Pains, Trains and Coaching Ordeals

Well, that escalated quickly…

Paul Lambert claimed on Saturday that nobody knew what was going on behind the scenes at Aston Villa Football Club. He was correct – we obviously didn’t. There had been murmurings of falling outs between the coaching staff and certain players for a few weeks and the suspensions of Culverhouse and Karsa seem to have backed this up. Today’s events followed yesterday’s rumours of Marc Albrighton getting the train home from London rather than the coach with the rest of the team. We also were given a statement from CEO Paul Faulkner. It’s certainly been a turbulent four days.

Pains

I watched the Palace game on a live feed on Saturday. We have served up more than a few dismal performances over the last four seasons and I felt this one was right up there with the worst of them. What worried me most was that very few players could get the basics right. The result was poor but I didn’t feel like there was any chance of us scoring in the entire game as we couldn’t string three passes together.

I can see why Lambert set us up 5-3-2. I don’t have a problem with that but when it so clearly wasn’t working it should have been changed much, much earlier. It was no good changing it when we went 1-0 down. The damage was done as we looked toothless in attack throughout the game. We were also lucky that Cameron Jerome was feeling generous because we looked terrible at the back as well as up top. How Puncheon was allowed the space he had with five defenders on the pitch is beyond me.

The fans turned at the end of the game. I understand this: I have been one of the few who has defended and supported Lambert this season and, although I’m starting to have my doubts, I still stand by him for now. I will back him until the end of the season and look at how I feel when it ends. If we are to go down then obviously he would have to go. I have nothing against fans venting their anger after a match: it’s the ones who boo and abuse Lambert during matches who annoy me.

This leads me on to Paul Faulkner’s statement. It is fair to say that it hasn’t been particularly well received. I understand the sentiment behind it and even agree with some of what he says but, quite frankly, it was ill advised. It’s a statement that would have been better coming from club ambassador Ian Taylor or even Gabby Agbonlahor.

Paul Faulkner is not currently respected by a large percentage of Villa fans. I can’t say I share all of the views against him as I’m sure he has done some good in his time at Aston Villa. Unfortunately, his words came across as patronising to supporters who have spent a lot of money, with very little joy to show for it over the last four seasons. Words from the CEO about everyone hurting are all well and good but the only people who seem distressed are the supporters. Although I don’t agree with everything Randy Lerner has done, I still think he has done a lot of good and would never take to abusing him but our CEO cannot say “it’s time for us all to pull together” when Mr Lerner has not been seen at Villa Park for some time.

In light of yesterday’s news, the statement now seems all the more bizarre.

Trains

The Albrighton train story is another issue that has arisen this week. I’m not sure why this has become such a big deal, although I have heard rumours that it wasn’t just Albrighton who travelled by train. This isn’t necessarily a big deal because players from many clubs stay in London after games. I imagine doing so would have been agreed in advance and it doesn’t automatically mean there has been a falling out. I’ve heard theories like he stayed behind to do the London marathon but I don’t know how true that is. Personally, I assumed that he probably stayed behind to catch up with his pal Barry Bannan or to see the Wigan players after their semi-final.

Albrighton has been mentioned in relation to Karsa and Culverhouse being suspended but, with an internal investigation imminent, I’m guessing we won’t find out what role he may or may not have played in this.

Coaching Ordeals

Not many of us imagined Karsa and Culverhouse would be suspended but hopefully it will work in our favour for the last five games. Let’s face it: they can’t be any worse than the last four.

Culverhouse has enjoyed a frosty relationship with the fans who sit behind him in the Trinity Road stand. Apparently, he was involved in a slanging match with fans some time agao.

I’m not sure what a ‘head of football operations’ does but it’s clear that Karsa  is suspected of some wrongdoing.

Without knowing the full story, it’s difficult to comment but rumors have been rife about fallings outs with players and Cowans and there have been suggestions that training sessions have been below par.

It seems to be the general understanding that Lambert agreed with these suspensions and that his job is safe. It is certainly a surprise that Lambert has backed this when both men have worked with him for many years but it’s clear something has had to give as things not been right for months. Is Lambert just at a point now where he will do anything to keep this job?

Gordan Cownans and Shay Given have moved up to fill the roles of the suspended men on a temporary basis. Cowans was involved with the first team under Alex McLeish and it was thought he was much happier with the youth team. The difference between then and now is that our squad is a lot younger. Cowans is a legend and has done so much good work around the club so I’d like to see him remain with the first team permanently. I’m sure he will be pushing for young Callum Robinson to be given a go and, at a time when we are short of goals, I am not adverse to this. I suspect most other fans will be right behind Cowans and Robinson would be something different. The lad has been banging them in for the under 21s all season so he deserves a chance.

It was intriguing to see Shay Given named as a coach. I have disagreed with the way he has been treated under Lambert as he’s not a bad keeper by any means and he’s just unfortunate that Brad Guzan is better. It’s not Given’s fault that he was handed a daft contract and even as a substitute goalkeeper I felt he had lots to offer. We would have been much better off sending Jed Steer on loan this season and keeping Given on the bench. After all, we are still paying him a fortune while he’s here so we should have made better use of him. Given is a proper professional and well respected by the players since he is also a leader. It speaks volumes that despite what he’s been through this season he’s agreed to step up. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table.

Suddenly, Saturday’s game has become very interesting. Hopefully the crowd will get behind the players and new staff. We need to get over the line with what we have so we may as well back them all as none of us want Championship football next season.

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7 comments

  1. How the hell has the club managed to get itself in such a mess? Absolutely shocking way to run a football club. Good luck to Sid. What a legend!

  2. An interesting summary & not far from the truth as I’ve been told it by an reliable source who is a mod on another site .Lambert apparently has been relying on Culverhouse & Karsa for training & team selection & has been let down badly by the pair of them . Why remains to be seen but the team are not happy that they were not allowed to kick on after the Chelski win . Also there apparently has been a minor spate between Sid ,who the team are backing, & Culverhouse over sugestion that some of the U21’s be used . And this was kept from Lambert who is furious that his 2 deputies did so , and qustions need to be asked why they did so !
    So let’s hope that with Lambert having more involvement in training & team selection Villa can kick on & start winning a few if not all of the remaining matches

  3. Good article Dan. Makes a lot of sense and I agree. At least someone is staying calm while most fans are moaning and getting the pitchforks out.

    I think bringing in more likeable characters in Sid and Shay is a good move. It will surely add something positive into the dressing room.

  4. I agree that we should keep PL at least until the end of the season. Sid Cowans coming in will help a great deal and now that the under 21 teams season is over he can put all his energy and experience into the first team. Perhaps he could ask the likes of Ian VILLA Taylor to visit the training ground to talk to players about what this great club of ours means to us the supporters? All we ask is that the team shows passion and commitment when they pull on the shirt. We know we can’t compete with the money clubs at the moment but there is no excuse for not giving it everything they have on match days. Most of us would love the chance to pull the shirt on and walk out onto the hallowed turf of Villa Park. C’mon Villa, get us over the line and preserve our Premier League status and then sort the rest out at the end of the season … Hopefully we can spend heavily in the close season and get rid of the players who are just not good enough for OUR club. UTV!

  5. First the Filing Cabinets and Flower Pots Then the desk. Get the hint Paul.
    The letter should read “I Quit”. You need to take the hint.

    I doubt if we will get any chat from VP or the lads in the present circumstances, confirming or denying. Simply because either way somebody will blow it up out of proportion.

    The Football pundits in the States, ex English league players, are expressing deep concerns over the state of our club.

    It rather surprised me that these ex players ( Warren Barton Robbie Earle Colby Jones to name but a few ) had such deep concerns over a club none of them ever played for.

    Warren ( ex Newcastle United ) referred to the Villa Fans “deeply loyal and football savvy” and VP with a good team would be a cauldron of noise. “They deserve a lot better and the management team should hold up their hands and admit We Got It Wrong”.

    Let’s hope some of the Villa Supporters passion and love of club gets transmitted to these players we are stuck with. If anyone can do it Sid’s the man. BUT will they listen?

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