Butterfingers

I'm personally saving my wrath for 5 years time, if we are not one of the top 3 clubs in the world.

In the 4 games I've seen McCormack play in, I think he's been very unfortunate to never have been given a chance at PL level. I'm really pleased that we've signed him

That's a very brave formation. If we'd have played that against Huddersfield last week, we could quite easily have lost the game, as they controlled the midfield for 45 minutes. I think that formation would be a "throw of the dice" when we are chasing a game. I don't think we'd get the best out of McCormack there either. Onto Westwood, Tishibola & Jedinak are the boys, so Westwood gives us strength in depth-an adequate replacement if either of the other two are suspended, injured. A good standard of player to have sitting on our bench.

Playing those four means that the remaining two midfield berths will have to be more defensive minded. Hence Tish & Jedi looking likely. The 4 players that you mention are more than capable of creating for each other. I think that the goals will come. I think we will replace Gestede and I also think a creative midfielder will sign. However, if he starts, it will be at the expense of one of the other four. It will give us options though-If one is having an off day, we can swap things around like for like without weakening anything.

I think that you've been influenced by the David Moyes quote. With a little luck, it could have been 6 points from those 2 games and we haven't got out of 2nd gear yet. Nobody is getting carried away but by the same token, it is right to say that there isn't much to fear in this division. We should realistically be going into nearly every game looking for 3 points. The team is still gelling and will get better with time. Further improvements in defence, midfield and attack look likely.

If you were to ask Sir Alex Ferguson, he only ever managed 4 world class players (of which Paul McGrath was not one). Personally, I see a "world class" player as someone who performs regularly and well on the international stage, in competitions, not qualifiers. There are very occasional exceptions but to me a world class player is someone who performs on the world stage.

He's very much a poacher. I think we need someone a bit bigger and more mobile to compliment McCormack, who I have been very impressed with. Dr Tony's statement has left me a little gobsmacked but before reading it, I would probably have gone for Hernandez from Hull. I really liked the Naki Wells and the Kodja videos but couldn't possibly say whether they would be good signings based purely on the videos alone. That type of player is what I would like though-Pace, presence and mobility. I've never been a fan of Rhodes and the Middlesboro episode comes as no surprise to me. I'm not convinced that Middlesboro shelled out that much in January just to have him help get promotion. I think the move has backfired for them. I'm also not convinced that we would want to shell out on a player who can't cut it in the prem-Our policy appears to be that of signing lads who can play in either division.

Not for me-There's a reason why Boro have frozen him out. There's better options than Rhodes out there

Do we have evidence of this, or is it just an internet rumour? I do remember right at the start of the window that he posted on Twitter that he was going to Birmingham that week. Twice in one window seems strange.

I'm not sure what games you've watched since the start of the season but Elphick is immense. He rarely comes off 2nd best in an airial challenge. Chester is not the tallest and isn't as great in the air-He is still more than adequate. This pairing is as good as anything we've had in central defence for the past few years. I never heard anyone express concerns over Okore. What's the big issue with Chester?

3 of them competing for 2 places works foe me. All 3 can pass long and 2 of them can shoot from range 1 of these 3 on the bench, along with Baker, Gardner, Westwood, Gestede and suddenly the bench looks a lot stronger. The only problem is RDM's in as much as he needs to pick his best starting 11.

Why? have you ever expressed an interest before, or are you just acting like a sheep?

Who said that you utter drama queen?

And what's that got to do with the price of corn? Stop trying to be holier than thou-It's pathetic.

MM was close to Sid who was involved in the first team at the time. That's where a lot of his info came from. He used to tap Faulkner for info but I was never convinced that Faulkner ever gave anything away, hence the McLeish clanger.

Oh don't start the Rangers fan off again. Orange is his favourite colour.

I thought you wanted to draw a line under it Mr "I must get the last word in" Please stick to your word and not continue your obsession with me. Thanks in advance

I have to admit, the standard of the signings so far (and the players we're linked to) has surprised me. Pleasantly surprised that is. I always disagreed with the claims that RDM had no experience in rebuilding a side-This was irrelevant in my book. Most managers rebuild sides by the time the 3rd or 4th transfer window has closed. In many ways, walking into a shambles is easier than walking into somewhere where there are positives. There were little positives at Villa so every position needed improvement. Most managers would jump at that chance-Especially given a decent budget, as RDM has. He still has to get it right of course. I think most have picked up on the half hearted players all not having a sniff so far. The replacements have all been warriors. Nobody is going to cheat a living here anymore. The big indication for me was Petrov-How easy and popular would it have been to give him a one year contract?

Name on the cup. The Tranmere game and the Blues 2003 game were the two most amazing atmospheres that I've experienced at Villa Park, for very different reasons. I've been going since the 3rd division days and remember (vaguely) the league cup semi final against Man U in 71. All in all, the Tranmere game was the top, as far as atmosphere is concerned.

Last week they said 4 were coming in PLUS loans. So far we've had Chester. My guess-RB, 2 x midfielders & a striker. Loan is anyones guess but possiblt Bamford?

People loan players out for £2million a season. We're paying £4million for a player who will give us at least 2 years good service, if not 3. The days are gone when the focus is on sell on fees.

The law has to be a starting point here. If it has been authorised by Parliament that tasers are permissible to be used to restrain people, then the police cannot be held accountable when things go wrong. Tasers need to be abolished but that needs to come from Parliament. Perhaps this high profile case will draw attention to the issue.

Agree. lets hope that they peaked on Saturday. I'm looking forward to it.

I would disagree there. There are not going to be many sides as poor as Rotherham. There will be a lot of difficult games for us and many sides will view playing us and the likes of Newcastle as similar to cup ties. I expect us to have a very good squad by September 1st and have a settled side moving forward. I'm loving the new found team spirit but I don't expect many games to be as easy as Saturdays was.

His 2 goals on Saturday were not typical Rudy goals. The more I watch the first one, the harder it looks to not only get across the defender but also to get such a powerful, accurate header in. The second one was opportunist thanks to a wonderful pass from McCormack. It was the other aspects of his game that impressed me but lets face facts, Rotherham were a very poor side. All of our players looked good on Saturday.