Butterfingers

7 minutes ago, sexbelowsound said:

The backlash when the signing inevitably turns out to not be world class is going to be laughable. 

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

1 minute ago, DCJonah said:

I'm going by his goal tally. I haven't watched him much. I was going by goal tally for McCormack as well because I didn't see him play much. 

He's a striker, as long as he scores goals I'll be happy. 

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

4 minutes ago, thunderball said:

Can only see him featuring in away games, in competition with Tshibola and Gardner.

I think RDM will opt for Gestede, Hernandez (!) up front with McC sitting just behind, and Jedinak, Ayew and Grealish in a middle 3 when at home or away at weaker sides, with Amavi and Yedlin offering the width.

i think whilst away, One f the forwards will be dropped in favour of another DM 

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.

6 minutes ago, KSV said:

Problem is though... Ayew McCormack Gestede Grealish.. should be better than our current 4 goals in 4 games. We just dont seem to be creating chances at the moment. McCormack hasnt had too many.. We need a creative link in midfield. 

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.

9 hours ago, bobzy said:

...and we came away with 0 goals and 1 point. Let's not get too carried away here!

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.

6 minutes ago, Gary Thomas said:

I mean what does world-class mean?  The definition I read says 'of or among the best in the world', but it all depends how big you make the net.  You could say there are only a handful of truly world-class players or you could be talking about the top 100 strikers in the world - it is just one of those ambiguous expressions that carries different meanings and can be interpreted in different ways.   I personally think Tony just means very good - someone who plays in a top league and represents their country - a Mile Jedinak kind of level.  One thing is for sure, no one will care what the term means if the player we buy starts banging in goals for us.

 

 

 

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.

4 hours ago, astonaidan said:

You think? Hes proven at this level, frozen out Id say as he cant play with the new striker Negredo. Who would you rather?

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. 

13 minutes ago, astonaidan said:

Jordan Rhodes dropped by Boro, would love him at the club, him and Ross would be the best strikeforce in the league

Not for me-There's a reason why Boro have frozen him out.

There's better options than Rhodes out there

22 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

And was in Birmingham last week.

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.

17 hours ago, bobzy said:

Worried about the aerial non-threat that Elphick and Chester seem to possess. Martin didn't get great service today but seemed to win anything he did get. Likewise Bent coming on and beating Elphick in the air. 

Comfortable on the ball though. 

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?

9 minutes ago, dounavilla said:

I may be going against the grain here but I think we already have Grealish and Ayew who seem quite similar.

I'd prefer a midfielder who's main attribute was passing long and short range and perhaps one with a shot on him. Dare I say a younger Gareth Barry.

I wouldn't say no to both but for me it's more important than just Morrison.

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.

1 minute ago, sparrow1988 said:

Tony? Tony? No?

Juat religion bashing, neanderthals, price of corn and accusing people of being mentally retarded.

Oh ah well I'm off again.

Let me know when we're talking about Tony Xia (the apparent subject of this thread) again.

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

1 minute ago, HanoiVillan said:

Yeah, but that lad's got good parents hasn't he. Wasn't dragged up in the gutter like you and me. 

Who said that you utter drama queen?

2 minutes ago, kurtsimonw said:

Yeah, but he knows him! 

And what's that got to do with the price of corn?

Stop trying to be holier than thou-It's pathetic.

28 minutes ago, Mantis said:

It was only like 5 and a half years ago! Now I feel old.

He was definitely ITK although I don't know if it's still the case. MM was a funny one - spot on about most things but then spectacularly claimed that we weren't after McLeish the day before we appointed him.

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.

3 minutes ago, bannedfromHandV said:

 

I find lots of things funny but don't understand what any of this has to do with the Dutch?

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

4 minutes ago, Wonkertonk said:

As long as he didn't insult a religion, it's fine.

He is a good lad, after all.. His parents are also nice people.

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

13 hours ago, av1 said:

Many people expressed the same concern, and yet his ability in the transfer market (buying and selling) is what has impressed me the most. 

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?

1 hour ago, R.Bear said:

Probably. I dont know how Tranmere fans come to terms with this game. We had about 15 get out of jail cards. Its amazin how we didnt lose.

Late goal in the first leg to bring us back into the tie

Bosnich not getting sent off for taking Aldridge out

Atkinson's late equalizer in the second leg

O'Brien hitting the post with that free-kick in stoppage time

Them having a penalty to win it and missing.

God was a Villa that day! What amazes me about the 3rd Villa goal is that not one Tranmere player even approaches Daley when he gets the ball from that free-kick despite us passing over there before it was called back to be re-taken. The worst defending I've ever seen. Also Nixon the Tranmere keeper didnt even dive for a single goal, awful performance.

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.

4 minutes ago, kurtsimonw said:

I imagine a forward still. I don't think the Hernandez and Bamford rumours were completely unfounded and I don't think a 3-0 win against Rotherham would change the thinking of the manager, so I can see a move for another #9 type

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.

1 minute ago, Flynnchin84 said:

Huddersfield will be interesting. They were pretty average last season but had a good start. Will be a good idea of where we stand at the moment.

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

20 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

There are more teams like Rotherham in this league than there are teams like Wednesday and let's face facts, we should have gotten something from that one. 

Oh and we were humiliated by Luton a few days previous. 

I often wonder if there are Man United fans who say the same every week. 

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.