Question marks for McLeish

Friday, 09/12/2011

by Steven Green

I’ve not been a member of the ‘McLeish out’ brigade that’s been prevalent on the terraces of Villa Park since the Scot took charge in the summer. I’ve tried (hard) to get behind him and accept that there’s nothing I can do about his presence at my club but I find my patience wearing thin.

Villa have now failed to score in their last three games and it’s simply not good enough. And not only have they failed to score they’ve not looked like threatening to do so either. For a club boasting one of the most potent attackers the Premier League has ever seen this is just baffling.

It comes down to McLeish’s style of play; afterall it’s hardly ‘total football’ is it? To set the side up so defensively against what is basically still a Championship side (no disrespect to Swansea, of course) and then again at home is just not on and is a sure fire way to guarantee a struggle.

It doesn’t look like he’ll leave on his own accord and it certainly doesn’t look like he’s learning that the football he’s enforcing on the squad isn’t working so the only option is to pressure the board.

This is a dangerous game as it could have a negative effect on a team already low on confidence. We therefore should think carefully about what we do as fans. Rumours of a boycott and banners at the next home game are doing the rounds. Hitting the club in the pocket would surely make Randy Lerner sit up and take notice but how would it inspire the players to be performing to crowds of 15-20,000?

It’s a sticky situation and with a tough run of fixtures coming up over the next month would it really be worth rocking the boat for something that is unlikely to change anytime soon? Doubtful. But Lerner does need to have a word with his manager. He took a massive risk in hiring him and unless he’s completely oblivious he knows he has some unhappy fans on his hands.

It’s not a good situation at all and if McLeish isn’t dismissed then he needs funds, especially after Jermaine Jenas has now been ruled out for six months with an ankle injury. Another midfielder is paramount as he hasn’t been able to get the balance right so far. Lacking creativity or bite, Big Eck must spend wisely as there won’t be a lot of money going round.

And on a final note, just what is Alan Hutton doing at our club?

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