KEITH WYNESS AND STEVE ROUND!!!

I’d never been over excited about Wyness like some were at the time, this was a man who had been out of the loop for a good period of time. He’s hardly in the category of modern thinking man, is he? It’s just an Everton connection with Round, a very simple and obvious link up. Xia will start coming under closer scrutiny early next year if, as I expect, our position does not improve, and in fact may worsen. He, as owner, is responsible for every appointment and will start being questioned as to direction of travel and results. Stability is one thing, treading water in the name of stability is quite another.

Wyness is on BBC WM tonight between six and seven pm.

Not much got said that we haven't already heard really, sounds like we won't be big spenders should we reach the Premier league because of the astronomical fees that players go for these days, and so we will be relying on the 'Villa Engine' and Wyness thinks we now have the coaches in place to make that work, which implies that Bruce will be going nowhere should he get us promoted.

There are discussions behind the scenes to get FFP rules relaxed for league clubs, and Wyness predicted we'd get an announcement before the start of next season.

The plans for Villa Park are still in the discussion stage, but if they go ahead Aston could become a like a second city centre.

John Terry was offered a £10m one off payment by another club to sign for them but chose us instead.

I think the main takeaway is the implication that should we get promoted Bruce isn't going anywhere, and we probably won't be the big spenders that some think we'll be upon promotion.

Are they just trying to keep a lid on fan expectation?? we all know that this squad needs better/younger players so I think they are.

If we were to get promoted there's no doubt we'd improve the squad with better players and spend a lot of money in doing so, but Wyness made a point of pointing out that even with all the money ('£120m') we'd get from 'sky', it wouldn't get us very far with the current extortionate price of Premier league footballers.

There probably is an element of him playing down expectations as well.

deadbuzzardalive wrote:If we were to get promoted there's no doubt we'd improve the squad with better players and spend a lot of money in doing so, but Wyness made a point of pointing out that even with all the money ('£120m') we'd get from 'sky', it wouldn't get us very far with the current extortionate price of Premier league footballers.

There probably is an element of him playing down expectations as well.

In his "VillaView" interview didn't he say we could spend as much as Everton did in the summer? So yeah, I think he is downplaying things. Especially after Xia himself said he knows we'll have to spend big if we get promoted.

There are bargains to be had if the scouting network is good enough, you don't need to buy established premiership players at the inflated prices!

Interview with Steve Round on official site Round.

Doesn't really tell us much, to be honest just sounds like a stream of slick talk and buzzwords to me like 'performance culture' and 'legacy of failure', I was half expecting him to start going on about 'false narratives'.

And not to moan, but the club have been going on about the 'Villa engine' and how we're going to implement it from the junior sides right through to the senior guys, but it turns out it just stands for passion, pride and working hard, all very good attributes but surely all clubs teach their players at all levels those things anyway, without giving it a fancy name, I mean it's not really a 'Villa way', it's rather something you'd expect from professional athletes. I thought the Villa engine was going to be an attempt at employing a way of playing football that would become our signature style, like Arsenal, Ajax, Barcelona, and other have had through the years.

deadbuzzardalive wrote:Interview with Steve Round on official site Round.

Doesn't really tell us much, to be honest just sounds like a stream of slick talk and buzzwords to me like 'performance culture' and 'legacy of failure', I was half expecting him to start going on about 'false narratives'.

And not to moan, but the club have been going on about the 'Villa engine' and how we're going to implement it from the junior sides right through to the senior guys, but it turns out it just stands for passion, pride and working hard, all very good attributes but surely all clubs teach their players at all levels those things anyway, without giving it a fancy name, I mean it's not really a 'Villa way', it's rather something you'd expect from professional athletes. I thought the Villa engine was going to be an attempt at employing a way of playing football that would become our signature style, like Arsenal, Ajax, Barcelona, and other have had through the years.

Pretty much a damp squid, much as I expect from Round, such an anonymous figure, still don't really know what the hell he does!

deadbuzzardalive wrote:Interview with Steve Round on official site Round.

Doesn't really tell us much, to be honest just sounds like a stream of slick talk and buzzwords to me like 'performance culture' and 'legacy of failure', I was half expecting him to start going on about 'false narratives'.

And not to moan, but the club have been going on about the 'Villa engine' and how we're going to implement it from the junior sides right through to the senior guys, but it turns out it just stands for passion, pride and working hard, all very good attributes but surely all clubs teach their players at all levels those things anyway, without giving it a fancy name, I mean it's not really a 'Villa way', it's rather something you'd expect from professional athletes. I thought the Villa engine was going to be an attempt at employing a way of playing football that would become our signature style, like Arsenal, Ajax, Barcelona, and other have had through the years.

I really hope the plan isn't to get all the teams playing the same way. Not that there is anything wrong with that - but it shouldn't be held up as some great revolution
What the first team has a nippy litte striker, who loves springing the offside trap and is finding the back of the net on a regular basis - But the youth team have a 6.6 striker who thrives on crosses and is scoring on a regular basis ?
Sure have a format of play - but you have to adapt and play to your strengths...

I think the idea is, if you have a style of play that is constant through all age groups, then you bring in players or develop them to fit in with that style; if for example we decided that we wanted our signature style to be that of a team that likes to play possession football, then it wouldn't be worth abandoning that at youth level just to play to the strengths of tall one striker, who should be able to thrive in a passing team anyway if he's half decent.

The idea certainly hasn't done any of the above teams any harm, in fact pretty much all successful clubs do it, even teams like Southampton and Swansea have had relative success with it too.

Minutes from Villa Supporters' Trust with Steve Round and Keith Wyness...

AVST AGM 20/03/18 – Holte Suite, Villa Park.

Minutes

AVST Chair Person: Peter Warilow (PW)
In attendance from AVFC: Keith Wyness (KW) and Steve Round (SR)

AVST would like to thank Debbie Beamond from Pride of the Midlands for taking the minutes.

Q.
VP Regeneration: It was questioned if the regeneration would be affected by companies moving in between VP and M6.

A.
KW – a) focusing on closer to VP so more around VP and to Witton station, although Witton station is down to National Rail not AVFC.
b) No date for North Stand improvements.

Q.
Can AVFC bring back the sticker with Season ticket purchases?

A.
KW - With the cost of advertising in taxis would it not be a good investment to give ST holders there car stickers back as this is pretty much free all time advertising; however, will mention to the relevant dept.

Q.
Witton station needs repainting and being in our colours doesn't reflect the club well.

A.
KW – It’s not as simple as we painting it ourselves because it’s not Villa's property - it is National Rail’s property. It was already on their list to be done though, with Birmingham winning the Commonwealth Games for 2022 and it has moved higher up the list.


KW also expressed how pleased he was that VP will be hosting the rugby for the Commonwealth Games and their involvement was instrumental in Birmingham being awarded the games. The games had no impact on any VP improvement timings.

Q.
FFP - What happens if we don't go up? Will we have to go meat on bones for cutting our cloth?

A.
KW - Can't go into detail, as it's commercially sensitive. Steve Round has looked at both options (staying in the EFL or getting promoted) so plans are in place for both eventualities. There is a plan for adhering to FFP for if we don't get promotion. It would be a tight squeeze, but is manageable with still having a good squad. There are other ways to get some allowances accounted for.

There is also an on-going debate with EFL about current FFP amounts and how to get them raised. When the limits were set the parachute was £20m and now being £42m this needs to increase accordingly, but loss allowances have stayed the same.
There are 17 clubs currently agreeing with these proposals and it needs to be 18 to be voted in. There should be resolution in the next month or so. This would help a lot for another season in Championship, if that was to the outcome, but regardless we will have a competitive squad.


Q.
FFP and Wolves

A.
KW - Two areas in question: Rule A1 - no party to have material influence on team.
There is a further query on potentially circumventing lower contracts wages and being paid another way. There is no evidence of this but we want the EFL to look into properly.


Q.
Player Recruitment / Scouting

SR - Targets are confidential. Recruitment has been flat out for three months working on a two-fold attack for Championship & PL. If it the Championship, it will be a challenging squad, but within FFP. If PL, players would be needed to keep us up.
SR said how bad the youth and scouting system had become when he came in 18 months ago.

The club has been scouting Europe, America and domestic markets, amongst others. Getting a good database together now though still need to build and expand it but getting there.

They have a pyramid process for scouting.

1st tier - scout identifies two to three players

2nd tier - SR sees them

3rd tier - Steve Bruce goes to see narrowed down.

Steve Bruce has final say on recruitment. Not one player has been signed he didn't want.

With a couple young ones Bruce has trusted judgment. E.g. Bedeau, whereas James Bree - Bruce went to see him three times. Some are seen together. There are some disagreements, but they talk through as they respect each other's opinions.

Snodgrass – it was an easy decision, as both knew him and Bruce worked with him so they knew his ability and that he's good in the dressing room.

Once a player has bee decided on then they look at finance to see if we can afford it.

Agent’s fees have been kept to a minimum and not broken the limit for anyone. It cost us signing one player and “where he ended up he’s been useless”.

Also looking at Panama and Uruguay to see if there's a market there.

Brexit - possibly things will change, e.g. from July can take in Croatian players more easily than before because no work permit required.

There is a four-tier system with contracts so that no one is under or over paid.

Q.
Talent pool

A.
SR - Always look at what they can get but also the player must be commitment to wear the shirt, proud to play for Villa, commitment to the club and being a footballer.

Q.
Training Ground Atmosphere

A.
SR – It is much more competitive, cohesive and positive, than 18 months ago. Everyone wants to come to work, as it's a happy place to be.

There was a commotion in dining room at BH at 5pm one day and he discovered JT and Snoddy playing head tennis. Both wanted to win - and there had to be a winner and neither prepared to concede. They were still playing at 6.30 and had to be kicked out.

Q.
With Bruce having final say on players will it be down to him if fail to be promoted?

A.
KW – There are assurances in football. Still eight games to go and we all still believe can get promotion.

Not going to say whether Steve Bruce will be in or out either way and we shouldn’t not to read anything into that. There's been big strides forward and have to wait to see where we are at the end of the season.
Q.
JT and news he wants to stay?

A.
SR – JT has expressed interest he wants to stay on and play.

If promoted, he will most likely be with us - if not, then will have to see where we are.

Q.
North stand toilet issue - Could the old Lions lounge toilets be used when lounge not in use?

A.
KW - Not aware of any issue and without this coming across in a bad way would need to look into it. Keith said in past few weeks there has been about a thousand burst pipes due to the cold weather.

Q.
Have they considered a Director of Football for Continuity?


KW - This is Steve Round’s role.

SR - they have philosophy of train hard, have the right character and need to be ready for when your call comes. Kodjia and Green both played 45 mins in behind closed doors game tonight (Tuesday). Kodjia’s initial diagnosis was he would not be fit to return this season, so testament to him and medical team that able to play today.

Hull will be too early for him as needs longer then 45 mins to be ready but post that possibly.

Also Lansbury and Samba played last night. Rest were youth players.


Q.
Training with players away on International duty

A.
SR – When they're back everyone can train together. Hoping for no injuries.


Q.
Elaborate on Villas playing style

A.
SR - when I came in there was no identity and it was a mish-mash of different things. We spoke with ex players (inc Peter Withe, Brian Little), AVST, staff to find out who and what is Aston Villa and how it looks. What came from that was people identify Villa with hard work ethic, competitiveness, passion and more direct football. Balls into the box with a no 9 on end of them getting the crowd lifted like the Wolves game.

Steve Bruce buys into it. Steve Agnew was added to the coaching staff to help with it.

The identity is enduring but we have got a foothold on it now and with staff, players and managers who care. It’s been nicknamed the "Villa engine" due to the industrial heartbeat from the region.

Man City had to get foothold and that took time to develop.

Shout from room " We need a sheikh"

KW - "no, we've got a Chinaman"

SR - a blueprint is being implemented throughout the club. There is a performance plan for ages 7/8 upwards with pride, passion and purpose instilled in all. Playing for Villa has got to mean something.

Q.
With how volatile things are in the world do we have a Plan B as we don't know what will happen with China?

A.
KW – It’s been the strangest year for political goings on. Tony Xia is not in it for short term but the long term. He has significant assets offshore (which gives Keith comfort) and other things in global business but we are a small part compared to his other parts. So, there’s no need for a Plan B.

Q.
Pitch lowering (& state of pitch) and with pitch lowering have they factored in high-grade water.

A.
KW - Pitch was due to be replaced last summer and same day KW had meeting with Tony and brought it up. We won pitch of the year from EFL. So it was decided to give it another season.

Contracts have been signed for replacement Dessi pitch to go down this summer.

Pitch is not been lowered as such, but hoardings are currently 600cm and need to be 900cm so work will be on going there too so won't be affected water wise.

Q.
If/when manager changes how many coaching staff would go with Bruce?


SR - difficult to say how many might go as depends if want to go and if Bruce wanted them. Existing staff are harmonious and focusing on promotion and staff being with us a while yet. We have a core of staff like head of medicine, performance analysis, that are elite professional experts. This doesn’t ensure they won't change but two have been headhunted by ‘bigger clubs’ and chose to stay.

KW - Idea to limit staff leaving when manager changes and then bring in a manager that fits existing philosophy.


Q.
If is the play offs will there be concessions for the fans for the home leg?

A.
KW – He doesn’t accept it's the play offs yet. But if that is the case want to full the stadium. Have shown they are fair with fans before if you look at ST prices and cup games and want to see it rocking like it was at Wolves.

SR – Doesn’t accept it's playoffs either and nor does anyone in the club.

Q.
Are you happy with the merchandise solution?

A.
KW - overall happy with it. Was losing £1.5 million a year now is profitable.

Q.
Loan players that are spine, are we going to lose them? Would we have to sell out better players if don't go up?

A.
KW - not part of the plan. Correct loan players may go back, depends what division we will be in. Planning for both.

SR - Advantage having loan players at the moment as five can be on team sheet at one time. In PL this is two from domestic and others would have to be from Europe. We're on top of it. If promoted may keep some of being in from other clubs.

Q.
HS2 and BH.

KW – Secretary of State should be signing for ownership of extra land to move pitches so can stay at BH. The extra land is further away from the railway. The academy pitches that we’ll be losing will mean the pitches on the extra land that will be closer to training building.
Have got equivalent replacement and Villa will also put some extra money in take improvements.
Pitches on we will be losing were coming towards end of there life so we having money for replacement which means will be cost neutral with the land and the installation of like for like pitches. Only cost to Villa will be any they choose to spend on improvements.

Q.
Do we have any loan players that have to play or play so many games?

A.
SR - No. Have to earn right to be in team not having that, no chance.

Q.
Could FFP be challenged in the courts?

KW - possibly under the competition law but it would be very tricky and costly for one club to do it. He believes there's potential for 12-14 breaches on FFP next season. Penalties aren't prescribed.

Leicester is now settled but QPR and Bournemouth are under appeal.

Q.
More coverage U23s on you tube was asked for

A.
KW will look into it.

Q.
What we doing to ensure not losing home-grown talent e.g. Gary Cahill

A.
SR - Steve Bruce believes in home grown talent. Unfortunately some won't get to the level needed. If we get them to there best level and if that's not enough for us, they play will elsewhere, then we've done right by them.

AV has been the main contributor to England - only recently pipped by Spurs. There are some exciting prospects coming through - some breaking through and some on loan to get some experience. Some need a bit more time first like, O'hare and Clark.

Interesting that Wyness doesn't rule out Bruce leaving at the end of the season, this time last year we were doing poorly and he made a point of saying that Bruce will be here next season, even if relegated to league one.

Also I think that's the first time that Wyness has spoken directly about Xia's wealth.

Suing the club for around 6m for constructive dismissal!

Just what we needed eh!

CLICKY

The Utterer wrote:Suing the club for around 6m for constructive dismissal!

Just what we needed eh!

CLICKY

Good riddance, once an arsehole, always an arsehole!
How these people actually get these jobs is beyond me, still he will inevitably get some ill-deserved compensation, which certainly doesn't help at all!

As it's looking more and more likely that Bruce, Round and Xia will still be at the club next season, the main question apart from what will the playing squad look like, is who's going to replace Wyness? Cortese is the obvious name that people will bring up, and he'd probably make a lot of sense if he'd come here, and there must be others who'd do a good job, but I wouldn't be surprised if they just promoted from within and gave the job to Luke Organ.

achilles wrote:

The Utterer wrote:Suing the club for around 6m for constructive dismissal!

Just what we needed eh!

CLICKY

Good riddance, once an arsehole, always an arsehole!
How these people actually get these jobs is beyond me, still he will inevitably get some ill-deserved compensation, which certainly doesn't help at all!

All that I see is that he suggested the correct course of action for a business that is reliant on a huge cash injection from it's owner every month to stay afloat, which was administration after we lost the playoffs. A director has a responsibility not to continue running a loss making business and continue to rack up more debt especially after Xia ran out of money. Xia's pride was hurt by the suggestion of this because it means failure so he suspended Wyness. OK so Wyness was there running the day to day things but do you think it was his policy to run the club on the only plan being promotion or bust? I think that was Xia's plan and he strikes me as the type of guy who if questioned on his schemes who you for doubting him and his brilliance? Wyness is not a total innocent but he is a party to crime not the main criminal who IMO is Xia and his lack of knowledge on how club ownership works and now the poor little mans pride is hurt so he will get us further into trouble and still fail!

DelboyVilla wrote:

achilles wrote:

The Utterer wrote:Suing the club for around 6m for constructive dismissal!

Just what we needed eh!

CLICKY

Good riddance, once an arsehole, always an arsehole!
How these people actually get these jobs is beyond me, still he will inevitably get some ill-deserved compensation, which certainly doesn't help at all!

All that I see is that he suggested the correct course of action for a business that is reliant on a huge cash injection from it's owner every month to stay afloat, which was administration after we lost the playoffs. A director has a responsibility not to continue running a loss making business and continue to rack up more debt especially after Xia ran out of money. Xia's pride was hurt by the suggestion of this because it means failure so he suspended Wyness. OK so Wyness was there running the day to day things but do you think it was his policy to run the club on the only plan being promotion or bust? I think that was Xia's plan and he strikes me as the type of guy who if questioned on his schemes who you for doubting him and his brilliance? Wyness is not a total innocent but he is a party to crime not the main criminal who IMO is Xia and his lack of knowledge on how club ownership works and now the poor little mans pride is hurt so he will get us further into trouble and still fail!

My comments were purely based on meeting the guy and in the end just glad to get away from the bloke!
Never wanted Wyness or Round, both muppets.
However Wyness's recent actions are commendable in some respects as it would have been a dereliction of duty otherwise, although he shouldn't have gone behind Xia's back.

Therefore I tend to agree with you.

achilles wrote:

DelboyVilla wrote:

achilles wrote:

The Utterer wrote:Suing the club for around 6m for constructive dismissal!

Just what we needed eh!

CLICKY

Good riddance, once an arsehole, always an arsehole!
How these people actually get these jobs is beyond me, still he will inevitably get some ill-deserved compensation, which certainly doesn't help at all!

All that I see is that he suggested the correct course of action for a business that is reliant on a huge cash injection from it's owner every month to stay afloat, which was administration after we lost the playoffs. A director has a responsibility not to continue running a loss making business and continue to rack up more debt especially after Xia ran out of money. Xia's pride was hurt by the suggestion of this because it means failure so he suspended Wyness. OK so Wyness was there running the day to day things but do you think it was his policy to run the club on the only plan being promotion or bust? I think that was Xia's plan and he strikes me as the type of guy who if questioned on his schemes who you for doubting him and his brilliance? Wyness is not a total innocent but he is a party to crime not the main criminal who IMO is Xia and his lack of knowledge on how club ownership works and now the poor little mans pride is hurt so he will get us further into trouble and still fail!

My comments were purely based on meeting the guy and in the end just glad to get away from the bloke!
Never wanted Wyness or Round, both muppets.
However Wyness's recent actions are commendable in some respects as it would have been a dereliction of duty otherwise, although he shouldn't have gone behind Xia's back.

Therefore I tend to agree with you.

No problem I have never met the guy so I would bow to your experience of finding him to be an arsehole! I agree that throughout life even when people reach a certain level and fail they still seem to be able to find a new position at that same level again which is madness in my eyes. Round, Wyness and Bruce all seem to be failure apologists all of them looking for excuses as to why it all went wrong? Like Moyes maybe Wyness hit his glass ceiling at Everton and now should be considered a dinosaur when it comes to modern day football just like Moyes seems to be viewed?
Anyway things won't change until we hit rock bottom and Xia and Co are forced to leave?

Steve Round has officially left the club. I see some are already trying to spin as part of the Villa in crisis narrative, but I can't say it bothers me to see him go, he Bruce and Wyness have played a big part in our failure to get promoted, with their dated outlook on the game.

deadbuzzardalive wrote:Steve Round has officially left the club. I see some are already trying to spin as part of the Villa in crisis narrative, but I can't say it bothers me to see him go, he Bruce and Wyness have played a big part in our failure to get promoted, with their dated outlook on the game.

I could never quite see what he did. In his interviews he struck me as a 'yes' man - who was quite happy to leave the big decisions to others. No great loss, that said I don't like the idea of a bunch of rookies running the club, which is what seems to be happening.

Rongtian He, who is going to be taking on some of Round's responsibilities flying out to Portugal for 'crunch talks' with Bruce over his future.

This is Portugal where Bruce likes to go on holiday and takes his work with him by making everyone go and train there with him? I know I'm being cynical but I hope Xia has something up his sleeve*



*other than his arm

deadbuzzardalive wrote:Rongtian He, who is going to be taking on some of Round's responsibilities flying out to Portugal for 'crunch talks' with Bruce over his future.

Hope Bruce tells him to fuck off.