Alex McLeish confirmed as manager

[mike]

Out of interest, why do they call him Big Eck? I get the big but what is Eck all about?

[German James]

It's short for Alex.

[The Left Side]

Well I guess we have to back him now, so best of luck and prove me wrong, UTV

[KevinGage]

I for one hold no malice towards am just feel he was appointed by people who know next to nothing about "soccer" which has been proven over the last year.

Agree with the first part. He isn't as detestable as quite a few characters associated with that lot. Even when he had a chance to rub it in after the cup game, he held back.

I don't think there are many who dislike McLeish the individual. It's more the style of play he has become associated with and his record to date in England.

[Moorski]

Time to get behind him and support the team, give the guy a chance.

[alanclare]

I agree with a fair few on here that Mcleish has shown genuine courage and I am sure he will make all the right noises about now being at a big club though his record stands out as one of mediocrity at best.
The problem i now have is with the board who have shown such disregard for all fans whether it be rational or irrational doesnt matter as football clubs live and die with their fans and some will never forgive.

Never mind whether he does well or not, they didn't ask us. How dare they run their business as they see fit.

I'm not sure Dave, that everyone recognises irony when they see it.

[olaftab]

ALEX McLEISH walked into Aston Villa yesterday - and will pocket a 150 PER CENT pay rise.
The Scot agreed a three-year deal worth £2million a year.
McLeish's contract at Birmingham would have seen his wages HALVED to £800,000 a year after the club were relegated from the Premier League.
McLeish, 52, who quit Brum last Sunday, insists he will silence the Villa boo-boys after crossing the Second City.
Big Eck said: "I know some of our fans have voiced concerns and I can understand why. It will be up to me to convince you that I am the right man to drive the club forward."
Despite his appointment, the legal rows are not over. Blues want compensation for McLeish walking out, while the Scot is claiming constructive dismissal.
A Brum statement said: "We are still looking into whether Villa's conduct has been in line with Premier League rules."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3645423/New-Aston-Villa-boss-Alex-McLeish-lands-150-pay-rise.html#ixzz1PbsFUEh0

Yes keep looking into it!!

[supertom]

Well we can't do anything about it, so no point in complaining I guess. If he fails, then we won't really be surprised. All he can do is surprise us with some degree of success. If we finish in the top 8 I'd be very surprised. We shall see.
He dropped a bollock at the scum after they won the league cup. They were complacent. With the money he'd spent and the squad he had, they shouldn't have been relegated in truth. They're shite yes, but getting relegated was a huge fuck up. The previous season he'd done very well there in fairness to him. 

I'm not looking forward to the standard of football, nor the tactical deficiency. In all honest, I think the guy is a poor man's MON. But he's yet to test himself at a big club (South of the border anyway). So he might raise his game. Hopefully he'll adapt his style a bit. In retrospect I preferred Martins style over Gerards, because we got better results out of it, and it wasn't always entirely horrible to watch. A bit of directness could suit Bent well.

We just got to back him now. If he can keep Downing here and make a couple of decent signings, then that's a start. I suppose having the Fergie seal of approval should count for something.

[charlie]

As the old joke goes, '' they have dug a hole and now they are looking into it.'', I too thought it a bad idea, but as a wise schools inspector said of the National Curriculum, one can fight change or embrace it and turn it to advantage., what is certain is that change has happened. If Eck goes all out to prove himself, plays a more expansive game and brings some defensive organisation, and decides the best way to thwart critics is to succeed, then we may be beneficiaries. Hopefully.

[Ghost of Pongo Waring]

It's short for Alex.

Actually it's short for Alec.

Apparently people used to call him Alec McLeish instead of Alex. Some sort of weird scottish joke.

[Pete3206]

I suppose having the Fergie seal of approval should count for something.

About this Fergie thing. He was hardly going to advise that we break the bank to get Ancelotti.

[Ghost of Pongo Waring]

I suppose having the Fergie seal of approval should count for something.

About this Fergie thing. He was hardly going to advise that we break the bank to get Ancelotti.

and the Fergie seal of approval was given for Djemba Djemba.

[supertom]

I suppose having the Fergie seal of approval should count for something.

About this Fergie thing. He was hardly going to advise that we break the bank to get Ancelotti.

and the Fergie seal of approval was given for Djemba Djemba.

Thanks for dredging up those repressed memories of the Djemba twins. I take it back. Fergie is a hack! I'm glad Booby has already been loaned out to someone, because we'd have ended up with him.

[Chris Smith]

I suppose having the Fergie seal of approval should count for something.

About this Fergie thing. He was hardly going to advise that we break the bank to get Ancelotti.

and the Fergie seal of approval was given for Djemba Djemba.

Was it, I don't remember that. Where have you got it from, surely you haven't just seen it posted on the Internet and taken it as gospel.

Clearly, McLeish is a mate so he's hardly going to slag him off but the fact that he made him captain shows that the best manager in the country and probably of all time rates him. It's no guarantee of success but shouldn't be dismissed just because it doesn't suit your standpoint.

[5ft811st2 Durham]

I suppose having the Fergie seal of approval should count for something.

About this Fergie thing. He was hardly going to advise that we break the bank to get Ancelotti.

Our owners are obsessed with  Fergie's worthless opinions.