With news this week linking Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith with more than a passing interest in Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow, it’s fair to say reactions to the news have been mixed.
The 28-year-old may be a somewhat familiar name to Villa fans as he’s previously plied his trade at Nottingham Forest and spent two loan spells with Walsall, and back during his time at Forest he was very highly rated.
His move to St James’ Park didn’t go entirely to plan though as Forest took the money for a joint deal from memory with Jamaal Lascelles, and since 2015 (upon signing he was loaned back to the City Ground for a season) he’s only actually made 59 appearances for the side and his stock in the game has plummetted.
Some feel Smith is the right man to get him back on track, others feel there are better options out there – my gut says Smith could see him as a stop gap, but I think he’d have more of an eye on youth given how Daniel Bentley made the step up at Brentford following his arrival from Southend United.
In any event, reacting to the claim from the Sun these were the thoughts of fellow fans.
Hopefully we don't get him we can do better. He really isn't very good.
— Chez Avfc (@AvfcUTV1) December 10, 2018
if smith rates him then so do i
— nickhess (@headmond81) December 10, 2018
I am happy for Dean Smith to sign whoever he wants even Fred Flinstone ????
— Vernon Morrissey (@villa_vernon) December 10, 2018
Whoooooo! ????
— Layton (Probes) AVFC (@laytonprobert) December 10, 2018
Good choice.Younger an cheaper than Heaton an was excellent for Forest
— Kevin Corcoran (@KevinCorAvfc) December 10, 2018
Good keeper
— Mark Ashmore (@mg_ashmore) December 10, 2018
He’s 28 and hardly ever played would rather someone with experience
— Alan Hutton Junior (@AlanHuttonJR) December 10, 2018
I’m firmly in the do better camp. I doubt Brentford would deal for Bentley now at a price we can pay given previous ridiculous transfer deals, so has anyone looked towards Brighton and a young lad called Christian Walton – currently on loan at Wigan.
With thoughts mixed on Orjan Nyland and Andre Moreira, Walton and Jed Steer would see us good for a number of years to come in my humble.
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