I'm in a good mood today. I am close to the edge, but I'm in a good mood. When I say close to the edge I don't mean I'm going to go do something silly, what I mean is I am close to the edge of acceptance and when I reach that edge and drop off, there is absolutely nothing the club can do for me.

It isn't something that is going to manifest itself over the next few hours or days, it is months and it is the football that I want to see get better but part of me 'accepting' things is that for the football to get better you need better players and my acceptance level also tells me that you need money for that to happen.

But like I said, today I am in a good mood, I'm not letting football or Aston Villa get a grip and I know some of you will think it sad, that I allow that to happen, but it is something easily controlled. So, I'm not going to go into details, I'm not going to mention formation, I'm not going to rant about Lerner and lack of funds or General PR.

Well, actually I am going to mention something about General PR in a minute, because well, he is a funny little man and I am going to talk about funds, but I'm not going to rant, because for me I've thought it since day one and it is clear as day now, which is why I still find it strange that some can't accept that Lerner isn't going to spend serious money on making Aston Villa great again, he is here to try and make some money.

Shoulder That

First though, to Curtis Davies and our defensive concerns. He will find out next week if he needs surgery, but you'd have to be a blind man to see that something isn't right and hasn't been right for a long time. There is every possibility he will be out for a few months now and while there always was a need for a central defender, that need has become quite urgent now, or will Martin O'Neill play one of the younger players, we have two to pick from in Lowry and Clark.

Fulham at Villa Park on Sunday

There is a match preview coming up later. With the server move and all the work with that I've not had time to get around to it. Needless to say, it is a very important match for O'Neill, but like I said above, no mention of formation from me. I'll leave my hope and expectations for the match preview later.

General PR

Okay, some are going to see that as me knocking two people but it isn't. Krulak has a job and he's doing it, but it's clear as day that his role is PR. PR stands for public relations and that is exactly what he does.

Now, I thought the whole General PR thing a bad idea from the start and still think it a bad idea, but it is the route they've picked and it is the role Krulak has within the club and some like it, but I don't, I think it a little cringeworthy if I'm honest.

What has got me wound up about General PR though? Well, first I'm not really wound up, it's more a case of 'what really is the point' and do people really care and believe?

I read this article on Vital Football and while I know Jonathan Fear has a vested interest in Lerner not failing or actually not getting found out as a modern day pirate, there really is no "great honour" to have access to a non-executive director of the club, when it is his job.

We all have access to the club if we want it, just not many take it. Seven or eight years ago, before all the protests and before the defeat to Birmingham City I remember calling the club and speaking to Ellis about something. He took my call, actually he returned it and I told him what was wrong and he got it fixed.

Now, a bi-annual fans forum with the manager and/or owner would be a step in the right direction. Even that wouldn't be a "great honour" as other clubs already do it, but it would certainly be a little special.

The Manager Speaks

Martin O'Neill
I have enquired about a number of players. We are trying. I will use all the financial backing that I have - I will utilise that. And I will take it right up to the end. After Tuesday, you can't do anything and you are left with what you have. I will try and get players in.

We have a number in mind. We are hopeful of doing things. We might be in a position to do so too - that's the impression we have been given by other clubs. I will attempt to do that.

Well, if that isn't as clear as day, I don't know what is. Martin O'Neill is going to use all the money he has.

If he spends another £50mn and doesn't sell a player, I'll be extremely happy, as it is needed to kick on, but if he doesn't, surely the writing will be on the wall and it is a case of waiting until next summer before we see the money getting spent again.

Now, I'm off to paint the ceiling of my sons new bedroom, but I have nearly accepted it and I'm actually almost not expecting much any more and that I suspect is the reason why the attendance was so low for our Wigan and Rapid Vienna game and why Manchester City are selling out, not the economy General.

Comments (101)

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Andy Young said:

... I believe I am first.

Comment 1, made on August 29, 2009 at 10.40 am

ak_27 said:

... Have been away on holiday so haven't been on for a while. Damien do i have to register again?

Comment 2, made on August 29, 2009 at 10.48 am

HT Sweden said:

... If prio one for Lerner is to make money, not making Villa great again, it´s depressing. On the other hand, maybe Villa can be great only when Lerner has made a dollar or 2? But..when looking around, all u see are clubs in debts going places...

Comment 3, made on August 29, 2009 at 10.50 am

Nik Skilton said:

... i would like 3 more players on top of Dunne

Comment 4, made on August 29, 2009 at 10.52 am

Nik Skilton said:

... oh and a vila 3-1 today

Comment 5, made on August 29, 2009 at 10.53 am

robs said:

... Damian, I genuinely don't see what your problem is with Krulak so it would be good to hear the real reason why you are so anti. Until you do, it will sadly look as if you are just jealous that another blog has direct access. There is no need for jealousy. This is the most popular Villa blog on the web and you don't need that direct access so why not just let it go?. Having said that, I do think that Krulak is performing a useful role. Of course he is performing a PR function ....Duh!. His role in the club is to pass information to the fans and inevitably he will put on the spin that he/Lerner wants to. Each of us will decide ourseleves whether to believe it or not. If we believe he is patronising us and trying to project his own agenda we can decide for ourselves whether we want to ignore what he says.

Comment 6, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.01 am

Damian said:

... nik986 even tomorrow

Comment 7, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.02 am

robb0 said:

... Damian, I have registered and successfully logged in under that name but when I try to post a comment I am told that the log in name has already been taken. Isn't it me that has taken it? Am I doing something wrong?

Comment 8, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.02 am

THE AV VILLAN said:

... Why are we having to wait for Dunne to sort out his Man Citeh pay off???? Surely Man Citeh are contractually obligated to pay him off IF he has not handed in a transfer. I don't see why this would have stopped him signing for us Thursday or friday??? I'm a wee bit worried about the delay!! Onto another Centre Back, i'm sure MON is watching the Turner situation closely. I can cope with us not moving in for Tuncay but missing out on Turner to Hull would really piss me off. However i'm still just about confident MON will bring in another 4 players!!!! Come on MON you can do it!!! UTV!!! 3-0 Tomorrow!!! Carew Hat Trick!!!!

Comment 9, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.07 am

ant the villan said:

... im feeling exactly the same, not expecting too much any more, its the only way to stop the feeling of frustration, its going to be a long slow march to the top, thats assuming we EVER get there.

Comment 10, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.12 am

Damian said:

... robs there is no problem with krulak. read above. i'm just surprised people believe it still and like i've said, since day one, i've thought it shocking that as supporters, we buy into it. there is also no jealousy, if he approached this site, i cant stop him from posting a comment, but i would request he doesn't, as i'd be embarrassed. but, ask a question to General PR now and I can pretty much answer it as he would but it's like you say, more spin from lerner and you've said above - you want to hear more spin from lerner. i don't, i want actions, not words. cant believe you said you want spin from the lcub

Comment 11, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.13 am

Rhodri said:

... robs, Damian is speaking his mind. Stop Busting his balls.

Comment 12, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.15 am

Damian said:

... robb0 you are not loggin in yet but because of the server move there is every chance you are logged in on the old server and not the new one. certainly for the rest of the day anyway. most should now be seeing this server but there is chance that requests are going to the other one. although, i have just activated your account for you. something you hadn't done, so that is the reason

Comment 13, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.16 am

THE AV VILLAN said:

... Damo i too do not understand what Krulack has done??? To be honest the only thing i can remember him ever saying was about the 30m pound player. Was gonna ask you to shed some light but thinking about it probably best you don't not sure we need any more negativity at the moment. Chin Up. UTV!!

Comment 14, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.17 am

Rhodri said:

... ant the villan What a shame. I expect you're amonsgt the boo boys? What a crap attitude

Comment 15, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.20 am

robb0 said:

... Damian, I'm not saying that I want spin, I'm saying that Krulak is employed to give us information and it's only human nature that he will add a degree of his own/Lerner's spin. It just seems blindingly obvious and no big deal at all. We decide which bits of it to take at 100% face value and which to ignore. That's what we do every day of our lives ... at work, with politicians, with business leaders, with salesmen. I just don't think we need to you to keep pointing out that what he says will be tinged with spin....of course it will...it's his job...we understand that....it's no big deal!

Comment 16, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.21 am

paul mclafferty said:

... i am waiting with baited breath to see what extra players mon is goin after, van der vaart is valued at around 6-8 million and has just turned down besiktas to wait for a pl club.

Comment 17, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.22 am

TrueVillan said:

... hope some of those players he is interested in are a quality midfielder and striker, as well as the obvious defenders we need! cannot see a big signing at this point, i think generally they are sorted out in advance not last day rushes on motorways and quick medicals! would love a surprise like a robbie keene, would give us something extra

Comment 18, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.24 am

ChicoHamiltonsPants said:

... I trying to see where this article is going? What do you want sack the PR boys including the general and possibly revolt and hang lerner from the top of the Doug Ellis stand, because hes not rich enough. Or have some town hall meeting asking why the chairman and manager hasn't spent £25mill on 1 player. Easy Lerners worth about £750mill and MON doesn't by foreign players. On average Damian how much do spend on the Villa each year thats goes directly to the club being an ardent Villa fan and purveyor of one of the premier blogs i imagine yours is greater then the average.

Comment 19, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.30 am

Damian said:

... r0bb0 the website is there to give us information. but let me ask you a question; what is PR and for what purpose is it used?

Comment 20, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.34 am

THE AV VILLAN said:

... Would love VDV but surelt MON would have made his move by now??? Or is he waiting till deadline day to make sure we don't get gazumped by Citeh!!!! UTV!!! IN MON I TRUST!!!

Comment 21, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.34 am

steve41 said:

... just red on one site that sidwell is off to hull for £4 mil ? do u think we might be getting turner ?

Comment 22, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.36 am

THE AV VILLAN said:

... Richard Dunne Brede Haangeland Rafael Van Der Vaart Wagner Love This would take us form top six to top four!!! Cost £50 million for that 4 on top of what we have already spent!!! Leave out Wagner Love and hope Carew stays fit then we could get away with spending £30 million on the other 3 and this would give us a chance!!!! Oh well I'm going back to my greamland now!!!!

Comment 23, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.38 am

James said:

... I've just worked something out. I haven't been on here for a while. I watched the Wigan game and was gutted. I came onto here thinking that my patience with MON and Lerner was weakening. Increasingly I was feeling that some of MON's weaknesses may be holding us back, but still feeling he had a lot to offer and that continuity of management is the best option. Then I start reading all the comments on here and what happens? My views become polarised. I'm back fully behind MON. I love the debate BUT I think the extremes of the posts on both sides of the argument are starting to replace real opinion and turning discussion into a Punch and Judy farce.

Comment 24, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.44 am

Richard Thornton said:

... Don't care about club PR or the managers comments! I care about results and performances on the pitch. I'd like 3 points tomorrow please. Sadly I think it'll be a draw or a 0-1 loss. New players will need time to bed-in and who'll fill in for Davies? Mmmmm??? Badly need a top striker, badly need defensive cover, badly need a creative spark in midfield- Times running out MON! UTV

Comment 25, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.45 am

Sean said:

... I really think alot of people read to much into comments made my the manager, chairman, the general, the players. I know its the point of the blog to give our opinions on events at villa park and our insights into whats going on come from the above mentioned but I fear some people read too far into these comments, and go off on the wrong tangent, then it escalates! I like to think of supporting villa like supporting your family. You invest time, love and money, and although sometimes they dont go down the path that you would like for them or one you dont completely agree with, as long as its not illegal or damaging to their health, you support them. Lets support our beloved team and the manager, whatever path they choose, i.e. whatever squad were left with come 2nd Sept, lets support them, and be thankful were not going to end up in administration in a few years, which quite a few major clubs have and will be doing! I have immense pride in being a Villa fan, as we do things properly in a crazy crazy league, ourselves and Everton should be highly commended for being so competitive whilst conducting our business with the greatest integrity! I am looking for another good season in the league (4th-7th), a really good go at both the fa and league cup, ready to push on next year, remember Sir Alex took 6 seasons to get success! UTV

Comment 26, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.48 am

Damian said:

... ChicoHamiltonsPants It isn't about hanging anyone or sacking anyone or town hall meetings with stupid questions. If you want to ask stupid questions and get stupid answers, there are forums where you can go do that right now. It's about acceptance of our situation. Nanwasafan You have to back O'Neill. He needs the time and at the very least next season too to get his style of football working. But after five seasons, it is going to be difficult to continue if the football isn't getting better.

Comment 27, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.49 am

Biriani said:

... I like Krulak and I like his comments on Vital Villa. I think he does a good job in both giving information about what's going on, and in taking constructive comments from posters and feeding them back to the club. I do think it is an honour to have such a man posting on your site, and it would be great if he posted on this one. I don't go to Vital Villa much now, however, because of the level of hysterical abuse Krulak gets on there from the moderators, let alone the punters. I suspect Mr Fear is embarressed by the abuse Krulak gets on his site, as well he might be. He is forever telling the muppets on there to show the man some respect

Comment 28, made on August 29, 2009 at 11.58 am

jerry said:

... There is no need for jealousy. This is the most popular Villa blog on the web and you don't need that direct access so why not just let it go?. Having said that, I do think that Krulak is performing a useful role. Spot on robs. All institutions spin - that is: they put a gloss on their activities. Who cares? If you care what the General says, take my advice: give up caring. It’s spin and therefore worthless. Take the evidence of your eyes and ears and make your own judgements. In everything, not just the Villa. Jonathon Fear has the best access. So what, he doesn’t have the best blog. What worries me is that I’m reliably informed that Krulak visits Villa blogs and sometimes posts. Why doesn’t he come here? If he wants the biggest forum to get the word out, why wouldn’t he use this one? Doesn’t make sense does it? Perhaps J Fear, with all his access, might use it to ask the only question worth asking: “If you, general, are genuinely interested in reaching the greatest number of supporters, why don’t you go to Damo’s blog” Lerner’s regime has a number of fervent critics here, so it could get rough. However there’s also a lot of admirers and supportive comment. General, if you read this, grasp your nuts in your left hand, a keyboard in your right, take a deep breath, and wish us all “Goodmorning”. Show some Aristotle FFS. You’d get a lot of Brownie points for fortitude. he is here to try and make some money. gerraway. And there was me thinking he was doing for fun.

Comment 29, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.03 pm

Biriani said:

... If you care what the General says, take my advice: give up caring. It’s spin and therefore worthless. Calling it spin and worthless is disgracefully disrespectful and untrue nonesense on the same level as posters who think they know football tactics and management better than MON. Worthless indeed. You shock me Churchill

Comment 30, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.07 pm

ant the villan said:

... Rhodri: booooooooooooooooooooo

Comment 31, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.08 pm

Damian said:

... churchill i've met krulak once and other people at the club and people no longer at the club, from the current and previous regimes i can hand on heart say, i wouldn't want krulak coming on here but what i would love and i'd really like it if this happened, is actual people that work at the club came on and answered questions. i'd love it if someone from the ticket office came on. i'd really love it if duncan from the community department came on, i'd really love it if jack or paul came on from the website. i think we could get some real value from those guys in what they have to say and there are other people .. but krulak, no. i know some would like it, but i'd rather go to the source the one time i met krulak and he spoke to a group that i was in, i didn't like it and the image i had in my head was of a 65 year old woman on the internet with cigarette in mouth and hair in rollers saying 'yes, i really am 18 years old, attractive, blone and slim with pert little breasts and i'm wearing nothing' sorry

Comment 32, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.11 pm

James said:

... the one time i met krulak and he spoke to a group that i was in, i didn't like it and the image i had in my head was of a 65 year old woman on the internet with cigarette in mouth and hair in rollers saying 'yes, i really am 18 years old, attractive, blone and slim with pert little breasts and i'm wearing nothing' No wonder you don't want on here. We don't need that sort of thing. However, I fear it says more about your imagination than the General.

Comment 33, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.17 pm

Damian said:

... Nanwasafan My imagination is certainly the one thing that keeps me sane. You know they say you dream just before you are about to wake up .. well the wife said, abotu three years ago now, that she saw me dreaming and she knew I was because I was smiling in my sleep, proper smiling... when I woke, she was watching me and she asked what I was dreaming about and the dream was about us winning a trophy - not sure what one but we were at Wembley and I just remember Villa holding up the cup and at the time it was Barry holding it up, that much I do remember .. I haven't had that dream for a while now ..

Comment 34, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.22 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... sdtw64, I have immense pride in being a Villa fan, as we do things properly in a crazy crazy league, ourselves and Everton should be highly commended for being so competitive whilst conducting our business with the greatest integrity! I am looking for another good season in the league (4th-7th), a really good go at both the fa and league cup, ready to push on next year, remember Sir Alex took 6 seasons to get success! Totally agree with you. All these "MoN Out" lovers need to have a word with themselves, both ~Liverpool and Man Utd fans want him as their next manager, but apparently he isn't good enough for Villa, makes me laugh! We are in the best position since the mid 90s (in terms of league positioning), so everyone should get behind the club, the manger and the chairman. Damian, I may be naive, but surely if Lerner isn't going to spend serious money on making Aston Villa great again, he is here to try and make some money then why give away potentially £5M in shirt sponsorship - surely he could have got one of his American business friends to sponsor the club? Lerner over Ellis? Randy gets my vote any day, at least he is taking the club as a whole forward, Doug never did!

Comment 35, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.23 pm

Trezzy said:

... how do you register?

Comment 36, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.26 pm

Damian said:

... 1874AVFC He didn't give away short sponsorship. If Microsoft come along tomorrow and say we'll give you £5mn a season, he'll take it, don't worry about that. At the time,the club told us they couldn't find a sponsor that met the valuation put on it. That is why it was given away - if someone was knocking on the door offering £5mn a season, I have a feeling they would grab it.

Comment 37, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.28 pm

jerry said:

... I haven't had that dream for a while now .. Got your number now Damo. You're just a sloppy old romantic at heart. Ain't we all?

Comment 38, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.28 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... Carling cup draw on SSN now , bet we get Man U away !!

Comment 39, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.29 pm

gareth horton said:

... i hate to say it but i dont think we will sign any more players after dunne maybe jenas but that would defo be it i really have given up us gettin in some quality think mons hand would of been forced had we got through on thursday

Comment 40, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.30 pm

jerry said:

... faangler Sorry to have shocked you, old boy. I get over-excited at times. I know, you'd never have guessed.

Comment 41, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.32 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... Home against Cardiff !!! Not bad . UTV

Comment 42, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.33 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... Carling Cup: Villa v Cardiff City

Comment 43, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.33 pm

vogra...aka Cleetus Van Dam said:

... id have that Cardiff... should be knocked out again by a lower league side...

Comment 44, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.34 pm

ChicoHamiltonPants said:

... Damian what do you think the current situation is?

Comment 45, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.41 pm

john franey said:

... 1-2 testing cardiff @ home

Comment 46, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.46 pm

Vijay Daryanani said:

... we need to play our best team in the carling cup and really go for it! especially now we're out of europe

Comment 47, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.48 pm

paul mclafferty said:

... i think cardiff at home is a good draw for us as it is a tough draw but one we should win, and maybe go on to win the cup!!! i really think this is the best route for honours this season.

Comment 48, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.49 pm

ChicoHamiltonPants said:

... And what questions would you ask if we had a forum with the Manager and the Chairman. I appreciate that you would ask about the situation but this encompasses many factor which 3 factors are you mainly interested in? Sorry for being a pain.

Comment 49, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.50 pm

Headologist said:

... Damian Fickle or what? I'm old enough to remember Stan Matthews and the 3rd division. I'm still a fan, in spite of all the ups and downs. We got a little spoilt with last seasons early good run and an exalted league position, remember making a lot of Arsenal fans very nervous? MON and his team(s) are good enough to make that happen. Patience is a virtue .....

Comment 50, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.50 pm

jerry said:

... At the time,the club told us they couldn't find a sponsor that met the valuation put on it. That is why it was given away - if someone was knocking on the door offering £5mn a season, I have a feeling they would grab it. You’re missing the point, con tutto il grande rispetto. If the valuation was £5mil and nobody would pay, there would have been a valuation that somebody would have paid. Say £4mil or £3mil, whatever. And Lerner still turned it down in order to give it to a charity. It’s proper money. Maybe he should have taken the money and given it to Acorns. Who knows?

Comment 51, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.53 pm

John Jordan said:

... The new server works from PR China!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrows game... 2-0 to Villa!

Comment 52, made on August 29, 2009 at 12.57 pm

FatKevs said:

... Agree with you 100% Krulak is there just to keep the plebs happy thinking they have an input into the club & feel someway impotant. At least if the responce was from a regular guy working at the club you would get an opinion. Its like talking to the HR dept.

Comment 53, made on August 29, 2009 at 1.10 pm

Damian said:

... ChicoHamiltonPants Do you mean, with the club? I assume you do and if that is the case, then I think the club is, quite funnily in a way, doing what Spurs did a few years ago and I don't think it necessarily a bad thing either, but we don't have the same financial clout as Spurs. I think we have to stick with O'Neill however as he is part of the team and for me the most important part of the team and if he gets the support from the owner next summer that I expect him to, then the season after this one will be his big test. This season is also a test and while he could still go out and bring in the players necessary to get us 4th place, if he doesn't and we can still finish 6th, we have to be happy with that and I will personally see it as a good season, despite really believing we were going to get the players to get us 4th earlier in the summer. But my 'acceptance' is all based on the owner and the investment he makes. If he really doesn't make the investment in the playing side (O'Neill himself has said he is going to spend everything he can this summer) necessary to have a proper crack at the top four, then it is going to be easier to accept that Lerner really isn't here to make Aston Villa great again. It is also worth noting, that when I say 'investment in the playing side necessary to have a proper crack at the top four' there is a byproduct to that, in so much that, with better players and a better squad, we will do better (hopefully) in the cups and I'm on record as willing to sacrifice 4th place for a trophy. having the squad to seriously challenge for a top four place would give us a better opportunity at silverware and i for one would love it if we won silverware. Ironically, I also think we are extremely close and I can fully understand what the club are trying to do by getting the fans onside and Villa Park full but they could learn a lesson from Ellis in that regard; big players sell tickets and shirts and while they did almost everything right when Lerner took control, they sort of had to, because they only had to do one thing and that was spend the money on making it happen and they knew from day one that that was never going to happen. I also accept that maybe Lerner can't do that and he shouldn't be blamed for it, it's not his fault, but where the blame does come in, for me anyway, is building expectations. If he had come in and said nothing, Krulak never happened but had spent £100mn in his first summer then £100mn in his second (or made available to O'Neill, but he had spent it), then every home game would be a sell out, there would be no booing (because I believe that if you give the quality to O'Neill he will get the best out of them which would ultimately mean better football and better results) and we'd have nothing to be annoyed about but I think one big reason why there was booing and why there are some that want O'Neill out and some that want Lerner out and why some are coming round to the conclusion that maybe it isn't all as great as we had hoped, is because it feels, if only a little, that we were led down the garden path, just a little. And yes, I know it's madness to hope for £100mn to be spent this summer and next, but the game itself is crazy these days and yes, I know it's not every owner that is going to do it, but there was a belief that we had that owner (significant funds, £30mn player, funds are available, no budget, Randy will back MON) when he came in and most accept that without that type of money getting spent your chances of getting into the top four are significantly less than a team that does or a team that is already there. What do I believe; that we are doing it slowly, we don't have the funds to do it like manchester city, or how chelsea did or how to some extent spurs have tried, but if we get mor emoney next summer and it is spent well, the following season will be our real chance. my biggest worry is that the history books will show us that last season was our best chance, but we will only know that in a few years time and by then, who know what could have happened. i've been at wembley when we lifted two league cups. i was even at villa park when we lifted the intertoto and those days (night in the case of the intertoto) were fantastic and they are each etched into my memory. i was at wembley when we lost the fa cup final and i want that success again. is it really wrong to dream about or desire success?

Comment 54, made on August 29, 2009 at 1.28 pm

Damian said:

... churchill isn't it better to be a romantic of sorts? i believe you have to have those dreams and hopes and aspirations. without them, without believing things are possible and are going to happen, they never will. that sounds strange i know, but what is wrong with it? ChicoHamiltonPants i honestly dont have specific things or areas that i am interested enough in where i would ask questions that i already don't know the answers to or don't know where to go via the contact form on the club website to ask for the answer. i mention the forum with the owner and or manager specifically as a form of communication - it would be better than asking questions with the actual decision makers rather than a non-executive director, who is only going to ask then communicate that answer back like i've said above - i'd love some people from the club to come on, simply because if we have questions about tickets we can ask, if we want to know about the website or AVTV we can ask, if we ant to know about aston villa in the community, we can ask and get the answers direct from the horses mouth so to speak ..

Comment 55, made on August 29, 2009 at 1.42 pm

Steve Jones said:

... I actually agree with Damian,remember the line from that movie? "If you build it he will come"? Well in our case,if he(Lerner)builds it(Villa)we (supporters ) will come.In droves.Which leads to more success,which is what we all want

Comment 56, made on August 29, 2009 at 1.50 pm

KingoftheLions said:

... Interesting article in one of the qualities this morning saying that even if you win the Europa Cup you only get £5 mil. The cost of putting on 15 matches for Villa would be about that, so what is all that about???

Comment 57, made on August 29, 2009 at 1.56 pm

Hadders7 said:

... I am a little concerned about the Dunne transfer...is seems to be taking a long time to tie this one up and as previously mentioned, surely the severance pay would already be concluded as part of his contract...I hope I'm wrong but I can see a hitch along the way here! I am very concerned about the constant link with Jenas...surely he is no better than Sidwell, yet alone a Barry replacement. I hope it's a busy bank holiday or I won't be happy. Come on Martin, you can do it!

Comment 58, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.08 pm

Hadders7 said:

... Hi Damian, soory for being extremely thick...every time I post it says it will be chacked by the administrator...I am registered already???

Comment 59, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.10 pm

Damian said:

... Hadders7 It sounds a bit strange writing this .. but this Dunne transfer is also a test for O'Neill. Also - with the email address you have just used to post that comment, no, you are not registered and not logged in.

Comment 60, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.11 pm

Nick Gray said:

... Damian, I also believe that if you give MON the quality he will get the best out of them. However this is missing one vital point. MON isn't given players. He is responsible for buying them. That is where the whole thing breaks down. I honestly believe that if MON had a bottomless pit of money, he would still be going for the same players. It seems to be a dispositional personality variable- i.e. once a bargain hunter, always a bargain hunter. If you want to spend big money on individual players then MON is not your man. Our owner might not be the richest man in the world but he has already invested money. Money that would have been better spent by ol Harry for example. Give him 100 mill and you know your going to have a top team. In my oppinion MON has wasted quite a lot of it. He seems to just buy players for the sake of it out of last second desperation. Hence the reason so many end up sitting on the bench. Therefore, I think the problem is MON, not Randy, and if I had to chose between the two I know who I'd keep. Furthermore, if you want a rich arab at the club, you cenrtainly dont want MON buying players. No worldwide player appeal and lacking worldwide player knowledge. If we have another 50 mill to spend next summer, please for gods sake dont give it to Martin to spend. We'll end up with 7 average £7 million players in. Lets blow the lot on 2/3 awesome players. Then just add 2 awesome players per year after that.

Comment 61, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.18 pm

Andy Pepper said:

... 2-1 villa win 2morrow

Comment 62, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.22 pm

Damian said:

... graymothevillan you may be right, hence why i'm saying this dunne transfer is a test for o'neill, if he can't convince dunner to come play for us and the player would rather stay at a club that is willing to sell him, then it doesn't look great for o'neill but the players o'neill does bring in are his players. i think he has to widen his net in terms of where he is looking for players but i also don't think he has had enough money yet. i think next summer he might get it and like i've said, that is going to be a big one for him. hell, it might still happen today, tomorrow or the next day .. it might and we might all be extremely happy and we all might have real hope of a real challenge of breaking in the top 4 and the potential byproducts of that .. but if it doesn't, i believe he will get it next summer and next season will be the big one

Comment 63, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.24 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... http://www.express.co.uk/posts...ys-O-Neill Blitz - you asked for this link on the last thread. Its not letting me put it as a link but here it is I am astonished by oneils commetns in this article to be frank! firstly he has admitted distin was his choice of centre back and thought he would get him all summer but then the player had a change of heart and went to everton! ffs why did he drag it out for 3 months and give everton the chance to F$cking sign him! then he has said he scoured europe and its a myth that there are bargains to be had in europe these days. this is the same man that is about to spend 8m on richard dunne. ffs - vidic, toure, hangland, agger, livs new signing all f k;ing cheaper than this from abroad! so we have a manager that by his own admission cannot get his first choice players in and doesnt have the ability to find affordable european talent! what a great manager! Hail MON!!

Comment 64, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.25 pm

Damian said:

... Tonebone Link seems to work .. interesting article that. I think selling Knight before completing any deal for a central defender, because it sort of puts you in a more desperate position and the selling clubs knows that - maybe it is a lesson learnt. As for the Europe thing, it was the case a few seasons ago, now managers are scouring Africa and South America - he really does have to catch up.

Comment 65, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.29 pm

Biriani said:

... Tonebone: I'm getting a sense of deja vue reading your post and back to the General I think many on here are being disingenuous if that is a word and I have spelt it right. Why not give the bloke the benefit of the doubt ? People are acting like Krulak is some kind of liar. That's what spin means essentially isn't it. Lies. Well where is the evidence ? He say we can have a £30mil player if MON wants it and until MON comes out and contradicts that or says that Lerner isn't backing him, then who are we to say Krulak is just worthless spin ? The reality is that supporters of this club could not, and can not, handle the fact that we were in the top four last season. I think Nan the Fan or whatever put it best when he/she said it was about FEAR. Not the numpty that runs Vital Villa, but the emotion. It's time for Villa fans to leave fear behind, support the team, and go back to the days of YES WE CAN !!!!!

Comment 66, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.38 pm

taglor said:

... Why do you think funds will be significantly more next season Damian? What hard facts do you have to assume this or is it just something that you have made tangible in your own head?

Comment 67, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.41 pm

Biriani said:

... Why do you think funds will be significantly more next season Damian? What hard facts do you have to assume this or is it just something that you have made tangible in your own head? Where are the facts that we don't have funds ? Had MON spent £18 mil on that Liverpool signing, Johnson is it?, or £22mil on Lescott, no doubt posters on here would be happy.

Comment 68, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.43 pm

Damian said:

... faangler read the quotes from o'neill above. are they the words from a man that knows he can spend £30mn on a player? taglor it's based on our spend since lerner has come in and on years of doug ellis. his first summer we spend, his second we didn't, his third he did, this one, we haven't as of yet, but it could all change. maybe it is me just hoping that it is going like that, but if it does and o'neill significantly strengthens next summer, isn't it a good thing to believe in? but we will never have proof or hard facts, because it is 100% his club now and he doesn't have to, not does he, answer to us if he doesn't want to

Comment 69, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.46 pm

Biriani said:

... Damian; MON talks in riddles. Until he states he is hamstrung believe he has funds or not is a personal choice. I just don't think what we actually know about the situation is reason enough to ridicule the General and his views. Invite him to write a post on here Damian. It would be good fun. And tell him faangler sends his regards.

Comment 70, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.50 pm

Steve Badger said:

... ffs why did he drag it out for 3 months and give everton the chance to F$cking sign him! Probably because Distin or his agent specifically knew of Everton's interest. If that's the case, why would Distin rush into anything when there's a chance that he can get a better deal? And that's all it's boiled down to, money. It amazes me how some people think you just go up to a player and he signs on the spot. The only way you can do deals like that is to offer stupid money and wages, like Citeh. Villa won't go down that road and I'm glad.

Comment 71, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.50 pm

Biriani said:

... Badger: very good point. A lot of MON's so called dithering is no-doubt down to agents holding out for the best deal for their clients until the last minute. And why wouldn't they ?

Comment 72, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.52 pm

Steve Blunt said:

... Damian, You made a comment that Jonathon Fear from Vital Villa had a "vested interest" in Lerner's success with AVFC. Would you care to elaborate on that? I'd also be interested to hear what your affilliations are. I ask out of genuine interest. Who are the backers for the blog? For that matter I'd be interested to know the affiliations of all the popular blogs and supporter sites...Not a criticism, purely out of interest...

Comment 73, made on August 29, 2009 at 2.55 pm

Aston.Villain said:

... Right, i'm going to say this is a bit of a naive post. I, like every other villa fan, want to see MON spend 40 odd mill on players, but to say lerners being tight is a bit wrong. Firstly, this summer, city aside, villa have been one of the top NET spenders in the country, i think around 14 mill. Now, seeing this fact, and the fact that america is still in the midst of an economic downturn (because most of lerners business investments are retained there), i'm proud we have an owner than continually backs the manager with money, particularly when we see in liverpool the situation there. On a side note about the dunne deal, i hope he comes in as i think he is a class player. he was voted citys player of the season 3 times in arow before last season, and i think if you actually watched citys games, he wasnt that bad, it was just because of expectation and media furore, he was made a bit of a scapegoat. I have no doubts he will be an excellent player for us, and i mean excellent. ps/ congrats on ur baby boy fella!

Comment 74, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.00 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... badger - no other manager dithers as much as MON. he does himself no favours in the market! he obviously keeps missing out on targets because of this and he keeps saying he wont pay over the odds but continually does because buying domestically is and always will be overpriced and more expensive!

Comment 75, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.01 pm

jerry said:

... isn't it better to be a romantic of sorts? i believe you have to have those dreams and hopes and aspirations. without them, without believing things are possible and are going to happen, they never will. that sounds strange i know, but what is wrong with it? Absolutely. I was making the point that we're all romantics. If you can't dream of success, what's the point? It's not strange, it's what life's about. Dream on.

Comment 76, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.02 pm

amar Sunar said:

... Right, i'm going to say this is a bit of a naive post. I, like every other villa fan, want to see MON spend 40 odd mill on players, but to say lerners being tight is a bit wrong. Firstly, this summer, city aside, villa have been one of the top NET spenders in the country, i think around 14 mill. Now, seeing this fact, and the fact that america is still in the midst of an economic downturn (because most of lerners business investments are retained there), i'm proud we have an owner than continually backs the manager with money, particularly when we see in liverpool the situation there. On a side note about the dunne deal, i hope he comes in as i think he is a class player. he was voted citys player of the season 3 times in arow before last season, and i think if you actually watched citys games, he wasnt that bad, it was just because of expectation and media furore, he was made a bit of a scapegoat. I have no doubts he will be an excellent player for us, and i mean excellent. ps/ congrats on ur baby boy fella!

Comment 77, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.02 pm

SCOTT1 said:

... no jenas in the spuds squad!am i reading too much into it?

Comment 78, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.05 pm

scott harwood said:

... jenas not in the spuds squad.is he coming?

Comment 79, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.09 pm

jerry said:

... Why not give the bloke the benefit of the doubt ? Fcuk me damo, five minutes ago he was fag-ash lill with perky tits.

Comment 80, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.10 pm

Damian said:

... Villan1 I'm not sure how much you are aware of all the work Jonathan put in to raising awareness of the the need for a new owner and I won't go into detail, but it was a lot. He basically drove it. Yes, he had help, but without Jonathan, there might not have been any. Yes, other people did stuff and other people were involved, but he put in a significant number of hours for nothing. When I say he has a vested interested, it isn't a financial one, but during the time of the protests and Lerner taking control, he was the Chairman of the Aston Villa Shareholders Association and made a recommendation to support the bid as Chairman but also as a representative of Villa Fans Combined. So, when I say vested interest, it isn't a financial one, I don't want you to get the wrong idea and I have a lot of time for Jonathan, but if Lerner does get found out as a modern day pirate and it isn't about making Aston Villa great again or "with plans to put Aston Villa back to where they rightfully belong both domestically and in Europe" then, it might be a case that Jonathan was ultimately duped also, although I have to hold my hands up and say that if Lerner does turn out to be a modern day pirate, then I would have been duped also as would many more of us. I don't have any affiliates, apart from maybe Google and the videos you see on this sute, which is where the site generates money to pay for the hosting and maybe the link at the bottom of the site where it says 'developed by'because a few times a year people contact me and I get some work.

Comment 81, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.13 pm

Biriani said:

... if Lerner does turn out to be a modern day pirate A modern day pirate ? What sort of language is that ? I'm speachless.

Comment 82, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.30 pm

scott harwood said:

... ooh aah jim lad!

Comment 83, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.37 pm

ChicoHamiltonsPants said:

... Thankyou damian that was exceptionaly answered and i agree totally with your train of thought. I have an idea in regards to US owners their lack of knowledge in regards to football, not in the sense of how the game is played or who plays it but infact the financial side they don't appreciate how much it costs. When i look at liverpool they are a prime example. The Glazers i think have learnt, since taking over the Bucs have gone from Superbowl winners to bottom feeders. I have been living on an off in the states for the past year (girlfriend American) and i just seem to find that the Americans, obviously not all, but the vast majority are always stunned and amazed by the cost of wages then explaining to them you have to buy players really screws them up. Then the explanation that there are 5 proffessional teams in one city when they have one potentially for one state. I don't think Lerner and co are that uninformed but again i think they didn't truly understand. I think Lerner and Co mean well but may have just bitten off more then they can chew. And if you gave me a choice between Doug, the loosers at liverpool, glazers or Randy i'd take Randy. However if a Arab multi Billionaire came along then obviously i'd say randy thankyou but well.... i think everyone knows the rest. thankyou again for your reply very much appreciated.

Comment 84, made on August 29, 2009 at 3.57 pm

vogra...aka Cleetus Van Dam said:

... if Lerner does turn out to be a modern day pirate i recon he's out off sea with one eye patch and chilling with his Somaili pirate rude boys, dropping a kolishinkov over his shoulder

Comment 85, made on August 29, 2009 at 4.04 pm

ChicoHamiltonsPants said:

... When are we going to sign Dunne??? this seems to be taking a little bit longer then expected!!!

Comment 86, made on August 29, 2009 at 4.06 pm

Steve Badger said:

... Tonebone, badger - no other manager dithers as much as MON. he does himself no favours in the market! This is simply not true! How much business has been done this window? Apart from Citeh, not much, imo. Who have Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal bought? I think I'm correct in saying we've done more business than those and probably more than many in the prem. Wenger said most of the business happens in the last few days and MON has said he's going to try up till the last minute. I have every confidence that MON will get the players in if he is able, simple as that and it strikes me you're just complaining for no reason.

Comment 87, made on August 29, 2009 at 4.06 pm

daniel wheeler said:

... VDV is waiting for a premier league club to rescue him. he turned down beskitas of turkey. please mon make an offer for him.

Comment 88, made on August 29, 2009 at 4.09 pm

daniel wheeler said:

... as for the fulham game, hoping for a win but think it will finish 1-1

Comment 89, made on August 29, 2009 at 4.11 pm

Damian said:

... Badger playing devils advocate here, but you could argue that our need is greater and has been for a while now

Comment 90, made on August 29, 2009 at 4.19 pm

Villainseattle said:

... If we were to buy 2-4 more quality players, where is the proof that MON would now when and how to use them. With the performance Reo delivered in the Peace cup and then v liverpool, and then in mid week us just needing to sure up the midfield and pull off hesky to grind out a win and nothing is done, I have no confidence in MON's ability to manage and change a match mid stream no matter who we have on the bench. He complained last year about a small squad but was still unwilling to use the quality we had when games needed changing.

Comment 91, made on August 29, 2009 at 4.41 pm

bobvillian said:

... jenas not in squad cause he is injured groin strain;so because he is injured MON will sign him to keep downing company

Comment 92, made on August 29, 2009 at 5.10 pm

Steve Badger said:

... Damian, playing devils advocate here, but you could argue that our need is greater and has been for a while now Very true, but I'll play devil's advocate too and just say the window hasn't closed yet. If we get a couple more decent signings, I'm sure we'll all be pretty happy. Personally, although I wish he'd put out of our misery sooner, I don't really care when they come as much as who we get. I still think MON is working on a top quality signing (creative mid or striker). It's a case of if he can pull it off though, I suppose.

Comment 93, made on August 29, 2009 at 5.10 pm

Keith said:

... Damian You have complained that I keep having a pop at you. Well you keep writing garbage like that and I will keep having a pop at you.

Comment 94, made on August 29, 2009 at 5.21 pm

Keith said:

... On a more positive note, Dunne hasn't signed yet so we have a slight chance of keeping a clean sheet, or not conceding a penalty. So I fancy a 2-0 win, with Carew scoring.

Comment 95, made on August 29, 2009 at 5.23 pm

gareth horton said:

... we will only sign dunne an no1 else another transfer window will slam shut with mon failing again he has no worldwide appeal players abroad r like martin who oh an i bet we play 442 2morrow heskey will start if so we will not win merse was sayin on sky sports news 2day that we should go back 2 541 like the other night an last season an all the other chaps on the panel agreed it seems every1 else knows what we should be playin but its just a shame the man that picks the team doesnt an without carew up front our strikers offer no goal threat gabby needs some confidence an he could offer a bit why hasnt mon signed a striker

Comment 96, made on August 29, 2009 at 6.31 pm

Bobby Park said:

... This whole questioning Lerner and his PR is getting right on my tits, the bloke has been a godsend and as far as I can see and hasn't put a foot wrong, I'm sure we'd know about it by now if MON had been denied funds, these things always have a way of being publicised by a rogue source within the club if not the manager himself. Whatever we think of our Manager's idiosyncresies (and he has his fair share), we're a club going in the right direction with a Chairman who appears to love AVFC for all the right reasons. Let's give it a rest and concentrate on the footy.

Comment 97, made on August 29, 2009 at 7.01 pm

Faccundo said:

... Brilliant post Damian I've been campaigning on this for ages against the voluntarily blind like clarkamus now MON has confirmed what I was saying all along and clarkamus and others are desperately backpeddling there are no funds, no 30m player, no 5 year plan, no realistic schedule to get us lifting silverware again just a modern day pirate liar Lerner and his propaganda general Goebbels who manipulate fan expectations to maximize revenues Lerner OUT

Comment 98, made on August 29, 2009 at 8.03 pm

peterwithe said:

... My friend is a Doncaster Rovers fan and he had a spare ticket for their match today against Cardiff. Cardiff were top this morning, bur Rovers won 2-0. They have a couple of big Centre Halves, but Chopra is an absolute headless fool up front.... We should be able to hammer them with our pace and intelligence, but we will need to play Stan, Milner, Nigel, Ash and Delph to beat em... Also need a quick forward, as the are not so quick....

Comment 99, made on August 29, 2009 at 8.43 pm

Nick Gray said:

... If anyone manages to get within shouting distance from MON in the next couple of days, please yell Van Der Vaart as loud as you possibly can. I think this man needs to be told who to sign. We need a hero at villa to get the supporters buzzing, and i think he might be the one.

Comment 100, made on August 29, 2009 at 10.01 pm

Steve Hadley said:

... Jenas for Villa....my god, I hope not!!!

Comment 101, made on August 30, 2009 at 2.38 am

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