Well, to tell you the truth I got a bid fed up with Ole Ole or whatever it's called, and I'm glad Damian's back with an independent blog.

But I'm not going to dwell on all that. Instead, I thought I'd break myself back in gently with an angle on Villa's depressing form and the stuttering challenge for a Top 4 finish.

Before I open that can of worms, it's worth re-stating that if anyone had offered me 5th place and a four point lead over Everton at the end of March, I would probably have grabbed their hand off. Progress is what it's all about, and if we can secure fifth place and an automatic UEFA Cup place, then progress will indeed have been made.

But it wouldn't tell the whole story, would it? Half way through the first 45 at Anfield, it looked to me as if Villa were more likely to find an equaliser than Liverpool were to go two up. At home to Stoke, the points were firmly in the bag. But this side has an discovered an unnerving ability to fall apart - unnecessarily.

And I've got to tell you, I don't think its tiredness. And Anfield apart, where O'Neill displayed swaggering tactical naivety, I don't even think it's tactical. Nor do I give much credence to the idea that it's all down to Villa having one of the smaller squads.

I think a lot of it comes down to leadership on the field, and - for all his qualities - Martin O'Neill has done nothing to convince me he's capable of deploying brilliant captaincy.

You don't have to be Einstein to see a correlation between Martin Laursen's absence through injury and Villa's slump in form. But most analysts seem to suggest that this is simply a question of defensive quality...I don't buy that. Laursen is a superb central defender, and sorely missed, but in Curtis Davies and Carlos Cuellar we've been able to call on able deputies.

What Laursen also has is massive presence. Although his promotion to club captain was as much punishment of Gareth Barry for his flirtations with Merseyside, he made the armband his own and exuded authority when wearing it. I may be wrong, but I simply can't imagine Villa either crumbling at Anfield or throwing two points in the Brabantia at home to Stoke if he had been on the field.

Gareth Barry was re-awarded the armband by divine default when Laursen got himself crocked again, and if any decision has screwed up Villa's form, I think it was that one. Stiliyan Petrov or Brad Friedel would have carried far greater authority with the armband than Barry, who is an intelligent, visionary and cultured midfielder but also a quiet player who is often absorbed in his own game.

Let's get straight to the point: Barry is a brilliant footballer but an awful captain. And giving the armband back to him has cost Villa big time.

There isn't a side in the Premier League with the depth of resource and extravagance of talent as Manchester United. But Chelsea and Liverpool are pushing the Red Devils mighty hard...now John Terry and Steven Gerrard are fabulous footballers, but they are also fabulous captains.

Look at Arsenal, on the other hand, who have not had a captain worth the name since Patrick Vieira, and you start to realise why they've been struggling to keep up.

We can discuss Martin O'Neill's transfer judgement and tactical decision-making until the cows come home. But he needed to make one right decision when Laursen was forced to return to the treatment table.

And I'm afraid he got it wrong. We need leadership on the field as well as off it, and Barry's just not yer man.

Comments (39)

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Damian said:

... May I be the first to welcome the Doc back ..

Comment 1, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.03 pm

Notts Villan said:

... Totally Agree. The sooner Laursen comes back the better. Barry is way too quiet and when it comes to putting a tackle in a bottler too. Great news about Bouma tonight in the reserves. Sounds like he a good game and got an assist too. Lets hope he is back in the frame when we play Man U.

Comment 2, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.10 pm

Dan Price said:

... was that a sneaky "first" claim there damian?

Comment 3, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.19 pm

Le Shava said:

... Hi guys! Remember me? I did say i would come back on here at the end of the season to gloat, but to be honest, it is pointless waiting all that time as we all know where you lot aren't finishing...cough*, fourth, cough* Where is mr deluded himself, VerilyVilla? Come out mate, it's safe

Comment 4, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.19 pm

Rick Lawrence said:

... Excellent post, Doc! I hadn't thought of it that way before. Some have said that NRC would make a good captain. Much as I like him, I dont think he is the One. Petrov might be a contender, though.

Comment 5, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.31 pm

Vijay said:

... I think MON made a massive mistake by not trying to replace Laursen when he could have in January, but it seems we dont have the money and that will be proved in the summer

Comment 6, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.34 pm

vdruid said:

... A well presented arguement and a new angle on things which is hard to disagree with. We do seem to lack a presence!!

Comment 7, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.35 pm

James Sutton said:

... Sorry but cant agree with this, I will concede that it is one of the many elements that has led to our poor form. I do agree that barry is not the best captain in the world and that we do need a leader but he was captain for all of last season when we finished sixth and no-one complained about him then. We have missed laursen big time at the back but crucially we have missed a settled defence, with different players playing different roles this I think is a bigger reason for our recent woes. Although personally I think the biggest reason is the moscow farce, but hey thats just my opinion!

Comment 8, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.36 pm

Vijay said:

... Yes definately the defence has beem messed about, but should we blame for that, i think Shorey should be at LB right away , i dont think he's done that bad, and Luke Young in his 'usual' role at RB, he's probably lots his England squad place due to that, MON has to sort things out fast, ans especially during the summer, no excuse, if not he's out im sorry!

Comment 9, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.40 pm

Vijay said:

... And before i go to bed, Lerner has to come clean and tell us what he really wants for the club and whether we have the money to challenge the top teams if not lets just forget it and stop wasting time, we fans have been taken for a ride for long enough now!!

Comment 10, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.42 pm

James said:

... Great post Doc. Remember his face at Everton. Leadership.

Comment 11, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.42 pm

James Sutton said:

... I think and hope that we might see a certain mr bouma at left back for the man ure game and hopefully that will mean a return to right back for luke young. As for the leadership question that really is a good one because there didn't really seem to be one man out there on sunday who looked like they wanted that honour. I honestly think that we dont have a real leader at the moment apart from laursen.

Comment 12, made on March 23, 2009 at 9.52 pm

Josh said:

... Given we bought 4 former captains i'm not sure why we gave it back to traitor Barry. I agree, he's a poor captain with his quietness. Players say you can "do the talking with your football" but it doesn't work like that. Nigel Reo-Coker's leadership ability got us back on track last season with our dip in form, where he decided we should use a team huddle before the game at Bolton, which we won 4-0. I can't see MON going back on his captaincy decision now, as we know how stubborn he can be with his tactical decisions. But i'd go for Reo-Coker as Vice captain to Laursen. If not NRC, then Davies or The Brad. All vocal players.

Comment 13, made on March 23, 2009 at 10.25 pm

Paul Egan said:

... A very interesting point. It's great to have the Doc back!!! Hopefully Laursen will be back for the Old Trafford game.

Comment 14, made on March 23, 2009 at 10.29 pm

fastbackace said:

... GREAT POST! we have yet to look at that angle. another one to think about, hopefully the pos red card gets overturned.

Comment 15, made on March 23, 2009 at 10.32 pm

testiez said:

... Hi all, like the new site keep up the good work Damien, I have liked reading your thoughts over the last year not sure your always right though Doc I agree that we have missed Laursen, but I think people are forgetting quickly that Davies and Knight did well for a fair few games when we were on our winning streak I'm sure we went a few games without conceding and only let in a few and that was without Laursen , albeit with a little bit of luck. I think the problem at the moment is that bit of luck has gone and the players that looked like world beaters have dropped confidence. I think your right that we need our leader back on the pitch someone to pull the players through and say 'right were not f%*king aving this' and get the team out of any hole they may have gotten into. When results are not quite going our way we need a captain that will pull us up and make the team fight more, Laursen does this for us, like Gerrard does it for Liverpool and Terry for Chelsea. Your right Doc Barry does not do this, yes he was captain last year and we had a great season but at the same time Laursen never missed a game, I can't wait for him to get back. Barrys a great player and not a bad captain we just need more leaders all over the pitch. Laursen adds the real fight our team has been lacking lately.

Comment 16, made on March 23, 2009 at 10.46 pm

Pezza said:

... The only thing I can say is that nobody was complaining about Barry being a crap captain last season when we finished 6th. We've had a fantastic season up until now and I think most people expected our challenge on the "Big Four" (why is that capitalised by the way? Sky?) to fall off towards the end of the campaign. Why? Not because Barry is a crap stand-in captian. Not because Laursen is injury-prone. But because we don't have the strength in depth to amount a challenge. I think people have been taking Arsenal too lightly all season, they are one of the world's super clubs and we have made a great fist of fighting it out with them. I predicted 5th at the start of the season and 5th is what we'll get. It's one season too early for the Champions' League. I'm not entirely sure what my point is but please feel free to discuss anything I've said.

Comment 17, made on March 23, 2009 at 11.12 pm

dan said:

... been waiting for one of your posts for ages doc, welcome back. and barry is so overrated, he needs two other midfielders to carry him, i can think of two good preformances this season.

Comment 18, made on March 24, 2009 at 12.26 am

Nick said:

... I agree and also think Laursen's leadership at the back is something that has been noticeably missing. A good leader at the back can put others at easy and organize the back line. Did anyone watch Johnny Evans (Man u centerback) last season when he was on loan at Sunderland. Decent player, but put him alongside a Vidic or a Ferdinand and he quickly becomes a very good player. Laursen makes his partner and the entire back 4 better. Alongside Laursen Davies was getting constant England call ups. NRC was playing a decent full back having Laursen inside him. I think it is important to remember that it is a team game, and who your teammates are and how they are playing directly impacts everyone else. and so on and so on

Comment 19, made on March 24, 2009 at 4.17 am

Milk said:

... Great post doc. Good to have you back, I hope this is the first post of many.

Comment 20, made on March 24, 2009 at 6.39 am

Keith said:

... I agree with nick_not_nicky, Laursen is a big influence to the players around him, and whether he is captain or not makes no difference. What is worrying is that we dont seem to have any leaders on the field at the moment. When we won the league in 1981, Ron Saunders said that the team had 7 captains in it. Our team at the moment has none.

Comment 21, made on March 24, 2009 at 6.48 am

John Flynn said:

... I would like to see Petrov given a chance, Barry is a great footballer but he really is tied up with his own game. Which is fine, we need garath playing well. What is the news on Lausen? next week? next month?

Comment 22, made on March 24, 2009 at 7.28 am

Michael said:

... just the 2 villa players in the england squad this time then

Comment 23, made on March 24, 2009 at 7.30 am

Chris Harper said:

... Nothing would make me more happier than seeing both Laursen and Bouma back for the United game. They have a good 13 days to train and step up their fitness. I think we would of been sitting pretty in the top 4 if they both would have been available for the whole season. Overall, its the injuries to key players and poor decisions by O'Neill (square pegs in round holes) that has cost us but I can see where you're coming from with Barry not being the best of captains. I think Petrov would make a better captain than Barry and he truly deserves it too. I've also seen articles and player's interviews where they've said he's the most popular in the dressing room. Whether its leadership or tactics that need to be changed, they need to happen quickly before we let everything we've played for slip away. UTV!

Comment 24, made on March 24, 2009 at 7.41 am

Chris Harper said:

... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/spo...-dive.html A superb read....hope O'Neill sees it!

Comment 25, made on March 24, 2009 at 7.46 am

jon said:

... NRC no, Petrov Yes. Can't put it all down to Barry and I think if MON hadn't have given him the armband, it would have been like saying 'you have no future here' NRC will only inspire others to make mistakes like him, Laursen is IMMENSE and Villa have massively missed him.

Comment 26, made on March 24, 2009 at 7.50 am

Mark said:

... Doc, a good piece of journalism but from a footballing point of view, claptrap. I won't bother listing why because anyone who buys into the phrase "tactically naive" and applies it to a top premiership manager is beyond logic. The only thing I will say is that to raise the Barry scapegoat thing shows a lack of class. Only rabble need scapegoats, not long ago it was Zat, then Sidwell. Barry won't be here next season, he has been a top, top representative of aston Villa football club.

Comment 27, made on March 24, 2009 at 8.02 am

Woz said:

... Doc = Legend Glad the good old days are back!!

Comment 28, made on March 24, 2009 at 8.11 am

Nick said:

... I dont think Barry has a future here. When he said he would only stay if we got CL he made it very clear. Now that we have fallen so far and after performances like sunday, I am questioning if Barry has already packed it in. When Barry wanted to be here it was clear, he does not want to be at the club anymore. As a player he is a loss we will really feel after this season. As a captain and leader, I think we lost that in the summer.

Comment 29, made on March 24, 2009 at 8.40 am

Ramon Maklouf said:

... Welcome back Doc. It is always a joy reading a refreshing post that always, one way or another, brings about a certain positivity. Especially in times likes these. Anyway welcome aboard. Some valid points about the captaincy. I think we have missed Laursen and hopefully things start gettin better soon. Progession is the key. If we lose Barry tho, it may be one step forward, two steps back.

Comment 30, made on March 24, 2009 at 9.00 am

Michaell Lockey said:

... Welcome Back Doc. My dad said the same thing during the stoke match. the fact we stop playing and there was no one to get the team going again. even after there 1st goal. I believe having Petrov as Captain would turn the team around hes been are best player since december!

Comment 31, made on March 24, 2009 at 9.08 am

celtic_villain said:

... ive read it over, it still looks like your saying laursen isnt a supurb defender. i would go as far to say that he is the 2nd best centre half in the premiership, behind vidic please please dont come back to me and name terry, hes good, but makes endless errors. sky sports employs idiots in an attemp to appeal to the 'common man', and it is these fool that constantly push english name upon us, claiming world class status. ffs, they consistantly claim ferdinand is a brilliant centre half! anyone who watches him for 90 minutes without a utd or england shirt on could let you otherwise. apologies, if you meant lausen's not JUST a supurb centre half. just a pet hate, i think youre probably right about barry, but in the absense of a leader, whats the alternative? nrc doesnt start, and even in central midfield is not very good. petrov perhaps? carew is just back, and excellent when hes arsed, but hes lazy and has a bad attitude. davies is not nearly good enough, he'l be droped once cuellar gets a proper run in the centre. then theres friedel, but i think an outfield captain is better, just me

Comment 32, made on March 24, 2009 at 10.30 am | url

celtic_villain said:

... Villa_Chris said: Villa_Chris ... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/spo...-dive.html A superb read....hope O'Neill sees it! good spot, no idea how to reply! glad to see the press are starting to echo what a host of us have been saying on this site. it needed to be said and publish, if only to put a little pressure on martin o neill

Comment 33, made on March 24, 2009 at 10.41 am | url

Doc said:

... AVMark, It would do us all a favour if you were to read posts more carefully before posting forceful comments on them. You talk about a "lack of class" in my raising the "Barry scapegoat" issue. What I wrote: "Barry is a brilliant footballer"; "Barry is an intelligent, visionary and cultured midfielder". There is no criticism of Gareth Barry in my article: there is criticism of O'Neill for making him captain of Villa. Furthermore, should you have read any of my previous posts, you would know that I am huge and outspoken admirer of O'Neill. I have often defended him against some of the braindead numpties who at times come on to the site calling for his head. At Anfield, he lined up Stan Petrov and Gareth Barry against Mascherano and Alonso, leaving too much room for Gerrard to exploit behind our midfield. I feel that was a mistake, and you may have noticed that it carried certain consequences. Quite possibly five of them. I do not call O'Neill tactically naive. I call his formation at Anfield tactical naivety. There is a big difference, isn't there Mark? I think maybe the only things that is "beyond logic" is expecting "top Premier League managers" to be beyond question...not even Martin O'Neill would agree with you on that. The place to look for "claptrap" is right in your comment box.

Comment 34, made on March 24, 2009 at 10.54 am

croni said:

... not the most earth shattering insight. surely the people that have pointed to laursen's absence as the main cause of villa's loss in form, were suggesting that lausen, as both a defender and a leader, is badly missed. he's the experienced defender in the side, he is the one constantly talking to his teamates, organising defensive set pieces. he is the heart of the team, often the instigator of our come backs, and keeps the whole side focused and concentrated, for 90 minutes! he is the engine of the team. but we certainly did not make it easy for our selves tactically, we were absolutely naive to play 4-4-2 , especially with two of the most stationary forwards, like carew and heskey, against a liverpool side like this one. if you're playing carew or heskey, you have to partner them with a highly mobile player. surely it would have been preferable to partner carew with agbonlahor if we had to play 4-4-2. we were giving them acres of space in midfield, it was jaw dropping stuff, the stuff of nightmares, seeing the likes of mascherano being given the freedon to push up and pass the ball around. but 4-5-1 was really what was needed. and clearly reo is not a happy camper a right back, the guy is just misereable there. i'm sick of it. 5-0 to liverpool. it's actually only sinking in now. i think i was in shock these last couple of days. this rot has got to stop! come on O'Neill, no more mister nice guy!

Comment 35, made on March 24, 2009 at 11.10 am

john said:

... Welcome back Doc. I had wondered why we hadn't seen anything of you this season. Glad to have your input back with us. I couldn't agree more about the loss of Laursen, his heart is our team's heart.

Comment 36, made on March 24, 2009 at 12.22 pm

holte end paul said:

... it all went pearshaped when we got beat at everton in the f.a cup and before that we were winning for fun, without laursen. so i really dont think it is about who is captain i think its about playing players out of position for no need whatso ever and the arrival of a mr heskey which has turned our season on its head. i dont blame barry no the blame has to be pointed at our manager..

Comment 37, made on March 24, 2009 at 3.33 pm

Ken Bonker said:

... Excellent post Doc, I read down wondering when someone would castigate you for having an opposite opinion....and sure enough.... I was shocked when Barry was given the captaincy back after want away antics, should never have happened, with the immense Laursen out, it should have gone to Petrov with orders to give it some verbal, but that's just a part of it. Before I'm slaughtered, I have a lot of time for MON, but even though there's quite a few supporters who sees no wrong in anything he does, I see cracks in his approach. I'm still not sure about his transfer policy, he did know we had quite a few games to play this season, he did know we would get injuries and suspensions, so why not strengthen sufficiently to cover for those eventualities? The result of not doing that, is to give up on the Uefa cup, supposedly to rest players, rest from what? they are pros that should be able to handle a few extra games, a further result is having to play players out of position which ultimately resulted in the Liverpool annihilation. MON has known since he arrived at VP that there was a small squad, jeezus we heard about that enough times from the previous manager, so into his third season not much has been done to rectify that situation, is there money available? if there is does MON not want to spend it? This summer there will be a rush from the top four to buy, and quite a few others with money to burn ala Man City, so the ones MON wanted but he said were too expensive, will cost even more, so will we get more Harewood and Routledge types? I presume as usual we will have to wait right up to the last day of the transfer window to find that out. Villa til I die........

Comment 38, made on March 24, 2009 at 6.43 pm

Luke Marson said:

... Doc, you've been missed - welcome back. Barry can see his move to Liverpool coming now so it's no surprise his form is going down the pan as well.

Comment 39, made on March 24, 2009 at 7.08 pm

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