Written by Damian Friday, 22 January 2010 12:39
I saw a rumour yesterday saying that Newcastle were interested in taking Curtis Davies on loan for the rest of the season and I've seen one this morning that Sunderland are interested in buying Habib Beye for £1.8mn. All this when all I am doing is trying to find links to players we might be interested in.
But, we will have to wait until the last day of the transfer window or the day before the window closes before we sign anyone, but we do have quite a big carrot to offer any new player; a League Cup final, so that might be interesting, if they are not cup tied, obviously.
But to the rumours of players leaving; Beye won't go, not yet anyway. I know we have a right back at the club and that he is getting kept out of the starting team by a centre back, but I think O'Neill has spent enough time trying to get the right back position sorted that he isn't going to risk having only one player capable of playing in that position.
I think Beye could leave for first team football, I just don't think it will happen this season. Curtis Davies on the other hand could very well be at Newcastle very soon, but very much on loan.
You see, Davies is represented by the same agent that represents Marlon Harewood and Davies does want to play. For me, Davies is one of the best central defenders in the country and he has taken a lot of stick that I for one think a little unfair.
Okay, you will say that I am a fan of Sidwell and that I don't know what I'm talking about, but with Sidwell in the team and we have played five in the midfield, I don't think we have lost - I just think Davies needs a run in the team with the same partner and he'll win you all over.
But, I think if Newcastle are interested, Davies will also want some regular football. Don't forget, he was picked by Capello for his first squad and only injury forced him out. He could still be on that plane to South Africa and he will want every opportunity to show that he is capable. I believe he is, he just needs the opportunity and if Newcastle are offering that and I believe he could be recalled after 28 days on a days notice, I say why not, it would be good for all parties.
Brighton in the FA Cup
With everything that has happened this week you would be forgiven for taking your eye off the ball, but there is a certain FA Cup tie at Villa Park tomorrow.
For Brighton, this is the biggest match of their season and they will fight for absolutely everything and they will, I fancy, score a goal. Their supporters will also try to make as much noise as possible tomorrow and we should not think this is an easy tie.
I expect changes and I'm hoping we see one or two players come in. I don't think we will see that many changes, or hope not, because too many changes can disrupt our play, but I just can't see the same team starting this match that started against Blackburn. Either way, whoever starts, it will be a tough match, but one I do really expect to win.
We will be doing the usual build up and live blogging and someone is about to receive an email saying they have one a t-shirt for the best bit of football punditry on the live blog we did for the Blackburn match - there will also be a t-shirt up for grabs on this match, so, unless we sign someone, see you all tomorrow.
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Chris Harper
said:
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...Davies is one of the best central defenders in the country  As for the cup game tomorrow, I hope we have a big attendance! I personally don't think there will be. Like to see Delfouneso and Delph play, along with L.Young and NRC. Stuff Sidwell, he's pants. 3-1 to the Villa! |
PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL
said:
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... This is going to sound ridiculous, especially after this week. But I agree with you about Davies and I think when he is fit and playing well again we have to have him in the first team. The reason is simple, we have fantastic defenders, who will throw themselves infront of anything and defend all day long, but I think they are all lacking when going forward (Except Warnock and Young when he plays). If Davies can help out the midfield and actually be comfortable on the ball, he has to play. I think he will do very well next to Dunne anyway, as for Saturday I can see the team being something like; Guzan, Beye (RB) Dunne, Collins, Young (LB) Albrighton, Petrov, Delph, Downing, Heskey, Delfonzo I hope ReoCokers fit, Id like to see him alongside Delph, also I hear Petrov and Heskey might not be fit. |
Daniel Wilson
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... Don't rate Davies or Sidwell myself but each to their own. Your not a fan of Milner and I am and I guess you've been proved correct over the course of the season Damian  (Before you remind me that you are a fan but you simply have 34 A4 pages of stats to back up how he only beats the first man 23% of the time I'm just winding you up  ) Like Chris I also hope to see the Delph's get some action tomorrow along with Albrighton. Maybe another Guzan start? has he played 2 in a row yet?? Hoping for another 6 goals to get us going for the Arsenal match god help us!! |
Keith
said:
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... DanWilson82 "Your not a fan of Milner and I am and I guess you've been proved correct over the course of the season Damian" Bitchy!!! |
Damian
said:
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... keefvilla - no doubt you are now going to say that davies is shit and i am mad and know nothing about football |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Davies can help out the midfield and actually be comfortable on the ball, he has to play. Have you never watched the guy play before?? Put it like this Cullar looks like Messi on the ball when compared to Davies. Its no coincidence that we now have the best defense in the land since he got injured. Here's hoping he is good at Newcastle and they make a big offer for him in the summer. |
Chris Harper
said:
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...Put it like this Cullar looks like Messi on the ball when compared to Davies So funny, but yet so true |
doubledown9
said:
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... Chris just sent the club an e-mail about the big screen idea. Dont think it will fly though; the 1985 drink act states 'sports ground' not 'sporting event' so there would be no drink in the stands. |
Chris Harper
said:
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...just sent the club an e-mail about the big screen idea. Dont think it will fly though; the 1985 drink act states 'sports ground' not 'sporting event' so there would be no drink in the stands. Oh well, would still be worthwhile. Doubt it will happen but you never know. |
Damian
said:
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... keefvilla - before you reply, check out this post: http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...n-january/ and your comments |
Keith
said:
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... Damian You really need to grow up. If you don't want people to disagree with you then please state this at the top of your blog. If I think you are wrong then don't take it personally, you make yourself look very silly. And I would question your judgement as you think Milner isn't worth £12m and you prefer Ellis to Lerner. |
mikey18
said:
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... Davies was quality for us when he was playing next to laursen, he got an england call up. When Laursen got injured he was sometimes playing with zat knight and then cuellar whos english wasn't the best. Look at Gary Cahill next to zat knight, he was being linked with the top clubs with europe but don't think bolton have kept a clean sheet all season. Also Davies poor run of form coincided with the teams poor run of form. The team crumbled and obviously the defence as the last line seem to be the ones to blame. If you look at the team now we are more defensive as a unit. Ashley, Gabby and Heskey track back and defend from the front. Milner is far more box to box the Barry ever was because he has the legs to do so. I think Dunne and Davies will be our CB pairing next season. |
Solongandback
said:
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... I've said that Davies is the new Rio Ferdinand, which I still mean. Just let him play, and he will improve fast. I hope to see a RB, and not Cuellar at RB tomorrow. Delph should get a chance, so should Delf and Albrighton. Should be a win whoever we play. Not Sidwell you say? |
Damian
said:
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... keefvilla like i have said, on several occassions - i have no issue with people disagreeing - but you seem to only want to come on her and score points are you aware that things change? milner is not and never will he be worth £12mn if all you are going to do is play him on the right wing. i stand by all of that - i dont seem to change my mind as easily as you keefvilla now that milner is playing in the middle - i'd say he was worth £12mn - but as supporters we are allowed opinion and we are allowed to change our opinion when things around us change - mine isn't though as for me preferring ellis to lerner - now you are just making stuff up - probably again, to score points. just show me where i have said that |
Keith
said:
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... Damian What have I changed my mind about? I said I didn't want us to sign Dunne and have since been proven wrong (much as you have with Milner). I however have said that I was wrong. Davies is not one of the best defenders in the country and I doubt most would agree with me, if he was then Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool would be after him, not Newcastle. |
Damian
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... keefvilla i am sorry. but i cant keep carrying on with this. on october 1st keefvilla you said: I'd play Davies ahead of Dunne any day, even with his shoulder not attached to the rest of his body!!!he hasn't played since then - so what really could have happened to change your view on him? look - if all you are going to do is come on here, try to score points, make stuff up, i will have to put your comments on pre-approval, as the comment facility is for users to comment on the post - not try and score points against me |
PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL
said:
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...
Im not saying he hasnt had bad games, he looked very ordinary at the end of last year but then so did most of the team. I just think he's what 23/24 and has potention to be a better footballer than any of the other back 4. Maybe he should go out on loan for a few months until he has fitness and confidence back. He will only get better an MoN obviuosly still rates him highly or else he would have sold him. |
VillaNick
said:
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... Beye can leave can he? Luke Young is a bit injury prone & Carlos is not a natural right back, backed up by his awkward performance against Blackburn. He has positioning problems at RB. It led to Dunne and Collins trying to cover his backside and losing their marked players, resulting in Blackburn's 2nd goal. If we are going to kick on we need Beye as he is a solid player with good ability, just seems to be out-of-favor. |
rocky marciano
said:
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... think davies is another heskey, some people think he`s good some people think he`s shit. i think their both shit. |
peter haworth
said:
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... Davies and Carlos snuffed out Torres at Anfield earlier this season which led Torres to say he thought they were the best defenders he had played against since playing in the premiership. Torres words not mine!!!!!!!! Davies,also scored in the win at Anfield!!!!!! He will be good for the future,especially if he plays alongside Dunne. |
Solongandback
said:
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... Don't think Beye will leave, and surely prefer him to Cuellar at RB. He has shown good stuff at RB position. Damian and keefvilla, your disagreement on players and opinions: Luckily you both agree that you love Aston Villa football club - I hope. |
Keith
said:
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... Damian I have changed my mind on Dunne not Davies. Davies is a good defender but one of the best in the country? Really? "if all you are going to do is come on here, try to score points, make stuff up, i will have to put your comments on pre-approval" Pathetic, what have I made up? I never even commented until you brought me into it. Do what you want. |
Keith
said:
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... "Moving on to James Milner and in case you had forgotten he's our most expensive signing ever and according to Martin O'Neill he's worth every penny. I don't think so myself." Damian Dugdale 02 May 2009 "We might not have won much under Ellis - but we did win things and the club was never in as much debt." Damian Dugdale 29 December 2009 "I stand by my reference to Lerner as Ellis with better PR becasue as it stands the club is in debt." "I don't think Lerner is here for anything other than the money." Damian Dugdale 03 June 2009 |
VillaNick
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...qashqai I saw that too. Davies is a class act, but needs the right partner. I bet Dunne is MON choice, he thinks the sun shines out of Curtis's backside.....It will be Carlos Cueller that will be off, probably back to Spain. |
Richard Smith
said:
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... These are the wrong players to be selling, I can't see either of them leaving. Both decent players with a role to play in the squad. I personally can't see that davies is one of the best in the country and for the record I don't like sidwell but he could have a back-up role like beye and davies. The players we need to be selling are harewood, gardner, shorey, osbourne etc I disagree about Brighton as well, I think in the past it would be a difficult game but not anymore. We will do them over confidently. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... I'm willing to give Davies the benefit of the doubt. Before he got hampered with lingering shoulder problems, he did actually play pretty well. I've said before I'm not prepared to accept the argument that he only started playing poorly when Laursen was taken away from him. That's rubbish in my opinion. Let him have his chance. He'll need to fight for it, of course, but he should be prepared for that. |
John Samuels
said:
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... Davies can be whatever he wants to be. He has all the raw talent and physical attributes to be every bit as good as Rio Ferdinand was in his hayday imo. Get him playing regularly and get him learning from Dunne. Remember he's barely 25 so a good prospect over the next two seasons. A loan to toon could be perfect for him, I hope he takes the chance to get match fit. It'll be nice to see him firing on all cylinders without that shoulder injury. Remember he hasn't been properly injury free since we've had him at the club. Does anyone think that with Collins ball control and passing he could do a job sitting in front of the back four? I agree that Beye won't go yet, he'll be here at least until the end of the season. Team for tomorrow should be -----------Guzan------------ Beye---Collins-Dunne---Young Albrighton-NRC-Delph-Downing ------Fonz--Carew----------- Clark, Milner, Gabby, Marshall, Sidwell, Warnock, Give Stan, Ash, Carlos and Big Brad proper rests. That team is more than capable of winning. |
Richard Smith
said:
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...Team for tomorrow should be I'll second that,it's a good capable team, I might be tempted to put cuellar and clark at CB. I think Dunne deserves a rest after his heroics lately and the kids really need games to develop. |
Damian
said:
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... keefvilla thats it, sorry, but this is like a playground now. you dont seem able to understand that all you are trying to do is still score points and it is childish. but i will respond to what you have said, because i dont think you understand it. 1. james milner is our most expensive player - playing on the right wing, i dont think he was worth every penny. what is wrong with that? 2. we did win things under ellis and we were not in this much debt. it's just a fact 3. lerner is just ellis with better PR skills - it is an opinion 4. i still think lerner is only here for the money - what is wrong with that? many of us buy things in the hope that one day they will be worth more money - there is nothing wrong with that all week you have been trying to score points and it is, like i've said, childish |
John Samuels
said:
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...I'll second that,it's a good capable team, I might be tempted to put cuellar and clark at CB. I think Dunne deserves a rest after his heroics lately and the kids really need games to develop. I did consider taking Dunne out of the side, but I think if he does that he'll play Cuellar and Collins. COllins and Clarke would be the obvious choice if you're really looking to rest players but I think Dunne has featured in nearly every game so far...in short, he bloody loves it! |
Scrumpy
said:
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... Davies had some good spells last year both alongside Laursen and alongside Knight. He's still very young for a defender and I think his good spells show he could be a very good CB in future. I can see him alongside Dunne, Collins or Cuellar, so would hope we keep all of them. If any suffer a little drop in form in comes someone else and the others have to fight for their place back in team. Collins is a good example of this this season. Its all very healthy. I think Davies is a pretty sorted kind of chap (despite the mouthing off of his agent!) and will stay and fight for a place, Learning off Dunne and Cuellar. If he needs fitness after his layoff then a short term loan spell would be ideal (providing we can recall at moments notice). I think the reason Fonz, Delph and Albrighton didn't get on pitch on weds is because MON knew he was going to play them for 90 mins on Sat. Could even play a 4-5-1 with NRC, Sidwell, Delph, Albrighton and one other (Young, Downing or Bannan) in the midfield and Fonz up front. Brighton will come to attack and get a result so could nick a few on the counter attack. Would also play Young and Beye at RB/LB for match fitness, Little Brad in goal. Centre backs, any of the four really...who needs rest most or needs to gain fitness. Cuellar and Collins might be good pairing (just remind them how to play together in case we need that pairing anytime soon)... or even give one of the young CBs another run out. Was it Clark who played against Fulham? Him and one of the others would be OK too. Bloody hell.... I just realised (apart from Davies being injured) we could play a completely different team bar at most one or two positions. I think other clubs call this having a squad. And you'd still fancy they'd get a result. UTV! |
mikey18
said:
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... i read this blog a lot and keefvilla i think damian is usually consistent in his views. He has said and stuck by the fact that lerner is a bit suspect and he has convinced me also. He did say their wouldn't be much money available and there isnt. with regards to james milner at the time a lot of people were saying that bentley would be a better signing. infact i think bentley, lennon, walcott and SWP are better RW's than Milner. Bentley went for 15, swp 8 and walcott and lennon im not sure. What im trying to say is James Milner didn't justify his price tag with a lot of his performances from the RW when he first joined the club and this is what formed damians opinion. Some peoples opinion was formed by the fact he was still young and very tenacious. |
keith
said:
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... davies is a good defender you only think we dont need him because we have such good players in his position. this is just the same as the people who commented that we need cover for big brad because of guzans performance on wednesday. davies has proved his worth and i think dunne would fail to shine with sh** around him |
VillaNick
said:
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... I would go for Collins and Clark as the 2 at the back, give Carlos and Dunne a rest. Also Delph and the Fonz must get a look in against Brighton shouldn't they? Gabby and Petrov to rest up. |
VillaNick
said:
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... I would like to see Delph and Milner play in the middle together. Fonz and Heskey again and see how Clark gets on along side any one of the 3 regulars. If MON can tinker to rest a few & try out new players against Brighton then when can you? |
keith
said:
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... damian 4. i still think lerner is only here for the money - what is wrong with that? many of us buy things in the hope that one day they will be worth more money - there is nothing wrong with that apart from citeh and chelski i think that would apply to every other owner but from what i read most would like randy lerner as their owner so he must be doing something right |
Michael
said:
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... damian - has he one a t-shirt? lol agreed about davis, prefer him to go to a prem team tho, maybe wolves? not to bothered if beye goes but would want all our money back for him. 3-0 tomoro, brad guzan needs to prove himself tho to save his final place! |
runtings
said:
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... i have not been on here since the beginning of the season as pre season was all about coming on here to moan about all the things randy and martin where getting wrong .. so hi again lads ...curtis davies is not the best defender at the club but he is usefull for squad depth and i believe he can improve so he may be worth keeping ...as for sidwell i think he is the one player in the 1st squad i dont look forward to seeing pull on a villa shirt |
Richard Smith
said:
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...brad guzan needs to prove himself tho to save his final place! It'd be a good idea to show some confidence in little brad by giving him tommorows game as well. If he can redeem himself with a clean sheet, let him play the final? It would do a world of confidence for him as well, it'd mean his game before the final wasn't one where he let in 4 goals. Regarding Lerner, he's american for a start, he wouldn't have been likely to have much of an interest in football before he bought the club and he is a businessman. I reckon he bought a football club as a business but he chose villa because it's the best out of the lot and that it'll grow on him to be more than an investment. |
Damian
said:
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... keithj it does apply to most owners of most things, agreed. however, lerner didn't have to do much when taking over to be seen as better as ellis did he? the biggest gripe with ellis, for some and for myslef, was he didn't take the next step - he didn't take the risk with investment to allow us to kick on but at the same time, lerner isn't really either, in so much that he has, to date, stretched the club to the limit of sensible borrowing - now, if in the summer and this is just wishful thinking, he were to transfer that debt into more shares (much like the man city owner did) and then looked for further investment and we basically put everything that has been put in over the last 3 seasons into one summer - then that would very much be a statement of intent and could be the big step we need to take but overall, when you look at it in black and white and when you take away the debt and add the massive increase of tv money we have had - all lerner has put in is what ellis has put in nothing wrong with it, maybe he is looking to sell or maybe he is looking for fresh investment or maybe when the markets correct themselves and he has more cash he will put it in .. but he is a good owner and i can understand why others would like him |
Scrumpy
said:
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... We need at least one player to cover for every position. I'd argue that for CB, you need you starting pair (although not sure who this would be - I prefer Dunne & Collins, because Collins is so comfortable on the ball) and cover for each of them. I would also argue that you need a youngster or two in there to make 5 CBs. The youngster is there to learn from the experienced players, and becomes the cover when someone gets injured/suspended. Davies injury is a case in point in that Clark would be ready to step in to the bench if one of Dunne/Collins/Cuellar is injured. I think (or is it hope?) that we actually have a raft of promising youngsters (Fonz, Delph, Albrighton, Clark etc) that all seem to appreciate the experience they get working alongside more experienced players and are patient and bide their time. I think even Davies might fit in this mould. I think MON is nurturing the young talent well, not exposing them too early, so that when they do get their chance they are closer to being the finished article. I think all the youngsters realise we may qualify for Europe, and be challenging for top 4/7 each season so they will get opportunities in LC, FAC, Europa and the odd run out in the PL. Look at Guzan. The last two matches have been the biggest in his career. He got experience in Europe last and this season. How many 2o-odd year old keepers you know that have semi final and European experience? All stands in good stead for future. He's a great shot stopper, his kicking is improving, his dealing of crosses and contolling the line needs improving but his experiences will just aid his development. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Im not saying he hasnt had bad games, he looked very ordinary at the end of last year but then so did most of the team. I just think he's what 23/24 and has potention to be a better footballer than any of the other back 4. I just don't think he has it. But you may be right that he will only improve but one aspect he is extremely poor at is his ability with the ball at his feet. Thats why i just don't get people comparing him to Ferdinard. The only thing he has in common with him IMO is his physique. He was the main culpret for lauching blind hopeless 60 yards passes last season as he is just so umcomfotable with the ball at his feet he panics when he gets it and just hoofs it. I also think even when we had Larusen and Davies playing together at the back we were still conceeding a lot of goals. I just don't see him getting the time to learn his trade here now. At least i hope he doesn't as at whose expense would it be as he is not as good as Dunne, Collins or Cullar? Plus Ciaran Clarke looks like real quality also so i would hope he gets the odd game here and there to learn his trade. We could possibly get a pretty good fee this summer for him which could go a long way to fund our far more needed improvements elsewhere in the team. |
keith
said:
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... damian i agree but my biggest gripe with ellis was that as soon as a player had a good value he cashed in. on lerner i hope he looks at the adulation he receives from villa and compares it to the dogs abuse he gets from the browns fans and then decides where to put his cash. having his worcester home extended looks a good sign |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...It'd be a good idea to show some confidence in little brad by giving him tommorows game as well Thats true. |
Scrumpy
said:
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... Collins as Petrov's long term replacement? thats probably not a bad call. Can get around a bit, win balls in the air, throw himself into challenges and is good on the ball (not sure if he's as comfortable as Petrov is at keeping possession). Maybe delph is the long term replacement. He can certainly tackle (probably needs a little calming down), is comfortable on the ball, but is great going forward. Maybe in future we won't have to be limited like we've been with Barry and Petrov into having an attacking an a defending CM. Maybe the likes of Delph and Milner can do both. All goes back to developing a more flexible and versatile team (both of individual players who are more versatile - think of Milner, Downing, Delph, Young all becoming interchangeable) and as a team. I think this year has shown we are less predictable as we are able to play in more ways with players swapping positions, and think this will only develop in future. |
Craig Elliot
said:
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... Damian and Keef - give it a rest man, its getting boring and putting people off coming to the blog. Who cares who said what and then changed their mind. its football man, minds get changed all the time. Just agree to disagree. Only thing is if Guzan doesnt play again from tomorrow until the final, thats a long time wihtout a first team game before a major cup final ? |
Damian
said:
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... keithj the problem with that is the browns probably makes him a lot more money than villa - i read somewhere recently that they turn over a billion dollars a year - not sure how true that is, but with that type of revenue you can do a lot of things as for villa - none of us really know what his intentions are but i think if someone came to him tomorrow and said; here is £150mn can we have it, he would probably say yes Craigy1874 dont worry - it is over |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Maybe delph is the long term replacement. I hope that is the case. He seems similar to Diarra. Haven't seen too much of him though. |
Solongandback
said:
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... ak_27
You can also say that Carlos hoofs it, even if he has passing alernatives. I don't like that, I would love the build-up as Arsenal so excellent are doing. Yes, we were conceeding a lot of goals with Laursen/Davies, but we then had a even more attacking team, who scored lot more goals than our team does today. |
Damian
said:
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... you could also argue that they hoof is because the options directly in front of them are limited and as a defender - you dont want to take risks i'm a big fan of possession and hitting it long usually ends in losing possession - but to be able to keep the ball you need to make space and that isn't something we are generally that good at in midfield |
Mark
said:
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... In comparison to Bentley, Milner was a steal as a right or left winger. Shrewd business by MON who knew that Milner was a future prospect for the senior England squad. Ellis v Lerner. Don't make me laugh. There were only ever flashes of inspiration I saw at VP under Ellis. Lerner has invested in the most exciting squad since the Manc Lads SAF took on in the 90's. Morally, ethically and financially sound. I do agree that DAVIES will prove to be one of our best central defenders when his opportunity arrives. Collins and Dunn will take some shifting, let alone King Carlos. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Solongandback i just think Cullar is a much more solid defender then Davies. Maybe that's down to experience. But the catch 22 is how does he get the experience without us dropping a better defender for him? |
VillaNick
said:
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...0 This is not a good idea. He not mobile enough for me. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...you could also argue that they hoof is because the options directly in front of them are limited and as a defender - you dont want to take risks Thats not the case with Davies. He always seems flustered when the ball is passed to him and panics because he probably doesn't trust his own ability on the ball (a little like Gabby does also on occassion when he gets it in the box). He just thinks well im not getting caught here which is fair enough but thats not good for the team. That also leads to the other CB not going across the back line with a pass as much as they know that Davies doesn't want it either and it has a knock on effect to the whole back line. |
scott harwood
said:
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... i think its all about the right combo.u guys are gonna think im mad but i thought davies and knight looked good together as did rc and sidwell earlier this season! |
Scrumpy
said:
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... B6_Bob you should do your research better... Lerner spent time at university in the UK (and Villa was one of the teams he followed while here), and his son has implied he is a bigger "soccer" fan than American Football. I think he also has a very good affinity with the UK - why else would he donate money to UK galleries. By all accounts he knew alot about Villa before he bought the club, I don't think it was a case of just buying an available club (to Ellis' credit, I don't think he would have sold to just anyone). I don't think there is any evidence that he is just in it for the money. I think he is a prudent business man, hence running the club to try and become sustainable, and appreciates fans and the heritage (no great ticket price hikes like ManU, the Holte pub, Acorns sponsorship). His pride wouldn't let him, after his business career, run an unsuccessful business. If he was just in it for the money the Holte Pub would now be houses, we would be sitting in the Walmart Stadium, and we would have some bankrupt bank/insurance company on our shirts cos we had taken them for every penny during some reckless, credit-fuelled frenzy.... I think he also realises that the manager runs football affairs (not like a certain Abramovich who by all accounts would pick the team if he could get away with it). |
doubledown9
said:
|
... I'm of the opinion that Davies is a great prospect, but he is one of those defenders that needs an organizer next to him. As for tomorrow, I think Gabby should play as a few goals might be exactly what he needs right now and anyway I would quite like to see how he gets on with The Fonz up top. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...i think its all about the right combo.u guys are gonna think im mad but i thought davies and knight looked good together as did rc and sidwell earlier this season! Yes Scott you are right. I think you are absolutely mental. |
BillyBoy7
said:
 |
... Damian... I'm not bothered what you, Keith, myself or anyone else has said on here apart from 1 thing i think you said? U buying beer at Wembley??  |
Richard Smith
said:
|
...B6_Bob you should do your research better... I don't do research... ...as you can clearly tell I appreciate what you're saying and I'm grateful of everything he has done for us, I couldn't ask for much more. But ultimately he is a businessman. You could argue that he's building a successful club so that it will make more money for himself. This is the better way to make money in the long run, rather than selling the holte pub and the name of our stadium. Ultimately we don't know either way if it's just something for fun or purely money making, I expect it's a bit of both.What we know for a fact is that he's doing good things for us, don't get me wrong. |
Damian
said:
|
... BillyBoy7 i will be sitting in a pub the night before the final in a pub in london (don't know what one yet) and there will be a few of us drinking an ale or two and if, when i know what put that is, you turn up, i will happily buy you a beer |
BillyBoy7
said:
|
... there is always a clause! The night before? Lol, i'm not going till the morning, in a 16 seater hummer! I'll have champagne instead Damien, i may, however go for the weekend in May? And then i'll have that pint! Cheers |
Damian
said:
|
... i hope to be celebrating after too so there is every chance we will find oursleves in a certain pub that the villa fans flocked to after 94 and 96 just off junction 5 on the m1 - if we win, that is where i will be after the match |
Vijay Daryanani
said:
 |
... What is quite obvious to me is that we need to get 2 or 3 real top class players into the team to make the big step forward, we dont seem to have the money for that, i think mon will keep beye, and cuellar will be the one to go in the summer if a big bid in the region of 10 million comes in, that will help mon to make the difference if he can! Davies is no doubt a future england player, its so frustrating cos we can really break the top 4, we are so near but yet so far! if only Lerner would understand....... |
Geoff
said:
 |
... Let Beye go, sell him. He has been mostly useless here and he wont play enough to get any better. Seya pal! Send Davies out on loan, he wont break into the squad enough to get back on Capellos plane to South Africa. Stop fudging around and hurry up and finish selling Gardener and move Harewood and NRC out the door. Stop wasting time and tie up Kris Boyd to a deal that brings him to Villa Park. Maybne you throw in a few sheckles to Rangers to let him leave in this window. Hell come back in a few months' time in perfect occasion for the final stretch run!! Perfect... |
Tom
said:
 |
... would like to see a lot of changes tomorrow (games like this are the reason why we have a squad) Guzan - Beye, Davies Clarke, Lowry, - albrighton, Delph, Sidwell, Gardener(attacking mid), Heskey (wide left old england position),- fonz up front |
Martin Clabon
said:
 |
... Damian, I think you have been a bit harsh on Keef, his early comment was very mild and even his later comments were no different to yours if you read them back. I think you over reacted - it's your Blog and you can do what you like but bearing in mind some of the comments you have let go like hoping people get cancer and threatening to crush people's head it feels a little over the top? |
SuperBox
said:
 |
... Davies has a lot of potential, and like others have said, he needs a decent partner, then don't all centre backs? McGrath & Teale(?) Mellberg & Alpay, Laursen & Davies, Pallister & Bruce, Adams & Keown, Fish & Chips.... |
James Clift
said:
 |
... Those fans who are not season ticket holders will struggle massively to get tickets for the final. I spoke to someone at Villa today regarding this and they estimate under 5000 will be on sale after the season ticket holders allocation. I run a supporters club and we get 20 tickets for every game home or away but there is talk we might not get any for this. Its a massive kick in the teeth to some of our lads who went to Burnley, Wolves, Hamburg last year etc but may have to miss our biggest game in 10 years. |
doubledown9
said:
|
... MON has hinted that; NRC, Delph and Sidwell will play, so I would imagine it will be something like this... .........................Guzan........................ Beye........Collins.........Cuellar........Young ..........................NRC.......................... Albrighton.......Sidwell............Delph......... .................Heskey......Gabby.............. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...i will be sitting in a pub the night before the final in a pub in london (don't know what one yet) and there will be a few of us drinking an ale or two and if, when i know what put that is, you turn up, i will happily buy you a beer Let me know which one. If I can't get tickets I will come down too as I live 45 mins from Wembley. |
john doyle
said:
 |
... must play the kids and squad playersclark allbrighton the fonz not botherd with sidwell get rid of him and bye and gardner sell them and get a proper forward please |
Damian
said:
|
... Juan Pablo Angel will do - at the moment there is going to be 4 or 5 of us but maybe one or two more and as soon as i know where it is happening - i will happily post here |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Someone said above (can't remember who) that the problem with Ellis is that he didn't move us on to the next stage. He took a close to brilliant and European Cup and English championship winning side, alienated our star players because of his ego, drove them from the club and replaced themn woth mediocrity - from the horses mouth He also: - Was the 1st chairman to take a salary - Was on the Board of Small Heath - Took us from European greats to mediocrity including 2 relegations - Tore down the Trinity Rd stand, perhaps the most historic stand in Football A bit worse than failing to take us the next step And don't give me any BS about saving us from administration, that was never going to happen |
John Samuels
said:
|
... ak, looks like you got your wish then. I wonder who Mon might have in mind then. |
Kaz
said:
 |
... I'm so depressed :-( I was so looking forward to going to Wembley to cheer on the mighty Villa. Heck, I may even have been able to get tickets with a few contacts working at or for Villa in varying levels of seniority. But alas, the wife has arranged a holiday right slap bang in the middle of the period of the final! I don't even know if I'll be able to catch the game over there!! I hope so! It's in Dubai, so who knows. Are there ANY other Villa fans in Dubai at the moment? If so, please send your details to a mod so we can at the very least liaise and perhaps watch the game together over there. Mods, please send on any kind souls email details that are put forward. And no, the tickets are non transferable, and already bloody booked  . |
Geoff
said:
 |
... Darn, It looks like they dotn want Boyd...I want them to stop biddling and sell some surplus players and bring in a decent player to boost the attacking power of the squad. Is there ANYTHING out there? ANYTHING? Whats new with NRC? I havent heard anything...sell NRC + gardner + Beye and sign ONE good striker...you can bring up young players to fill the other holes.. |
SuperBox
said:
|
...SidCowanslovechild said: He also didn't invest in the training ground, let the Holte pub become derelict and named a stand after himself (there should be a picture of this in the dictionary next to the word Ego!) Are you sure we would have been saved from administration if not for Ellis? He also ensured the sound financial viability of the club in the long term, and didn't chase short term success and ensured it went to to responsible custodian. He was never going to make decisions the fans liked, we want instant success, he had to keep a reign on the purse strings which we never really get to see. He seems to have done just enough for me not to hate him. Just enough mind you! Lerner is a different animal, he gets the modern business world. As for pumping in funds and seeking additional investment, not sure where it would come from in the current climate. I rather be a Villa fan than a Man City fan right now, and there's a not alot of difference on the pitch, a whole world of difference off it. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...ak, looks like you got your wish then. I wonder who Mon might have in mind then I would guess either Keane or Jones. After watching us put so many crosses in againest West Ham i would actually prefer Jones right now. We need someone who will do what Laursen used to and attack the crosses instead of waiting for the ball to find them. |
BobbyPark
said:
 |
... Davies is very inconsistent and isn't comfy in possesion, he is the weakest of the 4 centre backs and he will impede Clark's progress, Sorry but if anyone came in with half of what we paid I'd let him go. Perhaps a loan would be ok but preferably in the premiership. |
frem
said:
 |
... Davis is a good center back, alot of teams in the prem would wish they has him. On the last blog, someone said that an Irish radio station said Keane was close to coming to villa. I hope its true because he will get atleast ten goals this season and links up from midfield. I pray we get him. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
 |
... I dont know, we reach a Wembley final and everyones having a scrap lol. Why cant people just accept that peoples pinions are merely there opinion. Hes neither right nor wrong, just your neither right or wrong.... My kids have a more constructive row in the playground lol Anyways, ive got nout to say today, fairly happy bunny. That will proberly change next week though, when i informm them that they cant go to wembley dispite how many games theyve been too.... The Generals good at PR, might ask him to break it to them  |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Super Box, you are right about the stability but that was the only positive, apart selling to randy - although that might have been good luck rather than hanging on for the right buyer Having read about the "administration" there apppear to have been seeral interested parties - admittedly none may have done better than Ellis! anyway, what big club has ever gone bust? I have a bad feeling about Keane, think he would flop at Villa and cost a lot of money. Would love to be wrong thoughand if he comes I will be right behind him Jones would cost a fortune and as I keep telling everyone Sundeerland have more money than us and don't need to sell. He is inconsistent and lazy looking but might come good under MON |
Geoff
said:
|
... Looks like Liverstool may get Jones, but I think hes overrated. They also want way too much for him. Maybe Keane, but at a cheap rate. There has got to be SOME decent striker out there that they want...If you have to swap Carew, FINE! Carew has become a stiff really. Hes not even in the squad usually anymore against good teams. They someone who can DO something...if they ONLY did that, and got a decent scorer, Id be happy. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...I have a bad feeling about Keane, think he would flop at Villa and cost a lot of money. Would love to be wrong thoughand if he comes I will be right behind him Im not 100% convinced it would work out as well as we would hope as well. Jones would cost a fortune and as I keep telling everyone Sundeerland have more money than us and don't need to sell. He is inconsistent and lazy looking but might come good under MON Agree with this as well. Jones has that Carribean attitude (which Yorke didn't have) and is supposed to be very inconsistant. Would be a big gamble. Unless we change how we play and attack which won't happen we need a player who can win the headers for us so the only other option is that Zigic at Valencia. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
...Agree with this as well. Jones has that Carribean attitude Not trouble making AK, merely mischief making....but would you care to enlighten us as to what attitude? Retract! retract! retract! before the PC brigade jump in lol |
Geoff
said:
|
... I agree. Since Im in the USA I dont see enough Villa for my taste of course on FOX Soccer Channel and ESPN. But they do show a variety of clubs in England, Italy (I do kind of like watching Serie A), and of course Major League Soccer. They show a LOT of Sunderland, Man City, etc...watching Sunderland play, Jones is a TOTAL ghost against even mediocre teams. He drifts around cherry picking up top half the time. If your after a cherry picker who doesnt run, Boyd is btter than him...much better. So I dont know who else really...gotta be SOMEONE affordable...Heskey works hard but they need to improve over Carew. They also need to remove Coker and improve over him and Sidwell on the bench. |
SuperBox
said:
|
... SidCowanslovechild selling to randy - although that might have been good luck rather than hanging on for the right buyer Ha ha, that's a good point, maybe good luck dressed up as good business sense is the way to the top! If it goes wrong, blame someone else! |
beh
said:
 |
... Agree Davies is a player. Bags of potential. Peak years are a few years off too. ak - Delph a bit like Diarra- good comparison, that. jpa - Collins as defensive midfielder ? it`s a good shout. You`d think mon, with his liking for versatility, would look at that. Only negative i can see is his engine, that said, it did n`t stop huddlestone at Spuds, so... I have a good feeling that we`ll sign 1 or 2. Wembley final showing RL that if o`neill says we need a few players, then we NEED them. The deadwood shipped out in the summer should cover any premature spend. And with the wagon rolling nicely we might exceed anticipated income by a healthy margin. Might be over optimistic after the other night but it makes sense to me. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
... Damian, I will keep an eye open here to see which pub you will all be in. Today it seems like everybody has gone fishing and caught each other, sometimes it's best not to bite. Keane gives me a few doubts too, perhaps that's because he didn't do too well at 'Pool. Though they didn't really know how to get the best out of him. Maybe yes, if it doesn't cost too much. I would trust MoN to do what's right about Curtis, he did cost quite a bit and certainly shows promise. A loan may be the answer for this spring. The side for tomorrow ought not have too many changes because what would MoN do if we got closer to the final? He could upset the players by dropping them in favour of first team players, or compromise our chances of another final by sticking to the squad players. This is an idal opportunity to see how the senior junior players (still with me?) like Delph, Clarke, Fonz and Albrighton can play with the senior squad players. Maybe only two of those four. Keep Guzan in goal for the obvious reason that he could do with another game before the LC final. |
doubledown9
said:
|
... No to Robbie Keane: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/villa-boss-orsquoneill-not-keane-on-spurs-striker-robbie-14629240.html? Its just lazy paper nonsense, we get linked with him every window and have done since he was at Wolves. Its not going to happen. |
beh
said:
|
... Scraping the barrell a bit, but mons demeanor suggests there`s an iron or two in the fire. Boyd comments from mon - was the perfect opportunity for him to say "nothing doing this window, now leave me alone". He did n`t take it. Just get the feeling something is brewin`. Anybody read Robbie Savages piece about us, in the mirror today Said "VP can be a bear pit when the fans are up for it" also said we`re quick to turn on our team when things go wrong, making it easier for the opposition, or words to that effect. Overall quite complimentary, gone up a bit in my estimation. |
GPalmer
said:
 |
... We have the best defence in the Premiership, so why change it to give anyone a run in the side? Davies is useful and will only get better so hopefully he'll stick around - Dunne isn't going to last forever, but at the moment him, Collins & Cuellar are doing fine. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Rio, having a barney is fun. I just imagine Damian's voice getting all squeaky when he get's cross. I had a spate of deliberately winding him up but novelty wears off after a bit |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Superbox, you're right of course, but not back then. I think Accrington Stanley (who are they?) are the biggest and even Portsmouth will survive in some form Many people have had to work really hard to get Portsmouth (a much smaller club than Villa) in such a state. Even employing Welly Face was only just enough to send them under. I'm beginning to warm to the crazy idea of Collins as Defensive Midfielder. I am a big fan of his but we have a lot of good Centre Halves (I am including Davies and Clark in this category) and Collins doesn't have the pace to be a really top Centre Half. I was shocked how easily he was beaten by the very impressive (and only 1  Nouble in the West Ham game. I'm not digging him out as he has a lot of fine qualities but he got skinned at least twice |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Superbox, love the name by the way. It makes me think you are a lady with an extremely well tended lady garden and neat labioli. I guess I'd be disappoited though? |
James
said:
 |
... OK, I haven't seen all this point scoring, but it would be a shame if Keef has gone. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Keef will be back, Damo normally forgives soon enough. Keef might go off in a huff though, hope not cos he is the funniest piss taker on the site when in the mood |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
...Rio, having a barney is fun. I just imagine Damian's voice getting all squeaky when he get's cross. I had a spate of deliberately winding him up but novelty wears off after a bit He does seem to get a little agitated. Maybe we can recommend him to an attractive anti-anger management nursey type thingy. Might relieve some of the stress Only Joking Boss |
Damian
said:
|
... SidCowanslovechild the thing is, it wasn't just today. it was every day this week and it was about picking points. he can still post - but if he is not commenting on the content and only out to score points - it wont get published automatically |
david
said:
 |
... Damian, Just for the record I'm fully in your camp on Davies and as you've stuck your neck out and risked ridicule over Sidwell I'm happy to join you. I went through my reasons once before on here so won't bother again, but I do think he's a very valuable squad player. I do worry that he's losing a bit of confidence lately but it must be hard not to in the face of constant criticism. On James Milner, I think the difference is that some people saw and believed in his potential right from the start and supported him whereas others were critical of him right from the start. I remember at a match telling someone to shut up when they were shouting out how he wasn't worth £12m after just a couple of games for us. It really isn't a question of whether he was worth £12m playing where he was....it was always a question of whether we believed that he had a raw talent that was going to turn out to be worth his price tag. Some believed it from the start, some didn't believe it but have since admitted they were wrong, some possibly still don't believe it and some didn't believe it, can see that they were wrong, but for some reason can't bring themselves to admit it. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... R0bb0, I think we should always give the beneift of the doubt to players in claret and blue, especially when at the ground.We are very quick to write playedrs off in my opion. I had a bit of a downer on Cuellar last year (and to a lesser extent Friedal) but both have performed much better this season With Sidwell he needs to dp a bit more to become a crowd favorite! How's that for politically correct - however, remember some of his play at Reading, includign against us, sensational. We have not seen that form from him for us yet though |
frem
said:
|
... Lets get Scott Brown and Robbie Keane. In the summer we should go for Nani, Drenthe and another striker. |
Carl Main
said:
 |
... I really hope we go for it tomorrow. Just imagine winning the double, League cup and FA!!! Team for tomorrow. ......................Friedle......................... L.Young..........Dunne.......Collins............Warnock .....................Petrov............................ A.Young......................................Delph.... ....................Milner............................ ..........................Fonze....Carew............. COYL! |
Damian
said:
|
... SidCowanslovechild it isn´t that i dont like banter or that we don´t all agree, because i do and we don´t but what has been happening this week was just too much r0bb0 no doubt there was potential in miner, he is still only a young lad but i never saw it with him playing on the wing. never. actually that isn´t entirely true; when we played five in the middle i did think he was better, but i think that was because he didn´t have to track back so much - as for sidwell - i think he is valuable. i dont think he is good enough to play in the middle of a 442 but playing 451 i would start with him and if we are protecting a game and moving to a 451 - i take a striker off for him are we agreeing a lot more these days? i am getting worried |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Damian, as sidcowanslovechild said; it's your patch. If I had a blog site like this I would either get so f***ing wound up I'd end up banning everyone or would enjoy the banter so much there would only be nonsense on the site. Come to think of it, that's what I do anyway, nonsense that is. |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
...and stuck by the fact that lerner is a bit suspect and he has convinced me also. He did say their wouldn't be much money available and there isnt. OMG Mikey, you actually listen to this? It's one man's opinion. We've spent loads over the last 18 months- 2 years. Compared to Ellis, Lerner is miles in front, miles. Damian, you started this one by saying that Davies is one of the best central defenders in the country. That's a joke statement, which should have said could/will be one of the best in the country. As for point scoring, you are allowed to just ignore stuff you know. |
Cian Donaghy
said:
 |
... im gonna resist commenting on davies and just ask this will the brighton game be on telly anywhere lads, or even a stream you reckon? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...will the brighton game be on telly anywhere lads, or even a stream you reckon? So the links you've been given loads of times don't work? How about you look for some and tell us? Yes, I've got my arse in my hands and yes if I find a link, I'll give it to you. But it works both ways mate. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...So the links you've been given loads of times don't work? Badger you've made my night. I don't know why but i found that funny as hell. Might have been something to do with with you using OMG in a sentance in a comment above. Might just be because ive had a few pints also and im just giddy. |
paul
said:
 |
... You've all got the team way wrong. Dunnes out, Petrovs out NRC out. Guzan Beye Cueller Collins Young Albrighton Delph Sidwell Downing Gabby Fonzo Is my best bet although Clark may come in for Dunne instead. He could play Milner/Young/Downing in the same position I fancy he'll rest at least two of that three. Gabby may have to play since Carew and Heskey are out. |
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