Huge Summer....

[Irish villain]

I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman".  What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it.  I hope so anyway.

I'm not sure there's enough evidence. Something is wrong and we don't know the full stoary, but I wouldn't be so confident that it will end with a new owner and bucket loads of cash.

[Mazrim]

I'm not sure there is confidence. Merely rumours and speculation.

[Risso]

In terms of who we should bring in, the first player that I would be after is Stuart Holden.

Seems to be the difference between Bolton being a top eight side and a bottom three side and plays exactly the role we need in exactly the place we are lacking.

I was impressed with him when we played them up there a while back.  Looks to be a very good player.

[Simon Ward]

I can't get the song "Cruel Summer" out of my head every time I see this thread!

[Concrete John]

I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.

I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.

Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.

Please, someone explain to me how he's suddenly become such a bad owner that relegation is inevitable.

I don't think he's a bad owner and I don't think relegation is inevitable, but I do have concerns.

Simple fact is we're bottom half and need to improve to stay comfortably clear of the bottom 3.

And another simple fact is that football is a money game, so Randy's belt tightening will effect our competitiveness on the pitch.

I do believe there's a long term plan and we're going to get better, but until we see that and it becomes more than faith based on Randy's past intentions, then a nagging doubt will remain. 

[kippaxvilla2]

I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman".  What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it.  I hope so anyway.

At £3m compo plus £2m a year he is a bloody expensive nightwatchman.  My father in law is only being paid £6 an hour for a similar post.

[Merv]

What I imagine next years squad to be:

GK- Given, Guzan, Siegrist.
DF- Hutton, Lichaj, Stevens, Williams, Baker, Clark, *New left back*, *New centre half*, *New centre half*.
MF- Ireland, Gardner, Johnson, Carruthers, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Delph, Herd, Bannan, *New midfield general*
F- Bent, Agbonlahor, *New #10 forward*, Delfouneso, Weimann, Burke.

Not too far away from my own reading of the squad situation, Maz. I wouldn't be over surprised to see Delph sold though, and if we do bring in a new forward, a No.10/Keane type, then I agree: Delfouneso (my prediction) or Weimann will go.

I also hope that, if we do move on the three main CBs - and I think we should, to be honest - we can bring two in. I've a fleeting suspicion McLeish may have to do with 1, to pair with Clark, and use Baker, Williams and Lichaj (who started as a CB) as cover.

[N'ZMAV]

That squad that Mazrim put up is very worrying

[Mazrim]

That squad that Mazrim put up is very worrying

Depends who comes in.

[Concrete John]

I don't se a problem with is as long as....

*New left back*, *New centre half*, *New centre half*,*New midfield general*, *New #10 forward*

 ....are good enough.

[N'ZMAV]

That squad that Mazrim put up is very worrying

Depends who comes in.

Yes, good point. You got faith in the current manager to bring in the quality we'll need?

[TimTheVillain]

I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman".  What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it.  I hope so anyway.

Risso, I really do hope so.

Randy appears to be lacking interest now after a great beginning.

Every radio station talks about 'the rise and fall of Aston Villa' - it's a national pastime !

[N'ZMAV]

Our rise, albeit steady and expensive, was hardly headline catching though, the media just love to see someone fall...

[TimTheVillain]

Our rise, albeit steady and expensive, was hardly headline catching though, the media just love to see someone fall...

It was exiting to be a Villa fan though - such optimism after the Ellis years.

Now, sadly we're back where we were I feel, but with debt this time.

[N'ZMAV]

Our rise, albeit steady and expensive, was hardly headline catching though, the media just love to see someone fall...

It was exiting to be a Villa fan though - such optimism after the Ellis years.

Now, sadly we're back where we were I feel, but with debt this time.

It was exciting, however, we was lucky at times, our Football wasn't the 6th best in the country, was average most of the times....