Sam3773

Credit where it's due. Hasn't done enough to save his job for me, and I'd probably still pull the trigger in the next day or so, but realistically it won't happen until Leicester/Southampton now. 

The highlights of this game will end up on Pornhub. 

I think we're in the last 48 hours of the Gerrard dynasty, barring a shock win tomorrow. 

Some might say Arsenal and Man City are free hits, but I disagree. We'll expect to make those games competitive, especially Arsenal. Remember our league position doesn't reflect the club's ambition. We'll want to be up there, making it hard work for Man City. Rolling over and having our tummy tickled won't be shrugged off because it was a 'free hit'. L

Besides, points against Leicester and Southampton would mean what? Other than a complete tactical masterclass out of nowhere, I don't think 2 freak wins will be enough to fool our owners into thinking all our problems are over, especially with an international break on the doorstep. 

So sadly, I predict a loss tomorrow with a five or more goal margin, Stevie to get his marching orders in the hours/days after and Critchley/Tony Carss to take the Leicester and Southampton games while a new gaffer is recruited. 

What struck me is the lack of questions in the interviews, particularly the Dendoncker one. Usually you'll hear, particularly with an ex-player of Gerrard's ilk, something like "and playing under someone like Steven Gerrard. What does that mean to you?" 

Absolutely no mention other than a throw away brief mention from each player about 'the manager'. 

I wanted Brendan Rodgers last time we had a vacancy and my mind hasn't changed. He's a top manager who is currently a victim of the club selling off their stars. He has form for being able to change shape and tactics given the players he has and the opposition. If supported I think he'll fire us up the table, at least back to midtable, with the incumbent squad. 

Poch and Potter are pipe dreams in my opinion and neither would come here, although I'd not complain if I were proven wrong! 

I can see the Spanish waiter arriving. 

Hope we roll up wor sleeves at half time. 

I always take issue with the notion that a manager has until x game to turn it around. What then? Our form is so poor, but a win against Southampton and the counter resets at 0?

The club will take a holistic view, and I'd be very surprised if replacements aren't already being sounded out. Especially with the apparent unrest in the dressing room on top of results and fan pressure. A result against Leicester or Southampton won't be enough to save him. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time a manager gets the boot after a win. He's already gone - the club are just deciding when. 

Needs time, bless him. 

Evening if we come back to win this, which I expect us to, how in the Lords name can anyone watch this and think he needs time. 

I'm absolutely lost. 

I've always got the vibe that Gerrard has an air of arrogance about him. Revered for England and at the highest level with Liverpool. This arrogance was likely exacerbated with success at Rangers, and I wonder how this effects the chemistry. 

I don't think it's overstepping to say Gerrard could easily rub people up the wrong way with such arrogance. I find some questioning if there's a rift in the dressing room interesting. I don't see how there couldn't be. The public outing of Tyrone and removal of the armband. The players training with the U21s. I can't recall a time we had so many first team players training with the youth, hoping to ship them out, particularly players who, in public at least, have been nothing but professional (A la, no McCormacks). 

I also see some mileage in looking at the 'cling ons' as I call them. The players who come with the manager. Bruce and Elmohamady. Smith and Konsa. With a new manager, particularly one that's seen success, an element of taking the players you know and trust is often present. But not for Stevie. Not one player from that team left to join him (youth aside) and although there may be an element of Rangers blocking those moves, I do question how liked he was as a manager among the Rangers squad. 

I think these are worrying times for Villa. We have a manager who appears to be dividing the dressing room after losing the coach who was arguably the brains behind the operation with Gerrard being the face. We have a CEO who I believe has done well overall but this is his mate who we've backed tremendously financially. Does Purslow admit defeat or does he try and ride it out to save face? Does Gerrard walk before he's pushed to protect his own image? The most likely outcome I believe if he is indeed as arrogant as I see. 

What I will say is I have never, especially after such a relatively short amount of time, seen the fan base unite so broadly on questioning the manager (McLiesh maybe?). Gerrard's stock seems very low currently, although it never looked particularly high in the first place. Mings isn't the messiah, but currently on social media he's seen as some sort of 'anti-Gerrard' symbol. Interesting, albeit worrying times ahead. 

I can now see this Fonseca thing having legs. No smoke without fire 'n' all that. 

Interesting how air tight the club is currently, though. Our media team managed to put together a whole montage and Smith's exit still wasn't leaked at all. 

9 minutes ago, nick76 said:

So the choice is to keep going on the merry go round of managers or like most moderately successful clubs, pick your horse and stick with them.  No point sacking a manager if nothing is going to change,

Interested to hear who these moderately successful clubs are that betted on longevity? Out of the top 5 longest serving in the Premier League, Deano is one of them.. Bielsa another and Dyche. Are they 'successful clubs'? 

The other two are Klopp and Guardiola who fall into the 'Top 6 so can be picky about getting a better manager' category. 

Every time we consider sacking the incumbent, everyone says "who is available that's better?"

We want someone who is proven to be good at a top level. We don't want someone who has a poor record and we don't want someone who has no record. This just is  not how things work in our position - any managerial change is a risk. 

David Moyes' stock was rock bottom when West Ham had him. Graham Potter had achieved next to nothing at Swansea. Lage on a horrible run at Benfica. 

The point is, clubs outside the top 6 generally don't go and get a 'better manager'. Any manager is a risk - Favre, Fonseca, Gerrard, Terry, whatever. Turn your nose up all you like, but that's the ball park we're playing in. We can't just choose a top of the range manager when we're balls deep in the danger zone. 

I think I speak for us all when I say I really, really wanted the Smith dream to continue. It was just too good to be true - the progress under Dean and Jack, two Villa fans. 

But Jack left, and exposed some of Dean's tactical flaws. He's had bad runs every season, usually coinciding with a Grealish injury. Form would pick up when the talisman returned, but this time he isn't returning. 

Then you look at Brentford. He came here because the belief was he over achieved with Brentford. Christ, that assertion looks silly now! 

I love the bloke. He's a Villan through and through and I wish him nothing but the best. But we've outgrown him. We need someone capable of getting a tune out of a very high quality squad of players at the highest level. We need consistency. 

I'm surprised he's lasted this long. Our owners would have wanted a 'name', not Dean from the Midlands. This is their opportunity to twist, but it has to be the right one. A gamble could see us in danger of the drop. A top manager could see us push on. 

Either way, I think it's time. Lange has signed a lot of this squad and they seem unhappy. Will his voice make the difference this season that sees Dean gone? Times up unfortunately, but not on bad terms. I still love the guy. Just not here. 

Who comes in next is anyone's guess. 

Out of any 'ITK' I've seen on here, Twitter, Reddit, etc. Nadia is one of only a couple I'll stop to read. 

She's not always right, but she has proven in the past that she has connections at the club, and has been around for years. Seems like a very specific and balsy post if she doesn't at least believe there's weight behind it. 

Just now, VillaHatesMe said:

Sorry, everybody.

 

 

Doesn't Gregg get everything wrong? Like, it's his 'thing'. 

2 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

all well and good, but who are they going to get to replace him within the next couple of days if they do pull the trigger?

You know exactly who's coming in.. 

Feeling like I'm about to break up with a girl I love, but can't make it work because I can't get in the box. 

I know it's for the best but damn it cuts deep. 

Hearing it's happening from the ever reliable Twitter sources.

I do get a sense it is happening, though. I'm gutted for the man I really am. He's one of our own and that won't change, but we have to. 

Brentford are doing well. 

Best thing we can do is get rid now and hope for a bounce. 

I'm pretty sure we'll just get relegated, shrug our shoulders, and give Deano another shot at promotion.