Randy Lerner: a good owner? The case for the prosecution

[dave.woodhall]

I can see him selling to some uber wealthy oil trillionaire in the end, maybe sooner rather than later.

As the Gen reminds us constantly, he's a businessman - he's looking at Villa as a portfolio enhancer eventually.

Football clubs being such good investments. There's a lot of short memories around.

[Iago]

I am behind Randy and back his judgement.

[badluckeric(gates)]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

I don't want him out.
I want him to come to his senses.

People should be careful what they wish for. He might make mistakes from time to time but he has been immense.
Guys ankle is Tattooed, thats all I need to know.

[Eigentor]

I'm getting a sneaking suspicion that Randy is more interested in surrounding himself with people he likes than the people best equipped to do the job.

For example, why are we choosing a manager twice relegated (McLeish) ahead of a manager who has twice brought his team to a CL final (Benitez)? The problem could be that Benitez would be a constant bother, frequently entering Lerner's office asking for things, demanding improvements in how the club is run and maybe even vent his frustrations publicly.

But despite the Spaniard's deficiencies you would suspect that his record as a proven winner would make him a more intriguing candidate than McLeish. The club would probably respond that past record doesn't count for nothing if the candidate doesn't share the board's vision. But maybe the crux is that Lerner and Faulkner don't understand they are appointing the next Villa manager, not their next best mate.

[Risso]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

I don't want him out.
I want him to come to his senses.

People should be careful what they wish for. He might make mistakes from time to time but he has been immense.
Guys ankle is Tattooed, thats all I need to know.

You're very easily pleased.  A tattoo could be removed by laser in a morning for a few hundred quid.  We've had lots of nice little gimmicks, we're a bit light on a coherent, long term strategy.

[ktvillan]

I think Top Deck makes a lot of good points.  I loved it when RL took over, not least because we were finally (almost) rid of Ellis. 

There's no denying there are a lot of plusses - making the fans feel they had a voice, backing the manager in the transfer market, trying to improve things off the pitch, trying to do things with integrity in what is a shitty business, development of the training ground, and their respect for the traditions and ambitons of a famous old club.

However I've long had my doubts about RL and co. when it came to their knowledge of the game and their ability to hack it in the cut-throat world of modern day football.  From what I have read RL is not highly regarded by Browns fans, and I think I am beginning to see why. 

He inherited MON and for me his mistake there was not alienating him but naively letting him conrol everything including the wage negotiations. 

Go on, how do you know that?

Derpends on which bit you are referring to?

The good bits mentioned are widely known.

The anti RL feelings of the Browns fans over his poor coaching appointments and perfromances have been fairly widely reported.

I know I've had my doubts about RL and co's football nous for a while because it was me havng the doubts.

It's generally accepted that MON had already been appointed or at least lined up by Ellis.

And it's generally accepted that MON had total control of playing matters including the wages.  If he didn't then RL is even more to blame for allowing the wage bill to escalate so much.

[ktvillan]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

I don't want him out.
I want him to come to his senses.

Exactly.  If he could ally his love for the club with some some genuine football nous within the Boardroom he'd be the perfect owner.  The latter appears sadly lacking unfortunately.

[villajk]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

Now I know the world has gone mad.

[pauliewalnuts]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

I don't want him out.
I want him to come to his senses.

Spot on.

That is exactly what I want, too. He's been utterly superb at stumping up the money, but if you don't surround yourself with people who really know this industry, you end up wasting a good deal of it.

Who fancies a guess at MON compensation + Houllier pay off + McLeish compensation, for example? What a gigantic stack of wasted money.

[Outcast2006]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

I don't want him out.
I want him to come to his senses.

Spot on.

That is exactly what I want, too. He's been utterly superb at stumping up the money, but if you don't surround yourself with people who really know this industry, you end up wasting a good deal of it.

Who fancies a guess at MON compensation + Houllier pay off + McLeish compensation, for example? What a gigantic stack of wasted money.

MON compensation + Houllier pay off + McLeish compensation + Mcleish Pay off

[Mark H]

Randy has done enough in my mind to be given respect and even though I am not in support of the likely appointment of AM I will try my very best to give it a chance ....all be it through gritted teath intially

[Chris Smith]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

I don't want him out.
I want him to come to his senses.

Spot on.

That is exactly what I want, too. He's been utterly superb at stumping up the money, but if you don't surround yourself with people who really know this industry, you end up wasting a good deal of it.

Who fancies a guess at MON compensation + Houllier pay off + McLeish compensation, for example? What a gigantic stack of wasted money.

I don't believe we'll have to pay them compensation.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

I don't want him out.
I want him to come to his senses.

People should be careful what they wish for. He might make mistakes from time to time but he has been immense.
Guys ankle is Tattooed, thats all I need to know.

I don't care if he's got an image of Pongo Waring etched onto his bell end, he still doesn't know how to pick a manager.

[Fergal]

Well, for all those persuaded by the prosecution, there is a 'Randy Lerner out' website being set up.

That is the most stupid thing I have ever read.  Who other than someone who wants to stir up shit would create that?
Pathetic really pathetic...

[PaulWinch again]

As others have said I don't want him out, I just want him to gather his marbles again.