paddy

Thing is, is he getting our money regardless of ticket sales? ie does he get the reported £12m if he sells 100% or 50%? Makes you wonder where the ticket sales money is going

I thought (though I could be wrong) that the Catholic Church are selling the tickets so they get the money. Afterall don't you think they deserve it? No?

Apparently he's not even using the pope mobile now. Arriving by helicopter then using some other car. Not sure where he's landing in the helicopter though, I assume not Cofton Park seeing as they relaid the whole Bristol Road for his visit.

I'm sure I heard they were struggling to sell the tickets, £12m of taxpayera money yet the tickets don't go on general sale? Stinks imo

Not that id go see him

Well you wouldn't want the general public mixing with the Catholics would you? Perish the thought.

I hadn't heard this actually. Where did you read/hear it? It wouldn't surprise me for a second, just wondered where you'd seen it. I'm going to go up on the hill behind my house to look out over the park when he's there to see how full it is, will be interesting to see.

I imagine I'll be up there with all the snipers. But then I guess they'll be lying down so they shouldn't be in the way.

When I first heard the Pope was coming to the park at the end of my road I was quite pleased I seem to remember. Quite a coup having the Pope come to your local park. I thought I might even go and see the event just to see what was going on.

Since that moment everything I hear about the visit just seems a complete waste. Mainly of money, but also time, public space.

For example we got a letter through the door the other day saying the park will be closed for TWENTY FIVE days. For him to be there for a couple of hours. To bless a statue of Cardinal Newman which hasn't even been finished and will be vandalised soon after being pu in the park anyway.

The amount of sunday league football that happens there each weekend is huge. Do all those matches get cancelled for those 3 weekends? Presumably.

The letter also explained we'd still be able to use the 'perimeter' of the park for those days. Great (not that I'd be using it). I went past the other day. Literally 2 metres worth of grass between the edge of the park and the massive barriers at most points. Less in some places.

There's been 24 hour police presence at three points around the park for a few weeks now. One of the points you can barely see the park as it's at the bottom of a hill shielding their view of the park, ridiculous.

British tax payers are paying £12m for this bloke to come on his holidays here. Yet even if mos of us wanted to go and see him we can't. Everyone who goes has to be catholic and be selected by their church (they get an allocation). So why are the rest of us paying for something we're not allowed to attend on account of our religion (or lack of). Whether we want to go or not is irrelevant. But can you imagine the outcry if a high profile Islamic leader came to the UK, at a cost of £12m. And all Christians, Hundus etc. weren't allowed to attend? The tabloids would have a field day. So why is it accepted for the Pope. He's the head of an organisation worth an estimated $100bn (the richest institution in the world) so why are we paying for him to come? And what benefit do we have of him coming? Even ignoring the cost he's causing massive disruption to people around the sites he's visiting.

I assume I'm not alone in this view, bu I'm interested to hear if any of the Catholics on here support his visit or are even going to one of his masses?

Please don't turn this into an argument about religion or it will just get locked. Let's just leave it as a discussion about his visit.

"I don't think health is a problem for Gérard," he said. "I saw him a few days ago at the Jamie Carragher testimonial at Anfield and he looked superb. He looked really healthy and fresh. I asked him then if he was interested in Aston Villa and he said he was. I really don't think the health will be a problem. I think he will be fine."

Thanks doctor Steven.

Most successful manager we've ever appointed. Can't argue with that really. There were managers I wanted more, but they're unemployment so I'll take this. Obviously I'll reserve judgement until Christmas or so though.

"Villa's in my heart".. Piss off.

In his heart, bu not as much as money is. Greedy bastard.

Well let's hope it was true about his resignation so we don't have to hear from him at all.

Here's the story on Sky Sports if no-one's posted it by the way (can't see it) here

Sky Sports News understands that Phil Thompson will not take up a role as assistant to potential Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier.

Former Liverpool boss Houllier is set to take over at Villa Park as the club's new manager following Martin O'Neill's departure this summer.

Thompson worked with the Frenchman at Anfield, and it had been suggested the pair could be reunited at Premier League side Villa.

However, it is understood that Thompson will not be joining Houllier, who is currently France's technical director, at Villa Park.

The latest reports in France suggest that Houllier has agreed a two-year contract with Villa.

Houllier left Liverpool in 2004 after a six-year spell in charge, and then coached Lyon from 2005-07.

It is claimed he is set to meet French federation president Fernand Duchaussoy on Wednesday to discuss taking over at Villa.

All i care about is jacket potatos!

Crispy skin with a cheesy filling.......yummmy scrumptious!

Anyways, back on to managers.

It appears ive missed something here........namely Phil Thompson?

Where does he come into all of this?

OK, i know its proberly posted 25 pages back, but the speckled hen wont allow me to read that far back!!!!

A few posts above yours (eight roughly).

Sorry if this has alaready been posted but haven't noticed it. Thankfully not quotes, I can accept GH, but please Paul McGrath, NOT PINOCCHIO!

GERARD HOULLIER WILL CONSIDER PHIL THOMPSON REUNION

Story Image

Gerard Houllier will consider reuniting with former Liverpool assistant Phil Thompson

Monday September 6,2010

By Tony Paskin

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(0)

GERARD Houllier will consider reuniting with former Liverpool assistant Phil Thompson when he completes his return to English football with Aston Villa in the next 48 hours.

Thompson was Houllier’s No2 at Anfield during his six-year reign and is set to move to the Midlands club with the Frenchman. Villa are on the verge of appointing Houllier as Martin O’Neill’s permanent replacement.

He is expected to be offered a traditional managerial type of role, but caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald, who is popular with the players and has chairman Randy Lerner’s support, is likely to stay at the club and could still have a role with the first team. Houllier, who turned 63 last week, refused to be drawn on the subject of the Villa job when questioned after attending Jamie Carragher’s testimonial at Anfield on Saturday.

Express

Sure we've done this before but I agree. Roger Moore for me.

They keep bleating on about how they have turned down "big clubs" as if to get some sort of message across. The only message it gets across is that they really are a bunch of small timers.

Remember that first press conference where they menioned us about 10 times? You could tell they were no different under the new owners then.

Ireland, Ireland

Together the Villa roar

Shoulder to shoulder

We'll answer Ireland's call

Could replace first 'Ireland' with Steven I guess.

The Guardian article talked about one of Houllier's duties being o set up a global scouting network at hte club. Which would certainly help us out (if we're actually going to buy some players ever).

Yeah.bno bproblem at all.

I'm pretty certain it WONT be K Mac. You all reserve the right to say "I told you so" if it is. I'm that sure.

tenner to VTif he is?

Would love to see Big Ron back in some capacity.

Race relations consultant?

Oh HELL yeah!!! 2-0

Never realised you were a Kaiserslautern fan mate, how did that start?

I was there on Friday (was it Friday? They all merge into one...). Loved every minute of it. Brilliant atmosphere, great game,fell for them slightly, bought a scarf and everything! I realise that it won't always be that good an atmosphere as it was their first home game after promotion and playing the champions but you can tell i's alwaysa a good atmosphere. We had a lot of Baern fans around us (in the home section).

We're going back for another Bundesliga game in Freiburg in February. No plans to go back to Kaiserslautern yet but I'd like to in future and will keep an eye on their results.

What made you get into them?

This post didn't give it away then? As for why Kaiser? Here earlier in this thread <- In fact, that page is mainly me yapping about Kaiserslautern

So it is. Good stuff. Have you ever been to a game there? I've bought a scarf now so I'm commited to them being my German team! I'll be back one day.

Well I'd love to thinkthat Ladbrokes have a reason to suspend betting on Moyes but we'll see. I won't be getting my hopes up.

I rushed home to watch that today. Thanks boys. Good win agains a decent team.

Oh HELL yeah!!! 2-0

Never realised you were a Kaiserslautern fan mate, how did that start?

I was there on Friday (was it Friday? They all merge into one...). Loved every minute of it. Brilliant atmosphere, great game,fell for them slightly, bought a scarf and everything! I realise that it won't always be that good an atmosphere as it was their first home game after promotion and playing the champions but you can tell i's alwaysa a good atmosphere. We had a lot of Baern fans around us (in the home section).

We're going back for another Bundesliga game in Freiburg in February. No plans to go back to Kaiserslautern yet but I'd like to in future and will keep an eye on their results.

What made you get into them?

There's a diffence between being a big club and being he only club in a city where here's **** all to do.

I can't believe SPurs isn't on the list.

This

We lost at Blackburn early las season I seem to remember. Sill had a decent start overall.

This thread will die a swift death.

You're a pessimistic little... so and so.