Jones, Defoe, Yes and Yes
We need players. I and many others feel we need strikers, so for me at least it’s very pleasing to see our manager acknowledge the fact by publicly talking about two players we’ve been linked with previously this summer. Here is what the gaffer had to say:
“You are talking about two really good players, different types of players there.
“I think a club this size will always be linked with players of that ilk.
“I don’t think you ever stop looking for players. You have always got to try and improve.
“Whether they come in or not, we will have to wait and see but any manager will tell you, you are always going to look for players.”
The two players are question are in the title, and I feel both Kenwyne Jones and Jermain Defoe would only improve us. There were many who weren’t happy with the Jones link previously, but I think he could do a good job and play a very important role here. Look at Lambert at Norwich and you’ll see how important a ‘big man’ is to his teams. Both Grant Holt and Steve Morison played important roles at the Canaries, and we have no-one of that build or ilk at the club.
It’s important to play in a number of different ways, and we heard when Lambert joined that there were times in games when he would change formations on maybe three or so different occasions. Jones would allow us to play in a certain way, and I’m sure Lambert could make it work. This player was linked with some big clubs a few years ago, with big price tags being mentioned. Granted it’s gone a bit quiet for him, and around a one in five goals per game average at Stoke isn’t great, but personally I don’t think it would be the worst move in the world, and we have a striker in Bent who loves playing along side him;
“I always felt that he did well in most games. He was brilliant to play up front with and probably the best person I have played up front with in my career.”
If Bent feels that way, and if Jones can get the best out of him then he’s certainly capable of grabbing 20+ goals this season, and we’d all like that. The other player linked is Jermain Defoe, and he’s another I would love to see at the Villa.
There are those who suggest that Bent and Defoe don’t play too well together, but I’d be happy to give it a go, as I’m sure many of you would. He just scores goals, and the prospect of Bent and Defoe up front, two prolific scorers, would be great. I think it was Jenas who tweeted something the other day after the England game, regarding Defoe being asked about his goal against the Italians, and he came out with the following “Just textbook JD really!”. Love it.
Looking at the Tottenham squad, and it might be harder to do a deal here, because they’re pretty thin up front. If they do get a few players in though before the deadline, then maybe we’ll see it happen, because the player himself has said he wants to play games at this stage of his career.
It’s nice to hear Lambert comment on players, and I’m sure he knows exactly where we need strengthening. This type of talk is encouraging, and hopefully signals we’re still in the market for players.
UTV.
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Absolutely yes is my reaction to our supposed interest in messrs Jones and Defoe. Either, or preferably both, would be well received by yours truly, the latter (both) admittedly a very, very long shot, and would certainly assist somewhat our currently rather impotent strike force (Darren Bent excluded from that assessment of course).
While I’m cautiously optimistic about our chances of us making an impression this season, the fact that we are lightweight in numbers, and lack both quality and experience, definitely gives cause for concern.
Referee, toot that whistle, and lets get 2012-13 underway.
Defoe and Bent can’t play together, that’s just how that is. But having both in the squad (or both on the pitch when chasing a game and formations/tactics are less important than ‘get it the hell up there for gods sake, we need two goals in seven minutes you idiots!’ etc) would be lovely. When Bent was injured last season, wouldn’t it have been nice to have Defoe? They both do my head in a bit in terms of outside the penalty area contribution (there is a reason that neither have played for the likes of Man U) but they are both GOALS, and to have both in our squad would be pretty darn exciting.
Totally agree there mate. As Glensider above alludes to, without Bent we’re certainly a team that doesn’t look like scoring money. If a good deal can be done, I’d be all for it. UTV.