So it’s a short and sweet video, with no sound, but it’s just the sort of thing I like to see. Anyone who says “Up the Villa” is okay by me.
Tony Xia is confirmed as our new owner then and is due for a press conference, along with Roberto Di Matteo this morning.
It was nice seeing pictures/video of him walking around the ground and while I’m not sure if it was his first time, he couldn’t have failed to have been impressed with what he saw.
While my dream as a kid would have been to play for the club, now it would be to actually own it.
The ground is a great sight when it’s empty, but imagine sitting watching an important game, in front of a full house, where we’re winning and the crowd are really rocking.
And then thinking “I own this”. How good would that be?
But it isn’t going to happen, so while I’m coming back to reality, I’m starting to think about what Mr Xia might be thinking.
We’ve seen the reports where Xia is going to hand over £30 million to RDM, but I’ve also seen opinions that we shouldn’t look to buy our way out of the Championship and should look to use our kids.
Ive talked about the latter point before and it’s a nice idea. But it won’t work.
We have to look at the competition we’re going to face this season and there are some serious clubs in this league.
Newcastle are going to spend, Derby have a decent starting point with a good manager in Pearson and I could cite lots of other examples, which don’t need explanation.
My concern is that if we try to play with an average championship league outlook, from a club point of view, there are much more experienced clubs than us that already know what it’s about.
So while it goes against my instincts, I have to confess that I want Mr Xia to go all out for promotion.
Which means we have to get rid of the rubbish, get in some proper quality and then, secondarily, bring in some experienced grafters and maybe introduce the kids if we’re doing well, come the winter.
Yes, I know. It means root and branch change, where we risk a bunch of players not knowing each other.
But we can’t keep most of the squad we have, as I believe it’s beyond saving, as a whole.
If that’s true, a couple of top-ups is going to achieve nothing, is my point.
Of course, this is going to cost serious money and while I wouldn’t profess to have clue about how contracts work in reality, I’d like to think that with massive incentive-based contracts, it won’t cost ridiculous amounts if we don’t get promotion at the first attempt.
For clarity, I’m talking about double your basic wage with a win bonus, type thing and halve it if you lose.
Wouldn’t that be a good incentive to any player who is confident in his ability?
Or perhaps I’m still dreaming.
The point is, I have concerns that if it takes too long to get promoted, Xia will quickly get bored with us.
Okay, I’ve read that he’s going to buy a house in the Midlands and base himself 50/50 in Birmingham and China.
How long will he be happy making that little commute?
I’d suggest not long, given that he has a young daughter.
Hence I think he has no option but to go all out to get us up straight away and will provide RDM with pretty much what he wants.
Which is the acid test I mentioned in the headline.
If he tries to do things on the cheap, by signing cheap, old hacks, lower league players and introducing the kids too quickly, I think I’ll come to a pretty quick conclusion as to what he’s all about.
But I seriously think he’s the real deal and that isn’t going to happen.
It’s going to be a real roller coaster couple of years, where I expect major highs and lows.
Just as big a concern, is how good RDM is going to prove.
Badger, belay the fears mate, we now have a driver on our bus ,not a money tight git like Lerner or come to that matter Ellis, I feel and believe at last the man has arrived to our great club. I just hope we have the right man in Di Mateo, I would have been slightly happier having Pearson but hey ho we’re on the right track in coming back.
Morning Bill – great to see optimism on here again. Do you think Dr. X realises just what new hope he brings to the fans. Scary responsibility!
Will be interesting to see what’s said this morning – although words are cheap and we won’t really learn anything until a couple of months into the season.
Assuming the ‘new’ FPP test is robust and we are assured that Dr. X is financially able to deliver then I have absolutely no doubt sufficient funds will be made available so the real acid test is your question over DM and the team he has assembled. There are rumours that Brian Little will be joining the board as Director of Football – I hope they are accurate.
Final point – the fans have to reset their expectations on the sort of players we will be signing – the Championship is a very different league to the PL
We are in for bournemouths ch Elphnick £3m. No idea if that’s good or not as don’t remember seeing him play
That’s because he was seriously injured at the start of the season. But he captained them to two promotions and the last 10 or so games when he came back.
Another injury prone defender then
One serious injury doesn’t make you injury prone, lol. In the last 7 seasons, only 1 season has he played less than 25 games, and 2 less than 30.
Morning Hitch, you saying that about Little I actually thought that from the off, it would be sensible to go with him ,imo, back to Xia, he looks as if he’s in it to win it to me, money on the table gives me that opinion and the drive he has in business. Let’s hope I’m right.
Amen
Morning gents. Good morning to be a Villan, we’ve has precious few recently! Very happy we get a new start, as you say, words are one thing, it’ll be the first few actions that show us what kind of new owner we have.
Agree with you on the transfer policy Badger, I’d like to see the kids be the heartbeat of the team, but they have to be introduced carefully, to a hopefully winning side. We need some old school pros, players with the right mentality, leadership rather than potential. And make an example of the bad apples, so those that we keep know how things are going to be now.
I’m still in a bit of a daze after the strangest of seasons and the endless waiting for the takeover. Now it’s a feeling I’d almost forgotten, I’m burning full of hope.
With regard to how good RDM is I find I’m actually not too bothered.
In a straight comparison with Pearson I’d probably prefer Pearson if I’m honest. However RDM + Clarke is another thing altogether and I find I much prefer RDM and Clarke as a package to Pearson. Add in Bond and it’s even better.
I find that, after the worst season I can ever remember followed by relegation, I’m actually optimistic. Perhaps this is just what we needed, a season in the Championship to rebuild the team.
Can’t wait
UTV
I feel the same way Pat, and let’s appreciate that it was RDM who made those decisions, vital first signings. He analysed his own strengths and weaknesses and came up with an excellent solution, bodes well for the future.
Hopefully the dark days are behind us.
Agree with you both [Pat & Holtender] -I think that the management team as announced now is about as strong as anything that we could realistically hope for.
Individually they may not be spectacular names, but then those sorts generally don’t come into the Football League these days; as a management team they seem to tick all of the right boxes.
I wish this bluenose disliker would fuck off & pay attention to what your teachers saying you’ll learn English one day.
So far he’s only learned how to press a button; by the time he’s 25 he might have learned how to write his own name…
Nah mate 2 braincells don’t stretch that far, possibly enough to brush his teeth.
Bluenose brushing his teeth…..very much doubt that. Most of the bluenoses I’ve met have teeth like piano keys, ‘one black, one white’…..as for the rest, they dont have any at all! 🙂
Lots of reports in the media that a bid for Elphick has been accepted.
The journey begins. We want players with fight, spirit and guts to wear our great colours.
And I dont give a fuck if you press the dislike button….help yourself you lowlife bluenose scumbag……jealousy by any chance?
UTV
Langford I’ve heard that Xia might buy the shit hole across the city and put them out of busines, now wouldn’t that be great.
Great idea Bill. I hope your positive niw we have a new regime?
Onwards and upwards!
UTV
Hang on just thought, we wouldn’t get 6 points would we,?
Good spot Bill 🙂
Love it – notice how no dislikes appeared – it would appear some bluenoses can actually read!
Or maybe not 🙂
Too busy breeding with immediate family…
Incest, just a note to the bluenose that’s not a creepy crawly.
loving the prospect of signing Elphick, it shows RDM understands the failings of the previous seasons. leadership or lack of it, on field and off needs to be addressed. Elphick is a leader on the field and in the dressing room. definitely will be a better influence than the last captains of last season. not to forget be a better defender than richards and lescott.
okore seems to have his mind change about wanting to leave, maybe he hasn’t be offered wages matching his current one at villa. never know your on a good deal until you lose it lmao ask insomnia. rather have 11 committed players, than 11 mercenaries that pick and choose their battles they prefer
Bit small for a CH only 5ft 11 though still a lot taller than me 🙂
but is he better than some of the defenders we have oohahaha that is the question. i think he is the type of player we desperately lack. i could see him and clark being a solid defensive pair with baker as back up
As regulars will know, Bournemouth are my second team, so I have seen Tommy Elphick play for some time, and followed his duties as club captain. As a man, a leader, and a defensive organiser he is exactly what you would hope a club captain to be. I.E. the complete opposite of Gabby and Richards. I am still slightly concerned how fit he is, but no doubt his medical will be rigorous.
I shouldn’t worry about Xia lacking family time Badger. The super rich are rarely family oriented…Business first!!!
I like this guy. He could move in next door to you and one would expect him to be quite unassuming. He’s obviously driven, and has been very successful in taking the opportunities China has presented. As long as he doesn’t turn out to be a barsteward, I’m really, rather thoroughly chuffed!
A hybrid of Leicester, Citeh and Accrington Staley will do just fine. He’s welcome to bring his family over to ours for supper any time he likes!
Happy days Bum Bum! Just read a quote from his press conference;
“My first priority is getting the right atmosphere in the Club, to get the spirit back.
We need players who fight for the Club and love the Club and contribute.
That’s the first priority.”
music to my ears!
Just GET RID of the ‘dislike button’…….its simple people either ‘like’ the post and click the like button. If on the other hand they ‘dislike’ the post, they can say so below, thus, revealing their identity….it will put a stop to the sad simpletons!
UTV
Good idea Langford – Facebook has a similar arrangement.
I hit the dis-like button at times simply because my opinion differs from the post I have read. Does that make me a Bluenose?
The whole point of this forum, well from my understanding, is for people to have an opinion.
If people don’t agree why should an explanation be required?
There is no right or wrong, just peoples opinions.
Stubs, say it to their face and not behind backs, the dislike button is in my mind a place to hide.
I have hit your dislike button Bill because I don’t agree with your comment. Hope that explanation helps you sleep easier. 🙂
‘Why should an explanation be required’ – err because it’s about people having an opinion – your words. Perhaps we would like to know why you dislike a post – it’s called a debate.
Facebook don’t have a dislike button for a reason – it has no value.
Facebook Facebook Facebook…..get a life mate.
I have a very nice one thanks for your concern 🙂
At the risk of sounding overly optimistic, I wonder if Yacouba Sylla would mind if we repurposed his song;
Tony Xia, Xia, Xia
He saved the fucking Villa, Villa, Villa!
So the good Doctor Tony has no plans to rename VP…..I hope he doesnt change his mind on that one. I can, however, see the North Stand being demolished (about time too IMO). A new stand with the naming rights sold to a wealthy company (Dr Tone knows plenty) will help funding for transfers and help us swerve the ludicrous FFP crap that favours the few!
I have no objection to renaming the Doug Ellis Stand – it would bring in a lot more money with a different name 🙂
I have hit your like button because I agree with your comment. Hope that puts your mind at rest for a while. 🙂
I’m glad you see my point Stubs.
Oh look everyone another bullshit 5-10yr plan. Sound familiar! http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-can-rule-europe-8203015
it does not bother me if people dislike my comments. we all have an opinion.
it would not be much of a discussion group if we all agreed on ever thing.
I don’t know if anyone else picked up on some comments earlier when talking about the club (not the ground). they kept saying the villa name not Aston villa.
A safe standing area would be a good start, and reverse the decision to turn half of the lower North Stand into a wheelchair only zone, that’s the most atmospheric part of the ground.