Barclays Asia Trophy (27th-30th July 2011)

[pedro25]

I agree, a replacement for Milner/ Barry is what we need, i.e. Parker, not a replacement for NRC, a big strong bambi on ice headless chicken like Muamba, no ta.

[KRS]

The perfect replacement for Milner being...Milner. If only.

[Merv]

Aye. The perfect type of player our midfield needs. Oh well, onwards and upwards.

[Concrete John]

Milner wasn't a the dominant DCM we need right now.  I was one of his biggest fans, but having a combination of Ireland (the sane version) and Delph should give us what he did.

[Billy Walker]

A good solid display in difficult conditions. We looked like a side that is going to be hard to beat which i think most of us expect under Mcleish.Was good to see the likes of Dunne and Warnock back to something like they were when they first arrived.

The attitude of the senior players in the back four was spot on and there seems to be trust and an understanding with the new keeper already.  I reckon the likes of Warnock and Dunne will want to make up for last season and, as a unit, we could have a defence more than good enough to rival most of the top six.

[Simba]

For me it is not necessarily the enforcer we need in the playing sense ( agree with both arguments above) but a real Captain. Leading by example and fighting for everything.  Will to win at all costs type. Respected by all. More a forceful character than a shin kicker.

I don't think we have that player. Alex Muc might fill that role to a degree unlike gh for eg. but not ON the pitch.

[Somniloquism]

A good solid display in difficult conditions. We looked like a side that is going to be hard to beat which i think most of us expect under Mcleish.Was good to see the likes of Dunne and Warnock back to something like they were when they first arrived.

The attitude of the senior players in the back four was spot on and there seems to be trust and an understanding with the new keeper already.  I reckon the likes of Warnock and Dunne will want to make up for last season and, as a unit, we could have a defence more than good enough to rival most of the top six.

Warnock was to Houllier as Shorey was to MON. They were both rightly dropped for poor form and then both inexplicably snubbed by their respective managers. There might have been something happening behind the closed doors of Bodymoor that lead to the freeze out but in the end the managers (and possibly the players) stubbornness weakened the team.

As for Dunne. Last season, he came back bloated ( I blamed Henry at the time for his Basketball stunt) but then never lost the weight no matter who was manager out of the three. This season he must have lost the weight before even training started. Was that his own decision or did GMac give special instructions to him before he left for his hols in May?

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

You don't need to win the ball as much if you can keep it when you have it.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

So its a Villa v Chelsea final.

Chelsea won this trophy when it first started in 2003. I guess their fans get their own back at the moment by singing "Have you ever won the Asian cup , the Asian cup, the Asian cup ? "

[Legion]

[garyshawsknee]

Milner wasn't a the dominant DCM we need right now.  I was one of his biggest fans, but having a combination of Ireland (the sane version) and Delph should give us what he did.

Thats a big ask,one player whos only played 20 odd premier games,the other has hardly played in two years. Big seasons for both,i really hope youre right.

[eamonn]

Was impressed that we didn't constantly try to launch it, Makoun impressed me however still think we need a ball winner in the middle of the park. As when we went a goal up, Rovers started to hit us in the middle.

Definitely think a midfield ball winner would improve us immeasurably.

if there's any chance at all of getting Parker, then we should move heaven and earth to get him. He'd have us dreaming about 5th or 6th as opposed to 7th through 9th.

You're right.  I don't disagree with what you've said.  It's an accurate summation. But, big fucking wow.  What has happened to football that we can "dream" of 5th or 6th.  God that's depressed me.

I think given where we are starting Mac, it's not totally unrealistic. baby steps and all that. If we get stability and a solid start, building confidence then it will set us up nicely this season. I don't want to get too carried away because as we all know this game has a way kicking you in the bollocks. We're going to have our ups and downs this season, but if we are sitting in a decent spot in January and can bring in a player or two, I don't see why we couldn't get to 5th or 6th. I know it's a detachment from our expectations of a few years back, but that's where we are. If things go well this season, 5th or 6th from next season onwards will become the expectation rather than the "dream" so to speak.

I think Mac meant in an overall sense. Twenty years ago (even up to 1997/98), we'd feel if our team looked like it was clicking we could challenge for the title. Now, as you say 5th or 6th will probably be as good as it gets even when playing consistently well. Modern top flight football is sad.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Really happy about the result and an overall good performance. Did Bent touch Bannan`s cross into the net ? first time it looked like it went over his shin ........

[eamonn]

I found it a bit alarming the way Delph lunged into that challenge, (albeit refreshing to see in an increasingly non-contact sport). I thought he had been given advice to try and control that part of game. For a horrible second I thought he had seriously injured himself again. Maybe it was just eagerness to play and get stuck-in as soon as possible but it would be a real shame if his talents are to be constantly sidelined as he nurses his latest needless injury.

[Toronto Villa]

don't disagree Eamonn. It's massively sad that we can but aspire for 5th or 6th. That's where football is today unfortunately. But given the investment and progress of the 5 or 6 teams that we can all name, it will be hard to make the inroads we seemed to be making but 2 seasons ago. That said, momentum is a funny thing. Sign 2 or 3 more quality players before the window shuts, if we get off to a solid start with the schedule we've been given, get the confidence up and the team playing for each other, add to the squad possibly in January, you just never know. I realize that my list is quite long in terms of things that have to happen which is why I'd consider 5th or 6th this season a stretch. But it is possible.