gilbertoAVFC

Decimating Germany. Such a talent.

Nothing against Duran but if we are going with him ahead of Archer this season it'll be head-scratching. Send Duran on-loan, Archer is clearly ready.

Rested or not, he's still playing a CM at RB (Garner; never plays there for club), a RB at LB (Johnson can do a job there but you have Thomas right there) and Anthony Gordon up front (literally only played there when everyone else was injured at the start of last season). It's bizarre how over-complicated this group stage is being made into. We were lucky to beat Czech doing similarly experimental things.

Lee Carsley is a strange bloke.

It's probably Gerrard. Must have a fair bit of time on his hands.

We don't have a single right footed left winger, and have two left footed right wingers? Am I missing something? And no Buendia and Ramsey are not right footed left wingers.

Konsa just ain't a right-back. Though Unai did turn Foyth into one of sorts iirc.

Agree. Shows a lack of understanding from the club about important things, such as fans saying goodbye to genuinely one of the best servants the club has had this century. Would've been much easier to get for fans and player if this was resolved - whichever way - before Brighton at the latest. Not as if there's not been enough time.

Just think this has been judged on a spreadsheet rather than sentiment. You could argue that's how you run a business, but football has many emotional/non-quantifiable elements and that includes things such as experience/dressing room presence/player-fan relationship (all of which he sits at the top). Considering he has done a more-than-competent job this season, I don't agree with this unless he was demanding excessive wages.

Surely this is a wind up

He's there to offer competition. He's not going to be a definitive starter, but he certainly improves the squad. We have no right-footed left winger unless you include Philogene (who is unproven). Ramsey's done brilliantly but he is naturally a central player. Don't really see the issue.

Maybe they should just automatically qualify for the Champions League every season because we won it once.

On the plus side, at least we can't get CSKA Moscow...

Nico Williams' is potential and Kang-in plays for a mid-table side in a far poorer league. Barnes is ready and proven over several seasons in this league, lives about 45 mins away from Bodymoor, will be relatively cheap for an English player, and has put double figures away from the wing for a poor side. Absolute no brainer than take a complete punt on somebody who, no offence, you've probably not really seen much of who has to settle here.

Any word on Digne/Moreno? I hope we don't put McGinn left-back or something for such a big game - has to be Young if they're out.

David Coote ref... Uh ohhhhh

You're right but my point was it makes the game against Brighton itself much, much easier, and I don't particularly care about Europa over Conference.

Might be rose-tinted glasses, but that late goal we conceded is actually good for us. If Brighton beat Southampton, they are effectively in the Europa League due to vastly superior goal-difference. They should win. If they don't, they play City, who will likely rest. I think City are less likely to rest tomorrow than midweek because a) they're at home tomorrow b) it's midweek game and c) they've done all their prep regardless of how Arsenal do. I basically think it's very likely Brighton will be on the beach. Had we have won, we'd be going toe-to-toe. I feel quite confident we better Brentford and, honestly, I think Spurs lose to Leeds!

It's so so counterproductive to get on any player's case - especially after such a good run. But to over-criticise your main and almost only creative outlet is so so dumb. Because he's going to play it safe, which is exactly the opposite of his job. He needs to be confident and free. You have to just accept such a player will be off it at times. Bores me to tears how predictable it is from Villa fans. Always has to be a scapegoat doesn't there.

Would fit our style really well, whereas most other sides would need to adapt their style to fit him in. It's actually perfect. His "injury record" is pretty much "had long COVID" and a knee problem. Not missed many games this season. It really does make sense. Used to watch Italian football for a living and he is an unbelievable footballer.

Unbeaten in ten, scored in 20 games in a row, kept 7 clean sheets in 10, and people are saying our most creative player in that run and one of our most hard-working defensive players to boot is not good enough. Truly boggles the mind. We really do have some miserable fans. Also to say he's as good as Traore We are not in Europe yet, and people think we should replace the players who are most contributing to us even having a chance of it. Wonder if his surname was Goodday from Sutton Coldfield, whether people would be picking holes.

Hmm. Confidence is certainly low but he's certainly not worse than Nyland. He's playing at a higher level and also bear in mind he is being compared to arguably our greatest keeper ever. One thing that we could do with is not giving him sarcastic applauses on Tuesday or anxious sounds when he is around the ball. Not exactly going to help.

Surely 'Teach Me How To Dougie' is the logical song. Pretty easy too.

Exactly. Previously the crowd would build a much better atmosphere in the final 10/5 mins before kick-off. Now it's just rubbish music and the entrance music (which is fine but also way too loud) right up to kick-off. No atmosphere at all until a ball is kicked usually. Genuinely think it gives the opposition an advantage.

Turn the tannoy downnnnn