avshipscat

Thierry.......................

David Unsworth...complete with his Liver Bird missus

This potentially could be a steal.. he's got all the asset's you require to make it . As already mentioned, he's a standout in the age group of England..and was interesting everyone 9 months ago Suspect we've 'monitored' this since Mark Harrison rocked up as the Academy Manager..he was at Smethwick for about 9 years. Plus he's local, went to Bishop Walsh in Sutton and his dad owns the Lounge in Boldmere, he's Villa and I think he's found it a tough induction at Barca with the amount of youngsters there. It won't be a million and a half either..they owe Smethwick 200k for him.. reckon it'll be less than a million with a buy on clause

It's a blizzard now in Sutton. Forecasting all through the night now too,with some respite about 0700. I'll be surprised if we play tomorrow,with the state of the roads and public transport being affected.The cross city service is struggling,nothing out of New St at present.

A Loan...He'll be back in B6 for the ice cream season! No way he'll fit into the solid 442 that Dyche prefers. I actually think we're in a Brucey game of poker with our potential forward options. All of them appear to be either on top dollar(Rhodes),very expensive for their present contract(Hogan) and I think there's someone else we've courted,and would prefer but he's top dollar in every manner.Afobe? I wonder if we'll put down a take it or leave it,maybe splashing big on our Number 1 but with the proviso that we work down our options to Rhodes and Hogan,both of whom, if I was the parent club,would be anxious to move on.

Benik Afobe?

Right....Here's my take...with a tiny bit of info from someone whom has called a few things before. I think we'd like Hourihane,but what's in it for Barnsley and indeed the player.He's out of contract in 5 months,where he'd be able to pick up a very fat juicy one from a number of teams....He'd be a great signing for anyone departing the premiership for example.Also,Barnsley,I suspect,would prefer to make their position concrete rather than accept 3/4/5 million.Unless we start waving around 45k a week and 6/7 million I think we'll be in limbo with him. As for Lansbury,firstly he's definitely from the Richards,Gabby,Lescott M.O mixed with an ego that needs purring. No thanks.Apparently off to Watford. Looking objectively,we need experience and knowhow in midfield.We appear to be outbattled and unable to dictate the tempo.Bruce's teams are always combative,but he's also partial to a ballplayer in there...Huddleston,Ferguson for the Dogshite.One of the names i hear is Larrson of Sunderland,but we have more silky irons on the go too.....Someone on Twatter did suggest we were interested in Mikel prior to him signing for Valencia,and there may have been some mileage in that,which bodes well. I think he also fancies a more robust centre forward.Not one of them is effective with their back to goal...or effective up front on their own...Literally someone like Ulloa or Hernandez...Pace,strength on their own effectively...Something Gestede was unable to do.Kodija looks more threatening with space to operate,and fails to cope with a physical approach,as fantastic as he's been.

I imagine his tune will be Live it up by mental as anything...As a bit of Tame Impala may induce a few raised eyebrows!

I wonder how this will play out, It's public now,but I struggle to see a scenario where anyone would match his terms and our requirements at the moment. The footballing world sees his raw talent,but knows his team limitations.At the top end of the game,which is where those demands are,he hasn't shown enough for him and us to recoup what we've paid out.The grapevine will also be full of the alledged bad attitude to training and the presence of bad company.I can't see Tony writing this one off,especially in light of his prudent comments.

Dalian Atkinson, his name alone reminds me of a time when supporting Villa was fun. It's such sad news The first time I appreciated the talent of Dalian Atkinson was in 88/89 when he spanked in a 20 yarder of subliminal power for Ipswich Town at Villa Park.It was unusual because I clapped an opposition goal,although the fact we were 6 up ,perhaps had something to do with it. A few months later he was at Sheff Wednesday,whom were fighting for their lives with Ron Atkinson getting plenty from the Holte.Dalian managed to miss their best 3 chances,specifically one about 6 yards out, with an air shot ,to howls of derision from the left and right side. Once he arrived at Villa,you realized we had a talent of mercurial ability.Skill,speed,audacity.Did he ever tap it in from 4 yards?Left foot,right foot.Spectacular strikes,in the air...witness him hanging in the air in front for what seems like an eternity waiting for Daley's cross to reach him in that Tranmere semi final, then a half a second later it's uried, then the purest scenes of pandemonium and delirium. They'll be showing the Selhurst Park moments of genius forever. That moment as he decides exactly how he's going to chip the keeper...wow. Thank you Dalian for being a part of one of the best, and most entertaining, Villa sides of my lifetime. Oh for Dalian Atkinson's smile,talent and unstoppable power in the Villa team of 2016.Rip Holtender Hero

I actually thought he put plenty of effort in today,attempting to put their centre halfs under pressure whenever they had the ball,closed off the angles,and generally was a nuisance. However he didn't look sharp or threatening...I suspect we need him over the next couple of games to rectify this. I seriously doubt he'll receive a new contract if we were to drop.

Thank you very much for your replies.I did quite a bit of lifting from 20-27/8,but i was carefree and sprog free.Time's my greatest problem now,but i still have a bench,intend to follow some of the examples at home.Thanks guys

Gentleman..and Ladies, A little advice required,if you could spare a reply. At present I'm on a running fix,actually going quicker and further than when I joined the Royal Navy, 27 years ago. However,possibly due to this,possibly a lack of effort/care on my behalf,I've lost an awful lot of upper body definition and strength,to the point where my 12 year olds commented. Obviously I'd like the easiest and least time consuming method of regaining arm/upper body strength off some of you gym goffers,preferably with being able to carry on my running 5/6 times a week.I'm 43 btw. Thanks in advance.utv

With regard to the corners,it seems apparent that it's instruction to float them in this manner. Witness Barry Bannan back at vp on Boxing Post,his corners were a combination of near post,short and delivered whipped in.Something he failed to do all last season. As for Westwood,he's obviously finding it harder now that he's been monitored and scouted by the opposition.The good players learn to adapt over time to the pressure.I suspect he'll have a better season next year.He strikes me as a fairly intelligent player