Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: John Lerwill 
Date:Sunday June 15 2008
Time: 10:36AM
UK time is: 22:00:10
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There are some Villa supporters around who seem to take glee in finding fault in the communications that come out of the General's keyboard. The main point they make is that the General's responses are sometimes (effectively) peurile and not respecting the normal Villa fan's intelligence.
There has been some assertion that the General's function on the forums is really a one-way affair, and that the set up is made to look as though it's just to keep the fans happy.
You know, if people want to believe that in their world of dreams that's fine, but to make it an issue in a wider circle then firstly you have to get closer to the source of the issue concerned. Go and meet Randy and/or the General and see from first hand how sincere they are. Until the back-stabbers have done that then they're pontificating with hot air - and, worse, trying to undermine the nature of what's taking place at VP.
Clearly, the club ownership have tried to engage with the supporters, and to do that they invited advice on their approach, and I believe Jonathan Fear contributed to that. Therefore there's that and a number of ways in which there is on-going chat with supporters and others and if something does become apparent that's needed in the club, I've noted an ability and keenness to do something about it.
So I see a lot of positives in Randy Lerner's approach, and given that kind of openness I just think it utterly absurd (and in bad taste) that there should be the kind of cynicism that comes out of some corners. Perhaps some supporters might not realise that hospitality is a big thing amongst a majority in the States. Well, Randy and his entourage are to some extent guests in this country - we should respect them partly because of that, as well as for what they've taken on and are doing. I have worked with Americans and found them generally to be a good crowd to work with and for - and a big positive I found was that if you showed some ability in the initiative stakes, then they would back you.
As far as the game and the players are concerned, then the responsibility of how things are done lies mainly with the manager and the General has spoken about the situation as I would expect Americans to speak. They see his ability and are willing to back him, *not* support criticism of him.
I do not suggest that everything that's happening and has happened has been perfect, but, d'yer know what? It's been a bloody miracle coaster ride! ... And it's barely started. If they have a fault, then it's maybe they're not yet used to the Villa supporters' mindset. I'm not sure if anyone not from Brum can get used to that! lol.
Constructive criticism is OK by me. Not otherwise. The ownership of this club deserves much better treatment.
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Your Comments
why are we even talking about our beloved Randy and General Krulak? They are fabulous people and we should just let them get on with it.
industrial_musical
why are we even talking about our beloved Randy and General Krulak? They are fabulous people and we should just let them get on with it.
industrial_musical
Agree with Industrial. Anyone who cannot see the way the club is growing and improving is, frankly, not worth listening to.
Gordonsleftboot
Agree with Industrial. Anyone who cannot see the way the club is growing and improving is, frankly, not worth listening to.
Gordonsleftboot
That's exactly right, gents. Probably some people got used to voicing their egos during DDs reign and now can't give up the habit!
the_lergy
I guess with years of moaning about the previous regime that some are in the habit. Must admit itw as one habit I was very glad to kick, got so tiresome!
The Fear
That's exactly right, gents. Probably some people got used to voicing their egos during DDs reign and now can't give up the habit!
the_lergy
I guess with years of moaning about the previous regime that some are in the habit. Must admit itw as one habit I was very glad to kick, got so tiresome!
The Fear
I've met both Randy and i've met the General many times and also Randy's right hand man Paul Faulkner All i can say is they are sincere and are the most passionate people i have met. Just when they are talking you can see that they want success for Aston Villa just as much as me and you. They both bleed claret and blue and i'm not quite sure why they are getting criticism at the moment really. They have done nothing but good in my opinion and the way we are at the moment seems a million miles away from the dark dark days of Ellis and O'Leary.
We were within 1 season of being relegated. I'm convinced we would have been relegated if we had Ellis and O'Leary still there. Fortunetly Ellis sacked O'Leary and brought in O'Neill and then came Randy and his crew. Since then we have become a top six club and he has been the greatest thing at Villa Park in a long long time.
And as for the Generals thread well i think everyone should have a bit of respect. We have a director of the club come on an Unoffical website/forum to talk to supporters. I'm sure no other clubs directors do this. This club is on the up and its all down to Randy, Martin and their team.
Keep up the good work Randy and the General and up the villa.
randy.stand
I've met both Randy and i've met the General many times and also Randy's right hand man Paul Faulkner All i can say is they are sincere and are the most passionate people i have met. Just when they are talking you can see that they want success for Aston Villa just as much as me and you. They both bleed claret and blue and i'm not quite sure why they are getting criticism at the moment really. They have done nothing but good in my opinion and the way we are at the moment seems a million miles away from the dark dark days of Ellis and O'Leary.
We were within 1 season of being relegated. I'm convinced we would have been relegated if we had Ellis and O'Leary still there. Fortunetly Ellis sacked O'Leary and brought in O'Neill and then came Randy and his crew. Since then we have become a top six club and he has been the greatest thing at Villa Park in a long long time.
And as for the Generals thread well i think everyone should have a bit of respect. We have a director of the club come on an Unoffical website/forum to talk to supporters. I'm sure no other clubs directors do this. This club is on the up and its all down to Randy, Martin and their team.
Keep up the good work Randy and the General and up the villa.
randy.stand
I must admit, i've not really seen much criticism at all pointed in Randy or the Generals direction. I'd say most ppl are extermemly happy with them. The criticism (perhaps supported by the recent poll on the home page) is more directred at a lack of transfers which clearly isn't their fault. I get the feeling that when Randy took over, despite them clearly saying it was a 5 year plan, many felt that more would happen sooner. Unfortunately building an empire takes time and i don't think anyone wants us to follows Chelsea's example of buying the title with a team of overpaid mercenaries. One or 2 more signings over the past few windows would have been swell though
UTV
I must admit, i've not really seen much criticism at all pointed in Randy or the Generals direction. I'd say most ppl are extermemly happy with them. The criticism (perhaps supported by the recent poll on the home page) is more directred at a lack of transfers which clearly isn't their fault. I get the feeling that when Randy took over, despite them clearly saying it was a 5 year plan, many felt that more would happen sooner. Unfortunately building an empire takes time and i don't think anyone wants us to follows Chelsea's example of buying the title with a team of overpaid mercenaries. One or 2 more signings over the past few windows would have been swell though
UTV
I totally agree, look around the premiership- liverpool boardroom unrest, no money, rafa uncertain of his job. man utd £800 million in debt, chelsea in debt, man city about to do a leeds!, blackburn managerless. We have never been in better shape and have never had such a stable ship and never enjoyed such good football, if the old regime was still in Barry would have gone weeks ago, the chairman is strong and totally backs the manager who is taking no prisoners, MON will come good in the transfer market he always seems to, we all wish it would happen sooner rather than later but I have total faith in the club now, lets try to remember the dark and gloomy days I recall having a villa ring tone on my phone which was talking heads - road to nowhere!!, those days are long gone, lets not bitch and moan, lets support what is happening we are so close to taking the next step up.
Come on.
johnmurphy3112
I totally agree, look around the premiership- liverpool boardroom unrest, no money, rafa uncertain of his job. man utd £800 million in debt, chelsea in debt, man city about to do a leeds!, blackburn managerless. We have never been in better shape and have never had such a stable ship and never enjoyed such good football, if the old regime was still in Barry would have gone weeks ago, the chairman is strong and totally backs the manager who is taking no prisoners, MON will come good in the transfer market he always seems to, we all wish it would happen sooner rather than later but I have total faith in the club now, lets try to remember the dark and gloomy days I recall having a villa ring tone on my phone which was talking heads - road to nowhere!!, those days are long gone, lets not bitch and moan, lets support what is happening we are so close to taking the next step up.
Come on.
johnmurphy3112
I think maybe those (very few) who are moaning now are supporters of the old regime, jealous of the new one. In the past I might have supported Michel Platini's generalisation that foreign owners, coaches, players should be discouraged. After all, how can they care as much as the home-grown article? Well I've changed my mind completely. Comparing RAL with HDE says everything that needs to be said on the subject. Michel, you are wrong to make generalisations about foreign owners. Some may not care as much as the home-grown ones. Others care far more ...
BobTheBuilder
I think maybe those (very few) who are moaning now are supporters of the old regime, jealous of the new one. In the past I might have supported Michel Platini's generalisation that foreign owners, coaches, players should be discouraged. After all, how can they care as much as the home-grown article? Well I've changed my mind completely. Comparing RAL with HDE says everything that needs to be said on the subject. Michel, you are wrong to make generalisations about foreign owners. Some may not care as much as the home-grown ones. Others care far more ...
BobTheBuilder
I would love to know what the point of this article is, it appears to be an article for an article's sake to me. The number of people who are criticising Randy and the board are in an extremely small minority and, although the majority of us disagree with them, they are as entitled as the rest of us are to their views. If there had been thousands of fans vociferously campaigning against Randy I would see some point to writing an article as this, the fact that there isn't makes me wonder what the hell was it written for.
jonah
I would love to know what the point of this article is, it appears to be an article for an article's sake to me. The number of people who are criticising Randy and the board are in an extremely small minority and, although the majority of us disagree with them, they are as entitled as the rest of us are to their views. If there had been thousands of fans vociferously campaigning against Randy I would see some point to writing an article as this, the fact that there isn't makes me wonder what the hell was it written for.
jonah
Fair point, Jonah, but that the minority exists is somewhat surprising to me. I meant the article to be a form of encouragement - but maybe it wasn't necessary. In which case you'd be right!
the_lergy
Fair point, Jonah, but that the minority exists is somewhat surprising to me. I meant the article to be a form of encouragement - but maybe it wasn't necessary. In which case you'd be right!
the_lergy
I've seen on other sites particularly a real negativity about the club still. It does exist, i think that's why this article has been written. It's one thing to point out things that need improvement, but these guys are sitting on the fence ready to pounce and say "i told you so" if MON slips up. Some people have their minds made up even if something right does happen.
johnnyuk
I've seen on other sites particularly a real negativity about the club still. It does exist, i think that's why this article has been written. It's one thing to point out things that need improvement, but these guys are sitting on the fence ready to pounce and say "i told you so" if MON slips up. Some people have their minds made up even if something right does happen.
johnnyuk
You know there's one very important point which is easily forgotten when talking about the 'old regime'. That is, before Deadly Doug left the Villa, he brought in Martin O' Neill - who in my opinion was the very best manager he could've brought in at the time, and probably still is! Then he sold the club to the person he trusted most and I think that's why he stayed so long. He wasn't about to hand over his beloved Aston Villa to just anyone. I guess it's just a little thank you to Mr. Ellis for giving us the best manager and best owner around:) cheers Doug!
Villan-in-Cyprus
You know there's one very important point which is easily forgotten when talking about the 'old regime'. That is, before Deadly Doug left the Villa, he brought in Martin O' Neill - who in my opinion was the very best manager he could've brought in at the time, and probably still is! Then he sold the club to the person he trusted most and I think that's why he stayed so long. He wasn't about to hand over his beloved Aston Villa to just anyone. I guess it's just a little thank you to Mr. Ellis for giving us the best manager and best owner around:) cheers Doug!
Villan-in-Cyprus
To those of you that have not seen much criticism of our board, you will if you spend more time on the forums and less on the front page, that is where the real discussions take place and where people show their true colours (notice, I might be a supporter of our "new" board but I still write "colours" not "colors" :oP )
Villan Of The North
To those of you that have not seen much criticism of our board, you will if you spend more time on the forums and less on the front page, that is where the real discussions take place and where people show their true colours (notice, I might be a supporter of our "new" board but I still write "colours" not "colors" :oP )
Villan Of The North
Sorry, footpath :o
Villan-in-Cyprus
I see what you did there VOTN, you kept your national identity by refusing to write 'colors'. Quite right, stand for what you believe in and don't stray from the sidewalk.
Villan-in-Cyprus
Sorry, footpath :o
Villan-in-Cyprus
I see what you did there VOTN, you kept your national identity by refusing to write 'colors'. Quite right, stand for what you believe in and don't stray from the sidewalk.
Villan-in-Cyprus
VOTN: You're quite right mate, I will have to spend more time in the forums :-)
jonah
VOTN: You're quite right mate, I will have to spend more time in the forums :-)
jonah
How can anyone moan about the new board. 6th place after 2 years. Short of doing an Abramovich, I don't see how they could have done much more. I may be not so happy after the window closes but for now there are no complaints. Also why are these skulkers only declaring their greivances on the forums????
Villan444
How can anyone moan about the new board. 6th place after 2 years. Short of doing an Abramovich, I don't see how they could have done much more. I may be not so happy after the window closes but for now there are no complaints. Also why are these skulkers only declaring their greivances on the forums????
Villan444
I haven't met one. They obviously like to remain anonymous.
Villan-in-Cyprus
I haven't met one. They obviously like to remain anonymous.
Villan-in-Cyprus
Cyprus mate, MON would of never come near villa park if Ellis had stayed, we had a few opportunities under Mr egotistical to push on when we had good season here or there, he treated us fans with complete contempt , ye thanks Dougie thanks for nothing. ps Randy's great. utv
chris the villan
Cyprus mate, MON would of never come near villa park if Ellis had stayed, we had a few opportunities under Mr egotistical to push on when we had good season here or there, he treated us fans with complete contempt , ye thanks Dougie thanks for nothing. ps Randy's great. utv
chris the villan
My one gripe is the holte pub, i would have liked a more traditional decor but it's more like a wine bar inside.
chris the villan
My one gripe is the holte pub, i would have liked a more traditional decor but it's more like a wine bar inside.
chris the villan
MON joined because the club was about to be sold. Randy was the reason he joined it was nothing to do with Ellis. Although fair play to Ellis for selling to a good owner. Another small point NO ONE CRITICISES THE BOARD. The ppl moaning(sometimes including me) are annoyed at a lack of transfer activity which has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BOARD. I haven't seen a single negative comment directed at Randy or other members of the board. All i've seen is a few frustrated fans(57% if the poll on the front page is accurate) who are respectfully asking MON to pull his socks up a little in the transfer market following several quiet windows. This thread seems to be going around in cirles. BOARD=BRILLIANT, MON=BRILLIANT, TRANSFER ACTIVITY=FRUSTRATING. Where the hell are these ficitious people who are moaning about the board due to apparent bad habits learned during the last regime?? Everyone seems just as confused by this as me. Sorry Lergy but this thread is totally pointless.
UTV
MON joined because the club was about to be sold. Randy was the reason he joined it was nothing to do with Ellis. Although fair play to Ellis for selling to a good owner. Another small point NO ONE CRITICISES THE BOARD. The ppl moaning(sometimes including me) are annoyed at a lack of transfer activity which has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BOARD. I haven't seen a single negative comment directed at Randy or other members of the board. All i've seen is a few frustrated fans(57% if the poll on the front page is accurate) who are respectfully asking MON to pull his socks up a little in the transfer market following several quiet windows. This thread seems to be going around in cirles. BOARD=BRILLIANT, MON=BRILLIANT, TRANSFER ACTIVITY=FRUSTRATING. Where the hell are these ficitious people who are moaning about the board due to apparent bad habits learned during the last regime?? Everyone seems just as confused by this as me. Sorry Lergy but this thread is totally pointless.
UTV
Wait a minute. 'Chris the Villan' wants a more traditional decor in the Holte Pub. Is Chris the Villan the person who this article is aimed at?? A little bit over the top to write such a long article just because Chris prefers a more rustic surrounding when enjoying his beverages. Chris, the rest of us harbor no ill will my friend
UTV
Wait a minute. 'Chris the Villan' wants a more traditional decor in the Holte Pub. Is Chris the Villan the person who this article is aimed at?? A little bit over the top to write such a long article just because Chris prefers a more rustic surrounding when enjoying his beverages. Chris, the rest of us harbor no ill will my friend
UTV
nice to know my post kicked this article off nicely :) Lets all give our Randy a fan base to make him proud :)
industrial_musical
nice to know my post kicked this article off nicely :) Lets all give our Randy a fan base to make him proud :)
industrial_musical
Chris the Villan, yes, MON only joined the Villa because Ellis was leaving - but Doug Ellis still appointed MON did he not? And the only other reason MON joined us is because the new chairman is a decent one, who also wouldn't be there if it wasn't for Doug. He's not exactly on my Christmas card list and he pi ssed alot of us off, but he left us in good hands and thats what I was thanking him for - not for 30 years off being a tight arse.
Villan-in-Cyprus
Chris the Villan, yes, MON only joined the Villa because Ellis was leaving - but Doug Ellis still appointed MON did he not? And the only other reason MON joined us is because the new chairman is a decent one, who also wouldn't be there if it wasn't for Doug. He's not exactly on my Christmas card list and he pi ssed alot of us off, but he left us in good hands and thats what I was thanking him for - not for 30 years off being a tight arse.
Villan-in-Cyprus
UTV - I had said I have come across the persons in question. I'm not going to give other clues about it, but my article was certainly not "pointless".
the_lergy
UTV - I had said I have come across the persons in question. I'm not going to give other clues about it, but my article was certainly not "pointless".
the_lergy
Fair point Lergy but you must be talking about a very small minority. I've not seen any negative posts on this site directed at the board
UTV
Fair point Lergy but you must be talking about a very small minority. I've not seen any negative posts on this site directed at the board
UTV
There's surely no argument. Randy and co are top drawer.
glensider
There's surely no argument. Randy and co are top drawer.
glensider
Great article randy.stand - sort of sums everything up perfectly.
glensider
Great article randy.stand - sort of sums everything up perfectly.
glensider
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