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

[tomd2103]

I know he won but the tactics were appauling, Im pretty sure Di Matteo is a forefront for the player power at Chelsea.

Give him another job im sure he'd fluff it, Albion fans were happy when he left

Just out of interest, what tactics would you have employed taking an understrength team to a Champions League final against one of the best teams in Europe on their own patch?  I agree that Chelsea were a little negative on the night, but it was hardly surprising given the circumstances.

I think you might have point about the player power though.  Judging by his actions after he came off against Napoli, John Terry looked like he had some kind of Assistant Manager role under Di Matteo. 

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I don't think a stupid amount needs to be spent, there's some bloody good footballers down there still.

I'd say the midfield and defence are mostly fine (although maybe another striker now Heskey has gone) but the defence definatley needs looking at.

I'd say the midfield is the worst it has been for a very long time. The defence is better, but not much

For me, the whole back 4 can go
Warnock, Collins, Dunne and Hutton.

[tomd2103]

I don't think a stupid amount needs to be spent, there's some bloody good footballers down there still.

I'd say the midfield and defence are mostly fine (although maybe another striker now Heskey has gone) but the defence definatley needs looking at.

I'd say the midfield is the worst it has been for a very long time. The defence is better, but not much

Agree glasses.  We were extremely weak in the middle of midfield last season.  If Makoun comes back and performs then that will be a massive help, but if not then I think we need at least two new players in there.

[timeoutbigbar]

Di Matteo is a big NO from me, Albion reject, I watched the champions league final, I f I had to sit through that week in week out I'd want Mcshit back

If I had to sit through us winning the European Cup week in week out I'd know I was either dreaming or in a timely back to 1982. 

Quite, I can't belive so many people want to see us play sexy football rather than get back to winning ways, which to me is far more important, if the football is good that's just a bonus.

With our budget, the amount we could possibly achieve is top half/pushing for a European place.  I'd rather see us  finish 10th and provide entertainment than finish 8th and bore the fuck out of me every week (more often than not though good football and results go together).

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I'd keep
Given, Gabby, Herd, Ireland, Bent, Weimann, Makoun, Clark, Baker, N'Zogbia, Gardner

Fuck the rest off (including the not good enough Bannan and Albrighton)

Promote about 3 or 4 from the kids fully into the squad (Carruthers etc)

That would mean signing about 7 players, 1 of which we've already got (Hey there lonely girl Holman)

Therefore 6 signings required.

[tomd2103]

I'd keep
Given, Gabby, Herd, Ireland, Bent, Weimann, Makoun, Clark, Baker, N'Zogbia, Gardner

Fuck the rest off (including the not good enough Bannan and Albrighton)

Promote about 3 or 4 from the kids fully into the squad (Carruthers etc)

That would mean signing about 7 players, 1 of which we've already got (Hey there lonely girl Holman)

Therefore 6 signings required.

Major stumbling block I can see is the wages some of them are on at Villa.  They are not going to want to move for significantly less money (especially as a few of them only have one year left on their contracts) and clubs are not going to want and in a lot of cases be able to match the wages they are on here. 

[King of the Nørth]

 So No OGS, Lambert hasnt been approached, Martinez has been made an offer by Pool and while Rafa has been contacted do people seriously think he'd be appointed? No news from any ITK's out there. Hmm I was hoping we would have someone LATEST by this time next week. They tell us the search is going well but who on Earth could it be ? Could it really be someone we havent even thought of as yet? Soooo tempted to stick a tenner on  a Koeman, Rijkard or Laudrup on 200/300 to 1 going by the previous appointments.

[Lambert and Payne]

My moneys on Poyet, I have no basis for this I just think it will be him

Rather it be Lambert though, my 1st choice from the start

[WA Villan]

I don't think a stupid amount needs to be spent, there's some bloody good footballers down there still.

I'd say the midfield and defence are mostly fine (although maybe another striker now Heskey has gone) but the defence definatley needs looking at.

You say the defence are fine, but needs looking at? For me the whole team needs looking out. The defence are pissheads and troublemakers. The midfield don't exist and the frontline (strikers) don't strike.

[ozzjim]

If I had to bet on it, I would go Lambert

[Merv]

Been very quiet this week, still no real idea who are speaking to other than the approach for OGS. Seemed to have been some strong indications that something would happen with Lambert by the end of the week, but nothing.

Let's see what next week brings!

[mr underhill]

might have something to do with release clauses in contracts.? For some reason June 1st always sticks in my mind as being significant in football orientated contracts although this maybe total shite. If not it would/could imply the person we are after is employed. Speaking out loud really, heat's got to me. i also thinkit might be Gus with someone like Wilkins alongside

[sonlyme]

I think Martinez would actually be better staying at Wigan and getting a top half finish with them next season if he believes that he's good enough, then he'd have more than us and 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' to pick from I think. At the moment he's riding on the back of his last nine games while everyone seems to have conveniently forgotten the years of dross that preceded them.

So given the immutable law of the Villa Board -  when something seems certain and good - it cannot happen.  When it seems outlandish, perverse, and bad - it can.  I have no doubt that within minutes of bothering to write this up - Mr Martinez will declare his retirement from football or some-such other knock back.



Everyone has an opinion - so what - I just wish we had a bit more informed opinion.

Roberto Martinez has indeed struggled at Wigan.  But then again - who wouldn't?  Wigan underwent their own MON moment at the hands of Mr Steve Bruce.  Dave 'Silent as the Grave' Whelan pulled his horns in - and Martinez had to work on a budget - a tight budget.  Every season his best players were sold - and yet they still maintained their premier league status.

The Swansea revolution was started by Martinez - a quick look at their forums reveals just how much he meant to them - half of them hate him for leaving - the other half still love him for changing everything about the football they play.

I found this fine piece of writing on the Swansea revolution - it's worth a read and it analyses Brendan Rodgers too.

http://www.haugstadfootball.net/?p=425

And the Swans boards reveal a lot about him too.

He set us on the way to where we are today, it was him that introduced the free flowing football that we are associated with now. The reason he is disliked by some is that, in all honesty nobody wanted him to leave and no one thought he would, as a result people vented their frustration by chastising him. In hindsight it was a blessing for us because we were able to move on under Brendan Rodgers and to a lesser degree Sousa, but it was Roberto that set the system in motion

.[/i]

Source: http://www.swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=13964&start=1&highlight=Martinez&highlightmode=1

And most tellingly - Ian Holloway - that favourite of so many here - on seeing his team soundly trounced described Martinez thus : "...as smooth as a cashmere codpiece" - nuff said.

I see a lot of chat about odds and bets here.  For the uninitiated - odds have no bearing on reality - or indeed what may or may not happen.  They are simply a reflection of how people are betting.  Hence the Mick McCarthy ruse - where 30 - 40 bluenoses each put a pound on big Mick - and succeed in giving the naive a sleepless night or two.  The market for next Villa manager is tiny in betting terms - even small amounts can cause the market to swing wildly.

Should anyone fancy a real bet - should Martinez leave Wigan this summer - stick a ton on them going down - and do it quick - for that is as close to a sure thing as you will ever hear.

UTV

[eastie]

I don't think a stupid amount needs to be spent, there's some bloody good footballers down there still.

I'd say the midfield and defence are mostly fine (although maybe another striker now Heskey has gone) but the defence definatley needs looking at.

Midfield and defence are mostly fine?
Midfield is very poor and create very few chances , defence apart from given, the back four all need to go, gabby has gone over 20 games scoreless   - we need major changes in the squad.

How anyone can say the defence and midfield are mostly fine after we just about stayed up is astounding.
Come on clampy , take those blinkers off!

[The Laughing Policeman]

Di Matteo is a big NO from me, Albion reject, I watched the champions league final, I f I had to sit through that week in week out I'd want Mcshit back

You've never watched our European Cup Final against Bayern then?