Let’s face it. That’s what seems to have been going on since Alex McLeish’s name first surfaced in connection to Aston Villa’s managerial vacancy.

On one side, a dimly malevolent, or grimly malevolent, or benignly, neglectfully and inadvertently cluelessly malevolent foreign, not-obscenely-rich person who will inevitably destroy the club by owning it and not understanding it (which is another way of saying he’s just not rich enough).

On the other side, the earnest, long-suffering supporters of a once-great football club that seems to have lost its way, beleaguered Villans who believe the very institution that is Aston Villa is in danger. And that the danger is the owner who was, to many, a savior not so long ago. Exhibit A? One Alex McLeish. B? A certain individual by the name of Paul Faulkner. C? Gerard Houllier, who put the gall in red scouser. D? All the cashed checks with Randy’s signature on them.

It’s deeper than this, though. What’s really behind all the recriminations and accusations and protestations is the simple fact that the game has changed. Yes, it’s true…the future’s not as bright as it used to be.

What Did You Expect?

It’s been a long time coming, obviously. We just wanted it to be the Manchester City or Chelsea version for us. It hasn’t turned out that way, and it’s hard to take. False dawns are a bad kind of disappointment. Being in sight of the promised land and refused entry? It’s cruel. Needlessly so in a dusty, Biblical sort of way.

We know what we’re missing. We’re entitled to delusions of grandeur.

And, indeed, instead of glory, we’ve tasted the bitterness of a brief, frenzied and fruitless challenge along with its high price tag. Thwarted, disappointed, overdrawn, and seemingly further away than ever.

McLeish is a symbol for all that, though…not the cause. He’s not the antichrist. Or Rupert Murdoch. He’s just a messenger, heading up a disheveled and motley crew we’ve known too long already.

Does It Have To Be This Way?

In short, no, it doesn’t have to be this way, all or nothing.

Why? Because first and foremost I don’t think Lerner is acting in bad faith. I think he’s trying to get it right, and I think he’s trying to do it in a sustainable way that doesn’t bankrupt him or the club.

Yes, it’s a business. But I think he understands what the club means to fans, and I think he’d rather win than lose. I also imagine he’d rather be loved than hated. No matter what, winning is more profitable than losing. He’d much rather win, but he’s in for £200m-£250m, has a load of dross, and I think he knows the score.

Because of this, McLeish doesn’t represent an irreparable rift with the club to me. He’s just a choice Lerner has made, and I will continue to watch and judge and comment as it all plays out. Managers come and go. Pffft.

What about everyone else? Well, if McLeish doesn’t go, I don’t know. Who gives? If you made a decision that was yours to make, would you bow to outside pressure? And what happens if Lerner is right, or at least isn’t as wrong as many think? Is there a way back? If you drew a line in the sand, would better results or football change your mind?

Alex McLeish won’t be at Villa Park forever. Unless he’s brilliantly successful, he won’t be here in five years, let alone three. If it goes as badly as most think, he probably won’t last through Christmas.

For all I know, he might not be here next week.

Coming To Peace With It All

If he’s still here the week after? Well, then it’s time to think about what it all really means.

If you believe Lerner’s acting in bad faith, it’s your prerogative to stay away or even turn your back. And maybe there is no way back as long as he’s around. But there’s a difference between bad faith and incompetence. Or simple mistakes. If Lerner is guilty of anything in my mind it was misplaced trust that we’re all still paying for.

For me, if McLeish is still here after next week, it means that, yes, a number of players need to pull their fingers out. I’ve said it all along. McLeish might be the worst manager ever, but our lot would’ve made lots of decent managers look poor just the same. It’s no surprise to you I happen to agree with Paul Merson on this point.

The “young” players have been blooded. They can provide depth, challenge for a couple of spots. But if we can identify and afford better, we have to bring them in.

We need to start scoring from set pieces and stop giving so many away. Which means we desperately need to upgrade the back four (corners, free kicks, and penalties equal deep and/or desperate defending). We need quicker, more athletic CBs who don’t sink back and react and lunge in disastrously but anticipate and turn and run. If our FBs are to provide a wide threat, we need better than Hutton and Warnock. If they’re to defend, too, we certainly need better.

We need to find a new system up front. If we’re stuck with Darren Bent, so be it. But we need a better Plan B and C than Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann. Emile Heskey? Looks to be gone. And you said there was no god.

Stephen Ireland and Charles N’Zogbia need to be given complementary roles and featured in a way that works with Bent. Gabby, Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, and Nathan Delfouneso? They can go along with Richard Dunne, James Collins, Stephen Warnock, and Heskey. If I were Lerner, I’d have memorized every permutation for moving the older players on and freeing up wages.

The younger ones? Albrighton, Bannan and Delfouneso go back on loan if we can’t sell them. Gabby? I’d take £7m-£8m for him. Eric Lichaj, Chris Herd, Ciaran Clark and Gary Gardner? They can stay and fight for a spot. Fabian Delph? Bit of a mystery to me, but I can’t imagine he’s got more than a year to finally stay healthy and make an impact, and I don’t know who he’s doing to displace. He might attract interest from someone willing to bet he’s just been unlucky. Jean II Makoun? I’d like to see him playing alongside Ireland, ideally with a big, pacey DM holding things together, and athletic players with pace flanking them to provide attacking options and defensive cover. That could be CNZ and someone besides Albrighton.

I’d like to everyone to be reasonably comfortable on the ball.

The rest of it? Me, I’ll keep pulling for whoever is in charge to succeed just as I’ll continue pulling for whoever is wearing the shirt to succeed. The battle for Villa’s soul isn’t about fans versus Lerner, or even McLeish. It’s about all of us and what we hold dear versus what money has done to the game.

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