Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on January 16, 2011, 09:19:05 AM
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Available Sunday afternoon.
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3 wins, 17 league games.
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Unlucky not to win a scrappy game. Walker continues to impress and we'll undoubtedly be fine.
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
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Well deserved point- plenty of effort and commitment, with makoun and a decent striker signed we will soon pick up and pull away from trouble I believe , doubt we will Carew start another game , well done to all!
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Now that that's out of the way, the fight for survival can begin
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Not a bad game. We desperately need Heskey back and another striker, but it doesn't take a genius to work that out.
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Now that that's out of the way, the fight for survival can begin
It started months ago, did no one tell the players?
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Well a point after we went behind is good but it's telling that the first chance on target was our goal. Some questionable decisions by Houllier as well but we are now out of the bottom three by GD.
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3 wins, 17 league games.
And he will keep his job. Sadly.
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Phew
Shakin' like a dawg!
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but we are now out of the bottom three by GD.
Not according to the table on the BBC site we aren't.
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Delf showed more in twenty minutes than carew did all game, playing Gabby up front a no brainer. Why did our manager pick the team and set them up that way lunacy
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
It is in a relegation 6 pointer which this game was.
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Played reasonably well. Fonz looked good when he came on, should start ahead of Carew against Man City in my opinion. What was the attendance?
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Not the best performance, but better. On another, luckier day, we'd have put 4 past them.
The defence looked better but Clark struggled with Bentley. Makoun will add some steel to the midfield but we are crying out for more quality up front and a more creativity in the centre of the centre of the park.
Easy prediction of the day - this thread will soon be filled with cries of "Houllier out"
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Frankly I'd have taken the point at the start and, as it was, probably a fair result.
Derbies are different. From now on, though, it had got to be three points when we play the teams around us.
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can't remember the last time i was so relieved to see a villa goal
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but we are now out of the bottom three by GD.
Not according to the table on the BBC site we aren't.
You need to refresh the page.
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Probably a fair result though both teams could have nicked it near the end. The main difference before the substitutions was they had forwards while we were playing with what looked like a 6ft concrete post, except less mobile and not as good at trapping the ball. If the baggies want him, then sell. Can't fault the effort even though the application was wanting at times
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Played reasonably well. Fonz looked good when he came on, should start ahead of Carew against Man City in my opinion. What was the attendance?
Just over 22,000 and about 1,700 of those were Villa. Shockingly poor.
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
Well it has taken us out of the relegation zone. I'd say that makes it "good for us".
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
Thats patently not true.
This was a six pointer. Getting something was absolutely vital here. Can you imagine the mood that loosing would have caused at the club?
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Bannan and Fonz looked useful. They have to start next time with Petrov left at home to oil his zimmer....
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Awful and unlucky at the same time
On the credit side were Albrighton's attacking, Walker too, Nathan's cameo and Clark recovering to be much better in the second half
On the debit side were the totally anonymous Reo-Coker and Petrov, Carew poncing around like a bloody fairy on top of the Christmas Cake, Albrighton's defending, Gabby's role and therefore Gabby himself though not really his fault and, for me, the central defence still wobbles like jelly far too often
A game we were never in control of
Urgently needed - a striker who can shoot and head straight and a midfielder to partner Makoun (Delph?)
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We had more quality about us - the Fonz's bit of play deserved a goal, that was top-drawer stuff.
A battling point not to be sniffed at. The margins are so fine, we got 6 points off this lot last season but I don't think we played much better, if at all, than the derbies this year.
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A loss would have been catastrophic, thank god and Ridgewell it wasnt. We looked so much better when we had Fonz and Gabby up front why cant our manager work this out?
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A draw away to them lot is no disgrace, and to come from a goal behind today (and in truth, we could have won this, I think) showed a degree of fight that some may have felt was missing not so long ago.
I was impressed with Walker on the whole, and although taking off NRC caused me a bit of concern I think some credit is due to Houllier for going with a very attacking pair of substitutes. Delfouneso did very well indeed in his time.
So, for me, I was desperate for us not to lose, and we didn't. I'm fairly happy with that.
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Loads of bottle today and unlucky not to win it. That sort of commitment the rest of the season and we'll be fine. Back 4 were great.
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Good fightback, and we had some shocking luck.
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but we are now out of the bottom three by GD.
Not according to the table on the BBC site we aren't.
According to SKY we are.
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thought we shaded it, two mediocre teams in a scrappy game.
hit the bar 4 times I believe. thought the fonz was great when he came on really livened up the attack but i'm afraid the line up in the first half with gabby wide again just doesn't suit and was mentioned many times by the commentary.
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Collins getting that goal forced me to fork out for a Man City ticket on Saturday.
I'll take a draw, much better than it could've been. Dissapointed to hit the woodwork so much but at the end of the day we haven't lost and now we need to move on and prepare for the tycoons on Saturday.
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Losing today psychologically could have been catastrophic. Winning would have been ideal, but drawing is only a point but a very valuable point, its going to be a fight between now and the end of the season whatever way we look at it.
Lets see who the manager can bring in between now and the end of January, and fingers crossed we start getting some wins on the board.
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First and last twenty - good. The bit in between - awfull.
How much of the game did Gabby waste on the wing? I'm not suprised Carew struggled, he has always done well when flicking on for Gabby. He often had no one in front of him. We really need to switch the tactics when they aren't working. It was like the last derby at Villa Park, when he kept Young up front all game when it wasnt working.
Glad we got the point, but tactically it's not good enough.
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Not a terrible performance,had enough chances to win the game. Gab is wasted on the left,least we know that Carew offers us nothing anymore,the Fonz done more in 15 mins than he did in the whole game.
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Positives:
1 more point. Anyone who thinks a point is not enough when you're playing a relegation six pointer should have a think about it.
Created chances.
Fonz and Bannan changed the flow of the game when they came on.
Walker looks quality going forward.
Negatives:
We desperately need a striker, absolutely desperate.
Reo-Coker and Petrov need to be replaced. NRC just doesnt look bothered (unsurprisingly) and Petrov looks like he's not good enough.
Signs of heads dropping when they took the lead, only reversed by the substitutions.
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
Thats patently not true.
This was a six pointer. Getting something was absolutely vital here. Can you imagine the mood that loosing would have caused at the club?
We need to start winning. Obviously it's better than losing, but we needed three points here. We're out of the relegation zone by a fanny hair. We've got games against both sets of Manc arseholes coming up. How's the table going to look then. I'm actually quite relieved as I expected a loss today, but am I worried about the pile of shit we're in? Yes, yes I am. Especially when he neutralise our main attacking threat by sticking him in midfield.
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Hopefully people will now see the manager is trying to sign quality players to strenghten us and get off his back , randy has backed him so he isn't going anywhere , now let's get behind him and the team , give him a chance and see where it takes us.
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Loads of bottle today and unlucky not to win it. That sort of commitment the rest of the season and we'll be fine. Back 4 were great.
Agreed. My main complaints would be our attacks were too slow, which allowed them to blanket cover and I simply don't get Downng inside and Gabby left wing. Whatever the theory it doesn't work.
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According to SKY we are.
Yeah, my mistake, the scores update without refreshing the page, but the table doesn't, I was looking at the table as it was when we were behind.
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
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Unlucky not to win a scrappy game. Walker continues to impress and we'll undoubtedly be fine.
Who was it said he was shit? OK he occasionally gets caught out of position but his forward play is a revelation, that cut back that led to our goal would have had the Ashley luvvies playing with themselves had he done it.
Never thought we'd lose it we just need a little more confidence in the middle of the pitch and I'm sorry Bannan lovers but he just doesn't cut it in midfield if he doesn't attempt to head balls.
Did Petrov play I didn't see the team sheet. Otherwise, good win, and we aren't bottom as some predicted, so came back at Chelsea to draw, came back against Blues to draw, maybe the training has helped.
Well all but Carew , he's an average but very idle waste of space.
If Defounso could play like that for 90 mins he'd help solve the problems we have scoring goals but then with Gabby playing as a spare left back mostly its unlikely he will score.
Wonder what sort of difference Makoun will make to the midfield, especially with Ashley back
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
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Relieved we didn't lose, depressed we've failed to beat a dog awful small heath side in 3 attempts this season. And i'll be fucked if I get remotely excited at moving above Wigan and out of the bottom 3 by virtue of the alphabet.
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I'll take that. Fair result, both sides had chances. Vitally important we didn't lose today and we didn't. Delfounso's shot that hit the bar would have been goal of the decade if it had gone in.
Subs changed game for Villa. Give Delfounso a run, put Gabby up top and we should scramble survival.
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Shit some posters on this site should see a therapist, battling point using players that are not long for Villa.
Reinforced what we already know, Carew is finished and Petrov is nothing more than a bench warmer. At least Houllier has tackled the most urgent problem the midfield, that area is letting the defence and attack down. Clark tried his heart out but isn't a full back and Walker great going forward but iffy defending. Happy with the point get a couple more players in and we should be okay.
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We deserved a point. We didn't lose. I didn't even miss Ashley's snood.
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
Thats patently not true.
This was a six pointer. Getting something was absolutely vital here. Can you imagine the mood that loosing would have caused at the club?
We need to start winning. Obviously it's better than losing, but we needed three points here. We're out of the relegation zone by a fanny hair. We've got games against both sets of Manc arseholes coming up. How's the table going to look then. I'm actually quite relieved as I expected a loss today, but am I worried about the pile of shit we're in? Yes, yes I am. Especially when he neutralise our main attacking threat by sticking him in midfield.
The Blues have got the two Manchester teams in the next two games as well,not many teams get a result at the Sty,so a point aint too bad,weve gotta beat Wigan and Fulham coming up soon.
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GH loves 451, which is a waste having someone like Gabby in the team......just don't see the point of Gabby being played on the left. He is right footed and he cant cross the ball...do the maths GH.
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
Thats patently not true.
This was a six pointer. Getting something was absolutely vital here. Can you imagine the mood that loosing would have caused at the club?
We need to start winning. Obviously it's better than losing, but we needed three points here. We're out of the relegation zone by a fanny hair. We've got games against both sets of Manc arseholes coming up. How's the table going to look then. I'm actually quite relieved as I expected a loss today, but am I worried about the pile of shit we're in? Yes, yes I am. Especially when he neutralise our main attacking threat by sticking him in midfield.
We did need a win but what we really needed was not to lose. If we fight but lose against the Manc clubs we then have a better possible run in with the new players coming in. The main issue is that these new players will need to hit the floor running like Walker.
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pleased with a point after they scored so early in second half. we looked a lot better when the Fonz came on. Definatly need a proven goalscorer before the end of january.
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Shit some posters on this site should see a therapist
Mine told me to keep on posting here and I would be off the anti-depressants in a couple of years.
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I think being happy with a point against this absolute rabble shows how far we've dropped. I'm not unhappy with the point, just aware that we should have got three, and badly needed three in our fight for survival.
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Thought Dunne in particular and Collins were back to near their best today. Though Birmingham are shocking up front though. Walker was good going forward but a good bit to learn defensively. Clark struggled early on but got on top of Bentley. Glad we didn't sign him, he overplays the ball constantly and is gutless in the extreme. In midfield Reo Coker tackled well but offers nothing with the ball. Still though Petrov should have been the one to make way. He can't start any more I feel when Makoun and Delph come back. Bring him on by all means but his legs are gone. Downing was as inoffensive as ever. Had a great chance to score. Albrighton had a decent game but as usual a quota of idiotic fouls. Gabby was hopeless. Carew not much better. Delfouneso was our best attacking player when he came on. Would have been a superb winner. I don't think Bannan is anywhere near up to it at this level I must say. All in all a point deserved. Some better individual performances but again a tactical shambles in truth.
For Birmingham, Carr and Johnson were good as always. Foster another overrated English keeper. Fahey was good in midfield but again the best player in the derby was Barry Ferguson. The best midfielder on view by a distance. Only cost them a million or so great value considering the 20m or so MON splurged on Reo Coker, Petrov and Sidwell. They will be down with us in the dogfight for sure. Absolutely nothing up front. Their two ex Villa players are pretty ordinary.
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Im suprised by all the negative comments. I thought we played pretty well in patches for an away team, had plenty of chances and were unlucky not to win with hitting the bar so much. The only thing to piss me off really was Gabby being wasted out wide for so long.
Its a good point and something to build on, Ash Young and hopefully Makoun to come in next week, Im feeling unusually postive after todays game!
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We created the better chances, fought at their place as hard as them and were unlucky not to score a few today. All the Houllier Haters were wanking silly second half hoping we would cave and he would go but the team fought, and scrapped, and got the goal.
Gabby wide left - was involved in all our best opportunities coming in late without being tracked, the logic of playing him there was there for all to see in the first 60 second, had he scored Houllier would have been a genius, and can't legislate for someone people are crying for not being up front shanking over from about 5 yards.
Collins instead of Cuellar - was a colossus, and got the goal, so he got that right too.
The centre of the park is our biggest issue, the striker issue will solve when the rest of the side is right. We will stay up, we are starting to fight. Wigan away a huge game now. Lets hope for another couple of bodies in before then.
Brad - 7 one big mistake and got away with it
Walker -7 great coming forward, couple of scary moments at the back. Will help us score goals
Clark - 6 - Took ages to get into the fight with Bentley, but second half was a good threat going forward and should have been given a pen for the one Johnson handled
Collins - 8 - shaky early days, but though he grew into it
Dunne - 7 - 2 mistakes that were giving away the ball, but overall thought he and Collins did really well, and put themselves in front of everything.
Albrighton - 7 - Slow to get into it, but crosses became more and more threatening and put the ball in for the goal
Downing - 6 - Wimp again coming through. Too often missing, and should have scored when Gabby and Fonz put him in
Reo Coker - 5 - Battled well and covered Clark really well first half for Clark, but got less and less effectinve to the point of being replaced by Bannan
Petrov - 2 - Wad he playing. Makoun should be straight in for him. Needs a wake up call, gone back to the Petrov of 2 seasons ago or so
Gabby - 6 - Did ok coming in from the left, but when pushed up gave up on things too easily. Need him fit, working hard and in form in the coming months.
Carew - 5 - Erm... not really impressed
Fonz - 7 - Did great and really unlucky not to score
Bannan - 5 - Just not protected enough to have the time on the ball to pick his passes. Also needs movement in front of him to be used effectively, and Gabby for me is too static too often.
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When we gonna start to control the ball?
Missing our attacking power. It disappear for so long.
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
Let me know how playing the best players in the best positions is a problem
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Initial thoughts/ramblings.......Gabby should have buried that chance early on but there again Zigic should have nicked it at the end. In the pre-match thread I posted that I thought Carew would put in a decent performance. I was wrong. Fonz did more in his short shift than Carew did all game - showed energy, commitment and a decent shot. Stan and Reo worked hard but without creating anything. Bannan struggled. Why does Houllier persist with Gabby wide left? Waste. Point probably a fair result and I'd have taken that before the game
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We didn't lose. But one point isn't much good to us.
Thats patently not true.
This was a six pointer. Getting something was absolutely vital here. Can you imagine the mood that loosing would have caused at the club?
We need to start winning. Obviously it's better than losing, but we needed three points here. We're out of the relegation zone by a fanny hair. We've got games against both sets of Manc arseholes coming up. How's the table going to look then. I'm actually quite relieved as I expected a loss today, but am I worried about the pile of shit we're in? Yes, yes I am. Especially when he neutralise our main attacking threat by sticking him in midfield.
The Blues have got the two Manchester teams in the next two games as well,not many teams get a result at the Sty,so a point aint too bad,weve gotta beat Wigan and Fulham coming up soon.
yep, we're both in a relegation battle and a point away is a decent result for us, less so for them
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Reo-Coker and Petrov need to be replaced. NRC just doesnt look bothered (unsurprisingly) and Petrov looks like he's not good enough.
It though Reo-Coker played well - used the ball effectively and covered defensively. Petrov was admittedly anonymous, I've remained a fan for longer than most but his injury this season might have put the final nail in his coffin.
With respect to Reo-Coker, you know the old adage about everyone seeing a game differently!
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Overall defended quite well, and despite my disbelief at Collins starting ahead of Cuellar, i'm certainly glad he did now. Clarke looks very good at LB, i hope we sign Walker although he needs a bit of help with decision making at times, Dunne getting back to his best. Midfield was OK, Gabby's workrate on the left is an asset, no problem with him playing there myself, Nige did pretty well and was surprised he was replaced by the physically unfit to play in the middle Bannan. I think he will be a quality final third player though. Downing and Petrov were acceptable but no better. Albrighton still looks a threat when on the ball, but needed to get involved more. Carew was largely shit and the sooner we get rid the better. Fonz did well when he came on, but i still only see him as a supersub really.
I thought we played quite well in what was a decent match, but we desperately need a top striker and another good defender. Surprised at people being negative as we got a draw away in the local derby and were well worthy of it. Even when we were doing well it would have been an acceptable result.
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I kept losing the ball against all those empty seats.
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Loads of bottle today and unlucky not to win it. That sort of commitment the rest of the season and we'll be fine. Back 4 were great.
I'd mostly agree with that apart from the odd sliced clearance and awful distribution. They do need either to pull midfield back or head and kick further than they do. Some of the weak clearances made Gardner look good.
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but we are now out of the bottom three by GD.
Not according to the table on the BBC site we aren't.
According to SKY we are.
And Sky invented football, so I'd believe them
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I can see a few signs that things are settling down and GH is starting to turn the tide. I don't think any of our players were shit as is being suggested. Carew was isolated, and the middle two were a bit cautious but that's understandable given the magnitude of the game. It's also worth remembering they're both only 3 games in after long injuries. We just need a break and things will turn. You can see how players are anxious to shoot/cross when in good positions but this is a confidence issue. As I said, there's a few signs and apart from the two Manchester games coming up we have the ideal fixtures to turn the corner and pull clear of the dog fight.
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That's three away games since the debacle at Man City and three better performances. If we're going to play that formation I think unless he plays Gab up front there's no point in having him on the pitch. Clearly not a winger and looked lost for large periods. Some real positives though and I hope this mean we're slowly getting there.
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Had we had Heskey playing today, we'd have won that.
When you're not scoring goals through your strikers, having someone to hold the ball up for you and bring other players in up front for you is important. To be fair to Carew, even when he was doing it for us, holding the ball up was never his strong point.
I do think that's the last we've seen of him for us, though.
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good win, and we aren't bottom as some predicted
Ask the nurses to think about decreasing your dosage.
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Had we had Heskey playing today, we'd have won that.
When you're not scoring goals through your strikers, having someone to hold the ball up for you and bring other players in up front for you is important. To be fair to Carew, even when he was doing it for us, holding the ball up was never his strong point.
I do think that's the last we've seen of him for us, though.
I think Ash would have had a field day today and we would have probably won the game. It was so open and it would have suited him perfectly.
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Encouraging, deserved a point. Thought we edged the first half, them the second. Defence looked more settled we just need something more up front.
As an aside more stewards than fans for your 'cup final'?
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Positives:
We didn't lose
A point away is ok for us, especially after going behind
The Fonz looked really good when he came on
Plenty of fight
Makoun+Delph to come in centre mid will be a lot better than Petrov and NRC
Maybe a striker to come in so we don't have to play Carew
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Who was it said he was shit? OK he occasionally gets caught out of position but his forward play is a revelation, that cut back that led to our goal would have had the Ashley luvvies playing with themselves had he done it.
Did Petrov play I didn't see the team sheet. Otherwise, good win...
Oh dear. No one said he was shit, you're making things up again. What was the final score by the way?
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
Let me know how playing the best players in the best positions is a problem
Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
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Shows just how valuable Heskey has become for us, really -and just how essential it is to find a younger version of him!
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
This is probably what MON thought, as he largely played the same formation and same players week in, week out. Other managers, like Ferguson -- who, e. g., sometimes plays Rooney on the wing and Giggs both on the wing and in central midfield -- and Wenger -- who, e. g., Arshavin both up front and on the wing, seem to disagree. But what do they know?
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I can't agree that Carew and Reo-Coker were anything but dire but then that maybe just me as I have a natural antipathy towards the former and have never rated the latter, so perhaps that is it. I do readily admit to not having the time of day for either nowadays
I also thought Downing was very poor today - he has been quite good up to Christmas but suddenly seems to have reverted to the player of last season; poor decision-making, wimping out of anything vaguely physical and just not taking enough responsibility...
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On reflection a point in a derby game isn't all that bad. We did show somw fight in the 2nd half. Still utterley puzzled why Gabby is played out wide, why it took so long to make the subs and why Petrov remained on the pitch.
What did we learn from today.. Petrov and Carew shouldn't play for us again.
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We showed tons of bottle today.
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
Let me know how playing the best players in the best positions is a problem
Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
Gabby was playing on the wing and Downing in the centre, both were ineffective, did you see the game?
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That's three away games since the debacle at Man City and three better performances. If we're going to play that formation I think unless he plays Gab up front there's no point in having him on the pitch. Clearly not a winger and looked lost for large periods. Some real positives though and I hope this mean we're slowly getting there.
I doubt any other 'striker' we have could have so effectively covered so much of the pitch which is what he was asked to do. If you want to find fault look no further than Carew.
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Carew was awful i thought. at one stage it looked like he was using some sort of magnetic ball repeller
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
Let me know how playing the best players in the best positions is a problem
Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
Gabby was playing on the wing and Downing in the centre, both were ineffective, did you see the game?
I agree about Downing, to a point, but Gabby did a good job out on the wing, I thought.
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Heskey , young and makoun to come in plus a left back , maybe Adam and a striker would see a better balance in the side and a stronger spine- I think we will have a decent run of results now and a point away is always useful, it's the home games we need to win amd if we start doing that we will soon move up the league.
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Much more positive than a few weeks ago. Just need a striker. Come on Randy let's go for Benzema!
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A good point today , I do hate watching this game as we seem to make it hard work.. Like someone said started well and should have easily been 2 up and finished strongly ... we did hit the bar 3 times legally and Gabby and Downing have to put those chances away...
Hopefully I wont see Carew again , there was a simple lay off he should have done which would have gave Walker a fantastic chance, he couldnt even be bothered to do that right, that is Carew all over , please replace Houlier... Petrov was rubbish , I didnt realise he was playing. NRC was alot better but we still need better than him. I thought the defence was alot better today and I really like KW , other than the one clanger he made. The young lads all worked really hard .
We were missing 2 important players today for us and we have Jean II to come in , we need a striker badly , Maybe another CM and a LB and Downing please stop being a wuss.. you were poor too....
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funny we looked a better team when Gabby played in the centre
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I read a stat a few weeks back that said we have hit the woodwork more times than any other team in the league. Well we can add another 4 times to that stat. Had half of the those gone in over the season we'd be in the top half and yet we would have played no differently. Funny old game. And thank fuck we didn't lose.
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funny we looked a better team when Gabby played in the centre
I'd put that more down to the impact of Delfouneso, to be honest, but that's opinions and all that!
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
Let me know how playing the best players in the best positions is a problem
Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
Gabby was playing on the wing and Downing in the centre, both were ineffective, did you see the game?
Indeed I did but I, like most I'd assume, understood the tactics
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Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
You want us to play with 12 players?
hawkeyes point is that he played Downing (who you don't mention) in the hole and Gabby as Left wing for most of the match. MON also used to play Gabby as a winger but at least that was on his stronger right side of you want him to cross the ball.
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At least Houillier's substitutions have more impact than MON's did. Think Ridgewell is looking increasingly like Neil from Inbetweeners.
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I can't agree that Carew and Reo-Coker were anything but dire but then that maybe just me as I have a natural antipathy towards the former and have never rated the latter, so perhaps that is it. I do readily admit to not having the time of day for either nowadays
I can't think of any thing that NRC did wrong, can't even remember giving the ball away.
Neither did I he was certainly more useful than Petrov and Downing but like with O'Neill it appears Houllier has problems with him, probably associated with his not signing a new contract.
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That's three away games since the debacle at Man City and three better performances. If we're going to play that formation I think unless he plays Gab up front there's no point in having him on the pitch. Clearly not a winger and looked lost for large periods. Some real positives though and I hope this mean we're slowly getting there.
It just seems so odd to have Gab on the left,especially as their defence isnt the quickest and you'd prefer to have Gab on the shoulder of their last defender so we could stretched the game with his pace,which then happened a little when the Fonz came on.
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Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
You want us to play with 12 players?
hawkeyes point is that he played Downing (who you don't mention) in the hole and Gabby as Left wing for most of the match. MON also used to play Gabby as a winger but at least that was on his stronger right side of you want him to cross the ball.
Pardon ?
Perhaps more than I thought don't understand basic tactical needs.
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
Let me know how playing the best players in the best positions is a problem
Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
Gabby was playing on the wing and Downing in the centre, both were ineffective, did you see the game?
Indeed I did but I, like most I'd assume, understood the tactics
congratulations I didnt
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Had we had Heskey playing today, we'd have won that.
When you're not scoring goals through your strikers, having someone to hold the ball up for you and bring other players in up front for you is important. To be fair to Carew, even when he was doing it for us, holding the ball up was never his strong point.
I do think that's the last we've seen of him for us, though.
We would certainly have gone closer. Carew just doesn't look arsed, Heskey puts in far more effort and is better at holding the ball up.
Most people seem unhappy with the Gabby on the left thing, but what he gives you there is battle and he makes it harder for teams to get at you down that side. A decent ploy away from home in a game where a point is acceptable. It was the same at Chelsea. It doesn't hurt at times to adapt your players to a particular situation, even if it stifles their flair a bit.
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That's three away games since the debacle at Man City and three better performances. If we're going to play that formation I think unless he plays Gab up front there's no point in having him on the pitch. Clearly not a winger and looked lost for large periods. Some real positives though and I hope this mean we're slowly getting there.
It just seems so odd to have Gab on the left,especially as their defence isnt the quickest and you'd prefer to have Gab on the shoulder of their last defender so we could stretched the game with his pace,which then happened a little when the Fonz came on.
I do agree with that, but the alternative would have been to have Downing out there, which would have left Clark pretty seriously isolated at left back against Bentley. There were a lot of times where Agbonlahor came sprinting back to offer support to Clark, which Downing, I don't believe, would have done so effectively. So, on balance, I think Houllier played that one right today.
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Playing Gabby on the wing is plain wrong. Cannot believe people are trying justify it.
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I can't agree that Carew and Reo-Coker were anything but dire but then that maybe just me as I have a natural antipathy towards the former and have never rated the latter, so perhaps that is it. I do readily admit to not having the time of day for either nowadays
I can't think of any thing that NRC did wrong, can't even remember giving the ball away.
I can't think of anything he did at all, that's my problem. Oh yes, one covering tackle in the first half which was good, granted, so apologies
If we are going to persist with two wide players, we need much better quality in the middle than Petrov and Reo-Coker
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Playing Gabby on the wing is plain wrong. Cannot believe people are trying justify it.
As is playing Downing in the centre, with you all the way
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Fustrating we should have been 2 or 3 up at half-time, but we didn't take our chances. A striker is a MUST.
Think we would have nicked it in the last 10 if we just got the ball down instead of the hoofball tactics.
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Just got back in the car, don't really know what to make of it as these games just seem to fly by, we were definately worth a point though, Gabby aint no left winger, that seems clear to everybody except Hotlips and Carew may aswell just piss off, if he can't get motivated for a derby then he needs his head looking at, 22,000 for a local derby? What a shit club they are
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I've defended Petrov numerous times, but I am now resigned to admitting that he's past it.
Makoun can't start soon enough for me.
Today, Gabby tried but wasn't getting any luck - Downing wussed out too many times and made may wrong decisions but he's still a threat, NRC ? - an enigma to me as he does one good thing, then fucks up with another, Friedel , last season as number 1, Carew - jeez, he's on the same bus as Petrov.
1 point, out of the bottom 3, a point at the sty - not that bad a day - had better !
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Pardon ?
Perhaps more than I thought don't understand basic tactical needs.
Well I do understand that Gabby has bulked up and can hold the ball up. He also has a tremendous scoring record against the blues.
Although Gabby was stopping some of Carrs marauding forward his main place as yourself acknowledge is up front.
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Decent result but thought we deserved to win, and with Ash and Heskey we probably would have. Today shows how much we need a player like (i hope) Makoun will be to give us a bit of strength and quality in midfield.
My criticisms of today would be that we played too much long ball, slowed the attach down in possession and did too many dumb things but those are the sorts of issues you have when confidence is low. The result may well be important in helping to regain the self belief that we need at the moment and a decent result against Citeh will do us the world of good.
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22, 287. LOL.
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Just seen a picture on the BBC website of Collins celebrating in front of an empty stand, did they shut it? Can't believe they didn't sell the tickets, even to the knuckledraggers
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It's nice to see we seem to have complete unanimity at long last as regards Carew. He makes me see red to be honest with his tip tappying around the pitch like some bloody fairy...
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GH loves 451, which is a waste having someone like Gabby in the team......just don't see the point of Gabby being played on the left. He is right footed and he cant cross the ball...do the maths GH.
Is a good point. So shoot Heskey and sell Carew and play Delfouneso in the hole behind Gabby.
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22, 287. LOL.
They'll probably get even less for the semi final !
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
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I dont agree with Houllier on many things but when he said that Carew cant just sit on the bench and accept the fans singing his name without giving anything back on the pitch you have to agree. He has not turned up for too many games and I'm glad he is going. He was very poor today
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
no he wouldn't
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Just seen a picture on the BBC website of Collins celebrating in front of an empty stand, did they shut it? Can't believe they didn't sell the tickets, even to the knuckledraggers
TBF unless they buy multiples of the stock it is hard to spend £35 in the club shop. Even Delboy wouldn't be able to ship Adult Shirts that struggle to fit a newborn.
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22, 287. LOL.
Well, I would, normally, but I'm not sure we are in a position to laugh about much at all....
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It's nice to see we seem to have complete unanimity at long last as regards Carew. He makes me see red to be honest with his tip tappying around the pitch like some bloody fairy...
He doesn't even seem able to run anymore. His main strengths were heading and holding the ball up,but it was bouncing off him today,and Johnson was beating him to alot of the balls,he was unlucky with the header he had,but we've had the best from him,time to look for new options.
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Where the game would have been won today would have been having a top class centre forward and either Young or Heskey up top rather than Carew and Downing. Nowt to do with Gabby. Did anyone notice the number of balls that were going into the box from the left hand pair and right hand pair? The problem was that most of the time the two centre backs were in there trying to finish, such was the ineffectiveness of the front two. Fair play to them both for their efforts though.
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That was much better in terms of work-rate and chances created, even if Foster had little to do. Dunne and Collins threw themselves at everything and I thought NRC covered a lot of ground. Allbrighton and Downing's deliveries were poor too many times but we do need a striker or a striker we already have needs the confidence of a goal or two. Thought we'd win it until we went a goal behind but a good reaction to get back into it. It was one of those games that if Gabby had scored after 30 seconds we'd have steamrollered them, they looked awful.
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
Then you're an idiot.
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
Then you're an idiot.
I''d have use stronger words.
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Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
Then you're an idiot.
I''d have use stronger words.
Agreed
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More shots on target then Blues, more shots off target and more corners, and we were the away side.
Do for me, although converting more than 1 shot would have been the icing on the cake.
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Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic
Do you not think that a draw away to our fiercest local rivals, a game which we could reasonably have won, in which our players showed that there is a fair bit of fight and spirit about them, suggests that Houllier's tactics were at least moderately successful?
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I actually thought reo coker did ok , worked , battled and didn't seem to give ball away , now carew ....he was shit , blunt I know but he just does not do it for me or villa .
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Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic
It's Mr Woodhall to you, and anyone who wants us to lose any game, especially against Blues when we're at the bottom of the table, is many things apart from idiot. It's 'should have' as well.
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I thought we battled well and deserved the point.
Decided to give the portaloos a miss, they didn't look particularly welcoming.
We were in the car and on our way home within 5 minutes of the final whistle.
The police were having a go at youths, I think they may have arrested one of them, who had their faces covered up with scarves and refused to move them. Apparently it's against the law to cover your face up. (I'll leave the burkhas argument for elsewhere).
Very poor crowd for a local derby.
Just glad it's over and out of the way.
Oh, and a thank you from me to Agent Ridgewell.
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Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic
Wanting Houlier out is one thing, Wanting Villa to lose (particularly against them) is sometihng else
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Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic
No you're not. You're too deranged to be allowed an opinion. You should be locked away from normal, decent people so that they are not forced to endure your opinions.
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What's with all the personal insults ?
just say you don't agree with me instead of calling me deranged. It's fucking childish
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Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic
Yeah, but we've heard your opinion quite enough now. I actually agreed with you that he wasn't the man for the job, and that he maybe should have gone after Sunderland but it hasn't happened so we have to accept it. Tactically he got it right in most ways considering his options today, and he might have signed us a quality new centre mid, and is looking at loads of other players that we need in certain positions. Lets give him a chance now. I tell you now we won't go down. The players fought hard for a half decent point today, coming from behind.
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Playing Gabby on the wing is plain wrong. Cannot believe people are trying justify it.
As is playing Downing in the centre, with you all the way
I don't think Gabby would've played wide if Ashley wasn't suspended, for which you can't blame Houllier. Against a bunch of talentless ruffians like Small Heath it makes sense to play 4-5-1. I'm sure Gabby isn't Depardieu's first choice there but with Ashley out I'd rather see him there than Bannan who I don't like on the wing.
Downing in the centre is worth a try. His crossing isn't as good as Albrighton but he is our only midfielder who can strike a moving ball in the general direction of the goal. That suggests he could do alright with a switch to the centre, certainly better than Young has done there this season. He had a few shots today that could've snook (sneaked? snoke?) the other side of the post.
A lot of people seemed to think we should try Carew and Houllier did. Not first choice, but again it's not M. H's fault that Heskey got himself suspended. He started off ok, was unlucky to hit the bar, but tired second half as you might expect for a bloke who hasn't played for a while.
Houllier noticed he was tiring and took him off. Sensible decision. I didn't agree with the decision to take Okey-Cokey off and leave Sideways Stiliyan on but it didn't prove costly.
Overall, I'd say Gerard had a good game tactically but some people would've criticised whatever team he put out even if we'd won 8-0. It's sad to say, but very few teams win at The Sty. A point is a good result especially when we were, undeservadly, behind.
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I'm with a bunch of Bluenoses that know we were the better team, so that's good.
A point wasn't enough though. We still have the same problem that if something doesn't change we'll be relegated.
What is going to change?
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Thank you Clark that's the sort of discussions I like
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My problem is the manager, there is enough fight and ability to put us in a mid table position but GH fucks the tactics and formmation up, this is not difficult, put your best players in thier best positions
You serious?
Let me know how playing the best players in the best positions is a problem
Its not but normally I'd expect Friedel to be keeper not striker, Clarke is our only viable left back, Walker plays as a right back Collins, Dunne cb's, Petrov, Coker, Bannan, Albrighton midfield, Gabby, Carew, Fonz, up front, the ref normally ref's.
Gabby was playing on the wing and Downing in the centre, both were ineffective, did you see the game?
yeah but come on mate, gabby is fast as fuck so it should work (despite what people hve said on here he can cross and does create goals for others) and i think downing is our top goalscorer, most have which have come from shooting from the edge of the area, the position you will generally get into being the support striker. I agree, Gabby was ineffectual on the left today but things arent always gonna work out. this doesnt mean the manager shouldnt have the courage of convictions and try different things. If he doesnt, we will be back to where we were with martin o'nob
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What's with all the personal insults ?
Any Villa fan who says he would be happy to lose to that lot deserves all he gets. Like Dave if I'd said what I wanted to it would be a lot worse than deranged. No go and do your trolling somewhere else and leave the discussion to the grown ups.
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We still have the same problem that if something doesn't change we'll be relegated.
What is going to change?
The quality of players in the squad?
Fingers crossed.
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GH is playing with the cards he was dealt while trying to change systems, culture and philosophy at the club. While that is going to cause is to play differently and sometimes not as effectively as we'd like, the one thing that will see us through will be desire and committment. Today, we saw a little bit more in terms of development on the playing side, but a lot more in terms of desire, energy and belief.
We have enough quality in the squad to get out of this if we believe. Add some quality (Makoun and Walker being a start) we'll be just fine. We need a new forward badly to finish off our chances and to light a fire under Gabby. We see it, GH sees it and the board see it. I'm confident it will be addressed before Jan 31st.
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What's with all the personal insults ?
just say you don't agree with me instead of calling me deranged. It's fucking childish
Whats childish is hoping that the Villa lose a derby game just because you want the manager out. Now that is bloody childish.
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Probably a fair result
Now then, .. since when did an even handed viewpoint have any place on h&v?
More bias please!
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thought we showed them way too much respect today
good games from Clark, Collins & Gabby & Fonz when he came on
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What's with all the personal insults ?
just say you don't agree with me instead of calling me deranged. It's fucking childish
I don't agree with you.
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GH is here. Now we give him a chance. And support the Team. Finish.
Glad for the point and sad to say I would have taken it this morning. They were unlucky/bad too and but for a fluffed tap in and the Beanpole header we might have a different story to tell. So defence, although better, still not quite in sync is it.
No need to repeat the positioning debate loved it at 442 for the first quarter hour. Loved to see the Fonz with that confidence.
Mostly just glad to see some fight. Bye JC bye SP.
22k INCLUDING all season ticket sales.Wonder how many really attended? Seating all pretty full facing the cameras I see.
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I'm with a bunch of Bluenoses that know we were the better team, so that's good.
A point wasn't enough though. We still have the same problem that if something doesn't change we'll be relegated.
What is going to change?
hopefully with the new players coming in we'll start to gell. there's a basis of a decent team there today i thought.. I think if we sack the manager now after allowing him to spend money then we deserve to go down really.
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More shots on target then Blues, more shots off target and more corners, and we were the away side.
Do for me, although converting more than 1 shot would have been the icing on the cake.
Not in the stats I've seen. Post and bar don't class as on target if it doesn't go in although they don't class cleared off the lines either if the defender does it and not the keeper. Officially the goal was the first shot on target for us. But we probably shaded the chances although they had the best one with Derbyshires air shot. We also had more possession.
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Chill out guys. Today is a time to celebrate. We are out of the bottom 3. If the table stands as it is at the final whistle on the last day of the season, it will be a day to rejoice. We will have done it!
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Just a quiet voice amid the bedlam saying, "I thought that a draw was about right."
That's it.
The end.
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I can see a few signs that things are settling down and GH is starting to turn the tide. I don't think any of our players were shit as is being suggested. Carew was isolated, and the middle two were a bit cautious but that's understandable given the magnitude of the game. It's also worth remembering they're both only 3 games in after long injuries. We just need a break and things will turn. You can see how players are anxious to shoot/cross when in good positions but this is a confidence issue. As I said, there's a few signs and apart from the two Manchester games coming up we have the ideal fixtures to turn the corner and pull clear of the dog fight.
Best post so far.
Carew played good in the first-half, people seem to forget that... Houllier was right to sub Carew for Delfouneso though.
Walker, Clark, Coker, Albrighton, Downing and Gabby tried really hard today... Walker is really impressing me, I wish we could sign him - he's the sort of right-back we need, he shat all over their left-back today.
The problem with us right now is we're not putting away our chances. We should of been 1-0 up within 3 minutes, all Gabby needed to do is hit the target. Foster is clueless, you can see why United sold him. My biggest gripe is we fail to take our chances and that's the main reason why we're down at the bottom. We're just not clinical enough.
Overrall I think considering the circumstances of having a crappy away record and going a goal down I think we'll be more happy with the point. Nice to see small heath's unamitious, negative and boring tactics didn't pay off this time - they will below us for sure at the end of the season.
Oh, another sell-out at the sty I see. 22,000? No wonder we sing the city is ours - because it is. They're just embarrassing. Championship team and Championship support. They won't even sell-out in their biggest game since today in a couple of weeks against West Ham.
By-the-way I love you Agent Ridgewell. Your constant fuck ups are hilarious. You're still giving us laughs despite playing for the dark side.
P.S. quit the negativity some ppl. You're boring.
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Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic
Wanting Houlier out is one thing, Wanting Villa to lose (particularly against them) is sometihng else
Agreed.
I thought our problems today were up front. If Gabby and Carew put chances away we'd have won. Simple as. We need a new striker if we are to avoid the drop.
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Petrov was dismall today IMO
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Chill out guys. Today is a time to celebrate. We are out of the bottom 3. If the table stands as it is at the final whistle on the last day of the season, it will be a day to rejoice. We will have done it!
Horrible thought, heart attack stuff. But you are right. Dammit.
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Chill out guys. Today is a time to celebrate. We are out of the bottom 3. If the table stands as it is at the final whistle on the last day of the season, it will be a day to rejoice. We will have done it!
How sad is that statement? Have we sunk so low as to think that avoiding relegation adds up to a good season? Rejoice?
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Didn't really play well again, the Downing/Gabby swap shop was a mystery, but at least we hung in and fought, and defending was better.
Friedel - 7. Fine display, esp. that one-handed save from Derbyshire second half.
Walker - 7. Much better right-back play than we've been used to, a couple of dodgy moments defending tho.
Clark - 6. Mixed results vs Bentley, popped up occasionally the other end but wasteful/wrong ball too often.
Collins - 8. Solid defending and got the goal.
Dunne - 7. Much better, committed and composed.
NRC - 7. Covered well for the defence, unlucky to be subbed.
Petrov - 3. Dreadful. No defensive qualities, gave it away too often (on the few times he got on the ball), and gave no example as captain when we were behind. Has to go.
Downing - 5. Played out of position and it didn't suit him. Quality on the ball and shooting well below earlier-in-the-season standards.
Albrighton - 6. Did OK attacking Murphy and put some quality crosses in, but shooting a bit awry and clumsy in the tackle once again.
Carew - 4. Very poor, the usual lackadaisical display, passing didnt come off, we need to get rid.
Gabby - 6. Did alright running at their defence when played in his proper position upfront.
Subs:
Bannan - 5. Game largely passed him by, and lightweight - but his energy did seem to help turn things for us.
Delfouneso - 7. Gave us something different upfront, good on the ball, quick, and great run and shot off the bar.
Good to be out the bottom 3 - we have to hope Makoun and maybe two or three others coming in will help us move on up.
Did I hear our fans singing "What a waste of money" to the coppers? Also, I know times are hard, but what a shite attendance for a supposedly massive derby match.
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That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's a start.
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That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's a start. good point well made Mr . Woodhall .
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That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's a start.
Spot on, the tide is slowly turning
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Based on our lack of nerve lately, missing this season's best striker as well as our best player, their home form, and the fact that we went a goal down, it's a good result. We got about them, hit the woodwork 4 times and are out of the relegation zone. Timely subs too that changed the outcome. Could have been better but not armageddon scenario and we won't go down based on that game.
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
Then you're an idiot.
I''d have use stronger words.
Me too, how can you want your team to loose? I want us to win every time we go out to play, I want us to win 5-0 every time we play.
If you want Villa to loose then that says a lot for your mentality. I don't think GH is doing a good job now nor do I think he is a long term solution for our club. BUT I want him to field a team that wins every game.....
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Based on our lack of nerve lately, missing this season's best striker as well as our best player, their home form, and the fact that we went a goal down, it's a good result. We got about them, hit the woodwork 4 times and are out of the relegation zone. Timely subs too that changed the outcome. Could have been better but not armageddon scenario and we won't go down based on that game.
agreed. but please god Houllier, buy a striker
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Nice to see Sid in the dugout, there's a future Villa manager there without doubt
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The most important thing was not to lose today, shouls of won though. Lots of empty seats in the B-lose end but maybe their fed up of all the trouble...
Good battling performance, were lucky we had Reo Coker in Midfield because Petrov was awful, Ferguson was the best player by miles.
That miss by Gabby sums him up, just not good enough when it comes to being a top class striker, Carew should go now as well.
And what Friedel was doing at the end nearly gave me a heart attack...UTV
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Positives- we didn't lose. Good battling performance to get back in it. We were the better team, again.
Negatives- we didn't win. We were the better team, again, but haven't managed to put the bastards away. We've only got 22 points from 22 games. Gabby's lost it.
Re the manager. I hope GH turns it around because it will mean we're doing well but I still thinks he's crap and I certainly wouldn't shed a tear if he gets the boot.
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That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's a start.
Nail on head. A home game against Sunderland as well where 3 points should have been sealed long before Heskey left the field. We will be OK.
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I thought it was an encouraging performance. Small signs that Houllier is beginning to get a reaction from his squad.
Pleny of spirit and determination - they just lack a bit of composure which is down to confidence. Brilliant effort by Delfounso, what a moment that would have been for him if it had been six inches lower.
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I wont lie, I went for a run instead of watching the game.
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I wont lie, I went for a run instead of watching the game.
I played basketball for the last 10 minutes.
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I'll take that point under the circumstances.
Two things now needed, sign a left back and a striker.
Play Nathan and Gabby IN THE MIDDLE against Man City, their defence is still supsect, so let's have a go at them.
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What's with all the personal insults ?
just say you don't agree with me instead of calling me deranged. It's fucking childish
Because you consistently manage to make yourself look unbelievably stupid.
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I wont lie, I went for a run instead of watching the game.
I played basketball for the last 10 minutes.
I played it on FIFA. Won 3-0
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I thought fonz looked like he should be due some starts soon. His best position is clearly second striker, but that does mean dropping one of the three wingers.
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I thought fonz looked like he should be due some starts soon. His best position is clearly second striker, but that does mean dropping one of the three wingers.
You'd have to start him against Man City.
Maybe let Carew on towards the end if Nathan fades.
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I'll take that point under the circumstances.
Two things now needed, sign a left back and a striker.
Play Nathan and Gabby IN THE MIDDLE against Man City, their defence is still supsect, so let's have a go at them.
If by 'have a go at them' you mean 'have players uselessly hanging around in advanced areas while they ravage the midfield' then yes, I agree. Against Man City we have to give their not-so-creative midfield no room to breathe, so we have to match them in that department. But that's for another thread.
Did well today, unlucky not to win perhaps. One worrying thing is it struck me just how poor a side Blues are and we couldn't put them away. Their tactic of just sticking 11 men in their own penalty area did make things difficult, sure, but we wasted possession and made the wrong decision (or indecision) in promising situations too many times.
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Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was left to rue his side's failure to kill off Aston Villa as their derby clash ended in a 1-1 draw at St Andrew's.
Roger Johnson gave the home side the lead early in the second period but a deflected shot from Villa centre-back James Collins ensured the game ended all square.
McLeish felt his side had enough clear-cut opportunities when in front to wrap up the game in addition to having yet another penalty claim rejected, this time by referee Mark Clattenburg.
so he didnt see Villa hit the bar 4 times , downing, collins and Gabby have very good chances and the deflection off a blose player that went inches wide....
edit..and two off the line
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The Wigan away game is starting to look like a "Cup final", for another thread i guess
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
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We need a striker desperately. Look forward to the midfield being bolstered by Makoun.
Another fluky pin-ball goal for Small Heath and we spurned chance after chance. I'd have started Del Boy over Carew, I think Houllier made a mistake giving him another go. Movement is what we needed.
At least we didn't lose, but I really think on the balance of chances that we should have won.
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I disagree Sheldon Nose, we edged it and on another day it would've been 4-2 or some freakish result.
WHy the empty seats??
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Any trouble today Sheldon ?
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McLeish thought they were unlucky not to win. More one-eyed than Cyclops.
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Any trouble today Sheldon ?
naa there was more old bill then fans..
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Re-writing history again is he? To be fair all managers do it.
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Your twerp of a manager seems to think that you were better and should have won and that you played some 'quality football.'
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Houllier's view
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9363353.stm
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Our defence still worries me, again looked shaky today at times and i think if Jerome had played it may have been a defeat
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We need a striker desperately. Look forward to the midfield being bolstered by Makoun.
Another fluky pin-ball goal for Small Heath and we spurned chance after chance. I'd have started Del Boy over Carew, I think Houllier made a mistake giving him another go. Movement is what we needed.
At least we didn't lose, but I really think on the balance of chances that we should have won.
100% agreed, Ads. I thought what Carew did, fair enough, he did alright, but he can't move properly and Gabby doesn't know how to move properly. The cameo from the Fonz was promising as ever, but if we can get a forward with actual off-the-ball movement to help our midfield get into attacks, we should.
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McLeish thought they were unlucky not to win. More one-eyed than Cyclops.
its ok hitting the bar a few times mate but they dont count.....i thought we played the better 1st half you played better 2nd...
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Our defence still worries me, again looked shaky today at times and i think if Jerome had played it may have been a defeat
Jerome?
He couldn't score in a brothel with a £50 note tied to his cock.
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More shots on target then Blues, more shots off target and more corners, and we were the away side.
Do for me, although converting more than 1 shot would have been the icing on the cake.
Not in the stats I've seen. Post and bar don't class as on target if it doesn't go in although they don't class cleared off the lines either if the defender does it and not the keeper. Officially the goal was the first shot on target for us. But we probably shaded the chances although they had the best one with Derbyshires air shot. We also had more possession.
I'll have a word with Sky and refer them to your more insightful knowledge shall I ?
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Our defence still worries me, again looked shaky today at times and i think if Jerome had played it may have been a defeat
Really? Personally thought that defence looked most solid they had done for a while (apart from Walker faux pas in the first half)
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
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Our defence still worries me, again looked shaky today at times and i think if Jerome had played it may have been a defeat
Really? Personally thought that defence looked most solid they had done for a while (apart from Walker faux pas in the first half)
Zigic very nearly scored at the end, also lots of stupid free kicks conceded again, luckily Blose are shit, we'd have been punished by a half decent side
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Chill out guys. Today is a time to celebrate. We are out of the bottom 3. If the table stands as it is at the final whistle on the last day of the season, it will be a day to rejoice. We will have done it!
How sad is that statement? Have we sunk so low as to think that avoiding relegation adds up to a good season? Rejoice?
Considering the start we had, Mon's exit, no manager, so many injuries, avoiding relegation would be a decent result. so if we finish even higher, it might even be a good season.
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I never like watching these games - but apart from that scare at the end - I was not as nervous as usual as they look worse than us! I think we can play a whole lot better once we get a bit of confidence back. I can't see how they are going to get much better, they looked happy to hold on for a point.
Bentley looked reasonable but only compared to the mediocraty around him.
If we don't finish above them we will go down as I can see them going down anyway.
If we keep going I'm sure we will get out of trouble. All we need are a couple of wins and I'm sure the confidence will come back.
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Which set of idiots threw the flare?
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More shots on target then Blues, more shots off target and more corners, and we were the away side.
Do for me, although converting more than 1 shot would have been the icing on the cake.
Not in the stats I've seen. Post and bar don't class as on target if it doesn't go in although they don't class cleared off the lines either if the defender does it and not the keeper. Officially the goal was the first shot on target for us. But we probably shaded the chances although they had the best one with Derbyshires air shot. We also had more possession.
I'll have a word with Sky and refer them to your more insightful knowledge shall I ?
Please do being as just before we scored they showed On targets as 4 to them and none to us and after are goal the only other chance on target I can remember was Downings effort afterwards.
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
Hang on, we played 4-4-2? Was I watching a different game?
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
Hmm, we played 4-4-2 did we?
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Was never going to be easy against the great unwashed.
Hit the bar 4 times and Agbonlahor should have scored the one on one, in fact we should have scored 3 by half time. Unlucky to concede I don't think it was a free kick and I think Ridgewell was offside.
It was always going to be hard to equailize they are very strong at home especially when they go ahead. Overall no complaints from me
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McLeish thought they were unlucky not to win. More one-eyed than Cyclops.
its ok hitting the bar a few times mate but they dont count.....i thought we played the better 1st half you played better 2nd...
If anything I think it was the other way round. We bossed the first half, the second half was more even. What do you think of the Larsson to Villa rumours? I think he's ok but is he any good centre-midfield as we already have lots of wingers?
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
Hang on, we played 4-4-2? Was I watching a different game?
We played 4-5-1/4-2-3-1. When Bannan and the Fonz were on it was an outright 4-3-3. No 4-4-2 in sight, thank God.
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
Hang on, we played 4-4-2? Was I watching a different game?
Downing and Carew played up front. Gabby was put out on the left-wing. I just find it baffling how negative and unambitious Birmingham are. 4-5-1 against a team below you... seriously?
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Our defence still worries me, again looked shaky today at times and i think if Jerome had played it may have been a defeat
Jerome?
He couldn't score in a brothel with a £50 note tied to his cock.
I was going to say something similar but I liked your's better.
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The shots on target thing doesn't tell the whole story. A shot that crawls along the ground and the keeper picks up easily counts whereas one that hits the inside of the post and rolls along the line doesn't yet which one is closer to a goal?
Both sides had other opportunities to score today but I think we had more if them.
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
Hang on, we played 4-4-2? Was I watching a different game?
Downing and Carew played up front. Gabby was put out on the left-wing. I just find it baffling how negative and unambitious Birmingham are. 4-5-1 against a team below you... seriously?
Downing was in the free role in the 3 of the 4-2-3-1. Not out-and-out 4-4-2 at all.
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Which set of idiots threw the flare?
A flare went up when we equalised and they threw a smoke bomb later on.
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I think we're being a bit unfair on Gabby, he's being played out of position, he played well today IMO
he's a goalscorer if played upfront, always has been and always will be
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We don't look we have a plan, and rarely have in games under GH.
Under MON, we knew what we were about. You can see what Blues are all about, they have a plan to stop the other team. Most teams in the league have a game plan, but I fail to see what ours is supposed to be.
Bannan and Delfounseo did enough to warrant a start next week and Walker and Albrighton looked like they could make a good partnership down the right.
Not sure why he persists with Gabby down the left, seems very odd.
Downing really needs to be dropped and I didn't understand why it was NRC coming off and not Petrov.
I don't mind GH staying, but it'd be nice if we could start to see what he's actually trying to do with us as a team.
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Corners :
SHA 5
AVFC 5
Shots on Target
SHA 4
AVFC 4
Smoke Bombs
SHA 1
AVFC 0
Flares
SHA 0
AVFC 1
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Gabby isn't an out and out goalscorer though, If he was he would have buried that one on one he had. He simply does not score enough
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
Hang on, we played 4-4-2? Was I watching a different game?
Downing and Carew played up front. Gabby was put out on the left-wing. I just find it baffling how negative and unambitious Birmingham are. 4-5-1 against a team below you... seriously?
Downing was in the free role in the 3 of the 4-2-3-1. Not out-and-out 4-4-2 at all.
Or maybe a 4-4-1-1
Downing was deeper than a traditional striker, thats for sure.
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We don't look we have a plan, and rarely have in games under GH.
Under MON, we knew what we were about. You can see what Blues are all about, they have a plan to stop the other team. Most teams in the league have a game plan, but I fail to see what ours is supposed to be.
Bannan and Delfounseo did enough to warrant a start next week and Walker and Albrighton looked like they could make a good partnership down the right.
Not sure why he persists with Gabby down the left, seems very odd.
Downing really needs to be dropped and I didn't understand why it was NRC coming off and not Petrov.
I don't mind GH staying, but it'd be nice if we could start to see what he's actually trying to do with us as a team.
He's tryin to get us to play better football
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Highlights (http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/birmingham-aston-villa-premier-league-january-2011-8190417/)
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We don't look we have a plan, and rarely have in games under GH.
Under MON, we knew what we were about. You can see what Blues are all about, they have a plan to stop the other team. Most teams in the league have a game plan, but I fail to see what ours is supposed to be.
Bannan and Delfounseo did enough to warrant a start next week and Walker and Albrighton looked like they could make a good partnership down the right.
Not sure why he persists with Gabby down the left, seems very odd.
Downing really needs to be dropped and I didn't understand why it was NRC coming off and not Petrov.
I don't mind GH staying, but it'd be nice if we could start to see what he's actually trying to do with us as a team.
He's tryin to get us to play better football
What evidence do you have of that? The only players I've seen trying to pass the ball since he's arrived are the players who've come in from the reserves, and that, from what I can gather, is how they play in the reserves. Now, he's not playing them, and we look void of any plan, other than Collins still believing he's some sort of playmaker with sweeping 40-yard passes to nobody.
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Gabby isn't an out and out goalscorer though, If he was he would have buried that one on one he had. He simply does not score enough
Quite. Not sure what all the clamour is for him to play up front, yes he's been our top scorer for a few years but that says more about our lack of goals generally than Gabby's prowess. At the end of this window i would even argue that he should be down the pecking order sonewhat for playing that position. If we are ever going to improve on MON's record we need better. I like the idea of him as a good squad man, coming in and doing a job in various different positions as and when the need is there for his strengths.
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The shots on target thing doesn't tell the whole story. A shot that crawls along the ground and the keeper picks up easily counts whereas one that hits the inside of the post and rolls along the line doesn't yet which one is closer to a goal?
Both sides had other opportunities to score today but I think we had more if them.
Well if Foster is in goal then that is 2-1. But the point being on target is although it is normally catching practice or picking up practice the GK still needs to stop a goal. No interaction is needed to stop the other one.
The overall chances for both sides were very similar in the end. They had the best chance all day with Derbyshires miss which would probably cancel out Gabby's miss. Downing's shot that was saved was cancelled out by the Friedal save that Walker tidied up and Zigic miss at the end was as close as the shot by the Fonz.
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We don't look we have a plan, and rarely have in games under GH.
Under MON, we knew what we were about. You can see what Blues are all about, they have a plan to stop the other team. Most teams in the league have a game plan, but I fail to see what ours is supposed to be.
Bannan and Delfounseo did enough to warrant a start next week and Walker and Albrighton looked like they could make a good partnership down the right.
Not sure why he persists with Gabby down the left, seems very odd.
Downing really needs to be dropped and I didn't understand why it was NRC coming off and not Petrov.
I don't mind GH staying, but it'd be nice if we could start to see what he's actually trying to do with us as a team.
He's tryin to get us to play better football
What evidence do you have of that? The only players I've seen trying to pass the ball since he's arrived are the players who've come in from the reserves, and that, from what I can gather, is how they play in the reserves. Now, he's not playing them, and we look void of any plan, other than Collins still believing he's some sort of playmaker with sweeping 40-yard passes to nobody.
Just because the players we have aren't good at passing the ball does not mean that he's not trying to get them to pass it. Surely you can see a difference between the way we used to play and the way we play now?
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Looking way better, Houllier's teams starting to take shape.
None of the centre mids move the ball forward, hopefully Makoun and Adam will sort if (if he signs).
Walker was fantastic.
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I also thought walker was great , except the odd mix up
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Aye, neither NRC or Petrov have the ability move the ball forward with any speed.
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Our defence still worries me, again looked shaky today at times and i think if Jerome had played it may have been a defeat
Why? He's shit! :-)
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
i imagine the last game didnt do any favours to make people attend did it,plus just after xmas and people are skint,plus bigger game with west ham coming up and poss wembley so people saving there money and also on the box and a 12 o clock kick off....as for formations i also cant work mcleish out....
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Just because the players we have aren't good at passing the ball does not mean that he's not trying to get them to pass it. Surely you can see a difference between the way we used to play and the way we play now?
I wouldn't bet on it
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Looking way better, Houllier's teams starting to take shape.
None of the centre mids move the ball forward, hopefully Makoun and Adam will sort if (if he signs).
Walker was fantastic.
Walker was good going forwards but he was exposed defensively a few times
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As for the flare, well I'd have been annoyed if it came near me but tbh I thought it looked great. From what I saw it wasn't thrown and was just kept amongst the Villa and looked great tbh.
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We don't look we have a plan, and rarely have in games under GH.
Under MON, we knew what we were about. You can see what Blues are all about, they have a plan to stop the other team. Most teams in the league have a game plan, but I fail to see what ours is supposed to be.
Bannan and Delfounseo did enough to warrant a start next week and Walker and Albrighton looked like they could make a good partnership down the right.
Not sure why he persists with Gabby down the left, seems very odd.
Downing really needs to be dropped and I didn't understand why it was NRC coming off and not Petrov.
I don't mind GH staying, but it'd be nice if we could start to see what he's actually trying to do with us as a team.
He's tryin to get us to play better football
What evidence do you have of that? The only players I've seen trying to pass the ball since he's arrived are the players who've come in from the reserves, and that, from what I can gather, is how they play in the reserves. Now, he's not playing them, and we look void of any plan, other than Collins still believing he's some sort of playmaker with sweeping 40-yard passes to nobody.
Just because the players we have aren't good at passing the ball does not mean that he's not trying to get them to pass it. Surely you can see a difference between the way we used to play and the way we play now?
Yes, we are almost pedestrian in our approach play now, allowing the opposition to get back in numbers!
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Looking way better, Houllier's teams starting to take shape.
None of the centre mids move the ball forward, hopefully Makoun and Adam will sort if (if he signs).
Walker was fantastic.
Walker was good going forwards but he was exposed defensively a few times
I said at the time he was doing a better job on Bentley.
I thought he moved sharp too when Dunne mis kicked his clearance for their corner and saved it. He has a decent throw too in fact both full backs do which is a nice change for Villa. Pity the midfield and especially Carew have not sussed that
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Aye, neither NRC or Petrov have the ability move the ball forward with any speed.
True, but i'm not sure whether you can use the words 'speed' and 'Charlie Adam' in the same sentence.
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We don't look we have a plan, and rarely have in games under GH.
Under MON, we knew what we were about. You can see what Blues are all about, they have a plan to stop the other team. Most teams in the league have a game plan, but I fail to see what ours is supposed to be.
Bannan and Delfounseo did enough to warrant a start next week and Walker and Albrighton looked like they could make a good partnership down the right.
Not sure why he persists with Gabby down the left, seems very odd.
Downing really needs to be dropped and I didn't understand why it was NRC coming off and not Petrov.
I don't mind GH staying, but it'd be nice if we could start to see what he's actually trying to do with us as a team.
He's tryin to get us to play better football
What evidence do you have of that? The only players I've seen trying to pass the ball since he's arrived are the players who've come in from the reserves, and that, from what I can gather, is how they play in the reserves. Now, he's not playing them, and we look void of any plan, other than Collins still believing he's some sort of playmaker with sweeping 40-yard passes to nobody.
Just because the players we have aren't good at passing the ball does not mean that he's not trying to get them to pass it. Surely you can see a difference between the way we used to play and the way we play now?
Yes, we are almost pedestrian in our approach play now, allowing the opposition to get back in numbers!
That's not always the case, Birmingham were sitting very deep today
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We don't look we have a plan, and rarely have in games under GH.
Under MON, we knew what we were about. You can see what Blues are all about, they have a plan to stop the other team. Most teams in the league have a game plan, but I fail to see what ours is supposed to be.
I thought bannan did next to nothing. Downing has been our best player this season but less good of late
Bannan and Delfounseo did enough to warrant a start next week and Walker and Albrighton looked like they could make a good partnership down the right.
Not sure why he persists with Gabby down the left, seems very odd.
Downing really needs to be dropped and I didn't understand why it was NRC coming off and not Petrov.
I don't mind GH staying, but it'd be nice if we could start to see what he's actually trying to do with us as a team.
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
i imagine the last game didnt do any favours to make people attend did it,plus just after xmas and people are skint,plus bigger game with west ham coming up and poss wembley so people saving there money and also on the box and a 12 o clock kick off....as for formations i also cant work mcleish out....
Yeah I'll keep an eye out for the attendance at the West Ham game. I mean it's bound to be a sell out.
Meanwhile back on planet Earth.....
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I thought fonz looked like he should be due some starts soon. His best position is clearly second striker, but that does mean dropping one of the three wingers.
Out of the three I would play Albrighton and Young, with Downing coming off the bench. When Macoun comes I would play him with Bannan or Delph. Gabby and the Fonz in the middle.
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Just back from the game thought a 1pt each was fair enough.....
Straight up Sheldon; why is your support so pathetic? 22k in the sty (including Villa fans) and why do you play 4-5-1 against a team below you in the league who come to the sty playing 4-4-2 without any fear - why is your manager so scared of losing? Serious questions wants serious answers.
P.S. I wouldn't wear that thong next time ;)
i imagine the last game didnt do any favours to make people attend did it,plus just after xmas and people are skint,plus bigger game with west ham coming up and poss wembley so people saving there money and also on the box and a 12 o clock kick off....as for formations i also cant work mcleish out....
Coupled with the free tickets and the fact it looked like it might rain and there is something on the Discovery Channel that might be worth watching I can't say i'm too surprised it was so empty unless everybody came in fancy dress and were dressed as blue plastic seats.
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We dominate the ball, if we get a centre mid with a bit of creativity and a forward with a bit of movement and we'll be ok.
I tell you what, if we get Adam and a Bent type forward I bet we finish top 8 atleast.
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Also to add, don't know about anyone else but absolutely no bother leaving the ground. First time I've ever been and not had any trouble (think it's my fifth trip).
Just walked along side the noses, was joking with a couple of 'em on the way into town (they probably didn't realise I was Villa tbf).
Much better atmosphere and enjoyable day because of it.
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Right, I've gotta go back to Nottingham now anyway. Up the Villa!
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Also to add, don't know about anyone else but absolutely no bother leaving the ground. First time I've ever been and not had any trouble (think it's my fifth trip).
Just walked along side the noses, was joking with a couple of 'em on the way into town (they probably didn't realise I was Villa tbf).
Much better atmosphere and enjoyable day because of it.
When i left they was shouting zulu chucking coins, glass. Think the atmosphere was poor by there fans until they scored. I think it was aa good day out. Made it on TV, was well happy :-)
I think we were unlucky not to sneak it, Carew was awful, midfield was good, then bad, then good, then bad. We looked alot better today than we have. And collins goal looked tidy from my view. Barely any police outside
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Also to add, don't know about anyone else but absolutely no bother leaving the ground. First time I've ever been and not had any trouble (think it's my fifth trip).
Just walked along side the noses, was joking with a couple of 'em on the way into town (they probably didn't realise I was Villa tbf).
Much better atmosphere and enjoyable day because of it.
That's because with such a small crowd the police can do a man to man marking job.
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That's not always the case, Birmingham were sitting very deep today
Just today?
I thought that was their entire gameplan for every single game that McCleish has taken charge of. 4-5-1, sit deep, try not to concede and tell the media in the post match interview that you should have had a penalty/free kick/opposition player sent off while mentioning how great your goalkeeper is. No wonder no-one goes to watch them.
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Looks like Collins will have his goal chalked off by the dubious goals committee and it will go down as a ridgewell og - the shot was not on target but went in off liam, once agent ridgewell does his job!
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Handful of arrests at Birmingham City/Aston Villa match (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-12202899)
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs268.snc6/179664_174942302542489_100000801626582_333909_1532615_n.jpg)
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Wasn't the best of results or performances but the attendence has cheered me up no end, I'm sure we can all think of scores of noses who told us that as soon as they were in the Prem then they would be getting 40k every single week.
Fucking tin pot outfit, there will be more at the Wigan game. Mugs.
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Didn't really play well again, the Downing/Gabby swap shop was a mystery, but at least we hung in and fought, and defending was better.
Friedel - 7. Fine display, esp. that one-handed save from Derbyshire second half.
Walker - 7. Much better right-back play than we've been used to, a couple of dodgy moments defending tho.
Clark - 6. Mixed results vs Bentley, popped up occasionally the other end but wasteful/wrong ball too often.
Collins - 8. Solid defending and got the goal.
Dunne - 7. Much better, committed and composed.
NRC - 7. Covered well for the defence, unlucky to be subbed.
Petrov - 3. Dreadful. No defensive qualities, gave it away too often (on the few times he got on the ball), and gave no example as captain when we were behind. Has to go.
Downing - 5. Played out of position and it didn't suit him. Quality on the ball and shooting well below earlier-in-the-season standards.
Albrighton - 6. Did OK attacking Murphy and put some quality crosses in, but shooting a bit awry and clumsy in the tackle once again.
Carew - 4. Very poor, the usual lackadaisical display, passing didnt come off, we need to get rid.
Gabby - 6. Did alright running at their defence when played in his proper position upfront.
Subs:
Bannan - 5. Game largely passed him by, and lightweight - but his energy did seem to help turn things for us.
Delfouneso - 7. Gave us something different upfront, good on the ball, quick, and great run and shot off the bar.
Good to be out the bottom 3 - we have to hope Makoun and maybe two or three others coming in will help us move on up.
Agree with all of that with the possible exception of Dunne, who apart from one fumble when he gave the ball away to Ferguson in the second half, looked back to his best. I thought the Rags were there for the taking but GH lacked the courage to go at them, preferring to neutralise the threat of Bentley by putting Gabby on the wing. Disappointed not to get the 3 points but encouraged with the effort from all and delighted with Agent Ridgewell. He'll soon be challenging Gabby's record for scoring against the Rags.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs268.snc6/179664_174942302542489_100000801626582_333909_1532615_n.jpg)
Why was Paul Tait on the pitch?
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Can't be Tait, he wouldn't be brave enough to be so near to a group of Villa without the close protection of a dozen or so mini Zulu's.
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I thought Dunne was our MOM by quite some distance, I also thought Carew, whilst rusty, gave them a lot to think about. It was one of those games when none of our flair players did particularly well but they all dug in and ground out the draw. We showed fight without too much quality and once that quality returns, we will shoot up the table.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs268.snc6/179664_174942302542489_100000801626582_333909_1532615_n.jpg)
Why was Paul Tait on the pitch?
Could do a caption competition for that one, Ridgewell looks far from happy
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I thought Dunne was our MOM by quite some distance, I also thought Carew, whilst rusty, gave them a lot to think about.
I'm one of Carew's biggest critics, but I thought he did reasonably well today.
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Handful of arrests at Birmingham City/Aston Villa match (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-12202899)
Not too bad, Could have been worse
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Makoun will make a big difference.Too pedestrian and slow at releasing the ball from the centre of midfield today.Petrov and NRC, looked stale to me.
Speaking to a Blose fan after the game, he thought it was a fair result, as i probably do, but as he said, your kids, with a couple of good additions, will mean we have a very good team.And i think that.
Friedel.......what was he doing in the last minute?.......replace in the summer
KWalker..........bestplayer in 1st half, not too bad in the 2nd either, a great addition, be nice to have him on a permanent, and if that means releasing AYoung then so be it.
Collins......got the goal, but a mistake every game.Silly foul to give away, no where near as solid as last year.Distribution terrible.Replace.Don't know why Carlos never played today instead of.
Dunne......OK today, no mistakes, tries to play the ball out at least.Short term , keep him.
Clark......our weak link today, kept getting caught out of position.Great prospect just worried his lack of pace will means he never realises his full potential.
NRC......better out of the 2, but not good enough.
Petrov.......for me very poor, far too slow and too negative.We will be a far better team when he is out of it.
Downing......£10m, i would be very tempted.Not enough bottle to be a top performer, N'Zogbia for the same money, yes please.
Albrighton......top, top quality delivery.Worth having in the team just for the 2/3 top crosses he puts in.
Gabby......thought he was poor today, and for me his movement, or lack of it, demonstrates his lack of knowledge of the game.Needs competition.
Carew........useless, never held the ball up, failed to link up, gives stupid free kicks away.Fonz come on and looked far better.I really like the Fonz, good feet, good awareness, great shot, looks a really good prospect.
Bannan......not his best game, but a really good prospect.
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Returned a bit late from the Sty. Dreadful place half empty on their biggest day. Not read throgh this thread yet however scanned the match thread.
So I salute Dave Cooper, Ozzjim, Juan pablo amongst very few others for keeping the faith when we were, unfairly on the balance of play, 1-0 down. More of you need to learn from that lot.
Should have been out of sight in the first half.
Clark struggled on his positional play and was a bit shy of Bentley.
NRC was our best player and I fully expected Petrov and Carew to be subsituted when Fonz and Bannan stripped off.
I wish Downing was a bit more aggressive and put himself in the way of harm now and than.
Gabby on LH midfield did not work specially a JC was ineffective.
Albrighton needs to do the good stuff more often. Went missing in the first half.
My first watch on Walker and very impressed with his pace and aggression when going forward. However at the moment prone to errors in defence with poor decision making
I thought Clattenburg had a good game other than not booking Gardner.
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I think we were the better team and were worth three points. That said, I'll take the draw. Good to see a bid of fight about us for a change and Dunne was good.
The attendance was shocking, God they're tiny!!
UTV
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McLeish thought they were unlucky not to win. More one-eyed than Cyclops.
FFS is he f*cking blind and stupid?
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Mcleish "there used to be some disparity between us and Villa, but not anymore"
WTF
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Makoun will make a big difference.Too pedestrian and slow at releasing the ball from the centre of midfield today.Petrov and NRC, looked stale to me.
Speaking to a Blose fan after the game, he thought it was a fair result, as i probably do, but as he said, your kids, with a couple of good additions, will mean we have a very good team.And i think that.
Friedel.......what was he doing in the last minute?.......replace in the summer
KWalker..........bestplayer in 1st half, not too bad in the 2nd either, a great addition, be nice to have him on a permanent, and if that means releasing AYoung then so be it.
Collins......got the goal, but a mistake every game.Silly foul to give away, no where near as solid as last year.Distribution terrible.Replace.Don't know why Carlos never played today instead of.
Dunne......OK today, no mistakes, tries to play the ball out at least.Short term , keep him.
Clark......our weak link today, kept getting caught out of position.Great prospect just worried his lack of pace will means he never realises his full potential.
NRC......better out of the 2, but not good enough.
Petrov.......for me very poor, far too slow and too negative.We will be a far better team when he is out of it.
Downing......£10m, i would be very tempted.Not enough bottle to be a top performer, N'Zogbia for the same money, yes please.
Albrighton......top, top quality delivery.Worth having in the team just for the 2/3 top crosses he puts in.
Gabby......thought he was poor today, and for me his movement, or lack of it, demonstrates his lack of knowledge of the game.Needs competition.
Carew........useless, never held the ball up, failed to link up, gives stupid free kicks away.Fonz come on and looked far better.I really like the Fonz, good feet, good awareness, great shot, looks a really good prospect.
Bannan......not his best game, but a really good prospect.
not far off that mate... pretty spot on
edit.. I did think Brad made one excellent save with his right hand low thou..
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Mcleish "there used to be some disparity between us and Villa, but not anymore"
WTF
TBF we are at their level this year unfortunately. The difference is we are having an appalling season, they are having a normal one.
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Mcleish "there used to be some disparity between us and Villa, but not anymore"
WTF
TBF we are at their level this year unfortunately. The difference is we are having an appalling season, they are having a normal one.
Twat is trying to big himself up by pretending some how he has improved SHA to be at our level. Wake up McLeish we have had a nightmare season you are still shit!
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Can anybody tell me if we sold all our allocation for todays game against the shit. I'm sure we did but some Blose fan says we didn't
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Mcleish "there used to be some disparity between us and Villa, but not anymore"
WTF
TBF we are at their level this year unfortunately. The difference is we are having an appalling season, they are having a normal one.
Correct, we have sunk to their level. They claim to have bridged the gap. Not quite, we've done it for them.
Delusional fuckwits.
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Look at the seats in the shot when Collins celebrated his goal.
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Can anybody tell me if we sold all our allocation for todays game against the shit. I'm sure we did but some Blose fan says we didn't
Yes, they gave us an initial 1500 and then another 200 late doors when they realised that they couldn't sell them to their own scum bags.
Tin pot outfit.
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Can anybody tell me if we sold all our allocation for todays game against the shit. I'm sure we did but some Blose fan says we didn't
From where I was I could see that area reserved for Villa was about 20% empty. However to the right and tier above it was 95% empty.
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Cheers. I knew we would have
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Mcleish "there used to be some disparity between us and Villa, but not anymore"
WTF
he needs to understand that we're level because we are close to being at our lowest ebb. They are where they should be. We've just temporarily come down to their permanent level.
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Mcleish "there used to be some disparity between us and Villa, but not anymore"
WTF
Ok, McLeish, why have you gone 8 games without beating us in the League then?
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Edit
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Cheers, Liam. Your only decent contribution to the game, thank you. You're a Villa legend.
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Thanks for noticing a few of us kept the faith aftab.... we played ok and always looked a threat. On another day they would not have got their break for theirs, and 3-4 of ours would have gone in. Balance of chances we should have had it IMO.
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Agreed.
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Capacity of 30,079 and attendance of 22,800 even though they were giving away tickets away when they spent over 30 quid in club shop. We sold our allocation of 1500 and a further 250 and if council and police hadn't stepped in we would have sold our 3000 usual allocation
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Look at the seats in the shot when Collins celebrated his goal.
I couldn't believe all the empty seats, it looked like some sort of boycott had been arranged. That stand was empty (apart from the away section).
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After what happened in the Carling Cup QF, out of interest was there any flash points before or after the game?
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I didn't see any bother other than the smoke bomb let off by them in the ground as as the Police in riot gear came out.
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It was tear gas they let off
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I expect this has been said in the previous pages, but I was really unimpressed by Carew today. Under the circumstances, with Heskey not available and the likelihood that it was going to be a physical game, I thought it was right for Carew to be given his chance, but he was poor in every area of his game. He can no longer produce the short bursts of pace that used to be very effective, his lay-offs were unproductive and his first touch clumsy, and he rarely won the ball in the air, which used to be one of his strengths. I can't see that there's any point in playing him against Man City, when Heskey will still be suspended. I imagine that we'll play Gabby and Ashley up front. I'm still not convinced by Delfouneso, but we looked sharper today when he came on and I wonder whether he can be accommodated against City, perhaps with Young replacing Downing.
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Please let it be the last time I see John Carew in claret n blue (unless it's for West Ham). How often did we give them possession just by launching high balls from deep - hoped we seen the last of that crap when MON went. Looked much better when we put a couple of footballers on later in the game.
Two things that made me smile... several coppers laying into a nose afterwards for wearing his scarf too high around his neck! I mean, can you blame him for wanting to hide that face.
And p14 of the programme a team of players who have played for both clubs... In goal Peter Enckelman, Villa 1999-2004, Blues 2002-03. Very good.
And good to see that ugly little shite Robert Hopkins didn't make the eleven!
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Think we need to give Fonzy a run of 5 or 6 games to find out if he's going to make it at this level or go to WBA
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
This might earn me a reprimand from the mods, but you really are a miserable twat aren't you?
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
This might earn me a reprimand from the mods, but you really are a miserable twat aren't you?
Nah. Yep.
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Positives were walker, Collins and Dunne, delfonso, albrighton.
Main problems were gabbys role/positioning and downing/ reo cookers anonymity. Reo in particular was a passenger for 70 minutes. Petrov doesn't do a great deal, an average premiership midfielder, reo Coker is a few levels less than that on this evidence.
I didn't think Carew was too bad but our strikers are so far from the goal it's no wonder we don't score enough. Feel like the shape of the team is wrong if were carrying so many passengers. Feel a lot more confident after getting a point, you really understand the term six pointer when down at this end don't you?
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I'm just glad we didn't lose, i thought the defence looked better today and to hit the bar 4 times just goes to show how unlucky we are i also thought Downing should have put is chance away when Gabby played him in, we do need a striker ASAP.
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I thought Carew was hillarious. Whats with his jumping up in the air attempting to head a ball that was nowhere near his head. He did it several times when the ball was about 10 feet above him. Maybe he thought it would look like he was making an effort. Pathetic display from him. Goodbye John and thanks for the displays when u did give a shit.
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Also to add, don't know about anyone else but absolutely no bother leaving the ground. First time I've ever been and not had any trouble (think it's my fifth trip).
Just walked along side the noses, was joking with a couple of 'em on the way into town (they probably didn't realise I was Villa tbf).
Much better atmosphere and enjoyable day because of it.
That's because with such a small crowd the police can do a man to man marking job.
They were jumping up and down shouting come on as the road split's, but it was all handbags.
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I suppose we didn't lose!
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Also to add, don't know about anyone else but absolutely no bother leaving the ground. First time I've ever been and not had any trouble (think it's my fifth trip).
Just walked along side the noses, was joking with a couple of 'em on the way into town (they probably didn't realise I was Villa tbf).
Much better atmosphere and enjoyable day because of it.
That's because with such a small crowd the police can do a man to man marking job.
They were jumping up and down shouting come on as the road split's, but it was all handbags.
We were amongst the first few out and it seemed very calm compared to the last few years, obviously if we'd got a late winner again things may have been different, although there was Police everywhere and if it went off they would've been on top of it
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I think being happy with a point against this absolute rabble shows how far we've dropped. I'm not unhappy with the point, just aware that we should have got three, and badly needed three in our fight for survival.
I hate this kind of comment. A point away from home this year is a good point regardless of the opposition. Blues have a good home record and were rubbing their hands at the prospect of pushing us further into the shit today. We've had a shocking of late run but managed to dig in and secure a very valuable point. The noses ain't beaten us now in the league for about 5 years.
I'm happy with the point given the circumstances - just another 18 to go(!) and we can then start to rebuild the squad. I fancy us against the Arabs next week as well.
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Gabby is shit.
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
Imo he is, i was saying it even when we were around 3rd/4th and everyone was up his arse, he's such a limited footballer who has no football brain and can't finish.
Decent result today, but two poor teams.
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
He is out on the wing. Maybe thats a bit harsh but FFS stick him up top if your gonna play him.
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
This might earn me a reprimand from the mods, but you really are a miserable twat aren't you?
Consider yourself severely reprimanded Dave.
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He's not shit but yes, he is limited. Don't forget he's playing out of position too.
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
He is out on the wing. Maybe thats a bit harsh but FFS stick him up top if your gonna play him.
Correct. He should be up front.
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Gabby is shit.
Today is the first time in 4 visits to the sty that he hasn't scored - cut him some slack although the Fonz must be pushing him for a starting place next week.
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I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked
This might earn me a reprimand from the mods, but you really are a miserable twat aren't you?
Consider yourself severely reprimanded Dave.
Yes. Put your hands on your head and stand in the corner and think about what you've done. Bad Dave.
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Another observation from today is that Downing is still to grow a pair. One bottle job for a 60/40 tackle in his favour was proof of this.
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Another observation from today is that Downing is still to grow a pair. One bottle job for a 60/40 tackle in his favour was proof of this.
You get nothing for a pair not in this game.
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
He is out on the wing. Maybe thats a bit harsh but FFS stick him up top if your gonna play him.
Correct. He should be up front.
36 goals from 121 games in the last 3.5 seasons including a few penalties. He's not shit, but he's not good enough if we are going to do what Spurs have done at some point. Very happy with him as part of the squad, but we need better up front as first choice.
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Another observation from today is that Downing is still to grow a pair. One bottle job for a 60/40 tackle in his favour was proof of this.
He's never going to grow a pair. I heard Liverpool and Sunderland were interested. Get rid.
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I am not wrong am I - he did start with a left winger up front and a striker on the left wing?
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When was the last time Downing had a good game for us? part of the problem is not playing him on the Left wing, because he is pretty ineffective every where else
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I think being happy with a point against this absolute rabble shows how far we've dropped. I'm not unhappy with the point, just aware that we should have got three, and badly needed three in our fight for survival.
I hate this kind of comment. A point away from home this year is a good point regardless of the opposition. Blues have a good home record and were rubbing their hands at the prospect of pushing us further into the shit today. We've had a shocking of late run but managed to dig in and secure a very valuable point. The noses ain't beaten us now in the league for about 5 years.
I'm happy with the point given the circumstances - just another 18 to go(!) and we can then start to rebuild the squad. I fancy us against the Arabs next week as well.
Great, ok, a point is good. Let's hope that, come May, it was good enough.
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
He is out on the wing. Maybe thats a bit harsh but FFS stick him up top if your gonna play him.
Correct. He should be up front.
36 goals from 121 games in the last 3.5 seasons including a few penalties. He's not shit, but he's not good enough if we are going to do what Spurs have done at some point. Very happy with him as part of the squad, but we need better up front as first choice.
When has Gabby ever took a penalty? Apart from the shoot out at Sunderland
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Great, ok, a point is good. Let's hope that, come May, it was good enough.
Well if we are relegated by a couple of points then just singling out this match would be wrong. Fulham away would be a more deserving match as that was in the bag until a needless foul in the 94th minute. I don't disagree that we couldn't have done with a win but when playing away a point is not a bad result (especially with our away record this season) and when it is in a potential relegation 6 pointer the main thing is not to lose.
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
He is out on the wing. Maybe thats a bit harsh but FFS stick him up top if your gonna play him.
Correct. He should be up front.
36 goals from 121 games in the last 3.5 seasons including a few penalties. He's not shit, but he's not good enough if we are going to do what Spurs have done at some point. Very happy with him as part of the squad, but we need better up front as first choice.
When has Gabby ever took a penalty? Apart from the shoot out at Sunderland
I'm not 100% sure on that to be honest but i thought i recalled him taking a couple last season, there were quite a few that did for us. Anyway, even if he hasn't i don't think it changes the point i'm making abiut needing someone more prolific to get in the Champions League, do you?
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Gabby is shit.
No he isn't.
He is out on the wing. Maybe thats a bit harsh but FFS stick him up top if your gonna play him.
Correct. He should be up front.
36 goals from 121 games in the last 3.5 seasons including a few penalties. He's not shit, but he's not good enough if we are going to do what Spurs have done at some point. Very happy with him as part of the squad, but we need better up front as first choice.
When has Gabby ever took a penalty? Apart from the shoot out at Sunderland
I'm not 100% sure on that to be honest but i thought i recalled him taking a couple last season, there were quite a few that did for us. Anyway, even if he hasn't i don't think it changes the point i'm making abiut needing someone more prolific to get in the Champions League, do you?
I doubt anybody would argue against that point
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Great, ok, a point is good. Let's hope that, come May, it was good enough.
Well if we are relegated by a couple of points then just singling out this match would be wrong. Fulham away would be a more deserving match as that was in the bag until a needless foul in the 94th minute. I don't disagree that we couldn't have done with a win but when playing away a point is not a bad result (especially with our away record this season) and when it is in a potential relegation 6 pointer the main thing is not to lose.
Fulham was before we plunged ourselves in the shit. There's more urgency now. Like I said, we didn't lose and I'm not unhappy with a point. But sooner or later we're going to have to start winning. And our excuses for not doing so are running out with every game. Blues may be a derby game, but they are a very poor team and they're above us in the league with a game in hand and superior goal difference of 10 (ten). These are the teams we have to beat because we screwed up against the likes of Fulham.
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Good result. Pretty good performance and were unlucky not to win. In boxing terms we should have won on points. Carew was poor however I disagree with the NRC and Clark critics, I thought they both had reasonable games. Gabby is massively lacking in confidence and desperately needs a goal. We've stopped the pattern of not picking up points when we concede the first goal and have had two good points out of Chelsea and Blues. Sneaky feeling we'll get something out of Man City on Saturday.
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Fulham was before we plunged ourselves in the shit. There's more urgency now. Like I said, we didn't lose and I'm not unhappy with a point. But sooner or later we're going to have to start winning. And our excuses for not doing so are running out with every game. Blues may be a derby game, but they are a very poor team and they're above us in the league with a game in hand and superior goal difference of 10 (ten). These are the teams we have to beat.
So only matches in the second half of the season count if we are relegated. And there was me thinking there were 38 games counted towards in the league. Blues are shit, I agree. We have actually scored more goals then them so far this season so the fact they have such a better GD shows they are rather good defensively. We did more then Chelski did against them when they went 1 down, we scored a goal.
As I said earlier, I would have preferred a win but after that it was important not to lose. We managed to do the second bit in the end so it is still a good point and shouldn't be easily dismissed.
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I am just so bloody relieved we didn't lose. Sadly, this is about as good as it gets for me at the moment.
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Saying that Blues is a game that we have to win is ignoring the fact that they rarely lose at home, twice in just over a year I think it is.
We do need to start winning some games but just because we don't like them we can't start pretending that the Sty is an easy place to go.
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Any local derby is generally a tough game and today was no different. On another day we would have put two or three past them. At least we're starting to make chances again.
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Fulham was before we plunged ourselves in the shit. There's more urgency now. Like I said, we didn't lose and I'm not unhappy with a point. But sooner or later we're going to have to start winning. And our excuses for not doing so are running out with every game. Blues may be a derby game, but they are a very poor team and they're above us in the league with a game in hand and superior goal difference of 10 (ten). These are the teams we have to beat.
So only matches in the second half of the season count if we are relegated. And there was me thinking there were 38 games counted towards in the league.
That would be very silly wouldn't it? What I'm saying is, the more games you lose or draw in the early part of the season, the more games you must win in the latter part in order to avoid the inevitable. But we don't consider those early games as must-win games because we think we'll have opportunities to pick up points later on. Today was an opportunity, and they are running out fast. I'm not dismissing the result, I'm delighted we didn't lose, but a solitary point here might not be enough. We have to get into that mindset, because as we go onwards scraping draws really will not be enough. We need to start winning somewhere and a must-win-at-all-costs mentality is going to have to emerge sooner or later.
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I've just noticed the title of this thread. When did Small Heath change their name? Is it a tie in with the uni?
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I've just noticed the title of this thread. When did Small Heath change their name? Is it a tie in with the uni?
If it's a tie in with the uni, I'm quitting now, with just one term before I graduate!
I doubt HDE would be too impressed, especially as our sports centre is named after him.
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Watching these highlights on MOTD, how the fuck did we not win this match?
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Quite. It shows a positive performance at a team who have a very strong home record.
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Watching these highlights on MOTD, how the fuck did we not win this match?
see also fulham (a)
Chelsea (a)
Bolton (H)
Tottenham (A)
Sunderland (H)
also see: table, league.
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Quite. It shows a positive performance at a team who have a very strong home record.
That's a good point.
We can boo hoo all we want about not winning at Blues, but they're fucking hard to beat at home.
You saw it after they scored today, they became even more defensive, they barely left their own half.
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Watching these highlights on MOTD, how the fuck did we not win this match?
see also fulham (a)
Chelsea (a)
Bolton (H)
Tottenham (A)
Sunderland (H)
also see: table, league.
To be honest, I don't think we ever really looked in control against Sunderland. I take your point re the rest, though. Fulham was the best example. We were superb that day, not just good.
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Watching these highlights on MOTD, how the fuck did we not win this match?
see also fulham (a)
Chelsea (a)
Bolton (H)
Tottenham (A)
Sunderland (H)
also see: table, league.
To be honest, I don't think we ever really looked in control against Sunderland. I take your point re the rest, though. Fulham was the best example. We were superb that day, not just good.
and how could I forget: Man U (H)
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Watching these highlights on MOTD, how the fuck did we not win this match?
Indeed, and by a large margin. Much, much better team.
Sooner or later the luck will change and those half chances will start going in. Especially if we get a top striker in.
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Or just stop conceding so many soft bloody goals.
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Or just stop conceding so many soft bloody goals.
That too.
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After watching the highlights again I do wonder what Collins was up to for their goal. He tries to charge out to block the freekick which leaves Johnson going forward unmarked. Surely the defenders should mark the men and the midfielders charge the ball down.
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Or just stop conceding so many soft bloody goals.
Absolutely, defensively we've been crap all season, Newcastle away set the alarm bells ringing, we hadn't played that badly in the first half and were three down. We haven't dealt with the defensive problems all season.
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Or just stop conceding so many soft bloody goals.
puts a lot of pressure on the defence if the forwards aren't mscoring mind you. The defence has got better each week, but we still can't score. We need to drastically improve the latter.
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I know different people see different things about its a game of opinions but two things that I cant understand from the majority of Villa fans on this board.
1) that Bannan must start ahead of Reo Coker and/or Petrov - this is utter madness imo. Bannan is a tidy footballer given time and space but in a two man midfield his total lack of presence is a liability. I cant see him making it as a centre midfielder at this level at all. I thought he contributed next to zero when he came on.
2) that Houllier got it right tactically today. I think this is complete nonsense myself. Whatever stream I was watching had David Pleat as co-commentator. He was practically having kittens at how Downing was playing in no mans land and Gabby out left. Gabby is a terrible wide player. He has no guile or intelligence to play in that position. He cant cross the ball, cant pass. He is up front playing off the last defender or on the bench. What a shocking level of ambition to play him on the left to counter the threat of Stephen Carr!!! While a point isnt a disaster it is only wins that will take us out of trouble. We have a great chance to win that game today. Granted Houllier isnt at fault for the complete lack of form of our strikers but there are some learning points.
1) Petrov cannot play 90 mins centrally in a 442 again.
2) Carew cant play up front by himself again.
3) Downing cannot play anywhere else but on the left again
I watched Man City at the weekend. Granted in the second half they could have scored six or seven but the addition of Dzeko has weakened them in midfield. Silva was dropped surprisingly as I think he is a superb player. Gareth Barry was exposed again in a 442 which was kind of the formation they were playing. Really dont think Barry is good enough for a title chasing side anyway. Yaya Toure is incredibly lazy also. Nigel De Jong was like superman covering for the two of them. I think we need to put three in there against them.
Ive never rated Kolo Toure much, Kevin Doyle had the beating of him easily in the first half but Lescott was absolutely hopeless when introduced. Gave away the penalty and lost Zubar for two set pieces which he scored one and hit the bar with the other. I wasnt overly impressed with their full backs either while Joe Hart isnt in the form he is was in earlier in the year. We might be playing them at a good time.
Delph's injuries are a blow as Id have him in for Petrov if he was fully fit. I think Downing should get the hook with Young to come back out wide only. Heskey up top.
---------------Friedel
Walker, Dunne, Collins, Clark,
------Reo Coker, Makoun------
Albrighton-------Petrov---------A Young
----------------Heskey--------------------
Cant see us keeping a clean sheet with the form their forwards are in but I think we are capable of getting a score draw anyway.
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Or just stop conceding so many soft bloody goals.
puts a lot of pressure on the defence if the forwards aren't mscoring mind you. The defence has got better each week, but we still can't score. We need to drastically improve the latter.
Agreed on both counts. Gabby's lethargy is really starting to do my head in, the only plus being the coins I was able to pick up from what was coming over from the inbreds....
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They have lost to Everton and Arsenal at home this season before that it was last season when they lost to us and then Bolton in September.
That is an impressive record and we were unlucky not to get another win there.
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We hit the bar 4 times!
on another day we might have nicked this game
Gabby on the left is madness-he cannot cross with his left
Bannan was brought on to play nice balls to the front men then was bypassed
It is clear that "the houllier way" is taking/will take a while to assert itself
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Lots of effort but lacking in quality up front.
If Houllier thinks we don't need to sign a striker then he is living on another planet.
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They have lost to Everton and Arsenal at home this season before that it was last season when they lost to us and then Bolton in September.
That is an impressive record and we were unlucky not to get another win there.
Absolutely, well said.
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We created more during this game than both derbies combined last season which we won. O'Neill's flattering to deceive routine was pretty impressive really.
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Good to see our Fanzone fella is still knocking around. Don't think I've seen him since, er, that game.
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_video/0,26719,11065_3293538,00.html
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Lots of effort but lacking in quality up front.
If Houllier thinks we don't need to sign a striker then he is living on another planet.
He does think we need to sign a striker by all accounts.
But on another day, with a modicum of luck (yes, I know you make your own) we could have scored three or four, easily.
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2) that Houllier got it right tactically today. I think this is complete nonsense myself. Whatever stream I was watching had David Pleat as co-commentator. He was practically having kittens at how Downing was playing in no mans land and Gabby out left. Gabby is a terrible wide player. He has no guile or intelligence to play in that position. He cant cross the ball, cant pass. He is up front playing off the last defender or on the bench. What a shocking level of ambition to play him on the left to counter the threat of Stephen Carr!!! While a point isnt a disaster it is only wins that will take us out of trouble. We have a great chance to win that game today. Granted Houllier isnt at fault for the complete lack of form of our strikers but there are some learning points.
Completely agree.
I really cannot for the life of me understand why we just didn't got for a bog standard 4-4-2, with Albrighton and Downing out wide, and Gabby and Carew up front. Gabby was hopeless out wide, and Downing wasn't much better as he look lost in a role that was totally alien to him. Carew did OK first half in his first match back for a while, but needed some help. That's 1 win in 10 league games now, and I can't see us getting anything against City. The Wigan game is looking like a huge must win game now, which isn't something I ever though I'd have to say.
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I thought the team battled well overall and on another day would have won quite handsomely. We just need a little bit of the luck we had in abundance last season.
I was impressed with Walker again, he's 100% better than Warnock. Dunne and Collins are back to their near best and are again looking a threat to the opposition goal. We do though have to stop this tendency we now have of giving stupid free kicks away in dangerous positions. One cost us again and another nearly did right at the death.
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I think Marc Allbrighton has a touch of the Lee Hendries about him when it comes to tackling, he seems frustrated at his lack of physical presence so makes ill conceived challenges to make up for it. It needs to be coached out of him quickly.
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I just think its over exuberance rather than any lack of physical presence. He'll learn.
Perfectly executed crunching tackles is not something they learn in winger 101 I think.
I'd much prefer him being over-eager anyway, you can easily work on that.
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I wouldn't expect him to make crunching tackles but he needs to learn when not to make any at all, some of the little fellas in Spain seem very good at simply positioning their bodies so the bigger opponents look like they are fouling them.
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You mean go down like a tupenny whore at the slightest touch? I hope we teach him more virtuous techniques, but I take the point.
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I see that by hitting the woodwork 3 times yesterday we have become the leaders in at least this field!! That's 13 for the season, as opposed to the 24 times we've hit the back of the net, when you consider the difference in the surface area between woodwork and net this is no small feat!
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well after watching MOTD , it showed how we should have won that game.. you cant say we didnt create no chances , so STRIKER please..
I didnt realise Johnson handballed it in the pen area as well until last night.. that ball would have gone in , so hand ball on the line..
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Or just stop conceding so many soft bloody goals.
puts a lot of pressure on the defence if the forwards aren't mscoring mind you. The defence has got better each week, but we still can't score. We need to drastically improve the latter.
Agreed on both counts. Gabby's lethargy is really starting to do my head in, the only plus being the coins I was able to pick up from what was coming over from the inbreds....
The same Gabby praised by many for his covering back and tireless efforts up front many of which led to goal chances you mean?
Or did you confuse him with that Norwegian Legend we have who some I see reckon played well in the first half. Amazing.
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Yeah, I thought Gabby looked quite busy yesterday. He's showing signs of getting his form and fitness back but he's a striker, nothing else.
If he plays, I want to see him up front.
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I thought Gabby on the left made sense, with Albrighton and Walker having a field day down the right much of our attacking came down that side which allowed Gabby to drift inside. He got into several promising positions but I think he has lost a bit of confidence in front of goal.
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Nerve wracking and i would prefer it if we never had to play them again
Have read all of this thread and am i the only one who thinks that Gabby was played there for the reason of Bentley - in the first half he was playing well and exposing Clark for being too narrow - also it was obvious that Bentley has some pace, in factr quite a bit more than Clark and a couple of times he put the bal into space to run onto nehind Calrk - on both occasions Gabby was follwoing up to pick him off
I thought on the balance of play the best chance fell to Derbyshire - fair play to Brad for making him have to try and place it across goal and that resulted in the misshit
Thought we played with 9/10 men at times as i think Carew has become a real liability - considering his European pedigree in Champs league etc the amount of times his 2nd touch is a tackle is unbelievable.
And MON's pet Petrov was just anon
If the pube head does take over at Spam then whats the betting Petrov will walk there to join him - he does not need to bother as i will drive him for free
More mobility in the centre and we would have pissed it
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Yeah, I thought Gabby looked quite busy yesterday. He's showing signs of getting his form and fitness back but he's a striker, nothing else.
If he plays, I want to see him up front.
Perhaps he's one of those rare professionals at Villa who does what the manager asks him, as seemingly most of the others are in revolt
Or are they still ?
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hopefully makoun will give us that mobility and composure... had a very good report on him from a french lad who knows his shizzle...
as for the game, i thought we showed improvement on recent games... as we did against chelsea and sunderland before emule got sent off...
this despite carew being pointless...
thought albrighton and walker linked up well...
this improvement is coinciding with players coming back to fitness / match fitness, etc, and with a couple of signings, we should improve further...
hopefully...
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I see that by hitting the woodwork 3 times yesterday we have become the leaders in at least this field!! That's 13 for the season, as opposed to the 24 times we've hit the back of the net, when you consider the difference in the surface area between woodwork and net this is no small feat!
Now is the time to go on Crossbar Challenge then.
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That was grim. Cheers though.
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It's like watching something from a Soviet news report in about 1983.
Thank fuck we only have to go there once (usually) a season
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Alex Mcleish said after the match it was plain to see how the blues had improved . It seems that a draw against Villa is their measure of things.To me it looks like Villa have gone down to their level not that they have gone up to the level where Villa should be
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I thought Gabby on the left made sense, with Albrighton and Walker having a field day down the right much of our attacking came down that side which allowed Gabby to drift inside. He got into several promising positions but I think he has lost a bit of confidence in front of goal.
Gabby is an instinct striker - give him time in front of goal and he loses it .
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I thought Gabby on the left made sense, with Albrighton and Walker having a field day down the right much of our attacking came down that side which allowed Gabby to drift inside. He got into several promising positions but I think he has lost a bit of confidence in front of goal.
Gabby is an instinct striker - give him time in front of goal and he loses it .
I agree completely, Tim. I have always thought there is a touch of Andy Cole about him in front of goal. Give him time and he panics, let him use his speed and instinct to get to the ball first and he has a fighting chance of scoring.
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Why do they sing 'hold hands if you hate Villa'?
We'll that's what it sounds like anyway. :-)
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Why do they sing 'hold hands if you hate Villa'?
We'll that's what it sounds like anyway. :-)
Its 'All Bounce', i think
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Well that's 9 mins and 53 secs of my life I won't get back
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Why do they sing 'hold hands if you hate Villa'?
We'll that's what it sounds like anyway. :-)
Its 'All Bounce', i think
Nah. Definitely ' hold hands'.
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Glad to get that over with, we should have won.. they held on and we hopefully won't have to go back for a few years!