I am disappointed. I was over the moon when O'Leary joined the club. And over the moon when we finished 6th. A bit gutted about not qualifying for the UEFA Champions-League's-little-Brother Cup, but overall a good season.

Last season we were blighted by injuries but still managed to finish in the top half of the table.

Now, after a summer of spending and re-building we are languishing at the wrong end of the table.

We are better than Wigan. We're playing better than Liverpool. We've spent more than Charlton. We've got more experience than West Ham. So why are we here?

Maybe the new members of the team are settling. I know it's been hard for Freddie Bouma to settle, and that's understandable.

Aaron Hughes has been a rock and I'm glad, because I, for one, didn't rate him.

However, it's not like we are not doing well.

Davis looks better than ever, Milner has made me forget we even had Nobby Solano, Barry's back to his best and Super Kev is loving life at Villa Park. So what's wrong?

If good performances aren't getting good results, then it must be bad technique or bad tactics.

The players must be technically good as we've seen them do it before. The first season was a tactical transition and we obviously had a bit of the classic new-manager-syndrome. Even last season we looked good.

Maybe O'Leary's bought the wrong players for his tactics. Maybe Berger, Bouma and Milner aren't used to it. But what about the others?

They surely must be used to the manager's tactics by now? So if they are not working, then change them. If the players aren't responding, then change them. But don't give O'Leary too much cash!

O'Leary will do something. His reputation is on the line here. He's got a point to prove and a career to save. After Leeds he needed to do something and Villa was perfect. A sleeping giant that needed awaking and taking into the 21st century.

I don't think O'Leary will give up easily and I hope he can turn it around. We all want that, but some people are more sick and tired of it than others and have decided to act.

We can't give David O'Leary too many chances, but there's still time. I think Europe is still possible. You've only got to look at the teams currently occupying the European spaces to realise the teams that will finish in the top six aren't all currently in the top six places.

Maybe we should judge O'Leary at Christmas. It's a risk, but one we must take. Do we really want Alain Perrin, Alex McLeish or Mick McCarthy in charge?

Some may say yes, but better the devil you know than someone you don't.

Fingers crossed we're not here by the time I'm opening my Christmas presents.

Think O'Leary should be given time or should we sharpen Ellis' axe for him? Email luke@astonvilla.biz.