Tubby

He reminds me of that one guy, that you have to clip the ankles of in 5-a-side

I picked up on this also but my first thought was that V Sports might offer a 'shared services' approach to scouting and analysis. Clubs like Vitoria will have much smaller budgets and are therefore restricted in their activities of player identification and analysis. The provision of expert services centered in Villa's operation would allow for a cost-benefit to be passed onto the teams within the network. Those players that are not yet Premier League capable, or unable to move due to visa restrictions, or for family reasons etc., that were also once out of reach of teams like Vitoria, are now identified early. As for analysis, the shared service could run tactical and individual player analysis to help with match preparation, therefore improving the quality of play at a team like Vitoria and potentially, access to higher competition. Overall, Villa can benefit from the fact that these players develop in a more suitable system, at a higher level than the incumbent system, or on loan to a disparate array of clubs. Assuming that any player wishes to move to the Prem at some point.

Absolutely. And somewhat ignores the genius at the helm.

Free to read article from The Athletic that predicts (prior to Newcastle) we will finish 8th. 3rd hardest run-in, poor comparative goal difference, mid-table statistics and so on. It's just another example of how under the radar we are. Beat United and Spurs, get something at Anfield, and this article will look very different.

Brighton is the team that bothers me the most. They just have a habit of finding that important goal and their run-in is less challenging than ours. I would hate to be in a 4th place playoff with them in the final game.

IF we get into Europe, you don't do it without two top forwards, plus Unai has already said he is looking to strengthen in that area. It's perhaps an additional 10 games (qualifying, group, knockouts), probably on a Thursday, so the depth needs to be there for the rotation. That goes for all positions tbf. As a minimum I'd be expecting; a forward, a winger, a CM and at least one wing-back.

You're only as good as your position in the table! It was close all year, so congrats to you @Xela Now for you to wrestle that trophy off the already self-declared winner @Brumerican

I'm disappointed (if true). With two impressive and well connected businessmen as owners of the club, surely we can do better than this? This club has aspirations to get back to the top of football and to me that includes who it partners with. I can accept the viewpoints that this might be the best commercial decision but imo, one decision leads to another, and I'd prefer a 'better' group of partners than a trashy Chinese firm that no UK based fan affiliates with.

As a Browns fan, I hate to admit it, but I agree with you.

These are definitely the best four teams this year. Will be a worthy Superbowl whichever two get there.

Loved the JG days. We were so close to being at the top of the pile for the next decade. What could have been with a bit more foresight.

@Xela It's one point closer at the top! I reckon that it's probably too little too late, on my behalf, although the championship games are tricky picks so you never know...

I do wonder whether, at 22 y/o, his chance might have gone. I would want to see him in the Championship, or possibly a Prem loan first. Similar to Archer really.

He was admired at Newport County too, and sure is missed!

Definitely = 2

Just in case any Villa fan (post Randy) needs a reason to be a Browns fan...

Was going to say something similar. This is what an elite coach sounds like. A number of the players have improved since he arrived and many have earned a place in the squad but he's reminding them that their performances must remain high to keep their spot. For those that haven't made the grade, it's quite rightly time for them to move on. In a word, refreshing! And it's something that will improve the team in the long run.

Un[ai]-shaven! The mid-week flex on this guy is something special. WFH or don't want to go home?

And don't forget Getin Dembele who had a short cameo in Austin Powers

I mean, dreadful is a bit harsh. Theoretically it should work if those that finished top, agree that the balance could/should tip in subsequent seasons. Picking 12/13 in a snake is possibly a stronger position than 1/24 imo. The cream always rises to the top regardless.

Controversial additional suggestion for the draft order... Fix it to this years results but don't snake the rounds... Is that even possible?

It's always a mixed perspective but for me, this is the point of fixing the order.

Thanks for taking on the chalice @Beastmix, a sterling job done and bring on next season. Is it worth agreeing the draft order now so we don't have to delay mock draft season? Let me know if I've got anyone wrong here: 1. It Ertz When Eifert @Brumerican 2. Watership Brown @Xela 3. Cleveland Frowns @Hornso 4. Self Isolate @Dante_Lockhart 5. Lancs Villans @LancsVillan 6. The Brown Stuff @Tubby 7. Great Olof's Vikings @sexbelowsound 8. Area 51 ETs @abdomlahor 9. Amnesiacs @Beastmix 10. Punters Unanimous @rjw63 11. MAQ Attack @maqroll 12. Rhys @rhyscartwright_avfc With regards to the suggested point changes, my early opinion on those: RB - yes PPFD - no, keep PPR just less points i.e. 0.5 or 0.75 LB - not for me this, an added level of complexity that has the danger to take the fun out of it a bit. A suggestion - change the flex to W/T only, just to spread the RBs out.

I'm coming for ya

Congrats @rhyscartwright_avfc I'll take 7th for the 5th time in 13 seasons, but sign me up again for next season!