fruitvilla

I think that strategy works if you are playing to win one game. It may not be so good if we want to win as many games as possible.

Here's a question or two ... is El Ghazi improving? Can he continue to improve?

I just looked at the nq website. Interesting ... I've looked at the Hellyer site before in a past life. Being more on the extractive metallurgy side of things the Barnes project looks interesting, but very early days, a bit small and just starting the environmental process. But nickel and associated metals are interesting. nq ... definitely a junior ... with the attendant risks. So long as this is play money for you.

I recall seeing an Economist article probably twenty years ago now, showing that the mining industry had lost some 40% of shareholder value (as a whole) during the 1900s. To open a new mine these days you need to be a) lucky, b) an optimist and c) almost bloody mad. OK c) is bit of an exaggeration. I have been in the mining industry some 40 years ... my advice is buy low, sell high ... blue chip mining companies. When the economy crashes and prices go down ... buy, you may be out of a job and need every penny, but that is time to buy. I suspect 'now' is high. If we look at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, we can see crashes have been cyclical.

And the inevitable "Up the Villa, Tone" from the callers.

I had left the country by then ...But according to Wiki it was in part for a bit of aggro with Savin, but according to Wiki he remained friends with Savin and it was more about management issues with BRMB

The question for is what made you be wrong? The little I have watched Mings he routinely beats people in the air.

I remember Tony Butler?

OK got it ... thanks

Over here in Canada I will cut down on my lentil and brassica intake to cut down on greenhouse emissions for you guys.

One can always spoil one's vote. Have done that in the past ... when the party of my persuasion has fielded an idiot. edit an after thought ... instead of spoiling one's vote for the local greens ... that'll scare the big'uns.

Winning style?

That may well be ... I have every sympathy for the goalkeeper, but coming off his line and not taking the ball? But it did not look like a back pass to me either.

I have some sympathy for Bruce's statement. To me me it was poor goalkeeping. If Newcastle had a Martinez in goal, Ollie would not have a ball to head in. Never could get the hang of Newquay Brawn Ale ... much overated in my book.

I don't have the investment in Villa that many on this forum have, figuratively or literally with paying to watch. But I do understand it is not just the manager, the trainers, the players, the owners, the fans, the money. It is the mix. The mix is looking like it is coming together. Dean Smith looks like a godsend, whatever he has, it is working in the mix. The sense I get ... Dean Smith puts the club above himself. How many of the managers out there do that? OK I'm off my soap box now.

Thanks for the clarification ... surprised VAR did not go to the referee?

I disagree. It is in our job description to mercilessly say publicly our players are not good enough, not his.

According to the commentator I was watching, Watkins while ahead of his defender was actually still behind the ball when the ball was passed, so it would not have mattered if the defender had not touched the ball. But I am surprised it did not go to VAR.

Martínez 8 Did what he had to do ... not that it was much. Cash 8 I liked his forward runs Konsa 8 He was solid Mings 8 Again solid ... did what he had to do Targett 8 Really strong especially in the first half, went off the boil in the second, but still hot Luiz 7 ... not his best game Nakamba 8 Stepped in for McGinn nicely Traoré 8 One of his better games from the point of view tracking back Barkley 7 Good but looked a bit rusty Grealish 7 Not the best by his standards, 8 or 9 by anyone else's. Watkins 7 was in the right place at the right time I liked the strategy of sucking the pus out of the boil, especially after going one up. Getting Newcastle to open up ... passing the ball back to Martinez, getting their frontline to cut off the outlet pass and then passing the ball to Nakamba. Over and over again. It was only towards the end of the game that did Newcastle bother to have anyone mark Nakamba for the outlet pass.

The only thing I saw that I did not like from Mings today, was that he controlled the ball with his groin right in front of and Martinez and Martinez had to pounce on it. (The ball that is). Plainly Mings should have cleared the ball with his groin.

I have got my speakers turned off, so you are not aloud when you tell us about your feelings.

The other possibility is, if Dean is the half the manager we think he is, he may just give JT his first solo flight.

The horse's mouth: Birmingham population | Population and census | Birmingham City Council But I agree pointing fingers is sort of useless. Understanding the underlying causes priceless.

Two in the UK ... Brum is just over 1 million. The West Midlands conurbation is not trivial.

Past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Bringing in Morgan or anyone else for that matter is an unknown. How will he cope with the Premier League, UK, Villa or whatever team, his new team-mates, Smith, the coaching staff, it's all bit of a crap shoot. It's not where Morgan is now, it's where with development and the "right" environment what he might achieve. Someone, somewhere thinks he might be able to do better. I don't have a clue. But if the price is right. No doubt we have brought in other players that have not matched our expectations. Won't be the first nor the last.