spacehead

All last night and this morning was constant speculation that Martinez had spoke to us and was going to turn us down. You can't seriously think we look good at the moment. The biggest media outlets in the country are taking the piss and IMO this could have been prevented. I guess it just depends on how much you care what other people think. Personally, I don't care and I know managers/players understand the media and won't think anything of it. Well we'll see who we end up with and what players stay before we can claim players and managers don't care. You might not care but surely you can see why some fans do. Once again it's a randy is untouchable thing. The biggest media outlets are taking the piss and having a field day. We still need to protect the image of the club and it wouldn't take much to make us look less shambolic than we currently do. Even if we do go out and get a wow manager in the end, all this could have been prevented. How could this have been prevented exactly? What are you suggesting the club should be doing? Are you saying you want us to be like Harry Redknapp and give the media a running commentary of what's going on in our club, who we want to speak to and where we're up to with them? I despair sometimes. Get used to the fact that the media will say what they like.

V interesting. Betfair odds on Martinez been around 2.7-2.8 all morning. Last few minutes they have drifted out to 4. Does this suggest Martinez not done deal that some on here think it is.

Seconded Not sure how true it is, but Ancelotti was said to have a something in his contract saying that he can't manage another prem club for 12 months if anything were to happen to his position at Chelsea. Could just be a crap rumour, but it wasn't the first time I've heard that in the last week. Would be very surprised if this were true as this is restraint of trade which is illegal. It's only illegal if it's seen as unreasonable. You can have restraint of trade clauses in employment contracts as long as they're reasonable, and there's a legitimate business interest to protect. It it's for a season then that's a reasonable duration, the question is if as a football manager he holds enough information to do damage to Chelsea as a business. They are very difficult to enforce in practice. My last company had a similar clause restricting me from working for a competitor for 12 months. In practice, they never enforced it, probably because they knew they would fail if it were tested in court. I would guess he would sign away certain rights as part of his severance and this is what may stop him signing for another prem team.

Seconded Not sure how true it is, but Ancelotti was said to have a something in his contract saying that he can't manage another prem club for 12 months if anything were to happen to his position at Chelsea. Could just be a crap rumour, but it wasn't the first time I've heard that in the last week. Would be very surprised if this were true as this is restraint of trade which is illegal.

Are we going to have an ITK thread again? That was the best of all the transfer ones.

General I think the general consensus from the season ticket thread is that the increases in price are broadly reasonable and that the "extras" such as AVTV and flexible payment options are welcome. I briefly had a look at the Birmingham City website this afternoon (don't worry, my PC has been thoroughly cleaned now) and they have an interest free option over 8 months using the exact same finance company as our scheme which is only over 4 months. Is there a reason why we limited our interest free option to only 4 months when an identical solution over a longer period exists with the same supplier? Also their concessions for kids runs to 18 not 16 which for kids still at school doing their A levels seems eminently sensible. Apart from this, I'm positive about renewing and will be doing so for me and my 2 sons. Thanks General

Make of it what you will but this tweet from Mike Parry (ex Talksport) was made this afternoon. "Interesting developments regards Moysey's future coming through soon #efc"

From comments on Newcastle Chronicle link: Bricking it now man. If indeed we keep him when a reported £30m has been made by Liverpool, and even £25m by Spurs, my opinion of the board will go up very slightly. It could get worse as the day goes on, but wor Andy Carroll know where he wants to play his football; at St James' Park. That is all, player, manager, and owner for once all seem to be reading from the same hymn sheet. Thank God man. HWTL Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/01/31/andy-carroll-says-he-wants-to-stay-at-nufc-72703-28085042/#ixzz1CdVtff00 Lets face it, if Torres is worth 50m, then AC must be worth 100m! Fingers crossed, stay put Andy, you know it makes sense. Moving anywhere but barcelona or real would be a step down!! Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/01/31/andy-carroll-says-he-wants-to-stay-at-nufc-72703-28085042/#ixzz1CdW2hMlR Deluded? Newcastle fans? Never!!

If Carroll is worth £40m then I must be worth £5m - and I'm 43! SSN saying Bent deal now looks a bargain in relation to these silly numbers.

@Niallquinnsdiscopants, fully understand why you think you've pulled our pants down on this deal. We were behaving exactly the same way when Milner went to Citeh. We didn't think he was worth £26m but they did. You need to remember that in the context of our league position and Lerner's multimillion investment since he took over our club, relegation is not an option. £24m to protect an investment loss that would be much greater should be seen as good financial sense. Whatever you or anyone else thinks about Bent, he is more prolific than any of our current forwards so to us he is worth it. To your club, it's also great business as long as your owners allow the money to be spent on strengthening the squad. So this is a win for all parties; I don't think either has shafted the other.

And this is precisely what irritates me about a lot of people these days. Current league position seems to matter to them above all else. He wants to come because he recognises that our present league position is a blip, we have a great pedigree, finished 6th in the last 3 seasons and we will get there again very soon. We are one of the top clubs in the Premier League despite our present position. Most players know that and see beyond current form. All in all a good deal for all parties. Sunderland get a big fee to spend how they wish, we get a top PL striker which is what we've been crying out for for years. Happy Days

A really well thought through article. If I had time, I'd love to analyse where teams who sacked their manager at this time of year finished at the end of the season. I've no doubt that GH will use January to his advantage and make the most urgent changes that he believes are required to move this club forward.

And how many fans on this very sight were wetting themselves and whinging on the General's thread on Monday that the barcodes were going to get Jol. Pardew for 5 1/2 years has to be the funniest thing I've heard in a long time!!!!

YES. 20 mins away for me

Much as I'd like him to succeed, I think Nathan will go the way of the Moore brothers - lots of early promise but ultimately not good enough at this level. Hope I'm wrong.

I'd say that article is spot on. I'm especially encouraged that we want to stand by KM in all of this, who no doubt will be feeling sore at the whole thing. Hopefully, he'll get over it and continue to do the fine work at Villa, whether as reserve coach or in any other capacity.

That to me sums it all up. I can't stand Thompson and glad he isn't coming - but look at the reason why ! Because Gerard Houllier will expect who-ever works for him (and I would imagine that is players as well as management) to work , eat, think and crap Aston Villa. And there, for me, is the reason why he is the perfect appointment !. We are going back to the days of GT mk 1 - and I for one, am ecstatic ! That is the same feeling I have - and just how refreshing will it be to sign some players from Europe! Welcome GH :-) Actually just heard Thompson on SSN. His reason for not coming is that the commitment required to do the job would mean either relocating or living away from home for four nights a week, neither of which he wanted to do. Having been in that position myself, I say fair enough.

Mods locked the manager thread on page 666 - nooooo! Unlock it for a few more posts please!!

... and if you were being offered the job with that track record would you see it as a vote of confidence in your appointment if your new boss was only prepared to give you a go for 9 months? I know what I'd do if someone did that to me.

Am surprised by some of the more extreme anti Houllier feelings by some on this site, given both the timing and the availability of quality managers out there. Like many, I had "hoped" for Moyes or Jol and dreaded the idea of Bradley or Curbishley. Remember last week after MOTD2 when some were genuinely fearful it was going to be Phil Brown??!! Having reflected on the likely outcome of Houllier, with or without Thompson who I don't feel strongly about either way, I honestly think it's as good an outcome as we could have expected. Despite the fan popularity of Jol or Moyes, let's remember that it is Houllier that has won trophies in England. Whether we get an experienced, inexperienced, successful or trophy-less manager, there is no guarantee how it will work out at Villa. I remember being underwhelmed when we appointed Gregory, but he turned out ok for us, even though he was a disaster after he left. Remember when Ramos was appointed for Spurs on the back of a fantastic Spanish track record? He was poor for them. My point is that none of us know how this will pan out, so the least we can and should do is to get right behind the whole team from board to management to players.

Was that he one earlier where the headline did not match the article? Also it is the Daily Mail... ... who in Neil Moxley have probably the journalist closest to the inside of VP. don't dismiss it because its the Daily Heil. He is a Small Heath fan though... That is true but he had the sense to watch us from the Holte End in his youth.

Sir Like many on this forum, I was very upset last night having driven a 160 mile round trip to see us succumb in the way that we did. Unlike a poor premier league performance where we have subsequent games to put right what might go wrong, last night was the end of a journey that we spent all of last season fighting for, only to throw it away in such poor circumstances. I may be in a minority(or I may be part of the silent majority) but I implore you and the board, please ensure we get the right manager not the first available one. If we have to wait a few more weeks, then so be it, our long term prospects are far more important than the short term challenges we face. We are all feeling a little emotional now, but the next appointment is too important to make off the back of our reactions. What is clear to me though is that whilst Kevin Macdonald might feel he needs time to mull things over, if he was truly passionate about the role and felt he could make a difference, he would have reached that conclusion by now. I've been in that situation and know how it feels. If he isn't sure by now, he never will be which begs the question is he the right man. All I ask of the board is to ensure the next incumbent understands our goals, buys into them and delivers quality entertainment, blooding youngsters alongside our stars. With the exception of one or two teams, tomorrow's success story is not about the size of the cheque book but how well we add talent to what we already have. Arsenal have done it for years - let's learn from it. Onwards and upwards. Best wishes.

Agree 100% with this post. Whilst my initial reaction like most yesterday was one of shock, on reflection today I think we are looking at a huge opportunity for the club to build on the excellent progress we made under MON. Like many, I was often frustrated as a fan by his reluctance to utilise his squad more. Add the commercial angle of the financial outlay to acquire then pay these players and you can begin to understand the board's approach to this close season. The departures of Shorey, Harewood and Bouma may have gone some way to alleviating the high salary bill, but what of Sidwell, Beye, Luke Young, Davies? Between them they cost over £20m with annual salaries combined of over £5m just to sit on the bench. The commercial reality is that no club (with one or two notable exceptions) would be comfortable with that. I heard Andy Gray on SSN earlier and although I rarely agree with him, this time he was spot on when he said that Fergie never got all the money from the sale of Ronaldo, Redknapp didn't when they sold Berbatov, yet neither threw his toys out the pram. You could add Moyes to this group, selling Lescott and not getting all the funds. Most clubs have spent very little this summer, so we are not unique. I would gladly trade a few points this season to blood some of our most promising youngsters (eg Clark, Nathan, Albrighton, Lichaj) and give them a run out in some matches. I believe we will emerge stronger with this approach even if this season doesn't deliver what we have enjoyed over the last 4 years. I'm sorry to see MON go but this is not domesday. Bosses come and go in any business, the players will adapt to the new manager and life will go on. The one constant in all of this is that we the fans will still be there through thick or thin. Crucially we need to show great support to the team on Saturday and I for one can't wait to cheer them on.

He's gone. on SSN now

My biggest worry is that whatever the outcome, this saga will run and run just like Barry to plop two years ago. We've said we'll sit down with him after the world cup, but in reality, he'll probably take a break straight afterwards which takes us very close to August before any discussions can begin. If we do decide to sell, because the offer is too good to refuse, it hardly gives us much time to replace. If he signs a long term deal, then great, but until then we'll be in for a very uncomfortable summer