I could have written this yesterday after watching the game, but to be honest, I just couldn’t be bothered.
I also found it hard to think what to think, so thought a bit of time re-assessing what I saw might help.
But my opinion hasn’t changed much and I think if anything, it’s been reinforced.
You are not going to have a hope in hell of winning a game if you don’t actually try; is probably the short answer.
Now I’ve previously said I like Garde for his demeanour and the way he talks.
But I’ve also said that I think he’s too cautious in the way he approaches the game.
And I saw nothing to change that opinion yesterday.
I just don’t understand what we were trying to do overall, apart from try and stifle Stoke.
Indeed Garde said as much, in that the aim was to defend well.
Hmm, that went well, didn’t it, considering the nature of Stoke’s second goal?
It was a case of yet more keystone kop defending and I believe trying to cure this problem is beyond us this season, so we might as well try a different approach, as trying the same old thing just isn’t working.
Having said that, I do appreciate we don’t have options up front and it’s difficult.
But why, when we did get the ball up their end, was there never anyone trying to get into the box?
We were supposed to be playing a 3 or a 2-1 weren’t we?
So why was Gabby so isolated?
Is it because our attacking mids (we certainly can’t call them strikers) just couldn’t be bothered or because they were actually told not to get too involved?
I don’t know, but it certainly seemed to be a case of the latter.
I find it hard to believe that if presented with a possible opportunity, a player isn’t going to try and get involved and it just left me confused.
I actually thought we played quite reasonably in the first half and Stoke’s biggest threat was actually Okore, who seemed to be doing his best to score, albeit in the wrong net. It was a strange performance from him, to say the least.
But while I thought we did okay, there was always the nagging feeling that if we conceded, it would be game over, as we offered so little attacking threat.
And so it came, with Westwood conceding a penalty.
I’ll say straight away that I don’t think his tackle caused us to lose the game, but wow, how he gets a start is just beyond me. While his stats are actually very good, in reality I think he’s one of the most average, ineffective players I’ve ever seen don a Villa shirt.
But what do I know? He’s managed to keep winging it under how many Villa managers?
And it’s not that he was the worst yesterday to be honest.
The whole midfield was just non-existent and again it’s something I have to doubt Garde about.
The fact that even when it’s obvious our plan isn’t working, we don’t change it up, worries me.
Ok, Garde makes subs and certainly Sinclair was a decent call, but we don’t change things while the game is in play.
Which all leaves me doubting Garde’s tactical astuteness.
Anyway, they scored from the penalty and I knew then it was all over.
The ridiculous second goal confirmed it and I was just left with the thought of “where is a goal coming from?”
But we did manage to actually get one and the over-riding feeling was that Bacuna didn’t even mean it.
I know. That’s a shocking thing to say, but it just seemed as though Bacuna hit it with no conviction whatsoever.
If he’s a committed player, I have to wonder what the rest of the squad are like.
Perhaps I’m being unfair in saying that, but I can only say what I saw.
All that said, our performance was better than against Liverpool, which isn’t saying much.
And Stoke hardly had to put themselves out.
But there were some small positives.
I don’t think anyone can say Lescott didn’t look committed, at least in that specific game, as much as Merc-gate might make many think different. He was bitching and moaning exactly like we expect a captain to do and he made some very good blocks/clearances (I’m glossing over the second goal).
That might not be a popular opinion, but he did. Fact.
Okore, while being poor at times, was actually quite good at others, although again, some of his stops are the result of last minute tackles after being caught out.
Hutton tried. Ok, he was pretty rubbish, but I couldn’t fault his effort (I’m looking for positives in a team of non-triers remember?).
Sinclair looked a threat.
But overall, the whole team was pretty rubbish and there’s no getting away from it.
I worry about the Everton game, as they’re a better side who I think will take more advantage, but that’s something for later.
Not that it really matters anyway.
Not much to say really, is there?
Roll on Everton (not).
2 big drubbings coming up as for GARDE I believe he’s totally given up & puts out a team that’s fit to play the 90 mins out, the blokes demeanor tells you he’s in an unhappy place & can’t wait to see the back end of VILLA.the sooner this horror show of a season is over the better
It’s hard to disagree with that Giddy.
I find some of the things Garde has said very strange.
It’s almost like he’s openly saying to the hierarchy “if you don’t give me the money for a major clearout, there’s no way I’m stopping beyond this season. Please yourselves”.
And I absolutely don’t blame him, because there’s no way I could remain in a job and try to work without what I thought were the required tools.
You can make do and improvise. but if you haven’t even got a toolbox, you’ve no chance and there’s little point in even trying.
BADGER I stand by that he was lied to regarding financial support for New players in January when he took the job on MATE.I think once we’re mathematically down he’ll walk.
I think he’ll see the season out Giddy.
It might have even been the plan all along, where we give him a payoff and get someone more inline with the championship (much cheaper) in.
I mean, we can’t be paying a Prem manager’s wages when we’re only in the championship, can we?
I’m sure that’s what the thinking is nowadays.
Absolutely zero ambition.
I forgot to say one of the best shots in the game was from Bardsley, who I thought was a very poor player in the Villa side at the time.
Just goes to show how poor we are now, doesn’t it?
Hutton made bardsley look world class yesterday
Why is remi still here ,does he have to go to may to get pay off,surely if he was lied to about transfer money he could do a Mon constructive dismissal case
JV you clearly have a disliking to Hutton. Every time he plays you blame him for something. No player is going to play a game and be perfect in that game. Aguero mis-controlled a pass today does that make him shit? Coutinho missed a penalty, does that make him shit? Lallana also missed a penalty, does that make him shit? I have to name other teams players cause ours are shit!!
Hutton may not be best player at the club but if you can name me 1 who shows as much determination, commitment and energy as Hutton then I’d love to see him.
As for him being at fault for 17 goals this season as you so often love to write I’d love to know how you’ve worked that out because it sounds to me that you’re talking out of your Garry Glitter.
Oh and before you assume I love Hutton, I don’t rate him at all but the effort he puts in is a dam site more than any other player at the club.
I think Garde’s comments makes sense because either:
1) He will walk away with little blame due to Lerner and Fox
2) He will demand that if he stays the squad is cleared out and he is strongly backed to build a whole new team.
For the future of the club I hope number 2 happens but I dont think it will.
IMO the following will happen:
Remi will walk away the week after we’re relegated. Eric Black will be caretaker til the summer when the club will appoint a cheap championship manager. This will mean the tosser players have won again and the losers who drag us down like Gabby, Westwood, Richards, etc will stay on again. If that happens I think we’ll finish in the bottom 6 of the championship
The sad reality is that Garde will just pick teams to not get thrashed from now on. I doubt he is even gonna bring in any of the youngsters, just trying to protect his reputation and limit damage to the club.
Who in their right mind is going to buy tickets for VP for the last 5 or 6 games??
Badger I feel for you having to write to keep the site going, I’m glad you do but what can you say week after week? Shit today, shit tomorrow and possibly shit the day after?
Fair play to mate, I don’t know how you do it.
It isn’t easy BWS and it’s not a very pleasant experience either. trying to analyse quite why we’re so poor.
But it’s the same for all of us fans, I’m sure.
It’s absolutely clear from what Garde says that he was lied to when he took the job and those self important idiots on the board reneged on whatever he was promised for the January transfer window.
From what I see Garde is more intelligent and has more savvy than the whole board put together and is subtly paying them back for their lack of integrity. He is demonstrating for all to see what a mess Villa is in and not trying to hide one part of the problem. It may be hard for us as fans to take but we need that sort of honesty if we’re ever going to get out of this.
I hope he stays but I suspect the board will try and bring in a yes man who will tow the bulls**t line the board want to peddle.
hitchens60 nice post …..
totally agree with your assessments on the villa crash. remi was sold out, but unlike past managers that stood firm behind the messed up regime. hes starting to stand out and speak against it and the players. home truths of which hes not responsible for.
I’m in agreements with you Nath, had Remi been given the chance two managers ago things might not be so obvious to us fans, top management is incompetent of running a top club. Remi was lied to that so apparent now, and we will have to suffer the fact we’re down and out. Hitch good post mate, think most on here will agree on that.
Thanks Bill, Nath much appreciated
Stubbs
Someone put up stats on Hutton few weeks ago every goal conceded from him been crap so he runs about a bit always in wrong position
Some of 17 goals to think on
Stoke second goal cross came from stoke wide left look at attempt of tackle he made
Arsenal penalty
Watford own goal
Think 2 nd goal he made airshot
Leicester winner under Sherwood Dyer all 5 f 2 I beat him in the air
Norwich goal gave ball away outside box
Can t remember what site it was showed every goal
How many times when he plays cameras show villa defence and he nowhere to be seen its no coincidence our clean sheets have all been achieved when he injured
Everton will stuff us but that doesn’t matter. Loss after loss after loss and not a word from the f***ers who are supposed to be running this club.
Most organisations talk about transparency and satisfying customers but this lot are a little closed off clique who say nothing to nobody. They should be ashamed of themselves. If only their next meeting was in a rowboat in the middle of the Atlantic I’d happily pull the plug on the lot of them.
There is no hope while they are in charge.
A compliment:
http://m.stokesentinel.co.uk/Simon-Lowe-Hats-long-suffering-Villa-fans-super/story-28827951-detail/story.html
Yes, you have to take your hat off to those Villa fans that travel to away matches. The torture they are put through watching home and away matches.
Best fans in the world shame the club can’t match it.
I know the board are useless and I despise all of them and I do have some sympathy for Garde but in my opinion he is rubbish. Never tries to think outside the box, just picks the same shite players, same boring formations/tactics, poor substitutions, no motivation whatsoever, and gives the same excuses week in week out. We’ve seen how youth can come in and be a breath of fresh air, just look at United this week.
You know what Adam, your bloody right, all this bullshit about knocking youngsters back is nonsensical, i bet evryone of them would run and run to get noticed, why do we get seconed rate people that are yes men then cry wolf? god knows.
I was at Stoke on Saturday and I’d love to pretend I can only post now because it’s taken me two days to calm down, but the truth is I couldn’t give a shit. Why should I care when they don’t? It was like watching Stoke in a preseason friendly. They were piss poor and we still never looked like putting them in any trouble. Once again the goals we conceded were laughable and even when we got one back there was no urgency or belief that we could get anything out of the game. Garde can stay or go for me, it won’t make a blind bit of difference, I’ve seen nothing this season that suggests we’ll compete next year, and can see us dropping again. I’d pack the team with kids now and tell them they’re on a 20 grand per point bonus, we’d see some effort then. And I’d happily go and watch, especially if there’s a few brummies in the team.
Tell them they’re on 20 grand a point bonus – why so the board can renege on another deal – they’d be lucky to get 20 pence a point.