peterms

This being the case I've thought you might be interested in the occasional outside view/info/comment.

I haven't run down Villa, in fact I think you have a very good chance for top 7 (and maybe higher) next season, but I can't help it if Spurs end up signing a player or two that Villa fans would like. I'm sure Villa will end up signing a player or two that Spurs fans would like.

I appreciate and i assume others do as well, whilst some have a rather large chip off their shoulder

I agree, I have no problem with his posts. They are sensible, non-provocative and thoughtful.

No-one here is particularly interested in Spurs themselves, but where we have a common interest in a player, it's good to hear another perspective.

Carry on, mate.

Cheers Pete, and thanks for the reports throughout the year.

Yes, always worth reading. And so quick!

Makelele is a luxury player.

We can't have luxury players.

Yes, he gives you the luxury of controlling the midfield.

Isn't it great when someone does this stuff for you? If he didn't exist, we'd have to invent him.

Thank you.

Jagielka anyone? Would be cheap as Sheff can't realy turn down a good offer for the lad. Versatile, english, committed - id have him.

Ironic that his handball gave away the goal that sent them down, and relegation makes it likely they will have to sell him...

Has anyone done any courses with the Open College of the Arts?

Considering enrolling myself and just wondered if anyone had ever done one or looked into it.

Having done a previous online course organised by a magazine which had its good points and its very bad points, I'm a bit wary but it seems to tick all the right boxes. Affiliated with the Open University, the courses count towards a degree if you want to go down that route (considering this) and if you complete a lev 1 or 2 course and are a member of the RPS you automatically get a Licentiateship of the RPS (letters after your name )

Anyway I doubt anyone here has but just in case I thought I'd ask for some feedback

Haven't done it, but it looks interesting and I might enquire further.

On distance courses generally, I did some tutoring with the OU and found that while they suit some people very much, others who thought they would be OK with it really struggled. Mainly, the ones who gave up were those who were too optimistic in their assessment of how much time they would be able to commit to it (quality time, not a half hour here and there when knackered or with kids needing attention), or maybe not disciplined enough to use the time they had.

Also, what was noticeable was how many really appreciated the face-to-face tutorials where they could see how other people were doing and exchange thoughts with them - studying alone is a bit disorienting for some people, they're sometimes not sure if they are doing OK, and often they imagine that everyone else must be doing just fine and they are getting behind. Getting together with other students, even if only occasionally, seemed to be really important for most people. Courses which don't offer this may miss out on an important dimension.

I would have thought that a photography course should be more amenable to online discussion than most courses, which might offset this.

As for the points counting towards a degree, the OU credit transfer page only mentions one of the photography courses offered by OCA, so it might be worth checking this out specifically if it's an important consideration.

Please use short links

Several things to answer;

‘no one cared today’; well of course they didn’t, it would churlish and silly to think that this is more important than three points. But thats not to say its not important. If identities/logos/crests weren’t you would wonder why that so many big brands care so much about them. Its a reflection of the company, and this crest would certainly not reflect as good as Villa could be.

To the next; what are we going to do? Nothing, bar complain in these forums (that the club will read and hope take note). I don’t actually believe the club will or would change it. Why? Because if they could see the problems they wouldn’t have done it in the beginning (in my opinion).

To LMs points. I don’t think its going to change. To its importance; We live in a modern visual culture, where everyone makes judgements on what they see. I fear that something that is as poor reflects badly on us. Maybe its the 0.01% of how the club performs; maybe its the way that somebody in some far away place picks a club or a sponsor invests in the club. Its not like they say ‘I will do it based upon the crest’, but its a subliminal influence on them. We have to be the best we can.

Good points. (and good article).

Aesthetics are important. That's why people made a fuss about the Trinty Road stand.

This is more than just something that should look good. It's meant to be something that people can identify with - that's its main purpose. But how it looks should also give a strong message about how the club sees itself. For example, the message seems to be about respecting tradition but looking forward.

I don't agree with basing the design of crest on consulting people about their choice. Mostly, they have no expertise, their opinions will be based on little thought and practical experience, they may change their mind completely when shown something better. But I do agree with consulting them about what they want the crest to do, what they think it should convey. Having got these ideas clear, give the job to a pro and let them produce some options.

No, it's not the end of the world. Yes, it could have been better. Does it matter? Well, yes, it would be good to do as well as possible in these things. This wasn't as sure-footed as many other things that have happened in the last few months, and that's a pity. We'll all get over it, but I think an article exploring some of the issues was timely and welcome.

Been thinking about it - does anyone know why Sidwell wasn't playing? injured? Suspended? Or is it 'mysterious - ie, he's off to Newcastle in the summer?

Only caught a few comments on R5, but they suggested it was linked to him having decided he would leave in the summer, and the manager wanting to give a game to some other players as a result. Sounded a reasonable suggestion.

Bit frustrating if you've turned up to watch him, though.

Bah don't blame me - my lens cost £15!

You got a good price there. I can't find it anywhere in the UK, or anywhere at all for less than €39 plus shipping.

Cat, I really wish you hadn't posted those shots.

I've spent half the evening researching macro lenses, and I feel a purchase coming on. I hold you responsible.

apparently we are linked to Muntari.....I think.

article

Think it says we're offering 7 mill, but they want 12. Anyone know Italian?

And as for Sorensen hes alright for the moment...if we get the Boruc guy then great but hes not a grave concern...

We need a new goalkeeper. Tommy never comes outside his six-yard box, hardly commanding for our defence.

Agree. And there still seem to be some odd communication problems as well. Don't know what he does for the defenders, but he doesn't inspire confidence in me. Yes, he can pull off some good saves - what goalie can't? But over the whole range of his game, on balance, I think we need to do better.

Thinking about heroes and villains, it's not so much that he was a hero in his own right, but that his coming was a symbolic victory over the pantomime dame who struggled on for a couple more years before taking the money and running. Just having him here felt good for that reason alone.

It's true that he didn't live up to his potential, but I think he always tried, and he showed honesty and character in what were often difficult circumstances. He was also one of the cleverest players we've had, making runs that his teammates usually didn't spot in time. He also seems a thoroughly nice guy.

I'd still like to see him stay, though I don't think that would especially be the best thing for him.

First & third for me, the horizon isn't level in the fourth but generally they are excellent

And I'm extremely jealour of the location, whee was it?

Horizon, yes, the water was flowing downhill at that point. :winkold:

It's Glen Etive, near Glencoe and Rannoch Moor (which is also amazingly photogenic, especially in winter).

Some from camping, this morning.

Can't believe that anyone would vote for Moore. Hopelessly distant from the character in the books, comically untalented as an actor, and generally about as unsuited to the role as George Bush is to be a professor of moral philosophy. He has two expressions, face at rest and face with one eyebrow lifted. He has one pitch of voice. he came to prominence because he's tall, and has regular features which appeal to some in a matinee-idol way.

Connery is the business, and Craig can outdo him if given the chance. Some of the others weren't bad, but Moore is the Doug Ellis to Connery's Randy Lerner; out of place, out of depth, out of time.

Chips and Gravy from Needless Alley Chippy.... the best food ever!!

That was a great chippy wasn't it?

The best in the whole world, and I defy anyone to disagree :wink:

This one's good. Most of the old favourites, and also haggis, jalapeno peppers, and Roman-style fried fish. Oh, and deep-fried pizza to please the locals... :cry:

http://www.lalbadoro.com/chippy.htm

Great piece, very entertaining.

But reading a 500 page thread? John, you should get out more...

Got it.

General Krulak here:

Bottom Line, Martin did not feel there were any other players out "there" who were AVAILABLE that could help the team. Now we need to get our team in synch with the new players and start getting results!!

3rd post down. I wouldn't lie to you guys (although I wasn't sure if my mate was winding me up or not )

However, a later post on that page says

General Krulak here:

PLEASE don't misunderstand me....MON can certainly continue to operate as we close on the end of the window. My point is simply that he knows what he needs and what is available and will not go throwing money after someone who can't help the team.

On talksport there was a rumour just mentioned of Villa completing a MAJOR signing before the deadline....keep the fingers crossed there is something about to happen!

Its Defoe!

No, he still can't find his way out of that hotel.

Page 442 of this thread. Is it an omen? Or should we wait for page 433? Or 4141?

... on recent reflection could you imagine Ellis laying out £8m up front for a hot unproven property?

Yes, absolutely. A mooring berth in Nice. A pied-a-terre in Monaco. A half-acre to extend his allotment behind his garden. Or a nice plot for his planned mausoleum.

I can imagine all of those deals going through a lot smoother than we ever managed to sign a player under his tedious, timid period of office. As long as the deals benefit him. If it's, ooh, petty cash vouchers for mosquito spray, well, that's another matter...

Come on. Have to post a bit faster than this if it's to get to 1,000 pages by the end of Jan.

After an afternoon of crap, watching us get stuffed on a barely visible internet stream, it's good to take something from a sad defeat. A well written piece doesn't really compare with some points on the board, but it's better than nothing. So thanks for that, it was good.

One thing I'd add. It seemed to me for the entire first half that they could pass their way through our midfield at will, while every time we got the ball we either passed it directly to them, or else hoofed it 70 yards upfield in the hope that Gabby could somehow gather it, beat the three men who by that time would be on him, and create a wonder goal out of nothing.

Whilst I don't agree with Malcolm on many of the points in this article, isn't the point that there is no official line on VT.

It's this that means that any and all opinions are valid, and that's why I come. If I stop reading the people I disagree with, I'll never know why they disagree with me, and I'll never learn anything.

My point is not that the piece fails to follow a "line". You're right, there is no line.

The point is about whether something which is placed as a front page article should reach a certain basic standard, which is something quite unrelated to what the piece argues for. It's not at all about whether you agree with what it says.