billy_loes

It's going to be a BIG summer.

One thing's for sure, the managerial situation needs to be settled immediately so that we can resolve issues like this and move on.

They'll be on the phone to Sparky Hughes right now.

Would you sign a contract extension without knowing who the manager was going to be or how we were going to replace Ashley Young?

There's a bit of this and a lot of Darren's on 75K a week so I want 75K a week. Trust me their ego's know no boundaries.

They want to get a manager in and bloody quick about it. The uncertainty is just going to encourage other clubs to come in for him.

The 'I'm 26 years old at a crossroads' bit doesnt bode well either.

I wouldn't be happy! No DOF, and no Houllier.

And I don't think Ancelotti would be that great for us.

Boo to that suggestion .

Who's the preference?

Ancelotti and Houllier are friends and a you wouldnt have to be Bergerac to see a recommendation occurring.

Just saying we ended well, finished 9th so be happy is the wrong way of thinking IMO.

I dont think there are many, if any who are happy with the season as a whole. I think the quote above from the General and another from the same post are enough for us to believe an announcement will be made shortly, possibly in the next 5 days or so.

Agree Jonno. Flanagan was made to look like a rabbit in the headlights of **** big Panzer.

Panzer's did not have headlights...

Poetic licence ....but I dont see Downing as a Panzer. I see him more as a Maserati.

What position should N'Zogbia play then?

He plays off Rodallega or inside left in old terminology. He has played wide but he's not a winger like Ash.

Nothing wrong with 4-3-3, but it doesn't need two wingers. Which other top side plays with two wingers? Or even which side has been successful with two wingers? N'Zogbia would be great for us but he's not a winger. Who's DJ?

My thoughts exactly. (Downing= DJ)

When he plays well he plays very well. But he does go missing too often for me. I'd like us to have 1 winger and focus on playing through the centre of midfield more. if Albrighton does progress as he seems able to do so then I see the argument for selling Downing and Ash and reinvesting elsewhere. This is O'Neill's team and his shape also. Any manager - a new one or otherwise - will want to play to their favoured system and shape and I think Downing/Ash/Albrighton is starting to look slightly anachronistic.

There is no way any time soon Albrighton will take over Downing IMO.

I don't think he goes missing, even yesterday, little was happening, he was the players trying to actually move around the pitch and get things going but when you are on the wing, it's hard to sort of control the game.

The thought of selling Downing is embarrassing. He was our best player this season and by some way.

He spent half the game in the middle.

NB He had a good game there too.

Spurs have a good manager and made some great buys (I don't know where they get all their money from).

ENIC, Joe Lewis, Lord Sugar and a few other very wealthy chappies. They're very good at accounting.

Ciaran Clark 22 games 10 yellow's.

He needs to stop kicking people as well! I didn't say it was just Makoun...

Thats my point, I wouldnt want to take that part of their game away. Neither are dirty players.

Rafa Benitez has moved to favourite with both Skybet 5/6 and Chandler's Evens. Hughes back out to 9/4 and 5/2 respectively.

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The guy has got an edge to him and letting Karl Henry know so isn't something I'd criticise him for.

In all fairness mate Karl Henry completely bullied him out of that game and Makoun couldn't handle him.

It seems he really struggles against players that get stuck in to him and if he is still here next season, which I have doubts about, then its something he needs to improve on quickly.

Thats exactly what didn't happen. The rest were bullied out of it and Makoun was the only one who returned the serve, I think he was booked for a challnge on Henry. (none had good games) . I think the red mist descends quickly when players nibble at him.

I'm not sure he's settled in at all though, have to wait and see.

Robbie Savage said before he went on air on Late Kick-Off yesterday that it's a done deal Mark Hughes to be new Villa manager...Remember where you heard it first!

I'd be happy enough with Hughes.

He needs to stop kicking people as well.

7 games, 2 yellows, 1 red.

Sheesh.

The guy has got an edge to him and letting Karl Henry know so isn't something I'd criticise him for. Getting banned isn't bright but one could argue it was harsh.

Ciaran Clark 22 games 10 yellow's. Again I like players who put themselves around a bit in a team that has been widely criticised for lack of fight for much of the season.

Rafa Benitez is now 1/2 with Skybet..!!! this from 3/1 yesterday, while Chandler's go 11/4.

Mark Hughes is 10/11 with Chandler and 3/1 with Skybet.

Moyes has drifted from 4/1 to 10/1 with Skybet.

I expect an announcement from the club within the next 7 days and I see a curveball coming.

Taken the 10/1 with Chandler's on the off chance this may come off.

better players than makoun have failed here.

A subjective notion but I'm interested to who you think they are.

If 'here' is the Premier League then:

Veron

Shevchenko

Forlan

Rebrov

Marlet

Dzeko

Poulsen

I read it to mean Villa but the Prem is littered with them.

better players than makoun have failed here.

A subjective notion but I'm interested to who you think they are.

Moyes has predictably drifted like the Kon Tiki to 4/1 with Skybet. Interestingly Mark Hughes is now odds on with both Skybet and Chandler. Now both firms were going around 7/1 about a week ago and I would say Hughes has been lined up.

I think your overestimating our chairman if you think Hughes has been lined up - ! - I think he is content to let GMAC run the show for as long as it takes for GH to return.......and if if he doesn't I think Randy will take the easy option of Benitez.

Now you've said that I reckon Hughes is nailed on.

Reckon with more money to spend that he got at Everton, Moyes would get us into Europe every season, then maybe challenge for the champions league in afew seasons. Who knows what he could do if he was given a decent amount.

“The last thing he needs to hear is someone talking about his job but I’m not interested in it, so that answers it.”

Its a bit categorical that last bit. Moyes would be great but I just dont see him moving.

Moyes has predictably drifted like the Kon Tiki to 4/1 with Skybet. Interestingly Mark Hughes is now odds on with both Skybet and Chandler. Now both firms were going around 7/1 about a week ago and I would say Hughes has been lined up.

Moyes odds cut from 12 to 9/1 with Victor Chandler. That'll be BOF's tenner then. Drifting with Skybet 9/4 from 6/4.

Only have a handfull left now , looks like a sell out. If anyone has one spare ticket to sell please get in touch . It's for myself .

I've sent a pm to you about ticket.

Cheers mate ...Call off the search .

No problem. See you Sunday