BG_Villa_Fan

A very interesting question indeed. It did seem at times as if there were two separate hubs of decision making when it came to transfers, sort of similarly to how it was under Sherwood. Probably not the best set up but then again, considering they've had to completely rebuild the whole squad, they've done a very good job overall. Some mistakes were to be expected but I'd argue that even the less impactful ones ( Wesley, Heaton, Trez ) played a role, weren't complete duds, and were unlucky because of terrible injuries. Now, apparently it wasn't all great because Suso did lose his job and took the fall, but the scope was enormous when we were promoted with half a squad under contracts.

It's as if you didn't read or didn't understand my post. I'm not blaming Gerrard. I'm not defending Smith. I don't think there'd have been much of a difference between them in terms of the big picture. We had something good going at the club, something that might have been able to carry us above our weight, but they've allowed it to slip away and now we seem like a club that has no identity or direction.

Soulless team. Dean Smith and Grealish were the soul of this club and it's been ripped off. It'll be difficult for Gerrard to do much, regardless of slightly positive or slightly negative performances.

All comes down to refereeing again. Last season Watkins had quite a few occasions when he tried playing through contact in the penalty area and wasn’t given a penalty for genuine fouls, say at West Ham, simply because he stayed on his feet. More recently he’s been trying to fall down when there’s contact but he looks so clumsy because it’s not natural for him, and he’s always rejected again. It’s up to the referee to set a standard for what a foul is and what a penalty is but we see again and again there’s little consistency when making a decision.

This is absolutely true, however, refs are at fault for another widely accepted misconception - unless a player falls down there’s no foul/penalty. It’s still incredible how 4 or 5 refs, with all the benefits of technology, can still get so many decisions wrong. A random decision generator wouldn’t do worse.

Really? What gave it away? Do we have to write 'imo' after every sentence on a message board in order not to be mistakenly taken for an ITK? Fwiw I also believe Purslow and Gerrard wouldn't have the snake back. To clarify - I haven't personally talked to them, just imo.

We didn't. We knew it. We were OK with it.

Nor Liverpool rejects.

No, I want him to fail because he's a snake and because finishing his career at West Ham and West brom would suit him.

It's not simple, it's simplistic.

I did. So it's been 30 years and 15 managers since the last one who went to a better job. Odds are Gerrard wouldn't manage to do so. If he does it'd be great for the position Villa would be left in. Personally, I don't care for Steven Gerrard or his career aspirations. I only care about what he does as a Villa manager. If he does so well that bigger clubs come calling then so be it. At least he hasn't said stupid things like 'My club' when signing a contract with an out clause in it.

It actually would be, yes. Who was the last Villa manager to leave for a bigger job? Or have success anywhere after leaving?

If anyone thinks this is a stonewall penalty, then they have whatever the opposite of claret and blue specs is.

Great satire

Blasphemy! You want to shut down the internets or what?

Love the man, he's doing a great job considering the circumstances. He's not had a settled squad yet this season, so there's a reason to hope for gradual improvement. That said, I'll call my inner Villalad and say that I don't think they're doing the 3-5-2 thing very well at all. Especially when it comes to building up the play from the back - the wing backs are too high up the pitch and rarely present themselves as options for the center back with the ball to pass to. Very often even Nakamba and Luiz were missing too and there was no one to pass to in order to advance the ball, leading to poor long passes. They've lost the ball in dangerous areas multiple times because of this and it'll be punished against better pressing teams. Obviously, it takes time to adjust to new formations, but I think they have to change some things tactically if they're looking to proceed with this formation.

Exactly. Although knee sprains could take a long time to heal as well.

The fact physios checked his knee out thoroughly and didn't immediately sub him should be assuring it's not a tear at the very least. I hope.

They didn't have any fight or leadership on and off the pitch, they just lied down and got beat. We've seen this from past Villa teams, we know exactly what it is and how it feels. If they think they'll turn it around they're mistaken. It's not even about the players or who they could add before the transfer window closes. Club is deeply rotten.

2nd goal was a foul against the keeper tbh. But anyway, go Brentford!

McGinn's awareness >> Connor's.

Between Purslow's comments and the dry Villa 'k thnx bye' tweet, the club have really shown what they think about his 'my club' bullshit., make no mistake.

Purslow didn't half throw him under the bus lol Some bad blood there.

I'm sure when he's washed up and spewed out he'll want another payday from the Villa. F him. Let him go to West Ham or Everton.

He'll probably be as miserable as he looks in these pics even when he wins something with them. Plastic medals. F him.