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My thoughts, opinions, and more! Sunday 08th May, 2005 From a position of being able to push on a year ago, we now find ourselves playing out another pointless season mired in mid-table mediocrity where the winner has been fiscal security and money in Doug’s pocket. All due, in the main his scrooge-like corner shop policies. As I’ve said many times before, if he was incharge of a public corporation where he was not the main shareholder, he would have been unceremoniously dumped out of a job. A good run-in last year could have heralded so much more if he had been prepared to invest to reap the rewards of Euro football. But no, as ever, why bother when your main aim is not to make the “company” successful but stable. The lessons of 2003-2004 were not heeded, only to be shoved into a drawer and conveniently forgotten. A good company uses it’s lessons learned to improve. But we are not a real company, more like OBEone’s private plaything used to boost his social standing, enormous ego and personal bank balance. If he had the good of the club at heart he would step aside. It’s probably a mix of ego and senility that keeps him thinking that he is our saviour. However, he remains at the helm steering the good ship Villa around in ever decreasing circles. If only he would eventually disappear up his own orifice, it might be worthwhile. So, do we look forward to more of the same for the next campaign? Apparently not, as money, supposedly in the region of 15Mill. will be made available for David O’Leary to spend during the summer months. If this is the case then the eternal optimists that are Villa fans might have cause to raise their hopes. I still get the feeding that the only things we will be raising will be our eyebrows. Hopefully I will be proved wrong. One aspect that smacks you haard is the fact that our lamentable performances over the past weeks, in addition to a possible Euro place, has probably cost us in the region of 2+Mill pounds in missed prize money. Obviousl this hasn’t worried the players or the management. It would have been a nice boost to the kitty. Who are we kidding? It would have probably found it’s way into the yacht and helicopter fund. Nonetheless, if the money is available, will DO’L use it wisely? He made good purchases in Gavin McCann and Martin Laursen but as for the rest? Well, Sorensen has been so so, plenty of equal ‘keepers are around to fill this spot. Djemba-Djemba, we need to be convinced after he was shoved into the team while obviously lacking in fitness, ahead of other midfield personnel worthy of the shirt. A long injury then kept him out and he returned yesterday to inject some much needed bite into a lightweight midfield. But there remains the issue of Matthieu Berson. After chasing the Nantes star for months he was signed only to find he was left out of the squad for 3 month and has only played a bit-part during the rest of the season. This is baffling because he brought a measure of composure to the team that was missing along with a little bite and he could pass to a claret and blue shirt. Indeed, since the injury to McCann his qualities would have undoubtedly tightened us up somewhat and Europe may have been a possibility. The Irishman’s treatment of him, and the lack of playing time is nothing short of scandalous. What he has done, or not done, remains a mystery. Perhaps one day we will be privilege to some of the inside information. Until then it is something of a twilight zone and not understood by this writer and many other aspirant authors on other Villa web-sites. As I placed on the front page yesterday, we have become something of a soft touch in the first half of games, extending to the full 90 minutes in others. In games that “matter” we seem neither able or willing to get-up for them, preferring the easy option to roll over and play dead. If the players can’t lift themselves then where is the manager? Isn’t this one of the major facets of his job? Mr O’Leary seems amazingly unable to do it, preferring to complain that the supporters are too critical. Bollocks! The showings against the scum (twice!), Arsenal, Everton, Spurs, Sheffield Utd., Burnley, to mention a few were apalling in the extreme. Even if he wants keep it in-house, at least acknowledge that the “honest bunch of lads” weren’t too true. Considering how long he has been in football, it is plain that he does not understand the concept of being a supporter of a football team, Aston Villa in particular. My point of view, and I speak from experience, is that anyone that puts money into a club, especially at the turnstiles, has the right complain. And they can complain however they like, within reason. Whether the performers agree or disagree is not negotiable. Handle it or get out! It is a critical business. While O’Leary’s team selections throughout the season have amazed all, the past 3 months have been particularly bizarre. Apart from the non-inclusion of Berson, who couldn’t even get on the bench in most games, we have been forced to endure players so out of form, they would have struggled to get into many reserve teams, but they have played week in and week out, regardless. J-Lloyd Samuel’s form has been nothing short of shocking throughout the campaign but he has been almost an ever-present. News this week that he has been carrying a groin injury adds fuel to the fire. He should have been rested a long time ago. His performances were so bad that a reshuffle of the defence and midfield would not have made things any worse. During the first half yesterday he was booed and replaced at halftime. While I agree with the concept of paying customers showing their disapproval, I do not agree with the booing of our own players because of a lack of form. His state of mind and lack of confidence may never be the same. DO’L should be the target of the boo boys. Angel’s form, again throughout the season has been even more dire than that of JLS. The excuse of “lack of a proper pre-season,” won’t wash with me. How long does it take to get fit and stay fit? His lack of form and fitness has only been matched by his lack of effort and desire. But he was in the team when fit. Why? We have had Luke Moore ready and waiting and in need of Premiership games, but his progress, I believe, has been hampered by the over-inclusion of JPA. Der Hammer is off to Stuttgart and in another bizarre team selections gaff, he started more games after he handed in his notice. He may well turn out to be a good player in the very near future and with a different system, but in these VP times he could not be guaranteed first team inclusion. I do not want to fill in too much time with a player by player analysis so I will keep it brief:- Sorensen, too many mistakes and near-post goals for my liking. How different things would have been if we had snared Paul Robinson. A replacement could be on the cards. Delaney, injured again but did a reasonable job 80% of the time. He is no centre half, though. UDLC, much maligned playing most of the season out of his natural middle role, but when he’s bad, he’s really bad. Does not deserve the amount of stick he gets. Ollie, not up to the bench mark he set last year. Not the driving captain we need. Some errors but has had to provide cover for an out-of-form left back. Not the best player for playing alongside a rookie. Hopefully he will be here next year but there are (unsubstantiated) rumours of a grief between him and O’Leary. Laursen, pity about the injury in August but looks to be an ideal foil for Mellberg. Has been huge in the last few games when just about everyone else has gone missing. Ridgewell, has not improved since last season despite plenty of games. IMO, he is not a natural defender and lacks pace. His dismissal v. the Baggies was cannot be passed over lightly. McCann, showed us what he is worth when forced out through injury. We have been pretty gutless and lightweigh without his presence. Hendrie, another player that gets more stick than he deserves. Some great goals in the first 1/3 of the season but since then he has been trying to score from all sort of impossible distances and angles. The only player to show some balls this term. Solano, too much of a home player and tends to get lost in the mix when away from VP. Provided some of the (too few) highlight spots of the season. Davis, definitely a rough diamond and the only bright spot in an otherwise dull and pointless season. Let’s hope we manage to keep him. Barry, another player to suffer a shocking loss of form early on. Much improved after the loss of Olof and being given the captain’s armband. Not back to his best yet. Berson, well what can you say that hasn’t already been said. Absolutely mystifying. Vassell, looked good until the broken ankle. Since then though, noting to offer than some (not total) enthusiasm. Chicken with it’s head cut off comes to mind. Not a natural finisher by any stretch. Cole, looked good, for about 4 games. Back to Chelsea I think but he probably offers more long term than Luke Moore. Moore, needed to be put into games ahead of JPA, it would not have been worse. Having said that, though, it remains unproven that he will actually make the grade. Djemba-Djemba, absolutely nothing to recommend why he was purchased in his first outings. A better showing yesterday so we can hope he is up the task next season. The Medical Team, I have no idea who these people are but they seem to get recuperation cocked up every time when a player has sufferd along term injury. It would appear that everyone suffers a setback. In the case of Carlton Cole they said he would be out for the season but Chelsea had him back on his feet in two weeks. Another mystery. The Fitness coaches, if we actually have any, do not do very good job. We seem neither able or willing to work as hard as other teams. The workrate of all of the top teams leaves us like stragglers. Again, more goals given away in the last 10 minutes than scored. Enough of that, anyway, onto more pressing matters, DO’L. While his transfers and team selections have been baffling his tactics, or lack of them, is now glaringly obvious and he has no tactical nous or savvy. It would appear that the Leeds team under him did so well by being better players not because of the schemes worked out on the training field or employed during games. Over the past weeks we have had no tactical plans to thwart opponents let alone beat them. The inability to change things around during the 90 minutes has cost us dear. I would like to know how much and exactly what information is transferred to the players at Bodymoor Heath. As an ex-centre half he must know and understand how to “keep things tight” for the first 10-15 minutes, even at home, at give nothing away. We don’t even come out of the dressing room until half time! Having a lightweight and spineless midfield every game since the demise of Gavin McCann have cost us dear. Notwithstanding though, his team selections have made sure that it is lightweight and gutless. Where is “the high tempo game” that was promised? Apart from the home game verus Pompey, everything has been tedium in the extreme and too much hoofing the long ball for JPA to run offside. I suppose he could complain that he doesn’t have the players to play that way. Well, with the summer transfer budget he will get a chance to buy players that can ‘do the business’ his way. Does he, with (or without) Roy Aitken, study opposing teams and work out some sort of plan? Determine their strengths and weaknesses, methods of play, free kick routines The way we have played would suggest not. He certainly needs to teach JPA the offside rule. His motivational and man-management skills also need to be questioned. Too often we have played with no fire, no heart, no guts and no effort. Lack of skill is, up to a point, acceptable. Lack of effort and passion for the game, is NOT! His belittling of the team and the club itself is lamentable. We have now, to a man, become weary of his small squad, injuries, poor refereeing etc. diatribe. He was the one who sanctioned squad players going through the exit door en masse. Many of whom would have done an emergency job when the injuries kicked in. The time for excuses has passed and this is ASTON VILLA. If he doesmn’t talk us up, who will? Can you imagine Cloughie or Shanks on the same soap box? His transfer dealings are, I would say 50/50, and we have (we believe) money to purchase 2 or 3 “quality” players. I hope he gets it right. However, I would suggest that already things might not be too much better for 2005/6. From the evidence of the current footballing year we need to move ahead, as we must, to avoid sinking to the depths of the also-rans. In my opinion to do this we need a massive turn-over in the playing staff. This will not be achieved by bringing in 2 or 3 quality players and a couple of frees. Hence, we may need to sell some of the current team/squad to ensure more investment. Who would go is subject to who anyone would want for a good fee. Therefore, to state that he has given a list of his targets to HDE is, again a puzzle. Surely it must be flexible. From the current squad these few are the players I would say would be definite stayers:- Laursen, Mellberg, Davis, McCann. But, as I always say, “every player has a price.” One thing I would stipulate, though, is no loans in and if we loan out there must be a return clause in the contract. The Cahill saga, when we didn’t have a fit (and not suspended) CB on the books, beggars belief. Sky Sports reported the “list to HDE” story and again it does not inspire confidence. Hopefully, “the list” will be given to Bruce Langham because if Doug is involved we will all be more than a little worried he will cock things up again. Although it turned out for the better (IMO) James Beattie continues to have a laugh at Herbie’s expense about the way the ‘deal’ went haywire. Relegation talk included. While I refer to transfers we are still linked to all and sundry that have played under O’Leary at Leeds. One good, the others........bad. I would take Alan Smith like a shot but as for Kewell and Bowyer. NO thanks! And as for suggesting Bellamy, these soothsayers should be publicly mocked, flogged and executed. A bigger misfit we could not sign. As an aside, I’ve just seen some of the Palace/Saints game (which was load of shite) and I’ve noticed, over a few games that one Palace player is a particular nasty piece of work, Michael Hughes. IMO, he’s almost as bad as Denis Wise. The sooner the Premiership sees the back of him the better. UP THE VILLA Ellis OUT! Ellis OUT! VIP Sunday 17th April,2005:- THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS, AGAIN. Regardless of the overall performance, an excellent showing at St Mary’s to come back from two early goals to knock the stuffing out of a buoyant Southampton. Bubbly only when they went two up and then missed a couple of chances to increase their lead. But, let’s not get carried away. This was a poor Saints team and they soon showed their true colours by going rather limp after our first goal, a good strikers goal from the much maligned Carlton Cole. I wonder if he a can ‘kick on’ and finish the season with a flourish. That might create some headaches as management ponder whether to try and keep him or let him return to Chelsea, where, he will be lucky to get a seat on the bench. I’m not advocating one way or the other until the season finishes. I’m fence-sitting in other words. Does he offer more long term potential than Luke Moore? I suppose it was poetic justice that the Birdman, Peter Crouch, got the better of J-Lloyd after only 4 minutes to set up (Villa target?) Phillips but he added insult to injury by getting on the scoresheet himself 9 minutes later. Always trust an ex-Villan to do the business against us. He should have done much better a little later when, with only Sorensen to beat, he put his effort a yard the wrong side of the Villa’s right post. The defending for that first goal was nothing short of comical from JLS and Laursen let Phillips just skip inside him to slot home. The effects of the knee injury, though? Laursen did not appear for the second half and with two games in the next week it is highly doubtful that he will take any part. Is it poor medical work or the effects of having a squad big enough for a five-a-side championship? All our long term injury victims seem to suffer from a symptom of breakdown or re-occurrence. A rather worrying trend to this writer. With no recognized centre-backs on the field Southampton had more chances in the second half and luckily these fell to Henri Camara, who, on yesterday’s evidence, couldn’t score in a brothel. A strange decision, IMO, to use JLS as a stand-in CB even though he started his career in the poistion. However, the system worked because it let Gareth Barry carry on moving forward and prompting the front men. We also had a couple of great chances and Cole will be (should be) livid with himself after firing wide when it looked easier to score and double his season’s tally in less than an hour. Sorensen made a two or three fine reflex saves but he is in danger of becoming Dracula. Afraid of crosses, apologies for the old joke. He was again caught flapping more than once and let Crouch beat him in the air. Although Crouch is a lanky 6'7" the Danish stopper is 6'5" himself and could use his hands. Why the ref gave a foul on this occasion is not known. Exciting to see young Steven Davis get on the scoresheet for the first time with the winner. A deserved reward for some good performances. His emergence must be the highlight of the Villa season, unless we make Europe, that is. Mystery of the season has to be, without a doubt as there is nothing to compare with, the treatment and use of (or lack of use of) a certain Frenchman. With no Gavin McCann, it was another game screaming out for Mathieu Berson, especially after the third goal. I wonder if we’ll ever the get the full and true story of why DO’L bough him, only to delay his introduction and then leave him out of the team, even after playing well. I have no doubt he will want to seek pastures new. And who could possibly blame him? DO’L, regardless of his mantra’s throughout the season about the squad, etc. etc., still believes a place in Europe could be ours and with the other contenders results going our way, that is definitely the case. Mind you, he did spend most of yesterday’s game, even when we were ahead, with a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp, i.e. Not happy at all. We are only 3 points out of 7th place, believed to be the promised land. We have overtaken Charlton, are ahead of Man City and Spurs are in 7th. We have to play these teams during the run-in. Again, it could be in our own hands. Let’s hope we do not rue the losing of the two precious points surrendered to the Baggies last week. Deja Vu anyone? We were in the same position last year only to be let down at the final hurdle. Nonetheless, after watching much Euro football this season I believe we would not have stood a chance. Indeed, from what I’ve seen we could have been ripped apart. Whether OBEone would have made investment prior to a Euro campaign is pure conjecture, but I would think he wouldn’t have given O’Leary any more to spend than he did. This summer could be different, more later. The run-in, now our most important stage of the season, is looking like being a non-event with the likes of Vassell looking like he could be out after a heavy challenge on the half-hour that saw him re-injure his left ankle and exit on a stretcher. Apparently “not broken” but a revealing scan will be performed after the swelling goes down, not good for anyone concerned with the Villa. At this time, no information is available on Laursen’s knee, so it’s wait and see but does not sound encouraging. Ridgewell is suspended and Ollie is out for the season after having his knee problem sorted. Gavin McCann underwent further surgery yesterday and is gone until August, when it was thought he could have been in the squad for last week’s derby game. Angel was replaced early in the second half and is still suffering from an ankle twisted a week ago. His performances this season have been nothing short of a nightmare but with no other experienced front man he has had to continue, regardless of form or fitness. Reckless management (read lack of investment) again is to blame, pure and simple. Europe beckons and we have no replacements, thanks Doug! I don’t know the yellow -card tally for the players but it was disappointing to see us pick up to very needless, and definitely stupid, yellow cards. Hendrie for mouthing at the centre official and Barry for a ridiculous deliberate hand ball. A definite brain-fart for the stand-in skipper. He has improved immensely since being given the arm-band. Almost back to his best, but not quite, IMO. Earlier this month, April 1st, DO’L spouted that he had substantial funds available for summer transfers, guessed by the media and fans at ~20Mill. Guesed because he made no indication of a figure but intimated that it would be four “quality” players. This was equated to mean +/- 5Mill per player. Probably about right in this day and age. However, earlier this week the dictator slammed O’Leary for revealing his cards and risking pushing up the prices of intended targets. This was countered by DO’L confirming that the Chairman had directed him to say (exactly) what he said. More comedy from Villa Towers to confirm that, behind the scenes, we haven’t got a clue. Obviously scrooge was trying to deflect any end of season flak and improve, what could be, slumping season ticket sales. We are all, to man, waiting with baited breath, to see if the titled one comes good with yet another promise of transfer money. We are all thinking (dreaming?) of potential targets. My (personal) favourite would be Alan Smith but it is reported that DO’L has said he will NOT be trying to get this player, shame IMO, but Robbie Keane is an bloody good alternative. Darius Vassell has declared he would like to see Scott Parker in a Villa shirt, and I concur. Add Kromkamp at right back and we could be onto something. Patrick Berger, if the media are to be belied, has already opted for VP, leaving Fratton Park on a free. A good squad addition in place of Hitz. As we faithful have become accustomed the estimated/guessed figure appears to be coming down already, and the transfer window is not yet in sight; now supposed to be 15Mill. Look for it to plummet like shares in the great depression. The final figure..................think of a number between 1 and 10? Talking of Europe, earlier, one has to mention the CL Milan derby. What a disgusting display by the fans of Inter Milan. The only thing this week that was more diabolical was the lenient treatment handed out by the UEFA disciplinary board. This bunch of yellow-bellied, lily-livered, spineless, two-faced, flat-headed, cloth-capped, corrupt cowards decided a few games behind closed doors was sufficient punishment. For crying out loud, this was the second time in 4 years that they had been brought to book for crowd trouble and what does UEFA do, pat them on the arse. A chance to end the bollox that passes as “passion” and they side-step the whole damn thing. Exactly the same with the way they treat the racism problem in Spain. Wankers! They are part of the problem, not the answer. I hope it never comes to it, but we will undoubtedly see the heavy hand come out if an English or British club is involved. If the Milan debacle had been anywhere in Britain you could bet your last quid that it would have bee a 2 or 3 year European ban for the club involved. Wankers! Some great European action this last week. Two games in particular will stand out for a while. The Real Madrid/Barcelona game was nothing short of a classic, bettering the first meeting earlier this season. For excitement the Bayern/Chelsea CL 1/4 final was great to watch. I’m not a particular Chelsea fan but really enjoy watching Bayern get “what for.” Especially after that super-cheat Ballack got away with nothing short of an Oscar preformance in the first leg. On the downside, it ia glaringly obvious that without serious investment in numbers and quality, we will be ripped apart by some Euro teams. Makes you think doesn’t it? I am just enjoying watching ManUre take the Toon to the cleaners (now 4-1). Not that I like the redscum, but it will open up the Euro places. Yesterday’s semi-final made a mockery of the decision to use the Millenium Stadium for the two games. Less than 2/3 full, my estimate, and an emotionless atmosphere. The game was no better. Another FA FArce. Leave it alone until the final. If you’ve taken the time to read this, Thank-You. Have your say on the discussion board. Sunday 03rd April, 2005:“THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS.” Hands up the (older) readers that remember that weekly satire show from the sixties. A battling display and much improved performance yesterday at a packed St James Park, garnered another 3 precious points. The Villa rode their luck somewhat but thoroughly deserved the win. Some strange decisions from the referee, which saw a couple of good Magpies claims for penalties turned down, but I suppose over the season they tend to even themselves out. The ‘penalty’ against Vassell could have been only a free kick on the edge of the box, but whatever, we got another peanut. Barry converted both spot kicks in much the same fashion, to the ‘keepers left with the second being the better of the two. The first could have been saved if the goalie had ‘guessed correctly,’ but he didn’t. A solid effort from Angel for the first, pouncing on a loose ball after a mistake from Jenas. Once again the opposition were given space in and around the box and the Bar Codes spurned at least three good scoring opportunities. Sorensen performed better than his recent form and was awarded a free kick when he mistimed an attempted punch clearance in the first half when, I thought the attackers did nothing wrong. My opinion. For the first time we gave better than we got in the bruising stakes. Neither Mellberg, Laursen or Ridgewell were intimidated by ‘elbows’ Shearer and clattered him on several occasions. Once again, young Steven Davis run his socks off and was not overawed in the slightest, combating Butt, Bowyer, Jenas and Dyer in the midfield, and showing we have a star in the making. One good effort, early in the second period stung the hands of Shay Given, who could only parry the effort to safety. Samuel, was abetter than of late but still not back to his best. My Man of the Match was Gareth Barry, closely followed by Laursen. The midfield was more balanced but with Solano on the bench, following his midweek World Cup exploits for Peru, it will be interesting to see who DO’L selects for next Sunday’s home game against the Baggies. With no place for Mathieu Berson, who the majority of supporters would have included in the starting XI, I fear he could be one of the players leaving during the summer. I sincerely hope not, but with the quantity of midfielders available and O’Leary apparently not being too keen on him, I fear he will seek better first team opportunities elsewhere. And I wouldn’t blame him one bit. One factor that has continued to be an issue through this season, is the amopunt of times we get caught offside. This allows the opposition to put the ball stright back into our half of the field and does not give the rear men a break, which sometimes is desperately needed to re-organize. Something DO’L needs to fix at Bodymoor Heath. A nice round of applause for Nobby Solano, when he was introduced for the last 10 minutes or so, from the St James Park crowd. Credit where credit is due. The brawl between that obnoxious thug Bowyer and Dyer was absolutely amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. Harsh words and threats between team members is not uncommo, even squaring-up but fighting of this magnitude, never! Manager Sounness even has the audacity to claim that Dyer was an innocent victim, but he turned to confront Bowyer, instead of telling to @*#$ off, and leaving it at that. In my (humble) opinion, he did throw a couple of hooks and deserves a 3 game ban. They both deserve to lose more than the present maximum of two weeks wages. We have some fans wanting O’Leary to purchase him, Bowyer, during the summer, but if it should happen I, for one, would be more than a little disappointed and worried about the dressing room atmosphere. No thank you! Talking of the dressing room, some British media are saying that Ollie Mellberg, effectively “went on strike” and refused to play the second half. O’Leary has said that he had a knee injury and couldn’t (or didn’t want to) play. If there is some underlying friction between manager and player, it needs sorting out, and quickly. This seems more than a little strange and I trust that it is just ‘paper talk’ and there is media smoke without any hint of a fire. If there is something to it, it is a strange way for a player who has been a model professional, to act. It looks more and more likely that Tommie Hitzlsperger will be off during the summer, even though he started yesterday’s game. I think it will be him that makes way for Solano next week. Solano committed himself to the club earlier in the week, hinting that he will be happy to extend his contract beyond the season and a few games of this campaign he has left. Get it sorted quickly, I say. Delaney is still disappointed that his contract has not been discussed, but I think he has one year left, plus another years option. However, it must not be left to fester and should be sorted, even if it is only to remind him we effectively have him tied-up for two years. Agents demands are getting more than a little tiresome. The land that Villa (Doug) were trying to sell for 20-25Million pounds fell through when planning permission was refused. Doug was probably involved in these negotiations too. Leave it to the experts you old fool. Re-submission is being planned, we are led to believe. Let’s hope it succeeds sooner rather than later. How much of this was earmarked for team building we weren’t told, but we know some was supposed to be for the refurbishment of the Bodymoor Heat Training Facility and ground improvements. In my view, I would have thought that his Smugness would hand over about 10Mill. After that bad news of the planning refusal, however, DO’L, in an interview, declared that he would have a 20 million to spend during the summer. This raised more than a few eyebrows. We, the faithful, have heard it all before, only to have OBEone deny the claim sometime later. And, if it is 20Million, how much is for transfers and does it include money for the new players wages. Only our magnanimous ‘benefactor’ probably knows the details. Very, very strange that this should have been put forward on April 1st. Another HDEOBE joke? This writer, and I would say most of our discussion board members, will adopt nothing more than “I hope so, and a wait and see attitude.” If 20Million is handed over, I hope we do not get a repeat of last summer, when the transfer kitty was made available with only about a week left in the ‘window.’ A rather shambolic state of affairs, that should never (ever) be repeated. But we know Doug better than that. If it is in DO’L’s hands then I can see quite a turnover in the playing staff. Probably 5 or 6 players coming in, 3 or 4 quality buys and a couple of free’s or Bosman’s. On the downside I can see 2 or 3 (maybe 4) on their way out. Berson, Hitz and 1 or 2 others, depending on who comes in. Scott Parker, if he gets over his injury woes, Robbie Keane and a cheeky bid for Alan Smith would be my choices. Malbranque and Boa-Morte? Patrick Berger on free, if the press are to be believed, is almost a done deal. No doubt we’ll get a few discussions going on the board. At the back, I tink we only need to buy (get-in) a left-back, as cover and to push J-Lloyd. We have Mellberg, Laursen, Cahill and Ridgewell in the centre and Ollie can play right back. Whether we keep UDLC remains to be seen. Where will we finish this term? My guess is one place out of a European spot, that could be 7th or 8th. We have passed the magical 40 point mark, which supposedly guarantees premier action for another year, but with the quality of the bottom three, this year the safety net is probably in the region of only 36 points. Of the remaining 7 games only 3 are at home and we have to play Charlton, Bolton, Spurzzz and Liverpool, who are all in the hunt for a UEFA place. The other games are the Baggies, the Saints and Man City. So, it is, effectively in our own hands. I can see the last game, at Anfield, being vital for L'pool and hopefully us, too. It will be interesting to see if any of the other up and comings in the reserves get a sniff of action before the summer revolving door goes into action. We have let number of reserves go on frees already. In the area of 8 players I think. Some, according to the Wazzman, might have been good enough. After watching the emergence of Steven Davis there might be a couple of stars, bubbling under the surface. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. 20 million or not, for me it’s still got to be Ellis OUT! Ellis OUT! Original Stateside Correspondent aka Villan In Paris Sunday 06th March, 2005: Another long “rant” from The Original Stateside Correspondent, aka The Villan In Paris. Have a gander, and if you want to reply, these items are all on the discussion board. Go on, you know you want to. Yesterday's pairing of Berson and Davis in the centre should now be allowed to blossom. I would even tell Gavin McCann to take the rest of the season off and get him properly fit for next term. I know I expound the virtues of Berson, perhaps too much, but I really enjoy a player 'keeping it simple', win it give it to feet and move. Football is a simple game, complicated by coaches and players. With the energy and drive of Davis, the middle of the field should now select itself. I wonder what the outcome against Everton could have been with yesterdays team. And, even worse, I wonder why we wasted 1.35M pounds on Djemba x2. This now smells of nothing more than a panic buy and a waste of valuable money. What should have been bought is a replacement for Tommie H. Not another ball-winner, if Djemba ever wins a ball that is. With Laursen fitting in so well at the back an almost settled team for the run-in is a must. I must admit I was concerned in August that Laursen might be too similar to Ollie to be a succesful couple. I've always preferred a ball-winner and a sweeper type as a centre-back pairing. Even though there are similarities, I actually thing they compliment each other in the same way Henchoz and Hyppia used to at Liverpool. Of course, if Delaney makes it off the treatment table he should be slotted into the RB berth. I would still be tempted to give Barry a couple of run-outs at LB, when the opposition allows, to experiment with the left midfield position. Hendrie, to come in from the left and use his right foot, or boom-boom Hitz. If the middle of the field does not accommodate Berson and Davis I will be very, very upset. Up front it will be interesting to see if Luke now has the 'power' to move to the next level with the confidence boost of his first senior goal. Vass is a first on the team sheet ,with the injury to Angel, but as he tires during the latter periods of games it should allow some experimentation. If this is the case, DO'L and the backroom staff will have to do some coaching at Bodymoor Heath. Here's to an end to the season, similar to last year. DO'L, when interviewed after Saturdays unspectacular victory over 'Boro, expounded that Villa fans "are dreamers" for thinking we can get into Europe. He said that the team aren't good enough. This from a man who is trying to keep his record, of never finishing lower than 6th in the premiership, intact. Why can't he at least praise something that had been achieved? 1. A new formation fitting together reasonably well. 2. DV lasting an hour while battling alone up front. 3. Young Davis playing a good game. 4. Berson hardly making a mistake and lasting 90 minutes. 5. Laursen steadying the defence, and scoring the breakthrough goal. 6. Barry's improving form. Even I, a ready and willing critic, can come up with some positives from yesterday. We had just beaten the team in 6th place and we are still, after a shakey couple of months, handily placed. The form of all the teams around us has been inconsistent. With Chelsea winning the League Cup, is there another UEFA spot up for grabs? Is it down to poor man-management or another sly dig at OBE? Either way it is starting to grate on my nerves. WHile I think he is probably the right man for the job, midfield selections of late being the exception, it's time to put up or shut up. If you want to have a go at Herbert, do it up-front and not at the expense of the team. I know, and I think we all know and understand, that quite simply, this team should not be challenging for a Euro spot. But, Mr O'Leary we are football fans, dreamers of the highest order. We dream of winning the FA Cup, again in my lifetime, please. We dream of challenging for a Euro spot, every year. We (even) dream of challenging the big three and beating them occasionally. We dream of Doug being forced out. We dream of a Villa Park overflowing with ambition. And we still dream and remember 26th May, 1982. Yes, we are unashamedly, DREAMERS. If you've ever stood on the terraces in sleet and snow, spent hard-earned wages following a football team, from whichever league and whatever standard, queued for tickets in the cold and rain, Mr O'Leary, you dream. It's what makes it all worthwhile. Even that blight of a chairman cannot stifle the dreams. Now do your job and stir this team into a exciting run-in of this, so far, dull and ordinary campaign. We dream. According to reports the "Ellis Out" protest was very muted to say the least. Reading some web based reviews it would appear that the majority of fans attending VP are rather apathetic. When offered an Ellis Out sheet, many either turned it down or stuffed it in their pocket to be thrown away at the first opportunity. The groups that are trying to oust the old sod, VT and VFC, are now being slagged off for attempting, once again, to get him out. If apathy, both inside the club and amongst the "fans," won championships we'd be world beaters. Of course, bagging the points yesterday means that some of them think everything is once again rosey. While I think that the factions should be united, they are, IMO, to be commended for at least getting the protest off the ground. If any of the so-called fans are happy to wallow in mid-table mediocrity with no hopes of winning a trophy or two, they can piss off! The only excitement will be flirting with the trap-door to Division 1 (the Championship). As the Wazzman has so noticeably pointed out, the only way to stir up some of the buggers, who claim to be real Villa fans, is by losing a few games. Not recommended, by me at least. They haven't got the foresight to see that immense change is required to move forward. We are standing still in the worst possible way, led, dictatorially by Ellis! It will be interesting to see how the "fans" of ManUre further their reaction to the possible takeover by Glazer. They already claim to have a united front (excuse the pun). They are trying to prevent a dictatorship, while we are apathetic in trying to rid ourselves of one. We live in a risk and reward world and sports is the most fickle of all industries. In any sphere, those who err on the side of caution invariably get overlooked and overtaken. Even a job promotion or a job change involves risk. If you aren't gonna' take it, you stay exactly where you are, for a period, then stagnate and eventually appear to go backwards, as everyone else moves on. These are usually the people who moan about being amongst the have-nots while doing nothing to improve their lot except complain quietly. A rather typical British trait, unfortunately. It's called ambition. A word long erased from the dictionary at Villa Park. That is why we are now mentioned with the Charltons, Middlesbroughs and Blackburns, not the Arsenals, ManUres, Liverpools et al. In other famous words, Who Dares Wins! Ellis OUT! Ellis OUT! Ellis OUT! Rant Over - OSC/VIP Sunday 30th January, 2005: Time for another rant on the OSC/VIP page. As my previous excuse, most of my updates etc. etc are posted on the front page or the discussion board. Well, it’s a Sunday afternoon and we are in our annual end of January weekend off. There’s bugger all transfer activity concerning the Villa, there’s precious little English footie on French cable, FA Cup rights and all that, so it’s time for a rant which might stir some debate. I suppose no transfer activity can be welcomed, insomuch that DOL is not pruning the wages again on the instruction of the short-sighted blight that run’s the good ship Villa. Well a rant is in order ‘cos I’ve typed this once and then suffered some site breakdown. We seem to have been having a few server problems for the past couple of days. I am so pissed off, I’ve just managed to leave a pot of dinner on the stove and the kitchen is now filled with acrid smoke. Time for a couple of brewed and fermented refreshments, methinks. The front page pic of his dougliness in the cross-hairs certainly upset a few folks, shall we say, on other site(s). For crying out loud, give me a break. Take it for what it’s worth. If you want him out, by whatever means, he is a “target.” One things for sure, I’m not the only member of this site that will shed tears when he does leave, in whatever fashion, by whatever means. If he walks away with what’s left of his reputation or in a box. But, they will be tears of pure bloody joy, mate. Because we need to grab even the opportunity of a change of direction. Not even a sure thing, because we cannot go on as we have been doing since he took over. I know we’ve had the occasional League Cup win, a promotion, second in the First Division but now optimism appears to be going the same way as our ambition. While he is in charge it will never change. I’ve read supporters saying things have never been so bad, and the repost that we were in the Third Division once, not so long ago. Well, I’ll tell you what, they did not look as bleak as now. That was in the days when you could mount a challenge and rise again, like the Phoenix. But times have changed, and Doug hasn’t. Those were the days when promotion teams weren’t necessarily the odds on favourites for the drop. Every team had a chance. In the days when Forest won the European Cup, anything was possible. Not now, shipmates. Those days are long gone. It’s the time of big business, money talks. It’s not wheeling and dealing to get things done, it’s money, investment and business methods that get to the top. Pure and simple. No longer in the elite, we have slipped passed the chasing bunch, passed the also-rans. We now make up the numbers. Our only value to the press is for joking purposes. Who’s to blame, one man. Pure and simple. And that tosser gets the OBE, for what? Turning the King’s of Europe in to paupers of the English game. Even in the nether regions of mid-table mediocrity he talks (at least to James Beattie) of relegation. Perhaps he already knows where he is ‘leading us.’ We do not compete, in the ambition stakes, with the Evertons, Spurs, Newcastles, Middlesbro’ and even bloody Charltons of this world. Fulham, Southampton, Palace and Portsmouth have made more signings than us. The transfer window close tomorrow and, as predicted by so many, we will have exactly the same squad as December 31st. This despite the promises, by the blight on our club, that new faces, not face, faces, will be added during January. Liar! This, to allay the fears expressed by fans when no-one had been signed during the first week of January. The machinery that is Doug’s deflector shield, lies, again working to the maximum effect. Then, the conning, conniving toe-rag, disappears to Australia for a holiday. When, in big business, does the CEO/CFO go on vacation during one of the busiest times of the year? Oh, I was forgetting, this is a corner shop. Big business applies to those with ambition. I don’t know about the transfer window closing, that bastard all but bricked it up! Optimism is to be removed from Villa Park vocabulary and be discarded along with ambition and investment. If you want to reflect, then go along to the discussion board and see the “Ghosts” post from Bluto. There are those who expound the line of thought that we shouldn’t sign anybody that is not a significant improvement on current playing staff. Well, bollocks to that. With our playing staff we need bodies. Anyone capable of taking up a bit of slack would be welcomed. A couple of journeymen capable of pushing present incumbents and letting players take a rest would be welcomed by this writer. A couple of places higher in the final table and it’s a return on investment. But that doesn’t apply to egoman, as long as he gets his fat salary, he doesn’t care a fig about this club. The only thing he is good at, is recognizing that this is not an ordinary business. He trades on the fact that we bleed claret and blue blood and will not abandon this ship, come hell or high water, or Doug. Bastard Trick me once, shame on you. Trick me twice, shame on me. We all know it. But we continually get duped by this prime pratt. Over and over and over. False dawns, renewed hope, fresh optimism. Season after season the promises are similar, but the results are the same. We have been fooled again. Bastard. It looks like Der Hammer could be on his way home to the Fatherland. Werder Bremen are now showing interest and seeing as Tommie hasn’t been offered a new contract yet he could sign an agreement with the Bundesliga Champions. With the World Cup looming, to be played in Germany, it is obvious that the German midfielder with the Brummie accent could be on his way out of VP to showcase his talents at home. The dillydallying of our financial whizz chairman could prove fatal again. Why can’t we do things in an efficient manner, ever? It now looks likely that we will lose a midfield player for nothing and have to use our transfer cash(?) To bring the squad to status quo. Good planning Douglarse. Well, Bruce Langham has eventually spoken up and in an interview, reported in icbirmingham.co.uk, he has stated that we DO in fact, have a long term plan, we will use the land we own and transfer funds will be increased during the summer. You can read it on the discussion board, under “light at the end of the tunnel.” Is this the doug deflector shields being raised, more rhetoric and lies, as the transfer window closes, no signings and the flak is about to start? Time will tell. Believe it and it could be ‘more shame on me.’ Is this Bruce being the club’s mouthpiece and Doug’s puppet. Time will tell. Because things have been slow, FA Cup weekend, no transfers etc. etc. I read some excellent comments, reviews, opinions concerning one Lord McGrath. Surely one of, if not THE finest player to grace the Claret and Blue. One of the true legends. See the discussion board on H and V. If anyone can remember him having a bad game, please keep it to yourself. I remember the disquiet when he was signed from ManUre, as a has-been. Never has someone who was ‘supposedly” burned-out shone so brightly. Terrible, terrible pity that fortune did not care to shine on him in his post football days. Another rant. The latest scourge on our game continues unabated. Cheating and diving. The exploits of Jermaine Defoe and El-Hadji Diouf this week decided show to the world the depths to which our beautiful English game has sunk. It can now be officially called depraved. Things like this stink and I hope we never employ such assholes or people who play to this level. We are Aston Villa, and want players and ideals of a higher standard. Once it was a part the foreign game, and caused mirth, wry smiles and a concern for fairness, but now, it is as inseparable from the English game as butter from your bread. It stinks. As for Diouf, the gobbing wonder, I want someone to twat him right between the eyes when he next decides to vent his spittle in their face. As a player, anything is palatable with the exception of gobbing. The only offence where an immediate right hook is still insufficient vengeance. If any player of mine had not responded in that way, I would have been disappointed. Diouf now rates with the other low-life scum and amoeba of the game:- Doris Cabbage, Paul Dickov, Dennis Wise. My god, two of them are now in the same team. Talking of cheating, I am watching the Chelsea/scum game. The blatant obstruction by John Terry for the Pensioners first goal, by Robert Huth, was obscene. And, right in front of the ref to boot. In any other area of the field, not by the ‘top’ clubs of course, it would have been a bloody yellow card. The inconsistencies of ‘professional’ referees is now out of control. At least Frank Lamphard has just got a second. Good! Craig Bellamy, another plonker of the highest order. Who the bloody hell does he think he is? As much as I dislike Sounness I would have let the bastard rot in the reserves or no game at all. I wouldn’t have offered him a lifeline of a move. Very glad we didn’t make a move for a sonofabitch with the ability to disrupt a monastery from a distance of 5 miles. Oh, wait again. Doug will probably make a last ditch effort, with no intention of getting the man, to sign the asshole just to keep his name in the papers. Possible relegation, a wage cut and definitely no Euro games will be the reasons he didn’t sign. What is it with budget airlines? I have to fly to Germany once a week and because Dortmund is closer to my final destination (and cheaper) of late I have used easyjet. Last week after an hour’s delay the flight was cancelled. The alternatives, tomorrow nights flight or your money back. So I had to drive the 650km to Paris in pouring rain. Bastards. This week I used Lufthansa to Dusseldorf and because of another interminable delay arrived late. On the bright side, I did get the chance to use the Autobahn to it’s full extent. However, 170km/hr, with the engine screaming, is not to be recommended in a VW Polo. Still no match for the Porsche’s of this world which glide passed at God know’s what speed. Rant over, for now. I’m getting another beer. Ellis OUT NOW! Ellis OUT NOW! Ellis OUT NOW! OSC / VIP Check out the opinions of fans in Heroes and Villains.(H and V) blogs. THE BOARD MUST GO - ELLIS OUT, NOW! The OSC. |