If We Are Going Down – Do It With Dignity

OK, so the Hull game pretty much confirmed that Aston Villa really are as terrible as we`d thought. Of course, there has been hope that it wasn`t true, admittedly most of it blind hope such as “the goals will come” from our beleaguered, finished manager, but hope all the same.

It`s not so much the results that is the death knell, that has the cloister bell ringing. It`s the limp performances with it. Never looking like scoring a goal, unable to carve out any kind of chance – heck, even taking a half-decent set piece is difficult for this group of players at the moment.

It`s looking very clear that Lambert is here to stay, despite his obvious struggles. Cut adrift, without a set of known coaches or assistant manager, Lambert is practically running the club himself from top to bottom – is it any wonder that the fruit of Lambert`s labour is similar to his first stint in management at St. Mirren, when he resigned at St. Mirren in February after winning only two goals all season? Even a half-decent manager would struggle in those circumstances, let alone one with the dubious qualities Lambert has.

The time to remove Lambert was November. And then December. It`s too late now, the damage has been done and there was a time both Pulis and Moyes were available to steer the ship into calmer waters. Nero fiddled (or stuck his head in the sand) and here we are. Pushing Lambert now will be too late – there isn`t anyone with the quality needed to turn around this talented, if somewhat limited squad and I can`t help but wonder why he hasn`t been removed from his job. Is it that new contract that is going to need paying off? Does it have a clause that means we can get rid for free is relegated so are we hoping a miracle happens and if it doesn`t he`ll be gone for much cheaper? Who knows.

So we are going to be relegated. It`s defeatist, yes – but we`re sticking with Lambert – and things are getting worse with no sign of improvement, so rather than dwell on it, lets use the time to do it with dignity.

We`ve got the time to come to terms with being the worst team, potentially, ever in the Premier League. We`ve had plenty of time to turn this around – but each decision – to go ‘young and hungry` – to ‘experienced Premier League` – from counter attach to ‘tippy-tappy` short passing – it hasn`t worked. We`ve stank out the Premier League for five years now and there is only so many times you can battle at the bottom until it`s too much.

Let`s come to terms with it. Let`s treat the final few games of a season like a party – it`s finally over. None of that crying rubbish that you see on TV and laugh at when it`s other teams. Keep some reality – this is, in essence, eleven people who are unable to kick a ball in the net as much as others – and get paid ridiculous amounts of money for the privilege. And are set to get even more.

Don`t bother with banners. You won`t be listened to. Some clubs listen to supporters needs, others don`t. Aston Villa took the decision not to when they appointed Alex McLeish and haven`t looked back since. They may say they do – but as we know, actions speak louder than words.

The team may not be capable of entertaining us, but we can do it ourselves. We don`t know when we`ll be back in the Premier League – so let`s enjoy it whilst we can. And rather than the jeering of people not good enough at their job – when it`s all over and confirmed – a round of applause is better suited. Not aimed at the many gutless, incompetent and ignorant employees of the football club – but to us supporters and fans for having put up with it for so long.

And then put our minds towards the future – and how we do a ‘Newcastle` and not a ‘Fulham`, ‘Coventry`, ‘Norwich`, ‘Sheffield Wednesday` or ‘Leeds`.