The Martin O'Neill thread (with added sacking #2188)

[Villadroid]

When assessing the failure of the Lerner-O'Neill project it would seem that the best comparison would be with Everton.

There is no real comparison with Spurs because they have been richer than Villa for a long time and that accumulative wealth and a far more glamorous image puts them well above Villa in the recent pecking-order.

Everton represent Villa's closest benchmark because they have roughly the same turnover. History tells us that they have been a much better run club than Villa over the years and avoided the decades of under-achievement
There is no doubting that Moyes is considered a top manager but I don't think this alone accounts for Everton's excellent performance since he arrived a decade ago.

More modest ambitions over a longer timetable and the loyalty of players like Tim Cahill are all factors which have to be taken into account.

Cahill was at Everton for 8 years and is considered his best buy, while Gareth Barry left as soon as his move from pedestrian defender to half decent midfielder, got him noticed.

When you say Everton have been excellent during moyes 10 year reign can you tell me exactly how many trophies they have won during that time?

One less than Birmingham City and the same as Villa.

[Jimbo]

"The legend of Mon." It sounds like a Star Trek film. Well, it does to me.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

"The legend of Mon." It sounds like a Star Trek film. Well, it does to me.

If the little turd's solicitors see this thread, it will be 'The wrath of MON.'

[Mazrim]

MAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Risso]

I wonder if the Sunderland fans have acquired f*ckle status yet?

[Jimbo]

Merkin-skull on 5Live just then. The interviewer had the temerity to ask if he was experiencing any self doubt.

".................." peevish silence.

Then, "...am I full of self doubt? Let me tell you something, I've been in the game a long time, and I've never felt any self doubt."

You'd think, after all those years in the game, he'd have acquired a slightly thicker skin.

[SoccerHQ]

Huge game for them (and us) home to Reading on Tuesday.

Don't win that (as Reading are the worst team in this league) and I can see him walking as they have the two Manchester clubs, Spurs and Liverpool all over xmas.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Sunderland's loss will be Man Utd, Chelsea or Liverpool's gain.
Snigger.

[dave.woodhall]

Oliver Holt on Twitter.

Sunderland in real trouble now. Ellis Short didn't really back O'Neill in the summer.

[ozzjim]

Oliver Holt on Twitter.

Sunderland in real trouble now. Ellis Short didn't really back O'Neill in the summer.

That is a gloriously ridiculous tweet. The 25 million quid on Fletcher and Johnson to add to the free signing of Cuellar on big wages clearly not enough. OR maybe it was simply spent as well as he spent money here.

[pauliewalnuts]

Oliver Holt on Twitter.

Sunderland in real trouble now. Ellis Short didn't really back O'Neill in the summer.

Holt will be the last man in the bunker next to O'Neill when the end comes.

If Short didn't make much cash available, why did he spunk so much on two home based players rather than doing a bit of scouting?

[OCD]

MON must count watching Match of the Day as scouting.

[bertlambshank]

Oliver Holt=Villadroid.

[Villadroid]

Oliver Holt on Twitter.

Sunderland in real trouble now. Ellis Short didn't really back O'Neill in the summer.

That is a gloriously ridiculous tweet. The 25 million quid on Fletcher and Johnson to add to the free signing of Cuellar on big wages clearly not enough. OR maybe it was simply spent as well as he spent money here.

Okay I'll bite!

But Villa have spent £50m since MON left and how that's working?

[ozzjim]

Has to do with? He spent 40 on 2 defenses that we have had to replace!!