Doubting Randy?

[pauliewalnuts]

I think the problem was a lack of communication, other than the General on here who couldn't and wouldn't get draw on specifics. 

To be fair, I don't think it was anything of the sort. Other clubs don't tell their fans who they are going to buy and sell either.

It is true that the press piled onto this "pulling the plug" thing wholeheartedly, but with Lerner's track record of investment in us, it was really disappointing to see so many people point the finger at him, sometimes quite aggressively.

I thought the least he deserved, the very least, was the benefit of the doubt.

[adam#1]

Mark, I gave my reasons why I thought it was reasonable for doubts, not about his commitment but as to the direction he wanted to go, i.e. the changed global financial climate and the altered landscape since Man City started throwing around cash like confetti. It's not unreasonable that would cause people to look at the situation and wonder if he might review the business model at VP.

This thread is starting to sound like a McCarthyite challenge with everyone desperate to prove just how loyal they are. It is not a heresy to have stopped to think about things given the circumstances.

Thank you for eloquently putting down views that are not dissimilar to my own. He's been good for this club, but is not perfect, and we're not through the window yet to clearly see if this is new investment or going to be recycled transfer fees.

For this club to really push on, I believe they need to continue the investment beyond means if they want to challenge for Europe. Its not clear if that is still the case (and won't be until this window closes) - there's been a stalling in the last two transfer windows and noises from the General making clear that RAL had invested alot of money (but with no re-assurance that that was to continue), the media do have a view on events and surely there is no smoke without fire. With deafening silence from the club on such matters its more than reasonable to question strategy without being a heretic.

[pauliewalnuts]

"recycled transfer fees"

you couldnt make it up.

[adam#1]

sorry, i'm clearly a heretic.

[dave.woodhall]

When a club smashes its transfer record I would imagine their strategy is pretty clear, no matter what a director might or might not say.

[Concrete John]

I think the problem was a lack of communication, other than the General on here who couldn't and wouldn't get draw on specifics. 

To be fair, I don't think it was anything of the sort. Other clubs don't tell their fans who they are going to buy and sell either.

It is true that the press piled onto this "pulling the plug" thing wholeheartedly, but with Lerner's track record of investment in us, it was really disappointing to see so many people point the finger at him, sometimes quite aggressively.

I thought the least he deserved, the very least, was the benefit of the doubt.

Personally I felt I was giving him the benefit of the doubt, but it was always a case of seeing what happened in the next window to alay those doubts, which he has done.

And I do think communication was a problem.  We are not very media savvy as a club so the press made up their own stories, favouring the sensational as per usual, without anything coming out to say different.

Now I know we shouldn't believe the press, but as fans we were left in the dark as much as anyone until they club had a chance to act.  Personally it's not a problem once something like this happens, but until it does you have uncertainty fed by media spin. 

[pauliewalnuts]

I agree on the uncertainty re media spin. My point was that it was disappointing so many opted to believe that, rather than a board which thus far has not let us down.

[Tezmond]

Short term: absolutely delighted funds have been made available for squad strengthening. Suprised at level of investment.

Medium/long term: still worried about getting the club self-sustaining, including repaying loan notes (from 2016 onwards). Doubting Randy or just being an unduly nervous Nerris for the future of AVFC, not sure - some previous investment has been converted to shares vs base + 2% interest and "management" fees.

[villajk]

I haven't read all this thread, but this seems as good a place as any to say:

WELL DONE RANDY.  THANK YOU.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Mark, I gave my reasons why I thought it was reasonable for doubts, not about his commitment but as to the direction he wanted to go, i.e. the changed global financial climate and the altered landscape since Man City started throwing around cash like confetti. It's not unreasonable that would cause people to look at the situation and wonder if he might review the business model at VP.

Sure, the two points you make are certainly valid; the changed global financial climate and the arrival of Man City's billions. I'm sure Randy Lerner spent many an hour thinking how these will impact on our plans.

I agree that "most of the criticism of the owners was over the top and misplaced" and to steal another of your lines, it was "either very naive or very stupid" as it was based on absolutely no evidence. Even when the General came out and explained our position, some just refused to accept it. As John M points out, our communication could certainly be improved and the "sell to buy" line should have been addressed by the club, not just by the General on the forums.

[luke95]

Nice one  Randy
Nice one Son
Nice one Randy
Now lets have another one  ....


or Two or Three

[PaulWinch again]

Thank you Randy.

[KevinGage]

Mark, I gave my reasons why I thought it was reasonable for doubts, not about his commitment but as to the direction he wanted to go, i.e. the changed global financial climate and the altered landscape since Man City started throwing around cash like confetti. It's not unreasonable that would cause people to look at the situation and wonder if he might review the business model at VP.

Sure, the two points you make are certainly valid; the changed global financial climate and the arrival of Man City's billions. I'm sure Randy Lerner spent many an hour thinking how these will impact on our plans.

That, plus the Portsmouth situation and the new FIFA regulations set to come in all probably impacted on strategy vis a vis wages.

RL might not be intending to bail anytime soon, but it's prudent to plan for most eventualities. If, for the sake or argument, part of his wealth was wiped out in the next 18 months or he faced a family crisis that meant his interest in Villa was no longer a priority where would we be then with the wage bill in the state it was in?

That's why I never had an issue with the clubs stance this summer and why I had little  sympathy for MON.

Prior to that (and indeed after) RL (via the General) always maintained that funds would be available, but not at Chelsea/ Man Citeh levels. And that's fair enough. I guess it partly comes down to what you expected of him when he came in. I thought that we'd have a guy who would invest a decent amount to get the squad competitive and up to scratch and that -in time- we'd get to a situation where we would be self financing to a degree. That is,  having enough assets on the books to sell at profit and trade that way. My criticism towards Ellis at the end was he wasn't prepared to invest the sums on talented youngish players that would even allow for us to do that.

Others probably expected marquee signings. Nowt wrong with that either.

As it stands, with this latest expenditure (plus by all accounts more by Feb 1st) I'd like to see where we are in terms of overall spends compared to other English clubs since Aug 2006. I'm pretty certain we'll be near the top.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As it stands, with this latest expenditure (plus by all accounts more by Feb 1st) I'd like to see where we are in terms of overall spends compared to other English clubs since Aug 2006. I'm pretty certain we'll be near the top.

More valid is from January 2007 as MON only had the chance to bring in Petrov in August 2006, which obviously makes the figures less impressive than they really are.

[Concrete John]

I agree on the uncertainty re media spin. My point was that it was disappointing so many opted to believe that, rather than a board which thus far has not let us down.

I don't think most did, but barring any evidence or assurance to the contrary I think some rightly asked a question or two.