The General C. Krulak Thread XV

[pmk1981]

Genera Krulak here:

1.  I am not sure that slagging some of these men while they are simply names in the media is real smart.  But that is just one man's opinion. 

So then mr general sir, are you sort of saying that curbishley and houllier are not favourites to be appointed ??

[MarkM]

General,

I have just returned to Villa Park after nearly 6 years absence [due to financial constraints, in other words my now six year old son] I was a season ticket holder [and fanzine sellor] during the dark times and wanted to pass on a few things that I have noticed upon my return...

First, the expectations of the club are now sky high, being Villa fans we always expect to be top of the league and winning everything insight, but we secretly know the reality of our situation [although we would never openly admit it] this is down to the change in philosophy of the club from the top, we all now believe that we can retake our place at the forefront of English football.

Second the customer service around the club has improved no end, from the ladies who showed me round the ground when me and my son picked out our new season tickets, to the e-mails and text messages keeping me informed of tickets and prices to the staff around the ground, and the staff in the ticket office when I phone to book extra tickets, always helpful

Third [and these are in no particular order] the introduction of reduced price tickets aimed at family's, I have spent less on my current season tickets for me and my son than I did for my last season ticket 6 years ago! This has enabled me to share my club with my son, our first game was a very special occasion for me [as was my first when my dad took me to VP for the firt time]

Fourth, the banners, flags, murals that show the greatest moment in our clubs history [the one that was never mentioned during the dark time] it brings a sense of pride and passion back to the club

Fifth, the attention to detail around everthing at the club.

sixth, The charity work around Acorns gave me as a Villa fan immense pride

seventh [getting harder to spell these] The professional way yourself and Randy operate our club, you make other owners look like the marx brothers

On another point can you have a look at the where the roof of the holte meets the trinity road stand, it drips a bit and son moans like mad when it rains!!

Thanks

Mark

[Toronto Villa]

really good post Mark.

[Holy Trinity]

General.
 
two years in a row i have spent my hard  earned  money to come support my team in europe only to be massivly let down on the night. we battle all season with the other 19 teams in the league for the right to play there yet when we get there its treated with no respect what so ever, this is a crying shame that needs to be put right, had i have known the team before i got the tickets i wouldn't have bothered. i appreciate its a difficult time for us at this moment in time but would it of hurt to inform the fans of our european intentions ?

secondly i along with many on this site have faith you will do right by the club, i do however choose to belive we have to shift some of the dead wood in order to keep afloat its just good business sence. the thing that scares many of us tho is not the prospect of loosing heskey or beye but the fact that nobody seems to want them which has the potential to leave a new high calibre manager in a transfer limbo. does the club have a contingency plan in place should this situation arise in january/next summer? a simple yes or no will do, i realise you can't give our trade secrets away on here lol.

all the best

trinity

[richard moore]

really good post Mark.

Yes, a lovely post Mark, good on you. Beautifully put...

[pmk1981]

randy is the best,  he has turned us from a falling club under ellis and o'dreary to a fighting for champions league 3 years on the trot.  he has backed the manager,  built a superb training ground and brought stability to us.   granted we have a few "odd" names been bandered about for manager but its only paper talk.  it has taken a long time because randy has put thought and spent money on getting advisers in to make sure he makes the best decision.  i would of rather he takes his time than rush into something.  YES i am worried that we might be getting houllier but he must show something to randy and his advisors and if he can recreate what he did for liverpool we are laughing. 

i say give him the benefit of the doubt and we MAY be in for a nice surprise.  REMEMBER ALL THIS CURBISHLY BOLLOX IS PAPER TALK !!

i dont think randy is that stupid to give curbishly the job.  he needs to go one better than oniell

[ajmant]

General,

I wonder how mixed your feelings must be posting on the fans forums. Seemingly, you can't win sometimes.

I'm sure the board are doing what is required to push Villa forward. I'm sure the speculation does your head in, whether it be the Press or us lot. Is it this bad in the States I wonder?

Thanks for the updates, it is appreciated.

[Simba]

Dear Genaral Krulak,

I have just read, in full, your response to another Blog.

This will be short but before I reply let me point out that my last "job" was as owner and executive Director of the largest company of it's type in the World. In the States. I am, however from Birmingham - no, not Alabama. I only say that to elicit some understanding of my opinion.

There is simply no excuse for the one comment that I read on that Blog. The anti American jibe is especially childish. I did not see many in our home town complaining when Ford took over Jaguar, Land Rover et al and put in place the foundation for that company to create the best vehicles in their history, and save, even create, jobs.

I have never sensed any anti American feelings here ( in truth I cannot remember any comment at all) and in fact I would prefer if Aston Villa were owned by this current  management group than some of our competitors. Many of whom take advantage of foreign funds but are jealous of our percieved  "good guy", image. This club is respected. Currentlyand not just because of "Acorns" but also and because of your  choice to allow yourself to be in touch with the fans. Hurts sometimes doesn't it? But a brave decision on your part.

I have lived through and managed a few company re- structures. But, NEVER under the scrutiny of anyone outside the usual business press.  I am impressed and respectful of what your management team is attempting to resolve in the public eye. To satisfy everyone in your eventual choice is impossible and of course we as  emotional shareholders cannot know the basis for your ultimate decision.

However, I am no sycophant and have to say that nothwithstanding the problems your are attempting to engage,you of all people as a military man, know that to reveal your frustrations is not a good decision.

Only a couple of Jack Daniels, discussion with those you trust and the cold light of dawn will tell you if that was wise.

In the meantime I may only speak for myself but I sense I speak for many when I say. Carry on. All of you.


Do what is necessary to make this club better. And ignore please, ignorant and obviously ill informed comment. And to be honest I can understand your response.

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  MarkM and Simba:  Thanks you for your comments.  Obviously, we are neither Saints nor Sinners....we are just some blokes trying to take a great Club and make it greater.  We have hit one helluva bump in the road...and it has spilled some of the food in the back...but that doesn't mean that we won't feast later on!!  I can only say what I have been saying for the past 30 days...we hear the Fans, we recognize the frustration, we are moving as fast a we can BUT, we need to do it right.  We know that we cannot please everyone so we just need to try our best to do what is right.

[pauliewalnuts]

General

To lighten the mood, I've got a more routine question.

It has been mentioned before, but sometimes after the match, the traffic up Aston Hall Road towards Lichfield Road and the motorway is made one way (obviously away from the ground). They also put a policeman on the junction with Lichfield Road and turn off the traffic lights. Sometimes, however, there is no policeman there, the traffic is two way AND the traffic lights are on. When the traffic lights are on, cars are stuck waiting whilst the very little traffic coming up the Lichfield Road passes.

The difference in the flow of traffic away from the ground is absolutely incredible. On Sunday, we had the latter situation. To make things worse, one of the vehicles coming in the opposite direction in the two way traffic was a 40 ton lorry which could hardly fit between parked cars, let alone have traffic squeeze past it in the opposite direction.

I know you've said before that this is in the ambit of the police, but is there any way the club could talk to them to assess how they decide whether or not to have two way traffic, and whether or not the traffic lights are switched on?

[Bigmelonface]

Genera Krulak here:

1.  Wow, I go away for two days and the long knives are out in force.  Let me try and set a few things straight.  We have looked and are looking at many Managers.  We have certainly looked at Managers active with other Clubs, active in other locations, not active with other Clubs and within the UK.  We are doing JUST what ALL Fans would expect of a Club.  There are some who believe that we can go into any Club we want, throw a wad of money at the Manager and he just picks up his bag and moves...NOT quite like that!  Seriously, Fans MUST realize that things are not as easy as they believe and that we are absolutely leaving no stone unturned.  You can believe me or not...that is your option.  I might also add that any Manager worth his salt is going to do some due diligence on the Club...he may even look at Fan blog to see who is being looked at and who is rated by the Fans.  I am not sure that slagging some of these men while they are simply names in the media is real smart.  But that is just one man's opinion.  Comments about Randy not willing to spend money are just plain absurd and I will not comment on those again.  He has more than bought this Club three times over...not many Clubs can make a statement like that!!  Again, I am not sure what I can say to make people feel better...when everything I say is consider BS or PR.  For those Fans who have stuck with us during these times, thank you very much.  For those who have complaints, I am sorry.  BUT, to somehow think that we are not taking this seriously or have lowered our sights...that is pure crap. 

General

Don't generalise all Villa fans we are not all out with the long knives as you put it far from it the vast majority aren't stupid and can see the the fantastic work you have have done for Aston Villa.

Maybe starting with a Ive been away for 2 days and a minority of fans are ............................

I think you are doing all you can, and if you spend another 2 years on these forums you will soon learn that you can never win what ever you post someone will be smart arse or not agree with you, best just to let it go over your head don't get frustrated because times that by a million and that's how every Villa fan has been feeling for the last 2 decades.

Tell Randy Bigmelonface loves him and thinks your are all doing a great job and if anyone disagrees with me I will eat them.

P.S Can we sign a striker please.

[Simba]

Dear General,

Well, given the few minutes response- we can't complain that you are not giving attention to fans opinions.

Now, where has that ever happened in these circumstances?

Thanks.

It is very much appreciated and of course most of us recognise that you are hamstrung by quite normal legal parameters in terms of what you can actually say.

Relax. Easy ain't it.

That was impressive.  Honestly blown away as you guys say.

Simba

[ozzjim]

General, brilliant venting and some have commented that it has been even more forthright in other quarters. I think the large majority of people are on the same side as Randy and the board following he who shall not be named leaving us in the lurch in the way he did.

The only thing i will say is that each manager that is mentioned in the media as in th running, will be dissected on here as essentially that is what we are all on the site to do - chew the fat on all things Villa, and some of the candidates will inevitably excite fans much more than others, while fans are also the harshest critics we can be quite good scouts, and will remember all the candidates mentioned and their past achievements. I still remember old division 2 and 3 players from the 90s for no reason other than loving football a bit too much when I should have been out chasing girls! But the mistakes managers have made in other places are amplified when they may be coming to your club and will then get some stick on here if they are remember in a particularly bad light.

Hopefully though, a good manager with Kevin Mac in a good coaching role, a good scouting system and a new embrace for the delights of a value for money european and all will be dandy. Remember the knives that are out on the internet are a very, very, very small sample of people. Randy has not let anyone down in 4 years, and nothing suggests he is going to start now.

[eastie]

Don't worry general , I'm sure the pans will soon be simmering nicely and we will have a feast fit for a king !

[villainjock]

im quite happy that our club is in turmoil at the start of the season and not in march.we always have a better standard of turmoil than everyone else. 4th in the best div in the world and i have just read on sky sports that donadoni has applied for the job, quality.