gazza ladra

Villa’s last win at St. James’ was the Bowyer-Dyer match?

Betting on Harvey Barnes

When did Brighton become Brighton and start making Brighton-type signings? They came up the same season as us and were struggling the first few seasons. As poor as we’ve been they’ve finished above us once I think. Ashworth wasn’t there a long time.

Needed to identify and hire their Howe/De Zerbi, start negotiations for the players he wants, then sell Rice. West Ham are probably better off this way. If they fired Moyes, they’d probably hire Jesse Marsch or some such. Sill better than Leeds. Hire Marsch, buy the players he wants, immediately fire him.

I was so hoping I was going get to hear him say the word “poor” a third time.

Premier League Winners: Manchester City Runners Up: Manchester United 3rd-6th: Arsenal, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Liverpool Relegation: Sheffield Utd, Luton, Wolves Overachievers: Bournemouth, Burnley Underperformers: Liverpool, Tottenham Top Goal Scorer: Haaland Break Out Year: João Pedro Season to Forget: Havertz PFA Player of the Year: Haaland Manager of the Year: Howe First manager to quit/be sacked: Moyes Newcastle United Where will we finish?: 4th Top Goalscorer?: Isak Season to forget: Almiron Howe will we fare in Europe?: 16

What is that?

God, I am so happy we’re past buying Man Utd rejects.

Do we know how Aston Villa will line up? Heard somewhere that they’re playing Diaby more centrally. Maybe just imagined it? edit: also some debate as to whether Tielemans is even a starter.

Agree. I do question whether Lascelles character and leadership is what has made the difference for him. Howe has been pretty ruthless with Fraser. If Fraser doesn’t feel humiliated, he should. Don’t understand why he is still around. Probably no one is willing to come near him.

Comparing Barnes to ASM or Maddison is so tiresome. Let’s get on with comparing Barnes and Diaby.

Can’t see this. As soon as Schär is fit, he starts. He offers so much more than Burn.

Turns out selling Shelvey and not getting a replacement didn’t hurt us at all last window. The club knows what they are doing.

Right. But you won’t get a suitable replacement for that price.

It is nonsense to believe that anyone is going to pay 50m for Callum Wilson. Nobody is going to pay us enough to replace him. No one who could afford him is going to pay the price. Those that could afford the price are either too well run to take such a risk or have better prospects. Spending 50M on an injury-prone, 31 year old striker is Everton territory.

Right. Take that 50M and the 30M we get for Ryan Fraser and the club can really get down to business

Love that an interviewer asked Wilson what thought about Harvey Barnes and Wilson responds by saying that he’s exactly the type player that the club needs and that Barnes will get a lot of assists this year. Always thinking about himself scoring goals.

And lucky to get it.

Just what we need. We could win something with a James Milner.

No guarantee that Diaby would be better than Barnes. Personally, I don't watch much Bundesliga and all I know about Diaby is that he's highly regarded and expensive. Can't say I was especially impressed with his highlight vids. Looked really slight. Neither Diaby or Barnes is especially known for tracking back or defending from the front, but I could see Barnes adapting. Not so confident about Diaby. His defending is incredibly weak. And Barnes has proven he can score in the Premier League. With Diaby we just don't know.

Did Henderson ever say he was opposed to PIF, Saudi Arabia, or sportswashing, or is a hypocrite because he has gone against the author's principles?

I was thinking a LB would free up Burn to play CB. If either Botman or Schär go down for an extended period, we could have serious trouble.

Wasn't there a debate on here last year about whether we should buy Gordon, Barnes, or Harrison?

Yeah, but I'm stoned out of my mind and singing Motown tunes.

I am sincerely sorry. My main point stands. The club has had an incredible hit rate.