steaknchips

Or he's already made a decision. If GH is fit enough to stay he'll stay and that's what Randy wants, no matter what you might think of that decision. . OK fair enough. Thats probably the long short of it. IMO thats the wrong move - we could be manager hunting in Jan - where as if we do the deed now there are some very good managers available - I doub't Randy will get such a wide choice ever again. If this goes wrong next season Randy and his board have to take the blame. Randy has to take the blame no matter which thing he does..If he shows Houllier the door then gets Ancelotti on 3m a year and it all goes tits up(basically because Ancelotti has never developed or re-build a squad)then you will have all those that back this current system getting on Lerners back..."Why did you change a formula that was moving forward etc"... I understand why Lermner is taking the stance he is..Houllier has come into a job where we had NOTHING..No scouts, no coaching staff(or very little),no fitness training, the players were suffering fatigue and injury, the players were spoilt,angry at MON departing or K'Mac not getting the job..Blimey this guy had it all to do and it takes time..Yet we have coaching staff now, we have scouts, we have fitness training..We have developement and players targeted to come in,players targeted to be removed etc.. Some of sit around thinking changing a manger is like changing a pair of socks..

Alot of ifs and buts. I can just as easily say 'what if Houlliers replacement is shit and the fans turn on him'? Sack him and get somebody else in? We need a bit of continuity after the start we had to last season. Installing a revolving door at Bodymoor is not the answer im afraid. Well said :winkold: Yep, well said. Hence why it's not a good idea to stick with a manager that could leave us at any given moment, leading to another rushed appointment and beginning the entire saga all over again. Not neccessarily... Gerard Houllier can clean up and re-build the squad over the summer. He can lay down the right training methods over pre-season. The coaching/fitness and training team is in place, Houllier, G'Mac, Cowans and Duverne..The players now understand them and a connection has come about.. From the days of larking about in training, to no mobiles and taking it more seriously putting more effort in..Stability is taking place and even if Houllier has to take a back seat from working the touchline in the future, it dosnt mean we have to change the whole set up..This coaching team can still stay in place. Houllier is a coach of coaches..He has helped train coaching staff in France. He will help G'Mac and Cowans..And if he does take the back step from the touchline, G'Mac will be in a possition to step in. Without it effecting the roots that growing and that were planted by this set up..There is alot more required in management than just working the touchline on a matchday..Houllier is very useful in the administration and scouting,developement,youth set up, signings, negotiations etc too..He will already "now" as we speak have player targets ready to be negotiated. No chance do alot of fans want all that thrown away..Alot of us want it to continue. The team are at 100% Fitness for a reason..We are also now passing it around and working the oppossition..At times Yesterday we were passing the ball around and making Liverpool look ordinary. We are getting better. And there is no need to throw all this work away..No need for manager polls on this site..We have a management team and its starting to show effect on the squad...YES its took time but we are moving forward.

Alot of ifs and buts. I can just as easily say 'what if Houlliers replacement is shit and the fans turn on him'? Sack him and get somebody else in? We need a bit of continuity after the start we had to last season. Installing a revolving door at Bodymoor is not the answer im afraid. Well said :winkold:

Why upset the applecart at Villa? A connection has been built now between players and coaching/managing staff..The players understand the training thats required,stability is now getting established..Yet you want to undo all that and throw another spanner in the works? Why? Its taken us this seaon to get in the back room staff and everyone used to each other, the results and team spirit are now returning.. Let sleeping dogs lie...Let the work now continue.. Why are you assuming the grass is greener on the other side?

You clearly weren't one of the 1800 Aston Villa fans stood at Anfield freezing our bollocks of watching the manager of the club we love lord it in front of the Kop whilst totally ignoring the supporters of the club he managed, supporters who'd out sang his beloved Kop whilst being served up gutless tripe in a 3-0 defeat. It was the most disrespectful act I have seen from an Aston Villa manager in over 30 years supporting this great club. I was asking the question, not saying what is/isn't disrespectful. That was quite bad, a mistake, although I'd say walking out 5 days before the season is worse personally. I think that leaves you in a helluva lot more shit than not waving at an away crowd... Houllier explained and appologised...If you understand his character its not hard to understand..There was no malice intended towards Villa fans from him and there never has been..He is one guy thats trying to get liked by us but we wont offer him an inch..We are nasty bunch at times and we hate boy do we hate!

We'll have to agree to disagree then. Just one last thing, Steven Gerrard apart, did you look at Liverpool's bench today? Heard of many of their players? Resources to play potentially and extra 19 games a season in a fairly meaningless competition that doesn't really get a great deal of exposure compared to the Champs league? You say listening to Lucas in midweek, I say listen to Kenny today, not bothered, "we'll all come back after a break etc". Liverpool hardly bust a gut today, it was a typical end of season affair and I am most pleased that we won. A great end to the season, yet for some reason you think I am knocking the fact that we won. As for Arsenal, perhaps I'm not expressing my point too well. I am saying that Arsenal were not in great form going into the Villa game, despite their recent win against Man Utd, they were understrength and we took full advantage. Great result. They may well have wanted to bounce back and finish the season well, but my point stands, it was a decent time to play them because they are understrength and not in great form, particularly at home, where they have dropped more points this season than any other in the Premier League. I am not belittling the win in any way, I am simply stating that it was a decent time to play them. Not a silly presumption or complete rubbish etc it's a fact. Nothing like trying to lessen your teams value for the win eh? Are you a Villa fan?

Full story; http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6945755,00.html

Whats with all the new manager threads and polls? We have a manager.

Yes. Houllier has done nothing special in regards to helping our young players progress. It's just another myth repeatedly mentioned by the houllier fan club. Special? Is that the key word in your post? Who mentions special? Im just glad we have a manger that recognises the youth and gives them a chance. Which allows them to progress through the club. He hasnt done anything "special" its just he has "done something" and the kids have progressed at a fast rate thios season,wouldnt you consider Clark and Albrighton nearon Premiership ready now?...Would Benitez do the same? Would Ancelotti?

I would accept Houllier as he is now, not under conditions and in this poll he is the 2nd fav after Moyes. So im not alone in thinking that he will be good in the long term for our club. How many other managers would have come in and started the cleaning up/building straight away? Make no mistakes, Duverne was a top appointment from Houllier, I was speaking to a many Lyon fans about him and ALL their modern day success has came with Duverne as fitness coach..They are sad to see him go and only this season Lyon have now started to drop off the pace. Key question; Can we keep Duverne at the club if Houllier goes? Will the kids still progress at a fast rate if Houllier goes? Can we attract good players to the club like Bent/Makoun if Houllier goes?

Houllier to stay(if well enough)is by far the best option for the club. You can see some of the work he has done starting to pay off.. Most notably his appointment od Duverne as fitness coach..His work is now paying off and the team are all match fit and looking better than ever on the fitness side. Will Duverne stay if Houllier goes? I also like to point out that our future players alongside our better players have also been good under Houllier. Players like Downing,Reo Coker, Albrighton, Bent, Walker(possible signing?) and most our younger players have looked good this season. Then theres his signings in Jan, all have looked ok and have shown promising signs for next season. I think the last thing we need now is another upheaval and big change..So unless its forced by health reasons, I think we should stay with the devil we know for now..

Because quite a few of us realise that without Pako Ayestarán he has been an absolutely dreadful manager. Ayesrarán was credited with being the tactical genius and the coach the players looked up to, he was an integral part of Benitez' success. They fell out at Liverpool and Ayestarán left. Apparently towards the end, Benitez tried to get him back but was rebuffed. But the over riding thing is that Benitez without Ayestarán is not a patch on the Benitez with him. Every single bit of success Benitez has had, has been with Ayestarán at his side. Since he left, he's been appalling quite frankly. Are the board aware of this?

Getting top 6 isnt that difficult..Look how Liverpool shot up the league with just a couple of changes..Its not that difficult to be better than Bolton,Fulham and Stoke etc..So dont worry about all this "re-establishing" ourselves.. Even after the dreadful seaon we have had we still managed to climb the table with a couple of decent results, this is a season with 4 differant managers and worst injury crisis ive ever known. Not to mention the press having a field day at trying to rip us appart. Top 4 should be our aim next season..We should be looking to compete with Liverpool,Spurs and Arsenal for that final spot..(I would think Man City,Chelsea,Man United would take the top 3 and we couldnt match their financial muscle).. Getting the RIGHT manager could easily achive this, we have seen Spurs and Liverpool climb the table in a short space of time without spending much more than Lerner has dished out..

Santa Cruz was only 3.5million - hardly expensive Wright Phillips - sold to chelsea for 21 million and then biguth back for 8.5 million. Not bad if you ask me. wayne Bridge - 10million for Englands 2nd best left back at the time Lescott.....no comment :winkold: but don't forgot signings like GTevez, Kompany adn de Jong who have been superb! I still never rated him as a "great" manager..To me he is your run of mill Prem manager..He wont take us down, he wont take us into the top 4...He may give us a good cup run and challenge the top 6..We should be looking to get a better manager that has good scouting,developing,building skills. Houllier would have been ideal for the summer and next season but his nfuture with us looks pretty unlikely..We need to go all o0ut and get one of; Moyes or Rijkaard..I feel both would add a bit more than Hughes.

Hughes was not great at Man City...His signings are pretty poor..Is he a special one that can take Villa forward,or just your run of mill stop gap to keep us "the best of the rest"? Lescott Bridge SWP Santa Cruz All very expensive signings yet give very little..A dose of the MON's maybe??

Ancelotti will be no good for us. He has never or very rarely brought any youth players through. He works with sides that are already built. Or signs players that require wages out of our league. Where has he proved himself with a club like Villa? If Houllier goes, the top choice would have to be Rijkaard..He is another manager than has proven he can build.

I agree with this. Also if you watch him play he is finding space off the ball to make himself available for the pass. He is confident in possession and has shown signed to open teams up with his passing. I think mhe will be our best midfielder next season and alot of the play will go through him.

He isnt good enough. We should go with Reo Coker,Makoun and we need to sign a decent attacking midfield player. Maybe use Delph as a squad player and see if he can improve. But he is nothing on Makoun for movement,vision,passing and looking for the ball.

Hi General, Can I just say, that there are loads of fans that can see the good work Houllier has done at the club. The introduction of a scouts, training/fitness programs, giving many youngsters a taste of 1st team football, changing the style to a more modern approach, etc etc.. Its just we dont moan and we see the bigger picture and have patience to understand that sometimes good things take a little time to develope. Please give Gerard my regards and hope he gets well and can continue the great work of re-building the club.

What makes you think Houller is the man to get these players??. Your off your head if you think he'll get these players, and even more mad if you think he'll get us near the top 8 never mind the top **** 4. He's a useles manager that had his time with Liverpool years ago. I think he is highly reguarded by many world class players both at home and on the continent. He has had massive influences on the type of calibre player's careers that end up playing at top clubs. Players like Toulalan, Malouda, Benzema, Gerrard are just a few that have graced the big stage that he had big influences on.. Words are that there are another batch of class players behind all these that Houllier is well aware of and has the pull to sign. Maybe M'Vila, M'Bengue etc? I dont know. Only a couple a days ago we have McAllister getting all excited in the press saying that big things are going to happen and there's people/players we want to bring in. Houllier has moved on since Liverpool and Lyon, does he not get the inside info at the French Football Federation about raising talents? Isnt/wasny he something to do with Clairfontane? I would hate to throw away a huge opportunity for Villa to reach the big time. Fair enough, if this is what you think. But there is know way GH with get the players like the ones you say above, all of them players are going to a club that can always offer champs league football, it won't happen here. He got Makoun.

What makes you think Houller is the man to get these players??. Your off your head if you think he'll get these players, and even more mad if you think he'll get us near the top 8 never mind the top **** 4. He's a useles manager that had his time with Liverpool years ago. I think he is highly reguarded by many world class players both at home and on the continent. He has had massive influences on the type of calibre player's careers that end up playing at top clubs. Players like Toulalan, Malouda, Benzema, Gerrard are just a few that have graced the big stage that he had big influences on.. Words are that there are another batch of class players behind all these that Houllier is well aware of and has the pull to sign. Maybe M'Vila, M'Bengue etc? I dont know. Only a couple a days ago we have McAllister getting all excited in the press saying that big things are going to happen and there's people/players we want to bring in. Houllier has moved on since Liverpool and Lyon, does he not get the inside info at the French Football Federation about raising talents? Isnt/wasny he something to do with Clairfontane? I would hate to throw away a huge opportunity for Villa to reach the big time. Jam tommorow mate. the £24m spent on bent looks a good investment. - but thats about it. Houllier weakness at Liverpool was his transfer dealings - and willingness to throw massive amounts of money on french youth players - where are they now ? I again agree with you...However would you not think Houllier's weakness in that area has been some-what improved since his Liverpool days? Houllier since Liverpool has worked very closely with some of France's raising talents,where this wasnt the case when he was Liverpool manager. Houllier could maybe know the next Essien, Henry, Evra etc that are coming through the ranks in France, more so that he did in his Liverpool days?

What makes you think Houller is the man to get these players??. Your off your head if you think he'll get these players, and even more mad if you think he'll get us near the top 8 never mind the top **** 4. He's a useles manager that had his time with Liverpool years ago. I think he is highly reguarded by many world class players both at home and on the continent. He has had massive influences on the type of calibre player's careers that end up playing at top clubs. Players like Toulalan, Malouda, Benzema, Gerrard are just a few that have graced the big stage that he had big influences on.. Words are that there are another batch of class players behind all these that Houllier is well aware of and has the pull to sign. Maybe M'Vila, M'Bengue etc? I dont know. Only a couple a days ago we have McAllister getting all excited in the press saying that big things are going to happen and there's people/players we want to bring in. Houllier has moved on since Liverpool and Lyon, does he not get the inside info at the French Football Federation about raising talents? Isnt/wasny he something to do with Clairfontane? I would hate to throw away a huge opportunity for Villa to reach the big time.

What class player (for example) on the continent is gonna want to sign for Moyes at a mid-table club? He may be a respected name in Britain but overseas he would be just another British manager trying to reach the big time. We need a big named manager that can attract and work with the type of players that can take us to the next level. Moyes,Hughes,Coyle,Lambert they will be no different to MON and end up just signing the likes of the Wayne Bridges and Scott Parkers of this world. Houllier is the man to take us forward, he has the connections and the name to attract the calibre of player required to get into the top 4.

How unsettling will it be to have yet ANOTHER manager come in? Makoun? Will he be a part of any new manager's plans? And what about the youngsters, Albrighton,Clark,Bannan and Delph they all know they have big parts to play under Houllier, will that be the case under a new guy? We all had visions of the squad being cleaned out from its deadwood etc and rebuilt over the summer, same conditions under the new guy?

Dont rate Hughes at all, did he sign Wayne Bridge for mega bucks? Owen Coyle, again he isnt good enough for where we want to be as of yet. Which player signings could he attract? We need a manager that can help push us into the top 4, I would say Moyes is that man. He has had Everton knocking the top 4 door now for a while, yet never seems to have the backing finacialy. At Villa he would get more backing than Everton and would have a better chance of breaking into the top 4 with us, than with Everton.