I have no doubt! a lot of people commenting on here, never kicked a ball in their life and if they did, it was on a training pitch, at best. That being said, It is clear to anyone who kicked a ball at a decent standard and did or didn't ultimately make it to the big show, this team is being lead by a a fraud. He was an exceptional player, but not premiership management material.
1) He pushed to sign Coutinho, when anyone with an ounce of football knowledge, should see he is past his “sell by date”. A squad player at best, who will produce moments of genius, but never a starter. For gods sake, Ronaldinho at 42, could contribute those moments of magic, but no manager is signing him. I watched every pre season game and he should not be near starting. It was obvious after 10 minutes that starting him was a bad idea. Why did our manager not see that?
2) Who in their right mind would make McGinn captain, let alone start him? This chap is devoid of natural football talent, is overweight,, and it seems his only current talent is restricted to sticking his fat ass into opponents. Villa should have cashed in on his false and media hyped adulation 2 years ago, yet Gerrard has made him captain?
3) Archer? Honestly, would any other premiership team start that guy? May have ability but never a starter in the premiership. Our manager subbed him at half time. Wasn’t 20 mins enough? Wasn’t pre season enough?
4) Last year, it was obvious that our main issue was our slow and ponderous play at the back. Predictable, slow pass, left to right and right to left,. This let teams reposition easily and defend accordingly. Why on earth have we approached a pre-season and now opening day with the same approach? How can everyone on here, idiots or not, not see this shortfall, yet our manger be oblivious to it?
As passionate Villa fans, I suggest we demand that Mr Gerard have some class, put his hands up, admit he does not have what it takes to manage at a real level, and resigns. We as fans have had enough of watching our team play sub standard football, since the wonderful days of Ron Atkinson. For anyone who wants to tell me Martin O”Neill had a team that played good football, either you are Irish or truly don’t have a clue about our wonderful history.