players, what formation we play, how well drilled the team is on a whole and what instructions they get. Under a proper manager in a well drilled team, clear role that suits them I think both can be regarded to have really good decision making. The difference between them I'd say is that Bailey is more direct and faster, Traore has more smooth technique and is a better passer (blind one touch cross field passes included!). Both of them in optimal circumstances, I'd say Bailey probably would contribute more to the team.

I had kind of expected us to make a couple of big signings in January, but for me recalling Traore compensates not making any more signings. I really like him and love to see how Emery can improve him. He can play both an attacking midfielder an as a striker in the 4-2-2-2, he has said that he prefers to play centrally and may get a chance to do that now. Otherwise I think he is perfectly suited to the attacking midfielder/wide role in Emery's system. I'm quite sure he will continue to blow hot and cold, he is a real maverick, the type of player who can be absolutely fantastic when his mood is right and the stars are aligned, likewise go missing in periods. I doubt this will change under Emery, but I still think he can play an important role. Emery seems to rotate players more so it will be perfect to have him available when needed. He is the kind of player I'd pay to watch no matter what team he would play in. Welcome home Bertie!

I'd love to see Emery's face when Korts comes back and Emery gets a first hand look at his passing ability.

Clearly a very talented player, but I'm a bit worried about his defensive qualities.

Yes I also expected that warrior that was described, wonder how many times they watched him before signing him. I've said it a couple of times in this thread over the last years and I think it's quite simple actually. He said himself that he struggled with the tempo and the physicallity when he came here and got injured quite fast. He was simply not good enough and strong enough for the PL, technically gifted, but on the whole not good enough to compete on a daily basis. And when you are not good enough and strong enough, you make mistakes and you get injured. The signing didn't make sense at the time and didn't work out. Best of luck Morgan, hope he smashes it in Ligue 1 and we get some money for him in the summer.

I think today's game actually shows how he is improving, we are used to see him blow hot and cold, getting the ball in attacking positions and it's 50/50 if he fumbles over the ball or does something great, and then being sloppy in possession. Today he was more of a team player, he was careful with his passing and contributed to the overall play and keeping possession. He raised the lower standards of his game. That he can hit the hieghts we know.

I just love him he has given me my Villa back. The way he has improved the team using basically the same players is just amazing. We have a clear game plan and enhanced tactics, you can see that the players know what to do and are well drilled, as important, our tactics and formation changes during the game. He really is a world class manager, whereas Gerrard stood still, hand on cheek looking lost, or sitting grumpy in the dugout, and whereas Steve Bruce stood and just barked, Emery is constantly focused and active, gives instructions to the players all the time, walks back and fourth and you can litteraly see his brain going on overdrive to out think the opponent. The period in the second half between 50-60 mis was some of the best passing play I've seen us play. Say what you want about us being lucky with decisions, we had 63% possession away, 556-320 in passes and16-8 in shots, we controlled the game and bossed them and fully deserved to win.

Does anyone have the L'Equipe links? It's one of the most reliable papers around imo.

I just came in to this thread, have I understood it correctly that we are signing Pissflaps?

Haha that's true actually, but sooner or later they will find one if they keep buying! Moffi looks a real prospect!

Did I see it right that we played more of a 4-2-3-1 this time, with Buendia as the no 10 (or perhaps the second striker in a 4-4-2?). Anyway it seemed like Bailey played more out to the right this time. Didn't he play on the wing, but to the left, the last game he was amazing in the Danks-game? Hopefully he can be played out wide from now on, seems to be his best position and comes best to his right there.

Fully agree, the work he does off the ball is really valuable for the team, but wont get noticed much by some or in the stats, also that he constantly shows up for a pass is so good for the team as a whole. On top of that he has the ability to make the killer pass, which he quite often does. Would be good also to have a stat for a pass leading to an assist. I bet he and Luiz would rank very high on that stat.

My ideal January window would be bringing in Ismaila Sarr to play left wide forward/left winger (he has played most games on the left this season), he is one of the fastest players in England and would give us good options, having him and Bailey on each flank would be a great option. He also seems to be a good character, has good technique and can develop further, is settled in England and used to the PL. Then I would like another option up front, a target player, there Teremi Moffi has really caught my eye, could be a good gamble at 25M. Then I'd like to exchange Sanson and some money for Guendouzi, we would be well equipped with Kamara, Luiz, Guendouzi and big Donk in the middle of the pitch. To balance the books I wouldn't mind letting Cash go, I think Young and Konsa/Chambers could do a job there until the summer. If needed I could let Ings go as well, though I'd prefer him to stay. Bednarek could also return, with Carlos coming back and Chambers or even big Donk we have cover there. It's also time to let Nakamba get some more playing time at another club. We do need another back up keeper as well, but also that can wait to the summer. That would make us well balanced with plenty of options, but at the same time not stock piling players, but giving everyone some playing time and keep them happy. Martinez/Olsen as GK. Mings, Konsa, Carlos, Chambers and big Donk as CB. Digne and Moreno as LB. Young and Konsa/Chambers as RB. Kamara, Luiz, Guendouzi and big Donk as CM. Ramsey and McGinn as the forward midfielders if we play 4-2-2-2. Sarr and Bailey on the flanks if we play 4-2-3-1. Buendia and Coutinho as no 10 (or the further midfielders in the 4-2-2-2 or inside forwards in the 4-2-3-1. Then Watkins, Moffi and Ings as strikers. I guess it would be about 25M for Sarr, 25M for Moffi and perhaps 15M + Sanson for Guendouzi. Say we can get 20M for Cash, 5M for Nakamba and save some wages on Bednarek and if needed also on Ings. If someone would be willing to take Coutinho on his wages, I would let him go as well.

The only thing I don't like with this is that my wet dream of bringing Calvin Bassey to the club becomes more distant...

Oh no Big Donk! I thought he was a fully reliable specialist DCM. Very surprised to see him make those mistakes.

Haha! Perhaps we can sign E Honda in Street Fighter II while we are at it?

I think he should be first choice of our two holding midfielders, we need his defensive attributes, the way he spots danger and falls back between the centre backs at times, his defensive positioning and the way he stands his ground is all so valuable. Add to that his strentgh and how good he is in the air. Sure he is not the slickest of passers, but it's functional and safe and more than good enough for a defensive midfielder. He is perfect to pair with Luiz, who then can concentrate mote on our build up play and forward passing. Kamara is a bit of a mix between the two, so perfect to rotate the three of them.

Funny how differently we see it, I think Konsa is one of our better and safer passers, he is probably the defender I feel the most assured about when he has the ball (or perhaps Digne is better). And when it comes to Steve Staunton, I thought he had one of the sweetest left foot we've had at the club! I don't remember him being bad on the ball at all, quite the opposite. I've always rated Konsa, I think he is our best CB.

Refreshing to see that he doesn't get slated for making a bad pass leading to a goal!

Probably A - Both he and Dean Smith said that he struggled with the tempo and physicallity of the Premier League, then he got injured. Though described as a warrior he is a bit thin and short. He has looked lively in his short cameos, but also a bit weak. Technically and footballing-wise he is probably good enough for a mid table PL-team, physically and mentally the verdict is still out. He is now on his third manager so lets see. My guess is that he on the whole is about as good as what we've seen now, deserves a place on the bench, some cameos and to start a game against weaker teams now and then. I would have loved to see him in this inverted winger role and see what he could do. Would have been interesting to see him instead of McGinn there, but as we wanted to grind out a result away I can't complain with us playng McGinn there.

But wasn't the context there that the Roma fans loved Alisson, it would always be difficult to win the hearts of the Roma fans coming in as his replacement, especially with Olsen of course not being on the same level, but branded as his replacement.

Yeah as a no 2 I think you must be ready to play when the opportunity comes. One thing with Olsen is that I think he is more dependent on confidence than others, it may explain why he is so good for the national team where he has the full and solid support and got nothing to prove. A lack in confidence can often lead to mistakes and make players look bad. What I was baffled about yesterday was that we kept passing the ball back to him, putting him under pressure. I even shouted "why the *** are you passing it back to him" out loud by myself several times. It was so obvious that a mistake was coming. If you have Olsen in goal you cannot play out from the back trying to be like Man C. When put under pressure you hoof it as if Bruce or McLeish stood on the side line.