It's hit or bust for McLeish next season. So, what's his plan?

[ez]

I'd like Carlos to stay but he may take his opportunity to get out at the end of the season.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

As for the Villa, I'm genuinely warming to McLeish, or 'McShit'/ 'Big Feck' as I've referred to him in months gone by. At times we've genuinely looked like we want to play attacking football, and the first half of the Blackburn game and the majority of the Fulham game prove that, I stand by the widely contested opinion that 'McLeish can only play defensive' rumour is utter bollocks at best,

With all due respect, a game and a half of decent football is far outweighed by the turgid dross we've had to endure in the majority of all the others.

[Legion]

As for the Villa, I'm genuinely warming to McLeish, or 'McShit'/ 'Big Feck' as I've referred to him in months gone by. At times we've genuinely looked like we want to play attacking football, and the first half of the Blackburn game and the majority of the Fulham game prove that, I stand by the widely contested opinion that 'McLeish can only play defensive' rumour is utter bollocks at best,

With all due respect, a game and a half of decent football is far outweighed by the turgid dross we've had to endure in the majority of all the others.

Add Arsenal to that.

[john e]

For me:
-Carry on bringing through the kids.
-Sell the bad eggs in our squad, and the incompetents. N'Zog, Ireland, Dunne, Heskey, Warnock.
-Bring in some reliable, hard working experienced players. I'd love to see us get Dempsey. He might well have more attractive suitors though (not in this country mind as I don't think he's top 5 standard). Someone like Kevin Nolan too. Robbie Keane. For me, bring in a decent left back, centre-back, a combative midfielder and a couple of creative minded midielders.

Build on the defence, and make Carlos the lynchpin because he's consistent and his attitude is first rate. We look more solid now and with a few tweaks that'll be sorted.
Work on the midfield. We need everyone to work hard, impact the game over 90 minutes. None of this "Ireland was good for 10 minutes" bollocks.

Do that and we have the forwards to put the ball in the net.

Job done, and we'll win more than we lose comfortably and be nicely top half. We should forget now about top 6. It's not gonna happen. But if McLeish can get us playing to the best of our ability and his potential best then we can't complain. Then  maybe we'll be lucky in one of the cups.

' bring some reliable, hard working experienced players in '

yeah, that'l bring the crowds back

[dave.woodhall]

For me:
-Carry on bringing through the kids.
-Sell the bad eggs in our squad, and the incompetents. N'Zog, Ireland, Dunne, Heskey, Warnock.
-Bring in some reliable, hard working experienced players. I'd love to see us get Dempsey. He might well have more attractive suitors though (not in this country mind as I don't think he's top 5 standard). Someone like Kevin Nolan too. Robbie Keane. For me, bring in a decent left back, centre-back, a combative midfielder and a couple of creative minded midielders.

Build on the defence, and make Carlos the lynchpin because he's consistent and his attitude is first rate. We look more solid now and with a few tweaks that'll be sorted.
Work on the midfield. We need everyone to work hard, impact the game over 90 minutes. None of this "Ireland was good for 10 minutes" bollocks.

Do that and we have the forwards to put the ball in the net.

Job done, and we'll win more than we lose comfortably and be nicely top half. We should forget now about top 6. It's not gonna happen. But if McLeish can get us playing to the best of our ability and his potential best then we can't complain. Then  maybe we'll be lucky in one of the cups.

' bring some reliable, hard working experienced players in '

yeah, that'l bring the crowds back

Better to have a balanced team than a load of show ponies.

[john e]

For me:
-Carry on bringing through the kids.
-Sell the bad eggs in our squad, and the incompetents. N'Zog, Ireland, Dunne, Heskey, Warnock.
-Bring in some reliable, hard working experienced players. I'd love to see us get Dempsey. He might well have more attractive suitors though (not in this country mind as I don't think he's top 5 standard). Someone like Kevin Nolan too. Robbie Keane. For me, bring in a decent left back, centre-back, a combative midfielder and a couple of creative minded midielders.

Build on the defence, and make Carlos the lynchpin because he's consistent and his attitude is first rate. We look more solid now and with a few tweaks that'll be sorted.
Work on the midfield. We need everyone to work hard, impact the game over 90 minutes. None of this "Ireland was good for 10 minutes" bollocks.

Do that and we have the forwards to put the ball in the net.

Job done, and we'll win more than we lose comfortably and be nicely top half. We should forget now about top 6. It's not gonna happen. But if McLeish can get us playing to the best of our ability and his potential best then we can't complain. Then  maybe we'll be lucky in one of the cups.

' bring some reliable, hard working experienced players in '

yeah, that'l bring the crowds back

Better to have a balanced team than a load of show ponies.

i know your both right,
 its just a statement that fills me with gloom, especially as you know they'l be his type of reliable hard working players

[Legion]

Nothing wrong with that as long as there's a set of creative outlets encouraged to go for it.

[PaulWinch again]

Nothing wrong with that as long as there's a set of creative outlets encouraged to go for it.

Correct.

[hawkeye]

Clear out Dunne Heskey Warnock NZogbia,
Hutton and Collins replace if we can
Retain Stan, Cuellar to help bring the young guys through.

[Chipsticks]

As for the Villa, I'm genuinely warming to McLeish, or 'McShit'/ 'Big Feck' as I've referred to him in months gone by. At times we've genuinely looked like we want to play attacking football, and the first half of the Blackburn game and the majority of the Fulham game prove that, I stand by the widely contested opinion that 'McLeish can only play defensive' rumour is utter bollocks at best,

With all due respect, a game and a half of decent football is far outweighed by the turgid dross we've had to endure in the majority of all the others.

While there has been performances in which we've been utter, utter shite, I think there's more than enough performances to keep me in a blind state of paper-thin optimism.

[brian green]

I do not have an opinion on what I would like to happen but this is what will happen.

Summer -  Muddle, confusion and bargain basement acquisitions based on the fact that they are cheap and available not whether they fit is with any kind of plan or concept,

First half of next season up to Christmas - muddle and confusion.

Second half of next season - a fresh start with a new manager.


I am entirely in agreement with my son on the McLeish issue.   Whenever anybody tries to work out exactly what McLeish is doing the manager and his closest associates protect themselves with the "you hate me because I came from Small Heath" defence.   It is time now for Alex McLeish to show precisely what his plan for Villa is.   I don't think he has one.   I think he wings it from day to day from game to game.   That is just my opinion.

[hawkeye]

I do not have an opinion on what I would like to happen but this is what will happen.

Summer -  Muddle, confusion and bargain basement acquisitions based on the fact that they are cheap and available not whether they fit is with any kind of plan or concept,

First half of next season up to Christmas - muddle and confusion.

Second half of next season - a fresh start with a new manager.


I am entirely in agreement with my son on the McLeish issue.   Whenever anybody tries to work out exactly what McLeish is doing the manager and his closest associates protect themselves with the "you hate me because I came from Small Heath" defence.   It is time now for Alex McLeish to show precisely what his plan for Villa is.   I don't think he has one.   I think he wings it from day to day from game to game.   That is just my opinion.

And that is the biggest concern

[old man villa fan]

I do not have an opinion on what I would like to happen but this is what will happen.

Summer -  Muddle, confusion and bargain basement acquisitions based on the fact that they are cheap and available not whether they fit is with any kind of plan or concept,

First half of next season up to Christmas - muddle and confusion.

Second half of next season - a fresh start with a new manager.


I am entirely in agreement with my son on the McLeish issue.   Whenever anybody tries to work out exactly what McLeish is doing the manager and his closest associates protect themselves with the "you hate me because I came from Small Heath" defence.   It is time now for Alex McLeish to show precisely what his plan for Villa is.   I don't think he has one.   I think he wings it from day to day from game to game.   That is just my opinion.

Spot on, Brian.

All this "give him a preseason to bring in his own players etc".  For what, just so another manager has to pick up the bits that don't fit into a team.

We have a run of poor games and then a reasonable game and then back to usual.  Is that the sign of a manager that is progressing and building something.

[Fergal]

I want him to come up with a team that scores as many goals as Messi does.  Not gonna happen, we will bumble along at just over a goal a game while he blames us for not liking where he came from.
If he stays I honestly believe we are going down or will be very close to it.

[hawkeye]

Hi Fergal, they aint going to sack him, unless  the ST sales are really atrocious. We can only hope that he does the right thing in terms of maturing the youngsters. But like you I fear the worst UTV