Definitely not a replacement for Mbemba, he's staying and is higher up the order, but back up I guess for the 50+ games we'll have to play. Looked decent when we played Villa before, but doesn't seem to be a regular, whether that's cos of injuries or not being 1st choice I dunno. Somewhat reticent about taking a Villa player after the feces they served up last season, but as back up he'll be decent I reckon.
Don't know too much about the lad to be fair but not only an international with decent PL experience and versatile but interesting that he has been rated highly enough coming through the ranks with England to have been captain at every level also captained Villa youth to prem youth trophy and captained Villa res to prem reserve title. On paper in today's markets would be an absolute snip at £5M
Gauging from what the villa fans have said, the kid has quality, but maybe a bit mentally fragile. But that explains their squad to a T last season, Villa had a good enough side to stay up, but the players got into the mental state where everything was wrong and no coach could change that. A couple of quotes said they wouldnt be surpirsed if he made it into the Championship team of the season and he is better ability wise than Richards/lescott. Im not sure with this kid, but at 26 he has a bit of time and im sure Rafa will knit together a steady defence as thats usually his speciality.
For all those bad mouthing and whining about this signing, can they hand on heart say that if at the beginning of the last season we were signing Morgan or Huth from Leicester they would be singing from the roof tops? I would never have wanted them but look they are now champions - it's about time we lower our sights on what we think would be a good signing and give the manager full trust. Yes, he will make the odd gaffe but as long as we are promoted then who cares who the players are. Some will definitely prove some of you wrong!
i see what you mean ..but i always thought huth was a decent defender ..and morgan well good leader . and player at forrest but clark , never caught my eye ever ......hope he proves me wrong
Not really sure where he fits in to be honest, unless he is going for the LB position (which I'd prefer so his errors can be covered by CB's) although we now have plenty of cover at both full back positions (Gamez, Janmatt, Dummett, Haidara, Mbabu, Sterry) but more likely cover for CB when Mbemba goes off to ACON in case of suspensions and injuries. It is good that he can play a few positions but I think he will be more of a bench player who'll be used as a third sub once two other like for like replacements are made to adjust the shape/formation. Could also mean a variety of players are off such as Janmatt, Tiote, Dummett (my west ham mate said they were interested as back up to Cresswell now he's injured?)
huth had really good seasons for stoke , before going to lester on a free ..i was saying to me son ..thats a bargain for him cause he is a good old fashioned defender .. started of at chelsea never really got a chance ..cannot really remember him at boro
I always thought Huth was decent to be fair. He was pretty good at Boro, he just had a series of injuries (ankles?) which seemed to curtail him. He had a very impressive time at Stoke. Him and Shawcross were a good combo under Pulis. Morgan has always done well - he was good at Forest - not a really fashionable player though. He just seemed to get pigeon holed as a good player at "Championship" level. Ashley Williams got a similar rep. I think players like him and Morgan are overlooked because you can go and get some foreign lad from Spain or France for the same price - so they must be better...Personally if I was looking abroad I'd want either Scandinavians or eastern block defenders. All seem to have a rock solid mentality and a very rugged approach to defending. Clark I've always thought was a very weak defender and prone to errors. He just lacks aggression for me. I like my defenders to be uncompromising. Its less about looking pretty and more about being robust and understanding the game.
This is why I'm not against Hanley. He has a bit to learn but he seems very aggressive, a bit of a unit, and seems more of a reader of the game.
you were bang on about mbemba to be fair mate, and id be gutted if we did lose him. We wont lose him though and to be honest i doubt we will lose a game this season, i reckon we will get like please log in to view this image and an fa cup or two
