Add to that the inexperience in central midfiled for much of it and it isn't that much of mystery.
I think it just goes to show how important Dunne was. He's a leader on the pitch and I don't think any of the others do that job. We also had Cuellar at right back and either Heskey or Carew for defending set pieces so we were rarely bullied where this season we're a soft touch. Add to that the inexperience in central midfiled for much of it and it isn't that much of mystery.
GERARD Houllier is prepared to give Stephen Ireland and Richard Dunne a chance to save their Villa careers – but has warned his players to accept his management methods.Talks have been ongoing with Ireland and Dunne and their advisors in an attempt to re-integrate the former Manchester City pair back into the first team squad.And it is believed Villa still regard the Irish duo as being more valuable to the club than the money they could recoup by selling them next month – most likely to mid-range Premier League rivals.Dunne, Ireland, John Carew and Habib Beye were conspicuous by their absence from the match-day 18s for the defeats to Tottenham and Manchester City.There is no doubt that off-the-field indiscretions have infuriated the manager – but he insists his decision to leave them out were based purely on footballing reasons.Asked if the quartet are still part of the squad and under consideration for selection, Houllier replied: “So far, yes. “They were out for football reasons, nothing else – all four of them.”However, it is understood that, if Dunne and Ireland show willing, they have a much better chance of salvation than Carew and Beye, who are almost certain to be off-loaded in January.Houllier has warned any players sulking about his no-nonsense managerial style that he won’t tolerate insubordination.“In terms of professionalism and training, yes we knew we would go through a difficult period,” he said.“But if you ask me ‘Are you going back to an old style and an old regime when the players can come whenever they want and do whatever?’, No, it’s not that way. I know that’s a bit of a shock to the system, but they knew that.“The road to success is not something which is straight and smooth. It’s rocky and it’s difficult. Sometimes you go through bumps.“Maybe January will be a different ball game. It has been rockier than I thought because of the injuries.“As the manager you always get criticism when you are not winning games.”Houllier is hoping to take stock after Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge and plan for a potentially hectic month in terms of fixtures and squad rebuilding.Villa host Sunderland in the league next Wednesday and face Manchester City at Villa Park, as well as trips to fellow strugglers Birmingham and Wigan in January.There is also an FA Cup third round tie at Sheffield United next weekend.“After January 2 we will have played a heavy schedule and after that things will be better,” added Houllier.“In the new year we can definitely draw a line under the past few months. I’ve had a few surprises, but I don’t want to extend on that.”
Quote from: toronto villa on December 30, 2010, 08:13:28 PMThese are MON's defenders. There job was to stand tall, block everything and whack the ball as far as possible to the fast lads up front. Now they are being asked to retain possession, play the ball out, or be a bit more intelligent in how they play the game. They can't do it.no offence but that's a load of shite.If they remembered how to defend first and foremost we wouldn't be in this mess.
These are MON's defenders. There job was to stand tall, block everything and whack the ball as far as possible to the fast lads up front. Now they are being asked to retain possession, play the ball out, or be a bit more intelligent in how they play the game. They can't do it.