Written by Damian Friday, 05 March 2010 09:14
Reading will be no push over on Sunday, but we should beat them, simply because we are stronger. They currently sit 18th in Division Two and you don't sit 18th in that League unless you deserve to.
But, it isn't a stroll in the park and they are approaching this game in a similar way to how we approached the League Cup final. Their owner is also drumming up as much support as possible and is doing his best to make their supporters believe.
Reading chairman Sir John Madejski
There's a renaissance around the place. This is such a great thing for the club and the Reading area - it's like a cup final for us. I urge people to be here, to soak up the atmosphere and get involved because this is something you can talk about to your grandchildren in years to come. We're a community club and this is a great time for the community to show their enthusiasm for Reading Football Club and spur them on to victory.
Last time out
It wasn't that long ago that Reading were a top flight club, but I'm sure most of you remember that, I'm just saying it as they do have some experience of big games. But the last time we played them in the Premier League we beat them 2-1 at their place and the month before 3-1 at Villa Park.
But and I keep trying to emphasis this; Reading will not be a stroll in the park. They have beaten West Brom, Burnley and Liverpool in the FA Cup this season and they will fight like it really is their FA Cup final and if we are not on top of our game, things could go horrible.
Top seven not the new top four
Not that the FA Cup isn't exciting or an important game, but it is Reading. We should win and looking at statistics from the last fifty years isn't going to have any bearing on the result this Sunday. We lose, it is season over - we win, we have a chance.
But, we do have news that the Premier League have revealed that they will not pursue the idea of a play-off for fourth place and the final Chumps League place. At the Premier League board meeting yesterday, the clubs' chairmen decided not to look into the proposal at the moment.
So, it would have been fun but really, had a team finished seventh and then won their way through to the Chumps League qualifying round, they would have only gotten knocked out, so probably the right decision. Expect game 39 to come back soon though.
Right, that is for me at the moment. There is nothing really that interesting going on at the club and not a rumour anywhere so, Reading on Sunday it is and no Chumps League place for finishing seventh. Coffee and breakfast.
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Jonathan Dixon
said:
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... Not so sure that if we lose on Sunday, our season is over. None of us, Man City, Liverpool or Spuds look that consistant at the moment and we will all drop stupid points between now and the end of the season. I can see 4th place changing hands over and over again. We are by no means out of that race. Glad you're not manager Damian, all the players would be on anti-depressants!! ;0) |
Damian
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... Carlos is a centre back!! okay - mathematically we could still win the league so, okay, it maybe isn't over. but i wouldn't put anymoney on us having the type of run necessary to win the league fourth is a bonus yes - but i can tell you now, manchester united, chelsea, arsenal and liverpool don't start the season thinking that- they all start the season wanting to and believing they can win the league and that is why they finish in the top four. we start the season thinking fourth fourth fouorth and that is why we will finish 6th. again |
Andi
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... Reading the other thread, Habib Beye leaving would mean our season is over!! some have got offer letters in the post for new managers already. Have you read my replies damo ?? |
Readingfan
said:
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... We are 18th in the Championship but since the new manager come in we have played like a promotion winning team. 5 out 6 wins in the league and knocking Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom out of the cup. Liverpool and West Brom both away in extra time. I wouldnt underestimate us if I was a Villa fan. |
Villatx
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... Just got to birmingam...touring villa park today...hopefully that gets me in an excited mood for the reading game cuz for some reason I'm worried about it... |
Jonathan Dixon
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... What's the key factor that now means Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are always the 4 that finish in the top 4?? Answer = Regular Champions League Football You have to get in that competition to even comprehend trying to win the league. If either of those teams drop out of the champions league they would struggle to make it back in, let alone try and win the league. That's way a team outside of the top four having asprirations of "just" finishing in the top 4 isn't such a bad thing. I truly believe just getting there once could be enough to stay there for years (if the money is spent correctly) and then that gives you the platform of pushing on to try and compete for the league. |
Peterich
said:
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... "They (Reading) currently sit 18th in Division Two and you don't sit 18th in that League unless you deserve to." You don't say! Five league wins in their last six games, a 5-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday last week. Cup victories against Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom. They were dragged down to a low false league position by a manager Brendan Rogers trying to make them play like Chelsea. Brian McDermott triggerred an astonishing resurgence that makes a nonsense of your 'deserve to' remark. And of course it is not the owner who is making the supporters believe (he had the parachute payments as payback), it is Brian McDermott who may be destined for greater things to come. |
Andi
said:
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...that makes a nonsense of your 'deserve to' where are you in the league again ?? why are you there ?? because you DESERVE TO BE if you didn't you wouldn't be there the league does not lie !!!! |
Chris Harper
said:
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... I would LOVE to see Delfouneso start with Gabby on Sunday.That is our future....and possibly even the present. Please MON? |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Gabby can now hold the ball up as well as Heskey, and better than Carew. He needs a good technical forward alongside him and Delfouneso I believe, is that man. |
John Samuels
said:
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... Reading will be much tougher than Palace. They have been in excellent form recently and we might get beaten at the Madejski unless we play really really well. That isn't to say we haven't got the best team on paper by an absolute mile, we could just still lose it. Oh yeah, while I remember, Simeon is a nightmare. I keep wanting to argue, but so many negative points, i'd be here all week if I started typing.  |
John Samuels
said:
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...Gabby can now hold the ball up as well as Heskey, and better than Carew. He needs a good technical forward alongside him and Delfouneso I believe, is that man. I agree Chris, I believe Fo0nz is very close to being ready for a first team spot. It's just the fact that when it does work everyone will be in outrage because it wasn't tried when Delfouneso was still in the womb and that MoN has just stumbled upon it accidentally.  |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... I missed all the post match discussions about the final but for what it is worth here is my call on it. I thought we played very well to be honest for periods. We got the ball down a good deal and tried to use the space of Wembley. And it worked well enough as we really did get into some great positions. Obviously in the end the difference was just they have better quality players who are used to playing in big games. They have match winners like Rooney whereas we have the likes of Heskey. But still we were robbed as the ref bottled it big time as Vidic had to walk for that pen. But the only thing that i have a gripe about that game was Cullar at RB. Im sorry but the man just is not a RB and the ammount of good positions that we wasted when the ball came to the Spaniard who is just so un natural in that position was in my mind the difference between us winning and losing. Their is a fine line bewteen winning and losing and i honestly thing Cullar at RB was that difference as especially in the first half we were doing very well only for a good number of attacks to break down as a result of Cullar uncomfortabilty on the ball and at RB. Not blaming the Spaniard as its not his fault he is playing there and the guy is top class CB but i just hope(but i doubt he has) MON has learned his lesson on the importance of playing proper full backs in the full back position because i honestly think if we had played Luke Young there and Cullar at CB we would have won that game on Sunday as Utd were there for the taking. |
Andi
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...it wasn't tried when Delfouneso was still in the womb and that MoN has just stumbled upon it accidentally I have actually pointed this out to MON just like i did with Milner in the middle  |
John Samuels
said:
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... ak, I understand mate and at times Cuellar looked a bit flaky with the ball, but he was awesome at the back. Man U got barely on attack down that side and given the battering Warnock was taking I was glad of the extra physical presence at the back. I think there's more to it than that tbh. MoN is the scapegoat all day for playing Carlos there and we lose. If we win everyone says we should have won anyway cos Man U were there for the taking and just start moaning about the fullbacks in the next game. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...I would LOVE to see Delfouneso start with Gabby on Sunday.That is our future....and possibly even the present. Please MON As much as i would love to see the guy play a lot more i think this game will be a battle on a pitch that won't be great so id opt for Carew and Gabby. I can see a lot of long ball football in this game. I would then play Delfouneso in the PL where he might have more oppertunities to get ball to feet. The way he scored for the U21's showed that the guy is an out and out poacher. You can't teach that. Thats just natural and a great trait in a striker. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Please...not the RB debate again. Its been done to death. Sorry wasn't around and it was the one thing from that game that really irked me. JPA i understand where you are coming from but i really believe that Young is just as solid in the tackle at RB as Cullar. But we leave it here becasue it has been done to death. Ended up in a bar in Camden Sunday night after the match and Amy Winehouse came in and went behind the bar serving us beer for 2 hours. It was surreal. |
Frankie Pimblett
said:
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... Spot on with your Final appraisal ak-27, if we start with the same team on Sunday it will be extremely frustrating. I think the Palace experience will have done us good and I expect us to come out with a no nonsense determined approach. Also got a feeling that one of their best players McAnuff ? might be out or suspended. Hopefully Carew and Luke Young to start with Heskey washing his car back in Sutton Coldfield. |
Chris Harper
said:
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...The way he scored for the U21's showed that the guy is an out and out poacher. You can't teach that. Thats just natural and a great trait in a striker. I love the way he talks in interviews too. He's only bothered about one thing and one thing only....scoring. That is why he would be brilliant with Gabby. Gabby's game now involves in him holding it up more and bringing others into play. e.g. getting it on the left wing, holding it up and passing it to Ashley Young. Delfouneso will then be able to concentrate purley on what he does best...score goals. |
Chris Harper
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...Ended up in a bar in Camden Sunday night after the match and Amy Winehouse came in and went behind the bar serving us beer for 2 hours. It was surreal. That is surreal! |
Magicnick
said:
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... I actually follow Reading alot, I'm at the Uni, and my housemate writes their match reports. Reading are far better than their 18th place suggests, they've played good football all season but have struggled for a lack of goals. If they had a striker who could finish their chances they would be pushing for promotion. But they don't, instead they have Simon Church, the most profligate of young talents. Things have improved in the second half of the season, and I think we should view them as threat comparable to a top7 championship team. Liverpool weren't particularly bad when they played them, Reading simply played exceptionally well. There is a buzz around Madjeski, and people here are genuinely sensing a cupset. |
Andi
said:
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...Reading are far better than their 18th place suggests, Please please please stop saying this you are OBVIOUSLY not or you wouldn't be 18th so STOP saying it !!!!! |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... reading deserve a lot of respect and i for one will not underestimate them, but i do hope for a slender win with the gap between the leagues possibly showing in our way.. damian... its now the chumps league? blimey, that doesnt sound worth winning either! perhaps if we win the chumps league and then go on to win the club world cup then i am sure THIS and only THIS will make damian post a positive post. i wonder what kind of negative post you can come up with if we were world club champions? |
John Samuels
said:
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... ak, I had a similar ex[erience involving Jason Dozzell in a pub in Ipswich a year or so ago. Wierd. I'll not mention RB again either. Have you read some of Simeons posts from the bottom of yesterdays thread? Him and mon 4-5-1 are a bloody nightmare. I can feel a headline post coming, my fingers are getting itchy. Full strength team for the Reading game, same side that played United. It'll give them a chance to forget about last week, blow some cobwebs away and crack on with the season. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...That is surreal! She was actually a lovely girl. Great tits. She didn't seem too upset about Villa losing though. |
John Samuels
said:
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... Chiefy, I follow a fair amount of Championship football and the guy has a point. PLaying Ipswich at the minute wouldn't be fun either. They have the same problem, no goals and are down the bottom of the table when they actually play decent football and look a handful when playing the better sides. That division is so close, it's not like the EPL where the bottom and top of the leagues are more polarised. |
Andi
said:
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... I am not saying that we will walk all over them nor i am i saying would shouldnt repect them but stupid claims cant carry any weight if they are better than that then they wouldnt be in the position they are in thats merely all i am saying.... |
scott harwood
said:
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... villachris spot on.i think we are looking for a goalscorer to play with gabby not instead of him.mon has moulded gabby into a heskey type player who also scores goals! his hold up play is excellent and id love to see delf feeding off him sunday! |
John Samuels
said:
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... I understand Chiefy old boy. You can't discount them though, remember the nightmare we had against palace!? We should win, but I think it'll be tight and they will be throwing everything inc. the kitchen sink at us. Tough game, but ultimately very winnable. God, I hope we don't get another f**king replay! |
Damian
said:
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... holteend paul no, it's not now the chumps league - it has been the chumps league for a number of years - to be very specific, i started calling it that ater liverpool finished 5th and got in - because very specifically, at the time, winning the champions league didn't actually mean you automatically qualified for the champions league also - you dont have to be a champions to enter - therefore chumps league and if you search google - you'll get lots and lots of people calling it the same thing. so, it isn't just now the chumps lseague and it would be wonderful to win and if we do, in our lifetime - i'll get you drunk |
Andi
said:
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...chiefy we are the famous aston villa and the good times are coming back Positive Mental Attitude |
keith
said:
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... jpa who's the ref because im sure throwing the kitchen sink is a sending off offense |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... damian... see what you have done there? actualy put a smile on my face, the fact you will get me drunk means your a wealthy man or you just dont believe we will ever win the competition. anyway i wouldnt like to take any more money from you as you did put money behind the bar for our jolly against fulham last season. |
keith
said:
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... throwing the kitchen sink, plugging the defense, tapping the ref. who are we playing B & Q |
whitey09
said:
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... hi chaps, 4 those of u who didnt know & this is not a dampner on things just a bit of fact really 4 those who mite be getting a little carried away,and those who believe we should b doing better - we have won the league just once in nearly 100 yrs we won the fa cup once in nearly 90 yrs so theres no way we can claim anything by rite.the gud thing bout it is that this season & the previous 2 we have moved along 2 a position in which we can positivly challenge the so called big guns and with that a real chance of silverware as last sunday has shown. wat we need is perspective bout it all,yes were gud enuf 2 challenge but not there yet in actually winning things again.i 4 1 think that were in a position 2 make that step up and so long as all these (want it now brigade)chill out a bit and enjoy the ride then we mite just see sum achievements in the very near future,but the more the (want it now brigade)keep voicing there neggo's opinions and getting more frustrated, the more our gaffa's(mon & learner) will think wats the point, our club are in the best position its been in 4 yrs so lets get behind the club as a whole and shout & scream our boys on 2 a glorious future because without us they are nuffink & with us we can become everything again,keep the faith utv |
neil-bangor
said:
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... Hi AK, good to have you back  I was in madame Tussauds, brilliant. Amy is there,she is tiny,looks unwell,drugs? She is about 6 stone? Maybe she is through all that. She can sing JPA, you are totally right, Simeon and co are more negative than even Taglor Taglor, good to have you back,hope kittys are ok We will beat Reading if the Fonz plays. It is time to unleash him. He is going to be our hero Cuellar is a fine player,we almost play 352 like the old days,remember the 2 gareths and Ugo,that was some defence. This is our best season in 28 years. I seem to recall losing to such sides as QPR,Leicester and Doncaster. With current team that will not happen. UTV |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Amy is there,she is tiny,looks unwell,drugs? I didn't realise she was so tiny. She looked fine. She didn't look drunk or off her head at all. She was honestly very nice. |
Keith
said:
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... Badger & Chiefy This is the third day running that you have disagreed with Damian. Please stop now or you will be joining me on the naughty step. keithj who's the ref because im sure throwing the kitchen sink is a sending off offense Not according to Phil Dowd, it isn't a sending off offence if the forward is moving slightly away from goal and the incident happens in the area. Then it isn't even a booking |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... bloody hell guys, it looks like it could be a good post today for once, wouldnt it be great if we sang as loud as stoke do every home game, i realy wonder how many more points we could pick up IF like stoke we pumped up the volume? |
Damian
said:
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... keefvilla You were on the naughty step for all of a day and wouldn't it be boring if everyone agreed And a little warning because there might be a positive post tomorrow |
Andi
said:
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...we pumped up the volume? I wish, sometimes it is so quite, bring back the good old days the right side !!! the left side !!!! when the holte was a scary place now you could have a mcdonalds match day party with hats and ballons its that soft |
Andi
said:
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...And a little warning because there might be a positive post tomorrow choked on my red bull bloody hell damo dont do that !!! |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... chiefy. I wish, sometimes it is so quite, bring back the good old days the right side !!! the left side !!!! when the holte was a scary place now you could have a mcdonalds match day party with hats and ballons its that soft knees up mother brown. |
John Samuels
said:
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...Not according to Phil Dowd, it isn't a sending off offence if the forward is moving slightly away from goal and the incident happens in the area. Then it isn't even a booking Throwing the kitchen sink or even mowing the opposing team down with a carbine powered automatic weapon is sometimes construde as acceptable in the first few minutes of big game so as not to ruin the spectacle. |
Frankie Pimblett
said:
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... First bit of work Ms Winehouse has done in the last three years isn't it ?, think she should get it together with Ashley Cole he needs a good slapping. |
John Samuels
said:
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...And a little warning because there might be a positive post tomorrow Are you going to ask me to writeit? |
tubbydunne
said:
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... I was a big fan of Ceullar at right back and Heskey upfront. Basically I thought that it was our strongest first eleven. Maybe it is but for some reason now I would like to see Young picked at right back and have any two from Collins, Ceullar or Dunne as center halves. I would also like the Fonz in instead of the Hesk to see how himself and Gabby would work out. It would freshen things up a bit but whatever team is picked I just want to be in a semi final at Wembley. |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... Here is a sneek preview of Damo's post for tomorrow................................. Title: Yes we can (Maybe) I predict 3 points against Reading, ok I know its an FA Cup match but you know what I mean. So I expect a win , but we might lose or draw. I love MON, but actually he is crap but is ok sometimes. I expect Delph, Albrighton , Delfounso and sidwell to play but they will probably start from the bench. If I was a betting man I would back us to win but will bet on the draw just in case. We have a chance of finishing in the top 4 but will finish 5th, 6th or 7th. The team is standing still but we can play some good football although not good enough. Last game we passed the ball 233 times with a 48% succes rate. this compares to Arsenal who made 1,200,000 passes with a 98% success rate. James Milner is crap, actually he is the best player we have! |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... Sorry Damian just having a laugh. Yesterday was one of the most depressing days on the blog for a long time. There were some of the most illogical opinions made I have read for a long time. Villa are in a fantastic state and I am so excited about the rest of the season. |
Tim Hillman
said:
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...CSM I already have the title: The only time I was wrong, was when I thought I was wrong but then I was right!!!! |
Andi
said:
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... Keef actually i am somewhere in the middle lower, somewhere in the middle lower in it just doesnt have the same effect |
Peterich
said:
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... Reading are awful, truly deserve to be 18th in the Championship if not lower and just cannot score goals. Foolishly I thought I remembered them scoring five against Sheffield Wednesday last week, three at West Brom the week before and three at Anfield. I guess I must be wrong. |
Peterich
said:
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... I was wrong, Reading only scored two at Anfield - but that's two more than Villa scored against Liverpool at home in December. |
Andi
said:
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... Peterich -- silly statement if you DONT DESERVE TO BE 18TH WHY ARE YOU ????? the league doesnt lie. So what you scored a few goals I score 5 in a pre season friendly should i by in the premier league ??? get a grip |
Andi
said:
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...I was wrong, Reading only scored two at Anfield - but that's two more than Villa scored against Liverpool at home in Decembe Let me just go get you a blue peter badge and promotion to the premier league cause you deserve it dont you ???? NO your 18th because your rubbish when it matters end of |
Andi
said:
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... peterich - how many did you score at old trafford ??? oh thats right your in the CHAMPIONSHIP why are you there ?? because your S*&T |
John Samuels
said:
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... Peterich, why not read the other posts written above rather than just one or two negative ones about Reading. Some show a lot of respect. The unfortunate truth for you guys is that whether you beat us or not, relegation is still very much a viable outcome for you this season and i'd worry more about that than mouthing off on another teams blog. Well done for scoring a goal less than us at Anfield this season. I imagine you scored more goals than us at Portman Road, Hillsborough, St. James Park, Riverside, The Hawthorns....oh no, that's right you're in the championship after selling all your best players and getting relegated. I have a lot of respect for you club, but don't push me, I might be inclined to push back my Royal friend. |
Peterich
said:
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... Keithj, that would have been dishonest! You have arguably the best, most honest and decent manager in the country and you should be proud of him and respect the truth. Villa will lose if they go to the Madejski on Sunday thinking Reading can't score goals and are candidates for relegation. My money is on Villa to win 3-1 but defeat wouldn't surprise me. |
Andi
said:
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...You have arguably the best, most honest and decent manager in the country and you should be proud of him and respect the truth. now seem a little more sensible, not because you say we will win but because you have showed a little respect instead of spouting of about goals, being 18th etc etc It will be a very tough game for us I expect we will beat you but it will be tough. May the best team win and i suspect we will |
Peterich
said:
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... Championship form table last six matches 1 Reading 6 5 0 1 13:5 8 15 W-L-W-W-W-W 2 Swansea 6 4 2 0 7:2 5 14 W-W-D-D-W-W 3 Newcastle 6 4 1 1 15:7 8 13 W-W-W-D-L-W So, yes, obviously Reading are S*&T |
keith
said:
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... peterich opposing fans are welcome to put their point of view on this blog but it has to be in a respectful way. by the way if you find a drunk wondering around reading at half time wearing a snood and looking for his phone that will be chiefy..........approach with caution |
Andi
said:
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...by the way if you find a drunk wondering around reading at half time wearing a snood and looking for his phone that will be chiefy..........approach with caution I dont even make it to half time usually i am lucky to see kick off although i will stil be wondering around somewhere when the game finishes |
Damian
said:
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... synosky question for you: what is football about for you? for me, it is about winning. if you think we have a chance of winning the league, i praise your optimism but if we lose on sunday, the season, while not technically over, as we would still have league games to play, would be over in terms of our chances of winning something so, hardly ridiculous considering our chances of winning the league are about as likley you as having something intelligent to say |
Andi
said:
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...so, hardly ridiculous considering our chances of winning the league are about as likley you as having something intelligent to say told, I expect damo licked his finger and one tttsssshhhhh |
keith
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... Damian we could still win a cl place or a europa place, which you have to win as they are not given out |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... damian... if we lose on sunday will you close down this blog untill the transfer window opens again? if as you are saying the season will be over!! and we will have nothing of note to discuss or in many posters views (slag off). |
John Samuels
said:
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...so, hardly ridiculous considering our chances of winning the league are about as likley you as having something intelligent to say Time to Chill. |
DavidC
said:
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... Football ain't all about winning. Nowhere near it. Its obviously lovely when it happens, but it ain't the be-all-and-end-all. Football, or more particular the Villa to me is: 1. Going to VP and remembering I used to go there with my Dad. And my Grandad when he was around. And our kid brother. And my son in the future. Memories in other words. Continuity with the past, and a link to the future. That'll always remain regardless of win-lose-or-draw. 2. Meeting up with my mates for a tot and a laugh and to forget about the day-to-day grind of work and money and mortgage and all that sh&te in life. 3. Laughing at the banter of the crowd. The humour and general humanity of people. 4. Watching players grow (and fall) and comparing them to previous players. Is Warnock a better full-back than Stan Staunton? What would the current team be like if we had Peter Withe in it instead of Heskey? Etc. 6. Optimisim. Today's the day it will all click. Today's the day that Carew will put in some effort. Today's the day we get that dodgy penalty awarded to us not against us. And a million other things more important than the end-result, or how we play. If football is really and truly all about winning, then you need to get another hobby becuase you'll always, ALWAYS end up disappointed. |
VillaDude
said:
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... I like the idea of Fonz and Gabby starting up front, but MON will stick with the Mule and Cuellar at right back.... |
Andi
said:
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...and we will have nothing of note to discuss or in many posters views (slag off) we will the MULE or INVISIDWELL can never get enough there is always the age old wise tail of who discovered milner could play in the middle (it was me of course) |
Damian
said:
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... DavidC footballis more than a hobby for me and i know, deep deep down, that one day, i will be elated and completely satisfied and when that day comes, i will retire from all things football, as it will be like reaching the top of everest - what more is there to do after that ... |
Andi
said:
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...What would the current team be like if we had Peter Withe in it instead of Heskey? Champions !!! At least the MULE try's hey |
bobvillian
said:
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... please god bring back luke young at r/b put quellar in middle with dunne.drop petrov replace with delph drop the mule heskey replace with fonz.drop a.young replace with albrighten.all of this i would welcom but everybody knows mon will keep same side from sunday with all his favorites??until he changes it around with his fringe players and gives them a chance we are going nowhere higher with MON |
jerry
said:
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... Elizabeth Regina (ER) has been on the blower again. “Mr Churchill, I was reading the blog on Thursday and observed that your manager was shipping some flak. My grandson, Harry, as you know is anxious to embark on a management career and I wondered if this was a propitious moment to ask for an interview. One or two London clubs are experiencing managerial decline, but I’d like to get him out of the Capital, if I could. Too many nightclubs and too much gratuitous shagging, Mr Churchill. Young Harry doesn’t hold with that Brummie twang so he wouldn’t be putting it about so much. Well, what do you think?” Well, ma’am, I don’t see this as a good time, frankly, but there are clubs that could do with Arry Windsor’s class and expertise. I mean, if you had a few quid spare you could actually buy a PL club and guarantee him the job. Portsmouth FC springs to mind ma’am – wouldn’t be expensive and get him started, so to speak. She actually snorted down the blower, “Naval towns are full of riff-raff, Mr Churchill, I thought everyone knew that” I thought this was a bit negative and I said she ought to post something on the blog – she’d be in good company. “I’m not one of the neggo’s, Mr Churchill, more of a posso, I think. Certainly not a pompo.” Gobsmacked is the word that covers It – I nearly dropped the phone – she really does read it. I had to know. “What’s a pompo, ma’am?” “Mr Churchill, your innocence does you credit. Simeon is a pompo – pompous little shite. CSM. Are you the betting thread man? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... DavidC, I enjoyed your post immensely and i'm glad you've added a bit more of the rationale to this blog that was missing yesterday. |
Steve Oldaker
said:
 |
... i'll say this if we achieve 4th it will be like winning the league ! i'd like to see 2 changes sunday carew and luke young in. check o'neill slagging the ref still on sky sports news. has the ref apologised yet and will he get suspended ? |
jerry
said:
|
...Football ain't all about winning. Nowhere near it. Its obviously lovely when it happens, but it ain't the be-all-and-end-all. You're a class act, David. Come and talk to us more often. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Phil Dowd is a prat steveo, and I don't think MoN will let him forget it in a hurry. He cost us an excellent opportunity for winning silverware by ensuring that the prawn sandwich brigade with their dorporate tickets had a competitive final to watch. If you break the rules you should be punished whether it's in the first minute or the last. Nothing will happen to the ref though. Ridiculous. The pitch was crap too, I can't believe they still haven't sorted it out..rubbish.  |
Steve Oldaker
said:
|
... i've heard people say it was to early in the game to send him off complete load of shite ! refs have been suspended this season and i think they drop down a division don't they ? and why has'nt someone from the refs assosciation come out and said something too |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...Attention Neggo's I thought for a second there you were being racist Churchill. |
jerry
said:
|
...I thought for a second there you were being racist Churchill. At first glance it does look a bit dodgy, ak. |
Martin Clabon
said:
 |
... Very funny Churchill MON should be quiet about the sending off now, it's gone. He doesn't want to sould like Neil Warnock or Sam Allardyce afterall |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... It's hilarious how lazy everyone is, after 5pm or 4 on a Friday noone posts as they're not going to waste their own time only their employers. Makes me chuckle |
Simeon
said:
 |
... I've done a bit of research. Here are the gross and net spend figures for those teams above us in the league table during Martin O'Neill's tenure. Chelsea: c.£140m gross. c.£40m net. Man Ure: c.£140m gross. c.£20m net. Arsenal: c.£80m gross. c.ZERO net. Liverpool: c.£170m gross. c.£50m net. Man City: c.£305m gross. c.£270m net. Spurs: c.£225m gross. c.£80m net. Everton: c.45m gross. c.ZERO net. Some interesting figures there no doubt, but let's put them into their proper context. Villa: c.£130m gross. c.£100m net. Plenty of scope for debate with these figures. But before anyone jumps in two-footed to make their defence of O'Neill (and good luck with that, by the way), I'd point out that all these clubs have wasted money on poor signings (although Wenger and Moyes are far less culpable than the other managers). The fact that other managers have proven to be utterly inept on occasions doesn't excuse O'Neill's own ineptitude. Even if comparing ourselves to other clubs is a useful and, in some instances very necessary, exercise, ultimately, it's the performance of O'Neill in a purely Villa context that dictates how he should be judged. And just in case anyone else misses this statistic, as indeed I almost did, I'll flag it up for you all. Since O'Neill arrived at Villa Park, his net spend is only a fraction shy of Chelsea, Man Ure, Liverpool and Arsenal's COMBINED net spend. I'm off for some tea. |
john doyle
said:
 |
... we all know that the fonz shoud start on sunsay but he wont we all know that young should start at full back but he wont ashley neesd droping but he wont thats why we need some one else to kick martin up the backside a so called director of football or something like that because he cant see the trees from the wood he is to close to his pets and needs some one to tell him when he is wrong thats the trouble he has to much freedom to pick his pets every week if he was to look at the best manager in the last 20 years sir alex hwould lern that plarers who are rested or droped come back much fresher and better for it but martin cannot see the basic things that is why we will never be a top club we have the best chairman in the leage but i wish some times he know about football and did not give martin a free hand all the time look at the players he has brought i would say 50% are good ther other half crap yes crap if they wernt crap he would play a few of them but he wont so they must be crap we all know who they are on this site if he wont lisen to some one else let some else take over we have atayed the same for the last 3 years and got no better on the pich of it we have improved so the chairman his doin his jop but on the pich we are the same as 3 years ago |
jerry
said:
|
...You're just a racist Is that good or bad? It's like being in a Hammer movie. Bubonic Plague has wiped out Britain and there's just you, Sid and me left. If there's any other survivors left, tap something in morse code on the walls and let us know we're not alone. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Well Churhill its a good time for a chat isn't it? Seriously what do you make of playing Cullar at RB? Its just something i really just cannot get my head around. The way i see it is we are weakening 2 positions to do it. |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
... God he's such a tight bastard isn't he, the yank? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/spo...82.5m.html Of course the neggos will mention loans and not consider money put in as equity. Nice post earlier Churchill |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
...it is Brian McDermott who may be destined for greater things to come. 17th |
jerry
said:
|
...Seriously what do you make of playing Cullar at RB? Sorry it took a while ak. Just spent an hour on the phone. As it happens, I think I understand the Cuéllar at RB thing. It works. At set pieces (defensively) he puts in a lot of clearing headers. Ypu won't get that with Young or Beye. Nice to see Badger, amongst others, has survived Black Death. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Nice to see Badger, amongst others, has survived Black Death. Yep, credit where it's due. Damian can stand criticism of the highest order. Fair play Damian, I salute you sir. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... simeon... the reason why mon's net spend is more is purely because when he took over we had a bag of shite that wasnt worth peanuts so in order to build a decent squad he had to spend more than sell... simples realy, or dont you get it yet? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... holteend paul, a bag of shite that isn't worth peanuts = Simeon. Just ignore him |
Simeon
said:
|
... Badger, holteend paul, priceless. I'm not sure which is the greater; my pity for you, or the amusement you provide for me. I look forward to the comments of more intellectually capable fans. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...tap something in morse Okey dokey (I was that radio ham). -.. .- -- .. .- -. - .- .-.. -.- ... ... .... .. - . |
.vogra
said:
 |
... Wouldn't be suprised in the slightest if this goes to a replay, this is the result i'm going for. Drop Carlos and Heskey, bring in Luke Young and Carew.. And on Beye, just go...your sh*t.. |
chipper
said:
 |
... holteend paul that bag of shite that basically got 6th two seasons before he took over |
Simeon
said:
|
... Bakewell, the link for the site I used is below: http://www.footbo.com/Teams/Aston_Villa/Transfers You can obviously navigate to the other teams from here. A quick note: The net and gross spend figures are necessarily estimates, as some of the transfer fees are undisclosed. A quicker note: Some of our transfers are omitted for some reason! Eg. Reo Coker. |
Ammar
said:
 |
... Simeon, Bakewell, another link we had posted on the blog earlier on in the year... http://transferleague.co.uk/data/data.html |
Magicnick
said:
|
...Please please please stop saying this you are OBVIOUSLY not or you wouldn't be 18th so STOP saying it !!!!! Oi Chiefy, you douche. Read my post again! I'm a villa fan who actually spends time watching the championship. I have no interest in hyping up Reading beyond what they are. I am saying they are a better team than many fans will consider them to be due to their position. Please don't try to deny this, because you obviously don't know anything about them. |
Simeon
said:
|
... mon 4-5-1, the figures make interesting reading. Wenger has proved that spending massively isn't a prerequisite of success if you have a good scouting network, and have some degree of tactical nous (both areas in which O'Neill is notably lacking). History has shown that merely outspending other teams doesn't autmomatically bring success. You have to spend the money wisely. So simply giving O'Neill more money isn't going to achieve anything. O'Neill has failed to sign one player at a bargain price (which, before anyone gets excited, is a little different to signing a player whose value appreciates; Milner and Ashley Young could both be sold for more than we paid, and we might make a modest profit on Collins or Cuellar, but in every other instance, the value of our players has dropped, or at best remained the same), and has, at best, paid the going rate for players, and far more often has massively overpaid for average and sub-standard players. My opinion of O'Neill was well known before I'd done any serious research, and I didn't think that my estimation of him could sink any lower. But I've been genuinely surprised by the figures of clubs around us in the table (not so much by the Villa figures, because I had a pretty good idea what they were already), and the figures really throw into sharp contrast just what a useless chimp we have for a manager. The problem is that, for reasons best known to themselves, the vast majority of Villa fans are apparently delighted with Monkey O'Neill, and as long as the fans are happy, Apeboy will remain. How thouroughly wretched is mediocrity bought at so high a price. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
...hipper said: eaxactly which planet and what league did this happen????????? |
Thug
said:
 |
... Wemberly......wemberly Weve been, weve lost Were going f...ing back Wemberly.....wemberly!! |
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