End of Season Report

[dave.woodhall]

Is it coincidence or a consequence that the latter part of the season and the good results coincided with Houlliers absence.

You mean how we won the last two before he was taken ill, then got two points from the next three games. Those good results? 

[andyh]

I think it's quite telling that in this poor/transitional season, our home record is only one point worse than last season.

Well, given our home for the last couple of years, that is not a lot to shout about !!

[Concrete John]

I think a much more valid discussion is: what do we learn from this season? How can we ensure that we do things better next time?

I agree and here is what I'd like to think they've picked up:-
1.  Don't be afraid to spend big and be ambitous with transfer targets (Bent)
2.  When a managerial hole appears fill it quickly by going after who you want rather than waiting on applicants (it took too long from Martin going to Houllier to being in the dugout)
3.  Youth has a value, but only in conjunction with senior players (how we struggled when too many of the kids needed to be played at once)
4.  Don't throw the baby out with the bath water when bringing in new ideas (the awful way our set piece defending has deteriorated)
5.  Deal with bad discipline, but do so in a way that leaves the dorr open for good players to still play (Dunne and Collins re-emergence as our first choice CB pairing)   

[PaulWinch again]

Well we finished 9th which I would have taken at the beginning of the season. So in spite of the crises throughout the season, it was decent enough in the end. The big plus is Bent, he's just what we need and I also think Makoun will be top class.

[TopDeck113]

A curate's egg of a season and, frankly, the bad parts will continue to leave a bad taste for a long while yet.

However, in the spirit of accentuating the positives:

(1) We now have a striker who could quite conceivably score 25+ league goals next season.

(2) Young players have been blooded and the club will now have a much clearer idea as to which of those are likely to make it with us.

(3) A start has been made in shifting out some of the deadwood in the squad.

[Eigentor]

The end state is not the only thing that counts, we also have to consider the trajectory, and the fact is that we were too close to the relegation zone for much of the season. It has been argued to death, but when the transfer window closed without us having a viable manager or a replacement for Milner, it was clear that expecting another top six finish was wildly unrealistic. Some argue that our form under MacDonald was top six material, ignoring that what we did was winning at home with Milner against the worst team in the league; losing heavily with a shocking display against a newly promoted team; scraping a lucky 1-0 win against an Everton side that barely picks up points before November; as well as once again losing to Rapid Vienna.

Houllier's performance hasn't been convincing, but he hasn't been any less disappointing that some of the senior players in the squad who we thought were professionals. And he hasn't been given much slack either. After all, what he did was coming out of semi-retirement to manage a team and club that he didn't know much about in the middle of a season. No wonder (especially consider the injury crisis) he didn't know his best XI straight away. In the end, when the outlook was at its direst he and the team pulled together and showed the necessary quality and resolve to pick up enough points to rule out the possibility of a relegation.

[SoccerHQ]

I still we need a change of manager. I supported Houllier through the bleak winter months but he lost me totally with the selection at Man. City and then losing the next two games, at Bolton and dismally at Wolves.

As for end of season, best game has to be the Emirates although I also enjoyed us beating Man. City in a backs to the wall display in proably the only VP game this season to have a sense of occasion before kick off with Bent's debut.

Worst was obviously shipping 6 at Newcastle but the comical way we lost to 10 men WBA summed the season up for me.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

If I had to write up an end of season report I have to be honest it would be a struggle to find anything positive about Gerard Houlliers time other than the players he has got in.

Let's be honest, there were always likely to be a few underlying issues but in general we finished 6th in the league for 3 consecutive seasons so there wasn't a great deal wrong to begin with. If it were a game of golf you would say 6th place would be equivilent of par...

I think Houllier has come in and try to change too many things too quickly and upset the apple cart, which kind of contradicts his and McCallisters theory on defending set pieces and it only being able to be worked on during Pre-season.

The Liverpool away thing fucked me off, as did his surrender at Man City in the Cup. The football we play really isn't all that special to be honest but I guess you have to give credit for the way the youngsters appear to want to play for him.

I really want to like Gerard, as he strikes me as a good man, but I just can't take to him. I can't put my finger on why. I'm not doubting his knowledge, or his work effort (it is well documented he is a workaholic) but it just doesn't feel right.

I really really feared for us until Randy pulled a rabbit out of the hat and managed to secure the services of Makoun but more importantly Darren Bent. His goals have saved us. To that there is no doubt - his signing gave the players confidence in the knowledge that if chances are created they will end up in the net.

I guess we're at stick or twist again aren't we? My feeling would be to let Houllier go, (in his current capacity) let's be honest at his age his health isn't going to get better is it? We can't be in a position where a manager goes of sick again for a while, we need stability. I would also like Gerard to not have the worry and anxiety of managing Villa and put his feet.

Ancelotti is available, (something that would appeal to Randy's ethos) we have to think big - we have to move quickly. We can't afford to have another season like this one...

[holtepaul]

No matter how we got there, we finished 9th - only one point of 8th and what was it, about 6 off 6th. (havent got the table at the mo)

So, at the end of the day, we went backwards but not by much, giving the fact we let so many points go from winning positions, and the players he has brought being one hell of a leap forwards from the players they replaced,

and, more importantly, the players Gerard has bought, have been our best players - suggesting he knows what he is doing

leads me to believe he deserves another year and backing in the market. We couldn't score goals, he saw it, he got Bent, we score goals.

We concede goals, he has saw it - common sense says I should trust him to solve it.

Given all the cirumstances I think this year has been a C , with a remark of "This has been an awkward  year for Gerard but if he diects his potential in the correct areas he could have a much better year next year".

But I agree with the Liverpool thing , he badly got that wrong and I hope he has learnt from it, because I for one, won't accept it again (and Man City)

[Chipsticks]

No matter how we got there, we finished 9th - only one point of 8th and what was it, about 6 off 6th. (havent got the table at the mo)

So, at the end of the day, we went backwards but not by much, giving the fact we let so many points go from winning positions, and the players he has brought being one hell of a leap forwards from the players they replaced,

and, more importantly, the players Gerard has bought, have been our best players - suggesting he knows what he is doing

leads me to believe he deserves another year and backing in the market. We couldn't score goals, he saw it, he got Bent, we score goals.

We concede goals, he has saw it - common sense says I should trust him to solve it.

Given all the cirumstances I think this year has been a C , with a remark of "This has been an awkward  year for Gerard but if he diects his potential in the correct areas he could have a much better year next year".

But I agree with the Liverpool thing , he badly got that wrong and I hope he has learnt from it, because I for one, won't accept it again (and Man City)

Pretty much sums up how I feel, though I think just because we finished six points of six doesn't make the season acceptable. We were poor - though fortunately so was everyone else.

[brontebilly]

Lets compare it to last season first off

09/10 - europe - Embarassing defeat
League Cup - Runners Up
FA Cup - Semi finalists
League, 64 points , 52 goals scored 39 conceded - position 6th

10/11 - Europe - same stage exit
League Cup - Brum beat us quarter final
FA Cup - City beat us quarter final
League - 48 points, 48 goals scored 59 conceded, position 9th

On those stats, our cup runs have dropped and Id argue in both UK cups we had a real chance of progressing.

Where it really matters, the league we have dropped 16 points, conceded 20 more goals. Goals scored not too bad we are down only 4 this season which surprises me. Young, Albrighton and Downing all increased their goal scored tallies but the decline of Gabby and Carew was a blot on our goals scored.

Defensively with the same personnel, its hard to fathom how 20 more goals were conceded. Friedel was worse this season. Collins and Dunne were no where near the form of the season. Warnock's form was shocking and then he was exiled. We also bedded in better footballers like Walker, L Young and Clark into the defence more. Injuries meant Baker, Herd and Lichaj played more gametime that they needed to but still an increase of 20 goals is inexcusable.

All in all this season was a disaster. Right from pre season on. The loss of Milner was huge particularly as his replacement Ireland and later on Makoun and Bradley had little impact. There was a huge injury crisis aswell which should be taken into account but the table doesnt lie. 9th is a complete misnomer really, make no bones about it we were fighting for EPL survival for the later part of the season with everyone fit. Anyway we got through it.

Positives - Walker and Bent improved matters certainly. The emergence of Clark and Albrighton. Reo Coker had a fine season and Downing improved a good bit. We played some decent football at times but were pathetic at other times. More young players were given gametime too - Delph, Bannan, Lichaj, Baker, Herd, Fonz, Hogg. It always pissed me off when MON brought on no marks like Beye or Sidwell, at least our fillers are likely to be young hungry squad players with an attachment to the club.

Negatives - the decline of so many solid EPL players was hard to fathom. Friedel, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Petrov, Carew, Gabby. I dont think Ashley Young had a good season either despite showing his talent intermittently to good effect. Ireland was a joke. We were a disorganised rabble for most of that season, at times looked disinterested and certainly indisciplined. 4 managers managed the side from pre season to conclusion and we appear to be as a club on the drift towards mediocrity again. Beye continuing to bleed the club dry is a painful reminder of the excesses of the last regime.

The future

A new manager is required. I cant understand the revisionism shown towards Gerard Houllier. A manager shouldnt be judged solely on the loan signing of one player and the permanent signing of another. Pires and Makoun anyone. He presided over a shambles for vast tracts of that season and should pay the price regardless of his health. Another season that he even starts will be a bad one for the club imo.

With a good appointment, there is still a good future for AVFC. Our finances though are in rag order however the clearing of deadwood this season should help that out. We do have a fine academy, still a decent set of players. A good manager with the addition of a few new players and the shedding of half a dozen high earners and we will be up challenging for Europa League spots next season. The Champions League isnt within reach in the near future though which is a bit disappointing.

[dave.woodhall]

the table doesnt lie. 9th is a complete misnomer

Make your mind up.

[brontebilly]

the table doesnt lie. 9th is a complete misnomer

Make your mind up.

cheers for pointing that out. 

I think the drop of 16 points and the concession of 20 more goals highlight the decline better than the dropping of 3 league positions.

That clear up matters for you in that ostrich sized hole you seem to have dug for yourself

[dave.woodhall]

Manchester United scored less goals and won less points than they did last season. I assume they'll be handing the trophy back any time now.

[MoetVillan]

thats a good point Dave.  Blackpool scored enough points to have stayed up last year, so lets keep them in the premier league.  (Not you, Birmingham, you're still down).  We still took points off all the big boys, United, Chelski, Arsenal, City.  Tought to compare last year with this as the top guys didnt score as many points and the bottom took more.  Is this an improvement in the bottom teams or a decline at the top.  Id say a bit of both