paulanddonya

Some of this makes me laugh - talk about contradictions. You have a load of people on here basically saying "Kevin McDonald is clearly a good coach, but is no way a manager - he should stick to what he does best" Then, you have a lot of the same people saying "Staunton, gobshite, worst manager in Irish history, did you see his record as manager of Darlington". Well excuse me, if, and it is IF it is Staunton - hell the hell do you know how good a coach he is !. There are MANY MANY MANY No.2's, great No.2's who have tried their luck at management and couldn't hack it. From Peter Taylor in the 70's , TONY BARTON in the 80's to Brian Kidd in the 90's to (in England) Steve McClaren in the 2000's. The guy was the best left back we have had in 30 yrs, he played for us for 10yrs, he loved the Villa and never wanted to leave (FACT, I / my wife ran into him daily in Walmley and chatted most days, even after he had left !). For god sake lay off him and if it is him, get behind him. Personally, I cannot wait - I loved it when my heroes (Evans, Little etc..) were running the club - it felt like OUR club, and if Staunton brings that back - I for one am happy. If he fails, he fails, he may do - Peter Withe but at least give him the chance first By the way, I didn't see John "Benson and Hedges" Robertson have the bottle to try his hand at management !

Houllier = Yes? Thompson = Don't know? Staunton = Stole your sweets? Big Kev = Not sure whats going on? I tell you what it would say if Staunton came. The same as it said when Terry Phelan became Fergusuns No.2 , or when Ray Wilkins became Ancelotti's. In short, it means, who the hell on here knows how Staunton will turn out. Gregory and Allan Evans didn't do us a bad job. Staunton tried as manager, he didn't succeed (yet) doesn't mean he won't make a bloody good coach. After all, hasn't this 100 odd pages been just about McDonald being the same. He is Villa through and through - give him a bloody chance will ya !

^^^^ Some people have no sense of hunour do they !!! On something someone said on the last page bout this may only be to the end of the season etc... That would be HORRENDOUS !!!! That would mean No transfers in january ! - why would you give a guy x million when another manager may not want them in 4 months time (isnt that the reasoning this summer) Then next summer, we go through all this again, and the same happens, no signings. The likes of Ash and Gabby would certainly get sick of waiting to see who we appoint and would be absolutely mad to sign contracts - thus we'd lose these for free to the likes of Man City etc.. We need continuity more than anything. A short term appointment would be suicidal, whoever it is, needs to be long term

The other thing with Thompson I am very unsure of is his commitment. I think it is obvious why he was succesful at Liverpool, coz he absolutely bled for the club. It is heart and soul and would crash cars into walls at 200mph for them. Would he at Villa - or will he just be going through the motions. Thats the worry for me. Its swings and roundabouts, but I would take Staunton over Thompson to be honest. However, I'd take McInally (who has all his coaching badges) over both of them Can you imagine Carew trying to cry off with a snivvle with Rambo standing over him !

Naargh, cascarino - I know he gets the blame but the truth of it was that we did not have experience, against a Liverpool team that had won basically everything in 15 yrs. We bottled it, they didn't. The signing of Cascarino certainly didn't help, but it wasn't the over-riding factor. Heskey / Arshavin - were ! ^^^^ Well he threw his big lumbersome frame to the floor so much - you may have a point !

This may be contraversial but I am going to say not only the worst of MON But the worst signing in my 30yrs of watching Villa. here me out. I am not talking about the quality of player - of course we have signed worse players. But for where we are, and what consequence it had on the club, I can only liken it to the "non-signing" of juninho to how it killed us. We were 3rd, in fact if i remember, we were 2 points of top, 5 in front of Arsneal, with a game in hand. We desperately needed a gaolscorer and there were many available, Crouch went to Pompey, as did the one we should have bought at that time - Defoe, Bent was available - and many others. We bought Heskey , Arsenal bought Arshavin - and the rest my friends - is what they call history. Absolutely catastrphic signing that - and I said 3 yrs ago "Will cost us the next 5 years !" - and people couldn't see it. Those who saw january 2000 - and Juninho - could !

Tell you what, some people on here are legendary Some would like Curbishley - a guy who has won jack in his entire life, a guy who slagged off our club and left us to die And then you have GH. A Guy who took over a club in absolute turmoil (didn't Carragher say yesterday that Souness destroyed Liverpool). He took them from roughly where we are now, into the top 3 and fighting for the league. On the way he won all the cups (Yep - I'd take that on it's own cheers). He blood youngsters like Gerard. I've just read "Yeah, but he had them". Yeah he had an 18yr old kid, and give him the confidence to show what he could do. Ask Bannan, Albrighton, Cahill and co - did they get the same chance !. He had a 53% win record. I don't give a shit if we play 9-0-1 if we win most our games !. He then left and won leagues in France. He then is now employed by the France FA, in a job which is basically "We are totally in the shit - find us the next generation to get us out of it !" and hopefully, we may be able to tap that. And there you go. we are getting a WINNER - and people moan. And I fecking HATE HATE HATE Thompson. I despise the bloke. But I couldn't stand Paul Barron when he was Big Rons assistant. Didnt stop us being the best football side I ever saw. Very happy at appointment. Jol was my fave, but houllier I'll take nicely. Oh, and as for Freidal, I know he was good against Everton, but he needs replacing quickly anyway so I aint bothered. I would hope Shayy Given will be our first signing in Jan !

To me- I just want to see us try - that is the word - try !!! Curbishley for me is a no for a seperate reason, but the similar names - the likes of Brown, even Allardyce (and I really like Allerdyce) = you know what you are going to get. And to be fair to the likes of Allardyce - that will be not bad - top 8ish, maybe a cup run etc.. - but I want us to TRY and aim higher. Or another way - be bold, be adventureous. Now, we tried it before, 1991 a Certain Dr Jo came into Brum to the cries of "who the hell ????????" - but I / and I have never heard any one else either, never had a go at Ellis over this. We lost the England manager - the best, there was no better in England (well one, which we got eventually) , so we tried something, and got it wrong. However, a very few years later, Arsenal were in a similar position and took a French nobody from Japan ! - I always remember down Villa PArk at the time "huhhuh- Arsy rocket polisher , who the **** is Arsy rocket polisher" - and the rest is history. Foe all those who have kids, I bet you've said this a million times. "As long as you try your best, then thats all I can ask" And to me, thats the Villa. Get a Curbishley, Brown and that ilk - you are accepting mediocrity and show no effort. Be brave, show some vision - if it goes wrong, so be it - there will always be a Big Ron around the corner to steady the ship But get it right............................ (and as for Thompson - I couldnt care if he had won the treble - I still cant stand the bloke !)

Houllier - yes , as long as he signs a contract that he WONT bring Phil Feckin Thompson with him !!!! Who is this Donadoni guy - he's put his application in. Having done some Wikkying, seems life we'd be better off with Donatello !

Bugger off it was yonks ago ! Sorry mate, I'm gonna walk away and not get into this. You really dont know the history of this club do you ! Yonks ago ! Next you'll be saying "its only a game !"

I would also say he did have a chance after Charlton. West Ham are a bigger club, and have regularly finished top7 (and if you look over the last 10 or so years have been within one place of us a hell of a lot !) And he didn't achieve with West Ham ! Now who knows whose fault it was, but the fact remains - he didn't !

Far too seriously. Are you having a giraffe ? I really dont know how old you are, so I will put it this way. Alex Fergusun resigns from Man U , a guy takes over, openly says he dont give a shit about the club, players are bought who say they are only interested in their England careers and dont care what happens to the club. And the inevitable happens and they are relegated. You really dont know how much harm Billy McNeill and some players, including Curbishley did to this club - they left us far far worse than Leeds ever got to. It is no understatement that if it wasn't for Graham Taylor we could be where Oxford are now (yes- rememeber, that same year they won the League Cup - knocking us out on the way !) One of these guys then gets an interview to run us !!!!!!!!!!! And you think I am taking it too seriously ! Jesus - I dispair !

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Sounds very familiar doesn't it, wonder who else is like that ? !!

I've just posted this on the Gens thread, but I am gonna put it here as it is apt. I had stick yesterday from people when I went berzerk over Curbishley. Now just coz I am 40 and someone who is 20 - doesn't mean I am a better fan. But I think I put it well below - why - I do not want Curbislhey under ANY circumstances. hope it shows why some of us are so anti him ----- I read your response and to be honest, can't disagree. However, this is why I myself am angry (and, yep - it's all media speculation). You yourself keep saying things like "left the club high and dry" "left us in the lurch" - and things to that effect. So, presumably, you ain't very happy with martin O'Neill at the momet (and I will say I told you so , coz I told you many many times !) So think of my dismay when I hear that we have interviewed a guy who did exactly the same to us 25 yrs ago, leaving us to get relegated, then when we did, was all over the TV, press with a smug grin on his face saying "Joining Villa was the biggest mistake of my career" And THAT is why I was / am angry ! and yes, it was 25 yrs ago. But this club was dying at the time, I am sure you can associate with this. Some chose to stay and fight - the likes of Allan Evans, some chose to run away, the likes of Steve McMahon - and some, chose to run, join the enemy and tried to kill us - and sorry, would you trust a guy who did that to you - no matter how much time passed ? Just coz I am older, doesn't make me more of a fan. But what it does do is I / some others have longer memories, and can remember the people who took the pee out of this club (Curb / Hodge - sorry wash my mouth out / Collymore / Curcic / and the most, McNeill !) and the ones that bled claret and blue (Graham Taylor to name one that often gets slagged off on here. Believe me, if it wasn't for him, Randy wouldn't have a tattoo, as there would be no football club !) We have a motto Proud History / Bright Future - I just wish (again, if it is true of course) that someone had looked at the history before we interviewed ! (and I apologise if he never was interviewed and it was media crap !)

Gen I read your response and to be honest, can't disagree. However, this is why I myself am angry (and, yep - it's all media speculation). You yourself keep saying things like "left the club high and dry" "left us in the lurch" - and things to that effect. So, presumably, you ain't very happy with martin O'Neill at the momet (and I will say I told you so , coz I told you many many times !) So think of my dismay when I hear that we have interviewed a guy who did exactly the same to us 25 yrs ago, leaving us to get relegated, then when we did, was all over the TV, press with a smug grin on his face saying "Joining Villa was the biggest mistake of my career" And THAT is why I was / am angry ! and yes, it was 25 yrs ago. But this club was dying at the time, I am sure you can associate with this. Some chose to stay and fight - the likes of Allan Evans, some chose to run away, the likes of Steve McMahon - and some, chose to run, join the enemy and tried to kill us - and sorry, would you trust a guy who did that to you - no matter how much time passed ? Just coz I am older, doesn't make me more of a fan. But what it does do is I / some others have longer memories, and can remember the people who took the pee out of this club (Curb / Hodge - sorry wash my mouth out / Collymore / Curcic / and the most, McNeill !) and the ones that bled claret and blue (Graham Taylor to name one that often gets slagged off on here. Believe me, if it wasn't for him, Randy wouldn't have a tattoo, as there would be no football club !) We have a motto Proud History / Bright Future - I just wish (again, if it is true of course) that someone had looked at the history before we interviewed ! (and I apologise if he never was interviewed and it was media crap !)

Well I am watching the Ireland game , dont know where the commentrary is from, although the guy is English. They said about 10 mins ago, speaking about Dunne, that Houllier is the clear favourite for the job, and that reports are that he will be announced shortly. If this is true, much much happier. There are worries with it, one being a dodgy heart (I nearly collapsed on Sunday so god knows how he'd get on) , and some dogy players signed. However, these arent as bad as people make out - Cisse was a great player, just never worked out for Liverpool. He is still in the France team 10 yrs on, when they have Anelka and Henry so he must a bit useful. He took a Liverpool side that were similar to now, up to 2nd, 3rd and at worst 5th, he won cups at home and abroad, and he blooded youngsters like a 19yr old Steven Garrard, slightly older Carragher etc... Yep - I'd take him ! Put it this was I'd take Gerard Houlliers heart surgeon ahead of bloody Curbishley !

The VERY VERY VERY good news is I've just read Sky and Phil Brown and a certain Mr Curbishley are the top targets for.......................... Southampton ! Yes guys, thats the type of club they attract ! Sven - I'd take him all day long. He's good, you dont do what he has done when you are not. and, more importantly in this case. I think he is hungry ! - I dont think this is about money, I think this is about proving Man City wrong !

I took it out of context Sorry, but I remember it - no I bleeding didn't ! He slagged off the Villa in the same way as the snivvling little git in my sig did. You cant help it if you weren't born. But please dont tell me I imagined it ! The guy took the pee out of us in the mid 80's, fecked off for money and slagged us off !. And that is how it was ! Edit on above He fecking probably would - he is a coach at chesterfield so he would probably apply. He's a nobody, who is a "Wigan or Blackburn" type manager, who said openly he hated the club. And you want him ?

Sorry you lot say talk of true fans, then you dont know "why Curbishley" Sorry - you show yourselves up not me ! "THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY CAREER WAS SIGNING FOR ASTON VILLA" And you probably wear a scarlf saying you know the clubs history ! Sorry all, but the say he said that was the day he should NEVER be given the chance to even come to the ground, never mind work for them !

youve shown ur true colours there mate. Whooooooooooooah there matey boy. Season ticket holder since 1983 Have you ? if so you may remember the next quote "Joining Villa was the biggest mistake of my career" by A Mr A. Curbishley True colours - what a f...ing cheek ! I was there when we got relegated against Norwich (or was it Wednesday the week after - cant remember now) , I was standing at Swindon when we nearly had another Hillsborough (well first as it hadnt happened yet) , I was with us when Jo venglos couldn't understand us, I have been there through a fecking lot of thin. maybe, I've just had enough of spending £850 on ST's, £40 per fortnight on petrol, £20 per fortnight on food / drink, around £200 on cup tickets (plus the fuel) , plus around £600 a yera on away trips and the rest ! Put it this way , when you went 25yrs without missing a home game, 9 years without missing a domestic away game, and 4 yrs without missing a Euro away game. THEN FECKING SHOW YOUR TRUE COLOURS Twonk

Honest to god, if it is Curbishley, I'll be finished with the Villa and my ST will go back. You think of any candidate, and there are pros and cons. The likes of Moyes, Jol etc. - obviously more pros The Koemans, Svens - about as many pros than cons Even the likes of Phil Brown, Dave Jones and McDonaald - mainly cons, but I can think of some pros Curbishley - sorry - there are NO pro's Oh, sorry - I've thought of three 1. He is cheap 2. He is a yes man 3. He won't want money. Seriously, him and that is it !

Sorry wrong thread. However, Mr Krulak - the post was not very complimentary about the news we have interviewed Alan Curbishley. I'll be finsihed with it all. You say you realise the tradition of this club, and will only appoint someone who knows the ethos of the club. Then (reportedly) you interview a guy for the managers job who said joining Villa was one of his biggest mistakes of his career. Enough said if it is true !

Especially if it is KM. I've just seen the transfers and if it is KM, there is only one reason we didn't go for them - Gudjohnsson, Hleb - etc.. And that is coz the club lied. Honestly, I hope it isn't the case, as I bought into the whole Lerner is our saviour thing, and have had arguments all weekend supporting him. But if this happens, then he's lost me !

Gen Presumably, KM is to be our new manager. This is what I summise as the official site has his big picture on it with the headline "McDonald has stated he wants to be considered for the position". If he isn't getting the job, why do it - I haven't seen Villa put on the site who else has applied. If this hadn't been put on, and KM didn't get it, he could have gone back to the reserves, no one would be the wiser, he would have dignity - and everyones a winner. Now, if he doesn't get it, everyone in the world knows that the club are saying "Thanks, but we don't think you are good enough". I don't have randy down as that kind, so presumably, KM is getting the job and you are just feeding out tit-bits so we are used to it before it happens. If this is the case, I agree entirely with everything said. The future, who knows, KM could go on to be as good as Mourinho - however, it could have been done long ago and therefore, whatever you say, was clearly down to transfer window. Therefore - you will have lost most peoples respect and trust. I hope this gamble is worth it, as we are not Man U - if 70k dont turn up there, there are 75k waiting to take their place, If we don't turn up - you get an empty ground !

Well it is going to be mcDonald isn't it. If not, why on earth would they put on the official site that he has applied ? - I haven't seen them say who-else has applied. Can you imagine now how McDonald will feel now the world knows he wants it - if they don't give it to him - a total kick in the teeth. I am flummexed as to why they put that out to be honest. All they had to say is "We now have a shortlist of persons who have expressed an interest and will be interviewing shortly" If he then didn't get it, he could go back to the reserves, and no one would have been the wiser and he could have gone back with dignity. Now, everyone knows , if he doesn't get it - the club dont think he is good enough. Stupid decision to release it, but now they have, they have got to give it to him !