dn1982

People forget how good Snodgrass was for Hull in the PL until he signed for WHU. I’d sign both Snodgrass and Johnstone in the summer. That will probably depend on promotion but if we stayed down and kept this group as whole as possible I think we’d win the league next year. CM is our weakest area at the minute and that’s where we need to spend big if we go up. 

On 05/05/2018 at 10:17, Demitri_C said:

I disagree i think derby are a lot weaker than boro and very fragile.

I agree we can beat anyone when we perform to our best without question and that includes Fulham. I mean we beat then at villa park and a stupid mistake from jonhstone gifted fulham the win (we didn't have adomah or grealish that game either)

So I don't fear fulham over one  leg.  I also feel a game vs fulham at Wembley will feel like a villa home game. Their fans are not the best in terms of havibg electric and vocal support.

there’s not much between Derby and Boro. Boro maybe have more match winners but we have more than both. We always get done by fulham away so as you say if we meet at Wembley it’ll be like a home game. 

10 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

It's only pointless if it can't happen?

Big difference between boro and derby

Big difference? We’ve only lost to one of those teams in the league this year. To me there’s not much in them and Fulham aren’t that much better than us if at all either. All these games are about who turns up on the day who gets that bit of luck at a crucial time. I’m both dreading them and can’t wait either. 

1 hour ago, KSV said:

Wonder if he was benched because Bruce wants to start him against millwall?

Think it’s more to do with loads of fixtures in a short time. They play again Friday v Swansea in the PL Cup Final and the semi was last week along with last league game. It’s a shame as Millwall would’ve been a good game to throw in some of the U23. 

2 hours ago, TheStagMan said:

Mate, I truly respect you sticking to your guns on defending Gabby - but if I was on his salary I would do a shit load more for charity than this, plus many many players do more too. The point of charity work is because you believe in it, not for Kudos. "helped raise £20K"..... Hmmmmmm..... peanuts for him. 

 

 

That said, I would not be too unhappy with him getting a 5 minute run-out on Saturday, as long as we are comfortable in the game.

Isn’t the fact most of us didn’t know he did this much for charity shows it’s not for the kudos? Gabby deserves a send off and if people don’t like him fair enough don’t cheer but in a few years we’ll look back at his career and love his Blues record and wonder if only Vidic was sent off and this will hopefully be from a high league position in the PL. 

37 minutes ago, Czechlad said:

Fulham have Sunderland and Birmingham remaining. There is just no way they get anything less than 4 points there. 

Cardiff have Hull and Reading. Hull are 18th, and Reading at 19th. 

Our promotion rivals are playing some of the worst teams in the league. We on the other hand have two promotion playoff clubs who both need wins to stay alive and I assume we will be resting players.

I just don't see it. 

Hull are in a bit of form if they can win it’ll set it up nicely. I don’t think it’ll set it up for us more likely Fulham but we can always hope a Blues win sends us up!!! 

It’d be nice to have a tiny hope on the last day in one way in the other I’d rather know were we are.  Just imagine Blues throwing the game v Fulham  to stop us going up. Hopefully Derby win tonight then we can worry about the rest later. 

On 23/04/2018 at 14:17, BOF said:

I guess it's already proven to be bollocks so.

Whelan back in at 6 for past 3 games after Bjarnason and Jedi shared it around.
Hogan not started 7 of past 9 games.  Rotating now with Kodjia and Grabban.
Onomah back in for past 2 games after 1 sub appearance in 8.
Bjarnason with 4 starts in past 11 games.
Adomah rested for past 2 games.
Hourihane rested for 2 of past 6 games and subbed off in 5 of last 7 starts.
Snodgrass rested v Ipswich.
Kodjia being introduced slowly.
Even Grabban being subbed despite 2 starts in 5 April games.
Add to that Taylor back in at 3 because of Hutton injury.

If that's not rotation and use of squad then I don't know what is.  But then again that wasn't what I've been thinking all season anyway.

EDIT : In fact the only outfield players who have not really had a break are Chester & Elmo.  Jack didn't play consistently this season until the end of December.

Not Rotating after Wolves was a big mistake. Playing Jedinak when’s he just travelled back from Australia was another. There’s been a few times when we shouidve rotated and never and even Bruce has said its cost us. He’s started doing a lot more rotation now but maybe needed to before Xmas but we did get a few injuries. For all Bruce’s experience he’s messed up a few times this year and you can’t afford many if any. He seems to have settled again after a period of barmy substitutions. I just hope if we go behind in the 1st leg he doesn’t panic and throw on all the strikers or get rid of the midfield!! 

31 minutes ago, deeps said:

Won’t be until July due to the UA deal ending June 30th. At least that’s my thinking. 

Being available for holidays seems to please some people so some good news I guess 

Doesn’t unveiling it come under the same embargo? When does the Unibet deal finish? 

7 minutes ago, rubberman said:

NurembergVillan is spot on. I work in another sport and we took over the kit supply for the top team in our world on those lines. 

As is evidenced from the number of people just on this thread who didn't know of Luke but now do, the marketing exposure is worth many times the cost of the deal. They will hope that much of that interest tums into sales of their main range as well but is certainly going to expand their reach outside of the Midlands. 

What sport involves rubber kits? 

Where are all the ones who mock up our kits today? Could someone do some with the LUKE badge and Recon on the front? 

34 minutes ago, NurembergVillan said:

Also worth noting that they bought out Kitbag.  The Umbro/Everton deal also has a Kitbag component as they are the exclusive retailers for the kits.  This has meant it's been hard for a lot of fans to get their hands on the products.

This may not be the case now as Fanatics have global distribution, but I'm unsure what the model truly looks like beyond e-commerce.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/evertons-kitbag-deal-analysed-good-9559038

We already have some of our stuff made by them so I can’t see it being any worse but I actually believe it’ll be better as I think we are the first football team for the most to do this with. The whole point of doing it this way is to keep on to play of the distribution side of things as it’s direct. No idea how it’ll work but as long as the kit looks good who cares. Interesting how much the deals worth though. 

43 minutes ago, Adbo9 said:

My personal opinion is this.   

I can't say I've ever really liked a Villa gaffer since Brian Little / John Gregory - until Brucie came across

I don't know what it is, I just think he suits Villa, I like him and think he will get us back up and stabilise us in the prem.  Whether that is this season we will see.  I genuinely think this season has been a freak with 4 teams all bombing on......... 

But regardless of the outcome I want him to stay at Villa for the foreseeable.....................

There is some big contracts coming to an end this season, so may have a bit o wiggle room round FFP and have another bash at it next season if we dont go up - that is all we can do.....

I genuinley dont think the club will get rid of him if we dont promote - i think if he goes, he will stand down - but I dont think he will or the club will want him too - as lets face it - well lose his backroom staff and will have to rebuild "again"  

If we stay down we will inevitably lose a few players - maybe the loan players wont be back but id be confident we would have a squad with Elmo, Taylor, Chester, Hourihane, Whelan, Jedi, Lansbury, Grealish, Hogan, Adomah, Bree, Bjanrason, Davis.......... Ive got a sneaky feeling JT will stick around regardless............... if thats the case, itll be a new No1 if we cant afford SJ, a new player wide right............ and if we can keep a fully fit kodjia and afford Grabban i think well be strong again........... we may even look to reintegrate Gil, DeLaet, Elphick, Gollini if we cant find buyers

 

Can you explain what it is you like about him? Or is it just a feeling? The football is hit and miss. The performances go up and down massively. Team selections are barmy at times as are substitutions. He seems a nice bloke but I don’t think he’s got a big club mentality in him to manage us. He’s used the same old plan for us but we are a different beast and he has gotten a lot of leeway as promotion is still attainable but if we go up what will he give us. If this is as good as he gets and I think it is he has to go. Get Jokanovic and ask him to bring Sessegnon and Cairney with him. Might be cheaper yo-yo just buy Fulham though!! 

20 minutes ago, bannedfromHandV said:

I'm more confident now than I would have been at any point in the past 6 years.

Our record in 'big' games has gotten better as the season has gone on, starting with Middlesboro away, Sheff Utd away, Bristol City, Wolves and Cardiff at home. Most of those games were also screened live and our record of performing in front of the cameras has definitely gotten better.

As has been highlighted on numerous occasions, it's been our inability to win games we should have won that's let us down ultimately (Bolton, Hull, Norwich and QPR).

I think we have big occasion players, Terry for sure, Grealish was immense in the semi-final vs Liverpool a few years back and I think others will rise to it too.

Not saying I think we will definitely win the playoffs but I'm not concerned by the prospect of playing big/good teams.

If we get to Wembley I’ll  be confident but it’s the away leg that worries me. We have a capability to beat anyone but we also have one to lose badly. When we have a stinker we have a bad one. After watching Millwall hammer Fulham for 20 min I don’t think we’d have got throughout at nil nil so having Boro might be better for us. Physical sides are more of a threat than footballing ones for us. Hopefully we’ll have an idea after this weekend who we will play but bring it on. We can smash anyone at Villa Park. 

17 minutes ago, deeps said:

How long is the deal?

Not a fan of this myself. Seems a bit tacky. Macron MK 2

Being a Championship club we’d be lucky to get a decent deal off of the top lot but looking into this it might be the future for club s below the top tier. Ultimately if the kit is mint we will not care and it seems fanatics produce top quality gear and are massive in the US. 

7 minutes ago, omariqy said:

Afflilates of Fanatics are companies like Adidas and Nike so I reckon the Nike thing will be true. 

But wasn’t that made by Nike designed by Luke? Are Fanatics going to have their symbol on our shirt as the manufacturer? Don’t think they’re the manufacturer of any at the minute? I hope we don’t hang around unveiling the new kit now then. 

4 minutes ago, Dave J said:

I'd like to agree but I can't I'm afraid - Wolves have been the best team in this league by a country mile for most of this season - however right now I would back Fulham to beat them over two legs they are really flying and have come to the party with incredible timing imo 

Maybe but it won’t be Fulham over 2 legs it’ll be one big game a team Wembley. Then hopefully our experience will come in handy.  

7 hours ago, lapal_fan said:

Millwall could and should have been 2 nil up after 20 mins on Friday.

Fulham shit themselves and looked shit.

Everyone scared of 12 year old sessenong or whatever.. shall I tell you how to make a 17 year old look crap? Attack him.

I guarantee he isn't as good defending as he is attacking.. no 17 year old is an accomplished defender.

Sessegnon isn’t playing LB at the minute 

While we hope for 2nd the playoffs look nailed on for us and until 2 weeks ago I thought we’d have Derby but it’s all gone barmy. Looking at the teams it goes all the way down to about 11th I think I need with a decent chance. I’m hoping for Preston now just because we’d get a Iot of tickets. Most of the others would be about 2k with maybe Boro giving us a decent amount but not sure on that. Without wanting to jinx us 38300 for the final would be wicked. 

18 hours ago, terrytini said:

I look at it from the point of view “ who would I not want to lose to a competitor” and I’d say Terry, Chester, Snodders, Jack, and Kodja.

I do think the next best 8 or 9 are as largely as good as what I’ve seen elsewhere, but not necessarily better than.

The huge figure, for character alone but with such reading of the game and cool head,  ( and passing ability for a CB) has been Terry. We look so diminished even during a warm up without him, I’m pretty staggered by what a massive character he has come across as. Very rare I’m envious of other Clubs but I’m envious of the Chelsea fans who were able to watch that guy every week.

The contrast with when we bought Richards and Lescott for the same reasons is enough to make you weep !

When ever we’ve had decent success in recent decades it’s been with winners and leaders from other clubs. McGrath Houghton Townsend Richardson Laursen Mellberg. Players from clubs as Big or bigger or natural leaders that’s were we went wrong under Sherwood with the signings that summer. We had decent enough players but no leaders or strong characters. Terry is all those. We need more especially if we go up. There’s plenty of players with ability about it’s their chances character hat separates the good from the great. 

The bloke behind Luke Is a Villa fan 

3 hours ago, mikeyp102 said:

So if it’s too be the playoffs, does anyone know if the semi final would come under the season ticket or would we have to purchase a ticket?

It’s undecided as yet. I asked the Villa the other day but I think it’ll be free and if the Dr has any sense he’ll make it cheap so it’s rammed and has an electric atmosphere. 

8 hours ago, omariqy said:

Uniqlo would not surprise me. 

Having a sportswear manufacturer for kits and training stuff then a Name brand for the leisurewear would be good. 

33 minutes ago, bobzy said:

The team finishing 3rd has only been promoted twice in the last 6 seasons.

Although, if you're one for superstition, that team is due to be promoted this season:

11/12:  West Ham (3rd)
12/13:  Crystal Palace (5th)
13/14:  QPR (4th)
14/15:  Norwich City (3rd)
15/16:  Hull City (4th)
16/17:  Huddersfield Town (5th)

It’d be interesting to see what form those teams were in before going up. Huddersfield chucked their last league game last year and hD 3 draws to go up I think. Does form mean anything? Or is it the lottery people claim? And by lottery I mean form goes out the window. 

On 11/04/2018 at 18:04, SidSidSidSid said:

This sounds even more ridiculous now! ☺

He played well and scored a worldy it still doesn’t make up for the other lack lustre games. Jack is a far better player when he plays at a high tempo hopefully he realises that and continues to do so.