The end is nigh.

[Dave Clark Five]

I don't think anyone thinks we couldn't do any better

You have to be joking.

Well, each side of any argument will have it's extremes, but I'd like to think that even those most adamant MON supporters see 6th as a midway point between where we were and where we're trying to get to.

Randy seems to have come to a similar conclusion to those in the former camp and that is why MON will be our manager this coming season.

What action on Mr. Lerner's part gives you that impression?

[PaulTheVillan]

We can do better than MON, and MON couldn't do better than us.

[pauliewalnuts]

Here's a slither of good news for you, VT:

Downing talking about Albrighton..

“Do I think he’s going to run Ashley and I close? Yes, obviously he’s done very well. He’s a good player.

“The manager has said he will give people a chance if they are playing well – and he is – so we’ll have to be on our toes.

“He’s obviously got the ability. He’s scored some good goals, the biggest thing for him is to get a run in the team.

“The manager will play him, I know he likes him so me and Ashley had better stay sharp, because if we’re not he’ll put him in.”

Hmm

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Don't spoil the only bit of good news to come out of Villa Park this summer, you miserablist!

Edit: More good news, Albrighton has been called up for the first time for the England U21's. Well done, lad.

[KevinGage]

 
Finally, I guess my major concern about MON right now is his relationship with players - he seems to either love or hate those in this squad and it does seem that if someone crosses him once, that's it. It's actually starting to cost us some multi-million talent who have reportedly fallen out with O'Neill. Now we've got trouble moving them on.

Aye, it's a pretty big weakness.

He wont sign foreign mercenary-types and fair enough. If one of the benefits of having a predominantly British side is team spirit there's a fair degree of logic to that.

Dickie Dunne could probably tell you a thing or two about divided dressing rooms. During his time at Citeh the foreign lot would barely mix with the British/Irish lot. We don't need that.

Where it falls down though is if he sticks to good ol' reliable British players - and falls out with them anyway.

[villan1975]

why is it that the majority of everton players are resigning to play for everton?I am open to the suggestion that david moyes is a better manager than mon without totally agreeing.It certainly isnt the ground they play at as it is a dump or the signings they made this or last year or the fact that they had a better season last year than us so without knowing the answer myself,why is it there isnt the same negativity resonating fron goodison as from villa park?I do feel that any "fan" that is willing to boo there own team after 45 mins of the season as for the wigan game last season must feel some responsibility.

[old man villa fan]

i couldn't believe our annual wage bill when compared to everton and spurs, both of whom i expect to finish higher than us this season. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/02/pre-season-preview-aston-villa

This fact has been quoted quite frequently on here.  It puzzled me as to why we are spending considerably more on wages and then I read this http://astonvilla-views.com/2010/08/02/the-wage-debate-and-especially-in-comparison-to-spurs/.

It would appear that one of the reasons why we spend more than Spurs is that we employ over 60% more staff than Spurs, although 14no. less playing and football staff.

Considering that we are a similar size club to Spurs e.g. ground size, training facilities etc. you have to wonder why we employ so many more.  Could this be explained by different emloyment methods i.e. Villa employ everybody directly whereas Spurs subcontract work to a service provider and it appears elsewhere in the accounts.

Also, I read the other day about Spurs paying image rights to players, particularly foreign players, in lieu of part wages as a small tax dodge.  Would this appear in a different part of the accounts.

Perhaps one of you knowledgeable guys on football club accounts could comment.

[Leighton]

I do feel that any "fan" that is willing to boo there own team after 45 mins of the season as for the wigan game last season must feel some responsibility.

Totally and utterly complete load of bollocks.

[pauliewalnuts]

Also, I read the other day about Spurs paying image rights to players, particularly foreign players, in lieu of part wages as a small tax dodge.  Would this appear in a different part of the accounts.

I think you probably read that on here from someone who refuses to acknowledge the fact - fact - that our wage bill is bigger than Spurs.

[pauliewalnuts]

I do feel that any "fan" that is willing to boo there own team after 45 mins of the season as for the wigan game last season must feel some responsibility.

Totally and utterly complete load of bollocks.

This is something which confuses me. The readiness of seemingly rational people to believe that the booing at 45 minutes against Wigan was purely about the previous 45 minutes.

I didn't boo, but I did remark to my match-attending friends that it was a continuation of the entirety of the previous season at home.

[Dante Lavelli]

i couldn't believe our annual wage bill when compared to everton and spurs, both of whom i expect to finish higher than us this season. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/02/pre-season-preview-aston-villa

This fact has been quoted quite frequently on here.  It puzzled me as to why we are spending considerably more on wages and then I read this http://astonvilla-views.com/2010/08/02/the-wage-debate-and-especially-in-comparison-to-spurs/.

It would appear that one of the reasons why we spend more than Spurs is that we employ over 60% more staff than Spurs, although 14no. less playing and football staff.

Considering that we are a similar size club to Spurs e.g. ground size, training facilities etc. you have to wonder why we employ so many more.  Could this be explained by different emloyment methods i.e. Villa employ everybody directly whereas Spurs subcontract work to a service provider and it appears elsewhere in the accounts.

Also, I read the other day about Spurs paying image rights to players, particularly foreign players, in lieu of part wages as a small tax dodge.  Would this appear in a different part of the accounts.

Perhaps one of you knowledgeable guys on football club accounts could comment.

Excellent question old man villa fan and one that I definitely could not answer.  I'd guess that the accounts for each club will not be transparent enough to answer with any confidence though.  can anyone confirm this?

[atomicjam]

Booing at half time is just negative upon negative. I do not boo, do not clap/cheer when things are that crap. Anyone who has bought a ticket can show their feeling I guess. But I live in slightly unreasoned hope at half time, regardless of performance/score. I have to!

[Leighton]

I do feel that any "fan" that is willing to boo there own team after 45 mins of the season as for the wigan game last season must feel some responsibility.

Totally and utterly complete load of bollocks.

This is something which confuses me. The readiness of seemingly rational people to believe that the booing at 45 minutes against Wigan was purely about the previous 45 minutes.

I didn't boo, but I did remark to my match-attending friends that it was a continuation of the entirety of the previous season at home.

Also showing frustration at yet another failed transfer window. Do not forget up until that point he had yet to sign Dunne, Collins and Warnock.

[old man villa fan]

Also, I read the other day about Spurs paying image rights to players, particularly foreign players, in lieu of part wages as a small tax dodge.  Would this appear in a different part of the accounts.

I think you probably read that on here from someone who refuses to acknowledge the fact - fact - that our wage bill is bigger than Spurs.

No, it was not on here (although I am not saying it hasn't been mentioned on here and I missed it - not being a full-timer on here!), it has been in the news in the last week in a discussion on image rights and whether it should be the player or the club that should benefit from them.  It was not just Spurs but they were mentioned.

[KevinGage]

Wages are a separate entity to image rights, win bonuses and all the rest of it.

I'd find it hard to believe that players keen on earning as much money as possible would forgo or take a lower wage for something variable like increased  image rights and bonuses.

But I'm sure Risso will be happy to clarify for the 200th time.
Maybe we can sticky this one, as it never seems to die.