Powehi

On 04/02/2023 at 00:12, Mark Albrighton said:

 

I might be getting my on-field incidents mixed up, but I believe this all started when Wolfie muttered to one of the pigs "I'd rather have the boar that is your sister."

On 01/02/2023 at 01:21, Mic09 said:

Well, he has us in a top 4 form so far with that midfield. So it's a safe assumption that midfield will continue to do well without a new signing. 

Haven't you been listening to some people on here - all of our players are going to get injured in the next few weeks.

4-1 win, with our settled four attacking players scoring one each.

With some of the concerns in the transfer thread about perceived lightness in attacking areas, does anyone know if we are literally able to recall any of 

Jaden Philogene/Wesley/Keinan Davis/Louie Barry/Cameron Archer 

if this hypothetical injury crisis occurred?

Great window all up.

Trimmed the deadwood for the first time in ages 
Implemented a tight-knit squad of 18-19 players and by doing so seem to have removed the toxicity of Gerrard's time here
Bought a quality and rapid left-back
Got 15m back for a 30 year old who wasn't starting regularly
Kept all our really good players 
Made a sensible loan recall

Shipping out Olsen and replacing him would have been the only difference for me. 

This is a good window as long as we do make those needed quality squad additions in the summer. The current players need regular starts now to see if they really are up to where we want to go. 

Just now, HKP90 said:

And we had another striker. One who scored ca.30% of our goals this season.

Another thing we're just going to have to agree to disagree on, I'm afraid. You keep bringing statistics from Gerrard's reign into this 'debate' whereas I feel it has little to no bearing as Emery has changed our formation, style of play and first-team (to a lesser degree) substantially for that to be irrelevant.

Ings scored some goals. He also doesn't suit the team we are now, and his legs appeared to have gone. Someone else has posted statistics showing the goals have been shared around in our recent wins, all from players who will be in the first team between now and summer. 

22 minutes ago, HKP90 said:

To add some sauce,  so far this season Haaland and Kane have both individually scored more Premier League goals than our entire squad put together, whilst Ivan Toney would need just 3 goals more to match our entire squad's goal tally. 

This is slightly disingenuous, seeing as this squad was being managed by an utter clown for the majority of that.

We are 3rd in the form table under Emery, and 6th highest scorers.

4 minutes ago, TRO said:

I have no idea.....But I am prepared to debate possibilities and not just accept convenient views, to make my visit on Saturday compliant.

I will have my disappointment of the January window, firmly, shelved, on Saturday, and only the game will occupy my thoughts, my full support will be unleashed.....but if you think, I am happy, to pass over on a opportunity to make the team better, I am not.

I accept the failure to strengthen the team, with the same irritation as missing a penalty......must do better.

Out of interest, is this a view you willing to change down the line? If we continue to do well and finish in the top 8 for example? Or now you've decided that this was a failure of a window, any performance from the club from now until the summer will elicit a response of "well, we could have done even better if we'd have got 2-3 more in."

9 minutes ago, TRO said:

If you have a crystal ball and can tell me we will finish the season, with a points ratio/tally of what we have now, I will concede, now to you.

Experience tells me, with injuries, suspensions and form dips.....that is a tough ask.

I think most discerning fans, know what team strengthening looks like, sure we all have our own opinions of players.....but overall, I think most fans know, when the team is getting stronger.

UE has had an unbelieveable start, will it continue, with just the present personnel, I have my doubts.....even though, I have the utmost faith in him.

Only time, will tell, who is right.....but remember this, when/if the newly found Momentum creaks, it goes like a broken bridge, it can collapse....The trick is strengthen it, before it creaks, and put yourself in that situation....Thats what the winning clubs do.

I am over the moon, with our current Form, and if we sustain it.....I will be Dandy.

I am not looking for Lofty targets , but I know, even top half, is a tough old task.

 

Again, even though you're clearly a seasoned Villa supporter and an articulate poster, you're skirting the key issue here - that Emery has sanctioned all of this and is essentially stating he is happy to work with this group of players only for the next five months until we can buy again. He is a respected and proven manager who has also drastically overturned our fortunes with these same players, give or take. The additions have also begun, and we have a player returning from injury and a player returning from loan. You do the fans that are content with where we are a disservice by painting us as content underachievers, where the reality is that we pick Emery's experience over yours. 

Strengthening can come in different ways, and it may not always involve chucking extra bodies at things. We now have a tight knit squad playing one game a week until the summer. The vast majority of them are now familiar with Emery's methods and tactics. Players are available to replace those in the first team who occasionally get suspended and lose form. Such unity may have gone a long way to dispelling Gerrard's toxicity from the dressing room.

There will obviously be games lost as well as won, but we are in a good position to challenge for top 8.

Just now, HKP90 said:

That's fine, and I'm happy to have a friendly debate with you on this, we're all Villa fans.

It's just that when you say that you think I'm frustrated about the business we've done this window because we're not keeping up with the Jones's, or spending money for the sake of it, then it makes me think you don't understand where I'm coming from. At all. 

I'm happy to have a differing opinion from you, no problem. That is what debate is all about. 

I've been debating with a few on here today, that wasn't directed at you. I do hate the transfer window though, it becomes this event where the media stoke up the fans' expectations and spending money becomes more important than actual football (again, not directed at you).

It's been disheartening to see people unhappy with the Villa today because of something other than the football, where at the moment we should be very positive for the future based on real evidence like the 7 league games that Emery has taken charge of.

4 minutes ago, John said:

I really had thought that this would have been the January transfer window that would have had us all on the edge of our seats.

This is really the core issue for many posters on here. They expected a lot of incomings and have been disappointed when that hasn't materialised. Emery is working wonders with the core squad already, trimmed the fat, we have Carlos and Traore coming back as well as a new left back and striker. Plenty to be optimistic and excited about - namely what these talented players can achieve with a proper manager. The summer is the right time to thoroughly assess and then add where needed.

17 minutes ago, TRO said:

Sorry, but that is total Hyperbole.

We are trying to move forward, not backwards......UE is doing a great job, but he needs help, and that means stronger personnel.

Just as one example.....We could have known on January 1st that our possible main Target of Guendouzi wasn't coming.......We was well in advance of the Window for Kamara, so we are well aware of these timings.

I have no idea, what we have been doing during the month of  January, other than to suspect, we have not had plans to sign above Moreno & Duran.

I think maybe the journo's have been putting too many 2+2's toghether and coming up with 5.

I am not annoyed or angry, maybe disappointed, because, I simply don't know why the vibes before the window, have not materialised......maybe in the fullness of time, we will come to find out, who knows....but for me, I wasn't anticipating this.

Its like the joke floating around......."villa's getting Messi, oh thats their window, not the player"......Now, it may be a joke, but many a true word said in jest.

The point in bold - why? This group of players have got 16 points from 21 and we've swapped a striker and added a leftback. Not sure why we need to stress further about adding more until the summer. You've given no real reason why, just choosing to want the window to go a certain way, then being disappointed when it hasn't happened.

1 minute ago, HKP90 said:

 

Point 1- cleared sub-par players. Fine. 

Point 2- Replaced our Knackered Striker with a hot young prospect. Look if you cant see why we might not want to put all our eggs in one basket, then I really can't explain it any further. I'm not sure if you freewheel through life without any cares, but for most people having some sort of contingency against bad things occurring is prudent. More than prudent, necessary in most walks of life and in most jobs. 

Point 3- Upgraded left back- Fine.

Point 4- kept our decent players- fine. 

 

I know you are trying to bury the rotten apple in amongst the gold here, and I'm not asking for you to agree with me or anyone else with my view. Honestly I couldn't give a toss. But I do expect you to at least understand where we are coming from, in the same way as I understand where you are coming from, but don't agree about what levels of risk are responsible. And this is something i've not seen in a single one of your posts. 

I do understand where you and others are coming from, I've (probably rather naively) been spending hours trying to get you to see another view: namely, why it may not have been a disastrous window. All in the spirit of healthy debate.

The club keeps their cards close to their chest in relation to transfers, and goodness knows we all bear scars from previously mismanaged regimes. But I choose to believe that we know what we're doing with this one, and know the players that we have left are sufficient. As has been pointed out by others, we've extensively scouted Duran and he may fit the way we play better than Ings - who honestly hadn't been playing well prior to his departure.

Also, I do believe it is fair to criticise those in this thread saying "the club has got it wrong" etc. - we've had no indication from Emery and his team so far that they aren't across all areas of running a successful football operation, and maybe, just maybe, we should have a little faith.

Ironically, I work in risk management in my day job. Ultimately, I don't think we're going to change the others' mind, so I suppose the end of the season will be the time to judge whether the club have played it correctly.

Just now, HKP90 said:

Seriously, though, that is such a misrepresentation of why people were and are concerned about this transfer window. Reductive nonsense. 

We've cleared out our subpar players and replaced our knacked striker with a hot young prospect. Upgraded our left back. Kept all our decent players. Been an OK window. You're just worrying over a hypothetical crisis.

6 minutes ago, TRO said:

I think, If this window has told me anything......it's don't expect, big things.

 

I think if this window has told me anything, its that the transfer window can get in the bin as a concept. So sick of it. Emery's done the right thing here and the club is being slated because loads of fans are trying to keep up with the Joneses and spending money for the sake of it.

Just now, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Duran might not have played in the league before... but he exists.

Also, our style of play doesn't heavily rely on a " traditional" striker.

Yes Ings was out " top scorer " but he was barely involved ffs.

Other people can, and will step up IMO.

Guaranteed alot of the Pele.moaning now regularly moaned about Ings as well.

That's an unfortunate typo

2 minutes ago, AshVilla said:

Must. Double. Down.

On 19/01/2023 at 04:33, The_Steve said:

To play. He’s only back because of injury is my point. 

4 minutes ago, HKP90 said:

OK in my opinion, it is irresponsible to put a player who is developing into a situation where he is expected to get goals for a Premier League team. He's never played at first team level in any team in any league. 

Irresponsible - oh come on. There's been countless examples of youth players coming into a PL side in the event of an injury crisis (which Watkins and Duran both out would be) and doing well. He doesn't even necessarily need to score, he has players around him capable of doing that. He scored 49 goals in the Rangers academy last season - he's clearly got something about him. He just signed a professional contract earlier this month. Stop mollycoddling him.

5 minutes ago, est1874 said:

Someone's feathers got a bit ruffled!

Hmm I think your response indicating we should sell every squad player indicated more rufflage to be honest.

Just now, HKP90 said:

He's played 15 career games in under 18's competitions. He's nowhere near ready. We put him in the pressure of the first team we'll break him. 

Impossible to state that. Some players hit the ground running, also if he was coming in as an emergency plan C he would know that the fans would be pointing elsewhere (lack of investment) rather than at him. 

2 minutes ago, nick76 said:

This place is getting weird, I’m off for a couple of hours! We are now talking about Rory Wilson leading the line with telepathic connection to Buendia….

 

See you all later for more!

"...for all we know." Your former avatar Brian Little started as a teenager for us and did pretty well after all.

I know we didn't sign Tammy but there's no need to storm off. 

Just now, est1874 said:

Let's all but 11 players eh? Clear the decks and make as much money back as we can because everyone knows we're going to splurge and buy a world-beater in every position come summer.

Can wholeheartedly say that I'm glad you're not in charge of any transfer business.

With your quivering levels of hyperbole, I'm glad you aren't either or we'd never have got rid of the deadwood. Change is coming, and we have a solid 18-19 players to keep us going until then.

5 minutes ago, HKP90 said:

This also. Rory Wilson is in our under 18 squad. He can't lead the line yet.

What about as plan C? He's very highly rated - sometimes players step up in times of adversity. Could strike up a telepathic understanding with Buendia for all we know.

Just now, nick76 said:

I don’t know if you are trolling now mate!

He's not, but I'm not sure if you and the few others who keep acting like we have to put the tea lady on the bench next week because all of our players are going to get injured are!