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

[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'.

 

so cynical clampy,  .

But so true at the same time Eastie. Anyway, lots of people have had a dig at The Mirror on this thread today, not just me.

As for McCleish, i just hope come 13th August down at Fulham, the fans get behind him and not jump on his back after a defeat which no doubt will happen. He has'nt just got to win over the haters, but also the doubting thomas' (me included i suppose).

So far though, I like the fact that he's working on the defence, that's very encouraging. It's looking like he's banking on Petrov to be his 'Scott Parker' and in a midfield three, he could do really well in there. The early signs are encouraging, it's up to the fans to play their part as well come match day.

[themossman]

"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

Houllier's credibility seemed to go right at the start with a large number of players. The only two options for the board really were to let him ship out half the squad and replace them with "his" players, or get in another manager with a clean slate. Option 2 certainly the less expensive.

[pauliewalnuts]

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.

I was about to reply to Hilts comment and than saw usav post. Yes as you said usav.

We're spending 10m on a player, but we've just sold two of our best ones for 36m.

In terms of no extra cash, that much is definitely true. Unless we go out and spend a further 20 million or so, which isn't going to happen.

[eastie]

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.

I was about to reply to Hilts comment and than saw usav post. Yes as you said usav.

We're spending 10m on a player, but we've just sold two of our best ones for 36m.

In terms of no extra cash, that much is definitely true. Unless we go out and spend a further 20 million or so, which isn't going to happen.

you forgot we bought bent and makoun in january for nearly £30m and the record losses announced so clearly money had to go towards the losses -we cant keep spending huge amounts and making record losses-we had to balance the books at some time.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

There's only one way he's going to "win over" the fans, and that's to win enough matches to challenge for a European place; and/or win a Cup.

[eastie]

There's only one way he's going to "win over" the fans, and that's to win enough matches to challenge for a European place; and/or win a Cup.

speak for yourself, he doesnt need to win me over as ive been right behind him from day one , every manager deserves total backing at the start , he should be judged on his results at villa not his past.

[pauliewalnuts]

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.

I was about to reply to Hilts comment and than saw usav post. Yes as you said usav.

We're spending 10m on a player, but we've just sold two of our best ones for 36m.

In terms of no extra cash, that much is definitely true. Unless we go out and spend a further 20 million or so, which isn't going to happen.

you forgot we bought bent and makoun in january for nearly £30m and the record losses announced so clearly money had to go towards the losses -we cant keep spending huge amounts and making record losses-we had to balance the books at some time.

I didn't mention that because it's not really relevant to the discussion above - whatever the reasons and however valid they are, the bit about no extra cash would seem to be true.

[eastie]

this years signings of bent, makoun , nzogbia and given are 4 quality players who have come in for similar combined money to the cash raised from young and downing.

i suppose the question of the milner cash could be thrown in - but if thats gone towards balancing the books so be it , we have lost 2 class players and replaced them with 4 class players for equal cash so we are not as bad as some think , thats £40m plus spent on 4 players this year , how many clubs have done that?

granted we recieved as much in sales but we have at least spent it on players.

[pauliewalnuts]

this years signings of bent, makoun , nzogbia and given are 4 quality players who have come in for similar combined money to the cash raised from young and downing.

Again, we've sold two of our best players to fund those signings. When we were approaching new managers, we hadn't sold them, so the "no more money" thing is pretty hard to argue against.

Incidentally, I love how the Bent money seems to have seamlessly transferred from being funded by the sale of Milner to being funded by the sale of Young.

It's been repeated so many times now, it has effectively become accepted logic.

[taylorsworkrate]

this years signings of bent, makoun , nzogbia and given are 4 quality players who have come in for similar combined money to the cash raised from young and downing.

What happened to the Milner money then?

It is obvious the wage bill needed to be bought under control, so far we have got a no of high earners of it:

Sidwel
Reo Coker
Carew
Young
Downing
Friedel
Probably Cuellar

Add to them a few decent earning fringe players such as Salifou and Pires.

I'm all for getting our house in order, but believe the rate we did this at should be more gradual, so that we don't slip too far in the short term.

One or two good new signings would still mean we are going in the right direction financially.

[QBVILLA]

If there was a cash crisis then I don't think we'd be getting players like Given and N'Zogbia and giving them 5yr deals worth (allegedly) £3 million per season.For me at the age they are now the likes of Bannan,Clark,Albrighton and the Fonz have to either be deemed good enough for the first team squad now or they should be sold.IMO, they're all worthy of being in the matchday squad so rather than splash out, lets see these lads have their chance.Waiting in the wings behind them there's Hogg,Weimann,Johnson and Gardner.We've plenty of experience in the side to blood these lads.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

There's only one way he's going to "win over" the fans, and that's to win enough matches to challenge for a European place; and/or win a Cup.

speak for yourself, he doesnt need to win me over as ive been right behind him from day one , every manager deserves total backing at the start , he should be judged on his results at villa not his past.

Which is what I said.

But if we get relegated, or even languish in the bottom half of the table, do you really think there won't be A LOT of fans saying "I told you so"?

Speaking for myself, on the basis of his track record, there's little indication that he's the best man for the job or the right man for the job.  So all we can do is wait and see.  I won't be booing him, but I can't fake excitement.

[QBVILLA]

There's only one way he's going to "win over" the fans, and that's to win enough matches to challenge for a European place; and/or win a Cup.

.  I won't be booing him, but I can't fake excitement.

Not married then mate?

[SX150]

There's only one way he's going to "win over" the fans, and that's to win enough matches to challenge for a European place; and/or win a Cup.

speak for yourself, he doesnt need to win me over as ive been right behind him from day one , every manager deserves total backing at the start , he should be judged on his results at villa not his past.

Not saying your wrong Eastie, we should get behind him but I do admire your optimism. Same with Clampy, working on the defence ain't a bad idea but I hope it ain't McLeish's 9 man defence with a lone striker. I can't ignore his credentials, just hoping Aston Villa are a turning point for him for both our sakes.

[PeterWithe]

Speaking for myself, on the basis of his track record, there's little indication that he's the best man for the job or the right man for the job.  So all we can do is wait and see.  I won't be booing him, but I can't fake excitement.

Thats about it for me as well, we finished ninth and have lost four of the better players from that team replacing only two. We've then appointed as manager the fella who finished third bottom. I admire the optimism of those thinking we'll have a good season but I cant share it.