I don't trust Gerrard to do things like drop the likes of Coutinho or McGinn if they're not performing. He spoke of changing line ups in the past then when the next game came along he changed fuck all (I know he has more available changes now but still). Basically he has to convince me because I still don't trust him. 11th/12th.
It looks like we are in for a very tough season.That opening day defeat against Bournemouth after a promising pre season has set the tone, compounded by poor selections, team structure and morale.I can not see how this squad is going to do anything but battle to stay out of a relegation fight and that presupposes that they have the fight.We have problems in every department.Martinez has proved he is more than capable of match defining clangers.The defence looks vulnerable with both full backs all over the place and without our new signing we do not have a convincing central partnership.Our midfield is the biggest concern and whoever is managing us needs to find a platform of Kamara and another to provide some sort of defensive base.Luiz and Samson who could provide some stability may not even be options.Our attacking options are problematicCoutinho looks unable to physically deal with the intensity of PL football, Ings looks past it and a Championship level player, Watkins full of running, not prolific but our best bet to lead the line.Archer untried and Bailey mercurial if being kind.Survival is my hope and expectation right now.
What are the current expectations? Revised? It seems that some call for a new manager as expectation.If Villa don't fall into the relegation zone at any time throughout the season, I believe Gerrard may be given the full season.SG has said it taking longer than perhaps first hoped to push on and needs a few more windows.But as there were set targets in place to achieve then how does the remote change if doesn't meet them.
I'm still of the mind that the side we have is, or should be, strong enough to finish upper mid table. I'd stick by my 1st September view that as long as we bin Gerrard off soon, Europe remains a distant but achievable goal. Four years in, finishing in the top half should be a minimum expectation of any manager. Gerrard isn't doing that and has shown no signs that he's able to do it either.
I said loads of times I'd be dissapointed with anything below 8th the season because of the strength of our squad. I still think man for man it is better than the squads of most other middling teams, I just hadn't accounted for how truly shit our coaching would be. I'll take 10th now.