Poll: Are you going to give Alex McLeish a chance to prove himself?

[Big Dick Edwards]

He's not the man I wanted but I'm prepared to see how he performs in this job.

And that should be the bottom line for us all. McLeish is our manager now. We all have to accept it, unite and move forward.

[Eigentor]

Pointing to Faulkner's comments in a press release doesn't make the assertion that Lerner has been unusually vociferous correct.

Yes, how do we know this isn't what really happened:

PF: Sorry, Randy. We have to appoint him. Nobody else wants to come.
RL: F*ck this, I'm going to Boca.

[pauliewalnuts]

Isn't this poll rather pointless and just a way to find people to claim some moral high ground over?

Regardless of the angry shouty stuff right now, unless we are planning to rock up to Villa Park at the start of the season hoping we are going go lose (which basically would be the realm of the mentally disturbed), we are all going to give him a chance, at the most simple of levels because, like it or not, he IS our manager so we have no choice in the matter.

Almost everyone on this site has found this to be a somewhat bewildering appointment but it's safe to say we'd all like him to prove us very wrong, I'd have thought that went without saying.

[hilts_coolerking]

No, I am being open minded but I accept that you aren't able to recognise it.

He's not the man I wanted but I'm prepared to see how he performs in this job.

No, you're arguing the toss for its own sake, as you normally do.

The second part shows that for all your bluster and contrariness, our positions are actually the same.  I want him to succeed and I hope he does, but I just don't think he will because his PL record to date shows his method has been largely ineffective.

McLeish isn't the man that, as far as I can tell, any of us wanted.  That his record was seemingly enough to convince the board that, of all the available candidates, he is the man to take us forward is - to say the least - a very odd decision.  Which is why the board are trying to convince us (and probably themselves) that they've done the right thing.

[hilts_coolerking]

Pointing to Faulkner's comments in a press release doesn't make the assertion that Lerner has been unusually vociferous correct. Why not accept Chris's point whilst expressing what you meant more clearly?

Because I don't think Chris is right.  That, for me, is not so much a normal press release as a justification.  And there is absolutely no reason to believe Lerner doesn't share the views expressed in it.  Unless you're aware of some rift between Lerner and the board.

[hilts_coolerking]

Isn't this poll rather pointless and just a way to find people to claim some moral high ground over?

Spot on.  Prior to him coming here, pretty much everyone thought he was, at best, a mediocre manager.  Now he's here, the usual suspects are falling over themselves to reposition and say "No, I have a more open mind than you!" or "No, I'm the one who is prepared to give him the biggest chance!"

It happens every time.  Its predictability is matched only by its inanity.

[martin o`who??]

Alex McLeish is manager of Aston Villa. No more rumours, speculation etc. I'm glad it's out the way and we can get back to preparing for football as opposed to the distraction of searching for a new manager. Now that reality will sink in, and you start to accept he is our manager, what will your position be?

I'm disappointed at the selection, but I will give him a chance to build something. For me he will start with a clean slate. I hope all of his experiences will make him a better manager. I'll be interested to see who he has on his coahing staff, the players he brings in, lets go, gives second chances to, and kids he promotes. With better football players at his disposal, I want to see if he is capable of continuing the work of GH and having us play a better brand of football. I'm not going to go crazy after the first defeat.
Totally agree, anything less than 100% support and we`re just hurting ourselves. There is gonna be a lot of upheaval now, with Young, Downing, Friedel etc`leaving, and its not going to be easy. we simply have to give him chance.
I know many of you won't share this view and you are all entitled to whatever stand you take on this appointment. But he's one of us now, whether we like it or not. I'm going to hope he is a massive success as I have nothing personally against him. I don't want him sacked, because if he is, he has failed. I don't want Aston Villa to fail.

[Villa'Zawg]

It isn't that difficult to accept now that I've reduced my expectations. He has enough in this squad and the money he raises from sales to challenge for top 6 and should get top 8. I don't think you can expect him to get anywhere near a challenge for top 4. 

I'm coming around to the idea that I might enjoy a relaxing, sociable season with my mates, without any heightened expectations or intense discussions. Time to sit back and relax, it's only football.

[Percy McCarthy]

Hilts, I thought you would perhaps prefer McLeish to Hughes or Moyes, given that you judge a manager on achievements?

[Chris Smith]

No, I am being open minded but I accept that you aren't able to recognise it.

He's not the man I wanted but I'm prepared to see how he performs in this job.

No, you're arguing the toss for its own sake...

Blah, blah, blah

What is your arrogance based on as I have seen absolutely nothing to justify it?

I genuinely didn't want him as manager but I am genuinely prepared to wait and see how he performs. How is that arguing the toss fit its own sake?

[pauliewalnuts]

My main concern is that he doesn't get us playing the same defensive gash that Blues specialised in.

Play in a style which suits the players we have, try to entertain us, and he will build himself a better platform to build on, even if results are mediocre.

What will make it more difficult for himself is if he plays that dour Small Heath style, and the results are poor.

[atomicjam]

Yesterday I was still in the Maybe middle option. I sent an email to the club complaining about the way they handled the whole new Manager search and was in a bit of spoilt slightly childish mood about the whole thing. Today its sunk in and things move on and of course I will give him my support. I just renewed my season ticket and am suddenly looking forward to signings and football. It was a weird few weeks but I am glad its over and we can look forward to Fulham away in the (hopefully) sunshine.

[pauliewalnuts]

Hilts, I thought you would perhaps prefer McLeish to Hughes or Moyes, given that you judge a manager on achievements?

I've not been following this ongoing argument, so don't know what the gist of it is, but arent league placings also achievements?

[Villa'Zawg]

Pointing to Faulkner's comments in a press release doesn't make the assertion that Lerner has been unusually vociferous correct. Why not accept Chris's point whilst expressing what you meant more clearly?

Because I don't think Chris is right.  That, for me, is not so much a normal press release as a justification.  And there is absolutely no reason to believe Lerner doesn't share the views expressed in it.  Unless you're aware of some rift between Lerner and the board.

The content of your opinion doesn't come into it, Lerner has not been unusually vociferous.

[hilts_coolerking]

Blah blah blah arrogance blah blah blah middle-class interloper blah blah blah you're not a manager what do you know blah blah blah think you know best blah blah blah black is white blah blah blah
I genuinely didn't want him as manager but I am genuinely prepared to wait and see how he performs. How is that arguing the toss fit its own sake?

Because it's the same position as the person you picked an argument with.