Well it’s just all go isn’t it, lately?
The transfer activity is coming so thick and fast, I’m struggling to keep up, to be honest and it’s going to take me quite a while just to get all the new names sorted in my head.
I think we all knew we were going to have a bit of a clear out this summer, but not for one minute did I envisage that Tim Sherwood would be looking to totally change the team!
So what’s actually happened today?
Rudy Gestede and Jordan Veretout have both signed five-year deals, for, I believe, both undisclosed fees.
I really can’t say I know anything about Veretout apart from he’s a midfielder and frankly, don’t know much about Gestede; except that he was fairly prolific with twenty-two goals for Blackburn in the season just gone.
Perhaps I’m being slightly optimistic, but even with my lack of knowledge about pretty much any player we’ve signed, I suspect Sherwood has carried out some great business in this window.
Perhaps the big shock of the day is Nathan Baker signing a new five-year contract.
I know he’s Marmite to Villa fans, but whatever, that’s one in the eye for The Times, who were insistent that he was going to Burnley for a puny £2 million.
That said, the Times’ story did make a bit of sense where they suggested that Baker wanted to leave to play regularly. I wonder what Sherwood has said about that?
Another surprise was the story that the club bid for Joleon Lescott and seemingly had the bid accepted by West Bromwich Albion, but then overturned by manager Tony Pulis. I’d have loved to have been a fly on the wall watching that conversation between Pulis and Albion’s owner, Jeremy Pearce and it wouldn’t surprise me if Pulis had threatened to resign, as we all know he hates interference.
I’ve had a bit of mileage in that story, in winding a couple of Albion fans up, saying we’re going to get him.
The interesting point here, is that both the fans don’t want to lose Lescott. Serves them right for taking the proverbial and offering a stupidly low £2 million for Cieran Clark, in my opinion.
And finally, some of the papers would have us believe we’re still in for Denis Praet.
Like I said, it’s all go.
And I still don’t believe we’re finished yet.
Last point is that I read a blog in last night’s Birmingham Mail, where the writer voiced his concerns that with all these new players, the team might have a problem in gelling quickly enough.
He was ripped to pieces in the replies, but the truth is, I thought he made a very valid point.
We all know that some players can take a season at least to get used to the English game, after all.
I mean, Ligue 1 is a pretty decent league, but it isn’t the Premier league is it?
I’d personally expect a third of our signings to fail and the blunt truth is, it may be more, which does give me some cause for concern.
But then, I’d take the argument that wholesale change was desperately needed, as we were going nowhere with what we had.
I’m not going to let my slight concern put me off though and I’m still excited.
Oh, sorry, this is definitely the last thing.
Can someone tell me how many strikers we have now and if we sign another one, where do we think this leaves Gabby?
Not only a change of squad but a change of style, I think. A new deal for Baker makes no sense for a team that is going to press high up the field and string the back four along the half way line. On he other hand if the back four are going to stay around their 18 yard box, then Baker can do a job as first replacement. That change of style might give Gaby more of a role and space to work in. But I agree with all posted before – his work rate has been laughable recently, and he does not get into a game as an impact sub either. So he must buck his ideas up PDQ or he will be the resident old pro in the academy team.
This summer has been been a complete suprise to everyone. I can’t believe that people are still tipping us for the drop! No way!
Would I swap Benteke and Delph for the new players that have come in? Too right I would. We needed this clear out desperately. Will be interesting to see how Westwood fares in all this. He and Bennet were being linked with the Arse not so long ago. I like Westwood – he is never afraid to stand up and be counted and is a very ‘ North London’ type player.
We haven’t paid over the odds for anyone, so if a handful don’t make the grade, then at least we won’t be facing a loss of £30m on a single player as ManU are doing with De Maria!
Very excited about this season. The last few since MON went have been agony. When the Villa pop into my head now, I smile to myself instead of ache. The spring in my step is back! Roll on the Bournemouth game. I’ve got us down to win. 2-1. UTV
Chuffed with the Baker deal too. A good lad who doesn’t sulk and can be immense on his day.
I think it’s been the best window ever. Even better than Mon who signed dull boring English overpaid overaged mercenaries.
Berbatov link again SSN?? Does that mean weve cooled off adebeyor????or even get both????
It’s been reported that Levy is doing a ‘Deadly’ on us – hope he gets left with Adebayor. Don’t feel we need both so if Berbatov convinces TS wouldn’t be surprised if the Adebayor deal gets dropped. Interesting that the Mirror reporting TS will return to media duties after signing Adebayor – does that suggest our dealings are at an end?
TS isn’t going to do Levy any favours with the way he was treated at Spuds.
I think Berbatov link is to put pressure on levy.
Having both in changing room would deflate this new positive attitude we have. Berbatov sulks the last thing we need at vp having got rid of most of the dross
Also reported that Baker might be loaned to Burnley – might not be a bad move as long as we have a recall clause
whispers… @whispers_listen 20m20 minutes ago
berbatov nothing. adebayor everything avfc
whispers… @whispers_listen 1h1 hour ago
defender to complete his move to avfc this week.
1 down already at Forest, defence looks lost, bring back Vlaar! 😉
Sinclair hat trick good on him.UTV
Having watched the wolves and forest games . We really need the defense sorting asap
Defence is very worrying still not sorted and still conceding last min goals nothing’s changed
Some good, some not so good. Midfield and attack look okay but the defence gives me the collywobbles.
Can only hope that the team that Tim plays next week plays with more conviction in defense. However I’d guess we’re going to have to be a bit patient as it may take time for the team to become a unit.
However Veretout looked good, seemed comfortable on the ball and Ayew looks hungry.
Can’t wait until we see the real team next week as Tim seemed to have played one half of the team at a time in the friendlies.
My crystal ball tells me that we’ll win 1-3 next week. Here’s hoping
UTV
3-3 ft we let a 2 goal lead slip, oh well bring on the cherries UTV
And conceded from a corner again. We are playing 2 good attacking teams first 2 games Utd especially could murder us unless defence ups it’s game.
No sign of gabby or CNZ things must be improving.
Gabbys injured
Am I going to have nightmares again about our defence.
Fraid so. Hope this isn’t like lamberks first season where we have to score at least 3 goals to get a result
Pre season friendly. Result and performance mean fuck all. It’s all about the players getting some game time and improving their fitness. Real stuff begins next week! 🙂
We could choose to ignore the same defensive fralaties we had last season or resolve them.
We could resolve them by not playing Richards at centre half!! He’ll cost us at least 15 points if that’s where he plays next season.
Who have we got that’s any better.
Whatever happens for the first few games I’m with TS & TF. Pre season is never an indicator of how the season will pan out. Whilst playing in the centre of midfield or defence may mean you see a bit more of the ball, does Richards see RB as an inferior position? Look at the influence and respect Gary Neville had foroso long. In the CB position we have proper options…Clarke, Okore in a couple of weeks, Baker etc… it sounds like TS was protecting todays CBs by taking them off early and explaining what was going wrong, rather than leaving them on the pitch having their confidence eroded. Good management. Roll on next week. Still very confident about next season.
I believe Sherwood put Sanchez at CB in the second half. Never seen the game, reading a couple of reports
This dosnt bode well if he’s already putting square pegs in round holes.
Guys – didn’t see the games but pre season friendly results are not usually a good gauge for the season itself. I feel we have to patient early on as all the new players adjust to the PL and to each other. I was fearful of Cherries away as first game but at least both sides will be new to the Premiership! 🙂
My thoughts exactly B6, everyone seems delighted that we signed Micah Richards, not me, give it a few months and I’m sure the majority of fans won’t want him at CB, overrated in my book. Might do a job at RB, but I believe he’s been promised the CB role. Concerning!
I don’t profess to be an expert over Richards but to be fair he hasn’t had much game time over the last couple of seasons (similar to Sinclair who was written of by some before he even kicked a ball!). Let’s not get on the backs of TS, the players or anyone else too quickly – that would be counter productive. I know it’s a cliche but Rome wasn’t built in a day and TS, Tom Fox et al have a massive job to rebuild the club.
Agree entirely.
I can already imagine some of the despondent wailing if we lose a few early games in the next month or so…
Il be the first in the queue Sherwoid out 🙂
Agreed I rate Richards and think he will come good but will need to stay injury free for a long period first
We are not exactly blessed with centre halves though. Also I should imagine it’s part of the deal he plays ch as its his preferred position.
@Dave.c. Don’t get me wrong mate I do think Richards would do a job for us at right back. For me he lacks the concentration and is caught out to much playing in the middle. I’d like to see someone like Lescott come in. I think he’d be good for Clark, Okore and Baker to learn off. A back four of Richards, Lescott, Okore/Clarke and Amavi fills me with more confidence that the back four we started with today, and especially the back four that we played 2nd half with!
I think we will sign another centre back. I thought it was bizarre to play with Sanchez as a centre back unless the other two who started got injured?
Dont think we need to get too concerned just yet. It was Sanchez nad Baker at the back for the last part of the game. It would surprise me if we did bring in another centre back before the window closes.
Great hatrick by Sinclair. He will be definitely starting next week now. Be interesting to see who else does.
I’d just point out that Guzan wasn’t playing, so any defensive plans are presumably going to be made this week once he’s back?
That’s the great thing the team no longer picks itself thankfully
Very weird, but I keep finding myself agreeing with you OoHah…
lol that’s a worry Ardent 🙂
Maybe we’re missing oohA’s MATE vlaar????
We need Dunne 🙂
If those two were playing together, how manypens would we give away a season?!?!?!?!
It will be interesting to see Sherwood’s first choice back 4. I can see why he would be interested in Lescott, not that I rate him that highly. The whole team will take some time to gel, but I am optimistic that we have signed some very good players, and look stronger in midfield and attack (more variation). If we get the back 4 stable and performing I think we will have a decent season.
It would be nice to get a good start next week, but promoted teams are often at their strongest then. UTV
Will be very tough next week v Bournemouth can’t see us getting more than a point in all honesty. Utd at home forget it they will turn us over I’m afraid. But still think we will do ok this season
I wonder if having half a team that hasn’t lost to United season after season might’ve important here. Just like Leicester having a go last season and turning them over
Doubt it remember we haven’t beaten them at VP since 1995 20 years. Appalling record even if Utd are a good team. So lots of players have come and gone and stiller lose. Their run will have to end sometime I suppose but our defence v Rooney and co will struggle big time
Well I think Kozak, Clark, Amavi and Sinclair have all earnt the right to be starting the season of.
The defence is a real concern and I cannot stand the fact Micah is playing as centre back and more over I cannot stand him as our captain.
We do need another centre back in and quickly, this guy has to be the proven goods as well I’m afraid.
If I’m being honest I don’t know if Micah would be my first choice at right back at the minute.
Of course early days but without jumping on the panic button to soon Bournemouth is a game we should be winning and if it was a game towards the tail end of the season we would certainly be expecting the win.
Positives though are Clark can defend, Amavi looks great traveling up field and can certainly put in a dangerous ball, Gueye looks very comfortable on the ball and gets about the pitch well, Sinclair seems to have muscled his way into the squad and is finding the back of the often. Kozak scored some great goals and at the moment looks our best attacker.
The overall squad looks very fit and sharp. All it takes is for a few new signings to hit the ground running and this new team will start to find its way.
Let’s just rembrr what’s been done had to be done!
I think ideally with all fit Tim wants a back 3 Richards Okore and Clark Bacuna and Amavi attacking wing backs and Gueye Vertout and Westwood in the middle. Based on today Sinclair starts at 10 behind Kozak. But with Okore out maybe he sees Sanchez as a possible sweeper. He did put him there in one game last year – forget which. He reads the game well and has only just got back so needs time to get match fit.
Lots of permutations now to keep us all guessing.
That may be the answer. I think we need two defensive midfielders to play in front of defence. Maybe a 52111 type of system. With Richards, Ckarke, Okore/baker as a back 3 with amavi and Hutton as wing bks. Have possible Gueye and Sanchez as the defensive 2 in front of CHs with vertoute in CM between defense and attack with Sinclair/Gil/Grealish in the hole and Gestede up front. On the bench Agew, Kozac Grealish/Gill/ Gabby and Crespo
Joe Cole was outstanding when he came on,,,,,,,,Crespo,,,,,is he Luna in diguise, bloody awful prior to going off.
Micah was immense, broke forward, Westy will need to sit back when he does that in the league, Amanvi looks class and Ayew showed enough to ensure that Gabby is finished.
Sinclair has to start next week…..I get the feeling TS just don’t fancy Kozak…..we’ll see.