DevonIsAPlaceOnEarth

Popularity in the Asian markets will only happen if we are successful, conversely we will not become successful because have more exposure in Asia.

I do wonder what Tony makes of the ridiculous sums of money being spent by Premier league teams this summer.

I like Grealish a lot, but I don't think he truly has a position. 

I would like to see him become a second striker sitting behind Hogan or Kodjia.

Cautious because they've been friendlies, but as everyone has said he looks a useful player. Cheap too. 

Still think Chester is our best starter option with Terry. We have largely looked rock solid defensively thus far.

Just arrived home from a stag weekend, turned on to see the mascots and trophy presentation. I must be absolutely hammered still, nothing makes sense.

Very much looking forward to august. I think our biggest rivals will be Fulham (if they hold on to their talent) and Wolves. 

That said neither of those two has the experience or depth we possess.

there really are no excuses for not going up at the very least.

Another benefit of the older player on short terms being that they are fairly easy to shift on should be get promoted. 

Whelan is another wise head in a largely inexperienced dressing room. He also has more than enough ability for this level. Very pleasing.

1 hour ago, Junxs said:

That RECON sponsorship was not a sponsorship, it was just an opportunity to show it on a couple of signings holding the shirt. The official shirts don't have them.

 

I believe Ho said that Recon will be on the matchday shirts. Although you could be right that there is no sponsorship as such. 

Regarding transfer spend, I suspect we will pay a bit of money for a creative midfielder before the window is out. But blowing wads on talent was not required this window. Am happy with the business completed so far.

Proof will be in the pudding with results. It really is interesting to hear the players all say they've never worked harder on fitness in preseason. Although that does seem to be the party line for all clubs now.

As others above have said, I can see us starting very strongly. If we do start strongly and get confidence, I think we will storm this league.

Understand the concerns, but the judgement always starts at the Hull game next month. It does seem we are reliant upon Kodjia again though.

Terrible for Albert. His assists will be missed, probably means we will be quite narrow for the start of the season with Kodjia not 100% too.

either that, or we will sign Elmohamedy

It requires us to acknowledge that we are not entitled to promotion, and respecting every team that we face. 

We do have better players than the other teams, but we don't have the work ethic.

I'm genuinely unsure where we are likely to strengthen now. Maybe overly optimistic, but I can see with Johnstone and possibly Elmohamedy we have easily the best squad in the league with a lot of depth. 

I suspect the Hull game is will give us a real insight into what lays ahead for us this season. Tony may be encouraged to spend more if negative

Really like both kits, best kits we have had in years. 

The crests on the home shirt are a very nice touch. Under Armour are doing a good job for us

Terry and Chester, with Baker supporting will be easily the best in the league.

John Terry, whatever we think of him as a man, is a born winner. I have no doubt he would be extremely useful at our level, and what's more pass on his experiences to Baker.

Terry would be a big voice in the dressing room, and I think wouldn't like to diminish his player reputation if he was not up to the job.

win-win

You get the sense Tony means it too. If we enjoy successes it will be down to this man.

If that is it, I like it. A lot.

Disappointed by the lack of palettes this year.

Hope Tony is on the mend and resting up. He has been quiet for a few days since his op.

I would also like Kodjia to break Pongo Waring's club record 50 goals in a season record.

I think he loves the club, and loves the fans interaction. Tony is a good guy, and I hope the club and it's officials doesn't let him down. He hasn't let us down so far, that is for sure.

I like Adomah in an effort sense. I don't get the impression he is lazy, and he does try. He's had a 7/10 season I think. I am really surprised he's the second top assister in the league.

shouldnt be considered for moving on, I think having Green and Grealish (and gabby?) as potential wide players gives us options.

9 hours ago, flashingqwerty said:

Dont know why you think we controlled the game...

We had less posession

We had less time in the attacking 3rd

We had less shots overall

We had less shots on target

We created less chances

We had a lower pass success rate

We lost more 50/50 and one on ones

We had a lower tackle success rate

So i really dont see how we controlled anything...

All these things are true, I guess it was the feeling that I don't think at any point we would really concede. 

I see I'm in the vast minority here, just how I saw the game.

Thought it was actually a decent game today, although that may have just been the atmosphere blinding me.

We certainly controlled the game, without having too many efforts on goal. 

Biggest positives for me was seeing Villa Park like that, what a club we are when we can be bothered. And the result clearly meant something to the players - there was finally a connection with the fans.

Gabby scoring was spine tingling, I will try to remember these moments when he leaves the club.

Hutton was an absolute colossus today, he won't win the MOTM award on here, but he was everywhere. Brilliant.

Final shout out to the referee, it was probably the best refereeing performance I have seen this season for us. By some distance. They get blasted so should give credit when it is due.

Above average day out.

On 21/04/2017 at 23:25, GingerCollins29 said:

Sorry if this is a stupid q...but Scott Brown got sent off, banned for 3 games. Celtic lodge an appeal, and therefore he is allowed to play against rangers whilst waiting for his appeal. 

Could we have not done this with kodija?

I believe that was due to the timing of that match over the easter break. The league informed all clubs that appeals wouldn't be heard before the next match. As a result, Celtic appealed knowing they'd lose, but would allow him to face Rangers.