Well, the Leeds game bit me on the arse just as I said it probably would in the preview.
I ought to know better really, but I much prefer to feel optimistic than pessimistic; which means that while I was massively disappointed with the result initially, so I’m actually quite sanguine about it all, on reflection.
It won’t be the last game we lose this season.
We should remember that Leeds away is up there as one of the toughest games in this division, especially when they’re on a roll.
I was talking to a (non Villa supporting) workmate and this result actually cost him £560 as a bet. He said that looking back, he couldn’t understand why he’d backed the Villa for this one. I merely explained that he wasn’t the only one who thought we might win.
The reason I’m not so bothered now is because I thought the game was very even overall.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say we were unlucky, but I do feel we at least held our own for most of the game. Ultimately Leeds, combined with what I think was poor goalkeeping and defending, took their chances and we didn’t.
Not that their were many chances on either side, which to me, further confirms that the game really could have gone either way.
What does disappoint, is the fact that we could have made up some very serious ground on the clubs above us, but as I’ve often seen quoted as I’ve read around this weekend is that “that’s football”. Indeed it is.
I want to gloss over the game really, as I feel there’s plenty more we can actually win, but feel I have to comment on a few things.
On the plus side, Jedinak again impressed me. Yes, I know a few won’t agree after him giving the ball away, but beforehand I thought he was excellent in mopping up.
Gestede is simply a waste of time if you don’t put the ball on his head; his first touch is honestly as bad as I can remember for a well rated player.
And Gollini is too inexperienced and doesn’t dominate his area. I remember slating Guzan for the same thing, but he managed to improve, at least for a while. I’ve no doubt Gollini will improve too, but my opinion says we can’t afford to have him learning if we’re serious about going for promotion.
Yes, he’s done the odd good thing, but I remain totally unconvinced at the moment and I’d put money on another goalie coming in, in a few weeks.
Likewise, I suspect Gestede might be gone to raise funds.
McCormack too, if you believe the Daily Mail, who have now jumped on the “strikers out” bandwagon.
If the continued talk of Jordan Rhodes is the answer though, we’re asking the wrong question and I’d rather keep McCormack.
Then there’s the quality central mid, a centre back and a right back that are all required.
The problem with all the above is that we have the little issue of Financial Fair Play to consider. Squad numbers too.
Which means that even if some of the outgoing players rumours are rubbish, we will have to sell to bring players in.
We all know we need a good few players ideally, but I don’t think we’ll see more than around three with a couple leaving.
It’s going to be a make or break window, I reckon.
And then we face Spurs away in the FA cup.
And to my dismay, all the Twitter comments from both sets of fans are immediately suggesting neither side should put any effort into it.
My strong belief is that you should play every game with the utmost desire to win, it’s as simple as that.
I don’t care if it detracts from any promotion push. Because if you don’t play to win every game, what’s the point?
The progress in any competition should be based on a team giving it’s best effort and finishing accordingly, not throwing it away.
I was speaking to a typical Man U fan about this yesterday. He hails from Luton and is slightly older than me.
I asked him about playing second strings etc and his answer totally summed it up for me.
He said he thought it was totally disrespectful to the opposition.
It’s not very often I agree with glory hunters.
In other very good news, Sepp Blatter has had his appeal denied and is now surely finished in the game.
Good, because he’s a total crook and part of the ruination of the game, in my personal opinion (which could see me in trouble, but pfft! sue me.).
Now charge and punish him.
Which won’t happen of course. Because it never does to his type, does it?
