Richard Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Not going to happen next season. I'd be amazed if we are in the mix for play offs to be honest based on the press conference in china and the business we have not done so far 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gary Thomas Posted July 18, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) Pragmatically you may all be right, but two seasons in the championships sounds bloody depressing to me and I worry that the longer we hang around in the Championship the higher the risk we get stuck there; what happens if we adopt this two-year mindet and then we don't quite manage promotion in 2017/18? More of our better players leave (they may give us one year, but not two), Xia becomes less enthused with his new project, RDM gets a better offer. We should not be getting so comfortable here and they should be doing everything humanly possible to give us the best chance of promotion this year, right now. I am still of the view that this 'could' happen IF they invest and bring in say 3 good quality players - the returns from promotion would be so vast it is a risk worth taking surely. The problem is we're saddled with too many average/below average players who either don't want to go or no one will have them. I would like to see our new management being far more aggressive in the market to clear these players out - even if we have to pay a couple off. RDM called Villa ‘a house that needed to be knocked down' - well don't knock the house down and rebuild it with the same materials, get new materials, build something stronger and get us back to where we belong. Edited July 18, 2016 by Gary Thomas 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 yeah I think we will struggle for play-offs this season at moment. Norwich, Derby and Newcastle all have stronger squads and if we are lucky we are probably on level of the chasing teams like Ipswich, Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton and few others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 8 minutes ago, Zatman said: yeah I think we will struggle for play-offs this season at moment. Norwich, Derby and Newcastle all have stronger squads and if we are lucky we are probably on level of the chasing teams like Ipswich, Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton and few others I think we've already got a better squad than any of Ipswich, Cardiff, Sheff Wed and Brighton. Derby are more settled but never seem to pull it together. Standing still, we should be looking to challenge for a playoff spot IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaffmaster Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I don't think we can compare this squad with their performances last season. There was no impetus from above. No motivation (although they should have been motivated regardless). I'm interested to see who responds the most to the new regime. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted July 18, 2016 Moderator Share Posted July 18, 2016 As it stands today, I'm not optimistic but thankfully the season doesn't start today. A lot of work to be done though let's hope it happens. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaffmaster Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 We have six competitive games to play before the window closes, so there's plenty of time to assess the squad in the theatre of war. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareth Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 6 minutes ago, gaffmaster said: We have six competitive games to play before the window closes, so there's plenty of time to assess the squad in the theatre of war. I thought you'd been made redundant Krulak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael118 Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 8 minutes ago, gaffmaster said: I don't think we can compare this squad with their performances last season. There was no impetus from above. No motivation (although they should have been motivated regardless). I'm interested to see who responds the most to the new regime. I agree with this except I still think we are lacking the right "impetus from above". I like Xia but am underwhelmed with Di Matteo. I don't see him as a manager capable of bringing out the best in an underperforming squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I think play offs/automatic promtion are realistic if we can get rid of 2-3 players and replace them with solid players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtsimonw Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Think people are getting a little worried a little too early. In the first 4 years of Lerner being here, where he invested a bit - these were the summer signings made before and after July 19th (today). 06/07 Before - After - Petrov 07/08 Before - Reo-Coker, Harewood After - Knight 08/09 Before - Davies, Sidwell After - Friedel, Guzan, Shorey, L.Young, Cuellar, Milner 09/10 Before - Downing (16th July) After - Delph, Beye, Collins, Warnock, Dunne We've already made more first team signings up until this date (3: Elphick, Gollini, Tshibola) than we had in any of the early Lerner years. The Euros only just finished last week and it's often the big clubs making moves that start to get the ball rolling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelVilla Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I watched some of the playoff games last season. The quality wasn't great but it was better than the Villa we watched last season. We haven't improved the team much yet. Im not worried cause the Championship is a marathon and if we do the right stuff on the last day of the transfer window that will help us in the end. I am feeling restless though, I want more positive things to happen. This waiting is unbearable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gary Thomas Posted July 19, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) 22 minutes ago, NoelVilla said: I watched some of the playoff games last season. The quality wasn't great but it was better than the Villa we watched last season. We haven't improved the team much yet. Im not worried cause the Championship is a marathon and if we do the right stuff on the last day of the transfer window that will help us in the end. I am feeling restless though, I want more positive things to happen. This waiting is unbearable. We were relegated many months ago with one of the worst premier league teams in history. We have some decent players and better coaching staff, but that is a fact. We have heard endless talk of culls, transformation and big ambition, yet here we are with the same squad (less 2 fringe players and a three 'decent' additions) and 18 or so days to the championship kicks off. I understand that get RDM wants to be patient and make good decisions and I get these things are always protracted and complex, but I will feel far more confident when we actually see some of this business we keep talking about actually happening, or even looking likely! -It is not like we are talking about one or two transactions - we have a load of business to do even going by conservative estimates! Perhaps this is too melodramatic, but our work in this market is partly where promotion will be won or lost. Right now it feels like we are way behind in the game. I am not saying we won't do well, but it feels like we are starting to settle for an updated version of the status quo - and that worries me. Edited July 19, 2016 by Gary Thomas 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Well sports fans, 6 weeks today and the window will be slamming shut on our fingers. Better start thinking about pulling them out ehh? As things stand, staying in the division should be the priority! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow1988 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 13 minutes ago, Kingman said: Well sports fans, 6 weeks today and the window will be slamming shut on our fingers. Better start thinking about pulling them out ehh? As things stand, staying in the division should be the priority! Seriously? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ml1dch Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 22 minutes ago, Kingman said: Well sports fans, 6 weeks today and the window will be slamming shut on our fingers. Better start thinking about pulling them out ehh? As things stand, staying in the division should be the priority! No, not staying in the division should be the priority. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markavfc40 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) 13 hours ago, Gary Thomas said: We were relegated many months ago with one of the worst premier league teams in history. We have some decent players and better coaching staff, but that is a fact. We have heard endless talk of culls, transformation and big ambition, yet here we are with the same squad (less 2 fringe players and a three 'decent' additions) and 18 or so days to the championship kicks off. I understand that get RDM wants to be patient and make good decisions and I get these things are always protracted and complex, but I will feel far more confident when we actually see some of this business we keep talking about actually happening, or even looking likely! Gary your optimism seems to be waning slightly mate. I think it was always a big ask to have a squad assembled by September 1st capable of promotion next season and a huge one to think that would be the case by the time the season kicked off. Given what Di Matteo inherited I personally think it is asking too much to think that can be put right with in one transfer window and we can turn around a squad that not just went down but went down with zero fight and turn it into one capable of getting promoted. A new season unfortunately doesn’t instantly wipe away what went before and this squad is poor. Perhaps not ability wise as bad as last season suggested but when you combine that with a lack of desire and a losing mentality then it does need a major overhaul and that takes time. It is not what any of us want but I do think we are going to have to be patient. There is so much for RDM to do. He has had to come in and access the squad, decide who needs to go, what areas need improving, will have to instil a playing style and then get a squad to gel that even now I would expect by the close of the window will have at least half a dozen new players in it. Whilst not accepting that promotion is totally out of the question I do think it is asking a lot. Edited July 20, 2016 by markavfc40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders0223 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 32 minutes ago, Kingman said: Well sports fans, 6 weeks today and the window will be slamming shut on our fingers. Better start thinking about pulling them out ehh? As things stand, staying in the division should be the priority! Staying in the division? Did you watch any championship games last season? Our youth sides could probably stay clear of relegation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) 13 minutes ago, markavfc40 said: Gary your optimism seems to be waning slightly mate. I think it was always a big ask to have a squad assembled by September 1st capable of promotion next season and a huge one to think that would be the case by the time the season kicked off. Given what Di Matteo inherited I personally think it is asking too much to think that can be put right with in one transfer window and we can turn around a squad that not just went down but went down with zero fight and turn it into one capable of getting promoted. A new season unfortunately doesn’t instantly wipe away what went before and this squad is poor. Perhaps not ability wise as bad as last season suggested but when you combine that with a lack of desire and a losing mentality then it does need a major overhaul and that takes time. It is not what any of us want but I do think we are going to have to be patient. There is so much for RDM to do. He has had to come in and access the squad, decide who needs to go, what areas need improving, will have to instil a playing style and then get a squad to gel that even now I would expect by the close of the window will have at least half a dozen new players in it. Whilst not accepting that promotion is totally out of the question I do think it is asking a lot. I agree with the tone of this but would like to add that so far I am pleased with the progress. I'm happy with the players we have signed, I'm happy that the manager has taken his time to assess the squad and is looking to move a load of them on as hoped. I feel as though RDM above all else understands the task in hand and whilst the club are being ambitious with their wording there is now an air of professionalism that just wasn't there previous. I think we might make the playoffs. I don't think that is asking a "lot". Automatic promotion will be beyond us though and I'm fine with that, assuming there is continued progress and consistency. Edited July 20, 2016 by dont_do_it_doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Maybe the hard reality of the task at hand is finally kicking in. Its obvious to us as fans who have observed our demise, but even if RDM & Dr X are at one with what needs to be done, its still not 100% in their hands. The Zog & Richardson have gone Ideally we need Gabby Bacuna & Lescott out for attitude reasons. Guzan Hutton & Sinclair for just not being good enough. That would leave us with an unbalanced but troublefree squad to go on with. We've added a GK CB & DM and have regained some CH experience with Gardner, Baker & Bennet The unknowns from our youth team, Lyden, HRM, Green and fee others. IMHO thats enough for midtable, who we bring in now to gain a few places and in Jan to make a final push for 3-6th is a plan worth going by. What we dont know is if all the above can be negotiated and indeed comes off. Dr X & RDM really do have a monumental task on their hands. How difficult it is for them to get in/out who they want is something they are confronted with as they go on. I hope for the best but also wary of the turnaround they must undertake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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