The BIG issue is whether or not Hollis can put his finger on what's wrong and how to change things so that we can go forwards not backwards, have a positive constructive summer, leading to a good season next year.

Yep I know we can say it's having people like Fox in charge, but it's more than that, a lot more. Fox probably thought he was doing the best he could given the constraints imposed by Randy (like don't spend over £10m on a player), Reilly probably thought he'd found some good buys of the sort we needed. What was missing was a footballing brain which said forget about the players, what is the team going to look like? Tim was probably unhappy but as a rookie manager in his first job didn't put his foot down. If Remi stays then it will be his team which is put in place (otherwise he won't stay), likewise if somebody like Pearson came in it'll be his team (he wouldn't come in otherwise). Hollis really has to see that that approach is necessary and make sure it happens. As for Fox I don't think he'll stay, but of itself it doesn't matter if the club has been re-orientated in the right direction.

The alternative is that the current approach sticks, and that's to say that managers like players come and go and that there's a higher level which has to prevail. In that case we won't get any manager that we need, and we'll get someone who toes the party line and is hung out to dry when necessary. I rest my hope in Hollis because he's all we've got.

The other aspect which needs sorting out and may already be is the youth set-up. When did we last produce youngsters like those coming through at Man U? We have to be doing the same.

Get it right and we can have a good season next year. Neither Remi or Pearson will tolerate slackers; they need to go, they're a poison on the side. If things are looking positive in the summer I think we can keep most if not all of our more talented players. As for players coming in we need a mix of those who can add a bit of toughness (we have too many lightweight players for any division) plus some forward talent from somewhere (don't rule out France; we looked at Giroud under Lambert but didn't jump).

Here's hoping. UTV

Won't all your half decent players (if you have any) want to jump the sunken ship anyway?

If I was a Villa fan God forbid, I would be fear doing a Dingle with a double drop into League 1.

Deadly Doug would be turning in his grave if he was dead.

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Can't for the life of me see why we would get rid of Garde. He did a good job at Lyon (which is a top French club) under difficult circumstances, he's tough enough for the job (in spite of seeming quiet), he's shown that he's prepared to look at the youth and bring them into the squad, and he knows what he wants. He can do the job.

I'd get rid of Baker and Gabby. I'd keep Sinclair, Veretout, Traore, Bunn and maybe Ayew and Sanchez (not sure about these two). I'd like to see Bennett back; we could do with him now.

Genuine question: is it Almstadt and Reilly who were responsible for your transfers in last summer? If so, I can't see how they're still employed by Aston Villa.

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