Daweii

Yeah this looks like it's going to be a great contest, they seem to have a counter for everything we do right now.

Villa playing well right now.. The Timbers are a tenacious bunch though they just won't stop chasing everything, it's hard for us to really get a rhythm yet.

This is a worry for me, we are yet to sign anyone with proven PL quality. Eh.. N'Zogbia proved he could play in the Premier League, he's shit for us though. Warnock proved he could play in the Premier League, he's shit for us. All proven PL quality means to me is that they will be overpriced and as much of a risk as any other player. I'd rather line up against West Ham with a back four of Cresswell/Baker/Clark/Lowton than a back four of expensive apparently proven players. We've been burned too many times by expensive players who were good for a season or two, come to us and then suck.. I'm happy to try out the unproven method for a bit.

Lambert seems to have a good eye for talent and so far he hasn't done much wrong. Yes they haven't been tested in the Premier League but from what I've seen of El Ahmadi and Lowton they are strong players that will fit it well. If Cresswell is of that same strong build then I think he's a good one to bring in as well.

I'd also like to add that no matter what we do in the next 4-6 weeks the players are happy. Happy players are productive players and productive players play well. Those looking for lots of signings and exotic big name players are going to be disappointed, but if you just look at our squad how many players last season had awful seasons? Most if not all. If they all start performing they are all like new signings as they are all players we didn't have for the last two seasons. The way I'm looking at it is from a more grounded perspective, yes I would like a few more players in but if Lambert can get what we have playing as well or better than who he was planning to bring in then isn't that better? Some fans need to lower their standards a bit, stop thinking like a Top 6 club until we are back there. Have a more modest outlook for the time being, the sooner you do that the less disappointment you'll face as for some your goals are set too high.

Wages aside it could also be down to the fact we have 10 defenders. Vlaar would make that 11.. Sure in a wasteful Man City side 11-12 defenders is fine, but a typical team needs only 8. They need two for each position. So there are at least 2-3 in that back four that are surplus to requirements and maybe Lerner see's that.

I hope it's true as we need to get in Vlaar.. If true maybe this is what we were waiting for.

I think that is Samir Carruthers

Good play by Scottish Iniesta there also liking the movement by Carruthers.. I can see Scottish Iniesta being in our starting line up at West Ham, he's been pretty good.

We definately need to buy a striker this window..

Warnock needs to go, his first touch was a hoofed pass.. We aren't about that anymore.

The commentator thought that tackle by Baker was a foul what the ****.. That was a delicious tackle.

"Speed merchant Gabby Agbonlahor".. I didn't know he had a second career as a drug dealer.

Gardner has been watching OGS's youtube video too much.. "edge of the area SHOOOT!!.. in space SHOOOOT!!.. you can't score if you don't SHOOOT!!" lol.. He's had like 3 out of the area shots now.

It's bizarre watching us pass from the back.. Given last season would have hoofed it and lost possession, not today.

Herd

Really? We are 20 odd minutes into our 3rd game in months playing with a new playing style. This is against a team that in 2008 beat Everton, in 2009 were 1-0 up against Manchester United for 68 minutes.. This isn't an easy game no matter what you may think especially in this heat and against a team 20 games into their season at full fitness.

What would he change though? I read a stat earlier that 80% of all gun crime in the US is carried out with a gun procured illegally. The only thing Obama could do now is ban guns completely but that won't stop criminals using them, all it will do is make innocent people criminals for wanting to defend themselves. The US is nothing like the UK or other European countries where the number of guns in circulation is that low you can ban them. In the US there are more guns than people. No matter what Obama tries to do it will not work as criminals are above the law, they do not adhere to it and as such making guns illegal would do nothing. Imagine the US now where criminals have guns but the innocent also have guns and the right to defend themselves. Now imagine the US where the criminals have guns but the innocent don't because it's illegal to own one, talk about handing the keys to the city to the bad guys. Like I said the US gun system is like no other country, there is little Obama can do. All the individual states can do is to beef up security, but even that has to be done in moderation.

If it's any consolation www.chicago-fire.com are streaming the Villa vs Chicago Fire game live on Saturday so you can watch that one without spoilers.

I guess to those that signed up to AVTV to watch the games may be disappointed by the news that Chicago Fire are streaming the game worldwide via their site on Saturday. They have no subscription for it either so it will be free to watch for everyone.

Good things to be said about everyone but Dunne so far.. Dunne let Josue Martinez through who almost scored. Everyone else has been very good indeed.

"Stephen Warnock slips a neat ball into Nathan Delfouneso who steers a precise finish into the right corner from the edge of the area." Yep.. You read that right. Warnock and neat ball in the same sentence. Lambert really is a miracle worker.

I think we need to stop worrying about how much Lambert has to spend.. If he has £15 million+ to spend on a Striker then assume it is on top of whatever he has to spend on the rest of the squad. I still don't think he has a budget, not in literal terms anyway. I believe he has gone to Faulkner with who he wants, given him the hard sell on why he wants them and Faulkner is getting them. Lambert could end up spending £50 million this window but that doesn't mean he had £50 million to spend that is just what his rebuild cost and Faulkner and Lerner liked his reasoning.

Scored in his first game for the club.. I like that. Keep em' coming Brett.

I can actually.. Bent is a poacher and he cannot do his job without others taking chances. Let's say.. Carruthers crosses the ball in Carroll heads it bottom corner the keeper parries to be met with Bent storming the ball into the net. When you have a poacher you need another player, a target man someone that will shoot and do things to create chances for said poacher. Yes Bent can run onto a ball and score that way, but he's built his career around nicking goals from shots other players have taken Carroll would be ideal.