So Gana’s gone to Everton and Cieran Clark has gone to Newcastle in a move that I find more than a little strange.
I know Newcastle have had their problems in defence, but Clark certainly didn’t strike me as the sort of centre back they’d want to sign, as we all know he’s prone to massive howlers at times.
Then again, I keep finding myself thinking that he’s still only 26, which is quite young for a defender really. He’s also a constant in the Republic of Ireland side, where he had a very good Euros, that rash lunge apart, so just maybe he isn’t as bad as many of us think?
He’s another one who I think might perform better overall in a more confident side and I happily wish him all the best for the future.
So much for “Villa through and through” though.
As per usual, money talks.
But the big news is that it would seem Ross McCormack is Villa bound, after we tabled a £12 million bid, rising to £14 million if you believe the stories.
My immediate reaction is that it’s a hell of a lot of money to pay for a player who’s 30 in ten days time, but when you look at his record, it’s very impressive. He scored 38 times in 89 league appearances, a stat that also suggests he isn’t injury prone.
When I think of strikers down the Villa these days, my thoughts always turn to wondering who’s going to provide the ammo, but it appears that McCormack isn’t just an accomplished finisher and he can make chances and goals too.
The interesting thing is it seems he performs better when playing off a target man and we have a pretty decent one in Rudy Gestede. Of course, this would suggest that RDM would go with a two up front and it’s a move I’d be happy to see.
I still struggle to see where the ammo is going to come from though, although we could go long, I suppose. That doesn’t make sense though, given RDM’s previous comments about our style.
Still, that’s what managers get paid mega money for, isn’t it?
When you factor in that McCormack’s fee and wages will have been covered by Gana and Clark departing, this deal makes very good sense, if the striker’s rich vein of goalscoring form continues this season.
There’s always the risk that something could go wrong and it just might not work out, which would leave another expensive player on no doubt fat wages, but short of a cheeky attempt to get Benteke back I think this is probably about as good a signing as we could reasonably have expected.
Let’s not forget Gestede has been known to score a few in the championship and I look forward to them both hitting the net regularly.
Imagine if they do play together. How good would it be for the Villa to have a successful forward pairing again?
