McLeish was a silly appointment - rightly or wrongly, you generally need the support of the fans, especially if getting in someone from your rivals.
He was unlucky with the Blues, won them a trophy and then thanks in part to an horrendous injury list lost a lot of good players in the final couple of months or so before the end of the season which really saw them go down.
It was always going to be a struggle at Villa for him going from the Blues, and as the Villa stand at present, they need some work to get back to where they were a couple of years or so ago under O'Neill. It's a brave Manager that takes on that role.
However, they are a club capable of being up there, challenging for European football, that's for sure.
Here's an interesting stat or two taken from the BBC website!
The club’s owner Sheikh Mansour and his investment vehicle Abu Dhabi United Group have sunk at least £1billion into City since 2008.
Compare that to their neighbours at Old Trafford who must contend with massive interest payments on loans taken out by their American owners, the Glazer family, to buy the club. According to some estimates, the Glazers have taken out £500m since their takeover in 2005.
So, makes you wonder where it's all going to end doesn't it, and just who is actually going to compete with MCFC over the next few years :shrug:
:razz::razz::razz:
carrol is coming good, and I think downing has played his best season for ages with liverpool.
I'm guessing UEFA's FPP will fail dismally. The largest clubs with the deepest pockets will inevitably win out, the likes of City, Utd, Barca, Madrid and others such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal and clubs crom France (PSG maybe) and Germany (Bayern) will have a huge say in that.
At the end of the day those clubs and their massive wealth base will just end up circumventing the system or squeezing it hard enough to ensure it goes away.
I'm guessing UEFA's FPP will fail dismally. The largest clubs with the deepest pockets will inevitably win out, the likes of City, Utd, Barca, Madrid and others such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal and clubs crom France (PSG maybe) and Germany (Bayern) will have a huge say in that.
At the end of the day those clubs and their massive wealth base will just end up circumventing the system or squeezing it hard enough to ensure it goes away.
Not really sure how 36 games, no goals and no assists constitutes 'best season for ages'. I guess you're kidding...considering you bought because of his crossing/assisting ability.
dinners said:Somebody mentioned Downing. You need your sound on.........
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7RGn4FWeHQ">YouTube Link</a>
Can't watch this at the moment but it's not perchance the downing hitting balls into a wheelie bin clip is it? Rumour has it the owners wanted downing based on that clip.
no it's a black screen since downing didn't get any goals or assist in the PL this year - league and fa cup only.
this is the one you are talking about.
[YOUTUBE]6HCvpk1QsaM[/YOUTUBE]
Rumour has it the owners wanted downing based on that clip.
See tevez is in trouble again, personally I think Barton should be excused elbowing that horrible little man! Totally out of order and disrespectful.
Well, I don't know about some of them but arsenal are certainly fans of the fpp.
he has scored this year, just not in the PL.
If you look just at the stats I can see why you would think that but I have watched nearly every game and he's been much better than he was at villa.
When he first came to us, I wasn't impressed
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=3846601&postcount=25
But he has won me over.
Next thing you'll be saying he should go to the Euros :shake:
It's sometimes nice to try and be objective when you looking at your teams/players performances - but those red tinted glasses are really on there!
Next thing you'll be saying he should go to the Euros :shake:
It's sometimes nice to try and be objective when you looking at your teams/players performances - but those red tinted glasses are really on there!
TW: I do have a funny story to tell you! When we first were talking about Stewart Downing, we looked on the internet to see what we could learn about him. And there was some footage of Stewart that maybe you can show our fans, where he is, from 30 yards away, kicking a football into five different trash cans and it's brilliant.
John and I said, 'Oh my god, this player is brilliant, we've got figure out a way to make a deal with him.' We later found out of course that the footage was somewhat doctored but we were so excited about Downing joining Liverpool.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/when-ian-ayre-met-tom-werner
See - you just need to make a doctored you tube video to play for the reds![]()
Joe is correct, Downing is a great Liverpool player, they should sign another like him for the same money. They could then have a midfield of Downing, Henderson, Adam, Downing mkii, with Suarez and Carroll upfront, they would tear the league apart with the best value for money midfield and forward line in the Premier League![]()
lol
It may seem that way but I genuinely think downing has put in good performances this season. I won't say that about every player - charlie adam and jordan henderson have been dire apart from one or two games.I also don't think gerrard has added anything to the team this season.
In fact the only players I think have consistently played well (whilst still lacking goals by the way) are:
suarez
bellamy
downing
rodriguez and kuyt - when they played, which was hardly at all
skrtel
everyone else has been poor - how's that for objective?
I think he was told roughly where to kick the balls and then the bins were edited in.I always wondered what they doctored in that video. Did they fake each ball even going into any bins. Or did he take 500 shots and they pieced 5 together to make it look consecutive. I was trying to see a line where they could mask it and actually it was someon off camera throwing the balls into the bins. It's so well done.
I think he was told roughly where to kick the balls and then the bins were edited in.
I like Downing, there I've said it, haha. I hope he goes to the Euros.
Mind you, I thought Cole going to Liverpool was a fantastic move for both parties too at the time![]()
i think most people did, it just didn't happen.

it's a funny thing football, but that lineup of midfield and attackers really should do well on potential - henderson, adam and caroll all just didn't perform when they left their clubs - much like joe cole.
It must be a disease right now, as soon as they touch the anfield sign they lose all skill and ability - I think alex ferguson put a voodoo curse on it.
In all seriousness, when I watched Suarez live against his general forward play was great - movement, holding up the ball, turns etc - however he should have scored a couple and did not. He he could find his shooting boots...
As for Carroll, I think Liverpool need to change their style of play for ti to work for him.
Kenny Dalglish is no longer manager of Liverpool....
