GarryBarry

I reckon Pingu is using all of this as a great opportunity to pre-empt McCleish's constructive dismissal claim. The head of League Managers Association on Sky today was saying McCleish had problems with the Sty's board for the past two weeks and they had been aware. Now, this doesn't mean that our board aren't interested in speaking to him/sounding him out about the job especially if he expressed an interest - hence the email in reply to the Sty. And GK's reply to what he thought was personal discussion (rather than message board) which essentially said 'we'll speak to who we want and stop lecturing us on who we should and shouldn't consider' And unfortuantely the silence to the media is allowing them to build it up into a 'tug of war' for the manager as if he is going to be offered the job. My only worries are that a) it seems the number of option are reducing and this shitstorm around our appinting a manager does nothing for our reputation and our attempts to attracdt people like Rijkaard. KEEP CALM, CARRY ON

I hope the bullshit-callers are right. I'm off to bed and hoping to wake up to a brighter, McCleish-free world tomorrow

Jesus H God-dancing Christ on a bike. Do I not like that. The only hope if that is truly the General is that he is defending the board choosing to talk to McCleish (or ask to talk to McCleish) rather than actually appointing him. i.e. how can fans say we shouldn't consider this guy. However, combined with the Corsica jet rumour it just looks very grim. If this is the General it is also a staggering set of comments to come out with at a time of high media attention with no official statement from the club. You just know how this is going to be reported 'Rant at fans criticisng board, defending McCleish appointment etc

Never been a huge call for calligraphy in Birmingham. Let's face it, the blue half of the city have only just got to grips with smearing their own excrement onto the walls of their caves.

Martnez and McCliesh are polar opposites in terms of approach. Can't believe they would both be on the same shortlist. If only we had something like an official statement from the club confirming that one of them had been considered or approached. hmmm

Bit embaressing that Martinez preferred to stay at Wigan rather than talk to us. But tbh I think the club are trying to do things the right way. For all his talk of propriety Whelan shouting his mouth off is what stitched us up. Why tell the media that he'd agreed for Roberto to speak to us? So he can show how great a chairman he is and get some good PR for his club. Media have no clue who we are speaking to unless fathead chairmen start shouting their mouths off

I'd prefer Moyes over Martinez, but Martinez over Hughes. Am I wrong in thinking Moyes' teams are more entertaining than Hughes' (at least when they've got strikers fit)

I was thinking the exact same thing! But then worried people would think I was talking about Wrestling nonsense if I said Battle Royale

Touché!

Eyes. . . . bleeding. Punctuation seeping out . . . of. . . the . . .world

Hm W D L For A Aw W D L F A GD PTS Villa 8 7 4 26 19 .... 4 5 10 22 40 -11 48 Wig 5 8 6 22 34 .... 4 7 8 18 27 -21 42 Martinez is a genius who overachieved with a very poor Wigan squad and outperformed us away from home. or Next year with Martinez will be just as poor as this year with Houllier Discuss

To be honest, my opinion of Martinez is based on the same criteria as any of the other candidates - a general impression of what sort of character he is, the performances of his teams, the way they play and how he is considered by other managers, players and pundits. I'm not an expert in tactics, nor the intricacies of what makes a great manager. We arguably got a manager with proven achievements in the game, a track record at the highest level with our last two major appointments (Ged and MON). There is no perfect manager and whoever we get we're going to have to give them time and support (Hughes was deeply unpopular halfway through the season) I trust the board to know more than me about what they want and who they want to look after the interests of the club. Ultimately whoever is appointed should be judged on the performances on the pitch and the health of the club off the pitch (scouting, youth development etc). Martinez is a risk but a calculated risk. Bring it on

Martinez is a risk, undoubtedly. But I really like his approach to the game and the way he has Wigan playing. I think it will build on the changes Houllier started to implement. If he can get Wigan playing that sort of pass and move football what can he do with Makoun, Delph, Bannan, Clark, Downing, Bent etc? I am also massively impressed with his ability to motivate players and cope during 'crunch' games. Unbeaten in the last four under the sort of pressure he was facing? And sticking successfully to the attacking syle of play. Main doubts for me are over transfers - has he got the contacts and eye for talent required? And is he a big enough draw for the players we want to attract? Also, defensively Wigan were awful at times last season. That would be a worry given how poor we ourselves were. But, if we have genuinely ruled out Rafa, with Jol gone and Ancelotti ruled out I think he is a strong, long-term appointment. I would definitely have him as manager over Schteve or Hughes. Not in terms of achievements to date but in terms of the characteristics above and the way that I'd like to see Villa play. Ultimately I think he could take us just as far as Hughes but it would be a much more enjoyable ride. Whether that's far enough who can say but I think his appointment, if it happens, makes a lot of sense. I'd also say that rather than a lack of ambition it speaks of a long-term approach to the club from the board.

Well it looks like Wet Spam are going to take a bullet for us. Steve McClaren is the bookies favourite to take over there.

I think the board's stance may well be down to them wanting Moyes as first choice for a replacement. If Houllier wants to continue and the board effectively sack him there is next to no chance of getting Moyes, a good friend of Ged, to replace him. However, if Houllier decides to call it a day himself, he may be crucial in tempting Moyes to VP. Therefore, even if the board think on balance they want Houllier gone, they may decide to wait until he himself gives them a firm indication of what he wants to do.

I'd love to see Moyes here with Ged as DOF. I think, given their friendship, that would work extremely well. And if rumours of player sales at Everton are true I wouldn't blame Moyes on finally moving on. Coyle would be another great shout, again preferably with Houllier upstairs as I'm not sure what Coyle's transfer dealings have been like. I would still like to see Jol at the club but that would be more of a risk than either of the two above. Having got through this season (virtually) we need to continue rebuilding the squad.

He is the main reason we are now all but safe. Not just his goals but his running causes real problems for the opposition and gives our other attacking players more space. I said it when we signed him and I'll say it again - ballsy move by Lerner to bring him in and has made the difference between a salvaged season and a disasterous one.

Albrighton? Really? So why did he drop like a sack of snot? He could have just kept running with Marc sticking out of his chest by his studs

Good account - though I think pretty much the whole team were guilty of some very sloppy passes and losing posession too easily. At times it looked like a training game (ok, you attack and we'll practice our defending). Having said that we defended extremely well and looked far more organised than any game I can remember this season (or certainly under Ged). Agree Gabby looked lost out wide and I think Young also looked out of sorts at times (though had really bright flashes, including for the goal). I thought Clark looked great at left back (as he did in the last game) both defensively and supporting the attacks. Particlarly loved Petrov's foort-in-chest tackle on De Jong. How do you like it then baldy?

Ginger Colley quoting our stat on goals scored! Legend Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Randy, you have put your hand in your pocket and so will I. off to buy my ticket for Saturday - want to be there at the debut of the best striker since Yorke.

Ginger Colley quoting our stat on goals scored! Legend Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Randy, you have put your hand in your pocket and so will I. off to buy my ticket for Saturday - want to be there at the debut of the best striker since Yorke.

Randy has now left Bodymoor Heath so I take that as meaning it is all done. But then again ITSOTP

Pete Colley on Sky now - Lerner just left Bodymoor Heath and 'it is soooooo close' go ginge!

Re the price. I agree it is a huge amount. But as a calculated investment compared to the cost of relegation, and then to provide the missing piece to help us push higher than 6th in future seasons I think it a fantastic bit of business. If Bent has been banging them in for Sunderland (up until last few games) just think of how many he could score with the service from Marc, Downing and Ash? And the increased ticket sales suggest others may be excited about htis. This is more than a statement of intent it is an absolutely inspired business decision.

Damn you all. I'm slower than O'Neil drawing up a list of transfer targets over a nice cup of ovaltine