ferguson1

Just now, GeneralJazzman said:

This is becoming one hell of a hat. 

I know, was bored watching Sinbad with my son and felt the need to throw a name in, but not a very good one I admit.

Alan Curbishley?  I honestly don't know if he could do a job or not, was just throwing a name into the hat really.  

First heard his name yesterday sometime in the second half and thought crikey, forgot he was playing!  Simply does not ever dictate play or boss midfield.  Britton did so much more in 45 minutes.  Would be more than happy to see him go.

1 minute ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

If we keep Amavi then there's no way we have someone on his wage sitting on the bench to be reserve left back, it's as simple as that.

Would agree with you here, but when is Amavi going to be fit?  Surely not for the start of next season is he?  Cissokho could do a job until January at least.  There is simply much more crap to shift first. 

I think Cissokho is OK, nothing more nothing less and would be OK in the Championship.  Problem we have here is that there is probably at least 15 players that I would want to shift before him in the close season, so we may as well consider keeping some?  We are simply not going to get rid of 20/25 players, although I would love it if we did.  

1 minute ago, VillaChris said:

Just reading the People report and they're claiming Remi is on 4m a year!

Surely not?!

It's doubtful VillaChris, but anything is possible I suppose with the previous people in charge, with increased player wages again etc.  However, it looks as if Hollis and others board members have their heads screwed on properly though!  I don't like the thought of sacking Garde due to the cost of paying him off, but I do now think a change of manager is required for next season.  

Major, major clear out required!  Dreadful squad of players with simply no stomach for a fight, complete lack of desire to improve and lack of quality to win games.  Wouldn't particularly miss any of the senior playing squad if the lot were moved on.

MOTM - the away fans, for putting up with these guys!  Any other Premiership team would have beaten Swansea today, which shows how bad we are.   Very much doubt that we will win or draw again this season.  Hate this team!

MOTM - the away fans, who have paid to watch this!

I think there is a real player in there but whether we see it or someone else, that's the question?  Someone needs to sit him down in the summer and find out from him very quickly whether he wants to knuckle down and be the main creative spark in the team next season.  If he doesn't, then sell him, but for a good fee and sell on clause included.    I for one hope he stays though and helps to bring us back!

Call me mad, but I actually think we may get something from the game today!  Need to start well and on the front foot though to get some confidence back:

--------------------Guzan--------------------

Hutton-----Okore--------Lescott-----Cissokho 

--------------------Gana---------------------

-------Bacuna-------------Westwood---------

-----Ayew------Gestede------Sinclair--------

On the break with Ayew and Sinclair (former club, so hope he would want to impress) we could trouble them possibly?  Can't be bothered to do a bench.  Am going to say 1-1 here, but have to start well and keep it going for the whole game.

Have no particular ill feeling towards him as similar to Almstadt, have no real idea what good or bad he did for the club?  However, has to be seen as a positive move by the board and hope we can find a good replacement? 

14 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

No pic but I found this...

 

Thanks DDID, have just watched that in full and still get a tingle when Staunton pops that in at the end! Have just ruined the wife's Corrie viewing though, as had to have the volume on full.  Forgot how good Regis was for us back then, his hold up play was excellent.  God at the back as well.  It was a great day for me and dad and can't wait to show him this tomorrow night now! He will love it.  Wish he could still attend games with me but due to his health it's no longer possible sadly.  Thanks again.

Have no pic handy I'm afraid but does anyone recall or was there when we beat Sheffield Wednesday away 3-2, it was Big Ron's first game in charge! Think it was 1991-92 season?  Two goals down in the game but what a fight back and Steve Staunton getting the winner.  I was 16 at the time and my dad got us both tickets, we had a great day up there and even better drive home.  Sorry reminiscing now!

Good to get your dad to flip, not easy that one!  Only my dad supports the club in my family, unfortunately I have Wolves and West Brom influences all around me!!

10 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

As part of our work for AVPG we have been researching old Villa pics, from all eras. Here are a few of my favourite Villa moments/eras/players captured on camera

I only started following the club in 1992 by the way, so they are all Premier League I'm afraid!

 

Those are great pics DDID and bring back some fantastic times!  I am especially fond of the Laursen/Young pic from Everton away - going from despair to complete celebration. Great games and times thanks.  Can I just ask as you have me intrigued now, why did you only start following the club from1992?  Sorry if you have explained this previously.

Just now, Mantis said:

I doubt many people here really know what he did (myself included) so I find it hard to have much of an opinion on this.

Exactly this, early posts in this thread show how pleased people were with his appointment, but in truth it is difficult to praise or criticise him.  I for one don't know what good or bad he did? 

3 hours ago, srsmithusa said:

Although that is partly true because high pressure is much more effective when the opposition lacks vision, skill, awareness, confidence, or quickness of thought. 

If you pressurize and hunt a really good, really confident player "in packs," and his teammates have awareness and quickness of thought to move to space, he confidently and skillfully plays a simple pass that places the whole pack behind the play.  Your best option against those players may be to have one man contain them and the rest mark the runners he may play in to effect.

So, If I was managing Tottenham (for example) I would pressure the ball and hunt in packs while playing Villa.  I would contain and mark the runners when playing just about anyone else in the league (only a slight exaggeration.)  

Basically, our weak, fearful, tactically unaware team encourages high pressure from our opponents by rewarding it, rather than punishing it.

You could be right here also. I just worry that if we are failing to do the basics right at present, will it change next season if we have the same man in charge, regardless of new players?  I am just so on the fence with Garde right now, as am failing to see any real improvements since Sherwood.

The one thing very noticeable yesterday and have to say the last few weeks is the lack of pressing from us when the opposition have the ball?  Usually one our players goes towards a player then just points to another to either support him or pick up someone else.  However, watching Spurs yesterday, Liverpool and Man City recently, they all hunt in packs!  2/3 players closing us down very quickly in an attempt to win it back.  Now whether it be lack of fitness, lack of quality or additionally, lack of awareness, I would expect us to be doing this?  It appears Garde is setting us up better but certain basics like this appear to be missing still?  The worry for me now is if he stays would he go for players he may know/trust on the continent, whereby pressing quickly doesn't come natural?  We will certainly need to work hard and press in the Championship that's for sure and truly believe now that we need a new man at the helm!  Just don't want the club to sack him due to the costs involved and looking bad to other potential managers.  Kind of hope he walks at the end of the season, but with my best wishes.

Gutted, missed the WM interview/discussion so if it could be posted it would be greatly appreciated!  An idea I had today and not meaning copy/steal if already suggested but what if every supporter going into the Chelsea game was given a balloon to blow up with say "Lerner Out" written on it and then just before the 74th minute, let it go and walk out? Thousands of balloons all over the stands/pitch etc would be a strong message.  Just an idea anyway and fully realise that there would be a cost implication in doing this.  Can't make the Chelsea/Bournemouth games unfortunately as on holiday but keep up the great work guys!  For the amount of time left that I am attending this season, I am fully behind the protest group etc and truly believe that if you keep going, it will make a difference.  

43 minutes ago, sir_gary_cahill said:

I think that Niall Mason, Andre Green, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Easah Suliman could all do a job for us if we go down, they are all very good young players

Cheers SGC, if four or more came through next season and held their own that would be considered a success for our Acadamy surely. 

5 minutes ago, sir_gary_cahill said:

We're playing Arsenal u21s at villa park tomorrow night, 7pm kick off, I'll be in attendance 

As I know very little of our younger players SGC, would you say any of them could do a job for us in the Chamionship?  Your thoughts would be appreciated. 

Just now, jon_c said:

'he didn't look out if place'

In this team, is meant as a compliment or an insult?

It was a compliment to Mr Green and a dig at the rest of his more experienced peers!

Disappointing to hear and read about the actions of some of our stewards today.  I wonder if they had been instructed or was it one or two getting above their station?