So we are four games in with six points, and an up and coming game against Newcastle on the weekend. If you were to ask Villa fans how six points stacked up against expectations, there is still a split on whether it was acceptable. We haven’t lost a game yet, but then we’ve only won one. Is this good enough?
In order to discuss what is involved in the dichotomy of McLeish’s relationship with Villa, I figured I’d start with the positives.
One positive is that we haven’t lost yet. Of course, many fans will say that this is because we defend with six players, maybe more, but it is what it is. Clean sheets were in short supply, so that’s a move forwards. It may not have been a move forward from the seasons that we finished sixth, but it is a move forward from the points score from last year when we finished ninth.
Gabby also appears to be fired up, offering a bit of competition for Darren Bent up front, contributing two goals so far, and an excellent workrate. That is what I want to see, although I’m realistic enough to know that not all players can have the passion and effort that being a fan of the club cultivates.
If there’s one thing that I seem to see lacking at times, it’s a commitment to the badge, and that is why I was so delighted about Albrighton crossing the ball in, and Gabby nicking a goal right off Darren Bent’s head. Show the fans what it’s like to love the club Gabs.
As for the squad, progress isn’t likely to be quick, knowing as we do the problems that are endemic to the club at present. We’re entrenched in a difficult situation that comprises a juxtaposition of some older players who are too slow, or youngsters that may or may not be a success. Don’t get me wrong, amidst these players, there are positives, it just makes for some dull viewing at times.
Additional to this, the window is shut for now, so we’re not going to be making any real changes till January at least, and even then, we may still be hesitant to get into the market, given some of the contracts don’t end till the end of this season, and next.
The transfers are impacting the squad because we’re arguably weaker in multiple positions after Ashley Young and Stewart Downing have left. This is because as good as Charles N’Zogbia is, he can’t take the roles of both players. Yes, we have Marc Albrighton in the squad, but should we really be playing him week in, week out given his defensive frailties?
Here Comes The Passion
Anyway, as much as I sit here with a rational and sensible mindset, carefully considering each point I’ve written, there’s still this spring of emotion that bubbles up underneath it, the same instant trigger that sets off when one of our players has been cut in half by an opposing defender. Except with current regulations, I don’t really mean “cut in half” more “touched lightly and gone down like a sniper just shot them in the back of the head”.
Shouldn’t we be looking at getting our players well rounded before they are thrown into the Premier League? Or are we that desperate for success that we have to try throwing every possible option in place that hasn’t been done before? Is our senior squad really that bad?
If so, why don’t we start throwing the under-12s on the pitch instead, just because they might actually be successful in 2025, and have less excuse for a lack of pace than some of our players. Some of them are taller than wee Barry Bannan already too.
The children are our future, so I’ve heard. I’m sure there’s a song in that somewhere.
In fact, if we are going down the route of work rate being everything that makes our football the way it is, perhaps we could smuggle in a group of hungry sweat shop workers from a backwater somewhere on the planet, dress them in claret and blue, and tell them they can have half a loaf of bread after the match.
You’d certainly see a lot of work rate. Quality, ok maybe not, but then when I watch some of the performances of unnamed individuals in the team, the sweat shop workers would probably appear more likely to be confused for a professional footballer. Sometimes I question whether the body snatchers have invaded Villa Park, stealing the footballing brain of half the squad, and replaced it with a sack of potatoes. Replaced their brain with a sack of potatoes that is, I’m not referring to Habib Beye.
He’s Only Human
So, there you go. Underneath my calm rationality about sensible long term views, financial prudence, and support of the football club, I’m just as frustrated as the next fan. I don’t like that we’ve gone backwards due to stupidity of numerous individuals who either couldn’t have a personal relationship with others who disagreed with them (Yes, I’m talking about you Martin), wanted to change the football club from counter attacking to tika-taka football in twelve seconds (kudos Gerard, but ultimately problematic), or someone else couldn’t seem to organise the financial outlay of a football club for years (why did it take years to get Paul Faulkner in?).
Speaking of which Villa, manage the public situation better at the club, ok? Why is Paul Faulkner out as some kind of PR spin off when at corporate events? Yes, I understand that a CEO has to mingle with the finance men in business deals, and often business deals involve public appearances, but please Paul, for the love of all that is claret and blue, please stop pretending to have any interest or understanding in football.
It’s a pitiful excuse for public relations, much like the trite rubbish that you hear trotted out at corporate golfing events. Half of these people aren’t golfers, just people who want to suck up to the management. Me, I go to golf events because I like golf. If someone cultivated a corporate tournament of badminton, I’d be at home. It’s not complex, but if you don’t truly love something, it’s going to show through sooner or later.
Which leads me back to a big positive of this campaign – Gabby’s goal celebration against Everton at the weekend. Want to see passion and evidence of what we need at the club? It’s not in Paul Faulkner’s demeanour, it’s in Gabby’s celebration.
Bring back the passion, whether on the terraces or on the pitch. Without it, we’re dead in the water.
The Author
