Positives for next season

[Brend'Watkins]

1) Our manager will not be waving at the kop.
2) Stuart Downing (if he's still with us) will have to start tackling.
3) Our manager will definitely not be getting poached mid season.
4) We will be taking cup competitions seriously.
5) Less traffic on the roads
6) Shorter queues to the toilets
7) "Why can't we keep a clean sheet" will be heard less frequently.
We'll have a new sponsor.
9) We wont be having our normal high expectations shattered.
10) We wont be having high expectations.
11) We wont be having expectations.
12) Mid table mediocrity will be our new 4th and it will be attainable.
13) Bannan, Albrighton, Clarke, Delph will all be regulars.

[Chipsticks]

Not sure about Clarke and Bannan being regulars, as whoever takes over will probably bring in their own players.

[not3bad]

14) We'll still be able to sing "Have you won the European Cup" to Chelsea, Arsenal & Man City.

[Austin1975]

Struggling to think of any at the minute (scratching head furiously!).


The future's not bright, it's ginger and sweaty.

[PeterWithesShin]

15) Although I can't afford a ST, I should still get to a fair few games as there will be a lot of well priced ticket offers.

[Toronto Villa]

Not sure about Clarke and Bannan being regulars, as whoever takes over will probably bring in their own players.

I actually think one of the mandates of Mcleish will be to bring through these kids and integrate them more. With the amount crap we still ahve to move out there will be plenty of room for McLeish's own players coming in as well as our own coming through. Bannan was doing well last year, but in my opinon GH rightly turned to experienced players for the run in. He's a very good prospect and his challenge will be to hold his spot with a healthy Delph, with the likes of Gardner and Hogg pushing for a place as well as Petrov still being there, Makoun and Bradley. I think we're quite healthy there. We just need some creative outlets to supply Bent and Gabby.

[The Laughing Policeman]

16. The club colours are still Claret And Blue.   

[Chipsticks]

17) We won't have to face the possibility of losing to the knuckledraggers in the league.
18) We get to watch Blues get hammered for a while on Thursday nights; Channel 5.

[Chris Smith]

19) We won't have many Sunday kick offs.

[Toronto Villa]

I'm quite relaxed about the whole thing now. Disappointed but willing to give McLeish a chance to make his mark. I am very much looking forward to the press conference because it will set the tone for the coming weeks. For me, this season is about being competitive in every single game, and trying to get a positive, winning attitude again. I want players that will battle for the cause. I also want to win a cup which McLeish at least did last year. Our first objective as a club is to at least re-establish ourselves as top end team. Pretty much what we were two years ago. A bit like Everton where we would be challenging and settled at the right end of the table consistently.

[PeterWithesShin]

20) We don't play Rapid fucking Vienna

[Fergal]

20. New shirt sponsors will be 'Rehabilition Services'

[Toronto Villa]

22) Gary Gardner
23) Darren Bent becoming the first Villa player in absolutely ages to score 20 league goals

[Concrete John]

Seriously speaking:-
1.  A whole season of Bent and his goals.
2.  Our kids should be better after the experience gained from last season.
3.  The defence should be fairly tight.

I'd normally be thinking quite positively, especially when you also factor in the money I expect Randy to make available to a new manager.  My concern is that McLeish is stuck in his ultra defensive style and despite all of the above we see a load of tight games and end up mid table.

[villanic]

There will be plenty of room to have a lie down on a Saturday afternoon after a heavy session on a Friday night with all the empty seats.