Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on March 09, 2012, 07:02:34 PM
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Available Saturday evening.
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WEIMANN!!
I wasn't happy with the N'Zogbia substitution but maybe McLeish saw the chemistry between Marc, Barry and Andy and felt he needed to make a move. I'm over the moon right now, went absolutely crazy.
It was a strong performance today. A relentless attack that fully deserved three points. Our defensive prowess throughout the game was very impressive.. tracking back, winning 50/50s, big tackles, stepping in on ball shielders.. incredible performance by me, especially for Ireland. Gabby was a little lackluster today, but Weimann seems up to the task.
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!
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Makes us safe I reckon
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Epic ending! We'll take that thank you very much good sub choices.
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Well thank fuck for that. That goal at the end changes everything about that game, because if we hadn't scored it would have been a decent performance for fuck all again. However with the goal we can look at the positives from it, great anticipation from Weimann and I'd have him in the team for Albrighton next week. Also N'Zog and Ireland make us a better side and when we pass it around we are a much better side. Gabby needs to learn how to run off defenders. Good solid effort at the back and Hutton much improved.
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Soild performance, good first half, worryingly sat back at the start of the second. It was clear as day that we needed a forward with a bit of movement and guile in the box, and sure enough following in a shot Weimann did it. Good lad, and good anticipation. Really relieved we won it, and hopefully the little guy will start next week now to give us something a bit different up front. I really could not care less what people think, we could play all week and Gabby does not look like scoring in that lone role, if we are going to score we have to do something different.
Well played to the back 4 for the clean sheet, and Hutton thankfully continues to improve. Maybe he will be a decent right back in the long term.
Hopefully Petrov won't be out next week, but Eck got lucky with him picking up a knock late on!
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Oh and Gardner should have been on a lot earlier for Petrov, he showed with that one shot what we'd been missing. The difference between him and Petrov in that regard is that Gardner shooting from range was a good percentage decision, but Petrov kept on having a go from 30-35 yards and very rarely is that going to come off.
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Excellent end to the game, just a shame that half the fans had left the stadium by the time Weimann had scored. We're safe now, you can put the kleenex away.
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Even if we hadn't won, that was as vibrant a midfield display as I can remember for a long time. Pass and move! Who'd have thought it possible? Defence looked OK, all the back four played well.
Final third was rather disappointing with Gabby looking a bit lost, and perhaps Gardner should have come on earlier, but a goal made in the reserves won it.
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We're not safe yet, but it's a big step.
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Delighted with the win, well done McLeish for the substitutions.
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How fitting on the day Villa Park remembers Eammon Deacy, the lads put in a 110% effort performance, fighting until the last ball is kicked.
I know you're looking down on us. Thanks, Eammon.
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Oh and according to the BBC it was Craig Gardner's shot that was saved, clowns.
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Its a desperate 3 points that we put in a lot of effort for IMO, with a bit of luck the team may feed of that, thought we looked more threatening up front then we have for a long time, seemed to be more movement, more endeavor with little end result, but that should come with a different shape up front.
On the negative, Fulham are just idiots, they sat back and sat back and pissed about all the day long and got what they deserved.
fair to say we are safe now i would imagine.
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Excellent end to the game, just a shame that half the fans had left the stadium by the time Weimann had scored. We're safe now, you can put the kleenex away.
1 win I think. Next week would see us safe if we beat Bolton.
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3 points is all that matters,Beat Bolton at home next and we are safe for sure. great to get a home win at last!!!
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Good performance and a much needed win.
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Don't care a jot about the performance, but mightily relieved to have secured three points.
Very happy for Weimann, too - goal made by Bannan and Gardener, then finished by another academy product.
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Deserved the 3 points, had 0-0 written all over it. Thought Weimann was going to beat the ball into the net.
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god when I saw the ball go in I really thought it was going to be ruled offside, then saw the pile of players celebrating! I think today we got that little bit of luck which you desperately need every now and then, a much needed 3 points. UTV
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Don't care a jot about the performance, but mightily relieved to have secured three points.
Very happy for Weimann, too - goal made by Bannan and Gardener, then finished by another academy product.
If we don't win again this season and scrap survival by a point or so, a goal made by our academy completely should be remembered well when funding it!
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Excellent end to the game, just a shame that half the fans had left the stadium by the time Weimann had scored. We're safe now, you can put the kleenex away.
1 win I think. Next week would see us safe if we beat Bolton.
A win next week should give us a bit of confidence, we could get a finish above half way.
Still need to sack the manager though.
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About time we got some luck. Let's see how the team does next week with a bit of the pressure off.
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Well done Weimann.
Rescued us big time there. Gardner needs more playing time, and so does Weimann.
Collins & Cuellar should be our first choice centrebacks. We've looked much better without Dunne in there.
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Excellent end to the game, just a shame that half the fans had left the stadium by the time Weimann had scored. We're safe now, you can put the kleenex away.
1 win I think. Next week would see us safe if we beat Bolton.
A win next week should give us a bit of confidence, we could get a finish above half way.
Still need to sack the manager though.
100% agree, it changes nothing, he simply isn't the right man for Villa
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Well done Weimann.
Rescued us big time there. Gardner needs more playing time, and so does Weimann.
Collins & Cuellar should be our first choice centrebacks. We've looked much better without Dunne in there.
We have been way more solid since Dunne got injured it has to be said. Cuellar I think will finally be an automatic choice if he stays, alongside who I don't know. Blackburn could still stay up the way they are playing.
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From what I saw in the 2nd half and after the first half last week, I'd say that MCL is trying to play decent football. Just needs more of a cutting edge.
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Very happy for Weimann, too - goal made by Bannan and Gardener, then finished by another academy product.
A goal made by all our three subs, including one in the 89th minute. *winky*
Repeat after three, "Alex McCleish is a tactical genius".
One..two..three..
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And that is why you don't leave early to beat the traffic. To those that did, gutted.
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From what I saw in the 2nd half and after the first half last week, I'd say that MCL is trying to play decent football. Just needs more of a cutting edge.
The telling match will be the next time we play a half decent side. Hopefully he won't shit his pants and do what he has done before and start with Heskey in midfield.
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Get in!! On our first half performance should have put us 2 or 3 up, but we could also have been 0-1 had Dempsey I think it was been half a yard sharper. They could also have nicked one in a similar move early in the 2nd half.
Gabby needs someone up with him who as he needs to be 1 on 1 with defenders, being the lone striker means he ends up outnumbered and lacking space to run into as his decision making isn't great.
Petrov's shooting was clearly a strategy used to try and make more efforts on goal, it wasn't great admittedly but I'd like to see Gardner given that opportunity between now and the end of the season. I'm pleased for Weimman, he's a goal scorer - a Jonny-on-the-spot type like Bent, but Weimman I think can link the play outside the box better than Bent. I hope he gets his opportunity in the coming weeks.
We won't go down, we need to give these kids a chance to shine for the remainder of the season, if it means upsetting some of the more established stars then so be it! They can be fucked off in the summer anyway.
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Don't care a jot about the performance, but mightily relieved to have secured three points.
Very happy for Weimann, too - goal made by Bannan and Gardener, then finished by another academy product.
If we don't win again this season and scrap survival by a point or so, a goal made by our academy completely should be remembered well when funding it!
the academy will be the future of this club and there are some lovely players coming through. Credit to KM, Sid, Tony McAndrew and the other staff for their great work and there's still so much more to do. We need PL level kids and we've got a few now. Get rid the crap, bring in some talented players and the future does look a little brighter. This season has been one to forget but hopefully we can come out of this financially better off, and with "dare I say it" a plan for the next phase if our history. Only time will tell if that's the case.
We played well today and as much slating as McLeish has taken he should be commended for that. We should have won by many more against a solid and confident Fulham side.
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Throughout the game i thought that Petrov played well on the halfway , but was very poor in the final 1/3rd.The driving /supporting midfielder you need to break down stubborn defences was lacking,Then GG comes on, moves foward, gets a quick shot away, and voila.
We are not far off a good team, the subs made a difference, and apart from Gabby and Marc , i thought every one was at least an 8/10.Looking foward to the Bolton game now.
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Very happy for Weimann, too - goal made by Bannan and Gardener, then finished by another academy product.
A goal made by all our three subs, including one in the 89th minute. *winky*
Repeat after three, "Alex McCleish is a tactical genius".
One..two..three..
Petrov came off with an injury, which ice was strapped too straight away.
Repeat after three, Alex McLeish is a jammy bastard.....
One, two.... three...
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We were about a minute away from this thread being full of moans and hand-wringing....it really is a thin line at times between success and failure isn't it?!
Villa winning. Without conceding. At home. Through an injury-time goal.
All very rare occurences.
Really delighted for all of us and for all the stick McLeish gets he deserved that as much as anyone.
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Weimann. Get the fuck in.
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We're safe now, you can put the kleenex away.
I think everyone got theirs out when the wee man bundled in the winner!
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Correct, mates.
Without Richard Dunne three unbeaten games and two clean sheets in a row, the utility of this overpaid, avrage, player is under the eyes of everybody!
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I was preparing a post to say a decent footballing performance ruined by a blunt front end. I said previously I feared we would have the cutting edge of a blancmange without Bent and it certainly looked that way for 91 minutes. I have to agree with what Ozzjim was saying about Gabby in the match thread, for all his qualities he just doesn't have the anticipative movement to be a consistent threat.
Very pleased for Weimann, when he came on against Liverpool at home he showed more movement in his 10-15 minutes than the rest of the team put together, and not one of his runs was picked out. I'd like t see him given a bit longer, even a start.
The defence had a couple of dodgy moments but on the whole looked pretty comfortable. Collins seems happier playing alongside Carlos. Hutton got forward well.
A badly needed win which should see off any lingering threat of the drop, but 4 home wins is still an atrocious record.
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Weimann. Get the fuck in.
Quite so.
A much better performance all round today, except in the final third, as many have said already. Some of our midfield build-up play was really rather good. Let's hope McLeish draws the right conclusions.
Delighted for Andi Weimann, and I thought Ireland was really excellent today. Full of prompting and running in midfield, and also tackling back and helping the defence.
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Correct, mates.
Without Richard Dunne three unbeaten games and two clean sheets in a row, the utility of this overpaid, avrage, player is under the eyes of everybody!
I don't think Dunne has been that bad this season, and I wouldn't point at him as the weak link amongst our defenders, but the last few matches, we have looked significantly tighter at the back.
I hope Cuellar signs a new contract.
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Every single player today put a shift in, put their foot in, never hid from a tackle.
Special mention has to got to Carlos and Collins, they never gave the big Russian a chance.
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Correct, mates.
Without Richard Dunne three unbeaten games and two clean sheets in a row, the utility of this overpaid, avrage, player is under the eyes of everybody!
I don't think Dunne has been that bad this season, and I wouldn't point at him as the weak link amongst our defenders, but the last few matches, we have looked significantly tighter at the back.
I hope Cuellar signs a new contract.
I think it is an organisational thing. Dunne switches off and the rest look to him to lead them - without him they take responsibility for their own stuff.
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You could see by the reactions of the players how much tension was released by finally winning a home game, too. It didn't look like a fractious, divided squad.
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Oh, and that late goal was a nice "fuck you" to Fulham for that 93rd minute one at Craven Cottage last year.
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From what I saw in the 2nd half and after the first half last week, I'd say that MCL is trying to play decent football. Just needs more of a cutting edge.
The telling match will be the next time we play a half decent side. Hopefully he won't shit his pants and do what he has done before and start with Heskey in midfield.
Agree - he thinks the top 5 or 6 are the "super clubs" with a different agenda and he shits himself. Bilbao proved you don;t have to lie down and have your tummy tickled by them, have a go, play your game, and who knows you might just bloody their noses. They really aren't that good.
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Oh, and that late goal was a nice "fuck you" to Fulham for that 93rd minute one at Craven Cottage last year.
Good point, I'd forgotten about that.
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I'd like to add that everyone on the match thread with the exception of one person who referred to the goal as 'jammy' was going mad when we scored. So I think that can put the bed the bollocks about fans wanting Villa to lose.
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Every single player today put a shift in, put their foot in, never hid from a tackle.
Special mention has to got to Carlos and Collins, they never gave the big Russian a chance.
Crikey I didn't even notice that big Russian was on the pitch, which says a lot about our CBs performances I suppose.
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Every single player today put a shift in, put their foot in, never hid from a tackle.
Special mention has to got to Carlos and Collins, they never gave the big Russian a chance.
Crikey I didn't even notice that big Russian was on the pitch, which says a lot about our CBs performances I suppose.
He was immense in their game last week (obviously, physically he always is, but you know what I mean).
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I imagine Mcleish is smothering Weimann in kisses while Weimann says get off me will ya
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Pauliewalnuts, if one day we'll see together the DVD with the story of this season you'll see that Dunne is responsible of the 50% the goals that we concede and that he committs one or two banal blunders every game as he's the most error prone player I have ever seen after Titus Bramble. It's not by chance that without him the defence improved and kept two clean sheets in a row.
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Dunne has a mistake in him every game, regardless who we play.Carlos is occasionally beaten by a better player, but rarely makes mistakes.
For me we will be a better team without Dunne, Heskey, Petrov, Warnock, and Gabby needs to buck his ideas up as well.
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Dunne has a mistake in him every game, regardless who we play.
Perfect!
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Every single player today put a shift in, put their foot in, never hid from a tackle.
Special mention has to got to Carlos and Collins, they never gave the big Russian a chance.
I know he was awesome, which is why I'm surprised I didn't even notice him today.
Crikey I didn't even notice that big Russian was on the pitch, which says a lot about our CBs performances I suppose.
He was immense in their game last week (obviously, physically he always is, but you know what I mean).
I know he was awesome which is why I'm surprised I didn't notice him today.
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Correct, mates.
Without Richard Dunne three unbeaten games and two clean sheets in a row, the utility of this overpaid, avrage, player is under the eyes of everybody!
In fairness, these 3 ubeaten games you speak of have been against Blackburn, Wigan, and Fulham, two of whom are more than likely going down this season. Nonetheless, I genuinely agree that we've been better without Richard, looked a lot calmer and smoother in possession in defence.
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Special mention for Ireland please, worked his nuts off. Game live down here. No issue at all with the goal nowhere near offside. Really positive, fighting performance right to the end. Well done the Manager.
And what a reaction by the players.
Nice bottle of red is opened.
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The sort of performance I expected to see more of under McLeish, hard working but lacking up front, he has certainly got us passing the ball better than we were earlier in the season and the workrate today was superb, Ireland and Herd in particular put in quite a shift but really, everyone worked their socks off.
We did need an extra striker on the pitch, we weren't getting enough bodies in the box. Weimann showed good anticipation by following up Gardner's shot, everything then seemed to go in slow motion as the ball went over the line.
Gardner came on in the 89th minute and in the space of time he was on made one of the passes of the match followed by the best shot of the match.
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Special mention for Ireland please, worked his nuts off. Game live down here. No issue at all with the goal nowhere near offside. Really positive, fighting performance right to the end. Well done the Manager.
And what a reaction by the players.
Nice bottle of red is opened.
Don't disagree with a word of that. Beer o'clock here, I think.
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In fairness, these 3 ubeaten games you speak of have been against Blackburn, Wigan, and Fulham, two of whom are more than likely going down this season.
Obviously you're right on this, but I remain confident.
I genuinely agree that we've been better without Richard, looked a lot calmer and smoother in possession in defence.
You're right again. If we are not able to build the play from the back, and (as we do with Dunne) we limit to belt the ball clear playinh football the way it was played in the 30's of the last century, we are always under pression and soon or later we concede the goal.
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I won't get too excited, glad we won and put some points between us and the bottom 3 but it we still play awful. That's the thing, we shouldn't be talking about the bottom 3, our squad should be competing with liked of Everton.
Hopefully the win will give us some confidence, but it's still AM piss poor tactics...
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A very good performance for the first two thirds of the pitch. I thought the defence was very good, we were ultra competitive, and we passed it really well.
It's not working in the final third tho. Ireland was again really good, but it does mean gabby is isolated a little bit if our wide players are playing as averagely as they did today. And we lack numbers in the box.
I thought bannan and gardner could have been used earlier. We were running out of ideas and those two are very progressive.
I didn't think weimann looked great to be honest. But his anticipation for the goal was excellent.
I don't know how I'd line up for similar home games going forward. I think that side is a good option for away games or against better sides. But I can see the same side struggling to score again next game v Bolton
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I won't get too excited, glad we won and put some points between us and the bottom 3 but it we still play awful. That's the thing, we shouldn't be talking about the bottom 3, our squad should be competing with liked of Everton.
We're a point behind Everton, we've played two games more but we're closer to Everton than we are the bottom three, even if they win their two games in hand.
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It was a good performance today, the scoreline probably did not reflect our dominance.
It adds fuel nicely to the Gabby v Bent debate too (yes, I'm stirring). Both camps will claim victory:
Pro Gabby - we dominated possession and looked a complete team
Pro Bent - Gabby did not look a goal threat and we did not create much
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Really pleased, was varnishing the arbour in the front garden when R5 went to Villa Park for a last minute goal, nearly threw the tin of varnish in the air. Poor old Pat Murphy was so disappointed we won which makes it all the sweeter...
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Poor old Pat Murphy was so disappointed we won which makes it all the sweeter...
He really did come across as disappointed didn't he. Poor lad.
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Perhaps:
"He does know what he's doing!"?
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Finally got to leave Villa Park smiling after a win. And a nice big fuck you to the "you don't know what you're doing" brigade. That very substitution where he didn't know what he was doing, scored the winner. I wonder if any sang "you do know what you're doing". Didn't think so.
And also a lovely fuck you to the Fulham fans who seemed to enjoy singing about us as much as they did their own team. Twats.
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Perhaps:
"He does know what he's doing!"?
Whoever sent you that text at FT is a genius.
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Perhaps:
"He does know what he's doing!"?
Whoever sent you that text at FT is a genius.
It's a work of art.
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P.s. Nice to meet Darren Woolley while I was chatting to Dave W before the game. Also met a couple of others but in the excitement of actually winning a game i've forgotten who they were. And as usual, I was far too lazy to walk to the church to see Legion. Sorry mate.
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Disappointed with Nzogbia coming off but Glad Weimann came on. I think with Petrov and Herd we lack creativity in Midfield and maybe Gardner should have com on earlier but the most important thing is that we got the win.
Enjoyed singing back is their a fire Drill back to the Fulham fans!
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How fitting on the day Villa Park remembers Eammon Deacy, the lads put in a 110% effort performance, fighting until the last ball is kicked.
I know you're looking down on us. Thanks, Eammon.
Great post Mark.
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Poor old Pat Murphy was so disappointed we won which makes it all the sweeter...
He really did come across as disappointed didn't he. Poor lad.
Yes indeed. Before the match, instead of giving us the team news, he took great delight in trotting out how long it is since Villa last won a home game and how we were close to some record or other set in the 1920s. Oh and how clever he was to get the name of the Prime Minister of the time into his little gleeful tirade against the Villa.
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What were the fulham fans singing? Couldn't hear them at all in the Holte
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Poor old Pat Murphy was so disappointed we won which makes it all the sweeter...
He really did come across as disappointed didn't he. Poor lad.
Nothing new from Prat Murphy.
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If only we could have some serious investment to get 2 new full backs and a quality midfielder, apart from a tinker here and then, plus a couple of squad players, we'd be almost there.
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I won't get too excited, glad we won and put some points between us and the bottom 3 but it we still play awful. That's the thing, we shouldn't be talking about the bottom 3, our squad should be competing with liked of Everton.
We're a point behind Everton, we've played two games more but we're closer to Everton than we are the bottom three, even if they win their two games in hand.
Yes, sorry, I did see they were closer. But my overall point is we should be higher up the table with the squad we have.
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Well that's McLeish's job safe until Christmas.
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Finally got to leave Villa Park smiling after a win. And a nice big fuck you to the "you don't know what you're doing" brigade. That very substitution where he didn't know what he was doing, scored the winner. I wonder if any sang "you do know what you're doing". Didn't think so.
And also a lovely fuck you to the Fulham fans who seemed to enjoy singing about us as much as they did their own team. Twats.
I don't think any of the fans that sang you don't know what your doing had a problem with Weimann coming on, in fact that's exactly what we needed.
It was the fact that it was Nzogbia who was the one that was taken off when it looked clear that Petrov and Herd were the ones running out of steam and unlikely to be the ones that would create a goal scoring opportunity.
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As what happened last week, I thought we should've had it won by half-time and we played well.
Unlike last week, although the performance slipped from the first half, we didn't really let Fulham back into it like we did Blackburn.
Thought Herd had a good game, as did Ireland. Puzzled at N'Zogbia being brought off, Albrighton, though putting the effort in as always, is not producing the goods, as always.
Haven't cheered like that for a long time when the goal went in. Forgot how good it feels to a) win and b) win with a last minute goal.
Can it spur us on??? Let's hope so...
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I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.
Than Bannan found the ball on the right steadied him self turned twisted and found Gardner who took 1 step to his left and sent a cracking shot but straight at the keeper who failed to hold and and Weimann pounced and scored.
I didn't understand why those 3 were on the pitch but than again I am not a football manager paid £2M a year.
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Great result. We dominated fulham so it was deserved I'm my eyes.
I didn't boo the sub of N'Zogbia as I don't agree with booing but I did question it. Not for who came on as I was saying from half time it would be a good game for wiemann to come on. But I questioned N'Zogbia going off when he seemed to be creating things and linking up with Ireland so very well through out the match. in my opinion albrighton did less and didn't play as good so warranted maybe being subbed instead of N'Zogbia.
Ireland has a real trouble with other players, with them not being on his wave length. N'Zogbia does seem to be though and they can make things happen. Ireland for me was MOTM. Se wanted the ball all the time, is passing and movement were really good. And he looked hungry for the game.
We deserved the win, we got the win. I'm chuffed to bits. Have forgotten what it's like to walk away from villa park feeling like this. So I'm off to enjoy the evening.
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Finally got to leave Villa Park smiling after a win. And a nice big fuck you to the "you don't know what you're doing" brigade. That very substitution where he didn't know what he was doing, scored the winner. I wonder if any sang "you do know what you're doing". Didn't think so.
And also a lovely fuck you to the Fulham fans who seemed to enjoy singing about us as much as they did their own team. Twats.
I don't think any of the fans that sang you don't know what your doing had a problem with Weimann coming on, in fact that's exactly what we needed.
It was the fact that it was Nzogbia who was the one that was taken off when it looked clear that Petrov and Herd were the ones running out of steam and unlikely to be the ones that would create a goal scoring opportunity.
In which case they should wait until full time to moan and whinge just in case he does know what he's doing and it does work. Like today.
I'd have taken Petrov off earlier, but until full time I wouldn't know if he did the right thing or not so no point creating a negative atmosphere as you can end up looking a twat. I learnt that the hard way after spending ages screaming at BFR to take Dalian off against Tranmere at home as he was doing fuck all.
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Whilst I'm no McLeish fan I could see the logic in all the decisions...
I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
He had a quiet second half it was a gamble to change the game. It worked this time (although I think moving Ireland to the wing for ten mins was wrong)
I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
Herd is coming back from a few weeks out and had worked his socks off, definitely one of two candidates for MoTM. Ireland been the other.
I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.
Petrov had picked up a knock.
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Well if the team put in performances like that every game I wouldn't have a problem with McLeish. To a man they closed Fulham down quickly, got stuck in, disrupted their flow and then played some decent stuff. After the first half I was thinking 'lots of endeavour but no cutting edge up front', and to a degree that still stands, and while it won't go down as his best ever goal, Weimann did well to follow the shot and be Johnny on the spot to bundle it in. Havoc ensued all around - it was like we'd won a cup final!
Can't remember Given having to make a meaningful save - credit to the defence.
The defence is far better with Cuellar there - I hope we offer him a new contract. I'd rather keep him and see Dunne go. Warnock didn't have much to do but he was OK and got forward well. And it hurts me to say this as I've been amongst his biggest critics but credit where due - thought Hutton played well today.
Very impressed with Herd again. I think he could replace Stan next season. Petrov seemed to be on a one man mission to improve our overall stat for attempts off target for the season. He got stuck in but clearly his legs are tiring. Thought N'Zogbia did well especially as Fulham doubled/trebled up on him, and was disappointed he got subbed. Thought Albrighton should have gone off - not sure he's going to make it in the long term. Ireland was superb today and MOTM for me.
Up front Gabby laboured a bit and has to start taking chances when he gets them - especially like that 1 on 1 chance in the first half.
Great to see 'kids' getting their chance. Bannan did well and unfortunate when his shot hit the bar. Gardner didn't have much time to impress but, like his brother, has got a decent shot on him. And Weimann - great poaching.
Three subs and no Heskey time - has McLeish seen the light?
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Ireland out wide didn't work at all really. I though it was the right player to come on but the wrong one coming off, NZogbia had their right back in his pocket at times, notably just before he was hooked, harshly.
I think the same formation, with Ireland behind Bent and the wide players the same and we would score goals just though Bent moving in more threatening ways to Gabby, who for all the work rate was ineffective and about as threatening as a wooden spoon. The problem is the strikers with all round work rate and touch, coupled with good movement and finishing ability are generally at the very top clubs. Scouting out a 19-20 year old version that can take us forward would be good.
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I note that suicide brigade are not in tonight.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
Two of my mates always leave 5 minutes before the end. Needless to say they got a smug text from me today
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Can't over-emphasise what a good finisher I think Bent is. His first goal at Arsenal last season, and his one this year, were right out of the top drawer. Obviously I really rate Gabby too. Had to give the pre-amble because I'm now going to say that regardless of their different strengths, Gabby makes us a better team who get more points. As a Villa fan, that's all that matters to me.
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Gardner played two fantastic passes when he came on; a cracking long pass out to Bannan (I think) and a lovely cutting through ball.
Then the shot to force the goal.
Six academy players involved, was it? With Clark missing who's another realistic contributor.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/weim.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/weim2.jpg)
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I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.
Than Bannan found the ball on the right steadied him self turned twisted and found Gardner who took 1 step to his left and sent a cracking shot but straight at the keeper who failed to hold and and Weimann pounced and scored.
I didn't understand why those 3 were on the pitch but than again I am not a football manager paid £2M a year.
CN'Z was the logical choice to go off for Weimann. Keep MA on right Gabby to the left, where he seems to play better & Weimann centre. It worked, so 'He did know what he was doing' after all.
It's Herds 2nd game after a long time out, I felt he was looking tired when he came off. Incidently, CH was my MotM.
Gardner was bought on to fire that shot in, simple, a substitution masterstroke if you ask me :-)
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Yes, I thought it was last Monday again for the last couple of minutes. The reserves are better over ninety minutes though, and there was a (slightly) bigger crowd today.
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Where's the photo of him bundling it over the line on all fours? >_>
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Where's the photo of him bundling it over the line on all fours? >_>
Underneath the first photo ;-)
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For those who went or saw it:
- how did cuellar play?
- should he get in ahead of Dunne?
- should he get another contract.
I didn't go but I am generally impressed by Cuellar in both his performance and attitude.
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For those who went or saw it:
- how did cuellar play?
- should he get in ahead of Dunne?
- should he get another contract.
I didn't go but I am generally impressed by Cuellar in both his performance and attitude.
-Very well. Solid and composed.
-Oh god yes. The defence has looked much improved.
-Yes. Yes yes.
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Remember Darren Bent's interveiw?
He said Weimann was a natural, well, he showed his strikers instinct today.
That goal was pure instinct, you can't coach that skill.
Long may it continue.
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Good performance but the result was the main thing. Now we've got the home hoodoo off our shoulders we should play with a bit more confidence. Thought fulham were bobbins and if you didn't know you'd say they were the team with the defensive manager. 5 buttock's absence continues to make only a positive difference and you have to say we're as good as safe *touches wood*.The summer can't come soon enough for me because then hopefully we have get the last few MON-era moneybags buys off the books and start seriously rebuilding instead of cutting back all the time. First thing is to get Carlos signed up because that won't wait the way he's playing
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Plus points:
Good to see Hutton producing the goods
Carlos and Collins very effective.
Ireland and Zog firing again.
But:
We controlled the game, but could easily have lost.
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Where's the photo of him bundling it over the line on all fours? >_>
Underneath the first photo ;-)
Not gonna win any Iconic Sports Photograph competitions but damn it, it lifted thousands of hearts.
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Great to get the win, in our position that's all that matters really.
Fulham were incredibly unambitious which probably explains their bobbins away form. Came for a 0-0 straight from kick off.
First half I thought we were decent, were passing the ball well on the ground and were pressing Fulham high up the pitch. N'zogbia I thought was very good in this period.
On the other hand, second half was like watching paint dry, really couldn't see it being any other score but 0-0.
Well done to Weimann.
Hopefully we'll get another win at home to Bolton as 36 points will keep teams up without question but after that can't see anything other than more defeats.
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I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.
Than Bannan found the ball on the right steadied him self turned twisted and found Gardner who took 1 step to his left and sent a cracking shot but straight at the keeper who failed to hold and and Weimann pounced and scored.
I didn't understand why those 3 were on the pitch but than again I am not a football manager paid £2M a year.
CN'Z was the logical choice to go off for Weimann. Keep MA on right Gabby to the left, where he seems to play better & Weimann centre. It worked, so 'He did know what he was doing' after all.
It's Herds 2nd game after a long time out, I felt he was looking tired when he came off. Incidently, CH was my MotM.
Gardner was bought on to fire that shot in, simple, a substitution masterstroke if you ask me :-)
Except that didn't happen Ireland went wide left and Albrighton went right with Gabby and Weimann up front
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P.s. Nice to meet Darren Woolley while I was chatting to Dave W before the game. Also met a couple of others but in the excitement of actually winning a game i've forgotten who they were. And as usual, I was far too lazy to walk to the church to see Legion. Sorry mate.
Is that legion outside the church? I expected him to be older. Tried to hawk me an old edition In a cut price deal the scamp...
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I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.
Than Bannan found the ball on the right steadied him self turned twisted and found Gardner who took 1 step to his left and sent a cracking shot but straight at the keeper who failed to hold and and Weimann pounced and scored.
I didn't understand why those 3 were on the pitch but than again I am not a football manager paid £2M a year.
CN'Z was the logical choice to go off for Weimann. Keep MA on right Gabby to the left, where he seems to play better & Weimann centre. It worked, so 'He did know what he was doing' after all.
It's Herds 2nd game after a long time out, I felt he was looking tired when he came off. Incidently, CH was my MotM.
Gardner was bought on to fire that shot in, simple, a substitution masterstroke if you ask me :-)
Except that didn't happen Ireland went wide left and Albrighton went right with Gabby and Weimann up front
Ireland seemed to be in a free roll, he was popping up everywhere.
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Ireland was my motm. Finally seeing a real player, well done son
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1. 3 points
2. A clean sheet
3. A last minute winner
That'll do for me!
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Villa fans had booed Alex McLeish when the manager replaced Charles N'Zogbia with Weimann after 73 minutes.
But McLeish had the last laugh as Weimann headed home from close range after a shot from another substitute, Gary Gardner, had been parried by Mark Schwarzer.
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I think it's unfair to imply the fans didn't want Weimann on.. they just wanted Albrighton off instead of N'Zo.. which is, you know, fair enough.
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I was pretty worried at half time as we seemed devoid of a cutting edge in thier penalty area - we had several situations with players not knowing what to do with the ball on the edge of the area after great approacj work. Midfield was tremendous first half as well. We had been talking up Ireland on the way to the match and he didn't disappoint.
Full credit to the young 'uns they shone - Chris Herd especially.
Thought the reaction to the N'zog substitution was quite interesting - a mumur of discontent, booing and then a roar of applause as people tried to spur on the players. The "don't know..." chant was quite muted?
Generally the atmosphere was pretty positive I thought. Decent football will do that!
My lad wanted to go at 80 inutes but I kept saying we can win this - we haven't had a last minute goal for ages - just felt right today - and what a reception for a scrambled goal - who says we don't want the Villa to win?
PS - Fulham are dull though I do like their "Only one 'F' in Fulham" song
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Can't over-emphasise what a good finisher I think Bent is. His first goal at Arsenal last season, and his one this year, were right out of the top drawer. Obviously I really rate Gabby too. Had to give the pre-amble because I'm now going to say that regardless of their different strengths, Gabby makes us a better team who get more points. As a Villa fan, that's all that matters to me.
I would totally disagree, based on last season where Bent played basically in a very similar formation and we went on a very good run, and he score a lot of goals. I would always prefer to carry the threat with my forward than have the workrate, that realistically can come from other areas. The way the 3 behind Gabby got us into good areas today, I would bet a decent wedge that we would have gone in at half time a couple of Bent goals to the good. Simply because he gives them a ball when putting it in, not simply hides behind the defender hoping it finds him.
What I will agree with is that it is one or the other at the moment.
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Well done Weimann.
Rescued us big time there. Gardner needs more playing time, and so does Weimann.
Collins & Cuellar should be our first choice centrebacks. We've looked much better without Dunne in there.
Bang on summary.
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Bossed most of the game today for long periods. I was really happy with the Weimann goal. Is it me or does anyone else get the same feeling as when Yorker got 2 goals at the start of his career with Villa against Liverpool on the last game of the season? It was 2 goals out of nothing and really gave Yorke a boost. hope this does the same for Weimann
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P.s. Nice to meet Darren Woolley while I was chatting to Dave W before the game. Also met a couple of others but in the excitement of actually winning a game i've forgotten who they were. And as usual, I was far too lazy to walk to the church to see Legion. Sorry mate.
Is that legion outside the church? I expected him to be older. Tried to hawk me an old edition In a cut price deal the scamp...
Yes that was Leeg by the church, along with one half of his normal security protection team.
I assume that Mr Shin was being a lazy sod and didn't make the walk.
I was very impressed by Legion's selling of back issues. However, he missed a trick by being honest about it "not being the programme" when some bloke asked for 4 copies.
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Thank McGrath for that. Great for Weimann, proper poacher goal. Overall we just about deserved it and the feeling of utter relief when it went in was shared between fans and players. Nice moment.
My last game for a long while so glad to go out on a win. I'll miss B6.
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I assume that Mr Shin was being a lazy sod and didn't make the walk.
I got as far as Dave W, saw how far away the church looked and decided to set up base camp by Dave.
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Happy tonight. Don't care how we won, it's 3 very welcome points
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Massive win, all week I've been predicting a defeat but as we walked in the ground I changed my mind to 1-0, something told me we'd get a bit of luck today. I think we look a lot better with Cuellar, Ireland and N'Zogbia in the team.
Also there's nothing better than seeing the academy kids do well in the 1st team so that goal was a great moment not just because it secured 3 points. Haven't seen much of Weimann but he reminds me a bit of Hernandez at Man United, lethal finisher who may not always be the best option over 90 mins but could potentially score a lot of important goals for us.
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Thank McGrath for that. Great for Weimann, proper poacher goal. Overall we just about deserved it and the feeling of utter relief when it went in was shared between fans and players. Nice moment.
My last game for a long while so glad to go out on a win. I'll miss B6.
Good luck Matt. A decent way to bow out.
Ireland was the best player on the pitch by a country mile.
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Can't over-emphasise what a good finisher I think Bent is. His first goal at Arsenal last season, and his one this year, were right out of the top drawer. Obviously I really rate Gabby too. Had to give the pre-amble because I'm now going to say that regardless of their different strengths, Gabby makes us a better team who get more points. As a Villa fan, that's all that matters to me.
Sometimes you have to except the inevitable, today for large parts of the game ( first 15mins Fulham barely touched the ball, all over them pressing them back) we kinda looked like the Villa of a few season back, Gabby is not an out and out striker, but leave him to wonder at the front and he ties up defenders puts loads of work in, allows players like Ireland to work the forward midfield positions, he pushes back the back 4 allowing players like Petrov to have one shot after another in advanced positions and he makes the teams shape look good, then he will move straight out to the wing and play wide often leaving his marker thinking "where the hell is he now" and again leaving other players like Cuellor to come in unmarked.
Darren Bent, good striker but we don't look half the team when he's out there and we don't have the shape, that's because IMO, players go on auto thinking they have to pump the long ball, old style football into Bent, Bent in turn needs something like 3 opportunities to have one crack on goal, often caught off-side, and how often has he converted this season from that, and that's because Villa are not that kind of team, that is why Bent is being starved, we see this all the time Carrol is suffering fron the same thing and so is Torres, fitting into a different style of play and sometimes it don't work, even for the best. IMO now that the side have gone back to Gabby up front we will be far more menacing, once the team has settled and got back into that style will suit us better, I would expect us take all 3 from Bolton and we should start to see Gabby getting the goals again and with a bit of luck get back to where he was a couple of seasons ago when he was terrorizing the best defenses in the Premiership.
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A 1-0 win. can't wait to see the McL interview on MotD..he thinks draws are positive results what's he gonna say when we actually did get a positive result?
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I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.
Than Bannan found the ball on the right steadied him self turned twisted and found Gardner who took 1 step to his left and sent a cracking shot but straight at the keeper who failed to hold and and Weimann pounced and scored.
I didn't understand why those 3 were on the pitch but than again I am not a football manager paid £2M a year.
CN'Z was the logical choice to go off for Weimann. Keep MA on right Gabby to the left, where he seems to play better & Weimann centre. It worked, so 'He did know what he was doing' after all.
It's Herds 2nd game after a long time out, I felt he was looking tired when he came off. Incidently, CH was my MotM.
Gardner was bought on to fire that shot in, simple, a substitution masterstroke if you ask me :-)
I fairness you would be right if Gabby had gone to the left, but Ireland did. Petrov was done by 60 mins. The players that came on were right but the time and personnel for were wrong.
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Very happy for Weimann, too - goal made by Bannan and Gardener, then finished by another academy product.
A goal made by all our three subs, including one in the 89th minute. *winky*
Repeat after three, "Alex McCleish is a tactical genius".
One..two..three..
I tried, really I did
I just couldnt bring myself to do it
Still, 3 points thats all that matters - lets have the post mortem at the end of the season and sack the c*nt then
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Anyone else see Ireland's reaction when Weimann told him he had to go on the wing?
He pointed at himself and mouthed "me?" and then looked well pissed off.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
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Thought we played some great stuff at times today. Kept thinking that a few of those chances in the first would have buried by Bent, but would we have played so openly with him there? Gabby disappointing, Ireland excellent, Cuellar and Collins looked solid at the back. Expected Collins to be intimidated by that blond giant bloke but he wasn't and won the vast majority of balls in the air against him. Herd good til tired, Stan flagging too soon, Warnock ok and Hutton had a "good" game. Albrighton poor and should have gone off instead of Zog. Given had very little to do. Jol must be nuts for implying they were hard done by. Has he seen the stats?
Great to see the kids combining for the goal. Gardner should be a regular starter.
Ireland/Cuellar MOM imo.
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How was the big Russian lad? There's talk about us making a permanent move for him in the summer.
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Forgot to add: that's the first bit of "luck" we've had this season. Makes a big change for us to get a late goal and not the other fu**ers!
Definitely NOT inspired substitution by the manager!
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Thought we played well at times and Herd was man of the match for me. I can see him being the replacement for petrov, who for me just slows the game down too much. Gabby ran his socks off today but was left stranded on his own and too many occasions.
Still don't think nzogbia is a winger though, doesn't try to beat his man or put a cross in.
Can't beat the feeling of a last minute winner though.
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The win was so important today.
I thought Hutton had a good game and seems to be improving all the time.
Cuellar also continues to play well and his distrubution in this run of games has far surpassed what I thought he was capable of.
I'm obvoiusly in the minority reading this post thinking Albrighton was mom and Ireland was poor.
Albrighton continues to deliver several excellent crosses during almost every game. Nobody else in the team does that. He is always a threat.
Ireland is a nothing player in a nowhere position. He doesn't play upfront or midfield. A poor man's Tommy Johnson. He doesn't score or create or defend. What does he do and don't tell me other players are not on his wavelength as you are kidding yourselves.
UTV !
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How was the big Russian lad? There's talk about us making a permanent move for him in the summer.
As in my earlier post, I expected him to torment our "frail" defence. He didn't. Thought Collins did a great job on him, aided by Carlos.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Yeah, they are much worse than several thousand "fuckers" that didn't bother to go.
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How was the big Russian lad? There's talk about us making a permanent move for him in the summer.
As in my earlier post, I expected him to torment our "frail" defence. He didn't. Thought Collins did a great job on him, aided by Carlos.
He's looked frightening innthe games since coming to Fulham. I'll take it as a good day for our boys rather him being found out.
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Some people leave just before the end because they work at the club and have to be back in position for the end of the game.
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I thought Ireland ran his socks off today: moved well off the ball, created space for self and others, involved in a lot of slick triangles that opened Fulham up and even got a bit feisty with his tackling in the second half. Albrighton has great potential but his crosses seem "random" - roughly in the right direction but rarely causing trouble to the opposition or actually to any of our players. He gives the ball away too easily and wastes some excellent possession when he has it. At least 3 or 4 times today. He looked threatening at times in the 2nd half but wasted most of the opportunities he had. IMO Zog has (but still needs) a bit more confidence to intimidate the opposition.
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How was the big Russian lad? There's talk about us making a permanent move for him in the summer.
As in my earlier post, I expected him to torment our "frail" defence. He didn't. Thought Collins did a great job on him, aided by Carlos.
He's looked frightening innthe games since coming to Fulham. I'll take it as a good day for our boys rather him being found out.
I was dreading our attempts to defend against him today - he's been on fire!
He was kept quiet today by a really solid defensive performance by our CBs
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Calling fellow fans fuckers and bastards, nice.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Calling fellow fans fuckers and bastards, nice.
i dont mind it, probably the ones booing at our matchwinners introduction!
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Love the gab commitment but he is not the sharpest tool, we need the instinctive finishing skills of Bent, which maybe, just maybe , weiman has, and we need the creative skills of gardener, and we need a new manager, please
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Calling fellow fans fuckers and bastards, nice.
i dont mind it, probably the ones booing at our matchwinners introduction!
I don't think anyone was booing Weimann, rather the decision to take Zog off. He had provided a bit of a threat to the opposition from time to time
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Why? Does it really make you happy to hope other Villa fans won't see the goal?
I didn't see the goal 'live' as I'd left my seat but not the ground - in my case there were family commitments [I've only been home about 30 minutes] and a quick getaway was highly desirable. Going by the number of people who were around me, jumping for joy, swearing in disbelief, I wasn't alone.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Calling fellow fans fuckers and bastards, nice.
i dont mind it, probably the ones booing at our matchwinners introduction!
I don't think anyone was booing Weimann, rather the decision to take Zog off. He had provided a bit of a threat to the opposition from time to time
I would have taken N'Zogbia off as I didnt think he played well in the 2nd half
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Glad the penny has dropped about Heskey
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Just arrived home after four and a half hours on the road due to multiple road closures following a very nasty accident on the A14.
Really enjoyed that today. Special pats on the back for Stephen Ireland and Alan Hutton. Herd continues to grow into the pick of our youngsters. Gabby looks far from fit and Stylian Petrov is looking well past his play by date.
And (whisper) a small pat on the back for the manager for bringing on Adreas and not Tumbling Bear.
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I thought that both Warnock and Hutton had good games today and both have played quite well recently
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Calling fellow fans fuckers and bastards, nice.
i dont mind it, probably the ones booing at our matchwinners introduction!
I don't think anyone was booing Weimann, rather the decision to take Zog off. He had provided a bit of a threat to the opposition from time to time
I would have taken N'Zogbia off as I didnt think he played well in the 2nd half
I would have taken Albrighton and Petrov off before Zog. Petrov in particular looked absolutely fu**ed!
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I thought that both Warnock and Hutton had good games today and both have played quite well recently
Indeed, credit where it's due, both are showing some decent form.
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Just be happy we won today FFS instead of more digs at the manager. I havent seen game, but it seems we tried and played football from comments.
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I get frustrated by how many of attacks slow down (or end) when the ball gets to Petrov. Either through him trying a one in a blue moon long distance shot or for some reason when he gets the ball he seems to have a habit of turning away from goal which kills momentum.
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Just be happy we won today FFS instead of more digs at the manager. I havent seen game, but it seems we tried and played football from comments.
We played some really lovely stuff at times which begs the question why the f**k don't we do it a bit more often? Fulham are no mugs and on a good run but we outplayed them throughout the 1st half and for most of the 2nd. Looked like most of the players cared too!
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JPA on Twitter
Massive result for AVFC today! WEIMANN first goal for the club right on front of the HOLTE END+ 3 points #unforgettable
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Just be happy we won today FFS instead of more digs at the manager. I havent seen game, but it seems we tried and played football from comments.
They definately tried to play football lots of good passing mainly in the 1st half but as the game wore on they were getting a bit frustrated but it was a well deserved victory..........
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I was pretty worried at half time as we seemed devoid of a cutting edge in thier penalty area - we had several situations with players not knowing what to do with the ball on the edge of the area after great approacj work. Midfield was tremendous first half as well. We had been talking up Ireland on the way to the match and he didn't disappoint.
Full credit to the young 'uns they shone - Chris Herd especially.
Thought the reaction to the N'zog substitution was quite interesting - a mumur of discontent, booing and then a roar of applause as people tried to spur on the players. The "don't know..." chant was quite muted?
Generally the atmosphere was pretty positive I thought. Decent football will do that!
My lad wanted to go at 80 inutes but I kept saying we can win this - we haven't had a last minute goal for ages - just felt right today - and what a reception for a scrambled goal - who says we don't want the Villa to win?
PS - Fulham are dull though I do like their "Only one 'F' in Fulham" song
Mine too WW - but I said that we should stay and applaud them off the field to show our appreciation for their efforts today.
We might lack a bit of quality at times but we certainly didnt lack commitment or effort today - and for the first time in ages we got a bit of luck too.
Much, much happier tonight.
(Well done to the crowd too - thought we stayed right behind them all game - best atmosphere down there since Arsenal I reckon)
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I'm pleased with that performance we deserved the win let's keep that type of performance every game and we will win more than we lose well done lads.
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I'm pleased with that performance we deserved the win let's keep that type of performance every game and we will win more than we lose well done lads.
Nice meeting you earlier Darren.
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I get frustrated by how many of attacks slow down (or end) when the ball gets to Petrov. Either through him trying a one in a blue moon long distance shot or for some reason when he gets the ball he seems to have a habit of turning away from goal which kills momentum.
Agreed.
He did this a lot today! And he was completely shagged out for the last 25/30 minutes.
I thought he did better when he had his spell playing further up earlier in the season with Clark as the DM. Herd could play that role now. If Stan has to come off we then have Gardner/Bannan to take his place.
Personally I'd start with Gardner next game.
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Performance was okay today. Beat a team who we are pretty even with. Sorry to ask when I'm pretty sure it will already have been asked, but what was written on the shirts today?
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I'm pleased with that performance we deserved the win let's keep that type of performance every game and we will win more than we lose well done lads.
Nice meeting you earlier Darren.
It was pleasure to meet you Peter.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Calling fellow fans fuckers and bastards, nice.
i dont mind it, probably the ones booing at our matchwinners introduction!
I don't think anyone was booing Weimann, rather the decision to take Zog off. He had provided a bit of a threat to the opposition from time to time
like i say, the managers decision was totally vindicated and the booing was wrong!
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
This! I hope the fuckers walking up Witton Lane and hearing the cheer miss MOTD tonight.
Calling fellow fans fuckers and bastards, nice.
i dont mind it, probably the ones booing at our matchwinners introduction!
I don't think anyone was booing Weimann, rather the decision to take Zog off. He had provided a bit of a threat to the opposition from time to time
like i say, the managers decision was totally vindicated and the booing was wrong!
CN'Z had a good 1st half, but I think we were getting a bit crowded on the left.
I was puzzled too, but when I thought about it, it was the logical substitution.
Thought the Gardner for Petrov was a masterstroke!
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My 100% record is intact. 3 games, 3 wins.
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How was the big Russian lad? There's talk about us making a permanent move for him in the summer.
Collins beat him to nearly every ball in the air.
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How was the big Russian lad? There's talk about us making a permanent move for him in the summer.
Collins beat him to nearly every ball in the air.
Was impressed how quiet we kept him and Dempsey. I thought Dembele was the only one who we struggled with a bit
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Delighted with the win, we played some nice stuff first half and overall we deserved it. Whilst i'm thrilled with the three points, we were only 30 seconds from another goalless draw. Let's hope we don't throw in another Swansea type stinker against Bolton.
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I still want to know what the error was in the programme. Someone tell me!
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nigel - Gardner for Petrov was indeed a masterstroke, but even more masterstrokey if it had been 30 minutes earlier!
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just hope this is our STOKE result, in reverse obviously
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JPA on Twitter
Massive result for AVFC today! WEIMANN first goal for the club right on front of the HOLTE END+ 3 points #unforgettable
JPA, what a hero.
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Might sound daft but today's last minute goal could be Alex McLeish's Mark Robins moment - imagine if we'd drawn to a below average team for the 3rd game in a row, the knives would've been out and pressure to sack him would be unbearable instead the young lads conspire to win the game and who knows we might build on this victory and finish strongly. For now we can at least enjoy a Saturday evening and drink to Andy Weimann, the new Mclnally.
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Might sound daft but today's last minute goal could be Alex McLeish's Mark Robins moment - imagine if we'd drawn to a below average team for the 3rd game in a row, the knives would've been out and pressure to sack him would be unbearable instead the young lads conspire to win the game and who knows we might build on this victory and finish strongly. For now we can at least enjoy a Saturday evening and drink to Andy Weimann, the new Mclnally.
Couldn't have put it better myself.
Haven't looked forward to Match of the Day this much for a while.
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I only bought a ticket yesterday. For 91 minutes, I wondered whether gardening or decorating would have been a better use of the afternoon. And then that orgasmic moment. Which highlights that utterly baffling habit of so many fans leaving before the end of the games.
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We're on last.
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We're going to be last on MOTD.
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We're going to be last on MOTD.
I don't care damnit, just one more look at that Weimann goal.
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
they were leaving in droves. I reckon up to 10k were gone by the time we scored however they are the lesser bastards the biggest bastards were not there at all.
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Just seen the non QPR goal. Sympathy now reduced because of the corner. Also, QPR's away kit is crap.
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Hansen will have sent me to sleep long before that.
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We're going to be last on MOTD.
Gosh! What a shocker!
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Just seen the non QPR goal. Sympathy now reduced because of the corner. Also, QPR's away kit is crap.
"How could he not see that hit the back of the net?"
Erm, because it didn't? Obviously it was a goal but I thought that was a bit OTT.
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Great result and the performance sounds hugely encouraging, a happy Sunday lies ahead atlast.
Anyone got a link to the goal and celebrations?
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There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.
Serves the bastards right.
they were leaving in droves. I reckon up to 10k were gone by the time we scored however they are the lesser bastards the biggest bastards were not there at all.
(http://troll.me/images/angry-samuel-l-jackson/correctamundo.jpg)
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How was the big Russian lad? There's talk about us making a permanent move for him in the summer.
I went with the intention of keeping an eye on Pog however after 10 mins I had forgotten he was even on the pitch. We were so dominate first half that he barely touched the ball/ When Fulham had a bit of a spell in the second half the two C's took good care of him. He did have a very chance to score but didn't.
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More importantly, it was the same linesman who had the boner
(http://i43.tinypic.com/j73m6p.jpg)
Never gets old.
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Just seen the non QPR goal. Sympathy now reduced because of the corner. Also, QPR's away kit is crap.
and the fact their equaliser was a mile offside.
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I enjoyed the 1st half, I do admit to being a touch bored by the 65th min though and thought we had no chance of scoring. Have to say we did celebrate the goal like complete loons though! Lots of things that need sorting still, but its time to wallow in the joy of actually winning a game for a bit!
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Alcohol has been taken and I'm only half watching motd, but his lordship is insisting the commentator said Sally from Corrie was at the Everton game.
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When was Villa's previous last minute winner? I cannot remember one for a very long time.
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Yes! Sally Webster was there. Not playing though (groin)
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McLeish's goal celebration was reminiscent of the Doc and BFR.
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I still want to know what the error was in the programme. Someone tell me!
What's a 'macot'?
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I still want to know what the error was in the programme. Someone tell me!
What's a 'macot'?
The opposite of a Lecott.
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We had Hitzlsperger the German Brummie and now judging by Weimanns interview we have an Austrian Geordie.
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Weimann needs to work on his Birmingham accent.
He took that very well - could easily have handled the ball accidentally before it crossed the line
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Martin Jol: "we bossed it".
What fu**ing game was he at?
The stats alone speak volumes.
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Martin Jol: "we bossed it".
What fu**ing game was he at?
The stats alone speak volumes.
I thought that. "We should have scored." Really Mr Jol? With 1 shot on target? Twunt.
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Martin Jol: "we bossed it".
What fu**ing game was he at?
The stats alone speak volumes.
He was commenting on BBC edited highlights. BBC showed a very different version of the game than the one I was at this afternoon!
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BBC site:
Villa 55% possession
Villa 19 shots on target; Fulham 5
Villa 8 off target; Fulham 1
Villa 10 corners; Fulham 4
Not really "bossing it" at all Mr Jol
Sorry, you "bossed" the fouls column
Twunt indeed!!
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Martin Jol: "we bossed it".
What fu**ing game was he at?
The stats alone speak volumes.
He was commenting on BBC edited highlights. BBC showed a very different version of the game than the one I was at this afternoon!
Very true.
None of our overwhelming possession in the first 20/25 minutes featured at all.
The highlights suggest Fulham dominated and were hard done by.
Complete bo**ocks!
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BBC site:
Villa 55% possession
Villa 19 shots on target; Fulham 5
Villa 8 off target; Fulham 1
Villa 10 corners; Fulham 4
Not really "bossing it" at all Mr Jol
Sorry, you "bossed" the fouls column
Twunt indeed!!
That should be
shots Us 19 them 5
on target Us 8 them 1.
Just to show his full twuntiness.
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Pathetic of McLeish to have a go at the fans in his interview. 'They don't need much encouragement to dislike me at the moment etc' Why not just enjoy the victory, thank us for our support on the day and say we deserved to see a win after all this time?
For once I was enjoying MOTD and he had earned some praise from me today, then he comes out with that nonsense. Very disappointing.
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BBC site:
Villa 55% possession
Villa 19 shots on target; Fulham 5
Villa 8 off target; Fulham 1
Villa 10 corners; Fulham 4
Not really "bossing it" at all Mr Jol
Sorry, you "bossed" the fouls column
Twunt indeed!!
That should be
shots Us 19 them 5
on target Us 8 them 1.
Just to show his full twuntiness.
Sorry.
Too much Deucher's IPA!
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Saw this reg in the players car park -BO55 CNZ.
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I enjoyed the 1st half, I do admit to being a touch bored by the 65th min though and thought we had no chance of scoring. Have to say we did celebrate the goal like complete loons though! Lots of things that need sorting still, but its time to wallow in the joy of actually winning a game for a bit!
Hopefully you enjoyed the other 94 minutes. ;)
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Probably the most valuable three points we have won for many a season. I think unless we completely go to rat shit that we will go down, we will now stay up.
We have a great base of young players to build on.
BUT. We still need the manager to go. I don't want another season of this.
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I heard today that the atmosphere at Bodymoor Heath is very good. The players like playing for McLeish. We will come good under him. He must stay.
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N'Zog and Ireland apart (and even both of them today looked up for it) there hasn't been too much evidence of the famous 'lost the dressing room' cop out. So he does have that in his favour.
Maybe it's because he gives the senior players more latitude (ie lets them away with murder) compared to GH. The younger players wouldn't kick up a fuss anyroad, probably happy just to be involved.
I'd like to see him gone in the summer, for the simple reason that we face a pretty big rebuilding phase. It'll probably be 2/3 years (at best) before we can think about being in contention again. We can't have a manager that faces questions about his future every game. Most fans would be realistic about our chances of competing, and could probably buy into the idea that patience is required, if we didn't have a manager whose approach to football is as dull as dishwater.
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Kev, if we fired a manager because some fans didn't like him then we may as well never hire another manager again. With the exception of Guardiola or Mourinho rolling up to B6, there are very few managers out there that will ever make everyone happy. We need to get used to the fact that he will be here for at least one more season. He's going to be given rope in the summer to build the squad. As for his style of football, while admittedly he's done himself few favours this season with some of his tactics you couldn't say that about today. Our play in the final third really let us down, but the intent was there. He sent us out to have a go at Fulham, and to be honest they rarely got a sniff. We should have won today by a much wider margin.
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We're not talking about a few rabid fans on the fringes though, TV.
Ask 10 Villa fans who they want to be Villa manager and you will quite likely get 10 different answers. That type of variation would be common. And yes, even during more positive eras at the club, there will be those who- for their own reasons- didn't have faith in the manager at the time.
But there doesn't appear to be much variation when it comes to faith in McLeish. The main division seems to be between those who want him gone ASAP and those who'd prefer to see us get through to the summer and make the change then, as acquiring a decent manager in the close season would be easier. And it would give the new guy a full pre season to work with the squad. Seems to be the most logical approach.
So for that reason, I won't be at all surprised to see us to start next season with McLeish. And make the change in Oct/Nov - after he's spunked millions in the summer.
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Martin Jol: "we bossed it".
What fu**ing game was he at?
The stats alone speak volumes.
He was commenting on BBC edited highlights. BBC showed a very different version of the game than the one I was at this afternoon!
Very true.
None of our overwhelming possession in the first 20/25 minutes featured at all.
The highlights suggest Fulham dominated and were hard done by.
Complete bo**ocks!
In fairness, we didn't create many chances all game. I certainly never felt confident we'd score or from where a goal was coming.
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From where I was sitting it seemed it was mainly Fulham fans singing "you don't what you're doing" as a piss take. It was about the same time they were singing "stand up if you love McLeish".
I also had to leave my seat before the end as my 8 year old needed a pee (little bastard/fucker) but I tell you what, it's great fun jumping around on the concourse when you get an injury time winner!
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Pathetic of McLeish to have a go at the fans in his interview. 'They don't need much encouragement to dislike me at the moment etc' Why not just enjoy the victory, thank us for our support on the day and say we deserved to see a win after all this time?
For once I was enjoying MOTD and he had earned some praise from me today, then he comes out with that nonsense. Very disappointing.
I must say I found that to be in bad taste too. He also said 'Maybe now they see the merit in my substitutions' or words to that effect.
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Weimann needs to work on his Birmingham accent.
He took that very well - could easily have handled the ball accidentally before it crossed the line
The way he was crouched over the ball he could have hit it with his knob to get it across the line. I don't care which part of his anatomy he used it - the goal was very very welcome.
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Best moments were at either end of the afternoon.
Lovely warm tribute to Eamon before the game.
And an injury time winner - the sweetest of sweet moments for a football fan.
It's been a tough few weeks and the team deserved a break, particularly the young lads who have had to bear a lot of the pressure.
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Can't over-emphasise what a good finisher I think Bent is. His first goal at Arsenal last season, and his one this year, were right out of the top drawer. Obviously I really rate Gabby too. Had to give the pre-amble because I'm now going to say that regardless of their different strengths, Gabby makes us a better team who get more points. As a Villa fan, that's all that matters to me.
It's possible we play better as a team with Gabby, but get more points? I can see neither logical nor statistical basis for that belief Percy, since it's goals that get you points and Bent gets more than Gabby. I strongly believe that if Gabby had been leading the line second half of last season instead of Bent, there's a good chance we'd be playing in the Championship right now.
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MotD Highlights (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/aston-villa-1-fulham-0-motd/)
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Other highlights (http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/aston-villa-1-fulham-0-2/)
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Pathetic of McLeish to have a go at the fans in his interview. 'They don't need much encouragement to dislike me at the moment etc' Why not just enjoy the victory, thank us for our support on the day and say we deserved to see a win after all this time?
For once I was enjoying MOTD and he had earned some praise from me today, then he comes out with that nonsense. Very disappointing.
I know we want to slag him for everything he does / doesnt do but that comment was made with a smile on his face....call it humour / irony but hardly something to slag him for
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I spent the last ten minutes of the game shouting "Just score a fucking goal Villa, you ******!" at the telly over and over again. My wife was getting annoyed with my language and said "you are crap, you've got no chance anyway". So my final "GET THE FUCK IIIIIIIIIIN!" was particularly satisfying.
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Last gasp injury time winner for one of the kids in front of the Holte end and a clean sheet - great end to a decent perfomance.
I think AML was trying to be funny in his post match interview - his delivery wasn't very good though - maybe Redknapp's been coaching him for his post match interviews.
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BBC site:
Villa 55% possession
Villa 19 shots on target; Fulham 5
Villa 8 off target; Fulham 1
Villa 10 corners; Fulham 4
Not really "bossing it" at all Mr Jol
Sorry, you "bossed" the fouls column
Twunt indeed!!
What was funny is he was saying this as exactly those stats were flashing across the bottom of the screen. Ungracious twat
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Best moments were at either end of the afternoon.
Lovely warm tribute to Eamon before the game.
And an injury time winner - the sweetest of sweet moments for a football fan.
It's been a tough few weeks and the team deserved a break, particularly the young lads who have had to bear a lot of the pressure.
A lot of those there yesterday - including most of the players who were not born when Eamon played for us - were too young to have seen Eamon play. He didn't play that often, and then usually as a sub. But from what I rememember was a player who never gave up and never worried about not being as good as some of the players he played against.
In the minute's applause I thought to myself (as I'm sure other oldies did) we could do with some of Eamonn's spirit today. And there were a few moments in the first half when some players "did an Eamon" N'Zogbia and Ireland put in a couple of decent tackles which they don't normally do, and there was a lot of chasing/closing down instead of the usual backing off and hiding.
In the end we got the win. Not pretty but they all count. The celebration pile up and the raised arms from the players at the end. Show the players do care. At last we have seen some spirit from them.
A fittiing tribute.
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Martin Jol: "we bossed it".
What fu**ing game was he at?
The stats alone speak volumes.
He actually said "boshed". He meant "botched"
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I've found the best way to watch MOTD, fall asleep half way through and wake up just in time to see our last minute winner.
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Still think a permanent partnership of Bent and Gabby up front is the way to go.
It weakens the midfield, but you can negate that by buying a quality central midfielder and stop playing with 2 out and out wingers.
Given
New right back - Fuck off Hutton
Cuellar
Clark or Collins
New left back - Fuck off Warnock
N,Zogbia
Herd
New midfielder
Ireland
Bent
Gabby
Obviously i'm pissing in the wind as we won't be buying a quality midfielder or a new right back.
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Bit harsh on Hutton.
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Bit harsh on Hutton.
Really don't think he's good enough, but no matter, he'll be going nowhere.
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Hutton has played O.K recently but I'd like to see Lichaj get some games there before going shopping.
I agree that a dominant box to box midfield general is absolutely essential to us in the summer.
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Still think a permanent partnership of Bent and Gabby up front is the way to go.
It weakens the midfield, but you can negate that by buying a quality central midfielder and stop playing with 2 out and out wingers.
Given
New right back - Fuck off Hutton
Cuellar
Clark or Collins
New left back - Fuck off Warnock
N,Zogbia
Herd
New midfielder
Ireland
Bent
Gabby
Obviously i'm pissing in the wind as we won't be buying a quality midfielder or a new right back.
spot on re the wingers. Been wanting us to jettison that for years but it seems written on stone tablets that Villa have to play with 2 wingers
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I'd love us to find a way to partner Gabby and Bent, maybe with a strong midfield we could find a way to exempt Bent from everywhere but the box where his strength is. But while we are playing one up front I'd go with Gabby. IMO it's no coincidence that the defence is better when Gabby plays centre-forward with his far superior hold-up play. Quite simply the ball spends a lot more time in the opposition half when Bent is not there giving possession away all the time, often when full-backs and midfielders are in advanced positions in anticipation of an attack building.
The incident in which Bent was injured summed it up for me. The ball was played up to him, he had to perform a simple glancing touch to Gabby bursting past him on the left, or Ireland bursting past on the right with his arms out imploring him to give him the ball. Bent didn't even attempt a pass, instead fluffing his control and falling over. I know the pitch was awful but he can do that on a bowling green. I don't think much of Gabby's technique, but it's streets ahead of Bent's. Which is surprising as Bent actually has excellent technique when getting a shot off. It's like he only comes alive in those moments.
Kt, I think it's over simplistic to say we will get better results just because one player in the team is an accomplished goalscorer. This assumption does not allow for the possibility that better possession and overall attacking play may lead to more goals for other players (including the replacement of course) and less goals conceded, a natural consequence of the kind of possession we enjoyed yesterday.
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Hutton's been okay of late. The last 3 games we've looked quite solid at the back, in no small part down to Carlos getting a run and building up some form.
Even Warnock hasn't been entirely abysmal. Saying that, given the option I'd still sell Warnock and Hutton given the chance. However, it can't think of too many fullbacks out there available, we could afford and would come to us, who'd do much better (than Hutton is now anyhow).
I'd like to see more of Weimann.
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What a difference a win makes. Enough said!
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[/quote]
He also said 'Maybe now they see the merit in my substitutions' or words to that effect.
[/quote]
Well I willlet him have that one after all the grief we've given him! ;-)
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Watched the game again last night, in full without the normal stresses that come with watching the game live, in the knowledge that at the end the sun reappears. We really did dominate Fulham. With the exception of about 10 minutes and a couple of chances, we enjoyed the best football, movement, won more 50-50 balls and completely dismantled them as offensive threat. They've scored a lot of goals recently, were very confident coming in, and some on here were convinced they were going to "crush" us (winky Ozz). We played very well, especially at the back. The biggest criticism is that our play in the final third was very poor and it really is where we miss Ash and Downing. N'Zogbia and Marco huffed and puffed but their command of their crosses left a lot to be deserved. Ireland was everywhere, and he has clearly reacted to McLeish by adding a defensive element to his game.
We clearly need players to properly challenge/replace a number of players, and hopefully that will come in the summer. But this was a good win, and one more against Bolton and we can start thinking about next season and consign this one to history and hopefully learn from the experience.
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Text exchange with a Bagie at work last night:
Him: Villa goal deffo offside.
Me: What you on about, just seen MOTD, Weimann easily onside when the shot went in from Gardner.
Him: But he looked well offside so the lino should have given it.
Me: ????????????????????
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Text exchange with a Bagie at work last night:
Him: Villa goal deffo offside.
Me: What you on about, just seen MOTD, Weimann easily onside when the shot went in from Gardner.
Him: But he looked well offside so the lino should have given it.
Me: ????????????????????
It aaaaaay faaaaaair
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I'd love us to find a way to partner Gabby and Bent, maybe with a strong midfield we could find a way to exempt Bent from everywhere but the box where his strength is. But while we are playing one up front I'd go with Gabby. IMO it's no coincidence that the defence is better when Gabby plays centre-forward with his far superior hold-up play. Quite simply the ball spends a lot more time in the opposition half when Bent is not there giving possession away all the time, often when full-backs and midfielders are in advanced positions in anticipation of an attack building.
The incident in which Bent was injured summed it up for me. The ball was played up to him, he had to perform a simple glancing touch to Gabby bursting past him on the left, or Ireland bursting past on the right with his arms out imploring him to give him the ball. Bent didn't even attempt a pass, instead fluffing his control and falling over. I know the pitch was awful but he can do that on a bowling green. I don't think much of Gabby's technique, but it's streets ahead of Bent's. Which is surprising as Bent actually has excellent technique when getting a shot off. It's like he only comes alive in those moments.
Kt, I think it's over simplistic to say we will get better results just because one player in the team is an accomplished goalscorer. This assumption does not allow for the possibility that better possession and overall attacking play may lead to more goals for other players (including the replacement of course) and less goals conceded, a natural consequence of the kind of possession we enjoyed yesterday.
Again I agree with most of this, Gabby has a massive influence on the side, its only because he gets on with his job and says nothing that he's not lauded for it, I feel sure if he was heading up Arsenal or Chelsea front line and with the kind of service he would get there, we would eating Agbonlahor for breakfast dinner and tea, and I have no doubt he could step up to that level IMO.
Gabby is a pain in the anal area, he must be a real thorn in the side for defenders because you simply can't afford to give him any space, so allowing him that couple of yards defenders sit deeper, therefore there midfield sits deeper and there attack are somewhat adrift, end result the opposition is pushed back, pressure of our midfield and our defence and allowing our more advanced players to get further forward and have a go.
The very obvious difference with Bent is Old Style center forward, back line moves up, pushing Bent back to the half way line for any counter, line steps forward and Benty more often than not gets caught off side, meanwhile Gabby's shoved out wide and ineffective on the whole. So unless we can afford to have Bent sitting in the keepers area waiting for that crucial cross or long ball, and that is where Bent in the right team comes way into his own then the Villa side IMO looks far more balanced with Gabby up top.
I look at it this way, that's where Gabby was season after season, sometimes with Carew, a lot on his ownsome, utterly consistent, getting his goals and wreaking havoc on some of the best defence's in the Premeirship and Europe (for a while), he did a great job there, why fix something that isn't broken, just because a manager can't see the obvious. Bent's a great player, but if the club had 20ml to spend we had/have other much more urgent area's to fill IMO.
Personally Gabby influence on the side under MON which he obviously realised was massive, and he went a long way to enhancing the playing ability of players like Young and Downing, who I don't think are quite the impact yet that they where for Villa, certainly Downing isn't.
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Text exchange with a Bagie at work last night:
Him: Villa goal deffo offside.
Me: What you on about, just seen MOTD, Weimann easily onside when the shot went in from Gardner.
Him: But he looked well offside so the lino should have given it.
Me: ????????????????????
They are all imbeciles.
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Thought the game was rubbish and Fulham are garbage but we won!
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Talking about Bent and Gabby. I'd like to see Bent play a bit like Gary Linnaker played for Spurs. Where he would hold on the edge of the box and make the runs to the near post. Could try at goal (mostly successfully) or nod/tap it on. We never play near post, wingers ( Albi) always lofting it into the box. Why? As with yesterday we offer no threat that way.
Gabby can do the same with his speed but both would benefit from the defence splitting ball on the ground from central. We never do that either. Well seldom. The wee lad can make that pass, Ireland can too. Otherwise we need to play on the break.
As it was we are left with shots from Stan. Simply because there seems to be no forward movement . No alternatives to the cross. The goal yesterday, ok, from a spilt ball, was at least a different/direct approach from the youth team.
Something missing in the forward coaching IMHO.
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If Gabby is in form, playing him up front on his own would be a good way to go, but when he isn't (as he has been since he came back from injury) you are probably better off playing with ten men. He has been this inconsistent throughout his career and it's that reason I don't like the idea of having him as our main striker ahead of Bent. Even out of form (as he has been this season) Bent gets goals. Out of form Gabby is a waste of a shirt. I think Gabbs is much better in a partnership though and I might even be tempted to throw Weimann in against Bolton as part of a front two or three.
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Half empty stadium witnessed Andreas Weimann's last gasp winner but it was celebrated by supporters & players
as though we had won a 'trophy' -
Whilst it is still concerning that our final pass & delivery into the box is wanting..........the effort & committment was
much improved ..............maybe the season started yesterday ?
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Nice to get a positive results and last minute winners are just the best, still much room for improvement!
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Think Cuellar - Collins deserve some recognition for a solid performance. Pogrebnyak has been on fire and never got a sniff. Also Ireland has clearly stepped up his defensive duties and broke up several Fulham moves. I am not exactly a Mcleish fan but credit to his substitutions. Wieman and Gabby to start against Bolton .................
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The whole back four was very solid yesterday in fairness to them. I really hope Carlos gets a new deal.
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I'd also like to give Warnock a mention. While he hasn't been fantastic he has been much improved last few games. Fair play as his confidence must have been shot after that QPR moment.
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I'd also like to give Warnock a mention. While he hasn't been fantastic he has been much improved last few games. Fair play as his confidence must have been shot after that QPR moment.
Yup, he did well, as did Hutton
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I'd also like to give Warnock a mention. While he hasn't been fantastic he has been much improved last few games. Fair play as his confidence must have been shot after that QPR moment.
Yup, he did well, as did Hutton
Pleased to see Hutton and Warnock getting a bit of credit too.
I think we're very quick to give them a slating but very slow to acknowledge when they do well.
I've been a critic of the back 4 (excluding King Carlos) but since Dunne's injury those 2 and Collins have been great.
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In response to Percy, I think you overestimate Gabby's hold up play, I really do. For me Bent gives defenders loads more to think about because he's always looking to make a run off their shoulder. He doesn't always time it right, or the passing player doesn't, which is why gets caught offside a lot, but he gives the crossing/passing player something to aim at. There was a classic Gabby moment on Saturday about half way through the second half where Ireland received the ball just outside the box, looked up, saw Gabby and and threaded the ball through to where, if it had been Bent, he would have made his run. Gabby just stood there behind the defender and the ball went begging. Ireland just looked daggers at Gabby as if the say "where was the run"? And it had me yelling "move you useles c**t!" at the screen. Gabby has good qualities but I sometimes think if we signed Messi either you or VillaNation could come up with some justification for excluding him for Gabby.
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I thought it was a good game. We played well and got what we deserved. Should have been 2 up by half time, such was our dominance, but the 2nd half was more even, presumably after Fulham had been given a rocket at half time. Still, on balance we were the better side and played some neat football at times.
I agree Hutton had a good game (as he has for a few games now), but still thought Warnock was poor. The Cuellar/Collins partnership seems to have clicked, which may well be benefiting the fullbacks.
Ireland MOM for me.
Gabby had a good first half, but faded a bit afterwards. Bringing Weimann on to support him was the right call, but I would have taken Albrighton off myself.
It was a game that would be viewed a LOT differently if he hadn't got that late winner, but we did. And we deserved it.
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Pathetic of McLeish to have a go at the fans in his interview. 'They don't need much encouragement to dislike me at the moment etc' Why not just enjoy the victory, thank us for our support on the day and say we deserved to see a win after all this time?
For once I was enjoying MOTD and he had earned some praise from me today, then he comes out with that nonsense. Very disappointing.
Thank us for what support? I must've missed that. The atmosphere was the same as usual until the goal.
What he said is right and if asked a question regarding the fans and how/what they think of him, he answered the truth.
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Two beefs about Saturday!
Our finishing and probably related but Gabby is not fit at the moment! Must admit I would have subbed him instead of Zoggy!
But what do I know?
A win is a win and we bossed the game even if at times the passing was a little pedestrian!
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Just heard Andreas on SSN. Impressed. Plus his accent's great.
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Kt, a reasoned post about Gabby/Bent, but then you spoiled it and got hysterical like Ozzjim usually does with that Messi bollocks.
I assure you I'm being as objective as I can. Was a big fan of Bent before we bought him and last season. It's only this year that I've noticed the weaknesses in his game that led to Spurs discarding him. Thought Spurs fans criticisms of him were sour grapes but now I feel they had a point.
Also, I'm really not over-estimating Gabby's hold-up play. I've seen much better from Withe, Savo, Yorkie. But I've also seen much worse - from Bent.
Just my opinion. And I wouldn't pick Gabby over Messi, just so we're clear.
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Has anybody got a spare programme from this game that I could buy off them?
I'm missing this one for my full season's set and they have run out on Programme Master on the tinterweb.
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If you still need it, send me a PM and I will see what I can do.