and the way that the top teams play you can see why we're still a distance away from having a top side. Without concentrating too much on individuals but looking at styles the very best best teams also look to pass through the middle of teams. when sides like Milan play well they can pass through good sides before having a go at goal. They don't have to try to score from 30 yards because they're good enough t o get closer. The very best teams try and do that. The best exponents of the game in England are arguably Arsenal and they play that very same way. draw the players and pass through defence. yes they have Walcott but he is rare starter when fit, and when he is in his best form the Arsenal way of playing doesn't change.
Its quite rare nowadays to see sides who play with wingers have great success at very top end. Unless you're a team that has a wide player of the very highest calibre like Beckham/Giggs at Man U and Bale at Tottenham - and this is where individuals have to shine as high as any other in the team - then you will never hit those high standards again. Does this Villa team have that one player that can stand out in a wide position every week and is usually the best player week in week out?
We haven't just yet and its arguable whether Albrighton can be that player. he's had a great first season - first full season - and has earned his place through merit. That is saying a lot for a young player in a wide position - a position where evrything you do is expected to create a chance of scoring or acrtually scoring. Its a tough pressurised position and Albrighton has done brilliantly. If he continues like that then he has a great chance, as do we. if he hits the second season syndrome then all bets are off. And do we as a team/club have the patience for a young wide player not producing when we expect victory every week?
So, its going to be difficult for us. I thing the one thing you can say is that we are now playing with a man in the hole. If he is the right man or not is a different question, but it does show that the management have recognised that the way to be able to beat the very best is to usually play like the very best. If we get a team that try and play the ball through the centre of the defence, coupled with a top performing wideman, then we will have a very good team on our hands. Thing is, how long do we give them?