AVFC statement - McLeish sacked.

[PaulWinch again]

Paul Lambert has done a fantastic job at Carrow Road. Took them to the Championship as Division 1 winners in his first season, followed by automatic promotion to the PL in his second, and consolidated Norwich in the Prem this season. Plays a good style of football too. Not sure how he deals in the transfer market but his credentials as a manager are pretty good. Certainly a better prospect than our current idiot

I could throw a stone here at work and hit someone who's a better prospect than our current manager.

[Risso]

Great. That's all we need - the press winding Norwich up before we play them last game. We might have had a chance if they had nothing to play for.

Yes, I can imagine being 2-0 down and them singing "Nicking our boss, you're having a laugh!"

[TonyD]

Paul Lambert has done a fantastic job at Carrow Road. Took them to the Championship as Division 1 winners in his first season, followed by automatic promotion to the PL in his second, and consolidated Norwich in the Prem this season. Plays a good style of football too. Not sure how he deals in the transfer market but his credentials as a manager are pretty good. Certainly a better prospect than our current idiot

I could throw a stone here at work and hit someone who's a better prospect than our current manager.

Even if you were a mortuary attendant.

[Mister E]

The Sun and the Express also mention Paul Lambert as the desirable replacement for Our Alex.
Can't help thinking the timing is shocking really; no respect for either clubs or the people directly involved.

Get the next three games done and then fire the bullet.

[VillaAlways]

Great. That's all we need - the press winding Norwich up before we play them last game. We might have had a chance if they had nothing to play for.

That's the plan.The media would absolutely love to see us relegated

[Tony Boucher]

I think we'd struggle to get Lambert, to be honest.  He is basically MON junior & even refers to MON as 'gaffer' to this day - his guru would surely advise against coming here, if only to spite us.

[jembob]

Where can I find the odds for Mcleish taking over from Guardiola at Barca? I hope we get compensation for the loss of service!!

[NiiLamptey]

Not sure where to post this but lambert is latest comment in here...

I am feeling underwhelmed with it all!

I think we are a mess and we need a 12 month transition period with whoever is in charge, even if mcleish stays, I cant see us improving next year, he would need 12 months (dont get me wrong i dont want that his philosophy does not map to Aston Villa's)

I get the feeling with lambert we will back to square one, improve after 12 months, start climbing the leagure then peak at us getting to around top 6 playing football we are not happy with in 4 to 5 years time!

Its a long road ahead and i think we need someone who sets the club up the right way from top to bottom, like a wenger...

Houllier did set up Liverpool to have the success they had under Benetiz and in my opinion we should of stuck... but the past is the past

Martinez did set up swansea to be the success they are today so of all the names he is the only one that interests me as a long term fan appeasing prospective...

Truth is I dont know who that person is, the problem - The board dont either!

[VillaAlways]

If the worst happens and we lose tomorrow, does anyone think he will get the sack? I just can't see how he will be able to walk out at Villa Park against Spurs,the pressure will be immense especially if we go behind

[Irish villain]

I have a feeling McLeish is skating on very thin ice. I think he has probably already been sidelined within the club and that the board are already planning for life without him. I'd say Kevin Mac and Sid are probably going to be more hands on in the next three games. McLeish is still manager, but I doubt he has the credibility now to call any shots so to speak.

There has been a real change in things since the Bolton debacle. I think we can all sense it too.

[Mister E]

Not sure where to post this but lambert is latest comment in here...

I am feeling underwhelmed with it all!

I think we are a mess and we need a 12 month transition period with whoever is in charge, even if mcleish stays, I cant see us improving next year, he would need 12 months (dont get me wrong i dont want that his philosophy does not map to Aston Villa's)

I get the feeling with lambert we will back to square one, improve after 12 months, start climbing the leagure then peak at us getting to around top 6 playing football we are not happy with in 4 to 5 years time!

Its a long road ahead and i think we need someone who sets the club up the right way from top to bottom, like a wenger...

Houllier did set up Liverpool to have the success they had under Benetiz and in my opinion we should of stuck... but the past is the past

Martinez did set up swansea to be the success they are today so of all the names he is the only one that interests me as a long term fan appeasing prospective...

Truth is I dont know who that person is, the problem - The board dont either!

We need someone with a proven record of working with young, talented players, 'cos that's the material available to next season's manager. And McLeish has no record in realising the potential of young talent ...

... I'm beginning to wonder whether RL has been smarter than we reckoned. How about this for a scenario?

Step 1: bring in an experienced manager (manager A) to deal with the older / opinionated professionals with 12-18 months left on their contract. See how the season goes.
Step 2: after offloading the older / opinionated professionals, review firstly how the season went and assess whether manager A has the ability to work with what's left of the playing squad and can unearth some inexpensive gems in the transfer market.
Step 3: if manager A cannot meet the new needs (work with what's left of the playing squad and unearth some inexpensive gems in the transfer market), get rid and get someone in who is better suited - manager B.

McLeish = manager A
  ? = manager B

Maybe this is just bollocks but it does seem  to answer the needs of the owner - to reduce costs and offload MON's player-legacy - and play to the strengths of the Academy. Maybe McLeish is even aware of this strategy and collusive with it?

Nah, probably bollocks!

[Mister E]

If the worst happens and we lose tomorrow, does anyone think he will get the sack? I just can't see how he will be able to walk out at Villa Park against Spurs,the pressure will be immense especially if we go behind

Herer's a question: last season how antagonistic and vocal were the Bluenoses toward McLeish in his final few games? Did he feel the heat of their ire or is this situation actually quite new for him, do you think?

[PaulWinch again]

Sorry I don't buy that, as it doesn't make any sense. Also the skating very very close to relegation can't be part of a 'plan'.

[Mister E]

Sorry I don't buy that, as it doesn't make any sense. Also the skating very very close to relegation can't be part of a 'plan'.

Agree, although they obviously took a gamble on 'the skating very very close to relegation' by making the appointment they did and selling two of the players that kept us up last season.

[VillaAlways]

Peter Withe on Talk Sport at the moment