GENTLEMAN

Better have an option to buy. Do not want him being developed for Man Utd again.

Better have an option to buy. Do not want him being developed for Man Utd again.

So excited to see his development in the squad this season...

Is there a decent pre match write up for this one out yet? With fan free sterility, I did not take much of notice of Championship so I am bit clueless. What will their team look like? Who will be danger-men (piss off Troy)? How did they fair last season? Who have they signed? What has their preseason been like?

Which does put his inclusion in the starting line-up at major doubt.

I think Buendia will miss this one unfortunately.

FIFY Mings is a leader though.

For anyone at VP today did he train? @macandally

67 years old now. I wonder how longer he’ll continue.

Yeah, surely not.

This is not true

Another 40million. It’s fine. Pep will just buy another ‘project’

Could the media talk of our 'interest' in Axel be blowback from us trying to tentatively negotiate with Utd over JG? I also seen rumours of Martial & Dan James.

So do we need another CM?

Yeah it ain’t ideal. At least they’re getting in the newly promoted Italian team now. We don’t want the narrative running away if we don’t pick points against Watford, Newcastle & Brentford.

I think Naka is and has got better at that, I really do. His first season was atrocious. I’m a big fan of his.

Oh no! Don’t bloody start this again

I think that’ll come once the transfer window ends.

Way to miss the context. It was surrounding the tag 'Villa-legend'. The narrative seems to be he was so good he carried the team. Strangely, this carrying coincided with NSWE. Let us be balanced here. He was part of the record low PL relegation and the two failed attempts at promotion. NSWE, Smith & the coaching team provided the stage for his individual development. His doesn't even seem to acknowledge this. I have 100 million reasons to be grateful. But that our reward for the development we have provided. Let me expand on my thinking. Nothing exists in a vacuum. Everything has context. How can he be a our legend leaving now during our project. He was begged to stay. I don't mind him leaving to win 'trophies, CL, personal glory', but (for me) he is not a Villa legend, that is lost. He can be a legend for Jack Grealish, a legend for football. But not 'my' club. He was one of many talented players to pass through VP. Period. I think the narrative of the hero involves sacrifice. I do not witness that here. Fine if you want to call him a legend. But you do not speak for me, as I do not speak for you.

Not Ideal but I think the club will get the minutes in legs and patterns of play in the heads with competitive 'mixed' squad games. By comparison, Watford's first game was hijacked by Citeh but played: Stevanage, Arsenal & Doncaster and will play Palace tomorrow.

Might try and great some away tix for local league 1 teams when Ipswich are in town. I have a good feeling about this one.

Yes, it’s been frustrating with his injuries. Now also hampered his preseason. He seems to have a very good temperament too

It’s a balancing act isn’t it. You want to develop our talent but you need to know when to cut your losses and recognise a real weakness. I still think a lot of our midfield problems came when accommodating Barkley. But someone like JWP would instantly improve the engine room. I would be very comfortable going into the season if he signed. I’ve seen big improvements in Naka, since his first season. Mainly his ball retention. I think he should have had more game time last season if I’m honest. McGinn had it tough last season, but I think that was because he was happy to play roles not suited to him as a sacrifice for the team, also seems to be hitting a stretch of fitness, and I think he have a better season coming. On ligue 1 showing Sanson seems like a player with the right attributes and character. He’s now settled into the squad and area, just frustrating with injury setbacks. Doug is young, but by all accounts if having a good Olympics. I cannot workout whether he is too weak defensively or whether he’s exposed because of the balance we’ve had in midfield. For players like Ramsey, do you afford them minutes to develop? Or do they have to take the little opportunities by the scruff of the neck and put themselves in the forefront of Smith’s mind?

JWP would be perfect for me. Or someone of that ilk with tenacity, energy and ball retention. But I would like the signing to upgrade a ‘senior’ (Naka, Luiz, McGinn, Sanson). I like a tight squad. I think Hourihane needs to be move on for him and us. We also need space to allow Ramsey and Chukwuemeka to develop.

No that I don’t doubt the team, but I’m a little disappointed with suggestions of Axel, JWP and Cantwell given Mackenzie’s ‘reputation’. I suppose it’s dependent on his remit. Perhaps finding the pieces of a jigsaw hiding in plain sight, no bedding in period needed, is a more difficult task. Alternatively, the press couldn’t have clue.