wildwood

you can't realistically see that and then say " we just have to go again" or we will pick ourselves up etc,etc,etc.

Its silly.

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.

well then it is the issue. if we cant defend them we shouldnt be conceding easy ones

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.

writing this with 10 mins left of the game I want Lambert out of the club that was the most spineless second half ive ever saw. We are the laughing stock of football. No doubt this will get deleted I dont care tho we are down and out.

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.

@wildwood

Not in that situation, wouldnt see Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines do that. **** wouldnt see Alan HUtton defend as bad as that

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.

Set up our goal but then conceded the corner that led to their goal. Poor.

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.

OK this transfer fess argument is boring me to death – so let me pose a question. In the four positions we need additions the most, who would be your ideal choice from the players we’ve been linked to so far? Mine would be:

Striker: Andy Carroll

Winger: Yacinne Brahimi

Midfielder: Antony Annan

Left back: Massadio Haidara

Think that would set us up quite nicely!

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.

Why not hire a professional philosopher from the University of Birmingham lol.

They're not worth the money - trust me.

…but with a one year loan - they have to give it their all.

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.

He's one of those players that's going to be a great squad player in a Champions League side when he leaves us, completely out of the blue. Still, no idea why this bloke is still on the books to be honest.

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.

I must admit, I am really shocked with how quiet the transfer market has been. We are 9 days away from KO. I know there is the rest of the month to go but it has been so quiet even for a tournament summer.

I wonder if FFP is kicking in with clubs and there is now more of an emphasis to develop what you already have.

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.

I must admit, I am really shocked with how quiet the transfer market has been. We are 9 days away from KO. I know there is the rest of the month to go but it has been so quiet even for a tournament summer.

I wonder if FFP is kicking in with clubs and there is now more of an emphasis t develop what you already have.

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.

**** Jetro Willems makes Danny Rose look accomplished as a player. Poor kid was out of his depth at Euros.

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?

Going to jump in here with my probably my only bit of ITK ever, so I will savour the abuse if im wrong, and Olympian like revelry if right...

Fletcher wants out at Wolves, but wants desperately to go up North as his Mother and other family live in the NE. From the horses mouth so to speak. It would take an astronomical offer above from Villa above what Sunderland are offering to keep him down in this neck of the woods.

And, knowing how MON likes to give obscene wages to UK talent, us exceeding that isnt very likely, is it...

(Am I allowed to use a MysteryMan famous: ! now?)

Good!

Saint Martin can have him.

Agreed. But we do need a striker.

Either pay less for unproven, or pay more for proven/overrated.

Seven Cameroonian athletes have disappeared while in Britain for the Olympics, officials said.

David Ojong, the head of the Cameroon delegation, said five boxers, a swimmer and a female football player had been missing since the weekend.

The reason for their disappearance is not known, amid some reports that they wanted to stay in the UK for economic reasons.

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!

I'm going to wait until the transfer window closes as I still think we will see another 2 or 3 arrivals.

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.