Pimlico_Villa

I have exactly the same sentiment. Agree 100%

A lot of this might be explained by a greater propensity for players to approach goal at an angle so as to hit opposite corner. Angles make it easier to step inside and get a shot off. You also have he option to go down the by line and cross. Ashley Young was one of the early adopters of this. Running down the middle you have to get between 2 centre halves.

Agreed wholeheartedly. Have thought for a while that we really don't seem to do any character analysis or diligence when buying players. This is also one of the limitations to using Statistics to find players. Needs an experienced Manager to make that assessment of a player's character strength.

Interesting observation, that. I only think we could do it parts, though - wouldn't be able to build a team or squad that way. Would have to get them young enough as well. The only issue we might encounter - and we saw this perfectly with Ashley Westwood - is whether players coming from League 1 can handle playing confidently in front of >30k crowds and a full Holte. I think this is the reason so many of our players in the last 10 years elect to play safe, sideways, unadventurous passing - being booed by the Holte would kill them. Brentford have a tiny ground, which helps them do this.

Do you have a link to where those stats can be viewed? Thanks in advance.

The fact that a player would rather play for Pulis speaks volumes about BruceBall. Bruce really starting to embarrass himself now.

I didn't know Bolasie was a Full Back? Unless he is a Full Back don't see why Bruce would be interested. Unless he can play as GK as well?

Absolutely has to play Axel at CB. I know he has looked a tad suspect, but their MF is definitely creative enough to feed their Strikers in behind our centre halves so having pace to recover is essential. If Jedinak plays, he will be forced to sit extremely deep so as to not get caught for pace, which in turns makes our MF sit deep, which in turn fuels the hoof ball tactic as the gap between MF and CF is too large. I'm actually dreading this game and can see us getting battered 4 nil. Thought Brentford looked sublime watching them on Sunday.

This season I worry he will be too limited. For me, he is only effective against an opposition that pumps it long into the box. The League is far more technical this year and so the chances of that happening are slimmer. His pace is a liability at times and, for me, he far too often elects to play the easy sideways/backwards pass instead of a progressive one. Some might appreciate this tidiness, but for me I find it infuriating as it completely slows down our play and let's opposition get back into their defensive shape quickly. Axel playing at CDM would offer the same aerial protection but with the added benefit of being able to run and launch an attack as soon as we win promotion. He also has the technical ability to run forward with the ball or play an ambitious, attack-minded pass. Far too often Jedinak launches it only for it to come straight back.

Would not be surprised if Mendes was working on bringing in a Manager whilst we use Bruce's contacts to bring in loans. I was all for Bruce as I genuinely thought he would have learned his lessons from last season. Games so far this season have showed that he is completely reluctant to evolve. Yesterday we played the same way and made the same mistakes as we would have done in Bruce's first season. There are no signs of progression atall - he just refuses to learn and develop. I really like Bruce, but tactical acumen is critical in the modern game.

As much as I do rate him, I really don't think he would cut it at Spurs. He won't instantly improve their starting XI and because he is likely their only signing, Fans won't give him the benefit of the doubt/have any patience if he doesn't hit the ground running. These are still formative years for JG and he has a lot to learn. Yes, Poch would help him enormously, but there are plenty of other players at Spurs that Poch will also need to develop, meaning he won't be bale to give JG the concentrated dose of attention he needs. We saw last season, to get the best out of JG a Manager needs to devote a lot of time to him (Bruce, Terry and our Conditioning Coach). Can't see anyone at Spurs being able to devote the same resources, nor will they have the patience. Given what their target will be for the season, they will have other priorities. This leaves JG vulnerable, in my opinion. He'd be better off staying here and growing up a bit more. He still needs hand holding and, left to his own devices without supervision, he'll be lying on the floor drunk in Magaluf next Summer.

Bruce must have signed him for his "long passing" capability. Can see it working well with 6'5" Hogan playing up top.

This is Bruce, so I'm expecting the classic 9 at the back, 1 midget upfront.

Good job JT is done!

Only concern is physique seems very underdeveloped versus other youth team players. Particularly for a MF.

I'd be concerned that he wouldn't hit the ground running at Spurs. There are some absolutely insane players in that MF and he isn't at that level yet. He will be, but don't think anyone could argue he is at that level currently. If he is their only major signing this year, then fans would be extremely intolerant, particularly if Spurs pay what we are asking. At the quoted price, Levy is running a huge risk of pissing off Spurs fans if Grealish has anything even resembling a settling in period. In that scenario, couldn't see Jack coping too well and would be worried for him.

Does the Club get the money or does it go to Fanatics and Luke?

Agree with the logic here, but I still think Bruce has some old school values and will be feeling guilty for not getting us up last season. As poor as he is tactically, don’t think you can fault his values as a man.

What will players be wearing in training?

Usually implies new equity investment, but equally be Recon buying more shares. Not enough to go on, though.

Thanks!

Looks like yet another Company being set up. Might be to receive the £50M loan. Makes sense as the loan would not want to be further down the pecking order from other creditors, which it would be if it was made to the existing company

Sorry for being thick, but I don't get it?

Presumably, Recon can then funnel that money into Villa as Corporations aren't as restricted as individuals when it comes to investing outside of China. Xia can then service that loan from the cash he has in China by funnelling his money into Recon and therefore keeping it in China. Basically, using Recon as an intermediary to legitimately get cash from Xia into Villa, just means the cost of doing so is the interest paid to the Bank. If Xia is willing to do that, then I see that as testament to his honest intentions. Yes, he could have structured all of this more efficiently, but can't doubt his intentions based on these actions.

I'd like to think, though, that in that period we can get the appropriate cost base in place. Recon are presumably stumping up the collateral, but the loan covenants will be applied against us. When you take out loans of that size, there are covenants that the Bank insist on maintaining, typically premised on the outstanding debt as a ratio of Operating Profit (Revenue minus cash costs, not the depreciation charges). If those covenants are not maintained on an ongoing basis, the Loan can be recalled immediately. Basically, it means we have another vested interest making sure that our costs don't spiral out of control. Seems like a positive, but you are correct: we still need a long term plan. From his post immediately after the POF, seems like Xia is fully cognisant of that.