Having just seen the Villa completely outplayed by Manchester United, I'm wondering whether Matin O'Neill would be an automatic first choice if/when the FA look for its next manager.
Quite a gulf between the two teams here but what concerns me (from a Villa perspective) is O'Neill's idea of 'strengthening' when one looks at Reo-Coker, Harewood (not playing today) and Knight. What does he see in this trio?
He gave referee Styles some earache but O'Neill was in the wrong because the second 'yellow' to Reo Coker was certainly merited.
O'Neill would be better served sorting his defence out; squandered a three-goal lead at Spurs and torn apart today.
Fans streaming out after 75 minutes and strikes me, little has changed. I though referee Styles had a good game. Look at yourselves Villa.

You have pointed out several reason for not selecting O'Neill, why on earth should he be even in the frame?

You have pointed out several reason for not selecting O'Neill, why on earth should he be even in the frame?

The day before I made the post, Lerner had said he wouldn't stand in O'Neill's way. The day after the post, three guest journalists on Sky's "Sunday Supplement" put forward his name.
Ask to nominate a British manager for the job, I suggest that many people would nominate O'Neill - basically because there aren't too many alternatives.

Quite agree - success at Celtic in the two horse race that is the Scottish Premier hardly qualifies him as a top level manager in my book.

Villa's present postion - 9th - is a bit misleading as 6 of their 9 games have been at home and they've only taken two points in three away games.

A good article on O'Neil below written before the start of the season.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/08/15/on_second_thoughts_martin_onei.html

Quite agree - success at Celtic in the two horse race that is the Scottish Premier hardly qualifies him as a top level manager in my book.

Villa's present postion - 9th - is a bit misleading as 6 of their 9 games have been at home and they've only taken two points in three away games.

A good article on O'Neil below written before the start of the season.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/08/15/on_second_thoughts_martin_onei.html

That article is spot on. O'Neil is a decent manager, but nothing more. A few years ago he was regarded as Lord of Football by the media, and inexplicably touted as a replacement for Ferguson at Man Utd. I very much doubt he'd make a shortlist of 30 coaches for that job.

He shouldn't get the England job. I'd rather have us approach Mourinho or Capello.

Would he even take the England job? Not sure what his replies have been before.

Im not that up on my managers - but i rate him for his passion, and hes a good family man - took time away from the game when his wife had cancer etc

If he were to be struggling to find a job, then I can think of one in Sheffield 2 which could be going, where, if nothing else, hard work and determination will be more than acceptable to the paying public ......... unfortunately, this would be merely tilting at windmills for us ...........

O,neil would be a perfect choice for the Next England Mangager but iit wont happen because he is too opinionated for the F.As liking,they ALWAYS go for a yes man,which is why clough never gotv the job,and the same goes for Allardyce who would both have been fantastic Managers for England

O,neil would be a perfect choice for the Next England Mangager but iit wont happen because he is too opinionated for the F.As liking,they ALWAYS go for a yes man,which is why clough never gotv the job,and the same goes for Allardyce who would both have been fantastic Managers for England

I think you're right with both choices there. In fact I wonder if the FAI could get enough cash to lure Allardyce to Ireland .........

Going out on a limb here but I reckon Shearer would make an excellent manager. He is English, knows the game inside out and is mature enough to do the job.

Going out on a limb here but I reckon Shearer would make an excellent manager. He is English, knows the game inside out and is mature enough to do the job.

Name a TV pundit who's gone on to be a successful manager.

Name a TV pundit who's gone on to be a successful manager.

carlton palmer :hihi::hihi::hihi:

Ally McCoist!!!!:thumbsup:

Think Scottish dude has had too many "wee drams",either that or hes takin the ****!!!
Hate ex-players who decide to choose a career in television punditry and slagging off players and managers,who the hell do they think they are,they sit on their comfy chairs shooting people down without having the guts to do the job themselves:

Shearer: Wouldve walked into Newcastle Job if he wanted it but didnt have the bottle so sits in a chair having a go at others who had the balls to give it a shot

Hansen: Drolls on and on about Defence but actually knows bugger all about football,his most famous quote was "You will win nothing with kids" when discussing Man Utd and Fergusons decision to play Giggs,Beckham,Scholes,Neville Brothers....guess what happend!!!

Linekar: Eats a lot of crisps.....Respect!!!

Jimmy Greaves: Drank a lot of Beer........Waster

Mark Lawrenson: So far up his own "bottom" he cant find his way out,managed Brighton briefly before sacked cos he was crap and has the gall to have a go at premier managers who have done a job he couldnt

Only Pundit have any respect for is Ian Wright,never slags off other players/managers and shows real passion when commentating on England

Hate ex-players who decide to choose a career in television punditry and slagging off players and managers,who the hell do they think they are
They don't just slag them off, they praise them too. They are employed to analyse games, players, managers etc. Would it be more interesting to have 15 minutes of adverts whilst it is half time or have people who have actually been involved with football talking/debating to pass the time on?

they sit on their comfy chairs shooting people down without having the guts to do the job themselves:
Or maybe they just don't want to be a manager or it just doesn't interest them? Because they are not actually managers, doesn't mean they haven't got the guts to do it!
Why were you not in Iraq, fighting for you're country? Was it because you didn't have the guts? Or was it because you just didn't want to?

Shearer: Wouldve walked into Newcastle Job if he wanted it but didnt have the bottle so sits in a chair having a go at others who had the balls to give it a shot
Shearer was a fantastic player. Who's to say he would have made a fantastic manager. Maybe it is just not in him? Maybe the passion that you need to be a manager not to mention the managerial skills, are just not there? Maybe he likes the job he is doing now? Why are you not a manager of a top flight football club Briggy? You have a go at players and managers don't you? It doesn't mean that you don't have the bottle to do it! You just don't have the credentials!! Maybe Shearer doesn't?

Hansen: Drolls on and on about Defence but actually knows bugger all about football
He does know about football! Of course he does. He is defensive minded yes, but maybe because he was a top class defender is the reason why he seems to look at a teams defense when analysing a game? Again, management may not appeal to him or maybe he simply doesn't have the skills it would take to manage a top flight football club? That doesn't make him unable to make sound judgments and have relivent opinions on a football match!

Only Pundit have any respect for is Ian Wright,never slags off other players/managers and shows real passion when commentating on England
Mr Ian (hey look at SWP playing down the right for England, thats my boy that is) Wright, is quite a good pundit. He is also really passionate, which I like! You still hate him though right? You hate all ex-players who decide on a career in television punditry, don't you? :D

Think Scottish dude has had too many "wee drams",either that or hes takin the ****!!!
Hate ex-players who decide to choose a career in television punditry and slagging off players and managers,who the hell do they think they are,they sit on their comfy chairs shooting people down without having the guts to do the job themselves:

Shearer: Wouldve walked into Newcastle Job if he wanted it but didnt have the bottle so sits in a chair having a go at others who had the balls to give it a shot

Hansen: Drolls on and on about Defence but actually knows bugger all about football,his most famous quote was "You will win nothing with kids" when discussing Man Utd and Fergusons decision to play Giggs,Beckham,Scholes,Neville Brothers....guess what happend!!!

Linekar: Eats a lot of crisps.....Respect!!!

Jimmy Greaves: Drank a lot of Beer........Waster

Mark Lawrenson: So far up his own "bottom" he cant find his way out,managed Brighton briefly before sacked cos he was crap and has the gall to have a go at premier managers who have done a job he couldnt

Only Pundit have any respect for is Ian Wright,never slags off other players/managers and shows real passion when commentating on England

Didn't Lawrenson manage Oxford? I thought he resigned because Dean Saunders was sold?

Didn't Lawrenson manage Oxford? I thought he resigned because Dean Saunders was sold?
You're spot on HH. Here's the quote from Wiki:


After his time at Liverpool, he was appointed Oxford United manager in 1988. His time at the club was frustrating and he resigned after star striker Dean Saunders was sold by the board of directors, without Lawrenson's blessing.

Good call fella!!!

"Would he even take the England job? Not sure what his replies have been before."

He did an interview for the job before they appointed McLaren. So, at that point anyway, he was interested in taking it.

I heard he didn't interview very well and wated to bring in his normal back-ups viz Robertson and Walford.

Going out on a limb here but I reckon Shearer would make an excellent manager. He is English, knows the game inside out and is mature enough to do the job.


No way - I think he would be another Bryan Robson (or worse) - his tactical nous would extend to picking a big lad up front (preferably Geordie) and hoofing the ball up to him. Can't think I've heard him say anything remotely interesting or showing any real insight as a TV pundit.

I heard he didn't interview very well and wated to bring in his normal back-ups viz Robertson and Walford.

Whether he was Norn Iron or not, he'd be very welcome at Dalymount/Lansdowne/Croke oh, anywhere so long as we could win ..........