Ross Barkley joins Chelsea, er, Villa on loan

[mahermi1]

How on earth did we go from Stones Lukaku Barkley and Deulofeu to the current rubbish in five years. Unreal.

All except Duelofeu wanted to leave, doesn't leave much choice.

 

[MikeH72]

How on earth did we go from Stones Lukaku Barkley and Deulofeu to the current rubbish in five years. Unreal.

To be fair we were finishing in exactly the same league positions with them.

 

[orly]

To be fair we were finishing in exactly the same league positions with them.

5th? Would be amazed if we finish there this season sadly.

 

[MikeH72]

5th? Would be amazed if we finish there this season sadly.

Anomaly season I’m afraid. Stones didn’t play much that season either.

 

[orly]

Anomaly season I’m afraid.

 

[MikeH72]

Sad face indeed. We had a striker that scored 25 league goals and still finished 7th about 15 points behind 6th. That is bad.

 

[kenada_blue]

Broken record at this point but he would easily get in our team

Slot along side Allan and Doucoure. Would've been quality.

 

[bluenorthwarrior]

Slot along side Allan and Doucoure. Would've been quality.

That type of midfielder whose first instinct is to drive forwards with the ball at pace and disrupt the opposition block, rather than give a safe pass back to the defender who gave it to him, would make such a difference to this team.

 

[ToffeeTim]

It still hurts a bit that he wanted to leave. And the manner of how he left means I wouldn't want him back.

 

[Brownie]

Fantastic player unfortunately.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Did the club employ Ronald Koeman who alienated half the squad?

I guess you can just blame that on Koeman but personally I feel signing terrible managers on repeat was a problem at the top.

Koeman did not like Barkley. I remember Koeman getting interviewed after a game where Ross had been brilliant, fella doing the interview raves about Barkley and asks Koeman what did he think, Koeman "yeah he did okay today" then he literally changes the subject. Also remember when we were looking at a new contract for Ross, Koeman is asked about it, he says "I'm in no rush, we'll look at it when we're ready because I've got more important things to worry about" Then we get the "sign a new contract or we sell you" ultimatum from Koeman to Ross

 

[jtl60]

I'm pleased that he is starting to show his real talent on a regular basis for Villa. I know others still hate him for the way he left, but I cant knock a blue that is turning in 9/10 performances

 

[deipnosophist]

To be fair we were finishing in exactly the same league positions with them.

We got 72 points with them

 

[Liamliverpool86]

He would come back in a heartbeat if we offered

 

[deipnosophist]

It still hurts a bit that he wanted to leave. And the manner of how he left means I wouldn't want him back.

To be fair, the fatwa really forced his hand. Was it an ill-considered act to goose a gangsta’s ma? Possibly. But Bethany Jo came on pretty strong (zipped leather knickers!) and she is a quite tidy MILFish -type woman in the right light.
Anyway, water under the bridge now...but I cut Roscoe a little slack; we have all had sexual liaisons which, while pleasurable at the time, have caused us some ‘afterwards’ issues...