AVFC statement - McLeish sacked.

[villajk]

http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlands-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-fc-news/2012/04/29/andy-gray-why-aston-villa-must-not-sack-alex-mcleish-66331-30861208/

[old man villa fan]

I noticed yesterday that Kevin MacDonald was connected up with an earphone and talking to somebody during the game.  He has looked as though he has become more involved over the last few games at the expense of Grant.  Noticed that Sid has not been on the bench for some time.  Has he been up in the stands and communicating with MacDonald?

The problem we have is that normally you would not change a manager at this late stage but the players look so tense, expecially the younger ones.  It doesn't look like the pressure of the situation, rather being held back from playing their natural game.  An example is a midfield player breaking from defence but rather than driving on, he stops and waits and the momentum/advantage is lost.  It is like they are under instructions to not take chances and play a safety first game.

To bring K.Mac in at this stage depends very much on how much he thinks a change in tactics will help and whether it will lift the players over the two games left.  Can the players adapt to a new way of playing with a weeks training.

I want shot of the current manager, certainly straight after the Norwich match but I am still undecided whether he should go now.  Only people close to the situation can make that decision.

Reading Andy Gray's article in the Mercury, I am astounded that he can say that he believes McLeish is still the man for the job.  He has had three and a half seasons in the PL, surely his results and how he has achieved them shows that he will not change.  Also, he mentioned about him having a preseason, as if he didn't have one last year.

[villajk]

Andy Gray: Why Aston Villa must NOT sack Alex McLeish
Apr 29 2012 by Andy Gray, Sunday Mercury
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REGARDLESS of this weekend’s result against West Brom – I think it’s finally struck the manager, players and supporters of Aston Villa that their top-flight status is under the most serious threat.
Teams around them like Bolton, Blackburn, QPR and Wigan seem to be winning games and – I know this will shock Villa supporters – the answer to survival is not sacking Alex McLeish.
He hasn’t been helped by arriving at Villa Park from Birmingham City – Villa fans don’t forget things like that – but I think those supporters that are calling for McLeish to be sacked are a long way wide of the mark.
It seems very strange for McLeish’s job to be untenable right now. I don’t see what the advantages are of relieving him of his job.
I don’t see what Villa would get out of it and if that’s the case then let’s get safe, let’s get the supporters behind the team and then let’s sit down and discuss what the best way forward is.
What would a new manager be able to do at Villa in the last two games of the season? What could he change and how would he suddenly transform the club and the results? Well, the answer is simple, he wouldn’t be able to. I personally believe McLeish has a future at Villa after the summer but it’s a question for the owner – regardless of his long-term plans, Randy Lerner needs to get behind his manager and back him presently.



Villa are in real danger of going down – I certainly can’t argue with that because the Premier League table doesn’t lie – but they’re in pole position to survive and they can still get themselves out of trouble and safe.
It seems as if they have got stuck, they are struggling to score goals, they have a lot of young kids and the atmosphere they are playing in – as well as the threat of relegation – isn’t helping them.
So they are really struggling at the moment, I understand Villa fans frustration, I really do.
I just hope that Alex gets the one or two wins that he probably needs to keep them up and safe.
After this weekend’s game, they have Tottenham and Norwich in the Premier League and neither is going to be a gimme three points.
I don’t know if large scale changes need to be made to the playing staff. McLeish hasn’t had the best of luck with injuries, losing his best players like Darren Bent, his skipper Richard Dunne and James Collins for long spells, so it has been really tough for him.
And it may be that Villa and Alex will be better for a pre-season. He has been asked to cut costs as well and reduce the wage bill, so it’s not been easy.
If Randy Lerner decides to change his manager then that’s his prerogative, it’s his club but I not certain how it will improve the situation or start manoeuvring the club in the right direction.
I wouldn’t be putting my money on them to go down.
I still think they are good enough to be in the Premier League this season, and I still think there’s a win or two in the locker.
As a Villa follower, I am concerned, yes but I believe McLeish will turn things around and keep this club in the Premier League where they belong.

[PeterWithesShin]

Andy Gray: Why Aston Villa must NOT sack Alex McLeish

REGARDLESS of this weekend’s result against West Brom – I think it’s finally struck the manager, players and supporters of Aston Villa that their top-flight status is under the most serious threat.
Teams around them like Bolton, Blackburn, QPR and Wigan seem to be winning games and – I know this will shock Villa supporters – the answer to survival is not sacking Alex McLeish.
He hasn’t been helped by arriving at Villa Park from Birmingham City – Villa fans don’t forget things like that – but I think those supporters that are calling for McLeish to be sacked are a long way wide of the mark.

It seems very strange for McLeish’s job to be untenable right now. I don’t see what the advantages are of relieving him of his job.
I don’t see what Villa would get out of it and if that’s the case then let’s get safe, let’s get the supporters behind the team and then let’s sit down and discuss what the best way forward is.
What would a new manager be able to do at Villa in the last two games of the season? What could he change and how would he suddenly transform the club and the results? Well, the answer is simple, he wouldn’t be able to. I personally believe McLeish has a future at Villa after the summer but it’s a question for the owner – regardless of his long-term plans, Randy Lerner needs to get behind his manager and back him presently.

Villa are in real danger of going down – I certainly can’t argue with that because the Premier League table doesn’t lie – but they’re in pole position to survive and they can still get themselves out of trouble and safe.
It seems as if they have got stuck, they are struggling to score goals, they have a lot of young kids and the atmosphere they are playing in – as well as the threat of relegation – isn’t helping them.
So they are really struggling at the moment, I understand Villa fans frustration, I really do.
I just hope that Alex gets the one or two wins that he probably needs to keep them up and safe.
After this weekend’s game, they have Tottenham and Norwich in the Premier League and neither is going to be a gimme three points.
I don’t know if large scale changes need to be made to the playing staff. McLeish hasn’t had the best of luck with injuries, losing his best players like Darren Bent, his skipper Richard Dunne and James Collins for long spells, so it has been really tough for him.
And it may be that Villa and Alex will be better for a pre-season. He has been asked to cut costs as well and reduce the wage bill, so it’s not been easy.
If Randy Lerner decides to change his manager then that’s his prerogative, it’s his club but I not certain how it will improve the situation or start manoeuvring the club in the right direction.
I wouldn’t be putting my money on them to go down.
I still think they are good enough to be in the Premier League this season, and I still think there’s a win or two in the locker.
As a Villa follower, I am concerned, yes but I believe McLeish will turn things around and keep this club in the Premier League where they belong.

[nodge]

I think we should see what Chico thinks of Andy Grays article.

[PeterWithesShin]

That is the article Pauline posted. Maybe we should get Gray in as manager, i'm sure he'd love the chance. To leave us for a 4th time.

[Walmley_Villa]

That is the article Pauline posted. Maybe we should get Gray in as manager, i'm sure he'd love the chance. To leave us for a 4th time.

He'd be too busy telling Nicky Keye dirty jokes

[PaulWinch again]

Mcleish may be better for a preseason? He had a preseason last year and has failed horrendously. Just get rid Villa.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Gray is a complete fucking idiot, he should concentrate on what he's best at, sexually harrasing women.

[Nev]

Andy Gray and the Mercury.

Cheap, ill-informed, populist, obnoxious bedfellows.

[dave.woodhall]

Andy 'Commodore' Gray. Once, twice, three times a leaver.

[PaulWinch again]

Gray is a complete fucking idiot, he should concentrate on what he's best at, sexually harrasing women.

Ah Mark, I am currently in stitches at that remark.

[LeeB]

Cheers Andy.

Stick up for this clown, but stick the knife in your old mate Brian.

Legend.

[Toronto Villa]

Andy, you need to shut the fuck up. Stick to insulting women and sit out of intelligent conversation and debate.

[Monty]

Andy, you need to shut the fuck up. Stick to insulting women and sit out of intelligent conversation and debate.

He does that without meaning to anyway.