Well, well, what on earth has happened since the Reading game?
It’s no exaggeration to say we looked a totally different side to what we’ve seen up to now, this season.
I’m totally flummoxed as to what the answer to that is, but it doesn’t matter, as that’s the first time since I can remember, where I actually enjoyed watching a game.
If I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn we were just giving the rest of the league a head-start, just to make a fair competition of it, as we proceed to smash all of them asunder and romp the league by 20 points.
Seriously though, let’s get this straight.
All of the things we’ve been moaning about just disappeared.
We passed crisply and the ball found the right man.
We played with pace and urgency.
We pressed and harried and didn’t look like we were playing a practice match.
We looked to go forward, quickly.
We created a boat-load of chances.
And most importantly, we scored a good few goals.
In short, we played in the sort of manner that our squad on paper has long made us think we should play.
So, has it all just suddenly clicked?
I suspect not, personally and the one thing that co-incides with this pretty emphatic victory is that Gabby was nowhere near it.
Surely Bruce has seen it for himself now and Mr Aston Villa will not get another look in as long as we have a 13 year old kid who can play before him?
Maybe I’m being unfair on Gabby there, but I just feel his time is over and he adds little to our game.
Whereas young Kienan-Davies was a revelation.
He drove this game and was everywhere, always looking for the slightest chance; making himself available and working his socks off. It’s a shame he never got on the score-sheet, but he can go out on the lash tonight knowing he earned his wages and more this week. And more power to him, if that’s his bag.
Green too, was excellent and was involved in left wing play that Norwich just couldn’t live with. An extra couple of drinks for you too, kid, no worries.
Of course, it wasn’t perfect and our defending was ropey for both of Norwich’s goals. Terry nearly gave a goal away too, with a sloppy back-pass.
But with me being the fickle sort, I can overlook these things as long as we win.
And even then, if we play higher up, that increases the risk of conceding.
Now I love a good theory and my latest is, I wonder if the squad are seeing the likes of Davies performing well in training, but not getting a look in and their discontent shows in the football?
Hence the best performers have been picked today and everyone’s happy, where it manifests itself in that sort of performance?
I don’t know. It’s a bit of a daft theory, but about the only explanation I have.
Whatever, something’s changed, if only it’s a case of Steve Bruce having a lightbulb turned on in his head saying that we cannot keep sitting back. That or he’s under instruction from above to change the play.
At this moment, I don’t particularly care.
We scored more than we have for ages and we won without Jedinak.
What’s not to like?
If we keep playing like that, we will steamroll most teams in this league, in my opinion.
We’re the Villa though.
And it’s a big IF.
