jackbauer24

Coutinho undoubtedly was a superstar. Is he now? Definitely he is still an incredibly talented player but for the figures mentioned, I'd seriously question the value for money. We've seen some sublime skills from him but I'm not sure how many games he's truly dictated or, more importantly, changed. In recent games Buendia has contributed more in his cameos and is arguably being held back from settling in to the team by accommodating Coutinho. So Coutinho or Buendia and £70-90m (inc wages) to spend on other areas of the squad? I like the idea of Coutinho and his stardom but I am actually pleased the Villa hierarchy aren't being dazzled by this and are looking at things in a cold, analytical sense. Doesn't matter who they are, all deals should suit the club in the short AND long term. We can let the likes of Newcastle and Everton buy superstars for astronomical figures and get a short term boost at the cost of long term progress and stability. It was fun for a while, but personally I think the figures would need to be significantly different to make it viable.

All about opinions, and done off the cuff without any great analysis - just gut. Bailey and Traore would be a useful sub for a lower league team. They're miles off top half. Same with Ings, he's well past his best and would be an asset to a team fighting relegation. Mings has reputation but no consistency... why is he never being courted by other teams like McGinn and Konsa and Cash have?

With the dodgiest methodology, I'd like to propose the following; assign each player a position in the league based on their level. So if you think a player is the best in the league, you may rank them 1, if you think they're pretty good and capable of Champions League then anything from 2 to 4etc etc. Then work out the average of the squad. If you don't think they're good enough for the Premier League, give them 20. So, based on the squad in our last fixture; Martinez 4 Cash 7 Konsa 12 Mings 14 Digne 7 McGinn 10 Luiz 14 Ramsey 7 Coutinho 7 Ings 17 Watkins 8 Sanson 14 Buendia 8 Traore 17 Chambers 16 Young 20, Nakamba 12, Olsen N/A, Bailey 17, Chukwuemeka 13 = 224. Divide that by 19 players (omit GK) and that averages this squad as being 11.8th in the league based on ability in my estimation. Which means we're currently underperforming in my opinion, but that are ceiling isn't even top half anyway.

Yes. Just park in club shop area. Loads of space.

New plan. Play them at their own game. Send a few serious fighter jets/ squads from US and NATO to the area and destroy the living sh*t out of all Russian hardwear. Then deny it. When Russia show proof, deny it. When Russia get evidence, say it's faked. Job done.

According to another well known fan site, Villa season tickets will be going up a minimum of 10% across the board with the added hit of some of the cheaper 'zones' being abolished and concession rates being reduced. Which, as I understand it, would mean a concession seat in, say Zone 5, would have a very big increase coming.

But when did this happen? It feels like a comparatively new phenomenon. Nazis, ISIS... whoever; they all seemed to own their actions under some messed up ideology. But now we're in a non-war, fighting the boogeyman, denying everything we do to our own citizens and the world in the face of any fact or evidence. You can't reason with, and ultimately achieve peace with, such insanity.

Although this increasingly applies to the world as whole, how does society deal with just complete unshakeable stubborness in the face of any logic, proof or reality? I can get my head round messed up ideology. However f*cked up it is, there is something to argue, to debate, to reason with and try to understand and, potentially, alter. But if everything is complete denied or claimed as fake or a conspiracy, how do we move forward? It is akin to a child standing in front of you eating sweets and saying they're not. I am at a loss for the next step. When you add in the fact that the accused are practically untouchable, it is a depressing time for humanity. It feels like it started with Trump, there is no truth anymore. Even dictators used to 'explain' their actions, now they stand there with a smoking gun, footage of them having shot it and dead bodies in the ground, saying they didn't even do it. How does humanity deal with this seemingly new 'obnoxiousness' for want of a better word? We now have cameras in every phone, mass media, the internet and hd satellites and yet there seems to be less acceptance of facts than ever.

This is an interesting point. Unfortunately, a very long time season ticket holder friend of mine died during lockdown and the club refused to allow a transfer. The argument being that it would make them almost legacy seats and not open to new supporters while mates of mates jumped the queue. However, my view is that after a given time this should be permittable - maybe ten years gives you the right to 'pass it on'. There is something nice about the idea of sitting in a family members seat and keeping the tradition going. Every time it's 'transferred' the clock resets. This avoids mates rotating sests every few years but also means that the child of a season ticket holder can keep their memory going in some small way by 'inheriting' the right to the seat. They need to stay in it for ten years to pass it on to their children. As for prices, I believe they're a relatively tiny percentage of club income so they should be aware of the cost of living increases and make sure payment plans remain in place and are spread over as many months as possible.

Started well, gone off the boil rapidly. Gets starts and left on longer than he should because his name is Coutinho and he's best mates with the manager. Is it possible to have a manager who selects players, and reacts in game, based on their performance rather than just their reputation?! Buendia, in a ten minute cameo, did more today than Coutinho. Should have come on at least twenty minutes earlier.

Him and Traore are basically the same. Freestyle footballers who have no place in a professional game. They should be outside the stadium showing off their silky skills to impressionable young kids who will clap and cheer and keep away from the pitch where some amount of end product is expected.

Maybe we're just skipping this one this season... Postponed last last minute, forgotten about for nearly four months and no word since. Longest ever time for a match to be rescheduled?!

There's absolutely no reason women couldn't compete with men in F1. Much like sports like snooker, it is only historical prejudices that prevent women from taking up male dominated sports or being given the same opportunities to learn from an early age. You'd be amazed how young children are when they start believing certain things, and sports in particular, are for a given gender. That comes from parents, peers and the media in that there are a lack of role models. But it's like all these things that are just outdated, there are the pace-setters, the pioneers that start a snowball effect. There will be a growing number of women in motorsports. The sadly deceased Sabine Schmitz (Top Gear) was incredible and there were a few drivers in the BTC too. If you're a lower placed F1 team and a female sponsored driver comes along now, the press focus would be brilliant for their bottom line alone.

I have a Toyota CHR which lease comes to an end in August. They will not extend it. I have ordered a Kia EV6 which will arrive no earlier than January 2023. So what do I do for four months plus?! I knew lead times were big but nearly a year?! I've looked at onto.com which is a monthly subscription service but it's on the pricier side. I've considered buying a car and selling it a few months later, but that might prove expensive after any depreciation and I don't really want a banger for a few months. But I am stuck...

That was bad from minute one. We turned up today ready to rollover and have our bellies tickled. Absolutely nothing in that performance. The most convincing 1-0 you'll ever see and Arsenal were in first gear at most. Was practically a training session. Yes, they're better than us but the lack of effort is far more annoying. We lose to Chelsea by more but the effort was there. Martinez. 7. Largely solid. Distribution is still weak. If we want to play out from the back we need to be better at it. Cash. 7. Only player who seemed up for the challenge. Doesn't have to be great to be MOTM, just better than the rest. And that was easy. Mings. 4. Ok, dodgy card aside, he never looks in command of a situation. Deal with it, don't dither. Got outmuscled a lot. Konsa. 5. As above, but slightly better. Young. 3. Influence might be good but defending and attacking is not. Awful and letting Targett go was a mistake. Ramsey. 4. Really bad game. Will happen. Upset by England?! Not a good way to say Southgate was wrong! Luiz. 3. Sorry, but I didn't see a single thing others saw. I saw slow, ponderous, backward, lazy, hopeful punts, passive. Needed strength and he possess none. McGinn. 5. Some good, some poor. Doesn't know his role at the moment. Do any of them? Corners awful. Coutinho. 4. Should have been hooked but best mates with Gerrard will help. Lost possession loads but he's a superstar so gets let off. Buendia. 6. Was not influnetial in the set up but harried and tried. But he's not a superstar or Gerard's mate so he gets hooked and scapegoated. Watkins. 5. Nothing really happening. Don't think he believes in the system or the project really. Bailey and Traore 5. Changed the formation which briefly helped Coutinho but they both offer 99% nothing, 1% flash. Ings. 5. Formation change was more relevant than the personnel one. Nothing to deserve to be ahead of Watkins... Or behind. Much the same issues. Gerrard. 4. Poor. Set up was wrong, substitutions were late and flawed. Has favourites already and clearly wasn't reading the game. Looking at the difference between the two managers on the touchline today, and he didn't convey confidence or energy much like his team. Ref. 3. Shocking. Again. Made no difference to result though.

Got to say, I think we've been average at best. A mix of poor refereeing in our favour, Leeds being awful and a lucky deflection for goal has given us a slim lead. I think we've been passive in the main, lost the 50/50s but been helped out by lots of mistakes by Leeds players and refereeing decisions. We've not felt in control really, it's all quite frantic and scrappy. We need someone to get a hold of the game and make it look a little more assured. Leeds and the ref can't be that bad in the second half.

My Toyota CHR lease ends in August. I've already been warned it's unlikely any new car I want will be available in time. I haven't even decided what to go for. I'd like to go fully electric but options are still quite limited, either very very expensive luxury brands or seemingly over-priced hatchbacks (which are largely dull anyway; corsa, honda e and other small cars). So I'd got it down to either the Polestar 2 or the Kia EV6. I'm test driving the P2 this weekend but have just been informed they're no longer taking leasing orders on the cheapest model (£465pm) due to chip crisis so I'd be forced to go for the long range (£500pm) or the Dual Motor (£540). This brings it firmly in to the EV6 budget which I'd initially ruled out due to cost. My CHR (hybrid) was £380pm and I'm using about £75 a month on fuel (and rising obviously). I'd worked out that, very roughly, anything around £450pm month and my monthly out goings wouldn't be greatly higher. That budget now looks shot. Anything to contribute on thoughts about the two cars? Or electric cars in general? Or my budget?! All seems way too expensive now but it's way of the world at the moment!

I read this thread and the news but never comment, largely through lack of knowledge of the details. However, I'm really confused by one element of this as I can't get my head around the basic thinking of the Russian population or any fear they may have. It's not that important but is relevant. Scenario 1 (what we're lead to believe as I understand it); the population are being kept in the dark and believe Russia are saving Ukrainians from Nazis in the non-war. If this is the case, a) huge numbers of youth would access global news and b) why wouldn't your average person on the street question why all these major chains are leaving Russia and they suddenly can't access social media or entertainment. Or Scenario 2 (which features one element we're also led to believe); the population are scared to object/question. So why bother misleading them about the war at all? Tell them the truth and go completely despot. Basically, I don't understand why, if the people have no power, they bother trying to cover it up. And if the people do have power, how come even in this day and age they have neither been able to access free media or question why the rest of the world has isolated them? I'm not exactly youthful and I've known about Tor networks for over a decade! I don't understand the thinking process of a normal Russian in Russia.

No worries. Well based on what you're saying, she should look for another job rather than think this is the profession. The Head shouldn't be able to make her feel she should bring a premature end to her career. Knowing you're applying for other jobs is very freeing as it gives a light at the end of the tunnel. Supply can also lead to those jobs and is why I'm back in a school despite vowing to never going back! Good luck with it all!

Whilst the financial debate is relevant to your personal circumstances, the career is clearly incredibly stressful and I would always argue a happy life is far more important than the money that is earnt. Obviously there is always a balancing act in that, as lack of money in itself can be stressful. I am a teacher, in primary, and have been for a fair time myself (UPS2) but not 26 years! I have also had a long time on supply previously. So with there in mind, and recognising the myriad of differences each circumstance can bring, I'd say/suggest/ask a few things; 1. Is it the school? The environment from school to school is hugely different and one school will do something hugely different to another. One school made me practically suicidal with its culture of observation, criticism and pressure, another is the polar opposite. A new head can swing a school in either direction. 2. Is it the TLR that causes the stress more than the basic job? Could these be relinquished in either the current setting or in a new full time role? Dropping TLRs often isn't that great of a financial impact. SLT drops may be more significant. 3. Could she negotiate a Part Time role in her current setting? Going from 5 to 4 days equates to less than 20% drop in wage you'd expect. I have a Wednesday off and this helps manage my stress as there's only ever two days in a row. I use the Wednesday for my mental health at the Foundation. 4. The need for supply is currently massive BUT wages rarely match experienced staff's daily rate. A handful of agencies do offer guaranteed work for five days a week and pay regardless of whether they can find you work, but you have to accept all work offered. Holidays are accrued actually, but normally in the form of pay (if you get to that point, agency would explain clearly). Obviously no real sick pay. Biggest issue however is she would leave the pension scheme. Supply itself is stress free IF she's happy going in to new settings - no planning, parents, observations etc! 5. Is it worth having a period of sickness?! If she's properly stressed with it, then use the sick pay rights she will have accrued over the last 26 years. The break itself may help recharge the batteries, the length of service she has had will give her the maximum full sick pay I believe. Also, ultimately, she can use this to negotiate a better job on her return using occupational health. I will reiterate, without consideration of circumstances, happiness trumps wages. This will be incredibly stressful for her too so be as supportive as you possibly can be, the last thing you need is to create resentment because you're forcing her to stay in an incredibly stressful career (if you know, you know) or feeling like she's letting you down by leaving. There are lots of ways to tighten the finances if needed, if you lose a few luxuries but gain a happier wife and mother then it's worth it. You will know her working week is probably in excess of 60hrs considering before/after school, weekend work, even work during the half term so she might suddenly be in all your lives much more. Good luck.

Buendia joined in the summer and has 2 goals and 3 assists in 23 games (22 league) Grealish left in the summer and has 2 goals and three assists in 24 games (17 league) Now he was never supposed to be a direct replacement, but comparing the two at the moment... One plays for a top of the table, brushing everyone aside, multiple chances and high possession team. The other plays for a struggling, sacked their manager side that is rarely controlling games. I think he's doing ok... Buendia is not the problem at all.

For the first time this season, I can't give a MOTM, to a man they were all awful. Martinez, several mad moments, CB slow and route one, Digne and Cash both horrific, midfield was weak or missing and the front three did nothing but overplay or lose the ball. The subs made zero difference and Ings was every inch as bad as Watkins had been. And what screams out most is this isn't a surprise. We lose to big teams becuase of talent but we lose to teams like this because of desire and mentality. Pretty much no excuse to be that poor against Newcastle, exactly the same lack of fight as against Leeds. We're weak and put us under pressure and we crumble... Same every week. Don't let some VAR shambles distract us from the fact we were lucky that was only 1-0. Newcastle looked far better than us.

Lose valiantly to the big boys and lose pathetically to the poor teams. So who do we actually win against and control the game. New bounce gone, the mentality of this squad is awful. No desire, no fight, no responsibility. And yes, some of that comes from our captain but the squad as a whole. Watkins and Luiz are weak physical and mentally too. I'm not surprised, I said this weeks ago. Just weak. We won't make top half this season.

He was in completely the wrong position for 90% of the game. He was playing in the DM role with Luiz in front of him. Why I'm not sure, Luiz is pretty awful in both positions but to nullify attackong McGinn seems a bad tactical decision. He wasn't great tonight but most of that was down to where he was playing.

Villa have had a habit, for the best part of this century, of being valiant losers against the big teams (picking up the occasional scalp) and woefully poor against middling to relegation teams. If we have any real designs on becoming a big team we need to start consistently beating teams in these positions. We have Leeds, Newcastle, Watford, Brighton and Southampton in next five games. We should be looking to win 3 or 4 and be going unbeaten really. However, the pessimistic Villa fan in me sees a loss tonight - we seem to struggle against them and are always the team that helps teams begin a run or a striker to break his barren run or the opposition have their best performance of the season!! I hate Leeds and Newcastle too! Be lovely to just put four or five past them!!