Popular Post JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted May 14, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted May 14, 2017 6 hours ago, jim said: Can't see us being anywhere near the top 6, Really? You can't see us "Anywhere near"? We already have one of, if not the strongest squad currently in the league. It just needs some tweaking/gelling and proper management. Saying we won't get promoted is one thing but "not anywhere near" is a major exaggeration I feel. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas10 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I'm resigned to the fact that Bruce is going to be given more time and just hope it will be a very positive season (somehow) but when I look over the squad it doesn't exactly fill me with confidence. So much work yet to be done and plenty of wheeling & dealing to be sorted. (apologies for any errors, half asleep when typing this up) When I look over the team that we have (and could/would be starting the season, minus any incoming transfers), it just looks weak tbh and desperately in need of strengthening, if it is going to be a title/promotion contender: Johnstone Bree Chester Baker Taylor Jedinak/Bjarnason? Hourihane Lansbury Adomah Grealish/Green Hogan Reserves/Bench: Steer? De Laet Hutton Elphick/Richards Samba/Bedeau? Gardner Bacuna Tshibola? Lyden Gabby (how do we get rid?) RHM (should be involved) McCormack? Injured: Kodjia Presumed outgoings: All foreign, loaned players (Cissokho, Gil, Gollini, Sanchez, Veretout) Amavi Bunn Elphick/Richards? Tshibola? McCormack? Could get over £20m if all are shifted??? Plenty of fund for strengthening if they are generated in good time... Need to strengthen CB, DM, LW, RW ST? GK? AM? Ideal outgoings (imo): Bunn Cissokho Elphick Richards (how?) Hutton Bacuna (unlikely) Gardner (unlikely) Gabby (unlikely) McCormack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Hull and Sunderland are not a big concern. Boro may be depends who stays and who goes to be honest. For me them selling Rhodes and replacing him.with rudy was really poor business. I think blose may be a force as much as I hate to say as candleface will be able to attract names. Derby, Leeds reading or Wednesday (if one or neither go up) i think brentford will be a surprise package Can't see Huddersfield having a season like this again next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Talk of Wagner going to Norwich so they'll be a force next season which should be expected with their squad (very much like us their mentality was all wrong this year) and yeah think this is Huddersfield's chance otherwise they'll fade into obscurity next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippo Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 2 hours ago, VillaChris said: Talk of Wagner going to Norwich so they'll be a force next season which should be expected with their squad (very much like us their mentality was all wrong this year) and yeah think this is Huddersfield's chance otherwise they'll fade into obscurity next season. Really ? - I think Wagner will come unstuck at his next club.... Now the 3 relegated clubs are confirmed do we have odds for next season (can't get to betting sites at work) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted May 15, 2017 Moderator Share Posted May 15, 2017 26 minutes ago, hippo said: Really ? - I think Wagner will come unstuck at his next club.... Now the 3 relegated clubs are confirmed do we have odds for next season (can't get to betting sites at work) When Hull came down we went out to 8/1 with someone at 10s (Boro I think) and a few others at 12s (including Hull). So we're still favourites, perhaps until 3 of the playoff sides don't go up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Maybe I am making this up but it seems a play-off hangover happens a lot in this division. Looking at Wikipedia I think 3 of losing finalists went up the next season since 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave J Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 23 hours ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said: Really? You can't see us "Anywhere near"? We already have one of, if not the strongest squad currently in the league. It just needs some tweaking/gelling and proper management. Saying we won't get promoted is one thing but "not anywhere near" is a major exaggeration I feel. Well what does that say about his inability to reach the play off's with the squad as you suggest JV - not a ringing endorsement I would say ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderball Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Any one optimistic about next season, really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 On 4/30/2017 at 17:02, TRO said: He is alleged to have said in one paper..."its now my team, they are meant to reflect me.....no way is this team refelcting me and my persona" much work as you say. I think some who we think are ok, will go too. make of that what you will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 3 minutes ago, thunderball said: Any one optimistic about next season, really? Yeah......but it won't be this team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave J Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 6 minutes ago, thunderball said: Any one optimistic about next season, really? No not really tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderball Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I feel quite pessimistic, I really feel we are going to have to start again, it may take 2 to 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's Your Round Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 2 hours ago, thunderball said: Any one optimistic about next season, really? I am! But then I'm always optimistic ahead of a new season, it's the potential of what might be. That's usually zapped away fairly quickly when I realise nothing's changed. I'm optimistic that we can challenge the top 6 this time around. We might not win the league but I think we'll be a lot better than last season. I may be wrong but I'm willing to wait and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 5 hours ago, Dave J said: Well what does that say about his inability to reach the play off's with the squad as you suggest JV - not a ringing endorsement I would say ? It is not, however as you know I am going to say consider the "variables" we have had to endure over the course of the season. If I am truthful though, Bruce is more of a worry for me than the actual squad. I am on the fence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post markavfc40 Posted May 16, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted May 16, 2017 (edited) On 2017-5-15 at 20:31, thunderball said: Any one optimistic about next season, really? Yes I am extremely optimistic. Some are very doom and gloom off the back of this last season but I actually think it will have proven to be a very useful and necessary tool going forward. I think the manager will have learned plenty about the players and the players will have benefited from that time together since the last over haul of the squad in January. That time combined with a full pre season and no more than a handful of players coming in over the summer will have given us the missing ingredient from last season which was stability and time for a good group of individuals to evolve into a team. Just look at Huddersfield, Sheff Wednesday, Fulham who all had very good seasons off the back of managers who came in mid way through the previous season and initially struggled. Also Brighton have had a manager in place for a couple years. Newcastle and Reading, the other teams in the top six whose manager had been in place since at least last June. Stability under the right manager plays a big part and I don’t see how it gets more right than having stability under a manager who has shown four times he knows what it takes to get out of this division. I am confident we will hit the ground running next season and go up automatic. Edited May 16, 2017 by markavfc40 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted May 16, 2017 Moderator Share Posted May 16, 2017 15 hours ago, Zatman said: Maybe I am making this up but it seems a play-off hangover happens a lot in this division. Looking at Wikipedia I think 3 of losing finalists went up the next season since 2004 What about the losing semi-finalists I wonder i.e. how often was the promoted side in the playoffs at all the previous season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's Your Round Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 Who would you prefer to go up from this year's playoff teams? I'm thinking Sheffield Wednesday might be best, they were up there last season, had a better season this year and would be one of our main challengers next year if they stay down. Reading and Huddersfield have potential to drop away next year, not sure they can do it again. Fulham are a tricky one, depends who stays on if they don't go up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderball Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 I am usually optimistic, but am really concerned, especially with the lack of output and progress from the 'experienced' players we bought in Jan, the lack of chemistry, injuries, financial fair play and the fact that Bruce hasn't got it ticking in the time he has had with them. Others without the burden of 'big club' around their necks, are playing better and scoring. The added pressure of the end of parachute payments means Bruce is under pressure or face the sack, we could be looking for another new manager in October..... we go again...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted May 16, 2017 Moderator Share Posted May 16, 2017 1 hour ago, It's Your Round said: Who would you prefer to go up from this year's playoff teams? I'm thinking Sheffield Wednesday might be best, they were up there last season, had a better season this year and would be one of our main challengers next year if they stay down. Reading and Huddersfield have potential to drop away next year, not sure they can do it again. Fulham are a tricky one, depends who stays on if they don't go up. As a traditionalist I would like to see Wednesday back up. They've served their time and the Premier League needs the big clubs back. From a Villa perspective I don't think there's much advantage either way in getting rid of one of Reading, Fulham or Wednesday as the other 2 will be strong next season as well. It's only the Huddersfield bubble I'm expecting to see bursting soon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts