We are well into the 2nd season under Paul Lambert and results have been mixed at best. Last year, the only year one can compare to under the present constraints had mixed results as well. Although play is spotty again at least it is spotty with a higher level of achievement. All be it a higher level that is practically invisible. With rabid fans at the door every week end and calling for heads every Monday due to poor play the past week end it does make for drab reading. Villa just aren’t going jump up the league two or three places at a time-at least not this year.
There is improvement, just not enough to satisfy. A lot of us have wondered about several players not living up to expectation and place some of the blame on them for higher expectations lost. Most of these players are in their second term at Villa and some of them were given a larger pay packet for their contribution last year. So it brings to mind the sophomore jinx where second year athletes tank and don’t live up to expectations. I don’t think they have lost it talent wise, nor do I think other players figured them out. I think it is all in one’s mind. The gremlins that live inside our heads out number the cool cucumbers and create havoc with any confidence that carries over to season number two.
Several players were purchased last summer and started to shine right away, but the ones we see much more clearly are the ones who are having trouble adjusting to a new, faster, more physical league. The talent is there Lambert has proved it with most of his signings so far. El Hamadi took a year to open up a bit. N’Zogbia by just changing teams in the same league lost his way. People settle in at different rates. Some quick some slow. It’s confidence and gaining perceived acceptance from the team. It’s the gremlins. Golfers call it the yips. They lose the nouse that makes them shine. How much time do we give them to put it all together? Delph seems to have collected his wits and sees with greater vision but last year we were ready to keel haul him. Did Bannon get the bum’s rush? Bacuna went from tripe to first team in only a couple of games. Lowton went into the bin. Is it their talent? No, it’s their mental state. Very cool, or inflicted with the yips.
All the best coaches in the world can’t put a man’s head together once it goes south. Check out Ireland. But we expect Lambert to get his starting 11 right for the game at hand. He probably has but has little knowledge of a head gone south due to any circumstance before game day. Lambert does give them chances to redeem themselves. More than what other managers would do. A chance to collect their mental state and put the gremlins away for a while. The trick is to have everyone put the gremlins away every day.
It seems that Aston Villa have laid the foundation for players to become comfortable in their skins. They are happy to be associated with Villa. Sunderland have laid the foundation for players to second guess themselves and their ability. Di Canio created gremlins and they won’t go away soon as Poyet tries to calm his team.
It’s taking time, and it will take more time than most of us are willing to give. The overall mental state of the team is better than last year. We have to wait until all the heads are in sync. Only then will the achievement of the current season overshadow the efforts of the season past. Salary isn’t the only barometer for greatness. Strong minds are. I think Villa is creating an environment that promotes the players mental state and they will respond as their confidence continues to toughen.
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