When Martin O'Neill arrived at Villa Park and made his first signings, I ran a cheeky(ish) piece suggesting that his "Buy English" policy might have had something to do with his designs on the England manager's job.

It's no secret that O'Neill wants the job. He's been interviewed for it twice, I thin and we all know that when he wants something, he tends not to give up (Milner is a great example.)

I wouldn't blame O'Neill for having half an eye on his next career move. After all, most of us do the same thing every day. And I hadn't even given a thought to my previous article until I looked at Fabian Delph's comments on joining Villa.

He quotes Martin O'Neill's record, specifically, in "developing young English players" as a major incentive for him to join us instead of City, Everton or Spurs.

Now I think that's nice.

But is there something else at play here? The times we've seen O'Neill act with either real opportunism or real aggression in the transfer market have all been when the treasure chest of young English talent has been opened. Ashley Young, James Milner - and now Fabian Delph. Here we've seen a manager infamous for fiddling around and procrastinating in the transfer market spend well over the odds for largely unproven youngsters.

Go beyond that, and it gets better. O'Neill's bought fringe England players like Reo-Coker, Sidwell and Luke Young - presumably backing himself and his coaching team to get the best out of them and turn them into full England internationals. With one exception, in my view, that's not working yet - but who's to say that with Barry gone Sidwell and Reo-Coker won't step up to the plate. Competition from new boy Delph will certainly help, if help were needed with motivation.

I just wonder. We know he wants the England job, and we know he's failed in interviews before. Perhaps the strategy - and he is a strategist and he is a winner - is to surround himself with so many of the future England generation that the FA has no choice but to give him the job.

Maybe a totally daft view. But there could be something in it, couldn't there?

Comments (70)

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PAUL WARREN said:

... 1st??????

Comment 1, made on August 05, 2009 at 8.59 am

Richard Bunn said:

... Of course MON wants the England job. Luckily for us, as Villa AND England fans Capello is doing well. Still think MON needs to look at the odd foreigner or 2. We all know the few I mean....Defour, Sneijder, Distin, Veloso etc, etc..

Comment 2, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.04 am

Tony said:

... Let's hope England win the World Cup and Fabio C keeps his job. Of course MU will be looking for a new gaffer in the not to distant future...

Comment 3, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.06 am

PAUL WARREN said:

... If MON can work such magic on England B-teamers and potential talent, why can he not do that the with odd johnny foreigner, who we'd pick up cheaper than an englishman on a like for like basis.

Comment 4, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.07 am

John Jordan said:

... Yes Possibly!....2nd!

Comment 5, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.07 am

Mike Carter said:

... It's an interesting theory, though I disagree. Infact I don't think he wants the England job at all anymore. They turned him down and it was a real slap in face, since they hired an incompetent buffoon instead. I think he's past it. His policy is purely down to his old-fashioned footballing beliefs. You know what you get when you buy home grown players. There's no adapting to take place, so there's no risk. A £12m English player might only cost you £8m on the continent - but what if they don't take to the Premiership? O'Neill seems to believe that spending that bit more is worth it because you get the almost guaranteed adaptability. No fuss. And when you think about it, it's pretty sensible really isn't it? Countless foreigners have come into the Premiership and been absolute flops. O'Neill's policy means he doesn't need to worry about that.

Comment 6, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.08 am

Ronan Kenny said:

... Doc I would say he wanted the England job but to be honest he was interviewed twice and didnt get it so he might not be too keen on it anymore. Sidwell has had plenty of chances to impress and if anything is just getting worse, Reo Coker looks like hes ready to step up but we still need a creative midfielder to pull the strings.

Comment 7, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.11 am

Ronan Ward said:

... As he said about webcam - he can achieve all he wants with the Villa. Same goes for Martin. But he will be linked with Man Utd, Liverpool and now City when their numbers up. We just gotta get use to that. UTV

Comment 8, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.12 am

mikee benz said:

... Random thing... On SSN this morning they were talking about Portsmouth's situation and talked about Krancar (spelling) coming to us. Anyone know where they're getting this from?

Comment 9, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.12 am

clarkamus said:

... i would like to think oneill will be here at villa for a very long time

Comment 10, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.14 am

gregdavillain said:

... I think he buys english for lots of reasons other than trying to place himself into the England Job. No.1 Players Dont have to learn English- No Communication Problems No.2 Players Shouldnt take that long to settle. ie. they no the food and culture. No.3 They understand the English Fans and whats expected from them ie effort and heart are appreciated, laziness is not. No.4 Bringing in English PLayers gives us an advantage for securing the best young english players ie Delph, When u Look at other clubs Like liverpool - spanish contingint, arsenal- french contingint, Chelsea man u man c - global players, so it makes sense to monopolise the english market seeings as we play in the english league and have 5 leagues to scout for youth players. I dont think if the England job was offered tomorrow that MON would accept. Hes started his project here and is a long way from succeeding to what he set out to do, so until he has England can wait, and Plus Cappelo is doing a fine job and prob will for another 5 years

Comment 11, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.17 am

Tony said:

... Check this out. A great article all about MON and English players. Unusually it's the Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1204351/Aston-Villas-English-revolution-ONeill-storm-squad-finest-homegrown-talent.html?ITO=1490

Comment 12, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.18 am

Mark Johnson said:

... Martin didn't take the England job because they wouldn't let him have HIS backroom staff, so I'm led to beleive. MoN is a stubborn man who calculates his EVERY move down to the last detail. I for one think he will get the job eventually NOT at Manure but at the FA. He shows faith in his English players and only buys Jonny foreigner when they've had a season or two in british football (Petrov, Cuellar) Carew was a gamble but lets face it wasn't a gamble when it was Baros going in the other direction.... Yes there are probably more players I haven't mentioned but ho hum lets not ponder on that , lets get behind our Chairman, Manager AND SQUAD / TEAM for the up coming season, looks quite interesting from where I'm sitting UTV

Comment 13, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.19 am

Patrick McDermott said:

... Interesting post Doc – which is also a theme picked up by the Daily Mail! ‘Mon 3 seasons at Villa have been hallmarked by the purchase of English ‘talent’ – in sharp contrast with the top 4 and high spending man City” www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12043351

Comment 14, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.20 am

parisianrob said:

... OMG Dion returns to villa park http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/2009/08/sht_lookalikes_32.html

Comment 15, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.21 am

Eoin Greene said:

... Vivavilla - nail on the head! I think MoN has no interest in the English job anymore after getting a bit of a public slap in the face from them. There is no way he would walk out on villa. I think in the future he will take the republic job though - but not until his time at Villa Park has come to a natural end.

Comment 16, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.23 am

Deano avfc said:

... Doc- I don't think MON would take the england job if they were crying out for him after they turned him down. Just before Capello got the job MON was asked if he'd make a good England manager and he replied 'I think I'd make an excellent England manager!' in a sort of unlucky, you missed your chance kind of way. Its looks like he's turning Villa into a young english club who are challenging the 'big boys' and thus sticking two fingers up to the FA whils't doing it. I for one absolutely love it, MON is a legend, long may it continue. Here's to exciting times ahead with a cup coming to VP and 4th (or higher) in the Barclay's Premier League season 2009/10. UTV

Comment 17, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.25 am

oldfart said:

... Based on my 50+ years of being a football and more importantly a Villa fan, I totally agree.MON is Brian Clough reincarnate. When Clough did not get the job he turned to drink and despair.MON has difficulties with tempremental overseas players i.e Carew.MON understands the British and their motivation. If he wants the England job next his only rival is the Fulham guy who will be pushing 70 by then---even older than me!!! But ,and this is a big but,what happens when the Man U job comes up???

Comment 18, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.27 am

Rob The Villain said:

... Like a few have already said, I think the slap in the face he got the last few times has ended his interest in the England job. His tendency to buy English is down to the fact that he's a bit old school in that terms, Clough being a HUGE influence as well. Sidwell shows no signs of being able to step up let alone wanting to step up! NRC on the other hand should be commended for the way he's got his head down and worked. I hope IF (I know it's a big if) we play 4-5-1 then NRC gets the defensive role.

Comment 19, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.30 am

Frosty said:

... O'Neil is from the Clough school of though, loves grafters and there are very few foreign players who fall into that category ( with the exception of Sandinavians perhaps ) I think to say he is building an English squad to help his CV is a little over the top - well put oldfart

Comment 20, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.34 am

Kiwivillan said:

... Is MON positioning himself for the England job or is he modelling Villa on the ManUre side Sir Chewalot built in the mid 90's and planning a reign at the top for years to come. The latter me hopes.

Comment 21, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.34 am

Jason said:

... MON wanted the England job because it is the biggest job in football, who would turn it down (I know big phil did, but he has already won the world cup with Brazil) I think MON wants to by English and young because he is very highly thought of in this country. If he tries to sign foreign players, he himself is not someone who might command the same type of respect - even though he should for what he has and is acheiving. He has tried to sign the likes of Defour, Diarra and Sniejder but won't pay the massive wages they demand - another thing young english players don't do. Aslo, if you imagine being the Villa manager yoursself, it would be easier to have control over a young English squad, than a squad full of foreign stars like Drogba or Ronaldo. They are full of them selves and I would certainly hate to work with them. I think O'Neil has built a dressing room that people want to come into as he even seems to sign a certain type of english player. Who would you rather play with Milner/Young or Defoe/Ashley Cole. I think he has the right idea and has continued is theme with the signings of Downing and Delph, and it wouldn't have suprised me if we had been after Lescott this summer, unfortunatly Man City have stopped any chance of that by pushing his price up to an unrealistic value, but never say never, they may accept a lower offer from us as we do thing "properly"

Comment 22, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.35 am

kieranvilla said:

... We don`t know he wants the england job at all,that is just an assumption.We are an english football team,Having english players should be normal. He likes consistencey in players,english players give him that because they know the demands of english football. "infamous for fiddling around in the transfer market" Who is the fool that is writing this lazy crap.

Comment 23, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.39 am

jonnie 5 said:

... I carnt see the England job becomming avalible for aleast another 4 years. I feel england will do well at the world cup, i dont think we will win it but i feel we will be there or there about. So for that reason capello will continue to the euros. I reckon doc could be right in his thinking with MON investing in english talent. He will want show the FA what he can achieve with a predominately english based team. So I dont think we have anything to worry about just yet but i think in maybe in 4 years time given the oppertunity he would go. Remember the england job its arguably the biggest job in english if not world football. utv

Comment 24, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.47 am

thom said:

... is there something in the water this morning? first i read some bull about Bolton wanting to buy Licaj, which is ridiculous and now this article. England have not had it this good in over a decade. Cappello is doing a brilliant job and even if we dont win the world cup, i see us going far in the tournament. In which case the FA should then extend Cappellos contract so he can carry on the good work and we have a crack at winning the next euros. The FA would be silly to swap cappello for MON. I think that MON feels like he can prove a point though and yes there seems to be a motive behind his buying policy that I think could well have been spurred by being rejected for the England job. But he also seems a man of pride and surely after being rejected a second time for Mclaren he wouldnt go back again would he???? If i was him i would tell them they missed the boat. Anyway, the way things are, it's almost as if MON works for cappello anyway.

Comment 25, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.52 am

Villa man said:

... Bullshit. He is our manager. Y can't this forum be positive?

Comment 26, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.58 am

Villain down South said:

... You gotta love a good conspiracy theory Damian!

Comment 27, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.02 am

pete said:

... they might not of interviewed mon for the england,they might of ask him to build an all english pl team.

Comment 28, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.02 am

carlevo said:

... MON probably does not want england job but i think he is building the villa squad full of english players to show the FA wot he could av done if they had given him the job but i think now he would turn it down even if it came up jus to spite the FA and stay at villa

Comment 29, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.02 am

clarkamus said:

... any news on more signings then?

Comment 30, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.05 am

Eoin Greene said:

... 'MON wanted the England job because it is the biggest job in football' - it is this type of arrogance and BS that makes England the team that EVERY other nation wants to beat. England and the english media believe that they are favourites for every single tournament that they play - they didn't even qualify for the last one! Capello wanted the English job because it is the highest paying part time job in football. Enough about international teams - this is a Villa site....

Comment 31, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.06 am

clarkamus said:

... hangeland and distan for a combines 16m would be nice then tuncay and defour/sneijder?

Comment 32, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.06 am

clarkamus said:

... combined*

Comment 33, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.07 am

Keith said:

... The FA chose McClaren because MON had a "bad interview"and wanted his own coaching staff. He wasn't even considered for the position when Capello was appointed. MON wants young, talented, ambitious players who he is confident will be able to settle into the Premier League and not at the detriment of team spirit. For that reason he will buy more English players then foreigners. I would have thought that most of you lot would be happy if he was given the England job anyway, the amount of moaning you do about him!

Comment 34, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.08 am

Damian said:

... Villa man First, the forum is here. Second, why is this negative? It's an opinion. Villain down South I love them, but I don't think there is anything in this. O'Neill has put too much into Villa over the past three seasons to walk away from it after the World Cup next year. Maybe he is thinking though, that if he gets enough of the future England team at Villa, he can do both jobs. I for one, don't think the England job is a full time role so maybe O'Neill thinks the same too.

Comment 35, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.14 am

Chrisodon said:

... Seriously.....Tuncay ?. The guy couldn't score in a brothel. I'd be happy with. CB, Distin & Turner. RB or LB, Hutton for rb & Warnock lb. CM, Sneijder or Veloso but they're unlikely, so Cattermole or Noble i'd expect. Also on the suject of the blog didn't Mon turn the FA down before they appointed Capello ?.

Comment 36, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.19 am

ruffy said:

... Don't forget the possible future restrictions on foreign players. If this happens our English talent could double in value overnight. MON isn't stupid, is he. http://www.javno.com/en-sports/blatter-faces-quandary-over-foreign-player-quota_262335

Comment 37, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.19 am

jk92923 said:

... Greg - totally agree. a happy dressing room with no language barriers is a gret situation to be in which very few managers find themsevles with at the moment. i dont think he is buying English to get the national job, in fact, i think its a silly claim to be fair, but something worth chattering about, no doubt. i think, even if he took the England job tomorrow, only Young, gabby and maybe davies would have a look in. he is not going to droop some of the top names in the team for the sake of his own personal agenda, he is not that type of manager. so Cole, Lampard, gerrard, Johnson, Ferdinand, terry, rooney would all see themselves out of the selection becasue Luke Young, Ashley, downing etc are his buddies? nah man, way off the mark, he is just setting up a very strong group of players with alot in common, and maybe he sees English youth as the future of the game, adn not in forgeingers....or at least in one or two who he feels are capable to walking into his team.

Comment 38, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.22 am

adam said:

... maybe the fifa law of so many homegrown players in a team will come into effect soon and we will be laughing. the likes of arse and liverpoo will be screwed with all their foreigners me thinks

Comment 39, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.26 am

Dubai Dave said:

... Once MON has finished building a competitive all England side, playing in week in week out, he will effectively have the England job anyway. We all know the problems of Stevie G and Lamps seem to have when playing together for England. I might be daydreaming here but it will actually be quite funny, as the 'Englan Manager' at such a time will not actually have a job or any influence. The future Villa/ England team will be following advice from MON, and so will the England Manager and the FA. MON will be sticking 2 fingers up alright.

Comment 40, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.31 am

George Hartless said:

... Good article based on sound reasoning. It's the England job. Any manager would struggle to turn it down. Win the World Cup with England and you are pretty much a god in this country. But I don't think that's why MON prefers English players. He arrived at the club at a stage when he needed players who could perform immediately. English players understand the demands of the Prem and don't need such a long honeymoon period. Plus I would imagine it makes for a smoother dressing room not having nationality cliques which some clubs seem to struggle with, i.e. Arsenal. He sees Villa as his project. Randy is letting him model the club. Where else would he get that freedom? I also thinks he prefers and is more suited to day to day club management. Add to that the fact that he's a stubborn git and has already been turned down for the post and I think he could follow his mentor Cloughie and be labelled as one that got away. 'The greatest Irish manager never to manage England'?

Comment 41, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.33 am

GG said:

... I think "daft view" is probably right! He's trying to build a strong team mentality, and the easiest way to do that is with people who have alot in common. Young England hopefuls naturally have alot of common ground and hopefully train & play together even during international weeks. Foreigners typically stay at a club for 2 or 3 years and move on to the next lucrative deal. if you can build a genuine TEAM, you stand a better chance of sustained success over a number of years - I think he learned this from the Clough & Taylor years, and has put it into practice at his previous clubs. You simply can't do one job with one eye on a different job, and if you did it'd be a job you thought you were a certainty for, not something you've already been passed over for twice.

Comment 42, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.36 am

john said:

... MON's too prideful to go for the England job after being rejected twice... This seems far more up his street, create a successful english team and ram it down the throats of those behind the scenes with FA. On another note, MON usually makes a statement along with the confirmation of a new signing... I hope his absence of comment with Delph means he's working on a new signing... Sneijder?

Comment 43, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.38 am

Andy Young said:

... Maybe he just wants to stick two fingers up at the F.A. for overlooking him twice. I'd certainly feel a bit pissed off if McLaren was picked ahead of me. It's also possible to put a positive spin on this: what's to say he couldn't do the Villa job and the England job at the same time? The two would be interchangeable if he's picking mainly from the Villa squad. Okay so there'd be accusations of bias from the press and other managers about him picking from the Villa squad. But if other managers choose to pack their squads out with overpriced foreign players rather than English talent, that's hardly O'Neill's fault is it?

Comment 44, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.43 am

Simon said:

... Damian, I agree 100% with you. It is a totally daft view, but hey, it gets people blogging

Comment 45, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.45 am

Simon said:

... Soz Damian, didnt check the author

Comment 46, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.50 am

Tim Wood said:

... Unless he falls out with RL or is pushed out by the fickle fan contingent, I can see MON staying at the Villa for many many years to come. I for one hope he stays. Stability is key in this league just look at the regular success Arsenal and Manure have had by keeping the same manager. Teams like Chelsea, Spurs and probably Man Shitty change managers far to often to have reular sustained success no matter how much money they spend on players. If Chelski had kept faith with the Special One, they would probably have won the league every year as well as the Champions League. RL and MON complement each other, they have forged a special partnership that is only going to bring success to Villa Park. Should either leave Villa are going to remain the perenial under-achievers! Something special is happening at the Villa, I can feel it in my bones why oh why oh why would MON want to leave!

Comment 47, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.51 am

confusedvillafan said:

... Chrisodon your right,i seem to remember MON putting himself out of the running for the england job before cappello got it, randy said he wouldnt stand in his way.think he`s happy at villa

Comment 48, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.51 am

Mostyn said:

... I don't think MON has any other choice than by homegrown talent. The club does not have either the status or financial muscle to compete on the global matter. It is naive to think that he does this because there are issues with language barriers etc..This hasn't stopped the big clubs. I'd rather a conversation with a player like Fabregas than say Gazza. The biggest prize in football is the World Cup. MON would not pass up an opportunity to take on the England job despite his differences. However, he will bring Villa the Prem League, FA cup and CL first. UTV!!!

Comment 49, made on August 05, 2009 at 10.54 am

Paul Bennett said:

... MON didn't take the England job because he couldnt take his own team with him. Simple as that. If England say he can bring Robertson and the rest of the crew with him he might take it. I think MON will be with us for a long time to come. UTV

Comment 50, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.07 am

Neil Dundon said:

... Interesting theory Doc, However if he invests heavily in fledgling English talent and then completely bombs, that's not going to look too goo don his CV!

Comment 51, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.15 am

Chrisodon said:

... England still have Capello who as far as i'm aware of is doing a good job. So why bother speculating if he will or won't leave Villa when Capello is gone, Let's just enjoy the forth coming season and the anticipation & speculation of new signings. I For one aren't worried about him leaving as he's got a goal here and i think he'll see it through. Who knows Mon could be our Sir Alex.

Comment 52, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.16 am

vill4n said:

... Interesting theory but I think MON has a long term plan here and nothing to do with the England job. He wants to win trophies with villa thats why he is going out and buying young enlish players and will be giving some of these youths a chance as well. Cant wait for the season to start.

Comment 53, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.20 am

Jonathan said:

... I believe MON will ONE DAY, be the manager of England. However not untill his work his done, (he is currently only in the very begining stages). Then soho square will come looking for him.

Comment 54, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.23 am

Villa4life said:

... yeah..... but we need a good mix of foreign and english. We have no skill players who can do one touch passes, not like the spanish or brazilians.....

Comment 55, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.24 am

Leroy said:

... I respect the opinion and all but why after we have just signed a potentially terrific player, do we have to engage in this sort of topic? We finally have something to be semi excited about and instantly we have to consider the fact that our boss has a hidden agenda... So typical of this blog at the moment unfortunately. Cant wait until the season actually starts so there is something of substance to be discussed

Comment 56, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.26 am

john said:

... A rather honest yet slightly negative under tone from Sidwell in this article... I'm not sure if he's using this to suggest that's why his form hasn't settled yet, but if that's the case I bet MON isn't happy with his attitude. http://www.birminghammail.net/...-24321931/

Comment 57, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.29 am

Chris Harper said:

... What do you mean Johnny? I never felt much negativity reading that article??

Comment 58, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.41 am

john said:

... http://www.birminghammail.net/...-24321791/ Sorry mate, try this one... Just expected players to be more positive and complimentary about the fact we've just hired one of the countries brightest prospects, rather than suggesting it's not enough...

Comment 59, made on August 05, 2009 at 11.44 am

Tim Wood said:

... johnnyuk, it isn't enough! There's nothing wrong with being honest!!

Comment 60, made on August 05, 2009 at 12.05 pm

Jinksy said:

... Doc - Fringe England players Reo-Coker. haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Sidwell errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Comment 61, made on August 05, 2009 at 12.17 pm

Halfwit said:

... As i said a while ago we are just stepping stone for O Snail Either he will get the England job or he will get the Man u job And watch if its the man u job watch him go out and buy world class players instead of signing child after child after child Man u wont put up with the sort of signings we are getting

Comment 62, made on August 05, 2009 at 12.26 pm

john said:

... Timmyrara, if it were a player like laursen or ash young, I could have stomached it. Not from Sidwell who I don't think has really earned any right yet to be any kind of outspoken about policy at villa. I partly agree, but I think being more positive he's also wrong. We may have enough quality at the moment to make a push.

Comment 63, made on August 05, 2009 at 12.28 pm

Deano avfc said:

... Halfwit- The day we can compete with the likes of man utd with signings is the day we are competing in the champions league year after year. Man u are one of the richest, if not the richest club in the world so how can you compare them and us on signings?? UTV

Comment 64, made on August 05, 2009 at 12.41 pm

G carew said:

... MON is here for the long haul, infairness would anyone in their right mind take that job?

Comment 65, made on August 05, 2009 at 1.09 pm

YatesyVillain said:

... I've had similar thoughts, but discounted them. What I think he's managed though is to now give us an edge over some of our competitors that we've never had before. We're being held out as a shining example of how to develop and bring on young players - which is great press for us, and can only help us more in attracting the likes of Delph to Villa, as opposed to the talent graveyard at White Hart Lane. MON can sit them down and tell them "Come to Villa son - you're looking to step up and play for England eh? Well you do know that Capello has a season ticket for Villa Park don't you?"

Comment 66, made on August 05, 2009 at 2.02 pm

Nick G said:

... The Reason why MON never took the England job i think was because he wanted to have full reins over who played, but i think the F.A secretly select and influence which players are in the england team, so because they knew mon would not be pushed around they got someone else to be the puppet i.e Mclaren. thats why i think england have struggled to win anything since 66.

Comment 67, made on August 05, 2009 at 2.26 pm

Simeon said:

... Given I have little interest in the fortunes of the English football team, let's hope so! O'Neill leaving for the England job seems to be the only possible exit route, given Lerner's faith in the bespectacled one. If the FA can appoint McClaren, then surely they can appoint O'Neill. After all, they've both been losing finalists in the UEFA Cup.

Comment 68, made on August 05, 2009 at 4.26 pm

kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly said:

... Or, perhaps MON just thought, "Right, if you won't give me the job, I'll just build the team myself at club level, develop the players, the system, etc. and there's the finished article waiting to be called up." He would have more control over England's success, performances and style of play in this way than in any other. And it actually makes a lot of sense. Surely, as we've seen with the understanding the reserves have of each other's games in the Peace Cup, a national side with a core of players from one club would be much more cohesive and potent than a grab-bag from various clubs that are just thrown together every so often for a week or two.

Comment 69, made on August 05, 2009 at 6.51 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Oooooooooooooooops, I posted this reply to this article in another article. Youse bloke must think that I am losing me marbles. You'd be right I suppose. ... I well remember the article you refer to Damian. At the time many of us bought into the idea that MoN was going to thumb his nose at the FA for snubbing him - twice. His buy English trend (I daren't say policy) certainly seems to bear up that thought, and is surely unique in the modern Prem. After Martin's first year I had visions of Villa lifting the major trophies with a solid core of English (and England) players. Those visions are gaining clarity every time Martin dips his toe into the transfer water.

Comment 70, made on August 05, 2009 at 9.52 pm

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