wilko154

Just as we were about to revolutionise world football with a back four containing 4 right backs... Smith Out

No chance; if that were the case they would have sacked Bruce at the start of the last international break after being battered by Sheff Utd, it was the perfect opportunity.

Imagine supporting Aston Villa your whole life and then being appointed manager! He's literally living the dream today, turning up this morning at Bodymoor, being kitted out in all the latest gear, photos being taken in front of the Villa badge. No wonder the bloke looks like a chesire cat. Fair play to him!

Why is he using a laptop when he has a computer in front of him?!

Does anyone know what time the press conference is today?

After the last 10 years and succession of owners failing to look after the basic needs of Aston Villa Football Club and almost running the club into the ground, you have to appreciate the way Doug ran the club when he was in charge. He had his shortcomings as an owner but no one can take away from him the love he had for the club. RIP Doug

There's a difference between a striker controlling a ball played to him when one on one with a defender or a striker, in comparison to a striker who has dropped deep into the midfield to pick up the ball after not receiving any service for 90 minutes and then having to make up 60 yards alone. There's also a difference between a 5 foot 9 striker receiving a ball to feet or to run onto, in comparison to a 5 foot 9 striker having a ball hoofed long to him and then having to compete against a 6 foot 4 centre half to win possession. I'm not saying Scott Hogan is instantly going to become a 20 goal a season striker again. However if you watch the video of the goals he scored for Brentford, have we really supplied him with chances like that since he has been at Villa?

McGinn injury?

Tuanzebe and Chester, our only centre back pairing?

Watch this video and then tell me why he needs a good touch when playing in a team providing assists on tap. If we get the midfield setup in the correct way with Hogan playing on the shoulder then he will bang in goals. He's a poacher, not a playmaker or a target man.

We paid Brentford 300k compensation.

I would imagine that the talks between Villa, Smith and Terry have been ongoing since last week and that on the back of these Terry has retired to work as assistant manager. I do wonder though how long into them both working with the team they realise that him playing alongside Chester would make the whole defensive unit a lot stronger. Even if he just played until January when we can get in another centre back. Saying all of this I think Tuanzebe was excellent in the last two games, despite conceding so many goals.

Romantic nourishment?

What a great appointment this is! Really pleased. Smith employs the exact style of football we have been crying out for for the last 2-3 seasons. Possession based football with an intent to attack. He will make a massive difference to the midfield which we currently bypass throughout games, this can easily rectify a few problems from the start. The key now is to get as many of his backroom staff in as we can so that they can all coach the players the 'new way' as soon as possible leaving JT to sort out the shambles of a defence we currently have. How long do we all think JT will go until he gets his boots back out?

I'm so bored of this now, just bring back Bruce and be done with it.

He looks like Joey Barton

Based on?

Christ, I bought a ticket to QPR away thinking we would have a manager sorted and things would all be rosy by then. I have a horrible feeling MacDonald will still be in charge and players will still be running around like headless chickens. Why is nothing ever easy at this place?!

So it seems Henry isn't 'undecided' on Villa, he is just keeping his options open with Monaco. I believe he will go there given the option.

How can Henry be 'undecided' on whether he want the job? Has he not thought about it at all after being linked with the job in the summer? Has he not thought about it for the last few week's where the pressure mounted on Bruce and talk was whether he would be sacked or not? Has he not thought about it since last week when Bruce was sacked and he was announced favourite? It might be media drivel, but if not sack him off and move on to the next one. We don't need someone who is in two minds over whether he even wants the job.

Play the single player leagues for a couple of seasons to build up your squad, also squad battles are worth playing as the rewards can help to build your team. I now have a decent team built from La Liga players all 80+ rated (although I am yet to get a top quality player in there), I have 22,000 in the bank and have been playing FUT Draft in the hope I pick up someone decent with the rewards (I also enjoy playing Draft). I haven't spent a penny of my own money on it and never will. As with every season I won't play an online game until I think my team is strong enough to compete. Like you said though you normally always end up playing someone with Messi and Ronaldo up front and consistenly lose games.

I would rather we went the route of Benitez or Rodgers over Henry, so if he doesn't take the job I wouldn't be too bothered. Both are experienced but not dinosaurs in tactical terms as some of the names previously mentioned are. I think by the sounds of things Terry is most likely coming in as a coach regardless of the new manager, unless they don't want him. I can't really see a downside to employing him as a defensive coach for the season.

Goods to hear the effect he has had on the strikers. I was getting worried that some of our fans are going overboard on the fact that Abraham, Kodjia and Hogan are about to become the greatest strikers in the world with two weeks coaching from Henry. As a coach the above sounds pretty encouraging, but as we all know the step up to management is pretty big and the role will be completely different to coaching an international team for a couple of weeks a year.

Purslow sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I imagine in the previous regime they identified someone and brought them straight in without an interview or asking any questions on the managers vision for the club. If we keep hiring managers without identifying a clear football style to go forward with we will be back in this position in a few years time.