I hold strong opinions and I haven’t been afraid to express them on this site. This means that those who disagree also have the right to be outspoken in return and robust in tone when they do it.

I have no problem with principled opinions even if they run counter to mine. I try to be polite and courteous when running an argument against someone (although I plead guilty to using a caustic humour against Damian from time to time).

So why was I not polite and courteous with Pete and, previously, others? Well, I’m sorry but when you read pure drivel and it’s in a prominent place, there’s no alternative really.

You just gotta call it like it is. Crap is crap.

This site gets way too negative at times and there’s nothing to get negative about. A stranger reading a summary of Pete’s grievances would have thought that the Villa were relegated last season. If O’Neill is so useless, why are we doing so well?

A poster called ‘croni’ set it out well – post no. 223 under the headline ”An alternative view on Martin O’Neill in the transfer market”. Read and digest.

If you can only take pleasure in winning and nothing else, then you’ve become a stunted human being. Before you can win something you have to prepare for it.

First you need a business plan, the foundation of which is a business model/strategy that you believe in. You need to acquire the components of your model and you need to know how to put them together to make them work.

All of these items are some of the necessary things you need to be successful. We’re watching Lerner and O’Neill going through this process at the moment. It’s been going on for three years and it will have to go on for years more before it succeeds.

This process is all part of “success” and we’re privileged at Villa because we can observe it and take immense pleasure in it. Watching O’Neill and his team go to work is a joy because we’re watching a master at his craft.

Stop worrying about the lack of transfer activity. This site obsesses with every day. The players will come, when O’Neill is ready. If he isn’t ready, they won’t come.

O’Neill will do it his way. Do you know why? Because he’s a man is why, and that’s why I trust him. Starting as manager with a team that is outside the top 4, getting into the top 4 and then winning the title is a job so immense and requires character and purpose so heroic that it would crush most men. It won’t crush O’Neill – it will empower him, and we should rejoice.

Instant success is like a house without foundations – it will perish. Stop clambering for Arab money, it’s fool’s gold. Without the master craftsman to make it work it’s useless.

For the record, some of you will best know Jerry as churchill, his user name on this site and yes, this is also his first post.

Comments (82)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

pjmavfc said:

... have faith ( come on villa)

Comment 1, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.36 pm

rob h said:

... well done winston! good post and spot on. Oneil has been buying a youthful core and now its established where we are will only look to bring in a few quality players every year.

Comment 2, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.40 pm

Damian said:

... I just want to say that opinion is opinion and we all have a right to them. While Doc had his, Pete also had his and both had merits. O´Neill has made some good signings and he has made poor ones but if for every two or three bad ones we get a good one, I for one will take that. Next season is vital as a lot has been put on how O´Neill has made us better season after season and well, fans are going to get carried away with transfers - they do at every club, so lets just hope we get what we want and that we kick on next season. Many put down our fall from grace last season to Laursen getting injured so if we accept that as a possibility then all we really need are two players; one to replace Laursen and one to replace Barry - if they are both better, maybe it is possible that we do better next season and if it happens, we will all be happy.

Comment 3, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.40 pm

James Clift said:

... I wouldn't agree that O'neill is a master craftsman. He has done very well since he took over from the useless O'leary but in January when we were sitting 3rd a master of his craft would have bought in a better quality of player than Heskey and cemented our place in the Champions league. In Moscow he made a drastic wrong decision and ultimatley we finished our season looking like relegation candidates rather than the young fearless force we had been in the first half. Say what you like but O'neill has to take responsibility for that. He's good but he's definatley not a master in his craft.

Comment 4, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.50 pm

johnsheppard said:

... Great post well put

Comment 5, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.53 pm

Damian said:

... Jimbo Daventry Villa Are you suggesting because Wenger bought in January, a player that scored 4 at Anfield, that he is a master craftsman?

Comment 6, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.53 pm

Robbie Wells said:

... There's no real argument in that post as far as i can see, apart from O'Neill will get somewhere one day. Well, i can't help but not agree with that faith. I wouldn't have anyone but O'Neill, and i do like the way that we're building slowly. However, if we're kidding ourselves that this is going to get us success, then surely we're having a laugh. Our progress so far is just going to consolidate 5/6/7th place, whereby us, Everton and Spurs would expect to finish each year in the same way that the top 4 finish in the top 4 places. Success in the game at the moment, no matter how romantic we would LIKE to be, will only come with money. That money is what Man City have, and they WILL be successful...i don't care if it's fools gold, it will take them further than good management on our behalf. I love our team, but as a fan, it's sad that I can only ever hope to finish 5th at the beginning of a season, and probably from this season onwards, 6th.

Comment 7, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.55 pm

Halfwit said:

... I Like Everything About Martin Apart From Him Being A Snail In The Market And Not Accepting The Help He Needs Im sure if he knocked on randy's door and said we need to get someone in to help me out a bit then im sure randy would get someone in for him No one else seems to struggle like martin in the transfer market

Comment 8, made on July 11, 2009 at 8.56 pm

Robbie Wells said:

... Damo, i don't think it's fair to reduce what Arshavin did at Arsenal to 4 goals at Anfield. He played a huge role in changing that team from toothless to ruthless, with so much energy and incision. He was genuinely a signing of class. Heskey only got in the way, and halted our progress. Trying to crowbar him into a team that was successful was a big downside to MON's management last year. When Davies first came, he had to wait. When Jimmy came, he had to wait. Heskey was straight in. And he was shit in my eyes.

Comment 9, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.00 pm

jason parkes said:

... well said and good post but when you see teams that will be up with us going in for players that was linked with us it is very dishearting i know we buy everyone we are linked with but something from mon would be good even a comment now and again would be nice

Comment 10, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.03 pm

vijay said:

... Jerry mate you must be used to mediocrity, im not, i want success for my club, i want to take my son to watch Kaka play at VP and then take him for the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu, dont you want that?? if its arab money that gets that then so be it, mon has to wake up and our fans have to too, i think most of us are not happy with whats going on but then again we also accept that mon's the best man for the job but that wont last for long, we need success soon and we need to sign top players very soon if not other teams will catch up with us and i think that will happen this season, then what??

Comment 11, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.04 pm

jason parkes said:

... sorry missing (cant buy everone we are linked with)

Comment 12, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.04 pm

James Clift said:

... Damian, Yes that exactly what I'm saying. I totally agree that the negative comments on here about O'neill are harsh but in the same respect the people who come on here to say the man is a legend are also way off the mark.

Comment 13, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.07 pm

simondgm said:

... good post. so called best managers are prone to poor signings and there are numerous examples of great players not settling at clubs of equal status. MON won't be the last manager to sign a dud. keep the faith!

Comment 14, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.07 pm

Martin Clabon said:

... Beautifully written but is it true? Can even a master craftsman overcome a journeyman with better materials? And what if there are a bunch of other master cratsman? Money talks Churchill

Comment 15, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.07 pm

James Clift said:

... Just for the record Damain I had noticed you was sarcastically in agreement with my post. I felt I had to reply for the benefit of those who didn't.

Comment 16, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.21 pm

Simeon said:

... O'Neill is a 'man' and therefore we should trust him? Oh ok then...

Comment 17, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.21 pm

Graymo said:

... On the main page can you please change the 'players in' section to coming before 2020

Comment 18, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.21 pm

Robbie Wells said:

... Jimbo Daventry Villa, I'll be honest, i didn't detect the sarcasm. I thought i actually disagreed with something Damian said for once...but alas, if he was being sarcastic, then once again i share his opinion.

Comment 19, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.24 pm

Jae86 said:

... I read this site everyday but this is my first post. I love the banter and see both sides to the argument regarding O'Neill and Transfers and yes he has brought a few duds, Zat Knight gets too much stick in my opinion i thought he played really well at the tail end of last season, Emile Heskey also doesnt get the credit he deserves. He isnt a goascorer but his off the ball play and hold up play is excellent. Salifou is possibly a dud but that guy can seriously ping a pass. Cuellar will onny get better and better. Shorey hasn't been given a chance and Sidwell was injured most of the season. If we are looking a dud signings, ill list a few Alex Ferguon signed Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson for a combined 14 million or sohe also signed Juan Veron, Chelsea spent 30m on Shevchenko and a lot on Crespo and Juan Veron gets his 2nd entry on this list. Rafa Benitez signed Andrea Dossena and Phillip Degen, Sebastien Leto, Lucas Leiva, the list goes on. Wenger doesnt get off scot free either, he signed a broken and old Silvestre. Now thats the top 4 who get in a higher calibre of player than teams surrounding us. Martins signings have gradually improved our squad and will continue to do so. I don't want overpaid overpriced prima donnas at our club. I want 11 men who go out onto that pitch and put Villa first not their pay cheque. If i asked everyone to post their favourite villa players of the last 20 years on here how many would put flair 'big names' on here compared to players who wear the shirt with pride. The ian taylors and Paul Mcgraths of this world. Even would go as far as to say Lee Hendrie who gave 110% every week. Ability is good but add determination and club pride into that and you have the makings of brilliance.

Comment 20, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.34 pm

Keith said:

... Excellent article Churchill, I couldn't agree more. We should just sit back and enjoy the ride (please FatKevs no gay innuendo). The good times are returning.

Comment 21, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.36 pm

Zorro said:

... Jimbo Daventry Surely the activity within the January transfer window comes down to funding and not whether or not the manager is good at his job - the same scenario applied during the January window last year, a top 4 position, Routledge in and Cahill out with a net profit circa £4m. You would have to assume that MON would have learned from this experience and I guess that was the reason why an additional £3m was made available for Heskey.

Comment 22, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.37 pm

James Clift said:

... Robbie, If it wasn't sarcasm then I'm a bluenose! Think about it Villa & Arsenal were battling it out for 4th spot I'll rephrase that Arsenal were chasing Villa for 4th spot. O'neill bought Heskey. Wenger bought Arvashin. Villa faltered and even Everton who at the time were 10 points behind us finished above us. Arsenal flourished and secured the 4th spot with ease. Arvashin almost did it on his own. Wenger is the prime example of a master in his craft.

Comment 23, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.41 pm

Keith said:

... Jimbo I understand what you mean and I was annoyed we signed Heskey, who I do not rate at all. But, I think a big part was that Arsenal were playing Champions League football already and we weren't, but I like to think that MON couldn't get his targets in January and felt it better to wait until the summer. If Downing is a target then Boro were not going to sell as Spurs found out. I was totally against what he did in the UEFA cup too, but I think MON has learnt from what happened and a bigger squad will be in place by the end of August. I may be misguided but I trust him to deliver.

Comment 24, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.49 pm

Halfwit said:

... Tottenham line up £25m swap deal for Aston Villa's Ashley Young Thats in the daily mail This cant happen i wouldnt want to lose young for anyone not even for Messi

Comment 25, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.50 pm

Keith said:

... Jimbo Sorry forgot one other point, if any of the "big 4" is going to lose out on champions league football it will be Arsenal because of Wenger's stubborn refusal to add experienced quality to his young team. i would not call that a master craftsman.

Comment 26, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.51 pm

James Clift said:

... Zorro, Good point but we as Villa fans we were led to believe that the funds were available. Lerner & O'neill together are supposed to be the pair to take us to that next level. Lerner knew the position we were in. If we had qualified for the CL the financial rewards would have been massive. They knew that and didn't act on it but Arsenal did. If there was only £3mn available then a master in his class would have still used it better than O'neill did in the heskey signing. It was a mistake, a huge mistake, that cost us dearly as was the Moscow kids affair. As I've said O'neill is good and he's done very well for the Villa but he's not a master in his class and the above points prove that.

Comment 27, made on July 11, 2009 at 9.51 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... Halfwit I wouldnt get to worried

Comment 28, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.00 pm

Halfwit said:

... Im not really martin he did well to keep hold of barry for as long as he could so im sure he wont let young go Just hate it when other clubs are linked with Young as for me he is our best player by a mile

Comment 29, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.03 pm

James Clift said:

... Keef, I hope your right about the improved squad. Not for the first time we used the least amount of players in the premier league last year, O'neill used that excuse a million times but he's had four years to put it right. Last year showed how important it is to have a big squad and we need at least 6 players to put it right this time round but can you honestly see 6 of the quality needed coming in?

Comment 30, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.03 pm

avfc1983 said:

... Check this story out lol http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1199067/Tottenham-line-25m-swap-deal-Aston-Villas-Ashley-Young.html?ITO=1490 Keep on dreaming spuds

Comment 31, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.11 pm

Keith said:

... Jimbo No I can see 3 or 4 at the most, with a couple of young, raw players. Halfwit I think that's just Redknapp causing trouble again.

Comment 32, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.12 pm

MON said:

... Zorro.. as far as it goes for MON sending kids to moscow he did not have any choice. We were going for 4th spot so he took that as priority. Also we need to wait until at least end of july and then start making judgements on where we will finish next season.

Comment 33, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.15 pm

Keith said:

... Anyone notice that every player linked to Spuds is a swap deal? Makes you wonder if they have any money to spend.

Comment 34, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.16 pm

James Clift said:

... Lets hope the young raw players are the kind of kids you don't win anything with. As per Alan Hansen!(I think it was him)

Comment 35, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.16 pm

Keith said:

... Jimbo Yes it was - typical Villa, beat Man Utd easily, they go on to win the double and we get no credit what so ever. I would count players like Delph in that category.

Comment 36, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.20 pm

avfc1983 said:

... We have money its just MON is being wise with the money

Comment 37, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.20 pm

jerry said:

... O'Neill is slow O'Neill is cautious O'Neill is tight-lipped. So many of you see these attributes as negatives and, in reality, they're part of his art. Be proud that he doesn't court favour with the impatient and headstrong. I love him for his quirkiness. This season's going to be a bitch. So many strong teams beside the top four. I believe that it's possible that not one but two teams can get kicked out of the top four. Who knows, maybe three. The Villa showed what's possible last season and there's an excitement I haven't seen before among the contenders. It's all to play for.

Comment 38, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.21 pm

avfc1983 said:

... Well said Churchill

Comment 39, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.25 pm

Panos said:

... Great post.

Comment 40, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.27 pm

avfc1983 said:

... I think milner is the one to watch next season

Comment 41, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.29 pm

Peter Dragoonis said:

... Quite how anybody who wrote this can cast judgement on someone else is beyond me. If there is one article on this website that deserves to be branded drivel, you have just written it. “Watching O’Neill and his team go to work is a joy because we’re watching a master at his craft”. In that case Routledge, Salifou, Knight, Heskey are the fruits of O’Neills master craftsmanship. If you are happy with that then you have serious problems. And if you believe players like that will drive the club on then you have even greater problems. We could all spout this kind of dross, but actions speak louder than words. Signing cast offs from other teams will only see us go one way next season. And thats backwards. Can anyone really see us finishing higher than 6th next year? No. Or even sixth again? No. You need a sever reality check. And put a coherent and reasoned argument forward next time and i may take you more seriously.

Comment 42, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.30 pm

Zorro said:

... Jimbo Daventry I can see where you are coming from here and I wont try to be a smart arse by debating the detail, the club have allowed us to believe that substantial funding is available and we now know that this is clearly not the case, maybe the Heskey cash could have been spent more wisely but at the time it didnt look bad money for an England regular and unfortunately this is what O'Neill has had to contend with. Regardless of the league positions of both clubs in January the two transfers are simply not comparable - Arsenal broke their transfer record to bring Ashavin in and he has instantly delivered scoring 6 or 7 league goals with a similar amount of assists. It is this coupled with several key players returning from injury that pushed Arsenal 10 points clear. Maybe if the club were honest and managed our expectations we would view the leadership differently, understand the budgetary considerations between 'top 6 and a larger squad' whilst rationalising what appear on the outside to be 'silly decisions with little or no stratergy'

Comment 43, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.33 pm

jerry said:

... Quite how anybody who wrote this can cast judgement on someone else is beyond me. If there is one article on this website that deserves to be branded drivel, you have just written it. Hello Pete, nice to hear from you. You were angry at O'Neill and now you're angry at me. Why so angry? Last season we finished sixth and for a while it looked like we might scale the heights and cover ourselves in glory. Now it's another campaign and we engage again. We Villans are in this together, we have no choice in the matter. You need a sever reality check. And put a coherent and reasoned argument forward next time and i may take you more seriously. Pete, i don't think there's anything I could do or say that will make you take me more seriously.

Comment 44, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.44 pm

Robbie Wells said:

... The thing i will say about Arsenal and Arshavin is that he openly said he would not sign for a club like Villa. He explicitly said that. However, he jumped at the chance to go to Arsenal, even though they were below us at the time. So all the shit O'Neill gets, he has to get the best with what he's got to work with, and he only buys players who are genuinely interested in playing football. It's entirely admirable, but ultimately i will disagree with anyone who thinks we're going to get anywhere with hard working footballers alone. Remember Graeme Souness' remark about not being able to win anything "with a team of James Milners". It's true. You can do well, but not success in terms of actual silverware.

Comment 45, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.45 pm

confusedvillafan said:

... avfc pete,we weren`t that far away with these players last season, these players you mention are stopgaps that will gradually get replaced with better quality,do you class milner and young as other clubs castoffs

Comment 46, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.46 pm

Keith said:

... AVFC_Pete While I agree none of those players will go down as legends I will defend MON on signing them. Routledge - a gamble, had promise when younger, minimal outlay & increased numbers that we were lacking. Salifou - again a gamble that didn't work but well worth a punt, could have turned out to be a steal. Knight - decent back up, Villa fan, had good games. Heskey - first choice England player under Capello. While I wont be sad to see any of them join Routledge through the exit door they have served a purpose. Also the great man Ron Saunders signed Tommy Craig, David Geddis and Bernie Gallagher !!!

Comment 47, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.47 pm

greg1981 said:

... A reality check: if we lost Young that would mean the team that started last season with 3 top class players, who were the only players we have who would get into the teams of our top 4 rivals, would be decimated . Make no mistake, such a team starting the new season in a month’s time could be relegated.

Comment 48, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.51 pm

Peter Dragoonis said:

... Churchill, angry is the wrong word. its frustrated. O'Neill is a top class manager. i was delighted when he joined us and im delighted we still have him. along with him we have a billionaire owner who is running the club well. he doesnt want to a star and feel the need to share his views on everything (Whelon, Sullivan, etc) and is looking after the heritage of the club. but do you not feel with the manager and chairman we have we should be more ambitious? it frustrates (not angers!!!) me when i see teams like everton & spurs signing players i feel we should, and could sign (fellaini, palacious,defoe, etc). i feel O'Neill could be more ambitious, why are we not signing playes from abroad? why arent we unearthing the hangalands, valencias, palcious, etc? thats my problem.

Comment 49, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.56 pm

Peter Dragoonis said:

... i know we are building something, and not just trying to get there straight away like Man City, but i think it could have been done much better. and i think with the chairman and manager we have they should be exploiting those opportunities.

Comment 50, made on July 11, 2009 at 10.59 pm

pete said:

... imo barry was average at best, laurson good ash good they are not top class players.it was not the size of the squad that stopped us from cl it was mon he has not got a clue.

Comment 51, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.00 pm

Keith said:

... AVFC_Pete MON is human, we all make mistakes. The best manager in England virtually gave Paul McGrath away. no10 Laursen was class, Barry and Young are better than just good, and Young will be top class very soon.

Comment 52, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.03 pm

Peter Dragoonis said:

... keefvilla, selling a RB and taking 2 years to replace him, having a tiny squad for 3 years, an apparent lack of any foreign scouts, that is more than a mistake? surely you must agree? im a big fan of MON, but that im not blinded that im just happy to roll over defend everything.

Comment 53, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.07 pm

pete said:

... keefvilla ok laursen was class barry average,ash top class if he moves to a club who know how to use him

Comment 54, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.10 pm

Keith said:

... no10 - very harsh lol Pete - Mellberg did very well at RB, yes we could have signed Luke Young for half the price 12 months before. I have stated plenty of times here that I have disagreed with what MON has done, UEFA cup, selling Cahill, buying Heskey etc, but ultimately he is the manager I want at Villa.

Comment 55, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.14 pm

JC said:

... I have to make a point about this O'neill slating and making wrong decisions. I will start with the moaning about the champions league and failure to invest in January. At the time, players were playing out of their skin, everyone was fit and there didn't look like a sign of anyone faltering. I'm sure while O'neill is a great manager he IS only human. The main reason our form dipped was Laursen getting injured, and nobody foresaw that he'd have to retire, yes we could've bought a replacement....but who? what team with a real quality centreback is going to sell that player in the January window, where it could mean relegation for a team with one star defender? It would take an almighty bid, but at the time O'neill was probably thinking that the back four really didn't need any strengthening as it was performing brilliantly, can't blame him, striker wise too we tried to sign Zaki, would've possibly helped, but again, please name me someone who was going to be available for under 15 mill who'd have made the difference? We probably bid for Defoe, but he was always going back to spuds, as was Keano, sure we probably looked at Bellamy too, but once city offered him a big cash wage, he was only going to one place. I agree that we should've strengthened, but realistically, who could we afford at the time? and would they really have come to villa? As for Eufa cup, I agree totally that MO'N made a mistake, but it was a gamble, admittedly a huge one that backfired in more than one sense of not only going out of the competition, but probably dumbfounding and also demoralising the players considering how hard they'd worked to get into the competition in the first place. BUT, from a manager's and a gambler's perspective, you weigh things up, on one hand your team could go far in the eufa cup, maybe even win it to the delight of the fans, do them and the players proud. OR on the other, you see Arsenal really faltering, you're team continues to exceed expectations and is sitting 8 points clear of the team supposedly meant to easily outdo them all season, and you have the opportunity to pursue the holy grail of the champions league and the wealth of funds, and avenues to better calibre players it brings. What would you do, every great manager is a risk taker, much as most millionaire's are. I'm sure most of us in the same position as MON would've done the same thing, I certainly would've, and if it had become a reality Barry would still be there and it might've been us bidding for Eto'o and actually getting him. It would've also given us a massive edge over spuds and Everton in bidding for players, even Arsenal too. Sadly it wasn't meant to be and I like everyone else was bitterly disappointed with the last half of the season, but O'neill isn't a quitter, and I'm sure there's more to come from him. Sometimes, and quite often I don't agree with his reluctance to use subs, or his apparent refusal to compete with other clubs to sign players by spending a bit more on a player. However, I'm not the manager, and for me there isn't anyone out there who could do any better, apart from perhaps fergie or mourinho. God help us if he gets fed up and Man City come calling with a ridiculous paycheque as they continue to destroy English football with money. At least Lerner is doing it in a sustainable and caring way, rather than just throwing silly money at every player and annihilating any other competitive offer with silly wages and transfer fees. I suppose thats the way to do it, but its not competitive, its like playing champ manager and using the edit function to make sure you have infinite funds, like playing call of duty on god mode, you can't be beaten, but it takes all the fun out of competing.

Comment 56, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.17 pm

pete said:

... pete how can you say you have disagee with what mon has done ,yet yo still want him as our manager.

Comment 57, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.18 pm

pete said:

... sorry for the spelling had a crate of beer lol

Comment 58, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.20 pm

meregolfclub said:

... last season we tailed off very badly -why? the squad was too thin on the ground to cover the fixtures, hence mon's decision to play the kids in the eufa cup. this season with more matches to play in the europa cup and hopefully longer cup runs the squad will have to increase even more than the last three seasons. Also football is about confidence and the squad that finished last year minus Barry an Laursen will be low on confidence. It is imperative we start well or the confidence will go and quickly and before we know it we are in a relegation battle. we need new players of a certain level of class, we need them now to settle in before the season starts not after we have lost four of the first nine fixtures and confidence has gone out the window. come on martin show us what youve got (if you have got any money to spend) get off yor arse before its too late

Comment 59, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.23 pm

Zorro said:

... We have money its just MON is being wise with the money avfc1983 Sorry mate but this is simply not true and I will tell you why - 1. No 1 manager can decide the market value of premiership players, the same applies to house prices or interest rates - 2. there is no bebefit whatsoever to MON in not spending the transfer funds allocated 3. If MON were indeed applying a personalised 'wise' transfer stratergy and the impact of which is loss of champions league football then trust me he would definately be sacked 4. If MON appears to be slow, cautious and tight lipped then he simply has nothing to say based upon the fact that MON does not actually negotiate the transfer activity - he manages the the team and provides a wish list the same as any other manager 5. Over the last 3 years MON has on several occasions displayed a tendancy to pay over the odds for the players he wants to bring in to the club 6. The suggested approach to transfer activity has never been communicated by Lerner, O'Neill or anyone associated with the club. Have I missed anything obvious?

Comment 60, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.27 pm

Keith said:

... Zorro Are you a fox so cunning and free?

Comment 61, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.29 pm

Paul Egan said:

... If you choose to believe it, we've got a £12m bid in for Downing: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.u...m-bid.html

Comment 62, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.35 pm

pete said:

... i like downing can put in a good cross better than ash from the left.england int and only 25. great buy if we can get him.

Comment 63, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.45 pm

yokelvillain said:

... ASTON VILLA will turn their attention to Werder Bremen star Mesut Ozil after refusing to up their bid for Fabian Delph. Boss Martin O'Neill saw his £6million offer for Leeds midfielder Delph, 19, rejected and believes his inexperience does not justify a higher fee. But Ozil, 20, has already won a cap for Germany and O'Neill thinks he is better prepared for the rigours of Premier League football. Villa look set to confirm their interest with a £12m bid - and Ozil is ready to turn down Bremen's offer of a new contract to seal a move. Anyone else seen this?

Comment 64, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.46 pm

pete said:

... how do you get your picture on here

Comment 65, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.56 pm

Keith said:

... no10 gravatar.com

Comment 66, made on July 11, 2009 at 11.58 pm

THE AV VILLAN said:

... No 10 how do you get your picture on here Go to the blue Gravatar logo on the top right of the page mate.

Comment 67, made on July 12, 2009 at 12.24 am

vijay said:

... we are in troble

Comment 68, made on July 12, 2009 at 12.28 am

true villa said:

... keep telling u guys mon needs to leave now!!! he will sell ashley young and carew because he aint got a clue!!!

Comment 69, made on July 12, 2009 at 12.31 am

pete said:

... tried that never worked. will try againe thanks guys

Comment 70, made on July 12, 2009 at 12.31 am

confusedvillafan said:

... vijay and true villa gotta be the same person

Comment 71, made on July 12, 2009 at 12.33 am

paul said:

... I think the negativity on here is because as fans during the transfer window we are like kids at christmas, everyday without a signing is like a child waking up at christmas to no presents. Maybe MON has made some not very good signings, but if all had been good how many would really want stay and sit on the bench? I think he knows a lot of the signings he makes have to be squad players and at the moment we really cant attract to much quality to sit it out. My only bugbear would be if we dont sign many this summer would be if MON comes out with we have a really small squad. Good post i love poitivity, being a fan for 33 years and apart for about 5 years this is the best period of footba;ll i have enjoyed UTV

Comment 72, made on July 12, 2009 at 1.06 am

Anthony Laud said:

... is it official we are now the only prem club that hasnt signed anyone!!!

Comment 73, made on July 12, 2009 at 1.48 am

Anthony Laud said:

... its ok though onsnail has come out and said today hopefully we'll be able to add to the squad if the right players are available. FFS - the players have been available all summer. pre season has started - the squad goes away in aweek to the peace cup and we have the smallest squad in the prem by 6 players yes thats right 6 players less than any other squad!! Oneils excuses about small squad simply dont wash anymore. get someone else in that might do something this window. oneils last good signing was jan 2007! what a prat

Comment 74, made on July 12, 2009 at 2.47 am

Ramon Maklouf said:

... Superb churchil. Superb. You talk sense. Criticise when necessary but congratulate the bigger picture. If only more people were like you, well then, we wouldn't be such fickle fans would we? UTV!

Comment 75, made on July 12, 2009 at 4.06 am

John Jordan said:

... Harry Rednob still hasn't signed anyone yet according to Sporting Life.

Comment 76, made on July 12, 2009 at 4.40 am

Rich said:

... I think a criteria when deciding transfer targets is to always try to go for someone that the selling club would idealy love to keep. To be linked with players that clubs obviously want to offload is worrying. No to Darren Bent. If he's not good enough for Spurs, what makes people think he's the man to push us towards the top 4? Regarding Delph. It has been suggested that anything more that the supposed £6million bid is above MON valuation of the player. I back MON to look elsewhere and let Leeds sweat a bit.

Comment 77, made on July 12, 2009 at 9.18 am

Tim said:

... So what has happened to : Borrowski Veloso Defour Tuncay Gudjohnsson Its all gone extremely quiet on the transfer front with these players. In an earlier quote someone says MON should be asking for help in the transfer market, i totally agree here , we need a Director of Football and i think the Man who should do it is Big Ron ! He was one of the best Managers we have had at the club and a lot of plyers looked up to him as a father figure. I just dont think MON has that attraction in him and a midget of a manager trying to father the likes of our best player Big John does not work. If we dont act fast all our targets will have signed for Everton and it will be desperation time again, ala Bent etc !!

Comment 78, made on July 12, 2009 at 10.19 am

rake said:

... all this talk about villa building slowly is utter bollocks,o'neill and lerner have had more than enough time now to make the club a real force,but it's just not happening!our form this year has been relegation stuff,it's now july 12th AND STILL NO SIGNINGS!!!i've read that lerner is worth I.6 BILLION POUNDS!so why not show our intent by offering £50million for david villa,£80million for messi,etc.ok,we won't get them,but why not at least TRY and sign the best?this is loose change to lerner.we are always linked with players who won't improve what we already have,what's the point?as long as we keep carew i don't care who goes,they're all a disgrace and simply not good enough.ashley young is lightweight,inconsistent,and doesn't score enough goals,i would welcome a big money deal for him.knight is the worst defender i have seen,and sidwell can go to fulham,he's crap!unless mon and lerner act FAST,i think a lot of fans will want them out.there's no excuse for this sheer lack of ambition!!!

Comment 79, made on July 12, 2009 at 10.52 am

Tim said:

... Here Here ! The Bright Future thing is wearing a bit thin now, 3 years and still no real investment in players. If its right that Lerner has 1.6 Billion then where is it ! He needs to make a decision now, Sell that American Football Club and invest the money in Villa or do the opposite. MON is a good mamager on his day but is not a world renowned figure who can attract world class players, and this is where we fall down i fear. If we had Mourinho at the Villa then the quality of player would truly rise. Time will tell and i fear MON will be gone by Xmas if we are not up around the top 5 mark by then, also if Small Heath get the better of us at St Andrews when we should have the quality players to blow them away by 5 goals again then the Fans will be calling for MON's head ! Martin you need to either tell us that you are out of your depth and cannot attract the players that we need and stop conning us all that you know what you are doing when you really are lost ! or get a decent Director of football in to the Club. I really fear the worst this season and if Carew is sold or swapped for Spurs Subs then i will not be happy ! If Ashley Young goes too then thats another nail in MON's coffin ! MON and Randy , you need to show the Fans that you mean business in us being equal to the Top 4 otherwise you may aswell get out now and let someone do just that !! Bill Gates would be good !! or even get him into a patnership with Lerner !!

Comment 80, made on July 12, 2009 at 11.16 am

Nik Skilton said:

... I dont post on here that often, but sometimes i feel compelled. Just because YOU decide that we should buy player X, Y or Z does not mean they are available or want to come to us. We do not have a manager like fatknap, so we do not know who he has gone for. As far as we know we have been in for 100 players each window, but for one reason or another it has not happened. This is not Football manager, and signing players is subject to millions of factors, most beyond MoNs control. Just because we want a player and they want to come does not mean it will happen. MoN signs the players he can get that he thinks will take us further. He doesnt take a scattergun approach that Fatknap does, but if the players he wants aren't available he will wait, as he has the long term view. Sometimes he will take a gamble on a player that doesnt cost much, to add numbers etc and then will sign his preferred target i.e. routledge, then signed milner. This is a long term plan, its not even possible for Man City to get all the players they want and they have billions to spend. Its not even possible for the current league champions to get the players they want, so why is it that any player mentioned with Villa in the press we should be getting. I for one am happy to wait, and have faith in MoN, if he is after a player its for a reason. UTV

Comment 81, made on July 12, 2009 at 1.47 pm

rake said:

... the whole club is a joke from top to bottom,whatever anyone says.there is no urgency,no ambition,no clue.why no one is bought up until at least mid july is scandalous and disgraceful.they are taking the piss out of all the fans!!!

Comment 82, made on July 13, 2009 at 4.47 pm

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

Add Comment Preview