So I’m home now and just as I said I would, I thought I’d offer my thoughts on the performance yesterday after having had a bit of a cooling off period.
And there’s not much of a change to report, I’m afraid.
In fact my attitude to that performance is probably worse, now that the numbness has worn off a tiny bit.
First off, I’ll mention that I think Garde got this one wrong, in showing Liverpool way too much respect.
Yes, we started quite brightly, but at the same time, I thought we were playing too deep, which left the midfield stretched and Gabby, totally isolated, which meant he was behind the halfway line ridiculously early on.
You can argue that we had to be careful in not getting countered and I understand that, but you have to attack Liverpool, if you’ve to have any hope of beating them.
Anyway, my point is that after just a few minutes, I actually said to the missus that I didn’t like the way things were going.
And Garde should have seen it.
Of course, it’s fair to ask what he could have done, but my opinion says you don’t let an attack like Liverpool’s walk around in our final third and you have to give them something to worry about.
As I’ve said before, I have serious doubts about Garde, because he’s too pragmatic and cautious.
But that’s by the by, although I’d love to hear thoughts about that point.
And so the first goal came and I just couldn’t believe how poor the defending was.
And then it was the total capitulation that shocked me.
And each goal just seemed to be worse, defending-wise, with I think the fourth, where the Pool player didn’t even have to jump to nod in, frankly nearly making me feel sick.
There were a few Arsenal fans in the bar and I had a half eye on their reactions, throughout the game.
I think they were shocked at how poor we were too, but they never said much, as there was nothing to be said.
It was that embarrassing and we were all open-mouthed.
How the hell can any Aston Villa side let the opposition walk around our pitch like they own it as an extension of Melwood?
The thought of it is a bloody disgrace and that’s the part that boils my piss.
But we all know where the problem lies and it’s perhaps unfair to blame the team.
The proverbial rolls down, as we all know.
I don’t know why I’m ranting to be honest, as we all know we’re doomed.
But it’s the dream that keeps us alive.
And that totally disappeared down the plug-hole yesterday, didn’t it?
Until Stoke, I suppose.
There’s always the next game, after all.
It’s hard to look forward after that performance though.
