The Doc's Diagnosis: God bless Euro 2008
Saturday, 14 June 08, 02:54 AM · Comments (46)
I'm enjoying the European Championships for three reasons.
1. England aren't there - so I don't have to tear my teeth out worrying;
2. The Germans, French and Italians are being made to sweat like dogs;
3. All the players that the "Big 4", plus Manchester City and Spurs, are greedily eyeing, are getting more expensive by the minute.
Now bear with me - there's a point to this. And it came to me on the appointment of Luis Felipe Scolari as the new Chelsea boss.
Scolari - just like Benitez and Wenger - wants to bring in the best talent from around the world. Particularly, I imagine, from Brazil and Portugal. I see fun times ahead in his dealings with Jose Mourinho at Inter.
But what's happening is that these "global" coaches are more than prepared to shift off their British cast-offs along the way. Look at Chelsea: you pay for Paulo Ferreira and you send Glen Johnson off to Portsmouth. Well, I ask you, who would you rather have as your right back? With some brilliant coaching and management from 'Arry and Tony Adams, Johnson has emerged in my view as England's best right back. I'd pick him ahead of both Neville and Richards.
This offers rich pickings, I think, for Martin O'Neill and his coaching team. Wenger, Benitez, and Scolari are going to spend big on a challenge to Manchester United, and they are going to spend their squillions (with the exception of Gareth Barry) on foreign talent known to them from France, Africa, Spain, Portugal and Brazil.
The opportunities for young, British players in their squads will become more and more restricted.
We know O'Neill likes to buy British, and I for one have no problem with that. In fact, I think developing young British talent is possibly the only credible strategy to challenge the "Big 4". We'll never, ever out-buy Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - so why not adopt a wholly different approach?
Manchester City and Newcastle United have tried to emulate the Big 4. They've failed. They've failed miserably. And they will continue to fail.
O'Neill has it right. Pick up the British "cast-offs" who have been neglected by the "Top" clubs; coach and manage them brilliantly; shape them into a real team with a formidable dressing room attitude - and then let the results come.
I wouldn't be at all disappointed with Huddlestone; Dawson; Pennant; Crouch; Lennon or Hoyte. In fact, I think they'd all turn into great players at Villa Park.
Nice thing, the Euros - because it's taking the spotlight off them.
Incidentally - the Doc does not vote either UKIP or BNP.
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46 Comments · Add yours
lol, would still prefer a bit of flair from the likes of Van Der Vaart in addition to our British talent... but i know it wont happen.
Great article. So pleased to read something positive. There's a long way to go in this transfer window and i think if we all remain calm and patient, Mon will bring in the right players. I find it difficult not to believe that, given the way we have progressed in the past 2 years. Can't wait to get my hands on a new shirt too!!
I couldn't agree more. You can add Jimmy Bullard, Steve Sidwell and Shaun Wright-Phillips to that list of potential targets, and young, talented championship players such as Sean Scannell, Victor Moses, Joe Mattock, Richard Stearman, Michael Kightley, Brian Howard...
O'Neill is building a great British team with a winning mentality, and he's doing it with young British talent who want to gain England recognition, and experienced campaigners who have a point to prove over their former clubs.
The other good thing about British talent (other than the fact that they're out of the spotlight) is that if they do well for us, they're less likely to be poached by a club like Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid or Barcelona and less likely to be enthused by the idea of a move to the continent than a player like Henry, Adebayor, Ronaldo or Torres...
BBB - Less likely to be targeted by Inter, Juve, Barce etc, but it will never stop Liverpool, United or Chelsea. Refreshing article though. I fully understand the method, buying english, but when do we look to some of these south american youngsters? I think Zoltan Steiber (the hungarian) will be great, signings like this are fantastic. We have to grab these youngsters before they are picked up by the "bigger" clubs.
Im still of the opinion that we cant replace Barry with two Bullard or Sidwell types. We dont have to use the full ( supposed 15-18mil) but if we want to continue this momentum i think its rather obvious that we need to sign a high calibre attacking midfielder. There are plenty on show at the euros, but i dont think there are many english players in that mould that are available at this stage.I would be happy if we signed Sidwell and/or Bullard but only as back ups. It would be a step backward to replace GB with either one of these players.
Hate to pour cold water on this but, when MON and his staff have worked their magic and turned average players into stars, what's stopping those big 4 poaching them. Especially when this 6 5 or a derivative of it, is implemented, I love the thought of British players getting their chance under MON but i don't want us to be a feeder club.
When you see chelsea and what will happen with Scolari that's when you know most Villa fans are living in cloud cuckoo land, as if we will get anywhere near them. Really glad England aren't in the euros as I love Austria and don't want to go back there with them thinking all english are dickheads after the way the fat bald english fans would have no doubt behaved. Do you think Scolari will be sniffing round a wolves keeper or a crystal palace player? maybe he would like to buy an unheard of american lol MON is pants
[i]Manchester City and Newcastle United have tried to emulate the Big 4. They've failed. They've failed miserably. And they will continue to fail.
[/i]
What do you think is the reason why they fail and why will they fail in future too?
Sounds nice in theory doc, and you've obviously put some thought into this but the states of the national squad is also a concern. I DO hope that by martin o' neill adopting this policy not only backfires for himself, but also means that football does a 180 and stops investing stupid money and returns to what is important; the game.
I hate seeing average players being bought for ridiculous money and superior foreigners being bought cheaper, it's killing the game here.
The top fours 2 teams with real ambitions targets are becoming more expensive with each game!! Is this a good thing?? Players are showing their potential and shining in the biggest footballing competition in the world this year. Why aren't villa looking at these players?? Who really gives a damn if billionaire owners pay 10 or 20 million for a top prospect??
Too get into the top four - we have to pass out someone who is allready there?? We will not do this with second rate english players. England havae not even qualified for the euros....why - because they are not good enough - simple as that, despite what the english media want everyone to believe.
As for Man City - they have had money for 12 months - so how exactly have they failed miserably??
Are villa fans happy to be where we are now?? Where is the ambition?? I dont accept that the big four are in place for ever and that we cannot attract top players right NOW.
Aravind
Cus they play in the wrong colours
Well done Doc, some sense at last. MON is buying british because this where the talent lies. Making Liverpool pay top dollar for Barry is also a tactic, more for Barry, less for the side players they desperately need, eg Ashley. I agree there will be bargains form other clubs and I think we should welcome them with open arms. What better motivating force than to develop a singualr characteristic, buying british in our case or all the officials are against us like Man Ure, and defend it to the hilt to bind a team together.
I think MON realises that if Liverpool don't spend, and it doesn't look as though they will, then they are catchable by either us or Everton. By cutting off their ability to buy will really hurt them, so stick out for £25 mill.
As for 'MON is Pants', my only reply to that is 'there are non so blind as those that do not wish to see'.
MON is a genius, he sees the long game not the short term headlines.
Villa to finish above Liverpool this year!
I think the fact that England arent at the finals should see us not looking at English players and be thankful for the ones we have are pretty decent.
I hate to see us being narrow minded or tunnel visioned of buying British.
eoin1981- totally agree.
For the love of God, Pennant, Lennon..this is taking blind optimism and love for your club to levels of denial never seen before. If we can't/don't compete for what's out there in terms of foreign club-changing talent fair enough but let's not try to kid ourselves we are the clever bunch and the others are Dad's Army-like visionary mercenaries, it sounds a little desperate.
taglor why do iget the feeling that any manager we have at the club you will not be pleased with, ive been reading this board for some time now and every comment you post is negative, i your not happy with things at villa park go over to the blue side of the city.
Regarding the article, sounds like a great idea, although you missed sidwell off the list too :P
Have to agree with Mick on this one.
I thought the big deal about Lerner taking over was that we would see real investment ?
He bought the club with no debt for practically the fee you get for 1 year in the premiership.
He's a billionaire and says he wants to develop a club to challenge the top 4.
I agree that buying the right type of player in terms of attitude etc is important but don't lets kid ourselves that a will to win and put in 100% effort over a season is solely a quality displayed by british players.That is jingoistic nonsense.
Cash and lots of it is what we need, as well as O'neills astute man management not instead of it !!!
we should go for nicky shorey i think if he plays right back but if left back no point
GK - Taylor (Villa)
RB - Hoyte (Arsenal - soon 2 be Villian)
CB - Davies (Villa)
CB - Knight (Villa)
LB - Shorey (Reading - soon to be Villian)
RM - Lennon (Spurs - soon to be Villian)
CM - Gardner (Villa)
CM - Sidwell (Chelsea - soon to be Villian)
LM - Ashley Young (Villa)
ST - Agbonlahor (Villa)
ST - Harewood (Villa)
Great piece of writing! i 100% agree. Still wouln't mind 1 or 2 foreign players but still good stratergy, at least this way the players can talk to each other on the pitch.
taglor is a wanker! :)
[quote]O'Neill has it right. Pick up the British "cast-offs" who have been neglected by the "Top" clubs[/quote]
A good idea, but has O'Neill actually adopted this approach at all yet?
The British players he's brought in:
Carson
Young
Harewood
Davies
Knight
Routledge
Reo-Coker
Maloney
You can make an argument for Carson but that wasn't a permanent transfer. None of the others are cast-offs from top clubs. They're a combination of cast-offs and promising young players from much smaller clubs.
Your point is fantastic [b]in theory[/b], but until we actually sign a Sidwell, a Hoyte or a Crouch and actually adopt this strategy, we don't know if this is what O'Neill is planning at all.
Taglor: "MON is pants."
You should never be allowed to live this comment down. You're a disgrace.
Great positive article, at last. All good points too. Getting into the top four isn't all about money and short term planning. It doesn't matter how rich you are a premiership club will drain away your cash. Lerner and MON have a good long term strategy and it only takes a little thought to see what they are doing. I would take a slower build up followed by sustained success rather than the sh*t or bust approach. The fact is to get the biggest names we have to attract them in foot balling terms not just cash - and with this strategy we will do that in the near future. I still can't believe my luck as a Villa fan and would encourage others to be a little more positive.
Just because taglor doesn't blindlessly worship MON like some of you on here ;)
Anyway, I like this outlook, but I really think it will be impossible to challenge the top 4 unless we look for foreign talent. We've all seen the England squad; yes some great players but no real strength in depth and I think that says it all.
Is there any legs in the van der vaart rumour? Cus after watching him last night, he would be the kind of quality martin o'neil needs!
i think that some of the cast offs will be great additions, lennon, huddlestone and dunne in particular
its just a case of who goes where when we buy them in, ie if we get huddlestone, brilliant, if spurs then buy diego (or modric already) its not so good
the only way to avoid this scenario is to go foreign, i really think we should raid zaragoza for aimar, zapater and milito (who im convinced is a 20 goal striker)
Thanks Az and @ Villain from Texas and Mike Roberts I think your missing the point let me tell you ok children. In a free country of ideals and independence it may shock you but other people will have other views compared to you and they may like to express them I'm sorry we can't all think exactly the same as you others have tried and failed at this Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, I don't wish to mirror these dictators to you but if you insist someone is wrong for disagreeing you are very much on their wavelength of facism, communism and socialism. I especially thought your point of me supporting the the blues instead was brilliant Mike and very funny as ell, how on earth did you come up with that retort? V F Texas imagine if you had Daminas priveleges, would you ban all other forms of debate if they differed from you? Clear your cotton wool head and think outside of the box. ps MON is double pants :)
Dear Taglor,
You have a right to hold your views and state them on this blog and I don't think anyone challenges this. I love reading your stuff and for the entertainment but unfortunately you are unerringly pessimistic and each time I read your posts I wince, not for your views, but for what it suggests about your sate of mind.
Pessimism is THE big predictor of a lack of success, ill health and a shorter life.
I wish you well and long may you feel free to entertain us with your thoughts, and in the meantime, I can recommend this web site and the free Optimism Test which you can down load from it. If you give it a try, (and it is a very serious piece of work), you will get loads of info and feedback you might find thought provoking and helpful.
www.sapsford.eu
Good luck and be happy
Taglor:
No, I wouldn't censor you. You have a right to say whatever you want, just as I have a right to say that you're a moaning nitwit.
Leenon for presidant on the right wing 8)
UTV aand UTM
Brad, that team would finish 10th at best in the Prem.
Ambition, where art thou?
Taglor, one day people will really get tired and bored with your moaning for the sake of it, you're wearing thin.
a friend of mine who works at villa park found a peice of paper screwed up in a bin with a team on it? he believes its martin oneils dream team! it read.
boruc
lahm larrson dawson grosso
lennon sidwell rosicky young
gudjohnson
carew
happy days! champions league or wot!! :)
I agree Doc but lets face it there's been no transfer activity for us.
All the potential signings aren't exactly in Euro 2008, maybe there on holiday who knows.
Whatever happens we probably will still have the smallest squad come next season.
now now, lets play nice.
1. In my opinion mon is not pants. 16th to 6th on a small core based squad, quick call the papers the man must be sacked immediately.
2. throwing money at big named players will not guarentee sucsess, top 4 or trophies. take your pick to which of those you would prefer.
3. throwing money at will big named players will put some fans in utopia, but what if these don't perform. quick call the papers the manager must be sacked.
4. don't count your chickens etc
5. yawn zzzzzzzzzz....
Pancho Villa, thanks I genuinely appreciate the sentiments of that post and the link as well. I have read and own the worldwide bestseller the power of positivity by norman peale and I really do believe that if you change your mind state it really does unlock potential and increase your luck. Although that book is mainly faith based which there are elements that are genuinely insightful it does take a lot of time and effort to re condition your thought process but I do have paragraphs highlighted in that book and I will go back over them as they are helpful. As for being ill yes it can lead to that and as a nurse I see the detrimental effects of depression on a persons psyche but Ihave just got my holiday hours and I didn't realise that I have only taken 4 days holiday since last christmas and have not been sick, so I haven't had that negative effect. Please just take me tongue in cheek, I just try to bait when I realise it's just a game where grown men kick a ball and people get so serious, but that doesn't diminish my love for Aston Villa and desire to see them do well. Cheers matey. :)
I just skip past comments by Taglor as he always talks inconsequential gibberish. The guy is just a fool unto himself.
I agree with some of the comments above regarding MON's strategy of buying British. It's a calculated gamble, but what other realistic choice does he have. Football is now a multi billion pound industry, and with it comes the pressure to suceed at all levels. Why can't it go back to the good old days, when players got paid a sensible wage to entertain? Lets make English football English again.
Come on Oranje! Total football has returned to our viewing pleasure, the Dutch are knocking everyone sideways. I wouldn't bet against them winning the tournament on their 20th year of abstinence.
I might be claret and blue but my orange streak is running a marathon this summer. Wicked team, all bow before Holland.
This transfer policy would get us no further than where we are.
Doc englands first team wouldnt finish any higher than 4th in the premiership so how is buying British going to take us to the next level. its not!! Not only that there is less and less english talent around - we need to look abroad to progress but i fear mon is unable to do so successfully!!
I think that going for english talent could be an option but not one that would see us break into the big four. Tottenham have been doing this for years (until Ramos took over), with the likes of jenas, routledge, defoe, king, lennon, robinson, to name but a few. we really have to support our english talent with imports from the continent, south america and africa.
@AVMark
I should've known. :P
Taglor... are u a muppet, MON is not pants/double pants he has made us improve greatly from DOL's 16th place to 6th with one of the smallest squads in the league! the only thing he cant do is sign any quality.
PS Taglor y do u come on here to moan. do us a favour ;)
Taglor keep it up, I'm really struggling to find someone to argue with and you seem like a good fellow for a tangle! Come on then why is MON pants?
OK what have we won with him and how many finals have we ben in? And to answer your next comment 2 seasons is a long time by premiership standards. ;)
OK so by your logic, seeing as Alex Ferguson was at Old Trafford between 1986 and 1990 before he won anything; Alex ferguson is double pants?
Or should I say a pair of pants?!
i jus want us to strengthen the squad and atleast mix it up wit the other clubs. we need to show our intent. never mind city an newcastle buyin big an failin. who know's, they could move ahead of us wit their ambition. i fully support mon and think he has been excellent so far for us. but we need to build on last season an show the rest of the premiership that we mean business.
I dont mind the brits, i just think that sometimes we could maybe do with a bit of continental 'flair' in the side. Maybe Rafa Van der Vaart of Holland and Hamburger SV! It cant all be british!
Having said that, i want bentley before the fat cats go in for him!