c-krulak

General Krulak here: 1. texas_mike: Randy has never been too interested in bringing the Browns to the UK to play...for many reasons. Can you imagine the price tag associated with moving hundreds of players, coaches and staff...plus all the equipment across the ocean for a game? It isn't like moving AVFC overseas....it is a huge logistical effort. 2. magroll: Yes, I do look at the site and I have posted on occasion. 3. ChrisNichollsToe: The last time I mentioned a specific price we would be willing to pay, it made every UK paper...so forgive me for not answering you directly. Suffice it to say that Randy has always supported his manager and his history of being willing to open his wallet is there for all to see. I know that GH liked the Training Day and I feel sure we will do it again. 4. avillafan.com: I tell you what. You win. Our modus operandi is to "gouge" the Fans out of every penny they have. We are nothing but mercenary Yanks who don't care about the fans and don't care about the Club. Randy and the Board are only in this for the money and glory. Anything "right" that we have done has been done only to soak the Fans for more money. Forget about our low ticket prices...they are only "teaser rates" like a credit card. There, does that make you feel better...since this is apparently how you feel. I have tried to articulate "who we are" and "why we do what we do"...but you apparently don't believe me. So, let me just say that you win.

General Krulak here: 1. PKAVFC. We are still discussing this with Nike...there are contract issues to deal with. 2. We expect 30,000+ for Burnley. 3. The Don: the answer is a combination of all the comments you made...with emphasis that we CAN recover the Pitch with minimum effort. It will be fine. 4. SiDanger: I think that I have tried to be as honest as I can on an open site. As I have indicated and continued to indicate, GH will be supported. Randy has shown a sincere willingness to spend and that has not changed. 5. Markavfc40. I often wonder if you read my posts.....since I have answered your question multiple times. Let me try again.....the Club, ours or anyone's, have VERY little control over whether a player re-signs or not. We can attempt to re-sign...offer more money than another Club, etc etc. At the end of the day, if a player wants to leave, they will find a way to do so. Handcuffs and leg irons are illegal!!!! We don't "let a few go"....that indicates that we did not try to keep them which is simply NOT true. 6. Choffer: thank you for your kind comments.....we put a great deal of effort into the Family Day. 7. Randy was thrilled with the Brown's victory...beating the World Champions is a big deal.

General Krulak here: 1. Hersford-Villan: In answer to your question, I believe the Club is headed in the right direction! 2. markavfc40: My thoughts on the situation you described are as follows: I am very glad that we have 1) GH as the Manager and 2) Randy as the owner!! 3. Deeps: You state that, "If Ashley Young goes, it will test your resolve for Randy". Do you really think that the owner of ANY Club can prevent a Player from leaving if he wants to? ManU saw Rooney prepared to walk out the door....because he wanted to. He is staying with ManU because he wants to. I wish it were as simple as you make it out to be....we just say, "nope, no players can leave this year"....hmmmmm, sounds nice. It doesn't work that way. To lay the blame on Randy is wrong. 4. paulanddonya: I am sure that GH has watched the same games as you have watched...maybe for not as long but he certainly has seen games we have played and he sees the lads at practice. I would venture to say that he will try to address any "needs" that he sees in some sort of priority order. I would not start slashing your wrists over a specific player or striker until you have given GH a chance to make some moves. Let him pick the individuals he feels he needs. 5. avillafan.com: Ticket prices....you can't win for losing! A 43 pound ticket price is "disgraceful"???? I would say that is a bit strong. It is a big game, a very important game, a game that cost more to attend at B'ham City two years ago than this price. We want to re-sign players, we want to buy strikers, we want to buy other players, we want more security, we want a lollypop person on duty, etc. etc. etc. BUT we want lower prices (forget the fact that our prices are already low). You can't win for losing.

General Krulak here: 1. I am NOT going to be pulled into contract discussions, players coming and going, etc etc. Everyone needs to understand that in those areas, I am not just talking to Fans but to the National Media as well. They read this site. Suffice it to say that we DO have someone who absolutely concentrates on contracts!!! Randy, GH, and the Board understand Fan concerns but it would be foolish to discuss these issues on an open web site. We do not need the type of Press attention that we recently saw with another Club.

General Krulak here: 1. Competiton for HongKong...not a bad idea. We will look into this. 2. Contract talks. I am not sure I should address those on an open net like this. 3. Favorite Player: Probably not a good idea for a Director of the Club to send a signal like that.

General Krulak here: 1. The Club really has no control over the trains. We certainly provide input re. expected numbers, etc. but we can't control when they come and go. 2. There is NO place for racism...I will raise this issue with John Handley.

General Krulak here: 1. First, the game: I had not seen us play in person since GH arrived and I must say I was impressed. I think the biggest change I can see is the crisp passing vice "hoofing" the ball all over the pitch. Our lads looked confident and were aggressive on and off the ball. I keep reading about Chelsea missing two of their "stars" and yes, they had two out. We had 4 out and lost another during the game!!! For a 0-0 draw, I thought it was very exciting!! It was also great to be back at Villa Park and see many of the Fans again. 2. Private plane???????? Hey, I am an expert at Terminal 5 at Heathrow!!!!!! I fly commercial...and in my Villa top. 3. Away fans will remain where they are currently located. 4. I was surprised we didn't sell out too. I spoke to Nicky about it and she reminded me that we haven't sold out the Chelsea game in several years...not sure why. Perhaps this time it had to do with time of kickoff and TV. 5. Atmosphere at Villa Park: I am not sure what the Board or Randy can do about that....it would seem to me that this would be an issue for the Fans. I spent some time in the Holte End and the Fans there were in good voice and cheering hard and loud. People use to come on the site and say that things were "low" because of the type of football we were playing...well i think that has changed dramatically and I would hope that the Fans would continue to react positively to the change. 6. There is NO concern about the training ground and trains.

General Krulak here: 1. stato: Just looking for a "smile" that might show Mrs "K" before I announced my trip and what happened after she found out!!

General Krulak here: 1. I might have mentioned already but....I will be off the site starting tomorrow and going thru Sunday. I will be flying to the UK...arriving Saturday at 6:00 am. Will drop my bag at the hotel and then go to Bodymoor Heath...then to visit with the Leadership at Villa Park....do a walk-about during the stadium prep for the game...visit fans at Holte Pub and Holte Suite...attend the SCG Meeting...watch the game whilst visiting the stands...celebrate the victory after the game...go back and get some sleep...get up Sunday morning and fly back to the US. Mrs. "K" is NOT happy with me!!! :firefox:

General Krulak here: 1. murfee: You raise an interesting question. I suggest you call up Nicky Keye and explain the issue and see what she has to say. You may start something!

General Krulak here: 1.avillafan.com: I would say that GH has a very mature view of scouting and what is needed. He has taken this on and I am sure he will move us forward in this area. 2. I do not know anything about KM moving on.

General Krulak here: 1. Rob182: I will get on the wall paper issue! 2. villaAFC2000: Like every big move like this, the devil is in the detail...and there are always unintended consequences. BUT, from a macro view, this should level the playing field to a degree and increase the quality of play throughout the league. 3. PKAVFC: Paul McGrath is a hero and legend to all of us....Fans, Board, current players, etc. I cannot agree more with your thoughts and those of others. The Club will not and does not turn its back on "Family." We will figure out what is the best thing to do...in consonance with the individual himself. 4. Saturday will be a sell out....as will 4 of the next 5 games. I will be there myself!!!

General Krulak here: 1. theunderstudy: I can assure you that neither Randy nor the Board has lowered expectations....we want silverware and we want Champions League. Nothing has changed. We also believe that it will come!!

General Krulak here: 1. dogbonus: You are correct about the downside to seat selection but the upsides are obvious too. Re. Burnley...for issues like this, it is best to call Nicky Keye at Ticketing...she or one of her folks will help sort it. 2. villanwesty88: That is an idea worth looking at...well done!!!! 3. chefdoc2000: Obviously Fxpro is also disappointed. 4. the understudy: I think we are all very impressed and happy with GH. He is a no-nonsense Manager who has a very keen understanding of the tactics of the game and is able to get his points across to the players in an effective manner. He is very well organized and is respected by all the folks at Bodymoor Heath. He is a good person.

General Krulak here: 1. PKAVFC: Yes, Randy has an AVFC tattoo on his ankle. Here is the latest on the new Kit. On the 25th of October we will be announcing the exact dates of the kit release. The Home Kit will be released first followed by the Away Kit. As I have mentioned before, this problem has ZERO to do with the Club. Simply put, the material used for the first kit was defective and we were NOT going to release a kit that was not good to go for our Fans. The quality problem was first noted after the Celtic Shirt went on sale. We are currently discussing the issue of "shelf life" of the new kit.

General Krulak here: 1. I communicated with Nicky Keye today regarding the upgrade to the Ticketmaster system...to include "select a seat." She indicated that she hoped to go "live" within the next few days and will keep me posted as to when it happens. 2. PKAVFC: I will see if I can get answers to all of your questions...stand by. 3. leemond2008: I see the problem....again, let me see if I can get the exact date. 4. Believe me, GH is the Villa Manager and he knows that!! 99% of the time now, the questions posed to him are placed in context of "what has been"...not what is. He does a good job of answering....and certainly is focused on the Villa. As for the tie, I will buy him one.

General Krulak here: 1. chips'ngravy: I can assure you that anytime GH speaks of Liverpool, it is not meant to denigrate our Club. Taken out of context, it may seem that way but I know that is not his intent. 2. jonno_2004: Let's be honest here, GH has a helluva lot on his plate right now and one of those things is "contracts." Believe me, we have people tracking these things down to a fair-the-well...as you would imagine. I would not get too exercised over this...it is covered. GH certainly recognizes the play of NRC and his value. 3. WellHeathLions: An interesting and novel idea. Might be worth an SCG discussion. 4. ChrisNichollsToe: I had not heard of this treatment...thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will pass on your comments to our Head of Security so he can pass feedback to the Spurs. I confess that I do not want to see us respond in like manner....we are too good for that. 5. imavillan: Absolutely!! 6. Tough game!! I honestly thought we played well enough to get a point but "thinking and getting" don't buy much in the world of football.

General Krulak here: 1. corleone: A very interesting and critical question that not only deserves and answer but demands an answer. My sense is that with a wee bit of upper body "tuning", I could throw a hedge hog over the crossbars from the edge of the six yard box. 2. steve_avfc: I am getting your suggestion to Nicky. 3. Betting kiosk in No. Stand lower. I will check on this. 4. New kit...I will get the date.

General Krulak here" 1. I can assure you that we have a very active community affairs organization and are constantly working with schools in the neighborhood. 2. A very nice win today. I thought the lads played hard...great work by Heskey, Cuellar, Young and NRC...in fact by all. I confess that the 2nd half had me on the edge of my seat but....never easy to go into a derby and win it at the other team's "house." One game at a time...that is how we need to view them.

General Krulak here: 1. hobbo: I am not sure who this "well connected" person is but....he obviously knows more than Nike. Simply put, the kit was initially made with a faulty weave and rather than accept a shoddy product, they are doing it over for us. It has ZERO to do with the Croatia kit. Not sure how rumors like that get started. 2. John_lerwell: Not sure what you are "reading between the lines"...certainly nothing that says we aren't going to have a proper museum. As for your apparent concern with interactive facilities, I can only tell you that the Museum of the Marine Corps, a $150 million facility, has a good deal of interactive exhibits and they are HUGE favorites! I would not discount something that has such great appeal to all ages. In fact, most new museums throughout the world are interactive in many respects. I happen to know because I am the Co-Chairman of the Founders Group of the Museum of the Marine Corps and travelled extensively in Europe and America looking at the finest museums. This is the state of the art today. It will be dynamite for our Club.

General krulak here: 1. I have just finished my backlog of pm's. I want to sincerely apologize to those who wrote me and had to wait for so long for a reply. Some issues were overtaken by events...and, again, I am sorry. I also greatly appreciate some of the kind messages re. the past couple of months. I tried to pass all of them to Randy. Again, I apologize for the delay.

General Krulak here: 1. villacrossthemersey: Perhaps you are unaware but....Randy did commission a silversmith to produce a 100% accurate replica Cup...and has had it on display since we honored the '82 lads. 2. John_Lerwell: We have had several looks at the design for the Museum...from a stand alone building next to the Holte End to rooms in the Holte Inn to a location in a newly designed North Stand. We have not yet homed in on a particular location at this time because we have not finished with the work of our archivist and obtaining artifacts. Yes, it will be a place for our youth...to hopefully become familiar with this great Club and its history. At the same time, it will obviously be a place where adults can come a remember "the old days." 3. richard: As I think I have tried to make clear on multiple occasions, we do not have a "sell to buy" philosophy. What we do have is the common business sense that you cannot continue to operate with a wage bill that exceeds the % desired to achieve a revenue to deficit ratio that makes sense. If you have players that are not part of the Manager's overall plan but are still on the Club's wage bill, it makes sense to see if a sale can be achieved that is fair to the player and to the Club. 4. Fabien is recuperating according to schedule.

General Krulak here: 1. villa4europe: As I am sure you are aware, we do not a) schedule games, schedule locations of games, c) schedule kick off times. I am sorry you found yourself in a traffic jam but I am afraid there is not much that we could do about it. 2. paulanddonya: Will get the clock fixed. 3. John-Lerwell and Trent Villa: We will have a museum. That has been a goal of the Club since Randy arrived...it will happen. I stand by the comment about not "safeguarding artifacts." Simply put, when we arrived and started to look into the establishment of a museum, we were surprised by the lack of artifacts available....and the condition of those that were available. I have been involved in the establishment of the US Marine Corps Heritage Center and although you would expect there to be many artifacts for that museum (and there are) I expected some sort of historical program to exist at the Villa. It may have existed but there was no real effort to maintain what artifacts we had and to collect others. I am not deriding anyone on this point, just stating the facts. Having to rely on asking "former players" for artifacts is NOT a professional way to run a railroad. We will get the museum up and running and it will be very nice. We do have an archivist working with us now and hopefully we will begin to compile those artifacts that will make our museum a wonderful place to visit. 2. A good win last night. I thought that GH had a good formation and that, after a slow start, we really picked things up. He had a nice mixture of experience and youth and used them well. I disagree with the "hint" that we are not interested in winning this Cup...quite to the contrary, I believe GH has been very clear on this point.

General Krulak here: 1. paulanddonya: Consideration for the family is ALWAYS central to discussions we have re. tickets as well as atmosphere. This is something that has always been important to Randy...and I think you have seen that. I will get the clock sorted out...where is it located exactly? The screen: I recognize this is a big issue and so does the Club. The SCG raised it this weekend. Let's see what happens. The issue has to do with the renovation that will take place. 2. AVFC-Pride....:I am sure wage structure has been part of discussions with GH. At the same time, Randy's support of GH has also been a part of the discussions. I will see what I can do to get a Delph interview on the OS. 3. chrisnicholstoe: As you know, Randy has always backed his Manager...nothing will change.

General Krulak here: 1. Obviously Randy and GH have had lengthy discussions...as you would expect. It would not be wise for me to articulate what may have taken place during those discussions. What I think is obvious to all is that both Randy and GH want to move the Club forward...and both realize that will take continued emphasis on the positives of the Club and to seek to improve on those positives. Randy will listen closely to what GH has to say...he hired him to take us forward and has great confidence in him.