The commitment was there to see from both teams in the local derby but the lack of quality was shocking.
The way we dominated possession in the first 20 minutes was really impressive. I thought we could kick on and go in with a lead at half time. The problem is that we are lacking creativity.
I think Castillo and Henry playing in midfield together is the reason we’re not creating much. Two holding midfielders suit us away but at home it is a different matter. We had plenty of possession against Pompey and lost and it was nearly a case of déjà vu against Villa. Mick needs to put Milijas back in the side because there is no way he will adapt otherwise. Milijas gives us that creativity we’re craving and he works well with his former Red Star Belgrade teammate, Castillo. Mick needs to bite the bullet and sacrifice the reliable Henry. It’s a case of sacrificing reliability for creativity, which is the only way we will kill off teams at home.
Dave Edwards is a cause for concern as he is not the sort of player who can take on a man and beat him so why drop Jarvis who has been doing this on the left all season? Kightly suffered from this changing around in midfield as he found himself on the left. He looked out of sorts as he didn’t have the confidence to take on players. This might be because of the step up in class or lack of fitness but if he was playing on his favoured right wing then he would have had more confidence to try things. A winger’s job is to beat their man and create chances. Who better than Kightly and Jarvis?
On a more positive not, the defence really impressed me today. The news of Kevin Foley’s injury might not be as bad as first feared because we have Ronald Zubar. The ex-Marseille defender was my man-of-the match today. He was solid in defence and had a bit to offer going forward. I wasn’t expecting such an assured performance. It was also good to see Big George silence the doubters with his performance today. No one doubts his strength but he has looked a bit shaky in past weeks whilst in possession but there was none of that against Villa. The Cameroon born left-back looked in complete control and is surely pushing for an international call up.
Michael Mancienne has been the culprit for many of our defensive errors this season, so I was pleased to see Mick sanctioning the return of old stalwart, Jody Craddock. He was in control at all times and I think the bandaging round his head scared the living day lights out of Carew and Agbonglahor because they were nonexistent. The solid partnership of Berra and Craddock at the back end of last season was the reason we went up so why not stick with them if things are working well?
A point was a good result for us today but we must improve dramatically if we’re going to survive this season. We can have all the possession in the world but if we don’t create anything then we’re not going to get very far. Henry and Edwards doesn’t give us that creative freedom.
Up the Wolves!
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