Bomvilla7

Seems like the things a picking up a bit of pace now, but glad to see that they are promising young players and we're not paying crazy fees. A part of me still thinks that Jack might stay. We haven't heard anything from his side yet and he played last night, and doesn't seem to be kicking up a fuss. Plus apparently Spuds either haven't actually bid yet or are miles off agreeing a fee. I think if we get through today and tomorrow it will be too late and NSWE will shut the door on that one.

I'm excited by McGinn tbh, I think he will improve our midfield in in the way we hoped Lansbury, Hourihane would when they joined. Hopefully our championship version of Milner back in the MON era. 

I still think we are not going anywhere without a decent striker - either that or Kodija and Hogan discover their shooting boots asap. 

7 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

If Recon is to be our shirt sponser does that mean they can pay whatever they went to sponsor the club? Hence more revenue for signings? 

hhhmmm Interesting. Surely there is something FFP that forbids that? although I remember City & Etihad did something similar.. 

11 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

This is where automatic promotion was lost in my opinion. 

Reading, Shef Wed, QPR, Bolton, Norwich. 

5 points from that lot (teams you should be at least getting a point against) and we are second now. 

IMHO it was the QPR & Bolton losses that really hit us hard at a crucial time 

9 hours ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

He has been an inspiration and the signing of the season. 

Will he stay for another season?

Even if he does not play much next season, a person of his experience would still be totally vital to have here on and off the pitch.

 

I think he will want to give the Prem one more crack. 
One thing is for certain, I'm a hell of a lot more confident of keeping 2nd place with him in the team than without. He is a proper leader and a winner, you could see that with his reaction after the game yesterday. I hope Chester is also benefiting from his presence. Brilliant piece of business. 

On 2/3/2018 at 22:20, Keener window-cleaner said:

I think it's a good decision not to give him a new contract. For all of his good attitude, energy, running and commitment, he still can't pass the ball properly. And he is a liability, although he has been more reliable of late.

What is worrying for me is the reasons given, that we can't afford to give out any new contracts. If that is true, does it mean that even if we go up, we can't give out new contracts? Never mind signing any players? 

I think its more to do with a "let's wait and see where we are before we commit to new deals". Players will be gunning for new contracts now that we are on a roll, arguably the teams stock is high currently so anyone with 12 months or less and playing will be pushing for a big contract. No issues with Hutton not getting a new contract, I think his time is up and he will go back to the SPL. If we do go up, it should be an interesting summer window that's for sure.

21 minutes ago, El-Reacho said:

If we went up I'd be hoping for better than Grabban up front. He's obviously a top class championship striker but that's his ceiling. Like Gestede maybe.

He would be a useful option to have as backup, but I'm sure we would be looking for a first team striker if we went up. 

if we could keep the core of Johnstone, Chester, Snodgrass, Grealish, Adomah and get Kodja firing again, that would be a great start. Supplement with with some quality signings and I would think we would be ok for a first season back in the PL. Anyways, long way to go in that race yet. Its a problem to worry about if/when we actually get promoted.

56 minutes ago, NurembergVillan said:

They are.  It's an incredible squad they've got there.

Interesting to note, though, that they've only won 2 of their last 6 league games and haven't scored in the last 3...

They were due a sticky patch, unfortunately I still think they have a brilliant squad and expect them to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later. 

I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see it atm

Terrified he will leave even if we go up. 

4 minutes ago, sne said:

Snoddy, Johnstone, Onomah, will go

Terry might retire or not sign a new contract. Samba will also go.

Jedi and Whelan will IMO not have the legs to play in the PL, or maybe even the Championship next season.

Our best LB is Hutton  and he's finally out of contract, as i s Gabby.

We need a new #1 striker and competition on the flanks, but our offensive options are sorta fine if Green and Grealish can take another step. If they can...

We will likely need a new keeper, CB and improvements on both RB and LB. And new holding midfielder.

I make it 6-7 starting 11 players in, and even then we are relying on our youngsters to step up (something I'm very much for).

Thing is these changes will need to be done, to a lesser extent even if we are not promoted.

Big season this one, big season next season too.

I would hope that we would go all out to try and keep Johnstone & Snodgrass.

But worried about an extra CB & Midfield - I think Grealish will benefit from a consistent manager & game time so think he will be ok. Green I'm not sure on yet. 

RB & LB will need an upgrade but not a priority I think

28 minutes ago, Nigel said:

Weeks break after this. Just hope 3 games in a week is not too much for some. 

They are full time professionals with state of the art facilities and a full coaching & sports science team behind them. They should be fine. 

I appreciate its intense and the required fitness levels are far beyond mine, but most of that team are in their mid twenties, they should be able to cope, plus we have Grealish & Jedi back to bring some extra energy

We should be taking the game to Ipswich from start to finish, especially as they have a days less rest than us.

Must win, and comfortably at that. They are shocking, and are bottom for a reason. We really should be dictating the game from start to finish. Comfortably win please!

On 11/2/2017 at 19:53, Reivax_Villa said:

We need another striker on loan 

These players are struggling for game time right now

John Walters 

Charlie Austin

Leanardo Ulloa

 

I would add Shane Long to that list. Would take him all day long if it was an option.

Grayson has probably committed career suicide with that move, and I do feel for him. They are in an awful mess and makes me appreciate that we appear to be on the way back up. 

But he was mad to take it, he had a positive thing going at PNE and the signings he made there before he left are doing really well at the moment.

I don't think we ever hit that low a level (thankfully!) but they are in serious trouble on and off the pitch. 

The next 2 games against Burton (A) & Bolton (H) I think will tell us where we are. Win both those comfortably and we will be back in the mix.

They are games that we would have struggled & drawn last year so hoping to see a marked improvement & continue our good run of form.

16 minutes ago, villaglint said:

Colchester supporting mate of mine reckons they are pants at the moment and is bracing himself for a painful evening. 

 

Good, I'm glad to hear someone fears us at least a little

On 8/7/2017 at 01:47, Hornso said:

The Villa of the previous years would **** this right up, time to show we've turned a corner.

This is exactly where my head is at. This is a game where we should control it from the start and win comfortably 2 or 3 nil.. if we have in fact turned a corner.

A win would do our confidence some good before we head to Cardiff & Reading.

-------------------- Johnstone ----------------

Hutton --- Chester --- De Laet--- Amavi

Elmo---Onomah---Hourihane---Green

------------- Hogan ---------- Gabby----------

Empty the subs bench then as needs be

Would be surprised to see him start tomorrow, needs a chance to train with the squad. Could get a start against Colchester on Weds alright though.

Yea agreed, 

5 minutes ago, Phumfeinz said:

He's just signed a new four year contract with Spurs so it's very much a loan only

 

 

4 minutes ago, Dante_Lockhart said:

Exactly. He's gonna have fight in him to prove he's got what it takes. Just the kind of mentality we'll be needing for the promotion push.

Ah right, very happy with this anyways. He should be really eager and that positivity will definitely help us get off on the right foot.

Honestly, you'd never know with Spurs, they could sign a few midfield players in the next month and if they qualify for the champs league again next year, he could well find himself heading back to a club where he might not be guaranteed much game time. If he does well with us and enjoys his football, he might want to come back or stay (and play regularly in the PL when we get promoted )

Great addition! Glad he is here for the whole season, it should give him a real chance to make an impact. 

Hopefully some clause inserted so if he does well we can get him back, either permanently or on loan again.

Did he sign a new contract with Spurs before he joined us?

threw a 10er on us at 13/2 last week. Last season, when you looked at Newcastle they clearly stood out above the rest with a great squad and experienced manager. Perhaps we are not quite in the same mold but when I look at us now I do think we have lots of the qualities they had and I can't see anyone else that comes too close, besides Boro. A good start would do our confidence the world of good

I reckon it will be something like this. Maybe swop out Gabby for Hourihane and put 5 in midfield. 

I think we will give Hull a good game. They have too many new signings & a manager so I just can't see them as settled as we are. 

Assuming Kodjia is not fit to start...

-------------Hogan-----------McCormack-----------

Grealish-----Hourihane-----Lansbury-----Adomah

Taylor--------Chester--------Terry---------Hutton

------------------------Johnstone-----------------------

33 minutes ago, wilko154 said:

Where was Elphick last night?

Is he leaving?

'Arry was linked with a move to bring him across the city. No issues with him leaving, turned out to be quite disappointing.

So has there been any other concrete links (in or out) or insight into where SB actually wants to strengthen?

Considering the Hull game is about 3.5 weeks away and pre-season has started, I'm sure he would want to give the squad some time to gel and form some sort of understanding on a football pitch. Its so crucial that we get off to a good start this season.

16 minutes ago, KSV said:

yeah who knows.. Media may be linking us assuming McCormack still out of favour.. Crouch rumours were bs. 

If we go to a back 3.. we may need to get another CB.. even if Elphick stays.. maybe thats why Samba is still here. Baker is injury prone and Terry is old. Back 3 wont work with Elphick Samba and Chester. 

He's hardly still here is he?! please no.