Reluctant Striker

Not sure which clubs have both the £'s & would see the need for Raheem Sterling, but now would seem a good time for someone to get him.

Only 1 game, but a good start. Villa have perhaps pulled off a great piece of business getting Onana. Pleased West Ham decided against paying the required price for Duran. And on other clubs.. I hope Danilo recovers well. One of those broken ankles with foot hanging at a horrible angle.

Definitely do not like the amateur dramatic performances of those who are not genuinely hurt. But, a forehead being shoved forward to another is essentially no different than a shove with hands, etc. All players should know not to do it, to avoid an unnecessary red.

1. Man City 2. Arsenal 3. Spurs 4. Newcastle 5. Villa 6. Liverpool 7. Man United 8. West Ham 9. Chelsea 10. Bournemouth 11. Brighton 12. Crystal Palace 13. Wolves 14. Everton 15. Southampton 16. Fulham 17. Brentford 18. Nottingham Forest 19. Leicester City 20. Ipswich Town

Title Winners - Man City Bottom 3 - Forest, Leicester & Ipswich Top Scorer - Al Fingy Haaland Top Assists - Cole Palmer Most Clean Sheets - Jordan Pickford - Everton Most Goals Scored (club) - Arsenal Most Goals Conceded (club) - Ipswich Most Own Goals (club) - West Ham

Diego Carlos was regularly conceding possession & chances in the 2nd half of last season. Maybe not suiting Emery's possession based style. But just on squad depth it's a bit of a gamble. Lenglet has not returned. Chambers has left. To my awareness Mings is yet to play any minutes. I'm guessing Villa are planning a few more signings. Various rumours on CBs & RBs. And it has all been a bit sell to buy.

He did have a big injury lay off. I remember him getting a huge ovation in a Champions League return. He could have been interesting at Villa, but Villa have a longer queue now for his potential positions. If he can stay fit, I think he'll do well being somewhere he will play.

Will probably help push him on into the England squad & get a bit more headline appreciation from those that only look at the top half of the table. But.. is he going to work out as a Richarlison upgrade? To push Spurs back toward the top? I think it seems lots of £'s when the answer to that feels like it may well be close but ultimately no.

It has been a truly horrific week. Brought to you by the same people that cheer on all the foreign players at their football clubs, all the not white GB Olympic medallists, etc. And the more I think about it all, the more sad it is how things have changed since I was young. I remember the Euro tunnel being completed. It was exciting. It was positive. It was opportunity. And back then the Royal Family were more loudly touring further off places, promoting Britain, as a global friend, ally & trading partner for all. On a side note intellectual level, it was a questionable point, to me, when it became EU or others. The EU put that on the table. It did not need to. But, the rioters are not exactly pro the 'others' are they? They are just the idiots, blaming all around them for the results of their own idiocy. That really is who they are. While the EU is a few steps from Ursula Von Der Leyen being the EU literal equivalent of Joe Biden. And, as against the rioters as I am. And as much as Brexit was a negative thing. I can't at the same time ignore that the political entities which still shout against it, would invariably also back Irish terrorists if it was the 'correct' side doing it, ignore similar culture issues in France, the racism in Italy & generally begrudge England being the epicentre of the English speaking world. Above & beyond the toxicity bomb that is gun rampage & assassination central America. And Russia in Ukraine. Israel & the Palestinians. If civilised aliens find us any time soon, they'll turn round & head off home when they start translating what we're all on about.

Not sure. This time last year I did feel quietly confident of a top 5 or 6 spot. This season, I'm not so sure. Villa have done lots of business, but not sure it's made us stronger, in the starting 11. The backup 11 is perhaps raised a little. And there will be the question of whether Watkins starts taking penalties again. My heart wants to see things push on further. My head says Villa will do extremely well to maintain a spot in the top 6. And try to continue to build the squad & the appeal of joining the squad. A trophy would be nice. But they are more & more rare outside certain clubs.

Very surprising in many ways. For the player, he is only mid 20's & apparently happy to give up on any chance to get back in the French squad. For Villa, Diaby was only there for one season, gave quite good 1st season numbers & showed many glimpses of his skills. But, later into the season Bailey was ahead as the left footed wing-attack option. Right footed Buendia is expected back. A small queue of Rodgers, Ramsey, Dobbin & Phillogene Bidace forming for wing-attack chances. McGinn spent most of last season in & around those areas. While I am reading Villa are perhaps looking at this Diaby sale as being another chance to move money around, to perhaps bring in someone else..

For me, the candidate should be someone perceived as both best in class. And some appreciation for England, it's football & social culture & a genuine desire to see it succeed. I think if it's a not English manager, it should be box office. As in Pep or Klopp. Perhaps Unai. Possibly Mourinho. He's probably the most readily available. Not many options left in club football. One way or another coaches who have ripped up the rulebook. If it's English it can only really be Howe or maybe, perhaps, at a push, Potter. But if you go Potter, with respect you may aswell be sticking with Southgate or going Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney or even Dean Smith or Sean Dyche. The further down the list you go, the less point in the change there is.

Cameroon: because Italia 90 as explained more recently by Ian Wright fizzy pop TV advert. Romania: because Gheorghe Hagi & it's seemed sad how far they have declined. It does make me feel happy the more of Ireland's, Wales & Scotland make it to tournaments. I do have a respect & appreciation for nations like Brazil, Argentina, Italy & Germany. I can't think of a nation I actively dislike. I guess I do tend towards seeing a funny side to it whenever a big nation does badly. Especially the European ones, like Italy & Germany. Despite the respect mentioned above. I guess because it still feels to me that it they are off it, doors open for many others.

Are you suggesting this squad of Bellingham, Foden, Palmer, Saka, Rice, Stones, Mainoo, Gordon, etc, unconvincingly reached the final & unconvincingly got to 1-1 in the final because they are quarter final at best level players & Southgate's tactics dragged them much further than they merit? It would be a very unique take, wherever you read about it right now.. As a teen I had Southgate's name & number on the back of my Villa shirt. In 1996/97. I was sad to see Bobby Robson & Terry Venables leave England. I can understand it that's just kind of where you are coming from.

It is definitely the right time. Gareth Southgate OBE has done a fantastic job. Ignoring the internal & external noise around what England should or should not be achieving. In 2018 personally I had near zero expectations. And we kind of part fluked (by winner standards) our way to a semi final. With a side featuring Eric Dier, Dele Alli & Raheem Sterling. At Euro 2021 we beat Croatia & Germany (yes, at home) on our way to a convincing final appearance, where with just a little more of something, we could have won. The 2022 defeat to France was not an embarrassment. Just a return to our usually expected level. When we come up against that team. But this year, this tournament, expectations were as high as I can remember. We looked totally unconvincing on our way to the final, and even getting to 1-1 in the final. To me, that is a tournament that screams very loudly that the squad of players are exceptional. Bellingham. Foden. Palmer. Saka. If someone can organise & deploy them in the right way. The defence may change most, but not much wrong with a back 4 or Trent, Konsa, Branthwaite & Guehi. With Trent essentially as wing back. Looking around at what others have to offer. England are a genuine contender. Against anyone. Anywhere. It would be foolish not see that. I think Southgate does. I think it's the best choice at the correct moment, for him, for the sides future chances. Over to the FA now to get the new choice spot on.

You do not think the league's have helped produce & refine a whole bunch of the current squad? Who are starting to look a level above previous generations? I have fully backed Southgate. Until now. Yes, it is the best I've known following England. Where Q-final or semi final respectability was as good as it got But good luck to you for whatever it is you are actually hoping for & would like to see one day. If your view is genuinely that England is pretty much Sweden, what's the fuss ? you will always have this same lack of comprehension for England football fans & their expectations.

If you are genuinely looking for reasons to justify the mysterious 'English' dissatisfaction, just totalling up World Cup or Euro's wins since 1990 (when I was first fully aware what was going on & what I was watching) This was the 18th tournament. Spain 4, Germany 3, France 3, Brazil 2, Italy 2, with 1 each for Portugal, Denmark, Greece & Argentina. The big leagues are widely considered to be Spanish, German, French, Italian & ...English. Yes, we're right up there with Netherlands, Sweden, Uruguay & Croatia. But the English league is supposed to be significantly ahead & in among a very different group. There is a case to suggest change is gradually happening, with this current generation. There is a much broader story beyond just the current manager & group of players.

A further midfielder was certainly needed by Villa. Onana has impressed me at his best & feels like a better choice than other names who were being linked. But it is still a sad effect of PSR. That Villa have arranged to sell Douglas Luiz, to Juve. And within a few weeks, into a new accounting year, they spend the same money.

It is time for Southgate to move on. It has been extraordinary how he has returned us back to the business end of tournaments. And not every 6 or 8 years or whatever. 2 finals, 1 semi & 1 quarter. In 4 consecutive tournaments. Anyone who doesn't see the improvement & recognise his achievements has not left school yet. Spain were the best of an average bunch, compared to national teams I feel I've seen in the past. But England had a squad packed with serious potential. For the whole tournament had very little cohesion & style of play. Foden got used where he wanted to be used. And he only threatened to deliver. Bellingham had his overhead moment & took a superstar penalty. But was largely ineffectual. Kane looked like someone who had gone 1 tournament too far, at least as a starter. I think I have resigned myself to the fact England will never win a tournament in my lifetime. And I think I am at peace with that. But at the same time, it does feel worth the English FA actively seeking the best tactically shrewd manager available. Because Bellingham, Saka, Foden, Palmer, etc.

Partly my point? I also partly rated France as significant favourites vs Argentina. When the proven Mbappe France were up against perennial he'll never quite do it Messi Argentina. There's a few calling for a Spain demolition of England. Or England requiring miracles. I just don't see it that way... I'd give you my full prediction, but you never seem keen for my/Villa input.

Argentina beat France in the last World Cup final. England absolutely can beat Spain in this Euro's final. It could be a real classic of a final.

I was very surprised when the penalty was given. But, the usual coming together is a defender looking to kick the ball. With a foot going upwards. On the incident he is stamping down. Whoever was on VAR obviously thought it seemed dubious. I'd suggest if Kane tackled a defender looking to clear in that same stamping motion, a free kick is the decision. Still very very fortunate for England, because 95% of those challenges just get waived away. And nobody on either side thinks too much more about it.

Especially pleased for Ollie Watkins that he scored in open play. We know Kane will start the final, but Watkins probably suits starting. Wheel Kane on for a penalty if it seems needed. I will say it now.. I feel more relaxed & confident than I did in 2021. Back then I was excited & nervous. Hope that's how the squad feels too.

Just been reading Villa had a clause allowing them 3 days to match any accepted transfer offer. And it is thought they are considering doing so. May be a cause of the apparent hold up.

Even if it is a person who's partner pays all the bills, or a young person that just wants a job for the CV, they would ideally like the clarity of it being 3 hours every Saturday. It is a niche type of person that will find many aspects of zero hours appealing. The type of employer it is & how it is used should certainly have some control over it. But at the other end of the extreme, nearly all employees are given a form to sign to opt out of working a maximum of 48 hours per week. So that they can voluntarily choose to work more. Or they can look for another job. There can be quality of work-life balance. Even if very well paid.