The Doc's Diagnosis: Reading vs Villa
Monday, 04 August 08, 10:16 AM · Comments (15)
Thankfully, with the unprecedented tedium of this summer's transfer speculation moving towards a close, we have the relative joy of some football to write about. As regulars of the site will know, I try to avoid getting involved in the transfer rumour mill.
I made the trip to the Madejski with some clear objectives in mind: I wanted to check out Brad Friedel; see if Curtis Davies really is nearing full fitness; get a feel for the first-team readiness of some of the recent call-ups to the first team squad and see if I could get any clues as to how O'Neill might be looking to set the side up for the start of the new season.
Villa started with Carew and Harewood up front, a midfield left to right of Maloney, Salifou, Osbourne and Routledge and with Stieber, Laursen, Davies and Gardner in front of Friedel. On the bench were Barry; Petrov; Reo-Coker; Agbonlahor; Albrighton; Delfouneso; Young; Knight and Taylor.
Let's start with Friedel. Sitting behind his goal and just four rows up, the first thing you notice is that the guy never stops shouting. Recent Villa sides have tended to be quiet, and I never felt that either Sorensen or Carson really dominated their box. Friedel permanently barks orders at his back four. That's a good thing in my book, though I am not certain that Laursen - wearing the armband - was completely sold. Still, a plus on my scoresheet.
On to Curtis Davies. His loss was, to me, the hammer blow of last season. As Fabio Capello also appreciated, the development of Davies from that performance against Leicester into a central defender with real poise and class was something to behold.
And this was the great news from Saturday: despite tiring in the second half before coming off after 62 minutes, and despite a heart-in-the-mouth moment when Leroy Lita clattered him from behind and we thought he was going to stay down, this was the Curtis of mid 07-08, playing with confidence and assurance.
He needs a few weeks for full match fitness, but there is no reason why he shouldn't start games straight away. A tick in that box as well, then.
In terms of the rest of the defence, Laursen was Laursen - strong and dependable; Gardner was Gardner, huff and puff but not much end product, and then there was Zoltan Stieber. Now, I may not have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the reserve and youth sides, but I'm sure I've always seen Stieber in midfield. And where on earth is O'Halloran?
Anyway, now the good news. Stieber is still too slight, and can be muscled off the ball by burly Premier League forwards - but if Walford and his team can bulk him up a bit, we have a player here. He is skilful, pacy and a good passer of the ball. Not only that, he can use a dead ball effectively as well.
Good for the future. However, I would get firmly behind all those who suggest that O'Neill needs to invest in two new full backs at least, and do it quickly. Gardner is not a top flight right back, and Stieber isn't ready to play a Premier League programme.
In midfield, cheeky wee Shaun Maloney was cheeky and, well, wee. Wayne Routledge, I'm afraid, has pace and skill but no attitude whatsoever. He has the body language, to me, of the underachiever and a casual look which switches me off. No thanks. In two second half raids, he crossed when he should have shot and then shot when he should have crossed. Says it all. James Milner, please.
On the other hand, Ozzy Osbourne and Sally Salifou looked capable deputies in central midfield. Osbourne all grace and elegance, if lacking in penetration and Salifou a bundle of running, aggression and skill.
I think both will play significant roles off the bench this season and Gardner will find a seat on that bench hard to come by once MARTIN O'NEILL HAS BOUGHT US SOME REAL FULL BACKS. ...Ahem, sorry. My tip - Salifou to have the greater impact in 08-09.
Carew, sporting a very silly new Mohican haircut, wasn't remotely interested and Harewood ran around a lot but not much else.
The second half saw the introduction, gradually, of some of the A-list. Reo-Coker replaced Gardner at right back (QED) and Knight replaced Davies - which is a bit like saying Billy Smart replaced Rio Ferdinand. We were treated to no fewer than 4 (F_O_U_R) Zat moments in the 29 minutes he was on the pitch. He did look very tall, though.
Young replaced Osbourne in central midfield (yes, I know, I didn't get it either) and Maloney made way for Albrighton, I think. The one other plus was that Nathan Delfouneso, although he snatched at a couple of chances, looked very lively indeed and seems to have a real striker's instinct. Not at all bad for a twelve-year-old.
Basically, good news as far as Friedel and Davies are concerned. A lot of bright young sparks for the future and some encouraging signs for the bench for what looks like a side shaping up to play 4-4-2. But an urgent need for two full backs, a right winger and a striker.
Pretty damn quick.
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15 Comments · Add yours
very interesting doc... like the sound of our youngsters coming through and glad that someone finally agrees with my view that salifou will be good!!!
i think that although o neill does need to sign six new players, he should give breating space for our youngsters to come through like at arsenal. if theey really are as good as macdonald and cowans say...
I wonder if Reo-Coker is getting the 'ump been put at full back all the time... we need him to impose himself in that midfield pretty quickly now that barry is off to sit on Benitz's subs bench for half a season at a time...
the lad was captaining his club and country (under 21's) while in his early twenties...we're not seeing that kind of quaility but i don't think he has been in his favoured position or role since he came to VP...
I've missed your contributions this summer Doc. You bring a bit of light relief when things seem to become a little negative.
All i know is that we are in real mess, i am getting really worried about the new season, mon real hasnt got a clue!
we need more then 2 full backs a right midfielder and striker. what about a quality replacement for barry. what about back up for the full backs if (thats a big if) we get a couple. what about another centred half as we know we cant rely on knight.
Are any of the ball boys any good because they should take there boots against man city
O'halloran is apparently injured doc.
What's happened to Barry Bannan. He was amazing for the reserves last year!!!!
I think this is the first time i have read something positive said about the villa this summer!
yes we certainly need two new full backs and we have needed a right winger since milner left - but if our youth system can produce players like agbonlahor then lets give some kids a chance.
My only worry is at while we blood some new youngsters (delfouenso, osbourne etc) the top four start sniffing around our more established players and "do a barry" on them.
on a side note
I genuinely hate the money hungry top four and anyone who has anything to do with them.
Welcome back Doc. Encouraging words indeed. Perhaps Salifou is ready to make the step up, I am excited to see how he progresses when given his chance.
Very funny and very informative!
He is an attacking midfielder and a bloody good one at that, he is very skillful and can score and assist a lot of goals, he just isn't ready yet.
O'Halloran is injured, if we don't bring in a RB you'll probably be seeing Reo Coker there with Salifou partnering Sidwell in the middle, i really don't like Gardner at the back he just doesn't seem up for the challenge, i remember Barry going over to the right helping him out against Obdense or how ever you say their club.
well said trooper white because o'halloran is injured and will be out for a little longer.
UTV ;D
we play in under two weeks. signings are a must
whats with everyone and a right winger???? MON IS GONNA UNLEASH ROUTLEDGE. he will be awesome, hes getting some action and i believe will play a heavy role this season
Another enjoyable, informative and intresting article from the doc.I too like the sound of a commanding goalkeeper and im sure thats the type of attitude Laursen would welcome at Villa Park too.I had my doubts about Freidel at the start but i'm really starting to warm towards him now.I think we could improve on last years conceded goals tally by a considerable amount providing we get good quality full backs in.
Its pretty obvious that full backs would be the most necessary aquisitions to the squad at the moment, but i really think we need to invest in another quality winger.Last season it became noticable that Young was our dangerman, and because of this was being marked by two players at times.Another winger would balance the side up and pose more of a threat to opposition.Someone like Dario Srna or SWP woul fit the mould well.
Glad to positive reports on Salifou too!!To be honest i was 99% sure he was a panic buy as MON didn't no how few injuries our threadbare squad would obtain.By the way i had a feeling this woul average itself out this year, and so far its looking that way too.(Bouma, Sidwell)
I also hope to see plenty of Delfouneso this season too.Seems to posess the striking instinct that Agbonlahor lacks.
I couldn't agree more in terms of players needed. At least the goalkeeper situation has been sorted. And i do like Nathan Delfouneso after seeing him in the reserves. Looks good for the future yet again. But first team does need sorting, thats without squad players. COME ON MARTIN! ;)