Remi Garde - Departs Aston Villa

[andyh]

I think the pictures are ace. Tim Sherwood isn't in them. Remi Garde is.......

As is the forgotten man, Libor Kozak !

[brian green]

Was there any sign of Joe Cole? If he ever wants to come back from Cov he should hand his whole self in to Monsieur Duverne's Fat Police. Gabby will hold his hand.

[themossman]

Plus Mr U, get the team properly fit and able to play a full match. None of this cobblers about subbing key players because they are tired.

A professional footballer getting "tired" is a product not fit for purpose and therefore should not be getting his full wage until he gets fit.

This might be selective memory but I can't think of any other recent examples of PL clubs hooking players in their prime for being tired during the 90 minutes. Very young or very old players maybe, but Sanchez is 29!

[Monty]

Let's judge Sanchez when he's not having to do three players' jobs all at once. Garde is very good with defensive midfielders as well, they play a very prominent role in his teams, and he really did well with Gonalons.

[brian green]

Mossy I think it is this misplaced notion that a fresh player is a better player. The answer is to get your better player fully fit so that he does not have to be replaced by an inferior one. I have lost count how often in recent times our subbed up team has conceded points in the last 10 or 15 minutes.

[mr underhill]

wise words as ever Brian - why can't 'professionals' see the things that are so obvious to people on here!

[OCD]

I remember how shocked Houllier was at the players' fitness levels following O'Neill's regime. I wonder if Garde had a similar reaction and whether RD can't believe that he's in exactly the same position several years later.

[mr underhill]

some people this time round are going to feel like Collins and Dunne did about Duverne. He'll soon sort the half-arsed contingent out.

[brian green]

To add to what Mont says about Sanchez, I actually think he is one our fitter players but as Monty says he is a one man fire brigade in defence. Nobody has told him not to stand still when he has won possession (which he does very well) because he has his pocket picked and has to go and try to win the ball back. I have mentioned in the past the way our class midfield players like Stylian, Barry and Sid having  won the ball would take a turn and keep moving and shielding the ball until a pass was on. Simple coaching. Always make yourself a moving target not a sitting duck.

[themossman]

Yes very true Brian. Also on the point about fresh players, I feel it's extra risky having to replace players in pivotal positions like central defence and central midfield towards the end of the game, where it's so important that they have their head in the game and are tuned into what's going on around them.

[john e]

I don't think I can remember in recent times a player who wins the ball from the opposition and intercepts play as many times as Sanchez does in a game

Unfortunately he also gives it away and passes to the opposition more than most as well
Like people have said if he can learn to improve on his distribution side he will be a proper defensive midfielder to be reckoned with

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Just watched the news conference on Sky. Halfway through I realised I was grinning like a demented idiot.

[VILLA MOLE]

I don't think I can remember in recent times a player who wins the ball from the opposition and intercepts play as many times as Sanchez does in a game

Unfortunately he also gives it away and passes to the opposition more than most as well
Like people have said if he can learn to improve on his distribution side he will be a proper defensive midfielder to be reckoned with

He does give it away , but some of that goes back to options around him and movement off the ball ,

mind you sometimes he has given it away inexplicably  with no pressure on him   

[VILLA MOLE]

I think the pictures are ace. Tim Sherwood isn't in them. Remi Garde is. They will be even better when the bloke with RD has arrived and the players are vomitting up their McDonald's breakfast sandwiches.

i do love their hash browns , but then I can

[Toronto Villa]

Just watched the news conference on Sky. Halfway through I realised I was grinning like a demented idiot.

My comment after the AVTV interview is that I felt calm afterwards. I probably had a stupid smile on my face also. I'm looking forward to catching the press conference. I assume it was equally as reassuring.