This accuracy would mostly concentrate on the lack of squad
depth and poor use of tactics from our attacking manager.
With four days left in the transfer window the worries are
really surfacing as a fragile Villa team has added nothing to their armoury.
Quality has been a real issue, and a lack of leaders is
destroying confidence minute by minute; the return of Vlaar inspired a
confident first half performance against West Brom but the slightest opposition
attack has most Villa defenders sprawling.
The question of quality is problematic, a young team plays
an awkward tactic and even though 352 could really suit their abilities pieces
of the puzzle are missing.
An experienced left back leaving the club hopefully points
to a plan of action relating to midfield, Delph and Bannan are a very poor
partnership as both are mop up players but in different parts of the pitch; and
neither have real physical presence. Delph has shown real maturity in recent
weeks but he needs a partner to protect him, a true tackling midfielder who
takes on a man with his physical presence rather than technical ability, the
same could be said for Bannan.
The loss of Petrov really highlights this, while not the
strongest player his on the ball positioning and calm attitude allowed the team
time to assess their own tactical presence and though he played a slow game he took
pressure off struggling players. A potential alternative could be Herd but a lack
of defenders has pushed him into the back 3.
Injuries have devastated the team yet the reliance on poor
performers is keeping confidence low, with Agbonlahor back, Dunne on his way
and Nzogbia looking fit there must be something to get excited about; yet this
excitement has nothing to do with Lambert efforts throughout the season where
his young signings have really struggled to pay back unwavering managerial support.
This support hasn’t found its way to our own academy and far
from setting a challenge it is simply decreasing the potential of them
succeeding; for the many fans who were watching MacDonalds academy team thrive in
previous seasons their absence seems to point to a manager doing it his way,
rather than a manager who galvanizes, perhaps Weimann’s absence at the start of the
season and instance of playing wide might point to this.
After Carruthers spirited performance in the last few
minutes against Liverpool fans probably expected to see him getting some more
game time yet in recent weeks the non playing ‘take on your man’ midfielder has
been dropped from the squad entirely.
A rare glimpse of first team action for Daniel Johnson
stopped as soon as it started, striker Jordan Bowery has been supporting from
the wings in dying minutes and Derrick Williams was publicly told he wasn’t
ready after 10 minutes of game time.
Enda Stevens has latterly found game time but has struggled
with fitness, as has Lichaj; yet whenever called upon both have shown
dedication to survival and added to the team’s unity.
Many fans would be questioning whether Bennett is ready?
Whether Lowton really supports our defence? Why money was spent on Bowery when
Delfourneso was sent on loan? And why El Ahmadi was bought when he offers no defensive
quality? Poor performances from Bannan and Delph have seen them retain places,
and Holman is a grafter rather than the link man the manager hopes for.
Player relations are imperative and there are examples of ex
Villa players that left due to a lack of first team football, I’m sure many
fans would be over the moon if the squad still included Crouch, Cahill and Gardner,
and perhaps not too upset if it included Ridgewell, Lowry, Hogg and Whittingham.
Paul Pogba has proven that even the big teams can let useful
players go; and I am reminded of a certain Samir Carruthers who came to Villa
from Arsenal.
Player management aside tactics haven’t played to players
strengths, a defensive crisis is compounded by Collins and Cuellars departure
and the board seems to lack a director who understands the wider nature of
success in football. Lambert is in a difficult position but he has been charged
with this responsibility, he missed a huge chance to reduce first team pressure
during the FA cup tie with Milwall yet a strong side exampled their fragility
to Tuesdays opponents Newcastle.
Lambert needs to be strong; he was strong enough to buy
young, part company with MacDonald, set strict team rules and gamble on a young
Belgian but he hasn’t show enough strength to look at his own flaws and change
his own managerial methods.
With enough games to save themselves extra numbers could
really bolster the Villains campaign, but if not forthcoming the only way the
club will stay amongst the elite is if their young talented manager changes his
approach and plays to strengths and not beliefs.
