TracksuitManager

"Villa hope the deal could be part of a partnership between the two clubs."

It's likely this kind of attitude that doesn't sit well with their board either. I dont think Delia looks at VT. Im not 100% on that. She does, I'm ITK on this.

In walkabout with the England Cricket team

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/8771090/Transfer-news-Blackburn-teenager-Jack-O-Connell-wanted-by-Premier-League-sides

Dawkins is still on there though, could just be they haven't updated it at all since the season ended? Hutton may have been removed when he was away on loan as he wouldn't have been in our registered squad.

Better for heading the ball away and leaning on people. More than likely less mobile and lacking pace as a result.

I'm pretty sure that's a picture of Silent Bob, not Michael Johnson.

With Lescott, i'd imagine contract length is going to be an issue, as well the salary. Ideally we pay something along the lines of 50k and its 3 years, we don't really want to be tied in for that much for any longer as he's 30 now. Realistically though if he's going to take a massive wage cut to come here, and there's no pay-off from City, he'll want 5 years, knowing he's not going to get the same money as a 33 year old free agent, and as he's got to be on something approaching 100k a week now, its alot of money he'd be walking away from.

To the tune of Walking on Sunshine It's Christian Benteke waaoooh,It's Christian Benteke waaoooh. Great debut.

To the tune of Walking on Sunshine It's Christian Benteke waaoooh,It's Christian Benteke waaoooh.

Any idea on his shirt number? I've got a feeling he may start this weekend.

No we'd be paying £10 Million, as we'd be agreeing to not receive the 6 mil they owe us, and then giving them a further 4. I never get this argument.

It's definitely Pele.

Definately. But on the other side of the coin you need the players that are comfortable playing that system. What players you have - especially when you are not backed by your board to buy players - should dictate the system not the other way around. People like Delph, Dunne and N'Zogbia can't pass a ball and Bent can't play up front on his own.... Isn't this what pre-season is for? I disagree on Delph, when fit I think he's a decent passer of the ball, against Man U a few years a go, he looked great in the centre of the park passing the ball, admittedly that was a while back, but injuries haven't helped him. Dunne, can't play this system i agree, and N'Zogbia has been dreadful considering his price. Some players have to go, and these maybe some of them, some will come in, the team was never going to be built in one window, especially one with 10 days still to go... For me pre season is about fitness primarily, there's only so much you can learn tactically in non-competitive games i think.

Surely anyone who saw Swansea come and turn us over at VP last season can appreciate the value of retaining possession? They were brilliant, and i'd say most people couldn't have named their starting 11 til they got promoted, let alone suggest they'd be able to play in a fluid attacking side capable of beating Man City. It's all about being comfortable in a system, give the manager a chance to put a system in place, and the players more than one game to learn it, and get the best out of themselves in it.