A'Villan

Fair dinkum, mate. Good on ya! A month is a solid effort for a life long smoker to go cold. I gave up after 7 years smoking daily about 9 years ago. Each to their own, very rarely is better for me. After so many years I got sick of it, but every now and then can be nice. Speaking of the boring thread. People tell me all South Australia is good for is pot and churches, and that's it. Being stoned at a church would have to be the pinnacle of boring? I know better than that. Life's not so boring in South Australia. You can always go visit everyone's favourite, Kimba's big cock (there's a giant cockatoo statue in Kimba people!) Seriously though, I have some actual exposure to South Australian life, the little desert, beaches (I've been to Robe), and the back-to-back '97, '98 victories for the Crows. Andrew McCleod is still the greatest I've seen ever. Absolutely robbed of the Brownlow.

Played in a 3vs3 basketball tournament with the prize being a years supply of beer earlier this year. Half a dozen or so pros showed up to play in it. I carried our team undefeated to the semi finals to lose to the eventual winners. Great to have some tasty beer and a burger at the brewery right after a fun day of ball.

I thought he was quite clear about his focus being on settling in, and producing for Aston Villa. I think he showed emotional intelligence throughout. When asked about leaving Brugge and the feelings involved, he basically says it's about Aston Villa now. He's a big lad, slightly bigger than Abraham. They seem to be very similar scorers, plenty of headers and first touch shots and volleys from inside the box. I'd be surprised if he's as good as Tammy with the ball at his feet, because from the little I've seen, he's not. Welcome and all the best WM!

Give it to Acorns. Pay a 30k per year wage for 3 years. But essentially your post is still reassuring for me. We've made a solid signing, and it's the man I think we all wanted.

If the highlighted is going to be the case, then I go back to what I was saying earlier about him, and Smith will really have to coach the role into him to make him PL standard. We have enough money to make some key additions to our side because of the promotion money. 30million for a 23 year old who's not certain to make the grade? That's a very significant portion of the 170million to spend on one player, considering our situation with players needing to come in. He better have interest from the top tier. I know we're future planning and he's 23, but 30million? Barca bought a Brazil international who's 22 for that price just last year in Arthur. I mean the championship is the 20th ranked league world wide. Surely there's someone in a league between 1-20th best for better value. I'd consider recruiting Ramires on a free before putting pen to paper to sign KP. He's 32, won the Champions League, PL, played for Brazil. Completely ruined his career going to China and wanted a move to Europe again, where Inter Milan were interested. He was on 200,000 a week in China. Even if we paid him that he'd still be cheaper than signing Phillips for 3-4 years.

On reflection, I still think I made some valid statements regarding the practicalities of Mings' situation and transfer. Here's another I believe to be apt, was there a single other club that was going to pay 20million for Mings this window? If not, then this transfer and the fee involved is based more on wishful thinking than anything concrete. I say that even being chuffed that he's with us. And BTW, just because something transpires between two parties doesn't automatically deem it ethical and respectful. But we won't go down that path. I responded calling your comment fair originally, and most of it is, both clubs did agree a fee, he is progressing.. However, the rest has misrepresented my post, I only highlighted that Bournemouth were making the most of an asset, which they are entitled to do, as I said.. I suggested that it may've been more respectful to take into account the practicalities that I've repeatedly stated.. Perhaps adjusted the fee to reflect that and not just based the sum on what they could get away given the opportunity they found themselves with. If another club was going to pay that for Mings, then sure by all means my comments are unfounded. If you want to believe my comments were ridiculous, I suppose that's your interpretation. I understand the term differently perhaps. You state it as a matter of fact that I'm being ridiculous, whilst highlighting the YOU in your previous sentences. I hope you see what I'm saying on that point.

Why do we show up for those where we can't take points? It's got to be everyone. That has to be our mentality. Take points from anyone and everyone. If the culture within the team is that we are merely here to make up the numbers for any given game, by nature we play down a standard and limit our possible success. Why train all week just to lose to Manchester City because the odds were against us anyway? By that thinking, should we bother training for preparation for the games against the clubs with more financial clout? Or use that time to prepare for our rivals? Every game must be an opportunity.

I picked up on that. What I didn't pick up on was whether you meant the people who will do anything to make it, or the people concerned about not having enough.

Are we though? He's a CB who's showed promise in the championship with consistency. Mings is not proven in the Premier League yet.

That's probably a very fair call, well said. For some reason I think I've still made some valid points but I'm not going to dwell on this one. Happy he's here.

Just to reiterate, I think he could be worth more than what we've paid in a year or two, easily. But that's not the point here. You don't pay the premium for potential, you pay it for established players and longevity. Coutinho went to Liverpool for 8million (apparently it was nearly us), he was a bright spark with potential from Inter at the time. You do the math as for how much he was sold for to Barcelona as an established player with plenty of legs left in him. Mings has only ever impressed in the championship, never played in his seasons in the top flight. That's unfulfilled promise, whether you believe in him or not. Surplus to requirements there, wants to leave, significant injury to recover from, suitable buyer.. And you hold them to a premium? Ah well, I'll shutup because I'm actually very happy he's going to play for us.

It's something called respect. More frequently forgotten in place of in the pursuit of money it would seem. I'm not under any false illusion they owe us any favors. But as I outlined previously, the practicalities behind Mings' situation should have the most significant influence on his price tag, and therefore lower it. I said earlier in the thread Bournemouth had the leverage on us in this deal, so I think I'm aware of the reasoning for the fee being as it is. It's entirely up to Bournemouth what they choose to do with a player under contract, however I'm sure Mings' would appreciate reciprocal professionalism from Bournemouth. Let him progress his career. Agree a fee that's in the interest of both clubs.

@Brumerican Watching those highlights, White's defending reminds me of Pippen's. Just in the sense they are both lock down. Excellent at working hard, doesn't give an inch, closes down angles, good or even better peripheral vision, reads potential trapping situations well. Always within arms reach of his man, uses footwork to win the contest and doesn't hand check his opponent's hip.. Off the ball good help defense and just always making an honest effort at an intense level. Impressed. Not a bad ally-oop to start the show as well. I didn't think that was going to come off, but he placed it as he meant it. I got roasted by my coach for making a one handed pass to the low post from the point one time. One of the hardest passes to make in the game he says. That's exactly what White just gone and done, only he alleys it too, when 2 or maybe 3 Lakers players might've made a read to intercept, White was sharp as in that scenario. Could have a dime on him.

My brother told me some reports about KD's transfer which have only increased my respect for Steph Curry and make KD seem quite opportunistic, and even rude. Curry flies to meet KD wanting to speak to him before KD makes his decision. One hour from Curry's arrival KD puts pen to paper. Curry keeps relations positive regardless. Then there was also KD telling certain players he was going to sign at a specific club, and encouraged them to do the same, only to go elsewhere without notice. I don't pretend to know what actually happened or why, but man, some people do some strange and funny things in my mind. Why not wait an hour to hear what an NBA legend, pioneer, maverick, leader, champion, teammate (and whatever else) has to say to you, especially when it's clear he values you. Why not drop a line to those friends of yours that you've invited to join you at a club, to say that you've had a change of heart. It's nice to be remembered and respected. Whether it's a greeting, birthday, legacy.. KD about KD it seems! Much respect for Curry's skill and conduct. Plus his relationship with his wife makes me smile.

Oh you bet, as soon as it's clear she's not interested in a mutually beneficial dynamic, we're done. I just refuse to jump to conclusions, assume or pass judgement. Waste of my time. Intuition is telling me she will flake. Few signals have been there, but I've just contradicted my initial statement, ha! And that's why I can't pass judgement, I took a week to reply to one of her messages, I don't need to justify why, but it helps to understand how others perceive things. Relationship and feedback is what life is essentially, so a break down in communication, whatever the cause, I know can lead to preconceived notions getting the better of us. She was all about letting me know her values and mine aligned in the beginning. Instead of making value judgements or assumptions about women in general or this one in particular, however true, I would rather explore how she experienced things as well. That helps me to better understand myself and have a greater perspective.

Both sides make valid statements, from differing angles. @Demitri_C makes comment about tinder, well statistics show that he has a point. The most attractive men (I forget how that was measured) will still only receive a 'like' swipe on tinder from 20% of women. All women, even those that won't interest these men. Then, you take into a multitude of other factors and by the end of it all, long story short, even the best looking dudes are not getting laid as often as some may assume. I forgot the ins and outs of the article, but I do remember one clear point, and that was if you aren't that physically attractive on tinder, you're going to spend your time better elsewhere. Another focal point of the article was tinder was undoubtedly stacked in women's favour. Different ball game entirely. One has options in abundance, the other not so. You only have to look at instagram and the culture of young women on there to see his point. However placing a value judgement on their behaviour is one's own prerogative, that's how you feel about it and will only ever be as true as that. And that is where @chrisp65 comes in with a statement that should resonate with everybody. Unfortunately it doesn't. The angles are simply different, offering a perspective that reflects as much.

Wolves managed to prevent it from happening on at least one occasion. Why can't we? I believe player like McGinn, Mings and Grealish will cause the champions problems. What is the outcome of our season going to look like if we can't recruit players that will fulfill a role in order for us to compete. I'm telling you now, it will be bleak. But I don't think you've taken my comment how I meant it. We can explore that if you like, maybe you have.

Will probably get some stick for saying this, but Pablo Hernandez was possibly as valuable to Leeds as Grealish was for us. At 34 that's pretty impressive.

I wasn't particularly impressed with Phillips, not that he's not excellent at the role he played for Leeds. Rather I am skeptical as to how influential he would be when Man City try to carve up our side and penetrate our lines. But I have no idea what the fee would be, and that would be a factor in how I felt about signing him.

I think he is worth 25 million, and potentially more in a year or two. Why Bournemouth have to believe that as well is a kick in the dick. They should be looking at the practicality of the situation. He's not being used by them, he doesn't want to be there, injury issues, always impressive but not in the top tier yet. Complete knob-ends for thinking they have the right to charge a rate like he's some prized asset. They won't even give him a game. And that's fair enough, their prerogative entirely, just sell him to the Villa at a rate that's in the interest of both parties.

It's been a long day today. I don't know where I'd be at if I didn't have sport in my life. Saw my social worker today (oddly Sundays are his only available day) and a lot came up. I broke down for the first time in a long time, but it was healthy. I currently have a dear friend staying at my house who has been homeless for years. It's only until Tuesday when my sister returns from overseas. To give you some insight. He's of African descent. Born in Columbia. Left by a riverbed in a basket, God knows why. Orphanage in Colombia. I'll leave it there. I don't want to reveal so much, because of my own privacy but also his. But you can imagine the identity issues he could potentially have, should he let life get the better of him. I really want to help where I can. I care about people. Truth is though the odds haven't exactly been in my favor for large parts of my life. At 29, I'm in a good place, but the desperation and emotional turmoil my family have endured has been real. We still live in housing that was granted us due to our circumstance. I don't really know where I'm going with this, but just a big hug to everyone, we all face issues in life. It's pointless to compare circumstance if the point is just to suggest who has a right to support or complaint. That's so unproductive. So massive shout out to those on struggle street. I believe in you, and I think you can rise above and beyond. Take care. Also thanks to @VILLAMARV for taking the time to write me about my condition and send some positive vibes my way. That sh*t goes a long way. Peace.

A'Villan's woodfire oven pizza (built one in the backyard with my Dad) > That franchise made pizza you so love. Except the time my Dad went experimental and threw white sauce on the base, blue cheese, eggplant and God knows whatever else on it. That was the last time Dad selected toppings.

As Biggie Smalls would say, "WHERE BROOKLYN AT, WHERE BROOKLYN AT!"

I'd rather pay 25 million for Ampadu, if that were possible.