The General C. Krulak Thread XVI

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  Injuries.  Obviously we are looking into all areas to determine the "cause" of the injuries we have been seeing.  The reality is that most either occur during games or during simulated games at practice.  The additional training is not seen as causative.

2.  Alexpayne:  Yes, the current standing rule applies and impacts all Clubs...it is not just the Blues and Villa.

3.  Dazvillan:  There is no doubt that we are short strikers but the LAST thing our Club needs is a "short" striker by the name of KrulK.

4.  39th game.  I think Randy was pretty clear on this effort the last time it came up.

5.  levico:  Obviously I am not prepared to answer your questions on an open web site.  I will simply state that Randy has never been one to keep his wallet closed and the GH is watching the same games you are watching.

[The Walshmeister]

Hi General, good to see you are still prepared to face the fans. Just thought I'd let you know that I'm worried, very worried with the lack of goals. Lack of goals = relegation! Please ensure that the 30 mill Randy gives Monsieur Houllier is spent wisely. 

Also, when are you going to buy that pint for me that you promised a while back? I'll happily be your guest for the afternoon and will gladly entertain your friends and colleagues with witty banter and my rather devlish, but handsome presence. Just give me the nod.

UTV

[sfx412]

General, is the ghost of O'Neill still affecting matters at Villa Park?
I can accept some misguided fans still adoring the turncoat, but I get this feeling there is plenty of left overs especially within the squad of players he left, both negative and positive.
Houllier knows his business but he's not the most dynamic communicator and with your move to guarded comments due to the 'open forum' malaise, it looks to me that there is a huge cloud hanging over the club that a few good results won't blow away, and the fans are picking up on it.

[Dave Clark Five]

General
I read that Gerard Houllier would still consider Carew for selection if he were fit. This must be an improvemnt on the previous incumbent who bore such dreadful malice when anyone crossed him. All of those who are on our wage bill must be considered an asset of the club and not somebody for a bitter and vindictive individual to play silly games with. That is not something that comes in the job description of a Manager. This is not a question but a statement. I am delighted that we have a more level headed man in the position. Incidentally, has the manager retained the room that O'Neill had for his family which was adjacent to the Directors Room?

[Rigadon]

Wrong thread so apologies to the editor and the general.  But can people please stop going on about Martin O Neill.  It's tiresome in the extreme.  Houllier is a good manager who given time will get it right.  Martin is a good manager who left at a bad time.  'Ghost of Oi Neill'?  Poetic, but the extended use of him leaving "5 days before the season" does not excuse our poor performance so far this season.  Injuries go some way to explaining it, but banging on about O' Neill does nothing but give people the excuse to under perform.

[Bald Eagle]

General
I read that Gerard Houllier would still consider Carew for selection if he were fit. This must be an improvemnt on the previous incumbent who bore such dreadful malice when anyone crossed him. All of those who are on our wage bill must be considered an asset of the club and not somebody for a bitter and vindictive individual to play silly games with. That is not something that comes in the job description of a Manager. This is not a question but a statement. I am delighted that we have a more level headed man in the position. Incidentally, has the manager retained the room that O'Neill had for his family which was adjacent to the Directors Room?

"Bitter and vindictive individual". Move on and let it go.

[pauliewalnuts]

Wrong thread so apologies to the editor and the general.  But can people please stop going on about Martin O Neill.  It's tiresome in the extreme.  Houllier is a good manager who given time will get it right.  Martin is a good manager who left at a bad time.  'Ghost of Oi Neill'? Poetic, but the extended use of him leaving "5 days before the season" does not excuse our poor performance so far this season.  Injuries go some way to explaining it, but banging on about O' Neill does nothing but give people the excuse to under perform.

Haven't you just asked people not to do something, then gone on and done exactly the same yourself?

[The Situation]

Hey General! I bet Randy can't believe his luck. First the New Orleans Saints now the New England Patriots! Great win for the Browns today. Hopefully they can beat the Jets next week...

[Dave Clark Five]

General
I read that Gerard Houllier would still consider Carew for selection if he were fit. This must be an improvemnt on the previous incumbent who bore such dreadful malice when anyone crossed him. All of those who are on our wage bill must be considered an asset of the club and not somebody for a bitter and vindictive individual to play silly games with. That is not something that comes in the job description of a Manager. This is not a question but a statement. I am delighted that we have a more level headed man in the position. Incidentally, has the manager retained the room that O'Neill had for his family which was adjacent to the Directors Room?

"Bitter and vindictive individual". Move on and let it go.

Is that the new 'get over it' standard response?
My message to the General was to comment on how some things have improved. Is it unreasonable to give an example in such cases?   

[Rigadon]

Wrong thread so apologies to the editor and the general.  But can people please stop going on about Martin O Neill.  It's tiresome in the extreme.  Houllier is a good manager who given time will get it right.  Martin is a good manager who left at a bad time.  'Ghost of Oi Neill'? Poetic, but the extended use of him leaving "5 days before the season" does not excuse our poor performance so far this season.  Injuries go some way to explaining it, but banging on about O' Neill does nothing but give people the excuse to under perform.

Haven't you just asked people not to do something, then gone on and done exactly the same yourself?

Yep, I suppose I have.

[sfx412]

General, what is the situation with our scouting staff at the moment?
Did our last scout and his network, ahem, vanish with our last manager, or did he remain on the payroll.
I ask because I've been informed we may have a new and well respected scout about to join.
Could you confirm or not this suggestion please.

[peter w]

General,

              I see that a new chief-scout has been appointed and our best wishes go to him in terms of unearthing what Houllier wants him to. And, obviously, as we want him to do so also.

               However, who is he actually scouting for? Aston Villa or Gerrard Houllier? As he is appointed by the manager, and as managers do attend to appoint scouts, or at least chief scouts, are we risking losing the scouts work when he eventually moves on? All the time spent watching a certain player. or players, goes by the wayside once that scout goes to either another club - which is part and parcel of contractual employment, or until a manager leaves and takes his staff with him.

                 With that in mind why don't the club look to appoint a chief scout  and have him working for Aston Villa. That way, all the dossiers completed, and all the hours of watching certain players, and the chief-scouts own personal feelings stay with Aston Villa and don't get moved here, there, anywhere on the whim of another manager or a bigger contract?

[Blackcountry Villa]

What attendances we expecting for Blackpool and Man Utd?

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  sfx412:  I am not sure about the "ghost of MON"...but I can honestly say the following:  The spirit of the men and women working at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath is VERY high.  If it weren't , I just would not comment because it would be a headline in the morning papers.  I mean it when I say that people are excited and pleased with where we are heading.  Are we happy with the tables right now?  Absolutely NOT!!!  But looking at where we were in the summer, we believe strongly that we are on the right track.  In many ways, we are coming out stronger than where we were.  I know that the Fans may not feel that way but...I can PROMISE you that the spirit and excitement around the Club is palpable.  To a degree it is akin to what is happening at the Browns...where the team is coming out of a tough time and beginning to see real success.  It took a new hire to get things going.

2.  I am not really up on how scouting works in the UK but I cannot imagine a "chief scout" that doesn't have the stamp of approval of the Manager.  At the end of the day, the Manager and the Scout need to have a "vulcan mind-meld" if the "right" players are going to be selected.  Yes, the chief scout works for the Club but the key is if the Manager and Scout are on the same page.  This is not an issue I would worry about.  I am very happy with the choice and so is Randy.

3.  The Directors do not have a "room"...unless I have missed it.  The Directors "room" was done away with a couple of years ago.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

General Krulak here:

1.  sfx412:  I am not sure about the "ghost of MON"...but I can honestly say the following:  The spirit of the men and women working at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath is VERY high.  If it weren't , I just would not comment because it would be a headline in the morning papers.  I mean it when I say that people are excited and pleased with where we are heading.  Are we happy with the tables right now?  Absolutely NOT!!!  But looking at where we were in the summer, we believe strongly that we are on the right track.  In many ways, we are coming out stronger than where we were.  I know that the Fans may not feel that way but...I can PROMISE you that the spirit and excitement around the Club is palpable.  To a degree it is akin to what is happening at the Browns...where the team is coming out of a tough time and beginning to see real success.  It took a new hire to get things going.

Excellent General, just what we need to hear.