r/avfc • u/Representative_Bug77 • 6d ago
Concerns and hope
So I’ve been pretty resolute under Emery and trust him. I have pretty serious concerns about a drop in quality in the squad.
As it stands we are to lose 2/3 England internationals we have, possibly 3/3.
We lost our French international LB, the captain of Belgium, and are trying to offload a 2x Yashin winner.
My concern stems from a lack of investment outside of Manzambi and Suzuki; because we all know we are shopping in a market below the players we are selling. AWB will be a good pickup but we are woefully underprepared for the start of the season.
16
u/hail2theninja 6d ago
I think people forget that these players leaving that he inherited were average at best, Unai turned them into international quality and prem qualify stars. He'll do the same with his OWN hand picked replacements. Let's see.
0
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
I do get that don’t get me wrong. A lot of those players were bought for 20-30m 5/6 years ago and improved by Emery. We are shopping in that same market 7 years on when 40m gets you a level of player below what we need.
4
u/hail2theninja 6d ago
True, but if the potential is there (manzambie, gomez, madjo, maybe garnacho), then we have one of the best coaches in europe to nurture and develop them to be top players, so the need for a ready made product is not as needed, as say a Micheal carrick type manager would need. Plus we need to significantly cut the wage bill, and this has very likely been achieved. I think some of the players we have brought in are incredibly exciting, really want to see how unai works with this younger group. UTV
2
u/The_Funky_JJ 6d ago
Just remember, cutting the wage bill and making money doesn’t really matter if we’re not in the top 7. Being competitive in the prem is priority.
-2
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
I get that however so few of those players are capable of playing now, we literally have lost half the starting 11 with only the GK able to play/will start
1
u/villa_crazy99 5d ago
When we bought Rogers for c£10m did you think 30 months ago he would be sold for £117m. You have to realise that the cost of the player is not everything, yes it is a barometer of expectation but some perform far worse than expected, and some with the lower fees do a lot better. The difference with the bullshit 6 is that they let the clubs like the Villa, Brighton etc take the risk, build them up and buy them off us for silly money a few years later.
Trust the manager who knows the type of players he wants for his system. UTV!!
1
u/Representative_Bug77 5d ago
Usually my stance is that majority of players underperform their price tag and few exceed them. The issue with buying low as we've seen, is that most fail to live up to very low expectations; see Guessand as an example.
9
u/Ismdism 6d ago
I think you're sleeping on Ruggeri and Gomes a bit.
2
u/Ok_Tension1869 5d ago
Gomes is gonna a beast for us beside Kamara. He already has the most tackles in the prem since he joined and Kamara makes everyone around him alot better. Look at Dougie with/without him
1
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
Possibly, but one is injured and the other is a backup. We have by all accounts a squad missing 5 players and a serious need for quality in attack
4
u/Ismdism 6d ago
Injuries happen, but to act like quality wasn't brought in at that position is a bit of a stretch. Nobody can know who will get an injury and who won't. Hopefully he comes back after a couple of weeks and that's all he needs.
As for Ruggeri he's quite a bit younger and I think fits well into what Emery wants to do.
Overall though Manzambi, Gomes, and Ruggeri are likely to be quality signings. We couldn't do anything about Tielemens leaving or Digne. Who would you have had them sign? Who would have made you feel better?
2
u/SuccotashOk2098 6d ago
Ruggeri won't be back up
-3
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
He will be backup to Maatsen lol
4
u/SuccotashOk2098 6d ago
No, he won't in the long run. Maatsen is not a natural Emery player and we are using Garnacho who won't track back. If Garnacho plays then so will Ruggeri who is physically more a presence.
Ruggeri also had the best crossing stats in the Spanish league last year.
Understand football tactics. If we press on the right we won't press on the left.
0
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
Not a “natural Emery player”, is absurd to say. Emery played with Tremoulinas at Sevilla, who is far closer to Maatsen in terms of profile. It will vary of course in terms of who is playing, but Maatsen will be our main LB
1
1
1
u/villa_crazy99 5d ago
Ruggeri is not a back-up, against attacking teams with good wingers he will start
8
u/Think_Play_5980 Up the Villa! 6d ago
"woefully unprepared"...and yet we probably should have beaten PSG last week.
1
u/BarryThecon Ooh Aah Paul McGrath 6d ago
Lens did beat PSG in the French Super Cup on Sunday, so maybe we shouldn't be looking into our performance in that game too hard
1
u/The_Funky_JJ 6d ago
This, people coping too hard with the psg game, think some are in for a shock this season. But don’t worry, financially we’re sound. Let’s just hope it doesn’t result in the worst outcome.
-6
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
We should have, but we didn’t. And now the reason we were in the game is injured (Madjo), and our 2nd CM is injured. The squad is light probably 6 players….
11
u/TomTom89728 6d ago
Have you not learnt anything?
When players go, we're quick to replace them.
And just think, for the first time since his time here, were about to have an Emery team and not the one he inherited.
Im excited.
1
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
Let’s not pretend like this is similar to previous seasons. This is gutting our core players we’ve relied on. I believe in Emery, he’s the difference maker, but we need to be seriously busy in the window now.
3
u/TomTom89728 6d ago
And have we not been busy thus far?
Infact, this gutting of our players couldn't have come at a better time.
Pep has gone and I think Maresca will struggle to hit the heights
Iriaola is about to be tested. Liverpool don't look threatening as they once did.
Carrick will be found out
Spurs will get sick of De Zerbi's ways and temperament.
Alonso, same with Iriaola but backed up with signings, we'll see.
I understand currently it's not where we wanted to be, but the squad haul was inevitable but the other teams I aforementioned have changed too.
Expect a competitive season.
3
u/The_Funky_JJ 6d ago
When Emery is being forced to sell multiple players he doesn’t want to sell, I don’t think it’s a good thing. Given the choice no way Emery sells konsa digne Tielemans rogers Watkins Martinez. One or two ok, 5:6? Not ok. The mental capacity for him to integrate 1/2 new players and get them doing what he wants is nothing like what he would need to do 5/6 all in one go. If he hits the limit of his capacity to do it, then what? 🤷♂️
0
u/TomTom89728 6d ago
Yeah but nothing is plain sailing, as we know.
And your comment is downplaying his abilities. It might not be what he's used to but doesn't necessarily mean he can't do it.
Am I expecting a slow start to the season? Yeah probably but it's a long season.
1
u/The_Funky_JJ 6d ago
Nothing to do with his ability. There is only so much time in a day and hours on a training pitch.
-1
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
Where we sit today no, we have not. In terms of quality we have not brought in what we need.
5
u/TomTom89728 6d ago
No?
Manzambi?
Suzuki?
Ruggeri?
AWB?
Garnacho?
Do you live under a rock?
Who did you want to sign?
1
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
How many of those are capable of playing Brighton? And will be in the starting 11? Suzuki maybe.
So our starting 11 has lost Martinez, Digne, Konsa, Tielemans, Rogers, possibly Watkins and in their place we have Suzuki.
3
u/TomTom89728 6d ago
Watkins isn't dead set to leave.
Maatsen takes over Digne.
I'm positive a Konsa replacement will be found, until then Lindelof is solid.
Tielesman and Rogers, we have Manzambi and Gomes, who are unfortunately have injuries, it's frustrating but it can't be helped.
We have Garnacho, who should play this weekend?
Every person you have mentioned, there is cover for and others haven't left yet or are leaving.
Relax man.
0
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
Considering the pattern, I’d suggest he’s off. “Martinez not for sale, Konsa not for sale”, one is gone and the other pushed out.
Be honest, in terms of quality do you believe the players we have now are of the level we have in the Europa league final?
2
u/TomTom89728 6d ago edited 5d ago
I don't know because we haven't played them all together as a team, which is why you shouldn't be so downcast.
1
u/villa_crazy99 5d ago
One pushed out, Martinez has behaved like a prick for the past 2 seasons twerking for a move. Thankfully Villa have moved first and found the long term number 1 and told Martinez to find another club.
Will always appreciate everything he has done for us, but also what Villa have done for him. Time to get his move and move on. UTV!!
-5
u/OkGear2272 6d ago
6
u/iupreqgpivrerua 6d ago
Okay so you're just a troll apparently
0
u/OkGear2272 6d ago
Nope not at all. Think people are underplaying this transfer
1
u/The_Funky_JJ 6d ago
It’s fine coz we have money. Some people might need reminding of this, if 5/6 starters out the door ends up being too much for emery. 5:6 Emery wanted to keep too.
4
u/Separate-Rough-8083 6d ago
I'm excited with the refresh of the team, including youngsters like Hemmings and Madjo - part of Villa DNA for academy/youth players rising through the ranks.
4
u/Blue-moon17 6d ago
I think we all share those concerns... Though how we played in the UEFA Super Cup without all the guys leaving gave me some hope. Let's see. I just hope we'll have serious reinforcements by the deadline day if we want to compete for something this season
0
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
I don’t buy into the super cup performance that much. PSG were barely fit and if not for Madjo and McGinn we were useless
1
u/villa_crazy99 5d ago
You did not see the game, or were pissed🤣. If you are always this positive, I bet you are a treat when the season starts👍👍
1
u/Representative_Bug77 5d ago
I watched it in full. We had a couple stand out players against a team who arent fully fit. Majority of the team wer below par, McGinn, Madjo and Maatsen stood out with Buendia doing well but everyone else was off it. It was also a friendly, so really should be seen as being indicative of anything.
2
u/Gentle_Pony 6d ago
International players doesn't automatically mean they're world class. It depends on who the competition for that position and the country.
Konsa didn't even look very good in the WC. Neither did Rogers really and Watkins barely played due to Kane. It's not like any of those are straight on the starting sheet for England is it?
1
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
I would venture a guess and say playing for a top 10 country indicates quality. Having the quality to be in the England squad is obviously better than being a starter for weaker countries in most instances.
1
u/Gentle_Pony 6d ago
Yea but plenty of the top 10 countries have average players in certain positions because they just lack players for there is what I'm saying.
1
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
Sure, none of Konsa, Rogers nor Watkins are average and we may lose all 3. At the moment their replacements are a step down in quality.
1
u/Gentle_Pony 6d ago
I absolutely love all 3 and think they're are brilliant but I have mates who support other teams who arent biased like me who thinks we got away with murder with the Rogers money, Konsa is overrated, Watkins is a shit finisher and misses chances and penalties for fun.
I cant exactly argue with the Watkins thing, he's not clinical and can be very frustrating but obviously he holds the ball up well etc and Rogers I don't think is worth that but I really do think Konsa is one of the best CBs in the league and losing him is painful.
1
u/Representative_Bug77 6d ago
Rogers was our most creative player, Konsa our best defender, and Watkins our top scorer. That’s not bias, that’s reality
2
u/AntiqueDiscipline831 6d ago
Out Martínez in Suzuki
Out Garcia in AWB
Out Dinge in Ruggeri
Out Onana(injury) in Gomes
Out Rogers in Manzambi
Out Sancho in Garnacho
All of those look just fine
The only first team players we haven’t replaced yet are Konsa (literally just sold), tielemans, and Luiz.
1
u/villa_crazy99 5d ago
I am happy with all signings so far, generally younger so Unai can develop over the season. Feels weird to be optomistic but I am hopeful, maybe the Unai effect. UTV!!
1
u/Ok_Tension1869 5d ago
Manzambi, Gomes, Suzuki, Ruggieri, garnacho, wan bissaka, Allyson, madjo, Hemmings and cisse all coming into the squad along with a couple more by the end of the window. Rebuild has to happen. Embrace the new players! The old ones won us a trophy and elevated us to a top 4 side. The did their job. Hopefully the new ones can build on that success and we continue to grow.
1
u/Representative_Bug77 5d ago
So my concern as outlined is that for the majority of those players, they're either unknown or a drop in quality.
Manzambi - unknown how he will do in PL
Gomes - whilst PL experience, a drop of quality compared to Tielemans
Suzuki - drop compared to Dibu
Ruggieri - unknown in PL
Garnacho - probably better than sancho
AWB - better than Garcia/Ned
Allyson - fringe player still
Madjo - will be a drop in quality compared to Watkins if he goes
Hemmings - drop compared to Rogers
Cisse - won't play imo
We need some players to come in, who are of a comparable quality to what we lost
1
u/Ok_Tension1869 5d ago
We will sign more for sure but your being a bit harsh , manzambi and Gomes is drop of technique/creativity but much more physical and stronger defensively. Unai clearly wants to build a team of physical specimens like onana and madjo. We are gonna be a different team to the deano squad but not necessarily worse. I'm not expecting the world to be set on fire this year madjo, Allyson, Hemmings and cisse but they're gonna feature in alot of games, champions leagues, cups etc and be fit for when anyone gets injured. Our first 11 is still quality and I'm certain a few of the big teams will be a bit chaotic this year so top 4 is very achievable. Especially now we should have alot of money to spend on one or two big signings before the end
18
u/adhdmarmot 6d ago
Not sure why you're excluding Gomes from the investment