Aston Villa Banter Archive March 01 2023 to March 31 2023

28 Mar 2023 12:44:49
Edd's there seems to be an extraordinary number of Management sackings in the Premiership this season and there could well be another one or two before the season ends.
Is this a record this year?

{Ed001's Note - 10 was the record and has happened a lot of times before, but not sure how many we are at this season? So if there is more than 10, then yes it is a record.}

28 Mar 2023 15:15:03
Edd - I believe we are currently at 10 though it is quite possible one or two others may go yet.

{Ed001's Note - even likely I would say rather than possible.}

28 Mar 2023 17:10:52
???

26 Mar 2023 16:49:37
Yet another fantastic win by the Lionesses,
5-0 against Leicester. Another couple of signings next season and the big boys will start getting a bit worried . UTV

27 Mar 2023 12:24:08
Now 5th in the table and 8 points clear of Everton who are 6th. Two goals for Daly again - what a signing she's been.

24 Mar 2023 23:41:14
How can Southgate keep picking Maguire, he is a compleat liability. Phillips played more mins for England, than he'd played in the premier this season .Southgate has to go, he's as big a liability, as the players he's picking .

25 Mar 2023 08:19:37
Not only that but they played the whole game. When we were hanging on at the end why didn’t he uses subs. We were second to the ball and it was killing us. Gallagher made a difference and got there first. Kane was strolling around as he was knackered.

25 Mar 2023 09:51:01
It’s the usual thing with Southgate he is unable to respond tactically when other sides either change the way they play or play at a greater tempo. We will not win anything with him in charge

25 Mar 2023 11:42:59
Posts above just about sums Boregate up, i though Phillips looked totally out of his depth and on current form Mings is one the best in Maguires position and his natural left foot has him in my opinion twice the player Maguire is. We will win nothing under Southgate and we should have let him walk after the World cup. Italy outplayed us in the second half of the last two euro games and he didn't have a clue how to change things.

19 Mar 2023 20:52:49
Fantastic win by the women tonight, beat Man City 2-1, knocking them out the FA cup brilliant .

19 Mar 2023 21:57:39
That and 5th in the league. Let's hope they can turn a couple of loans into permanent and attract some more top players in the summer. Would be nice to see both senior sides battling it out on the continent in the near future.

20 Mar 2023 13:40:49
Well done girls, keep up the good work.

19 Mar 2023 09:03:57
2 posts on yesterday's win? what's a matter the negative posters got nothing to moan about? Superb win yesterday against a team who are fighting for their lives and beat Liverpool.

19 Mar 2023 10:22:53
Daz I did a long post yesterday, but it disappeared onto other posts, then eventually disappeared HaHa

19 Mar 2023 12:59:17
We were brilliant yesterday Daz, we'll be a serious outfit next season.

18 Mar 2023 22:30:39
Korean Tireny of Arsenal would be a good choice

19 Mar 2023 00:19:33
Raj he’s Scottish ??

18 Mar 2023 21:27:30
Been waiting for my post to come on, just found it on other posts, cheers Ed ?

18 Mar 2023 21:02:45
Konsa must be getting worried, with Carlos getting fitter. Time and again he gets caught out, blindsided by the attacker, 2-4 times again today . We complain about the playing out, he is by far the worst at it . Mings will at least attempt playing a through ball, time and again today Konsa had chances, but just hasn't got the confidence to play them .

18 Mar 2023 23:53:45
Dave, konsa is what we have in that position and to be fair he works with his limitations, he is vulnerable however Mings covers for him.
I like most, not all, comment on players individual performances, how on earth can any genuine fan defend Bailey, had one pass in 66 minutes, the rest of his performance was absolutely woeful, we can't play with ten men week after week.

19 Mar 2023 02:49:56
Fair to say that at the moment Bailey is a luxury - I.e he does nothing for 80 mins but on occasion scores or assists.which is pretty much what you'd expect from a mid table squad. The question is, will he improve after a 'settling in' period.personally I think we need more consistency and quality in those positions to kick on next season, but let's not dismiss him just yet, he's not had an ideal start to his Villa career.
Big summer ahead and if we want to a top 6 squad, he's probably an impact at sub at best.

19 Mar 2023 07:34:28
Sorry scot but yet again you've found someone to have a go at and keep repeating yourself regardless of the facts. If you focused on more than the negatives you'd actually realise he had another couple of good crosses that weren't attacked properly and, in the first half especially, pinged it around the box to mcginn and Luiz fairly regularly.
Buendia lost the ball more than Bailey and most of those were his own doing.
At least 3 or 4 times Bailey found himself up against 2-3 defenders with nobody within 25 yards of him. Please name me one player that would actually be able to consistently get themselves out of that position with no help.
We don't have any wingers to replace him with as Traore is no better so for the rest of the season it's what we have.

19 Mar 2023 08:57:05
I agree rk Bailey is not as bad as some paint him on here he is inconsistent but most wingers are but he is rapid which is why teams tend to put more than one marking him which creates space for others.

20 Mar 2023 16:29:25
Bailey is our player of the season! Saturday he got an assist, flicked a header on for Watkins who should've scored. Tony Bailey will come good!

18 Mar 2023 16:54:43
good win for the boys UTV

18 Mar 2023 15:46:17
What a joke such a clear pen questions need to be asked

16 Mar 2023 20:44:23
Southgate at it again, 5 players with hardly any game time and a player with 240+ betting charges hanging over his head . He says he doesn't take notice of off field happening, but it appears it depends on who it is .

16 Mar 2023 11:42:40
So according to the press Emery has said that regardless of whether Young is offered a new deal that he wants to bring in another RB.
1. Is Ashley a keeper for next season, is he worth his 83k per week?
2. Will Cash be sold instead and keep young for cover?
3. Who's on your wish list for starting RB position?

16 Mar 2023 12:48:02
for me whack i'd go for kessler at rb

16 Mar 2023 13:46:12
I like the look of Dumfries at Inter but I don’t think we could attract him, so in terms of who we have a realistic chance of landing, Wan Bissaka at Utd liked him at Palace, has had a rough time there but over the last couple of months has been one of Utd most consistent players but still seems to be behind Dalot in the pecking order so a deal is there to be done. I’d also take a look at Isiah Jones at Boro he looks a real prospect to me particularly as for whatever reason Kessler doesn’t seem to be an option.

16 Mar 2023 13:49:08
I can see Young getting a coaching role. I can't see Cash going unless we got a ridiculous offer. I expect we will sign a good young RB, probably Spanish.

Whilst I would love to see Kessler, Archer, Aaron Ramsey getting in the squad, I can't see it happening next year. The timing is wrong. There's a lot of recruiting of top, top talent we have to do to get to be European possibles. The academy boys are just not quite in that bracket at the moment.

16 Mar 2023 15:49:10
I think your right 56 also I think they will end up being sold, I hope we insert sell on clauses because particularly Archer and Ramsey look like they have the capability to turn into real talents, not sure about Kessler not seen enough of him to be honest.

16 Mar 2023 17:43:32
rb is a tricky 1,wanbassaka would be amazing signing but would he come,walker peters is good,as is ben jonson from westham

16 Mar 2023 23:08:40
Wan bissaka is s defensive full back though. Emery like offensive full backs. I'd be surprised if we were interested in him. Djed Spence from Spurs?

17 Mar 2023 08:09:25
The problem you have is that you rarely get a full back who is as good defensively as he is offensively so you pays your money and you takes your choice.As an offensive full back I don’t think Cash is bad although I accept his crossing could be improved but surely as a first class coach Emery could improve him in that respect.

13 Mar 2023 23:02:08
Positives from the weekend:
1. Stopped the run of defeats to West Ham.
2. Maginn looks like he's rediscovering his form.
3. Ollie banged in another one.
4. Carlos on the bench.
I think that's it for positives.
Negatives:
1. They were there for the taking and we didn't go for it, last 10 or so mins they bring on an attacker and we bring on chambers for Watkins, Ollie wasn't 1 bit happy and looked bewildered at the decision, I wasn't happy with a point were you?
2. What's going on with Martinez? Terrible distribution and looked far to flappy at set pieces etc.
3. Our play was so laboured at times and not enough intensity against a team playing terrible all season, we need to go for the jugular against these teams.
4. Doug, I seen someone write on here how his passing has improved? He sends most of his passes back to mings and konsa for them to pick out a pass, I'm sorry but he's the Brazilian and meant to have a foot on him he should be spraying those long passes forward not our CB's having to do it.
5. Bailey! What on earth was he doing? The other guy was moving away from goal, their chance was gone it was ridiculous and my word one of the softest penalties I've seen, compare that to what Buendia was doing to ings in the box 5 mins later and how can the first be a penalty on that not, terrible refereeing and VAR rubbish as usual.

I was very disappointed with the performance of at least 7-8 of our starting 11 and our bench is rubbish right now, we have no game changers to come on and make a difference, we need 4 or 5 quality players in the summer but I honestly can't see it happening,
Game time is being divided well between Moreno and digne, personally I'd like to see Moreno deployed at LM he loves getting forward and always creating chances.

14 Mar 2023 08:07:03
Whack, I agree with most of what you say, certainly the penalty decisions were a joke,Bailey’s challenge on Pacqueta was clumsy, but contact was minimal, Pacqueta collapsed like he had been shot, if you give that then you surely have to give one for Rice’s challenge on Buendia in the second half. You are also right re Buendia on Ings however the only thing that possibly saved us was Ings did have a bit of his shirt but it was certainly risky in the extreme. In terms of us having a go I read an interesting piece from Jacob Ramsey who was saying Emery is not happy that the team are patient enough in possession I read that to say we are less likely to be having a go as you put it and look to keep the ball more move teams from side to side until we can create openings which in fairness is how we are playing now, and probably explains why we are being linked with more foreign players who are more comfortable in possession and generally better technically than English players. I think we are going to have to get used to this type of football while Emery is in charge.

I also agree his bench is weak and we do need a number of quality signings but if we are to believe the statements which came out of NSWE when Emery joined then significant funds will be made available so the squad will I believe be very different next season to what it is now, add to that how are youngsters like Archer, Ramsey, Ireobugnam, even Azzaz at Plymouth and Bogarde at Bristol Rovers are doing, bodes quite well as long as the path to the first team for these is clear.

Give Emery a pre season with a different looking squad and it will be interesting to see how we play next year.

14 Mar 2023 20:21:30
Guys all good and valid points, we are and have been carrying too many average players, Whack mentioned 7 or 8 average performances, pretty much par for the course for a long, long time. We lack the quality to play the football many of us would love to see.
We actually did well down the left on Sunday, with a couple of quality crosses, we should be doing this down the right, unfortunately Konsa, Cash and Bailey can't replicate what's possible on the left, why, simply the three of them are not good enough. They will be the first three out next season, which should balance our attacking threat on the wings with quality replacements. I agree about Martinez, Whack, I think he is working is ticket out. So i think the rest of the season will be samey, with Emery encouraging ball retention with improved passing and there has been evidence of this and results suggest we are moving in the right direction. We are currently playing within our limitations and hopefully we can continue to accumulate points. I would love to see some of our loanees given a chance next season if only to strengthen our bench (two keepers is an absolute disgrace for a club of our size) but Emery is not known for unproven talent getting much game time. Next season hopefully, will be more exciting than this.

14 Mar 2023 23:47:35
What do ye think about Watkins season so far? 9 league goals (1 in cup) and 4 assists. 12 games left, if he scores 5 more goals and gets a couple more assists, so maybe 20-22 goal contributions, surely would make it a very decent season for him personally, probably should of had another one Sunday but is he good enough to bring us forward next season? Can he get closer to 20 goals with better service?
On the Martinez topic I’m slowly but surely leaning towards cashing in on him if we can get 60+ million. 40-60 million I’d have to think about pro’s and cons more, anything under 40 million I wouldn’t budge, 1 thing is for sure I would like to see him back to his best and making better decisions or his value is going to drop.

15 Mar 2023 00:45:10
Whack, football is all about confidence and we have seen both ends of the spectrum with Ollie, he is showing us that he has a future with us and i am pleased with that. Let's hope Martinez bucks his ideas up, his world cup win appears to have given him an unwelcome arrogance, culminating in some poor decision making,I think Emery could lose patience with him if he's not careful.

15 Mar 2023 06:59:35
In answer to your questions Whack, whilst I like Watkins I don’t think he will score 20 premiership goals a season to push us towards European qualification. He is a good player and I know the likes of Arsenal are keen on his services but the difference between us and them is they have goals spread throughout the team we do not. So I would be inclined to sell for the right deal which for me would be Tierney and a significant cash adjustment.Similarly with Martinez, Spurs are looking for a replacement for Lloris ok, give us Bissouma and a say circa £40 million, we then sell the likes of Digne, Konsa and some of our other fringe players and we have a sizeable war chest to sign a goalkeeper a couple of quality strikers and a winger.

15 Mar 2023 21:24:58
Guys, selling Watkins and Martinez? Come on! These are players we need to build a team around, Martinez has just been voted the best keeper in the world and Ollie Watkins has 6 goals in 7 matches. This Watkins is a totally different beast, Emery will look for a partner for him, not a replacement.

15 Mar 2023 22:18:17
Agree bk I’ve always liked Watkins even when he’s not hitting the back of the net he works hard for the team and presses well. I don’t know who people think we can sign who will get 20+ goals not many do in the prem.

15 Mar 2023 22:21:28
Martinez and his agent have already been clear that Martinez wants to play Champions League football and whilst he has said he would want that to be with us, the reality is that’s not likely to happen soon enough.In addition rumour has it that the relationship between Emery and Martinez isn’t great, and Emery likes keepers comfortable with the ball at there feet, Martinez isn’t that comfortable on the ball add to that at the moment we can command top dollar for him then there is a logic to letting him go in the summer. Although having said all that I will be delighted if he stays, I think it’s one of those rare occasions when it’s a win win for the club.

With regards Watkins do you see him as a striker who will regularly score 20 premiership goals a season? I think he is a decent striker but not one who is prolific enough to take us to the next level I would be happy for him to be a squad player but I don’t think he would be.

15 Mar 2023 22:42:28
When have we ever had a striker that has scored 20 league goals?

15 Mar 2023 23:06:33
Abraham in the Championship doesn't count. The facts are that Watkins has at least matched any forward we've had in the Premier league apart from 1 season when Benteke scored 19. There just aren't the forwards around capable of that many goals that we would realistically have a chance of signing.

16 Mar 2023 07:43:05
Guys, just to be clear I really do like Watkins he works hard, runs the channels and never gives the opposition centre backs a minutes peace. But and it’s a big but the name of the game for a centre forward is goals and unfortunately to take us to the next level his conversion rate isn’t good enough in my opinion, particularly as we don’t create a ruck of chances in games, or have two or three midfielders capable of chipping in with 8-10 goals a season, that’s why I think a striker capable of getting 20 goals is essential if we are to progress.

16 Mar 2023 10:18:14
Surely that says we need to get the players around him rather than replace him.
If we get a couple of very good wingers/support strikers who can get those 8-10 goals and create better chances for Ollie then that solves the problem better.
If we get another striker but leave them isolated and don't create good chances then we'll have spent money to still have the same problem.
Ollie showed at Brentford and his first season with us that he can be an instinctive and deadly finisher. His injury at the start of last season and the catastrophe that was Gerrard took that away but it's clearly starting to come back.

16 Mar 2023 10:45:31
Hit the nail on the head RK, for me it's not about replacing Watkins it's about getting more goals elsewhere in the team - Watkins will hit 15 goals next season in the Prem, 100%, but we need to get players around him who contribute 10+ goals from wide areas. That's how we progress as a club in the short term as the reality is, any striker that GUARANTEES you 20+ goals a season year on year is not going to sign for Villa without Champions League football (and that's a million miles away at the moment). What we have is a striker who contributes immensely in other areas, is a huge asset to the team and will certainly score 15 goals next season. he's been brilliant since Emery joined!

16 Mar 2023 10:49:39
You can describe Ollie in many ways but deadly finisher unfortunately isn’t one of them! If for example you compare his stats with Toney the guy Brentford bought to replace him, then over the last couple of seasons Watkins scores a goal roughly every 3 games for Toney it’s a goal every 2 games, that’s the type of return we should be looking at to progress.

16 Mar 2023 11:21:30
You've just used the period of time I commented on in regards to injury and a useless manager so of course the stats aren't there.
Watkins was the record Championship goalscorer for a year when with Brentford, can't be that bad at finishing.
Brentford have a settled team and a system which gets players like Mbuemo and Wissa around him, Toney isn't doing the majority of the heavy lifting.
We are currently getting ourselves out of being a team of individuals, once we have 1 or 2 wingers and maybe another midfielder and the team become more comfortable with the tactics then we'll see that consistency.
If we compare Watkins to Toney since Emery joined then Watkins is actually better. I'm willing to caveat that with Toneys off field issues possibly affecting his form but overall they are probably going to be similar in output.

16 Mar 2023 11:34:33
I think I’m leaning towards keeping him and I reckon he will be the main man for at least 1 more year, I’m in agreement with some of you about him needing more quality around him, we need midfielders chipping in with goals, same with center backs they go up for every corner but I can’t remember when either of them last scored, that was 1 of the things I liked about hause he was a good attacking threat hat the set pieces, I think Ollie with hit 15 goals this year which won’t be a bad return, we do need another striker to play along side him in certain games and contribute 8-10 goals and the rest of our squad need to get 20 at the minimum between them.

16 Mar 2023 12:06:55
Im starting a campaign, #Ollie to stay. Everything everyone is saying leads to the conclusion there is a place for Ollie that's Aston Villa, he has proved in the last few months give him chances and he will score, its those around him that are the issue, minimal scoring from midfield, defenders and attacking players, also minimal assists,if we get that right, Ollie will remain our number one striker, hopefully with support that can chip in 10 - 15 goals.

16 Mar 2023 12:10:51
The stats are the stats rk and irrespective of whether we had a useless manager or not Toney playing for a team who I think we would all agree man for man aren’t as good as us gets a better return than our top goalscorer, I don’t think that reflects well, and for me suggests is not an out and out goalscorer.

I accept I may well be in the minority on here which is fair enough but i am willing to bet that if Watkins is our leading front man next season mid table will be the best outcome we will achieve.

16 Mar 2023 12:26:28
Toney is a more clinical striker, I don't think that can be disputed but he's scored 10+ penalties since arriving in the Premierleague which does skew the figures slightly (Think Watkins has 3 maybe?) - When talking about Watkins I think we need to look at the 20/21 season rather than that mess under Gerrard, he scored 14 in the league with 5 assists, he's on track to replicate that this season. Yes, he's not Haaland but you add 2 players in the summer who can contribute 10+ goals next season and Ollie replicates this seasons output and you have a very potent attack.

16 Mar 2023 13:25:43
BK, You would pay a fortune to replace Ollie, without guarantees, we should stick with him.

16 Mar 2023 13:38:36
The problem BK is likely to be the same as the one you suggested would impact our ability to attract a 20 goal plus striker ie they won’t come unless Champions League football is on offer. Whilst might be lucky and land one, but two can’t see it myself, but if we could pick them up, who would you suggest?

17 Mar 2023 00:42:06
And that's the problem we have LotM, without Europe it makes it very difficult to recruit players of the calibre we need without offering insane wages (and even then there is no guarantee outside of the elite players).

Personally, I think we need a striker, winger, midfielder and right back in the summer and I'd love us to be ambitious and try to snare some young talent (like we did with Kamara). I don't get to watch as much European football as I'd like these days but I think Ivan Fresneda would be an ambitious target at right back (although Real are reportedly in for him, if that's the case then we have zero chance). In midfield I think Guendouzi is an absolute banker but if not then maybe make a move for Khephren Thuram who I think looks primed for the Premierleague. I think we'll go back in for Nico Williams and I still believe we'll go very big on a striker, who that will be I don't know mate and wouldn't even speculate. Either way I think we'll be in a much better place come the start of next season, Emery will get a warchest in the summer I'm sure.

12 Mar 2023 23:10:59
Anyone watching match of the day tonight, should make the most of it, next week we will see a self serving, smug arrogant, i'm bigger than the BBC in front of the cameras. Its just a pity he got the attention he set out to get, which in my opinion is totally undeserved. There will be no stopping him in the future, mores the pity.

13 Mar 2023 09:14:27
Totally agree Scott although I won't give my views on immigrants as it may upset a few!

13 Mar 2023 11:25:56
Daz, best say nothing mate, i fully understood you though.

13 Mar 2023 11:49:04
Everyone is entitled to there opinions including Lineker, we might not agree with them but he expressed them on his personal Twitter account I see no difference to what he has done to what we all do on here. In terms of being self serving smug and arrogant I would use those terms to describe the likes of Renaldo and Alex Ferguson not Lineker, if he was as you describe Scotty I can’t see all the other presenters coming out in support.of him.

13 Mar 2023 14:38:45
Whilst your post above regarding Lineker is a load of old tosh Scottie, I would defend to the death your right to say it and not be censored

13 Mar 2023 17:41:40
no1 really watches motd now anyway it sucks skysports much better plus there's youtube aswell

13 Mar 2023 18:13:57
2.5 million people watched last Saturday I hardly think that’s no one.

13 Mar 2023 19:27:36
I watch motd. Don't think Lineker is arrogant. He's the one that got suspended he didn't refuse to do his job.

14 Mar 2023 14:57:39
Viewing figures for MOtd shows that it was watched by half a million more viewers than usual.
Perhaps some evidence that an overpaid presenter is not as popular as he/one thinks.
However that goes for many of the sport presenters

12 Mar 2023 16:46:31
Question for the Ed's: How come Spurs fans don't seem to use the spursrumours.co.uk site at all? The very few and far between posts on there all seem to be from Gooners having a pop. Perhaps apathy is rife across the whole club ?

{Ed033's Note - There were 2 main Spurs posters on there and both were banned and the others stopped posting.

12 Mar 2023 21:08:08
Thanks Ed. I just went on there to gauge their keenness on the transfer of a certain goalkeeper and noticed their lack of participation.

12 Mar 2023 16:01:50
decent point against our bogey team we never beat wham

12 Mar 2023 13:07:29
2gk on bench again why not just add a youngster or reserve player on bench

12 Mar 2023 13:48:26
Usually because they are playing for their respective teams within a short period before or after our match.
Dragging players around the country when they should be training or resting is pointless if they aren't going to be put on the pitch.
2 goalkeepers doesn't make too much sense but Sinisalo is part if the first team setup and it has happened before where 2 get injured in the same game and isn't a position that can be easily covered by other players.

12 Mar 2023 14:01:02
I think we could have done. Hammers seem to have named 9 subs whereas we've named 8.

12 Mar 2023 07:39:11
{Ed's Note - MrPotatoHead has posted a new article entitled, Is Rangers Sporting Director Ross Wilson A Success or Failure?

11 Mar 2023 16:46:03
On a non-political note ?, Ramsey and Archer on the scoresheet for Boro again this afternoon. If they carry on I can't see Boro wanting to let them go ?

11 Mar 2023 18:36:51
MD, thank god its our choice mate.

11 Mar 2023 07:39:17
{Ed's Note - MrPotatoHead has posted a new article entitled, Is Rangers Sporting Director Ross Wilson A Success or Failure?

10 Mar 2023 07:39:26
{Ed's Note - MrPotatoHead has posted a new article entitled, Is Rangers Sporting Director Ross Wilson A Success or Failure?

09 Mar 2023 13:46:47
Just watched a fascinating program about
J Lloyds Samuel,leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions. It's called The footballer the crash and his wife, it's on ITVx .
Well worth a watch, certainly didn't know his life was such a tangled web, it's more like a spy novel .

09 Mar 2023 18:33:45
Dave, i watched it also, what a mixed up life he lead especially in his later years. Money is great in the right hands, he obviously made a lot of wrong choices.

09 Mar 2023 19:27:44
Dave that’s the problem, they throw money at these young kids and expect them to be financial wizards . The main problem with the money, comes the false friends and hangers on . Differently a young lad we know, was signed at 14 by Man U, he was in the same youth side as the famous 92 . When he signed his first pro contract,Fergie invited his parents to breakfast and told them, he was only letting Terry have £75 a week the rest going into an account .With the kids today, I don’t know if managers would get away with it but perhaps more of that should be happening .

10 Mar 2023 13:48:48
Not sure it was all about money though. You don't need to have a lot of money to marry two women at the same time (though I suppose it helps)

09 Mar 2023 07:39:23
{Ed's Note - Thefutureisoldgold has posted a new article entitled, Wolverhampton Wanderers Accounts

07 Mar 2023 21:26:22
DBS we need refs to start using the powers they have start booking the ones needed .Everyone knows who the main offenders are,problem starts with the fact that most of the worst offenders, come from big clubs . This would mean refs putting all their big team bias behind them . When you get Gary and Roy saying what an embarrassment Fernandez was,now he is addicted to cheating . Now in that last game, with his consistent in your face moaning and simulated diving, the ref could of booked him numerous times .
Now the lads at VAR, they must see it happening every game, now why can't they get involved. Now after games they have retrospective punishments for bad fouls,or off the ball incidents, why not for this rubbish . Retrospective is for incidents they think the ref hasn't seen or didn't want to see.
So we are back the the point we started,with the League and the refs . Every fan complains about it, the pundits complain about it, so it's about time something was done .

07 Mar 2023 22:21:04
Another thing which might help is ensuring coaches behave appropriately and not get up to what the likes of Arteta gets away with week in week out. I might dislike Utd with a passion but Ten Hag displays a degree of professionalism, which others don’t, he doesn’t get overly excited win lose or draw if he can do it why can’t the others.

07 Mar 2023 22:45:46
Isn’t this a continuation of the thread down below regarding cheating and aggressive behaviour ?

08 Mar 2023 07:42:35
Can’t have too many threads ?

08 Mar 2023 16:00:52
The original question was aimed at getting a concensus between two distinct options, but that quickly fell apart haha

07 Mar 2023 07:39:24
{Ed's Note - Thestigno1 has posted a new article entitled, The Rangers Board are going to have to make some serious decisions

06 Mar 2023 17:48:46
There are more rumours that our current sporting director is to be moved on before any further transfer dealings. The list of some of his signings including Lucas Digne, Leander Dendocker, Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore, and Morgan Sanson for big fees. I don't think many would see this list anything other than disappointing. Reading a couple of sports journalists articles ( if you can believe them) it appears Emery doesn't trust Lange and wasn't prepared to put his name to panic buys in the January window. let's hope between Emery and the new sporting director we get far better quality than the list purchased under Lange.

06 Mar 2023 20:41:27
Sanson was £14m Traore £17 and dead donkey was £13m not exactly big money by today's standard. Bailey was coveted by bigger clubs and will come good. Digne we'll see.

06 Mar 2023 23:49:45
Bucky so you think langes signings were a success?, Bailey will not make it wherever he goes, i just hope Emery doesn't continue with him.

07 Mar 2023 07:14:23
Scotty, isn't it all about levels and building? We were never going to be able to attract or afford better than them with the amount of players we had to sign. Traore has decent numbers, Sanson was being being touted as a £30m player the summer before we signed him. The players we've mentioned will probably be squad players next summer. Isn't that how it should work? They were the best we could get at the time. They've all contributed.

07 Mar 2023 11:35:30
Bucky, to put your comments in context, they were bought as quality players in order to push on, this didn't happen and still hasn't.My post was highlighting the articles i read, which i totally agree with, was about the performance of Lange and the players purchased under his watch. Arguably these players didn't significantly improve the team. If they had they wouldn't have spent so much time on the bench, everyone didn't or currently start regularly.

07 Mar 2023 21:11:14
They did push us on though. We went from 17th to 11th. Then Smith got sacked and Gerrard played a different system. Not the players fault.

07 Mar 2023 22:37:40
Come on Bucky, the players i refer to that Lange bought are just not good enough, if they were why have they all been on the bench regularly.

05 Mar 2023 19:21:44
That was better than watching any comedy show. 7-0. ???

05 Mar 2023 12:59:08
Said it before and sure to say it again, who is Zaha if not the most arrogant player ever . He is like a poor man's Renaldo, nobody can tackle him, go near him . Brilliant yesterday when Young suckered him, by throwing the ball over his head . The anger on his face was brilliant, Ash 1 Zaha 0 HaHa .
Onwards&Upwards Villaforever

06 Mar 2023 10:49:15
I don’t know who’s worse - Zahra or Fernandes. Both of them must have trained at RADA. Even Gary Neville and Roy Keane launched into Fernandes after yesterday’s game saying he was an absolute disgrace. Refs need to come down hard on play-acting and start dishing out some red cards to deter it ?

04 Mar 2023 17:58:39
VJ as you say a wins a win, but we certainly made hard work of it .Decent first played some good stuff, McGinn excellent again .Ollie had the perfect chance for his sixth, it looked like he changed his mind last minute.
Second half was one of the worst Iv seen, you would of thought we had the 10 men . Why do we slow everything down to walking pace . Let's hope the injury to Kamara isn't a bad one . Why Bailey again,why not Duran,or even give Traore a few mins, I just can't see what Bailey adds, he can't hold on to the ball .
On we go,we have to get it together, but two winnable games coming up, keep it rolling
Onwards&Upwards Villaforever

05 Mar 2023 00:22:31
Dave why are we the only two on here that see Bailey as a total waste of space, he really is that poor. As you say the second half was poor, until we get the recruits we need, what we saw today is not going to improve.

05 Mar 2023 00:37:13
I only seen the highlights today I missed the game, Ollie was unlucky with the good chance he had, also unlucky with the own goal it looked like he had a tap in if not for the defender scoring it. listening to guys on here and the commentary on sky sports app it seems like it was our usual performance against teams that sit back and throw 11 behind the ball, we don’t play great when we dominate possessions we have to much time to think about it and we don’t have enough pace to get behind the teams who come to VP and sit back, I’m often critical of Bailey but he does create chances like the one he made for maginn, he could easily of had an assist there if John had kept his shot to 1 side of the keeper. although I would like to see us with a more consistent winger in the first 11 I do think he has a role in the squad going forward.
again I’m repeating myself, looking at the league we were a striker or a winger away in January from banging on the European door, I know it’s the same old argument but there was a massive chance this year to break into top 7 or 8 the way the season is going for the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Emery is getting those results though his stats are looking decent since he took over, the signs are there that he can take us up a level when he adds to the squad. anyone know if kamara’s injury is bad?

05 Mar 2023 10:37:27
Bailey was woeful.
Yesterday he kept turning in a circle as he can't use his right foot. Opposition know he's a one footed player and takes him out the game.
Personally for me he should not have even been on the bench after his after game antics ast week.

As for the game we can not play out from the back, a quick team will take advantage of how crap Konsa is off the goal kick.
Cash was fantastic yet again, Ollie was unlucky for his 6 in 6.
Giving Duran a 10min run Infront of Angel was a bit of a joke.
Two questions I want to ask thoughts on:
Why two keepers on the bench again.
Why only 8 named subs again.

In other games, Ramsey and JPB on the score sheets :)

05 Mar 2023 12:09:39
Only 8 subs because noone else is fit and Emery doesn't want to promote youth players if they're not ready. We're short of midfielders especially now it looks as if Kamara is out for 2 months.

05 Mar 2023 12:25:09
Two goalies on the bench . Emery said, none of the U21 ready yet, so he doesn’t want to give them false hope. Personally I would of thought, it would give them a boost .

05 Mar 2023 14:55:02
Well if that is the case then our much vaunted academy may not be as good as we have been led to believe.

05 Mar 2023 17:17:01
How on earth with a supposed first class academy can we not fill the bench with footballers capable of passing to someone in the same coloured shirt,picking two goalkeepers is an absolute disgrace. We have obviously been hoodwinked about this allegedly first class academy,can anyone give me an examples of the success.

05 Mar 2023 18:25:07
It is a bit of a worry Scotty, particularly as Emery is not one of those coaches who doesn’t give youth a chance if they have the ability.

05 Mar 2023 20:04:44
All our talent is out on loan guys

05 Mar 2023 21:35:42
The ones out on loan like Archer, Philogene Bidace and even Aaron Ramsey are all 20 or older the likes of Garnacho,Ferguson,Gnonto are all in their teens,. Given the hype over our academy I would have expected one or two of our teenagers to at least be making the bench rather than 2 goalkeepers.

06 Mar 2023 01:20:29
Sorry state of affairs Lotm

04 Mar 2023 17:16:19
on we go wins a win don't care how we play aslong as we get 3points
UTV???

04 Mar 2023 18:02:45
Jonny, of course three points are important, i can't agree with you regarding the quality or lack of it, win ugly against ten men just does not work for me. Many of the 42000 fans pay to be entertained and I thought we were poor today, One shot on target and a total lack of creativity,poor Ollie had very little service at all, we could have easily dropped points today, against a very average side. Emery has said we must improve at home and i couldn't agree more. Two more wins and we have the magical 40 points. Its time, now we are virtually safe, to start to play more attacking football, preparing already for next seasons push for Europe. Finally my usual rant about Bailey, he is just a complete waste of time.

04 Mar 2023 18:43:39
bailey is frustrating scottie i agree but there's a player there somewhere i'd keep him.as a squadie thou,id get gnonto off leeds to replace him

04 Mar 2023 20:41:22
Why do we play better away than at home? It's because the fans are too quick to moan if we don't fast, free flowing football. It makes the team nervous.

04 Mar 2023 20:41:34
Most important is the fact that it is 3pts and lifts us a bit further away from the bottom.
Best news is that Diago Costa is close to match fitness and we might see him next week.
He could be a major player for us at the back. A bit of muscle, the enforcer we we lack.
Cant wait.

04 Mar 2023 07:39:13
{Ed's Note - Macclesfield White has posted a new article entitled, Leeds United Players Review V Fulham

02 Mar 2023 21:42:25
What a great attitude from Emi Martinez. He recognises that going to a 'top' club to win trophies is easy. Winning something with us is a real challenge and makes it all the more worthwhile. Pity the mainstream media have pretty much ignored it because it doesn't fit the narrative for Man Utd. Shame Jack didn't have that same recognition.

03 Mar 2023 09:42:49
I get what you are saying 56 but it’s easier Emi to say that with FA, Copa America, and World Cup winners medals in his trophy cabinet Let’s be honest Jack was never going to get anything like that with us, and let’s see what the summer brings if someone like Bayern Munich comes along with a bid will he want to stay then?

03 Mar 2023 14:06:16
Maybe Emi could be used by Emery getting a deal that significantly benefits us by letting Emi go. If there is a deal that suits all parties he will go in the Summer, if not he may stay with us for the foreseeable, providing we show signs of significant improvement that matches his ambitions.

03 Mar 2023 18:14:25
I think he will do at least one more year. Of course if we don't get near to the top four spots I would expect his agent to start making noises, and I wouldn't blame him moving on.

03 Mar 2023 18:34:31
Ian Ladyman from the Dmail reckons that Emi is at best the 6th in the premiership.
He puts Ederson, Allison, De Gea, Pickford as the top 4.
What planet are these reporters living on?
Do you rate any of these above Emi?

03 Mar 2023 20:48:57
Well I think you have answered your own question TOV. The guys from the Daily Fail, if he told me Tuesday followed. Monday I wouldn’t believe him until I checked the calendar?.

03 Mar 2023 21:43:01
i rate all 4 emi better than pickford thou

04 Mar 2023 00:43:25
Can't see Emi leaving, I just don't know where he goes - Linked with Spurs tonight, can't see him pushing for that move or them stumping up with Villa would demand. I think it would take a 60M bid for Villa to even consider selling him and I don't know where a bid like that will come from in the summer. Chelsea potentially if they sell Kepa, but beyond that where does he go?

04 Mar 2023 08:30:19
The only English club who I could see bidding for Martinez is Utd, but that all depends on De Gea’s future, I know his contract expires at the end of the season and he is on something like £375k a week, if you could sign Emi on £200k a week say over 4- 5 years the transfer fee virtually pays for itself, and Martinez is a better keeper in my opinion. If he does go I think it will be abroad rather than to a club in this country.

02 Mar 2023 07:39:24
{Ed's Note - Macclesfield White has posted a new article entitled, Leeds United Players Review V Fulham

01 Mar 2023 07:39:25
{Ed's Note - oscarAY has posted a new article entitled, My Reasons To Let Graham Potter Stay at Chelsea