Scapegoat

[paul_e]

It's expectations.  I think the expectations of Clark were higher than Baker and they both get judged against their own expectations rather than against their actual contribution.

Clark had a bigger reputation from the reserves and added to it by scoring a few headers from corners early in his career.

I think both are perfectly capable of being options in the premier league but I don't think either is ready to start 15-20 games on the bounce.  I also don't think that's a problem given their ages.  If Vlaar start 30 games in the league and the rest start 15 each I'd be pretty happy with things and I think it would suit the level each of them is at.

[Toronto Villa]

I'm going for Clark too, he always seems to get it in the neck unlike Baker

Could that be a reflection of people thinking Baker did a much better job at the back than Clark did, though? I certainly think the majority opinion on here would be that Clark was poor at CB.

In which case, he's not necessarily being made a scapegoat, he's being criticised for what people see as his failings.

There is a big difference between a player being a scapegoat and a player getting stick for not performing. Which seems to be getting missed at times.

Which is why this thread makes no sense. Players were criticised for not playing well, but I don't think any player was critcised for the sake of it. Some players made more errors than others, and with some players that might have been harsh but that was mainly down to our expectations of them. Doesn't make any of them scapegoats.

[sonlyme]

I think this thread is pretty harsh on Villa fans who were absolutely superb last season.  Yes there might be the odd one or two at games who like to single out players, but the majority at the games I went to got behind the team and I believe were a major factor in us getting some big results at home.

If you are talking about people who actually attend live football matches you are 100% correct.

If you are talking about internet fans..... I couldn't possibly comment.

[Dave Clark Five]

I don't get this scapegoat thing. It's not like Bannan or Bennett were the cause or ever blamed for all of our problems. They got picked out if they played shit which they did quite often. There were other players who played their part in our issues and were treated as harshly e.g Vlaar.

Do you remember when Geoff Vowden was the scapegoat?

[rob_bridge]

I don't get this scapegoat thing. It's not like Bannan or Bennett were the cause or ever blamed for all of our problems. They got picked out if they played shit which they did quite often. There were other players who played their part in our issues and were treated as harshly e.g Vlaar.

Do you remember when Geoff Vowden was the scapegoat?

Who?

[Toronto Villa]

I don't get this scapegoat thing. It's not like Bannan or Bennett were the cause or ever blamed for all of our problems. They got picked out if they played shit which they did quite often. There were other players who played their part in our issues and were treated as harshly e.g Vlaar.

Do you remember when Geoff Vowden was the scapegoat?

Who?

Played for us in the very early 70's I think having played for a number of years for the noses.

[Steve R]

I don't get this scapegoat thing. It's not like Bannan or Bennett were the cause or ever blamed for all of our problems. They got picked out if they played shit which they did quite often. There were other players who played their part in our issues and were treated as harshly e.g Vlaar.

Do you remember when Geoff Vowden was the scapegoat?

Somebody had to do it after Brian Tiler left.

[Dave Clark Five]

Got booed when his name was announced prior to kick off in the Bournemouth game then scored for us.

[Steve kirk]

I remember Geoff Vowden and he did take some flak, pretty sure he scored the equalizer in that Bournemouth game, I was at the back of the Holte end, what an atmosphere.

[Ron Manager]

Vowden wasnt that popular across the city. But a good professional who scored a reasonable ammount of goals for both clubs.

In fact a credit to football. As he would be now.

[Steve kirk]

When John Robson came to us from Derby he took a lot of stick initially but then went on to be very popular, I think it took fans a while to get used to his strange running style, always leaning back when he went into tackles made him appear to be pulling out but it couldn't be further from the truth, what a brave player and one of my favourites from the seventies.

[PaulTheVillan]

Alpay took some shit, but he didn't care.

[PGW]

I don't get this scapegoat thing. It's not like Bannan or Bennett were the cause or ever blamed for all of our problems. They got picked out if they played shit which they did quite often. There were other players who played their part in our issues and were treated as harshly e.g Vlaar.

Do you remember when Geoff Vowden was the scapegoat?

Geoff Vowden made history whilst at the 'noses'. He was the first ever substitute to score a hat trick!!

[DrGonzo]

I blame Benteke.

[Ron Manager]

I don't get this scapegoat thing. It's not like Bannan or Bennett were the cause or ever blamed for all of our problems. They got picked out if they played shit which they did quite often. There were other players who played their part in our issues and were treated as harshly e.g Vlaar.

Do you remember when Geoff Vowden was the scapegoat?

Geoff Vowden made history whilst at the 'noses'. He was the first ever substitute to score a hat trick!!

I thought that was Phil Summerhill  but my minds going!