Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Tuesday February 28 2006
Time: 10:24AM
UK time is: 17:13:09
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O'Leary's Motivational Style
Looks like Villa Park will see what young defender Gary Cahill can do as he steps in to the breach to cover for our defensive crisis in the home clash against Portsmouth.
Following the Doug Ellis policy of 'making do' the first team defence has been stretched to its limits this year and because old scrooge has cocked up the books (big time) we couldn't even afford to take a defender on loan during the January transfer window. Yes, the same club that Ellis assures us is aiming for Champions League football couldn't afford to take a defender on loan. I think he has the Champions League confused with the Championship myself.
Rant over.
So..... Because Mellberg is suspended and Mark Delaney is injured (how many times have I had to type that!) the 20-year-old will pair up with another young and inexperienced defender - Liam Ridgewell - in central defence.
Cahill would probably have got more games under his belt this season due to the size of the squad (small but honest, copyright David O'Leary) if he hadn't picked up a long term injury himself last year.
O'Leary said of Cahill, who did well when on loan at Burnley, 'We have to get young Cahill fit as he will play against Portsmouth...I am so thin at the centre of defence but there is nothing that can be done about it. I knew about it during the transfer window but I hadn't the resources to do anything about it.'
Adding: 'I'm not having a go at anyone' WHY NOT?! We all know who is at fault, why not point the finger? 'but a decision has been made at the club and until things change, we have to go with what we've got here. I said then that I didn't want to be hit with further injuries and suspensions given that position and we now find ourselves hit by a double whammy next week with Mellberg and Delaney both missing.'
And this bit baffles me, how is this going to fire the lad up and fill him with confidence. Motivational style or just plain negative?
'I don't know how Gary will play as it is sink or swim stuff. The boy will be in because there is no one else to play. Everyone is aware that our numbers are small.'
David O'Leary, you are a pratt of the highest order.
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Your Comments
Im sensing some negative vibes towards Mr O'Dreary here!
koop
Im sensing some negative vibes towards Mr O'Dreary here!
koop
what a prat for saying this its disgusting what he has said the lad needs confidence manager
was_danrenshaw
what a prat for saying this its disgusting what he has said the lad needs confidence manager
was_danrenshaw
This kid will be a star, with or without O'Learys help!
DeanoVilla
This kid will be a star, with or without O'Learys help!
DeanoVilla
I need convincing about him. He looked good at reserve and youth team level, but nothing special. Was a revelation at Burnley, but looked like a fish out of water at Molinuex pre-season and against Wycombe in the League Cup. Good luck to him though. He's playing for a regular starting place alongside the skipper.
glensider
I need convincing about him. He looked good at reserve and youth team level, but nothing special. Was a revelation at Burnley, but looked like a fish out of water at Molinuex pre-season and against Wycombe in the League Cup. Good luck to him though. He's playing for a regular starting place alongside the skipper.
glensider
So you 'promise' the kid a start knowing full well he wont be 100% fit, then at the last minute change your mind. Good going DOL you plonker! DOL OUT!
DeanoVilla
So you 'promise' the kid a start knowing full well he wont be 100% fit, then at the last minute change your mind. Good going DOL you plonker! DOL OUT!
DeanoVilla
It will be really interesting to see how we line up at the back tomorrow. If we are to believe what we read then our back four will consist of the walking wounded. All I can say is its a good job that we're up against one of the supposed lesser lights of the premiership, but even having said that, they look capable of causing us problems. Got to keep Lua-Lua under lock and key. Better for Cahill he's not thrown in to 'sink or swim' if not fully match fit, which he obviously isnt. Wonder what changed O'Leary's mind at this late stage? Presumably both Delaney and Hughes must be o.k. to start.
glensider
It will be really interesting to see how we line up at the back tomorrow. If we are to believe what we read then our back four will consist of the walking wounded. All I can say is its a good job that we're up against one of the supposed lesser lights of the premiership, but even having said that, they look capable of causing us problems. Got to keep Lua-Lua under lock and key. Better for Cahill he's not thrown in to 'sink or swim' if not fully match fit, which he obviously isnt. Wonder what changed O'Leary's mind at this late stage? Presumably both Delaney and Hughes must be o.k. to start.
glensider
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