Doc's Diagnosis: Why O'Neill's vision is right

Doc

I agree that you [i]could[/i] be right, in fact what you write above is wonderful and I'd love it to be right.

Do you know any right sided players?

Inspirational Doc! Let's believe in O'Neil. I'm with you all the way, it's def about the bigger picture. But MON please get some bodies in this week, pretty please!

I can see your point but it will be very difficult to break into the top 4 if we get relegated this season! Without a fullback and unable to fill the bench with players with first team experience that could happen.
I am not saying I think it will happen but I am starting to get very worried with the lack of signings.

I share your vision on MON's policy Doc. This has been my opinion of his policy for some time, but that also doesn't take away this instant need to maintain that drive forward by actually having a full team to put out.

Indeed when buying his players he needs to be picky and choose the right characters but when the end of your 2nd season draws nigh and you still have no natural right sided defender or midfielder who can slot into the first team, you worry. You REALLY worry.

I do hope that come the end of this transfer window we'll have reason to have further faith in MON and that he knew what he was doign all along, but currently i'm a little pessimistic on our chances of filling in those gaps before Aug 31st

I agree whole heartedly with you Doc and some of these fans need to get some perspective!

Well said, I just hope Mon has plans to sure up the defence before the season kicks off. our attack, as proved last season can speak for itself.

i knew thid for ages its obvious hes just wanted young english players its a bad thing hes got the right vision but id rather have the team tottenham have now that our team although i love this team 2 bits we need more of it
villa4eva

Yes but when the real British talent is available he will come in with a below the mark transfer offer and refuse to pay the wages that this player would require and so be left signing some reject off a team below us in the League. Also i can't see the likes of Young or Davies sticking around too long if one the big 4 come knocking on the door next season. I didn't put NRC in that sentence because he is an average player and no more.

bingo doc!!! you get it, you completely get it!!

You argue you point very well Doc, i agree with some of your comments. BUT.... I don't think Roman Abramovich had this vision when he joined Chelsea, he plowed money into the club, i don't think he had a plan of 5yrs to get into the Champions League, he wanted success asap and was willing to spend money to do it which Learner hasn't.Look at what they've won, numerous League and FA Cups, and not a bad record in the Champions League. Its all about spending money which Learner doesnt want to do, he's also by his luck got a manger who doesn't want to spend, match made in heaven. I'm not willing to wait 5 fcuking years for us "hopefully" be challenging in the Champions League. I will guarantee you the top 4 will have further moved away from us and many other teams as well such as Tottenham,Portsmouth,Man City and Newcastle. Learner apart from giving out free scarves has done nothing for this club to take us forward, by complete luck of not having any injuries we lucked out on 6th place last season, with some major injuries to key players ill tell you now we would have struggled and done worser than O'Neills previous season....i'm begging for MON and Learner to make me eat my words.

just had some info from a source close to villa that they have tabled a 10 million pound swoop for kevin doyle and nicky shorey from reading. oneil is also unsure whether to go for miguel at a high price so he feels his best bet is luke young who he was interested in last season. he is also looking at younes kaboul of totenham as a squad player and also is looking for a right sided midfielder he likes milner but he is unlikely and oneil is unlikely to look through euro[pe. so that position islikely tostay unfilled. oneil is hoping routledge willcome in tohis own in that position. my opinion of this transfer window with aston villa is that martin oneil and his staff have been terrible they need to get some faces in quick otherwise we are stuffed no rite back or left back we need another 5 signings 3 of those defensive

i agree wiv wat ur sayin, i supported MON through out these tranfer markets because the improvement under him has been vast, he knows what he is doing.
now that barry is goin i believe milner will come to vila park.
ive noticed alot of sources are sayin were really interested in luke young from boro this would be a great buy, he has more years in him then finnan.
we should beat pompey nd s'land to shorey, as we have more to offer.
i cant for this barry saga to be over it has gone on for far to long, we should get alot of cash for him so i hope MON goes out and spends it.

Your right - But its all very well having a long term strategy but we don't seem to have short or mid term!

For a very long time this situation with right back and centre and left back cover has been known about - Its not been addressed! Now we've had are thin squad get some injuries and now - This stategy has proved that its long term and nothing else!

I'm all for stategy but you've got to address certain issues now and Villa haven't and have been hoping what happened now with injuries wouldn't happen that's lame. We were very lucky last year and its now bitten us in the ar*e.

Our problem is that real English talent is like gold dust, if they're good enough to compete all the top teams want them!

The best way to buy British talent is to raid lesser teams, personally I would raid Reading for Shorey, Lita, Harper and Nicky Hunt, I would love all four I know it's not gonna happen and wouldn't solve all our worries but it would be a nice start!

Vogra - To compare us to Chelsea is ridiculous. Have you been to Stamford Bridge recently. Most miserable bunch of cucumber sandwich munching muppets paying £60 a ticket. Don't get me wrong the real Chelsea fans are great people its just they've been squeezed out. Chelsea have announced that they don't expect to make a profit until 2012. Thats 8 years of haemorrhaging cash and still playing some pretty boring football. For me we're completely on plan for Champions League within 2 years.

Doc - fantastic article. Can't wait for the season to start!

Agree with you Doc. I am really disturbed by some of the postings on this site. Contrary opinions such as those put forward by Damian are perfectly valid although at times I find it distasteful and very English that even in the face of charitable acts such as the Acorns scenario some of us still want to "have a dig".

Recently it has reminded me of the way the dirty blue noses turned on their owners when they didn't get the investment they believed there "great" club deserved. Thus not recognising the tremendous achievment made in just getting that motley crew to the premiership. I have noted the comments reported by General Krulak today and his obvious dismay at some of the carping. Do not underestimate the effect some of this petty, at times personal and abusive and generally ungrateful moaning has.

Surely RL and MON at this time are entitled to the benefit of the doubt? Surely despite whatever misgivings we all have - we can recognise that we will only truely get to where we want to be by sticking together and being positive?

Please be careful what you wish for. Do you want to be like Chelsea? Newcastle? Do you want to have a team of foreigners? Do you want to pay a thousand pounds for a season ticket? Do you want VP's name changed to Nike Park? Do you want to owe hundreds of millions to one man?

Finally, do you really want to go back a few years to Deadly Doug? Have we such short memories?

The most sense I've read yet!
up the Villa :D

It surprises me how people change their opinion from one post to another, not mentioning any names but some people on here need to stick to their guns or shut up!

Woodinho

Opinions can change .. I think what Doc has posted above is the perfect scenario but it doesn't detract away from the immediate need.

Nobody can disagree with what Doc has written because it is his opinion of the situation and even if in three more seasons we're not in the Champions League you can't say it wasn't right - they could have just failed.

I'd love the above to be true and to some extent it is - you've got to have a plan for the future and I'm sure O'Neill and Lerner have one and I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't fairly close to what Doc is suggesting but it doesn't detract from the immediate need and having a long term plan is excellent but what if buying all this young British talent turns out to be just young and British?

It's a great post from Doc but I'd still like to see a few players in by last week that actually played in the positions that we don't have anyone and that I think is where a lot of the current frustrations come from.

So explain Bentley to me then....We didn't even try with a second bid.

AVMark i think you would be happy to have Villa finish 10th to 6th every season and be out of both cups come feb. Are you telling me that you are happy with the way MON is operating in the transfer market? And please stop all this MON has saved the club from a guarinteed relegation garbage. Villa always flirt with danger one season and then improve for a couple and then through not investing in the right players go right back down the table(DOL got us to 6th postion as well). Villa have not learned a thing from our past mistakes and will drop down the table again this year. Its about time the club have some proper ambition and about time some fans have a bit more ambition if you ask me.

british talent isnt good enough plain and simple. we wont finish in a champs league position in 50 years if thats the strategy. and how exactly can people claim we should rely on our youth - how many players in the last decade have come through the youth system and gone on tobe good enough to play for a champs league club which is our aim!!!
mon's strategy is wrong! how can a strategy that leaves us with no full backs, no right mid and no cover except in centre mid with 9 days to go till our season starts be correct???

Plans and Strategies sometimes work out? If you cover all the areas in your objectives and complete your vision you set out to achieve? we have achieved one of our goals in the sence of gaining a place in the uefa cup (just), so well done for that! We lost a few values by not getting to 5th and the imminent departure of our captain. But when you cut corners (players out of position) in your plan all the hard work starts to fall apart because you didn't take strategic action? i.e lack of signings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! where are they?????????????????

Personally i think this 5 year plan nonsense is a load of bullocks, You see no'deal (any manager can win at celtic) and im a lerner at football in the us its hockey dude 'lerner' [b]must have a screw loose if they think our team is champions league material in 2011 nobody from this squad will still be here at villa? so what you gonna do! Let me think a 3 year plan its a load of crap dont fall for it[/b]

Nearly 2 seasons of not completing simple tasks and your lack of awareness in your Strategy is going to lead to your competitors growing (porthsmoth & spurs) leading you to look very stupid indeed! Someone has got to be held responsible if thet dont arrive............

p.s Having no'deals idea of the majority of the squad to be british is foolish too! It just wont work maybe 4/5 quality players but that it? Get some flair thru the door asap

AK27 - I havn't been happy since 1981 when we won the league and failed to invest the following season. I havn't been happy since DE took over - not one single season because all the evidence pointed to the fact he was a penny pinching ego maniac who could not operate in a corporate environment.

Don't talk history with me, I don't know how old you are but I've been around a bit.

I am grateful to RL for buying the club and the way in which he has conducted himself to date. Maybe that's not cool nowadays.

You confuse whinging with ambition. Whinging is easy, it's got nothing to do with ambition it's a state of mind. Tell me your ambitions compared to RL then? What have you ever done to improve AVFC? Do you think slagging them off in the world wide media furthers your ambitions? Is it OK for you but not for Gareth Barry to do it?

Good sense, Doc. I wrote on another post that we have probably the best pool of young talent in the country sitting just below the senior squad and I'm certain that some of these lads are in MONs plans. Much better than paying silly money for foreign prima-donnas. The comparisons with Newcastle and Man City are good ones as both have long ceased to be football clubs but are gravy trains for the lazy and arrogant with the clubs content to milk the fans without any real prospect of winning anything. Chelsea are also a gravy train, successful yes but their soul has been sold and the fans will continue to pay a high price...and don't get me started on the commercial rip-off that trades as ManU. Liverpool are nothing but a commodity ready to be traded to the highest bidder on the back of a well recognised brand name. Portsmouth are a dealing market with no player stability. Spurs are, as ever,all fur coat. Villa could go any of these ways but I am confident that we won't. Lerner is a shrewd cookie and is prepared to invest carefully for his returns not speculate stupidly in an unrealistic bull market. And the way he has played hard-ball with Liverpool over Barry gives me great confidence.This guy understands the economics of spend and sell Have faith. UTV.

when you look at teams like west ham a few years ago and the fact that if they held on to many of there young players they would of had an amazing squad more than capable of winning the champions league, and with a stubborn manager like oniell we have the chance of holding onto them and have a chance of this plan succeeding

MONs Vision is right. What Vision failing to get in replacements Look at GB For me the only person in this messy saga to tell any resemblance of truth is Gareth Barry. He Cleary Stated he wanted to leave to give him a chance of winning something. Who can blame him for that he has served us well.
As for the Chairman & Manager they have deceived us at best if not Looked us in the Eye & lied to us.
I will point to the moving of the trinity 400 as evidence they do not care about the fans. They had the nerve to tell us this was to move the club forward what loosing our club captain & looking to pick up in the main unwanted players.
It’s a shame the likes VFC have sold out & pamper to the Americans PR

Damian - I wasnt getting at Doc, he writes good stuff, I like reading his match reports and such, but thanks for singling me out and giving me a whole paragraph, that was nice of you.

Opinions can change yes, I was of the opinion I shouldn't add to these posts hence why I went awol for a while, as I just end up misunderstood, and even when I explain myself in full detail I'm a MON basher or a blue nose (biggest insult ever in my book!). Well anyway, that opinion turned out to be correct.

Opinions make the world go around, some people believe in god, some don't!
Some think MON is god... Some don't!

Over & out,
Woodinho
x

jus had another call of my mate hes just herd that antonio valencia from wigan is in spain meeting martin oneil. he has also put a name across. do you remeber jose antonio reyes from arsenal apparently oneil is going to put in a late bid tosign him from athletico madrid benfica are close to signing him on loan.

thats cuz MON is god.No opinion. its the truth. But what does that make lerner? he is gods boss.

Doc, good article and posted at the right time- too much negativity at the moment. Also, 6th place last season isn't a bad short term strategy - if we can consolidate this position that will be a good short medium term objective.

AVMark - agree totally with your assessment - life is much more positive now under RL.

Nows the time to support MON - it's getting tough and it's easy to criticise, all the lightweights bottle at the first sign of a hiccup. MON needs everyone to stand up and get behind him now the going is getting harder

First off AVMark im not having a go at Learner im having a go at MON. He is the guy that is holding the club back due to his absolute ineptube to operate in todays transfer market. Also i never said that what barry did was wrong. I don't blame him for wanting out. Why would he want to stay in a club where when the oppertunity arose last jan to have a real go for 4th spot the only accuistion brought in was Routledge.

As for asking me what i have done for the club really shows to me that you don't have any answers to the obvious questions on the way Villa are operating in the transfer window . If you did you would be arguing that point instead of making a stupid come back like that. I guess your next way of defending MON will be to call me a bluenose.

Apologies for this - but I wanted to respond to Woodinho and didn't want to trouble him further by looking back at the last article: (Great article this one btw doc)

Response to this:

"Here we go again, getting personal because I have work to do in between posting on here!

This is why I stopped posting, because people like you don't have a decent argument, or cant back up their side of what they say so they get personal. Its pretty sad really!

I don't care what peoples arguments are with what I say, IT'S GOOD THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS- I just wish that people would "engage brains" as you so eloquently put it and try to understand before they knock what I've said. You could even try asking if you don't understand, wow, wouldn't that be an idea???

Anyway, I can only assume that you are of the "MON is God - squad" and think everything he does is fantastic, well he is a great manager i agree but he is inept when it comes to the transfer market, like I said in my original post if you are happy with over 50% of his buys you are having a laugh! Which has been my point all along! I am replying to different people hence the 3 posts, dear me, as if you are that bothered, better get a posse together and do some lynching.

Is it a director of football that takes over the negotiations of transfers? Because we need one!"

Is:

Woodinho - I really don't want this to turn into a personal mud-slinging battle but I was merely responding to your suggestion that I was only intelligent enough to read the sun - and hence was not able to understand what you were writing. Enough of this.

Be careful what you assume, I recommend that anyone from that squad pick up a little book called the God Delusion before they come to that conclusion.

To put it simply, my point is this:

I think the transfer activity since O'Neill took over has been disappointing as a whole although I do think that slating players that got us to 6th last season is a wee bit futile. I can't lay all the blame at O'Neill's door simply because I don't know exactly who is responsible for the inner wranglings. What I definitely do know is that O'Neill gave me the best football season I have pretty much ever had with the Villa (I'm 30 - so whilst I'd like to claim I remember the Euro triumph well - I just don't) so I am willing to delay calling for his head just now.

And that sums it up - I hope you've not been offended by anything I've said this time.

Nice article but your argument that our transfers are superior to West ham, Man City and Newcastle is based on one season (last) and in my opinion won't be achieved again without major signings. When you throw in Spurs and Pompey, and even possible outsiders to improve like Sunderland, Blackburn, Everton, and dare I say it Wigan. Why quote failed transfer spending when you could just as easily say that Liv, Man U, and Chelsea have bought top 4 positions? Do you seriously believe NRC and Sidwell are the future of Villa in the champions league? We will be lucky if Young is here in 12 months time. Modern footballers move too quickly for a "bring em on slowly" policy. We have to show we can and will spend, NOW!

Everyone is happy now.
The worst thing they have done is raise our expectations, and finish 6th a season or two early:D

Hehe.

UTV.

I cannot wait for the new season, but there is a need for signings, so we don't go backwards, we were promised signings, another season ticket bought due to belief of PR, spin and failed promises. Prove me wrong.

Tensions are high and understandably but this was a great post from Doc.

Let's leave personal pokes out of it from now, or go into the forum and do it ;)

Cheers

Also, club site. Official party can be joined in Iceland travel etc.

AK27 - I didn't suggest you criticised RL either. I made a statement. You and people like you are whingers. You and people like you are the people that may end up leaving RL thinking like why the hell should I put my money into this venture - just as happened at the Blues.

Well said, Doc. Voice of reason yet again. I know patience is in short supply these days, but that's not MON or RL's fault. It's the age in which we live. And the internet commenting just distorts the overall mood in a negative feedback loop.

Chelsea have also distorted expectations. They've won some cups, but even with £300m-£500m of investment in transfer fees, they've not won the EPL or CL. That's a fool's game, only to played by an egomaniacal oligarch. Utd are still are far better team playing far more attractive football. MON could, theoretically, spend £100m, sign Ballack, Drogba, Makelele and whoever else...The fans would be ecstatic at the statement of ambition. And Villa could still win f*ck all.

It seems strange that so many keep ignoring the obvious. Many have tried buying their way into contention, and all have essentially failed, including Chelsea. But that's the approach many would choose to emulate, despite the terrible return evidenced so far, because spending looks like trying. And it's apparently more comforting to go along with the herd than get one's head around a different approach. It's interesting that Villa and Everton find themselves in much the same position this off-season, small squads, no big signings, yet who finished 5th and 6th?

All that spending, is desperation and a lack of ideas. It's throwing darts wildly. Of course, RL and MON may not succeed. But they're showing that they've seen the lousy returns and it seems to me a sign of intelligence that they're learning the lessons on offer and choosing not to just flush money down the toilet on a merry-go-round of transfers.

And if there's anything more brainless than continuing to shout, "But we've got no RB!", I'd like to know what it is. If you don't think MON knows what he's got, you must really think he's an idiot. He may not be the messiah, but he's no less able to count or evaluate his own players/needs than any of us.

I'd love it if a few of the biggest whingers could sit down with MON over a few pints and he could speak freely about players, transfers, his ideas, who he's got. I've a feeling they'd end up feeling fatally embarrassed. And RL has shown nothing but a real love for the club...Were he to sell tomorrow, Villa is already better for his having been involved.

Krulak was getting rather pissed about being called a liar, a spin-artist, etc., and I would feel the same. I know the Ellis years have conditioned everyone to expect the worst, but this really is the ownership and management that fans should be proud of and able to get behind. I really don't think we're going to do much better.

before anyone says anything kohoutek is aware that Chelsea have won the Premier League

Good Post Doc,

Is sometimes good to sit back and look at the bigger picture.

People get panicky when the start of the season is approaching and we still have big gaps in our first 11 that need filling (me included). I can't imgaine that MON will go into the new season without at least a couple of fall backs and will sign a couple of players soon. Lets not write the season off before we even get going.

I think this is one of the most positive times in my life supporting villa! I think we have a manger and chairman that really beleive in the club and see big things happening. Just because we haven't spent a shed load of money on players doesn't mean we are going to end up fighting relegation.

Deep breathes and less panick! ;D

I'm not sure if I fully agree with what is said in this article. However I fully agree with what AVmark is saying. To be honest I'm getting sick to death of reading Damian's post and the continual whining and moaning about our football club. The same things get said over and over again.

What people need to realise is as a club AV have always been a profitable one. Chelsea is not. Roman is p*ssing away cash in large quantities. Getting an investor does not mean he is going to p*ss all his cash away like that. Roman is the exception. Most people, like Mr Lerner are business men. Then want to run a profitable business. They do this by trying to progress steadily, while spending money but not going OTT. This is exactly what's going on at AVFC. And Martin O'Neil is fully on board.

The funds are available, it's just they are trying to spend wisely and not splash out of overrated sh*te. It's frustrating I know, I feel the same way, but I aint winging about it, cause last season we finished 6, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Wishful thinking, both in terms of the club's strategy being to buy in the best young English talent, and that this talent, even if it were acquired, would get us CL football. Surely if this [i]were[/i] the strategy, Gareth Barry leaving could never happen, for, at the age of 27, he is hardly past it (and probably three years from his peak, with another four or five years at this peak, for, having never been blessed with pace, he won't lose an edge), and he is, on the basis of this past season at least, the best midfielder in the country. And yet he is leaving, because we haven't made the necessary investment in talent to progress along the five year plan. Gareth Barry leaving torpedoes every aspect of the strategy the Doc believes is in place. My guess is we would have to spend more money this summer than we have (including the £20m we would get for Barry) simply to replace him, Mellberg, and the rest, and field a squad as good as last seasons, i.e. to stand still. But of course everyone knows that standing still is falling back as your competitors overtake. So, with a weaker team and squad, and assuming we're not as lucky with injuries this season as we were last, my prediction is flirtation with relegation, and very possibly a one night stand in the Championship. This is a possible scenario (though a safe mid-table finsh would be achievable) even if we were to sign two players of real quality (Bentley would be the benchmark), and sign four others to flesh out the squad. My guess is this would require a net spend (accounting for the sale of Barry) of £25-30m, or £50m gross. I don't see this happening because I simply don't see us attracting real quality players, and so I don't see us being able to spend that level of money - despite us, I'm sure, having £30m to spend. And I'm sure about the £30m because, truthfully, it's a meagre amount of money by Premiership standards.

Gareth Barry leaving - heck, Gareth Barry simply being unsettled - has left us in the position of being a much weakened team without the means of attracting the players to make up for the loss of Barry. Being insanely optimistic, even if the funds were available to spend £70m or £80m on players to give us a chance of consolidating a place in the top 5, and putting significant pressure on the top 4, our wage structure would have to be smashed, and we would have to bring in players who fall short of the standard MON has set for prospective Villa players, in terms of being people who are here because they want to fight for the club and aren't simply content to collect huge wages. Obviously, this hypothetical scenario doesn't fit at all with the strategy the Doc has outlined.

If we as Villa fans are happy to support the principled and humane way in which our club is being run (and there are a lot of things that Lerner is doing that are admirable), then there is honour in that. There is a strong argument for it being more honourable to be like Villa are at this time - that is, a club with a heart and soul - than to be like Chelsea or Manure or Liverpool (or even Spurs, Man City, Pompey and the rest), who are simply commercial concerns operating in a cut-throat business environment. Just don't expect any on-field success any time in the forseeable future.

I see Tottenham are interested in signing right back Corluka who plays for Man City, now this guy is pretty damn good...and who we interested in Luke Fcuking Young.....shows the ambition really doesn't it.

I am Trying my hardest to be patient.. but i dont really think that MON has given us the oppurtunity given the current circumstance...we've got 2 week before the premiership starts..2 WEEKS!!..

Just before the end of the season i was telling friends that this Summer transfer was going to be all about VILLA and the amount of players we signed.. i honestly thought we were gonna bring in around 7-8 players..(Stupid Me)

My whole point is that MON has put himself in a corner.. EVERYONE knows we need to buy..(look at our squad photo)yet.. some Dillusional fans think that MON being patient is great.. only because they dont understand it..

I just want a nice squad of 22 players mixed with Britsh and Foreign Blood.. and also a chance for the youth Academy..

But Regardless B6 B6 B6 ... Even though im from LONDON

ads...

please please please understand I was knocking MONs transfers and policy throughout this debate! I had to list the players and my own opinion of them to get my point across. It was not an attack on our current squad or any individual but a vent of my frustration of the way avfc have dealt in the transfer market in the past 3 years. I believe that had we acted differently we could have pushed on even further than we have up till now. We've had the chances, the players have been there to buy and we didn't go for it and they went elsewhere!

Dont get me wrong what MON has done with the players he [u]has[/u] bought in is nothing but unbelievable and how we have come on in the past couple of years is great. But, I really believe that MON needs to loosen the purse strings a little, it's hard as a massive Aston Villa fan to get excited about the likes of Salifou, Harewood, Knight, Petrov and others and I just want to see us competing not only on the pitch but as a brand and how we are perceived, the only way to do that is act big time, to put out messages that we are still one of the big boys, yet we still remain small time when it comes to transfers and the players we buy/have bought are one of the main things prospective players will look at.

This isn't aimed at you ads but I dont want MON out, I dont think I could do better, I dont think any other manager in the land could have done what he's done with the squad he's got... I just want him to work harder to get players in. The message it puts out to us fans when Sunderland, Wigan & Portsmouth beat us to players is not good.

Can you see my point now?

Its DEPRESSING! >:( >:( >:( >:(
I cant remenber that last time i actually got excited about a villa transfer. Even when we got Young nobody thought he would turn out to be as good as he did. Im all up for buying young talent but give us one or two signings to get excited about. Someone like De La Red, Falcao etc.

Roll on the the 31st, cant wait till this farce has ended.

I hope im wrong but im slowing starting to loose the faith :(

Doc,

I'd just like to thank you for a top-notch post mate. I haven't read something as carefully considered and reasonable from a Villa fan - well never. I think you are a spot on, O'Neill and Lerner have a long-term vision for the club which stretches beyond immediate glory. They are setting Villa up for a real crack at the top 4 - and not just for a season, maybe 2 - but a long-term threat that is genuine and sustainable. Only then will we begin to attract the really BIG names, by which time we will have less of a problem retaining the likes of our homegrown heroes. It's a shame Barry couldn't have shared in this vision, but to be fair, it hits a peak towards the twilight of his career by which time he may have won some silverware elsewhere - and deservedly so.

Keep posting, I'd like to hear more of your views about the club.

Good article Doc, and agree that there has been put in place a well worked out strategy to try and compete with the top 4. Paying hand over fist for foreign players is not the answer. Secondly, people like BENTLEY won't come to Villa because he has made it clear he wants to live in London and be part of the 'in' crowd. What a pleb! Most players who MON is investing in are coming for footballing reasons primarily. If we had all the money on the planet, and started throwing it recklessly all over the place in the vein hope we might win something;I would be ashamed. At least MON is trying to build a team ethically and with great skill. If it comes down to buying power, I'm afraid Villa will win nothing. I hope one day that foreign players become tightly restricted and independent arbiters used to evaluate players for sale.

I'm not knocking MON who again I think is the best man manager / tactical manager there is and he's at the Villa.

I'm not knocking Randy as he saved the club from nose dive under Ellis.

What my gripe? Well every summer Villa fans are promised X what do we get Y. Villa have a real good chance to move on but I think they've missed the boat this year (Heard that before) in regards getting in numbers.

Lets look at facts - The most successful teams of late - Man Utd & Chelski get the players that they want or need early - Even one for the future! They then have all summer and pre-season to work with those players!

Now call me stupid - But surely come MAY or even before you know what and who you need ! So when the window opens your there on the phone seeing if its possible to get those players! Well even the most stupid of people knew Villa needed 7 / 8 players to fill the gaps and cover. Ok we've addressed 1 problem that of goalkeeper! So on that font there is no defending poor management of the club - That's not directed at MON that's all of the people in the chain.
Again - I mentioned a while back about the scouting system at Villa - Where is it? Anybody can say right got a few weeks to get a rightback in - what club need some money! Villa don't need to be scouting in the Premiership or Celtic as everybody knows these players from Sky etc. Why aren't we looking at players wide and far?

I think I need a rest from reading these groups - Its very hard being a Villa fan as its like living with a girlfriend you don't trust! But on a lightside we could support Newcastle!

Doc I like what you are saying and hopefully you are right, but when it has been known for over a year that a right back and right winger are needed and we are now little over a week away from the start of the season. Having a long term plan is all very well, but starting the season with only two maybe three fit defenders we are already giving away points, surely part of the long term plan is to show we can stay in the higher positions of the league to attract, these British stars you mention.

What happens if offers come in for Young next season....
O'neil as said himself we need players to keep still - so where are they.

villa gona finish midtable if they dont improve the squad!

Cheers, Damian. I should've read back what I typed!

tbf 5 years is a joke i could be dead between then and not live to see villa in the champions league
personally i would spend the money not to much not to little
but enough to get us into the champions league

The Doc is bang on, MON is not a Stupid man, only get secound best when the first option is no go.

I gree with the doc and was good to read, but we have to replace barry and melberg plus more cover or we could be facing prospects of losing our quality young british players next year, the aim maybe for 2011 but we still have to be up there fighting til then not struggling. On a brighter note just heard its us and sunderland front running for shorey and with them trying to find funds for saha it looks promising utv

Im starting to second guess how much "vision" a 5 foot tall man can have!

A good post Doc, but Shorey, Young, Simpson and Milner need to get in here PDQ so we could start the season with a little bit of depth. I know we have until the end of the month, but I'd like to see Villa get off to another good start and I am not sure that can happen with the current squad and two UEFA Cup matches thrown in with the Premier League fixtures.

i might get my season ticket this year and ask can i pay for it over 5 years as i have a plan but always promise them abit more money each month but not actually give it to them or give them abit less

Great article but then it is very much in line with the stance I have taken since MON and RL arrived. If anyone honestly thinks that MON isn't bothered that we don't have a RB etc. then they're nuts. MON is a very astute manager and that's why he is so highly regarded/feared amongst his rivals. That is why he is the 2nd best manager England never had and was touted as a possible successor to Sir Alex as ManU manager.

I don't know why he still hasn't got a recognised RB or why we haven't seen a few more signings but I am absolutely certain that MON has his reasons. Whilst we might not agree with them, they are his reasons and given that he is in charge of the team, we have to live with it.

Someone earlier pointed out that even DOL finished 6th but what they failed to point out that this was his first season in charge. It was only when he started to bring in his 'own players' that the the wheels fell off. MON has done the exact opposite and deserves our trust and patience.

More articles like this one please.... :)

I keep asking people why will this transfer window be any diffrent to the rest >> ? ? ?

Yet hardley anyone can tell me

Thats because deep down we all know with martin in charge it will be the same as the rest which were awful

No right back for nearly 3 year is not acceptbale for a premership club i dont care what anyone says

The local sunday leuage team has a rb and more players than we have

I would rather martin go if it means we can have a stronger team there are other managers out there who can attract the right players and will sign some class players martin hasnt a clue

Randy its time to go italian dutch or spanish

People keep saying and even you damian ohhh the players will come well i need to ask you what makes you think this ?

I couldn't agree more, Doc.

Agreed Doc, because obviously Alex Ferguson had some sort of strategy when he took over at United forever and a day ago now!

But that still doesn't take away the fact that we are DESPERADO for players, Defenders in particular. This whole episode with full-backs has long been farcical now and I cringe every time I know Zat Knight will be playing 90 minutes!

Its all good and well having a strategy as a priority, but its having a squad capable of achieving what we want to achieve which is first and foremost!

I've said it before, We all want us to be prepared for the new because the evidence suggests we will have to hit the ground running, also we don't want to seen as a figure of embarresment when or if we don't have players for positions (I.e. Right-Back and Left-Back). And finally, we are all desperate to see us do well, and the rate of progression in which we have been going for the last two seasons has raised expectations to something like Newcastle fans and we all think that we can make champions league this season! With the right additions, Yes. Now? Not a chance.

So in conclusion its all just a state of worry for Villa fans because basically we don't want to end up a laughing stock!

What a load of drivell .

compete at champions league level in 2011...what a laugh,mon has a plan to create and build a english/british team..lol lol.what a load of old cock...with the amount of british talent thats been around and snapped up by other clubs,that is obviously not what oneil is planning at all,,and even if it was,surely that would only work if every other english club didnt want english players....i think that the shit will start hitting the fan from the start of the season and get much worse by crimbo..we were lucky last year,we aint gonna get the luck of the irish this season...wonder what crap he will use as his excuse,,,cause when it starts to go pear shaped,it will be all mons fault,and he will walk and end up at some third rate club where he belongs,just hope he dont take us there with him...
the 2 brads and sidwell,,god what a joke..
no wonder finnan wont come to us, he can understand oneil.
barry leaving a sinking ship,course dont forget he was going when mon came,only the poor lad believed in the blarney that mon span him,only now he sees it as it is,,time to go me thinks gareth.
the togo zidane..lol
harewood a poss england forward...say no more
spurs b team player routledge,,,wow.
tom was a good keeper,,till mon came and turned him crap..
we got a much worse keeper in carson,paid 2 mill to borrow him and paid tom to do nowt.good thinking mon..
paid 3 mill for a cart horse,who was promptly nicked on return to erdington
failed to find a right back for over two years.when theres hundreds roaming all over the place,and some dam good uns in the fizzy league
i said last week we should change the logo on our shirts from acorns to NUTS it would seem more realistic.
so my view on mons activity in transfers and team buliding over his time so far,,if it were the early 80s,id say it would look good on a sketch from not the nine oclock news,,and later mike basset springs to mind.
god i cant believe how many villa fans still listen to the yarns this guy spins.5 year plan lol,,champions league in 2011 ,i would laugh but i fear my head would fall off

So first team squad numbers vacant according to those released on the official site for 2008/09 are 2, 6 (once Barry goes) & 8.

Now perhaps teams don't go with the traditional 1-11 shirts anymore and its feasible that these numbers may not be allocated for whatever reason, but it suggests that 2 will be for a RB, 6 Central Midfield (creative hopefully) and 8 for a right winger!!

Would've liked Davies to get the number 4 instead of Sidwell, but many excellent midfielders have played in no.4.

That squad list isn't too bad. I like that theres lots of youth in there. Its not like they've let us down over the last 2 seasons is it?

It's amazing how fickle someone's trust can be. Here we are, nearly everyone slagging off O'Neill and getting on his back. Telling him he's doing a bad job, and dare I say it, even calling for his resignation.

When after 2 years in charge he has nothing but progression to show for it.

You people ought to be ashamed. You say O'Neill is doing a bad job, when yet so far, there is not one single piece of evidence to suggest this. Results are what counts, a league position after 38 games is what counts, and you're questioning his ability to win games and finish in a good league position when we're still weeks away from kicking a ball.

I hope O'Neill makes signings. Not so we can compete this season, so that the fickle nay-sayers are made to look idiotic and finally shut the hell up.

Give the man some credit for Christ's sake.

Wow Doc, you've really stirred up the hornets' nest here haven't you! Heh Heh.

The MON detractors must think that he's an idiot to have no recognised RB for a season, to have allowed his captain to leave, to have presided over an exodus of players without able replacements.

The MON lovers have bought in to the so called 5 year plan. They say that all is rosy, we will get our RB when the right man is available, the GB thing is only a distraction, that the players gone did not fit 'the plan', that players in will come good eventually.

The score so far; MON detractors 2 - MON lovers 1
with most of the second half still to play the 'MDs' are holding their own, some late surging runs from the 'MLs' have put the MDs on the defensive but could still score on the break. Both sides are looking to bring on the same late subs - Taglor and atlas. Will they score, and for which side. I for one can't wait to see what happpens.

I now see the club are getting things released saying monies are going to spent, blank cheque book, £30m on a player if needed.

I'm sorry I've heard all this before. What's the saying? Never Bullsh*t a Bullsh*tter or something like that!

Anyway, I'm looking at being proved wrong. And if I am proved wrong, I'll write a proper letter to MON and Randy to say sorry. Not that it will be read anyway.

viva villa - if the signings appease the moaners and groaners ti will be short lived they will be back on in 6 months whinging

Personally I find the current situation very confusing! MON's record suggests that he's a very shrewd operator, yet the current threadbare state of the squad, together with apparent difficulties in strengthening where there are glaring gaps in it, suggests that something is not right at Villa Park. We may all yet be surprised, but I suspect that any further additions now will be of the Salifou/Knight/Routledge standard, and not the class of player to help bring about the longed-for "great leap forward". I reckon we could be in for a difficult season this time.

andy5759 - that was a good little diversion, I enjoyed reading it. Not sure where you got the score from though!!

I'd be genuinely interested to know from the doom merchants if they would have preferred to have a quality recognised RB and finished 10th last season or be in the UEFA cup?? You can't say both or argue that if we had a RB last season we would have had finished higher because you simply can never know that!! When all said and done this is a results business. Talk of sacking a manager because he doesn't perform to your liking in the transfer window is utter nonsense. Let's judge the guy on performance and, in case anyone missed it, we just qualified for the UEFA cup. I'll be bold enough to say that should already be classed as a success for this coming season rather than link it to last season.

95% of the villa squad need a skilltranspant 8)
people shouldn't bang on about Harewood the man proved himself last season when this time last year we all were slagging him off???????? You should be on agbonbons back

Somersetvilla has got the right idea!

I've just read somewhere that the infamous GENERAL has just quoted somewhere saying [b]"VILLA HAVE THE FUNDS TO SPEND 30m ON 1 PLAYER" if we wanted to[/b] I almost pissed myself with laughter:D

haha haha haha haha haha haha haha haha haha haha haha haha

Whens the last time we spend over 10m on a player, I want velencia from wigan! to replace shabby gabby

very interesting point of view but this time next year if young has a good season and we don't make the champions league one of the top 4 will be all over him like a rash and he will be gone, spurs are trying to get in the top 4 and we are just warming the players up to move into the top 4 and leave us in mid table where we always are! i wouldn't be disapointed to see mon go!

Doc I've never agreed with anything you have ever written, even more so now. Are you sure your not General Krulak? 5 years? geez why 5 why not 3 or 4 or 7 or 10? Is it that precisely planned? Bollocks it's a ruse to gain 5 years from mugs until they wake up. Sack MON now.

viva villa

we're only getting on his back because we had big expectation this season (more fool us). we've missed out on some quality players. at the minute we're a shambles but hey lets all be taken for mugs

Ghosthunter there was 4 points between 6th and 10th, that's just 1 wrong pen decision and a draw. Wow we are in the uefa, the uefa is the league cup of europe, I'd be excited if I thought we could win it, but it means the lads can't tackle all season in case they get a yellow card and get suspended because there isn't anyone to cover.

Can't believe how many people kiss up tho doc. Well said somersetvilla mate at least you care like me, remember who pays their wages and why not want an exciting signing when you go to watch a match you want someone to get excited about and spend your money on and KNight and Harewood etc are not that.

goldie i dont normally agree with you but i loved the skillstransplant analogy got to be a front runner for the new edition of the oxford english dictionary if iain dowies bouncebackability can make it im sure skillstransplant could... ;D

£30 m on one player damn i think my head just fell off with laughter

and i too would like to see valencia from wigan added to our squad (but not to replace anyone in the squad, i would however give gabby a break i dont think hes ready for all the games hes played so far but still has potential supersub etc...)

There's a few [s]mistakes[/s] on that last post you get the drift though?

Ghosthunter: wake up? we never see lerner? no'deal speaks to him on the phone whilst he sips on coffee and eats a muffin at brunch time? wake up man

any one noticed that the number 2 and number 8 squad numbers have not been allocated??? does this mean new right back and right midfielder coming soon??????? well when i say soon.......we don't want to rush Martin do we!!!!

why dont we go for baines from everton?

Glodie, I just made up the score. I can't be bothered to go through and count them up. The MDs are probably winning though. Whatever happens here the final result will only be known when either; the 5 year plan works and we're in the CL, the 5 year plan don't work and we're relegated, RL or MON give up and f off in a huff because the fans all hate them.

By the way, I'm sold on the 5 year plan. I'm a day dream believer. ;D

Somersetvilla has it bang on the mark, Will all MON sheep please report to the barn for slaughter...baaaaarrrr baaaaarrrrr baaarrrrrrrr BAAAAAARRRRRRR.......

To all who are wingin it is true that the lack of investment so far is very frustrating and I to am disappointed that we have not brought in players sooner so they can settle in before the season starts, but I truely believe that we are all villans through and through. So lets look forward to the season regardless and get behind the club. Just keep your fingers crossed something happens soon.

tags - goldie

You didn't answer the question though!!

If's and but's don't mean anything. You see things from a glass half empty perspective where as I see them from a half full one. That's simply down to interpretation but when you cut out both of our personal views the facts are...we finished 6th and we are in UEFA and that, unarguably, is a good result in terms of progression. Surely everyone (who is realistic) has to agree on that point!!! Give me something positive, just a little snippet of satisfaction will do, I don't want much I just want to hear you say it with a smile - please!!!! ;)

taglor cop on to yourself sack mon now thats a load of bollocks

anyway nice article doc

I truly cant believe the calls to sack MON who has done nothing so far but take this club forward, do you all really have such short memories of the o'leary days?? Would you rather we go back to that crap?? Coz if you do go down the road and support that shower of shite, otherwise get behind the team and the manager.

Taglor scores a hat rick! Man of the Match so far - only 3 weeks to go! Scores still level(ish) ;D

I must agree some of you lot are muppets .... MON is not going to sacked and nor should he - He just needs people in the right place to take control of transfers that's all.

The club will have answer some serious questions if money is not spent and players not brought in.

Randy, can you please get your friend Rambo or what ever he's called to stop releasing stupid press releases as we the fans don't believe what we're told anymore. Villa would never spend £30m, £20m or £15m on a player - I could go on and on about players we've not pushed that little bit more for!

I really can't see Villa ever breaking the top4 with the mentality of all concerned. We've never progressed from a good season before.

This feeling by me has nothing to do with the Barry situation. The cry baby tried doing all this years ago to get out of Villa. Even though letting him go will put us back a year maybe two I'd rather not have people like that at the club.

Also what's all this anti Gabby stuff - Some of you are real idiots. Your talking about a real young striker whose going into his 3rd year with 20 goals. The lad can't be expected to play all the time. One thing I will never take is people knocking the young players! They're the future - You prats

Brain Washed me thinks.

Can i add Sparkling british talent Reo Coker are you blind?

If we had money to spend MON would have got us a right back by now & we would not be linked to Boro's Young & Man U players we've never heard of. We have been had the joke is on us. Learner has not spent a penny & has no intention to. I will be happy to take a load of stick when MOM spends loads on the promised top class signings but it wont happen. We will sell Barry for 18m & replace him with 4.5m Sidwell. We will play our youth team midfielders at left back because we have no left back & all get excited when we are linked with rubbish just because we are that desperate for players. Where is the right back? the cover at right back? the 2 left backs? the centre half? the barry replacement? The right sided midfielder? the striker to replace Moore? The squad players? MON has now gone on holiday to La Linea to sun himself with our pathetic squad it is a shocking situation. I could run Villa better it is just not exceptable. We have been had boys big time.

Like i say brain washed.

somersetvilla you are spot on

I know time is running out but there is still 26 days left, so lets give it until then before the real moaning starts about mon and rl, things can happen fast in football and as we all well know villa has also kept a business in house which doesnt help the fans sometimes but keep the faith, by the way jinksy can you honestly say you are sorry to see moore go championship player at the most.

Remember Euro 2008 no'deal was there hosting for the beeb? All the blind villians were like ''he's there scouting players and he's doing and sorting transfers between hostings''

That turned out out to be a load of rik waller's empty crisp packets after a saturday night in watching last choir standing didn't it?

We all know we acheived Europe and we got to 6th? That was last season mate we are all going on about this season, whats the point of getting to where you aimed for and not building on your success? skillstransplant please ;)

Villabiker _ What??? You need to replace players that was my point. I hated with a passion Hughes who we sold to Fulham but he is a million times better than the right back we haven't got. My piont again Villa with 4 strikers 1 of them Moore is better than Villa with 3 strikers.

You need a squad don't sell players & then not replace them other wise you are left in the dog poo & we are in the dog poo.

Taglor do you pay anyone's wages? Certainly not the Villa staff. You and the MONORITY of supporters with your opinions that contribute a small amount to RL's coffers are entitled to bleat on all you like because you can't get sexy signings (like 95% of the rest of the football league) but it won't change anything except public perception of the club and morale.

Yes, at least I could get excited when Angel, Carbone or Ginola were on the bench, who have we got now? Harewood, Maloney and Routledge? bleurghhh
Not sure who said it (goldie?) but great point 2mill wasted for Carson when Sorenson could have done just as well. Great pick MON

Here we go again, same old depressive Taglor. Absolutely nothing positive or constructive to say.
We know your views, so why bother keep coming on and reminding us of them.

As for sack o'neil!!? If you have a season ticket you should be stripped of it!!

some of us keep going on about sacking MON but could the ones on about sacking him please inform us just who you would intend replacing him with, because tell me if im wrong but i can't see to many great managers out there who could replace him.

Shut up Ron and just ignore my comments then. I never go on about how your blind faith makes me sick that there are such dullards on this earth. Go and watch the sound of music and write a letter to santa.

This argument looks to me to be taking a 99% empty glass and saying it is 1% full - more blind optimism.

'No money or not willing to spend' - dismissing these arguments is folly when considering the unsurmountable amount of evidence that supports them. Three decent signings in FIVE transfer windows does not a good argument make.

Squad numbers and squad quality are appalling right now. Ask anyone who does not support villa what do they think and the answer will always be the same - Villa are a club with NO ambition.

6th place is over with - move on - it was four points of tenth. Does anyone believe we can challenge spurs, pompey, man city and even newcastle this season with our current squad.

The rumours circulating today that Lerner wants his money spent really seems to put a focus on MoN's penny pinching and is the first attempt by Lerner to distance himself from MoN's transfer dealings.

Something is rotten at Villa Park.

Yeah your right avmark why want sexy signings I should just be happy that we haven't got cover for all the positions you make so much sense I can't believe I wanted anything exciting to happen at Villa, soryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

the things is taglor i dont believe in santa but i believe in MON.

the thing that jars me is the number of ppl we are linked to an f all happens. my main worry is that we are less then 2 weeks away from the start of the season an i think we need to be better equipped to push ourselves forward. i want us to be in the mix this season.
please mon, make me eat my words and look stupid.

I can see why MON goes for British players, when he's trying to sign decent foreign talent its Martin WHO'Neill, the man isn't a big enough name to attract players,
Telephone: Hello, Your through to Real Madrid can i help
MON: Yes, Its Martin WHO'Neill here, can you put me though to your manager..
Recpetion: WHO???
MON: Martin O'Neill
Reception: WHO???
MON: Aston Villa Manager....
Reception: (hands over mouth talking quite)..hey Monique, i've got this guy on the phone claiming to be the Aston Villa Manager..have you heard of...errr...i think he said Martin O'Neel or Neill...
Monique: Never heard of him
Phone gets slammed down

MON..Hello....Hello....damn, not again

Try this; two years ago MoN decided that Villa needed an almost completely new squad. He knew that GB would get ideas to move on again (having already been on the verge of leaving), MON then sees this possibility becoming a reality. If he were to capitulate easily we'd be on his back. Now knowing that GB would leave he has got a replacement in mind (possibly lined up) already. He couldn't bring the replacement in before GB goes.

The next few days are going to be crucial, should the club fail to strengthen there will be enormous dissatisfaction among the fans. If we do strengthen there will still be some dissatisfaction.

The above could be as much bo77ox as the club PR spout, or as much BS as each one of us comes up with. Whatever the truth of the matter MON is not trying to cheat us. RL may have pulled the wool over MONs eyes, in which case MON will walk as soon as he realises this. If you believe that I suggest a big punt on MON to be the first Prem manager to go this season.

I won't be betting. Join the Randylution.

it's getting heated here... andy, set you video for MoTD as i'm about to hit a 30-yard screamer...

if you don't have the braincells to rub together to get what the owner and manager are trying to build at this club then that's one thing and it's ok.

if you want to come on the internet and rant and rave with absolutely nothing positive to say then that's also fine. i might not like what you say, but i support your right to say it.

but when you decide to label the fans that do get it as "brainwashed" and "sheep" then it's getting a little pathetic for my tastes.

i really can't be bothered constructed an argument against this tedious whinging, it's all been said and ignored, so i'm left with nothing else but a big FCUK YOU. seriously, fcuk the lot of you and the fcuking horse you rode in on.

i won't comment on the front page again, massive waste of time.

So it's not ok to say brainwashed sheep but totally constructive and ok to say fuck you to fellow villa fans? nice

Villafandan cancels out taglor's brilliance with a touch of pure class - "FCUCK YOU". What priceless class, he even knocked over the ref with that one. He even brought an innocent horse into it.

Taglor you are right I'm boring myself too think I'll take a break now :)

Doc, your arguments - as well presented as they always are - are a comfort quilt that will serve you good should we all end up disappointed this summer or next season. Or the season after.

Well, the whole thing should keep us all hopeful at least until 2011. Good trick, that one.

After all, we still have 2 years to build on should next season go to cack, right?

Shame MON and Lerner didn't feel Bentley was "ready" to be part of the 2011 plans. Despite being British and a little bit talented.

No wonder no one wants to sign for us if we tell them to "hang in there lad, we'll be fully competitive, organised and operational in 3 years time". We may even get a right back, in 3 years time.

My trust is not fickle, dear Stevie Wonder-like optimists: I love the club to bits and that is why I suffer at seeing how slowly we are moving.

We don't have defenders, we haven't had a right back since Delaney but let's pride ourselves of our long term plans..I despair people, I really do.

villafandan the reason you won't construct an argument is because you can't come up with one. I honestly can't see how MON can be defended. Truly the worst manager i have ever know in the transfer window.

i really cant wait til the transfer deadline is here. am geting so bored of all this shite.
young however, i know alot of you seem to be unhappy about, i am just happy cos hes solid enough and a right back, ok hes not world class, but hes a right back.... and we havnt had one of those for years remember!!!
i will keep my faith with MON.................until the 31st

Dont let us down MON, its us, the fans who needs to be kept happy

Blimey Mick70 I agree with your post, what's happening?!?!?!?!?
Villabiker what about Martin Jol? Roy Keane? Slaven Bilic? Frank Rikjaard? Jurgen Klinsmann?

its really sad that ya gotta knock MON for his transfer dealings, i dont believe ya would be that woriied if we wernt in europe, its a thing called patience MON has it i dont have that much but i trust in our manager, do you really think he will start the season with such a thin squad, a lot of you should never play poker you will be broke after 2 hands

on a brighter note steve gerrard limped out of a freindly on what appearsto be a return of his groin injury

Doc. spot on mate

Martin O'Neill has been told not to worry about money as he looks to bolster his Aston Villa squad.
Villa have been fairly quiet in the transfer market this summer, only bringing in goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan and midfielder Steve Sidwell.
Five members of last season's squad have left the club and O'Neill's resources are likely to be stretched to the limit unless there are more arrivals.
Villa are preparing for a European campaign as well and owner Randy Lerner has now made it clear he is ready to spend.
According to his right-hand man, General Charles Krulak, Lerner would be willing to splash out £30million on just one player.
"Randy has told Martin to get the players he wants and not worry about the money," said Krulak, a non-executive director at Villa.
"We all know we need more players. We trust Martin to know what the squad needs and to go and get the players.
"If Martin O'Neill came to Randy and said 'I need £30million for player X' and the player would fit into what we are trying to do, Randy would have his chequebook out before Martin could get past the player's name.
"Additionally he will be equally ready to fund the other players that Martin says he needs. Randy has never said 'no' to Martin.
"Randy is no Roman Abramovich but he does have a wallet and he will open it. Martin knows that. Randy has made it perfectly clear we do not have to sell a player to buy a player."
Lerner took control at Villa in August 2006 and Krulak has reaffirmed the American's commitment to the club.
He explained: "Randy is in it for the long term. He wants Europe, he wants winning football. He wants entertainment for the fans.
"This is more than a business to him. Villa is a passion."

The above was on Skys website today. Yes Damian could be right and it's just more PR. I'm as worried as anyone that the signings have not arrived. But remember we are all Villa fans and we all want the club to succeed. Lets hope that the money is there and the 5 year plan works. Look on the bright side, we could support Rangers. UP THE VILLA.

Gerard with a groin injury? My oh my, he is getting quire excited isn't he. Dear boys, gotta love 'em.

have a look at the photo on the website of the team!! 19 players and 14 back room staff, says it all 4 of those in the photo have left the club since as well! MON is a good man manager but he can't manage the stars, if barry thought we had a chance of moving into the top 4 he wouldn't be going anywhere, what if some one in the top for came in for other players? they would be gone like a shot. this could be a tough season!

andy where you from not to many people use that quire word

Taglor, what's happening is that after having spent so long digesting the P.R. machine that has become Villa Park, I'm after evidence.

Yep, last season was a good year - we scored (and conceded) freely, enjoyed some class results and we're now in Europe, at last.

So, I see this as the platform to step up a few levels and I can't understand why we are stalling, hesitating, spending all our time bitching about Barry, travel to Euro 2008 with the BBC and generally kid ourselves all is well when there's a squad to build - with 26 days to go and at least 7 players to find.

I repeat, 7 players are essential and we have 26 days to find them, convince them and finally sign them. Naturally, some of you may argue MON likes to keep things low key, he's a subtle operator and he may well be on his way to introduce 3 of 4 new players. Wasn't this argument used in January? And last summer?

I want to believe MON and Lerner, I like them both very much and I'm grateful they have stepped in to save us from the hell of mediocrity that was the Doug Ellis era.

But we are stalling, there's no other way to put it: just at the time we should get our arse into gear and become an attractive, ambitious proposition in order to move forward.

Imagine being a Spurs fan: this summer alone they have seen Dos Santos, Gomes and Modric arrive, they have a solid, young British core to their team in players like Bale, Jenas and King (when fit) and plenty more quality all over the pitch.

Are we agreeing it's unlikely they will flop again as they did last season? Are we competitive enough to match them over a whole season? Because if we're not, that puts us in 7th or 8th place, depending on how well the likes of Everton, Man City and Pompey do.

Before some desperado uses the above example to slate me, let's make it clear that the old "go support Spurs then" comeback would be predictable and desperate. And would prove you've nothing else to build a strong argument with.

I love the Villa and I want to see that sort of players here - but wait! Never mind some of the best prospects in World football (Dos Santos and Modric), we can't even find the personnel basics right now!

What happens if Davies gets injured again? What if Carew or Young are unavailable? We're in the brown stuff, that's what.

Patience, you say. I'm patient, I'm so patient I'm due to become a patient at the local nuthouse because every single bloody day I wake up counting backward to the end of the transfer window quietly hoping we may have progressed a little, every single day I spend an unhealthy amount of time on the net checking for the darkest link to Aston Villa in terms of players, hoping we may get someone in.

And to add insult to injury we have the official website telling us we've been linked with 130 players, just so we know how busy the club is and what an attractive proposition we have become.

Am I that impatient for hoping we may not need 3 more years to find a few quality players, especially given we're supposed to have the funds? What on Earth holds us back from acting with some urgency rather than quietly sail along towards the promised land of 2011?

Myles, sorry if I gave the wrong impression, I'm just taking a gentle rise out of GB/SG.

Earlier I posted that the situation at Villa Park had me confused, and after reading comments in today's "Guardian", that sense of confusion has increased. According to the paper, we're after Luke Young from Boro. Could this perchance be the same player that probably could have been bought for about 2.5 mill to fill our vacant rt. back spot this time last year, and will now almost certainly cost at least twice that, IF we can get him now? As for the General's statement about MON spending 30 mill on a player, well, talk about making a statement that will come back to haunt the club! Villa spend 30 mill on a player? I don't think so! Throw in all the trouble caused by the actions of the contemptible Gareth Barry, and the appearance that confusion reigns at Villa Park continues to gather pace, and that the sense of direction shown over the last two years is being lost. Fingers crossed that this isn't the case!!

Nice one Vogra, how about this one:

Receptionist: Good afternoon Blackburn Rovers training ground, how can I help you?

MON: Yes hello, Martin O'Neill here, can I speak to David Bentley please?

RECPT: I'm sorry Mister O'Neill, Bentley moved to Tottenham Hotspurs last week.

MON: Already?? Be Jaysus. Ok, put me through to Mark Hughes, I want to ask him about Gamst Pedersen.

RECPT: Mister O'Neill, Mark Hughes is now with Manchester City, our new manager is Paul Ince.

MON: Well I say, that's a twist I didn't expect. Last week you say? I'm sorry I was reviewing some scouting videos of a promising young player in the Glentoran youth squad and time really passes quickly when you're so busy.

RECPT: That's not a problem mister O'Neill, can I help you in any other way?

MON: As it happens yes, thank you. May I have the private number of Sir Jack Hayward in the Bahamas please?

RECPT: Goodbye, Mister O'Neill. *CLICK*

MON: Hello? Hello? Randy? Was that another practical joke, Randy? Oh look, an Ajax "Total Football" book. I wonder if I'll find out what happened to that lad I wanted to scout not so long ago, I think it was called Van Basten or something silly like that..they're all foreigners to me. Hmmm, I fancy another coffee..

Mick70 - Here Bloody Here.

Let get it straight come 1st Sept if MON & Learner have not got us the players i for 1 will be calling for both of thier heads.

Learner - Prove you have the Money.
MON - Prove to us you can sign top quality players.
I personally doubt either of the above.

the gerrard remark wasnt about him and barry (well maybe a little) but mainly his diving last season, and one other point if we got a 30m player would he accept our pay structure

Go and watch the sound of music and write a letter to santa... lol. For one I still believe (in MON that is). Nice piece DOC but I would like to see SOME quality players!!

Mick70 your posts are getting to be good reading wtf?!?!?

I dont write very often, just come on here to see ant rumours, yes like you, all day every day. I totally agree with you, Spurs? well how exciting for them, the players you mentioned but you forgot, Berbatov, Woodgate, Bent (on fire), Lennon, Dawson,, Hutton (right back), which of these and the ones Mick70 mentioned, Santos, Modric, Bale, Jenas!!! Would'nt get in our team? Well I think they all would WALK IN!! They finished 11th? last season, we finished 6th! Why are we miles behind them in the current transfer market? MON? RL? I dont know but this makes it all so more frustrating!! Come on you LIONS, We got record season ticket and shirt sales (shirt only being for 1 year as a sponsor will change) lets splash out and better ourselves!!! MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON

mon is a great player manager,but is naive,when it comes to
purchasing new players in this modern game,i loved brian clough but you can not repeat the clough method in this modern era,well not completely,anyway.Yes good english speaking players in the dressing room is good for team spirit but if your not a left or right back no amount of english talking will make you play well in those positions.
We havn't the players as yet to even consolidate last seasons position,which was obtained in part by luck,this is not a plan it is a dissaster waiting to happen,unless mon acts now we will go backwards,and the fans will call for his head,we dont want another dol situation we want consolidation and improvement.The only way that is going to happen is if mon gets real in his evaluation of potential targets,and wakes up to the smell of modern premier football,i for one do not want to be calling for his head by christmas. I want like thousands of others my team to be challenging the best,and having a realistic chance against anyone we play,to achieve this we need to spend now,and europe is the place to look so come on mon wake up and smell the coffee,i want you as our manager for years to come,we need to be audacious in our targets if you want a players have the commitment to get them.

Steve Coppell: Hello, Steve Coppell speaking.

MON: Good morning Steve, Martin the Celt here. Er, I mean the Villain **grumble** How long has it been since I joined this club? What happened to Didier Agathe? I'm sure I can still use Sutton as central defenkjakauhijejwelkflnwiijqwdlwiirhbkfujk.

COP: Hello? Martin, is that you?

MON: kjshkhgyhyu..er yeah sorry, I was contemplating tactics.

COP: How can I help you, Martin.

MON: I'd like to talk about Shorey.

COP: Harry's almost completed the deal Martin, you'd have to be quick and offer more money.

MON: Harry? As in Redknapp? I thought the Icelandic investors had frozen his spending ability!

COP: Icelandic? Harry's at Portsmouth now, Martin.

MON: Err who's the Hammers boss then? I always fancied that lad Curbishley for it.

COP: Martin I'm a little busy, can I help you in any way?

MON: Yes, yes, of course. I'd like to offer 2m for Ingimarsson.

COP: Not Shorey?

MON: Sorry, I meant Shorey.

COP: Pompey offered 5m, Martin.

MON: What? Pompey? The lad wouldn't play in the Championship, otherwise he may as well stay at Reading with Alan Pardew!

COP: Martin, I'm the Reading manager. You are calling Reading now.

MON: Sorry Alan, Loose Women's on ITV - will call you back. Cheerio!

COP: Martin? Martin?

ak27 - you can't see how MON can be defended?!? Are you blind and/or retarded man??? He's taken us from 16th to 6th in the course of two years! TWO YEARS! Name me another manager in the Premiership who could have done that, I can think of two and they'd never come to Villa in a million years.

He's achieved shed loads at Villa and he's never broken the bank on a dozen players in a transfer window. We haven't kicked a ball yet in the league and you're saying there's nothing to defend him with? And you're basing this on what? The fact we've only signed 3 players so far? That is far and away the most idiotic comment I have read all summer. Do us all a favour and don't bother posting again if it's going to be the same sort of mindless drivel. Ridiculous.

some people are so blinded by BIG name signings and flashing lights!!!!
it makes me laff...taglor...do u play football mate?its not all about getting in the big fish and expecting to lift the champions league in two years!!!you guys really do annoy me...id rather villa end up 7th or 8th and only have spent £10mil in the summer then end up 11th (spurs) or battling relegation (sndland) and spent £50mil...

vivavilla! its you who is blind. Firstly i was talking about the way he acts in the transfer market that cannot be defended. We all know that the man is a great man manager but he serioulsy lets himself down in the transfer market. As for getting us from 16th to 6th did DOL not do the same in his first season? We finished 4pts ahead of 10th position and Pompy played their 2nd string team for the last 4 games due to being in the FA cup final so chances are they would havce finished ahead of us as well. I can only see MON signing 5 average players like Shorey and Young this summer and with the possiblity of an extra 15 - 18 games this season how our squad could cope with that is beyond me. The luck we got with injuries last season has already changed and come Christmas we will be in crisis playing young players out of position just tring to fill the gaps left by MON incompetence. Just wait and see.

5-1

Is that enough defence?

proud MON..you're not actually THE Martin O'Neill, or perhaps his son? Don't know about you mate, but I'd still rather try to arrive beyond 7th - try supporting Birmingham City, their humble history seems to fit your expectations.

vivavilla: David O'Leary took us to 6th spot too. Still living off last season then?