RMB

We need to use our wide players WIDE. If we use Gabby and N'Zgobia wide then we are going to create more space. At the moment we just try and ram through the middle which we can't do and dont have the players to do. In all fairness I thought Everton played really well and although we were dire first half I thought we picked it up slightly second half. Still unbeaten!!

I don''t care about come bloody dine with me this is the match thread!!!! :evil:

Fair enough if people don't want to go because they don't think the team are good enough to compete but as long as I had the money I think I will keep going no matter what the team/manager/league etc. I just see it as supporting my team/club financially and supporting them to succeed. The fan base will always be bigger than any owner/manager/player. We make this club. It is our club. I understand people don't want to go because they think we aren't good enough and don't like the board... well if you will only be happy and go to matches if the team is winning leagues and cups consistently then there are a few remote clubs that you may aswell be supporting. I enjoy the collectiveness, the hope, the tradition. Everyone is different I suppose, that is just see it. I realise this has started to sound like an 'I'm a better fan than you' comment but that is just how I see it. If I wasn't going to get a season ticket it would be because I couldn't afford it or couldn't get there.

What CI said ^

Thought we did alright against what is a pretty good team. Heskey is good at holding up the ball, I think he would be a better option further forward and central and allowing our attacking players to play around him. Heskey did play well today on the wing though.

Got to watch low quality version and it isn't the best

I also need Villa to win to bag 100 quid.

I'm hoping we start with, -----------------Given------------------- Young---Collins-----Dunne---Warnock ----------Makoun--######----------- *******------Bannan---------N'Zogbia -----------------Bent-------------------- ##### - Petrov or Gardner. I don't know if they will want to push Gardner this year in which case I would go Stan but if they want to push him in to the team this year then I would start him today. ****** - Gabby or Albrighton. I'm a big fan of Bannan and think he could do a good job behind in the middle for us. I think we should go with what will be our starting XI in league matches and for me it would be this.

Mcleish has to make sure that ALL the squad are fit enough should they need to step in. You can't have 11 players fit enough and rest of the squad lacking fitness. As just mentioned also considering they only got back from Hong Kong couple days ago...

Hang on, I thought you were being sarcastic again? I've heard them mention it about 5 times so far. Or were you being sarcastic and then sarcastic again which caught me out because I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic?!

Are you sure? I haven't heard it mentioned?

BRAD NO GOLAL FOR YOU GUZANS TIME TO STEP UP

We shouldn't be wasting energy before the Fulham game? Seriously pal? :? Why Derby ? Weren't Blackburn available ? How many Prem teams have you seen play each other this year? Real Madrid played against Leicester at Leicester the other day... does that make them fools?

^^^^ PLEAAAASEEE!! Edit: in reply to CM

Usually when listening to commentary I can gauge a picture of the game as they commentate. Jack Woodward is too busy trying to break his own record for using most adjectives in a match to give a good description of what is going on!

Petrov isn't playing though is he POB?

Did anybody follow this after week 2 last year?

YESSS I'm joint top!!

Score?

I wouldn't worry about the team as yet. It is the only time AM will get to experiment and try something different. There are about 5 other pre season friendlies still before the start of the season!

This poll... wow. Maybe Randy really has shot himself in the foot with appointing Mcleish.

Just had a look on the OS and they still have the original allocation listed and it says that all blocks have good availability... grr!

Walsall have already played a game or two so might have a little more in the tank than us. Obviously a win isn't important but it would be nice!

Would you like a slice of lemon to go with your glass of hindsight?

You would think if Whelan did give Villa a price and he has upped the valuation that it would be in the best interests for all parties to get the deal tied up asap really. We get N'Zogbia for a good portion of pre season, N'Zogbia comes to a bigger football club (with all due respect), they get money in the back and a large amount of time to find a replacement. I think Villa are playing the part of the desperate boy trying to pull the good looking girl, just need to cool off the interest a bit and when Whelan realises it is a good offer and there is noone else he will come running back! (Hopefully)