Well the poll in the last post I wrote is interesting, isn’t it?
David Moyes is by far the most popular choice with a fraction over 50% of the vote and even though I said I’m not entirely convinced he’d be up for it, it’s perfectly understandable.
To my mind, he’s simply the best we could expect to get in that he’s a proven Premiership manager.
I still have doubts he’ll come to the Villa, but I’d be pretty happy if he did.
Pearson and Dyche are contenders, but what really caught my eye was the fact that more of us wanted Martin O’Neil than Brendan Rodgers!
The truth is I only put MON in for a joke, but it does show that while he’s incredibly divisive in the eyes of Villa fans, there’s many of us hanker for the days when things definitely seemed a lot better. And I’m one of them.
What has to be pretty certain is that the vast majority would take his “backs to the wall”, “no plan B”, “never played half the players” and “wasted money like it was going out of fashion” style of management over what we have now.
The fact that many see him as the cause of our downfall has of course been much discussed and of course, he’ll never get the job while Lerner’s in charge.
Which reminds me.
While I was on my last holiday, I heard a rumour which came from a Wolves fan, of all people.
Apparently, he knew the brief who was due to represent MON at the unfair dismissal case against Lerner and the story is that in the middle of MON and Lerner having a row, Lerner is supposed to have said something along the lines of “You Irish are all the same….”, which of course instantly leads to a charge of racism.
I tried to post all this at the time, but the internet in Goa was so poor, it just didn’t happen.
Oh, the chap who told me was a fireman. Does that make it any more believable?
I’m not convinced and am certainly not stating it as a fact.
But something as daft as that wouldn’t surprise me and we all like a nice juicy rumour don’t we?
You have to laugh.
Until you see the stories that are coming out, that is.
Apparently we’ve put Mick McCarthy on the shortlist for the manager’s role.
I left him out of the poll, but quickly realised that he might be a contender.
While I quite like him and I thought he did an ok job at Wolves, I’ve never been convinced.
He’s a bit too dour for me; he’s too pragmatic and just doesn’t seem to have any “je ne sais quoi” about him.
In other words, I don’t see him as having anything over Lambert or even Mc Spit.
I know his record is not too bad, but I just don’t see it.
And then there’s the story that John Carver has applied for the Villa job.
Let’s just say I don’t see much mileage in that one. But of course, if you don’t apply, you’ll never get the job.
I admire his ambition though, even if it is totally deluded.
And then, amidst all this interesting stuff, we have a game tomorrow against Chelsea.
Ah man, I’ve just realised it’s the early game and watching it will have to involve an even more cunning plan than I’m normally able to execute while I’m at work.
Dam you, BT (in this case).
Not that I expect I’m going to miss much.
Eric Black’s going to be in charge and I’ve expressed my doubts about him already, but here’s his thoughts;
“In the time I’ve been here I’ve never seen any splits in this dressing room. I’ve been in a lot of dressing rooms and have seen splits before.
“We’ve got to try and change something. The atmosphere has been poor in terms of everyone’s been a bit doom and gloom. I can help that process but ultimately I won’t be out on the field.
“We have seven games left, seven important games.
“Firstly I have to thank Rémi for bringing me to the club. I found him an exceptional individual.
“We must move on to Saturday and focus on trying to get a good result against Chelsea.
“We’re running an investigation which is underway. I’ve removed Gabby from the squad on Saturday. My focus is purely on Chelsea.
“I’ve looked at the previous games. I’ve been involved in training. I’ll pick a team I think is capable of competing against Chelsea.”
The good news is that Gabby definitely isn’t going to get a game and it’s about time this was said.
The excuse of not wanting the other players distracted is rubbish though and I’d love for someone to actually come out and say the bloke’s trouble.
As for the split issue, I’m not convinced, but no-one’s going to openly admit to it are they?
I suppose it might be true that there is no split, but I definitely suspect some of the squad are being misled by other players.
Meanwhile, we have Traore and Grealish back in contention, but it’s probably too soon.
Kozak and Amavi are still out.
As for the visitors, Diego Costa is suspended and Eden Hazard is injured
Willian, Oscar and Bertrand Traore will be assessed following international duty. Alexandre Pato could make his debut.
Not that any of this matters.
While I thought that if Remi Garde was still in charge of this game, we’d get a thrashing, I don’t see a fat lot changing under the caretaker, except maybe the final score.
We’ll play pretty much the same team, with maybe the odd change (Grealish straight back in?).
Because that’s pretty much all Black can do, if we look at it logically.
Play our best crap and lose.
Probably to another early goal, where we’ll again struggle because this team doesn’t have enough about them to win a game.
We might show a bit more fight, as a demonstration of how some of the contemptuous players are glad Garde has gone, but it won’t be enough.
My heart says we might scratch a draw.
But I’m going for a 0-2 loss.
Same old again really isn’t it?
How I long for the days where I thought we might win a game 🙁
VILLA 0 CHELSEA +6 we’ve changed manager but the players are the same so the outcome will be the same we’re in for a hammering.I’ll so be glad when the final whistle is blown at the Emirates.
Doubt it Giddy. Chelsea will win but they’re not exactly ‘pulling up trees’ albeit their record under Hiddink is good.
They have a few players out – not that that makes much difference but they will miss Costa. 0-2 for me
season ended long ago for the players..chelsea also are sleepwalking their way to the finishing line. 0 4 chelsea might give their tealady a starting role up front. at least blacks dropping a clown in gabby. but the team needs major surgery, they have no heart it flat-lined ages ago
I can’t see anything other than an absolute hammering. If the players had zero respect for a bloke with a three year contract, what makes anyone think they’ll perform for a bloke with a life expectancy of a month? I really hope the protesters turn their attention to the players now, they’ve been a disgrace this season and never has the song ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ had such a literal meaning! Our half arsed bunch have covered the least distance of any team despite the fact that we spend 80 minutes of every game chasing the ball. Roll on May!!
I bet if you was a Villa player you wouldn’t have heart to play or even try to play, the games over before we kick a ball with that lot, this came about getting boys to do a man’s job, that’s how Abonglahor got away with that lot no heart. 3-0 Chelsea we don’t have it in us to do any better. One player will try ? Gaye the only one in our club.
Bill, I don’t think you can fault his effort nor Westwood or Hutton for that matter but they’re just not good enough. The ones that don’t seem to break sweat like lescott, Richards, veretout are the wage thieves.
Sir Earl,
That’s what I’m getting at, Westwood well he just gets nowhere cannot penetrate or create in the game, Hutton, might stretch the point that he can find himself out of position some times, Yes the other defender’s I agree.
I bet gabby is laughing his head off. this week he has a legit excuse not to turn up.
I find myself quite interested in seeing what the team is going to be. Hope Traore gets a game. We’re going to lose but I’d like to see us play a bit of football while we do.
Got a feeling that this one might be a bit closer than many of you might think.
Prediction Villa 1 – 2 Chelsea
Line up –
1 Guzan
21 Hutton
4 Richards
16 Lescott
43 Cissokho
15 Westwood
8 Gueye
25 Gil
24 Sánchez
19 J Ayew
39 Gestede
Cissokho and Sanchez in and Gil starting? A bit different then.
Disappointed that Guzan the fumbler is still being picked but hoping that Traore is going to come on as a sub
Are you watching BT? Bernstein talking and saying as its been seen, they are assessing and will not be rushed.
Really like the way Bernstein came across in that interview. He may not be a villa fan but I feel he is going to be a big player in getting us turned around. I’m starting to feel excited for next season already and also coming round to the idea that we may as well stick with Lerner as long as he leaves the current board to call the shots, unless a mega rich Arab comes in with an offer.
I think he spoke quite well about the current situation – clearly the important thing is the actual actions that follow.
As for today’s game, with the right service Gestede could rip that rookie Chelsea centre half a new arsehole – let’s go nice and direct. Good to see Sanchez back.
Here’s Eric, praising Remi, not many at the ground if that protest takes place no one in the ground.
Talking of BT, Savage is really gloating. Wanker. Despise that idiot. Bernstein talking sense on behalf of the club…Finally!! Wonder if the protest will take place…
Another manager yet the same players. Fucking disgrace. Get the kids in and give them a chance!
He’s a caretaker manager… What do you expect?
At least the new board don’t need bodyguards. Fox was a cretin and a half…Tosser of the highest order.
Lescott playing well…..as always
So are one or two more, shooting for goal and retreaving from the roof.
1-0 down. Was watching the game. Stopped now.
That’s the end of that game then!
Even more quality defending from Lescott.
If you took Lescott off and didn’t replace him our defence would be much stronger.
Liability, pack him off to the MLS ASAP
Blame has to go to Cissokho too, out of position, allowing such an easy cross to come in.
Have you seen Lescotts contribution so far? He played Loftus Cheek onside when everyone else pushed up, luckily the through ball was over hit. He then got done by some other Chelsea player by mistiming the flight of the ball, The lad scored but luckily he was offside. The bloke is dangerous. He should not be playing professional football let alone premier league football!!!
His contribution while awful, shouldn’t be blamed on the goal. Cissokho was out of position, and trotted over to try to cover a cross. And then gave away the penalty. That’s two goals he’s cost us, while Lescott’s terrible defending has fortunately yet too.
Pato has also had an impact on 2 of their goals. A player I suggested t the beginning of the season but was informed by your good self he’s past it!!
I don’t suppose that 4th goal was Guzans fault either? What with him being a yank.
Apparently if the score stays below 5 Micah Richards has promised to buy the whole first team squad an Ice Cream.
One ice cream for 25+ players? Surely he could stretch to one each?
Lescott’s a bloody liability.
Pack him off to the MLS ASAP