4Serious

Oh yeah, please. btw. I don't understand why English football fans (and you guys specifically) appear to care so little about the European Cup. For us, it's pretty much the highlight of the season to be able to compete against foreign teams and support our club in stadiums we've never played in. (especially since there are only 10 clubs in our league, so we are playing against the same teams over and over again. ) A lot of us do really care. I'd love to win this trophy. I think there's two things going on. 1.Defeatism. 'Our squad is small so what's the point, we'll just screw all of our chances.' These people do have a point, but I think no one knows what the future holds, so why give up? We may survive until Christmas and get in 5 players in some freak transaction, allowing us to challenge on all fronts. You never know. Submission is for the weak. 2. The Premier League is so hyped that people think it's all that matters. Some people would rather finish fifth than get to the Europa League final. I think it's mental, but it's a product of the ridiculous hype the English surround their league with. As for me, I say bring it on. I love learning about new clubs I know nothing about, and I think it's a privilege to play in Europe. At the same time, if we go out early I won't miss it hugely. I would like to see one cup run this year though.

Personally I feel you may be underestimating Rapid Vienna somewhat. They arent significantly worse than Wigan. This isnt some bunch of Icelandic or Eastern European no hopers, this is actually just about as hard a draw as we could have had. They have recent Champions League group stage experience and while they arent as good as they were ten years or so ago when they got to the Cup Winners Cup Final (one of two European finals in their history) they are still a really decent team. They arent brilliant for sure, but they will certainly give us a good game, and if we dont improve significantly from the weekend we'll get turned over. it will take two good performances to go through imho I also dont agree that this si a competition we can afford to go out of. not at all. We really, really need to do well in this cup, You're right, I may well be underestimating them. I just struggle to see how an Austrian team would stack up to a Premier League one, it's just an assumption I suppose. You make them sound quite handy, however. I still think that the pressure will be less in a Euro League game, and also due to being away from home. This team has been better away than at home for some time now. And lastly, you say we need two good performances but the thing about football is you can play terribly and lose 1-0, and still be in it in the second leg. Not what I'd choose, but this isn't a life or death match here. That might help. But your knowledge on Vienna is much appreciated, thanks for replying to a noob like myself.

I think this game is absolutely a blessing in disguise. If we didn't have it we'd be trying to correct all our myriad flaws in a mid-week premier league game. A loss there and suddenly the league is looking very ropey. In this game, on the other hand, the opposition won't be as good, and if we lose we can always turn it around at Villa Park. If we do go out of the Europa League, it doesn't mean our season's over, it may actually be another blessing in disguise. So MON can use this game to get his s--t together without the same pressure as a league match, and if we win we'll build confidence for Liverpool and begin the process of righting the ship. (I'd say the weekend is a lost cause already but my god Liverpool were also awful this weekend.) As for the team, there's just no reason to start Shorey. No reason at all. A youth team player couldn't be worse, and at least we'd get to see what he's about, give someone like Clark some experience. NRC must play, I'd love to see a 4-5-1, but if we play two up front I'd also love to see Fonz at some point. That said a game like this is one where Gabby could get a scrappy goal and gain some confidence as well, so I hope he starts. Looking forward to this game. Every team falls down, it's the getting up that shows you what they're made of.

Guys, I know I'm new here, but I have to say it. As bad as our team was today, some of the hysterics in the comments have been worse. It's football. Anything can happen. We have no divine right to win. It's difficult. There's no messiah manager waiting to deliver champ's league football. And as for those at the stadium, booing Ash Young is not on. This is our best player, who's given us so many great moments, the young player of the year, and we turn so quickly? He might head off to Spurs if this is the support he gets when the chips are down. Not cool. Not cool. I'd rather win, but if we lose I'd like to do it with dignity, please.

It feels like bringing Heskey in was a terrible, terrible event for this football club. Little has gone right for us since then. Something is wrong with our team spirit, too. Young's attitude today has been all wrong, Gabby invisible. And those are two of our good players. Really troubling. Thank god the window's not closed.

The spine of this team as it is seems diseased. Center mid is invisible, center backs hapless, Heskey worthless. We need Carew and NRC on now. Too late to salvage much. God damn it, really kills your enthusiasm for the new season, eh? But let's not write O'Neill and this season off just yet. Chequebook needs to come out, though.

Terrible half but it's only one half. Putting Delph in was risky, and has proved a bad decision so far. Our defence is as weak as we all feared. We know Shorey is hapless, but Davies and Cuellar need to step it up. More than anything, we're missing a calm head out there. Like Arsenal last year, we're suffering from no leadership. We have no one to slow the game down and put their foot on the ball. We're really missing Laursen and Barry. Those who thought we wouldn't were delusional. However!! With the right subs and a better gameplan, we can win this game. And a draw or loss on the first game of the season does not mean too much. Let's keep calm, but this is looking very poor so far. Veteran players required. Up the Villa.

I reckon we'll be down by one at the half, but our class will tell and by the 65th minute we'll be 2-1 up and take it home from there. 2-1 with Milner and Gabby on the score sheet. There'll be plenty to leave us worried, but also excited.

I'm neutral. We should have more than enough to beat Wigan tomorrow - wait, today!! - but unless we get a really capable CB in I can see our defence being a disaster. Laursen was immense, how will we replace the leadership he provided? Barry was also a calming influence on the whole side, but in terms of talent he's far more replaceable. We won't know the outcome of the transfers till the end of August, so I guess I'll choose to think the best until then.

I think a lot of people are disappointed that we haven't improved hugely. There's an argument that we've gone backwards. I see where these people are coming from. But personally I see a 6th place finish again. I don't think the season will be the rollercoaster last year was. We'll be less brilliant, but more consistent. With Barry and Laursen I really felt we could beat any of the top 4 bar Utd (soley because of their voodoo curse on us). Without them we'll struggle more against the top teams, but our best players are a year older and wiser, and I just don't see another collapse like last season. Another two defenders in and I think we'll also have better depth. Love the Beye and Delph signings, not gone on Downing but he's the sort of player MO'N should inspire. So no need for doom and gloom, but our epic chase for 4th last year is unlikely to be repeated.