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

[Aston Manor]

I don't understand the negative feeling to Martinez, it smacks of a complete misreading of the situation.

He himself recently said "I did not turn down Aston Villa for football reasons". He felt he had work still to do at Wigan and owed them a debt of gratitude. It's not like he's done a Mark Hughes, is it? To say that he should have instantly dropped all obligations he felt towards anyone else and jumped straight to Villa is Liverpool-esque arrogance. We all got angry when Downing jumped ship with so little gratitude, but we're annoyed Martinez didn't do the same to come to us? That's a blatant double standard.

If anything, his actions last year make him precisely the kind of man I do want at Aston Villa. He's professional, he's honourable, he feels a sense of obligation towards people other than himself. Frankly, compare that to Lambert who has a career history of jumping ship at the first opportunity (I'm not blaming him as such, just saying that he's acted less honourably than Martinez).

 How do you misread a guy whose team starts playing in April?

You could argue that he manages his team  better when he is under real pressure, or that his team responds to his methods/tactics when forced to play under pressure to get results. The bigger the club he is at the more he will face that type of pressure from the board, fans, and media. It could be what he needs.

[dave.woodhall]

I have a feeling they have an idea who they want but it might take a bit of time to get him.

[ozzjim]

It's going to cost at least £20m just buy a new defence.

Good scouting and you could sort our defence for about 10-12 million I reckon. Clark, Lichaz and Dunne stay, the rest go. Naughton, Clyne at full backs won't cost the earth, the lad at Watford at centre half would be about 4 million. Then coach them, and protect them through the midfield.

[Louzie0]

I Have steamed through the last 20-odd pages and think we have gone off the point.  So, in the spirit of this thread, I want Glenn Hoddle.

For Manager, obv.

I think there will be some who'd prefer lung cancer.

Disgraceful! 
He speaks very highly of you.

[maidstonevillain]

Blimey, how terrifying is that info ad about cancer?

"If you've had a persistent cough for three weeks or more, its possible you may have lung cancer."

That's one for the hypochondriacs.

Wow, missed that, popped out for a smoke! 

Yet a close relative of mine, in her forties, who had never been ill in her life, went to her GP for week after week for about six months complaining of a persistent cough. Only to be fobbed off each time.  By the time they actually listened to her, it was too late to do anything, and she had less than 6 months to live.

[Stu]

Martinez survives each season on no-money other than that generated by sales. that puts him more in line with us then Lambert and Rodgers. why Wigan are always near the bottom is pretty obvious IMO

There is no obvious choice, unlike the days of SGT, Big Ron or MON, any choice is going to have pros and cons. For all of the positive points with Martinez there are plenty of questions, as there are with Lambert, Rodgers et al...

not least of which is whether any of them will come if we're still in the poor house. Mcliesh may have been happy to work with a-20m transfer budget, i'm not sure those 3 will

Any incoming manager will have to restructure the team, this much is obvious. You have to hope that Randy acknowledges this and is willing to spend some decent money.

not sure the jettisoning of Mcleish means the end of the austerity myself. In fact going from the words from the club they seem to think we should be miles higher with the current team- echo's of Faulkner's 'looking at europe' mentalism earlier in the season.

Fact is that the team is weak, and we've already lost two first team players, so they need replacing. There isn't any other option other than spending money. I don't think there's magically going to be tens of millions to spend, but the team needs working on.

[London Villan]

I have a feeling they have an idea who they want but it might take a bit of time to get him.

Is that a gut feel or something you've heard Dave?

[mr woo]

For those lauding Martinez and his loyalty, have a chat to Swansea fan. They still refer to him as Judas there. Slagged off players that moved on when their heads were turned, then did exactly the same thing himself.

But to be fair, you have to accept all but a handful of clubs are simply stepping stones to where career hungry managers wish to be. It's just nice to dispel another myth about Martinez.

Wigan play good football? I don't think so. They pulled their fingers out when it mattered but that's not enough in my book. They might be pretty but they have no steel at all.

I wouldn't trust Martinez to build a castle out of Lego, never mind our new defence. Lambert is a better fit for us in every way if that's the road you want to go down.

[ozzjim]

For those lauding Martinez and his loyalty, have a chat to Swansea fan. They still refer to him as Judas there. Slagged off players that moved on when their heads were turned, then did exactly the same thing himself.

But to be fair, you have to accept all but a handful of clubs are simply stepping stones to where career hungry managers wish to be. It's just nice to dispel another myth about Martinez.

Wigan play good football? I don't think so. They pulled their fingers out when it mattered but that's not enough in my book. They might be pretty but they have no steel at all.

I wouldn't trust Martinez to build a castle out of Lego, never mind our new defence. Lambert is a better fit for us in every way if that's the road you want to go down.

Wigan can be accused of much, but winning 7 out of 9 including United, Arsenal and Liverpool to save yourself shows steel.

[dave.woodhall]

I have a feeling they have an idea who they want but it might take a bit of time to get him.

Is that a gut feel or something you've heard Dave?

A feeling. This is their Venables with the England job moment, where they HAD to get the right man regardless of baggage. 

[ozzjim]

I have a feeling they have an idea who they want but it might take a bit of time to get him.

Ah it is going to be a long few weeks. Joy.

[charleeco7]

Deleted wrong thread.

[dave.woodhall]

The European Championships ending might cause a conveyor belt of changes.

[Irish villain]

I have a feeling they have an idea who they want but it might take a bit of time to get him.

If that's what it takes, that's what it takes. After two bad moves, we need to get this one right.

[Greg N'Ash]

It's going to cost at least £20m just buy a new defence.

yep. don't mean to rain on anyone's parade but until they start investing serious money in good players to replace the one's they've sold then any new guy is gonna struggle to produce a massive improvement