trekka

Or even worse, an evil hot pizza that when you bite into it drags the hot topping off so it's a dangling burning piece of torture frazzling your lower lip/chin.

Thought tonight's episode redeemed itself from last week. Amphibious cars are back...top stuff!

There's a good Western on Channel 5 :-)

For a Few Dollars More Ace film but Once a Upon a Time in the West is better, WHAT a film!

Tonight was actually quite boring on Top Gear if I'm honest and don't get me wrong as I'm a huge TG fan but tonight seemed so erm, stale. Same old stuff and even the final breathtaking shot of that road in Italy was good but the build-up to it itself? Hmm not sure, it's just another rehash of an old ep with a different script to make it look like it's something different when in reality it's virtually the same thing or something very similar of something in the past. Breathtaking scenery though but some of the scripting etc was a bit suss and obviously dodgy (yes I know this is Top Gear and it's what it's all about but come on!), i.e. the dodgy hotel. Not a good start to the new series imo and was it me (and yes please forgive me but I missed the final 2 mins) but no mention of Colin McRae?).

Laptop at home at the moment but it's a bit of a beast of a Dell XPS laptop that replaced my desktop. It can outdo most desktops and I have the benefit of using it where I please in the house. Oooh yeah!

I'm sure Liverpool feel worse anyway, they've been given the spot of Old Kent Road on the new UK Monopoly

(err, sorry Bicks).

Hi General,

We've heard today that the club are to blast up images of the new away kit on the back of the Holte End via lighting effects. It's a fantastic idea and Richard Fitzgerald should be congratulated. I'm looking forward to seeing it but are there any plans to use the lighting system in the future for evening games...maybe blast up a few images of past Villa legends? It would look something special I think and if only in the meantime while the commissioned mural gets designed and completed.

Many thanks.

No doubt he has lots of up-close shots too. Very nice work.

VILLA fans fully appreciate your comments General and indeed...fully celebrate and act upon them.

Whether or not a local paper decides to take one "decision" in regards to the stance does not matter one jot - what matters is what OUR club takes and what response we take in regards to protecting OUR fans. Whether or not a paper comes out and prints one side of the story does NOT matter - what matters is that the comments made by ANYONE from the club are made in good intentions and with the well-being of Villa fans at heart.

I would rather the General come out fighting our corner than the likes of Mr Gold pretending to be the Saviour of the fans if I'm honest.

What has MON done for us except a mid-table finish and a couple of dodogy transfer market buys, and a defeat to pretty ordinary Man City.

When we get only a point or a loss to Everton people will start realising he isn't all that.

And I still don't see what MON has achieved except for a few poxy titles in Scotland where Petrov looked a player?

:?

4 straight 10 finishes with Leicester perhaps and two trophies. Whisper it quietly but they're actually the most successful midlands club of the last 10 years.

And judging MON after one season ffs. Last season we actually gained more points than we had in 3 of the previous 4 seasons.

Well said mate. Mourinho is a fantastic manager, no doubt about it but would I swap him for MON? Not on your nelly! MON is a builder that builds continuing success, not a flash in the pan turn players into winners but unsure what to do when those said players have reached their peak type manager. Not knocking Mourinho here as I do really respect the guy but he doesn't have a history of building for continued success. He did well at Porto sure, but then he got a better offer and jumped ship. Not the manager I would want here IMO. I want a manager who builds the profile of the club for 5 years+ and turns our club into a club of reaching our potential...not a manager who can turn a club into reaching it's potential for a few years and judging by his record goes wrong after that. That said, I do believe I would be ecstatic if he took the England job as if there's anyone who can bring us glory in that platform it's this guy. BUT! We've had too many false dawns at Villa and I for one believe the dawn of MON is a dawn that will reach it's daytime and it's full sunny goodness!

EDIT: Oh look, Villa shown in the main BBC 10PM news for Mourinho leaving

General got more positive feedback from within the club about the balloons iniative and they going to put it on the website so people are aware of what the fans are doing .

Another idea that I have been asked to put to you , is would there be any objections if we arranged for a light aircraft to carry a message over Villa Park during one of the games . Suggestions are ' Viva the Villa Fever ' or The Bells are ringing for the Claret and Blue .

Fantastic. Maybe one large balloon floating above VP if that isn't feasible?

Love that pic!

Cracking article Brian, you put a lot of effort into that and it's a very good read! Ace!

General,

I agree with paulanddonya on this point, it would be a great idea if we could do a sort of "fan swap" so that we send a small contingent of fans to the US to see behind the scenes of the Browns, catch a few games and take it all in and vice-versa with Browns fans taking in the whole Villa experience. Would be a great bit of PR for the club and I'm sure if a package could be sorted out it would be very popular.

Thanks.

Welcome home Zat.

Yes, it's certainly a shame the way these old threads get dragged up. Point scoring ho! I'm very much against it.

I disagree. I think it illustrates the rose tinted (or claret and blue tinted) spectacles we wear. Lots of people saying give him a chance and wait until he is playing for villa until you slag him off etc. Well a players ability doesn't change based on the colour of his shirt. If a player is poor at one club then the chances are he'll be poor at another especially if he is not changing leagues or countries. Too many poeple get jumped on for saying a player we are about to sign is, in their opinion, of a poor quality by people who's opinion on the same player has changed just because he has been linked with/joined Villa.

Note: This is not a dig at any particular poster just a general comment on our bias as villa fans (I include myself in that).

A player's perceived ability can change with a change of team though. Take Raul Bravo for example, world class defender in his time who joined Leeds from Real Madrid. Now, his performances at Leeds were absolutely diabolical and if looking at him for the first time in that team many would believe he's absolute wank. Put him in the Real Madrid team and he looks solid and classy.

Not saying it's right that people who vigorously slated a player when looked to be joining sha change their minds but players can surprise a lot of people in more ways than one - both good or bad given a change of team. Also don't think it right that a witch hunt goes on for a change of opinion and I agree with OF on this occasion.

The moderators of this site confirm that the General is General Krulak.

Please keep this thread for questions, comments and info to and from the general. Thanks, Blandy

(edit: I was only confirming it was the General and is probably not the "done thing" to question his integrity and insult the man...might not look that way with the mod edit )

Load of tosh Corscombe_Villa. Frustration is high due to lack of signings. The buck appears to stop ith MON on this. End of story.

Agreed (and apologies as I know this isn't the thread for it...but it's something which needs response imo). How the board and even right down to Randy can be blamed is naive at best. Is it the fault of Randy that MON has been (thus far) reluctant to spend the money? It's worth pointing out that there is time left in this window so I don't actually follow that train of thought at all. As they say, patience is a virtue and I suspect we'll all be better for it come Sept 1st. I recommend you read this thread.

I am pretty confident of DOL signing a couple of players in the summer, however it sometimes annoys me that he always acts so business-man like. the way the keeps everything so quiet

Sounds familar

does doesn't it.

But at least we were talking about signings in May then! It's now mid August and MON is still dithering like an old woman at the 'REDUCED' chiller in Kwik Save!!

Cor blimey, any thread eh?

General - pity about the game yesterday. With all the activity across the league this year in terms of transfers it is a shame the ref was still a one eyed scouser!!

It may have already been mentioned, but can you pass on a big well done to the catering team who improved dramatically yesterday. Also the advertising boards are a big improvement and the ground is looking much more professional this season with the few changes that have been made.

P.S - can you let the kit man know that the numbers on the back of the goalie shirt aren't very visable on either the Grey or Yellow shirt, I think they need to be black.

Yes, I would echo that and whoever had the idea of the "AVFC the Obsession" banner should be very proud of themselves. Is there any other such banners that the club initiates in the pipeline? The LCD boards were hugely impressive also and really underlined what a fantastic stadium we have.

Fantastic poll!! Always loved Only Fools and is probably my favourite series of all time.

Definitely Albert. As much as Grandad was a great character, and loved every moment he was in it (changing the chandeliers episode was absolutely fantastic "one more turn Del!") - the amount of fun and stories they've pulled from the "Old Navy Hero" is priceless..."During the War...." etc.

Buster Merryfield is a legend.

General.. On behalf of the longer standing members and the level headed newer members.. thank you ONCE MORE for your patience. A lot of us are extremely stressed, relatively, however not all for good reason. Rest assured those of us stressed because of the negativity in the fan arena still have faith in you guys and just feel sick that the rest of the fan base is as someone once accurately said... so fickle.

I would like to echo that point if I may. We're all extremely grateful and (as I'm sure you probably realize!) it is from the same select group of fans that constantly criticise no matter what the outcome is and by no means represents any part of the Villa faithful. It's worth noting the new fans survey (I believe in the Mail) which certainly refutes any suggestions of discontent and long may it continue.

Simpsons

Futurama (shame this never really took off, was a work of genius)

Family Guy

General Krulak here:

1. Although I have commented on this many times before, let me state again: MON and scouts look at players. They know, better than anyone, what our Club needs both now and in the future. They do the negotiating supported by finance and legal folks at Villa. Richard Fitzgerald does NOT get involved with players. Richard is in charge of marketing and sales within the Club...with driving our Brand world-wide. As an example, he was instrumental in the Nike deal. He does NOT get involved with players. Randy talks to MON...and when MON says that he wants a player, Randy writes the check. You have seen this happen with several players...Young, Carew, Coker are examples. Simply put, this is how it works.

2. I have found no place in B'ham as yet. I normally stay at New Hall when I am in UK.

3. Club accepts money orders. We will have our kit in many more stores as a result of deal with Nike.

Hi General

question 1 you say MON says he wants the player and Mr Lerner writes the cheque.

You have used Young,Carew and Coker as examples of this.

I was under the impression that we did a straight swap/trade with Baros and Carew , are you able to confirm this as it may lead people into thinking that we payed a fee for Carew.

Many Thanks

Deamie

Not trying to speak for the The General but I'm sure I read/heard we paid £3m to Liverpool after distinguishing with Baros' services as part of resale fee in the contract? Could be wrong.