We've won the bottom half of the league by 10 points. Not sure what the trophy looks like, but I'll take it. Weird season in so many ways. Our flying start really captured the imagination. The stretch of games up to the new year and the excitement the team were generating helped me get through the worst of the pandemic and upheaval. Tale of two halves, really. Disappointing dip in form and fortune with Jack and Cash going down.
Dean Smith is the boss, and I like it. He's a steadying force and has the respect of the players. He got things right most of the time again and I think as he grows into the job more he will become more agile in his in-game management. Big season coming up. He has a chance to consolidate his position but if the team struggles will NSWE stand by him even in a regression?
It was nice to sign Sanson, the jury is still out for now though. He seems composed enough, I wonder about his toughness.
Emi deserving of all the plaudits. Targett was immense every time I watched him play. Intelligent, positive player who gets stuck in. Barkley seemed like weird business for Villa and it was. Not a good fit. The worst player of the season. Petulant, entitled attitude. Just go away. Ollie Watkins is my new Villa hero. Such a bright player and relentless. And likeable.
Hopefully things shape up so that Jack Grealish puts pen to Villa paper again. If he stays, it means he's been promised another few big signings. If he's sold, we will have a proper war chest.
We need better players at a few key positions. Let's hope we get them and depth as well for other positions. Should be an exciting summer. I'm going to try to get to VP next season. First time in 22 years.
UTV