Yes.
Sadly I think you're right. Thank god some of us can see through Lerner's 'emperor's new clothes' syndrome.
I think Lerner has been a very good owner. I am amazed every year how much money he is willing to put into the club.
He tried spending his way to the top and it didnt work. Then he tried to control costs and stabilize in the top half, that didnt work. Now he is trying to reset the squad with a new manager and start building again, this time with a younger squad who can grow with the team. TBD whether that will work but it all seems fairly logical and sound to me.
I think Lerner has been a decent owner but with the jury still out. Bar the odd push under O'Neill we are at a simliar level than when he bought the club. Yes he has sunk a lot of captial in, did the training ground and has given the ground a lick of paint, but it is hardly what we expected when he took over. The much promised mass marketing of Villa, ambitious signings and a world class kit deal, has just been promises so far. I think he does like the club and has a warmth to it, but at the end of the day it is a business for him and sooner rather than later he will sell out to another bored billionaire. Lerner has done about as well as Kenwright at Everton, who has no money and with a stadium falling apart. Just saying.
Good point.