Oh dear, where to start. Well lets get Saturday out of the way first.
There’s no way to disguise things. I have been supportive of McLeish, and indeed still am, but things need to improve, and fast. The defeat to West Bromwich Albion was not the result of poor refereeing, however unlucky we were to see Chris Herd sent off. It was, alas, another abject showing as Villa struggled with some of the very basics – like defending set-plays and ball retention.
Against Man City last week I was prepared to forgive the individual and collective errors as we crumbled at the Etihad, but this was different.
This wasn’t a game away against the richest or most expensively assembled team in the world. This was Albion, no disrespect intended, but it was a game we expected to win. A fixture that we hadn’t lost in 32 years.
Instead, we got served another desperate performance from a team who, at the minute, are playing like strangers.
Our unbeaten run early season was merely papering over the cracks. An all too convenient truth to hide behind. Something to deflect from the real matter at hand – that we are a very poor football team.
Not only are we a poor team but the brand of football we are playing currently is possibly the worst in the league, and for this McLeish must take some, even a lot, of the blame.
Albion were, for their part, very deserving winners and having got in front never looked liked conceding again. They have in Roy Hodgson one of the most astute managers in the game, and he has done a fantastic job since taking over at The Hawthorns following his acrimonious departure from Liverpool.
Defensive Lapses Cost Dear
Against Baggies, it was same old story as the previous game and indeed season. Defensively, we were a shambles. Our inability to defend set-plays is a real cause for concern, and we seemed to have learned nothing from last week.
That, however, is merely the tip of the ice-berg. We need to see personnel changesm and in the next window if possible.
Warnock, as much as I like him, is fighting for his Villa career right now, and losing badly. I’m sure he’s a good lad and I really wanted him to recover from his spat with Houllier, but the truth is his confidence is completely shot.
On the other side Hutton has looked a complete liability in every game I’ve seen. He should have cost us penalties in the games with QPR and Wigan, and he is a red card waiting to happen.
Indeed, he would have been far more deserving of the red that the unlucky Herd received for his lunge at Shane Long. It could just be that he is taking time to settle and that he will improve. I’m willing to give him some time, but Cuellar at right back seems an option having recovered from injury.
If Cuellar is unable to oust Hutton then surely the same player, or Clark, is a shout to come in at centre back as both have ball playing ability.
Which brings me to Dunne and Collins. Whilst they are a physically imposing pair, they lack mobility. They also, all too often, have one tactic in lumping the ball aimlessly up field in the hope something comes off, even when a smple pass to midfield is on.
Nearly every single time this leads to the opposition regaining possession and puts us on the back foot. They must instead look for the easy pass into midfield and try to keep things simple.
The only real bright spark at the back currently is the form of Shay Given who continues to prove he is one of the top keepers in this league. He has been worth about 3 points already, and looks an absolute steal at £3.5m.
It can only be hoped he remains free from injury for both club and country as he is vital to both.
Midfield Woes Still Unanswered
The biggest problem area is in midfield. Despite having tried different players in various formations, McLeish seems almost unware of his first choice.
In most games, the midfield and attack seem to be on totally different wave-lengths, and we create very little. Despite having some very talented players in Albrighton, Petrov, Bannan, Delph, Ireland and N’Zogbia there is little invention or creativity.
N’Zogbia has had a very poor start to his Villa career however I’d like to see the manager give him a run on the right as the player craves. Albrighton seems to be suffering a crisis of confidence and is struggling following last year’s breakthrough.
Ireland is the great enigma, and a career which promised so much appears to be blowing itself out.
When I look at Ireland, I see a player who has fallen out of love with the gamem although I could be wrong. There is no doubting his ability but he is nothing like the player he was at City, and I’m not sure he ever will be.
His appetite for the game does not seem to be there anymore and I think this must frustrate the player every bit as much as it does the fans.
The biggest problem for me in midfield are the huge gaps between those with attacking responsibility, and those who provide the defensive shield. There seems little understanding or appreciation and teams have been dictating the game to us.
Personally, I think Jenas will add lots when he is fit and could be our saviour. I think he will give the team better balance regardless of formation and will be a great link up player who can keep the ball moving.
I also think McLeish may have been a little hasty in moving Makoun on. Surely his athletic ability would be more useful than the aging legs of Petrov.
Petrov, for me, should not be considered a first choice. I struggle to see what he adds to the team. He is slow, his passing predictable, and he doesnt have the engine to drive us forward.
Bent Continues to Struggle
Up front we’ve had mixed fortunes thus far but Darren Bent’s form is a bit of a worry. While Gabby seems to be flourishing, Bent is looking increasingly isolated in games. This is in part due to the lack of support and delievry from midfield, and can be reasoned through the loss of Young and Downing, and also through our already mentioned midfield woes.
That said, I feel the player also has to shoulder some responsibilty. He needs to watch his movement, time his runs better and give his midfield a better option. He has appeared sluggish in games to date and needs to up his work-rate.
That’s who Darren Bent is though, I suppose. He’s just that type of striker who can appear ineffective for long periods and then, in a moment, be so deadly.
Gabby on the other hand as mentioned has had a great start, and is much improved on last season. He seems to be enjoying his football again which can only be a good thing and he surely can’t be far away from an international call-up.
If Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll are better options than Agbonlahor, then I’m the Dalai Lama.
Heskey is the only other striker to see regular game time and, whilst he has his critics, he has some value. I really thought McLeish would have selected him on Saturday given his aerial ability and physical atrributes.
It was no surprise that West Brom would be strong at set-plays with the likes of Olsson and Scharner, and Heskey could have been used to combat this, in addition to providing some much needed muscle at the other end. I know he shouldn’t be someone to play every week but used wisely he can be a handful.
So Where Next For Villa?
Well it’s simple. It has to get much better and fast. Saturday coming sees a trip to the North-East to face a Sunderland side who were very impressive in dispatching woeful Bolton. In Sessegnon and Larsson they have two very good players and they must not be allowed to dictate. It’s not yet ‘must-win’ but its edging ever closer to it.
The one thing which will not be tolerated is the standard of football. McLeish needs to show that he is the right man to lead this club forward.
He needs to show fans that he is capable of producing teams who can play an exciting brand of football. Defeat at Sunderland will not be terminal but with pressure ever mounting from fans, the club will have to take notice at some point.
It’s my personal hope that Eck can prove us all wrong. It was always going to be hard coming in given the circumstances in which he did, but I am still willing to give him some time, but at some point we must see improvement.
I still think it’s far too early and disruptive to call for the managers head. We do, however, need stability and with the restrictions in place at the club, yet another manager would be costly and doesn’t come with any guarantees. Indeed is the post as attractive as us fans may want to believe? I’m not sure it is to any elite manager.
In any case, it’s all conjecture as we already have a manager. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s our boss, and while he is I wish him only success.
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