hippo Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 I think it's hard to compare the two in terms of transfers. We could outspend teams in the championship. The TV money justified the outlay. Then we had to assemble a team at 100mph in our first season back. Now imo we have a decent squad of players. Bringing in better is going to cost. We have to spend much more money for marginal gains. But we have a decent squad of players bombing a whole load of em out shouldn't be necessary imo. Build on what we have. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 2 minutes ago, IrishVilla10 said: Yeah sorry of course he would have been. I just mean with the emphasis on recruitment and player data now smith was likely presented with players that have been found and match a certain criteria. So there’ll be an understanding that not all will be successful. I don’t think he blew any money at all No worries Smith left us with a good squad that i cant deny. Just a shame he couldnt get the best out of them. Im confident Gerrard can 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallisFrizz Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 10 minutes ago, hippo said: Now imo we have a decent squad of players. Bringing in better is going to cost. We have to spend much more money for marginal gains. But we have a decent squad of players bombing a whole load of em out shouldn't be necessary imo. Build on what we have. I do agree but would really really like us to sign some inexpensive lesser known 23 year old from abroad or lower league that just lands in the PL and hits the ground running. A real amazing find. Other teams do it. I know they’re trying to build the brand and I respect that, and I know we will have to spend but that can be done wisely eg Leicester and even Wolves. To be fair though, I think Buendia will be great, Ings will keep scoring for us, very happy with Coutinho, I’ve massively come round to the idea of Digne. The only concern re the Grealish money so far is Bailey due to the injuries and the fact that I’m not sure how he will fit in Gerrards system, time will tell on that one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippo Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 13 minutes ago, Demitri_C said: No worries Smith left us with a good squad that i cant deny. Just a shame he couldnt get the best out of them. Im confident Gerrard can Problem is at what point do we call this ? If we have a dissapointing rest of the season and Stevie G goes to the board and says:- "These guys aren't up to it - we need to ship out Ming's/Konsa/Mcginn/Watkins - and build a new team" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post M_Afro Posted January 12, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted January 12, 2022 18 minutes ago, hippo said: Problem is at what point do we call this ? If we have a dissapointing rest of the season and Stevie G goes to the board and says:- "These guys aren't up to it - we need to ship out Ming's/Konsa/Mcginn/Watkins - and build a new team" I don’t think that the quality of the squad is the major issue here. The greater problem is that we don’t have the right balance or blend. We have loads of 8’s but only one 6. We have loads of wide forwards but only 2 full backs etc. Our players are also a bit too similar physically. We lack power and pace everywhere. Gerrard will need to address this but it’s not a quick fix and he’ll need to work with what he has in the meantime, 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippo Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 1 minute ago, M_Afro said: I don’t think that the quality of the squad is the major issue here. The greater problem is that we don’t have the right balance or blend. We have loads of 8’s but only one 6. We have loads of wide forwards but only 2 full backs etc. Our players are also a bit too similar physically. We lack power and pace everywhere. Gerrard will need to address this but it’s not a quick fix and he’ll need to work with what he has in the meantime, Agreed. I'm not expecting us to storm up the table. Equally hovering just above the RZ wouldn't be acceptable either. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWARLEY2 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Remember Fergie. Was fully committed to bringing through the youth but not at the expense of winning football matches. Thats how i imagine Gerrard will be. Support the youth but squeeze every last penny out of the club to improve where needed. I think Digne is one of the latter type of signings and it doesnt block a youth player as we really do not have a left back on the horizon in the youth team as yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roonst83 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) Seeing Gerrard walk out and turn back to look at the Stratford End at the start of the game the other night with a smile on his face whilst getting pelters from the fans is the sort of confidence and swagger that I love to see. Edited January 12, 2022 by roonst83 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntrimBlack Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 We have spent money on a raft of young players and continue to do so. Meantime we are bringing in experienced players to keep us moving forward while the youth development continues. It's a good plan, and with the Gerrard name at the helm we can bring in those higher level players. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlack Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) 21 hours ago, hippo said: Tell me about this fresh modern training approach ? - I take it you've been to Bodymoor heath ? Refer to this: Also worth mentioning the private insta account he set up for the players, utilising a platform they're all obsessed with. May well just be a fad, but it's modern. It's reasonable to assume he also brings a lot of modern theory with him given how recently he's completed coaching badges. Edited January 12, 2022 by MrBlack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwi1890 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Be interesting to see how things pan out over the next 4 years, the constant links to Liverpool will always be there, biggest difference between us and Liverpool is the spending power, us under NSWE will always outspend Liverpool, what does that Liverpool squad look like in 4 years? It’s going to be a very difficult task following Klopp with a 34 year old Salah, Mane,?VVD and plenty more will be past their prime by then. IF we are in a decent position and are really pushing and that the Liverpool job comes available and looks like a big rebuilding job does he go there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippo Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Just now, gwi1890 said: Be interesting to see how things pan out over the next 4 years, the constant links to Liverpool will always be there, biggest difference between us and Liverpool is the spending power, us under NSWE will always outspend Liverpool, what does that Liverpool squad look like in 4 years? It’s going to be a very difficult task following Klopp with a 34 year old Salah, Mane,?VVD and plenty more will be past their prime by then. IF we are in a decent position and are really pushing and that the Liverpool job comes available and looks like a big rebuilding job does he go there? Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan-scott Posted January 12, 2022 VT Supporter Share Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) The story of how he lacerated his penis! What a trooper, not a story I’d heard before! A true winners mentality. I’d be straight off to be stitched back up!! Edited January 12, 2022 by villan-scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevonIsAPlaceOnEarth Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 3 minutes ago, villan-scott said: The story of how he lacerated his penis! What a trooper, not a story I’d heard before! A true winners mentality. I’d be straight off to be stitched back up!! Wow. Never heard of that before. Probably the most compelling story I’ve heard to back up banning blades instead of studs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer1 Posted January 13, 2022 VT Supporter Share Posted January 13, 2022 You certainly cannot deny this blokes pulling power (ken.gif). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareth Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 He has 'pulling power' (oo-er) alright - but there is some good fortune in all of this too - the timing of Coutinho and Digne's availability this window is a big factor. Could be true of Bissouma too if we get him. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Silvers Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 7 minutes ago, Jareth said: He has 'pulling power' (oo-er) alright - but there is some good fortune in all of this too - the timing of Coutinho and Digne's availability this window is a big factor. Could be true of Bissouma too if we get him. Good point. Let's hope we get a little.more timing go our way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 Steven Gerrard’s Claret-Blue Army… 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomaszk Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 He's a great talker in the media. I can imagine he's pretty inspiring to listen to as a player whether you've signed for Villa yet or not. Looking forward to seeing us improve. Feels like by the end of Jan they'll be no room left for excuses. His own mantra of course. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaVilla Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts