A Villa Carol (or pot?!)

After spending the last 2 days slagging off the signing of Marlon Harewood to the high heavens, last night I was visited by the ghost of Jacob Marlon. He told me I was wrong to slate the signing of Harewood and to prove his point he arranged visits by the ghosts of seasons past, seasons present and seasons future.

This is what I saw –

The Ghost of Season’s past, took me to the City Ground and Upton Park where Marlon Harewood scored 98 goals in 323 appearances. I was shown some great goals Marlon has scored, as well as the adoring Forest fans who treated him like an idol. Still, I’m not convinced…. he has never performed consistantly at the top level.

To futher convince me that Harewood’s signing was a positive move, I was then visited by the Ghost of Seasons Present. He showed me all the positive things that were going on at Villa Park such as the new training ground, the Holte Hotel, the fans finally having a voice which was being heard by the board, reduced ticket prices, increased season ticket sales, some of the best young talent in the country ready to do battle in the spankingly good new shirts from Nike! How could the guys that made all this happen sanction a move for a donkey? I was told to have faith and that Harewood would come good!

Still unconvinced I was then visited by the Ghost of Seasons Future. I could not believe my eyes! 14 goals in 29 appearances next season! 21 in 36 the season after that, Champions League football, an FA Cup win and plans to increase the Villa Park capacity to 50,000! What a buy!!!

I awoke with a new sense of optimism and plans to form the Marlon Harewood appreciation society!

Then I realised what I had been smoking.