The College Dropout

Didn’t watch a lot of Barca but Hansi flick likes to press hard and Gordon is way better at it than Rashford. Bring me Ibrahim Mbaye.

I also fear their rhetoric leads to poor decision making from the staff. Like the fear in the transfer market last summer. Staff in fear that a lack of immediate results would lead to sackings. I wonder if Howe knew he could finish 12th and keep his job, would he still sign Wissa for £55m and Woltemade for £60m odd? Sadly I think he signs the rest regardless.

You think the players, their agents and entourages are stupider than fans? It’s aimed mostly at fans imo. i don’t think PIF are genuinely serious about making us #1. So that impacts how I see the squad, signings etc. I’ll not be mad at players wanting to leave for clubs that genuinely want and to be #1. I’ll prefer Europa league to champions league positions because we can actually win it. CL is only useful if we are serious about consolidating ourselves there and eventually trying to win it.

No matter what Villa do have a ceiling mind. If Real came calling he would go. McGinn, Tielemans, Watkins, Torres, Konsa were like 25-26when Emery joined or signed them. But he’s also using players like Lindelof 30something and Abraham 28 as backups. Preferring a short term unspectacular loanee like Sancho to Harvey Elliott. Rogers aside he’s not brought through a single player in 5 years.

Think ppl are slightly harsh on Gordon’s output. It’s a tough division for wide forwards. Saka has 7 goals 7 assists. Mbeumo played once a week - 11 goals 3 assists. Trossard 6 goals 6 assists. Doku 5 goals 5 assists. Gakpo 7 goals 5 assists. Salah 7 goals 7 assists. Outside of Semenyo I can’t think of wide players getting a load of goals and assists this season. Equally Gordon isn’t and will never be ‘him’.

Outside of Gini, TAA, Konate - Liverpool used all of the juice out of those players. they could’ve sold some of them like Firmino 2-3 years earlier like they did Mane but that means selling players at their peak or close after. Fergie would do that out of choice for many.

Not great technically. Would say Rashford is better technically. The way Rashford can really strike a ball, bend a free kick or on his day have great skill when dribbling. Thats not Gordon. Gordon however has tremendous work rate. Very quick. Flick will love him because his pressing can be as good as it gets, creating chances just from that. I also imagine Spain has weaker fullbacks than the PL which Gordon can tear apart like he did in the CL. I’ll be honest I didn’t think Diaz was any/significantly better than Gordon and he’s been amazing for Bayern. Think Gordon is maybe similar to Raphinha who I don’t think is a top class technician either but has been class (Raphinha has a great long shot which Gordon doesn’t). But Gordon doesn’t have the technical ability of an Olise or Bale.

I literally said it was a doomsday scenario and further success is more likely. And that you have owners willing to push themselves to succeed which is key. But the age of the squad is a problem. And Emery seemingly prefers it that way which is a concern. You do need to sign players and develop them. Emery doesn’t seem overly keen on this. I’ve been very Imoressed with how Villa have gone about things from coaching to the FFP workarounds. It’s the squad age and continued direction is the only concern.

I wouldn’t call PIF clowns at all. I agree with a lot of what @r0cafella has said but that statement is a little too far. It’s fine. The overall point about shirt sponsor is pretty valid.

I’ve said for years PIF could do a lot more fairly easily and they haven’t. They’ve done a lot no doubt but a lot has been left on the table. Not been in the job that long. But aye not having a shirt sponsor is wild from his end. But PIF unwilling to get us a sponsor is a massive red flag if true. Puts all that totally committed talk in major doubt. Hope it isn’t true. 2 of those were FFP hacks though and involved players going the other way I believe. So may not reflect the true value of their transfers. When you have rich owners dedicated to the clubs success they will find a way. It seems they are living and dying by Emery though. We made that move and it was a mistake. we had the right idea under Ashworth.

I am being facetious. If Villa’s owners continue to invest, dedicated to their success, Villa will find ways to be fine and bounce back if needed. A more likely reality is Emery gives them sustained success at a higher level.

Not been a progressive passer at CM for us. Still time to show it. Anderson didn’t show it with us. But what impresses me most about Anderson is he’s skilful for a CM - press resistant AND plays it forward accurately consistently. Haven’t seen that yet from Mikey. But as mentioned, Anderson didn’t show it for us at that age either.

Can see PIF giving them money no team in Europe would for the likes of Digne Tielemans, Torres, Watkins etc. btw.

Same as Anderson no? I think it can work but I figure Hall doesn’t have the size to compete at CM at the elite level despite playing there throughout development. Trippier was the same - you can tell - extremely tidy on the ball. Anderson played LW at a lower level professionally. Lacks that bit of pace and quicker feet to play LW at an elite level but at CM he becomes one of the silkiest and dynamic. Think the same is true for Miley. Feet way too slow to play as a 10. But a box crashing 6 or 8? Boy can go to the top. Think Mikey could also be a top fullback if he starts to specialise now. He progresses and distributes the ball so well at FB. Great stamina. Massive goal threat. Just lacks a bit of acceleration and doesn’t know the position too well.

Villa’s biggest issue is that it’s a super old squad and very few of their Emery era transfers have been major successes. 7 of the 11 starters in the Europa league final were there before Emery - which is damning. Considering Emery has had European pull and good wages for nearly all of his transfer windows. It might also be an Emery thing too. Of the 4 Emery era signings that started the final they are aged: 29 31 29 23 It’s not an Howe situation of inheriting an old squad. Emery has been allowed to sign older players and insists on playing them and it’s not sustainable. Emery inherited a class young spine and has just let it age. They do have younger options but he’s choosing to start a 31yo loanee CB in Lindelof over 24 yo Onana (no idea of the story there) and starts 30 something Digne over Maatsen. Emery might leave Vila checkmated when he runs to Real if they allow it to continue. Given their position allowing Emery to sign Abraham for £18m is insane. They need a level headed Duran. I can really see a checkmate situation because I’ve seen no signs of it ending. They replaced 24 yo Guessand with 28yo Abraham. Don’t give Elliott a chance and preferred another loanee they would never sign permanently. As it stands they only have 1 £50m+ valued player - purely down to age and not developing younger players. Big summer for them. They need to sign players 21-25 and play them. We really had a great thing going with Ashworth. He only signed 1 outfield player 25 and over I believe. Maybe 2? Emery has done a brilliant job no doubt. But Villa have invested a lot of money in his time and the squad profile is very old. Ive been very complimentary of Villa and Emery but I have a doomsday scenario for them. They continue as they have been - signing older players, high quality loans and compete well on all fronts. But because teams like Bournemouth and Sunderland are in Europe, new manager City, Slot etc. PL doesn’t get 5th CL place. Stronger seasons from Alonso’s Chelsea, DeZerbi’s Spurs and us without Europe mean Villa do well, maybe finish 5th but don’t qualify for the CL. Emery leaves to replace Jose at Madrid - maybe the Spain NT job. Villa are left with an old squad with no wingers, low market value so they return to midtable the next season, lose twice to newly promoted Birmingham City who miraculously qualify for Europe. - end novel.

That was a distressed sale though.

Delighted for palace tbf

These need to finish top 7 next season. So much of the league wil have a dozen extra games.

He’s going to press like a madman though. And through that he’ll get goal and win the fans over. His lack of ability will show though. In many ways he’s the opposite of Rashford.

It’s weird one. I would be annoyed if we bought Gordon for £70m so can’t be mad at that selling fee

£70m + bonuses? Good business that

Weak foot as well

Good pickup if we were in Europe for <£20m.

This is before I really respected his game. He does excellent work but I’m not excited or expecting anything until the shot is halfway to the goal and you can see the bend and trajectory of it and then suddenly it ‘OH MY!’ The stumble and the stiffness of the stepovers make it such a great goal too.

Absolutely fell like a tank from this point Gyokeres over an Arsenal defensive double up was a major error. Compounded that by Losing major ground by captaining him then he doesn’t start. Broke my own FPL rules there chasing upsides. Always go with the more likely option - minimise fear of likely outcomes. Arsenal clean sheets over a Gyokeres haul. Saka less of a rotation risk. Was probably most punished by huge rank hit if like 40k final GW of the season taking a -8. That I don’t regret, a lot of ppl will have lucked into a Bruno VC haul. Of my 3 transfers 1 hauled, 1 returned but the captain blanked. 162k OR Lower than targeted better rank than last year