Written by Damian Tuesday, 13 October 2009 06:57
Fabio Capello has managed the likes of Roma, Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid. He was won Serie A seven times, the Supercoppa four times, the Champions League and La Liga. He also picks Emile Heskey as if he was the first name down on the team sheet.
Yet, we ask in a quick question yesterday if we should sell or keep him and most say get rid. However, Martin O'Neill isn't picking him either, so that then doesn't raise questions about us as supporters, because what do we know about football, it raises questions about O'Neill.
Or does it? It could be that they are trying to play two different ways, one suits Heskey, the other doesn't. Formation is also important. Maybe O'Neill doesn't think Heskey is good enough to oust and in form Gabby when he would very much be the second big man, with Carew playing very deep, midfield some might say.
But, forget about Heskey and formations for a minute, we've done those two subjects to death. The question today is; has O'Neill finally settled on some positions with his team?
Gabby looks a shoe in. Webcam, Milner and Petrov are certain starters as long as they have two legs. Defensively he looks more certain about his players and he has cover, which with our luck over the past few seasons, are sure to get fairly regular football.
What is the point of this post though. Well, I've been thinking about it for a while now and I actually got my mental pen and paper out last night to figure out what else O'Neill needs and wanted to know what others thought. It struck me that he only needs three more players and we should confidently be playing top four football and finishing in one of those positions. Five more and I believe we could be challenging for the league.
The thing with writing what I've just written though is I have to also write a disclaimer and here it comes. O'Neill is in his fourth season and he has done well. He has brought in the level of player that has taken us as far as we have come. Those five extra players are to improve our first team and must be real quality.
If you want, we can call it three, but those three players must be the real top quality players we were promised and they cost money. But, the squad is built and with the exception of Reo-Coker and Heskey who might, squad wise, be replaced by players coming through, that is what we need now to kick on.
So, forget everything else that has gone on, does O'Neill have the pull and will Lerner provide the funds? I suspect Lerner does know he needs proper money and it is surprising how quickly the selling up rumour vanished without hearing anything from the club, but assume for a minute Lerner does provide the funds and that O'Neill does have the pull, how many does he need and who would you like?
If you hadn't guessed, I'm sat here all day with nothing else to do.
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Deano-avfc
said:
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... Morning all, I think 99% of comments today are going to read: i) A creative midfielder ii)A 20 goal a season striker Our defence looks sorted at last, goal keepers are sorted, wingers are sorted, holding CM sorted, just need someone with a bit of flair going forward through the middle and someone to help Gabby/Carew to find the net. I actually think we need to be giving Delph a run of games now in attacking CM instead of Sidwell, he is class and its only confidence at the min, its like Gabby, if he plays well he gets better. I want to see the Fonz coming off the bench also.. UTV |
Chiefy
said:
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... Well then i reckon 2 more and we could do the job and the other mugs in the league. We need an out and out goal scorere who does nothing else but score goals not sure who though, someone like Defo maybe ?? Then ireckon we need someone in the middle pulling the strings, someone who gets the ball and pick a pass and turn on a six pence and runs at players and has skills someone like Van Da Varrt, Snejder, Guzman, Defour. I reckon two signings and we are top 4 after which year on year you will see the big names come, ONeil can pull the young breaking through talent which is in some ways better than your shirt sellers when they all mature together we will be a hard team to play. Can Oneil give us the 2 shirt sellers we need to break into the top 4 i reckon he can and i think he will, come january if we are in or around the top 4 i think we might see the creative dynamo in midfield and a dare say there will be ques down villa village for his name on everybodys shirt. Interested to know what position your third man is ? |
Badger
said:
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... I agree we're not far off. As above creative cm and a top striker. Imagine if we had someone like torres, we'd score a boatload. |
Chiefy
said:
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... lucas in a swap deal with emule ?  thats is voronin and lucas plus 10million and Emule the league is ours hahahaha |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... Deano-avfc Correct!! I would maybe add a real quality RB too. Someone in the Cafu mould that could get forward. I think we'll see that on the Left now with Warnock. Delph, in my opinion, will be the best player at Villa Park in a few years. He's a very exciting player. BUT thats the future, we could do with a 'ready made' creative Midfielder. I also think we could improve our movement off the ball, when we have the ball......if you know what I mean. When I was at the Villa v Man City game, the difference was their movement. The Midfield and forwards are moving all over the place creating runs and allowing them to do nice passing moves. Also makes it difficult for our players to get near them. When we have it in defence for example, the midfield and forwards are hardly moving around, making it difficult to create anything. |
Chiefy
said:
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... It is so funny, Liverpool fans link them selfs with David Villa and a like and you can imgaine it now, Liverpool Express Headlines Benitiz Drafts in More Firepower In a bid to push for the title rafa has drafted in none other than Emile Heskey to help push for the title......... I would love to see the scouse faces when they open the paper to that  |
Chiefy
said:
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... Also whats this and Barry commenting in the press every five minutes about our players and his opinion ?? all of a sudden he has become mr current affairs and has a dear gareth column in the pfa weekly magazine ! |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... Chiefy Yeah but do you think he'll be top 4 quality? Suppose he hasn't been given a fair crack yet though. He does look shaky defensively though. |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... Dear Gareth. Please carry on your hard work in trying to 'sell' Emile Heskey in the press. All Villa fans will be very appreciative if a move comes off and will sing your name from the terraces next time you visit the mighty Villa Park! Your shenanigans last summer will all be forgotten....well, almost. Yours Sincerely, Villa_Chris |
Chiefy
said:
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... Villa Chris - i was being sarcastic, Beye has some good points and some bad he is ok to have on the bench and he is shaky defensively and makes yoo worry abit but i wouldn,t mind him on the bench but i would think in that type of game like Chelsea is Young is not back Cuellar will be there wouldnt he ?? who is you back line this weekend ?? tough choices for Oneil at last we have a squad and ample cover (ok only in one position but we are getting there) |
HT Sweden
said:
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... Big egos can cope with the bench at Man U or Chelsea etc, but right now not at Villa. See REO and Heskey. Thats´s a problem when bringing a big ego to Villa Park, he will most certainley start to weep when he´s outside the starting eleven. |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... I know you were being sarcastic  Personally I would go with Young at RB, although he's been injured and its a big game to come back to, I think he's a class player and will cope. He has been training for a while now and playing reserve/'behind closed door' games, so should be fully fit. Obviously Collins, Dunne and Warnock....3 great signings by O'Neill by the way!!  Credit where credit is due 'n all that! |
Chiefy
said:
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... I hope we take the game to Chelski like we did City, if we do that we should get something out the game. If carew gets tired bring on the fonz not Emule, if Ash gets injured bring on Albrighton and play Coker not Sidwell, but if MON is feeling billy big nuts play neither of them and put DELPH in the middle and lets see what he can do. The best way of learning is putting them in a situation that they have to sink or swim and i think he would prove his point I also hope the atmosphere is back just like city game i havent heard villa park like that for a while and that is what we need loved it |
Chiefy
said:
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... News Flash !!!!! Torres is so worried about losing his place at Liverpool he has handed in a transfer request for EMULE before he has even arrived |
Deano-avfc
said:
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... Villa-Chris 3 amazing signings, our defence looks solid now,(most of the time) but who's does all of the time? Man.u - The dodgy greyhound face. Liverpool- Carragher.. I heard a crack that Paul Daniels text MON to tell him he was impressed with his skills at pulling it out the bag. To be honest, I'd never even heard of Collins til we'd been linked with him, watching him at the City game he was a massive ginger lion, winning balls for fun. UTV |
Chiefy
said:
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... Gabby is going to get his chance tomorrow for ENGLAND, go on gabby so knock a few in then on Saturday score some more, but thinking about it i see whats coming Saturday 4-5-1 with Carew up on his own and Gabby rested if he plays tonight |
Chiefy
said:
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... http://www.tribalfootball.com/...lla-377321 The wing wah brigade have been in the job down at the sty for 24hours and already they are going to be bigger than us, and McLeish will have 15million to spend in january wow all of it really ???!?!??!? The new owners and board are as deluded as the fans |
Bakewell
said:
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... If we do get in these 3 or 5 top quality players & assuming that Man City continue to develop who can you see dropping out of last seasons final top four. Liverpool look the most vunerable to me. |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... Deano-avfc Collins is my new hero...he's just awesome! I had never heard of him either. Bad ay?!? |
Holte1970
said:
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... The obvious is better quality in the midfield - and that's going to take lots of Euros. So Mr L get your hand in the pockets. Not so obvious is that Mr L will need to find monies just to keep who we want to keep. Salaries will become a big issue with the likes of AY and Gabby. So it's not just a cost of who we need to bring in but also a cost of keeping our stars. I appreciate that if we do better in the league and the cups that this will generate more income but as with all investment the income always follows the cost - so significant cash over and above the present working capital requirements will be required. |
RiosJocktrap
said:
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... I know its hindsight but most of us knew at the time that signing Heskey was a bad managerial decision that would eventually end in tears. Yes the manager does know best since he works with the players everyday, but sometimes we fans under estimate our own knowledge of the game we love, and are...... on occassion right. Martin will be facing some flak over this however he runs with it. Drop Heskey and sell in January will have people asking why the hell he bought him, when it was obvious to every man and his dog that Heskey, was not what we needed. It could of ended up worse with the exit of Big John, and if Martin now bows to Heskeys demands, then it will proberly mean the exit of big John, and the flying allegations of Martin having his little favorites aswell as losing the plot. As for formation, well in my mind, there is nothing different Heskey gives us that either Carew or Gabby already do/did....and better. A fact born out by our run before xmas when Gabby was leading the line on his own. Indeed, you could argue the fact that it was not a striker we needed at that time anyway, considering the weakness we had at centre back, and our subsequent demise in the league following Laursens injury. No, this has been a monumental mistake from day one, and every championship manager knows it! |
SCOTT1
said:
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... morning all.listen dont flame me guys but id bite fsw hand off if he offered us voronin in a straight swap deal.i know he doesnt bang them in but if u watched the liverpool/villa game or any game when he comes on his link up play is actually quite good and hes got some deft little flicks and touches.he works well in around the box and could provide the bit of flair we r missing!! |
greg1982
said:
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... Badger ‘Imagine if we had someone like Torres, we'd score a boatload.’ No. He wouldn’t. We simply don’t create chances. That is 90% of our problem. And re your comment yesterday about a centre midfield player: ‘I think MON knows this and he sees Downing as that part of the jigsaw.’ Mmmm a good addition but another wide player. CENTREmid is our problem. The area where, when you are in the school playground, you put your best player. The playmaker; the passer; the visionary. It’s like a Queen in a game of chess not a Rook. O’Neill doesn’t get it. It would be great to get Torres on loan for two games just to prove the point. We create hardly anything. Sure he’d do what Gabs does and get the odd cracking shot in but systematically he wouldn’t. We just aren’t creative in the right positions. And this is the foundation of a team – not making good at the third attempt a back four in 3 years when the one you sold would have been not much different. I feel sorry for Heskey in the rifle range that is the front line at Villa Park. Ash too who is given easy balls in defensive positions and asked to do Merlin type work to get round 3 defenders. He’s rarely ‘put in’ by a Sid-type pass. It's all scraps. |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
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... I'd settle for Yaya Toure, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Huntelar or maybe Vagner Love. Summer spend 45 million. Top 4 here we come!!! UTV!!! YES WE CAN!!! TAXI FOR EMULE!!!! |
Chiefy
said:
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... THE AV VILLIAN -- dont need the taxi mate i have offered to drive him so he doesnt end up hiding down boodymoor heath just want to make sure he has gone you know ......... |
daveyboy
said:
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... do we really need an out and out goalscorer im pretty sure we were the third highest scorers in the league last season!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Villa_Chris
said:
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...“Gabriel has it finishing-wise, yet needs to improve on holding the ball up. I also think he sometimes gets pushed to the floor too easily.” Has Ian Wright been watching a different player to me? I honestly cant remember Gabby being pushed over this season, hes a beast! |
frosty
said:
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... I can see it now Heskey goes, big John gets injured and we can't play that sexy long ball game anymore without a target man ~ could be a good thing. Damian - I think one to add to the list of certain starters is Warnock, Shorey may as well take a ride out of here on the Mule thats standing at the gates. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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... Gabby needs to hold the ball and use it a bit more intelligently. I understand what the pundits mean. When he is running on to balls at pace he is frightening, but when he has time and choices he does tend to mess 1 in 3 right up by losing the ball or making the wrong pass. Just needs a polish really, he's definitely got it in his locker. I honestly believe that we need two players, Downing and a striker that can play deep and link with the midfield. Gabby will very soon be our 20 goal striker, maybe even this season. With Downing fit our midfield will have more passing options and retain the ball better, Delph will eventually replace Sidwell as the goal threat from midfield and the defence is sorted. We just need a player like Keane, Rooney, Cahill, who can work in the hole behind an out and out striker. Delfouneso may become this player but he needs a lot more games. |
Villa_Chris
said:
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..."We obviously played really well for long periods and City were like the Red Arrows, going everywhere. It was enjoyable but hard. Sidwell's take on Man City's movement. This is what we are lacking as I pointed out earlier. |
Villa til I Die
said:
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... Greg1982 You are always banging on about our lack of creative midfield and to a certain extent I agree with you. This is your chance to say who would be able fill the whole. Please give suggestions |
mickey86
said:
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... aaron lennon and robbie keane, so we can move milner into the centre and have lennon on the right. then use keane as our creative midfielder. playing central or just off thee striker. lennon-milner-petrov-keane-young if lennon proves too difficult to get or too expensive then david bentley instead, but should go all out for lennon. weakening the competition whilst we are at it. cant think of a 3rd, possibly huntelaar as suggested above as ac milan are looking to offload him. he'll be the prems next ruud van nistelrooy. defensively i think we are fine for the next 2-3 years. |
ronrabbit
said:
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... The players depend on the formation, if we are to carry on (correctly) with 451 we need an attacking cm, who does the gerrard role, (Van der Vaart) then our side would be pretty decent, and a new keeper, as the brad is to old and young brad might make it, the jurys out: anyway our 451 side: keeper young colins dunne warnock petrov reo-coker milner van der vaart young gabby that side looks pretty strong to me. could do with dm cover or a new dm like essien or de rossi. 442 on the other hand i think we need a few more players: keeper young collins dunne warnock milner petrov new cm young gabby new forward we need a keeper, a new cm who works really hard and can create, again maybe essien?, im struggling to think of many players who fit that bill, alonso? iniesta? xavi? that is a real hard role and needs real world class quality. new forward, needs to be a link up forward, like tevez, rooney, keane, messi, van persie. not sure that player is available either. I think we would also need another forward as cover along with big JC. |
churchill
said:
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...Liverpool look the most vunerable to me. Bakewell, yes they do. If Gerrard ever gets injured, it will be very dificult for them. |
ronrabbit
said:
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... Also i have said it before, why is everyone so excited about Delph? he was good in league 1 and in some pre season friendlys. In competative matchs, wigan and blackburn, he has been very average. he is not some 16 year old either he is 19, look at rooney, gerrard, lampard, barry, carrick, joe cole, at 19 they were far better players than delph is now. Im not sayign he is crap, i just cant see what people are exctied about: 'Delph, in my opinion, will be the best player at Villa Park in a few years' Really? on what basis? Also suggestions of him starting against chelsea are ridiculous, im sorry but he didnt do it agaist wigan or blackburn, with there amazing cm partnerships, im sure he would do fine agaist essien and ballack. |
croni
said:
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... Yeah a creative midfielder and a striker, someone like fabiano a lot of yoyos would be needed |
ak_27
said:
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... We should make a move for Gudjohnson. Even take him on loan for the rest of the season. He isn't getting a look in at Barca and would be the perfect striker to drop back and be creative. We really need that striker option at the club as that is what other top teams have when many on here claim they play 451. |
Richard Dunne my lord, Richard Dunne!!
said:
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... ak_27 said: ... We should make a move for Gudjohnson. Even take him on loan for the rest of the season. He isn't getting a look in at Barca and would be the perfect striker to drop back and be creative. We really need that striker option at the club as that is what other top teams have when many on here claim they play 451. Great shout....have always rated him and always banged on about us getting him. He would be perfect to sit behind Gabby. I see we have a game against Crew today. Lets hope Luke Young and Bouma get another run out. |
Simeon
said:
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... Asking how many players we need to kick on is missing the point. We won't be getting anywhere until we have a manager who knows what he's doing. For what it's worth, I think we have a few players of real value (namely Agbonlahor, Ashley and Milner), but the rest of the squad is made up of players who are, in the main, of a decent Premiership standard, but who would not interest any of the top 5 clubs. I'm concerned that our next manager is going to inherit a mediocre squad that will take some time to fashion into a serious force in English football. The average age of the squad is also a little worrying. It seems to have increased dramatically over the past couple of seasons, as none of the players we have brought (with the exception of Delph) have been young. Of the players we have who have a realistic chance of being picked for 'important games', only Agbonlahor, Ashley, Milner and Delph are under 25. What's the point in producing good young players if they aren't given the chance to progress? I'm surprised that Craig Gardner is still at the club, and wouldn't be remotely surprised if he left in January. Also, why is Delfouneso still at the club when he's got no chance of starting (or coming on in) games? He should be out on loan. I'm sure that a top Championship side, or even a Premiership side in need of a striker, would benefit from his services. And I don't anticipate Ciaran Clark, Eric Lichaj, Marc Albrighton or Barry Bannan mustering a dozen starts between them. Sitting on the bench every week, for the full 90 minutes, isn't going to teach them much at all. This notion that O'Neill is a master of developing young players is laughable. Given that this is likely to be Ashley Young's last season with the club, and both Agbonlahor and Milner could also leave for more ambitious clubs at the end of the season, I think that we need to identify and hire a manager who can develop young players, and preferrably someone who has a working knowledge of continental football. Perhaps after a few years we might be able to think about challenging the top four. |
Deano-avfc
said:
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... Ronrabbit- Delph has an amazing talent, league one, two, prem or sunday league when you see his goals he scored for Leeds even Stevie Wonder can see that. Once he gets a bit of confidence, comes to terms with the pressure of his prize tag and gels with the team he will be one to watch. UTV |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... Ronrabbit Firstly, have you actually been and seen him play this season in the flesh? I'm excited about him because we haven't had a CM like him for years. Is that a problem? -He's got 2 very quick feet (which enable him to get out of tight spaces) -He can dribble (and past players!) -He can shoot from range (when was the last person to do this from Midfield?? Hitzlsperger?) -He's got an explosive tackle, not scared to get stuck in -Lastly, he can spray passes around Im predicting he'll be the best player at Villa Park in years to come because he's an all-rounder, and not an average one from what I've seen! |
frosty
said:
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...Why is everyone so excited about Delph It took Petrov over a year to settle, I think Delph will be fine. He's miles off players like Ramsey & Rodwell at the moment but I think he deserves at least a year or maybe even 2 before we start to judge. I've never seen him in training but have read he has been our best player in a few sessions, it's probably still nerves. |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... Apparently there is a behind closed doors game going on now at Bodymoor. Hope Bouma and Young come through it strongly again. |
Greg Da Villain
said:
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... we need 3 id say, 2 quality midfielders and a quality striker, easier said than done |
Chiefy
said:
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... Simoen -- your full of the joys of spring arent ya mate, nothing like looking onward and upward and all that |
Badger
said:
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... greg1982, Badger I really couldn't disagree more. I can think of loads of chances recently. How many did Milner miss recently? How many does Sidwell miss? A top striker would bury many of those chances, imo. And re your comment yesterday about a centre midfield player: I very much suspect he does get it and you've forgotten his "Downing can play in the middle" comment. The point is we do create chances. Ok maybe not enough, I'll admit, but to me it's finishing that seems to be our problem. Take Gabby out and we're in trouble. Same if you take out set pieces (which I've mentioned as a worry a few times). I think this is one of the reasons Heskey is so disliked. He doesn't get into positions to score goals. Anyway Torres can also make his own chances. |
Badger
said:
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... Simeon, I'm concerned that our next manager is going to inherit a mediocre squad that will take some time to fashion into a serious force in English football. Do you not think that if you took Gerrard, Torres and maybe Aquilani (who we haven't seen yet) out of Liverpool, they'd look like a mediocre side too? It's not about having a team of superstars, it's about having a team, imo. |
mikey18
said:
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... gudjohnson isnt at barca any more, he went to monaco for first team football. Van der Vaart is a bit part player at real but still getting abit of a run out off the bench, but would love for us to go in for him in january. If we are going to play 442 then we need another striker to play with gabby, maybe berbatov? not really working out at united for him. we'll c |
vijay
said:
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... I said this a few weeks ago on here: Next season will be the most important for MON, i think we have squad now, Heskey will go, no problems, but in instead of spending 40 million on 5 or 6 average players mon has tobuy 2 big first team hitters, a top goalscorer and a creative midfielder, he has to spend 15-20 million on each, thats all and then we can challenge for the top 4,i also think we have to keep nrc |
edvilla
said:
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... It's as clear as day what we need. We need a JPA type signing. I remember when we signed he for 9.5m (correct me if i'm wrong) it was a huge deal for that time especially for Villa. The equivalent now would be a 20m signing maybe? Do you think Merson would come out of retirement? |
greg1982
said:
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... Villa til I die There are enough across Europe for 25m plus. And all the top 5 have them. And if we say that’s big bucks, yes it is. But isn’t all this talk about becoming a top 5 team? When was the last time a player was slipped in as Ireland did against us last week for Man City? I’m not interested in who it is I’m just saying we haven’t got one. I have my own day job. O’Neill can find them. It’s not Downing although he will improve us so we can make 7th. Badger Yes O’Neill says Downing can play in the middle. But I don’t think so. But I do like him. Along with Delph he is a top signing. But it’s a Delph who is a few years down the line and at the top of his game who we need now. At present we still can’t pass. We can’t hold onto the ball. These are the facts of 2009. I’ll keep saying it if you can’t keep possession you won’t win football matches on a regular basis. I think we have had more possession than the opposition only 5 times since 2008. |
edvilla
said:
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... I agree with Vijay - We have the squad now - all we need is 2 or 3 quality 1st team players |
Chiefy
said:
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... edvilla -- JPA was a big deal at the time and that was Dougs signal of intent, he had one good season then went to spain and banged them in for fun and was the most expensive player in the world for a period of time, now he is USA aint he ? Any way you are right the signing of the forward and his value and his pull to sell shirts defines everything the team behind whoever this striker will be will be strong and inplace the striker will be the missing link so lets say 15-25million on one man who would you pick ????? Klose ? Huntelarr ? Forlan ? Defo ? Jones ? Berbatov ? Anelka ? (he has not been offered a contract yet), Bellamy (wont be happy on the bench), Santa Cruz (same as Bellamy), MCarthy, Ebanks Blake, CARLTON COLE ( thats a nice shout world cup place and all that he knows Capello will have a half season ticket down the villa) |
ak_27
said:
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... Chiefy do you think we would be able to take players off Sunderland? I think we would find it hard without paying way over the odds. Same would go for buying any good player off another PL team. Of your list i would like Bellamy or Forlan. Bellamy would be my number one choice. Carlton Cole had his chance at VP before and really didn't impress me one bit. He is lazy and is not what we require at the moment. We need someone with some skill on the ball. |
Chiefy
said:
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... ak_27 -- i just slapped a list together of players i could think of but i wouldnt see why we couldnt get players of sunderland, more so the attraction to the player than the club. I just threw the list together, i think Cole is going to be the successor to EMule in the England squad. I dont think he does anythink to impress i wouldnt want him i thought it would be a good shout but after thinking about it no |
edvilla
said:
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... Cheify - Players will be alot cheaper before the WC. If someone has a stormer at the WC there price could go from 15m to 30m! |
Chiefy
said:
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... if all is to be beleived that list is already changing according to reports Klose wants to go to the scouse, does he not know Heskey is on his way he wont get a game Klose that is And spuds are in advanced talks with huntlearr i heard about this apprantley milan want paylachenco it is reported on the web as well but i heard this the other day and if true this could spell the end for Keane, KEANE anyone ? |
Chiefy
said:
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... Shey Given and i Quote " Man City can beat anyone in the league " with the evidence of the latest results Mr Given i would like you to take back your comments as they actually, factually and just plain wrong !!! They love the media up at Man City |
Chiefy
said:
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... Breaking News -- In the Evening mail Steve Sidwell has said not to worry he will get the goals for Villa !!! well then thats it people we have won the leaguei bet the FA are already putting our name on the trophy We need to keep our players out of the media permanently |
RiosJocktrap
said:
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... I see Whelan at Wigan has opened his fat gob regarding the lump of lard he sold us. Apparently,he cant workout how Heskey is not in our side ahead of Carew, and reckons Gabby would score a hatfull playing next the traffic cone. Oh...... And John Terry says Heskey should be playing week in and week out for us, he too cant understand it, and hopes Heskey does not play saturday against them, since it will make his day easier!!!!! All sky sports news |
edvilla
said:
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... I propose we approach Dion Dublin, Paul Merson, Moustapha Hadji and Mark Delaney to make a come back! The league is ours! |
ak_27
said:
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... Chiefy i don't it would come down to who is the more attractve club. The trouble is if we ever wanted to sign a player from a club like Sunderland for eg we would have a pay way over the real value of that player. Sunderland do not need the money. If we are to sign quality players that are not surplus to requirement without paying stupid money then MON is going to have to start shopping abroad. Keane is an interesting one. He may be eventually surplus at Spurs. Im not too sure how he would work out here to be honest. Keane can very frustrating. Take it from an Irish fan and i don't see him fitting to well into MON's curent football plan. If we were to sign nother Irish player the one i would opt for is Andy Reid at Sunderland. He would bring the guile to the midfield. But like i said above we would find it really hard to buy him off Sunderland without paying far too much for him. I know i'll get stick for that one but Andy Reid currently has something we lack in this squad. That bit of inventiveness on the ball. Then again we have Downing coming back so maybe we have enough left sided midfielders in the club but he would be a great squad player to have if the price was right. |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Terry is using mind games he really means " get EMULE on against us and we know you wont score so it doesnt matter who is in defense " Whelan really means " Big John is a legend we can see why the big fella keeps the mule out we seen you lot coming when we flogged him to ya " |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Reply to Whelan if the Mule is that good buy him back for what we paid for him !!! Terry if you think the Mule is that good swap deal with Joe Cole, Drogba, Anelka, Sturridge, Essien ? dont be shy take your pick ! |
Badger
said:
|
...Badger I agree we need someone a bit more established. But prefer to think MON knows what he's doing and after pulling Collins out of the hat I think he does. I’ll keep saying it if you can’t keep possession you won’t win football matches on a regular basis. I think we have had more possession than the opposition only 5 times since 2008. And we haven't done too badly if you ask me. I really don't care about possession as long as we keep winning. A lot of our wins have come off low possession. We're a counter-attacking team, simple as. But I do see your point in that if you have the ball, you don't concede etc Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see us playing/knocking it around like Arsenal, but you have to ask what have they won lately, for all their lovely football? |
ak_27
said:
|
... Badger what have Utd won for their nice football? Same can be said about Barca? The fact is that all the top teams in Europe play the possession game to different degrees but it is still focussed on not giving the ball away so easily. Thats not a coincidence that is a major factor as to why they are the top teams. |
Monkeywrench
said:
 |
... Heskey to Liverpool? Off you go pal, cannot see the back of you quickly enough - never in 30 years of watching football I've witness a more overrated, pointless player. Good riddance! |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... We don't need a CM we have Downing, i've been banging on about it for ages and he's not far off now. Downing is exactly what we need and he will be playing in a froward midfield three with Milner and Young, Gabby up top and Petrov and Delph/Coker/Sidwell in the middle. Why does everyone assume Downing will play only on the left?? |
ak_27
said:
|
... JPA there is no guarintee that formation will work. In fact there is no guarintee that Downing will be able to make the step up to playing in a CM role for a team with top 4 aspirations. None of us really have seen him play there that often to make any assumption on how he he will work out as a CM. I personally wouldn't be too confident of a mid containing 3 wingers working out that effectively. |
greg1982
said:
|
... Ak 27 ‘all the top teams in Europe play the possession game to different degrees but it is still focussed on not giving the ball away so easily.’ Yep, yep and yep; this is the crux Badger ‘I really don't care about possession as long as we keep winning.’ Without possession we will lose a lot of games (cf Wigan).. If we haven’t got the ball the opposition has got it. And besides, what happens is that many fans – and there have been lots of comments on the site – think players like Ash have gone backwards. It really beggars belief. He is phenomenal. When he goes to Man U, or whoever, and gets good service from a Giggs or an Essien or a Lampard or a Gerard then just watch him go. It’s all scraps and 3 and defenders trebling up on him. Moreover, the counter attacking approach should be an option. Teams at VP just sit deep now and neuter Gabs et al. The games up when you have no creativity to break down a deep lying defence. And you say: ‘But prefer to think MON knows what he's doing and after pulling Collins out of the hat’ Ok, so he’s rectified some of his mistakes after 3 years (and a lot of cash) and we’ve got (back to) a decent(ish) defence. Let’s see what happens as we start playing better opposition. I don’t want to keep sounding negative but I keep going to games where for long spells we are under the cosh. I’m really hoping many of you are right when you say Downing can play center mid. All I know is that I wouldn’t be interested in Mon’s view of it. |
Badger
said:
|
...I’m really hoping many of you are right when you say Downing can play center mid. It's only what MON has hinted at and don't forget he played CM for Boro for a good chunk of last season. Their fans were pretty happy with him too, which suggests he can play there. No doubt we'll see in a few weeks. All I know is that I wouldn’t be interested in Mon’s view of it. That's a very disappointing answer. I don't think anyone will ever be 100% behind any manager, no matter who he is and tbh I think it's that sort of attitude that will do more to hold the club back than anything. Surely if we can't believe in the manager, how can we expect the players too? I don't know, I just think you have to back the manager until he's no longer doing the business. I have reservations about him, but we're not at that stage by a long chalk imo. I just fail to understand why you wouldn't be interested in the manager's opinion ??? |
frosty
said:
|
...A lot of our wins have come off low possession. We're a counter-attacking team, simple as. Exactly, you wouldn't attack Japan on bicycles, you would let them attack you and then throw in the air support. |
Badger
said:
|
...Ok, so he’s rectified some of his mistakes after 3 years (and a lot of cash) and we’ve got (back to) a decent(ish) defence. Let’s see what happens as we start playing better opposition. I forgot this bit. We played a £200 mill team in Man City and held our own. I don't think that's too bad tbh and the fact that some of us were disappointed to not get the win says a lot about how far we have come on, because they will definitely be thereabouts imo. But yes, Chelsea will be a tough test and a good indicator. What's puzzling me is that we have lost to sides we really ought to be beating. |
Pancho Villan
said:
 |
...Exactly, you wouldn't attack Japan on bicycles, you would let them attack you and then throw in the air support. ????????????????? We need a creative midfield player, never mind air support |
Badger
said:
|
... ak_27, Badger what have Utd won for their nice football? Same can be said about Barca? The fact is that all the top teams in Europe play the possession game to different degrees but it is still focussed on not giving the ball away so easily. Thats not a coincidence that is a major factor as to why they are the top teams. I do take your point mate But in mitigation, Man U scraped many games last season and their football was often poor imo. At the end of the day they were somewhat lucky to beat us at OT, I'm sure you'd agree. No doubt you'll counter that MON messed it up and you'd have a point. And I would counter that the facts are we could have won that. And you would counter that we didn't. So I'd have to concede defeat on that one As for Barca, well you're talking the best teams in the world. Even I'll concede we're not in that league My point is pretty passing footy is not the be all and end all. Truth be told, I've seen many a game in the first div where the football has been better than what you see in a lot of prem games. There must be a moral in there somewhere, but I'm not sure what it is. It's also a bit of an indictment on prem footy too. Slight change of subject, but La ligue is a much better standard, imo |
churchill
said:
|
...Exactly, you wouldn't attack Japan on bicycles, you would let them attack you and then throw in the air support. Exactly my thoughts. Err...what does it mean? |
Badger
said:
|
... DAMIAN, I don't know if it's just me, but the site seems really slow since yesterday. You might want to check the server isn't choking? |
ak_27
said:
|
... Badger Utd did get many wins last year without playing great.But they managed to get them as they still had control of the ball for most of those games without being their at their usual incisive best.If that was us we would give the ball away far more and chances are we would have lost those games. Barca are a joy to watch. But many of those players have been brought through their own academy which is geared to play that way from start to finish at all age groups. A bit like Arsenal have their club set up which if you look at long term they are the most stable and have probably the brightest futures of all the top clubs if they can keep Wenger. I would really love to see us try and go the same way. I would have patience then. I would have patenice if we were on the right path. But that goes againest everything MON stands for. |
Badger
said:
|
...A bit like Arsenal have their club set up which if you look at long term they are the most stable and have probably the brightest futures of all the top clubs if they can keep Wenger. I would really love to see us try and go the same way. I would have patience then. I would have patenice if we were on the right path. But that goes againest everything MON stands for. Isn't our academy rated as one of the best in the British game? I believe it is. I see the reserves beat Crewe 3-2 and go marching on Surely we must be doing something right? Again, don't get me wrong. Wenger is one of the very few managers I'd bullet MON for. But I don't see it happening, do you? MON is the right bloke for us, at this stage, imo. And if he feels he can't progress us, he'll walk, I'm pretty sure of that. |
greg1982
said:
|
... Badger 'We played a £200 mill team in Man City and held our own. What's puzzling me is that we have lost to sides we really ought to be beating.' These two points are easy to explain given our team and counter-attacking style. Man City came at us, which at least gives us more space to counter. Other, lesser, teams sit back and we’re clueless in trying to break them down, and then we are ready for the coup de grace. It will happen increasingly. Hopefully the Chelsea game will suit us most. And regarding Martin; firstly, he’s the only Villa manager I can remember who would make a good dinner guest. Nice bloke especially after the obnoxious Gregory and brainless O’Leary. However, secondly, he’s also well down the list for managers who you would trust with the cash. Managing a club has many facets but mainly three. Some are good at one thing but not another. The issues are Buying/tactics/Motivating. And it’s 1 out of 3 for Martin following his 3 year report. Mind you, spend enough and success beckons regardless. Mark Hughes, for instance. I wouldn’t want him at VP. |
Badger
said:
|
...Utd did get many wins last year without playing great.But they managed to get them as they still had control of the ball for most of those games without being their at their usual incisive best.If that was us we would give the ball away far more and chances are we would have lost those games. I'd say this is more about being able to win even when you play crap. That's something I can't put my finger on and probably boils down to fate. It's the thing that helped Pool win the CL even though they were outplayed and something we're definitely missing. |
greg1982
said:
|
... Badger There’s nothing about fate and Man Utd winning. It’s about the right manager and the right players. They put City on the rack and deserved their win. Possession and passing them off the park - with their genius Giggs at the helm - won it for them. I just wish it was us, who hail from a bigger city, and who had already won 6 FA cups when they were nobodies. Anyway getting to the point of the headline of the blog, we have the England first choice centre forward (our first for 50 years) and O’Neill can’t understand how to play him. Heskey may not be the best we’ve had but it does show that Martin hasn’t got it tactically if we are this far adrift with him. As the spanish waiter would say: fact. |
Badger
said:
|
... Ha, I'm being attacked on two fronts No worries though, it keeps the debate going 'We played a £200 mill team in Man City and held our own. Well which way do you want it? My reasoning is that if we beat/draw the top clubs on the whole, we'll be doing ok, yes? I personally think we can compete with anyone on our day, which can't be bad. But yes, you have a valid point. I can live with us competing against the big boys and learning how to beat the poorer sides for now. Concerns about keeping our top players are valid and will prove a big test I think. But if we can keep them, we're going places mate. And Spurs and Citeh apart, we're making the biggest strides, imo. Arse, Pool and even Man U are not progressing in the way we are, imo. You'll probably say I'm looking through claret tinted glasses though |
vivavilla
said:
 |
... This Heskey debate is getting very boring very quickly. Anybody with half a brain can figure out why he's playing for England and not for Villa. It has nothing to do with one manager being better or smarter than another. Heskey will move on in January. Can we do that now? |
andy5759
said:
 |
...edvilla said: ... Would that mean we owe Coventry half a million? |
bring back john gregory
said:
 |
... sorry lads i agree with heskey,mon should start with him in the next 10 games (for the reseves)then get rid of the donkey,gareth barry is 100 times a better man than this scumbag  |
Badger
said:
|
...This Heskey debate is getting very boring very quickly. Anybody with half a brain can figure out why he's playing for England and not for Villa. It has nothing to do with one manager being better or smarter than another. Who's Heskey? I thought we had moved on mate, if you read the thread |
vivavilla
said:
|
... Not really, too much effort. Though if you'll give me the jist of it I'll gladly read that! |
Badger
said:
|
... Last I saw, 88% want him gone in the poll. I agree with you Viva, he's a waste of space, fwiw. I've just been trying to keep some sort of balance in the debate |
villaman
said:
 |
... In my opinion, I think we need creative midfielder and striker that everyone has stated, the defense looks a breath of fresh air at the moment, maybe as someone mentioned a real quality right back would help a tad bit.. The players I would love to come into villa park would be VDV and I dunno what you guys think but how about vagna love haven't heard much about him these days, he still as good as he was?? |
Nanwasafan
said:
 |
... Hesk.........................................njkx.sdhakl/ K;SJJDKL; Sorry nodded off there. |
andy5759
said:
|
... Hah, get a load of this; it seems that MoN only fell out with Heskey because he refused to play Centre Half. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/aston_villa/article6873565.ece? |
Badger
said:
|
... Strangely enough, I suspect this is true. Which begs 2 questions; Do you do as you're told or tell the gaffer to do one? |
Badger
said:
|
... I missed the point. I was trying to say he'd make a better centre half than striker. If he didn't fall over.... Oh shit, forget it. |
greg1982
said:
|
... Badger ‘And Spurs and Citeh apart, we're making the biggest strides, imo.’ Which is my point. So we agree at last – 7th is the best we can hope for? And It would/could be 8th if Arteta returns quickly. Now he is just what we need. A fully fit Everton team would nudge above us. Moyes has done well with his money. |
MartinOneillatemyhamster
said:
 |
... Heskey was not put on this earth to score goals but to create endless debate. I will rejoice the day le lump hangs up his mishapen boots. |
Nanwasafan
said:
|
... That would be absolute class from MON. We are now overrun with decent defenders. Let's play him in defence. Damn! I got drawn into another Heskey debate. Andy, you sneeky sod. It's gotta be 4-5-1..... We need a midfielder...... MON should sign young Europeans..... Randy spend or get out..... Never settle for 5th.....I'd prefer a cup...... That's better, I'm back on track. |
Dema
said:
 |
... Hahahahahaha 'we only need 3 good players' you sound like Dreary O'Leary. He used to say that every week. |
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