So quiet

[picasso]

I’m as much to blame as anyone but it’s gone very quiet on VillaMad when the season is so close to starting and many talking points to discuss.

Are three consecutive defeats preseason a concern? Has Dougie been adequately replaced? Will the Duran saga dragged on too long and what effect will he have on the squad if he stays? Is Archer the answer to back up Ollie? Has the Joao Felix ship sailed and if not why is it taking so long? We seem to have three left backs….strange? Are we due a big signing still to come?

Let’s gets this forum back up and running. UTV.

[westcountryvillain]

Was thinking the same, the constant spamming by Footymad seems to have killed off what little exchanges we had!

Rumours of Carlos leaving for Fulham, I am worried about central defensive balance if Konsa ends up at RB - we see lots of the youngsters in pre-season then they are either sold or loaned out. Duran looks to be staying and been given the number 9 shirt, let's hope his ego has done a 180!

We have shipped a lot of goals in the last 4 games but no Martinez between the sticks and lots of changes leaves me less worried, with Ramsey back, Iling Jnr, McGinn, Tielemans, Barkley, Buendia, Rodgers, Barrenchea, Onana and Kamara to come back we are well served in the middle & left side, Bailey & Philogene good depth down the right.

Outgoings - Moreno, Hause, Dendoncker,
Incomings - left sided central defender as backup to Pau, Mings is still weeks away I fear, replace Carlos if he goes.

Best XI? Emi,Maatsen,Pau,Konsa,Nedjelkovic,Tielemans,Onana, Rodgers,McGinn,Bailey,Watkins

Squad is looking great.

[Bongo2]

I agree im also to blame and had to change my username to log in on my mobile. My son broke my tablet and that was the only way I could post. All sorted now so let the arguments commence. Freer?
Weird transfer window. Lutsharel Geertruida has been todays rumour with the likely sale of Carlos. He can play RB or RCB so it's a good addition IMHO.
This Felix thing is doing my head in. Just get Grealish back but would be sad to soo Bailey leave if its a swap deal.

[picasso]

Hmmm another preseason defeat. Hardly an ideal outcome considering the demanding season ahead starting in only a weeks time unless you are in the ‘it’s only preseason’ camp. For me winning, and indeed losing, is a habit. Hope I’m wrong and Unai is just teasing us.

[Bongo2]

I know what you mean Picasso (in a Frank Bruno voice). Will will look better once Olli new striker please Watkins is up front and despite all the new signing I'm not convinced our 1st 11 is better than last season but the depth of the squad definitely is. I think we have a marquee signing on the way. Felix maybe but I did notice Grealish wasn't in the city squad for the charity shield match today. Maybe he off to villa? Or I'm I being a sentimental deluded knob?

[westcountryvillain]

The latter Bong

Our squad has loads of depth to it now, no Martinez until the last game and that was a dodgy pen to say the least, plus Pau just dithered on the ball, they're just friendlies at the end of the day. Carlos will be off I think and we have our eye on a few options for replacement, Duran will provide backup for Ollie for now.

We have a lot more height and therefore physicality in our matchday squad, with options for rotation, I think we'll be ok but won't be top4 again this year, last season our target was again to qualify for europe which we comfortably did. This season I'm interested to see how the style of play evolves as more of his signings come into the side, injuries permitting of course.

[dazzyowen]

Hello everyone..

Well it seems like the starting 11 and squad is a lot different to last year.. time will tell with some of these signings imo like Mattsen as he just doesn’t seem any better than we already have imo..

Really happy bidace has come back and excited to see him.

Anyway let’s smash the Hammers and get off to a flyer

UTV

[Bongo2]

Fighting talk I like it Dazzy. Window hasn't ended yet and I see a top left back/center left coming in and a marque number what ever it is behind Watkins.

[oldskoolvillan]

Your wish is their command Dazzy! That Onana is an absolute unit, a future terrace hero there I reckon, apparently the our away end have taken to him already. Morgan looking like a bargain, and if Duran can keep his head we could have a formidable group, especially as I hear Kamara is only a month away now. More of the same please.

[westcountryvillain]

Looking really good, only a backup goalkeeper worries me.