Many of you will know that I’ve often slated Mat Kendrick as having been a gutless Evening Mail reporter for never having really reported things as he genuinely believed.
His reasoning was pretty obvious, in that he probably didn’t want to face the wrath of the club, which probably would have resulted in his being barred from press conferences and the players being ordered not to talk to him.
A club that doesn’t believe in any criticism from reporters or even the fans. A gestapo type attitude, in my opinion.
My gripe with Mat was that as a proper Villa fan, even though he hinted at things, he should have been a lot more forthright in his real views, given that he had the biggest mouthpiece of any Villa fan.
Anyway, it seems he’s now corrected things somewhat and made his views quite plain, in a very good piece saying that Paul Lambert should be sacked;
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/comment-should-aston-villa-sack-8444965
The Mail have been quite canny in their efforts to not upset the gestapo, because they simultaneously released an article by Gregg Evans stating why Lambert should stay, just to balance things in the name of fair reporting;
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/comment-should-aston-villa-sack-8443794
We all know that it’s a minority who want Lambert to stay, but fair play to the Mail anyway in the way they’ve played this. After all, you can’t ban someone for presenting a balanced view, can you?
The only disappointment with Mat’s article is that he should have written it when he was the lead reporter. I’d imagine that if he had got banned for telling the truth, it would have made for a fair old story for the sports press in general and demonstrated the sort of thing that many Villa fans feel is generally wrong with the club under the current regime.
Whatever, fair play Mat for finally telling it how it is.
And I apologise for slating you.
Gerry, You misunderstand.
I’m asking you to start your own debate, as an author.
I suspect you have the makings of a very good writer on this blog.
My comment was reactionary, more than childish, but whatever, have a think about becoming an author mate.
You’re Villa and have an opinion. That much is obvious.
And that’s all we’re after, whatever the viewpoint.
Whether I agree with you or not, really doesn’t matter, trust me.
If you fancy it, just ask in the link I gave you.
Apparently we have enquired about Christian Rodriguez on loan.utv
I read about this also. But the reason they want him off their books at Athletico is because he is on high wages, one of their highest earners actually.
How on earth do you think we’ll manage get him in with our current wage/transfer structure?!
Dead before it even begins if you ask me…
Maybe the fact he wants Prem footy could sway him, but it seems Everton and the almight Crystal Palace are interested so we’ll probably lose out anyway…
If there is only a minimum loan fee, it may be that We would be prepared to meet an acceptable % of his wages for six months. Possibly a different business case to purchase plus four year contract?
Like pretty much any other fan I want Lerner to sell up to someone with deep pockets and an interest in funding the club to some success. We are all pretty disenchanted but I want to play devil’s advocate for a moment.
If the club gets relegated, Lerner will lose a lot of money. He clearly will not want to do this, but in his position it isn’t simply a case of spending plenty in order to retain that value.
It seems that nobody is willing to pay the £200M. Lerner would snap the hands off anybody willing to pay that.
I don’t know the full numbers (who does?), but given the increase in Prem money it may be that Villa have stopped making losses, and perhaps even started to be profitable.
Frustrating that the current low spend is, it may put Lerner into a position where he is able to sell at a lower price. If so, maybe the pain will have been worth it.
Just a thought.
didn’t he buy a quality premiership club running debt free. a club with European honors, domestic honors and excellent training grounds and stadium. for 60million or there abouts ???? in his 6 years what changes has he made, apart from lowering the fans expectations. create & increasing a debt. yes hes spent some on facilities but 140 million really…
losses hes incurred is all part of businesses, when you are poorly advised and you make poor decisions this affects the price of any future sell on prices.
that’s my ten bobs worth
any transfer news ???
I’m not arguing with that assessment, other than he put the money up to complete Bodymoor Heath as that project had reached a standstill. Oh and our expectations were raised by him in the first few seasons, which makes the current position harder to bear. It doesn’t matter what you or I think though. I was just trying to figure what is going through Lerner’s mind. He can sell when he wants (assuming a buyer is out there). If he doesn’t like the price offered he can stay put and hope to get to a position where the club owes him less and then sell, or just sell at any price and suck up the losses. I know what I would do if I was him, and the opinion of me, you and any other fan would have no real impact on that.
no i wasn’t having a pop at ur post i was adding to it 🙂 iam not right or wrong it was just my thoughts 2day
Didn’t take it that way Nath. I don’t know either, just thinking out loud really 🙂
no i understand, most views by villa fans are selfish to themselves. but your post is a views which is only seen, by lerner himself.
if your right and villa are running into the black or breaking even in running costs that will help him get a better price. hes responsible to ensure the club stays in premiership. this window is vital.
Starving the club of sufficient funds to make it competitive is a massive gamble, maybe some one needs to tell our glorious leader this isn’t the NFL, we don’t use franchise system and relegation is a real possibility and I know that it’s wrong but a part of me thinks he deserves it.
Totally agree. He has got away with it up to now. I am really worried that this will be the year we drop. It’s a dangerous game he’s playing. The vindictive side of me feels the same btw. He would have nobody to blame but himself if we get relegated. Short of bringing in more quality in this window, the only other tactic he will have between now and the end of the season is to sack Lambert. I don’t see anyone out there who could save us in the last 10 games now Pulis is employed. Still, expecting Lerner to make the right decision after all we have seen would be a mistake.
Problem is if we fluke a win tomor and let’s face it we might do then the pressures of lamberk for another 5 games or so.
Is it though? Lambert doesn’t seem to really have pressure at the top, but the fans aren’t going to change their minds about him after 1 win if we did win. Yes they’ll cheer and probably not call for him to go, but Sunday? They’ll be back to hating him.
I have to state here DS that I do not believe the club has ever been offered for sale to ANY buyer with the money. I think Lerner has hawked it around other members of his faith only, and two that were interested last season only wanted to get the Villa if they were relegated. Obviously for a fraction of the 200M asking price. That deal fell through because we escaped. Most observers thought relegation would scupper the deal, but the reverse is more likely. If the sale were entrusted to an independent Merchant Bank it would sell.
That’s an interesting take OLL although one I find hard to believe. I suspect the real problem is that RL is asking for a price that is more than the club is worth when the value is stress tested against the level of future investment reauired and the likely return on that investment.
Oh and by the way. If Lerner spent £10M on a player, the club would not be worth £10M more than it is now. If he can loan a player, it costs next to nothing up front and the value of the club remans the same. I guess if most of us were Lerner we might do the same.
Jarvis as the next signing ?
The only link I can find to Jarvis is in the Telegraph but if I was in Lambert’s shoes and had to choose between Sinclair or Jarvis – well it’d be Jarvis all day for me.
Another player I’d have taken 5 years ago, but now? I don’t think he’s got it anymore. Not that exciting young winger, at 28. Far, far, far better than Sinclair, but I don’t know if he’s still Premier League material at the moment.
talksport reporting robert huth on loan is going to happen. ffs he has had more injuries this year than joe cole. maybe vlaar is going in this window !
Huth of 3-4 years ago absolutely, but unless we sell a CB I’d be surprised. Then again we can never keep more than 2-3 fit at a time so he might be useful. He’s been injured once, and was benched before that.
Agree Andrew we are 5 years to late for Huth.
Plus our defense wasn’t that good 3-4 years ago (for me at least). However with Baker and especially Clark (who I think has been better than Okore but seem to be a minority in that), Okore, Vlaar (unless he’s sold) and Senderos, If we’re too bring in a center back, I’d prefer someone better than ours, like Britos, unless Vlaar goes and then someone like Huth as 5th choice isn’t bad.
Who going out the back door then, up till now its players in and none out,? Don’t get me wrong its what’s wanted, but money, money be moaning soon wages are to high.
Ginola going for platters job , got my vote.
Mate a monkey would get my vote.
Grealish starting tonight…..guess it’ll be gabby wide left tomo then!! Unless, Lambert fools the world and plays a new formation……. Who am I kidding…..!!!
It’ll be the same starting 11 as usual unless injuries occur. Not sure who’s fit for CB’s, I know Baker is so he’ll start. Seems only Okore is fit as well with Clark suspended and Vlaar and Senderos out.
So…
Guzan
Hutton-Baker-Okore-Cissokho
Cleverley-Delph-Sanchez
Weimann-Benteke-Gabby
Is my guess. Delph being fit he’ll automatically start so would be surprised if Westwood starts.
Andrew agree but I feel weimann dropped for gil.
I’d be shocked if Gil starts straight away. Either way it’ll be the garbage 4-3-3 with Gil out on the right instead of Weimann. Nothing will change bar the personnel which isn’t nearly as bad as made out to be to start with.
Lambert insane ,when asked do you need to employ a striker coach lambert replied I can do that what the hell this guy has lost the plot
Lambert made the front page of The Times today with his plea for fans not to protest tomorrow. At least I think it is The Times, but since the main article says the Pope threatened to punch somebody for insulting Islam, maybe I got a copy of Charlie Hebdo instead.
What Villa never make the front page of a London paper are u sure?
Yep, got it in front of me. But reading the paper makes me wonder. Either the world has gone bonkers or the newsboy delivered a comic by mistake.
Im surprised
If Lambert plays Weimann Benteke and Gabby as a front 3, then the protestors might as well not bother coming in after 8 mins.
On another point, a lot of people keep saying who would want the Villa job? Are you kidding me? One of the oldest teams in Europe with the potential of 40k home crowds, great away support, outstanding home pitch and training facilties…etc, etc. Yes, there is a limited budget and disharmony at the club, but attracting a manager would not be a problem. The problem is not wanting to pay out Lamberks’ ridiculous contract.
Perhaps the “top name” manager who laughed in Lerner’s face when he told him the funds available will change his mind…..ye I doubt it either.
Imo, the best we would get would be a lower league manager….and that’s only a sideways movement. No point in that.
If you have a decent & realistic manager in mind, share it coz I’m baffled.
If it was Benitez like reported he wanted at least 50m… never going to happen at Villa. We would’ve been in the financial shitter again.
Fwiw i think we would be a top 6 posdibly a top 4 team under benitez. He knows how to win games and nick points when not playing well. Plus he can balance defence and attack unlick our resident idiot
So why not sack lamberk and not spend in jan then give new manager money in summer. The squad is good enough to stay up if lamberk can do it anyone can
totally disagree you can’t have it both ways, either this current manager is shit as you said for each day i logged in, look at his signings all shit, NOW you say this squads good enough, stick with one version of the truth.
personally the whole club stinks to high heaven with no ambition. this is down to the owner and has filtered its way down,all the way to the core. the players are poor and aren’t even trying. so if any new manager came in and wasn’t to spend, i think this current squad are still lacking in qualities.
what ever the solution is, i bet it doesn’t involve randy as owner. we are doomed until this guy sells. how far we drop in leagues before he sells is the worry
game previews ??? anybody
My sources have informed me we have tabled an offer to QPR for Shaun Wright Phillips. Although 33 think it would show great ambition compared to the shit we’ve signed recently.
Well passed it; not worth £10
Same as huth, 5 years ago then yeah but to be perfectly honest I thought he was retired!!
The original headless chicken, with the intelligence of his father but not the goal-scoring talent. Face it,if he cannot get into the QPR side this season he must be Div 1 material.
Wright- Phillips? You must be kidding.
Two or three spectacular games in his entire career, otherwise one of the most over-hyped players over the last decade. If he wasn’t his father’s son he’d have disappeared years ago.
Signing him would be an act of utter desperation – I’d rather see them try and bring back Robbie Keene if they really are so short of any ideas.
I’d rather have Leighton Phillips ffs
I’d rather Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Leighton Phillips that’s blast from the past.
Lol those were the days
Andy Gray claims he’s been trying to find a rich oil Sheikh and John Gould claims there’s an interested Azerbaijan group in Villa. Interesting.
I’ve read that story Andrew, its saying two possible people with interest, the other being a yank again. Problem is Christmas gone for us this year this twat with us to line Lerner’s pocket in handouts from Sky, FA. ,then when he’s broke our team sell.
just speculation,but help breathe life into a dying club 🙁 without hope fans and players alike suffocate. we all need to see the light, at the end to this lerner tunnel. hopefully sooner than ltrs
For 16 years the Cleveland Browns endured this. Poor bastards. How long do we have to put up with it???
Only another 8.
Only 8 more years for us to go then ouch
Gilan Holdings a financial empire closely associated with an Azeri oligarch-minister – Kemaladdin Heydarov. Kemalaadin Heydarov, currently the minister for Emergency Situations, has led the customs office of Azerbaijan for a long time and is widely believed to have accumulated billions of dollars of wealth through corrupt schemes.
This lot sound seriously dodgy.
Perfect for us then thats what we need a street wise russian oligarch who has to launder money. Like abramivich aliegedly
that’s all we need LOL
there was sumat in my paper today saying delph may stay and sign a new contract. that would be a shock to me. by the way i will retract any name calling abuse if this happens.
still no match preview 🙂 hint hint today we have 4 centre mids fit and available, so who misses out ??? or is the a diamond formation in the making. recall that worked well, on pool last year. i hope they return to a more countering game, draw pool onto us.
in protest today, i am only gonna drink 1 crate instead of two that’s my sacrifice
That wouldn’t surprise me Nath, Delph staying, its strange how its gone dead on him going, clubs don’t take chances anymore on players like him,yellow cards ,red cards, don’t get me wrong he still a force in a team of players that’s passionate like him. My take on today’s game a goal will be scored by us , result 1-3 Liverpool. I hope I’m wrong no faith in Lambert anymore.
gonna be a difficult day for us and the team. liverpool are not great and missing players. but the spirit in our players is zero.our fans are all zombified with all that going on. its hard to predict this match, because the team might rally to perform. then again they might not,
on delph maybe hes running down the contract, he wants to be seen, by villa fans as thinking about resigning for us, so not face the abuse.
p,s i backed against us on the coupon but its a dodgy game like i said earlier
Liverpool have a great record at VP in recent years and I cant see it changing today.
2-0 to the Scoucers.
Got a feeling if Gil starts today we’ll rely far too heavily on the lad. Hope it doesn’t play out like.
I have a sneaky feeling we’ll get a draw today. Going for 1-1
vtid
Lambert Out! Lerner Out!
guzan
hutton okore baker cissokho
sanchez westwood delph
cleverley
gabby benteke
I think Lambert might pull this out of the bag someone said paper over the cracks. I really hope we get a win ,do not want to go down . Lambert and Lerner out.
I don’t see us getting anything out of this game. Actually, I feel that way every week no matter who we are playing. For anything other than defeat it will have to be one of those where Benteke does it all on his own. Is Baker going to last 90 mins?
It will be nice to get an early look at Gil. Sub for Cleverly by any chance?
that team looks solid down the middle, you can see villa being a tough nut to crack for pool. you never know if we score its winnable. before the hate mail start up again ~ i did say IFIFIFIFIF :p we score
So after saying last week that we lack any creativity, he decides to go with the 3 headless chickens in midfield and brings in a 4th.
What a negative line-up, 9 defenders (including Guzan).
He is scared to death – playing for a point.
I hope he gets exactly what he deserves – a thumping followed by yet more calls for him to go.
playing pool who like to play through the middle, its not a bad idea to make it tight through the middle
I hope we’ve put a lot of paint on the half way line with that team.
2-1
who too
don’t keep us guessing
Haven’t decided.
So much for the protest.LOL
So much for the players turning up one nil down haha to all that didn’t protest well hope you like championship football
So ovbious it was coming.