Written by Damian Friday, 06 November 2009 08:45
Newcastle sold the naming rights to their stadium, the papers are talking as if Chelsea are going to too and they could get as much as £10mn a season. It's clear as day that it's a good way to raise funds and while we'd all like to do it 'the proper way' it's also clear as day that you need money to compete in this league and deep down, we all know it isn't going to happen the 'proper way'.
I write this, as I don't think I'm totally adverse to Villa Park getting called the Gillette Dome, Stella Artois Park or something else brand orientated, if it meant we got extra money to do with as we please. It will always be Villa Park to me, regardless.
What do you think? I fancy we might be able to get £5mn a season, as long as we put the name of the company across the front of the shirt too and if you can tie someone down to five years or so, then it's a nice bit of cash. Hell, we might even be able to get more and having that type of injection to buy our £30mn player, along with our usual suspects, it might actually be worth it.
Two-tier Premier League
Moving on, a proposal by Bolton Wanderers' chairman, Phil Gartside, for an expanded two-tier Premier League is going to get discussed again next week at a Premier League meeting. Basically each tier would have 18 teams and Celtic and Rangers would also be included.
This was first proposed last year but apparently there was no relegation into what would now be division three, but apparently, Gartside has revised his proposal to feature relegation, as long as the clubs coming up met a certain criteria in terms of financial stability.
Now, I still look at the league as one, two, three and four. This might make an extra one, so call it five and all I can see it doing, in the long run when the top tier of the league has teams like us, United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton, Celtic, Rangers and whoever else you want in and it has worked for a few years, then whoever has the TV rights will just want to concentrate on this league, meaning the teams like Birmingham City and whoever else you want in tier two of the new Premier League basically end up back where they belong.
I'm not entirely sure this is a good idea. I mean, if we let in Celtic and Rangers, which is really the only difference I am seeing with this league, then it only means two teams from our own country not playing top flight football just so we can have two teams from another country come in. What next; the best two teams from France, Italy, Germany and Spain?
Bolton Preview
I'm mixing this all in together today as I've got to leave the house soon and also because I don't want to spend too much time on the preview, mostly because I don't know what to write that hasn't been said, quite literally fifty times in the last year.
Bolton have a horrible home record and only a slightly better away one. They've only won once all season at home and twice away, but if they beat us they'll get three points which would mean they would be four points behind us and in 10th place instead of ten points behind us if we win. Just because they have only won once at home and twice away all season doesn't mean they should be considered an easy team, especially as most of our players are very very tired, eleven games in.
Bolton conceded eight goals against Chelsea last week and they were more than wounded, they were tied to a tree on Hampstead Heath. Eight goals isn't pretty or a nice feeling and Gary Megson will be looking for a response and he might very well get it.
Before the humiliation of Chelsea, they did beat Everton 3-2 at home and they'll look to the match for inspiration. If I were Martin O'Neill, I'd be telling my players to look at the Liverpool match for inspiration, because that is how we have to play under O'Neill to get a result, but unfortunately, we are not going to have the personnel. Or do we?
We don't have Petrov or Beye for this as they are both suspended. Milner and Heskey are doubts and while Martin O'Neill would maybe prefer to play Gardner instead of Reo-Coker, he is also struggling.
On the positive side, Cueller is available after serving his ban and with rumours mounting that O'Neill has had a falling out with stand in right back Luke Young, he might very well start.
My prediction for starting line up Friedel, Warnock, Dunne, Collins, Young, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Delph, Webcam, Gabby and Carew. Now, that isn't such a bad side, but we will be hitting long and we have to very much rely on the fight and determination against a team that are trying to play the ball about these days, but are also known for their fight and determination and hitting it long.
I'm going to predict that this game has one of the least amount of passes all season, only maybe Blackburn will be worse and if I were a betting man, I'd say that would be the eleven O'Neill would send out, but if it were me, I'd pick Friedel, Young, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Delph Sidwell, Young and Gabby.
It isn't that different in terms of players but it is in terms of how the team would play and it is also possible that O'Neill looks at playing that way too, I'm just not convinced O'Neill likes the modern game and I think he is trying to force something on us because in his heart it believes it will work.
Right, early post tomorrow with banter, links and team news as and when we get it, bit for now, I'm running late. I have to run.
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neil57
said:
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... It will not happen. Rangers and Celtic automatically are in Chumps league as all the rest are crap. 2nd team looks good. No Carew. Good Emule is injured. JPA come back, take a pill  |
neil57
said:
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... Good grief, depression really has set in. The sheep are depressed and the wolves are asleep This is a good blog, I enjoy the craic. Look, we lost to a last second goal, a really good one at that. Keep the faith. Mind you, saturday is a must win. Albrighton has to feature, Fonz to come on as sub. MON use the subs earlier. UTV |
villabiker
said:
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... morning . never ever ever would i like to see any other name other than villa park .and i completly agree with u neil57 would love to see albrighton play great pre season give him a chance and lets see wot hes got against the big boys play delph from the start and yes if alls going well bring fonz on for 25 mins VFL |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... I'd go for... Fridel L Young Dunne Collins Warnock Albrighton Reo Sidwell Delph Young Gabby MON will go for... Friedel Cueller Dunne Collins Warnock Reo Delph Sidwell Young Gabby Heskey/Carew Once again that side is flawed all over. Cueller is a centre back (as the song goes. Maybe someone should send the lyrics to MON??!) Luke Young is the best right back at the club. Swallow your pride MON and out him back in where he belongs. Reo is not a BLOODY right midfielder (as we saw on Wednesday) so put him in the centre FFS!! Bolton play 3 in the middle away from home, so we have to win this battle. Leaving Delph once again on his own (I say that as he's playing with Sidwell) is so so harsh. The lad has only had 3 chances this season. Each one being in a 2 man midfield against 3. He never had a chance. He would excel as being the attacking man of a 3 man midfield. Playing any big man up front against Bolton is playing straight into their hands. They will deal with long balls all day long, with Knight and Cahill. Therefore, Carew or Heskey should not play. We need to turn their defence with balls down the channels and use our pace to pull them part. With Gabby up front (who is brilliant at working the chanels) with Delph, Albrighton and Young using their pace to attack them on the ground with pace and skill will rip them apart. It's just a pity we won't see any of that....he'll probably just play Carew and Heskey up front and we can knock balls from the back up to them and feed off scraps. Just as Blackburn and Bolton do....man I'm depressed.  |
neil57
said:
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... I am bored and awaiting important e mail. Good to see another villan on the blog. Well said, tbf, name wont change. If RL was really into money the Acorns deal would not have been repeated. Notice the menner the Man Utd strip changes every year and the rich fools buy a new one every year. There must be drawers full of out of date jerseys around. I have been to old trafford, the shop is busier than tescoes! Liverpool has to win Europa to get any dosh Torres is for Spain. Top 4 not out just yet. We cant have another 2nd half like last year. Ever the optimist UTV |
qashqai
said:
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... If its true that MON has fallen out with Luke Young one of our best players imo then something is very WRONG. What is going ON ? |
Damian
said:
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... qashqai, dont knwo if it is true. something someone said in comments the other day .. |
JohnnyMcleod
said:
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... Don't like the idea of renaming Villa Park, would also worry about the procceeds of any renaming going to MON for team rebuilding, worked out the other day that he's spent almost a hundred million so far and what have we got to show for it ? I really worry about our midfield especially and the money that's been spent on 3 plodders (Milner, Reo, and Sidwell), he doesn't want to play the one bit of class he's bought (Delph), and ignores the home grown talent at his disposal (Gardner, Bannan). He also sold Berson when he first came who O'Leary bought for a million and a half who was a great little player never given a chance. For someone who spent his whole career playing in that postion MON shows very little insight in to what is needed in the middle of the park. Lets hope Downing will buck the trend. |
villabiker
said:
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... hes so called fell out with young carew reo. thats the ones we know about but this happens in life. ive fell out with some of my work mates before but at the end of the day you have to work to geather so you put it behind you after, youve had your say and get on with itif you dont then it starts to become uncomftable and then breaking point please. if this is the position get it sorted all it will affect the teams spirit |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Surely something must be going on with MON and Young. Apprently they had a falling out on the trip to Spain. Even MON came out and said what an excellent season he had last year and then doesn't play him and out Beye in. Very strange and very concerning and very annoying!!!! |
Jonny Shadez
said:
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... As Randy said, half jokingly, when asked about American stadium names, Villa Park would be the Doritos Bowl!!! |
JohnnyMcleod
said:
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... How about the Stadium Of Dwight after our last world class striker, got a bit of a yankee feel to it as well. |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Any decent live streams to the game on Saturday Damian? :> |
Frank_spencer
said:
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... Re: comment 5, you obviously haven't seen us (Bolton) play recently with players like Chung Yong Lee and Ricardo Gardner playing week in week out the long ball is getting to be a thing of the past (Ok it still rears it head from time to time). look at our goals against Spurs long ball i thinks not. However we struggle for 80% of the game finding our own players and recently the idea of closing the opposition midfield down seems to escape our players. I'd take a drab draw from this one TBH |
the pensioner
said:
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... We need to put quite a few new faces into the starting lineup tomorrow!. This will be the 3rd match in 8 days,and if the regular first team were tired on Wednesday evening,as MON said,what are they going to be like tomorrow?... The word kn@ckered springs to mind!....I would give several of the youngsters a chance  |
Panos
said:
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... I would only sell the naming rights of the Doug Ellis stand and that's about it for me. |
VillaDude
said:
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... Anyone else notice how Rapid Vienna are getting hammered in the Europa... I think MON got away lightly with that one... |
MerryMan
said:
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... Bolton look like a real banana skin, not feeling confident about this game. We need to out pass and out play them. We can't beat Bolton by playing them at their own game. Like everyone else i hoped we might break the top 4 this season. I'm starting to abandon those hopes. Maybe we’ll get the playmaker we need in the window and push on but I doubt it. I'm sick of O'Neill at the moment and frustrated by the way we're playing. Does that mean I’m going to call for his head? No it doesn't. He deserves stick, he doesn't deserve to be sacked. You don’t walk out on a marriage just because the joy thief is nagging you. You don’t sack a CEO because a 1 month drop in productivity. And you shouldn’t sack Martin when we’re in 1 point off 4th place. Imagine the reaction if we actually sacked him, let’s stop this knee jerk sentiment that seems to be building. |
ak_27
said:
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... Rumour has it that MON wanted Luke Young to play at LB until Bouma got fit which Young did not want to do. If you think about it that is probably why we brought Beye in. Young goes to LB and we never buy Warnock as MON probably thought Bouma is a better player. Thank god Young said no as Warnock has been top notch. Thats my take on it going who and when we bought certain players during the summer. There definately is an issue between Young and MON since the summer. It all fits especally as it invloves playing players in positions where they do not fit which as we all know is a favourite hobby of MON. |
vivavilla
said:
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... If each tier has 18 teams, that would mean 36 teams in the Premiership. So nobody would be missing out. Daft idea, though I might try it on FM2010  |
eoin1981
said:
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... As far as the name changing goes - as far as I am concerned its free money!! It doesn't matter what the name is changed to - fans will ALWAYS refer to it as Villa Park. Who cares if commentators say ' and here are the highlights from Viagra Stadium'? As for the team, some players are clearly out of form and some are tired. We have a big squad. We have some of the most promising younsters in the league. Why not do something unbelievably radical like dropping players who have not produced, e.g. Sidwell, and giving players with potential and who should be chomping at the bit for a game like Delph a run. And why not play our best defender from last season at right back? And why not give Heskey a job as a bouncer or something like that? Come on MoN - be a badass! Lets play someone outside the chosen few. No genuine supporter will complain if you give some of the kids a chance - its not like they will be replacing players who have delivered for the last year!! |
doubledown9
said:
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... Gentlemen, please understand we are not good enough to see much from these players. Unless we get faced with an Everton esque injury nightmare then the best Albrighton et al. can hope for is a game in the third round of the fa cup. Let me explain before you all jump down my throat; as a team Villa do not have a ruthless edge that would allow us to bring on younger players. When was the last time Villa were in the position, at say 60-70 mins into a match, to take a striker or any player for that matter and the commentators said something like "he has done his job today". I honestly can't remember. The youngsters we have are in a catch 22 situation. They need to 'develop' in order to play, but cannot develop unless they play. Unless villa start truly beating teams, not just winning games then these players will never get the 'run outs' in PL games they need. At 1-0 do you really see MON taking off say Carew and bringing on the Fonz or subbing Milner for Albrighton. We as fans slate MON for not making changes, Imagine the mauling we would give him if he decided at 1-1 to take Dunne of for Clarke. Look at all the players who come through at say Arsenal or Man U, that Kiko MAcheda guy is a prime example, he is being drip fed into the first team, how? Because United can go 2 or 3 goals up and have the belief to keep attacking. I hope that made sense. Dan |
villarobin
said:
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... Cueller is a centre back (as the song goes. Maybe someone should send the lyrics to MON??!) Luke Young is the best right back at the club. Swallow your pride MON and out him back in where he belongs. Reo is not a BLOODY right midfielder (as we saw on Wednesday) so put him in the centre FFS!! Bolton play 3 in the middle away from home, so we have to win this battle. Leaving Delph once again on his own (I say that as he's playing with Sidwell) is so so harsh. The lad has only had 3 chances this season. Each one being in a 2 man midfield against 3. He never had a chance. He would excel as being the attacking man of a 3 man midfield. Playing any big man up front against Bolton is playing straight into their hands. They will deal with long balls all day long, with Knight and Cahill. Therefore, Carew or Heskey should not play. We need to turn their defence with balls down the channels and use our pace to pull them part. With Gabby up front (who is brilliant at working the chanels) with Delph, Albrighton and Young using their pace to attack them on the ground with pace and skill will rip them apart. It's just a pity we won't see any of that....he'll probably just play Carew and Heskey up front and we can knock balls from the back up to them and feed off scraps. WHOEVER SAID ALL OF THIS ABOVE IS SPOT ON. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE EMAIL THIS TO MON !! PLAY PEOPLE IN THEIR POSITIONS , AND PLAY YOUR BEST FORMATION FOR F*CKS SAKE !!! |
ak_27
said:
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... doubledown9 i don't think anyone is talking about tkaing a defender off just for the sake of it and bringing on a youngster when the game is still in the melting pot. Its from the Midfeild up where we have struggled that the youngsters should be brought on to instill a breath of freshness into our predictable and usually impotent attacks. Who is going to create more on the RW. NRC or Albrighton? No contest. Delfouneso showed us with the goals he has scored in the few games he has played that he knows how to find the net. So put him on with 20mins left like Zola did with Hines. When Sidwell is doing nothing and Ashkley for that matter bring Fabian Delph(or Bannan) on to do the job he was brought here to do. Its not rocket science that you are better off playing a young player in a position they have been playing all their lives over playing the likes of Heskey and NRC out of positions where there lack of ability becomes even more obvious and effects the team. |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... villarobin said: WHOEVER SAID ALL OF THIS ABOVE IS SPOT ON. It was me Villarobin. I think it's martin.o' This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !! ;0) |
SCOTT1
said:
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... havnt read all the posts so maybe its been said but apparently ruud wants to come back to the prem and old ballbag face is gonna pounce.personally id love him at the villa and think he could still get 20 a season.mon shoulld steal him.what does anyone else think? |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Totally agree ak_27. How can he actually think Heskey would be better left wing than Albrighton, Delph or Gabby and the same goes for Reo on the right??!?!?! Just bl00dy crazy!! |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... I'd take him tomorrow SCOTT1. Injury prone maybe but all he does is score goals. We haven't had a striker like that since Saunders!! |
eoin1981
said:
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... doubledown9 - i disagree with you completely. By your rationing - there will never be a time to blood youngsters in the league - hence why bother even having a youth setup at the club at all. So only teams like United, Barcelona can drip feed these youngsters. Last season in the Champions league semi-final - Clichy was out - did Wenger bring back a midfielder, play a center back there or move his right back over to left back and put a midfielder at right back or bring back Winterburn for the game. NO - he played a pretty much untried youngster - a product of his youth system. Now I dont for one second that O'Neill and Wenger operate in the same galaxy regarding youth development, or in fact most areas of football - thats not the point. Sidwell is not performing and in my opinion he never will. He plays one bad game and gets picked the next - fair enough. He plays 2 bad games and gets picked - then he really needs a big game. He continues to play crap for months and still gets picked - thats just ridiculous. Delph was signed for 7m, and is regarded by many managers as one of the most exciting prospects in the league. Now if he's being kept out by a player who constantly delivers - fair enough - but I cant understand why Sidwell continued to be picked. Next Albrighton - fair enough most would say that Milner and Young are 2 of our best/most important players. Most would say that they produce the goods relatively often - so I dont claim he should start. But if those guys are tired - why not give him the last 20 minutes?? E.g - game vs West Ham. Albrighton shows his potential whenever he has played for the first team - and what really drives me mad is when players like Reo-Coker, Heskey and Gardner are played on the wing - they are not Wingers and I would play Albrighton every day of the week ahead of them in this position. Finally - Fonz - another HUGE talent and again shows his stuff every time he is picked. Maybe he shouldn't start - but if you want to throw someone on who is a bit different or who might score a goal or create a bit of a nuisance of himself - who else at the club have we?? Heskey?? Even if you rate heskey (to my bewilderment) - surely nobody sees him as an impact player or someone who will score off the bench. In fact - if he fell off the bench - he probably wouldn't even hit the ground, such is his strike rate!! |
holteend paul
said:
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... i was talkin to a good friend this morning and he said downing is a matter of match fitness away now and it could be within 2 weeks from first team. villa park should be renamed the lions den, everybody welcome (rowntrees lions bar). |
BertieBassett
said:
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... Renaming grounds is outrageous! wouldn't contemplate muttering anything other than villa park! am I missing something here with people not bothered by it? are we in some kind of financial meltdown? is this the only way to fund new players? we've been doing okay without the need to rename and I don't see any reason why chelsea or anyone would want too. Football has years of tradition and History and I for one am proud of it, why ruin the sport with all this American crap! Keep your clubs names and keep the sponsorship simple because like others around me, we don't want to dressed like a billboard on match day. |
Badger
said:
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...In fact - if he fell off the bench - he probably wouldn't even hit the ground, such is his strike rate!!  |
holteend paul
said:
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... chelsea have stated they will rename their stadium because they cannot increase the capacity or move so to get extra income they would look to have a sponsored name, we on the other hand dont sell out evry game and have scope to increase the capacity to 50k which would bring in the extra income if the fans turn up. so i think most of what the lads are typing on here is pure banter as i dont think it will happen or does it need to happen for a long time anyway. |
Badger
said:
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...Sidwell is not performing and in my opinion he never will. He plays one bad game and gets picked the next - fair enough. He plays 2 bad games and gets picked - then he really needs a big game. He continues to play crap for months and still gets picked - thats just ridiculous. I think MON is doing what he did with Petrov and letting him play his way into form. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of a manager having the faith in a player to come good, but we're not good enough yet to carry players and it's costing us points. There has to come a time when you turn round to that player and say you've had your chance. Unless MON thinks he's doing a good job? |
mickey86
said:
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... 2 tiered premiership - all it will mean is re-naming the championship premier league 2 - and i dont think celtic and rangers should be aloud in the premier league for the reason damian gave above. will be like letting mexico and the usa into uefa because the concacaf isnt very strong. also saying teams wont be allowed to be promoted if they have financial difficulties! does that mean man u, chelsea, arsenal and liverpool will all be put into 'division 3' and surely a team from division 3 with financial troubles deserve the chance to play in the 'premiership 2' to help there financial problems - to me this idea just suggests that Phil gartside knows he is gonna get relegated soon and is panicking that they will lose out on alot of money - the idea seems its just helping the bottom 10 teams in the premiership. Naming rites to the stadium - i dont have a problem with it, villa fans will always call it villa park. although i would like it to be football/sport related sponsour and not just the tesco stadium. |
doubledown9
said:
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... I just don't think it's oneils style. Name 1 player who has come through the ranks to the first team under him. Gabby came through under DOL remember. I did not say we shouldn't blood these youngsters just that we won't, there is a difference. Bear in mind MON has sold Davis, Cahill amongst others and continualy bought players rather than give the youngsters a chance (how many CMs? when Gardner is twiddling his thumbs) I would love to see Delph play as my brother in law is a Leeds fan and I have probably seen him play more than anyone else on these boards as we split the home games each year going to half at vp and half at er. I think a three man centre with NRC and Stan in a Mascherano-Alonso type thing would suit him to a T. Add a back 3 and a front four of Downing, Milner, Young and Gabby and we could tear those 'bus parking' sides appart. I'm not saying it would be a good idea to play that way against a utd or arsenal but imagine trying to mark the front men out of a game. Difficult to say the least. |
VillaDude
said:
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... I agree with "James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini" original rant...and the sooner MON learns this the better! But I also think MON will play Cuellar and Reo Coker down our right wing.... Why does he not change like for like? no wonder reo gave him a smack.. The most worrying thing is the stubborness...Does anyone really expect MON to change his ways, he has been like this since day one. |
Badger
said:
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...why ruin the sport with all this American crap! I think we already have. I'm totally against renaming the stadium, but guess I could live with something like the theatre of unfulfilled dreams @ Villa park (Villabiker ) It's the messing about with the leagues that worries me more. I think the formation of the prem and all the razzamatazz is what has led to the ruination of our great game and this would just make it worse. And no offence to any sweaties, but Celtic and Rangers are scottish. They should stay in the scottish league. Just another example of money grabbing, imo. |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... But I also think MON will play Cuellar and Reo Coker down our right wing.... WOoooooooooooooooo what an exciting right side to the team that is!! F-ing joke! |
no10
said:
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... no to celtic and rangers it would be the rise of the hooligans. renaming the stadium no problem.i will still say to my mates you going down the villa.bolton game only mon knows. |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Nope, just scares me to death that he thinks that's a good team!! |
jr27
said:
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... Why would premier league clubs want Celtic and Rangers fans parading their bigotry in their grounds? I remember how pleasent Rangers were when they came to Villa Park. I also went to Old Trafford for Roy Keane's testimonial and was not impressed with Celtic either. In my view their is no benefit as most premier league grounds do not have room for their massive away support. It is just asking for trouble. UTV. |
tubbydunne
said:
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... The funniest thing about this blog is looking at people trying to predict the team O'Neill will name(I'm not immune myself and have tried it) Prior to the W Ham game even though we had players out trough suspension and injury there were numerous team predictions and no one got it right. Then when the team was named people were predicting the formation he was going to deploy not one person got it right. Brilliant. Now I am not confusing predictions with preferred line ups. I think to brighten up things on here there should be a competition to predict M.O.N.s exact starting line up and formation before every game. Don't listen to the pessimists m.o.n. U.T.V. |
Badger
said:
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... It would be interesting to hear what Celtic_Villan or any other Scottish Villa fans think about this, imo. I've no problem with Cuellar playing RB, but NRC on the right is just a travesty. |
Badger
said:
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... I see Fonz got subbed after 70 mins for the reserves. I wonder if he might get a run out? |
Joel villan
said:
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... Just read van the man is up for grabs. He was never fast anyway and with his goal record at villa park, what a signing he could be. Gabby could learn from the best, oneill might even consider it as he's ex prem. |
Badger
said:
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... I just read the following about Paul Robinson on a Bolton site; The inclusion of the Angry Dwarf at left back is great news - for Aston Villa. Fights have broken out amongst Martin O`Neill`s men with several members of the squad, keen to play in that part of the pitch. If he's worse than Jlloyd(sp)Samuel, he must be crap. |
Joel villan
said:
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... Almost forgot, I don't care what they call villa park, it's still villa park. And as for the league, never listen to ideas of people who have a financial stake in the game about changing league formats. They will dress up ideas, and make it sound great, however their only motivation is money. It irritates me that you have people with no right to make changes with all the money in football. Any ideas like this should be run past fans, ex pros and people who actually care about footballs buy in first. |
holteend paul
said:
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... badger.... interesting point about the rangers/celtic villa fans because if they did join the league then who would these guys support when we meet after all you cant support 2 teams in the same division.. on another note if you dont want scottish playing in the english league because of the hooliganism element then we should throw out the taffs because if anyone has ever been to cardiff then its racial madness against anything english. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... I will not be making my customary pre match visit into the Aston Hotel tomorrow. To do so would be an act of folly (i cant hold my beer you see). That and the fact that im now at an age when i cant take fools makes a dangerous combination. One which after seeing Martins team sheet, will push me over the edge. You see, i know his team already. I even know the formation. Its not rocket science either, just the fact that its SOOooooo predictable. If he goes the way Bolton and the rest of us KNOW he will, then he is simply playing into Megsons hands, and there is no better spoiler of the beautiful game than Megson. But this is what is going to happen. We may kid ourselves that Martin may spring a suprise, but i fear that suprise will be nothing more than where he accommodates the useless Heskey. Heskey has to play, i mean...we are Leicester afterall. OK guys and ladies, my post is a little on the negative side, but im feeling negative, and Martin is making me feel very negative. Sorry, i cant help it. Prediction for tomorrow? 1-1 or 0-0, and me wondering why i bothered |
ak_27
said:
|
... I don't see what the problem with Celtic and Rangers joining the league is when you already have the likes of Cardiff and Swansea in it? Now i wouldn't for a second think of changing the format and i think they should have to join down the league somewhere and win their place in the PL. They should not be given a free entry into the PL. It wouldn't be fair on the teams in the championship who are killing themselves for promotion. This will never get passed anyway but long term it would be good for the league but bad for Villa if it did. Celtic especially have huge potential as they have one of the biggest fan bases in the world and if they got the cash injection from PL they would eventaully be a real force. The only way i can see it happen is if they agree to join in league 2(or 1) and work their way up but they would probably not want to do that. |
r0bb0
said:
 |
... Who says that a player can only play in one position? A number of people have said it on here but surely it's nonsense? You only have to read the many comments on here from people suggesting we bring Milner or Young into the centre etc to know that the suggestion that players can only play in one position is at best just a theory. It certainly is not a proven fact. If I wasn't in a rush I'd come up with much better examples but please stop shouting out that players can only play in one position as if it's a known fact...it isn't! |
villabiker
said:
|
... the jocks will want it just for finacial gain and decent football ever week and as for there fans back in the early 80s they just poured into the holte and that was just a pre season frendly |
ak_27
said:
|
... r0bb0 its not that certain players can't play in other roles it that certain types who lack skill and ability on the ball can not play in positions that MON is currently using them. Heskey is and will ever only be a hold up role striker. Thats it. His attributes are exactly the opposite of what you need as a winger or anywhere else except for that one position. NRC is good at getting in amoung the oppossition and winning the ball back but he is barely able to kick it or run with it without falling over. Again those are not the attributes for A RW or a RB. I will also add Cullar to this list as he is also poor on the ball and a RB has 2 responsibilites. One is defending and Cullar is spot on there. But the other is that the full back is often the starter of attacks(as they are normally free to recieve the ball from keeper and CM) and that is why they need to be at least somewhat gifted on it. Cullar is poor on the ball and i have seen him kick a 5 yard pass over the sideline 4 times this season. That is poor at any level of football. We lack balance at the moment due to Cullar not matching waht Warnork does on the left. |
holteend paul
said:
|
... villa biker.... it was 1976-77 pre season friendly and the game was abandonned at half time with villa leading 3-1 if i remember right. |
Christian1983
said:
 |
... I'm a bit worried about tomorrow too. I can't really see us losing (surely not) because Dunne and Collins will deal with those hoofing long balls to Davies all day long. But can we score? Can we boss McCann and Mark Davies in their midfield? I really hope so! I'm gonna say 1-0 Villa, a Milner penalty. |
Badger
said:
|
...Who says that a player can only play in one position? I agree decent players can play more than one position. But NRC at RW? Loads of people have been ranting about the lack of decent crosses and rightly so. And given the way we play, we need quality crosses. If Milner is out you have to put someone in who can cross the ball at least, preferably while still running, imo. There's only one player for that. Albrighton. I don't even care if he plays crap, as long as he gets half a dozen quality crosses in. That might sound stupid, but it would be more of a contribution than NRC would give us. Horses for courses with this one. rangers made national papers mite even of been 79 80 season Stabbed one of our lads too. Nice eh. |
holteend paul
said:
|
... villabiker... you old git lol my team for tomorrow would be freidel young dunne collins warnock albrighton gardner/milner reo delpdh young gabby this is IF milner doesnt shake off his injury and i wouldnt make any room for shitwell. |
Geoff
said:
 |
... Well the teams in Ireland play at like high school fields with 2,000 people in attendance - sans liek 3 or 4 teams. And aside from Heart of Midlothian and a few other teams in Scotland, Celtic and Rangers are the only teams who even should be considered. Those two teams would fare decently in the Premiership. I really dont think its a bad idea, except you can do it just to get those two teams. Unfortunately, the Championship will probably also be set to include Hearts and the top two teams in Ireland who actually have stadiums larger than 25,000 capacity (sort of exagerating). The rest of the teams in Scotland and Ireland will be folded into the lesser leagues, which will become close to unwatchable. I think thats the only fair way to do it. If youre not going to include everyone in a massive, four or five tiered UK-wide league system then just leave the leagues the way they are now. Celtic and Ragners would probably be able to compete with Villa, Man City, Spurs to crack into the top 4 because they would be able to invest more funds into their squad with TV money from the Premiership. |
ak_27
said:
|
... My team would be : Friedal Young Dunne Collins Warnock Albrighton NRC Sidwell Delph Young Gabby |
SuperBox
said:
 |
... Why does Phil Gartside think the Premier League needs splitting in two? What's wrong with it the way it is now? The names of the leagues is already ridiculous, so we'd have; Premier League 1 = the current Premier League or Division 1 as it should be called! Premier League 2 = Championship or Division 2 in old money! Championship = League 2 or the old Division 3 as was! League 2 = Exisitng League 3, the old Division 4 League 3 = The Conference! Confused - I know I am. Apart from promotion for all the teams where the leagues are renamed, can't see the point - but then I don't stand to make millions of quid from it I suspect. AVFC, please don't sell the soul of the club for a few sheckles. If we needed the money that bad, we'd have a shirt sponsor! Can I ask that the yo-yo-ing of "MON is a God" when we win, to the "MON Out" when we lose needs to stop. Patience is the key, AVFC need stability and steady progression. It doesn't happen overnight. Ivan Gazidis from Arsenal sums it up nicely "Success that is built is more rewarding than success that is bought." |
SCOTT1
said:
|
... lads im depressed!ive just looked at an old dusty paper at work.the prem table is on the back we are 3 points off the top after 24 games and man utd have only scored 1 more goal than us.the more i think about the more i see how shit weve been all year in all honesty and i cant see us reaching those heights again.14 games left and we blew it!!!weve gone backwards and havnt been exciting,bar the odd few minutes here and there,for a long time. |
matt26may1982
said:
 |
... ak 27, ... My team would be : Friedal Young Dunne Collins Warnock Albrighton NRC Sidwell Delph Young Gabby Just LOL never in a million years get back to that championship manager on ur pc. |
davidc
said:
 |
... ak 27, That really is just way too lightweight a team to be given any serious consideration. And you think of going into a game against Bolton with that? Tell you what, Megson would be licking his lips and expecting a goal every corner/freekick they had in our half. |
Irish_villain
said:
 |
... We could call it 'The Nike Stadium', that way damian would get his sponsor free shirt! |
ak_27
said:
|
... davidc so we should be picking our attacking players on their ability to defend corners? We are at home and it will be up to us to take the game to them. They are not the big team you think they are. Outside of Davies (and maybe Cahill) they aren't that big and Collins and Dunne are more then capable of dealing with that. |
villabiker
said:
|
... for once think of the supporters who on a normal living wage could justify paying to go to jock land to watch the match |
Badger
said:
|
...for once think of the supporters who on a normal living wage could justify paying to go to jock land to watch the match And even worse for their fans having to make the trip every other game |
IdahoVillan
said:
 |
... Looks like most are in agreement -- Villa needs a change and to give some of the young players a shot, but we all agree that MON just won't change (can't change?). It is sad really. I think our biggest problem is the lack of ability to change. Change tactics when the initial game plan hits the skids; change players either when they fall out of form for extended periods or just because they don't seem to be getting the job done. Unfortunately the young players coming up don't get a chance until they are absolutely required (multiple suspensions and injuries), and then they play in the middle of a decimated squad. Put Albrighton in for an injured Milner and I bet we see little drop-off (mistakes, yes, but nothing unrecoverable). Now, put him in with Delph and Reo-Coker, and maybe throw in a center back at right back and you have a disaster -- too many "new" parts to work together properly, but MON can then point to that game and say "see, he just isn't ready yet". I would like to see a strategic thinker for gaffer (MON or otherwise) -- one who can honestly size up the next team and figure out how to beat them. Big defenders, go with our pace up front (maybe Gabby and Fonz); 3-man midfield from the opposition, play 4-5-1; fast defenders, play Heskey/Carew tandem. It drives me nuts that it seems that MON has one single "right" way to play (same formation, same starting 11) and he seems to think it will work against anyone in any situation. |
IdahoVillan
said:
|
... On the naming rights thing, I'm indifferent but in my mind you name something "new". Villa Park is Villa Park -- if you want to add a new stand, then name it. If you build a new stadium, sure sell the naming rights, but this one is already named... |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
 |
... Has Everyone Lost Their Mind? Has it really come to this? Has the greed and desire for success sunk us into the abyss so far that we are ready to prostitute part of our great clubs history and legacy in order to scrape a few coins together for the ‘marquee’ signing that the doom mongers crave? I am dumbfounded by the lack of opposition to this proposal and find it hard to believe that the club would pass up the chance of a shirt sponsor only to flog naming rights of the stadium for a few million quid. It hurts me to think that parts of the club I love are going to be sold to the highest bidder with no respect for history or legacy or pride. I was proud to wear acorns on my chest, but now a seed of doubt creeps in. I may differ from many of my claret and blue brethren in that I believe we are doing pretty well as a club and it hurts when other fans begin calling for the naming rights to be sold to generate money for the team. Why? Don’t we have plenty of funds? The desperation for success amongst many Villa fans is beginning to outweigh the joy of being a supporter. After the clubs flirtation with success over a large portion of last season many seem to be drunk with the prospect that this club may go somewhere and now place us among the elite of the Premier League. We are not, we have aspirations, but so do many clubs and we have no divine right to be there. It is a long arduous road that requires steady progress, investment and above all belief. If we don’t believe then why should anyone else? By this I mean the playing staff and others at the club. The belief that we should be signing massive international ‘big name’ players and spending millions of pounds and competing at the very top of the league is harming this club more than any defeat or loss. The over expectation is causing many to actually believe the hype and detract from the very reason a club should be ‘supported’. So unhappy with results are many that the unjustified expectation is turning into resentment, depression, criticism and even hatred for some of the players, Manager, Chairman and other fans. It is like a cancer that has taken hold at the very heart of the club and is beginning to eat its way through the very loyalty, optimism and blind faith that are what ties a fan to Aston Villa for life. Booing, complaining and general disharmony are damaging the team. If you don’t believe this then fine, but the kind of huge vocal disapproval heaped on the team this year has been monumental and I ask you to place yourselves in their shoes. It is having a detrimental effect. There is a saying ‘the grass is always greener’. You all know what this means and I implore you to consider it. There are many who look at the managers other clubs are appointing with jealousy, the players they sign, the money they spend and the ways thay play often look appealing to an outsider. I guarantee many look at our team and consider the same things. Many managers covet players that we have, many chairmen covet our manager and many fans covet the Chairman, funds and attitude to running a club that we have. We are by no means in any trouble on or off the pitch and what is required is patience. Not an over rated expensive foreigner, not an oil billionaire and definitely not a new name for Villa Park. This instant success is pie in the sky stuff and faced with the reality of what may happen to my club should it begin to sell out in this way or become preoccupied with short term success and lose one of the better managers we have had then I fear for it I really do and I fear for the fans because chairmen, managers and players come and go. The club you support doesn’t. The very thought that we should rename our stadium is outrageous whether it would give us the money to sign another player or not. Keep you rfeet on the ground and your complaints to yourselves. Support the team through thick AND thin and always let them know you believe in them (even if you don’t). It will help get the best from the club and in turn the best for the fans. |
neil57
said:
|
... Dan, Macheda came on and scored a wonder goal to win the game, they weren't winning. We need a Yorke type player, a top class goalscorer. Remember the hat-trick agaimst the barcoders on monday night about 12 years ago. Drogba, although lazy is great. Rooney is like Milner only much better. We miss Milner. If only SS and EH got injured UTV |
neil57
said:
|
... Rafa goes into a church and says,"Forgive me father for I have sinned." Father says,"come forth , my child." Rafa says," come forth,I'll be f..king lucky if we finish 10th!" |
Irish_villain
said:
|
... This has to be a win tomorrow, if we can manage to keep the ball below knee height for a full passage of play we could cut bolton apart. Does anyone remember that goal against them 2 seasons ago when we scored with eight passes or somthing to that effect starting from left back with bouma?? It isnt within us to play good football, we just seem to choose not to as of late. I believe we have it in us to play a neat passing game, granted this will be required with 5 in midfield and webcam pulling his weight instead of trying to score from every cross. |
Deano-avfc
said:
 |
... Damian, why would you want Villa Park to be named anything other than Villa Park? As soon as we sell the naming rights we lose all the history and uniqueness (if thats a word) surrounding it all. Would we even see the 30m or whatever it is? I cant see MON signing anyone over the 10m mark, and spending 40m in total in one window as we've done in the past, I dont think he would spend 70m if he had it, its not his style IMO. big signings comes with big wages and he thinks it could unsettle the others and might be too much of a gamble if it doesn't work out. The stella artois stadium did have me thinking for a second though...I think it should have massive stella pint glasses at the front like the old wembley twin towers with overflowing waterfalls either side. We could ditch hercules and family and get in Stellaguy, (like the Duff beer guy) who walks round the pitch spraying stella out of a supersoaker to willing participants.. ok, too much time on my hands. Villa Park for me, or the fortress as I like to call it. UTV ps 2.1 tomorrow, Petrov and the big man. |
matt26may1982
said:
|
... Its plain and simple, money in football is now the only way to get into top four and champions league. So if our billionaire owner wont spend like the top clubs do, then something like this stadium thing may seem a good idea to some inside and outside villa park. Its abhorrent and spits in the face of history and tradition. Lerner being a yank may go for this as America sends us these advertising trends. Face facts either something like this happens or we spend big and gamble on doing a Leeds, or we will always be on the fringe. Im just so glad i have seen the Villa win the Leauge at Arsenal and the European cup in Rotterdam, cos it aint an equal playing field as such anymore. |
villapep
said:
 |
... my team for game v Bolton would be Friedal L.Young Dunne Collins Warnock Reo Coker Albrighton A Young Delph Agbonlahor |
bobvillian
said:
 |
... MY TEAM V BOLTON FRIEDLE L YOUNG DUNNE COLLINS WARNOCK ALBRIGHTON MILNER COKER DELPH FONZ GABBY GIVE IT A GO GAFFA?? |
Panos
said:
|
... JPA, Great post, but like leawaylittleman said, really hard to read. Paragraphs would do justice to it. P.S For those who want to know why O'Neill does not regret selling Gary Cahill...here is the link http://www.birminghammail.net/...-25109630/ |
Matt Holte
said:
 |
... Excellent. Let's follow suit by selling the soul and tradition of the club. Oh well, at least it will pave the way for another average overpaid prima donna who ultimately cares for very little other than how long it'll be until he gets his next Bentley Continental. |
no10
said:
|
... no celtic or rangers,get rid of the cardiff and swansea its suppose to be an english league.and liverpool can go and play in there own country aswell . |
r0bb0
said:
|
... JPA, You make some excellent points, particularly in the second half of your posting (hope people get that far) The over expectation is causing many to actually believe the hype and detract from the very reason a club should be ‘supported’. So unhappy with results are many that the unjustified expectation is turning into resentment, depression, criticism and even hatred for some of the players, Manager, Chairman and other fans.I'm increasingly reading comments that seem to be almost gleefully critical but with little or no factual basis to their arguments. It's as if some are wating for the opportunity to be critical and only come on here to gloat when things have not gone as well as they'd hope. This negativism DOES matter....it IS corrosive...it DOES damage the morale of fans and players. Of course there should be scope to question tactics or decisions, but in a calm, balanced questioning way, not the rabid anti player/manager/owner ranting that we've recently seen all too often. |
no10
said:
|
... r0bb0 you dont need to state the facts it hits you in the face every game there is no need to keep stating them ,just a couple of words is all you need otherwise you would be stating the the same facts over and over again. i think weve got a good squad of players its not there fault we play shit football its down to one man ,that man is mon thats a fact. |
erik
said:
 |
... Being American I am totally against re-naming stadiums. It takes away from atmosphere, history, and the whole sport in general. You all will still know it as Villa Park and call it Villa Park but honestly it's more than just a name change. I'm from chicago and when they re-named Comiskey Park to U.S. Cellular field it stopped being part of the team and became just a venue the games are played at. |
Greg1981
said:
 |
... Robbo I'm increasingly reading comments that seem to be almost gleefully critical but with little or no factual basis to their arguments. Why would anyone be gleeful when their team loses? I was cold as well as down at the game on Wednesday night. We all want the team to win. But progress will only be made when we objectively consider where we currently are. My view is that generally other club’s fans have higher expectations than ours and this has been a major contribution to our years in the wilderness. And I’ve supported us through all of this time. This negativism DOES matter....it IS corrosive...it DOES damage the morale of fans and players. It’s not negative to call poor play poor play. More of a problem are fans who think that we should have won on Wednesday and think we are progressing. We’re not progressing. The team last autumn would have performed better. Does that make me negative? No it just means I go to the games with my eyes open. Wednesday was no different. We probably deserved a draw but that’s it. I’m not going to repeat my comments of yesterday but it was the wrong team (Wigan repeated) and while we played better than usual for parts of the first half we created (yet again) next to nothing. Big clubs with big ambition make big calls. We are form one of the biggest cities in Europe. We’re not Norwich, Stoke, Hull. We’re the mighty Villa and we need to raise expectations. Of course there should be scope to question tactics or decisions, but in a calm, balanced questioning way I agree with this. But for me, most of the ‘ranting’ on the site is done at the fans who simply question things. It’s the opposite of what you suggest. MON didn’t sign anyone in the summer to shore up last year’s ‘relegation form’ weakness - the need for two classy midfield players/striker. 2009 will be a calendar year of fewest chances created in my whole life of supporting Villa. I wish that wasn’t the case but it’s heading for a Rafa fact. |
mon 4-5-1
said:
 |
... Greg1981, 2009 will be a calendar year of fewest chances created in my whole life of supporting Villa Totally agree we can either kid our selves or face up to reality. Don't need to write a essay on how i feel about our performances but we are playing some of the worst football i can remember... |
afvcbob
said:
 |
... MON has imo taken us a far as he can with his limitations and football style. If any body need to play and grasp championship manager then its him See, its not just about Wednesdays game that has brought me to this conclusion , its was when we didn't buy enough quality in the second season he was in charges and its feels as if we are always playing catch up to create a squad that is good enought for this great club we all love and support He needs to take a reality check on where he expects to take the club for this seasons as well as next season when I would expect him to improve the level of the team in midfield and up front. But can we honestly trust this man to do the right thing and attract the players for these position when its is obvious that if he continues with this style of football then who ever he buys will have to except that their impact will be less due to MON persistence in playing the way we play I was one of the thousands that welcomed and greeted MON to the club when he first arrived at Villa Park. At that surreal moment I never expected that with him managing this club I would one day want him to reconsider his future with us ,but that day has come. |
Badger
said:
|
...2009 will be a calendar year of fewest chances created in my whole life of supporting Villa. I have to confess I'm stuck for an answer to that line  |
VillaNick
said:
 |
... It might be a better idea to scrap the League cup and have a UK cup to include teams from Scotland, Wales & NI? Might spice things up a bit? |
kohoutek
said:
 |
... Celtic/Rangers? No thank you. Villa Park? Should remain Villa Park. Some misguided folks think the Yanks are over-commercial. Yet none of their major leagues sell sponsorships on their uniforms. We're used to it in football, but that's more of an act of prostitution than selling stadium naming rights, imo. So get a little perspective. The only way you sell stadium naming rights is if you're getting £25m-£100m for it. As to the state of play? I have to say, I've been a big MON backer. But I do think it's time that LYoung be given a run, Albrighton his chances, and Delph put in a five-man midfield with NRC and Petrov to cover him. NRC is shite, but he'd help mitigate mistakes. Not sure I'd play Delph and Albrighton at the same time, but they need more looks. Whoever said MON is letting Sidwell play himself into form a la Petrov, I would probably agree. But it's not happening for him. I've wanted it to, but he's just not doing enough. And yes, Fonz should be brought on when we're chasing games. Heskey shouldn't play again, and Carew should be benched. No more 4-4-2, unless we're chasing goals, and then I'd rather see Gabby and Fonz than Carew loafing about or Heskey falling over. MON's given things a run, but it's not working, and we've dropped valuable points. But I'm not at all convinced he will do any of the things we're suggesting. |
kohoutek
said:
|
... Or, hell, if you're not going to play Delph, put Ash in the middle, Milner on the left, Albrighton on the right. Or Milner in the middle, with Ash and Albrighton. These have to be better combinations than only Sidwell and Petrov with either Carew or Heskey, or both, on the pitch. |
cyprusvilla
said:
 |
... delph del boy albrighton lichaj give them a chance martin you might get a shock that we do have more good players |
andy5759
said:
 |
... I agree with r0bb0 that sometimes the criticism here seems to be a little over the top. Unfair (sometimes even fair) criticism can be unsettling. In fact, such has been the bitterness on here that I have been reluctant to add my voice lest I be included amongst these (spiteful) critics. It is our right as fans to have a moan, not to call for mass dismissals and never to descend to the sort of scandalous remarks seen on here recently. All of these lads are trying their best, they may be found wanting but merit our support until they either fail or succeed. The manager can not be judged on a (short) run of poor results and more than he can be judged on a couple of great results. He frustrates me big time, but at least I want to see him given a decent chance here. If he f*cks up then so be it, get rid. Until then we are only p*ssing in the wind and making ourselves into bitter twisted people. There will always be Aston Villa, long after all the current players and fans have gone to the great Massey Ferguson Final in the Sky. UTV - VFL - RnB |
Badger
said:
|
...I've been a big MON backer. But I do think it's time that LYoung be given a run, Albrighton his chances, and Delph put in a five-man midfield with NRC and Petrov to cover him. It's interesting isn't it? You know I'm a firm believer in MON too, but believers and non believers alike are saying the same thing. There has to be somthing in that, imo. Whoever said MON is letting Sidwell play himself into form a la Petrov, I would probably agree. But it's not happening for him. I've wanted it to, but he's just not doing enough. That was me. He's had his chance imo. Either drop him or back him up with another midfielder, simple as. MON's given things a run, but it's not working, and we've dropped valuable points. But I'm not at all convinced he will do any of the things we're suggesting. I was thinking about this after the game on Wednesday and my opinion hasn't changed since then. This will be his undoing at Villa, imo. Whilst I don't think for one minute a manager should listen to what fans think, I don't recall so many people saying the same things at the same time, ever. As for naming rights, the whole game has been prostituted mate. I suspect this is why not many people are saying it shouldn't happen. Much the same as it doesn't matter which political party you vote for. Some things will just happen whether us non prawn sandwich eaters want it or not. Typical British trait of apathy these days. Even I've succumbed to it, as big as a traditionalist as I am |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Greg1981. It's reasonable for people to question things, and when comments are thought through as yours are here that's fine. Others though just seem to get a kick out of having a go. Here's an example from during the West Ham game: Why the f**k did MON change things? He will always be tactically inept - no one can defend that!The fact is that Heskey was taken off because he was injured. You may question MoN's tactics, but this is the comment of someone who is wanting to be critical and isn't interested in the facts. In the summer you must have seen people stating as a fact that Carew was leaving and stating that Collins was a useless signing. That's the sort of thing that pisses me off. These people are not supporters of Villa...they're self indulgent and destructive and if they really do want the best for Villa they should keep their thoughts to themselves. |
toxytag
said:
 |
... does anyone know how Downing is doing and when is he due to be in the first team squad? |
Badger
said:
|
...The fact is that Heskey was taken off because he was injured. You may question MoN's tactics I know what you're saying r0bb0, but I'd be more interested why this useless piec.. er player I don't see, is injured all the bloody time and can't last a game. And Fonz can't get on ahead of him? There's something not right mate, imo. Sorry if that's negative, but it's a valid question. |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Badger. Asking a question isn't negative. Ranting negative opinions as facts is. In the absence of Cuellar I'd have liked to see Luke Young at right back in preference to Beye. I'm not going to say MoN is a tosser for going with Beye though because I haven't seen them in training and I don't know if Luke Young perhaps has not got back to his old form...and nobody else on here knows either. You wouldn't guess that from some of the comments though. |
Badger
said:
|
...We'll win tomorrow. I'm sure of it. I'm glad you're confident Viva. I'm really not. Too many ex Villa players for my liking. My money would be going on Zat to score a goal. r0bb0, Badger. Asking a question isn't negative. Ranting negative opinions as facts is. Fair enough. I do see what you're saying, no problem. I'd go back to a point I posted earlier or last night though; because I haven't seen them in training and I don't know if Luke Young perhaps has not got back to his old form...and nobody else on here knows either Does MON see them enough, given that he apparently only trains them on a thursday? |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Badger, If Mon does only go to training on a Thursday then presumably he has a number of trusted deputies on whose opinion he relies. That sounds like good management and delegation to me. If he finds that he can't trust the opinion of one of his deputies then he'll need to change things.....and my guess is that he'd do that. |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Here's another example of someone 'enjoying having a go' with a complete disregard for the facts How was there glimpes of of good football? It was piss poor! We didnt create one clear cut chance in 90 mins,That's a comment about the West Ham game. I've seen Green was given MOTM in at least one paper....despite us creating no clear cut chances? Are these really Villa fans? |
Pancho Villan
said:
 |
...Heskey shouldn't play again, and Carew should be benched. No more 4-4-2, unless we're chasing goals, and then I'd rather see Gabby and Fonz than Carew loafing about or Heskey falling over. And Sidwell Out ! |
Badger
said:
|
...Here's another example of someone 'enjoying having a go' with a complete disregard for the facts Ah yes, I was the one who took issue with that one. And when I did, talking about Petrov's volley, someone else came back with "so we had one effort?" or words to that effect. I totally see where you're coming from. But then I don't take much notice of what's said in the couple of hours after a game. I'm prone to going OTT myself sometimes. Have you seen what gets written during the game? It's just passion I think. Well, it is with me anyway. |
mon 4-5-1
said:
|
...... Robbo and what did the other papers say. It was not good actually and another link of what many supporters think http://www.sportingpreview.com...000447.php what amazes me fans who constantly moan about fans who either complain about our Teams performance, Team Selection or match Tactics are meant to be fickle but actually there pointing out factual things they are seeing with there own eyes. Now the so call fans who call the moaners fickle can they give a example of what fickle actually means and give some factual reasons why they think we are heading in the right direction ? Badger And when I did, talking about Petrov's volley, someone else came back with "so we had one effort?" or words to that effect Badger here is in quote in its full context So Petrov never hit a cracking volley then? Now if you had turned around and said we had 4 or 5 efforts we they goalie made some cracking saves then i could understand if you see what i am getting at. The fact you singled out the 1 shot as almost being the highlight really sums it up to me mate... |
Badger
said:
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... MON, I enjoyed the debate last night mate Now if you had turned around and said we had 4 or 5 efforts we they goalie made some cracking saves then i could understand if you see what i am getting at. The fact you singled out the 1 shot as almost being the highlight really sums it up to me mate... We had more than one effort, even just in the first half, as you well know. I also went on to say that I couldn't remember them. But Gabby had an effort, as did Carew. I singled the Petrov effort out as it would have been a contender for goal of the season, had it not been met with a super save, imo. The fact that it was forgotten backs up what Robbo was saying, imo. How the f**k can you forget that? And the fact that I asked the muppet in question to clarify what he calls a "clear cut chance", with no reply, obviously doesn't come into it I suppose. The bloke was a tool, imo and in that sense, I totally agree with what r0bb0 is saying. |
McParland
said:
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... I do not care if MON gives John Robertson a good kick up the Arse and tells him to play on one wing while Mon plays on the other ;just as long as we get a win from this one after wednesdays result.You can bet megson will have cayhill and knight reved up for this one having played for us.So stick players in with plenty of bottle and determination because i dont think this is going to be played in the beutiful game fashion somehow.Just go out there from start to finish who ever is picked with one thing only onyour minds and thats a Villa Win at all costs. |
frosty
said:
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... Facts win arguements not football matches, when will we learn? Completed passes, shots on goal and so on .. who cares |
r0bb0
said:
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... mon451. I have no gripe with people pointing our facts. My irritation is with people stridently presenting their own negative 'opinions' as absolute facts when they're clearly not facts at all. These are the sort of people who were totally certain that Petrov was useless and MoN was an idiot for buying him. That Collins was a dreadful buy even when I wouldn't mind betting half of them had never even seen him play. I take Badger's point that people do get passionate in the heat of a match and it's best not to take comments during a game too seriously mind you. While I'm at it...one other thing that bugs me is people who think that because they are critical of their club/players/manager, they are somehow better fans because they are demonstrating that they are not happy when we lose a game. If you believe that the support of fans can make a difference to the performance of a team and individual players, what sort of logic is it that says that constantly criticising, insulting and belittling them will 'improve' their performance? How does that make you a 'better' fan? |
mon 4-5-1
said:
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... Badger, yes good sensible debate last night and was enjoyable. The bloke was a tool, imo and in that sense, I totally agree with what r0bb0 is saying. Yes i that context i would also agree with Robbo. But to be honest in general comments made recently have been valid and need to be addressed. I do not look this as moaners but people including myself who are concerned about where my club is heading. No one person is greater than my club what ever his so called past reputation. If there are more links like above posted and Mr O'Neil does actually does glance over one and actually change that 5% then its worth it in my opnion as it will be for the better of my club. PS. Also think Damian is doing a cracking job and this blog is one of the best around because its so diverse in opnion. Anyway mate you have a good evening and chat to you tommorow. |
mon 4-5-1
said:
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...If you believe that the support of fans can make a difference to the performance of a team and individual players, what sort of logic is it that says that constantly criticising, insulting and belittling them will 'improve' their performance? How does that make you a 'better' fan? Robbo i see were you coming from but the harsh fact is if your not producing and your sitting on the pedestal then you'll be shot down as failure is not a option. If it was the last 10 games then i would agree with you but the fact is this has been going on for 2009. So there must be something fundementally wrong that needs to be addressed. Now in the real world i go to work and i do not produce for 1 day it will probably get ignored and regarded as a blip. If this continues over a period of time then i will probably see the frustration creeping in people who either employed me or are dependent on me. At then end of the day i get paid to do a job and need to do it to the best of my abilities and produce the results. If this is not good enough then maybe i am in either the Wrong Company,Job,Role etc.. I see no different for MON and the players. I will always give them the benefit of doubt but when certain players are consistently not producing over a period of time and still being selected then i will hold them and Mr O'Neil accountable as its my club that is dependent on Mr O'Neil and the players. This does not make me a better supporter but just one that voices his opnion. |
Badger
said:
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... r0bb0, These are the sort of people who were totally certain that Petrov was useless How do you see Sidwell in this sense? A very sneaky question I know, but it has to be asked. Do you think he'll come good? I'll come straight out and say no, not for us. It's fate, same as the donkey, imo. I'm thinking of Churchill's post. |
Tonebone
said:
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... its funny how all those that used to call the moaners such as myself fickle are now all moaning!!! maybe you should all look up the meaning of fickle!!! it involves changing opinions - just proves its not the consistent moaners that are the fickle ones but the "in mon we trust brigade"!!! |
r0bb0
said:
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... mon451 I agree completely with your last post. I am an optimist for the club, still have faith in MoN and Lerner and believe that even if the club does not move forward this year there is an underlying strategic direction which is moving in the right direction. This year will be tough because a couple of other teams have moved forward and I personally think that top 4 is an unreasonable expectation this year...hope for it for sure...but don't expect it. Despite that, in every venture/business, there are areas that can be improved upon and Villa is no exception. I think that MoN has started to address one of your main areas of concern, formation, and we've seen a much more flexible formation this year where 442 is often really 451 with one of the top 2 dropping back. The area that most concerns me is the use of substitutions. I'm not going to come out and say MoN is useless or needs to go because of it as I think that he and Lerner are the best thing to happen to our club for ages. I am concerned that not enough players are getting a look in though and that tiredness will again become a problem (it may already have happened with our recent 4.5 intense away games in just 12 days. I could go on about this, but I reckon this posting is long enough already! |
r0bb0
said:
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... Badger, it's not a sneaky question and it's one I've asked myself. Some weeks back the criticism of Sidwell was intense (as it is again now) and I thought it was justified. I then made a point at the next match of watching him closely and was surprised at just how much he was doing....how his positioning and tackling broke down or closed off opposition attacks and how he rarely lost the ball but made quick short passes. He was also often the first player to get into the opposition box and was clearly keen to create goals too. The fact that he hasn't succeeded in that regard is a disappointment, although without Dunne's bum he would have done. Maybe the game in which I watched him closely was one of his better ones, but it showed me is that he does bring something valuable to the side. People who say he's useless are just wrong and it's a silly comment. He doesn't have amazing skills on the ball and he is not a great creative passer, but I can see why the team tends to be more succesful with him in it than out of it. If Dunne's bum hadn't got in the way and if Gabby's cross had just beemn slightly lower for a header (can't remember which game) I reckon the criticism of him would have melted away....that's how fine the line can be between being a club hero or a villain. Now don't go and have a mare of a game today please Steve! |
r0bb0
said:
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... Tonebone, you're right, people have been misusing the word fickle. It's not a word I would apply to your attitudes or comments on here as you generally seem to be relentlessly negative. Apologies if I'm wrong in that. I have no respect for people who come on here to criticise when things are not going so well but vanish when we win because they can't bring themselves to say something positive about the team they say they support. I'm not sure if you fall into that category or not. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... I think the word fickle can only be applied to those that dont or have never bothered to attend matches, then criticise. Before i get slaughtered on that, i am not attacking people whom for whatever reason can not afford to attend. Football is about opinions and Football fans the most opiniated pei#ople on the planet, so we will all have differing views of the Players, formation, Manager, Money and Randy!! What i dont like, is when people air their views, some take on themselves to answer with abuse, proberly thinking that by being abusive shows their supperiority over everyone else Remmember, we are all Villa Fans. The discussion that Badger and Robbo above is how it should be done. Cheers guys for an enjoyable read  |
Tonebone
said:
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... robbo i do actually say positive things on occassions but i will not change my view and never have that i dont rate oneil and think he has many faults! |
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