Are We Alex McLeish's Claret & Blue Army Now?

[VillaSpen]

I can certainly admit to being one of the many that was not in the least bit happy about his appointment. The standard of football that his Blues sides churned out was appalling and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that our performances until the last few weeks have been disappointing to say the very least. But to use the word 'hate' when describing the manager of our football club is extreme.

Although I'm far from his biggest fan it would seem that he's listened to (and, more importantly, understood) the bare minimum that we, as a set of supporters, want and require. I don't expect us to be competing for a spot in the top four but I also don't care about finishing mid-table as long as we can show the desire and spirit that we have in recent games. As long as we're passing the ball and getting after teams I couldn't care less about where we end up.

Long may the current improvement continue!

[Rigadon]

A massive improvement in the last few games.  Along wit the players AM deserves massive credit and only the most myopic will disagree.   

A win against Swansea and I think he'll have the backing of most down VP. 

[SashasGrandad]

I'm hoping this is the start of a resurgance. I'd love to see/hear a vocal backing on Monday. "Alex Mcleish's Claret and Blue Army". Why not? He's OUR manager.

After beating Chelski - why not "Ginger McMinge io"

[mattjpa]

A massive improvement in the last few games.  Along wit the players AM deserves massive credit and only the most myopic will disagree.   

A win against Swansea and I think he'll have the backing of most down VP. 

agreed. The next one is the biggest of his short villa career. And I for one hope he does it. The man can't stay on trial for ever

[Shoody]

We're closer to being his army.. but not there at all yet. 3 good performances will mean nothing if it doesn't keep going. If we lose vs Swansea winning yesterday will mean the square root of fuck all. But if somebody asked me 3 weeks ago if i'd take 4 points from Arsenal, Chelsea (away) and Stoke (away) i'd have bit their hand off as I fully expected 3 [embarrasing] losses.

I'll make my mind up on McLeish at the end of the season. If we perform like yesterday 10 more times (and we stay in the prem) he'll get my backing. If it's back to Hoofball for the majority of the rest of the season then I'll want him gone even if we stay in the prem and win the FA Cup. I cant take watching the shite we were trying vs Spurs, Utd etc etc.

[Neil Hawkes]

The next one is the biggest of his short villa career. And I for one hope he does it. The man can't stay on trial for ever

Sums it up really, how many players have been granted more time to settle, than our manager has been given?

[PaulWinch again]

If we continue to adopt the approach we have in the last couple of games involving passing and attacking built on a solid foundation then why not. I want him to succeed he's the Villa manager, so I hope he does.

[taylorsworkrate]

If we continue to adopt the approach we have in the last couple of games involving passing and attacking built on a solid foundation then why not. I want him to succeed he's the Villa manager, so I hope he does.

This.

[Chris Smith]

I really think people have underestimated the impact of losing 6 first team regulars in the summer. Any manager would have had difficulties trying to forge a team after that. There were patches in games earlier in the season where we played some good football but for me Bolton away was the turning point, that was the first 90 minute performance and I think has given the players and manager a real confidence boost.

[Simba]

If he keeps putting teams out with a positive tactical attitude like yesterday, if he keeps faith in the youngsters, if he puts players in the correct positions and instructs them to make quick and incisive passes on the floor....

He will have changed habits of a life time.

Whatever, a mystical magic wand was waved in the Managers office recently - I hope the effect is permanent.

If it is he will certainly deserve the support.

[Dave Cooper please]

Fucksake today's result means the c***'s going to be in charge for ever and ever and ever and ever and aaaarrrrrgggghhh!

Proof that there is, indeed, always one.

Great contribution to the discussion that was Dave. Your first post on this thread and all you had to say was... absolutely nothing.

It said a heck of a lot more than your own contribution.

[Richie]

To be fair to the bloke, he's lost Friedel, Walker, Downing and the Young brothers from last seasons regular starters so it was never going to be easy.

I've seen some extremely poor displays (Bolton in the Cup, Albion, Man U, Liverpool and Spurs) where the lack of fight was embarassing. Against Arsenal, the team gets appaulded off at HT and FT, despite the result due to the performance and effort showed.

I think McLeish has realised that we will accept losing matches, but we won't accept the team just rolling over without a fight.

As long as that continues, we should get behind both the team and the Manager.   

[Simba]

Richie: "I think McLeish has realised that we will accept losing matches, but we won't accept the team just rolling over without a fight.

As long as that continues, we should get behind both the team and the Manager.  "

Exactly

We will also support teams that play footy and we now know this group can. So it is up to Alex now. Just DO NOT go back to defensive hoofball. I wonder if someone had a word in his ear (players?, owner? auditors?) or did he really do a St. Paul.

[Witton Warrior]

I want him to be succesful as that would mean Villa were successful.
We haven't had a popular manager to sing to for a while now and that is strange.

[willywombat]

Obviously it has taken time for Eck to settle down and establish his best team to play how he wants. Over the last few games we've seen the team play the way we want them to play, we wont always win but at least we can see and appreciate the effort. If we carry on playing this way  I'll be happy to be one of Alex McLeish's claret & blue army