McAllister, Cowans & the new Back Room staff

[Eigentor]

While some are claiming that Houllier is just a French version of MON, it should be clear by now that their attitudes towards the concept "notice period" differ.

[Merv]

Or perhaps people see that a start of West Ham at home, Newcastle away, Everton at home, Stoke away, and then Bolton at home should see us with a bare minimum of 11 points. We shouldn't be sitting here with 6 and a minus goal difference.

Quite. The West Ham win looked promising, but it's since transpired that they look as if they're going to get a hammering every week. We've lost both our away league fixtures - one of which (and I say this with a cool, analytical head on and not in the heat of the post-match moment) was arguably our worst league defeat of all-time, considering the opposition, and we're out of Europe. Our squad hasn't been strengthened, so much so that we looked seriously short of options on Monday night.

I'm not panicking or raging at the board, but I think it's fair to say that the summer months have almost totally been a waste, and that - while I do respect what has happened at the club since 2006 - it's only reasonable to be just slightly concerned.

[ozzjim]

We lost in Europe last season, and got a good couple of thumpings towards the end of the season too. Add that to the manager going 5 days before the season starts and I would say if we can get 9 from 5, we are going to be doing ok. Couple of defeats - one nothing short of a complete disgrace and the other very unfortunate, and out of Europe to the same side that the great martin lost to last season. I just think getting our knickers in a twist about the timing of when the manager can start, when he himself quite clearly said it would most likely be the Blackburn game at the press conference, followed by getting in a flap about people turning the assistant job down, or more to the point ruling themselves out before being offered, is another bit of silliness. The whole coaching team are or equal importance to sort, but i imagine Houllier wants to survey what he has in front of him before that he brings too many in. Just chill, nothing we rant at on here is going to make him arrive any faster, he has the job, we are not in crisis at all like many seem to want to peddle, and enjoy us thumping Bolton on Sat to give Kevin Mac a good send off and to welcome the G Dog.

[Rigadon]

G Dog?!?  Ha!  Love it.

[Risso]

But, but, McAllister already has a job!  This just won't do!

[Eigentor]

But, but, McAllister already has a job! 

Clearly, that applies to Mr. Houllier as well.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Mcallister will be fourth choice. And i think he will decline this offer. So who next

[MattW]

Villa Insider, who has proven him/herself to give accurate tips, says: Gary McAllister to join GH in stands at tomorrows match.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Just read the bit on the generals thread about Staunton & Southgate, Where has this come from? Rumour or does it have some truth?

[VillaZogmariner]

According to Five Live he's agreed to become Assistant Manager and will be at the game today.

[mr woo]

According to Five Live he's agreed to become Assistant Manager and will be at the game today.

Along with Sid Cowans as first-team coach I'm told (didn't hear the piece personally so can't confirm)

[adrenachrome]

According to Five Live he's agreed to become Assistant Manager and will be at the game today.

Along with Sid Cowans as first-team coach I'm told (didn't hear the piece personally so can't confirm)

I heard it, and can confirm that they said Sid will be first team coach.

[hackneyvillain]

1416: Let's firm up what we heavily suspected earlier: Aston Villa have confirmed Gary McAllister has agreed to become assistant manager to Gerard Houllier.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

According to Five Live he's agreed to become Assistant Manager and will be at the game today.

Along with Sid Cowans as first-team coach I'm told (didn't hear the piece personally so can't confirm)

I heard it, and can confirm that they said Sid will be first team coach.

Very strange, especially as Houllier had offered MacDonald a desk job not coaching, according to the Guardian.

[TopDeck113]

Promoting Sid to first team coach is a canny appointment by Houlier.  Whatever his attributes on the training ground, his presence on the bench will give the management team an immediate creditability with many Villa fans.