Unai Emery

[KevinGage]

One of the worst things that happened was Heskey scoring on his debut. O'Neill then stared having him in the team more often than Carew. Carew had largely been good for a goal every other game, Heskey scored one more goal that season in 13 games. He then managed 3 goals in each of the next two seasons. Utterly fucking hopeless. "But Michael Owen likes playing with him!" I couldn't give a flying fuck!

Ahem, time to let it go perhaps.

You've heard of the False 9.

Heskey was a false footballer.

[FatSam]

Whilst not on the same level as Kamara I think Carlos was still a bit of a coup for us, a defender who had looked very good for a team that won major trophies and did so on the back of a top class defence.

Exactly. Transfers weren't the reason that Gerrard got the shove.

Although, he did sign Robin Olsen, Ludwig Augustinsson & that Polish lump from Southampton...

With a DOF now in place, Gerrard, Emery and Smith can’t be held completely responsible for the transfer record during their tenures. That said, it’s fairly clear that Emery was largely behind the Moreno signing, in the same way that Gerrard was largely behind the Digne and Coutinho signings.

Although a small sample size, the common denominator with Gerrard signings seems to be throwing a lot of money at a problem in a short-term, someone else can deal with the consequences, sort of a way. MON had a similar philosophy, and then walked out on us days before the start of the season, when the owner could no longer fund his largesse. The fact is that we had failed to break into the CL, and understandably needed to become more sustainable.

I don’t subscribe to the argument that ‘we need a couple of £40m players’ argument. I’m more interested in having a manager who makes more out of what he has got, rather than less. Emery is giving the impression that he fits the bill, in the same way that the best managers do, like Taylor.

[brontebilly]

What was O'Neill's issue with non-UK based players? Sure, there's a risk inherent that they don't adjust to the PL but if that's the one and only reason, you're forever going to be playing cards with one hand tied behind your back.

Not sure John Robertson had a passport. MON was bone idle lazy, fair enough staying away from the training ground during the week if you were off scouting or working on some tactical plans. He certainly wasn't doing that. He obviously came from the Brian Clough school where off the wall man management was seen as the be all.

Moving Milner inside to replace Gareth Barry was a very good decision too. We hardly missed Barry the season after he left. But he often fudged hard selection decisions. Luke young at left back to accommodate Cuellar at right back was awful..I seem to remember NRC being shoved to right back for a while at times, maybe even Milner too.

[pablo_picasso]

Whilst not on the same level as Kamara I think Carlos was still a bit of a coup for us, a defender who had looked very good for a team that won major trophies and did so on the back of a top class defence.

Exactly. Transfers weren't the reason that Gerrard got the shove.

Although, he did sign Robin Olsen, Ludwig Augustinsson & that Polish lump from Southampton...

With a DOF now in place, Gerrard, Emery and Smith can’t be held completely responsible for the transfer record during their tenures. That said, it’s fairly clear that Emery was largely behind the Moreno signing, in the same way that Gerrard was largely behind the Digne and Coutinho signings.

Although a small sample size, the common denominator with Gerrard signings seems to be throwing a lot of money at a problem in a short-term, someone else can deal with the consequences, sort of a way. MON had a similar philosophy, and then walked out on us days before the start of the season, when the owner could no longer fund his largesse. The fact is that we had failed to break into the CL, and understandably needed to become more sustainable.

I don’t subscribe to the argument that ‘we need a couple of £40m players’ argument. I’m more interested in having a manager who makes more out of what he has got, rather than less. Emery is giving the impression that he fits the bill, in the same way that the best managers do, like Taylor.

And so far, the only signing that has been successful from Gerrard has been Kamara. Very successful. Obviously, Carlos has been injured so may be a flop or a real gem, but Kamara has been one of the best transfers we have made in years. So I thank Gerrard for the one success from, what was it, 13 signings?

And I agree. He was of the same mould of O'Neill with short term expensive old players with no resell value. He even convinced the board to switch transfer tactics from younger players with potential. Along with fucking up every age group at the club.

The only area he didn't touch was the womens side. And they progressed ten fold...

He really is a useless shit.

What was O'Neill's issue with non-UK based players? Sure, there's a risk inherent that they don't adjust to the PL but if that's the one and only reason, you're forever going to be playing cards with one hand tied behind your back.

Not sure John Robertson had a passport. MON was bone idle lazy, fair enough staying away from the training ground during the week if you were off scouting or working on some tactical plans. He certainly wasn't doing that. He obviously came from the Brian Clough school where off the wall man management was seen as the be all.

Moving Milner inside to replace Gareth Barry was a very good decision too. We hardly missed Barry the season after he left. But he often fudged hard selection decisions. Luke young at left back to accommodate Cuellar at right back was awful..I seem to remember NRC being shoved to right back for a while at times, maybe even Milner too.

To be fair to Ohhhh-The-Okey-Cokey, his best game for Villa came at RB against the plastic reds from Manchester where he pocketed Ronaldo AND Ronaldos ego. Which is some feat...

He never repeated that level of performance though.

Anywhere on the field...

[Monty]

What was O'Neill's issue with non-UK based players? Sure, there's a risk inherent that they don't adjust to the PL but if that's the one and only reason, you're forever going to be playing cards with one hand tied behind your back.

Not sure John Robertson had a passport. MON was bone idle lazy, fair enough staying away from the training ground during the week if you were off scouting or working on some tactical plans. He certainly wasn't doing that. He obviously came from the Brian Clough school where off the wall man management was seen as the be all.

Moving Milner inside to replace Gareth Barry was a very good decision too. We hardly missed Barry the season after he left. But he often fudged hard selection decisions. Luke young at left back to accommodate Cuellar at right back was awful..I seem to remember NRC being shoved to right back for a while at times, maybe even Milner too.

I mean, it was a good move, but it was equally obvious enough for a lot of people on here to have been calling for it the previous season.

Let's not forget he signed Heskey so as to be able to go back to 4-4-2 despite the 4-3-3 having had pretty wild success. We had the chance to play a midfield of Barry, Petrov and Milner, in a system which had proved more successful and which probably would've mitigated the traditional March Wilt, and we didn't because MON was obsessed with his Mike Bassett bigman-littleman striker thing. Literally cost us fourth and I won't be convinced otherwise.

[London Villan]

Mellberg at right back too - He should have really played alongside Laursen, but hardly ever did.

Cuellar - the only Spaniard that couldn't pass the ball.

[WarszaVillan]

He made mistakes but I'll always have a soft spot for O'Neill and his time here.

[ChicagoLion]

He made mistakes but I'll always have a soft spot for O'Neill and his time here.

Yes A swamp.

[TelfordVilla]

I keep hoping to read something about Unai Emery on here. (Perhaps its the wrong thread). Anyway I think he is the real deal and hope he stays for a very long time. He seems to be a very nice man as well as a very good manager.

[brontebilly]

What was O'Neill's issue with non-UK based players? Sure, there's a risk inherent that they don't adjust to the PL but if that's the one and only reason, you're forever going to be playing cards with one hand tied behind your back.

Not sure John Robertson had a passport. MON was bone idle lazy, fair enough staying away from the training ground during the week if you were off scouting or working on some tactical plans. He certainly wasn't doing that. He obviously came from the Brian Clough school where off the wall man management was seen as the be all.

Moving Milner inside to replace Gareth Barry was a very good decision too. We hardly missed Barry the season after he left. But he often fudged hard selection decisions. Luke young at left back to accommodate Cuellar at right back was awful..I seem to remember NRC being shoved to right back for a while at times, maybe even Milner too.

I mean, it was a good move, but it was equally obvious enough for a lot of people on here to have been calling for it the previous season.

Let's not forget he signed Heskey so as to be able to go back to 4-4-2 despite the 4-3-3 having had pretty wild success. We had the chance to play a midfield of Barry, Petrov and Milner, in a system which had proved more successful and which probably would've mitigated the traditional March Wilt, and we didn't because MON was obsessed with his Mike Bassett bigman-littleman striker thing. Literally cost us fourth and I won't be convinced otherwise.

Agree 💯. Great nights like beating Ajax had Gareth Barry pushing forward from midfield. Bringing in Heskey screwed all that to go with 2 up top and from memory Petrov and Barry lacked athleticism in a 2. Away wins at Arsenal had Gabby up top by himself. MON was still pissing around with two up top the following season with Heskey in the ghost role at Wembley. Still managed 6th though and from memory we were in with a chance of nicking 4th right up to the last couple of games. It wasn't as if the MON reign fell away badly.

[Nev]

I'm a bit of an outlier when it comes to MON. His departure was proper shitty and gave no thought whatsoever to anyone but himself and he made some catastrophic decisions, the most obvious being Moscow. He certainly had a high opinion of himself and as a coach he was, and it has been proved, rapidly approaching his sell by date.

But there were some great times as mentioned and given the paucity of good memories in the last 10 years I look back on them with fondness.

As an aside, my Sister bought me his autobiography for Christmas. Once I start it I'll serialise the highlights on here for you all if you like??

[ChicagoLion]

I'm a bit of an outlier when it comes to MON. His departure was proper shitty and gave no thought whatsoever to anyone but himself and he made some catastrophic decisions, the most obvious being Moscow. He certainly had a high opinion of himself and as a coach he was, and it has been proved, rapidly approaching his sell by date.

But there were some great times as mentioned and given the paucity of good memories in the last 10 years I look back on them with fondness.

As an aside, my Sister bought me his autobiography for Christmas. Once I start it I'll serialise the highlights on here for you all if you like??

If you leave out the stuff around his narcissism it should not be a huge task.

[pablo_picasso]

Talking about egotistical dickhead managers who protected their reputation by never building for the future, Tim Sherwood has been quoted regarding his interest in 16 year old Jack Grealish when he was assistant manager at Spurs & how Harry Redknapp responded.

He said that Redknapp stated, something like, "He's 16. By the time he's ready for the first team, I wont be here..."

Further cementing what a prick he is, but also confirming that some managers of questionable character purposely refused to build for the future because they knew they weren't good enough to be a part of it.

I'm a bit of an outlier when it comes to MON. His departure was proper shitty and gave no thought whatsoever to anyone but himself and he made some catastrophic decisions, the most obvious being Moscow. He certainly had a high opinion of himself and as a coach he was, and it has been proved, rapidly approaching his sell by date.

But there were some great times as mentioned and given the paucity of good memories in the last 10 years I look back on them with fondness.

As an aside, my Sister bought me his autobiography for Christmas. Once I start it I'll serialise the highlights on here for you all if you like??

Fuck no.

I would rather make sweet love to a blender than hear anymore of that wankers revisionism...

[Footy-Vill]

Back on topic.Unai Emery after 4 matches unbeaten Won 2, Draw1, For5, Against 1 nominated. I have overheard he is one of four Spaniards,Arteta, Guardiola, De Zerbi to have been nominated for Premier League Manager of the month

[Bully2345]

Back on topic.Unai Emery after 4 matches unbeaten Won 2, Draw1, For5, Against 1 nominated. I have overheard he is one of four Spaniards,Arteta, Guardiola, De Zerbi to have been nominated for Premier League Manager of the month

De Zerbi is Italian

It was noticeable this weekend that a few of the nationals are picking up on the upward curve under Emery. It has gone under the radar as we are permanently 11th but we've gone from being top of the "bottom half" league to bottom of the "top half" league and getting close to Chelsea/Fulham/Brentford