SeanO

Until we see him play then we won't know if he's good enough but at least we have Bunn doing okay so maybe it's best to let him settle in for a while.

As for Guzan??? I can't believe how bad he is now, I wish him well at whatever career he chooses next.

I welcome any improvements to the squad but I really hope RG is working 24/7 on getting us a goal scoring gorward ASAP.

15 minutes ago, Villan4Life said:

Norwich are about to buy Timm Klose for £9mil and Steven Naismith for £8.5mil

Sunderland are putting bids in for players

Newcastle have spent over £20mil already

Bournemouth have spent over £20mil as well

Whilst we sit around not even spending a million or two on a player even though we need to spend or bring people in on loan to give us a chance to stay up!

Didn't you get the memo from Hollis then?

We ain't spending, they are going to try to find a better way to compete.

I've really gone off watching the way Grealish plays, constantly slowing things down but creating very little.

Add to that his off field antics, okay I accept I'm only going on by the stuff that has been reported but right now I support RG in keeping him out of the squad.

He does have a god given talent but his career is already at a crossroads. He either knuckles down and works out what he needs to do for the team or he carries on doing the same thing and ends up out of VP.

I really hope he's got it in him to become the player we all want him to but honestly unless something changes soon I can see him being listed in the summer, which is sad.

Every time I see his name on here I think who? then I remember some guy with a beard who looked out of his depth...or is that Richardson??????

1 hour ago, Rds1983 said:

Agreed Stevo. That's a common misconception of CI based upon Kaizen and something I have to argue against everyday at work. Generally three aspects of a purchase can be controlled; cost, quality and availability/lead time but people usually only see cheaper and assume it means poorer quality. The idea I hope we are aiming for is better quality at same or better price - see our Ligue 1 recruitment last summer or 'bargain' free/cheap transfers of Man City players (the success of this is debatable). I'm hoping Hollis will be looking at the business side to try and do similar but hopefully league player recruitment alone but under the remit of 'buy better'.

 

His statement today does concern me as reads that we have already given up on relegation and do not fear losing the biggest revenue stream ever known in our business model. His part about Randy being prepared to back to get us back up would sit better with me if he didn't also repeat the money is not success part. It is not guaranteed success but makes it a lot more likely and the lack of it greatly increases chance of failure.

God if I ever hear the word Kaizen again I think I'll nut the person who says it. (Joke mods)

I agree in principle of CI, Kaizen etc but having worked in industry inc Land Rover in the UK and now in the Steel industry. It starts off with the best intentions but always ends up with the best bang for buck, usually the cheapest. 

I could write a book on the things I have seen but it was boring enough 1st without going over it again.

These people (Hollis) are all the same, they will cut back everywhere until it falls over and then blame everyone else. Thing is in the case of Villa it's already falling over.

Remember that all I'm commenting on are his words, I've heard words like this for year's and while I understand that businesses exist to make money this being applied to a Premiership football club that is already in big trouble will really hit hard.

3 hours ago, Stevo985 said:

That's not what continuous improvement means.

I guess it COULD include that. But the principle is much wider ranging than "make it cheaper"

Ha, then I wish you could pass that on to my employer.

I agree it shouldn't but in my experience that's exactly what it means unless there were a safety issues involved.

Guess we'll find out soon enough. 

3 hours ago, kurtsimonw said:

Obviously think you overreacted yourself. Never mentioned it was to your post, just in general

No I didn't take it personal, just adding my 2c to your comment.

2 hours ago, kurtsimonw said:

Love a good overreaction

I'll quote that back to you many times over in the not too distant future if you like, this guy is just the latest puppet who from his own words is going to look to cut back. This club is bottom of the league for a good reason, cut backs.

Sell Benteke buy Gestede, sell snake buy Gana, etc ok we occasionally seem to get it right/lucky but for the last 5/6 yrs for the most part our squad has gotten weaker, the table doesn't lie.

I don't think anyone is overreacting, just fed up of Lerner and his bs.

3 hours ago, OutByEaster? said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35312385

 

 

This is part of a longer article on the beeb, and one I don't like much at all.

It's this shaking up business that bothers me, you see, I reckon a football club is made up of three basic parts - its playing staff and coaches, its commercial teams and its bottom line.

Steven clearly feels there's a big job to do.

 

 

Structural flaws indeed.

 

 

An overhaul. New principles. Sounds like the kind of thing we want right?

So Steven, what is it you're going to shake up?

The playing and coaching staff?

Well, not the coaches by the sound of things - you've said in that article that Randy believes in the manager. So I'm guessing he's not what you're looking to shake up. The team itself should be none of your business, you're neither qualified nor welcome to make decisions on who is a better right back out of Alan Hutton and Micah Richards - and you've already stated that throwing money at the team isn't the answer (even though it's undoubtedly the only think that is actually proven to work in this stupid league) - so I'm guessing the IN door doesn't hold any clues for us either.

So, unless you're sacking Gordon Cowans (clue Steve: Not clever) then I think we can rule the playing staff out of your immediate plans for shaking stuff.

So, maybe you're here to shake up the commercial team, get those incomes moving in the right direction?

So, sack Tom and his team and bring in new blood right? After all, if there's a need to address structural flaws, it has to start somewhere yes?

But Steven says that Randy is committed to support the board and the exec team - and indeed is positive about what they're doing.

In fact, Randy seems very positive - are you sure a shake up is what we need Steve?

 

 

Ignoring what does and doesn't constitute "a lot of money" in this league for a moment, there are some clues in here I think. Randy is a bit cross that he's spent a lot of money and got a lot of nothing and he's looking for someone to tell him that it makes them angry too and he can fix it. 

And here's the thing - if Steve Hollis isn't shaking up the coaching team, isn't spending a fortune on the squad, and isn't changing the exec team - where exactly is he focusing on structural changes, what is it he's shaking up?

I'm left with the feeling that he's here to balance the books - they're the only thing that's left  - now, we're going down, and our incomes aren't staying up without us, so our incomes are going to go down too - which means if he's here to shake things up, and do some heavy lifting, and push through structural change and he's not buying players and he's not sacking people at a high level, then to my mind, he's here to cut costs. I guess the positive aspect could be that he's here to get the books into shape in order to make us a more attractive proposition for sale - but that's barely hinted at in the article, and his quotes don't support it.

The article on the beeb tonight is the least focused, most negative and most disappointing thing I've heard come out of the club since Randy bought it - and it's his first one and the only one he's made. I'm a positive individual, but this one is keeping me up late and making me a pretty unhappy bunny.

Now, I sincerely hope that his words have been presented in a deliberate way by someone at the BBC and I very much hope I'm wrong and that the coming days and weeks will make his role clearer, and his plans more visible, but as an opening story from the chairman on his first day, I'm concerned.

Status report - new chairman - Day 1 - not so good.

(and that's without mentioning that he's allowed a reporter to half trick him into saying something that can be twisted into  - we're going down - on his first day.)

 

 

 

Whenever I read/hear Continuous Improvement the words always mean "cut backs". I have worked in businesses that use CI for savings, i.e find a cheaper solution. In the case of food on match days maybe a different supplier could save the club money by supplying cheaper products that hopefully the supporters will buy but cheaper solution on the footballing side means we will end up relegated and struggling coming back up.

I miss looking forward to seeing Villa play, the excitement of watching players like Brian Little, Andy Gray, Denis Mortimer, God and more recently John Carew, Ashley Young, James Milner andChristen Benteke. The crowds anticipation of being entertained...........now we get to watch the likes of Gestade, Richardson, Sinclair, CNZ etc bastardize the experience, after reading the crap statements released these players are now going to be those we get to see at best. Football's f**ked but at Aston Villa we really are f**king f**ked!  

Randy Lerner has been the single worst thing to happen to Aston Villa, until he goes we are never going to be "Prepared".

14 hours ago, Eames said:

I was once subbed off after 25 mins of a school 2nd XI match. I have football experience. Does that make me suitable?

 

EDIT - this football experience thing is the biggest load of crap going. Its a meaningless platitude dropped by knobheads in the media and ex-players to maintain some sort of bizarre exclusivity to a game that has become more and more commercial over the last few years. 

 

Gabby has masses of "football experience" and I wouldn't trust him to leave the house fully dressed let alone run a football club. 

I get your point but we have no one above RG who has brought any footballing experience to the club, besides even Gabby surely would have advised against TSM!!

I don't want just any old person with football experience involved at VP but there are some excellent people who could add some vital experience to the club out there.

That said how do you motivate tossers like CNZ who are multi millionaires but don't care about the club they are playing for? The worst that can happen to them is to be bombed out but this obviously not an issue for them as they are still picking up more money in one week than most people do in a year. With this type of player (and there are many, many of them) you couldn't get them on a performance based contract as they wouldn't sign one, so that's not the answer. Having someone with football experience might just spot this type of player before the club spend (in CNZ case) 30m on a waster.

A little experience could go a long way imo.

And he's a bloody MC fan, the tosser better be good!

If he's not going to be fit for several weeks and won't hang around when we go down then he ain't worth the hassle imo.

Next....if there is one.

Well the only surprise is he's not French otherwise he ticks our transfer policy box.

Plays in the French league, tick.

People looking to YouTube as most have never heard of him let alone seen him play, tick.

Etc,etc.

I'm not questioning his abilities, he may be just what we need. Garde should have a good understanding of the French based player's so if he signs then "welcome".....unless you're crap and you can f

2 minutes ago, Arj Guy said:

Ffs Villa it's the 13th of Jan and we've done absoloutely **** all. No short term loan signings, no good championship players to prepare us for next season. We're barely even getting linked to anyone. The word 'prepared' needs to be removed from our shitty badge

I fully understand your frustration, we all feel it.

We have plenty of shit at the club right now but no need to insult the clubs badge, ok prepared we ain't but it's still not shitty.

Maybe the issue is that these players who said no may be willing to change their minds if results improve and there's a fighting chance. RG might to wait and see before going to plan B, probably not but just thinking out loud.

I started singing "empty seats m'lord, empty seats" in my head at the start but soon forgot about the crowd as I thought the performance was much improved, hell I actually enjoyed watching Villa!!!

One swallow does not make a summer but finally we may have found a way to play or to at least compete.

I can't help but feel what if, if only we hadn't brought Gestede as our main forward.

In all likelihood we are going down but as Kozak (who I don't rate highly) has shown tonight we really miss a good center forward.

Yes we have weaknesses all over the pitch but if I see that useless Gestede start another match I'll give up.

I'd even consider having an aging Crouch over Gestede, that's how poor I think he is.

1 hour ago, Stevo985 said:

No it wasn't.

Trolling?

1 hour ago, Stevo985 said:

 

Hahaha it was you , you really know your football

What no more French nobodies linked???? and to think some of you thought we were getting some current French Internationals

In our position wont be getting any decent players. RG has said he's getting knock backs, no surprises there. Personally I'd be shocked if any player of quality were signed permanently this winter

At best I think we might get a loan signing or 2 but I doubt we will be getting the better of any deals.

1 hour ago, Zatman said:

we have been linked with 3 French internationals

Hmmmm, CNZ was a French International, I honestly don't think if they are current international players that they will be looking at playing for Villa right now.

Tbh, I don't think it matters who we sign now it's too late to go from the worse team in the league to top 6 form.

1 hour ago, Stevo985 said:

Fixed

Haha I wondered how long before the resident "Comical Ali" would reply, not long was my guess and as Billy Mc Neil would say "bingo".

Your words not mine, I've not heard of them but if they are anything like our summer signing then I don't expect much.

Really pleased that you're happy that all our player's are good enough and not shit, you enjoy your little bubble while you can because it wont be long before it bursts.

Once again linked with a load of player's hardly anyone has heard of, I guess this club will always be run on the cheap under Lerner.

We had a chance in the summer but sadly for us whoever it was in charge of getting the player's in must have missed out on plan A, B and C targets and aquired the D plus player's. The only one who looks like he's going to be good enough is Ayew.

Go on get excited about these no names if you want, god knows there has been little else to get excited about but it'll make no difference come February/March when we are relegated. 

I recall reading that Gana was using us as a stepping stone to getting to one of the "big" clubs hahaha, to do that you would need to be a bloody good player but he's typical of the player's we signed, absolutely useless.

10 hours ago, electronicmaji said:

Well when I said back starting off the season that Vardy would be a excellent acquisition for the price that was being touted (35m) I was laughed off the forums. When I said he could replace Benteke I was nearly banned. 

So I'm sitting pretty imo.

Wtf? Stupid point scoring rubbish. Prior to this season I think anyone saying Vardy was worth 35m would've rightly been called mad, even now I still think that would be too much.

I seem to recall 15m being mentioned but it's pointless speculation as he's still at Leicester and Villa weren't interested.

Sitting pretty because you wanted Villa to sign a player who is having a great season but they didn't, great I'm made up for you hahaha.

Imagine how I feel I really wanted Messi but......;)

More angry than anything else, pissed off that those in charge thought it was a good idea to replace Benteke with Gestede, bring in a RB and play him at CH, retain Richardson, sign Lescott....I could go on but what's the point?

I'm getting plenty of noses on my FB reveling in our demise, I don't blame them as their pathetic club have often made me laugh so I can't really complain when they get the chance at payback but I still think this should have been avoided with better management in the summer.

I think we are down, after all no one has ever stayed up from where we are but and it's a big but the next 4 games do give us a chance.

A chance that we must take, at least 3 wins (yeah I know!) If we do then it's still in our control. Do that along with buying a decent forward, left sided CH and a keeper then we might stay up.

I wouldn't bet on it though.

I've honestly never seen defender's as poor as we have.

After forcing myself to watch the Watford game (recorded not live) I sat there in disbelief watching Clark in his one man Chuckle Brothers best, Richardson with him gormless expression and clueless defending, Hutton had a nightmare, Sanchez gave the ball away in so many poor positions. I could go on but what's the point?

Dreadful game, highlighted by not only a piece of shit scoring what turned out to be the winning goal but that last 10mins not a shot, nothing.

We aren't even in December but does anyone think we have a chance? No? Thought not, we have been relegated by a stupid spoilt rich Yank.

I'm going to have to take a complete break from everything Villa because if I don't take a break I think I'll give up for good.

I was there the last time we went down, if it wasn't for SGT we would have dropped again. There is no SGT to save us this time only more of the same cost cutting from Lerner.

He's scum who was jailed for a cowardly attack.

Sounds just like one of the knucledraggers to me.