Since the embarrassment against LFC and yesterday's result at Stoke, other results went our way again and whilst I know its 'ifs and buts' a point against LFC and a win yesterday against Stoke would have seen us within 4 points of 17th.
Therefore given the fact that Garde has hardly set Villa alight (not entirely his fault granted) and has gone on record as saying he will review his position in the summer, could a change in manager at this stage possibly give us the new manager bounce which may see us muster some points.
Garde saying the players lack commitment isn't going to adhere himself to the players, neither saying there is no quality (despite how truthful this may be - although don't forget when Villa were 2-0 up at Leicester in September theywere passing the ball around to ole's from the Villa fans for a period), are the players really going to be going out, with all guns blazing for him?
Villa just seem to be going down with a whimper at the minute. Someone like Pearson coming in may just ruffle a few feathers and get us some points.
I accept that our position is dire, but the players should not accept that they are down until it is mathematically impossible. They don't seem to be motivated, or more to the point the manager is not inspiring them.
Replace Garde?
posted on 28/2/16
In my opinion, the manager is virtually blameless in this situation. The players are a disgrace, as are the likes of Lerner, Fox and co.
What will a new manager achieve now? We're down anyway...
Yes he was probably the wrong appointment, but Remi obviously thought he was going to get some backing in the transfer window.
He's taking all the flack, and it seems Lambert and Sherwood felt the same, whilst the higher powers just keep quiet.
The players need to take a long hard look in the mirror. Most only want to pick up their pay packet each week and don't care that they'll be remembered for taking down one of 7 ever present clubs in the Premier League.
They should be playing for pride now, and the manager shouldn't have to tell them this. You could pick 11 random fans from the Holte End and they'd play with more passion than this lot.
I'm 99% certain Garde will resign at the end of the season. He seems defeated, let down and I for one won't blame him if he walks.
posted on 29/2/16
To be honest I think your big mistake was appointing Tim Sherwood and by the time garde got there it was to late to save you.
I hope I am wrong there are plenty of teams I would like to see go down before villa but I think you are as good as down
posted on 29/2/16
Let's get the facts straight, and not the lies promoted on MOTD this week. What Garde has actually said:
(a) SOME players have lacked commitment in training (not hard to guess the chief culprit).
(b) after the Liverpool game he thought the team lacked commitment and desire in that game, but...
(c) ... he said he thought they played well in the previous 6 games (W2 D2 L2) and he hoped they could still get back to that...
(d) ... and after the Stoke game he said as far as commitment and desire he was satisfied, apart from the first 15 minutes of the second half when they let it slip.
(e) After the Stoke game he said our attack was weak, and that we lacked quality (referring to the attack).
To me that is spot on, and there's nothing there which is going to upset the dressing room. They would accept that the Liverpool performance wasn't good enough, and they know themselves that we have huge problems in attack.
MOTD after the Stoke game turned him into saying that the squad lacked commitment and had no quality. Pillocks, but then they're all buddies of Sherwood.
Bottom line is that Remi has a hugely imbalanced squad and not a lot of depth in terms of quality players. It is the squad he inherited, and it's clear he was sold down the river by the club in terms of being able to bring in his own players in the January window. The board gave up when it's now clear that we were still in a decent position to beat the drop. A couple of signings including a proven striker would have made all the difference. That alone would have given the squad a lift, and also compensated for recent injuries to some of our better players.
So, reckon there's no good reason to sack Remi. Also no decent manager would come in now because they wouldn't trust the board's promises as to summer signings and they don't know what the state of the club will be in the summer anyway.
The spineless crowd on Vital Villa are now saying that Remi is a nice guy but he's inexperienced and not tough enough, there's been no improvement at all from Sherwood, and he should go. Rubbish. He had three years running a top French club, Lyon. He sticks to his guns and says exactly what he thinks. Going into the Liverpool game we had a better form record over 6 games than Liverpool, and even after the game they only just caught us up. There has been a big improvement, even with some players who aren't really good enough (Westwood I'm looking at you). The difference between us and Stoke was their centre-forward.
I'd like Remi to stay and Hollis to sort out the club in a way which means Remi can build the team he needs for next season. It's sorting out the club which worries me, not Remi.
posted on 29/2/16
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posted on 29/2/16
Villa arent good enough. That's true.
But I think the OP has a valid point; I dont blame Garde. Not one bit. But yes, another manager may have gotten Villa another 4 or 5 points by now. And what a difference that would have made...
I'd probably change gaffer today if I were the owner. It seems a bigger risk to stick with Garde.
posted on 29/2/16
Buying a couple of decent players in the January window would have gt us another 4 or 5 points by now
posted on 29/2/16
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posted on 29/2/16
This is a very good article and good comments
We are down but with help in the window and the subsequent results there may have been a slight glimmer of hope.
Not sure what Lerner is doing but he will probably scrape back as much as he can but still may not sell as being in champo we may struggle.
His lack of comment throughout our plight is appalling.
On the flip side I am more excited than for years as I believe get rid of that idiot next year may be quite enjoyable, if not an immediate return.
I am sick of the procession of the Premier (Spurs and Leicester) an exception but wont be a rule.
Lerner should have backed MON for all his mistakes and things could have worked. At the end of the day we just sell our better players and dont get like for like.
I know its old hat but 5 years or so a go we were as good as anyone to watch and now we are crap.
UTV
posted on 29/2/16
An interesting thing let slip by Remi in an interview with the Sunday Times, quoted by the b.mail in a comment about Remi's frustrations over Grealish being injured:
"In an interview with the Sunday Times yesterday, Garde said: “This season is quite difficult for Jack.
“But he is a talented player and if I have a full season with him, a full pre-season too, things could be different hopefully.”
"
Does that sound like someone thinking of backing his bags in the summer?
The Mail article was:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-remi-garde-provides-10965163