Remi Garde - Departs Aston Villa

[PaulWinch again]

Yes, Sherwood was shit, absolutely no doubt.
But Remi hasn't covered himself in glory.

I really can't believe that this squad is SO SHIT, that it is possible for it to win only 2 games so far. I don't think it could have been that bad if we'd actively set out to do that.

Ye, we know Remi has been dealt a shit hand, yes his bosses are wankers, but that should not excuse questions being asked about his abilities and his results.

Well given that he inherited a squad where there had been no attempt to intergrate any of the foreign players, and apparently where absolutely no fitness work was done I'd say he's done a pretty good job of getting us competitive. Sherwood lost 9 games in a row didn't he? So the fact Remi has got us several draws shows the progress. The squad is also that bad, we don't have anything close to a goal scorer.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Sherwood lost 9 games in a row didn't he? So the fact Remi has got us several draws shows the progress

I think what it shows is that Garde has improved us from being a truly awful side to being one that has improved very very slightly. I think it also shows us how low our expectations have become that we accept this

[Holte L2]

If you want a yardstick of just how bad a squad Remi Garde inherited and which to the eternal shame of the board he has not been allowed to strengthen, you need look no further than Alan Hutton.  In the early part of his time with us he was regarded as a very limited player to put it mildly.  So much so that Lambert put him in the bomb squad and would not play him.  To his great credit he has rehabilitated himself and won back a starting place, his energy and commitment making up for his shortcomings.

The interesting thing I find is that Hutton has looked better and better not because he is getting better but because the players around him are worse.

Collectively I have never seen a Villa side so weak in so many positions.

I wouldn't even argue that Hutton has looked better, Brian.  He's consistently one of the worst performers week in week out.  You can't fault his effort but he is bloody awful.

[supertom]

It took Garde 10 games to really get going and in those first games he made some decision as bad as Sherwood and Lambert. There's been a marginal upturn now, and importantly more of a unity in the playing squad and more effort. I think there's enough to suggest we should stick with him next season (IF he actually stays). In addition he seems to be a good guy and he's had a raw deal like we all have. He needs backing this summer. I don't think Garde will truly get to begin rebuilding until the summer. This season is a total write off. The club is a shambles, the squad is the most appallingly bad one we've ever had. He needs to rid this squad of at least 4-5 poisonous members, and a further bunch who just aren't good enough. He's then got to be given full control over player selection, so that ultimately it will be his team and there can be no confusion. He doesn't seem like an excuses man like Sherwood. A bullshitter. If he doesn't deliver the goods next season I would expect Garde to have the guts to admit he's failed and not boo hoo about it like a dunce.

[aj2k77]

Huttons positioning is terrible. He must play wearing an invisible blind fold. He hasn't got better at all. He just tries.

[supertom]

Huttons positioning is terrible. He must play wearing an invisible blind fold. He hasn't got better at all. He just tries.

No he's shite, but he's better than Bacuna, and still probably more reliable than Richards has been thus far. Micah is awful at CH and clearly doesn't want to play at RB.
In fact every senior player we have who can play right back needs shifting this summer. And that also says everything about what Garde has been dealt.

[aj2k77]

Huttons on 40k pw, it's going to be hard finding anyone dumb enough to pay for him and his wages.

[Dave]

Huttons on 40k pw, it's going to be hard finding anyone dumb enough to pay for him and his wages.

According to who? I think that was reported as his wage when he joined us, but given he's signed a new contract since then I can't imagine we gave the same terms to somebody who we'd been actively trying to get rid of for most of this time with us.

[Chico Hamilton III]

I can't imagine we gave the same terms to somebody who we'd been actively trying to get rid of for most of this time with us.

Yeah, we probably offered him £60k a week when he signed his new contract

[aj2k77]

Huttons on 40k pw, it's going to be hard finding anyone dumb enough to pay for him and his wages.

According to who? I think that was reported as his wage when he joined us, but given he's signed a new contract since then I can't imagine we gave the same terms to somebody who we'd been actively trying to get rid of for most of this time with us.

Good point, completely forgot he signed a new contract last year. It should have a relegation clause in it too now which is something else I was worried about.

[supertom]

Huttons on 40k pw, it's going to be hard finding anyone dumb enough to pay for him and his wages.

According to who? I think that was reported as his wage when he joined us, but given he's signed a new contract since then I can't imagine we gave the same terms to somebody who we'd been actively trying to get rid of for most of this time with us.

Good point, completely forgot he signed a new contract last year. It should have a relegation clause in it too now which is something else I was worried about.

I dunno. After our treatment of him, I wouldn't imagine he'd have reduced his wage demands by much, if at all. I reckon he's on 30k at the very least. We definitely have to shift him off our wage bill. Whatever he is on, is way more than what we should be paying for someone that shit. And I say this all as someone who actually likes Hutton. He might be shit but the guy gives it everything and has a good attitude.

[Chris Jameson]

This is a club who rewarded a couple of years of half arsed performances from Agbonlahor with a fat new contract last year, so who knows what Hutton is on.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

there is a petition to sign if you support Remi Garde

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/796/603/432/the-fans-are-behind-you-remi-and-we-want-you-to-stay-and-fight-with-us-please/

[Chris Jameson]

There really aren't enough petitions these days.

[German James]

There really aren't enough petitions these days.

I agree! Let's get up a petition about that.