An open message to Randy Lerner from The Birmingham Mail

[les spragg]

I just wondered reading these posts how many people think we are better or worse off now than with Doug???

[VillaAlways]

After beating Norwich and Liverpool the OS published a piece from Faulkner saying how great PL was and how we were building towards a sustainable future. From the moment that article went was published , things have turned into complete and utter shit. I believe they weren't planning for transfers because we had a small run of average form they didnt think we needed any as we had miraculously become the new Ajax overnight which was naive given the age and experience of the squad,it was always going to be more likely up and down. I honestly think they're clinging to the hope that we are going to miraculously improve again with this same team . Everybody can see what is needed and I still believe it is mainly down to Lambert who is to stubborn to admit he is wrong. I expect to see a couple of signings buy they will be kids from the lower leagues Naive is not the word

[Irish villain]

I just wondered reading these posts how many people think we are better or worse off now than with Doug???

Most will say we are better off now but I am not too sure. I don't think relegation in 2006 would have been as bad as relegation would be this year what with the new TV deal coming into force in 2013/14. The game has changed a lot since 2006 and seems to have become more competitive with the  growth of clubs like Swansea and the Championship even seems to have a lot of well run clubs who compete very hard for their shot at the Premier League. On balance, it is probably harder to get out of it now than it was back then.

I'm not sure either which side would be better prepared for a successful season in the Championship, the current lot or the 2006 side which included seasoned players I could see doing well in the Championship. Our guys often look over pampered and lacking any stomach for a battle.

[David_Nab]

After beating Norwich and Liverpool the OS published a piece from Faulkner saying how great PL was and how we were building towards a sustainable future. From the moment that article went was published , things have turned into complete and utter shit. I believe they weren't planning for transfers because we had a small run of average form they didnt think we needed any as we had miraculously become the new Ajax overnight which was naive given the age and experience of the squad,it was always going to be more likely up and down. I honestly think they're clinging to the hope that we are going to miraculously improve again with this same team . Everybody can see what is needed and I still believe it is mainly down to Lambert who is to stubborn to admit he is wrong. I expect to see a couple of signings buy they will be kids from the lower leagues Naive is not the word

Yup when we had 2 good results they couldn't wait to start the positive PR.Easier to get blood from a stone than a comment from them now

[witton lane warrior]

he isnt bothered about us . he thought it was a easy money tree so he can feather his nest . well i for one wont be going down the shrine until he either puts money into the coffers or sacks lamberk and we know the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth . its gone on long enough now we need answers not questions

[itbrvilla]

After beating Norwich and Liverpool the OS published a piece from Faulkner saying how great PL was and how we were building towards a sustainable future. From the moment that article went was published , things have turned into complete and utter shit. I believe they weren't planning for transfers because we had a small run of average form they didnt think we needed any as we had miraculously become the new Ajax overnight which was naive given the age and experience of the squad,it was always going to be more likely up and down. I honestly think they're clinging to the hope that we are going to miraculously improve again with this same team . Everybody can see what is needed and I still believe it is mainly down to Lambert who is to stubborn to admit he is wrong. I expect to see a couple of signings buy they will be kids from the lower leagues Naive is not the word

Yup when we had 2 good results they couldn't wait to start the positive PR.Easier to get blood from a stone than a comment from them now

Stubborn to admit he is wrong and a tacticallly shit and incredible uninspiring manager.

[adrenachrome]

I just wondered reading these posts how many people think we are better or worse off now than with Doug???

There is a thread on that very subject and I think I wrote that it was a choice between tweedledumb and tweedledumber. Could have said ConLibs or NewLabs:  either way you get the shaft. The full girth, and without lube. Hurting you in the end.

Back to the Meaning Evil editorial, I have to say it is very well written.

[cheltenhamlion]

The absentee board argument is a fair one isn't it. Leading to us being run by a bloke who used to take corporate clients out on the piss for a credit card firm.

[Simon Ward]

Has anybody phoned Nicola Keye?

What's the number again?

[curiousorange]

If you'll allow me, i'd like to link to an article I've just had published. I took a couple of days' reflection on the Bradford game before I wrote it and could have posted it on a number of threads, but I think here works best - it follows on quite well from what the Mail have written. I won't reproduce it myself as i'd like people to visit the actual page, but I won't stop others from doing so. I'm not bothered by people complaining about posting links, as it's the content I feel is important:

http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/24-01-2013/dramatic-villa-downfall-has-fans-hurting/813595

[LeeS]

If you'll allow me, i'd like to link to an article I've just had published. I took a couple of days' reflection on the Bradford game before I wrote it and could have posted it on a number of threads, but I think here works best - it follows on quite well from what the Mail have written. I won't reproduce it myself as i'd like people to visit the actual page, but I won't stop others from doing so. I'm not bothered by people complaining about posting links, as it's the content I feel is important:

http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/24-01-2013/dramatic-villa-downfall-has-fans-hurting/813595

Good article Chris. Whatever happens, however bad it gets, at least we'll be able to tell our grandkids we suffered for the cause.

Unless, Villa has gone out of business by then.

[levico]

If you'll allow me, i'd like to link to an article I've just had published. I took a couple of days' reflection on the Bradford game before I wrote it and could have posted it on a number of threads, but I think here works best - it follows on quite well from what the Mail have written. I won't reproduce it myself as i'd like people to visit the actual page, but I won't stop others from doing so. I'm not bothered by people complaining about posting links, as it's the content I feel is important:

http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/24-01-2013/dramatic-villa-downfall-has-fans-hurting/813595

Excellent, Chris.  I found it quite comforting in a cathartic way. Is there any way you can get this under the nose of anyone at the club e,g Faulkner or Lambert?

[TopDeck113]

Good article. Articulates what many of us feel.

The Evening Page piece is well-worded, too.

Not that ultimately either will make any difference with the dumb yank and his MBNA lickspittle.

[Mister E]

I don’t think that Lerner and Faulkner don’t care, I think the situation has become more serious than that. They don’t know what to do- and neither do we.

The “back him or sack him” rhymes, but that is about it. Who do we buy? Who would come? What increased wage liability would that represent if we went down? What experience does Lambert, or anyone at the club, have in buying to stave off PL relegation? Sack him for whom? There is no obvious alternative.

I fear we have passed the point of no return.

I think the point of no return is 31-01-2013. But your questions are certainly apposite.

[Mister E]

If you'll allow me, i'd like to link to an article I've just had published. I took a couple of days' reflection on the Bradford game before I wrote it and could have posted it on a number of threads, but I think here works best - it follows on quite well from what the Mail have written. I won't reproduce it myself as i'd like people to visit the actual page, but I won't stop others from doing so. I'm not bothered by people complaining about posting links, as it's the content I feel is important:

http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/24-01-2013/dramatic-villa-downfall-has-fans-hurting/813595

Very passionately and articulately written, Chris. Your approach talks to the soul, which is unusual in the football business these days.