A'Villan

Why bite your lip? I think given the circumstances contentious discussions are required, and those with perspective and insight are invaluable. Warning America against accidental support of fascism? Because America has never sponsored or committed acts of terrorism domestically or internationally in order to wage war for economic gain. Has never had a system whereby a race is considered inferior or a political system whereby capitalism serves the financial elite and their interests. As Orwell said, fascism is an over-used and abused word that basically just means a bully. But as far as other definitions of fascism go America ticks most boxes, except it is exempt from such a label because of it's democratic packaging. Accidental support my ass. Which country do you think inspired the type of commentary we saw from the Israeli PM, about the weak being erased from history and alliances being made with the strong under the cultivation of a militant state, most of all? I'm guessing it would be land of the free home of the brave, indigenous holocaust and the home of the slave. The United States.

Don't know you at all Rugeley but just want to say don't beat yourself up over what's done and try and remember that whilst you want to give her something to hope for, you should also be focused on what you hope for from here. That will give you direction. In my opinion she will be more attracted by your putting in effort toward your own genuine interests that will actually provide an alternative to grog and rack, than you doing things just to appease things as they are. You are strong enough. In Lakota Sioux warrior culture strength is, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.

Muhammad Ali failed the army IQ test but is undoubtedly a wonderful mind. I wouldn't give too much credit to IQ, even though it serves a purpose. An experiment was done on farmers and it was ascertained that after harvesting and obtaining the wealth from it, they were 14 IQ points higher than they were during periods leading up to the harvest. I have done multiple IQ tests and have had varied results, up to 20 points difference. That's enough to take me from someone who struggles intellectually up to someone of average intelligence, or on the other end, an extraordinary genius down to above average intelligence. @bickster I'll have to take your word for it mate. I haven't read a lot about Trump. I guess I'm no fan of the Kardashians or what they represent, but it's pretty indisputable that they hold influence and have a knack for self promotion, which requires maneuvering through certain challenges en route to obtaining what they want. I see Trump in a similar light.

That is where the conflict is at today. I don't think it's fair to cast blandy's POV aside on the notion that Israel has taken things to the most hideous of extremes. The history is long and complex. There was a point in the conflict before Israel inflicted the kind of trauma that we see today. Though what's being inflicted by Israel is nothing short of an atrocity and should be condemned. I can't remember the content very well but I was reading about the days in which the land was part of the Ottoman Empire and the conflict was very different then. Squabbles over livestock and such. Attempts from one culture to have the others legitimate purchase of land made illegal under the Ottoman Empire law. I don't in any way mean to justify the actions and tactics employed by Israel in what I'm about to say, and please forgive any mistakes in my writing or understanding, but one recurring theme that appears throughout my reading on the subject is that Palestinians have long taken issue with Jews living in the area. That may be for good reason, that I can't ascertain or comment on. One of the more pivotal points in the conflict seems to of been when the UN split the land between the two and Israel accepted the terms but Palestinians didn't. What that means exactly I don't know, I'm just paraphrasing my reading. But it seems to be a trigger point in Israel's annexing of land. Obviously there's no escaping the fact that what's ensuing is unacceptable and tragic. I know what it feels like to have life threatened by the very structures that are meant to protect and uphold justice and proper conduct. It's a very scary and harrowing thing to experience. Fortunately my ordeal was short lived. I can only imagine what it is like for all those innocents caught up in the constant catastrophe, living in poverty and uncertainty because of the desire of one culture to annex land and impose cultural superiority over the other.

Seems to be the one drug that you can actually overdose and die from. Whereas with other substances a lethal dosage is a rarity. Generally speaking, if abused, most drugs will slowly decrease quality of life, but smack seems to be in a league of its own in terms of overdose and death.

His arrogance is astounding. So it doesn't surprise me that one of his teachers confirms as much. Just about everything I hear about Trump makes me wonder how we as a people can tolerate and allow for his rise. I do not admire him in the slightest, so I don't know why I am bothering to defend his intelligence, but unfortunately being likeable or benevolent is not a prerequisite for intellect.

The Nazi Officer's Wife. Highly recommended. The Third Reich, The Rise And Fall of The Nazis. Bit of a history lesson I suppose.

This is one thing I don't think he is. He may do some idiotic things and blind himself in the process of inflating his ego further, among many other less than favourable qualities of his character, but thick implies low intelligence.

We are 5 points behind automatic promotion with 40 games to play. We are far from out of contention. Though I take your point, it doesn't look like we are going to go on a run, as things are.

I'm definitely on the fence regarding this one. You can't deny that JT is the only missing piece of last seasons back-line or that his credentials as a defender are anything but impeccable At 38 though he's not quite the athlete he once was. I wonder what exactly we are expecting from him as well as what he will actually contribute. If it's his organisational and motivational qualities that we are in need of, because Bruce is unable to assemble the team accordingly for each opponent, then we are in bigger strife than needing a CB, and we should be very seriously considering JT as a source of inspiration and guide as to how we operate as a footballing outfit. If Bruce is able to identify, implement and maintain an approach from our players which they can see functioning and play with belief under then I don't really see the need for Terry.

I don't fully understand the drama surrounding our season to be. I think we're in with a real good shot at promotion. As long as Bruce doesn't lose the players, we're not too poorly positioned. Defensive frailties have cost us so far but that's not something I expect to see persist under Bruce unless he loses the players. If he can keep them on side then I imagine we will see an improvement in organisation and the impending inevitability of conceding will be replaced for the most part by the kind of football that Bruce is renowned for. Difficult to beat. Momentum resides with a side that has an effective game plan and players working toward a common goal. In contrast it's especially difficult to gather when inefficiencies in approach are combined with a deficit on the scoreboard. That is what we saw against Sheffield United. After 25 minutes not only was the momentum firmly in Sheffield's favour the scoreboard was too. While bitterly disappointed I can't say I expect to see this kind of result and performance continuing as standard for the remainder of the season, even if personnel stays as is. Let's not forget that we have put ourselves in positions to of accrued more points than we have currently, and a better goal difference. In some fixtures despite being exposed and conceding we have also created more than enough chances to put the score and odds in our favour. Unfortunately we didn't and what might've been a match we could write-off as a blip is seemingly now more an indication of what quality teams can do to us. I could well be wrong but I don't think that is going to be the case, unless as I said earlier, Bruce loses the players belief and drive. Personally I give credit to Sheffield for their efforts in the first 25 minutes, they were full of vigor and used one another well, once the second goal went in they were well and truly in rhythm and had every incentive to keep it going. They played some nice football and they executed well in build up and in finishing. While I want to express my concern for what is happening at Villa I also think that Sheffield could of caused any team in this division problems with the way they started the game, even though it's hard to argue the notion that we were merely exposed as lacking in setup and preparation. I am not convinced that Bruce is destined for another failure this season. While I don't want him as our manager any longer, I'm guessing that we won't continue getting caught out and punished as badly as we have been in the start to this campaign, and that we will find our feet in being able to pressure our opponents with efficient attempts at goal. The latter is something we've done reasonably well in some fixtures, only to come up short in adding to our tally. While it might be the case that our performances are symptomatic of a Villa side lacking the quality to contest automatic promotion thus far, I think there are signs of what we are able to do well that shouldn't be ignored or discredited just because we haven't made the kind of start we were all hoping for. Hopefully Bruce gets defensive responsibilities sorted in a way where we aren't so easily picked apart and played around by opponents. That would make a huge difference in how things pan out from here.

If what I say in the Edens thread is anything to go by, Dean Smith may very well be in the owners minds.

Decided to do a bit of research on the Milwaukee Bucks as basketball is meant to be my thing to ascertain what it might mean for Villa. Edens appointed Jason Kidd as head coach just over a month after he purchased the Bucks. I am very familiar with Jason Kidd as a player, but not as coach. Kidd went on to improve the Bucks from a club worst 15 wins from 82 under his predecessor, to achieving 41 wins 41 losses in his first season. He ranked 3rd in the coach of the year awards. To try and be concise about it, the appointment was made with the view to go from a club all time low, to title contenders. Edens was serious in this ambition. To go from your clubs all time low to achieving a place in the playoffs and giving themselves a shot at fulfilling their ambition within ONE season is no easy feat. Kidd was given 4 years to try and actualise their goal into a reality, once Edens felt that Kidd was not going to achieve this, he was relieved of his position. What does this potentially mean for Aston Villa? Edens made an astute appointment. Taking club from all time low to playoffs within one season. Gave head coach 4 years, a very reasonable amount of time to implement a plan and see results. Was not afraid to look elsewhere when it became apparent that, whilst vastly improved under Kidd, the Bucks were not achieving their goal. Speculative at best but Kidd only had one season of coaching experience before he was selected by Edens, could this mean a Lampard/Terry/Gerrard/Henry type signing?

I've heard the name thrown around a lot, this is the first insight that has my perked my interest.

Great work SGC! Seems like it was much better viewing than the first team.

It's 1:32AM here and I'm following a miserable Villa outing after what was a splendid evening of watching my friends and former teammates win a professional basketball grand final. I chose to come home and follow Villa instead of celebrate with them. All I really had to add to the discussion is Jokanovic had quotas for players to reach at every training session with a view to obtain specific targets in the campaign last season. They not only achieved promotion but boasted the highest average possession, most completed passes, most short passes and second highest shots on target (that's just what I remember off the top of my head). The drills the ran at training were all designed to obtain these targets. I would love to witness a Villa training session and pick Bruce's brain as to it's purpose. Bielsa just wrote a summary of the formations and tactics used for every championship team in 2017/18's season in order to get his job at Leeds. I want our next manager to display this level of competence to our board before we make our next selection. Even if it's Rodgers or Benitez in the interview room. I want it to be understood from top to bottom how we go about getting back on our feet. For me, short term that means out of this league and into the Premier League, long term it means European competitions. In saying all this, I'm not even necessarily in the Bruce-out camp. I would love it if he gave me confidence in my football team. And I will in all probability follow nearly every game again this season regardless of who's in charge.

You'd be arguing with yourself, Michael. When I sad an 'element of it' was not to suggest it is anything other than deeply entrenched in. The only facets of man-management which perhaps do not involve psychology is planning and preparation. Something which I think Bruce might do, but not appropriate to opposition or to the demands of our competition.

As I've said before, being able to read and anticipate movement and intent is one thing, ability to intervene is another. What Terry brought was mentality, guidance, organisation, leadership and a voice on the pitch as it was all happening. Physically I have my doubts, so as an individual perhaps he is past it. What he offers the team is indisputable though.

Man management is about getting the best performance and result from a team as a leader. Understanding psychology is one element of it. I think Bruce ticks a few boxes of man-management. I actually agree with you in regard to your first paragraph. My reason for backing Bruce originally is that I thought we would succeed in our season objective due to the amount of leaders brought in to the dressing room.

To be fair Elmo is keeping him out of his spot under current form and with our depth it is no big deal that a player spends a week out of this line-up altogether. I would still rather of seen Elmo at RB, Tuanzebe at CB, Adomah start and Jedinak benched or omitted from the match-day squad.

You will lose games this season. The difference between you, Newcastle and Wolves is possibly that you have done more to boost morale and therefore gain momentum earlier. I'm not predicting it but it could be that you go on to have a better season than both. Bielsa is my favourite manager in the world. You have Hernandez who is possibly the best Attacking Midfielder in this league even at 33 (yes I know it's Grealish before you shoot that gun VT'ers, I said 'possibly'). Aside from that I don't know a whole lot about your team, even under Bielsa, as I haven't watched you yet this season.

You're not the only one. Abraham has an average no greater than the contributions of Hogan or Davis. Both the latter are due back this month. Davis in particular for me was part of a winning Villa side and was omitted through no fault of his own. Showed he can throw a punch in this division. I'll be happy if TA is a valuable player come seasons end though.

That's not entirely fair. I liked your comment because the influence Terry had was so obvious. This however does not lessen the impact Bruce has had on morale. If you were to suggest his departure has lessened our organisation in defense, I would agree wholeheartedly. I would say that as our offense improves our need for defensive solidarity will also increase, as we are not a pressing team and will also need to be cautious of counter attacks.

I am guilty of it too but we often claim to have the best in the division, and we possibly do. Let's not forget Leeds, Stoke and West Brom when considering the best attack in the league. I agree that it has been a good window. I think last seasons highlights shouldn't be forgotten when considering the best state we've been in. There's a long way to go yet this season.

I don't get it. Joke? 14 goals season passed. We're 5 games in.