shambles

Ok I demand to know who else voted for Poyet apart from me!

I did a few days ago. I like the idea of an up-and-coming manager rather than an old lag.

That's the two votes accounted for so

Last I looked there were 7 votes for him. :?

Ok I demand to know who else voted for Poyet apart from me!

I did a few days ago. I like the idea of an up-and-coming manager rather than an old lag.

I'm hoping it's Roberto Martinez now, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

The football we could play with Makoun, Bannan, Albrighton and Downing in midfield being coached by him would be wanktastic.

Can't get my head round someone of Ancelottis calibre managing Villa unless serious, serious money was available to him. Like SERIOUS money.

we wouldnt hire lennon because of the circus that'd follow him

last thing we want are nail bombs in the post

That'd stop if he left Celtic.

Oh ****, Rafa is 4/5 favorite with only skybet giving odds on the market.

:cry:

Why is betting suspended on 'next villa manager' on paddypower?

I don't get this he got rid of the academy? It was actually Houllier who did that and now Liverpool have some great Youth coming through!

Nobody got rid of the academy - it just hadn't produced anybody of note since Steven Gerrard.

Then Rafa appointed the same guys who helped to develop Messi, Iniesta et al and abracadabra...

I don't think your youngsters had much of a chance looking at the number of foreign players Houllier and Benitez brought in between them. They had about as much chance at Liverpool as our lads under MON. MON **** off, and oh, guess what. A whole clutch of kids make the step up to first team football. Suprise, suprise.

Rafa - dismal anti-football, spent a fortune on some real duds, known to have a tantrum...the worst possible choice.

Obviously you're entitled to favour whichever managerial appointment you like.

But with respect, that isn't a very well-informed assessment at all.

What would you suggest then? Maybe ask a few fans on a Liverpool board and bring it back here for us to look over? Not a lot of us are fans of his.

Edit: that sounds sarcastic and I want to assure you, it is not written with that intent, I am genuinely interested.

It might be worth reading the following excerpts from Brian Reade's recent book. These shed a lot of light on the sort of nonsense Rafa had to deal with during his time at Liverpool:

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-was-dragged-to-its-knees-during-the-shambolic-reign-of-US-owners-Tom-Hicks-and-George-Gillett-article725227.html

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-co-owner-thought-Steven-Gerrard-was-gay-article725313.html

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Day-Three-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-owners-Hicks-and-Gillett-betrayed-Rafa-Benitez-and-wooed-Jurgen-Klinsmann-article725482.html

What was his exuse at Internazionale then?

I went for Gus Poyet. Has done well at Brighton so far and is a younger manager with something to prove. I've always been impressed with him in interviews, he comes across as very switched on and passionate, has played at the highest level and know the English game inside out. I think he'd be willing to work with most of the existing squad too and build for the future rather than buying shit loads of expensive foreign imports.

What he means is he might get eaten by an alligator.

here

Seriously, you can **** yourself up wearing th wrong shoes.

Can I also recommend Adidas Micoach to help plan and monitor your training, assuming you have an android smartphone.

Right then, feel it's time to supplement my training with some endurance, so might have to give this running lark a go.

How important are running shoes? I'm going to be looking at the couch to 10k plan to start, and running outdoors rather than being a pussy on a treadmill, so how important is my choice of footwear and is it really worth getting custom fitted running shoes based on analysis of your gait?

Yes, worth it. No big deal - you're not getting them custom made, just selecting the right sort off the shelf. Find a decent sports shoe shop for your first pair, after that you can play it by ear.

And (here I go again, sorry if you've heard it before) - find your local running club. For my money, better than all other advice.

Find a proper running shop.

Running Shoes Explained

Training shoes are your normal everyday trainers. They may be a lightweight trainer or even a trail shoe, but the most important thing about training shoes is that they fit properly and they are the right type of shoe for your foot. When we say the "right type of shoe for your foot", we mean that they give you the proper amount of arch support and cushioning based on your biomechanics and injury history.

Generally, there are three categories of running shoes: Motion Control, Stability, and Cushion. Shoes are classified based upon the amount of stability (pronation control) they provide the wearer's foot. There are many gray areas between the categories, so we define Light Motion Control, Light Stability, and Light Cushion categories for those shoes who do not meet the full requirements of the 3 main categories.

Lightweight trainers and trail running shoes are special-purpose training shoes. The support given by these types of shoes ranges from Stability to Light Cushion.

There is a common misconception that shoes that are stable are not cushioned. While it is true that stable shoes may be firmer in certain areas of the midsole (this is what helps provide the stability), supportive shoes have just as much cushioning as a shoe labeled "Cushion".

Motion Control Running Shoes:

Motion Control shoes are designed for the severe overpronator. A severe overpronator has a foot whose arch is too flexible and collapses excessively. This causes the foot to roll inward at an extreme angle and puts strain on the shins, knees, and lower back. Motion Control shoes are straight lasted and have a very broad base for support. Motion Control shoes will also have either a dual density midsole or a rollbar, or both, for added pronation control. Don't assume that just because a company or magazine says a shoe is "Motion Control" that it is. Test the shoe by twisting it to make sure it is rigid through the arch.

Light Motion Control Running Shoes:

Light Motion Control shoes are designed for the severe overpronator, but they are not as stable as Motion Control shoes. The overpronating foot has a flexible arch that collapses and causes the rolls in excessively. A Light Motion Control shoe is fairly straight lasted, rigid and broad through the arch, and has either a dual density midsole or rollbar for added stability.

Stability Running Shoes:

A Stability shoe is best for a mild to moderate overpronator, which is about 85% of the population. Overpronation is the excessive inward rolling motion of the foot. When an overpronator's foot hits the ground, the foot rolls inward (pronates) to absorb shock, but continues to pronate past a point that is considered healthy. Then, when the foot goes into the push-off phase and the foot is still in an overpronated position, it places a great deal of strain on the ankle, lower leg, knee, and lower back. Overpronation is the cause of many running injuries: IT band syndrome, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, the list goes on and on (too long)! By wearing the right type of shoe and training wisely, you can help to prevent injury. A Stability shoe has a built-in device to limit overpronation- and there really are only two-either a dual density midsole or a rollbar. A Stability shoe must also be rigid through the arch- try bending the shoe in the middle- if it flexes easily through the arch, it's not going to give good arch support.

Light Stability Running Shoes:

A Light Stability shoe is best for someone with a neutral gait cycle or a very mild overpronator. This type of foot has an arch that collapses slightly to absorb shock for the body. A shoe with some added stability features like a dual density midsole will give some support to this type of foot. A Light Stability shoe is somewhat flexible through the arch, but with enough rigidity to give some stability.

Cushion Running Shoes :

A Cushion shoe is best for the supinator or someone with a neutral gait cycle. This type of foot has a fairly rigid arch that does not collapse and therefore the foot does not absorb enough shock for the body. This type of foot needs a shoe that is all cushioning, with very little stability because the foot is stable enough . A Cushion shoe is flexible through the arch to allow the foot as much motion as possible.

Light Cushion Running Shoes:

A Light Cushion running shoe is best for a true supinator or underpronator. A supinator generally has a high arch and a rigid foot structure. This type of foot does not absorb enough shock for the body, therefore the shoe must do some of the work. A Light Cushion running shoe is not a very substantial shoe- it is all cushioning, with minimal arch support. A Light Cushion shoe is extremely flexible through the arch to allow the foot as much motion as possible. In general, a Light Cushion shoe will break down rather quickly (less than 400 miles).

Light Weight Trainers:

Lightweight trainers are (suprise! ) lighter weight training shoes, which are made lighter by reducing the amount of EVA or cushioning in the midsole and by using thinner, lighter weight materials in the upper. Some lightweight trainers are not as stable or as well cushioned as a full-fledged training shoe. Therefore, if you need a lot of stability, a lightweight trainer is probably not a good shoe for you as an everyday trainer. You would be better off getting a good stability or motion control shoe for your everyday trainer. Then, if you want a second, lighter shoe for speed workouts or racing, a stable lightweight trainer would be a good choice. Just be sure that the model you choose has stability features like a dual density midsole and is rigid through the arch. The DS-Trainer from Asics is usually one of the more stable lightweight trainers. However, if you don't have severe biomechanical problems and you are an efficient runner, a lightweight trainer could work for you as an everyday trainer.

Trail Running Shoes:

Trail shoes are extremely popular these days, but for the most part they are more fashion than function. Trail shoes generally have a more durable, less breathable upper to keep the wet stuff out. To give the wearer more traction, the outsole is thicker and more rugged than most training shoes. With most trail shoes, the outsole wraps up around the front of the toes to protect them from bumps. Trail shoes can make good training shoes and some are more stable than others. As with all training shoes, if you have flexible or low arches you will need a shoe that is stable, so look for a shoe that has stability devices and is rigid through the arch. There are few trail shoes that are built for overpronators, so if you need stability, be careful.

Not sure whether this will be allowed but the F365 forum has a dedicated cooking spin off site which is worth checking out. It's called Panwarrior and there are some good recipes on there.

Good evening General sir.

If you were an average working schmuck like most of us midlanders, earning an average wage or probably less, with very little disposable income, would you shell out for a season ticket next season at an increased price given the dross the fans have put up with at VP in the last 8 months?

The game turned with the introduction of Pires. A midfield pairing of Pires and Petrov? That's probably the least mobile and slowest duo we could possibly have put out. Petrov should have gone off for Bannan if you wanted to tinker with the team. Bringing Pires on was like giving away the extra man advantage and going 10 v 10.

Thank god for Gabby. He'll have needed that.....and so did we.

Not good enough.

Time for one of Houllier's magical half time teamtalks.

We should be winning and would be if Halsey wasnt such a word removed. Leading 2-1 away would be great and a very good half. As it is, it's 1-1 and they haven't properly threatened in my opinon since the first 20 minutes. Since then its been all us.

They could (and should) have been 3 up by then. A decent team would have buried us by now. Easy to see why we are where we are. We've been lucky the last 3 games in that we've played a threadbare Everton side who could barely put out a first XI and didn't have one senior player on their bench, Newcastle who were also missing key players and now West Ham without their talisman. The lack of cohesion in our team between players is quite frightening. I don't think I've ever seen a Villa side give the ball away so cheaply and make so many mistakes on and off the ball.

Chelsea beating West Brom 2-1 now..

This is possibly the worst game I've ever seen.

I feel sorry for Houllier today. He's set us up the right way today, got us playing to our strengths, but our defenders - individually and as a unit - are sub-standard.

He's had ample time to make an impact on our defensive play. The simple fact is, regardless of personal, we've been defensively brittle.

You can't polish a turd, and our central defenders are shit.

Sometimes you've got to change the tailor not the cloth.

I feel sorry for Houllier today. He's set us up the right way today, got us playing to our strengths, but our defenders - individually and as a unit - are sub-standard.

How do you work that one out? He's got a player who 12 months ago was an international left back training with the stiffs and replaced him with a right back who is better than the guy who is actually playing right back.

When was the last time we come back from behind?

I'm pretty sure we had a different manager.

Christ on a bike, atrocious defending and goalkeeping. Can't believe the board stuck with Houllier.

2 words General.

John Gregory.

He's as close to MON as you're going to get quickly; a Villa man, a fighter, a motivator and he'd give the players the kick up the arse they need. Lets face it we've got nothing to lose. All I do know is that when it's backs to the wall time, don't back the French.