Martin Laursen admits Martin O'Neill's lack of rotation used to annoy Aston Villa players

Aug 15 2010 by Mat Kendrick, Sunday Mercury

Martin Laursen celebrtaes one of his goals for Aston Villa.

FORMER Villa captain Martin Laursen fears that ex-boss Martin O’Neill’s lack of rotation left some claret and blue players in a spin.

The Great Dane was an O’Neill favourite and enjoyed a positive relationship with the departed manager.

But Laursen can understand how O’Neill’s reluctance to give fringe players a chance rubbed his old team-mates up the wrong way.

“Martin was very popular,” he said. “We could all see he was a winner and very ambitious, even if he was a hard man to work for.

“Personally, I loved Martin because he understood my situation. We worked very well and had great respect.

“But he had problems with other players because he’s very straightforward when it comes to saying what he thinks.

“If he doesn’t like a player he’ll make it known that he must look elsewhere for a new club or will not play.