Mirror: How Alex McLeish is winning over the haters at Aston Villa

[wozwebs]

Revealed: How Alex McLeish is winning over the haters at Aston Villa
By James Nursey

I had a couple of interesting insights recently into Alex McLeish's new regime at Aston Villa and believe the Scot is making good early progress both among players and fans now the furore over his appointment has ceased.

For those outside the Midlands, it is impossible to understate how much a stir McLeish's move from relegated Birmingham to arch-rivals Aston Villa has caused in the region.

But new Villa manager McLeish has got down to business quickly on the training ground and has certainly made a favourable first impression with his new charges.

In this job you get to speak to players as well as people in and around the first team squad, including members of staff based at training ground.

And the feedback on McLeish has been entirely positive so far with the players liking his man-management techniques and training sessions.

I can't think of many Birmingham players who ever had anything bad to say about the bloke apart from maybe Cameron Jerome bemoaning playing upfront on his own.

And McLeish's friendly, approachable personality has also gone down well so far at Villa.

For starters, it is clear McLeish's entire perspective is a lot more inclusive than Houllier's.

All the players at Villa are getting a chance to stake a claim and I personally think it is great to see both Stephen Ireland and Stephen Warnock back in first team contention.

With hindsight, Houllier clearly tried to change too much too quickly during his ill-fated reign at Villa Park.

His decision to continually ostracise the likes of Ireland, Warnock, John Carew and Habib Beye became a stubborn matter of principle rather than what was in the best interests of the club who were fighting relegation at the time.

But as Villa clearly do not have much cash to spend this summer (which probably explains why the likes of Roberto Martinez turned them down), McLeish is having to utilise all his assets.

So both Warnock and Ireland are getting their chance and McLeish seems particularly enthusiastic about the midfielder's potential.

They looked sharp at Walsall in Villa's 3-1 win in their opening pre-season friendly last Thursday when I did not hear even one word of discontent from the away fans about McLeish's appointment.

And speaking to McLeish afterwards, he made it quite clear both Warnock and Ireland were fired up to succeed this season and get their careers back on track .

Villa are yet to get anything like value for money from Ireland's £60,000-a-week salary and he was even loaned out to Newcastle last term after flopping following his switch in the James Milner to Man City transfer.

But Ireland has a huge amount of ability and McLeish seems to be relishing the challenge of finally trying to get the best out of the mercurial talent.

So I find that 'inclusive' aspect of McLeish's reign very encouraging as well as the fact that supporters seem to be giving him time to prove himself.

I was Villa's kit launch as well last week to interview both new keeper Shay Given and star striker Darren Bent.

The pair both also appear to have a point to prove this season which will surely only benefit Villa too.

Given did not play in a single Premier League game last season at Eastlands where he became immensely frustrated so he wants to re-establish his top-flight credentials.

While Bent told the Midlands press how he still remains sore about being overlooked from England's 2010 World Cup squad and is desperate to go the European Championships next summer.

Villa now have players all over the pitch from defence to attack who in theory should have extra motivation to do well this season.

And of course no-one should be more fired up than McLeish himself who knows his side need to hit the ground running this term if he is to win over sceptical fans.

It promises to be a fascinating season and I am sorry I am not on the club's pre-season tour of Hong Kong this week as one of my colleagues who covers Chelsea has the gig.

But after being sent to Wimbledon and The Open this summer I am not complaining.

Let's hope Villa's squad do not spend much time moaning either this season.

That was a feature of Houllier's controversial tenure and my revelations last year he had banned phones, chit-chat in training and ordered stars to move nearer the club caused a huge storm.

It first came to light back on December 12 when a bust-up between coach Gary McAllister and Richard Dunne exposed behind-the-scenes tension at the club's training ground.

Now though under McLeish no-one seems to be grumbling about the Scot asking players to at least have a flat for work near the club .

Given happily admitted he was already looking to relocate and other incoming players like Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia are expected to follow suit.

That speaks volumes because the players clearly never took Houllier seriously and simply weren't having him.

But McLeish's firm but fair methods seem to have already gained the respect of the dressing room so that constitutes progress already.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/james-nursey/James-Nursey-Aston-Villa-Revealed-How-Alex-McLeish-is-winning-over-the-haters-article776429.html#ixzz1TLkP9ZCv

Positive stuff really.

[dave.woodhall]

"the players clearly never took Houllier seriously"

Something like this was reported elsewhere recently and it could explain why Randy was so keen to get rid. 

[wozwebs]

I don't think many of the fans did either. I always had the feeling he was a stop-gap and wouldn't be there long. With McLeish, as long as the top of the Holte, boo everything, brigade let him get on with it I can see him being here a fair few years. Might be just what we need.

[Brend'Watkins]

It's an article by James Nursery, it might be factual in some aspects but it's still him and therefore a pinch of salt springs to mind.  He will be twisting the knife at the first opportunity that's for sure.

[mrfuse]

"the players clearly never took Houllier seriously"

Something like this was reported elsewhere recently and it could explain why Randy was so keen to get rid. 

Yeah i always thought their was some distance between Houllier and the players, Some of Houlliers ideas may have been good but if you cant convey them properly or get some respect with results then the players dont buy into them.

Part of Houlliers problem was trying to do too much too soon, alienating too many players too quickly, partly this is the reason Mcleish is saying not to many big signings for now, as he wants to give everyone a chance and get a feel for the team before making rash decisions.

I think Mcleish has instantly got players on board because he knows what its like to be a player, but at the same time he can distance himself to give a bollocking without losing them

[usav]

There is talking bollocks and then there is this:

But as Villa clearly do not have much cash to spend this summer (which probably explains why the likes of Roberto Martinez turned them down), McLeish is having to utilise all his assets.

[KevinGage]

GH did seem to suffer from a chronic case of foot in mouth at times. If the fans were complaining about it, I'm sure some of the players weren't too impressed either.

Thing is, I don't think it's his job to impress them.  I know the game has changed a lot but it should still be the other way round. Plus, the players who seemed to have the biggest problem with him and G Mac were generally our poorer performers.  Downing, Ash and Bent didn't let let any misgivings they might have had about the manager affect their performances.

If RL has bowed to player pressure to force GH out, it sets a dangerous precedent. And effectively gives players who already have too much of it even more power.

But last I heard it was purely on medical grounds that GH couldn't continue. It would have been a far worse scenario if we did as GH initially suggested -wait until September for him to return. With a better than average chance that the doctors might have then said he still wasn't ready or -worse- that he should quit football altogether.

[hilts_coolerking]

There is talking bollocks and then there is this:

But as Villa clearly do not have much cash to spend this summer (which probably explains why the likes of Roberto Martinez turned them down), McLeish is having to utilise all his assets.

What's wrong with that?

[usav]

There is talking bollocks and then there is this:

But as Villa clearly do not have much cash to spend this summer (which probably explains why the likes of Roberto Martinez turned them down), McLeish is having to utilise all his assets.

What's wrong with that?

The not much cash to spend for one, when we've just agreed a fee of 10m for N'Zogbia.

Roberto Martinez turned us down for lack of cash to stay at Wigan?   Yes, right.

[Californian Villain]

"the players clearly never took Houllier seriously"

Something like this was reported elsewhere recently and it could explain why Randy was so keen to get rid. 

Same goes for the fans. There was a very 'short-term' feeling when he arrived, and the continual gaffs meant he never achieved acceptance, just tolerance.

[Brazilian Villain]

Bloody media with their pro-MON, anti-Villa agenda....Oh!

[Rigadon]

There is talking bollocks and then there is this:

But as Villa clearly do not have much cash to spend this summer (which probably explains why the likes of Roberto Martinez turned them down), McLeish is having to utilise all his assets.

What's wrong with that?

The not much cash to spend for one, when we've just agreed a fee of 10m for N'Zogbia.

Roberto Martinez turned us down for lack of cash to stay at Wigan?   Yes, right.

Said it before, it's now a football 'fact' that Martinez turned the job down because he thought Wigan were the better option.    The actual truth was Whelan reminding Martinez he was under contract and Martinez either deciding he was too loyal or wasn't ready for a bigger job. 

The only gaff Villa made was to allow themselves to be dragged into a public charade with DW (Stadium) and it was a considerable one as it realy kicked off the 2 week media kicking we got.  I hope they learned from that and the Nzogbia media blackout suggests they did.

[Rigadon]

Oh, and AM is, as Sunderland fans might say, playing a blinder so far. 

[Clampy]

It's an article by James Nursery, it might be factual in some aspects but it's still him and therefore a pinch of salt springs to mind.  He will be twisting the knife at the first opportunity that's for sure.

That's the problem with him is'nt it? At the first sign of trouble, he'll be writing about a 'club in crisis'.

 

[N'ZMAV]

I was never a hater.