1st Game

Ok, im bored at work and i like these kinda threads,

Whats your ideal line-up/formation for our first game this season?

Be realistic.

Here's mine:

Foster

Walker Cueller Dann Figueroa

Makoun

Delph Kranjcaer


Albrighton N'Zogbia/Downing

Bent

Robinson

Hutton Dunne Cuellar Young


Albrighton Parker Delph Downing

Bent Agbonlahor

QBVILLA wrote: Robinson

Hutton Dunne Cuellar Young


Albrighton Parker Delph Downing

Bent Agbonlahor

Surely you'd want someone else rather than Dunne?

Internazionale_Villa wrote:

QBVILLA wrote: Robinson

Hutton Dunne Cuellar Young


Albrighton Parker Delph Downing

Bent Agbonlahor

Surely you'd want someone else rather than Dunne?

No, with the right manager (which we didn't have last season) Dunne is as good as anyone outside of the top 4

QBVILLA wrote:

Internazionale_Villa wrote:

QBVILLA wrote: Robinson

Hutton Dunne Cuellar Young


Albrighton Parker Delph Downing

Bent Agbonlahor

Surely you'd want someone else rather than Dunne?

No, with the right manager (which we didn't have last season) Dunne is as good as anyone outside of the top 4

Thats a bold statement. It shouldnt matter who the manager is, your job is to defend and he was shite last season. Hes in decline and looks overweight. Would rather Collins play.

I'm with QB on this one, would definitely prefer to see Dunne in the team instead of Collins. Collin's positional sense is appalling.

roadoftrinity wrote:I'm with QB on this one, would definitely prefer to see Dunne in the team instead of Collins. Collin's positional sense is appalling.

Would you prefer Dunne over a new signing in that position such as Dann/Rogers?

Internazionale_Villa wrote:

Would you prefer Dunne over a new signing in that position such as Dann/Rogers?

No, I would like a new centre back, however Dann is priced at near on 12 million, and if we keep Downing, which I would prefer then I think we have to make do with the defenders that we have as we definitely need a new left back and new winger. Who is Rogers by the way?

Totally disagree.Houllier has a career littered with poor man management and Dunne has always looked overweight but after a decade of Premiership football where he's been consistent i think he's answered his critics, and would have Clark in ahead of Collins.Out of Dunne and Collins it is Collins who is constantly out of position.He's a ball watcher, can't fault his effort but for me he's 4th in the pecking order for centre half.

On to your team:

Foster i've never been totally convinced by, would prefer Given if Robinson isn't a viable option
Walker is a no go as he's signed a 5yr deal and redknapp has said he's not being loaned out.
Figuero, good shout.rate him.
makoun will IMO not be a Villa player in 12 months time.Wrong club for him IMO.
Kranjcaer.....for the right money he's worth a punt but he's spent a lot of time on the bench and he's a luxury player which is something i'm not sure we can accomodate.
Nzogbia,another money grabbing worm but again for the right money he's a good player and we can flog him next summer if he does well for us.

Internazionale_Villa wrote:

roadoftrinity wrote:I'm with QB on this one, would definitely prefer to see Dunne in the team instead of Collins. Collin's positional sense is appalling.

Would you prefer Dunne over a new signing in that position such as Dann/Rogers?

Buck or Kenny?

I meant Roger Johnson

I'd hate to go into the new season with the same back 4 that leaked so many goals last season.

I'd take Given too but his wages will probably be a problem, Foster is more realistic IMO. As for spending 12M on Dann, why not? We need to show some ambition in our transfers or we could lose even more players who want to go to a more ambitious club.

We would have a new keeper, Cueller will be playing hopefully, and a new full back. So to change 3 of them would be different anyway.

I just see Foster as to overpriced, never rated him from seeing him play at Man U or Watford. I can't really comment on Dann as I haven't seen much of him.

I would go for Given if we could get him to drop his wages, a bit injury prone but a far better keeper than Foster.

I tend to agree with QB re Dunne, think of the season before last and he was excellent.

In goals, would like Given, but concerned re his injuries. Paul Robinson had a fine season and would be happy to see him bought.

I have always quite liked Hutton, but another who seems to suffer injuries and Spuds seem to say he is poor defensively. Not his best position, but would start Cuellar there as defensively he is very sound.

Centre backs Dunne and Clark. Think Clark is a top prospect and is ready for the first team now.

Left back - Figuero seems a good shout

Midfield - Albrighton, Makoun, Delph and N'Zogbia - If Downing wants to go and the red shite stump up the money, let him go. Think N'Zogbia could do a good job, hope Makoun can do the business, but got my doubts. Delph needs a pre season free of injuries.

Up front - Bent and Gabby would be fine, but need back up.

Only made three new signings there, but reckon there will be a couple more. What chance Ireland making a comeback, not sure fans will accept him after his comments.

villanfromluton wrote:

What chance Ireland making a comeback, not sure fans will accept him after his comments.

Saying Birminghams a shithole? I couldn't give a **** if he somehow does the business for us.

My team -

....................Given........................
Hutton.....Cueller...Dunne...Young
Albrighton.Parker.Delph..N'Zogbia
............Gabby.....Bent..................

Think Downing will be off, would prefer someone to replace Dunne if we can get them, but am prepared to give him a go. To be fair, we can't get Hutton in at the right price, I would give Warnock another go as well, we paid 8 million for the twat so lets see if do something for us.

Good shout on Ireland. I'd like to see him given a proper run in the team and the manager and fans behind him. I couldnt give a sh*t about what he said IMO. Lets face it Birmingham is a sh*thole.

Some of us still live in said shithole, and as I sit in my bedroom on my quite suburban road, windows open tree's rustling in the wind and birds singing I can't help but disagree. Sure if you live in aston, handsworth, newtown, small heath its a fucking shithole name a city without some shit wards in. But there is plenty of nice pleasant places to live and the city center has some very nice areas to go out in and shopping or work as I do. And Ireland can go **** him self.

Anyway

__________Given

Young Collins Dunne Warnock

___Delph Petrov Makoun

Albrighton_________Downing

__________Bent


I'd also perhaps remove one of the CM and play Gabby upfront with Bent.

One i've forgotten as well is Hitzlsperger.Reckon we're getting him and i'm happy with that.Some good shouts there from Lutes.Agree Clark is ready to be a first team regular now though whether i'd pitch him in at centre back is anotehr thing.I'd give Ireland a go.I've heard countless Brummies say that Birmingham is a shithole and in all fairness the bloke may well be a twat but i'm not looking to socialise with him.For me this season has to be when we give the likes of Clark,Albrighton,Bannan,Delfouneso,Weinmann,Baker and Gardner a real crack at the first team.Don't get me wrong I rate Nzogbia but he's just another who'll be coming for the chance to make £50k a week before bleating that he needs Champions League football.As for Downing, well i'd like to see old Orange bollocks tell Dalglish to fcuk right off.Fucking liverpool.Fecking scum.Feck 'em off

Avfc_4eva_Sotc wrote: Some of us still live in said shithole, and as I sit in my bedroom on my quite suburban road, windows open tree's rustling in the wind and birds singing I can't help but disagree. Sure if you live in aston, handsworth, newtown, small heath its a fucking shithole name a city without some shit wards in. But there is plenty of nice pleasant places to live and the city center has some very nice areas to go out in and shopping or work as I do. And Ireland can go **** him self.

Anyway

__________Given

Young Collins Dunne Warnock

___Delph Petrov Makoun

Albrighton_________Downing

__________Bent


I'd also perhaps remove one of the CM and play Gabby upfront with Bent.

Are you turning gay?

Got quite a few formations, depends on McLeish really and on what type of signings he makes, but here's a few of my choices:

(Just basing these on us only signing Given and N'Zogbia, although I'm sure we're going to see quite a few new signings)

(4-4-2)
--------------Given--------------
----Young Cuéllar Collins Clark----
Albrighton Makoun Petrov N'Zogbia
---------Agbonlahor Bent----------


(4-5-1/4-3-3)
------------Given------------
--Young Cuéllar Collins Clark--
-----Petrov Makoun Delph----
Albrighton------------NZogbia
------------Bent-------------

(3-5-2)
--------------Given-----------
------Cuéllar Collins Dunne-----
Albrighton Makoun Delph N'Zogbia
-------------Kranjcar ---------- (Or we could swap Kranjcar with Ireland)
---------Gabby----Bent---------

Reason why I included Makoun so heavily in the formations above is that he will be class this season. Didn't really get a chance to show it last season, but his passing is quality, as is his positioning. Alongside Delph in midfield - we'll have the most energetic central midfielders in years.

I also think a Gabby/Bent partnership upfront will be great. Imagine what defenders of the other teams will think - one will lace you in the blink of an eye, and the other one will most likely score at any given oppurtunity. A Bent/Gabby combination will be deadly. As long as we have Albrightion and N'Zogbia supplying the ammunition, we'll be creating alot of chances.

Nope but there is a perception of birmingham as a big concrete jungle, its untrue and a stigma from the quick rebuilding of the city following the second world war, the city has been undergoing the biggest rebuilding project in europe for the last 10+ years and there are now some really nice areas of the city centre and nice residential area's, my sister and her fella have just bought a lovely house in a new development in Great Barr. Those who say its a shithole in general have only ever passed through the industrial areas around the M6 or live in a shit part of it, thats their own problem.

Anyway I don't really want to get into the whole shit city bullshit debate, I've submitted my team, not many new signings in there (well only 1) but thats because so far the players we have been linked with are all shit (or is that average) I dunno.

Hopefully this Gardner is as good as they suggest. McLeish appears to rate him. Tend to also agree with QB about N'Zogbia, stepping stone, but needs must and if Downing does go, lets get him in. Hitz I would get into the club as seems to want to come back, even if not a regular. Recall McLeish being after Pavlechenko when at the sty, unsure about him.

Avfc_4eva_Sotc wrote:Nope but there is a perception of birmingham as a big concrete jungle, its untrue and a stigma from the quick rebuilding of the city following the second world war, the city has been undergoing the biggest rebuilding project in europe for the last 10+ years and there are now some really nice areas of the city centre and nice residential area's, my sister and her fella have just bought a lovely house in a new development in Great Barr. Those who say its a shithole in general have only ever passed through the industrial areas around the M6 or live in a shit part of it, thats their own problem.

Anyway I don't really want to get into the whole shit city bullshit debate, I've submitted my team, not many new signings in there (well only 1) but thats because so far the players we have been linked with are all shit (or is that average) I dunno.

The West midlands as a whole is a bit of an armpit IMO.In my last job I worked all over the Midlands and although there are a few nice areas,Birmingham is generally a dumping ground.handsworth,Washwood Heath,Sparkbrook,Sparkhill,Alum Rock and Aston are like Ghettos.I'm happy enough where i live and there are some nice suburbs in Brum but no doubt if i had the money and job opportunity i'd be off down Cornwall.

Anyway as for signings, I expect we'll spend around £15-20m, which if we sell Downing (looks likely) is less than half than we got for him and Young.Pires,Friedel,Reo Coker and Carew are off the wage bill now so i'd hope we have some decent clout in the market.Lets face it the last thing McMinge needs is to be restricted with his budget.

villanfromluton wrote:Hopefully this Gardner is as good as they suggest. McLeish appears to rate him. Tend to also agree with QB about N'Zogbia, stepping stone, but needs must and if Downing does go, lets get him in. Hitz I would get into the club as seems to want to come back, even if not a regular. Recall McLeish being after Pavlechenko when at the sty, unsure about him.

Good player, but i'd rather stick with Gabby and Bent with heskey, the Fonz and Weimann as back up.If pavulychenko came to us he'd be coming as a first choice so not for me.

QBVILLA wrote:
Good player, but i'd rather stick with Gabby and Bent with heskey, the Fonz and Weimann as back up.If pavulychenko came to us he'd be coming as a first choice so not for me.

Agree on this, I think we need stick with Gabby and Bent up front, for at least the first 5 games of the season and see how they work together. People say they cant work together, but as they our two best strikers, lets give them some time and see what happens.

QBVILLA wrote:

Avfc_4eva_Sotc wrote:Nope but there is a perception of birmingham as a big concrete jungle, its untrue and a stigma from the quick rebuilding of the city following the second world war, the city has been undergoing the biggest rebuilding project in europe for the last 10+ years and there are now some really nice areas of the city centre and nice residential area's, my sister and her fella have just bought a lovely house in a new development in Great Barr. Those who say its a shithole in general have only ever passed through the industrial areas around the M6 or live in a shit part of it, thats their own problem.

Anyway I don't really want to get into the whole shit city bullshit debate, I've submitted my team, not many new signings in there (well only 1) but thats because so far the players we have been linked with are all shit (or is that average) I dunno.

The West midlands as a whole is a bit of an armpit IMO.In my last job I worked all over the Midlands and although there are a few nice areas,Birmingham is generally a dumping ground.handsworth,Washwood Heath,Sparkbrook,Sparkhill,Alum Rock and Aston are like Ghettos.I'm happy enough where i live and there are some nice suburbs in Brum but no doubt if i had the money and job opportunity i'd be off down Cornwall.

Anyway as for signings, I expect we'll spend around £15-20m, which if we sell Downing (looks likely) is less than half than we got for him and Young.Pires,Friedel,Reo Coker and Carew are off the wage bill now so i'd hope we have some decent clout in the market.Lets face it the last thing McMinge needs is to be restricted with his budget.

I agree with you for once regarding the West Midlands. When i was working at home i used to travel all over too. You also got places like Chelmsley Wood, Northfield, Rugley, Tamworth probably more which are full of chavs. There are some nice areas but far more sh*tholes.