bobzy

MOTM for me, caused no end of problems all evening.  Might've had a second if Delph wasn't in his way - long may this continue.

WHAT A HIT FABIEN!!

In fairness, West Brom really haven't done much - just somehow managed to score twice.

GET IN

You really wouldn't expect such errors from Benteke and Delph either.  Talk about shooting yourself in the foot

Didn't Heskey also score on debut?

Didn't Lambert say he was happy with Helenius in training and basically that he's just working hard to get his chance?  He'll get a shot, I'm sure of it... just not this season.

Bought him this week in my fantasy team and made him captain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordy_Clasie

"The Dutch Xavi"

The thing is that we're speculating about speculations.  Lambert may have identified players that their respective clubs said "absolutely not for sale unless you're offering £20m".  Similarly, Lambert may have identified players that would've cost £7m and the board have said "oh hells no Paul, no way" - we just don't know.

The O'Kane link is underwhelming though, I must admit.  If we're buying a young-ish central midfielder, I'd like him to be a bit more established.  Hoolahan would be a better purchase for a short term fix until the summer.  We've got enough squad filler now really :/

Where's this Holtby stuff come from?  Just wishful thinking?

Wishful thinking coupled with Sherwood saying he can go (words to that effect).

Arsenal in talks to sign Draxler: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/9139706/transfer-news-arsenal-in-talks-over-schalke-midfielder-julian-draxler

Draxler, Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey (on this seasons showing) - amazing midfield selection.

Thought Lukaku had started the last few games tbh

What a **** dilemma to have by the way "who shall I play, Benteke or Lukaku?!"

The debate on Holtby's wages is skewed by his signing for Spuds for a relative pittance. In short, either he got a massive signing on fee (in lieu of the transfer fee) or his wages are inflated over his contract to represent that 'fee'.

If Spuds want to sell him, either:

1. They want a realistic fee, in which case they are probably going to have to pay up a lot of his contract and Holtby should take a more realistic salary considering his level and ability; or
2. They give him away, and Holtby can continue to command an inflated salary as a result

This is why players have all the power now, and we must not fall into this trap.

Wasn't he out of contract in the summer so Schalke cashed in on basically "any money" from Spurs?  Not sure the wages make up for a small transfer fee or anything.

If I'm completely honest, I'd be amazed that he's actually on 60-70k a week given the nature of both Daniel Levy and the bit part he's played for Spurs.

I'd be stunned if we pulled off getting him though.  Absolutely stunned.

Surely that's what happens with youth players too?  Although I like this as potentially punnery funnery...

...Jack Briealish?

 

He had a decent game vs Liverpool, actually he was impressive.

 

That said I'm not sure i doubt it's true to be honest.

One off performance. He aint good enough.

 

Is this because;

a) He's from the Championship

b ) You follow Bournemouth and watch many of their games

or

c) You've never heard of him and assume the worst

???

 

Our objective to lower the wage bill has been (almost) completed... so let's just undo all of that by signing players on £60-70k/week again. Yes

Almost? Books were balanced, possibly in profit, months ago and we've now sold Ireland.

At some point we're going to have to increase the wages we offer.

 

I don't get the point you're making (apart from just having yet another dig).

I'm saying we shouldn't be undoing what we've just had to by hiking wages back up to the same level.  Nothing to do with books being balanced or possibly in profit or selling Ireland.  I'm sure we'll be doing this over the summer, but I'd rather not just work our way backwards by overspending on wages... again.

Imagine if it was Was Sneijder all along.  We'd have a meltdown for sure.

Well if the transfer fee is low, he could be offered a signing fee and lower wages. Amounts to the same thing, but looks better to the other players (you'd think).

Also more sustainable.  If we can afford a one-off fee for signing that's fine.  What you don't want is to tie someone down on huge wages only for shit creek to be 3 years down the line (again).  That's what we've just spent 2 years or so undoing after all...

 

 

 

A lot of people will think this is bullshit, but I truly think there'll be a point in a couple years where all Villa fans, even the most stubborn, will look back and wonder how they ever doubted Lambert.

I don't think anyone would feel that was 'bullshit.' He could turn out to be a very good manager and if he does then he will get my full support but and it's a big but, at the moment considering his overall record with us to date he has a long way to go to reach that point.

 

I love this.  He doesn't get your full support at the moment because he hasn't delivered anything remarkable to date but, if he does, then you'll be right behind him.

 

Unreal

You do make some very good points bobzy in general debate but where you continually let yourself down is putting words in poster's mouths to suit whatever agenda you are on.

I've never stated that I expect Lambert to be remarkable and it's just as well because he hasn't been.

 

I was only taking the piss r.e: the support aspect.

I don't think he's done a fantastic job or anything like but I'm still completely supportive of the manager.  Seems silly not to support him otherwise (unless he was quite literally destroying the club, of course).

Our objective to lower the wage bill has been (almost) completed... so let's just undo all of that by signing players on £60-70k/week again.  Yes

 

A lot of people will think this is bullshit, but I truly think there'll be a point in a couple years where all Villa fans, even the most stubborn, will look back and wonder how they ever doubted Lambert.

I don't think anyone would feel that was 'bullshit.' He could turn out to be a very good manager and if he does then he will get my full support but and it's a big but, at the moment considering his overall record with us to date he has a long way to go to reach that point.

 

I love this.  He doesn't get your full support at the moment because he hasn't delivered anything remarkable to date but, if he does, then you'll be right behind him.

Unreal

What has happened with him at Spurs?  Barely even got a look in but looked like a quality player at Schalke.  Reckon he just needs a fresh start or hasn't adapted to the physical style of the Premier League (cliché ahoy!)?

Would love to see him given a chance at Villa but I think he'll have better offers...

I'd love to be like Man City. Similar ticket price but instead of 2-3 home wins a season we get to see 18-19. World class players galore to the point some of them don't make the bench. They've kept their name, badge, colours etc. too.

If Randy sold us to someone like that all mistakes would be completely forgiven in my book.

It'd be horrible, for me.  Just look at the Man City fanbase - they've turned from being the darlings of Manchester to a bunch of spoilt brats (almost).  They (and other clubs) destroy anything that resembles the soul of football.  Players don't go to these clubs to progress; it's all just pure greed.

Top scorer in the Bundesliga?  Yeah, we'll just sign him for £30m and stick him on the bench.

Terrible, terrible attitude.  I'd hate it, I really would

The Rock gif is one of my favourites.  It always get a like.