MrDuck

I think keeping the dressing room happy in general, and apparently being the only experienced football person in the club right now is what Bruce offers. Happy for him to stay for both those reasons, but it's rare that a manager lasts long when new owners come in. Staunton, and eventually Barry.

Paul McGrath and Brian Little both pretty forgettable I guess.

Had to retire really, not like he could top playing for Villa.

Actually they prefer to be called werewolves.

Some people's obsession with statistics is pretty tragic. I mean Gabby is our top PL scorer, ergo our best striker in the PL era, yeah? ? Watch Grealish for 5 minutes and you can tell he's an incredibly gifted footballer, on another level from most players in terms of skill. Watch him for a month or two in 2018 and you can see that he's now good enough all round to play for one of the top teams.

Personally I think the league should be just that - a league. Then they should run a separate knockout competition and include the top team from each state league. But the A-League is run by a pack of knobs, so......

Well the media certainly only values the grand final! We won our futsal championship this week, but I think a better word might be "stole"!

Coutesy of Viz I believe... I'd post the pic, but it's too sweary!

Well... I'm not really saying that it makes _him_ better, I'm saying with better players _around_ him he'll be more productive in terms of goals and assists. Playing with people of simliar ability will make him far more effective. But hey, I'm not saying anything is certain. Just my opinion! I think he'll be a massive success, perhaps a less mental Gascoigne, but it's quite possible that others are right and he'll be on the Huddersfield bench in 3 years time.

Yeah, but that works both ways...he will be even better playing with much more talented team mates, for a team that actually plays decent football.

I'd have agreed before last season. I think the influence of Terry and Bruce plus the bulking up physically has transformed him. I can't see him becoming another promising youngster who moves to a top 6 club, spends two years on the bench and ends up with a mediocre career at Stoke or Hull. Personally I think he's going to be an absolute superstar. It's an absolute gut-wrenching shame that it won't be for Villa.

I find it amazing that some people still don't rate Jack. Stick him in a team surrounded by top quality players, such as Spurs, rather than the dross he's played with his whole career at Villa and he'll be a world-beater. Brilliant dribbling and ball control, great vision, huge heart, what's not to admire? I think he'll become a top player, every bit as good as Cowans or Little were, and he'll be in this England side before too long.

It is fecking stupid. Same system in the futsal league I play in. We sneaked in 4th, miles off the top 3... won our semi final and next week could be crowned champions if we win against a team that scored 12 more points than us over the season. So I don't want to complain too much about the system right now ?

Also, Lovren is a prick.

Well done England. Disappointing to lose, but exceeded all expectations just to get that far and gave us fans something to be proud of. Very likeable team for the first time in over 20 years, a welcome change. Croatia's extra experience got them through I think. Stones, Maguire and PIckford were immense this tournament. Walker did well for the most part, but always looks like he has a big mistake in him. England seriously lack a creative midfielder. Alli and Lingard do.... ok... but I think Grealish will become that player by the time of the Euros. I think he could have been a major asset in Russia fwiw. Sterling is infuriating, finishing and decision making woeful at times, yet at other times he causes havoc.

Top work from Vardy ?

Absolutely. Playing 120 mins increases the stress on the body exponentially, and injuries are more likely as a result - although you may not suffer that injury immediately. Also important not to underestimate the affect of the mental fatigue of the two periods of extra time. It's a hugely stressful extra 30 minutes all round.

Chewbacca! "Shit - we killed off Han and Luke, and then Carrie Fisher died... somebody call Billy Dee Williams!"

Harsh... but fair.

France dealt with Belgium pretty comfortably. Hazard was brilliant, but an off day for De Bruyne and Lukaku. I thought the French players got away with a bit of diving and Belgium a little hard done by by the ref, but France definitely the better side. Suspect France more than capable of beating England or Croatia, but if they have a weakness it's at the back. Whoever plays them in the final will get chances. Giroud might not be scoring, but he's doing an excellent job for the team.

Light years ahead? Nonsense. Closely matched all over the pitch i reckon. They'd probably edge the midfield, but i think England have a better defence and forward line. I think it'll be a very tight game.

Glad Bruce seems to be staying put. We need a bit of continuity right now, and at the very least I can't see Bruce taking us down.

I think these look excellent. Not sure I like having two different lion motifs on the front, but otherwise pretty cool - especially as it's a throw back to the first Villa kit I ever owned ?