mikeyp102

If players can't cope with a few moans and groans from a crowd then I would question whether they would make it at the top level. Virtually every player will receive criticism, be it from home or away fans. It is up to the player to prove those critics wrong. For example look at gabby, he normally plays best when the opposition fans are giving him gip "moms a whore etc" thus rubbing the criticism back into them. I think villa fans have been very patient, even when mcleish was in charge, it wasn't until feb/march time that full vocal dissatisfaction was shown. The last few games at home have been truely woeful and therefore I can't blame some fans for showing their feelings. It is up to the players to put in a good performance to get the crowd going.

I said at the start of the summer transfer thread that the 4 main positions we needed to strengthen were; lb, cb, dm, am... We got 2 of those ( let's not discuss the merits of those here), so I'm hoping (not expecting) we now get the dm and am needed. Be it loan or permanent signings we need those players to aid the defence and supply the attack

One of his strengths last yr was his off the ball running, used to stretch other defenders giving the beast more space. Not doing that as well this yr which is resulting in congestion in the middle

Lilly savage has done a write up in him. Obviously from that word removed it isn't very good. Only interesting stat was that he is getting virtually the same amount of chances than last yr (just over 2 per game). Last season everything he hit turned to gold, this yr its just not working. He will come good again I'm sure of it. He is starting to make intelligent runs again, just needs the right pass

Anichebe has played well a few times against us

I thought against utd he improved a bit from previous performances but was still miles away from where he was last yr. I think a goal will boost confidence and get him, just needs that lucky strike or deflection. Even when he was scoring this yr, he didn't look the best he can be, think his head is definitely turned and will be off.

Playing devils advocate but you could argue that vlaar and Clark have improved due to get used to the prem (coming from foreign/youth leagues respectably). You could also argue that Delph has improved because he is now fully match fit after being out with long term injuries. Finally you could also say that Westwood hasn't improved as he still is poor off the ball.

Tom Ince would be a waste of money and time. We play too narrow for wingers No way, Tom Ince would be great for us. He comes inside a lot as well as staying on the wing and would be great for a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2. He's also a very confident player and i think he would really fit into our team. For around 4m he would definitely provide value for money and improve our current first team as well as the squad Why would he only be 4m?

If villas boas is sacked would anyone want him here?

Whilst he does keep possession ticking, he is too slow on the ball and stops the impetus of an attack. Off the ball he just switches off and doesn't track his man.

Really missing vlaar, it's only in his absence we see how vital he is

I like a lot, liked the formation at the start, and for the first ten minutes we looked like we were going to go for it. But once we conceded it was game over. The players were not good enough and again lambert failed to react to what was happening on the pitch, this may be down to the lack of options, but as some have alluded the majority are his signings.

Was on the bench today. Actually thought he could've got the last 10 mins today. Would've been good to get some minutes under his belt. We need to see what he can do in an attacking role, where he played for youth team.

Only bright spark, well done MA. Deserves to keep his place.

Was bad as anything Bennett served up last season

Is that a stout if not its bloody dark

Was about to say hope we go for it. Today will show lamberts metal, a utd side low on confidence shouldn't be feared

Ragnick apparently being linked again

Wouldn't be surprised to see them go for the Walsall manager. He used to working on a budget, brings through young players and plays good football. Would be relatively cheap to hire as well

Very strange move. I never rated Clarke but this is stupidity. Who could they get better? The board have said wages are at their highest so we should be doing better but at then a few ago saying they are shooting above their level and should be in championship

Did you close your eyes at that part? Well I do have a blood aversion which can cause me to faint, but alas didn't need to on this. I know it's a zombie film and all unrealistic but to survive that just took the piss

Not seen many this yr. so suppose it would have to be world war z (apart from the plane crash scene)

After watching an abysmal performance by villa on Sunday, got very drunk, went home and started a massive argument with the missis. Still in the dog house

I can agree with a lot of this, I suppose it depends on the position of the player and situation in a match. For example CB is very hard to blood young players on because a mistake can lead to conceding a goal which could lower confidence. However, a winger/forward is less likely to have an impact on a defeat because in theory if they lost the ball in the attacking third, there should be enough cover in place. The same as game situation, if it is tight then it is a risk bringing on the youngster as it could affect the result. But if the result is seemingly already decided (winning/losing by a comfortable margin, with a short time frame left) then in my eyes putting the young player on for a few minutes is a better option than a tried and tested player.

Exceptional examples - not many 18yo get a £5m signing-on fee for example Ok so what about the likes of sterling, suso, wisdom etc at Liverpool? They were all given run outs at a young age.