Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Clark Five on October 29, 2011, 12:05:18 AM
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Just a thought.
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Whaddya know?
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Could we have an, "I don't know (anymore)" type option?
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Phone Nicola Keye, she'll know the answer.
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Could we have an, "I don't know (anymore)" type option?
I vote for this option.
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I just want to see Randy at a game. For christ's sake I know you're beloved Browns play on Sunday but you could surely jet to and fro pretty easily for a Saturday morning start.
I'm glad they no longer address the forums, that was cheesy in my opinion. No point in collaborating with an internet fanbase, that's lame.
I really hope they stay for the long haul though. There's no doubt Lerner has a love for Villa but in order to compete we'll simply have to wait for our cycle again. He's got to prioritize at this point in his life. He has two incredibly valuable, mediocre investments to balance.
There's only one Randy Lerner.
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He hired McLeish and you're still chanting his name? Whatever floats your boat.
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He hired McLeish and you're still chanting his name? Whatever floats your boat.
Does the word 'obsession' mean anything to you?
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He hired McLeish and you're still chanting his name? Whatever floats your boat.
Does the words 'obsession' mean anything to you?
Or 'monomaniac', maybe?
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I don't know if we have seen the last of them but the silence is worrying.
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I don't know if we have seen the last of them but the silence is worrying.
It's always been pretty quiet, but not this quiet.
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He hired McLeish and you're still chanting his name? Whatever floats your boat.
Does the words 'obsession' mean anything to you?
Or 'monomaniac', maybe?
Good word. I'm going to try and use that.
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I don't know if we have seen the last of them but the silence is worrying.
It's always been pretty quiet, but not this quiet.
I fully believed in the Randy loves Villa and wanted to pour his heart and soul into the club. I never expected him to pour the entire contents of his wallet into the club. He is supposed to be, as the general portrayed him, not just an owner but the caring custodian of our club and I would at least expect him to show his face or speak to us now and again.
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And anyway, what's to worry about? - he's got Doug here as his "in loco Randy" figure ....
Actually, I'm now cacking myself.
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It is remarkably easy to be high profile when things are going well and your popularity is sky-high based on nothing more than the fact that you're not Doug. Rather more difficult to maintain that profile and balls it out in more tricky times - just like Doug did on countless occasions.
I doubt this is the case, but its almost as if he didn't like all the grief he got last year, appointed McCleish to spite us and has then stomped off in a fit of pique.
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We could always get a cardboard cut out of him an bring him along to the games. Bit like "where's wally" and place him in different parts of the holte.
I certainly don't think we've seen the last of him or the general.
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The absence is worrying and does make the mind consider other scenarios.
The promise of 2006 has been replaced by mediocrity and we seem to be heading down the same also rans avenue as the Browns. Randy seems happy with the Browns in such a position so it follows that he would be happy with the Villa being in the same place.
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Well I think we will spend another 24m in January........
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He hired McLeish and you're still chanting his name? Whatever floats your boat.
Shall we start a thread up about life in Outer Mongolia and see if you still find some reason to bring McLeish into it? You could go for counselling you know.
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...he didn't like all the grief he got last year, appointed McCleish to spite us and has then stomped off in a fit of pique.
I really believe that there's truth in that last line. That is certainly the way it seems and I think his interest has taken a large dent as a result. I can't believe he doesn't care - he's a business man and with the potential value of a football club in the league he's hardly going to give it away, but while he owns it and things aren't (to him at least) a disaster, then I think he'll just let it continue for now. Concentrate elsewhere, until he feels the need to jump in again. Or out...
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Well I think we will spend another 24m in January........
Yep another desperation splurge to save us from relegation. Only it might not work this time!
The biggest worry I have now, is that with all the money spunked on hiring and firing managers of late, that we can't afford to fuck McLeish off if things get worse, and even if we could just about scrape the pennies to get rid, we'd then not be able to afford a decent manager, though personally I'd be willing to give Sid a pop. Can't be any worse than McLeish. We might start passing t'fucking ball.
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I just want to see Randy at a game.
That would be cruel. We are fans so we can suffer. He is a billionaire so he doesn't need to suffer!
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I hope he comes back soon because seeing him at Villa Park again will lift everybody I just think he has a busy life at the moment but we will see him again.
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Well I think we will spend another 24m in January........
Yep another desperation splurge to save us from relegation. Only it might not work this time!.........
Without wanting to start a January transfer window thread I think the only signing we'll make in January will be Enda Stephens. Last season we needed a goal scorer - easy to identify and, with the players we had to provide service, relatively easy to prise away. This season we all know we need a dominant midfielder. I can't think of who that might be off hand, we'll find it hard to attract anyone special, and we've probably got very little money to spend anyway. I think we're stuck with what we've got this season.
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They told us repeatedly that they were here through the thick and thin.
It's really, really disappointing to see that, with the first sign of prolonged "thin", they disappear off the face of the earth.
Unfortunately, that makes all the previous communication look like it was aimed at making their own lives easier, as as soon as that stopped, they were gone.
That to me - the making all the previous good work look hollow - should be something they'd want to avoid, even if they were planning to disappear from view.
The fact they clearly weren't bothered about this suggests to me that they simply do not care any more. Combine that with the fact it looks like we're effectively being run by email and set up to coast along, and it is all desperately disappointing and about as far from "Proud History, Bright Future" as you can get.
As for the stick he got last year, anyone who fancies themselves as the owner of sports clubs / franchises for a living needs to have an exceptionally thick skin. If that was enough to make him totally disengage (and I'd hate to see what kind of stick he's had from Browns fans over the years), then maybe he needs to look at a different way of making a living, one where he won't find himself in situations like this.
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Isn't General Krulak now a headteacher or something somewhere?
It's a good job Faulkner the many football men on the board know what they're doing isn't it?
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what would it take to get us the feelgood feeling again (apart from 5 back to back wins)
I remember the signings of Ash, Milner, Carew, Delph and Friedel really felt like we were going places.
Who now would you give you that same feeling ? Say 50 million for 4 players - its what we used to spend
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Imagine if we got to the FA cup final, would he come out of hiding then? We're unlikely to find out i know.
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We have gone from being an exciting opportunity to a business/ financial problem.RL was an absantee Landlord when the problems with MON developed, he is now even more remote. RL has financial problems AVFC is not on top of his To Do list.
So we have to wait and hope.
One thing you hope is that he does understand that the value of his investment is predicated by PL status. It will be interesting to see what he does in January.
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Hang on, he's got a tattoo. People with tattoos aren't idiotic, prone impulsiveness and decisions they later regret...
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We are a club with no leadership from top to bottom, it's a disgrace. We need RL to rally us all & give us belief.
Without that we're f***ed.
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You dont need your owners at the game, you just need their money.
How many games has the Man City guy been to ?
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You dont need your owners at the game, you just need their money.
How many games has the Man City guy been to ?
Another sad indictment of football in 2011 neatly encapsulated in two sentences.
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You dont need your owners at the game, you just need their money.
How many games has the Man City guy been to ?
Another sad indictment of football in 2011 neatly encapsulated in two sentences.
An appalling state of affairs. i am still hoping that the bubble bursts and we get some sort of a fair league.
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He appointed McLeish, why would he want to come to the games anymore.
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I think his letter to ST holders explained pretty clearly that the only thing he's interested in is being in the top 20 revenue earners in the Deloitte list. He's no longer interested in the team or success on the pitch - hence the appointment of McLeish, and why he and the General have disappeared from view
I was never a fan of Doug but at least he attended the games - home and away
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I wouldn't want to see them go. It would be nice if they attended a few games this season though.
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"Pelty" also seems to have vanished too ?
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yeah he can go if he sells the club to people in the same ilk as the owners at chelsea and man city. otherwise whats the point?? new owners at liverpool pump in £100m + and still cannot touch the manchester clubs (or chelsea) and on yesterdays efforts spurs either.
so unless they got £500m to invest which should get you CL football....whats the point? because nothing will change without that level of investment.
sadly thats fact.
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yeah he can go if he sells the club to people in the same ilk as the owners at chelsea and man city. otherwise whats the point?? new owners at liverpool pump in £100m + and still cannot touch the manchester clubs (or chelsea) and on yesterdays efforts spurs either.
so unless they got £500m to invest which should get you CL football....whats the point? because nothing will change without that level of investment.
sadly thats fact.
Modern football encapsulated in a couple of sentences (cont).
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Lerner is a berk. He is out of his depth and he has seen to it that the exciting and solid team O'neill built was destroyed to make a profit. He has now installed a manager with all the charisma of a tea cup and the football brain of a potato !
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Lerner is a berk. He is out of his depth and he has seen to it that the exciting and solid team O'neill built was destroyed to make a profit. He has now installed a manager with all the charisma of a tea cup and the football brain of a potato !
I think you're confusing Lerner with Nial Quinn pal
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Lerner is a berk. He is out of his depth and he has seen to it that the exciting and solid team O'neill built was destroyed to make a profit.
How much of a profit has he made?
And considering all of the players that left (that were worth keeping), wanted to go, what was he emant to do, force them to stay?
There are a few things to be annoyed about when it comes to Lerner, but he's hardly asset stripping the club.
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Lerner is a berk. He is out of his depth and he has seen to it that the exciting and solid team O'neill built was destroyed to make a profit.
How much of a profit has he made?
And considering all of the players that left (that were worth keeping), wanted to go, what was he emant to do, force them to stay?
There are a few things to be annoyed about when it comes to Lerner, but he's hardly asset stripping the club.
Correct.
What he's done/trying to do is get us to operate within our means. I think his initial investment was intended to secure a top 4 place and therefore mean we could operate 'within our means' at a level like he subsidised for the first 3-4 years of his tenure, but that didn't happen.
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What he's done/trying to do is get us to operate within our means. I think his initial investment was intended to secure a top 4 place and therefore mean we could operate 'within our means' at a level like he subsidised for the first 3-4 years of his tenure, but that didn't happen.
He is, but not as a result of a cleverly thought out strategy, but instead as an emergency measure to try and undo the damage of completely losing control of finances. It's not like he'd have sanctioned Beye's contract thinking, "well, if we don't get top 4 I'll cut back a bit next year". Basically he let O'Neill spend more or less what he liked and now we're paying for it.
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Randy gave this club his best shot and got very close to cracking the top 4 , sadly that dream has died and he now needs to decide what is best for the clubs future, if he no longer has the cash or inspiration to take us forward i would hope he will actively look to sell the club to someone who has the financial muscle to take us forward ,but sadly those people are few and far between , after all kenwright has been trying to sell everton to a rich new owner for a while now.
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What he's done/trying to do is get us to operate within our means. I think his initial investment was intended to secure a top 4 place and therefore mean we could operate 'within our means' at a level like he subsidised for the first 3-4 years of his tenure, but that didn't happen.
He is, but not as a result of a cleverly thought out strategy, but instead as an emergency measure to try and undo the damage of completely losing control of finances. It's not like he'd have sanctioned Beye's contract thinking, "well, if we don't get top 4 I'll cut back a bit next year". Basically he let O'Neill spend more or less what he liked and now we're paying for it.
That's the thing I don't get - the extent to which it really was "shit or bust", and so short termist.
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What he's done/trying to do is get us to operate within our means. I think his initial investment was intended to secure a top 4 place and therefore mean we could operate 'within our means' at a level like he subsidised for the first 3-4 years of his tenure, but that didn't happen.
He is, but not as a result of a cleverly thought out strategy, but instead as an emergency measure to try and undo the damage of completely losing control of finances. It's not like he'd have sanctioned Beye's contract thinking, "well, if we don't get top 4 I'll cut back a bit next year". Basically he let O'Neill spend more or less what he liked and now we're paying for it.
That's the thing I don't get - the extent to which it really was "shit or bust", and so short termist.
It was hardly 'shit or bust' - just a matter of trying, seeing the financial goalposts moved by what happened at Man City and then reluctantly coming to the conclusion that to keep trying was both too expensive and too likely not to work out for us.
As to Risso's point, I'm not too sure!
I always felt Randy was investing to get us to be a CL side. When that didn't work, a new plan was needed. The likes of Beye was a mistake, and CL side or not we'd be trying to get rid of him, but had the investment born fruit we'd still be 'operating within our means', but that would be a financial level or two above where we are now. So, for instance, we may still have had the likes of Downing and Ash leave, but they'd have been replaced.
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Hopefully yes because they've been found out. When the General came out with just think what McLeish could do if he was backed (thank god he hasn't that much though, he's already proven to waste alot of money on Hutton and N'Zogbia) and thinking we would manage to get 4th oops my finger slipped 5th, then you just knew the General hasn't got a clue. And then there's Randy Lerner who hired the most controversy manager in the history of our club and possibly the history of football. They've been here for 5 years and they've made it clear as day they still don't know the first thing about football. That's unforgiveable, there is no way we'll move forward even if they spent loads of money again as evident during MON's era because they can't grasp football knowledge. It could improve if Randy hired someone with football knowledge and passion, but no...He hires his friend, Paul something who's currently the CEO of this club who appears to be the yes man who hasn't got a clue about football either.
It's annoying that Randy Lerner seems very arrogant as well. When there was a protest against McLeish he should have listened to the fansi because it was for good reason. But instead, he thought...I'm the owner of the club and I can do what I want with it. Well, good job, you've hired a 2 PL relegation man who currently has a 25% win rate (no surprise) that could jeopardize your 40m + kitty from the Premier League and the attendence has gone downhill at a alarming rate mainly due to this. Not only that, but you actually paid to bring him here. He would be screwed if he didn't inherit his dad's money because he hasn't got good business sense at all.
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Look at the extend to which the spending brakes have been slammed on - we spent almost the entirety of last season around the relegation zone, and have since pruned the squad even more.
That's pretty much "have a go and if it doesn't work out, we'll have to give up entirely".
You're right about Man City, but it's not as if our ambitions have gone from being top four to top five.
They've gone almost overnight to "a top half finish would be excellent". And that is the kind of thing the likes of Albion or Fulham would aspire to.
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Hopefully yes because they've been found out. When the General came out with just think what McLeish could do if he was backed (thank god he hasn't that much though, he's already proven to waste alot of money on Hutton and N'Zogbia) and thinking we would manage to get 4th oops my finger slipped 5th, then you just knew the General hasn't got a clue.
I've got a lot of time for the General, and he was always in a difficult position fielding questions like that, but I had to say, the above statements really did make me wonder whether they understand the PL at all.
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I remain absolutely staggered in the u-turn strategy we've deployed in the last 18 months - from going all-out for the Champions League places to where we are now, managing with an obvious surplus in quality and, in some cases, unable to make so much as a free transfer.
I expected some adjustments but surely finding the middle ground was possible?
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People were shocked when they thought they had seen the annual appearance of RL today at VP.
However, everyone calmed down when they realised the phantom was just the ghost from Aston Hall queuing for tickets for the Norwich game.
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Hopefully yes because they've been found out. When the General came out with just think what McLeish could do if he was backed (thank god he hasn't that much though, he's already proven to waste alot of money on Hutton and N'Zogbia) and thinking we would manage to get 4th oops my finger slipped 5th, then you just knew the General hasn't got a clue.
I've got a lot of time for the General, and he was always in a difficult position fielding questions like that, but I had to say, the above statements really did make me wonder whether they understand the PL at all.
It was the 'imagine what he could if backed' bit that I don;t understand. Why say it if hes not going to be backed? I see a number of possibilities:-
1. The General thought he would be, but was wrong/out of the loop.
2. They intended to, but something changed.
3. He was lying to us.
4. The General is an idiot.
Now, I don't believe 4 and 3 is counter-productive, so that leaves 1 or 2. I can believe, especially in the current financial climate, things would change, but in that short a space of time? I can only assume he spoke out of turn and that might be part of the reason he has withdrawn from boards like this.
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Look at the extend to which the spending brakes have been slammed on - we spent almost the entirety of last season around the relegation zone, and have since pruned the squad even more.
That's pretty much "have a go and if it doesn't work out, we'll have to give up entirely".
You're right about Man City, but it's not as if our ambitions have gone from being top four to top five.
They've gone almost overnight to "a top half finish would be excellent". And that is the kind of thing the likes of Albion or Fulham would aspire to.
Being 5th is no different financially to being 6th, so if the Man City thing effectively ended any realistic CL dream, then it does become more understandable.
However, the spending stopped, Bent aside, after MON left. So we're talking summer 2010, when we started hearing about wages/turnover ratio and the not so secret six the club wanted shot of (Davies, Beye, Sidwell, NRC, Heskey & Shorey). The Jan before that saw the comments from MON about selling before buying. So I guess it was somethime after summer 2009 when Randy revised his strategy. So, was it really all that sudden or have we been in the midst of getting the wages under control and the club self sufficient for over two years now in reality?
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Hopefully yes because they've been found out. When the General came out with just think what McLeish could do if he was backed (thank god he hasn't that much though, he's already proven to waste alot of money on Hutton and N'Zogbia) and thinking we would manage to get 4th oops my finger slipped 5th, then you just knew the General hasn't got a clue.
I've got a lot of time for the General, and he was always in a difficult position fielding questions like that, but I had to say, the above statements really did make me wonder whether they understand the PL at all.
It was the 'imagine what he could if backed' bit that I don;t understand. Why say it if hes not going to be backed? I see a number of possibilities:-
1. The General thought he would be, but was wrong/out of the loop.
2. They intended to, but something changed.
3. He was lying to us.
4. The General is an idiot.
Now, I don't believe 4 and 3 is counter-productive, so that leaves 1 or 2. I can believe, especially in the current financial climate, things would change, but in that short a space of time? I can only assume he spoke out of turn and that might be part of the reason he has withdrawn from boards like this.
My inkling is for number 1, but still with an element of spin rather than outright lies. The General did try (halfheartedly) to justify the "backing" comment by saying that backing constituted more than just transfer fees, but I think even he realised that trying to pass off this summer's lack of activity as backing was pushing it somewhat, and off he went.
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The Jan before that saw the comments from MON about selling before buying. So I guess it was somethime after summer 2009 when Randy revised his strategy.
I think it was the General that said MON had gone over budget in the summer of 2009 with the signing of Warnock. MON was just a spoiled child with those comments and I guess the writing was on the wall thereafter.
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The Jan before that saw the comments from MON about selling before buying. So I guess it was somethime after summer 2009 when Randy revised his strategy.
I think it was the General that said MON had gone over budget in the summer of 2009 with the signing of Warnock. MON was just a spoiled child with those comments and I guess the writing was on the wall thereafter.
I think those comments from the General where after the event though? As I recall MON ws asked at the time if he had to 'sell to buy', to which he replied "I wouldn't be the only manager in that position." I don't remember hearing anything else about it suring the Jan 2010 window?
For me it was sometime between this and out last big outlay in summer 2009 that the club's approach changed.
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Hopefully yes because they've been found out. When the General came out with just think what McLeish could do if he was backed (thank god he hasn't that much though, he's already proven to waste alot of money on Hutton and N'Zogbia) and thinking we would manage to get 4th oops my finger slipped 5th, then you just knew the General hasn't got a clue.
I've got a lot of time for the General, and he was always in a difficult position fielding questions like that, but I had to say, the above statements really did make me wonder whether they understand the PL at all.
When you find yourself on the same side of the fence of a troll like Comp(lete)ass then it's time to reconsider your standpoint.
Randy and McLeish have had one transfer window.
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Randy and McLeish have had one transfer window.
In which they susbstantially weakened the team.
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Hopefully yes because they've been found out. When the General came out with just think what McLeish could do if he was backed (thank god he hasn't that much though, he's already proven to waste alot of money on Hutton and N'Zogbia) and thinking we would manage to get 4th oops my finger slipped 5th, then you just knew the General hasn't got a clue.
I've got a lot of time for the General, and he was always in a difficult position fielding questions like that, but I had to say, the above statements really did make me wonder whether they understand the PL at all.
When you find yourself on the same side of the fence of a troll like Comp(lete)ass then it's time to reconsider your standpoint.
Randy and McLeish have had one transfer window.
With respect, Chris, that's provocative nonsense, and you know it is.
I'm agreeing with him on the point that asking us to imagine what it'd be like if AM had a chairman who backed him - prior to a window in which we sold our best players, recouped transfer money, and cut the wage bill - and then setting a ridiculous objective like 4th, prior to adjusting it to 5th - as if that was what people were worried about, the difference between those two positions - was daft given what actually transpired. They set themselves up for a kicking, which is what they rightly got.
I don't think many of us would disagree with that.
Still, if you think the wage control / austerity measures are going to suddenly be dropped in the next window or two, good luck to you.
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Can't put a comment on the Randy and the Arabs thread.
Was going to suggest he was talking to a chap called Gaddafi but the reception was so poor as he was in a storm drain!
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Still, if you think the wage control / austerity measures are going to suddenly be dropped in the next window or two, good luck ???to you
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I'm suggesting that deciding that Randy isn't going to back the manager ever after a single transfer window is, at best, short sighted.
I still think that wages is the issue, something most seemed to agree on 12-18 months ago.
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People were shocked when they thought they had seen the annual appearance of RL today at VP.
However, everyone calmed down when they realised the phantom was just the ghost from Aston Hall queuing for tickets for the Norwich game.
An obvious wind-up. Clearly no-one is going to have to queue for tickets for the Norwich game.
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Apart from Mansour and City, there cannot be a single Premiership owner who is not aware of the need for economic stringency in the months and years ahead. Arsenal have already trimmed their sails and are well placed to ride out any storm. The Chelsea owner faces weeks in court trying not to lose a massive chunk of his personal wealth. The smoke and mirrors of the Glazers is well documented and the owners of Liverpool are financially very much on a par with Randy Lerner. Tottenham have borrowed heavily to give Redknapp his head and the prospect of a new stadium either in Tottenham or on the site of the Olympic stadium in the present financial climate fanciful to say the least. All the others are strapped for cash. Add to that mix the landmark judgement granted the pub landlady to show football via Greece and you have a landscape from horizon to horizon of no more obscene money washing around football.
Despite last weekend's make or break summit about the eurozone crisis the rising markets lasted only one day - yesterday. Today they are falling sharply again.
Only a fool would ignore what is happening in the world and neither Randy Lerner or Charles Krulak is a fool. Faulkner maybe.
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I wouldn't be surprised if the desire of Chelsea's owner to build a new ground ends in tears. Utd and Arsenal have much bigger grounds that they fill every week. If the owner wants the income of another 20000 at every home game, he will succeed or pack in.
Sorry if I have missed any recent update on this.
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The Jan before that saw the comments from MON about selling before buying. So I guess it was somethime after summer 2009 when Randy revised his strategy.
I think it was the General that said MON had gone over budget in the summer of 2009 with the signing of Warnock. MON was just a spoiled child with those comments and I guess the writing was on the wall thereafter.
I think those comments from the General where after the event though? As I recall MON ws asked at the time if he had to 'sell to buy', to which he replied "I wouldn't be the only manager in that position." I don't remember hearing anything else about it suring the Jan 2010 window?
For me it was sometime between this and out last big outlay in summer 2009 that the club's approach changed.
I still firmly believe that MON was only allowed to go on his last buying spree in summer 2009 on the proviso that he got rid of some of the deadwood. He failed to do so and that is when it all went tits up. If that was the case, he welched on the deal.
I still do not believe in the constructive dismissal idea. I think it may have been similar to Mark Hughes at Fulham where he was prevented from taking another job for a period of time. My reasoning being that it took a full season to resolve and it was only after this period that a financial settlement was agreed i.e. his salary for a years gardening leave.
From the above, I would agree that the balancing of the books started 2 years ago.
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It's interesting that the general always gets lumped in with the good/bad debate when he's only ever been a non-exec and his input has always been limited.
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It's interesting that the general always gets lumped in with the good/bad debate when he's only ever been a non-exec and his input has always been limited.
He's the self-appointed spokesman for the board though, and by carrying that message it's not unreasonable that he should be associated with it.
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It's interesting that the general always gets lumped in with the good/bad debate when he's only ever been a non-exec and his input has always been limited.
He's the self-appointed spokesman for the board though, and by carrying that message it's not unreasonable that he should be associated with it.
The important word there being 'self-appointed.' I may be doing him a disservice but I always get the impression that his main role was cheerleader and head motivator with the important work being done by others.
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The General is way out of the loop and has been for a long time. He is an honourable and truthful man without question though. Chief Cheerleader, maybe. A bare faced liar? Not even close.
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It's interesting that the general always gets lumped in with the good/bad debate when he's only ever been a non-exec and his input has always been limited.
He's the self-appointed spokesman for the board though, and by carrying that message it's not unreasonable that he should be associated with it.
The important word there being 'self-appointed.' I may be doing him a disservice but I always get the impression that his main role was cheerleader and head motivator with the important work being done by others.
I agree with that - and as a motivator I think he was very successful. Having said that, after the imposition of the current financial restraints, and the related criticism of the board, his role (if you can call it that) became much more challenging. No wonder he found something better to do.
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It's interesting that the general always gets lumped in with the good/bad debate when he's only ever been a non-exec and his input has always been limited.
He's the self-appointed spokesman for the board though, and by carrying that message it's not unreasonable that he should be associated with it.
The important word there being 'self-appointed.' I may be doing him a disservice but I always get the impression that his main role was cheerleader and head motivator with the important work being done by others.
I agree with that - and as a motivator I think he was very successful. Having said that, after the imposition of the current financial restraints, and the related criticism of the board, his role (if you can call it that) became much more challenging. No wonder he found something better to do.
He would still know an awful lot more about the running of the club than any of us lot. It's a shame he is no longer around.
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It is a shame he is not around. Villa and football cannot afford to lose men of such calibre.
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From randys point of view i guess he feels it would take enormous investment to hit the top 4 and why spend £40m on players to earn a couple of million more in prize money -the top 4 is where its at and anywhere below that financially it would not make sense to throw £40m plus on players to finish top 6 or thereabouts.
would you spend £40m in the hope of earning £2m more in prize money , because lets face it to reach the top 4 would take £100m plus and we just dont have those finances.
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Comments about shitty modern football part three...
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Still, if you think the wage control / austerity measures are going to suddenly be dropped in the next window or two, good luck ???to you
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I'm suggesting that deciding that Randy isn't going to back the manager ever after a single transfer window is, at best, short sighted.
I still think that wages is the issue, something most seemed to agree on 12-18 months ago.
It's money that's the issue, or the lack of it to be precise. A lot was spent, a lot was wasted, and now we haven't got it to spend any more.
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It is a shame he is not around. Villa and football cannot afford to lose men of such calibre.
Eh? He was a non-exec with at best a very slim grasp of what Premier League football was about. It seems like a few posts with sepia tinged references to pies, lads and the beautiful game were enough to pull the wool over a few people's eyes. Unless you were being sarcastic in which case it went over my head, sorry.
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Only a fool would ignore what is happening in the world and neither Randy Lerner or Charles Krulak is a fool. Faulkner maybe.
Just wondering how you can be so sure about the above Brian. GK I feel was hung out to dry. He struck me as rather naive in football matters, perhaps understandably. But I think he genuinely believed RL would back McLeish and was undermined or at best misinformed by his boss. Which made his position untenable and no wonder he decided enough was enough.
As for RL, let's not forget he didn't make his money, he inherited it. His running of Cleveland Browns and, more lately, the Villa, aren't particularly impressive. It was presumably RL who hired Faulkner, someone whom you admit you think may well be a fool, to fulfil a critically important role. And RL who allowed O'Neill to spike the wage bill to unsustainable levels. And to pay over the odds for a lot of average to mediocre players he subsequently ostracised or under-used, and then couldn't shift. Who dithered over the appointment of GH. And then replaced him with a manager surely no-one in their right mind would have wanted or expected him to appoint. Who managed to turn almost universal goodwill from the fans into either apathy or outright hostility in a few short months. And whose sole effort to reassure supporters consisted of a letter warbling fancifully on about remaining in the top 20 of the "turnover" league whilst his every decision seemed designed to diminish that turnover. On second thoughts , perhaps you have a point. He sounds less like a fool and more like a congenital idiot when you consider the above.
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I´ve not read the whole thread so this may already have been mentioned but I remembered something a friend told me the other week.
In short, Randy tried to sell the club but failed to do so. So now he is actively seeking investors to pump money in.
That was the rumour, I have no idea how reliable the source (someone working for the club) is.
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Do we know for definite that Randy hasn't been over this season or is this thread just because he hasn't been seen at a game ?
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Only a fool would ignore what is happening in the world and neither Randy Lerner or Charles Krulak is a fool. Faulkner maybe.
Just wondering how you can be so sure about the above Brian. GK I feel was hung out to dry. He struck me as rather naive in football matters, perhaps understandably. But I think he genuinely believed RL would back McLeish and was undermined or at best misinformed by his boss. Which made his position untenable and no wonder he decided enough was enough.
As for RL, let's not forget he didn't make his money, he inherited it. His running of Cleveland Browns and, more lately, the Villa, aren't particularly impressive. It was presumably RL who hired Faulkner, someone whom you admit you think may well be a fool, to fulfil a critically important role. And RL who allowed O'Neill to spike the wage bill to unsustainable levels. And to pay over the odds for a lot of average to mediocre players he subsequently ostracised or under-used, and then couldn't shift. Who dithered over the appointment of GH. And then replaced him with a manager surely no-one in their right mind would have wanted or expected him to appoint. Who managed to turn almost universal goodwill from the fans into either apathy or outright hostility in a few short months. And whose sole effort to reassure supporters consisted of a letter warbling fancifully on about remaining in the top 20 of the "turnover" league whilst his every decision seemed designed to diminish that turnover. On second thoughts , perhaps you have a point. He sounds less like a fool and more like a congenital idiot when you consider the above.
Good post. Also, with the Man Citeh getting better and L-pool, Spurs all investing / improving (seemingly), then it's taken the wind out of his sails - we had a go at breaking into the 'elite' but didn't, it cost in many - now it's apathy. But employing a manager who just got his team relegated was bizarre to say the least.
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
If they're not thick skinned enough to take the abuse some give out on a message board, then I doubt they're really cut out for the game as a whole to be honest.
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
Running a football club means that there will always be good comments and bad from fans, it's part of the territory. And if that's the only "abuse" they suffer then they're doing quite well. I imagine the General has probably heard slightly worse during his career.
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The General was consistently saying 'speaking as a Fan'.
That's all he could do I guess, until he moved on.
I think he was trying to make up for Randy's lack of comms., and was excited about Villa for a window of time.
Now he has moved onto pastures new and it is up to Randy to talk.
I think he previously relied on the Gen and 'actions speak louder than words', but now, with the Gen gone, and 'actions' not exactly speaking that well, it is time for Randy to speak out.
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
Running a football club means that there will always be good comments and bad from fans, it's part of the territory. And if that's the only "abuse" they suffer then they're doing quite well. I imagine the General has probably heard slightly worse during his career.
He probably has, but he probably had them shot
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If RL isn't looking for new investment then he certainly should be. People are saying that it's harder than ever to break into the top 4, but I don't really see it that way. For me, Chelsea and Arsenal have got worse over the last 18 months and renewed investment could mean we're challenging again.
But the bottom is falling out of Premiership football as attendances across the board are proving and maybe RL just doesn't want to invest anymore with no guarantee of success.
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
If they're not thick skinned enough to take the abuse some give out on a message board, then I doubt they're really cut out for the game as a whole to be honest.
It still doesn't make it right.
Anything they say will just get ripped apart so they're better off keeping out of it. What is to be gained by them engaging with fans when people like KT and BCV will just slag them off anyway?
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
If they're not thick skinned enough to take the abuse some give out on a message board, then I doubt they're really cut out for the game as a whole to be honest.
It still doesn't make it right.
Anything they say will just get ripped apart so they're better off keeping out of it. What is to be gained by them engaging with fans when people like KT and BCV will just slag them off anyway?
We're always being told that us vocal nutters on the internet aren't representative of the wider fan base. You may have noticed that the crowds at Villa Park have for the most part been shit this season. At least attempting to stir up a bit of interest might be an idea.
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
If they're not thick skinned enough to take the abuse some give out on a message board, then I doubt they're really cut out for the game as a whole to be honest.
It still doesn't make it right.
Anything they say will just get ripped apart so they're better off keeping out of it. What is to be gained by them engaging with fans when people like KT and BCV will just slag them off anyway?
Try 'some insight' may be gained.
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The only reason people want to hear from them is so that they have the opportunity to tell them they're wrong and how things would be so much better if they did it their way.
I'd be interested to know how much of his money the critics think Randy should be putting into the club.
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The only reason people want to hear from them is so that they have the opportunity to tell them they're wrong and how things would be so much better if they did it their way.
I'd be interested to know how much of his money the critics think Randy should be putting into the club.
If he hadn't let O'Neill waste such a vast amount, and we hadn't made nearly £90m worth of losses in two years, and if he'd increased revenues substantially from other means, perhaps we could at least have spent more of the money we received from the sales of Young and Downing.
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Is it any surprise that they're not communicating with us when "fool" and "congenital idiot" are being bandied about.
It's one thing having reservations about their policies but there is no place for that sort of abuse.
Chortle
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It is a shame he is not around. Villa and football cannot afford to lose men of such calibre.
Eh? He was a non-exec with at best a very slim grasp of what Premier League football was about. It seems like a few posts with sepia tinged references to pies, lads and the beautiful game were enough to pull the wool over a few people's eyes. Unless you were being sarcastic in which case it went over my head, sorry.
When you say wool - was that a play on words in reference to the scarfs supplied also?
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The only reason people want to hear from them is so that they have the opportunity to tell them they're wrong and how things would be so much better if they did it their way.
I don't.
I want to hear from an owner I still have faith in to reassure me that that faith is not misplaced. I want to once again feel that the club has a plan and a direction that all parties (board, manager, players & fans) are behind. I want to be told that the present financial climate has hurt us, but has not diminished their commitment to the club. I want to hear what they think of the falling attendances and how they feel this will be reversed in the (hopefully!) not too distant future.
Yes, some will pull apart everything they say and spin it to whatever point suits their own personal perspective and argument, but that's happening anyway through their silence. Lesser of two evils, IMO!
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The only reason people want to hear from them is so that they have the opportunity to tell them they're wrong and how things would be so much better if they did it their way.
I'd be interested to know how much of his money the critics think Randy should be putting into the club.
If he hadn't let O'Neill waste such a vast amount, and we hadn't made nearly £90m worth of losses in two years, and if he'd increased revenues substantially from other means, perhaps we could at least have spent more of the money we received from the sales of Young and Downing.
We spent a reasonable amount but by current standards by no means "vast". However, you're avoiding the question. Some of it could have been spent on better players but then equally some of it could have been on worse.
However, the question was about now. We're not going to attract much new sponsorship in the present climate, the same goes for new fans so how much are you suggesting he spends?
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The only reason people want to hear from them is so that they have the opportunity to tell them they're wrong and how things would be so much better if they did it their way.
I'd be interested to know how much of his money the critics think Randy should be putting into the club.
Chris for me it's not so much the money - I can't fault him although him giving MON free reign was ridiculous.
It's the debarcle of appointing Houllier, then paying him off, then martinez turning us down then paying Small Heath compo for a manager they would have sacked by Christmas.
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The only reason people want to hear from them is so that they have the opportunity to tell them they're wrong and how things would be so much better if they did it their way.
I'd be interested to know how much of his money the critics think Randy should be putting into the club.
Chris for me it's not so much the money - I can't fault him although him giving MON free reign was ridiculous.
It's the debarcle of appointing Houllier, then paying him off, then martinez turning us down then paying Small Heath compo for a manager they would have sacked by Christmas.
1. Houllier had a serious illness and therefore had to leave the job.
2. Martinez was never even spoken to or interviewed , far from being offered the job.
3. Who is to say blues would have sacked mcleish , he got them back up last time.
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2. Martinez was never even spoken to or interviewed , far from being offered the job.
He said Martinez turned us down, which is true in the sense that Martinez declined to be considered when we approached Whelan and he let Martinez decide himself.
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2. Martinez was never even spoken to or interviewed , far from being offered the job.
He said Martinez turned us down, which is true in the sense that Martinez declined to be considered when we approached Whelan and he let Martinez decide himself.
So he didn't turn us down then, he opted out talking to us. 'Turning us down' implies he was offered something to turn down which he wasn't.
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It's amusing (in a sad way) how Smithy assumes to know what people would do if Randy were to address the fans, and what their motivations are for wanting him to do so. He seems to know our minds much better than we do. He must have his psychic antennae on again.
For the record I don't think RL should be criticised for his spending levels. He does deserve criticism for the way much of that spend was allowed to be wasted.
Oh and Smithy you've used much worse insults on here than fool or idiot so spare us the precious act.
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When you say wool - was that a play on words in reference to the scarfs supplied also?
There was nothing woollen about those scarves - they were 100% acrylic!
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2. There might be a bit more to the Martinez story than has broken cover so far.
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2. There might be a bit more to the Martinez story than has broken cover so far.
Any idea what?
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I stand by every word I said about General Charles Krulak being a man of high calibre. He is a US Marine Corps general with a long and distinguished record of service to his country and that will do for me. Supposed failure as a non executive director of Aston Villa Football Club? Tish tosh and taradiddle.
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I stand by every word I said about General Charles Krulak being a man of high calibre. He is a US Marine Corps general with a long and distinguished record of service to his country and that will do for me. Supposed failure as a non executive director of Aston Villa Football Club? Tish tosh and taradiddle.
Correct.
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2. Martinez was never even spoken to or interviewed , far from being offered the job.
He said Martinez turned us down, which is true in the sense that Martinez declined to be considered when we approached Whelan and he let Martinez decide himself.
So he didn't turn us down then, he opted out talking to us. 'Turning us down' implies he was offered something to turn down which he wasn't.
That is worse than turning us down.
At least to turn us down he would have spoken to us in the first place. Villa is the biggest job Martinez will ever get the chance of doing.
As far as Houllier and his illness goes RL appointed a coach who had had heart problems at Liverpool and effectively retired from the big time by managing in the shit French league and fannying about with the French FA
He is bought in from the wilderness by us and is under a lot of pressure which in turn effects his health.
Fuck me it's not like anyone didn't know about his previous illness and his age is it
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I stand by every word I said about General Charles Krulak being a man of high calibre. He is a US Marine C
Corps general with a long and distinguished record of service to his country and that will do for me. Supposed failure as a non executive director of Aston Villa Football Club? Tish tosh and taradiddle.
Yes a man of high calibre in that field but does not mean he knows how to run an English PL club....or whatever his re is.
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DB we are talking about the intrinsic worth of a man not whether he can run a football club.
There are men owning football clubs and running football clubs, even running them tolerably well, who are utter scumbags.
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2. Martinez was never even spoken to or interviewed , far from being offered the job.
He said Martinez turned us down, which is true in the sense that Martinez declined to be considered when we approached Whelan and he let Martinez decide himself.
So he didn't turn us down then, he opted out talking to us. 'Turning us down' implies he was offered something to turn down which he wasn't.
That is worse than turning us down.
At least to turn us down he would have spoken to us in the first place. Villa is the biggest job Martinez will ever get the chance of doing.
How can it be worse?
Just because the club wanted to talk to him didn't mean they deffinitely wanted to offer him a job. It's my guess that Martinez felt that he owed Wheelan, that he hadn't finished a job there and that had he agreed to talk to us and nothing came of it then going back to Wigan could have alienated him from their fans.
In any case, Martinez soon after stated that the time was not right to move on. I take that to mean some of the above and more of him not quite ready for the size of job Villa is.
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I stand by every word I said about General Charles Krulak being a man of high calibre. He is a US Marine Corps general with a long and distinguished record of service to his country and that will do for me. Supposed failure as a non executive director of Aston Villa Football Club? Tish tosh and taradiddle.
Agreed
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DB we are talking about the intrinsic worth of a man not whether he can run a football club.
There are men owning football clubs and running football clubs, even running them tolerably well, who are utter scumbags.
You said he was a loss to football. He may very well be a nice bloke, but a football man he wasn't.
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They're only around when things are going well. When the fans have got genuine questions and concerns bullshitter Krulak is nowhere to be seen. If McLeish somehow gets us top 8 by boring everyone to tears billy bullshitter will come scurrying back online telling us all 'see we told you to watch what he could do with a board that backs him'. He'll then be happy to answer the lemmings' questions about why the pies in the Trinity were cold as they all kiss his arse and tell him how much they missed him. There used to be some right gimps posting in that thread licking his arse, they couldn't see that he only ever gave a straight answer about nonsense questions like why the upper Holte ran out of beer and that he was full of bollocks.
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
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Do we know for definite that Randy hasn't been over this season or is this thread just because he hasn't been seen at a game ?
Nobody has claimed to have seen him at a game. Even when he appointed Alex McLeish, all the discussions appeared to take place in London. That is where Lerner was filmed with that mobile phone glued to his ear.
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
It was their fucked up decision to appoint him though, now tjhey're hiding. It's their fault that i'm staying away. I'm not staying away because things aren't going well, i went to every game under GTmk2, DOL and Houllier, i'm staying away because our owners are clueless and i said i'd stay away if they appointed that piss poor excuse for a manager.
Don't worry if McLeish bores his way to 8th billy bullshit will be back and you can kiss his arse again. Mugs.
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There has been a reference on here to the General being a bullshitter. One occasion when he barked at me was when I mentioned the private room that O'Neill had in the Trinity Road Stand near the Board Room. It was a match day room for his family. I know it because a Club official showed the room to me.
The General said the room had never existed. Can't remember what I was winding him up about at the time but his memory appeared to have been clouded.
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
It was their fucked up decision to appoint him though, now tjhey're hiding. It's their fault that i'm staying away.
At least there are some positives to their current stewardship then.
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What's Villa's loss is Albion's gain.
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What's Villa's loss is Albion's gain.
Other way around surely?
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
It was their fucked up decision to appoint him though, now tjhey're hiding. It's their fault that i'm staying away.
At least there are some positives to their current stewardship then.
Your little wise-crack would be all well and good if it was just me staying away but theres at least 10,000 more like me that can see the board are liars and clueless and that McLeish is a shite manager.
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
It was their fucked up decision to appoint him though, now tjhey're hiding. It's their fault that i'm staying away.
At least there are some positives to their current stewardship then.
So pleased I'd drank my glass of wine before reading the above. It's prevented my keyboard being covered in wine.
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What's Villa's loss is Albion's gain.
Other way around surely?
Yes. I get your meaning.
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Good leadership isn't just about throwing money at a problem.
I don't necesarily want Randy to just blindly throw even more money at the club - that's a major reason we're in the situation we are now - but as a minumum I'd expect to see solid decision making and good stewardship of the club.
It is hard to look at the situation and the momentum now, as we career backwards at a frightening rate to where we were in 2006 when they arrived, to say we've been well managed of late.
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
It was their fucked up decision to appoint him though, now tjhey're hiding. It's their fault that i'm staying away.
At least there are some positives to their current stewardship then.
Your little wise-crack would be all well and good if it was just me staying away but theres at least 10,000 more like me that can see the board are liars and clueless and that McLeish is a shite manager.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikPTmsFDYEE/TZ8kvte7FOI/AAAAAAAAAPM/Fk70In5JpVk/s1600/broken-record.jpg)
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
It was their fucked up decision to appoint him though, now tjhey're hiding. It's their fault that i'm staying away. I'm not staying away because things aren't going well, i went to every game under GTmk2, DOL and Houllier, i'm staying away because our owners are clueless and i said i'd stay away if they appointed that piss poor excuse for a manager.
Don't worry if McLeish bores his way to 8th billy bullshit will be back and you can kiss his arse again. Mugs.
I can't stand any more of this.
For someone whose every post on here for a few years has been to lecture us what a "proper supporter" is (ie one that stands up), to hear you blather on fucking endlessly about how you're not going anymore because you don't like this, you don't like that, blah blah fucking blah really does take the biscuit.
Lots of us think we're badly run, lots of us find the manager uninspiring, but guess what? We still go to the games because we support the club.
You've spent god knows how long telling us we don't take enough away, we don't sing enough, we don't stand enough, blah blah fucking blah, and here you are now, telling us you in every other post how you're not going at all this season. You're a boring fucking hypocrite.
We get your point. Now change the record before one of the moderators remembers the fact that you were banned from here previously, and the only reason you're posting here at all is because when we moved to the new software, a few banned users had their bans erroneously not ported across.
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Excellent rant, paulie. Truly excellent.
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Paulie, I think I love you after that post.
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This ones for you BCV.............
supporter noun someone who gives a specified institution such as a sport, a team, a political party, etc their active backing, approval, promotion, etc • football supporters.
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Good leadership isn't just about throwing money at a problem.
I don't necesarily want Randy to just blindly throw even more money at the club - that's a major reason we're in the situation we are now - but as a minumum I'd expect to see solid decision making and good stewardship of the club.
It is hard to look at the situation and the momentum now, as we career backwards at a frightening rate to where we were in 2006 when they arrived, to say we've been well managed of late.
Randy did throw money at the club and it was wasted. What we need is managing properly, what we seem to be doing is lurching from one moment to the next.
Randy needs to get a grip and sort it out not sit in his office in the states keeping quiet.
As for your rant, to job :)
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Excellent rant, paulie. Truly excellent.
Yes, good effort. I think a few more fucking's would have been perfectly in order though.
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A rant of true beauty. Post of the Month. ;-)
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They're only around when things are going well.
Irony right there ^^^^^
Beat me to it.
I'm not staying away because things aren't going well, i went to every game under GTmk2, DOL and Houllier,
Of course, but those three manager's never came from Small Heath did they?
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I can't stand any more of this.
For someone whose every post on here for a few years has been to lecture us what a "proper supporter" is (ie one that stands up), to hear you blather on fucking endlessly about how you're not going anymore because you don't like this, you don't like that, blah blah fucking blah really does take the biscuit.
Lots of us think we're badly run, lots of us find the manager uninspiring, but guess what? We still go to the games because we support the club.
You've spent god knows how long telling us we don't take enough away, we don't sing enough, we don't stand enough, blah blah fucking blah, and here you are now, telling us you in every other post how you're not going at all this season. You're a boring fucking hypocrite.
We get your point. Now change the record before one of the moderators remembers the fact that you were banned from here previously, and the only reason you're posting here at all is because when we moved to the new software, a few banned users had their bans erroneously not ported across.
Marvellous.
And your reply BCV?
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Nice one Paulie. If we ever get any free scarves again I think that superb outburst should be printed on them.
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Nice one paulie, hopefully some of that will sink in.
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Paulie - I salute you sir, bloody marvellous.
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It's amusing (in a sad way) how Smithy assumes to know what people would do if Randy were to address the fans, and what their motivations are for wanting him to do so. He seems to know our minds much better than we do. He must have his psychic antennae on again.
For the record I don't think RL should be criticised for his spending levels. He does deserve criticism for the way much of that spend was allowed to be wasted.
Oh and Smithy you've used much worse insults on here than fool or idiot so spare us the precious act.
You don't need to be psychic to know how people like you and BCV will react, it's how you've always operated. Anything they say will be picked apart, phrases taken out of context and then twisted to score points. It happened with the letter that was sent out to ST holders, it might not have been the most inspiring communication but it was an attempt to set out their stance from a business point of view but it was just dismissed out of hand.
There's a legitimate debate to be had about this but extremists like you pair make it very difficult.
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Very articulate.
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It's amusing (in a sad way) how Smithy assumes to know what people would do if Randy were to address the fans, and what their motivations are for wanting him to do so. He seems to know our minds much better than we do. He must have his psychic antennae on again.
For the record I don't think RL should be criticised for his spending levels. He does deserve criticism for the way much of that spend was allowed to be wasted.
Oh and Smithy you've used much worse insults on here than fool or idiot so spare us the precious act.
You don't need to be psychic to know how people like you and BCV will react, it's how you've always operated. Anything they say will be picked apart, phrases taken out of context and then twisted to score points. It happened with the letter that was sent out to ST holders, it might not have been the most inspiring communication but it was an attempt to set out their stance from a business point of view but it was just dismissed out of hand.
There's a legitimate debate to be had about this but extremists like you pair make it very difficult.
Chris, on the one hand you're feigning concern about poor Mr Lerner being called a fool, and then a couple of posts later you're calling people extremists for having the temerity to disagree with you.
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Nice one paulie, hopefully some of that will sink in.
Agreed but I'm not holding my breath.
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I can't stand any more of this.
For someone whose every post on here for a few years has been to lecture us what a "proper supporter" is (ie one that stands up), to hear you blather on fucking endlessly about how you're not going anymore because you don't like this, you don't like that, blah blah fucking blah really does take the biscuit.
Lots of us think we're badly run, lots of us find the manager uninspiring, but guess what? We still go to the games because we support the club.
You've spent god knows how long telling us we don't take enough away, we don't sing enough, we don't stand enough, blah blah fucking blah, and here you are now, telling us you in every other post how you're not going at all this season. You're a boring fucking hypocrite.
We get your point. Now change the record before one of the moderators remembers the fact that you were banned from here previously, and the only reason you're posting here at all is because when we moved to the new software, a few banned users had their bans erroneously not ported across.
Marvellous.
And your reply BCV?
My reply is i had a season ticket for years and did all the away games but now i've had enough, simple really. I did every game under several shit managers and watched a whole load of crap football but i was still there. My decision to stay away is because the board haven't got a clue what they're doing, i said if they appointed McLeish i would stay away not because he came from Blues but because he got them relegated twice and showed just where the board's ambitions are at these days. They only care about the financial side of things, they couldn't care less about the football side of things which is a good job really because they haven't got the first clue about anything to do with footballing decisions. I said that i wouldn't give them another penny and i stand by it.
Everyone is entitled to their own decision and if they want to go to games thats fair enough, but anyone who pays 40 odd quid to watch that drivel is mental imo. What gets me is the fans who are saying they want to protest but still go to games, the best way to protest is to stay away.
Got to chuckle at pauliewalnuts probably thinking he's now some board hero because you're all licking his arse over some inane rant. 'I can't stand any more of this', Haha it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
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Y'am a yampy Yam-Yam, BCV.
Gloryhunter!
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
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Y'am a yampy Yam-Yam, BCV.
Gloryhunter!
Gloryhunter? We've won two trophies in my lifetime and like i said i did every game under several managers even when the football was crap. That probably makes me mental aswell but some of the tickets weren't priced at £40+ then and now the league is worse than ever. We know before the season starts that the highest we can finish is 8th and that we'll play garbage football in the process, i refuse to pay £400+ for that and i refuse to give a clueless board any more money. If we had a decent manager who set us up to have a go and played decent football to try and finish 8th that would make a lot of fans happier imo, it's not much to ask for. I'd rather finish 10th and have a go than trying to finish 8th by playing the football we're playing now.
And gloryhunter, i thought i was meant to be a secret Albion fan? Those fuckers never win anything.
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The only drama queens on here are the ones who say how it's not fair that the nasty Mister Lerner doesn't do what they want so they won't go to the match even though they endured the horrors of finishing mid-table before and we should win everything because they say so and it's not FAIR!!!
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I can't stand any more of this.
For someone whose every post on here for a few years has been to lecture us what a "proper supporter" is (ie one that stands up), to hear you blather on fucking endlessly about how you're not going anymore because you don't like this, you don't like that, blah blah fucking blah really does take the biscuit.
Lots of us think we're badly run, lots of us find the manager uninspiring, but guess what? We still go to the games because we support the club.
You've spent god knows how long telling us we don't take enough away, we don't sing enough, we don't stand enough, blah blah fucking blah, and here you are now, telling us you in every other post how you're not going at all this season. You're a boring fucking hypocrite.
We get your point. Now change the record before one of the moderators remembers the fact that you were banned from here previously, and the only reason you're posting here at all is because when we moved to the new software, a few banned users had their bans erroneously not ported across.
Oh well said sir! <I miss the clappy fella>
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I can't stand any more of this.
For someone whose every post on here for a few years has been to lecture us what a "proper supporter" is (ie one that stands up), to hear you blather on fucking endlessly about how you're not going anymore because you don't like this, you don't like that, blah blah fucking blah really does take the biscuit.
Lots of us think we're badly run, lots of us find the manager uninspiring, but guess what? We still go to the games because we support the club.
You've spent god knows how long telling us we don't take enough away, we don't sing enough, we don't stand enough, blah blah fucking blah, and here you are now, telling us you in every other post how you're not going at all this season. You're a boring fucking hypocrite.
We get your point. Now change the record before one of the moderators remembers the fact that you were banned from here previously, and the only reason you're posting here at all is because when we moved to the new software, a few banned users had their bans erroneously not ported across.
Marvellous.
And your reply BCV?
My reply is i had a season ticket for years and did all the away games but now i've had enough, simple really. I did every game under several shit managers and watched a whole load of crap football but i was still there. My decision to stay away is because the board haven't got a clue what they're doing, i said if they appointed McLeish i would stay away not because he came from Blues but because he got them relegated twice and showed just where the board's ambitions are at these days. They only care about the financial side of things, they couldn't care less about the football side of things which is a good job really because they haven't got the first clue about anything to do with footballing decisions. I said that i wouldn't give them another penny and i stand by it.
Everyone is entitled to their own decision and if they want to go to games thats fair enough, but anyone who pays 40 odd quid to watch that drivel is mental imo. What gets me is the fans who are saying they want to protest but still go to games, the best way to protest is to stay away.
Got to chuckle at pauliewalnuts probably thinking he's now some board hero because you're all licking his arse over some inane rant. 'I can't stand any more of this', Haha it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
You started off quite well and then had to revert to type.
Shame on you.
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
I think paulie will find that quite funny, I know I did.
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And gloryhunter, i thought i was meant to be a secret Albion fan? Those fuckers never win anything.
They've won the FA Cup more recently than we have, and they won the match between us and them last week.
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
I think paulie will find that quite funny, I know I did.
Q. Is having a different opinion against the rules = a ban ?
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
I think paulie will find that quite funny, I know I did.
Q. Is having a different opinion against the rules = a ban ?
What did Risso say that gave you the impression it was?
What is boring, though, is endlessly droning on and on about how you're not going any more because you don't like the way things are going. Although it makes a change from telling us how we should all stand up / sing more / travel to the other end of the country.
I bet he was on that Albion forum last week agreeing with them about how shit our support is, too.
You've probably chatted with him there, Tim, aren't you an Albion fan too?
*wink*
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
I think paulie will find that quite funny, I know I did.
Q. Is having a different opinion against the rules = a ban ?
Of course not. All I meant is that knowing Paulie as well I do, there's no way on earth he'd ban BCV for responding as he did.
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
I think paulie will find that quite funny, I know I did.
Q. Is having a different opinion against the rules = a ban ?
What did Risso say that gave you the impression it was?
What is boring, though, is endlessly droning on and on about how you're not going any more because you don't like the way things are going. Although it makes a change from telling us how we should all stand up / sing more / travel to the other end of the country.
I bet he was on that Albion forum last week agreeing with them about how shit our support is, too.
You've probably chatted with him there, Tim, aren't you an Albion fan too?
*wink*
lol I love Olbion me *wink*
The truth is, in different ways we're all a bit pissed off at the moment.
What we all saw as the new dawn has turned out to be a very short term era of optimism followed by feeling let down by the owners, the players, the programme sellers, the pie sellers, the beer, the steps that go up to the top of the Trinity / Holte etc., the everything.
I do think BCV could be following JJ's words instead though, or take a prozac or three.
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/11/02/fit-again-jermaine-jenas-calls-on-the-villa-park-faithful-to-inspire-the-players-97319-29703565/
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
Cock piss partridge.
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What a very sad and unpleasant thread this is becoming
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
I think paulie will find that quite funny, I know I did.
Q. Is having a different opinion against the rules = a ban ?
Of course not. All I meant is that knowing Paulie as well I do, there's no way on earth he'd ban BCV for responding as he did.
Well I'd ban him myself and ask him to scan in his next ticket to VP to show proof that he's bought a ticket to a game, thus proving him to be a true fan.
*wink wink*
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it's a message board you big fucking drama queen fanny.
How to get banned in one easy lesson.
I think paulie will find that quite funny, I know I did.
Q. Is having a different opinion against the rules = a ban ?
Of course not. All I meant is that knowing Paulie as well I do, there's no way on earth he'd ban BCV for responding as he did.
Well I'd ban him myself and ask him to scan in his next ticket to VP to show proof that he's bought a ticket to a game, thus proving him to be a true fan.
*wink wink*
I've got a ticket from a couple of weeks ago when the mighty Olbiyun played there?!
Boing Boing and all that.
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It's amusing (in a sad way) how Smithy assumes to know what people would do if Randy were to address the fans, and what their motivations are for wanting him to do so. He seems to know our minds much better than we do. He must have his psychic antennae on again.
For the record I don't think RL should be criticised for his spending levels. He does deserve criticism for the way much of that spend was allowed to be wasted.
Oh and Smithy you've used much worse insults on here than fool or idiot so spare us the precious act.
You don't need to be psychic to know how people like you and BCV will react, it's how you've always operated. Anything they say will be picked apart, phrases taken out of context and then twisted to score points. It happened with the letter that was sent out to ST holders, it might not have been the most inspiring communication but it was an attempt to set out their stance from a business point of view but it was just dismissed out of hand.
There's a legitimate debate to be had about this but extremists like you pair make it very difficult.
Chris smith calling other posters extremists, accusing them of taking things out of context, and twisting them just to score points. Now that's fucking irony.
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No, it is't irony. If calling the owner a congenital idiot because he doesn't do exactly as you want isn't extreme then I don't know what is. Is that your true opinion of him or were you just posting to be controversial?
I have concerns with the direction the club is going but just calling them names like you do and branding those of us who go to games as mental like BCV hinders any attempts at rational debate.
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What a very sad and unpleasant thread this is becoming
Not what I intended when I started it.
However....
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A mate who i go to games with hates McLeish, it's no doubt because of where he's come from and if he got the sack tomorrow i know he'd be absolutley delighted.
He bought a ST though anyway and he's been with me been to Fulham, QPR and Sunderland. He'll be with me at Swansea, Bolton and we'll be at Stoke on Boxing Day. He's not mental, he just loves his club.
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No, it is't irony. If calling the owner a congenital idiot because he doesn't do exactly as you want isn't extreme then I don't know what is. Is that your true opinion of him or were you just posting to be controversial?
I have concerns with the direction the club is going but just calling them names like you do and branding those of us who go to games as mental like BCV hinders any attempts at rational debate.
Calling people mental doesn't help rational debate, no, but nor does calling them a "complete ass" or "extremists". Surely you can see that?
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I think the real irony is that today is National Stress Awareness Day.
Don't worry be happy (http://www.isma.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-day/downloads-products.html)
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Of course it's irony, it's also hypocrisy because you are more guilty of what you accuse others of. But perhaps you can't see it because you're right, for once, you don't know what extreme is. Perhaps an example would help. I don't know, something like a year long one-man defence of a manager called David O'Leary whom everyone and his dog could see was a twat. Or did you just make an arse of yourself for an entire year to be controversial?
You seem unable to handle anyone disagreeing with whichever side of the coin you happen to feel like suporting on any given day. I see today you are Randy's staunchest defender and getting all teary cos someone called him a few names, (even though everyone except you seems to have been able to take the comment in the tongue-in-cheek spirit it was so obviously intended). Previously you've been one of his biggest critics. It's difficult to have a rational debate with people like you jumping from one side of it to the other so frequently and getting all prissy when your current favourite gets a bit of justifiable criticism.
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Please point ou where I have been one of hid biggest critics? You won't be able to find it because once again you've just made it up, or to put it another way - you're a liar.
I've criticised individual decisions that I didn't agree with but overall I have been supportive if the job they have done and even now accept that we're in a period of transition.
First you accuse me of sticking to my guns over O'Leary then you try to pretend I jump from one point of view to another. Make your fucking mind up.
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No, it is't irony. If calling the owner a congenital idiot because he doesn't do exactly as you want isn't extreme then I don't know what is. Is that your true opinion of him or were you just posting to be controversial?
I have concerns with the direction the club is going but just calling them names like you do and branding those of us who go to games as mental like BCV hinders any attempts at rational debate.
Calling people mental doesn't help rational debate, no, but nor does calling them a "complete ass" or "extremists". Surely you can see that?
If people hold extreme views then they are extremists and I think one or two people fall into that category. Compass is just a Nose on the wind up isn't he?
I'd just like to be able to discuss this without it descending into the usual polarised debate, where you are either totLly for or totally agInst. I accept that the club keeping quiet has fuelled some of the speculation, I understand that the cut backs aren't popular and that some people can't see beyond AM but for me they still have plenty of goodwill in the bank and so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt while going through what I hope is just a transition period.
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Well I think they've made huge mistakes over the last few years, mistakes that I don't think we'll fully recover from under Lerner's ownership.
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So. Mr Smith, it's allowed for you , by your own admission, to be critical of individual decisions that you didn't agree with, but, even when you are one of the most vocal critics, like when MON walked out, it 's a lie to say you were one of RL's biggest critics. On the other hand it's not allowed for anyone else to be critical of a whole series of individual decisions that they didn't agree with ? Is that it? I'm so glad we've cleared that up and removed any hint of hypocrisy on your part.
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No, it is't irony. If calling the owner a congenital idiot because he doesn't do exactly as you want isn't extreme then I don't know what is. Is that your true opinion of him or were you just posting to be controversial?
I have concerns with the direction the club is going but just calling them names like you do and branding those of us who go to games as mental like BCV hinders any attempts at rational debate.
Calling people mental doesn't help rational debate, no, but nor does calling them a "complete ass" or "extremists". Surely you can see that?
If people hold extreme views then they are extremists and I think one or two people fall into that category. Compass is just a Nose on the wind up isn't he?
I'd just like to be able to discuss this without it descending into the usual polarised debate, where you are either totLly for or totally agInst. I accept that the club keeping quiet has fuelled some of the speculation, I understand that the cut backs aren't popular and that some people can't see beyond AM but for me they still have plenty of goodwill in the bank and so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt while going through what I hope is just a transition period.
I can see beyond AM, by Christmas I hope. He is an appointment that shows a complete lack of ambition by an owner who seems to have given up.
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I've got to agree with Mr Smith, I believe the Compass points to B9.
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Well I think they've made huge mistakes over the last few years, mistakes that I don't think we'll fully recover from under Lerner's ownership.
While I agree mistakes have beem made, I don't see what makes them so unrecoverable?
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Well I think they've made huge mistakes over the last few years, mistakes that I don't think we'll fully recover from under Lerner's ownership.
While I agree mistakes have beem made, I don't see what makes them so unrecoverable?
Because they've cost so much money, and apaprently even after selling the family silver we're still making big losses. So even if you accept Chris's description of "transition", in those 2 two years say, we're seeing the gap widen all the time. We've fallen behind the other top 6 contenders like Spurs and Liverpool, and are now seeing the likes of Stoke and Fulham catch us up.
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Well I think they've made huge mistakes over the last few years, mistakes that I don't think we'll fully recover from under Lerner's ownership.
While I agree mistakes have beem made, I don't see what makes them so unrecoverable?
Because they've cost so much money, and apaprently even after selling the family silver we're still making big losses. So even if you accept Chris's description of "transition", in those 2 two years say, we're seeing the gap widen all the time. We've fallen behind the other top 6 contenders like Spurs and Liverpool, and are now seeing the likes of Stoke and Fulham catch us up.
I think it's a matter of what the problems are. If, as we've widely been lead to believe, it's all about the wages then it's short term until certain contracts run out. That would mean that money spent and then recooped on fees is sitting there waiting for a time when we can spend it again. If you're referring to our commercial profile and income generating ability, then this has taken a blow from the MON days and will take a while, and no little skill, to build up again.
But football is a cyclical beast and whoever is on the up now will inevitably be on the down again at some point in the future. Case in point is Chelsea, who look to be on the slide despite still having their billionaire owner. OK, we're not in a position where we can capitalise on that, but should we put our house in order, both on and off the pitch, our time will come again.
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Well I think they've made huge mistakes over the last few years, mistakes that I don't think we'll fully recover from under Lerner's ownership.
While I agree mistakes have beem made, I don't see what makes them so unrecoverable?
Same feelings here, it might take some time and a different approach with a lot less money. I'm very optimistic, we have got to get rid of some dross and unearth some lower division gems. A bit further down the track, after Mcleish has hopefully steadied the ship a new young upcoming manager. Stop buying drop kicks, ie Ireland and any other player who needs an arm around them and bring on some of the academy players. We all brought in to the buying the success thing, and we made the biggest mistake in believing in the Mon myth crap bullshit. We had our heads turned by the hype of it all.
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So. Mr Smith, it's allowed for you , by your own admission, to be critical of individual decisions that you didn't agree with, but, even when you are one of the most vocal critics, like when MON walked out, it 's a lie to say you were one of RL's biggest critics. On the other hand it's not allowed for anyone else to be critical of a whole series of individual decisions that they didn't agree with ? Is that it? I'm so glad we've cleared that up and removed any hint of hypocrisy on your part.
It's not the criticism it was calling him a congenital idiot that I took exception to, however you try to justify it that sort of abuse is uncalled for but is, sadly, typical of the way you conduct yourself.
Now, can you we get back on topic instead of having to defend myself against your increasingly hysterical attacks.
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I can see beyond AM, by Christmas I hope. He is an appointment that shows a complete lack of ambition by an owner who seems to have given up.
I don't think he's given up, I still believe Randy Lerner thinks AM can be our David Moyes. What will be interesting is what happens in the summer and yes, I still expect McLeish to be here in the summer.
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Well I think they've made huge mistakes over the last few years, mistakes that I don't think we'll fully recover from under Lerner's ownership.
While I agree mistakes have beem made, I don't see what makes them so unrecoverable?
Because they've cost so much money, and apaprently even after selling the family silver we're still making big losses. So even if you accept Chris's description of "transition", in those 2 two years say, we're seeing the gap widen all the time. We've fallen behind the other top 6 contenders like Spurs and Liverpool, and are now seeing the likes of Stoke and Fulham catch us up.
For a couple of years it looked like Spurs were falling well behind us but they sorted themselves out and are now back challenging at the right end of the table.
It might turn out that you are right and things don't improve I just don't think we can say that is a certainty and that there is no way back.
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Agree that the summer should demonstrate whether we are truly in a transitional phase, requiring us to cut back on wages and transfer fees and then rebuilding again, more rationally this time, or whether the whole 'we need to save on wages' message that is - or was - being trotted out is just a smokescreen for something more long-term and more worrying.
Is it a temporary blip or the start of the kind of situation Everton are now in?
Come the end of the season, if they are still at the club, Cuellar, Beye and Heskey could all be released, saving another hefty chunk in wages. By then, I'd say we'd have just about cut our senior squad to the absolute bone. We should - if certain people are being honest - then be able to re-invest, and start making up ground on the top six again....
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So. Mr Smith, it's allowed for you , by your own admission, to be critical of individual decisions that you didn't agree with, but, even when you are one of the most vocal critics, like when MON walked out, it 's a lie to say you were one of RL's biggest critics. On the other hand it's not allowed for anyone else to be critical of a whole series of individual decisions that they didn't agree with ? Is that it? I'm so glad we've cleared that up and removed any hint of hypocrisy on your part.
It's not the criticism it was calling him a congenital idiot that I took exception to, however you try to justify it that sort of abuse is uncalled for but is, sadly, typical of the way you conduct yourself.
Now, can you we get back on topic instead of having to defend myself against your increasingly hysterical attacks.
Let's be quite clear, you took it off topic in the first place by getting all shrill about a throw away comment that didn't bother anyone else in the slightest, and hardly constitutes abuse when compared to some of the offensive barbs you've aimed at me and others on here yourself. So I really don't know why you are getting all high, mighty, precious, pompous and hypocritical about it. But sadly it's typical of the way you conduct yourself.
While we're back on topic, what in my list of criticisms of Randy do you disagree with, and which out of those make him look like he's fully competent to run an English Football Club?
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That's pretty much what I'm expecting/hoping for, Merv.
Lets imagine for a moment that we are now where Randy wants to be wages wise, but can't take anymore on. The three players you mention must be on circa £150,000 a week, which if we shop carefully should pay for 3-4 good signings. So you take the squad we have now, minus those three, and then add in the likes of Justin Hoilett from Blackburn, or players of that ilk, and suddenly we're looking a much better outfit.
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Intrigued/worried to see how it's going to pan out, John. 12 months ago I'd have trusted the club - now, after the 'top four... oops, meant fifth', the 'manager will be backed' and the 'we're going to select the most unpopular manager we can think of - and give him the job' incidents, I'm not so confident. I'm worried there might have been a dramatic u-turn.
We'll just to see, I guess!
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I think randy has given up on his top 4 ambition as it would take far more investment on players than we can afford and is perhaps content to be in the premiership around the mid- table positions, i do not expect him to sanction big signings next summer ,and see the top 8 or top 10 as the height of ambition for the foreseeable future sadly.
There is no doubt randy gave it a good go and chased his dream and got close , but that dream has now well and truly died in my opinion.
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I think randy has given up on his top 4 ambition as it would take far more investment on players than we can afford and is perhaps content to be in the premiership around the mid- table positions, i do not expect him to sanction big signings next summer ,and see the top 8 or top 10 as the height of ambition for the foreseeable future sadly.
There is no doubt randy gave it a good go and chased his dream and got close , but that dream has now well and truly died in my opinion.
I agree with this. What we also need to bear in mind is I guess they are also budgeting for quite a drop in income over the coming months - lower league place, lower gates, fewer appearances on Sky compared to the MON days where we seemd to be on every other week.
We could see income drop by 10% or more.
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That's pretty much what I'm expecting/hoping for, Merv.
Lets imagine for a moment that we are now where Randy wants to be wages wise, but can't take anymore on. The three players you mention must be on circa £150,000 a week, which if we shop carefully should pay for 3-4 good signings. So you take the squad we have now, minus those three, and then add in the likes of Justin Hoilett from Blackburn, or players of that ilk, and suddenly we're looking a much better outfit.
I think what you don't realise John is that there is a massive hole in the accounts. We've made nearly a £100m loss over the last two years, and the loans to the Lerner Trust are going to start becoming due in the next few years. He's either going to have to start making some pretty big profits, or he's going to have to sell. Or make a load of new cash from somewhere.
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I think randy has given up on his top 4 ambition as it would take far more investment on players than we can afford and is perhaps content to be in the premiership around the mid- table positions, i do not expect him to sanction big signings next summer ,and see the top 8 or top 10 as the height of ambition for the foreseeable future sadly.
There is no doubt randy gave it a good go and chased his dream and got close , but that dream has now well and truly died in my opinion.
I agree with this. What we also need to bear in mind is I guess they are also budgeting for quite a drop in income over the coming months - lower league place, lower gates, fewer appearances on Sky compared to the MON days where we seemd to be on every other week.
We could see income drop by 10% or more.
I agree with you that they seem to be budgeting for a drop in income, which makes the communication with season ticket holders, the expressed aim of being in the top twenty European clubs for revenue, baffling. It's the one measurable target the Board expressed in the summer - and I'd be mightily (and happily) surprised if they achieve it.
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I can see beyond AM, by Christmas I hope. He is an appointment that shows a complete lack of ambition by an owner who seems to have given up.
I don't think he's given up, I still believe Randy Lerner thinks AM can be our David Moyes. What will be interesting is what happens in the summer and yes, I still expect McLeish to be here in the summer.
Randy should be over here rallying the troops and managing the situation.
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The only reason we had a Deloitte top twenty target was because we had already hit it. It was an exercise in attempting to demonstrate competence and that we were moving forwards.
Unfortunately, most season tickets holders aren't business aware enough to cut through that wanky jargon and were therefore nonplussed at their letter.
Does your average punter really give a fuck about turnover? Of course they don't.
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I can see beyond AM, by Christmas I hope. He is an appointment that shows a complete lack of ambition by an owner who seems to have given up.
I don't think he's given up, I still believe Randy Lerner thinks AM can be our David Moyes. What will be interesting is what happens in the summer and yes, I still expect McLeish to be here in the summer.
Other than being Scottish, there really isn't a lot to say that McLeish is the new David Moyes, and I don't for a second think that that's why he was appointed anyway. He's being tasked to shore up the defence, not make a fuss about not having money to spend, while Lerner looks around for a way out.
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You're right Chris, we are in the same situation spurs found themselves in a few years ago. They fell well behind ad sacked Ramos. The difference is they went and got 'ld 'arry. Like our manager he has relegation on his cv (I think I've got that fact right. Apologies if not). But you always knew redknapp would be able to do a job. Especially when inheriting a pretty decent squad in which he did. Watching them the other day against QPR, I really enjoyed the football on show. Harry has got them movin off the ball so well.
Now we've gone and appojntmet McLeish, not a popular appoinents in the slightest. But still even with the losses of young and downing McLeish still like Harry inherited a pretty good squad. But watching them so far this year, it's dull, boring dross and you're wondering where that spark is going to come from. Who is goin to step up to the plate and become the new villa hero. Instead every player seems to be scratching their heads after the first 20 mins thinking "well this hasn't worked so far. No what do we do?"
When McLeish was appointed I was in the let's give him a chance camp. I understand it's hard. A new club for him, the lifeblood of the midfield gone and startin forms scratch. But by now I would be hoping that things would be settling down, there would be glimmers of hope. Even if we lose the games but at least you can see what is tryin to be achieved but there is nothing. Until the genius moment of taking off N'Zogbia, who granted hasn't been playing up to the standards we know he can, but who will always to and create a chance and put on Heskey in midfield. For me that was as bizarre as when under houllier we had bannan at centr back with Collins and dune up front against Sunderland last year (I think it was).
We lose in Saturday I think a lot of people will be getting restless an boos will start to ring out. And calls for McLeish's head will start. It's only down hill from there.
Like you Chris, the board in my view have a lot of goodwill in the bank. It's not like this manager decission was made out of spite. He genuinely thinks it can work. So if this goes sour then there will be a dent in that good will and it will make you nervous as to who then will then go and get.
Sorry for the long post everyone... It's been a long train journey home.
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You're right Chris, we are in the same situation spurs found themselves in a few years ago. They fell well behind ad sacked Ramos. The difference is they went and got 'ld 'arry. Like our manager he has relegation on his cv (I think I've got that fact right. Apologies if not). But you always knew redknapp would be able to do a job. Especially when inheriting a pretty decent squad in which he did. Watching them the other day against QPR, I really enjoyed the football on show. Harry has got them movin off the ball so well.
He commented after the match how good there movement off the ball was, this is the single most thing that has annoyed the fuck out of me at Villa for years, our movement off the ball, its non-existant and has been as far back as I can remember, definately as far back as Gregory anyway, drives me insane.
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I'm with Luke, our off the ball movement is abysmal and has been been for donkeys ages. Even at throw ins our players rarely seem to move, it's as if the concept of move to create space for yourself or a team-mate has never been thought of down B6.
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I'm with Luke, our off the ball movement is abysmal and has been been for donkeys ages. Even at throw ins our players rarely seem to move, it's as if the concept of move to create space for yourself or a team-mate has never been thought of down B6.
Our lack of movement at throw ins boils my piss.
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Like you Chris, the board in my view have a lot of goodwill in the bank. It's not like this manager decission was made out of spite. He genuinely thinks it can work. So if this goes sour then there will be a dent in that good will and it will make you nervous as to who then will then go and get.
Agreed.
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I said to my mate in was sitting next at the west brom game. I wonder what the stat is on lost possession from a thrown in. We never keep the ball! It's shocking!
At the end of the day, the only way any of us can make the club do what we want is the day we become billionaires and buy the damn thing!
Until then...
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Gloryhunter? We've won two trophies in my lifetime and like i said i did every game under several managers even when the football was crap.
So why stop now? You've seen us be shit, you've seen us be not so good, you are a self-confessed home and away, stand up if you love Villa die hard, why are you giving up when we are merely average?
I put it to you that you are a bullshitting internet bragster, you are probably like me, a once in a while fan, but unlike me you feel the need to feed an online persona, you attend the odd game but on H&V you act the ultimate fan. Until McLeish came along, now you have a Gregnash cop out, no need to pretend you are Villa 'til you die, now you can be a genuine armchair rantist with a genuine excuse why you can't be arsed.
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Dave , by the way , hope to see you down Hinckley for a beer ;)
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I said to my mate in was sitting next at the west brom game. I wonder what the stat is on lost possession from a thrown in. We never keep the ball! It's shocking!
At the end of the day, the only way any of us can make the club do what we want is the day we become billionaires and buy the damn thing!
Until then...
When I win the EuroLottery on Friday, I'm buying Messi for the Villa. Unless anybody on here would rather I bought, ooh, a centre back, for instance.
Or a creative midfielder - but couldn't we just get Makoun back? The Greek economy has to collapse any moment now,
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Dave , by the way , hope to see you down Hinckley for a beer ;)
Yes, I'm hopping on the 'Real Ale Bus' via some pubs and the Church End Brewery. See you there, I'll be the one in the Tamworth shirt!
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
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He's come to check out if Jenas actually signed
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Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
He'll probably sell it to Liverpool next year.
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Stolen from VT: anyone fancy buying his old one?
http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft_for_sale_detail/Dassault_Falcon/2006_Falcon_900EX_EASy/34462.htm
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Wouldn't like to be near that cupboard full of the glasses during a bit of turbulence...
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I think we've seen the last of the General. Isn't his new job in the States a full time one?
As for Mr. Lerner, whether you like it or not he's going to be in charge for a very long time unless someone comes along and offers him silly money for the club and in the current world economic climate that isn't likely to happen.
The one thing I wish he'd do is to appoint someone of Steve Strides calibre to the board to oversee the day to day running of the club.
We've all got to accept that our owner is media shy and that he is never going to be like HDE and make public pronouncements about the club every time a microphone is shoved in front of him.
Nice to hear he's arrived in the country ( BCV be very afraid, he's obviously been on here reading what you said about him) it'll be interesting to see the crowds reaction to him on Sat.
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Stolen from VT: anyone fancy buying his old one?
http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft_for_sale_detail/Dassault_Falcon/2006_Falcon_900EX_EASy/34462.htm
Whats the mileage?
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Stolen from VT: anyone fancy buying his old one?
http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft_for_sale_detail/Dassault_Falcon/2006_Falcon_900EX_EASy/34462.htm
Whats the mileage?
Don't do it look for a Falcon 99LX.It has a bigger drinks cabinet.
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The forward cabin offers a four (4) place club arrangement - no use for this since Martin left maybe Spurs or Liverpool would be interested?
Had one of these Falcons before had trouble making the jump to light speed but came with a complimentary Wookie pilot and R2 unit so more than made up for it.
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Dave , by the way , hope to see you down Hinckley for a beer ;)
I've never been to Hinckley.........
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neither have I
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I have. Not a place I'd rush back to.
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I've been to paradise but i've never been to me.
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Ever been to Dudley?
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I've also never been to Hinckley but I'm told it's a bit like Nuneaton. Ive been there at it's not very nice at all.
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I have. Not a place I'd rush back to.
says he who rates Wigan :)
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Nowt wrong with Hinckley, it's town centre has lots of dull chains and boarded up shops after being given a kicking by the out of town retail parks, but where doesn't these days?
How did we get onto this by the way?
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I have. Not a place I'd rush back to.
says he who rates Wigan :)
You live in a place where Scousers go to die, so hush your noise!
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I have. Not a place I'd rush back to.
says he who rates Wigan :)
You live in a place where Scousers go to die, so hush your noise!
as opposed to a place where capitalists go to avoid paying income tax ....grrrr
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Dave , by the way , hope to see you down Hinckley for a beer ;)
I've never been to Hinckley.........
I'm going for the first time on Monday, I'll write a review.
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Ever been to Dudley?
Yes. It was shut. I think.
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Ever been to Dudley?
Yes. It was shut. I think.
It was shut when I went too..
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I might be on my own here, head on chopping block. This isn't ment to provoke, but it's my opinion. I think we're looking back at Steve Stride's time at villa through claret and blue coloured spectacles. I can remember him making some dodgy decissions (please don't ask me to name them, it was long ago and I can't remember them specifically) in his time, and thinking its about time he moved on and out the club along with Doug. The all seemed old school, an not in a good way.
I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
I think we need to move forward, not look back. And certainly not back to Steve Stride.
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I've been to paradise but i've never been to me.
Gone a bit downhill, I've heard.
They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.
Might as well be in Dudley.
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Maybe Mr.Lerner has heard that the natives are restless.
He's never going to sign Messi. He isn't. He isn't. He isn't.
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I've been to paradise but i've never been to me.
Gone a bit downhill, I've heard.
They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.
Might as well be in Dudley.
Think I saw Mr. Lerner in a big yellow taxi earlier on.
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Maybe Mr.Lerner has heard that the natives are restless.
He's never going to sign Messi. He isn't. He isn't. He isn't.
I don't want him to sign Messi I just want him to take control and steady what feels like a slowly sinking ship. I hope that my faith in him has not been wasted.
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I've also never been to Hinckley but I'm told it's a bit like Nuneaton. Ive been there at it's not very nice at all.
It's a horrible place (both Hinckley and Nuneaton) but luckily our minibus will be going to the ground straight from a real ale pub and departing for another one straight afterwards, we won't be going anywhere near the town!
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I've also never been to Hinckley but I'm told it's a bit like Nuneaton. Ive been there at it's not very nice at all.
It's a horrible place (both Hinckley and Nuneaton) but luckily our minibus will be going to the ground straight from a real ale pub and departing for another one straight afterwards, we won't be going anywhere near the town!
It's not the Lime Kilms is it?
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I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
David Dein is not a bad shout having just read his wiki profile. I had him down as just a businessman but he was very much a football person looking at his CV. Not to mention that he received 75m for his Arsenal shares which would be a nice injection of cash into the club. A pretty perfect guy to sit alongside Randy.
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Think I saw Mr. Lerner in a big yellow taxi earlier on.
[/quote]
Trouble is, he won't know what's he's got till it's gone.
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I might be on my own here, head on chopping block. This isn't ment to provoke, but it's my opinion. I think we're looking back at Steve Stride's time at villa through claret and blue coloured spectacles. I can remember him making some dodgy decissions (please don't ask me to name them, it was long ago and I can't remember them specifically) in his time, and thinking its about time he moved on and out the club along with Doug. The all seemed old school, an not in a good way.
I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
I think we need to move forward, not look back. And certainly not back to Steve Stride.
We don't need people like Stride or Dein. In fact the influence of these administrators is completely overstated.
All we need is no different from any club, namely a great manager with plenty of money to spend on players.
Until that day comes we're going to be muddling along whoever we've got working away behind the scenes with novel marketing ideas.
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We don't need people like Stride or Dein. In fact the influence of these administrators is completely overstated.
I disagree. Wenger offered to quit when he heard that Dein was leaving because he'd been so influential on his early years (the ones where they were winning things).
I do not think a great manager would hang around long if he was not supported properly by a decent board.
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I've also never been to Hinckley but I'm told it's a bit like Nuneaton. Ive been there at it's not very nice at all.
It's a horrible place (both Hinckley and Nuneaton) but luckily our minibus will be going to the ground straight from a real ale pub and departing for another one straight afterwards, we won't be going anywhere near the town!
It's not the Lime Kilms is it?
Dunno yet, the itinerary is being put together by our resident real ale experts, they rarely let us down in their choice of hostelries.
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I might be on my own here, head on chopping block. This isn't ment to provoke, but it's my opinion. I think we're looking back at Steve Stride's time at villa through claret and blue coloured spectacles. I can remember him making some dodgy decissions (please don't ask me to name them, it was long ago and I can't remember them specifically) in his time, and thinking its about time he moved on and out the club along with Doug. The all seemed old school, an not in a good way.
I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
I think we need to move forward, not look back. And certainly not back to Steve Stride.
We don't need people like Stride or Dein. In fact the influence of these administrators is completely overstated.
All we need is no different from any club, namely a great manager with plenty of money to spend on players.
Until that day comes we're going to be muddling along whoever we've got working away behind the scenes with novel marketing ideas.
If you have a manger running things from top to bottom,you risked getting burnt if he wastes money and leaves,we've been there before.
And while a lot of money helps,as important is decent scouting and a good coach,look at Newcastle,i fear were lacking in both.
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I might be on my own here, head on chopping block. This isn't ment to provoke, but it's my opinion. I think we're looking back at Steve Stride's time at villa through claret and blue coloured spectacles. I can remember him making some dodgy decissions (please don't ask me to name them, it was long ago and I can't remember them specifically) in his time, and thinking its about time he moved on and out the club along with Doug. The all seemed old school, an not in a good way.
I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
I think we need to move forward, not look back. And certainly not back to Steve Stride.
We don't need people like Stride or Dein. In fact the influence of these administrators is completely overstated.
All we need is no different from any club, namely a great manager with plenty of money to spend on players.
Until that day comes we're going to be muddling along whoever we've got working away behind the scenes with novel marketing ideas.
A good manager -even the very best- doesn't negotiate directly with opposition clubs vis a vis transfer fees and the like. Wages - both existing contracts and offers to potential players would also fall within his remit.
So I'd say a good administrator is absolutely vital, in all honesty.
I won't join the ranks of those calling RL clueless just yet (though recent events have eroded a big chunk of the faith I had in him if I'm honest). But from what I can gather, he places a big emphasis on personal relationships - maybe too much.
Faulkner was with him from a young age at MBNA, he knows him and trusts him. But was he really the best candidate for such a demanding role? Similarly with the choice of Big Eck, a big factor in that decision was supposedly the rapport they had built up over the years. Should you ignore the merits of managers with better credentials for such considerations? Time will tell whether he's right- in both cases. But the signs don't look particularly promising so far, lets be honest.
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I don't want him to sign Messi.
That's very ungrateful of you. He will be totally confused by now.
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Maybe Mr.Lerner has heard that the natives are restless.
He's never going to sign Messi. He isn't. He isn't. He isn't.
I don't want him to sign Messi I just want him to take control and steady what feels like a slowly sinking ship. I hope that my faith in him has not been wasted.
Seriously now, I think that is what many people are thinking.
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Maybe Mr.Lerner has heard that the natives are restless.
He's never going to sign Messi. He isn't. He isn't. He isn't.
I don't want him to sign Messi I just want him to take control and steady what feels like a slowly sinking ship. I hope that my faith in him has not been wasted.
Seriously now, I think that is what many people are thinking.
Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Maybe Mr.Lerner has heard that the natives are restless.
He's never going to sign Messi. He isn't. He isn't. He isn't.
I don't want him to sign Messi I just want him to take control and steady what feels like a slowly sinking ship. I hope that my faith in him has not been wasted.
Seriously now, I think that is what many people are thinking.
I agree 100%. I think he could egt a lot of people back on side if he showed some leadership and sahred what the vision is for the club.
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Maybe he has come over because he thinks Saturdays game is one we should win and thus not have to face the negative reaction of a crapy defeat
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I'm with you Dante. Let the manager manage the football team, and put all his efforts and focus into that and things football. Let the business side be run by others like dein. If the manager has full control, not only are fingers going to get burnt (like he who shall not be named) but surely the manager becomes a "jack of all trades. Master of none." And time that could be and should be better spend running the squad side of things doesn't get the full attention it should do.
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Apparantly, according to the Birminham Airport based poster on VT, Lerner is 'in the house'.
Arrived at BHX earlier today (in his new plane).
Stolen from VT: anyone fancy buying his old one?
http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft_for_sale_detail/Dassault_Falcon/2006_Falcon_900EX_EASy/34462.htm
In line with the spending cuts at the club: Here is his new one (http://www.remote-island.co.uk/Categories/Planes/Cessna/Radio_Controlled_Cessna_Plane.htm)
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I might be on my own here, head on chopping block. This isn't ment to provoke, but it's my opinion. I think we're looking back at Steve Stride's time at villa through claret and blue coloured spectacles. I can remember him making some dodgy decissions (please don't ask me to name them, it was long ago and I can't remember them specifically) in his time, and thinking its about time he moved on and out the club along with Doug. The all seemed old school, an not in a good way.
I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
I think we need to move forward, not look back. And certainly not back to Steve Stride.
Dein & Stride are two different people who did two different jobs. Dein is/was a CEO frontman in overall charge of his club while Steve was in charge of admin, and despite getting lumped in with the Ellis-era "Everything's shit and everyone's useless" complaints was generally regarded throughout football as the best club secretary in the country.
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I have nothing but the greatest respect for Steve Stride.
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I might be on my own here, head on chopping block. This isn't ment to provoke, but it's my opinion. I think we're looking back at Steve Stride's time at villa through claret and blue coloured spectacles. I can remember him making some dodgy decissions (please don't ask me to name them, it was long ago and I can't remember them specifically) in his time, and thinking its about time he moved on and out the club along with Doug. The all seemed old school, an not in a good way.
I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
I think we need to move forward, not look back. And certainly not back to Steve Stride.
Dein & Stride are two different people who did two different jobs. Dein is/was a CEO frontman in overall charge of his club while Steve was in charge of admin, and despite getting lumped in with the Ellis-era "Everything's shit and everyone's useless" complaints was generally regarded throughout football as the best club secretary in the country.
Apologies for my ignorance. I actually did think Stride was more of a CEO figure.
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I might be on my own here, head on chopping block. This isn't ment to provoke, but it's my opinion. I think we're looking back at Steve Stride's time at villa through claret and blue coloured spectacles. I can remember him making some dodgy decissions (please don't ask me to name them, it was long ago and I can't remember them specifically) in his time, and thinking its about time he moved on and out the club along with Doug. The all seemed old school, an not in a good way.
I'd like to see someone like David Dein roll up at villa park than Steve Stride. Someone with more of a vision, it's no coincidence that since dein left arsenal they've not been the fighting force the once were.
I think we need to move forward, not look back. And certainly not back to Steve Stride.
Dein & Stride are two different people who did two different jobs. Dein is/was a CEO frontman in overall charge of his club while Steve was in charge of admin, and despite getting lumped in with the Ellis-era "Everything's shit and everyone's useless" complaints was generally regarded throughout football as the best club secretary in the country.
Apologies for my ignorance. I actually did think Stride was more of a CEO figure.
The only time he was in any sort of charge was when Doug had his heart operation in summer 2005. Steve and Doug's secretary Marion Stringer basically ran the club and seemed to do a good job.
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That would be the summer that Steve did fuckface's wheeling and dealing with a minimum of fuss and with total professionalism.
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Interesting. Why have I always been under the impression he was responsible for some dodgy dealings and bad decissions?
That's listening to some people who you think know more about the game that what you do. Without knowing the facts.
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The only things for which I would criticise Steve during his time at Villa were the Tony Barton memorial (see elsewhere) and his vote to allow MK Scabs to exist. Apart from that BFR summed him up - "The best club secretary I ever worked with."
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Maybe he has come over because he thinks Saturdays game is one we should win and thus not have to face the negative reaction of a crapy defeat
I reckon he's seen some of the ticket deals and fancies it.
"Adult and two kids for 40 notes? I'm having some of that. Jeeves, fire up the Learjet, we're going up the Villa"
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The only things for which I would criticise Steve during his time at Villa were the Tony Barton memorial (see elsewhere) and his vote to allow MK Scabs to exist. Apart from that BFR summed him up - "The best club secretary I ever worked with."
I wasn't impressed with his surly and often openly antagonistic attitude at AGM's or his staunch defence of the crazy decision to adopt a striped home shirt. Brilliant guitarist though apparently.
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The only things for which I would criticise Steve during his time at Villa were the Tony Barton memorial (see elsewhere) and his vote to allow MK Scabs to exist. Apart from that BFR summed him up - "The best club secretary I ever worked with."
I wasn't impressed with his surly and often openly antagonistic attitude at AGM's or his staunch defence of the crazy decision to adopt a striped home shirt. Brilliant guitarist though apparently.
That's because it was the one day of the year he hated. He's the first to admit he's not too good at appearing in public.
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I don't, and never have had, anything against Steve Stride. My only criticism, which others may know more about and put me wrong, is that at a time when Doug needed to be challenged about his running of the club, he came across as a stereotypical 'yes man'. Granted, that may have been a united front they presented and it was different behind closed doors, but he never struck me as the type of dynamic personality that could influence him in anyway.
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I have nothing but the greatest respect for Steve Stride.
Didn't he have something to do with Wimbledon being moved out of London?
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I have nothing but the greatest respect for Steve Stride.
Didn't he have something to do with Wimbledon being moved out of London?
As discussed a few times on here, he was on the four (or five?) man committee that rubber-stamped the move, it is said that he voted for it.
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And I for one say well done to him. There are now two league clubs where there would in all probability have been none.
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The only things for which I would criticise Steve during his time at Villa were the Tony Barton memorial (see elsewhere) and his vote to allow MK Scabs to exist. Apart from that BFR summed him up - "The best club secretary I ever worked with."
I wasn't impressed with his surly and often openly antagonistic attitude at AGM's or his staunch defence of the crazy decision to adopt a striped home shirt. Brilliant guitarist though apparently.
What did he say? What was his defence? I'm genuinely interested to know.
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I think it is something football need to try out to see if this can work or not whether we like it or not. NFL does this moving clubs from cities. ie Cleveland Rams - move to LA then St Louis. Basketball also done this ie LA Lakers which move from Minneapolis in the 60s.
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I think his letter to ST holders explained pretty clearly that the only thing he's interested in is being in the top 20 revenue earners in the Deloitte list. He's no longer interested in the team or success on the pitch - hence the appointment of McLeish, and why he and the General have disappeared from view
I was never a fan of Doug but at least he attended the games - home and away
Exactly, he's a businessman and all he can see is the value of his portfolio - we're just a small piece of that now. Yes, he was enthusiastic at the start of the 2006 season, now the novelty has gone. At least Doug still attends games home and away. Oh, and what expansion of Villa Park has he done in 5 years? nowt apart from refurbing the Holte Pub which isn't open very often apart from match days. I honestly wish he'd just sell up now as he's clearly become disinterested.
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I wonder what do Randy do in his time apart from running two sports team, flying across the atlantic, spending time with his family, donating money to art galleries charity and get involved with the Marines and play with his guitar.
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It's all very well going on about Lerner's lack of investment but the biggest blight on his tenure so far is his failure to deliver broadband for the club and fans.
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I wonder what do Randy do in his time apart from running two sports team, flying across the atlantic, spending time with his family, donating money to art galleries charity and get involved with the Marines and play with his guitar.
...... and don't forget sanitation, aquaducts, roads, wine, law and order .........but apart from that.........
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I wonder what do Randy do in his time apart from running two sports team, flying across the atlantic, spending time with his family, donating money to art galleries charity and get involved with the Marines and play with his guitar.
...... and don't forget sanitation, aquaducts, roads, wine, law and order .........but apart from that.........
Indeed what has Randy ever done for us?
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Assuming since he took over he's only attended home games, after all the investment, you can't blame him for not turning up. The mistake he made was not breaking into the top 4, it was not having a manager that plays entertaining football.
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You cant blame anyone (except BCV) for not turning up to our home games this season.
I've had more exciting dental appointments.
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It's not just this season, you can count the really entertaining games since Randy arrived on your thumbs.
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The only things for which I would criticise Steve during his time at Villa were the Tony Barton memorial (see elsewhere) and his vote to allow MK Scabs to exist. Apart from that BFR summed him up - "The best club secretary I ever worked with."
I wasn't impressed with his surly and often openly antagonistic attitude at AGM's or his staunch defence of the crazy decision to adopt a striped home shirt. Brilliant guitarist though apparently.
What did he say? What was his defence? I'm genuinely interested to know.
He said rather indignantly that anyone familiar with the history of Aston Villa would know that we wore stripes in the 1957.
FA Cup final.
Whilst that is of course correct there was never any explanation as to what that had to do with anything.
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It's not just this season, you can count the really entertaining games since Randy arrived on your thumbs.
That's loblocks. Selective memory imo
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It's not just this season, you can count the really entertaining games since Randy arrived on your thumbs.
That's loblocks. Selective memory imo
Thumbs no. Fingers yes.
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It's not just this season, you can count the really entertaining games since Randy arrived on your thumbs.
That's loblocks. Selective memory imo
Thumbs no. Fingers yes.
Everton 1-1, Sheff Utd 3-0, Derby 5-0, Arsenal 0-2, Arsenal 2-2, Tottenham 4-4. Chelsea 4-4, Man Utd 0-1, Chelsea 2-0, Ajax 2-1, Reading 2-4, Blues 5-1...
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It's not just this season, you can count the really entertaining games since Randy arrived on your thumbs.
That's loblocks. Selective memory imo
Thumbs no. Fingers yes.
Everton 1-1, Sheff Utd 3-0, Derby 5-0, Arsenal 0-2, Arsenal 2-2, Tottenham 4-4. Chelsea 4-4, Man Utd 0-1, Chelsea 2-0, Ajax 2-1, Reading 2-4, Blues 5-1...
Liverpool 3-1, Man City 4-2, Everton 3-2, Blackburn 6-4, Chelsea 2-1, Derby 6-0, Everton 2-2...
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That run of form we went on that included the 3-2 at Everton, 2-0 at Arsenal, 4-0 at Wigan as well as the other run of 3 games that were 4-0 v Bolton, 5-1 v Blues and 6-0 v Derby were good.
In fact when we played that 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation with Sidwell, Barry, Petrov, Young, Milner, Gabby as the front 6 were very enjoyable to watch.
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It's not just this season, you can count the really entertaining games since Randy arrived on your thumbs.
That's loblocks. Selective memory imo
Thumbs no. Fingers yes.
Everton 1-1, Sheff Utd 3-0, Derby 5-0, Arsenal 0-2, Arsenal 2-2, Tottenham 4-4. Chelsea 4-4, Man Utd 0-1, Chelsea 2-0, Ajax 2-1, Reading 2-4, Blues 5-1...
home matches.
This is what Villadelphia was referring to
You cant blame anyone (except BCV) for not turning up to our home games this season.
I've had more exciting dental appointments.
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So Randy was at the game today then?
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So Randy was at the game today then?
Apparently. Couldn't see him from where I sit but I did spot Delia Smith when Norwich scored their first
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Was Stephen Fry there today?
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It's not just this season, you can count the really entertaining games since Randy arrived on your thumbs.
That's loblocks. Selective memory imo
Thumbs no. Fingers yes.
Everton 1-1, Sheff Utd 3-0, Derby 5-0, Arsenal 0-2, Arsenal 2-2, Tottenham 4-4. Chelsea 4-4, Man Utd 0-1, Chelsea 2-0, Ajax 2-1, Reading 2-4, Blues 5-1...
home matches.
This is what Villadelphia was referring to
You cant blame anyone (except BCV) for not turning up to our home games this season.
I've had more exciting dental appointments.
Fair enough.
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I actually thought the a fair chunk of the calendar year of 2008 was pretty exciting - home and away.
The tail end of the 2007/08 season -a season when we scored 71(!) goals in the league was outstanding -apart from a home defeat to Wigan. And the first part of 2008/09 set us up for our bid for 4th -until our form (home form in particular) fell away badly in the second half of the campaign.
Taken as a whole, I actually have better memories of the 07/08 campaign. Beating Chelsea at home really did seem to give us lift off - it was a period in time when we thought anything was possible. Home form didn't seem as much of an issue then, either.
Probably our best Nike kit too - might be seen as a classic in a few years.
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So Randy was at the game today then?
Yes, I saw him (or a good lookalike) in the players 'pen' getting out of his car
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I can think of four good things and two bad things to say about Randy Lerner's time as Villa chairman.
The good things:
1. He came in at the time we needed him most and possibly saved us from a spell in the Championship.
2. He brought enthusiasm back at the club by backing a well-respected manager and investing in the club's infrastructure after years of penny-pinching.
3. He made a genuine attempt at bringing us among the elite of the Premier League.
4. In a time when football clubs increasingly are a plaything for multi-billionaires and a way for average performers to earn obscene amounts of money, and football is becoming a product to market and sell as entertainment to armchair supporters around the world; Lerner tried (superfluosly or not) to make Aston Villa about the club's heritage and its supporters.
The bad things:
1. He doesn't know how to run a football club, which isn't a problem in itself. The problem is that he prefers to work with his mates rather than people who know what they're doing. As a result, the club is run amateurishly. As long as that continues, we have no chance to compete with the big boys, as we are way behind in terms of money.
2. He has pulled the plug on spending far too quickly, making the squad far too thin and vulnerable. While I think that relegation is unlikely it is not impossible if we hit a nasty injury crisis. To me that means that we're taking an unnecessary gamble.
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4. In a time when football clubs increasingly are a plaything for multi-billionaires and a way for average performers to earn obscene amounts of money, and football is becoming a product to market and sell as entertainment to armchair supporters around the world; Lerner tried (superfluosly or not) to make Aston Villa about the club's heritage and its supporters.
A nice mosaic and some free scarves don't hind the fact that we're a billionaire's plaything with lots of average performers earning obscene amounts of money. The whole General posting on sites was nothing more than a "hearts and minds" marketing initiative as well, one that ended up going badly wrong.
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4. In a time when football clubs increasingly are a plaything for multi-billionaires and a way for average performers to earn obscene amounts of money, and football is becoming a product to market and sell as entertainment to armchair supporters around the world; Lerner tried (superfluosly or not) to make Aston Villa about the club's heritage and its supporters.
A nice mosaic and some free scarves don't hind the fact that we're a billionaire's plaything with lots of average performers earning obscene amounts of money. The whole General posting on sites was nothing more than a "hearts and minds" marketing initiative as well, one that ended up going badly wrong.
At least he made the effort of trying to hide the truth from us ! ;)
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4. In a time when football clubs increasingly are a plaything for multi-billionaires and a way for average performers to earn obscene amounts of money, and football is becoming a product to market and sell as entertainment to armchair supporters around the world; Lerner tried (superfluosly or not) to make Aston Villa about the club's heritage and its supporters.
A nice mosaic and some free scarves don't hind the fact that we're a billionaire's plaything with lots of average performers earning obscene amounts of money. The whole General posting on sites was nothing more than a "hearts and minds" marketing initiative as well, one that ended up going badly wrong.
Agree, and we must have been muppets for thinking he was here for real, for the long term
I know I do !
I have worked with Americans and I'll say no more.
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There's nothing like a bit of generalisation.
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Eto is on £25m a year, in Dagesthan! What?
Come on Randy. Get real about the wage bill! Something really ain't right in the state of football, or our penurious state either for that matter. This article really depresses me.
I wonder if Mr Anzhi would like to run a nice little football club with great tradition, a fantastic crowd and a 'sensible' wages policy; oh and good local transport?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15491600
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4. In a time when football clubs increasingly are a plaything for multi-billionaires and a way for average performers to earn obscene amounts of money, and football is becoming a product to market and sell as entertainment to armchair supporters around the world; Lerner tried (superfluosly or not) to make Aston Villa about the club's heritage and its supporters.
A nice mosaic and some free scarves don't hind the fact that we're a billionaire's plaything with lots of average performers earning obscene amounts of money. The whole General posting on sites was nothing more than a "hearts and minds" marketing initiative as well, one that ended up going badly wrong.
Agree, and we must have been muppets for thinking he was here for real, for the long term
I know I do !
I have worked with Americans and I'll say no more.
350 million people all bundled into a gigantic generalisation, there.
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Tim's worked with 350 million people? Is he Barack Obama?!
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Eto is on £25m a year, in Dagesthan! What?
Come on Randy. Get real about the wage bill! Something really ain't right in the state of football, or our penurious state either for that matter. This article really depresses me.
I wonder if Mr Anzhi would like to run a nice little football club with great tradition, a fantastic crowd and a 'sensible' wages policy; oh and good local transport?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15491600
Read the report. Sounds like a nice place to live. Also the chance that they may go for a foreign manager. What a nice place for MON to get back into football. I'd love to see him try to sue them when he got the sack. ;)
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Anywhere that ends in St(h)an has to have you looking under your car before you go anywhere. I hope everybody who goes there enjoys counting their money.
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Eto is on £25m a year, in Dagesthan! What?
Come on Randy. Get real about the wage bill! Something really ain't right in the state of football, or our penurious state either for that matter. This article really depresses me.
I wonder if Mr Anzhi would like to run a nice little football club with great tradition, a fantastic crowd and a 'sensible' wages policy; oh and good local transport?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15491600
Read the report. Sounds like a nice place to live. Also the chance that they may go for a foreign manager. What a nice place for MON to get back into football. I'd love to see him try to sue them when he got the sack. ;)
Well it sounds like he may well have a transfer pot to utilise and the wage bill doesn't sound like a deterrent. Bit of a schlep between their equivalent of Bodymoor and the ground tho!
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So Randy was at the game today then?
Yes, I saw him (or a good lookalike) in the players 'pen' getting out of his car
He was definitely at the game yesterday, sitting just in front of my brother who was in a corporate box for the day.