Joint-Chairman David Sullivan reflects on Sunday's 0-0 draw at Swansea City
It was a familiar story for us on Sunday as we drew for the third game in succession.
Although goals have been harder to come by since we’ve been hit so hard by injuries, we have tightened up significantly at the other end and managed to claim results against Manchester United, Stoke City and now Swansea City.
It might not have been the three points we really wanted – but the team do deserve credit for the way they have dug in after being faced with adversity in recent weeks.
Yes, we have struggled to score, but any team would after being shorn of four top attacking players, and three of their top four goalscorers.
Without Dimitri Payet, Diafra Sakho, Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses and Andy Carroll it’s no surprise that the goals have not been as free-flowing as at the start of the season.
With the lack of goals, it is important that the defenders have stepped up to the plate and once again I have to say that Adrian was magnificent at Swansea.
He is having a fine season, and has really established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the league in the three seasons he has been here.
Equally impressive on Sunday was James Collins, who gave a real lion-hearted display to help us hold on to our clean sheet and ultimately make our point.
James has had to be patient this season as we now have four top quality centre halves at the Club, but he has taken his chance with our recent clean sheets and he was a big part of the result on Sunday.
An away point is a positive, and there are more positives to take as the manager has made clear that we expect some of the injured players back sooner rather than later.
We could be looking at having Lanzini back for Aston Villa or Southampton and Payet for Liverpool, so although we have lacked a cutting edge recently the cavalry will be arriving soon!
It has been a hugely encouraging first half of this season, and as Christmas and the New Year approaches, we can look forward to 2016 with great optimism as we welcome those key players back.
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you at Aston Villa.
Although goals have been harder to come by since we’ve been hit so hard by injuries, we have tightened up significantly at the other end and managed to claim results against Manchester United, Stoke City and now Swansea City.
It might not have been the three points we really wanted – but the team do deserve credit for the way they have dug in after being faced with adversity in recent weeks.
Yes, we have struggled to score, but any team would after being shorn of four top attacking players, and three of their top four goalscorers.
Without Dimitri Payet, Diafra Sakho, Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses and Andy Carroll it’s no surprise that the goals have not been as free-flowing as at the start of the season.
With the lack of goals, it is important that the defenders have stepped up to the plate and once again I have to say that Adrian was magnificent at Swansea.
He is having a fine season, and has really established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the league in the three seasons he has been here.
Equally impressive on Sunday was James Collins, who gave a real lion-hearted display to help us hold on to our clean sheet and ultimately make our point.
James has had to be patient this season as we now have four top quality centre halves at the Club, but he has taken his chance with our recent clean sheets and he was a big part of the result on Sunday.
An away point is a positive, and there are more positives to take as the manager has made clear that we expect some of the injured players back sooner rather than later.
We could be looking at having Lanzini back for Aston Villa or Southampton and Payet for Liverpool, so although we have lacked a cutting edge recently the cavalry will be arriving soon!
It has been a hugely encouraging first half of this season, and as Christmas and the New Year approaches, we can look forward to 2016 with great optimism as we welcome those key players back.
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you at Aston Villa.