AVFCinSpain

I havent been around for a while, so please forive my ignorance on this matter Are there really people who seriously doubt Lerner's committment, financially and personally to Aston Villa? Seems like a fairly bizarre notion all things considered. I can sort of understand frsutration with the speed of MONs tranfer dealings, although, speaking strictly personally here, as long as he continues to get the right results who gives a flying monkeys? Know what I mean? Strange place the interweb isnt it? Sometimes it is completely divorced from reality Peter, There are certainly a lot of posters who seem to doubt the MON/RL partnership, most however seem to be on the Villa Forum of icBrum, it's depressing to read many of the posts on there. I agree with you wholeheartedly however, MON might be frustrating in how he operates in the transfer market and he will no doubt make mistakes, but you'd have thought the progress the club are making would make the fans pretty happy, but it seems the old saying that "much wants more" along with expectations in a too short a timescale are a major factor for the Doubting Thomases. TRO, I'll admit to a degree of uncertainty as life has shown me nothing is certain in this world, but until MON/RL actually demonstrate a lack of ambition for the club, I'll continue to believe in them. UTV

A well thought out article, and sums up the situation. I guess the odds are that he will be going, but I believe it will be a mistake for his career ambitions. He might get CL earlier than at Villa, but probably not long term. If Benitez continues his normal play 'em anywhere and when it suits, GB could find his England place in jeopardy come the world cup qualifiers. If money isn't the issue, and playing in the CL is, then just maybe he should give Villa another season and see where we are next season. I don't subscribe to the doom merchants about MON and his transfer policy, or that RL doesn't have the cash, I think it's more that MON has a more astute eye for players and dressing room harmony, at least I hope so. One more thing about GB, not too many seasons ago, there was a large number of posters saying he wasn't international class, too slow etc. How times change, he certainly isn't any quicker, but his game has improved and he's a steadying presence for both Villa and England. If the Red Scousers buy him, I trust the Villa will make them pay dearly.

Trust me mate we're all going crazy over on our forums!! If only we could get ahold of the boss we could spare all of you and us this struggle! Interesting, another set of fans who don't trust the manager's judgement!! Sound familiar to some of the posters on VT.

Good to see a more measured and sensible response. Some of the unreasonable reaction on the IC Brum board for instance makes one wonder if these guys are really Villa fans. They had written MH off even before he signed.

Let Blackburn have Bellamy, he'll just suit Hughes' team and tactics. Not the player Villa want, there are others who would fit in the squad better. His career strike rate is a goal every third game, with a yellow every sixth and two reds. With 118 goals in 336 he's no better than many other players and a much bigger liability in the dressing room as his record shows.

A great summary of the new regime's first six months. Although there have been ups and downs, the future is looking so positive, and MON and his staff have already contributed much to the improved attitude of the team. When I changed my signature after the takover, I hoped that great things would happen and so far, we are moving in the right direction, with a sense of a well managed and controlled club. Our horizons have truly widened.

Interesting thoughts by Malcolm, but too pessimistic for me. Time of course will tell, but for now I'd go with the flow and trust that MON knows what he's doing for the remainder of this season and has set his stall out accordingly. As far as Lyon's comments on Carew, might be sour grapes, but I also think that perhaps Carew could be more suited to the more physical Premiership than the continental type of play. Gabby and Luke may become squad players if Malcolm's assumptions are correct and of course it's unlikely they will be happy, but we don't know MON's intentions or plans, but we do have more options up front than for a long time. If Larsen can get fully fit and stay clear of injury, we'll be steadier in the centre of defence and Bouma is at last looking a better player than previous. Can't see why Barry would be a problem, as in left midfield he can get forward and also cover Bouma, I think he may well be suited to providing the through ball for speedy front men or laying it up to Carew to hold up and allow both midfield and the wide men to get forward. The Reading game should be real interesting, seeing they are a form side at present. All in all, an interesting last third to the season I fancy.

I'd be sad to seem him leave, but it's a hard world. It would be good if the club could keep him as a squad member, but he may not want that, as I'm sure he still has ambitions. He'd be good for the youngsters, as he's a skilled footballer who could bring them on and I still think he has something to offer in the right set up on field. Apart from anything else, he's conducted himself as a gentlemen through some difficult times at B6.

How JC turns out will be an interesting exercise and we have to trust MON and his scouting set up. But on the icBrum forum, one Villa fan who lives in Norway thinks Carew is overated and lazy and isn't thought much of in his home nation. However, a big man up front to take the pressure of Luke, Gabby and even maybe JPA could be a real boost.

So MON has got a big attacker who hopefully can not only take some of the pressure of the youngsters, but also stick the ball in the net. Looking forward to Young also joining, when we will be a good position to make an impact on the top half of the table 'til the end of the season. Well done MON and Randy. PS assumes Young will be announced tomorrow.

The responses on this thread seem to all be in accord. MON needs to do something, but is finding it difficult, as are many clubs. Of the players above, I'd guess MON is unwilling to pay £10m for Young or the money Liverpool want for Bellamy, and he needs to show Villa will not pay well over the odds for a player. It also seems, according to the media, that SWP and Keane are not available, so of the above, only Smith and the Pole seem to be possibilities. I know very little obout the Polish striker and personally, wouldn't want Smith except as an on loan player, almost as a last resort. The Milner possibility seems to have died, so I can only hope MON has others on his list. I guess that in two weeks time should there not be any new players, or they are not of the quality expected, there will be more demands for MON's blood. :cry:

A good analysis Peter, but we will all have to be patient, and wait and see, as difficult as this is.

Hope we don't go after Ljungberg, think he's looking injury prone these days, and anyway, who'd referee betwee Olly v Freddie :wink:

straight after the man u game?? can't believe i just responded to that... Anyway... a forward line (dreaming) of Young, SWP, Bellamy and Gabi - now that is one fast attack But can they score goals regularly :roll:

The defence worked their socks, with our young central defenders and Bouma playing really well. Petrov however was poor, as was JPA having to play up front again on his own. He's just not suited to this. Overall though, I thought our passing, particularly in the first half was very poor, constantly giving the ball away. Maybe this was due to the continual pressure we were under, but you will be if you keep giving the ball back to them. Also thought Ozzie had quite a good game, pity he couldn't have put away the good chance he had. He got into some good positions though and with more experience will be a big asset. Despite the pressure, Vill deserved a draw.

Hang on, MON having set up a signing, even a loan one, it could upset Malc's negativity. :wink:

A first small step in the right direction. Do we have an option to buy at the end of the loan?

Give us £10m and you can have the one trick pony methinks. Getting a little tired of his rabbit in a headlights impression. Barry? How does it go? "**** off Mourinho, **** off Mourinho......." 25mil each or **** off!! As for rabbits in the headlights i disagree he is young and has played every minute of every game this season, of which this is his "rookie" year! He is also playing out of position and doing a very god job, get him rested and then back in a 433 or through the middle and he will be more effective. Gabby is an exciting raw talent so at this stage of his career with previously mentioned factors taken into consideration you have to take the good with the bad. MON has also said Gabby has been carrying an ankle injury for the last two games, so you can't criticise the lad for wanting to keep on playing, and we don't really have too much in the way of alternatives. Just hope MON doesn't end up with another JLS who DOL continued to play carrying an injury and that certainly did him no favours.

The media don't have as much speculation on the Villa as other clubs because MON does keep things close, and as previously said, he seems to like playing games with the media. Also of course, we are not the media's darlings as we aren't in London or the North West.

An interesting analysis, but I guess all fans have their opinions. Certainly we need someone who can create problems for opposition defences and score some goals, something we are sadly lacking, but I don't see Beattie as the answer as apparantly Moyes doesn't. I'm sure Everton would be really pleased to recoup some of the £6m they paid. As for Cole or Heskey, no thanks. My preference would be Nugent, providing he was sensibly priced.

General, I hope your comments will help still some of the negative messages that have been appearing. I know we all want the same thing, success for Aston Villa, but some fans need to exercise a little more patience and a lot more confidence in the management team. Perhaps the years of false dawns and promises are proving a little hard to shake off, but they should have faith and trust in Randy, yourself and the new CE. I hope we can start on the upward path tonight, even though this is one to start 2007 with.

Thanks for the reply General. I can assure you I am working on changing her allegiance to Claret & Blue, which is much more fashionable than Scouse Red, plus I tell her that her nine year old sister is showing far more commonsense, even though she's three years younger. We will be there for either the Liverpool or Everton game, when my travel arrangements are confirmed, but the Liverpool one could be dangerous for obvious reasons. Really need the right result to help convince her. Looking forward to being at VP again and to a strong finish to the season. UTV

General, this is my first post on your thread, so Hi and a Very Happy New Year to you and your family. All the news and information coming out of VP is now so positive and a great difference to the previous regime, it's once again a joy to be a Villa fan. Having seen my first game in the 1940s, I've experienced plenty of ups and downs, but I believe the future is going to be the best period in Villa history over the next few years. Although I am unable to be a regular visitor to matches, usually only one or two a season, I'm looking forward to taking my two granddaughters in March when I'm back in the UK. One's a Villa fan while the other has yet to learn the error of her ways with a liking for Liverpool, but with Villa shirts for both of them for Christmas, I'm hoping for her conversion so they will both be fans for the great future the club has in store. I'm sure as the club goes forward, being a Villa fan will be an exhilarating experience. Up the Villa

Tomorrow could be like sales in shops, with all the clubs 'phoning/faxing their offers as soon as the clock passes midnight? :?

If we could sign three of those, it would be a start, preferably Distin, Nugent and Stearman, as isn't Barton supposed to be going to the Barcodes?