Scout Report – Ron Vlaar
Filed under: Scout Reports - Posted by: Paul
Only a few hours after announcing the departure of James Collins to West Ham, Paul Lambert moved to boost his defensive options with the capture of Dutchman Ron Vlaar from Feyenoord. The centre-half makes his way to Villa Park on a three-year deal and is the fourth player to arrive this summer, following the acquisitions of Brett Holman, Matthew Lowton and Karim El Ahmadi, as the former Norwich boss continues to restructure his first-team squad:
Having been linked with Vlaar for a number of weeks, Lambert was clearly delighted to finally clinch the 27-year-old’s signature. Speaking to the club’s official website upon completion of the deal, the Aston Villa boss described the Dutchman as a “proper player”, before going on to say:
Ron is a really good defender and he has a wealth of experience for both Holland and a big football club in Feyenoord, so I’m delighted we have got him here to Villa. I like the way the guy wants to do well. He’s hungry and he wants to succeed. He’s also a really good, strong defender and hopefully we will get the benefit of him in our team…He’s captained Feyenoord and he’s been in the Dutch international set-up and was part of the Euros. He’ll bring something to the club, no doubt about it.
The Statistics
Vlaar began his career with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, signing a five-year youth contract with the club at the age of 17. Making his debut in the 2004-05 campaign, he managed just 10 appearances under Louis Van Gaal over a couple of seasons, however. With plenty of suitors – including Ajax and Tottenham – circling for his signature, Vlaar claimed his manager refused to play him unless he penned a full-time contract – as a result, he opted to leave and signed for Feyenoord in December 2005.
Over the course of his five-and-a-half seasons with the club, Vlaar’s game time has been somewhat curtailed by injury. Twice, he has succumbed to cruciate ligament damage, while foot and knee problems have also blighted his career. He has, however, missed only 10 league matches over the past three campaigns and was an ever-present last season, skippering his side to second in the Eredivisie and ensuring Champions League football for the season ahead. In total, he featured 126 times for the Dutch outfit, scoring eight goals and providing five assists. Despite several call-ups to the international set-up, Vlaar has struggled to break into the Holland starting line-up – to date, he has featured just seven times for his national side, notching a single goal.
The Prospects
Fantasy managers will be more than a little wary of investing in Villa’s defence, given how detrimental Lambert’s penchant for attacking football was to Norwich’s backline last time round. While there’s no denying the Canaries impressed offensively – only the top six scored more than their 52 goals – at the back, they were abysmal. Only the three relegated sides conceded more than their 66 goals and, with Norwich failing to register a single away clean sheet all season, they received minimal defensive investment. Darren Bent has already revealed Lambert intends to maintain his approach this season, suggesting Villa could well be a frustrating proposition at the back next term.
So far, both James Collins and Carlos Cuellar have departed as Lambert looks to rebuild and with Richard Dunne now sidelined for six-to-eight weeks with a groin injury, Villa’s central defensive options are suddenly narrowed down, making Vlaar a key figure at the back already. Given how highly he rates the Dutchman, it may well be that Lambert sees the 6 foot 2 stopper as the cornerstone of his new-look defence – perhaps a suggestion that his game time will be assured. Certainly, Fantasy managers will be hoping for far less rotation than we were used to with Norwich last season – another reason why the Canaries were such a frustrating investment.
The new boy has yet to be added to the Fantasy games but a price of 5.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) looks on the cards, bearing in mind both Collins and Richard Dunne were given this valuation when the prices were revealed earlier this month. With regards to the Sky Sports game, the afore-mentioned pair have been priced at 5.3 and 5.4 and a similar outcomes seems likely. At present, Ciaran Clark is one to watch as a possible partner for Vlaar in the heart of defence and comes in at 4.5 in FPL, while Enda Stevens has impressed at left-back in recent pre-season friendlies; the latter is just 4.0 in FPL and could potentially be a bargain, depending on Lambert’s first-team thoughts for the season ahead.
Certainly, the opening schedule has been more than kind to Villa. With home games against (EVE, SWA, WBA) and trips to (whm, new, sot) the potential to pick up the Fantasy points is obvious. While the likes of Darren Bent and Charles N’Zogbia could be in line to prosper, the jury may be out on Vlaar until we see whether Lambert can strike a better balance between defence and attack this time round.
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“We have dynamic players with good movement, so if he can link with them fine. He can play a bit higher because his timing getting into the box is very good.”
Rafa Benitez talks up the role that Frank Lampard can play in his Chelsea revolution
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August 4 at 8:08 pm
QOTSA says:
Who scored Fulhams 4th?
And has Petric assisted any?
August 4 at 8:11 pm
MB10 says:
Mesca
Assisted 2 I think
August 4 at 8:09 pm
Matt_ says:
Who scored GB’s penalty?
August 4 at 8:10 pm
the Penman says:
Ramsey.
August 4 at 8:09 pm
The Light Knight " I don't have tactics, I have Tic Tacs and that's how I stay fresh" says:
GB peno and no I’m not 5 mins late
August 4 at 8:10 pm
beric says:
Will they let Ramsey dso it again, he looked dodgy on the last one.
August 4 at 8:09 pm
beric says:
*do
August 4 at 8:10 pm
beric says:
Loser
August 4 at 8:12 pm
beric says:
*Ramsey, not you.
August 4 at 8:14 pm
The Light Knight " I don't have tactics, I have Tic Tacs and that's how I stay fresh" says:
I didn’t say anything because I though you were replying to yourself (although you might still be….. if so ignore this post)
August 4 at 8:16 pm
beric says:
Sorry, a lot of replies there
August 4 at 8:17 pm
The Light Knight " I don't have tactics, I have Tic Tacs and that's how I stay fresh" says:
Indeed there was, I wasn’t sure where to look
August 4 at 8:10 pm
beric says:
Yes he will.
August 4 at 8:10 pm
Bowstring92 says:
Is someone famous gonna die now that Ramsey scored? Any bets on?
August 4 at 8:11 pm
The Light Knight " I don't have tactics, I have Tic Tacs and that's how I stay fresh" says:
Pearce?
August 4 at 8:10 pm
4vets says:
Scenes!
August 4 at 8:10 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Radio rental !!!
August 4 at 8:11 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Haha Ramsey you’re dreadful.
August 4 at 8:11 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
Miss?
August 4 at 8:12 pm
4vets says:
All’s fair then.
August 4 at 8:11 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
Miss or hit?
August 4 at 8:11 pm
beric says:
Easy save
August 4 at 8:12 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
FECK!!!
August 4 at 8:12 pm
4vets says:
Miss.
August 4 at 8:13 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
I was gonna say miss again. He doesn’t have a decent finish in him.
August 4 at 8:15 pm
4vets says:
He’s been dire all tournament.
August 4 at 8:16 pm
kaz says:
not THAT bad
looked good against uruguy
August 4 at 8:17 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
He has been dire for years. I hope Arsenal get rid.
August 4 at 8:20 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Massively on both counts.
August 4 at 8:12 pm
ajay_kl says:
Deserve to go out purely on basis that Pearce thinks Ramsey should take penalties ahead of Bellamy or Sinclair. Absolute bell end
August 4 at 8:12 pm
Sean says:
New post
August 4 at 8:12 pm
Mancini in a Mankini says:
Ramsey should never take penalties. Both of them were poor.
August 4 at 8:22 pm
mightymike says:
He should never play football.
August 4 at 8:12 pm
Bowstring92 says:
Agueerrrooooo!
August 4 at 8:13 pm
DLL18 says:
https://twitter.com/thesamshaw/status/231803447270338560/photo/1/large
August 4 at 8:12 pm
The_RedBaron says:
Wolfsburg 0-1 City
Aguero at it again
August 4 at 8:13 pm
beric says:
Yes. Come on Barca + Man City, my last chance to win money today!
August 4 at 8:17 pm
TA18 says:
Ibra scored 2-1 for barça
Let’s go barça
Visca el barça
August 4 at 8:12 pm
King Cabbage says:
He never looked like he was going to score it.
August 4 at 8:13 pm
freshy says:
Worst PK ever
August 4 at 8:12 pm
Mancini in a Mankini says:
The first one was possibly worse, only the GK was unlucky.
August 4 at 8:13 pm
beric says:
Why Ramsey, Why?
August 4 at 8:13 pm
TA18 says:
How is my team looking mates ?
Vorm (begovic)
Lescott/A. cole/Cuellar (barnett-demel)
Siggy-mata-guhrie-kagawa-michu
aguero-torres-pog
100.m
torres for papiss cissé gwk 2
thanks
August 4 at 8:13 pm
MB10 says:
Aguero 1-0 City
August 4 at 8:14 pm
nisag17 says:
My latest draft: Transferred out De Gea, Clichy and Tarrabt for Green, Figueroa and Valencia
Am i now just thinking too much?
Green Federici
Demel Ivanovic Figueroa Hangeland Cuellar
Nobel Valencia Guthrie Bale Maloney
Torres (c) Rooney Aguero
August 4 at 8:16 pm
freshy says:
Green?
August 4 at 8:18 pm
TA18 says:
Since 2010 i lost faith in Green, and I live in Canada !!!!!!
August 4 at 8:22 pm
nisag17 says:
I think QPR is going to do well in defence with the money they’re spending. At 4.5 it may turn out to be value. or is green too bad for qpr defence to work?
August 4 at 8:25 pm
nisag17 says:
i didn’t look at the fixtures though. oops
August 4 at 8:14 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
looking through the posts, there is a definite shift from 2 2 rotations at the back from the three way rotation. Is this just down to budget? Still sticking to my 2 big hitters, 3 way rotation.
August 4 at 8:16 pm
ajay_kl says:
Budget for me is why I am having a 3 way defensive rotation. Just had to find one I was happy with
August 4 at 8:16 pm
beric says:
Come on guys:
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....van-ramis/
August 4 at 8:17 pm
ch4rli3 says:
Ramires or Marin…..general consensus?
August 4 at 8:19 pm
TA18 says:
How is my team looking mates ?
Vorm (begovic)
Lescott/A. cole/Cuellar (barnett-demel)
Siggy-mata-guhrie-kagawa-michu
aguero-torres-pog
100.m
torres for papiss cissé gwk 2
thanks you
August 4 at 8:22 pm
Wild Rover says:
4 Times in 19 minutes?
August 4 at 8:25 pm
4vets says:
Unless they look good or different, I’m ignoring them all.
August 4 at 8:27 pm
TA18 says:
Yeah i’m a little too much
August 4 at 8:20 pm
4vets says:
South Korea are simply better, although their def looks suspect.
August 4 at 8:29 pm
TA18 says:
they have much more creativity than GB
August 4 at 8:23 pm
Rui says:
Evening! Made some changes since yesterday, hows it look?
Mignolet Jussi
Ivanovic Lescott Dawson Fabio Gunter
Bale Kagawa Pienaar Noble Maloney
Aguero Torres Petric
2 mill in bank.
Cheers.
August 4 at 8:24 pm
TA18 says:
I like it 8/10 and i would prefer cuellar over fabio
August 4 at 8:29 pm
Rui says:
Depends on my keepers tbh – I don’t want to double on Sunderland defence.
Cheers for the feedback.
August 4 at 8:35 pm
TA18 says:
I understand what you mean , in that case keep that team
August 4 at 8:33 pm
4vets says:
Anyway. sod the footy! I’m watching Jessica
August 4 at 8:34 pm
Pork Pie Sausage Roll says:
+1
August 4 at 8:34 pm
TA18 says:
Jessica whom ?
August 4 at 8:39 pm
TA18 says:
I can’t believe my eyes !!! it’s 2-2 between Barça and Qsi
we can do it Barça
Visca el Barça
August 4 at 8:38 pm
TA18 says:
Qsg
August 4 at 8:40 pm
King Cabbage says:
Is Ennis on in the next 5-10 mins? I know Mo is on around 9.15pm
August 4 at 8:40 pm
TA18 says:
Considering the game of GB right now, i’m starting to think sinclair could be in my team
August 4 at 8:52 pm
Gold Monster says:
How so? Is Sinclair playing well?
August 4 at 8:48 pm
TA18 says:
Barça won on penalties 4-1!!! pretty nice
Pinto the shot-stopper did great saves to prevent Qsg from winning
August 4 at 9:01 pm
Blackstar says:
What are peoples thought on Dempsey?! Trying to decide between him Valencia or Nani! What do you think?
August 4 at 9:04 pm
Dynamic says:
ENNIS!!!!!
August 5 at 1:16 am
MrFlibbles says:
Hows this team look for GW1:
……………..Federici………….
A.Cole….Lescott….Hangeland..
Silva…..Hazard(C)…Kagawa…Noble..
Aguero…Torrres…Pogrebnyak
Subs : Friedel, Britton, Barnett, Fonte
I dont think I can set my team up for transfer for GW2 seen as how Man City and Chelsea both have enticing openers, then in GW2 you’d want more Utd and Spurs. Should I go for a high score in GW1 which likely will mean an early wildcard or set it up with less Chelsea/City players and more Spurs/Utd whom both have a poor opening fixture but better GW2 onwards?