He's quality and he's getting better. And Grealish needs something to get him to try harder. Of the two I'd pick Gil; for a start, he can score as well as liven up the play.

Like Gil....Thank you Lambert

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Sinclair - Gil - Grealish
----------Ayew-----------

is a front four that could work very well i think, with Traore in the mix also, Gana/Veretout/Sanchez for the two behind is more than decent.

We must however buy a big commanding CB, Clark/Lescott are not the answer. I like Okore but he and Clark together not for me, Clark was easily brushed off by Dembele.

I think Garde's main priorities in Jan are definately a CB and GK

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

you have to remember Gestede came from the championship so will be still adjusting, but for me Rhodes should have been the one to go for and I would still like to see him in a Villa shirt, but will Garde go to the French league for signings instead?

I just feel CB is where we lack and it has shown for a long time, we need a McGrath, Mellberg, Laursen type CB

I think a quality striker is probably our biggest gap. Both Sinclair and Ayew are capable of operating as strikers. Question is whether we need somebody with more presence up front. Depends a bit on what style Garde goes for. At the moment, playing those two up front with Gil just behind could work.

One problem is that if he plays too many attackers then the defence suffers, particularly against teams like Man C. His first match in charge is going to be very interesting. I think we've all got the same sort of team we think Villa should be playing, it might be what he wants as well, but to start with I wouldn't be surprised if he's a bit more cautious (hopefully not KMac type cautious).

away games/harder games if fit drop one of Grealish/Sinclair/Gil

Veretout - Gana - Sanchez as a three

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

every one will be given the chance, I doubt he will know much about a lot of the players, apart from the ones the came from Ligue1. One player I do want to see more of is Veretout

http://www.football365.com/news/garde-bans-french-from-villa-dressing-room

First rule - No one allowed to speak French lol

For all he is a bit of a donkey, I still think Gestede could be played with Ayew. With the two working - quite literally - shoulder to shoulder.

The ball will come in to Gestede and he can win it. Ayew can play right off him.

And where the ball comes through the middle, Ayew himself tries for goal. With Sinclair or Gil cutting in to make up the numbers and Gestede looking for deflections in the 6 yard box.

When you look at the options, Villa ought not to be struggling and the reason they are is down English managers being afraid to let 'foreigners' play proper football!!

Striker is easily our top priority. If we had one, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now. I like Ayew but we need 2 or 3 options upfront and Gestede and Gabby are not options.

Of course Gestede is an option!! He obvs still settling in, Gabby has no excuse.

The amount of goals we are leaking and you think CF is top priority?

comment by Fan Gillhaus 1903 (U3339)
posted 10 hours, 53 minutes ago
Of course Gestede is an option!! He obvs still settling in, Gabby has no excuse.

The amount of goals we are leaking and you think CF is top priority?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We have best defensive record in bottom 6 (including Chelsea) and the worst goals scored record in bottom six, so yes.

The defenders (apart from Lescott) are good enough players. They need better coaching which hopefully Garde will provide. With Gestede, it is not a question of settling in, he just does not have the ability. We agree on Gabby.

well i never looked at the table before commenting

I see Bafetimbi Gomis still has a £7m release clause, he has worked with Garde before, possibly an option??

otherwise for me Austin or Rhodes

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Will these errors be ironed out tho thats the thing..

I would rather strengthen at the back and then look at the front line

You wonder how much defensive coaching has been going on; none, by the looks of it. A lot of the errors are by players left stranded with no one backing them up.

Garde must have been shocked for the opening goal at Spurs. And I think dealing with that will be his top priority, possibly more so that worrying too much about his best team.

Wondering if Senderos might get a recall; he will be known to Garde. Don't know if the fact he doesn't have a squad number means there's no way of playing him.

Its true that Villa havent been hammered.

Its almost like Sherwood was trying to emulate the great Italy teams of old... "We can win by scoring just one goal - because we wont concede any".

But somewhere along the line he got things the wrong way around....

I don't understand what's happened to Senderos. I think he was bought as cover but he started the season last year because someone was injured and formed a good partnership with Vlaar. Not much composure but was very physical and got to the ball first. Both Lambert and Sherwood then ignored him. Must be some reason I suppose.

"Its true that Villa havent been hammered.

Its almost like Sherwood was trying to emulate the great Italy teams of old... "We can win by scoring just one goal - because we wont concede any".

But somewhere along the line he got things the wrong way around...."

Senderos - Okore was recovering from serious injury, Clark wasn't rated, so he and Vlaar started. When both Vlaar and Senderos were injured we found out that Clark + Okore was a good combination.

Senderos had a minor thigh injury when on international duty; he was recovering from this when he had a major calf injury, also on international duty (Lambert was furious that the Swiss put him through a full training session while knowing he wasn't ready). That side-lined him for most of the season, until roughly when Sherwood was appointed; he obviously didn't tick Sherwood's boxes.

My guess is that he was one of those Sherwood told to go. But he didn't. Looked a solid performer when he played. An out-and-out defender; Clark and Okore offer more in some ways, but I think Senderos is dependable, if he can still do it.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator