AVFC statement - McLeish sacked.

[jembob]

The suggestion that McLeish sends his teams out with negative tactics implies that there is some degree of planning and organisation undertaken in preparation for a game. 

[Clampy]

I honestly don't believe McLeish purposely sends us out to be defensive, i really don't. He maybe asks them to keep it tight and not give much away but i don't think he sends us out to draw games (Spurs away and Man City at home besides). I just don't think his teams have much of an idea how to attack. I don't remember him using wingers at Small Heath very much and he dose'nt seem to be using them here either. We had two decent chances in the whole game against Wigan and one of those was from a centre half. It's not good.

[villadelph]

I am livid about McLeish's comments today. Absolutely fuming.

First of all, if you have to rebuke claims that you are a defensive manager, well then you're a defensive manager. We're not blind, it's plain to see that you can't organize an effective offensive scheme against the same opponents you've been "studying" for the last twenty odd years.

Secondly, if you're not telling them to go backwards then what are you telling them? Because its either what you're telling them isn't realistic or effective, or they're just blatantly ignoring you. Both of which are big issues for me.

Lastly, I have been hating myself for looking at the table so much. I have this weird inclination that if I just keep staring at the 6-8 range that we'll magically pop up there. McLeish has no idea what he's doing, and the players obviously aren't responding well to his tactics.

The man only has six wins. Six wins. Take a second and let that actually settle in. We have as many wins as Bolton. Any caretaker manager, any body at all could manage six wins. Half of the team sheets are self-explanatory. Put wingers on the wing, put forwards up top, abra cadabra!

Make it stop.

[ozzjim]

Under-fire Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish, who has been under pressure from fans since his summer move from arch rivals Birmingham, has rejected claims his Premier League team plays negative football.

He said: "I have never put the shackles on the lads, never have done since the start of the season. Yes, I want them to get back and defend and help out other parts of the teams, just as every other major team in the world does.

"But I have never asked them not to go and score goals and play their best football."


Erm sure.....

Is he trying to deflect the blame to the players here to get himself off the hook?

[ozzjim]

I am livid about McLeish's comments today. Absolutely fuming.

First of all, if you have to rebuke claims that you are a defensive manager, well then you're a defensive manager. We're not blind, it's plain to see that you can't organize an effective offensive scheme against the same opponents you've been "studying" for the last twenty odd years.

Secondly, if you're not telling them to go backwards then what are you telling them? Because its either what you're telling them isn't realistic or effective, or they're just blatantly ignoring you. Both of which are big issues for me.

Lastly, I have been hating myself for looking at the table so much. I have this weird inclination that if I just keep staring at the 6-8 range that we'll magically pop up there. McLeish has no idea what he's doing, and the players obviously aren't responding well to his tactics.

The man only has six wins. Six wins. Take a second and let that actually settle in. We have as many wins as Bolton. Any caretaker manager, any body at all could manage six wins. Half of the team sheets are self-explanatory. Put wingers on the wing, put forwards up top, abra cadabra!

Make it stop.

Six wins. To put that in context, 6 in 26 (23%) is actually a worse record than Steve Keane, with 14 in 54 (26%). Draws he will almost certainly have many more so will be said to be better, but it is an appalling record, and the only reason we are not wading nose deep in shit it how poor the bottom 3-4 have been this season, but we are the closest to them!

The reason we have created so little in the last 2 - Ireland and NZogbia have been benched! Both played their part at Chelsea.... we won at Bolton by 2 wingers hurting them....

It is not rocket science, but we end up so narrow that the 3 man midfield never have an out ball.... Grrr.... so many problems! Have to stick with Ireland, NZogbia and Albrighton behind Gabby with Herd and Petrov with Garder coming into any of the central roles when needed.

[villadelph]

Under-fire Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish, who has been under pressure from fans since his summer move from arch rivals Birmingham, has rejected claims his Premier League team plays negative football.

He said: "I have never put the shackles on the lads, never have done since the start of the season. Yes, I want them to get back and defend and help out other parts of the teams, just as every other major team in the world does.

"But I have never asked them not to go and score goals and play their best football."


Erm sure.....

Is he trying to deflect the blame to the players here to get himself off the hook?

That's what I'm saying. He is essentially stating that he cannot be held accountable for how the players actually play on the field. So the players are either unable to carry out his desired tactics or are they are just disregarding them.

Who is responsible for our style of play? I'm so confused Alex.

[villajk]

From OS



By Paul Brown

Alex McLeish has urged the fans to put their personal grievances about his stewardship to one side and get right behind the team from now until the end of the season.

In the midst of Villa's second half attempts to secure victory at Wigan, McLeish took stick from travelling supporters.

The manager has called for the fans to, instead, get right behind the players at Blackburn as he looks to steer the side to safety in the Barclays Premier League.

McLeish believes that enthusiastic support takes on extra significance now, with previous peripheral players taking on the mantle from injured stars like Darren Bent and Richard Dunne as well as the departed Robbie Keane.

He said: "I've always said this season would be a tough challenge and that's the way it has panned out.

"At the moment it is a bit gloomy with the financial figures coming out and the fans showing a bit of dissent at the moment.

"But they have to get right behind every player that wears that Villa shirt.

"I'd hate to think and it would be really disappointing if they didn't give the players on the field their absolute support.

"I ask them to put their grievances against me aside for 90 minutes and give those boys out there their support.

"That's first and foremost because they are fans who love the club and secondly because there will be extra responsibility on the players now asked to fill the huge gaps that Benty and Dunnie have left.

"Benty's injury was a huge blow on the back of losing Dunnie and Robbie.

"That's a huge blow to any team, losing three players of that experience, but I believe we've got the players who can see us okay for this season and we've got to build next season."

On the personal criticism he's received, he added: "It's never stopped me, I've never wavered in my commitment to Aston Villa in terms of helping the club, working with the club, and the course we are taking.

"Of course, I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me and it was easy to handle and there was no pressure whatever. That would be total fabrication.

"But I believe I'm strong enough and I've got the experience to handle it."

McLeish was talking as part of his press conference with AVTV at Bodymoor Heath.

As always AVTV were on hand to record the manager's comments and you can watch the video interview now.

[villajk]

Oh, and nothing about fulham tickets at the bottom

[Mister E]

It is not personal Alex!
Just look at the stats and the videos of this season's games!!

[mallo]

Ok the petition has been approved - tell your friends, mention it on facecloth and whitter - 5000 names would at least be a talking point, might get some publicity to elicit a reaction, which is all we can reasonably expect, but it's a start.

[PaulWinch again]

It is not personal Alex!
Just look at the stats and the videos of this season's games!!

It would be good to put that on paper and put it in front of him, because he seems to think it's the Birmingham thing as well.

[caster troy]

His comments today alone warrant his dismissal.

Is it time for another banner like the infamous 'we're not fickle...' ?

[Legion]

[Stu]

His comments today alone warrant his dismissal.

Is it time for another banner like the infamous 'we're not fickle...' ?

No, please, no banners. Lets just try and get through the season without that shite. I don't think I could handle my club being seen in any more of a negative light than it already is. Its really, *really* fucking getting me down.

[caster troy]

His comments today alone warrant his dismissal.

Is it time for another banner like the infamous 'we're not fickle...' ?

No, please, no banners. Lets just try and get through the season without that shite. I don't think I could handle my club being seen in any more of a negative light than it already is. Its really, *really* fucking getting me down.

Normally I'd agree with you but anything that gets the message across (and makes the point that it's not his blues background that's the problem) can only be a good thing.