Hitchens60 has offered the following thoughts about incomings and outgoings at the club.
Cheers, Hitch.
Now that we’ve secured our immediate premiership future, thoughts turn to next season and the need to strengthen the squad; to bring in that bit of quality that we all recognise is missing.
Before looking at our playing squad, it’s also relevant to consider the management issues, particularly around our transfer strategy last summer – I’ll ignore the January dealings as it’s almost impossible to improve a squad at a sensible price during that window. We tried and, frankly, other than Reina we failed. Suso has gone and I reckon there will be few, if any, Villa supporters shedding tears; rather it’s good to see Purslow and the Villa owners recognising that he really didn’t contribute anything that couldn’t have been achieved by Smith.
Continuity has to be the new mantra at VP, so major changes should, if possible be avoided. Smith should stay and he’s earned that. Whether JT stays I suspect may be down to two factors – does Smith trust him or does he want to move on to management – time will answer those questions. I’ve no doubt we’ll appoint a new DoF but Smith should be directly involved in the choice and his (DoF’s) role needs to be clearly defined. Smith must have the major say in transfers.
Turning to the squad the challenge will be improving it without major surgery – so again continuity is the key. The squad is relatively small which should help in that regard. But, before thinking who should go it’s important that we keep our better players albeit large fees may be tempting for the owners. As I see it, we do need to keep Mings, Grealish, McGinn, Luiz and Konsa in particular.
Who should go – well Drinkwater and Reina are on loan and should return to their clubs (Baston has already departed). However, it would be interesting to get views on Reina returning next season as GK cover assuming we could get him on another loan.
From the current squad – who should go?
Goalkeepers – Nyland and Kalinic but that then leaves us with only two senior GK’s (Heaton and Steer) with uncertainty over the fitness of both – hence my question above regarding Reina or do we splash out on a new keeper – such as Ben Foster from Watford?
Defenders – recognising that we need squad players I am only advocating Engels as a definite. But what about Elmo, Hause, Targett and Taylor? Given that we don’t want to make wholesale changes will age become a deciding factor or should EPL experience be the driver? And what about the forgotten right back James Bree? Chester it seems has been released.
Midfielders – Jota and Lansbury are definite for me. Nakamba I think will be retained as a squad player. Then there’s El Ghazi and Trezeguet – both of whom seem to blow hot and cold. Trezeguet has 7 goals (as does Hourihane) and El Ghazi has 7 assists each of which is second only to Grealish (10 goals and 8 assists) in stats – I can see one of the two moving on particularly given Andre Green to come back from loan. Hourihane is the marmite midfielder but with 7 goals and 7 assists would you keep him?
Forwards seem a little more straightforward – Hogan and Samatta should move on although I could see the latter staying – even though he doesn’t look Premier quality – as I suspect he’s not on a big wage. I see Davis having real potential and would retain him – there was a significant improvement when he replaced Samatta on Sunday.
I started by saying continuity should be the way forward but how do we improve the squad and avoid major surgery? However one looks at it, we are going to need at least five or six new players – let’s hope the owners have deep pockets and we don’t have to fund transfers by selling any of our better players.
I’ll leave it to others with more knowledge than me, to suggest who our targets should be.
All very interesting and everyone seems to want quality rather than quantity. This i agree with and now is the time to start building on what we have over next few windows. I think 4would be good this window so they can be integrated in before season really gets going,it would be easier with fewer signing.
Agree with Badger re Howe in some ways as he did find mings and few other gems. Would he join villa as replacement for Terry? But would rather Shakespeare myself.
Don’t think need g.k winger and striker or 2and midfielder definitely. Origi no thanks not scoring enough.
Just been looking at some of the sums being asked in the transfer market and, frankly even without the impact of COVID, they are ludicrous – and I include £80m for Grealish in that comment.
Figures around £40 – £60m for Origi, £30+m for Benrama, £41m for Ake and even £16m for Eze who’s completely unproven.
We probably need to reign in our expectations – with a £100m budget we are likely to be limited to 2 or – at a pinch 3 – decent players and then I can see us being in the Lange ‘European bargain basement young and hungry with lots of upside potential‘ market.
As long as I don’t see the likes of Drinkwater being linked ………
Probably need to Be Prepared to be underwhelmed.
I’d take the 100 million budget with a pinch of salt, I highly doubt we are stupid enough to let every other club know how much we have to spend.
You think it might be higher Guest?
I’d hope so Hitch, for the right players at least, not the moneyball nonsense we’ve endured this season.
I just can’t see why would we leak that kind of info, it would only be to our detriment.
Agreed Guest.
I’ve already said I think it’ll be similar to last year.
In fact it’s not as big a gamble as last year, because it’ll be covered by the new parachute payments.
And we really ought to know better than listen to the crap that comes out of the papers anyway.
Their guesses are about as accurate as mine and I don’t have a scooby, same as anyone outside our hierarchy!
Well, I was going to post that it appears we’re about to sign another highly rated youngster from Exeter having beaten Liverpool and Chelsea to his signature but I’ve decided not to bother as it’s probably more ‘paper crap‘ 🙂
Ah, sorry Hitch, I didn’t know you liked that stuff.
Carry on posting the conjecture, no worries.
Me, I couldn’t care less what happens re kids.
We’ve never really played them because they haven’t been good enough and I’m not convinced that’s going to change, regardless of what Purslow says.
Bill quite often mentions us winning that youth tournament, but how many came through there?
Being good at 15, 16, 17 or whatever means nothing, imo.
It’s how good they are when they’re old enough to start in the first team and RHM is just a typical example. The next best thing according to the club’s hype, then playing in the Cypriot league, probably because no British club was interested.
That’s the reality of it.
All that said, it is good that Purslow has basically said that our previous approach was frankly just utter rubbish.
I know, I’m a right miserable git aren’t I? 🙂
Nah mate – and I had my tongue firmly in my cheek. Paper chat is always good for a debate even if most of it is garbage.
I reckon historically we’ve done better nicking the best of the young players from elsewhere (and I’m talking youth players) rather than trying to develop our own talent. If this latest claim is true then we’ll have picked up four of what’s claimed to be the best young talent available. Only time will tell.
Indeed.
Gareth Barry springs to mind, for a start. Now he was a proper steal.
And John Gidman from memory
Garry Shaw.
Alan Evans
Correct Hitch, beat both to the young man coming to Villa, also Terry in line for Bournemouth job,
Saw that Bill (Terry) – Shakespeare to Villa to replace JT?
Encouraging that we’re seriously looking to strengthen the academy plus Purslow saying that the U23 team should be populated by 16-18 year olds not 22 year olds.
It was on the drink break 22 minutes, he’ll be having his say at half time, yes wonder who he wants to win.
Dean Smith was just commenting on the playoff at HT.
I wonder who he’s watching?
Oops, sorry, Bill, yes the drinks break, I meant.
Drinks break in this weather?
It’s pathetic.
They should have left it down to the ref’s discretion.
Interesting game though, with Fulham looking the better side.
Some pretty decent players on show – Joe Bryan for one but Benrahma a little disappointing so far.
And then there’s Josh Onomah!
Agree, Smith just let it loose as to who he’s looking at, saying Reed was close to a red card. Yes Fulham beat us in the FA cup . Fulham are shading it and I think it will be them.
Sensible but safe comments from Smith.
Is he lining up his next job already? 😉
Brentford’s starting eleven cost just £30 million.
Put’s things in perpective, doesn’t it?
You have to admire their way of working.
Puts, not put’s.
Where did that apostrophe come from?
You can forget that Benrahrma for me Hitch dont see much to have from him. .
Agree on tonight’s showing but can one make a judgement on one game? Tom Cairney very disappointing for me – seems to have gone backwards as a player.
Pretty uninspiring game.
Watching Fulham reminds me of Villa – sideways and backwards passing. No forward drive and no one in the box.
No way can I watch another 30 minutes of that! Probably followed by penalties still at 0-0.
It’s actually a very interesting game to me Hitch.
Fulham have totally smothered Brentford, with Mitrovic having just come on.
I hope it goes to Pens, the missus loves that.
But Fulham will be unlucky to lose this and look way more like a Prem side to me.
From what I saw, I agree that Fulham deserved the win.
On last night’s showing Benrahma is not a player worth £30+m but it would be unwise to draw a conclusion on one game. We know from watching Grealish that he’s not always on his game. For me I would also prefer Abraham to Watkins but then that’s based on having seen far more of the former.
The two stand out players for me were Bryan and Reed; particularly the latter. Unlikely we could praise them away from Fulham but they would certainly add quality to our squad.
Agreed Badger. I thought Fulham were very impressive and controlled the game for the most part. Given Mitrovic and Knockaert had been out injured and weren’t fit enough to start it was even better.
Benrahma was poor last night and Watkins was isolated most of the game. I would take Watkins over Benrahma if it was either/or. He is a team player who works hard, has a good physique and eye for goal. I think he will become a very good striker. Benrahma has skills and can impact a game but seems a bit too selfish. I wouldn’t turn either away though! I’m sure they will both be in demand.
Fulham look as if they don’t need too much to be capable of staying up. Certainly they don’t need to buy in the same way as last time. A few quality additions would do it.
Got your wish Badger, silly goalkeepers error, thought Brenford gave it a go, but please no Benrharma at Villa..
Will villa now put in a bid for benrharma tomorrow not sure if he mentally in the game tonight. Maybe got his mind at villa park.
Didn’t we almost sign Brian but his agent change his mind while on way to bodymore to sign? greedy so and so.
Shame won’t be able to get mitrovic now.
Sad for Brentford though almost got promoted but lost those last two games,wonder if Frank will stay or maybe reunite with Smith.
Going to be one tough premier league season next year. Need to get signings in asap to be ready to hit the ground running.
Am I the only one thinking Ryan Fraser on a free would be great business?
No, I just saw that – apparently Palace have offered him a contract at £50k per week – we’ll according to the media that is,
I think we need to be more pro-active in the transfer market and less reactive.
Fraser would be a great move.
Great couple of Fulham goals…
What about getting Watkins and Benrharma for 50m they both know how to play Smith way and each other game with Jack it would be a very fluid front line. Also get lolley from Nottingham forest to add to the cover and different type of player,and still have money left over to try get Abraham.and another midfielder and defender.
We need extra quality cover because next season will have 5 substitutions available so need different types of player too call on during a match.
Get 40m bid in for the 2brentford players and same for Abraham.
Have front line of benrharma Abraham and Watkins with Jack in behind. Have Wesley tres Davis sammata on bench as different styles of player if needed to change things up during the match. as 5 subs now available.
Also get Lewis from Norwich and lolley from nott forest. That should give a good variety of player in the squad to choose from and all hard working players.
I just don’t get it!! Why oh why do we all want these championship players??????
Maybe one! Maybe Benrhama but really we need top flight proven quality.