c-krulak

General Krulak here: I would never claim to know what is in MON's head when it comes to players. What I do know is that he is a very good evaluator of talent and that he puts a premium on playing "guts ball." He likes players who are selfless and he can count on for 90 minutes of total effort. I think he has confidence in his ability to develop the right strategy for each game and just wants the players who will execute his game plan...and put it all on the Pitch. I am not sure when the results of the survey will come out...I really am not. I will look into it.

General Krulak here: Milenko27: You give me the date and I will see if we can work something out. And, by the way, your English is better than mine!! I keep screwing it up with some of my comments.

General Krulak here: 1. Gareth Barry called up for the full England Squad in friendly vs. Spain. Great news. 2. Gabby, Gary Cahill and Ashley called up for the U21 England Squad in friendly vs. Spain. 3. Says alot about the direction the Club is moving...especially the youth that we have and will have for years to come. Great news for the Lads.

General Krulak here: I told you I was in the Forces....Champions are Champions! Forgive me for using the term improperly! For any who question what I meant, I meant WINNING IT ALL!!!! A huge silver cup with nice tassles hanging off of it that signifies we are the best around.

General Krulak here: 1. It was a good transfer window...some wonderful, young, players who will certainly help us in the future. The summer is the summer....hopefully we will see MON and Randy continue to work their magic. Again, it will be up to MON as to who he wants (to help the team now and in the future.) Randy will NOT be dictating player choices...he trusts MON. 2. The game. It was a disappointment...we should have won or, at a minimum, tied. Our lads dominated large portions of the game...Carew and Young gave us a glimpse of what will come. I am NOT worried. We have a helluva team and a great manager...we will be winners. 3. "What do I think of our team?" First and foremost, I need to qualify what I say based upon my background in the Forces...because I sure as hell am not an expert in football. I would start by saying that we have a tremendous "General" by the name of Martin O'Neill. He is a great tactician, a great teacher, a great evaluator of talent, and a great motivator. His qualities can be summed up with the term, LEADER. Our Team mirrors its General in its determination, stamina, desire and guts. I confess that in all the games I have seen them play, they only disappointed me for about 15 total minutes. The VAST, VAST, majority of the time, they play their hearts out. They do NOT give up...they keep pressing...they keep trying. Give me that kind of Team any day over the "perfumed princes" that make mega-millions and only worry about how they look. We have a hugely talented group of Coaches and a superb "front office" that is only going to get better under the new CEO, Richard Fitzgerald. My sincere belief is that we will be a Championship Team...play for the Premiership title and for a dominent spot in Europe within the next 3 seasons. Yes, I know, I am probably going to be accused of delusions of grandeur...but I BELIEVE in what we are doing...I believe in Randy, I believe in Martin. What I have laid out is not impossible. A key to our success will be the Fans!!! When our lads are spilling their guts on the Pitch, we need 45,000 maniacs screaming their lungs out in the stands.

General Krulak here: As I have mentioned about 10 times on this site, I take ALL comments in the spirit given. I do NOT view a nice word as arse kissing...likewise I don't look at some comment about us "slow to buy" (like we saw two weeks ago) as ass-kicking! I know it may seem strange but...I take every comment in the spirit intended. If I miss the "meaning", well, shame on me.

General Krulak here: 1. My comment was basically that things do not look like we are going to sign anyone else...it is, obviously, between Randy and Martin but the key is "right player" and "available." You hit the nail on the head, no need to buy someone who is not what we need.

General Krulak here 1. This may come as a shock but I don't play golf. I have probably been on a golf course twice in my life. 2. Age of squad was my observation...but one that is not too difficult to understand when you are around Martin and Randy. The sense you get is a "long term" view of the Club...not going out and buying lads who only have a year or two left in their legs...but who are young and "hungry" and yet to fulfill their total potentiaL. 3. Let me talk to Randy about the ball caps.

General Krulak here: 1. I am no where near convinced that we cannot compete for the Premiership title in the time frame we have discussed. We have a strong young team...getting stronger with every game and every new player. Other teams are slowly aging...have not taken the youth move we have. Don't sell us short. 2. I need to do some research on the Olympic issue...it sounds very good.

General Krulak here: 1. Randy sold his share of MBNA several years ago...sorry. 2. Not sure how we would go about establishing a car park for certain fans...as we have HUGE difficulties finding parking for any fans to the degree needed. You have hit on a huge issue for us...parking. We are currently looking at this in a holistic manner...trying to see what can be done to accomodate our fans. Until we can solve that overarching problem, the ability to solve specific "long distance" drivers' problems will have to wait.

General Krulak here: Out by Easter: It is a true story...except it was to pass the height limitations at the US Naval Academy...but it is true. He is now 94 years old and has a Villa Shirt!!!! I will not be in DC or NYC this weekend. I spent the last two days in Washington...two days too many!!!

General Krulak here: I am not sure if I can narrow it down to a single "proudest" moment....but let me try for a few: 1. Watching the Club take care of a young lad who is suffering from a terrible sickness...without seeking any publicity or BS like that...just doing it because we are Villa and we take care of our own. 2. Watching the scaffolding go up around the Holte Hotel and realizing that this is the beginning of a new "age." 3. Seeing the tears in the eyes of Ron Saunders as he walked off the Pitch having been cheered by "his" fans. 4. Standing next to Randy at our first home game and hearing the "Randy Chant" and knowing that in his heart, he felt really good. As you know, he doesn't display huge emotion but that really got to him. 5. The "draw" at Arsenal...when they and almost everyone else thought that they would kill us. 6. The 100 coach convoy...with our fans going crazy. 7. ....etc. etc. etc. See what I mean....hard to pick one.

General Krulak here: Pre-printed shirts for 60 pounds...let me look into that one. Unless the last name reads like the alphabet, it sounds like a pretty high price.

General Krulak here: 1. Standing. The answer given was correct, it is against the law. We have no choice but to obey the law or suffer some significant consequences. 2. Ticketing. As I have mentioned many times before, ticketing, prices, "deals", options, etc. etc. are ALL being looked at by the leadership at Villa Park. We know we need to do something in this area and will be taking action. As you can imagine, there are many "unintended consequences" from some of the actions we might take...so we have to really think through what we do. 3. Steam Cleaning was done over a two week period. I can absolutely see the improvement. 4. Carew as a Marine. Let me tell you, this guy is really big!!! Of course I am only 5'6" so most people look big to me BUT, this guy is huge. I would hate to get in his way as he drives towards the goal. 5. Underwear. You all are not going to get me in trouble again. I mentioned "thongs" and it makes headlines....my wife ready to rip my lips off. No way am I going there again. 6. Cash Machines. Let me take that one to Villa Park and see what we can do. 7. Media. As you know by now, Richard has met with media and Randy will meet in February. The simple fact is that we will never satisfy the media...they will want more and more. Randy's view is simple: Let our actions speak for us...on the pitch, in the community, in the UK. We aren't trying to hide anything nor are we being illusive. We have been totally upfront from the beginning. EVERYONE knows that Randy is not big on publicity...so he will keep a low profile and let his actions speak. 8. Platini's Plan will not impact us when we win the Premiership.

Generaal Krulak here: 1. Interesting thoughts on migrants. 2. I get to Bodymoor everytime I am in UK...and yes, I do watch the team practice. I think the two new lads are great signings and will make a difference. Obviously they will need some time to get into Martin's scheme...but knowing Martin, that won't take too long.

Thanks for coming back to the Villa!! Martin and Randy may walk on water but the old Marine will sink in a heartbeat!!

General Krulak here: As I have mentioned before, I do believe that having a world class training facility is VERY important to players...both on the Team and those who we would like to come to the Team. The training ground is where the players come to work everyday. If they come to work in a world class facility, they begin to believe that the Club is world class...or that is the goal. All of this feeds on itself. The training ground is not the ONLY thing, but it is important.

General Krulak here: 1. Since you didn't set a time limit on "new signings", I can guarantee you that there will be new signings!! When is a different question. 2. I am not sure how many US Forces are currently in the UK...but ALL the Marines are now Villa Fans!!!

General Krulak here: All the credit goes to our owner and our Manager. As I have said many, many, times before, we are blessed by who we have at our Club. We still have a ways to go...that is why it is called a 5 year plan. STILL, progress IS being made across many areas. We all just need to be patient and stick with the Team.

General Krulak here: 1. "Calm words"...soothing, tranquil, placid, etc. etc. Hope these help. Let's let Randy and Martin handle this...they are fine. 2. Badge, Crest, etc. Let's see what the vote shows. There are a large number who like the star ON the Badge...let's see what happens. This should not be a life or death matter.

General Krulak here: Hopefully everyone is beginning to see that there is a plan...that Randy and Martin do work together and work together very well. We have a LONG way to go...we understand that. We NEVER promised miracles...or overnight fixes. What we said is that we, like YOU, are Villa through and through and that we want to restore the history and tradition of the great Club. We need the fans to stick with us...to come to the games and support Martin and the team. How do all the folks at Villa Park and Bodymoor heath feel? We feel energized, optimistic, proud, excited, cautious to not get too "over the moon", careful, we feel like a team!!!

General Krulak here: 1. Thank you very much on the feedback re. Sheila...that was kind of you to bring her to our attention. She works in one of our hardest sorking areas. Ticketing has come under lots of pressure lately...to "think outside the box"...to come up with new plans to bring fans into Villa Park but to do so without hurting the Season Ticket holders...to determine what we can do to make our Season Ticket holders more "special"...etc. etc. Nicola Keye and her folks are superb. 2. Kit Sponsor. As most people know, there are contracts in place that are there to ensure fairness in dealings. We need to be honorable people...known for having our word be our bond. We are continually looking at improvements to all sponsorship opportunities at the Club but we need to be cautious re. our reputations. This is one of those areas where I am going to ask the fans to trust Randy and their Club. 3. We are looking into the coach issue...so good pros but also some cons.

General Krulak here; 1. Parking is a key issue for all of us. We are working on that with both the community and with other potential individuals that can help in this area. Aston Hall has stepped up to help in the future and we are working with them to see what can be possible. Obviously we want to be a good neighbor to them and we need to see how best we can coordinate our activities. Regarding the purchase money...it is obviously a great thing...but like all businesses, that was "banked" in the business plan last year. It is not as though the money came in unexpected...it had been put against requirements for last year, not this one. 2. Thank you for bringing your God Son to Villa Park...I am convinced that the future of our Club depends, to a large extent, in developing a future generation of fans. 30 pounds for a top for a 6 year old sounds pretty stiff. I am definitely aware of the prices since I have 5 grandchildren who all wanted a Villa Kit...and that 30 pounds equals $60.00+ dollars in our currency. I am not sure what the answer is to pricing...but I promise I will look into what makes the pricing what it is.

General Krulak here: I thought I had answered the question but if I didn't, I am sorry. The answer is that the terms of the agreement were met...but about 3 days after the stated deadline. No issues.

General Krulak here: 1. Wind is the great equalizer...but 3 points are 3 points. A win is good!!!!! Our lads played hard.