PaulC

maybe Lambert feels their is nobody to replace either of them is probably why. people are jumping to conclusions about nothing yes that's true. Bacuna has been a good replacement for Lowton but what options are there to replace Weimann and Westwood. And I don't entirely agree that Lowton hasn't been worse. Weimann normally gives you something even when he's not playing well.

Lot's of speculation recently that he will return to Bremen on loan. If they have a chance of loaning him, you'd like to think we do too. I hope so but I wonder if Lambert is interested in short-term loan signings.

Unsurprisingly, our midfield 3 are different in their attributes: - Delph tackles hard and likes to take on the opposition with his runs - KEA harries, plays short passes and moves into space - Westwood plays deep, has an eye for a pass and is usually the target when playing out of defense I wouldn't call Delph head and shoulders above the rest - but I would say that he is playing well because of the roles taken by Westwood and KEA. Take them out of the equation and Delph's influence is stifled. Yes, I know what you are saying, but my point is that I think we need better. And you cannot take them out of the equation without replacing them with others, and the idea would be that those `others' would be better than what we have. I just do not think that our midfield is good enough. exactly, it is probably our weakest area of the pitch. Anyway I'm sticking to my opinion that Delph is head and shoulders above the rest. I don't care about pass completion rates or tackles or other stats, I go by the evidence of my eyes.

Yes me too and she never really got credit for her acting. I loved her in The Devils Arithmetic and the ramen girl. Such a tragedy dying so young.

We had 33% against Man City and won. Pages and pages of "every midfielder is mediocre but Delph is so wonderful." If you think Delph is the reason we beat Arsenal and Man City and competed with Liverpool and Chelsea and has nothing to do with excellent performances from KEA you should give yourself an uppercut. We had 33% against Man City and won. Pages and pages of "every midfielder is mediocre but Delph is so wonderful." If you think Delph is the reason we beat Arsenal and Man City and competed with Liverpool and Chelsea and has nothing to do with excellent performances from KEA you should give yourself an uppercut. No not saying Delph is the reason we beat Arsenal and Man City. I'm saying he's our best midfield player by a distance. I think the majority of posters on here must think so too going by the MOTM ratings for each match.

He's never had a full season fit though has he and many of us thought Delph would never be worth his transfer fee until he actually was fit and got a full season under his belt.

Yes we're not really well covered in midfield.

Yes a right footed Gareth Bale.

That's true but I was trying to make a point that arguably our worst midfield performance of the season was that first half against Spurs when neither Delph or Westwood were playing. Delph would be good playing with anyone I think. He's just our best midfield player by a mile. I know they all have different qualities but we would be pretty poor without Delph in there.

Well he's as important to us as Benteke is so no price really would be enough!

Yep Lambert is obviously a much smarter man than Gregory. There's been a number of flops over the years. Cascarino was a big flop.

Strange that has changed. It must have been 33% in the first half when KEA was on the field. Although not too sure how we ended up with 59% possession as we were chasing shadows most of the game.

Unsurprisingly, our midfield 3 are different in their attributes: - Delph tackles hard and likes to take on the opposition with his runs - KEA harries, plays short passes and moves into space - Westwood plays deep, has an eye for a pass and is usually the target when playing out of defense I wouldn't call Delph head and shoulders above the rest - but I would say that he is playing well because of the roles taken by Westwood and KEA. Take them out of the equation and Delph's influence is stifled. I think you are giving KEA too much credit. look at the midfield without Delph and westwood against Spurs. 33% possession. I think Delph makes KEA look better than he is.

Cant see Guzan wanting to play second fiddle to Szczęsny even if Wenger is interested which I doubt very much as they have other areas of the pitch they need to strengthen.

Yes Ramsey has been better this season and is a more likeable character. Nothing wrong with a bit of cockney arrogance though. Wilshere is still only 21. We were talking last season about our young players but they are all older than Wilshere. hes been around a while, had a lot of injury problems. I think he is a major talent and I would rather England build their future around him than stick with lampard and Gerrard who really should have been discarded by now.

Strange one Little quitting. He built a good team. If Collymore was a disasterous signing so was Saša Ćurčić 4 million was a lot of money then and he was on 12k a week which was very high wages. He was useless! Never filled the role Tommy Johnson had played so well the previous season. Sadly I don't think you can blame Collymore Little quitting. I think villa was just too big a job for him. Bringing in SVC and Curcic were major factors. Little had a tight happy unit with few egos, and those two help create a bad dressing room vibe. I also think Brian had some family problems, and it all came to a head and he quit. I would question the fact that the Villa job was too big for him. The previous 2 seasons we had come 4th, won the league cup and got to the FA semi final, and the year after we came 5th. Since the 1930s at Villan no one has made them come in the top 5 2 years running, nor since. He was often talked about being a future england manager but I think his heart was never in it after he left us. It would be nice if he could come back in some capacity at Villa one day. Ok I accept it wasn't too big a job and I love Brian Little. One of the best players that ever played for the club imo. Hard to believe he'll be 60 soon.

Given that they already have a very good goalkeeper in Szczęsny who is only 23 then I assume its just media speculation and there's zero truth in it.

Not as bad as Cameron supporting villa. There's bound to be some ex blues players who support Warwickshire. There's a couple of Warwickshire players who support Blues.

Strange one Little quitting. He built a good team. If Collymore was a disasterous signing so was Saša Ćurčić 4 million was a lot of money then and he was on 12k a week which was very high wages. He was useless! Never filled the role Tommy Johnson had played so well the previous season. Sadly I don't think you can blame Collymore Little quitting. I think villa was just too big a job for him.

He didn't get a single league goal for Lazio though. That is worrying! That had something to with Klose being the main man and him only starting 4 out of 18 games. Anyway I've bolded the bit you seem to have missed. Also what 2 in 2 for his country so far? yeah pants though No obviously not pants. I hope he does come good. I haven't been totally convinced as yet but he's new to the Premier League and he should adapt.

Lowton was one of our better players last season. As for him being just ok going forward I think at times last season he was brilliant going forward, great at intercepting play. As yet Bacuna has not shown the same attacking prowess. But I do rate Bacuna and think its right he keeps his place at rightback at the moment. Lowton needs to up his game.

Oh yes Milford Common just off Cannock chase. Know it well but never been dogging. Yes the assault on Ulrika didn't do him any favours, His bst years were at forest and I like him as a pundit because he is passionate unlike Shearer and the rest of the prozak group on the bbc Yet Stan is probably on prozak. Maybe the thing is when a player has a physical injury its something tangible but if its mental health then people, particularly in that era, had no awareness or understanding and so treated it with contempt. Nobody knows what was in Stan's head so its difficult to judge. All I will say is Gregory had no understanding and was really thick about the whole thing and made the fans turn against him. So maybe it was Gregory rather than Villa Stan had issues with.

Yes maybe its just the balance of the subs bench. Luna may still be carrying an injury so Bennett cover for him, and Baker on the bench also. Just didn't need 3 defenders on the bench. Nothing more to it than that. I think you're right. We've got to get used to a manager that is comfortable changing the team and the bench depending on the game and circumstances. Lowton will get his chance and will know he needs to make the most of it when he does. He'll be all the stronger for it. I hope so because I really rate him. Actually very sad hes not in the team. At his best he offers so much going forward. Some of the balls into the box were out of this world.

Oh yes Milford Common just off Cannock chase. Know it well but never been dogging. Yes the assault on Ulrika didn't do him any favours, His bst years were at forest and I like him as a pundit because he is passionate unlike Shearer and the rest of the prozak group on the bbc

Yes maybe go 3 at the back and then we can get some width from the fullbacks. Tottenham are pretty string down their right with Townsend and Walker so Luna will need cover. Bacuna should have an easier ride. This is a game I would pick Sylla in.