wict01

What a pair of heroes. From the despondent few weeks after the play-off final defeat, to where we are now is just incredible. 

The Red Boat in Beaumaris is an amazing little ice cream shop, if any of you venture to Anglesey for the summer! 

1 hour ago, Thug said:

Nah, who was that REALLY shit keeper we had in the championship? Played one game in the cup?

 

edit: André Moreira

Saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet in his only appearance. 100% record, statistically the greatest keeper we've ever had 

Just now, villa4europe said:

Another one where you can blame Southgate 

The tactic of playing the ball in to space for sterling to run on to is a sound one 

The tactic of playing it in to his feet and having him be the main man dictating England's attacking play is an absolutely **** bizarre one 

If you want to play Sterling for his running and movement that's fine but don't have be the man linking play together, that's not what he is

He saw way too much of the ball this tournament, his goals and good moments will gloss over the bad stuff though, said somewhere else he'll be England's best player but that's more about the role he's been given than his actual performances 

We play through raheem sterling **** me 

This has been my frustration with the punditry all tournament. So many seem to equate scoring goals with having a good game when in reality, Sterling has been the winger version of Darren Bent. Frustrating in open play, slowing down attacks and running into traffic. Can't get my head around it. 

15 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said:

It really was.

Which bit did you find the worst? The Shakespeare line (that he flubbed)? Him talking as if it was already finished when there was 15 minutes of extra time remaining? Or him begging viewers to watch ITV for the final? Or another choice cut?

Tyldesley is rubbish as well, a complete bore, but he's not *that* bad. They should really get somebody good though.

I quite like Tydlesley, reminds me of the champions league games on ITV during my uni days...nostalgia...

As for Matterface though, quite how he's failed upwards to become ITV's top commentator is beyond me. He goes off on weird tangents, shoehorns in cringeworthy lines and generally adds absolutely nothing of value. 

Conor's been a fantastic servant to the club, helped us get back to where we needed to be and helped to keep us there. I think it's fair to say we have outgrown him now, but he's more than played his part in this last few years. I would like to see him get into a side at the top end of the championship and fire someone into the playoffs/automatic spots. It's definitely within him to do it. 

Getting beaten 3-1 at Villa Park by a pre-money Man City in O'Neill's first season was pretty grim. Think Sylvain Distin ran the length of the pitch to score the third. 

4 minutes ago, PieFacE said:

Can anyone remember if the "whispers" account on Twitter was legit? Last posted in 2016 apparently, it's a locked account but i'm following it. Dude is back. Probably complete nonsense but I don't really remember him/her/them whatever. I usually unfollow the rubbish people pretty quickly so a bit curious. 

Whispers got lots of stuff bang on during the ill-fated 2015 summer transfer window I believe, never had a reason to doubt them, even if their messages were a bit cryptic!

12 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

I’m with useless, not for the first time in my life. Signing a 20 year old regular starter from Arsenal, despite a seeming unwillingness to sell and the lad himself being an Arsenal fan, would mark such a big shift in perception and reality that I actually think it would be a bigger than signing Stan all those years back. 

I’m not sure I can think of an equivalent in the modern era, to be honest. 

This is the way I see it too. Being on the right side of a deal like this for once would be us laying down a really huge marker. 

Just now, Johnnyp said:

I hope England win. I really hope the players are not letting the false narrative been put out by the media that this is " a poor german team " seep into their heads. Pure nonsense. The team that played Hungary all played champions league football last season. If that don't sharpen the minds i dunno what will.

Don't think it's necessarily a poor German team, but definitely one that has come to the end of its' cycle with Low. 

"Semi finals in 2018, everyone loves him"

That would be Jack Pitt-Brook then, hasn't got a clue. 

Part of me thinks this is purely to just piss Arsenal off, and even if that is all it is, I'm 100% here for it 

Milka for me is the best but mainly because I associate it with going on holiday as a kid! 

I have a soft spot for Roma, and would love to see them do well....but I don't think this is the way. Afraid the Friedkin's have been hoodwinked by a big name. 

Go back in for Hiroshi Kiyotake IMO. #BringHimHome

For me we absolutely need some physicality in midfield in front of the defence. Somebody in the mould of Zakaria/Kondogbia, to line up alongside one of McGinn or Luiz instead of using them both. After that, pace out wide would be my next priority, followed by a number 10/tricky type who is comfortable on the ball and in possession in tight areas to alleviate some of the pressure off Jack. Buendia is often touted and I think he'd be ideal, although not sure how much he'd cost now that Norwich are on their way back up. 

In terms of pacey wide players, I think we could do worse than look at clubs just outside of that top European bracket, like the top 3 in Portugal or Lyon/Monchengladbach etc type of clubs. We could probably offer decent, competitive wages to their kinds of players with a 3rd successive year of prem money further alleviating FFP constraints.

Strikes me as a player who shines with other creative, technical players around him. Given we've been quite static and turgid without Jack, he's found it hard to shine, but when I think back to that December period when we were really playing well, Bert looked great flourishing in a confident attacking side. I think he's been decent for the price, and certainly better than Lyon fans would've had us believe.

I have really enjoyed liked having Matty in the team this year too although, as with the rest of the team, I do feel he's lost a bit of that dynamism since the Covid outbreak. It's a shame that the season appears to be fizzling out, but I think it is important to remember this is our highest premier league points total for about 10 years - Cash has contributed to that magnificently along with the rest of the back 4 for much of the season. Expect to see him kick on next year in the same way that Targett and Konsa have done.

The lad didn't take it down, and seemed to be reveling in his notoriety. Thinks he'll be a legend at school lunchtime now, however "One-Eyed Baz" has apparently been in touch with him and offered to err...."teach him some respect" so there's that bizarre element of self-policing going on I guess? 

I'm Tom - long time lurker, first time poster. Been a villa fan since '98 - my first game was the 3-2 v Arsenal with Santa hitting the top of the Trinity Road stand. Hoping to just join in the thought-provoking discussions that have entertained my work lunch breaks for the last 6 months!