A'Villan

Dude caused Liverpool problems for 60 minutes as a Belgrade player but was subbed at the 60 minute mark because he was dwindling out of the game. Chelsea gave him a 5 year contract at the same time they had Hazard, Malouda, Mata, Oscar and Lampard in the squad. That's a big investment in him considering their options. De Bruyne was also in the Chelsea squad at that time, but played considerably less than Marin. Look at where De Bruyne is now. Marin went to Belgrade for 700,000. Yes, 700,000. That's why I'd be interested in picking him up. Absolute peanuts in football.

Care factor for baseball is similar to watching golf or cricket, it's just never been my thing. But I love a story where someone defies the odds and makes their mark.

Me too. I thought it meant something to do with sheep shagging, due to the bugger part of it. But noooo, it's actually a fancy word with quite an important meaning. How disappointing!

Cyprus was a part of Ancient Greece. A pioneer in expression, philosophy and freedom. How far we've come. *shakes head with disapproval*

Had a bit of a scare this morning which will probably change my plans. Two hours into a scrimmage for basketball I put up a shot and as the defender closed me down he's caused me to roll my ankle, forget how exactly. This usually wears off soon enough but unfortunately for me it's the second roll of that ankle this week, the first one I was being idiotic playing streetball in casual shoes. So that's potentially put my professional career on hold. We'll see. Two hours later I still have limited movement and pain, I'm meant to scrimmage for another 3 hours tonight. I'm not sure I can get a hold of my old team's doctor on the weekend unfortunately, so best to rest until I can be seen. So lucky that our season is on a three week break. Last night had some great scrimmages with some friends and then went out for drinks in the city (rare for me) with a friend and a girl he knows. Got chatting with this girl, and we really hit it off and had some interesting discussion. Both her and my friend are from a culture based in Sudan that is trying to gain recognition. We discussed prejudice, white privilege (or at least the perception of), philosophy, my Greek heritage and African cuisine. It was cool. We're going for dinner next week so I can experience some African cuisine for what I believe will be the first time in my life.

This image looks more like a game of poorly played Tetris than it does a football formation.

I doubt anyone's with me on this, but I'd put a bid in for Marko Marin. Could be backup for Jack or start on the wing. He's actually not a bad player, even these days, where he finds himself in Belgrade.

FINALLY! Someone who understands.. Just to be serious for half a second, nothing wrong with having a job. What is the purpose of life, if not a life full of purpose?

I just got the urge to sneak up behind you with an air horn and let the music play.

Dead man walking I hear. Shameful if that's the case. Instead of addressing the issues that were exposed by Assange and working towards a just society that holds true to her word. We are focused on sending an indirect message that no one messes with the power structure, no matter how warranted it may be. What he exposed revealed a truth about what's in the public's interest that a lot of, if not most, people weren't aware of. I'm not suggesting we celebrate Assange. I just think the real criminals just got away with murder, again.

Was finishing a cigarette on my break at uni some weeks back and two special needs people come my way. One boy, one girl, and they are all over each other embracing while walking my way, zero care factor for public displays. Anyway, the male looks me dead in the eyes and says, " I just did her up the bum!" with such conviction and sincerity. All I could think was.. "I bet you did my friend, I bet you did." Go back into the building to meet up with the girls from class, and and maybe 10 minutes later the girls are getting giggly about something. Well, well, these two lovebirds are going hammer and tongs on one of those massage chairs in the middle of the main building block where the library is. Society has it's head so far it's own ass in regards to what is acceptable behaviour and conduct. Get a job, pay your interest to the bank, tax to the government and if you've not had enough of that, your surplus funds gambling in some way. Becoming behaviour all that. While I wasn't all that interested in observing them in action, it was momentarily refreshing to see two people expressing their affections freely and openly. Everyone deserves to get theirs.

But we are actively targeting another striker, as Smith has apparently said. We won't be held to ransom by Brentford, that's the hold up regards one striker. I don't think the intention or plan is to go into the season solely reliant on Wes coming good. Even if he does, a backup or partner would be an ideal option.

It's all about the Brazilians! Best country for producing talent and skills combined in my opinion. It's no wonder that they hold the Gold Medal in the olympics at a youth level and won the Toulon tournament too. The senior side is possibly and probably, the most consistent side at reaching the final stages of the tournaments they enter, worldwide. And that Brazil team around the new millennium. F*** ME DEAD! Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo..The whole team. My favourite non-Villa side to grace the game.

@MotoMkali I read somewhere that Son will not feature for Spurs that day.

We're simply f***ed if Hourihane's role is to cover the back four. He would need to improve exponentially, astronomically even, to be fit for the role at this level. Getting forward he's an asset. Supports attacks and has a bit of a knack for being in the right position at the right time, to score or assist. He's never the focal point of the attack but a wonderful role player and facilitator for successful build up and scoring opportunities. What about Conor reminds you of Aaron Ramsey? Ramsey with the ball at his feet and the weight of his pass and shots is nice. Conor is not particularly technically gifted even in the second tier, he's more tactical by being an option and executing the basics adequately.

Thanks for that. Smith, seems to me at least, like he is going to go far in this game of football. Upon joining Newcastle, Bruce gave his default speech, "it'll be tough, don't get your hopes up." And in highlighting that, I actually think it's fair to say Bruce has earned the right to PL managerial roles. He has held his own in the top and second tier. Albeit unimpressive and unimaginative, he has. Smith, in my view, talks in a similar way to his approach in football. Without fear of failure, rather he is confident and considerate. I am only really positive about Grealish at this level regarding our squad, not that I'm doubtful of the rest, just that they'll need to make me a believer. Anyway, I am so excited to see how it all comes together, and for us to face the challenge of being a newly formed team, with technical skill yet to be proven on this stage. It'll be nothing like last season in the championship, we will have to rise to new levels to enjoy success this time around. I obviously want us to thrive, but in the event we sink before we learn to swim to our destination of winning games and being a competitior. I just hope the support continues. I believe Smith has earned at least half a season, if not a whole season to get it right. We need to be accountable as supporters, as does Smith as a coach.

Never seen Marvellous play, but I am of the opinion that Luiz can be comfortable in this league shortly, if not straight away. But I am liking the fact that we seemingly have genuine options throughout the squad at this stage. Perhaps not upfront outside of our starter in Wes. We have width. We have a solid midfield whether holding, central or forward thinking. Our defense looks promising. Our striker is a record signing. All to be led and instructed by a coach very impressive to date. And an assistant who is one of the most accomplished players in the game. Not sure that the wide areas or midfield is established yet for who's going to start. Grealish obviously and McGinn absolutely at this stage. Everyone else will have to give Smith something to think about for the three remaining spots. Two will be taken up by wide men surely. I **** love McGinn. Absolute pearl of a player, but it'll be a big step up for him too. He did some amazing stuff in the 2nd tier and I expect to see it again in the PL. Depending on how good Marvellous is and his role, McGinn could be in for some competition for his place. I think Luiz will make the grade. One of the three will sit out. Our formation sort of picks itself due to having one striker and would lack creativity and ability to probe without playing wide men with the personnel we have.

@peterms It is criminal beyond belief. They belittle him and obviously have no regard for his well-being. Police have a job I don't envy, I understand they have to make split second decisions. For example, I was actually nearly shot by police in my teens. I was being chased through a park and once I saw that I would soon be surrounded I turned to hand myself in.. In this moment I realised I had something in my pocket that I shouldn't, and reached to put it in my underwear, as I turned to face the officer chasing from behind. The officer, unaware that I was a 16 year old who had been doing an illegal mural, assumed that I was pulling a gun from the front of my pants. He was quite emotional throughout the hours that I remained in his presence and told my mother that he'd nearly shot me, she wasn't very impressed. The police were out in force looking for a man who'd been breaking into houses, when I saw the police car I just ran, and they chased thinking I was that guy. The officer asked me what the hell I was doing putting my hands down the front of my pants, and I replied that I had itchy nuts. Being 16 years old and this policeman's emotional state I got away with that suspect excuse. Had he shot me, I'm not sure it would of been fair to charge him for it. Thing is he DIDN'T shoot me.. Thankfully he put his fear and paranoia aside for an extra moment, and opened dialogue, and learned very quickly I was no threat to him. But all these cases in America are ridiculous. Negligent. Abusive. Cruel even.

Chicago Bulls Remember The Titans Any Given Sunday Inky Johnson The Mighty Ducks

And I reckon Jesse Owens can have a mention too.

I read a book a few years back called The Agony of Victory. Graeme Obree featured in it. Forget the Lance Armstrong story, cycling and cyclists should remember Obree. He would push through pain barriers so severe that he would bleed from the mouth apparently. Doctors couldn't understand. He also broke some world records using a homemade bike made from scrap metal and washing machine bearings..

The United Nations slogan is tragically ironic: U.N - involved in world peace.

You're right. The gun of a U.S warship costs $800,000 to fire.

The U.S has plans to build a 2nd port in Darwin (Northern Australia) and spend 200 million in naval expenditure to occupy the region. Fun fact, we already have a port in Darwin, and it's leased to China for 99 years. Safe to say China's not happy about the U.S developments..