The General C. Krulak Thread XIV

[Steve R]

General ...

I did not expect you to 'change my feelings'. I merely wanted to make you aware of them, and quite clearly did not make the first fence.

You have assumed a few things regarding what would make a difference for me, you are somewhat wide of the mark. I read the thrust of your reply as "c'est la vie". Fair enough.

I must confess, I find your question at the end both disingenious and a little insulting.

[KevinGage]

 I thank God every day I no longer live in Birmingham and retain at least a modicum of joy and optimism in my life.
 

Well isn't one privileged.

Out of leftfield maybe, but perhaps Birmingham wasn't the issue there?

[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.

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

I'd have picked anyone up on that kind of comment, on any thread, as would any of the moderators, as it is the sort of thing we prefer not to see.

[kipeye]

Although we have slipped behind other teams who were our equals (and to be fair others have slipped further away to near oblivion and Man City were nearly Leeds), it really all is Herbert's fault for not investing at the start of the Preeemiership,
However, I believe in the true spirit of International relations we should all blame Canada.
My point is, like Steve Rose I have been supporting Villa for 50 years now and sometimes feel as detached from the game as I ever did. Strangely enough, I was closest of all when we were not such a good team.
Maybe that says more about me than football, because for us oldies, it is a different game and a different world now. I still think this is a great club and like every true fan I know, it is not a choice of who you support it is fixed at some point in your life and is unchangeable.
We have a good owner, good manager, good team,  good fans and a great deal of respect in the game. We are not at the top, but a long way from the bottom in all of the above.
Steve will remember, like I do, fans slagging off our very best players and managers-it happens because these emotions are brought out by nature of the sport. We have to work with and through these things and work together to get to where we want to be.
It seems to me General, you have become a true Villain-because you sound just like the rest of us! I am already looking forward to next season and will continue to be patient, but like Steve, find the whole business not what I signed up to at four years old.

[eastie]

Same could be said that it's down to doug that we didn't end up in the lower leagues like Leeds-doug had his faults but he handed over a very well run club to randy Lerner and I'm sure randy saw that as an attraction in buying villa.

General, have you had many or any dealings with doug and do the club envisage a time when the doug ellis stand may be renamed at some point?

[Clampy]

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.

I find it strange that a Villa fan comes on here telling us that he's been a fan for 50 years then says he dose'nt go anymore because he's not a fan of the football we play? So what is he? A Villa fan or a lover of good football?

General, please pass on my sincerce thanks to the Management and the players for all the hard work and effort they have put in in trying to make this season a successful one. No, we've not won anything but it's not been for the lack of trying.

UTV!

[dave.woodhall]

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.

I find it strange that a Villa fan comes on here telling us that he's been a fan for 50 years then says he dose'nt go anymore because he's not a fan of the football we play? So what is he? A Villa fan or a lover of good football?

Maybe when you've given 50 years support to the Villa you could give the answer. Until then, for the millionth time - questions to the general please.

[Irreverent ad]

Hi General,

I hope you are well. Now the season is near enough finished please congratulate all the staff at Villa for another good season (especially MON).

I just wondered if next season it was Randy's intention to be at more games next season? Obviously, I understand that the demands of the Browns have been high last season bun now Holmgren is in place will that free up more Villa time for Randy.

Please don't take this the wrong way, as I am fully behind and appreciate everything Randy has done so far, but I cannot help feeling that it is always helps any business if the guy at the top is visible as much as possible.

I think that Randy's less frequent visits than recent seasons have allowed the media to deduce (rightly or wrongly), that he is not as supportive of MON and Villa as he once was.

Just to reinforce that I do not agree with the media's thoughts. However, it has become a distraction with several players and the manager speaking in the media etc etc.

Again I am not having a pop at Randy as I understand the mess the Browns were in and I know it needed his main attention. However, now things are improving there, will it be a conscious effort on his part to spend more time at Villa in the summer and next season?

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  pauliewalnuts and sfx412:  My question was NOT disrespectful...it was a legitimate question by a Director of the Club trying to determine what a Fan of 50 years is going to do with his support of football.  It is not only a legitimate question but an important one.  Simply put, it drives to the question of whether he is turned off by the game or by the game Villa plays...and if it is the latter, then who will he follow that provides the excitement he is looking for.  To be very honest, this is the VERY type of question that is important to the Club.  It is not disrespectful!!!!  My sense is that he is turned off by more than Villa play...but by football as it exists today.  This IS an important question.

2.  Kevin gage:  MON runs the football side of the house.  He has GREAT folks helping him but, in the end, MON runs the football side of the house.

3.  irreverant ad:  Just so everyone knows the facts, Randy has spent more time in the UK this season than at any other time since taking over the Club.  He did not attend the last couple of games because, like many travelers from the US, he was a bit shaken by the recent volcano debacle.  My decision not to go to the Blues game was based on the concern that another eruption from the large volcano would  trap me again.  When you have business requirements on both sides of the Atlantic, you need to be very careful.

4.  east19:  I have a lot of respect for Doug....and for what he did for the game of football.

[Irreverent ad]

General Krulak here:


3.  irreverant ad:  Just so everyone knows the facts, Randy has spent more time in the UK this season than at any other time since taking over the Club.  He did not attend the last couple of games because, like many travelers from the US, he was a bit shaken by the recent volcano debacle.  My decision not to go to the Blues game was based on the concern that another eruption from the large volcano would  trap me again.  When you have business requirements on both sides of the Atlantic, you need to be very careful.

Thanks General,

I stand corrected.

Just as another question, as an individual (not as a director) why do you think the media have been quite aggressive toward Villa this season? eg MON leaving, lack of investment,fighting between manager and chairman etc

I accept they write stories to sell papers, but there has been a definite negativity from them towards Villa this season, your thoughts?

Many Thanks

[YamPie]

Newcomer here General

Please pass on my thanks to Randy, Martin and the whole team/staff for another enjoyable campaign.

It's been a great season of ups and downs and that's what footballs all about for me. I've been an active supporter for nearly 30 years now and am enjoying my football now as much as ever, even though the game has clearly changed. Whether that's for the better or worse I don't know. But there's plenty of my age who over glamourise the past that's for sure.

Here's to next season and another attack on all fronts!

[VillaAlways]

Newcomer here General

Please pass on my thanks to Randy, Martin and the whole team/staff for another enjoyable campaign.

It's been a great season of ups and downs and that's what footballs all about for me. I've been an active supporter for nearly 30 years now and am enjoying my football now as much as ever, even though the game has clearly changed. Whether that's for the better or worse I don't know. But there's plenty of my age who over glamourise the past that's for sure.

Here's to next season and another attack on all fronts!

Really couldn't have put it better myself.A cracking season

[bertlambshank]

General,any update on the Villa iphone app? Cheers.

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1. irreverent ad:  Tough question to answer.  My thoughts would be 1)  We have been getting better season by season without much fanfare and notice...no big names, some strong lads up thru the system, some nice moves at transfer time, etc. 2)  Randy has not spent much time giving them "stories"...his mantra of "watch what I do" NOT "watch what I say" probably drives some media folks up the wall.  3)  MON does not kow tow to the media...he keeps his own counsel and does not get into the media game.  4)  With all that is going on with other Yank owners, the media may be expecting something different from Randy...looking for him to act like some others.

2.  iPhone app will be ready soon.  I saw a "1st draft" of it when I was in UK and it looks very good.

[MoetVillan]

General. Please passs on my thanks to the squad and MON for a compelling and thoroughly exciting season.  It is the first time I have been able to afford a full season ticket, and I have renewed for next year.  I see real progress being made right through the squad and am very excited about the coming season as our youngsters continue to develop.  One question, is it possible for the food stalls inside the park to accept cards as a means of payment?  Thanks again.