A'Villan

Well, I can forget about that one. She says she's had a death in the family yesterday and everything is a blur. I sent through condolences and just said I won't be contacting her again, as I thought there was little interest from her end at this point.

Sorry I didn't make it clear, it was me who had to reschedule on her this time. If it were the other way around, I'd be saying all the best, but I won't be arranging another time with you. I'm a busy guy (more than I'd like to be at current), so I know how difficult it can be to find time that works with another busy persons schedule. I'm willing to be patient, but I won't ever tolerate someone leading me on, regardless of how pleasant or promising they dress things up to be. But put it this way, if I am booked in to see a specialist who has a three week waiting list, and something unavoidable scuppers that appointment.. I'm not one to call the whole thing off because the meeting has been delayed some weeks. Tomorrow will determine whether this girl and I will be speaking to each other beyond this point. Both of us have delayed it to the point where if we wanted to meet, we would've. And if we honestly couldn't find the time, our schedules probably won't work anyway. I have another date coming up which I'm excited for, a petite Lebanese cutie who has made it clear to myself and a few others she likes me. There's no f in luck so if I disappear in the near future, hopefully it's because I'm getting my end wet as @Rugeley Villa would put it. Although I don't know why I'd disappear for very long!

I read earlier that Douglas Luiz is a done deal. Take out Hourihane and replace him with DL and we are definitely looking a much better outfit. The guarantee of Tammy's haul being replicated is an unknown but I wouldn't advise betting against that team creating some chances too.

Captain of Brazil's Under23's as well.

Apparently this one's a done deal, working permit and all?! Very exciting. Welcome DL!

Watch the last 20 seconds of this, if you don't have time to watch in full.

Apparently purchased for 10million by City with the intention of being an understudy to Fernandinho. Sent him out on loan to Girona (who are 45% owned by City and 55% Pep's brother according to a City blogger) then the following season Pep wanted him in the squad at City. On the final day of the transfer window the FA decided against his working permit, forcing City to loan him back to Girona again. Same blogger mentioned earlier says he's an obvious talent but was understandably inconsistent due to his changing role from a box-to-box to a deep-lying playmaker and age. Could be on to a gem here. Wanted as an understudy directly behind Fernandinho (who will occupy the starting role for another year or so). Girona being owned by both City and Guardiola's brother will have given City a lot of insight into his game and character. And if he's good enough to replace Fernandinho in a year or two at most..

Sounds like a hybrid between a Brazilian side-show Bob and a Brazilian winger! SHU!

hahaha, no, sorry to disappoint but the rendezvous was rearranged 'til this Thursday.

Football, like life, is not black and white. Option A is not guaranteed to get us another season in the top tier, just like option B is not guaranteed relegation.

Great, mate. Challenging is good. When you dig deep that's where the gems are found.

Most are focused on the up and down bouncing of the tail-end, and not the side-to-side pony tail motion. That's quite a unique appreciation, I like it.

As mentioned earlier, I was a graffiti writer for a decade (don't worry I did my community service as a consequence, nearly got incarcerated for it). Some tattoo design too. Not one of mine, just sharing some aerosol can love!

I don't know if parody is the correct term for it, however during the days of the samurai, these types of performances were part of Japanese culture.

Tuanzebe on loan please. Keeps some of the chemistry there and allows us another year to scout for suitable purchases, while paying a relatively low risk fee for Axel.

Yeah, agree. I actually believe he has enough talent as well as technical ability for the Premier League, although I don't believe he will ever be prolific on that stage. His decision making is sub-par, even at championship level. Shame really, there's a good forward in there, I have little doubts about that.

When he changed his number at Ipswich he offered to pay for new shirts for fans who had purchased one with his old number. Also has worked with the homeless. So happy to have him on board.

I reckon he'll be class at the top level..

Totally agree with the importance you place on the holding midfield role. I have doubts over KP's ability to play the ball though. I am not concrete on that, purely from what I've seen.

I see where you are coming from and agree to some extent. I can't speak for him reaching his potential at the top level. I will tag you in another post I made and you can see my assessment.

I always like a dialogue where we can respect differences and acknowledge that our perspectives are shaped from the different angles of point of view. I see where you are coming from with the Ampadu statement, however from the footage I have seen of both, Ampadu is going to be better equipped for life at the top level. They both read the game very well, defensively both are very talented in different ways, I prefer Ampadu's game in that department, but he doesn't have Philips physicality. On the ball, there is a vast gap in skill level (obviously from what I have seen). Philips has the most basic of ability for the top level, whether passing or with it at his feet. Ampadu on the other hand can play some stellar passes, and while I've never seen him dribble really, has a good sense of the weight of the ball, and touch to go with. @TrentVilla

Anderson has scored 1 in 4 for West Ham. That's just about double digit goal contributions per season by averages. The relevance to a holding midfielder is that West Ham paid just about the same price for an AM (who attract higher fees), as we will for Kalvin Philips. Anderson was well established for Lazio when he was bought by West Ham. So he was also proven at a higher level. According to KA data analysis in 2018/19, Serie A was the 3rd best league worldwide, EFL Championship 20th. If he's our man, then he's our man. I'll back him. I just would of thought from what I've seen, we could find better from one of the 18 leagues between the PL and Championship.

I'll have to take your word for it. Can I ask, what am I missing? Without a doubt holds his own at Championship level defensively speaking, on the ball I saw absolutely nothing noteworthy. His physicality is there obviously. If Smith wants him, so do I at the end of the day, just commenting from my own observations, I didn't think him all that special. Ampadu I would have been excited by.

Same height to the centimeter. Wesley has 3kg on Abraham. Would make sense both that you though TA to be taller (because he's slender) and that there's not much weight between them. TA looked quite muscular and athletic, and muscle weighs more than fat.

He learnt Bielsa's system for Bielsa's team and approach. Even if it's covering the same territory his role and the dynamic will change. I think Ramires' a bit better than your Reo-Coker's and Sidwell's of this world. I agree with your West Ham comment, though it wouldn't weaken them as a side. Influential in Chelsea's Champions League victory over Bayern via Barcelona. Won both League and FA cups. Won the Premier League. Played in the World Cup semi final for Brazil. Olympic bronze medal. Confederations Cup winner. Chelsea players' player of the year award. Chelsea's goal of the year award twice. Won the Europa League too. We saw how good Terry was for us at age 37. Ramires is 32. I'd never pay him 200k pw, but nor would I believe him to be looking for it, as he's back in Brazil. Ruined what could have been a much better finish to his playing career by taking the Chinese money. Then got into trouble and dropped for saying he wanted back to Europe. But I don't even particularly want Ramires here, I'd possibly if not probably take him before Philips if his wages reflected his position in the squad. Speaking of West Ham and 30million. Felipe Anderson. Bit more expensive but more advanced role, so worth more for that alone anyway. Surely there's a DM equivalent for us.