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.

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?

Heskey does a job whilst playing a limited style of football that should and has long died out except in Stoke.Carlos was very unlucky not to get picked and i get the feeling it was easier to drop him rather than Dunne and Collins especially last year.

[Risso]

Pelty

I have been very critical of Lerner, and whether you take my ramblings as the utterances of a mad man or not, if there's one thing that needs passing onto the club it's this:

Sort the PR out.

That letter to season ticket holders as an example was abysmal.  It was devoid of any sort of footballing hope whatsoever, and if it had been sent out prior to season tickets being renewed could well have put a lot of people off.  If the club are going to increase non Sky income, they really need to be far better at all methods of income generation.   Not that of course, I am an expert in football administration by any means.

[pelty]

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.

I hope I have answered this... one addition, I just do not think he is the out-in-front "rah-rah" type, so the rallying must be done by someone else. That sort of thing just is not in his DNA; thus the need for someone like the general or whoever. I agree with that...

[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...

Just on the letter mate:

"As regards our personal ambitions for the Club they remain as they've been from the beginning: to manage the club for growth. More precisely, our focus is to manage the investments we've made at Villa Park to promote strong financial performance in terms of our commercial activities in order that the Clubs revenue can grow and contribute accordingly to player, manager and other football related wages and costs. This approach is at the core of our broader strategy yo create an enduring business model that is stable and yet has the potential to grow, as we feel that the club revenue and player wages are the key to consistent competitiveness. In connection with this strategy, we have targeted being at or within range of a top 20 ranking among clubs in Europe by revenue, which was achieved in the last Deloitte Football report"

It was just a bit cold, I think he could have really rallied everyone. But hey ho, as I said I think Randy is great. I am just disappointed he missed this oppotunity to pull everyone together.

[Irreverent ad]

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.

I hope I have answered this... one addition, I just do not think he is the out-in-front "rah-rah" type, so the rallying must be done by someone else. That sort of thing just is not in his DNA; thus the need for someone like the general or whoever. I agree with that...

You did pal. I just wanted to expand. Cheers.

The 'Randy is here for the long-term bit' you missed, but I do agree with what you have said.

[pelty]

Pelty

I have been very critical of Lerner, and whether you take my ramblings as the utterances of a mad man or not, if there's one thing that needs passing onto the club it's this:

Sort the PR out.

That letter to season ticket holders as an example was abysmal.  It was devoid of any sort of footballing hope whatsoever, and if it had been sent out prior to season tickets being renewed could well have put a lot of people off.  If the club are going to increase non Sky income, they really need to be far better at all methods of income generation.   Not that of course, I am an expert in football administration by any means.

You are preaching to the choir, believe me. BELIEVE ME! I can offer no hope, I am afraid to say... but, again, I have no role in it at all, just a slightly closer vantage point. In your position here on H&V, you probably have more access than me to people that matter, so sort it out!

[Chris Smith]

Cuellar is the latest in a long line of players who get better the longer they are out of the team. He's decent and occasionally very good but has mostly performed better for us at right back than centre half. I think he's fine when he's got an organiser alongside him but doesn't appear able to take on that role himself and, for a centre back at the top level, that's a fatal flaw.

I know few will agree with me but it's Rangers after him, not another PL side.

[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...

Just on the letter mate:

"As regards our personal ambitions for the Club they remain as they've been from the beginning: to manage the club for growth. More precisely, our focus is to manage the investments we've made at Villa Park to promote strong financial performance in terms of our commercial activities in order that the Clubs revenue can grow and contribute accordingly to player, manager and other football related wages and costs. This approach is at the core of our broader strategy yo create an enduring business model that is stable and yet has the potential to grow, as we feel that the club revenue and player wages are the key to consistent competitiveness. In connection with this strategy, we have targeted being at or within range of a top 20 ranking among clubs in Europe by revenue, which was achieved in the last Deloitte Football report"

It was just a bit cold, I think he could have really rallied everyone. But hey ho, as I said I think Randy is great. I am just disappointed he missed this oppotunity to pull everyone together.

Ha, I missed that. I have no explanation and agree that it does not get me very excited. I would have wished for more if I were a recipient of one of those letters.

[pelty]

The 'Randy is here for the long-term bit' you missed, but I do agree with what you have said.

I do not know, but I have not heard otherwise... again, for whatever that is worth.

[pelty]

Sorry to occupy the thread for so long...

Let's hope we get a win this weekend and see some good football... and a different lineup! :-)

[kipeye]

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.

The last comment describes most of us I think. Enjoying a decent debate at least.

[Irreverent ad]

Pelty. It is always good to get feedback from people who are more in touch. Really appreciate it.

[Clampy]

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.

I'm surprised by this comment off you Chris if i'm honest. I'm pretty sure you used to stand up for MON's team selections, when many on here complained about 'square pegs in round holes'. Cuellar was one of those 'square pegs' when he played out of position in a very good defence that did'nt concede many.

Don't lambast him because he dose'nt want to take a pay cut and join Rangers. He's not pissing us about, Downing pissed us about.

[Ger Regan]

Pelty

I have been very critical of Lerner, and whether you take my ramblings as the utterances of a mad man or not, if there's one thing that needs passing onto the club it's this:

Sort the PR out.

That letter to season ticket holders as an example was abysmal.  It was devoid of any sort of footballing hope whatsoever, and if it had been sent out prior to season tickets being renewed could well have put a lot of people off.  If the club are going to increase non Sky income, they really need to be far better at all methods of income generation.   Not that of course, I am an expert in football administration by any means.

And might I suggest getting a "football man" on the board. I know that at the end of the day it's Randy's call, but I'm uncomfortable with the tactic (or at least it appears that way) of asking other managers, such as Ferguson, their opinion on potential candidates etc. There's a dangerous conflict of interests there.

[aldridgeboy]

Some very good points. I have never felt so indifferent towards my beloved club as I do now. I watched yesterday and all I could think was " God theres another 9 months of this"

I don't get this bit. Maybe I'm misinterpreting it but I could never feel indifferent to our club.
Indifferent to the Owner, the Board and their policies ( or what we believe are their policies), maybe but not towards our club.
If I'm misreading what you're saying, then apologies.

i think a lot of people feel the same, thats why attendancies vary

Fair enough. I only get to 1 game a season. That doesn't fluctuate. Maybe if I was in a position to attend more often then I would hum and haw about attending depending on how things are going.

I m really not sure which of the above two points is how I feel!! I guess Ger you are right, its is the owner/policies that I feel indifferent to. I will always Love the club as I m sure everyone on here will. I have genuinely been a Randy supporter for the last 5 years and I think he has done a lot for the club. But now its just indifference towards him. I didnt want Mcleish but now he is here want him to do well but again I just feel..well ..indifferent.
I gave up my season ticket just over a year ago because although MON got us 6th which now seems unlikely, I couldnt go another year watching what was in my opinion dull predictable football ( we even used to have bets on what time the predictable subs would come on)
So my enthusiasm has waned since then really. Last season didnt help and although Randy has undoubtedly spent a lot of money, it seems that there is just none there now and I cant get excited about my beloved club.