There was a lot of talk before the game on Saturday about the experience and know-how that the team possessed. Certainly, that was in evidence when we triumphed over Middlesbrough in the semi-final, but in hindsight, it seems we were overlooking some other important qualities.
Before the match at the weekend, Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic described Steve Bruce’s side as “old and tired,” angering many fans, but his prediction that we would lack energy and dynamism regrettably proved to be correct.
On a hot day at Wembley, the weaknesses in our team were fully exposed by an opponent more youthful, faster and willing not only to play when in possession but also to work hard off the ball. We looked like we were running through treacle in that first half, and we couldn’t recover.
The fact was, we didn’t employ either of the two approaches I advocated last week. Before the interval, we didn’t press high to win the ball back early, and neither did we sit in and counter-attack with pace. The second half was a big improvement because we moved the back line further up the pitch. By that time though, we were chasing things, and in danger of being picked off.
The Cottagers definitely went over the line in their treatment of Grealish, but even then we had 20 minutes against ten men to put things right. We didn’t. Our backline, having looked so solid against Boro, looked static and unable to cope throughout the 90 minutes. In midfield, Jack was a constant threat, but lacking support we could never build the pressure we needed. In attack, we never offered enough.
For sure, we had our chances in the second half, but the most disappointing thing for me is that it didn’t feel like we laid a glove on our opponents. Bruce built this team with experience in mind to get out of the Championship. However, we constructed a team akin to an ex-champion boxer at the end of their career. Slow, unable to move his feet and failing to land blows due to a lack of punch speed.
Time is up for this Villa side. A younger, more dynamic team will have to take its place. We’ll see next season if it’s enough to get us out of this league.
