Kendrick Says It's Time To Ask Questions

[PeterWithesShin]

I thought MOMS was the voice of Villa fans?

[amfy]

I'm certainly not enjoying it. I saw more of a spark in the 8-0 at Chelsea last year than I have in recent weeks. (I quite liked their bizarre naive 'come on lads - we only need 9!' type approach)

On the other hand, I'm a little bit 'no wait! There have been moments of light recently, they just haven't come to much '2nd half Arsenal, LIverpool, even the 2nd half at Cardiff, & the first at the weekend - they didn't come to anything - but there was something maybe?......and then maybe if he gets £20-£25 million again, but this time buys 3 x £7-8 million players instead of 20 'prospects', maybe that'll be take us up a level next year, & we'll have rebuilt from the bottom, & it'll be really satisfying & make me feel really proud (which was where I REALLY felt we were going last year)
....& then I think - no - I'm delusional, we are actually shit, on a number of levels.

That's the problem I think with canvassing opinion. I don't think it's a 'Lambert out yes or no?' type question. Watching the overall views on this site, and sometimes even on wider social media - I think there's a hell of a lot of us, that aren't really sure what to think - we just know we're worried....and quite bored.

I don't think it's a canvassing issue, Amfy. At the moment, I'm thinking that the AVST ought perhaps to try for meeting with PF and others at the club to formally express concern on the fans' behalf at the extended transition period that we've endured since 2010, and the apparent lack of traction that Lambert has presided over.
At least this would indicate a level of concern, prior to taking any other action (such as we saw in the early 2000's against Doug).

This makes sense to me. I can see that.

[Tiny Arsetrumpet]

I'd like to know David Woodhall's thoughts. He tends to have his finger on the pulse of Villa fans everywhere. Personally, I'll be guided by him. If he thinks we should all band together to put a little bit of pressure on the board, then I think that's what we should do. If he believes it's best for the club to give Paul Lambert more time, then I'll fully support that stance, too.

[Dave Clark Five]

If it helps at all the Supporter's Trust replied to my tweet and said they agreed with Mr Kendrick's article, and further:

"We are relaunching to be your voice!"

Gordon Bennett!

[olaftab]

I'd like to know David Woodhall's thoughts. He tends to have his finger on the pulse of Villa fans everywhere. Personally, I'll be guided by him. If he thinks we should all band together to put a little bit of pressure on the board, then I think that's what we should do. If he believes it's best for the club to give Paul Lambert more time, then I'll fully support that stance, too.

Come on admit that you are Dave Woodhall?

[saunders_heroes]

I'd like to know David Woodhall's thoughts. He tends to have his finger on the pulse of Villa fans everywhere. Personally, I'll be guided by him. If he thinks we should all band together to put a little bit of pressure on the board, then I think that's what we should do. If he believes it's best for the club to give Paul Lambert more time, then I'll fully support that stance, too.

Come on admit that you are Dave Woodhall?

I was wondering what happened to him.

[Toronto Villa]

I'd like to know David Woodhall's thoughts. He tends to have his finger on the pulse of Villa fans everywhere. Personally, I'll be guided by him. If he thinks we should all band together to put a little bit of pressure on the board, then I think that's what we should do. If he believes it's best for the club to give Paul Lambert more time, then I'll fully support that stance, too.

Come on admit that you are Dave Woodhall?

I think should be a little concerned about his name being Arsetrumpet, though he might find relief in it being tiny.

[Tiny Arsetrumpet]

If it helps at all the Supporter's Trust replied to my tweet and said they agreed with Mr Kendrick's article, and further:

"We are relaunching to be your voice!"

Gordon Bennett!

Are they not good, Dave? As previously stated, I do think Mr.Woodhall is a great voice for Villa fans but I do like the sound of "Supporters Trust". I think it's the word "Trust" that has sold me. But I'd hate to be a splitter.

[not3bad]

If it helps at all the Supporter's Trust replied to my tweet and said they agreed with Mr Kendrick's article, and further:

"We are relaunching to be your voice!"

Gordon Bennett!

Are they not good, Dave? As previously stated, I do think Mr.Woodhall is a great voice for Villa fans but I do like the sound of "Supporters Trust". I think it's the word "Trust" that has sold me. But I'd hate to be a splitter.

The way I look at it, if we want to have some sort of voice why not use an organisation that is set up to be our voice.  Otherwise we risk going into a "Judean People's Front V People's Front of Judea" scenario.

[john2710]

The 'apathy' comes from the fact that most of us understand the position that club has put itself in & understood the need for patience. In the main we have bought the reasons or excuses that have been intimated by the club. I say intimated because nothing of any real substance ever comes out of the club. But our loyalty is being taken for granted and tested to the limit.

The exception to this acceptance by fans was the unfathomable appointment of McLeish. Maybe in our haste to remove him we were blind to Lambert's limitations and inexperience. In truth there is little difference in the end product served up by either manager, other than McLeish did it with better players.

We obviously couldn't sustain losses at the levels seen a few years ago & if we had continued along that path the club would have suffered a fatal blow very quickly. But the alternative route is a slow death none the less.

At some point over the next few months & maybe as soon as Sunday, that 4 years of 'apathy' will come to the surface. When it does, it will be Lambert & the players who feel the brunt of it, when the real target should be Faulkner & Lerner.

[Jimbo]

Is anybody really saying this is Pulitzer Prize stuff from Kendrick? Do people really believe the club are getting him to write articles as some kind of Machiavellian ploy to flush out the manager? The reason why this article stands out is because it's agitating for fans to act. You know, do something, anything, don't just sit there and accept your fate. What's remarkable is that it's fallen to the Evening Mail to have to jab fans in the ribs like this. It's been all too cosy while the house is falling down.

[john2710]

Perhaps Delia will grab the mike at half time on Sunday?

"Randy - where are you?"

[saunders_heroes]

Nice to see Kendrick actually speaking out for a change. Better still why doesn't he go on the attack and question the club rather than the fans?

[Leighton]

I will share with you the email that I sent to the club yesterday lunchtime. I received a telephone call earlier this evening from Nicky Keys, acknowledging that the email had been received and read by Paul Faulkner.

**********************

 
 
To Aston Villa,

Mr Randy Lerner, Mr Paul Faulkner, Mr Paul Lambert. Head of ticket sales;

I have been going down Villa Park since the mid 1980's, all but a few of those seasons I have been a season ticket holder. I have a season ticket now- I sit in the North Upper, along with my brother and a friend. Around us, we have made many friends. We are all very passionate and loyal Villa fans- and sometimes we disagree about a few Villa related things, as is the norm. One thing though that we are all in an agreement with, is that the present state of the first team is nothing short of woeful.
 
The blame falls firmly at the feet of our manager. If Mr Lerner and Mr Faulkner feel that Paul Lambert is worthy of a new contract, then I will not be renewing my season ticket. The football he has provided at Villa Park is terrible- a rare few exceptions such as Sunderland last season, a lucky win against Man City and WBA just papers over the cracks.
 
We are in real danger of relegation, and that is a result of the manager’s inability. I fear that even if we do stay up this season, we will be forced to endure more of the same next year and the year after that if he is given a new contract. Flirting with relegation should not be what our club should be about. With Paul Lambert in charge, that is the best we can hope for.
 
If we stay up, then we will be very lucky to do so. If we get relegated, then the board (not the fans) deserve exactly that for not addressing the decline of the first team sooner.
 
On the pitch, we have made NO progress under Lambert. Just look at the results. Barr a few quality additions, most of the players he has signed are not of premiership class, nor never will be. I believe he’s been given the tools to do the job; he just can’t do the job very well. He has to go.
 
I would just like to make it clear that when it comes to matters off the field, I am extremely impressed with the club. I have had the pleasure to meet with Mr Faulkner on a few occasions, most recently at the Villa Supporters Trust meeting held last November. I do feel that since Mr Lerner took charge, the dialogue between the club and the fans has been enhanced. I especially appreciate the clubs stance on the safe standing debate.
 
But, the bottom line is this: Paul Lambert’s football is dross. His results are below acceptable. His squad are the worst since the relegation season of 1986. He does not deserve to still be in a job. He needs to be sacked.
 
I hope that somebody at the club will pass on my frustrations and concerns to the board, especially Mr Faulkner.
 
Regards and as always, Up the Villa!
 
Leighton.

*****************************

[saunders_heroes]

Nice letter, Leighton, but we've had 4 seasons of relegation battles and utter shite football, so it can't be all Lambert's fault. Some criticism of Lerner in your letter wouldn't have been out of place.