jackbauer24

18 years in top flight football at an average of 6 goals a season. It'd be great so see someone with those stats. How many games did it take them to reach these numbers? Would Shearer still be top given Henry's much fewer number of games (I imagine?) And how would the clubs share these goals between them - but that's a fair bit of research too. Anyone fancy it? I don't... but that's just cos I'm lazy...

Cynical I may be, but I'm not sure it was that much of a 'gift', if at all - although I'm not 100% sure any of these figures tally. If each coach takes 70 people - that's £2400 of ticket sales (£35 a ticket?) 60 x 70 people - that's £147000 of ticket sales. Now if, as I believe, we get a much greater share of FA Cup ticket sales then perhaps it was a worth getting the sell out for Villa rather than making people pay for their own transport and only selling half the tickets. Financially it might of made sense and actually got a little bit more cash for Villa. Not taking into account that we probably have a contract with a coach company or two and get corporate rates and bulk discounts. The fact it was an FA cup game is what inspires this thinking. HOWEVER, don't shoot me down. I admit I could have the numbers entirely wrong and being overly harsh on Lerner/ Villa on this one. Thinking aloud so to speak for more knowledgeable people to debate.

Fair enough. But my comments are based on the players rather than who signed them. I doubt I'd be alone. Jenas is a pointless topic seeing as he got injured - nowt to do with AMC. Keane - I'm just happy to see in a Villa shirt as he was always a hero of mine but again, nothing to do with AMC. If even a majority of fans based players on who they were signed by then we wouldn't have many fans of players like Martin Laursen!! Hutton is just sh*t. Plain and simple.

I genuinely don't believe that, people are willing to give CNZ time despite his dodgy start and everyone really likes Given - both AMC signings. But Hutton is simply sh*t - has not done a single thing well yet. My views on Hutton are nothing to do with AMC.

Absolute drivel This team is easily capable of being sucked in I disagree. The team on PAPER is far too good to go down. Any team boasting a spine of Given, Dunne, Ireland, Bent should be too good to go down. I didn't say we wouldn't however - I just think at the moment it's unlikely. The manager is capable of making any team get sucked into it. But I don't think that will happen this year. But I'm worried very much if he's given another season. However, maybe your simple 'drivel' comment is so awe inspiringly well thought out that my argument holds no water...!

Warnock has had good games for Villa - therefore he has played better than Hutton! Hutton has been amazing. Amazing in making me want someone else out of Villa before Heskey! He is without doubt the most shocking player I have ever seen us sign who has had a long stint in the team. We've had other appalling signings, arguably much worse, but at least they've never graced the first team. Hell, even Heskey scored on his debut. Hutton has been appalling, the positive praise we've had for him seem to be 'he played better this week' but to me that's just like saying "at least he only scored three own goals this week". I genuinely can't think of a worse player I've ever seen get such an extended run, especially when you've got someone like Cuellar who could easily come in. Hutton finally got dislodged because he finally got sent off for one of his many ridiculous late challenges. Cuellar performs well as his cover, gets injured - he should have come straight back when fit as he did a better job. As for Warnock, something is not right. Last season clearly affected him and he is a long way below his best. However, and this is where we are fickle, too quick to dismiss him as crap. Ok, he probably needs to be rested or better managed (!) but he's actually a good player when he's on form and has confidence which, unlike Hutton, he has done for Villa.

The team is too good to go down. The manager is too bad to stay up. = Scraping through this season but if McLeish carries on then next season it will almost certainly be relegation. Any team with Hutton is in trouble! And when we have the mini-clearout in the summer we'll replace them with more mediocre players. And we all know Bent will be off soon. This season we're going to scrape to 12th-15th, next season we are in big trouble unless there is change at the top (and arguably that could mean Boardroom level too)

If I were to change the league, initially you'd have to look at making the financial fair play actually FAIR. As it stands, the new rules will just make everyone stay in the same place - if you can spend 70% of your turnover on wages etc then teams like Manchester United will forever be untouchable - it maintains the status quo. If you're going to have a cap it should be a set value for all clubs, not a percentage. Percentages will only benefit those that already have excellent turnover and give others no chance to ever match them. Everyone can spend the same amount on wages then it will start being about teams again - making a team rather than just spending the most. But if you're looking at play-offs; I've always thought it might mae it more exciting at the BOTTOM of the league if, like the top 6, there was a bottom 6 - two automatically relegated and top two in Championship come up. Then 18th (Prem) play 3rd (Champ) 17th play 4th, 16th play 5th and 15th play 6th. More chances for promotion (also impacting on those who might get relegated, it not being a death sentence), league matters - higher up you get gives you a easier/ lower team in Championship. Likelihood is you'd have at least 15 teams still fighting til the last day to be in the top 6 or out of the bottom 6. Theoretically you could have six new teams in the Premiership one season - that'd mix things up a bit! Champions are still champions, worst team are still relegated - but invigorates the middle ground a little.

Poor half and something needs to change, but I'm not sure it's personnel. Warnock has had a mare, no doubt about it. But it's one half and I'd prefer him to stay on than have Hutton anywhere near the first XI. I might swap Clark for Albrighton/Bannan but not straight away - just to add a little more creativity. Bent needs to wake up, but that's kind of what he's like - he could still pop up and nick a goal. N'Zogbia needs to start playing the simple ball. Ireland is our best player again which is a definite positive - I must admit I was worried Chelsea may have been a flash in the pan, it still maybe!! Dyer is running our defence ragged, he looks very good to day but Warnock just needs to shut him up early and it will cut out their one real attack threat. I still think we can win this with an early goal and the right substitutions at the right times. But it's McLeish so it'll be Heskey on to get the goals....

Brilliant performance, ok sometimes we were too negative but let's not forget this is Chelsea so very forgiveable. However, it's also worth noting that this is pretty much the team the FANS have been screaming for since August; no Hutton and no Heskey. Heskey's injury and Hutton's red card (and Cuellar making it impossible to be dropped) forced McLeish's hand so not overly convinced on him still. Ireland however, easily best game in a Villa shirt - really hope he kicks on but he needs to be able to put these performances in against the Swansea's of this world, not just the big boys. Ok, it's taken 365 days to see a truly great Villa performance, let's hope 2012 doesn't take so long!

Too scared to lose. We'll either scrape a draw or fall to a defeat. 38 games, 38 draws = 38 points. 38 games, go for wins and say win half = 57 points. Rather simplistic but it proves a point. AMC is out of his depth and will never be a success here, I suspect mostly through his own ineptness but we have to admit, given his history both with previous clubs and his start here, it will be almost impossible to turn things around regardless now; people will just hate him. My brother and I were discussing this over Christmas dinner (although he's an Arsenal fan) and my Mum (who hates football) actually got involved - even she couldn't understand the concept of hiring a 'boss who had previously failed'. And that's as simple as it gets; we've hired a manager who has history of being extremely poor, defensive and taken teams down and given him free reign of our club. What did we expect? The blame lies with Lerner.

Better effort, but still don't really ever look like scoring. We didn't really threaten their goal bar the mistake for the 20,000 Premiership goal! I don't think it was an unfair scoreline, Arsenal had the clearer chances and were much more threatening when they attacked. But relatively happy, you will lose to better teams and we weren't embarrassed. Best news however is that Hutton got sent off so I won't have to see him on the next game!! No Hutton and no Heskey and we might have a chance of actually winning a game before May! And, whilst the tactics were a little better today (although was this forced through the injuries?) I don't think AMC reacted well to the pattern of the game and clearly doesn't know how to get set-piece defending set up. Arsenal had only scored once from a corner this season til today - but we all knew it was inevitable. Most worrying is we're all quite happy and yet we've lost another game and are slipping stealth like down the table, and the injuries and suspensions keep mounting...

This. People of the Apple Cult are yet to show me something it can do that a PC/ tablet/ Android can't for a fraction of the price. Best argument I had was someone saying "yeah but Apple made these apps" to which my reply was "you mean 'applications' which have been around since computers began?!" People bought in to a brand and are blind to looking at what it can actually DO. Although to be fair I'm now so anti-Apple due to people's hysteria I'm not even prepared to listen to any positives. I-phones - no better than Android. I-Pad - oh, you mean a tablet/ touchscreen computer Macs - oh you mean an all-in-one PC that can't transfer data properly. Apple - use our product our way not your way. Grr....

Kean vs. Coyle this Wednesday; one for the chop possibly? Ok, Kean would be swapping like for like but who really wouldn't take Coyle over McLeish without a seconds thought despite Bolton's position? People who don't follow football closely can be tricked by purely looking at a clubs position/ results. Those that watch more closely we'll see a managers tactics, the way the games have been played, the true pattern of a match (not just the score) and judge a man on that. You can just be unlucky. AMC has been incredibly LUCKY so far. We could have been seriously smashed by some of these teams that have narrowly beaten us 1 or 2 nil. We have have been appalling and everything about his management shows how out of his depth is. Unfortunately a majority of owners fall into that first category and are unprepared to see out a storm for talented managers going through a bad patch (Coyle) but willing to let a manager float by on mediocrity until it's too late (McLeish). More injuries and suspensions will hit and we'll see us getting more and more humiliated. Performances have been abject - even in games we've won. McLeish has a track record of poor teams, playing poor football, getting poor results. So far with Villa he's fulfilled the first two easily but managed mediocre results. When he hits his final target it may be too late for Villa to survive.

What is the lowest percentage of possession in a football match ever?! We must have been close today! We're not poor, we're awful and I've have much more respect for the guy if he just said "this is not acceptable" and dropped a number of players. Any manager who plays Heskey as a midfielder needs sacking immediately - anyone who plays Heskey at all needs a good talking too. However, as someone mentioned before, replace the name Heskey with Hutton in that above statement and you're still not far off! Hutton is probably creeping ahead of Heskey in my desire to see leave - least Heskey has scored a goal or so, Hutton does NOTHING right whatsoever. McLeish needs to go but Randy doesn't have the balls to sack anyone: MON walked after he let him squander clearly tight resources, he waited for Houllier to leave after later admitting the dressing room shouldn't have been how it was and he'll wait til AM resigns after relegating us. He doesn't have a clue how to run the football side at all - good businessman maybe, but rubbish hirer/ firer. Should leave before end of season list: 1) Heskey 2) Hutton (quickly going for number one spot) 3) McLeish 4) Beye 5) Lerner (lacks knowledge/ resources - where is Downing's replacement?) Most likely to leave before end of Season list: 1) Bent 2) Gabby 3) Bannan 4) Abrighton 5) Cuellar This season will be our worst ever in the Premiership I guess - points wise, but are there enough worse teams to save us?!

Actually I'm thinking we need to loan some players FROM Doncaster to improve...

Anyone really want to defend Hutton an suggest a player he's better than in our current squad (ala QI, the alarm will sound if you say Heskey!). 100% of people would rather play Cuellar. 90% would rather we play Clark. 70% would rather we played a kid and 51% would rather we played Beye. 100% of these statistics are made up... but you get my point!

Has it? Doesn't seem to have changed to me. Yes, last year our defence was appalling with Collins and Dunne for 'internal' reasons but it's fair to say both are a lot better this year than last, Dunne especially. Warnock is also back in the team. If we hadn't let go of L Young and brought in Hutton it'd be WAY better. It's too simple to blame the defence for everything (although they have blame don't get me wrong) but the difference is they are having to stand much longer periods of attack from the opposition because our midfield can't hold the ball, defend and offer no outlet. Relentless pressure will get to the best defences. Our defence isn't great yet (HUTTON!!) but it definitely is better than last year. If we carry on like this I expect we'll concede just as many if not more than last season. I really don't see how you can think the defence has improved? Are we getting crossed wires? When I talk about defence I talk about the four at the back, as a TEAM our defence is currently worse I'll agree. What I'm saying is that whilst our back three (HUTTON!) have improved our midfield has dropped so significantly that it makes the TEAM worse defensively. You're probably right - we will probably let in more this season, purely because there is no outlet and teams can attack us at will because our midfield is hopeless.

Has it? Doesn't seem to have changed to me. Yes, last year our defence was appalling with Collins and Dunne for 'internal' reasons but it's fair to say both are a lot better this year than last, Dunne especially. Warnock is also back in the team. If we hadn't let go of L Young and brought in Hutton it'd be WAY better. It's too simple to blame the defence for everything (although they have blame don't get me wrong) but the difference is they are having to stand much longer periods of attack from the opposition because our midfield can't hold the ball, defend and offer no outlet. Relentless pressure will get to the best defences. Our defence isn't great yet (HUTTON!!) but it definitely is better than last year.

Given - 8 - solid, saved good free kick. Hutton - 2 - would prefer Beye there Collins - 6 - Great, then useless, no consistency Dunne - 7 - Will do a job and scored Warnock - 8 - Playing well, seems back to form N'Zogbia - 6 - Best game but still no end product and gets pushed off the ball Heskey - 3 - What is the point, he must have something he blackmails managers with Herd - 5 - A warrior, but 50% will be great tackles and the rest will be sending offs! Petrov - 7 - Fantastic finish, but far too defensive Gabby - 9 - MOTM easily, works hard, chased and interlinked well Bent - 7 - Either formations not suiting him or seriously off boil Subs - not on long enough. McLeish - he is turning us into Bloose; aggressive, long ball and no ideas. We need to drop our 'h's' - Heskey should never be allowed near Villa Park again. Didn't see a single thing he did well, but on saying that I'd still say he wasn't the worst player on the pitch; Hutton is, well there are no words. Cuellar should be in. Or Clark. Or Beye. Or just play with 10 men - be safer! McLeish persevering because he's wasted a ton of cash on him. Herd, harsh to say drop him but he's not quite ready and I think we have better options available, be they Ireland, Albrighton or Bannan when back. We ARE relegation candidates. We scraped through last year by having a quality squad that underperformed. Well we're still under performing and now we don't have a quality squad to fall back on. What an easy start we've had and we've won 2 games... I don't know how anyone can question this statement. Our best first XI is Given, Cuelllar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Petrov, N'Zogbia, Ireland, Bannan/Albrighton, Gabby and Bent. That's a top 10 team when managed WELL and on form and nothing better. As it stands we're a BOTTOM 6 team and come January.... People have a go at our defence but it has improved on last year (Hutton aside) but the difference is there is no midfield now, no outlet, no quality and often no tracking back. Unless something major changes I honestly can't see better than a 15th place finish and that's having watched 10 games and seen those around us. 80% of our games have been against teams below us. In the next 10 games we play 60% of those that are currently above us.

Given: 7, Did everything he had to do - no mistakes. Hutton: 3, Bloody awful, especially when you see L Young playing for the opposition being a million times better in defence and attack. . Warnock: 6, Solid, can be spectacular, can be liability but today just solid. Dunne: 7, Unlucky for own goal, but did most things well. Collins: 5, Needs dropping for Cuellar or Clark ASAP. Petrov: 6, Tries very hard and makes few mistakes, limited going (or even passing) forward but acts like a Captain. Delph: 4, Useless, yet to see the point of him other than to destroy our fair play chances! Bannan: 5, Run, twizzle, run, twizzle, lose the ball. Too much messing about, no final product. Good penalty though. Ireland: 7, His best game for Villa possibly. No major mistakes, bit more effort today but still need more out of him. Perhaps more starts and played in a more forward position. N'Zogbia: 3, Does this guy know how to play football?! I've yet to even see him collect a ball, never mind do anything with it. No effort and no skill. Needs a kick up the backside or his career at Villa is over before its even started. Agbonlahor: 7, Once again ran his arse off but getting very little service. Too much of a gap between him and out 'midfield'! Albrighton: 5, Everyone raves about our youngsters but all I see is kids that run hard into pointless space and have no eye for a pass or a finish. Albrighton, Bannan, Delfounso - sorry, just because they're our products doesn't mean they're good and they'll end up going the same way as Stephen Davis - being a big fish in a small Scottish pond! Weimann: 5, Not long enough to judge but surely a sign that (correctly) Delfounso isn't seen as good enough by McLeish. It's clear from these ratings that our midfield is greatly lacking, needs a big overhaul asap, January transfer window can't come quick enough. As it stands we are desperate for Jenas to get fit and hope he is 2000 times better than McLeish's other signings (he's a loan so bound to be!!) and drop the youngsters to the bench. Start Petrov, Ireland and Jenas and then make the others fight for the final spot (quite happy for that to be literal...) You can't lose experience and quality in A.Young, Downing and NRC and replace it with 'kids' that simply aren't good enough despite the emotional bond of them being home grown.

Oh and quick P.S.; Most of the fans on this board have a job, I do too. In fact I am actually on holiday in the middle of the Czech Republic typing away on a dodgy hotel wifi connection and I can get on here more than a prescribed once a week. You see, all us fans can. It's not hard. Once a week is a 'job' or, if you will, a PR commitment. We all care enough to find time,even if it be 5 mins in a foreign country to talk/ discuss/ worry about Aston Villa and we're not privy to 1% of the information you are. I get so angry at PR. I don't even care whether facts are a little depressing, or realities need to be faced; it's when companies (and individuals General) start trying to talk rubbish to their consumers that gets me very irritated. I'm not speaking for everyone, but I imagine I'm also not alone in these views.

General, Please clarify for me, in very simple terms if need be, how exactly you feel the Villa board have 'backed' our new new manager. I understand there are numerous ways one could quantify 'backing' but none of them stand up to scrutiny on this occasion. You may argue we've spent loads - well we haven't, we've not spent a penny on transfers this season (I won't even go into previous ones) You may argue we've improved the squad - well we haven't, we are lost a considerable number of 'starts' compared to last season (NRC, Young, Downing, Friedel amongst our top appearances) You may argue we've improved the first XI - Friedel/ Given; perhaps, but N'Zogbia is probably not as good as either of Young or Downing (definitely Young) but certainly not better than both) So how exactly do you quantify that he's been 'backed'? Please don't say we've 'bought two good players' because that only counts if you haven't sold your two BEST players for a ton of cash. No manager would have taken on the job without the belief that they could at least buy two players given all the departures. In fact, a goalkeeper HAD to be bought. So you've only 'treated' us to one player really at approximately a third of the cost in transfer fees of the two main departures and I'd guess a much higher percentage of wages. I try to be civil and reasonable but some of the PR coming from your end is infuriating. We'd much prefer to hear "we'd LIKE to back him, but we can't this year" or some REAL information with maybe light at the end of the tunnel but you will never win trust with truly angering, and clearly rubbish PR, statements full of too much unrealistic positivity. At least you've re-aligned your predictions for next year to 5th to 9th. Unfortunately I feel you've also missed the 1 on the start of both on those numbers....

Cheers for all the advice. Have all the car stuff and have it all stored in the correct places. It's only when travelling you suddenly realise that perhaps we don't live in the nanny state we thought we did - why the hell do I really need a complete set of spare bulbs in the car?! I'm sure we'll be relatively fine, have done a fair bit of research as to the local driving laws etc. Have got insurance sorted and they have sent Green Card for all the appropriate countries. Just found out that Croatia are being a bit of a pain over UK licences and it's now recommended that we get International Driving Permits. I'm always pretty aware of what's going on around me so know how to avoid the likes of pickpocketers etc etc, it's just the advice about being careful of people slashing your tyres at borders so they can rob you down the road that has me concerned!! Was fine about it all til I started just doing a little bit of due diligence and researching on the internet - but I suppose that's the nature of the net; only the bad stuff gets highlighted! Once again, thanks for the help - if I survive I'll give an update on my return and tell any future people what to be aware of!

Well that's all very reassuring :s ! We're only stopping in each place one night (bar Budapest where we have a two night stay) and primarily campsites. We're trying to have as little cash on us as possible anyway. I drive a fairly new Honda Civic too that I was hoping to remain intact for the journey... We only touch the very top of Italy (Udine) before beginning back north through the Alps (which I'm looking forward to the most). Got a Caxton card which is free withdrawals abroad so planning on just getting out what we need when we need it and paying for practically everything in cash - the campsites require cash anyway. Only the hotels are paid for, so I can be fairly flexible - best bet is to drive on if I don't trust it I suppose; although I've reserved only campsites I've found on the net so bit more trustworthy you would hope. Not overly bothered about tolls/ costs - factored in and alternatives when appropriate are sorted. Got all car legal requirements other than the vignettes which we can get at the border. Should remember to drive on the right quickly enough too! Just general safety/ dealing with dodgy police worries me slightly - especially considering it's just me and the gf. Not done loads of travelling abroad, especially driving but fancied a proper road trip and thought why not go the whole hog! I certainly don't have a ton of money to throw away on bribes!! Getting all paranoid now!