McCleish - From Hero to Villain

There are times in football when you just have to hold your hands up and admit to logic flying out of the window. Aston Villa fans were up in arms over the appointment of Alex McLeish from fierce city rivals Birmingham. There are few instances I can think of, of such a brazen move between local teams. McLeish has taken a big gamble in taking over the Villa hot-seat. If he doesn't start well the pressure will mount immediately. Some Villa fans are already talking in worried tones about the possibility of relegation under McLeish. He did after all take Birmingham City down twice in his spell there and seemed unable to focus Birmingham following their Carling Cup win over Arsenal back in February.

It's always difficult being the new boy

McLeish is not a man to cow down in the face of such vocal anger.
"Let me prove myself and I will win the fans over. I'm the man for this job." he said at the press conference signalling his arrival.
"Am I fazed by it? No. Have I had it before? Yes. I've got thick skin and I'm ready for the challenge." So, any thoughts Villa fans might have had of a u-turn have been quickly dispelled there. McLeish is a man on a mission, determined to grab this opportunity and provide Villa with the success their fans have long craved for. He has the backing of Gabriel Agbonlahor, but in losing Ashley Young to Man United he is already under pressure to bring in new faces to give the fans optimism for the new season, something which is in short supply at the moment. One fan claimed "He's not good enough for this club, if we've got ambition and direction in this club, we would not think about employing him." Another described him as "a joker" with several other fans threatening to 'boycott' Villa Park and not renew their season tickets. Good luck Alex!

This is just the start!

At 52 this is a big move for McLeish. If he gets it wrong here, it could be a crushing blow to his career. The one time Rangers manager has discovered just how tough life can be in England. Randy Lerner the Villa owner is also at an impass, you feel. These two men have staked a lot on this decision, and will have backed themselves into a corner if Villa don't start well.





5 mins before kick-off in McLeish's first game?

Having said all this and with all due respect to Birmingham, Villa have always been a bigger club, with better finances and pedigree. it's hard to see them following Birmingham into the Championship. Birmingham have suffered 3 relegations from the Premiership and like neighbours West Brom and Wolves are one of those classed as a 'yo-yo' club. There is no doubt they will be contenders to come straight back up next season.  More likely for Villa is a season of stability in mid-table and then we will see whether McLeish can really take them forward.