Tony Xia (no longer involved with AVFC)

[sparrow1988]

1 hour ago, Hoof hearted said:

Oh dear, to quote the great Jim Jeffries, "if it looks like shit and it smells like shit... Then it probably is shit".

When did openness and honesty become such a crime? You need to remember that TX comes from a closeted, secretive culture and is suddenly able to express himself, and be listened to, on a public forum for probably the first time in his working life, give the guy a break and just enjoy the ride ffs! It's not like the FA will commission Batman to snatch him from a Singapore high-rise to answer charges of bad grammar!

 

55 minutes ago, Paddywhack said:

I don't even....what?

A reference to The Dark Knight possibly? 

Although I think that was Hong Kong.......

 

The first one I haven't a bloody clue!

[Villan_of_oz]

5 hours ago, DCJonah said:

We should have done hell of a lot more because you and Richard say so? 

What do you think they are doing? Do you not think if it was possible that they'd have done more right now? We're not an attractive club and we're clearly targeting quality that either a) need to be replaced at their current club or B) are waiting to decide wether to commit to the championship and a team like us. I'd also imagine there's hundreds of other reasons why signings have taken longer than the club would want. 

The owner has said there will be signings and we need to be patient. 

The manager has said there will be signings and we need to be patient. 

Frankly, if you choose not to be patient then that's your own foolish fault. Crying and getting worked up isn't going to change anything. Both men have done nothing to make you think that their word isn't good enough at this point. 

There really is no point arguing your point with FM16 experts ....

[One For The Road]

9 minutes ago, eddiemunster said:

I'm sorry, but would you rather have an owner who was remote like Learner?

And sorry to say this, but where is your proof to support your comments......certainly managing to divide the fans.....so divisive and spouts garbage....in broken English?

Or is it a case of you disagreeing with everything he says?

We are all entitled to an opinion on forums and in life, just remember that not everyone agrees with everyone else.

Where is my proof to support my view that he is dividing the fans and the he spouts garbage in broken English?

1. His tweets are in broken English.

2. This forum shows the division amongst fans and the fact we are having this debate is evidence of that.

3. He goes on to delete them afterwards, or somebody at the club does, proving even to him that they shouldn't have been written.

  

[Papillon]

4 minutes ago, eddiemunster said:

I'm sorry, but would you rather have an owner who was remote like Learner?

And sorry to say this, but where is your proof to support your comments......certainly managing to divide the fans.....so divisive and spouts garbage....in broken English?

Or is it a case of you disagreeing with everything he says?

We are all entitled to an opinion on forums and in life, just remember that not everyone agrees with everyone else.

In terms of personality, I would much rather have an owner like Randy Lerner. And let's not try and compare these different personalities against how to be a successful owner. Randy Lerner failed to bring Villa forward, but that has got nothing to do with the fact that he stayed in the background and never blurted our his thoughts on Twitter. His lap dog General Krulak came on here and communicated with the fans in a rather polite manner, see how that turned out in the end. Communicating directly to the fans is a dangerous game, there is a reason why very, very few leaders do it.

Do you see Levy or Abramovich spouting off crap directed at Arsene Wenger or any other person in the business? Of course not, they handle the administrative part and stay way in the background and let the footballing people handle everything else. Our new owner is not a football person and he has no experience, he should shut up until we have promoted because of his backing - then he would have something to base his outbursts on.

Everyone is entitled to have an opinion - but smart people in certain positions should know it does not always include them when it comes to social media. Clubs have PR/marketing people for this kind of thing, imagine them running around in the corridors shaking their heads right now. If let's say a social media-employee at United or Arsenal posted these exact tweets, they would have been removed from their positions immediately.

I have nothing against modern leaders exploiting modern ways to communicate with the world, be it Twitter or Instagram or whatever. In certain businesses you would be a fool to not do it, especially if you are the founder, product and face of a company. Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg - to a name a couple, but these have deserved the right to do so. As an owner he has just bought the club and he knows nothing about how to run it - and he is not an important person for this club besides his money (well, throw in a few appointments of important people of course), and it all just smells unprofessional when his English is this bad.

I just dread the day he is sitting there after a loss against Birmingham at Villa Park after throwing in a six-pack and a couple of glasses of red wine, could become very, very embarrassing for us all when he reaches his phone.

[eddiemunster]

 

13 minutes ago, One For The Road said:

Where is my proof to support my view that he is dividing the fans and the he spouts garbage in broken English?

1. His tweets are in broken English.

2. This forum shows the division amongst fans and the fact we are having this debate is evidence of that.

3. He goes on to delete them afterwards, or somebody at the club does, proving even to him that they shouldn't have been written.

  

1.I personally think his attempts to speak our language are laudible.

2.The point of a forum is to foster debates, where opposing comments and therefore opinions are made.

3. Just because the posts have been deleted,doesn't prove or disprove that they shouldn't have been written.

And as I previously said, We are all entitled to an opinion on forums and in life, just remember that not everyone agrees with everyone else.

[AJ]

59 minutes ago, Papillon said:

How far have we managed to sink?  Mr. Jiantong Xia - if you are reading (and I am sure you are actually) - stop ridiculing us and our former great club.

We relegated at the worst possible moment in the history of the Premier League and our entire squad didn't seem to care one bit, now you are slagging off a loyal servant who has not yet departed the club? Also, think what you want about pundits in general and Ian Holloway, but all of these guys have tenfold the experience and knowledge about English football and Aston Villa compared to the new owner. Respect them, and they will treat you thereafter.

Now we have a new owner and he is doing all the wrong things, we have seen it so many times before. I do not really care where our owner is from, be it Asia, North America or Arabia, but we have seen numerous examples of non-footballing (m/b)illionaires coming in and destroying clubs for the fun of it. As far as this one goes, there are already red flags in the air and we haven't even kicked a ball yet. Pathetic. This guy might be successful in Asia and in other business sectors, but it does not mean a single thing when you operate a football club in Europe.

Writing personal tweets of this character is extremely unprofessional and childish at the same time - it is something a leader should never, ever do - it will only bring him negative media attention and lead to ridicule from everyone, well, except from the few fans on here who thinks it's hilarious for some reason. This owner has not proven anything, he has accomplished nothing at Aston Villa and we face a ridiculously hard task in promoting at the first attempt from the Championship. Every team will be after us, we need a solid foundation and climate for the manager and squad to work in. Imagine this guy when results are going against us (and they will!) - he just seems incredibly irrational. Read a leadership book and look at the successful owners around Europe. Be more like the non-vocal, fully supportive ones - do not end up like the Venky's, Gillett/Hicks or the embarrassing Comolli.

He came in and said we were going to be among the three best clubs in the world, that a lot of cash would be available for signings and that he loves Villa and has supported us for a long time. Yawn! This is what every person in the world would/could say, it's just empty words which will come back and bite him in the ass. Post a picture of yourself in a Villa-kit from when you were five years old or it didn't happen, so to speak. Spread these words within the club and share your resources with the ones in charge, do not act like a little child on the internet.

I for one expected a tough challenge in the Championship before he took over, now I am pretty certain we will have an even tougher challenge because of this owner who has decided to interfere and embarrass the club before our first game has even been played. Less talk and more action, keep yourself out of social media when it comes to AVFC please. Furthermore, if you insist on continuing, at least freshen up your English and/or hire a PA to do the job for you - reading nonsense is even more cringe-worthy when it is seemingly written by a child.

[TheStagMan]

48 minutes ago, Papillon said:

 

Quote

stop ridiculing us and our former great club.

When has he ridiculed us?? You being embarrassed about something he has done does not equate to him ridiculing us.

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now you are slagging off a loyal servant who has not yet departed the club?

I'm sure he knows more about the situation than you do.

Quote

think what you want about pundits in general and Ian Holloway, but all of these guys have tenfold the experience and knowledge about English football and Aston Villa compared to the new owner. Respect them, and they will treat you thereafter.

Respect IAN HOLLOWAY???????  ARE YOU MAD???????????????????????????????

And, no, they won't treat us with respect, pundits never do - all of them have their own agenda.

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there are already red flags in the air and we haven't even kicked a ball yet. Pathetic

Really, what red flags??? All I see are red flags raised by people that want to have a reason to moan about something. Show me proof of any wrongdoing, and show me something to back up the concerns that have caused these red flags..... and explain why it is pathetic????? Or are there red flags just because he is Chinese (see what I did there????)

Quote

Writing personal tweets of this character is extremely unprofessional and childish at the same time - it is something a leader should never, ever do - it will only bring him negative media attention and lead to ridicule from everyone,

This I agree with. I do think he is tweeting too much. I'm sure though this will die down.

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owner has not proven anything, he has accomplished nothing at Aston Villa

In 5-6 weeks he has appointed a pretty good management and back room staff, got in three new players, started to get rid of those that we don't want, opened an academy in India and generally started the turn-around of five years of shit.

I would not say he has accomplished nothing at Villa. He has a long long way to go, but I think he has made a good start. For me, the next month will be telling.

Quote

this owner who has decided to interfere and embarrass the club before our first game has even been played. Less talk and more action, keep yourself out of social media when it comes to AVFC please. Furthermore, if you insist on continuing, at least freshen up your English and/or hire a PA to do the job for you - reading nonsense is even more cringe-worthy when it is seemingly written by a child.

He has every right to do what he likes with and in relation to HIS football club. If you cringe at someone writing in their second language then you have the problem, not him - go and learn Chinese and then you can read the tweets he has written in his own language and then you can judge him.

 

[One For The Road]

12 minutes ago, eddiemunster said:

 

1.I personally think his attempts to speak our language are laudible.

2.The point of a forum is to foster debates, where opposing comments and therefore opinions are made.

3. Just because the posts have been deleted,doesn't prove or disprove that they shouldn't have been written.

And as I previously said, We are all entitled to an opinion on forums and in life, just remember that not everyone agrees with everyone else. 

You have quoted ME to tell me that not everyone agrees with everyone else. I am fully aware of that fact.

The fact he or someone else has deleted those tweets absolutely does prove that he or the club feel they shouldn't have been written.  That is plainly obvious.

 

I think he IS divisive. You don't. Which proves I am right.

Edited August 2, 2016 by One For The Road

[Rob182]

I didn't have a problem with his Holloway tweet, other than the swearword which he covered with asterixes. The only reason that bothered me is because it's unprofessional, but everything else about calling him a failed player and manager - so what. He's not the first outspoken owner/manager and won't be the last.

[Papillon]

26 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Ironically, dividing fans by sticking up for the club we are all supposed to support..pretty silly to me.

Sticking up for the club because a random pundit put us in the lower part of the table in his predictions? I would call that extremely irrational, as far as possible from sensible as it comes. The season has not even started yet. RDM and the team should answer Holloway on the pitch, our owner should stay in the background and take a few English courses before Christmas hits us.

If the leader of my company started to spout of crap online I would be embarrassed, but luckily he is smart and does not have a Twitter-account. Is this guy going to comment on every mistake from the referee and penalty-decision going forward? Could soon become quite tedious if you ask me.

 

[BOF]

I'm enjoying the false dichotomy being created by those who think the only possible alternative to a completely anonymous owner like Lerner is an overly-verbose overly-opinionated borderline unprofessional one in Xia   The wonderfully binary world of online discussion.

[PieFacE]

31 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

No, he's certainly managed to divide some impatient fans who made their mind up early. I think some would have moaned about things regardless of his approach. 

It's got nothing to do with being impatient. I can dislike how he's handling being the owner of this football club as much as I like without my patience coming into it. 

Just because Lerner was a mute, it doesn't mean Xia gets a free pass every time he speaks. He's representing Aston Villa and it's embarrassing. 

[Richard]

56 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

I've got no issue with the tweets per se. 

I do have an issue with him deleting them though. It looks weak. Not to others, I couldn't give a **** what fans of other clubs think, but to me. 

Stand by your convictions. 

It's a loose comparison but when I 'ran' the Twitter account for the protest group there were a few occasions where we came under scrutiny for something I/we said on there. When I say few, I mean daily! It's not in the same ballpark I know, but you must have the wherewithal and the self control to think, then tweet, then stand by that tweet. Particularly when you are representing others. I don't think I had to delete a single tweet, except for spelling errors!

He's clearly a very passionate man and I like that and I respect it, but I think at this stage somebody needs to have a word. 

Precisely why I said I dont know whats worse! Agree with your post.

[eddiemunster]

2 minutes ago, One For The Road said:

You have quoted ME to tell me that not everyone agrees with everyone else. I am fully aware of that fact.

Please, If you are going to quote me, please do not add to my quotes;

"The fact he has deleted his tweets proves that HE or the CLUB feel they shoukdnt have been written. That's obvious." 

[One For The Road]

2 minutes ago, eddiemunster said:

Please, If you are going to quote me, please do not add to my quotes;

"The fact he has deleted his tweets proves that HE or the CLUB feel they shoukdnt have been written. That's obvious." 

Sorry?

EDIT. I see now. Ill edit it.

Edited August 2, 2016 by One For The Road

[BG_Villa_Fan]

7 minutes ago, BOF said:

I'm enjoying the false dichotomy being created by those who think the only possible alternative to a completely anonymous owner like Lerner is an overly-verbose overly-opinionated borderline unprofessional one in Xia   The wonderfully binary world of online discussion.

Political correctness eh?  I can only imagine the Let's laugh at ... thread if it was another owner tweeting these things. 

He's more embarassing than Krulak ever got. 

Edited August 2, 2016 by BG_Villa_Fan

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

5 minutes ago, Papillon said:

I would call that extremely irrational, as far as possible from sensible as it comes.

You mean like how fans react?

[Papillon]

7 minutes ago, TheStagMan said:

When has he ridiculed us?? You being embarrassed about something he has done does not equate to him ridiculing us.

I'm sure he knows more about the situation than you do.

Respect IAN HOLLOWAY???????  ARE YOU MAD???????????????????????????????

And, no, they won't treat us with respect, pundits never do - all of them have their own agenda.

Really, what red flags??? All I see are red flags raised by people that want to have a reason to moan about something. Show me proof of any wrongdoing, and show me something to back up the concerns that have caused these red flags..... and explain why it is pathetic????? Or are there red flags just because he is Chinese (see what I did there????)

This I agree with. I do think he is tweeting too much. I'm sure though this will die down.

In 5-6 weeks he has appointed a pretty good management and back room staff, got in three new players, started to get rid of those that we don't want, opened an academy in India and generally started the turn-around of five years of shit.

I would not say he has accomplished nothing at Villa. He has a long long way to go, but I think he has made a good start. For me, the next month will be telling.

He has every right to do what he likes with and in relation to HIS football club. If you cringe at someone writing in their second language then you have the problem, not him - go and learn Chinese and then you can read the tweets he has written in his own language and then you can judge him.

 

All I can do is compare him to similar characters of the past who have come in and acquired clubs in England. It seldom ends well for people who puts themselves in front of the club, it usually goes better for the ones who appoints people and let them do their job. We have social media-employees at the club, let them take care of the communication - keep it objective and general - there is a reason why everyone else does it like that. Everything he says will be put under huge scrutiny, the smallest outburst can turn into a show under the wrong circumstances. He has been here a couple of months, he has accomplished nothing and we have not yet started the season, let's evaluate in a year.

Everyone in the world has the right to do whatever they feel is best, does not mean that certain actions are clever at all and there are consequences. Leaders of organizations and owners of football clubs have little or nothing to gain in writing irrational, personal comments/attacks on Twitter. I don't care about where he is from and your comeback makes no sense at all. Aston Villa is an English football club and most of our fans are English, at least get someone to proof his messages or press F7 to do a bloody spell-check - sounding like a five year old is never a good thing when you are a grown man who has even been to the UK for studies! English is also my second language. Learn Chinese? Makes no sense compared to my original post at all, but I can tell you one thing, if I suddenly controlled a Chinese company I would sure as hell let someone else translate my messages on Twitter so I avoid sounding like a fool 

[Papillon]

9 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

You mean like how fans react?

Exactly. We are fans on an online forum, we are "allowed" to burst out crap because we carry an opinion and almost nobody cares in the big world - we are not employees in AVFC the company. We can also talk crap between ourselves regarding political issues and who's banging who. Nobody cares except the people who reads your post or listen to you. If you are the owner of a football club or a politician, a famous person or have any official links to something important, the scenario is totally different and it goes without saying. Careers are brought down pretty fast when important people cross that line. When things turn sour, our owner will be under a lot of scrutiny from everyone including the fans - bad tweets will come back to haunt him and I suspect he will stay trigger-happy when certain individuals "attack" him on Twitter in the future. If so happens, it can only go one way and that is white handkerchiefs. 

That being said, Donald Trump has a 50% chance of becoming the most important person in the world - so I should probably rest my case.

[mjmooney]

I keep seeing this question "Would you rather have an owner who is remote and doesn't communicate with the fans?" Nobody seems to answer it. So I will. 

Yes. Yes, that is exactly what I want. His job is to communicate with the manager and the board. Not the fans, not the players, not the press, not the social media circus. 

This is an entirely separate issue from the current level of transfer activity, BTW. 

Edited August 2, 2016 by mjmooney