I get the feeling it’s a case of one problem down, with a few more problems needing to be fixed before Aston Villa can find itself back on an even keel.
The new manager is a hugely important decision for our football club, but once that decision is made the new man has some hugely important decisions of his own to make. Who will go? Who will stay? Who will play, and how will we play?
The first thing the new manager will have to do is look at the squad, not just at the ability or the experience of the individual players, but the whole picture. Are these players a good influence to have around? Are these player suited to the style of play he wants his new team to approach games with? Are they, at the bottom line, good enough?
I am positive Lerner will give his new man some money to spend in the summer, although he will still be restricted by finances, but the departure of a few players could bolster his spending power and wage budget.
The new man must make his mind up almost straight away over who can stay and who can go, although I do expect his analysis of players to be thorough. Of course everyone has a price, but there will be some players where small transfer fees would be accepted simply to make room in the squad. However, we must not leave ourselves exposed and dependant and the youngsters next season.
Let’s just take it as a given that the majority of the youth will be going nowhere. Many of them are the future of our club, and we are going to need to utilise many of them so I would encourage all of you to get behind these boys.
The important thing is to weed out the rest of the squad and make sure the youth are complimented with players of the right quality, experience and character.
We all know there are players like Stephen Warnock, Richard Dunne, James Collins and Alan Hutton that I believe most fans would be glad to see the back off. We had the fingers of accusation from three of them in the season prior to last blaming Gerard Houllier for their defensive woes.
To that end, it wouldn’t surprise me if their outbursts had some influence on Alex McLeish being appointed as the organised drill sergeant figure, but yet there was no improvement. So maybe following what the players want is being rejected by the owner nowadays, and letting any new man start again, though it is not going to be easy selling some of them with their big wages and lack of suitors.
However, what about the rest of the squad? Those that aren’t youth team players, nor obvious contenders to be sold. They are:
Stephen Ireland – A player who has improved this season, and probably the biggest silver lining in the Big Eck grey cloud. Is he a player to build a team around though? In my opinion is depends on system. If we’re playing with a 442, I just can’t see a place for him, but in a 433/451 there most definitely is. There is no doubt he has a rare ability on the ball, and he moves the ball around like no one else in the squad but if the manager wants to play 442, I can’t see where he fits. I’d personally keep him, but if someone offered £10m, I’d consider selling him.
Darren Bent – Goal scorers don’t grow on tree’, so if we’re going to play attacking football then we have a marksman in Darren Bent. I wouldn’t sell him barring a massive offer. If someone offered us £30m, I’d sell him. However, I don’t think they will because he isn’t worth that money, but he is worth that much to us as a player in my opinion.
Charles N’Zogbia – He is arguably a player we’ve not seen the best off, and a player who was asked to defend more than attack whilst clearly not looking too happy about it. Some considered his attitude unprofessional, but he’s a player who needs to feel he can express himself on the pitch. The past manager thwarted that so he needs the right man to make him flourish again. I’d keep him, but I’d consider any offer above £15m.
Gabriel Agbonlahor – He’s a tough call to make as he is a player who seems to start the season off on fire and burn out within a couple of months. Who remember the left footed curler from earlier in the season? The boy is undoubtedly capable but, in the same light, he can be so frustrating. I have no doubt he has the club in his heart, but will he be happy watch Bent and Weimann potentially ahead of him? Gabby is no winger, so I’d cancel that experiment. It’d be great to keep him, but if someone offered £9m, I’d take it.
Stiliyan Petrov – Stan’s a keeper. I actually love this man. The players love him, a great captain, and a player that we have unvalued for many seasons. Whether fit or not, as an influence around the squad he should be involved. We missed Stan more than we missed Bent. I hope he makes it back, even if it is only so we can say farewell.
Brad Guzan – As backup keepers go, I said two seasons ago that only Manchester City had a better back with Given. I now think only Manchester United have a better back up. If he will sign, and is happy staying as backup, we should keep him. If not, I just wish him the best of luck elsewhere.
Jean II Makoun – A player I think that would combine well with Ireland – a smart ball playing midfielder. He’s not a defensive midfielder in the Enlgish sense, more a deep lying ball player who breaks up play, but without the Reo-Coker physical gusto. Again, retaining him depends on tactics chosen – he needs to be in a 433/451 in my opinion. Another player, like Ireland, who gets swamped in an all action Premier League midfield. I’d keep him unless someone wants to offer us more than £8m for him.
Brett Holman – A player that we haven’t seen yet, but he’s got experience of top European football. He’s an international player and, from what I’ve seen, will have something to offer.
So taking that squad forward, assuming the best, it leaves us with,
GK – Given, Guzan, Siegrist
DEF- Baker, Clark, Willams, Stevens, Lichaj, Herd
MID – Gardner, Makoun, Ireland, N’Zogbia, Bannan, Albrighton, Graham, Grealish, Johnson, Holman, Delph, Carruthers, Petrov
ATT – Bent, Wiemann, Gabby, Delfouneso, Burke
It’s easy to see we’re short on experience in that squad. I made the same comment earlier this season, and I stand by it.
I am not about to start naming players we should buy as everyone will have different names in mind, but I think we can agree on the type of player we need.
It’s clear to me that a couple of experienced defenders are needed – a Martin Laursen type, a fierce dominant centre back and a left back. Ciaran Clark is ready to step up in my opinion, Nathan Baker will have grown in confidence and stature after this season, and Derrick Williams is pushing him all the way. Chris Herd and Eric Lichaj have the right back position sewn up ,and either can deputise on the left.
A muscular, mobile, ball playing defensive midfielder would be nice, but i think most teams want one of them – Nigel Reo-Coker with ability is what we need.
Realistically, I can also see an Emile Heskey type (read: unselfish) player coming in up front, someone a bit different. We have two finishers, a work horse and a much lauded youngster who has never done anything at senior level. So something else would potentially give us a different plan of action. Whoever they are though, they need to score more than Heskey.
I genuinely feel, given a system , this squad has potential. Will we jump up to sixth again though? Highly unlikely in my opinion, but top half is achievable. Our aim, in pride terms, should be to finish above Martin O’Neill. Add to that, with the crowd back behind us, we really can be the 12th man.
So let’s get the ball rolling eh? I will look to do a specific review of the younger players in the near future, and I do think we have some big stars coming through at the moment. Jack Grealish in particular has caught my eye, as I’ve not seen many kids with his ability with a ball. He really is one to watch
So what do you think? Who are the players we need? Would you keep some of the defence? Would you lose more players?
The Author
