Heretic

I remember reading somewhere that Evans has a release clause of £3m in his contract if they're relegated.

Dug deep into your Sheff Wed folder there, NV!

I think RDM did say it was a two season job, minimum. But without being mean (trying not to be), SB is getting the second best squad in the division into second place. That's not an amazing achievement. I believe that's simply meeting expectations. Man City will win the league. Given their resources, it must be expected. None of this is to say that I'm unhappy. I believe that we've moved from expecting second due to resources to now legitimately expecting second because the results and play are showing we deserve this position. It's great. But with our resources, the size of the club, the great support, we should expect and demand to be here and SB should know (and I'm sure does) that he's just doing the job. Anything less surely invites criticism. So when we were 9th-ish around Christmas, a poor display against Brentford at some point (can't remember), the criticism of SB was absolutely correct. There's a few mea culpas in this thread, but I feel no guilt making the criticisms.

So Solid Crew have let themselves go.

#StevoITK.

Birmingham City are a shit club with orcs for fans and clowns for players. Considering this is the Second City, to have that club in it is a total embarassment to its people and even the populace of Winson Green. The fact that anyone would support those backwoods Deliverance extras without a gun at the head is baffling to anybody with an IQ measured in double digits. This is an example of the best football they're capable of since Rowett left. Their garbage fans stink out not only the away grounds who must suffer these swine, but the game of football itself. Whilst Wolves and Villa get quality Chinese owners. they get a Hong Kong crimper who ends up in the clink who sells on to the owners of 'Fanny's Kitchen' takeaway in Castle Vale. Their presence is offensive not only in the game but on this vast, awe-inspiring planet within this magnificent cosmos. Their existence is surely proof there is no God, for no God making man in his own image could produce such freakishly ugly, intellectually insolvent malignant polyps. Their fans spend the series of meaningless events they call their lives singing 'Keep Right On to the End of the Road' when anybody with a brain larger than an amoeba would discern the road they're on is a cul-de-sac. (*crosses fingers hoping to win this competition).

The most he's done here for years...

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/aston-villa/11235465/aston-villa-3-2-burton

https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/959825143488040961

Probably not match fit. Hasn't played for a while.

Onomah gets the ball, stays static. Run at them!

Actually, I think he's been a good signing...

Your lucky day. He's dead.

The circular badge from the European Cup winning days, but with a gold star added somewhere, even if just above the badge itself. Always been my favourite.

There's a Youtube video called 'Drive Time' where JT is interviewed. He picked Callum as the best prospect at the club.

I think it's the Leeds engine.

On the WM phone-in, Wyness said JT was offered a cheque for £10m up front to sign with a club Wyness refused to name. He said JT wanted to come here because he was golfing in Portugal and so was SB so SB got talking to him and persuaded him to come to Villa.

I doubt the club could sell this guy to make dog food.

I think in Jack's case, it's been partly a mental issue. He stepped out of line early on and looked light and prone to disappear. A lot of money and pressure on young shoulders, I can't criticise him too much. How would I react in that situation? I might let it all go to my head too. He lived off that semi-final for far too long and got too much slack cut from fans because he's local. Now, he's really getting his mental state right in terms of attitude. He gives off an aura of determination but now, I think he's begun to believe he has the ability people have told him he has and that being a player requires consistency, not just one game. As regards his attitude, he seems determined to put in the work that maximises the talent he always clearly had. He knows talent alone only gets you so far. If Ronaldo works really hard, chances are you'll have to as well. I also think his physical development has been crucial. He's looked like a floppy haired, slovenly boy for too long. He finally looks like a man. His movement and energy tell me he's ready to play a physical game and stay in the game, not fading for long periods until someone passes it to him. He's tracking back, getting involved himself. If you don't give him the ball, he'll try and get it. He's determined to impose himself on the game. I think physically and mentally, he really does look like a different player. Happily, a much better one that's hopefully going to get better with work and experience and one who has the attitude, I'm going to be the one player at the club the manager can't afford to leave out.

BIll Shankly said football is easy - pass it to someone on your team, and put yourself in a position to receive a pass. Previously we've been hoofing it, or passing it and running around expecting the player to perform miracles with the ball to pass it. I've noticed us playing the little triangles like Arsenal. Players are passing the ball and then moving into a position to receive a pass. No more 'kick this, then it's not my problem.' The energy against Barnsley for an hour was excellent - players creating triangles, supporting each other, moving as a fluid unit, everybody willing to pass the ball and receive it, looking for responsibility instead of avoiding it (lump it to Keinan and then we'll all catch up, give us ten minutes). You could see the energy it's taking - around 70m against Barnsley, the players looked tired and their precision play became lax. It's tough, but if you can keep it going for the game (Arsenal have done so often) you become a tough team to play. To me, it's not revolutionary. It's simple, helps you retain possession and opens up space for you and teammates. The players are seeing how good they can be when they play like this and how much fun it is to be playing winning football and getting the great Villa Park crowd excited at the football on offer. I can't prove it's Agnew that's the catalyst, but it appears to be. This is just how I see it, anyhow.

On Radio WM, SB said that those he signed last year are only just coming to terms with playing for Villa. He now wants more from Lansbury. People are quick to judge players but you can turn it around (re Hogan). He didn't want to risk Jedi who has a muscle tear. Says RVP wanted to leave Turkey but with strength of current striker options at Villa, plus the number of players we have over 30, decided against pursuing him.

Wyness said that they were, I quote, 'one coach light' which is why they brought in Agnew. Draw your own conclusions...

On the WM phone-in with Wyness, he said Calderwood was defence coach, Clemence was dressing-room coach (me neither) and Agnew was brought in as a forwards coach dealing with the attacking aspects of Villas game, not just coaching the strikers. There's much more confidence and menace about the attacking play so it's hard not to give credit to Agnew for it.