I’m currently sunning my bony proverbial in Marmaris, Turkey. Very nice at a balmy 35c it is too.
I’ve been sort of keeping up with events, but basically we’re enjoying it so much, I just haven’t found time to post something.
Basically I just thought it would be a good idea to start a new post, just so it looks a bit more relevant.
There’s been a couple of events; some good, some not so, in my opinion.
First off, the great news is that John Mcginn has extended his contract.
I think everyone’s happy about that and my son in law summed it up perfectly for me, in saying that he fully deserves it. Of course, I think he was talking about the no doubt massive payrise.
We weren’t sure what McGinn was earning, but I had £47k in mind, where the sil’s thought were that he was quite well down the Aston Villa pay grade.
Given that he’s the captain and looks like he will be in future too, I’d guess he’s probably going to be earning around the £150k a week mark. In the scheme of things, as much as it makes me feel sick, he’s good value if my guess is anywhere near the mark. I love the bloke as a Villa player, because he represents everything I want to see from a footballer.
And then it’s onto the shirt.
Is it really £70? Wow, that’s a jump isn’t it?
My grandsons, (who are also on holiday with us) think it’s “quality”. Which leads me to a bit of tangent.
Before we came out here, I’d told them about the dirt cheap, but reasonable quality of the snide football shirts. They went out yesterday and came back with an Al Nassr and a PSG shirt. Yes, with Messi and Ronaldo on the back.
Anyway, I think the new Villa shirt is meh; a much of a muchness, albeit with a much better badge.
Will the missus buy it for me, as she usually does? I really don’t know.
And then the thing that disappointed was us being sponsored by a betting company.
I’m not going to get “holier than thou” about it, but for me, the quicker these companies get banned from this sort of advertising, the better.
Some of you long time readers may remember that the site used to advertise Bet365, so I may come across as a bit hypercritical, but that wasn’t my choice. It was an attempt to try and monetise the site so it paid for itself. It didn’t work, as Oohah (there’s a blast from the past!) weren’t the pr/marketing types. To be honest, the live score widget for the Prem was good though, I thought.
Anyway we sacked it off and still have the “don’t gamble” thing at the bottom of the page.
So why don’t I like gambling?
I do. If it can be done at a sensible, affordable level. Then, I have no problem with it.
But I’ve also seen someone get into serious trouble over it. So much so that it led to payday loans to try and fund it.
Long story short, is someone who earns minimum wage was around £3500 in debt.
No, it’s not one of those stories where he loses his house and all, but it caused serious stress.
All this from a previously very sensible person too.
That’s why I don’t like it.
I think the issue for me is that in a world where every other shop seems to be a bookies, is that it’s pushing something that’s already overly available and for me, very dangerous.
I was reading an article recently that talked about this. My memory isn’t what it used to be, but I get the feeling that it suggested around 3 million people in the UK have a gambling problem to some extent.
Consider that the Coates family Bet365’s owners) are amongst the richest in the UK and you instantly get what it’s all about.
Taking Apple’s cheap labour aside, I can appreciate a company making a profit. And their’s is obscene.
But when it comes at the cost of people suffering, hmm.
Comments
110 responses to “A bit of a round up.”
Hopefully with Gerrard joining Al- Ettifaq they will stop talking about his failure at Villa and concentrate on his lack of ethics!
Ohh noo Jacob ramsay injured could need surgery gutted it’s a massive season for him as well really expect him to hit another level
I can’t find that news anywhere L8 (thankfully) but on watching the match it didn’t looked too serious.
Yes the guy brought down his studs on his shin but not with any force.
Hopefully it’s not too bad🤞.
The reports I’ve seen all describe it as an ankle injury, although I tend to agree with you that it didn’t look like anything that should keep him out for more than a couple of weeks.
Reports say he left the ground on crutches and was suffering from numbness in his foot and ankle. Further – he’s seeing a specialist to establish whether surgery is required.
It sounds fairly serious to me – some form of ligament damage?
Even if it’s not too serious, he’s likely to miss pre-season which will set him back quite a bit.
Archer on for England in the semi final of the under 21’s against Israel. Halfway through the second half and England looking comfortable at 2-0
3, Archer 😁
Great finish from Archer and 3-0. England seem a real team and I’m suprised the Saudi’s dont buy them all.
Archer must be part of our squad next season ahead of Duran IMO. He is ready to stake a claim as competition for Watkins. Could Archer be a better finisher? I think he is although can he match Ollie’s work rate?
As for the transfer window, it’s becoming a bit dull at VP. Talk that Pau Torres is definitely coming might be a bit wide of the mark with a lot still to be agreed according to reports.
Hopefully the delay in signings is down to the fact Monchi and Emery have only just started to work together.
Torres also away on honeymoon – according to reports that is.
Most sources seem to agree he’s joining us, officially, next week.
The old Weston McKennie rumour is rearing it’s ugly head again…
No thanks, he’s woeful (imo)
We are allegedly interested Leeds Wilfried Gnonto, a very good player IMO.
Worst fears realised – injury jinx hits Villa again with Ramsey out for all pre season and at least the first month of the season – broken metatarsal.
The reality is that missing pre season is likely to affect him for more than the first month of the season even if he recovers quickly from the injury. Seems Tielemans will have a big role to play from the off.
Looks like Harvey Barnes is going to Newcastle. I was hoping we could sign him but we can’t compete with the barcodes.
I was disappointed to read that the new North stand will take 2 years to complete. It’s not ideal having a reduced 35,000 capacity for so long. That’s a lot of revenue lost not only in ticket sales but also merchandise and food and drink from a missing 300,000 over that time period. Demolition of the stand takes place in June 2024 after the Foo Fighters concert unless there are any more issues. The transport links around VP especially Witton station and the increased number of train carriages must be resolved before we have 50,000 fans attending.
Bad news about Ramsey which heightens the need for more players. It’s certainly a frustrating wait based on our previous history of getting players through the door early. I hope the likes of Mckennie are just paper talk because we need upgrades and he isn’t an improvement on Dendoncker.
Come on Monchi! Pull your finger out 🙂
Badger
Going back to your inroad view on gambling, personally I am getting sick and tired of the virtual signalling and cancel culture we live in.
If I can use my example of a trip to Villa Park.
* I drive my diesel car from the south coast. This offends climate people as I am polluting the air and enhancing global warming. This is despite being encourage to buy diesel at the time by the government.
* I will have a pint in Villa Park. Clearly this is problematic as Villa are selling a drug which alcoholics struggle with. Again my brazen stance in liking a pint is causing offence to those opposed to alcohol.
* I like to have a £2 crazy bet on long odds. I once had a 100:1 come in on Curtis Davis to score the first goal against WBA and us to win 2:1. Clearly my gambling at Villa Park is offensive to those with gambling problems.
* Inappropriate language. Once in a while I may in frustration call into question the referee’s parents marital status. Clearly I’m out of order.
Solution:
Stop all football meaning I won’t drive to Villa, drink, gamble or use offensive language.
This will provide me with time to really engage with all things work and take them to my heart.
Good on NSWE getting sponsorship that is not illegal. I guess they could turn around and say that the sponsorship income (which I believe is £8m per year) can come through increased match price tickets! This income is critical as we do not have mega flexibility with FFP. When gambling sponsorship ban comes into play, hopefully our improved league standing will result in bigger and better deals to available from different industrial sectors.
Everyone is fed up with it Sid. Tell them to eff off and grow up.
(Them, not you).😁
Brilliant Sid 😂😂
( If only it weren’t so true)
We live in age of puritanism or something akin to the inquisition.
We used to read about days long ago where heretics and accused witches were burnt at the stake, thank goodness we don’t live in those time we used to think. But it appears they’re back, apposing or dissenting opinions metaphorically put to the torch.
Dark days indeed.
The latest one is people upset at Ukraine being given a few cluster bombs by the US, even thought the Russians are already using them on Ukraine, not to mention the catalogue of unspeakable war crimes.
I’ll stop there before Badger tells me to stick to the footy!
Years ago when I was studying Economics & Politics I was really annoyed at the prevailing left-wing views of nearly all the lecturers. I thought there must be a textbook that refutes this dogma, but I could not find it, until 40 years later. I had been looking on the wrong shelves. It is a psychology reference work called “ENVY – A Theory of Social Behaviour”. It explains exactly the mindset behind cancel culture, victim-hood, and why exponents are determined to prevent you living your life as you wish to – because they have the arrogance to believe they know better than you how you should live it.
Point to Villa’s shirt sponsors and ask the objectors. “Will you be sucked into problem gambling by that advert on Villa shirts?” They will reply “No of course not – but other people might.”
An absolutely outrageous penalty decision at the death which almost robbed the England boys. Thankfully, justice prevailed. Well done Lee Carsley and the England boys – great experience for Ramsey and Archer – officially ‘winners’ now. The first of many, hopefully with the Villa.
Nice to see the England boys holding up Ramsey’s shirt at the end too!!!
Cracking finish to the game! Unless you’re Spanish. Sorry Unai!!!!
Villa now seeded in the bullshit league, I mean conference league. Guessing that’s good news?
Suppose better than not being?
Why are we dissing the European Conference League?
It might be the third tier of European Competition but it still has decent teams in it with good European Legacy.
Our involvement in Europe helps to attract players and also to reduce the likelihood of our best players leaving.
We’re in it to win it and if we have serious designs on Europa League or European Championship it brings European experience and also improves our European coefficient.
I’m looking forward to it.
If I’m honest I thought West Ham qualifying for the conference league was a bit meh! One thing I did expect from them playing in Europe was their Premier league form would be affected. This proved the case and they flirted with relegation. It does concern me that we won’t finish as high next season with all the Thursday evening games and will probably have to win the competition to qualify for Europe the following season.
We definitely need more players with the likes of Ashley Young departing, Moreno out till probably Christmas and now Ramsey out till November
Holte, don’t forget we have a far superior manager who is used to this.
And a better squad.
I agree Bum Bum that Moyes isn’t as good as Emery but I wouldn’t say our squad is better than West Ham’s especially in terms of depth. If we are picking a starting XI then we have a good team but to ask those players to play Premier league plus European games with the unknown amount of domestic cup games is going to see a drop in levels.
Maybe before the transfer window shuts we might have 4-5 of the players needed to help us cope. If not then I think we are going to struggle unless we go out of the European conference league quickly.
Any European Competition adds a lot of games to the schedule whether it’s Thursday night or one earlier in the week.
We will need to increase and improve the depth of our squad – not just buy squad fillers such as Bednarek and Augustinnson.
I’m a little surprised we didn’t retain Young for another year with his immense experience but maybe they needed to free up his wages for others to come in. The same could probably said for moving Coutinho on – I’m sure the Saudi Pro-League, and Mr Gerrard in particular, would be happy to stump up £30m or so to secure his services 🙂
General view seems to be (in addition to Torres – assuming that’s not all hot air) that we want a right back, a wide player and a striker. If I may suggest – we also need a decent second string keeper – not Olsen who is of the same ilk as the aforementioned ‘squad fillers’
I don’t think we’ll be seeing old blockhead from Man Ure at VP any time soon seeing as he’s still got 4 years to run on his contract, with a weekly salary of £189,904 (that’s apparently to increase due to CL qualification).
Well at least the Mythos Greek Taverna should be safe for the foreseeable.
😁
And a £50m price tag as well – allegedly!
Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, Diego Carlos & Ezri Konza. That’s a tremendous central-defensive team going into a season. Chambers ain’t too shabby as extra cover, assuming he stays.
I’d like to see the likes of Dendonker and Chambers stay; I honestly believe the depth to the squad is imperative, and as they’re already on the books, it makes no sense to sell then buy new reinforcements. I’d have kept Young, too – would have been ideal for cup games and weaker PL sides.
From what I’ve read, Pau Torres is a Rolls Royce of a centre-back. I do wonder where big Tyrone fits into this equation, particularly as he was outstanding under Unai’s tutelege. Torres for Europe and Ty for the league? Can’t see that working. Any thoughts, chaps?
Mings and Torres will, I think, be first choice centre backs – wouldn’t be surprised to see Emery play with three CB’s in some games when Konsa could play alongside those two.
The player, I would suggest, will struggle for game time is Diego Carlos.
Notwithstanding we will need four quality CB’s over the coming season given our extended cup runs and involvement in Europe!
Chambers – I’m not sure about but certainly we’ll need to keep Daddy Donker.
Wasn’t Carlos’s ball distribution particularly brilliant when he got a few games in late in the season? I can see Emery going for that in a big way.
But aren’t they both left footed?
Torres or Mings with Carlos or konsa (imo)
That was my point RSS – can’t see both left-footers being first choice.
From what I’ve read, although Torres is described as ‘left footed’ he’s comfortable with both feet and can play either side at centre back.
Thing is I can’t really envisage Mings being left out of the team and Emery’s not going to drop £35m on a player he rates highly to put him on the bench so I’m going to stick with my feeling that Mings / Torres will be first choice pairing but then what do I know 🙂
But it’s not just playing the ball Hitch, it’s tackling etc.
Your right BFR and my guess…
You ain’t going to pay all that money to have the guy warm benches?
Torres is good on the ground weak in the air.
If Mings doesn’t play our defence will be weaker even with Torres playing.
Reminds of the old joke about Kevin Francis at the blues 🤣
Torres supposed to be flying into Birmingham today for his medical.
I’m still here chaps.
I feel like I really ought to write something, but I’ve just got nothing to say. I’m sure pretty much all of you know I can’t be doing with speculation and I much prefer to deal in cold, hard facts mostly.
Sid,
I don’t have a problem with gambling per se. It’s more that there is far too much availability and while it might not tempt your good self into gambling too much, it does with some people.
I get that it’s a big boy’s world, but couldn’t really see what was wrong when the bookies’ was a seedy looking shop very occasionally found on the high street. The fact that you can see 4 of them in a couple of hundred yards, plus it’s everywhere online and then reinforced by your favourite football club is what concerns me.
Fwiw, I drive a 2L diesel Beemer. I checked my missus car tax status the other day. It’s a 1.6 petrol Juke. She’s in band E (£180 a year).
My car is in band D (£130 a year) and only 2 grms/km above band C which is £35 a year!
That infers to me that my larger diesel engine is cleaner than her smaller petrol engine. Go figure, but it tells me the govt don’t know their arse from their elbow and banning new diesels won’t be all it’s cracked up to be.
I also swear too.
I’m sick of virtue signalling too and I personally blame the Beeb for being by far the biggest instigator in the UK, as much as I still trust it’s news.
As I suggested, if bookies’ still had something “of the night” about them I’d be much happier.
And I’m pretty sure that the Prem clubs have agreed to stop taking betting sponsorship in a couple of years anyway, haven’t they?
Anyway, I’ll leave it there, because it’s not something I want to preach about. It is at least relevant to Football though.
Roll on the footy, ideally combined with at least 5 new players in the bag.
BFR, I think you’ll find that we’re seeded because we’re now the favourites given that Juventus have been kicked out:
https://www.marca.com/en/football/serie-a/2023/07/09/64aaa72a268e3ef22a8b457f.html
Pau Torres signs on a five year contract. Expected but good to finally see it over the line.
Welcome to the Villa Family.
UTV
Just a thought on Pau Torres joining us. Could he cover for Moreno at LB? He’s good in possession and a great passer. Otherwise it’s going to be Digne if he stays. Maybe either can play depending on the opposition.
Next in let’s get a RW and a back up GK.
But Konsa could play at right back.
Whooooo!!!!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12291583/Aston-Villa-announce-33m-signing-Pau-Torres-Villarreal.html#article-12291583
Wow what a signing, he’s a centre back and the manager knows his abilities, things are looking up and it shows you don’t let your opponents know what you’re doing . Looking forward to the season utv