rjenkins

Up the VAR. Duran starting today was an odd one as I thought Diaby had a good game against Ajax, but fair play Unai recognised the errors at half time. The Luiz / Tielemans midfield wasnt as bad as I feared it would be but West Ham were inconsistent in their press. Relieved we take a point from the game and onto the next one.

What a ball Tielemans

Definitely think we can still get something from this, but we need a lot more movement to unlock openings.

Most of the knowledge I have of Johnson comes from Wales games. Wales are entering a lean period after Bale and Allen's retirement, Ramsey aging etc. Rob Page is also absolutely not up to the job in my opinion (helpfully on a long term contract). Having said all that, Johnson hasn't impressed me yet and still looks a bit raw sometimes. I think overspending on him is risky personally.

Was discussing this table with some mates and an interesting question came up. I wonder when the last time the top 20/24 teams in this list were all in the top division together, or if it's even ever happened?

I actually don't hate the AC Milan kit as much as some others on this thread. Not a vintage year so far though.

With the rumours about the potential appointment of Gerrard gathering momentum, I asked some friends I know with a better knowledge of Scottish football than me for their opinions of him. I'm in a Madden league with two Rangers fans and an Aberdeen fan. Here is what they thought: Aberdeen Fan: He was fortunate that Celtic imploded when they did and won the Covid asterik season. He's done a decent job with them overall. Rangers Fan 1: He's not a tactical genius, but I'd imagine he's a good motivator based on how he conducts himself. His name could help you attract players as that's what has happened here. Rangers Fan 2: He's been here 3 years and I still don't know if he's that good or not. What I would say is that Rangers have progressed every year under him (until this season, but last year's unbeaten season and 100+ points set the bar high). He has a good European record, especially at home (again, until this season) Things I don't like about him is that he can be slow to make subs or change tactically and that I think he is overly loyal to players who could do with getting dropped from time to time. It's just some opinions from random fans, but they've watched a lot more Scottish football than I do.

I've probably watched 2 Rangers games on Sky since Gerrard became their manager, so I'm not going to pretend to have an informed opinion on his abilities. If he's the choice he'll get my support. What I won't have is people claiming he single-handedly won the CL for Liverpool in 2005 when we all know it was Didi Hamann coming on at half time that changed the game

I've spent so long looking at the above options. Honestly I just don't know. I don't think I'm alone in saying I like Smith, and I want it to work out for him. Obviously I want every Villa manager to do well, because it means Villa are doing well, but I'd be lying if I said I've been equally supportive and patient with say McLeish or Sherwood. Maybe it's just perspective because I've seen how things have turned out post-O'Neill by and large, or maybe it's just more difficult to be objective when I know our manager is a Villa fan living what would be a dream for millions of others to manage their club. Going into the season, my expectations were that we'd probably be a bottom half Premier League team, and that it may take a while for our new signings and staff to settle in. Circumstances beyond anyone's control like the international schedule and injuries will be a factor too, but I'd be lying if I said I thought the performances would be this bad. Even when we've won, the Everton game stands out for me in particular, I didn't think we looked that impressive honestly. Probably the first 70 mins against Wolves was our best performance in retrospect. There are limitations to our squad but I know we're capable of better than the performances so far. At some point we need to see improvement, and there are only so many winnable games in any given season. 4 points out of the next 3 games feels imperative to me as a minimum, but if we're woeful against Southampton is that enough to make a decision? There was a time when I wanted us to stick with Smith even if we got relegated, but I don't feel that way now. Sorry for rambling. The TL;DR is ask me again after Friday

I wasn't being serious

It's a good thing I'm not a football manager, because I would be so tempted to try and stink out this game and keep it close for as long as possible. Martinez Tuanzebe Hause Mings Targett Cash Luiz Nakamba McGinn Watkins Davis Get the ball up to Davis to hold up and go from there. Make MacPhee earn his money from set pieces. Make Sean Dyche open a bottle of wine for the game. Villa win 1-0

It may be wishful thinking, but I don't think Jack getting picked in the England squad or not has any bearing on whether he'll leave Villa. If Southgate doesn't pick him now, he either flat out doesn't rate him or has an issue with Jack's character. The fact that he sets hurdles for Jack but is not consistent with other players indicates to me it is the latter. Southgate wants to see how Jack responds mentally, or at least that's how I read it. Moving club won't necessarily change that. Jack is better off staying in a system built around him until Southgate inevitably gets the sack or is reassured over Jack's maturity.

Reina Guilbert/Elmo Konsa Mings Targett/Taylor Luiz Nakamba Hourihane Anwar Davis Grealish I think we're done for, but it will only take 90 mins to make everything look much different. Don't know how fit Guilbert or Targett are but I think we need our fullbacks to help us more in attack, so Elmo and Taylor would be my second choices there.

I'm in two minds about it. It's a big drop off in quality from where we are currently, but how much worse it is than say Cardiff's squad for example who are in a play-off spot currently? At the end of the day we'll be going into a very unpredictable off-season. It could be nowhere near as as bad as that in terms of player departures. If it is I don't think we should be making excuses either.

I don't disagree with you, I was just trying to speculate which of our players would generate transfer interest. I also tend to want to start from the worst case scenario and anything else is a bonus.

This is a strange season to be relegated, as the impact on the transfer market and demand for our players is hard to ascertain with any certainty. I highly suspect that Grealish, McGinn and Mings will find Premier League suitors, and I think Engels, Luiz and Trezeguet will likely move on also for different reasons. Beyond that, I think the next most likely player to leave would be Heaton. Despite the injury he is clearly a Premier League quality keeper and at the very least I could see one of the promoted teams taking a look at him. Before any signings, we could be looking at a starting XI something like this. Nyland / Steer Guilbert Konsa Hause Targett Nakamba Jota Lansbury Hourihane El Ghazi Wesley If that is anywhere near accurate, then we need a central midfielder on top of the winger(s) we are already crying out for most urgently. I don't know how much the likes of Ramsey and Vassilev can contribute, but someone with real pace would be ideal. After that, we are light at centre back but should have enough to be competitive everywhere else. We may not even lose as many players as I think, but if we do I feel we're in a better position than when we last got relegated.

I think a few players in that list may have signed contracts already. I'm sure Sarkic, Blackett-Taylor and Doyle-Hayes are all contracted beyond this summer.

Late rumours that Browns are going to pick Baker Mayfield 1st overall. It can't be, can it?

I know it seems odd, but I don't think Barkley will be as good as Elliott and isn't the type of running back the Browns need in my opinion. We already have a good receiving back in Duke Johnson but what we don't have is a tackle breaker who can run effectively inside. In a draft where there aren't many tackle prospects with a high rating and multiple needs for Browns on defense still in my opinion, I just think Barkley would have to be fantastic to justify attempting to replace Isaiah Crowell ahead of trying to replace Joe Thomas.

Cleveland Browns Who do you realistically want to take? Josh Rosen was my preferred choice, but in recent weeks I've cooled on him. I think, when it is all said and done, he could be the best QB in this draft. However, I think it will depend greatly on whether he lands in the right spot. Of the Top 4 guys, he's the one I think has the highest bust potential in Cleveland. Every time I have listened to Rosen's interviews I think it's clear he is hoping to go the Giants. Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but as of right now I would probably take Josh Allen or Sam Darnold and hope like hell that Tyrod plays well enough / stays fit so that they won't have to see the field in their first season. Who do you think you will actually take? I think it's going to be Sam Darnold. I think John Dorsey has known his pick for a while and in all likelihood it'll be him. At 4? Who knows. A trade down is probably likely. Who do you want to completely avoid? Saquon Barkley. This draft class appears to be deep in the RB position, and I just don't think Barkley provides value at #4

Thank you both for the feedback. It helps to know I'm not choosing between two options with massive red flags. This is the longest I've stuck with an old handset which is maybe why I'm more enticed by something new and shiny!

A good move for all parties I think. Nothing wrong with Cody Kessler as a back-up.

Sorry if this has been asked before in this group, but what is the general opinion of Huawei phones? My upgrade date is coming up in the next week or so, and I was originally looking at the new Sony XZ2 handset, but the P20 Pro seems like quite a bit more phone for a similar contract spend based on my layman understanding. My main requirement of the phone is battery life and good storage, as I drive for work and so Spotify is heavily used. I'm also in a couple of Xbox online leagues so I have GroupMe running along with WhatsApp quite a lot. I'm not a big photo taker, so a camera isn't the be all and end all really. What do you guys think?

As far as I am aware, they can. The Browns got the Number 8 pick in the 2015 draft from the Eagles, and traded that pick again to move down to 15 and get more picks, which I suppose is the same principle.

Agree with you re: Bradford (if he can stay healthy). I think their division will be ridiculously tough next year though.