I’m pretty sure Eric Black’s quotes have been taken somewhat out of context, but even so they’re worrying;
“It’s not an easy situation in terms of motivating players because this could very easily implode,” said the caretaker boss.
It could very easily turn into anarchy. Easily, it could easily happen. I’m going to try and ensure that is not the case”.
I can only put certain parameters down to ensure that doesn’t happen. We’ll see what happens thereafter.
If they’re all relegated and decide they don’t want to play, I’ve only got certain things I can do.”
Now, I find this confusing.
Surely we’re already relegated and only a fool would suggest otherwise?
So assuming Black is only doing the usual PR type stuff, where he’s saying we’re going to do everything to stay up, regardless of how bad things look (and he has been), why has he even considered answering this sort of question?
I can only assume he’s trying to give us some sort of clue as to what’s going on. But it’s nothing the fans don’t already know.
Gabby going on a re-conditioning stint, where he won’t be available until a month before the end of the season, is only a disguised way of saying “he’ll never play for us again”, for example, in my opinion.
So why the club just don’t come straight out and say that, is beyond me. It would appease many fans, especially if he was only the first in a pretty long list.
Whatever, I think most of us know it’s pretty much true and we’ve seen the last of him.
Could this be Lerner giving his golden boy a last chance?
I suspect so.
And to compound it all, Black was talking yesterday about how well the players had trained.
Was that being realistic, sarcastic, or another hint at how things are better without Gabby?
I’m going to guess at the latter.
And then, we have a game tomorrow, against Man Utd.
Before this season, I didn’t think I could ever see a situation where I wouldn’t want to see this fixture.
And I’m not alone, as it’s traditionally a sell-out, even if the attendance is bolstered by pretend Mancs.
But it’ll be interesting to see if this one sells out.
There’s been plenty of talk suggesting that Rooney will probably start for this one.
And I can only concur with any thought that if he needs a nice easy game to come back into, it has to be against us.
You probably know where this is going.
Villa 0-3 Man Utd is my prediction, but it could easily be a serious thrashing.
Not because Utd are a good side, but because we might be relegated before we kick off.
And the wimps we have playing for us will have given up totally.
I’m at work again while the game is on, but will be able to see it if I really want.
I’m not convinced I’ll bother.
I’m close to being beyond caring, this season 🙁
You are certainly beyond caring – you think this game is at Villa Park.
You’re right.
I did actually know the game was at OT, but forgot last night, for some reason.
The over-riding thought was just that we haven’t got a hope in hell of getting anything out of the game.
Utd +6 VILLA 0 with or without shabby we’re still SHITE
Think it’ll be a 3-1 game. Can see us scoring 1 somehow. But I think his comments showed exactly what Garde dealt with. The players just didn’t care. “If they’re all relegated and decide not to play”, it’s been happening for 5 months now, clearly knows we’re going down but he doesn’t want them to act like it, he wants them to play for the fans, and I think he finally knows that they just won’t.
Spot on Andrew, three managers have had to put up with attitudes of i dont give a fuck, we’ve had an in house i dont care, a bad Apple slagging club management and poorly run directorship, the list goes on, I cannot see how Villa will change it around without paying mega bucks to new footballers, this is why I would call in all loans, get our best reserves into the last few games and off load the shite we have. Today’s game 4-0 Man. Sad times,
I think the board have already decided on a mass clear out, but can’t say yet due to players contracts etc, but Backs comments are concerning, if existing players don’t want to play, what chance have we got attracting new ones in the summer.
Villa will win by two goals today – Now its time for my appointment at the funny farm !
There coming to take you away today ha ha he he.
Whilst I suspect the new football board will know what needs to be done they are unlikely to undermine the new manager with statements ahead oh his appointment. Entirely correct I would think.
Exactly. Nobody can say what they really think. Black himself cannot tell any players they are definitely staying or going, because it will not be his decision.
As for motivating the players, he can tell them it is the last time they will ever play at Old Trafford, go out and put on a show.
Who the f*** is Black anyway? He’s only been there for 2 minutes and he’ll probably be off as soon as the new manager is appointed.
Why does he have to say anything at all?
Quote from Defoe before Sunderland’s must win game against Norwich.
“I did an appearance for the club the other day and there were these two women there,” he told the Daily Mail.
“They just said: “Come on son, make sure you do it at the weekend”.
“That makes you realise you want to stay up so much for the people here in this town. When a club gets relegated bad things happen.”
Someone should print it off in big letters and put it in the Villa dressing room to show them that there really are players out there who give a f*** about something other than their pay packet.
Pat – they do care about other things … like who’s getting a new Bentley or what colour next week’s Ferrari will be.
Trouble is that they all forgot that what they do on the field is supposed to pay for all of that. Oops ..
So Defoe needed 2 random woman to motivate him and the team. What a load of patronising bollox
Sunderland prolonging our status…for three hours anyway…
Well done big Sam, a manager that’s never been relegated from the premiere, think we have another week in the premier don’t we?
15 mins gone and camped in our own half, no change.
One down
Southgate sitting next to brian little lets hope it’s not him
Oh no! Not Gareth!
Dosnt matter who manages us next season we will be going down again
Well doug was might be him,
Do we not have any sub’s? Ayew can do one if we have. One dimensional greedy fecker.
Hit the,post, missed a sitter, last 15 minutes all over man utd
That’s it the agonies over championship here we come
It’s over, it’s done. We are relegated.
Although inevitable a few weeks ago, it still hurts when it’s official.
God save the villa! I beg you!
WELL PLAYED THE AWAY SUPPORTERS…AT LEAST YOU HAD A GOOD SEASON.