Summary of the season.

[Steve67]

We lost 50% of our games. Very poor. Must improve that stat next season.

[Clive W]

Just noticed that Man Utd finished 6th with a goal difference of 0.

We had a goal difference of -2 and yet finished 13 points and 8 positions behind them

[algy]

From the heady heights of last June, this season has been a massive let down on the playing side. I had thought - when we'd bought Buendia and were looking at signing Emile Smith-Rowe - that we'd geniunely be in with an outside chance of a top 6 finish under the Great Barr mafia. Then Joe, ROK, and finally Deano fell.

Gerrard was a slightly underwhelming appointment. He's done about what you'd have expected Deano to do if he'd been given the rest of the season - maybe slightly better, but not exceptionally so.

On the other hand, non-playing side has been pronising. Villa Park will be made bigger, so I guess we'll find out about the real size of the season ticket waiting list, which we're all quite interested in. The recruitment has been good, I think. Obviously not every signing has worked out, but ...
- Coutinho, Chambers, and Digne for a combined £42m seems a bargain to me. 2 of those could've easily been transferred for that on their own. Emi B is brilliant & I think money well spent
- Ashley Young on a free - not ripped up any trees, but no complaints.olsen, can't really complain as it's a loan. Ditto Tuanzebe.
- Bailey & Ings have both flopped.

Honestly, I don't think it's that bad a hit rate. We're more 'hit' than 'miss', and the misses have been as much through injury (Bailey) as anything, whilst Ings filled a place everyone was saying we needed a second striker in.

This season is probably a 4/10 for me, but I'm cautiously optimistic about next season. Think a couple of clever free transfers (Kamara and Tarkowski - maybe an older striker too) and a couple of targeted signings (another DM - maybe Bissouma - and a centre forward) and we'll be in a very strong position.

[Chris Smith]

Over the final 10 games of the season we only won twice and both against relegated teams. The change in manager moved us up a grand total of two places in the league. Losing to Man City and Liverpool is to be expected, failing to beat Burnley and struggling for a point against Palace at home is not.

Gerrard is still to convince me although that’s not to say he won’t given time. We’ve signed good players, he speaks well although he tends to get an easy ride from the media due to his reputation. We’ve show, albeit not often enough, that we have the makings of a decent side but too often the whole does not live up to the sum of its parts. Good coaching is the only thing that will fix that.

[AV82EC]

Transitional but with elements of revolution not evolution.

I think most of us now accept last summer was really poor preparation for the season (Grealish, amateur looking pre season training camp, panicked recruitment, coaching changes) and we’ve paid the price.

I’d suggest also that this should have been the first transitional season from our promotion/1st season back team to a more PL capable squad and whilst that has happened in part (particularly January) we missed the opportunity last summer to move on some players and strengthen. The Grealish situation didn’t help but I don’t think Smith and his team (and maybe Lange) had really done enough hard thinking about the next steps that needed to be made and the hard decisions that would entail. Smith was known for his growth and development mindset and working with what he’d got but in the intensity of the modern PL I’m not sure the owners were entirely convinced and after seeing what he could do post Grealish wasn’t working decided to act and accelerate the project.

That hasn’t quite panned out as well as expected, Gerrard quickly identified we were short on experience/nous and whilst that was rectified slightly in January it has merely papered over a few cracks. This squad still lacks durability and experience and a mentality to win when the chips are down, evidenced by yesterday. There is top half talent and I think a desire to improve but we have to become more durable.

There needs to be a real culling of certain bits of the squad, always difficult but some hard headed business decisions need to be made.

Over to Purslow/Lange/Gerrard to start building the next squad.

[manic-road]

As what I always had on my school reports Grade C Can do better.

[LeeB]

As what I always had on my school reports Grade C Can do better.

"has ability but needs to concentrate and focus more to acheive goals"

[nigel]

Home form disappointing.
3 games spring to mind.
Should have beaten Wolves and Watford, and would have beaten Burnley if Pope hadn’t decided to be Gordon Banks.
That’s 9 pts instead of 1 pt.

Overall, frustrating and inconsistent.

[brontebilly]

45 points with our budget and resources can only be described as poor. We really struggled on the field without Grealish and wasn't really a surprise that Dean Smith struggled to deal with his loss.

Gerrard kept us away from relegation trouble but we are facing yet another huge summer of squad upheaval that our new model under Purslow was meant to avoid. Likely that two players meant to replace Grealish (Ings and Bailey) could be off, which shows how hamfisted that effort was. 

Two signings confirmed already is positive and likes of Buendia should be a lot better next season. I think Gerrard needs a fast start next season. 

[Toronto Villa]

Deflating. Given what we all thought and hoped for pre-Grealish leaving, then that incident, the signings of Ings, Bailey and Buendia gave us optimism that we would become a much more diverse attacking outfit in front of a very solid defence. That the whole thing caved in for Dean Smith was very disappointing. Gerrard picked us up and the signings I. January we all thought we’d end strongly. But it all fell very flat. But clearly we need to play a different way, so let’s hope with the permanent signings of Coutinho and Kamara we can fulfil our objectives next year.

[supertom]

Last season in retrospect we overperformed. We were reliant on a player who was in the best run of form he's ever going to have, who also got the best out of other players (particularly Watkins). He only played 2/3 of the season, and a slump here and there was probably not too surprising. We got 55 points and finishing 11th. Sods law, and Villas luck. Had it been this year, we'd have finished 8th and a point behind the almighty, aspirational (??) West Fucking Ham.

The dreamers among us probably felt this season we'd maybe chalk on another 5-10 points and perhaps even push for Europe. Then Keira Knightly left us and we made a string of impressive signings. The dreamers probably felt that the 3 incoming would cover the loss of Keira and that 5-10 point progression was still a cert. Realists maybe felt if we maintained status quo and got somewhere in the 50 point region, we'll be okay. Pessimists probably worried we'd finish about 14th and drop about 10 points but not be troubled with relegation. Miserable bastards probably thought we'd be in a relegation battle. As it was, the pessimists guess was correct, although had we stuck with Deano, I suspect we'd be in Everton's position. We'd have survived but cut it close.

As for Gerrard? He's got a lot right but he's also made errors. He talks the talk. I love the way he comes across and his honesty. He's becoming afflicted by the foibles of many a manager though, and that's perseverance with things that don't work. Tyrone Mings for example. The three man combination of JJ, Douglas and McGinn. Good players, although the jury is still out on Douglas, but as a collective? Imbalanced and easy to overcome.

For a time Stevie managed to work out the Watkins/Ings conundrum. In fairness, both their respective numbers improved from November. Not brilliant, but better than Sept-Nov. Stevie also brought on JJ's game. At 20, it was to be expected he'd fall off a little, and he has but he's going to be a great player.

Stevie has also attracted (and will continue to) a calibre of player that can take us forward, in Digne, Phil and Kamara. In truth though, Chambers has been his most astute signing. I'd go as far as to say Chambers is our best CH right now. Until today, probably our best No 6 too. 

Dean 3/10
Stevie 5/10
Overall 4/10

Players:
Emi- 7 As per. Great, albeit has been below last seasons levels, in part due to the trouble in front of him.
Cash- 8 POTY. Has come on very well. Has got good numbers. Yesterday by 70 minutes, was probably one of the few occasions I've seen him out of puff.
Konsa - 3 I think he's been worse than Mings, but I will say under the caveat that he's still got the ability. He needs to get his head right and get a more reliable partner.
Mings - 4. A rick almost every game. Every now and again he'll have a barnstormer, but and he's always vocal, but does he have the mentality and awareness to go with it? Not sure. Great bloke, but he has enough box office calibre to attract good bids, and outsiders only see him looking tidy and untroubled in England games against shit opponents. Cash in.
Digne - 6 Started great. Had a period when I was misty eyed about Targett. Injury prone. Then finished the season well, looking a class apart.
McGinn - 7 Hot and cold. Has been good the last half dozen games, always gives his all and has some quality. He's also often the only one who wants to force the ball forward. Doesn't always come off, but he's ambitious with the ball. Better when he's reigning himself in a bit and not like a Jack Russell chasing mice in the park.
Luiz - 4(5) Poor as a 6, looks like he could be a solid no 8. Good enough? No. Cash in. Another we could get at least what we paid for. Maybe there's a player there, but I suspect doesn't suit Gerrard.
JJ - 8 For his age, a great season. Inconsistency has crept in, and burnout but understandable. Even when he's not on it, he's still looking to drive forward with the ball.
Beundia - 7 Poor start, but improved under Gerrard. Has been overshadowed by the allure of Coutinho, but has performed better of late. Decision making is getting better. Impact on games has been improving. I hope he keeps it up.
Phil - 7 Brilliant start. Quiet period, blowing out his arse a little and not quite fit enough, and then impressive again in the last few games (albeit in flashes). As much as anything he brought a much needed feel good factor and a statement of intent.
Watkins - 6 So so. Works hard. His limitations are hopefully workable. He may not be able to improve his touch, but can certainly improve decision making, offsides and cut out the persistent diving.
Ings - 6 Works incredibly hard. Hasn't scored enough, but has made more than expected. Anything over 15 mill and we should be selling. If he stays so be it, I like him, he'll play a part.

Young - 5 About as expected. Sometimes useful as a stop gap. Honestly though, all sentiment aside, he's done at this level and disappointingly he's often not felt like he's an experienced player with nous when he's come on. Sloppy at times.
Hause - 6 I think he's been unlucky. He's been decent whenever he's come in. He gets a new deal and then doesn't play. Would he have been worse than Mings or Konsa? I don't think so.
Chambers - 7 I like him. Very good yesterday, aside from 5 minutes when the entire team turned to shite. But, he's exceeded expectations and at the moment looks like our most reliable CH.
Nakamba - 5 was good right at the start of Gerrards reign, and looked key to how we play. Maybe some benefit of doubt is needed, but since returning from an injury he's clearly not fit, is rusty and plays like Ali Dia. Ultimately, he's not good enough to start. Maybe he's happy as a squaddie and with a proper pre-season he may still have a place here. If we get anything close to half what we paid, sell.
Sanson - 5 He's probably one of those who is a better player when he's not playing. Honestly, he's a bit shit. Seems an all rounder who does nothing particularly with any aplomb.
Archer - 7. Still think another loan, til January perhaps would benefit him but he impressed.
Davis - 5. I like Keinan. I feel like recent games, if he was here he'd have offered something with his physicality and hold up play. Good enough to progress? No.
Chucky - 4 I don't see the fuss. He plays like most 18 year olds, and not like the special talent this contract standoff seems to suggest. I think comparisons to Pogba and Toure are generous. What I really think, is that he needs serious work on his mobility, stamina and workrate. Lanquid certainly, but Yaya Toure for one, worked very hard and covered masses of ground (usually in a single fucking stride).
Bailey - 3 A couple of good cameos. A very impressive game against a shit Everton (who ironically were in decent form when we played them earlier in the season). Post injury, he's played like Tonev.
Traore - 3  See above, minus the good part. I don't think his injuries have often been as bad as they'd seem. I don't think he works hard. He was mercurial last season of course, but still had an impressive impact. Definitely a luxury we can't afford.
Targett - 6 Didn't think he'd done much wrong in all honesty. He's done well enough at Newcastle we could cash in. Digne is certainly better at the top end. I'll miss Shermonator though. Solid player and at least always puts a shift in.

N/A - Olsen, Tim, Goalzi (time to sell, great memories but not good enough, but he'd have been more useful than Troare and Bailey since Jan).

[RichardBatchelor]

Finished below Brentford

Let that sink in. Fucking Brentford.

Utter disgrace from the lot of them - manager, coaches, players.

To be fair, that might also have a teeny bit to do with Brentford doing miles better than expected.

[Paul.S]

Disappointing/frustrating but not a surprise given the summer we had. It looked a very strange affair parading the Man City sub around as if we were begging him to stay.
A massive plus this season is the development of Ramsey into a quality young player.
We’ve had a lot worse but as long as it’s been 1 step back to allow 2 forward I’ll be happy.

[N'ZMAV]

pretty much agree with supertom

[cdbearsfan]

Home form disappointing.
3 games spring to mind.
Should have beaten Wolves and Watford, and would have beaten Burnley if Pope hadn’t decided to be Gordon Banks.
That’s 9 pts instead of 1 pt.

Overall, frustrating and inconsistent.

Mad though it sounds, we should have beaten Tottenham, too.