Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Wednesday May 28 2008
Time: 12:37PM
UK time is: 04:57:06
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Martin O'Neill Will Prove Them Wrong This Summer
An article in the Guardian today talks of Martin O'Neill. It follows on from the news that Randy Lerner is set to take on a more hands on approach at Villa next season and that the arrangement will suit the Villa manager as he doesn't like dealing with chain of commands.
The report says that agents often talk of the trouble they have getting in touch with MON claiming it is difficult to get him to answer his mobile and his voicemail is 'constantly full' !
The report adds, Whether Lerner's increased involvement will speed up the buying and selling process remains to be seen, although it would certainly be naive to believe that O'Neill will suddenly become more decisive. The Villa manager is renowned for deliberating over decisions, a trait that has been in evidence during recent transfer windows, when the Birmingham club have often conducted their business desperately close to the deadline.
They also repeat John Gregory's joke about MON's indecisiveness: 'It must take him an hour and a half in the morning to get dressed. I don't know what he must be like buying players. He must be a nightmare!' Full quotes: Click Here
Guardian article in full: Click Here
Not sure I can blame MON not wanting to pick up the phone to agents!
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Your Comments
I don't think MON is at all indecisive, just very, very choosy and careful about who he brings onto the playing staff. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a modern manager's first concern. It is absolutely no good having brilliant, talented, world-class footballers in your dressing room if they're also disruptive. That way builds a house of straw. I'd prefer a house of bricks! :o)
BobTheBuilder
certainly got solid enough foundations now BobTheBuilder, an injection of quality is now needed and I think they'll do the business this summer.
The Fear
Bobthebuilder is spot on he is just choosy and likes to be sure,thats not indecisive thats sensible while randy will fully back money wise there is no sense in wasteing it.
british84
MON is right to be careful and is to be applauded for his caution. But, and there is always a 'but', he has had two years to make up his mind on who he wants. So, a move towards the promised team building would do my piece of mind a lot of good. I don't think I can go through another transfer window anything like the last two!
All we have done so far is let players go and sold one. Hey ho.
Obediah
If Plan A is too expensive then there should be a plan B, and if Plan B won't join us for whatever reason then there should be a Plan C...and so on it goes. What we shouldn't be doing is just thinking 'ah feck it, we got away without a right back/only one left back etc etc, last season so let's give it a go again eh?'. That could be a disasterous gamble too far.
BEEFY
i think villa will do the business this summer but not in the way we all want. i think we can expect 1 signing like David Bentley (i hope) and 4-5 squad/young talent.
we have to remeber that villa have a 5 year plan and it has gone well up to now. we also have to remeber that we cant expect world class players just yet with our record over the last decade.
but at the end of the day we may be suprised come the start of the season
danvilla3006
Thinking about it, I seem to remember reading somewhere when MON took over that he not only looks at the player on the pitch, but their character off the pitch, and how well he thinks they'll gel with the team (sensible, and I assume all managers do this, but bear with me). Now take that philosophy and apply it to top quality players (although I don't want to tar them all with the same brush) the greater the player then the more likely they are going to be a little "prima donna-ish" and the less likely to be one of the lads. Not being critical, but the greatest in any field deserve to be allowed a little arrogance. It is much easier to build a team with comparative nobodies than it is with big names (look at the rumoured problems with Chelsea) and I think this is a major sticking point for MON when it comes to picking targets, finding players that are available, willing to come, quality, unwanted by bigger clubs, and humble enough to put the team first. Apply all those criteria, and its not surprising that its taking a long time for new blood to arrive. Waffle over.
azreal13
We all have opinions about how many players are needed and in what positions for next season. IF we are serious about challenging for top six AND competing in the FA Carling and UEFA Cup I think we need TEN players (on the proviso we keep GB) I know that sounds a lot, but we have already lost Carson, Sorenson, Mellberg and Berger, so it is only increasing last years squad by 6. Two keepers - American lad as number 2, with either Robinson or Foster as No 1-might have to let Taylor go and bring in a young number 3---Two right backs..Carr as no 2 with either Chimbonda, Nelson or Hoyte as first choice..One centre back..Richard Dunne looks a good bet,,,One left back..Shorey, Risse or Lumb..Three midfield, two of whom can play wide right...Bentley or Milner, Gera and Sidwell..and one top quality forward..Henry (dreaming), Anelka (still dreaming) or someone I've not heard of. I THINK MON WILL BE VERY BUSY THIS SUMMER UTV
krfeskivilla
This is a difficult one. We all want big things and big players but on 1 hand you've got the likes of TH and newcastle who have thrown seriuosly big money at trying to achieve things and ultimately failed and on the other hand you've got everton and blackburn who have stuck to a budget and managed to hang on to the tails of the top four without actually breaking in. I think with the team we have we're in the everton/blackburn bracket but has anyone worked out how to push on from there.
Mister Mick
Finally an article that someone has researched and written well!!!!
I agree with all the comments and how good does it feel to know MON will approach the Chairman Direct
MON: Who such and such is available?
RAN: Do you really want him?
MON: Yes he will be a Great signing!!!!
RAN: Ok, here you go, anymore?
MON: Well there is such and Such?
RAN: Ok, Job done!!!!
MON: Cheers
RAN: Remember my door (and cheque book) is always open........
To be continued............
erv2005
finally someone who has actually mentioned players that we can actually expect to get (apart from Henry and Anelka). i dont think we will get ten players but it is fair in numbers that we would need to compete on all fronts.
if we get a good run in europe and a cup plus cement 6th or better then and only then can we expect to prize the world class or potential world class players away from other clubs.
danvilla3006
I'm so tired already.
evoflash
We still have over 2 months before it starts!! its already frustrating the hell outa me!! we need guzan & cudicini, hoyte, carr & lumb , Dunne, sidwell , van der Faart would be awesome!! Also anelka is very much a possibility!! 9 players before im happy :-)
Mose21
Why not Anelka? Don't forget he was at Bolton before Chelsea and he is top quality (don't read too much into Champ League final) i would love to see him at Villa
Kuffit
I'm with Kuffit, albeit in the minority, I'd love Anelka at Villa, he scores for fun when played to his strengths. Don't care if he is sulky or the like, I'm not looking to date him! :o)
The Fear
By the way, does anyone know what happened to Riquelme? He would be the perfect fit for our midfield
Kuffit
Maybe the type of player that MON wants doesn't exist anymore in a world where money talks and the general atitude of the youth of today stinks!!!
Villan444
I have no faith in MON buying the players required,and i`m basing that on his transfer windows so far.
ASPINALL
Aspinal that is a tad harsh.
I agree lets go for Anelka, he does love a goal and Barron Greenback didnt realise him and Drogba would have been immense as a Partnership!!!!
Riquhelme I dont think is a safe bet, he is back in his beloved Argentina and will stay there. He tends to go off the boil a bit and disapear!!!! But if MON can curb that, what a talent!!!!!!
Also why aint we linked to Van Der Vaart, I think he is a realistic target!!!!!
erv2005
We have a wage cap,you can forget about Anelka,Van der Vaart,Riquelme and the ilk,even Sidwell needs to take a wage cut and he plays for Chelsea reserves.
ASPINALL
I must admit to having concerns over our summer transfer dealings, in that we never seem to be at the races until close to deadline day, a most unsatisfactory situation for club and incoming players alike. This summer we need to be fast out of the blocks, competing from the off, and I'm not convinced that MON will change the habits of a lifetime to accomodate this necessity.
glensider
he had better change his habbits of a life time because our season starts in 7 weeks and pre-season in 4!!!!!!!!!!!
i have to be honest i thought there would be a few faces in by now. i love oneill but f.eck me he is frustrating. too add to that we need four players in before we even increase on our numbers from last season. just quietly concerned and waiting for the club to make a few noises to reassure me.
Stig
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