Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart
In fairness, we turned it on in the second half and gave it a go, but we were undone by a criminal penalty decision and a scumbag diver.  Trouble with us is there's no leadership. Back in the old days, people like Andy Townsend or Paul McGrath would be geeing the guys up, instilling some fight into them. Even in the days of Yorke or Milner, you had people who knew how important it is to come back after a serious defeat. Other teams do it, Man U in particular, although they're several classes above us.
Once you let the rot sink in, once the heads droop there can often be no coming back. I think as I've said a spell in the lower tier is the best thing for us now. Less pressure --- not that we've ever been under that much; perennial underachievers they call us --- and a chance to regroup. Let a few of those who are not prepared to stay and fight **** off to Norwich or Stoke or wherever -- Benteke will surely go if/when we go down, which is a pity as he's one of the few who could help us back up --- and maybe rebuild from the ground up?
On a happier note, sort of, props to Reading for coming back to win after being 2-0 down --- eight minutes of madness that resulted in a totally amazing and needed victory for them. 
FluffyK, didn't realise you were a Villa fan? |
I didn't know you were a Villa fan! You may have told me in the past apologies. I am too and I really fear for them and I certainly won't blame any fault at Paul Lambert's feet but instead at the owners. We had 2 consecutive top 6 finishes under O'Neill and then he resigned a couple of days before the new season started in 2009 I think it was. Why? Because he asked for more money to take us to the next level and whilst I can agree with Randy Lerner in terms of finance and doing right by the club but nothing has been right since O'Neill left. 3 managers, 2 caretaker managers and Bent aside, a distinct lack of activity in the transfer market.
Having a 5 man midfield tonight with not one of them over 23 with severe lack of Premiership experience will definitely take it's toll and you can't expect them to light up the premiership.
Richard Dunne has been a real notable absentee and although I am not convinced by Vlaar, his experience has been missed too. Petrov is a given too. Going forward we do look good. Benteke has been a revelation and good to see Agbonlahor back but most matches are won in midfield and without any recognisable general in there we will suffer.
How awful is Brett Holman too? Barely know anything about him but he doesn't look up to scratch and what also grates is that Houllier bought Makoune a couple of years back, he played less than half a dozen games and went out on loan, never to be heard of again. Waste of 6 mill there.
As for relegation what is scary is that no team is playing truly terrible in the league. Wigan are their usual inconsistent self which means they could make it. QPR are slowly getting some form together. Southampton have picked up recently (Sacking Adkins is an absolute travesty), reading are playing well at times so Villa could well go down especially as Lambert has admitted no money is available.
Do Villa deserve to go down? On current form - yes but they are still one of the few survivors of the Premier league who have not gone down (only around 8 teams I think) and they still have a massive history and following so it would be sad to see them drop down but ultimately it may be the kick up the arse the American owners need to realise how important football is to the local community and not just a commodity.