Who Should be Aston Villa Manager ? Now with new, revised poll

[KevinGage]

I never truly bought into the whole 'the board don't know about football' shtic before.

RL was reported to have had an interest in the game dating back to the early 80's. Plus, he inherited the Browns. Buying the Villa was by choice. The General mentioned something about getting into football from around the mid 80's, watching the Bundesliga and so on.  So whilst they might not be hugely familiar with fan culture and some of the more curious aspects of the game in this country, they weren't exactly landing in like Gillette and Hicks either.

Both have lived in the UK for a while prior to their involvement with the Villa too, in contrast to other foreign owners/ directors coming into the game cold.

But I must say that bit about Fergie and referring to McLeish's work in the Big Leagues was shockingly naive. If they've made the decision based largely on Ol' laughing boy's recommendation they've been done up like a kipper.

[Brian Taylor]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/villa-fans-should-learn-to-love-mcleish-ndash-ferguson-2298590.html

We are just being 'over emotional' says  Sir!

[django]

I'm even angrier after reading that.

[Villa'Zawg]

"By the time Alex took over at Rangers they weren't spending the kind of money which they previously had, so he did a great job. In all his jobs he's had to deal with that kind of situation of making do with what you have and making the best of it, and that's a quality. Villa represent the same type of challenge."

We may not like it but that makes sense.

[ktvillan]

I never truly bought into the whole 'the board don't know about football' shtic before.

RL was reported to have had an interest in the game dating back to the early 80's. Plus, he inherited the Browns. Buying the Villa was by choice. The General mentioned something about getting into football from around the mid 80's, watching the Bundesliga and so on.  So whilst they might not be hugely familiar with fan culture and some of the more curious aspects of the game in this country, they weren't exactly landing in like Gillette and Hicks either.

Both have lived in the UK for a while prior to their involvement with the Villa too, in contrast to other foreign owners/ directors coming into the game cold.

But I must say that bit about Fergie and referring to McLeish's work in the Big Leagues was shockingly naive. If they've made the decision based largely on Ol' laughing boy's recommendation they've been done up like a kipper.

I think if you have ever read some of the General's reviews of games they give you some clues as to his football pedigree.  Without wishing to disrespect the guy too much, they strike me as being but a whisker away from parodies that employ terms such as"soccerball" "goaltender" and "scorezone".   

As for taking advice, SAF is hardly an objective voice.  It's in his interest to keep United's potential rivals at bay so he's hardly going to recommend Guus Hiddink for us (not that we're likely to threaten their superiority any time soon anyway) and he is a former mentor of McLeish.  They may as well have consulted Mcleish's Mum.

[Greg N'Ash]

"Sir Alex, we haven't got a pot to piss in. who do you recommend?"

Great.

[KevinGage]

Particularly enjoyed this bit:

"By the time Alex took over at Rangers they weren't spending the kind of money which they previously had, so he did a great job. In all his jobs he's had to deal with that kind of situation of making do with what you have and making the best of it, and that's a quality. Villa represent the same type of challenge."

Well actually I didn't enjoy it at all.

Seems increasingly like we opted for Big Eck over Hughes, Benitez and co because he would be cheap. And grateful to have the job after slumming it down Bordesley way for three years. 

The others might have wanted a dart at top 4-6, and expected a budget similar to the one the last two managers enjoyed to achieve that aim.

Big Eck won't kick up a fuss, might make us a wee bit harder to beat and ensure we finish between 8th-14th -  with a bit of luck.

[The Situation]

Hughes was with Fulham and did a great job for them this season given a small budget so if the board didn't want to go near him on the grounds assuming he would of wanted a lot of money to spend then I am very annoyed.

Hughes would have got us top 7 easy.

[SteveD]

Could be an interesting press conference, when it eventually comes. The new manager smuggled in via a side door, the fans picketing the front, and who knows, Young and Downing disappearing via a back door up the M6. I have to wish McLeish all the best, and admire his bottle, because he'll need it. But if it all goes pear shaped (again) at least I know who to blame and it won't be him.

[Brian Taylor]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2004534/Aston-Villa-seal-2m-deal-grab-boss-McLeish.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

I been supporting the Villa for a few years now..now much compo do I get?

What is Randy thinking..local shite? Is he expecting Small Heath loyalists to follow  McL into bargain..this is shivery stuff.  What is problem at Villa..are we totally skint and bereft of ideas?

[KevinGage]

Even if funds were so tight that we were only spending the money raised by the Ash and likely Downing sales, you'd want a better manager than McLeish spending it to get maximum value.

[sixways]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/villa-fans-should-learn-to-love-mcleish-ndash-ferguson-2298590.html

We are just being 'over emotional' says  Sir!

Small time Villa I'm afraid and I'm inclined to agree (begrudgingly). Although, saying that, SAF was also the clown who sold us the Djemba twins as a favour so we already know his take on situations is usually self-promotional.

[Perry Barr Pet]

If he's as good as Ferguson claims, why isn't he in the running to succeed him?

[Greg N'Ash]

yep, ferguson is full of shit. He's patronised us a few times saying he'd expected a challenge from us but you know its just to get up the nose of certain other clubs.

[PeterWithesShin]

Quite appropriate that my post count just was 5151.