The Week In Villa (12)

Wednesday, 17th October

We've appointed Simone Farina as 'community coach`. I don`t really know what that means, but as he turned down a bribe worth double his annual salary and then went and reported it, I'd suggest he's a good egg. Maybe he's just teaching people to be good.

Thursday, 18th October

Thursday's are one of those days where everyone seems to say nice things about others or talk about their 'determination' to do well. Determination is in apostrophes there as today, it's Charles N'Zogbia talking about it.

Anyway, Shay talks about Bent, Bowery talks about Bent and Gabby, Delph talks about El Ahmadi, and it`s all very nice.

Friday, 19th October

Paul Lambert dismisses the rift rumours about Darren Bent and says he`s not for sale.

We have a game tomorrow; on a Saturday. WOW.

Saturday, 20th October

…and we lost. To be honest I felt a draw would have been a fair result. We weren't terrible but once again it was all a bit meh. I've seen lots of comments about the forwards but to be perfectly frank we could have Messi and Ronaldo up there, and with the way our midfield is, we'd still be struggling.

(Don't get me wrong, I am not for one single second suggesting it wouldn't be better! In fact I am drooling just imagining the idea!)

Anyway, back to real life and our midfielders are too similar. They all sort of do the same thing and while we keep the ball better than in recent years, I fail to see what end it is toward. We do not penetrate, we do not press the play, we do not get in behind and no-one ever goes past any opposition defender.

Stephen Ireland is a perfect example of everything that is wrong about us. He`s 'okay', and we keep the ball better when he plays, but what does he ACTUALLY do? I have posed this question before, but I am still none the wiser.

We are frighteningly ineffective, and I suggest to Paul Lambert that we employ a bit more directness about our play until he can bring in a better quality of midfielder.

But he won't, and we'll probably keep on powder-puffing our way about games, drawing and losing here and there.

This is not an anti-Lambert rant per se; contrary to a lot of people I have belief in our forwards and I am certainly happier with the defence than I have been the last couple of seasons, but I see the midfield as a massive problem and sadly, I don`t see a non-cheque book answer.

(Bit of a misnomer really isn't it, cheques are barely even used any more. For that matter I highly doubt managers get actual war chests either. Still, you get my point.)

The U-18's also lost. Jordan Graham scored in a 3-1 defeat at Southampton.

Sunday, 21st October

The Mail on Sunday prints a story about our players 'throwing down Kick It Out shirts in disgust'. It`s complete nonsense, and we release a strongly-worded statement on this matter.

I can barely be bothered to comment any further on this. The Daily Mail is the absolute worst paper this country has ever produced. At least the red tops (which are also horrible) are open about their sensationalistic tabloid philosophy.

So honestly, I couldn't care less about anything they print.

In other news, the ladies beat Coventry 3-1 with goals from Beth Merrick, Sherry McCue and Natasha Merrett. (Incidentally, if you are interested in going out with Sherry McCue, there is an obvious 'Sherry McCute' pun you can use. Flirting advice right there.)

Monday, 22nd October

Darren Bent suggests he isn't overly happy with the rotation system. What player should be? Still, that doesn't stop all the twisting of words by various media sources, including things like him being 'hauled off' on Saturday. It's funny isn't it, the other 5 players that came off were substituted, but Bent was 'hauled off'. He also says some positive things about Lambert but why let perfectly good facts get in the way of storytelling?

Tuesday, 23rd October

Daniel Johnson is off to Yeovil on a loan. I like the lad, and hopefully this will do him good.

Well, that's about everything for the week. Norwich on Saturday; is it too early to suggest it's a six-pointer?

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