itdoesntmatterwhatthissay

But we have though. A positive goal difference (excluding the Man City game; im wiping them from the league) says we are not the Villa of old where every game was a defensive nightmare; its not been great but were certainly not shipping. Okay im taking it back, stats hunting shows we have conceded too many in silly ways and silly games. And while I do think we have improved hugely id swap out Warnock, Collins and Hutton for many Championship players....

Cant head, cant time his tackles and constantly out of position. So far he has been woeful; really terrible. Positives - He is quick enough to win the 50/50 balls and thus gets free kicks. Not played much football....he's the first attacking right back we've had in a while....

Looking a really determined player; his Swansea performance wasn't the best but then again he seems to have a lot of work to do. Needs to work on his ability to knock the ball past a player and release a more advanced team mate but other than that he has a great slide tackle; which while makes me wince seems to have him coming out with the ball most of the time and he also holds his position excellently....unlike some central midfielders at the club. Great example of why you stick with players and not scrap them because they're 20 with no hype.

It's a worry isn't it, he spends too much time looking out of his depth; then again playing 87mins with a yellow when you have a reputation for reds probably does put caution into your mind. The problem is how many chances can you be given before you have to step away from the front line? Gardener is now getting first team football on a short loan, Petrov rarely loses the ball, Bannan has to play and Jenas seems like an Eck favourite. Herd is a youth player and looks a much more comfortable player. Its a worry, I like him as he has good energy and a great sideways pass but he needs to improve, quickly, because we look very average in the middle and something will definitely change.

The football is horrible, absolutely horrible but we have points, we have decent results and we have not been shipping goals like we used to; thanks Gabby!

Yey, trade to learn at Watford but we need hard work up front and he does give us that...if he plays...can't wait; I thought he looked an interesting prospect in the reserves.

Work in progress, we will see how it all pans out in November and December. At least were not shipping goals.

I know we were chasing in the Cup but seriously, look how many changes they made could we not have played the reserves who know each other. (Albrighton, Gardner, Bannan, Delf, Lowry) Wasted opportunity and no doubt the FA cup will see us playing a strong team.

He has actually started pretty well this season and not like the nightmare we kept seeing last year; if only his Hollywood balls were less utilised or he (tried) switching the play a little more. Less worried about the back, feel we have cover for now, its the full backs that give me shivers....Warnock made some good challenges against the Magpies.

Oh god, cant believe I am saying this....we miss him...for me though it just highlights the tactical ineptitude we have been displaying on the pitch. Pass and fcking move!

Would you say it was more like the first and second season then? The third season quite literally pissed me off, far too many sex crap, clunge this clunge that.

Great to see him, looked every bit as up for it as you'd have wanted. Why was it nobody else passed short, played with the ball at their feet and pushed it/stepped away from tackling players...team actually looked like it had determination when he came on and hopefully he can get some important minutes to show that Petrovs days are numbered (in a positive way). It is about balance and I hope he and the kids can strike that to end the stagnant central midfield we have been enduring for the last few years.

Not when Petrov plays two games (anonymous in one) and blows hard from start to finish. Need some kinds though, senior team look fresh out of ideas.

Something to prove and with the state of goalkeepers ages he may have a new career plan. I personally don't mind players with injury problems (depending on their wages) because I believe you should always have a replacement willing to challenge (and you always need a good keeper coming through), Givens injury issues do give us that which isn't necessarily a bad thing especially as he is getting on and a replacement would already be in the managers mind. £5million though; pretty bloody steep.

Doing a great job, keep it up.

I can't see why everyone is getting all crack sand about this, nobody knows if he has been approached and if he has who cares! Id rather the club do a thorough assessment of all potential managers than a brief assessment on the behest of moaning fans. It great we have such vocal fans but such a shame so many are so quick to get on their high horse. They haven't had Poyet in the press yet, hopefully that one is next; or even Sven again. Either way jesus christ people, get a grip; while McLeish isn't someone many fans would want (poor football) our club would be acting irresponsibly if they didn't at least ask questions and besides where did this story come out from? SHA???

They did a great job with the first one and this one looks like it is going to be another success, E3 was epic this year.

A safe 6 points every year? Lets get the Cov momentum up! Personally I like Cov and like the derby, definitely need more of them.

I'd be happy with Coyle, or any of the lower league high performers. If we cannot get the perceived best thing we should go for the next great thing, it's unlikely we will have that bad a season.

If it played out like described good on Wigan and Martinez, second best club in the Prem behind us. You would think we are interviewing lots of people not just one target so what's the beef? Exciting times, who is on the radar!

Meh, easy come easy go. In the past we signed three players well above our perceived station, Martin Laursen, Ginola and Luc Nilis, anything can happen!

Angry Boys is about the start, 4 eps in, funny stuff.

Wow, Ancelotti has some good votes eh! I guess after a years worth of English he must have a much better understanding of the game. Great to be linked to him but for me it would be Moyes, I just think he will gets his chance at the top level and stay there; so why not see if he can be the one to take us there. Some good potential options around and thanks to a manager who to me ALWAYS had our best interest at heart, our club has the time to find the right candidate

Seriously man, I can't create a contact list on my iplop, or from my pc unless I sync with a non-existent address book. So many Android phones in the US, and the phones in Japan make our options look pitiful. More Android market flooding please, I can finally change from this Apple crap and enjoy my phone like I used to. 3 months to get a good job and ready up for football on a flash device...aaaaaaaaand GO!

Woooooo I can't wait to get stuck! Yey to contract ends!!!! To the shops!