AVFC statement - McLeish sacked.

[Toronto Villa]

It's quite possible that some of the senior players that were given a chance ahead of the kids are part of the problem as they were under GH. The kids put in a hellof a shift yesterday, and McLeish needs credit for that as much as he needs criticism for many things that have transpid this season. I'm really not a fan of the one way praise/criticism street. Criticise and praise as it is due.

[TheSandman]

No credit from me either.

The big difference in recent weeks in my opinion is that the influx of young new players has brought a degree of team spirit totally missing in the first three quarters of the season.   Our young players know each other, they are probably good mates and they play for the team and each other.

The senior players who, as an earlier poster said would have been outed by Houllier, have soured the dressing room and the training ground with their player power muscle flexing generating in the process a team who gave the impression of hating each other's guts

This, and you can bet as soon as some of the poisonous seniors are fit again they will be back in the fold.

[Dave Clark Five]

I'm really not a fan of the one way praise/criticism street. Criticise and praise as it is due.

Fair point but some of the abuse has been out of order and has created a vile atmosphere that we could do without. Taking the piss out of the team, however light-heartedly with 'how shit must you be, we're winning away?' must rankle with the players as well.

[moetvillain]

I certainly would take that spirited performance over the lame duck display we showed Liverpool earlier in the season.  I bet there is some fair difference in wages paid, and disappointingly effort by some of the "big dogs".  Well done Alex, I will happily hand over hard earned money for an ST where we put up players that WANT to play for us

[Vanilla]

It's quite possible that some of the senior players that were given a chance ahead of the kids are part of the problem as they were under GH. The kids put in a hellof a shift yesterday, and McLeish needs credit for that as much as he needs criticism for many things that have transpid this season. I'm really not a fan of the one way praise/criticism street. Criticise and praise as it is due.

What, young players put in an extra shift when given a chance to play at one of the best stadiums in Europe. Isn't that always going to happen? They are playing for themselves not the manager. Houllier blooded a lot of young players last season when we were short on numbers, sadly a great deal of which have now left the club as enthusiasm doesn't always equal quality.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I'm really not a fan of the one way praise/criticism street. Criticise and praise as it is due.

Fair point but some of the abuse has been out of order and has created a vile atmosphere that we could do without. Taking the piss out of the team, however light-heartedly with 'how shit must you be, we're winning away?' must rankle with the players as well.

I just put that down to self effacing humour, like the time we were 5-0 up against Burnley, they scored 2 late goals and started singing
'5-0 and you fucked it up.'

[pauliewalnuts]

It's quite possible that some of the senior players that were given a chance ahead of the kids are part of the problem as they were under GH. The kids put in a hellof a shift yesterday, and McLeish needs credit for that as much as he needs criticism for many things that have transpid this season. I'm really not a fan of the one way praise/criticism street. Criticise and praise as it is due.

What, young players put in an extra shift when given a chance to play at one of the best stadiums in Europe. Isn't that always going to happen? They are playing for themselves not the manager. Houllier blooded a lot of young players last season when we were short on numbers, sadly a great deal of which have now left the club as enthusiasm doesn't always equal quality.

Anfield isn't even one of the best stadiums in north west England, let alone Europe.

[Villanation]

Crucial point yesterday, hard won, quite obvious though on a different day and sharper finishing we would have got pasted, we didn't and that bit of luck is what you need sometimes.

Point is, we got the point, McLiesh needs to make sure we collect at least another point tomorrow, although fortunately it does look as though the teams below us have fallen well short of what they needed to do so we now begin to look safe.

In the short term McLeish at least does something to merit this horrendous wage we are paying him, he makes sure we stay up after an appalling season, as for the longer term, no change here, when the curtain comes down on this season he should be gone, couldn't take another load of rubbish like this season.

[villajk]

What anybody thinks of McLeish that picture doing the rounds on Facebook is an absolute disgrace. Whoever started it  should be ashamed of themselves.*

*Sure it was nobody off H&V"

[itbrvilla]

What anybody thinks of McLeish that picture doing the rounds on Facebook is an absolute disgrace. Whoever started it  should be ashamed of themselves.*

*Sure it was nobody off H&V"

what pictures that?

[villajk]

It's a picture of McLeish with a gun to his head and the slogan 'Just do it'

[VILLA MOLE]

It's a picture of McLeish with a gun to his head and the slogan 'Just do it'

juvenile where ever it has come from

[Clampy]

Overall, not a great deal of credit for McLeish from me either. We've not won enough games, we don't create anywhere near enough chances during games and we're currently sitting 6 points above relegation. We should be doing a lot better and be in a more comfortable position.

Decent bloke, but not a decent enough manager.

[Eigentor]

Some credit from me. There was at least a point to be won at Anfield, and we got one. I thought McLeish was going to bottle it due to the name of the opponent.

However, it was not a point gained because the manager deviced a masterful game plan which nullified one of the most free-flowing Liverpool sides in recent memory. It was, as pointed out by kt, desperate backs to the wall defending against a very poor side. Maybe we shouldn't expect more as our own team is ravaged by injuries. But the suspicion remains that the performance wouldn't have been much better if we had more senior players available. Most performances earlier this season backs that view up.

[Greg N'Ash]

See if Liverpool are very poor side what does that make the rest? Presumbly they've got to 8th winning no games at all..... Yes it was backs against the wall and we got lucky at times but again considering the team we put out it was deserved luck. I dread to think what the gap was between the two sides in experience and how much they cost.