Gerrard In or Out?

[Ads]

From people who didn't want him to have the job, haven't supported him in the job and are now largely making noise because we're being very iffy of late, having recently been very good. With some iffy before. Then indifferent. All very wild midtable shenanigans.

He's getting the summer and getting backed.

[cdbearsfan]

Yes, he probably is. He doesn't deserve it though based on what he has "achieved" at Villa.

[eamonn]

Like CD, I'd have a lot more hope in Gerrard (probably proportionally too much) if we beat a top nine side (i.e teams down to Lesta) before the end of the season. But I think we only have the top two and the FilbertStreetMunchers to play in that group, right? So tonk them 4-0 please and make Villa great again.

[Scott Nielsen]

From people who didn't want him to have the job, haven't supported him in the job and are now largely making noise because we're being very iffy of late, having recently been very good. With some iffy before. Then indifferent. All very wild midtable shenanigans.

A lot of people who very stridently argued for patience with Smith, through all the ups and down, refuse to extend any at all to Gerrard. It seems quite personal which I don't get.

[markeeeebeeee2005]

Whereas some people that are criticising Gerrard aren’t really in an ‘in’ or ‘out’ camp but just just saying what they see. This is the case for me. The new manager bounce didn’t last very long. I don’t think the team get what he’s trying to do and the results of late are hopeless. I’d like to see this improve before the end of the season to offer some confidence that we’re heading in the right direction. That is all.

[Meanwood Villa]

From people who didn't want him to have the job, haven't supported him in the job and are now largely making noise because we're being very iffy of late, having recently been very good. With some iffy before. Then indifferent. All very wild midtable shenanigans.

A lot of people who very stridently argued for patience with Smith, through all the ups and down, refuse to extend any at all to Gerrard. It seems quite personal which I don't get.

It is personal. Dean had credit in the bank on and off the pitch. Most fans have very recent memories of Gerrard being a petulant shithouse of an opponent. Patience was always likely to be thin on the ground

[Villan82]

From people who didn't want him to have the job, haven't supported him in the job and are now largely making noise because we're being very iffy of late, having recently been very good. With some iffy before. Then indifferent. All very wild midtable shenanigans.

A lot of people who very stridently argued for patience with Smith, through all the ups and down, refuse to extend any at all to Gerrard. It seems quite personal which I don't get.

Agree. It is ridiculous. Things have been more up and down than I expected but SG has mostly done OK since coming in.

The comment about Smith is bang on. I can't believe how divided people are post Smith. It's almost like taking their anger out about the sacking by criticising SG excessively.

[brian green]

Plus the fact that Gerrard is only using us as a stepping stone. We have been put in a lose lose situation by Purslow wanking the process of selecting a new manager to get his choice one big step nearer the management of his favourite team.  We are truly between a rock and a hard place.  If Gerrard is a nothing manager Villa plummet.  If he is a success he departs.  What sort of a plan for the future is that?

[Risso]

Unless of course there’s no vacancy at Liverpool, or Gerrard enjoys being a success at Villa.

[Vegas]

From people who didn't want him to have the job, haven't supported him in the job and are now largely making noise because we're being very iffy of late, having recently been very good. With some iffy before. Then indifferent. All very wild midtable shenanigans.

A lot of people who very stridently argued for patience with Smith, through all the ups and down, refuse to extend any at all to Gerrard. It seems quite personal which I don't get.

But there are also people in the opposite camp, who were convinced the only way forward was sacking Smith, and are also convinced that they’ve seen massive improvements under Gerrard.

By the way I wanted Smith to stay and also think it’s ridiculous to be Gerrard out at this stage

[Nunkin1965]

Plus the fact that Gerrard is only using us as a stepping stone. We have been put in a lose lose situation by Purslow wanking the process of selecting a new manager to get his choice one big step nearer the management of his favourite team.  We are truly between a rock and a hard place.  If Gerrard is a nothing manager Villa plummet.  If he is a success he departs.  What sort of a plan for the future is that?

I don't get the stepping stone thing.
Which player or manager ultimately isn't using their club as one?
If a bigger and better option in their view comes along then who wouldn't take it?
Why is it fine for Dean Smith to do it to Brentford so he can come to us but Gerrard is a shithouse if Liverpool come calling one day?

[Chris Smith]

From people who didn't want him to have the job, haven't supported him in the job and are now largely making noise because we're being very iffy of late, having recently been very good. With some iffy before. Then indifferent. All very wild midtable shenanigans.

He's getting the summer and getting backed.

Or put it another way, those who were most vociferous about the need for Smith to go are refusing to acknowledge any potential shortcomings with Gerrard.

Neither view tell the whole truth.

Your last line though is clearly the reality of the situation. My heart hopes he’s massively successful but it’s having a problem convincing my brain of how likely that is.

[dave.woodhall]

Plus the fact that Gerrard is only using us as a stepping stone. We have been put in a lose lose situation by Purslow wanking the process of selecting a new manager to get his choice one big step nearer the management of his favourite team.  We are truly between a rock and a hard place.  If Gerrard is a nothing manager Villa plummet.  If he is a success he departs.  What sort of a plan for the future is that?

I don't get the stepping stone thing.
Which player or manager ultimately isn't using their club as one?
If a bigger and better option in their view comes along then who wouldn't take it?
Why is it fine for Dean Smith to do it to Brentford so he can come to us but Gerrard is a shithouse if Liverpool come calling one day?

I agree with Vegas in that I wanted Smith to stay but while still unimpressed by Gerrard I think getting rid now would be daft.

I do think the stepping stone argument here is a bit disingenuous, though. Yes, just about everyone in football sees just about every move as a potential way of getting an even bigger club, but Gerrard's appointment was generally regarded as the start of his trial for Liverpool. It's the perception that he's in a way only on loan to us as a part of his grand career plan that grates with me. 

[ChicagoLion]

From people who didn't want him to have the job, haven't supported him in the job and are now largely making noise because we're being very iffy of late, having recently been very good. With some iffy before. Then indifferent. All very wild midtable shenanigans.

He's getting the summer and getting backed.

Or put it another way, those who were most vociferous about the need for Smith to go are refusing to acknowledge any potential shortcomings with Gerrard.

Neither view tell the whole truth.

Your last line though is clearly the reality of the situation. My heart hopes he’s massively successful but it’s having a problem convincing my brain of how likely that is.

I thought Smith should go and I can see the potential shortcomings of Gerrard.
I really can not see any alternative to backing him, but I hope there is a long term strategy behind the signings we make.

[brian green]

I once supplemented my income as an odds setter for one of the big bookmakers.  My cold hard take on the probability is that Gerrard will not finish up with Liverpool or us.  When Klopp goes other more prominent names than Gerrard will go into the Anfield hat.  When Purslow retires the love in with Gerrard will be viewed by more critical eyes at Villa Park and the whole souffle concocted by Purslow will go in the bin.