avfcinwales

Albion wasn't it ?

why do Villa have to wait until these wonder players become available that will take us to the top 4 ? its going to take forever with the organic growth thing so why do we have to wait to see if they are available if we can be so dependent on the likes of Sutton and Agathe now what's the problem filling a few yawning gaps in the squad with players that are available, they can't be much poorer than some individuals we are having to depend on. sorry that excuse holds no credence even when I'm sober, its just that an excuse

you know that for certain sam I don't as to the original comments I wouldn't totally agree with the suggestion he's tactically brilliant either, I'd for now, prefer tactically old fashioned, or maybe, one idea only, tactically. as to man management I think there are a few not in the team who might not agree, playing Baros to build his confidence and then dropping him, a confidence player, for the biggest match of the season isn't my idea of brilliant management either. if the money is as tight as some are predicting I think he'll excel, you are right otherwise, there aren't that many more over rated players left at Celtic, well Thompson, Lennon, Balde, I suppose.

One down ........................one more important to go and soon Another satr for the General and his mate

Some hero, quit a growing side in which he was an integral part to return home, for more money along with his best mate who Saunders had decided was a potential injury and financial liability he could use to finance his future team building. Decent player, but not always a team man, played too often for himself as the article shows. His ultimate replacement offered more in every department and was much more instrumental in the clubs growth. If he'd spent more time concentrating on football than womanising and drinking, he'd maybe have been a great for Villa not one of those who thought himself above the club. He did it again at Everton when Utd flashed the cash and no doubt has his reasons for that. A decent player one of the best we ever had, but heroes are made of better stuff in my view

Maybe its O'Neill playing down expectations Blandy because he's into this organic growth thing and doesn't feel he's under any real pressure, maybe there isn't the money available yet as expected, maybe the money for transfers has to be generated, maybe O'Neill doesn't have the balls to risk to deal with the big names in the game, maybe and maybe. Me I like the General, he's positive, no talk of defeat, no talk of retreat, no talk of compliance, we are going for it now, Randy wants Villa to hold the European cup soon, we are going for it. Beats all your organic stuff all your maybe's every time. Me I'd die fighting for the cause, I wouldn't leave the trenches for a maybe

hee, hee, hee, good on yer pal

Wise words as usual Leg

The big man back at Villa, unbelievable General THANK YOU, for me, those who will be there, but for Ron himself what a Christmas Present, I hope he behaves himself:) Fantastic and long, long, long, overdue Respect

BFR from that list but some of the football under Saunders especially in the heady days of Little, Cowans and co were incredible. The away match as Sheffield was one of the best away matches I ever saw. Little had his moments and for strike on the counter football, you just couldn't beat Gregory's side that topped the table. Even Gt with Platt had some magic moments, but for shear near guaranteed entertainment BFR's sides stood out even though you never had any idea whether it would be win, lose, or draw

Anyone know where he plays at the back ?

No Risso, Cresswell, Drat, PB, BOF, Rantin and lots of others disagree with me all the time. They don't make it personal, they don't rant and abuse managers or players, well not often, and they read and remember what i've said, some in the hope they can pick me up at a later date, PB, but they never as I remember assume their opinion to be right, neither do I. I've often got it wrong, it just happens I often get it right too

TRO what do you think of John Cresswell's views on O'Neill ?? If my avatar doesn't spell out my attitude on O'Neill at least if I do say at some future time I told you so then you can always throw that back at me I'd also say that if you had really read my views on O'Leary you would have seen that I was one of the few to criticise him regularly when others where shouting we were certainties for Europe and that in his last season while 'fans' of the club were ranting irrationally I and a few others tried to offer an alternative view that basically put the blame elsewhere without totally excusing O'Leary from blame. Just because it did not agree with your viewpoint which I had no problem with just the way some turned it into a personal battle and the way they expressed their vitriolic opinions, is tough really. As to O'Neill and Lerner I have reservations, which had you really read my comments would be plain to see. When I get proof as at the Everton match I say so, as above I say so, yesterday again I didn't agree with his team choice, his tactics, or his methodology but we didn't lose, and we had plenty of chances That suggests to me he did ok still I'm sure he will do well with us, but European Title, how old is he now Besides and you'll love this, Randy's doing great, some wonderful moves, but he still hasn't spent a penny on transfers though has he, lets see in January shall we

dear me must write those lines. I must not be contentious, especially when idiots are about, I must not be contentious when idiots are about......... Good report JC spot on criticism of O'Neill too. I'd do the same but it usually guaranties the thread gets closed Why he doesn't swap to a more aggressive 442 or even 433 with Gabby, Angel and Baros up front when you have Barry, McCann and Petrov in midfield is beyond me. Well its not really because I appreciate he's too concerned about not losing a goal with the two kids playing CB's and his desire to test out Osborne or Agathe. Which in turn makes me sure he knows who he can get and when and he's just doing damage limitation whilst we have injuries.

oooooooyaaaaaaah Brilliant answer General, its about time fans worried more about the performances on the pitch rather than the colour and style of the shirt in the shop I'm always amazed how talk about shirts is always a guarantee to get a 50 page thread

You have said that before and its always intrigued me, because when he left some of us had always believed it so

Did Wenger, Raffa, Mourinho ? I think when Lerner took over he would have been more than able to persuade anyone he wanted I'd agree that O'Neills experience makes him the ideal choice for us in our recent predicament it would have been hard to find one so suited, but there are others who could have done the job and with a proven European record. Mind you as I keep saying I'm sure in time he'll answer all the questions he's so far been a wonder and he's 100% value for money, you have to love him

Neither am I, but then we don't have a need to put a differing view do we ? As to the best manager they could have ever appointed, I don't think so, he may become a great with us, but I would have found 3 at least, with better records and available too, so I'm sure Lerner's advisers would have .

So you obviously rate Strachan very highly then or have I missed another of your points ? I'd didn't say he had, although I know several fans of Celtic who would disagree with you there. I'm not saying he's not capable I am saying he's not proved he's capable. Whether that has to do with lack of ability, or not having the resources in the past I've no idea, suffice it to say, he's had several chances at Celtic and didn't manage it. Mind you what is certain is that the setup he now belongs to, if it keeps on as its started, is his golden opportunity and one he will no doubt grasp willingly.

Apart from a UEFA Cup final of course. And he's not exactly old. I'd have settled for Alex Ferguson as our boss for the last ten years. So would I, and even now with his vast experience of winning Premiership titles and European matches I wouldn't mind him in charge today. Thing is with O'Neill as good as he is, he's won very little especially in Europe, oh apart from two medals as a player which obviously must equate somewhat oh and a EUFA cup final, he lost it didn't he ? Don't know how mind but I'm sure it does

Apologists unite, O'Neill is an experienced expert on modern day European Soccer. He's played in two finals when a player and managed a club in what was/is a second rate competition. I bet Raffa, Mourinho, Wenger, Rijkaard to say nothing of Lipi, and especially Sir Alex are quaking in their boots. Its incredible to think O'Neill can be said to match their past let alone their present experience, considering their individual playing and managerial experience it really is.

I'm sorry I don't understand could you explain a little more fully please.

I have been mate and then some accuse me of edging my bets so that at the end of the season I can say I told you so I keep saying I'm well impressed, I keep saying after the Everton game I was really converted, and I said in the comment you replied to its a bit early to say how he will perform in Europe he's not had chance to even get there, with Villa, let alone perform and in a way that's where my doubts come from. Sir Alex took on newer ideas and look at the experience he had in Europe, can you see O'Neill doing the same. He may not need to, but facts are he's never experienced European football on the big scale and he's no spring chicken.

There are better choices that would fit the need priorities I'd have thought None are available as far as I know, none have contracts up for renewal and neither can effectively play as wingers or target men. None are any good as midfield players or challenging CB's, but then maybe O'Neill feels differently who knows. For me buying any of them wouldn't be a disaster but I'm sure there are other priorities.

I can relate very well to those comments Its something I'm working on but suffice it to say potentially things have never been better. O'Neill could indeed do as you say, I have no reason to believe he won't, I do have several reasons to doubt he will achieve the level of Mourinho and Ferguson, and until he proves me wrong or shows me reasons to why he will I will remain sceptical. That doesn't mean I don't like him, don't rate him, don't think he's a genius, I do, its just that in nearly 4 months at Villa he's not had much chance to prove other than what he has Which in itself has been nothing short of spectacular Trouble is this is the Premiership and the Europe of 2006/2007 not Ron Saunders time, not 1998, not the Scottish Prem, and managers with proven European experience, full of new ideas, new tactics, backed by huge funds are failing because of the difficulties. Sure O'Neill may still be capable, it would be great if he is, but I'm still to be convinced and won't be for some time yet