VillaAlex

We need Bailey on pronto if he's got enough. 

No mention of Tielemans yet. Wonder who comes in for Dougie if so.

Normally I'd edge caution and be happy with a point but yep today with their form and injuries we should hope for three points if we want to have any ambition of challenging for the league no matter how unlikely it may be come May. 

One win since September and he has the likes of Wijnaldum, Henderson, Demerai Gray, and Dembele. Genuinely hilarious. 

Caught the end of the City game they looked very tired and careless. Unlike them. Palace weren't particularly going for it but City gifted them. 

Of course Turner didn't play Vs us. Not that it would have made much difference. 

Massive downgrade on Tony Mowbray what are they doing. 

Fancy Forest to get a result tonight. 

It'll be Michael Carrick. 

Not saying it's at all likely as Sunday particularly will be tough but imagine by 10pm next Friday we could be top of the Premier League after 18 games. Absolutely insane. 

54 minutes ago, DakotaVilla said:

Did we learn nothing from the Duran incident? 

Also not specifically commenting on this poster but it’s interesting how it’s always the black players whose body language and demeanor is microscopically reviewed for the slightest indication that they aren’t trying their best. 

Always the case for sure.

I remember this with Jordan Ayew, Benteke, Wesley to name a few. 

16 minutes ago, wishywashy said:

@CVByrne 

Also article here

Jason Tindall is ready for the step up. 

He was fine but he's never going to be of use in a 70% possession side. He did great coming on Vs Arsenal as he had to defend nothing more. 

He should go to Everton. 

Just now, MrBlack said:

Real Betis now strongest opposition we think? They looked pretty poor against Rangers so maybe I'm remembering a former version of them

Some decent sides in as you'd expect.

Frankfurt lost to Aberdeen but beat Bayern 5-1 at the weekend and we're probably suffering for it.

Club Brugge held their own in Champions League football last year.

Bodo Glimt can give any side a game.

Union SG too, Tony Bloom side and beat Liverpool. 

Olympiacis, PAOK, Fenerbache all tough away games.

Still we are probably the best side on paper. 

He's not capable of dropping in for the odd game in this system. He's proven to be a decent player previously but needs to find a better suited club now. 

Unfortunately football isn't just about entertainment these days, and whether fans have woke up early or travelled thousands of miles.

We are going to be patient and controlled against a stubborn side. No doubt Unai won't be happy with the quality but we aren't going to turn up a gear or take risks when all we need us a draw. Unai knows more than anyone that these games are more about preserving energy, testing tactical approaches, and game states. 

Players won't be use to conditions here.

Tielemans and Bailey were suffering and wanted to be subbed Vs Arsenal so they either have knocks or need a rest.

8 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

Ive just realised the legia AZ game is at 5.45.

So we be top before we have even kicked a ball! 

Anyone know what channel this games likely to be on?

We kick off at same time before you end up missing this.

Given the drama of some about Newcastle and Man Utd going out it's great that Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal are still in European competition at a more competitive level. It should hopefully tire them out as we battle for the title, especially in those later months

Yep it's all pretty much irrelevant until the final stages. If Man City and Arsenal made semi finals, Liverpool won the Europa League and we won the ECL then England would be pretty well off in points. Those scenarios are all decent odds to happen. Of course if the Champions League semi finals were two teams from Italy and Spain then England can kiss goodbye to 5th place. But Newcastle and Man Utd going out now aren't going to have a major impact on the grand scheme of things other than a less chaotic schedule for their own League campaigns. Two teams that have had a lot of injuries recently. 

Get El Ghazi over there with him as well please. 

Brilliant for him, his son is based in Carolina too so will almost certainly be the main factor. I don't think Dean plans to stick in management into his sixties so it's a great move.

More family time, a new country to manage in, almost certainly less stress than managing a team like Norwich. 

He even gets to manage the midfield maestro of Ashley Westwood.

Life is more important to enjoy it, good for him. 

Maybe he doesn't care about challenging himself in England anymore and wants to spend more time with his son in the US. Wouldn't blame him, it'll be hard to achieve what he has with us elsewhere.