8th? Relegated? Is Our Squad Good Enough?

Vital Villa asked:

Is Our Squad Strong Enough For The Season?

Poll Date: 14 Aug 2012
Suggested By: JP Fear

Seems not!

Results:

Still light 66%

Nowhere near strong enough 28%

Just about with luck on injuries 5%

Yes 1%

Unsure 0%

The pundits are mixed on Villa. I guess we are a bit of an unknown now as we`ve brought in a few non-Prem players and have a new manager.

I think Paul Lambert will get the best out of the sum of all parts but I do agree with the 66%, the squad is still light and it would only take one or two more injuries and we could well struggle UNLESS the 'kids` really can push on this season. I am not sure they are all ready though, I hope they are and think they are great prospects, but from what I can see, a few are a couple of seasons away.

Phil McNulty at www.bbc.co.uk/blogs is predicting 8th.

"The air will be cleared around Villa Park after the end of Alex McLeish's fruitless and unpopular season in charge - and by the appointment of one of the domestic game's finest emerging managerial talents in Paul Lambert. The Scot did superbly at Norwich and the divisive atmosphere that bordered on rebellion at times on the Holte End will be replaced by a unity of purpose Lambert will hope to replicate on the pitch. They have been busy in the transfer market but the main reason for predicting a much-improved Premier League placing for Villa this season is the arrival of the single-minded Lambert. I expect Villa to be much more formidable this season."

He also answers Robbie Savages prediction that Villa could get relegated along with Southampton and Reading saying on Twitter:

So @RobbieSavage8 thinks Villa may go down? I actually think they'll do surprisingly well under a fine new manager. Full predictions to come
@philmcnulty

See: Writers & Pundits Give Predictions Where Aston Villa Will Finish for several pundits opinions and on page two the Robbie Savage prediction!

The comments in the original article:

When you say light, It makes me think of light in numbers instead of actual quality, We are missing quality in the first team eleven not so much in backups. LB, Defensive Mid and a Striker is what we really require otherwise it's very much riding our luck on injuries and if players from the youth can step up a season or two earlier than predicted.
villa 4 ever

villa4ever i think your right, we have numbers but too many youngsters to carry the burden of injuries suspensions and the Christmas time when games come thick and fast, we lack a couple of experienced quality players imo, just to help out the youngsters and help them develop, the last two seasons when we have had injuries and had to play a lot of youngsters together in the first team we have struggled both times, I'm still hopeful Randy will back Rambo Lambo and pull some experienced quality Midfielder Left back and maybe a striker at the least out of the hat here's hoping ;) UTV!
clivethevillan

We have the right manager but we still have a weak squad and fairly weak team. To be fair though, plenty said MON's downfall was trying to do things too fast and thus overspending on mediocre players. If it takes longer to get to a better conclusion then it is worth the wait. I think just because we have some decent additions and a good manager we can make good progress, but don't expect too much yet. 14th place or above would be fine. We need to sell a few before we can add any I think or we'll have too much deadwood.
thekentvillan

OUT: Heskey, Cuellar, Collins and it appears Hutton & Warnock at least. IN: Lowton, KEA, Holman & Vlaar. So that seems 3 plus probably2 =5 out and 4 in......So even though we can claim the quality so far is better, the quantity actually goes DOWN, on a previously small squad. If we on't get another couple (at least) players in before the window closes, we will struggle to get be on 15th IMHO.
Pride of Lions

We have done well in the market so far but I'd be very disappointed if it ended here. We need 3 or 4 more at least as well as off loading a couple, I trust Lambert though. UTV
AdzVilla11

he`s got another 2.5 weeks to get in 3 players...prob two defenders and a striker to replace 90 pound a week man
malacaxeta

Numbers wise? We're fine. Quality wise? Completely different conversation.
Sheriff Kimbo

I would say at least 2 more in, one being a striker. Get Hutton and Warnock out and there's the '1 in 1 out' policy in effect. If the young 'uns are ever going to make it big, then this season is for them.
Stephen Jay Hawkings

Like I said in the forums, I'd rather have Quality over Quantity...and we have no Quality.
P.Avfc

Agree with SJH - the youngsters (I'm thinking Bannan, Clark, Albrighton now) need to step up to the plate - yes there is a heavy burden of expectation, but surely not that different to the expectations of the youth at Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, for example? We are a small squad without question, and injuries to Bent and Petrov last season did much to hinder our fight against relegation (although luckily absolved them of any blame! Which was mostly McLeish's, obviously). A cheeky bid for Tim Cahill wouldn't have been out of the question, and maybe a Steven Fletcher (not at the sums banded about though) or even Michael Owen? I'll get me coat...
JuanPabloAngel

No We need one or two major players. Laursen, Barry, Milner & Young were stars. Only DB9 is in that class now. A midfield player like Milner is what we need. Not good enough to slot into City or England but a great workhorse for a team like us.
distefano

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