Villarocker

Yep, two tough-tackling midfielders - McGinn as one of them - to accompany Jack's finesse would be a joy to watch.

That's also a fair point, Dave!

Didn't Purslow recently state that we are financially stable? I'm guessing that had nothing to do with ffp then? If that's the case, surely we will be royally fooked at the end of the season if not promoted? I hope that the current powers-that-be at the club know exactly what they're doing and aren't just repeating the same mistakes of the last two owners.

Would have taken him a couple of years ago but not now. We need to be more forward thinking than this guy.

Please, if we loan Christian Fuchs, let us also sign up Rod Fanni. I would laugh forever at hearing commentators going through our team lineup: Kalinic, Fuchs, Fanni Fanni's name is actually Rod Dodji Fanni. What a great name that is! Lol

Your point about Xia is a fair one. Your point about how Smith has assembled squads in the past is also fair. But, you need to consider the fact that we are Aston Villa with very wealthy owners - not Brentford or Walsall! Consider that Smith has never had owners with money to spend big. He's previously managed clubs that are not necessarily well regarded for being promotion contenders or held with such high esteem within English football. When Aston Villa go wanting other clubs' players, you can guarantee the price of the player is going up. Unless of course it's Hibernian you're dealing with! Dean Smith may have a past history of buying players on the cheap and turning them into gems but that doesn't mean he wasn't interested in buying more expensive players. It doesn't matter how he did it in the past - the representatives trying to buy us players now come from Villa and I think that will make a difference when negotiating transfer fees. But, I would love it if we could have a major squad overall with £30m.

No offence but, you really think we can build a major squad, for this level, with £30m? Can I remind you that our two (ineffective) main strikers today cost not too far short of that for those two alone! We will need more than Jack's transfer fee to build a good squad for this level. Remember, down here, we are rated like the Man City in the transfer market. Our proud history and club size goes before us and as soon as we're linked with a player the fee instantly grows.

Blimey, I know were struggling but calling in the reserve army is a bit much, isn't it?

So, did they announce at half time today that Abraham would be leaving? If so, why on earth would anyone be so stupid to do that? I'm guessing that didn't happen but the suggestion that it would is just insane. Maybe the guy who said it would happen was being trusted with that information just to suss him out as someone who gobs off too much?

Hogan wouldn't look threatening with a machete in one hand, a .357 magnum in the other, wearing a backpack with wires hanging out of it!

Smith tried to do the basics of putting players in their natural positions, which mostly worked. However,injuries have 0ut paid to that and, together with the loss of our creative threat, we're paying the price for it.

The foresight of Steve Bruce is something to behold! PS: it starts tomorrow when Hogan bags a double against the Swans!

Pep's asking for energy and Sherwood is showing how not to wrap presents!

Pep's asking for energy - Sherwood is showing how to not wrap Christmas presents!

BECAUSE he was left with such a shite defensive unit! If, as fans, we wanted to remain tight and guileless, we should have campaigned to keep Bruce!

Totally agree about the workrate mate but, that's what you get when you spend hundreds of millions! I understand you could argue that any fit "athlete" should be able to use such energy accordingly but we do have Championship level players and that's what you get for your money.

You know what, I've enjoyed his goals but seriously, I enjoyed watching Johnny Kodjia scoring more. That probably seems stupid and churlish but I mean that. The only goal of Tammy's that's really stood out for me is that goal where he robbed the player down the left wing and ran through and shot past the keeper. Other than that I just remember tap-ins or headers. However, Kodjia's goals just seems like class each time. Question is, can he do that again? I think he could if he's the main man again. He just needs to do away with the selfishness and sulking. If he does that we won't miss Tammy. And, Deano did say he's rather play our own that loanees - now's his chance to prove that, maybe?

Agreed but he doesn't score in the Premier League so who knows what fee will be paid. Having said that, they apparently want £40m for Hudson-Odoi!

Smith must see what we see - the first thing he did when put in charge was to play a back four in their natural positions and it worked for the most part. Were now struggling because we lost this season's most impressive defender, our creative threat and, he was left to play a goalkeeper that was a bag of nerves. He's addressed the keeper, is trying to sort out the centre backs and surely work must be going on to address the full back situation and defensive midfield area. Smith will get it right eventually when he can bring in players that he needs. I'm confident of that.

How dare you talk about my ex girlfriend like that - she saved 10 pens in 4 seasons! PS: none of my statement is true!

He needs better shin pads!

Don't go up and we will be extremely lucky to replace Abraham next season with someone who scores as many at this level. We need to take advantage of his goals whilst we have him.

You may well be right about O'Hare - who knows unless he gets a chance? However, saying that, Sawyers may come in and take time to settle too so maybe by the time he's settled one of our own - O'Hare - could have proved to be as good, if not better, with that game time? All ifs and buts. Grealish is rated at £25m minimum by our club. It's asking a lot to get an exact replacement for him when he's rated so valuable. All I'm saying is, from what I've seen of O'Hare in the past, he's looked the closest thing to Grealish that we already have and that's why I was suggesting him getting a game whenever Grealish is out.

I think we're badly missing Grealish for the way he carries the ball forward away from our danger areas and into the opposition third. As soon as he gets anywhere within 30 yards of the opposition goal he is fouled. That buys us time to reorganize all over the pitch and also gives us chance to attack from a set piece. Deano needs to find a way to get someone else carrying out the same role whenever Jack is missing. For me, O'Hare seems the natural successor.

We've missed the chance for top two now. If we'd won the last three we would have been in with a chance of the league still but we've missed our chance. We need to ensure top six is guaranteed with a could of games to go so that we can rest a few key players before the play-offs.