I’m pretty sure Eric Black’s quotes have been taken somewhat out of context, but even so they’re worrying;
“It’s not an easy situation in terms of motivating players because this could very easily implode,” said the caretaker boss.
It could very easily turn into anarchy. Easily, it could easily happen. I’m going to try and ensure that is not the case”.
I can only put certain parameters down to ensure that doesn’t happen. We’ll see what happens thereafter.
If they’re all relegated and decide they don’t want to play, I’ve only got certain things I can do.”
Now, I find this confusing.
Surely we’re already relegated and only a fool would suggest otherwise?
So assuming Black is only doing the usual PR type stuff, where he’s saying we’re going to do everything to stay up, regardless of how bad things look (and he has been), why has he even considered answering this sort of question?
I can only assume he’s trying to give us some sort of clue as to what’s going on. But it’s nothing the fans don’t already know.
Gabby going on a re-conditioning stint, where he won’t be available until a month before the end of the season, is only a disguised way of saying “he’ll never play for us again”, for example, in my opinion.
So why the club just don’t come straight out and say that, is beyond me. It would appease many fans, especially if he was only the first in a pretty long list.
Whatever, I think most of us know it’s pretty much true and we’ve seen the last of him.
Could this be Lerner giving his golden boy a last chance?
I suspect so.
And to compound it all, Black was talking yesterday about how well the players had trained.
Was that being realistic, sarcastic, or another hint at how things are better without Gabby?
I’m going to guess at the latter.
And then, we have a game tomorrow, against Man Utd.
Before this season, I didn’t think I could ever see a situation where I wouldn’t want to see this fixture.
And I’m not alone, as it’s traditionally a sell-out, even if the attendance is bolstered by pretend Mancs.
But it’ll be interesting to see if this one sells out.
There’s been plenty of talk suggesting that Rooney will probably start for this one.
And I can only concur with any thought that if he needs a nice easy game to come back into, it has to be against us.
You probably know where this is going.
Villa 0-3 Man Utd is my prediction, but it could easily be a serious thrashing.
Not because Utd are a good side, but because we might be relegated before we kick off.
And the wimps we have playing for us will have given up totally.
I’m at work again while the game is on, but will be able to see it if I really want.
I’m not convinced I’ll bother.
