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

[Hale]

Sorry for the rant but this afternoon in Hong Kong was the future of football and I dont like it!

All those home fans in Chelsea shirts, a marketing mans wet dream, but I bet none of them would have a clue who Tambling, Osgood, or Bonetti were. The joy of the English leagues includes having a sense and respect of history. The Scudamore lot will have the big name clubs traipsing round the world hoovering up wodges of dough to pay ever more obscene amounts to a bunch of mercenaries mascarading as sportsmen. The Villa should never have agreed to be part of it.

I know this was only a friendly but with alien conditions (to us) in future world cups becoming the norm I am sure that this is just the beginning.

I like Randy Lerner (after all Doug could have sold the club to a Hong Kong hairdresser!) but with the club shirt extolling the virtues of betting and Greek and Turkish football tainted with gambling scandals, how far we have moved from having Acorns proudly on our shirts.

I am a grumpy old man who has supported the Villa for close on 50 years, but this season I am not renewing my season ticket. Money is the root of all evil and football has sold its soul to the devil.

 

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It's worth mentioning that was Chelsea's sixth pre-season game while it was our third. It showed me that we're not fit enough at the moment. However, with games against Derby and Braga I'm wondering whether our pre-season format is sufficient to see us start the season at the right level of fitness.

Hong Kong was mainly about fitness. The heat would soon show those that aren't up to speed. Braga will be a tough game. They're no pushovers. Personally, I think it's an idea game to get us up to speed in preparation for Fulham.

As for today's game, I really need to see it again, that's if I can be arsed. Chelsea were a class apart, so physically strong, they really impressed me. Midfield is our problem. The only player to impress me there has been Bannan. We really need a leader.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

We really need a leader.

And some lungs, though as previously stated this being our third game it's hard to see exactly. Though my question to the club would be why so few games prior to this and Fulham?

[Mister E]

Sorry for the rant but this afternoon in Hong Kong was the future of football and I dont like it!

All those home fans in Chelsea shirts, a marketing mans wet dream, but I bet none of them would have a clue who Tambling, Osgood, or Bonetti were. The joy of the English leagues includes having a sense and respect of history. The Scudamore lot will have the big name clubs traipsing round the world hoovering up wodges of dough to pay ever more obscene amounts to a bunch of mercenaries mascarading as sportsmen. The Villa should never have agreed to be part of it.

I know this was only a friendly but with alien conditions (to us) in future world cups becoming the norm I am sure that this is just the beginning.

I like Randy Lerner (after all Doug could have sold the club to a Hong Kong hairdresser!) but with the club shirt extolling the virtues of betting and Greek and Turkish football tainted with gambling scandals, how far we have moved from having Acorns proudly on our shirts.

I am a grumpy old man who has supported the Villa for close on 50 years, but this season I am not renewing my season ticket. Money is the root of all evil and football has sold its soul to the devil.

 

With you on this, buddy. Welcome to the future.

[dave.woodhall]

We really need a leader.

And some lungs, though as previously stated this being our third game it's hard to see exactly. Though my question to the club would be why so few games prior to this and Fulham?

How many do we usually have?

[Nastylee]

Not too sure, i'm sure someone more arsed will let us know but there doesn't appear too many if everyone is to get a game or two under their belts. Not too worried by today, people slagging off Warnock et al in a friendly in crap conditions will do no one any good. The negativity of villa supporters and football fans generally these days is ruining it for everyone.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

We really need a leader.

And some lungs, though as previously stated this being our third game it's hard to see exactly. Though my question to the club would be why so few games prior to this and Fulham?

How many do we usually have?

Dunno, but going into the heat and humidity of these two games with one previous game, and having to face Chelsea (who'd played three more) seems likely to risk damage to health and confidence.

Edit: quote fail

[fredm]

Sorry for the rant but this afternoon in Hong Kong was the future of football and I dont like it!

All those home fans in Chelsea shirts, a marketing mans wet dream, but I bet none of them would have a clue who Tambling, Osgood, or Bonetti were. The joy of the English leagues includes having a sense and respect of history. The Scudamore lot will have the big name clubs traipsing round the world hoovering up wodges of dough to pay ever more obscene amounts to a bunch of mercenaries mascarading as sportsmen. The Villa should never have agreed to be part of it.

I know this was only a friendly but with alien conditions (to us) in future world cups becoming the norm I am sure that this is just the beginning.

I like Randy Lerner (after all Doug could have sold the club to a Hong Kong hairdresser!) but with the club shirt extolling the virtues of betting and Greek and Turkish football tainted with gambling scandals, how far we have moved from having Acorns proudly on our shirts.

I am a grumpy old man who has supported the Villa for close on 50 years, but this season I am not renewing my season ticket. Money is the root of all evil and football has sold its soul to the devil.

 

Scudamore has said that this event over the years has shown just how much "the brand" is appreciated around the world and would like to see 2 such tournaments played in two different continents each July!
The thin end of the 39th game?

[Maradona10]

Petrov has to be replaced with him in the side we just invite pressure, way out of his depth and we looked alot better when we had Gardner and Makoun in there! But doubt McLeish will move him out!

[taylorsworkrate]

Not too sure, i'm sure someone more arsed will let us know but there doesn't appear too many if everyone is to get a game or two under their belts. Not too worried by today, people slagging off Warnock et al in a friendly in crap conditions will do no one any good. The negativity of villa supporters and football fans generally these days is ruining it for everyone.

Thing is though, that imo most of the things about football these days is negative.

[john2710]

Petrov has to be replaced with him in the side we just invite pressure, way out of his depth and we looked alot better when we had Gardner and Makoun in there! But doubt McLeish will move him out!

I like Petrov but for all his effort & experience he's not the answer to our problems, he needed replacing 2 years ago. He was OK when we had Barry & Milner in there with him. We have no physical presence in the middle, every midfielder we have is lightweight & you can't afford that in the Premiership.

I have serious concerns about others that we are going to relying on in the next 12 months especially Ireland & Albrighton. Unless we have 2-3 new players coming in we are in for a long hard season.

[eastie]

Great post hale- football has sold it's soul and it's sadly now far too dominated by money.

As for petrov - he's past his best and useful as a squad player but I don't see him as a starter.

I loved the 1970s football and the game now is so much different and for the worse in my opinion.

[frank]

All those home fans in Chelsea shirts, a marketing mans wet dream, but I bet none of them would have a clue who Tambling, Osgood, or Bonetti were. The joy of the English leagues includes having a sense and respect of history. The Scudamore lot will have the big name clubs traipsing round the world hoovering up wodges of dough to pay ever more obscene amounts to a bunch of mercenaries mascarading as sportsmen. The Villa should never have agreed to be part of it.

I shouldn't think Scudamore particularly wanted us or Blackburn to take part:  I guess that one or two higher-profile clubs turned the invitation down. The important thing for Barclays and the PL was to have one big name and a local HK side. The other 2 teams were just there to make up the numbers and turn the marketing exercise into a "tournament". Villa probably did well financially but from the playing point of view the trip was a good deal less useful than matches against decent teams in the UK or Europe.

[eastie]

What's this crap scudamores talking about regarding big pre season tournaments in July involving the premier league clubs in future- seems he wants to expand things and get far more clubs involved out there- money money money- greed is taking over.

[SashasGrandad]

Lets just admit it Chelsea are superior to us at winning Asian Cups.

BUt we're better at European ones!!!!!