Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Tuesday October 10 2006
Time: 1:05PM
UK time is: 13:14:40
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Sorensen - Morale Was Awful
Thomas Sorensen says he nearly quit Villa last summer as the dressing room morale was so bad.
Sorensen, who was one of the players linked with the 'joint statement' told Ekstra Bladet:
'Last season everything was hopeless at Villa. I could make a couple of fine saves but we would still lose. This season I am able to make a difference with my saves as they will make the difference between winning or losing. I would be lying if I said that I was not thinking of leaving Aston Villa this summer. Towards the end of last season the thrill was gone. Among players, management and fans the mood was at an all time low. Last season I didn't know where we were heading as the spirit was gone. Everything was grinding to a halt and seemed to head towards a dead end.'
And on the change:
'All of a sudden a new manager takes over and new owner comes in. And suddenly the visions are clear for everyone to see. Several players have been bought and the new club owner has promised more cash for reinforcements during the January transfer window. So at this moment things are actually looking very positive at Villa.'
'Now everything is in bloom. Just look at the players. Last season people we were having problems hitting each other from 10 metres - now they make perfect passes over 50 metres. The fans are happy, the owner is happy and we're happy - it is a very positive spiral. If things hadn't turned around I would have been playing in another club by now. I discussed with my agent what options I had and if time had come to find a new club.'
And looking forward: 'But my family is very fond of Birmingham and that made me reconsider and give Villa an extra shot. And suddenly the turnaround came. If we continue playing like we do now we're definitely a team for the upper half of Premier League. And with the right 3-4 reinforcements this winter then we should be ready for Europe.'
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Your Comments
Makes you wonder if we would have had a squad at all if DOL and HDE had still been there
DougInABox
We'd have gone down faster than a American Presidents P.A. ;-)
koolbill
the david o leary affect there in black and white , bet your glad he went now as I reckon you would have lost so many players if not !
dazednconfuzed
I'm glad to hear 'the truth' about dressing room morale under DO'L and Ellis, but there is a warning here for we fans: don't ever believe what players tell the press.
I don't remember any of our band of warriors expressing much other than solidarity with the previous regime at the time - only since MON and Randy took over. If I recall correctly they all rushed to distance themselves from the so-called 'players statement'.
I can't blame players for fearing retribution from 'the management', but we should clearly think twice before believing what players say to the press. They have a lot to lose and tend to be very politically correct ...
BobTheBuilder
If they had stayed we might as well have bulldozed villa park down.
Now we are on a high for once and long may it last
samtozer
If Thomas Sorenson had left Aston Villa, then I don't think that The Villans would be where they are in the league. Sorenson is Class, and is one of the best in the Premier League.
wei, wu and shu
What we will never know, is how much the impending takeover had to do with what happended last year. If the Commer bid had not happened, would there have been more concentration on football than selling? Look at West Ham now. Similar situation and stagnation has affected them too - despit new stars etc.
Gordonsleftboot
Bit unfair BTB, it was the players in the end who took action and brought about the end of DOL. The fact that individually they didn't want to be seen as mutineers is perfectly understandable. By issuing that statement they also showed they wanted the club to be successful and weren't prepared to just keep quiet and take the cash. Which the majority of players would. In many ways, that statement and the players behind it, were the "straw that broke the camels back". Who knows what might of happened if they hadn't stuck their necks out (I know, only slightly but enough)?
Stevew
Some very interesting comments from Tommy. Still wouldn't surprise me if he was part of that statement.
Tierney
My comments weren't intended to be unfair to the players, Stevew, just pragmatic and realistic, and a warning to we fans to keep players' press releases in perspective. I don't blame them at all. Which of us would risk our jobs by slagging off the boss? :o) Mind you, as for the players issuing 'the statement', I think we need to defer judgement on that. I'm not at all convinced any/many of the major players played any part in that, or in the demise of DOL and Ellis. Those who stood a chance of attracting serious offers from other/decent clubs were already making noises about leaving in the summer - why risk being labelled a trouble-maker?
BobTheBuilder
Martin O`Neill, Randy Lerner and Villa fans hope to be Top six in May, but is Tomas Sorensen?
Fletch
We were in more of a mess than any of us even imagined. What a nightmare that was. Thank God its all behind us now.
glensider
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