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

[brian green]

Was I imagining it or was Martinez's team playing for time against us when we were utterly dire and were there for the rolling over and a point for a draw appeared on the face of it to be of no value to Wigan?

Martinez either has the ability to look into the future or is as tactically cack handed as O'Neill.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Are we any closer to a new manager today?

[Legion]

My claim to fame - I've played football for a few seconds against Roberto Martinez.

PAH! I've played against Pat Heard.

[Concrete John]

I think it would have been Hughes by now if he hadn't queered his own pitch by walking out on Fulham - in Randy's eyes 'doing an O'Neill' albeit with different timing.

Was not quite the same. He did not walk out, but did not renew his contract in the small window of opportunity available to him. The reason you have clauses in contracts is so that they are available to use if you wish.

Agree not identical although technically Hughes was still under contract. Having just in the last couple of weeks had insult added to injury by MON I think loyalty is even further up Randy's list of expectations and I think Hughes spoiled his chances by triggering that escape clause. Assuming either party was interested of course.

I don't see this as an issue given that the he has honoured the terms of the contract by resigning in the way and timeframe as laid out by it.  Huge difference between that and the whole MON thing.

In fact, if you remember the meeting Randy and Martin had just after the 09/10 season ended, it would be the equivalent of them parting way then.  Had that happened he'd be fondly remebered as a good manager for us and welcome back at Villa Park. 

[citizenDJ]

My claim to fame - I've played football for a few seconds against Roberto Martinez.

PAH! I've played against Pat Heard.

Pfft. I've played against Kevin out of Coronation Street.

[Michel Sibble]

My claim to fame - I've played football for a few seconds against Roberto Martinez.

PAH! I've played against Pat Heard.

Pfft. I've played against Kevin out of Coronation Street.

Puhlease, I've played with Tracy Barlow.

[django]

I've been thinking for a while that the best approach for villa is to get players and managers on their way up. I think it would make them more likely to see it as a big job, and be in it for the longer haul, which I thinks the best way for us to progress.

In many ways I could see the logic in appointing someone like Hughes or even Martinez for these sort of reasons. The only thing is that the calibre of available managers is unusually strong at Present and I can't helP buy think that appointing Ancellotti or even Benitez would be a real shortcut to raising our profile here and abroad. I think that changing the perceptions of us as a club is as important as the reality in many ways in terms of helping us attract players and retain he ones we have. I also think these are the types of appointments, particularly Ancellotti or van gaal would make good business sense because of the extra excitement/revenue.

I think we have to take advantage of the unusual circumstances at the moment and aim big with our next appointment, if it didn't work out we could appoint the next up and comer next time.

[Chris Smith]

Pah, I've played in the same team as Kevin Poole.

[Concrete John]

Puhlease, I've played with Tracy Barlow.

I thought you couldn't name her due to a super unjunction?

[Dave P]

Achieving something with Wigan is reaching mid table, staying up by the skin of your teeth is not.

If his name was Bob Martin he wouldn't get a second thought.

Quite right.  Martinez achieved this season what Phil Brown did 2 years ago and Mick McCarthy has achieved for the last two seasons.

[brontebilly]

Huge no to Roberto Martinez, yes he did well with Swansea but it was Brendan Rodgers that took them to the EPL. He plays pretty football yet Steve Bruce took Wigan a lot higher in the table.

I dont see us being linked with Rodgers or Bruce so why are we being linked with Martinez?

Martinez is nowhere near ready to be a manager of Aston Villa.

Benitez seems to be the best option really. 

How did Benitez get on with Liverpool in the league?

Managed the only Liverpool title charge in 20 years anyway with a fraction of the resources of Man Utd etc. Take away his last season at Liverpool and he did well there. Throw in a couple of La Liga titles with Valencia, CL winner and runner up etc. It pisses all over Roberto Martinez achievement in keeping Wigan up.

[Michel Sibble]

I thought you couldn't name her due to a super unjunction?

Well, she threatened to go to the papers herself. Blackmailed me an' all.

[ozzjim]

Pah, I've played in the same team as Kevin Poole.

I think this trumps the rest.

Chris is spot on re Martinez. Finishing 9-14th would be impressive with Wigan, or being safe by end of March, but not scraping it 2 years in a row.

[Michel Sibble]

ITK alert:

Some VT'er says Gus Poyet was seen in Hams Hall with Paul Falkner.

[Pete3206]

ITK alert:

Some VT'er says Gus Poyet was seen in Hams Hall with Paul Falkner.

With the boy racers?