Awol

Interesting.

SJM is golden & no doubt he’ll back to his best with fitness. Luiz is turning into the player we all thought he could be - apparently because over lockdown someone thought to tell him what “man on” means... How TF did that happen??! Nakamba, according to the stats In the thread has more potential than we realised, again a coaching issue. Yes another CM would be great, but if we hose most of our budget on three quality forwards (and Reina for a season until Heaton is better) I’ll be over the moon.

Rashica, Grealish, Watkins & Buendia = swarm attacks. If it works for Somali militias it can work for Villa. Love it.

I’d like that player too, but in terms of priorities it’s getting in a new striker and two winger/WFs. In a 4-2-3-1 (which I think we’ll play against ‘lesser’ teams if Jack stays) Luiz and McGinn are v capable of filling the holding positions. In a 4-3-3 then yes, ideally we’d have a new addition to play as a starter next to them - but then Jack might end up on the left of that 3 in that set up? Dunno.

Rashica/Benrahma, Watkins & Buendia/Sarr with Grealish in the middle would be the dog’s wanger of a window. Need to sort out the keeper situation too but anything on top of that is a bonus.

The media are far more partisan in the US though, aren’t they. Donna Brazile was under contract with CNN when she leaked the debate questions in advance to Hilary last time round - though she was sacked when it came out. CNN is obviously more aligned editorially with the wider Democratic Party platform than with the Trump Show Republicans, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a two-way unofficial dialogue almost constantly. Edit: as there will be between Trump’s people and Fox.

Socialising the idea with voters. Biden doesn’t appear to be mentally fit for the position, I can imagine many US voters thinking the same. Would make sense to plant the idea that it’s not a problem really as the VP is more than up to the task.

‘If and when’ doing some heavy lifting here as CNN make it fairly clear what the Democrats game is.

Exactly right. Also last season was his first as a proper CF, so he should keep improving as he grows into the role. I don’t think the problem will be with him scoring, it’ll be keeping him here next summer.

Yeah, like January 2021. Anyone watching Biden with an open mind can’t fail to notice how all over the place he is. The debates are going to be carnage unless they swop him out for another candidate.

Thing is, she never withdrew that, so she’s agreed to be VP for a guy she believes has committed sexual assault. Wow.

Well, the people at my work got this dead wrong. Kamala Harris has said she believed the women who accused Biden of sexual assault. Perhaps he’s already forgotten?

For the Love of Paul McGrath has done a pod today on OW with the guy who runs @VillaAnalytics on Twitter. I’ve got no concerns anymore, even if Watkins is coming as our new number one striker. Worth a listen if you’re on the fence.

New cases in New Zealand after 102 days virus free.

Yes, absolutely, it’s just a deeply complex scenario domestically. At the end of the civil war the peace deal baked in a certain amount of political representation from each sectarian group (Sunni, Shia, Christian and Druze) which was necessary to stop the fighting, but also perpetuated sectarian identity as a primary driver of politics. On top of that you have Hezbollah, created and funded by Iran and operating as a participant in the political institutions, but also as a shadow state and military force. The legitimate Lebanese military receives aid from the US and France but is actually weaker than Hezbollah. Political corruption is endemic, the economy is buggered and 1/4 of the total population is Syrian refugees which puts even more stress on the system. All of the major powers in the region compete for political influence and encourage corruption to enable that, destabilising the country by design. That’s a grossly simplified summary but gives a flavour of the complexity.

Obviously didn’t watch the game tonight!

Yeah.. this one doesn’t make much sense, even as a squad filler.

Entire government has resigned. Lots of players outside the country will be working full tilt to shape what replaces them.

AEG is plenty big enough, but he needs to start taking iron supplements for his spine.

Buendia would fit the profile of a ‘type’ we are looking for very well. Not sure why you’re so definitive we wouldn’t get him, unless you think he’s too good for Villa?

Sure but so has Keinan, what neither does is score lots of goals.

I don’t think we should either, was only responding to the Shaqiri suggestion. We do need a DCM this summer, wouldn’t be surprised if that involves another go at getting Santamaria in -believe he was second choice behind Phillips last year - or a new first choice target.

If the Purslow buying model of young with resale value is getting chinned off, I’d like Idrissa back, please. A midfield three of Luiz - IG - SJM looks very solid.

Not sure Wilson fits the mould of where the current leadership wants to take the club. Not saying he couldn’t do a job, but I don’t think he’ll be in the top tier of targets for new strikers.

No chance, sadly. I think we’ll get Watkins and a No. 1 striker from Europe, news broken a few hours before signing by random foreign media.