Alan McCafu

[London Villan]

Another chapter to add to: Aston Villa - The Strange Years...

[richardhubbard]

Alan never slated the fans , the club or lambert and when got his chance this season been very good so I hope he continues in this way now

[N'Rexy]

They were worried about securing him in the event of a Yes vote on thursday.

[London Villan]

Alan never slated the fans , the club or lambert and when got his chance this season been very good so I hope he continues in this way now

And he  would have had grounds to at least have a dig at the manager. Then, when you are being paid £40k a week, not to do a jot of work for two years, it's a bit easier to keep quiet.

[cdward]

I can't help but think, the whole bomb squad thing was Faulkeners idea.
Never expected this one, truly bizarre, didn't we loan him to Forest last year, now give him a 3 year deal.

[London Villan]

Are these Lambert's decisions?

The majority of his players, bought before Keane's arrival, have been sold/loaned/dropped from squad.

The profile of the players have gone from his young, inexperienced and un-proven to solid, experienced players.

The bomb squad members that were considered only good enough for the reserves are now back in the squad and earning new contracts...

Makes you think.

[john e]

I don't think Faulkener had much influence on playing matters, I know he's become a bit of a scapegoat
But Lamberts his own man, he would not be dictated to by a CEO about who to play and who not to, I am pretty sure of that,

[damon loves JT]

I have followed the Villa all my life and still have no idea what is going on.

[olaftab]

Lambert is clearly not "his own man" otherwise we wouldn't have this ridiculous situation where a player is effectively on gardening leave for two years to run out his contract and as soon as that is about to happen gets another 3 year contract. Mind boggling.

[Legion]

I have followed the Villa all my life and still have no idea what is going on.

All your life? PAH! I've followed them before I was even born, you part-timer, you.

[Risso]

I don't think Faulkener had much influence on playing matters, I know he's become a bit of a scapegoat
But Lamberts his own man, he would not be dictated to by a CEO about who to play and who not to, I am pretty sure of that,

But Lambert hinted at the fact from the word go that the Hutton "situation" was down to money.  Why would a manager like Lambert, or any other manager come to that, just ostracise a player like Hutton before he'd even seen him play?

Whoever did have the idea, it was utterly baffling, and made sense on no level whatsoever.

[supertom]

I don't think Faulkener had much influence on playing matters, I know he's become a bit of a scapegoat
But Lamberts his own man, he would not be dictated to by a CEO about who to play and who not to, I am pretty sure of that,

I do wonder about Faulkners stance on player contracts though. We seem to be a lot more active in sorting out players contracts now that Faulkner has gone, whereas previously that side seemed to have ground to a halt. Somewhere along the line he's had a difference of opinion with Randy and/or Lambert, making his position untenable.
It just seems a little funny the way we've turned back round from the bomb squad, and are also dealing with contracts now that PF is out the door.
Conversely it might also be because Randy is resigned to the fact he's here for the foreseeable future, and he can't just leave them for the next owner.
Whatever the truth though, Faulkners legacy here (or timing) has been mostly negative.
That Hutton and Given, and to a lesser extent Zogbia and Bent don't seem to have a problem with Lambert personally says a little.

[London Villan]

We were paying his wages whether he played or not? Let alone no involvement for two years. Now he'll still be on the same deal? None of it adds up. It would be nice to get an explanation.

[silhillvilla]

Tales of the Unexpected .
Series 3 - Hutton's New Contract

[rob_bridge]

And the 5 years of Madness is yet to cease.