PompeyVillan

That was a thoroughly useful pre season game. We played well against good opposition, Leipzig took the game seriously. Indeed both teams did, it was a bit if an ill tempered affair from the off. Early signs of a battling mentality, which could hold us in good stead. We looked vulnerable at times, but Mings was really good during those periods. Hourihane was decent in all areas but showed why he is such an important player to have on the pitch. His set pieces are magnificent. McGinn looked a little bit off the pace, he was harried and pressed and be didn't look used to having such little time on the ball. He'll get better though. Full backs were not entirely convincing, but not bad. Wesley was reasonably quiet. Jota is my new favourite player, he didn't do anything stand out today, but I like the look of him. Overall we can be quite pleased with that.

I think putting "crossing" in my post has confused it a little, because that is not the focus of my interest in John Terry. Of course all teams will cross the ball. I'm more interested in what John Terry believes is the best way to approach a football game.

I'm intrigued by John Terry as a coach. He's been mentored by Jose Mourinho, a coach known for pragmatic, organised, tactical football. A reactive coach, who adapts his game to his opponent, whether they are a big team or not. Terry admires Mourinho, it's clear. Mourinho teams bore the life out of fans of the clubs that he manages. Why Real Madrid ever hired him I don't know? Because he is so good I suppose, anyway, I digress. Terry is now working with Dean Smith, who is not so much of a pragmatic, reactive coach, but capable of being flexible. Smith has an idea, he likes technical players who express themselves and encourages his players to act with spontaneity in attack. Last season I felt that although we played towards Smith's ideals, he compromised on them somewhat and I wonder whether that is JTs influence. We played much better, passing football, but we were still essentially a crossing team. I don't think Smith is a crossing manager. He's more Klopp than Mourinho. So what is John Terry? It would be interestes to hear him talk about his 'football philosophy'. Not a year or two ago, but now, after working with Smith. He's a young coach, and undoubtedly he's an inspirational character with the requisite man management skills to become a successful coach or manager. I'm interested in his flavour of football.

He has great teeth.

But at that point was unproven at centre back. Smith gave him the opportunity and he took it. Bruce didn't trust him enough. Now he's on the fringe of the Man United first team. I'd stay put if I were him.

Pochettino sounds frustrated with Levy, saying his job title should change to head coach, as he has no say in transfers. Can't say I am surprised their transfer policy at the moment is rely on Pochettino's brilliance as a coach to improve what they already have I predict that Zidane will get himself sacked at Real Madrid and Pochettino will take over at some point this season, probably towards the end of the season.

I think after his experiences with Bruce, he would be reluctant to play for him again. Bruce played 'Zebe at right back. Also, Axel's greatest quality is his ability to break the lines and bring the ball out of defence. Bruce doesn't want his center backs doing this, as it puts them out of position. Also, being third choice at Man United is better than being first choice at Newcastle. He'll play this season for United. Personally I can't wait to see him again at VP he deserves a heroes welcome for his contribution to our promotion. I would rather have him back at VP in a Villa shirt though mind.

It's a very lazy comparison, and any pundit who uses the comparison should take some time to brush up on their knowledge. It's lazy shorthand for 'a newly promoted team spending alot of money', but plays into a narrative of failure. It's indicative of the shocking level of analysis and punditry that mainstream media outlets put out there. Are we going to say that Man City are 'doing a Liverpool' if they win the Champions League this season? Due to poor management over many years at the end of last season we had an old squad who were paid far too much money. There was always going to be a high turnover of players this pre season. However Villa have also invested a significant amount of money in the squad. It's an interesting story, undoubtedly it will raise a few eyebrows. Unfortunately many pundits know so little of football outside of England that any player that hasn't played in the Premier League is considered an unknown quantity and a 'risk'. Which is something I've always found amusing. 'Premier League experience' nonsense. We've signed lots of players that have never played in the Premier League, so clowns like Allardyce ("If my name were Allerdinho, I'd be Barcelona manager") think we've loaded up football manager and YouTube and clicked around randomly until the signings have completed. For probably the first time ever, we as fans can understand the rationale behind each and every signing. Although our model isn't complete, we can see in the way that we try to play that we are looking for certain qualities in players. Central defenders with confidence on the ball, midfielders with a good engine and good technique, wide players with variation in their play (not just nippy wingers and crossers) etc. Underpinning these footballing qualities are the personal qualities that we are now looking for in players. The importance of players that take ownership of their development, that work for the team and want to improve. And alongside the footballing and personal qualities of the players, the recruitment makes sense on a business level. Younger players with resale value or who's value will increase. I don't really know that much about what Fulham did last season, I know they brought in a few big names with "Premier League experience" and it didn't work out for them. Lazy pundits will put it down to 'they didn't gel' or 'too much change'. But from what I could see their recruitment only made sense on a surface level. There didn't seem to be a cohesive strategy in place that looked beyond the next 12 months. But meh, this isn't really about Fulham, it's about Villa and I think we've done a pretty job. Without a ball being kicked in anger that opinion is based on what I can piece together from what I've hear about players, what I know about Smith and what I've heard from Purslow. I'm confident we won't 'do a Fulham', if 'doing a Fulham' means getting relegated.

He's their Jack Grealish. Except he plays in goal.

Wrong thread.

It just says welcome to Douglas Luiz, but no information about work permit. You would imagine that it's done, it would be hugely embarrassing for the club if not.

How do you know that? If so it's a very good return for the club.

If we can establish ourselves as a feeder club to the biggest clubs in the world, then actually we're in really good shape. And I would be happy with that. We want to be an attractive club to play for, I think we are already. It is the most natural way for us as a club to progress. We're not going to pluck the most promising players in the world up, because we won't be able to compete with the biggest clubs for them. Deals like this will benefit us in the short to medium term, if they are successful. Anyway, he's got to get into the Villa team first. It looks like we're developing some healthy competition for places, so if he does get into the Villa team, we're already doing well and have some nice options off the bench.

That is one hell of a YouTube compilation. My feeling is that he'll be a real crowd pleaser, ridiculous levels of ability, but I suspect he'll be frustrating/inconsistent. There is certainly some magic in those boots though.

He was excellent tonight and I totally refute the post above that questions his attitude. I think that is nonsense, he has never shown anything but professionalism. If we are honest, it hasn't worked for him at Villa so far, but that is not because he hasn't tried. A bit like Hogan, we have not suited Lansbury. It hasn't worked. There are signs to me however tentative in this pre season that he's capable of being a decent player. He's been given an opportunity to impress above McGinn this evening and he showed against much lesser opposition that he can offer something different. I have my doubts whether he can make a significant impact in the premier league, however it appears to me as if we're shifting our play style from 'down the wings and cross it' to a bit more variation and penetration through the middle. I think that will suit Lansbury.

I enjoy your enthusiasm for youth players Mr Cahill, but RHM is anything but ready for the quality of the Premier League. He looks like a lively young player who could do with a successful loan spell. Chances are that he won't make it at Villa, but he has an exciting career ahead of him as a professional footballer. I see him as the sort of player we could potentially sell for a nice few million to an emerging Championship club. If that is the case then he should be considered a very successful product of our youth academy. I suspect his story may be similar to Callum Robinson. The sort of player we cannot successfully develop to their full potential because we can't afford for them to develop in the high pressure environmental of the Premier League or even the Championship. He'll be good for someone, but at the moment I don't see that being us.

He has 3.7 million followers o. Instagram. For perspective John Terry has 4.7 million, Elmo has 875k, Grealish has 330k, Ming's has just under 100k and Wesley has about 40k. This is potentially a lucrative commercial deal as well as an important footballing deal. Egypt is football mad.

Perhaps that's the reason that we're so prolific in the transfer market. Potential signings mistake Suso for the big guy and then can't get Judy's wardrobe malfunction out of their minds.

I know this has Bin Dunn's in another thread but I cannot wait for the MOTD analysis of Super John. Gary Lineker: A great result away at Old Trafford for Aston Villa, and they owe a huge amount to the performance of one man, don't they Alan? Alan Shearer: Yes, they do. John McGinn. He was absolutely everywhere for Aston Villa. In his own box winning tackles, he didn't give Paul Pogba one moments rest in the middle and he pops up with the winner in the final third. A fine performance. Jermaine Jenas: I have to say I watched him last season in the championship and he was excellent. The Villa fans were singing his name from the first minute and you can see why, he gives absolutely everything for the cause. Gary Lineker: Yes, a fine performance, talk us throughout the goal Alan. Alan Shearer: It all starts off with Mings, who nutmegs Marcus Rashford, and then plays the ball into midfield for Jack Grealish, who jinks one way and there the other. He just has a little look before he plays the ball through the defence. It's a fantastic ball, and who's on the end of it? John McGinn. He powers passed Axel Tuenzebe, who the Villa fans love by the way, and then NUTS! How do you like that then? Thank you very much. The Villa fans like that one. He puts it through DeGea's legs. Gary Lineker: The celebration wasn't bad either was it? Alan Shearer: You wouldn't have caught me doing that, not in our day Gary. Jermaine Jenas: Meeeeeooooooooooooooowwww Gary Lineker: Quite. The next two teams are meeting today for the 37th time at Anfield, your commentator? Joey Barton...

I think this may be the only way to get tickets this season for most games if you are not a season ticket holder. I get to 5-10 games a season, so for me it's great. It gives me a better chance of getting tickets for games against the big teams which in the past has been difficult, but not impossible.

Bjarnason's biggest asset is that he can run.

I would love to sign this guy. Pure silk.

He reminds be a bit of Olivier Giroud, but more athletic. Seems to be able to hold the ball up well and make use of it.

Young ones looking lively.

Thanks for the link, that's an amusing read. It reads a bit like our Spurs thread from a few years ago. "They are not our rivals!". Imagine if we beat them this season, that thread will go into meltdown.