I’m sure many of you know my views on the cup.
While it’s not as popular as it used to be, it’s still holds a big attraction for me, even though it’s become lessened by the bigger teams putting out their second string.
Which is exactly what Pochettino will do, if his “sweeping changes” statement is anything to go by.
It annoys me really and even a Man U fan of all people, I spoke to a while back, said it’s disrespectful to the opposition.
Steve Bruce meanwhile, has said that he’s going to play his strongest team, which seems a bit of a misnomer after Monday’s showing against Cardiff.
But fair play to him, he’s going to give it a go, just as I think he ought too.
I mean, ok, I don’t think we’ve got a cat in hell’s chance of beating even Tottenham’s second string, but imagine the boost it would give us if we were to progress into the next round.
I wouldn’t think anyone fancies us to get anything from this one anyway, so to my mind we’ve not much to lose.
What is a concern though, could be the nature of a defeat.
Spurs have some very good players on their books and they are probably capable of giving us a bit of a battering, especially as we’ve been pretty poor of late.
So I’m not even going to hazard a guess at who Spurs will start with, but they’re in pretty good shape, with only Erik Lamela being out with a hip injury.
On our part, it could be interesting, as although Bruce says he will put his strongest team out, it’s still very possible he might change things after the previously mentioned debacle.
Surely he won’t persist with Westwood, will he?
I’d expect Sam Johnstone to come straight in.
You can bet Gabby will get a start after the manager raved about how brilliant he was against Cardiff. Hmm.
Actually I’d suggest this graphic won’t be far off the mark;
So you might have guessed that I can see us getting a tonking.
Except you just never know. It’s what the FA cup is all about after all and there have certainly been bigger shocks over the years.
And the even better part is we’re on BBC.
I’ll go for 1-3, although I can’t think who’ll score for us.
Your right in every aspect of how its been devalued over the years Badger, it was our national flag of football, I’ve attended all Villa games in my early years and enjoyed them days immensely. I still have that feeling even today, Teams do go out to win even though they are the under dogs, don’t write us off till the fat lady sings, draw is on the cards, 2-2. for me.
Bloody hell, apparently Bruce wants delph on loan!
Fascinating.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/06/aston-villa-manager-steve-bruce-risks-upsetting-fans-considers/
Would the fans accept him?
Thing is would the ssssssnake want to come???
Just read that Badger, hells bells mate that might ruffle a few feathers, I’d take him over Westwood though, but see him in a different light.
As well as modern day footballer being greedy, they’re also thick as pigshit. Rarely a brain cell between them, especially the British players who aren’t required to continue at school when they have a youth contract. I’d have him back as long as he contributes something to improve the team. I wouldn’t have turned down Citeh’s money either for what it’s worth!
Told like it should be !
3-0 spuds enjoy the day out
Yep 3.0 by half time then they will just ease of second half make some subs and stroll the second half
Hold on Tom fucking cleverly????
Uncle Tom Cobbly and all and all!
Delph’s agent is obviously getting desperate!
The two stories that might just have legs is Lansbury and Matty James.
Now where is the fat lady 🙂
Don’t mind having Delphi back never rated him but in this division he should be ok as long as he’s not injured. It was obvious City would barely play him he went for the money. But so what I still don’t know why fans are slagging him off
city signed him just for homegrown rule and then hopefully sell him on to a sunderland for profit
Yup, never thought much of him at PL level [OK, he sometimes liked to get stuck-in, which I did appreciate…] and his near-complete absence from competitive games since the move bears that out. But he might be able to do something in this division.
Mind you, I can’t see him swallowing his pride and coming back, either.
She’s in yr bed Hitch! 😉
LOL – better not tell the missus.
Glad you saw the funny side! I was a bit worried for a minute! 🙂
Np mate – bit of banter never hurt anyone.
spuds youth under 8’s 4 avilla 1st team 1 (gabby)
so annoyed with murphy. isn’t 1st team yet. but wants 1st team wages. well piss off to scotland and get your runner up medals. theres only two teams up there. celtic and celtic bteam lmao. no really i wish him luck. just hope all that money will make him happy and maybe he can eliminate fonzo and the moore brothers
why havent we signed any 20 million players on 200k yet. signing a reserve utd goalie what are we a finishing school for them.
peace out
does any one know what rhm turned down, klopp has recently took in aceiling on wages for younger players,
No-one knows.
Iirc, Grealish was on about £10k.
So I’d guess £12-15k.
That’s a hell of a lot for anybody, let alone an 18 yo.
Contrary to those calling him a greedy git, it’s very possible that it’s not about the money and more about the playing time.
And I can’t see him or his agent being too pleased that we’ve basically blanked him unless he signs.
What would anyone do in his position?
I think I’d go to Scotland and actually start playing first team football, with the hope of actually advancing his career.
That said, we can’t have kids who are still basically unproven holding us to ransom, especially when he’s already been offered the best contract ever to one of our academy kids.
it might be our best contract but like all things football our board havent been up to speed in recent times,even new lot,all the get out clauses were released last summer,
i would guess that murphy has been offered more, i have heard its in region of 20k 25k thats way to much for a unknown quality. he has potential but so did moore brothers delfonzo the best youth players more times than less fail to make the step up. its a lottery even no givens.
i think the club have done all it can and if this kid thinks the grass is greener elsewhere then we cant do anything more. let him go and concentrate on the kids that appreciate the years our club put into them. in life its not about take take take sometimes you give back. greedy fooker
I see Petrov is going down the Villa or BMH next week and he’s going to tell RHM to leave and sign for Rangers. That’s going to make him popular with the management isn’t it?
i think you’re right Bum Bum, thick as pigshit.
Aye!
Petrov is a hero for what he went through health wise.
But as a player he had one good season at best. The rest were poor to average.
Villa were right not to offer him a new deal this season. He has obviously got a beef with the club or he would butt out of the murphy situation.
Spot on Steve
Where’s the petrov connection to rangers???? That’s a new one to me
Quoted in the Scottish press Giddy or should I say misquoted or at the least out of context
First, I really don’t care whether Murphy stays or goes but he needs to get off the fence and make it clear what he’s going to do or the Villa should withdraw the contract offer and stop fiddling about. Badger possibly makes a good point about playing time; are Rangers really in a position to offer more money if Nath is correct about the sort of money he’s been offered or is Murphy (or his agent) deluded enough to think that someone like ManC are going to offer him (the new superstar) mega bucks?
Is Murphy any good IV never seen him play
20-25k that’s got to be well wide of the mark. You don’t give your academy players that much. Like said above 10-15k more likely which is still amazing money!! Something tells me he maybe doesn’t trust Bruce to give him the playing time. I think he will be off personally. I’d take Delph back in a heartbeat, and I’d take cleverley back too. Much better options than Westwood and Gardner. Looks like Lansbury is a done deal with him being left out the Forrest team. Hope that’s completed asap. Can’t wait for spurs game, will be a good test and a free hit as nobody on earth will expect us to get anything other than a hiding. Just a shame no Kodjia.
10k to 15k is wot all the kids ages 16 above will be on standard. in my day that was 15 pound lmao. this murphy is entering the 1st team 19 years old. his wages will not stay at 10 to 15k he will be offered professional terms on his potential and ability. i reckon that will be around 20k 25k the amount is immaterial. he still wants to go so fook him. its not about playing time. he has been told to commit or find his time reduced. its standard pratice that kids in final year wont be loaned until they extend. bruce told him he would play more after signing ~ he must have given big indication he was about to sign to be involved last weekend. then for bruce to blast him in press shows hes messing around. whether its him or his advisors. its wrong the club have put lots of time into him. if he goes to scotland our compensation is reduced massively and thats b/s too whats the point of youth team set ups, when a skirt wearing nation can hand pick your best kids for peanuts
See Stan has clarified his comments – typical media slant it by (accidentally) omitting the comments were made in relation to a loan deal!
Also see Bruce has rubbished the Delph rumour – desperate agent touting him around methinks but interestingly not the one about Cleverly. I liked him at Villa and would be happy to see him back – offers more than our current midfielders or Delph.
According to Brum Mail Lansbury to sign for £3.5m
I’m not so sure Hitch, from what I remember he’s in and out in a game, maybe he’s improved but seeing him play never lit up a game for me.
Sky saying lansbury is omitted from the team today due to a hamstring issue 😁 I wish they’d make their mind up yesterday his head weren’t in the right place since then he’s now got an injury you couldn’t make this shit up
Ps I can see him putting in a transfer request next
Not sure he needs to Giddy. He’s out of contract in the summer and can speak to clubs now – one reason why the price is low. All the Owners can do is deny him a move until the summer which would then be for nothing.
He sounds another mercenary imo a lot of Forrest fans have had enough of him
But you wouldn’t mind welcoming Delph back? Isn’t your comment about Lansbury just a little hypocritical?
Delph is a mercenary too. But I never said I don’t want Lansbury just that he could be a problem if he does well for us he will go elsewhere asap
That could well depend on how successful we are over the next three seasons.
robinson scores for preston v arsenal can t beat the youth
Robinson and Johnston both doing well for Preston – was it Fox who sold them both?
I’d bet money Lansbury is in the bag.
We’ve apparently agreed terms and he’ll have his head set on it.
Probably doesn’t even have to move house either, which I think is always a big part of any decision (although Derby would of course, be even handier).
Hitch, yes, I noted that Petrov seems to have been quoted out of context; fair enough and I’m glad, fwiw.
Talk now is of James McCarthy.
Decent player, who can get stuck in too.
I’d much rather take him than Cleverley, who took way too long to settle and wouldn’t suit, imo.
It won’t happen, imo, but it’s nice to see we’re still mentioned in 3 way deals with Prem clubs (Schneidelin to Everton, McCarthy to us) and would definitely show serious intent on our part.
I think he’s still recovering from a hammy and we need players now.
If we were a big club we’d be going schneidekin just a thouggt
And pay him £100k or more a week?
http://www.totalsportek.com/money/manchester-united-player-salaries/
Yes, ok, that makes perfect financial sense for a club in the championship, where promotion isn’t guaranteed.
Sod ripping our pay structure up, eh?
Sorry, but you do make me laugh.
There aren’t that many teams in the Prem that could afford him.
Why not pay him a £100k per week. Get rid of Westwood Bacuna and Gestede gone they must be on about that between them! You are what’s wrong with this club you would rather buy 4 x Westwoods on £25k plus a week than one schneidelin on £100k per week. That’s why we are crap we go for quantity over quality every time
Actually, looking at that site, it’s interesting to note that the 19yo Timothy Fosu-Mensah is only(?) on £5k a week at the UK’s highest paying club.
And Johnstone is on an estimated £10k, which I’ll bet we’ve probably doubled.
Maybe kids aren’t paid as much as some think?
No, I think Nath substantially over estimated Heburn’s likely deal – having said that £5k per week (£260k per year) at 19 – ludicrous really given that it’s all speculative investment.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-news-youth-players-wages-40000-a-year-jurgen-klopp-a7358886.html
iam going off what i hear. i posted a piece on pool youth team tying to cap their youth. but these are 1st year graduates murphy is already on that wage. hes looking for his much improved fee now hes 18 almost 19 and hes wanting 1st wages. in the article last paragraphs its saying 11k some clubs offering their 16 year olds
Nath, I didn’t doubt your reasoning.
“However, Liverpool and other clubs who take a similar approach face a problem in that it’s believed some clubs in the top flight are willing to hand players as young as 16 contracts worth £11,000-a-week, meaning teenagers across the country could face a football vs money dilemma.”
It’s just that I doubt Villa were in this group.
Grealish was an exception in getting £10k, I think, as he was viewed as an oustanding prospect at the time.
And that was probably with add-ons.
We really don’t know RHM was on £10k at all imo.
And I try to keep a mental track, although it’s difficult now, with “undisclosed fees”.
Fwiw, I believe these things should be made more transparent, if the fans are to keep investing, by turning up.
In fact, seeing as we quite simply have a rubbish academy (even though we topped the KPIs), I’d just shut it down totally.
It’s so over-hyped and I suspect, just a tax write-off.
Local kids, doing the business for the club they’ve supported all their lives?
I could count them on one hand, over many years.
Utter bollocks, imo,
Just look at who’s come through.
And not one of them good enough at the highest level.
Ha, rant over.
It’s safe to assume I think the academy is crap and isn’t doing what it’s supposed too.
iam not saying murphy was on these kind of wages but these wages are now what hes after. he will be asking for 20k minimum. he isn’t after his first contract pro hes now 19 he wants a 1st team contract. my mate reckons he has been offered these and still turned it down. iam not saying this is 100% accurate but these sort of things have a way of surfacing somebody will leak the offer made. apparently its better than any other other made to a youth player in similar situation.
fwiw its pisses me off that our club done all the hard work, producing a fine young talent and then he can walk away and some other club benefits while we get a small compensation. but also this is massively reduced if its not english club.
badger
in last 20 years or there about
lpool
fowler owen carragher stevie g
everton
rooney barkley
villa
moorel delfousne gabby grealish?
how many kids outside of villa from catchment area
sturridge richards
utd had similar problem with pogba was it not only cost nearly 100m to put right lighting could strike again
Why can’t these kids Firstly prove their worth then go knocking the chairman’s door how fucking money has ruined this beautiful sport is beyond me.
That’s the Prem for you Giddy.
When you see some on £250k or more, it’s no surprise some think they’re worth at least a tenth of that.
A skilled normal bloke on say, £18 an hour?
What’s the apprentice going to want?
It isn’t going to be £1.80, is it?
And of course it’s trickled down.
It’s a crazy situation, that is unsustainable in the long term, made even worse in that most clubs are losing money, but governments seem to get away with it (shrugs shoulders).
Nath,
Nice reply mate.
My money says he isn’t worth it and he can piss off to Scotland and supposedly
“prove himself” in a crap league.
It’s a daft decision though, unless he’s utterly convinced he’ll move upwards at a rapid pace.
And that takes some balls, even as a kid.
I knew I had limits, even as a gullible late teenager and this kid should too.
He really, probably, isn’t as good as he thinks he is.
But I don’t blame his agent in trying to get the best deal via the quickest route.
I’d prefer him to be scoring prolifically for us, but it isn’t going to happen, as he really isn’t the sort who stands out.
And yes, I’ve watched the kids, on the odd occasion, fwiw.
Get rid, if he’s not committed, imo.
badger
did you read bruce take on why he left hull,the son wasnt going to give him free reign no more
Yes, I saw that and it’s interesting.
The way I see it, his remit changed during the job, so if he wasn’t happy, he’s entitled to walk.
Reading between the lines, it just sounds like the owner’s son (who probably knows nothing) wanted to do things his way.
The fans had a boycott today, to show what they think about the running of the club, which says it all, imo.
I suspect Bruce hasn’t quite got the same amount of say at the Villa, but that’s ok, as he’ll have known his remit at the start. Hence I don’t see it being a problem.
Read the article and the issue with the press is what they don’t say like with the Stan comments. SB also said he got on well with the Father and together they produced an impressive list of positives (successes) for what is essentially a small club.
I’ve no doubt SB was left to run the footballing side of the club but the son wanted to interfere – doing a good job isn’t he? Do you think Pep, Jose, Arsen or any top manager have free reign?
My point is that, like the media you can always cherry pick information to support your point of view.
No way am I going to judge the man on a Mirror article.
badger
maybe bruce could bluff the old man,he spent fortune first 3 years ,son seen it couldnt work money wise, sunderland have same problems wage bill out of control too many new managers allowed to buy their players that club still paying for years after they left
in last year we paid given up his contract about 20m on fee plus wages,gave bent a free at about 30m plus,paid sendeross cole off from lamberts time never mind kozak, lescott we are still paying, yet we are left with bunn hutton cissko gabby richards ,add to that elphik and ross mccormak , we have to start buying smart
JVillan,
He did spend some money, but I checked it out.
It’s about £57.5 mill spent and £20 mill back in overall.
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/fuenfjahresvergleich/wettbewerb/GB1
Here’s what the club said when he left;
“Following four incredible seasons with the Tigers including two promotions and our first ever FA Cup final, we can confirm that manager Steve Bruce has left the Club by mutual consent.”
“The Board of Directors would like to thank Steve for all his efforts since his appointment in 2012 culminating in a glorious day at Wembley in May which saw the Club bounce back into the Premier League. Steve has excelled in his role – both on and off the field – and will be remembered for being the most successful manager in our history to date.”
All that for £37.5 mill over four years?
An absolute bargain, I’d say.
I do take your point though.
Which is the thing isn’t it?
Buying smart is not as easy as it sounds.
Arguably the biggest club in the world, Man U are about 3/4s of a Billion in debt.
I’d suggest Lansbury has every chance of being the smartest buy in this window, but it depends who plays around him.
You just never know.
hopefully last point on hull but the son made bruce sell 20mof talent when relegated of which chester went for 8m [bruce didnt buy him]and dressed up figures to make them look better
utd debt is glaciers use of utd lerner tried and failed due to been a total dickhead who employed tossers
JV – I suspect you are arguing against yourself here given your previous comments about SB at Hull and, if true, a pretty good reason for Bruce to leave. Owners getting directly involved in selecting transfers in or out is generally bad news. If you recall there was some concern over Xia’s early involvement in this respect.
“who employed tossers”
That’s the more important part.
Xia made a mistake with RDM, imo.
But he’s done ok otherwise, up to now.
Or at least the consensus says so.
Wel, just over an hour to go lads and not any predictions. ? I don’t exspect a win, but will go for a draw today, 2-2. any thoughts.
I see no-one seems to be predicting the score today. Although the game’s on the BBC I may very well give it a miss as I think we’ll play more like Reading than Wolves.
TBH, although I’ve been one of those who go on about the ‘magic of the cup’ (probably because I can remember us beating Man U in ’57) but in this case we can lose without any embarrassment and I’m almost hoping we do.
We have an outside shot (at best) for the top 6 this season and a cup run probably won’t help much.
Prediction 3-0 to Spurs but an honourable 1-0 loss with a last minute goal by Kane or Alli might be the best result as it won’t dent our confidence and we can concentrate on promotion.
UTV
Spuds could play a totally changed team today and I can’t see us getting diddly, just hope brucey doesn’t put out a weakened team ie shabby Westwood etc we will take a beating I’m sticking to 3-0 spuds I’ve lost interest in the fa cup now for a good number of years I feel a lot of top flight teams have also putting out weakened teams it’s lost its special place in my calendar