sled

We've shipped so many goals in the last 2 matches that I can just see a new back 4. Cuéllar at RB would be the icing on the cake. If it ain't broke tamper with it? I hope MON is thinking of nothing of the sort!

4-4-2 no thanks. They haven't made too bad a start to the season. 4-5-1 and we'll win. But it'll be close. 3-0

Well clearly there's someone else who's allowed himself to be swayed by an own goal and voted for Ridgewell! Changing the subject, one thing that does my head in is when I stumble on a little batch of Villa clips on YouTube and the obsession that some bluenose bastard(s?) has with posting 'greatest goal ever'. You click on it and there's Olly preparing to take a quick throw...

The DFC and the CDM!

Subscriber Trunk Dialling? Why yes, the whole of the UK has had it since 1979. Except my Auntie Olive in Castle Bromwich, who refused to have a phone.

Older VTers may remember a right back called Keith "Badger" Bradley, though someone once told me that Gordon Lee was even worse.

To me that's the obvious team. Although if any of our new signings do play at least they'll have had time to bed in. Birmingham look pretty useful to me at present but hmm, I don't know, they could struggle a bit on this occasion. I'd start with Gabby up front. He seems to do well at grounds where there's a strong smell of urine. Carew to come off the bench, Gabby to move to RM, Milner to RB, Beye to CB, Cuéllar to come off as we search for a 4th goal. I'm also hoping from an own goal. Agent Ridgewell again?

No option to vote for both, obviously. But to vote for one would be to vote against the other so I'm not voting. Young possibly better - he can be electric and he's a match-winner (in terms of his runs and crossing). But Milner is my favourite Villa player and just once in a blue moon produces something devastating.

No? What was it then?

LADIES PLEASE!

It'd be nice to play 4-4-2 in certain circumstances and against certain teams, but we don't have the players to make it work and we do have the players to make 4-3-2-1, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 (call it what you will) work. These days when I see that MON has gone for 4-4-2 against whoever, home or away, my hopes disappear, and I prepare to curse MON. When he starts with a 4-5-1 or similar I think thank you MON and if we don't get a result it won't be your fault. But... we probably will get a result. Like against Fulham today. Fingers crossed.

Brilliant, brilliant signature, Julie!

We have too many really good wingers and attacking midfielders ever to be accommodated in a 4-4-2, especially when you think that NRC is the only proper defensive central midfielder we have. 4-5-1 awayand 4-5-1 at home too please.

A minute's silence at the end please lads.

Didn't say who to mind.

Spot on. 2-0.

Not in my house if the score stays the same.

Davies? Dear God... I like that midfield though.

Oh dear what can the matter be? John Carew's got locked in the lavatory etc

Not the place to ask as you know - Trent

Hmm. 8) Post on poster. How dare you insinuate that I'm positive!

Not really on topic, but no point in starting another thread either. When people tell you that the only people who are 'restless' about the present situation and a load of negative whinging keyboard warriors are posters on VillaTalk, I suggest you have a look at one of the other leading fan sites, Vital Villa. There is a poll there in which people are asked if they think MON is the right man for the job. 104 say he is. 109 say he isn't. There you are. "Not many people know that." ©Michael Caine

I daresay Collymore said the same about Gregory and Justin Fashanu said something similat about Clough when he joined Forest.

Changes two?

Great thread and one which should provide lively and, one hopes, positive debate. I can't get out of my mind an image I have of someone remarkably like Mr O'Neill walking along a high diving board seemingly unaware of a huge vat of steaming hot custard underneath. Whitish lumpy custard made with powdered milk, just like the stuff inflicted on pupils at Camp Hill Boys School in the 60s. Therefore I think he'll be sacked. He will indeed make about 3 key signings before the end of the window, but of the wrong players, and his end will come on Jan 31st when he tries to re-sign Wayne Routledge. But obviously I'm only guessing.