ferguson1

I think a lot will depend on his form between now and the end of the season! If he scores say a further 10+ goals in our remaining games someone will take him. I for one would love to see him stay - his application is fantastic and would suggest he is a popular figure in the dressing room.

Completely agree with you here Richard, if ever there was a right time it is now! Imagine, a couple in and on the bench for Saturday, would lift the crowd and players no end! Still can't think of who would be good though - Remy on loan to partner Ayew would be good but not likely I suppose. Townsend on loan? Debuchy on loan? No doubt we may have tried but they won't come. Strike while the iron is hot Mr Lerner/Mr Fox!!!

Still a little emotional to be honest, not sure if others feel that way? Almost the same feeling as a semi final win! I did post last night on Star City car park and the feeling was one of joy, relief and possible hope. Ayew MOTM for me as never stopped running and if he had put that one in at the end! Closely followed by both our full backs as they had to keep a close eye on Zaha and apart from the first 40 seconds they stood up really well. I have to admit as well that I am starting to have a soft spot for Veretout - I think he at times has found games tough but you can see glimpses of a real player, should he get a goal soon he may blossom for the rest of season. Finally, Kozak - he may not be pacey and silky skilled but he did cause problems with movement etc and Ayew looked bright playing off him. Has to start the next few games if fit. It was said last night walking back to the car, we just need to chase down one team at a time and Sunderland are not that far away - belief!! Off to work now finally with a smile. Onwards and hopefully upwards!

Wow, soaked but at least no one can see the tears in my eyes! Sitting in the car on Star City full of cold but I don't care this evening because it is worth it at times. Best game so far this season bar none. Fight, effort, determination and care on the ball - it was all there this evening apart from a real cutting edge going forward still but maybe we can grind out a few more 1-0 wins? Kozak - 90th minute and he cleverly wins a corner to relieve the pressure, now would Gestede have done that? Ayew - that run at the end, if only it had gone in! All of them on the pitch tonight were fantastic!! One thing I and I'm sure many noticed is that Garde didn't seem to fancy using anyone off the bench - speaks volumes that!! Anyway, I presume the goal was a goal? Ah hell I don't care if it wasn't anyway, let's just enjoy it and now I can finally go to work tomorrow with a smile on my face. Roll on Saturday and let's have a repeat of that!! Now need to get home.

Perhaps a good signing in this or the next window could be a coach/back room staff member that the fans can actually relate to and the players actually respect (ie a Laursen type figure)? Petrov could have been that man but was perhaps not well enough. Obviously they would have to have some coaching ability but I for one would like to see this.

It was so apparent on Saturday it was untrue, partly down to current confidence levels as well I'm sure. A Parker, Barton, Nolan type figure would work wonders on the squad I'm sure of it. Often I am told by my Celtic supporting relatives that Scott Brown may not be the best player in their division but is such an influence on a match day. I truly believe we need one or two like this as it can make such a difference!

I am with you on this VillaChris, more so because I am a bit of a worrier at times. Garde different circumstances/time could have been a good appointment but I just don't see it where we are at present as a club. Can't help but think Pearson would get this club going again but just my opinion of course.

I did post this on Saturday night and nobody replied but am still intrigued to know if people from the club read the topics on this site? Does anyone think someone does - just curious. Obviously, I'm not saying Randy or Tom Fox would but pehaps a PR/Media person? If I was a player and/or manager I for one would be intrigued to see what fans were saying about me. Moreover, someone from the club should print some of these comments and show them to certain people, maybe then we would see a reaction!

Sometimes you have to look at signing a player with a bit of 'character' as well as ability. We simply don't have that character. Nolan may have been a good or some may say bad example, but I think we need that type. I just can't think of a younger one!

Was at the game Saturday and one thing is really apparent - we are a quiet team! If we are to make just one signing this window (God hope there's more by the way) but we need a talker/voice in the middle of the park. The type of player that talks to players and the ref at times, can put his fist up to some to get them going and put an arm round others that need encouragement. You can see that the current players have slowly regressed over six months. Gana is mute I'm sure! Now, I really don't know who but we need someone to lead us for rest of season and the next (ie a Joey Barton, a Kevin Nolan type player). It may also make the opposition think that we are not pushovers as I'm sure most teams do at present.

I would like to see this team but doubt we will: Bunn Richards Okore Lescott Cissokho Westwood Gana Gil Veretout Ayew Kozak Need to keep an eye on the quick break because Zaha is a real threat with his pace. Hopefully, Cabaye missing will help but still think we will lose (0-1). Let's at least hope for some passion and fight even if we cannot match them on ability!

It may not be the best place to post this here but does anyone honestly know if people from the club read the topics on this site? Just curious. If I was a player, I for one would be intrigued to see what fans were saying about me. Moreover, someone from the club should print some of these comments and show them to the squad maybe then it would hit home?

Don't think it's delusional at all but like I said just my opinion. Ashley may have liked Sherwood's enthusiasm? Would he have come back to a chairman and fan base who quite frankly adored him? Offer him the right salary? Remember we had 40-50m to spend and bought poorly in the main. Someone of his type is what we need anyway, as it's been crying out for it this season.

Yes, Ashley Young - because I think we could have got him in the summer. Just my opinion of course, maybe nostalgia on my part a bit as well! Would just like us to be a real threat up top again and currently we just aren't!! Not sure where we go from here to be that real counter attacking treat again.

In the last six months this forward three would have possible to put together I reckon but sadly not now: A Young........Afobe........A Townsend How much would the above have cost last summer £25m? Shame.

Totally agree with this, with someone like A Young out wide, we were always a treat but not at present. Gestede just isn't good enough to lead a line either. Didn't realise until just now that Afobe is possibly joining Bournemouth, now there's a player who could have been good for us. Sad when newly promoted teams are already building a better team than ours!! Sad times now and ahead.

Good post and pretty much how I saw it today as well just couldn't be bothered to write it.

Some abuse and stick maybe, vile poisonous language throughout - not for me. Watching today and I truly believe this, that some players are just not good enough and no player is going to say 'hey I'm out my depth here so take me out of it'! Short comings and failings happen in any walk of life and some of these players are in my opinion out of their depth. We do have a poor squad. They signed for a great club on good money so who can blame them for that. Do they care - I honestly don't know but let's not put every player in the 'don't care' box. I think some of them do and I think some them don't. We just need to start again with this team, either now and/or in the summer, because make no mistake this squad would not get out of the Championship! Just hope Garde or whoever starts next season as manager knows this.

I wasn't going to comment regarding today but then I read the above from DeadlyDirk. I went today because I have relatives in the area and yes I think the display was somewhat embarrassing but I'm more embarrassed by some of our fans. The abuse today at times is really poisonous - yes I am all for showing passion and fight and these players are not Demi-Gods that we have no right to question but honestly we're better than looking like scum. I stayed behind to watch the players go and I haven't seen the Twitter footage but again - just embarrassing! Have to say it was mainly 3 guys I think at the front of the coach but there were children wanting a glimpse of the players and the language and hatred towards the players was disgusting! It just cannot help the cause!! Finally, the only thing I didn't like (if true) is one fan close to me said that Bacuna was laughing as he got on the coach. If this was the case it certainly wouldn't have helped the situation. Not a great day and cannot see where improvement will come from unless we dip into the market for some fresh faces! Love the reading of posts, discussion and at times difference of opinions on here but please keep the faith everyone and let's at least as fans stick together!!

Agree, I also am just not sure. At 1-1 today I didn't see Garde or his coaching team on the touch line pushing us for a winner but what I did see was Fat Sam pushing his team! Not saying Garde is a bad manager just think he maybe the wrong manager at the wrong time.

Totally agree here! If Gestede wants to stay and help get us out of the Championship how about Bamford as a loan to play with him? Surely enough goals in the pair of them? We also need a confident goalkeeper and a quality holding midfielder.

Totally agree here! I am ever the optimist but we are fighting to get draws let alone wins. Sunderland (excluding Defoe) are appalling and even at 1-1 we never really looked like causing them further problems. From Monday, we need a plan and that plan should be a transfer philosophy that will enable us to get out of the Chamionship.

Personally, I would like to see Gil or Traore in to replace Sanchez. If we take any risk with Sanchez the way he walked off we will lose him for 2 months or worse! If we show some belief and score first we could win this one. 2-1 Villa. ---------------------Guzan Hutton-----Okore-----Lescott--------Bacuna -----------------Westwood------------------ -----------Veretout------Gana---------- ---------Gil------Gestede------Ayew--------- Edited Tuesday at 15:25 by ferguson1

I find 3, 9 and 10 particularly incompatible with the bold. Fee withheld. *****3 edited***** I admit, could have chosen better here! Edited 2 hours ago by choffer

If I was being considerate of the whole household I would have to have a 'Mr Tumble' song in there as well! :-)