Terry Jones has submitted the following, which I’m sure will wind a few of you up. I certainly found it, er, interesting;
I have just been reading the papers on line and noticed our league position of 13th after three games and no talk of PL doing any more business before the transfer window closes.
Now what I am wondering is, is that it until January or even next Summer? If so then are our expectations for this season going down the pan?
Yes, we did have a memorable win against the Arsenal and we were robbed against Chelsea. Liverpool showed we still have a problem with the defence and particular one player whom is slow always out of position and could not lead a horse to water in some fans eyes.Oh and we beat Rotherham.
But looking at the league table I am now beginning to wonder if Paul Lambert does not bring in anyone else in this window, are we going to have the same scenario as last season, with our strike force which is second to none having to score more goals than the opposition to win games just because PL has failed to address our defensive problems?
With me looking at the table this morning I am thinking a lot of us whom were optimistic when PL went on his buying spree early on, well that optimism will begin to fade if we are not going to see even a little improvement on last year.
But it looks as though thats it. Our expectations of more players coming in are over. We are not going to see the improvement we all expected. I hope I am wrong. But unless a miracle happens between now and midnight tomorrow we are just going to be a club that is happy to survive in the lower half of the table.
Your thoughts please.
Comments
91 responses to “On The Slide”
I think I sowed that seed of thought Terry, have to say I’m at that same oppion next window for us. They have made and saved in this window hope its not at our cost, sales are up, shirts are up and saved on wages with us knowing we need a good cm player, I just hope he knows something’s we don’t, but I do share your concerns on this topic.
Think we will make top half. If the players who have come in were just now being announced we would all be excited, it’s just that we did business early. The real problem still seems to be the inability to ship players out. That just shows how average and overpaid they are.
Sorry but you’re way off here. We’ve played 3 teams who will finish in the top 6, 2 of those games being away. That’s why we’re 13th and we’d be higher if we’d got the point at Chelsea that the referee robbed from us. It’s mad to use our league position after those 3 games to criticise the manager. We’d all like to see loads more signings but people need to get real. We will be nowhere near a relegation scrap this season and that’s progress.
Exactly, and people mustn’t forget we played 3 games in the first week of Premier League action.
I think we could’ve gotten something from Liverpool if we had a week’s break.
I’m not worried yet, many teams will lose points to Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. I’ve also watched a lot of games and many teams aren’t all that convincing.
West Ham, Newcastle, Sunderland, Southampton, Norwich, Everton are all good sides, yet they don’t appear to be as strong as one might expect.
If Lambert can sign an attacking midfielder, I can see us having a great season. If not, we must hope that Helenius or Tonev can fit into that role
So as long as we avoid relegation that’s ok then ?
I agree Kevin on that’s why we are 13th, but question is how many more times will we get robbed by refs that growing up supporting major teams, I will lay a bet that even some assessor’s are local people, the whole of sport and how its run should have a major shake up. As for Aston Villa we will not struggle this year far from it, I envisaged mid table.
That’s why I think that more technology should be involved in football. It’s a very unpopular opinion, but I think that managers can challenge 2 referee decisions during a game. So if they believe that a referee missed a hand ball in the box, or a goal was wrongly ruled offside. The manager can challenge, replay will be shown to the stadium and then officials will be able to make a better judgement.
While I’d partly agree that we haven’t fully addressed our defence issues, we’re nowhere near as poor at the back as we looked last season, imo. Okore looks very good and Vlaar, with a better defender next to him has looked ok too.
What worries me more is if they were both to get injured, which would leave Baker and Clark. I rate both, but it’s not the pairing I want to see just yet.
I’d also agree that we could definitely do with a bit more proven quality, someone who can add that something extra; someone who doesn’t cost pennies.
But where we have definitely improved is in the squad, where we now have real options, which will definitely be useful to us in the winter months and later in the season.
We’ll finish higher than last season, I’m pretty sure of that, so no, my optimism hasn’t died.
I think the defence is better this way no matter what anyone says. Liverpool and Chelsea besides there goals didn’t create much compared to last seasons spankings..
Benteke will score goals and we will create chances. We scored three at Arsenal. At Chelsea weimann had two good chances and we were robbed of a penalty. Against Liverpool minionlet pulled off two saves against Benteke.
Looking at other teams there is no one to fear outside the top 6 IMO. Even thou I think Cardiff look better then I thought they would.
I agree I thought we would have more money to spend. And a creative midfielder would have been perfect and added more possession and goals to our team.
But we are moving in the right direction. Make no mistakes. The high wage earners are slowly being shifted out and we soon won’t have any dead wood on high wages.
Next summer we should be in a position to buy 2-3 7-10M players easily. IF we don’t then serious questions need to be asked of the board…
I’ve also wondered about our transfer budget. It seems so low compared to West Ham, Sunderland, Southampton and Norwich.
My only theory is that Villa are saving it for a one season so they can seriously splash and challenge. A bit like Spurs have done at the moment. I also expect that’ll be the same season which Aston Villa lose Benteke for big money.
Or, our wage bill is too large
Ha ha nice thought Adam but if we are being outspent by those teams u mentioned something is seriously wring with the club.
I think every match is tough and the next is vital as the expectations will rightly be more demanding. A win against Newcastle will set the season up nicely but a loss with have us all jittering again – at least until the next match. However, I’m right behind PL on this and some progress will be good progress this season.
Newcastle game will be a draw
I also agree with you Badger, Lionheart, and that’s also my concerns injuries, no doubt about the defence a lot better now, although other’s think different, but can we be the club we was years ago in comparisons to the likes of Tottenham, Everton, and that lot up north, I would like to see them days again.
It’s interesting asking about our level, Bill.
I think Everton won’t be the team they were and will be in transition.
Tottenham have moved to a higher level, imo and we won’t be competing with them this season, same as Chelsea and the Manc clubs.
As for the rest, I really don’t think we have that much to worry about. I see quite a few very average sides.
I think our season will be defined by our home form and I have doubts in that sense, I must admit.
Our level is bottom 6 to midtable under Lerner. The past 3 seasons price that and this one will be no different
At least that would still be an improvement or at least no worse, Oohah. So that means you must be a bit optimistic lol.
Albion actually lost the same amount of games as us last season, but finished eighth.
Given that most of us expect to at least draw more games that we lost last year, you’d think we won’t be bottom 6
Stop reading after ‘score more goals than the opposition to win games’ don’t all teams have to do that???
Not the sharpest tool eh terry, our league position at the moment means Fuck all! 3 games against top 6 teams, or sorry WHOM ar top 6 haha, too many villa fans live in the past seriously people the good ole days are gone move on! Even man u or pool would be roughly around the same position if they played the teams we did in the 1st week so its pointless talkin about league position at this moment in time, i have to agree about signings though, if we don’t sign at least 1 creative player we will struggle this season, a mid table finish is not out of the question but a relagation battle isn’t either! The defence has improved again your like ooh ah facts and figures don’t matter only what u think in your crazy head, at the moment the defence is A LOT better than last year and no its not because i tink vlar has gotten better, he was always decent, the reason our defence is better is because the midfield is doing better mainly Delph, he is marking brilliantly and plugging those wholes that were wide open last season, the team hav improved, of that i hav no doubt but the only signing i can see being any better than what we already hav is okore! The rest don’t look any better than what we hav u(at the moment). They could improve but we need more quality if we want a top 10 finish! We need creativity badly but also a solid DM then a top 10 could be easily within our grasp.
Look, even if we finish 14th this season it is still an improvement on the last two seasons. Villa will not be top 6-8 this season, I promise you this. Although as supporters we should celebrate anything above 15th as a sign of improvement after years of underperformance and turmoil. Personally I think the team is still heading in the right direction; the defense is stronger, the team seems more unified, and we continue to create chances for ourself.
Will we sign anyone new this window? Personally, yes, but only Lambert knows. Not the press, media think tanks, and definitely not twitter. Even if we do not sign anyone else the squad is still drastically improved from last season, let alone two season’s ago.
15th is not good enough for us we should be a comfortable top table team it’s not like Lerner hasn’t got the money now to compete. Look at Liverpool they Havnt spent a fortune but could easily finish top 4. And look at their defence how to hold a lead against utd we couldn’t even do that at home to Macclesfield Ffs
Liverpool will not finish top 4 imo Oohah.
On a side note, I’ve made a couple of additions to the site, if you look closely.
Thoughts?
Starting to look a little cluttered?
Can’t see additions must be subtle but site looks cleaner.
You’ll have mail in a min
I agree 15th isn’t good enough, but 14th and up would still be considered an improvement… a sign we are making progress. Although for me, to compare and debate form and league positions after 3 games is pointless. Call me old fashion, but I’m a believer of waiting 10 games before passing judgment.
I agree Badger123, Liverpool will not finish top 4. Even with the new managers at Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, and Everton, it is hard to believe Liverpool will be able finish strong.
Remember theyv potentially got 4 new signings tomor that were at the game today plus Suarez to come back.
Yeah, Moses, Ilori, Sakho, Given. However Suarez still has the worst record of any big known striker in terms of goals to shots. He has a 12% goals to shots record, only Ronaldo has a record that bad. So unless he starts firing on all cylinders, Liverpool aren’t getting better up front.
Liverpool won’t get top 4, however United were horrible though. RVP, Cleverly, Giggs, Welbeck… Horrible, horrible game for United. Moyes is doing a terrible job.
Clubs too big for moyes and following fergie was always going to be an impossible task. They will get rid of him at some point and get top European coach
Top 4 for me;
Chelsea
Man City
Spurs
Man U
And agreed Andrew, I can see Man U struggling by their standards, where Arsenal could even pip them.
I really don’t see any outstanding team and the overall standard is shocking and getting worse, imo.
My tuppence worth says Man U really weren’t that good last season, but they won at a canter.
Quite worrying in the long term, but the powers that be won’t give a toss, as long as the money keeps rolling in. It WILL go totally tits up somewhere down the line, imo.
But yes, of course Marvin, it’s way too early to call anything really.
Christmas usually tells you what’s what.
My top four Chelsea city utd and take ur pick from arse spurs and Liverpool
Until Suarez comes back, Liverpool are relying on one player to score 1 goal a game, and then in the 2nd half, become Chelsea under Mourinho and hope for the best. The games Sturridge doesn’t score, they could be sc.rewed.
Although to be honest Spurs aren’t looking a CL side either. Their fullbacks aren’t great and they’ve only scored from penalties so far. Lamela obviously needs time to adjust and more than just a few minutes but they aren’t looking good either so Pool could take it.
They could play Sturridge and Suarez though. Because they have a good defence one goal is going to be enough more often than not unlike us that has to score 2-3 goals to get a draw or win as defence is guaranteed to concede at least once
Hey Oohah you still want Steve Clarke down at VP? Bottom of the table with 1 point and no goals.
Told you it was the team that Woy built last season and he’d (Clarke) show his worth in about 18 months.
Yes I’d still want him as a defensive coach but the seasons young they could still easily finish above us plus it’s more or less the same team as last year but if u lose a player like lukaka it’s almost impossible to replace. When benteke goes next we will struggle big time
But we’ll replace Benteke. And have a lot of money to do so. They couldn’t sell Lukaku, so they don’t have the money to replace his goals and had to sign Vydra who is really talented, but not Lukaku talented, on a loan to replace him.
What makes u think we will replace benteke? Did replace Barry? No did we replace young? No did we replace Milner? No did we replace downing? No.
Because this is Lambert.
McLeish attempted to replace Young and Downing, with N’Zogbia. And I remember about 80% of this exact forum claiming N’Zogbia’s better than both and will be better for us than both combined.
Houllier was trying to replace them before the end of his only season before he had to quit, but nothing got done because he had to quit.
So yes, it’s been tried, however it’s failed up until now. We’re fortunate enough that both Gabby and Weimann have been able to replace Downing and Young and Delph/Westwood for Milner.
ANDY carrol and downing were flops for Liverpool but they are still signing quality players.
It will be interesting to see what Liverpool do this window. Much like Spurs, they are linked with or bought a slew of new players this month, which is great for them. Although, no matter how much you spend for a player(s) all players need time to find their feet. In the case of Liverpool I think Andrew is 100% correct. No one can deny Suarez is a big player for them, but to a certain degree I think Liverpool actually play more dysfunctional with him on the pitch. Spurs, sure they’ve spent big this window, but at the moment they look less of a organized than they did last season. If it wasn’t for Lloris today Arsenal looked like winning 3-0 today. Much like AVB’s time at Chelsea, I think he may have tried to change to much to quickly and while I think they’ve done well to fill the hole Bale left I see them struggling.
As of right now…
Chelsea, Man Citeh, Arsenal, Man U, Spurs, Liverpool… Villa finishing around 10-12th
They are signing at 3 players tomor Moses is one of them
BWS,
The problem you had the other day, was down to a “lack of memory” problem via our hosting site or WordPress.
I’m on the case, but it might take a while to sort.
It usually only lasts a short while, depending on the demands. It shouldn’t be happening, but hey ho…….
In the meantime, right click and copy your comment before posting it and keep trying if it fails as it will go through after a short time.
Cheers Badger, tried that and tried posting X amount times but to no avail simply gave up the ghost in the end mate.
It’s pissing me right off Billy, but it’s a nightmare trying to communicate with the hosting company when you have crap/no internet.
Just bear with us mate, it will be sorted eventually.
Cheers
Sky Sports Italia’s @dimarzio are claiming we’re signing Kozak from Lazio. A great signing if true.
Never heard of him what position is he hope its not another forward
Just googled him not another fuckin fwd we don’t need another we need midfielders and a ch. unless of course benteke is going
Lol, Benteke’s not going anywhere. I’m guessing Lambert wants to use Helenius behind the striker, rather than as a striker. Which Helenius claimed he’d like to be played anyways.
But yeah, he’s actually bigger than Benteke, not by much but bigger.
Hope ur right but we are ok for goals we need to stop conceding and keep clean sheets plus a creative midfielder. Liverpool are signing victor Moses and a couple of other players iv never heard of tomor
Sakho’s a really talented CB, however since PSG signed Alex, Silva and Marquinhos, was dropped. Sakho’s probably the best CB going this summer as few are actually being sold. Ilori’s a talented CB as well, younger with potential as back up.
Plus we need a replacement for Bent, no? He fits out style quite well and Bowery will also probably be looking to go on loan so we’ll suffer in terms of depth that way as well.
Kozak?? He a bald fella that sucks a lollipop? (Fuck me I’m showing my age now).
No your OK Bill that was kojak, and coochy koo, fuck me that’s going back.
Hey BP “Who loves ya, baby?
With Kozak we are bound to be a top 8 team, not!
Hi everyone UTV…….Alot of talk of a busy day ahead at AVFC tomorrow….Lets hope this is true I would love to see a few more in UTV
Jay Dee, we’re badly missing your Twitter insight.
Get a speculation post up tomorrow mate, seeing as it’s the last day of the window.
I’d do it, but seeing as I don’t do Twitter, I’m seeing nothing new elsewhere.
I will try at some point I’m off to grab a couple of Villa Newcastle tickets for me and mi lad tomorrow but will try and get one up #UTV
No worries JD.
I’ll schedule a last minute/speculation article for 7am.
If you hear anything, just stick it on there mate.
Ohh ahh right this is not good enough we need a creative midfielder if these 6 sigings are it the it will be same old same old im afraid the table already looking the same and it will stay that way boring it only took the 2nd game to be robbed nothing gonna change lads another season of struggle you watch us struggle against Newcastle at home im bored of this season already
The moment delph gabby and benteke were subbed agsinst rottaham we were crap with the new players against s league one team hope they dont get injured
Matt Kendrick’s claimed Lambert and Faulkner are trying to get Kozak, most likely on loan. Claims Lambert and Faulkner believe tomorrow will be an extremely busy day.
Mostly players out, I’d bet, Andrew.
Still wouldn’t surprise me if we do get someone decent in.
Mind you, very little surprises me these days.
Agree badger I think players out will be a string possibility but players in forget it. We have what we have and despite a billion bullshit sky sports rumours that will be out tomor it is just that complete bolloks
Ffs no fuckin loan deals thanks it smacks of small club mentality. Fuckin pissed of if true
A team you believe is a contender for 4th is getting a player on loan, possibly 2. It’s far from small club mentality. A host of big clubs do it, just tends not to be in England.
lol.. well said Andrew..
Oh, Cissoko’s a loan deal for Liverpool too. So they could have up to 3 players on loan for them.
It’s alright though, Kendrick’s tweeted it’ll be a permanent deal, not a loan deal if it happens.
Fair enuf but a defender and dm are more of a priority what the fuck is lamberk playing at
What team is that then? The difference being if it works out for a sky 4 team they get to keep the player whereas they make all their fuck ups with us then return to their parent club with two fingers in the air for our club. If they are shit we are stuck with them and if they are good they fuck if and we don’t get a transfer fee. U can’t build a squad with loan players typical tight fisted Lerner
Moses is joining Liverpool on loan WITH NOOOOOOOOO OPTION TO BUY. They’re not buying him. They also signed Cissoko on loan. If Kozak came in on loan, WE COULD SIGN HIM. But it’ll be a permanent deal so that doesn’t matter.
Which is the reason why Liverpool will never be great again I rest my case. Though if those players help them into top 4 they will be able to get quality players again
ooh ahh are you on crack mate.. you talk some shite at times..
If its a loan deal and there shit then how are we stuck with them!!??
IF anything if Moses smashes it at Liverpool then Chelsea will say thank you very much for that and keep him..
You don’t half dig holes for your self 🙂
Jermaine jenas shit and we had to pay his wages when Injured, Kyle walker good and went back to spurs simples
Why do we need a another forward? Clueless again we havent played snice wed why leave it to the last minute the only busy I see is players leaving and no one to come in only okaoe looks good the rest are like meh!
Because we need another striker. Our attacking team is Gabby, Weimann, Helenius, Benteke and Tonev. Since when is 5 players for 3, probably 4 good enough?
Geoffery Paine has just submitted a feedback saying Sky Italia have said we have signed Kozak
Did we get stavros too! 🙂 great another forward Ffs
2players I would like to see us sign is tom ince from Blackpool and jothathan Williams from place a winger and cam
Haha, talk about taking it. A few Villa threads on facebook claim Bookmakers are making us favorites to sign Lukaku. Now that’s taking the piss.
The only way that would happen is if benteke goes the opposite way. I wouldn’t rule that out
Benteke’s not leaving. Lukaku’s not coming. You’re going to hurt yourself…
Have read your reply,s to my post and concerns with great interest.But for the life of me i cannot see how finishing 14th is showing any sort of improvement when after managing to keep hold of our star player { Benteke } gave us all hope that we could sign the hurt of the last three seasons to history.As i think myself and quite a lot more fans had expectations that by holding on to him that PL was going to build the team around him and by that i mean player,s were going to be bought in to address the problems we have i;e midfield and defense.But it seems that this transfer window we are not going to see that happen and we are still going to rely on one of the best strike forces in the league to score enough goals to keep us out of another dog fight unless by midnight tomorrow there is a flurry of activity the same as last year if not i think any improvement if any will be minimule.A top half finish would be what the club should be aiming for to give us hope that maybe in a few years time PLs vision will pay dividends and once again put VILLA back where we belong and midlands football in general.
Well said mate to spend just £9m is a complete and utter piss take and show no regard for supporters. So glad I didn’t buy st
Oohah mate never a truer word said and if those whom think we are building a team for the future are going to have their expectations dashed it,s building a team just for future profit.Bring in young unkowns give them the best training in the world make their name in the best league in the world and sell them on without a second thought for the fans whom support the club and have been craving success for a long time and that is why we support Aston Villa as some of us have done through good and bad times the club are just not showing any ambition.PLs vision maybe the way to go forward but if the club are only going to take players and produce them just for profit then what is the use of being a Villa fan.
I agree the club should be aiming for a top half finish, which I believe internally they probably are. Plus I agree it is still early days for PL’s vision of the club. The club has heavily invested in youth and potential talent and because of this we haven’t seen the same spending as, lets say, Spurs.
As for the comments of 14th, it really is just simple math and looking at the table 14th is higher than 15th, which would be an improvement on the past two seasons. Although I never said we would finish 14th.
Crystal Palace in talks with Bannana! Please I’d love this to happen.