The, he's finally GONE! Tell us your thoughts Thread

[LatestConfirmedIn]

Taken from Football 365

http://football365.com/f365-features/7400128/New-Year-Resolutions

Aston Villa - Patience is a virtue (for now)

Abusive graffiti on local walls and protests outside the stadium made for an uneasy introduction for Alex McLeish, and his footballing 'style' is often an insult to the noun. If you asked many Villa supporters, they would have asked Father Christmas for a new manager under their tree.

But hear this: Aston Villa are no longer a top-six club, and should be sectioned with Fulham, Sunderland and Everton as the 'may do wells'. The club may have spent £24million on Darren Bent, but selling your best two midfielders negates such a purchase, and it is rare to discover a striker that does not rely on service. True, the club spent £16million in the summer (N'Zogbia, Given and Hutton) but all were replacements and, in any case, Stoke spent £18million and acquired two England internationals on free transfers. Petrov, Heskey, Dunne, Warnock, Given, Cuellar: all are aged 30 or more. McLeish has been dour but a club that has sold seven England internationals since the summer of 2009 was only going one way.

The first club of England's second city needs rebuilding. McLeish may not be the long-term answer, but to lay the blame solely at his feet is the action of a naïve man

There is nothing there that we don't already know and willingly acknowledge. But the point that is constantly missed is the desire in the squad is nil.

You can have a squad of certified journey men, no marks and cloggers but still at least give it a go. That attitude is completely devoid at VP and that rests squarely a the feet of the manager.

Playing dull, brainless, "defensive" football is one thing but to surrender before sending the side out on the pitch is something else entirely. We have witnessed such on many occasions this season provoking the question..... "What's the point?"

AM has to go. He, along with the adminstration, is ruining the club.

AM is ruining the team all on his own.

The desire in the squad is at nil due to all of our best players being sold, therefore the remaining players are now left thinking 'whats the **** point?'

[OnlyOne]

Especially when you end up with McLeish as the boss. Would any player trust his relegation tactics?

[Houlston]

The desire in the squad is at nil due to all of our best players being sold, therefore the remaining players are now left thinking 'whats the **** point?'

Because they get paid to maybe? Whether the players do or dont agree with whats going on or whos telling them what to do they should always put desire and as much effort in as possible. This is what being called a professional is.

[LatestConfirmedIn]

The desire in the squad is at nil due to all of our best players being sold, therefore the remaining players are now left thinking 'whats the **** point?'

Because they get paid to maybe? Whether the players do or dont agree with whats going on or whos telling them what to do they should always put desire and as much effort in as possible. This is what being called a professional is.

Ends up being psychological though, especially as this industry is so media driven. You can't compare footballers to other professions. Especially with it being a team game, its a natural though no matter what level you are at.

[Houlston]

The desire in the squad is at nil due to all of our best players being sold, therefore the remaining players are now left thinking 'whats the **** point?'

Because they get paid to maybe? Whether the players do or dont agree with whats going on or whos telling them what to do they should always put desire and as much effort in as possible. This is what being called a professional is.

Ends up being psychological though, especially as this industry is so media driven. You can't compare footballers to other professions. Especially with it being a team game, its a natural though no matter what level you are at.

This one gets trotted out too often and I also never compared it to other professions either. Football is part psychological, as a lot of sports are, form and quality of play can be effected but there is no excuse to not putting effort in.

[LatestConfirmedIn]

The desire in the squad is at nil due to all of our best players being sold, therefore the remaining players are now left thinking 'whats the **** point?'

Because they get paid to maybe? Whether the players do or dont agree with whats going on or whos telling them what to do they should always put desire and as much effort in as possible. This is what being called a professional is.

Ends up being psychological though, especially as this industry is so media driven. You can't compare footballers to other professions. Especially with it being a team game, its a natural though no matter what level you are at.

This one gets trotted out too often and I also never compared it to other professions either. Football is part psychological, as a lot of sports are, form and quality of play can be effected but there is no excuse to not putting effort in.

I really don't disagree with you, but to be honest I look at the players last in all of this. The board and management team have overseen this complete mess.

Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Gabby, Albrighton, Heskey and Cuellar - all players that were around when we were pushing for top 4. We really were nearly there. So imagine the deflation after putting so much effort in over 2yrs to now seeing us selling our best players and settling 10th/11th in the table.

[The_Steve]

Taken from Football 365

http://football365.com/f365-features/7400128/New-Year-Resolutions

Aston Villa - Patience is a virtue (for now)

Abusive graffiti on local walls and protests outside the stadium made for an uneasy introduction for Alex McLeish, and his footballing 'style' is often an insult to the noun. If you asked many Villa supporters, they would have asked Father Christmas for a new manager under their tree.

But hear this: Aston Villa are no longer a top-six club, and should be sectioned with Fulham, Sunderland and Everton as the 'may do wells'. The club may have spent £24million on Darren Bent, but selling your best two midfielders negates such a purchase, and it is rare to discover a striker that does not rely on service. True, the club spent £16million in the summer (N'Zogbia, Given and Hutton) but all were replacements and, in any case, Stoke spent £18million and acquired two England internationals on free transfers. Petrov, Heskey, Dunne, Warnock, Given, Cuellar: all are aged 30 or more. McLeish has been dour but a club that has sold seven England internationals since the summer of 2009 was only going one way.

The first club of England's second city needs rebuilding. McLeish may not be the long-term answer, but to lay the blame solely at his feet is the action of a naïve man

There is nothing there that we don't already know and willingly acknowledge. But the point that is constantly missed is the desire in the squad is nil.

You can have a squad of certified journey men, no marks and cloggers but still at least give it a go. That attitude is completely devoid at VP and that rests squarely a the feet of the manager.

Playing dull, brainless, "defensive" football is one thing but to surrender before sending the side out on the pitch is something else entirely. We have witnessed such on many occasions this season provoking the question..... "What's the point?"

AM has to go. He, along with the adminstration, is ruining the club.

AM is ruining the team all on his own.

Where was the desire from these players last season under Houllier? Look at the appalling attitude of Warnock, the highly documented and embarrassing off-the-field issues with Dunne and Collins. Nothing has changed. Both McLeish and Houllier have tried different approaches and yet can't get the best of a similar bunch. However, we were known for our wing play, counter attacking football, conceding late goals and from set pieces. We haven't addressed these problems because our management haven't been able to shift the bad attitudes.

Why aren't the players taking the blame partly for their inability to defend set pieces. Yes, our tactics are awful. There's nothing more depressing then seeing Collins hoof the ball over to Heskey (who in turn creates space for Gabby).

The whole squad needs a serious clear-out.

[TRO]

The desire in the squad is at nil due to all of our best players being sold, therefore the remaining players are now left thinking 'whats the **** point?'

Because they get paid to maybe? Whether the players do or dont agree with whats going on or whos telling them what to do they should always put desire and as much effort in as possible. This is what being called a professional is.

Ends up being psychological though, especially as this industry is so media driven. You can't compare footballers to other professions. Especially with it being a team game, its a natural though no matter what level you are at.

This one gets trotted out too often and I also never compared it to other professions either. Football is part psychological, as a lot of sports are, form and quality of play can be effected but there is no excuse to not putting effort in.

I really don't disagree with you, but to be honest I look at the players last in all of this. The board and management team have overseen this complete mess.

Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Gabby, Albrighton, Heskey and Cuellar - all players that were around when we were pushing for top 4. We really were nearly there. So imagine the deflation after putting so much effort in over 2yrs to now seeing us selling our best players and settling 10th/11th in the table.

we were never really there.... we had one exceptional season, where we finished 6th but spent 34 games above 6th, so in essence did poorly to finish 6th...... There was never any indication in other seasons we were likely to finish in the top four.....its a complete myth.

The football being played was simply never ever good enough to finish in the top four.

[Zatman]

The football being played was simply never ever good enough to finish in the top four.

I agree. With that style we probably would have been humiliated in CL qualifiers by a team that can keep possession like the mighty Rapid Vienna

[OnlyOne]

It wasn't just the football style. It was the players. They were simply not good enough. MON was rather good at getting average players playing above their weight, but it still wasn't enough.

[TRO]

The football being played was simply never ever good enough to finish in the top four.

I agree. With that style we probably would have been humiliated in CL qualifiers by a team that can keep possession like the mighty Rapid Vienna

spot on ....possession has been our achilles heel for years and until we address it we are going nowhere.

[keefa3011]

Are you talking about Villa or England here?

I hope the penny has dropped with Big Eck, that he's not managing a little club any more, and that we need to be on the front foot rather than dig in and hope for the best.

Encouraging signs in the last 2 games, hopefully more of the same after Chelsea away on Saturday...

[scottie_villa]

I remember in M'ON's first season we had a dreadful run at one stage, think it was 12 games without a win and we finished 11th in the end, granted we could see brighter times ahead due to a new millionaire owner but if McLeish has a run like that the pressure on him to go would be immense! We have to sit tight for this first season and see do we show signs of going in the right direction, like we did with O'Neill, it's only fair!

[NowDoINotLikeThat]

I remember in M'ON's first season we had a dreadful run at one stage, think it was 12 games without a win and we finished 11th in the end, granted we could see brighter times ahead due to a new millionaire owner but if McLeish has a run like that the pressure on him to go would be immense! We have to sit tight for this first season and see do we show signs of going in the right direction, like we did with O'Neill, it's only fair!

With all due respect it is just NOT comparable to MON first season in chrage whatsoever on any level and for so many reasons.

One reason you actually mention yourself.

Lets just hope McLeish changes / doesn't cause too much damage.

But as it stands he should never been appointed.

[Amsterdam_Neil_D]

It wasn't just the football style. It was the players. They were simply not good enough. MON was rather good at getting average players playing above their weight, but it still wasn't enough.

This says it all really, the Villa have an absolute obsession with average. Managers, players and behind the scenes. Almost quite good collectively on paper I suppose but just not quite good enough.

The MON thing does my head in also, he is regarded as a messiah but he was nothing more than a bloke who could get a Skoda to drive a little bit like Ford Focus for a very shourt time. Big wow.

How about we get quality players who can erm...you know just play ? Why make it difficult ? If the manager just has to pick tactics, formation and set pieces it's not that hard. Add the get shit to look like gold element then we are never going to get anywhere. If we are getting players to play past their natural ability all the time then things break or have individual errors or get sent off etc.....

[Zatman]

The MON thing does my head in also, he is regarded as a messiah but he was nothing more than a bloke who could get a Skoda to drive a little bit like Ford Focus for a very shourt time. Big wow.

its why he is now at that huge club Sunderland

[Amsterdam_Neil_D]

:shock: Amazing isn't it !

People think he's just the best manager going, but they really don't get it. Good job he left us a legacy that just keeps on giving minute by minute. As you say, he will be at Barca soon.

[Pelle]

No, he wasn't a Messiah but he did a damn good job for us in the league and we'd be far better off with him still here than we are now. And when he was here there was always hope that we could get somewhere. Then he threw his toys out and let us down big time. But still, he did a good job. Except for the wages he gave to average players.

[bose]

Like Pelle said I think no one thinks he's the messiah or anything. Most people just feel that he did a good job with Villa finishing 6th three times and did better than the past managers here in the last 15 years.

He wasn't fantastic and he wasn't without his faults (some extremely irritating) but for most Villa fans it was just a fun time to be a Villa fan.

[Tayls]

Wayhay, we ain't going to be 'trading' according to sky sports with quotes from AMC. Still on the old wage bill reduction project which will go on forever thanks to various people's incompetence.

Exciting time ahead for us villa fans...