Don't panic - yet

[Merv]

Hi all,

First time I've mentioned it on here, but I've been writing a Villa column/blog for ESPN for the last few weeks. Would welcome your feedback - you can post comments under each article.

Latest one is a reaction to the Albion game, and can be found here: http://bit.ly/tE9zYC

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Good stuff.

How you find time to write about the Villa and be the Governor of the Bank of England, I'll never know.

[Merv]

I've been letting the finance stuff slide recently. Takes care of itself, doesn't it? Oh.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

I'm sorry but I don't trust men with moustaches.

[ktvillan]

Good article and I pretty much agree with eveything you've said there.  A good analysis of McLeish's rather bizarre and baffling response to going down to 10 men on Saturday.

[glasses]

A good read that Merv, as I have posted on another thread, the reactions of the players and manager troubled me more than the officials cock-ups.

[dave.woodhall]

The comments. What does "give us our club back" mean? When have 'we' ever owned 'our' club?

[paulcomben]

Agree with the article that there are things to worry about. But, we have never lost 1-6 at home to our city rivals, so let's enjoy Fergie's suffering and this made me laugh a lot:

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/england-demands-its-own-word-for-'schadenfreude'-201110244456/

[Mister E]

Nice one, Merv.
You identified the two things that will make us (if fixed) or break us (if left alone) this season: our weak CMF - a problem we've had since before MON crawled away - and ill-discipline at set pieces. The latter was awful last season and clearly remains an issue (as witnessed by the goals conceded to WBA and two of the Citeh goals). It's also a bit of an irony since we expected McMinge (with his playing history and with the defensive nature of his previous sides) to at least sort this aspect out.

Short-term, I'd be drafting Clark into midfield; that way, we potentially deal with both issues. Alongside Herd and Petrov we'd have a solid CMF three and can afford to play Ireland (at least in BB's temporary absence) behind the central striker.

[darren woolley]

Good article.

[Legion]

You need a shave. Other than that, very well written. Would be good if you could re-post here if they will let you.

[cheltenhamlion]

Bizarre twist to this tale but stay with me.

I got asked to write a chapter in a kids adventure book today. It will be published and they start the story. Asked to write based on what they have heard and read about my H+V writings.

Now you must consider most of what I write is about football being shit.

Through work, and odd if you ask me, but as a, ahem published author, that's why they are excited!

Woodhall, you have created a monster it seems.

 So, there was this boy wizard with a funny scar.....

[Legion]

Lock him up.

[cheltenhamlion]

What? The wizard? I wish they would the speccy little shit.

[Louzie0]

Agree with the article that there are things to worry about. But, we have never lost 1-6 at home to our city rivals, so let's enjoy Fergie's suffering and this made me laugh a lot:

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/england-demands-its-own-word-for-'schadenfreude'-201110244456/

.

And in the spirit of the link, I'd like to suggest, 'roflfan' in a purely sporting context.