jackbauer24

The contracts might be stupid but there is no point complaining about stuff you can't change. It isn't hard to get a rough idea of what other clubs will offer players so you cut your losses and move on. Say Richards is on £70k, the next club want to pay him £40k, so we pay off the remaining £30k per week for the rest of his contract. Yes it's annoying, yes it's wasted money but at least it's less wasted money. Worst case scenario is letting this contracts just run down with no benefit to the team or squad. If you basically promise to make up any shortfall in wages then I can't see why a player wouldn't move to get some actual game time. So take the hit and clear the decks, even if we only save half the amount of the wages these players are on it'd still be worth it.

My new car turns up Saturday morning, wondering whether to get GAP insurance or not, what's the general concensus? 1) it's a lease so I assume as long as they get car back in a condition that matches what it should be for age and mileage I shouldn't be out of pocket regardless (normal accident repair through insurance situations) 2) in the event of total loss in the first year (or two) most insurances seem to replace with new cars anyway. Am I missing something obvious? I'm not sure in what circumstances it'd be beneficial to me as I can't see how I'd ever be in 'negative equity' so to speak.

In the words of Joey "you're so far past the line, the line is a dot to you!"

Everytime I see all the interpretations of a Dr Xia tweet I'm reminded of English Literature lessons; talking about what the author means, how they are conveying meaning through colour and the juxtaposition of locations or the hidden messages... Yet, both now and then, I just see someone who wrote words and is trying to convey information or a story in the clearest or most interesting they know how!

I have nothing but respect for Hutton. At times he's played badly and at times he's been treated awfully by the club (and its supporters) but there is no questioning his commitment. Last year he was one of the few to perform reasonably well. His renaissance from bomb squad to cult hero is impressive. On saying that we have, arguably, four players for that position in him, Bree, DeLaet and Richards. We have to be mindful of FFP and we have an overabundance of players there. Bree is one for the future, DeLaet was meant to be the replacement and Richards is whittling down his contract so maybe it's best for everyone he moves on. I will wish him well if he does leave, hopefully he heads up to Scotland and dominates up there for a lot longer.

My favourite thing about the kit release: Bacuna still looking like he can't control the ball in even a posed picture!

Three announcements; 1) New Sponsors 2) New Home Shirt 3) New Away Shirt. Done.

If by signing the vile John Terry we convinced Joe Hart to sign for us too then it'd soften my view of Terry - I'd just hate him very very very much instead of another five 'very's'...

Personally I solved it; my girlfriend (also a ST holder) looked at me gleefully when I suggested she didn't have to go to this one as it was only a friendly so my brother now has her ticket! She normally enjoys it, obviously with a ST, but clearly she enjoys the off season more than me! Good luck with your ticket purchases on Friday!

Is this likely to sell out? I haven't been to a friendly in years but seeing as it's my childhood town and my brother still lives there I'd really like to go. I'm a season ticket holder but my brother isn't - am I safe waiting til Friday for general sale do you think?

Based on nothing but a survey Villa conducted, but I'm wondering if it might be a tyre manufacturer. The survey, which came as part of the significant dates email in last day or so, wanted to know views on brand awareness and whilst there was car manufacturers (like current Fiat) and betting companies (like energybet) there was randomly a lot of questions about tyre manufacturers. Could be, and probably is, nothing but I wouldn't be surprised. Dunlop anyone? Birmingham link...

Bacuna thread or Speculation thread?! I come to this thread for hope of signings, not to be depressed about our current players!

I am writing before researching but a thought crossed my mind when analysing the fixtures a bit more closely this evening, do we return too late to preseason training as a Championship club? When we were a Premier league club we seemed to return early July and that date doesn't seem to have changed as we've dropped in to the Championship. Yet we start the season on the 5th August this year, whereas we used to start mid August. I just wander if that was another factor in our slow start last season and is a cause for concern this year too. When do other Championship teams return?

Yep, that's it! Funny you should put that up with that little detail of red on the front; been thinking of getting Alloygators to protect the wheels (especially as it's a lease) but have been thinking a little flash of red might look smart...mmm...not decided yet.

Indium Grey. To everyone else...grey! I've always wanted a grey car, weird I know, but they just feel executive to me but with the power underneath. I currently have a bright red Honda Civic and it feels a bit too 'loud' for me now!

Ordered the Scirocco R 280ps with the DSG gearbox... So new car for first time ever, VW for the first time ever, with an automatic for the first time ever and doing it through a lease for first time ever. Scary!

I've made my view perfectly clear on John Terry, I don't want him anywhere near my club. Sometimes you have to stick to your morals regardless and he is a vile vile human being. However, if he joins then I'll hope he performs to a good standard and I'd not boo him or anything. But if any fan gets 'Terry', especially before he kicks a ball, on their shirt then I reserve the right to punch them hard in the face...

There's still a large part of me that feels we may regret this one. No he's not hit the heights of his early career here but some of that has to be down to injury and some of the general upheaval at the club. I don't know, I just think he's got more potential than the likes of Traore had or even Kodjia has - we've not seen his best yet. I'll wish him luck if/when he leaves but of all the players we have at the club I think we may look back with regret on this one and to be so dismissive after one failed season seems harsh. I hope I'm wrong of course and we get loads of money for someone who never hits those heights again!

Me liking this is not an acceptance of the price And yep, it's a manual! But just wondered what people's views are of the main players; ebay, autotrader, webuy etc etc...

Ban ends on Thursday if that's relevant to any potential signings? Although doubt we'll see much movement til July in all honesty.

So I test drove the Scirocco, man it's quick! So much fun! Think I'm going to go about getting one in next few weeks/month - possibly lease looking at how I've been buying cars in past and seeing lease is cheaper than other methods when I'll always be looking at newer cars every three years odd. But that's a different conversation. But more pressing is selling current car. Any ideas/ views on best place to sell? It's worth £6-7k now if that makes a difference. Selling is always a hassle, at least with lease it won't be!

If it's a retained/released list then it'll be exactly the same length regardless of the contents. Everyone is on it just either retained or released

Forgetting the whole likelihood of it happening, I'd have to let my heart overrule my head on this one. Yes he'd be a fantastic signing, yes he could probably boss this league, yes he'd be a coup and encourage others to join us. But ultimately he's a massive pr*ck. And not the good kind where he is that fighter that you all hate unless he's in your team. Football is about emotion and whilst I may be as fickle on a number of issues as other supporters, there are a handful of lines in the sand and a few players that come under that category; Terry is one of them. Vile human being. I'd hate to see him in claret and blue.

Official statement is that he has escaped without serious injury and has a fractured knee. Car burst in to flames after he got out himself.

Thinking of getting the Scirocco R TSI 280, yes I know the Golf is quicker and cheaper but I prefer the design 10 fold. It still does 0-60 in 5.5s so hardly slow! Only thing is it's a DSG (Semi-Auto) and I have only ever driven manuals. I'm going for a test drive next week but what are people's views on the flappy paddle gearbox and the Scirocco in particular?