OxfordVillan

5 minutes ago, HolteExile said:

In my experience, it's not the finer points of Marxism that worries White Van Man and the others who see Tommy Robinson as some wise sage. 

They see white men taking the knee as somehow subjugating themselves to the black race. 

Domnic Raab summed up the views of Middle England/Middle Earth pretty well last year. But you'd expect that sort of awareness from a person who didn't realize how important GB's most important port may be to trade. 

It's odd to see it that way when it was Colin Kaepernick (mixed race) taking the knee during the US national anthem circa 2016/17 that inspired sportsmen of all races to do similar after Minneapolis last year. There's a conversation to be had about its effectiveness on its own (which is sort of what Zaha was getting at). But actually booing it shows those 'fans' up for the primitives they are. It's sad that the headlines now associate us with behaviour you'd expect from Millwall fans. We don't need that sort of profile, ta very much. 

I find the tone of your reply condescending, however it’s a view that you’re entitled to bring to the table. I don’t think you win hearts and minds by using your type of approach, but each to their own. 

27 minutes ago, est1874 said:

If I were heading towards "totalitarian", you'd be heading towards card-carrying national socialism.

The majority aren't buying what you're selling here, they might welcome you with open arms on Stormfront or similar though.

34 minutes ago, est1874 said:

Anyone trying to con other people into thinking their opposition to a message of anti-racism is a result of Marxism needs to take a long hard look at themselves and face up to the truth.

We see you.

I’m not sure you see the end of the nose on your own face! UTV

44 minutes ago, KenjiOgiwara said:

I think almost everything these days that are supported by intellectuals are defined as marxist. Goes without saying those doing it aren't the sharpest, but it's starting to get a bit funny. 

Here’s Kenji putting himself as a higher being than the ill educated, thick, knuckle draggers who don’t agree with his every thought. Bravo, my friend…….that’s the way to win them over! 

24 minutes ago, est1874 said:

Anyone trying to con other people into thinking their opposition to a message of anti-racism is a result of Marxism needs to take a long hard look at themselves and face up to the truth.

We see you.

Wow, just wow! I can’t fathom the words right now to describe your position. You’re heading towards totalitarian, my friend.

6 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

Booing because its linked to BLM isn't racist? Yeah....I'm not going to agree with that. 

And do you understand the actual message behind defund the police?

Yes I do understand the message behind defund the police, and I don’t agree with it. Just because someone doesn’t agree with you, doesn’t make them any less intelligent, any less a person. Everybody is entitled to an opinion. It’s sections of society’s increasing inability to accept differing views that is causing increasing separation. 

2 hours ago, ThunderPower_14 said:

He just needs to get the odd casual lapse in concentration out of his game. I think he's a brilliant player but more importantly a brilliant leader in defence.

I think we could improve in every position in the front half of the ground apart from Jack and Watkins, but the back 4+Martinez are fantastic and I wouldn't change a thing this year. I think all 5 will only get better as well.

I think he'd be a great choice for England but I expect they'll go with Maguire and Stones

Maybe it’s just me, but I just don’t see what people rave about with Maguire. I don’t think he’s that good, certainly not £80m good, and if you offered me a swap deal with Mings I wouldn’t take it. Leicester arguably improved with Evans and Syoncu, they certainly didn’t get worse.

39 minutes ago, hippo said:

Zaha ! ? Feasible ?

29yrs old at the front end of next season, would likely cost in excess of £45-50m. Ar5ehole of a player. Not for me, thanks. 

I think I’ve probably been a little unfair on him with some criticism over the last season, when he’s predominantly been played as a holding CM. It’s quite clear that he’s very much better suited to playing the more advanced midfield role, and very capable in that position. So in hindsight, he has been taking one for the team, so to speak, by playing the more defensive role. The positive to take from this is that with the purchase of a good DM Villa should be able to look forward to a continuing exciting and winning team next season. 

I want to see players with pace & power arriving this summer. A general of a DM and a dynamic No.8 as priority. The rest can fall into place around that.

Unfortunately we’ll get out muscled in midfield again, and I’m expecting a loss by a couple of goals. Spurs are too big and physical for our little weaklings, whilst we’ll play the neater football we’ll ultimately lose to power. We’ve maybe an outside chance of a surprise element if we bring in one or two fringe youngsters later in the game that could catch Spurs unawares. I don’t envisage that, though. I’d like to see Raikhy, Barry, and Chukwuemka all make the bench…….but again, can’t see that happening. Those 3 would be my pick of the youngsters who could surprise Spurs with 20-30min cameos. 

Wesley will have a role to play next season, I’m certain he won’t be moving on this summer. And rightly so. I think part of our building process of the club is putting into place an emphasis on loyalty, and standing by Wes is another part of that. The treatment dished out to various players post 2010 did not show the club in a positive way, various bomb squads wouldn’t have made the club attractive to many players. We have to make the club more like a family, loyalty is a two way street. We have to stand by Wes and give him the best opportunity to make it.

The 60min mark yesterday was crying out for additional legs and strength, in midfield especially. Ramsey was unfortunately  a passenger against Palaces increased physicality and pressure. The subs to make at that point were to hook Ramsey & Traore, replace with Davis & Nakamba. Go to 4-1-4-1 with Nakamba the covering DM, Davis to the right of the middle 4, ElGhazi left, Luiz and McGinn central. Who knows if it would have worked, but nobody can say we didn’t have options. We did. Sometimes it’s not about pretty football, it’s about matching up individuals to nullify an area you’re struggling in. Doing the dirty work. Not exciting but when you’re 2-1 up away from home you need to start nullifying teams. Or at the very least you TRY to nullify teams. It was a mistake to bring a clearly not match fit Jack Grealish on when he did, and a bigger mistake to then not change anything else until you go 3-2 behind with 5 minutes to play. The palace goals were clearly coming, it’s not like we were putting on a defensive masterclass and they weren’t getting attempts at goal. 

21 minutes ago, HKP90 said:

My head says you’re right, but my heart says that I wouldn’t want him near a Villa shirt. It’s all fun and games til he puts something on twitter and gets banned for 6 months.

I couldn’t care what happens or what gets written on social media by players, unless they break an actual law. It’s not the real world. Its what they do on a football pitch in a Villa shirt that matters. I couldn’t give 2 fucky fuck5 about the court of social media opinion. 
Anyone else hear the booing at the cup final as the players took the knee?

8 minutes ago, BleedClaretAndBlue said:

I think DM will be top of Smiths wishlist and something Mackenzie will be tasked with getting right this summer.

Smith made clear when promoted he wanted Kalvin Phillips, but ended up with Douglas & Nakamba (Suso signings; not sure how much input Smith would have had in those 2)

Smith can clearly see it hasnt worked out in midfield in 2021, Dougies form has gone backwards at an alarming rate imo; dont think he can continue playing that role next season if we want to play the way Smith wants. Get this position right and we can see a much better version of McGinn, Doug and Sanson than we’ve seen this season. 

Good post. I think it is worth remembering that Dean wanted Phillips, it’s an indicator of the type of player he wants in that position. I do think Luiz is more of a 7 or 8, rather than a 6. That’s where any new record fee needs to be spent this summer. A Declan Rice type signing. 

29 minutes ago, Wainy316 said:

Maybe if we sold a certain someone?

That would add up, for me. I thought we’d have circa £150m this summer, so add on a £100m Jack Grealish sale and you’re there. Nothing would surprise me in football. 

9 minutes ago, Dave-R said:

If they expect to be amongst the top 8 all season then they need to put the money up..

They’ve put the money up thus far. All the noises being made indicate they’ll put the money up again this summer. And when they do they will not expect a return of points/form that we have seen over the last few months, which is bottom 3 type of form. And that’s fair enough. 

The 21/22 season will be pivotal for Dean Smith, I think. But then saying that, every season is pivotal for most managers in the Premier League. Most managers, generally, have the opening 8-12 games of the season. If things aren’t going as expected then you’re vulnerable to being replaced. But I do get the feeling that our owners will now feel that we shouldn’t get drawn into any early season scuffles at the lower end of the table, I think we will be expected to be in and amongst the top 8 all season. So we’ll need to start well, very similar to this season.

He’s doing much better, he’s starting to turn a corner for himself at Villa. I think he’ll be at the club next season, he’s proving himself to be a very useful squad member, and he seems to be highly regarded by the other players and coaching staff. It looks to me like the coaching staff have been working hard with him, working on the decision making and confidence. Long may it continue.

Deans achilles heel is the midfield and a seeming inability to recognise when it needs altering. This must be improved next season.

9 hours ago, KentVillan said:

Most clubs don't have a lot of money. I think we're a fair bit wealthier than the clubs around us, and should be expecting progress.

I'd be more understanding if things stall around top 6, where our rivals are very rich. But for now we should keep kicking on.

My feeling (without yet having the summer transfer window) is that the target for the 21/22  season will be 7th. I’m basing that on the noises being made by the club about our summer transfer ambitions, which they’re not exactly playing down! So if we do have what looks on paper  like a better transfer window than the likes of Everton, West Ham, Leeds, Arsenal etc then we should realistically target 7th. Finishing a bit lower (say 9th) would probably be acceptable if accompanied by, perhaps, a league or FA Cup. Let’s wait and see what happens in the summer, it’s quite possible one or two other clubs have a blinding transfer window that makes the landscape look different once again. 
As you rightly point out, most clubs hit that wall around 7th. That’s when you need owners who hold their nerve and try to keep spending to break into the next level. I think there are currently a few clubs above us that we could target to finish above next season…..Leeds, Everton, West Ham. They’re clubs that it wouldn’t be a surprise if we finish above them. Of the so-called big 6, I think Arsenal, Spurs, and Leicester could be more susceptible next season to a challenger or two. I think next season we could be looking at the old school big 4 of Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool. Leicester perhaps could have a similar season, but I certainly see Arsenal and Spurs continuing to struggle. 

I think some here getting confused between physicality and tackling. When I call for more physicality in CM I’m talking about someone big enough and strong enough not to be knocked off the ball, someone that can lean into an opposition player and ease them off the ball if required. I think we all mostly know that the hard tackling many of us knew has almost been officiated out of the game. The best CMs now need positional acumen to intercept, and if you happen to have one of those with physical attributes then you’re in a good place.