Return of O'Neill - divided opinion

[Greg N'Ash]

Yes, but we only secured safety with about three games left, so it was a pretty close call, and like I said if we had started the next season under DOL then we may well have been relugeted and anyone who thinks any different is just dreaming.

He took over a team that was underforming but hardly relegation escapees - its certainly going to be closer this season. I've said before i'd swap that team for the current one in a heartbeat and judging by the way he bailed out when there was no money for rebuilding so would MON,.

[Ger Regan]

He got 8 points more than Mr Fickle got in his last season. Not exactly an earth shattering improvement.

Ok, but we still had a much better season overall, and were never going to go down.  Also DOL never got three back to back top six finishes and never got us to a Cup Final and Cup Semi, so I find this idea that MON was not much better a little strange.

See my post making a comparison with the situation at Portsmouth.

For the record, I'm not saying Lerner is blameless in all this. At the end of the day he's meant to have the final say when it comes to finances. The thing is though (and I've said this before), had Lerner been more cautious in backing MON, he would have walked sooner. And I am fairly certain that those people criticising Lerner now for not having more control on finances would be some of the same people who would have criticised him for "interfering" with MON's work had he done so.

[Trinitymiddle]

MON could be a politician. He answers the question he would LIKE to have been asked, rather than the one asked.

I was glad that he "apologised, maybe" for leaving the club 5 days before the start of the season, which in MON speak probably means he realises he dropped a major bollock doing that.

However, his claim that he should be given all the credit for turning Villa from relegation candidates to a squad of internationals over 4 years is laughable. I think that is more down to Randy's £200m than MON, which is the reason he came to Villa in the first place. Let's call a spade a spade, Martin.

[SteveD]

He failed to pick up three points against a struggling, tactically inept, confidence-drained, relegation-flirting, thrown-together, injury hit, under-resourced ramshackle rag-tag-and bobtail of a team, who've only won at home once since Bonfire Night. Sunderland should sack him now.

MON had plenty of faults and left in a huff, as we all knew he would. But he saw it coming.

[john e]

If a man apologies's then we should take it as such as long as its genuine,
I certainly didn't expect him to do that, so good on him for doing so

It's certainly been a downward spiral since he left, but I still would not be lusting for his return, what we have now is dreadful but we must continue to live in hope for better

[olaftab]

He's returned here and gone. He manages another club. Let's get him out of our life and  lock this thread.

[Dr.Feelgood]

He's returned here and gone. He manages another club. Let's get him out of our life and  lock this thread.

Agreed. He & his side have been, it could have been worse (for all sorts of reasons). End of chat.

[SamTheMouse]

He got 8 points more than Mr Fickle got in his last season. Not exactly an earth shattering improvement.

Ok, but we still had a much better season overall, and were never going to go down.  Also DOL never got three back to back top six finishes and never got us to a Cup Final and Cup Semi, so I find this idea that MON was not much better a little strange.

See my post making a comparison with the situation at Portsmouth.

For the record, I'm not saying Lerner is blameless in all this. At the end of the day he's meant to have the final say when it comes to finances. The thing is though (and I've said this before), had Lerner been more cautious in backing MON, he would have walked sooner. And I am fairly certain that those people criticising Lerner now for not having more control on finances would be some of the same people who would have criticised him for "interfering" with MON's work had he done so.

That's probably true, but all Randy would have needed to do was let everyone know MON wanted to pay Habib Beye 42 grand a sodding week. We'd have all been right behind him, and if MON stropped out because of it, nobody would have blamed Lerner.

[Ger Regan]

He got 8 points more than Mr Fickle got in his last season. Not exactly an earth shattering improvement.

Ok, but we still had a much better season overall, and were never going to go down.  Also DOL never got three back to back top six finishes and never got us to a Cup Final and Cup Semi, so I find this idea that MON was not much better a little strange.

See my post making a comparison with the situation at Portsmouth.

For the record, I'm not saying Lerner is blameless in all this. At the end of the day he's meant to have the final say when it comes to finances. The thing is though (and I've said this before), had Lerner been more cautious in backing MON, he would have walked sooner. And I am fairly certain that those people criticising Lerner now for not having more control on finances would be some of the same people who would have criticised him for "interfering" with MON's work had he done so.

That's probably true, but all Randy would have needed to do was let everyone know MON wanted to pay Habib Beye 42 grand a sodding week. We'd have all been right behind him, and if MON stropped out because of it, nobody would have blamed Lerner.

I admire your optimistic outlook on the fair mindedness of some of our supporters, but I'm certain that there would have been some (a loud minority, admittedly) who would have regardless of what Lerner would or would not say.

[Rigadon]

One thing that struck me yesterday was that MON might've stood in the dug out and felt some regret.  He must know that he won't take Sunderland any higher than he took us, maybe he won't even get them as far, and I think that might've dawned on him.

[TopDeck113]

One thing that struck me yesterday was that MON might've stood in the dug out and felt some regret.  He must know that he won't take Sunderland any higher than he took us, maybe he won't even get them as far, and I think that might've dawned on him.

In what is a weak PL, I wouldn't bet against it.  If Newcastle can still be in with a shout for finishing fourth, I don't things its beyond the realms of fantasy to imagine Sunderland finishing sixth next season.   It'll almost certainly be higher than us.

[Trinitymiddle]

One thing that struck me yesterday was that MON might've stood in the dug out and felt some regret.  He must know that he won't take Sunderland any higher than he took us, maybe he won't even get them as far, and I think that might've dawned on him.

Not a bad life tho, getting paid £3-4m/year to do an average job and getting out before the shit hits the fan. Beats workin'.

[Ron Manager]

One thing that struck me yesterday was that MON might've stood in the dug out and felt some regret.  He must know that he won't take Sunderland any higher than he took us, maybe he won't even get them as far, and I think that might've dawned on him.

I thought MON looked a little down and very restrained.How I yearn for the times when Randy was the greatest Chairman in the Prem..Agbonlahor had searing pace and terrified defenders..and MON was the darling of the fans and the media.

I miss that.

[dave.woodhall]

He got 8 points more than Mr Fickle got in his last season. Not exactly an earth shattering improvement.

Ok, but we still had a much better season overall, and were never going to go down.  Also DOL never got three back to back top six finishes and never got us to a Cup Final and Cup Semi, so I find this idea that MON was not much better a little strange.

See my post making a comparison with the situation at Portsmouth.

For the record, I'm not saying Lerner is blameless in all this. At the end of the day he's meant to have the final say when it comes to finances. The thing is though (and I've said this before), had Lerner been more cautious in backing MON, he would have walked sooner. And I am fairly certain that those people criticising Lerner now for not having more control on finances would be some of the same people who would have criticised him for "interfering" with MON's work had he done so.

That's probably true, but all Randy would have needed to do was let everyone know MON wanted to pay Habib Beye 42 grand a sodding week. We'd have all been right behind him, and if MON stropped out because of it, nobody would have blamed Lerner.

I can't remember an occasion when fans have backed an owner against a manager who wanted more money.

[Cuz]

One thing that struck me yesterday was that MON might've stood in the dug out and felt some regret.  He must know that he won't take Sunderland any higher than he took us, maybe he won't even get them as far, and I think that might've dawned on him.

Agree with

One thing that struck me yesterday was that MON might've stood in the dug out and felt some regret.  He must know that he won't take Sunderland any higher than he took us, maybe he won't even get them as far, and I think that might've dawned on him.

I thought MON looked a little down and very restrained.How I yearn for the times when Randy was the greatest Chairman in the Prem..Agbonlahor had searing pace and terrified defenders..and MON was the darling of the fans and the media.

I miss that.


How I feel, I felt embarrassed and awkward when McLiesh clapped and waved yesterday

I thought MON looked a little down and very restrained.How I yearn for the times when Randy was the greatest Chairman in the Prem..Agbonlahor had searing pace and terrified defenders..and MON was the darling of the fans and the media.

I miss that.

How I feel,I felt embarrassed and awkward when McLiesh clapped and waved yesterday