I like Leandro Bacuna.
He’s a decent player, who gets forward quite nicely at times and can bang a decent cross in.
But I’m not convinced he’s a winger, as he doesn’t really go past the man in the traditional sense.
I’m not even convinced he’s a wingback, because he doesn’t defend well enough and is too often caught well out of position.
And for me, he certainly isn’t an out and out defensive right back.
So what exactly is he then?
Well, Tim Sherwood seems to think he’s a right back, given that he’s intimated that Bacuna has done ok and will improve there.
Which I find slightly odd, because I think Cissokho is a decent defensive left back, who’s not so good going forward (basically the opposite of Bacuna), yet he’s been deemed surplus to requirements?
Of course, the manager has proven at first glance to be correct in replacing Cissokho with Amavi, who looks excellent going forward and has enough pace to make up for when he’s caught out somewhat, defensively.
No doubt that’s why Sherwood has turned out to be a Premier league manager and I just comment about things.
Back to Bacuna then and I suppose he can do a job at RB and may well improve, as the manager thinks, although I believe Hutton is actually the better defender.
Then of course, we need to add in the Traore factor.
This is where I think Bacuna comes into Sherwood’s way of thinking.
Traore looks (on a video, I hasten to add) frighteningly good at attacking defenders.
The thought of him dragging two left sided defenders all over the place and Bacuna having an acre of the resulting space in the final third of the right flank to run into for the return pass, has me practically drooling.
Couple this with Amavi and say, Grealish both on fire on the left and it all begins to sound very exciting.
IF it works.
And there’s my problem.
While I’ve no problem with Bacuna signing a new contract, I do have to question the five years.
I can understand the club wanting to sign a core of players up for the long term and it’s admirable.
But what happens if things don’t go to plan and we’re faced with a “bomb squad” Mk 11?
After all, managers change and they have different views, don’t they?
It’s just a thought.
But that said, Bacuna does make at least a very good right sided utility player, which will no doubt make him useful in the depths of the season, when injuries invariably kick in.
By the way, it’s apparently Bacuna’s birthday tomorrow.
Happy birthday Leandro!
As I said, I like Bacuna.
I’m just concerned about the 5 years.
makes a change for our players to be tied down longterm. a year ago only hutton gabby got long contracts plus lambert .then the farce with delph
still would like to see a proper number 9 come in LERNERS has only spent 5/10m max of his own money plus only 10 last season time to break out and get striker
sherwood has rebuilt a team on sale of 2 players and all ready gana armavi look class long term right back keeper needed
Ah, but there’s my point, JVillan.
Many of us seem to agree we could do with a proper RB.
But where would that leave Bacuna?
With a proper RB coming in and Traore on the wing, I’d suggest that means Bacuna is back-up only.
So why a 5 year contract for a back up player?
I think Sherwood has made his mind up and a proper RB will not be a priority at all.
In fairness, I thought a decent Left WB was the bigger priority and maybe Sherwood agreed?
Oh, you’re right, we haven’t spent anything yet really (although we may have covered the money Pool haven’t fronted for Benteke).
I still suspect Sherwood is on the hunt for further deals.
Lescott really wouldn’t surprise me, combined with another striker.
It’s just about making them happen.
Think this is a good move as I do rate Bacuna (so long as he isn’t played as a right back). Really think he has something to offer in mid-field and a good move from Tim
Having played as a full back all my life, I think that two players on your own team have the most effect on how you can play. One is of course your covering centre half. The other is the wide player in front of you, who might be a winger or a midfielder, or he might be a ghost!
For the last season and a half the Villa right back had a ghost in front of him. Benteke, Grealish and Gabby were all on the left side and Cleverley was central not wide. So there was a space to run into but no colleague. Hutton did so, it might as well have been the Bermuda triangle – he never re-appeared at right back. Bacuna was slightly better but even he seemed to stay up-field when we lost the ball, instead of checking immediately where he needed to be to close down the oppos left winger or their left fullback.
Now we have bought an attacking right-sided player, so there is no need for Bacuna to overlap, what is more he should not have a winger AND full back coming at him with nobody tracking back to help. I expect to see a better defensive performance, and to be fair Hutton would also find the job easier with Traore in front of him.
oll
thats good point on bacuna better players in front and generally all round will leave him less exposed and a chance to devolp himself
Looks like Richardson, Nzogbia and Senderos have been shown the door.
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2015/08/20/three-heading-for-villa-exit-door/
I just can’t believe what a revolution Sherwood has achieved in such a short time. Just hope it comes off!
I’m a believer though
UTV
Other than the possible interest of Sunderland in Richardson [ & would they really pay £2m to get him back?] I don’t know who’d be interested in signing either Senderos or N’Zog – even on a free.
Presumably both are on pretty high salaries and could just rot at VP to see out their remaining contracts rather than take a pay cut…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11815284/Chelsea-transfers-Club-to-listen-to-offers-for-Juan-Cuadrado-or-Victor-Moses-after-signing-Pedro.html
Telegraph now saying we might want Victor Moses!
What next?
Crystal ball says 1-2 win tomorrow
UTV
I think Moses is a wonderful player, would love him at the Villa but I think we’re probably strong enough in that position and the squad needs to be trimmed a little first.
Jack and Gil both available tomorrow. Love to see them both play
Lescott rumours gathering some momentum; not sure wether to be happy or not?
Tough game at Palace; good side, good manager. Draw would be a good result methinks – 1-1.
Lescott is another vlaar/sendross imo error prone. When he’s good he’s good when he’s bad he’s bloody awful!
Just think that he’s past his best – was good enough at one time, but now?
I’d rather stick with Senderos, he played well in the few games he played for us plus he’s almost 2 and a 1/2 years younger than Lescott. Sorry, but I just do not rate Lescott, totally overated just because he’s played for Citeh and England. Don’t do it Tim, he’s not good enough for Pulis, he’s not good enough for us!
it wouldn’t surprise me if our new star defender has suggested that he would prefer to play alongside his old teammate
I’d don’t know?Lescott has a couple of things going for him, experience and a Villa supporter, I agree seen him do mistakes but then who doesn’t, working with younger players might bring that old player back, don’t see him coming to Villa at all, if it happens I’d let Sherwood do his job.
But like vlaar he makes more mistakes than most
I see Gardner’s signed a new 3 year deal I hope he’s given a chance.
Just seen that Giddy. Interesting that he got 3 rather than 5 years which might suggest TS is not completely convinced but at least it’s a decent period within which to prove himself ( given a chance of course).
I think he only got 3 years, because of his injury record… fingers crossed he gets a decent chance, as I always thought he was an excellent prospect.
Sorry chaps, any discussion about streaming can’t be allowed for obvious reasons.
If you need to know more about this, feel free to mail me 😉
Apologies Badger – didn’t mean to cause any problems
Im happy about Bacuna and Gardner signing new deals.
I think with the right coaching and a decent number of games under his belt, Bacuna could become a very good right back. He is pretty versatile and if he can improve the defensive part of the game, we could have 2 quality full backs.
Gardner might finally get his chance under Sherwood. I think the year in the championship did him a lot of good and that will give us some healthy competition in midfield.
Be interesting to see if we are active on transfer deadline day. I think Tim might have one more signing in mind…I just hope to god its not Adebayor!!
What’s Gardner done to get a new contract other than be injured and go out on loan. Bacuna does a job not much more to offer him 5 years is madness. 2 years fair enough