KaKa

6 minutes ago, Ben said:

This Gerrard to Villa will take some of the spotlight off Howe and allow him to concentrate on Brentford, I had a season ticket for years but walked out when Bruce walked in, but I would love to go to that Brentford game, Shame its sold out.

Absolutely, all the fuss is going to be around Gerrard and Villa now, which is perfect.

5 minutes ago, GeordieDazzler said:

Are Villa getting Beale too? 

 

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/michael-beale-gerrard-aston-villa-22110313

 

 

 

Very interesting

I'll give Gerrard a ton of credit for recognising his abilities and bringing him in and giving him the freedom to completely run the training sessions. That is a really promising sign for Gerrard as a manager I think. Always wondered why the oaf we had previously didn't do something similar with a top class coach.

I just don't get it.

Villa have put together a really decent team and are quite an attractive prospect. Thought they would have gone for someone more established and experienced that could push them into Europe and try to win them some silverware, if they were going to bother getting rid of Smith.

Was expecting them to go for Lucien Favre, and that would have been quite a strong statement of intent I think. Bringing in Gerrard seems like a sideways move really, with greater potential no doubt, but in the short term it's not very ambitious.

Quote

 

“Me and Ryan always had a very strong relationship. He was absolutely brilliant. From day one, he really took on board what we were trying to do with him. He worked incredibly hard and he got all the rewards.

 

“I was disappointed for us with the ending at Bournemouth, but I was disappointed for him, too. That’s in the past. The future’s the future and I’m delighted to be working with him again.”

 

46 minutes ago, Ikon said:

Kessie

Off to Spurs in January at Conte's request.

8 minutes ago, Khalidao said:

As for the striker position, Andrea Belotti has an expiring contract and his aggressive and physical style of play suits the EPL.

Looks a powerful player, but was very surprised at how often he went down in the Euros. Didn't seem to relish any kind of contact at all. Made me nervous about him as an option.

13 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

A striker is an absolute must in January. Assuming we're not yet in the market for any signings that are going to represent our future, I'd take even an unfashionable stopgap on loan - it would make a big difference imo. Even someone out of favour like Tosun or Long or Nketiah someone like that. Just plucking names out of a hat there but the point is, the options currently at the club are so limited, any competent striker is going to add something. Wilson needs pushing and we've no one waiting in the wings for his next inevitable injury. 

Nketiah isn't a bad shout for another striker option with prem experience, as he is out of contract in the summer now I believe, and is the kind of young British talent Howe has typically liked. Record goal scorer for England under 21s, but hasn't quite been given enough of an opportunity to come through at Arsenal.

Gerrard is one of those the media are going to be insufferable about too, if the fans aren't happy with him, as he's an English media darling. That is going to be such a pain in the arse man.

Really, really glad we ended up with Howe when we did, and the Emery thing didn't drag on only to fall apart later on, as I think Villa would have been in for Howe.

35 minutes ago, joeyt said:

We're not getting Gallagher like

I agree. That ship has sailed. He'll be in and around the Chelsea first team next season.

2 hours ago, Wandy said:

From the press conference, Eddie seems genuinely happy that Jones is sticking around. Either that or he's a very convincing fibber.

Seemed genuine. Said he was already thinking about adding an additional person to his staff and he knew Jones well, and Jones had also worked as Tindall's number 2 and so it all made sense.

Crazy how many links we kind of already had to Howe and some of his staff through the players and Jones. Seems like it was just meant to be.

You are going to be sorely disappointed if you think we are going to spend £100m+ on January. No chance.

They asked him about the Edwards guy at Liverpool that we have been linked with for the DOF position, and Howe said he knew him well and admired his work, but didn't know anything about him coming in as DOF. Didn't get the sense that was a goer.

Such a shame Almiron is away at the minute man. Think he is going to thrive under these lot, as he is such a grafter.

Love the way this guy comes across man. Cool, confident and assured of himself. Really think we've ended up with the ideal manager taking everything into account. It's just incredible really.

Just now, Shearergol said:

 

Again, we can't think like this. Payments are going to be spread across the contract. £50 million isn't £50 million.

Yes, no more insisting on paying everything upfront like Ashley weirdly used to do.

12 minutes ago, Shays Given Tim Flowers said:

The movement in that video compared to our team 

Honestly, just so much more dynamic in general. It's embarrassing really

4 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

Has he ever taken set pieces for us?

I was thinking that when watching the video

I'm willing to bet the answer is 'No' because Steve Bruce.

Well worth a watch to see why we can't give up on this guy and what we could be in for with him and Wilson combining.

One of the more depressing things you can watch about his whole situation here ...

1 minute ago, Adam said:

Big big fan of all of this. As a coach (not football) love his attitude and engagement in the sessions, you can see he has a clear playing philosophy and knows how to embed that in his teams quickly. Seems like a great bloke so super happy he is here and hopefully the players get it and we build from here. 

His energy is just spot on. Perfect balance.

1 minute ago, Armchair Pundit said:

 

 

Absolutely brilliant, and quite accurate I imagine!

Not sure how we got here folks, but we did it. Just soaking all this in with pure glee. Finally going to be able to really enjoy football again.

3 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

(For no particular reason) quotes from a couple of years ago today following us beating Bournemouth, in a match I have absolutely zero recollection of whatsoever:

 

 

Eddie Howe said: 

"We started the game so well. We created a number of chances and we looked in a really good place. We scored a good goal but then we made some uncharacteristic errors and just gave Newcastle the encouragement they needed to get back into the match.

 

"We made some uncharacteristic mistakes with the ball in a time when we were dominating the game and when you give Newcastle transitions with the attacking players that they have, with the pace they have in their team, that is a dangerous thing to do and from that point it just gave them confidence that got the crowd into the game.

 

"I think that is a huge frustration from our perspective because we were dominant for that opening spell of the half and really we should have been looking to try and get that second goal that maybe we needed.

 

"I thought Josh (King) had got a really good chance to score there and unfortunately it goes the wrong side of the post."

On Bournemouth's opening goal:

"I have to give (Assistant Coach) Jason Tindall a lot of credit for the work he does with set plays, the players and the routines we have. 

"We have always prided ourselves on being innovative from those positions and it was really, really well planned but brilliantly executed by the players and a great finish from Harry (Wilson).”

This is the kind of sensible break down we can look forward to hearing after games, instead of how they need more time, or how Rafa brainwashed the team into playing one way, or how the crowd made the team get carried away, or how sleeves need rolling up and selves need dusting down etc.

God ... don't envy Villa just now starting on the ride of getting linked with all of these managers and being terrified about some of the names. So glad that's over.

19 minutes ago, toontownman said:

Found more KaKa propaganda..

If he hasn't had more than 3 interviews we know it ain't happening..

 

 

 

 

Propaganda

Just posting stuff on him because I followed him quite closely. 

Would be good if others could throw in stuff on the other DOFs too, would definitely watch those as well.

They all sound class to me to be honest. I'd be cool with any of them!