The_Steve

Ireland MOTM

**** off fat Frank giving the ball away.

I said pre-match Bent would score.

**** get in Stan!!

Penalty!! **** off ref.

Gardner!

This is getting silly now.

Like having MON in charge again with these absent substitutions.

Halsay doing his best to help Chelsea.

Cuellar got the ball.

Torres looks depressed.

Chelsea are so immobile at the back. Is Cahill really the answer?

Fat Frank on Chelsea.

Gabby's been poor at one-on-one's for a long time.

Terry should be sent off. But I'm glad Ireland came good, it was an excellent move.

Bent to come off the bench and score with his first touch.

Incredible. Kean Out.

So, Liverpool leaked the story of their interest to a select few journalists to unsettle Bent or the club did to see if an 'unsettled' Bent puts a transfer request in. I'm going with the former. I love a good conspiracy.

Or, just as plausible - the whole rumour is just that.

Taken from Football 365

http://football365.com/f365-features/7400128/New-Year-Resolutions

Aston Villa - Patience is a virtue (for now)

Abusive graffiti on local walls and protests outside the stadium made for an uneasy introduction for Alex McLeish, and his footballing 'style' is often an insult to the noun. If you asked many Villa supporters, they would have asked Father Christmas for a new manager under their tree.

But hear this: Aston Villa are no longer a top-six club, and should be sectioned with Fulham, Sunderland and Everton as the 'may do wells'. The club may have spent £24million on Darren Bent, but selling your best two midfielders negates such a purchase, and it is rare to discover a striker that does not rely on service. True, the club spent £16million in the summer (N'Zogbia, Given and Hutton) but all were replacements and, in any case, Stoke spent £18million and acquired two England internationals on free transfers. Petrov, Heskey, Dunne, Warnock, Given, Cuellar: all are aged 30 or more. McLeish has been dour but a club that has sold seven England internationals since the summer of 2009 was only going one way.

The first club of England's second city needs rebuilding. McLeish may not be the long-term answer, but to lay the blame solely at his feet is the action of a naïve man

There is nothing there that we don't already know and willingly acknowledge. But the point that is constantly missed is the desire in the squad is nil.

You can have a squad of certified journey men, no marks and cloggers but still at least give it a go. That attitude is completely devoid at VP and that rests squarely a the feet of the manager.

Playing dull, brainless, "defensive" football is one thing but to surrender before sending the side out on the pitch is something else entirely. We have witnessed such on many occasions this season provoking the question..... "What's the point?"

AM has to go. He, along with the adminstration, is ruining the club.

AM is ruining the team all on his own.

Where was the desire from these players last season under Houllier? Look at the appalling attitude of Warnock, the highly documented and embarrassing off-the-field issues with Dunne and Collins. Nothing has changed. Both McLeish and Houllier have tried different approaches and yet can't get the best of a similar bunch. However, we were known for our wing play, counter attacking football, conceding late goals and from set pieces. We haven't addressed these problems because our management haven't been able to shift the bad attitudes.

Why aren't the players taking the blame partly for their inability to defend set pieces. Yes, our tactics are awful. There's nothing more depressing then seeing Collins hoof the ball over to Heskey (who in turn creates space for Gabby).

The whole squad needs a serious clear-out.

Taken from Football 365

http://football365.com/f365-features/7400128/New-Year-Resolutions

Aston Villa - Patience is a virtue (for now)

Abusive graffiti on local walls and protests outside the stadium made for an uneasy introduction for Alex McLeish, and his footballing 'style' is often an insult to the noun. If you asked many Villa supporters, they would have asked Father Christmas for a new manager under their tree.

But hear this: Aston Villa are no longer a top-six club, and should be sectioned with Fulham, Sunderland and Everton as the 'may do wells'. The club may have spent £24million on Darren Bent, but selling your best two midfielders negates such a purchase, and it is rare to discover a striker that does not rely on service. True, the club spent £16million in the summer (N'Zogbia, Given and Hutton) but all were replacements and, in any case, Stoke spent £18million and acquired two England internationals on free transfers. Petrov, Heskey, Dunne, Warnock, Given, Cuellar: all are aged 30 or more. McLeish has been dour but a club that has sold seven England internationals since the summer of 2009 was only going one way.

The first club of England's second city needs rebuilding. McLeish may not be the long-term answer, but to lay the blame solely at his feet is the action of a naïve man

Exactly, he's inherited a squad filled with ageing journeymen fixed to long contracts and high wages. Minus the performances from Petrov the above mentioned have been distinctly average for most of the season.

It doesn't absolve his tactical oddities but it goes someway to explain how average our squad is.

How it will work!

Bent and Petrov out +22m

Zamora and Davis in -6m

Randy's pocket +16m

**** OFF RANDY.

Yes, because internet rumours are the truth.

:winkold:

I'll believe it when I see it.

Internet rumours of #LFC making 'approach' for #AVFC Darren Bent with a view to January transfer are incorrect. Villa heard nothing

From James Nursey - who works for the Mirror. One of the biggest bullshiters for football rumours don't see it happening.

James Nursey hardly has inside contacts as he constantly makes up bollocks.

:|

My point is, he's no more reliable than the freelance journalist who broke the story anyhow.

How it will work!

Bent and Petrov out +22m

Zamora and Davis in -6m

Randy's pocket +16m

**** OFF RANDY.

Yes, because internet rumours are the truth.

:winkold:

I'll believe it when I see it.

Internet rumours of #LFC making 'approach' for #AVFC Darren Bent with a view to January transfer are incorrect. Villa heard nothing

From James Nursey - who works for the Mirror. One of the biggest bullshiters for football rumours don't see it happening.

Lovely Gabby. Unlucky Fonzy.

Good track back Warnock.

Positive change taking Heskey off.