Written by James Tuesday, 01 December 2009 09:18
Do you know what’s wrong with Britain today? Lots of things I hear you say. Well, for me, the biggest pain in the arse is the fact that my best is never good enough.
How many of you are sick of your boss waving action plans in front of your faces, or ‘Annual Reviews’ where you get a pat on the back and then a new list of ridiculously inflated targets? In modern Britain it’s never enough to be good at our jobs, society always wants that little bit more.
Now that is fine, I guess, at least we get paid for that crap, but it doesn’t stop there does it? Regular Villa Blog readers will know that our Damian, if he’s not drinking coffee or beer, is usually engaged in some sort of home improvement. Now, we all know he’s not the only one.
If I’m asked to change the colour of the lounge one more time, or install fancy bloody lights in the bathroom, or extend the patio round the corner, I may well end up burying The Demanding One under it.
So, in work, as The Cure might groan, it’s ‘Never Enough’ and at home it’s just the same. I’m guessing you can all see where this is going. Nobody in their right mind loves work, some of us love our wives (some of the time), but the one thing we all love, unconditionally, is Aston Villa Football Club.
But now, the evil of modern Britain is tainting even this formidable love affair. We hear cries of ‘where next?’, ‘not good enough’, ‘next level’, ‘new targets’ blah blah blah.
And it hurts.
So, next time you stare into the mocking eyes of your target setting boss, or tear chunks from your thinning hairline as the wife outlines her latest home improvement schemes, think on your one true love and the demands you place upon her.
Accept Martin. Settle for good. Given time he’ll get their, in his own idiosyncratic way.
James, when not under instruction from his wife or boss, goes by the user name Nanwasafan on the site
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ryan h
said:
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... love this post says it all in a relative way, sometimes your better to build slow, even stand still!! if we are in the europa next season i will be happy!! |
ryan h
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... damien, if you could change any 3 things about the side to take the step forward we crave, what would they be?? |
Damian
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... too difficult to answer right now but and i dont think we need three things. first thought, i'd not play 442 - it allows teams to much time against us and move to 451 or something looking like that - i'd only play gabby as the recognised striker and put milner, webcam, stan, reo-coker and sidwell in the middle - when downing is fit, swap one of those for him and let milner, webcam and downing play off each other, switch and generally just let them play football i know you'll think it too simple, but i'm not saying o'neill has to do much or he hasn't done well .. but statistically we have better results with 5 in the middle and it is a little more up to date |
tommy_villa
said:
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... I like (not love) what MON has done at the club and agree, for the most part, with your philosophy of "settling for good". What annoys me the most is our lack of consistancy: beat liverpool away, lose at home to wigan, play a good first half against spurs, then play a horrendous second half and drop two points. We need more bite in central midfield to kill off a game and to take time out of a game (i.e. pass it around for 10 mins and force fouls from the opposition). |
Greg Hill
said:
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... Very funny – as ever from you. But four things: 1.The one thing we all love, unconditionally, is Aston Villa Football Club: Agreed 2.I really love my job 3.Martin: do the chores or, I want a divorce. 4.A man's reach should exceed his grasp And to repeat Pleat from yesterday’s Guardian: Milner and Ashley Young were forced to help their fullbacks rather than busy themselves as an attacking force. After 20 minutes of that second period, Villa needed to retake the centre and possibly substitute a tiring striker for a third midfield player to get hold of the game. So why can’t MON get to grips with even this basic stuff??!! Accept Martin. Settle for good. Given time he’ll get their, in his own idiosyncratic way? No way. Get on with it MON or out. |
doubledown9
said:
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... Great post. That's all I've got for now. Anyone know anything about Civil Society and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood? Spent all weekend watching footy and now have to run a pissing seminar on it. Bugger. |
ryan h
said:
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... have to say, i have alwayws thought reo coker and petrov to kind of hold and once downing was fit he ash and jimmy milner with gabby up top, would be effective, especially away from home as we are quite strong(not based on saturday!) at villa park this year. i would like to see ash in 'the hole', two seasons ago he came a bit more centeral and we smashed bolton, blues and derby just a thought on transfer policy, we seem to be setting spurs as a sort of bench mark on her a little bit, and with a thought to that relative to there percieved better transfer activity in recent years, they signed palacios from wigan defoe from portsmouth crouch from portsmouth modric from dinamo zagreb kranjcar from portsmouth this tells me good players are available from lesser sides!! maybe mon should gamble a little more!! |
robvilla
said:
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... Good on yer nan, let's put things into some perspective and one half decent half of football in two matches doesn't make us also rans. Kevin Prince Boateng and Jamie O'Hara (arguably Pompey's most impressive performers this season) are cup tied tonight, as are Tommy Smith and Mike Williamson. David James, Steve Finnan and Papa Bouba Diop are also unlikely to feature through injury. Little Brad must start tonight after the way he has performed so far when given a chance. MON isn't likely to drop Big Brad anytime soon in the league thanks to his consecutive appearance record combined with good form, which I'm sure has something to do with the promise Guzan is showing. Little Brad must keep his Carling Cup place tonight, beard or no beard. This is also the perfect opportunity for MON to give Delph a run out in place of InviSidwell. He needs minutes on the pitch, as does Downing, who must also surely feature at some stage. Expect also another immense performance from Cuellar who clearly has the bit between his braces finally playing in his favoured position and injury free in World Cup year. We'll get a result tonight, fact and then another fact is that we're two football matches away from a return to Wembley. UTV! |
rocky marciano
said:
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... someone should take that david pleat article and cut and paste it onto MONs forrid !!! |
Tjeiken
said:
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... i agree with damien here, but i think webcam is better in the middle and downing to the left, i also believe carew could play better with downing on the field  quick question, why is ashley called webcam  no clue (im a norwegian villa fan) |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... I'd go with the following tonight... Guzan L Young Cueller Dunne Warnock Petrov Delph A Young Milner Downing Gabby Freidel Beye Clarke Sidwell Albrighton Heskey Carew The energy, enthusiasm and class of Delph, A Young, Milner, Downing and Gabby should rip them apart! |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Nice post Nan. That article of David Pleat's is spot on. MON isn't stupid, he know what we are missing too. He will either address it come January or, more than likely, bring Delph/Downing into the team. Delph can be that creative player we're all praying for. All this talk of Sturridge?? Why bother when we have Delfouneso? He is every bit as good, if not better. |
Chris Harper
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... James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini Same team I would play. Or if Collins is fit, bring him in and rest Dunne maybe? |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Have a bad feeling Collins may be out for a while. Such a shame. |
John Samuels
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...this tells me good players are available from lesser sides!! Collins - WHam Dunne - Man City Downing - Boro A. Young - Watford Milner - Newcastle Guzan - Chivas USA Cuellar - Ranger Petrov - Celtic Really?  |
Andi
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... Is that a form of positivity ? am i reading it right ? I would leave carew out for tonight and if he does go 4-4-2 play EMULE he deserves a run out |
Chris Harper
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... And.....JPA, Harry bought all of those because they played for him at his previous club (Portsmouth)! |
Andi
said:
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... Villa_Chris -  Emule looks eager where as Carew has flashes perhaps some time to reflect from the bench for Carew will sort it out if not all expense paid trip to legs eleven should sort him out  |
ryan h
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... jpa you miss the point, the point is palacios, defoe and modric would walk into our current side, so the better quality of player is out there |
Chris Harper
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... I agree Chiefy, Heskey looked like a world beater when he cam on Saturday. Ok, maybe a little over the top but he was eager as you say. |
Andi
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... i have heard a few rumours milling around that Carrick might be coming as Fergie doesnt want him and tthat Keane is fed up with being third choice and knows Harry is looking for another striker and he might be on his way |
Chris Harper
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... I would love Keane at Villa. He can play as a striker, or like a Rooney type role, dropping back off the forward and being creative. To be honest, I think this is what MON might have in mind for Downing though. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Chiefy i agree. I think he looked very lvely when he came on the last night. Would he work well playing up front alone with Young playing off him a little(a bit like Rooney does with him for England)? Young would be the best player picking up the lay offs that Heskey would provide and run at them down the centre? That way we could play Downing on the left and i think he will be far better in possession there then Young is. |
Andi
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... I think Heskey would work well as AK-27 suggests, to a certain extent you have to question how the players are being asked to play and if this has affected their form. You just dont lose the skill and touch that gets you valued at 30million (young) or the goal scoring ability that has seen you play for England, Liverpool and Leicester is it the players or the system ? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Well if you look at how Heskey plays with England he is the most advanced player on the pitch. His primary role (which he is very good at) is to hold it up and then lay it off to players driving forward to come onto the ball heading at goal. For Villa he isn't the most advanced player as Gabby is normally further up the pitch and this is why i think they don't work well together. If Gabby is beyond him Heskey he can't see him and is only knocking headers on in hope and has nobody really coming onto the ball from deep the way he does for England. Gabby also lacks intelligence in my opinion so doesn't really link up well with Heskey. Could you ask Gabby to come deeper? Probably not as his danger is his pace and that would probably take away from his game. I just don't think Heskey nd Gabby can play together. Or Heskey and Carew for that matter also. |
John Samuels
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...you miss the point, the point is palacios, defoe and modric would walk into our current side, so the better quality of player is out there I get you, I'm just making a point. Friedel, Dunne, Cuellar and Warnock would walk into theirs. Their strength is in attack and ours is in defence. My other point is that when we are playing well or should I say when our big players are playing well the likliehood is you could add Gabby, Petrov, A. Young and Milner to that list. We're having an offensive midfield mare at the minute, but we do have the quality in the squad. |
Mark
said:
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... Good article James, however, there are too many deluded fans on here expecting miracles from MON. I can not see us challenging for the title for another 5yrs plus. This doesn't mean we have the wrong manager. Man.U, Chelsea etc are bigger clubs with bigger pedigree and can more or less choose who they like; money being no object. At least MON is trying something different to try and compete. He is probably just as bemused as you and I as to why Ash for example is not even half the player he was last season. Our defence is sound, just needs a shake up in midfield and attack (incl. dropping Gabby from time to time). |
John Samuels
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... ak, would you say this could be our best team assuming the defence is pretty standard. -----Petrov--------- Gabby-Milner-Downing ---------A.Young---- -----Heskey--------- ????????????????????? |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...Accept Martin. Settle for good. Given time he’ll get their, in his own idiosyncratic way. Well there is the crux of the debate Will he get there ? We don't know. There is no evidence from past history either way. Certainly he's never been in charge of a team that played anything like 'top four' football, or bought and played quality star players - but then he's never really had the money before. One thing I do think might be true though is that when MON was appointed and Lerner arrived, not many of us expected to see the type of football we saw 2nd half against Spurs by the time MON was into his 4th season here. I think all our expectations were a bit higher than that |
Andi
said:
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... AK-27 - this is my point is it the players or the system ? Heskey can do a job i know i have given him loads of stick but it occured to me that Heskey does a good job for England and that surely we must be able to get that sort of form or game out of him, Gabby does play to far up the pitch for Heskey and with your idea of sticking Ashley just behind him that could work very well and give Gabby and Carew a rest while bringing Downing into play good shout AK, I do however doubt we will see such invention or imgination from our Leader |
Steve Badger
said:
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... If half their team is out we ought to have a pretty good chance. It'd be nice to progress, as we really ought to get further in cups than we have done over the last few years. Tjeiken, Let's just say he was caught doing something rather personal in front of his webcam whilst chatting to some girl. |
John Samuels
said:
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...not many of us expected to see the type of football we saw 2nd half against Spurs by the time MON was into his 4th season here. and I doubt Man U fans expected to see the sort of football they played in the CL final last season. Big game, small performance considering their players. Just trying to say it happens. The difference is we got a point. It takes time to build a team, if we had the back four we do now a season ago when Ash, Gabby and Milner were all flying and Barry was in the team too we'd be unplayable. The components are largely there, we just need to find our cutting edge again. Moving Ash into a role where he is more difficult to mark may be enough to shake things up and give him a bit more confidence, which is all he needs. We are usually one of the highest scoring teams I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. While shoring up at the back we've lost our cutting edge, that's all. If Ash and Milner sacked off their defensive responsibilities we'd score more, but we'd concede more too. We need to find the balance. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... JPA i just think that midfield of your contains far too many strikers and wingers and not enough out and out midfielders. They could possibly get over run and we could struggle to keep the ball as we do now. If you swap Gabby for NRC or Delph or a new CM if we get on then that might work. But then Gabby is on the bench. So woould you drop him for Heskey? I just don't think our current striking options work well with each other. |
Ammar
said:
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...How many of you are sick of your boss waving action plans in front of your faces, or ‘Annual Reviews’ where you get a pat on the back and then a new list of ridiculously inflated targets? In modern Britain it’s never enough to be good at our jobs, society always wants that little bit more. James, That’s one way of looking at it . But the other side of the coin if your not happy with your Boss or Job there’s always the option of getting a better job and until you are happy then you will not need to put up with the crap. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to change the club as this is something you grow up with and is in the blood . The saying you can choose you Job,Friends and in this case club manager but not your family. I guess the above applies to the Villa for me So on the above basis Mr O’neil start delivering and soon or its time you moved on. |
BobbyPark
said:
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... So we've gone from Heskey being a total donkey to the main man for a starting place tonight, I can't believe some of you, get a grip people ! Can you tell me the last time Heskey started a game and looked impressive, oh yeah it was against Pompey last season, how long ago was that ? Nothing wrong with Carew, sometimes he takes out 2 or 3 defenders and Gabby, Young, and Milner should be doing more to pick up the knock downs and scraps, and making more of the space. Carew won every ball in the air against Spurs on Saturday. Heskey on the bench as back up is as far as it should go, still only one goal all season ! |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...I do however doubt we will see such invention or imgination from our Leader Chiefy I doubt it myself. MON seems hugely adversed to the slightest of gambles(Tactically, Transfer wise). Its just so frustrating watching us play and in my mind often under perform going forward and keeping the ball only to see the exact same thing more or less every week being tried instead of trying something new. Hopfully with Downing he will be forced to try something but last night Bannan came on for the last 10 mins and he looked like a guy who would have been a perfect sub to come on with mins left to play againest tired legs and create oppertunities especially when Young is being easily marked. He might be small but he talented and at 20 we really should have seen more of him by now. |
Andi
said:
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... BobbyPark- it is not about EMULE being the main man it is about trying something different being less predictable, not relying on the same thing to win us the game, having a plan B and last but not least gambling on things. We have a bench full of kids that beat some decent teams pre season apart from the defence (which is our strongest part) the team has picked its self is it any coincedence that our defence is fresh and on form when it is being changed either through being forced or by choice ???? having one way to play will not win you anything and wont get you anywhere. The point was give EMULE a crack he came on looked up for it against Spuds it doesnt mean he is better than CAREW it just means lets freshen things up and try something new |
tubbydunne
said:
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... As usual it's very difficult to predict the team for tonight. Beye did well at the weekend and deserves a chance to establish himself. Hopefully Collin's hasn't got a long term injury he has been class since arriving as has Warnock who has been our best signing a proper fullback. As we all know centre midfield is where we have struggled all season. Reo Coker and Sidwell have turned out to be very limited players. Petrov has more quality but hasn't a great engine. The reserve players should see this as an opportunity to get in but obviously none of them are showing enough for the manager to take a chance on them. Delph is not making an impact in reserve games so can't expect to get in. Himself and Gardener should be making big shouts for inclusion in an area of weakness in the team and it's disappointing that they are not. We have plenty of quality on the flanks and i wouldn't worry about lapses of form, this happens and here again Albrington has not made a big enough case for himself to warrant inclusion Up front Heskey has to get a run of games, very unhappy with Carew this season his attitude in some games has been a disgrace and if it continues I wouldn't shed a tear if he was offloaded |
John Samuels
said:
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...So we've gone from Heskey being a total donkey to the main man for a starting place tonight, I can't believe some of you, get a grip people ! So should we play Carew again because he was fairly dog s**t second half on saturday and Heskey came on and almost made it 2 in 2 games. He deserves a crack of the whip, isn't that what having a squad is for. Everyone has been banging on about rotating so why not change it up. |
heskeyshead
said:
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... havent had time to see if this has been posted but elaborating on that agent story, man city obviously the highest paid agent fees, GARETH BARRY'S AGENT MADE £12.9M FROM HIS PLAYERS £12M MOVE. RIDICULOUS!!!!!! |
Andi
said:
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... well talking or Mr Barry, I have heard that not all is as it seems up there and Mr Barry is not the happy little bunny he thought he would be, and oh how i will laugh and probably have a little wee when we finish above them !!!! |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Although this post is slightly morbid, it probably speaks more truth than any of us have realised over the last few months. I like it. |
steve_2000
said:
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... Heskeys head.. please read the article again. They spent 12 million in total - an average or 300 or so thousand per transfer. The little brackets after his name contain the transfer paid for the player. And Damian - you used to be really even sided on this blog - kind of moderating between good opinion and negative opinion of villa. It's a shame as i really liked this site when you were a little closer to neutral. Just a comment not a dig as you are allowed your opinion but it is just pushing positive readers like myself away. I'm surprised Taglor hasnt reared his ugly head. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...well talking or Mr Barry, I have heard that not all is as it seems up there and Mr Barry is not the happy little bunny he thought he would be, and oh how i will laugh and probably have a little wee when we finish above them The reality is Barry is not good enough as a CM for a club like City and the ambition they have. I still think he wasn't even dominate enough for us in the CM as we were often over run last year with Barry playing CM and it lead to us having to put in an extra man to make up for it. I know im alone in this but ive always thought Barry was at his most influential for Villa on the left side of midfield. At least there he was easily found with the ball and he was able to make up for his lack of pace with good skill and ability to make space for himself and then give the right ball at the right time. Remember that goal againest Spurs? That was from that position. If he was getting the same amount of ball out there that Young does right now he would be creating far more oppertunities for this team. |
Craig Elliot
said:
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...usually i'd delete that comment, but your enthusiasm for it lets it stay Ha ha, brilliant Damo. |
StickyAV
said:
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... Really like this post nan. Well thought out, and varies from the normal posts we get. Fresh. I think everyone should always try to be better than themselves, but it is right that we should not expect something that is unachievable from others. I'm in this boat with AVFC. For all my love on here when i was watching spurs before the game I thought there would be a good chance we'd get found out and beat quite badly. They have a better squad bar the back 5. But when you come out with a 1-1 draw and you are still fighting up the top of the league you can't complain can you? With our squad compared to others I think we are at least achieving expectations if not exceeding. There is no way with only the players we have we will contend for the league. So we are doing well. We need some class players now. Just 1 or two. But as we say time and time again with foundations built, that's whats coming. We hope. Not to mention downing and delp who will add to our style. Nice nan. Nice |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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... Not good enough Nan, 6th from last word? Stand in the corridor until you know the difference between there and their. Sorry mate, only joshing. You're quite right in what you write, whether he be right or whether he be not, we shall weather Martin for he's all we've got. |
James
said:
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... Thanks folks. I had it ready pre-Spurs and was worried it'd get some heavy flak when I sent it. I guess, I'm that sort of bloke. I don't have expectations of others and in turn I hope others will not have wild expectations of me. Live and let live. |
Andy Young
said:
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... Woah, wait a minute. David Pleat is writing for The Guardian? Man, it has gone downhill since Will Hutton left. |
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