ThornburyVilla

I think it’s time they took Ollie aside and ask him if he should consider a new career

We don’t do the basics well enough, missed passes, poor control, terrible crossing - never gone win until we develop our basica

We just struggle to do the basics well, pass, cross, etc 

It’s a real shame he doesn’t give Archer a go upfront instead of Ollie, try something different, he can’t be any worse 

He isn’t a manager for this era. He would have probably worked ok 20 years ago, but everyone else is two steps ahead of him now. Managers are far more tactically aware and think strategically how and what they do - Potter being the obvious example. 
 

Gerard doesn’t try knew things, he keeps rinsing and repeating the same old things, expecting different results. 
 

The Mcgin situation is what Ten Hag faced at United. He gave Maguire two games and realised he was dragging the side down, slowing them up, etc. he didn’t keep on doing the same thing, he changed things. He dropped the captain and he put together a team that for the Liverpool match was strategically spot on. 
 

As many have said, Gerard thinks it is all about him, and like Purslow, I think pride is one of his biggest weaknesses 

I’m DE box today behind away fans. What a odious bunch they were, abusing children and asking a 15 year old girl to get her t**s out!! Most unpleasant away fans I’ve seen. 

From a football perspective we look clueless. Same old points about McGinn, no fluidity at all, and endless crosses they Zouma and Co mopped up with ease. 
 

Gerard completely out of his depth

Wan Bissaka is an excellent defender, but appalling going forward, so kills any attack he is involved with.  Really surprised United havent tried to convert him to a central defender, given how bad the rest of their defense is.  Perhaps Everton might fancy him

Literally to a man we have been awful, like we’ve never played together 

It’s hard to actually believe what we are seeing with them 

It’s quite sad really, who would have imagined we would regress like this, for no apparent reason 

Something has gone horribly awry, players certainly seem lost or disinterested

McGinn  you prick

Sorry Dean, but sometimes you just need a change. 

Shambles of a formation, everyone out of position because of it!! 

Don’t understand why after such a great season and such a solid defensive record, he has resorted to 5 at the back. All playing out of position to accommodate players - that never works!! 

Does anyone think Jack might be doing this out of his love of villa?

Perhaps he fears his shin problem is worse than we all think, and he knows that his career will be hugely limited, so he is sacrificing himself and playing for the club he loves, to give us a huge boost and lift up in our quest to reach the top 4. 
 

If his shins deteriorated he would become near worthless and would also not contribute in a team that over-relied on him. 
 

With this move he sorts out out investment in the team for several years, he levels out FFP, which has to be a consideration, he allows us to significantly strengthen and better balance our team, and he sets himself up for life. 
 

who knows Will Jack wear villa pants under his City shorts???

I truly believe we will be stronger without him, and with the money reinvested 

I don’t think he will fit peps style at all, and could struggle, and he won’t be the big star up there. 
 

I also think we could be more balanced and stronger with three quality replacements. Even before his injury teams were working him out, and with threats from different areas I think we can be more effective and stronger. 
 

And if he continues to struggle with his shins then perhaps we could be cashing out at the right time

I have sat in a player negotiation with Jonathan Barnett, albeit for a cricketer, and 20 years ago - but it is purely and simply about the £££.  The player wasnt there, and he said they wanted x, we countered and offered y, and after a bit of back and forth we settled in the middle - 5 minutes over a cup of coffee.  

The fact is City will offer more than Villa, and the only decision is heart versus head.  Does it make any difference to Jack if he earns £300k or £200k a week - after tax its hardly like his going to struggle ever.  His decision is his lifelong love of villa versus chance of guaranteed success - not a easy call at all

4 minutes ago, Tomaszk said:

City still having to battle shows how up against it we are with FFP.

It might not feel fair they can outspend everyone, but they do have the money. Or their owners do. According to the rules...why should City not be able to spend money they have but Utd and Barca can spend money they don't?

FFP protects those at the top and not much else. A flat salary or operating cost cap would be the only fair thing that restricted spending, so they definitely don't want that.

Absolutely, City have more than likely broken many ‘rules’ to get to where they are, but how are we me meant to compete ultimately if the investment can only be made to a limited level. 
 

it doesn’t matter how rich our owners are, unless they have a very creative plan to bridge the gap. With our turnover so low in comparison to Arsenal for eg, developing, keeping and attracting the players to maintain a top four position is beyond our current financial means - legally! 
 

Leicester are the closest to breaking the cartel legally, but that model is based on selling their stars to balance the books, whilst finding and developing new ones.

Signs are building! As I mentioned earlier my contact at City told me they have a hospitality box reserved, and he was under the impression it was for Jack - as he knew i wouldn’t be happy! 

There is a chance Jack might go, but life moves on and it wouldn’t be the end of the world - it could actually move us forward. 
 

I have heard that City have a box on hold for him, so it is definitely something that is a possibility. They have had boxes on hold for other players that never came off, so not guaranteed, but cannot be discounted. 
 

We have seen already with Buendia that there are other ways to win football matches, and there is no guarantee that Jack would be as effective when he wasn’t the only focal point. It could make him even better, or he could look a little lost like he did at times for England, when he wasn’t brought into the game as consistently as he is at villa. 
 

Our owners are astute, and whatever happens we are moving in the right direction, and you can guarantee that whatever happens with Jack that they have a plan that is more likely to succeed than not!  

Southgate is a disgrace with this performance!  If England win it will be in spite of him,  or because of him! 

4 minutes ago, Adam2003 said:

Just watching England and he’s the best player and all my non-Villa mates are texting me saying how amazing he is, then I come on here and people aren’t impressed. We have such high standards for him.

I wouldn’t say it was unimpressed, more a case of knowing what he is capable of when the team works around him, and he has confidence to take it on