Gareth Bale must be the wildcard.

 

Yeah, Modric isn't exactly a 'classic' handsome either...

 

It would explain why they've continued to put up with Casillas though!

Is it really fair to name him when he's not even been charged, let alone found guilty of anything?

No it isn't, damn right shameful. God I hate the press, trial by media - we all know what that's like.

I like Tim Sherwood. He's an open, heart on his sleeve, bloke. However, I think he's made (another) ill thought out career move; Villa look beyond saving and their run-in to the end of the season is scary from a Villa fan's perspective. I can't see them winning in April or May tbh.

Sherwood should have said 'no' to the job imo. He's not Pulis or Pardew (yet, in fairness) and 13 games to turn around a team that's been shocking all season is a huge order.

I like Tim Sherwood. He's an open, heart on his sleeve, bloke. However, I think he's made (another) ill thought out career move; Villa look beyond saving and their run-in to the end of the season is scary from a Villa fan's perspective. I can't see them winning in April or May tbh.

Sherwood should have said 'no' to the job imo. He's not Pulis or Pardew (yet, in fairness) and 13 games to turn around a team that's been shocking all season is a huge order.

I agree, ai think Sherwood would have had better luck with QPR personally they've at least got some decent players

I agree, ai think Sherwood would have had better luck with QPR personally they've at least got some decent players

I agree re QPR - things could go their way with some luck for them and some focus and they can score. It's a lesson for middling sides to see how recently Villa were in the top six and now this.

No it isn't, damn right shameful. God I hate the press, trial by media - we all know what that's like.

 

Completely agree. Even if he's innocent he's got no chance of getting rid of the 'kiddy fiddler' tag now.

No it isn't, damn right shameful. God I hate the press, trial by media - we all know what that's like.

Agreed. Nothing should come out unless he's proven guilty

Is it really fair to name him when he's not even been charged, let alone found guilty of anything?

 

 

Yeah it doesn't look good although I want to hear more information before I actually make my judgement as that BBC breaking news article tells us nothing really.

 

well Sunderland isn't taking any chances

 

"Sunderland AFC has confirmed that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of a police investigation. No further comment will be made at the present time."

well Sunderland isn't taking any chances

"Sunderland AFC has confirmed that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of a police investigation. No further comment will be made at the present time."

Fair point Robdog - Sunderland have acted promptly and avoided speculation, etc. It's good for them that they have not faffed around.

I like Tim Sherwood. He's an open, heart on his sleeve, bloke. However, I think he's made (another) ill thought out career move; Villa look beyond saving and their run-in to the end of the season is scary from a Villa fan's perspective. I can't see them winning in April or May tbh.

Sherwood should have said 'no' to the job imo. He's not Pulis or Pardew (yet, in fairness) and 13 games to turn around a team that's been shocking all season is a huge order.

 

I think you've got that right Spud, I was really surprised that he took Villa on. Looks like a real poisoned chalice. They do seem to be playing a little better since he arrived but I suspect that's just the new manager bounce, not a particular response to Sherwood. It's a pity, he does seem to be a decent bloke and he doesn't fall into the Rodgers trap of trying to use every big word he's ever heard when he's interviewed.

No it isn't, damn right shameful. God I hate the press, trial by media - we all know what that's like.

 

The press aren't allowed to name rape victims, children or print the new names of James Bulger's killers. The same right should be given to the accused in cases like this.

The press aren't allowed to name rape victims, children or print the new names of James Bulger's killers. The same right should be given to the accused in cases like this.

 

Whilst that's one view, and one I can totally understand, there is always the argument that other victims of rape do come forward when their accuser is charged with other crimes as we saw with some of the other high-profile cases. Not saying either is right but it's not as simple as saying one shouldn't be done.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

I like Tim Sherwood. He's an open, heart on his sleeve, bloke. However, I think he's made (another) ill thought out career move; Villa look beyond saving and their run-in to the end of the season is scary from a Villa fan's perspective. I can't see them winning in April or May tbh.

Sherwood should have said 'no' to the job imo. He's not Pulis or Pardew (yet, in fairness) and 13 games to turn around a team that's been shocking all season is a huge order.

I've never liked him. I think Villa are idiotic for taking him on, ex-players like him need to cut their teeth in lower league or non-league football. I hope he disappears along with Villa.

Whilst that's one view, and one I can totally understand, there is always the argument that other victims of rape do come forward when their accuser is charged with other crimes as we saw with some of the other high-profile cases. Not saying either is right but it's not as simple as saying one shouldn't be done.

 

And what if the accused turns out to be innocent? There have also been cases where men have been falsely accused of rape, and had their lives ruined as a result. I don't think anyone deserves to have their name smeared before they've even been charged with anything, on the off chance that they might be guilty. Johnson has already been suspended from his job, and has an accusation against his name that will be very hard to shake off, even if he should end up being proved innocent. Look at a certain football manager as a case in point.

And what if the accused turns out to be innocent? There have also been cases where men have been falsely accused of rape, and had their lives ruined as a result. I don't think anyone deserves to have their name smeared before they've even been charged with anything, on the off chance that they might be guilty. Johnson has already been suspended from his job, and has an accusation against his name that will be very hard to shake off, even if he should end up being proved innocent. Look at a certain football manager as a case in point.

 

True, but there is obviously a case for naming suspects and I don't think the police tend to arrest people 'on the off chance' they've committed a crime. Like I said it's a very tricky subject.

I've never liked him. I think Villa are idiotic for taking him on, ex-players like him need to cut their teeth in lower league or non-league football. I hope he disappears along with Villa.

I think his ego is far bigger than his talent - two games, two defeats, one goal...nothing has changed...just got a gobsh*te rather than someone bland like lambert

I bet Giroud is happy reading that Di Maria article, One step closer to completing his move to Real, Next step, Becoming a competent striker who isn't a £10 million lamp post as Claude from Arsenal fan tv says.

I bet Giroud is happy reading that Di Maria article, One step closer to completing his move to Real, Next step, Becoming a competent striker who isn't a £10 million lamp post as Claude from Arsenal fan tv says.

 

Or a statue in Madame Tussauds - come on Mate, the milk is stale

I bet Giroud is happy reading that Di Maria article, One step closer to completing his move to Real, Next step, Becoming a competent striker who isn't a £10 million lamp post as Claude from Arsenal fan tv says.

Not sure why he said that, he's scored 9 goals in the past 11 games or so and gets you at least 15 goals a season. Not bad for a £10m striker, some who cost twice that don't even get that many goals. 

I've never liked him. I think Villa are idiotic for taking him on, ex-players like him need to cut their teeth in lower league or non-league football. I hope he disappears along with Villa.

I agree about him spending time to cut his teeth. I don't know how a Manager with frankly limited experience as a successful manager got such a big job as Villa. Common sense would be to do as you say Peckham Blue.

Lerner must be gambling on his raw energy and enthusiasm to spark them into life.....whether he has the tactical acumen to back it up is another thing!

Lerner needs them to survive otherwise he's gonna be stuck with them. I do question why he ever bought them.

Manuel Pellegrini has the final 12 matches of Manchester City’s season to save his job, with the manager needing to defend the Premier League title or win the Champions League, otherwise Pep Guardiola will be approached as his replacement.

 

If City fail to claim either the title or the European Cup and Pellegrini’s second campaign ends without a trophy then his future would be precarious, and the 61-year-old could be sacked following an end of season appraisal.

 

Pellegrini is a popular figure at City, from executive level to first-team squad, and so the hierarchy would be reluctant to remove him. However, given City’s unconvincing display in the Champions League and a Premier League campaign in which they will be eight points behind Chelsea if the leaders win their game in hand, a prevailing view is that Pellegrini has failed to improve the team.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/02/manuel-pellegrini-manchester-city-pressure-pep-guardiola

Pep's brand of football will get exposed badly in England, mark my words.

Would be happy for him to go to City.

Guardiola will also have a year remaining in the close season but the former Barcelona coach could well prefer to stay at Bayern Munich. But given his seemingly difficult relationship with some key people at the club – in January Bayern were forced to deny Guardiola and Matthias Sammer, the sporting director, had clashed – City would be keen to discuss any vacant position with him.

While Atlético Madrid’s Diego Simeone is not a candidate as the Argentinian is viewed as being too pragmatic in style, Rafael Benítez’s Champions League pedigree and Premier League experience means the Napoli coach is also on the radar.

 

 

Thank God for that!

 

Simeone is too pragmatic but they're comfortable going for Benitez? I'd be terrified if they appointed Simeone; even he isn't comfortable playing a 4-4-2 at the Nou Camp and this is a man who somehow turned it into a cautious formation.

 

Also I think they are dreaming if they think they can attract Guardiola - why would he leave Bayern? They're bloody brilliant!