OnlyOne

Has the board censored McClówn or something? (see what I did there? )

Yes

He's a mercenary. He isnt even a proven winner either. Next.

Is there a link where I can listen to the shite?

The only thing that troubles me with Rafa is his transfer record. It went downhill quite rapidly didn't it?

There's no excuses this time round. They've had since mid-April to prepare for this scenario. The fact people are telling us to be a patient haven't really got a clue on how imbalanced the squad is. Our starting goalkeeper, midfielder and right back have left. We have a good winger who's leaving as well WITHOUT any manager in place and there's a possiblity another winger could leave. They're not going to hang about. There's also the fact we have deadwood on high wages that may require more time to get rid of and the rest of the players being rather average or inexperienced. Another thing is we gotta go to a tournament next month. We need all the time we can get in the grand scheme of things. I expect a manager installed this week.

Yet again BS stories cluttering up this thread. It wasn't really funny the first time round.

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/06/07/steve-mcclaren-in-frame-for-villa-job/ Is this true?

JOL was prtty much there first choice last year before Hughes, so it was easy to get him. Didn't we make a call towards Jol as well last year? That's what I heard on here anyway. I know he likes London, but I'm sure he would go to us if we asked first. There's no way he would turn us down if seeing as we're a bigger club. The board has to get a bigger manager than him or you have to wonder if they see us smaller than Fulham...

How is it Fulham managed to get a pretty damn good manager straight away despite the fact Hughes ditched the club leaving them less prepared, where as our club has surely had this planned since Mid-April (incase GH wasn't fit enough which was very likely) and we're fearing over managers like McClown? The board are ridiculously pressuring themselves when there's no need to and if Hughes is hired then that would be pathetic because Jol is the better manager. If it's worse then Hughes then they've fallen deeper. But...I think they'll able to get us a solid manager. Let's hope so anyway because this would be the final straw.

Whats he been up to for the last 6 years? Did he go on holiday? No, he won two more trophies for Inter Milan: Internazionale Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2010 FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2010

Anyone else rather concerned by Rafa's transfers though? I mean why did he buy Keane and try to get Barry? Where was the logic in that?

My mate think it's McClown. I don't want to believe him but he was right about Houllier before he became clear favourite as manager. I didn't believe him back then either. :|

So how come he nearly relegated Wolfsburg who were just 2 seasons ago the champions of the German League?

I still have no idea why he hired Paul Faulkner. Like just recently, he had a chat with Downing's agent and suddenly Downing doesn't want to sign a contract. That's just one of the many negative aspects. All I've seen him as is a teddy bear that Randy likes to hug once in a while. What's the point of that?

If the Tottenham vacancy was available, you have to wonder if they would have been successful hiring Carlo. I would have said yes. I mean what the **** are the board playing at not contacting him. Gutless again. I'm actually expecting Fulham to get a better manager than us now. The board are rather limited when it comes to making decisions.

It's the fact he's one of the best managers around and he would attract quality players across the globe. I don't expect him to sign 'superstars', but players who are underrated that can be the golden spine of the team. I have faith in his ability to adapt to our situation and build us into a lethal force where we could possibly give the 'top 4' a scare. I don't think none of us expect him to win the league, especially in his first season. When he does leave us, another quality manager may be interested seeing as we were worthy enough to attract Carlo and it could follow suit. He comes across as extremely likeable as well. No arrogance or none of that BS. Capello is a different situation because he's limited to English players. Carlo can still attract a few quality players I bet. Those are my points anyway.

I wouldn't hold it against him if he left after a couple of years. I mean come on, this was the guy who won the Champions League TWICE with A.C Milan and won the double with Chelsea just last year. Just imagine the players he could attract and the legacy he would leave behind him. He would automatically make us a bigger club just by joining that could attract more quality managers in the future. At least he has won stuff and has the right to move to a bigger club if it does come to that. What the **** has Downing won to think he's worthy enough to leave after one season after performing a higher note than his own usual shit standard? I despise characters like him. I honestly hope Liverpool are stupid enough to pay over the odds for him like they did for Carroll. Downing is not top 4 material. He's a loser. The price from the sale (as well as Young) would allow Carlo to have plenty of money to build an army of top 4/silverware challengers.

Phil Brown has always struck me as a friendly guy. Bring him here.

How weird is it to see managers who have won La Liga, Serie A, Premier League, Champions League being linked to us...It's surreal and knowing Villa we'll end up disappointed.

Brilliant 8) We seem further away. At least before we thought it was gonna be Hughes, now it's like who the **** is it gonna be? Oh well, :birthday: 200 pages.

Anyone else all green on betfair market? I'm currently £120 everywhere. I cannot lose. It's so easy to make money on the next villa manager market like it was last time.

I'm gonna enjoy your posts

That's it Bent, save all your goals for this club.

I don't wanna see Downing in a Villa shirt again. I've washed my hands off him. Let's sell him off for a minimum of 18m.