Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on April 22, 2011, 08:13:16 PM
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Available Saturday evening.
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Groan. Playing Stoke ain't ever fun. 1-1 Not the end of the world. We're safe now.
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A decent enough point.
Had a tenner on a Sunderland win and a Villa draw £70 thankyou very much!
Anyone else put money on Sunderland it was odds on they were going to win today.
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Some folk said that one more point would guarantee survival. Well folks there it is.
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On the positive side, at least we didn't lose
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It could have been worse I suppose.
We are still not safe.
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Pretty poor performance, like most of the season.
Point not too bad after going behind.
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More insipid than inspiring, but a point's a point. Stoke's style of spoiling football is a disgrace.
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We're safe. Stoke made it tough for us. We dont have much imagination going forward but we've got a decent striker in Darren Bent. Not much more to say really.
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Stoke's one of those games like Bolton used to be a few years back. You just want it out of the way. Ugly team to play against and watch, but I don't really begrudge them that. They use what is at their disposal efficiently. We got a point, big game next weekend now. If we can do the Albion I'll be well happy.
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On a par with the Wolves game performance wise. We can't deal with teams who don't try and play. We'll probably beat the Albion and Wigan because they don't (cliche alert) park the bus so we have a bit more room.
I am so glad that I din't pay to watch that and even more glad that I don't come from Stoke.
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so your manager is in hospital
we hear the soundbites about what we are going to do for the said manager
then we get that pash
Randy
the players have made a very big statement today
they could not give one fuck between them about Gerard
keep that in mind
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Stoke are our new Leicester.
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That was shit.
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It could have been worse I suppose.
We are still not safe.
we're only in danger if you believe that we won't won't get 1 more point this season, and the likes of West Ham, Blackpool, Wigan, Blackburn, Wolves, Blues all suddenly find a rich vein of form. That isn't going to happen.
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Decent point, one that almost guarantees safety; also nice to see the Knuckledraggers get stuffed, and I'm strangely happy to see West Brom get a result against Spuds.
We're safe now I done reckon, just need to avoid any major fuck ups, i.e, West Brom away.
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so your manager is in hospital
we hear the soundbites about what we are going to do for the said manager
then we get that pash
Randy
the players have made a very big statement today
they could not give one fuck between them about Gerard
keep that in mind
what complete and utter nonsense. I didn't see you post this at the end of last weeks game.
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Two poor teams.
Albrighton and Gabby should have been on earlier.
Downing can feel hard done by as Ashley was worse. Both all fart, no shit.
Bent get's next to no decent service so respect for the goal. Superb finish.
Luke Young, Big Brad (MOTM), Petrov and Walker deserve a mention.
Dunne and Collins still scare me to death.
We played into Stoke's hands with the constant high balls. Pathetic.
Edit: Forgot to mention Heskey, can't think why.
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dunne was quite poor...stuurke really didnt want a game today...
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so your manager is in hospital
we hear the soundbites about what we are going to do for the said manager
then we get that pash
Randy
the players have made a very big statement today
they could not give one fuck between them about Gerard
keep that in mind
what complete and utter nonsense. I didn't see you post this at the end of last weeks game.
seconded. everyone is entitled to an opinion, but yours sir is categorically wrong.
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Meh all round. Taking the game to teams continues to be a failing that we had under O'Neill. Aside from Bent we just don't have good enough movement and our creators, Young and Downing aren't consistent enough with their delivery. Fantastic goal by Bent. If we had a couple of players on his wavelength we'd be so much better.
Luke Young constantly coming inside so he could use his right foot took a bit of pace out of our attacks on the left (though a couple of times his runs could have been productive like his winner against Everton at the start of the season). Still, for a professional to have so little confidence in his weaker foot is amazing really.
Two average sides, an average game and a draw. We're safe now, maybe with an outside chance of 9th/10th. Roll on next season.
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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Rubbish game.
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Hard team to break down, especially when they are one up and come set up like that. Doubled up on our flanks and we haven't enough creativity in the middle to play through them. Not the end of the world, didn't think it was a disastrous performance...not great but not horrendous. Might have been different if we'd have taken the lead and make them chase the game...
As an aside and as much as the Stoke fans seem decent, do they play that sort of football at home every week? Totally uninspiring..even if it is effective.
Pretty much safe anyway...41 points won't be relegation this season.
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Dire.
I'm always surprised that our squad can never take such a defensive opposition to the cleaners.
Perhaps its because we play into their hands tactically.
Seems most of the Villa players feel they are safe, they aren't, 2 to 3 more points needed and I can't see them coming from Albion, Liverpool or Arsenal, so Wigan is a must win game :)
What threat did Heskey offer, anyone?
Why take Downing off at least he was moving around the pitch and not just posing on the wing. Thought both our fullbacks did well, both cb's were poor, Coker and Petrov needed help, but just coped.
Can't see Coker, Petrov, Heskey, Ashley, Dunne or Walker in the mix next season and I'd wonder if Luke Young will stay too.
Hope Downing stays, wish Coker would, and what happens to Carew, Ireland and the others out on loan.
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Our game was the only one that Liam Gallagher didn't make a prediction for on Football Focus. How come?
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It can't have made the final cut, Eamonn. He went for 2-1 to us on the BBC Sport website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/13159242.stm
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Two poor teams.
Albrighton and Gabby should have been on earlier.
Downing can feel hard done by as Ashley was worse. Both all fart, no shit.
Bent get's next to no decent service so respect for the goal. Superb finish.
Luke Young, Big Brad (MOTM), Petrov and Walker deserve a mention.
Dunne and Collins still scare me to death.
We played into Stoke's hands with the constant high balls. Pathetic.
Edit: Forgot to mention Heskey, can't think why.
Fairly accurate synopsis from my point of view.
A definite end of season feel about the whole thing. When you consider the intensity of our last 3 games and Sterk's efforts last week, this is not really surprising.
The fact that Sterk started wasting time so early in the game got on my tits and I am glad I did not go; £100 for train and match ticket alone plus that offal presented as entertainment would have left me less than pleased.
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Stoke are very one dimensional, I hope they go down soon
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ok
you have to laugh, after all the soundbites that came out of Villa Park about doing this for the manager
the manager that was in hospital
the one we were going to show how much he was respected by the players
and then that
there isn't much more anybody connected to Aston Villa can add after watching that
the big performance
for Gerard
that never happened
Randy?
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does anybody
have
a stream for chelsea west ham?
Randy
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ok
you have to laugh, after all the soundbites that came out of Villa Park about doing this for the manager
the manager that was in hospital
the one we were going to show how much he was respected by the players
and then that
there isn't much more anybody connected to Aston Villa can add after watching that
the big performance
for Gerard
that never happened
Randy?
are you a nose or just a troll?
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yip im a nose
and also a troll
wise up toronto
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are you a nose or just a troll?
Nah, he's just narked because he dropped a bundle on Villa losing today.
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The sooner stoke disappear from the Premier League, the better.
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Fair result, horrible game to watch and not just because Stoke started time wasting in the first half. Highlight of the afternoon was Peter Withe being on the pitch before kick off.
Brad made a superb save early on, Stoke did what they do well with their goal and I don't see anything wrong with using throw ins well, I wish we did. Bent's goal came from one of the few quality crosses we put in all game.
We just don't spark when going forward like we did last season, of course last season we had Milner but something just doesn't click and we end up going backwards and sideways all too often.
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isnt there some calculation done on how many points are 100% safe? Taking all matches in considuration, with teams in the bottom half playing each other...
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Sums up the wasted season in many respects- lack of creativity, lack of imagination, some endeavour though not enough and conceding another soft(ish), though even more so entirely predictable goal. That said there is more stability in those picked and playing in their proper positions. We should be safe with 41 - with that squad we are 20 points behind where we should have been.
I wish Houllier all the best in his recovery to full health. Let's draw a line under this on May 23rd and start afresh with a new Chief Executive, a new Manager and a new Assitant Manager. We need a proper fresh start as per 1991 and 2006 the two other times where the Villa had under performed to an unacceptable level.
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are you a nose or just a troll?
Nah, he's just narked because he dropped a bundle on Villa losing today.
would have been happier if we got the 3 points
well done Rocket
how many hours ago was that?
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yip im a nose
and also a troll
wise up toronto
Yes, you're right what was I thinking. Sorry man. Villa players all decided collectively to stick two fingers up at their ailing boss today by drawing against Stoke. I'm a little disappointed they didn't agree into taking a full Bolton which would have been more in line your line of conspiracy theory. Randy, call the cops. There's been a crime down Villa Park. Houllier out!!
With every new post you are ticking every box for being a troll.
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Was it me our for the 1st goal did the ref makes Downing move 20 yards back from the touchline allowing Delap a free throw with no chance of blocking it.
As it looked like Downing was not allowed to block the throw.
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JESUS WEPT TORONTO
yip that match today showed us how we as a club think of Gerard
basically the players couldnt give a fuck
thats why we are CELEBRATING 41 POINTS
anyway all the best in toronto
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Poor performance and we never really tested their keeper apart from the goal, heskey was very poor and reo-cokers passing today was well off the Mark, Collins seemed to be out of position too often , but dunne looked better today , petrov man of the match for me.
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JESUS WEPT TORONTO
yip that match today showed us how we as a club think of Gerard
basically the players couldnt give a fuck
thats why we are CELEBRATING 41 POINTS
anyway all the best in toronto
and last week? Where were you?
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JESUS WEPT TORONTO
yip that match today showed us how we as a club think of Gerard
basically the players couldnt give a fuck
thats why we are CELEBRATING 41 POINTS
anyway all the best in toronto
and last week? Where were you?
i was here last week
what is your point Toronto?
as i said THIS WEEK was all about Gerard
whats this pish about last week Toronto?
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Poor game not helped by the Stoke goalie who wasted sooooo much time and even Pullis was telling him to hurry up at the end. Downing was unlucky to get subbed when Ash should have gone really.Loads of pushing and pulling at the corners
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JESUS WEPT TORONTO
yip that match today showed us how we as a club think of Gerard
basically the players couldnt give a fuck
thats why we are CELEBRATING 41 POINTS
anyway all the best in toronto
and last week? Where were you?
i was here last week
what is your point Toronto?
as i said THIS WEEK was all about Gerard
what this pish about last wekk Toronto?
Are you thick? The point being, if the players don't give a damn about Houllier now, how is it that they put in such a good performance last week? Why didn't they just tank it against West Ham in what was a much bigger game given we had 37 points. And wouldn't it have been a bigger statement had they done it in front of the manager they supposedly hate so much?
You can't answer that because you've either got another agenda or, like I said you're just thick.
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sorry toronto
last week was a far better result
it was
this week - the manager went to hospital
NOT LAST WEEK
this week he went to hospital
then we HAD ALL THE NEWSPAPER SHITE ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO FOR THE MANAGER
TORONTO
do you need it spelt out?
JESUS FUCKIN WEPT
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More insipid than inspiring, but a point's a point. Stoke's style of spoiling football is a disgrace.
I don't think so. It gets them what they need - points. I get fed up of people like Wenger preaching about how football should be played. What's he won recently?
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Awful game.
Stoke did what they do, we didn't have the nouse,guile,ability to break them down.
Reo Coker was MOTM according to the tannoy!!! Where the fuck did they get from, he was abysmal.
And our Ashley....well, very poor, as somone said all fart and no shit.
Why oh why is he allowed to take virtually every deadball kick, the bloke has put one decent cross in in the last 12 months I reckon (Gabbys winner last week) and today he put in some of the worst corners I have ever seen.
Dunne and Collins appeared to be scared shitless, but fortunately Friedal was on form.
I honestly don't think their goalie made a single save in the second half and I don't recall too many in the first either.
Oh well, its another point and if we pick up a couple more singles (Baggies and Wigan) we will survive.
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I think that was a hard earned point, Stoke are never easy to beat.
We'll find it easier to beat WBA next weekend.
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Horrible place, horrible people, horrible team, horrible manager, horrible football. One dimensional hoofing and time wasting are the sum total of their approach to the game. Anti-football at its worst. Is Pulis just Allardyce in a silly cap? Until they fuck off to where they belong at least we only have to suffer them at VP once a year.
And why did the ref keep moving Ash and Downing away from the touchline when Delap was taking throw-ins? As far as I'm aware there's no rule that says you have to be x yards away when a throw in is taken - otherwise why didn't he move them away when Delap was off and someone else took the throw-ins?
Still - a point's a point and we're now all but mathematically safe. Even though I predicted a draw that somehow felt like a defeat. At least the traffic wasn't bad.
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sorry toronto
last week was a far better result
it was
this week - the manager went to hospital
NOT LAST WEEK
this week he went to hospital
then we HAD ALL THE NEWSPAPER SHITE ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO FOR THE MANAGER
TORONTO
do you need it spelt out?
JESUS FUCKIN WEPT
I can just imagine the players all texting each other when they heard the manager was in hospital. "I know we got a win last week, but let's stick it to that French fucker by not winning against Stoke. That will teach him. Might even finish him off"
FFS. And what's with his Jesus Wept bollocks you keep spouting?
ps. Don't stop posting. Every new post makes you look a bigger pillock than the last
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That really was a very poor game of football today.
One team with no ambition to try and win it and the other team with no idea how to break them down, with an embarrassing lack of intelligence in and around the box.
There are too many games like this in the Premier League. Best league in the world? My arse!
Do not dare to put prices up again next season Mr Lerner - we're getting short-changed too often as it is.
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Geez that was dreary. We played into Stoke's hands. High balls up to Heskey and Bent.
Should have played Gabby from the start and passed along the floor.
I'd hate to have to watch more than one Stoke game a season. Every goal kick and throw in took at least 45 seconds to action.
Why the ref didn't book Begovic much earlier is beyond me. He was playing for time after about half an hour.
Roll on the end of the season. Which it would end now. Yawn!
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Albrighton and Gabby should of come on earlier. Why was Heskey on for so long? Dunne was shakey. If Lerner hadn't put up the bucks for Bent we might be at the bottom of the table right now. Houllier IMHO will not be back next year. He is not inspirational and seems somewhat distant.
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We can get to the edge of the box but then we shit ourselves. Too much tippy tappy when it requires someone to take responsibility and either beat a man or shoot rather than pass it again. We're safe, it's been a shit season so it matters not as far as I'm concerned. It's all about next year now.
MadIrishvillain - give it a rest as you're embarrassing yourself. Stoke made it hard, we couldn't break them down. It's a simple as that so stop making mountains out of molehills. What did you expect? GH is ill so we win 6-0?
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Albrighton and Gabby should of come on earlier. Why was Heskey on for so long? Dunne was shakey. If Lerner hadn't put up the bucks for Bent we might be at the bottom of the table right now. Houllier IMHO will not be back next year. He is not inspirational and seems somewhat distant.
Heskey playing was all to dop with his aerial ability in defensive situations. He was always going to be needed as long as Delap stayed on the pitch.
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Just back from the snorefest. Stoke really are anti-football, fucking horrid team to watch. It's enough to make me want Man City to win the FA Cup.
One thing I did notice though today, when we were defending corners we had 7 players in our 6 yard box. However, when we are attacking corners not a single player in the 6 yard box.
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Yawn.
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Horrible place, horrible people, horrible team, horrible manager, horrible football. One dimensional hoofing and time wasting are the sum total of their approach to the game. Anti-football at its worst. Is Pulis just Allardyce in a silly cap? Until they fuck off to where they belong at least we only have to suffer them at VP once a year.
And why did the ref keep moving Ash and Downing away from the touchline when Delap was taking throw-ins? As far as I'm aware there's no rule that says you have to be x yards away when a throw in is taken - otherwise why didn't he move them away when Delap was off and someone else took the throw-ins?
Still - a point's a point and we're now all but mathematically safe. Even though I predicted a draw that somehow felt like a defeat. At least the traffic wasn't bad.
More or less THIS.
Stoke is the home to a load of horrible people, manners and dulce et decorum not exactly their strong points.
Their football team is dreadful - Man Cteh should give them a total pasting.
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Don't think I've "enjoyed" a game less than that all season. Stoke are truly awful to watch and you can see why they don't always sell out the Brittania, if that's what they see every other week?.
Friedel made some tremendous saves in the first half, but he just doesn't command his box enough for me. I am wondering whether part of the reason for Dunne and Collins form this season, is that they don't know if Friedel is coming or going at times?. I personally thought Dunne had a reasonable game today, especially like the bringing the ball out of the back. Collins looks like an accident waiting to happen at times and at other times is superb, can't work him out this season.
Midfield : For me Petrov and Reo weren't good enough as a pair two years ago and nothing has changed. Petrov had a reasonable game that said, but I'm not sure you can play him as part of a pair in that heat. I would have had, in an ideal world, Delph in with them and left out Heskey. That way we would have hopefully dominated the midfield area and kept the ball and also got more people in and around Bent.
Attack : Downing and especially Young were disappointing today no question. I also thought you could see Albrighton has lost a bit of confidence when he came on as well. As someone else said, can see why Heskey was picked to combat the ariel threat, but he offered little or nothing in an attacking sense. Bent was superb for his goal, his movement was outstanding and I think he was outnumbered something like 4 or 5 to one in their area, for his goal. If we use him correctly and get the right service, he could be the 20 goal as season striker we have all been waiting for.
Anyway, a point is a point and we are definitely safe now. Roll on the end of the season and then we can move forward.
UTV !!
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Boring. Now let's stuff the baggies, finish the season, and then the really interesting stuff begins...
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Why bring Albrighton on, and then within five minutes, stick him left wing?
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Why bring Albrighton on, and then within five minutes, stick him left wing?
That confused me too. I can only think Ashley wanted to go 'walkabout'.
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Another thing that annoys me is that we have 3/4 of our wide players on the wrong wings. Ok, Luke Young you can understand, but Young should be on the right and Downing on the left. As it stands they are always having to cut inside before crossing.
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Why bring Albrighton on, and then within five minutes, stick him left wing?
True, Gabby for Heskey was a no-brainer.
Is Downing knackered ? He looks our most threatening midfielder all day long, so why take him off ?
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What was the deal with the players being asked to move back from the touchline when Delap was taking throw-ins?
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Well we weren't going to win four in a row.
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Why bring Albrighton on, and then within five minutes, stick him left wing?
True, Gabby for Heskey was a no-brainer.
Is Downing knackered ? He looks our most threatening midfielder all day long, so why take him off ?
Downing wasn't too happy to be taken off either - barely acknowledged MacAllister when he went to the dugout
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sorry toronto
last week was a far better result
it was
this week - the manager went to hospital
NOT LAST WEEK
this week he went to hospital
then we HAD ALL THE NEWSPAPER SHITE ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO FOR THE MANAGER
TORONTO
do you need it spelt out?
JESUS FUCKIN WEPT
I have to ask, are you capable of posting in a style other than a really really shit poet?
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Mac who now?
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What was the deal with the players being asked to move back from the touchline when Delap was taking throw-ins?
I didn't understand that either. An opposing player can be a minimum of two yards away but Foy was pulling them back further than that.
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Why bring Albrighton on, and then within five minutes, stick him left wing?
True, Gabby for Heskey was a no-brainer.
Is Downing knackered ? He looks our most threatening midfielder all day long, so why take him off ?
Downing always looks threatening but very rarely is. Ashley deserved to go off, too busy playing for himself and allowing time for the Stoke players to get back. He'd never piss about like that for England so why is he allowed to do it for Villa?
Saying that, neither of them can cross a ball.
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What was the deal with the players being asked to move back from the touchline when Delap was taking throw-ins?
I didn't understand that either. An opposing player can be a minimum of two yards away but Foy was pulling them back further than that.
Yes that was strange when Downing did that however what was the point of Ash just standing still and not jumping when they scored from the throw in?
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Well we weren't going to win four in a row.
4?
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To cross a decent ball, you need a decent target. Too often, neither Bent or Heskey were making decent runs or creating space in the box. No point just hoofing it in, they would get as much criticism for that! It was a horrible game to watch, but a point is ok.
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To cross a decent ball, you need a decent target. Too often, neither Bent or Heskey were making decent runs or creating space in the box. No point just hoofing it in, they would get as much criticism for that! It was a horrible game to watch, but a point is ok.
We can discuss that when they start crossing and getting it past the first man. Until then I don't care how the ball gets in the box, just as long as it does. As we've seen again, get it in the box and Bent will probably score. Today we had two (2) attempts on target, one being the goal.
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We were garbage in the first half and just rubbish in the second but there is always Dazza.
Luke Young was MotM for me. Don't know why they chose NRC?
Richard Dunne was abysmal and is entirely to blame to their goal.
Albrighton looked very off pace when he came on.
Stoke are a nightmare team but not very successful so why can't we not beat them?
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Im not a fan of nige and stan in the same midfield, stan looked better of the two today but I'd like to have seen delph alongside one or the other, we struggle at home to break teams down and this needs to be addressed in the summer- awful game but we take the point and move onwards- I think 41 with our goal diff is enough for safety!
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And even the goal we scored came from a relatively deep cross.
If we play wingers on the wrong side, they will want to cut inside rather than go outside and cross from the byline. Factor in that every prem team sticks two players on AY when he is on the wing.
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I was sat in the sun, reading the latest Bernie Gunther novel this afternoon (very good), sipping an ice cold drink when I realised it was time to get up and go to the match.
I honestly wish I hadn't bothered. What a horrible snooze fest that was.
Stoke City are such a vile, horrible side to watch, with their insistence on taking a couple of minutes for every throw in or free kick, and their time wasting from half way through the first half. I know they have a few decent players, like Etherington, but I don't buy this "they've changed" bollocks - they are exactly the same niggly, tedious anti-football car crash they always were. Unfortunately, they're exactly the sort of stubborn side we struggle to break down, and the result was predictable.
The first half, we were utterly awful, just wretched. The second half I thought we were much improved and played with a bit of zip, but over 90 minutes, bar the goal, I can't remember another shot on goal from us. Having said that, I'd have taken a point before kick off, so can't grumble at the result.
Dunne and Collins reminded me why we need to move them both on in the summer.
Brad's save early on was brilliant, but then in that flurry of corners he reminded me of why we need to move him on, too, plenty of flapping and indecision from him.
Walker did very well today, I thought.
Heskey lumbered around and didn't do much.
Downing I thought was our best player, and I really didn't understand why he was taken off.
Petrov - did very well, looked composed and in control.
Darren Bent - honestly, what can you say about this guy? Barely got a sniff of the ball all day, but what a superbly taken goal that was.
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Today was always going to be tough against the anti-football of Stoke and the off the pitch drama with Gerard was not going to help so happy with a point
Pleased to see us come back again from a goal down (even if it was a shit goal to concede) and Bent is showing exactly why we paid the big money for him
We're not safe yet but we're a point closer and here's hoping we can confirm our safety with a win at the Baggies next week
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Does anyone know the last time Ashley Young was substitued due to poor/lack of a performance
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Why did it take us until half time to realise that if we played with the ball on the ground we had more chance of getting anything
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Does anyone know the last time Ashley Young was substitued due to poor/lack of a performance
Never. Untouchable.
Need to keep playing him ...there is £20M coming our way at the end of the season.
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hate to admit it, but seems that football snobbery has now reached Villa Park.
Defied belief that Stoke are seen as the villains today, when for 45 minutes only one team was really in it. This 6 days after the players flogged themselves to a standstill at Wembley.
I thought some of you were better than that to be honest.
Look at your own failings before hurling sh** at us, as honest a bunch of players as you can get. Last weekend showed the way that our team has evolved. Like yourselves, we are one of the few clubs to play 2 out and out wingers and 2 up front.
Sorry we didn't bend over for you, but we're Stoke City, we'll play as we want and are still in a relegation battle.
Some need to grow up on here, bin SKY Sports off and remember you're watching the working man's ballet.
Rant aside - hello to all Villans and have a good summer.
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The epitomy of anti-football.
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Highlight of the day was probably the free sermon at Aston Church over the loudspeakers pre kick off - Class
Stoke are a horrid side, dreadful in every way and I'd like them gone, preferably bankrupt and never to return. I would take Huth of their hands though he played well. Good luck Ci£££eh in the cup.
For us, Friedel, not good again, he needs to come off his line, it cost us today.
NRC and Petrov both very good, Downing was my MOM, not sure why he was brought off.
Bent another class goal.
Kyle Walker played well today
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hate to admit it, but seems that football snobbery has now reached Villa Park.
Defied belief that Stoke are seen as the villains today, when for 45 minutes only one team was really in it. This 6 days after the players flogged themselves to a standstill at Wembley.
I thought some of you were better than that to be honest.
Look at your own failings before hurling sh** at us, as honest a bunch of players as you can get. Last weekend showed the way that our team has evolved. Like yourselves, we are one of the few clubs to play 2 out and out wingers and 2 up front.
Sorry we didn't bend over for you, but we're Stoke City, we'll play as we want and are still in a relegation battle.
Some need to grow up on here, bin SKY Sports off and remember you're watching the working man's ballet.
Rant aside - hello to all Villans and have a good summer.
What a load of utter bollocks.
Its not about bending over for anyone, it is about things like your horrible tactics of taking ages while Delap dries his hands / wipes the ball on his shirt / does whatever he does to help him lug it long.
That and the time wasting from halfway throught he first half. You truly are a dreadful dreadful excuse for a football side, and no amount of lightly patronising "I thought you were better than that" guff is going to get away from that.
As for that nonsense about Sky Sports, it takes a lot for me to want Manchester City to achieve anything in the game, but having watched your horrible gamesmanship punctuated by hoofing for 90 minutes, I now hope they turn you over good and proper.
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no ta, just had some dinner.
Cheers for the offer though.
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no ta, just had some dinner.
Cheers for the offer though.
Nice one.
Enjoy your summer, I've banned you.
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Arguably the worst away fans of the season today (the few that bothered to come)
Shouty and out of tune and only 1 or 2 abysmal songs
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no ta, just had some dinner.
Cheers for the offer though.
Nice one.
Enjoy your summer, I've banned you.
Should have left it how it was paulie, I enjoyed that. What did he mean about dinner BTW? Sorry if it's obvious and I'm being thick.
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no ta, just had some dinner.
Cheers for the offer though.
Nice one.
Enjoy your summer, I've banned you.
Should have left it how it was paulie, I enjoyed that. What did he mean about dinner BTW? Sorry if it's obvious and I'm being thick.
I thought it was a bit over the top, but you're right, it was probably better.
I've no idea what he meant, to be honest, but since they got promoted, their vaguely patronising shtick on here every time we play them has got right on my tits.
Coming on here accusing people of being Sky Sports types and "snobs" is only going to end in one way.
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I thought you were better than posting that crap Bunny! Someone nicked your laptop?
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An Honourable mention for The Villa Tavern today also, who made a valiant effort for St Georges Day
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The problem with all this is that it gets portrayed as an attack on Stoke's style of play, when it largely isn't, it's about what is basically cheating and the most extensive level of gamesmanship I've seen in a long time.
How can only one player be allowed to take an age over throw ins, just because it's his 'special move'? I wanted to watch football, not someone towel themselves down for 2 hours. Throwing the ball into the crowd at corners - is that what it's come to? The worst thing is how bloody tedious the whole thing is. Thank god it's only once a season, how their fans put up with that every week is beyond me, I'd rather go shopping.
Why a team with Whelan, Etherington, Jones and Fuller in it has to rely on throw ins is beyond me anyway. Hardly a bunch of honest no-hopers is it.
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Bunny has a point though. Rather than blame them for today, we should be looking a lot closer to home. That was the first point they've picked up away since Boxing Day so other teams have successfully managed to overcome their tactics. Oh.. and we had two shots on target all game, one obviously being the goal.
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Pulis should be ashamed of himself. Cock
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crap performance especially given the circumstances - expected a bit more effort. A point is welcome i guess but a big fat meh really
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Pulis should be ashamed of himself. Cock
What for,the cap or his teams tactics,or both?
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I had a couple of pints with Bad English before the game, then didn't go. It was excellent.
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What an awful excuse for a football match that was.
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The one thing that made me angry today about our performance is that we kept giving Delap throw in opportunities 18 yards and in from our goal. Why encourage it? I'd rather we punted the ball into their half every time than kick it into touch. It's asking for trouble. Sometimes we really are our own worst enemies.
The overall display for me was more non descript than poor. It was like we just couldn't get going, and the urgency of last week didn't need to be there anymore because we knew we were essentially safe. The GH problems probably deflated everyone heading into the game, so the performance ended up being flat. I'm optimistic about our away games now more than our home ones because I think we are a lot more relaxed and confident on the break. You watch. We'll win next week, and then have another scrappy home draw against Wigan.
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Pulis should be ashamed of himself. Cock
What for,the cap or his teams tactics,or both?
The cap I can live with, the way they "play" NO
Just seen Gary Mc's post match interview, very impressed, seems a very composed bloke
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Bunny has a point though. Rather than blame them for today, we should be looking a lot closer to home. That was the first point they've picked up away since Boxing Day so other teams have successfully managed to overcome their tactics. Oh.. and we had two shots on target all game, one obviously being the goal.
You're right Mark. We knew what was coming and didn't manage to find a brand of football to break their defence.
Dunne, Collins and Friedel have proved vulnerable to the high ball all season and today was no different. As said elsewhere, when we stopped hoofing the ball to Heskey, and started playing on the ground, we looked a litle more dangerous.
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I think the heat was a factor today for us, plus Ash had arguably his poorest game of the season
Drifted left to right to centre but couldnt get into the game
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So who is responsible for the tactics?
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The overall display for me was more non descript than poor. It was like we just couldn't get going, and the urgency of last week didn't need to be there anymore because we knew we were essentially safe. The GH problems probably deflated everyone heading into the game, so the performance ended up being flat. I'm optimistic about our away games now more than our home ones because I think we are a lot more relaxed and confident on the break. You watch. We'll win next week, and then have another scrappy home draw against Wigan.
More than anything, I think we miss somebody that can drive the team, help us step up a level when we need to. Milner could do it, Barry before him. Ashley tries, god bless him but he ends up over doing it and driving us into a cul.de-sac. When thinks go stale, there really is a lack of leadership and inspiration on the pitch.
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It's a long time since I've seen an away side time wasting to that level at Villa Park !
Perhaps we should take it as a compliment of sorts
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posted wrong thread it was that boring.............
both teams content with a point after Bent scored -
how predictable they would score against our defence from throw in ?
pathetic away following even allowing for their upcoming trip toWembley
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I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.
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hate to admit it, but seems that football snobbery has now reached Villa Park.
Defied belief that Stoke are seen as the villains today, when for 45 minutes only one team was really in it. This 6 days after the players flogged themselves to a standstill at Wembley.
I thought some of you were better than that to be honest.
Look at your own failings before hurling sh** at us, as honest a bunch of players as you can get. Last weekend showed the way that our team has evolved. Like yourselves, we are one of the few clubs to play 2 out and out wingers and 2 up front.
Sorry we didn't bend over for you, but we're Stoke City, we'll play as we want and are still in a relegation battle.
Some need to grow up on here, bin SKY Sports off and remember you're watching the working man's ballet.
Rant aside - hello to all Villans and have a good summer.
I'm a big believer in playing to your strengths and doing what you need to do to win the match. Doesn't mean I have to like the hoof and run, timewasting tactics though.
Your posts are usually well reasoned and thought out. This defensive post suggests that you know we are right.
As it happens, I do agree, to some extent, that it was our fault we didn't win as we weren't good enough to break you down.
Horrible game of football. The worst i've seen this year at our place. Wish i'd stayed in Brindley Place, supping pints in the sun.
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I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.
Has VillaSubmariner been banned lol
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I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.
Has VillaSubmariner been banned lol
Ha Ha.
You break me up, CI.
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I hope Man City slam 10 past them at Wembley....they are a vile, niggly, 1 dimensional excuse for a team that were there for the taking if anyone other than Bent was prepared to SHOOOOT FFS!!!
Foy was equally a disgrace, pathetic that he didn't clamp down on begovic
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I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.
Has VillaSubmariner been banned lol
Normally I'd come in and call you a ****** now, but it's my birthday so I'll let you off.
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Let me just state clearly I have no problem with how Stoke play. Pullis has developed a system that works for them and as a club they have moved forwards. The problem for US with it is we're not a good enough side to stop them imposing their game. Rarely do Stoke casuse problems away from home at the top 6 clubs so much that the result is ever in jeopardy.
In terms of our own players, Friedal showed the two sides to his ability. Good shot stopper, and still good reflexes for his age, sadly he isn't imposing enough and Stoke targetted this. They also utilised the fact that Chris Foy hadn't got the bollocks to pull them up for anything. Their keeper had been time wasting from 25 minutes, yet got booked on 84 minutes - a no risk decision. In the first half mini series of throw ins and corners Shawcross' job was to block Friedal from coming for the ball, what Brad should have done was cleared the twat out, the ref wouldn't have given it against the keeper, they rarely do.
Dunne and Collins worry me lots, Dunne I think has gone, but Collins ranges from excellent to abysmal in the same half of a game. Young L done well at LB but everytime he came inside when going forward he narrowed the pitch, thus making it easier for Grappler Huth and Shawcross. Kyle Walker was good I thought.
The Delap substitution I thought enabled us the opportunity to bring Gabby on, I think Heskey would have stayed on the pitch if Delap had.
In the middle of the pitch Petrov and Reo-Coker done what they do, NRC runs around a lot and invarioubly gives it away again and Petrov runs out of legs on 65 minutes before getting his 2nd win around 80 minutes. Ash and Downing were outnumbered, Stoke knew our threat was wide and doen their homework on them.
Heskey I though defended well when he had too, which says enough about our performance that we talk about his defensive responsibilities and have nothing to say about him in the other 3rd of the pitch.
We need a central midfield player that can go past a player, that can craft a pass for Bent's outstanding runs. i'm unsure whether Makoun will ever be that player and as for Michael Bradley was he on the bench today? Maybe Bannon is that man? - but I only see him playing in a 3 in the middle rather than a 2.
Overall, we have a decent set of players, and a sound platform to build on for next season. I just hope that we have the correct infrastructure to move forward, otherwise beating Stoke at home will always be a struggle
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I was on my holibobs when we played them at their place this season and as i heard the result come through, i went on a bit of a rant about Stoke, namely complaining how long they took over throw ins. The mates i was with thought i was talking crap but i wish they'd both been there today.
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Happy Birthday VillaSub!! What are you doing on here, you saddo! Go and get p*ssed!!!
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Where's the suprise in all this? we are playing the exact same side less Bent that failed all last season to break defences down. We have two defensive midfielders with no guille whatsoever, thats not saying they didn't put the effort in they did but service to the forwards was abysmal.
Lay off Stoke a bit, each year they do well to stay in the Prem, they could try and play pretty football i suppose but they would get relegated very quickly.
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Happy Birthday VillaSub!! What are you doing on here, you saddo! Go and get p*ssed!!!
Cheers matey. I've had a meal tonight, but the main celebrations are going to be tomorrow when I see the rest of the family!
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Lay off Stoke a bit, each year they do well to stay in the Prem, they could try and play pretty football i suppose but they would get relegated very quickly.
But it's not even that, it's the MANNER in HOW they play.
Dirty tactics, dirty team, no skill, time wasting and just rely on long throw ins. It's digusting. The Premier League will be a much better place off without them, and I think I can speak for all the other teams in this league that we'd be glad to see the back of them.
Can't the FA just deduct them 10 points or something because their fans are racist skinhead scum and support the BNP?
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As bad as the team were, all their fans I spoke to today were decent.
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Lay off Stoke a bit, each year they do well to stay in the Prem, they could try and play pretty football i suppose but they would get relegated very quickly.
But it's not even that, it's the MANNER in HOW they play.
Dirty tactics, dirty team, no skill, time wasting and just rely on long throw ins. It's digusting. The Premier League will be a much better place off without them, and I think I can speak for all the other teams in this league that we'd be glad to see the back of them.
Can't the FA just deduct them 10 points or something because their fans are racist skinhead scum and support the BNP?
As Leeg has mentioned, the fans I've met in the past have been very decent. I'm sure they have their fair share of idiots, but so do all teams.
I'll agree with the manner of how they play though, it really is the definition of anti football.
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Another frustrating game.
Stoke play to their strengths and won a valuable point - albeit through long throws, time wasting etc
The worst bloke on the pitch was the ref - the time wasting started in the first half - and a stronger ref would have clamped down on it straight away, in the end the keeper was booked with 5 mins to go - what was the point of that ?
And by the stoke fans reaction they were every bit as frustrated with him.
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Where's the suprise in all this? we are playing the exact same side less Bent that failed all last season to break defences down. We have two defensive midfielders with no guille whatsoever, thats not saying they didn't put the effort in they did but service to the forwards was abysmal.
Unfortunately I agree. It is why we were pleasantly suprised at Bannan for example who could play the reverese/inside ball. We do need Petrov who protects the back four and ( help me here) I think our results with him in place prove this. But creatively we are poor.
Well said Robbo. check spelling for Guille. :)
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Was it me our for the 1st goal did the ref makes Downing move 20 yards back from the touchline allowing Delap a free throw with no chance of blocking it.
As it looked like Downing was not allowed to block the throw.
You have to be 2m away from the thrower, so you cant just stand right in front of him. I thought it was Ash!
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In the meantime I will check spelling for "reverse". Sorry.
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Add surprised to that!
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oh right. Can't thank you enough.
I will get you for that.... Just wait.
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After Gary McAllister had read the official matchday programme, and seen the respective teams listed on the reverse, he turned to Tony Pulis pre-match, outside the changing rooms, and burst into song:-
John Carew, Carew,
I thought there was one; there's two,
Is he playing for me or you?
John Carew, Carew.
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After Gary McAllister had read the official matchday programme, and seen the respective teams listed on the reverse, he turned to Tony Pulis pre-match, outside the changing rooms, and burst into song:-
John Carew, Carew,
I thought there was one; there's two,
Is he playing for me or you?
John Carew, Carew.
Line three correction:
Who's paying, me or you?
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I said 1-1 and didn't bet on it!! Bollocks. Not surprised I had the chance to go and I said no. I knew it would be shit. Oh well least blues hot battered.
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I said 1-1 and didn't bet on it!! Bollocks. Not surprised I had the chance to go and I said no. I knew it would be shit. Oh well least blues hot battered.
You fickle B. person.
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After Gary McAllister had read the official matchday programme, and seen the respective teams listed on the reverse, he turned to Tony Pulis pre-match, outside the changing rooms, and burst into song:-
John Carew, Carew,
I thought there was one; there's two,
Is he playing for me or you?
John Carew, Carew.
Line three correction:
Who's paying, me or you?
Good alternative, Simba.
Assuming you're in S.A., and not C.B., currently then note that he was listed in both squads, 10 for Villa and 22 for Stoke!
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In games like that, and there a few where teams successfully frustrate us, you need midfield players with the ability to go past players and run with the ball. That creates space and draws defenders out of the positions they want be in.
Petrov and Reo Coker can't do that and consequently we spend large parts of games going sideways across the pitch. Not sure that Makoun has that in his game either. Delph may have it but he hasn't had an opportunity yet.
A midfielder with that ability and pace is a priority in the summer to help improve our mediocre home record.
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Where's the suprise in all this? we are playing the exact same side less Bent that failed all last season to break defences down. We have two defensive midfielders with no guille whatsoever, thats not saying they didn't put the effort in they did but service to the forwards was abysmal.
Sorry about the spelling but after a rubbish nghts sleep and getting up at 5am to watch that i am excusing myself. That's what is so disappointing about the Houllier news, i really thought he might bring in the creative midfielders we have been waiting for.
Unfortunately I agree. It is why we were pleasantly suprised at Bannan for example who could play the reverese/inside ball. We do need Petrov who protects the back four and ( help me here) I think our results with him in place prove this. But creatively we are poor.
Well said Robbo. check spelling for Guille. :)
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Don't know what happened there i think i will retire to my bed.
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I was sat in the sun, reading the latest Bernie Gunther novel this afternoon (very good), sipping an ice cold drink when I realised it was time to get up and go to the match.
I honestly wish I hadn't bothered. What a horrible snooze fest that was.
Stoke City are such a vile, horrible side to watch, with their insistence on taking a couple of minutes for every throw in or free kick, and their time wasting from half way through the first half. I know they have a few decent players, like Etherington, but I don't buy this "they've changed" bollocks - they are exactly the same niggly, tedious anti-football car crash they always were. Unfortunately, they're exactly the sort of stubborn side we struggle to break down, and the result was predictable.
The first half, we were utterly awful, just wretched. The second half I thought we were much improved and played with a bit of zip, but over 90 minutes, bar the goal, I can't remember another shot on goal from us. Having said that, I'd have taken a point before kick off, so can't grumble at the result.
Dunne and Collins reminded me why we need to move them both on in the summer.
Brad's save early on was brilliant, but then in that flurry of corners he reminded me of why we need to move him on, too, plenty of flapping and indecision from him.
Walker did very well today, I thought.
Heskey lumbered around and didn't do much.
Downing I thought was our best player, and I really didn't understand why he was taken off.
Petrov - did very well, looked composed and in control.
Darren Bent - honestly, what can you say about this guy? Barely got a sniff of the ball all day, but what a superbly taken goal that was.
Except for the Gunther reference, exactly what I saw, can't really add much else.
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eh ? Petrov was superb again today, why knock him for the hell of it
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I had a couple of pints with Bad English before the game, then didn't go. It was excellent.
Bastard.
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Also, the bells thing, mmmm, perhaps stop that
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Quote of the day...
After 7 minutes the twat behind me says ' downing has been a bit inconsistent today'
I'm sure he sits there to piss me off. Although Downing didn't have his best performance today and he should have had a few more shots, the guy is a complete idiot and chats a load of rhubarb.
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After having had time to reflect.... Stoke City are a shameful football team, with shameful tactics, and are much, much worse than anything Allardyce ever put out at Blackburn or Bolton. Horrible to watch, horrible players, horrible manager, and a fecking blight on the english game. Their fans sang well, but christ alive they must hate watching it week in week out. It is like a rugby team, constantly playing percentage balls.
Secondly, Chris Foy - spineless idiot, yet another hideous ref - and IMO badly influenced by Pulis having had a pop at him twice this season. The amount of free kicks he did not give us, yet gave them similar was barking, and the time waster Begovic should have been sent by half time, cheating scroats. I am not renewing for financial reasons next season, and I sure won't miss watching Stoke play at VP. I hope Man City hammer them at Wembley.
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... the main celebrations are going to be tomorrow when I see the rest of the family!
all of them?
many happy returns VillaSub
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What an absolutely bloody dreadful game of football. After watching ManUre v Everton earlier on it brought it home to me what an enormous gulf exists between them and us. What are we doing here?
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Quote of the day...
After 7 minutes the twat behind me says ' downing has been a bit inconsistent today'
I'll try and beat that - the two old miserable ***** behind me who spent the whole game moaning, whining and swearing in the ears of a five year old - one shouted..
"F*ck off to Man Utd Young you c**t - we'll have 35 million and a reduction in the season ticket price".
ROW S - Lower Witton 200 - 201 - the club doesn't need aresholes like you.
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Quote of the day...
After 7 minutes the twat behind me says ' downing has been a bit inconsistent today'
I'll try and beat that - the two old miserable ***** behind me who spent the whole game moaning, whining and swearing in the ears of a five year old - one shouted..
"F*ck off to Man Utd Young you c**t - we'll have 35 million and a reduction in the season ticket price".
ROW S - Lower Witton 200 - 201 - the club doesn't need aresholes like you.
Have a similar jerk in the Lower North - slagging Young and was singing a version of the Gabby song....he`s fat as ****.
He was slung out at the Newcastle game - toss pot
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Take his throw ins out of his game and Rory Delap really is shit.
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Take his throw ins out of his game and Rory Delap really is shit.
He hasn't got anywhere the Republic of Ireland team in years and they're shocking to watch. Not one decent midfielder in the squad.
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First trip to B6 for a while and what a sterile pile of poo that was.Two reasons for optimism being Bent`s header and Downing.Best player on the pitch before his exit after which we died as an attacking threat.
On Stoke`s "tactics" a Stokie got quite irate on the train back to Brum after hearing all the Villa fans moans about them.He was quitened down with the reasons why people dislike their football-the timewasting,the barely legal tackles and shirt-pulls,Pulis and the "infamy,they`ve all got it infamy" attitude.
We`ll play how we want will you?Sounds like the Premiership Millwall.
Bigup to select-a-seat,great move.Wish there was a facility for debit cards at refreshment bars.Forgot to go to ATM before and was dying for a warm £3 lager.
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Stoke are a vile, vile team.
The Premiership would be a much better place without their shit football.
We didn't come out of the blocks very well.
Downing was wasted on the right, they knew he would have to keep cutting inside and they had two Stoke players shadowing him to negate it.
McAllister then brings Albrighton on and ends up on the opposite side too.
Good performaces from Brad, L Young, NRC and Walker.
Good goal and work from Bent, Heskey doesn't quite look 100% fit at the moment.
Dunne was easily bullied away by Jones for their goal.
We need to learn how to break down these anti-football, negative teams.
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Brad made a couple of great reflex saves but should he not have been coming out and catching some of Delaps throws ??
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It was a dreadful, boring game. I think I would have been tempted to leave at half-time if I hadn't brought guest with me. Stoke are desperate for points and if it takes dogged defensive displays to get that they're entitled to try, it certainly isn't their job to help us play our game. That they got their first point from their last 8 away games says as much about us as it does about them.
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As an aside, did Chris Foy leave the centre circle all game? He reffed the game like a school PE teacher.
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Amazing to think that they'll probably be playing in Europe next year. If Stewke and Birmingham are playing away at the same time, I'm all for closing the borders and not letting the bastards back in.
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As an aside, did Chris Foy leave the centre circle all game? He reffed the game like a school PE teacher.
He was rubbish really. He played safe yesterday, got the easy decisons right, but for anything else, he did'nt seem to want to know.
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Stoke play the most ghastly football imaginable, last seen when Wimbledon frequented the top division.
In fact, I think Wimbledon were marginally more skilful and at least they had some characters to go with it
It's a real shame as I could get to like Stoke otherwise - as it is, it is impossible when they play the way they do
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A terrible game indeed. I was on the piss straight after the game and thank Christ because it would have drove me to drink in any case.
I love Villa no matter what but if we played football like Stoke I would probably not go and watch.
A horrible side and unfortunately another shite team of officials allowed them to punt their turgid wares with impunity.
"Shit refs. We always get shit refs, we always get shit refs..."
A real pity we couldnt put them to the sword but we were sloppy and ponderous at times when a bit more sharpness would have paid off.
Too much ambling up to the half way line and then punting it up to Heskey in the first half. Their big donkeys were geared for this. Also very galling to concede from one of those bollocks throws that havent been working for them this season.
We completely bossed the second half, Walker was very good, as was Luke Young. Bent is a godsend. The first chance he gets, he scores and what a header.
Downing, well it didnt really come off for him today and Albrighton was almost trying too hard. Ashley Young looked a bit subdued.
Reo Coker (especially) and Petrov did well but we could have used Delph (who I'm amazed doesnt make the bench) or Makoun at some point to move the ball quickly. Stoke wouldnt have liked that or been able to deal with it I think.
Gabby should have started but certainly come on before he did.
So yet again a very poor side has mugged us off for a point. I wish their fans well and have no love for Man City but that team will stink up the FA Cup final.
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I did enjoy the "if Heskey scores, we're on the piss" chants from the lower North ;D
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We need to learn how to break down these anti-football, negative teams.
We have been saying this for 5 seasons
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I love Villa no matter what but if we played football like Stoke I would probably not go and watch.
Exactly what I said to mate during the game.
How the hell do they stomach watching that shit every week?
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We need to learn how to break down these anti-football, negative teams.
We have been saying this for 5 seasons
We've been saying it since 1874
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Chris Foy was lazy. That is the best thing I can say for him.
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It wasn't the best game I just knew Stoke would spoil it for us.
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I would not go if I had to watch that Stoke team every week. Assembled to kick teams, bully teams, and play percentage to get throw ins for one of the worst players in arguably the top 2 divisions to launch a throw. Foy then let them take half an hour to arrange themselves at each throw, giving them the initiative every time. They are the anti christ of all football. Wimbledon were twice the side in their pomop. Hell Stoke make Fashanu, Ekoko, Holdsworth and Robbie Earle look like a quartet from the Brazil 1970 team. Still pissed off that I spent 97 minutes of my life watching that yesterday. Horrible.
As for Villa, Young was shite all game, this happens, but GMac should have taken him off and not Downing, or moved Downing inside for one of the 2 centre mids and bought Albrighton on. The wholew side lacked a creative edge, and the central 2 were never troubled by Stoke, who bypassed their midfield for 96 of the 97 minutes.
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We need to learn how to break down these anti-football, negative teams.
We have been saying this for 5 seasons me you somehow knew that Everton will not be able to
This happens when you can keep that intense press going. That means keeping possession and moving forward. United did that against Everton yesterday. Watching the last 10 mins of that game you knew that Everton will not be able to hold on. The pressure was enormous and it all came from United players hurrying everything no time to rest for Everton defence and finally they made a mistake. We need better players to keep hold of the ball and we need to increase the intensity of our play by many folds. YES easy I know!!
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Stoke are cheats, far from the honest bunch that their fans would have you believe. Add in a referee too cowardly to try to do anything about it and any chance of a decent game of football goes out of the window. If everyone played like them football would die as a spectator sport. It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
We've struggled against direct physical sides for as long as I can remember so it was no surprise yesterday.
Pulis is the world's oldest chav, as the Libertines sang "There are fewer more distressing sights than that
of an Englishman in a baseball cap". (I know he's Welsh but it still applies)
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I might go just for the fun of watching other teams panic at throw ins.
However they are not very successful with their methods. Yesterday they had 38 points and with one or two bad results could be right in there.
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The worst thing about Stoke's style is just how damn slow it is. At least Watford played the game at a million miles an hour, the whole thing this kind of mad free-for-all. Stoke just get the ball at the back, look up for a bit, then slowly loft it as far as they can. It is the worst thing you can imagine in football. And into that some of those tackles then, I'm sorry, every time a Sturkie says "we're just playing our football" I'll just remember how refs were lenient on Wimbledon because they were scared.
As for us we made the mistake of trying to play them on their terms - physical team so let's battle them, the argument goes. What actually happened was they were quite content to play that game, heading away the boofs to the pointless Heskey with ease. Why did Downing go off? If not for injury, it's inexplicable. I'd have rather had Makoun's passing in that game, and possibly Albrighton starting instead of Heskey, because his presence just played into Stoke's hands.
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No other player would be allowed to take as much time as that over a throw in, why should it be any different for Delap? It's ridiculous and yet another ref fell for it yesterday.
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What an awful team Stoke are, so who do I want to win the FA cup? NO ONE, not Man City who would have bought the cup or Stoke who would have stolen it.
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What an awful team Stoke are, so who do I want to win the FA cup? NO ONE, not Man City who would have bought the cup or Stoke who would have stolen it.
I have to say, that game really represents everything that's wrong with English football, or rather both of the most fundamental things wrong with English football.
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What a horrible, horrible game.
We could not beat a team who have lost their last 7, yes 7!!!, away matches.
GH has been trying to instill movement and passing into the team. Well yesterday showed that not one iota has sunk in. There was no movement, no moving off the ball, no quick moving of the ball, just predictable slow passing usually followed by a punt up field which was picked off by their centre backs, usually assisted by a shove in the back on our front two which went unpunished by Mr Foy.
I believe that teams should be allowed to play to their strengths and also be physical if they wish. But how the hell can a team put two players blocking the goalkeeper from trying to come out and collect a cross without being penalised is beyond me. Unfortunately I think Brad is too nice and didn't clean them out, just like Robinson did on Baker when we played Rovers. If Brad had done that at the start and smacked one of them then Foy would have had to take action.
To me there were too many players yesterday who were thinking to themselves that GH won't be here next season, I probably won't be either, we are safe, so why bother.
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Stoke are cheats, far from the honest bunch that their fans would have you believe. Add in a referee too cowardly to try to do anything about it and any chance of a decent game of football goes out of the window. If everyone played like them football would die as a spectator sport. It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
Couldn't agree more.
Dirty bastards and i'd love to see them relegated next season.
Foy was seemingly shit scared of them.
That Huth is a ****** as well.
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No other player would be allowed to take as much time as that over a throw in, why should it be any different for Delap? It's ridiculous and yet another ref fell for it yesterday.
It's like you're playing Rory Delap's Throw-In FC and because that's what you've come to see, he has to be given every advantage.
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Why was Bent giving the Potters the shush sign after he scored by the way? Seems unlike him.
Were they giving him grief?
I couldn't hear their small contingent from L8.
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No other player would be allowed to take as much time as that over a throw in, why should it be any different for Delap? It's ridiculous and yet another ref fell for it yesterday.
It's like you're playing Rory Delap's Throw-In FC and because that's what you've come to see, he has to be given every advantage.
Wasn't there a campaign on The General's thread to put advertising hoardings around the pitch to nullify the advantage for this game?
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Pulis is the world's oldest chav, as the Libertines sang "There are fewer more distressing sights than that
of an Englishman in a baseball cap". (I know he's Welsh but it still applies)
Oh, that's what that line says, I just used to mumble the first bit.
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Pires on the bench instead of Delph? - what a dumb choice! Gabby should've started ahead of Heskey! What's happened to Bradley? We need a creative midfielder - who can beat a player and create something! Still think we need 3 more points - Wigan? We've never beaten at Villa Park in the Prem I believe.
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Isn't Delph injured?
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I really don't give a shit with how Stoke play!
I DON'T like it one little bit and thank goodness I don't have to watch it every week but what does that matter. Ultimately the bottom line is that it is up to the Villa to counter those tactics and impose themselves on the game which they failed miserably to do and got dragged down to Stoke's level.
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Isn't Delph injured?
According to Mat Kendrick in the B'ham Mail Delph was passed fit on Friday after recovering from a groin injury - stupid decision to pick Pires ahead of him!
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i hate stoke... crap team, crap football, crap fans...
its a piss take that they can score from a fucking throw in...
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I really don't give a shit with how Stoke play!
I DON'T like it one little bit and thank goodness I don't have to watch it every week but what does that matter. Ultimately the bottom line is that it is up to the Villa to counter those tactics and impose themselves on the game which they failed miserably to do and got dragged down to Stoke's level.
yep. very poor performance from us. Still think Pullis' mind games beforehand with Carew were pretty dispicable given the circumstances. Even Ferguson wouldn't sink that low.
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its a piss take that they can score from a fucking throw in...
Its more of a piss take that we can't defend a f**king throw in!
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We need to learn how to break down these anti-football, negative teams.
We're incredibly predictable, Young on the left = put 2 defenders on him and let him play deep = no effect
Downing - Ditto on the right, but more effective as more skillful
Heskey - FFS, why ?
1 point - Prem football remains in B6 = relief !
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Gabby should've started ahead of Heskey!
I though Heskey was the correct choice, to negate their set pieces and to help Bent up front by holding the ball up whilst he get's kicked by their dirty bastards.
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its a piss take that they can score from a fucking throw in...
Its more of a piss take that we can't defend a f**king throw in!
We're not the only one's who have fell for it and we won't be the last.
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its a piss take that they can score from a fucking throw in...
Its more of a piss take that we can't defend a f**king throw in!
We're not the only one's who have fell for it and we won't be the last.
It would help if "ones who have fell for it" didn't include referees.
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It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
I agree, but on the other hand It'll be an even worse reflection if the 'Man City' moneybags approach produces a trophy. I'll be supporting Stoke in the final. (As much as I hate the cheatin' bastards)
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It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
I agree, but on the other hand It'll be an even worse reflection if the 'Man City' moneybags approach produces a trophy. I'll be supporting Stoke in the final. (As much as I hate the cheatin' bastards)
Man City for me.
They might be the new Chelsea, but at least they play the game in the right way.
It was bad enough that the League cup went to a team of cloggers.
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its a piss take that they can score from a fucking throw in...
Its more of a piss take that we can't defend a f**king throw in!
We're not the only one's who have fell for it and we won't be the last.
It would help if "ones who have fell for it" didn't include referees.
So very true.
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There are positives from the game that shouldn't be overlooked:
We came from behind to get something out of the game for the 2nd week running.
We didn't concede from a corner despite them having about 200 of them.
We didn't concede a last minute goal. (Stoke have scored more late goals than anyone in the league).
Bent scored again.
We didn't lose ground on the teams around us.
All in all I think we did ok.
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It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
I agree, but on the other hand It'll be an even worse reflection if the 'Man City' moneybags approach produces a trophy. I'll be supporting Stoke in the final. (As much as I hate the cheatin' bastards)
Another reason to dislike Stoke is that they've forced me to want Man City to win the cup. I think I'll find some jobs to do in the garden on that day.
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It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
I agree, but on the other hand It'll be an even worse reflection if the 'Man City' moneybags approach produces a trophy. I'll be supporting Stoke in the final. (As much as I hate the cheatin' bastards)
Another reason to dislike Stoke is that they've forced me to want Man City to win the cup. I think I'll find some jobs to do in the garden on that day.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
Before yesterday, Man City winning the cup was about as desirable as root canal surgery.
Having been reminded of the way Stoke "play" the game, them winning it is about as desirable as having all my teeth plucked out one by one.
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It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
I agree, but on the other hand It'll be an even worse reflection if the 'Man City' moneybags approach produces a trophy. I'll be supporting Stoke in the final. (As much as I hate the cheatin' bastards)
Another reason to dislike Stoke is that they've forced me to want Man City to win the cup. I think I'll find some jobs to do in the garden on that day.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
Before yesterday, Man City winning the cup was about as desirable as root canal surgery.
Having been reminded of the way Stoke "play" the game, them winning it is about as desirable as having all my teeth plucked out one by one.
My take on it as well.
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I said the same thing as you Chris. I hope Man City smash them for the sake of football.
Christ but there will be some bloody awful teams in Europe nex season; SHA and Stoke. Vomit.
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It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
I agree, but on the other hand It'll be an even worse reflection if the 'Man City' moneybags approach produces a trophy. I'll be supporting Stoke in the final. (As much as I hate the cheatin' bastards)
Another reason to dislike Stoke is that they've forced me to want Man City to win the cup. I think I'll find some jobs to do in the garden on that day.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
Before yesterday, Man City winning the cup was about as desirable as root canal surgery.
Having been reminded of the way Stoke "play" the game, them winning it is about as desirable as having all my teeth plucked out one by one.
As true as it is that they play awful football, I'd rather see them win the cup than Man City. I 'd like to delay the inevitable as long as possible, City will win trophies with there trillions, but the longer it takes the better.
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Why on earth would you want anything to vindicate that style of football?
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Shite football really is taking over when the two domestic cup winners are likely to be Stoke and Birmingham.
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Why on earth would you want anything to vindicate that style of football?
To show that you cannot buy success?
To ensure that Custard Pants has a miserable trip to Wembley?
To piss off all the plastics that have started following Man City now that they have money?
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Why was Bent giving the Potters the shush sign after he scored by the way? Seems unlike him.
Were they giving him grief?
I couldn't hear their small contingent from L8.
I didn't hear them have a go at him, strange one
Maybe he was just pissed off with their awful shouty out of tune songs as we all were
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Why on earth would you want anything to vindicate that style of football?
Why on earth would you want to "vindicate" the soulless, arrogant, nouveau riche Manchester City winning it? I've never subscribed to the innocent, loveable, hard done by, everybody's second team bollocks that is often associated with them and since the oil money rolled in they've become even more arrogant than they were before.
Tony Pulis has done a great job at Stoke on a modest (ish) budget and I wish them well against Mancini and his ridiculously overpriced/overhyped mercenary's.
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Yes, Stoke represent the anti-football, but they always do the same action on the set piece, and it's incredible how a player that should be experienced like Dunne left Kenwight Jones substantially free to head home.
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Yes, Stoke represent the anti-football, but they always do the same action on the set piece, and it's incredible how a player that should be experienced like Dunne left Kenwight Jones substantially free to head home.
That's unfair. Stoke have scored many, many goals like that over the last few years against better teams than us and I'm sure they will continue to do so. I thought our defence coped pretty well with their aerial threat yesterday, especially considering how poor we have been in other games this season at defending corners.
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I would like to win the FA Cup playing shite football.
I will not watch Stoke every week but I do hope they win the Cup whilst Jimmy is sat on the bench watching them do so.
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Shite football really is taking over when the two domestic cup winners are likely to be Stoke and Birmingham.
Interesting point
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I hope they absolutely annihilate Man City with throw in after throw in, followed by set piece after set piece.
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Yes, Stoke represent the anti-football, but they always do the same action on the set piece, and it's incredible how a player that should be experienced like Dunne left Kenwight Jones substantially free to head home.
That's unfair. Stoke have scored many, many goals like that over the last few years against better teams than us and I'm sure they will continue to do so. I thought our defence coped pretty well with their aerial threat yesterday, especially considering how poor we have been in other games this season at defending corners.
No they have not scored that many. Statistically throw ins have produced far less goals for them than corners, free kicks or other methods.
We were absolute garbage at defending that and as Archie said Dunne was asleep. Only complete muppet defenders have fallen for the throw in method and Arsenal amongst the top teams's.
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It will be a sad reflection on the game if that approach produces a trophy.
I agree, but on the other hand It'll be an even worse reflection if the 'Man City' moneybags approach produces a trophy. I'll be supporting Stoke in the final. (As much as I hate the cheatin' bastards)
Another reason to dislike Stoke is that they've forced me to want Man City to win the cup. I think I'll find some jobs to do in the garden on that day.
Good idea and if you have trouble finding any jobs in your's I can help. There are a few in mine.
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Thanks for the offer, aftab, but I always have my favourite garden job to fall back on - sitting in a deck chair, drinking beer and thinking about what needs doing.
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I said the same thing as you Chris. I hope Man City smash them for the sake of football.
Christ but there will be some bloody awful teams in Europe nex season; SHA and Stoke. Vomit.
Just imagine what the foreign refs are going to make of their "blocking" tactics. There will be pandemonium the first time they do it ............followed by a free kick every time - IMO.
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Apparently Blackpool are in with a chance of qualifying for Europe too through the Fair Play league. What a shower of shite.
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Why on earth would you want anything to vindicate that style of football?
To show that you cannot buy success?
But it does and history shows it.
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Why on earth would you want anything to vindicate that style of football?
Why on earth would you want to "vindicate" the soulless, arrogant, nouveau riche Manchester City winning it? I've never subscribed to the innocent, loveable, hard done by, everybody's second team bollocks that is often associated with them and since the oil money rolled in they've become even more arrogant than they were before.
Tony Pulis has done a great job at Stoke on a modest (ish) budget and I wish them well against Mancini and his ridiculously overpriced/overhyped mercenary's.
I don't like Man City, but that has nothing to do with their money. Big spending clubs are always winning things. In the 60's, Liverpool came into the cash and the rest is history.
I would sooner a football team win the Cup that the poorest excuse of a side to grace the top flight since Wimbeldon.
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You cant defend them now, I think Stoke have got worse, they've become a horrible parody of themselves, whilst they had the time to consolidate in the PL and adapt a better style of football
They haven't done that and the whole Delap throw thing, time wasting, fouling is just the ugliest thing I've seen in football for a very long time, to think we paid £38 to watch that shit yesterday is annoying
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Why on earth would you want anything to vindicate that style of football?
To show that you cannot buy success?
But it does and history shows it.
Of course, then again, how many European Cups have Chelsea won with Abramovich's millions?
And in response to the Wimbledon comment, I applaud any club that can make it from non league football to winning the FA Cup in 10 years, that is what football used to be all about. Not any more. I'd sooner see a club like Wimbledon battling their way up through the divisions on nothing but team spirit than Man City spending obscene amounts of money to buy success and making it impossible for clubs even as big as us to compete.
I hope Stoke stuff them at Wembley.
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You cant defend them now, I think Stoke have got worse, they've become a horrible parody of themselves, whilst they had the time to consolidate in the PL and adapt a better style of football
They haven't done that and the whole Delap throw thing, time wasting, fouling is just the ugliest thing I've seen in football for a very long time, to think we paid £38 to watch that shit yesterday is annoying
They looked like a different team against Bolton and played some decent stuff.
I really cannot understand some of the snobbery on here. It's not like we are Barcelona or anything like that. In all honesty I don't give a shit about how opposition teams play. I care about how we play and our job is to cope with Stoke's style of play and in that we failled. I find it especially bizarre when the same people criticising Stoke's direct style are the ones who complain about us playing 'tippy tappy' football.
What I understand less than the snobbery is the fact that anyone would want Man City to win anything. I want them to finish fifth, lose the FA cup final, sack Mancini, bring in more expensive players and go through another season of transition hopefully winning fuck all again.
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Why on earth would you want anything to vindicate that style of football?
To show that you cannot buy success?
But it does and history shows it.
Of course, then again, how many European Cups have Chelsea won with Abramovich's millions?
And in response to the Wimbledon comment, I applaud any club that can make it from non league football to winning the FA Cup in 10 years, that is what football used to be all about. Not any more. I'd sooner see a club like Wimbledon battling their way up through the divisions on nothing but team spirit than Man City spending obscene amounts of money to buy success and making it impossible for clubs even as big as us to compete.
I hope Stoke stuff them at Wembley.
Chelsea have won 0. However, Liverpool and Man United have a collective 8 off the back of their wealth and nigh on 40 domestic titles between them.
Football and Stoke do not belong in the same sentence and I shudder to think that the way they play may be rewarded by a trophy, let alone the Cup.
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You cant defend them now, I think Stoke have got worse, they've become a horrible parody of themselves, whilst they had the time to consolidate in the PL and adapt a better style of football
They haven't done that and the whole Delap throw thing, time wasting, fouling is just the ugliest thing I've seen in football for a very long time, to think we paid £38 to watch that shit yesterday is annoying
They looked like a different team against Bolton and played some decent stuff.
I really cannot understand some of the snobbery on here. It's not like we are Barcelona or anything like that. In all honesty I don't give a shit about how opposition teams play. I care about how we play and our job is to cope with Stoke's style of play and in that we failled. I find it especially bizarre when the same people criticising Stoke's direct style are the ones who complain about us playing 'tippy tappy' football.
What I understand less than the snobbery is the fact that anyone would want Man City to win anything. I want them to finish fifth, lose the FA cup final, sack Mancini, bring in more expensive players and go through another season of transition hopefully winning fuck all again.
Its got nothing to do with snobbery. We pay to be entertained and that’s by no means a guarantee, however, some of the very worst games we’ve played over the past few seasons have been against Stoke.
Nobody is arguing over their legitimacy to play the way they do or whether or not it as an effective style. People do contest the fact that they’re bloody awful and boring to watch. You don’t have to play the way Barcelona do to be in a position to criticise Stoke’s bastard form of the game.
As for wanting Man City to win; I don't thin anybody wants them to win anything, they are however the lesser of two evils. Its a bit like being asked which nut would you like to be kicked in. I hope Stoke evolve or failing that, go down.
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Football and Stoke do not belong in the same sentence and I shudder to think that the way they play may be rewarded by a trophy, let alone the Cup.
Be that as it may, the fact is they beat Bolton 5-0 last week, the same Bolton that have just beaten Arsenal. On their day, they're not a bad side. Yesterday they came to close us down and hopefully sneak one from a set piece/throw in. It may not have been pretty, infact it was damn ugly at times but when you're floating around the relegation zone, a point at Villa Park is a great result even if you don't make too many friends.
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I don't like the way they play, but what I don't begrudge is their ability to use their resources to their advantage. They came away from VP with a valuable point in what has been a wretched season for them away from home. For them they got what they came for. It was our job as the home team to find a way to beat them, just as many other teams have managed to do against them this season. I agree that refs are far too lenient towards their "tactics" mind you, especially the whole thrown in thing, but if it's being allowed we need to cope and find a way to win.
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To those who say they couldn't watch stoke every week - did you happen to see them beat Bolton 5-0 in the FA cup semi 6 days beforehand? There was bound to be a comedown after that & they obviously came for a point. More fool us for not being able to combat it. Let's not get too much like Arsenal fans, eh?
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To those who say they couldn't watch stoke every week - did you happen to see them beat Bolton 5-0 in the FA cup semi 6 days beforehand? There was bound to be a comedown after that & they obviously came for a point. More fool us for not being able to combat it. Let's not get too much like Arsenal fans, eh?
Yes, Bolton were shit. Stoke didn't have to anything special as the game was gifted to them.
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The annoying thing about Stoke is that they have (or did have) the players to play a decent style of football. (Etherington, Pennant, Tuncay etc)
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The annoying thing about Stoke is that they have (or did have) the players to play a decent style of football. (Etherington, Pennant, Tuncay etc)
When they took off Etherington for that clogger Whitehead, I couldnt beleive my eyes.
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To those who say they couldn't watch stoke every week - did you happen to see them beat Bolton 5-0 in the FA cup semi 6 days beforehand? There was bound to be a comedown after that & they obviously came for a point. More fool us for not being able to combat it. Let's not get too much like Arsenal fans, eh?
Yes, Bolton were shit. Stoke didn't have to anything special as the game was gifted to them.
Come off it, they scored 5 goals in a Wembley semi final - that takes some doing, whatever the opposition. Plus another 3 last night. I'm not saying they're Barcelona, just that they might have seen our game as a good point & moved on to the next 'winnable' one.