KangarooVillan

No we don’t, which speaks to a larger issue in football. Although, in saying that, if Jack went to city it would be a particularly poignant example of any football romanticism being strong armed by business. Bring on a salary cap.

I’m calling it, he’s fu***** staying!! Good to have you back SJG.

In time, if Jack goes I will generally be appreciative of what he has done for us and the player he became, although I think I may always mildly resent the the notice being relatively short. But right now, and into the future the thing I’m mostly angry about is what I have bolded above. This is the state of modern football and it’s sterile and 100% dictated by money. If Jack goes to city just an extra visceral example of the above.

TRO like I get your drift, but how can you get the enjoyment out of football moving along those lines? I’m not being critical, and what you’ve said isn’t untrue in the current paradigm, but it feels so sterile.

Sure, but at the end of the day 8/10 outfield players were from ManU, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham or Arsenal. Rice and Philips got a look in because England don’t have any other defensive mids at the top clubs. Literally all the players you mentioned didn’t play because their position was already filled by someone from the Big 6; Shaw, Saka and Walker. What’s your point? Literally all the players you

I just can’t shake the feeling that IF he does go, the biggest factor will be his chances for playing a significant role in the World Cup. Once that’s done, Jack will be almost 27 and may not have another chance. I think not being a starter at the Euros really hurt Jack, and whilst it’s a gamble that whether he’s playing for Villa or City he still won’t get a look in, playing at City (unfortunately) probably gives him a better chance. Fu***** Southgate.

I can’t help but wonder how much the World Cup might play a role here. Like it or not if he plays in a CL final next year instead of Stirling or Foden he surely has to start for the WC. Or at least gives him a better opportunity. To me, that has has a bigger draw than just playing CL. Most people can’t remember the squad players who won a CL 20 years ago unless it was your team. If he does go, this fu***** stinks at every level. There’s the fact that he’s been here since he was 5 and his whole family support Villa. There’s the fact that his grandfather played for Villa. There’s the fact that that’s been overridden by the promise of additional riches and success. There’s the fact this shows no one can resist the lure of the elite teams, no matter what. There’s the fact he would be going to a team who breached FFP and threatened to make a Super League and they still go unpunished and can poach the best players. There’s the fact that this is all funded by an oppressive monarchy far away who doesn’t really give a sh** about football. And there’s the example that this sets for all of our young players in the academy if they do indeed become stars in their own right.

Yeah the Google index cache doesn’t make sense - it could happen but only for a relatively short window. Only other way seems to be retweets - but this makes it virtually impossible to no when it was deleted or if anything else was deleted with it.

Can someone explain to me how you know a tweet has been deleted? Unless you have saved the link you wouldn’t know would you?

Way to inspirational from a man who’s name is Death.

My lord, don’t be so dramatic. It’s not unwavering belief - there’s a chance he may go, but nothing outside of speculation has been reported to suggest Jack or Villa are keen. If anything, it’s YOUR unwavering belief that we will be wishing him bon voyage.

Sure, we did exactly that with ESR but then what happened?

I don’t really understand where the resignation to losing Jack is coming from? City are interested - confirmed We have prepared a new contract for Jack circa 200k - confirmed Jack’s currently on holiday - confirmed Aston Villa has any interest in entertaining an offer for Jack - unconfirmed Jack has any interest in joining Man City - unconfirmed Man City are currently being investigated for breach of FFP - confirmed Whats the big deal?? We just went through a similar process with ESR and nothing happened?

Not a good player is a bit extreme isn’t it? He’s a player that would do a job for bottom half table team in the best league in the world. He’s quite a good player, perhaps not the caliber of where we would like to go, but he’s still very very good. He’s also been a Villa player for 3 years, helped us get promoted, stay up, and banged in 10 goals last year, have some f****** respect.

No worries, sorry misread. Almost choked on my dinner but all good.

Are you saying Mings is a flop??

What browser are you using?

I imagine it would rotate, but as a starting point McNeil is a left footer so he would play RW in Smith’s system. Buendia is predominately right footed but is decent enough on both feet so he could play anywhere across. And Jack would primarily rotate LW and CAM.

I mean I wouldn’t say no if it worked - my concern would be it takes away from some of Buendia’s best assets in the final third and he’s a willing defender but I’m not sure he’s got the finesse to consistently break up the play without drawing cards.

I would hope we’d score lots of goals! I think more realistically I’d like to see: Watkins Grealish-Buendia-McNeil Sanson/McGinn-Luiz/Nakamba Target-Mings-Konsa-Cash King Martinez With a fairly fluid line behind Watkins and Traore rotating heavily through those spots too.

You can’t really look at the £50M in isolation though - I think I’ve been through this before but it’s essentially a risk-cost benefit analysis. What’s the impact of Ollie goes down? What’s the impact of Jack goes down? What’s the impact it Martinez goes down? What’s the benefits of a new player if we do have injuries vs if we don’t? Can the player still play in the starting 11 when everyone’s fit? What’s the benefit of improving overall squad depth vs improving positions of weakness? What is the likelihood of each of these occurring? Etc Personally, I’m okay with going into the season at ST with what we have IF Smith and the team give it the tick of approval. I would also completely understand if a player like Alvarez was brought in as a cheapish backup who can cover in a number of positions.

I don’t see any reason McNeil couldn’t play the same positions as Pereira. He’s actually left footed - so would probably play RW in our setup. He also rotates pretty fluidly between LM/LW and an attacking midfield position in the Burnley setup.

I don’t get it. Most of the criticism re Traore has been his inability to track back. Bailey’s defensive stats are significantly worse than both Traore and Barkley?

Lol I don’t think you can blame the club for who Joe Blow’s ITK publication has linked us to. Not like we’ve signed them, relax.

Fair enough - thanks. It’s odd there’s a photo but no official announcement when they have for other players. I guess maybe they’re waiting for the contract to be finalised, but still. The messaging regarding this transfer has been f****** confusing - someone, anyone, produce the official paperwork already.