Might of already been posted somewhere but this guy has written a letter to Randy....
I've never done this before I don't think. I communicated with Randy after the QPR saying it looked like a replica of the 86/87 team. He answered and asked for more thoughts so I passed on the feedback of the many (and of the few as well)
I didn't mention that I'd done it but this time, as so many keep emailing, texting, facebooking, ringing or asking me at games, 'do something' or 'what can we do' I'll publish this communication sent today to Randy. I will not pass on answers, that isn't fair, or as some ask, his email details. I've got access because I got to slightly know him at the time of the takeover.
Hi Randy
I come in peace, without arrogance and pretty much without hope. I`ve actually been asked by so many 'DO SOMETHING FEAR` and although I don`t think I can do anything, I also feel a slight duty of care having been so vocal with regards to the previous owner and so supportive of your era up to but not including the last four woeful years. I can say as a fan of some time, I`ve never felt so bored or distanced. My first game was 1978. The lady behind me the other day said she had always promised to stop coming when it stopped being fun and said that is now. I`ve heard many say the 3rd division days were better than this because at least 'we` had some fight then. There is also an article on my site at the moment of a fan of 35 years saying that`s it, he`s done. He`s a top guy, raised a lot for Acorns etc etc. Many feel like mugs right now and then have to listen to Lambert`s post match musings on the way home from games.
I don`t, as you know, purport to represent everyone. I do however have the finger on the pulse of one the largest sites and for my sins have a presence within AVFC fan wise and the ability to contact you. I get it from both ends with fans these days, poor me boo hoo but that is the fact of it. Even my dad after Sunday said to me 'for goodness sake contact Randy and do something`. He also said a straight no to going to the FA Cup which despite being on tv and us season ticket holders having paid enough already for what we`ve seen, has gone up in price! Thing is, I`m there, I see it, I`m an easy one for people to spill their worries out to, some do it in a great way, some do it with a fury that misses the fact I make no decisions and I own nothing but a strong opinion and a website to express it!
There are some fans who support Lambert and blame you squarely for not backing him. I don`t buy the not backing, not to this level of inadequacy but it would be grossly unfair for me not to mention them. You`ll know in our interactions (they won`t!) that I try to be balanced and our former CEO will certain attest to the fact, as will some press, that when I give views, I often say this isn`t my personal view, this is the view of the majority. The view of the majority at the moment appears to be boredom, resignation, bewilderment and the suspicion that this manager is taking us down. Some say the fans need to just turn up and be the 12th man. Would you argue against me saying that`s exactly what we`ve done? The away fans are second to none, the home fans are quiet and bored but give them something to get behind and they are there straight away. And the chants have been v the manager, not against the team.
The view of the statistics is this manager is taking us down.
We were tenth after 23 games last year, -6 You will know this year we are 16th -19 which is the lowest in the league.
8 games no win. 6 with no goals (a new club record) Lowest scorers in all top leagues across Europe and yet we have your record signing striker booted out. Was he perfect? No. Could he score more than our top scorers who have 3? I`ll let you answer that. Is it all down to the players? Or is it down to the players not being managed? And just look at how many of the buys you`ve funded (albeit lower fees than we were used to seeing sign) are now out on their ears already. We changed to ineffective possession football, it is being laughed at by the press, some of the commentaries have been amazing 'the fans are booing, I wish I could join in to be honest` 'I can`t for the life of me see what Villa are trying to do with the ball` 'they aren`t moving forward` etc Possession is no good if you don`t get it forward and shoot. He used to play counter attacking football, v a team like Arsenal that would make perfect sense and got us a result last season. So why go from the one to the other, why on earth like other managers can`t he think to mix up and use different tactics? But then, when a manager can`t even manage his assistants I guess it is too much to ask for him to manage his team. We were a shambles yesterday and instead of taking any of the blame, he went straight for the defence. We lost the ball in midfield actually, Sanchez being the worst culprit, the defence were under massive pressure and if not for interventions from Clark and Richardson (a midfielder as full back with a full back on the bench and how many on loan? + Baker on the bench who plays fullback?) it would have been worse, not to mention them hitting the post.
The view of our capitulation and lack of direction this year despite the expectations from - I think at the time - the majority that we`d see major improvements this year is we are going down.
We are told by the manager our expectations don`t match the reality. That means not his fault, it is your and our fault. I can tell you for a 100% fact that the expectations of the great majority have NEVER been so low Mr Lerner. Please re-read that line. Not EVER have I thought 'we might be better being knocked out the FA Cup so we can concentrate on survival` but that is what I think now. It makes me feel sick.
At the most positive the view is that it will have to be three teams worse than us that keep us up. Again. 3 seasons in a row with him. One under Alex (if the narrative of what he did, to use Tom`s language, led to a sacking, why is as bad/worse not seen as the same narrative?)
A former Villa player, Keown is interesting (if this shows in the USA:
www.bbc.co.uk/sport ) They all know we have the players, they all know we don`t have the right direction because of the manager. So many of the press, former players etc are saying it. As are long term Villa fans. I could give you hundreds of examples, I won`t, you`ll no doubt take my word for it.
Tom`s quotes last week, implying 'we know best` and saying fans are baying for blood but it`s a false narrative were arrogant, misguided and rude towards people who know far more about a) football b) Aston Villa c) the fans than him. I know you nudged him to meet me, he fixed a date in October (I hadn`t asked to meet but still managed to juggle my day, it would be at my expense and I`d have to come back and catch up on work), cancelled, kept it open and never came back for another appointment despite 'really really` wanting to meet me (his pa called the Friday before the Monday meeting, he didn`t). It`s a lack of respect and also mad not to meet fans who have the finger on the pulse. Didn`t have to be me there are others just as able, but as the General used to say, I`m honest, polite but don`t hold back on the views. 'You keep us on our toes` ... For clarity though, I wouldn`t go and meet him now, I have more self respect than that. He also totally mixed the messages you tried to give about the sale, you said we are up for sale and you`ll make no further comment, he said 'I don't think he's a motivated seller right now." For the love of God, at the very least we deserve some clarity. No comment was the right stance once it was put up for sale, it hasn`t been taken off the market so what is he saying here?!
Randy, I`ll stop there. I`m here if I`m needed, if not this will be my last communication this season, I`m not stalking you, I`m not dictating to you, but I am imploring you. If you and Tom really think you know better than all the football experts, the fans who are there week in week out and from the information that the results over the 3 years of Lambert then so be it.
Tom says it is a gamble to change mid season. How could the results possibly get worse? Seriously, we don`t win, we hardly draw, we don`t shoot, we hardly score. Yes, a new man might come in and find it too late, but more often than not in any job, a new manager comes in and you sit up straighter, you straighten your tie and you try to impress him. I realise with you being up for sale, unless that has changed and certainly Tom confused that picture which again is unfair to the fans, you perhaps don`t want to be or can`t be looking long term. However, there are people who could do better short term. Just look how impressive Gary McAllister was getting us out of trouble when Houllier became ill. He could do worse, that is just one name.
Rightly or wrongly, things are stale, the star striker Benteke looks like he needs managing (a boot somewhere to get him moving perhaps) etc etc etc.... This is a distressed, demotivated team. It could also be argued despite his bravado and the inability to ever take any blame at all in post match interviews that this is too much for Lambert who I know you consider a good man. Sometimes no matter how much you want to do well in a job, you simply can`t. If he hasn`t got the dignity to leave (or to be fair, if you want to look at it another way, if he is too dignified to quit!) maybe he should be put out of his misery.
I`m not saying, nor are many who are 'anti` the manager it is all down to him, however you can`t do much else other than what you have, made the Club available for sale. The manager could have done a hell of a lot more.
I realise this will be listened to by your good self and I thank you again for your time. I also sadly would certainly imagine with all due respect, it will be ignored. However, I can at least say to those telling / imploring / nagging me to do something, that I have done all I can and to the man who owns the Club and says he has the best interests of it at heart.
I`m going to publish this as a 'discharge` to those saying to do something. As always, and I don`t need to say this you know, I don`t and won`t ever publish responses other than 'yes, he read it`.
I hope all is good with you and yours. As you can tell from this message, I`m as shy and short on words as usual! I yearn for the days I used to email praise or when we met under far far more pleasant circumstances. The only thing I am looking forward to right now is corporate for Stoke, I've asked them to turn my seat around to face away from the pitch though!
Regards
Jonathan Fear
