jimmygreaves

Smith is a bully............. we could do with one up front, MON seems to favour this he did at Leicester with Heskey and Celtic with Sutton. Just a strong player up front to offer as the "out ball"......... Smith could be good at this. If we could choose I'd prefer Beattie

Hi General......... a little humble request. Would you be able to include on the "voting machine" a question about the re-introduction of safe-standing areas or terracing just to gauge the fans opinion? I'm aware the FA have made safe-standing a difficult thing to implement but if there was large support from the fanbase maybe it would be worth approaching the FA later on down the line with a view to relaxing the regulations. Thanks once again for taking time out to talk to "us lot".

And Baros............ Petrov..............

Can't agree, he looked like and exciting talent but now he looks like a run of the mill young pro who Nike are flogging like a dead horse. It would, however, be very nice if his early promise did blossom and he develops into the player everybody hoped he would.

Brilliant!! It still feels quite astonishing that we are able to have direct feedback from the "bigwigs" at Villa. Your time is very much appreciated General, thank you............... had a chance to look at the possiblilty of that terracing thing???

Money talks, and we've got a bit now apparently............ also MON is the first 3 letters of "money"....... which probably has no significance what-so-ever.

Wasn't it him who suggested it?

I think he has it in him to be that good........... and I should know

Yeah, U S A. Seriously, brilliant to have you guys on board, still stunned. How involved is Bob Kain going to be?

admirable James, but surely if you let 1 club in the prem do it, you have to let them all do it if they want to. i think it's mainly a safety issue after Hillsborough ...... I think it was originally a safety issue like you say, but as time has gone on the true causes of Hillborough have been shown to be bad policing decisions, a very poor stand (very old and steep), a HUGE crowd and crowd fencing. Terracing itself can work very well and does all over Europe. I just think its something which should be seriously looked at and not dismissed out of hand.

Hillsborough That might be the excuse but I don't think its the reason.

indeed - it's a bit like complaining to the geezer behind the Virgin counter that the trains are late and that it should be put right. or complaining to a taxi driver about the length of time a journey takes due to the amount of roadworks. Terracing in the premiership is outlawed by the Sweet FA. on the flip side, if we got relegated to the Conference the terracing is indeed an option :winkold: I'm not complaining to the club - I'd just like them to challenge the FA if there was sufficient backing from the fans.

They can ask the FA, which is all I'm asking them to do. As a mere supporter I have no real clout to go into the FA and ask why terracing isn't allowed here when its OK everywhere else. If the fans want it, the club can put a case to the FA in theory. Then at least report back with the outcome good or bad.

Fighting the good fight mate.

Hi General and welcome to our club, its great to have you. You seem to be genuinely enjoying the day to day involvement with the club and all reports from people who have met you and Mr Lerner have been glowing to say the least. It's very refreshing to have enthusiastic people making the decisions that matter at Villa Park these days. This thread has turned into a bit of a fans wish list in places but I suppose we haven't had the opportunity to engage with the directors at Villa and they be in the mood to actually listen to what we have to say so here goes.............. TERRACING General, if you and Mr Lerner are genuinely interested in the fans match day experience then please look into the viability of bringing back terracing, simple standing areas for fans to watch the game from. Many fans feel football from the stands has been damaged by the widespread introduction of seating. Seating pushed prices up, changed the dynamic of the football crowd and many argue was massively detrimental to match day atmosphere. Terracing was abandoned in the UK after Hillsborough where around 100 fans were killed during an FA cup semifinal. The subsequent "Taylor Report" recommended the removal of terracing in favour of all-seater stadia and this has been the situation ever since. Terracing is common place throughout Europe in the major football leagues and passes without incident. Would it be possible for you to open a dialogue with the fans to explore the viability of terracing being re-introduced at Villa Park (I'm sure many would support it) and if sufficient support was evident, putting a case to the FA to see if they would allow the re-introduction of terracing. We would have the opportunity of going to matches at Villa Park and having the choice to stand or sit, the fans would have cheaper tickets available to them so increasing possible attendance numbers and more importantly for many, the atmosphere many claim is missing from football grounds up and down the country could possible be recreated. At the very least would this be something which could be investigated? Some links: Old thread 1 Old thread 2

So Man United would sell Smith if the prices is right and they can get a replacement? Bit like every other club in the world then Jez? :winkold: I'd welcome Alan Smith. Skillful, strong, quick, decent in the air, he's got the complete package. His versatility (I'd play him just behind the front two) is just a bonus. However, I'm not sure Villa fans would his accept goal ratio despite all the other work he does. Pair him with Jermain Defoe and watch them fly in....... Smith is an all or nothing kind of player - the precise opposite of DJDJ for example - I think the fans would love him down VP for his attitude alone, god knows what he'd be like working under MON. I'd also love us to sign Defoe - I think he's a stunning player. I know plenty have their own opinions on Defoe but for me he could be the next great English goalscoring centre forward.

Yep, decent young player, sign him up...................... if his leg has healed properly.

How posh.

Yeah, smashing stuff.

Ex dingle and second rate championship striker? Nah, think I'll pass.

Malc, absolutely bang on. I agree with every word. I'm as excited as the next bloke about the "new dawn" but you're right about O'Neill, great manager that he is - arguably the best available in the UK - we don't know if he can do a "Wenger" like many are predicting, he's never done it before. I'm hoping that he does develop into the world class manager that we're all hoping for. Given the fact he's going to be developing in an environment fostered by an apparently benevolent, savy yet hands-off chairman MON will have every advantage available in order to blosssom.

Appiah SWP Klose Richards All will want to go to a 'big' club which we are not...yet! All will want, if they move european football which we can not give them....yet! I agree with the initial sentiment Jez but I'd be bloody sure we'd have a blinding sales pitch to throw at these guys who are looking for a "big club".

If true this could be a good move!

PFA Players' Player of the Year in 1993. All the other pro's that year though he was pants obviously. He was quite simply the best of his generation, worldwide! Doubt you have ever seen him play, even on video!

Shay Given??