Pez1974

Don't forget player power nowadays. If Mings wants to come here, he can pretty make it happen. And if they've signed his replacement for £13m, I would expect us to put a ceiling on the deal of below that. As good as he's been for 4 months, his injury record over recent years is awful, and that affects his value

Andy Carroll is available on a free. He's only 30. Any takers? Didn't think so.

This 100%. I haven't seen anyone suggest him as a coach , thank McGrath.

Cardiff need a striker. As do Huddersfield. And Fulham when Mitrovic does one. So do West Brom. And Stoke. I still think Staff United may sign him, but we need to set a deadline. Otherwise, perhaps a free transfer to make sure we get his wages put of the club.

I know what you are saying but I wouldn't be adverse to someone like Whelan taking a coaching role; or Gareth Barry. Deano and O'Kelly have tonnes of experience; sometimes you need a fresh voice. Fergus changed his assistant regularly- albeit for a lot of experience!

He's a very good player. But here is why he is loved and we want him. Just a good guy.

I would put Hause in as a LB, as I feel he will be emergency cover at CB only. I would give Whelan a one year deal. He might be what we need in he last 20 minutes in a lot of games next season. The other out of contracts can go, along with those mentioned in the opening post. Nyland; Thor; Taylor; Lansbury; Kodija; and Adomah can all go too. Plus Bree if Deano isn't convinced. We won't shift them all but as many as possible please!

This guy sounds like a thoroughly decent and sensible fella. Doesn't get over excited, but gets that the fans are important and the engagement achieved over recent months is critical in the future. Both were quick to praise others when applicable (Potato/Cabbage man; Suso; etc) and seemed thoroughly in control. I feel we're lucky to have him.

Grateful for his goals last season and his hard work. He won't be good enough for the prem, so we should thank him and help him move on.

Not for me. Celebrate like that when winning the league or the European cup. Nothing else.

Confused about the desperate need for a LB. Wouldn't Hause be that option? He did well for a few games at CB and is OK as cover there but we're going to have to tighten up defensively and I think he's a good option. Need to sort out Mings and the other defensive options quickly as they need to get game time all preseason.

Listening to a lot of previews and reviews, Dean Smith seems universally popular and respected and so many neutrals have an affinity for him. He is an asset to this football club, and no matter what the next season or 2 (or 3 or 4!) may bring, his position as manager should be fixed.

Given we may need to be a bit more solid next season, and try and keep the better players in the squad, I can see him on the bench a lot for RB/RW cover.

Watched the game in a bar in Turkey with a load of non-villa fans. It's all inclusive and I was trashed. How'd we do?

Yep, me too. I needed a piss and got up to run to the can and nearly broke an ankle turning back!

The squad are clearly all desperate to go up - but some seem more desperate than others. Jack the most, but Tyrone pretty close. I think he'd love to sign and spend the rest of his career here being successful.

We 100% need to be on top of this.... We meet Man City's asking price. We offer him massive wages. We offer him a long term contract. We offer him the club captaincy back. We offer him whatever he wants. Then we pull out at the last minute, because he failed a medical. We couldn't find a backbone or a heart. word removed.

I'm staying in a hotel in southern Turkey! It isn't convenient for Wembley. It's an all inclusive hotel though, so I might die. Having said that, I reckon it's cheaper to take the family there than for me to go to the game. Still wish I was going though.

One of those free players was Neil Taylor. He was dwelling on the ball, crossing it into the stands or playing a wayward pass. I think it was a Boggie tactic to let him have the ball. Going forward, he was awful in both games.

Honestly, I would be surprised if it cost us that much - around £12m in my view, as I think the players want to stay here, and there's a lot of player power now. Mings is the most valuable; Bournemouth paid £8m and I know costs have moved on, but he's only had half a season in the Championship of note in 4 years because of injuries and they've signed a new LB/CB this summer. £8m tops in my opinion. Hause - I thought we had an agreement. Can't see it being more than £2m, given where our finances will be if we don't go up. Much more than that I would start to question if he's worth it. El Ghazi - I'd read rumours of him being a free agent in the summer, but that could be BS. Lille signed him for about €8m, and shipped him out after 18 months. His value must have fallen, and him coming to a Championship club. £2m if not a freebie?

I think you are more correct on what will happen that I am @Rob182 It feels daft to retain players when we know they aren't up to it - which is why I think the outgoing loan market could be a massive factor for us if we go up. Getting a few out for 6 months (with a view to extending) will help, although perhaps not financially as much as we like. But it could rip the heart out of the squad. For example I would keep Elmo - he seems popular, does OK and can cover the whole right side, which will help. I think we'll get rid of Kodjia; rumours are he nearly went in January and he just doesn't fit. And the likes of Davis and Green - if they aren't going to play, why keep them around? We aren't helping ourselves, and could be ruining their careers by stopping them developing. Over the past few years, we have got ourselves into a mess.

If we go up... I really think we will see a ridiculous clearance of the squad on top of those out of contract. I think Smith will be ruthless, and there are a lot of players in the squad who will end up on loan next season with a view to a sale rather than integration into the first team at a later date - but to keep options open in case they step up. In this list I would have Bree, Green, Davis, Hepburn-Murphy, Doyle-Hayes, Suliman and possibly O'Hare from the youngsters, plus the likes of Kodija, Lansbury, Bjarnason, Hogan, Taylor and Nyland (once fit). None of these should be near our squad if we're in Premier League. One might add Elmo to that list. Obviously with the latter lot, selling now is better! The likes of McCormack, Tshibola, Gardner and Adomah just need to be gone ASAP on top of the ones out of contract - none of whom should be renewed IMO. I make this around 25 players out who are (or should have been) in or around the first team squad at some point this season, plus the 5 who are on loan here. We saw the changes made in our last season in the Prem, with some decent players coming in but without the time or manager to bring them together quickly. For this reason, I think it's really important we buy Tammy, Hause, El Ghazi and Mings - and try desperately to get Axel back as this at least would give us better continuity so a better chance to stay up.

Like others - No. Not ever. Take the points deductions, get relegated. Twice. We can come back. Lose control of your stadium and your future is no longer in your hands - see Coventry.

That would be very funny - but I'm not sure whether just pretending they don't exist would wind them up more. I'm not sure what I'd do if Blose fans didn't sing SOTV - it would be very confusing.

Fair point. I was going with the stereotypical answer. I think it is slightly wider than the average pitch in the league; not much compared to Villa Park. No idea on the Hawthorns - they probably have a really big pitch as otherwise they would have to put in more seats which they can't sell unless we're in town!!!