Remi Garde - Departs Aston Villa

[damon loves JT]

He's trying to address the very obvious problem of morale at the club. Players have to know that what they do matters. Whether they're in the first team, the reserves, the gym, the treatment room. Even - dare I say it - in a nightclub after a game.

If they don't feel that it matters, they won't value their own performances or themselves.

[dave.woodhall]

Doesn't sound to me like a dude who'd throw it in if we were relegated. Also, a theme of his is that the players must take playing seriously, which you'd think would be a given but it seems not to be. I suspect over time that those who stay in the first XI will have earned it through commitment and loyalty. Great.

Birmingham Mail:

Remi Garde has told Aston Villa's fringe players that turning out for the Under-21s is a treat, likening it to 'a sweet for a child'.

Libor Kozak and Adama Traore were involved in the development squad's 2-2 draw against Blackburn at Villa Park on Monday.

Garde says that footballers should want to play so much that Under-21 duty should be regarded as a perk, not a punishment.

"When you are a football player, even a reserve game is more like a sweet for a child, because it’s a game and you want to play every game," he explained.

"It’s not a punishment. I was at the game at Villa Park, my staff were also there and I will probably watch a lot of reserve games because it will give me a lot of information.

"It gives to players the fitness to be back in the first team because it’s quite different to a training session.

"Even if the reserve games are not the ones you can find in the Premier League. It’s 11 v 11 a big pitch, it’s an important training session for me and not at all a punishment."

Just meaningless Guff, not in a position to talk about first team performances so lets talk about the reserves.

Strange interpretation of the comments.

Oh yeh sorry, it is totally inspirational, i bet Southampton  are scared shitless with comments like "even a reserve game is like sweet for a child" not his fault but crikey

We haven't had a variation on "Oh yes everything's wonderful" as a reply for ages. Thank you.

[brian green]

I believe what Remi Garde is trying to do is set down his own principles and his own values. He is saying this is how I see things. He knows the importance of having an identity all the players can relate to. He will not get them playing karaoke on the team bus or hitting Sid at a bonding break. He is laying his cards on the table. He deserves respect for it.

[aj2k77]

I think we all understand that on and off the field Aston Villa have not been professional enough over the last few years. Remi sounds like he wants to make everyone at the club understand how important playing for this club is. He's spot on. He has my support. I think we will go down this season, rock bottom too but if he stays we might just bounce back first go.

[brian green]

I agree with that in spades aj2, and in hearts, clubs and diamonds. I think we will go down but my intuition tells me that in March and April we will start to win on a regular basis and will carry that form down to the Championship, where the immortal words of Ron Saunders will apply to our prospects of bouncing back.

[SheffieldVillain]

Doesn't sound to me like a dude who'd throw it in if we were relegated. Also, a theme of his is that the players must take playing seriously, which you'd think would be a given but it seems not to be. I suspect over time that those who stay in the first XI will have earned it through commitment and loyalty. Great.

Birmingham Mail:

Remi Garde has told Aston Villa's fringe players that turning out for the Under-21s is a treat, likening it to 'a sweet for a child'.

Libor Kozak and Adama Traore were involved in the development squad's 2-2 draw against Blackburn at Villa Park on Monday.

Garde says that footballers should want to play so much that Under-21 duty should be regarded as a perk, not a punishment.

"When you are a football player, even a reserve game is more like a sweet for a child, because it’s a game and you want to play every game," he explained.

"It’s not a punishment. I was at the game at Villa Park, my staff were also there and I will probably watch a lot of reserve games because it will give me a lot of information.

"It gives to players the fitness to be back in the first team because it’s quite different to a training session.

"Even if the reserve games are not the ones you can find in the Premier League. It’s 11 v 11 a big pitch, it’s an important training session for me and not at all a punishment."

Just meaningless Guff, not in a position to talk about first team performances so lets talk about the reserves.

What about if he was specifically asked about first team players playing in the reserves?

[Bad English]

If you can read French, you might like to read the following article in Libération. It is a character piece, written in 2011 when Garde was at Lyon. I can't be arsed to translate it all but here are some points which might show you that he doesn't go in for "guff".

Esprit de Famille

We learn that he is is a family man, a Christian, an occasional church-goer who needs to have a life outside of football, he loves going to gigs, votes and is very interested in environmental concerns. But it is what we learn about his approach to human relationships that is interesting:

Since he has been in charge [at Lyon] the atmosphere has been much more relaxed: the two previous incumbents had a difficult, conflictual relationship with the often capricious players. Garde doesn't like conflicts so he often anticipates... he reaches out when he feels there is a problem. And, of course, he used to be a player... His team talks revolve around pleasure of playing, the game, "sometimes" says Bernard Lacombe "Gérard Baticle and me will be in the dressing room and after [the talk] we'll look at each other and say 'he almost makes us want to get out there and play again'". Garde often draws on micro-events of communal life. "The hardest thing", he says, "is to resist the pressures of society. To help the players think collectively when everything pushes them towards individualism". Claude Puel [the previous Lyon manager] had the same outlook but he fought a very solitary fight against individualistic behaviour. Garde relies on his staff and gets people involved instead of using them. "He is an altruist, he gains nourishment from others", summarises his wife.

[damon loves JT]

His taste in music is terrible. But then, so is mine I guess.

[Bad English]

"Sting" Jamiroquai..." He probably likes post-Signing On UB40 too.

[damon loves JT]

Don't even know who Catherine Ringer is but I guarantee she's terrible.

[Bad English]

Singer from Les Rita Mitsouko. Had a hit with "Marcia Baila" in the UK. Also did some VERY hardcore porn. She is a superb performer.

[Bad English]

[Malandro]

Also did some VERY hardcore porn. She is a superb performer.

cor blimey

[Bad English]

I was on about her musical talents. She is ace.

[brian green]

Catherine Ringer can be relied upon to mangle a song. 

This pun is brought to you courtesy of the Save Old Brummie Words Society.  See page 476 app 3c "Wringer, a hand turned device with rollers for pressing water out of wet washing"  "Mangle a hand turned device for pressing water out of wet washing" See "Wringer".