Summer window

Pep even prefers to play Stones in the holding midfielder role now infront of Phillips alongside Rodri. Says it all.
He was a strange signing for them really and he let his head over rule his heart. He should never have made such a big step up so soon

 

I think moving abroad is a fantastic opportunity for these young lads to grow up a bit. It worked wonders for Sancho and its gone to **** since he came back.

 

A better, yet more expensive Pritchard.

 

He is lazy and has done nothing for quite a few yrs now. TM n speakman talk a lot about players with a growth mindset n hes def not got that, hes been at the top n hes on his way dwn now

 

I would be against singing him.

 

Remember when we nearly signed Stones from Barnsley but wouldn’t pay the £3m they wanted

 

Fair play to David McGoldrick. Gone to Notts County, his boyhood club, to finish his career. Could have stayed at Derby on more money. Like stories like that me.

 

Be great if a player did that with us as well in the near future …

 

He’ll score plenty goals in League Two.

 

Definitely. Solid signing that. Loads of experience.

 

Role on the window officially opening and us getting some early business done and dusted can’t wait COME ON

 

I think he’ll score goals at this level.

 

When everyone is fit and in really good form, even slightly below par and O’Nien will be as good as most of the defence. His ability to come out with the ball should not be underestimated and has been critical to the way we play.

 

It's fantastic not to be thinking of offloading the dead wood and instead thinking of who we're going to add to an already very good squad.
Long may the optimism continue.

 

Stones doesn't play the holding role in a traditional sense though. It's a hybrid role basically invented by Guardiola. If I could describe it as anything, I'd say he's an inverted centre back. It's the next evolution of the Cancelo/Zinchenko role rather than a traditional midfielder. The defensive responsibilities are far more important.

Phillips is unfortunately competing with Rodri for a single position and he's never going to win that shirt.

 

Good signing for Villa.....

 

Will all be down to his attitude, shocking attitude n performances last season - always wary of players that do that. No doubt a talented lad tho

 

Agreed. Clearly didn’t fancy it last season. Quality player though and still a good age. I think he’ll do well at Villa.

 

So do i, he was too good for a few seasons - def a few red flags when players down tools like he did last season, i think its put of some of the elite teams that were linked with him this time last yr