villacrossthemersey

Good stuff as ever Blandy ...........I am praying for something radical to happen - the collapse of the Murdoch empire and the demise of SKY would be my preferred choice. We cannot be too far off a major club collapsing under massive debts. If the US economy is on the verge of sneezing the western economies may be in for a severe bout of flu - the repurcussions will widespeard across all sectors. Personally I would love to see - "the so called big four or five" go "tits up" or clear off to compete in a European or World super league , leaving us mere mortals to compete in a "new first division". There must come a point when the ridiculous wages get capped - the greedy players and agents are currently haemorrhaging the game .

On the other hand : Ian Ross, John Gidman, Steve Staunton, Houghton, Denis Mortimer (via Coventry), Dean Saunders

He is referred to as "Dithering Dave" by Evertonians up here

Just what I love about the modern world .... provoke someone into some kind of response and then hide behind a camera phone so you can make some mileage out of it. Delph was right....******** knobheads. I only live just down the coast from the place...what a horrible town inhabited by inbreds :winkold:

Me and boy wonder got an invite - we could not make so I asked if I could take my son on his birthday instead - i.e another game day - they agreed and we enjoyed meeting Chico Hamilton.

Deserved to be sent off for a poor challenge - All I have seen so far is a player who gets rid of the ball as soon as he receives it. Wouldn`t be so bad if it was to release Bent through on goal, but like the rest of our midfield no one seems to be able to do that.

Was awful yesterday - crap one on one with the keeper, shirks tackles left right and centre and can`t cross. I agree he needs to get back on left hand side. Started to warm to him earlier this season but he has regressed. Not one to rely on in a relegation battle I fear.

Makoun looks to get rid of the ball as soon as he receives it - is that what world class players do?

er hem ...Small Heath - The City of brotherly Love?

So it is an attitude thing then?

General - I note your comments re asking former players for articles to be included in the new museum - why not put out a general request to fans for their artifacts - we may well uncover items that people have held in their families for many years. Regretably one of the Gold brothers purchased a replica of the cup stolen from our custody back in the day. Said replica was recently displayed at the Football Museum at Preston - it displayed blue and white ribbons - most amusing as the rabble have never won it! Rather than attempt to prise this away from Mr Gold perhaps the club could commission a local silversmith to produce another replica - I am sure that there is a company in the jewellery quarter (Hockley) that would be honoured to have the business.

Whilst I agree with Blandy on the whole, no-one sells out when they play Bolton at Home ;-) But we shouldn't be getting 34k either. Why? football crowds are on the wane across the board, people are having to tighten their belts, football attendance is an expensive luxury. That crowd is 4,000ish down on last season, thats pretty much in the right ball park I reckon considering the current economic climate. Prices have risen, jobs and wages haven't risen as much. Some people just got priced out of football and its not just us its every club across the board this is no Villa phenomena. Also the luxury prices we as customers pay, some people really do expect to be entertained for that money. If the club really do want to get attendances up, entertaining football would be an avenue to explore... but we've just appointed a walking festival of dull football as manager, those that wish to be entertained will not be encouraged back by his particular brand of football imo. I take your point Bicks but if Houllier emulates half of what he did at Liverpool (Silverware wise) I daresay we may get an increase, albeit not a substantial one. For the first time in quite a while I missed a home game this weekend - The airshow was potentially more exciting !! In future if I can`t attend would you be interested in the offer of borrowing my two season tickets?

Who he appoints as assistant, I should imagine - I doubt it will be David (because I`m worth it) Ginola.

More likely a bolt hole when he exits Villa Park with £8m in his arse pocket

And when do those obligations with France cease? I'm glad that he's an honourable man, but they don't hand out performance merit money or trophies at the end of the season for being honourable. You sound like a parrot saying the same thing over and over....GH said they could make him work his 3 months notice. I'm sorry, but I asked when Houllier would be available to start work. As yet, I haven't received an answer. Would you really be satisfied with having to wait another 3 months? I'll post my reply here Risso as I don't want to take over General Krulaks thread discussing this. I don't want to have to wait for 3 months for Houliier to sit in the dugout and manage the team, but I'm willing to wait until he can do that. I'm not going to jump on anyones back about it as there is nothing that can be done, if that's the way they want to go about this then... so be it. They're not going to change their minds because a few fans think it's a farce or if the media do also. I respect your view but lets just suppose our players and caretaker manager continue to fail to deliver the goods over that 3 month period. We may be out of a second cup and dwelling the in lower regions of the league - is that acceptable? That said Houllier could come in and turn things around and become the next messiah- bloke can`t lose can he? £8m to succeed or fail. Like others on here and H&V I am already resigned to writing the season off - like it or lump but our success this year could be measured by finishing above SHA !

General Imagine being appointed to a senior role within any organisation and then being asked - "When can you start?" Answer -" Not sure I`ll let you know" At that point most organisations would be on the phone to candidate number two to give him or her the job. Is Houllier our only option?

Yes we all understand that, however what none of us seem to know (including Houllier and the board) is just when the bloke will be released and when he will be in post - do you find that acceptable? Houllier himself said he would be over for the Bolton match and then muttered something about the Wolves game ..total shambles. Surely if we are paying him circa £8m then surely we could have greased the FFF palms to secure his release?

Made me chuckle This lot are starting to make Doug look good

Imagine that at work the boss asks you if you fancy a managerial post for a while - he then says if you like it you can apply for the role. You don`t perform overly well and you are then advised that maybe its not for you. You return to your old role and prepare to get on with things. The next day the boss returns asking if you could just fill in for a while - until the new bloke is ready. Not a great way of going about things is it - a bit amateurish, lacking foresight and professionalism? Just imagine if your company are in the public gaze - what message does it send out? When MON walked out I couldn`t have cared less what he thought however following the events over the last month I would now like to hear his side of events - Once the dust settles I suggest Lerner have a look at his immediate management team. Finally I was not HD`s biggest fan however would this have happened under him and Steve Stride (Venglos aside)?

after 1 day in the job, I dont think he needs a break. :winkold: Although he is French and I work with these guys - the laziest people you will ever meet. I once sent an email to one on a Saturday. The reply came back on Monday and started with - You work on a Saturday???????? Are you crazy????????? Personally I think the French have it right....weekends (other than emergency services etc) should be for relaxing - perhaps its a generational thing.

Balanced and well written piece as ever Pete - Looking forward to meeting up again this season.

I'd wager most premiership managers in the UK today could manage to do well i the French league. I don't expect the reverse is true. Theres some severe claret and blue specs on tonight on this board. Honestly, speak to neutrals, most I'm talking to are pissing themselves laughing at this appointment. And their qualifications in football management are what exactly? I`ll ask again, who was your stated preference?

WTF ? Who was your choice then maestro?

Err ... excuse me, there`s only one smokin` Joe - see my avatar :winkold:

i believe the club have previously said that they dont want someone who is already employed at another club, therefore there is no-one they would be interested in who wouldnt be available for an interview. General denied that yesterday, said it was paper talk, even though the paper talk was based on something he said himself... Whilst it appears to be a great idea to have a Director communicating directly with the fans I am beginning to doubt the wisdom of "airing our washing in full public gaze" - by that I mean, it is now evident that the press are wise to the General`s postings and using his comments as official club statements although General Krulak points out they are his thoughts and not those of the board. On the other hand we have posters making derogatory comments on this site that they would not dream of making face to face to this individual. Furthermore I have lost count of the number of inane questions put to the forum - I sometimes doubt the intelligence of some of our fellow posters and so called Villa fans. I think it may be prudent for the General to stop posting on here and H&V until the new management team is in place and for posters to get a sense of reality as to who we can attract as manager and to play for us.