KB_Villan

Just watched some highlights, there's definitely a 'decisive' element about him when it comes to finishing or his final ball. Something I think was lacking at times for us last season. Could see him crushing a lot of opposition fans hearts in tight games coming on for the last 20 and banging in a few goals or laying on assists after beating a few players. Get him in!

West Ham knew exactly what to do, sit back first half, conserve their energy after playing Thursday keep it nil nil. Then step up 2nd half and dominate. Chances will come when we try to push. Could see it coming a mile off. Even if I don't agree with changes / line ups they should at least be for a reason. I just don't see what our plan is to beat anyone. Really wanted this to work but time is up I'm afraid.

This sums it up for me perfectly, Someone may be able to, but I can't think of any other time a manager has done this for another club's media channel.

Gutted, not that I don't think he didn't have his faults, but pre season really screwed Dean over, Jack leaving, COVID issues, friendlies being cancelled, how many players missed out on proper pre season and are only now just starting to look fit. Bailey/Buendia still haven't completed 90 mins. Midfield also needed a revamp in the summer. That can't just be on Smith. We would have been desperate to be where we are right now when Bruce was in charge. Good luck Dean, you lived the dream. thanks for everything!

This. Hopefully the club can turn the situation into Man City giving us £100 million being the worst thing they could do. We take the hit, but smile and keep coming for them.

Really really hope when the photoshoot happens, there's a few shots of Buendia fist bumping/high fiving Martinez. Just to rub a little more salt in the wound for Arsenal fans.

Wow, honestly didn't see this coming off. Still need to see him holding the shirt but well done!!

Absolutely, the kind of character I think we need to start challenging at the next level.

How much do we think Henry would be? Right age, worked with Smith twice, links up well with Watkins judging from the clips, competition for Targett. Seems like a very good fit.

We look tired.

Our deliveries are terrible or non existent due to dithering outside the box. So frustrating. Feel bad for Watkins, he ends up going looking for the ball instead.

Unnerved on the ball, carries it so well. Rarely gives away possession, draws fouls. All of this we've known for ages. Crazy to think he wasn't even at his best and still got motm. Jack is exactly what England needed in that semi final vs Croatia, and what they'll need facing the better teams. Hope Southgate can bury whatever the problem is, and really start to integrate Jack into the first 11.

Very much this. The amount of good work going into the club has been amazing. It's also why many of us get so annoyed with lazy pundits/journalists. Obviously there is a lot to prove on the pitch, but the owners/management team should be getting a lot more outside recognition for what is happening at Villa. Especially when you see what's going on at West Ham/Fulham etc.

Welcome Ross, Great window, great signing, this is the one that will make people sit up and take notice of what's been happening here. Improving our weak areas with quality players both in terms of stats and personality. Villa are coming!

Wonder how much getting an England call up this week has an influence on what he wants to do? If he still can't get in and someone like Foden gets in ahead of him, does that make Jack think again?

The interview is up on the Guardian. Very good read. I think getting him in could be the last piece of the puzzle in us taking major steps forward. Is it possible this could all already be done? There's been a few youth development hires recently as well.

Lets try to get the players out who don't contribute anything first like Lansbury and Hogan. That must be about 60-70k a week in wages right there. Use that money for talented young players that can phase the rest (Taylor, Nyland, Jota etc) out over the next few windows. Going to much more of a squad game now, can't see anyone that signed last year leaving unless a good offer comes in.

Obviously easier said than done, but I want to see players coming in that can consistently perform week in, week out. I know there's been a break but I can't remember the last time El Ghazi actually did something meaningful given how excited we were to get him signed at the start of the season. I think with someone like Deulofeu we'd be getting the same thing, one decent performance every 4 weeks.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/19/michael-emenalo-the-narrative-that-white-is-good-has-to-change Michael Emenalo - a big part of the successful players that have come through at Chelsea. Ready to get back into football. Seems like a no brainer to replace Suso if he's willing to potentially work in the championship for a while.

This. As poor as Davis and Samatta have been. The service they get has been awful. We look clueless when we get Into final 1/3 of the pitch. Some players that can cross the ball well on a consistent basis would be a great start.

Definitely think the influence 1 & 2 have had on this season is underestimated. Can't recall any other squad needing such major surgery. Combine that with FFP and we were at a major disadvantage before we'd even started. Being hopeful, I'd like to think the club is in a better state wherever we end up. Most of the high wages are gone, any player that leaves we'll actually get some money for (12 players going out the door for pittance didn't help much with no.2). Much better platform to build on next season. We just need the right people to do it.

Awful from top to bottom, so many questions need to be asked. I feel sorry for Smith as it seems between Suso getting in players he didn't want and Terry waiting for him to fail, he's managing with a hand tied behind his back. The problem is he's not helping himself as we don't seem to have improved anywhere across the pitch. Where are the ideas? the creativity? a plan to deal with whoever is in front of us? And if we don't have those where is the fight? We're staring relegation in the face, but we have a very good chance of getting out of it, yet no one seems bothered. So so frustrating, that surely lies with Smith. Ultimately, FFP and the decisions/signings made the last few seasons have screwed us over. We'll have a better foundation to work from next season whichever league we're in. The way this run in is going, I'm not sure if Smith is right person to take us forward.

Whatever happens, (hopefully a win) let's hope we get through the game without any injuries. We have another 11 finals after this one. UTV!

This, though I think he did a few things well. It's time the club moved on from this now so we can concentrate fully on the league. Hopefully all the companies house activity means NSWE are preparing to buy out the last of what Xia owns.

Think De Laet would have been decent for us had he stayed fit, we then went on to sign 20 other right backs. Hopefully we can get a fee for Bree. Can't complain at the rest and wish them the best as they all played a part (bar Richards) in getting us back. Very refreshing to see us getting this all done quickly as well.