rubberman

Free transfers aren't 'free'. They cost a fortune in fees and wages. And Joe Hart? Really. He's absolutely shite now.

Nope.

Heh! Classic Villa Talk.

They improve us, but by how much is the $million question. Possibly enough to be a couple of places higher, but still flirting with relegation IMO. Certainly not the step change I was hoping for to push into mid table. But still time for that to change.

Paging @Sulberto21

In a desperate last minute re-shuffle, Matty Cash is moved to centre forward - 'Cash in the attack' (sort of)

Finally, we're off an running. Couple more bangers please.

7 minutes against Montenegro when winning 5:1 14 minutes against Bulgaria when winning 6:0 45 minutes against Switzerland in Nations League 3rd place play off 79 minutes in a friendly against USA - in which he scored. That career is a bit more Lee Hendrie than Wayne Rooney tbh.

Wilson is very uninspiring, but will be a bit of an upgrade on what we have. These and Cash feel like moving from 17th to 14th rather than pushing for top half. Probably all make sense but it's not really the level of player I was hoping for to take us up the table.

Yes - I've been very calm about it so far and still think/hope it'll be a positive window by the end, but really would be good to get the ball rolling soon.

Of course you don't actually know this. I think we'll end up with 4 or 5 players who significantly improve our team and next season we will finish comfortably mid table. Just as a counterpoint.

Take a breath mate!

Improving the front three will also improve the defence with the right players. Firstly through more attacking threat the opposition won't be able to press so high and just as importantly we need attackers that can hold up the ball and also track back to defend from the front when it is turned over. In an ideal world we'd upgrade defenders, (and maybe we will - who knows), but I think having a defensive unit with a season playing together under their belts is on balance better than trying to build a load of new partnerships in a truncated off-season. More than 4 new starters at this point is a huge risk for me - I'd be OK only seeing the front 3 and a midfielder added in this window. (Well - anyone would be good at this point).

Theory - We're not in for McKennie any more because, after being left out by Southgate, Jack has said he will only stay if he gets to play centrally so we'll be spunking on two wingers and a CF instead. And if we do get an extra body in midfield it'll be a cheaper back up.

Arguments for both I reckon. Though if Jack stays out left, I'd upgrade midfield (with McKennie) before the fullbacks. Ideally 2 wingers and a midfielder so that we have options - - and can see which partnerships work and where Jack is most effective with the new players around him.

I'll be very surprised if we bring in as many as 7. Will be very interesting to see what happens in the bonus EFL 11 days of the window. If the main part remains pretty quiet there might be (and the likes of Brentford are probably hoping for) a mad rush.

repost.

So what you're saying is the 20 PL clubs have done maybe 10 deals between them. Don't think we're getting too left behind really.

Full of Premier league experience from front to back!

What makes you think this is the case? We have 4 weeks to go still and plenty of rumours that we are pushing hard for Watkins at the bare minimum.

Welcome Winston!

You had me until Butland.

Just had a quick forecast. We'll finish on 49 points in 12th, with 13 wins. We will get to 42 by beating Fulham at home on 3rd April. It all looks good up to the end of December, with 25 points and up to the heady heights of 5th, but points are much harder to come by through the second half. So a slightly disappointing end to the season, but all we could really have hoped for at the start. Here's to 21/22 season.

I think part of the reason no-one has moved yet is that valuations haven't adjusted to covid-era. No-one will pay the prices being thrown about currently, but as we get into the pointy end of the window some more realistic deals will start to happen, IMO.

Looks like there are only a couple of times when we would expect to go without points for a few games in a row. We need to start strong and keep regularly picking up wins so we can be on the beach for the run in. I think it's very possible that at some point there will be a further disruption to the season (someone breaking bubble rules, new breakout etc as people get a bit more lax about Covid), so would be good to get into a strong position early.