There’s no doubt that Tim Sherwood’s appointment, like him or loathe him, has caused a stir and even an air of excitement down the Villa.
That said, after the mediocrity of Paul Lambert, where I think we were pretty much guaranteed to go down had he stayed, anyone could have come in and give us a gee up.
But Sherwood it is and he’s come out with some encouraging talk about how he’s going to approach the way we play, in actally trying to score goals.
It’s exactly the right approach, as it was obvious to anybody except Lambert that our lack of goals was going to relegate us.
So we face Stoke today and from what a Stoke supporting friend of mine says, it’s a really good time to be playing them, when you consider Stoke have most of their defence out injured and our lads will have new manager syndrome on their side.
So basically, it’s all about us scoring and I personally think we will today.
Shock, horror, I even think we’ll get more than one, which would have been unthinkable with the previous incumbent in charge.
But at the same time, Stoke, although weakened at the back, are no mugs, hence we won’t be able to go with an approach that’s too “Gung Ho”, as they have the ability to hurt us, if we’re not careful.
Which is what will make today’s game interesting.
Indeed, the rest of the season is going to prove interesting, as I see us winning some and getting caned in at least a couple.
Whatever happens though, surely can’t be any worse than what we’ve suffered for most of the season and I’m sure we’ll at least try to achieve the objective of the game; putting the ball in the opponent’s net.
Squad news then and Villa have Gabby and Gil back in contention.
I’d expect both to start, but am wondering how Sherwood will approach this.
Will he play Gabby in a two, with Benteke?
Injury-wise, Baker and Sendoros are not available.
Those two apart, we’re doing ok squad-wise.
Stoke have Shawcross out, Muniesa has been ruled out for six weeks and Cameron is banned.
They could have Wilson and Pieters back though.
What do I think then?
As I’ve said, I actually expect us to score today and that’s good news in itself.
Sometimes, the game is not purely down to how good you are. You also need a bit of luck, something that was sorely missing under Lambert and yet another sign that we were massively failing, if the saying that you make your own luck, is true.
I think Sherwood will prove luckier than Lambert.
In short, I’m going for us to win, 2-1.
This is a game where we need the points and I think we’ll get them.
Any alternative is a very scary thought.
SHITE
Keep the faith mate 🙂
Can’t agree, I think Gil has been terrible, hardly heard Gabby n Bentekes names as we can’t get it to them without a hefty lump forward, which is shite.
Gil’s final ball has been terrible, but his decision making and dribbling have been absolutely top notch. Unfortunately he’s far too one footed.
vlar and hutton sleeping again 3 matches in a row for hutton
1 attempt at goal (granted it was a goal) but still crap, Lambert would be getting his head ripped off.
Cmon Tim, get them going like last week!!
Paul Lambert wasn’t mediocre. He’ll never be that good. Come On Lads!!!!!
Been a poor 2nd half. Think it was wrong to take Gil off for Weimann. Should’ve been Bacuna on. Weimann for Gabby I’d have understood, definitely.
Ughhhh this is attrocious. Maybe we were wrong and this team isn’t actually any good
Sherwoods had possibly 4 days with the team do you expect fucking miracles???
Too be fair, Sherwood’s only had a week. I’d expect much better performances in the future.
We played Leicester Sunday probably Monday off I make that easily less than a week.
Exactly Chaps give the guy a chance…
Not even had the squad a weel really.
At least we are trying to get bodies in the box but must say gabby is past his sell by date.
Gabby’s been atrocious, get him off for Bacuna, get Weimann next to Benteke and Bacuna out right. While we’re unlikely to beat Stoke in the air or on free kicks, he’s the only one we have good enough to make the crosses/take the free kicks.
Bent just scored his 7th goal of the season…
No, but I expect better than under Lambert after a week of showing the lads how he wants them to play. Still waiting
Shit. Burnley just equalised.
Anyway, forget how long he’s had, the players should be playing out of their skin for him, instead our midfield has been battered by what is essentially an average Stoke side.
And we still cannot take a decent set piece…. Don’t tell me it takes half a season to get that right……..
So true, how many set piece takers have we had today? Gil, Delph, Weimann, Sinclair? All awful. Can’t believe we haven’t gotten another player on the pitch. Cleverley, Bacuna… Someone to change the staleness we have currently.
We’ve gotten more bodies and more balls into the box than under Lambert in any game this season. Unfortunately Sinclair has gone missing and that’s a huge problem for him is he does this far too often.
Close for Gabby. Hull winning.
Fucking Vlaar!!!!!! Just when we were 4th from bottom!
Goodbye Premier League.
stoke just scored a penalty… bollocks
Oh FFS. Looks like we need more than a new manager for that shower