Tiresias

Definitely. Part of it is judging the character of the players coming in. I think most players do want to do well, to please the fans, and even a lot of players who see it as purely a job they are being paid for still will take some professional pride. Most are in the game because at some point they like playing it. There are notable exceptions, and if a player loses form or fans get on their back plenty will fall back on 'who cares still getting paid'. Of course some players, and maybe this was much more common before the wages were huge will come howling out as if desperate to prove every minute on the pitch that they care, and that they would still be playing if they weren't paid at all. It works a bit both ways though. The drinking culture etc 20 years ago before Wenger came in would be seen as totally taking the piss now. The players may be all multi millionaires etc but for their careers everything revolves around it.

:lol: Love a dodgy keeper moment when the keeper goes apeshit mental when it's all his own fault

lovely pass from the wunderkid

Fair enough. Doubt he'd work for Rafa tho

What are traore's stats like? In premier league with boro Karanka switched what flank he was playing on at half time so he was always near the bench and he could shout instructions at him. May be Karanka being rubbish but could also be with him not being able to listen to coaching. if he doesn't pay attention he won't get on with Rafa.

It's the patronising "just want to see their team work hard" that pundits break out around us as if any fan wants to see a really lazy team on the pitch, and the idea that we are happy and know our place not to be competing. It also (contradicting the also oft repeated platitude mentioned above) implies that we simple northerners can't appreciate the finer arts of flair etc.

Yeah it's tough not to see him as part of the problem but really the big problem is ashley who does enjoy having others deflecting blame

He does volunteer at the food bank apparently. It's difficult to say he's at fault for everything when you know ashley is never going to let us be run competantly but I think they're have been some transfer sagas that could have been avoided.

Surely just score an own goal or something

That transfer stank of doing an agent a favour

That fucking backline, ridiculous they even conceded

Trying to rebuild relationship with fans is in a way really positive in a way but trying to run them on a shoestring with community help isn't going to be financially viable, unless they move to a tiny stadium and drop further down the leagues. the Don may be hilarious small time chancer but I wish we at least had an owner who was interested at all tbh

Said that last year But yes they very well may. I think they do need an overhaul though. That dressing room is famously toxic and they hardly looked capable of wiping their own arses in championship

The parachute payments are pretty safe for Short to rely on to definitely come through. It's totally against the interests of the club though. If the Don can't afford to buy the club without them he can't afford to finance that squad for long.

Apparently they haven't a big transfer kitty this summer after spunking it all on aubemayang, would maybe have stopped Ancelotti. While Pellegrini did well at City for a while, I am not at all impressed with him buggering off to China. Sorry but if you want to retire fine, but shows maybe not hungry enough tbh. Maybe being harsh.

Wait he is relying on them to get promoted for the sake of the finances If they rebuild the squad from scratch maybe, but clearing off those wages will be tough.

before i went to any toon games, when i was about 13 and only knew football from the telly, i once professed a liking for the villa team inc. david platt as i quite liked the shirt - my best mates still won't let it go and i'm a villa supporter at every opportunity that was nearly 30 years ago, so strap in Villa fan confirmed tbh. watch ur letterbox

Probably counts as a safe pair of hands in the championship but thought they may go more ambitious in desperation to get them back up.

So it seems Rafa wants to see out his contract but won't sign on for more if charnley and co can't actually deliver on signings. Seems to make perfect sense from Rafa's perspective. I have severe doubts we will match what he wants, it will be more "at least we tried" transfer dealings but at least it's more likely we get one more season before having to give up football. Or maybe the club gets sold lololol

To be fair didn't realise he was 30 already

I dunno Clark was solid in the championship but looked poor this season. Mbemba has potential but clearly not Rafa's trust, I expect him to go. Dummet would certainly be my first choice backup CB and Clark is ok for a third choice but that opens up needing quality left back replacement that Manquillo isn't/

He will wait for other offers too though, he may pick us if Rafa stays but we won't pay the best wages

If i were in charge to be fair I'd sign ronaldo viera just cos of his name. All the defensive nous of ronaldo with the poaching skills of viera surely

ashley will accept exactly £50m more than any offer sent in. Someone could bid a billion and he will stick 50m on

If Ederson keeps up his debut season he may be the better keeper than De Gea I reckon. De Gea is a faultless shot stopper but Ederson complements his team so well and allows them to push up. I may be wrong but haven't seen him make a significant mistake.