wildwood

What other response is there? "Ahh crap lads - we sucked in the second half again... let's try and talk to the FA about scrapping a second half... no actually let's just give up and never play again - that way the fans can't moan..."

Hey at least 5-0-5 is better than 10-0-0 that McLeish played. We wanted attacking football - we put on 4 strikers and played them as strikers

Screw it - I'm going to be positive. N'Zogbia has impressed me in the last couple of games.

I'm afraid to say the only person I blame here is Lerner. Lambert can only work with what he's got - clearly we have no other CMs for Bannan to consistently play (except for Westwood being cuptied). Sacking Lambert would be going backwards. We need stability - but we also need investment. I'd be hugely shocked if we don't buy 2 or 3 players before the 31st.

The winky face is making me not know how to respond to that message! Darn emoticons. I can see the logic if we're talking about penalties: - We concede from penalties - Let's try not to give them away However I don't think that same logic applies here.

When our game plan is... put the ball near the box and hope Benteke does something with it - it's hardly surprising Bent didn't do well. It was foolish to put him on, and play like that. In the end our strikers we're just getting in each other's ways. Lack of tactics.

We're not the laughing stock. Yes we lost to Bradford - so did Wigan and Arsenal. Look on the bright side - at least we're not Blues.

It shouldn't even be an issue. The issue is we can't defend corners. No Alan Hutton would have got sent off for attempting to take out the player and de-balling the linesman instead.

I'm not sure why he still gets picked. He doesn't offer anything.

You're actually blaming a player for giving away a corner?? Seriously. Surprisingly that's why full backs do quite a lot. What with trying to stop the cross of wingers.

Finally... some proper transfer discussion: Striker: Andy Carroll Winger: Adam Johnson Midfielder: (PASS) Left back: Jetro Willems I think these three signings would be good for next season, and the latter end of this season whilst the team gels.

Agreed, if AJ is available, I'd love for us to get him. He is being wasted at Man City. This guy on twitter also said that RVP will sign for Man Utd within 2 days, and when this happens Welbeck/Hernandes will be out on loan, possibly to us. It's either a huge wind up, or a couple of brilliant deals for us, in my opinion.

You need to have a word with him about his celebrations. I'm thinking he should go for a Robbie Keane-esque thing.

They're not worth the money - trust me.

Carlton Cole. ... and if they don't we lose them at the end of the season...

That's what I heard, but let's not beat around the bush - he is in Serie B, and he's 30. Unless PL has seen something in him (apart from the whole ethics thing)... he's not gonna be a brilliant defender.

I read somewhere that he was coming in as a Ethic Coach for the youth academy/reserves. I must say, as a Philosophy graduate, this really impresses me - and if true, really shows that PL is thinking about a much bigger picture. Yet another thing he's done right in pre-season, if this goes through and is right.

I think his champions league days are well behind him now. Sorry, completely forgot we bought him off Lyon...! Yes - getting on for 2 years ago we brought him from Lyon. At that point he had played in the CL. Given that he is 29 now - and we hold his registration for a further 2 years, I just don't see him playing CL football again. If he does I will hold up my hand and say I was wrong - but given his current position that seems unlikely. He played CL last season.

Wages will always be an issue, sure now it's less of an issue - but that doesn't mean we have money to throw around. Yes it's frustrated not having press reports or good gossip, but that's the way Villa do things now, I wouldn't confuse that with them not trying, or get frustrated with them. I personally see every season individually, and so I don't mind about loans. I wouldn't mind if in the next 3 years, we loan 3 different strikers to support Bent and Gabby. Sometimes players who have a 3 or 4 year contract can be complacent, but with a one year loan - they have to give it their all. And I think PL would be able to pick some great players. How many times have we had a striker that doesn't do well for a year, and we wished they were on a one year deal instead of a three year deal? It would stop these issues with Heskey/Warnock etc.

We're obviously doing things behind the scenes, but the transfer window is open for some time yet. PL will want to see the players in a competitive game. I am not on about us. I was talking in general. We have been very active compared to most. But I have never seen a summer this slow with regards to all clubs' transfers. And I am not sure that it will pick up drastically either. Is this what FFP has brought us? Sorry about the confusion, mate. In regards to most teams, I think it's been a busy summer for football, what with the Euros and Olympics. Which would also push up the prices for any player involved.

We're obviously doing things behind the scenes, but the transfer window is open for some time yet. PL will want to see the players in a competitive game.

That was Willems's first season as a starter @ Psv..... of course he was going to look out of depth.... Pieters would have been better to take instead of Willems.... Crazy Dutch coach but tbh given time an patience Willems would be a class FB! I think Willems would be a brilliant signing, had the signs of a very good player. In all fairness, yes - first season, yes - pushed into the national squad too soon due to injuries... and he did struggle, but in all fairness he was against a) Portugal (a couple of the best wingers), Denmark, and c) Germany (who should have won!). I think most defenders would struggle against those teams. (I'm looking at you Concrete Ron!)... but saying that, Vlaar and Willems could work well together?

Good! Saint Martin can have him. Agreed. But we do need a striker. Either pay less for unproven, or pay more for proven/overrated.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19167033 If only Makoun was as excited to be in the United Kingdom as these fellow Cameroon athletes are!

Agreed. Also the teams around where I want to us to be, haven't really moved into the transfer market either. Should be an interesting few weeks transfer-wise.