coda

Whats the point in signing a keeper we will be looking to replace again this time next year?

Stop your moaning child. Given is 35. Friedel and van der Sar were still top 'keepers at 40.

Solid if unremarkable signing.

I reckon by October he'll be whinging to the press about being the best in training but not starting games.

Just can't see Ireland ever amounting to anything here sadly.

I haven't despised a villa player as much since Sasa Curcic

Why did you hate Ćurčić?

Ball to hand.

He's had a much better start than Houllier. I got the impression Houllier thought we were lucky to have him whereas it's the opposite with McLeish.

Aye. I'm more annoyed at the board than F'eck.

Went to see Transformers: Dark of the Moon yesterday

Absolutely loved it, pure cheese, pure action and exceptional cgi, the best thing about it was the fact that it had a decipherable story and alot of the stupid jock humour from the first two films are all but gone save for 5 minutes of Ken Jeong's predictable schtick and a weird cameo from John Malkovich.

A few surprise twists and turns help alot aswell, its never gonna be more than a cheesy summer popcorn flick but youll have a lot of fun while watching. My eyes actually felt tired after it finished due to the amount of action and also due to the exceptional use of 3d, probably the first film that has used it to its full potential and it blows avatar's 3d out of the water.

It has thankfully helped erase the travesty of the second film from my mind.

I realise 90% of people and alot of TF purists will think its absolute trash but i love it, take it for what it is and just enjoy the spectacle.

sharp shiny shit

Good review.

Money laundering!

I was sure he'd be here for another season seeing as we bought him when he was crocked. The more recent quotes are not too positive although I can't see a CL team coming in for him.

I have said it a couple of times, but go into the archives of Hardcore History and download the Ghosts of the Ostfront podcasts. They are utterly brilliant.

Nice one. I'm reading Stalingrad at the moment and will check this out once I'm finished.

I can see Ireland being shipped out somewhere with us covering a %age of his wages.

So the £2m compensation reported by Sky fecking Sports hasn't been confirmed?

**** off. We have to pay them gobshites to take McLeech. I have no faith in this Board.

Its being reported he's getting £2m a year on a 3 year contract. Is that cheap ? - doesn't seem like it to me ?

It's significantly cheaper than MON and Houllier.

I hope they don't jettison Sid when McLeish brings his team with him. That'll be another slap in the face to the fans.

Come back Schteve, why have you forsaken us?

Ah crap, in the furore I'd forgotten about this bald-headed waster.

Fixtures released on Friday. I wonder if we'll have a manager in place.

I think we'll interview him

I don't think we'll appoint him

I think this statement is an attempt to show the rest of the world that the board are in charge rather than the 'Lord of the Flies' supporters populating the forums

That said if we do appoint McLeish I'll be bitterly disappointed, he'd be a rubbish appointment, his Blues team played the worst football in the league for the last two seasons

I think the statement is the Board's way of preparing the fans for the inevitable. I hope I'm wrong but it looks like a foregone conclusion.

we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience

WTF, experience of getting relegated.

Sunderland have bid for lifelong supporter Craig Gardner.

I await the press conference:

Am reet happy to be at tha stadium of leet t'neet.

I can't keep away from VT despite my best intentions. It's like picking a scab.

Can we have a simple poll on this? Just a 'Do you want Alex Mcleish as manager? Yes/No'

Would be interesting to see the results.

Interesting how??

Its quite clear that the more balanced supporters are going to be drowned out by the boo boys

So because the majority disagree with your views they are not balanced supporters?

There's a poll on the Guardian site which is over 80% no. Surprised it's so low but no doubt it's not just Villa fans voting.

The horror...the horror...