Optimistic or still pessimistic

[frank black]

I'm optimistic.

Pretty sure we will have just enough to stay up. With a nice profit from Benteke and probably some more next summer for our next big shot.

Feckin footballers.....grrrr

[fbriai]

To quote the great Peter Ustinov:

'I think pessimism is completely out of date. It's a romantic indulgence. I don't think anyone can afford to be pessimistic anymore. I mean, there is so much that can go wrong, optimism is the only thing possible anymore.

'I've always thought that an optimist is a person who knew exactly how sad a place the world could be and a pessimist is a person who finds out anew every morning.'

[Villadroid]

Pretty sure we will have just enough to stay up.

I suppose it is a measure of the state of the club that avoiding relegation is seen as optimism.

But it is just one of a number of parameters to measure one's optimism.

1) That there will be at least 3 worse teams in the Prem than Villa - optimistic
2) That Villa will totally avoid being embroiled in a relegation struggle - pessimistic
3) That Villa will concede fewer goals than last season (69) - optimistic
4) That Villa will score more goals than last season (47) - pessimistic
5) That Villa will win a trophy - pessimistic
6) That Villa will do better than the value of their best 11 suggests they should - optimistic
7) That Villa will perform above the average set over the last decade - pessimistic
Eight) That Villa will substantiate the claim that they are a big club - pessimistic
9) That Villa will improve their financial position - optimistic
10) That my opinion of the present owners will improve - pessimistic

[martin o`who??]

A lot depends on how the new signings settle in, if they largely come off, we`ll be ok, but if they struggle, its difficult to see where enough goals will come from to keep us safe because we have to work on the assumption that "Me me me" Benteke is going. I just hope that the money goes straight back to the manager and doesnt sit in a bank account.

[paul_e]

To quote the great Peter Ustinov:

'I think pessimism is completely out of date. It's a romantic indulgence. I don't think anyone can afford to be pessimistic anymore. I mean, there is so much that can go wrong, optimism is the only thing possible anymore.

'I've always thought that an optimist is a person who knew exactly how sad a place the world could be and a pessimist is a person who finds out anew every morning.'

Great quote, I agree with entirely.

I also find the "I'm just being realistic" line that every pessimist falls back on annoying as can be, as if reality is an endless stream of everything being shit and that nothing good can ever break it up.

[Matt C]

Well, its our year for the FA Cup obvioulsly but that's not optimism talking it is just plain fact.

[old man villa fan]

Well, its our year for the FA Cup obvioulsly but that's not optimism talking it is just plain fact.

Every year is our year for the FA Cup.  It is just that Destiny is not listening.

[robbo1874]

We don't seem to be setting Germany on fire in preaseason, but still optimistic for next season. My prediction for last season was 9th and we came up well short of that, even though it was achievable up until right near the end with our late run. Reckon I'll go same again this season and if we somehow manage to hang on to benteke and he continues to perform, then hopefully I'll be wrong again, but in a good way.

[Toronto Villa]

Pre-season has little bearing on what will happen in the season itself.

[Ads]

Can anybody remember what we did last pre-season or the pre-season before?

It matters not a jot.

Funnily enough I do recall one pre-season when Spurs were battering all comers and the top four was there's. They were second bottom come November.

[Steve kirk]

I am pessimistically optimistic.

[Mazrim]

Pre season, and tours in particular, are just a chance to get fit and bond and nothing else except perhaps some commercial opportunities so whilst its nice to win and compete, the results are of no concern.

However, I'm still of the mind that the squad is still a few players away from where it should be. We're still a top centre half and playmaker short and could do with another right back, experienced gk and powerful target man to replace those that may leave or are long term injured. The money should comfortably be there for those players.

Loans could be a good way of getting them if the permanent targets are hard to get. I mean, we have 4 centre laces but three are very young and Vlaar is injury prone. There are also question marks over the quality of those players. It's not a position you can afford to gamble with. I'm not trying to be negative, just cautious. If we get the defence more or less right we can really do well.

[mr woo]

I'm pessimistic at the thought of Benteke leaving and the fact that the defence still looks suspect.

I'm hopeful though, that PL will address those issues as and when, and I'll reserve my optimism for when he does so.

[Toronto Villa]

There's a long, long way to go in the transfer window. Millions of things will happen/change and we haven't finished buying or selling.

[garyshawsknee]

Pre-season has little bearing on what will happen in the season itself.

I remember the season we bought Collymore. I think we won every pre season game,scored a load of goals,we all remembered how that season started.