Reasons to be optimistic coming into 2nd half of season

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I feel a whole lot happier that Randy has no more Cleveland Browns to worry about.  I hope he is now 100% focused on getting Villa back to the very top.  This is a crucial time for us at boardroom level, if we get the planning and thinking right, real, sustained success could follow.

We'll see.
Faulkner said that the Browneye sale would have no effect on Villa at all.

[Mazrim]

That's what I'd say too if I didnt want to be picked clean by all selling parties. But we'll see.

[Des Little]

We need to pair Benteke and Weimann up front, at Gabby's expense.  Every time Weimann plays he either scores or looks likely to...unlike Gabby.  It's time to give them a go.

[eastie]

We need to pair Benteke and Weimann up front, at Gabby's expense.  Every time Weimann plays he either scores or looks likely to...unlike Gabby.  It's time to give them a go.

Totally agree, gabby may b a useful option off the bench late in games with his pace but he shouldn't be in the starting line up .

[Concrete John]

We need to pair Benteke and Weimann up front, at Gabby's expense.  Every time Weimann plays he either scores or looks likely to...unlike Gabby.  It's time to give them a go.

Totally agree, gabby may b a useful option off the bench late in games with his pace but he shouldn't be in the starting line up .

Doing that also opens up the possibilities of playing a playerin the hole behind them, such as Ireland.  Keeping the three CBs, it could look something like:-

                     - Guzan -
             Vlaar - Baker - Clark
Lowton - Bannan - Westwood - Lichaj (Bennett when fit)
                      Ireland
              Benteke - Weimann

[eastie]

We need to pair Benteke and Weimann up front, at Gabby's expense.  Every time Weimann plays he either scores or looks likely to...unlike Gabby.  It's time to give them a go.

Totally agree, gabby may b a useful option off the bench late in games with his pace but he shouldn't be in the starting line up .

Doing that also opens up the possibilities of playing a playerin the hole behind them, such as Ireland.  Keeping the three CBs, it could look something like:-

                     - Guzan -
             Vlaar - Baker - Clark
Lowton - Bannan - Westwood - Lichaj (Bennett when fit)
                      Ireland
              Benteke - Weimann

Ireland or nzogbia in the hole , I think this system will really see joe Bennett come on leaps and bounds and see no reason not to be confident at anfield.

[mrastonvilla]

We need to pair Benteke and Weimann up front, at Gabby's expense.  Every time Weimann plays he either scores or looks likely to...unlike Gabby.  It's time to give them a go.

Totally agree, gabby may b a useful option off the bench late in games with his pace but he shouldn't be in the starting line up .

Doing that also opens up the possibilities of playing a playerin the hole behind them, such as Ireland.  Keeping the three CBs, it could look something like:-

                     - Guzan -
             Vlaar - Baker - Clark
Lowton - Bannan - Westwood - Lichaj (Bennett when fit)
                      Ireland
              Benteke - Weimann

Ireland or nzogbia in the hole , I think this system will really see joe Bennett come on leaps and bounds and see no reason not to be confident at anfield.

Bennett was aiming to be available for the Liverpool game. Does anyone know if he will make it?

[Concrete John]

Bennett was aiming to be available for the Liverpool game. Does anyone know if he will make it?

I think Lichaj has done enough to keep his place, so fit or not I'd say Bennet needs to wait for his chance.  Which is as it should be and I think the way Lambert views these things as well.

[mrastonvilla]

Bennett was aiming to be available for the Liverpool game. Does anyone know if he will make it?

I think Lichaj has done enough to keep his place, so fit or not I'd say Bennet needs to wait for his chance.  Which is as it should be and I think the way Lambert views these things as well.

True, I was just wondering if anyone knew how he was recovering from the injury/cut on his shin?

[eastie]

Bennett was aiming to be available for the Liverpool game. Does anyone know if he will make it?

I think Lichaj has done enough to keep his place, so fit or not I'd say Bennet needs to wait for his chance.  Which is as it should be and I think the way Lambert views these things as well.

Lichaj is a capable deputy but if Bennett is fit I'd bring him in at lichajs expense, Bennett is a natural left sided player and better suited for the role.
Same as Vlaar I would expect him to return in place of herd once fit.

[Chris Smith]

Threads like this worry me a little. Not because I disagree with the sentiments but because of the raised expectations that it reflects. It's still a young, developing side and there will be setbacks along the way.

Now I've got that out of the way, for the majority of us with the patience and good sense to see what is going on it's going to be a really enjoyable journey.

[eastie]

Threads like this worry me a little. Not because I disagree with the sentiments but because of the raised expectations that it reflects. It's still a young, developing side and there will be setbacks along the way.

Now I've got that out of the way, for the majority of us with the patience and good sense to see what is going on it's going to be a really enjoyable journey.

Lets enjoy this good feeling , there have been so many lows in recent months we deserve to bask in the pleasure of victory and dream of happy days again.

[Billy Walker]

Sorry- Double post.

[Chipsticks]

I have a slight feeling we're going to rip Liverpool a new arsehole.

[PaulWinch again]

I have a slight feeling we're going to rip Liverpool a new arsehole.

I doubt that very much, but a win would be very very welcome. We really need to start winning league games and distance ourselves from the bottom.