Written by Damian Tuesday, 17 November 2009 12:28
The votes are in. You have picked your preferred starting eleven and by default, your bench. You have also voted on your preferred formation. This isn't just me, but I have to say I agree with it 100%.
Why did I do this? Well, first there was not much going on and someone emailed in a suggestion for a quick question; the preferred right back and that was where the idea came from. So, here it is and nearly 5,000 of you voted, so it might not be what everyone wants, but it is a big number of votes.
Formation
This was asked, simply so we knew what questions to ask and 4-2-3-1 picked up 33.4% of the vote, followed by 4-5-1 with 30.2% - this was the closest vote and 4-4-2 came in third with 26.9% of all votes. But this was what we used for the questions and is the basis for this post.
Goalkeeper
This went to Big Brad, but it was close. Not the closest, but it was close with Friedel picking up just over 60% of the votes. I agree with this but I think the vote shows how close Guzan is to making the first team. We all know it is a big step up and playing in the Premier League week in week out has it's unique pressures, but who better for Guzan to learn from?
Defenders
Right back went to Luke Young, the two centre back positions went to James Collins and Richard Dunne and left back to Stephen Warnock. No surprises so far I guess you are thinking? Well, there are not really any surprises with any of the votes, but well, the questions were asked.
Holding Midfielders
Stan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker. I think everyone agrees that when these two play together with an extra midfielder we are at our best. It suits the way both like to play. It maybe isn't how both thought they were going to play when they came to Villa but it works and they were the clear winners.
Attacking Midfielders
This actually turned out quite close in the end. James Milner was the clear winner for the right with nearly 78% of the vote but the centre position and right was a close contest. Ashley Young won for the left with 52% of the vote, followed by Stewart Downing on 44.7% of the vote. Downing however won the vote for the middle with 50.2% of the vote.
As Young had been taken out of the vote, seeing as he won the vote for the left, it was clear Downing was going to win but Fabian Delph also got 25.1% of the votes.
Striker
Gabby won this with 69.7% of the votes. Once again, you can't argue with this. His pace and ability to get down the left and the right channel has been seen by all of us. He also has age on his side and I think it fair to say that he will only get better.
Summary
It is easy to vote on your preferred players when you only have to pick it on a website, but it is more difficult when you have 40,000 people demanding a result and the pressure of a match coming up. Also, while 4-2-3-1 won the formation vote, 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 were close behind and I think had we voted for 4-5-1 we might have seen Delph or even Sidwell in the side and had 4-4-2 won the vote, I'm fairly sure we would have seen John Carew too.
What I think is clear is we all know who the better players are and we all know where the best results come from. It is also, I think, clear that, if Martin O'Neill were to play this way that Downing, Young and Milner wouldn't be playing in these set positions for 90 minutes.
We have already seen O'Neill switch Milner and Young and with the added ability of Downing you could possibly see all three of them playing across the midfield in all positions over ninety minutes.
It is going to be interesting when Downing is fit to see what happens. I think it is fair to say that if all players are fit, Downing, Milner and Young will all play and it might just be that Martin O'Neill has 4-2-3-1 in mind. Pat yourselves on the back, I think you got it spot on.
I'm off for an early lunch and a pint of London Pride and I'm bringing my laptop to start my post about Burnley on Saturday. Also something from John later with something about a DJ and a look into the future.
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Comments (106)
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paul mclafferty
said:
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... ive heard downing is ready now and just needs match sharpness,lets see if he plays for the reserves very soon! |
John Samuels
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... Apparently the DJ is in fine fettle and is looking to make his debut in the next three-four weeks. He could be ready for the Arsenal game hopefully. |
Chris Harper
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... Exciting times! Saturday is taking forever and a day to come around. Anyone else wishing the days away lwading upto the christmas holiday, beer and football??  |
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
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... Come on Burnley, We'll show you brummies how to play a gane of football. Were the real Clarets !!. Burnley 2-0 You lot, Come on ladsssss |
John Samuels
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... I have to say Burnley do have a very good record at home this season. Could be another West Ham. Lets hope we come out and stamp our authority early. A couple of goals in the first half could finish them. I admit I don't know much about them, is it going to take a physical presence, a passing game or quick pacey counter attacking to do them. It's a good job we have all those in our locker....oh no that's right, we can't pass for toffee. |
Chris Harper
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... Bit out of character JPA. We passed the ball around well against Bolton didn't we? Burnley 1-0 Man Utd You're right, but we're the real claret & blues!  |
John Samuels
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... Chris, more of a joke than anything. We should win, but I don't think Burnley will play as badly defensively as Bolton. We are away again and we aren't the same team on the road at the moment. Plus they have Alexander who continues to deny Physics, the Pundits and God his performances. lol |
Gavin Merriman
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... Can't wait for the burnley game, not been to turf moor before so looking forward to it. Burnley's good home form to come to an end, 0-2 to the villa |
Mike Carter
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... It's a good team, though I think any Villa team without Carew in it is a weaker Villa team. If I had to choose between a 4-man midfield with Carew up front, or a 5-man midfield with Reo-Coker, I'd go for the former. |
John Samuels
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... Viva, I think if we're away from home i'd prefer to play 4-5-1 with Gabby up front and if we need something more up top you can always take a defensive midfielder off, move gabby right milner into the middle and play Carew as a target man in a 4-3-3 with say 40 mins to go. |
Paul Theiss
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... Burnley have been a monster at home, winning 5 of 6 games there. That includes wins against United, Everton, and Sunderland. Last week they also got a good result on the road at City. So this game poses a real challenge, even if we think that it shouldn't. |
Geoff
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... Id rather see Delph in there instead of NRC. Its ok though, NRC will be out of here soon. I finally found some names Villa were linked to in your papers. There is a site called footballtransferleague.com that provides links to players rumured in and out at each club AND the newspaper blurbs that act as the reference. The names theyve been linked to that I saw are: Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege, hybrid attacking midfielder/wing/center forward), Martin Fulop (Sunderland - replace Little Brad to be groomed to replace Big Brad when his contract expires, I like this option), Jonathan De Guzman (Feyenoord Rotterdam, attacking midfielder - 22 year old Dutchman, would be a good buy low signing that could pay off bigtime), and Jay Boothroyd (Cardiff City, presumably to replace Heskey, does he suck?). Any other names I missed? Id still bring in another wing player, even if its for depth. Assuming Jovanovic and De Guzman are bought, thats those two plus the trio of Young, Milner, Downing, Marc Albrighton is still young, Moustapha Salifou should be playing in the Championship somewhere with like Bristol City or someone like that. Couldnt hurt to have another body up there. This team would be LETHAL with a 4-2-3-1 formation. |
Geoff
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... The two pipe dream players Id like that have NO chance of coming here are: Jack Rodwell (no freaking chance they beat the big boys to that kid and they know it), and Vicente (Valencia need to start clearing our salaries, offer them that Salifou bum + 10 million cash, theyd take it because they are 400 million + Euros in debt). |
John Samuels
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... I agree Texas, Not one to be underestimated, but winnable if we approach it the right way. I think we should play 4-5-1 and we'll have to work hard. It's important we dominate the midfield from the off and carve out several decent opportunities in the first half. They'll be tougher than Bolton, but Bolton were awful. They don't have the quality of Rovers, Wigan or even Bolton for that matter so it's the work rate and organisation that will tell and we better want this more. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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...offer them that salifou bum +10 million cash, theyd take it because they are 400 million+Euros in dept and if they took this offer they would be minus a decent player and 410 million in debt as they would pay us 20 million to take salifou back! |
Geoff
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... Yeah youre not kidding! II know that would never happen, just joking. Id still like Vicente though. But I havent heard them linked with him. |
davidc
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... Dean Sturridge would be worth a shout. He hasn't settled at Chelsea, and I'm sure I read somewhere that they haven't been over impressed with him. Saturday's game - will be tough. 1 goal in it either way. But it is exactly the sort of game we need to win now after dropping points at West Ham and Blackburn recently. And he's got to play Carew and Gabby. Carew was absolutely unplayable against Bolton. |
John Samuels
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... I'd be worried playing 4-4-2 at the start at Turf Moor, we should p[lay our way into it by getting the best of their midfield early. Use Carew later if we aew really in need of a goal and there are a few tired legs in their defence. They'll be knackered after chasing Gabby around for 60 mins. |
John Samuels
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... Davidc, You could be right about sturridge, apparently MoN likes him as a player and has a habit of picking up players after moves that didn't work for them. |
Andi
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... Its nearly here but my god it has taken its time coming, We are back on saturday against the monster slayers of Burnley. Now i know they have some very good results but after our performance against Bolton i cant see anything but a Villa win. If Carew turns up Burnely are going to be in trouble. It could be a tight game but on the other hand it could be a mauling for them. I am going 0-3 to the lions i think we have to much for them if everyone turns up especially the big man Carew, and i hope MON doesnt get the urge to give EMULE a run out if he is fit surely EMULE has to be getting his stuff packed save being on the go over christmas |
paul mclafferty
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... why are we being linked to jay bothroyd? the player is top class rubbish as his scoring ratio is nearly 1 in 5 and this is at a lower level! and at 27 i think he has reached his peak and would struggle in the premier. let this please be lazy journalism. p.s. my mates are wolves fans and they think he was sh3t. |
paul mclafferty
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... chiefy.... yes he is a viila fan but so was lee sharpe and it didnt stop him turning his back on us and scoring. |
John Samuels
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... The Bothroyd link came up weeks ago and was rubbished shortly after. As was Jovanovic and the others mentioned. Old news unfortunately. The transfer speculation is quiet....too quiet. |
BobsurUncle
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... Whatever happened to the defour rumours, think would be a very decent addition! Up the Villa |
Car Frost
said:
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... JPA - I think Burnley have even more of a work ethic than we do, probably the only other team in the Pl that I would say that about & I can see them winning the midfield battle. Its going to be a game for the scrappers, NRC and Petrov must be on top of things for us to take 3 points and Carew is finally fit and needs to start imo ( especially as it would appear he can take penalties ). If we can match them on effort then the class should tell. |
John Samuels
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... Chiefy i'd be very disappointed to see Emile unless Gabby and Carew both start. I'd much rather see Nathan get a run out, he could probably give their back four some hassle. Tough game though, tough game. What we have going for us is we are playing pretty well and I include the Werst Ham result when I say that. I still mantain we were robbed by Bennet. BBurnley are organised stubborn and will attempt to nick one from range or from a set piece. We won't defend as badly as Man City did so I don't think there is any danger of us conceding three. It will come dwon to who wants it more and who is the more disciplined. Big game for Ash after being binned by Capello on sat. 'Make him regret it lad'. SWP was awful and should have been hauled off at half time. |
Geoff
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... I know they were old links, but isnt it troubling that that was ALL I could find? Why is it so quiet. Everywhere else in the world, even here in Philadelphia for the upcoming Inaugural season of the MLS Philadelphia Union, rumurs are FLYING about transfer speculation. But its all quiet on the Villa front. Thats very disturbing! |
John Samuels
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... frosty, I agree a game for the battlers. Although pretty much most of our first eleven fall into that category I would leave Carew out to start with to accomodate an extra body in midfield. Although starting with Carew and bringing Gabby on when to trouble their tired defence a bit would work. I really think we should play with a five man midfield. I don't want to go all gung-ho get hit on the break and spend the next 90 mins trying to break them down. Make the extra man tell while they are trying to get a goal (it is a home game for them and we haven't exactly been electric on the road this season)wear them out, hit them on the break and go 4-4-2 if we need a goal towards the end when the game is more stretched. |
Andi
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... Holteend - i thought we was linked with him before he went to Chelski so it seems he has already turned his back on us for £$£$£$ JPA - it will be a tough game as all seem to be in the prem these days but if everyone turns up (minus EMULE) we should be ok, i hope we go at them from the start with 4-4-2 get our noses in front, carew will need to come off around 70mins if he is putting the effort in which means we can either 4-5-1 and sit it out hopefully a few goals infront or if needs be put the fonz on and carry on taking it to them. The best form of defense is attack ! |
John Samuels
said:
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... Has anyonr seen the picture of Harewood on the Newcastle site?? Have a look for the article on Newsnow: Aston Villa. It's the funniest thing i've seen in my f**king life. I'd post it on her if I knew how. Unbelievable jeff, unbelievable. |
Geoff
said:
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... One reason I hate the big clubs is they have quality players who just sit the bench. I mean, Joe Cole in my opinion is a freaking good player! And he barely starts! Malouda sits the bench there too. Theyve got tons of guys that dont play. Man Utd - at least now - is set up more like some semblance of a team - until they import a few more mercenaries. But Chelsea is just a collection of guys that should almost all start on some team but hate each other because there isnt enough room for them all. Im not sure what plan they used to setup Liverpool though, that team is a DIASASTER, and as I predicted they will be clearing our salaries in January instead of trying to make a run. Has anyone heard how much Villa have to spend in January yet? Anyone? |
Car Frost
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... Geoff - think it depends who we sell - if NRC, Shorey & Heskey go we could have 20 - 25m to play with. Trezzy - Lithuania U21 v England U21, Gp 9, 16:00 today |
Geoff
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... Id do that. 20-25 M is good. Thats enough to get 2 or 3 guys in here who can contribute and log some minutes. |
Andi
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... 20-25 million 2-3 nope 2 at a push we dont need 3 players to come in we need to be adding quality and with 20-25 million you could get get 2 quality additions for that |
Car Frost
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... Trezzy - not sure I can post the urls.. last post has gone to Damian to check through. This could help though http://answers.yahoo.com/quest...810AAQH2ff |
John Samuels
said:
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... I think we should save the majority of our transfer kitty for the summer unless there is someone exceptional available. There has been talk that Eduardo is stalling on a contract at Arsenal, Pavlyuchenko wants more games and may leave Spures and Carlton Cole may be sold at West Ham. This is the calibre of player we should be looking at as there is bound to be a load of over priced toot around in jan. We all know you pay through the nose in jan and it might be worth waiting. 20-25 is a decent sum, although i'm more interested in offloading some deadwood i.e Salifou, Osbourne and Harewood. We could probably raise £5m between them at a push. I'd like to keep Shorey for depth reasons. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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... Off topic I know, but... interesting at least; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/spo...l?ITO=1490 |
Andi
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... JPA- Carlton Cole are you mad ?? i can see why you say him but that is a step backwards. Pavlychenko cant do it a spuds so why will he at us Eduardo is out of our reach none of them will come to us because their clubs wont let them especailly spuds and arse we are after what they consider to be their place. I think save the money maybe a little punt on fryatt or one of the others i mentioned the other day. MON doesnt rate the jan window |
Keithc
said:
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... If we really wanted to thump down on the table, Torres could be pried away for a sizable sum toward Hicks' and Gillette's debts. They may be looking to dump Rafa, and this is one sure way to to it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/nov/17/rafael-benitez-liverpool-fernando-torres |
Andi
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... JPA -- have you lost your mind ?? Carlton Cole backwards steps and he will eventually end up EMULE mark 2, Eduardo good shout but wont happen Russian from spuds couldnt do it there why will he at Villa ??? I reckon save the money take a punt on fraytt or similar for 2- 5million |
newryvillian
said:
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... hi i'm from ireland jus wondering i'm goin to manchester on the 12th have tickets to watch the game but i'll be seated with my bro(man u scumbag lol) and the manure fans and dont think i could contain myself if we score amyone know how i could get in with the away fans??? |
Car Frost
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... Picking scraps from Man City doesn't sound very glamrous but it's where I'd be looking in Jan, especially as they are bound to add more players. Hughes doesn't know his best team and players like Petrov, Johnson and Jo could be great additions at bargain prices ( Jo would have to wait until next summer but I wouldn't mind waiting ). Johnson would do twice the job of Sidwell imo & it's more likely than vdv, sneider etc .. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... I don't think for one minute we'll get £20-25 mill to spend. It'll only be what MON generates. NRC £5m, Heskey £2M, Shorey £2M = maybe one player at most imo. And that's if there is anyone available. Geoff, why are you so worried about a lack of speculation? We don't need much in the way of players, so that obviously narrows the field, giving the journos less to guess at. I expect this window to be very quiet and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't bring anyone in. |
Andi
said:
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... Frosty -- Johnson good shout, Petrov good shout, Jo ??? not sure what about Richards ? and one of their strikers has got to fed up soon Bellamy ? Santa Cruz ? what about Benni Mcarthy from blackburn ? |
doubledown9
said:
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... Jpa we don't need to keep Shorey, Shane Lowry is having a stormer at Plymouth, they are swapping him between CB & LB. So much so he has been called up to the senior Aussie side and will probably go to the WC (I bet that pisses Carew et al off) Although I do think if we were to offload a Lb it should be Freddy. Love the man, but I really can't see him making it back. |
John Samuels
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... I'd very much like Michael Johnson, young english attacking player. MoN all over and struggling to get anywhere near Citys first team. Chiefy, Cole has surpriseed even me, but if MoN wants a big lump with decent feet and a some drive then why not lose Heskey for a couple of million and get him in? I think he is a good player. I was really just trying to give an idea about the quality of players we could be looking at now as we have quite a lot of appeal to players coming in. Fryatt would be worth a punt, but you might as well aim high. tbh whoever MoN picks I don't care and I think we probably won't sign anyone in Jan if i'm honest. |
Car Frost
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... Chiefy.. almost wrote Bellamy but remembered he's Welsh so can't see Hughes letting him go. Jo - I think he has what I wish Gabby had, that ability to score from anywhere maybe too injury prone though. Benni McCarthy as a swap for Heskey could be a good move? Read big Sam is interested in Emule, you never know. |
Gavin Merriman
said:
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... I agree we need extra bodies in midfield with NRC and Petrov both needing to start to provide steel in the middle. However to not play carew after his last performance seems madness. We could play that 4-2-3-1 formation everyone wants with carew up front and gabby either on the right or in the hole. What's more important than formations is that we try to pass and keep possession. I'm not under estimating burnley when i say that i think we might beat them quite comfortably. They have proved themselves but i fancy us rock up with more swagger than shaft and play them off the park. |
Paul Theiss
said:
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... davidc: Daniel Sturridge hasn't settled at Chelsea? He is only 20 years old and hasn't even been there for half a season yet. He is simply one for the future. It's unreasonable to expect him to leave Chelsea any time soon. |
John Samuels
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... Frosty, Swap deal McCarthy for Emile is a bloody excellent shout. He can't get a game at Rovers and Big Sam wants a target man. Benni would give us another option up front. Not sure about his attitude though. Can be a bit of a prima-donna apparently. As long as it doesn't cost us anything i'd be very happy, even if that were the only business we did in Jan. |
Villa 4 ever
said:
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... I think we have most positions covered apart from the strikers if gabby or carew got injured where are the goals coming from we cant reley on heskey or delfounso i think we need to ring in some decent cover for up front that way if gabby or carew have an off day we have some one decent to fall back on. I think jermaine beckford is worth a punt age and pace on his sid and room for improvement at villa him and gabby up front worth thinking about. |
Villa 4 ever
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... i think jermaine beckford is wortha punt he has age and pace on his side doing really well for leeds i know its a step up but he could really improve at villa given his chance imagine him and gabby up front it could really work in our favour also think we need back up for our strikers if gabby or carew got injured what then. |
Abdul Kashif
said:
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... http://www.nufcblog.org/wp-con...rewood.jpg This has to be one of the funniest things I've ever seen! Take a peek at the link.. |
mikey18
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... benny mccarthy isn't good enough for blackburn, what makes you think he will get into the first team ahead of Carew Gabby and Heskey? Mccarthy can barely make his national team. If we are going to bring another forward in it has to be better than what we already have. I would definitely prefer a swap deal with heskey because i think delfeounsuo needs to be near the first team to progress or sent out on loan. I'd say maybe a swap deal with west ham and bring back carlton cole. Maybe he would have something to prove? hes improved as a player and is a big target man. He could probably learn off carew over the next two years by which time carew will probably be retiring and cole reaching his peak? Young english athletic ticks most of oneils boxes. Michael Johnson is a friend of a friend and he has a poor attitude and loves the full lash. He missed most of last season and this season due to an 'abdominal' injury which didn't stop me from seeing him on ALOT of nights out in manchester. MCFC said on their website he was struggling to come to terms with the lifestyle being a football presents you in manchester. I think if hes grown up and put that behind him he could be an asset. anybody know how sneijder and VDV are getting on at milan and real? |
Car Frost
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... Villa 4 ever - I think Beckford would be a very brave for MOn as Delph is yet to prove himself. Must admit I quite like him but would rather wait and see how he gets on next year in the Championship first, even then there's no guarantees. |
doubledown9
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... I really think Beckford is an option, however, Leeds really do not want to sell. It would take silly money, nevertheless a cunning plan emerges. A lower bid than say Citeh, Pool etc would throw at them and loan him back. That way the player does not have to turnhis back on his mates in a really important season AND he gets his move to the big time. I say this because Leeds are my second team and I really want them to get promoted. Also I watch them a fair bit and he is quality. In the short term, however, I would go for mcarthy. But on the bench behind the Fonz. Of we are struggling bring on mcarthy the poacher, if we are winning bring on the Fonz for game time. Then again if we are going to play 451 when DJ gets fit, do we really need to buy a striker, (even if we sell Heskey)especially when that Andreas Wieman guy is banging them in for giggles at the minute. Also have The Toon bought the Hare or is he on loan, I forget. If they want him we may get a mil or two. |
Geoff
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... Im sure Chelsea will buy VDV. Sniejdar LOVES it at Inter, he will not be leaving, hes a star there. Im sure Chelsea will buy Ribery, Im sure Chelsea will buy David Villa too. Theyll try and sell Malouda, Kalou, Joe Cole, maybe a few others to make room. Carlton Cole will probably head to Liverpool because theyll overpay for him. Whats up with Dean Ashton these days? |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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...Delph is yet to prove himself. Frosty, he's scored in three European games, and against Donny Rovers in the cup. Maybe not quite the finished article, but certainly has what it takes at the top. Next year he will get his chances, unless we spend silly money on a striker we probably don't need. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... i dont understand why people on here are talkin about bringing players such as beckford, fryatt and the likes because these players are not proven and as we have our own youth players comming through i really dont think we can afford to bring untried players in, i think if mon is goin to buy in jan then it will have to be a proven quality player. |
James
said:
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... Oh would you just get to bloody Saturday? Why, in the modern, computer driven age, with TV on demand, every exotic luxury available at the click of a mouse, space travel and mind expanding drugs, do we have to still engage in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and some of Friday? Developed World, my arse. |
Steve Badger
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...i think if mon is goin to buy in jan then it will have to be a proven quality player. Absolutely. Which is why I don't think we'll buy anyone. We don't need squad players or kids, just improvements now. Which is where it gets trickey and expensive. |
Andy Scarborough
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... Viva, you're right. Sorry. I'd just read an article on Fonz, and was still thinking about it. Delph will come good, just needs time around the squad and a bit of playing time in the cups. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... Still, wouldn't it be great to sign a bums-on-seats player. Huntelaar's my man. |
David Griffin
said:
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... Damien great job on killing off the international break with the team selection. 5 in the midfield is usually how we play even when we field two striker with Carew dropping to the middle or Gabby going out wide at times. I still see a quandary with the 4-5-1 selection. Gabby does most of his work on the flanks very rarely does he come storming down the middle. ( The Fulham goal being one of the exceptions ) With Carew now on the bench who will take that position and win the aerial battles for us. With our current attacking four no one is taller than 5' 11 or 1.80 m and all of them are of slight build. I feel like like this will be inviting teams to boss us physically and will limit us greatly since we mostly play a direct style of play. The line-up picked seems to scream for the ball to be played along the floor which as we have seen this campaign does not work to well for us. |
paul mclafferty
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... if anyone wants to believe tomorrows sun then they are saying vdv is staying at madrid as he feels he is starting to get a chance to make his mark. |
Steve Badger
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...Chelsea can't buy anyone! Yes they can, that decision got put back. Still, wouldn't it be great to sign a bums-on-seats player. This, I feel, is where MON is really going to be tested and will prove his value one way or the other. He has to step up a gear in his signings now, imo. The line-up picked seems to scream for the ball to be played along the floor which as we have seen this campaign does not work to well for us. Yep, we need Carew, or a decent attacker in the air. Of course, that precludes Heskey. |
Paul Theiss
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... Badger: Yes they can, that decision got put back. To be clear, the transfer ban has simply been stayed pending review of the decision. |
Alistair
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... People have started talking about what I was thinking when this formation was picked. People have been saying that we will have people on the wings to whip the ball in, but who is going to win the headers if we don't have Carew playing!? I think he has to play, especially if we get downing on the left who will give better delivery on that side. |
David Griffin
said:
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... These are the strikes rates for our three attacking midfielders: ( First team football ) Young: 4.85 Milner: 11.68 Downing: 9.4 Strikers: Gabby: 3.64 Carew: 2.64 I am fairly confident that Gabby's strikerate is only going to increase but I think you can see what I am getting it. A motivated Carew has to start for us. Carew also can't play as a lone striker due his almost complete lack of pace. So I believe that is why MON continues to stick with a quasi 4-4-2. Without attacking and scoring wingers this team is not built to use the 4-5-1/4-3-3 as there predominant formation of choice. |
Villa 4 ever
said:
|
... i dont understand why this season so far we have beat liverpool,chelsea and should of beaten man city then go and lose or draw against lower down teams like west ham and wolves we need consistancy if we are going to challenge top four. |
robb david
said:
 |
... andy5759 said: ... Delph is yet to prove himself. Frosty, he's scored in three European games, and against Donny Rovers in the cup. Maybe not quite the finished article, but certainly has what it takes at the top. Next year he will get his chances, unless we spend silly money on a striker we probably don't need. Delph hasnt played in three european games. He has played in meaningless friendlies that are far from a true reflection of a players ability. Also scoring agaist doncaster rovers? does that really make him a premiership player? Think of all the other players that have scored agaist them, would we want them in our side? Delph has done nothing to suggest he will be anything more than an average premiership player. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... ronrabbit, how can you not tell he was talking about Delfouneso? Delph never scored against Donny. I also believe he has played in three competitive game sthis season too. Not meaningless ffriendlies. |
Andi
said:
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... Wolves was lost due to a poor team performance and an individual error and a poor ref West Ham was a poor ref and an individual error |
davidc
said:
|
... Chelsea won't touch Van Der Vaart. He's failed at every team he's been at since he left Holland. He won't get a move to another top class team during his career thats for sure. He'll end up at someone like Spurs, or Seville, or Dortmund, or Feyenoord. And Huntelaar? This the same Huntelaar who came out yesterday saying he was staying in Milan? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... We up the way we play for the big games. We are a big game for the likes of Wolves and West Ham and they play up to us. I think we are a bit of a bigger scalp these days along with Spurs and Citeh. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Imagine if we had Steve Bennet every week, we'd go down. He reffed a game I watched the other day and was absolutely shocking too. That guy should be relegated to sunday league games. |
Andi
said:
|
... thanks jpa let him come ref me on a sunday while you at it why dont you send me EMULE |
Chinavillan
said:
 |
... Chiefy! Was EMULE a close friend or something!...I can't remember one of your posts that didn't mention him!...Try to think of something else for a change!  |
Andi
said:
|
... prediction on line up for saturday game anyone ? I am going brad young-cuellar-dunne-warnock milner-reo-petrov-young gabby-carew 4-4-2 is working for us at the minute dont see any need to change it and it doesnt sound right when you only have one up top we went 4-4-2 against bolton, chelski and man city so dont see why we need to go 4-5-1 against the might of burnley (we should be winning these if we want fourth) yes they beat man utd but so will we another performance is needed with a few goals COME ON YOU LIONS !!!! |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Chiefy, all those games were at home and I think you'll find we went 4-4-2 against Rovers and Wigan too which we lost. 4-5-1 away. That's the way to go. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Chiefy, Either Carew sits deep or we start with Sidwell and change formation second half. Starting with two up front could be a signal of intent but I think this game will end up being won or lost towards the end. Burnley have shown they are organised and hard to beat at home, but under pressure at the end that little gap in class and fitness may tell. |
Andi
said:
|
... to cautious for my liking we have just mauled a team 5-1 with that formation at home or not we should continue that way some of our best results have come using 4-4-2 why change it if its not broken ???? we change it we lose MON gets blamed not the formation, 4-5-1 against man utd, chelski, arsenal away, burnley ?!?!?!? seriously ?!?!?!? not for me |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Bolton got mauled cos they defended like idiots. Burn;ey will not at home. If we take this too lightly we'll get caught out. |
Andi
said:
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... if you are saying carew sits deep it becomes 4-4-1-1 doesnt it ??? i could live with that as we got the big man for set pieces and so on |
Andi
said:
|
... Come on dont take it away from the lads we played well dont care what Bolton did or didnt do they will carry that confidence into this game so the belief is there which is half the battle |
John Samuels
said:
|
... This formation thing is ridiculous, as long as we have a presence at the top of midfield breaking up play, winning the ball and generally being a nusance I don' mind whether it's Carew, Sidwell or bloody Salifou as long as we have an extra body in the middle of the park and not playing alongside Gabby up front. Wouldn't mind seeing Gabby run the right hand channel, Milner tuck in and Carew play as a target man...that would work. |
Andi
said:
|
... that doesnt sound to bad either jpa Carew is a big presence for us and if he is on it hes a handful |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Chiefy, What can I say, you know me. I don't get depressed with a loss and I don't get carried away with a win. I |
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