The replacement for MON...?

[pauliewalnuts]

Our last manager was hailed by many as the Messiah, spent shed loads and lost two of our best players and gave away several future Internationals, leaving too many expensive dead woods in their place. He achieved several 6th places and a few Wembley defeats.
Whoever gets the job doesn't have overly much to live up to,so even if spending is limited he won't have to set his sights too high, maybe 6th or higher, a good cup run, setting up a decent scouting network, unloading a few overpaid players and coherent post match comments. I doubt,KM, excepted that such is beyond many on the list so why be so concerned.

Despite leaving at an awkward time, MON did a bloody good job for us. Yes he had his faults, but i think a couple of years down the line, we'll look back and appreciate what he did. I already do.

I don't. I'm left with a feeling of complete frustration of what could have been if Martin had not been so bloody loyal to Robertson and Walford. They really were the millstone around his neck. He spoke several times about trying to improve the way we play but there was very little evidence apart from the end of hoofing last season. Even possibly more frustrating was he'd called Kevin MacDonald up this summer to help out with the first squad. Maybe he was finally beginning to realise we needed help with the coaching or maybe he was getting ready to pass over the reins. We'll never know.

Given the amount of money he was given to spend, sixth place was the minimum we should have expected. What is disappointing is that in four years in charge, we rarely ever looked like a decent top 6 side. It was all about week in, week out, digging out the results instead of improving the team whereby we could step it up a gear if and when needed. Hopefully the new manager, whoever he may be, will get us playing to our potential and get the points on the board. As I said many times last season, we're not half as bad as we pretend to be.

He did a decent job. Not a stellar one, just a decent one.

I think we'd seen the extent of his abilities, though, and i think he realised it too, and that that had something to do with his departure.

Part of the evaluation of a manager is how he leaves the club, though, and it isn't really looking too clever at the moment. That's the sad bit. Much of it could have been avoided.

[hawkeye]

if he had walked at the end of last season most would have appreciated what he did, he didnt he walked causing massive damage to the club, i will never forgive him for that

[Diablo]

if he had walked at the end of last season most would have appreciated what he did, he didnt he walked causing massive damage to the club, i will never forgive him for that

My gut feeling is that there was a good reason that he walked. I'd certainly like to hear his side of the story before "never forgiving him". I think he deserves that (he did a good job)

[VillaVillaVilla]

if he had walked at the end of last season most would have appreciated what he did, he didnt he walked causing massive damage to the club, i will never forgive him for that

This x10.

Right now, it stinks because it seems to me that who ever Randy wants as first choice is not available and who ever he appoints now will be his 2nd? 3rd? 4th? choice? I blame MON. He made his little Mark Hughes comment at the end of the season awards dinner and when Hughes was finally appointed at Fuhlam MON fucked off. Very classy. Thanks.

[Dante Lavelli]

if he had walked at the end of last season most would have appreciated what he did, he didnt he walked causing massive damage to the club, i will never forgive him for that

This x10.

Right now, it stinks because it seems to me that who ever Randy wants as first choice is not available and who ever he appoints now will be his 2nd? 3rd? 4th? choice? I blame MON. He made his little Mark Hughes comment at the end of the season awards dinner and when Hughes was finally appointed at Fuhlam MON fucked off. Very classy. Thanks.

Aye - What was the little Mark Hughes comment?

[VillaZogmariner]

Who are the several future internationals he gave away?

[Diablo]

Who are the several future internationals he gave away?

Cahill got his first cap Friday? Arguably there's one there. Do we get any extra cash for that?

[VillaZogmariner]

Cahill was neither given away, nor was is he several.

(Not having a go at you Diablo)

[VillaVillaVilla]

if he had walked at the end of last season most would have appreciated what he did, he didnt he walked causing massive damage to the club, i will never forgive him for that

This x10.

Right now, it stinks because it seems to me that who ever Randy wants as first choice is not available and who ever he appoints now will be his 2nd? 3rd? 4th? choice? I blame MON. He made his little Mark Hughes comment at the end of the season awards dinner and when Hughes was finally appointed at Fuhlam MON fucked off. Very classy. Thanks.

Aye - What was the little Mark Hughes comment?

Back in May at the Villa awards, MON gave this weird little speech and mentioned that there was no need for Lerner to contact Hughes. It's in this articlehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1273999/Will-Martin-ONeill-wave-goodbye-Aston-Villa-summer.html?ito=feeds-newsxml People thought it was an odd thing to say at the time. It probably has nothing to do with anything but if one was a conspiracy theory fan then this would whet the whistle. Personally I think there's something to all of it.

[Pete3206]

Houllier may be a canny appointment. It's not going to be long term, but he could give KMac the benefit of his many years experience, whilst setting up a foreign scouting network.

Then in a years time, perhaps Learner will bring in the man that he really wants and able to offer him a club thats in a much healthier position with regards to challenging for honours.

[garyfouroaks]

Houllier may be a canny appointment. It's not going to be long term, but he could give KMac the benefit of his many years experience, whilst setting up a foreign scouting network.

Then in a years time, perhaps Learner will bring in the man that he really wants and able to offer him a club thats in a much healthier position with regards to challenging for honours.

Houllier may be a canny appointment. It's not going to be long term, but he could give KMac the benefit of his many years experience, whilst setting up a foreign scouting network.

Then in a years time, perhaps Learner will bring in the man that he really wants and able to offer him a club thats in a much healthier position with regards to challenging for honours.

We have achieved three consecutive sixth placed finishes.The annual income of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool has been at least double ours for several years , Man City are the richest club in the world.

Our current recruiting policy has not done us that badly has it? The only thing that will put us in a "much helthier position to challenge for honours" is somone with the wealth to rival Man City's which is highly unlikely to happen.

[ozzjim]

Guy, our recruitment policy for money spent has been average at best.

[abc123cox]

i think Villa need to come out and say something ASAP regarding an appoitment as the rumours are starting all over again...

hopefully the press confrence on Monday or Tuesday will be an appoitment as Manager...

why oh why cant we get Sven as manager!! thats a real shame!!

however i would also be happy with Houllier as manager only! would prefer Sven though.

[garyfouroaks]

also i am sure KMac will still be Manager against Stoke.(not too sure about this)

Thank you for that insight.

[Bottom Right 89]

What was in box number 4? We've had Curbishley, then Kevin Mac, now Houllier and Kevin Mac and/or Stan - so who was number 4 on the shortlist?

I reckon club sources have drip fed the press a big pile of bullshit leads and somewhere across town Brian Horton is gathering his generals and trying on his Nike training gear ready for tomorrow's press conference.

Fingers crossed we could still be in for a surprise.