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It’s hard to know where to begin at the moment, any thought I try to commit to the page risks spiralling into a 5,000 word mess. I’m sure you all have dozens of competing thoughts bouncing around inside your heads too. Whatever ends up here in this post, trust me, I’ve deleted more than remains. Chances are, this post doesn’t say now what I started out trying to say.
To keep things as brief as possible though, there are two subjects I want to touch on with this post, other thoughts may follow in due course.
Tapping up?
Firstly, the accusation from Birmingham City that we are guilty of tapping up Alex McLeish. This is a lose:lose situation, either way we’ll come out looking bad.
Doing so would be out of character to say the least given what we know about our approaches to other clubs during this process. Many things that have surfaced in the last couple of weeks make little sense, playing by the rules with everyone else while breaking them on this occasion is just one of them.
However, if we didn’t tap McLeish up, if we really are simply taking the unexpected opportunity to speak to a suddenly available manager because we’re bang out of other options, well it kills any last desperate hope that a carefully crafted plan was being carried out calmly behind closed doors.
The latest development is like getting a peek behind the curtain and seeing the “wizard”. It’s been a shock for a lot of people who really, really invested themselves emotionally in the belief that the wizard was real.
Hurt? Confused? Angry? Yeah, all of those for starters.
Most readers picked up on a tone within the recent communications – the official statement and comments attributed to General Krulak – which betrayed a certain irritation. It seemed to say ‘we hear and respect the fans feelings, but we run this club, not them’.
That’s absolutely correct too. Nothing worth running is run by committee, least of all a football club. Especially when that committee numbers tens of thousands, or hundreds with the biggest mouths and loudest voices.
But it leads me on to the second, and probably more important, subject…
The uphill battle
The subject of the new challenges faced when trying to manage a football club in the age of abundant and pervasive social media is something that’s been troubling me since the latter stages of Martin O’Neill’s time in charge. It’s a big subject worthy of its own post another time.
Nevertheless, however you might have felt about the appointment of Gerard Houllier at the time, I hope that you’re willing to accept that significant numbers were against him and publicly derided him at every opportunity.
Each of the numerous molehills – and they were numerous – were turned into a mountain and, without the results to negate them, those mountains formed a range. Houllier may be many things, Edmund Hillary he is not.
Yes, I’ll concede over and over that Houllier did things to make his own life difficult that he may not repeat if he could do it all again. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that he was fighting an uphill battle from the outset.
That was Houllier. You can take that hill and incline it to near vertical for McLeish. When it comes to the task ahead of him, I just hope he’s handy with ropes and carabiners. A Sherpa Tenzing or two among his team wouldn’t hurt either.
Autonomy
Randy and Paul Faulkner seemed to have painted themselves into something of a corner. Having reportedly responded to negative fan reaction to the news of Steve McLaren being a candidate, they are now facing a genuinely large backlash at the prospect of bringing McLeish in.
You don’t have to look far to find it; at least one moron chose to graffiti his or her feelings on the outside wall of Bodymoor Heath, an astonishing 15,000 people have “liked” an anti-McLeish Facebook group – although that takes no more effort than clicking a button – and a protest is happening right now at Villa Park for the delight of the cameras and amusement of neutrals watching at home.
Acquiesce to that pressure once again and it’s difficult to see how they retain the autonomy necessary to manage the club – although anyone but McLeish may become more palatable by comparison. That in itself might be a win, assuming they can find someone willing to be 7th or 8th choice, or whatever it would be by now.
Going against such unrest, as they appear determined to do, would effectively be a ballsy “all in” move that demands tangible success on the pitch to buy some space. And early success too. With fans more than likely helping to foster conditions for failure; it’s hard to see anything but disastrous consequences.
Ultimately, it’s all a huge mess and one that raises more questions than it answers. We’re right to hold the board’s feet to flames right now, but we should probably reserve some questions for ourselves. For instance, are we our own worst enemies when it comes to voicing our opinions? If you could have the chance over again, knowing what you know now, would you be so hostile towards the prospect of Steve McLaren being the next Aston Villa manager? If fit, how would Gerard Houllier look right now?
Hindsight is always 20/20.
I can’t pretend to find the idea of Alex McLeish managing Aston Villa as anything but abhorrent and I’m struggling to see the bright future we’ve talked about for so long at the moment. I’d like to think that there’s some possibility of someone else being handed the reigns, but all roads are currently leading to McLeish. Sadly. It looks bleak.
I said previously that whoever gets the job gets a clean slate and backing from me, for all that’s worth. I didn’t think that would include McLeish and I’m still absolutely stunned that he’s a probability, but I’ve seen various blogs churn out agenda driven negative drivel in the past and I stopped reading them myself. I’ve no intention of following suit, then, it’s counter productive in my opinion.
The lessons of the past are there to be learned by both club and fans. As George Santayana said: “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.
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27 Comments to “Tapping up and the inevitable uphill struggle”
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Always a pleasure to read your articles away from the insanity elsewhere.
ha, thanks. it’s a jungle out there for sure!
One thing I forgot to touch on and was probably a factor in the current McLeish enthusiasm by the board. I never mentioned that most of his back room staff are ex Villa men, I wonder if they were/are a consideration in him being courted.
wasn’t aware of that, interesting.
I have supported Aston Villa for over 50 years and I am appalled that the Villa fans are behavin gin the way that they are.
Randy Lerner has done a great job at this Club and had the fans not reacted n the way they did to MacLaren he would be our Manager and in place now. As it happens I think Alex MacLeish is the next best British Manager to Alex Ferguson and will be an excellent apointment. So get real and support Randy, Support Alex if he is appointed as manager and support the team. Our Stupid Fans have made the club a laughing stock of the football world and that is very sad.
It wouldbe better that you print Postive Articles and not all this negative rubbish becasue if oyu are not very careful you will drive Randy Lerner away and I for one think he is the best Chairman in the country.
So to all these stupid kids I say GROW UP AND SHUT UP and GET REAL Support> I think we can all look forward ot a very positive season with some exciting new season , and the likes of MArc Albrighton playing every week and making the crosses for Darren Bent and whoever partners him up front. And yest I am glad that Ashley Young is going or gone becasue he isa avery selfish players and he cost us alot ogf points htis season by selfishly taking penalty kicks and missing many of them rather than give to a more confident and more able penalty taker.
negative? sure, perhaps a wee bit. definitely a bit gloomy. don’t worry, we’ll get used to things and be back to normal… eventually.
Are you his ageent or father in law. You speak a load of shite.
I have supported Aston Villa for over 50 years and I am appalled that the Villa fans are behavin gin the way that they are.
Randy Lerner has done a great job at this Club and had the fans not reacted n the way they did to MacLaren he would be our Manager and in place now. As it happens I think Alex MacLeish is the next best British Manager to Alex Ferguson and will be an excellent apointment. So get real and support Randy, Support Alex if he is appointed as manager and support the team. Our Stupid Fans have made the club a laughing stock of the football world and that is very sad.
It wouldbe better that you print Postive Articles and not all this negative rubbish becasue if oyu are not very careful you will drive Randy Lerner away and I for one think he is the best Chairman in the country.
So to all these stupid kids I say GROW UP AND SHUT UP and GET REAL Support> I think we can all look forward ot a very positive season with some exciting new season , and the likes of MArc Albrighton playing every week and making the crosses for Darren Bent and whoever partners him up front. And yest I am glad that Ashley Young is going or gone becasue he is a avery selfish players and he cost us alot ogf points htis season by selfishly taking penalty kicks and missing many of them rather than give to a more confident and more able penalty taker.
Regardless of McLeish’s background and IF he is appointed, it is imperative that all true supporters unite for the good of the team. That is of course, unless you want to generate another failed team which joins the other recent teams that have been made. Personally, I am a good enough supporter to see thru the fact that he managed our nearest rivals and saw relegation twice with them. This is because you have to look at the facts of why they were relegated.
I think there is a 50/50 chance he could be a success at the club. This rates the same as GH or Martin O’Neill who imparticular everyone though was wonderful when he joined including me. O’Neill couldn’t do what McLeish did against Arsenal, whether thats painful or not, its fact.
What happens next season if say we finished 8th and won the carling cup. I personally would see it as a successful season, as I don’t believe we can financially compete with at least 6 teams in the league. Its time to realise that our level is competing for a top 6-7 place and the cups. Until a mega rich owner comes in and can bank role what Chelsea and Man City do then we can not compete.
I’m just trying to be realistic, I don’t fully support the appointment until it happens, then its time to kick on and get behind the team.
yup, pretty much. with support, there’s a chance. without it, there’s none.
Brilliant post !! 100% spot on
Yes, it’s very stressful being a Villa supporter and I’m really fed up with the whole thing. It hasn’t been a happy situation since MON left. Now there is a stand off between the fans and the board and Randy has reminded everyone that it is his ball. He is pissed off with the fans and he is making a statement. I am not happy at the thought of AM getting the manager’s job but it’s not my decision and whoever comes in we must support because we support Aston Villa. If we don’t how are we going to attract any decent players?
Great posts !! This seems to be a sanctuary amongst a load of fickle villa who ain’t got a clue
My father is a blues fan (and yes i once said bo**ocks, ur a c**t to him) and i clearly remember saying to him some time ago that i thought McLeish was a good manager and I wouldnt mind him,down the villa… he assures me, McLeish is better than O’neil!!
I am sad at the current state of affairs as I beleive I was sold the dream, the bright future and it now seems I got swept away in thiking we could compete with the top teams.
The reason, I think, that there is such a negative reaction from so many fans regarding this whole situation, is that we are all suddenly realising that our dreams are unreachable.
I am probably not alone in thiking we should be appointing the big name managers whos reputations preceed them. Winners, and managers with the experience, knowledge, connections etc to take us into the promise land of champions league football.
Sadly, it seems we are scapping the barrel in appointing McLeish. Meaning noone else was interested. Meaning we have no ambition and/or funds to take us further!? Meaning we’ve been sold a lie.
This makes people angry.
UTV
haha, glad you didn’t turn out to be a chip off the old block then!
in fairness, the season before last those of us who aren’t completely blinded by hatred had to give him credit; they not only did well, but they were on our heels all season and kept us honest.
last season, well not so much. though we don’t have much to crow about either i guess.
p.s. some BIG signings and GOOD results need to follow this appointment, if Randy is to keep our dreams alive!
We over achieved with Martin. We didn’t have a plan b under Martin. We were losing money (excessive wages for crap players) under Martin. We had one first team and no quality players to come on under Martin.
Don’t like the idea of a bluenose manager coming. However his pedigree with rangers was very good. AM got them to the last 16 of the champions league. They played attacking dogged football with grit.
Give him a chance he has potential even sir Alex has only good things to say about him
Martin didn’t have great pedigree apart from winning at Celtic (same as AM). So give the man a chance
true enough. assuming this all gets confirmed, i’ll go through his record with a fine toothed comb and we’ll see what it’s like.
tbh, besides the obvious, i’m more concerned with style, but then we’ve all spent the last year moaning about our defence…
Isn’t it funny how, when presented with only negatives, we somehow manage to find a positive!
Such is the indominable spirit of human kind…UTV
heheh. it’s like the five stages of grief; can we be at acceptance already?
there might be a post in that.
If fit how would Houiller look right now?
Don’t go there Dan, the man was way past his sell by date, lost the dressing room and was too arrogant to realise it. He sucked the atmosphere right out of Villa Park and it was one depressing season, one gaffe followed another and his ill health put the tin hat on it.
I would take Barry Fry over Houiller and that is the truth.
I must admit to being shocked when I heard McLeish was in the frame. But come on Aston Villa is a big business and you have to believe that the board of a big business put a lot of thought and research in to filling pivotal roles. After all if they didn’t they would not be big businesses for long.
The fans protests don’t bother me, ya you have the blue nose thing which is huge, but I think the biggest problem for the fans is that this isn’t a sexy appointment, it is total anti sexy in fact. There was a manager quoted the other day saying your C.V. means nothing any more, its who ever is sexy at the moment that matters. Aint it the truth and isn’t it funny that when the sexy names are compared stats wise to the dull names McClaren etc. the dull boys have the better records.
The board must see something in McLeish and I have to hand it to them it will be one ballsy appointment, with all the odds stacked against it. But who am I to knock it. If they see fit to appoint him, he must meet their criteria and time will have to be given to see how it pans out. The one thing I would like about it is that there would be a man that doesn’t take shit back at the helm again and maybe that’s what Villa need now
fair point on houllier. not sure i agree entirely, i think there were green shoots there, but i wouldn’t really argue it.
ballsy? hell yeah. imagine if it actually worked out. i can’t really see it, but imagine the hilarity of him relegating them and then coming to us for a successful spell.
and as for balls, well if this does happen, i’d have to credit mcleish with some hefty cojones himself.
would still prefer it didn’t happen though, natch.
As always, spot on.
Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. A black eye for the club for the way it has all been handled. Lets just hope that whoever ends up taking the reigns can find a way to be successful.
UTV
Another good article. Obviously he is not top of the list but the worst thing about it for me would be paying them compensation!
On a brighter note, the guy has won something virtually everywhere he has been – that must have been one of the few things that convinced Randy. I’d love to know which of the board suggested him in the first place although, for many reasons, we probably won’t find out any time soon.
Is experience of failure in the Premiership a better qualification than being untested, as yet?
Seems to me that they have rather restricted their pool. It’s a bit like the ‘quality midfielder’ issue – good Premiership managers either have jobs or won’t consider Villa an option.
But hey, Villa are Villa. We don’t like things simple. If it all went right, what the hell would we talk about?
an interesting question. if you speak to just about any self-made successful business person they’ll more than likely have a catalogue of mistakes they can tell you about from early in their career.
i know, i’m clutching at straws, aren’t i?
Maybe there is no such thing as a good or bad manager – just the right man, in the right place, at the right time.
Here, hold these boxes of straws for a minute, I’m off for a rummage in the medicine cabinet…..