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

[Monty]

But isn't that a bit like the football Spurs, Man Utd and Chelsea play?  They seem to get the ball forward quite quickly and in the case of Spurs and Man Utd still favour traditional wingers at times.

Chelsea I grant you, but the fact that they play that way after spending infinite money is a bit embarrassing, to be honest. At least Man City have the decency to be easy on the eye.

And I'm not excluding fairly traditional wingers like Nani, Young, Valencia, Lennon and Bale. But United certainly do not 'get the ball forward quickly', and their wingers are often utilised cutting inside and in the inside positions, rather than really 'wide'. Spurs are the exception, I grant you, and they actually finished second in the long ball ranks - but this is a bit misleading, as Modric was their biggest player of what the stats call 'long-balls', so it probably included 40-yard balls to feet for the wingers. Plus Spurs, as I say, are the exception to the rule, and often rely on sheer individual talent rather than teamwork, and perhaps aren't a model to follow.

[achilles]

To be fair to Martinez he realised at Wigan that the team's formation needed changing due to poor results and was adroit enough to change it for the better and produced results that ultimately saved them from relegation. On that basis alone he could be ideal for Villa, to get the best out of the current players, who aren't as bad as our position leads us to believe! The downside is that he has already turned us down once so are we REALLY going to go after him again?

I just hope that the board surprise me in a positive way and NOT in the way of the last appointment... I live in hope!

[tomd2103]

But isn't that a bit like the football Spurs, Man Utd and Chelsea play?  They seem to get the ball forward quite quickly and in the case of Spurs and Man Utd still favour traditional wingers at times.

Chelsea I grant you, but the fact that they play that way after spending infinite money is a bit embarrassing, to be honest. At least Man City have the decency to be easy on the eye.

And I'm not excluding fairly traditional wingers like Nani, Young, Valencia, Lennon and Bale. But United certainly do not 'get the ball forward quickly', and their wingers are often utilised cutting inside and in the inside positions, rather than really 'wide'. Spurs are the exception, I grant you, and they actually finished second in the long ball ranks - but this is a bit misleading, as Modric was their biggest player of what the stats call 'long-balls', so it probably included 40-yard balls to feet for the wingers. Plus Spurs, as I say, are the exception to the rule, and often rely on sheer individual talent rather than teamwork, and perhaps aren't a model to follow.

I must admit that most of my Villa supporting friends and colleagues want to see good football more than anything else next season (as long as we don't go down doing it!!).  I like Lambert, but I would also not be adverse to Martinez or Rodgers.  If I'm being honest, I would prefer Martinez over Rodgers, as he has built an entire structure and way of playing at more than one club whereas Rodgers has struggled to do that at other clubs before Swansea.  Although Martinez has hardly set the world alight at Wigan, he could be somebody I could see coming in and wanting to make fundamental changes to the club, including the Academy (apparently all teams at Wigan from the first team down play the same way) and get us playing a certain way.  Will the heirarchy at the club want that?

In all honesty though, I can't see us getting any of those managers and I wouldn't have thought any of them actually applied for the job.       

[Monty]

But isn't that a bit like the football Spurs, Man Utd and Chelsea play?  They seem to get the ball forward quite quickly and in the case of Spurs and Man Utd still favour traditional wingers at times.

Chelsea I grant you, but the fact that they play that way after spending infinite money is a bit embarrassing, to be honest. At least Man City have the decency to be easy on the eye.

And I'm not excluding fairly traditional wingers like Nani, Young, Valencia, Lennon and Bale. But United certainly do not 'get the ball forward quickly', and their wingers are often utilised cutting inside and in the inside positions, rather than really 'wide'. Spurs are the exception, I grant you, and they actually finished second in the long ball ranks - but this is a bit misleading, as Modric was their biggest player of what the stats call 'long-balls', so it probably included 40-yard balls to feet for the wingers. Plus Spurs, as I say, are the exception to the rule, and often rely on sheer individual talent rather than teamwork, and perhaps aren't a model to follow.

I must admit that most of my Villa supporting friends and colleagues want to see good football more than anything else next season (as long as we don't go down doing it!!).  I like Lambert, but I would also not be adverse to Martinez or Rodgers.  If I'm being honest, I would prefer Martinez over Rodgers, as he has built an entire structure and way of playing at more than one club whereas Rodgers has struggled to do that at other clubs before Swansea.  Although Martinez has hardly set the world alight at Wigan, he could be somebody I could see coming in and wanting to make fundamental changes to the club, including the Academy (apparently all teams at Wigan from the first team down play the same way) and get us playing a certain way.  Will the heirarchy at the club want that?

In all honesty though, I can't see us getting any of those managers and I wouldn't have thought any of them actually applied for the job.       

Uhuh? Interesting. Hand on heart then - who do you think will be our next manager?

[Hoppo]

Paul Lambert.

[tomd2103]

But isn't that a bit like the football Spurs, Man Utd and Chelsea play?  They seem to get the ball forward quite quickly and in the case of Spurs and Man Utd still favour traditional wingers at times.

Chelsea I grant you, but the fact that they play that way after spending infinite money is a bit embarrassing, to be honest. At least Man City have the decency to be easy on the eye.

And I'm not excluding fairly traditional wingers like Nani, Young, Valencia, Lennon and Bale. But United certainly do not 'get the ball forward quickly', and their wingers are often utilised cutting inside and in the inside positions, rather than really 'wide'. Spurs are the exception, I grant you, and they actually finished second in the long ball ranks - but this is a bit misleading, as Modric was their biggest player of what the stats call 'long-balls', so it probably included 40-yard balls to feet for the wingers. Plus Spurs, as I say, are the exception to the rule, and often rely on sheer individual talent rather than teamwork, and perhaps aren't a model to follow.

I must admit that most of my Villa supporting friends and colleagues want to see good football more than anything else next season (as long as we don't go down doing it!!).  I like Lambert, but I would also not be adverse to Martinez or Rodgers.  If I'm being honest, I would prefer Martinez over Rodgers, as he has built an entire structure and way of playing at more than one club whereas Rodgers has struggled to do that at other clubs before Swansea.  Although Martinez has hardly set the world alight at Wigan, he could be somebody I could see coming in and wanting to make fundamental changes to the club, including the Academy (apparently all teams at Wigan from the first team down play the same way) and get us playing a certain way.  Will the heirarchy at the club want that?

In all honesty though, I can't see us getting any of those managers and I wouldn't have thought any of them actually applied for the job.       

Uhuh? Interesting. Hand on heart then - who do you think will be our next manager?

Honestly do not have a clue at this point Monty and wouldn't want to even guess on the evidence of our last two appointments!!  How about you?  Just can't see Rodgers wanting to leave Swansea at this point, would be amazed if Lambert has not spoken to O'Neill about the job and had his cards marked and can't see Martinez doing a u-turn after turning us down last summer.

I'm just glad it is the cricket season, so I can divert my attention away from all this!!

[KRS]

Villa isnt a big enough club for DWs love child...he's destined to manage the best and biggest clubs in Europe dont you know?!

Lambert and Rodgers are the only candidates worth considering from the PL, so hopefully the club have identified other targets that can raise the same level of excitement and imagination as the OGS saga did.

[Dave Clark Five]

A good chance that some of the names put up in jest will now come into the frame.

[Monty]

Honestly do not have a clue at this point Monty and wouldn't want to even guess on the evidence of our last two appointments!!  How about you?  Just can't see Rodgers wanting to leave Swansea at this point, would be amazed if Lambert has not spoken to O'Neill about the job and had his cards marked and can't see Martinez doing a u-turn after turning us down last summer.

I'm just glad it is the cricket season, so I can divert my attention away from all this!!

You know I was just thinking the same this afternoon. Don't get this bullshit in cricket!

It's an interesting point you raise about Lambert there - while he is his own man, there's no doubt he'd seek advice, and MON's wouldn't be favourable. However, he is clever enough to know MON's bias.

Obviously, I don't particularly want him. I can see it being Martinez maybe, as he'd get more control with us than under the new, strict regime at Liverpool (which is doomed to failure, no question).

Honestly, my gut instinct says Lambert, but I'm a natural pessimist who assumes that the one thing I don't want to happen will happen. Ultimately, it's very disappointing for us that OGS has decided it's not the gig for him right now. He seemed the obvious appointment to me. I'd like to think we're going just as adventurous with the alternatives - Paciencia, Sandoval of Rayo Vallecano, Robin Dutt - but I think the board's natural conservatism will prevail and Lambert will be offered it. The question will be, then, if he wants it.

[tomd2103]

Honestly do not have a clue at this point Monty and wouldn't want to even guess on the evidence of our last two appointments!!  How about you?  Just can't see Rodgers wanting to leave Swansea at this point, would be amazed if Lambert has not spoken to O'Neill about the job and had his cards marked and can't see Martinez doing a u-turn after turning us down last summer.

I'm just glad it is the cricket season, so I can divert my attention away from all this!!

You know I was just thinking the same this afternoon. Don't get this bullshit in cricket!

It's an interesting point you raise about Lambert there - while he is his own man, there's no doubt he'd seek advice, and MON's wouldn't be favourable. However, he is clever enough to know MON's bias.

Obviously, I don't particularly want him. I can see it being Martinez maybe, as he'd get more control with us than under the new, strict regime at Liverpool (which is doomed to failure, no question).

Honestly, my gut instinct says Lambert, but I'm a natural pessimist who assumes that the one thing I don't want to happen will happen. Ultimately, it's very disappointing for us that OGS has decided it's not the gig for him right now. He seemed the obvious appointment to me. I'd like to think we're going just as adventurous with the alternatives - Paciencia, Sandoval of Rayo Vallecano, Robin Dutt - but I think the board's natural conservatism will prevail and Lambert will be offered it. The question will be, then, if he wants it.

Yes the tranquil world of cricket seems a million miles from all this nonsense!!  Not that I want him, but I really wouldn't be surprised if we are linked heavily with Di Matteo should he leave Chelsea. 

[eastie]

Glenn hoddle anyone?

Granted he's been out of the game a while but a more credible option than keV mac or Grayson in my view.
Nobody really foresaw the solksjaer change of mind after he had said he wanted the job, molde even leaked his comments saying he would take it if offered but it's not to be and I'd rather we appoint someone whose desperately keen to manage the club than someone whose not sure.

Another day , another dollar and I'm sure some press and media will be laughing at us but as mr ant once said ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

[Californian Villain]

Glenn hoddle anyone?

Are you taking the piss?

[Jarpie]

Glenn hoddle anyone?

Granted he's been out of the game a while but a more credible option than keV mac or Grayson in my view.
Nobody really foresaw the solksjaer change of mind after he had said he wanted the job, molde even leaked his comments saying he would take it if offered but it's not to be and I'd rather we appoint someone whose desperately keen to manage the club than someone whose not sure.

Another day , another dollar and I'm sure some press and media will be laughing at us but as mr ant once said ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

Glenn Hoddle? Fuck no. Don't you remember the debacle with his "You're going to sleep 10 PM!" stuff with national team?

[eastie]

Lambert saying after last nights game he's very happy at Norwich- sky reporting Grayson now joint favourite- I'd take hoddle over Grayson anyday.

Grayson was sacked at Leeds and I don't think has the credentials for the job, worrying as the names we'd like seem to be dropping one by one.

[ozzjim]

No one would welcome Hoddle or Grayson now.

The board, which I am sure they are aware as well as everyone else, have to appoint a manager that will sit well with the fans now. OGS had over 80% approval and would have been unique in that, but I am sure Lambert would enjoy similar now, and Martinez probably above 50% now. Hell even Poyet would.

Grayson, no more than 25% I would guess, and Hoddle less. If not Ole, which it appears not to be, although by all reports he has not been made an actual offer to say no too, so we can't be totally sure, then we have to get someone else that captures the imagination.

The one thing I think we have to accept now though is that Liverpool may have to appoint before us, as if they don't appoint Martinez he is our man.