Randy Lerner exclusive on the OS

[Compass]

What I don't understand is that why did Randy let go Gary Mcallister who had back to back wins against Liverpool and Arsenal. When was the last time we've done something like that? We finally had a way of progressing without MON.

Houllier could have worked behind the scenes such as getting the players we need to push forward, give the tactics to Garry Mac and allow GM to coach to the guys and give them a match speech etc.

It's just Randy Lerner decided it was best for them to leave so he paid compensation and then he paid compensation to bring in McLeish who just got his team relegated. All he ever seems to do is piss money away. If he didn't inherit a fortune from his dad there's no way he would be successful in business with his clueless decisions and not knowing how to handle money. He would be screwed if he had to work way his way up a businessman as opposed to getting lucky with a lottery win.

It would be interesting if he actually gave Q and A towards the fans (as well Browns fans who are just as concerned as us) about his radical decision making. It makes no logical sense.

[bones.]

I was just thinking that it would be another waste of a couple of million to sack AMc but then realised that it is highly unlikely to happen given that we're pretty much mid-table which is par considering the players we have sold.
The best thing we can hope for is Randy has a word with AMc and asks him to stop playing such joyless football. 
Most football fans are realistic enough to realise that we're not going to win anything so we - the club and the fans - may as well try and enjoy ourselves. 

the only enjoyable thing about last night was watching the antics of a fat spurs fan with a pink scarf wrapped round his head, and the stewards chasing a Villa fan in a wheelchair up the touchline. The football was shocking.

[Clampy]

What I don't understand is that why did Randy let go Gary Mcallister who had back to back wins against Liverpool and Arsenal. When was the last time we've done something like that? We finally had a way of progressing without MON.

Houllier could have worked behind the scenes such as getting the players we need to push forward, give the tactics to Garry Mac and allow GM to coach to the guys and give them a match speech etc.

It would have been a mistake giving the job to McCallister just on the back of two wins. You're forgetting we flirted around the bottom on the table for most of last season and by all accounts, he was'nt very popular. He got slated on here enough times as well.

[Compass]

What I don't understand is that why did Randy let go Gary Mcallister who had back to back wins against Liverpool and Arsenal. When was the last time we've done something like that? We finally had a way of progressing without MON.

Houllier could have worked behind the scenes such as getting the players we need to push forward, give the tactics to Garry Mac and allow GM to coach to the guys and give them a match speech etc.

It would have been a mistake giving the job to McCallister just on the back of two wins. You're forgetting we flirted around the bottom on the table for most of last season and by all accounts, he was'nt very popular. He got slated on here enough times as well.

It would have been better keeping Houllier/GM than paying stupid amounts to bring in a manager who's a failure at the Premier League.

Actually, it would have been better if we hired someone like Curbishley. Midtable standard sure, but at least he would have been free, play us decent football and keep up safe from relegation.

I still think AMC will relegate us. I really do. There's just too many signs pointing to it. Unless he's sacked (impossible), we'll finish 18th, Blackburn 19th and Wigan 20th.

I also think Randy would be stupid enough to keep AMC in the Championship because of his "excellent Championship record". I think by then the gates will reach sub 20k easily and the whole atmosphere will become hell.

I really despise what's happening at this club at the moment. It's like we're Blackburn, only people can't really see it yet despite the similarities.

[Clampy]

What I don't understand is that why did Randy let go Gary Mcallister who had back to back wins against Liverpool and Arsenal. When was the last time we've done something like that? We finally had a way of progressing without MON.

Houllier could have worked behind the scenes such as getting the players we need to push forward, give the tactics to Garry Mac and allow GM to coach to the guys and give them a match speech etc.

It would have been a mistake giving the job to McCallister just on the back of two wins. You're forgetting we flirted around the bottom on the table for most of last season and by all accounts, he was'nt very popular. He got slated on here enough times as well.

It would have been better keeping Houllier/GM than paying stupid amounts to bring in a manager who's a failure at the Premier League.

Houiller could'nt have stayed even if he wanted to. He's come out and said himself it's unlikely he'll manage again. I don't think Curbishley will manage again either, his time has gone, he's not managed a club for a while.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

After last night's game hearing Southgate and Townsend talk about us, it really crossed my mind what these two could do at Villa Park. I know Southgate's record at Boro but sometimes it's simply getting the right people in at the right club.

[Ross]

Christ, things are bad if people long for Doug.  Turner, McNeill, Venglos anyone?

[Villanation]

After last night's game hearing Southgate and Townsend talk about us, it really crossed my mind what these two could do at Villa Park. I know Southgate's record at Boro but sometimes it's simply getting the right people in at the right club.

Southgate may have had a rough time up at Boro, that was his first taste at the job, wouldn't be my choice but there is a lot to be said for getting someone that has the vibe of the club and someone like Southgate would certainly have that.

Point is, could he really be any worse than what we have...doubt it.

[Ross]

After last night's game hearing Southgate and Townsend talk about us, it really crossed my mind what these two could do at Villa Park. I know Southgate's record at Boro but sometimes it's simply getting the right people in at the right club.

I know what you mean.  Sometimes it does need someone who 'gets' a club.  Ex-players usually are a receipe for disaster but I'd take those two at the moment.  I think Southgate could be very good, but by his own admission - he was pressured into doing too much too young in managerial terms.  A few years as a number 2 would have been ideal, but I think he's got the experience to do a good job somewhere.

[Somniloquism]

Not specifically you Eastie, but people often seem to identify Faulkner as being useless, even implying that he has been a catalyst for our demise.    On what basis has everyone, well many people, reached this conclusion?  I'm not saying they're wrong but I just wonder why he has been isolated in this fashion when so many other things have changed as well? 

At worst it is coincidences, but since he has been appointed in May 2010 we have had three different managers and sold our three best players of our squad. Obviously the big change has come from Lerner but as it has also come under Faulkners stewardship he gets labelled as useless.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

After last night's game hearing Southgate and Townsend talk about us, it really crossed my mind what these two could do at Villa Park. I know Southgate's record at Boro but sometimes it's simply getting the right people in at the right club.

I know what you mean.  Sometimes it does need someone who 'gets' a club.  Ex-players usually are a receipe for disaster but I'd take those two at the moment.  I think Southgate could be very good, but by his own admission - he was pressured into doing too much too young in managerial terms.  A few years as a number 2 would have been ideal, but I think he's got the experience to do a good job somewhere.

Obviously it's easy to talk good football in a TV studio but I just liked the idea of them together and how they'd compliment each other. Townsend is a strong character, somebody that take no shit and protect the more mindful Southgate. Both 'get' Aston Villa, understand the current restrictions and wouldn't be afraid to tell Randy what's missing without being stupid about it. I always believe it's not just the manager that runs the club but the people he surrounds himself with. That was MON's greatest weakness, Brian Little's greatest strength.

[Risso]

That's an interesting theory Mark.  At least as you say Southgate would "get" Villa, because even when he wanted to leave us as a player, he still gave his all.

[caster troy]

After last night's game hearing Southgate and Townsend talk about us, it really crossed my mind what these two could do at Villa Park. I know Southgate's record at Boro but sometimes it's simply getting the right people in at the right club.

I know what you mean.  Sometimes it does need someone who 'gets' a club.  Ex-players usually are a receipe for disaster but I'd take those two at the moment.  I think Southgate could be very good, but by his own admission - he was pressured into doing too much too young in managerial terms.  A few years as a number 2 would have been ideal, but I think he's got the experience to do a good job somewhere.

Martin Laursen gets us. Passionate and knowledgeble. Loves the club and I'm sure he feels he has unfinished business here after his career was curtailed by injuries.  Guardiola was Barcelona B manager for what, one season before he took over? I'd love to see Laursen do something similar. If nothing else it would unite and galvanise our jaded support.

[Compass]

Problem is as long as RL is in charge we'll never get a good manager. I just wished he came out and said he's looking for a buyer instead of coming out with the SAF love fest, some BS about AMC and being here for the long term.

[Somniloquism]

Obviously it's easy to talk good football in a TV studio but I just liked the idea of them together and how they'd compliment each other. Townsend is a strong character, somebody that take no shit and protect the more mindful Southgate. Both 'get' Aston Villa, understand the current restrictions and wouldn't be afraid to tell Randy what's missing without being stupid about it. I always believe it's not just the manager that runs the club but the people he surrounds himself with. That was MON's greatest weakness, Brian Little's greatest strength.

The trouble is Townsend has done nothing in the game since hanging up his boots. He has become the ITV version of Andy Gray who decided broadcasting meant more. And would Southgate want to go back into pressures of management instead of the current cushiness of regular TV appearances and with his good work at the FA at the moment?

But I agree that someone who "gets the club" would be better with the clubs current financial constraints as they might instil a fight and at least get the fans onside again. The downside is apart from Southgate, the only other ex Villa player I can think of in current management or with experience is Grayson but I don't think he hits the criteria.