JB

The most embarrassing performance that I've ever suffered through as an Aston Villa fan. The kind of performance that I'm not sure we can mentally recover from and that should make a manager seriously consider his position.

Pathetic fallacy with the weather .

Never been so **** embarrassed. Disgrace.

That ref was a **** disgrace. Without wanting to sound one-eyed, despite being generally shit, we seem to suffer from that more than any other nation, which hardly helps our cause. On a positive note, that was a much, much better performance from England. Just a little more composure from Ashton on his debut and we would've won comfortably. I'm not normally his biggest fan but the decision to take Tindall off was baffling. He was at the centre of almost everything good that we did and his withdrawal certainly robbed us of a great deal of momentum. It just shows that when we try and be ambitious, we're an infinitely better side. Although, I'm not getting carried away as it may just have been England's annual "Let's get the fans excited about next year by playing brilliantly, only to ultimately resort to the same old shit" performance that saves the coach's job. See Ireland two years ago and France last year.

I'll start by rolling out the old cliche - well it was a derby... That said, Jimmy had another one of those infrequent anonymous games and I'm sick of seeing any attacking moves on the right break down when it gets passed to Cuellar. Anything good that he does is done in the box in the form of defence. Please play him as a CB, Martin! Young was awesome today. Seemed to want to win the game by himself. If he can't get into the World Cup squad with a performance like that, then I really feel for him. Fair play to Carew too, he bust a gut to get on the end of everything today. In short, it was a game we generally dominated, but just didn't have the cutting edge to win (how many times has that been the case this season?!).

CAREW YES!!! Sidwell assist!

Totally agree. We seem to have a bunch of players who are unable to think for themselves and play what's before them, as opposed to rigidly following the prescriptive directions of under-qualified coaches. Against Ireland, we seemed determined to try and run it, even though the conditions probably weren't suited to it on this occasion. I'm almost following English rugby just out of pride and stubborness now and feel slightly ashamed to be endorsing the back-slapping and utter shite that we play on a regular basis.

Jamie Roberts hang your head in shame! He royally fecked that up by not putting Hook through on that break to tie the scores. What a try from Shane. Not too upset about the Welsh losing though . Awesome game.

Five goals, Jimmy back in business, Downing making a decisive contribution (great strike for his first), Young in form, Gabby getting another goal - awesome. Happy with that. Well done boys.

I think being the main rivals of a team who has eclipsed them in every possible way has made Spurs fans into a very insecure bunch. I know one and he's just the same, constantly giving me unwanted updates on their rumoured transfer activity, spouting useless stats in attempt to prove that they support the greatest, best supported team in the world, nay, the universe. As I say, a very insecure bunch.

I wonder if Glaston has ever had a girlfriend/boyfriend/beer? Mind you, who'd have the time between dispensing such wisdom on various forums and bashing one out to pictures of Aaron Lennon?

To be fair, United's were pretty awesome in the second half and their possession football was outstanding. I think they were playing for the draw as well to be honest. What's worrying, as others have touched on, is how a midfield consisting of the players it does can be so uncreative. What about trying to play through the middle? Putting it out to Ash at every opportunity is very, very predictable and not yielding fantastic results. I'm also concerned by the fact that Jimmy, once again failed to turn up in a league game, and Downing's frankly woeful form. Fair enough, he's still coming back from a long-term injury but he simply doesn't warrant a place in the side at the moment. How about mixing things up a bit MON?

Excellent result and a solid performance. We outclassed Fulham but I've still got nagging doubts about the fact that we continue to look somewhat one-dimensional going forward and depend too much on crosses. Friedel 7 - solid when called upon Cuellar 7.5 - very much a fantastic CB playing as a full back. Some awesome defending and several crucial tackles and interceptions, but the 2nd goal aside, his distribution was pretty poor. Dunne 9 - simply immense. Collins 7 - generally solid. Young 7.5 - defended well and looked dangerous going forward Young 7 - constant threat and some excellent skill but generally disappointing final ball. Petrov MOTM 9 - ran the show. Outstanding. Wonderful range of passing. I can't help but think that his critics don't actually watch us play too often... Milner 6 - I'd be interested to see his passing stats. He seemed to give the ball away more often than not. Dare I say it, he's been somewhat of a passenger for the last 5 league games. Downing 7.5 - Looked dangerous and one particularly awesome run. Gabby 8.5 - 2 great goals and a really hardworking performance. If I were to nitpick, I'd like to see him be a bit more predatory and get himself in the box more often when our midfielders have the ball! Heskey 7 - Held the ball up and generally linked play excellently I thought. Quick mention for the ref - he was outstanding. Watched the game live on tv in Australia after a night out, so apologies if this is less than coherent! Trevor Francis was the co-commentator and I have to say, he was rather complimentary about us.

Very disappointing. As much as I love him, that's the third PL game in a row where Jimmy just hasn't turned up (not for lack of effort though). We're looking rather tired, one-dimensional, predictable and in a need of a bit of a shake-up.

The Foot Fist Way

Exactly what I think. The Simpsons was literally genius during the glory years, and I don't bother watching new ones anymore, so Homer gets my vote. Cartman may run him close though...

Hmmm, perhaps the view on here that the ref robbed you was a bit, umm, incorrect? Your views are very, very ironic and somewhat hyprocritical in light of some of the vitriol I've heard directed the referee's way in Welsh games during my five and a half years in Cardiff. Even during the England game this year (which I watched in Sydney), I was surrounded by Welsh guys who thought that every decision that went England's way was part of some conspiracy to screw them over. Face it, every single team will act hard done by by the ref if things aren't going their way. It's not a uniquely English trait FFS.

Lost interest a long time ago. In fact, it's almost got to the point where I find it funny when England lose as the majority of the players are a bunch of d*ck heads. My interest would/will probably pick up when Barry, Davies, Ashley and maybe Gabby and Milner are all in the team.

Hmm I think it's an 8 for me (7.5 if it was an option). We've filled the positions we needed to and in the case of Cuellar, Davies and Friedel done so with top quality. However, I'll need convincing that the other signings are of the quality we need to get to where we want to be. For some reason I can't quite get in on the seemingly universal joy over Milner but I'm particularly unsure about the new full backs. I can't say for certain, but there would surely have been better options than Shorey and Young out there. I find it hard to believe that the latter is the culmination of our two year search for a RB. The lack of activity on a busy deadline day was disappointing, mainly due to the lack of a striker. I'd love to have these reservations rammed back down my throat over the course of the season though, and I'm pretty sure that they will be.

Hmm this is a very tough choice, but based purely on present form, disregarding what happened over the summer, I'm going to have to be controversial and say Barry I think. Petrov has been consistently excellent so far this season, and NRC was fantastic today, so I don't think either can be dropped. Barry, on the other hand, hasn't quite been himself. Gave the ball away far too much today I thought. I do keep changing my mind though. What I want to know is which jokers said Ashley Young?!

Ridiculously harsh and strange thing to say I feel. Surely this is a time is his life when advice is particularly needed, as the choice will have a direct impact on his future. Anyway, if you're thinking about a career in journalism, it's a no-brainer surely? I'd say that combined English language and literature is a must. As Chindie said, unis and employers generally hate Media Studies or whatever it's called. Probably shouldn't tell you this, but I know some sneaky **** who just did English Language (A Level and degree) and on any subsequent CVs, application forms or whatever, put it down as English, which most people presume is the combined one. That's an option for you :winkold: .

They do offer a joint language and literature course, but I decided on language because a) I might need the spare space to re-take GCSE Maths if I fail to get a C and because it interested me more than literature. Fair play mate. Those are both pretty good reasons. The only thing I'd say is that I've heard that some people can look at English Language with a bit of snobbery, and just plain old English is a little bit more respected. Shouldn't think it would matter too much though. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will work out for the best .

Well I've just qualified as an English teacher, so I'm bound to be biased! But seriously, unless you're considering doing Law at uni, I think you should do English. Is there any chance of doing combined language and literature? That's what I did at A Level and what unis and employers prefer, I believe. Just looks a bit better. My English A' Level has helped me a lot, both in my further education and subsequent employment.

Just finished the His Dark Materials trilogy. I was a bit disappointed to be honest. I enjoyed the first two books and the first third of The Amber Spyglass, but the last part bored me to tears and was a chore to read. There's no doubt that it was brilliantly written and Pullman has a phenomenal imagination and intellect, but I felt that after all the build-up, the story sadly just fizzled out. There's no way that they're children's books though!

Exactly the same here, even down to when I became a Villa fan. Big Ron is a legend. Yeah but would you pay to see him? Say, £40 with 3 course meal at Villa park? No I wouldn't, but then I don't think that there's anybody who I'd necessarily pay money to hear give an after dinner speech and that sort of event isn't really my cup of tea. But I know for a fact that there would be an awful lot of people out there who would. Particularly if you chose Ron. I think he would be by far the more entertaining option of the two.