markavfc40 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 2 minutes ago, MikeMcKenna said: Is the protest still on Mark? Yes. Most definitely. Further info has gone in the thread today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 15 hours ago, Danwichmann said: What I understood from your post was that things were so much better at Villa before and could only have gone so catastrophically wrong under Lerner. If this was not your point, I apologise. My point is that we were heading the same way before Lerner came in. I've no doubt that was Ellis still here, we would have been relegated long before now, without the reprieve of the O'Neill years having bought us more time. The fact that so many other big clubs have **** up shows it isn't that easy to keep any club in the Premier League, even one the size of Aston Villa. We were heading in the same direction but it didn't happen. Because even someone as terrible as Doug in his last few years could still see us survive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 13 hours ago, HanoiVillan said: But it does have something to do with us. That's the point. Look, obviously it depends on when you start counting. If you imagine we're in 2008 for example, you can definitely say 'we should be able to survive this year'. But we weren't in 2008, we were in 2015. At the start of this season, there were 7 or 8 teams with far bigger revenues and turnovers than ourselves that really would have been ridiculous if they'd gone down. If Chelsea had been relegated, that really would have been a story. But we were in a group of around a dozen similarly-sized clubs, of which a quarter would get relegated. That's a high ratio! Now, you could say, well, we had slightly higher revenues than some of those clubs, and we're much bigger than Bournemouth by any metric I can think of, but the stark reality is we have much more in common with Norwich or Sunderland than we do with Liverpool or Spurs. The point that @Danwichmann is making with regard to the number of similarly-sized clubs to ourselves that have gone down is that does, in fact, suggest that it 'changes the fact [sic] that teams like us and them should be able to survive each year'. 15% of teams in the league are relegated each year. Logically and statistically, 'never be relegated' is an impossible feat to achieve if 'every year, forever' is the timescale to achieve it in. So the next question is how did we get here from 2008. And any remaining Lerner fans have to accept that massive mismanagement of the club on his part has led us to this situation. But Lerner critics also have to admit that FFP simply is one of the main reasons why we are where we are, and need to accept that Lerner opposed FFP and voted against it. To say FFP is the main reason we aren't a top 6 side anymore would be fair. But to say it's one of the main reasons that we're being relegated bottom of the league and one of the worst teams in history is just so wrong IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 9 minutes ago, DCJonah said: To say FFP is the main reason we aren't a top 6 side anymore would be fair. But to say it's one of the main reasons that we're being relegated bottom of the league and one of the worst teams in history is just so wrong IMO. It's not why we're bottom of the league getting relegated, but it is a large part of the reason why we're in a group of a dozen similar-sized clubs of whom 25% get relegated each year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Quote Stan Collymore: 'Senior Aston Villa players are taking the p***' 10:00, 31 MAR 2016 UPDATED 10:00, 31 MAR 2016 BY STEVE WOLLASTON Former Villa striker slams the players at the club Former Aston Villa striker turned broadcaster Stan Collymore. Never one to stay quiet on all things Aston Villa, Stan Collymore has written a lengthy opinion article on Twitter giving his thoughts on everything happening at the club. The former Villa player and current talkSPORT presenter spoke out in very honest fashion about the state of the club and how he believes he can help at the club. This is Stan's article in full.... "After recent events at Villa Park where the club finally made some positive changes to move the club on from the frankly feckless Tom Fox, Henrick Almstadt and increasingly forlorn Remi Garde, i though it was time to let Villa fans ( the ones who listen rather than make things up or snipe on social media, and who are as far outside the tent as its possible to be), to give some considered thoughts on the situation, bearing in mind i'm quite happy with the general knowledge of what's going on at our club presently. Aston Villa Owner Randy Lerner, "Mr Lerner wants to sell, nothing new there, but it is my firm belief that there may be at least one interested party who is monitoring developments at the club, and an educated guess would be, are waiting for the selling price to drop to bargain levels before securing a purchase. "This should be worrying to Villa fans as the lower the price gets, the chances of a cash rich billionaire decreases, and the possibility of a rogue buyer, with little real cash of their own comes to the table, so be warned. "It may be better the devil we know for the next couple of years, and like Mike Ashley at Newcastle United, have a situation where Mr Lerner, with the right people in charge , gets the club back to the Premier League, finds his "love" for Villa is stronger than present and he gets his 300 million back in installments by having a solvent, cash rich Premier League club on his hands once again. Not ideal, but preferable with no one out there with serious amounts of cash. We've had one rookie owner mess things up, another would see us off. "Most know i set out some points at the tail end of last year, many have already been implemented from admin level sackings, to appointing Villa people in and around the club. "Not for romanticism, although the club does need a lift, but because these people care deeply about the club and want to be around to rebuild trust between the most important people, the supporters, the players and move us all forward. So i'm delighted that these comments and posts have largely turned into reality, especially the appointment of Brian Little on an advisory basis. "As for the appointments thus far... "Adrian Bevington. Not sure what he wants to be in football, as he's advised recently at Forest and Watford, so until i see his hand, and whether that hand shows a man who wants, for example to be a Chief executive or Chairman of a club, its unwise to comment, save for he is actually an industry professional of some note. "Mr Hollis. Obviously knows little about the sport but seems keen to build bridges and start a process, hopefully independent of Mr Lerner interference, of getting the right people in the right places. A welcome change from the lack of leadership at the club of late. Brian Little "Dave Bernstein. Another football man of note, there to make sure the inner workings of the club are streamlined and very much the football industry voice of Hollis. I do have reservations of a future Bevington/Bernstein axis at the club though, i believe there to be people more Midlands based, more Villa specific who could, after a spell of stability fill those roles with ease. "Brian Little. One of my choices to be on a sporting board which i still hope has a place at VP/BH. A calm, caring, sensible Villa man who watches closely, is always calm and who has a ruthless steak which the club currently needs. "I'd be more inclined in the coming months and seasons to elevate Brian beyond an advisory role and give him real teeth at the club, something that concerns me with a number of 'bigger fish' now above him. A Director of football strategy or permanent board role is the very minimum i'd expect to see Brian have in coming months and years. "Mervyn King. Track record in finance is second to none, so i'd expect a Villa fan of 50 years to not look at merely cost cutting, job streamlining and cuts, but a prudent, sturdy plan to see Villa through the financial pain of relegation whilst balancing the books, making us ready as and when to come back into the league stronger. Not a football man by any means but although in his late 60's, i'd fully expect him to have the club off field structure in its best shape since Doug knew the price of every toilet roll coming into Villa Park. We can all sleep easier with King involved balancing the books. "So those are a few thoughts on the board, now the important bit. "The playing staff. "Clubs go one of two ways when it comes to moving forward in a summer window, revolution or modest additions. "Revolution has to happen, but unless it is underpinned by an in depth knowledge of the player profile we need at the club, i fear whoever comes in will either give the 50th chance to players who didn't deserve a second, or be unprepared when it comes to having a team that is offering up players, profiles and contacts now to help us move forward. "We don't have that at the moment, as we have no manager ( Moyes/Pearson both want assurances of the ownership position), and it is why i am meeting Brian Little next week for a chat to offer him some ideas. I like straight talking and Brian asked me for a chat, aso i will give ideas about the club, like i did Tom Fox, most or all of which are being implemented or are in the process of being implemented. Stan Collymore "I know many Villa fans do not like me, that's fine, and i understand that they feel in 1997 i let them down on the pitch. The figures don't lie, i did, but don't confuse a 20 something playing poorly, making poor life decisions on occasions with not caring about a club i've supported since 6. I want us to do well and i have the brain, the contacts, the passion and drive to assist in many ways. And if Villa fans don't think i have, then why are many of my suggestions now in effect only 6 months after making them? "I told Fox that i would go anywhere and do anything to procure talent ahead of the competition, and that the reality abroad where AVFC is concerned, in Africa, Asia and many Premier League watching nations are concerned, ask them to name several Aston Villa former players, Dwight Yorke will pop up, and so will I. May be an unpalatable truth but its a truth nonetheless, so why not utilise it to the benefit of the club and get as many people with a Villa profile to do what Les Ferdinand did for QPR when they were chasing the 2 Swindon boys ( who we wanted too). with the QPR blazer on, a Premier League "name", he schmoozed them, and convinced them that QPR was the right club. "Paul Stretford did the same when procuring a young lad named Rooney to his stable, he got a Liverpool legend, Kenny Dalglish round to the kid's house and the lad signed up with the agency. I don't pretend to have the gravitas of a Kenny Dalgish but trust me, when i call clubs, agents, managers and players, they take the call, all of them, so maybe it's time to use that to the benefit of AVFC? Other clubs do. "The playing staff is weak and need a massive overhaul. "Players are commuting from abroad to Birmingham. "Senior players are taking the p***, running the dressing room and working to their own rules. "Young, very good talent is being poisoned by some of the seniors to the extent that one or two are copying the behaviour of their more illustrious elders. "If we are being honest, there are maximum a handful of players we should retain moving forward, but we may not be able to shift them on because.. Stan Collymore with Aston Villa manager John Gregory "1. Contracts given out are too long and too costly to pay up. "2. Little or no resale value on much of the staff "3. Not many sides completely get rid of everyone, start again and compete with the disruption in the worlds toughest league. "So we need people at Bodymoor to cajole, eek out, b******, cuddle and who knows every trick in the book. "I was a model pro and i was poor pro at times. Mostly the former, but sometimes the latter. That is the truth. So nobody, nobody at that club knows better what it takes to get out of the Championship, to then compete in the Premier League, but also see the warning signs in the collective and individuals when laurels start to become rested on. "I want to play my part, and like the vast majority of my working life, i 'm happy to put my money where my mouth is and help, not stand idly by while others drift in and out,not really caring about the club, only a payday or a brief chance of advancement. I live in the Midlands, i'm visible in the Midlands, so the criticism matters. I can't just walk away . "I'm afraid the cull needs to start with Gabby, our captain. He;s simply been at the club too long now, was rewarded with a new contract at at time of little productivity, and he needs a new challenge, and i'd be more than happy to tell him face to face, shake his hand and come to an agreement where he can see out the remainder of his career with a new challenge. "I would pull Jack to the side and tell him if he wants to make it, stay out of the worlds biggest village Birmingham, put his 40k a week in a bank, buy a modest house a modest car, and only come off the training ground and pitch, and into the city nightlife when his performances match the wage that he currently isn't earning, fit or not. "Most of the Francophones i'd look to sell, none bar Amavi and perhaps Veretout could hack a Championship season, and Gana should be used as an asset to bring one or two Championship, British Isles based players in. "Micah and Joleon also would be surplus to requirements, great pros and great careers elsewhere but too many seniors with too much to say are creating a difficult environment for the younger players and indeed new recruits to not only survive but thrive moving forward. "Looking forward to coffee with Brian next week, in the spirit of openness i'll give him my thoughts, honesty and in the hope every little helps. "Up The Villa." Stans Right Here with a lot of that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 I see Stan taking credit for the revamp of the club. man is in love with himself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders0223 Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) Quote in Africa, Asia and many Premier League watching nations are concerned, ask them to name several Aston Villa former players, Dwight Yorke will pop up, and so will I. No you wouldn't. Quote but trust me, when i call clubs, agents, managers and players, they take the call, all of them, so maybe it's time to use that to the benefit of AVFC? Other clubs do. **** me, it's Joe Kinnear. Edited March 31, 2016 by rodders0223 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a m ole Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) some good points littered with self-aggrandising bollocks. Edited March 31, 2016 by a m ole 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 19 minutes ago, a m ole said: some good points littered with self-aggrandising bollocks. Forget the parts he refers to himself, the points he makes about the running of the club, the players and the people brought in cant argue with much of it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choffer Posted March 31, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted March 31, 2016 From anyone else, much of that sounds like sense. From Stan, it all comes across as self-publicity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest av1 Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 39 minutes ago, a m ole said: some good points littered with self-aggrandising bollocks. I completely agree. What i would say though, with more and more stories regarding the attitude of our players appearing on social media, and in the written press, i think the club must be looking at every available option to remove these players from the squad. Now thats going to mean payoffs off course but i don't see any other option, the club need everyone pulling in the same direction and if bums like Gabby and Richards are still Club Captain and team Captain come August the mood amongst fans will be horrendous. Is Collymoor a shameless publicist? Absolutely, all that twaddle in his statement sounded more like begging letter for a job rather than genuine concern for the club. All that said; i welcome every article i read that criticises the players at the moment as i feel that the more bad press they get, the more likely the club are to act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw_nuff Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 "Mervyn King. Track record in finance is second to none...." I stopped reading there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. Randy Lerner is evidently very good at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 10 hours ago, dont_do_it_doug. said: The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. Randy Lerner is evidently very good at. If only... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 People mocked stan early on in the season when he criticised Fox, Reilly and Almstadt. He was bang on before most fans saw the light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareth Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 1 hour ago, DCJonah said: People mocked stan early on in the season when he criticised Fox, Reilly and Almstadt. He was bang on before most fans saw the light. To be fair he was also eating out of Fox's hand in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 5 minutes ago, Jareth said: To be fair he was also eating out of Fox's hand in the summer. He admits he bought into the shit he spouted when they met. I'd imagine fox is very good at getting people to buy into the idea he knows exactly what he's talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareth Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 34 minutes ago, DCJonah said: He admits he bought into the shit he spouted when they met. I'd imagine fox is very good at getting people to buy into the idea he knows exactly what he's talking about. Yerp - but it is flip flopping of the highest order - he is like the wind... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 17 minutes ago, Jareth said: Yerp - but it is flip flopping of the highest order - he is like the wind... Not really. He had faith in what the man said when he met him and realised it was all rubbish once the season started to pan out. It's not flip flopping, he's changed his opinion based on the evidence presented to him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 Worse than Ellis 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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