My head is spinning.
After Saturday’s game, our confirmed relegation just left me even number than I’ve been for the last few weeks.
There was no real emotion, as along with anyone with half a brain, I knew we were already down, so there was no surprise.
The fact that we were actually relegated though started to raise loads of questions about our future and I’d been saving them up, ready to post at this moment.
But the bombshell news that Bernstein and King have resigned makes all of my previous questions pale into insignificance and I’m now genuinely scared for our future.
As if the serious threat of another relegation wasn’t already enough to worry about.
So I’d got my theory worked out and it was based on the assumption that even though the official stance is that Holis is working hard in negotiations regarding a sale, I frankly didn’t believe it to be true.
With the reality being more like the board as it was, had set up a blueprint which required a major clear out and a serious wedge of investment.
Something that Randy Lerner flatly refused to go along with.
This is the part that just seemed to be to be “fundamental” and what has made the ex-directors’ positions “untenable”.
All completely logical. Or so I thought.
And then, just like buses, along come another two stories that have totally thrown me.
First there’s Pat Murphy’s story that the club is up for sale and Lerner is willing to sell for £75 million.
It’s come from “Andrew” on here and while I can’t confirm it myself, I’ve no reason to doubt that what “Andrew” says is true (and it’s now backed up by the Telegraph)
And it also makes sense to me, as Lerner could afford to sell at this price and still won’t be losing anywhere near the amounts of money that have been suggested by the accounts (I’m sure you all know my thoughts about those).
But it blows my original theory out of the water and would mean that it’s not about Lerner not accepting the plan.
And then there’s the news of Gabby Agbonlahor living it up and partying on the very night our relegation was confirmed.
Now, if you agree with my previous thoughts that the Gabby “fat camp” story was just that and it’s a cover to explain why he’s been totally kicked out of the first team, you have to also agree that what he’s done here is basically display utter contempt for us fans and the club.
Ok, I can understand why you want to let your hair down after a crap day at the office.
So go and have a few quiet drinks with friends.
But keep it discreet as possible and don’t find yourself in a room with laughing gas bottles strewn all over the floor. Especially after having been caught smoking cigars and having a Hookah pipe in your mouth so recently.
The girls part of it all, I can live with.
There’s nothing better for keeping your pecker up (see what I did there?) and it doesn’t affect your fitness, as long as you get enough kip, does it?
We all know footballers have a reputation for being thick, but it seems we have a much bigger share than average and you would expect that they’ve been told to stay out of the limelight by the hierarchy, especially after some of the foot in mouth comments/antics lately.
So it wouldn’t surprise me if Bernstein and King have finally had enough with Gabby and wanted to sack him for something like bringing the club into disrepute or gross misconduct.
Certainly the timing of the resignations suggests that there’s some sort of link anyway.
But I don’t believe it’s the sole reason they’ve resigned.
Now that I’ve thought about things, so I think that the board wanted Gabby gone as part of the blueprint.
And the player’s latest antics were the perfect excuse to get rid.
Think about it and it explains the “fundamental” and “radical” words perfectly.
We’d be getting rid of “Mr Aston Villa”, the one man who ought to be crying himself to sleep at night at our plight, but in reality doesn’t give a toss.
I’ve suggested previously that Lerner has protected Gabby and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s still the case.
Which would explain why he can seemingly get away with anything, given that many of us think he’s a major instigator of many of the club’s problems. Which means he has to go, at any cost.
But Lerner doesn’t see it that way and blocks the move totally, because he’s so out of touch with what’s really going on.
So basically, it’s a combination of things that have led to the resignations.
Pie in the sky?
Maybe, but we’ll never find out from the directors. They’ll never come out with the truth, because it’s not the done thing to spill the beans after the fact.
Yet at the same time, I still don’t think Lerner’s going to sell the club imminently either.
Look at Merv’s comment in his resignation letter;
“New leadership is desperately needed to change the culture and the capability of the Club at all levels. When you, David Bernstein and I were asked join the board, we were able to make a start. But progress has stalled. It is clear that a sale of the Club to a new owner must be brought about as soon as possible, and I wish you every success in that effort.”
Now perhaps I’m seeing something that isn’t there, but the wording isn’t quite right if Lerner is in the middle of a deal.
That’s as close as a man in his position can get to saying that Lerner just has to go, because he’s an idiot, in my book.
And not a point you’d make if a deal was about to be sealed, as there would be no need.
Regardless, I suspect this will prove a very dark day for the club; even more so than the day we were relegated.
Even Larry Grayson would be better than some managers we’ve been linked with. Let’s face it, he would have a first class defensive strategy! LOL
And it goes on 500 job cuts at villa fucking disgraceful what a total bastard Lerner is
Told you what bastard Yanks are in business, ruthless people.
wow my dislikes increasing lmao i is popular. in a season where we managed 3 league wins, we still managed to beat our blue nose neighbors. with our worst team, in our long and mostly successful history. European Champions…… i wonder is blue noses have won as much no lighty no likely
hey bill what is the capacity in the upper trinity Road Stand. closing this proves they won’t be attempting to push on next year. doesn’t make any sense, sacking staff cutting back,down grading just to save lerner money. when if he actually said we will go out and entertain the fans and try to win the league we would fill VP every home game. proves hes a muppet
capacity was 3500 and 610pounds a st that’s 2million 135k lost revenues. seems crazy plus insulting fans by offering little discounts for booting um out.
Nath , the capacity at Villa is 42000, they will have to shut more than the top stand in trinity I lay a bet part of the north stand as well.
doesn’t make any sense does it. fans have only stop going because the football has been dire. if they actually entertained the fans. we would fill it. i found a piece saying the upper trinity Road Stand only. so how much you reckon the lost revenues would be closing these stands
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-fans-were-not-11209450
Oh I’m sure the media will find more fuel to throw on this fire before the season is over.
i see that Riley is being targeted as the villain of the piece, one thing that has puzzled me all year we have had Sherwood, garde, and now black, all play a similar team and tactics that us supporters have seen from early on were not right, so who is pulling the strings in the background.
Gabby can’t be sacked for yesterday’s misdemeanour. How about we change banners from Lerner Out to Flabby Out. It sends a message to players that fans expect professionalism and work ethic. It will save the club from having to pay him off.
Unlikely that Flabby can be sacked but he might get a final written warning which would mean any further misconduct would lead to automatic dismissal. He has to go in the summer – if we can find anyone to take him; maybe one of the Turkish sides 🙂
Quote from daily mail article:
When owner Randy Lerner handed him a new four-year contract in September 2014 because of their personal relationship, then manager Paul Lambert is understood to have felt it more difficult to motivate his squad.
Agbonlahor has been a huge influence in the dressing room for a considerable time and his attitude trickles down.
According to the Mirror Villa are looking at what legal grounds there are for sacking Flabby –
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-considering-sacking-disgraced-7788560
I think they should give him the order of the boot anyway and let him take Villa to a tribunal if he wants. God that hearing would be fun!
i believe they want flabby out. but the clueless boss believes he can command a fee for him, instead of paying his contract up. i also believe footballers have to commit for real nasty crime to be sacked. he being overweight and hopeless in front of goal for years, out gallivanting with girls, smoking wot have you and laughing gas at our expenses is nothing but a misdemeanor
He should be sacked for just being totally SHITE let alone his off field antics.
Nath, thats my thought, King,and Bernstein, probably was over voted by Lerner, I cannot believe that Faulkner, and Fox, allowed one man to dominate the team and cause havoc inside Villa. and as for them poor sods that owe that team to get them redundant, well its disgraceful.
During the season-ticket selling season there is always some spurious news that might be popular with the fans. The choice of spoof is severely limited, right now. No manager who might be credibly touted will excite the fans. Therefore it has to be “Imminent Sale of the Club” – it is the only carrot left.
My advice is don’t buy it – either the spoof or a season ticket – until August.
That sounds about right OLL.
The board in disarray (again).
No sign of any new manager coming over the horizon on his noble steed to save the day.
Randy with his Sadim touch.
So the only thing (as you point out) left in their locker is this alleged imminent sale of the club to tempt the faithful.
DON’T FALL FOR IT!
Bevington to go next???
Just after reading that, last person out close the gate behind you. Fans need to be told what the fuck is going on. Other than Lerner doesn’t give a fuck.
I have heard from a decent source, two directors resigned because Lerner was interfering with an ‘imminent sale’.. This sale fell through but could be back on…. it could be idle gossip it could be true !! LETS BLOODY HOPE SO !
Saddened – if true it shows you what a complete buffoon Lerner is when it comes to business matters. I wonder whether King and Bernstein would be reappointed post sale (if it happens)?
H60 – I have no idea and it might be all codswallop, but the man is a buffoon in all things sport and business !
Quote from King in the B’ham Mail –
“I think that will come under a different owner, I hope the sale will proceed speedily.
“But | think the fans of Aston Villa have shown a loyalty which is quite remarkable and they deserve much better than they have seen in recent years.”
He’s so right about the fans – let’s hope he’s as right about the sale too.
Had quite enough of Lerner.
I’ve heard Lerner won’t sell until he has a stand named after him on his next birthday (as a surprise) !!
I’ve seen a pig flying over Villa Park. Yer that will be the day when it rains all night.
That was Shabby over doing it on the helium.
Lol 😀
I don’t think they’ll name a stand WANKER
That’s polite of you. Personally, I’d have thought ‘C***’ more appropriate.
He’s every expletive going couldn’t be arsed to type them.
The Ciserable Munt Stand?
It would seem (if reports are to be believed) that Okore has been ‘bombed’ into training with U21’s – allegedly for daring to question the amount of playing time he is getting.
Instead of ‘bombing’ him, get him out there as there are plenty on the pitch who couldn’t give a toss whether they play or not by their performances
And Traore’s wages are to rise from £40,000 to £60,000, nice work Paddy.
Ah but he’s close to Randy is our Paddy – so that’s alright then!
It appears the same can’t be said of Merv & Dave.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36094976
If the bit of that story [regarding whether Lerner had actually agreed their roles] is correct, then Hollis can’t be long there either…
And who could blame him with Randy constantly moving the goalposts?