Whilst we lost yesterday to two more incredibly soft goals, I felt that it was a very useful match that taught us a lot. I have arrived at some conclusions that are clear in my mind after seeing that game.
Finally, for the first time this season, the team was balanced. It was a great system put into place by McLeish that suited the players he had available to him. It is clear to me that this is a system and formation that we should stick with. The system was 4-1-4-1. Clark was sat in front of the back four, giving the other 4 midfielders the license to attack. Petrov is being played in a position where he can be effective going forwards and finally we saw a good display from Stephen Ireland.
N’Zogbia and Albrighton excelled on the wings providing service for our striker Agbonlahor, who, by his own recent standards, wasn’t great. I think if Bent was playing we would have scored three or four. It was a shame when Ireland had to go off but in this system, I think Bannan is an ideal replacement. Going forwards those two players should be fighting for one place, with my preference being for Ireland if we can get him fit. Petrov would be fine for the other central midfield role if he could run but in the 2nd half, he had run out of gas by the time Albrighton equalised. This is the position we should prioritise in January now that Jenas is out for the season.
It was also fantastic to see Cuellar back playing alongside Dunne. He is miles better than Collins and this is the centre back partnership I have wanted to see for a long time. Hopefully they will continue together for the remainder of the season. With Hutton’s suspension, I imagine Collins will come back in and Cuellar will play right back. Let’s hope that Cuellar isn’t dropped when Hutton returns.
I thought the full backs Hutton and Warnock were good last night after being woeful against Liverpool. In fact I thought Warnock was fantastic, apart from a cocked up cross in the second half. It’s a shame that Hutton spoilt his good performance by getting sent off.
The most important thing I learned last night is that we aren’t a poor team. After the dire performances this season, I had come to the conclusion that we were a rubbish team with a rubbish, unpopular manager. Last night taught me that the manager is capable of putting a team out that can play decent football in a progressive formation that suits the players.
It also taught me that we have some very decent players that are capable of outplaying a team like Arsenal. These players and the manager have got a lot to prove still but after yesterday, I think we have the basis to move forwards. After the Liverpool game, I saw no reason for hope. Last night us Villa fans were given some hope at last.
In order to build on last night’s display, my suggestions for Villa over the next few weeks are thus:
1) Stick with McLeish. Paying out more compensation to another unpopular manager should be a last resort. Last night proved that things don’t have to be negative and that we can play some decent stuff under this manager. He has MUCH to prove but I think getting rid now would be counter productive.
2) As much as possible, stick with the back four of Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne and Warnock. No new signings are required in this area.
3) Try hard to tie Cuellar down to a new 2 or 3 year contract. Sell Collins to raise transfer funds. There won’t be a shortage of takers. We have had enough of him but there are plenty of teams that would love him.
4) Buy a new central midfielder to replace Petrov. Petrov should be benched for the vast majority of the remainder of his contract. It is simply not acceptable for a Premiership football to have so little speed and stamina.
5) Encourage and develop the 4-1-4-1 formation we saw last night. I think Herd is a far better option than Clark for the defensive midfield role but Clark will do as back up in that position and in central defence and left back (should Stevens not be good enough). Bent to play the lone striker role with Gabby deputising. Gabby should alternate with N’Zogbia and Albrighton for the two positions on the wing. I don’t think Albrighton is up to playing week in week out for 90 minutes yet. We saw him cramp up again last night. He needs looking after and using wisely.
I think the ideal man for our central midfield role (bearing in mind that money is tight), would be Craig Gardner. He has’t settled at Sunderland and I think he would jump at the opportunity to return to the West Midlands. OK, so he is a grubby little Bluenose but he also a wholehearted professional that would do a good job. Perhaps we could swap him for Collins who O’Neill loved.
So taking into everything into account I believe our team going into 2012 should look like this:
Given, Hutton, Warnock, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Herd, Albrighton, Ireland/Bannan, new signing, N’Zogbia or Gabby, Bent.
What do the rest of you AVL bloggers think?
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