Email from McLeish

[Dave Clark Five]

I think a forum with the manager would be a good idea. When you can look them in the eye it makes a big difference. O'Neill tried it but it soon petered out. Maybe, if we can string a few results together, we could do this. I will be booking him for our Lions Club if possible.

[TaxDodger]

Comes over well. I like how he mentions every job he's had in management apart from Blues.

[German James]

Doesn't seen desperate to me. I think it's a nice bit of PR, and also shows he understands specific criticisms: being too defensive, for example.

I don't think a forum with the manager would achieve anything, though!

[phantom limb]

I think that's pretty good really, seems honest and genuine enough. You go on other Villa-related websites who've printed this email as well and the comments are just a list of people telling him to fuck off, so you can't please everyone.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Anyone tried to reply? has he got his out of office message on?

Nice to see the wee man embracing modern technology. He'll be texting us next

"C U on Saturday M8"

[N'ZMAV]

Load of old tosh

[Rudy Can't Fail]

A good read. The man's got balls and is brave enough to face up to both the facts and fiction.

I saw last month an interview with Gordon Strachan talking about McLeish and how mentally strong he is. As Strachan rightly said, after managing the pressures at Ibrox, Villa Park with a few moaners is nothing. He also went on to say how determined and ambitious McLeish is, this coming from somebody that's known him well since their Aberdeen days.

I think it's pretty difficult to argue with what he has to say in the email and it will be interesting to see how the second half of the season pans out.

[Concrete John]

Fair play, can't see much there that would 'upset' anyone.

Give it time - I'm sure there are some members of this forum going through it with a magnifying glass right now to find something to have a pop at!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I've not had one.

What does it say?

My guess is McLeish has been reading this site and hasn't bothered to email you as you're such a drama queen. *winky*

[PaulTheVillan]

I think he's a likeable bloke.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think he's a likeable bloke.

So do I.

[MalcolmP]

No mention of Heskey in there?

Sorry, I mean Emile as he is on first name terms!

[midnite]

Just come out the gym and seen mine. Fair play. They didn't have to do this, it makes a good read. He's saying all the right things. Hopefully this second part of the season we can see what he's been implementing. Attacking fluent football.

The comment about made progress but could do better as the mid season report make me smile. You think someone in the marketing department read the thread on here saying the same thing?

[Simba]

It really is an excellent piece of communication. No bullshit, honest appraisal, recognises our concerns and doubts and tries to dispel them. Maybe that's why I first found it a bit defensive on his part but I guess he had no choice but to spell it out and defend/promote himself. Impressive.

We will never know how much was written or contrived by the PR team but it doesn't matter. His name is on it.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Email from Houllier:

You are lucky to have me.

Liverpool are an amazing club.

You'll Never Walk Alone

Ged