NIVillan

Put it another way then. We finished 6th for 3 seasons in a row a few years back.Now, I bet every single person on this forum would be over the moon if we finished 17th We Finished champions of Europe 31 years ago and I would much prefer we went back to those days, but tha is the past. I was born when Villa were the champions of the 3rd Division. At 5 we were back in Div 1 and winning the league Cup. At 10 Champions of Europe. At 15 Relegated to Div 2. At 20 we were finishing 6th I think under Big Ron. at 25 5th under Brian Little. At 30 weeping at the demise of GT MK II. At 35 in the middle of the failed push to the top of ONeil. At 40 I survived Mcliesh and welcomed Lambert. Supporting Villa is a Roller Coaster ride. There are ups and downs but you hold on because in the end you enjoy and love the ride. As for finishing 6th three times in a row. Big Deal. Shows no improvement. We have to look to the future not the past. We need to find a new way to force Villa back to the top, just as the Journey started in 1972. It Took Ten years from becoming 3rd Div Champs to Champs of Europe. They did this despite Ellis being involved The radical thinking that took place then needs to take place now. The way has yet to be found but we must take gambles along the way that will hurt. I believe the gamble Lambert has taken with the youth is one of them. If it doesnt work so be it. The club will not die it will have to look for another way BUT at least the club is trying something different.

Also wasnt Ellis the Chairman when we went down to the old Third Division?

He could be very useful for us. One teams castoff is another teams diamond. We let Routledge go for cheap, so did other teams after us and now he is a vital part of the Swansea squad. Gary Mcallister was considered finished but became invaluable to Liverpool for a couple of seasons.

and me. Always thought Reo Coker did a fair job as a captain.

Okay none taken. But I have noticed my spelling and grammer went out the window when I was typing the reply in a miffed state of mind.

He was very interested in coming to Villa when ONeil was sniffing around a few years back.

I think thats the guy.

No players I was suggesting were not like Warnock or Hutton. Dunne is injured so cant fufil the role but we need a leader and experienced player who can shepard the young players through this difficult time. Best example but different sport was the England Cricket captain mid 70s who on his playing didnt deserve to be in the team but was such a good captain he was picked on that alone.

This was the first weekend that I thought we are down

Getting relegated for the first time in the mid 1930s. Up to then we were the club everyone else wanted to be.

Thats the thing we dont have anyone who could fil that role. Dunne seems to be on the injury list until his contract runs out. Warnock and Hutton have been made not welcome. Dunne would have been good.

We are currently naming a lot of good foreign players that could take time to settle in. Time is something we do not have. Remember When under Gregory, Ugo got injured (eye socket I think) and our season started to fall apart. He went and bought Calderwood for cheap to shore up the defense and bring in some experience. Not a glamour signing and he was found hiding in Spurs reservers. But he did a job. Isnt that what we need at the moment in addition to the new young up and coming players.

That is not a rule, just Bradford sticking to their dream of making the final vs a big dirty payoff.

Yes Stevo it was meant to be.

Was tongue in cheek Shillzz to be honest. But is there a rule to stop such a thing happening? Go and buy 3 or 4 of their players so they are not available for the second leg. For example is there anything stopping us buying their goalie who had a stormer of a game?

No I am not but Im guessing you some old condesedning old fart by your tone. I knew they would be cup tied but if they cant play from them if they were signed to us. Instead of putting people down all the time trying to look big perhaps like Daweii think about what is being suggested. I guess your not up to out of the box thinking

Could we not buy half the Bradford Team for cheap money to help us with the second leg

We signed Mellberg from a Spanish Team though so looking in Sweden wouldnt help

Okay Jimmy Rimmer - Arsenal Reserve Nigel Spink - Chelmsford City Kenny Swain - Chelseaa Winger we converted to Right Back Allan Evans - Dunfermline Striker we converted to CB Ken McNaught - Big Money Siging at time from Everton but was 28 so old Gary Williams - Youth Squad Colin Gibson - Youth Squad Des Bremner - Came from Hibs Not sure how ell known he was Dennis Mortimer - Coventry Gordon Cowans - Youth Squad Eammon Deacy - Irish League Not sure what Team. Wrote in asking for Trial Tony Morley - Div 2 player at Burnley Gary Shaw - Youth Team Peter Withe - Journeyman 28 yrs from I think Div 2 Newcastle but our record Signing David Geddis - Ipswich Reserve The above players were involved during 1980-1982 where we won the league and the European Cup. If that team/squad was put together now the majority here would be writing them off for relegation. Its not about buying big names etc it is about building a team and that can be done by buying players from anywhere. If they fit in and do a job for the team, the team is stronger.

As to Lescot's age etc. How old was McGrath and Merson when we bought them. Merson we paid at the time a high fee and I feel we got Value for Money from him. I cant see Lescott happening but it wouldnt be a bad thing. I like what Lambert is doing but a couple of older heads is good. Fuzzy memory time again but Im sure when the European Winning team was being sold off as they got old together and we used the Kids, we needed someone like Withe to be a figure head to the team. Not sure how young that team was but I remember a headline Barton's Babes when a young team with Paul Rideout up front beat West Ham 1-0. Old heads are needed to keep the youngsters in check!

We Did and we also had Rambo at the time, he didnt really sparkle until the season after when we had returned to Div 1. Platt took a couple of seasons to come through in our second season back in Div 1. Well thats how I remember it. As to lower league bargins : Shawn Teale was bought from then Div 3 Bournmouth.

My memory is hazy but Wasnt Platt originally bought in as a second striker to play alongside Rambo? He then moved into midfield at a later point and proved a success.

West Ham fan here at work mentioned that yesterday. I told him that Warnock is brilliant and will take them places. Hopefully down

Albrighton and Bannon? Not seen anything to suggest those two would be leaving

If we get 3 points from games away to Liverpool and Chelsea I will be happy. Guess I'm happy. I take a tonking against Chelsea as long as we beat say wigan etc to beating Chelsea and losing to Swansea like last year. Losing to the top teams doesnt affect our position that much but beating the teams around us will.