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A'Villan

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Everything posted by A'Villan

  1. McGinn & Grealish - Two rare apex predators who inhabit the Premier League of England. Their blood runs claret and blue and they have a tendency to defecate on Birmingham City.
  2. If anyone from VT is ever in Melbourne feel free to hit me up, I'd be happy to help where I can and potentially even join you to watch Villa at the usual ridiculous hour.
  3. It's interesting, I think there's much truth to it, even if it is cliche, but it goes both ways.. For example, there's that famous quote that favours defensive prowess: "Offense will bring in the crowds, but defense will win you championships" I tend to think creative players, which are essentially attacking players, are most pivotal. Name the last defender to win the ballon d'or? You could argue that this is in line with the above quote, as it's essentially the crowd favourite who wins it. Still, ultimately which is more important most of the time, a clean sheet, or victory (outscoring the opponent)? Add to all this, I think the following is what gave birth to the philosophy and adage that attack is the best for of defense.. Having the ball is the only way to ensure your opponent can't score, because they don't have the opportunity. End of, simple as. Another truth to the saying, is that when defending, if you were to sit back and passively follow the play until the opponents scores, it's useless. So with that in mind, what is the best form of defense? Well, it's to attack, to pressure the opponent into a mistake and nullify his threat, making a move for the ball. Also, when you are in attack with the ball at your feet, you are the first to know what your next move is, a defender can only anticipate or intervene.
  4. Not sure I'm interpreting this post as it's intended, but alternatively you could argue we showed how true it is.
  5. Good post, and I hope you are correct, because City rate Luiz highly. Now they have gone and acquired Rodri to replace Fernandinho, so it makes it less likely that Luiz returns. Initially there was scope and a view for Douglas Luiz to be the understudy to Fernandinho, I watched a City podcast about Luiz. I can't remember the ins and outs of it all, but essentially Pep's brother (or close associate) was influential at Luiz's loan club. They were eager to see him develop. Given the circumstances, it didn't work out the way it had initially been intended and he has moved to us instead, which I'm very pleased with. With Gundogan and Rodri there, it's going to be sporadic inclusion for Luiz if he is to return to City, which doesn't meet the criteria you outline as necessary for him to go back there.
  6. Thanks for spelling it out for me. Totally agree. What you have described is actually similar to the processes that saved my life, no exaggeration about it. I have said in this thread my diagnosis, but never the traumas and circumstance that led to my breakdown and inability to live a fulfilling and healthy life. Don't worry, we won't go there now either, I just want to iterate that it was men and women who challenged me to develop the critical thinking necessary to pull myself out. Basketball, which I often go on about on these forums, and futsal, gave me an environment to regain my discipline, challenge myself, contribute to a team and exercise my health. There were also a few men who I worked with when I was in construction who I learnt a lot from, about toughing it out in order to accomplish something beneficial. Building houses can be arduous work, I thought I was fit from playing basketball at a professional level, but construction was a different set of demands and disciplines. Anyway, thanks again for clarifying your stance, I had a feeling that my reply might not represent your thoughts as you intended. Aimlessly inquiring about someone else's feelings for the sake of it isn't the most productive of pastimes, I'd even go as far as to say it can just perpetuate the problem at times. The angle I come from is this.. When you want to cultivate a garden, first you must rid of the weeds (bad habits and tendencies), then you plant the seeds, then growth can occur. It's an important point you make on giving those suffering some respite, even if it's through distraction, friendship is about being in good company not a drill sergeant or carer.
  7. I really enjoy reading your posts, they usually challenge my thinking and offer an interesting perspective to consider. Firstly, I want to point out that the 2nd half of your message is very important, developing and expanding the dialogue will only increase the potential for understanding. Whether or not the dialogue takes a path that is helpful or not is never guaranteed and that's why it's important to develop your own sense of what is required. I'm not sure I am in total agreement with some of what you've said here though, possibly because I have misconstrued your message, or maybe I lack the understanding. The idea that it is somehow destructive and foreign to communicate what is going on for you is part of the reason 84 men commit suicide in the UK every week. It's taboo for men to open up. Sure, some men are quite stoic in personality and character, and that's a great thing, but only as long as it serves them and others to be so. All men have feelings. They differ from person-to-person and are unique to the individual, but everyone has them. What is destructive is divorce from acknowledging them. Feeling emotionally stunted and socially inadequate is essentially a fear, which is an emotion. To be fearful of something means there's an associated risk of harm involved. You say touchy-feely people stepping in to attempt to help only alienates the person suffering, and I can see where you are coming from, but that is a perception, and that only. A dialogue where we can identify things with feedback creates an opportunity to identify problems and strategise ways and means to overcoming them. Does that entail conversations that will highlight the issues that we are experiencing? Absolutely. Will it heighten and stir emotions that we'd rather not experience? Yes. It's all about communication and relationships, and I don't necessarily mean talking or speaking, just that we are forever engaged in someway to our environment and surroundings. Learning to talk about emotions and developing social interraction is a life skill that can be developed. It's not necessarily just an innate personality trait. It's like a martial artist refining his physical skill and coordination in accordance with what he will face in combat. It involves learning and application to become efficient.
  8. Raptors vs Pelicans and Clippers vs Lakers in a fortnight from now. If I have the day off I'll certainly tune into both games.
  9. Many fans are reserved in their view of Smith, and breakdown each performance as they see it, not everybody is so eager to cast judgement on how the season will progress so easily. I'm neither flippant nor fickle when I talk about Dean Smith. That doesn't change week-to-week. I'm really pleased with what's happening and optimistic about what's to come. He has my full support, and has had since it became apparent to me how impressive his ability to come in and make changes necessary to turn this club around as a footballing entity. His immediacy in establishing a framework for how he envisioned us playing football allowed us to turn what was looking a very mediocre season into an exciting and successful one. It became apparent to me early on, even as results went the other way, that we were going to be capable of achieving our goal of promotion should we persist with Smith's plans. This campaign thus far, I've only really been disappointed with the showing against Crystal Palace. That's the only game where I feel like we were down and out of the contest. I have said previously, given time and encouragement, Smith will lead us to greater performances and create an identity and culture that will give us every chance in any game. We saw it in the Championship. There were some growing pains and a lot of fans started with their doubts about results and Smith's pedigree and if he was up to the challenge. In the end, he accomplished what two managers of notable success, with an absolute war chest to buy players, failed to do. He got us promoted. I don't know because I've never spoken or worked with him, but I get the feeling Smith is diligent with regards to developing his understanding of what's required of his role. Now that we are where we want to be division-wise, we must re-assess what we need to survive and even thrive. I firmly believe Smith will be integral in us achieving and ascending.
  10. It's hard to call, as it's still early stages. I think I am clinging to my optimism beyond what is perhaps displayed, but I think we're going to do well, certainly better than what's touted. The distance between now and end of season means there's scope for dramatic improvement and capitulation for nearly every team. Teams will adjust or maintain their approach based on the belief of whether or not it achieves a desired outcome for them, all games are opportunity to improve standing. No table position is solidified yet, and with so much to play for I think every club is hopeful and doing their utmost to ensure an optimal outcome is achieved by the seasons end. We will still see upsets like Norwich defeating City, games that are largely controlled by teams who go on to lose, fluke goals, manager sackings, player injuries etc. I don't watch any games outside of Villa really so I don't have an opinion on which teams will struggle or which will rise above, as I don't see them play. That said... The whole competition has an opportunity to find a formula that sets them apart from an opponent, tactics and approach are not necessarily established, same for the starting XI. Strengths and weaknesses are perceived and will not always align from one's to an other's POV, every match being unique means threats and frailties will vary with every opponent. Look at the commentary on VT surrounding Tammy's ability to make the step-up. I was sure he would, if he continued to play how he was for us, but many were doubtful about it. The thing is though Tammy has been fortunate enough to land himself a role where he's got the confidence of the manager, and that has worked out thus far. That might change. Watford won a cup last year, no? I wouldn't know because I don't watch them, but I'm certainly not saying they are relegated, they may find similar form to the cup run and kick on..
  11. @KenjiOgiwara That's pretty impressive. I wouldn't be too concerned with condescending advice (re too-thin commentary). If you have a goal and an ideal then work toward that, as long as it's serving it's purpose for you to do so. You never know you might be one of the first people to achieve such a balance. It's like Arnold Schwarzenegger said, break the rules and don't be afraid to fail, no true maverick or original did it any other way.
  12. Excerpt from Steve Biddulph's book Manhood which I think highlights the wisdom in @lapal_fan's post.
  13. A'Villan

    Patagonia

    @TheAuthority Great read, thanks for sharing that!
  14. Starts tonight for me. Some real classy moments going forward against Brighton. Would add a dynamic we don't have.
  15. That's why I mention them. The Premier League is a better standard than the championship though, so I'd be intrigued to see if he makes the step up. You feel me?
  16. Wouldn't mind seeing Kodjia in the Premier League. He likes to take it to the opposition and doesn't mind being the focal point of an attack. I'm just not sure he has the technical ability and finesse to get by the defenders at this level, and even if he did, the technique to finish. Certainly possesses the audacity and ambition in his play though.
  17. Well said. I'd take that stepping stone to bigger things every time though. I think we have very, very capable owners. Add to that we have Smith, who I back to play his role in restoring this club to European competition and as one of the better teams in the Premier League. We have Grealish, McGinn (who is a man on a relentless mission to raise the standard), Mings, Heaton, Engels who all look like they will make the grade and be mainstays. Then we have some promising players who are yet to prove themselves at this level, but only time will tell. The beautiful thing about our team right now is that I don't doubt any players ambition, desire to prove themselves, commitment to the shirt or dedication to Smith. Remember Lescott being more concerned with automobiles, twitter and jibes at the less financial instead of giving his best to football and the club allowing him that opportunity? We've actually got the character required for building the foundations of a successful enterprise again.
  18. As for our wingers and a forward.. I think El Ghazi and Trezegeut have shown they can play at this standard, despite not being elite. Jota has some nice ideas but hits the dead end with a frequency that makes whatever dribble or run he made redundant more often than not. Wes and Davis I have confidence in both to be viable options and contribute to our system having the strengths capable of winning games. I am not desperate to see any additions, but if I were to pick one it would be a striker who has a bit more potency to their moves than Wes or Davis. Picture a version of Kodjia with his skills and technique more refined with a slightly higher football IQ and decision making ability. That would be ideal.
  19. Benteke was immense for us. He was in the same conversation as Van Persie, Bale, Suarez and Lukaku at the time. There was another player in that discussion, his name was Michu, and he got a big move too. Didn't rise to the next level for whatever reason. Sometimes a player really shines within a system and everything they attempt comes off. I think that's the case with Benteke and Michu. Would any of us jump at the opportunity to re-sign Jordan Ayew? I'm not having a pop at Ayew, but I think he's potentially even a better option than Benteke these days. There's a few ex-Villa players who have made the grade when their big move came calling and who could probably still do a job here, they are.. Milner (no shit sherlock), Ashley Young, Delph (last I saw) and Gueye. That's all I can think of. It's a big no to Benteke from me.
  20. I'm not sure I believe change for the greater good is going to come from within the system. Why? The problem with always being a conformist is this.. When you are trying to change the system from within, it's usually not YOU WHO CHANGES the system eventually, it's the system that eventually CHANGES WHO YOU are. The use of the term "democracy" these days is pure propaganda. We live in times of racism, right-wing conservatism and capitalism. It's the rich telling the middle class to blame the poor. That goes for those within the borders but especially those from outside. What's the issue with millions of people within 3rd world countries suffering everyday, unthinkable atrocities, as long as they are 'stupid' enough to allow ours to profit? In direct democracy back in Athens, if the population was the equivalent of the USA, 3 million people would make up the senate and house of representatives. Now before people jump down my throat about mentioning Athens, please just read the following, I'm nearly done.. The powers bestowed congress are exclusive to 0.0001 of America's population, whereas if it were the equivalent of Athenian direct democracy, just under 1% of the population. You tell me if someone who you've never met before has the ability to represent you and your unique circumstances when discussing the greater good of the people? I've got 100 people in my network of friends and acquaintances easily, but I don't have any politicians. By definition democracy is power of the people, not power of businesses. Billion dollar companies (in Australia anyway) pay less than 1% of their income in tax, an individual on 80k pays 30% of theirs in tax. In private enterprise or capitalism we should all know enough to see that a few people control great sums of money, and great sums of people control few money. I won't even get into how philanthropy works in such a system.. Capitalism and democracy are not synonymous, as I keep saying. You tell me which one of the two governs our system.
  21. Saw the news of impeachment briefly on the discussion panel of an ABC current affairs program. Haven't got up to date with it so can't really comment anything of worth.. But my initial and uneducated impression is that there will be a loophole somewhere along the line of discussion that means he will not face the full consequences. And it will be because it is "In the best interests of the American people".
  22. The bling-bling era was cute but it's about to be done I'll leave you full o' clips like the moon blocking the sun My metaphors are dirty like herpes but harder to catch Like an escape tunnel in prison I started from scratch
  23. Bit of a long shot but I am wondering if anybody on the forum has a contact in the top tier of English basketball? Or if anyone even has enough of an interest in the league to give me some insight that would be much appreciated.
  24. That's heartbreaking @BOF Thanks for sharing.
  25. We were putting up similar numbers (not quite this dominant), as an average per game, way back when people started calling for his head in the Championship. It goes to show results can be hard to come by, but if the performances are there, in the long run things will come good. Look at the run we ended up going on last season. It will be much harder to emulate in the Premier League, but I believe in Smith and the squad we have. UTV!
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