Done by Citeh…and the ref
Every game is a learning curve…but what do you take from a 5-0 drubbing apart from the need for a bottle of prozac? Of course, the Etihad is perhaps Villa’s toughest assignment in terms of picking up three points in a season. So…what did we learn this week?
With Steven Green
1 – ‘That’ Benteke article is no big deal
Because first of all, it was in a paper that we all know is less than reputable, and secondly, why would we be Benteke’s first choice? Expecting him to say that is akin to Nathan Delfouneso claiming that he’d always wanted to play for Genk.
We’re not the draw that we used to be, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still attract good players, and if we can sort out this mess that we’re in sooner rather than later then there’s no reason why we can’t be the first choice for many.
2 – IF we do go down, it’ll be because of bad luck, and not our team
As a team, we probably have just enough to see us through this season, although, there’s no need to panic just yet, after a bad season under Houllier we still managed a respectable 9thplace finish. But – this year luck seems to have completely deserted us. Two bad decisions yesterday killed us off, and wouldn’t you know it the teams surrounding us decide to up their game and pick up three points.
The table looks worse than it actually is, and we have some very winnable games coming up and a January transfer window, but that may not matter because…
3 – We’ll never have a competent team of officials take charge of our games. Ever.
The latest in a long line of questionable decisions we’ve suffered this season. It’s been going on for years, of course, but yesterday killed us. I firmly believe that we had at least a goal in us against City, but when that phantom penalty was given it was all over. There are no words to describe how I feel about that linesman.
If there’s a sure way to destroy the confidence of a young squad whilst playing the champions on their turf it’s for the officials to completely turn their backs on the underdogs.
4 – 2012 hasn’t been our year
You probably didn’t need me to tell you that, but it’s been the worst year I can remember in a long time. January 1st 2013 can’t come soon enough.
5 – But it’s been a great year for the ‘football family’
Certain things, no matter how big or small, can really restore your faith in the game we all fell in love with as children.
The continued reaction and support of Stiliyan Petrov and Fabrice Muamba has been nothing short of incredible. The 19th minute applause has been outstandingly observed by (most) fans from across the country, reducing the nature of club support to mere semantics.
Lately, the footballing world has come to the rescue of Real Oviedo in Spain (Stan Collymore’s last ever club). For most it’s a great opportunity to own a part of a professional team, but the underlying message has been genuine satisfaction in helping a club stay afloat, who have deep roots in their community.
That’s one thing I hope carries on into next year!
Steven Green, one of the hosts of the AVFC Review podcast and writer for Shoot Magazine and a fellow Real Oviedo shareholder. Also check out his band @echolakeband
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