Eric Black

[Chris Smith]

I don't think I exaggerated.  I think the atmosphere has been fucking poisonous.  I think it effected the players.  I have proved it effected the coaches decision on selection.  I think you are wrong and you decided to make a point out of nothing.  Is that fucking clear enough for you?

There is clearly a correlation between the performance of the players and the atmosphere in the ground, in that much you are right. The problem is you have it the wrong way round; poor application, questionable attitude and terrible performances from a number of those on the pitch translated to the support turning against them.

[auntiesledd]

I don't think I exaggerated.  I think the atmosphere has been fucking poisonous.  I think it effected the players.  I have proved it effected the coaches decision on selection.  I think you are wrong and you decided to make a point out of nothing.  Is that fucking clear enough for you?

Well if you think the atmosphere has been poisonous - I'd steer well clear of the fixtures vs SHA next season. Oh, and with regard to our poor ol' manager & players being detrimentally affected by the so-called "poisonous atmosphere": had they shown anything equating to even a modicum of professionalism, pride and application, then perhaps they'd have got a lot more support - rather than the clog their 'efforts' deserved.

[cheltenhamlion]

A random aside on playing the kids. When I last spoke with Fox (a matter of days before he went) he suggested that Garde planned to play the kids but not until we got the big R after our name. Adds nothing really but thought I would share.

[Mister E]

I actually think the support has been quite special recently. Yes, there has been the targeted booing - if Mr Black wants to keep picking the wastrals, what do you expect? - but the general level of support for the club has been exceptional; and commented upon by oppo fans.

[Jimbo]

I think our support has been absolutely brilliant. Any poison began in the dressing and board rooms and spread onto the pitch. What was chucked back at them from the stands was mild compared to what the arseholes have heaped upon us.

[chrisw1]

I think our support has been absolutely brilliant. Any poison began in the dressing and board rooms and spread onto the pitch. What was chucked back at them from the stands was mild compared to what the arseholes have heaped upon us.

I think the away fans have been great.  The home?  Not so much.

Edit - actually I'll clarify this - I agree for most of the season the home fans were very good and very patient.  My personal opinion though was that the negativity towards the end went a bit too far and I genuinely felt it did effect the players.

[old man villa fan]

I think the thing that some are losing sight of is that the season was dead a long time ago and we should have been looking to move on and look to the future.  For me, the teams he has been picking was as far from that as possible.

We have just been going through the motions until the end of the season, why?  I would much rather try giving some game time to a youngster now, when there is nothing on the game, than wait until next season when the new manager starts the process of, can I afford to risk him.

[Jimbo]

The home fans would have got right behind players who hadn't stolen a living, insulted fans and brought dishonour on the club, but Black was too dim to see it.

[PeterWithesShin]

Eric Black audio interview

[Villa in Denmark]

If Black wanted to give Grealish a boost then maybe he could have given him some play time...

Maybe he isn't up to it at the moment?  He hasn't done anything all season and Remi didn't pick him either.  We really don't know the reasons do we?

Black says his decision not to pick him a personal one (by Black) - what the hell that is supposed to mean is anyone's guess. The issue I have with Black is that he opens his gob and muddies the waters even more - maybe he is just thick then?

Would you prefer it if he said 'Jack just hasn't been trying in training' or 'Jack's confidence is so shot and he's a liability at the moment' or 'Jack turned up pissed the other day' etc.  All hypothetical of course but sometimes it's better to not say something.  We just don't know the facts, that's why I think it is harsh to crucify the guy for this one decision, particularly when Remi didn't fancy him either.

In which case why bring him up at all? He'd not been a topic of conversation for the last 3 months, everyone had pretty much given up on seeing him instead of the likes of Bacuna and Sinclair.

The thing about Black that's pissed me off is that when you look at the overall picture of what he's done and said, it's been about doing what's easiest for him to get through until next Monday.

On the one hand that's fair enough from his point of view, why put yourself out, but don't then deliver a load of spin and white and expect everyone to swallow it.

[Villa in Denmark]

I actually think the support has been quite special recently. Yes, there has been the targeted booing - if Mr Black wants to keep picking the wastrals, what do you expect? - but the general level of support for the club has been exceptional; and commented upon by oppo fans.

Point nailed with regards the atmosphere. It was obvious which players were provoking the reaction, how much difference would it have made to have dropped Lescott and Bacuna. He could still have picked an almost sensible 11 from the usual suspects.

[Nunkin1965]

Thinking about Blacks reign in charge and his reluctance to expose the younger players to the "psychological
Hellhole" that is Aston Villa. Apart from Jordan Ayew, I would say that Kevin Toner has been a real positive story. So thanks Eric for giving him the opportunity to pick up some invaluable experience.

Its a shame that you didn't give further opportunity to other talented youngsters as this would have left you with  a far more positive legacy. Sadly picking players such as Kieron Richardson and  Leandro Bacuna continuously means that your time at our fine club won't be remembered well putting it mildly.

[Pat McMahon]

I actually think the support has been quite special recently. Yes, there has been the targeted booing - if Mr Black wants to keep picking the wastrals, what do you expect? - but the general level of support for the club has been exceptional; and commented upon by oppo fans.

And a Coventry blogger who attended the Watford game, intending to gloat but leaving impressed

[peter w]

I don't think calling the atmosphere 'absolutely fucking poisonous' should provoke the reaction it has. Yes, in the last couple of games that has changed to more gallows humour but with a sinister undertone for me. We'll laugh at ourselves unless certain people touch the ball or make a mistake.

Also, as has been mentioned the word 'toxic' has been used by both Black and press alike, and whether you agree with that or not that filters through to the players and what they expect from the crowd. As I said, things have improved but teh damage has been done. I think it's worth remembering that this was posted by amfy just at the end of April:

"I am not blaming the fans, I am saying that I find the booing unpleasant & uncomfortable and would like it to stop, and I am as entitled to an opinion as to how best to support the team as someone who wants to boo them is".

Clearly the atmosphere did effect some so to try and split hairs really is neither here nor there. the atmosphere was bad, some say absolutely fucking poisonous, some say  it was toxic, some found the atmosphere uncomfortable and unpleasant, some thought the players should grow a pair, some chose to point out the other fans applauded us when we got going (singing), and some said certain people's reactions tot he atmosphere was not hoe they read it.

Whatever it is one thing for certain is that it's not right. Gallows singing is singing with a dark underbelly and teeth can be bared at any second. And with that in mind I can understand, and support, why Eric Black has decided to protect the younger players from that.

[villan from luton]

All the reports I read was that Grealish was MOTM in a recent game v the Baggies, but still on the bench. The selections have been weird to say the least IMO. What is he point in playing Bacuna when it seems certain he will be going to Bayern Munich in the summer for champions league football?