You might be thinking, “not him again,” but chiefy’s gone and had a baby and finds himself alternating between suicidal tendencies and joy formidable.
Actually, chiefy’s missus has done the hard work and had the baby. Congratulations from everyone at AVL, Andi. May the force be with you. If you get a free moment, pop on and at least let us know what to call the latest addition to Lambert’s Claret & Blue Army.
Wait For It…
Speaking of babies, Nathan Delfouneso has obviously gotten tired of me rubbishing him and decided to do something about it. Like score goals. Which, when you’re a striker, is the only way to respond to critics. So, that’s my spin on it; I’ve gone and motivated him.
Is it going to change my mind? No. Like many of you, if he puts in a shift each game and nets 15-20 in the Championship, then maybe we’ve got something to talk about. He’s had this annoying way of teasing us all along.
Now, I do sympathize with the viewpoint that his scoring record, given how many appearances he’s made and how many were as a substitute, is respectable and that perhaps he’s been unfairly criticized.
Allow Me To Retort
But I don’t necessarily agree. For me, at the Premier-League level, there has to be work-rate and effort along with skill. For those of you who watched the Real Madrid-Mansour City game earlier in the week, you might have noticed a ferocious, consistent, end-to-end pressure applied by Mourinho’s men. I was amazed they kept it up all game. (Insert “that’s what she said” here.) You’re never too good to work hard, whatever position you play. (See previous parenthetical aside.)
With Delfouneso, we’ve never really doubted he’s got skill. He’s just got too much to prove to be lolling around even more than Darren Bent. And our Darren has been applying himself more since Lambert’s arrival.
In short, the loan is exactly what Delfouneso needs. He’s got to get as many games and goals under his belt as he can before coming back to either try and make a spot for himself at Villa or somewhere else. Maybe he’ll be realizing that talent alone is never enough at the top levels.
More important, like any Villan, I just want the lad to realize what he’s got in front of him, how much we’d love him to succeed, and what it takes to get there. I’d love him to earn a song and a place in our hearts.
So, Nathan, well done. Keep ’em coming. I may be critical, but god knows I’d rather have you come good than be proved right.
And The Rest?
Ideally, as we’ve discussed at length, Fonz’s current handling would’ve applied to a number of other “young” players earlier on in their careers. I think the simple truth is that Villa just didn’t have the strength in numbers to allow them to be loaned out the way they should’ve been. And it’s probably also true that more than one manager wasn’t necessarily interested in developing them, maybe even resented their presence insofar as it meant he had to pay lip service to giving a chance to players not of his choosing.
But in my heart, even if my head knows it’s not going to happen, I’d like to see every one of them succeed. The trick is optimizing the opportunity and bringing them along the right way. If they’ve been given a fair shake, well, that’s all anyone could ask for.
Captain Concrete
I really like this move. I was a bit puzzled by Lambert’s decision regarding Bent in the first place, and puzzled a bit further by his decision to take it away and give it to Vlaar so Bent could focus on scoring goals. Does a piece of elastic round your arm detract from your focus or sharpen it?
I’m guessing it was a gesture of confidence in Bent that Lambert wanted to make. But I do think, based on what I’ve seen so far, that the armband really does belong with Vlaar, and if not him, then Brad Guzan or Karim El Ahmadi. For sheer inspirational efforts, Holman wouldn’t be a bad shout.
But after watching Mr. Vlaar having a word with Nathan Dyer following a rather dubious penalty shout, I think he’s the right man for the job. He did not look amused, and Dyer had no interest in talking back. I think Ron would have the same words for anyone. And that’s what a captain has to do: inspire, fight, show a backbone, and lead by example.
Once again, Paul Lambert has shown that he’s not wedded to any one idea. I think we can all applaud that.
So, with Southampton a day closer, I’ll ask you a question: Does Beast Benteke start? I’ve gone round and round, can’t say I have a definitive answer.
I’d like to say yes, but then I have other thoughts. Like no—keep him coming off the bench for one or two more games yet. And then, yes, why not?
So that’s me waffling.
In the meantime, carry on, give us a prediction, a starting lineup, a new song, or whatever else comes into your heads.
Ordinarily I might be off for a couple-six pints and bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. Tonight, though, it’s cold medicine and a shot or two of Kentucky bourbon. Just to ward off the chills, you understand.
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