Vancvillan

8 hours ago, lapal_fan said:

If a German court can prove that his speech is "against" Israel, then it would be argued it would be hate speech as it's singling out one group.

Unrelated but I'm starting a gofundme to pay for a flight to Munich for Joey Barton. 

1 hour ago, LondonLax said:

Spurs defence was much better when Van de Ven was fit at the start of the season. His pace covered for their high line.

It will be interesting to see if they tighten up again now he’s back or if it takes a while for him to trust the hamstring again. 

Hope he develops a Bailey-esque level of concern for that hammy.

Can't believe no one has mentioned it yet but I think we should sell Douglas Luiz.

On 14/01/2024 at 11:15, wishywashy said:

It's a Kosta-ffective strategy to sign these talents when they're young and develop them into superstars.

Sadly I am stumped for a pun that would involve his last name

Like trying to find a Needlejković in a haystack

1 hour ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Feel sorry for Chambers.

I think he's easily good enough for a mid to lower PL team or a top Championship team.

He does get slagging when he comes in but shouldn't really be judged on long interval sporadic showings.

He's had a few excellent performances since he's been here, but just isn't up to the standard we are now at imo.

I honestly don't think he's anywhere near mid prem standard, especially with the lack of game time.

For example, if he'd started against Boro I would have been nervous.

Think a promotion chasing championship team might be a good next step if he can find one.

5 hours ago, Anything11 said:

He is just getting back up to form. Relax.

Can't wait for the "Mings / Buendia are finished at this level" posts four games into their comebacks.

It's going to be great.

3 hours ago, skarroki said:

 

I'm not saying the bad attitude thing isn't true, but the guy was absolutely sensational for Dortmund for years and as a teenager, consistently across seasons and competitions. And Man Utd spent the best part of 2 years trying to sign him so publicly they may as well have paid for public service annoucments about their intentions to pay more than what Dortmund were even asking for. 

Dortmund very publicly and memorably said he was their best player and they wouldn't sell for any price after a certain date in July as it would derail their season too much and they stuck to that despite how much Man Utd tried the year before they got him. Hardly stinks of a bad player and awful attitude they were forcing out the door. 

Also the thing about Vidic being in the dressing room with him? Unless it was for charity it's nonsense, Vidic left United in 2014 when Sancho had just turned 14 and was playing for Man City youth teams. Vidic retired when Sancho was 15 and he didn't sign for United until Vidic was 40. 

These rumours about him being a terrible person recently just seem quite revisionist. The guy openly said he was struggling mentally early last year. I don't know why everyone sided with the bald fraud over this too, the guy quite clearly making a complete mess of managing Utd in every other aspect seems to have been widely backed over this decision to treat Sancho like a second class citizen whilst continuing to play a lad in his position with 1 assist to his name and sexual abuse charges in public domain. 

I want to be clear I'm not accusing anyone here on this site or who I've quoted of racism or anything similar in nature, just stating that broadly non-white and/or non-british players seem to be called out for bad behaviour or unprofessionalism even when there's no real evidence of it aside from vague comments from a manager, whereas for example Grealish stumbling around streets coked up and smashed is just him being a lad and enjoying his success, him taking months to get going again the following season is just one of them things. 

I really hope Sancho turns it around, he was completely unplayable when he was still a kid in Germany, with that Dele interview last summer it's a good reminder you never know what's going on in some players lives or when that stuff will catch up with them and completely derail their careers. I used to work in a call centre with a lad who's brother was and still is a professional footballer and this guy could well have been too but he just met the wrong "friends" at the wrong time and was sat listening to abusive customers on commision 11 hours a day instead of living the dream. 

Tha comparison to Jack doesn't hold water - if Jack had played less than 90 mins of football this season I wouldn't want him either.

To be honest I'd be on the fence about Jack coming back in terms of our need for him, and he's been leagues ahead of Sancho.

That's not to discount footballers having mental health or personal issues - totally respect that.

But I think Man U are like a clown car driving off a cliff right now - funny but ultimately tragic. He's done well to get away from that mess.

16 minutes ago, CVByrne said:

FIFA rules state you can play only for two clubs in a season. 

For now 

Consistency and integrity aren't two words I'd associate with FIFA though.

5 hours ago, Jas10 said:

No because we need players of a similar level and competition. E.g. look how Bailey has improved since Diaby came in.

If we keep signing average or mediocre players, the drop off continues to be severe. E.g. Kamara to Dendoncker.

Our squad isn’t “great” unless everyone is fit, our strongest or preferred first 11 is (but can still be improved).

But the debate was over signing bargain players to fill positions - something I don’t think is worthwhile or necessary.

Again, quality not quantity. We don’t need to fill positions, we need enhancements or genuine competition.

Got it - and yeah agree 100%

I don't think we'll sign clear enhancements for any position in January, but your  "genuine competition" is a good standard to aim for, getting two in to compete with Cash and Kamara would be amazing.

Obviously CF is another area where the drop is clear, but Duran is growing into the role. I'd be open to a loan for someone like Werner though.

6 hours ago, Jas10 said:

Our squad and especially our first 11 are great… with Unai at the helm, we can beat anyone on our day and we’ve shown it. The problem is, we suffer when those key players are missing or out of form/fitness…

but doesn't your second sentence contradict the first? if we suffer when key players are missing our squad isn't great

8 hours ago, Pongo Waring said:

Would you say Newcastle are out the race or is just too early to write them off now?

no but I also wouldn't bet on them making cl

they have players coming back but think the owners will have more of an eye on the summer in terms of spending

and a new manager if they finish outside of the top 6

4 hours ago, GlobalVillan said:

 

4 hours ago, GlobalVillan said:

Apologies. I didn't get the rip roaringly hilarious joke. 

we knew that from your first reply

@Jas10 you think we'll finish top 4 but you're not "very optimistic"?

You have high standards sir.

20 minutes ago, Pinebro said:

We shouldn't be signing 30 year olds

yeah can't hold the keep in the six yard box, just begging for trouble

TIL (according to the BBC) that Cooper is only 44? 

Got plenty of time for another top job and to progress from here. 

2 minutes ago, vreitti said:

That Leicester team springs to mind. Apart from perhaps Vardy, they really were quite sympathetic.

I refuse to believe you have to be dirty or unsportsmanlike to be competitive. At the end, it's a choice you make. Simply because the Premier League has a history of it, doesn't make it the only possible way.

You may refuse to believe it, and I commend you for that.

But it doesn't make it true.

I think Leicester were a long way from being the paragons of sportsmanship that year.

They have some tidy players but they also willingly singed Ben Mee. Honestly won't think about them again until April, and then it'll be for maybe 48 hours at most.

3 minutes ago, vreitti said:

Part of my thinking is Emery probably didn't count on us fighting for the title this season already... and it should be fairly obvious to everyone, that Jhon's still a very much "work in progress" player, and I think we'll want a more ready-made alternative for the remainder of the season. 

Agree with your sentiment but I'll buy you a balti pie the size of Jimmy Hill's chin if you can name one such player we could actually afford, and who would also be happy playing second fiddle to Ollie.

I think we'd like a lot of things, but market demand far outstrips supply unfortunately.

1 minute ago, vreitti said:

You make it sound as if there's just one way to make it to the very top. I'm sorry, but you're wrong.

Respectfully I'll ask you this - who were the last team to win a competition that Villa were in where you said "I'm glad they won that, such a nice bunch of lads"?

Don't get me wrong, I've been happy for teams who won things we weren't in for, but the reality is that a determination to win at all costs is both a huge advantage and very unappealing to the opposition.

6 hours ago, Rich192 said:

He's played 120 minutes in the league this season, and is one yellow away from a suspension. Absolute lunatic. Love him. 

We've gone from Fash the Bash to Duran the Madman. Let's just hope his away record at OT doesn't match.

He probably would've done well in the Wimbledon side to be fair. Doesn't shy away from anything. Easy to forget how young he is - the fact that he always backs himself is encouraging.

7 hours ago, ender4 said:

Are there actually any better goalkeepers in the Premier League over the last 15 months?

No

Annoyed at him tbh. The drop from him to The Donk is a big one, more because of playing style than ability.

Think we have enough without him to get through Sheff Utd and Burnley at home.

I think we'll miss him at Old Trafford though.