The General C. Krulak Thread XIV

[ktvillan]

Have to concur with Steve Rose's views.  I only get back to the UK twice, maybe three times a year these days and usually make the trek up to Brum to Catch games if I can.  Lately I can hardly be bothered to switch on the TV to watch us.  The football may not be as dire as the periods mentioned and some others, but the value for money is worse , plus you knew those periods wouldnt last long before the manager would be invited to vacate his position.  The main difference is we are getting reasonable results, which seems enough justification for some to give full support to MON.  But there's no element of magic or fantasy about our squad, and General if lifelong fans are losing interest in watching us, what chance do you think we've got of attracting Brummie kids currently wearing Chelsea or Man Yoo shirts down to VP?

By the way I'm sure those saying it's a small minority not 100% behind the manager have conducted an independent referendum of all Villa fans and have the figures to back it up.

[Legion]

This thread is supposed to be for questions to the General for him to respond to. It would be appreciated if it could stay that way.

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  Steve Rose:  I am sorry you feel the way you do.  Obviously there is nothing I can say or do that is going to change your feelings.  I sure can't strap on a pair of boots and go out and play exciting football on the Pitch for you....or for others who share your opinion.  It must be sad to watch a team for 50 years and then kiss it off after what has been a pretty successful season.  I cannot agree with your comments about the football played at home and away...I just can't.  We have played some very exciting and flowing games against the best in the Premiership and have won some of those games.  I guess you didn't see them because they were great games to watch.  But, as I said, you have made your choice...and others will make theirs.  We certainly cannot go out and purchase a team that meets your desires...we have very talented players and we just need to keep adding to that talent.  Scrapping our effort to date is not an options.  What team are you going to go see now...or are you swearing off of football entirely because of the Villa?

2.  Tough game today.  As always, it is a matter of inches.  Carew get the second goal and who knows what would have happened.  The lads played hard and did not give up.  Still, would have loved to have won it.

3.  Europa....we will go to win.

4.  I cannot and will not and should not speak for Randy or any other Board Member re. feelings towards this season.  I can speak for myself.  When I look at the totality of the Club...what has been accomplished this season, I am pretty well satisfied.  OBVIOUSLY, if we had won a couple of games we tied, I'd be happier.  At the same time, as a Director, I look at the total Club...and we have done pretty darn well.

[pauliewalnuts]

What team are you going to go see now...or are you swearing off of football entirely because of the Villa?.

I can't help but think that's a bit uncalled for, General.

I imagine, being a Villa fan for nigh on half a century. he's not going to start going to Stamford Bridge.

[benabi]

Hi General  just want to say what a great exciting season it has been. Thank you for your input on this forum.   How you have the patient with some of the posters is beyond me!

Not long back from todays game - we may lost but still saw a good game of football and looking forward to Sunday.  

Keep up the good work.

ps have been watching Villa for over 35 years and I am really happy with how things are working out!

[benabi]

pauliewalnuts - everybody reaches their limit - maybe the General has just reached his.

[Dave Cooper please]

General Have you tasted a SUNDAY roast in the  holte hotel?
Top notch ...
Are you pro or anti  yorkshire puddings ?

Best question EVER.

Gravy inside the Yorkshire to create little swimming pools for your peas or not General?

[pauliewalnuts]

pauliewalnuts - everybody reaches their limit - maybe the General has just reached his.

And what does that have to do with the price of fish?

[Chris Jameson]

General Have you tasted a SUNDAY roast in the  holte hotel?
Top notch ...
Are you pro or anti  yorkshire puddings ?

Best question EVER.

Gravy inside the Yorkshire to create little swimming pools for your peas or not General?

Do you have them before your meal or with the meal?

[sfx412]

How long have you been watching football General ?

Not long enough it would appear to comprehend where Steve is coming from. Anyone like Steve who was there in the bad days on the way to Div 3 knows a thing or two about Villa and supporting them.
It may be pollitic to offer such a view the easily impressed seem to lap it up, but when you guys have gone its his like that will keep Villa alive just as the Pompey fans, the Leeds fans have when their previous owners moved on.

[Greg N'Ash]

he also seems unaware of MON's intentions in the Europa too.

[Fergal]

General, give my complements to the manager and the players for a good season.  
We have improved yet again.
Just tell MoN to go out and buy a few quality players to bolster the 1st Team and squad......

[CBAV06]

What team are you going to go see now...or are you swearing off of football entirely because of the Villa?.

I can't help but think that's a bit uncalled for, General.

I imagine, being a Villa fan for nigh on half a century. he's not going to start going to Stamford Bridge.

Did we make it one page before we waffled off the "Let's keep it to questions for the General"? lol

[KevinGage]

4.  As I look at our Club this season...we are doing championship work with our Youth Squad....we are doing championship work with or Reserve Squad....we won the Peace Cup...we have been to Wembley twice this season...we are in the "hunt" for a spot in Europe...instead of "fading", we have won our last 3 games.  And yet we have people who continue to fault our Manager for any number of reasons...probably his fault that we had the volcano erupt.  Isn't it just possible that he is 1) developing our young lads, 2) bringing our reserves along well and 3) running the first team pretty successfully!  Let's finish the next two games...be supportive and give the man a couple of weeks without busting on him.
 

Genuine question, how much involvement does MON have in the reserve and youth set up? Does he, for example have the final say on young players signed from abroad for the Academy?

It was my understanding that the Reserves -and the youth set up in particular- was a separate entity from the first XI. And that the likes of Cowans, McAndrew et.c would carry on with their remit regardless of who was in charge of the first team.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

First time I have posted on this particular thread.
My question for the General is in relation to the club emblem that was brought in.
Do you think its a realistic aspiration to add another star to it?That is,be Champions of Europe again?
I know thats quite a road to travel and of course we have just missed out on qualifying for the Champions League for next season.But you see Ive been on the Villa rollercoaster for 44 years now,so it includes the 10 year period 1972-1982 going from the old Third Division to European Champions.Bearing in mind we dont need two promotions and these days you dont even have to win your own league to qualify for the competition,I dont see why it couldnt be possible within 5 years?

PS. Having just looked back through all of this thread,may i just say to everybody that I think a little more respect should be shown by some to the General.Really tough hard challenging questions fine,plenty of criticism too if you want.But just as there are not many clubs who are special and different enough to have a non commercial sponsor on their shirts(one other?),I doubt there are many either with a fans website giving us such direct access to one of the clubs directors.I think on this thread in particular,it wouldnt go amiss to always press the preview button and we all read through carefully the words we use.