New chairman and Lerner ramblings

[Ormy Droid]

Southgate spent four years trying to leave the club, on and off.  So it's a no for me.

A bit of self respect has to kick in somewhere along the line.

My narrative for the Southgate exit was that Ol' Doug was not prepared to go that extra mile to turn an almost squad into a winning squad. Southgate eventually left because of the frustration that came from this.
I've never had a problem with him and believe he could have been a Villa Great if the club had had more ambition through the 1990s.

At the time it seemed as if he shared the majority of the supporters misgivings about Doug and the lack of investment to push the club forward to the point where it could have regularly challenged for trophies...And then he went and spoiled it all by doing something stupid and signing for a poxy club like M'Boro for cash or trophies? You decide.

[Dante Lavelli]

What strikes me about the changes at the top is that for the first time in ages we have some real heavyweights in their respective fields. It can only be a good thing if it starts to correct the balance of power at the club away from halfwits like gabby.

It's a small thing but the phone numbers that King and Bernstein would have on their mobiles compared to Fox's connections must make the implementation of any strategy that much easier. 

[AV82EC]

Southgate spent four years trying to leave the club, on and off.  So it's a no for me.

A bit of self respect has to kick in somewhere along the line.

My narrative for the Southgate exit was that Ol' Doug was not prepared to go that extra mile to turn an almost squad into a winning squad. Southgate eventually left because of the frustration that came from this.
I've never had a problem with him and believe he could have been a Villa Great if the club had had more ambition through the 1990s.

At the time it seemed as if he shared the majority of the supporters misgivings about Doug and the lack of investment to push the club forward to the point where it could have regularly challenged for trophies...And then he went and spoiled it all by doing something stupid and signing for a poxy club like M'Boro for cash or trophies? You decide.

Well the narrative on that last bit is that Boro were showing a damn sight more ambition than us at the time! Let's not forget he won a League Cup up there and got to a UEFA Cup final. I seem to recall we were flattering to deceive under Gregory before slowly getting worse under Pug nose.

Very good and intelligent player Southgate and one of the few players in the last 20 years or so who got what this club should be about. His comments in the Woody and Nord book about firstly his transfer, then having to put a picture of the European Cup winning team above his hook in the changing room said everything about Ellis's turn of the century Aston Villa.

[dave.woodhall]

I always got the impression that Gregory hung Southgate out to dry, pushing him towards the door and a reported move to Chelsea, then making it imposible for him to stay when that one fell through.

[The Edge]

I've been reading the comments from Hollis.  I think he is just what we need. He is sorting out the rubbish and sounds like he means business. I'm mildly optimistic.
 

[Risso]

What strikes me about the changes at the top is that for the first time in ages we have some real heavyweights in their respective fields. It can only be a good thing if it starts to correct the balance of power at the club away from halfwits like gabby.

It's a small thing but the phone numbers that King and Bernstein would have on their mobiles compared to Fox's connections must make the implementation of any strategy that much easier. 

Can't say I agree with that.  Fox must have some bloody got contacts from his time with Arsenal.  Bernstein you would expect wpuld have some as well at a similar level of course, but I'm struggling to think of what King's contact base would bring to the party.

[dave.woodhall]

It's not hard to imagine King moving in the sort of circles that would make operating any business in any field a lot easier.

[Des Little]

I'd welcome Southgate back in a DoF capacity. To be honest I'd take him as manager if he wanted it.

[eamonn]

Southgate was easily our player of the season the summer he handed in his transfer request and the club rejected Chelseas bid for him. He was professional until he finally got a move, I always respected him for that and not sulking during that time.

[Mister E]

I've been reading the comments from Hollis.  I think he is just what we need. He is sorting out the rubbish and sounds like he means business. I'm mildly optimistic.
 

Hollis is doing what his professional instincts are telling him to do - batten down the hatches and get in some credible expertise. What I'm really keen to see is his delivery capability and his ability to move us forward positively and purposefully.

[andyh]

Yes, it seems that Hollis is talking a good game.
But, only time will tell.
It wasn't so long ago we all thought that Fox talked the talk!

[olaftab]

I'd welcome Southgate back in a DoF capacity. To be honest I'd take him as manager if he wanted it.

What qualifications he brings with him other than failure in his coaching/managerial career?

[olaftab]

Southgate was easily our player of the season the summer he handed in his transfer request and the club rejected Chelseas bid for him. He was professional until he finally got a move, I always respected him for that and not sulking during that time.

May be professional although I am not sure but hardly loyal. He slated the club at every opportunity and then left to further his ambitions  at ...oh yes Middlesbrough.

[olaftab]

Yes, it seems that Hollis is talking a good game.
But, only time will tell.
It wasn't so long ago we all thought that Fox talked the talk!

Yes may be but remember Hollis is not a marketing man, therefore not honed in cliches, he is an accountant and a liquidator in his time at KPMG so more in touch with stark reality of where we are today.

[garyshawsknee]

I'd welcome Southgate back in a DoF capacity. To be honest I'd take him as manager if he wanted it.

I'd put him in the middle of our defence.