A'Villan

People who have agreed to reimburse me who go on to avoid me when it comes about that they can't come good at the time agreed upon, for whatever reason. Instead of simply informing me of whatever developments or lack of have happened, and that they expect things to be this way or that way soon, or even that they are uncertain. They make the decision the best course of action is to make me spend more time and energy trying to get a hold of them to no avail, for some reason they assume I'm the bogeyman. Just answer the bloody phone and you'll see I'm capable of handling disappointment without taking it out on others, and that I'd just like to be informed as to what's next. If you want to get me frustrated then go ahead and tell me what I want to hear without any intention of following through, and then cut me off temporarily. I would of thought it common courtesy and easier just to update someone honestly. That way goodwill is maintained and both parties can move along. I don't even care about the money, I wouldn't of lent it if I couldn't afford to lose it, it's the wasting of my time with antics and gimmicks that don't interest me, or serve you. End rant.

Ah well, that's a quality and affordable option we can count out then. Not the end of the world. I just don't see us splashing 20million on Benrahma, or the even more expensive options like your Buendia's. Gaitan is more proven then both, and reasonably aged still. I'm very curious to see who we add, because it's not as if we won't benefit from additions up front or wide. We very much will, it's just curious as to what we can do at this stage in the scheme of things and who is available as well as wanting the move.

If I'll make it through the two hour training session within the first 15 minutes of running and footwork drills. Current coach has a gruelingly demanding regime, but I suppose we'll be able to run the floor and play with intensity come season start.

I've read that his most likely destination. West Ham are in talks with him and we should be too.

And Rickie Lambert got his big chance at age 30. Sometimes the stars don't always align in a textbook manner from one player to the next. I would agree for sure that Wes is further behind in his development than Abraham but not necessarily Tammy back then, Wes is less stylish but has been as effective. Also agree that Tammy has a greater natural ability, but hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard, and so Wes' development is in his hands. Unfortunately Wes does seem to be lackadaisical at times, Tammy had an intensity and care factor for his own standards but also the club which were memorable. My comparison of the two was not to suggest that Wes is en route to Tammy's influence of today, rather that there are parallels and that premature judgemental opinions are just that.

Didn't see the game myself unfortunately, but I trust your judgement.

This is true if you look at the numbers, at least it was a few weeks ago. We were relegation candidates going by goals conceded and European placed on goals scored. I think it's lapses in concentration and focus that have cost us most. As well as not having smoothed out the liabilities in our general approach and game plans.

The game's narrative might not always be the one most desirable for a team, but when you take points from a game, you've been in the contest.

Abraham only scored 5 goals for Swansea in his first Premier League season, and he'd the chance to test the waters by playing for Bristol in the championship. Look at him now, admittedly it took him a few years in the second division and the right opportunities to become a striker recording impressive tallies, but he's come good. Wes has a decent record in Belgium, and he has come in to a side finding it's feet. For me has shown that he has some of the qualities required for life in the Premier League. Abraham was prolific for a Villa team which was outstanding in the championship, and he had an abundance of quality service to get the goals that he did. Now he is at Chelsea, with the likes of Mount, Willian, Jorginho, Barkley, Pulisic, Kante, Pedro etc. all creating attacking chances from every angle. I really don't intend to defend Wes on the basis of me believing he is adequate or going to be what we need him to be, I really don't know how much he will improve and grow. I just think he gets a lot of criticism because he's not doing what we all expect a goalscorer to do, and that is usually score goals or provide some entertainment. I actually like that about Wes, he doesn't go for the hollywood showboat attempts and plays the simple game which means we keep it moving and more importantly at our feet.

I don't think that's fair. I think some people approach support for Wes with objective reasoning, as well as subjective opinion. Being new to a league and team, analysing the rates and quality of supply he receives, comparing his conversion rates of big chances to league leaders, all are objective reasons. Whether people believe he should be given time to come good, or debating whether he will come good at all, or if his displays are adequate or not to this point, are less so.

Probably didn't convey the meaning I intended to all that well. Newcastle just gave City a game, and we beat them two-nil. It just goes to show that it's not really about the standing of the team you play, but how you approach the contest and the degree that you can maintain standards to.

Sometimes it's who you know, not what you know, when it comes to making the step up. Having the confidence of your coach and team means that plans are tailored to include you, whereas when your on the fringes, you've really got to punch above the current weight. Kodjia has been our best striker aside from Tammy for some time. No one comes close really. I'm not chiming in on the debate as to whether he should play ahead of Wes. I just think his age and some of his tendencies, like tunnel vision, are going to work against him. Clubs so often have mandates to play what they believe to be the future of the club.

My only criticism of McGinn is that he is so determined and headstrong when it comes to taking the game by the scruff of the neck, that he can overdo it and lose possession. He can overlook teammates providing simple but better options than the play he tries to go with, and it just seems like in that moment it was unecessarily McGinn against the world.

Got to be Gaitan surely. Who else offers proven quality on a free? Could be up there with Moutinho/Neves influence for Wolves, and we need reliable quality out-wide right now. As for a striker I wouldn't have a clue who would be a viable candidate, it'll be interesting to see who we go in for regarding this option, because it could be defining for Smith.

Didn't see the Chelsea game, but in Smith's defense it's going to benefit the team if the approach has some continuity. We've already seen so many changes and new beginnings that we've had to accommodate and navigate through, introducing dramatic tweaks just adds another to the list. It could be costly, as I said I didn't see the game, and I might agree with you had I, but just saying the inclination in defeat is to focus and reason the inadequacies of the game. Instead of attention being centered on what we don't like, if we look to what we did well, what we can do better in future and how we can be at our best next time, then we thrive.

I think Grealish is effective in a number of roles, which is fantastic. Luiz is definitely a DLP for me, and give him a bit of license to get forward and he can be a real threat around the top of the box.

He's been able to find the back of the net since his Notts County days. The Manchester United goal really was the prime example of what he'll do given the space. It's just difficult for him when he's such a focal point of the attack, but regardless he's always occupying enemy territory and asking the defense if they are up to it.

For me it's not really about which teams are easier fixtures and more likely for us to earn points in. It's about preparation and getting the approach right, then maintaining focus and intensity in every contest. Do that well and we can take points from any team at any stadium, and we've nearly done that against Spurs and Liverpool. We showed that we can cause all sorts of problems for a Manchester United team that people expect to finish in European placing. Once we get the chemistry and approach right over 90 minute displays, which isn't easy by any means, we'll be a top outfit in this competition. I think everything considered, we're en route to doing that without there being any guarantees.

I'm not sure to be honest. Lingiari died in '88.

Maxibon icecream

A god damn nightmare? Turn it up. You'll get your end wet again.. So she's a jet-setter? For work or leisure? Do you intend on expressing these desires of yours to her?

Get those creative juices flowing and make your own itinerary. You could go kayaking/canoeing (rowing is a great workout), throw in some hiking or jogging and a campsite with some people to mingle with. Throw in some good old circuit training if you need to burn some energy, pushups, dips, crunches, leg raises, squats, calf raises, just simple body weight stuff.

Irish.