Better than McLeish. You're right though, I doubt it'd go down too well.
Average players? Rubbish.
These are not average players we're talking about. The core of this team was consistently finishing high in the Prem under O'Neill, or even if they weren't, the players who replaced them are not THAT bad. Yes, Chris Herd is no Gareth Barry, Wilfried Bouma had a defensive solidity to him that Stephen Warnock can only dream of, and Marc Albrighton has a long way to go before he can match Ashley Young's consistent threat, but across the board the squad is not ten places worse than it was before. In some place, in fact, we've improved: Darren Bent is our most potent and lethal striker since Dwight Yorke, Gabby Agbonlahor is no longer the one-dimensional speed merchant he was before, and Shay Given's lightning reflexes are amongst the best in the Prem.
These players are not average. What they are is badly managed. A team including the likes of Bent, Agbonlahor, Given and even Stephen Ireland is good enough to challenge almost any in the Prem. Bolster them with the a group of academy fledglings who seem to be amongst the most promising in recent years and this squad has rich veins of talent to tap into. The trick is to expose it and get these players playing in a way that maximises their strengths.
Norwich could be the more appealing job, but consider this: they're a club that is nowhere near the size of Villa, with low-grade facilities and a small fanbase. This is not taking anything away from them and what they have achieved, it's the mere truth. Villa, on the other hand, have ultra-modern facilities, a big and diverse fanbase, but most importantly of all a lot of money.
When I say average I mean the likes of Albrighton, Clark, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Herd etc. Young players who are at the moment just average but could become good. Compared to the side 2-3 years ago i believe this side is average, im not slating the side by any means.
Compared to the side 2-3 years ago this one actually has more than about 13 senior players. As a squad, it is FAR superior.
Yer the strength in depth is far greater but in terms of ability i think it is far worse.
How? As I said in my earlier post, man for man it's only very slightly worse. The manager was both that's squad's greatest advantage and biggest weakness, but now this squad has no such advantage in management. Yet, anyway.
I think Freidel is better than Given
Downing was better at Villa than N'Zogbia
Barry is better than well anyone else you currently have in the middle
Milner when played out wide and even in the middle was better than what you have
Young was better than Albrighton is currently
Your defence has pretty much stayed the same, the only area in which I believe you have improved is upfront with Bent.
Laursen > everyone. Absolute rock when fit.
But I'd agree that the squad has improved. There's not much in it between both starting XI's for me
I know it's been a while since you've stopped discussing managerial appointments, but what would you make of Di Matteo, if he doesn't get the Chelsea job permanently?
I know it's been a while since you've stopped discussing managerial appointments, but what would you make of Di Matteo, if he doesn't get the Chelsea job permanently?
I remember last year, a lot of Villa fans didn't want Rafa. They said he was **** etc. Then they got McLeish. Think they may be a bit more clever now.Di Matteo would be a nice appointment I reckon. Also, I can see Benitez doing good, followed by Lambert and Rodgers.
I remember last year, a lot of Villa fans didn't want Rafa. They said he was **** etc. Then they got McLeish. Think they may be a bit more clever now.
Actually a good number did want him, can't tar everyone with one brush.
Well yes some did of course. But the majority on that villa forum did not
I remember last year, a lot of Villa fans didn't want Rafa. They said he was **** etc. Then they got McLeish. Think they may be a bit more clever now.
Well yes some did of course. But the majority on that villa forum did not