VBM

He no finnish, he's only 28!

Frustrating season to put it mildly. I'm no coach but two aspects stood out to me. 1. Our dysfunctional midfield. Not sure what the issue is here as when I look at the components the players seem pretty good, but they are very much less than the sum of their parts. Our inability to keep possession and lose controls of games is crazy. Lets hope Kamara is the players who makes it all work. 2. Mental weakness, twice in a single season to be winning 2-0 and lose 3-2, just shows a weak mentality. That is not a tactical issue it is a mental issue.

If we are consistently inconsistent does that mean we are consistent? Dysfunctional midfield at it again, not sure what the answer is but what we are doing doesn't work.

That would make more sense - 20k is what the new main stand at Anfield sits and that is a side stand not behind the goal.

So new stand will hold 20k? Given it is a 13k increase on current capacity. That is going to be an absolute monster

I'm 100% sure the game messes with you in hidden ways. Firstly I'm sure there are "special" players in the game. I got one such player in my youth intake first season this save. Straight away rated 5* PA and never dropped even as my team got to the winning champions leagues must years stage. Model citizen personality, determination 20. His stats we just OK until he was about 26 but he always had the description "world class midfielder". The thing is he would score a few absolute worldies a season, you know those special type of goals that come around once every 1000 goals or something. Deep into extra time champions league, this guy would casually volley one in from the half way line, away at Anfield last game of the season for the title, sublime chip in off the post. I'm convinced there is a hidden attribute for "son of god" or something. It is not a stats / attribute thing, it is a magic dust thing. This guy has it. This same save though, I have lost 18/19 penalty shootouts, including 17 straight. Not even close either, regularly missing the first 3/4 etc. Nothing wrong with composure or penalty taking stats. Absolute beast of a team with 24 world class or elite level players in the year 2035 and I train penalties before potential matches that could go to shootouts. Never had this on any save before and I don't think the RNG element can be at play here. I think SI have a thing where they randomly say this save is going to punish you mentally and make you question your very sanity.

Similar to Rocky. The first one was a proper film, 10 Oscar nominations, won three including best picture and best director. Just the litany of sequels that tarnish the reputation.

I'll take any of those over Wild West or 1940's private eye film noir episodes.

Really pleased to see the love for DS9 in this thread, clearly you are all individuals of great taste and class. The beautiful multi season story arcs are a thing of wonder. Although as we are all Villa fans perhaps that was to be expected. I have been re-watching Enterprise in the mornings on Sci-fi, first series is still a bit rough, but certainly better than the first run through. TNG is still one of the best over 'monster of the week' shows ever made. It is a real shame that the latest few iterations just seem to have missed the mark. What ever TNG and DS9 have especially is missing from them and it makes me sad. Also big shout out to the Orville - if people haven't seen it, it is the most TNG like show made in recent years and well worth a watch to scratch that itch.

I assumed it was Targett?

Mark Bosnich - Sunderland away league cup in I think 92/93. They absolutely pummeled us for 90 mins but we won 1-4. I just remember Bozzie being hilariously good in that game. Just found this write up from a Sunderland supporter: https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2019/7/7/18715349/tales-from-the-stands-safc-1-villa-4-1993-bosnich-the-villain-as-lads-get-sucker-punched

With Gerrard's tactics we need more of a Cafu and less of a Gary Neville. Ability aside Cash is a full back rather than the attacking wing-back type we require to play our current system. If we can sell him and buy a Dinge style upgrade that fits our play style better we should do it.

Defender on the Atari 2600 for me also. This is one of those tell us your age without telling us your age questions isn't it?

4 Seasons into my Villa save, 4 champions league qualifications, one UEFA cup, one FA Cup, one league cup and just about to clinch my first league, which has been hard as Man City (under Klopp btw) have been beastly. Very satisfying, particularly as once all my wonderkids mature I'll be unbeatable. Chuck, both Ramsey's, KKH all total shit in this save, Barry ok, but is basically a squad / quota filler.

He is a regular starter for Juve not an 19 year old at a league two club. I mean I have never seen him play but I assume he is at the required standard

Tommi? That spelling annoys me more than it should.

Hmm - this was usually the case for me, but playing my first save of 2022 and I am getting utterly ridiculous wonderkids coming through - got 4 in one year. I have two 17 year old's out on loan CA 2, PA5. Both beasts with 19 & 20 determination. The others look equally good but I'm having to retrain them as they are in positions I don't use.

To be fair - I have been playing it since the early 90's. So I guess I am partly to blame for them not fixing it.

Time to give our expectations for next season. Me:I think we can qualify for the champions league. Players: OMG no how dare you. you are setting us up to fail We are sad! Shame there is no option for "lads I've been here two seasons, we've finished 4th and 3rd. We got to the quarters of that competition last year. You pack of bitches. But no, I have to back down and suggest the Euro cup. Urgh. Why can't SI sort this out?

Just an FYI - that Beale is one of the better assistant managers in the game

I agree, what I find strange is that Cash was a winger until his final season at Forrest. He must have been total shit because I see little evidence of any real ability going forward.

It was the Alan Hansen "you'll never win anything with kids" line on MOTD after that match. Sadly for everyone else the kids he was referring to were Giggs, Scholes, Beckham etc. They won the league later that year.

I hate them. When I think of this fixture I just think of them getting a lucky winner and their dickhead glory hunting arse clown fans spilling out on to the pitch to hug the players and high five the ref. We need to win this one for my sanity.

Qualified for the Champions League in my first season. End of the season Matt Cash comes to see me, he is very annoyed that I have been playing him in the right back position, with a role of complete wing back. He wants to play full back. I tell him no. He slams in a transfer request and moves to Rangers for £35m. So yeah realism as good as ever.

So this one is happening as well then? Get a DM and this will be the best window I can remember.