Maybe the sweaty tight Villa shirts put the weed players off

To answer the question, I'm not sure they are.

I think we have turned a corner with recruitment. They had the best Director of Football in the country in Dan Ashworth, who put in place a recruitment strategy that has now been emulated at every club. From 2013-2018 we allowed managers to dictate the signings and they proved costly.

Sakho, Benteke, Van Aarnholt, Cabaye and others came in with big price tags and big wages without being moved on for a return. I can't see this being a strategy that we'll ever pursue again. We keep our heads above water but little else.

Brighton are now due to fail, but are also likely to start hitting FFP rules if they ever intend to keep hold of players. Sooner or later the players they sign wont hit the heights they have so far and with the additional games they will struggle to get their best players on the pitch.

I can't see them finishing much higher in the league this season.

They play a high energy game. Lets see if they can maintain that this season with 50+ games to play.

I was thinking that European games are catching up on them.

Red and Blue Army!

Also: I’ll just add that I informed a few yesterday of my intent to go out with my family at 15:00 to avoid our result as I did not want to spend the whole 2 hours keeping track and just hope for the best. Always that one Spurs supporter however who managed to text me 15 mins from time for a hectic adrenaline and anxiety filled short period of the day!!

Edited by Nicholas91 (01 Oct 2023 12.52pm)

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

What, they lost 6-1 because they've had to play one European match? What are they going to be like in a couple of months...

Ah yes, but they've got Ollie Watkins. I'm unashamedly a big fan and have been since he was at Brentford. If only......

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.