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The feud between striker John Carew and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier continues. Yesterday, it was John Carew making a fuss--in the media, mind you--about Houllier needing to come to him directly if he had an issue with his play. Now Houllier has hit back, calling Carew stupid and accusing him of living in the past.
Villa's gaffer is not one to mince words:
"He should look at the figures, how long has he played and how many goals have we scored when he has been playing."
Considering we have established that John Carew is lacking a few brain cells, let's do the math for him:
Villa v West Ham: Started--3 goals scored by Villa--none scored by Carew. Still, goals scored when Carew played.
Advantage: Carew
Newcastle v Villa: Started. Off at 65. Yeah, we all know what happened in this game.Also, Carew missed a penalty.
Advantage: Houllier
Villa v Everton: Started. Off at 68. Villa win through Luke Young in 9th minute.
Advantage: Carew
Villa v Bolton: On at 73. Villa drew 1-1. Ashley Young scored in 13th minute. Carew did nothing.
Advantage: Houllier
Villa v Blackburn (Carling Cup): Off at 58. Emile Heskey on, scores one minute later. Hmmm.
Advantage: Houllier
Tottenham v Villa: On at 36 for injured Heskey. Marc Albrighton scores in 16th minute from a lovely Heskey assist.
Advantage: Houllier
Villa v Chelsea: Off at 74. Delfouneso sub immediately opens up wing play. Goalless draw.
Advantage: Houllier
Villa v Birmingham: On at 83. Goalless draw.
Advantage: Houllier
In the seven matches in which Carew has played, goals have been scored twice while he was on the pitch. Sure, one of those matches involved three goals, but let's call that the Milner factor rather than the big-man factor. And then there was the missed penalty. And Heskey immediately turned around the Carling Cup tie after Carew left the field.
Carew has a right to be frustrated, of course. But it's time for him to focus on his own play rather than blaming others. The striker's main argument is still that the fans love to sing his name. The problem is, Big John, that the fans are also making up similar chants to mock your current form:
John Carew, Carew, he may be bigger than me or you, he'll still not score a goal, or two...