Tomsub

I totally agree with this. We always seem to belittle our players with this constant "good at this level" type of comment. He played very well and has played well all season. OK he struggled in the Prem but so did all of our players (apart from Benteke). He was young and inexperienced and asked to play in a critical position in a failing team. Since then he's been on loan and learnt and developed his trade. Let's celebrate that and wait and see how he performs in the Prem when / if we get there.

Bruce, Gabby or both?

Are you seriously suggesting Chester isn't an intelligent player!?

If we appeal does he get to play against the scum?

Errrrrr - yes we can. That's why we have a contract with him for 4 years.

Nothing is guaranteed with any manager but we only have to look down the road at the Boggies to see what sticking with a tried and tested manager does. I remember in his first two seasons they were calling for his head and deriding the type of football - it's all gone quiet now! We need to stick with Brucie for 3 years at least and let him gradually build a solid team - it won't happen overnight.

Whilst i tend to agree there is an argument that says to finish the season really strongly (with automatic promotion form) would enable us to hit the ground running psychologically (team and fans).

I most certainly would in terms of playing ability but in reality his time was up as he'd been the scape goat for too long. I would also have kept and played Tsishbola and I certainly would not have bought Bjarnason.

What I don't understand is why Hutton is apparently "a very poor player" and yet Taylor who I thought was the worse than Hutton defensively and going forward "looks a good buy"? My worry is that we hound these players out for the wrong reasons and then replace them with worse e.g. I would have Guzan back tomorrow.

This is just rubbish and you can't have been at the game. He was stronger defensively than Taylor and far more productive going forward. Taylor looks a good buy and solid - Hutton is ****!

What a load of rubbish.

This has to be the best post ever on VT!

Sherwood is blamed for a number of things which in truth weren't his fault. However, Brad's performance IMO was totally driven by the way in which Sherwood managed him. We all know that goalkeeping more than any position is about confidence and after the error at Man City Sherwood criticised him openly and it's clear his confidence was sapped. To compound the problem Sherwood then was very open about his pursuit of a keeper replacement - again Brad's confidence was further eroded. Remy seems to be gradually building his confidence and we are starting to see the results.

That's exactly right and in the semi he was one of our best players.

Can he play in goal?

John, As ever, an excellent summary. For the first time though I disgree with some of your ratings. For me Hutton was our MOTM and Delp I though was actually average given his normal performances. I have to say also that giving Sanchez a 5 is very, very generous. A 3 or maybe a 4 (at best) in my opinion.

Both his parents are Irish. Don't make no sense to me. He's 100% Irish blood. Just because he grew up in England doesn't change anything imo. But his choice, I imagine the problem is Ireland are utterly useless and nobody even bothers watching anymore. England are pretty terrible too so he could easily be a full international and get a to play in world cups. It just won't sit right if he represents Ireland all the way to U21 level then plays for England. Any person who can change nationality to suit themselves doesn't sit right at all. And where do you live?

Actually "Villa confirms" is correct - although I must admit it sounds slightly odd. The logic is that Villa and businesses in general are singular i.e. there is only one Aston Villa rather than multiple of them. On that basis "it (i.e. Villa) confirms" is correct - the alternative would be "They (Villa) confirm" which is wrong because "they" means multiple of them - as we know there is only ONE VILLA! Sorry to sound pious but I know this because years ago my old boss corrected a document I'd written and used "They" instead of "It" when referring to a specific company. Another example of incorrect use might be "BCFC are shit" when correctly it should read "BCFC is shit".

I imagine this would be your stock response to any signing we made tbfh. TBFH I’m sure you’re capable of imagining anything! And maybe your ability to dream can stretch to this lad becoming a good defender and passer of the ball once he has a few coaching sessions with Paul Lambert. Unfortunately back in reality he is an over hyped player on a downward trajectory. Lamberts form in signing second-rate left backs continues unabated. So far it’s Bennett, Luna, Bertrand and now this guy. Let's play a game: You've got £2m, who do you buy instead? You beat me to it! Who exactly would you buy for £1.75M then Villastine? Makes me laugh when they conveniently don't answer. I don't care what he has done for any other clubs, if he plays well in a Villa shirt, who cares? He can't be that bad if Liverpool took him on loan. I'd stop buying defenders that can't defend and midfielders that can't pass and rather than wasting money on lots of sub-standard players I'd buy 1 or 2 players that have capability. How much has Lamberk spend on left backs? Bennett, Luna, Bertrand loan......

Congratulations Lambert - another good deal.

The world of football is littered with Lambert's errors.

Best manager since saunders eh richard? yes he is and pity he was not afforded the monetary tools to show it Richard, In all seriousness, what are the points that make you suggest that he's the best since Saunders?

At least he never managed Blues. Pity he didn't, they'd be in the 1st Div now!

Didn't 'arry get rid of him when he was at Spuds?

Thats a bold statement But an accurate one! Can you honestly see Klinsmann giving up waking up in the sun in his villa overlooking the ocean in California for a 2up, 2down in Aston?