A sort of mid-season analysis with a look at the next fifteen games and the January transfer window
Thursday, 04 December 08, 04:11 AM · Comments (64)
So, we're in December, we've played fifteen games and we're sitting in fifth place, a point behind Arsenal, three behind Manchester United and we've qualified for the knock out stages of the UEFA Cup.
I wrote a while ago I wasn't going to react like this again, but back in July, if this was offered up as an option, none of us would have turned it down. At the same time none of us would have believed Liverpool would be top of the table though and while we all know that won't last, there is a belief that we can kick on.
Us kicking on and staying on target for the five year plan that never was, is to actually stay exactly where we are. We finished sixth last season and this is the managers third season. Most would have been happy with another sixth this season, I even predicted it, but fifth would be excellent work and there is every chance it could be even better.
If he can keep us exactly where we are and we finish the season here, maybe with something to feel good about in one of the two competitions we are still in, then while I'll still have a moan about lack of activity in January that cost us a Chumpians League place, I'll also be ecstatic and I think all of us would be.
Even though we'd all like our progression to be a bit quicker, we're exactly where we should be considering the past 20 odd years. Success doesn't happen overnight, even though is should and if we do finish fifth, our belief for next season is going to be stronger and I think our owner will do his best to match those expectations.
But what is needed for us to remain in fifth place, or even challenge for fourth? Apart from a bit of luck, mostly that Arsenal continue with their inconsistency, we also need a little stability and our own level of consistency.
I've had time to think about this next part and while I might get a bit of stick for it, I'm going to stand by it. What we need in January is a new John Carew that doesn't get injured so much.
If that sounds strange it should. My point is, we need a fit John Carew who can play every game. In his 55 appearances he has scored 21 goals for us (according to Wikipedia) but I'll confidently say that if he hadn't missed all those games last season (five or six weeks I think), then he would have scored 20 goals last season with the added games and consistency you get with those games.
But it's impossible to predict a player is going to stay injury free for his career, let alone a season and you've got to hope that things work out for you. So while I'm a massive fan of Carew, I think top of the list for January is going to be a striker or two and I think we'll see some early movement.
January has four league games and it's not just about getting a new striker in for those games but a case of getting a striker in so he can fit in as quickly as possible and not at the end of the window when it might take him all of the next month to start gelling with his team mates.
But to the point of this post, a mid-season review. Yes, we can all be disappointed with the results against Stoke, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and more recently Fulham but if that is all we've got to be disappointed with, then I'll take it.
Those results, for me anyway and it is one theory, were more a case of where our players were in their heads and changing that takes a little more time, but you can clearly see Martin O'Neill having an impact in that area.
Fifteen games in and we're happy. If we're this happy after another fifteen games, towards the end of March, they'll be real belief that something can be achieved this season.
At around that time we'll be beating Liverpool and stealing fourth place from them, so it's something else to feel happy about, but that's just a little poke at the scousers, because they're the only ones that can't see this is just a flash in the pan for them.
So, I'll do this again in March but until then, if, which really should read as when, I have a little moan about a players performance or the formation or the manager, please bear in mind that it's done through frustration and a deep passion to see Aston Villa do well, nothing else.
And, as for tonight, my money is on Gardner to score and I've given them a two goal lead. I just hope Gardner now plays, but I expect him to, unless he has picked up an injury or something which I've not read about.
Up the Villa!
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64 Comments · Add yours
I was devastated with the Newcastle defeat and honestly embarrassed. However, the Fulham game while disappointing I can get over it. Would anyone have ever thought they'd see Villa keep 3 clean sheets in a row? I would have only bet against it... I'm happy with where we are, but it's not to take it for granted. We get a couple crappy results again and we are looking at mid table. The prem is as tight in points as ever.
January, we could use a Fullback, Winger, Attacking/Creative Mid, Striker. Do I expect all of them? That is a rhetorical question with it being Jan. What I do expect is 2 maybe 3 signings at the most. I do believe we will see ourselves sign a Striker, that is for sure, but some sort of midfield attacking player whether it is in the middle or on the wing is a possibility, but more so I think a young promising fullback would be great. Personally I think it's a good time to see if we can knick Onouha from Man City and why not even Elano? Striker is a whole pickle in itself.
Good article, I completely agree, we have really missed Carew, and O'Neil is doing a brilliant job, equally matched by Randy Lerner.
I am thinking Huntelaar would be a fantastic signing, and would really provide that extra bit of quality we need to really start finishing off some of the lovely football we create.
Oh, little bit of news, Keane has quit sunderland! and apparentley O'Neil has or is on the verge of making a bid for Heskey!
any guesses on who might take on the job of managing Sunderland?? some odd choices; keegan?? David O'Leary?? I honestly have no idea who would!
Huntelaar has gone to real i beleive it was on skysports, apprantley we are going to bid 3mill for heskey in jan and Oneill has said he is looking to recruit.
I couldn't sleep last night cuz of man flu. so i thought about the three clean sheets. If we have a tough away game that we need to defend well we can soon play
cuellar - davies - laursen - bouma.
that for me is a top four back line. I bet the arse would love that defence.
Then I started thinking about other players that are top 4 quality and came up with the below although some may disagree
friedel and guzan
young petrov and barry
carew and soon gabby.
So by my reckoning we need a top4 quality striker and creative midfielder and we will be alst there. The question is who do you sign
we also need consistancy, we need to make Villa park a fortress!
just look at Chelsea, or Manchester United. Up until this season Stamford Bridge was a fortress!
Sam allardyce?
Reply to Villa_1_2_3:
To be our new forward??
haha, well it looks like heskey is looking increasingly likely, but i think we really should do that 30 million man, maybe david villa
No surprise Keane has resigned, ruling Iran and managing Sunderland at the same time can't be easy !
Not a cat in hells chance will we get David Villa, maybe in 3 seasons when we're fighting for the premier league title!
Reply to HectorFullone:
Ha ha you're right!!His beared looks daft
beard*
We could maybe go for Cisse, Richardson or Kenwyn Jones in January now. I bet Craig Gordon's regretting his decision now.
Think you could be onto a winner with gardener. Anyone know the odds for the fonz to get 1st goal?
Sky bet are offering 50/1 for Marlon to get a hat trick!!
Might be worth a couple of quid as he must have something to prove, if not to MON then to any prospective clubs in January!!
Zidave, don't expect more than 2 signings in Jan and one or both strikers, depending how impressed MON is with Delfounso, with Routledge and Harewood leaving.
Fullback not a priority at all and MON just spent a lot on Milner (how much was it Damian?)so he will give him time to settle.
Kenwyne Jones a good shout Odyssey, big quick and scores goals.
Timmy_Ra think you have just picked my bet for me
If he plays from the start and gets a fully 90mins then why not?? Im hoping for a big win tonight and a good atmosphere to keep me warm!!!
i think we need to get rid of routledge and harewood both arent up to the top 4 standard, we need someone who will provide real quality up front, and truly create some competition for places up top!
Dean ASHTON (24yrs) might be a good signing. The only reason he gets injured so often IMO is that he doesn't train properly and eats too many pies. MON would sort this and his general attitude. There is no doubting he has the talent to be a top big centre forward.
I don't think ASHTON would cost too much as WHU will be desperate to sell as their Icelandic backers are in the cack. He fits the profile for AV and MON's ideology. His injury prone status is a concern,but hopefully he'll be able to rotate with JC.
The only part of your excellent post I disagreed with is the presumed lack of January transfer activity. There will be signings, no doubt about it. If he signs 2-4 players and one of them is a striker, I think most of us will be happy. I am not sure there is any way we could get Sunderland to sell Kenwyne Jones, but who knows depending on the new manager.
Keano, the thug, is out at Sunderland! Couldn't happen to a nicer man, I love it!
Why do so many people think Villa will get rid of so many players? It has taken us this long to get a decent squad number, we don't need money , Yeah 1 maybe to may leave , but not 3 or 4. Squad size as been a negative at villa for years now MON has admited and started to correct this , you think he will sign 2 players and get rid of 4? Doubt it.
Reply to Stennett:
Where has anyone said they think we will sell 4 players and only sign 2?
I'm not happy with Heskey at all. He doesn't score goals and he's been tainted by the bluenobs.
A bit harsh Keef, but I would prefer SANTA CRUZ or ASHTON if he's fit in Jan.
i agree with keef carew cud probs scor more goals wen injured than him but he dus hold the ball up brilliantly but i wonder if we could buy someone wiv the ball control and the finishing carew
anyone hav any suggestions?
Reply to keefvilla:
I think Heskey would be good cover for Carew seeing as he is always injured. He might not be 20+ goals a year player but his experience and work ethic are just what O'Neil likes (and he's English) so I think a deal for £3 or £4mil would be perfect. I also think we will see a "shock" striker signing, possibly someone that we haven't been linked with yet (although we did seem to get linked with everyman and his dog last summer).
However, if there are to be two striker signings I'll put money on Heskey and Larsson on loan to get us into the top 4 and then we will be able to attract that big name/big money striker in the summer.
Not happy with Heskey either. Way too overated, slow and just doesn't score.
if u hav ever hurd of real madrids gonzalo higuin
hes 20 and has scored 2 in 1 4 argentina and is a yung lad
and it says hes a second striker according 2 wikipedia woteva that means i think he sits just behind the centre forward
hes also proved he can score becoz he bagged 4 goals in a game 4 madrid
Reply to littlevillan:
He plays for Madrid why would he want to come to take a pay cut to come to Villa in January and be cup-tied?
Reply to Timmy_Ra:
Me speak good English!
Sorry to ask under this topic but does anyone know if the game is on telly tonight.
7:45 Channel 5
Ta
Reply to Timmy_Ra:
lol. . . . . . . . .
i see ur point timmy ra but i like 2 b hopeful so if u cud let me dream about it id b grateful
Reply to George_Templeton:
Going on his past record i can't see more then 2 players coming in. I really hope im wrong but im not getting my hopes up. We need at least 4 for a proper push for 4th (2 strikers, Right winger and a playmaker). We could also do with a FB who can cover both positions if needed.
Reply to littlevillan:
Nice reply my young Jedi...No go and get your homework done..!
damian you forgot QPR as a disapointment
Reply to __AA__:
i av stop worrying
Reply to __AA__:
oh and cheers
Reply to littlevillan:
Dream on little buddy!!
Build it and they will come.......
Reply to Timmy_Ra:
what odds are there for him picking up the ball on the edge of the area - running down the channel - losing control - the ball going out of play
Reply to Timmy_Ra:
i will do dont u worry
and build wot anyway
the team?
Reply to the dirty economist:
Evens!
Reply to littlevillan:
Probably before your time but its a line from a 1989 film starring Kevin Costner titled "Field of Dreams"
LINK
What odds are there for him picking up the ball on the edge of the area - running down the channel - losing control - the ball going out of play?
With his hands? - quite high.
Right, I'm off down the pub to watch the game!! UTV
haha why so bitter towards liverpool?
put it this way, we've got more chance of winning the title than you shower have of coming 4th.
you can't even beat fulham at home!!! oh wait there...
(I hope you get snotted tonight in your mickey mouse cup, you shits.)
stewy Wrote: | 17.15GMT | Dec 4, 2008
haha why so bitter towards liverpool?
Because of people like you!!
Reply to Ipbopmalik:
na pal, I've got fuck all to do with it, you lot are so bitter its untrue.
this article is about aston villa and your season, and the writer sees fit to get a dig in about liverpool, seriously why so bitter?
you think any other fans have a dig at us other than chelsea united and everton? you've shown yourselves to be quite bitter and laughable, you seem to have a massive chip on your shoulder?
I used to like villa as a club and know a few sound villa fans, gotta say tho that my view has definately changed, bitter and small time. Like your uppity manager.
At the same time none of us would have believed Liverpool would be top of the table though and while we all know that won't last, there is a belief that we can kick on.
Are you referring to this bit? What's wrong with that assessment. It's not vehement or personal, it's an objective opinion, and one which I totally agree with. Why are you so keen to worry about what we're saying anyway? It's ok to come out and admit you'd rather follow the mighty Villa!
but why? there has never been any rivalry between the clubs, there hasn't ever been any bad feeling, and now people are bringing the hate.
despite my initial post i'm actually not here for an argument, i just genuinely cannot understand where this all comes from.
I can only assume that you've been brainwashed into believing that we "tapped up" barry in the summer like big bad evil baddies.
get a grip.
Reply to Ipbopmalik:
haha i must admit i do drop into here everynow and then to have a sniff, but that but you have highlighted is just an unnecessary dig at liverpool, and thats why i've posted on here, to defend us.
have a look at the bookmakers odds for liverpool winning the league and compare them to the odds for you lot to finish 4th, tell me whats more likely.
I stand corrected, you can get 11/4 for villa to finish in the top 4! and best price liverpool for the league is 4-1.
pretty shit bet that for you lot.
Reply to stewy:
Brainwashed oh that's hysterical. Everyone knows what your club, did it was all over the papers. Your manager said "Their captain wants to leave, they have a problem." If that's not tapping up then there is no such thing!
How about you get a clue, yours is the club that welcomed Hicks and Gillette with open arms and bought every promise of theirs hook, line and sinker. Now you have a boardroom full of clowns and you all look like bunch of gullible prats! Whose fans need to get a grip?
Reply to stewy:
Liverpool FC
You ain't got no history
We founded the league before you were born
Your the bastard son of Everton FC
We're the original club with honor you see
Your bunch of crooks filled with Hypocrisy
That's we call fucking history!
Stewy,
I think you are a closet Villa fan. I think you get a warm squidgy feeling inside when you see the boys in claret and blue. Furthermore, I think you're jealous because you've got MAX and we've got PADDY steering the helm.
Stewy - Liverpool have never won the Premier League, you have not improved over the last 3 seasons. You still a one man team. You not played well all season and are lucky to be top 4 never mind top!
4-1 to win the league is a crap bet, your odds should be 20-1 at least.
Stewy
Its just a hunch but maybe the dislike is something to do with that cheatin scum bag Steve Gerard? Lets face it, you are the new Scum - winning games you didn't deserve to
see you all in may you gang of clowns!!
and HAHAHAA liverpool have no history?? try the most decorated club of ALL TIME in English football. Gobshites.
COME ON YOU MSK ZILINA!!!
Reply to stewy:
no shit Sherlock, you scousers aren't half thick - you're probably from kent any way.
Winning a few pots doesn't stop you being a bunch of tools, a once great club gone bad - you bunch of glory hunting tools - you're worse than Man U now
Well done damien for giving them a two goal head start cause thats exactly what we did!why couldnt you have given us a three goal head start then maybe we would have won!