cheltenham_villa

In the games I've watched, hes struggled to make an impact. They tend to be a hard working midfield so Ramsey is competing for one of the flair slots with Calum Wright who is probably up for player of the year. He's probably learnt the need to take his chances, he's had them and has struggled to make them count. I think it's been a good loan, he's had a lot of minutes and will have learnt how much harder league 1 is over the under 23s.

Cheltenham played their fixtures when Ramsey was involved with the England juniors. Not sure if it would be different if he was a senior player.

I'd give him another year on loan in the championship, ideally at a club where he has a change of being the top scorer in the league. No rush and don't want to see him coming off the bench for ten minutes every week

The transfer window prevents this surely? You could bid less, even agree a deal but you cannot transfer the players registration.

That cult like grip got him rumoured to be 450k per week from Barca. We might not like it but he's hardly holding coutinho hostage.

I don't see how, if this little secret had made it to the highly confidential VT, I reckon Putin has one or two spies who might work it out as well.

I think that's often deliberate, I noticed Mcginn telling him to get really wide yesterday as soon as he was on. I think they wanted to stretch Southampton.

If we're honest we will certainly have some competition to keep him. A few things in our favour though: 1. The Gerrard connection. 2. We've got him enjoying football again and we're building a side around his strengths 3. A strong South American contingent. In Gerrards book he references the strength of these relationships for the south Americans, particularly in helping the family settle. 4. Sell him the dream and show him the others we want to add. It might not be enough and if not then hopefully we'll have enjoyed one hell of a 6 month spell.

Played so well today, when he's on form and hassling defenders we play further up the pitch. I think this is the reason Coutinho was getting so much space. They seem to be developing a great relationship.

Very impressed. I think his distribution is better than Konsa, it means we don't constantly play out through Ming's. Konsa still the better defender but some competition is emerging

I think this is the future, go to the new spurs ground and they capture all of the money you spend for about 2 hours before and after the game. The recent introductions of outside bars by the north stand and some decent eating places have surely shown a demand for this.

To be honest, I had assumed we were 100k per week, so that half a million is a lot less than I think most of us thought we were paying.

As someone who's probably at a different career stage to yourself, I can offer two completely contradictory bits of advice. 1. Never move jobs for money. You spend far too long at work and if you're not happy in the role then I'm not convinced an amount of money can make up for that. 2. Your 20s are the easiest time to move between roles and maximise worth. When you've got kids, mortgages, etc then you need to make different decision. Move frequently and often if it's right for you, of the CVS I see these days, it's not uncommon for people to move every 18 months and this is no longer the red flag it used to be. Ive spent 20 in data science and analytics if you want to DM me I'm happy to try and help advise on how best to find a career in that field.

Yes quite normal I think. In most instances the reference aren't taken, it's just to make sure that any potential candidates have committed to providing some. The rising costs of recruitment have driven some of this behaviour. It's fair to ask, it's not controversial but it's also fair for you to not give a current employer and also stipulate that you would like to be informed before references are taken.

I agree, its a terrifying decision. For me the reality is we now live in a world where the vast majority of us would not get involved and just hope for the best

Surely that's the goal, avoid conflict at all costs. I think it's easy to say the west isnt reacting when you live in the west. Are you prepared for you or your loved ones to go off to a war in Russia? I'm not.

I agree, I think that's his level currently. The experience he will get from doing that every week, building his physicality and dealing with the real pressure of trying to deliver results is a really good one. I think we all hoped he would be smashing in goals and assists. That's not happening but it also doesn't mean he's failing.

My weekly Aaron Ramsey update. Cheltenham secured a ni nil draw with Ipswich last night, Ramsey played for about 60 minutes, he had a slight know before going off but was more likely withdrawn for tactical reasons. For context Cheltenham had about 35 percent of the ball and managed about 4 shots. They played in front of 20k fans (impressive for league one) and this was the equivalent of Burney going to Old Trafford. He did ok, it's a steep learning curve I think for him, hes playing lots of minutes but has very limited opportunity to impact in the final 3rd if that's where we see him. Rightly though he was withdrawn after an hour as he was struggling in the game. I still think it's a good experience for him, he's playing in a good team and learning about the importance of taking opportunity when you have it. He's playing in front of big crowds and he's understanding the physicality that comes with league one football.

Maybe even swap Ramsey and Mcginn so they were constantly forced inside where the rest of our team was stood

This is what I wanted, some different thinking. We can't keep relying on Digne and Cash for width. Ming's and Chambers were bringing the ball inside the Watford half, at time Mcginn and Ramsey ended up next to them. I would like to have seen Bailey play really wide and maybe Watkins as well.

Thats what surprised me, he seemed to want to go, assumed his number was up and went towards the half way line.

Unfortunately I had the mis fortune of watching his brother chase after Watford yesterday. I know what I wish I'd done.

He looked injured at the end. When Buendia went off, he went to go, in sure he had some cramp or something. Would have made much more sense to take him off at that point.

One thing that really surprised me was his warm up. He warmed up as normal with the main group not as part of the subs group just chipping balls to each other. He looked to me slightly embarrassed to be on the bench and desperate to be back amongst the goals. He worked hard when he came on and we missed his running in the first half. Ings impressed me with his positions though, both need goals.

Maybe not the greatest example but I would liken him to a Dele Ali (before he went shit). Hes quite athletic so can be box to box, likes to be on the ball and passing it a lot but is good in the final third with an eye for goal. Not the type to skin players with skill but a good finisher and will also take on a long range shot. I'm enjoying watching his rise but was very surprised when we signed him. I watched him a lot in league 2 for Cheltenham, thought he was great and a big part of their promotion but I didn't ever expect him to become a prem player. Maybe because of his age, I guess you typically expect players hitting their 20s to be established at prem clubs if they're going to make it