Source: Daily_Mail
Alex McLeish has pulled a masterstroke joining Aston Villa - THE MIDLANDER
ShareIf Alex McLeish was being unveiled anywhere else than Bodymoor Heath, you would be doffing your cap.[LNB]Ignore for a moment that he has crossed a city divide, he's pulled a masterstroke really, hasn't he? [LNB]It's less than one month ago that McLeish waved goodbye to his two-season spell in the Barclays Premier League with Birmingham City.[LNB] Step up: Alex McLeish waves a claret and blue scarf as he approaches the steps of the Holte End[LNB]His pay had been halved to ?800,000 per annum. (I know, how would he have coped?) [LNB]Notwithstanding that, he was in charge of a club where the pressure would be on from the very first second that a ball was kicked.[LNB] More from Neil Moxley... The Midlander: McLeish to amateur Villa? You couldn't make it up, could you...14/06/11 The Midlander: Blues need inspiration as Survival Sunday approaches20/05/11 The Midlander: All change... Lerner must decide soon end Villa's woes13/05/11 The Midlander: Take a bow... the men who can finish with heads held high05/05/11 The Midlander: Houllier's heart scare just the latest in a long list of dramas29/04/11 The Midlander: Birmingham will fully appreciate Larsson once he's gone...15/04/11 The Midlander: Aston Villa must dodge the drop before hitting the crossroads07/04/11 The Midlander: Huge debt, threat of administration... life at Coventry01/04/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Anything other than an exemplary start, against the backdrop of an eagerly-awaited European campaign and the sound of knives being sharpened would have been deafening. Even from as far away as Hong Kong.[LNB]And now, if his pay is on a par with Gerard Houllier's, he's earned himself a ?1.8m pay rise and has the backing of a billionaire owner.[LNB]He's even suing Birmingham for the privilege of being allowed to manage his new club. Fantastic stuff! [LNB]Most Villa fans will be wondering what sort of man they have in charge now. Well, he's a decent guy whose reputation has been somewhat tarnished by the manner of his departure from St Andrew's. It was tawdry and unbecoming, irrespective of the outcome.[LNB]Although the media corps he deals with on a regular basis will not have altered, we cannot work in isolation and the rules of the game have now changed irrevocably. He will know that.[LNB]However, McLeish is a very open-minded individual - with respect to Europe and other leagues - his knowledge is not restricted to just one specific market, although he was working with restrictions at St Andrew's.[LNB]His teams were disciplined and organised. The promotion season of in 2008-09 was turgid stuff - but it was successful. He worked on the basis at St Andrew's that he would protect what he started with and work from there. [LNB]That was perhaps understandable, given what he had at his disposal and what he was competing against.[LNB]Was his football dull and unattractive? Well, yes. But how else could you compete when you manage Birmingham City? The same way as Ian Holloway at Blackpool? The problem is, the net result was still the same.[LNB] All change: McLeish is going to have to adopt an expansive style to get the backing of sceptical Aston Villa supporters[LNB]McLeish is savvy enough to know that he will need to play a more expansive style to win over the doubters at Villa Park.[LNB]However, he's been left with a group of players who have enjoyed success playing (by and large) a counter-attacking game. And with Ashley Young's move imminent, it appears he will need to modify it greatly.[LNB]The other major issue he has is that to make an impact, he needs to bring players in.[LNB]What sort is the club hoping to attract? Let's face it, anyone of any great potential isn't going to favour Villa over one of last season's top six. It's a tough ask.[LNB]But he has one thing in his favour. When McLeish arrived in Birmingham, he did so with the reputation of being a 'lucky' manager from his time in Scotland. You might point to May 22 and ask where the luck was when he needed it most.[LNB]But then, you could almost certainly point to the Carling Cup final and say that he was smiled down upon that day.[LNB] Moving on: McLeish is likely to lose winger Ashley Young from his plans for next season[LNB]He couldn't have hoped for a more comfortable set of fixtures to announce his arrival, could he? [LNB]Taking aside the opportunism of the move, there is a major factor that has still been overlooked. Emotions.[LNB]Coventry City's former chief executive Paul Fletcher installed a sign in reception to everyone that visited the Ricoh Arena saw upon their arrival.[LNB]It read: 'This is more than a business. People do not ask to have their ashes buried at Tesco.' [LNB]McLeish's arrival has inflamed passions here like never before.[LNB]If he isn't a success, he will have problems. If he is, he will have them of an altogether different sort whenever he steps outside his front door with another set of people.[LNB]So, on the face of it, a great move for him. But how much has it really cost you, Alex? [LNB] McLeish closes in on cut-price DJ deal as Villa also eye Brown and Adam McLeish to start Villa career by selling Ashley Young to UnitedGive him a chance! Agbonlahor tells Villa fans to lay off new boss McLeish All the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Ian Holloway, Ashley Young, Alex McLeish, Gerard Houllier Places: Birmingham, Scotland, Europe
