Tubby

1 hour ago, Frodo said:

 

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

2 hours ago, allani said:

Interesting that the Global recruitment team has been announced as "V-Sports and Aston Villa" - further support to the idea that core operations will be running globally and locally to try and spread the net as wide as possible.  Gives "us" (V-Sports rather than Villa) the opportunity to place prospects in the academy that will work best for the prospect and allows "us" Villa to recruit young Portuguese talent for example and rather than dragging them to the UK, allow them to stay in Portugal close to family / friends / etc and then see how they develop.  Allows us to have a much more widespread recruitment / scouting / academy network than we might otherwise be able to afford - the same applying to the other teams within the V-Sports network.  Plus there are going to be some great inter-academy training matches / tournament opportunities down the line.

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.

1 minute ago, Kiwivillan said:

They keep ignoring momentum and team spirit which are worth more than any other metrics

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.

7 hours ago, Monkeypuzzle said:

I really don't understand why everyone is trying to get rid of Matty Cash? Unai seems to have no issue playing him and he has been a great player for us since his move here. His recent form hasn't been dreadful so I just don't get it? If we are looking to bring in a new right back I would think it was to replace Ashley Young, not Cash. If Konsa gets used more as a right back next season then Cash can compete with him and offer something different. In that case I would expect us to go for a new centre back (Pau Torres perhaps?)

Goalkeeper - not vital that we do anything but most would like a replacement back up for Olsen.

Defenders - not vital that we make any changes here but Digne, Young and Chambers are all players Unai will have to make a decision about.

Midfielders - our busiest area of business. Decisions to be made regarding Dendoncker and Iroegbunam. Are they in the squad next season? I think Unai wants more depth available here so extra quality players expected. I think questions will be asked over the futures of Coutinho, Bailey and Traore. Nakamba and Sanson will almost certainly be sold I would have thought? Replacing the pair of them with players who actually play in the squad would be massive! A new, rapid winger/ forward is also expected which may be bad news for one of the other three names I mentioned.

Forwards - not vital to make a new dedicated forward signing but perhaps expected. Archer has impressed greatly out on loan again and it would be nice to see him and Duran acting as back up but Unai might want someone who can play in that winger/forward role that can step right in to the first team.

 

Therefore I would expect our squad next season to look a bit like this:

Goalkeepers - Martinez, Olsen, Sinisalo

Defenders - Mings, Carlos, Konsa, Cash, Moreno, Digne, Young, Chambers

Midfielders - Kamara, Luiz, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam, McGinn, Ramsey, Buendia, Coutinho, Bailey, Traore + 2 or 3 new first team players

Forwards - Watkins, Archer, Duran

 

Let's say that most of the highlighted players stay, minimising the changes in the squad and we bring in Guendouzi, Goncalves and Nico Williams. Just three new players and we lose Steer, Hause, Nakamba, Sanson, Davis and Wesley. I'd be happy with that and trust that team to fight for Europe next season. What do you think?

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.

On 01/02/2023 at 18:55, Xela said:

2 point lead - 1 point to play for 

 

Bad luck @Tubby - I think you led the way most of the season! 

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.

On 26/01/2023 at 14:20, Beastmix said:

Agreed. Burrow vs. Mahomes is going to be interesting though.

I genuinely see Burrow as the new Brady. Unlike all past pretenders, he's the real deal.

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

On 25/01/2023 at 22:12, Tegis said:

Tasty! Hoping for a Bengals - 9ers Super Bowl

 

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

1 hour ago, Shaun Teales Moustache said:

 

 

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...

12 minutes ago, Zatman said:

Have a feeling he will make it here which is strange as from our youth he he has the least connection to us. Not sure if has played for Villa at any level before

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.

On 21/01/2023 at 18:31, theboyangel said:

He is adored down here in Plymouth! 
 

a really successful loan. 
 

 

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

34 minutes ago, Tegis said:

1+1=?

 

 

Definitely = 2

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

1 hour ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Bloke is so on it, plus open and honest it's brilliant.

He doesn't roll out the cliches.

He's obviously happy with the points, but doesn't believe we are anywhere near where he wants us to be.

Straight up letting players know if they aren't pulling weight they'll eventually be replaced.

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.

36 minutes ago, PaulMcGrath_5 said:

 

Un[ai]-shaven!

The mid-week flex on this guy is something special. WFH or don't want to go home?

13 hours ago, Beastmix said:

It's possible, but it's a dreadful idea. It really skews the balance of the draft.

It works in the real NFL (theoretically) because of the nature of what it is. It only works in fantasy dynasty leagues.

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?

1 hour ago, Xela said:

Hang on, I haven't endured a year of being absolutely gash, to then lose my high draft position!  

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

8 hours ago, Beastmix said:

So, controversial finish to a lot of leagues this season, but we have no need for an asterisk here, so congrats to Rhys!

Thanks to all for a fun, and relatively drama-free, season. Although I feel like the points system has worked perfectly well, I've noted the few bits of feedback we did receive throughout and we'll put them to a poll in a few months time.

Here's what we do have, for open discussion in the meantime:

1: 0.25 points per carry should be awarded to RBs
2: PPFD (point per first down) instead of PPR
3: Addition of a line backer spot?

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.

31 minutes ago, Xela said:

My 5 point lead eroded to 2 points after a poor week 

Squeaky bum time now. 

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!