Football Focus

[kpc]

I would see developing the current Villa squad as a challenge and don't think it would damage his CV, unless he was unable to show progress with the team. As for opportunities to take another club into the top 4, I cannot see this happening this season as all possible candidates have managers in situ and are not likely to replace them. Hopefully he'll take some time out of the game for himself and then decide on his future.

As for Randy Lerner, he's invested just short of ?250m in four years and has seen little return on his investment. Villa have consistently been one of the biggest spenders on the transfer market during this time (up to now) and he has seen little return to date.

[Bluerevolution]

Lerner is wanting to sell players but has said to MO'N no money coming your way- I'm hoping City won't pay over the odds, its really would make me and a lot of Blues pissed off

['bout now]

I think the horse has well and truly bolted on that one BR

[ruffers]

Anyone else thinking of the bit in The Damned United when Clough is shouting "You weren't supposed to accept my resignation! "

[Jah Lush]

Not really ruffers but I do see the similarity. I think Martin O'Neill probably thought he was going to a big club when he joined Aston Villa and saw them as a bit of a sleeping giant. He can't complain about spending ?250m in four years but knowing he had to sell players like Milner and possibly Ashley Young before he could buy this season was what made him throw his toys out of the pram. In the end Aston Villa just weren't as big as he and his ambitious ego thought they were.

[Mick Mac]

Most clubs are experiencing a financial reality check under the owners who bought them in the last 10 years expecting to make money on a sale but whoe are now revising their budgets. Managers in general will have to cope with having to buy and sell.

As far as the comparisons with the Damned United are concerned the one I would point to is how Clough pushed his chairman to breaking point in terms of spending his hard earned cash. Cloughie used the chairman's money to further his ambitions at Derby before eventually pushing too far. Most managers will seek to extract as much cash as possible.

[Bluerevolution]

Football Supporters Federation Fan Mail link

http://www.fsf.org.uk/media/uploaded/tfs22-web.pdf

[Jah Lush]

Don't you fecking dare sign this French ponce!

Say It Ain't So Harry.

[Bluerevolution]

Bellers to retire if he doesn't make the 25?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8902161.stm

[waynetta]

Football managers. Force the opposition into committing foul after foul for dangerous high feet by fielding a team consisting entirely of dwarves.

[Jah Lush]

Should that be in the top tips section Waynetta?

BR: He's sweating on it. Which he shouldn't be because along with Tevez he was probably you're best player last season. Apparently he wants to come to Spurs but City won't commit either way as they are still trying to get Mario Bagotelli or whatever his name is.

[matthew123]

Bluerevolution Wrote:

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> Bellers to retire if he doesn't make the 25?

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/m

> an_city/8902161.stm

So a return to the SPL with Celtic is on the cards after all

[Jah Lush]

Arf!

[ratty]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Don't you fecking dare sign this French ponce!

>

> Say It Ain't So Harry.

Wonder who his agent is??

[Jah Lush]

Hmmm... well it has come from the Evening Standard ratty. Last year they were saying exactly same thing at this time of year about Harry buying Sol Campbell.

[Bluerevolution]

with Jah Lush, nothing even mooted on Sky Sports Transfer

[SeanMacGabhann]

Those managers that don't spend don't get much thanks either

[kpc]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Hmmm... well it has come from the Evening Standard

> ratty. Last year they were saying exactly same

> thing at this time of year about Harry buying Sol

> Campbell.

Monsieur Gallas is obviously touting himself around since it's only three days since this bombshell...

McLeish Rules Out Gallas Raid

[ruffers]

Bit on O'Neill here - "spiralling wages" and "bigger than the club" are phrases used..

Sorry, link here http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/10/martin-oneill-aston-villa

[kpc]

Was that the bit from the mad General?

Wages up 40%, season ticket sales down 40%.

[ratty]

Southampton owner has passed away. RIP!

[waynetta]

Football fans with a lisp. Support Barcelona so you can shout for your team without sounding stupid.

[Mick Mac]

Or Murcia.

[ruffers]

Coppell bottles it again http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/8908308.stm although at least he gave Bristol City longer than he gave Manchester City

[Jah Lush]

Did no one bother to watch the England match last night then?