Well, I just don't know. How do you write about Sunderland and be positive? In the grand scheme of things, it's still a great time to be an Aston Villa fan, but at this moment in time, it's a little concerning.
It's concerning because we've not looked like this since Unai arrived and when we did look like this with our current owners, they acted by bringing in Unai.
This isn't me saying they're going to sack the manager, but we don't really know how they're going to act. Other Clubs might very well sack the manager after this run, but who are we going to get and isn't there a bigger picture.
The bigger picture is that Emery is a very very good manager and for one or actually several reasons, it's just not working at the moment. Sacking the manager, would feel a little like cutting off one's nose to spite one's face, although not really, but you know what I mean.
And I'd like to think that our owners see the bigger picture and understand there is a value in not doing this. But I'm fairly confident they also have contingency plans and I suspect they have an idea of when they would act and they probably have a list. These things can't be left to chance.
And it's easy for me to write again that it's all about the second half of the season for us, but then I think to myself if we don't pick up until January we might just be left with the FA Cup. And then it's too late and it's why Thursday is a very important match.
I'm clutching at straws here, but a good run in the Europa League would lift the spirits of supporters and breed confidence in the squad. So, our attention has to now switch to Bologna on Thursday.
Europa League
So, attention shifts and Thursday is a big night. I suspect we'll see Sancho and Elliott start. They've been brought in and they need a run. They've both had minutes, but it's time they both start and get given a run.
I hope that Thursday is a catalyst to see us get out of this slump and I'm using that word, because I think that's what it is. I think we've got a squad of players that know for one reason or another it's not working and I know it's an over simplistic view, but they're not giving 100%. I think they're running, I think they're looking busy but I think they all know there is a little extra they can be giving in some areas.
I'm not saying they're not playing, but maybe they're lacking a bit of something that makes them want it a little more. Maybe they're not working as a team, maybe they're not completely focused when on the pitch, maybe one or two of them are at 95% for work ethic or discipline.
At this level, if we had a spider graph of 10 elements, each player only needs to be a little below on half of their in-game elements and the impact is huge. It's about the 90 minutes and it just feels like we're saying all the right things and we're doing all the right things, but it's not enough and it's sound bites.
I don't know what it is, but there is something and it needs to rectified and possibly some of the players need to look at themselves and forget about what didn't happen or what they think should and act in the best interests of Aston Villa, themselves and their future. Attitude goes a long way.
Actions speak louder than words.
And in other news
Monchi is leaving Aston Villa. I'm sure there will be lots written or said about this. Is it the beginning of others leaving or is it our new CEO making changes that he thinks necessary. Either way, it's going to be hard not to read anything into this. That said, how close was he to the manager really?