The future of Houllier and McAllister?

[Rip Van We Go Again]

The comments from NRC beggar belief, but then I suppose they're from someone who probably isn't awash with the sort of offers he was expecting, and is therefore hoping that saying something nice will lead to a new contract at Villa.  But "we have done well" and " He is a great manager, I think he has got us playing great football"?  Who is he trying to kid?

This comment from him beggars belief.

"Full credit to the boys and the staff because we have done well.''

Footballers really do live in a fantasy world.

But as i've said before, what else can you expect from an industry that rewards failure.

[Merv]

The 'No one knows. Again.' is pretty strong.

'No one knows. Again'.... 'It is going to be another summer of no one knowing what's really going on for a while'.

Interesting comments. I thought we had a manager for the bulk of last summer... perhaps the players knew a lot more about O'Neill's state of mind, and the uncertainty surrounding his future, than we first realised. To all intents and purposes, we had a manager fully involved during pre-season last year. Or did we?

[Legion]

I don't think we did. I attended a few of the pre-season friendlies and that man was conspicuous by his absence.

[Mazrim]

Why would the players know who is going to be manager yet?
The situation with Houllier is still being addressed on several levels and besides, why would the board consult players on who they're going after as manager when a lot of them might not even be there and dont deserve to be?

I really dont think Randy is going to let the grass grow under him on this issue.
As for Reo Cokers comments. Absolute bollocks. The team have turned in unacceptable level of peformance this season. Some have done better than others but the overall level has not been good enough. As a group, they have to accept this and not try and mug us off.

I know it's been difficult for them but you have to get on with it. Simply avoiding relegation is shameful for this club. Its not an achievement. Very poor indeed Nigel.

A fundamental change needs to happen at this club this summer. Not least in attitude.
This is a great club, a storied, sucessful and proud club. To wear the shirt of this club is an honour. From now on, whatever it costs us, unless a player truly understands this, I dont think they should be afforded the privilege of playing for us.

[Merv]

Can't help thinking that Young's comments hint at one of the problems affecting the club this season: the role of the senior roles (or some of them). Rather than showing the kind of leadership you'd expect and hope for, they seem to think they've almost got a hand in running the team - this ongoing row about defensive marking, etc. I'm looking at you, Luke - and you, Dunne. And you, Collins. And you, Warnock (wherever you are). Player power's been too prevalent this season. We just needed them to get on and play, not give it the big bollocks routine.

[Chris Smith]

I can sort of see where Reo Coker is coming from. We haven't played great football, or at least not very often, so that's rubbish. However, the players have had a lot to deal with; we're on our 4th manager, injuries, no summer signings, arguments, fights and a lot of negative publicity. I don't think he should be making too many claims of doing well but he's probably right to say that a lot of other clubs would have been relegated if they'd had to cope with all of that.

[nick harper]

I can sort of see where Reo Coker is coming from. We haven't played great football, or at least not very often, so that's rubbish. However, the players have had a lot to deal with; we're on our 4th manager, injuries, no summer signings, arguments, fights and a lot of negative publicity. I don't think he should be making too many claims of doing well but he's probably right to say that a lot of other clubs would have been relegated if they'd had to cope with all of that.

The signing of Bent is the only thing that turned around an almost certain relegation this season. As it is, we are still not quite there.

I also understand where Reo-Coker is coming from in terms of how the team has been trying to play. The damning statistic this season though is to have lost 26 points from winning or drawing positions. That suggests a team lacking leadership and togetherness and it has not improved throughout the season.

[Mr Diggles]

I can sort of see where Reo Coker is coming from. We haven't played great football, or at least not very often, so that's rubbish. However, the players have had a lot to deal with; we're on our 4th manager, injuries, no summer signings, arguments, fights and a lot of negative publicity. I don't think he should be making too many claims of doing well but he's probably right to say that a lot of other clubs would have been relegated if they'd had to cope with all of that.

The signing of Bent is the only thing that turned around an almost certain relegation this season. As it is, we are still not quite there.

I also understand where Reo-Coker is coming from in terms of how the team has been trying to play. The damning statistic this season though is to have lost 26 points from winning or drawing positions. That suggests a team lacking leadership and togetherness and it has not improved throughout the season.

That and a woeful defence.

[Concrete John]

Having a striker like bent makes up for other defeciencies in the team, such as a poor defence.  Take Everton away - 2 all draw thanks to him, yet last season that game would have been a quite likely 0-0.  So same result, but we needed the top class striker as we can't defend for toffee.

 

[UsualSuspect]

The players have had a lot to deal with? 

Poor lambs

Only earn more in a week than most of us do in a year

hero Worshipped

Kick a bag of wind about for 6 hours a week

[Greg N'Ash]

Haven't got a problem with what young said. It needs to be sorted one way or the other and fast. If we're still up in the air come the end of May then i won't be happy. We can't afford to have another summer of drifting with no proper leadership.

[itbrvilla]

I has the same feel as the season before Randy took over where there was a lot of unrest on the playing side.  Hopefully its a sign of another revolution in the summer!!!

[ROBBO]

There will be no announcement about the managerial position until the season ends but i would be suprised if a new manager hadn't already been sounded out.

[Mazrim]

I has the same feel as the season before Randy took over where there was a lot of unrest on the playing side.  Hopefully its a sign of another revolution in the summer!!!

I was saying that to some colleagues today. The difference being I have full confidence in the Chairman.
Which I suppose is amassive difference, but yes. Otheriwse it's very similar.
I do honestly think a revolution is coming in the summer, of sorts.
We might not hear about a new manager until mid June though. Which is the latest it needs to be sorted.
I think Randy appreciates this.

[Rigadon]

NRC.....  It's beyond a joke for anybody to suggest the players have done anything other than a completely shocking job collectively, let alone a senior player himself.