So I called the result right, but it’s no consolation.
I actually think that performance was better than we’ve seen for a good while.
It has to be said though, that I never really got the feeling that Chelsea were playing in top gear and it looked like they could easily have stepped it up, should it be required.
That it wasn’t probably says a lot about the game really.
If we want to look at positives, we were the better side for much of the game and it was only poor finishing, combined with a very good game for Arrizabalaga, their goalie, that stopped us winning the game.
Errors by Mings didn’t help, but I’m glossing over them for fear of being labelled a hater (I am, but that’s by the by and I don’t want to keep moaning about him, is the point).
Poor goalkeeping by Martinez also didn’t help and it says everything that even he is playing nowhere near his best.
I think the overall thought that stuck with me through the whole game though, was the lack of quality all over the pitch. I can’t fault the effort, but we just look so, so poor, from Watkins’ total inability to score of late, to the stupid errors at the back which have haunted us for seemingly ages.
I think what this game boils down too, is the fact that we played reasonably well, but still lost all too easily against a very average Chelsea side. That really doesn’t bode well and is the sign of a team that has “relegation candidates” all over it.
Unfortunately I think today’s performance has probably given our owners a clouded view and I certainly don’t think Gerrard will be sacked in the morning.
There was plenty of “sacked in the morning” singing and have seen some say Villa fans were singing it too, but it didn’t strike me that it was anything like a majority of the home support. We know Chelsea fans have a massive dislike of “slippy”, so it was most likely them making most of the noise. Perhaps someone who was at the game can confirm that?
Given that I think there was a general lack of quality showing today, does that mean I blame the players as much as the manager?
Well, it’s been an oft asked question lately and I think it’s a bit of both.
The players are poor either because of a lack of belief in what they’re being asked to do or just a plain dislike of the manager, coupled with a lack of confidence after being so bad for so long.
It doesn’t matter really, because if we play the best we have for a while and still lose, you’re not on a good path. This game wasn’t enough to save Gerrard’s job and I don’t even think he can do anything to stop his dismissal.
It’s just a matter of time.
While all eyes are turned towards Gerrard, Michael Beale has been quietly taking QPR to the top of the Championship and is now being linked with the Wolves job.
What an irony if he gets it and helps to relegate Villa!
Fulham just need to play same way as Forest and Bournemouth to suffocate our attacking threat. I think SG will bring Couthinho back tonight for Ings. It’s unbelievable to think that no matter how poor he has been this season that he still gets chances instead of the likes of Archer. Will Gerrards job be on the line if we lose tonight? The mutterings coming out of VP suggest that they are oblivious to any fan unrest. I have a gut feeling that we will draw possibly 1-1 or a typical borefest 0-0. I’m sure the hierarchy will be delighted with that.
Beale has turned down Wolves, I think that’s the third or fourth manager that has rejected them. Similar problems as at Villa?
You know you are old when:
I could fill up a long and boring list, but keeping it relevant:-
“You remember watching the player whose name is on the stand: Johnny Haynes.”
I will be revisiting where it all began for me. My first league ground was Craven Cottage in 1958. The father of my pal supported Fulham and invited me to watch them playing Villa and again in following years. We generally lost. Johnny Haynes stood out as one of those players who was so confident of his control he could look around for options when someone passed to him, instead of watching the ball on to his foot. Whereas today players are paid £1000s per kick – Johnny Haynes was the first player in Britain to be paid £100 per week.
Fulham seemed an odd club to hit that milestone since they were not one of the first division permanents. There always seemed to be 5 London clubs in the top division, frequent changes but always balancing. Arsenal & Spurs constants, Chelsea and West Ham half the time, and the 5th place shuttling between Fulham & QPR in the West, Palace and Charlton in the South. We are overdue a win in London – so here’s hoping!
Sorry OLL, i know you’ll hate me for this but any result that extends Gerrard’s stay is bad news to me. On any other day of course I’d want us to be brilliant. I never felt this way about Dean Smith though.
Just got back from the game. Worst performance of the season. No plan when we had 11 on the field, a shambles with 10.
THE ENTIRE AWAY section belted out “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” After this – he must be.