AVFC statement - McLeish sacked.

[Rigadon]

Bravo. 

[Chipsticks]

I think at times we've played really good, attacking football with intent to dominate the game plenty of times this season, and that the poplar "can only play defensive football" is rubbish. The problem is that this only happens in games when it should be happening, like Fulham, and that when we need to come out and give the team a go, we go all defensive.

Comparing the Swansea - Man City game today to our game at home to them is a great comparison, we easily could've done what the Swans did, and fair play to Brendan Rodgers for having the balls to do it.

[Monty]

Just as I didn't decide I wanted him gone after one defeat, I won't say I want him to stay after one victory. There are signs of improvement, but they tend to come with selection rather than tactics. If you see Swansea, their tactics never change no matter who's injured (of course, if, say, Leon Britton got injured the tactics would be less effective, but they still stick to their guns), and you can attribute that to Rodgers implementing such a clear plan for how they're going to play. With us, the style of play changes so much when Ireland and N'Zogbia are in the side that it seems to me more of a players issue than a managerial one, which means that Eck will, at best, get the team playing to the sum of their parts, and never more. Which, to be honest, for c. £2m a year in the Premier League isn't really enough.

[JJ-AV]

I don't rate him that highly, I'd have never given him the job and I'd have sacked him after the Liverpool game at Villa Park in December.

However, since then I think we've seen an obvious turn around - we are playing good football, but are being let down by individual errors by players who are either not good enough, know their long-term futures aren't here, or are struggling to get to grips with the way the club and their career is going (Warnock, Dunne, Collins, Hutton, Bent, N'Zogbia, Ireland and to some extent Petrov can all be accused of this).

Results haven't been good enough, but he's here and on a purely football point of view he's turned it round and he deserves the Summer and the first third of next season. However, if we end up finishing 14th or 15th and stuttering until the end of the season it may be better to let him go as season tickets are gonna be very hard to sell next year.

[picicata]

I'm afraid he is still going to have to do a bit more to convince me that he is the man for the job. If Dunne had not got his injury I wonder if Carlos would still be in and out the team/ playing out of position? If Bent had not got injured would we have seen Ireland and N'zogbia back in the team? He may have seen the light and played the correct formation without it being forced upon him but I am going to have to see a level of consistency from him in his team picks and substitutions before I start waving a McLeish flag.

Still, it was nice to get a win and not play like shit so alls good at the moment and I intend to enjoy it well it lasts.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I haven't changed my mind, I still think he needs to go. But if he doesn't we have to adopt a passing, attacking game as that's the only way we'll improve.

[Simba]

The team thrives on forward, aggressive tactics. He don't. So he changes the habits of a lifetime or he goes.

Notwithstanding yesterday and a few other good performances- I think he is, sorry a bit over the top, cowardly in his approach. He digs the trench before we know they are going to attack.

I watched Swansea /Man city today. Swansea brave and succesful. Also confident, skilful, tactically aware and quick. In fact the better team. That should be us. But not with Alex. Ultimately the stats prove that.

[itbrvilla]

1 win in how long? I'm not the slightest but convinced by anything he does. Moaning about the fans too. The guys a prick and a very average manager who has landed a job way beyond his abilities.

[PeterWithesShin]

I might be in the minority but I did give a little chuckle over his post match comments. Oh I forgot, fans are allowed to give abuse out in spades but McGrath forbid a dig is ever sent the other way.

[Legion]

They were meant light-heartedly. The bloke can't seem to do right for wrong.

[villan from luton]

The bloke was messing about with his comments, you may dislike, even hate in some quarters, but he seems a decent bloke and he could have had a dig back yesterday. I cant forgive the performances v Liverpool, Man City and Spuds as we were too defensive by far, other than that he has tried getting the team playing football. May be strange, but the injuries to Dune and Bent may have actually helped him to get the right team

[Simba]

It is only one win. Just. And as much as we attacked and did play decent footy yesterday. He is not right for us. Again, look at stats, our league position and the joke we have become.

[Fergal]

I just don't see him as the manager who is capable of taking us back to the top 6.

[ozzjim]

Oh no..... he has gone there.....



"I don't think it needs much excuse for them to get on my back just now. I'm pleased for the Villa fans. I know they had a little dig at the substitutions but I know what football is like and it is extremely fickle."


There is a banner that needs to come out for Bolton...

[itbrvilla]

It is only one win. Just. And as much as we attacked and did play decent footy yesterday. He is not right for us. Again, look at stats, our league position and the joke we have become.

but it's a win that has some on here frothing at their bollocks. 1 decent performance in ages. At least we've beaten someone above us at last. Thing is he doesnt seem to know why fans boos the substitution but seemed happy to dig at them like it was a master stroke by him.