nick76

I thought he was good during that period no doubt but I never thought wow! he could be something special and I felt more praise was due to okore. Still never saw any captain material during that spell, not a leader vocally or really a leader by action. Just a defender having a good period.

I've never seen any time that Clark has shown he could be a top class defender. Even in his best games for us there were obvious weaknesses to his game. At the age he is now, coming into his prime, those weaknesses should've been ironed out or reduced. Yes, his managers haven't been great but Rafa is no defensive expert and mistakes that Clark makes are basic defending mistakes. I don't agree with the leadership part that he could be better than Elphick, I would like to understand what basis you have for that. Elphick is a proven and admired captain by his former club and fans, Clark has never been mentioned in that breath and never shown it on the pitch. It's one thing Villa has been lacking so if he was captain material, by its very nature, he would've stepped up but didn't.

I'm not sure about that! For us we've needed a captain at the back for a very long time, so the value to us is great. Clark will just be another defender in Newcastles ranks, no more, no less. Clark ain't great but ain't bad either.

I think a bit of both, and maybe a third thing which was "hope". Us Villa fans want to enjoy and relish in players coming through the youth and being key players in the first team. Unfortunately that rarely happens, sometimes a kid has a couple of good games and then fades, sometimes how well he did at youth is expected to translate to first team. I've just never seen anything at this level from him to suggest he can play for our first team.

Never saw anything in this guy, always hoped he would add more and I was trying to be a big fan especially because he does seem like a good guy but offers us nothing at Premiership level and cant imagine much at this level

Almost for me but I would put midfield first as the opposition almost skip to our 18 yard box with nobody getting in their way. Part of me almost feels sorry for the defenders because they never get a breather and because they are always under pressure they make mistakes, if they got a breather or back up I think some of the issues would go away. I agree things need to change back there but I think defending from the midfield first might help

Anybody know our net spend to date in this window? Just wondering with the number of players rumoured to be interested in that none are cheap

Nah we just missed out on him so we are going for back up in Bale

By far better team second half, unlucky with the goal. First half was terrible. Midfield needs attention badly but overall new players I was happy with, old players not good enough!

Westwood has been anonymous, that's not being negative. At this level with his ability he should have more grip of the midfield. He should be replaced at half time

Our midfield was invisible. Westwood, I didn't know was playing and Gardner was awful. Left back we struggle and Gestede is anonymous in this formation. I was expecting a hard game but most of the problems are our own, that midfield needs to get a grip of the game.

From being a little pessimistic I'm hoping after McCormack signing and a couple of others, this may be a really interesting season. Premier League was a little boring as we werent competing with the big boys (or even the mid tier) but this season could be a real interesting to watch season and more so than we have had in almost 10 years

I've been really positive about this season up until today and I don't believe my view has changed because of the game over the weekend but I think it's because we start the season properly this week. Yes we have until the end of the month to sign players but I've suddenly got very uneasy. Our team is very very similar to last season, we still have holes at the back, our midfield doesn't have a general, we don't have many options for creativity and I'm not sure upfront where the goals are coming from. I'm putting blind faith Xia and RDM but I'm getting a little worried as I know they are trying but the season starts this week. The clubs confidence is still shot and a few defeats early on could send us into a bad spiral with a lot of last seasons players heads dropping, fans anger and then who would want to come to us on deadline day......not anybody worthwhile

I'd be surprised if Ayew is here by the start of the season hence why I think we need two strikers and Grealish isn't a winger really so a left sided creative midfielder is needed. Grealish can play in other formations we are bound to need during the season.

What are you expecting of a championship club? Top tier players aren't going to come to us just because we have a new owner. Players are driven by money these days but playing in the top tier is still an ego thing for them so if you are expecting elite players or players who have top tier options I think you are dreaming and that would be the same for any club in the championship never mind how much money they have

Just heard he signed this morning but can't see anything in the Internet

Rumours that the Reading kid signed for us this morning but can't see anything on the Internet. Anybody confirm?

Let's see what the do, they have said we need a striker. They have done ok so far in the goalie and elphick so let's see what they do. Just because it's names we may want or in the press at the moment, they may have other names we might be happy with. Plus let's let RDM pick his own team and give him the benefit of the doubt

I agree with V4E, the biggest problem we as fans had last season was that our players werent putting the effort in because on paper these players shouldve avoided relegation by a whisker if not more comfortably. Assuming we have a new goalkeeper and Tommy our new captain at the hear of the defence. Then Amavi and Okore, I would be comfortable with. I'd even be ok with Hutton. Moving forwards to midfield and strikers is where I'm more uncomfortable but assuming at least two or three players in and importantly some of the current squad playing better in a lower level competition, we should be playoff team. RDM effect to get the team functioning should help. That in my mind should be worse case scenario, but obviously I'm hoping for a lot better, with more players in and more out but Villa have let me down so often but I'm trying to stay positive.

Needs to go like many others, we cant have his attitude at the club if we want to get promoted. He's been barely average for years and certainly has never scored the goals his position demands so I dont care what he says he needs to go

Thanks, don't let the door hit you on the way out

Very much looking forward to the game Saturday now, tickets at the ready and hopefully we can make it 3-0

Wasn't that just showing that he had money to the authorities through bank deposits. 1) I doubt he showed all his money and 2) very few rich people have a lot of cash on hand. The overwhelming majority of their wealth is in assets. By that standard theory it says that if he has 600m spare cash this guy is seriously wealthy.

I'd also like Okore to get a second chance, through his fault and our fault he hasnt yet achieved what I orignally thought I saw in him, so I would like to see him get another chance

and to be honest who cares. My old boss used to say set your expectations too high and go for it because even failure is likely to leave you in a better place than those people with realistic goals. By that he means that psychologically generally you only achieve your goal and most of the time you dont even achieve that...think of diet's, career goals, savings.....so if you aim to be top eight you'll probably end up around 10th position but if you aim for top two position you'll probably end up in top eight. While there is so many other factors, if you put that on your own life on some scenarios some of it can ring true. So let's aim for the outragous and that only means in 10 years time we are a top four team then I think I can live with that