Ok, I’ve been reflecting on my calling for Garde’s head yesterday and come to realise that I was probably wrong in taking that stance.
But it’s not because I think he’s what’s required at the Villa. I firmly believe he isn’t the solution.
So what do we think is required at the Villa?
Most importantly for me is some signs of fight, as this team shows none.
So then I have to ask the question “do I think Garde can motivate these players?” and the answer is a resounding no.
Certainly there’s been no hint of it up to now.
Now ok, if we were talking about Garde getting a whole new set of players in this month, I think the manager might be able to achieve something, as I don’t think he’s overall a bad manager.
But he isn’t going to be able to get a load of players in, at least of any quality, because of Lerner’s unwillingness to invest.
Hence if he can’t motivate these players, what chance is he going to have in the even tougher more physical league that is the Championship?
Of course, I still understand very well where our real problems lie and I’ll keep emphasising what I think about the upper management.
But that won’t help what happens on the pitch, will it?
I don’t suppose calling for Garde’s head helps much either in fairness, but what else am I supposed to do?
Just blindly support a manager that I don’t believe will keep us up and more importantly, think will probably do a worse job in a lower league?
That said, I’ve come to realise that sacking Garde will make us look even more ridiculous than we already do and it’s not a stance I’ll be continuing with in the short term (even though I’ll still think it personally).
But I’d ask how many managers Watford have gone through recently?
I make it six in three and a half years and they aren’t doing too badly compared to us, are they?
Still, like I said, it’s not a stance I’m going to maintain on the site, at least not in the headline articles.
As for yesterday’s abuse of the team getting on the bus, while I have a lot of sympathy for fans who keep travelling in the vain hope of the odd victory, that was simply a step too far.
Voicing general displeasure is fine (which surely makes the players feel bad enough), but to actually hurl personal abuse at players is something I can’t agree with.
It’s not only intimidatory, but threatening too and that can’t possibly do the players any good mentally.
As I’ve said before, we need to centralise our anger at the people who are the real cause of our problems.
It’s not the players’ fault if they simply aren’t good enough.
Just seen the video of the baldy man. Most accurate player ratings I’ve heard yet.
I suppose you can’t really condone the use of such language in public and it probably makes even more of a laughing stock of my club (not sure that’s possible thinking about it) however I find myself firmly on the baldy man’s side.
After all he’s only saying what we all think. Villa fans have on the whole been supportive even when its obvious that players don’t give a shit about whether they win or lose.
Perhaps this will give them a verbal kick up the bum, who knows?
Can’t wait for for the end of the season, you think it just can’t get any worse and then it does.
It couldn’t get any worse did I say? Read this –
http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7520081
First match at the Villa for me was 1957. Seen all the ups and downs from Div 3 to European Cup. This is the worst I’ve ever felt about my club.
Honestly don’t think we should sack Garde – just everyone else…
…oh and someone give that baldy man a medal. At least he showed some guts which is more than we’ve seen on the pitch for yonks.
Villa bosses to meet in New York for crisis talks this week.
If it was to discuss transfer strategy surely this would have happended in December when we were first cut adrift. We have 2 homes games this week where any new players should have been in place.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Fox and Co are for the door.
As for the possibility of bringing in a therapist they should put one on each of the exit doors to help the fans get over what we have been watching.
Interesting take Steve. Seems a bit late to be discussing the transfer budget for January (as the media would have it) – it’s not as if our position has just happened – perhaps Randy just hadn’t noticed!
If it’s not for a crisis meeting then it should be,the club is falling apart if not already.that was just a taster Saturday of the fans feelings things ain’t good at the VILLA it’s probably best you stay put Randy over the pond cus you & ain’t welcome over here
It’s a nice thought Steve, it might also mean excepting we will drop, them being called and asked to lighten the load of players , all sorts of money savings methods of discussion on the table, the fans won’t get any answers on New players this month it will get worse.
Think they have gone over to chew over things not going well? I think its a sticky situation. They might come home and spit it out to us.
Maybe to discuss the bulk buy of chewing gum for the subs & the possibility of been sponsored by Wrigleys.
Surprised they’re not meeting at the Emirates so they can find out what Arsenal would do
I’ve just found this on the net
“Villa put £6 million price tag on Jordan Ayew”
“Villa are willing to accept a cut-price of £6 million to release the attacker.”
If there’s any foundation to this then so much for the resale value of the new signings, the only decent one in the pack and it looks like he’s being touted for sale. That leads on to signings in the Jan window? IMO pure fantasy, if anything it looks like they’re planning to clear the decks.
You have to laugh or else you’d cry.
If there is one thing Lerner doesn’t do, is allow players to go for cut-prices (unless there’s a buyout clause which there isn’t). We’ll make 10-12m on him if we go down, with Wolves selling Afobe for 10m, Norwich getting 8m for Gabban. Ayew’s much better than either.
Afobe & Grabban both English so that inflates the price.
Of all the utter dross Paddy and his magic PC bought in the summer he actually looks the part and just a thought but perhaps keeping our best players just may be the way forward?
Just maybe. He’s a hard worker, one I think actually likes the Villa and gives his all. I don’t see him going till the summer if we go down, if even that.
Yes it looks more like a clearout than a shopping spree,I wonder if amavi was fit would he be now in the shop window?gearing up for the championship that’s a club going places.I hope we don’t get Oxford in the draw tonight I’d SHITE myself silly me we’ve still got that big hurdle of getting the better of Wycombe.
Ha! The dumb f**ks have just noticed how much they’ll lose. Just…???!!!
Why isn’t Lerner flying over here to see Garde. Almsjadt is talking to him about buying players that’s Gardes job.
Personally I’m surprised it weren’t done by video-link to save Lerner the cost of the flight!
http://www.anthonynolan.org/
A more worthy cause than this shambolic club. A 6 year old fan from Cleobury Mortimer in need of bone marrow transplant, please help. Screening at LACON CHILDE SCHOOL on the 14th of January between 3 and 7 PM. Thanks.
I’m all for that I’ll be there it’s not too far away,I hope he finds a match.thanks for that miffedvillan
Wycombes got a tough one next man city.
Man City have a bye into the next round then.
REMIs got a pretty good record against CITY.
Tell you what lads and lasses that tirade at the team has made the media stand up and take notice of our plight, so far tonight they have had a piece about the demise of Villa under Lerner both on Talksport and 5 live.
Although they don’t openly condone their actions they seem on the whole very sympathetic and understanding towards the motivation behind them that is a part from that bell end Franksy on wm.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03f71sc
So my suggestion for today’s team sheet –
Ballboy
Richards Okore Clark Ballboy
Gil Ballboy Gueye Ballboy
Ayew Kozak
Well they couldn’t do any worse and at least the ballboys would take the game seriously. TBH I’d bet on one of them being the Villa Man of the Match!
We’ll get stuffed again tonight :-((
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villas-leandro-bacuna-singled-7160926
Yet our little girl fans cried because they got told off by the players? I don’t blame the players at all.
However, Garde wanting rid of players that are destroying the locker room (IE: N’Zogbia and Gabby) says a lot and in my opinion those 2 have some kind of leader role that is destroying any unity possible. He’s said he hopes Lerner’s willing to back him in allowing them to leave.
Oh and he’s made offers for multiple targets, but every player so far has turned us down due to the position we’re in, and in a better position, they’d love to play for Garde.