They say sometimes that dog owners resemble their pets. That’s not actually true, it’s all about relativity and perceptions.
For me it is so easy to draw parallels between the US and Aston Villa since I am so passionate about both. During the Bob Bradley era, the US was an effective, almost lethal counter-attacking team. Perhaps that’s part of what drew me to Villa during the O’Neill years. It’s fair to say both sides hit a glass ceiling due to an over reliance on the tactic, inability to break teams down, and inconsistent striker play. In the years since both teams have talked about and tried to play football, and both have had decidedly mixed results.
After the US bravely fought, but were outclassed by Belgium several English fans lamented that the Three Lions didn’t seem to show the same level of determination. I’d suggest that England didn’t bravely defend against 38 shots, or force their goalkeeper to make 14 saves is preferable to the 120 minutes of squeaky bum football us Yanks were subjected too. In another Villa parallel the midfield was overrun with Graham Zusi & Alejandro Bedoya cast in the KEA and Westwood roles. Michael Bradley was Fabian Delph, the box-to-box midfielder miscast as a #10 because there was nobody else. To be fair the US did show more signs of being able to play football than Villa has in a long time.
Just like Villa, with the US success isn’t measured by wins or trophies, but an intangible feeling of whether or not the team is progressing. A year ago I know I felt Villa was. Now I hope we’re not last at Christmas. In 2014 the US didn’t make it farther than 2010, but they did emerge out of a much tougher group and had a more difficult opponent in the round of 16. A lot of the key men won’t be around in 2018, but I have more faith that the US will be able to find competent replacements that Villa being able to buy impact players.
Now that the ride is over the hangover is sinking in. My expectations for Villa are basically zero until the club as sold. As poor as last season was, and as badly as the transfer window went a year ago, if Lambert keeps us up with this squad and basically no money to improve it he deserves a medal.
The Author
Jason Chalifour
I am a regular columnist for Aston Villa Life with my column running every Friday and have been writing at least semi-regularly about Aston Villa since 2010. I also run my own General Sports Website www.98ontheblack.comComments 114
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Hello Jason, thought you’d done a Randy Lerner and disappeared. Don’t worry about having to buy Lambert a medal, he won’t save us.
Think that the evil trio are about to discover that not all Villans are stupid, ST sales under 10,000 ( 24,000 last season ). Lerner must be one of the few Americans who doesn’t like footy.
Regarding the USA at the WC, Klinsmann has integrated a few younger players and installed a confidence that Bradley couldn’t with his lack of top level playing experience. I talk of the 2026 WC being held in the USA is true then they could be very, very dangerous.
Frem,
‘Tis a far far greater thing i do this day ………
Dirk Bogard 1957.
Fair play to the USA. They were great in the World Cup. I found my self cheering them on more than I did England
Lambert deserve a medal though ? The players ain’t so bad, Lambert is the problem. Keane might show us that
The players certainly ain’t so bad to lose 12 home games, and only get 19 points from out last 24 possible. That’s SOOOO Bad. Lambert is the main problem. Tactics, motivation etc are non existent. He’s worse than Mcliesh in my eyes. Probably 60/70% of the games last season we played we had 30% possession, only ever hoofed it, had a shot or two at goal in 90 mins and just generally looked utterly clueless. He’s no football manager. He’s a disgrace to this club. He’s more of a problem than Randy is. Any decent tactician could of got this side 10 the last season no problem. It was probably the worst level of quality in Prem history from 20th to 9th, and we could still only manage 16th or where ever we finished.
Comparing Villa and USA is not as stupid as it might first appear Jason if you concentrate on the managers – JK was on his feet kicking every ball and encouraging his team every minute as opposed to the stagnant bench position adopted by PL – I’m surprised he never ventured out on the touchline with an umbrella!
The comparison of manager’s attitudes can be taken further if you compare the cool confidence in their array of talent shown by the more successful managers (CF Netherlands, Belgium and Germany) compared with the disco dancing of those with less talent but plenty of athleticism. I guess Klinsman settles somewhere between the two extremes.
So the question I reckon you ask suggests that the all-action manager (or might it be his assistant?) would reap some minor benefits for Villa. Time will tell although I have pointed out before that the prima donnas of this professional game do not like being told what to do for too long.
With the club up for sale why are we signing contract extensions like this?
Janoi Donacien has become the latest Villa youngster to commit his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract.
Donacien follows in the footsteps of Gary Gardner and Callum Robinson, who both put pen to paper on new deals earlier this week.
The 20-year-old central defender continued to impress last term as a regular fixture in Villa’s U21 side.
Iv’e just heard from a mate at work that Gabby is on his way out of the club….Has anyone else heard anything?
He reckons its legit.
Sam,
Lets hope so Gabby has done nothing in a Villa shirt to justify him being one of the highest earners, and please do not say he is a Brummie / Villa fan in my book he should be putting in more effort if that’s the case, he has the touch of a rapist and must be the least improved player since he turned 21, his shooting is shocking at best, if he had ten shots at John Lennon he would be alive today.
See ya Gabby don”t let the door hit your arse on the way out.
UTV
We were due some good news weren’t we ?
Wonder who’s bad enough to play him ? apart from us.
From what i heard he didn’t break sweat last season, when you don’t have much ability you make up for it with work, he didn’t, free transfer for me. And some folks called for him to be called up by England !!! legend my arse.
Sorry boys, i didnt mean it to sound like OH NO….GABBY’S LEAVING!!!!
it was more a case of feck me who else would he play for!
cresswell to spam.
Not even up to MLS standard nowadays – the cushy pre-retirement option is not open to all any more.
Must be Walsall?
Sam,
Saurez must be shitting himself that the Barca deal could fall through now that Gabby is available.
In fact I heard through the grapevine that Keane bumped into him at BH and said “And you you useless fucking Brummie if you don”t start tackling I will personally stick my size nine so far up your arse it will take a ten hour operation just to remove the laces.”
UTV
if gabby goes the takings at BMH canteen will plummet and what about his childcare he needs £60,000 a week just to pay the moms off
American Soccer
I was delighted to read a reference to Phil Woosnam in yesterday’s Independent. A reminder that our former midfield general went to the States in ’66 and did his utmost (via NASL) to bring the USA to believe that soccer was worth following. The article sadly reminder us that though Woosie predicted that by the mid-80s soccer would catch on big-time, that in fact the NASL went to the wall instead. But Woosie remained a big and respected figure in the States and helped organise the World Cup Finals in the States in ’94.
In a way, Woosie did for America what McGregor did for Villa and then in generating league football. He died last year, aged 80.
What a heritage we have. But some seem to want to throw aside it would seem.
Gabby
I’ve at times see Gabby play some great stuff.
I think his main trouble is that as he lacks ambition to get to the big time then that has impeded his progress. He could have made himself a much better player i.m.o.
But when he’s on song he’s a useful man to have around. Perhaps RK can do to him what Saunders did to Morley!
About time Gabby does one. How he has lasted so long at Villa is beyond me. He’s quick, but that’s it. He didn’t give a shit last season. He played well in 1 and a half games last season
WBA doing some good business. We can’t even compete with them anymore
Wonder where Donacian will fit in? If Lambert has his way, he will be 6th choice CB behind everyone else.
It’s time to move Baker on, move Clark To DM or sell him as well
Our centre back options should be Vlaar, Okore, Dross and Donacian
It’s nice to see GG, Robbinson and Donacian sign new contracts but it’s pointless unless Lambert isn’t planning on using them a lot in pre season and the real season. Carruthers and Grealish as well. It’s time shite like KEa, baker, Gabby move on and are replaced by our youth. No point in them keep holding the young lads back. I expect they though
frem
whether they use them or not they don’t cost much and if sold will at least make back their cost to the club. I suspect that is why the 2 year contracts, I hope like you they get used
John,
I think you hit the nail on the head it is the problem with a lot of English players too much money too soon, you read about some Chelsea youth players who are millionaires and have not reached the first team.
It shows with the national team and that they lack the drive and motivation of some of the African and South American teams, some of these players from those countries have witnessed poverty first hand, where most of our players were on £30k a week before they reached twenty, had big apartments and flashy cars, they only play for England to get more sponsorship money and to do fucking shampoo commercials on telly, give me strength.
UTV
Mark- it will gutting if they are just benched or loaned out all season whilst the same crap keep failing on the pitch. The youth have ability, a lot of our so called first team players don’t
Players out-
Steer
Bennett
Luna
Baker
Sylla
KEA
Bowery( gone already)
Bent
Helenius 🙁
Gabby
Senderdross is better back up to Vlaar and Okore than Baker and Clark I suppose. Left back and right back are massive issues. We could do with a DM and winger as well maybe
I’d be happy to see that, but I know what Lambert will do. He will keep most the listed players, add a few more old guys and push the youth even further down the pecking order
And another good keeper to challenge Guzan who saved near to nothing last season. Every effort on target seemed to go in
probably gone to satisfy his international ambitions.
John,
Woos would have been a good contact to have in any negotiations with potential buyers.
Very nice player, i couldn’t understand why a section of the crowd didn’t take to him.
Steamer,
Woosie was indeed a neat player, and after Hamilton arrived he became goalscorer, too! Pity that lasted just one season before he retired.
watching the world cup , IMO i think this tournament has been about showcasing goalkeepers , cant really say that an outfield player has impressed me that much,
SWW you arse ……….l agree wholeheartedly with you comment about the kids being millionaires by their late teens and England place just to ask for more money , l gave up on the England team about 2 tournaments ago .
Frem Tc not happy , he’d baked you a cake matey …..no probs l will have it )))
The RK conundrum , so he will be here to kick arses and put the fear of god into them !! To Do what exactly ? play to PLs tactics ………..if thats the cased we are well and truley fooked , and god knows what RK tactics are ! . got a bloody Ipswich fan in the wholesalers and he cant stop laffing .
lv got a full set of coaching badges coming from Nigeria this week ……………..£39-99 bargain, £500,000 for a part time job , lovely jubbly ))
SWV/S75
Yes, it’s the only thing to explain the downward slide of England’s players.
Ever since Beckham showed the way in the personality/WAG stakes it’s been like this. I’ve got time for Becks, but I think I can see why SAF got fed up with him.
When the likes of Gerrard and Lamps go, England may as well lock up shop and retire, it seems to me. No-one else to drive the team.
JL
l saw it years ago when fringe players were coming out with statements , “l will walk to wembley to get in the squad ” only to ask for a transfer to a bigger club or a big pay rise .
thankfully lm one of the older crowd and lv seen the good days and l dont mean just the Villa , but other teams players , who you wanted to watch in the flesh , , l do feel for the likes of Frem and Josh , unless we get a sugar daddy we will always be a middle/bottom club and any decent player we find will be gone , , oh hum ,
Just watching old highlights of Villa. 2007-2008 season, we scored 32 goals from set plays, 16 from headers. Beat Derby 6-0, a week later beat the Scum 5-1. Scored 15 home goals in 3 consecutive games
what the hell has gone so wrong ? we are lucky if we score 15 home goals all fecking season. We are lucky if we see one decent delivery from a set play all season. You watch Ashley Youngs delivery’s, then westwoods. Its frighting the golf in class
If we had any normal owner, we could get Young, Barry and Milner back no problem. We could have signed Lescoot and not Sendeross etc
S75- I want to see Villa lift one major trophy before I die. I don’t mean the coca cola championship, or Johnson Paint dry trophy the way we are heading, but an FA cup at least. champions leage and Prem leage would be nice as well 🙂
Apparently Saints have bid for Vlaar. Could be BS though
Year left on his contract. Will he really want to stay?
Frem
l admire your optimsm. and l do hope you see something lad
Hi all
The big problem with English football is that there are too many players like gabby and not even one like Robbin van persie or even shanchez.
Grass roots up is about strenght , being direct and not taking risks == we are way behind lots of nations in developing players and even the likes of Gerraed rooney and lampard have neverr reached world class level
Hopefully Vlarr will have an idea on the clubs future and will want to stay for thde beginning of a new villa
Hello Jason, the US team certainly impressed with their fitness and fighting spirit . Bradley junior played well in the 2010 WC I recall and I was very excited when he was due to come to AV. What a let down that was. Hugely lacking in confidence, he didn’t look like the same player. So it was a surprise to see him putting in such a good show in the week.
St 75 – I wondered where you’d gone . Cue FYC “good thing, where have you gone”. But why suppose that RK is here to bully the players?. I don’t think he is at all. We know where that got us with IC last season. Also, I wonder whether players in premiership clubs can be bullied these days. Player power is so great now that the players can get rid of Managers they dislike . The mancs did it to Moyes by not performing for him, Sunderland did it de Canio and Chelsea did it to AVB.
PL is saying that he chose him. Extraordinary choice in some ways. Press has reported PL saying he doesn’t feel threatened by such a high profile and opinionated number two, IS this because he wants RK to make the decisions. Afterall, we have gone from young and hungry to ……….. and levelling off the playing field. Or does PL expecting the proverbial to hit the fan at the beginning of the season and wants Roy in the dugout with him as his body guard. Given PLs dislike of big egos the RK appointment is yet another u turn.
As for Gabby, things must be bad if he has been pushed out of his comfort zone at villa. Whilst he isn’t the greatest player in world, he is useful to have along. My fear is what the hell are we going to be left with . Gabby isn’t going to be the only one deserting the drowning ship either.
Roy Keane’s biography will be arriving at my house tomorrow.
Hi Jenny . been nowhere , been overdoing it on the garden and l hate gardening, and sorting electrical paperwork out ,the RK thing is not me thinking he’s going to be a bully ,its whats being said on all the blogs and l put it , that if he’s here to put it too the players how the game is going to be played , it was a tongue in cheek , that in the dressing room that he will tell the players this is what PL wants you to do and you will do it or you will feel my fist lol. i can see unrest though,
lv watched football for donkeys and it makes me laugh how some of these players have been regarded as hard , lv seen them go face to face and its handbags , in a pub or disco they’d never get away with it , thats why they head straight for the v.i.p rooms ,
Paul Tait for instance , lv known a 17 yr old put him on his arse when he threatened him and he had around 5 of his LuLu warriors with him, they just walked off dragging their knuckles ))
it started happening during sunday morning games and the players thought they could do the same and get away with it , but some clicked and realised we aint on camera ! lm flooring you , and l think RK needs to realise he aint as young as he used to be when he was getting away with it, a young gun will turn one day . and yes l have done it , but l did have a word 4 times with the ref but the shit kept it up , so l thumped him as l had work the next day , and l got sent off even though the ref never saw me , his explaination was , the other lad was on the floor holding his jaw and you were nearby , and the ref that day was my mate TC, he told Frem this tale , not proud but if your going to give it out be prepared to receive the same treatment ,
any way , how are you and yours and hope the girls are well. xxxxxx
night all x
just to let you know , Ged’s team of fundraisers have nearly reached a target of £5000 for cancer research, he put a video of his parachute jump on facebook .. l dont think he’s stopped for the last few weeks some great pics and l think he deserves a pat on the back .l lost my mom to the bastard cancer and at this moment l have a young bluenose mate in the QE fighting cancer , so l thank him for his efforts , Top Lad Ged
Just been reading through some of the comments on Keane , and difference in perception is amazing.
This happened in 2002 in Ireland when it became like a civil war to discuss his exit from saipan. I remember feeling the urge to reach across a table at a wedding and chin a ‘morally outraged ‘ twat who was lecturing me on the beautiful game and insisting that everyone taking keanes side were basically thugs . I like Keane . i dont wish to be like him or for him to be my friend, i just think he’s unique in modern football and though he makes mistakes at least as often as the rest of us , i think he stands for something and i admire that. I dont think he’s cultivated a hard man image , i think he cultivated a persona of someone who wont be intimidated at any cost and that shows through in his media interviews. I dont know how technically good a coach he is but I do know how effective perception is driving people on to greater efforts .
On the media interviews , a few years ago , i had to attend large operations meetings where I had to present in front of a hostile audience l containing upper management and also the know-all , grima wormtongue , slieveen types that often make up press rooms (no offence Matt) . I chose to adopt that defensive/aggresive , staring people down , long silence , irrated tone of delivery, and the results were that within 2 or 3 meetings I owned the bitches and most of them kept their mealy mouths shut. It really is perception , most people cant handle conflict. I would’nt reccomend it for sales meetings though , and it is not a style that wins you friends.
prox
I recommend you read “the good psychopaths guide to success” you might look at Keanes stance/demeanour in another light other than defensive. some people are able to achieve the same thing through intelligence and charm he chooses intimidation. fair play if that’s his persona but as you say wont win him many friends. All I want is results on the field if he can bring that he can sacrifice small children ( probably not)
Sounds like a good read Mark and I’ll keep an eye out for it. I take your point about intelligence and charm , and though i’m obviously overstocked with both of these qualities , not to mention devestatingly handsome , sometimes that undercurrent of menace gets the job done. Anyway, friends are overrated . (except for courtney cox, that is )
I now find myself agreeing with ST75 which is extremely disturbing, I feel for Frem and his generation it may be a good while before they see Villa either competing for or winning the big trophies, I saw us play against Spurs in the league cup final at an early age and then closely followed by the wins against Norwich and Everton, we had some heartache in between but winning the league and the European cup made up for all the bad times, I feel so lucky to have been there and it will stay with me until god needs some security at the gates, I fear those times may never return to VP and we will be forever stuck in the doldrums and insanity of lower league football under the fools who have decided to run our club into the ground.
AVFC RIP.
I just hope that our new owners are Man City level
I kind of agree with Dwight Yorke when he says he cant see Keane Lambert partnership working out. I can see Keane walking out in a matter of months and then saying what a shambles Villa are
Frem ,
You seem to be cherry picking only the quotes from former footballers who fall in with your general opinion. Do you think anyone gives a crap what yorke says , he was a decent footballer , end of story. I heard an interview on irish radio lately with Ian Taylor and that man IS an intelligent bloke who cares about villa but is not given to rhetoric and sound bites . Yorke never struck me as someone who had a lot going on between his ears.
You could be right about Keane walking out in a few months but i think its more likely that keane will get lamberts job . Maybe Keane knows something that we dont about possible future owners.
I read during the week that England has the highest level of cctv coverage in the world ,by a long distance. Wow,.you lot are bleedin’ obsessed.
Yorke is the only guy I’ve seen comment on it at the moment. As he played with Keane as well, you got to respect his opinion
I think the same with regards to Keane. I think, and hope he will he manager soon enough. I hope his time at United will get us playing with width and attacking sides, not parking the bus and hoofing it
Frem
Got no time for yorke , he sat outside Doug Deadlys house crying he wanted to got to Man u , and when he got there , what did he do , he ran over to the villa section at OT and kissed the the manc badge ,l was there mate , hate the twat and what the fuck he has to do with the villa anymore is shite ,
Morning Prox ,
got me hooked on that ale mate , and my neighbour mate , he thought l knew it all about beer , lol , l came clean and told him a bloke off the blog put me onto it , cheers , put a pic on of that stare ! matt needs to sort out us being able to put pics on , after he settled in his new job of course ,
Have a good weekend all ,.
and SWW , stop agreeing with me , l dont like it
Steamer
l just dropped into the caff, l will go to £1 shop and get you some bibs mate ))
Fair enough S75. I’ve seen him speak a few times on TV, he always seems right on Villa. He’s said a few times we are a big club who simply aren’t doing good enough
He had 10 years at Villa. Got to mean something, hasn’t it ?
dwight yorke would still be selling ice creams on the beach if it wasn’t for villa, but he went for the dollar, ok it came off but dwight, please don’t come fannying avfc up looking for a job because you showed what a two faced knob you were when you were on herberts garden.
dwight yorke – no integrity, no morals, no loyalty, a perfect example of a modern footballer.
st75,
bloody specs keep falling off, fell in the bog a couple of weeks ago, you’d have thought a bugle like mine would keep them on.
IMO if any new owners have both ambition and knowleadge of making a sports institution successful they will not appoint roy keane as manager
These kind of managers are from the old school and football has moved on ,,, plus you can’t scare millionares into reaching there peak , management is a little more clever and in depth than that nowadays
prox
we’ve got cameras watching camera’s but they seem useless in getting a conviction or providing evidence on the whole, the military can eves drop and watch what your up to from a mile up, the police can’t tell one person from another at ten feet, gotta make you wonder. are you sure it wasn’t the highest level of cheril cole on TV?
I have similar problems to you mate, all bets are off when you look this good
Frem
10 years means jack shit when thats done to you mate , if you were there ,like me you would have wanted to get on the pitch and punch his lights out , l dont mind players going to other teams , but to run over and rub your nose in it is one step to far in my mind and as steamer said it was villa who made him ,no one else ,
man u dont want to know him , so he thinks he can creep back to us , some of us have long memories mate ,
Dwight Yorke has his opinion and Paul McGrath differs as he told the Bham Mail 10.6-14
Aston Villa: Roy Keane is fantastic and would be great for Villa says club legend Paul McGrath
Paul McGrath
Roy Keane’s imminent arrival at Aston Villa has been blessed by God – claret and blue legend Paul McGrath.
Keane’s appointment as Paul Lambert’s assistant manager is expected to be confirmed when the 42-year-old coach returns from
And McGrath, affectionately nicknamed God by the Villa Park faithful, believes his former international team-mate is precisely the kind of character Villa boss Paul Lambert needs.
“Villa will be very lucky to have Keano on board, should they persuade him to join Paul Lambert’s staff,” said McGrath.
“My old club still holds a very special place in my heart and it will be a great coup for the Villa boss to get a man of this stature alongside him for next season.
“I have to admit that I was amazed to see him turn down the chance to be Celtic manager because it felt as if the job was made for him.
“Clearly, he didn’t fancy throwing himself into Celtic and maybe his eagerness to stay involved with Ireland and possibly take up this opportunity in the Premier League with Aston Villa seemed like a more preferable option.”
Ahead of next month’s return to pre-season training, Keane is set to join Villa’s backroom team as a replacement for Ian Culverhouse, who along with Gary Karsa was sacked for unspecified disciplinary reasons in May.
The former Manchester United favourite will combine his role at Villa with his job assisting Martin O’Neill with the Ireland national team, who kick off their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in September.
McGrath admits he has always got on well with Keane and admires the no-nonsense approach of his compatriot who does not suffer fools gladly.
Republic of Ireland coach Roy Keane
“From my experience, Roy is a fantastic guy to have on your side and the image he has of being a little difficult and maybe hard to get to know is not what I experienced when he was my Ireland team-mate,” said McGrath.
“He was great company and I’m sure everyone who has worked with him would echo that view.
“What you get with Roy is an honest and open approach.
“He says it as he sees it and doesn’t have too much interest in respecting big personalities or trying to be nice to people he can’t be bothered with.
“If he doesn’t agree with you, he will tell you in no uncertain terms and that can rub people up the wrong way, sometimes.”
I’ve just got the RK biography and the first page “Angry about the unprofessional ism in the Irish camp , the absence of real ambition ….we were Irish we did it our way…weren’t we the Cabaret act their to get the party going . Not for me. I was a Man Utd player . We only partied when we won. There was no disgrace in telling the truth. It was a hassle though , that’s why people keep quiet”
Yes and if he can bring some honesty and professionalism to VP then he gets my vote.
As for Yorkie , I met him when he first came over from Tobago . He was very shy and completely overwhelmed by the world he’d been brought into at first . A very different young man to the slick and eloquent pundit we see on Sky .A brilliantly talented player . I loved watching him but he didn’t handle the fame well and some of his decisions both professionally and privately were regrettable to say the least .
St 75 xxxx
Some Dwight Yorkw comments a bit harch for me
Firstly one of the best players at villa for many years
He left to fullfil his ambition in football due to our club not having much ambition,, which is nothing any other good player hasnt done at the club
He clearly loves the club and has his opinions which i mostly agree with regarding villa — he was always the happy slapper but don;t hold it against him
Can’t we get God as defensive coach ? We would have to get the Steamers to tell the players firstly how great a player he was so they release.
Realise
feel that the wc will be won by whoever fifa want to win, looks like brazil. given a level playing field i think colombia would win comfortably but with the refs that we’ve seen then no. fifa’s agenda seems to be helping the world powers, both politically and in a football sense, to prosper, unfortunately england are so inept that they were beyond help.
frem,
all they care about is who buys the next round, one of the youth players who stayed with my sister had a gold card and drove a porsche, he used to throw a couple of hundred quid on the table at the end of the night for the champers. i will say that he came from a very wealthy family and was a polite well mannered lad.
runtins
yes mate yorke was talented but you dont do that to the fans who helped and idolised you , , the whole coach on the way home wanted to wring his neck ,
lm not asking anyone to agree with me , but you needed to be there to see it , and as l was there l have never forgave him,
any way how was Ireland and did you bump into Prox ?
well lm def off now ,
now its just the usual suspects in the WC , lm missing the teams like costa rica ect ,
can columbia beat Brazil , l think so , will they ? NOOOOOOOOOO as steamer said its who FIFA want , imagine the riots ,
J xx
so 2 ex-villa players have come out on opposite sides for Keane, one Irish team mate who likes him and is known to like a tipple, the other an ex team mate and sex addict who probably didn’t get on with Roy as he liked to party. Hardly a massive thumbs up or down, what’s next his mum says he’s a big softy or Roy ate my hamster? 😉
runtingz,
i’m distantly related to ugo whatsisog and some of the tales about him and yorke are pathetic, more than giving it the big frog. he used to bug me that much that when he scored for untied in europe i had to turn the telly off and take the growlers for a walk otherwise i’d have drop kicked my box.
steamer
your dreams come true
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3957577,00.html?
steamer
don’t know if you’ve got your coaching badges put you tick all of the personal qualities no problem.
Mark,
If Lambert and Keane can do the job then 99% of the population qualify.
[Off Topic]
Last night, we saw two teams (Brazil and Columbia) who showed that they could play some open, wonderful, exhilarating, stuff.
But there was also another side to the game – not helped at all by the referee’s lax attitude – and that was the sheer lack of concern by several players for the physical safety of their opponents. Appendages flew in from all angles with most being ignored by the referee and we now learn that Naymar (one of the few that has demonstrated real skill in the World Cup finals) has a broken vertebrae resulting from another, careless, challenge.
And it exemplified how little the players knew about the rules of the game when James Rodriguez complained that he had been whistled-up for a foul but that he had used his shoulder. The trouble was that his shoulder had been applied to someone’s chest. Do players’ not know that the ‘shoulder’ rule applies to shoulder to shoulder contact? But he is not the only one not to understand this – many flout this rule and do not get disciplined for it. Pushing is rife.
For some years now it has made me boggle that players get away with so many fouls in the penalty area – particular when corner kicks are taken. Shirtpulling and pushing in these situations and in open play is rife and yet referees are tricked too easily. And many referees and their assistants seem to ignore their occurrence, particularly within the penalty area.
Last night’s game could have been a really great game. But it was so badly tainted by the rash challenges and referee myopia.
Added to the case concerning Suarez, I wonder what the likes of Pele think about what’s going on? Sir Stan Matthews and Tom Finney would have been appalled.
Well said John, if the referees didn’t cheat so often and were firm with the players a lot of problems would be solved, Fat Phil for instance controversially sent off a Chelsea player last season, he defended the furor by saying “i ref to the letter of the law” this is the idiot who refused to send off Vidic for a professional foul at Wembley versus AVFC with the pathetic comment “it was early and a sending off would have spoiled the game.” Cheat. ‘Red’ Howard Webb used the same lily livered excuse in the last WC final andwas praised by the Britiish press, Rules are rules, never mind which club you play for, never mind if they have a cheating Scottish arsehole screaming at you, the deserve the same treatment, refs are supposed to be neutral, are they ? are they fuck.
Hello all.
Hear you about the refs. They take too much lip for a start.
I watched a rugby game this afternoon. Kieran Reid, 2013 IRB player of the year, questioned the ref in a manner the ref perceived as disrespectful. He said to Reid, “I know you’re the captain, but that’s the last time you talk to me like that.” Rugby refs just march gobby players.
Ever been to Cairns, Queensland? I’ll be there in 20 days, can’t wait. Hopefully the weather’ll be good for diving. Anybody got any suggestions about a good place for a beer a walk or whatever?
Cheers.
Morning Lifers
John,I am sorry that Neymar has injured his back,he wn`t require surgery and it will heal.That said I have no other sympathy for him.His diving and rolling around is sickening.He is under pressure as the star of an average team.The players from my youth Pele Jairr,Zico,Romario,Ronaldo are gone and now Brasil. has to rely on set pieces,long balls and counter attacking football.
Over here it is a footballing version of North Korea,if you attempt tp praise another team or player the party line is “no,we are the best”.OK they have sme foundation for their arrogance .having won the WC 5 times.But one the side of the(Brasil) coach it says “brace yourself,for the 6th time champions”.Big Phil says we have one hand on the trophy.As far as the populaton is concerned it has been their trophy since May and everyone else can go home.The mediocrity of this Brasil side will be camoflaged by the Neymar story.I hope whilst evryone is having a pityfest for Neymar,could you spare a thought for the 8 dead builders who died building the stadiums and the 2 people who died when the bridge fell on them in Belo H.No doubt corners were cut in the strength of the concrete nad a few bob was trousered by a friend of a politician,shamefell.there will be no enquiry,or if there is there will be a cover up.
During the WC everyone is distracted so a lot of dodgy legislatio is being passed on the QT.Electricity has gone up.tolls on the roads have increased and corrupt politicians who are under house arrest in the day and go to jail at night,are being allowed to work in the day and line their pockets further.All this whilst everyone is watching the WC.the politicians are literally getting away with murder.Sorry to go on.
Anyway outside Salvador stadium the con men of FIFIA tried to get the food street vendors shut down,as it affects the revenue for Mac.Ds.a petition was raised and the people wom.They have been selling the local specialitiy there for 70 years and FIFA tried to bully them in favour ot one of their major sponsors.I just thught it is important to let you know of the other side of the WC which is watched in the grounds by a white population who are ,mostly watching their 1st ever game of football.I feel for the blokes who watch their club week in week out who don`t have a computer or credit card to apply on line.Anyway as long as the sponsors are happy who cares?
Steamer,
It seems to me that refs and officials are paid to maintain a certain level of entertainment so that the transmitters can increase their revenues. That is that the purveyors of live transmissions feel that the public want to see blood and gore as much as anything that might pass as footie.
It’s now getting to the point that soccer is providing enough punch to be a viable alternative to boxing and wrestling i.m.o.
I’m thinking of supporting Tamworth this season. I might see a semblance of fair play down there.
John, the refs have let it slip , and l cant believe how these players scream out like a tart now , pathetic , when l played , you never let the other player know you were hurt , you bided your time and there was a kind of respect, but there was’nt many who went out to hurt on purpose as most knew you had work the next day ,
Trinity
there you have it mate , if the football refs were not the spinless ejits they portrey they would get the respect , l thought a rule came out that only the captain of each team could question the desision he made , and what happened to the swearing at him rule go , now l know that rule has been around since the 70s , as l think steamer will agree , a certian Les Kellet lookalike ref , used to come in our changing room before the game telling us the rules ,and before he went out , we said ” hey ref before you go out , Your a cnut ” he’d smile and call us bigger ones , and during the game you would have a little niggle off a player and mention it to the ref and sometimes you’de get the response ” get on with it you wimp” smiles all round , if the refs got a grip and used the rules to the book equally l think it would change the game for the better , but you cant send off these little darlings now , alex funguson started all the disrespect for refs ,
B6,
Sorry I don’t altogether agree with you. I saw Naymar bowled over in dangerous fashion twice before he finally got badly injured.
Yes, rolling over and feigning injury are additional sickening elements of the sport, and I abhor that as well, but when you have players barging into others without any thought for their safety then that is something far worse taking place as I see it.
B6,
You may well know that there is a hill outside Rio where the poor people live and where the electricity suppliers refuse to supply electricity as those people officially don’t exist.
So these poor people hire youngsters to illegally tap electricity cables (at a risk to their lives at some ridiculous fee) so that the poor can watch TV. There was a case the other day when one of these family’s house burnt down as a result of an electricity surge. Luckily all the members of their community gave them what they had so they’re able to get by.
As my wife said, “what they need is solar panels”. Now that would be a charitable thing to provide wouldn’t it?!
Nice to see you again B6B,
I remember you mentioning a few months ago about about Neymar being a little puny but also a diver, perhaps justice has been done.
Good points about the sponsors too, i bet half of the fans at the final haven’t been to a footy game in their lives.
Although the entertainment has been at a reasonably high level, where are the stars ? Messi, Rodriguez, Robben and ????
S75,
Bump into Colin now and then, doesn’t ref any more but still watches.
Thanks Steamer
Talking of corruption and dodgy financial dealings,most of the lads at the meet up in December could easily get jobs at FIFA,they way I was milked of all those £20 note from me.I could see S75 getting Blatter`s job.
I see Helenius is begging to leave — poor bloke he looks like a decent baller as well
The ref last night seemed to want to let the game flow but lost a grip of the game in the proccess
Yorke was never going to end up selling ice creams — in his class was brain lara -shaka hislop and a bunch of guys that are top of the music production tree ”characters inc — half the glass have reached a very high level in various areas
class
B6B, Strange how it was only me buying the beer.
Runtingz,
You wouldn’t treat a dog the way we’ve treated that lad, anyone who thinks Lamberts a ‘decent bloke’
should think again, he’s a bully like his two mates, now his minders have gone he’s had to get another one in.
Steamer: I remember you mentioning a few months ago about about Neymar being a little puny but also a diver, perhaps justice has been done.
What?! Since when did rolling around equate with having a piece in your back being fractured?
I had to read that 3 times!! The guy might have been paralysed as a result – in fact as a player he might remain affected and/or develop arthritis in his back. Remember how Dubbers was never quite the same after that life-threatening injury he had back in ’99?
Quite a thread, folks. Very entertaining reading, as usual.
I’m veering off-topic (going back to Jason’s article): I’ve never rooted for the US team, largely because when I moved back to the states from England in the 80s, there was a very insular attitude where I was about the game, a “this is how we do it here” kind of thing, a real antipathy toward the culture of the game and its roots.
And for all this time, the US never was able to actually play good football. Lots of huffing and puffing and pressuring and running around, but no sign of comprehension, despite kids everywhere playing the game all the time.
However, it seems as though Klinsmann might be helping them turn a corner. Obviously he’s brought in players raised in a European setting, and that’s helped considerably. But against Portugal, who were admittedly poor this time round, the US actually looked like it knew what it was doing for once.
Does this continue? I dunno. I hope so. Would be nice for the US to show up at the next WC and play at least 3 games where they weren’t defending for their lives for 90 minutes.
On Brazil…I think they’re victims of the game’s international integration. As Alexi Lalas said (and believe me, I really hate quoting him), we have to get our heads around the idea that this Brazil team isn’t what we want to believe they are.
I’ve noticed the level of play and sophistication has risen in most of these national sides. And of course it’s because so many of these players are now playing at clubs throughout Europe. No “nation” or their players are now a mystery to anyone else. There are still different styles and systems, but at the international level, the playing field is leveling out a bit, and the performances seem to have as much to do with the managers now as anything else, who are also cross-pollinating the various sides. Which has made for a good World Cup.
And this is what’s happened to Brazil. They don’t just appear mystically every four years to delight and awe us. They’re now just players playing throughout the world like those on everyone else’s teams. There’s no ‘magic’, no real cohesion. Distinctly average, although still finding ways to hang on. Obviously they’re under tremendous pressure, but as a side, they seem to be having a problem similar to England’s. No real sense of identity, no real “team” there. All the best players and performances are coming from somewhere else.
John – on Brazil
Agreed – but still light years ahead of England in terms of movement and awareness i.m.o.
But maybe it’s (in this WC) more to do with them playing on their own soil and under that sun.
The winner has to come from South America in my view, because of the conditions out there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCSV2kTvZCo
Plug in yer headphones/whack your surround sound to full volume and enjoy your Saturday guys. I’m off work for first time in 8 days, what a relief to not have to shift crates and bottles around Morrison’s.
Glad you feel bad for me and Frem and similar aged fans, ST75. Our ‘successes’ were the O’Neill days, and my limited memories of the mid-late 90s. Wish I could’ve experienced true glory in the flesh like you lot rather than with the use of youtube.
Back to the article – I think you’ve hit the nail on the head a bit in how it’s hampered, Jason. The USA team use counter attacking and aggressive closing down to succeed, to an extent, against generally better opposition. Villa use this also, with some success. However, both teams are limited to this tactic due to lack of attacking quality and tactical nous. Thus, against moderate and similar opposition, we are undone. We will never move forward with this, and it takes a fantastic tactician balanced with great managerial qualities to get a team/squad beyond their technical limitations without years of graft and risk. Martinez proved this with Wigan, who even by just staying up are 2 leagues above their true quality. Whelan has been very lucky (or incredibly clever) with his managerial appointments. Rosler looks decent too. Villa, however, have never really taken risks with managers. Hence years of bobbing in mid-table, with very little spiking in league position other than these relative lows of 13-16th place in the Premier League. We have a lion on our crest but no courage. We have a ‘bright future’ of talent wasted by never ending negative tactics, rhetoric and expectation.
If Lerner cannot sell this club, I only wish to see courage. Courage that may well end with relegation – but that result is highly likely whether we risk it with a new strategy or not. If funding is a problem, try the experimental. But we are Villa. We are ‘soso’. We are a name to fill the remaining 12/13 places in a league table. And we will be nothing more until we are brave. Until then, scrap the lion. May as well have a dead fish on our crest.
JL,
Regarding Neymar, B6B commented months ago how he dived around, i’m not suggesting that yesterday was a dive, just, possibly, karma.
John Clark,
Agree about psyche taking generations to take hold ( if thats what your saying ) Coaching can gloss over a lot of things but not, imo, instinct, however you are in the fortunate position of improving whereas the game in the UK is stagnant.
Josh,
If Lerner can’t sell Villa you won’t see anything, ST sales are under 10,000 and the club is dying of apathy and ignorance.
l snapped a vertebrea about 12 years ago , took me a year to learn to walk again , (wheres sww when you need him) touch wood lv been lucky with my back ,l was told ld never do my job again , but little steps helped , then bang fucking brain haemorage and now l can do a job when my body permits , lwatched the game yesterday and in slo-mo l saw the knee and where it caught him and believe me the pain is terrible , but because of his diving no one blieved him at the time how bad he was , l know theres a cliche somewhere but at this time my brain wont process it , thats why l cant do a leader ,lol
on the diving issue , a player l hated when he played against us but admired was Mark Hughes , tuff as old boots , but l remember when he came back from abroad and during a game the defender never touched him and l couldnt believe what l was watching and slowly but surely they are all at it , and if the refs had any bollox they could have nipped that in the bud with yellow cards and a few reds for play acting ,
B6Brasil
yu say the kindest things x
Blatter …………..you arse ,
well lm off for a few ciders ……….laters
Jenny xxxxx
Steamer: Regarding Neymar, B6B commented months ago how he dived around, i’m not suggesting that yesterday was a dive, just, possibly, karma.
No, I didn’t think you meant that was a dive, mate. And I see your point about karma (and that’s quite a neat point, in fact, on reflection), but the key issue to me is that too many players just stick out their appendages in places they shouldn’t and create the injuries. It’s a case of stop ’em at all costs these days.
In the days of Bobby Moore and co. you just didn’t see much of that. Oh, I have to keep on going back to how things were … (big sigh!).
S75
So you know what it’s like from first-hand experience? That’s an eye-opener.
Josh
Really liked your comments about the Villa lion.
I’m clearing up stuff to move house and came across the blurb that the Lerner Group put out ca. 2007 about what they wanted to achieve. There’s been no correspondence AT ALL between their objectives then and what’s happened on the pitch, in fact, and it makes sickening reading. I wonder how much they paid to have that blurb written.
JL,
Yes, the game is sick, peeps think you’re just banging on to bore them, but its true, it was a better game. I’m just on the verge of saying sod it, and reading the various blogs so are plenty of others, i don’t mind supporting a losing club, what i object to is when that club makes NO effort at all to improve and in fact, takes measures that adds to the decline. Its up to you Lerner, either drop your price and find a buyer or eventually you’ll lose a far bigger wedge that at present.
S75,
Remember Hughes BEFORE he went abroad playing against Montpellier in the ECWC, the CH put his hand on Hughes chest and he did a triple selco with knobs on, holding his face, result, CH sent off and the serial cheats win.
And the cost of changing the club crest in the first place. off to the garden for a gargle.
Steamer,
As you may remember, Lerner and his crew did an on-line referendum of the fans to see what characteristics they wanted on the Villa crest. And then (I’m told) Lerner himself went away and did his own mock up of what he thought the fans wanted.
But I don’t recall anywhere in that referendum (I was one of those that responded) about whether we wanted a pussycat as the central theme!!
I agree John – the holding , shirt pulling etc in the six yard box does my head in . Also , I like Messi and Aguerro because they don’t dive .
B6 Brasil – thank you for giving us the lowdown on what is happening in Brasil.
Rio Ferdinand has signed for QPR – having rejected AV . As Peter Kay would say “what’s all that about”
Have to smile at PL saying we will get a few more in after the WC as if we are waiting for them to return from WC duty. 🙂
Putting my feet up tonight as been dragged round every clothes shop in Cheltenham by my girls so Costerica v Holland and a raspberry and lime cider with crushed ice .
Steamer 75 . That sounds excruciating . Xxxxxxx
I think Lambert will try and copy the Dutch 3 4 3 that they are applying tonight. Obviously he will fuck it up, but I think he will try and use it for a while
Vlaar Okore and dross as the 3 centre backs. The good thing is Lowton is good going forwards which he will do a lot in this formation as a wing back. The front 3 won’t be about creativity though. We know Lambert hates that. He will put Wiemann and Gabby on the wings because they work hard and just forget the fact they can’t create
Mr Blatter,sorry S75
I didn`t know you spinal injuries to deal with as well,fair play to you.You are one gritty so and so,without a hint of self pity which I admire.
That`s the Oprah speech over.
Good night all.
S75 when l played , you never let the other player know you were hurt , you bided your time and there was a kind of respect…
That comment reminded me of a tale I quoted in The Villa Chronicles, an incident in the mid-1880s:
The Villa were playing Cambridge University at Perry Barr and the great Cobbold (one of the finest dribblers ever seen) was centre-forward with Freddy [Dawson] up against him. The Villa man wore no shinguards, out of compliment to the ’Varsity men, and after 20 minutes had been hacked (accidentally, of course) about as many times, till his right shin bone was about as serrated as the business side of a saw.
Every time Cobbold kicked him, he said, ‘Beg pardon!’ and Dawson took it smiling. Until he got rather a vicious one and then he said (for he had a brusque way): ‘Look here, Cobbold; I’ve stood it long enough. If you kick me again, something’ll happen.’ Cobbold stared, took no further notice and not long after, Freddy got another, with the usual apology… A little later, Cobbold, Dawson and ball arrived at one spot together, and the Villa man kicked the ball and the Cambridge player up in the air at the same time… and as he lay on the ground, Freddy Dawson glared at him and ejaculated, ‘I beg your pardon!’…
And thats why iv’e been banging on about Louis van Gaal for the last fifteen seasons or so.
Alfredo di Stefano in hospital, Matt Busby said he was the best player he’d ever seen, including, Edwards, Law, Charlton and Best.
B6Brasil
l know your gonna call me everything under the sun , could l ask you to get me a shot glass with the world cup on mate , ) also when you over when you come up to brum you could stop at mine mate if you want , got a spare bedroom , only £60 a night and breakfast at the caff !
you know they say things come in 3s , well the BH was the third as the first must’ve been me meeting that arse SWW, so lm not worrying now about a 3rd incident noew
steamer they had some footage about Alfredo , can you imagine these tarts these days playing with the balls and on the pitches in them days , nah nor me .
Steamer
I was sure you told me that S75 was the best player you`d ever seen,live or on the box?I must have misheard you….well worst and best can sound similar when the music is loud.
S75,I `ll do me best.
Does the £60 include VAT?Can I get a receipt?
John, bit weird that the bloke ejaculated on him. How long was he on the ground? At least he remembered his manners.
Ashley young rejoining Villa..??? RK’s influence..?/
di Stefano
A member of a wonderful side and indeed a great player (going by the little we were able to see of overseas players in those days).
I remember that night when Real Madrid hammered Eintracht 7-3 at Hampden … I was playing in a tennis trial on a hot spring evening and missed the match on TV (aaargh!).
And thinking about 1961 it was the year of many, many goals…
That 7-3 RL win, and England beat the Scotties 9-3 and Mexico 8-1. Villa beat league runners-up Sheffield W 4-1 last game of the season and also beat Blues 6-2.
Wow.
josh
today’s player just doesn’t have the spunk to dish out that kind of treatment on a regular basis 🙂
B6B
can you buy us a villa overlooking the beach with all the money you owe us? oh and something to put in ST75’s glass the poor old crip, are you sure your not Ronnie Biggs?
paul P
no chance surely
You do know that St75’s got a market stall selling shots glasses at ridiculous prices, what with his glasses and his £20’s he can afford to have all his ops done privately.
JL,
Sheff Wed,
Johnny Dixon’s last game and goal, Charlie Aitken’s first game ?
Puskas 4, Di Stefano 3.
I’d love Young back
Width. Width. Width
Frem
Happy Birthday Tomorrow mate ,
Steamer,
Yes, it was Charlie’s first match as well. Almost a carnival atmosphere that day I remember, not knowing though that Gerry was nearly on his way. It was his last league game too.
Tuesday mate, but thanks anyway 🙂 wish I wasn’t going away, would have liked to do some jobs with you
villa boys back tomorrow. First game in 11 days .
Shame we have no new manager or owner
Frem
we still got a few things to do at Tcs , there will be more , see you soon,
Brasil , no vat , cash in hand mate ,thanks , let me know when your over so l can throw the lodger out ,
Motown 9pm soon on telly , so good night all
J xxx
I’m watching it ST 75 . And loving it. Seeing how young Michael Jackson was when he was performing is just incredible . I know Steamer didn’t like him when he was older but crikey he was about 8 when he started.! What a beautiful voice Smokey Robinson had . X
Happy Birthday tomorrow Frem ! 🙂
May Ashley Young come back for you . I d be very happy too 🙂
Remember that match against Sheff Wed well. |As everyone says it was a great atmosphere and a fitting finish for johnny Dixon to get his goal, and what an impressive debut for Charlie.
No-one knew it was to be Gerry’s last game. a great loss to villa and England.
If Ashley does return, some very interesting possibilities for our attacking formations.
Just in from work and didn’t realise it was a Motown night. Just love that music.
P.S. Happy Birthday Frem..!!