Welcome Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Clarke

[chrisw1]

For those that have played sport to an even half decent level I'm not sure what was worse pre-season training or the lead up to pre-season training. That bit about fitness based workouts just brought it all back. It is truly horrible. Fit as a fiddle after but my God does it hurt. Your head wants you to stop, to cheat, to just collapse but you keep going. No nicey nicey coaches either they're all monsters. How I miss it...

The secret to it is that you keep going. I used to run half marathons in the two months or so I had off, so when I went back to the nastiness of pre-season training I was still very fit, but the pain from being kicked week after week had gone.

Every year I promised myself I would do that.  Hardly ever did and pre-season half killed me every time.  That was rugby, but same principals I'm sure.

[peter w]

As i said your fitness doesn't significantly drop its the stamina that takes a battering and its that what kills you.

[Diablo]

Considering our circumstances, it is all too quiet for my liking. This next month is going to be interesting/fun/crucial/eye opening/pant wettingly worrying (delete where appropriate).

[richl]

Does anyone know if there is any connection between RDM and the acclaimed villa fan Cesar prandelli ?

[tony scott]

I think, that it was reported that R D M thought our squad was to big.  The current squad has 31  players with first team experience. I wonder, what squad size he is looking ,and how easy will it be to achieve it.

[Gregorys Boy]

I think, that it was reported that R D M thought our squad was to big.  The current squad has 31  players with first team experience. I wonder, what squad size he is looking ,and how easy will it be to achieve it.

Not sure.  31 maybe small for the top flight but big in the Championsip although given the extra games you play it could be a bit bigger.  When you consider how many of those 31 could actually do a job then suddenly that squad feels a whole lot smaller.  Think we need about five or six good signings before the start of the season, adn then to figure which from the current squad is best suited to perform in the Championship.

[Steve67]

I am guessing that he wants around 25. That may mean losing around ten of the current squad to bring in four. I hope by the time we get to the close of the transfer window that we have fitter, better quality throughout. We shall see.

[OCD]

It's about the first time I can remember hearing a Villa manager say that the squad is too big.

[peter w]

Getting shot of one or two shouldn't be too difficult Gardner, Toner, Bunn or Steer or both, Lyden, Cissokho, Bennett, Gil, and that's before we get to those that want to leave, and then those we want to move on. I reckon it'll be something like 10-15 out 5-10 in.

[Toronto Villa]

Are you suggesting getting rid of Toner and Lyden?

[passitsideways]

Are you suggesting getting rid of Toner and Lyden?

We can still do short-term loans in the Championship, right?

[olaftab]

It's about the first time I can remember hearing a Villa manager say that the squad is too big.

Not sure if we have heard this one say so either!

[Tuscans]

It's about the first time I can remember hearing a Villa manager say that the squad is too big.

Not sure if we have heard this one say so either!

    "First of all when I analysed the squad I think we have too many players, the squad is too big so I will certainly look to trim the squad," said Di Matteo.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-boss-roberto-di-11481018

[peter w]

Are you suggesting getting rid of Toner and Lyden?

Yes. They are bang average players who benefitted from not being Richards, Lescott, Bacuna etc last season so were lauded far beyond their abilities. The Phil Robinsons or Dean Glovers of 2016 Aston Villa.

[andyh]

Are you suggesting getting rid of Toner and Lyden?

Yes. They are bang average players who benefitted from not being Richards, Lescott, Bacuna etc last season so were lauded far beyond their abilities. The Phil Robinsons or Dean Glovers of 2016 Aston Villa.

I agree.