Mat Kendrick; An apology

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.

216 Comments

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  1. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 January 15, 2015 at 10:06 pm . Reply

    Guys, if the Steve Wollaston piece is correct, I think we’re in danger of missing the point. Yes we can call for PL to be sacked but it appears he was the (only?) manager prepared to take up the challenge of keeping us in the Prem with no money. Pillory him all you like (and frankly I feel just the same) but if he walks away then I fear we will be in even deeper sh*t than we now find ourselves. Lerner destroyed the Browns and he’s going to detroy us unless PL or someone like him can find a way or working a miracle of if some cash rich exhibitionist decides to buy (fat chance!). If we sack PL or he resigns who will be our new manager and what would he achieve with the same financial restrictions? The only way to succeed in the Prem is to spend big.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2015 at 2:18 pm . Reply

      Disagree Hitchens there are managers out there that could do a much better job than lamberk even with that squad of players. Everyone said similar when saints sacked nigel adkins and replaced him with a manager noone had heard of that couldnt speak english! Just look at them now sold all their best players and have an outside chance of top 4. They pkay good football and havnt spent a great deal. Thats what u call good management from top to bottom. They shoukd be lerners blueprint fir the future

      1. DSVilla
        DSVilla January 16, 2015 at 3:29 pm . Reply

        True Oohah, but they have also benefitted from a fantastic academy that has generated serious amounts of incoming cash. We haven’t done as well. As for the good management top to bottom they have had significant issues with the owners. They have, however, done way better than us on the manager front.

        You could look at Everton, Spurs and even Swansea as decent teams to emulate. They have all done better than us in recent seasons. Spurs fans seem unhappy most of the time. One thing they all have in common is that they sell their best players when the bigger clubs come knocking. That is how they get cash to reinvest and make the squad stronger. Villa have not managed to do that as well. We did pretty well out of Barry, Downing and Milner, but that’s it in quite a few years. The rest we have taken a hit on mostly. Losing those 3 in the space of a couple of seasons ripped the heart out of the team.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2015 at 8:55 pm . Reply

          Fair point DS but look how much we’ve invested in BMH and other than Clarke who’s only just started to come good the rest of the players have been grim except Cahill. Even though Saints are a selling club they’ve proved that you can reinvest some of that money and actually improve. The last time we had a manager that did this was a certain Ron Saunders who sold Andy Gray for £1.5m despite getting slated for it at the time and shrewdly used the money to take us to the next level and give us the best team in our history. That is what I call great management.

    2. BWS
      BWS January 16, 2015 at 4:07 pm . Reply

      I don’t think you need a sugar daddy H60 more a man with a plan that would run the club well (Swansea, Southampton, Spuds). Come in the real world of the EPL no one can realistically can expect CL football at VP in the foreseeable (although that would do very nicely thank you) but the least we expect to be entertaining and competitive at PL level.

      It’s just so obvious he (RL) gives not a jot about our expectations, well anything other than his bank balance, he ain’t a fan and imo any one that buys into this tattoo on his ankle, that he cares is deluded, so any protest should be levelled directly at him because as you correctly point out if Lambert (as shite as he is) goes either by sacking or his own devices and it’ll be just the next patsy (in a long line of patsy’s) in.

  2. Gerry
    Gerry January 15, 2015 at 10:35 pm . Reply

    This is just for Badger. I am so happy that you have decided to forgive Mat and am sure that he gives a shite either way. YOU forgive him because he is now saying something that you agree with, for the moment anyway, so he is now back on your fair play list.
    Stick to 2 line comments stating the effin obvious, its what your best at.

  3. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 January 15, 2015 at 10:52 pm . Reply

    I take your point Badger but my question is – who, in their right mind, would take the job? I don’t think it’s a question of better or worse and that is the terribly sad position in which we now find ourselves. Until Lerner goes we are ‘dead in the water’.

    I agree that, on the face of it, PL has failed but I feel he is genuinely trying to find the impossible solution whilst (misguidedly) protecting the owner. Most of us, recognising that the problem lies mainly with Lerner, would prefer that he just ‘went for it’ and to hell with the outcome? Maybe the fans should be sending that message.

  4. gerry
    gerry January 15, 2015 at 11:33 pm . Reply

    I am always happy to comment on these forums, mainly positive or just hopeful. Telling me that you bet I wont is childish and undeserving. I have been saying for weeks, in a limited amount of posts, that we have players not up to the task. I dont say that they are bad players but that they are playing badly. I feel for a team that has lost its confidence and is desperately trying to get it right. I have said specifically that no manager, working with this squad is going to do much better. I am always happy to goad some of the posters when their forcasts are wrong. I have watched the change in your opinions about this Villa team and you may be right. I will save my contributions for what happens on the pitch and hope that it gets better. I have just contradicted that statement by having a pop at you and although you deserved it I wish I hadn’t gone done to that level. I love Villa and the feeling I get when we do well and I always will. But I am a bread and butter man and believe that the players decide the result, with a little help from the ref. Everything else is just making a simple game complicated. Sleep well friend you certainly have provided some entertainment

  5. Jay Dee
    Jay Dee January 16, 2015 at 9:33 am . Reply

    Apparently we have enquired about Christian Rodriguez on loan.utv

    1. New Regime
      New Regime January 16, 2015 at 12:41 pm . Reply

      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…

    2. New Regime
      New Regime January 16, 2015 at 12:43 pm . Reply

      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…

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 January 16, 2015 at 1:24 pm . Reply

        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?

  6. DSVilla
    DSVilla January 16, 2015 at 1:51 pm . Reply

    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.

    1. nath
      nath January 16, 2015 at 3:14 pm . Reply

      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 ???

      1. DSVilla
        DSVilla January 16, 2015 at 3:21 pm . Reply

        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.

        1. nath
          nath January 16, 2015 at 3:24 pm . Reply

          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

          1. DSVilla
            DSVilla January 16, 2015 at 3:31 pm . Reply

            Didn’t take it that way Nath. I don’t know either, just thinking out loud really 🙂

          2. nath
            nath January 16, 2015 at 3:48 pm . Reply

            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.

        2. BWS
          BWS January 16, 2015 at 3:48 pm . Reply

          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.

          1. DSVilla
            DSVilla January 16, 2015 at 4:27 pm . Reply

            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.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2015 at 8:56 pm . Reply

              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.

          2. Andrew
            Andrew January 17, 2015 at 4:16 am . Reply

            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.

    2. OriginalLondonLion
      OriginalLondonLion January 16, 2015 at 9:00 pm . Reply

      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.

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 January 16, 2015 at 10:51 pm . Reply

        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.

  7. DSVilla
    DSVilla January 16, 2015 at 1:53 pm . Reply

    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.

    1. mike
      mike January 16, 2015 at 5:35 pm . Reply

      Jarvis as the next signing ?

      1. BWS
        BWS January 16, 2015 at 5:53 pm . Reply

        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.

      2. Andrew
        Andrew January 17, 2015 at 4:15 am . Reply

        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.

  8. domingo
    domingo January 16, 2015 at 5:48 pm . Reply

    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 !

    1. Andrew
      Andrew January 16, 2015 at 6:25 pm . Reply

      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.

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2015 at 8:57 pm . Reply

        Agree Andrew we are 5 years to late for Huth.

        1. Andrew
          Andrew January 17, 2015 at 4:04 am . Reply

          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.

  9. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson January 16, 2015 at 6:19 pm . Reply

    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.

  10. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson January 16, 2015 at 6:20 pm . Reply

    Ginola going for platters job , got my vote.

    1. GIDDYVILLAN
      GIDDYVILLAN January 16, 2015 at 6:44 pm . Reply

      Mate a monkey would get my vote.

  11. #HELENIUS
    #HELENIUS January 16, 2015 at 6:46 pm . Reply

    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…..!!!

    1. Andrew
      Andrew January 16, 2015 at 6:53 pm . Reply

      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.

  12. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN January 16, 2015 at 6:58 pm . Reply

    Andrew agree but I feel weimann dropped for gil.

    1. Andrew
      Andrew January 17, 2015 at 3:44 am . Reply

      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.

  13. villa1996
    villa1996 January 16, 2015 at 7:34 pm . Reply

    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

  14. OriginalLondonLion
    OriginalLondonLion January 16, 2015 at 8:26 pm . Reply

    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.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2015 at 8:58 pm . Reply

      What Villa never make the front page of a London paper are u sure?

      1. OriginalLondonLion
        OriginalLondonLion January 16, 2015 at 9:04 pm . Reply

        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.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2015 at 11:33 pm . Reply

          Im surprised

  15. Benno
    Benno January 16, 2015 at 9:26 pm . Reply

    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.

    1. #HELENIUS
      #HELENIUS January 16, 2015 at 10:16 pm . Reply

      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.

      1. Andrew
        Andrew January 17, 2015 at 3:06 am . Reply

        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.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2015 at 1:20 pm . Reply

          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

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2015 at 1:36 am . Reply

      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

      1. nath
        nath January 17, 2015 at 7:25 am . Reply

        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

  16. Brick
    Brick January 16, 2015 at 10:40 pm . Reply

    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.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 16, 2015 at 10:53 pm . Reply

      Well passed it; not worth £10

      1. Adam
        Adam January 16, 2015 at 11:08 pm . Reply

        Same as huth, 5 years ago then yeah but to be perfectly honest I thought he was retired!!

    2. OriginalLondonLion
      OriginalLondonLion January 16, 2015 at 11:15 pm . Reply

      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.

    3. Ardent Villain
      Ardent Villain January 16, 2015 at 11:41 pm . Reply

      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.

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2015 at 1:34 am . Reply

        I’d rather have Leighton Phillips ffs

        1. Andrew
          Andrew January 17, 2015 at 3:50 am . Reply

          I’d rather Bradley Wright-Phillips.

        2. BWS
          BWS January 17, 2015 at 10:17 am . Reply

          Leighton Phillips that’s blast from the past.

          1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2015 at 1:15 pm . Reply

            Lol those were the days

  17. Andrew
    Andrew January 17, 2015 at 4:23 am . Reply

    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.

    1. Bill Pearson
      Bill Pearson January 17, 2015 at 8:08 am . Reply

      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.

      1. nath
        nath January 17, 2015 at 8:28 am . Reply

        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

        1. Bum Bum
          Bum Bum January 17, 2015 at 9:09 am . Reply

          For 16 years the Cleveland Browns endured this. Poor bastards. How long do we have to put up with it???

          1. Brick
            Brick January 17, 2015 at 9:30 am . Reply

            Only another 8.

          2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2015 at 1:17 pm . Reply

            Only 8 more years for us to go then ouch

    2. BWS
      BWS January 17, 2015 at 10:09 am . Reply

      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.

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2015 at 1:17 pm . Reply

        Perfect for us then thats what we need a street wise russian oligarch who has to launder money. Like abramivich aliegedly

  18. nath
    nath January 17, 2015 at 11:12 am . Reply

    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

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