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

[tomd2103]

I'd agree with that - he seemed to have trouble organising a defence, as well.

Although, to be honest, we've just had a season of playing terrible stuff whilst lacking a back bone, so even Martinez's thing would be an improvement.

At the same time Martinez's side, on their day, are capable of beating anyone, which would be a big change from the depressingly predictable dirge we've been seeing.

On the flipside he's also overseen a 6-0 home defeat and 8-0 and 9-1 away defeats.Personally i'm not that enthused by the thought of Martinez.

If it is to be Martinez then my one hope is that after nearly three years in the Premier League, it finally clicked for him at the end of last season.  He found a formation and a way of playing that can get results in the Premiership and he can now build on that.  It would be interesting to see what he could do if his team started the season the way Wigan ended the last one.

[rob_bridge]

The reason Lambert, Rodgers and Martinez stock is so high is that they had the worst 3 playing squads in the Top League last year and stayed up.

My personal preference is Lambert and then either Martinez or Poyet (not all that fussed). Rodgers is too expensive in terms of compensation and won't come anyway.

Of the others Rafa - no we haven't got 100m to pee up the wall.
AVB - he was like a fighter put into a World Title eliminator after 5 fights and very good amateur record. Still needs to learn his trade.
OSG would have been a progressive punt but doesn't appear to want to move.

The more I think about the more it could be Di Matteo and that really would not be wise. Unless of course he hits the ground sprinting - where have we heard that before?

[Hookeysmith]

My concern over Martinez is some of the Villa fans comments like

"yeah but Wigan was shit and he had no resources - imagine what he could do with better players"

Now where did i hear that before

[DB]

i think Martinez is so over-hyped its untrue........... he scrapes staying up everyyear and this master tactician has, for all his good results, presided over some record thumpings as well........  Amazing what a smart suit and foreign name can do for your image !!

RDM in most peoples opinions is no good as he had a bad run at Albion and got sacked - but has gone one to win the FA & Champs league double..............  - however, Brendand Rodgers is spaffed over by the same people who slaughter RDM cos his teams play nice tip-tap football - lets not forget he got the bullett at Watford and Reading pre-Swans.....

DI MATTEO all the way for me - make it happen Randy !!

I agree with all of that, apart from the last sentence......Lambert!

[PaulWinch again]

It better not be Di Matteo, I definitely want Martinez over him. Also people raving about Rodgers, Martinez essentially put everything in place at Swansea that has lead them to where they are now.

[not3bad]

My concern over Martinez is some of the Villa fans comments like

"yeah but Wigan was shit and he had no resources - imagine what he could do with better players"

Now where did i hear that before

Differences which immediately spring to mind:

Mcleish was defensive, Martinez is not
Mcleish had what was often called Birmingham's best squad, Martinez had less resources than Bruce or Jewell

[Monty]

My concern over Martinez is some of the Villa fans comments like

"yeah but Wigan was shit and he had no resources - imagine what he could do with better players"

Now where did i hear that before

Well yeah, but that was more an excuse for thinking McLeish would change his style of play. Martinez has the style of play, but with better players he'd have more of a cutting edge. That's hard to deny.

[Concrete John]

I guess the thing with Martinez is whether you believe he's always in the relegation mix with Wigan due to poor resources or just because he's a poor manager?

As usual, the answer is probably somewhere between the two.

[pestria]

Villa in a 4-4-3?

Given

Baker - Dunne - Clark
Herd - Makoun - Ireland - Delph
N'Zogbia - Bent - Gabby

With that midfield we'd be relegated by Christmas

[mr woo]

Although I think Lambert is a better fit for Aston Villa, I get the impression Martinez is a better fit for the board. They just love a nice guy.

[Concrete John]

I've never been convinced that nice guys nake the best football managers. 

[Monty]

I've never been convinced that nice guys nake the best football managers. 

I don't think there's any rule as simplistic as that.

[PaulWinch again]

Just because Martinez is polite and articulate doesn't mean he can't crack the whip.

[not3bad]

I guess the thing with Martinez is whether you believe he's always in the relegation mix with Wigan due to poor resources or just because he's a poor manager?

As usual, the answer is probably somewhere between the two.

But Martinez is also young and has plenty of time to learn and adapt, which I think he's already doing. 

[Monty]

Just because Martinez is polite and articulate doesn't mean he can't crack the whip.

Indeed. Who would have thought that OGS would be the man to shout "is anyone going to fucking shoot!?"?