A'Villan

I'll be up and watching this one live. All I've got to say is I hope Villa show 90 minutes the kind of display we all hope to see now we're back in the PL. I have a feeling it will be needed, and also that it is not beyond us at this stage of development, it's not a matter of if but when for me. Then it's about consistency and maintenance from there, but first of all we need to learn how to be first in each contest, 90 minutes at a time. Tough job ahead for Smith and Villa, but as I said it's more when than if more me. Not many tougher test of all this starting two and a half hours from now. UTV!

Great shout. Klay scored 60points in three-quarters as I'm confident you'd be aware, he actually held the ball in possession for just 90 seconds in that time. That's incredible and shows how effective his shot is!

I spent last night watching break-down analysis on NBA players techniques on various aspects of the game. Who has the best jump shot in the NBA right now do people think? @Brumerican @Hornso @AVTuco I'm looking your way. I think Paul George. He has adjusted his to become one of the nicest and most fluid looking shots in the game. The result has meant he's probably the 2nd best deep 3pt shooter in the game behind 'Logo' Lillard. His step back jump shot is on point from anywhere. He has a nice turnaround mid-range shot, can spin either way for it too, fade-aways dropping at impressive rates. Blessed with the perfect height to have an edge over the defender and stay coordinated and balanced. Edit: *facepalm* Let's say he's probably third best at deep three's. Sorry Curry!! you only pioneered that sh*t! Harden might be dirty on me too but he can just stay that way, keep hooking arms and flopping for calls Harden !!!

Cheers! My legs are still flaming but at least the thought processes I was having last night have shut up shop. It's putting a round leather ball in a metal ring, how dare you try and burst my bubble like that, you lack levity (joking). But I'd honestly rather not spend a day performing so poorly in front of a show of thousands who want a show. But you're right. Don't worry I got some of those moves that put me in your top 10 of all time the pipeline! If I still had the anxiety I had last night, I'd be throwing air balls all day and calling alley oop aggressively at the nearest teammate to the ring afterwards. You know me, I'm a classy guy.

Went camping Friday and Saturday. Great company. Campfire. Bird chatter, the rapids of a river and engaging conversation the only noise breaking the silence. Serene and peaceful.

Having serious moments of doubts about myself as a person at 2:15am on the eve of a career highlight tournament for me. Australia's premier basketball tournament. I will need to be at peak performance over 6 hours of basketball tomorrow and not being asleep yet as a consequence of thoughts of inadequacy and whatever else isn't on. I'm captain of the team, my legs are already aching and sore from the demands and intensity of training at my new club, sleep is the only possibly way to be fresh tomorrow. Got a celebration of life on that I should be absorbed in and I'm up at 2:15am smelling the dog poop for some reason. Well, I think I've had enough of that, very frustrating! Thanks for letting me share.

A post that I made in response to posts on facebook about how we should be scared in response to Peter Dutton declaring that parliament is a disadvantage for government. I just thought it might resonate or be of interest considering the nature of some of your posts recently, and obviously the state of affairs worldwide at current. " I don't know if it's all that helpful to be scared by someone who lacks understanding. Isn't that what his antics and even gimmick is, the facade that what he represents is somehow in our best interest, whilst simultaneously excluding us from any input on the matter? That's almost contradictory and condescending, not exactly a sure sign of someone who is careful or caring. People being afraid and motivated by fear oftentimes results in mentality that assumes a certain way of life, that it is inherently unkind or something, when really it starts with you, what you stand for and how you operate. Fear distracts from holding true to oneself and having the freedom to develop ourselves through creativity, problem solving abilities and focus. Having a valuable input into a discussion about how we navigate life and the decisions that govern us is integral to quality of life. If we are constantly afraid our spectrum of insight is skewed and that's how people like this guy become influential, when perspectives are fear driven. Divide and conquer."

Bro are you kidding me? I actually just came in to the thread to talk about how excellent Milwaukee were against the Clippers. 40 point lead against a Clippers side led by Leonard AND PG. Giannis ain't doing that alone my friend. The Bucks ensemble put on an absolute clinic on against a team many are putting down as favourites. Good times for basketball, especially if you're a Milwaukee fan!

#Douchebrag might be just as apt, hey.

I never followed through with that arrangement. Things were going well enough with this girl and have only gotten better. I might if things don't work out between me and the current girl I'm seeing, but I'm not making any plans for or anticipating that happening. Even though things are just beginning, we're agreed that we are attracted to each other in a way where we want to see where it leads. She has deleted bumble and tinder, and I have never been one to date multiple women when I am interested in the potential for something more committed to transpire. Plus that famous girl really is quite famous, I don't know how I would feel about being on her insta page and having media interested in me. I'm not pretty or very marketable outside of my involvement in semi-professional basketball, and I don't really want to walk down the red carpet multiple times per year.

@il_serpente Excuse me if that's intended as a funny more than just general commentary. I guess I have aspirations for my relationship to be based on something greater than just sexual gratification. She must be good in the kitchen and speak when spoken to as well. Not really. If that's the sum total of my better half then my life probably doesn't inspire much. Having that personal connection and bond as well as friendship doesn't take anything away from desire and attraction, if anything it enhances it. I'm not her handbag.

Does anyone remember the run that Wigan went on to go from near certain relegation to survival, beating every European placed team on the way. I think that's what really earned Roberto Martinez the chance to go on and manage teams that could challenge with the very best of them. And also unfortunately for us made Charles N'Zogbia one of the hottest prospects (I can't believe that was once an apt description of him) from the lower end of the PL.

Question for those who think Wes is useless at this level, and especially those calling for a Kodjia call up.. In the build up that led to Trez's goal against Chelsea.. Do we not see Wes' play a basic but effective one two with Grealish, that allowed for continuation of possession and made the defense think twice? Do we not see Wes' then position himself to be on the end of the cross when it comes in from the wide position? He nearly gets on the end of it. Fortunately Trez did and we're back at game on, but that was a somewhat decent moment for Wes in a game that we were largely on the back foot for. That's what I'm talking about when I say he has a sense of when and how to play a role. Which is a very handy asset to have when you're settling in. Unselfish and far from spectacular but he was as much an influence in that goal as Grealish, in my opinion.

Mainly momentary or even lengthy lapses in concentration which invite the opposition to back themselves to win the contest and pull something off. They do just that. Lack of cohesion and understanding for how to cope with transitions in play, it's a liability of ours that's been ever present under Smith's reign. Even in the championship. Lack of experience in the division and knowing it's demands, leading to naive mistakes in costly positions or inadequate clearances as a result of faulting under pressure. An approach that consists of passing sequences and build up that exploits gaps in opposition defense that isn't refined and still sees turnovers in costly positions. Being in the developmental stage of tactics requiring utmost focus in each moment, and players being on the same wavelength, in order to outmaneuver opponents.

Speaking of blocks, from the man himself:

Without a doubt, but I'm also enjoying the side of the relationship that deals with personal connection and friendship, it's nice to have someone who brings out the best in you.

For sure, on all counts. Managers are human. We all make snap judgements at times and some of us can even be reluctant to detach from them. If you look at Klopp's Dortmund and Liverpool sides (I've not ever followed his work at Mainz) then his forwards all have a high energy work rate and are agile. As well as technical and tactical proficiency, they really are motivated to find their best football and give their all to make the system work and establish their place within it. Emotions are a huge part of Klopp's ethos and philosophy, you can be tactically aware, but if you're not emotionally involved and motivated, those tactics can fall by the wayside. If accounts of Benteke having attitude issues is true on any level then I can understand why he didn't evolve into an all-rounded striker like Lewandsovski did. Some of the greats of this generation of footballers have become that way under the guidance of Klopp. But I can probably expect some more warning points for off-topic tangents now.

Yeah, I find that aspect of Wes' game very concerning. He's well built yet he goes to ground looking for soft fouls that aren't there. Shows that he doesn't back himself to win the contest yet at this level with play that outdoes his opponent. What's your point regarding Klopp and Benteke? Benteke was one of the best strikers in the game for a time. Just because a quality manager doesn't want to work with a player doesn't necessarily make it an indictment on the player. I haven't followed Benteke closely enough since he left to discuss what has happened for him, but Liverpool fans I have touched base with said he was never a poor player. But I digress, and I'm not entirely sure as to why Benteke came up.

@Zatman Benteke was special for a time. His finishing and ability to find the angle reliably and consistently were to a standard most strikers simply can't emulate. It really only was Van Persie and Suarez who kept him from being the best striker in the league for a time, not because of goals scored in total, but the quality of play. Tammy was pivotal in our promotion and I really, really like him, but Benteke when at his peak was at a level that I don't think Abraham will achieve. We've had some great players here in the last decade, but too few and far between to amass to a squad capable of achievement among the best going around. Heaton Walker Terry Mings Ashley Young Albrighton Milner Delph Downing Grealish Benteke

It's not really surprising that his pass and pass success rate statistics are low, is it? Or that he is worst off at keeping the ball. He plays as a lone striker, up against two lines of defense and potentially a half dozen men closing his options most of the time. He is getting praise from me for keeping things simple, because he does not try and force plays that aren't going to transpire. He does seem to know when the ball is one that he should be attempting to finish, and when he is in a situation where he doesn't have to be the final product. I'll give him that. If not much else. His conversion rates on goal last week where the same as Tammy Abraham, only Chelsea had created three times more for him. When my post considers the quality of service and delivery he gets as well, I only want to question what others are expecting from him? I'm honestly not calling Wes a good player just yet, or saying I think he will be, it just baffles me how quick some posters are to write off a player as poor. He might well be, but first I'd like to consider what are the factors that make him that way, and if there is room for development and scope to mitigate liabilities.

That's what we all said when they went on to win the title, and Rodgers was the manager who really put Liverpool back on the map as title contenders, albeit with Suarez. They're going to be tough to beat, personally I'm reserving judgement about it, they've established how they want to play and smoothed out the creases and it shows. They've put some teams to the slaughter this season, and have consistently been good enough to win in most matches. They'll be motivated to stay on top of the wave. We on the other hand go anywhere between trotting, a canter and galloping, without having found the thoroughbred in us just yet, I can't be certain which Villa will show. Of our next five matches in the PL I would hope that we are playing to win all of them, but would be most understanding if a loss came against Leicester as opposed to the rest. Just depends on how well we identify the plan to come up against them and how relentless we can be in seeing it through over 90 minutes.

^Woah, sometimes I amaze myself to the degree of corny and dorky I can take things to.

I'm in two minds about this. The woman I'm currently seeing and I have both had busy schedules over the last month or so and while we speak weekly we've met once in that time. In terms of romantic intimacy it's as dry as an English comedian performing stand up in the Sahara, but in terms of personal connection the bond is profound. Really good conversation flows every time we take an hour or so to let our minds wonder and share what each other is experiencing and what we hope for. I'll be seeing her for dinner on Sunday, which is great because it's always better when you feel someone's energy in person, and the potential for chemistry soars. We establish attraction and interest beyond fantasy and our own preconceptions in this way, for sure But I still believe if the desire to really know someone and grow with them is there then that will find a way to take place even when we can't be in direct touch.

It's also what's made him to be fair, he's pulled off some audacious passages of play through sheer confidence in his technique, that have been ultimately successful. I actually think with McGinn he does have the peripheral vision to see what's around him and the options available, unlike say Kodjia who has tunnel vision and doesn't know any better. McGinn just likes to take the game on, but he'd be up for the ballon d'or if he pulled off everything at the rate he attempts things at. I love him but sometimes trust in your teammates and their ability to make the right play once you give them the ball is the right option to go for, and McGinn can lack this.