bobzy

In essence, yes. The soul of the club (to me?) is building links with the local community, ensuring a passage of youth players into the first team and maintaining a fan base that is, above all else, grounded and modest. We've not really had delusions of grandeur for many a year. It's these kind of things that I, personally, admire about Villa. It's what stands us above so many clubs in the league that are... well, soulless. To be honest, it's mainly a problem within England and would be through no fault of "our own".

At least Lerner put money into local charities and the refurbishment of established entities already at the club. At least we have a youth model and threads on this forum like "Jack Grealish" where we'd love to see another youngster given the chance to prove themselves at first team level. This guy (if true, etc.) is basically us completely selling the soul of Aston Villa, becoming a money club and gaining plastic fans. Maybe we're the next Man City? Then again, this all seems to appease the majority of fans on here who want nothing more than; a ) Money thrown at the club b ) Success Maybe that's all football is really about these days after all. Football is a game pal, you play games to win. I'd love to know what this soul is that people keep banging on about, is it our single European Cup? Wouldn't you rather we be trying to win another European Cup? I also don't understand why you think we would stop having a youth setup all of a sudden. **** nonsense to be honest mate. I follow football because I love the game and Aston Villa were the club closest to my heart growing up. In my lifetime, I've seen us win TWO TROPHIES. That's 27 years of winning, essentially, **** all. I have no entitlement to winning things. I'd love to see us win another European Cup; I doubt this will happen. Despite how most people feel about certain footballers, I love the fact we've fielded Agbonlahor, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Gardner etc. as local lads playing for a local team. Chelsea have none. Man City have none. If this is the route we all want to take, fine - let's just get bought out by someone who has no emotional connection to the club and sell our soul. If there is substantial financial backing, the youth setup will be obsolete; or, to further, it will exist but be pointless. See: Chelsea, Man City. If you're asking me what I'd prefer; a backer throwing £1bn at our playing staff at us being instantaneously successful or having a poor owner who cares for the club, but we get relegated I'd take the latter everytime.

This thinking epitomises everything that is wrong with football at the moment. "We are the 4th most successful club in the best league in the world!" Because we've won so much so recently. Hell, let's just get Preston North End back in the big time!

At least Lerner put money into local charities and the refurbishment of established entities already at the club. At least we have a youth model and threads on this forum like "Jack Grealish" where we'd love to see another youngster given the chance to prove themselves at first team level. This guy (if true, etc.) is basically us completely selling the soul of Aston Villa, becoming a money club and gaining plastic fans. Maybe we're the next Man City? Then again, this all seems to appease the majority of fans on here who want nothing more than; a ) Money thrown at the club b ) Success Maybe that's all football is really about these days after all.

So you wouldn't be happy with a straight swap; Holtby for Delph?

If it's true that he only wants £45k we'd be fools not to go for Lescott on a free transfer. Would be a really solid signing in a vitally important position and the cost to the club would be relatively little. By most account that's less than Gabby is on and similar to Delph and Lescott is a more established player, and a Villa fan to boot. I doubt Lescott will come as wasn't he warned stay away from West Midlands when he had his kneecaps shattered by members of Johnson Brothers gang along with Matt Murray.. He left as soon as he could play again to Everton. Couple my Wolves supporting mates have said ''Been warned to stay away from West Midlands'' for good. Internet Myth No that story is true, not going to say how exactly but I know people who have links to the Johnsons and it is 100% true If they did this in 2004 and he's still playing as a professional footballer in 2014, they really need to be doing their hits better.

I'd rather see us play with all 3 centrally and wing backs since our current LB/RB's can't defend that well.

That's a good Juan A good Kwan?

To be fair to Nathan, what he is good at is putting his body on the line. He's made some crucial interceptions/last ditch tackles over the past couple of seasons and seems to be "braver" than our other defenders. However, he couples this with a rashness that often puts us in trouble and will also lead to him being sent off sooner rather than later (I especially hate the way he jumps into a lot of tackles). If you combined both him and Clark, you'd have a really good defender. I think they're both good enough as backup, certainly.

That's just not right though, is it? We've already done the "rebuilding a team to secure PL status" bit. Any players brought in now should (granted, should!) be of a better quality than before - be in with Lerner at the helm or a new owner. Obviously we haven't got the greatest team in the Premier League but I really don't understand the "we need a new owner or we're getting relegated next season!" chat.

I love the hypocrisy on VT sometimes. Nicola Cortese is a banker, not a "football man". Apparently we all want a "football man" running the day-to-day of our club but now a banker will do. Wait, wait... what's Paul Faulkner's background again? Banking? Hrmmmm....

Darren Bent 3 league goals Libor Kozak 4 league goals and broke his leg at Christmas so really? Yes, because Kozak is a Paul Lambert signing whereas Darren Bent is not. Thus, Bent > Kozak. Obviously. but Bent is a Houllier signing who he also didn't like. im confused, who is better than who Well you both might judge players on who signed them but I prefer to judge them on ability and what I see. Interesting then, given that Kozak scored 4 goals in 14 appearances last season whereas Bent scored 3 in 24. Hopefully you're right, though, and Darren will be banging in goals for us this coming season.

A couple of things r.e: Bent, though. a - Benteke is out injured for at least a couple of months at the start of the season(?) b - Bent has played at Fulham last season, so has at least seen competitive football c - He's a poacher; doesn't work hard at all but perhaps linking up with, say, Weimann, he might get on the end of a couple of things d - He's in the last year of his contact. He'd want to play well to get himself a new club - I think we all know he's "done" here (certainly on those wages) It's not completely terrible and does give us another option. I just hope Lambert/the club haven't burnt their bridges with him so he actually still feels like part of the team.

Darren Bent 3 league goals Libor Kozak 4 league goals and broke his leg at Christmas so really? Yes, because Kozak is a Paul Lambert signing whereas Darren Bent is not. Thus, Bent > Kozak. Obviously.

Have a day off. Were financially stable(ish), still in premier league and could be taken over by someone with fresh ideas and more £££. If we were in administration and relegated I'd kind of understand. So true. Although I'm quite enjoying the "we're still a Premier League club! we're doomed!" chat. Amusing

We rarely, if at all, actually play with proper wingers anyway to be fair. However we have just lost the only midfield/forward player that can cross a football :|

Willing to bet that they won't be.

2 CM for me. Already got Okore coming back alongside Vlaar/Baker/Clark; no pressing need to bring in another CB.

Depressing news. Yeah, I'd much rather the club be fumbling about in the dark looking for a new manager if the worst comes to the worst and we're not sold... Nothing to do with that. It's depressing as it seems a sale isn't close yet. These things take time BJ; I wouldn't worry too much just yet.

Is this another Holt food-based joke?

Depressing news. Don't worry BJ. Soon as we get sold I think he's out the door. if we get sold. If he's around for next season he will relegate us. Like he has the past 2 seasons, right?

BRUM - Bob Rich Utilises Money Meant to be!

Great name. Was about to post the same thing

He has a win % ratio worse than Paul Lambert with a much better team. Is this really the basis to sack our manager and replace him with Cowans? Come on, man... Nice little swerve there away from the original question I was replying to. The poster presented two examples of where an interim manager had relegated their teams and were employed by their clubs in the second half of the season when most of the damage had been already done. I replyed by using the new Swansea manager as an example where using an interim manager can prove to be much less than disastrous which was a valid comparison. Swansea were never really in relegation trouble (I assume there must've been a falling out with Laudrup) and Monk's record really isn't that good at all. He hasn't had to compete in the Europa League during his reign thus far either. Not sure this validates your point nor makes a good enough basis for Cowans being in charge.