barry'sboots

I think the problem with Paddy Reilly's signings was not lack of time but a Muppet manager who did not know how to use them - not once did we use Geuye as a DCM - the position he has thrived in - instead thinking that, just because he was similar physique and played in midfield, that he would replace Delph. I believe a CM pair of Geuye and Varetout, probably with Jack at 10, could have seen us survive in the PL. However, we may never have found our way to NSWE in that scenario.

What about Fernandez - I think you've missed his certain penalty???

I don't remember ever as being this optimistic when we were going away to OT. I'm sure that this will mean a lot to Stevie G as well. I hope that we go there looking to dominate, or at least compete, from the off. I believe that we have a midfield 3/5 that is capable of doing this v Man U. SJM has a point to prove, given how he cannot play at the weekend so I am looking for a barnstormer from him. I think it will be close and that the old goal will win it - so I predict a Liverpool-esque 7-2 to us!

I think both Bailey and Sancho will prove to be good signings if correctly deployed and given a decent run.

Never really paid that much attention to Coutinho as don't tend to watch much other than us but watched his highlight reel last night - largely Liverpool for obvious reasons. His dribbling/close control is insane - he does things Jack wouldn't try and his long range shooting is as good as anybody I've seen. If he can recapture half of that he will be a great signing (and for less, allegedly, than the cost of Ross Barkley.

I read he'd just tested positive for COVID so needs to finish his isolation so it won't be until next weekend.

Given the choice of Bissouma for a mooted £40m or Zakaria - an out and out DCM who is not under investigation for sexual assault - for £25m (I believe) I might take the latter?? I haven't seen that much of him though so going more on rep and position - anybody watch Bundesliga and have a view?

I guess they are trying to get as much information as they can before they make a decision - that seems sensible to me. Individuals have to make plans - and contingency plans - knowing that things could change at any time given the backdrop of Omicron. I feel a bit sorry for Boris on these matters because he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't!

It is BUT we have played 5 of the big 6 (Plop, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Man U) away from home in our first 8 away games so hard to get a proper steer??

I agree. I think regular game time is key for KD and will allow us to see whether he has it or not. I can't believe Smith now wants him at Norwich - according to the press speculation - having regularly failed to utilise him over the last 18 months. Surely he would not want to go there under DS??

He was getting pelters from around me. He is a "9" or nothing at this level I feel and must be massively frustrated after last season and getting in and around the England set up to be pushed out left!

Not in the 24 hours before a match apparently!

Would you not swap him for Bissouma? That is what we are talking about - trying to replace Marv with a player that can take us to the next level. Not saying that he wouldn't be a decent squad player although I think Iroegbunam might be ready for that spot next season?

Loving Cash at the minute and I think Kessler will be no. 2 to him next season. As for left back, I thought Targett looked very good on Saturday in a four and with someone to play off in front of him. Back to last season's form. Anybody know how Seb Revan is progressing and whether he could be back up? Priority for me is a DCM - swap Bissouma for Marv on Saturday and it would have been a cake walk! The other thing I would love to see is El Ghazi going out and a replacement in - Damsgaard and Alvarez were the mooted replacements in the summer? JPB looks a player but I want to see him go out and play a full season in the championship. That would do!

Yes. I found myself holding my breath a number of times yesterday. I love his effort, and name, but I feel we need a definite upgrade in there - I think we would have mullered Brighton on Saturday if we could have swapped Marv for Bissouma??

We look so much better when Ollie is down the middle - stretching CBs - and there is pace on at least one wing. This is not rocket science is it? I hope Stevie G can see this. I thought Ramsey and SJM looked good as 8's but I do find myself holding my breath every time Nakamba gets a bit of time on the ball!! The defence looks reasonably solid and Targett looks back to last season's Targett in a 4. Buendia is clearly the main challenge. He has an excellent one touch pass but seems to want to do every time/ is afraid to carry the ball. I think he would look better with Buendia and Watkins as they will stretch the play more and create the space he needs to work in. He desperately needs some confidence. Imagine that back 5 with Bissouma in front of them and SJM + 1 behind a front three of Bailey, Buendia (confident and firing) and Ollie. I'm hoping for that!!

One trophy in nine does not tell the story though does it? He has come to Rangers when they are a million miles behind Celtic and not only caught them up but gone past them. In doing so, he has cut the number of goals conceded from 50+ to 13 I believe. He has also been competitive in the Europa League. I do accept that he is not a Klopp or Tuchel, but there are very few managers around like that who guarantee success. People rave about Pep but he has always had the best side - from a Barca with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets etc. (I think is could win a CL with those players), to a strong Bayern, to the already strong Citeh with £'ms to spend, so I'm not sure even he would bring guaranteed success to the Villa? Personally I wanted Potter because I like him, he plays good football and he is from the area - but that is also why I wanted Deano and that didn't end up working out so well when his weaknesses became apparent. Gerard is a born winner and will command instant respect/set standards. He clearly knows how to organise a team and has a playing philosophy that should suit/play to our strengths. As for his links to Plop, any manager that does well with Villa/can take us to the next level would get linked to a big 6 club or a European giant and money/ambition talks (as we have seen with Jack - although his move appears to be driven by a desire for Manc totty!), But Gerard would probably only leave for Plop and that requires them having a gap so maybe even more secure than most? I for one am excited about his appointment!

Maybe McPhee can take on that role as I think SG has brought his set piece specialist?

Why reluctantly? He wasn't my first choice but I think he could be fantastic. He is the epitome of a born winner and that's what we need to set the standards!

Probably glad to get away from that area given the number of footballer's houses that have been burgled over the last few years!

I don't think he needs to be a genius to make a positive impression, he just needs to address the things that Smith was getting wrong and get the team selection right. Key for me is - Buendia is clearly not a 10. We need three in CM - you could see the change in the Arsenal and Saints game when we did this and we took control of the midfield. We need pace up front to stretch the opposition and make the space for Buendia to drift in to. Bailey-Ollie-Buendia for me BUT if Bailey is not fit then shift out Ollie (Ings/Archer in to 9) or play JPB ... No ponderous AEG! Return the defence to where it was last season. He managed to get Rangers from 50+ goals conceded to 27 to 13 last year so clearly knows how to organise/sort a defence and we showed last year that we have all of the necessary components to do this. I just want to see Stevie G's passion on the side and some decisiveness as well ... it always felt that Smith/Sharkey/Terry needed a 30 minute consultation before a change could be made during games. I think Gerard could be fantastic for us and here's hoping it starts on Saturday!

We have some excellent kids coming through. However, if we are aspiring to reach top 6 I don't think we want to be seeing much of them at this stage! Personally, I would have liked to see another central midfielder come in last summer (say McKennie or similar) and JJ go out on loan to the top of the championship and play 30+ games there. If he did well enough, he should then be coming back next summer and maybe push an established star out or get a loan out to a bottom half PL team to prove his capabilities. I don't see Chelski leaving space for Gilmour and Gallagher but, if they are good enough, they will force their way back in as Mount has. From what I have seen of JPB he should be in the championship playing 90 mins in the second half of the season. Unless we are not signing a new wide player to replace El Ghazi in which case I would use him ahead of AEG. Archer could also get loaned to the Championship. I think it is useful to have Carney and middle Ramsey and possibly Iregbonum around the first team squad but I think the first two need a good loan next summer. I don't want them learning on our dollar but I do want them getting proper experience and being developed in the right way.

I think they are both very good players, I just don't believe Ings was the right purchase for us for reasons set out above. However, now he is here I do think he will be a good squad player (albeit an expensive one!)

Again agreed, but buying someone like Edouard (half the price, much lower wages, much younger and happy to come south and play as first reserve) would have made much more sense to me. Use the headroom on McKennie or El Ghazi replacement.

Agreed. Fine player that Inge is, he just doesn't fit in easily. The pace of Bailey and movement/energy of Watkins are the perfect foils for Buendia's drifting inside, creating space by stretching defences.