It's a shame. When he scored that hat trick against Villa we thought he might have turned a corner, but it's since been established that Villa are no better than most League One sides. Since that one game - and let's not forget that's all it was - he's been an absolute disgrace each time he's been on the field. How the manager can deem him worthy of getting minutes is beyond me. And Martinez is supposed to know better than the fans, is he?
Perhaps it's a reflection on his (lack of) tactical nous, that he continues to give Kone a go, instead of mixing up the system and attempting a Plan B. At the time of the substitution, we had Deulofeu, Mirallas, Pienaar and Baines who'd have been much better options. But as the manager is only able to replace like for like, and isn't up to changing a system that clearly isn't working, he'll just bring on our worst striker in over a decade and then proceed to play him out of position.
Baines could have slotted in at left back and we could have put Oviedo left midfield - he's played there before and can put a good ball in, or even Baines there as an emergency winger.
But clearly the most suitable replacement was Deulofeu, and God only knows why the manager waited another 16 minutes before bringing him on, oh and removing our most dangerous player in the process. It was nearly as if he was taking the pish out of the fans. And no, Lennon wasn't knackered and hadn't pulled up, he still looked fresh and was sprinting all over the place.
Mirallas, let's just have him sign a new contract shall we, then proceed to not sell and keep him on the bench for 50k a week. Makes sense, not. Weird.
If this utter dog gets on the field again this season I hope the fans boo the house down; not directed at Kone because, like McGeady, Hibbert, Osman and co, he cannot help being rubbish, but the manager should hear the message loud and clear.
Disgusting.
