Steve Round

[OCD]

Impressive. But also eye-opening as to just what a mess the place must have been under the previous regime. No Head Scout for the 10-16 age group??? I never had a problem with Lerner's absence, as long as the club was set-up right. Xia isn't going to be here full-time but he's been doing exactly what Lerner failed to do.

[AV82EC]

You do have to question what the hell was going on on Faulkner watch. He may have been nice guy and Lerners close friend but he was massively out of his depth as a Football Club CEO. Still it's not what you know it's who you know......

Oh and this bloke sounds like he knows what he's doing.

[peter w]

It just shows how little lerner's interest had spread through the club. Scouts not scouting, Academy falling apart, by the sound of it we've even been losing our reach within Birmingham. More than the relegation that is hard to forgive. Not just wanting to sell up but also leaving behind a mess that even Miss Haversham would have given a spring clean to.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

Interesting read

still having kmac at the club i find quite alarming after spuds away

[West Derby Villan]

Amfy, I have just read this thread and your summary was absolutely fantastic, take a bow!

[claretandbeer]

This gives me the same feeling when I watched Villa win the Youth Cup in 72 at Anfield.We were on the verge of coming out of Div 3 but there seemed an inevitability with the great support and the quality of the young players that we would be eventually back at Anfield and similar grounds on a regular basis.The last few years have been so like the late 60s,the neglect of the team,the youth set up ,a lack of investment in money ,ideas and a belief that Aston Villa should represent quality.
When good structures and good staff are put in place,you feel that success will come,it might be the next season,the season after or after that but it will come.

[Matt C]

Some very interesting reading and as others have said, the degree of neglect under Lerner runs deep. This really stood out on the Academy:

'I’m also working with the academy and the head of department Sean Kimberley – who I must say has done an outstanding job on the resources and the neglect he’s worked under in the past few years.'

Didn't know Steve Harrison was back either.

[KevinGage]

If you look at the amount of Birmingham-based players alone we have missed out on in recent seasons; Saido Berahino, Damari Gray, Nathan Redmond and even the fat lad at Watford- it's clear something had gone haywire. Going back further, we missed out on Lescott )at a time when he might have been useful for us) and Daniel Sturridge.

With the competition on our doorstep it's unrealistic to expect to sweep up all of them.  We should be aiming for a better return than Gabby and Grealish in the best part of 15 years though.

[eamonn]

It's hard not to feel in love with Mr Round after that.

What sort of players would he have come up against at Villa when he said our young lads would spank his teams late 80's/early 90's?

[PeterWithesShin]

Better hide all the paper cups as Steve Harrison is back.

[aldridgeboy]

Amfy, your summary was amazing having just read the "official one". I tip my hat!!

Its incredible/criminal we had no scout for the 10-16 age group. Im shaking my head in disgust as I type that!!

But this guy just sounds "right". Its actually heartwarming to read his answers. It doesn't come across as "management speak" or "this is what they will want to hear". Its specific and gives good detail as to what we are doing. For the first time in years I am hopeful we will be back. Hopefully that is this season, but i feel we are in safe hands at last

Is it "that " Mark Delaney? Always liked him as a player, very good full back ( grass allergy aside)

[eamonn]

Yes it is that Mark Delaney. Is it "that" David Hughes?

[BOB MANSFIELD]

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party.

So.......Steve Round.........come on down !

Prove to us all why you above others, were chosen for the exalted post and GET SOME TALENT IN QUICK !

[footyskillz]

Let's acknowledge work done .

Impressive players brought in so far.  I wish the gap wasn't 9 points


Keith witness recently tweeted
keith wyness‏ @retsub12
lots of hard work done by Steve round and his recruitment team since the window opened, still many hours to go .

[BOB MANSFIELD]

footy, for once, you are absolutely right. [sorry, by agreement with mr underhill i cannot capitalise for the rest of the day even to exclaim that you are right] mr round and co have done well, so far, and as mr wyness says....there is plenty of time to add to the catch list.
well done, so far, mr round.i am impressed....and grateful. thanks.