First the good news. We beat Man Utd for the first time at Old Trafford for 23 years. We rode our luck, but we got away with it. Secondly we are sitting 5th, although this time next week it may be 9th.
When we signed AVB I didn't want him, and nothing has changed my mind. I thought he was tactically good, but lacked in man management skills. I have changed my mind, he is tactically inept. Yesterday against Wigan at home, the only person in the entire stadium that couldn't see it was a 4-4-2 game was AVB. We needed Dempsey as an attacking mid fielder, with DeFoe and Adebayor up front. Even after we went 1-0 down, he still wouldn't change the formation, and took off our leading goal scorer. I accept we have injury problems, but AVB just doesn't utilise the players we have properly. Anyway, game by game,
Newcastle away 2-1 loss. We played quite well and deserved a draw.
West Brom home 1-1. In my opinion we were lucky to get a draw
Norwich home 1-1. We were truly dreadful and deserved nothing from that game
Reading away 3-1. win. A great first half, and a poor second half. That said, we deserved the win and got it.
QPR home 2-1 win. One of only two wins at home, and QPR were unlucky not to get a draw.
Man Utd away 3-2 win. See the above
Villa home 2-0 win. In my opinion our best game this season, albeit Villa were terrible. An easy win that we deserved
Chelsea at home 4-2 loss. A bit flattering on Chelsea, although I think they were a goal better. This typified AVB's tactics. As soon as we went a goal up, he made a defensive change, we sat back and the conceded two goals,
Southampton away 2-1 win. Played like Barca in the first half, and Enfield town in the second. We gripped on for dear life and scraped a lucky win.
Wigan home 1-0 loss. Our worst performance this season. Unmotivated players, poor tactics and poor substitutions. 1-0 was flattering on us.
We are out of the league cup after dominating the game against Norwich in the 1st half, and lost because of AVB's tactical changes. We are struggling in the Europa cup, however only time will tell on this one.
In short, even with the injuries we have, I believe a decent manager would have clocked up at least another 4 or 5 points, thus leaving us a comfortable 3rd. Instead, with Man City and Ars*nal coming up, the chances are we will be mid table withing a few weeks.
I know those of you out there that thought AVB was a good signing will be reluctant to deride him, and will probably stick by him, even when he gets sacked, however it is my belief that the man's inadequacies are showing through, and his luck is starting to run out. Get ready for a bumpy ride !!