“Third generation Villan” has submitted the following article.
I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment. Cheers, TGV;
Its Tuesday 10th Feb 2015
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Hull 2 – 0 Villa
• Jelavic grabs seventh goal of season
• N’Doye scores on full Hull debut
• Villa without a win in 10 matches
• Villa drop into bottom three in Premier League
Victory lifted Hull to 15th in the Premier League table and left Villa in the bottom three.
Lambert says ’13 cup finals’ coming up for Villa.
Paul Lambert’s Villa have now gone 10 Premier League matches without a win, they have not scored an away goal in almost eight and a half hours, and a banner reading ‘Lambert Out’ was unfurled by some visiting supporters at half-time.
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Remember this?
I do and like most of you I believed we were on the verge of being relegated and with Lambert and Lerner still in charge probably with worse to follow.
And by the way you got that wrong too Mr Lambert, it was 14 cup finals.
At that time I recall we were all calling for a change in tactics and if we were going down at least have a go and attack the opposition so we saw some entertaining football not the dross being served up by Mr Lambert.
Then we got a lifeline. Villa sack Mr Lambert and give Tim Sherwood a go.
Our next game is Leicester in the cup and Sherwood is watching from the stands and after another dire first half he rushes to the dressing room at half time and we come out and play much better in the second half and manage to win the game.
Now like most of you I did not know what to expect but knew it could not be worse than Mr Lambert, so I was right behind Tim Sherwood.
And just 14 weeks later, we are safe with a game to spare and a cup final to come!
Now just 14 weeks ago if I offered you that line, guaranteed, you would have snatched my hand off.
So the way I look at it is, Tim Sherwood has come in to a club with no confidence and has had to work with the players already there and most of you would agree it was not the best squad we have ever had, so he used the one asset and tactic he really had which was Benteke and told everyone to get the ball to him as quickly as possible.
There have been ups and downs along the way and yes, yesterday’s 6 – 1 was a low but overall I am grateful for the job he has done.
Looking forward I think Tim Sherwood has earned the right to have a summer transfer window and some money to spend to rebuild the team he wants. I also think he will do an ok job at least and might just surprise a few people.
As for my ideas, I think we need a new goalkeeper, a new defence with Clark, Baker and Bacuna plus 3 or 4 new additions, another striker at least, if not 2, to help Benteke and Gabby (Wiemann and Nzog not good enough) and possibly another midfielder.
But as they say it’s a game of opinions.
I look forward to the bonus of a cup final, with hope renewed for the future of the Villa.
Why do you think Zoggy is not good enough. He occupies 2 opposing players every game (except yesterday), this allows Cleverley and Grealish the opportunity to create space and chances for Benteke. Thats the prime reason for the improvement in our attacking displays and subsequent return to goalscoring form! I agree that Weimann is not up to scratch but the previous regime mismanaged him by playing him wide! Completely agree with the defence…..only Bacuna, Clark and Baker shoukd be kept, maybe Hutton as back up. The goalkeeping situation is not too healthy at present. Why not show that we mean business by trying to get Peter Cech, doubtful I know, but dont ask, dont get!
Tim has been like a breathe of fresh air after the shambles before him. We have 2 or 3 excellent players in Benteke, Delph and Grealish, all of whom would be good enough for most PL teams. I have said many times before that its only Randy/new owners that can mess this up by underfunding for the 5th cinsecuetive year. This must not be allowed to happen. Sherwood wont tolerate 2nd best and will leave if a decent transfer kitty is not forthcoming IMO.
In short, the past 4 seasons have been diabolical. A new waive of optimism is evident throughout the club. I plead with Randy/new owner not to let this great club suffer any longer. Ambition and lrogress, coupled with entertaining football is a must moving forward! NO MORE FALSE DAWNS!
Good, thought prevoking argument!
I don’t think nzogbia scores enough and has to many games when he is anonymous also i think he has had enough chances to find his old form,, as for okore i am still unsure as he has some great games and some bad ones.
The only other thing i would add is the ownership of the club is still up in the air, Would we be better of with new owners? i mean what if we got a mike ashley type, i really hope we drop on a good owner who will invest in the club at a reasonable level with out putting us in a pile of debt, or even if Mr Lerner found his passion for the club again but no more spending on the overpaid players we had under mon. As sound investment in the team and a manager who gives us entertaining football with the chance of the odd cup or even top six or even better is all the majority of fans want. As unless they change the fair play rules and we spend big like the top 4 i think the champions league is to far even for us and similar clubs such as spurs, everton and even liverpool will struggle to get back in.
I disagree about the defence – I would persevere with Okore. We need to buy a good right back, left back and anothe centre half, in my opinion. If you’re going to play Bacuna, play him as a forward. Still not convinced by Clark or Baker, but wouldn’t get rid of them.
Sorry…I should have added Okore to the list of defenders to keep. Okore and Clark are the best CB pair IMO
Good article, and a good reply Langford, the fans are not stupid they know Sherwood saved our bacon and we are all looking towards next season with the hope that Lerner seen the light.Third Generation, I remember the downs of the club many was calling for Lambert’s head ,some as long as two years ago how ever he got away with our beloved club god knows, yes we have dead wood mainly in our defense, I’m sure now Westwood knows that and will put it right, happier days to come I’m sure.
Excellent piece TGV and good responses Langford / Bill. Langford I take your point about NZog but I have a feeling he will go in the summer and Feel that Weimann deserves a chance elsewhere as can’t see him getting much playing time with Kozac fit again. I would keep one of either Senderos or Vlaar as they do have a vast amount of experience to share with our younger CB’s.
Good call for Cech – Chelsea might be prepared to let him go to us but would Cech come? Agreed we still need a creative midfielder that elusive No 10;,interesting I read that Joe Cole is mentoring Grealish – good call IMHO.
Hope we sign Cleverley but if not we will probably need 2 midfielders and what about Gary Gardner?
Finally we definitely still have a problem at LB. TS seems to have faith in Richardson and it seems he’s been monitoring Joe Bennett who fits with TS preference for attacking FBs. Now I always felt there was a decent footballer in Bennett and wouldn’t mind seeing him being given a chance.
I don’t think we have any chance of getting Cech. Even under a new owner I think his wages would still be too high and a better team (Napoli, Roma, United, Inter, PSG) would get him before us. Navas at Madrid would be a good signing though, not sure we could get him either but he proved himself and he’s not going to get a chance there. Few others outside the Prem off the top of my head I can think of, Fabianski had a poor game today, but still wouldn’t mind him. Maybe Krul but that’s about it in the Prem.
Obviously Gil can play the No 10 role, as can Grealish. I’d say a winger’s more important, maybe 2. Allowing Grealish to be central, let him have a free-roaming position which works for him.
Do we need 2 midfielders without Cleverley? Gardner, Sanchez, Westwood and Delph. Maybe, he does like playing 3 at times so 2 might be needed including Cleverley. Luongo seems clearly the obvious one.
Richardson has proven he’s an overall poor footballer. Passing, crossing, just awful. He works hard and has grown as a better defender but he’s just not Premier League material anymore. a LB has to be a top position we need.
I’d also look to replace Vlaar. Okore hasn’t grown as a defender as much as he should have in my opinion and I just don’t think he’s got it yet. Looks lost, positionally meh and gets beat too easily. Maybe that’s because Clark’s missing as he only looks good next to him, but I’d rather a Clark-New CB duo.
GK, LB, CB, CM, 2 Wingers, 1 striker. A lot to ask obviously and I’d sell Hutton and get a new RB but don’t think that will happen.
Isn’t Hutton out of contract too? Him and Vlaar will both be allowed to move on.
Nah, just Vlaar, Bent, Herd and Stevens. We were stupid enough to give Hutton till 2017.
Just watching last nights MOTD finally. What a joke!!! Our defence needs whipping after that shambles. Shocking! I have no idea what the catalyst for that performance was!!! Vlaar, get yr coat now! Was that game Hutton’s revenge????
Second half was much better but what the hell was that all about????? Complete defensive rethink is needed for next season.
Still chuffed overall, but that was one weird performance, to put it lightly…We’re still capable of lifting the FA Cup so onwards and upwards! Phew!
Good summary TGV.
I pretty well agree with all of that TGV.
Up front, if Benteke stays I think Gabby is past it as a strike partner. I seem to be on my own in thinking Gabby could be converted to LB in much the same way United did with Young. Hopefully Kozak will resume where he left off as a promising attacker and we have Callum Robinson whom I rate 50/50 to make a premiership striker.
I have seen a few Brighton games this season and I’m afraid Bennett looks like that is his level, struggling near the championship trap-door. I have been impressed with the effort Richardson has put in and his recent performances at LB, he should get that slot at Wembley unless Sissoko is fit, but Richardson is only a stopgap. Hutton is an oddity, he looks OK when he is playing at right wing back and Villa are attacking. He doesn’t look much good defending against a decent left winger.
THE priority signing is a better keeper. Guzan and Given both have glaring weaknesses, though those faults are different. Begovic or Cech are on the move either would be an improvement.
Cech is clearly unrealistic. Any top team would take him. Begovic is probably not coming either, especially as better sides would go for him. Of course they’re both giant improvements though.
Yes nice summary.
As Saturday showed defense has to be the priority for next season. It needs a complete re-build.
I think we could achieve 6th place with our current mid-fielders and attack (so long as Benteke stays and they all keep fit) but the defense is lacking a leader. We need a John Terry type of character who will bully his colleagues a bit, lead by example and yes be a bit dirty when required.
However I trust that Tim will sort it out and I’ll bet he probably already has players in mind. I’ll be keeping a daily watch on the transfer news and I’ll bet there’ll be some surprises.
For the last few years I’ve looked forward to the close season and wished it could last a little longer but now I can’t wait for next season to start.
UTV
if we are being taken over i hope it happens sooner rather than later as randy wont sanction any decent buys until he know whether he is staying or selling . we need a good cb as top priority and then a good lb . if the finances will stretch that far i would also go for a new keeper as i don’t trust either of the two we have . i would try and get rid of bennett ,richardson , hutton , Weimann and N’Zogbia. hopefully cleverley will stay and gardner will get at least a place on the bench. i’m still hoping gil will be here as i thought he looked class every time we played him after that any new buys must be up to the standard that is required and not cheap ,free over the hill players looking for a last pay packet. i think young and hungry is the new saying . we could do with a few of them of the right quality ie not bennet type signings. remember when we signed bennet we where being linked with and also tried to buy Aaron Cresswell well we went for the cheaper option ie bennet . penny pinching seldom works at this level and there has been to much of that at this club over the last few years. as other fans have said we are safe and im praying this will be the last season us villa fans will have to put up with a relegation fight year after year. roll on the cup final and lets stuff the arse 🙂
I notice on the OS that Baker, Gardner and Robinson are playing for the U21s tonight. Does that mean that Robinson and Gardner can now be selected for the first team? I posed this question about a month ago and most replies suggested that they cant! Can someone clarify this for me as I guess that they may get a game against Burnley on Sunday!
Callum yes as he’s under 21, Gardner was never registered so he can’t.
Andrew….thanks for clarifying that for me!
Robert Green would be a good shout for Keeper.
Green? He is officially the worst keeper in the premiership, if you want to guarantee Villa for the drop next season sign him. If not, pray that he signs for Newcastle, Sunderland, Watford or Norwich.
Pantelimon isn’t far behind him as a bummer. We need to sign a keeper who is capable of keeping his team in the top 10. It is unlikely one who has just done that will become available, so we probably need to look abroad.
OLL or should that be LOL….it seems to me that you dont like goalkeepers full stop 🙂
I like good goalkeepers, I have been supporting Villa for long enough to remember when we had them. Sims, Rimmer, Spink, Schmiechel – even Bosnich until he tried to kick the ball.
What about my favourite keeper?….the one and only Colin Withers! 🙂 ……he was the best IMO….not so sure about Schmiechel….think he was way past his best when he joined us. But I’ll never forget the goal he scored at Goodison Park 🙂
Hasn’t Green been relegated four time so far???
Don’t rate Green, sorry!
Pantilimon gets my vote
Green or Pantilimon…..both good shouts or McGregor if/when Hull go down
Pantilimon is tall…that’s it! Why are we trying to recruit relegation form keepers?!
Agree that Green might be candidate but I wouldn’t mind seeing a younger keeper come in and, with Given as number 2 and mentor, we might have someone that will be around for quite a while.
Be really nice to see some of the younger players get a chance against Burnley as we finally have the luxury of being able to rest players.
We gotta be doing better than the likes of Green or Pantilimon. 2 of the worst keepers in the league. Nor should we look at McGregor. All 3 are worse than Guzan. Krul is the type of keeper if we go Premier League we should look at as he’s reportedly unhappy. But we can still do better foreign than Green and such.
Not sure Green and ‘Panto’ Pantilimon would be an improvement on what we have. I haven’t noticed too many outstanding goalkeepers in the league this season – probably because Villa didn’t have any shots for the first two thirds of the season. I think Cech might be a bit of a stretch too far.
I’d cream my pants if we got Cech! Krul or Vorm would be ok.
Dear lord, not Green – If we have the money, and plan to show some intent next season, I would love us to offload Given and go after Kasper Schmeichel. He’s impressed me this season and with new owners and the feel good feeling summer will bring Villa might just have enough to attract him to Villa Park.
Wouldn’t mind Schmeichel.
Chelsea losing 3-0. Seems anyone can gets their ass kicked unexpectedly…!!!
REF: Who was it kicked that ball at me? 4th official: I don’t know, he was wearing a mask!
After the Lone Ranger departed Courtois managed to punch one into his own net. I wonder if Chelsea can schedule their next off day in Birmingham at VP next season?
OLL – Best summary of the game I’ve read so far…made me laugh out loud!
[BBC report still says that the Phantom of the Opera was sent off for kicking the ball at Brunt??]
Looks like Sinclair is signing –
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/578188/Scott-Sinclair-Man-City-Aston-Villa
Just hope Cleverley follows suit.
Seems only if Sherwood wants him, (as we’re safe, that gives us the right to sign him because of his contract for the loan), but I don’t quite think Sherwood’s been all that impressed. Maybe I’m wrong, but the way he talks, he really doesn’t think highly of him.
For 2.5million a bargain if true in my opinion. Could be a very good squad player/cameo/cup games. For me it depends on what wages he is asking but this could potentially be a good deal
He’s yet to at all to impress (at least for me anyways) but Villa’s confirmed he’s been permanently signed.
Morning all ,you might want to know how our call back players did last night. Result villa won 1-0
http://mobile.avfc.co.uk/default.aspx?s=news-display&aid=4727264
For an alternative look at how Villa’s season compares with the rest of the premier league..
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/19/premier-league-clubs-ineptitude-index
Even with 6 months under Lambert we weren’t quite as bad some of those who finished above us!
Great read; made me laugh
Sunday V Burnley…..sold out, now thats loyalty! Just shows our potential that we can sell out a game that essentially means very little. Imagine what we could achieve next season with adequate investment.
We will NOT be relegated next season…..thats for you Tekkers 🙂
Burnley bringing 12,000 with them??
Claret and blue army, blimey whose who,…..
At least it won’t be us singing ‘Always look on the bright side of life…’
Lol !
Villa confirm the signing of Sinclair. Damn