As much as it would be great to spunk 20 mil on a new midfielder, lets not forget about Delph, Bananananaman and Gardner. There isn't much point in the investment in the youth policy unless we give them a chance. Imagine if we'd wasted 10mil on McGeedy and then left Albrighton on the sidelines for another season.
Ireland will play at Spurs imo.Both Stoke and Wolves were scraps that didn't suit his game but Spurs will be more technical so would expect him in there.I would rest Albrighton as he fades in the second half, have him as an impact sub.I would expect at Spurs it will be: NRC Petrov Ireland Downing Heskey Youngalthough personally I'd put Downing into a midfield three and have Ireland to the right of Heskey.
Isn't the problem though that we give the ball away, generally, too cheaply and therefore have to work hard to get it back thus leading to the team tiring as the match progresses? Also, by playing two touchline hugging wingers we make the centre midfield area a Villa free zone far too often. The commentators yesterday pointed out the amount of space in central areas that we were giving up.If GH and GM are concentrating on passing which seems an obvious thing to do then hopefully the higher degree of control that we should have in matches ought to prevent the fatigue that seems to afflict us. Hopefully too, GM will dispense with the 2 winger formation against teams that could slaughter us through the middle. As much as I hate to say it, Man City did a superb job of stifling Chelsea on Saturday. Their defensive midfielders stuffing the centre stopped Chelsea from playing. I think that we should do the same even if it means playing Reo-Coker, maybe Petrov and Sidwell in there. If we concede the centre as we have done in the 2nd halves against Stoke, Bolton and Wolves then Chelsea'll take us to the cleaners.
I think Ireland might have to accept being Ashley's deputy for now, I can't think where he could fit in otherwise, we can't sacrifice Downing and Albrighton, they've done very well up to now.