Villaphil

Rest Watkins, Traore up top, bring on El Ghazi

3 minutes ago, Loxstock92 said:

Another who wasn’t originally keen to join us it seems. Just goes to show how our turnaround this year has meant we can attract this calibre of player

 

 

Given our current position and form, I’m of the opinion that if a player was interested in joining us last summer, I’d want to double check that they are still of the required standard now.

Let’s get Sancho from Dortmund and show everyone we mean business.

5 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

He said something along the lines of.. If the right player/transfer were to arise then we may pounce in making it happen.

Thought I saw something about time off during COVID outbreak has given him chance to review squad and speak to some players.

Genuine question...... on the assumption we get a couple of Brooks and Sanson type players this month, should we really be spending on another striker right now?

If you believe there’s a player in Wes, that Traore can play as a 9, and that Barry is good enough for the 1st team squad next season, aren’t there other priorities?

I can see a loan move if Wes isn’t quite ready, but permanent move for Barkley and possibly CB and LB cover would be higher on my list.

19 minutes ago, Steero113 said:

I think its more the fact that he clearly doesn't want to come, there were 250 pages of fishpuns tits and memes for half a year, speculation beyond belief, mindgames between technical directors, will he wont he, arguing over fee, arguing over personal terms, injuries, mindless cluespotting in spurious articles on useless websites and twitter and on Bremens fan websites, visits by bremen fans, visits by brentford fans???, more lies, more arguments, the dream, no dream.........

Then you did that thing where you mention him like your ITK. 

He's riled, and he has every right to be. Move on. 

Exactly as you describe, Rashica was everything you want from a transfer story, it gave far better entertainment, over a longer period, than any of the actual transfers this summer.

The pantomime of whether or not to re-open the thread was hilarious.

42 minutes ago, nick76 said:

@paul514 200m....hmm I would focus on quality few buys

 

40m Luka Jovic

50m Dayton Upamecano 

30m Kieran Tierney

50m Declan Rice

20m Julian Brandt

8m Michael Olise

2m for the whole Birmingham City squad (over paying)

 

No idea about prices.  Feel I have undervalued Tierney and Rice but that defeats my budget

 

 

Not sure I agree on your definition of ‘few’ either.

Intrigued by the link to Erikson, strong believer there’s usually a reason these links appear.  Don’t believe it’s true, so who and why put this story out there.  Don’t see it coming from Inter or the player trying to drum up a buyer.  I do wonder whether we are negotiating a fee for Barkley and the club are suggesting to Chelsea they have other options ??????

I wonder whether Lange may be expected to work his magic in Jan.  

The drop off in quality between the 1st team and the wider squad has led to us using the fewest number of players (19) in the league, this season. 

With the wider squad not playing, their value reduces.  I’d want Lange to be looking for replacements for these players.  If we can’t get rid now, we may be left with them running down their contract because no one will pay for a transfer or meet their wages.

If we can sign a first team upgrade then great, but otherwise, replace them with players Lange has found who will be relatively cheap but likely to increase in value and be an actual option off the bench.

For me at least, Elmohamady, Hourihane, Lansbury and Taylor will all leave on frees in the summer, and so they may be difficult to move on.  That leaves decisions to be made on, Steer, Engels, Guilbert and Nakamba.  I wonder what value the club loses if these players remain on the fringes?

Just now, TrentVilla said:

I really don’t see Smith playing 442.

Not from the start, but with 20 mins to go, he’d bring Wes on for SJM or Luiz ??

1 hour ago, TrentVilla said:

 

How anyone can think we aren't desperate for a striker is beyond me.

We've a real issue when we play teams that sit deep particularly at Villa Park and it will continue to be an issue with our current options, when you bring Davis on to try and nick a goal its pretty desperate.

It isn't a criticism of Smith, we are in our second season back in the PL obviously we are going to lack some quality but how you could watch our home games this season and not think we are desperate for a forward is staggering.

I think we’ve missed the guile of Barkley in those situations.

If Wes isn’t the solution up front, then he serves no purpose in the squad.

FWIW - I think 4-4-2 with Watkins and Wes up front is what we’ll go with.  Then make a decision on Wes in the summer.

5 hours ago, villa89 said:

I think we won't spend much at all. Maybe we will get one player in. 

What’s great to see is that we are looking into the longer term with our recruitment.  Assuming we can shift players out to resolve any FFP issues, and we can get someone to significantly improve the first team, over the next 2-3 years then we’ll spend.  If there’s no-one to fit the bill, then we’ll continue as we are, strengthen by the return of Wes, Heaton and hopefully improved form from Traore and AAG.

2 minutes ago, It's Your Round said:

Yes, at some point, but not four games in. The team are looking extremely fit and well conditioned, they’re in great form and full of confidence. I’d keep that going for as long as possible. 

Always a balancing act, just a little concern as per the below (SJM).

1 hour ago, alreadyexists said:

Totally agree. You just can’t change a starting side that has won four from four including against the champions and a top 5 team. It would send totally the wrong message to the players in my opinion. 

Still early doors, but might be tempted to rest SJM, he played in all of Scotland’s games.  Maybe have Luiz, Nakamba and Barkley start in midfield.  Luiz a little more advanced than normal. SJM to come off the bench.

I guess it depends it’s whether you think this form is temporary and so want to ride the wave as long as it lasts, or whether you think this is where we belong and we need to rotate the squad to keep us fresh to stay there.

Is there a touch of the MON about playing the same team week in week out, and then at some point being forced to rest half the first team due to injuries / fatigue ?

32 minutes ago, YouUnastanFren said:

Quotes from Bielsa last night:

"Given how the game went we thought we did enough to create a lead," Bielsa said.

"When an offensive team does not take their chances, the opposing team senses this and starts to grow in confidence."

I don't recall any significant chances to create this lead he's talking about. They had a lot of the ball and put some crosses in, but mainly just seemed to tire themselves out without much threat.

Love the idea of the habitual Europa League team only ‘growing in confidence’ once the mighty Leeds Utd have fluffed a few chances.

13 hours ago, TRO said:

patience is a virtue.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

1 hour ago, VillanousOne said:

yep that's why i said it, the 'hope' part is the role of striker doesn't seem to be his most played position, especially not a lone one and doing it in the Premiership is a whole new ball game.

Stay until your love is, love is, alive and kicking.... (one for the dads)

4 hours ago, Sulberto21 said:

9:37am. "Villa transfers windfall boost".

Aren’t these deals normally paid over a number of years, not sure why we’d need the full £30m now.

1 hour ago, Rich192 said:

Love it when fans suggest we offer players plus money for a target. Almost never happens!

A big if, but what if King does go to West Ham, where does that leave Brentford and Benrahma?

That will mean both Palace and West Ham have walked away.  Not many clubs left in the game at that point.  Press will talk Arsenal and Chelsea, but that’s not realistic.

At that point and only if we can create space in the squad, I think we’ll try something last minute.  £15m + AEG + £5m in add-ons.  Running out of options may mean his salary requirements fall too.

12 hours ago, cheltenham_villa said:

Were all guessing really arent we, no idea how much we were paying one, no idea how much were paying the other. I'm just guessing that Barkely does not come cheap.

I thought we knew we were paying just over £100k for Drinkwater and just under £100k for Barkley ??

4 hours ago, cheltenham_villa said:

I think our business is done, going back to the purslow interview regarding the challenges of managing wages and investment in the first few years, we must be really pushing our budgets with the deals weve done.

Barkley must have cost a lot as well as the number of new contracts weve given out. Of we dont get more off the book now, I can see any flexibility for players to come in.

 

Assume the Barkley money comes from the not paying Drinkwater anymore money ??

16 minutes ago, sne said:

Current transfer window system was introduced in 2002/2003

Fair point, but can we agree if we are going to limit the reference time period, then the use of the word ‘ever’ is probably a little misplaced ?

A bit like the phrase ‘best ever in the premier league’.

42 minutes ago, AV82 said:

We've been blessed with some terrific transfers this summer, let's not forget that. Best window ever?

Draper, Southgate, Savo.

1 minute ago, VillaFaninLondon said:

Elmo over Fred is indeed a strange one. Yes Fred will generate some money as he's only 25 and we won't get anything for Elmo, but quality wise I think Fred is streets ahead of Elmo, just lacks his experience. 

 

On a separate note Fulham also look to be getting RLC. Not sure that's a great move for him, they're favourites to go down for a reason, and Southampton or Spam would have been better. Quite surprised Fulham are attracting the players they are to be honest. 

I presume.... Elmo covers CB, is a senior voice in the dressing room, and Kaine Kessler takes the back up RB position from next season anyway.