villabromsgrove

Good post Trent. I think that Randy initially believed that with Mon as a charismatic figurehead that the dream was possible for Villa if he backed Mon to the hilt. Imo the General's comments over the past 18 months or so, were probably well meant but show that he shared RL's inexperience by repeatedly saying that we were still on that course. That naivety and the board's inexperience made RL slow to both see and react to the changing economic situation and limitations imo. When he did finally act he opted for major surgery rather than a gradual return to economic health. Despite his inexperience I think that Randy has done his best, and will be good for the club as he learns his trade. Finally, I seem to rate our young players higher than you do by the sound of it. It will be interesting to see what happens to them, as I have been known to wear rose tinted spectacles.

is actually this ie we do not have a competitive future in terms of achieving anything on the pitch IMO. Which is sort of a goal of being in the game in the first place, or should be Unfortunately I think you're probably right in terms of our expectations Richard, but I'm still going to enjoy watching their progress for us until the inevitable happens. Also if these young players do well enough for us to attract the attention of bigger clubs and are eventually (inevitably?) sold for large fees, not only will we have enjoyed watching them and hopefully benefited in terms of results, but their sale will help to insure Villa's continuing stability if the money is wisely reinvested.

I've watched GG live a number of times, and one of his many talents is the one you always hope for in an attacking central midfielder. He consistently hits the target!

I understand that some fans are unhappy and frustrated by Villa's somewhat inevitable inability to hold on to our best players and attract a top manager. I also accept the view that Randy has shown inexperience and naivety on a number of occasions during his stewardship of the club. However, I really believe that Randy is an honorable man trying to do his best for the long term future of the club. Our team is probably about where it should be at the moment in the Premiership, and the recent performances of some of our younger players is exciting for our immediate future. At a time when whole countries are on the verge of collapsing financially, spending big money to achieve progress to the next level is no longer the option that it was a few seasons back. Sensible house keeping and development of our young players is the correct way to go in my opinion. I don't expect posters to agree with my opinion, but I'm happy to give my personal view as a satisfied Villa supporter.

This is such a pathetic arguement. I don't think there is a single person who thinks that he does or expects him to have that level of wealth. Regardless of how much money he has (or hasn't) put in (most of it is loans on which he has charged interest) the way he has run the club has been poor and a mosiac, a pub and a tattoo don't disguise that. Sure he has done a lot of good things in his time, its far from being all bad but the lack of plan or even good decision making is clear for all to see. The last two years have been a total and utter shambles in which the club has lacked real leadership or direction and some would argue control although I would personally argue a lack of control has been evident for far longer and is largelly responsible for where we are now. I don't know a single Villa fan that needs to "accept that we do not have the wealth of Abu Dhabi at our disposal" so you literally have no point. I've supported Villa since the sixties, so I've seen the highs and lows and I'm comfortable with Randy's ownership of AVFC. I like Randy and I think McLeish is a decent guy and a reasonable manager. I also think that Villa are just about where we should be in the Premiership. I still get excited on match day, and always hope for the best, but not knowing whether we are going to win lose or draw is part of that excitement. Supporting Villa positively should not be a hanging offence! Excuse me if I don't start slagging off a decent guy, who has made a considerable investment in the club I love.

Randy has spent more of his own money on Villa than anyone in the total history of AVFC. Give the guy a break and accept that we do not have the wealth of Abu Dhabi at our disposal. UTV!!!!

If Herd and Clark played every week we wouldn't concede so many "set piece" goals, and we would score more from corners and free kicks. We would probably draw less matches, although we would also give away the odd penalty or two.

I find it laughable that you think Randy Lerner, who has been so financially inept during his ownership of AVFC, is now a "safe pair of hands" I'm glad I bought a smile to your face Mike. I accept that Randy was initially somewhat unwise and probably naive to allow Mon to control wages and pay too much to average signings, but his current policy appears to be designed to rectify this situation asap. That would indicate to me that he now fully understands the ramifications of running a Premiership football club, and that he is now a "safe pair of hands" in very troubled times.

A prominent Villa fan Sir Mervyn King the Governor of the Bank of England, has just said that he fears that Britain is in the grip of the worlds worst ever financial crisis. Perhaps we should take note of this and thank our lucky stars that AVFC is owned and run by a man who is determined to make sure that our club lives within it's financial means and survives the world wide financial crisis. Can we not give Randy the credit he is due for acting as a safe pair of hands in very troubled times. We may not be a top six club, but we are still well up in the chasing pack. Why not put the hatchets away and enjoy the season as it unfolds match by match. UTV!!!!

He is "that" good! I think a lesson was learned from Delphs' situation about young players returning after serious injuries, and GG will be carefully used initially to try to avoid further problems.

Shame about Erics' injury, but if he's fit by January he could still be very useful in the second half of the season as a fully fit and fresh defender.

Hutton is a decent footballer. The problem is that he's neither a defensive full back or a goal scoring wing back. He's more of a rather large physical and quite pacy winger. Chris Herd is not a defensive full back but he is a goal scoring wing back, although he is more of a natural central midfielder. Carlos Cuellar is a good defensive full back although he prefers to play as a central defender. He's not the best on the ball or going up the wing. Eric Lichaj is becoming a good attacking full back but is still occasionally defensively suspect. His throw is a bonus. Habib Beye is a decent wing back, but defensively his positional play is dodgy. My preference would be to give a fit Cuellar an extended run at right back again, and then Herd could put some real bite into the CM as and when he's needed.

Makoun's a technically good player, but his vision and one touch passes need players to move quickly into space to anticipate them and Villa can't do that well enough. If he's not going to play then a move is probably the best thing for him and the club.

Whenever I've watched Herd for the reserves his willingness to play in any position has been a real plus, but it could also be his undoing if he's used to fill gaps in the team. Imo his best position is center midfield, and his secret weapon is his salmon like leap in the box. He could be another Tim Cahill if he's given the chance.

Petrov has made a superb contribution during his time at Villa, and definitely deserves the captains arm band. You must have seen him on numerous occasions against all standards of opposition, what's to judge? Maybe we only realise what a good player Petrov is when he's injured and we play without him.

Not sure if this is in response to my post, if it was I think you might have miss understood the points I was making as in no way was it critical of Bent. I agree with Brummie, and I don't think that your post was misunderstood. As usual your criticism was overtly aimed at the board that dared to sell Young and Downing even though neither player wanted to play for Villa! Am I right? No it was my opinion on Bent in line with the topic of the thread and in the context of current and recent events. Trent, you used to be one of the most positive and entertaining posters on here and you were 100% Villa. I've watched your feelings about the club change, slowly at first then quite dramatically. You're entitled to your opinion of course but I think it's a shame that an "agenda" seems to shape many of your posts these days. Bent is a natural finisher and we still have the right players to supply him imo. (in line with the topic of the thread)

Not sure if this is in response to my post, if it was I think you might have miss understood the points I was making as in no way was it critical of Bent. I agree with Brummie, and I don't think that your post was misunderstood. As usual your criticism was overtly aimed at the board that dared to sell Young and Downing even though neither player wanted to play for Villa! Am I right?

How much did O'neill pay for him? Wasn't it 6 million rising to 8 million? You don't pay that much money for an 18 year old unless you believe he could be very special. Delph may well be. Yes he did. All that proves though is that O'Neill thought he had potential nothing more. I could list countless players that managers have spent a great deal of money on because they thought they could be very special only to find out they weren't. I won't produce a list but I will give one example, Arsene Wenger paying £8m for Francis Jeffers. Delph may well be special, hell he might already be but none of us have seen enough of him in our colours yet to know one way or another. It is then rather daft to be using phrases like world class about him besides the term 'world class' is in itself a rather daft phrase in any case. "Delph may well be special," it's going to be exciting following his development if he is. Surely that all fans ask isn't it.

Could be. Would need a strong DCM'er behind them to allow them to play. If you threw a ball down in a crowded room that contained Delph and Gardner, you'd bet on them claiming it. We know Delph's aggressive desire to win the ball, and having watched Gardner live for the reserves a number of times he also doesn't take prisoners. You're right though about a strong sitting DCM because both Delph and Gardner have a considerable goal threat and need to attack the box.

If you're right then Villa will benefit from his multi-million transfer fee. Either way if he's as good as we think he may be, it's a win win situation.

Now I know this post is a joke. :winkold: Have you not watched the Villa for the last couple of seasons? :?

General, well done today and last saturday to all at AVFC.

How much did O'neill pay for him? Wasn't it 6 million rising to 8 million? You don't pay that much money for an 18 year old unless you believe he could be very special. Delph may well be.

Enjoy the moment Chris!

Where's the fun in that Alex? No expectations and pressure this season, youngsters coming through. This could be a really enjoyable season, win, lose or draw. PS - I know you were only joking. Up the Villa!!!!