Questions for Mr. Lerner Sir

[villan1975]

Perhaps another of the obligations was Cuellar. He's clearly surplus to requirements but seeming in no hurry to move, happy to spend another year picking  uphis money and going on the piss in the Mailbox. Then again he's a fans favourite and no criticism s allowed while Heskey, who every manager and caretaker has used, gets the piss ripped out of him.

Difference being Carlos when asked to play in his position did his job with distinction whilst Heskey scored how many goals?Although I suppose Heskey was a "defensive forward" which is latin for cannot hit a pigs arse with a banjo.

[pelty]

Pelty, one thing before you do shut up....Can you confirm Randy is still passionate and in it for the long-haul?

It probably depends on what day you ask him! He loves the club, but to say that the last year-plus has been frustrating is probably an understatement. I will say this, he really loves the Villa and has always tried to do what he thought best for the club. He has made mistakes, but I think he has done many things right, too, so for me personally, I am sad that he comes in for a load of abuse; it is a part of being an owner -- I get that -- but it is tough to see someone who has put much of his time and capital on the line get hammered by some of the fans.

[Chris Smith]

To me the letter was just as you described it, Pelty, treating fans as grown ups, setting out the parameters in which we are currently operating. As a group though we're in the habit of dissecting everything to the nth degree so people not only took it for what it did say but also what it didn't.

[Irreverent ad]

And that is the way it should be!

In some ways we have been spoilt by the spending of previous years. I think a lot of my frustration comes from the lack of communication. Star players sold, We don't know what the 'plan' is, is Randy still in it for the long haul?

All of this gets coupled with the General being busy with other commitments and the dissatisfaction spreads. We do need to be better at communication especially when selling star players. As fans want to know the direction and aspirations of the club.

Cheers Pelty.

Not trying to be cheeky with this as you have far more exposure to these things than me; do most clubs speak to these sorts of questions? Has Arsenal spoken to the sale of Fabregas and the direction of the club, for example? How regularly are such "state of the union" communications made? To a degree (though to an apparently unsatisfactory one), I think that was what the letter to the season ticket holders was meant to do, i.e., to be a reasoned, rational, "grown-up" approach to where the club sits at the present time. Granted, it was heavy on the finances, but I think that should say something to the fans about how some things have grown out of control and need to be reined in (and, again, RL is not without fault in this, but his modus generally has been to try to allow his managers/coaches (NFL) get on with things without feeling like RL is peering over their shoulders... maybe he is learning that he does need to be hands-on a bit more, I do not know). Again, I am speculating, so take it for what it cost you.

Pelty, I am not having a go either, but where was Randy's end of Season sit down with website & written press?

That letter, as you say was big on financials, but not much on the aims, ie challenging for Europe or Champions League or even a season of transition. The only aim was to be in Deloittes Top 20 richest clubs

Both Gazidis and Buck (Chelsea) go on the radio regularly and talk. Levy and Tottenham has said no publicly about Modric (so far that seems to work) and taled of their ambitions. Liverpools owner has talked on Twitter about their direction and ambition.

Because we hear so little now from the General (understandably) it starts to get worrying as he was the mouthpiece of Randy to the fans. Maybe Paul Faulkner needs to take that on.

As I say when you put it all together, it is understandable that Villa fans are unsure of the direction of the club. Pelty, I am not having a go at you, as you have given us more insight that I have seen in months.

I just want to know if Randy is still in it for the long haul.

[pelty]

Risso...

"My personal opinion is the same as Paulie's, ie that the thread has long since past being of much practical use, and is now mainly a cause of friction, contrary to its original intention."

I tend to agree, but he feels a sense of loyalty to the fans and does not want to let them down, but I think that the demands of the job eventually may lead to the sort of irregular presence you are suggesting (indeed, we have seen that to be the case already).

[Chris Smith]

Perhaps another of the obligations was Cuellar. He's clearly surplus to requirements but seeming in no hurry to move, happy to spend another year picking  uphis money and going on the piss in the Mailbox. Then again he's a fans favourite and no criticism s allowed while Heskey, who every manager and caretaker has used, gets the piss ripped out of him.

Difference being Carlos when asked to play in his position did his job with distinction whilst Heskey scored how many goals?Although I suppose Heskey was a "defensive forward" which is latin for cannot hit a pigs arse with a banjo.

Yet none of our managers or caretakers has picked Cuellar regularly at centre half while Heskey has been a mainstay for all of them. Are you conceited enough to say that they are all wrong?

[pauliewalnuts]

Perhaps another of the obligations was Cuellar. He's clearly surplus to requirements but seeming in no hurry to move, happy to spend another year picking  uphis money and going on the piss in the Mailbox. Then again he's a fans favourite and no criticism s allowed while Heskey, who every manager and caretaker has used, gets the piss ripped out of him.

Fair comment I'd say.

He's a fans favourite because he's a decent player.

I have no beef with Heskey coining it in for one year. If I were him, I wouldn't be going anywhere either.

The reason he gets stick, though, is because he's not very good.

[Irreverent ad]

Pelty, one thing before you do shut up....Can you confirm Randy is still passionate and in it for the long-haul?

It probably depends on what day you ask him! He loves the club, but to say that the last year-plus has been frustrating is probably an understatement. I will say this, he really loves the Villa and has always tried to do what he thought best for the club. He has made mistakes, but I think he has done many things right, too, so for me personally, I am sad that he comes in for a load of abuse; it is a part of being an owner -- I get that -- but it is tough to see someone who has put much of his time and capital on the line get hammered by some of the fans.

Was that a yes or a no?

Cheers Pelty. Honestly really appreciate your comments.

[Merv]

Not trying to be cheeky with this as you have far more exposure to these things than me; do most clubs speak to these sorts of questions?

Without checking every PL club's fan forums, I'd be very surprised if any of them have a board member interacting with fans as GK has done for the last few years. So we've had a bit of an unprecedented insight there, absolutely, which has been appreciated, I'd say. I guess the difficulty comes when things get tougher, as events over the last 12 months have, and fans perhaps expect more candid discussions with that board member; as I said earlier, I really don't think anyone who has a close relationship with the club can be expected to be 100% frank at all times. Which is why I think it's right that GK's thread has been inactive for a time.

Having said that, I think what many/most other PL owners do is undertake the odd interview, talk to fans via the press, etc. So we've probably been advantaged in one respect and disadvantaged in the other.

Thanks for coming on today, Pelty.

[Chris Smith]

Perhaps another of the obligations was Cuellar. He's clearly surplus to requirements but seeming in no hurry to move, happy to spend another year picking  uphis money and going on the piss in the Mailbox. Then again he's a fans favourite and no criticism s allowed while Heskey, who every manager and caretaker has used, gets the piss ripped out of him.

Fair comment I'd say.

He's a fans favourite because he's a decent player.

I have no beef with Heskey coining it in for one year. If I were him, I wouldn't be going anywhere either.

The reason he gets stick, though, is because he's not very good.

See post above.

[PhilGibson]

Pelty, one thing before you do shut up....Can you confirm Randy is still passionate and in it for the long-haul?

It probably depends on what day you ask him! He loves the club, but to say that the last year-plus has been frustrating is probably an understatement. I will say this, he really loves the Villa and has always tried to do what he thought best for the club. He has made mistakes, but I think he has done many things right, too, so for me personally, I am sad that he comes in for a load of abuse; it is a part of being an owner -- I get that -- but it is tough to see someone who has put much of his time and capital on the line get hammered by some of the fans.

I think you get this whenever you are in the public eye, people get built up just to get knocked back down, this is especially bad in this country. I am not sure how many clubs across the country use message boards as a way of communicating with the fans. Due to this like the 24 hour news cycle any piece of information however small is discussed for hours on end.

So as you have said yourself Randy has made some mistakes, this will be acceptable to some people and to others it will be unforgiveable. I think that the overwhelming majority of fans want what is best for the club to make us successful, different people have different ways of expressing this opinion.

I think most support the things that Randy has done for the club, and some are now questioning his judgement in certain situations.

The complete backing and trust of O'Neill when the wages and costs where spiralling out of control.
The last 12 months since O'Neill left with the merry go round of managerial appointments ending up with Alex McLeish from of all clubs the Blues.
The pulling back of the spending from the early years putting the complete breaks on it and ending up with minimal outlay after losing 12 players in the summer.

The truth is it is Randy's money and he is the majority shareholder at the club, so like Doug before him the buck stops with him and ultimately he will succeed or fail by the decisions he makes. I really hope he is making the right decision for the long term success of the football club.

Only time will tell.

[pelty]

irreverent...

"I am not having a go either, but where was Randy's end of Season sit down with website & written press?"

I am sorry, but I do not know.

"That letter, as you say was big on financials, but not much on the aims, ie challenging for Europe or Champions League or even a season of transition. The only aim was to be in Deloittes Top 20 richest clubs"

Was that last really stated? I must have missed that! Anyway, if that was stated, I think that is a laudable goal *as long* as it allows for on-pitch success. I do know that there is a desire to win, but it will be done in a fiscally-responsible way. The reality is that RL is not a sheikh and does not have years of CL success and the monies therefrom to reply upon and could not sustain the huge expenditures of the first few years *without* CL football. To be fair, he was not too far away from the gamble paying off, but sixth place was the best we could do those years. The entry of City into the fray probably aided in making evident the need for recalibration.

"Both Gazidis and Buck (Chelsea) go on the radio regularly and talk. Levy and Tottenham has said no publicly about Modric (so far that seems to work) and taled of their ambitions. Liverpools owner has talked on Twitter about their direction and ambition."

Fair enough. Like you say, if the General's presence becomes diminished, then someone else will need to step up. That should be interesting...

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Perhaps another of the obligations was Cuellar. He's clearly surplus to requirements but seeming in no hurry to move, happy to spend another year picking  uphis money and going on the piss in the Mailbox. Then again he's a fans favourite and no criticism s allowed while Heskey, who every manager and caretaker has used, gets the piss ripped out of him.

Fair comment I'd say.

He's a fans favourite because he's a decent player.

I have no beef with Heskey coining it in for one year. If I were him, I wouldn't be going anywhere either.

The reason he gets stick, though, is because he's not very good.

See post above.

Sorry Chris but Heskey has had about 5 good games for us since he's been here and those were under Houllier. Whilst I appreciate his effort and he did put in a shift on Saturday, he's the type of player we should have taken on loan for 6 months rather than giving him a three and a half year contract on stupid money. And no it's not hindsight, it was bloody obvious to almost all at the time.

[Irreverent ad]

irreverent...

"I am not having a go either, but where was Randy's end of Season sit down with website & written press?"

I am sorry, but I do not know.

"That letter, as you say was big on financials, but not much on the aims, ie challenging for Europe or Champions League or even a season of transition. The only aim was to be in Deloittes Top 20 richest clubs"

Was that last really stated? I must have missed that! Anyway, if that was stated, I think that is a laudable goal *as long* as it allows for on-pitch success. I do know that there is a desire to win, but it will be done in a fiscally-responsible way. The reality is that RL is not a sheikh and does not have years of CL success and the monies therefrom to reply upon and could not sustain the huge expenditures of the first few years *without* CL football. To be fair, he was not too far away from the gamble paying off, but sixth place was the best we could do those years. The entry of City into the fray probably aided in making evident the need for recalibration.

"Both Gazidis and Buck (Chelsea) go on the radio regularly and talk. Levy and Tottenham has said no publicly about Modric (so far that seems to work) and taled of their ambitions. Liverpools owner has talked on Twitter about their direction and ambition."

Fair enough. Like you say, if the General's presence becomes diminished, then someone else will need to step up. That should be interesting...

Don't get me wrong, I am not a guy who cares whether we spend millions on players. I just want to feel part of a club where we are all in it together. I think Randy has been and is a fantastic owner for the football club. He has proved this. I just want to see his enthusiasm for the club.

Not by spending money, but by rallying everyone (himself or delegating) or tell us we will take 1 step back to go 2 steps forward.

I am just worried, his passion for villa is declining and he wants out.

[pelty]

Pelty, one thing before you do shut up....Can you confirm Randy is still passionate and in it for the long-haul?

It probably depends on what day you ask him! He loves the club, but to say that the last year-plus has been frustrating is probably an understatement. I will say this, he really loves the Villa and has always tried to do what he thought best for the club. He has made mistakes, but I think he has done many things right, too, so for me personally, I am sad that he comes in for a load of abuse; it is a part of being an owner -- I get that -- but it is tough to see someone who has put much of his time and capital on the line get hammered by some of the fans.

Was that a yes or a no?

Cheers Pelty. Honestly really appreciate your comments.

Sorry to let my emotional statement obscure the answer: yes, I think he is passionate, but it is a passion coloured, too, by frustration at some roadblocks and failures encountered along the way.