Going back to the Brentford game, in many ways it was similar to Leeds the week before. We were good in the first half, then Brentford raised their game second half. The difference is that Krul this time made excellent reflex saves as compared to an uncharacteristic error against Leeds. Goals prevented rather than a goal conceded. The other major difference for me was Normann's performance, rightly commended on MOTD. His goal could have been Emi in full flow, dribbling past several defenders and then placing it perfectly inside the post. Classic Emi. Then to top it off he played a perfectly weighted through ball to put Pukki through on goal resulting in the penalty. Again, classic Emi. He's only played 6 matches but looks better and better with each one. Well done both!
Given our win, we've now become a form team in our bottom 7 mini league over the last 5 games. Here are the points for each: Norwich City 5 Leeds 5 Burnley 5 Watford 3 Brentford 3 Newcastle 2 Villa 0 Villa have now lost 5 in a row and Brentford 4 in a row, so the table could close up over the coming weeks and that could have a big effect on our chances of survival.
I think the shift happened earlier. Having been promoted as champions the first time we became a top 21 side and this was confirmed when we were promoted as champions again. This time though, serious money was spent on new players and expectations also rose, with Farke even saying he wouldn't accept 17th place during the preseason - he wanted more. Then the covid outbreak made a mess of the preseason and two games were cancelled. Add to that a brutal first four games where we were well beaten by Liverpool and ManCity but a 6-0 cup win over Bournemouth rekindled hope. We then just missed a draw against Leicester and lost by the only goal at Arsenal. Watford was a turning point - a game we could win but didn't. The cup loss to Liverpool added to a bleak mood. We played well enough at Everton but two mistakes ended any hope and things looked even more desperate. An unexpected draw at Burnley and again against Brighton rekindled hope which was wiped out by the mauling at Chelsea. A sense of desperation was carried into the Leeds game which was going well enough until the uncharacteristic mistake by Krul and gloom descended again. Football is a game of fine margins and all of those seemed to be going against us. Had a few of those gone in our favour the Brentford game might have made a difference but that wasn't to be. Time will tell whether the new Head Coach will take us further. It's an opportunity, given the current form table in the bottom seven mini league, but will the new leader bounce take us up or down?
Gerrard has done well at Rangers to over haul Celtic who have been miles ahead, but it is a tinpot league with most teams no better than lge1 level. Can he step up to the Villa job and the pressures of the PL? I don't think it's possible to know. Villa I think have a squad that is capable of comfortably beating the drop so if he takes it and staying up is the only goal first season, I think he should manage it. Whether he does and then can kick on in line with no doubt loftier ambitions from the owners, only time will tell. No doubt like Lampard these jobs are coming to them as much if not more because of their playing careers and profile, than evidence of management pedigree, but they will both sink or swim with each opportunity. Bah!
It's a risk for him, it will either make or break whether he will get the Liverpool job, down the line.
Hmm, employing close friends in a volatile industry where kneejerk sackings are demanded by fans and owners at the faintest hint of form loss....what could possibly go wrong! Bah!
Maybe, him and Lampard I think are maybe in too big a hurry to get to the top. Lampard maybe did well to escape a clusterwotsit of a situation at Derby, but he was never going to be ready for a job the size of Chelsea after one decent but not earth shattering stint at Derby. I think the same is likely for Gerrard. He will see Villa as a stepping stone to Liverpool, but more time perhaps through some adversity might have him better ready for big jobs and the PL. Not sure failure or not excelling at Villa will rule him out long term, just needs to build a good portfolio of work and sound reputation over a number of seasons because there are dues to be paid before getting the biggest jobs in football. Lampard got a circumstantial shortcut, but they both will have much to prove before the big boys come knocking. Some of that proof may be how they bounce back from being sacked/failing. Look at Rogers, sacked by Liverpool, rebuilt his reputation (Though it wasn't heavily tarnished) and if you believe the press another opportunity has come around. But he built a reputation over several years before getting that chance. Bah!
That could be a tricky one as Villa fans' expectations were hugely buoyed by their summer signings, though that was dented a bit by Grealish leaving. Five straight losses spelled the end for Smith in spite of all that he'd done for them, so there will be pressure on Gerrard from the off. Their next five matches start at home against Brighton and away against Palace, but they then face ManCity and Leicester away and Liverpool at home. They need results in the first two to take some pressure off.
Krul has chosen club over country: https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...im-krul-netherlands-van-gaal-priority-8481220
And the winner is..... https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-ncfc-frank-lampard-new-head-coach-8482568 Lampard apparently
I'm meh about it, safe option and the media will love it, be interesting to see who the coaching staff are
