The English Football Thread

[Mojo]

Oh, I'm not sure you want my opinion at this point in time given the circus Sunderland fans find themselves at the centre of today.

Firstly, on O'Neill's sacking - I'm gutted it hasn't worked out, I backed him all the way and would have liked to have been able to continue backing him but, while he certainly, in no way, is entirely responsible for our atrocious form and even worse football, he had to take some of the responsibility and I'll welcome the change. I think it could well be too late and the timing is baffling but MoN has made some very questionable decisions in his time here and only has a Plan A, which hasn't been working. I think he's been well off the pace, has struggled, has gotten bogged down in the struggle for survival and had nothing left to offer us. He doesn't strike me as a happy man on Wearside and I think the sacking may even come as a relief to him as he won't be the man taking us down anymore. He's not a villain up here, he isn't unpopular, and I'd say the vast majority of us wished he could have been the man for the job. I think it's rather clear however, that he is not.

As far as Di Canio goes, I have been very conflicted and have been back and forth, time and time again since his appointment was confirmed late last night, but I'm fine with Short bringing him in. I can take some element of comfort from the belief that Short seems to already have had a clear plan in place before the loss against Man U on Saturday and knew exactly who his man was before he sacked MoN and I at least don't think that the change in manager will make things any worse for the remainder of the season. I'll need some convincing that it can be a constructive long-term appointment but I have paid to watch too many lifeless, hopeless, lazy, dire displays this season to believe for a moment that change is not what we need right now. Of course he doesn't have the experience in the top flight and that could well be an issue but I think if we hadn't acted we wouldn't be in the top flight next season anyway, and if he can come into our club with the same attitude he took to Swindon, with a desire to change everything, train the lads hard, not give them the days off he "doesn't believe in" and prioritise organisation, fitness, stamina and discipline then who says that isn't exactly what our club needs at this point? We have a squad full of players who aren't giving 100% and, given the list of likely candidates who would even consider taking on such a job at this stage of the season, I understand completely why Di Canio has been the clear choice. He claims to be ready for a Premiership job, he wants a Premiership job and he has nothing to lose.

Sadly not many people are talking about the football today. I'll admit I've found myself talking about the political aspects today as well more than the football. Safe to say I have a lot to say on that matter as well but to be honest, I can't help but feel completely fatigued by it already, and he hasn't even been in the job 24 hours yet. All I'll say for now is that I, for one, can't and won't come to his defence on every matter and on every detail, but the main thing I feel people need to focus on today before making accusations is context.

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

[Mojo]

That's brilliant. My mate tweeted me that.

That is just a mind-boggling piece of journalism.

[ManWithNoName]

Glad Villa beat Stoke today.

As a neutral to the relegation battle I'd like the better footballing sides and fan-bases to stay up.

[Big Ears]

This is what I like to see:

Full-Time: Reading 0 - Southampton 2

[Cuthbert]

[Trollheart]

Ya beat me to it Fluff! What a game! Who would have thought we would have been saying "contender for goal of the season" and "Aston Villa" in the same breath, huh? And now we're out of danger: for now. Must ensure not to get all cocky and take things for granted. Still a big scrap for survival but with that result we've really given ourselves a chance! Go Villa!!

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Ya beat me to it Fluff! What a game! Who would have thought we would have been saying "contender for goal of the season" and "Aston Villa" in the same breath, huh? And now we're out of danger: for now. Must ensure not to get all cocky and take things for granted. Still a big scrap for survival but with that result we've really given ourselves a chance! Go Villa!!

What makes it even better was the actual importance of the goal. It was the 87th minute. Stoke had just equalised, we were away from home. Up against it. It's as good as van Persie vs City in terms of significance, maybe more so because it really could help us stay in the Premier League.

We have a chance TH, we really were in trouble 4 games ago. 3 wins in 4 ffs. I just pray we can stay up. We have pulled other teams into the relegation scrap with a moment of class.

Oh and we have dragged Stoke into the relegation battle. Pride of the Midlands? We are 1 of 5 clubs to have won the holy grail. Do fuck off.

Come at us!

[Cuthbert]

Even the cockneys couldn't win it without spending a billion.

[Markn]

I think Di Canio will be a brilliant manager for them, really good move on their front, compared to Southampton sacking their manager.

Gooner here, shocking how we're playing now when there is no pressure to win something!