brummie

He's getting on, though. I'd rather we found a longer term solution, we've done two years without a proper right back.

As things stand, yes. Our glaring weakness this year (well, one of them) has been we have no right side whatsoever. No right sided midfielder, and no right back. He'd have got plenty of games last season, it just depends who else we buy this summer. You lot generally play a 4-3-3 with Agbonlahor on that side though don't you? Whenever I've watched Villa you seem to play with the big powerful target man with two pacey outlets either side. Surely Agbonlahor is a better option when Villa's style of play is a fast, counter-attacking one? Milner in either wide position pretty much annihilates that tempo. We did last year but haven't played Agbonlahor wide much at all this season. Apart from anything else, he's wasted out there. We've played 4-4-2 a lot of time, with Young on the left and Petrov on the right, and Barry and NRC in the middle, and Agbonlahor up front with Carew. Then towards the end of the season, we switched to a midfield diamond with Young just behind the strikers in the free role (which worked very well).

As things stand, yes. Our glaring weakness this year (well, one of them) has been we have no right side whatsoever. No right sided midfielder, and no right back. He'd have got plenty of games last season, it just depends who else we buy this summer.

I think sometimes we (ie people who spend an inordinate amount of time hanging around on internet forums) get carried away with the world we inhabit. For example, how many regular posters are there here? A few hundred? And the distaste for Spurs is clear to see, but it is easy (though wrong) to assume that this is the case for Newcastle fans as a whole. Out in the real world, if you did a straw poll, you'd probably find most Newcastle supporters would shrug and say next to nothing when asked what they think of Spurs.

I've heard Bobby's a bit of a cold man. Apparently at the Villa - Man U league match in Lerner's first season, Charlton was introduced to Lerner who was - having read up on him, clearly - excited to meet him, but Charlton blanked him, barely looked up when introduced. He then made a point of going over to Doug and being effusively friendly. Also, he knocked my mate's sausage roll out of his hand at Newcastle Central Station in about 1988. His wife apologised, but Bobby scuttled off without a word. Worse. Than. Himmler.

Will need a lot more than one good signing to get up to their past standards. Of course, but in Trezeguet, Chiellini, Buffon, Andrade and the resurgence of Sissoko they have a pretty decent group of players to start off with. Will be interesting to see Sebastian Giovinco there next season, he's been superb for Empoli this year. Not forgetting Lord Olof of Mellberg (who is actually on a downward curve, but what a man)

Apparently there are only 35,000 hotel rooms in Moscow, a city of 10 million people and they are almost all either really grubby hostels or luxury hotels, nothing in between. Those 35,000 rooms have to house all the people going to the game AND all Moscow's normal business visitors. It is unbelievable that UEFA seemingly overlooked this when choosing it as the final venue.

Said this before, but I think Mowbray is a managerial star of the future.

I like your club, so shaddup. You're supposed to say, "Oh yes, so what about Birmingham City" at which point I'm suppose to say "fooking SCUM". Or something like that

The world's too full of hate. Open up your minds and let a little love into your life.

I'd have him back.

I think lots of clubs will be breaking their wage structure big time this summer. We've heard (down here) talk of MON offering Barry al most double his current wedge to stay - he's rumoured to be on 47k at the moment - and with plenty of clubs having money to spend (see the figures this week for the tv and final placing money?) it is only natural that the wages will go up.

^^ brilliant banner ^^ NB I'm not commenting on whether they are Scotland's shame - the entire Auld Firm thing is about as appealing to me as suffering a rectal prolapse, I just find the banner amusing.

I've never seen a keeper go downhill so quickly. Yes, before that game, he looked solid. After it, he was just awful. Said this here before, but I feel really bad for the lad, he seems the likeable type, and clearly wants to do well, but he's just disintegrated. As you say, confidence is a big issue, but an unconfident goalkeeper is not something you want.

Indeed. It was a pop at the spending money ----> instant success argument. Oh, hadn't realised that's what I meant. Thanks for putting me straight. EDIT: In fact, reading back, it's pretty obvious I didn't say that. Bet they finish above you though. You didnt say that at all tbh. i didn't say he did say that. It could have been inferred from what he said - paraphrased as 'Spurs will spend loads of money, bet they do well'. I was just pointing out that we could have said that last year and look what happened, and that money doesnt guarantee success (makes it more likely, though)

Indeed. It was a pop at the spending money ----> instant success argument.

I wouldn't pay 3m for him. I've spent the entire second half of the season on the verge of shitting myself every time someone takes a shot at him. And as for free kicks ... Please don't sign him, Martin.

Villa are one of them.

Shot of a Russian girl with a fantastic pair of tits jumping up and down there. Most exciting thing so far.

Yep, same tactics certainly worked a treat last season. Oh

Surely, in the name of the sweet baby Jesus, Alan Smith can't be on 62k a week? Over five years that's, what, 15 million pounds, plus 6m to sign him, 21 million pounds. Fucking hell. And by that I mean FUCKING HELL

They've got an awful lots of players with accents in their names, haven't they? Racist! ¡Nò fúçkìñg wày!

They've got an awful lots of players with accents in their names, haven't they?

Chris Baird of Fulham? He's awful.

Hleb impressed me more than any other visiting player at Villa Park this season, he was awesome. Until we got Carew to kick him into Row Z of the Witton Lane.