Randy speaks and that is not very often and as someone who guards his thoughts very carefully he did this in a class way by inviting journo’s round for a fireside chat, no interviews but just in what seems like a relaxed manner. So what did he say and more importantly what did it mean for the future.
When he speaks it means something
“He’s been fantastic. I think Martin has bought into the club. He has emotionally invested and I think it suits the way he is wired.
“We’ve improved steadily and we have qualified for Europe two years in a row.”
Well it seems like we all know that MON in Randy’s eyes he is doing very well and these words just add further to my comfort factor with the two of them in charge.
“Will there be funds for players this summer? Yes. Like any club we are conscious of having money available for the summer.
“We are also conscious of managing the players leaving and trying to generate funds from that. It is a balancing act but, yes, there will be funds.
“Will the credit crunch impact on funds available this summer? I don’t really view the credit crunch as a big issue in terms of the funding for the summer.
“But, if anything, what has gone on in the economy makes you very conscious of building a sustainable business because, in the end, that is what you are responsible for doing.
“To the extent that you are deficit spending, maybe you should think very hard about how you are ultimately going to pay it off and the consequences of not being able to pay it off.
“We know clubs that got into trouble before and those disappointments far exceed not having the best players and not winning what one sets out to win. They are long term problems that don’t go away.
“That is more in my mind where things like the credit crunch impact on your thinking, impact on the psychology of spending and they should in my opinion.”
All very sensible stuff and shows despite a few fears on forums that we really could have been impacted by the recession these words should comfort us all because we know to make the next step up that money will be made available.
“I would give Barry the highest ranking possible. He is the best. He is a gentleman, a great player, a leader, a great captain,” said Lerner of the Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur target.
“I don’t think anyone could do better than Gareth on any level. Am I optimistic Gareth will stay? Yes, I am optimistic. It is my nature. He is currently really speaking to Martin O’Neill.
“Am I happy for him to wind down his current contract? That’s his decision. If it means he is staying another year, I am absolutely happy. Even though Villa would lose £10-£12 million? Yes, absolutely.”
Well I disagree with a lot of this about Barry and I think some of it is make sure we get the best possible price for him but again it shows how we do business. We are not pushovers and will not allow ourselves to be bullied by others whether it is our own players or other clubs.
Finally he rounded it off by saying
“If clubs come in for Gabby and Ashley, will we sell them? No. There is no way right now I could imagine that happening.”
Again very strong signals for any predators lurking around and surely this must say to any prospective players we may want that we are deeply ambitious to succeed. This end of season speech to me is about ensuring we are seen as serious players despite the last three months and we are progressing in the right way. Maybe for some it is not quick enough but maybe it is the right way to progress slowly in what are very uncertain times.
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