Villarocker

I meant that we were looking a lot better last season and that central defence, where we have now improved the team the most, wasn't an area we really needed to improve.

Apart from John Terry, I don't think we can say that we were able to achieve Bruce's wish for 3-4 quality signings this summer. Even Terry will be coming into an area where we were looking to be a lot better! It would be interesting to know if Bruce is really happy with our summer transfers, when all is said and done, or whether he feels let down by those above him. I guess we will have to wait a long time to find that out - if we ever find out at all. In my humble opinion, if we go into the new season without any further signings, I don't think we will have done enough to change what we saw last season. It will leave me thinking that we will have to live in hope that Bruce and his coaches are going to improve the players enough to be much better than last season. If they don't I fear he will be gone within 10 games and it will all be like last season again.

I had a disagreement with a Villa fan at work yesterday. He is convinced that Villa will go up this season and I am convinced that Bruce will be sacked with the first 10 games. The football was just so bad last season that I thought (think) it's too much for him to turn it around without 4 or 5 quality additions. Apart from Terry, those we've been linked with are not what I consider to be the quality needed to change our fortunes, unfortunately. Let's hope Dr Xia finds a magic money tree to pick from.

To be fair to both sides of that argument, you're right that the facts speak for themself but, also, time and pre-season have yet to be had so that might turn out to be accurate too. Let's just hope Bruce gets it together and takes us up this season. I can't bear the thought of another season like last season where it began with hope just to turn into yet another wasted season in the history books of AVFC.

Not surprised Bruce has gone in for him, if true. I doubt he would make much different to us apart from the fact I can see us definitely reverting to a 3-5-2 formation with Jedinak sitting in front of the back four and Lansbury and Hourihane ahead of him.

My feelings about Amavi leaving are the same as for Sanchez, Gil, Ayew, Traore, Veretout etc. Those that go can go and if they stay then not too bothered. I thought he would get better as last season went on but he didn't and for me it would be no sad sight to see him leave. I actually think the better player out of the lot mentioned above if Veretout and I reckon he would do well as a Championship player if given a good run of games to show what he can do.

One in done and the other almost. A third in will be between three players of which there is an 85% chance with one of them so again, almost done. A fourth player is between two and they are each 50% chance. A definite out plus another three that are very close a couple of other outs not too far off too. Expect a busy few days folks.

I was never convinced by Bruce's appointment and didn't think he would be a success here but have been willing to give him a chance to prove me wrong. I've not seen anything that makes me think he will do that and I fear that he won't get us promoted. I do think that Bruce would do himself and the club a huge favour if he got at least one or two new coaches in because it's the playing style that is a problem and that's surely developed by the coaches on the training field?

Mate, we're completely fooked if we need that because Brum council couldn't collect 50p let alone get rid of that lot!

Get your tin hats on guys!

Which is exactly why we should be investing more in top coaches and scouts to spot, bring through and develop our own future £50m players instead of just shelling out the owners fortunes on overrated players.

Johnstone Chester Terry Baker Adomah Hourihane Jedinak Taylor Lansbury Hogan Kodjia Change McCormack for Kodjia if he is injured still. If Jedinak is injured, drop Lansbury back there and put Thor behind the strikers.

We just need to sign Hay, Vee and Eff to complete the name now

He still has time to develop so too early to write off yet. Plus, he now has a bit of stability and will be number 1 (probably), which should give him a confidence boost also. I would have preferred a more established 'keeper to be honest but I am not against giving this lad a chance to prove himself.

I can understand what Bruce is saying about coping with the size of the club. Maybe that's why he's going for the likes of Terry and maybe Crouch - because they know how big we are and can cope with the challenge because of the level they've played at.

I know Crouch has good feet for a giant but let's face it, to get the best out of him these days he needs crosses to feed off. I'm not sure we scored too many headed goals from crosses last season.

OG = Oblivious Ginger = Alex McLeish.

Do we really know what the likes if Jedinak, Hourihane, Lansbury, McCormack earn though? Maybe they don't get as much as people think. Or, maybe they get a lower salary but higher bonuses for certain achievements, which, means they wouldn't have got that much last season.

Damn, what's our owner playing at by not getting that Recon deal done!

Great post mate and my thoughts exactly. If we we're trying to get players like Hart whilst in the Championship, what kind of players will we go for when promoted? Exciting times ahead hopefully.

Does anyone know what the Recon back-of-the-shirt sponsorship brings to the club in terms of revenue? Maybe Dr Tony has thought things through and found himself a nice little loophole to plough some extra cash into the club!

I think Bruce failed last season. I think he would admit it too because, when he joined, he said that the target was to get at least into the play offs and try to get promoted. That's obviously not what happened so he failed to achieve that target. He also failed to buy in cover for Jedinak in January and that hurt us too because it was obvious were weaker without him. However, this is a new season and there's no way he's leaving anytime soon so now we all just need to get behind him and support everything AVFC as this season we have a much better squad to start off with and there's absolutely no reason for us not to go up. Bruce and the players have to hit the ground running and, if they do, the momentum will hopefully stand us in good stead for the rest of the season and promotion can be achieved. But, I think that Bruce will have 8-10 games to have us top 8 and looking good. Otherwise, I can see Dr Tony getting trigger happy.

I think that joining Villa would be a great move for Joe Hart and us. None of the top 10 Premier League clubs would need him so if he does choose to stay in the Premier League he will be joining a club that could potentially struggle against relegation. Also, we undoubtedly have the best central defensive partnership outside of the Premier League and, you could argue, Terry and Chester would stand up against most centre back partnerships in the bottom half of the Premier League. Playing for Villa would also mean the opportunity to play 8 more games and against weaker attacking players. I doubt Southgate would shut him out for dropping a division and it would give Hart more exposure than playing for a midtable foreign club who play in their top division. Hart's days at Man City are clearly over so a season-long loan deal with an option to buy would be a great deal for us. If he had a blinder and we went up you would imagine he would have had a good season so that would only be good for both parties.

To be fair, sometimes people can be misread. It happened to me once when on holiday with a mate. We were in a twin bedded room. I got back to the room later than he did and when I opened the door I caught him in bed with two blonde ladies. He told me to "f**k off". I said "no worries, which one is she?"