Randy Lerner "State of Aston Villa" Statement

[CJ]

Not sure why people are getting worked up about our supposed sole claim to  "Proud History Bright Future". A cursory search on Google shows that we were far and away not the first to have it as a motto - it seems pretty commonplace across the pond -

http://www.aacc.org/members/divisions/animal/res_center/Pages/article_1.aspx

http://www.delburne.ca/

http://www.skylinerc.com/

http://www.jhu.edu/rotc/history.htm

etc, etc, etc

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The way I see it is he'll continue to spend on top players that will straight into the first team but wants the kids to make up the squad (where possible). What he won't do is buy and pay top salaries to squad fillers on long term contracts.

And who could really argue with that?

Martin O'Neill? (winky)

Where the balance comes is how many 1st teamers we can carry and the wagebill sustain, as more than the bare 11 is needed.

Absolutely but despite the financial mess we're in, I still don't think we're paupers and Randy is not going to slash the wage bill from one season to the next. I'd imagine we'll have no more than 8 youngsters making up a squad of 24 that we can expect to really be challenging for places.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

We really just have to look across the road to see how lucky we are. Lerner has spent £200m on all sorts of projects and players. We are not Man City but we still have some top players. Bent, Given, Nzogbia etc and now a stable manager who wants to do well for Aston Villa. Think its time to get off Lerners back and start beimg grateful for a very good set up .......

[Villa'Zawg]

The statement, whatever he says, will be picked apart by the usual keyboard warriors. The same people who have been banging on about the need for him to say something will respond with things like "talk is cheap" and will find hidden meanings in innocuous phrases.

You are prejudging and criticising the actions of "keyboard warriors" who you think will prejudge Randy's statement? 

[N'ZMAV]

Lerner won't get everything right, which owners and chairmen do?
Lerner, probably by his own admission, will admit that he's not Sheikh, but more importantly we know he's no Peter Ridsdale or Carsen Yeung either.
I'm happy with what he's done and what structure he has in place for the future of our club. There are a number of clubs, even in the Premier League that would kill to be in our position with our structure etc.

[Concrete John]

The way I see it is he'll continue to spend on top players that will straight into the first team but wants the kids to make up the squad (where possible). What he won't do is buy and pay top salaries to squad fillers on long term contracts.

And who could really argue with that?

Martin O'Neill? (winky)

Where the balance comes is how many 1st teamers we can carry and the wagebill sustain, as more than the bare 11 is needed.

Absolutely but despite the financial mess we're in, I still don't think we're paupers and Randy is not going to slash the wage bill from one season to the next. I'd imagine we'll have no more than 8 youngsters making up a squad of 24 that we can expect to really be challenging for places.

The thing is, I don't class us as being in a 'financial mess'.  We need to get the wages/turnover ratio under control, which should be done by next summer, and stop making losses, which more prudent transfer spending should accomplish.

We were slightly over stretched, but not to the level of a Leeds/Portsmouth.

[bob]

The statement, whatever he says, will be picked apart by the usual keyboard warriors. The same people who have been banging on about the need for him to say something will respond with things like "talk is cheap" and will find hidden meanings in innocuous phrases.

"Don't tell me, SHOW me!"

[Toronto Villa]

The statement, whatever he says, will be picked apart by the usual keyboard warriors. The same people who have been banging on about the need for him to say something will respond with things like "talk is cheap" and will find hidden meanings in innocuous phrases.

"Don't tell me, SHOW me!"

Does the "show me" consist of anything other spending money on players? How much would be enough? What does he have to do to demonstrate his commitment to you?

[Villa'Zawg]

The way I see it is he'll continue to spend on top players that will straight into the first team but wants the kids to make up the squad (where possible). What he won't do is buy and pay top salaries to squad fillers on long term contracts.

And who could really argue with that?

Martin O'Neill? (winky)

Where the balance comes is how many 1st teamers we can carry and the wagebill sustain, as more than the bare 11 is needed.

Absolutely but despite the financial mess we're in, I still don't think we're paupers and Randy is not going to slash the wage bill from one season to the next. I'd imagine we'll have no more than 8 youngsters making up a squad of 24 that we can expect to really be challenging for places.

The thing is, I don't class us as being in a 'financial mess'.  We need to get the wages/turnover ratio under control, which should be done by next summer, and stop making losses, which more prudent transfer spending should accomplish.

We were slightly over stretched, but not to the level of a Leeds/Portsmouth.

Do you think our wage bill is still a problem? Even now?

[Concrete John]

The statement, whatever he says, will be picked apart by the usual keyboard warriors. The same people who have been banging on about the need for him to say something will respond with things like "talk is cheap" and will find hidden meanings in innocuous phrases.

"Don't tell me, SHOW me!"

Does the "show me" consist of anything other spending money on players? How much would be enough? What does he have to do to demonstrate his commitment to you?

I want to see a photo of his ankle tatoo, then, and only then, will I be satisfied!!

[Toronto Villa]

The way I see it, Randy wants what's best for the club and was a bit like a kid in a sweet shop when he first arrived - throwing money at things.  I'm sure there was a business plan behind it, but that relied on a greater increase in turnover than we've seen since 2006.  So now he's acting more business like and trying to get the house in order.  What remains unknown is his strategy going forward, other than wanting to get more from our excellent accademy.  We'll have a large minus net spend by the time this window ends, which doesn't tally with his splashing out on Bent.  Are we just waiting for a full clearing of the decks so we can start spending/building again?  Or is it a matter of cutting our cloth to our revenue and settling for being an upper mid-table PL side?       

The way I see it is he'll continue to spend on top players that will straight into the first team but wants the kids to make up the squad (where possible). What he won't do is buy and pay top salaries to squad fillers on long term contracts.

agreed. Which is why I'm dismissing anyone of the player links today that would have had every chance of coming true under MON. Like you said, I think we'll sign a combination of proven quality, up and coming talent discovered through scouts, and our academy. I would like to think the days of signing high salary average talent cast offs are over.

[Concrete John]

Do you think our wage bill is still a problem? Even now?

I think it's vastly improved, but without knowing the detail of by how much or what percentage the club want it to be in relation to turnover, it's impossible to say.  But with players like Beye and, to a lesser extent Heskey, doing very little for circa £5m a year between them, then there is still room for improvement. 

[Toronto Villa]

The statement, whatever he says, will be picked apart by the usual keyboard warriors. The same people who have been banging on about the need for him to say something will respond with things like "talk is cheap" and will find hidden meanings in innocuous phrases.

"Don't tell me, SHOW me!"

Does the "show me" consist of anything other spending money on players? How much would be enough? What does he have to do to demonstrate his commitment to you?

I want to see a photo of his ankle tatoo, then, and only then, will I be satisfied!!

I have AVFC on my cock. Only 8/10's get to see the full name of the club and my commitment to the cause.

[Chris Smith]

The statement, whatever he says, will be picked apart by the usual keyboard warriors. The same people who have been banging on about the need for him to say something will respond with things like "talk is cheap" and will find hidden meanings in innocuous phrases.

You are prejudging and criticising the actions of "keyboard warriors" who you think will prejudge Randy's statement? 

I am making a prediction based on experience.

[Singapore Villa]

Are u sure you can fit all 4 letters?