Manchester City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Rico]

Some relationships reach a point where a parting of the ways is inevitable. It's especially painful if you still care about the other party. However, much like the end of the O'Leary tenure was inevitable, I now think the time for our divorce from Houllier is imminent. Most fans I know never really took to him, and after last night I think any good will he may have had is dead and buried. If he stays, what will ticket sales be like, and what effect will it have on season tickets for the next campaign?

He might not go now, or next week, but I'd be amazed if he's still in charge next season. I can see a banner along the O'Leary we're not fickle lines being unfilled from the upper holte very soon.

Time's up Ged!

[1780liam]

Some relationships reach a point where a parting of the ways is inevitable. It's especially painful if you still care about the other party. However, much like the end of the O'Leary tenure was inevitable, I now think the time for our divorce from Houllier is imminent. Most fans I know never really took to him, and after last night I think any good will he may have had is dead and buried. If he stays, what will ticket sales be like, and what effect will it have on season tickets for the next campaign?

He might not go now, or next week, but I'd be amazed if he's still in charge next season. I can see a banner along the O'Leary we're not fickle lines being unfilled from the upper holte very soon.

Time's up Ged!

spot on!!

[WikiVilla]

Untenable is the word you're after

[Chris Smith]

So, picking a side that you don't agree with is now considered a sackable offence, because if you strip away all the emotive stuff that is all that happened last night. We're turning football into a reality show where fans think that they can vote out the ones they don't like.

[Mazrim]

In case anybody cares what I think, sacking Houllier now and patricularly based on this one game, is a load of old bollocks.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

In case anybody cares what I think, sacking Houllier now and patricularly based on this one game, is a load of old bollocks.

Agreed.
Despite last nights debacle, he should be given 3 seasons.
Only then can a Manager be properly judged.

[luke25]

So, picking a side that you don't agree with is now considered a sackable offence, because if you strip away all the emotive stuff that is all that happened last night. We're turning football into a reality show where fans think that they can vote out the ones they don't like.

Thats probably Simon Cowells next project

[barrysleftfoot]

   We cannot afford, both financially and also for footballing reasons, to get rid of GH, and some of the over reactions on here are quite pathetic.

  I was'nt enamoured with his appointment, but think he is developing a good side and ideology.Last night it was MONs players that were shite, not GHs.Bent, Makoun, Walker have all been good signings, lets wait and see about Bradley.Yes disappointing last night, but lets put it into perspective.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

In case anybody cares what I think, sacking Houllier now and patricularly based on this one game, is a load of old bollocks.

Agreed.
Despite last nights debacle, he should be given 3 seasons.
Only then can a Manager be properly judged.

I disagree Fletch. If a manager is not up to the job, the club should get rid. In GH's case, the jury is still out for me. I'd be a lot more comfortable if Patrice Berges was to team up with him again. I get the feeling we only got half the deal when he joined us.

The other thing that drives me mad is this claim that this season was to be a right off. Given the quality of the squad he inherited, the money made available in January, the strength of the youth set up, it's not the toughest job in the world. Take Owen Coyle at Bolton, he's hardly had the money or squad but hit the ground running, plus remarkably changing the way Bolton play. Yes, we had an injury crisis but I don't think it's wrong to have expected more, especially now.

Look back to GT MK II and the approach he took when he replaced JG. He took his time and during that time we lost our winning/fighting habit. GH is doing exactly the same thing. It really does concern me. Add to that the use of the squad, the rotation, playing players out of position, I get the feeling he's just accomodating players rather than trying to find his best eleven.

I'm willing to give him until the end of the season and hopefully he'll persuade Berges to join him at Villa Park. But the thought of three years of the same is unthinkable. He needs to get out of his comfort zone and start fighting.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

In case anybody cares what I think, sacking Houllier now and patricularly based on this one game, is a load of old bollocks.

Agreed.
Despite last nights debacle, he should be given 3 seasons.
Only then can a Manager be properly judged.

I disagree Fletch. If a manager is not up to the job, the club should get rid.

You and Chris Smith are polar opposites.
You say get rid whenever, he says minimum 10 years.

We've got to see if he can put his philosophy into practice for next season.

[nick harper]

He's shown enough for me since the turn of the year that his experience and philosphy is beginning to see some benefits. I have been impressed with the quality of football and the signings he has made.

Some of the over-reaction reflects the emotion of the moment and I was as fed up as everyone else. He made a decision, rightly or wrongly, that he believed was for the benefit of the club and fans. He hasn't done it simply to piss the fans off.

Once this messy season is over, I'm keen to see what he does to further re-shape the squad in the image he wants. We need to become meaner at the back, but I really believe we will see a squad that will be better placed to challenge again next season.

[Merv]

As I said a couple of days ago, our form's been pretty sound so far in 2011. Last night was disappointing - I felt GH could have rested a couple of players but still put out a better-balanced side; that said, it would have been interested to see how the game would have panned out had we not conceded that lucky early goal. Ball bounces off Clark straight to Toure five yards out. Up against it immediately.

I wanted to get this tie over and done with, and out of the way for good reason - I still think I'd have preferred us to have drawn anyone else away but City. We're showing signs of getting it together under Houllier, he shouldn't go.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

In case anybody cares what I think, sacking Houllier now and patricularly based on this one game, is a load of old bollocks.

Agreed.
Despite last nights debacle, he should be given 3 seasons.
Only then can a Manager be properly judged.

I disagree Fletch. If a manager is not up to the job, the club should get rid.

You and Chris Smith are polar opposites.
You say get rid whenever, he says minimum 10 years.

We've got to see if he can put his philosophy into practice for next season.

I haven't said we should get rid whenever, just when it's glaringly obvious a manager is not up to the job and it's obvious he's out of his depth. Dr Jo being a classic example. Ideally a manager should be given time to get it right but there will always be exceptions. I don't think this current one is but it does concern me looking at GH's record that his success was always with Berges. It was a great partnership that obviously worked well both at Liverpool and Lyon.

For now we need to give GH time, even if it's difficult to endorse him fully to get us back on track. Yesterday apart, there are positive signs we are finally improving but like so many false dawns under MON, one minute you think we're turning the corner, the next you realise it will get no better. It's bloody frustrating.

I can't speak for Chris but I'm sure he has his reasons for supporting previous managers, from memory DOL was the wrong timing and he thought MON could still keep on improving, at least to be given another season. Ideally we should have a manager with a view to the medium, long term objectives but it's not a law written in stone that a manager can only be judged after three seasons. The most important thing is to find the right manager and as I've said, I'm not sure GH is but I'm certainly not calling for him to be sacked.

[Dave Cooper please]

So, picking a side that you don't agree with is now considered a sackable offence, because if you strip away all the emotive stuff that is all that happened last night. We're turning football into a reality show where fans think that they can vote out the ones they don't like.

I realise this is just a typical Chris Smith attempt at being contrary, but do you really think that last night's team selection was acceptable?
I don't want him sacked, that would be daft, but I would like a better explanation than a Gallic shrug and some pathetic mumblings about them all being internationals (of Australia, Bulgaria, U-21's, the odd fringe player at a decent country and Emile Fucking Heskey).

[Chris Smith]

So, picking a side that you don't agree with is now considered a sackable offence, because if you strip away all the emotive stuff that is all that happened last night. We're turning football into a reality show where fans think that they can vote out the ones they don't like.

I realise this is just a typical Chris Smith attempt at being contrary, but do you really think that last night's team selection was acceptable?
I don't want him sacked, that would be daft, but I would like a better explanation than a Gallic shrug and some pathetic mumblings about them all being internationals (of Australia, Bulgaria, U-21's, the odd fringe player at a decent country and Emile Fucking Heskey).

It's not an attempt at being contrary it is my opinion, just accept that we don't all see things the same as you.

Many people have called for the manager to be sacked on this thread, they weren't saying it on Tuesday so it has to be down the team he picked last night. I think that's stupid.

He pick the team he did because he's worried about relegation, you might not think it is that important but he doesn't have that luxury and I am sure his boss has made him aware that it is not an option. I wouldn't have made as many changes myself but he's the manager and he has the right to pick the side he wants. I also understand that if he wants to get a look at Bradley, Bannan, Delph and Herd in first team action then he doesn't have many other chances to take the risk.