Who do you want as the next manager? New poll option.

[old man villa fan]

2. (pretty happy) Martinez

I think Wigan's current form is masking the fact that for large swathes of the season, they have been utter shit.

We go on about losing Young and Downing.  Wigan lost N'Zogbia and Cleverley, arguably their best two players last year.  We had the resources to better cope with our losses.

It has taken Martinez time to build again but he seems to have got it right in the end.  He has also had to deal with injuries to key players just like us.

[Legion]

I keep saying this but, is Heskey unpopular because he played for that lot or because he is very poor value for his wages?

Poor value.

[FatSam]

There was a thread of Villa affiliation in the 90s from Atkinson, to Little, to Gregory - especially when when you add in assistant managers/ coaches like Deehan, Gray S, and Gray A etc. I think I can remember HDE talking at the time about a slightly tenuous 'boot room' culture of promoting from within.

Since then, more of our influential players from the last twenty years have gone into punditry than management, and there certainly aren't any ex-players who stand out as managerial candidates at the moment. It is good to see that Laursen is learning his trade as a manager, and it would be nice to think that he might be involved at some point in the future. I think he feels more affiliated to us, than any of his other clubs, as he spent more time with, and made more appearances for us.

Whilst Villa affiliation not essential, a respect for the club certainly is IMO, as well as more intangibly being a 'good fit'. A Red Scouse mate of mine said that Hodgson never 'felt' like a Liverpool manager. Perhaps he didn't demonstrate the necessary arrogance? Despite undoubtedly trying his best, McLeish has never been a 'good fit' as Villa manager. Whereas Houllier's problems were largely self-inflicted, and perhaps demonstrated too much arrogance. MON on the other hand, did feel like a good fit as Villa manager for most of his reign.

If McLeish were to be relieved of his duties at the end of the season, then I'd welcome a move for Lambert. He is someone who has been there and done it - played abroad, and won trophies. He has also been prepared to work his way up the management tree to a certain extent. More importantly though IMO is some overarching structure to the footballing side of the club that ensures some continuity, and the development of a larger project. Comparisons with Barcelona are obviously a bit far-fetched, but it is great that their assistant manager can slip seamlessly into the hot seat following Guardiola's exit.

[Billy Walker]

Any of the losing Championship play-off managers will fit Lerner's needs.  Ambitious & hungry. 

Holloway or Mackay - yes please.  Allardyce - no thanks.

Hughton - a good manger, but once bitten...

Really wouldn't want Holloway.

Favour the link to Lambert.

why not Holloway,
 bright atractive attacking football, stands up for whatever club he's at, doesnt talk absolute bullshit all the time with manager soundbites, has a good record with teams with a low budget

yes he is a big mouth, but i quite like that, i loved big Ron, rather that than a mealy mouthed Hughes

Holloway? Soundbites are his stock and trade!  Like McLeish, he is pretty good at getting teams relegated from the top flight too.  The Villa job is way beyond him.

[old man villa fan]

I keep saying this but, is Heskey unpopular because he played for that lot or because he is very poor value for his wages?

The worst value for money player that I can remember us buying for a long time.  Due to his wages, we have been stuck with him until his contract runs down.  At least with some of the more recent disasters we have been able to cut and run.

[john e]

Any of the losing Championship play-off managers will fit Lerner's needs.  Ambitious & hungry. 

Holloway or Mackay - yes please.  Allardyce - no thanks.

Hughton - a good manger, but once bitten...

Really wouldn't want Holloway.

Favour the link to Lambert.

why not Holloway,
 bright atractive attacking football, stands up for whatever club he's at, doesnt talk absolute bullshit all the time with manager soundbites, has a good record with teams with a low budget

yes he is a big mouth, but i quite like that, i loved big Ron, rather that than a mealy mouthed Hughes

Holloway? Soundbites are his stock and trade!  Like McLeish, he is pretty good at getting teams relegated from the top flight too.  The Villa job is way beyond him.

neah,  be great fun

[Mister E]

I keep saying this but, is Heskey unpopular because he played for that lot or because he is very poor value for his wages?

Not a serious question, surely?

At £1m per goal-scored and very little by way of supporting-play benefit, he has been a bit of a waste of time as a senior player.

Who he played for previously shrinks as a dislike-factor substantially in the light of the above.

I remember when MON signed him and thought: hmmm, at £3m he might prove to be a cheekily clever purchase if he has a career "indian summer". He didn't and he hasn't.

[Legion]

No thanks.

[PeterWithe]

I keep saying this but, is Heskey unpopular because he played for that lot or because he is very poor value for his wages?

Not a serious question, surely?

At £1m per goal-scored and very little by way of supporting behaviour, he has been a bit of a waste of time as a senior player.

Who he played for previously shrinks as a dislike-factor substantially in the light of the above.

I remember when MON signed hime and thought: hmmm, at £3m he might prove to be a cheekily clever purchase if he has a career "indian summer". He didn't and he hasn't.

No not a serious question but something worth bringing up whenever its said that McLeish is only unpopular because he managed Blues, its bollocks, its because he is shit, just like Heskey.

[luke25]

Any of the losing Championship play-off managers will fit Lerner's needs.  Ambitious & hungry. 

Holloway or Mackay - yes please.  Allardyce - no thanks.

Hughton - a good manger, but once bitten...

Really wouldn't want Holloway.

Favour the link to Lambert.

why not Holloway, doesnt talk absolute bullshit

say whaaaaaat?

[Legion]

We're a half-arsed club that used to be famous, according to him.

[john e]

We're a half-arsed club that used to be famous, according to him.

about right at the moment

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I keep saying this but, is Heskey unpopular because he played for that lot or because he is very poor value for his wages?

Not a serious question, surely?

At £1m per goal-scored and very little by way of supporting behaviour, he has been a bit of a waste of time as a senior player.

Who he played for previously shrinks as a dislike-factor substantially in the light of the above.

I remember when MON signed hime and thought: hmmm, at £3m he might prove to be a cheekily clever purchase if he has a career "indian summer". He didn't and he hasn't.

No not a serious question but something worth bringing up whenever its said that McLeish is only unpopular because he managed Blues, its bollocks, its because he is shit, just like Heskey.

Thought Heskey played well until he went off on Tuesday. He looked 10 years younger and pretty nifty on his feet.





Never, ever thought I would write these words!

[PeterWithe]

He's been fabulous for the last three games but fucking shit over the course of his contract. I dont think that's too much of a contradiction.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

We're a half-arsed club that used to be famous, according to him.

Wanted to punch his little gnome's face when he said this!

And Blackpool are.....?