New Managers

[Damo70]

The first new manager I remember was Barton who I had never previously heard of. I had only ever known Saunders as Villa manager. I was disappointed with Turner as I wanted Toshack. I welcomed McNeil on the basis he wasn't Turner. SGT was a fantastic surprise, Dr Jo a surprise that turned out to be far from fantastic and BFR brought a buzz we haven't had since. Being a bit too young to be a big Little fan I was underwhelmed as Leicester were below us in the table and I still wanted BFR in charge. For some reason I had a feeling Gregory would do a good job so was quite pleased with that appointment. It felt great when SGT came back. O'Leary seemed as good as we could have hoped for at the time of his appointment for me. MON created a buzz almost to BFR level on his appointment. I was underwhelmed by Houllier from day one as he had been out of club football and I had read a lot of negative stuff from ex players. I was as shocked as anybody by McLeish but wasn't totally against him, I had mixed feelings on his ablility. Lambert seemed as good as any other credible candidate. Ideally I wanted Rodgers but I didn't want OGS. I would like Klinsmann this time around.

[cdbearsfan]

Best first match ever...

[cdbearsfan]

I dunno why that didn't work properly. Just click on the link!

[Jon Crofts]

The day Ron Saunders walked out I thought the world had ended.  Then along came Tony Barton.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Tony Barton - I was about 10, and was gutted that the only manager I could remember had gone, for reasons I couldn't understand.

Graham Turner - Underwhelmed.

Billy McNeill - Didn't know his playing reputation, but heard he was a big name.

Graham Taylor - Desperate hope that he would be any good.

Jozef Venglos - Mysterious foreign manager in pre-Premier League days.  Must be good, thought I.

Ron Atkinson - Happy.  Big name manager.

Brian Little - Happy.  Villa legend, though slightly before my time.

John Gregory - He was supposed to be the real power behind the throne during Little's successful period, so happy to see him back.

Graham Taylor II - Worried that England/Wolves had destroyed him as an effective manager.

David O'Leary - Can't remember.  So probably neutral.

Martin O'Neill - Lo! The messiah hath come!

Gerard Houllier - There was lots of talk of much bigger names, so was disappointed that we'd been landed with a has-been.

Alex McLeish - Furious.

Paul Lambert - Thank fuck McLeish has gone.

[Deano's Mullet]

Graham Taylor was boss when I became a fan.
Had never heard of venglos but he was taking over the runners up and I was young and naieve, what could go wrong?
Ron Atkinson - total excitement. Same with O'Neill.
Wasn't totally familiar with Brian little in 1994and he seemed really dour for the first few months , probably in response to the press at the time and as an alternative to to Ron  but grew to love him.
John Gregory was totally underwhelming but his results over the first year were the best ever.
Graham Taylor 2 couldn't fail even though results wise it was poor.
Pretty pleased with O'Leary.
McLeish I was prepared to give benefit of doubt. Houllier I wasn't sure about. Lambert I was pleased. But then we all were I think.

[nigel]

Doug appointing Venglos was years ahead of time.
Always felt sorry for Venglos as the 'English' game hadn't evolved, so he was always going to struggle.
Had it happened 10 years later, who knows

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

When Tommy Docherty arrived to start the revolution it was fantastic. Just the most brilliant and exciting few months ever. A whirlwind blowing away all the cobwebs from Villa Park. 5 straight wins, an exciting cup run, crowds of over 40,000 (59,000 for the Southampton tie).

[Legion]

I dunno why that didn't work properly. Just click on the link!

You idiot. See the 'How to...' thread. Yet again. This time, pay a little more attention.

[SashasGrandad]

When Tommy Docherty arrived to start the revolution it was fantastic. Just the most brilliant and exciting few months ever. A whirlwind blowing away all the cobwebs from Villa Park. 5 straight wins, an exciting cup run, crowds of over 40,000 (59,000 for the Southampton tie).

I thought it was over 62,000 for the Southampton game - I was there and always thought it was one of the biggest crowds I'd been in at VP

[Legion]

Tony Barton - I was about 11, and was gutted that the only manager I could remember had gone, for reasons I couldn't understand.

Graham Turner - Still did not understand.

Billy McNeill - Still did not really understand.

Graham Taylor - Hope for the future.

Jozef Venglos - Who?

Ron Atkinson - Happy.  Big name manager.

Brian Little - Very happy indeed.

John Gregory - He'll sort it out.

Graham Taylor II - Never go back, Sir GT.

David O'Leary - I'd get banned.

Martin O'Neill - Really pleased.

Gerard Houllier - Quite happy.

Alex McLeish - OMFG!

Paul Lambert - Better than McLeish.

[cdbearsfan]

I dunno why that didn't work properly. Just click on the link!

You idiot. See the 'How to...' thread. Yet again. This time, pay a little more attention.

Sorry, Mr Legion, Sir...

[Deano's Mullet]

Tony Barton - I was about 11, and was gutted that the only manager I could remember had gone, for reasons I couldn't understand.

Graham Turner - Still did not understand.

Billy McNeill - Still did not really understand.

Graham Taylor - Hope for the future.

Jozef Venglos - Who?

Ron Atkinson - Happy.  Big name manager.

Brian Little - Very happy indeed.

John Gregory - He'll sort it out.

Graham Taylor II - Never go back, Sir GT.

David O'Leary - I'd get banned.

Martin O'Neill - Really pleased.

Gerard Houllier - Quite happy.

Alex McLeish - OMFG!

Paul Lambert - Better than McLeish.

You weren't pleased with O'Leary at the time? If memory serves his reputation was pretty good in summer 2003.

[Legion]

I think my memory of his appointment has been clouded somewhat.

[Deano's Mullet]

I think my memory of his appointment has been clouded somewhat.

Mine too but I thought this was reactions upon appointments. BFR and MON still ranked most exciting for me