Gary Gardner...

[perseus]

Surfeit of natural right footers

26 man squad includes 4 under 21, so it could be said to be 22 players, so I don't expect more than one new player.

Surfeit of natural right footers. Maybe Gardner can play right back? (when Bruno is suspended.)

I still think we need a stopper centre half for first team or cover. We could have conceded two from set pieces against Bolton.

Not sure if we have enough pace up front?

 

[The Brighton Buzz]

I will agree that calde should have stayed on. I still would rather see Gardner, Stephens etc in midfield. Bruno is plugging a gap there. That's how I see it. If everyone was fit. He's getting no where near midfield. I think it also upsets the balance of the squad as we have no cover at right back. I'd like to see calde and Bruno rested in the cup. Will that be the case?

Agree we do need cover at right back and investment for the future there, presumably that is why we are chasing the Irish lad and your thoughts that Bruno is plugging a whole is correct because he will never be consistent enough to play there on a regular basis. I would assume that one will play against Swindon as I can't see who else could play there. I am assuming as well that Chicksen will be left back giving Bennett time to recover for Saturday. Maximenko may get a game because I think Hyppia rates him quite highly as another one for the future but maybe as a centre back. The good thing is we are now probably as strong in all areas as we have ever been, so all those people that were complaining two weeks ago have been left with egg on their face.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Agree we do need cover at right back and investment for the future there, presumably that is why we are chasing the Irish lad and your thoughts that Bruno is plugging a whole is correct because he will never be consistent enough to play there on a regular basis. I would assume that one will play against Swindon as I can't see who else could play there. I am assuming as well that Chicksen will be left back giving Bennett time to recover for Saturday. Maximenko may get a game because I think Hyppia rates him quite highly as another one for the future but maybe as a centre back. The good thing is we are now probably as strong in all areas as we have ever been, so all those people that were complaining two weeks ago have been left with egg on their face.

Looking very very different to a few weeks ago

 

[SweatyMexican]

He was the player who scored for Coventry 3 years ago wasn't it? When we beat them 2-1 at the AMEX?

 

[algie]

A good signing. As much as Bruno has done well in midfield I think it says a lot that he's been playing there. I'd rather see him in defence and a proper midfielder in. With kemy and Dale out plus toko not playing. This addition looks good to me.

100% this.

Also people saying JFC being sent out on loan is utter nonsense. He is a first team member and so sending him out on loan would be pointless.

 

[algie]

Any views from a Villa forum?

 

[sparkie]

I do have a feeling we may be losing a midfielder this week. There is probably method in all this midfield madness.

I agree. Pretty sure Agustien will be given the boot to be honest.

 

[sydney]

We do not know how long Agustein will be out yet so Gardner might be cover for both him and Stephens.

is Agustein injured now then ffs......what a calamity...!!

 

[Keeping The Dream Alive.]

I agree. Pretty sure Agustien will be given the boot to be honest.

This is what I'm hoping - especially if he is one of our top earners.

 

[edna krabappel]

I think some people are basing their projections as to who might go out on loan- if anyone- on their own prejudices and not the reality of current form.

JFC had a fairly poor end to last season, and wasn't great at Birmingham or v Wednesday. But he was excellent at Leeds, did fine against Bolton, and has been picked by Hyypiä to start every game so far I think.

Ince may well have been the better prospect last season but has been on the bench (although has been used in at least two of the games). I also did think he faded somewhat last season after a pretty explosive start. Not saying he was poor, merely that perhaps we got to the point of expecting him to run our midfield, which may have been a tad unfair given his age and experience.

I wonder if Hyypiä quite likes JFC and can see something promising in him. Given all our options, the fact he keeps picking him suggests he's quite happy with the lad's form. Those slating JFC cheaply are presumably the ones who haven't actually watched the last two games, or are just too caught up in their own inbuilt prejudices against him to give him any credit when he does well.

Also, I do think LuaLua is important to Hyypiä's plans, and his being named as a sub so far isn't necessarily a sign of him being on his way. Well. Not unless KLL wants out. His efforts when he has come on have been decent, and I'm sure the manager will identify and appreciate that.

 

[perseus]

Horticultural Thread

Just got my memory cap back on. It was brother Gardner who was that immoveable object in midfield for Sunderland at the Amex.

Could Gardner play right back?

 

[algie]

JFC appears to be the new Barnes on here. Driving away a perfectly good youngster.

 

[Rod Marsh]

JFC appears to be the new Barnes on here. Driving away a perfectly good youngster.

A superb youngster.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I think some people are basing their projections as to who might go out on loan- if anyone- on their own prejudices and not the reality of current form.

JFC had a fairly poor end to last season, and wasn't great at Birmingham or v Wednesday. But he was excellent at Leeds, did fine against Bolton, and has been picked by Hyypiä to start every game so far I think.

Ince may well have been the better prospect last season but has been on the bench (although has been used in at least two of the games). I also did think he faded somewhat last season after a pretty explosive start. Not saying he was poor, merely that perhaps we got to the point of expecting him to run our midfield, which may have been a tad unfair given his age and experience.

I wonder if Hyypiä quite likes JFC and can see something promising in him. Given all our options, the fact he keeps picking him suggests he's quite happy with the lad's form. Those slating JFC cheaply are presumably the ones who haven't actually watched the last two games, or are just too caught up in their own inbuilt prejudices against him to give him any credit when he does well.

Also, I do think LuaLua is important to Hyypiä's plans, and his being named as a sub so far isn't necessarily a sign of him being on his way. Well. Not unless KLL wants out. His efforts when he has come on have been decent, and I'm sure the manager will identify and appreciate that.

Nicely put...plus I agree for what it's worth

 

[perseus]

You will have to wait until the end.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I few harsh comments here re JFC. He's one of our own, an example to the Academy kids and development squad. I'd much rather see Kemy leave first.

 

[perseus]

I few harsh comments here re JFC. He's one of our own, an example to the Academy kids and development squad. I'd much rather see Kemy leave first.

I think JFC is under appreciated. He keeps hold of the ball quite well and makes more correct decisions than other more physical players.

Correction: I think our 26 man squad includes 3 under 21 yo.

 

[Marshy]

I few harsh comments here re JFC. He's one of our own, an example to the Academy kids and development squad. I'd much rather see Kemy leave first.

Amen to that.

JFC is a excellent player and one we should be building a team around, not getting rid off

Kemy and Crofts both in the final years of contracts and both sizeable earners will be off in the summer, if not before if we got an offer.

 

[Rookie]

Amen to that.

JFC is a excellent player and one we should be building a team around, not getting rid off

Very very much this.

 

[Kosmonaut]

Looking at his wiki page, it seems as though he has had barely any appearances in his senior career since 2011. He may well be a fantastic player, but can someone clarify why people are rating him so highly when there's so few games to judge him by?