Ray Wilkins joins us

[glasses]

Interesting article in the Birmingham Mail about him (can't do links)  I only went to a tin school.  Same problem as Darren Fletcher, I feel for him with that condition as my brother, who is also Villa,  suffers with the same.  You just can't imagine what it must be like. 

Is it ulcerative colitis? A guy who used to work for me had it.

You're absolutely right, it is a truly hideous thing to have wrong with you, with massive long term health impacts if you don't treat it properly.

I'm amazed Darren Fletcher managed to carry on a football career (albeit at the Stripeyfilth) having suffered from it for a long while. Totally respect him for it, having seen what it does to people.

Lewis Moody has it as well, which is amazing when you consider the sort of punishment that rugby players inflict on their bodies.

I was diagnosed with the sister disease, Crohns a few years ago. Thankfully, since the initial problems I'm doing pretty well. Medication keeps it under control. Essentially the difference between the two is UC affects your bowel only, whereas Crohns can affect anywhere in your digestive system (mouth to colon). Mouth ulcers come in waves and are a bastard, but thankfully that's the worst I've had in over a year.

Agree about Fletcher, and until he went to the Baggies he was my Fav non villa player.

[LTA]

Listening to Free Radio tonight and a Villa fan rang up and was talking about the lack of interaction between Sherwood and Wilkins.  Must admit I've noticed that Wilkins seems to have little input during games.

[ciggiesnbeer]

That was true with KMac as well. Its a bit weird. When I am paying attention (rare these days as I am hiding behind the couch waiting for us to concede) Sherwood only really seems to engage meaningfully with Tony Parks.

[villan from luton]

If Sherwood has not got Wilkins in his ear, it is wrong. Wilkins has a wealth of knowledge and Tim needs to learn from it.

[Clampy]

Tony Parkes does seem to interact more with Sherwood on a match day but they'll all have an input I would have thought.

[Rigadon]

Did he actually join us?  I'm yet to see the ******.

[CT]

He'll be in full control soon.....

[placeforparks]

nice one, uncle fester.

[adrenachrome]

nice one, uncle fester.

I can see the Fester Says Relax T-Shirts already.

[silhillvilla]

Relax ! Cheeky twat

[Mister E]

Why the f@@k is Wilkins actually at the club? It's difficult to attribute any value from his presence.

[aj2k77]

Fat headed fuck, he can follow nice but dim out of the door.

[aev]

nice one, uncle fester.

Maybe he started early today?

[PeterWithe]

I thought of all our summer arrivals, Wilkins would have the most immediate impact. It's tough to know what happens away from match days but I hoped he would have assisted the new arrivals to settle quicker and helped Sherwood establish a discernible style.

I'm annoyed in the coaching staff for not stopping Sherwood do these crazy things that might see him out the door before he celebrates a year in charge.

[RichardBatchelor]

I feel loads more animosity towards Wilkins than towards Sherwood. At least with Tim you can't doubt he's putting a shift in. Wilkins is here for one final pay day, it would seem. A 'motivational' manager can work if the coach has tactical acumen. Surely Wilkins can point out simple things like starting 5-3-2 against Stoke at home is wrong, that making an attacking substitution at 2-0 up is wrong, that not putting your better set piece players on corners is wrong, that changing your tactics and formation very match is befuddling the team. He is hopeless and lazy in my view.