The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Chris Smith]

When the Negative Tendancy were on their MON out crusade a couple of months ago they were confident that we could attract a top class replacement. I take it that you all feel the same should Milner go.

in a similar vein , if Milner goes i take it you'll be retiring your "milner might go if MON goes " spin?

Why don't you just try answering the question?

What does Randy's ability to replace Martin have to do with Martin's ability to replace Milner and / or Young?

The argument you and others put forward was nothing to do with personalities but that, because we're Aston Villa, we would be able to attract the best. I'm just trying to gauge whether that was a genuinely held view.

The reluctance to answer speaks volumes.

[hilts_coolerking]

The argument you and others put forward was nothing to do with personalities but that, because we're Aston Villa, we would be able to attract the best. I'm just trying to gauge whether that was a genuinely held view.

The reluctance to answer speaks volumes.

The argument I put forward was that with the facilities, set-up, finances and squad there would be plenty of top quality managers prepared to consider managing the club.  Not "because we're Aston Villa" but because of what we can offer potential managers.

The opposing argument was that despite all that no top quality manager would even consider coming to the club.  Which doesn't make sense.  And yet at the same time you appear to be arguing that it's no barrier to bringing in top quality new players.  That doesn't make sense either.

I don't think there's anything about the club's set up in terms of facilities etc which would put off potential new players (or potential new managers) but that's a separate issue from O'Neill's ability to actually identify the right ones and bring them in.

[Greg N'Ash]

When the Negative Tendancy were on their MON out crusade a couple of months ago they were confident that we could attract a top class replacement. I take it that you all feel the same should Milner go.

in a similar vein , if Milner goes i take it you'll be retiring your "milner might go if MON goes " spin?

Why don't you just try answering the question?

What does Randy's ability to replace Martin have to do with Martin's ability to replace Milner and / or Young?

The argument you and others put forward was nothing to do with personalities but that, because we're Aston Villa, we would be able to attract the best. I'm just trying to gauge whether that was a genuinely held view.

The reluctance to answer speaks volumes.

erm, i answered a page back so the only thing it speaks volumes about is your piss poor observation skills

[GullyFoyle]

I look in my crystal ball and I see . . .

AY to Spurs: Bentley, Keene + 5m.
JM to MC: Ireland, Richards + 10m.
Also out: The usual suspects + Heskey 20m. Total: 35m.
Also in: Beckford free, CM £10m, 2x good young 'uns (RB/LB cover?) £10m.
Total saving: 15m, which we will keep for a rainy day.

[Risso]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

[Ads]

I don’t see Young going anywhere. There’s always been endless Spurs based speculation about Young.

[mcgrath_85]

There's quite a difference between replacing Martin (a manager) and Milner (a player).

[Ads]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

A reverse argument that somebody might propose is that your basis for that opinion is odd. If we consider that Lerner has never appointed a Villa manager and his only experience for managerial change appears to be several repeated failures at the Browns, while O’Neill actually bought Milner in the first instance.

I’d personally back both O’Neill to do a good job at replacing Milner and when the time comes, Lerner to do an equally good job on O’Neill’s replacement.

[Chris Smith]

The argument you and others put forward was nothing to do with personalities but that, because we're Aston Villa, we would be able to attract the best. I'm just trying to gauge whether that was a genuinely held view.

The reluctance to answer speaks volumes.

The argument I put forward was that with the facilities, set-up, finances and squad there would be plenty of top quality managers prepared to consider managing the club.  Not "because we're Aston Villa" but because of what we can offer potential managers.

The opposing argument was that despite all that no top quality manager would even consider coming to the club.  Which doesn't make sense.  And yet at the same time you appear to be arguing that it's no barrier to bringing in top quality new players.  That doesn't make sense either.

I don't think there's anything about the club's set up in terms of facilities etc which would put off potential new players (or potential new managers) but that's a separate issue from O'Neill's ability to actually identify the right ones and bring them in.

I attempted to convince you that Mourinho was not a realistic target but I'm not sure I had much success.

Do you see Xavi as a replacement for Milner?

[Concrete John]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

This makes perfect sense seeing as how Randy appointed O'Neill, but O'Neill didn't sign Milner.

Wait a minute.....

[mcgrath_85]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

A reverse argument that somebody might propose is that your basis for that opinion is odd. If we consider that Lerner has never appointed a Villa manager and his only experience for managerial change appears to be several repeated failures at the Browns, while O’Neill actually bought Milner in the first instance.

I’d personally back both O’Neill to do a good job at replacing Milner and when the time comes, Lerner to do an equally good job on O’Neill’s replacement.

I don't see it as odd. I see it as another Villa fan whose faith has waned in our managers ability to progress our team/squad.

[Chris Smith]

I'd back Randy's ability to replace O'Neill, over O'Neill's ability to replace Milner every day of the week.

This makes perfect sense seeing as how Randy appointed O'Neill, but O'Neill didn't sign Milner.

Wait a minute.....

Come on John, it is obvious Martin O'Neill could never sign anyone as good as James Milner.

[hilts_coolerking]

I attempted to convince you that Mourinho was not a realistic target but I'm not sure I had much success.

Do you see Xavi as a replacement for Milner?

Perhaps you could point me to the post where I said Mourinho was a realistic target?

As you know, what I actually said was that getting Mourinho was a very remote possibility but that we would lose nothing by simply asking the question, given what he had said about wanting to come back to England.

[Brend'Watkins]

I attempted to convince you that Mourinho was not a realistic target but I'm not sure I had much success.

Do you see Xavi as a replacement for Milner?

Perhaps you could point me to the post where I said Mourinho was a realistic target?

As you know, what I actually said was that getting Mourinho was a very remote possibility but that we would lose nothing by simply asking the question, given what he had said about wanting to come back to England.

So you'd be prepared to sack our existing manager under the remote possibility that Mourinho might come?

Have you really thought this through hilts?

[hilts_coolerking]

So you'd be prepared to sack our existing manager under the remote possibility that Mourinho might come?

Have you really thought this through hilts?

More than you have, clearly.  All that would happen is that a discreet call is made to Mourinho's agent, asking the question.  If the answer's no, as it probably would be, then that's the end of it.

If Martin's nose gets put out of joint at Randy making a tentative enquiry when arguably the best manager in world football says he wants to manage in England again, then so be it.