Zhan_Zhuang

The greatest magic is transmuting the passions. ~ Bankei Yōtaku Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. ~ Morihei Ueshiba I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. ~ Bruce Lee

Unfortunately for them they lost several key players in the end of season run-in. Believe it or not Zigic was a blow to them as prior to his injury he was scoring some important goals!

So what happened to giving McLeish some time? I thought a manager deserved at least eighteen months to hone a team as they see fit. As has been correctly pointed out he has amassed the same number of wins as O'Neill and Houllier in less time. I thought Villa played well against Wolves and carved out some better chances then they did. Also we should've taken the lead within the first minutes of the game and I envisage that they would have been on the receiving end of a severe scoreline if we had done so earlier in the game. Albrighton was lively, Gardner strong and Keane and Bent linked well. Therefore these are positives to look at. We should try to be positive and at least give McLeish a chance. If he lets the deadwood go in the summer - Heskey, Beye, hopefully Collins and maybe Cuellar, Makoun he can focus on buying a decent defender or two and maybe another winger/attacker. I don't think we need too much just sorting out the defence!

I agree, Hummel is a touch of retro in a world where most kits fit a template regardless of club tradition. Fans of other teams have often remarked to me how much they liked the Hummel kit Villa had. To be clear I do also like and probably prefer having Nike as a sponsor though as it means we have the brand and the marketing expertise that goes with it that results in greater appeal and more money for our club.

That was one deep standing guillotine! To be honest I like both fighters but I wanted Machida to win and I think he took the first round; the cut was a nasty one and he knew it would be costly so his confidence was hit badly. I'm not sure Anderson Silva will step up as he'll lose his speed and elusiveness but you never know?!

I don't think Suarez is out for this match?!?

Yea, I'm in the Greg Lake camp too... Other favourites of mine -

From what we've seen of Guzan he seems a good shot stopper and much like Given. Both keepers do not come for crosses so if Guzan can try to avoid it then the defenders will know the situation. I hope he does well, good luck to him!

M&S Turkish Delight is also rather nice!

Good to see nobody has really taken this to heart. I personally thought it a little shocking due to the connotation of the word...however I agree that the concept of national identity is a relatively new one and hence I often refer to myself as a Global Citizen.

I was just sent an email by a Scottish "friend" to type the sentance into Google... I'm English by the way and thought it rather a shame but merely replied: "Let kindness be your only weapon" which is from the Buddhist Dhammapada. Does anyone know wikipedia enough to change this or report it?!

A tragedy and very sad news. R.I.P. Does anyone know if he was still married? I wonder if there was something about to be made public regarding his private life for him to take this drastic action?

Personally I don't like to attack certain players but this player is garbage! Hoofs the ball at every possibility, out of position, clumsy, slow. He was at fault for both goals against Spuds and the time has come to get him out of the team. Did you see him claiming offside as Adebayor scored his first? What planet is he on?! Cuellar or Clark have to start ahead of this oaf.

My first crush – Guilty crush – "Hard about a yard"

England normally get a decent group, based on that we may end up with the worst possible outcome for a change! As Zatman says it's probably best for the Republic to get a tough draw as they'll raise their game.

Good result and a good 'team' performance. England have individual talent and can play as a unit which makes us a strong team, I'm not saying we can win it but we have a chance. Luck plays a huge part of tournament football and England have had none in my living memory so who knows. Lescott played very well, but I'd agree that Parker was immense. I thought Bent did well with the goal and Ramos should've seen red for a two-footed challenge. Who needs Shrek, eh?

^ I prefer Dorada myself But yeah it should be fair if you are lucky, it's a little changeable around this time of year though. I also echo the recommendation on Timanfaya National Park (Fire Mountain). Some nice vineyards along the way if you fancied a taster?! The seafood is delicious in Playa Blanca, which is where I stayed. I'd recommend a digestif by the name of honey rum/Ron Miel too.

Almost anti-English sentimentality here...a pity!

Yet Bent scored two goals in his last appearance so I presume he's probably pretty happy actually!

On current form Gabby is priceless; only David Silva has more assists! Now I would love to see this.

Yes we have some tough games coming up but should we be worried about Liverpool and Chelsea; both teams are not exactly in great form? I personally think McLeish has done a steady job considering losing two very good players in Ashley Young and Downing. He has to be given some time and I think a top eight finish is certainly achievable.

The woman has issues, I can sense the negativity and I think it would be bad for you. Try to think of it differently than just about sex and you should see from a clearer perspective. Stay in control of the desire...

My wife bought one brand new last year; Veloce, in magnesio grey and 170bhp but I swear it's faster. And yes it is a lovely car to drive much nicer than mine... I have a VW Golf GT, now four years old so I was thinking of getting the new Golf R or possibly the Golf 35 but I'm waiting until January.

I wonder if Courtney has a version of that gathering dust and under lock and key?

Yes I agree, possibly my favourite frontman/voice/performer of all time! Have you heard the Perfect Crime soundtrack which he composed? There's another out soon called The Solitude of Prime Numbers. I also really like the Kaada/Patton project Romances which was a reworking of cinematic Sci-fi soundtracks from the 1960's/1970's but as imagined by Mahler, Liszt, Brahms and Chopin. It was so imaginative and so atmospheric, creating moments of beauty and eeriness too. The John Zorn/Moonchild project is insane...did you know Patton is to appear on Zorn's upcoming Christmas album (i kid you not) and sings on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "The Christmas Song". Can't wait for that!!! Upcoming projects called Crudo (with Dan the Automator) a Lovage pt.2 perhaps? And The Nevermen with Doseone (from Anticon). I think I first got bit by FNM when I saw this as a kid in 1992 -