The last few seasons have been pretty nervy in terms of how close we have come to going down. Now, I've always felt that, if we were ever going to go down it would have happened in any of the past two seasons. However, I feel we have come through a very difficult period in what I hope is the start of a re-building process at Villa.
Now, I for one would gladly take a quiet, 10-12th place finish this season, reason being it would show improvement from the previous seasons. Whatever happens we need to avoid finding ourselves in trouble or near the bottom. If we are able to do that then it shows we are improving. We have a young squad that is slowly building and needs a few seasons at the very least to prove its worth.
I just believe we are not going to take a huge step into success, after what has occurred in recent times. It will be small steps, patient is required, problems will occur, but we need to be able to deal with them in a much more efficient manner this time round.
Lambert will play a pivotal role amongst all this, not individual players such as Benteke, but the manager and the squad we have. We need to ensure we are able to keep the majority of the squad together and not worry if a single big player is sold in the near future. I'd more than happily take us, continually improving the squad with those young, hungry players because they are the future.
Our youth squad will play a huge part in what our future holds, current Next-Gen champions, but that does not ensure success. Once again I feel we need to be patient, not expect too much, even though that expectancy gene is ingrained in every single supporter.
What Position Would You Be Happy With?
posted on 25/7/13
9th - 10th would be great with perhaps another cup run for added fun.
As long as improvement is seen and we have some great games I think we should be satisfied with this.
We are recovering from a few years of poor management decisions.
posted on 25/7/13
Even if we get 10th-12th I guarantee it won't be quiet!
Can we reproduce the form of the last third of last season? If so then we'll be top half. Last year the bottom half was very even and I think the same'll happen this year.
I'd like us to start getting the odd result against the top teams - Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U, Man C and Spurs. I'm not sure if we're ready for that yet. If we do, it'll either be later on in the season when our new players have really settled in, or early on if one or more of those teams doesn't start well. I expect Arsenal and Chelsea to have a very good season, not sure about Man U/C. If Suarez stays at L'pool I expect then to do better, and I think Martinez will do fine at Everton. Those teams apart, I don't think the rest are intrinsically better than we are.
My guess? It'll have bumpy moments, and the tough start won't help. But I think Lambert will have them playing in a groove a lot earlier this year, and we'll have more strength in depth to keep it going. We could well be down the bottom early on, but we have a decent November and December ahead, and I'm counting on us being ready to get a fair amount out of those 2 months.
At the end of the season, 7th - 9th and a cup. Easy!
posted on 26/7/13
Agree. I'd like us, like we did last season to get that odd result against the teams above us, i.e. 3-1 at Anfield. I think it's those results that will keep a spark in the season. Cannot see a good cup run this time round though. Would love a trophy, but league is priority me thinks.
Otherwise, I think there will be that big pack of teams that will find themselves a few bad results away from the bottom- We need to ensure we are above that pack.
posted on 26/7/13
We can't get much worse from last season. I am still concerned about us defensively. We are very inexperienced at the back, again. More importantly, we have very little defensive depth. Unless a couple of more experienced defenders are brought in, I fear a repeat of last season. Conceding has always been a massive weakness in recent seasons and I have seen very little evidence to suggest this is about t change.
posted on 27/7/13
We were much better defending towards the end of last season, still the odd stupid goal but as many unlucky ones, and the organisation was much better once Vlaar was back. The defence isn't perfect, but I think it won't embarrass us. After all, all we've got to do is score more goals than the opposition! And we're looking better and better at that.
posted on 27/7/13
Defensively much better, Lowton has a full season under his belt and Okore us a top young cb with euro/ international experience albeit not much. Still think a hard tackling cm with experience is needed, someone like Flamini who wouldn't cost much would be perfect..
going for 11th myself
posted on 27/7/13
I also hope these PL doubters get off his back, he is only doing good things Imo, and def going in the right direction
posted on 27/7/13
Somebody, apart from Guzan has to lead well in defence this season- Vlaar is the guy and the key man. I'm sure we won't be as bad as we were defensively last season, but I still need to see us eradicate that panic defending. I'd prefer Clark to play DM, the new lad with Vlaar at CB, Lowton as RB and the new Spanish lad at LB. But if Vlaar is not playing I will worry.
posted on 27/7/13
Yeah Clark at dm is a good shout
guzan
lowron-okore-vlaar-luna
clark-westy
tonev-weimann-gabby
benteke
posted on 27/7/13
to be honest, relegation battles are a lot of fun (though nervy) - but i guess thats only as long as you come out the good side of them.
having said that, one cup run and a 12th place finish, with one or two good performances against the top teams, and i will be happy.
Would also like to see Lowton and even Westwood getting an international call, Gabby to get double figures in league goals, and Benteke to score a hat trick against Spurs.
All that, and i would be delighted.