Just a quick one first, to say that although internet here has been utter rubbish, I have been looking in to read the replies.
It’s fair to say that some of the debate has been erm, “robust” at times and I was concerned that things might have got totally out of hand, with me not being able to moderate.
I’m happy to say they didn’t, as far as I can see and I thank you all for that.
Anyway, on to the important stuff and it seems Elmohamody’s signing is imminent (as per Langford’s contact again).
I’ve got to be honest and say I’m not sure what this one is about.
Don’t we already have four right backs?
OK, Elmo offers more going forwards and will offer Adohmah competition, but at the same time I’d expect to be losing one of our existing RB’s to compensate.
I don’t believe Bruce is ready to accept that Bree has been a failure yet (not that I think he has either), so it won’t be him leaving.
De Laet’s value will be really low and his wages high, so I can’t see it’s him either.
Richards, well we’re stuck with him, that’s simple.
Which only leaves Alan Hutton, which for me would be a shame.
I know he’s Marmite, but I’ve always supported him as, if even though I don’t believe he’s particularly good, so he’s been one of our at least triers, when many have just looked far from bothered.
I personally feel there’s a place for that sort of player in a bone idle, “couldn’t give a toss, I’m earning loads” squad.
Which all in all tells me that Elmohamady offers a similar attitude, but is just seen by Bruce as a better, more threatening player than Hutton.
Well, I hope the manager’s right, because from accounts I’ve read, the player threw a bit of a wobbler when he couldn’t get the move from Hull he wanted and his form has been frankly poor over the last couple of seasons.
Whatever, it would appear that he was Marmite too, as some Hull fans can’t believe they’re letting him go so cheap, while others can’t wait for him to be gone.
The player isn’t quite finished yet, you would hope and the manager must be confident he can do a job.
I really hope so.
Whelan’s also looking likely, at last and I’ve given my opinion on him. Back-up for Jedinak and it makes sense.
Where I’ll worry is if he plays beside Jedinak.
And then there’s Xia’s latest tweet, where I’m flummoxed.
I would guess there will be movement both ways, with possibly McCormack (his days are surely numbered?), Amavi and Veretout leaving, plus Hutton.
All of that should leave plenty of room for players coming in, in positions I don’t need to keep going on about.
Surely there has to be, as I have to agree with the likes of JVillan in that I’m totally underwhelmed with our business at this point in time.
Still, there’s plenty of time for the club to change my view, now that we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty and clubs on both sides begin to panic.
Here’s to a couple of more inspiring signings, which I’m sure will come.
UTV, even if you might not agree with my thoughts!
Hitch, you feel and see the same as me, something missing midfield , defence I’ve no concern over but middle of the pitch I have. Still no wanting the ball to me.
Apart from Kodja where are our goals coming from. We will be lucky to get 40 plus goals this season imo.
Looks like Bruce has lost the dressing room.
morelike his kebab savo
Problem is if Bruce goes then we will get Terry. It will be a disaster. I never want Terry managing our club it would be the end for me
not just a pretty face lmao your spot on again oohahaha i also think that should bruce bite the bullet. its likely that terry will be offered the player manager role.
And that’s what worries me Nath if Bruce fails then having Terry would be a complete disaster
Savo, he’s lost something that’s for sure, i don’t know what to think with that performance, the team has given me no confidence in achieving promotion, am I worried too bloody true I am, Bjarnison (think I spelt it right) well my attention was drawn to him and have to say he was poor in passing and shooting, has Bruce lost the dressing room? no the coaching team has lost the plot, i could hear him barking out needs and that’s shows me we have a duff set of coaching staff. Cowen hinted things are not right at Villa to me last week and he’s angry over someone there.I love my club but I cannot see them getting back with that performance, sorry to say.
Veretout gone to St Etienne and looks like Elphick is off to Blues so the exodus is about to start. I’ve booked a taxi for McCormack!
Sooner or later Birkir Bjarnason will get his first goal in Villa colours.
And let’s just hope a few more follow.
The midfielder has scored goals for every other club he has played at but that elusive strike in Villa colours is yet to come.
In the first 30 minutes of this match Bjarnason had FIVE goalscoring opportunities.
Two of them were clear-cut chances that were easily kept out by Mark Gillespie.
The other three were only half-chances, but still, it must be frustrating for the Icelandic ace who will be desperate to get off the mark.
Thats why my attention was drawn to him , i also seen him give a few bad passes, ,he well might come good but it doesnt help when Obonglahor in the first minute and half gave bad distribution as well, i cannot put my finger on why our midfield is not hard in tackling and getting up faster in attacking.
Put it down to my frustration and eagerness to win. Green was again an eager beever doing left and right wing play, ok we still have some key players to get back from injuries hope it improves the team.
Bill, I thought he did OK – some nice cross field passes as well. He (Thor!) looked better playing in a more forward role I thought.
We made a lot of goodish chances in the first half but didn’t take any other than JT’s disallowed header (not his foul). Of concern was our failure to create any decent chances second half.
Sorry Hitch been out shopping, well I think you’ll find it was Henri Langbury doing the spraying Hitch, unless I need to go to specksavers again. I will look at match again just incase my brain getting twisted. Oohah can you please keep in with answering post after last poster as you making one line comments and I’m going backwards just to keep up,😀 consider my age mate not a young man.
Will try. Here’s an article that says it all. From Lansbury we need to grind out 1.0 wins. In other words boring negative football. What happens when we go a goal down ffs! http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-midfielder-well-right-13353797.amp
Henri says “The boys only have one goal.” He sees that as part of the answer. We see it as part of the problem.
Very witty OLL 🙂
Interesting Oohah, the way I read that was we don’t play hard because we might get injured. I wonder if should they do get injured in pre season compensation is limited? Just got the game on so my good friend Hitch and I see eye to eye..☺
🙂
I can’t comment on the friendlies, as I haven’t seen any of them.
Does sound pretty dire, though I am seriously expecting some sort of option type players to come in.
Lack of pace (although I believe it’s been pretty warm recently?), lack of bite, no creativity, no link-up between mids and attack sounds all too familiar.
I worry that nothing will change, but at the same time will re-emphasise that friendlies mean nothing, imo.
On a different note, I see Wolves are amongst the faves to sign Negredo.
On a supposed £100k a week.
Just “Wow”.
Don’t comment much, but always enjoy readng the regulars who do.
For me, yes from what I have seen this far it is disappointing. However, we all know that football is not only about what we do, it’s also about the other team does. Factor in that it is pre-season with little riding on things, and also these so called ‘lesser teams’ love competing with the ‘big time charlies’ and it begins to make more sense. I think we’ll know whether our fears are justified after 5 games of the league season. Until then I’m keeping my powder dry.
UTV
Dan – I think you make a good point as some of the tackles from the opposition in the first four friendlies have been more robust than I had expected and taking Bill’s point – after two injuries from the friendly ( against Telford I think) then perhaps there has been some backing off.
The reality is we won’t know until after the first five or six games of the season as to how the team are playing – remembering that Newcastle lost their two opening games last season.
Agree Dan. After 5-6 games we will have an idea.
Amen Dan.
Exactly how I see things.
After watching last night’s game, it’s clear we need some creativity and gall. Our midfield isn’t controlling the game sufficiently, and our flanks are letting us down. It was like watching two sets of players playing two types of game in one team. The ball would break on the counter attack and then Amavi would turn on his heel and break up the run instead of continuing the burst, wasting the opportunity. We just had zero probing into the box with any purpose – and we really need some players that are willing to run and not be afraid, get it in the box. To me it seems like Hogan was completely starved of any decent service.
I thought late on we seemed to up our game…might have been Walsall slowing down though.
We played like we were a goal down and had a bit of urgency about our play….not seen that for a long time…..mind you we still never threatened their goal.
Yeah I noticed that at the end, but it was too little, too late. I thought Lansbury looked decent – Hourihane for me is the biggest disappointment. I can’t see what he’s offering us at the moment and I thought he’d make a HUGE difference when he signed. For players like Green to be effective, he needs players to keep up with his pace and mind – or he’s going to keep running into areas where there’s no one to benefit. We have to get an AM and a decent RW up there. I’m convinced with fixing those two areas, the likes of Hogan/Mccormack could really flourish. Bruce talked about bringing in balance – but there is none. Defend or defend. There’s no link to attack.
No arguments from me JUK – Hourihane came with stories of a fabulous left foot – well given some of his passing / dead ball deliveries he must have lost it somewhere! Amavi looked completely disinterested and, taking earlier points made, didn’t want to ‘engage’ with the opposition – wants out and is making sure he doesn’t get injured – sooner he goes the better for me.
Jonnyuk, that’s how I see the game as well, as Dan saying let’s see when it all starts, 5-7 games we as fans will know what’s what.
We need a Gareth Barry type player that can link midfield to forwards
He’s not coming back Oohah 🙂
I know but I’d swap all our our signings so far for Barry he is the mussing link.
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Bill…are you sure its not just me making it up again? 🙂
UTV
No Mate, your the man, caught it 8 minutes after it was announced, Was going to ring you to do it but I’m your deputy so you could rest.
Welcome Elmo UTV
Another underwhelming signing. Very lazy from what IV read and Bruce sees no wrong in him
Samba came with one hell of a shite reputation but since he’s been wearing the claret & blue he’s been one of the bright sparks in the squad give Elmo a chance ffs
Samba is another error prone defender. I remember when QPR signed him he came in huge wages and was a major liability
Just seen a photo of glen whelan at the training ground in casual clothes by JT & shabby watching a behind close doors friendly so I would assume things are progressing there
There you go JV….I made Whelan up as well! 🙂
Yes mate please please stop making this persistent bollox up 😁
Giddy…. 🙂 🙂
when i said whelan your said your man said no, but funny your man didnt get birr in january, bruce has leaked all transfers since he come to villa his way of keeping media mates happy, and as for a good window what a laugh elmo has nearly has many relegations as spud,
Lol ……does anyone know what this means????? understanding Dr T’s tweets is easier than deciphering this!!
UTV#part of the pride
2 more solid signings…impressed with our transfer window this time!
1. PL class CB……JT
2. Elmohamady…..promoted twice
3. Johnstone…..good young keeper (if he wasn’t, Mourinho would have dumped him by now)
4. Whelan great experience, PL regular for a number of years = greatly needed experience!
5. Samba….excellent back up (if he signs), replacing Elphick at no cost whatsover!
All this for approx £2 mil in transfer fees! and one PL class CB, JT wages being covered by a sponsorship….very shrewd move by the owner and board!
Shipped out, or nearly shipped out….Elphick, Gil, Sanchez, Veretout, Amavi(?)…none of these played for us regularly last season for one reason or another!
Few more wasters to get rid of yet, but I’m sure we’re working on it!
UTV #part of the pride…..We’re going to piss this league, no doubt about it!
Add Cissokho to the list as well….credit to the owner, board and management…..a championship winning team, very few left from the relegation squad and a profit making transfer window!
UTV#part of the pride 🙂
According to the Mail Veretout didn’t turn up for his medical today amidst rumours that Fiorentina are trying to hijack the deal with a €7m bid (rumoured St Etienne had agreed a deal at £4.5m about €6 (and a bit!) Not sure what that says about Veretout but for me someone who has been pushing to go back to St Etienne and then behave like that is not someone I want to see in claret and blue. The quicker he goes the better.
Mate he had made it clear he didn’t want to be a villa player this season I’m not bothered who he ends up with tbh
just hope the door didn’t injury him on the way out, we need the transfer fee lol
Mourinho solely hasn’t found anyone to buy Johnstone, or he would have. If he was at all rated, he’d be second choice to De Gea instead of an awful Romero. But he’s not, and will be let go once his contract is up without even a thought.
Langfords is our hero, Langford is our hero la lar lar lar, ho he’s a jolly good fellow oh he’s a jolly good fellow, and so do all of us. Yipppeee. Keep it coming mate.
Cheers Bill….I’m buzzin for the new season….bring it on!
UTV#part of the pride 🙂
Oh to be a happy 😊 clapper UTV VTID SOTC
veretout gone 4.5 mill we have to get a grip on wasting money. some say he was decent, but again we lost half of the money we laid out. anybody see the youngster hayes came on yesterday. he was spaying the ball around, he was always looking for a pass always offering himself. we have to trust our youth more tishbola 5 million another 5 million gone. lydon is probably around the same development stage as tishbola
results don’t matter, not in pre season i av said before, its true the players are doing lots of fitness training and the games are just played as practice, they are avoiding heavy contact,so if the opposition are flying in hard they will have more success. also this year we have had more friendlies arranged here in uk which is better because the teams are also in their preseason warm up. usually we got to germany or other european destinations all are on hols so them games are too easy.
of the game i thought terry and samba were very good, they were the start if all our attacks. terry and samba and lansbury were like three quarter backs orchestrating play. i agree we break down last third but this is teething problems. they bought elmo which bruces knows well and he can cross a decent ball. i saw a great solid platform from where we will attack from, the full back / wing backs will have great comfort in attacking knowing they will be covered.
can anybody remember two seasons ago the year we went down. didn’t we win most the friendlies looking good. my memory is fading, but i recall we looked good and ppl were dreaming of better days and we hardly won a game. further proof pre season results are little indications to what kind of season you are going to have
Nath – that’s what I recall as well.
Mate veretout hasn’t gone yet never turned up for his booked medical with St Etienne
i just reading this now, i saw hitchs post and now reading italian club offered him. he will be gone soon lol
I wanted Bruce last season. Based on his own record of getting tea,s out of this division he was the best man for the job.
However, hand on heart in the 2 Windows he’s had and the money he’s spent can anyone realistically say we are now a better squad who is more equipped to get out of this division than before he came?
I’d love nothing more than to be proven wrong but I’ve lost so much faith in the bloke based on style, performances and tactics that it’s going to take something pretty special to get me back onside.
Hope I am made to eat lots of humble pie but I’m sure this season will be a failure.
UTV.
i believe the squads strong now than under rdm. terry and samba are both world class performers. everybody will see this when the games start. they are more than just defenders, they will be a force in opposition box. they are organizing, inspiring and orchestrating play like the sweepers of yester days.
Savo….yes ‘hand on heart’ we are miles better than we were this time last year IMO,….its the reason that we WILL go up in May!
UTV#part of the pride
Agreed but it’s takes us back to the usual question. If Bruce goes then who comes in. We could end up with Terry as manager and that would be a major dusaster
glenn whelan transfer fee 1.5 mill that is a lot for a player his age. but he is MASSIVELY important. yesterday lansbury played that deep role, he did ok but he is wasted back there, he is much better at dashing foward, making late runs into box. whelan is a better player at the holding role. 🙂 i will be happy when he signs. 1.5 mill he will be worth that if he helps us back to the promise land
is that whelan at villa doing medical ???
like langford has already stated, the business this summer bruce has brought in top players. yeah they might be just past =their vintage years, but they are still a class above championship. bruce has assembled a decent squad for no money well in transfer fee.