Alex Moss
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Posts posted by Alex Moss
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8 hours ago, hertfordyellow said:You are quite the eloquent fellow Alex. I look forward to hearing more hot gossip from your vast web of football contacts.
‘Vast web of football contacts’ - brilliant 😂
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13 minutes ago, hertfordyellow said:I think it is funny that you haven't grasped that I'm trying politely as I can to infer you are a liar and a fantasist without saying it.
Nope, that was quite evident even if you could unfortunately only stretch your balls far enough to imply it for a few posts rather than say it straight like a grown man in the first place. However it’s unimportant, and I’m not concerned about a random username on the internet questioning my integrity 😉
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12 hours ago, hertfordyellow said:I think it’s clear from my sarcasm that I don’t think a club like Liverpool is discussing openly it’s transfer policy on the training ground.
Good god 😂, it’s not the special forces - agents, players etc do talk amongst themselves but you can’t quite grasp that for whatever reason. Your idea that such information came from them all sat round at the then Melwood training ground or something whilst Jurgen Klopp briefs everyone on the next transfer window and it’s targets is pretty damn funny though!
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1 minute ago, hertfordyellow said:Yep because the transfer committee famously run potential signings past the current squad.
'Hey you not getting any game time, what do you think of us signing Todd Cantwell to replace you?'
Believe it or not, players do hear things behind closed doors, as incredible as that may sound.
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Said ages ago on here Klopp is an admirer of Todd and knows he has the ability and potential to become a very good Premier League player - at the time I was told this by a friend of mine who is the Uncle of a then Liverpool player who Todd was targeted to replace (said player still plays in the Premier League), and only Webber putting his foot down stopped Todd’s exit back then. So whilst others laugh and think this is new news, I will not be surprised in the slightest if he does indeed finally join Liverpool in a significantly cut price move to Anfield. It’ll be a great move for him if it finally happens, and he won’t have weirdos bizarrely targeting him from the start of his career there for being a local lad.
As for that picture of Todd on his mobile in headphones during the ‘pre match warm up’, anyone who thinks that is the pre match warm up in headphones, a gillet and a slippery pair of trainers must be pretty damn stupid to put it mildly 🤦🏻♂️😂. On the other hand, most of us with half a brain I think can work out this is the usual ‘familiarise yourself with the setting’ of the away pitch etc that takes place before every away game, and Todd’s just listening to some pre match motivational music or perhaps even a motivational speech as many players do as standard practice before games.I think it’s easy to see why Todd may well wish to leave the club after years of abuse from some sections of our support or fan base, and now that it appears to have finally come to a head as it inevitably would, I can fully understand him having had enough. Good luck to the lad, and shame on those that will have ultimately played their part in us losing someone that I have no doubt would be doing so much better for us had he have felt better appreciated and supported here.
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6 minutes ago, JB said:For me, it is as per the title. Not many teams would have a 1 man advantage for so long and not run out winners. It felt a little like we didn't know this and were playing it far too coy for the most part. So much of our attacking play felt loose and vulnerable to fail. Displeasing to see, more so knowing we could come so close to safety with a win.
Not sure if anyone would agree, but the lack of Norman looked apparent tonight. I genuinely feel he could have made a difference in going forward and also defending Newcastle's countering. Rashica may have been useful too. Obviously we can't change what is, but if fate had been alternative in us having them, I think we'd have nabbed it
I’m sure the loss of Cantwell, Rashica, and Normann affected us, but it was out of Dean Smith’s hands. No blame can be laid at his door.
We went for it second half as I expected, and will take the draw - it’s far more damaging for Newcastle than it is us. 4 games no defeats, I believe we’re on the up and going to ‘do it’. 👍
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8 minutes ago, Rock The Boat said:Villa were a one-trick pony called Grealish and when he left Villa fell apart. Smith couldn't get a tune out of Buendia. What hope in hell does he have with the likes of one-footed Sargant and Idah the Irish clod-hopper?
Probably hoping the same tune he got from helping develop a young player in Jack Grealish into the very player he is today, just as Grealish himself has always credited Smith with in his interviews.
As for Buendia, early days. Just as Pep Guardiola is finding with none other than Jack Grealish at Man City.
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30 minutes ago, Wings of a Sparrow said:This vilification of one of our own never ceases to amaze me.
Totally hear you, Sparra 👍
I’m really not sure what Cambridge’s motive was for regarding this post. And I think Todd would be 100% justified in thinking it was just to stir up the pot in a negative manner towards himself. Not needed, and not helpful at a time when we want to see fresh slates for all.
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2 minutes ago, Google Bot said:Obviously the question mark would've been if Smith wanted to dive straight in again, Webber would've known he was off to spend time with family and felt it right to let him think about it, but continue the interview process in the background,
If Smith said he wasn't ready and wanted more time out, just think of the fallout if we had no other irons in the fire.
Through media and betting odds we've been lead up the path that it was Lampard first choice and Webber panicked with Smith when he turned us down. In hindsight when you piece this backwards on the facts we know, there's some real sense there that he was number one.
One thing that can't be disputed is Smith being the first to be talked to. He jumped straight on that.
Yep, it all stacks up for me, GB, and looks very logical. I suppose if I didn’t like Webber or was looking for someone to blame or whatever as I feel we do see on here, then I guess you could easily scream ‘lies!’ and ‘it was always Frank Lampard!’ because you’d believe anyone but Webber by sheer default!
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14 minutes ago, lake district canary said:Good point, but it doesn't have to be as cut and dried as all that. Knowing that Smith would be available and interested might have been a key factor, but that any others would be interviewed as well to make sure we got the best person. Villa clearly had it all arranged that Gerrard would take over, but for us it may not have been as clear cut, but at least a factor.
Which is exactly why I didn’t think it was naive at all to think that this wasn’t all pre planned as per your initial post on this, Lakey 😉
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2 minutes ago, Google Bot said:I just can't see Webber going to someone like Lampard as first choice though, it's just not what you'd expect from him, as much as I'd have liked to have seen him come here - it always felt a bit surreal that this was the route we were taking, and I could never get my head around it actually happening.
But then, with different rulings post brexit on who you can bring in, and what experience they have - perhaps Webber actively decided he wanted a manager with experience at this level as the minimum requirement. So we were never getting a 'typical' Webber out of the dark style appointment.
His desire to have Smith at Huddersfield, his reported friendship with Purslow.. I have more belief that he would've been aware of Smith's departure going into Saturday than Frank being number one choice. I'd even place a manager like Knutsen to be a first choice over Lampard.
But perhaps I've slowly gone insane during this past week lol.
Nope, don’t think you’ve gone insane, Google Bot! Good points! My point was that whether or not Frank Lampard *or anyone else* headed the list, if Webber wasn’t aware of the Smith situation at the time then it was perfectly reasonable for him to then make him *the* number 1 target the moment he became available. I didn’t think Lampard was a Webber type appointment but obviously I don’t know that for a fact, I could well be wrong. But all that said, it wouldn’t surprise me about Purslow though as I’ve seen it said before one of the reasons the Buendia deal went so smoothly was because of their friendship or previous good working relationship at Liverpool. The only thing I would question if we were aware of the situation then why would we have wasted time, money and resources over Frank Lampard etc. No real reason for a smokescreen.
There’s a good point you make there too, and I am thinking that anyone who may have thought Smith was last on our list or anything - well, it is reported Webber wanted him back in his Huddersfield days. So if that is true, it’s pretty likely Smith became numero uno from the moment it was made known that he would be available, and crucially, up for the challenge. Seems like he finally got his man.
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38 minutes ago, lake district canary said:It's about being in the know. Webber would have been aware of the Villa situation and might even have been given the tip off by someone at Villa that Smith was going to be sacked. Smith himself might have known he was going to be sacked in the run up to that weekend. Same as Gerrard would have been sounded out about going to Villa before they sacked Smith. All pre-planned. It's too naive to think this was just some lucky co-incidence.
Out of interest, Lakey, if you think this was all planned prior to Farke’s sacking, as your timeline shows, what was the point in wasting time and resources speaking to Lampard and maybe others? No need for a smoke screen if all parties had already arranged this, don’t you think?
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10 minutes ago, fredherring said:No.
Its obvious he wasn't in the frame until others were not interested.
But also, he didn't improve Brentford despite the claims. They finished in mid table three seasons on the bounce.
My pet dog could have got that villa team promoted.
He scraped staying up and then lost five and got sacked.
Where in any of that is it positive?
As for Shakespeare, he was sacked at Leicester four months into taking the job.
A mess.
I’m not so sure it is ‘obvious’, Fred.
Frank Lampard was probably high on the list, or maybe even first choice, a week or 2 ago, you could well be correct on that front. But that doesn’t mean that couldn’t have changed rapidly the very moment someone even more desirable became available. It’s quite logical.
With respect, your post is deliberately one sided to show Dean Smith in a poor light. Smith took Villa to an 11th place finish last season, and to a cup final too! Not exactly minor details in his career to date, and very good reasons why he might not be the failure you’re trying to paint in your picture.
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I’m guessing Frank Lampard was indeed first choice up until Dean Smith become available, but that changed rapidly when Smith suddenly became an option. Seems sensible to me, and I don’t see why Webber can’t have been a long time admirer of Dean Smith, and why on earth not? 11th place last season with a cup final to boot too playing some very aggressive football at times - look what Villa did to Liverpool, that was ridiculous! So, it’s no different really to finding a nice house, and then late on an even more desirable property suddenly becoming available right out of the blue. Reading the Villa board, it seems a lot of folk on there think Frank realised he wasn’t going to get the job, perhaps that info had got back to him, and so pulled out to save face and reputation. Would make sense.
As for Dean Smith, I wanted Kjetl Knutsen initially but I did warm to the idea of Smith as the week went on, and on reflection Smith is probably the best choice on paper all things considered. I feel very positive about his appointment and am looking forward to Saturday now.
This reminds me a bit of David Moyes going to West Ham. Vast majority were very underwhelmed by that appointment at the time but look what Moyes has done with a lot of players that were purchased in a similar price bracket to our summer signings. Hammers fans would be gutted if he left now, so it just goes to show…
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2 hours ago, Hairy Canary said:Keep poking the guy with a stick and then get all angry and indignant when he reacts!
Now that I find somewhat ironic as I remember not so long back someone liking posts of a poster that kept having an unprovoked dig out of nowhere at another poster, which resulted in the folk having a pop getting called pr1cks and then suddenly there were some very upset people when they got their fully deserved reaction.
Have no idea what’s gone on with Todd, I’m sure like any human being he’s made his mistakes, but I totally agree there’s been some way out of order accusations and presumptions levelled at him on here such as question marks around his sexuality etc so I do understand why he may very well be tired of silly gossip and is thinking of moving on. It will be our loss though make no mistake - a bit of love and support without the need to be so judgemental and I have no doubt he would be an absolutely massive asset in Dean Smith’s quest to keep us up, and beyond.
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12 hours ago, cambridgeshire canary said:
2 week old message? That may very well not even relate to anything to do with NCFC?
Why sh1t stir, Cambridge?
This board these days is unbelievable.
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2 minutes ago, Pugin said:I don't seek to show disrespect towards Daniel, but I believe that the team will play with greater freedom and enjoyment now that he has gone. I have always had a problem with his monotonous voice and his ability to talk a point to death without pausing for breath. I don't question his intellect, but sometimes less is more and boredom is the danger. It very much felt like his was the only voice in the briefings and in the changing room and a little of it goes a long way.
We shall see. I am ever the optimist and I may be kidding myself, but I feel that against Southampton we shall see a rejuvenated team that plays with less tension. Dean Smith (presumably he will be the man) has the capacity to lighten the mood and I can see a positive response from the players, which will carry us through the first 8 or 10 games. The smiles will return.
Good post, Pugin. Absolutely love Farke, have nothing but respect for the man. But I agree, it does increasingly feel that things had become a bit stagnant unfortunately, and not just in terms of results. I’m so looking forward to the Saints game now, truth be told I feared this fixture a little as we don’t often get a positive result against them these days, but I don’t feel like that now! It’s a big ask to implement Smith’s ideas in just a few days but I think Saturday 3pm will see Carrow Rd buzzing now and the players responding in kind!
A smart and savvy move by Webber I feel.
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3 hours ago, visitingvillan1 said:Hi All,
Another villa fan here. You guys are going to be getting our best Head Coach/Manager in a very long time. He is absolutely great in terms of player development from Walsall to Brentford to Villa. Has worked wonders with some players, e.g. getting Matt Targett, Ezri Konsa and a few others close to an England call-up, the work with Ollie Watkins, Tyrone Mings, Jack Grealish for England call-ups, (Douglas Luiz for Brazil, Emi Martinez for Argentina, and Matty Cash for Poland yesterday as well) setting the groundwork for Brentford. His record of improving players is top notch as well as taking lower league players and developing them for the Premier League level.
He has also overachieved with most of the clubs he has worked at. Had Walsall consistently punching above their weight, and now are struggling in League 2. Laid the foundation for Brentford and Thomas Frank to get promoted last year. And saved us in the Championship. We were struggling in mediocrity under Bruce and him coming in changed the whole landscape. Went on a 10 match unbeaten run to lead us to promotion in the final vs Lampard's Derby. Achieved safety in our first PL year while dealing with a large number of incoming players. Last year, got us to our highest position in at least 10 years while playing some of the best football I've seen at Villa Park.
In my head, probably more of a villa legend than Grealish tbh.
Thanks for this, VisitingVillan1. Was personally very concerned about Lampard taking over, yes great for raising the clubs profile but to me that wasn’t what was remotely important for NCFC right at this moment in time - we need someone proven who can keep us up! I think Dean Smith will be a good appointment for us, and I think he’ll find he’s inheriting a far better squad of players than perhaps what some realise - can see Cantwell and Gilmour for example really thriving under his management and positive style of play. Best of luck to you with Stevie G too 👍
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23 minutes ago, Coneys Knee said:Please give me some links for some positive research, because I just did a bit of reading about his entire management career and to say I’m underwhelmed is the understatement of the year. I wasn’t happy before hand but I’m even less so now. I wish I hadn’t bothered.
Personally I think Farke’s achievements are overall superior to Smiths. Especially when you consider the bucket load of money he’s had at his disposal recently and the fact that he’s underachieved at a club the size of Villa , given their expectations comparative to ours.
So yeah, please sell this to me cos I am as deflated as I’ve ever been in all my years as a city fan.
Villa’s real expectations actually only ‘began’ 11 games ago.
Buendia, Bailey, Watkins, Ings, Martinez etc all unavailable between themselves for large parts of those 11 games.
I still think the first season in particular he properly polished a turd with the squad at his disposal at the time (Grealish aside), and staying up was very much an achievement. I had them to come down 100%, so it shows the little I know (or indeed don’t).
I predict Gerrard will do pretty well at Villa, but Howe at Newcastle will crash and burn under the expectancy that will already be building despite them not having the squad to do it just yet. Ranieri is having a rough time already at Watford, and Brentford’s star appears to be falling under Frank. Without even factoring in Burnley, Leeds etc, I think we have a great chance to stay up in my opinion.
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I can totally get people being underwhelmed, upset or angry about this potential appointment. Mainly because I can see both sides of the coin too, as I could with Lampard (believe it or not).
But one things for sure. There will be a freshening up at Colney. Cantwell and Gilmour will almost certainly come into the fold. And I do recall watching Dean Smith’s Villa sides playing some great football at times too.
The decision is out of our hands, just like our allegiance to Norwich City Football Club. I loved Farke 100% but I’m ready for a fresh face and voice in the dugout now - Smith appears to have an excellent knowledge of our squad and I doubt he’s taken this job on if he doesn’t think that squad of players can keep us up - after all, Championship jobs come up all the time.
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4 hours ago, yellow_belly said:Wow! Returned back to the UK to watch the Rugby, and wow… what a sh1tsh0w.
Firstly, I deserve to be ridiculed because I said,
“He who laughs lasts…”
Well the joke was on me. ****.
The ‘facts’ as I was told are / were:
- Lampard was in Dubai (that was true. Because I saw him with my own eyes and reported this before anyone in the media)!
- Stuart Webber took a flight from London on Wednesday to Dubai to meet Frank Lampard face to face. (This is true, ask the club at the AGM)
- Talks took place in Dubai on Thursday. My understanding is that he was ‘offered’ the job (again ask at the AGM)
- The club thought he was the man because they spoke with FL before the sacking of Daniel. (Why else would Webber take a flight?) He was our first choice.
- Obviously, Lampard turned us down. But why? Lack of ambition/ money / didn’t like what was said? Believes we are to be relegated (we are odds on)? Wants the Rangers job that came up? Prefers to stay as a pundit (no stress, well paid, always right!
- Anyway, if FL doesn’t want the job, good. This is a tough gig.
Next. Did I want Lampard?
- No. I reported that he was in Dubai and so was Webber etc.
- I said before the sacking that I would go for Mark Robins, Hodgson (for this season) or was open to another name that I hadn’t heard of (Eg a KK)
- I would not go for Smith. On the face of it - a knee jerk reaction with a worse (recent) record in PL than DF. Not inspiring. Etc.
If we appoint Smith.
- see above.
- Was not on any list before the sacking and will take us down.
- Webber panicking because FL said no.
- But, I really can’t see this.
Daniel Farke
- my sources tell me that all was not happy at Colney / Carrow Road.
- The training methods, the player fall outs and attitude around the club was bad and this - more than the results - saw him go. But the Leeds game was the final nail in coffin.
Inward Investment
- I am led to believe (and I do believe this) that if FL was to come in, then money from Dubai was to follow… the investors wanted a name, and FL presently ‘fronts’ many sporting businesses in Dubai.
- Again, I am led to believe that after 25 years and aged 80… the owners have become tired and would like out. I don’t believe that Tom wants the job, given the backlash he would receive (preferring the money and the easier life. Who can blame him. I can’t?) - again, why not ask at the AGM?!
Well you can believe me, insult me (no I don’t live inBrandon nor do I need to be sectioned) or continue to be nasty. But I was sharing what I knew to be true, on a site for fellow Norwich supporters whilst working in Dubai for the cricket - all alone because my family were back in the City, so probably had too much time on my hands.
Anyway, as I started. Returned back to the UK to read that the club (and especially) Webber has fu$k3d things up and made us a joke - if Smith coming in is to be believed. Hopefully SW can get someone better from abroad or get in Hodgson. My money would be on Neil Adams or Russell Martin - because that is so Delia.
Hope things approve today and that you all have a lovely day (taking the Michael out of me). I am off to the Rugby (work) and then home to my family (that I miss).
knackered and rather grumpy with the club.
OTBC
You might be getting abuse, but I believe you, YB. Nothing was set in stone and I have no reason to doubt the aforementioned didn’t happen.
I will, and have, put money on it Frank Lampard changed his tune the very moment a nice little safe job became available up in Scotland. He can’t really fail there, and he knows it.
One thing I will say is that you should be careful what you say on an Internet forum if you are connected to the club in some way. I guarantee you they will get to the source if they so wish to, and you will risk losing friends etc over a seemingly harmless post on the internet. I worked for a band where the new bass tech lost his dream job in this manner, and not a pub band either, one that would have given him a great lifestyle and well paid too. Tread carefully pal 👍
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There is also the distinct possibility that our first choice became second choice the moment Smith became available. I’m guessing no ones considered that.
Smith, excellent at Brentford, turns a club in Villa with huge expectancy levels into play off winners from mid table obscurity, and has kept Villa up in his 2 full seasons with the club.
Craig Shakespeare - Premier League winner with the biggest underdogs to ever win the league.
On that evidence, I won’t be upset at this appointment.
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3 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said:You could take 30 seconds to read my OP now if you like, and we could talk about who is going to be our new managers assistant.
Well onto the second page and you are still too busy trying to s*ck me off instead of tackling the topic at hand.
Listen pal, I questioned the prospect of John Terry as manager based on the question posed in your post title -
‘John Terry Anybody?’
And then you took umbrage because I read the post title in the only way it can be read. At best, if what you are trying to explain is true, it’s misleading, and at worst, it’s also misleading 🤷🏻♂️
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38 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said:Well the feeling is completely mutual, especially since you liked Til's comment about a prospective female manager pulling off the players like a big creepy misogynist.
You mean Tilly’s joke about which player gets pulled off before half time? Yep, and I still find it funny now so deal with it you complete fanny 😂
‘John Terry Anybody?’ 😂
Sargent
in Main Discussion - Norwich City
Posted
Not been on here for nearly a year thank f***, but people surprised bloke out on the wing now playing his preferred role down the centre is finding success. If you’ve slagged him off recently ETC, basically shat on him, then more fool you 👍