astonbrookstreet

I went for Villa. Much the same reasons as most. Ive never been to an England game (having to pay to join the members scheme to be able to buy tickets puts me off), and i cant stand most of the current squad. Im lucky that im old enough to remember '82, and had anyone asked me back then, Villa to win the European Cup or England to win the World Cup, without any hesitation, it would be Villa all the time. Winning the European Cup in '82 meant more to me then England winning the World Cup.

John, whilest i agree with certain aspects on your report, certain things i certainly dont. Your remarks about Dowd are insulting and out of order. this is the same Phil Dowd who did our game at Blackburn when we won 4-0 and sent one of theirs off. I dont think he got slagged off then! First handball, yes could have been given, however, we scored. The advantage has to be with the side offended against. What if he had given the pen, sent the man off and we missed the pen. Im quite sure you will be saying the goal should stand! Also, think back to our cup game at Everton and their first goal, when Petrov handled on the line. The ball broke to their striker to score. No need to give the pen nor red card Petrov. The Defoe handball, yes it was but not all handball is a bookable offence. That was a situation when maybe some might caution, some wouldnt. Its all a matter of opinion, which means people wont agree 100%. The Dawson goal, just supposing that was one of our defenders, and the ball hit them in the same place, and a pen given. Would you really be saying it was handball then? I doubt it. IMO it hit him on the chest/shoulder area and for the referee to give it, he has to be 100% sure it was handball, and there is no way he could have said it was. As for slagging the A/R for it, how can a man standing side on have a clear view of where it hit? You have basically accused Dowd of cheating and being biased by your remarks, yet for him to have given these decisions as you would like, that would be cheating.

A single malt will beat that any day of the week!!!

Yes! They value him at £3m, we value him at £1m, split the difference, £16m + Finnan, at least it solves the right back and means we can still find another. It will put this unsavoury episode to bed, we have made our point and squeezed more out of them. In time im sure Barry will regret how he has gone about it, well if he has a sense of decency he will. Good bye and good riddance.

General-just a question. Has Barry put in an Official transfer request? if not can the club demand he does, that way he wont be entitled to 'loyalty' payments, or does his comments mean he loses them anyway? Congrats on the way the club has handled this

Us to make europe. Blues and Coventry getting relegated, and Baggies missing out in the play-offs, wot a great season !