Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on February 04, 2012, 06:37:33 PM
-
Available Sunday evening.
-
Shocking second half, shocking choice of substitutions. One day we might be able to play for 90 minutes not 45. Positive player was Keane, unfortunately his speed of thought and awareness is way ahead of the rest of the team.
-
You need to take the blame for that Mccleish. Taking off Nzogbia,cutting of our threat on the left.Heskey offers absolutely nothing. You can only blame yourself.
-
That throw in at the end. A disgrace.
-
Get the feeling we chucked that away with some bizarre substitutions. Did Heskey really offer more than Zog?
-
We nearly got a point, not a bad result for an Alex McLeish side.
-
Played well in the first half and moderately in the second. Taking Ireland off and N'Zog killed us. You cannot hope to get points if you consistently concede 2 goals. Bringing Heskey on was fucking ridiculous and he did nothing, and Gardner made a really positive impact and should have been on much earlier.
-
Unless Ireland was injured AM got that badly wrong. Badly.
-
I don't get a number of things:
1 - we can pass the ball. We've all seen the players do it. So why do they choose not to do it so often in a match? We created loads of chances when we pass the ball and we look a good side.
2 - Heskey? Just when it looked like AM is starting to make progress, he makes that substitution. Bizarre.
3 - the defence. Fucking awful. Really fucking awful.
4 - repeat of number 1. We can pass the ball and look good when doing it. Let's do it all the time and we'll eventually get the results.
-
Well that shows just how limited our squad is these days. NO options, highlighted by Warnock staying on the field, and Heskey coming on. Major revamp needed.
-
AM seems like a nice bloke but should be sacked and replaced by Ronald McDonald
-
Not sure if Ireland was injured he wasnt playing great but was certainly a miss when he went off.Heskey did ok to be fair but still think it was a bad sub.
8 points from Safety..let's hope it is enough
-
Weird substitutions lost us that game. What possible value does AM think Heskey has over N'Zogbia. Beggars belief.
What is Ireland supposed to have said?
-
why did we decide after 65 mins that we no longer wanted to win the game ?
-
Completely mcleishs fault. For the first time I have no defence. When we became overrun in mf and it was totally obvious he brings onheskey and leaves us to rot. Absolutely inexplicable
-
If you conceed atleast two goals every game then your gonna lose more than you win.
-
Warnock is a car crash, Dunne fuck off you big donkey and taking off NZogbia was a very poor decision. How these defenders are starting games is a joke. Cuellar and Clarke at the back next game please. Collins and Dunne can sell the hot dogs outside the ground the useless twats.
-
McLeish is too comfortable in his job. I didn't like the way he kept sitting on the bench when we were losing at Arsenal. It's like he's under no pressure.
I'd like the board to call him in on Monday. Point out that our average attendances are gash, that playing for draws at places like Spurs and Newcastle is unacceptable and that Villa Park needs to become a fortress again. They need to put him under pressure to start delivering with what he has.
Those subs were pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
-
why did we decide after 65 mins that we no longer wanted to win the game ?
That can only be down to the manager, in my opinion.
-
Does Heskey have a clause in his contract where he has to play when 100% fit?
Comical at the back again.
-
How were we ever supposed to win with no wingers on the pitch?!
Heskey for N'ogbia are you off your rocker McLeish? I am absolutely livid. How are we ever supposed to get Darren service from out wide with Ireland, Heskey and Bannan as our wingers. Shockingly bad decisions by McLeish. I don't get it. I just don't see what any manager sees in Emile Heskey, he is absolute dog shit. If he was just throwing him in there to win headers and "hold up the ball" at the expense of losing entire attack down the left flank that he is an absolute moron.
I thought we could have and should have gotten a point. Hutton wasn't awful and Warnock (even though he played hard) made some pretty awful mistakes to cost us possession.
WAY TOO MUCH HOOFBALL TODAY. Sort it out McLeish, we should be able to control a midfield missing 3 (or 4) of its top contributors. Our offense simply cannot adjust.
-
We are so in-effective. Some nice moves, but too rare these happen, most the time we look scared to pass the ball.
Clark is so slow, can we sart Gardner next match, he was the best sub....I agree re eskey, what's the point???
-
Really good first half really poor for much of the second. Bad substitutions, especially Heskey
Fancied Bent to score today, but he was very poor. Shocking that a £24m player can have such a bad touch really.
Gardner should have scored. Imposed himself well, but that was a great chance and he completely fluffed it. Unlucky with the header, but didn't really seem to get proper contact on it?
Bannan is frustrating. Gives the ball away too much, but his delivery into the box was excellent
Keane didn't really do anything in the second half but was still our best player by a mile
Dunne is very good for 95% of the time, but keeps on making mistakes.
Given literally didn't have a save to make
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
-
Reasonably good display from the MF / attacking players; let down badly by indivdual and collective errors at the back, along with poor distribution from the defence. Bent is not going to thrive with the sort of lumping passes we saw today.
Having said that, we created a number of chances and put NU under some pressure at the end but not good enough when your defence is so porous.
McL showed lots of passion but I think his tactical nous in the end was found wanting. GG is clearly a player that can be trusted and makes a difference when on the field; time to give him more gameplay. I don't really understand bringing on Emile - he's off at the end of the season and his deployment is merely stunting the development of the younger players.
Clark looks like he needs a rest from MF: when is Herd available?
-
Thought Krul was the deciding factor today, we would've won this if not for him.
-
Cueller is still our best defender. Nothing i have seen the last few games changes my view on this.
-
AM let us down today, He should of brought on GG instead og Heskey.
The most worrying thing for me to the end of the season is that we have to score 2 goals a game just to get a win or draw.
-
Take out the FA cup game and we have conceded an average of exactly 2 goals a game in 2012. If you have to rely on scoring 3 goals to win games, with an occasionally-functioning attack, well then you're in the shit.
-
If you conceed atleast two goals every game then your gonna lose more than you win.
Especially if you can only score 29 goals in 24 games.
-
Does Heskey have a clause in his contract where he has to play when 100% fit?
Comical at the back again.
I know he's an easy target,but Emile must have a portfolio of photos of managers in uncompromising situations,that the only way he continues to get games.
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
Because the bad bits cost us the game. They outweigh the good and the result is all that matters.
-
Thought Krul was the deciding factor today, we would've won this if not for him.
That's true but we also would have won if we hadn't shipped 2 goals again. Only ourselves to blame.
-
I said at the time that we would be the architects of our own downfall and so it proved. Giving the ball away as much as we do will only let you get away with it for so long. Irrespective of who we have on the bench or on the pitch we give the ball away. It is literally killing us.
-
Tactic = 66 mins - bring on Heskey, take draw.
Losing Ireland had an impact, but Gardener should have been brought on for him, or at least for N'zogbia. The bringing on of Heskey on 66 mins sent out a negative message to everyone within the ground, as the tactic purely was: bring on Heskey = take draw.
With citeh at home next week as well, we will no doubt drop points again.
There was an article in the Mail on Friday citing the manager as saying that he doesn't want the season just to be about survival. Well, what else will it be?
-
The root of our problems is the defence. A complete rebuild is required and some genuine talent needs to be brought in. The amount of times our defenders create needless problems for the whole team is beyond frustrating - is it down to coaching or they genuinely not up to it?
-
Yep another season of uncomfortable survival. And based on relying on 3 other teams not to get their shit together as well.
-
''Stephen Ireland apparently told the manager to 'f**k off' which resulted in him getting taken off at half time and Barry Bannan coming on. It is positive, if true, because players are now telling the manager what we all think and again, if true, it is a horrid signal to everyone associated with the club''
Could be bollocks who knows?
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
Because the bad bits cost us the game. They outweigh the good and the result is all that matters.
Exactly. The results at the end of the season don't read: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1 (but Villa had some good bits).
-
The root of our problems is the defence. A complete rebuild is required and some genuine talent needs to be brought in. The amount of times our defenders create needless problems for the whole team is beyond frustrating - is it down to coaching or they genuinely not up to it?
I think they're genuinely not up to it. Houllier (for all his faults) spotted it pretty quickly and if he hadn't had his health problems we'd have a completely different back 4
-
The most worrying thing for me to the end of the season is that we have to score 2 goals a game just to get a win or draw.
Interesting, yes.
When McL was appointed the assumption was that we'd have a miserly defence but be boring and limited up the field. In fact, we've played quite attacking formations and been poor at the back.
The question in my mind is whether this defence will be reliable enough for us not to slip back into the drop-zone. Given the next few games, if we concede poor goals like the ones today we could get sucked into a relegation battle.
Hutton was probably one of our best defenders today; says it all, perhaps.
-
N'Zogbia was starting to give the ball away, I can actually understand the substitution. People will not accept it but Heskey actually played well when he came on and helped us crank up the pressure. It said on the commentary here that Ireland went off with an ankle knock.
We are so frustrating at the moment because we have talent and we have potential but we concede so many goals and have bad spells in games and get punished.
Clark needs a rest, he's been found out a bit in midfield and we could do with Herd coming back. Gardner was excellent when he came on.
I thought Hutton was our best player today and has improved a lot.
-
Apparently ''Stephen Ireland apparently told the manager to 'f**k off' which resulted in him getting taken off at half time and Barry Bannan coming on. It is positive, if true, because players are now telling the manager what we all think and again, if true, it is a horrid signal to everyone associated with the club''
Could be bollocks who knows?
Probably is bollocks, but its what I want to say to the useless wanker.
Doesn't help the team though, if its true then I'll be worried about team morale, which is clearly already brittle.
-
Gardner should have been on much earlier and should start next week but he won't.
-
Cowardice from the manager again, and the continual selection of the chuckle brothers beggars belief.
The most scandalous thing of all is the cost and effort to get to Newcastle by the supporters is rewarded with a manager who is frightened of his own shadow. I like AM but if he continues to manage in this manner he is doomed to spend his career pissing about at the lower end of the leagues no matter how ambitious he claims to be.
Shame.
-
Apparently ''Stephen Ireland apparently told the manager to 'f**k off' which resulted in him getting taken off at half time and Barry Bannan coming on. It is positive, if true, because players are now telling the manager what we all think and again, if true, it is a horrid signal to everyone associated with the club''
Could be bollocks who knows?
Positive? Because another dressing room meltdown would make us less likely to get relegated?
-
Yes Olafs Beard, it was Huttons best game in a Villa shirt.
-
Apparently ''Stephen Ireland apparently told the manager to 'f**k off' which resulted in him getting taken off at half time and Barry Bannan coming on. It is positive, if true, because players are now telling the manager what we all think and again, if true, it is a horrid signal to everyone associated with the club''
Could be bollocks who knows?
Don't see this as positive at all after the Houllier debacle last campaign.
-
Time to start Gardner in the middle, give Clarke a rest. I should think Herd is 2/3 games away from being fully match fit.
Oh and find a way to extend Keane's stay - although he wore the expression of a bulldog licking piss off a nettle at times today so he may not fancy hanging around with this rabble.
-
Eck and hEckskey, fuck me! Both clueless. You just know that one will give the other a new contract don't you? Unbelievable.
As for Keane? If we somehow could magically sign him permanently does anyone really think he'd want to stay?
Awful all round. Citeh will slaughter us next weekend and then we have four games that I'm starting to dread!
<shakes head sadly, lost for further words>
-
Apparently ''Stephen Ireland apparently told the manager to 'f**k off' which resulted in him getting taken off at half time and Barry Bannan coming on. It is positive, if true, because players are now telling the manager what we all think and again, if true, it is a horrid signal to everyone associated with the club''
Could be bollocks who knows?
Oh look, someone on the internet gets"me" and "we" mixed up again. Anonymously, again.
-
For me it's simple - drop Warnock, put Clark at LB (he's a centre half I know but definitely no midfielder), give Gardner a start in the middle and keep Bannan in as well. Let's try and start games on the fcuking front foot for a change.
-
Eck and hEckskey, fuck me! Both clueless. You just know that one will give the other a new contract don't you? Unbelievable.
As for Keane? If we somehow could magically sign him permanently does anyone really think he'd want to stay?
Awful all round. Citeh will slaughter us next weekend and then we have four games that I'm starting to dread!
<shakes head sadly, lost for further words>
We played some excellent football and looked much the better side in the first half. Our problem is that we always have a 20 minute spell where we're utter dross and always concede stupid, soft goals.
-
The spell after HT where we could not keep the ball for more than 2 seconds cost us the game. We went on the back foot and resorted to long ball of which Bannan was one of the biggest culpits despite being a 'passer'. Despite Cuellar playing the last few games we're still keeping up our average of conceding at least 2 goals per game proving he is not the answer. Thought we created enough today, esp first half, to be getting something from the game but that spell of rubbishness cost us the game.
-
Quite enjoyed the game, seemed very open at times and their goalkeeper played well. We lost, but not worrying about relegation as I did for nearly all of last season. AM still a vast improvement on Houllier. Their new 10 million man scored, McLeish is doing well having had his 10 million men sold. Wish Keane could stay with us for a bit longer!
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
Because the bad bits cost us the game. They outweigh the good and the result is all that matters.
Exactly. The results at the end of the season don't read: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1 (but Villa had some good bits).
So because there were a few more bad moments than good then you deem the good not worthy of mentioning? Almost as bizarre as Heskey coming on that is.
As for the second comment, presumably you didn't complain once under MON when we were consistently doing well and finishing around where Newcastle are now, because everything was perfect? We were doing so well under him that you did not point out anything that was preventing us from going that bit further?
-
For me it's simple - drop Warnock, put Clark at LB (he's a centre half I know but definitely no midfielder), give Gardner a start in the middle and keep Bannan in as well. Let's try and start games on the fcuking front foot for a change.
Why not Clarke at centre half with Cuellar? Dunne was lazy, slow and needs to be left out.
-
This game is another example of playing well for a period of the game and not carrying it through. Our defence is absolutely killing us. Ireland and N'Zog and Gardner should have been on for the whole game. The reality is though we are starting to get dangerously close to the drop zone.
-
Eck and hEckskey, fuck me! Both clueless. You just know that one will give the other a new contract don't you? Unbelievable.
As for Keane? If we somehow could magically sign him permanently does anyone really think he'd want to stay?
Awful all round. Citeh will slaughter us next weekend and then we have four games that I'm starting to dread!
<shakes head sadly, lost for further words>
We played some excellent football and looked much the better side in the first half. Our problem is that we always have a 20 minute spell where we're utter dross and always concede stupid, soft goals.
and when the game finally opens up we don't convert our chances.. or find is more beneficial to pass to back to Petrov, who then passes it back to Hutton, who lays it off for Given to boot it to their defense.
This redundant non-sensible style is ridiculous. We have far to many house hold names in our squad to be comfortable with booting the ball down the pitch. Keep it on the god damn floor, and work off the ball. SIMPLE AS.
-
And the prize for finding so many novel ways of giving the ball up goes to ...
We should have got something out of this game. We did enough to score more than one and should never have conceded two.
Bent is not a target man, stop trying to hit him from distance. Petrov faded out of the game, Clark was playing too far forward - he should be just in front of the back four.
Excellent game from Cuellar, Dunne and Warnock really should not be in the team. Fortunately, Hutton didn't have much to do.
Gardner's goal attempts may not have been convincing, but he made excellent runs to create them in the first place. He really should be getting more than 10 minutes at the end, preferably the full 90.
It's a real pisser to lose when your goalkeeper has had so little to do other than put his foot through backpasses.
Onwards and Aerial.
-
The spell after HT where we could not keep the ball for more than 2 seconds cost us the game. We went on the back foot and resorted to long ball of which Bannan was one of the biggest culpits despite being a 'passer'. Despite Cuellar playing the last few games we're still keeping up our average of conceding at least 2 goals per game proving he is not the answer. Thought we created enough today, esp first half, to be getting something from the game but that spell of rubbishness cost us the game.
Agree with this - i'm a fan of wee Barry but he was guilty of some heavy duty long range punting. In the first half we strung nice little 1-2's together and kept the ball well and moving at pace. 2nd half, diminished impact from Keane and we resorted to the Villa of the first half of this season. Doesn't bode well for when Keane departs.
-
Gardner looked good when on, Heskey like always tried but with no result. Fair play to Warnock, thought he well. Unluycky not to get a point today.
-
For me it's simple - drop Warnock, put Clark at LB (he's a centre half I know but definitely no midfielder), give Gardner a start in the middle and keep Bannan in as well. Let's try and start games on the fcuking front foot for a change.
Why not Clarke at centre half with Cuellar? Dunne was lazy, slow and needs to be left out.
Really! Dunne put in the best pass of the game.
-
For the first twenty of the second half we hardly had any possession at all. The substitution was made in order for Heskey to help get hold of the ball and get the team passing again. This actually worked, but then they got their second. Gardner looks good and it'd be good to see him get a run of games now.
-
2 dreadful substitutions.
Ireland and N'Zog were playing well against a strong barcodes team.
Bringing Bannan and Heskey on, were just poor Management decisions.
-
''Stephen Ireland apparently told the manager to 'f**k off' which resulted in him getting taken off at half time and Barry Bannan coming on. It is positive, if true, because players are now telling the manager what we all think and again, if true, it is a horrid signal to everyone associated with the club''
Could be bollocks who knows?
I hope AM headbutted him. Who the fuck does Ireland think he is? A month or so of eventually playing some good football and he's now decided he can tell people what he wants? I don't think so you bald headed ******. Now fuck off and don't come back if that's your attitude. I'd rather Gardner play instead. You are the reason why so many people hate modern-day footballers. Those who think we should all bow down to their feet because they have more money than us? fuck off back to City...oh, wait, you're too shit for them.
-
Quite enjoyed the game, seemed very open at times and their goalkeeper played well. We lost, but not worrying about relegation as I did for nearly all of last season. AM still a vast improvement on Houllier. Their new 10 million man scored, McLeish is doing well having had his 10 million men sold. Wish Keane could stay with us for a bit longer!
N'Zog is AMcL's 10 million man and he subbed him!
-
2 dreadful substitutions.
Ireland and N'Zog were playing well against a strong barcodes team.
Bringing Bannan and Heskey on, were just poor Management decisions.
Agreed.
But, I want to know what happened with Ireland. Obviously he doesn't like playing on the wing very much, and we're really missing out on his full potential by putting him there.
-
For me it's simple - drop Warnock, put Clark at LB (he's a centre half I know but definitely no midfielder), give Gardner a start in the middle and keep Bannan in as well. Let's try and start games on the fcuking front foot for a change.
And what happened in the first half at Wolves with Clark at LB? He got torn to shreds. He is not a full back!
The trouble today at the start of the second half was that we were not moving and wanting the ball enough (how often do we say that?) and consequently giving it away all the time. Whether this was because Clark and Petrov were knackered I couldn't tell on the TV but if it was then AMc should have seen it and rectified it. If it was because they were just being outnumbered then again he should have rectified it.
On another note, just how bad is Darren Bent's ball holding? I think the first 4 times he received the ball in the match it was nicked off him by a defender. No player should allow that to happen.
-
''Stephen Ireland apparently told the manager to 'f**k off' which resulted in him getting taken off at half time and Barry Bannan coming on. It is positive, if true, because players are now telling the manager what we all think and again, if true, it is a horrid signal to everyone associated with the club''
Could be bollocks who knows?
I hope AM headbutted him. Who the fuck does Ireland think he is? A month or so of eventually playing some good football and he's now decided he can tell people what he wants? I don't think so you bald headed c***. Now fuck off and don't come back if that's your attitude. I'd rather Gardner play instead. You are the reason why so many people hate modern-day footballers. Those who think we should all bow down to their feet because they have more money than us? fuck off back to City...oh, wait, you're too shit for them.
I saw that Tweeted, but where it came from who knows ?
-
For me it's simple - drop Warnock, put Clark at LB (he's a centre half I know but definitely no midfielder), give Gardner a start in the middle and keep Bannan in as well. Let's try and start games on the fcuking front foot for a change.
Why not Clarke at centre half with Cuellar? Dunne was lazy, slow and needs to be left out.
Hasn't Lichaj played at left back for the States before. Might be worth a punt.
-
unreliable twitter source.. "McLeish furious with Ireland for not cutting out a cross. Told him so then Ireland shouted back F-off to his manager. #avfc"
-
unreliable twitter source.. "McLeish furious with Ireland for not cutting out a cross. Told him so then Ireland shouted back F-off to his manager. #avfc"
But doesn't say that was why he was taken off. Things like that happen all the time.
-
For me it's simple - drop Warnock, put Clark at LB (he's a centre half I know but definitely no midfielder), give Gardner a start in the middle and keep Bannan in as well. Let's try and start games on the fcuking front foot for a change.
Why not Clarke at centre half with Cuellar? Dunne was lazy, slow and needs to be left out.
Hasn't Lichaj played at left back for the States before. Might be worth a punt.
Clarke isn't there yet, he was far too slow - he did nothing of note either.
-
Defence was rubbish as usual (a great strike for the winner but Donkey Dunne looked as manouverable as an oil tanker trying to cut it out)but to be fair they don't get much cover from the midfield. We really do need a good holding midfielder but I have no idea who that is in the squad.
I seem to be one of the few who thought we looked a bit better second half when Heskey came on.
-
Whether we play well or not, we seem to lose / draw games.
This spells trouble. Just hope there are three worse teams that us.
Not sure when I'll next set foot in Villa Park.
-
For the first twenty of the second half we hardly had any possession at all. The substitution was made in order for Heskey to help get hold of the ball and get the team passing again. This actually worked, but then they got their second. Gardner looks good and it'd be good to see him get a run of games now.
Exactly, because it's Heskey the facts get ignored but we improved when he came on.
-
Whether we play well or not, we seem to lose / draw games.
This spells trouble. Just hope there are three worse teams that us.
Not sure when I'll next set foot in Villa Park.
How about next Sunday?
-
unreliable twitter source.. "McLeish furious with Ireland for not cutting out a cross. Told him so then Ireland shouted back F-off to his manager. #avfc"
But doesn't say that was why he was taken off. Things like that happen all the time.
Uhh.. :o
considering he was one of our better players in the first half, I would consider that the catalyst for his removal from the game.
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
Because the bad bits cost us the game. They outweigh the good and the result is all that matters.
Exactly. The results at the end of the season don't read: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1 (but Villa had some good bits).
So because there were a few more bad moments than good then you deem the good not worthy of mentioning? Almost as bizarre as Heskey coming on that is.
But you said that folk weren't pointing out the good bits as much as the bad bits. I'd say that's because the bad bits cost us. Your Heskey point proves it, that was a crap sub and a lot of people think it may have cost us.
-
We won't even need to play well against Wigan or Blackburn by that time we'll be due a win.
-
Don't believe for one second that Ireland told McCleish to "Fuck off".
The dressing room would have been reasonably happy after just equalising and playing well in the 1st half (comedy goal conceded aside).
Ireland must have picked up an injury, must have. There is no way any sane manager would take of our most creative player otherwise.
The first 25 minutes of the second half were an absolute joke. Apart from that we played well enough and didn't deserve to lose. Although with our all too predictable defending and the odd to say the least substitutions, we brought it on ourselves.
-
Nothing in the game at all. Newcastle were no great shakes but they have momentum and the ball is running their way. Krull made some good saves, Given had to make none and a left foot swinger finds the top corner.
We do go through very poor patches though and although the defence is fragile, we do lack presence in midfield when teams crank up the pressure. Was impressed with Gardner but someone needs to tell Bannan that Hollywood type passes invariably give the ball away.
-
Whether we play well or not, we seem to lose / draw games.
This spells trouble. Just hope there are three worse teams that us.
Not sure when I'll next set foot in Villa Park.
How about next Sunday?
Fuck it, I'm game.
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
I agree. Keane was the major plus point. The problem is he's leaving. I thought Petrov was good too, and actually I thought our full backs were ok, it's just that Warnock occasionally commits a real howler
Was encouraged by 90% of Gardner's display, including his running off the ball. I really thought he'd score that chance.
-
For the first twenty of the second half we hardly had any possession at all. The substitution was made in order for Heskey to help get hold of the ball and get the team passing again. This actually worked, but then they got their second. Gardner looks good and it'd be good to see him get a run of games now.
Exactly, because it's Heskey the facts get ignored but we improved when he came on.
We were playing absolutely awful at the time. Any stoppage to let us regain ourselves would've brought improvement. The inclusion of Heksey was a terrible idea. He doesn't create, he can barely defend without fouling, he has no idea where the goal is and he can't stay on his feet. At least N'Zogbia can beat his man and get to the end line. Our improvement had nothing to do with Heskey.
-
Gardner needs to be given more time, he was far more positive than our other two central midfielders. He was desperately unlucky with the header as well, if it hadn't deflected off the defender it would have gone in.
-
unreliable twitter source.. "McLeish furious with Ireland for not cutting out a cross. Told him so then Ireland shouted back F-off to his manager. #avfc"
But doesn't say that was why he was taken off. Things like that happen all the time.
If thats not why he took him off that makes it even more bizarre.
-
Collymore via Twitter: "Couldn't believe how many Villa players were back chatting to McLeish through the game. Can't be very healthy.."
They're confidence in the manager seems to be dropping.
-
Played some good stuff, Bent a bit wasteful.
WarsawVillan82 is right about the substitution.
Gardner did well to find good positions but should have equalised with both of those chances, although obviously if he'd scored the first, the second wouldn't have happened.
Hope it's bollocks about Ireland, we'll need him when Keane leaves.
-
Nothing in the game at all. Newcastle were no great shakes but they have momentum and the ball is running their way. Krull made some good saves, Given had to make none and a left foot swinger finds the top corner.
We do go through very poor patches though and although the defence is fragile, we do lack presence in midfield when teams crank up the pressure. Was impressed with Gardner but someone needs to tell Bannan that Hollywood type passes invariably give the ball away.
Spot on. As disappointing as it was, I thought we were a bit unlucky today. Baffling subs by McLeish tho, be interesting to see what the truth about the Ireland subbing was.
-
If anyone needs a Bollocking for not passing It's nzogbia, yes he created the goal but he could have created more if he looked up once in a while
-
If anyone needs a Bollocking for not passing It's nzogbia, yes he created the goal but he could have created more if he looked up once in a while
While I agree he could improve by considering his passing options more often, he is the only player in the squad today that was willing to put his head down and try to beat a defender. No one else in our side is capable of that.
-
For the first twenty of the second half we hardly had any possession at all. The substitution was made in order for Heskey to help get hold of the ball and get the team passing again. This actually worked, but then they got their second. Gardner looks good and it'd be good to see him get a run of games now.
Exactly, because it's Heskey the facts get ignored but we improved when he came on.
No we didn't, it was 1-1 when he came on and 2-1 a few minutes later.
I'm not blaming heskey for the goal but the situation clearly didn't improve for the substitution, a change needed to be made but the one he decided on was the wrong choice. That's nothing against heskey or positive for nzogbia, simply an acknowledgement that them having 75% possession for the first 20 of the 2nd half wasn't being caused by nzogbia not being a target man.
The change that need to happen at that point was in the middle where petrov's legs had gone and clark had been doing the running for both of them for 20minutes. When Clark when off he'd run himself into the ground covering the holes petrov was leaving by not tracking players.
Petrov has been utter gash since the middle of december and is costing us lots at the moment. He needs to be dropped for Gardner for a game or two but McLeish is scared to make the big calls like that so we'll stumble through the rest of the season with Petrov out on his feet by half time.
-
I really thought we'd seen the last of Heskey.
-
More crap from Twitter.
Regarding N'Zogbia, he continually gave the ball away.
Heskey was not a popular sub but it gave the anti-McLeish crowd a chance to come together in harmony.
Warnock may have had a few howlers again but he is not frightened to go in where it hurts.
Their second goal came from a wrong decision by Halsey. It what not a foul by Heskey.
We have played far, far worse at Newcastle in the past.
-
Oh and a big "where the fuck was Dunne trying to head the ball for the 1st goal?"
-
Another tactical master stroke by McLeish. Take the width out of the team that created the most chances in the first half and try and play through the middle. It's very frustrating.
-
I really thought we'd seen the last of Heskey.
Me too. I have a horrible feeling though that as no-one will buy him McCleish will offer him another year
-
I really thought we'd seen the last of Heskey.
So did I. I was utterly STUNNED when he came up to the sideline. Having just come off injury and preparing to leave the club in a few months.. what good was he on the field?
I honestly hope, for the fans sake, he never comes on the field again
I DON'T GET IT.
-
We've got Citeh next, where a draw would be a good result, but where I just can't see us containing their fwds
After that, 3 eminently winnable games (Wigan, Blackburn, Fulham) if we can get 7-9 points out of that, we'll be virtually safe on 35+ points. And make no mistake we do need to make sure we're safe given the run of games later on
I really think Gardner needs to get more minutes. I don't want to pile too much pressure on, he's missed 3 brilliant chances already, but he adds physicality, good composure and excellent running off the ball. Clark, after an excellent start, is looking out of form.
-
I really thought we'd seen the last of Heskey.
I hoped we had
-
Is it me or does anyone think we have a really good squad? They just don't play with ay conviction. Add to that the team selection / sub decisions.
-
Collymore via Twitter: "Couldn't believe how many Villa players were back chatting to McLeish through the game. Can't be very healthy.."
They're confidence in the manager seems to be dropping.
This is where some of the experienced players really are stinking the club out. Dunne is the perfect example, his half hearted attemp for the ball for their second goal and his last 30mins were a joke. He really looked like he wasn't bothered.
-
More crap from Twitter.
Regarding N'Zogbia, he continually gave the ball away.
Heskey was not a popular sub but it gave the anti-McLeish crowd a chance to come together in harmony.
Warnock may have had a few howlers again but he is not frightened to go in where it hurts.
Their second goal came from a wrong decision by Halsey. It what not a foul by Heskey.
We have played far, far worse at Newcastle in the past.
N'Zogbia also created our goal with an excellent run and cross.
Heskey should not be in the squad full stop. It's not about McLeish. Heskey's had tons of stick when MON and Houllier were in charge.
Warnock may be prepared to go in where it hurts, but so would I for the money he earns. I wouldn't make that many more fundamental errors either.
-
Collymore via Twitter: "Couldn't believe how many Villa players were back chatting to McLeish through the game. Can't be very healthy.."
They're confidence in the manager seems to be dropping.
This is where some of the experienced players really are stinking the club out. Dunne is the perfect example, his half hearted attemp for the ball for their second goal and his last 30mins were a joke. He really looked like he wasn't bothered.
I'm sure he's bored of the tactics. With the exception of the second half against QPR, we are constantly on our back foot playing the defensive role. We cant retain any possession up top. The defense never gets a break or a possession stint that allows them to comfortably get involved whilst not having to resort back to Given.
HOOF!
-
If Ireland told AM to do one I'm glad he took him off. If not it was a testicle drop. Also, I got the impression AM instructed us to defend deeper second half which, when you consider our defensive capabilities (ie zero) is another mistake IMO.
As for Heskey, he did OK when he came on but offers nothing / very little going forward. Our best bet of not losing a game is going all out to win it and we can't do that effectively with him in the side for my money.
Yet again, another 2 goals conceded and I can't remember Newcastle actually creating a chance. Th 1st goal was a ricochet that coud've gone anywhere and the second, 99 times out of 100 would sail over the bar.
-
We have played far, far worse at Newcastle in the past.
Well, that's alright then.
-
I have nothing against Emile personally, but he should never play for us again and if we offer him a new deal I will be fuming.
-
Truly awful back four , I would rather see clark, cuellar , lichaj and Stevens get a run that see us throw silly goals away every week with the likes of dunne, Hutton, Warnock and Collins- until
we totally overhaul the defence we will continue to drop stupid points like today,
-
We've got Citeh next, where a draw would be a good result, but where I just can't see us containing their fwds
After that, 3 eminently winnable games (Wigan, Blackburn, Fulham) if we can get 7-9 points out of that, we'll be virtually safe on 35+ points. And make no mistake we do need to make sure we're safe given the run of games later on
I really think Gardner needs to get more minutes. I don't want to pile too much pressure on, he's missed 3 brilliant chances already, but he adds physicality, good composure and excellent running off the ball. Clark, after an excellent start, is looking out of form.
Is this with Clark that is getting to me, I genuinely think the problem is a coaching thing. Clark when he came in was moving around the pitch well, offering himself for the pass and keeping things ticking over. The last couple of games this has stopped happening, petrov doesn't do it either.
As for the comment that petrov played well, I'm really suprised anyone can think that about today. He was knackered for most of the game and on top of that virtually every pass he plays causes the player receiving it to stop and turn back, the amount of times his passes were behind the man or underweighted was scary. The first chance for Gardner, watch where the ball is when it gets to him, he had no choice but to try to dig out a chip shot because the pass was far too short for him to get a proper effort away. There were 2-3 times when hutton was running down the right only for petrov to pass behind him so he had to come back and the ball ended up coming back to the defence. He also played a couple of blind flicks back to dunne when he had time and space to control and look for a positive pass. Add in his lack of movement and I genuinely think Petrov is the perfect example of everything we're doing wrong at the moment.
-
I do wish that people would call the game as they see it not based on past history and prejudices against players. Heskey played well and contributed to us having much more of the ball thereafter. N'Zogbia was repeatedly losing the ball in poor areas. Yes, Heskey has had a poor Villa career but he certainly was nothing to do with the loss today. In the 20 minutes of the second half when he was not on the pitch, we hardly strung two passes together.
The mistake McLeish made today was not withdrawing a struggling Clark for Gardner earlier in the game.
-
Collymore via Twitter: "Couldn't believe how many Villa players were back chatting to McLeish through the game. Can't be very healthy.."
They're confidence in the manager seems to be dropping.
This is where some of the experienced players really are stinking the club out. Dunne is the perfect example, his half hearted attemp for the ball for their second goal and his last 30mins were a joke. He really looked like he wasn't bothered.
I agree. I have had enough of the attitudes of overpaid shits like Warnock and Dunne. The sooner the likes of them fuck off out of our club the better.
-
Can someone sum up McLeish's post-match interview when its on?
-
As a youngster coming through the academy system here Gardner will get a lot of support. Today he was poor when he came on and wasted two good chances. As much as he deserves praise when he does well he isn't exempt from criticism when hes poor, and today I thought he was poor.
-
I have nothing against Emile personally, but he should never play for us again and if we offer him a new deal I will be fuming.
Can't possibly happen.
Can it?
-
I knew we would lose as soon as I saw Heskey coming on.
I'd rather keep him than McLeish come June though. At least Emile is injured most of the time, our manager is a continuous negative force.
-
Not sure you can fault Warnocks commitment though TheZogman, he made some really brave challenges today. He's just got no confidence whatsoever.
-
Gardner in about 10 minutes showed us the future for the side if we can hang on to him. He is composed in possession, tackles well and looks to be positive. When he swept it wide for Bannan and then got on the cross it showed how little our other midfielders do on the attacking side (I know he missed two but he's got the confidence to try things at least) and how much potential he has.
I thought we were unlucky overall but need to be more clinical around the box (certainly the movement of our players could be a lot better, including Bent today).
Their two goals were one scrappy effort and one straight out of the top drawer. Could have done better defensively with both but I've seen us concede softer goals this season. Warnock I felt was substantially better today, if he could just cut the couple of howlers a game out of his play...
I truly didn't understand bringing Heskey on. I don't dislike him or think he's as shit as some of you do but it was baffling. I don't know whether McLeish has lost the team or in fact ever had them but the second half looked like he asked them to change something when frankly I thought (and I suspect the players did too) that there wasn't a great deal wrong with what we were doing first half. Don't know what happened with Ireland but I didn't think Bannan was too bad and his crossing was very good at times.
I didn't think Clark offered much in midfield and would really like to see him start at the back. Alongside Cuellar, who I'd like to stay.
Keane was good, I didn't want him to join but am very glad he did now.
-
As a youngster coming through the academy system here Gardner will get a lot of support. Today he was poor when he came on and wasted two good chances. As much as he deserves praise when he does well he isn't exempt from criticism when hes poor, and today I thought he was poor.
Well yes he muffed his first chance, and didn't quite get enough on the header, but in both chances he made fantastic runs that none of our other midfielders except Ireland would make.
He also passed the ball well and added tempo to our game. He was far from poor.
Look to the joke of a defense for poor.
-
Gardner in about 10 minutes showed us the future for the side if we can hang on to him. He is composed in possession, tackles well and looks to be positive. When he swept it wide for Bannan and then got on the cross it showed how little our other midfielders do on the attacking side (I know he missed two but he's got the confidence to try things at least) and how much potential he has.
He has potential, but I feel you may be getting slightly carried away.
-
I do wish that people would call the game as they see it not based on past history and prejudices against players. Heskey played well and contributed to us having much more of the ball thereafter. N'Zogbia was repeatedly losing the ball in poor areas. Yes, Heskey has had a poor Villa career but he certainly was nothing to do with the loss today. In the 20 minutes of the second half when he was not on the pitch, we hardly strung two passes together.
The mistake McLeish made today was not withdrawing a struggling Clark for Gardner earlier in the game.
I'm going to disagree with your point on Heskey. In my opinion, we (McLeish included) need to use our experiential knowledge and understand that the inclusion of Heskey in the side isn't going to do much except increase turnovers on inept passes and lose the only width we had in the game. It's not Heskey's decision to come on, and we can't fault him for that. The manager calls his name and tells him his job.
Darren Bent was never going to score in the last 30 minutes without a winger on the field. All we do is preach about how he gets awful service, and when the time is necessary for a goal we are booting the ball up the middle in hopes that fucking EMILE HESKEY is going to retain it. Come on, we're better than that.. surely.
-
I think in the last few games teams are pressurising our back 4 when they are in possession in our own half. They know we will hoof it eventually.
-
via Timothy Abraham, "Alex McLeish reluctant to talk about the substitution of Ireland. Claimed it was because he was carrying an ankle injury not verbals."
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
Because the bad bits cost us the game. They outweigh the good and the result is all that matters.
Exactly. The results at the end of the season don't read: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1 (but Villa had some good bits).
So because there were a few more bad moments than good then you deem the good not worthy of mentioning? Almost as bizarre as Heskey coming on that is.
But you said that folk weren't pointing out the good bits as much as the bad bits. I'd say that's because the bad bits cost us. Your Heskey point proves it, that was a crap sub and a lot of people think it may have cost us.
OK, maybe I should've made it clearer that I didn't think a lot of people made any points about our good play.
As for you continuation on this, the result reads: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1, so then why discuss it further? Presumably there's no need for a post-match thread?
-
As a youngster coming through the academy system here Gardner will get a lot of support. Today he was poor when he came on and wasted two good chances. As much as he deserves praise when he does well he isn't exempt from criticism when hes poor, and today I thought he was poor.
Well yes he muffed his first chance, and didn't quite get enough on the header, but in both chances he made fantastic runs that none of our other midfielders except Ireland would make.
He also passed the ball well and added tempo to our game. He was far from poor.
Look to the joke of a defense for poor.
Agreed and he was very unlucky with the header.
-
As a youngster coming through the academy system here Gardner will get a lot of support. Today he was poor when he came on and wasted two good chances. As much as he deserves praise when he does well he isn't exempt from criticism when hes poor, and today I thought he was poor.
Well yes he muffed his first chance, and didn't quite get enough on the header, but in both chances he made fantastic runs that none of our other midfielders except Ireland would make.
He also passed the ball well and added tempo to our game. He was far from poor.
Look to the joke of a defense for poor.
I accept that, but if you're good enough to play first team football, you should be good enough to convert most of the chances you get. I'm not saying Gardner isn't good enough, all i'm saying is that I wasn't impressed by him today. I'm far more concerned with McLeish's substitution of N'zogbia for Heskey.
-
Re; Gardner - my glass is half full, not half empty, that's all.
-
As a youngster coming through the academy system here Gardner will get a lot of support. Today he was poor when he came on and wasted two good chances. As much as he deserves praise when he does well he isn't exempt from criticism when hes poor, and today I thought he was poor.
Well yes he muffed his first chance, and didn't quite get enough on the header, but in both chances he made fantastic runs that none of our other midfielders except Ireland would make.
He also passed the ball well and added tempo to our game. He was far from poor.
Look to the joke of a defense for poor.
Agreed and he was very unlucky with the header.
At least he's working to get his chances. The finishing will come, it is the creative mindset to put yourself in that opportunity that matters.
-
I do wish that people would call the game as they see it not based on past history and prejudices against players. Heskey played well and contributed to us having much more of the ball thereafter. N'Zogbia was repeatedly losing the ball in poor areas. Yes, Heskey has had a poor Villa career but he certainly was nothing to do with the loss today. In the 20 minutes of the second half when he was not on the pitch, we hardly strung two passes together.
The mistake McLeish made today was not withdrawing a struggling Clark for Gardner earlier in the game.
I'm going to disagree with your point on Heskey. In my opinion, we (McLeish included) need to use our experiential knowledge and understand that the inclusion of Heskey in the side isn't going to do much except increase turnovers on inept passes and lose the only width we had in the game. It's not Heskey's decision to come on, and we can't fault him for that. The manager calls his name and tells him his job.
Darren Bent was never going to score in the last 30 minutes without a winger on the field. All we do is preach about how he gets awful service, and when the time is necessary for a goal we are booting the ball up the middle in hopes that fucking EMILE HESKEY is going to retain it. Come on, we're better than that.. surely.
We weren't getting anywhere near their goal when N'Zogbia was on and he kept losing the ball. Bent was much more involved in the game (and we went much closer to scoring as a team) after Heskey came on.
-
Can someone sum up McLeish's post-match interview when its on?
I can do that before it's on. Blah blah unlucky blah blah effort blah blah Krul's saves. Tomorrow, Gardner will be on the OS saying the boys want to do better next time, because he is the youngest and newest in the team.
-
Gardner definitely wasn't poor, nor did he demonstrate he's definitely the future of the side.
He added physical presence and good running, and showed plenty of promise. He impacted the game more in 10 minutes than Clark did in 80.
If he'd stuck either of his two excellent chances away I'd be getting carried away. But he didn't, so I'd classify my mood on him as 'encouraged'.
-
Unlucky to lose, but that doesn't fit a lot of people's script so I'm clearly making it up. Tim Krull has anything other than his (Now usual) fine game and that's a win not a defeat, such fine lines in such a desperately average division.
-
Gardner definitely wasn't poor, nor did he demonstrate he's definitely the future of the side.
He added physical presence and good running, and showed plenty of promise. He impacted the game more in 10 minutes than Clark did in 80.
If he'd stuck either of his two excellent chances away I'd be getting carried away. But he didn't, so I'd classify my mood on him as 'encouraged'.
And didn't come on until the 84th minute! Very harsh to judge a performance on 8 or so minutes.
-
I do wish that people would call the game as they see it not based on past history and prejudices against players. Heskey played well and contributed to us having much more of the ball thereafter. N'Zogbia was repeatedly losing the ball in poor areas. Yes, Heskey has had a poor Villa career but he certainly was nothing to do with the loss today. In the 20 minutes of the second half when he was not on the pitch, we hardly strung two passes together.
The mistake McLeish made today was not withdrawing a struggling Clark for Gardner earlier in the game.
I'm going to disagree with your point on Heskey. In my opinion, we (McLeish included) need to use our experiential knowledge and understand that the inclusion of Heskey in the side isn't going to do much except increase turnovers on inept passes and lose the only width we had in the game. It's not Heskey's decision to come on, and we can't fault him for that. The manager calls his name and tells him his job.
Darren Bent was never going to score in the last 30 minutes without a winger on the field. All we do is preach about how he gets awful service, and when the time is necessary for a goal we are booting the ball up the middle in hopes that fucking EMILE HESKEY is going to retain it. Come on, we're better than that.. surely.
We weren't getting anywhere near their goal when N'Zogbia was on and he kept losing the ball. Bent was much more involved in the game (and we went much closer to scoring as a team) after Heskey came on.
We had no width! Absolutely none. You can't sacrifice both wings to clog the ball up the middle. You have to keep the defense honest and have some sort of threat to space them out. Whether it is the threat of a through ball to a running-on winger or the pace of the player with the ball at his feet, it is FAR more valuable than a 46 year old can't hack it in the middle of the park.
-
I think we were unl,ucky to lose that one. Encouarging thing for me is that the performances are (slowly) improving. I was a little baffled by the substitution of N'Zogbia.
-
Heskey played wide left, not down the middle and kept possession higher up the pitch. Unfortunately, Albrighton and Agbonlahor were not available today but N'Zogbia was not having a good half and looked knackered.
-
I think we were unl,ucky to lose that one. Encouarging thing for me is that the performances are (slowly) improving. I was a little baffled by the substitution of N'Zogbia.
I was surprised we didn't see Charlie's grumpy face.. I guess he's used to McLeish by now :-\
-
We nearly got a point, not a bad result for an Alex McLeish side.
:-)
I defended Alan Hutton after the QPR game, but his role in Newcastle's second was terrible. From what I saw he just stood off their attackers in the fear that he'd give away a free kick. How did he get the idea he was a defender?! How did anyone else accept that idea?!
Robbie Keane should be kept until the end of the season. I'd be happy if he was made captain.
Gary Gardner's gonna be a player, but we all knew that.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
-
I think we were unl,ucky to lose that one. Encouarging thing for me is that the performances are (slowly) improving. I was a little baffled by the substitution of N'Zogbia.
I was surprised we didn't see Charlie's grumpy face.. I guess he's used to McLeish by now :-\
A mate of mine who is a season ticket holder at the Toon text me saying the Newcastle supporters on the whole thought the sunstitution of N'Zogbia strange.
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
Because the bad bits cost us the game. They outweigh the good and the result is all that matters.
Exactly. The results at the end of the season don't read: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1 (but Villa had some good bits).
So because there were a few more bad moments than good then you deem the good not worthy of mentioning? Almost as bizarre as Heskey coming on that is.
But you said that folk weren't pointing out the good bits as much as the bad bits. I'd say that's because the bad bits cost us. Your Heskey point proves it, that was a crap sub and a lot of people think it may have cost us.
OK, maybe I should've made it clearer that I didn't think a lot of people made any points about our good play.
As for you continuation on this, the result reads: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1, so then why discuss it further? Presumably there's no need for a post-match thread?
Are you saying that we can't moan about stuff being crap? If you disagree with me on the good point v bad points, then a post match discussion is exactly the place to talk about it isn't it?
-
Match highlights (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/newcastle-2-aston-villa-1/)
-
* Bent had enough chances first half to win the game and we were worth at least a point.
* We gave away the ball too much, esp the likes of Clark and Cuellar
* The Zog does not seem to last 90 mins so using Heskey made sense, and we were more of a threat afterwards.
* Hutton wasn't too bad
* But for their keeper we would have won handsomely
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
-
Although I'm no fan, I thought Heskey did OK when he came on, although he was of course no substitute for an on-form N'Zogbia. Unfortunately, he was having a difficult time getting robbed of the ball too easily.
My biggest annoyance was that after the break the defence got sloppy and marking became very lax. There was no close man marking, everyone was laying off the opposing players giving them opportunities that they really shouldn't have had. When Cisse scored there wasn't a defender within 5 yards of him in any direction. It was almost as if they had already settled for the draw. We could and should have won that game if we could have concentrated on our game for the whole 90 minutes.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
The first 20 mins of the second half we resorted to that.
-
Heskey getting slagged off as well. I thought he played well when he came on, won lots of headers and held the ball up well. I'm not a fan of his, but Newcastle's winner had nothing to do with him. In fact we could and should have scored two or three goals while he was on the pitch.
-
We keep having this discussion.
We play spells of good football, we defend poorly, and we don't win anything like enough games.
We were like this last season, except at the end, in the last few games, we turned it around.
Will we do that this season? I doubt it.
-
We had enough play and chances to win that. We have a defence that will give 2 goals away every game which means we wont win many.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
-
Collymore was commentating at the game and said he saw 3 or 4 players back chatting AM. Not great if true. Thought we played some decent stuff and on chances alone deserved at least a draw. Bent was unlucky as Krul is one of the best keepers in the league.
-
The thing that annoyed me about the subs was that we kept a better shape with Nzogbia on the left,Heskey tends to drift in which makes things more conjested for Keane and doesnt allow him as much space. And when Heskey is on we tend to hoof it more(this isnt his fault),when we play it around more we create chances.
I know Bent missed a couple today,but the runs he made on the shoulders of their defenders were great,this is his strength,his holding play was pretty poor though.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
-
I'm impressed by the honesty of posters who say they find football 'baffling', 'inexplicable' and 'don't get it'. We can tell that from your posts but it is admirable that you admit it.
I don't get quantum physics, which is why I tend to give related websites a miss.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Straight after half time we started to sit back deep so the only option we had was to hoof to clear, especially as the outlet balls were closed down fast. Whether the changes was down to losing Ireland, a change in tactics by our manager or one by theirs, I do not know. I just know they had 75% possession in that time frame and you don't get that if we are playing passing exciting football, but if we are turning over possession by hoofing it too much.
-
A lot of bollocks being spoken on this thread. Villa had a good game, Warnock and Hutton I thought played pretty well. I was really disappointed with the substitutions however. Both wide players came off... and to be honest Heskey should never grace a Villa shirt again. I don't know why Ireland or N'Zog came off... but when they did our game suddenly turned to shite. Gardner looked good, and I thought the defence looked more composed than usual. A close 2-1 loss to an in form Toon is no disgrace, however our home form will let us down eventually. Unfortunately if we're going to be dropping points at home then we should be looking at winning games like this. Priority now should be to avoid dropping into a relegation scrap.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
-
A lot of bollocks being spoken on this thread. Villa had a good game, Warnock and Hutton I thought played pretty well. I was really disappointed with the substitutions however. Both wide players came off... and to be honest Heskey should never grace a Villa shirt again. I don't know why Ireland or N'Zog came off... but when they did our game suddenly turned to shite. Gardner looked good, and I thought the defence looked more composed than usual. A close 2-1 loss to an in form Toon is no disgrace, however our home form will let us down eventually. Unfortunately if we're going to be dropping points at home then we should be looking at winning games like this. Priority now should be to avoid dropping into a relegation scrap.
A lot of bollocks..? What you just stated has been said in some form by 95% of the posters today.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
um, I think you need to watch the game again. 75-25 possession in my aforementioned timespan.. against Toon. That's nearly half the game.
-
A lot of bollocks being spoken on this thread. Villa had a good game, Warnock and Hutton I thought played pretty well. I was really disappointed with the substitutions however. Both wide players came off... and to be honest Heskey should never grace a Villa shirt again. I don't know why Ireland or N'Zog came off... but when they did our game suddenly turned to shite. Gardner looked good, and I thought the defence looked more composed than usual. A close 2-1 loss to an in form Toon is no disgrace, however our home form will let us down eventually. Unfortunately if we're going to be dropping points at home then we should be looking at winning games like this. Priority now should be to avoid dropping into a relegation scrap.
A lot of bollocks..? What you just stated has been said in some form by 95% of the posters today.
Go back and read the posts again.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
-
A lot of bollocks being spoken on this thread. Villa had a good game, Warnock and Hutton I thought played pretty well. I was really disappointed with the substitutions however. Both wide players came off... and to be honest Heskey should never grace a Villa shirt again. I don't know why Ireland or N'Zog came off... but when they did our game suddenly turned to shite. Gardner looked good, and I thought the defence looked more composed than usual. A close 2-1 loss to an in form Toon is no disgrace, however our home form will let us down eventually. Unfortunately if we're going to be dropping points at home then we should be looking at winning games like this. Priority now should be to avoid dropping into a relegation scrap.
A lot of bollocks..? What you just stated has been said in some form by 95% of the posters today.
Go back and read the posts again.
I think I've read every post already.. but it seems that the consensus from this thread is 1. We could have won, 2. Gary Gardner is playing pretty well and should be given a fair chance, 3. Hutton and Warnock weren't awful today but could still improve, 4. The Heskey substitution was controversial, 5. What happened to an in-form Stephen Ireland at halftime?
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
Very unfair. Unless we're no longer able to use the word arse when posting in future.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
Very unfair. Unless we're no longer able to use the word arse when posting in future.
No, but telling people they're "talking out of their arse" is not the way we do things here.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
Very unfair. Unless we're no longer able to use the word arse when posting in future.
No, but telling people they're "talking out of their arse" is not the way we do things here.
Who says? It's not in the rules.
-
I only saw the second half and by and large it was hoofball. In fact i thought Heskey was being bought on to fit in with it. Then united scored and we started passing the ball. I dunno.
-
Seems some on here are intent on having an argument about nothing.
-
So, it seems that McLeish originally told reporters that he swapped Ireland out because of an ankle issue.. but he is now addressing the media saying that Ireland's inability to close down crosses will cost us in this league.
I'm not one for McLeish out, at all.. but Stevie's not a winger and has never been known for his defensive prowess but certainly if you are willing to bench an offensive player because of defensive mistakes he must be willing to do so with the back four. Is there a double standard here?
-
Site rules (http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?page=page4597)
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
Very unfair. Unless we're no longer able to use the word arse when posting in future.
No, but telling people they're "talking out of their arse" is not the way we do things here.
Who says? It's not in the rules.
I say.
As do the site rules.
-
I only saw the second half and by and large it was hoofball. In fact i thought Heskey was being bought on to fit in with it. Then united scored and we started passing the ball. I dunno.
I feel the same way. I thought the inclusion of Heskey was to embrace the sort of long ball approach so that he could use his height to flick the ball on, or his body to shield it had the ball ended up at his feet.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
Very unfair. Unless we're no longer able to use the word arse when posting in future.
No, but telling people they're "talking out of their arse" is not the way we do things here.
Oh give over. You've said much worse to posters on here in the past, and not just once or twice either.
-
Can we all please stop arguing and use the post-match thread to talk about the match. Please.
-
back to the match..
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
Very unfair. Unless we're no longer able to use the word arse when posting in future.
No, but telling people they're "talking out of their arse" is not the way we do things here.
Oh give over. You've said much worse to posters on here in the past, and not just or twice either.
Give over yourself, I've never told people they're talking out f their arse.
Consider yourself warned. Again.
-
Apart from the defence (yet again) I thought we performed well, playing some really good attacking football. Someone earlier in the thread we played 'hoof football'. That's just absolute nonsense.
You obviously didn't watch the game. Our back four and especially Given must have given it a boot at least 25 times today. How many times did we efficiently pass out of the back and create a build-up, which ultimately led to an opportunity? I would say 4 or 5.. and that's being nice.
You're talking out of your arse, mate. We hoofed the ball no more than any other team does in the league. We played some really good attacking football today and we were only prevented from winning the game by poor finishing, good goalkeeping and our own shite defending.
Stop spouting the McLeish hoof football cliche.
Oh please.
I'm going to watch the replay later today and count just for the fact of the matter. Of course, we had some bright spells but from the 5th minute to the 20th and the 45th minute to the 70th we were HOOFing the ball. No question.
As I said earlier, you're talking out of your arse.
Any more of that, and you can go and find somewhere else to play.
Very unfair. Unless we're no longer able to use the word arse when posting in future.
No, but telling people they're "talking out of their arse" is not the way we do things here.
Oh give over. You've said much worse to posters on here in the past, and not just or twice either.
Give over yourself, I've never told people they're talking out f their arse.
Consider yourself warned. Again.
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
-
Boy was i wrong about Keane,were gonna miss his use of the ball. Someone like Bannan will need a run of games in that position once Keanes gone,when we do make little passes with Keane,Ireland,Petrov we look a threat.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
-
Boy was i wrong about Keane,were gonna miss his use of the ball. Someone like Bannan will need a run of games in that position once Keanes gone,when we do make little passes with Keane,Ireland,Petrov we look a threat.
Hopefully, we can find a way to extend Keane's loan. His contribution has been immense for us. I think Ireland could do a job behind Bent also, but he doesn't have the same "fox in the box" scoring sense that comes with Keano. Bannan was a bit wasteful today, but his ambition to thread the ball forward is promising.
I'm anxious to get Herd and Albrighton back in the squad.
-
Seems some on here are intent on having an argument about nothing.
Oh no they're not
-
Why would Keane want to stay?
-
Why would Keane want to stay?
Beacuse he's scoring goals? It doesn't matter anyway, he couldn't stay if he wanted to.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
-
Why would Keane want to stay?
Because playing in England is better than going to Vancouver, Houston and Columbus, Ohio on the weekends?
-
Why would Keane want to stay?
Why wouldn't he? I know we've been shite this season but we've hardly turned into Crewe Alexandra over night.
-
There was nothing between the sides at half time. Then, we reverted to type and back peddled in the 2nd half and one bizarre substitution later, it's all over. For all Sky's fawning over Cisse's goal, I thought two defenders should have dealt with it better. Alas, too slow, no points, game over.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
-
There was nothing between the sides at half time. Then, we reverted to type and back peddled in the 2nd half and one bizarre substitution later, it's all over. For all Sky's fawning over Cisse's goal, I thought two defenders should have dealt with it better. Alas, too slow, no points, game over.
Question for you.. Who do you feel is responsible for setting the pace of the squad? Petrov, Keane, McLeish..? I agree that it's too slow, but where is it lacking and how can it be changed?
trying to be purely constructive here..
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
Ha ha ha. Oh, please.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
Ha ha ha. Oh, please.
Aggressive Mods are like aggressive policemen. Generally not considered to be a good thing.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
Ha ha ha. Oh, please.
Aggressive Mods are like aggressive policemen. Generally not considered to be a good thing.
Thanks for your advice, Jimmy.
-
It was game over when he put Heskey on. You have to laugh or it will get you down. Some good periods of play in the 1st half. Second half - less said. Meh
-
I'm sure I've just seen Villa play some good football in that match and create some good chances, but you'd never know it from the reaction most people.
Why can't you point out the good bits as much as you do the bad bits???
Because the bad bits cost us the game. They outweigh the good and the result is all that matters.
Exactly. The results at the end of the season don't read: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1 (but Villa had some good bits).
So because there were a few more bad moments than good then you deem the good not worthy of mentioning? Almost as bizarre as Heskey coming on that is.
But you said that folk weren't pointing out the good bits as much as the bad bits. I'd say that's because the bad bits cost us. Your Heskey point proves it, that was a crap sub and a lot of people think it may have cost us.
OK, maybe I should've made it clearer that I didn't think a lot of people made any points about our good play.
As for you continuation on this, the result reads: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1, so then why discuss it further? Presumably there's no need for a post-match thread?
Are you saying that we can't moan about stuff being crap? If you disagree with me on the good point v bad points, then a post match discussion is exactly the place to talk about it isn't it?
It is the place to discuss it, but I was alluding to your point about come the end of the season it says we lost to Newcastle and doesn't mention how we played. As far as I can see, the result has happened and the result stands now as it does the end of the season. Your point is that we lost and that's it. It won't matter whether we played fantastic or crap (which it doesn't). However, my point to you is, why are you now discussing the game when it doesn't matter, because in your opinion, when a game is done, that's it?
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
Ha ha ha. Oh, please.
Aggressive Mods are like aggressive policemen. Not generally considered to be a good thing.
Sorry posted twice in error.
-
Just listening to Pardew on 5Live and he commented that he thought we should have been leading at half-time.
Now that may his usual self-promotion to boost the hype that he is a master tactician but it has brought something to mind for me.
We are continually slating the defence and (parts of) the midfield but what about the strike force?
They are playing well but not converting chances when they are presented.
How many games have we drawn/lost when just one clinical finish was required?
I find that really worrying.
-
There was nothing between the sides at half time. Then, we reverted to type and back peddled in the 2nd half and one bizarre substitution later, it's all over. For all Sky's fawning over Cisse's goal, I thought two defenders should have dealt with it better. Alas, too slow, no points, game over.
Question for you.. Who do you feel is responsible for setting the pace of the squad? Petrov, Keane, McLeish..? I agree that it's too slow, but where is it lacking and how can it be changed?
trying to be purely constructive here..
I just thought that the 2 defenders between Cisse had the reactions of a sloth. I think it was Dunne and Warnock.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
Ha ha ha. Oh, please.
Aggressive Mods are like aggressive policemen. Generally not considered to be a good thing.
Thanks for your advice, Jimmy.
Just as police who can't take criticism are not considered to be a good thing.
-
Didnt get to watch or listen to much of the game this afternoon, and there seems to be a mixed reaction on here.
I didnt expect anything other than a loss, so were we as bad as some ppl are saying or were we unlucky not to get the win as per AM comments on SSN?
-
Please get back to debating the match. Thank you.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
Ha ha ha. Oh, please.
Aggressive Mods are like aggressive policemen. Generally not considered to be a good thing.
Thanks for your advice, Jimmy.
Just as police who can't take criticism are not considered to be a good thing.
Enough.
-
Please get back to debating the match. Thank you.
Just me?
-
Just listening to Pardew on 5Live and he commented that he thought we should have been leading at half-time.
Now that may his usual self-promotion to boost the hype that he is a master tactician but it has brought something to mind for me.
We are continually slating the defence and (parts of) the midfield but what about the strike force?
They are playing well but not converting chances when they are presented.
How many games have we drawn/lost when just one clinical finish was required?
I find that really worrying.
We've just scored 3 away to Wolves, 2 away at Arsenal and 2 at home to QPR and another goal today. I hardly think scoring goals is an issue at the moment.
-
No. All involved.
-
Didnt get to watch or listen to much of the game this afternoon, and there seems to be a mixed reaction on here.
I didnt expect anything other than a loss, so were we as bad as some ppl are saying or were we unlucky not to get the win as per AM comments on SSN?
We were okay. Shifty back line and wasted chances in the offensive end. We could really benefit by trying to hold on to the ball but that seems to be a bit of a task right now. It was going to be a tough game to get anything out of seeing how we don't usually play Newcastle (A) very well. Hopefully, we can scrap something against Citeh and string three wins in a row shortly thereafter.
-
Last season, I thought ninth flattered us, and didn't tell he true story of the season. However, the points were there, on the board, so that was all that mattered.
Thus far this season, we are looking good for great stretches of matches, but not getting points, and have been like this for a fair while now.
The defence is so feeble that we put ourselves on the back foot by conceding poor goals, and even when we score goals, we are rendering it insufficient by conceding so many of them.
I just hope we can get to the end of the season more or less mid table and then perform the major surgery we need at the back, because going forward we can be very good.
Warnock, Collins, Dunne, Cuellar (if the manager doesn't trust him), Hutton (which I know won't happen), I would honestly get shot of all of them.
-
No. All involved.
Okay
-
Didnt get to watch or listen to much of the game this afternoon, and there seems to be a mixed reaction on here.
I didnt expect anything other than a loss, so were we as bad as some ppl are saying or were we unlucky not to get the win as per AM comments on SSN?
Unlucky to lose, maybe not win. Their GK made some good saves. They're certainly not anywhere near 14 points better than us. They just have competent (not good) defenders.
-
On the train on the way back to Manc. Quite bizarre substitutions which probably cost us the match and the defending was as ever poor at times. Geordies were amazed we took off Ireland and N'zogbia and from the looks on their faces they new they'd got away with it. Looks like Redknapp was right about Darren Bent, just how many chances does he need! I honestly believe we should have won that game. Annoyed and what this nonsense Collymore has tweeted about Villa players giving backchat to McLeish during the match?
-
Didnt get to watch or listen to much of the game this afternoon, and there seems to be a mixed reaction on here.
I didnt expect anything other than a loss, so were we as bad as some ppl are saying or were we unlucky not to get the win as per AM comments on SSN?
Unlucky to lose, maybe not win. Their GK made some good saves. They're certainly not anywhere near 14 points better than us. They just have competent (not good) defenders.
Coloccini has been very good this season, I think.
-
I am glad someone else has noticed the 'hoof' cliche.
Even Given has been accused of it today.
It was not a hoofing game apart from getting the ball away from danger occasionally. Sorry if that doesn't fit with the agenda of some.
-
Didnt get to watch or listen to much of the game this afternoon, and there seems to be a mixed reaction on here.
I didnt expect anything other than a loss, so were we as bad as some ppl are saying or were we unlucky not to get the win as per AM comments on SSN?
Unlucky to lose, maybe not win. Their GK made some good saves. They're certainly not anywhere near 14 points better than us. They just have competent (not good) defenders.
Coloccini has been very good this season, I think.
Also they weren't playing their first choice Centre mids of Cabaye and Tiote. God knows what would have happened if they had.
-
I thought we gave the ball away too often for long periods. This invites other teams to come at us. You cant really blame the defence, as the law of averages says that we're going to concede under these circumstances. For the record, I think that Bannan is far too lightweight to do the business consistently for us. Ireland was at least picking the ball up in midfield and doing something with it. Banan just trie to play the cutting pass... which rarely comes off. He's certainly not a ball winner.
-
On the train on the way back to Manc. Quite bizarre substitutions which probably cost us the match and the defending was as ever poor at times. Geordies were amazed we took off Ireland and N'zogbia and from the looks on their faces they new they'd got away with it. Looks like Redknapp was right about Darren Bent, just how many chances does he need! I honestly believe we should have won that game. Annoyed and what this nonsense Collymore has tweeted about Villa players giving backchat to McLeish during the match?
While Bent was a bit wasteful today, you've got to give credit to Krul. 3 out of his 4 good chances would've been netters on most other keepers. Krul closed him down well and smothered all of his chances. That being said, my two best mates are toon supporters and they were dumbfounded when Ireland and N'Zogbia went off. Maybe because I've been getting hounded by close friends all morning I'm overdoing it on the boards today.
-
I am glad someone else has noticed the 'hoof' cliche.
Even Given has been accused of it today.
It was not a hoofing game apart from getting the ball away from danger occasionally. Sorry if that doesn't fit with the agenda of some.
So for almost 20 mins in the second half we were just clearing the ball from danger occaisionally. The players dropped deeper and deeper and got squeezed up so we had no midfield outlet as it was too congested. So that was all we could do was kick it long to Bent and hope.
-
I am glad someone else has noticed the 'hoof' cliche.
Even Given has been accused of it today.
It was not a hoofing game apart from getting the ball away from danger occasionally. Sorry if that doesn't fit with the agenda of some.
I'm going to disagree with that to a degree as whilst in general our play was constructive and played on the deck there aretimes when we did hoof aimlessly and not to anyone in particular. However you are right to point out we don't play this cliched long ball game and anyone casually using it quite obviously hasn't been paying attention since the Arsenal home game.
-
I am glad someone else has noticed the 'hoof' cliche.
Even Given has been accused of it today.
It was not a hoofing game apart from getting the ball away from danger occasionally. Sorry if that doesn't fit with the agenda of some.
Which ever way you dress it - long ball, clearing from danger etc - the truth is that from about the 45 minute up until they scored we played way to many balls over the heads of our midfield in a hopeful manner towards Bent. This resulted in giving possession away again and again and why during this period we had only 25% of possession. This is not an agenda, this is based on fact.
We played some good stuff in the first half, then Newcastle stepped it up a gear in the second and we didn't. Once they had scored their second, they sat deeper and we were once again able to start passing the ball around.
When teams press us we can't cope and we kick the ball long and hopeful.
-
I am glad someone else has noticed the 'hoof' cliche.
Even Given has been accused of it today.
It was not a hoofing game apart from getting the ball away from danger occasionally. Sorry if that doesn't fit with the agenda of some.
I'm going to disagree with that to a degree as whilst in general our play was constructive and played on the deck there aretimes when we did hoof aimlessly and not to anyone in particular. However you are right to point out we don't play this cliched long ball game and anyone casually using it quite obviously hasn't been paying attention since the Arsenal home game.
For the first 20 minutes of both halves I would say that clearance from the backline looked like a priority. It seemed a lot like 'hoofing' to me, especially early on with Darren Bent either chasing to win a header or getting the ball taken off his foot. It didn't seem like there weren't many possessions that started out from the back and worked their way up through the midfield.
-
A lot of this comes down to our lack of a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game. If we could get one of them many of our problems would be solved.
-
From Twitter N'Zogbia
First time in my life im not happy playing football !!!
-
In the first 30 seconds of the second half they hit a hopeful cross into the box that ricocheted off several of our players and was cleared away in a panic. I think that just seemed to set out the game then as they knew we could panic and we thought we need to defend well and not give away a stupid ball.
The Heskey sub actually changed that and we started to get some good chances again so it is typical they then scored.
-
A lot of this comes down to or lack of a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game. If we could get one of them many of our problems would be solved.
I completely agree.. that's why I asked Pete that question a few posts ago. Who is going to come back for the ball and effectively take it forward for us. Petrov and Clark make great coverage for the backs but Keane's intent to stay high and help feed Bent make it so that we have no defensive third distributor.
-
From Twitter N'Zogbia
First time in my life im not happy playing football !!!
TBH though, apart from the assist, he did nothing else attacking wise and wasted several opportunities. I know the same could be said about Bent but we can't play two of them, although either could have been subbed for the Lump.
-
A lot of this comes down to our lack of a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game. If we could get one of them many of our problems would be solved.
Nowt to do with our twat of a manager then?
-
A lot of this comes down to our lack of a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game. If we could get one of them many of our problems would be solved.
Nowt to do with our twat of a manager then?
I bet getting taken off by Heskey so early is a bit humbling, especially after providing the crucial dribbles and pass up to our goal.
-
From Twitter N'Zogbia
First time in my life im not happy playing football !!!
Not surprised. His attitude was always going to be a problem. Incidentally I think anyone under contract at AVFC should be banned from using twitter. In general It's only ever going to shed bad light on the club.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
-
First cracks are appearing. Tbf if Heskey replaced me at work I would be well pissed off.
-
From Twitter N'Zogbia
First time in my life im not happy playing football !!!
I think he's chosen his words carefully there.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
-
N'Zgobia is now retweeting negative messages sent to him to display the abuse he's enduring at the moment. All a bit harsh really.
-
First cracks are appearing. Tbf if Heskey replaced me at work I would be well pissed off.
I wouldn't because it would mean he has left us to work at your place.
-
A lot of this comes down to our lack of a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game. If we could get one of them many of our problems would be solved.
Petrov can do it on occasions.
I also think over time Makoun could do it but can't see him getting a look in under this manager.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
-
A lot of this comes down to our lack of a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game. If we could get one of them many of our problems would be solved.
Petrov can do it on occasions.
I also think over time Makoun could do it but can't see him getting a look in under this manager.
Reckless two-footed tackles, an inability to defend and a preference to get rid of the ball quickly.. you think he'd be first on McLeish's team sheet.
but seriously, we need a link between the defense and attacking midfield.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
Who gets the credit for bringing on Warnock at Wolves?
-
A lot of this comes down to our lack of a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game. If we could get one of them many of our problems would be solved.
Nowt to do with our twat of a manager then?
Not unless he's coming out of retirement to start next Sunday.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
Even though we started to get back in to the game after that sub and started to create chances again?
-
From Twitter N'Zogbia
First time in my life im not happy playing football !!!
There We Are Than Mr N'Zogbia.
-
It's just a bit frustrating that McLeish has been going after N'Zogbia for years and he finally gets an owner willing to shell out some cash for him and he doesn't even know how to get the best out of the guy..
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
Who gets the credit for bringing on Warnock at Wolves?
Wolves were down to 10 men, that made the difference not Warnock
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
Who gets the credit for bringing on Warnock at Wolves?
Wolves were down to 10 men, that made the difference not Warnock
Not when he came on they weren't. To borrow an oft-used internet cliche, says it all really.
-
First cracks are appearing. Tbf if Heskey replaced me at work I would be well pissed off.
If Ireland and/or N'Zogbia worked for me they will be collecting their P45 first thing tomorrow morning.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
Who gets the credit for bringing on Warnock at Wolves?
Wolves were down to 10 men, that made the difference not Warnock
Rubbish. We were all over them long before the sending off.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
Who gets the credit for bringing on Warnock at Wolves?
Wolves were down to 10 men, that made the difference not Warnock
Rubbish. We were all over them long before the sending off.
Don't think so.
-
Frimpong going off injured made more of a difference than Henry going off injured, i thought.
Frimpong was running the game.
-
Frimpong going off injured made more of a difference than Henry going off injured, i thought.
Frimpong was running the game.
In the first half he was; second half he was a lot quieter.
-
Our manager is not a 'twat'.
Ok fuckin useless
A comment not even worth a response.
Fair enough but this continual claim it's the players and the wage being managed or these are the players we are stuck with is starting to wear thin. The manager must take most of the blame for today's result, bringing on Heskey was a terrible decision.
Who gets the credit for bringing on Warnock at Wolves?
Wolves were down to 10 men, that made the difference not Warnock
Rubbish. We were all over them long before the sending off.
Don't think so.
Warnock put Kightly in his pocket and the game changed. Frimpong went off and we took hold of the game. These events happened long before the sending off.
-
I don't think we were that bad today, at times we played some really nice stuff. There's signs of a good side there. We could do with picking up points in the next few games though to make ourselves a bit more comfortable.
-
Thought we looked pretty good first half but didnt take long after the 2nd half started to see we would lose the game, we started to sit off them and get deeper, defensively we are still terrible, Warnock was marginally better but is still a liability and I thought Dunne was very poor and didnt seem interested and Darrens hold up play was awful which kept giving them back possession.
Long and short of it is that we are no more than an average team which is why we are 13th, we have not strung 2 consecutive league wins together all season, we win one game in 4 and leak goals for fun, we will survive this term but I am already shitting myself about next season.
-
Frimpong going off injured made more of a difference than Henry going off injured, i thought.
Frimpong was running the game.
In the first half he was; second half he was a lot quieter.
Didn't he go off about five mins into the second half?
Decent player.
-
I don't think we were that bad today, at times we played some really nice stuff. There's signs of a good side there. We could do with picking up points in the next few games though to make ourselves a bit more comfortable.
The trouble is we haven't been "that bad" in most matches since Arse at home (Swansea apart). It's just the same errors appearing each time.
-
Nzogbia has been an arse from day one. Not impressed with him at all
-
I didn't think we were that bad today, at times we played some really nice stuff. There's signs of a good side there. We could do with picking up points in the next few games though to make ourselves a bit more comfortable.
The trouble is we haven't been "that bad" in most matches since Arse at home (Swansea apart). It's just the same errors appearing each time.
I just thought we deserved something out of the game today. It reminds me of last season in a way, you can see signs of improvement but we seem to be making hard work of it.
-
I don't think we were that bad today, at times we played some really nice stuff. There's signs of a good side there. We could do with picking up points in the next few games though to make ourselves a bit more comfortable.
The trouble is we haven't been "that bad" in most matches since Arse at home (Swansea apart). It's just the same errors appearing each time.
Yup.
We have played good stuff for spells in most of those matches, too, we just seem to be picking up few points.
Our home record in particular is of worry. No win in more than three months at home is something any side should be concerned about.
-
I didn't see the match but followed it on the match thread. Up to HT we were out playing Newcastle and were unlucky yo be 1-0 and rightly we equlaised. So far that was Eck's team and his tactics. A *anker in the team decides to have a go at the Manager and is removed. Little bit later another waster starts being the biggest asset to the opposirion and is removed. Again that is what you would expect the Manager to do. So we lost but this was not Eck's fault. Some of our players on and off the pitch should be ashamed of themselves.
-
I don't think we were that bad today, at times we played some really nice stuff. There's signs of a good side there. We could do with picking up points in the next few games though to make ourselves a bit more comfortable.
The trouble is we haven't been "that bad" in most matches since Arse at home (Swansea apart). It's just the same errors appearing each time.
Yup.
We have played good stuff for spells in most of those matches, too, we just seem to be picking up few points.
Our home record in particular is of worry. No win in more than three months at home is something any side should be concerned about.
The annoying, frustrating, tear our hair out thing about it is that Newcastle aren't much better than us, yet in the middle of February they're still in Champions League contention.
-
I'd disagree with that. Don't know about today but over this season they've been much better than us, I'd say.
They were without Cabaye and Tiote today. Put those two back in and they're a much better side than us, and the results show it.
He's done well there, Pardew. Who'd have thought it? Sometimes it just clicks for a manager at a club.
-
Heskey came on to tighten it up down the left. Clark was having a poor game and Warnock was getting roasted time after time. N'Zogbia did nothing to help out. If Gabby was fit he'd have come on to provide defensive stability.
There was little he could have done. Heskey was the right sub, personally I'd have taken Warnock off and put Clark at left back to tighten it up, but with those subs he had little choice.
-
The annoying, frustrating, tear our hair out thing about it is that Newcastle aren't much better than us, yet in the middle of February they're still in Champions League contention.
Apart from the better defence (less prone to mistakes) and the better centre midfield duo (didn't play against us) and the better striker who can score and contribute to the all around play of the team.
-
I'd disagree with that. Don't know about today but over this season they've been much better than us, I'd say.
They were without Cabaye and Tiote today. Put those two back in and they're a much better side than us, and the results show it.
He's done well there, Pardew. Who'd have thought it? Sometimes it just clicks for a manager at a club.
It sure does.
-
I didn't watch the game, didn't follow the game, didn't go on the match thread. When my daughter told me the score I wasn't even surprised.
So I am STILL boycotting Villa Direct although I really, really, really do need new mugs.
-
Moyes is another one.
Done a great job at Everton, but if he'd joined us in the summer, would we be much better than we are now?
-
Moyes is another one.
Done a great job at Everton, but if he'd joined us in the summer, would we be much better than we are now?
Do you think he could at least win a home game? I think he would change our entire atmosphere whether the play actually improved or not.
-
I'd disagree with that. Don't know about today but over this season they've been much better than us, I'd say.
Yes, they have been better than us, but they aren't really that much better than us if you know what I mean!
-
I think Newcastle are one season wonders. Everything seems to be going their way for some reason. Fair play to them though.
I thought we should have won today. We probably would have done if we a had defence worth it's salt.
-
Have not read all the thread but I notice the usual `Have a go at Heskey, so therefore Mcleish too` comments.
The reality is that during the 2nd half we were coming under increasing pressure and Newcastle were dominating possession. This was due to us giving away ther ball cheaply and being unable to hold the ball up outside our own half.
Immediately Heskey came on, that pressure was relieved and our levels of possession improved and we were playing more of the game in their half.
Heskey held the ball up, he brought players into the game and provided important link play. We lost because of errors at the back, in the case of the second goal poor defending by Dunne. Not because of Heskey or because of the managers substitution decisions.
-
Can we please get back to the petty arguing?
This thread is not for agreement and coming to a general consensus.
-
Have not read all the thread but I notice the usual `Have a go at Heskey, so therefore Mcleish too` comments.
The reality is that during the 2nd half we were coming under increasing pressure and Newcastle were dominating possession. This was due to us giving away ther ball cheaply and being unable to hold the ball up outside our own half.
Immediately Heskey came on, that pressure was relieved and our levels of possession improved and we were playing more of the game in their half.
Heskey held the ball up, he brought players into the game and provided important link play. We lost because of errors at the back, in the case of the second goal poor defending by Dunne. Not because of Heskey or because of the managers substitution decisions.
It seemed to me that when Heskey came on Toon dropped back a bit expecting three strikers to have a go. I didn't see as much value in the Heskey sub as some, but I understand where you are coming from.
-
What today showed me.
Ireland and N'zog need to take a leaf out Keanes book, and work at their game.2 very good players in there , but not prepared to be team players.Much as i like Ireland as a player, i wish McL would chin him sometimes when he has a strop.
Clark is not a midfielder.
Dunne has gone, too many mistakes giving too many goals away
GG is going to be a good player, hopefully a mainstay of our team for the next 10 years.
We are not far off Nooocastle, and they are 5th.
We should have won that today.For whatever reasons we stopped playing football in the 2nd half, and only really picked up when GG came on.I would'nt have taken Ireland or N'Zog off tbh, but i thought Bannan was'nt too bad, and Heskey was'nt as bad as normal.
1 mistake by Dunne gave them their winner, but their goalie was probably MOM.
-
Have not read all the thread but I notice the usual `Have a go at Heskey, so therefore Mcleish too` comments.
The reality is that during the 2nd half we were coming under increasing pressure and Newcastle were dominating possession. This was due to us giving away ther ball cheaply and being unable to hold the ball up outside our own half.
Immediately Heskey came on, that pressure was relieved and our levels of possession improved and we were playing more of the game in their half.
Heskey held the ball up, he brought players into the game and provided important link play. We lost because of errors at the back, in the case of the second goal poor defending by Dunne. Not because of Heskey or because of the managers substitution decisions.
It seemed to me that when Heskey came on Toon dropped back a bit expecting three strikers to have a go. I didn't see as much value in the Heskey sub as some, but I understand where you are coming from.
But we did create chances when Heskey came on. We certainly started looking dangerous again when he came on.
-
Every single mistake is costing us at the moment, we don't get the rub of the green with anything.
-
It's possibly the worst defence I've ever seen down the Villa. It's costing us every game. The end of the season can't come quick enough.
-
Yet again on another day we would have won that (how many times could we say that this season). The key points for me were:-
-Dunne was awful and seems to be spending an ever increasing time marking fresh air.
-The first 20 minutes of the second half was dire. We cannot win playing long balls from the back, when we get the ball down and move it we do well, it's not rocket science.
-Thought the game passed Clark by in the second half and Gardner coming on put a presence back in the middle.
-For what ever reason he went off we desperately missed Ireland.
-
Every single mistake is costing us at the moment, we don't get the rub of the green with anything.
The one repetitive remark continually trotted out by Premier League managers in interviews which I do agree with is... "At this level, your mistakes gets punished."
-
Every single mistake is costing us at the moment, we don't get the rub of the green with anything.
The one repetitive remark continually trotted out by Premier League managers in interviews which I do agree with is... "At this level, your mistakes gets punished."
That was the sole reason Ireland got the swap apparently. Not blocking crosses.. He didn't do enough wrong for me to get subbed for his on-field performance.
-
It's possibly the worst defence I've ever seen down the Villa. It's costing us every game. The end of the season can't come quick enough.
This...so long as we stay up, which we should, just about.
1. Slash the wage bill.
2. Keep us up.
3. ????
Assuming 1&2 are ticked off, what will Randy have in mind for no. 3? Surely it can't go on like this for another season.
-
via the Birmingham Mail;
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish was pleased with much of his side's performance against Newcastle United but was unhappy with the goals they conceded.
And he insisted he had not withdrawn midfielder Stephen Ireland at half-time because he had reacted angrily to his manager's suggestion that he might have done better for Ba's goal.
The Scot said: "I know he spoke back, but at the same time, players don't like to hear the manager screaming at them from the touchline.
"But I kick every ball with them, I am passionate, I care and I wouldn't be so petty to take a player off for something like that if he is doing a fantastic job.
"But Stevie had an ankle problem. He wasn't able to close down and that was it."
-
Every single mistake is costing us at the moment, we don't get the rub of the green with anything.
Very true. All loose balls invariably go to the opposition.
Regarding N'Zogbia. I have been very supportive of him all season. He has come good at times, but very few and far between. Now he feels that he is at the top of his game, he goes bleating on Twitter. He is not that good. I have come to the conclusion it was money badly spent and he can go. Poisonous talk by players needs rooting out. They will be daubing stuff on the walls of Bodymoor Heath next.
-
Well McL was right.Ireland should have done better.
Much as i like Ireland as a player, he needs to be able to take criticism, and improve his game, same as N'Zog.Both have enough ability/talent to play in a top 4 team, but lack professionalism.
We did miss Ireland 2nd half though, but Bannan was'nt too bad.
-
We should have got a draw at least out of that. However, we can't keep shipping goals like we do and expect to get a result. Even so, their winner was a wonder strike and it's difficult to point the finger at any of our defenders for not preventing it.
I thought Ireland going off we lost something in the final third and allowed them to dominate for long periods. N'Zog was very frustrating as was Bent with his hold up play.
-
It's possibly the worst defence I've ever seen down the Villa. It's costing us every game. The end of the season can't come quick enough.
They'll still be here next season, as we cannot make them leave, no one will take them and Lerner won't take a hit on them. Our best hope is that McLeish manages to get them into some good form.
-
via the Birmingham Mail;
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish was pleased with much of his side's performance against Newcastle United but was unhappy with the goals they conceded.
And he insisted he had not withdrawn midfielder Stephen Ireland at half-time because he had reacted angrily to his manager's suggestion that he might have done better for Ba's goal.
The Scot said: "I know he spoke back, but at the same time, players don't like to hear the manager screaming at them from the touchline.
"But I kick every ball with them, I am passionate, I care and I wouldn't be so petty to take a player off for something like that if he is doing a fantastic job.
"But Stevie had an ankle problem. He wasn't able to close down and that was it."
Well ,IF, the manager has fallen out with Stephen Ireland you can expect a major sulk from Stephen Ireland, when he falls out with people its akin to a crusade.
-
Excellent first half, very positive, unlucky not to be 2-3 goals up, 2nd half, bit of a mystery, please tell me those substitutions were for injuries rather than tactical, because if they were for the latter, that`s a serious error of judgment on AMs part. I know Christmas has come and gone, but dear Santa, i`d love a new back four please.
-
Well just got back to Manc and after putting my 12 hour shift in for the lads can't say I'm either happy or unhappy.
Like McLeish I'm fuming we didn't get at least a point or more which our more creative play deserved, we cut them to ribbons at times whilst not looking overly troubled by their attack until the 2nd half. Nothing you can do against a wonderstrike like that other than Dunne not selling himself 4 feet under a cross yet again.
Not surre what to make of all this dissent towards McLeish whihc the journo's have picked up on, sounds like the whole squad needs a striaghtener away from prying eyes to get it out in the open and sorted. There's a half decent team in there if they could be bothered to sort themselves out.
Ankle injury or not and Warnock being exposed I thought the two substitutions were poor and removed our entire creativity and dare i say work rate from the midfield, with Bannan and Heskey on we looked slow and ponderous in our build up and it wasn't until the introduction of Gardner that we started to see some incision and drive again.
Ho hum, there's always next week......
-
Depressingly predictable result (well i called it), given the 2 goal handicap we start with. AM isn't helping himself picking fat boy Dunne and Co. Substitutions were a mystery, I thought N-zog caused them problems and for the 2nd game running he wasn't totally piss poor. Not sure if the the rumours about Ireland have been denied yet but if they were true he should be paid up and fucked off. Comes a point where any loss on his transfer is compensated for getting him off the books. Keane was good, Hutton the best of the defence, carlos was a bit shakey but generally recovered. Dunne is a total waste of blubber
-
Depressingly predictable result (well i called it), given the 2 goal handicap we start with. AM isn't helping himself picking fat boy Dunne and Co. Substitutions were a mystery, I thought N-zog caused them problems and for the 2nd game running he wasn't totally piss poor. Not sure if the the rumours about Ireland have been denied yet but if they were true he should be paid up and fucked off. Comes a point where any loss on his transfer is compensated for getting him off the books. Keane was good, Hutton the best of the defence, carlos was a bit shakey but generally recovered. Dunne is a total waste of blubber
We got a few good games from him and the shop window is now closed.
-
Depressingly predictable result (well i called it), given the 2 goal handicap we start with. AM isn't helping himself picking fat boy Dunne and Co. Substitutions were a mystery, I thought N-zog caused them problems and for the 2nd game running he wasn't totally piss poor. Not sure if the the rumours about Ireland have been denied yet but if they were true he should be paid up and fucked off. Comes a point where any loss on his transfer is compensated for getting him off the books. Keane was good, Hutton the best of the defence, carlos was a bit shakey but generally recovered. Dunne is a total waste of blubber
I read somewhere Dunne is ever present under AM. Unreal considering the goals we are shipping
-
Ireland has still been one of our best performers, even shoved out wide right which doesn't suit his play.
-
It's possibly the worst defence I've ever seen down the Villa. It's costing us every game. The end of the season can't come quick enough.
This...so long as we stay up, which we should, just about.
1. Slash the wage bill.
2. Keep us up.
3. ????
Assuming 1&2 are ticked off, what will Randy have in mind for no. 3? Surely it can't go on like this for another season.
Faulkner wants European football and i was glad to hear it. We don't want this season to become the norm.
-
Depressingly predictable result (well i called it), given the 2 goal handicap we start with. AM isn't helping himself picking fat boy Dunne and Co. Substitutions were a mystery, I thought N-zog caused them problems and for the 2nd game running he wasn't totally piss poor. Not sure if the the rumours about Ireland have been denied yet but if they were true he should be paid up and fucked off. Comes a point where any loss on his transfer is compensated for getting him off the books. Keane was good, Hutton the best of the defence, carlos was a bit shakey but generally recovered. Dunne is a total waste of blubber
I read somewhere Dunne is ever present under AM. Unreal considering the goals we are shipping
Aye. Rapidly approaching Ivanhoe in the "what does it take to not play him?" stakes
-
I read somewhere that Dunne is the heaviest player in the PL at over 15 stone. Anyone know if this is true?
-
I read somewhere that Dunne is the heaviest player in the PL at over 15 stone. Anyone know if this is true?
After seeing the size of Toby Stephens when he came on for England yesterday, I bet Eck was straight on the blower to his agent!
-
I read somewhere that Dunne is the heaviest player in the PL at over 15 stone. Anyone know if this is true?
Would not surprise me, he gets slower and more out of position as the game goes on, leading to fuck ups and desperate lunges. A fully fit and commited Dunne is an asset, sadly we dont have that.
-
Still scratching my head why he took N 'Zogbia off as most people are I thought we should have got something out of this game very disappointed.
-
Useless substitutions by Mcleish!! Bent should of scored a Hat Trick today!! Should have won the game easy!! I bet Keane wishes someone was on the same wavelength!!
Poor display today by Warnock, Petrov, Bent, Hutton!!
Gutted
-
Only saw second half but thought we played well going forward. let down again by the defence but not a shock. lets not forget this is a good newcastle team. if there are dissenting players then i'm with mcleish all the way. nzog not known for his loyalty and hard work and Ireland is a liability despite his recent good form
-
if in the new bonus cutting culture we are moving into perhaps we could fine a defender £1000 every time he hoofs it forward and the forwards £5000 every time their control fails them or they give away a stupid free kick?
-
Useless substitutions by Mcleish!! Bent should of scored a Hat Trick today!! Should have won the game easy!! I bet Keane wishes someone was on the same wavelength!!
Poor display today by Warnock, Petrov, Bent, Hutton!!
Gutted
Hutton wasn't too bad.
-
Useless substitutions by Mcleish!! Bent should of scored a Hat Trick today!! Should have won the game easy!! I bet Keane wishes someone was on the same wavelength!!
Poor display today by Warnock, Petrov, Bent, Hutton!!
Gutted
I have to say, I was massively nonplussed when McLeish brought Robbie Keane in, but I have been extremely impressed by the bloke.
However, I think the most notable thing is how he has been used to playing with players who understand the need for movement off the ball, and move into space, and you sometimes see the frustration in him when players don't give him options as he has the ball and is looking for somewhere to pass it.
It really brings home how unused we are to moving off the ball, It is easier to retain possession when it is about a player with the ball AND others moving into space to receive it, rather than a player with the ball at his feet looking up and seeing no options.
-
its simple, look at Keanes head, he is allways looking around before and when he is on the ball, Ireland is the only player on the same wavelength
-
I remember seeing Ireland doing exactly the same thing in his first games for us, too.
-
I remember seeing Ireland doing exactly the same thing in his first games for us, too.
Look up for teammates to pass to?
-
I remember seeing Ireland doing exactly the same thing in his first games for us, too.
Look up for teammates to pass to?
I remember seeing him move into space and get frustrated that nobody was on the same wavelength as him, and look to make passes but see nobody making themselves available for him in his first few matches for us, yes.
That's not making excuses for everything that has happened with him, far from it, but I do think that when you see players who are used to more dropped into the way we play, they stand out.
You can see our lack of movement from throw ins, even, and it has been this way for years now, under GH and MON.
-
McInally made the point in commentary about lack of movement and showing when Warnock looked up and saw no movement so turned inside and passed it to their player in the centre circle. I understood the point although couldn't understand why it meant he needed to pass it to Ba because of it.
-
Just got in, 18 hours after leaving home, and am too tired to read the whole thread but I do want to make a point about the substitution of Heskey for N'Zogbia. Like everyone around me, I was very surprised, and I could understand the chants of "You don't know what you're doing". But it was in fact an effective substitution. Whereas Bent had (again) won very little in the air, Heskey won just about everything, he found good positions and he passed quickly and neatly. He was involved in most of the moves towards the end when we looked very dangerous. He gave us another option - a different one from N'Zogbia, but a valuable one.
-
thats all very well frank , but looking dangerous is a bit dffierent from putting the ball in the net and the one thing you're near enough guaranteed from emile is he wont score or make a goal
oh and fairplay for actually going. mental.
-
I remember seeing Ireland doing exactly the same thing in his first games for us, too.
Look up for teammates to pass to?
I remember seeing him move into space and get frustrated that nobody was on the same wavelength as him, and look to make passes but see nobody making themselves available for him in his first few matches for us, yes.
That's not making excuses for everything that has happened with him, far from it, but I do think that when you see players who are used to more dropped into the way we play, they stand out.
You can see our lack of movement from throw ins, even, and it has been this way for years now, under GH and MON.
This is the big thing I've been banging on about all season, and is the same reason why I have no respect for McLeish and can't see any major improvements if he stays with us long term, what we're seeing now is as good as it's going to get.
We have all these great young kids coming through an academy and reserve setup where they play athletic pass and move football then we put them into the team and they see lots of statues and runs down the wing and not a lot else.
I agree Ireland and Keane have both done the whole 'look up, wave arms at people who are standing still behind an opposition player, give up and try to beat a man' I've also seen Bannan and Albrighton do it and I'm expecting to see the same from Gardner once he's given more than a few minutes at the end of a game.
It was no suprise to see the improvement Gardner made as he came on, as he was making space. he had 2 chances and maybe should've done better with the 2nd (the first was a poor pass to him that meant it'd have been a wonder strike to stand a chance) but both of them were effectively one-two, where he passed then found space to get it back. If we could get him, Bannan and Ireland playing together in there I think we could see a huge improvement.
-
So there is hope. Sooner or later we will give someone a good thrashing. There is plenty of skill in there. I think Warnock needs a new pair of boots or studs as he can't stay on his feet for long.
-
Why would Keane want to stay?
Because playing in England is better than going to Vancouver, Houston and Columbus, Ohio on the weekends?
Um. Is it fuck?
Want Keane to stay though, and credit to McLeish, I thought it was a nothing loan.
-
Outrageous abuse of the position of Moderator. There's nothing offensive about these posts. On a little power trip Paulie?
Thanks, but read the first paragraph of the rules, then think about how that sits with telling telling people theyre "talking out of their arse" because they disagree.
If youre not happy with that, take it up with another moderator by pm.
Have done so. Ive reported your comment to a mod. If it comes to you, please forward my comment to another Mod.
Paulie is a very aggressive Mod, that's for sure.
You should see him outside Satchwell's on a Saturday night. I heard he ripped some bloke's eyes out because the guy opened a window. Mental.
-
It is the place to discuss it, but I was alluding to your point about come the end of the season it says we lost to Newcastle and doesn't mention how we played. As far as I can see, the result has happened and the result stands now as it does the end of the season. Your point is that we lost and that's it. It won't matter whether we played fantastic or crap (which it doesn't). However, my point to you is, why are you now discussing the game when it doesn't matter, because in your opinion, when a game is done, that's it?
Obviously, but it's equally applicable though, isn't it? I don't see how your reckoning of the result differs from mine that much to be honest. I am pissed, mind.
-
Subs didnt really work out apart from Gardner but not really McLeish's fault. Nzogbia was incredibly frustrating. Fair enough he got the assist but he should have got even more of them. Ireland going off hurt us as Keane and himself were linking well. We couldnt get Keane on the ball in the second half and as a result didnt create that many chances. Main issue in the team is there is no one to get on the ball from the back. Guthrie was far better at getting on the ball than Petrov in particular. Warnock was asleep for the first goal and the second Hutton, Cuellar and Dunne all should have stopped the ball getting to Cisse.
At times in the first half we played some great stuff. Keane was key. Ireland and Bannan when he came on obviously not too happy on the right but when we kept it on the floor we opened them up at will almost in the first half. Think there is the makings of a good side there but the mix still isnt right.
Given 6 - did he even have a save?
Hutton 6 - better defensively but should have stopped cross coming in. Better on the ball than usual but was hoping he might push on a little more
Cuellar 5 - didnt think he was great. got lost positionally a couple of times
Dunne 5 - Wouldnt fault him for the first but he had to get a touch on the ball before the second. He is struggling a bit with the new style of play but midfielders need to become available too. Stupid booking and a few stupid mistakes. He gets a very hard time from some on here
Warnock 5 - not too bad. Asleep for the first and might have even got a red for that kamikaze lunge on Taylor. Alright apart from that but needs replacing in the summer
Ireland 6 - tidy on the ball as always. bit of heart wouldnt go astray at times but we miss him when he isnt on the pitch. unlucky with a good effort just drifted wide.
Petrov 4 - very disappointing again for me. hardly involved. tidy from broken play but half arsed tracking back and needs to start getting the ball from the back
Clark 4 - game passed him by I thought. Good bit to learn about constructive midfield play. Shielded the defence well but we needed more than that.
Nzogbia 6 - where do you even start. hoping a switch will go off in him soon and it will all come together. In the first half he was our most likely source of a goal but lazy as hell at others times, stupid shot selections and his deliveries were generally awful, assist aside
Keane 7 - excellent in the first half but couldnt get involved in the second. Very clever player and we will miss him a lot when he goes.
Bent 6 - a host of chances, movement was good generally. Started off terribly with his touch all over the place. On another day could have had a hat trick. To be fair they were all good saves
Bannan 5 - tried his best but no real impact until he started wandering late on. Nice ball in for Gardner
Heskey 5 - no point putting him on wing. No point to him playing generally Im afraid. Might be his last appearance for a while.
Gardner 6 - should have scored the equaliser but panicked. Got involved on the ball and does break into the box well. Shades of Lampard about him. Can definitely see him getting goals but midfield like at Wolves could be overrun if he were in the centre. Would have brought him on the right instead of Bannan
-
Even our best players are too one-dimensional. Bent scores goals but does absolutely fuck all else. It's why I prefer Gabby. Bent is definitely a better finisher but Gabby beats him hands down in all other aspects of forward play and scores as well, just a few less. In principle, even when he is on a decent scoring run, swapping Bent for a solid defence would still be of more value to us points wise. Ireland is good going forward but is a liability the other way. Then again, the defence don't even have one dimension they are good at.
-
I only saw the first half. I take it it went downhill second?
From what I saw I thought we played some lovely stuff going forward at times, with Keane, Petrov, Ireland , N'Zog and Bent carving Toon open a few times. Their goal was against the run of play, and once again our defence made it too easy for them. I thought we could and should have been at least two up at half time. Not Bent's day for finishing but credit to the keeper and to Bent for making the runs. If only we had a defence and could keep it up for 90 (or even 70) minutes we'd be a decent team.
Keane was great again, constantly moving and looking for the ball and clever passes, flicks and runs.
N'zogbia and Ireland are starting to look decent players.
Petrov looks a better player with a bit of movement ahead of him.
Clark is way too slow to be a top player. Barry looks like Usain Bolt compared to him.
Dunne is a cert for at least one huge clanger every game, usually conceding a penalty or a goal.
Warnock needs to learn to stay on his feet and not dive in so much.
-
I see a lot of talk about the Heskey substitution, but it didn't really change anything that lost us the game. N'Zogbia wasn't really involved, so no arguments for me about him going off. What cost us the game was not taking our chances prior to Emile coming on the field, yet people say that change was why we lost?
I thought Hutton was decent and Warnock was poor again.
We seemed to go within ourselves when Ireland went off and only started attacking again once they got the 2nd. Not sure if that was tactical or a matter of Newcastle just having the upper hand, but we certainly deserved something from the game.
-
Given 6 - Not at fault for either goal.
Hutton 6 - Meh.
Dunne 2 - At fault for both goals (losing an aerial challenge with a pathetic jump and then deciding to leave his man unmarked to stand on the goal line, then the positional sense and agilty of Stephen Hawking for the second). I also loved his mazy runs through midfield before giving the ball away. A fucking lummox I can't wait to see the back of in the summer.
Cuellar - 6. Decent.
Warnock - 5. meh.
Ireland - 6. Decent enough when involved.
Petrov - 5. Largely anonymous.
Clark - 5. Patchy.
N'Zogbia - 6. Occasionally threatening
Keane - 7. A standout.
Bent - 5. Frustratingly off colour.
Bannan - 6. Decent cameo.
Heskey - 6. Did what I expected him to do.
Gardner - Trust me, this kid is the future for us. Unlucky not to score with the header and the shot was uncharacteristically poor. His timing of runs and general play is excellent and when he gets a break there will be no stopping him.
Lots and lots of work to do but I'm pretty down about matters Villa today.
Every time the ball goes in our box it's like a live hand grenade. Every deflection ends up perfectly in the path of the opposition dangerman. Everybody who is in form or making their debut is hurting us with scripted predictability. I hope the luck element turns for us soon but we're also not helping ourselves one bit.
There would be a good team there with a different defence. Which is unfortunate because a good defence (i'd accept vaguely competent) is essential to being a good team. We have to score 2 or 3 goals or more to get points now it seems.
Drop Richard Dunne and play anybody else and let's see how that goes for a bit I say.
We need Herd, Albrighton and Agbonlahor back asap.
As for the supposed unrest in the dressing room. I'll wait for more solid proof but a few of these players can get to fuck as far as I'm concerned and if they are also causing trouble as well as mugging us off with dopey lacklustre performances they can sit it out until summer when they can go, whatever the consequences.
-
A pretty even game decided by a debutant scoring with an unstoppable shot. Sound familiar?
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
Far, far from simple. It was a close game decided by a cracking goal and their keeper making a number of good saves. Another day it would have gone our way, that's the nature of sport.
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
Far, far from simple. It was a close game decided by a cracking goal and their keeper making a number of good saves. Another day it would have gone our way, that's the nature of sport.
Why is it far from simple? Yes it was a cracking goal but what was dunne doing? he had enough time to see it and act but messed it up and why wasn't warnock closer to Cisse anticipating a potential balls up by Dunne? From what I can remember Cisse was the only man in and around that area when the cross came in so Warnock had no one else to worry about.
We shouldnt have lost that game and I stand by that.
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
Far, far from simple. It was a close game decided by a cracking goal and their keeper making a number of good saves. Another day it would have gone our way, that's the nature of sport.
For most of the games this season apart from about 6, you could argue "another day it would have gone our way". We are running out of games for it to "go our way this season" and the reason for that is typically defensive gifts to the opposition.
-
When I came to work this morning there was a look of pain on my Arsenal supporting boss's face. He said he watched out game and just couldn't believe what happened to us. He said we have such a 'soft core', that we just capitulate in games we should win.
That for me is the most ominous thing. if we get sucked into the dreaded R (I cannot even say it) dogfight, will we have the stomach to get ouselves out of it? We have the ability, it's our spirit that's the problem.
-
When I came to work this morning there was a look of pain on my Arsenal supporting boss's face. He said he watched out game and just couldn't believe what happened to us. He said we have such a 'soft core', that we just capitulate in games we should win.
That for me is the most ominous thing. if we get sucked into the dreaded R (I cannot even say it) dogfight, will we have the stomach to get ouselves out of it? We have the ability, it's our spirit that's the problem.
Soft core? A bit rich coming from an arsenal fan. They're missing a number of players that would have had them well above Chelsea and tottenham in the league.
I have a feeling we are going to get sucked right into the mix come the next few games. Cant the season end today? :(
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
Far, far from simple. It was a close game decided by a cracking goal and their keeper making a number of good saves. Another day it would have gone our way, that's the nature of sport.
For most of the games this season apart from about 6, you could argue "another day it would have gone our way". We are running out of games for it to "go our way this season" and the reason for that is typically defensive gifts to the opposition.
I agree, to be honest.
We're playing spells of decent football, but undermining ourselves by defending so poorly. We need to start to win more matches, fast.
-
When I came to work this morning there was a look of pain on my Arsenal supporting boss's face. He said he watched out game and just couldn't believe what happened to us. He said we have such a 'soft core', that we just capitulate in games we should win.
That for me is the most ominous thing. if we get sucked into the dreaded R (I cannot even say it) dogfight, will we have the stomach to get ouselves out of it? We have the ability, it's our spirit that's the problem.
Soft core? A bit rich coming from an arsenal fan. They're missing a number of players that would have had them well above Chelsea and tottenham in the league.
I have a feeling we are going to get sucked right into the mix come the next few games. Cant the season end today? :(
It wasn't meant in a bad way, he is well aware of his own team's frailty. It was a fair comment I thought. We lack belief. We should have won yesterday as we were every bit as good as they were. We just didn't grab the game by teh scruff in the second half. That comes down to character.
-
Losing becomes a habit unfortunately as does winning.See Blackburn midweek,battered Newcastle for 90 mins and lost 2-0.We have zero belief and it's there for everybody to see.It's easy for the players because they can just hide behind the manager when they f*ck up
-
Don't you also think a problem is we were shored like a house in the hurricane earlier in the season. This meant meant we didn't concede many, but couldn't score. Now we have opened up to try and have an attacking threat, but the defence, which had had virtually the whole team defending with them before, has now been found wanting.
-
Don't you also think a problem is we were shored like a house in the hurricane earlier in the season. This meant meant we didn't concede many, but couldn't score. Now we have opened up to try and have an attacking threat, but the defence, which had had virtually the whole team defending with them before, has now been found wanting.
The defense was hardly watertight early in the season.
All you need to do is look at all the ridiculous goals conceded from set pieces.
-
Don't you also think a problem is we were shored like a house in the hurricane earlier in the season. This meant meant we didn't concede many, but couldn't score. Now we have opened up to try and have an attacking threat, but the defence, which had had virtually the whole team defending with them before, has now been found wanting.
The defense was hardly watertight early in the season.
All you need to do is look at all the ridiculous goals conceded from set pieces.
Also, it isn't like we are being overrun with attackers in most games recently, it is just stupid stuff like conceding needless pens, scoring own goals or not clearing crosses effectively. Some of the issues are unlucky, ( the ball falling to Cisse against QPR, or to Demba Ba yesterday, or kicked against Walcott on a clearance), but most of those could have been cut out earlier in the move which would have stopped the goal. (Warnock not giving the ball away, Dunne heading out effectively, Warnock stopping Walcott on the wing in those cases)
-
Correct.
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
Far, far from simple. It was a close game decided by a cracking goal and their keeper making a number of good saves. Another day it would have gone our way, that's the nature of sport.
For most of the games this season apart from about 6, you could argue "another day it would have gone our way". We are running out of games for it to "go our way this season" and the reason for that is typically defensive gifts to the opposition.
Absolutely. Of course, you can explain every defeat fairly easily. I keep reading that we're supposedly improving, but we're still losing far too often and certainly not winning enough; we've beaten the bottom four sides this season, plus Norwich and Chelsea. Not great.
Yes, Cisse scored a cracker yesterday to decide the game. But we came out for the second half and looked like conceding almost immediately. How did we go from the boost of scoring seconds before the break to coming out for the second half on the back foot?
-
Agreed you can't put it all down to luck, there are far too many "unforced errors" that seem to be down to a combination of poor concentration, lack of composure and in some cases, insufficient ability.
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
Far, far from simple. It was a close game decided by a cracking goal and their keeper making a number of good saves. Another day it would have gone our way, that's the nature of sport.
For most of the games this season apart from about 6, you could argue "another day it would have gone our way". We are running out of games for it to "go our way this season" and the reason for that is typically defensive gifts to the opposition.
Absolutely. Of course, you can explain every defeat fairly easily. I keep reading that we're supposedly improving, but we're still losing far too often and certainly not winning enough; we've beaten the bottom four sides this season, plus Norwich and Chelsea. Not great.
Yes, Cisse scored a cracker yesterday to decide the game. But we came out for the second half and looked like conceding almost immediately. How did we go from the boost of scoring seconds before the break to coming out for the second half on the back foot?
They upped their game, you see it all the time in football after a half time break - we did the same at Wolves. They're the home side going well in the league, to not expect periods when we are going to be pushed back is a touch optimistic. I'm disappointed with the outcome but realistic enough to realise that on another day it could easily have gone our way.
-
Shouldnt have lost. simple.
Far, far from simple. It was a close game decided by a cracking goal and their keeper making a number of good saves. Another day it would have gone our way, that's the nature of sport.
For most of the games this season apart from about 6, you could argue "another day it would have gone our way". We are running out of games for it to "go our way this season" and the reason for that is typically defensive gifts to the opposition.
Absolutely. Of course, you can explain every defeat fairly easily. I keep reading that we're supposedly improving, but we're still losing far too often and certainly not winning enough; we've beaten the bottom four sides this season, plus Norwich and Chelsea. Not great.
Yes, Cisse scored a cracker yesterday to decide the game. But we came out for the second half and looked like conceding almost immediately. How did we go from the boost of scoring seconds before the break to coming out for the second half on the back foot?
They upped their game, you see it all the time in football after a half time break - we did the same at Wolves. They're the home side going well in the league, to not expect periods when we are going to be pushed back is a touch optimistic. I'm disappointed with the outcome but realistic enough to realise that on another day it could easily have gone our way.
I think it was a case of Newcastle slightly upping their performance and us noticeably dropping ours.
Some consistency over 90mins is long overdue.