IrishCockney

Villa 2 Wolves 1

37632

Don't get me wrong, I too WANT Randy to succeed, badly!

But like any hands off businessman, he hires and trusts people to make the right decisions. The men at the top, O'Neill, Faulkner and to a much lesser extent Houllier, all failed to achieve the goals set.

In O'Neills case its fairly black/white - judged on results, Faulkner however is the elusive one. IF he hired Houllier, IF he allowed O'Neill to ride over him and IF he didn't have a handle on the spending then in my opinion - goodnight Josephine!

I also WANT McLeish to succeed, I just hope he's given some slack by us, the fans and a fair wad to make some semblence of progress this season, otherwise the gates and therefore the revenue will continue in the wrong direction, and Mr Lerners tenure will never recover.

Wow. Only just clicked yes and I'm amazed to see how close this poll is. Really does show that some people are never satisfied.

I'll keep my input brief because I could write a 3000 word essay on the matter: Randy gave the five-year-plan a fair crack of the whip, but unfortunately our manager left us five days before a season whilst Man City also shat all over the idea from a great height.

He can't be expected to reinvest to the extent he had been doing annually as AVFC would become unsustainable, which I'm sure anybody with any sense would not wish to happen.

As a result of these setbacks he has had to begin to adopt a more long-term approach and take a step-back from going in with all guns blazing financially speaking. He's also suffered the unfortunate set-back of his previous manager, who looked a good long-term appointment bar age and health, falling ill. None of his first choice replacements were available, so he had to settle for somebody lower down the list, who nevertheless had experience within the league and a proven record within the English game.

And yet many disagree with his reign, many of those disagreeing citing our previous victories in the European Cup, our assistance in founding the Football League and six pre-WWI Championships as a measure of our proud history and why we as fans DESERVE to be at the top as a result.

Unfortunately, you need money, not history nowadays to win things, so perhaps looking at the situation with a bit of realism rather than blind, prehistoric pride may make a few of the fans that voted 'no' change their mind next month.

There are so many things about this post I disagree with I wouldn't know where to begin

Try. I personally think it's bang on and is a very realistic assessment of where we are as a club.

I havn't got the time or the inclination but here's one for you...."(Houllier) looked a good long-term appointment bar age and health"

My missus looks a good bet for the next Miss World title bar her face and huge arse

I have just enough of both time/inclination to say the following...

I no longer blindly accept that the Randy Lerner will be a success JUST because he WANTS to do well with our club. Therefore the obvious answer, when faced with the two choices is NO.

If there were alternative answers such as:

Do you think he's done well...

...Done his best

...Could do better

...Will do better

...Then there is more food for thought.

However, with only two options I answered NO and my simple assessment of his reign:

Part 1

Starts with a blaze of glory, brings back a feelgood factor, invests healthy amounts but with a manager who wasted a lot of it (50% ish). Allows said manager to continue wasting it until the funds/wages run way too high but doesn't address this issue until it's too late. Is then royally dropped in the shit by same manager for trying to redress financial balance and in doing so breaches the managers contract, rather naively.

Part 2

During search for a replacement chooses to maintain some misplaced philosophy on illegal approaches thus ruling out several suitable candidates and then opts for an ageing alternative with a very poor health record, but at least its cheaper than getting the right man from another club! Until we nearly get relegated after a season of the inevitable sick leave and general player/fan mutiny and our season of consolidation turns into 2, minimum.

Part 3

Hire another cheap alternative, which is a gamble for several reasons (including being from our rivals, having a poor premiership record, only real success in lower leagues/countries) then cut back on the previous excessive spending and see how we get on after selling most of our best players and have to recycle those players who wanted away from us last year as we can't get shot and can't afford to realise the inevitable losses...

If anyone thinks this isn't make it up as you go along comedy of errors type stuff then fair play and I'll have some of what you're drinking...

Sure its not for a want of trying to succeed, but like I said at the start, WANT doesnt necessarily equate to ability

I havn't got the time or the inclination but here's one for you...."(Houllier) looked a good long-term appointment bar age and health"

My missus looks a good bet for the next Miss World title bar her face and huge arse

Way to pussy out

Way too funny for ya!?

As much as a loss as Osbourne. So huge.

Lmao

Gotta say this guy has taken the mick out of us as a club

He wasn't wanted where he was but didn't have the bottle to say no to being a make weight in another deal so we end up holding the baby, literally.

I respect him even less than Unsworth

I'm astounded by this.. What has he done that's "taken the mick out of us as a club"?

...

Now, tell me PLEASE, what has he done to take the mick out of AVFC??

Breaking my heart...

Whenever he crossed the white line to do his job, which you so rightly point out he gets paid 60k a week to do, the levels of performance take the mick - out of the club, the players, the fans and the manager and I don't care what his state of mind is, what problems he has finding a mansion or any other ways it impacts on his personal life - he has a job to do and he didn't do it.

I don't doubt for one second he isn't capable, the fact that he hasn't performed is a pi55 take and I for one don't want pi55 takers wearing our shirt.

As much as a loss as Osbourne. So huge.

Lmao

Gotta say this guy has taken the mick out of us as a club

He wasn't wanted where he was but didn't have the bottle to say no to being a make weight in another deal so we end up holding the baby, literally.

I respect him even less than Unsworth

Welcome back General, you have been missed and its a shame people felt the need to air their grievances on yuor forums and spoil such a great line of communications.

Anyway, I've asked before and I personally can't see a reason not to, but.... We were served Two Pint jugs at Blackburn away thus saving a return visit during the break to the inadequately small food/drink outlet, the like of which we are cursed with in the Holte End amongst others. Could the club not consider this queue busting idea? With simple and easy implementation!

I'm not sure if this is the best thread I've ever read or the worst.

The intentions are all good, I hope, but guys - the song already exists...

As I walked out at Villa Park one dark and dusty day,

I spied a poor blues fan as he was running far away,

I said to that poor city fan it looks like you might die,

Cos You have seen the Glory of Holte Enders in the sky

Yippee eye aye, Yippee eye oooh, Holte Enders in the sky,

We chased him through the terraces, we chased him out the gate,

Little did he know that death was soon to be his fate,

He only had one hour to live and then he’d hear the cry

That every city fan does fear, Holte Enders in the sky,

Yippee eye aye, Yippee eye oooh, Holte Enders in the sky,

Their fists where just like granite and their pockets full of lead,

And when they catch a city fan, you know he’ll end up dead

Cos Villa fans rule Birmingham and city fans know why,

They’ve all heard and they’ve all seen Holte Enders in the sky,

Yippee eye aye, Yippee eye oooh, Holte Enders in the sky,

So you see its already there for those who know, which is maybe less than I thought looking at this thread.

Its a bit 70's hooligan stylee granted, but I'm sure someone with more time on their hands could make it a bit more PC and non-violence related so that everyone can use it as the Anthem as you rightly suggest.

Oh the irony of a French National anthem about fighting for their land....

Hi General, trust you are well.

Just wondering what timescale we are looking at for the new kit release, any info?

Also re the ground development, if we have pulled out of London 2012 I assume that means it is still two years away? Or would we be looking to start after next season?

Looking forward to a decent end of season party on Sunday, just a shame I have work on Monday!

Saw a poster on the door of O'Reilly's on Weds after the game that said

"This pub will be closed all day on Sunday 25th - by order of the police" got a feeling the other boozers round the ground will be the same.

General

Regarding tickets and Nicky Keye's team can I just say that all my dealings with the ticket office, both over the phone and online, have been excellent this season. Without referring to hindsight etc, I'm sure lessons have and will continue to be learned regarding certain processes but would ask that the feedback be passed on to all those concerned, well done.

Now lets go kick some ass!!!

Option isn't there, but I want:

Ability to be competing on all fronts, in all competitions we enter, otherwise don't enter them.

Winning is a bonus to doing ourselves proud in all of them.

But - any trophy is better than fourth. God knows, I bet even SHA have finished fourth once in their lifetime? Maybe not.....

Those of you who went:

Why the massive delay in cheering for the og? I appreciate you were down the other end but were you all just looking at each other for 4 seconds?!

It was just hard to tell what happened, the angle was crap, the view of the "shot" was obscured and even the players didn't seem to celebrate.

Dunno if it came across, cos it was hilarious, but we all started singing "What the **** Hell was That!".

Strangest goal celebration I've ever been involved in, some of the free kicks we won in the second half got bigger cheers!

General Krulak here:

1. Let me start by stating the following: I never count my chickens before they are hatched and I NEVER provide fodder to an opponent. Why we are talking about finals when we still have the semi-finals to play is beyond me. I think it would be extremely foolish for me or the Club to start describing the ticket situation for the FA Cup Final....can you imagine such comments being quoted in a London paper? I fight one battle at a time...I focus on that battle and do the best I can. What happens after that battle is for another day. Let's concern ourselves about the semi-final game...please.

Morning General Sir

Truer words have never been posted on this site. Sadly I think you will find them STILL falling on deaf ears in some parts.

You truly can't please all the people all the time. I personally would like to see us going back to abject failure, flirting with relegation and going about our day to day business like a bunch of amateurs, things were just so much more simple back then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It makes you wonder sometimes....

As ever and to the whole operation - keep up the good work, thanks.

Anyone else driving?

Best to park around Wigan pier and walk up?

Best boozers?

Evening General Sir

Just a quick query, I know you've said that Nicky Keyes may be posting some details re loyalty points, but in the meantime I wanted to count a few chickens...

Has any decision been made regarding the FA Cup Final ticket allocation yet?

With the alleged paltry seat offering, which I'm led to believe won't even meet the ST holder demand, will these Loyalty points be the deciding factor, or like away games will it be based on away game credits?

Your help in clarifying this would be appreciated, thanks.

For Sale one return train ticket:

Out from New Street Sat 27th 1310 arrives Euston 1434

Out from Euston Sun 28th 2025 arrives Tamworth 2146, then by coach to New street arrives 2204

Full Return cost £25 total, with reserved seating on each leg.

You don't have to head into Brum if Tamworth is handier, we just wanted to soak up the winning atmosphere!

PM me. Face value will do, first come first served. Selling cos my mate is daft!

All your pals are eejits :winkold:

Its worse than that!

O'Neill forgot he worked for Network rail and therefore has a monthly no-limits travel pass! Truly spectacular F Up, his cost mind!

For Sale one return train ticket:

Out from New Street Sat 27th 1310 arrives Euston 1434

Out from Euston Sun 28th 2025 arrives Tamworth 2146, then by coach to New street arrives 2204

Full Return cost £25 total, with reserved seating on each leg.

You don't have to head into Brum if Tamworth is handier, we just wanted to soak up the winning atmosphere!

PM me. Face value will do, first come first served. Selling cos my mate is daft!

Hi General

Just a couple of observations from our recent trip to Blackburn in the semi-final:

The bar inside the ground didn't close. We bought drink right upto KO and were down there 10 miutes early to try to beat the queue's only to find the bar still open. Could we not do this inside VP?

Also there were "2 pint" plastic glasses which meant you didn't have to go back up for another drink which therefore helped reduce queues.

They also had a great stock of pints pulled ready to go and amazing amounts of food available.

For a club with such a small away end catering area their service was outstanding and put our half time Holte End fare to shame imo.

Surely we can apply some of these ideas instantly with no need for structural alterations?

Tranmere for me. Im 37. Still the best game Ive seen at Villa Park in terms of drama and atmosphere. Last night was entertaining for sure but didnt feel like it was in the balance right until the last kick like Tranmere was. The Tranmere game would go down as the best match Ive had on the old Holte. Felt at times like it was going to take off, the atmopshere had to be sampled to be believed.

What he said, same age too spookily!

We always had another gear last night after it went 2-2, whereas Tranmere made feel sick all the way to the last kick/save.

Would like to see the whole Tranmere game again, felt loud last night but having watched over on iplayer it doesn't come across quite as well, but still in the ground it felt like a good atmosphere.

Plus we won and we're going to Wembley so who cares!!!

Hi Gen

All seems well here, as you've seen/heard.

Hope you get to relax and recuperate down in the Sunshine State. I was over there on Miami South Beach and the Everglades last month, VERY nice!

Not as good as Villa Park, but hey.... :winkold:

Playing players in their positions is a novel idea, wonder if Fergie et al have considered this radical approach?

Judging how often Fergie does play players out of position, no I don't think he has considered this radical approach. You really haven't followed his team selections at all have you?

No mate I'm a VILLA fan, I know for a fact WE play players out of position, thats my point, closed!

I thought we were good today.

Bolton aren't great but they are no worse than Wet Spam, Wolves and Blackburn?

Great to see two proper full backs. Carlos slotted in really well and looked a better CB playing alongside an experienced partner.

Jimmy and Ash both had as good a game as I've seen them play this season. The CM pair worked excellently - NRC was very efficient and gave little away and Sidders ran his nuts off and they interchanged well when NRC did drive forward.

Strikers worked well and as a pair.

I want to see the same team go to Burnley and will be very disappointed if MON makes any changes. Players in keep their shirt until they have an off day??

Great points made

Cuellar IS a centre back, judge him there after a few games, he'll be fine.

Ash has been off it all season, today he's back and destroyed them!

When he plays well even Carew shows interest strangely enough.

Playing players in their positions is a novel idea, wonder if Fergie et al have considered this radical approach?

Heading for the Marlborough not far from Lime Street to meet others then onto the Arkles

Can't wait for this now, Everton are under pressure and we haven't found a decent run of form yet so hard one to call but looking forward to a right tussle like last year!