dont_do_it_doug.

So either Gerrard is a genius and we just can't see it yet, or he by your own logic he can't even implement the basics? I would argue that even the best managers with complex tactics are at the very least able to quickly lay foundations to build from. I'd be interested to hear an argument to the contrary.

Hard disagree. Obviously you can't replace Grealish, but we have tons of quality in the squad. I mean you are basically comparing Traore, Trezeguet and El Ghazi to Buendia, Bailey and Coutinho. The problem is obvious.

In the past I have always found myself backing certain managers to the point which in retrospect turned out to be way past the point of no return. Clinging on to 'the dream' rather than making a critical decision based on the facts in front of my very eyes. After the few years we've all suffered through, both within football and without, I have made a pledge to myself that outside of match days, where all bets are off, I would no longer allow my heart to rule my head in the decision making process. I'd try to look at things objectively and come to a conclusion based in reality rather than raw emotion. And the reality right now is telling me that Steven Gerrard either does not have what it takes to manage a team at this level, or he has been hamstrung by some external force. With no solid evidence of the latter, the only logical conclusion I can reach is the former. He's just not good enough. We have no identity, no style we can cling on to, no sign that all it will take is a small tweak here and there and everything will click into place. If you remove emotion from the judgement there's simply nothing there other than toxicity, on and off the pitch, and I have yet to hear a single fact based argument to the contrary. What summed it up perfectly for me was the assessment of our performance I heard on an Irish football podcast. They were talking about our press on Saturday, how when Bournemouth were knocking it around the back our forward players would kinda jog towards the ball without actually committing, getting sucked in and leaving these huge gaps for Bournemouth to exploit behind. Playing right into the on and only hand they had to play. We were completely outwitted by a championship manager with a championship team. It was horrendous to suffer through and although I hate this phrase usually, we as supporters deserve better than that. The owners who have pumped near on half a billion into this project so far, deserve better too. If it was a one off then ok, you roll with the punch. But it really isn't. This is a theme. Steven Gerrard the manager, and Aston Villa by extension, are all fart and no shit. We're a loose set of ideas without any real structure, drive or purpose. And to those who are still protecting him from afar I will say, if you remove your heart from the equation and look at the performances over the last 9 months you too will surely come to the same conclusion. He has to go. And if he has to go, it might as well be today. Because the longer we leave this, another season is lost. Or worse. And lord knows we don't want to tread that road again.

Personally I hope people adjust their opinions to the reality of the situation, but each to their own I guess.

They absolutely will not wait that long. He has 5 games.

Unless there's a miracle over the horizon he'll be playing 3 at the back before you know it, so why wait for the inevitable?

Cometh the hour...

The only one I listen to regularly now is The Villa Podcast. They're not sycophants, neither connected to the club in any way or wannabe's, which makes a refreshing change.

This seems based on stuff his dad was saying rather than the player himself.

I don't think he's good enough to be starting for us on a regular basis.

How much would you demand for Jacob Ramsey?

Doubting Ox because of his injury record is one thing, doubting him because of his ability is ludicrous. He’d be the perfect foil, cover and potential mentor for Ramsey. He would arguably immediately be our 2nd best midfielder.

Ffs the transfer window closes in 74 days and we’re nowhere near ready. Classic Villa.

Yeah, can’t wait to get Bailey into the team.

Beautiful bit of kit that. Simple, sleek, sexy.

So double pivot just means 2 x central midfielders and the overall system doesn’t matter?

Which is probably why we’ve been mostly utilising two number 9’s since February. Many successful teams don’t. Many formations are available. Why the obsession with *this* one?

Christ not the double pivot again. Why is there such an obsession with this particular tactic over almost any other?

Aye. A number 8, another ball carrier like JJ.

One of those was Philippe Coutinho to be fair, hardly dull or a forgone conclusion. And we’ve filled two areas of relatively desperate need with potential quality. We’ve only really got one absolute must have to go, in my opinion. Everything else is gravy from there. Signing 7/8 players of the quality we need to push on every summer isn’t sustainable.

It’s June 16th and we’ve signed 4 players. Villa fans: This is depressing.

I mean honestly I don’t give a **** what the CEO of Seville FC thinks of our club.

I’m not convinced I know what kind of player Rashford is, never mind whether he’s the “elite striker” we should sign to push us onto the next level. He needs to go somewhere where he would fulfil a specific need and make that position his own, I don’t think that club is Aston Villa. Still, none of the strikers mentioned as realistic targets in this thread have me sitting up and taking notice.

Fin Azaz will be delighted