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

[paul_e]

I thought he had very little input into the youth set up Weimann was recruited into?

But yes - Guzan was absolutely his signing.

No idea on his involvement but I'd have thought he'd have had some requirements on the type of players he wanted the youth system to bring through, especially given the level of control he had over the 1st team, it would be strange if he didn't have a passing interest in the players we were looking to place in the academy.

The point of the post was really that I can think of 2 positives that may turn out hugely in his favour over the next few years (I missed lichaj as well who I think is a solid squad player for us).

If that's the criteria, then I think we should also include Gabby as he gave him his chance and had a big hand in his development as a player.

I'd have thought that was a given.  Gabby pretty much has his career at this level because of MON, I doubt there is a manager in the world who could've made better use of him at the time.

Mainly I feel I personally have been very harsh towards MON in the last year and, after a discussion with my norwegian colleagues about the squad he left behind I decided that only gabby, guzan and weimann can really be credited to him (I added lichaj afterwards).  Thankfully 2 of those are looking like great prospects currently.

[PaulTheVillan]

Lambert signed Guzan

[Somniloquism]

Lambert signed Guzan

And I'm glad he did. It was another fuckup by TSM to decide that Guzan always going to be second best so he decided to leave. Luckily Lambert came in when he did.

[OCD]

Even more the fuck up as the defence looked more comfortable with Guzan behind them shouting instructions and coming for catches.

[Steve R]

I doubt if O'Neill knew a great deal about the clubs they played for let alone the players themselves when Guzan and Lichaj signed for us. It's also hard to imagine that he had much to do with the acquisition of a 16 year old Austrian.

In Guzan's case, all we saw under O'Neill was a keeper who was good at some things but distinctly dodgy at others, and that did not change much. In the few games under McLeish and now with Lambert he has looked an accomplished and improving keeper.

[JUAN PABLO]

I read yesterday he said ' I need to buy players in January'

Typical of pube head , anyway pubey , what about warnock or Hutton

[SoccerHQ]

Just had a quick look at Readytogo, their message board as MON once again started March by failing to win a league game.

Two main topics of anguish....

The inflexibility of their 4-4-2 and 4 home wins in 14 league. They don't like Danny Graham much either, could be their Heskey.

Sunderland are not out of this by a long stretch, they'll be right in danger if they lose to QPR next week.

[peter w]

Villa to beat Reading and Sunderland and QPR to draw. Nice.

[OCD]

Danny Graham is well known for being a Newcastle fan so he was always going to be disliked until he started scoring.

It's an interesting point about how MON's teams don't pick up results post March. It wasn't something that I had previously factored in. Let's hope it continues.

[Greg N'Ash]

He'll survive i reckon but they've realised well before us that he's not what he's cracked up to be. Destined never to get the big job he craved now.

[eamonn]

A bit early to be writing-off Graham. He looked a smart poacher at Swansea. Kind of reminds me of Tommy Johnson in his style.

Sunderland flatter to deceive. O'Neill hasn't got any consistency out of them since his honeymoon period there. Lose to QPR next week and they'll be getting antsy. Agreed that a draw would be the best result though...don't want QPR coming to Villa Park off the back of two wins in a row.

[ktvillan]

I think Sunderland will be okay but it does amuse me to see MON still playing Gardner at right back.

[supertom]

I think Sunderland will be okay but it does amuse me to see MON still playing Gardner at right back.

I'd be happy for Gardner to be playing right back here to be honest!

I'd be ecstatic to have him in CM.

And he's pretty average, which says it all.

[ktvillan]

I think Sunderland will be okay but it does amuse me to see MON still playing Gardner at right back.

I'd be happy for Gardner to be playing right back here to be honest!

I'd be ecstatic to have him in CM.

And he's pretty average, which says it all.

I liked him when he was here, and he would walk into our CM at the moment and probably be our best RB, which isn't saying much.  At least he scores a few from midfield which is more than we can say for the rest of them.   And that's what the non-free scoring Sunderland are missing out on while he's stuck at RB.  A bit like we missed out on Mellberg's excellent CB performances and partnership with Laursen while he was stuck out there, and like we missed out on Cuellar being nowhere near the first team while he was stuck there.

[SoccerHQ]

Good penalty taker is Gardner.