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I look forward to watching his crisp sideways passing and occasional bursts forward only to check back and pass it to Guzan.

So he's replacing Cleverley?

Fairly excited by the Gil capture. Wish we could look further afield than Sinclair for a winger though, back in Spain or the Dutch league, perhaps. If we get some winger in and also a striker on loan, I'd be reasonably satisfied. 

Gil is a true number 10, who can also play on the wings. 

Get him f******. When Delph is back, I hope that spells the end of his time in the side.

I'd be slightly indifferent on Lowton. He is the best crosser in the squad, but he is a woeful defender.

Westwood is Lambert's golden boy? Pardon me for a moment, but did Lambert not sign Sanchez and was Sanchez not his biggest signing this past summer?

Highly doubt Lambert has anything against him and will play him in his best position as long as circumstances are appropriate...Westwood has just returned from a long layoff and the manager had no plans of playing him for the full 90 if it wasn't for other player absences. For that reason he played him in a more withdrawn role at the start so that he had less ground to cover. 

Have a word.

I honestly didn't gave a clue what we were trying to achieve today with him at centre half. Good to see him back earlier than expected from that horrendous challenge.

I didnt see him as a CB taday; he was simply playing the Sanchez role of a deep sitting midfielder. This could have been for two reasons;

1. To see how Sanchez performs with more freedom of going forward

2. To simply give Westwood a chance to recover, it's his first game back so it was a good idea to put him in a 'lazy' role

I'd say your second guess is probably spot on seeing as Lambert said post game that he didn't really even want to play Westwood today.

His assist was very nice and well taken by CB...crazy to think that our DM is probably the biggest threat attacking. 

Strange that he appeared to be playing CB at times though.

If I recall correctly, that was done a couple of times in preseason. Bit strange though, unless we were bombing fullbacks forward and requiring Ciaran and Jores to push a bit further out wide in defense...hard to know not having seen it though.

Glad he was back today, a bit earlier than I had expected.

I saw Sinclair in preseason at Hearts vs City and he was one of the best players on the pitch that day. If he comes in with the right mindset and determined to make an impact, I'm all for it. 

So we need width and at least one creative talent in the middle and probably a partner for Benteke, some names which definitely wouldn't break the bank but could add something (I know, I know, it's doubtful we will buy a single player)...

Luciano Narsingh (PSV), dual sided winger

Marc Stendera (Eintract Frankfurt), AM

Alan (Red Bull Salzburg), Striker

Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), LW

Marko Vejinovic (Vitesse, CM)

Franko Vasquez (Palermo), AM

Nemanja Gudelj (AZ), CM

Completely agree we need a wide threat in this window, sick of seeing Gabby and Andi being relied on for width. Add to that, the AM, which is clearly obvious, just a matter of Lerner will get off his arse and get the cheque book out...not likely. Surely we have to be looking to Spain and the Dutch leagues...much better deals to be had, I.e. Sanchez, Perez from Newcastle.

 

"Libor is still away. His bone is knitting together which is a good thing. He's still a good bit away."

From Paul Lambert...wouldn't expect him back until next season.

I see Lewis Macleod who we have been tentatively linked with is off to the mighty brentford for a princely some of £1 million

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30631805

Don't know much about him but could be worth a punt at that price.

He would be nowhere near ready to play at this level. The level of the Scottish Championship, just like the SPL is rather poor. 

Pat Murphy...ugh, that guy is an.....actually not even worth it.

I'm all for giving players time to settle and was hoping that Cleverley would become a big player for us, but he is a guy who has already played many games in the league before joining Villa, so that time should have been relatively short. I don't think he ever will be the forward thinking player we would like and if I am being honest, I would have Westwood over him mostly any day. For the money being touted for this guy and the wages he would likely expect, I'd rather take any money available and shop abroad for another midfielder or two. 

Probably sent in Karen Brady to close the deal...unfortunately Cristiano smashed her back doors in and said nah thanks.

Andrej Kremaric has been tearing up the Croatian league. Linked to some big clubs like Chelsea, but seems to want to continue playing first team football, so could go elsewhere if he moves. 

With the new playing style, his long drives out of our own half are massive, just needs to get that final pass down, let him down a few times yesterday. Don't care if he leaves, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet until adequately replaced.

Out of the long balls we did play today, there were some very good ones from this guy. Right to Benteke's chest every time.

Such an intelligent defender...few times today when RVP and Falcao got into dangerous positions in the box and Okore would just throw enough muscle at them so their efforts on goal were fairly weak and rarely a threat to Guzan. I'm certainly on the Okore love train.

Brilliant point that and could have won it at the end a man down. 

Okore was bloody brilliant. He is a very special player.

Ashley Westwood. Basically twins.

Get the feeling we'll go three at the back v United.

Yup, I'd put good money on that with Vlaar coming back into the fold.