DISQUS

BishopvilleRed · 1 year ago

You missed Chelsea.

SB

Jimbo · 1 year ago

Yeah, about Villa. In what is a team who finished sixth last season, and then spent over 30 million in the summer, who currently sit fifth 'punching above their weight'? Surely that's a fairly natural progression?

And Newcaslte = world class players? Ha. You are joking?

Muppet.

The Gaffer · 1 year ago

Shay Given and Michael Owen to name two.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

Jimbo · 1 year ago

World class? World class, or merely very good players? A world class player is someone who would walk into any team in the world - Ronaldo, Kaka, Messi. They are world class players. Given and Owen are probably top four players, but that doesn't necessarily make them world class.

QueViva · 1 year ago

I agree. Villa achieved a place in the league good enough to play European football and made impact signings like Milner, Cuellar and Luke Young without losing their longtime leader Gareth Barry during the summer. This team is right about where it should be. It has better chemistry than most and a wealth of young, improving talent and, were it not for a few hiccups against teams like Fulham and Stoke, would be in 4th or even 3rd right now.

Arjun · 1 year ago

Where's Chelsea!? They're probably punching at their weight or sliiiightly lower.

The Gaffer · 1 year ago

Chelsea is now on the list.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

AtlantaPompey · 1 year ago

Pompey punching below their weight? Winning comfortably is great, but Pompey is in 7th. Played in Europe. Won last season's FA Cup. If that's below their weight, what should they be doing?

I believe Pompey is punching way above their weight right now. We have a tiny little stadium. We get no mention in the press for the superstars. While we've been knocked out of Europe already, at least we were there. How many other clubs with more revenue, larger stadiums, a larger fanbase, more money from rich owners have accomplished what Pompey has accomplished in the last two years? Two straight top 10 finishes and currently in 7th despite many disappointing draws and the manager leaving.

If anyone is punching above their weight, it's Pompey.

Play Up Pompey!!!

Weston · 1 year ago

Id have to agree here. I can't say I expected Pompey to be a top-half team, but they manage to get results and are sitting pretty for the time being.

...then again, plenty of time for things to unravel and Crouch to dissappear again...

ClaretandBlue · 1 year ago

Villa are punching above their weight.

In the 8 games they have played against teams that finished in the top 10 last season Villa's record is W5 D2 L1. The same fixtures last season delivered W0 D5 L3. Villa have been taking an average .5 point extra from their games this season, if they maintain that improvement till the end of the season they will almost certainly finish in the top 4.

The Gaffer · 1 year ago

For Portsmouth, I guess my expectations for them are much higher. I would have thought they could beat the likes of West Brom, West Ham, Wigan and Fulham in the league, but they failed to do so.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

AtlantaPompey · 1 year ago

Yes, those losses or draws were very disappointing. A top ten team should beat those teams, but I think the difference between about 7th and 16th is negligible. Even the bottom teams can beat teams 10 places above them in the table. With the turmoil at the club (being up for sale, Redknapp leaving, are we getting a new stadium or not?) not to mention the added burden of playing in Europe, I really thought we were on track to finish 12th or 13th, which of course is still very possible. I'll take 7th for now and be happy.

I don't see Crouch leaving. Defoe maybe, but not to Spurs. He can't return there until the summer. I could see Diarra getting offers, maybe even Kranjcar, but doubtful. Offers that would improve the club, meaning enough money and time left in the transfer window to go out and find someone, should be seriously considered. If someone offers silly money for Defoe, take it. The same for David James, Diarra, etc. I'll take 12th if we are in a better financial position.

starry · 1 year ago

You make it sound like Hull City are just like Stoke. City have played alot more good football than they seem to.

Patty · 11 months ago

You say that unger a different manager villa wouldn't be were they are. THIS IS THE SAME WITH ALL CLUBS IS IT NOT?

The Gaffer · 11 months ago

Patty, I disagree. With other teams, their manager would have less of an impact that what Martin O'Neill has. In many ways, MON is the true Special One in England.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

ian_jamsie · 11 months ago

Everton punching above their weight?

Ok they have a few injurys, but their side is better than last year and they are one place lower. They have been in the top 6 for how many seasons now.

I feel the artical was written by a southerner, with said mind poluted by southerner rags.