DaveAV1

Fair play Jim, I know you’re not Dean Smith’s biggest fan, but you give credit when due. Which to be honest hasn’t been due much in the last few weeks. Hopefully he keeps it up now. Along with the rest of them.

A lot is talked about in game management, but once the players are out on the pitch, the manager’s influence is significantly reduced. Once they cross the line it’s largely down to players to react to things that happen during the game. Ok the manager can make subs but wholesale tactical changes rarely happen or work. The micro management is down to players and this is where experienced players can make a big difference. This is probably what we have missed most this season and the reason we’ve dropped points we perhaps shouldn’t have.

During the first half we dominated, so where was the in play management from Dyke? Second half they improved, which is common in many games no matter which teams are involved. I know we have been particularly vulnerable in the second half of games, particularly early in the half, but at the moment I’d say it’s as much a confidence problem as anything else. I don’t think we can say we’ve turned a corner after one good result and a better overall performance, but small steps and all that.

He’s a visionary

ACL and MCL, were they awarded in the New Years Honours?

You’re barred!!!!

He’s checking Walsall archives for a corner they gave away once during a 5-0 win.

That means we’d have to score 6!

I’m waiting until tomorrow, just to be sure.

So what you’re saying TRO is that people who agree with you are being honest and people who have a different opinion are delusional.

I don’t entirely disagree with that, it’s the nature of the business. However I’m not so sure if it’s more of a policy problem rather than the actual signings. We appear to have a policy of buying for the future, which is good, but have forgotten about the now. As in most things in life it’s about balance. We have a chance to address that now, but haven’t left ourselves with much room for error.

It’s an article by a journalist with no direct quotes or even suggestions as to a source. I don’t think it highlights anything with regards to any discord in the camp. Suso and Dean may be equally disappointed with some of the incomings, it’s never an exact science. It must be remembered that both Sir Alex Ferguson and David O’Leary signed Eric Djemba Djemba. That didn’t make the former a bad manager or the latter a good one. All signings are a complicated risk assessment. PS. Happy New Year to you too

Me neither. I’ve had my mid morning cuppa and a biscuit, but absolutely nothing! We’re sleep walking into relegation. A striker by lunchtime and a couple of wingers before afternoon tea or I’m going to start questioning the ambitions of our board.

Yes and he’s a rubbish driver, never folds his trousers properly and worse of all puts sugar on his cornflakes before the milk. He’s the worst player we’ve had since 1874.

He plays Scot Hogan, really? Didn’t he pick Bosco Balaban against Southampton too?

I know we’ve gone off the boil goal scoring wise and everyone’s favourite bad guy is Wesley, but we’ve defended badly all season. Up until recently we’ve scored a decent amount of goals as a team, even if out striker needs improving. It’s defending that we don’t do well as a team or individually. Mings has been a miss recently and hopefully he’s back soon, but another commanding figure with a bit of bite wouldn’t do any harm. Anyway if we sign him that doesn’t mean we won’t strengthen other areas.

Steve Gerrard, didn’t he fall on his arse and give it to Demba Ba?

It wasn’t just aimed at Wesley, I think we lack pace all over the pitch. And besides my Villanous friend, it wasn’t cheap I’ve just poured a glass from a bottle of single malt. Cheap! How very dare you!

Whilst I think Gerrard has done well, the Scottish PL is still a two horse race. Ok due to Rangers total financial melt down it has been one horse race for a few seasons. But take any manager from the English PL or even most of the Championship and as managers of Celtic or Rangers they would win the Scottish PL. I live in The Highlands and I know a few Rangers fans who of course, especially after they beat Celtic on Sunday, love Gerrard. But for me he is still unproven, such is the poor standard up here. For that reason I think he would jump at the chance if any PL club offered him a chance, even in our position. It would almost be a free hit for him as he could blame the previous coach. I think it’s a mute point anyway as I don’t think we’d take the risk on Gerrard if we decided to replace Smith. I’m currently of the opinion that the board are desperate for stability and will support him in the transfer market next month to try to get us the right side of the line in May. But who knows?

Absolutely spot on. Even Mr Aston Villa himself wasn’t t actually very good, believe it or not. (I know it’s hard but try).But the boy could run and even the best defenders are scared by genuine pace. Our current team have the pace of an octogenarian running in porridge.

That’s the spirit!

I think, if the players being linked, Vida, Drinkwater etc, are anything to go by the club have realised we don’t have enough experience on the pitch. Whilst the general policy of buying potential is a good one, we need to balance that with current needs. At least they appear to have realised it. Hopefully not too late.

Welcome to Villa Park Myron.

I don’t mean this season, but I can’t imagine that our ambitious owners are aiming for anything less within a reasonable time frame.

Only for knots and fire lighting.