srsmithusa

without re-hashing all the arguments for why each of us think what we think about Garde, can we agree that the club need to sort it out soon about what's the plan for next year? If we're going to give him backing and he will stay and we want him to, surely that should be the topic of meetings RIGHT NOW. If he is going to walk or if we would rather rebuild with someone else, we should be identifying that someone else and talking to them RIGHT NOW. As I've said, I see the improvement, I think he could build a solid, entertaining team here. I think the debate over that can and should rage, there are certainly reasonable reasons to doubt my conclusion. But I don't believe that whatever we think or post will influence the club. The Club needs to make that decision and act on it, the sooner the better. If we wanna keep him, we better be negotiating the financial and decision-making paradigm NOW. If we don't wanna keep him, we better be having those same discussions with one or three others we might want instead. The rebuilding process will need to be complete. An early commitment and start will be important.

Facts be hanged? I haven't noticed us pulling any big spectacular names for quite a while.

wait a minute, you're saying he wasn't playing well because somebody on social media hurt his feelings? Guys, whole new strategy. Let's bombard the opposition with nasty, mean messages about their mother and their clothes and their cars, they won't even be able to field 10 players. We still might lose, but we might have a fighting chance !!!

Not sure the contract ramifications of a sacking. But if not that, a fine for not trying and a fine for thinking any fan is stupid enough to buy the accidental tweet excuse.

flack

Richards sentence "Lescott can have more time tweeting and maybe try and get a spot on Top Gear as part of the new team." was worth this whole topic. I think the idea has merit but it also has the risk of leaving the kids feeling shell shocked. I would rather start 1 or 2 a week and ease them in, giving them a break from the firing line whenever they are getting a bit battered. But certainly increasing their playing time dramatically would be a good idea.

question.... if we should be throwing more into the attack.... is that because you would like to concede 7 ? Clearly, I'm being absurd but I'm trying to make a point. I get annoyed at how often we slow down the attack. I would rather we attack with greater speed and sense of urgency, but saying that Garde is not good because he doesn't force it are (IMO) failing to notice just how poor we are at defensively containing the opposition. I just think we have far too many problems to think that encouraging more urgent attack (or any other one action/strategy) will solve much.

You've been waiting for that one for how many games now?

I despise diving, but I'm really tired of our players getting little contact and nothing called, while opponents get little contact and a free kick. The contact in Okore's back was three times the foul called against him a few seconds later. It's not diving when you "show the referee the foul." We are very naive about that.

That's down to Cissokho. The forward drifts in behind the center half. The full back must cover or have a shout. Or do I misunderstand the basics of a back line?

Yeah, first time I've ever seen the camera on Garde when he had an expression other than calm but annoyed. I thought I saw a small glimpse of a grin. Not sure if that's a good sign or not.

only if you ignore this sentence " My point is not that RL is a great person or a great owner. His clear errors are far too blaring. "

I respect you and Mike. (I'm planning an April trip to Villa Park and would LOVE to meet you both and buy a pint.) But with all due respect, you are still reporting what you heard from someone else, that's Hearsay and inadmissible in american courts (do they have such a thing in British courts?) Anyway, when someone is despised it's pretty easy to find people with tales about how awful he is. On the reverse example: I spent about 5 hours with Paul Faulkner over a weekend once and he was one of the most delightful, generous, humble and gracious people I ever met. I don't think that proves that everything he did while at the club was spectacular. He reported that RL was one of the most honest, genuine, people he'd ever met. I've heard reports of Randy's genuine interest in AVFC, his strong ability to judge character, and his deep integrity from at least three people who have spent hours and hours of time with him. My point is not that RL is a great person or a great owner. His clear errors are far too blaring. My point is that hearsay is not reliable evidence for very good reason. No offense intended to you or to Mike and I'm serious about buying a round.

I heard from a guy once who said he knew a guy that met RL in a swank resort, and Lerner likes to talk with a cockney accent when he's by himself. Just as reliable and more reasonable than most of the last few pages. I'm not defending RL, but for cryin out loud. "I heard it from a friend who, heard it from a friend who, heard it from another you been messin' around." We really ARE bored and it's not even a transfer window.

Just to be clear, are you suggesting that you hope that if we sell him, we don't make a profit on him? Isn't that the RL business model?

take a look at the Grealish thread, even today he is ripped for posting a picture of his own iced ankle. and the nZogbia thread, (seen his wardrobe lately?) I think it may be true that the only ones that don't get abuse on social media may be the ones that don't use social media... except for RL of course. Too many are victimized by abuse (one is too many). I just don't think Gabby is uniquely victimized.

ok, but i feel criticized so you owe me 6 cents USD FWIW I think i took your point and expanded it. they are not entitled to abuse at all... and their abuse is spread much more broadly than any 11 on the field.

I'm sorry, the answer to your question is zero. Nobody is ever entitled to abuse someone. Now, change the word to criticize and you have an interesting question. Although if the right to criticize is a "paid for" entitlement then maybe only season ticket holders fit your math. Also, you left out the manager, the owner, the board, the tea lady, and other fans. (sorry to be critical... how much do I owe you?)

two things wrong with this (despite the multiple likes). 1- It ignores the "he is noted by many including the national press for standing around on the pitch offering little options for his teammates, he disappears on the pitch for long periods within and across multiple matches, his goal scoring is spotty, his decision making with the ball is frequently suspect." 2- It ignores the overall fan frustration with the team. There's hardly a thread on here (or any other fan forum for that matter) that doesn't include some "dogs abuse" for every single human, animal, mascot, or aroma associated with the team. Having said that. What the post get's right (IMO) is that "dogs abuse" is not appropriate, never appropriate, never helpful. Criticism yes. (the statements I made above are not "dogs abuse" they are statements of at least reasonable perceptions on his actual conduct.) BTW, someone is likely to disagree with my post and write a disagreement so that I "can't do right for wrong" either. I'll post something else later on. The fact that some critics are moronic in their vitriole and scope doesn't prevent me from posting, nor should it prevent him from working his #%# off to do his job well. Too often, I'm not seeing that.

I noticed his lack of celebration. I pointed it out to my wife who hypothesized that he was just trying to keep his mind on the serious business at hand. And maybe she's right... I was not angry and I was not sad. I was just baffled and I still am. I truly don't understand it. But then again, I don't need to. He kept playing hard. As long as continues, I don't care if he ever celebrates again! (although I'll still be baffled by the behavior)

I liked his French interview when he said he would stay if backed, but I might have liked this bit even better. Aston Villa is a prestigious club in England on the exterior. But inside, there are lots of things that need to be done…” I really appreciate that Remi is straight honest.

Yeah, but how much does the ink weigh? That could really slow him down.

i'm sorry, but the pictures don't exaggerate. Only the conclusions are exaggerated (or not). My conclusion from those pictures is that he is clearly carrying a lot more weight than he used to carry. And that not all of it is in areas normally associated with muscle. Now, I am too, but I'm no longer earning a living rooted in my athletic performance. Sometimes, the drop in athletic tuning is counterbalanced by greater wisdom. I'll leave it to you to decide if he has developed a significantly greater wisdom and understanding of the game.

Pray or prey ?

keeping the point to Gil. I still disagree. I see many times in a match when I think there is a good incisive pass available and he dribbles into the middle of the field instead. Again, I like him. I think he might be quite good, but I think he tends to slow the attack down much more often than he creates a breakthrough and I see spurned opportunities to do the latter.