villaglint

Up to the last few splurges Incognito has sounded largely sane - not so sure any more. Even so... reading through the painful business speak it sounds like he is trying to say - we have been reading VT all afternoon and would like to calm people down by saying we are doing some work on the transfer front, it will happen before deadline day and you may or may not be impressed. Thanks

Yes as I said I can see how you mean the same thing but just a change in language which maybe telling. I think everyone is frustrated because the board moved with uncharacteristic promptness in relieving our previous manager the Monday after the season finished. We got Lambert in relatively good time, made some early signings. We had Incognito on Twitter, Paul Faulkner in public and Richard on here all telling us to get ready for some good feeling to return. Even MM said Eck had told him there was money to spend in summer. So bearing all that in mind it is no wonder people are frustrated that we went into our first game with the same glaringly obvious gaps in our 1st team and squad that we've had for almost 2 years. Now I am an optimist and I wake up everyday hoping that it maybe the day when someone truly exciting joins. And I do remain hopeful that will happen in the next week and a half. If not then getting the right person is not easy and I would rather wait than buy further crap players for the sake of it and then end up paying them to be crap for another 3/4 years. If it takes a few windows so be it - we live in hope - and isn't that that main experience we get from supporting Villa

There has been a subtle shift. Gone from very optimistic... to this will take several windows to sort out.... Can both be the same thing of course but I think most were hoping for more immediate and drastic surgery. West Ham shows the squad is still short - we do have time to go but it's clear reinforcements are still needed asap.

It is now clear that the work permit was never an issue - just a story Villa put out to buy some time and try to sort these issues out. Rumours are we have got £6m for him - I for one would be staggered if that is the case. Surely a guy who has two consecutive shady seasons would be going on the cheap. However if we have done that ludicrous deal then doesnt that put us about even for the summer? Hopefully some money left in pot for LB, winger, striker and a DM if I'm being really gready

Oh well hopefully this Rennes deal is true and its another sizeable wage off the books... Quicker we can shift the deadwood the better. Roll on Cafu and Warnock. I finally got round to watching the full replay of the Forest match yesterday. Just when you think Warnock cant get any worse, he surprises you every time. No own goals this time but must have given it away or miss controlled 60-70% of time he had it.

We have been pants at corners for the last two seasons so neither is solely to blame for this. Both great keepers with differing attributes. Friedel Mr consistent with a pretty solid all round game. Given one of the best shot stoppers I have seen, real wonder save merchant. On their day I'm happy with either.

My two penneth -------------Given------------- Lowton --Vlaar--Clark--Lichaj ----------KEA----Bannan------ -------Ireland-----Holman---- -----------N'Zogbia------------ ------------Bent--------------- That is the team I think PL will pick - if it was me then I might swap N'Zogbia for Weimann just because I think Weimann is less likely to be a total passenger. I did think about Delph and Herd to go more solid - but then that is what the Scottish one would have done - think Lambert is do or die. I think PL will go for N'Zogbia because he's got more experience and his pace/occassional trick might mean we get a chance/goal on break. Think he will go with the narrow 4 and try and play Spammers off park - might work or Diame and Diarra might just brush our munchkins aside in midfield not to mention our highly suspect defence. Should be a great game - I've got a tenner on 3-2 to Villa !!

Yes a striker has to be selfish - being a striker is all about instinct and taking your opportunity even when it is only a split second. Heskey was the most unselfish striker in English football history and look how many goals that led to. Sturridge is for the most part selfish in the good way - he is a good finisher who can also make chances for himself. That makes him a top player in my book. Added to the fact he is a Villa fan I would be doing everything I could if there was even a remote chance of getting him. I think people call him selfish because he sometimes overplays it and tries to do to much in the same way that N'Zogbia often does. For me this is just poor decision making rather than being selfish. But you have to remember that he has had, what, 2 seasons as a regular starter, if that. Good football judgement comes with experience and he has plenty of time to develop that side of his game. Giggs had a terrible football brain when he started - all the ability in the world but how many times would he skin his man and then whip it in without even looking to see if there was anyone in the box. Now the man is an Einstein of top level football intelligence. Extreme example but it shows my point.

Well KK on twitter (more reliable than most) reckons we are considering a bid for Carroll. I suppose that much has been obvious for a while or since Lambert's comments at least. One thing I would say is that if we do decide to bid for him I think we would only do so if the bid had a pretty reasonable chance of being successful. I think our club operates very differently to the Sullivan's and Golds of this world who always talk about big transfers that will change the world but never quite seem to be able to complete one.

As I said before he aint the worst player but am so glad we have got rid Over the last two years he have had a poisonous click within the squad of players who don't give a fxxx about the club and are just treading water and picking up their ridiculous pay cheques. I am sure Lambert has been made well aware of their antics and he rightly surmised that this didn't fit the profile he likes (i.e desire to succeed). Yeah he played ok in the last 10 or so games but he knew he would be in the shop window and he himself was desperate to move. In the first year he was a ginger wall since then just a ginger tosser

As a footballer I've seen far worse play for Villa. The man is a decent enough stopped and in games against equally limited attacks then he does a fine job. He really is crap on the ball though and with Lambert looking to play more of a passing game he really sticks out like a sore thumb. Against attackers with a little guile or pace he is also shown up to be the big lump he is. Added to the fact that he sounds like a poor dressing room influence and crap professional by all accounts we are doing well to get rid. ps I am sure Vlaar will be on lower wages - so all good in my opinion. Just need someone to buy Hutton and Warnock!

Fletcher is an ok player - would be no disgrace to our squad but the money they are talking for him is just crazy . For a guy with his ability/scoring record I would be wanting to pay around £4m possibly slightly more. I reckon he would do a decent enough job for us but to be honest I'd be slightly disappointed in this one. Fingers crossed MON outbids us on this one - very much his type of singing.

Possibly but I think we have seemed quite solid because of the lame attacking threat from the opposition in general. I do think Gabby and Bent would have made a lot more out of the game against Portland.

Yeah my point was the top two didn't have much of a cutting edge. The two disallowed goals were both from great play by Holman and Ireland. The top two added very little in an attacking sense throughout the game. So as I said we had nearly all the possession but didn't really create that many chances. I think Weimann has been disappointing in pre season - I am assuming he is still some way of full fitness. I really do have high hopes for him as I think his movement and finishing was excellent last year (for reserves and bit in 1st team), he should really be thriving off all this possession and through balls. Delf just hasn't got it for me - he is doing all he can just to keep the ball when harassed by defenders and rarely seems able to threaten them. Said before he has ability but a bit too nice and powderpuff I think. Would be interested to see what he was like if he spent the next 12 months in gym watching Mark Hughes videos.

Will be interesting to see whether Lambert targets a "big man" type striker to give us some different options. Or whether he wants someone who is comfortable linking up to fit into the pass pass pass type of play we seem to be aiming for. Maybe both - I think with the way we are playing it will give the full backs time to really pick a cross so someone aerially dominant could do very well. But then I also feel a Robbie Keane type striker to link it up and also get goals could be very good too.

Watched the Portland game last night - great at keeping possession but we seemed pretty blunt in attack. With Gabbys injury possibly rolling on a new striker is now surely our main priority.

He's done fine - not let himself down - not pulled up trees. Still a little way off the 1st team I would imagine

On the basis of the pre season games so far (caveat - not seen last night yet) in my opinion this is current state of play. Current 1st 11 ----------------Given------------------ Lowton ----Dunne----Clark----Lichaj ----------El Hamadi ---Bannan------- -----Ireland----------------Holman--- ---------Bent-----------Gabby-------- Positives -- I think this 4-2-2-2 formation is quite interesting, certainly helps us keep the ball well and will cause some teams problems because it is quite different to the way a lot of teams set up in Prem. I also think Holman and Ireland have the work rate to make this work. Will also be interesting to see Gabby get a run at playing as a striker in a team which creates chances. Main benefit is that we will look to boss games and create chances through sheer weight of possession. Interesting counter to the three in midfield because often in this formation we have 4 central midfielders! Remember Spain had 6 in European cup. Will put a lot of emphasis on full back both defensively and offensively. Fingers crossed they are up to that. Negatives -- My worry is us getting exposed down the flanks - a few times this has happened on US tour and I fear against the Nani's, Silva's, Bale's of this world we could get quite severely punished. That said I am sure Lambert is aware of this and we may well play differently against those teams. Same goes for the deep 2 of KEA and Bannan - they certainly ping the ball around well but I worry about how they cope with the physicality of players like Yaya Toure and Tiote for example. Again I am sure Lambert has thought of that. Back Up Players Herd - Think Lambert will use him as back up in full back primarily and possibly other roles when a real battler is required. I expect him to be bit part this year. For me right choice but a shame for him after breaking through last year. Collins - Fingers crossed he will be replaced - if not adequate and experienced cover. Looks more donkey like than ever when we play a passing game. Same can be said for Dunne - not a lot between them in my eyes. Baker - Will get chances I think with injuries. I think he could be a really top player when he gets experience. He has great recovery pace which Clark lacks. Warnock - as with Collins. Delph - I think he has a shot at getting Bannan's role in team but looks like Baz has made the faster start in pre season and holds Lambert favour. Gardner - As with Delph has a shot of making it this year. Both need to move the ball faster but thought he did well when started against Chicago - would love to see him make it purely because he will definitely get goals from midfield which is such a bonus to the rest of the side. My feeling is he wont start off in first 11 but will get his chance at some point in season. Makoun - Will fit into Lamberts style - will come down to whether he settles this time and has hunger and desire to impress Lambert. N'Zogbia - very inconsistent so far in pre season. Really needs to get fitter in my eyes. Think he'll be battling with Holman for that slot. I think this formation could suit him offensively but seems a little way off finding his top form right now. Albrighton - Think he will be some way down pecking order this year and more of a bit part player. Carruthers - I have a sneaky feeling there could be a really good player in there. Think he might get a chance if Ireland gets injured. Like the fact that he can go past people as well as battle and pick a pass. Weimann - Will get his chance with injuries Delfouneso - Think he will be out on loan. Don't see him as premier league standard. For what its worth I actually do think he has the talent so seems to lack confidence of self belief. Strengthening squad -- Good thing is Lambert seems to have got us playing better football with not a lot spent. So if we can shift someone on hopefully any new signing will only enhance the side. I actually think another striker is now a real priority. If Gabby and Bent get injured together (as has happened) we are a bit stuffed in my eyes. Think Delf will be sold or out on loan and someone new brought in. Other than that a new CB and LB which everyone knows about and is in agreement on.

Having seen the opening few games of the new era it certainly seems like Makoun is a player that Lambert can use. Whether he fits in is another thing, because previously I seem to remember rumours of him not settling, learning the language etc. That might be just noise. It seems he likes his deep lying CM's to be real ball players and Makoun is certainly that. I hope he can get these Visa issues sorted so Lambert can run rule over him promptly.

He has been really really excellent in the three games I have seen so far this season. Yet to see last night but I think this new style is exactly what is required to get the best out of him. I actually disagree with Bent in that I don't think his best position is in hole (queue Mick McCarthy GIF!) a la Ariel Ortega of years gone by. I think to play that role you need that burst of acceleration to beat a man and create space. That's not really his game - I see him more as a very cultured roving midfielder who can use his ability to dictate a game and find a killer pass while popping up on the end of the odd move to (hopefully) get some goals. No doubt that Steve Ireland is central to our ambitions this year.

If that is possible I would be very happy - I somehow doubt the figures would add up there

If he does go to Sunderland he will do well there because he fits what MON wants his CB's to do. i.e block the ball and hoof it away. When asked to do anything else he is really lacking. I will be glad to see him go - think he is in general an average to ok defender but the amount of times he gives the ball away is staggering. Add that to the fact he was part of a click that has ruined our club in last 2 years then good riddance.

I would love to see Carroll join but for me £15m would be on the high side. I reckon his true value is nearer to £10m but with the premium on English players £15m is possibly reasonable. For what its worth would also love to see Berbatov if the numbers work. People forgetting he was their top scorer before Ferguson changed the way he wanted to play. Guy has so much talent and Villa would give him a platform to start every game and show it.

Just thinking out loud - if we assume Lowton fee will be covered by Hutton leaving Vlaar fee will be covered by Collins leaving Which gives us expenditure of KEA - £3m Winger - Possibly Snodgrass £3/4m So if we had £20m transfer budget originally that would give us £14m left. I would assume a new LB is still on radar but maybe PL plans to fund that through a Warnock sale. I wonder how much Liverpool want for Carroll? I am sure if it does go like this (i.e. selling Hutton, Collins, Warnock then we've done quite a bit to address the wages issue. However sure Carroll would still be on big money which might mess it all up and make it a show stopper. Must be a close call on both fronts (fee and wages) otherwise I'm sure PL would have dismissed it out of hand

I like Snodgrass and would be pleased if he came. So exciting to think we could have a squad of players to choose from. It's been such a long time - we've been forced to pick from the bear bones for 2 years now.