I can never remember a time when I watch us play and feel pretty confident that we are not going to ship goals left, right and centre. However, it can make for a pretty stale game at certain times. I completely understand the logic and mentality of what Hughton is doing but there have been some games where we really do not look like we will score in a million years, apart from at set pieces. With some strategic investment to improve our attacking options, I don't think you can argue against this defensive first approach standing us in good stead for the future. History dictates that most teams are relegated because they leak too many goals. We just don't look like doing that at the moment, unless Bassong were to get injured. Then I would be very worried indeed! Could Bassong now be our most important player?
Hampy - I have to say that you're spot on with your comments about PL and someone else mentioned to me that we haven't kept a clean sheet since Ruddy got injured. I'm not blaming Bunn however, though he could have done better for some of the goals we've conceded. We DID need to be better defensively and that is what CH has instilled in our players and Bassong has been instrumental in this - though I have to add that Turner is definitely improving as the season goes on. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year and Good Luck for 5th Jan!!!
To say that Lambert thought he had taken us as far as he could is stating the bleedin' obvious - if he thought differently he would have stayed. Only time will tell whether we finish higher this season than last - I personally don't think we will. Having made that decision he had to get out quick and at that time Villa was the only job available that he was likely to get. Again only time will tell whether he can turn Villa round although I suspect he will have a few bob to spend in January and will keep them up comfortably. If he doesn't he might get the sack but if he really starts to turn Villa round he would be in line for one of the top jobs and that is what he really wants in the longer term and I doubt whether he thought he could achieve that by staying here and not beating last seasons achievement. I think that if he stayed here we would have slid back down the table - probably lower than we are now - and that would have done his reputation and hopes for a big job no good at all. I suspect and hope that the change will end up being of benefit to both Clubs and both Managers.
To be honest, I doubt very much that PL can go any "higher" in his career. Certainly for the time being, the top four of recent years, would never appoint him. Who are left? I don't see him at Spurs or Liverpool. That could leave only Everton, if Moyes ends up as we expect, at Manure. But I don't see Everton as a bigger club than Villa. But with the sacking of O'Driscoll at Forest recently, I could be talking complete Trossachs!
It's pretty much turned out how we expected hasn't it? He jumped ship too early and for the wrong billet.I'm personally not convinced by the 8-0 and 0-4 results that they are down and out though.I suppose three points from Chelsea and Liverpool away and Spurs at home isn't terrible,any struggling club would settle for that.Nevertheless,all things considered he would have been better staying put.Of course we don't know how many pieces of silver need to be factored into the equation.
