striker

1 hour ago, Adbo9 said:

Personally, Aiden McGeady would be a good signing......... always like him, and never really understood why everyone hates him........... one of the players who everytime I see him play he seems to play well and cause problems........

McGeady is imo a one trick pony and vastly overrated.

14 minutes ago, Adbo9 said:

Curtis Davies has signed for Derby for 500K............. not a bad signing for them

Wouldn't surprise me to see us go for Huddlestone........

Do you not think Villa have a younger version in Landsbury?

Davies would have been a cracking signing at Championship level and for not a lot of money too.

Villa can do better than Glen Whelan. Not a good signing imo.

If Bruce is going to sign anyone from Stoke he should look at Crouch but only on a one year limited deal.

4 hours ago, Eastie said:

If the black is genuine I'd certainly buy it - looks quality!

Not if you put Eric on the back of it.

For the first thirty minutes such speed of passing, control and movement then it lost its way a bit. Hopefully a repeat of the 1st in the second half which would make it a great final.

11 hours ago, KSV said:

That's a lady mate

Na it's a man alright stealing two footballs from Anfield. 

1 hour ago, bobzy said:

Well it obviously isn't, but chopping and changing manager has so far seen us drop to our lowest league finish for God knows how long. 

I'm game for trying out a little bit of stability, for a change. 

It could be though that Villa finding themselves in that position is due to the wrong choice of manager than change. What have Villa's recent appointments done since leaving Villa?

11 hours ago, Hornso said:

Keen to see if they are able to get Mooy on loan for another season or buy him from Man City. He might have more attractive suitors.

Thought he was bang average yesterday. Reminded me so much of another midfielder who Villa sold to Burnley.

Would much rather have Fulham's Tom Cairney.

The game itself was turgid with a total lack of quality on show. How Villa didn't beat these two teams to the playoffs is beyond me.

Would it not be better if unable to sell to come to some sort of agreement with those players that Bruce and Villa no longer want to pay up their contracts?

I know that Richards and Gabby are on a fair whack but it would be a fresh start for the club and allow Villa to promote more youth into the squad.

54 minutes ago, av1 said:

I disagree. Newcastle showed an arrogance and disregard for the championship and guess what, they won the league. 

We set up with 10 men behind the ball at home to Burton, and where did that get us?

I'm with @Dave J on this one. A little bit of of arrogance and an attacking style of play are key ingredients to get out of this league. 

We are Astin Villa, we have spent a ridiculous amount of money for this league, setting up to defend against the might of Ipswich town and Brentford is simply not exceptable. 

Stated this several weeks ago but maybe not as well written as the quoted post. Villa have man for man as good a squad as either Newcastle or Brighton but that was negated by repeated negative tactics by the manager which completely dispelled the fear factor from inferior Championship opposition.

If either Rafa or Hughton had been managing Villa after RDM I firmly believe Villa would have made the playoffs despite losing Kodjia for the African Nations.

30 minutes ago, Grasshopper said:

 

I wonder if/how Bruce plays golf

With potatoes.

32 minutes ago, briny_ear said:

 

If he was achieving this through ultra defensive football, hoofing long balls over midfield and waiting for Kodjia to nick the winning goal, what would the anti-Bruce lot do then? Call for him to be sacked because he wasn't playing "progressive" football or because they personally weren't enjoying it?

This is a good point but it would be the same as last time accepting the wins but showing concern how Villa are playing.

My worry is that by playing this way Villa are reliant on not conceding and if they do they wont have the system in place or a manager tactically aware enough to continually overhaul a deficit.

19 hours ago, BOF said:

Defoe has just agreed a 130k p/w 3 year deal with Bournemouth Can I have the lottery numbers?

That's just nuts. 

20 minutes ago, briny_ear said:

What possible reason could Rodgers have for coming to Villa?

There is far too much delusional talk in this thread.

A chairman who will back him in the transfer market for a start. A club now (hopefully) on the up with a more than excellent chance of getting back into the PL and with the chairman's backing, staying there. Rafa stayed at Newcastle even though they were relegated.

I don't think its delusional at all to suggest him when he is managing a team in a one team league and how far do you think Celtic are going to get in the CL on their budget?

Watched Celtic in their last game of the season and was very impressed how they moved the ball with a squad not much better than Villa's. Rodgers has got them playing some lovely stuff and he is someone that should be under consideration if Bruce is sacked. It isn't rocket science to get the players to form little triangles on the pitch so there is always an out ball for the player in possession. It's basic progressive coaching and something Bruce needs to incorporate into Villa's play for next season. Another poster suggested getting someone in like Phelan to produce more pass and move football and if thats what it takes then it will be Bruce's best signing of the summer.

20 hours ago, VillaCas said:

13th or 19th, both are crap given the resources available. I think RDM was a poor choice and I'm pleased he went but my personal opinion is that 19th exaggerated how bad he was - his games in charge represent a very small sample and in amongst the very average performances we also had more than our share of bad luck.

Its a sad commentary on Bruce that we are debating whether he is better than RDM - it's clear to me that he is better but the real question is - IS he good enough to win promotion next season.

For me the answer is sadly no - extrapolated across a full season his period in charge would bring 68 points or 10th place taken on this season. For the resources available that is a poor return. We can argue until the cows come home about what kind of situation he took over but the overwhelming consensus at the start of the season was that deadwood had been shifted and new blood bought in and that we were automatic promotion candidates

I've seen pretty much the same arguments rolled out when Sherwood and RDM were here and we are now going through the same pantomime with Bruce. He is more experienced than those two, plays much tighter, defensive tactics so his issues are not as stark but make no mistake if he stays (I've no doubt that he will by the way) we will not go up next season either

After listening to Wyness's interview clearly the board have been disappointed with this season's performances and those type of performances next season will not be tolerated. If Villa are not challenging for automatic promotion next season after 10-15 games then I'm certain that you will get your wish and Bruce will be replaced.

Lets hope it will not come to that though due to Villa doing well?

22 hours ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

I've seen a couple of Hull games on TV and in addition to 3 assists he created chances for others, not a world beater but then you have to remember the level we are playing at, would be fantastic in this division IMO.

Thanks mate.

It's ok to take someone on and beat them but you also have to be able to cross well. Can Groisicki do that as I haven't seen him play much?

Flint is a no nonsense centre half and would be perfect alongside Chester with Baker as 1st change.

1 hour ago, TRO said:

Is that a default quote, because hindsight is an exact science?......would you have said that at the start of the season?......and also how can you be sure it wasn't many other factors that won them promotion.

just a thought.

Well since Newcastle were being managed by a very good manager then yes I would and Hughton is also highly rated. I expected Newcastle to win the Championship with Brighton at least in the playoffs as did many others.

16 hours ago, TRO said:

 

who is this manager in the Championship that has the tactical monopoly in games?

 

Benitez and Hughton did quite well.

On 16/05/2017 at 13:43, It's Your Round said:

Can somebody please send this to Harry Redknapp? We could do a nice little job lot deal for im'!

Not even Redknapp would be foolish enough to buy those players even though I know your comment was with tongue firmly in cheek. 

9 hours ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

If it's 3 or 4 quality players they are after as claimed, and 25 mill isn't enough to get them, after spending 80 mill in the championship last season, something is terribly wrong.

Villa did well in signing Hourihane and Lansbury for minimal amounts due to state of contract but quality in the Championship still costs upwards on 10m so if Bruce is looking to bring in 3-4 players then based on reasonable valuations on what is available for transfer Bruce is going to struggle to do that.

However it could be that Bruce is targeting loans as well and if that is so then there shouldn't be a problem.

Amavi will probably fetch in the region of 12m-15m. I can't see Villa selling him for anything less than that after receiving an apparent bid of 25m and I fancy he will go to Liverpool. Vertout, Sanchez and Tish will probably bring in around 8m-9m combined. Can't see much more coming in other than a certain amount off the wage bill due to loans.

Totting that up it's not a bad amount to spend in the Championship but will it be enough to bring in what Villa really need to gain promotion?

Thats why I feel Bruce will definitely utilize the loan market more than previous Villa managers this summer although he'll have his work cut out fighting with Redknapp.