Summer transfers

[picasso]

There is a lot of talk about reinforcements this summer and Unai aiming for big targets. But who would you realistically sign and who would they replace?

I’ve been of the opinion for a while that the players we have are better than the results and displays have been and so it’s beginning to prove. They just needed to play as a team rather than individuals and Unai has done a tremendous job in achieving that. I can’t think of anyone I would replace as they’ve all played a big part in our recent performances.

I think our weakness lies in our lack of squad depth as shown in the performance against Stevenage. Established players are not going to want to come in to sit on the bench though. So it might be we target potential like Duran as well as our U23s (although they rarely seem to make it through) yet we are going to need experience if we are cement our place at the top table.

A conundrum indeed but a nice one to have. I’m sure Unai has it all in hand.

[westcountryvillain]

Hi Picasso - I think Emery got his gameplan wrong against Stevenage, they were very compact with a fairly high line and we never once tried to dink one over the top despite Ings' willing runs, we should have mullered them with that 11. Putting all of that aside - IF we get europe then we will need to recruit quite a few as inevitably some will leave - Sanson, Nakamba, Hause, Wes, Davis, Olsen, maybe one or both of Traore, & Bailey, Young is also 38. Emery will also target the cup competitions.

In terms of the existing 11, the bench (weak) and our injury list (Cash, Coutinho, Kamara), realistically only one or two of the academy players can make the step up to the first team - probably Aaron Ramsey & Archer.

GK - Martinez +1
RB - buy a specialist like Moreno, Cash as backup
CB's - Carlos/Mings/Konsa/Chambers - ok
LB - Moreno +1, sell Digne and buy a backup, Digne is on £160k a week

DM - Kamara, Dendoncker, Luiz (McGinn & Chambers can also fill in) - add another (Iregbonum?)
AM - Ramsey, Buendia, Coutinho, McGinn - ok with that, Coutinho may leave, if so buy another number 10 and have Buendia as backup

Strikers/wingers - Watkins, Archer, Dhuran, need a proven goalscorer who could start if Watkins gets injured, need a winger if Bailey or Traore leave.

I am most interested in how Emery addresses the right hand side so we can attack effectively down both flanks, I am hugely impressed at how quickly the players have adapted to his methods and the tweaks he made against Newcastle to shut them down & exploit the spaces - brilliant!

UTV

[bongosdad]

Tammy would make sence up front but would he want to be no2 to Watkins? It's important Watkins is the main man. Maybe gamble on Duran? I really don't know the answer.
I agree if Coutinho leaves we need to replace him but I hope he stays. If Emery can get the best out of him he will be fine and looked better before he got injured.
Apparently we are being linked to Dumfries at right back. Great addition.

I must admit a few months ago I thought most of the squad were simply not good enough and mid to lower league standard. I was wrong.

[picasso]

Good assessment there WC particularly the Bailey/Traore dilemma. Both good players but lack consistency in the same way that ElGhazi and Trez did. Wingers eh? Someone like Zaha would be step up but if Coutinho finds fitness and form he would be an obvious choice. Like Bongo I’d love him to prove himself.

We’ve been linked with both Calvin Phillips and Ward Prowse. Both excellent players but don’t know how they’d fit in as in my original post. They certainly won’t come to sit on the bench. Walker at right back would be good but getting on a bit and a bit harsh on Cash.

What a confusing but nice dilemma.

[westcountryvillain]

I too would love Coutinho to prove himself in this Villa side, he's technically very good and I feel he would thrive under Emery, good competition with Buendia who would learn from him too. I don't think he has the legs now for 90mins, Zaha is a good shout but is he too injury prone?

Wingers eh - absolutely, hard to find one that's consistent and a menace to full-backs for 90 mins which is why I think a Moreno style RB is such an important role. Stick a winger on the bench as an impact sub? I can't see us buying PL players as a rule, too expensive unless they're at the end of their contracts, Unai will I'm sure have Spanish targets.