When football managers make odd decisions it makes wonder if they’re capable of doing the job. That happened when Martin Jol played Robbie Keane as a winger (Rafael Benitez take note!) So when Juande Ramos fields a weakened team whilst we’re bottom of the league, you wonder what the heck is going on.
The starting line-up last night was Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, Dawson, Bale, Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, Modric, Pavlyuchenko and Bent.
Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley were benched, which I was amazed by. Sure we have a UEFA Cup game on Thursday, however, we need points. We also need to get a settled team, as at the moment it’s clear the side hasn’t gelled.
The side fielded last night was unbalanced with Modric amazingly playing on the left.
Bringing Corluka in made sense, but starting Pavlyuchenko was a bit of a surprise. I would have thought him to be introduced into the Premiership a little more slowly would have been wiser.
The way things are going, I suspect playing a 4-3-3 may be the best choice, with Bentley or Lennon and Giovani as wide attacking players and Pavlyuchenko or Bent upfront, then Modric can play in a free role.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, losing at home it totally unacceptable. Aston Villa have a decent side and they’re good at what they do, however, they’re not a world class side with world class players, therefore we should beat them.
Once again the defending by Spurs last night was a joke, conceding the first due to poor marking. The second Villa goal should never have gone in – Gomes should have saved it. The latter did make a few good saves though. The Spurs goal was lucky after Bent deflected in a Jenas shot.
The only good things to come out of the game was Gareth Bale’s performance. He was outstanding with runs and crossing.
Jermaine Jenas’ impressed after his introduction to the game from the bench. Not only did he get an assist, but he blocked a shot at goal to prevent Villa from going 3-1 up.
Aaron Lennon had one of his better games and looked a threat with his pace. Giovani looked bright when he came on too. Otherwise the performances of other players were below par.
Wisla Krakow come to The Lane on Thursday. Who knows what to expect. Certainly if things don’t improve soon, I expect another managerial change.
I have to take exception at the suggestion that Aston Villa are not a world class side with world class players and therefore Spurs should beat them. Whilst Villa may not be world class, this suggests that spurs are a world class side with world class players. On the evidence of the game last night….. CLEARLY NOT. It proves you cannot assemble expensive players and expect success. Spurs sold the only world class player they had to Manure in case you didn’t notice. How any club can sell two players who scored 60 plus goals last season and then expect to do well this time around is beyond me. Bent looked average at best last night. There is no doubt that villa deserved to win. But for the performance of Gomez in the first half Villa could have been two or three up by half time. I very much doubt Ramos will still be there by the end of the season. Top four finish? Bottom four more like.