Thoughts and issues regarding the past and present of a great football club by "The Chronicler".

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Mystery Happenings at VP

For the last couple of years some strange things have been taking place at Villa Park. And one of the major 'things' has been the strange treatment of certain players.

We might have raised an eyebrow at the creation of the 'Bomb Squad' - the reason for which backfired enormously and eventually Hutton, N'Zogbia and Bent had to be re-assimilated into the first-team squad. Not playing them before must have been at some cost to Villa, although they were out on loan for periods. 

Since last season, however, the matter of Helenius has struck me as being particularly odd, and the fellow seems now to be anti-Villa. He just wasn't persevered with, but my guess is he would have been a good option in the absence of Benteke.

And now there is the matter of Okore, who many thought looked to be extremely promising before his untimely and lengthy injury last season. He appears even to have figured well in this season's pre-season matches, and yet Lambert said (in October) that he's not ready for the Premiership. Okore (I now read) appears to be getting anxious about his position and may be considering his options for the January transfer window. That Clark (as third/fourth choice) has been used adds some mystification to the situation as surely Okore would be a better option?

And there's the Jack Grealish scenario that also threatens to be categorised as another 'strange one' after he signed a new contract. And there are other players that have come and gone or been hidden away in the storage cupboard that we could ask many questions about.

All this (plus a few other things like some appalling records created under Lambert's watch) makes me feel that the chairman does not really have a clue. That the Browns are now doing so well in the States since Lerner vacated his seat seems to highlight that fact. Is he now being out-Fox-ed at Villa Park by someone who is taking advantage of Lerner's naiivity?

Aston Villa : RIP

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