Raver50032

Apart from Chelsea (a point is gettable), I would say our remaining home fixtures are winnable. After an indifferent month or so, it would be great to think we have now turned a corner. I was encouraged (to a degree) by the 2nd half showing against Arsenal - and very encouraged by our overall showing at Anfield. It was genuinely exciting to see. As somebody else has said, we have something to build on... Who better then to flex our muscles against, than West Brom. Make it so, Paul. Make it so.

I haven't read the whole of this thread to be fair so some of my comments may have been repeated elsewhere. I just thought it was embarrassong to see Shearer have to raise his voice to try and convey his point across, as though shouting was going to make his view more valid. It didn't and it wasn't. He should be rolled in a blanket of woven bogeys and hung from the gallows - Alan 'Elbow... Stamp' Shearer. With regards to the buck toothed Uruguayan - after he beavered his way through a Chelsea player's arm last season, he was villified by the press (and rightly so) and threatened to quit England because of the media harrassment he felt he was receiving. Now, I could be wide of the mark, but maybe Lineker and Co, the Guardian et al are all going easy on the 'venemous, cheesy grinning cheat that is Luis Suarez' so that he continues to generate attention on the world's greatest football league. Maybe I am wrong... but then my maths has always been poor. UTV.

Very proud of the overall performance at Anfield from us... and the way in which Lambert has proven to us now that we are capable of playing and creating. Excellent point earned - which was more than I could reasonably have hoped for given the respective form of Liverpool (especially at home of late) and our recent stutterings. Gabby had one of those 'on fire' games and it was good to see us create more than our fair share of opportunities. Vlaar and co at the back managed to hold on in what we could reasonably have expected in terms of a resurgent Liverpool onslaught - but in real happenstance, only a joke of a penalty brought the game level. Really happy for the team, and happy for Paul Lambert. Now play like that at home please... MOTM was concrete Ron, tactics were good and the referee was 'poor' purely for allowing himself to get conned. 'Shit Bag Shearer...' hang your head in shame. Shouting like that on MOTD to squirm your 'point' across to the watching audience. Embarrassed for you and your deluded, warped, view.

Fandabalopoloss... Welcome aboard Ryan... 'Ryan Bertrand down the wing, like a torpedo... puts the ball in the air... for...' Some signings missing there to complete the chant... Back to work Paul... Good stuff at last.

That's the fella... Thanks for that :-)

OT, but only if he apologised for conning the ref into giving Southampton a penalty last season. Rickie Lambert - England International. He'd be too expensive for us right now imo. Against us? Wasnt that rodriguez? Now that you have said that, I may be very wrong... I was very enraged at the time and the red mist of war descended lol. Perhaps Rickie Lambert was interviewed after the game and 'confirmed' it was a stone wall penalty on MOTD or something... I just recall Rickie Lambert being my scapegoat for that game... Grrrrr!!! lol

Has there ever been a rumor that Bergakamp was coming to the Villa? Yeah there was a link probably teniuous as they often were when deadly was around can't remember the exact year mind. Could write a book on the players he 'nearly' signed. I seem to remember us being linked with Bergkamp while I was at Uni and before he signed for Arsenal. I would guess it was around late 1994 and early 1995. He was though, playing for Inter Milan at the time I think, and we had just put them out of the UEFA cup on pennos at Villa Park. Take a bow, Phil King... We also got linked with Benni McCarthy (sic) once as a result of getting battered by him and some Spanish club in the UEFA cup a few seasons later... There was another link in the mid-1990s too with a Liberian striker named... gosh, I just can't remember his name. He was quite famous too... Did he play for AC Milan? I genuinely cannot remember his name right now... I am getting old.

UEFA change their Champions League qualification rules at the end of the 1994/95 season meaning that a 4th place finish in the 1995/96 season gives the plucky club finishing in that position a chance of Champions League football. If we had shown more ambition after our League Cup win in 1996, things could have been rosier ever since, and maybe no need for MON after all... <this seems to be a running theme with AVFC - the failure, or debatable inability of the club to build on a little slice of success without regressing>

The wonderful Calypso Yorkie bar... I loved him, like a brother... Then he turned all sithy and went to Yanited. And when he returned to VP with Blackburn in that FA Cup game and grinned into the Holte End. If I had a gun, I would have shot him. 2nd - my darling David Platt (not the greasy little tosspot from Coronation Street either).

OT, but only if he apologised for conning the ref into giving Southampton a penalty last season. Rickie Lambert - England International. He'd be too expensive for us right now imo.

I might be a bit late, but this... It was a 'clever' if not predictable statement that basically keeps everyone curious enough to part with their cash in the summer and commit their support to AVFC via season tickets in the summer. Kind of like, 'yeah, it's been a teensy bit tough going again this year, but we've got BIG plans in the summer... Just watch y'all...' I fell for it last summer, especially with the flurry of exciting signings we made so early in the summer window. But, will I fall for it again?

Ant Hog... Nat Grot... Any good?

The sad thing is I've seen people say words to that affect un-ironically on here. Yep, let's at least see if it works out or not first... If it doesn't work, Paul will just have another cross to carry.

Agreed... Anyone who makes a mess of their arm like Hutton has like that is just pretending to be hard.

His medical should be interesting, I can imagine the digital scales now: "One at a time please" God forbid there is one of those running 'bleep' tests... I f**king hated that at skool... Welcome, Sir Grant of Holte...

I always took the meaning of 'real man' to mean he had a hairy chest and still had his foreskin intact... And no, I am not anti-semantic (sic) or whatever For the 'Holt scores at the Holte' possibilities alone, get the deal done...

I bet Dave 'word removed' Whelan is loving this... But seriously, it's a cheap alternative option for the manager. No stress from me... Just get some in... Do it...

I was fearing a stuffing before the game, and happily, we came out of the fixture with a creditable 2-1 reversal. No doom and gloom then. 1st half it seemed like normal Villa service where we struggled to put anything really meaningful together. Losing Baker to what looked a serious bit of head injury didn't seem to help our cause, though it did introduce Bacuna to the game, who went on to be my man of the match. That said, we surrendered two goals in 2 minutes, which was a real sickening blow. We were in the game, then so far out of it within a minute or so. And Jack Wilshere? What was that celebration about? Had he just fingered his girlfriend for the first time??? Half time and boos - maybe harsh, but probably more aimed at the one minute capitulation than anything else. I didn't boo. 2nd Half - we seemed to show a bit of spirit and demonstrate what we all know that there is a team in there, trying to perform. They can't help it, they just aren't good enough. But we saw some fight at last, culminating in some positive stats in the second half. Benteke's low header was a great bit of work following a good cross that found it's mark. Late rally and the big guy had a chance to equalilse too. Oh so nearly then... Realism, and it's debateable whether or not Arsenal took their foot off the pedal in the 2nd half, but even if they did, we still have to play in order to get anything from the game... If only they had defended better after conceding the first goal... MOTM - Tony Moon, for that beard... Not really, Bacuna got my vote, and average tactics for the way we set about the first half. 36k attendance was disappointing, considering it was a home fixture against top-4 opposition - I guess it was a school night... Will that flutter Mr Lerner's heart?

I'm not really in that boat to be fair... Whilst I fear the scoreline, we have already dubbed them at theirs... We're capable of getting something from the game, though I would expect Arsenal to be clear favourites, on form and league placement if nothing else - including overall squad quality. I stop well short of saying it's a dead rubber... But, losing at home to serious title contending Arsenal, does not a sacking make, in my book. Let's hope we get that win that we both so seriously want. :-)

I've been putting up with `The Villa` since 1968. I was putting up with Villa around 6 years before that too. The times between 1962 and 68 were much much worse than this - then it was an even playing field - no rich owners - but we were bankrupt (nearly) - the fans came and helped restore the ground by painting the stadium and tending the pitch. I really do wonder what some of the 'modern day' fan would do if we were in that situation. IF and this is a BIG IF we got relegated I am sure some would disappear into the internet ether and only return when we are successful. Not having a go but my opinion based on lurking and only just string to post. Think some of those with the loudest voices are those who have only followed Villa post 1981/2 (or since the Preeemeirship) came into being - not having witnessed what to me personally were much worse times than these. Not having a go but I read about getting banners and leaflets out - well myself and quite a few others got up off our arses and put our money where our mouth was - the £ signs galvanised the fans and we managed to get Angel. The Ellis Out stuff may not have been successful but kept the pressure on the 'owner' (or the man who thought he was the owner). If you feel so much hate or animosity against Lerner - do something - don't fight amongst yourselves - you all have something in common - a love of the Villa. But I think you feel safer in moaning on the boards and fighting amongst each other than putting your head above the parapet. Times are not as bad as you think (It's great in hindsight to point to everything). Things can only get better and mark my words after all the shit since the revolution of 68 - this is nothing. We came back stronger and we will again. Flame me all you want but I have been through worse shit than the last 3 odd years. I liked the post. But as you credit, I can't be held responsible the date on which I was born... I was born in December 1974. So no, I don't remember division 3 (though excited and proud of what I have read about that time), I don't remember Ron Saunders all that much, other than my older brother showing me his posters and naming all the famous names of the team from the late 1970s era. I vaguely remember watching the European Cup win... but my Star Wars toys were quite a big distraction for me if I am being honest. I remember relegation... My only issue really with your post relates to 'modern day' fans. You obviously started watching Villa when it was comparatively cheap to go... you started watching when there was comparatively little for football to compete with in terms of disposable income. I wouldn't blame anyone for disappearing off from Villa Park and instead spending their money on something they enjoy these days. There will come a point when I just can't justify the spend any more... Won't make me any less passionate about the success of the club - just an opportunity for me to get value for my money, and let some others do the match day worrying and stress for me. But I take your point... for now, if anyone ever got to sing 'where were you when you were shit' at me, I can rightly say, I was right there in it. In the past, even when we were shitter than we appear to be now, I always got a buzz out of going to B6. Win, lose or draw, it was always exciting... an experience to look forward to. An event... Sorry to say, I just don't get that buzz any more. It's a chore. I have other things to spend my money on, including a family. I think what did it for me was the dismal 2010 World Cup (not just England), then MON leaving, and then later, the appointment of Eck. I think, had the owner have picked a progressive, winning manager from our rivals, it would have been lauded as a masterstroke - and rightly so. But we took on (and had to pay for... both incoming and when he went) a negative manager with a dour brand of football, who merely helped relegate a reasonable Birmingham side and spawn a cup final win. It really was spawny. So for me, it's not all about the owner adding to my angst. The whole package is starting to become 'meh' to me. I'm starting to care less about it all. What will be will be, huh? But, if the ground needs re-painting, if they need someone to clear snow off the pitch etc... Even if they need someone to chop up the oranges at half time (do they still do that?) - bring it on. At least I would feel part of what is going on. Instead of having to sit in the stands getting bored off my tits and wishing I was somewhere else and doing something more constructive with my time and money. Good post... But I can't help being 'only' 39 :-)

And I think you underestimate the comments of a manager on his players. Otherwise we could all do it. I think it's very fair to make the assumption and it played out in front of our eyes. We have no way of knowing though. I seriously doubt Lambert told the players to not worry about the result and I don't have a hard time believing that he was pretty pissed off after we lost. And if Paul wasn't pissed off, all the more reason why we should be, and are... But for now, bring on the Gunners. I'm desperate for a win... a point... some spirit please.

There came a time last season which is often referenced on here - half time at home against Newcastle when Mr Lambert changed tactics and the remainder of the season showed a lot of fight and promise. Although the premise of your post is different in terms of subject reference, it feels clear to me that something needs to change again. I keep my fingers crossed that things work out.

BOF - I understand your point, I really do. But, as home fans (and with an occasional dabble away from home in my case) I have to expect more for my £500 each year. We could all write off our home performances, just not bother going as we accept it's going to be rubbish, and merely sit at home watching a live stream of an away match and cheer on the boys to the occasional remarkable smash and grab away win. Like Morpheus says, let's revisit the notion of a results business, and the fact that we're currently 11th (amazingly, all things considered) after our next run of fixtures. I'm sure the goalposts of debate will change once again. 11th isn't a failure with things as they are right now (though I take issue with the management as to how we have stumbled to that position), but as others point out, there is a lengthy part of the season still to go. I would be amazed, from what I have seen, if 11th or at least better than what we achieved last season was our final outcome this term. £30 from me to VT if we finish 11th or higher. This team, Lambert's team, has proven that there is a performance in there somewhere. Crikey, I was in belief that we were witnessing a renaissance in the first 15 minutes against Swansea, culminating sweetly as it did, into a lovely team goal. But then the team reverted to home type. And again through the following home game too. Right now, my enthusiasm is dented and has been for a while, football as a whole for me... Meh. The cinema, does look a much better proposition. I don't go to football matches to become angry, become ill or become bored off my tits. Perhaps it really is time to stop and let the young and hungry supporters do the worrying for me hence...

Was it intentional to put the words 'panties' and 'bottom line' in the same sentence? If it was - pure genius...

Welcome to the forum Bobzy. <what BOF said>