sellyoakvilla

Are city centre pubs going to be closed again?

Creative

Thats actually fairly reassuring - that GH isn't necessarily pleased with Ash's recent contributions in the hole. By the first line I meant he had tried Ireland in the hole behind striker but didn't work, incase you got confused with meaning he tried Young there But if that's relative to the comments based on Young not being able to get back onto the wing then yes I agree with you, think Ireland has simply been dropped because there are players better than him starting. But then again why does Pires get on the bench ahead of him? I don't suppose we'll ever know.

Nice idea but don't think I ever would

At the last press conference I went to, Houllier said he only sees Ireland in the hole behind the striker and obviously he's played Young there all season but he did say he had tried it in training games and even in league games but it just didn't work. He then went to say the performances of Downing and Albrighton has infact put pressure on Young to perform but he can't get back on the wing because of their performances. So until Downing/Albrighton/Young are injured for a while, Ireland might not get in the team. However he did say he's improving in training and impressed him so we'll see, he'll probably feature again from Feb should we be out of the bottom 3.

Nah I don't think he's going to be given a chance while we're in a relegation battle, once we get out of it and are comfortably mid table then he'll be given a run of games. He keeps being given one game here and there though which is ridiculously short sighted as one game where a player is subbed off after 60 minutes does not give a lasting impression.

Only just back from injury, can't rush him

I would renew my season ticket if Elmo was in charge

Its highly likely that 99% of people who wanted him out before todays game still do. A cup win against a poor Championship side wasn't going to make fans change their opinions of the manager. What we/he needs to do is string a run of results together. Unfortunately I just don't think we will do that under Houllier and therefore if he stays will remain in the relegation mire all season. Massive game next week that we could really do with winning especially when you consider Man City will be next up. We lose next week and I can see the vast majority of the minority that are backing him at the moment also wanting him out. Another loss to Small Heath and I'd struggle to find a reason to back him any longer, however I think I'd still think sacking him at this time would be the wrong thing to do.

Burton or Torquay away or Leyton Orient at home

To the tune of 'the city is ours' - should we take the lead against Small Heath, just for comical effect We're winning away, We're winning awaaayy, How shit must you be, We're winning away

The thing we as fans need to do now is go into the Blues game with our heads held high, as difficult as that is, and try and roar the team on to a result... Today's away support was fantastic and generally is until we go 1 or 2 down. We do not want to go into a game at Small Heath singing anti Houllier songs because they are now singing songs about him themselves taking the piss... it would be even more embarrassing than anything else and I don't think it's the right thing to do. The support needs to be spot on and as loud as possible because there is only going to be about 1500 of us there... yes I am going and yes I will sing for 90 minutes but everyone else needs to do it too! Houllier is our manager for longer than most people hope so people just need to get used to it now and transfer their hate for him into support for the team and see where that gets us as it's been non existant particularly at home games for the past couple months in this terrible, terrible run. Up the Villa

I don't think anyone is completely blaming MON because that would be incredibly one eyed and would show their hate towards MON rather than their support of Houllier. But what is obvious is his departure five days before the start of the season did not help one bit. We really needed this summer to kick on and add about two or three more quality players to the side as I feel we were almost there, but he piss arsed about over Summer and left us in the lurch. No longer going to speculate as to whether we would be in this position if we were still under his management as none of us will ever know but all I care about at the minute is sorting this mess out. We are Aston Villa Football Club, we do not deserve to be nor should we be where we are now. Whether that's with or without Houllier is down to the board but I trust their decision whatever happens.

Don't think it's fair to call people who are 'defending' Houllier as trolls. I wouldn't say I'm defending him as such as the Sunderland game pissed me off no end - but it's bleeding obvious the club have said he will be here until the end, bar any mass destruction of club, and I believe that is the right decision. No manager could come in now and change this, IMO of course, and it would not do the players any good to have a fourth manager in five months. No use moaning at him now really.

The thing now is, I know he hasn't done himself any favours, neither have the team, but the fans aren't really showing any support to the team (note: team, not manager) When you're playing at home and you are under the cosh and it's difficult to break down a team who have obviously played for a draw or a counter attack goal then you need all the support the fans can give. If a player makes a mistake it's one mass groan and abuse hurled towards the player from everywhere in the ground and boos at half time if we're not winning. If I was a player going into the dressing room at half time I'd be bloody scared to make a mistake in the second half incase of even worse fan reaction. The atmosphere when Sunderland scored on Wednesday night was evil, singing "sacked in the morning" is not going to help anyone and definitely won't get the manager sacked, it just makes us look like idiots as the media had a field day on it. If the club is going to turn this around the fans are needed just as much as the manager and players as nervous players make for more pressure and more mistakes. I'm confident we will turn this round but the constant moaning, booing and abuse to the players/manager helps no one.

Using our form after the cup final as evidence that we were going to be in the relegation zone, 1 point off the bottom and 1 goal off the worst goal difference is one of the stupidest things I've read. Could you please stop insinuating. I have never said we were going to be in the relegation zone based on that form, infact I think it's a joke we are down there if that's what you want to hear. By "This was always going to happen" I am saying a poor run of form or a slide down the table was going to happen.It is obvious we were on the slide, Milner leaving did not help one bit. But nowhere have I said we were going to be in the relegation zone because of our form last season. Nowhere. It is a factor. That is all. If MON was still manager we would not be much better off than we are now, IMO.

Pretty sure Milner never wanted to leave Villa too. Or Barry.

Of course he is, a group of players who were hard to beat and did well are now shit and sitting in the relegation zone after 21 games. Friedel, dunne, Collins, petrov, Milner, young, gabby and Carew were all key players for us last season. Houllier has had most of those important players available to him plus a fully fit downing, an in form heskey and Marc albrighton. It's mainly his fault that we're in a **** relegation battle, this French prick has to take the blame for abysmal results and performances. Absolute rubbish using no pre season as an excuse, did redknapp need a preseason? I didn't hate o'leary as much as I hate this word removed. When have I ever used pre season as an excuse? It's obvious he's changed the tactics and the way the team play but why do you think MON left. This was always going to happen, we were on the slide from the Carling Cup final last season and it was not going to change unless massive investment was made. Of course a manager has to take the blame, that is the modern culture, but I'm sorry I just don't see how he can take full blame for everything that has gone on this season. And if you can't see that the injuries did not help us and we've only just had some key players come back the past few weeks then I don't know what else I can say.

How do you know Ireland didnt want to come to us,do you know him or something.. I'll be honest, i wanted him here as a player from day one, i thought he would have come good here but can you honestly say he's been given a proper chance?, imo he has been treated like shit. For the first time I agree with you, Ireland has been treated like absolute shite and not been given a proper chance. He's one of the only signings we've ever made that I've been genuinely excited about.

Of course it is his fault, there is absolutely no doubt about that. He picks the team, he picks the tactics, he speaks out about the players and talks about Liverpool in a way he shouldn't. But there is absolutely no way it is as much his fault as people are making out. No way. He's a factor but no way is he the catalyst.

Imagine Ireland under Moyes, if we sell him we will be losing out on a top, top player. Houllier is a fool for not giving him a chance.

yep, thats what i think. i people want him here thats fair enough, i think there is fans coming on the site to boost his numbers though,may not even be sha fans. Well Pires was voted man of the match against Man City on here so polls are not always 100% accurate!!

Bin Dunne :winkold:

Fran I also voted for him. Your opinion does not count for everyone.