Tim Iroegbunam

[TheRam]

He’s was probably the most expendable player in the squad to help with FFP considering he was homegrown and the options they have in midfield.

Signed him on a free effectively, he’s young, and has the attributes of a modern midfielder.

It’s a win even if he doesn’t end up being that great.

Look forward to seeking him at the weekend as I’ve not watched much of us this pre season.

[cassius]

Yeah okay no worries.

He was getting ten mins here and there for them, and they've binned him off for ffp credit. I'm sure he's amazing, looking forward to watching for many years.

I see the summer break was good for your optimism

[777Kidnappings]

Yeah okay no worries.

He was getting ten mins here and there for them, and they've binned him off for ffp credit. I'm sure he's amazing, looking forward to watching for many years.

Villa do get some wrong. Courtinho, Onana, Dobbin and Ballon Timmy to name 4 off the top of my head.

[brap2]

You'd think I was saying something wildly pessimistic here, we bought him for £10m (kind of), he's 21 and barely played any top level football (<200 minutes last year, did not go on loan).

It will be a lovely, pleasant surprise should he contribute this year.

If he is forced to try and contribute and is not up to the task it won't be on him.

It's been a pleasant surprise seeing him on the friendlies, because he looks a big talent.

But not that big, he is 21, if he was that good he wouldn't be getting swapped for Lewy Dobster.

None of this is controversial, if you think he's going to be a really good prem player this year you are setting yourself up for disappointment and ultimately setting an unfair expectation on the player.

[brap2]

Don't think anyone's suggesting he's going to be amazing, chief. Just that the initial performances in pre-season have been a pleasant surprise, and that's he's going to be around our first team as a useful contributor, whereas Dobbin will probably never play for Villa, meaning that we've clearly got the better of the deal.

Villa have got McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Rogers, Dendoncker, Ramsey, Kamara, Barkley, Barranchea, Onana all to play in midfield. There's no path there for him to play and work his way into the team.

Like you, I tend towards the cynical with Everton, but also there's no harm acknowledging the odd positive when it crops up.

Just seen this ^

Agree and don't think anything I've said is outside of that tbh.

[Jamokachi]

Nothing controversial @brap2 , you're just being a bit of an ass in how you're making your point.

[cassius]

Yeah, @brap2 not controversial at all, I actually agree with you, but the sarcastic delivery is wearing a bit thin for me.

[sam of the south]

I think it’s your articulation of my own pessimism which is wearing a bit thin

[AjaxAndy]

If he contributes more than Gomes did, and maybe performs as well as Garner then whilst that's a very limited level it'll still end being a really good deal for us.

He'll have the stench of a PSR hack surrounding him until he proves his worth, there's no escaping that. However he's shown enough in pre season to suggest he'll actually be a useful addition.

Really we need a more established CM to come in too as we shouldn't be relying on him to replace Onana, but let's judge him on how he performs over this season and the next, because he may well be alright.

[Shogun]

Replacing Onana doesn't take much. Stick a few leggy tackles in, throw your arms up at the crowd and Tim will be 90% of the way there.

[brap2]

This is the only time I was sarcastic! Every other post was normal and I was only sarcastic because BD was!

Yeah okay no worries.

He was getting ten mins here and there for them, and they've binned him off for ffp credit. I'm sure he's amazing, looking forward to watching for many years.

[brap2]

Replacing Onana doesn't take much. Stick a few leggy tackles in, throw your arms up at the crowd and Tim will be 90% of the way there.

Onana played more minutes than Gueye last year. Isn't that mad? He wasn't a bit part player for us, and when he was on the pitch he was extremely active.

We've lost a big part of the team for me.

[Gary1878]

Just give him a chance to prove himself over the next 10 games.

Personally I think he will be a great signing, but I worry about him fitting into the first XI straight away without issues. Just don’t see that and you then worry about his confidence if he has a few bad games.

If he doesn’t work out this season, then that’s on Thelwell on not bringing in another CM. It’s a real risk.

[cassius]

This is the only time I was sarcastic! Every other post was normal and I was only sarcastic because BD was!

In that case, I apologise. For some reason I had it in my head you were being extra sarcy recently, but this says more about me in that case.

[Jimmywhack]

Have to say in with @brap2 on this one

If he comes in and plays well its a very pleaseant surprise

I had no expectations of him this season, assumed he would be warming the bench