Marka Ragnos

Yep. I so agree. And to clarify: "horrendous" with a fairly horrendous squad, and that takes some doing, I would think. I think it's great to be polite and welcoming, etc., but I hate feeling like there's something wrong if you acknowledge the obvious fact that the man has a fairly well-developed negative rep that precedes him. That's a fact. Maybe it's not deserved. Maybe it is. But what's wrong with owning that fact? He's just going to have to prove himself on the pitch if want to earn real respect. He could be a wonderful surprise, but if he performs anything beyond middling, it will be a surprise.

And I think it can now be safely confirmed that Cleverley's reception by Villans isn't one of unbridled ecstasy.

Welcome aboard, Tom, truly. I ask only three things: 1) Run very fast. 2) Pass the ball towards the Albion goal, not backwards or sideways. 3) Repeat 1 & 2.

Maybe he has been targeted by Lambert to help the team keep possession of the ball. Against Hull in the 1st half we kept the ball and didn't surrender the ground by defending deep in the 2nd half we did the opposite, sat deep and Hull kept the ball for long periods. I can't believe Lamberts half time instructions would tell the players to do this so maybe finally he is trying to do something about preventing it. Also from what I have heard Cleverly plays better in a fast paced team, guess we will soon find out as today's D-day. I hope you're right! Given the interest, I can only think that the powers that be must grasp something about Cleverley that I fail to see.

Honestly, I don't understand the excitement over Cleverley. I don't. He may well be a good signing but not great one. I really hated to the see the poor man abused by ManU and England fans last year, but it's hard to see how he works with Villa's fast counter-attacking style. He seems like the sort of midfielder who's going to slow things down in the name of possession.

I like it.

Have absolutely no trace of doubt that we'll turn this around. Slow start, but you're going to see a big change second half.

I wish you were right, but I think you're a bit of an optimist. The money-backed Insta-Big-Club-Just-Add-££££ is here to stay, I fear. The PL is such a terrible idea, a stinking media-driven toilet bowl of ego and international £££, and the poo now always rises to the top, it seems. In a better world, Villa's strategy would be rewarded. I hope I'm wrong and you're right. I agree, we're a Big Club by most definitions.

Definitely plan to check that out. Thanks everyone for all suggestions. Any other strong opinions?

Was going to do this as a poll, but there are so many possibilities, and so many different ways of interacting with media, it seemed wiser to start with a very, very open-ended question. Help this ignorant Yank out and tell him where to go for the most trustworthy football news (for any league(s) you choose) -- and who to steer clear of. Right now I depend a lot on BBC's daily FiveLive podcast, as well as BBC's main footy website. For breaking news, I also tend to check that site. I like to read the match reports in the Guardian although I suspect they probably aren't considered very credible. I'd really like to hear where YOU look for news -- and what you avoid. Thanks in advance for any replies!

Last year it was 28 point something. Maybe 29 now? probably more. Anelka, Lugano, Camp and Sessognon arent on right side of 28 I think the league average is around 26 or 27.

Palace is gone. Then it's between Hull, WBA or Blunderland. I think Cardiff and Stoke will stay up, no question.

Last year it was 28 point something. Maybe 29 now?

Whoa, you're almost making it sound like a company owned by Rupert Murdoch might do something unethical. Tell me it ain't so!

Not that I want to see them anything but relegated, but you couldn't be more right. I'm seeing the worst of the English football press in its starting in on Moyes based on a single loss to an amazing Liverpool and a transfer window that brought them a terrific all-round midfield pest.

I can think of about 42.4 million reasons why he found the move to Emirates bearable in the end. That money didn't go to him. It went to Real Madrid. I would actually be surprised if his wage at Arsenal is as high as Madrid but then I doubt he would have taken a paycut in the move. Doh. Dunno what I was thinking -- not enough sleep lol. Bottom line is I'm not surprised he was prised away from Real, and I think he'll find Arsenal much more exciting for himself than he might have imagined before. If Ozil had been purchased sanely at the beginning of the summer, I'm pretty sure Gunner fans would already be whinging about not getting enough signings. Now that they've had their hopes beaten down a bit, they're absolutely over the moon about Ozil. Not every single Gunner fan, obviously, but they're pretty stoked ...

I can think of about 42.4 million reasons why he found the move to Emirates bearable in the end.

I don't know. I don't think he was "under-rated" by Tesco-baggies fans. His loss from WBA has been seen as a catastrophe that couldn't be halted. "Raw goals" = also know as "goals." Sure, Lukaku plays in a context. But what player doesn't? He's going to do well against teams with older, more fatigue-prone defenses. I know. It's really sad. Absolute pest to defenses.

Don't be too direct now lol. Wenger may try Ozil in a "number 10" role, too. But I agree Gunners needed a "pure" striker for backup, although it's become a common refrain and yet the sky hasn't fallen. Pretty much nails it as I see, except I would say they could be VERY good indeed if they stay healthy. There's also Cazorla -- another huge asset. Wasn't really big news tho, was it? Heard this weeks ago. I think Ozil will be pleasantly surprised by north London. There's a humongous and very active Turkish/Kurdish community in Haringey, an easy walk from the Emirates. Ozil is going to be feted like an absolute rock star there. Can't wait to hear the stories.

OK, I'm not a secret Gunner fan exactly, but I don't mind seeing them do well, and I'm glad to think of Ozil hanging around near Finsbury Park. He's going to be beloved there, I can tell you.

In a word, yes. 33 goals in 73 appearances at Anderlecht (at ages 17 and 18). 17 goals in 35 appearances at WBA. He's 20 now. Mourinho seriously messed up with the loan to Everton. Eto'o and Torres ain't going to save him.

Everyday an Albion signing then In all fairness, he's got some muscle on him and is still only 25, but isn't he a bit of a sicknote? I'd be more concerned that he's a no-score-note. I'm surprised they're not looking above him. But Peace has been so clear about his un-ambitions for Albion. He's prepping to sell is my guess. He figures let the next owner, some rich airline or oil magnate from Nevermindastan, do all the topping up.

Albion needed a few visionary signings and got nothing truly game-changing. What a debacle! The parsimony of Jeremy Peace has finally put WBA into the place of his dreams: firmly in the middle of the table -- of the Championship, that is. If I were Steve Clarke, I'd start looking for a better job. Hard not to feel for the guy.

Arsenal are sometimes playing better than the sum of their parts.

But knuckle-dragging is forever.