3 Players Who Must See More Playing Time Next Season
Thanks once again to contributor Sam Tighe for this piece, if you’re on Twitter check him out on there, he produces some top work on a range of footballing subjects:
‘Under Paul Lambert, Aston Villa are widely expected to experience a resurgence – the kind of resurgence that sees them back into the top half of the table.
A potential transfer budget of £20 million has been rumoured, but that won’t be enough to fill the vacancies in Villa’s team. Lambert must look to his current crop in order to improve results and here are three players who need more playing time than they’ve received in the last 12 months.
Eric Lichaj
With the majority of Aston Villa fans disgruntled at even the slightest mention of Alan Hutton, right-back is a position Paul Lambert needs to look at. Certain newspapers have linked Kyle Naughton to the Villans, but unless it’s a loan deal the money is better spent on other areas of the team.
Lichaj is ready and waiting to claim a first team spot, and while his performances over the 2011/2012 season were up and down, no one can forget the potential he has. His long throw ability is an attacking quality not to be overlooked, and his performance against Gareth Bale in the 2010/2011 season shows he knows what he’s doing from a defensive point of view.
Failing a chance to usurp Hutton or a potential new recruit, left-back is an option too. Lichaj shows great versatility – despite his blatant one-footedness – and could take over from the much-maligned Stephen Warnock.
Marc Albrighton
Where was the Albrighton we grew to love under Kevin MacDonald and Gerard Houllier? Alex McLeish’s 9-0-1 tactics didn’t help the young winger make an impact at all – something which consequently found him benched for half the season.
In the end it felt like his career would stagnate to a fatal degree should McLeish continue as manager, but with the Scot gone he has a chance to re-establish himself. With the arrival of Brett Holman and the potential rediscovery of form pending for Charles N’Zogbia, Albrighton’s task during this pre-season is laid out for all to see. He should be given his fair chance, though.
Gary Gardner
Lambert used a variety of tactics during his first season in the Premier League but one thing remained constant – a tidy midfielder who marshalled the central area would always find a way into the line up. When Lambert opted for a three-man midfield, David Fox got the nod to sweep around the back of the other two midfielders and help maintain
possession.
Gardner could fill this role, no doubt about it. He needs regular game time to improve and fulfill his potential and you get the feeling once he scores a free-kick, he’ll smash five or six more in and become a real asset.’
Thanks again to Sam for taking the time to write this. What do you all think though? Any other players you feel we need to see more of next season? As per, let us know!
UTV.
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albrighton, ive seen enough to know he is simply not good enough! championship at best cup game player as I say. Lichaj another, decent player but only back up, now Gardner can be a little gem! he has looks good and under the right guidance can become an England regular
I would like to see more of Samir Carruthers
Carruthers, Williams and Gardner are the 3 that should be integrated next season slowly.
Clark has to be considered a first pick and candidate for Captain on the pitch…
Albrighton and Bannan need to prove to Lambert they deserve the place I’m afraid, they’ve been involved for two seasons now and it’s time to step up for the young boys or stap away as there is a new breed coming through with the likes of Grealish and Graham, never mind Burke, Serano, Johnson… it’s a big season for Albrihgton and Bannan but they’re owed nothing now…
I tend to think Lichaj is ready but this may only be due to my geographic locale.
USA! USA! USA!
In all seriousness Albrighton’s dip over the last season was worrying but I’m inclined to strike last season from the record and let everyone start over. I was really getting down about Gabby toward March/April but even he needs a chance to start over under a more positive game plan. I think the tight-ish budget will give these young players a chance to prove themselves between now and January and I’d like to see what they can do under a new manager. I would though like to see the backline blown up from the days of Hutton/Collins/Dunne/Warnock.
Agree with the consensus on Carruthers, looks like a very exciting prospect. Clark for me as well mate should be a first choice, and a while ago when we wrote a piece looking at a future Villa side I had him earmarked as captain then. He has the talent to be everything you’re looking for in a modern defender, and hopefully will have a big future.
Wrote the same regarding Albrighton and Bannan and as I’ve said previously I think this upcoming season is the biggest for both of them in a Villa shirt so far. It kinda feels like make or break for both of them. I still have hope with Albrighton because he was so electric that first season. Less convinced with Bannan and while there is little doubting he has a number of quality attributes, I struggle to see where he can fit in.
Ultimately I’d like them both to make an impact and star with us, big big season coming up.
Big fan of Lichaj as well Dave, and like you I’d have no problem with a completely different back four. Time to start afresh I feel!
UTV.
90% of that squad needs a fresh start fresh ideas from a fresh manager, anyone not performing by xmas needs to go. excited about the youth coming through, gardner, carruthers, weimann showed good glimpses in a poor season. they now have to do it all again though and not just be the best of bad bunches. excited to think about midfield options of nzog, hollman, gardner, bannan, makoun, albrighton, delph and ireland. problem last season was the fact the midfield wasnt in mcleishes gameplan.
utv
defence could be strong, stevens, lihaj, clarke and baker thats without the transfers that are likely to happen. the futures bright, so is the away kit