A'Villan

This has me grinning ear to ear. You know I'm the one for the job. I think I would start right where it all began with an etymology lesson.. "Poly" derives from Latin and means "many", "ticks" means "multiple blood sucking parasites" and derives from people getting stung. And that is how it came to be known as "politics" by the assembly of "many blood-sucking parasites" doing as they do.

We led for two thirds of the match. Had we won I wonder if you'd be inferring that he's tactically inept and needs to go. If you look at the heat maps for both sides, Elmo was a good substitution to make with the goal lead that we had. Smith has given us every chance of walking away from that game with our heads held high.

Should the ideas you have which have insight and are thought-provoking be deemed redundant on account of you making an error in judgement in an unrelated matter? Yes, you could look at it that way, personally I think he is attempting to address the dogma and stigma that so often come up when discussing addiction. It's like I often hear regarding homelessness, people assume that they are problem riddled on account of their own decisions. When I worked for the Salvation Army, we did a survey of people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne. Over 70% reported childhood sexual abuse. Go point the finger at a child who's been sexually abused and say to them, "You did it to yourself", that's essentially the message these people get. Having worked with the leading doctors in the Addiction Medicine department at Australia's 4th best hospital (900 beds) I would be inclined to say we don't know much. I have studied AOD work and from my experience and understanding any productive program falls by the way-side because adequate funding isn't made available. The programs that do see results are then expected to take on a greater workload and produce the same results. It's really not a priority despite what politicians say. It's complicated.

I don't really care because I'm not interested in anything outside of how it comes together over the coming months for Smith. But I will say that I'm not sure the ambitions of our owners and the board will be realised by making what are deemed to be "realistic" targets. Edens has been ever so close to penultimate glory with the Milwaukee Bucks, and if anyone on that list has any ambition and talent left in them, we should be considered.

Win against Brighton and we're over half-way through this competition, and only four more wins away from a trophy. We have the squad to compete in this fixture without having to rely on first team starters, we've actually got 11 capable players who aren't seeing many minutes as is. What's not to like about it? At the very least it's a good chance for players to get minutes under their belt and give Smith something to consider come Saturday.

Shortlists and contingency plans for Smith's position will be a point of discussion for our board, and will be an ongoing process of evaluation, as long as it interests them. Mourinho, Allegri, Blanc and Wenger are some of the names who are awaiting their next project. Should Smith be fired I would imagine that our ambitious owners are just that. People are asking how long will he be safe? I don't know the answer. I would like to think, and I imagine it's probable, that right now he is in no immediate danger of being fired. I can only go by what Edens was like with the Bucks, which is not a safe comparison to be making, despite there being some common-themes and parallels. At the Bucks Edens employed a coach who after one season in charge was influential in turning the club from an all-time low to within distance of the penultimate goal. That coach had come in third in the coach of the year award for the NBA in his first year and in that first season took the Bucks win rate and nearly tripled it over 82 games. This coach was unable to continue the Bucks trajectory to the top, and after 3 and a half years Edens decided he was not the man to make them champions. The Bucks went on to appoint a coach who had achieved notable success in his first role as head coach, and who had previously been an understudy to one of the all-time greats. I guess you can see the parallels in that Villa were underachieving and had suffered some all-time lows en route to the Championship, with no immediate signs of a resurgence. In comes Smith and in just over half a year, within the same season of his appointment, we are back in the Premier League, after going on an amazing run of all important wins. What happens from here, who knows really? it's been a competitive start to this campaign and I would imagine our owners are watching with more than just the end score in mind. Things are still in their infancy. Games played, playing personnel coming together to gel and form chemistry, Smith developing strategy and tactics to cope with a new league etc. Let's not get downhearted just yet guys. I know it's disappointing to lose from a winning position, but I think it's also important to acknowledge this.. We were 10 minutes off beating two of the best teams in Europe twice already this season, against Spurs and Arsenal. For a newly promoted and assembled team.. It's your call as a supporter but me personally, I think that's pretty bloody encouraging! Then you add the win against Everton, a draw against good competition in West Ham, what should have been a win against Bournemouth. The only performance that I'd say was poor and the result that came with that fully deserved was against Crystal Palace. I'd actually go as far to say that, right now, the best thing you can do for the club is show Smith and his team all the support you can muster.

Well, I'm doing just great in this little exchange, aren't I? haha

Nor the English for being pompous!

It was my attempt at humor. You assume that my taste buds like the real thing, when I actually find it almost foul. If we're talking about the same, 'the real thing''. I am half Greek btw. I like the sh*tty milk chocolate version.

My dear bickster, how you underestimate me.

I'm going to dig myself a hole and jump in head first by saying this.. But some of the dogmatic thinking in recent posts is almost worship in it's own form.

I have a similar story, couldn't reverse the boat and car without the lock turning at an acute angle and us getting maybe a meter down the ramp.. About a dozen cars are waiting on us, car horns are beeping and people getting sh*tty. Then some genius (no sarcasm) actually decided to get out his car and help us spuds out! Who would have thought?! The solution was clearly to do what everyone else was doing and just get angry and frustrated with the situation.. Upon entering the water, we went in a direction which we were unaware would lead us to underwater rocks and that you can't navigate. The people that were fishing on the pier starting calling and shouting at us to turn around, but I couldn't hear them, so I turned the boat and headed directly for the pier.. They were so pissed off.. hahaha.. I think because maybe the boat would scare away the fish, I don't know, but I think we managed to get on the wrong side of everyone but us! There was 4 of us in a 2 man dingy that day, and we were lucky not to die I reckon, maybe a slight exaggeration, but it's amazing it didn't get worse. Add to this the drain plug had been replaced with a wine cork. And we were all stoned. What a mess.

Now this one resonates with me and we agree here. The bomb diggity.

Fair enough. You might be right, I think I see where you are coming from at least. Sentimental gestures are not going to bring these people back, they're not going to wash away the pain, and sometimes they aren't even genuine. So I think I do see your point. However sometimes it's nice to know you're not all alone in this world, and sometimes a thoughtful gesture can go along way. Sometimes even the notion that there's a man in the sky that you can speak to and ask for help is comforting for some people.

You're welcome. I wouldn't have a clue, I'm not living your experience, you are. But I do know tough times. Really, really tough times. I think it's fair to say that death would have been kinder for me for a few years there. Things got better, now things are actually pretty great. I still have problems, but I don't live there. But that's me and my story. I don't want to shove it down your throat, I probably do it in every other post I make already! I still think, and go back to, my statement earlier, where I say that you can be these things even when you don't know it. Not knowing you, I can't say for certain, but it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

I disagree.

Let's cheer so loud from Australia they can hear us at Villa Park guys!!! It's 11:45pm here right now, I better get to bed, 5am KO and the alarms are set from 4:30am onward. Eagerly awaiting this one but I best get some shut eye, I've got a full day after the game.

@Tomaszk I'm a bit of a dork at the best of times. Apologies to the forum for that one.

I don't know what to believe anymore. Articulate, coherent, eloquent conversation from someone who's apparently pissed on the vodka-redbulls! Great post @KenjiOgiwara Edited: Unnecessary ramble garbage.

I am going to take a stab in the dark and say that your 2nd and 3rd choice theories are based on 2nd and 3rd hand information, at best. "Some Spanish winger" "and probably Abraham back" Excuse me for being direct and perhaps offensive, I understand conviction doesn't necessarily equate to truth, but it doesn't come across as factual when the detail is so vague. I am also inclined to think you might've missed the mark because from my understanding, we were very much in for Coutinho and talks were under way. Then Liverpool came in, Inter were happy with and accepted the bid, the player was more than happy to go there rather than here. End of. And to go on.. Phillips might turn out to be some player, personally I rate Luiz much higher, but Phillips wasn't picked up by anyone, the fee for him was considerable. Butland may've been first choice, I don't know or care, Heaton has been immense for us, that's something I will vouch for. Some world class saves, not many blunders, if any. Of course we would've had Abraham back, I told this forum he would cut it in the Premier League and look at his form right now. As with Coutinho, it's out of our hands. One more stab at your post then I'm done, I promise, Klopp wanted a CB and Southampton were playing hard ball? I think some parallels can be drawn with Villa.. A certain Villa acquisition by the name of Tyrone rings a bell. Bournemouth stance was cough up or he stays, we sign him, he gets an England call-up within weeks. Ha! "You're a natural, ain't ya Tyrone?" "'Course I am" Fortunately our Tyrone is a natural at what he does, I'm not so sure about the one from Snatch.

And in another news, I'm quite keen to see what Marvelous can do for us in the Premier League, having seen him at Crewe. Luiz, whilst I really like him, and think that he is considerably better than Nakamba on the ball, with a greater capacity to get us forward, is also more risky with his play. I like the way Nakamba broke up play and won the ball, he made some very tidy and timely tackles and interceptions, and his distribution, while modest, was always safe. I liked that from him because we would gain AND retain possession through his efforts and that allowed for other players in midfield to get forward. Lansbury had two assists and Hourihane had two goals, Grealish had a goal and an assist. I know it's against Crewe and not a PL side, but still it was very effective. I wonder if that's what we want from our defensive midfield position if we are playing a single pivot. Someone reliable, tidy and timely who will allow others license to get forward. What do others think? Don't get me wrong, I like Luiz, I think he's the best player we have in the DM role in terms of individual talent, skill and potential for growth, and I want him on the pitch. For me though, it's about what's going to give us the greatest chance of success week to week, because you can only win one game at a time. I'd like to see Marvelous one game. I'd be all for a double pivot with Marvelous and Luiz in the holding role, with Luiz having a license to get forward and break the lines of our opposition, MN as safety. Very encouraged with the two signings though, I think both might turn out to be up to standard, Luiz has a lot of ideas up his sleeve and with greater execution, he'll be nice.

This. It's about what you contribute to the side and how that will influence proceedings in a way that leads to a desirable outcome. Victory. It's not necessarily about who's the better player per se, it's about the dynamic of the team we field, we want cohesion which allows for optimal output and influence. I'd disagree with this, sorry SGH. Taylor at the same age had a similar number of games to his name but with perhaps a bigger role than Targett has ever had. The Swansea side that came up and that Taylor represented for 36 games in their inaugural Premier League season saw them finish 11th. Perhaps Targett holds more promise and talent than Taylor ever did, at the end of the day though, it's about what you contribute that leads to a better outcome for the team. Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting one is more valuable than the other, it's not a call I want to make, I've not seen much of Targett, though I saw a lot of Swansea way back when. As I said, Swansea finished 11th that year, and prize money for finishing mid-table instead of relegation placing is almost precisely the fee we paid for Tagett. Then you add TV money and the rest of it, as well as retaining PL status, and finishing 11th becomes a lot more profitable than being relegated. So if Taylor is the better option than Targett and we are safe this season, I'd say he is worth Targett's fee. It's not irrelevant, but I see where you are coming from. I think people will get the gist of my stance from what I've said already. It's about the bigger picture for the club. In this case, because if Taylor chips in to greater team performance, then in all likelihood it's a better chance the fee we paid for Targett will be made up for and some. Here's an example, despite being a pretty poor one.. Who would you rather play, the 50 million dollar Torres and receive the level of performances Chelsea got from him, or the up and coming Tammy and get what he's been producing? You might make a loss from paying the transfer fee for a player, but the loss is amplified if the team suffers and isn't what it could be from their inclusion.

It really depends on what gives us the best chance of victory week to week. There are always pros and cons, it's about weighing them up and making a decision accordingly. We're considerably last, by some margin, in the league for players retained from last season. And then of the players that are staying, few are actually going to hold starting roles. Add to that our transition from one league to the next, how experienced our players are at this level, and how much football they've all played together. I think it's pretty safe to say that we will see some tinkering while we establish ourselves. The formation we play will really depend on weighing up our strengths and weaknesses against that week's opposition. However it might turn out that Smith opts to stick with the same formation, or a very similar one all throughout, and that could be in our interest. I'd be very surprised if we don't see rotation of personnel, until there's chemistry and people really make the role theirs.

One of the Norwich goals came from a City error similar to Grealish's against Spurs, had it not been made, we might've got a result, same as for City. It's called a competition for a reason people, not time to push panic buttons just yet. Many unknowns and variables yet to be played out. Credit Norwich for the win, no doubt, but they've still got 9 months of football left, as do we, and everyone else. I remember Wigan, looking destined for relegation quite early on, beat like every single team in European placing one year on a crazy run, tail end of the season. They survived. Think it might've been when Houllier was sick, or perhaps a year or two after. Point is momentum can swing. As I've said elsewhere, it wouldn't surprise me if this newly put together team of ours sees exponential growth in outcomes, like we saw in the Championship.

Keen to see how this guy goes. He seems like he's ready to be involved from the Crewe match. Really hoping Marvelous or Luiz step up to the standard we need.