VILLA WIN.
My weekend is officially great.
Showing posts with label Manchester City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manchester City. Show all posts
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Aston Villa v Man City tomorrow
Aston Villa play Manchester City tomorrow and I think we'll lose.
No optimism here. Realistically, I don't think Villa will go down; they have a little bit too much talent to be considering Championship football next year. However, it ain't lookin' good.
Here's hoping for a draw at least. Been eying teams like QPR and Millwall feeling that the squad would stand a better chance. Urgh.
Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, Fabian Delph, Eric Lichaj, even Nathan Delfouneso...save us!
No optimism here. Realistically, I don't think Villa will go down; they have a little bit too much talent to be considering Championship football next year. However, it ain't lookin' good.
Here's hoping for a draw at least. Been eying teams like QPR and Millwall feeling that the squad would stand a better chance. Urgh.
Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, Fabian Delph, Eric Lichaj, even Nathan Delfouneso...save us!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Football Factory
Rebuilding the football club is a term that gets thrown around all too regularly as the revolving door of managers seems to spit up teams and shit out new ones at every given opportunity.
When Gerard Houllier took over at Aston Villa, a bit of research told me that though he may have been a qualified candidate, he was going to need a different toolbox than the one that Martin O'Neill had put together, relying on a fairly one-dimensional style of play--though one that was often exciting and effective. Plus, you got to watch MON lose it on the touchline every single match, which was worth the time invested on its own.
Kevin MacDonald, who worked closely with O'Neill and managed the first team near the beginning of this season, seemed to know where to tweak the squad and where to go with what Martin O'Neill had left behind. Villa's 3-0 thrashing of West Ham on opening day was composed, collected, and the best football I'd seen them play in some time...I'll remember it well. Watching the team play confidently on the ball from the back up to the front was totally inspiring. I was shouting at my television with every pass and controlled possession.
I wasn't surprised that Kevin MacDonald stepped down, though the way it went down--waiting to announce that he wanted the job, announcing that he wanted the job, and then being turned down for it--caused me to feel a little surprised and skeptical of the new regime.
Houllier deserves his chance, but I can't say I fully back the methods. A new article from the Guardian, posted today, seems to suggest that Houllier wants to completely redevelop the transfer and scouting strategy to focus on younger, underdeveloped players. It seems a little silly to say that when Villa have one of the best reserve academies in the league, and the underlying message is undeniably clear: WE DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH MONEY. In that case: Thank God for young players that are showing how talented they are like Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, and even American Eric Lichaj.
That becomes harder when looking at the amount of talent that Martin O'Neill was always able to bring in near the death of the transfer window. I think there was some serious soreness about letting an asset like Milner out of the team. Without him, we're starting to see how vital he was in the role that he began to occupy in the center. Everyone hated waiting to see if O'Neill was going to do the business, but without fail, season after season, some rare bargains would show up right before the window closed and Villa would have a handful of new names to stitch on the back of their shirts. Not totally dissimilar from Brian Clough's portrayal of signing new players in The Damned United: "Of course I bought him! He's an English International!" But I digress...
One player who excelled at his former club and a player who single-handedly rescued the Villa defense last season was Richard Dunne. He hasn't looked half the player he was under O'Neill since he left. It's disenchanting. Martin Laursen's absence was a huge hole to fill, and Dunne did it effortlessly last season after he was pushed out of City. He showed his class by scoring a goal against his former club and refusing to celebrate. O'Neill always seemed to get the best out of him for each match, and this season he's been as inconsistent as Chicago weather.
Warnock was someone who I was admittedly surprised to see come to Villa, but I always thought he was a breath of fresh air. He has made some mistakes at the back, but he has made overlapping runs, he puts in a good ball--even the occasional long ball across to the opposite flank with near pinpoint accuracy--and always looks like he's putting his all into every shift. He could stand to be a little faster sometimes, but I think on his day, he's a match for any wing in the league.
The Guardian reports that it is speculated Warnock will be moved on come January. I'm sad to see him go, if it's true. The biggest worry about this, is that the speculation came from The Guardian--while if it were printed in the Daily Mail, I would know it was exactly that--speculation, and nothing more. Frustrating times in the life of a Villa fan.
Houllier, the football factory is yours now. Here's to hoping you can get the cogs moving in the right direction.
When Gerard Houllier took over at Aston Villa, a bit of research told me that though he may have been a qualified candidate, he was going to need a different toolbox than the one that Martin O'Neill had put together, relying on a fairly one-dimensional style of play--though one that was often exciting and effective. Plus, you got to watch MON lose it on the touchline every single match, which was worth the time invested on its own.
Kevin MacDonald, who worked closely with O'Neill and managed the first team near the beginning of this season, seemed to know where to tweak the squad and where to go with what Martin O'Neill had left behind. Villa's 3-0 thrashing of West Ham on opening day was composed, collected, and the best football I'd seen them play in some time...I'll remember it well. Watching the team play confidently on the ball from the back up to the front was totally inspiring. I was shouting at my television with every pass and controlled possession.
I wasn't surprised that Kevin MacDonald stepped down, though the way it went down--waiting to announce that he wanted the job, announcing that he wanted the job, and then being turned down for it--caused me to feel a little surprised and skeptical of the new regime.
Houllier deserves his chance, but I can't say I fully back the methods. A new article from the Guardian, posted today, seems to suggest that Houllier wants to completely redevelop the transfer and scouting strategy to focus on younger, underdeveloped players. It seems a little silly to say that when Villa have one of the best reserve academies in the league, and the underlying message is undeniably clear: WE DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH MONEY. In that case: Thank God for young players that are showing how talented they are like Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, and even American Eric Lichaj.
That becomes harder when looking at the amount of talent that Martin O'Neill was always able to bring in near the death of the transfer window. I think there was some serious soreness about letting an asset like Milner out of the team. Without him, we're starting to see how vital he was in the role that he began to occupy in the center. Everyone hated waiting to see if O'Neill was going to do the business, but without fail, season after season, some rare bargains would show up right before the window closed and Villa would have a handful of new names to stitch on the back of their shirts. Not totally dissimilar from Brian Clough's portrayal of signing new players in The Damned United: "Of course I bought him! He's an English International!" But I digress...
One player who excelled at his former club and a player who single-handedly rescued the Villa defense last season was Richard Dunne. He hasn't looked half the player he was under O'Neill since he left. It's disenchanting. Martin Laursen's absence was a huge hole to fill, and Dunne did it effortlessly last season after he was pushed out of City. He showed his class by scoring a goal against his former club and refusing to celebrate. O'Neill always seemed to get the best out of him for each match, and this season he's been as inconsistent as Chicago weather.
Warnock was someone who I was admittedly surprised to see come to Villa, but I always thought he was a breath of fresh air. He has made some mistakes at the back, but he has made overlapping runs, he puts in a good ball--even the occasional long ball across to the opposite flank with near pinpoint accuracy--and always looks like he's putting his all into every shift. He could stand to be a little faster sometimes, but I think on his day, he's a match for any wing in the league.
The Guardian reports that it is speculated Warnock will be moved on come January. I'm sad to see him go, if it's true. The biggest worry about this, is that the speculation came from The Guardian--while if it were printed in the Daily Mail, I would know it was exactly that--speculation, and nothing more. Frustrating times in the life of a Villa fan.
Houllier, the football factory is yours now. Here's to hoping you can get the cogs moving in the right direction.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Mourinho & Tevez?
I thought of a possibility regarding the emerging transfer window that I think is financially feasible, admittedly outlandish, and strangely enticing.
Tevez has been complaining that he no longer wants to stay at Man City, and after reading a bit about Mourinho's press conference and alleged desire for another striker, I figured Tevez may well become his latest mercenary. Mourinho knows how to play the media well, Tevez could link up with Ronaldo and DiMaria again, and garner a move to a Spanish-speaking country which may avert his alleged homesickness.
Am I totally out of line? It might happen.
Tevez has been complaining that he no longer wants to stay at Man City, and after reading a bit about Mourinho's press conference and alleged desire for another striker, I figured Tevez may well become his latest mercenary. Mourinho knows how to play the media well, Tevez could link up with Ronaldo and DiMaria again, and garner a move to a Spanish-speaking country which may avert his alleged homesickness.
Am I totally out of line? It might happen.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Flowers and Football Tops...
For those of you who saw, today saw a lot of interesting results in football/soccer.
EPL -- Tottenham lost to West Ham 1-0, West Bromwich Albion beat Arsenal, Liverpool drew with Sunderland, and Chelsea, who looked all but unstoppable, lost to Manchester City. In La Liga, Real Madrid were held goalless by a side who just got promoted from the Segunda. With as much money as Real Madrid has invested on the biggest players in the world, including new World Cup stars like Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil, it's incredible to me that they don't dominate with as much fluidity as a team like Barcelona (who won 3-0 without Lionel Messi). Manchester City's money-spending has got them a team of complete all stars, but it still seems like the only one they really needed is Carlos Tevez. He scored in between the legs of Ashley Cole today and it was fantastic. I felt like I could feel the goal building as soon as Tevez got the ball.
Anyway, my Saturday has been completely spent between soccer and music. I hung out with a few friends and played quite a few riffs/jams I've been trying to work on and I was super excited about the way everything sounded. Here's to hoping we're able to do it again some time soon. I'll post recordings here if I ever end up doing anything with them.
UPDATE: Here's a really great interview on Tevez being given the Captaincy at City.
EPL -- Tottenham lost to West Ham 1-0, West Bromwich Albion beat Arsenal, Liverpool drew with Sunderland, and Chelsea, who looked all but unstoppable, lost to Manchester City. In La Liga, Real Madrid were held goalless by a side who just got promoted from the Segunda. With as much money as Real Madrid has invested on the biggest players in the world, including new World Cup stars like Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil, it's incredible to me that they don't dominate with as much fluidity as a team like Barcelona (who won 3-0 without Lionel Messi). Manchester City's money-spending has got them a team of complete all stars, but it still seems like the only one they really needed is Carlos Tevez. He scored in between the legs of Ashley Cole today and it was fantastic. I felt like I could feel the goal building as soon as Tevez got the ball.
Anyway, my Saturday has been completely spent between soccer and music. I hung out with a few friends and played quite a few riffs/jams I've been trying to work on and I was super excited about the way everything sounded. Here's to hoping we're able to do it again some time soon. I'll post recordings here if I ever end up doing anything with them.
UPDATE: Here's a really great interview on Tevez being given the Captaincy at City.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Villa Victory, World Cup Draw, City Win at Chelsea...
Living in Chicago, you can't luck out every week with your EPL cable coverage, and this week they weren't airing the Villa match as Villa took on Hull City at Villa Park. I was pleased when I woke up to some good news, however, namely that Villa seemed to dismantle Hull without too much trouble.
Richard Dunne and Gabby celebrating Dunne's strike, which I'm still waiting to see on the highlights.
A thrilling match I did get to see was Chelsea and Manchester City. I was excited for Eastlands and co. when Robinho came through, and I thought he played a great game. Also, for me it's always exciting just to see Chelsea lose--especially this season. They look invincible half the time. Ancoletti has turned that team into a veritable force of strength, and I think it's fair to say that City gave them a run for their money today...no pun intended.
After World Cup draw yesterday, I'm actually pretty excited to see the USA get drawn in a group with England, though it's going to be tough to make it through. I'm confident that this will be a good World Cup for the US; they seem to have a fairly good squad.
Richard Dunne and Gabby celebrating Dunne's strike, which I'm still waiting to see on the highlights.
A thrilling match I did get to see was Chelsea and Manchester City. I was excited for Eastlands and co. when Robinho came through, and I thought he played a great game. Also, for me it's always exciting just to see Chelsea lose--especially this season. They look invincible half the time. Ancoletti has turned that team into a veritable force of strength, and I think it's fair to say that City gave them a run for their money today...no pun intended.
After World Cup draw yesterday, I'm actually pretty excited to see the USA get drawn in a group with England, though it's going to be tough to make it through. I'm confident that this will be a good World Cup for the US; they seem to have a fairly good squad.
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