Captain_Townsend Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 If there are problems at Villa, it sure as hell is not on the footballing side. Qualified for Europe for the first time since 2010 and sitting in 4th as late as February. Given the advantages in resources, cheating etc other clubs have this man has proven himself a genius 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinRichardsonsMoustache Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 32 minutes ago, HKP90 said: We're gonna hound this guy out because of pouty petulance, and an inability to grasp that progress is never linear and exponential. We're gonna do that and lose the best manager in 50 years. Depressingly inevitable. Edit: I meant continuous and exponential, I realise that linear and exponential are mutually exclusive, maths nerds. Not enough coffee yet. I'm here for the maths precision and for the eloquent understanding of how football, like life, isn't always rainbows and roses. We've put up with a lot at this club, so an appreciation of how good things currently are (and that this isn't automatic) is welcome. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Scorpio Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 38 minutes ago, HKP90 said: We're gonna hound this guy out because of pouty petulance, and an inability to grasp that progress is never linear and exponential. We're gonna do that and lose the best manager in 50 years. Depressingly inevitable. Edit: I meant continuous and exponential, I realise that linear and exponential are mutually exclusive, maths nerds. Not enough coffee yet. This is the thing. What is the expectation of fans really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HKP90 Posted February 8 VT Supporter Share Posted February 8 12 minutes ago, KevinRichardsonsMoustache said: I'm here for the maths precision and for the eloquent understanding of how football, like life, isn't always rainbows and roses. We've put up with a lot at this club, so an appreciation of how good things currently are (and that this isn't automatic) is welcome. By all means correct my maths. It has always been like a dried up cat turd in the slipper of my mind. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HKP90 Posted February 8 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted February 8 11 minutes ago, Hank Scorpio said: This is the thing. What is the expectation of fans really? Fans control their own expectations. They have some responsibility to not expect (hope, certainly but not expect) to go from relegation battlers to PL winners within 2 years, and throw a wobbler when the inevitable poor period occurs. We're fighting on fronts we've not done for decades, with a squad that is barely deep enough to cope. We've had extremely long term injuries to key players, meaning the survivors are having to play even more games, and despite this, and inevitable dips in form because players are human, we're still 4th in the league, and in the knockout stages of a European competition. And squatting on top of all that achievement like a shaking, shitting dog, is the dipshit in the match thread last night who was cheering for the f***ing opposition. Absolute disgrace. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Scorpio Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Just now, HKP90 said: Fans control their own expectations. They have some responsibility to not expect (hope, certainly but not expect) to go from relegation battlers to PL winners within 2 years, and throw a wobbler when the inevitable poor period occurs. We're fighting on fronts we've not done for decades, with a squad that is barely deep enough to cope. We've had extremely long term injuries to key players, meaning the survivors are having to play even more games, and despite this, and inevitable dips in form because players are human, we're still 4th in the league, and in the knockout stages of a European competition. And squatting on top of all that achievement like a shaking, shitting dog, is the dipshit in the match thread last night who was cheering for the f***ing opposition. Absolute disgrace. Did that really happen? Holy shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HKP90 Posted February 8 VT Supporter Share Posted February 8 1 minute ago, Hank Scorpio said: Did that really happen? Holy shit. Unfortunately, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolta Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 1 minute ago, HKP90 said: Unfortunately, yes. Name and shame! But yeah, I hate how knee-jerk people can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post It's Your Round Posted February 8 Popular Post Share Posted February 8 Emery is a victim of his own success with some fans, we’ve improved so well and so quickly that all the talk of being in a title race has left people feeling like it’s a failure if we don’t finish top four. I’ll be more than happy even if we finish sixth this season, it’s incremental progression over last season and European football again. We were never going to win every game and the difference between starting well and finishing not so well versus starting poorly and finishing strongly, leads to a huge difference in reaction despite the end result being the same. It’s going to be a fight to the end and Emery has earned our trust to get us there. His 2ppg includes our rough patches, so let’s hope our returning players help us refind our form. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilS Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 1 hour ago, Captain_Townsend said: Got past the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2015 before losing, over two games to Chelsea. Still playing in a European competition in March. We are rocked by injuries at the moment and He's only been here 17 months. We are pretty much playing with both our 3rd and 4th choice centre backs at the moment following Konsa's injury, look at Arsenal last year to see how they fell away when they were impacted by injuries in central defence. We are pretty much starting from scratch with the back four that played last night, having one of Lenglet or Carlos weakens us, to have both who have barely played together at the back is going to make the team look disjointed. The passing out from the back has dramatically dropped in quality and that has impacted the team going forward as well. Let's not turn on our best manager that we have had in years as a result, stick with the team as the injuries will ease soon. My realistic target for the season was top 6 and Conference League Win, we are still on target for that. If we can get a Champions League place then we will have done fantastically, but we shouldn't turn on the team or manager if we run out of steam. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted February 8 VT Supporter Share Posted February 8 A slight concern I have which may just be a total non-issue is that I hope the players stick with Unai and the way he analyses games and discusses them in depth now that we're going through a sticky patch. Those types of things are great when you're winning, but can't imagine it's much fun for players when they're playing poorly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calcifer Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 31 minutes ago, Rolta said: Name and shame! But yeah, I hate how knee-jerk people can be. I did see someone say Come on Chelsea - i told them to F off back to the small Heath Forum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPAngel Posted February 8 VT Supporter Share Posted February 8 1 hour ago, Zatman said: Maybe not hound out soon but online you can feel some idiots turning and dont realise how shit we were when he took over Naturally would prefer that we have a passion merchant like Pulis or someone similar Agree with this and it scares me. I've been at so many games where there are constant shouts (expletives removed) of "get it forward quicker!", "mix it up!", "wake up Villa", "get it up the pitch!", "why are we just playing it around the back!?". Emery has done a lot to educate our fanbase but there are some beyond help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaJay Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 The man has worked wonders since he's here, as mentioned a few posts above, progress is not always linear. 5th and a conference league win would be amazing, anything more would be incredible, in this climate, the toughest and most competitive league ever, and FFP constraints he is over performing. He can of course be questioned as anyone should, but based on his performance to this point he should not be doubted. He's changing the whole culture at the club, demanding more from everyone and there will be dips but as shown so far he can deliver results. Injuries and suspensions are part of the game we just need to navigate those times by putting points on the board and we have so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas10 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Previous posters have covered it and I’m pleased to see some sense and good points… we are incredibly lucky to have Unai and he has raised all expectation and worked wonders… I do think we need to find a way to shed the complacency, arrogance and casualness though… and that cause mistakes and lapses… Players need to realise they have to focus on every game and fight for victories… we can’t win based on talent alone and if you’re too relaxed… you’re going to get caught out. Don’t dream… focus on the here and now and put the work in to every game…. we can’t afford to coast… Don’t believe the hype or get carried away… we haven’t achieved anything of note yet… that’s the message I would like to have drilled in their heads…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas10 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas10 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 (edited) He’s done so well… shows how brilliant he is with the challenges he has overcome and had to deal with. Many would have failed or withered away by now… we’ve seen it many times… but not King Unai. I do feel sorry for him in the sense that key elements of our team have been dismantled by injury (Mings and Buendia were big players for us last season, JJ and Moreno were brilliant and so dangerous - our left side was great)… he fixed or found a way to counteract that… but we’ve still picked up injuries (and a silly suspension) to key players…. it’s been hard to find cohesion/stability/consistency with the alterations that have had to be made… I wonder if we’d genuinely have been competing for the title now if none of these injuries had ever occurred Need to stay focussed, keep the right attitude/mentality, get our players staying fit and hitting form… that’s how we excel but… it’s easier said than done… I wouldn’t choose anyone other than Unai to deal with these challenges either… we’re still 4th in the league after all! I’m not going to give up or be defeatist… makes no sense… if we could back and support the team during all the positivity and progress… surely we should be now or during a minor blip/slump… it’s the least they deserve… have we forgotten the rotten SG era so quickly? we’ve taken great strides… Edited February 8 by Jas10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJBOB Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Still back Unai. Can he go more pragmatic for a few weeks to adjust with injuries? I know he wants us to remain the protagonist but this back 4 is not going to yield the same results playing the same way. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calcifer Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 4 minutes ago, Jas10 said: Previous posters have covered it and I’m pleased to see some sense and good points… we are incredibly lucky to have Unai and he has raised all expectation and worked wonders… I do think we need to find a way to shed the complacency, arrogance and casualness though… and that cause mistakes and lapses… Players need to realise they have to focus on every game and fight for victories… we can’t win based on talent alone and if you’re too relaxed… you’re going to get caught out. Don’t dream… focus on the here and now and put the work in to every game…. we can’t afford to coast… Don’t believe the hype or get carried away… we haven’t achieved anything of note yet… that’s the message I would like to have drilled in their heads…. Anyone that calls for Unal's to be sacked really needs to give their head a wobble. He is the best Manager we have had at this club for a LONG time! They need to sit down and look at the we have had in the past. Do they want another Gerrard? Bruce? But seeing our fans moaning about going out the cup when we have a cup specialist. Come on, would Slippy G done any better? His press conference would have been, We can't expect to beat Chelsea, they are a top side... Compare that to the passion of Unai in his! Unai can only work with what we have, we have at least 4 1st team players out with injuries (Pau, Konsa, Mings, Buendia) Bench is lacking quality due to FFP, he can't wave a magic wand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas10 Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 (edited) 15 minutes ago, calcifer said: Anyone that calls for Unal's to be sacked really needs to give their head a wobble. He is the best Manager we have had at this club for a LONG time! They need to sit down and look at the we have had in the past. Do they want another Gerrard? Bruce? But seeing our fans moaning about going out the cup when we have a cup specialist. Come on, would Slippy G done any better? His press conference would have been, We can't expect to beat Chelsea, they are a top side... Compare that to the passion of Unai in his! Unai can only work with what we have, we have at least 4 1st team players out with injuries (Pau, Konsa, Mings, Buendia) Bench is lacking quality due to FFP, he can't wave a magic wand! I don’t think it’s quite reached a point like that and it would be ludicrous and beyond stupid if it (ever) did… Anyone with half a brain is fully behind and supportive of Unai, I’m sure. I’d go so far as to say anyone who is not isn’t a “real Villa fan” (yeah I said it? So what?! ) or is mentally challenged and riddled with amnesia… or simply ignorant and foolishly entitled without any form of reason or justification. The mere notion should invite ridicule… He’s the best manager and coach we’ve ever had and possibly will ever get… if you can’t support him and fully follow and stick with the team now, you may as well give it up and pack it in altogether. We really can’t get better this time around so it’s time to be properly invested or just forget the whole lot and move on… You’re absolutely right, Unai can only work with what he has. And FFP or PSR rules have hindered our ability to strengthen and progress as quickly as the club may wish… as well as the rotten ass luck we’ve had with injuries… severe ones too! But us fans don’t really have the right to clamour for so much so soon either… after the shite and dross we’ve had to tolerate over the years… we should really just be appreciative and fairly happy and/or positive/hopeful to be frank….it’s remarkably speedy progress already! But… it’s fine to share constructive criticism, highlight areas for improvement and issues to address etc. if we wish, so long as we do it in a fair & balanced manner and without losing our shit! But… don’t we think Unai (with his vast amount of knowledge and experience) is and has already thought of all this? Does anyone seriously think they could do a better job? Or come up with “solutions” that he can’t?? You’re having a larf Edited February 8 by Jas10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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