Everything has come to a standstill at the club, it seems.
We’re officially managerless, our ownership is in limbo and even the players don’t have a clue as to what’s going on.
Which all sounds fairly similar to how the last season went, if you ask me.
So nothing’s changed and we shouldn’t get too wound up about things, in my opinion. Well, not for a while yet, anyway.
And as impatient as we all are, nothing is going to change until Xia has been given the green light to buy the club, which is where I’d expect to see rapid movement.
But that’s days down the line.
Anyway, rumours/news on any of these fronts are pure conjecture and are treated with utter disdain on my part.
I’d suggest you do the same, but I know some of you thrive on the stories and that’s fair enough.
They do at least keep the interest levels up.
And while I think these stories are rubbish, the Grealish question is actually a reasonable one.
It makes sense that Premier league clubs might come in for him, as he’s obviously naturally talented.
But would it make sense for him to leave the Villa, to go to one of these other clubs?
Well, the supposed Spurs link is interesting.
Pochettino’s not averse to putting younger players in, but does Jack think he’s good enough to get regular starts in that good a side? Particularly one that doesn’t lack in the attacking area?
I’d say not. But he hasn’t been able to get games in a poor Villa side either, so what would he have to lose?
The bright lights of London might certainly appeal, judging by some of the situations he’s been caught in lately and there might well be more money.
Everton might be a better bet for him, as they might have a few quid to spend and probably offer a much more realistic proposition.
He’d be much more likely to get regular starts and the brighter than Birmingham’s lights in Liverpool and Manchester could well appeal to him.
Which means Stoke have no chance of getting him.
Although he would quite handily be pretty much in the middle of Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, which would mean a win-win on the supping front, where he could nip home to have a drink with his old mates.
If that’s all it’s about for him, well, we might do better getting rid at the right price, as while we might want the style and flair he can provide on the pitch, so we don’t want that sort of publicity chasing ego in a squad that will struggle to be promoted from the Championship.
Except I don’t think that’s quite what he’s about at all.
I see him as a typical young kid who goes out on the lash, after a good or bad day at the office.
It’s certainly what I did at his age and if I’d had his money, I’d have no doubt have done it a lot more than I did.
But at the same time, I do find myself wondering who is advising him?
Which might be the worrying part. What sort of advisor would let him get caught in a Manchester club on the night of a heavy defeat just a few months after him being pictured spark out on a Tenerife pavement?
Maybe the sort of advisor who would tell him to go for the money?
Not that it’s a matter of immediate urgency.
Jack’s contracted to the Villa for another two years.
Where I fully expect that we’ll hold onto him for the next year at least, as I don’t believe for one minute he’d kick up a fuss to leave.
Which will give him time to set the Championship alight and mature a bit more.
He isn’t going anywhere just yet.
Cant understand people who are against appointing RDM. His win rate is 49% accross all the teams he has managed. He also has 2 promotions on his CV (Albion and MK Dons). He is also a CL and Fa Cup winner. Most importantly, he managed and controlled top players at Chelsea creating a good dressing room…..Something that even the so called ‘special one’ couldnt achieve this season!
Welcome RDM
Monk just gone to Leeds; Coyle to Blackburn. With Rodgers, Moyes and Pearson already out of the frame, the number of alternatives is dropping by the day!
RDM & Steve Clarke announced as ‘in’ by BBC just a few minutes ago.
Let the rebuilding begin!
Steve Clarke – number 2 is a great choice imho
RDM appointed!!!!
Something has happened at last.
Hope he’s got a batch of P45s in his hand for the dross.
Pat Murphy’s piece suggests that the dross will receive the tender attentions of Clarke…”hands on” – hopefully that means throwing some of them out of the door on his first day at BMH!
BBC: Di Matteo done
Yes really like the idea of Clarke as Number 2 to add a bit of steel.
Her’s hoping they make a good partnership.
UTV
Presumably this announcement means that the FPP investigation is now all but a rubber-stamp away from formal clearance…
Well, it’s RDM. It seems he has been Xia’s first choice since the beginning. That means we didn’t miss out on any of the others.
Clarke is an interesting choice. He does seem to be a better coach/No 2 than manager.
I must admit I expected that this wouldn’t happen until after the FPP process was finished. If it has (rather than just it being a case of the ruling not being announced) it does suggest a degree of confidence that this will all go through OK. Unless there is some get out clause in the contracts.
Could be a farewell gesture by Lerner, like Ellis did with signing O’Neill.
Maybe. It seems strange in a way. Legally, :Lerner still owns the club, but the manager choice is Xia’s. There must be some arrangement making Xia cover the cost if the deal to buy the club doesn’t go through.
Very happy with the appointment.
RDM and Clarke will make a good team, hopefully the league announces the good Dr fot and proper, and the rebuilding and promotion push can gather pace.
Robertos claret & blue army a big welcome.I like Clarke as number 2,over to the pessimists now all yours Ooha
Be back in a minute lads off to get my season tickets,
Love it Bill
I am very happy to see a new manager in and a good choice in Clarke for his number 2. So let’s get behind them and hopefully better times ahead. Come on the Villa.
Nice pairing!!!! Just want to see the announcement that ownership test has been passed and I’m a happy bunny!!!
While I might have been a bit worried about RDM’s ability to kick arse the inclusion of Clarke at No. 2 has removed most of those worries. Looks like he’ll be working day to day with the team and I’m sure he’s not the type to take things lightly.
Taken individually I wouldn’t have been so sure but together I think that they could make a solid and intriguing management team. They played together for 2 years and they know each other well so there shouldn’t be any personality clashes down the line.
Actually starting to look forward to next season now which feels very strange!
UTV
It’s strange the club hasn’t yet confirmed the appointment the only thing that springs to mind is the chairman confirmed at the same time.so hopefully tomorrow possibly??
I thought that strange Giddy – no official announcement on club web site
Sky Sports and others say he hasn’t signed contract but will do it tomorrow. Hence no official confirmation
Just been reported as so on BBC Midland News