The General C. Krulak Thread XVII

[The Left Side]

Blimey, last time I looked this thread was on page 10. The General must be wishing he was back in that board meeting, I agree that it would be good for the fans who made that trip were compensated by the club or perhaps the players some how but I can't see the players doing it myself.

[Toronto Villa]

Dave, we deserve an explanation to this madness.  hardly any of us wanted him in the first place,  The fans pay their money, the fans pay the players and managers wages,  we deserve an explanation from them !!

I know in your eyes I'm a prick pmk, but do us a favour and speak for yourself. Most people, if you look back at the threads when he was appointed, and this includes me, wanted to give him a chance to prove himself. Houllier comes with a solid record and background. He needs to prove himself with Villa, and not keep harping on about the past, or specifically with Liverpool. Nobody was pleased with last night, and speaking for myself, I hated what he said in light of the defeat. While he hasn't become a bad manager, I am beginning to question his dedication and commitment a little. I want him to prove those who want to give him a chance, right, and those of you who hated the appointment completely wrong. He still has time to do that.

[TheSandman]

General

I hope and expect that you and Randy will not be swayed by the reaction on this forum to Monday's performance.
Whether GH turns out to be right man for Villa only time will tell, and time is the one thing that any new manager has to be given. Particularly a manager who hasn't yet had chance to influence the side with his own signings, and particularly a manager who hasn't even had the luxury of a fit squad to choose from.
My main worry in all this is that the current run of injuries and results will lead to some panic buying in January.
Keep the faith, trust the kids we have, and only pay for quality.

try telling spurs fans that , they ditched ramos and hooked up with redknapp and look where they are now .

They also ditched Jol and hooked up with Ramos and look where they ended up from that.

[boboonthecorner]

Dave, we deserve an explanation to this madness.  hardly any of us wanted him in the first place,  The fans pay their money, the fans pay the players and managers wages,  we deserve an explanation from them !!

I know in your eyes I'm a prick pmk, but do us a favour and speak for yourself. Most people, if you look back at the threads when he was appointed, and this includes me, wanted to give him a chance to prove himself. Houllier comes with a solid record and background. He needs to prove himself with Villa, and not keep harping on about the past, or specifically with Liverpool. Nobody was pleased with last night, and speaking for myself, I hated what he said in light of the defeat. While he hasn't become a bad manager, I am beginning to question his dedication and commitment a little. I want him to prove those who want to give him a chance, right, and those of you who hated the appointment completely wrong. He still has time to do that.

Maybe you're right, but the show of affection at Anfield last night was utterly nauseating. Our season is obvious at the moment, another shite Christmas followed by another early exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Sheff Utd. The only thing that will stop our season being over in January is the impending relegation fight.

I really hope I'm wrong but I don't think I will be.

[Sutton_Villa23]

Has Houllier apologised yet? If not, why not

[The Situation]

How can we go backwards so quickly General? This time last year we were sitting 4th in the league with 29 points, I understand damning injuries and MON leaving has a bit to with why we're so bad at the moment, but clubs usually bring in new managers to make the team better yet we are struggling at the bottom when we should be challenging at the top, how long do you stick with a manager when we're not progressing and losing lots of games? Im going to give Houllier time, let him get his fit players back and spend some money in January, but if he can't turn this around and the poor results keep continuing and we're still in the bottom half near the end of the season then we're just going to look silly. I really hope Houllier can turn this around because if he can't get us climbing up the table and we're still in a battle with the likes of Wigan, West Ham, Fulham, Wolves, Birmingham it'll mean all that great progession under MON has meant for nothing.

[eastie]

HOulllier has released a statement to villa fans , it's on another thread .

[BannedUserIAT]

General,

I know you don't comment on playing matters but I think this is something that needs to be out in the open.

Given our defence last season was, for the most part, rock solid, it seems almost inexplicable that the same players this season have been utterly, contemptably poor. I hypothesised on another thread that perhaps Houllier is using a completely different methodology of defending that our players are still coming to terms with. Just as he's encouraging far more 'ball on the deck' play from our midfield - something that they are still coming to terms with and, hopefully, will continue to improve upon.

Can you ask the question on behalf of the fans? With the vastly experienced heads we currently have at Bodymore, I'm sure there are technical aspects to the game that most fans are oblivious to. But if we are going through a sea-change in the technical aspects of defending - something perhaps that the players are having to change lifetime habits to learn - I'm sure having this explained to us will go some way to calming the fear that every Villa fan is feeling about our defence at the moment.

Thank you,

Troy.

[pauliewalnuts]

General,

I know you don't comment on playing matters but I think this is something that needs to be out in the open.

Given our defence last season was, for the most part, rock solid, it seems almost inexplicable that the same players this season have been utterly, contemptably poor. I hypothesised on another thread that perhaps Houllier is using a completely different methodology of defending that our players are still coming to terms with. Just as he's encouraging far more 'ball on the deck' play from our midfield - something that they are still coming to terms with and, hopefully, will continue to improve upon.

Can you ask the question on behalf of the fans? With the vastly experienced heads we currently have at Bodymore, I'm sure there are technical aspects to the game that most fans are oblivious to. But if we are going through a sea-change in the technical aspects of defending - something perhaps that the players are having to change lifetime habits to learn - I'm sure having this explained to us will go some way to calming the fear that every Villa fan is feeling about our defence at the moment.

Thank you,

Troy.

As you say yourself in the very first line, he doesn't comment on playing issues, so why go on to raise it?

Unfortunately, this thread has now descended into the same questions getting asked over and over, and requests not to ask on the obvious issues getting ignored, so we're going to lock it for a couple of days.

The General is away on business for two days in any case.

[CJ]

Hi General

Really appreciate your presence on this thread - I'm sure we're the envy of many other clubs to have a direct line to the board, and certainly a massive step forward from previous regimes.  Out of interest - how many Villa boards do you post on? Do they vary in character or are they all equally belligerent? Do you have a favourite?

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  To all Fans:  I have read ALL of your comments regarding the L'pool game in general and the comments made by GH in particular.  I can assure you that I have passed your thoughts to Randy and the Board and to our Manager.  I am unable to get into GH's mind nor am I able to understand what he was feeling before, during, and after the game...feelings that led him to make the comments he did.  Equally, I am not going to try to minimize what he said...make excuses...or anything else.  There is no denying what he said...it is there for all to see.  What I don't know, as I indicated, is what was going through his mind at the time...and neither does anyone else.  What I DO KNOW is that what he put forth in his statement that was put out yesterday is FAR CLOSER to the reality of how he feels!  "...and I say emphatically that we will battle through.  Building a lasting success at Aston Villa is my focus and my commitment to this challenge is resolute.  It is down to us collectively as a Club to work hard to bring joy and success to the fans because the fans are the most important.  They are vocal and fantastic, which I stated when I first came here.  They know we are in this together."  I know his comments on Monday evening seem at odds to these words BUT, I have talked to him often, have seen him at Bodymoor Heath, listened to him talk about the Club and what he is trying to accomplish...and NONE of it is reflected in what happened on Monday night.  I recognize that nothing can be done to retract what happened on Monday...it is what it is.  What I AM SAYING is simply that I know how he feels about our Club and it is EXACTLY what you would want him to feel.  Again, I am not in position to talk about what GH was feeling when he walked into Liverpool stadium...I only know what I have PERSONALLY seen and heard from him as he has worked hard at the Club.  Those who are seeking GH's head...who want him fired...have the right to make those comments.  They buy the tickets and are the Fans and have the right to have their feelings made know.  At the same time, Randy and the Board need to keep focused on the overall goal...and we feel GH is key to achieving that goal.  His statement made it clear that "building lasting success at Aston Villa" is his goal....and it is our goal too!!

2.  Some fans have questioned Randy's heart for AVFC...that his owning the Browns impacts on the Villa.  This is simply NOT true.  Where was Randy on Monday?  NOT in the US...he was in the UK!  Just like he has been almost every weekend and during the week.  Randy has a home here in B'ham and spends a GREAT deal of time at Villa Park or Bodymoor Heath.  I would venture to say that Randy Lerner spends more time AT the Club than any other owner spends at their Club...he is literally there far, far more than he is in the US.

3.  Believe me, there is not a single person at Villa Park who does not understand where we are right now and how the Fans feel.  We are working very hard to get us back on the right track.  We have a good portion of the season left....and we will get this sorted.  We hope and pray that you stick with us.  We literally cannot do what needs to be done without the support of the Fans!!

[eastie]

Hi general, its pretty clear gerard has been brought to book over his comments and his apology is a step in the right direction-thanks for that!

His comments hurt a lot of people but now we can hopefully put that behind us and try and get a result on saturday , lets be in no doubt we are in real trouble and i hope the board realise this and do not think we need just a bit of minor tinkering in the transfer window, we can get through together and come out stronger.

What happens between now and the end of january could have an enormous affect on where our club goes from here , so i hope we can all get behind the team and put recent events behind us from hereon in!

Your open and honest comments are greatly appreciated as are your answers , yes questions are being asked because we rarely hear from randy but i feel greatly encouraged by your comments today.


Would there be any chance of randy maybe having a monthly column in the match programme or official website just so we can get the chance to hear his views now and again ?

[The Left Side]

Thanks for the comments General, once again we hopefully have learnt from this experience and will become stronger because of it, UTV.

[cheltenhamlion]

Hi General

Something for you to pass on rather than comment on if I could.

Saturday is now a rather big game. Not because of who we are playing but because we need to get out of this rut and stick three points on the board.

A lot has been said about how we are all in this together and I believe that to be the case. But it will have to be a two way street at the weekend.

It's a local derby and a 3pm kick off which should help with atmosphere. The stripey shite will be turning up for the first time in a long while expecting to win at Villa Park so I expect them to add to the atmosphere.

With the kick off time and opposition this should make for a lively start to the afternoon. That said, a lot of this will be banter between the two sets of supporters I would imagine rather than direct backing for the players.

As long as we don't concede an early goal though, the noise from the crowd should give the players an early lift.

The Villa crowd have always been good in adversity, General. Just see the opening day against West Ham for confirmation.

That said, the players must play their part. After such a spineless display at Anfield (and I won't get into the whole thing afterwards) they need to show some pride in the shirt they are wearing and be prepare to lift the crowd. It's amazing what a bit of willing means to the fans. They tend to be able to forgive an awful lot, particualrly in our current predicament with having to field the kids, as long as we some effort.

If the players try their damndest then teh supporters will back them and let's hope this leads to the right result and a reversal in our fortunes of late.

p.s. You ought to take up watching the cricket. We are ginving the Aussies a bloody good hiding!

[Salsa Party Animal]

Club program and web site will be good for Randy to share his comments as he can publish without relying on the media and media spin.