Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on June 13, 2013, 04:24:20 PM
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Faulkner has come in for much deserved stick over many decisions he has made or has been involved in. This thread isn't really about the past. However it would be interesting to know what people think of him now?
If it's fair to blast him for poor decisions then he should be commended in equal measure for what has transpired in the past two summers, and most certainly what we have seen in 3 and bit weeks since we played Wigan. My head is still spinning at the activity at Villa Park, and I haven't felt this energised about an upcoming season in a long, long time. The players that we have signed and resigned, the kit, getting the sponsor in place. All very positive. Lambert is being given all the support he could ever want by the club which is precisely what you want from a Chief Exec and Chairman.
Well done Paul Faulkner. Well on the way to redeeming yourself.
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Yes, credit where it's due.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
It's my opinion. If you don't like it don't read it.
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To me this all dates back to the message that was put up on the OS the day TSM was fired. They are following through with that statement of intent.
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He and randy bravely backed lambert when many would have pulled the trigger - fair play to them , they have backed him and he's came through it - once we secured survival there was always a feeling we would move onwards and upwards and the recent signings have only added to this .
I think we can achieve a top 8 place next season but this is the start of what could be an exciting journey - good times are back.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
To be fair to Faulkner, that's not his fault, and neither is he the one picking the players. What is his responsibility is getting in the players Lambert has asked for, and it looks like he's doing that with minimum fuss and with plenty of time for Lambert to work with them prior to the season starting. Can't fault him on that at all, but agreed on the signings themselves, it's wait and see, but Faulkner does deserve credit for how he's handled things so far.
I think a big issue last summer was that we were playing catch up with signings, and they invariably took time to gel. Looks like we've tried to avoid the same mistakes this year.
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Since McLeish went we seem like a totally different club. I'm loving this.
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Since McLeish went we seem like a totally different club. I'm loving this.
It's been a learning curve for Faulkner i suppose. I don't think he'll make a mistake like Mcleish again.
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Since McLeish went we seem like a totally different club. I'm loving this.
Have to agree. Looks like they may well have learned from their mistakes.
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Since McLeish went we seem like a totally different club. I'm loving this.
This
I think PF has learned from the mistakes of the past.
Well done.
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Since McLeish went we seem like a totally different club. I'm loving this.
McLeish was the turning and lowest point in our recent history. I think in full context it will be the platform for the bright future they have always spoken about. The board clearly took a hard look at themselves after that shambles and have done a great jub putting us on this path. Yes, there have been some bitter pills to swallow along the way, and let's not kid ourselves there will peaks and troughs with this young team next season. But what a different feeling it is now to two summers ago.
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Since McLeish went we seem like a totally different club. I'm loving this.
This way out of his depth to start with,the job looked too big for him,and listening to the right people.Credit where it's due.Bright Future might make a comeback.
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Yep well done. It's the right way to go about things. Frankly the way we're going about things is how clubs should be running. There's far too much stupid money going to "big" players. Not enough developing of young talent from home, or abroad. If they ever start enforcing financial fair play then many clubs will be following our suit.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
It's my opinion. If you don't like it don't read it.
That's my opinion too, so tough.
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Yep well done. It's the right way to go about things. Frankly the way we're going about things is how clubs should be running. There's far too much stupid money going to "big" players. Not enough developing of young talent from home, or abroad. If they ever start enforcing financial fair play then many clubs will be following our suit.
add to that, we have one of the best academies in Europe. If we can pick up top young players from Europe along with bringing through our own when they make the grade and not before it will look very solid for the future.
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I understand some of Saunders-Heroes' reservations and his "let's wait and see" is fair enough.
The point about the OP is that Faulkner has seemingly backed Lambert's plan and facilitated the swift acquisition of some players. He's also got Weimann in the bag and hopefully willl do the same re Benteke.
All well and good.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
It's my opinion. If you don't like it don't read it.
That's my opinion too, so tough.
**snigger**
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Yep well done. It's the right way to go about things. Frankly the way we're going about things is how clubs should be running. There's far too much stupid money going to "big" players. Not enough developing of young talent from home, or abroad. If they ever start enforcing financial fair play then many clubs will be following our suit.
add to that, we have one of the best academies in Europe. If we can pick up top young players from Europe along with bringing through our own when they make the grade and not before it will look very solid for the future.
Most definitely. I'd hope to see more of GG and Carruthers next season, possibly Johnson who's just had his new contract.
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I'm not sure how good these players will turn out to be, but i'd rather be doing this than what we have done in the past. What happened under MON has crippled us especially the wages they were on and then no sell on value. It just goes to show as well what can be done we are only in mid June and looking like four signings already. They'll all have pre-season together get to know each other under MON we were signing players at the end of August, far too late. Got to give credit where it's due I think they have done a great job so far I like where things are going to be honest it's going to be an exciting times ahead for us, a young hungry team that wants success.
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We haven't signed anyone for 10 minutes. Faulkner out!
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The media will love us this season I have a feeling.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
It's my opinion. If you don't like it don't read it.
Your opinion is posted to be argued with. If you're too precious to deal with criticism, then don't post.
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One of the things I do like is the frequent comments from clubs we do business with, to the effect that Villa are very professional and conduct themselves the right way.
Makes me feel quite proud when I read stuff like that, and surely also it helps build respect for Villa in the footballing world. Faulkner (and Randy) deserves credit for that.
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I don't think we (as a club) have put a foot wrong since the horrid Bolton game.
I did in January but I was wrong. Credit to PF and everybody else who's contributed.
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FC Groningen director Hans Nijland compliments Aston Villa. "The way the transfer has been handled is like we wish it would always go."
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And that comment follows on from last year with players like Westwood. There are no signings that look like last minute desperation. Remember the outcry that Newcastle had signed up those Frenchies while we signed up one defensive midfielder. Yet it was what we needed. They have done their homework, they know what they need and have got it sorted before the press even try to play anything up. Id love Benteke to be there at the start of next season, and think he will be. But if stupid money comes in, I feel pretty confident the plan will already be there to carry on seamlessly. This has not happened at VP for years and years. All young players, all hungry, no Premier League experience with the baggage that can bring. Really proud
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We haven't signed anyone for 10 minutes. Faulkner out!
Bacuna's signed. Panic over.
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We haven't signed anyone for 10 minutes. Faulkner out!
Bacuna's signed. Panic over.
Faulkner in!
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Benteke leaving will pop the bubble of these last few weeks which is why I have more belief than ever that he will be signed up very soon. I also think the club have gone out of their way to get their business done quickly and I get the impression that much of this is to prove to Benteke that they want to surround him with similar young and energetic talent.
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We may have a squad of more than 12 players for the first time in a decade.
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We may have a squad of more than 12 players for the first time in a decade.
Looking at the bench on a match thread is certainly going to be a lot more inspiring
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
It's my opinion. If you don't like it don't read it.
Your opinion is posted to be argued with. If you're too precious to deal with criticism, then don't post.
I rarely agree with saunders on footballing matters, but just posting "yawn" is hardly a robust or erudite criticism of his position.
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There is still a significant gap when it comes to football knowledege at the top.
We're reliant on the manager, on his recommendations, opinions and whims. As we've seen in the past, that's a risky situation. Experience teaches us that most managers (not just ours) are short >medium term fixtures. There needs to be a longer sustainble strategy coming from the top that doesn't just get ripped up and started again when the current bloke (note specifically talking about Lambert here) departs.
It's not Faulkner's fault he was appointed by Lerner, but it would be more preferable to have a Chief Exec who knows the game. His age and a middle management position at MBNA wouldn't -in normal circumstances- qualify him for a job as big as the one he currently occupies. That said, the longer he is in the role, the more experience he gets.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
It's my opinion. If you don't like it don't read it.
That's my opinion too, so tough.
And you're very welcome to your yawns.
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We haven't signed anyone for 10 minutes. Faulkner out!
Bacuna's signed. Panic over.
Faulkner in!
See you in an hour if we haven't signed another one. North Stand car park. Bring your bedsheet.
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We haven't signed anyone for 10 minutes. Faulkner out!
Bacuna's signed. Panic over.
Faulkner in!
See you in an hour if we haven't signed another one. North Stand car park. Bring your bedsheet.
It's a date!
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There is still a significant gap when it comes to football knowledege at the top.
We're reliant on the manager, on his recommendations, opinions and whims. As we've seen in the past, that's a risky situation. Experience teaches us that most managers (not just ours) are short >medium term fixtures. There needs to be a longer sustainble strategy coming from the top that doesn't just get ripped up and started again when the current bloke (note specifically talking about Lambert here) departs.
It's not Faulkner's fault he was appointed by Lerner, but it would be more preferable to have a Chief Exec who knows the game. His age and a middle management position at MBNA wouldn't -in normal circumstances- qualify him for a job as big as the one he currently occupies. That said, the longer he is in the role, the more experience he gets.
I agree to an extent, you could argue that they have been smart enough to appoint a manager who can work effectively within the budget and constraints imposed by the club.
Although you do get the impression that are fortunes are more closely linked with the drive, determination an philosophy of the manager rather than the senior folks at the club.
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My views the same as it always has been, he works with the hand he`s dealt with, some tough times over the past 2-3 seasons, and he has to serve many masters, but we cant complain at the moment for sure, keep it up Paul.
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We may have a squad of more than 12 players for the first time in a decade.
The previous time we had a squad of players we did alright.
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i don't know about my opinion of Faulkner, but my opinion of Lambert and his scouting team has gone through the roof.
We've obviously spent a good chunk of last season looking at which players we wanted in, and looked all over Europe for them. Compare that with late August, obvious, UK based signings. It is much more creative and forward thinking.
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This has shades of 74/75 all over it.I like what I see.
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Exciting times, well done everyone. Things would appear to be in place.
Probably the first time in my lifetime that we have a forward-thinking approach to signings and scouting. Very exciting indeed.
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Can we apply the young and hungry terminology to our chief exec?
I've said for ages that I think he's done more right than he's done wrong since he got the job, despite the fact that things were going wrong on the pitch.
The whole structure of the club feels better now. I'd still like someone on the board who oversees the scouting and youth development to give us continuity through the club but other than that I think everyone seems to be pulling in the same direction. It's how all clubs should be run
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He's doing well at the moment. Sign Christian Benteke up over the next week and we'll be very very happy.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Too late for me. Shot my load when Tonev signed - a great player. Just about reloaded when news came in of Bacuna (Dutch Essien is how my mate describes him) and shot it again. Now Jores Okore signs - after impressing in the Champions League - attracting interest from Man Utd and actually turning down the offer to go the Chelsea when his club had accepted a bid - and I find myself all wrung out.
If Lambert, Faulkener, and Lerner keep this up I'll be down to the doctors for some Viagra.
And one more thing. Does anyone else notice he is not signing big time charlies. He is going after young guys who possess a simple professional attitude of wanting to play football. Read the Okore interview. How many would turn down Abramovich's money and the lure of a glamour club. The same with Leandro Bacuna. He wants to play - not pick up £30k a week to sit on a bench or be sent out on loan. All our signings so far have spoken about wanting to be a part of something special - a team - and a club that gives talent a chance no matter its age or pedigree. I think Villa's policy has not gone unnoticed in Europe and if these lads are the sort of quality we are attracting as a result - then I for one say this is good.
And it's not over yet.
Credit where it is due and a little faith.
UTV
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Falkner has made some terrible mistakes. Mainly Mcleish. But he seems to have got his act together. One final act is making sure the money/contract is good enough to make Benteke sign a new contract ......
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In a weird sort of way, we almost needed the all time low of McLeish in order that we had a "ground zero" to build up from. It didnt look at all good at Xmas for Lambert, I'll hold my hands up after that Wigan 0-3 I just couldn't see any way he'd turn that around.
Credit to Faulkner for not pulling the trigger (I would have) credit to lambert for showing such resiliency .
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
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It might be time to roll out the old cliché, " the darkest hour is just before dawn".
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We haven't signed anyone for 10 minutes. Faulkner out!
Bacuna's signed. Panic over.
Faulkner in!
You're so fickle PWS ;D
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
Dave do you have any knowledge who our scouts are ? Since Henke left I've heard very little. Do we have directly employed scouts or do we rely on consultants / agents ?
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Too late for me. Shot my load when Tonev signed - a great player. Just about reloaded when news came in of Bacuna (Dutch Essien is how my mate describes him) and shot it again. Now Jores Okore signs - after impressing in the Champions League - attracting interest from Man Utd and actually turning down the offer to go the Chelsea when his club had accepted a bid - and I find myself all wrung out.
If Lambert, Faulkener, and Lerner keep this up I'll be down to the doctors for some Viagra.
And one more thing. Does anyone else notice he is not signing big time charlies. He is going after young guys who possess a simple professional attitude of wanting to play football. Read the Okore interview. How many would turn down Abramovich's money and the lure of a glamour club. The same with Leandro Bacuna. He wants to play - not pick up £30k a week to sit on a bench or be sent out on loan. All our signings so far have spoken about wanting to be a part of something special - a team - and a club that gives talent a chance no matter its age or pedigree. I think Villa's policy has not gone unnoticed in Europe and if these lads are the sort of quality we are attracting as a result - then I for one say this is good.
And it's not over yet.
Credit where it is due and a little faith.
UTV
Well said Sir.
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
That's interesting.
I've been quite anti Paul Faulkner because I couldn't see for the life of me how a kid with a degree in history and five years experience as Relationship Manager with MBNA could possibly become CEO of Aston Villa Football club. The various managerial/player contract debacles of the last few years only confirmed my view.
The way we've done business since Lambert took charge though has been much much better and PF has to take much of the credit for that.
Hopefully this recent set of transfers is a result of the new global super talent database that Paul's been putting together and the fact that they're all well rated on FIFA 2013 is a coincidence.
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Although Fifa and Football Manager are a couple of the most extensively researched databases on footballers you could find. Not suggesting players should be judged by it, but a lot of good players on there that I have never heard of, 2-3 years later are suddenly very good in real life.
Faulkner should be praised for everything that has happened since he who shall not be named was sacked. Realised his mistakes in both player recruitment and manager recruitment, set out a plan of what the wage bill needed to hit and the type of player Villa wanted and then got in the manager to achieve that, and kept his nerve when said manager went through the inevitable rocky patch with such constraints. Fair play to all.
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
Dave do you have any knowledge who our scouts are ? Since Henke left I've heard very little. Do we have directly employed scouts or do we rely on consultants / agents ?
No idea, but they're obviously doing some work.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Yawn.
It's my opinion. If you don't like it don't read it.
Your opinion is posted to be argued with. If you're too precious to deal with criticism, then don't post.
I rarely agree with saunders on footballing matters, but just posting "yawn" is hardly a robust or erudite criticism of his position.
Yeah, but I'm on pay-as-you-go internet on a campsite so I need to be succinct.
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
Dave do you have any knowledge who our scouts are ? Since Henke left I've heard very little. Do we have directly employed scouts or do we rely on consultants / agents ?
No idea, but they're obviously doing some work.
I'd imagine this is almost entirely to do with Lambert and his team.
At Norwich, Karsa was the one who did all the work on scouting and preparing dossiers on upcoming opponents, and Norwich fans seemed to think he was absolutely key to Lambert's success there.
Had we been developing some sort of gigantic scouting software system (which you don't actually need to develop yourself, these days, you can get them off the shelf), then the season before last wouldn't have happened. The transition from McLeish's transfer acquisitions to the ones the last year is enormous.
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We may have a squad of more than 12 players for the first time in a decade.
The previous time we had a squad of players we did alright.
That was meant to say 12 players.
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
Dave do you have any knowledge who our scouts are ? Since Henke left I've heard very little. Do we have directly employed scouts or do we rely on consultants / agents ?
No idea, but they're obviously doing some work.
I'd imagine this is almost entirely to do with Lambert and his team.
At Norwich, Karsa was the one who did all the work on scouting and preparing dossiers on upcoming opponents, and Norwich fans seemed to think he was absolutely key to Lambert's success there.
Had we been developing some sort of gigantic scouting software system (which you don't actually need to develop yourself, these days, you can get them off the shelf), then the season before last wouldn't have happened. The transition from McLeish's transfer acquisitions to the ones the last year is enormous.
If it is Karsa how come he didn't deliver at Norwich? Instead they signed the likes of Snodgrass ? Hardly an unearthed gem ?
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
Dave do you have any knowledge who our scouts are ? Since Henke left I've heard very little. Do we have directly employed scouts or do we rely on consultants / agents ?
No idea, but they're obviously doing some work.
I'd imagine this is almost entirely to do with Lambert and his team.
At Norwich, Karsa was the one who did all the work on scouting and preparing dossiers on upcoming opponents, and Norwich fans seemed to think he was absolutely key to Lambert's success there.
Had we been developing some sort of gigantic scouting software system (which you don't actually need to develop yourself, these days, you can get them off the shelf), then the season before last wouldn't have happened. The transition from McLeish's transfer acquisitions to the ones the last year is enormous.
If it is Karsa how come he didn't deliver at Norwich? Instead they signed the likes of Snodgrass ? Hardly an unearthed gem ?
Norwich went from League 1 to the Premier League and stayed there easily in their first season. That suggests he did a pretty good job.
NB - as I said, it wasn't just about signings, it was also about the preparation they did on opponents prior to matches. I read the main Norwich forum in the run up to Lambert coming here and the importance of Karsa was agreed by pretty much everybody.
Snodgrass signed for Norwich after Lambert had left, too.
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I think we have to give the vast majority of credit to Lambert for what's happening at the moment. We don't know how effective it's going to be yet, but the signs are good. Let's see what happens.
It appears Faulkner is making it possible for us to get the players that Lambert wants - mainly young players who are not very well known, for relatively low transfer fees - with a minimum of fuss. That's great. That's what he's supposed to do. Easier to do that, I'd have thought, than negotiating with arsehole agents for big time Charlies.
As for giving him credit for not sacking Lambert at Christmas, does anyone think we could afford to sack yet another manager whether we wanted to or not? More likely that we understood we'd made our bed and we were prepared to lie in it come what may. And if we'd gone down, we'd still have stuck with him. And rightly so, in my opinion.
Rather than some great master plan on Faulkner's part, I think it's more likely that he is responding to necessity and the direction of the manager - just like he was probably responding to the direction of the chairman when McCatastrophe was brought in.
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As for giving him credit for not sacking Lambert at Christmas, does anyone think we could afford to sack yet another manager whether we wanted to or not? More likely that we understood we'd made our bed and we were prepared to lie in it come what may. And if we'd gone down, we'd still have stuck with him. And rightly so, in my opinion.
That's a good point.
I genuinely don't think there was ever a chance Lambert would have been sacked, given the events of the last few years. I don't think he'd have been sacked had we gone down, either, and rightly so.
At some point, the club had to make a stand, and decide to do something with a more long term view.
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
Dave do you have any knowledge who our scouts are ? Since Henke left I've heard very little. Do we have directly employed scouts or do we rely on consultants / agents ?
No idea, but they're obviously doing some work.
I'd imagine this is almost entirely to do with Lambert and his team.
At Norwich, Karsa was the one who did all the work on scouting and preparing dossiers on upcoming opponents, and Norwich fans seemed to think he was absolutely key to Lambert's success there.
Had we been developing some sort of gigantic scouting software system (which you don't actually need to develop yourself, these days, you can get them off the shelf), then the season before last wouldn't have happened. The transition from McLeish's transfer acquisitions to the ones the last year is enormous.
If it is Karsa how come he didn't deliver at Norwich? Instead they signed the likes of Snodgrass ? Hardly an unearthed gem ?
Norwich went from League 1 to the Premier League and stayed there easily in their first season. That suggests he did a pretty good job.
NB - as I said, it wasn't just about signings, it was also about the preparation they did on opponents prior to matches. I read the main Norwich forum in the run up to Lambert coming here and the importance of Karsa was agreed by pretty much everybody.
Snodgrass signed for Norwich after Lambert had left, too.
Sorry pal, fair enough. Didn't realise that .
Was just trying to work out if Karsa had a track record at Norwich.
Was it Karsa who found Benteke Sylla Westwood Lowton ?
I'm intrigued who is digging this talent out ??
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As for giving him credit for not sacking Lambert at Christmas, does anyone think we could afford to sack yet another manager whether we wanted to or not? More likely that we understood we'd made our bed and we were prepared to lie in it come what may. And if we'd gone down, we'd still have stuck with him. And rightly so, in my opinion.
That's a good point.
I genuinely don't think there was ever a chance Lambert would have been sacked, given the events of the last few years. I don't think he'd have been sacked had we gone down, either, and rightly so.
At some point, the club had to make a stand, and decide to do something with a more long term view.
It may even be that the worst case scenario of us being relegated was factored in, and that Lambert was favoured because he had experience of promotions, and putting together promotion teams on a limited budget. I think Lambert would probably have been most vulnerable if we had just survived relegation with no signs of potential improvement or direction, i.e TSM Mk. 2.
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Sorry pal, fair enough. Didn't realise that .
Was just trying to work out if Karsa had a track record at Norwich.
Was it Karsa who found Benteke Sylla Westwood Lowton ?
I'm intrigued who is digging this talent out ??
My guess is that it is a little from collumn a and a little from collumn b. The scouting network that the club has cultivated will be watching players for Karsa and pointing players out for him too. The Crewe manager said we had a thirty game dossier on Westwood and the players we've signed subsequently will, I'd imagine, be similarly well researched and to do that we need to have a big scouting network as I wouldn't expect Karsa to do that kind of thing for every player we sign (and probably even more that we don't) all by himself. It's a far cry from the days of MON where we'd sign someone like Salifou because he vaguely remembered watching him play at the World Cup.
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When I did that interview with him a couple of years ago he spoke about how we were putting in place a scouting network/database that basically meant whatever type of player we were after, we could check and find them. Maybe that's what's coming to fruition now.
Dave do you have any knowledge who our scouts are ? Since Henke left I've heard very little. Do we have directly employed scouts or do we rely on consultants / agents ?
No idea, but they're obviously doing some work.
I'd imagine this is almost entirely to do with Lambert and his team.
At Norwich, Karsa was the one who did all the work on scouting and preparing dossiers on upcoming opponents, and Norwich fans seemed to think he was absolutely key to Lambert's success there.
Had we been developing some sort of gigantic scouting software system (which you don't actually need to develop yourself, these days, you can get them off the shelf), then the season before last wouldn't have happened. The transition from McLeish's transfer acquisitions to the ones the last year is enormous.
Tend to agree.
In that regard, Lambert has surprised me.
Looking at his Norwich team, there seemed to be a lot of journeyman pros. He didn't strike me as someone who would give youth it's chance, or would purposely target young players from home and abroad.
I thought he'd be similar to MON. Predictable football, crosses in the box for the big man, older players. But tactically a bit more flexible than Magic Martin.
I guess at Norwich it was a case of needs must, and he wouldn't have had the freedom and resources to build a team exactly as he wanted.
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Was it Karsa who found Benteke Sylla Westwood Lowton ?
I'm intrigued who is digging this talent out ??
I don't know, but the thing i like most is that compared to the MON era when all the signings were obvious, no-scouting required and expensive, we have moved to a system where we are genuinely looking for promising value all over Europe.
Lambert and team at the very least deserve massive credit on that - anything like this has got to come from the football management team.
The Crewe manager said that they didn't even know we were interested in Westwood until the last few days of the window, and it turned out we had a dossier on him built up over 30 games. That's really impressive stuff.
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Amazing difference in detail. What a refreshing change. A Mangement structure that seems to care about ££ and the longer term health of the club rather than just their own pay packet .
I'm trying not to get too carried away here but it's difficult following the last 3 or 4 years of shite.
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I guess at Norwich it was a case of needs must, and he wouldn't have had the freedom and resources to build a team exactly as he wanted.
I think that's an important point, in the sense that at Norwich, he was at a league one club when he started, then the championship, and then the top flight, so the realistic targets and the sort of players he'd have needed would have been different at each level.
I think the biggest achievement was surviving so comfortably in the top flight that first year.
I think the difference for him now that he's our manager is that he can go to Europe and sign the likes of Okore or Vlaar, because he's getting them to play for Aston Villa, a club they've all heard of and are familiar with, whereas doing it for Norwich City would have been much, much tougher.
It's not so much as just making the money talk, but recognising he's running a bigger club, and that gives you more pulling power, just as the extra cash does.
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Totally agree with that. We shouldn't forget we genuinely are one of the biggest clubs / names in the UK. No disrespect to Norwich but they'll never be as big as us. Neither will plenty more.
In fact, if this club is running on all pistons full tilt I'd say we are as big if not bigger than Arsenal and Man Ci£y
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I admire your chutzpah, and maybe 20 years ago that was the case (obviously it definitely was in regard to City) but there's no way that's the case now.
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City may be richer and more successful right now. But there is no way in a million years they are a bigger club than us.
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Yes agree. I was coming more from a Local fanbase and pedigree angle rather than "new money"
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City may be richer and more successful right now. But there is no way in a million years they are a bigger club than us.
I shouldn't have got involved as I think the debate about which is a 'bigger' club is pointless and meaningless. All I'd add is that their money and success will go some way to ensuring their stature for a good while.
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In truth - the whole Faulkener thing is a red herring. He is a manager of a business - and he will do what the owner asks of him. If Villa fail to implement health and safety then blame Faulkener. If the North Stand burns down and we find out the insurance lapsed - blame Faulkener. If your pie is cold - then blame Faulkener. But all this bile against the bloke is just scapegoating. He knew very little about football when he came in and oversaw the biggest mistake in not rejecting the TSM suggestion.
But to be fair - Faulkener is probably a lot like our young side - got potential but inexperienced and prone to rookie mistakes.
They got through it - and so it seems has he (he has after all just been re-elected onto the FA Committee by his peers).
The finger of blame stuff is for losers - I would refer you to Small Heath and the blame culture over there. It is not helpful. It is not constructive. And it takes attention away from all the good shit that is happening at Villa.
We are Villa and things are looking up.
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^That +1. The main axe people have to grind is the McLeish appointment. Some seem almost to insist that he made it all by himself. I think he does Lerner's bidding mostly with things like that. That's not to say he has no power. I think he does a lot at the club day to day, and a lot of things that would seem to be related to that such as commercial deals (and he is surely involved in sorting out deals for signings as well) have been very well done on his part. I do wish we had a CEO with more footballing knowledge and who was more assertive regarding some things but I can't blame Faulkner for that as he didn't appoint himself.
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Yep, Faulkner is not a real decision maker on the football side of things.
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For all we know Faulkner could have been massively against the signing of McLeish. Of course it could also have been his idea. We'll probably never know for sure but it does seem harsh he gets so much stick for something he may have had little say in.
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It was such a monumental phuck up- and it was obvious to just about everyone what a brainfreeze it was from the outset.
If Faulkner as Chief Exec advocated it, the blame lies solely with him. If it was RL's choice, it's one of those moments where -as Chief Exec- Faulkner had a responsibility to politely convince him otherwise. Even if it meant offering his resignation. Going along with a choice as bad as that reflects on him too, and he'd have known the shitstorm he was in for when it went tits up (and it did).
Anyone with a vague idea about the English game knew how bizarre a choice it was, not just because McDuff's Small Heath connections but for the safety first dross his sides invariably serve up. Think it was that well known Villa legend John Barnes who said "You can get away with that type of football at Birmingham City. You can't get away with it at Aston Villa."
Situations like that highlight the lack of football knowledge at the top table. They'd met McLeish a few times as B-lose manager, were impressed that he spoke about the Villa in glowing terms and so gave him a job, or so it seems.
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As he is chief exec, I imagine he had a lot of say in the appointment of McLeish. He was on the radio after TSM was sacked alongside Pat Murphy and when pressed by Murphy, PF said that he had to accept some of the blame for the mistake in that appointment. I was not a big fan of having someone as Chief Exec who had little knowledge of how football works in the upper echelons (I'm not claiming any expertise either), and I don't think I'm alone when I think that for the first couple of years at least, he could have done with someone who knew what it's like at this level. Steve Stride was mentioned a lot, and I'm certain things could have been smoother if he, or someone along those lines, was onboard in 2010.
However, it seems that things are coming together slowly. We have a manager that seems to get value for money, and we have a decent scouting network - or at least a scouting network that operates outside of the British Isles. The club feels more together than it has done since about 2009, as if we're all pulling in the same direction for a change. Villa is a really political club, and there's been a history of internal strife and fan factions for a very long time. However, when we pull together, fans and club, the results on the pitch tend to follow. I have the feeling back that I did in 2006, and for all of his previous errors (or his errors as I perceive them), PF also has to take some of the credit for that.
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I still cringe a bit at the thought or mention of him, and the appointment of TSM is a memory which will not easily die, but you have to say his commercial record at the club is impressive.
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He is starting to build bridges after the episode with TSM but still a long way to go for me.
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I think another factor for these players coming to B6, is that PL has shown he's giving the younger players an opportunity to play in the Premier League and build a squad to play in the style the manager wants. No more stuck in the mud, end of their career players, whose main interest is one last big wages contract.
These guys are looking to develop their careers, and may see Villa as a stepping stone if they're as successful as Benteke, but if we are pusing the top 6 next season, they may see themselves as the start of a Villa/Paul Lambert dynasty, after all SAF had to start somewhere.
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The thing is I imagine as the years go by he'll get better and better purely from the experience of the game. We're clearly going about things the right way now, and hopefully he's learned from his mistakes.
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I like the new kit. Never heard of any of the the players we've been linked with. A bit too early to be shooting your load yet, so lets wait till the season starts
Too late for me. Shot my load when Tonev signed - a great player. Just about reloaded when news came in of Bacuna (Dutch Essien is how my mate describes him) and shot it again. Now Jores Okore signs - after impressing in the Champions League - attracting interest from Man Utd and actually turning down the offer to go the Chelsea when his club had accepted a bid - and I find myself all wrung out.
If Lambert, Faulkener, and Lerner keep this up I'll be down to the doctors for some Viagra.
And one more thing. Does anyone else notice he is not signing big time charlies. He is going after young guys who possess a simple professional attitude of wanting to play football. Read the Okore interview. How many would turn down Abramovich's money and the lure of a glamour club. The same with Leandro Bacuna. He wants to play - not pick up £30k a week to sit on a bench or be sent out on loan. All our signings so far have spoken about wanting to be a part of something special - a team - and a club that gives talent a chance no matter its age or pedigree. I think Villa's policy has not gone unnoticed in Europe and if these lads are the sort of quality we are attracting as a result - then I for one say this is good.
And it's not over yet.
Credit where it is due and a little faith.
UTV
Great post. Exactly how I feel. The players we are signing want to prove themselves and want to play, not just earn big money. Hopefully this will spill over onto the pitch. I think we have exciting times ahead next season.
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Have we got the vending machines yet ? If not then he is still a twunt, if we have then he is a great bloke.
Oh, and by the way, good signings and a great new kit. Bless him, maybe he has realised what he has to do, at last.
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Have we got the vending machines yet ? If not then he is still a twunt, if we have then he is a great bloke.
Oh, and by the way, good signings and a great new kit. Bless him, maybe he has realised what he has to do, at last.
He sorted the chicken nuggets problem expertly , and augurs well for the fish finger biscuit option with parsley sauce.
Well done paul, recent weeks have been very encouraging .
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Certainly no lower than £25m but I'd hope for £30m if possible - do you think he will go then dave?
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Well if they got the £40 million asking price they've put on his head they'd have done OK in my eyes.
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I think £25m is a realistic figure, so if they did get £30m+ that would represent them driving a hard bargain.
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35 million would do it.
He is going nowhere this season, nowhere at all.
I do think we are selling ourselves a bit short here by the way. We are on the way up, who wouldn't want to be part of that ?
Benteke wants success and that is what he will get at Villa.
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
£30m has always been the threshold for Benteke, in my head.
I do think we have a strong hand in terms of the negotiations with both the player and prospective buyers, but - in the end - you're right that in an all-out stand-off we'd lose.
The comments made by Okore about wanting to play regularly are key to Benteke's next season: if we get the new wage level right, I think he'll stay.
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Have we got the vending machines yet ? If not then he is still a twunt, if we have then he is a great bloke.
Oh, and by the way, good signings and a great new kit. Bless him, maybe he has realised what he has to do, at last.
Spotted a vending machine in the upper Trinity towards the end of the season.
And, whilst expensive, even by modern football ground prices, the "posh" coffee bar is excellent.
"Chocolate sprinkles on that for you, sir?"
Don't mind if I do!
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Jeeps Dave that is a can of worms / lob a grenade in to the mix comment.
I'd say £17m + good add ons (Apps/Success of team etc..). If it is cash mega-rich club (Cit-eh, PSG, Chavski or Monaco) then we'd get it up front and more of it.
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Jeeps Dave that is a can of worms / lob a grenade in to the mix comment.
I'd say £17m + good add ons (Apps/Success of team etc..). If it is cash mega-rich club (Cit-eh, PSG, Chavski or Monaco) then we'd get it up front and more of it.
£17m ? - no way would that be acceptable!
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Jeeps Dave that is a can of worms / lob a grenade in to the mix comment.
I'd say £17m + good add ons (Apps/Success of team etc..). If it is cash mega-rich club (Cit-eh, PSG, Chavski or Monaco) then we'd get it up front and more of it.
£17m ? - no way would that be acceptable!
For Darren Bent it would be though.
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We may have a squad of more than 12 players for the first time in a decade.
we only really need 14! Well, it's been done before ; )
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Going back to Faulkner it wasn't wise to hire someone like him who had and continues to have so much on the job learning to do. Credit Card Marketing Manager to Football CEO. Too many differences (even taking aside the experience)
Houllier was a poor appointment (health and how long he had been away from the game). That is before he decided 'shock' and'awe' was the order of the day to a squad who whatever their limitations had had 3 comparatively good seasons.
McLeish was disastrous on too many levels. There wasn't a single thinking football fan who thought it was wise.
As Chief Executive he must have had a large say in those appointments. Not sure whether he pursuaded Lerner away from the OGS appointment or encouraged it.
I don't know how his income generation compares to those of his peers at other clubs. How is the shirt deal compared to e.g. Spuds, Newcastle or Everton. Anyone got such details?
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I wouldn't take less than £30m for Benteke. Regardless of what the market's doing and whether or not he wanted to leave I think (hope) that the most valuable lesson Faulkner could have learned is how negative an effect frequently selling your best players has on your fans (customers).
Whilst I can understand why we sold Downing for the money we were offered, doing so in the same pre-season as Ashley Young and not fully re-investing the money resulted in one of the longest doldrums I've seen at Villa in a long-time.
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Jeeps Dave that is a can of worms / lob a grenade in to the mix comment.
I'd say £17m + good add ons (Apps/Success of team etc..). If it is cash mega-rich club (Cit-eh, PSG, Chavski or Monaco) then we'd get it up front and more of it.
£17m ? - no way would that be acceptable!
£17m + add ons (Rooney's amounted to £7m which I was thinking of). Should have been more
'Acceptable' from a board point of view would be about that. Obviously from our perspective then only £150m would be acceptable if we are being silly.
Suarez is 'valued' at or around £40m and (although I can't stand in) is a proven consistent top class performer. 35m for Benteke is not realistic.
Just my opinion.
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Jeeps Dave that is a can of worms / lob a grenade in to the mix comment.
I'd say £17m + good add ons (Apps/Success of team etc..). If it is cash mega-rich club (Cit-eh, PSG, Chavski or Monaco) then we'd get it up front and more of it.
£17m ? - no way would that be acceptable!
£17m + add ons (Rooney's amounted to £7m which I was thinking of). Should have been more
'Acceptable' from a board point of view would be about that. Obviously from our perspective then only £150m would be acceptable if we are being silly.
Suarez is 'valued' at or around £40m and (although I can't stand in) is a proven consistent top class performer. 35m for Benteke is not realistic.
Just my opinion.
Forget the add ons , £30m would be a good price, £25m would be minimum acceptable - and payable on our terms not theirs .
As for bent , newcastle have a cheek saying villa need to lower the £6m asking price , after the way they skanked liverpool for £35m Carroll.
Can only see benteke going if he kicks up a fuss and forces the issue which I would hope he doesn't.
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Suarez is 'valued' at or around £40m and (although I can't stand in) is a proven consistent top class performer. 35m for Benteke is not realistic.
But Suarez has, maybe four years left until he starts to decline, Benteke probably has more like ten/twelve (given their respective styles of play).
Whoever takes Benteke off us in the next couple of years will be getting half a decade of a great striker and if they then decide to sell him are probably looking at getting more money from the next club to buy him. That's very unlikely to be the case with Suarez.
Van Persie was £24m because ManYoo won't get a huge amount of money when he ultimately leaves them (and because of his contract length), which is why Benteke will earn us more money than Van Persie earned for Arsenal when he does leave.
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There is no price that makes you feel good about a sale of a top player. And with 3 years left on his deal I assume the relationship would have needed to have completely broken down for us to have to sell him. If that's the case, then you do what is right for the club and get the most money possible. If a particular club has turned his head (see Stewart ****** Downing as Exhibit A) then you squeeze that club dry. For me that is a minimum of £30m just to start things off, and given that the market domestically is flush right now with the new TV deal, you settle around £37-40m.
As it is, it won't matter because I don't think for a second the relationship Benteke has with the manager or club is at that stage, so there is no reason to sell. I think he'll sign his new deal, play another year, hope he does just as well and he'll leave next summer following the WC. He gets his move, we get our fee which will likely be what would have demanded in the first place.
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With money swilling around in the coming season, £35m is a minimum based on last season and his potential. If he wants to leave however, for whatever reason, he might still have 3 years on his contract, but if he's not happy, there isn't much point in having him hanging around the rest of the squad.
I hope though, Lambert's recent signings will convince Benteke he will play regularly in a side on the way up and in this way, cement his place in Belgium's WC squad.
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I'm with eastie on this one 25 mill minimum 30 mill hopefully
personally I wouldn't sell him if we don't have to, he is a rare talent,
I have heard all the 'one season wonder' stuff, but lets face it he's not is he, we all know he's the real deal and will be around for a long time can only improve
in a couple or three seasons he'll be the best striker in the world in my view, he has it all
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If Benteke does go - and realistically if he did want it, there's not much that could stop him - what fee would make you feel the board did as well as they could?
Jeeps Dave that is a can of worms / lob a grenade in to the mix comment.
I'd say £17m + good add ons (Apps/Success of team etc..). If it is cash mega-rich club (Cit-eh, PSG, Chavski or Monaco) then we'd get it up front and more of it.
£17m ? - no way would that be acceptable!
£17m + add ons (Rooney's amounted to £7m which I was thinking of). Should have been more
'Acceptable' from a board point of view would be about that. Obviously from our perspective then only £150m would be acceptable if we are being silly.
Suarez is 'valued' at or around £40m and (although I can't stand in) is a proven consistent top class performer. 35m for Benteke is not realistic.
Just my opinion.
Forget the add ons , £30m would be a good price, £25m would be minimum acceptable - and payable on our terms not theirs .
As for bent , newcastle have a cheek saying villa need to lower the £6m asking price , after the way they skanked liverpool for £35m Carroll.
Can only see benteke going if he kicks up a fuss and forces the issue which I would hope he doesn't.
I wouldn't be totally against Bent remaining. He still has a one in two ratio, and with the creative players we've brought in this summer, he might be a useful alternative should Benteke get injured (or move). I get that we should be looking at making sure the top wages go to the players who are central to our plans. But Bent is hardly a bad egg who needs to be bombed out ASAP. We just can't afford to be carrying too many players on those sort of wages who aren't first team regulars.
We shouldn't be making it easy for the likes of Newcastle and Fulham to sign good players. If they're cribbng about paying £6 million, we should tell them to get facked on general principle. That said, I think he'll go. Even if it's towards the end of the window. Turkey or perhaps even Russia as an outside bet, if English clubs insist on playing poormouth.
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I'd like to get benteke sorted contract wise before selling bent - certainly if benteke did go then bent would be worth keeping.
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City may be richer and more successful right now. But there is no way in a million years they are a bigger club than us.
I shouldn't have got involved as I think the debate about which is a 'bigger' club is pointless and meaningless. All I'd add is that their money and success will go some way to ensuring their stature for a good while.
In 1913, Aston Villa were one of the biggest clubs in England. In 2013, Aston Villa are one of the biggest clubs in England. In 2113, Aston Villa will still be one of the biggest clubs in England.
Man City are a mere spec in the fabric of footballing history and cannot and do not compare with Aston Villa.
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I will withhold my verdict on PF until he had dealt with Benteke situation properly and that is staying firm on "you are contracted to us for 3 years and no amount of money will change that"!
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Faulkner has done very well with recent commercial deals, arguably as well as anyone could have. Credit for that is due. However his and Lerner's combined lack of on the pitch nous has been there for all to see since O'Neill walked out. Houllier ws a strange choice which could have worked, TSM was as wrong as it's possible to be on every level, which was obvious to everyone except PF and RL, and Lambert combined with the extreme cutbacks was a very high risk strategy which almost cost us our PL status. It remains to be seen if it pays off in the future, but he got away with it by the skin of his teeth.
My only other gripe is his failure to provide Macron with correct shades of claret and light blue for the kits - they are wrong for the second year in a row, except for the socks.
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Rightly so Paul Lambert is getting plenty of praise, but I'll bring this up again, Paul Faulkner has also played a fucking blinder here. He's done his bit in little more than 6 or 7 weeks to re-sign every top prospect at the club, sign 5 new players and move out Given (albeit on loan) and Dunne. All that's left is shifting Bent, Ireland and Hutton (easier said than done I grant you) and top up the squad with 2 or 3 more new faces.
Well done sir.
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Rightly so Paul Lambert is getting plenty of praise, but I'll bring this up again, Paul Faulkner has also played a fucking blinder here. He's done his bit in little more than 6 or 7 weeks to re-sign every top prospect at the club, sign 5 new players and move out Given (albeit on loan) and Dunne. All that's left is shifting Bent, Ireland and Hutton (easier said than done I grant you) and top up the squad with 2 or 3 more new faces.
Well done sir.
Fair play and well done for bringing it up.
BtW, I'd personally add N'Zog to the list of detritus that needs needs clearig out. Just my opinion, like.
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Rightly so Paul Lambert is getting plenty of praise, but I'll bring this up again, Paul Faulkner has also played a fucking blinder here. He's done his bit in little more than 6 or 7 weeks to re-sign every top prospect at the club, sign 5 new players and move out Given (albeit on loan) and Dunne. All that's left is shifting Bent, Ireland and Hutton (easier said than done I grant you) and top up the squad with 2 or 3 more new faces.
Well done sir.
Fair comment....except that Dunne's contract expired; PF Not involved with that.
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6 players, no? Tonev, Okore, Bacuna, Helenius, Luna and Steer.
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Toronto, I have noticed you often do that ironic "hurr hurr, isn't Faulkner shit?" thing.
I don't know why, I am pretty sure you too gave him/them plenty of shit when you thought they deserved it, too.
The reason lots of us gave him shit at the time was because they kept on making really shit decisions. It's good we're on the way to making more good decisions than bad ones, yes, but I'm not going to start berating anyone who criticised them in the recent past, mostly because they had a point, and I certainly wouldn't play the "how wrong were you?" card just yet.
For starters, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd guesstimate that for me, the minimum period of time within which I can ever forgive someone appointing Alex McLeish to manage my club is at least 20 years, so there's a fair way to go yet.
In the case of Benteke, I'd imagine that Paul Lambert also had a lot to do with it - as he did with the convincing of the other young players that his way forward is worth persevering with.
An excellent appointment, and whoever chose him deserves respect, but let's not act like people didn't have a point raising their eyebrows at the previous two appointments.
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He deserves much credit. He has taken pelters, but his relationship with Lambert seems to be working really well. Next test is getting Lambert a couple of the next level up players like Benteke last summer. Manages that this summer and we could be a hell of side.
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Jury still out at the moment.
Not sure to be honest. Give me until the January Transfer window shuts then we will see.
50-50 at the moment, tbh.
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In the case of Benteke, I'd imagine that Paul Lambert also had a lot to do with it - as he did with the convincing of the other young players that his way forward is worth persevering with.
A good point. I'm sure the competence and power of the manager plays a big part in these things too. I'm not denigrating Faulkner there, I think there are a number of areas that are specifically his responsibility that he has handled well throughout his tenure such as commercial deals and so on. However, a strong football man who likes to take charge of everything related to the footballing side of things (which I believe is the one thing that PL took from MoN) can cover a multitude of other sins. Many of our new signings and Benteke following his new deal have emphasized the role of Lambert in their decisionmaking and how well he persuades them of his vision for the club.
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He didn't come from a football background so maybe it was no surprise that he struggled early on with some of the more football-based decisions, it must have been a hell of a steep learning curve for him.
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Toronto, I have noticed you often do that ironic "hurr hurr, isn't Faulkner shit?" thing.
I don't know why, I am pretty sure you too gave him/them plenty of shit when you thought they deserved it, too.
The reason lots of us gave him shit at the time was because they kept on making really shit decisions. It's good we're on the way to making more good decisions than bad ones, yes, but I'm not going to start berating anyone who criticised them in the recent past, mostly because they had a point, and I certainly wouldn't play the "how wrong were you?" card just yet.
For starters, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd guesstimate that for me, the minimum period of time within which I can ever forgive someone appointing Alex McLeish to manage my club is at least 20 years, so there's a fair way to go yet.
In the case of Benteke, I'd imagine that Paul Lambert also had a lot to do with it - as he did with the convincing of the other young players that his way forward is worth persevering with.
An excellent appointment, and whoever chose him deserves respect, but let's not act like people didn't have a point raising their eyebrows at the previous two appointments.
see what's disappointing in your post is that if you look at my initial post I said very clearly that he deserved shit for the stuff he fucked up. However, while Paul Lambert is getting plenty of praise, it should be noted that Faulkner gets grief when it goes wrong rarely gets praise when it goes right. I'm not in least saying I told you so, because I didn't so wind your neck in on that one. I never defended him for McLeish as I'd be an idiot had I done so. Irrespective of the past mistakes, this is about this summer and he's done really well. It's ok to admit that.
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Personally, I can find little fault with the club since a certain ginger scottish thundercloud left the club.
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He is still a pen pusher. Lerner is the true poker player. No nonsense, learned this industry fast and can play with the big boys in business. Just wish he hadn't lost his ambition for real success.
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Faulkner reminds me of Ace Rimmer.
What a guy.
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At this stage there is too little information to form an opinion.
We don't know what changed Benteke's mind or whether Faulkner broke the club's pay policy to get CB to sign.
So as I said to someone last light:
To be honest, mate, I haven't got a clue.
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Why dont we just give credit where is due ......
Sponsorship deal sorted .....
New kit out a second year running in time for holidays
New signings done before pre season commences
Contracts sorted for the players who deserved them
CB matter dealt with in professional manner
If we just go back say 4 years none of the above would have happened
We now appear to be a club who have learnt from mistakes and really look like we are moving forward
Lets hope there are still a couple of signings to come - but lets give praise where its due
Well done PF RL PL
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Why dont we just give credit where is due ......
Sponsorship deal sorted .....
New kit out a second year running in time for holidays
New signings done before pre season commences
Contracts sorted for the players who deserved them
CB matter dealt with in professional manner
If we just go back say 4 years none of the above would have happened
We now appear to be a club who have learnt from mistakes and really look like we are moving forward
Lets hope there are still a couple of signings to come - but lets give praise where its due
Well done PF RL PL
Spot on in all respects
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Why dont we just give credit where is due ......
Well done PF RL PL
Gets my vote too. Great team effort.
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It's funny how when you read forums of other clubs there is pretty much always a lot of people who are very vocal about how rubbish their CEO/DOF/Chairman or whoever are totally rubbish at negotiating/concluding deals quickly/appearing like a real human being.
Other clubs forums when discussing dealings with spurs paint Levy as some sort of Machiavellian genius who is the only man ever in business to think of trying to pay as little as possible for things you are buying and getting as much as possible for things you are selling. But go on a spurs forum today and it will be full of people saying he couldn't sign a striker to save his life and that he has committed the cardinal sin in football fans eyes; lacking ambition.
I even remember when we signed N'zogbia, which was in the height of PF's unpopularity, reading on a Sunderland forum someone saying they wished they had our negotiators!
Now, maybe PF was at least partly responsible for the whole Mcleish debacle but I found it strange that so many people seemed to KNOW it was all the chief executive's fault, along with any other things going wrong at the time. And it's a theme with fans of other clubs.
Maybe that's why owners like to have chief executives or other people on the board who are high profile as it creates a lighting rod for criticism that would otherwise be directed at them...
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He didn't come from a football background so maybe it was no surprise that he struggled early on with some of the more football-based decisions, it must have been a hell of a steep learning curve for him.
I'd buy into that argument. It does though reinforce the point that many, including myself, have made, that given his lack of football experience, Lerner was amiss in not having a Steve Stride/Graham Taylor figure on board to hold his hand. That error could quite easily have seen us unhitched from the Premier League gravy-train .
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As Doug said - managers win games and chairmen lose them.
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... Now, maybe PF was at least partly responsible for the whole Mcleish debacle but I found it strange that so many people seemed to KNOW it was all the chief executive's fault, along with any other things going wrong at the time. And it's a theme with fans of other clubs.
Interesting. Conventional wisdom is that Lerner met TSM and liked the cut of his jib, went off on his 'plane to meet said TSM and persuaded him to join the Villa.
I didn't really see PF as the problem on that decision, although he could have more vociferously argued against it, if indeed Lerner was the real driver behind it.
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We need at least 3 more vending machines or else next season will be the same as last. :o
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... Now, maybe PF was at least partly responsible for the whole Mcleish debacle but I found it strange that so many people seemed to KNOW it was all the chief executive's fault, along with any other things going wrong at the time. And it's a theme with fans of other clubs.
Interesting. Conventional wisdom is that Lerner met TSM and liked the cut of his jib, went off on his 'plane to meet said TSM and persuaded him to join the Villa.
I didn't really see PF as the problem on that decision, although he could have more vociferously argued against it, if indeed Lerner was the real driver behind it.
Well, maybe you know more about it than I do. I don't claim to have any inside knowledge at what goes on at Villa. But I did notice that the internet anger at PF seemed to stem from around this point.
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In my organisations we don't expect the Chief Exec to know how the IT systems work or put together training courses or micro manage those who do the work on the front line. They're there to set a strategic direction and ensure that those reporting directly to them are all signed up to that vision.
That's how I see Faulkner's role. I think there have been two major mistakes. Firstly, not being prepared for when MON walked out; whatever our opinions of that act some sort of succession planning should have been in place as it was clear that the relationship was deteriorating. Secondly, the inexplicable decision to appoint McLeish, that might not have been entirely down to him but it was a massive error so he has to take some of the blame.
What has happened in the past 18 months suggests that he's learned on the job and the club currently seems to be in a good place, with everyone working in the same direction. My only worry is, with this being Villa, that we'll find a way to fuck it up.
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We now appear to be a club who have learnt from mistakes and really look like we are moving forward
Agreed, just a shame there was so much learning material in the first place.
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My only worry is, with this being Villa, that we'll find a way to fuck it up.
A tortured and tormented Villa fan talks
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My only worry is, with this being Villa, that we'll find a way to fuck it up.
A tortured and tormented Villa fan talks
An unshakable faith in disappointment, that's what following this club brings.
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We now appear to be a club who have learnt from mistakes and really look like we are moving forward
Agreed, just a shame there was so much learning material in the first place.
Aye.
I'd tend to think that a club of Villa's size is too big for a YTS Chief Exec to learn on the job, and some of the mess we have got into in recent years is because of that. Though I'm sure Paul Faulkner is a thoroughly smashing chap.
One of the things that caught the imagination when RL first came in was bringing in heavy hitters like Bob Kain and Richard Fitzgerald from IMG. It looked like we had an owner who got that this was a serious business. Unlike Herbert, who tended to appoint lackeys and yes men to administrative roles. That was the perception, at least. Perhaps unfair to some of the staff who were known to stand up to Doug on occasion.
Our downward curve seems to coincide with Paul Faulkner - a young Personnel Manager at MBNA- taking on a job too big for him. Again, that might be unfair. But it seemed like an appointment more in keeping with the Herbert years than the initial positive, go-ahead period of Lerner's ownership.
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He's getting better.
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Why dont we just give credit where is due ......
Sponsorship deal sorted .....
New kit out a second year running in time for holidays
New signings done before pre season commences
Contracts sorted for the players who deserved them
CB matter dealt with in professional manner
If we just go back say 4 years none of the above would have happened
We now appear to be a club who have learnt from mistakes and really look like we are moving forward
Lets hope there are still a couple of signings to come - but lets give praise where its due
Well done PF RL PL
Agree
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Just voted onto the FA International Committee, clearly highly regarded at the FA.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3327532,00.html
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Paul Faulkner: "I think we’re very happy with the players we’ve brought in and the contracts we have extended."
Aston Villa interview: Paul Faulkner says the club are pleased with the summer transfer dealings
Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has expressed his satisfaction with the claret and blues’ transfer business so far this summer.
Six new players have arrived at Bodymoor Heath, while Villa have also signed up half-a-dozen first teamers, including Christian Benteke, on extended contracts.
Faulkner is relishing the big-kick off at Arsenal on August 17 but confirmed “there’s a lot more work still to do” on both the football and non-playing side of the club before then.
Villa are concentrating their efforts on moving out up to seven surplus players – Darren Bent, Stephen Ireland, Alan Hutton, Shay Given, Barry Bannan, Nathan Delfouneso and Enda Stevens – and it is believed there could be scope for another couple of arrivals.
At Villa Park, groundstaff are busily readying the pitch for the showpiece friendly against Malaga on August 10, while work improving the broadcasting infrastructure at the stadium as part of the new Sky and BT Sport TV deals is also gathering pace.
Aleksandar Tonev, Leandro Bacuna, Jores Okore, Nicklas Helenius, Antonio Luna and Jed Steer are settling into the squad, while Benteke, Andi Weimann, Matt Lowton, Ashley Westwood, Brad Guzan, Nathan Baker and Ciaran Clark have agreed new deals.
On Villa’s transfer business, Faulkner said: “It’s still only July and I think we’re very happy with the players we’ve brought in and the players whose contracts we have extended.
“It allows us to then really go into the season feeling we’ve got our squad nicely balanced and shaped.
“We’ve done an awful lot in pre season so far and there’s a lot more work still to do – it never stops.
‘‘But we’re working well together and we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
Randy Lerner bought Villa in 2006 and he and Faulkner are relishing starting the latest campaign at the club.
“I think this will be the eighth full season now and it has gone very quickly,” added Faulkner.
“We’re looking forward to it. Every time the players come back you can see the new training wear and new kits and you get the fixtures out.
“It doesn’t take long since the last season finished before the appetite is whetted and you’re raring to go again.
“I can’t wait for the Arsenal game now and for the season to start. We’ve got a good record down there, there’s no reason why we can’t go and give them a good game.”
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-interview-paul-faulkner-5317869?
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Just thought I'd bump this one, as it seems to have been overlooked that there's already a Paul Faulkner thread.
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He is doing a live chat again on the Villa website now, he mentions the lime green kit is our 3rd this season.
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Surely he said more of interest than "We're the Villa, we glow in the dark''?