Well the international break is upon us and so I will use the break to share share a thought on the fledgling tenure of Alex McLeish. Currently 8th in the table, with a positive goal difference and just 2 defeats, it is a major improvement on last season. So why are so many Villa fans still unhappy about our latest incumbent?
Now before my detractors round up a posse to have me burned as witch for being positive, at least hear me out. I am not saying that I like the man, nor that I wanted him at our club but he has, in my opinion at least, done a good job to date given the circumstances.
Of course, there are changes I would like to see, and I’ll get to them but, given the restrictions in place, I feel Eck is as good as any other manager who was interested in the vacancy and he’s made a solid(ish) start.
Stability is Key
In little under 2 seasons, Aston Villa as we all know have had 4 managers – temporary or otherwise. O’Neill, McDonald, Houllier and now Eck. Football clubs cannot prosper with constant change, as it’s an almost guaranteed recipe for disaster.
With so many new bosses it’s understandable that the players under-perform. They have had 4 different bosses asking for 4 different things, and it was little wonder the squad rebelled and became fractious last term.
I’m not saying the players were right but it gave them an easy excuse and few could argue with that.
Under Eck, there is a more settled feel to our football club with regard the playing staff. None of the insolent and unprofessional behaviour which threatened to derail us under Houllier is exampled this season.
The players have been united in support for the new boss, and it seems that they are happy, so why do most fans go apoplectic with rage at the very name Alex McLeish?
The players, after all, work with him everyday. They know him better than any of us, and they seem to be responding to him. If they show continued faith and belief in the new manager then, for now at least, I am happy to go along with it. They’ve certainly been working harder this year and are more committed.
You see, every football club needs stability. It’s one thing for us fans to want more, and to want the biggest names, but in reality it’s not possible and, in any case, it does not guarantee success.
What guarantees success is a long-term plan with certain constants whether that be in the playing or coaching staff. Look at all the most successful clubs all across Europe and you’ll see that.
Today’s footballing landscape, I grant you, is a little different. Fans are becoming increasingly impatient. We won’t tolerate mediocrity. We want trophies and we want them now.
Football titles can be bought overnight nowadays but it’s to the detriment of the game. Instant gratification is the fix and its intolerable. The drugs don’t work as it were.
Walking in a Gabby Wonderland
Alex McLeish deserves a lot of credit for the renaissace of Gabby Agbonlahor. I know some might say that his sudden re-emergence has a lot to do with or other ‘stars’ leaving.
It would be folly to remiss the Scot’s effect however. Gabby was on the road to nowhere last season, and I for one even penned an article to that effect.
Indeed I recommended he be sold.
I am delighted to say I have been proved wrong, and Gabby at present is as good an English forward you would find. You might find strikers with better goal ratios but Gabby’s all round contribution marks him out.
He has been a constant threat this season. AM has been roundly criticised on this blog for playing Gabby ‘out of position’. If anything he has re-invented Gabby completely. He has shown faith in him and entrusted him to play in an unfamiliar role. Gabby has excelled and played himself back into the England team.
The player, himself deserves a lot of credit too and I’m pleased to have been proved completely wrong. In that regard, I also hope many are proved wrong by AM becoming a decent manager if we give him a chance.
He has been the stand-out player for us to date and he appears to relish the responsibility this season. His relationship with Bent last time out was particularly pleasing.
Long may it continue, I say.
No Game Saturday
Well it’s international break time as I mentioned, so I thought I would offer a quick thought or two.
My boys, Ireland, go up against Estonia in a two-legged play-offs for the Euro’s next summer. Ireland must be strongly fancied, and I think we’ll have enough to win on Tallinn Friday night.
I am sure Estonia were equally pleased to see Irelands name come out for them, but we’re a much better side. It will probably be absolutely brutal to watch but we’ll be in the draw come December 2.
Elsewhere in the play-offs are some really tricky looking fixtures. Turkey v Croatia is very close to call.
Two teams who have to improve on the road, but can threaten and both extremely hostile places to play, meaning there should be fireworks in both legs. It could well be the loss of a player through in-discipline that decides the tie.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal face Bosnia but, while Portugal are favourites, they do leak goals and Bosnia have a front line to be wary off. The Real Madrid man will ultimately take the tie by the scruff of the neck and will captain his side to victory over the two games.
The Czech Rep face Montengro in the final game. Montenegro would possibly start marginal favourites for me. They have players to hurt a Czech side who didn’t impress in facing runner-up to Spain. If they can keep the Czechs within range in Prague, they can win the return.
England face reigning Euro and World champion Spain at Wembley. If Spain turn-up in the right mood and put on a show, then it will be a very long night for England. Thats not to say England are without chances. Spain haven’t totally impressed in friendlies and England may want it more. That said, it’s hard not to fancy Spain as they build toward their grander plan for next summer.
Other friendlies include France – USA, Poland – Italy, Ukraine – Germany and of course, Cyprus – Scotland.
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