AntrimBlack

I am not sure he is any better than Richardson for that left back spot. That is the area we definitely need to buy for, probably right back too. I like Bacuna, but I think it would make a big difference to the team to strengthen in those two areas.

If we can keep this squad together with a few additions, together with Fox, Reilly and Sherwood, I see no reason why we could not finish 6th.

Apropos B above - the way the media are creaming over him, we probably will not be able to keep him for long anyway.

Two reasons I would like him to play for Ireland. A. See my location. B. We will keep him longer.

Where is the Sherwood conversation with Grealish? Did I miss it?

This is getting ridiculous. I am sure if Sherwood thought Gil was better than N'Zogbia he would be in the team. However, I do not think N'Zogbia should have his contract extended, we should be able to replace him with better.

Has he really been out that long that he can be considered to be `rusty'.

I have been complaining about the ineptitude of our midfield for some time, but I must say they have been brilliant recently. Delph and Cleverly especially have improved enormously, and Westwood has also been playing very well, probably the best he has played for us since he arrived, but I still feel he is the weak link in the midfield as he does not influence games enough. I would like to see him replaced with a stronger, more dominant player in that position, and retained as back up to that player.

What I wanted rather badly a few months ago suddenly does not seem so attractive.

The first two matches were losses so we cannot really say there was a new manager bounce. He has done fantastically well, I feel that I am watching a different team, but we must remember he is still basically a rookie manager, and we need to cut him some slack next season, as it is likely that he will make mistakes, as he will be learning on the job.

Why would that bother you? Disgraceful comment. People are entitled to equality and respect, they did not choose to be different. And I can assure you all that not all people in Ireland are bigots. But we do have too bloody many of them.

It's by no means perfect, but it's better than what we have.

So Lerner/Fox were making early moves to put in place a manager to replace one who was clearly failing - good! Anything to sell biennial books - football's answer to Jordan.

This is exactly what happened. New owner - tried to please everyone. So much wrong with that badge, could not believe at the time that they went with it.

Yeah, let's just ignore the slightly fortuitous penalty which gave you the first goal and the blatant foul on our keeper which gave you the second. You were outplayed, and were lucky to even get close.

I agree with this. I think Vlaar is a good captain in the "traditional" sense. He's got a sensible head on him, organises people well and will give strong commands. However, Delph is much more of a character. He's got a sort of... cheeky chappy thing about him. I think the players as a group get on well (this was always said during Lambert's darkest days as well), but having Delph as a likeable yet strong personality on the pitch will likely improve things further. When he signed the new deal, I was one of the first to say he simply doesn't give enough end product. Runs with the ball, loses it. Runs with the ball, passes to the opposition. It was happening every single game. Now, however, he's linking up everything beautifully. The introduction of Grealish has helped as well. They seem to interchange in tight spaces down the left on a regular occurance - in fact, Delph seems to play pretty much as a left winger at times. His current form is a joy to behold. He's starting to fulfil the promise of that £8m purchase many years ago. Potential club legend? This legend thing is bandied about too easily, early days for Delph yet. However, he has been fantastic under Sherwood, and Benteke, Delph, Grealish is a fantastic little triumvirate. I also think Clark is a better and more natural captain.

To be honest, that's a reason why I thought we might have a slim, outside chance of getting him. He'll probably go to Liverpool, Spurs or even a Top 4 team, but does he want to be a rotation option when he's nearing the end of his career? I know we'd be well, well down his list of options, but there could be a slim chance that he'd like to get back to playing 90 minutes a week in a team where he's valued as one of the first names on the team sheet. /dreamland Sako will be 28 next season. I Would rather roll with a tee total Milner at 30 in the top flight than an unknown/unproven 28 year old Sako. What Milner would do off the field for the young lads needing guidance will be worth his wages alone, and thats without even kicking a football! like leave at the very 1st opportunity of a big contract? I would never begrudge any human being from bettering themselves in any walk of life, Be it butcher, baker or candle stick maker. You shouldn't be going to work to make friends or be liked by random folk, you go there to be professional, do a job and make as much money as possible for you and you're family! If you wanna be liked by random folk, join twitter or mong book! True but Delph didn't and thats why I have bags more respect for him than I do Milner. Delph seems like a really top guy. Completely different situation, though. When was Delph ever going to Man City or Chelsea - or, indeed, anyone else for that matter? Milner has gone to Man City and played over 140 games for them, winning trophies and playing in the CL. Delph is simply not at the same level. Slightly out of context but I believe we beat Citeh to his signature when we signed him........just saying.... Was that the old raggedy-arsed City that we all knew and respected?

You mean the very first opportunity to win the league and play in the Champions League? You begrudge him his medals? Or wanting to win them to begin with? of course not but this opinion that people have that Milner is some sort of diehard Villa fan or even a Villa legend is sad and pathetic. some Villa fans hold this guy in better regards than Barry In terms of what they've given the club there's no doubt barry is head and shoulders above Milner and don't think any Villa fan would dispute that. It's easy to see why some don't hold Barry in high regard, though - due to the way they left the club. Barry opened his gob, talked a lot of bull, went to the press, got suspended from training, was disruprive, etc. etc. Milner kept quiet, was thoroughly professional, played for Villa a couple of days before he left and gave his all, as always, not pulling a Dwight Yorke. So there's more context here than simply what Barry or Milner have given Villa throughout the years. I think it is the opinion held by some, as Zatman rightly says, that Milner has an affiliation to this particular club, that is just a bit pathetic. Excellent player, obviously, and left us to better himself - rightly so - but we really are just another club to him.

Link?

Now I am not one to take offence ..............but, after what their `manager' said, I would ``really, really love it'' if Newcastle went down.

Or injuries/suspensions to key players That's 4 things now. Dammit - not feeling so confident now.

He was very good yesterday, and that is coming from someone who has been very critical of him in the past. He has improved massively under Sherwood, like a lot of our players.

A number of posters, including me, were relieved that he was not signed in January, and that opinion persisted right through until Sherwood did `what he does' with players. I hope we can keep him now, and I would be surprised if he moved on.

Clark and Okore are undoubtedly our best duo for the future, Clark being the best of our centre backs by a long way. We do need backup, however, and at the right price Vlaar would be that.

No doubt in my mind - we would be have been bottom for several weeks by this stage.