Johnnyp

Literally don’t know what we do with him next season. Reality, he’s not gonna dislodge Watkins, yet. He’s too good for the championship. Ideal scenario is Boro get promoted and loan him to them again. 

The body shot looked pretty innocuous but in real time it’s said it was stiff and thudding. Delayed reaction from Garcia. Levels to this. Tank was too good. Garcia got tagged easy when he tried to press. Hope Tank fights the Haney - Lomachenko winner or Shakur Stevenson.

 Sweet Jesus!!

Lots of giddy folk on here after Newcastle welcoming champions league football. We’ve played twice in a week and looked leggy today. It’s not football manager, we aren’t going signing 7-8 top players in the summer . Will be the core of what we have now with 2-3 additions. 

Good point. Not always gonna be pretty. Showed a different side to us today. 

Didn’t think it would happen until it happened ( even when it was signed ) but fight day for Garcia - Tank. I’ve said from the outset i think Tank wins. He’s one of very few active fighters ( Crawford, Spence, Usyk to name a few ) who has the ability and ring IQ to problem solve for himself in the ring. He’ll probably know what Ryan is about after 2-3 rounds. Garcia is too rigid. From his toes to his head, there is little movement. His left hand is explosive i will say that but because his movement is so poor he leaves himself in punching range too much ( evidenced by the Campbell knock down ) He’s not fluid, he doesn’t move in and out of range quickly. Tank Davis by TKO in the 8th or 9th round. 

14 minutes ago, bobzy said:

Mostly, they’re clubs with modern prestige who can attract the very top players (and managers) and have the money to back that up. There’s a reason we have the “top 6”. Even when sides mess up, they’re usually back within 2 seasons - Arsenal possibly the exception here? But they stuck with Arteta and a plan and it’s now paying dividends.

They all look beatable at the moment and the gap is certainly closing overall - but the challenge remains. 

I’ve seen nothing to suggest Liverpool have serious money. They can dip in to the market now and then to make a big signing but they don’t do it with any level of frequency . Old decrepit squad that won’t be fixed overnight. 

36 minutes ago, Rodders said:

We have a first class manager and wealthy owners. If we did amazingly get top 4 they would ensure we were ready, of that I'd have no doubt.

Would be a hell of a turnover needed in incomings and outgoings to get ready to play champions league football and cope with the PL as well. We’ve shown in the past 5-6 years, we struggle to move people on. No doubt we’d have the wealth to bring players in but you never always get who you want - not even close to it. Of course id love us to finish 4th but im saying the conference league wouldn’t be bad either and we can build a lot more practically without it ruining our league form. 

I’d snap your hand off for a conference league place if you gave it to me now. Considering where we’ve come from. It would be a nice introduction for us back into European competition, get a group that’s not too taxing and doesn’t stretch us whilst getting used to playing Thursday - Sunday. Get experience, retain most of our squad, add to it obviously and kick on then the next season. I wouldn’t want a situation where we qualify for the champions league, can’t handle it and are in the bottom half of the PL next season. 

3 minutes ago, Zhan_Zhuang said:

Absolutely.

If it is mathematically possible, I have faith.

Villa are in good form so why not?

Win against Brentford and Fulham and we will be right in the mix for top four!

I agree, i know it’s cliched but the next game and that’s it really. Although us as fans can rightly get giddy, i think we’ve a manager that won’t get carried away or let the players do so. Focus on ourselves and we’ll finish were we finish. 

14 minutes ago, MWARLEY2 said:

Yep totally. Soundbites don't work at this elite level any more. MON wouldnt work even in his prime any more as tactically he would be outclassed. 

And using the boxing analogies... yesterday was Joe Calzaghe vs Jeff Lacy. Outclassed first kick till last

Similar to Munster rugby in the early to mid noughties. Nobody could live with their passion, ferocity and spirit. Now, everyone brings that and they’ve nothing left really. If that’s all your bringing now then your in trouble because everyone is bringing that - it’s bare minimum. 

Are we in position of the conference league spot at present ? I know the league cup winners get the spot but United won’t need it. Does it go to the league cup runner up ( Newcastle also probably won’t need it ) or goes one more place down the league ? I’d welcome it, wholeheartedly. Be a great introduction back to european football. Some top teams and some very beatable teams in it. 

I thought Hrgovic just had an off night and didn’t take Zhang that serious ( the Croatian should not of won that fight ) but Zhang is obviously pretty good. Bet the shit outta Joyce really, some feat when you consider Joe has pissed it as a pro up to now. 

58 minutes ago, sheepyvillian said:

You have to feel for Joyce, should have had a title shot a while ago, but now will likely never get one. Definitely underestimated his opponent. 

His career as a pro has actually moved at pace, it just looks like it’s slow because he’s old. Joyce’s problem isn’t that he’s been moved too slow as a pro, it’s that he stayed amateur far too long. 

17 minutes ago, Farlz said:

Feels a bit early to say he's the best manager we've seen at Villa but he genuinely might be. 

That's the best result of the lot so far. A real statement win, we absolutely battered Newcastle today. 

It’s how you quantify the word best i suppose. I think he is, the football is great, im enjoying it and we are winning matches. I mean, we had three 6th place finishes under O’Neill but the football was turgid. 

Not watching but a mate texted me Villa been unreal ?

Just now, DCJonah said:

Our bench is looking weak. 

I'm glad some of their attacking players are out but I can imagine we'll be the team that kick starts Gordon's Newcastle career.

That’s old Villa mentality. It’s ok, we are all still adjusting - but we don’t think like that anymore pal

Ramsey has got to test Trippier too. He’s not exactly old for a FB, but he’s old in football terms, around a long time. Make him go back towards his own goal. 

1 minute ago, Johnnyp said:

He did i think. 

Edit . He didn’t. 

Just now, VillaParkAvenue said:

Did Kamara play last time when they beat us?

He did i think. 

1 minute ago, Villa87 said:

Sensible to add a bit more physicality in midfield. Worried about him under the press though. Pleased McGinn and get further forward. This will be won in midfield I feel. 

The press worries me too with Dendoncker. Emery sees him every day though, im sure he knows this is an issue. Maybe he shows for the pass, make Newcastle come onto us quickly leaving more space in behind. It will be interesting. 

The boss knows best. 

7 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

Thats a great shout about loaning him to vitoria. That suits both parties

No way. Shit league. Apart from 2-3 teams it’s muck. I’d sooner him go championship again than there.