blandy

Denis, not to answer for Gen. K, but the offer to shareholders and various bit's n bobs we were sent at the time did make it clear that some of the money would be a loan (from the Lerner Trust). Without doing a big rummage through, some of it is available on the net I have paer copies at home, and remember reading it at the time of the offer. 9. Financing of the Offer But basically, I think it was a case of Randy not having 67 million in lose cash knocking about at the time, and therefore getting some of the money from the Lerner Trust, at a fair commercial rate, rather than going to a bank.

There are better stations to visit than Marylebone, Chris. We were mainly drinking Guinness, but did manage to find 1 pint of proper beer - Bombadier.

Thank you for not writing "apostrophe's" - so many people have done that, that my goat has not only been got, but has gone completely. I am "sans chèvre", as they say down Arsenal way..

Sorry 'bout all the commas. I probably need to take a bit more time, and re-read them before posting.

What do we make of that then? I'll tell you what, be proud of the team and the manager, that's what. They were superb. I'm not so sure about some of our support, but yesterday saw one of the best Villa performances since Martin O'Neill has been manager. At this point your VillaTalk correspondent would like to apologise for the late arrival of the match ramble (in association with Black Beer), scheduled to arrive at 10:30 last night, but unfortunately delayed by the fact that Network Rail exists. Incidents on the line between Milton Keynes and Hemel caused the day to be a very long, and expensive one indeed. The day started well enough, albeit uncomfortably early for Bicks and myself, as a trip to fancy London means getting the train, for me at least at 7:30 in the morning. Meeting up with Bickster, we set off full of optimism. Soon however things started to go slightly awry. Something called "weather" had interfered with the, ahem, normally smooth running of our nation's strain, sorry, train, service. Weather had made a freight train fall over and break the metal road. Consequently, instead of arriving in London around mid-day, we were left bimbling about at Moor street for a good while, eventually catching a painfully slow Chunter line train down to Marylebone. The train was occupied, in part, by young Villans chugging down draughts of economy "Swillo brand" watery "lager", perhaps anticipating a shortage of pub time in London, and of course the high prices down there for Swillo. Arrival in London saw things improve, a couple of text messages later and after a quick ride on the under-tube, in the belly of a metal worm down in the caves we emerged into the sunshine to meet up with friends and acquaintances at Highbury and Islington. Cheers fellas. We talked amongst other things, over a few pints of Stout (no Swillo for us Northerners) about prospects for the game. We all felt that while any result was possible - something that for a good decade, just about, has not really been the case - Villa really did have a good chance to actually win. 1-0 to us was my confident prediction. Oh so close. A walk past down past the old the ground, now a building site, and into the Metal coliseum that is the Emirates. On my second visit, I was no less impressed than on my first. Though it's clearly a corporate paradise, it's still mighty impressive. It's a shame that the corporate shilling is quite so dominant, and it's a shame that some fans with flags were prevented from hanging them up, but a fine stadium it is. And there before us were the players. The game kicked off with Arsenal looking quite sprightly, but Villa also were looking to use our pace up front and really "give it a go". Arsenal's passing, touch and movement, even when they're not at their peak, remains an example of how attacking football should be played. They missed a couple of early chances, Fabregas shooting over, Walcott impressing, confident no doubt after scoring 2 against small heath last week. Speaking of last week, the unfortunate Eduardo, as people know, suffered a horrible injury at the Sty. The several hundred Villa fans, amongst the 3000, singing about this did not do us proud. What purpose it serves, and how it is of any help to Villa beats me. Human decency is lacking in too many people, sadly. Villa were coming more into the game, breaking brilliantly, the shape of the team was good, the midfield were closing down and tackling and then keeping the ball. Unfortunately we were dealt our first bad hand when Nigel Reo-Coker was injured and had to be replaced. Zat knight came on, Craig Gardner went to midfield and Curtis Davis moved to right back. It didn't affect our play, or the confidence of the team. Not too long before half time we got a bit of luck to balance things up. Gabby down the left, cut into the box, crossed the ball low and fast, and Phillip Senderous kindly finished the move off by tonking the ball past Almunia. Other chances for Villa were created, and Shaun Maloney, having a blinder, in my eyes, hit a fantastic shot towards the top left hand corner of the goal. The keeper just managed to finger tip the ball onto the post, and away. Scott Carson saved well from a good Arsenal chance. After half time, Arsenal again started very brightly and again Villa suffered what looked this time like a bad injury. Curtis Davies was stretchered off after twisting his knee, I think. And still people sang about Eduardo. Belief was beggared. Back to the football, Ozzy came on, Craig Gardner moved back to right back. But still Villa played on in the same vein, perhaps even better than before. What seemed like countless, but in reality was perhaps only 4, clear chances were created. Gabby twice, Ashley Young and later Marlon, on for Shaun, all could and perhaps should have scored. Almunia saved all of the efforts. Would we pay? It didn't look like it, though the pressure was building. Adebayor, almost, from 2 crosses, got an equaliser, defenders blocked and tackled, even big John got tackles in. Shots went wide. And still we were a threat on the break. 3 minutes injury time was signalled, and in the 4th of these 3 minutes with absolutely the last kick (but for the resulting kick off) Bendtner equalised. Arsenal rejoiced, Villa were gutted. Not rewarded fully for the effort and skill we put in. Tactically too we had got it right. Personally, though I'd absolutely love to have won, I wasn't at all down-hearted, and nor should the players be, for long. They were magnificent. That showing did us proud, it was an example of everything that has been improved on the field over the last 18 months. We're definitely, irrefutably, a good side now. We can match Chelsea and Arsenal on their own grounds. On one of those occasions we scored a last gasp equaliser, on another we conceded at the end. Them's the breaks. But, by playing as a team, by attacking and by no little skill and endeavour, along with a (mostly) excellent support Aston Villa is back as a club we can be proud of. A belated happy Birthday to MO'N. It could have been even happier, but he's given us one hell of a present, and better than that, a future. Some marks Scott - 7. One poor punch and some quality goalkeeping the rest of the time. Craig Gardner - 7 - better in midfield than at right back, but a good game from our tiger. Blasted one free kick over, got forward, tackled and chased and shot and crossed. Good work. Freddie Bouma - like Craig, splendid. One of his better games. 8 Martin Laursen - Another fine game from a fine, fine player. 8 Curtis - Another who played well, sadly injured, 7. (Zat Knight - splendid, 7) Ashley Young. Like With Martin Laursen, you know how good he is. Showed it again. 8 Shaun - He really impressed me today, 8 One cracking effort almost scoring from 25 yards. (Marlon, 7. Should have scored, was a real handful and kept the team going. He's gone from someone most fans really didn't rate, to a hugely popular player by dint of his commitment, attitude and goals. No question he was a good signing.) Nigel Reo Coker - good, again. Passing was accurate. Hopefully he'll not be out for long. 7. (Ozzy - ever more promising, stronger now. Slotted in seamlessly, as they say. 7) Gareth Barry - Control, reading of the game, passing..etc etc..(you know the script so well). Led by example. 8. Big John - Battled hard, strong, a leader. In possibly the only minor quibble I might have, he perhaps could have gone off, instead of Shaun, as he tired towards the end. 7. Gabby - Back revitalised, he terrorised Arsenal's defenders and made the goal. 8. Man of the Match - all of them. Team effort.

And back to DNA, the Leading Article in the Indie today makes some very good points

"This is how it feels to be City, this is how it feels to be small" what's the word? confluence, or something. Levi's and Gring's posts.

Goldfrapp - Seventh tree album - splendid. And an Owl involved, too. What's not to like

i'm sure that when I said on another thread i wouldn't grass someone up if i saw a minor crime taking place (minor ,i'm not talking rape or murder etc) i got a lot of flack.. good point. I think though that what people (well me) are concerned about is almost related to the tone. Informing, monitoring, snooping, etc - it sounds authoritarian and state controlled, sinister, basically. Personally, I feel that "civic responsibility" is a good thing overall. Therefore contacting the police if you have a concern over someone's actions or criminal behaviour is something that should be done, by and large. I didn't always hold that view, until burgled (while away) by the (then) next door neighbour and his mates - he was a drug dealer - much more so than I thought. I thought it was a few spliffs, but it turned out to be hard drugs. Anyway reporting crime, or suspected crime, is not quite the same as "snooping or monitoring" which implies surveillance, and going out of your way to nose into people's affairs, encouraged by the state. The State, which IMO is deliberately trying to scare people, to make them afraid, so that draconian powers can be introduced in the (ironical) name of "freedom". Yes we need to be more community aware, more responsible, perhaps, but not to become an arm of the Government.

crikey mj, you must be half deaf listening to all that metal. Bleeding ears, etc.

Seeing as I've got the thread to myself - "laser beam" by Low. Best listened to in the dark, undisturbed.

Big drum and guitar riff-tastic intro for "dancing the night away" the Motors. does anyone still scrobble

I've still got the double LP of that somewhere. Vinyl days. Hardly ever listen to it, but just sometimes... "there there (the boney king of nowhere)" by Radiohead was my just finished as I type this listen. next "c 'n' c-s mithering" by the Fall, I think

"let the bells ring", by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

When I read about the harm that alchohol does, and that fast food does, and that smoking does, it scared me I tell you. I vowed immediately, there and then to give up....reading

No. The cluture of this country is being damaged by Government f*ckwittage. Pubs in villages and towns are closing because of the level of tax on beer and the smoking ban. Meanwhile Tesco is knocking out alcopops and tramp juice at discount prices for kids to drink in bus stops. And people can go to France and get drink at half the price. There may well be a drinking problem in the UK, but tax is not the way to solve it.

Love Bomb - Grinderman.

The home office is using and recommending that coercion be used. It was supposed to be voluntary. In this big debate, there are "for" and "against" - one source or the other has to be used. I'd have thought home office documents should support and explain why it's such a "good" thing. But they don't. That's be casue it isn't and they therefore can't.

Sorry, General, but I don't agree that nothing has been proposed. It has been proposed to look at adding an extra game to each team's fixtures, to be played abroad, with the ties to be drawn out of a hat. In the same way the league is looking at it (with a view to what? actually proceding, I presume, or else why bother) we as fans want to voice our disapproval of the CONCEPT. When you say you "will not play" that's fine. No one is having a go at you, or your communication with us, quite the opposite, but if this thread is to be of use to us, we have to be able to say what we think, respectfully. There are some people whose faith in the way the Premier league is run are perhaps not so, er, trusting as yourself. We're the ones who travel up and down the country at inconvenient times for us, at the behest of the TV fixture people, we're the ones who would see (or not see) our English League games be moved abroad. This move is clearly about "exploring" how much money could be made for the league. Is it likely to be profitable. It's not about sporting integrity. The fans who go to games contribute to the coffers of the league and the clubs, and we would, again, lose out. I believe it will be clear that fans of all clubs would be overwhelmingly opposed to what is potentially a massive move. To me at least this is a big issue. More important than pies or toilets or car parking or signage. Part of the "looking at" that the league will do needs to tke account of fans views on this, and this place is not such a bad place to start off voicing those views, whether supportive of or against the "idea".

I have to say it makes perfect sense to me, General. The English Premier League, should, in my view, be played exclusively in England between English clubs. That's all there is to it. Yes. Either the premier league is thinking about playing games abroad, which is wrong. Like fraud is wrong or "passing off" is wrong, or or it isn't thinking about it. It's just weasel words - "Exploring" or , "talking about contemplating exploring" not keeping it that way is to me either a) pointless or a betrayal of the traditions and ethos of the game by the Premier League. One of the very few clear black and white issues.

'bout right, I guess. 'nuff money for me, anyway. I try not to get things wrong and to get things right, and If I don't get things wrong, and do get it right, I'm worth it ( I think).

It's a good post because it captures the issues, IMO, as does the other one quoted below it. People all reach their own conclusions from the circs, and fair play on that. Personally, the only other thing that comes into it, for me is "expectation". people all expect different things from the club and the team. So the way I see it is that my expectation this season was that the club and team would improve over last season. Somehere around a top 7 finish, better players and signs of progress being sustained into the future. So despite playing not that well in recent games - 2 points from 9 is about what we've deserved, to be honest - I don't feel that we're failing, overall, to meet what I'd see as realistic expectations. I'm not bothered about whether anyone else has got better or worse, or done better or worse in the window. Just Villa. And I think that the co-incidence of the closure of the window, with just one in and one out, and the defeat has amplified people's reactions. The window itself was a bit disappointing, both in that a player I really rate left, and that only one came in, albeit in a position we need someone in at. I accept, personally, that the club tried to get who they wanted, but (like a lot of other clubs) were thwarted. I don't like it, but I understand it and accept the reasons given. Now we're where we're at, it's just a case of re-focusing on what has got us to the decent position we're in and eliminating a few of the mental errors that have been creeping in. Unlike LV, I'm in the first camp put it down as 'one of those things', 'typical Villa' and 'oh well it's a hiccup in the long term' and move on is pretty much my view. I just can't see the point in getting too bothered about it. It's not like we can do anything about it, as fans. Finally, I think that Manager, players, fans, everyone should almost ban this "small squad, need to strengthen" talk until we're in a position, as a club, to do something about it. And we should ruddy make sure we DO take action when that chance arises. Enough "excuses" just get on with it.

sha. Newcastle might be a bit of a comedy in terms of how it's been run, but they have great support, a big ground, and it's a decent away trip. I don't like the media love in, and the Geordie nation guff, but then weighed up against sha, well....

It's an interesting comparison, particularly in the approach the team takes as much as the types of players/comparisons. I guess it shows that some of the basic principles of good teams remain the same and you're spot on about the 80/81 team being far better than the sum of it's parts. The mix was perfect. Nice change from the frenzy about nothing on some of the other pages.

They're probably glad to delay it. It was a move for the sake of courting an opinion poll rating, not for any genuine well thought out reason, IMO. Now with all the exposure of how unsafe "our" data is, it's (unsurprisingly) a vote loser overall. Result - bin it, but don't actually say so. Absolutely inevitable. It might get dragged out again at some point, but the practice and the theory are miles apart, and the theory isn't exactly lacking in flaws anyway. The more you find out about how it all works, the more sceptical, even cynical, you become of the whole rotten system. As you say, burn them all.