Flec

Anyone consider the effect this has on helping to balance the league?

Envisage a situation whereby Moyes plays 1 up front until Rooney picks up 5 yellows and gets banned for one match, so for that match he plays RVP instead (ie the current system).

Same situation happens at a club with only one decent striker, and a personal suspension/punishment for that player becomes a larger punishment for the team as theyre forced to play a less effective striker.

Envisage the new system.

Rooney makes 5 fouls which would result in the sin bin

Another club with one decent striker makes 5 fouls that result in the sin bin.

The concept has some very interesting knock on effects.

Football could become a more contact sport again as players don't have to dance around on their tip toes when they have a yellow, likewise you might find refs will sin-bin players for fouls in the first 5 minutes that wouldn't previously have picked up a yellow (because it was 'too early' in the game)

I've never been to Ottawa airport but I'd have thought 90minutes would be easily long enough, if you're simply transferring then a customs check again should be un-necessary.

Anyone driving from Brum, and want two passengers to contribute to costs, PM me

and if they want a 3rd, PM me!

Has anyone seen that national express are running a coach? I had a reasonably good experience when I used them at Download last year, £24 return I think

I'm having an issue getting the accomplishments for penalties and free kicks in the arena. No matter how many times I score I don't get credited anything. I press back to go into practice, choose free kick and set it up but it doesn't unlock. Am I missing something obvious?

FOR OVERSEAS HIGHLIGHTS... go to www.uknova.com.

You can download the whole game. You'll need to sign up but it's worth it as you can get a lot of UK tv including MOTD.

the torrent is http://www.uknova.com/wsgi/torrent/view/90741

No spaces

anyone got goals videos?

No more news on arteta yet?

Rumour has it that James Milner has stopped the use of the Villa team bus, he prefers to take the players,staff and baggage to away fixtures on his horse and cart

Particularly enjoyed the "Champions League, you're 'avin a laugh" and the collective sigh from the Holte

To echo the thoughts of others, my first european game and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

However we arrived half hour before kickoff and found scarves were sold out, it was announced on the loudspeaker there would be a rerun (i think it was scarves), how is it possible to get hold of one of these?

any objections to use in avatars here?

I have no problem with that

Awesome thanks

any objections to use in avatars here?

milner was valued at 4 million and now we seem to think barrys worth 18 million

Because he is, hes an england regular and previous (atleast) england captain

As it's still preseason, thought we could have a little discussion about the first prem manager to become unemployed.

Can start a poll if we've got some sort of consensus....

I'm going to say Southgate, don't ask me why, just a feeling.

*edit* Seems you cant add poll options once people have started, meh

tonyh29: To attempt to reply for the general....

The difference between Villa's situation and your example is that the chance you and the person you purchased your house from doing another deal in the near future is small, thus the fact you (presumably) overpaid for your house doesn't matter, that and the fact you wont buy another house soon.

If we bought Bentley for say £25million (a price most would agree is a bad deal for us) from Blackburn, even if he is a great success on the pitch we've permanently weakened our negotiating position. In the future if we go to buy a player the club will presume we have money to spare and force the price up(even only by a small amount, if it happens repeatedly it adds up). Such as the situation with Chelsea buying Bosingwa, I doubt as a fullback hes worth 17million but as everyone knows Chelsea are rich they've been forced to pay it. The issue is that Chelsea are rich and they can afford it, we can't afford that to happen on a permanent basis.

One of the key points in negotiating is to have a strong starting position, and ensure the person on the other end of the negotiating table knows that, having alternatives and not conceding on price too easily is one of the best ways to do this. Similar to the way Rafa has sent about 3/4 slightly higher bids to us about Barry in a short period, hes made himself look very weak and desperate especially as he doesn't appear to have any alternatives lined up.

Its frustrating but its the best long term policy!

ACDC just edged it, and SurreyAV: saw satch week ago on monday at birmingham symphony hall. Truely epic, far better than Vai

Apparently David Gold was in tears in an after match interview, and doesn't want to be somewhere he's not wanted.

And Sullivan has also come out and said he also wants out, and wants Gold to buy his shares. Not looking good.

I was in tears watching those interviews, hilarious

Hi General.

I just wondered and I know Randy is a very private man.

But it would be great to see a page in the Programme against Wigan with his thoughts of the season and his time here so far, also plans for the future etc..

Maybe this is already planned but if not Im sure many fans would enjoy reading it!

Carl

I'll second that, would be excellent

Seat exchange pages are fine here, browser issue? (Firefox 3 beta 3 here)

Hi General & thanks for your time. Can you look into the Villa v Middlesborough game on 8th and try and get us news about it asap.

Middlesborough have just drawn in cup and we're concerned the game will be moved. My dad is taking me for my birthday but we've been holding off on getting tickets due to the confusion!

I was Naysons sidekick Evildan, a fat orc rogue, I recognise the name, pretty sure I saw you around

Orc rogues, how could I not remember you also

then I salute you, Flecamaw dwarf warrior (of northwind gale and herbal tribe) now also retired.

Up the Villa!

Did you not migrate to Tarren Mill already?

Nayson? undead warlock?

General Krulak here:

1. BELIEVE ME, I have heard you. I have communicated directly with Randy and he hears you too! My sense is that every owner in the Premiership is also hearing from their fans...the difference is that I have read your comments and passed them directly to Randy. First and foremost, Randy is not a money-grubbing foreigner who doesn't care about his Club. He, like me, loves England, loves English Football, and loves Aston Villa Football Club (I think he has shown that time and again). He would not do something that would hurt his Club or English Football. Part of "exploring" is to see and hear the feedback coming our way...we have certainly got that. I would ask one thing...trust Randy. He will not do anything that will hurt AVFC.

Thanks again for your time, we can't ask for anymore than this!

hypocrite..