GeneralJazzman

Ok, even good, wouldn't have been enough to turn us around at that point. More players not used to the league, or not good enough wouldn't of helped. Plus our player culture has been awful and finding any player to fit would be tough. I would have preferred we looked at Championship players at that point, more expensive or not. But then again not spending may end up being the most astute piece of business we have done. With our net spend we don't have, or shouldn't have the same debts as other relegated clubs. Doumbia I think has clause in place that if he plays 10 games or more then Newcastle have to buy him for £11m or something...... Imagine if we had him stuck on our books.

What I have found interesting is the players we missed out on during the January transfer window have not really made an impact elsewhere. Khazri is probably been the most useful but hardly worth 8mil or got us out of this bother. Doumbia, has he even played for Newcastle?? we could have spent another £20m on rubbish and be in a worse state.

Cool, do OPTA do thug stats now? Punches landed, hair pulled, spits on target, stud scrapes, stamps per minute.....

I don't think it would be a good business decision for an investor to takeover that late, any good business person would smart enough to start the process now ready in time for the transfer window or end/pre season. If there is one it will be in place for appointing a manager and setting targets in due time. If not then see you all in a years time.....

Probably not. The moneyball system has been villainised from many angles, especially older guard managers. Just wondering if 'new owners' will have a traditional or progressive idea about the club.

http://www.myoldmansaid.com/sir-alex-ferguson-says-aston-villa-moneyball-undermines-manager/ "There’s a lot of this Moneyball thing happening, Brentford, Brighton, Aston Villa, a lot of them are doing this thing and I’m not sure it’s the right way ahead,” said Ferguson.

I thought this guy was meant to be a good coach and understands football. Maybe be he is not a people person.....

When it happens it will probably be quicker than we expect it to take. But the leaks and gossip will probably ramp in intensity as it gets nearer and we haven't really had much of that yet. Mind you it's a private sale this time, last time Lerner had to buy shares and there are certain disclosures required in that sort of takeover.

I don't think any manager would buy into it as it is against traditional football thinking. You would need to have a team all agreeing on the method and pulling together. Not going to happen. P.S. I think Liverpool have been wasting money for years without Riley's help.

Has anyone read or seen anything on the money ball philosophy that we supposedly utilised in the summer? I saw the film and read details on it, interesting concept but often if the manager doesn't buy in then the thing falls apart. Take Adama, statistically he may produce 2-3 key passes and one assist per 90 mins. He will also not track back a certain percentage leading to an overload down that flank. The money ball idea would have that as a statistically acceptable risk, a football manager would have that as a strategic disaster and not play him as he is too raw. Riley might argue if managers played the players as recruited, we would be in this mess and be 12th. I am struggling to see it but it's a theory that most managers would not buy into.

But this team concedes 11....

Hollis, baby.........

Professionalism works on many levels. You can be professional and look to escape a disappointing experience (Aston Villa) but it is through doing your best. It must be a disappointing time for many players but your agent saying one thing, your manager saying another...... Limits employment. On current form, graft and achievement who better would come in? Never repeated his a champions league form.

I hope it started like this: Hey Merv.. Hey Bernie.... but I bet it was Riley who leaked it. Meant to be on good terms with Randy, he is the mole.

Better than backing Gove and Boris!

This is it, our worlds no longer connect. Froggatt on Facebook was discussing the same idea, so this disconnect has happened within the last 20 years and has paralleled with cultural shifts like pimping my ride, how expensive is your crib, how can I photograph my life so it looks better than yours and how are Kardashians doing...

I think all bets are off now in regards to new manager after the resignations. If there is a take over we could end up Clarence Seedorf or Yakin coming in for all we know.... Or Simon Grayson. Also with Deila leaving Celtic in the summer, Moyes would be a good fit there.

Just realised they sound like Sesame Street characters if we refer to them as Bernie and Merv. Hey Merv.... Hey Bernie..... damn that could have been fun for a day or so.

I think they represented the front end of a different buyer / consortium. They may of come onboard with a view to getting started now but Lerner is selling to another buyer. Hence why their positions were untenable. It's guess work but Merv and Bernie would surely had some heavyweight connections in this area. Hollis wont go as he is getting the club ready to sell. Once it's done he will go back to his consulting firm.

I think the main reason why is community, there is no one to pay wages if fans and support staff don't show. The distribution of wealth is the key factor, few have lots and many have very little. It doesn't make for a productive community where the, potential, hard work of some people has been undermined by lack of hard work by others. Especially if the people not perceived to be pulling weight are the high earners and figure heads. Sends the wrong message. Take club the captain: redundancies, relegation, asked to get in shape to play......what response does the villa community get? It is about a sense of responsibility, looking beyond yourself and seeing there is a community that needs attention. Interesting reading about how we have been potentially over staffed for years though.

Maybe the sale stuff is true and that's why he is here.

To paraphrase Monty Python: but what has Bevington ever done for us....

As with our team the whole season, no leaders. Nobody would think beyond the end of their own c**k, especially the "club captain", Mr Hippy Crack himself. Let alone vice captain "my pocket did it".

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-fans-breathe-sigh-11206111 ok which one of you is Mat Kendrick robbing the sticker jape.