Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on November 30, 2012, 07:27:23 PM
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Available Saturday evening.
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Match summary:
"At least we didn't lose".
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Ill take the point for with all the injuries and youth
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Not losing was the aim; we achieved it. End of.
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More questions than answers. The plot thickens...
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We are what we are: a very ordinary side with a useful big bloke up front. Not exactly a progression.
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Pretty dire performance, especially in the second half. But a reasonably respectable point considering they have new manager syndrome and the fact we're struggling to find 4 fit defenders.
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I was watching the rugby so cannot comment on the game but predicted 1-1 so cant complain at that being the outcome.
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Utter witless garbage. And THIS is the manager we all wanted. Geez
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Not good enough, poor performance after first 20 minutes I'm afraid. Defence looks very shaky and the insistence of not playing Bent makes no sense.
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I'll take that.
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That second half was a poor a 45 minutes as I've seen in the last 2 years.
Still, a points a point, we'll pick ourselves up and go again...
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Could be a good point at the end of the season! Newcastle are in the shit.....
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Thank fook we didn't lose, they are deeper in the shit, but we had a real chance to pull away a bit.
There are NO easy games for Aston Villa anymore.
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At least we've moved up to 16th
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I'll take that.
We may lack quality, but we've got the stomach for a fight, and we'll need it.
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Never looked up for it really. Didn't deserve a win so a draw will have to do.
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Looking at it one way, we were lucky not to be beat.
Looking at it another way, we've got a point against a team (players and fans) who are probably on the biggest high of their lives with having 'appy 'arry as their manager.
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I don't care what anyone says a point is good against a team below us the fact their playes and fans would have been well motivated for this as Arry's first rescue mission game. Well we cooled them down a bit.
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1-1 as I expected.
We are utterly shit though.
Badly need 2 or 3 older heads in the window. Let's see what the sleeping Yank comes up with.
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Harry Redknapp's a ****. Is all.
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Have to say, the substitutions - allowing Lichaj to switch to the right, fresh legs in Delph and a bit more ball-keeping ability than Holman in KEA really shored us up and even brought us back into the game going forward. 4 points from two games against our survival rivals, which not only is good for our total but has stopped them gaining ground. Bring on Stoke at home next week, and hopefully we can move onwards when Vlaar is back.
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Very dis-jointed performance, but unbeaten in 3 with 5 points compared to 9 points from the previous 12 games, so things are looking a bit better. Just hope Reading get spanked by Man Yoo and Sunderland lose tomorrow.
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Five points from last three games is an improvement. A win next week and we'll be in a much healthier position.
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It was a point more than I thought we'd get. I can understand PL being cautious with our makeshift defence.
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Good point, Redknapp first game. Lambert made the right changes, and we nearly nicked it at the end. We were getting hammered for a time second half, and the changes did what we needed, we got the ball and showed maturity in keeping hold of it. We were on top at the end when you would expect in his first home game they would be trying to lay siege to our goal.
I don't buy this shit that we need to make a statement on Bent either. Bringing him on today would have done nothing for the side at all the way it was going, Lambert has made it clear it is a tactical/ training issue, and it is up to the manager.
All in all a good point, it stops QPR building any momentum, we gain a point away from home, take 5 from our last 3 now and look forward to Stoke next week. The pre match thread showed how worried people were by Harry and his first home game, so to come out without losing it, I am happy.
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Stoke will be a very tough game.
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Dour, dour draw. I hear a lot of people say "I can see what Lambert's trying to do," but it's like an old tramp trying to chat up a super model - you can see what he's trying to do, but he's got no chance of actually doing it.
Just as it was under Houllier, we don't have the personnel. And at the moment, we don't have the points on the board to afford Lambert the luxury of sticking to his system (which so far has been largely unsatisfactory).
We desperately need points. We might have to change things to get them.
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Would've again needed Ireland on and Lambert brings on KEA who's been poor in last games. I don't understand his selection policy, our only threatening AMC and he doesn't play Ireland.
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Performance not good, result ok. Point away on the back of 3 points and a point vs Arsenal shows progress in terms of results if not performance...
With regards to Bent. Whilst I might not agree, he clearly doesn't fit with Lamberts tactics. Doesn't hold the ball up, doesn't work hard enough outside the box. Can't see the issue with not bringing him on today, he wouldn't have touched the ball...we were hardly pouring forward creating chances..
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Good point, Redknapp first game. Lambert made the right changes, and we nearly nicked it at the end. We were getting hammered for a time second half, and the changes did what we needed, we got the ball and showed maturity in keeping hold of it. We were on top at the end when you would expect in his first home game they would be trying to lay siege to our goal.
I don't buy this shit that we need to make a statement on Bent either. Bringing him on today would have done nothing for the side at all the way it was going, Lambert has made it clear it is a tactical/ training issue, and it is up to the manager.
All in all a good point, it stops QPR building any momentum, we gain a point away from home, take 5 from our last 3 now and look forward to Stoke next week. The pre match thread showed how worried people were by Harry and his first home game, so to come out without losing it, I am happy.
Well said, that man.
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Substitutions worked QPR didn't really create any clear cut chances. I also thought Benteke and El Ahmadi had the best chances to win it! Bringing on Bent or Ireland would only have made us vulnerable!
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Poor. A bit of imagination and we may have won that. We may have lost it too, but we were defending well and we need to start getting wins.
Draws do us no good. If Sunderland win tomorrow then we're right in the shit looking at the upcoming fixtures.
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Useful point in a tough game , performance wasn't great but lets hope we get some injuries clear by next week- stoke will be tough .
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Well it was bit of nothing really. Two poor sides who can't defend worth toffee but were too toothless to do much. I mean with some quality in the final third this was a game that could have been a cricket score. I can't say the final ball was poor because we rarely got to the final ball.
Westwood and Guzan stood out for me. Our two centre halfs did well. Lowton was good. Lichaj looked better on the right than the left, where he was murdered, but for me, he's nowhere near good enough at this level. Herd was poor too.
Bannan did okay. Holman started brightly but faded. Not his usual self. Gabby worked very hard but was equally poor in his ball usage. Benteke was a constant threat but a little slack at times too.
Williams did okay. He didn't get involved much and didn't stand out like say Carruthers did last season when thrown in. Maybe we'll see more of Del Boy, maybe not. Couldn't make much of him though.
Delph is poor.
KEA looked more like the player from earlier in the season. That is to say quite good, if nothing special. But an improvement over recent months.
Can't see what PL's mindset is though. Those changes were very odd. You could argue they worked to an extent, but it was a game for the winning, against a dire defence, and Ireland and/or Bent could have exploited it. Then again, the loss in work-rate with them on might have lost us the game. It's academic now though I suppose.
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KEA did well though, so did Delph. They allowed us to get possession which we were really struggling with.
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We desperately need some quality in January. KEA and Delph offer nothing from the bench and Ireland should have been brought on. We didn't lose and that's about the only positive.
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Not great, crap stream but it is a work in slow progress and all those who think PL maybe the wrong man for the job, who would rely on Randissapear and Faulkner to get the next one right, lets have a bit of patience and see where it leads to, hopefully survival, because thats where we are now, where ever we think we should be
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It's a point.
We go again.
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At least we've moved up to 16th
nose bleed ahoy :o
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OK first half, shite second. Happy we didn't lose and the subs PL made, stultifying though they were, worked and we came away from 'Arry Rangers with something. It's (still) going to be a looooong old season. I think he might keep QPR up. I think we'll stay up too but it won't be pretty and we need reinforcements in January. No excuses and no promising youngsters.
As an aside, the match thread has been mentioned on here over the past few days for being poisonous etc. I enjoy most match threads as it goes, but I thought it was ruined today by bickering over whether links to streams should be allowed. If you know how to type and you know about search engines, what is the problem? There isn't a secret order of internet nerds who 'know' where this stuff is, I'd imagine most people use 'Google'. It's a shame that people who often post very readable stuff seemed intent on arguing the toss when a very simple solution was at hand.
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To go away to QPR, who have been diabolical all season and not have Ireland or Bent involved at all tells you everything about the game. We didn't even try to fucking win. That was every bit as negative as anything that TSM served up.
Benteke was anonymous in the 2nd half, as we gave him no service. As was Gabby for all of the game. To play 5 at the back for the last half an hour against bottom of the league says it all.
I've been a big fan of Lamberts thinking, but today that was fucking garbage.
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Ireland and Bent would have been the logical two to come on in the double substitution. QPR are rubbish even with arry. Could have taken them.
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Stoke will be a very tough game.
Specially as they beat the baggies (there bubble has truely brust! Another Blackpool?)
BTW hope we play Chelsea before that sack the fat spanish waiter!
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Another really poor performance, albeit gaining another much needed point. We really have sunk so very low that people are pleased with nicking a point at a truly crap QPR team.
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
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we have an atrocious football team. guzan, clark, baker, benteke did well. the rest verged between distinctly average and utterly hopeless. if I had to pick out a player that deserves the most abuse this week, gabby agbonlahor. absolutely useless for the umpteenth time in the past 3 seasons. Paul Lambert seems a reincarnation of the previous incumbent.
settling for a point against a team with only 5 points from 14 games says it all for the state of the football club at the moment.
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Stoke have won 4 of their last 5, drawing the other. Let's hope we catch them on an off day and get the win.
If we don't win that then we'll probably be bottom three going into the New Year.
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Rode our luck but got the point.A lot of pressure on a young team being in the position we are. Hopefully if we can keep getting something out of games they will realise that they just have to keep grafting away and points will come. Do that and it will be really interesting to see how the Sunderland and Newcastle players react when it dawns on them that they are in the shit and need to battle to survive. Last couple of seasons we have had more practice at it than they have.
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I don't buy this shit that we need to make a statement on Bent either.
Well said, that man.
Not well said.
Making a statement about there not being a Bent clause would shut the media up and put the supporters minds at rest that's it's not a financial issue.
What harm could it possibly do?
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
wasn't that bad when he moved to attacking right back!
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That was woeful. We've gone from one extreme of too many overpaid average older players to too many inexperienced young ones. We desperately need to get a couple of experienced bodies in in January. All the second half I was just waiting for them to score - we seemed determined to just give them the ball. Criticism of PL's subs on the match thread was justified at the time but at least we started to look more composed. And we've postponed the media wankfest of 'Arry winning a game.
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OK first half, shite second. Happy we didn't lose and the subs PL made, stultifying though they were, worked and we came away from 'Arry Rangers with something. It's (still) going to be a looooong old season. I think he might keep QPR up. I think we'll stay up too but it won't be pretty and we need reinforcements in January. No excuses and no promising youngsters.
As an aside, the match thread has been mentioned on here over the past few days for being poisonous etc. I enjoy most match threads as it goes, but I thought it was ruined today by bickering over whether links to streams should be allowed. If you know how to type and you know about search engines, what is the problem? There isn't a secret order of internet nerds who 'know' where this stuff is, I'd imagine most people use 'Google'. It's a shame that people who often post very readable stuff seemed intent on arguing the toss when a very simple solution was at hand.
I find the time for Lambert to call the removal vans in ridiculous in the extreme from the match thread.
Re streams, we have made the rules very clear, and people will discuss what they are watching. If others want to watch there are ways if you google it, but we are not going to post links on the site!
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OK first half, shite second. Happy we didn't lose and the subs PL made, stultifying though they were, worked and we came away from 'Arry Rangers with something. It's (still) going to be a looooong old season. I think he might keep QPR up. I think we'll stay up too but it won't be pretty and we need reinforcements in January. No excuses and no promising youngsters.
As an aside, the match thread has been mentioned on here over the past few days for being poisonous etc. I enjoy most match threads as it goes, but I thought it was ruined today by bickering over whether links to streams should be allowed. If you know how to type and you know about search engines, what is the problem? There isn't a secret order of internet nerds who 'know' where this stuff is, I'd imagine most people use 'Google'. It's a shame that people who often post very readable stuff seemed intent on arguing the toss when a very simple solution was at hand.
I find the time for Lambert to call the removal vans in ridiculous in the extreme from the match thread.
One person.
One.
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We had sixteen points after 13 games last season...but we did go on an awful run second half of the season so if we can nick one or two extra wins we should be safe....
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PL on Sky right now. Says the players are buoyant. Praised Bentecke, no mention of Bent.
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Lamberts a bit weird. After Ireland came on against Reading and improved the game. Why wouldn't he try the same substitution this game. Hey oh, not moaning just seems a bit weird.
Think this is a good point.
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Good point, Redknapp first game. Lambert made the right changes, and we nearly nicked it at the end. We were getting hammered for a time second half, and the changes did what we needed, we got the ball and showed maturity in keeping hold of it. We were on top at the end when you would expect in his first home game they would be trying to lay siege to our goal.
I don't buy this shit that we need to make a statement on Bent either. Bringing him on today would have done nothing for the side at all the way it was going, Lambert has made it clear it is a tactical/ training issue, and it is up to the manager.
All in all a good point, it stops QPR building any momentum, we gain a point away from home, take 5 from our last 3 now and look forward to Stoke next week. The pre match thread showed how worried people were by Harry and his first home game, so to come out without losing it, I am happy.
You kidding? - You are happy with that pile of shit?
We should have gone at this lot from the off - next week has draw written all over it - all of the pre-season optimism has now all but evaporated as we establish that this manager, is in effect, no better that the previous one. i.e. going for the draw at places like QPR.
The total lack of ambition at the club is shocking - when ardent fans start accepting results like today its time to give up. I almost have - primarily as the football is so dire - ok we have young lads learning their trade , but the Premier League is no place to do that - buy and play Championship quality players and ultimately you will get the Championship. Rant over :)
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It's Benteke's 22nd birthday on Monday. Good. Tired of Lambert saying 'he's been fantastic, 21 years of age' in every.bloody.interview.
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As I say reasonable point, and for first half hour we were pretty decent and played some nice stuff. However our team needs 3/4 quality experienced additions badly. Lichaj isn't good enough to cover left back and Delph just isn't good at all.
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Yes Rissbert that is where we are and no amount of moaning is going to change that, I imagine you have been a Villa fan for a very long time, so as we have in the past enjoy the good times and get on with the bad ones, because being claret and blue there are more of the bad ones. VTID
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Delph is awful, he can go with Albrighton.
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Re streams, we have made the rules very clear, and people will discuss what they are watching. If others want to watch there are ways if you google it, but we are not going to post links on the site!
The rules aren't clear about whether links can be shared in PMs between individuals.
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
Wrong.
1. He's a right back who's filling in at left back
2. Stephen Warnock
3. Jlloyd Samuel
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OK first half, shite second. Happy we didn't lose and the subs PL made, stultifying though they were, worked and we came away from 'Arry Rangers with something. It's (still) going to be a looooong old season. I think he might keep QPR up. I think we'll stay up too but it won't be pretty and we need reinforcements in January. No excuses and no promising youngsters.
As an aside, the match thread has been mentioned on here over the past few days for being poisonous etc. I enjoy most match threads as it goes, but I thought it was ruined today by bickering over whether links to streams should be allowed. If you know how to type and you know about search engines, what is the problem? There isn't a secret order of internet nerds who 'know' where this stuff is, I'd imagine most people use 'Google'. It's a shame that people who often post very readable stuff seemed intent on arguing the toss when a very simple solution was at hand.
I find the time for Lambert to call the removal vans in ridiculous in the extreme from the match thread.
Re streams, we have made the rules very clear, and people will discuss what they are watching. If others want to watch there are ways if you google it, but we are not going to post links on the site!
But its perfectly ok for you to spout utter **** ;)
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Yes Rissbert that is where we are and no amount of moaning is going to change that
In other words, shut your gob and doff your cap.
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Last couple of seasons we have had more practice at it than they have.
Isn't that dreadfully sdf six years into the new 'custodian's' tenure that we can say that. 'Ah we are used to relegation scraps now so that gives us an edge over other shit teams'.
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
Wrong.
1. He's a right back who's filling in at left back
2. Stephen Warnock
3. Jlloyd Samuel
Not wrong, I didn't say he's a bad player. I said he's an appalling left back which he is, I understand that's not his first choice position. Also he's worse at left back than those two.
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Lets face facts, QPR with 'Arry feted by press and TV alike, with Webb seemingly very pro home team, were favourites. There have been many times when 1-1 with 20 to go we would have lost. Lambert is fresh air after Eck, or Gerrard, or the latter days of our spendthrift mate from Sunderland. Yes we struggle, but our kids are making progress even in defence, and play some very decent football at times. The whole site seems to be a miserable place at present, without Randy we may be owned by a sty equivalent and and be far worse off. Time to be grateful rather than miserable, the days of Ron Saunders won't return in a hurry if ever, but if we are to succeed sacking Lambert wont do any good at all!
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
Wrong.
1. He's a right back who's filling in at left back
2. Stephen Warnock
3. Jlloyd Samuel
Samuel was the worst for me as he had bags of talent but was a lazy bastard.
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All things considered that's a very decent point for Villa. On to the next match.
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OK first half, shite second. Happy we didn't lose and the subs PL made, stultifying though they were, worked and we came away from 'Arry Rangers with something. It's (still) going to be a looooong old season. I think he might keep QPR up. I think we'll stay up too but it won't be pretty and we need reinforcements in January. No excuses and no promising youngsters.
As an aside, the match thread has been mentioned on here over the past few days for being poisonous etc. I enjoy most match threads as it goes, but I thought it was ruined today by bickering over whether links to streams should be allowed. If you know how to type and you know about search engines, what is the problem? There isn't a secret order of internet nerds who 'know' where this stuff is, I'd imagine most people use 'Google'. It's a shame that people who often post very readable stuff seemed intent on arguing the toss when a very simple solution was at hand.
I find the time for Lambert to call the removal vans in ridiculous in the extreme from the match thread.
Re streams, we have made the rules very clear, and people will discuss what they are watching. If others want to watch there are ways if you google it, but we are not going to post links on the site!
But its perfectly ok for you to spout utter **** ;)
It is fine for anyone too, but then it is also fine for others to question it, and debate it backward and forward, surely that is the point?
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
Wrong.
1. He's a right back who's filling in at left back
2. Stephen Warnock
3. Jlloyd Samuel
Bernie Gallagher
Alan Wright (after 1996)
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PL on Sky right now. Says the players are buoyant. Praised Bentecke, no mention of Bent.
His management of Bent has been pathetic and could well be part of the reason we go down.
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None of those were as poor talent wise at left back as Lichaj. He's not left footed and it very much shows.
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It's Benteke's 22nd birthday on Monday. Good. Tired of Lambert saying 'he's been fantastic, 21 years of age' in every.bloody.interview.
and everyone is fine just fine really fine doing fine ....... :(
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PL on Sky right now. Says the players are buoyant. Praised Bentecke, no mention of Bent.
His management of Bent has been pathetic and could well be part of the reason we go down.
Pathetic would be playing him just because he's famous. Think for a second, what could he have actually done today? The Ireland debates I get, but Bent? We were giving the ball away enough as it was.
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Draws do us no good.
It doesn't exactly help QPR either.
All that matters was stopping QPR from getting a win which apart from pulling us into even more trouble, makes it harder for QPR to survive. If they don't pick up a win soon they will lose the momentum they've got from Redknapp's appointment.
If we can beat Stoke we'll go onto 17 points. Considering our start and I think we were always going to have a stronger second half of the season, that could be a significant milestone in terms of survival.
Lambert's substitutions were clever and probably stopped us losing the game. Herd's probably not ready for a full game and Lichaj was getting killed by Diakete. Putting Baker at left back quelled that line of attack and the defence looked stable with Lowton-Clark-Williams (another young 'un given some experience).
It was the third game within a week and there's always a drop off in the third game so it was important to take players off who were either tiring or would soon tire. We can argue about who would have been better; Ireland or KEA but KEA did a good job when he was on. With the amount of games we have coming this month its a good idea to use the likes of Delph and KEA to give them the impetus for when we do need them.
Westwood looked excellent again. He looks really comfortable on the ball and you can feel confident that he (probably) won't give the ball away. Unfortunately we can't say the same about Holman or Lichaj.
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Can't say I share the triumphancy over a solitary point gained against a virtually already relegated side who have yet to notch a win with the season into it's 5th month.
We were absolute garbage and camped in our half for the entire second half. Thankfully QPR couldn't penetrate so hats off to the defence and keeper but hells bells, it's December and we're counting down the matches until we avoid relegation already.
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
Wrong.
1. He's a right back who's filling in at left back
2. Stephen Warnock
3. Jlloyd Samuel
Bernie Gallagher
Alan Wright (after 1996)
No way. Wrighty was more than decent until he left. His venturing over the halfway-line diminished a bit but he was always solid.
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If we can beat Stoke we'll go onto 17 points.
That's a big ask I reckon.
They should have no trouble bullying our kids.
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PL on Sky right now. Says the players are buoyant. Praised Bentecke, no mention of Bent.
His management of Bent has been pathetic and could well be part of the reason we go down.
Pathetic would be playing him just because he's famous. Think for a second, what could he have actually done today? The Ireland debates I get, but Bent? We were giving the ball away enough as it was.
Totally agree Montbert.
I think it came between Williams in at the back and Ireland, and as others have said, Lichaj was really struggling at left back, while Williams gave us much more balance. We needed to get our foot in in midfield though, and Delph and KEA gave us that with Bannan and Holman tiring.
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If we can beat Stoke we'll go onto 17 points.
That's a big ask I reckon.
They should have no trouble bullying our kids.
I think we will be ok against Stoke.
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No RipVan but lets wake up to 21st century football, unless you want to start a campaign to find a multi billionaire who like Roman wants to spunk his money down the drain, maybe we are not what we like to sing "Were by far the greatest team the world has ever seen", only once in 46 years of watching the Villa has that been the case, now we are were we are and supporting the manager just maybe the way of getting us out of this mess, remember those manure fans who were telling the red nose wanker he was an arse hole after 25 minutes at Forest that cup game, patience might just pay off. If not and he keeps us up sack him if we are in the same place next year
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If we can beat Stoke we'll go onto 17 points.
That's a big ask I reckon.
They should have no trouble bullying our kids.
I think we will be ok against Stoke.
I have a feeling a lot may depend on whether or not we have Vlaar back.
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I would agree with all the QPR are shit stuff if Hughes was still in charge. They've got some reasonable talent there that has been badly managed. Harry will have lifted them no doubt, the fact we've kept them winless under him is a positive as has already been mentioned.
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I think it was a doubly hard game because of where QPR are in the league and Harry coming in. To come here and get a point is massive for us. I'm delighted to get a point. We are on a little run at the moment. You can stretch it back to Sunderland in terms of how we've been playing."
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The pragmatist inside me says it we could easily have obliged the script the media all wanted and Arrys first win. So we've kept them in the deep deep shit and move up a place with a weakened squad. Which is all good.
The other side of the coin is that I'm disappointed we werent more adventurous against what is a desperately poor team.
Then I go back to looking at the teamsheet and scratching my beard thinking its not such a bad result... then I think that we need significantly to strengthen in January so we can put teams like QPR down at will, regardless of injuries.
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PL on Sky right now. Says the players are buoyant. Praised Bentecke, no mention of Bent.
His management of Bent has been pathetic and could well be part of the reason we go down.
Pathetic would be playing him just because he's famous. Think for a second, what could he have actually done today? The Ireland debates I get, but Bent? We were giving the ball away enough as it was.
started him ahead of 1 goal in is it 30 league games agbonlahor
brought him on at half time instead of the aforementioned agbonlahor
pathetic - making him captain, taking the captaincy off him in the dressing room before a game, not even having him on the bench ahead of jordan bowery etc etc
good man management it aint, the more he showers benteke with MON esque OTT praise, its a bit of a dig at Bent I feel.
it would be something if this gamble to antagonise bent into forcing a transfer was being done from relative safety of midtable but we are in deep sh*t and need him on the pitch when fit
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Get a point play shit lets moan, get nothing against manure but play well hav'nt we done well, not sure what we do want this season, all I want is enough points to still be in the prem next season and then lets see if PL's plan has got any substance, we gave the puby head one how many years, lets not blame PL for that or GH and the one that can not be named.
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No problem with that Ozzjim - My opinion is that this manager is no better that the last couple - yes I will give him time, but so far he hasn`t cut the mustard. Maybe this is where Aston Villa now sit - i.e. happy to just avoid relegation each year. I was brought up believing that we are a big club with ambition and high expectations - I am passionate about the Villa and yes, I have see thinner times but with the amount of money paid out on players and managers I do expect so much more. Patience is a virtue and one I lack right now - Mr Lambert appears to be a stubborn so and so (unless he is acting upon instructions from above) and I would like him to "come clean" on the omission of Bent from the side. My season ticket money does after all go a small way in to paying Bent`s £80k per week. Like you say it is a question of opinion, this just happens to be mine.
To conclude - this week we have played two very poor sides and got 4 valuable points , however the quality of play was shocking in the extreme - I suppose its a results business and many will argue that Lambert has started to turn the corner this week. Perhaps I should contact the removal company myself and ask them to keep a spare day early in May ;)
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I don't see how praising Benteke is a dig at Bent. If anything, it's the opposite - saying 'well, I'd love to play you but look how good this guy's playing, I can't drop him'.
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Lets face facts, QPR with 'Arry feted by press and TV alike, with Webb seemingly very pro home team, were favourites. There have been many times when 1-1 with 20 to go we would have lost. Lambert is fresh air after Eck, or Gerrard, or the latter days of our spendthrift mate from Sunderland. Yes we struggle, but our kids are making progress even in defence, and play some very decent football at times. The whole site seems to be a miserable place at present, without Randy we may be owned by a sty equivalent and and be far worse off. Time to be grateful rather than miserable, the days of Ron Saunders won't return in a hurry if ever, but if we are to succeed sacking Lambert wont do any good at all!
Spot on. We are getting there but it will take time.
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No RipVan but lets wake up to 21st century football, unless you want to start a campaign to find a multi billionaire who like Roman wants to spunk his money down the drain, maybe we are not what we like to sing "Were by far the greatest team the world has ever seen", only once in 46 years of watching the Villa has that been the case, now we are were we are and supporting the manager just maybe the way of getting us out of this mess, remember those manure fans who were telling the red nose wanker he was an arse hole after 25 minutes at Forest that cup game, patience might just pay off. If not and he keeps us up sack him if we are in the same place next year
Ferguson had finished second in the league with them before that season, which people like you tend to forget.
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I don't buy this shit that we need to make a statement on Bent either.
Well said, that man.
Not well said.
Making a statement about there not being a Bent clause would shut the media up and put the supporters minds at rest that's it's not a financial issue.
What harm could it possibly do?
He did, Friday. When persistently asked by Pete Colley at the press conference, he categorically stated he wasn't not picking him because of some extra payement clause.
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Stoke have won 4/5 there last games! not gona be easy
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If we can beat Stoke we'll go onto 17 points.
That's a big ask I reckon.
They should have no trouble bullying our kids.
I think we will be ok against Stoke.
Considering the current situation, i'll be happy with a draw.
Fuck it, i'll go 1-1 on the pre-match thread.
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Glad of a point but it looked as if Lambert had a touch of the TSMs with his second half subs. We should be looking to win games like this, not just desperately hold on.
I admire his bravery in giving youngsters a chance but I'd have hoped he'd have introduced Ireland and/or Bent and gone for it a bit more. We seemed content to just knock the ball around sideways when we had it second half. Frustrating.
I remain unconvinced by PL, he hits on a good combination and then proceeds to bugger about with it all over the shop. Some very odd selections and tactics.
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Didn't loose which is the main thing! Beat stoke next week to keep our little run going hopefully
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But that was not what the manure fans were feeling there Rissbert
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I don't buy this shit that we need to make a statement on Bent either.
Well said, that man.
Not well said.
Making a statement about there not being a Bent clause would shut the media up and put the supporters minds at rest that's it's not a financial issue.
What harm could it possibly do?
He did, Friday. When persistently asked by Pete Colley at the press conference, he categorically stated he wasn't not picking him because of some extra payement clause.
Not him.
The club.
Personally I don't believe there is a clause, but let's make an official statement to shut the fuckers up in the media and placate any Villa supporters who still believe that this is an issue regarding his non-appearances.
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I think it was a doubly hard game because of where QPR are in the league and Harry coming in. To come here and get a point is massive for us. I'm delighted to get a point. We are on a little run at the moment. You can stretch it back to Sunderland in terms of how we've been playing."
Did he really say that?
A draw with QPR is deemed "massive" - how fecking small time is that?
"Delighted with a point" - McLeish would have been toast had he uttered those words, so why does Lambert get away with it?
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Didn't loose which is the main thing!
LOSE
Hoots mon there's a loose, loose, aboot' this house
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I think it was a doubly hard game because of where QPR are in the league and Harry coming in. To come here and get a point is massive for us. I'm delighted to get a point. We are on a little run at the moment. You can stretch it back to Sunderland in terms of how we've been playing."
Did he really say that?
A draw with QPR is deemed "massive" - how fecking small time is that?
"Delighted with a point" - McLeish would have been toast had he uttered those words, so why does Lambert get away with it?
It's certainly O'Leary/McLeish-esque.
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I thought it was written in the stars that we would lose this one and the 'Arry would be hailed as the second coming, so I am actually relatively happy with a point.
When you consider that our most senior defender was Ciaran Clark I think you have to make allowances for the shoring up up of the defence when the pressure was on in the second half. The changes Lambert made did just that and ensured that we came away with a point.
For the me the most disappointing player, once again, was Gabby. I feel he is just a waste of space and money.
On Bent and Ireland, I can only think that it is related to wages and how it is spread around the squad, and that Lambert has decided to work with what he knows he will have in the second half of the season. I expect both Bent and Ireland to be out the door in January, to free up some wages and give Lambert some money to spend.
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Glad of a point but it looked as if Lambert had a touch of the TSMs with his second half subs. We should be looking to win games like this, not just desperately hold on.
I admire his bravery in giving youngsters a chance but I'd have hoped he'd have introduced Ireland and/or Bent and gone for it a bit more. We seemed content to just knock the ball around sideways when we had it second half. Frustrating.
I remain unconvinced by PL, he hits on a good combination and then proceeds to bugger about with it all over the shop. Some very odd selections and tactics.
But we weren't hanging on. If anything we were looking more likely to snatch it.
Can you imagine what this site would have been like if he'd put Bent and Ireland on and we'd lost? I thought the substitutions were good and improved us. Not to say I wasn't surprised by them.
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No RipVan but lets wake up to 21st century football, unless you want to start a campaign to find a multi billionaire who like Roman wants to spunk his money down the drain, maybe we are not what we like to sing "Were by far the greatest team the world has ever seen", only once in 46 years of watching the Villa has that been the case, now we are were we are and supporting the manager just maybe the way of getting us out of this mess, remember those manure fans who were telling the red nose wanker he was an arse hole after 25 minutes at Forest that cup game, patience might just pay off. If not and he keeps us up sack him if we are in the same place next year
Ferguson had finished second in the league with them before that season, which people like you tend to forget.
They also finished 11th and 13th after that second place and if I remember right were fairly close to the drop zone by the time of that cup match at Forest. We'll never how close he was to the sack but he was certainly under pressure for a while until he won the FA Cup. Including from the fans, although it remains quite hard to find one who will admit it.
Mmmmmm, winning the FA Cup, if only...........
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Right some of Lamberts decisions have been dubious, but when we are where we are what are we to do, sack him, for doing what all of us have been saying or the majority on here, get rid of the journey men, how many on here were saying look around this country at lower league players, look abroad for bargains, so we get a Manager that does and the crowd is shouting get experience in, ok but lets get them in on loan, not on long term Heskey, Warnock contracts, let us see what happens in January which I dont think will be much, but lets please not lose faith , I am miles away I look for you guys to give them my voice, because miles or not, Villa are and always will be the love of my life .
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In the circumstances, a decent point.
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As far as I know, NOBODY is advocating sacking him.
Questioning his decisions, yes.
Big difference.
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Nobody is saying sack Lambert, of course we shouldn't sack him. However he needs to start involving Bent and in January he needs to sign some experienced quality, because as well as some of the young players have done we can't rely on them all season.
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Right some of Lamberts decisions have been dubious, but when we are where we are what are we to do, sack him, for doing what all of us have been saying or the majority on here, get rid of the journey men, how many on here were saying look around this country at lower league players, look abroad for bargains, so we get a Manager that does and the crowd is shouting get experience in, ok but lets get them in on loan, not on long term Heskey, Warnock contracts, let us see what happens in January which I dont think will be much, but lets please not lose faith , I am miles away I look for you guys to give them my voice, because miles or not, Villa are and always will be the love of my life .
:'(
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How did the latest one of the production line, Williams do?
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Guys how did we play second half? Only been listening to the radio very briefly. Who played well for us.
It's a decent point away from home with 'Arrys first home game for QPR where there would of been geed up for it.
Just looking at the table its getting close now. Only 3 points off Fulham ;)
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No they dont say sack him, but they say no improvement from last year, if this was Mcleish or O Dreary he wouldnt get away with that, they cant say sack him, because then we maybe accused of being fickle.
Lets involve Bent, maybe just maybe we are getting these points at the moment because all 10 outfield players are chasing, harassing, giving there all, but how many times on here have we heard and quite correctly, if we dont supply Bent he might as well not be on the pitch, he offers nothing and yes in our lack of supply system at the moment he would offer nothing, so maybe for the benefit of the team we have to leave him out, he is a goal scorer but not a football player of note.
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How did the latest one of the production line, Williams do?
He did pretty well and wasn't in that much of trouble. Did better than I expected.
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Re streams, we have made the rules very clear, and people will discuss what they are watching. If others want to watch there are ways if you google it, but we are not going to post links on the site!
The rules aren't clear about whether links can be shared in PMs between individuals.
Then just exchange them with your pals by email, take the site out of it!
UTV!
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Re streams, we have made the rules very clear, and people will discuss what they are watching. If others want to watch there are ways if you google it, but we are not going to post links on the site!
The rules aren't clear about whether links can be shared in PMs between individuals.
Then just exchange them with your pals by email, take the site out of it!
UTV!
Who would know anyway if people exchanged links in private messages?
There is a big difference in posting links on a public thread to in a private message .
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From the OS
Brett Holman's first Villa goal earned a point in a testing encounter against QPR at Loftus Road.
The Australia international was on target with a superb eighth-minute shot from just outside the penalty area, only for Jamie Mackie to bring the Londoners level 10 minutes later.
It was always going to be a difficult afternoon as Harry Redknapp took charge of Rangers at home for the first time and Villa barely threatened in the second half.
But manager Paul Lambert's decision to operate a three-man central defence paid dividends as Villa extended their unbeaten run to three games.
For all that, the visitors were grateful to some excellent saves by Brad Guzan and Rangers also hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions.
Even before the early breakthrough, Villa had underlined their intentions, Christian Benteke's sheer persistence enabling him to regain possession before hitting a shot which was blocked.
And a minute later the visitors were in front, Holman bringing Ashley Westwood's short pass under control just outside the penalty area before unleashing a superb left-foot half-volley.
Robert Green managed to get his hands to the ball but could only push it against his left-hand post and into the net.
Eric Lichaj then fired well over after following good work by Matt Lowton but on 18 minutes Rangers were level, Mackie meeting Samba Diakite's cross from the right with a glancing header which drifted beyond Guzan's reach and into the corner of the net.
Benteke thought he had restored the lead when he headed home Lowton's deep cross a couple of minutes later, only to be denied by an offside decision, while Nathan Baker ventured forward to head over from a Barry Bannan corner.
Villa, though, had two let-offs either side of the half hour mark.
First, Guzan rushed out to save with his feet after Shaun Wright-Phillips had raced clear through the middle and then the Rangers winger sent a tremendous right-foot drive crashing against the post.
There was a lengthy delay when Stephane Mbia went down near the centre-circle and was clearly in considerable distress.
The midfielder was eventually carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Shaun Derry in the 38th minute.
Holman's superb reverse pass to Gabby Agbonlahor set up the next chance, the striker's curling low shot being pushed away by Green before the home side got the ball clear.
Mbia's injury resulted in seven minutes of first half stoppage time which produced little real attacking menace, although Villa came under heavy pressure early in the second period.
In one sustained spell, Wright-Phillips had one shot deflected for a corner by Baker and another saved by Guzan, who also did well to palm away Nelsen's hooked shot.
The keeper came to the rescue again in the 55th minute, this time pushing away a rising drive from sub Ji-Sung Park.
In the 66th minute, Lambert sent on Derrick Williams for his Villa debut as part of a defensive reshuffle.
The Republic of Ireland youngster went on for Chris Herd, but took up the left wing-back position, with Eric Lichaj switching to the right and Lowton moving inside to occupy the position vacated by Herd.
It was increasingly a rearguard action by the visitors and there was further relief when Guzan tipped Nelsen's 79th-minute header on to the woodwork.
Yet Villa almost grabbed a winner in the 89th minute, sub Karim El Ahmadi shooting not far wide after Agbonlahor had played the ball across the penalty area.
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I know that I shouldn't be angry at today's result, and maybe it's a culmination of a lot of things over the past few years, but I'm just do tired of settling for a point or second best in too many games in recent memory. Just tired of not having the bravery to go for it especially in games we should always be trying to win. I'm tired of the weird or nonsensical press conferences from the last 4 managers that claim attacking intent and the game is exactly the opposite.
I know, I know there is a process in place. Lambert who I wanted I am sure has a plan. That plan only includes his players and we might as well get used to some the current lot not being a part of the future. The process might 2 years to put in place. But added to the past 3, the thought of more of these kinds of games is deflating. I need a stiff drink to shaking myself of this because I try to look at the positives all the time. Getting tougher though.
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Started the first half ok then dropped off. Second half was dire.
At least we got a point,
Loftus Road is a shite hole. How it meets premier league criteria I'll never know.
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Load of crap again.
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If Toronto is getting fed up, something must be wrong.
He's one of the most positive posters on here.
I guess it all just wears us down in the end.
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Thank god for Guzan.
4 valuable points against the shite around us - and for long periods of both games they both looked far better than us.
Stoke will bully our kids to death next week as well .
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If Toronto is getting fed up, something must be wrong.
He's one of the most positive posters on here.
I guess it all just wears us down in the end.
Indeed, as I said we played some nice football at times it's just frustrating that we can't sustain for any period of time.
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But we have to stick with a system and a manager at some point. Look at next weeks oppo. They have a mode of play that works. Their home crowd embrace it and they stay out of trouble. They will always bully/ bore the likes of us and , today, the Albion.
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with the position we are in, the team that is being played and the fact we were playing a team with a new manager it was a massive point for us. the manager needs time and cash. the moaning on here is a joke
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I suppose in the circumstances (i.e. Redknapp) an away point is decent enough but fuck me how low have our standards sunk over the last two years that that is now deemed decent? Everything about this club at the moment, bar two or three players, is very very ordinary to say the least.
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I know that I shouldn't be angry at today's result, and maybe it's a culmination of a lot of things over the past few years, but I'm just do tired of settling for a point or second best in too many games in recent memory. Just tired of not having the bravery to go for it especially in games we should always be trying to win. I'm tired of the weird or nonsensical press conferences from the last 4 managers that claim attacking intent and the game is exactly the opposite.
I know, I know there is a process in place. Lambert who I wanted I am sure has a plan. That plan only includes his players and we might as well get used to some the current lot not being a part of the future. The process might 2 years to put in place. But added to the past 3, the thought of more of these kinds of games is deflating. I need a stiff drink to shaking myself of this because I try to look at the positives all the time. Getting tougher though.
In reflection as bad as QPR were under Hughes they still managed to play quite competitively at home (bar last home game for them).
Im looking at the games played under the circumstances rather than looking at teams positions thinking team in x place should beat other team in x place etc... The table can move pretty quick. Just look at Stoke, they were only just above us a few weeks ago now theyre above Arsenal. It all changes week to week.
I'm.satisfied with a point. Of course I always want us to go out and play to win but I thought we could of been hit by the 'ARRY effect, not so but I will see and have to judge myself when I watch the game.
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with the position we are in, the team that is being played and the fact we were playing a team with a new manager it was a massive point for us. the manager needs time and cash. the moaning on here is a joke
The moaning is less to do with those factors than the fact that the past two years have been so utterly shite and that we have gone backwards as so many other clubs have progressed.
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Wibble
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Wibble
The wibble and the Pie may have lost their 100% records, but at least they are still unbeaten.
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Didn't loose which is the main thing!
LOSE
Hoots mon there's a loose, loose, aboot' this house
MOOSE.
Hoots mon, there's a moose loose aboot' this house. ;)
'Appy with a point today given the 'Arry factor.
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Quite depressing to realise the last time we won 2 league games in a row was the last two of the 10/11 season.
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Bit dodgy in second half but stayed solid Baker was immense.
Being critical I would say we lack a creative spark in the middle someone who can carry the ball forward.
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I didn't watch the game today, but I did think that QPR would beat us pretty soundly (what with the 'boost' of Redknapp, the excitement of it being his first home game, and the crowd), so I am pleased that we got a point in what could have been a tricky fixture (although i am probably overestimating the ability of both Redknapp and QPR).
That's a half-decent three results in a row there, so there is some sort of progress and momentum, but another win next time out really would be welcome.
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I didn't see the match, from what I have read on here, we were decent first half and shit second.
I don't know if that is true or not, but, if before the last two games we'd been offered four points from Reading and QPR, I'd have definitely taken it, and I reckon most of us would have.
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Some stats:
QPR shots 17 Villa 7
On Target: QPR 12 Villa 3
Corners: QPR 11 Villa 4
50 / 50 possession
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I don't know if that is true or not, but, if before the last two games we'd been offered four points from Reading and QPR, I'd have definitely taken it, and I reckon most of us would have.
You're right, and so would I, but that's what I mean about how low our expectations have become.
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Haven't seen the game but chuffed with the point. Onwards and upwards.
Very Surprised to see that Derrick Williams played, can anyone tell me how he did?
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I'm sorry, QPR were shit. They were helped enormously by Lambert's negative tactics in the scond half. Keeping Ireland and Bent on the bench showed a distinct lack of willingness to win the game. Fuck Redknapp, we should have gone there trying to win, Lambert went there trying not to get beat - every bit as bad as anything TSM did last season.
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Haven't seen the game but chuffed with the point. Onwards and upwards.
Very Surprised to see that Derrick Williams played, can anyone tell me how he did?
He was pretty good, did better than I expected.
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Ireland might have given us a bit more composure, but there would have been sod all point to bringing Bent on - he wouldn't have touched the ball!
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Some stats:
QPR shots 17 Villa 7
On Target: QPR 12 Villa 3
Corners: QPR 11 Villa 4
50 / 50 possession
That's really good possession away from home.
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I'm sorry, QPR were shit. They were helped enormously by Lambert's negative tactics in the scond half. Keeping Ireland and Bent on the bench showed a distinct lack of willingness to win the game. Fuck Redknapp, we should have gone there trying to win, Lambert went there trying not to get beat - every bit as bad as anything TSM did last season.
Couldn't disagree more. We needed to build on the result last week and not lose. There was no point in going gung ho and getting blown away in a Arry fuelled frenzy.
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There's no question that Nathan Baker and Ashley Westwood were the stars of the show when it came to statistics from the QPR game.
Both men clocked up impressive figures in the Loftus Road encounter.
Baker more than proved his worth defensively while it's becoming increasingly obvious from the stats that Westwood is an integral figure in the centre of the park, knitting play from defence to midfield and midfield to the forward areas.
Baker was joint No.1 with Ciaran Clark, Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen for interceptions with four.
He was also joint No.1 with Westwood for blocks with two.
And he was No.1 for clearances, making eleven out of nineteen. Clark was No.2 with nine from sixteen.
Westwood was No.2 for passes, with fifty-five successful out of sixty-three made. That adds up to a superb 87%. Adel Taarabt was No.1 with sixty-three complete out of seventy-seven made.
Westwood was No.4 for attacking third passes, with eleven complete out of fifteen made.
And he was again ranked highly in the chances created category in No.2 behind Samba Diakite.
Westwood's influence was most keenly seen in the pass combination category.
Our No.1 pass combination was Lowton to Westwood with fourteen while No.2 was Westwood to Lowton with ten. Our joint No.3 was Clark to Westwood and Westwood to Holman with nine.
Holman was No.1 with shots, hitting two with one on target which, of course, was his goal.
Holman was Villa's highest ranked player in take-ons at joint No.4 with two successful out of two tried. Ahead of him were No.1 Jose Bosingwa, No.2 Armand Traore and No.3 Diakite.
Despite being on the pitch for just over twenty minutes, Fabian Delph was No.1 player on the pitch for tackles, with four successful out of six made.
Eric Lichaj was No.4 with two successful out of three attempted.
Christian Benteke was, unsurprisingly, No.1 for aerial duels, winning five out of seventeen.
Baker was No.4 alongside Clark with four successful out of five.
Benteke was joint No.1 for fouls suffered with three alongside Jamie Mackie.
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I don't know if that is true or not, but, if before the last two games we'd been offered four points from Reading and QPR, I'd have definitely taken it, and I reckon most of us would have.
You're right, and so would I, but that's what I mean about how low our expectations have become.
I'd be biting off hands for four points from two games at any point in the last three seasons.
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Lambert went there trying not to get beat - every bit as bad as anything TSM did last season.
The big difference is that TSM would have gone there not get beaten from the first minute- and then lost.
Lambert went there to win and when, in about the 70th minute, it looked like we would could well lose, decided to protect the point.
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Lambert went there trying not to get beat - every bit as bad as anything TSM did last season.
The big difference is that TSM would have gone there not get beaten from the first minute- and then lost.
Lambert went there to win and when, in about the 70th minute, it looked like we would could well lose, decided to protect the point.
And we'd have lost with Hutton and Warnock being culpable in some way.
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Lambert went there trying not to get beat - every bit as bad as anything TSM did last season.
The big difference is that TSM would have gone there not get beaten from the first minute- and then lost.
The big difference is that TSM used to do that nigh on all the time.
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I think it was a doubly hard game because of where QPR are in the league and Harry coming in. To come here and get a point is massive for us. I'm delighted to get a point. We are on a little run at the moment. You can stretch it back to Sunderland in terms of how we've been playing."
Did he really say that?
A draw with QPR is deemed "massive" - how fecking small time is that?
"Delighted with a point" - McLeish would have been toast had he uttered those words, so why does Lambert get away with it?
It's certainly O'Leary/McLeish-esque.
He's saying it in the context of this match. Everyone at QPR, the media etc. were all fired up for the big story of QPR/Harry getting their first win. That was quite a bit of pressure for a young Villa side to handle and it would have been easy to allow that "script" to get into the players' minds. In the context of all of that, it was a good result. One thing Lambert hasn't been this season is small-time in his attitude, in my view.
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Unbeaten in three and only one goal conceded in the process. Let's spin the positives!
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TSM would have gone there to protect a 1-0 defeat.
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fucknell what a load of shite that was. Fair enough i would have taken a draw before the game with it being redknapps first home game in charge but this is against a team bottom in the league with 5 points. Its not so much the result but the performance. We have so many average players. Guzan and the defence were ok and bentenke when he got the ball which wasnt very much was good but were so boring. Theres no excitement or class in our team. Im dying to see bent and benteke up front together and play with width. They wud score goals for fun with some good crosses coming in. Whats happend to albrighton?he looked superb when he came in the team a year ago and he was a great crosser. Check out his youtube vid for proof, Where the fucks Nzogbia?Our 2 best players who should be first names on the team sheet and there both on the bench and dont even get on. The subs were awful were not playing fuckin barcelona its fuckin qpr bottom of the league. Sit back and pass it about and take a draw, fucknell lamberts really pissing me off. We got a 20 goal a season striker and he hates him for some reason and too stubborn to play him. hes just as bad as mcleish if not worse. Please no more scottish managers after this nob gets sacked
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I think it was a doubly hard game because of where QPR are in the league and Harry coming in. To come here and get a point is massive for us. I'm delighted to get a point. We are on a little run at the moment. You can stretch it back to Sunderland in terms of how we've been playing."
Did he really say that?
A draw with QPR is deemed "massive" - how fecking small time is that?
"Delighted with a point" - McLeish would have been toast had he uttered those words, so why does Lambert get away with it?
It's certainly O'Leary/McLeish-esque.
He's saying it in the context of this match. Everyone at QPR, the media etc. were all fired up for the big story of QPR/Harry getting their first win. That was quite a bit of pressure for a young Villa side to handle and it would have been easy to allow that "script" to get into the players' minds. In the context of all of that, it was a good result. One thing Lambert hasn't been this season is small-time in his attitude, in my view.
Spot on Billy.
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fucknell what a load of shite that was. Fair enough i would have taken a draw before the game with it being redknapps first home game in charge but this is against a team bottom in the league with 5 points. Its not so much the result but the performance. We have so many average players. Guzan and the defence were ok and bentenke when he got the ball which wasnt very much was good but were so boring. Theres no excitement or class in our team. Im dying to see bent and benteke up front together and play with width. They wud score goals for fun with some good crosses coming in. Whats happend to albrighton?he looked superb when he came in the team a year ago and he was a great crosser. Check out his youtube vid for proof, Where the fucks Nzogbia?Our 2 best players who should be first names on the team sheet and there both on the bench and dont even get on. The subs were awful were not playing fuckin barcelona its fuckin qpr bottom of the league. Sit back and pass it about and take a draw, fucknell lamberts really pissing me off. We got a 20 goal a season striker and he hates him for some reason and too stubborn to play him. hes just as bad as mcleish if not worse. Please no more scottish managers after this nob gets sacked
And in English?
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Dissapointed with an away point. Thats a measure of how my confidence has gone up since last month where I couldnt see where our next point was coming from.
Our performances are getting worse and worse though. Gone is the crisp passing possession based football of the start of the season. I hope it comes back.
Still confidence should be increasing with the lads, there was a lot of pressure on them today.
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Only listened to the first few minutes of 606 tonight, Robbie Savage still predicting us to be relegated, on the grounds that he has to stick with his prediction. As others have said, the stage was set for an 'Arry love in today, it hasn't happened. That's a positive for me.
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Glad we got a point as I didn't expect anything today, we need three old heads in January.
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Just got back.
The three/five at the back approach was a bit weird and left Villa undermanned in midfield. I'd have liked to have seen Herd pushed forward in front of Baker and Clark
After Benteke's disallowed goal (I assume that the offside decision was correct), Villa didn't offer much of a goal threat.
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Pragmatism can be a positive and I think that's what happened today. Given a negative result against Reading things would be different but in the greater context it's a good point. Some don't agree and that's fair enough, everyone is entitled to their opinion but this season is going to be hard work so to expect us to rampage around the country picking up points is naive in the extreme.
We're in a battle to keep out of the shit and we're just about holding our own and for that, I'm going to give the manager a bit of credit.
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Oh and Lichaj is the worst left back I've ever seen.
wasn't that bad when he moved to attacking right back!
Agreed. He's an adequate Right Back but on the left he makes me long for the return of Warnock
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Its a pity the supply dried up as Benteke was giving them real problems in the first half hour.
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It was a massive game for us,a loss would have been a huge setback. We came away with a point and left QPR in the same mess before we played them.
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Bag of shit I'm afraid, how, going a goal up, we can't beat a team without a win, is beyond me. Looked promising first half but without purpose second half.
I think, with time, we'll be a good team but that doesn't help us now.
I'm struggling to think how we'll turn this round.
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I'd be interested to know how many times Holman gave the ball away today and against Reading. Thought we looked a lot more composed when he went off. Baker looks excellent, and we're defending a lot better thesedays.
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Virtually any point is a good one away in the Premier League, unless you're after top four. As someone else has pointed out, a win today would have been a huge boost to QPR, and at one stage it looked like they would get it. The subs, confused as I was at the time, improved us. As did Holman coming on against Arsenal and Ireland against Reading. That is surely the point.
Anyway, as I was saying, we put a spoke in the wheel of 'Arry's miracle today and that could prove invaluable. I'm not sure it was worth risking a defeat to go for the win.
And folks, I'm not having a go at anyone by posting this, a lot of people who's opinions I respect have said it, but really, we know how low expectations have sunk, we read someone saying it about fifty times a week on here it seems.
Look at the pre-match thread, expectations were met or exceeded for quite a few today.
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Virtually any point is a good one away in the Premier League, unless you're after top four. As someone else has pointed out, a win today would have been a huge boost to QPR, and at one stage it looked like they would get it. The subs, confused as I was at the time, improved us. As did Holman coming on against Arsenal and Ireland against Reading. That is surely the point.
Anyway, as I was saying, we put a spoke in the wheel of 'Arry's miracle today and that could prove invaluable. I'm not sure it was worth risking a defeat to go for the win.
And folks, I'm not having a go at anyone by posting this, a lot of people who's opinions I respect have said it, but really, we know how low expectations have lowered, we read someone saying it about fifty times a week on here it seems.
Look at the pre-match thread, expectations were met or exceeded for quite a few today.
Pretty much sums up my feelings.
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Anyway, as I was saying, we put a spoke in the wheel of 'Arry's miracle today and that could prove invaluable. I'm not sure it was worth risking a defeat to go for the win.
Exactly Percy. I have more or less said the same earlier.
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Virtually any point is a good one away in the Premier League, unless you're after top four. As someone else has pointed out, a win today would have been a huge boost to QPR, and at one stage it looked like they would get it. The subs, confused as I was at the time, improved us. As did Holman coming on against Arsenal and Ireland against Reading. That is surely the point.
Anyway, as I was saying, we put a spoke in the wheel of 'Arry's miracle today and that could prove invaluable. I'm not sure it was worth risking a defeat to go for the win.
And folks, I'm not having a go at anyone by posting this, a lot of people who's opinions I respect have said it, but really, we know how low expectations have sunk, we read someone saying it about fifty times a week on here it seems.
Look at the pre-match thread, expectations were met or exceeded for quite a few today.
My expectations are so low that I expect to continue to read on here how low expectations have sunk.
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I'd be interested to know how many times Holman gave the ball away today and against Reading. Thought we looked a lot more composed when he went off. Baker looks excellent, and we're defending a lot better thesedays.
I think alot of the team were guilty of giving the ball away today,managing to find a QPR shirt at will .Holman was the main culprit ,good goal though.Baker,Guzan and Westwood (who seems to improve each game) were the positives today
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My expectations are so low that I expect to continue to read on here how low expectations have sunk.
Quite. No-one wants to keep reading it, but so long as things continue in this vein, and we're in a state where we regard a point off the worst team in the division as a decent result, it'll keep getting posted.
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At least we didn't lose first half ok second half not very good we really need to beat Stoke next week.
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Haven't seen or heard anything of the game , I'll watch football first to get an impression of how we played. The fact is before the game with all the Harry hype and what usually happens when an experienced manager like him takes over I would have been well happy with a point, and I was as it keeps the points ticking up and stops QPR from gaining an immediate boost. THe reason I now feel a bit depressed is the number of people on here seemingly ready to get on lambert's back .the best thing we can do is get behind him and the young pros turning out for us. Which Lambert buy would you like to criticise ? How shite were we against Arsenal and Manure ? Who would you like to take over ? Benitez ? How many injuries did we have, that shite Reading side managed to put three past Manure tonight. Get behind the team especially against that abhorration Stoke (interesting to hear Baggies fans bemoaning the ref letting Stoke get away with there usual strongarm tactics as they did with us last season).
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My expectations are so low that I expect to continue to read on here how low expectations have sunk.
Quite. No-one wants to keep reading it, but so long as things continue in this vein, and we're in a state where we regard a point off the worst team in the division as a decent result, it'll keep getting posted.
They're the worst team according to the table, but no one would have said that at the start of the season looking at their squad.
They've bought in Red Adaire and the media bandwagon was all ready for the ritual sacrifce, but a young side went there and got a point, as well as keeping them without a win.
I'd say in that context it's a good result.
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I didnt see the game but heard it on the radio. West Mids were saying Baker was having a poor first half. Others on ths thread are saying Baker played very well.
I like Baker he is consistently good along with Brad Guzan and Benteke. Those three have cheered me up no end in the first half of the season.
Its just a little dissapointing that after that first 30mins at West Ham we dont appear to have moved on much...if indeed we have moved on
I think I expected too much of Lambert.
Lets see what the second half of the season brings.
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Lambert is starting to worry me a little.
What happened to the compelling football mantra?
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Haven't seen or heard anything of the game , I'll watch football first to get an impression of how we played. The fact is before the game with all the Harry hype and what usually happens when an experienced manager like him takes over I would have been well happy with a point, and I was as it keeps the points ticking up and stops QPR from gaining an immediate boost. THe reason I now feel a bit depressed is the number of people on here seemingly ready to get on lambert's back .the best thing we can do is get behind him and the young pros turning out for us. Which Lambert buy would you like to criticise ? How shite were we against Arsenal and Manure ? Who would you like to take over ? Benitez ? How many injuries did we have, that shite Reading side managed to put three past Manure tonight. Get behind the team especially against that abhorration Stoke (interesting to hear Baggies fans bemoaning the ref letting Stoke get away with there usual strongarm tactics as they did with us last season).
It's took two defeats for the ref's to have it in for them.
Nothing changes in Smethwick.
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Lambert is starting to worry me a little.
What happened to the compelling football mantra?
Me too. If it is consolation he did this at Norwich, change systems constantly. I really prefered it when we were playing the possession game but he is the manager and he picks tactics based on opponents. Today he clearly went defensive because he felt QPR would be up for it.
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Haven't seen or heard anything of the game , I'll watch football first to get an impression of how we played. The fact is before the game with all the Harry hype and what usually happens when an experienced manager like him takes over I would have been well happy with a point, and I was as it keeps the points ticking up and stops QPR from gaining an immediate boost. THe reason I now feel a bit depressed is the number of people on here seemingly ready to get on lambert's back .the best thing we can do is get behind him and the young pros turning out for us. Which Lambert buy would you like to criticise ? How shite were we against Arsenal and Manure ? Who would you like to take over ? Benitez ? How many injuries did we have, that shite Reading side managed to put three past Manure tonight. Get behind the team especially against that abhorration Stoke (interesting to hear Baggies fans bemoaning the ref letting Stoke get away with there usual strongarm tactics as they did with us last season).
It's took two defeats for the ref's to have it in for them.
Nothing changes in Smethwick.
:)
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I heard a baggies fan saying he felt sorry for Stoke fans having to watch that all the time , Up their own arses much ?
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He's saying it in the context of this match. Everyone at QPR, the media etc. were all fired up for the big story of QPR/Harry getting their first win. That was quite a bit of pressure for a young Villa side to handle and it would have been easy to allow that "script" to get into the players' minds. In the context of all of that, it was a good result. One thing Lambert hasn't been this season is small-time in his attitude, in my view.
It was all set up for a HandsomeHarryFest. The Law of Sod dictates that we should've lost today. We didn't.
We'll be alright. Sooner or later the kids will click.
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Still confident about us stopping up but for fuck sake, can we get some sort of clue in the final third of the pitch. Tired of building from the back, only to see 10-15 passes and then guess what happens, Guzan kicks the ball out again and we loose possesion, It is all getting a bit bloody predictable at the moment, same shit, different game. We are going to be doing this all season and Benteke will be gone in the summer to a top six club, he is fantastic, another talent lost from our lack lustre club. Why did Bent stay on the bench ? We have things drastically wrong at Villa and i am worried for our place in the Prem and us as a club. What the fuck have we become FFS ? a FUCKING LAUGHING STOCK AT THE MOMENT, that is what we are. Stoke, Liverpool and Chelsea next three games,no fucking points from the next three games unless that pig headed manager of ours gets his act together and uses a proven goal scorer. Fuck it, it is boring ,mind numbing to watch and simply not fucking good enough. Fucking shit in my opinion and if this is what we are going to settle for then it is a fucking poor show. SPEND SOME MONEY LERNER AND THEN LAMBERT STANDS A CHANCE FFS.
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Still confident about us stopping up but for fuck sake, can we get some sort of clue in the final third of the pitch. Tired of building from the back, only to see 10-15 passes and then guess what happens, Guzan kicks the ball out again and we loose possesion, It is all getting a bit bloody predictable at the moment, same shit, different game. We are going to be doing this all season and Benteke will be gone in the summer to a top six club, he is fantastic, another talent lost from our lack lustre club. Why did Bent stay on the bench ? We have things drastically wrong at Villa and i am worried for our place in the Prem and us as a club. What the fuck have we become FFS ? a FUCKING LAUGHING STOCK AT THE MOMENT, that is what we are. Stoke, Liverpool and Chelsea next three games,no fucking points from the next three games unless that pig headed manager of ours gets his act together and uses a proven goal scorer. Fuck it, it is boring ,mind numbing to watch and simply not fucking good enough. Fucking shit in my opinion and if this is what we are going to settle for then it is a fucking poor show. SPEND SOME MONEY LERNER AND THEN LAMBERT STANDS A CHANCE FFS.
Good post, I feel your pain and frustration.
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I didn't think we'd win today and we came away with a point that helps in our predicament. We're four points closer to safety, while QPR and Reading are further off.
I do see signs of progress, although the quality of play was frustrating this week. Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Westwood and Benteke all look excellent to me.
We will come good and perhaps we can put St Martin down in the process.
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confusing post, first you're confident about staying up then you're worried about relegation. The manager is pig headed but you want lerner to give him more money. All of these are valid points but i've not seen them all in the same post before
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The draw still keeps us 8 points clear of them. Lambert could have gone for the win today, watched it go tits up and the gap would now only have been 5 points. As frustrating as it is , i think in this instance he did the right thing. Not losing to teams below you is something teams in our position need to achieve if we are to stay up.
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Unbeaten in 3 with a 5 point return, 4 of which are against teams in our area of the table.
If you want to blame the owner for the lack of quality in the squad that's fine but to knock Lambert is, in my view, short sighted. He is playing and giving vital experience and game time to the young players, Williams today is a good example.
We've drawn an away game and won a home game in the last few days, surely that's acceptable?
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Unbeaten in 3 with a 5 point return, 4 of which are against teams in our area of the table.
If you want to blame the owner for the lack of quality in the squad that's fine but to knock Lambert is, in my view, short sighted. He is playing and giving vital experience and game time to the young players, Williams today is a good example.
We've drawn an away game and won a home game in the last few days, surely that's acceptable?
Only knocking Lambert for not starting Bent alongside Benteke. Proven goal scorer along side Benteke, surely then he could have subbed one of them in the second half when we could have been out of sight. Did you see Bents reaction when we made our third sub and he was left on the bench ? He was not a happy bloke at all.
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Only knocking Lambert for not starting Bent alongside Benteke. Proven goal scorer along side Benteke, surely then he could have subbed one of them in the second half when we could have been out of sight. Did you see Bents reaction when we made our third sub and he was left on the bench ? He was not a happy bloke at all.
I genuinely think that if Bent and Benteke had both played today, we'd have been looking at a similar result to the one we got against Southampton.
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I see we're last on MoTD. Again.
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I heard a baggies fan saying he felt sorry for Stoke fans having to watch that all the time , Up their own arses much ?
Isn't that what pretty much everybody feels after having the misfortune to watch Stoke? By the way can I be the first to say a polite 'Fuck off' to any Stoke fans planning on posting on H&V this week?
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Only knocking Lambert for not starting Bent alongside Benteke. Proven goal scorer along side Benteke, surely then he could have subbed one of them in the second half when we could have been out of sight. Did you see Bents reaction when we made our third sub and he was left on the bench ? He was not a happy bloke at all.
I genuinely think that if Bent and Benteke had both played today, we'd have been looking at a similar result to the one we got against Southampton.
Why is that Sam ?
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Unbeaten in 3 with a 5 point return, 4 of which are against teams in our area of the table.
If you want to blame the owner for the lack of quality in the squad that's fine but to knock Lambert is, in my view, short sighted. He is playing and giving vital experience and game time to the young players, Williams today is a good example.
We've drawn an away game and won a home game in the last few days, surely that's acceptable?
Only knocking Lambert for not starting Bent alongside Benteke. Proven goal scorer along side Benteke, surely then he could have subbed one of them in the second half when we could have been out of sight. Did you see Bents reaction when we made our third sub and he was left on the bench ? He was not a happy bloke at all.
I'm glad he wasn't happy, shows he cares. Perhaps it will focus his mind on doing whatever the manager expects of him to play.
Why should we play them both? Who would you have dropped?
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Guzan kicks the ball out again and we loose possesion,
Lose....fucking LOSE.
Loose is what your missus' fanny is after a night with Dion Dublin.
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Don't loose your temper Dave.
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I see we're last on MoTD. Again.
What? No regard for loveable rogue that Arry?
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Guzan kicks the ball out again and we loose possesion,
Lose....fucking LOSE.
Loose is what your missus' fanny is after a night with Dion Dublin.
He has just left actually, and it is loose, after we lose. Beer and red wine. So sorry Plumbutt for the error. I won't sleep tonight for worrying about my spelling. :o
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Guzan kicks the ball out again and we loose possesion,
Lose....fucking LOSE.
Loose is what your missus' fanny is after a night with Dion Dublin.
Yes that's same as Rebecca Loose!
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They're saving the love in until the end.
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Guzan kicks the ball out again and we loose possesion,
Lose....fucking LOSE.
Loose is what your missus' fanny is after a night with Dion Dublin.
And by the way, my mrs does not post on this site so any more arsey remarks about her just keep them to your fucking self.Wide mouthed T..t. In fact fuck you. Never seen that type of comment on this site before so go and fuck yourself. Prick.
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I won't sleep tonight for worrying about my spelling. :o
I though the black helicopters kept you awake at night. <wink>
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Calm down Dan.
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Obviously meant as a joke, but I apologise for the remark Dan, in hindsight I can see it was not in good taste.
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Dan, it was a joke, and similar comments have been thrown around lots of time on this site. Don't get yourself banned.
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Calm down Dan.
Just a minute Lizz, have you ever seen a comment like that directed at another H&V members other half ? He can go and fuck himself for all i care. Not one to LOSE it at all but that comment is fucking bang out of order.
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He's apologised, and let that be an end to it.
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Obviously meant as a joke, but I apologise for the remark Dan, in hindsight I can see it was not in good taste.
Joke taken on board Plumbutt. Sorry for the misunderstanding. UTV. :)
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He's apologised.
Personally, it wouldn't bother me. I send women to Dion Dublin to prepare them for me.
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Personally, it wouldn't bother me. I send women to Dion Dublin to prepare them for me.
So they are used to being headbutted if they have long blonde hair and are Welsh?
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I won't sleep tonight for worrying about my spelling. :o
I though the black helicopters kept you awake at night. <wink>
They still do. Every night, shortly after twelve midnight 3 helicopters come over our house on exercise towards Playa Blanca. Bloody strange. 8)
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Obviously meant as a joke, but I apologise for the remark Dan, in hindsight I can see it was not in good taste.
Joke taken on board Plumbutt. Sorry for the misunderstanding. UTV. :)
All good then, danger averted!
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He's apologised.
Personally, it wouldn't bother me. I send women to Dion Dublin to prepare them for me.
Looks like we could be starting a Swingers Thread the way things are going. :P
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I'am a big fan of Paul Lambert but I must admit that today he killed us with the substitutions after a good first half. I can't understand how Delph can play in Premier League.
Anyhow, third game in a row without defeat and out of the relegation zone. UTV!
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I'am a big fan of Paul Lambert but I must admit that today he killed us with the substitutions after a good first half. I can't understand how Delph can play in Premier League.
Anyhow, third game in a row without defeat and out of the relegation zone. UTV!
Whaaat? We were getting battered until he made those substitutions.
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Guzan kicks the ball out again and we loose possesion,
Lose....fucking LOSE.
Loose is what your missus' fanny is after a night with Dion Dublin.
And by the way, my mrs does not post on this site so any more arsey remarks about her just keep them to your fucking self.Wide mouthed T..t. In fact fuck you. Never seen that type of comment on this site before so go and fuck yourself. Prick.
At least he didn't quote Michael Oakes.
Or me.
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I'am a big fan of Paul Lambert but I must admit that today he killed us with the substitutions after a good first half. I can't understand how Delph can play in Premier League.
Anyhow, third game in a row without defeat and out of the relegation zone. UTV!
Whaaat? We were getting battered until he made those substitutions.
Yeah, I was actually quite surprised on how well Delph played, there seems to be a good player there in him and I wouldn't write him off as some has done.
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Anyway, after some consideration (whilst wiping my cock on danlanza's curtains)
A point is a good result.
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Anyway, after some consideration (whilst wiping my cock on danlanza's curtains)
A point is a good result.
Dirty bugger. Goodjob the Mrs is washing them tomorrow. Dont want a Rip on my curtains ::)
Or a Van doin' the Lambert walk, curtains cost me a fortune don't you know. :'(
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Unbeaten in 3 with a 5 point return, 4 of which are against teams in our area of the table.
If you want to blame the owner for the lack of quality in the squad that's fine but to knock Lambert is, in my view, short sighted. He is playing and giving vital experience and game time to the young players, Williams today is a good example.
We've drawn an away game and won a home game in the last few days, surely that's acceptable?
Only knocking Lambert for not starting Bent alongside Benteke. Proven goal scorer along side Benteke, surely then he could have subbed one of them in the second half when we could have been out of sight. Did you see Bents reaction when we made our third sub and he was left on the bench ? He was not a happy bloke at all.
Or he could have started him and he could have done the square root of fuck all like most of his other appearances this season.
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Painful to watch today (again). Still, we didn't lose. The January window can't come quick enough though. We must invest, but in real Premier League quality, not lower league shit.
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I wouldn't mind some lower league shit like Lowton and Westwood.
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Unbeaten in 3 with a 5 point return, 4 of which are against teams in our area of the table.
If you want to blame the owner for the lack of quality in the squad that's fine but to knock Lambert is, in my view, short sighted. He is playing and giving vital experience and game time to the young players, Williams today is a good example.
We've drawn an away game and won a home game in the last few days, surely that's acceptable?
Only knocking Lambert for not starting Bent alongside Benteke. Proven goal scorer along side Benteke, surely then he could have subbed one of them in the second half when we could have been out of sight. Did you see Bents reaction when we made our third sub and he was left on the bench ? He was not a happy bloke at all.
Or he could have started him and he could have done the square root of fuck all like most of his other appearances this season.
He did not play so we will never know.
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I wouldn't mind some lower league shit like Lowton and Westwood.
Anymore of those type of players and relegation will be inevitable.
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Good ones?
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Good ones?
Players out of their depth you mean? Either that or this god awful season has just been a bad dream.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
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Good ones?
Don't you know that there's never been good players in lower leagues...they're poor like you know David Platt, and Westwood is certainly much shittier player than Reo-Coker since Reo-Coker has Premier league experience!1.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
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Good ones?
Don't you know that there's never been good players in lower leagues...they're poor like you know David Platt, and Westwood is certainly much shittier player than Reo-Coker since Reo-Coker has Premier league experience!1.
Well that settles it then. Every player signed from the lower league will turn out to be the new David Platt. Even the ones who turn out to be shit.
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We are what we are: a very ordinary side with a useful big bloke up front. Not exactly a progression.
That's the inverse of what we were when MON walked out isn't it?
I've had a lot to drink since the game, and my view was severely restricted by a f**king portacabin on the underside of the stand roof, but from memory we started reasonably well and had a few decent chances in the first half. Second half Benteke wasn't involved at all, and QPR put us under a reasonable amount of pressure. I didn't really follow Lambert's substitutions; I would have taken Benteke off half way through the second half, and replaced him and Bannan with Bent and Ireland. Overall, I was impressed by Guzan and Baker, but Herd was poor IMO.
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Hmmm...maybe someone could post their pass completion stats again. And maybe you could read them this time.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
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At least we know how seriously to take his opinions now.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
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At least we know how seriously to take his opinions now.
Charming as ever.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
I suppose you're right.. our league position is the fault of just Westy & Lowton..
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It was particularly sickening the way Westwood gave the ball away to Holman for his goal, and how Lowton gave the ball away to Benteke for his disallowed one.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
I suppose you're right.. our league position is the fault of just Westy & Lowton..
They've certainly played their part.
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It was particularly sickening the way Westwood gave the ball away to Holman for his goal, and how Lowton gave the ball away to Benteke for his disallowed one.
Wow! Surely now we've turned the corner!
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So do you think Benteke and Guzan are shit as well, as they're also members of a struggling team?
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Glad of a point but it looked as if Lambert had a touch of the TSMs with his second half subs. We should be looking to win games like this, not just desperately hold on.
I admire his bravery in giving youngsters a chance but I'd have hoped he'd have introduced Ireland and/or Bent and gone for it a bit more. We seemed content to just knock the ball around sideways when we had it second half. Frustrating.
I remain unconvinced by PL, he hits on a good combination and then proceeds to bugger about with it all over the shop. Some very odd selections and tactics.
But we weren't hanging on. If anything we were looking more likely to snatch it.
Can you imagine what this site would have been like if he'd put Bent and Ireland on and we'd lost? I thought the substitutions were good and improved us. Not to say I wasn't surprised by them.
No you're right we weren't hanging on, wrong phrase, but we did seem to stop trying to win second half - our attacks were few and far between, and bringing on Delph and KEA was basically saying we'd settle for the point. I suppose he did protect the point when it looked a little shaky, but I guess I just expected a bit more of Lambert. I think if he'd just introduced Ireland to try and bring Benteke back into the game we could have won it. We look woefully short of invention up front at times.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
I suppose you're right.. our league position is the fault of just Westy & Lowton..
They've certainly played their part.
They have indeed. Very well, too. Westwood has been a standout and has been fantastic on the ball - so it's strange to see you blast him for constantly giving it away.. Is his ~90% passing accuracy not good enough?
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So do you think Benteke and Guzan are shit as well, as they're also members of a struggling team?
Guzan has had a decent season so far, but goalies in struggling sides do tend to make an awful lot of saves mainly because they get more practise at it. Benteke looks decent, but he's hardly a prolific scorer. As for all the other players... Well they're pretty much dross in my opinion. That's why we find ourselves in the shit.
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He's apologised.
Personally, it wouldn't bother me. I send women to Dion Dublin to prepare them for me.
You are the bloke that puts his whole head in aren't you?
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
I suppose you're right.. our league position is the fault of just Westy & Lowton..
They've certainly played their part.
They have indeed. Very well, too. Westwood has been a standout and has been fantastic on the ball - so it's strange to see you blast him for constantly giving it away.. Is his ~90% passing accuracy not good enough?
Stats can be manipulated anyway you want. He gave the ball away left right and centre against Reading the other night, yet some on here claimed he had a decent game. They must have watch the game whilst smoking a crack pipe to come up with that conclusion.
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So do you think Benteke and Guzan are shit as well, as they're also members of a struggling team?
Guzan has had a decent season so far, but goalies in struggling sides do tend to make an awful lot of saves mainly because they get more practise at it. Benteke looks decent, but he's hardly a prolific scorer. As for all the other players... Well they're pretty much dross in my opinion. That's why we find ourselves in the shit.
I bet you a tenner Westwood goes on to play for England, and I will go double or quits on Lowton.
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Lowton and Westwood are not out of their depth. Not based on what I've seen so far.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
I suppose you're right.. our league position is the fault of just Westy & Lowton..
They've certainly played their part.
They have indeed. Very well, too. Westwood has been a standout and has been fantastic on the ball - so it's strange to see you blast him for constantly giving it away.. Is his ~90% passing accuracy not good enough?
Stats can be manipulated anyway you want. He gave the ball away left right and centre against Reading the other night, yet some on here claimed he had a decent game. They must have watch the game whilst smoking a crack pipe to come up with that conclusion.
He gave the ball away less than 5 times in the game against Reading. Left right and centre. Once early on that was a poor pass and once in a good position second half, because both times shocked me it was him, he has been so accurate. I think the crack pipe might be in your hands chap.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
I suppose you're right.. our league position is the fault of just Westy & Lowton..
They've certainly played their part.
They have indeed. Very well, too. Westwood has been a standout and has been fantastic on the ball - so it's strange to see you blast him for constantly giving it away.. Is his ~90% passing accuracy not good enough?
Stats can be manipulated anyway you want. He gave the ball away left right and centre against Reading the other night, yet some on here claimed he had a decent game. They must have watch the game whilst smoking a crack pipe to come up with that conclusion.
Or, more likely, you don't bother watching what's going on and throw wild statements about using foul language as a way of backing up your point.
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It's funny how we all see the game the way we want to.
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I was prepared to give TSM a chance last year, more fool me me.I think the Bolton game was the tipping point - clapping the the Trinity Road as he walked off.(I was in the North Stand-good view)
I can't believe the negative attitude towards a group of young players, who granted are making their fair share of mistakes that Paul Lambert's bought/promoted. I would rather run with it long term for the " greater good"
Anyone who's unhappy PL , who you do want?. Would he do any better, and would they come to Villa?
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I went today and he problems weren't Lowton and Westwood. And those substitutions got us a point.
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It's funny how we all see the game the way we want to.
My old man does this. Every single game Bannan has an absolute nightmare, being completely 'lightweight' and useless, apparently.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
They're both more suited to this level than some of the dross we've had in our shirt in recent years.
Of course they are. Perhaps that league table is upside down...
I suppose you're right.. our league position is the fault of just Westy & Lowton..
They've certainly played their part.
They have indeed. Very well, too. Westwood has been a standout and has been fantastic on the ball - so it's strange to see you blast him for constantly giving it away.. Is his ~90% passing accuracy not good enough?
Stats can be manipulated anyway you want. He gave the ball away left right and centre against Reading the other night, yet some on here claimed he had a decent game. They must have watch the game whilst smoking a crack pipe to come up with that conclusion.
Or, more likely, you don't bother watching what's going on and throw wild statements about using foul language as a way of backing up your point.
What does, "throw wild statements about using foul language" mean?
And yes, I do watch the Villa. I've had a season ticket for 30+ years. Don't throw that daft accusation at me. Just because I believe the club is destined for relegation if we don't change our policy of investing in lower league rubbish doesn't mean I don't follow the club.
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It's funny how we all see the game the way we want to.
My old man does this. Every single game Bannan has an absolute nightmare, being completely 'lightweight' and useless, apparently.
Sounds like your dad's got his head screwed on.
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We've had two players regularly in the team lately who were signed from the lower divisions. It takes a very vivid imagination to call them 'rubbish.'
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I don't think how many years you've had a season ticket has anything to do with the fact you've said Westwood gave the ball away "left, right and centre" in a game where he misplaced 5 passes. It's perfectly fine to be unhappy with our performances & position. & even Lambert's policy on transfers. However picking out two that have settled well and are impressing just seems odd - especially when you seem intent on saying Westwood can't pass a ball. It's just odd.
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We've had two players regularly in the team lately who were signed from the lower divisions. It takes a very vivid imagination to call them 'rubbish.'
And you've spent most of this season talking them up, yet week in week out we churn out diabolical performances. So you're a fine one to talk about vivid imaginations.
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I agree that investing in lower-league rubbish isn't a good idea. I can't agree that Lowton and Westwood are lower-league rubbish, however. We'll see I guess.
Don't you think results have improved since Westwood got his first start at Sunderland?
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We've had two players regularly in the team lately who were signed from the lower divisions. It takes a very vivid imagination to call them 'rubbish.'
And you've spent most of this season talking them up, yet week in week out we churn out diabolical performances. So you're a fine one to talk about vivid imaginations.
Are you sticking with the mantra that Westwood can't pass?
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I don't think how many years you've had a season ticket has anything to do with the fact you've said Westwood gave the ball away "left, right and centre" in a game where he misplaced 5 passes. It's perfectly fine to be unhappy with our performances & position. & even Lambert's policy on transfers. However picking out two that have settled well and are impressing just seems odd - especially when you seem intent on saying Westwood can't pass a ball. It's just odd.
When you claim those players have "settled well", its just your opinion. Just like my opinion which is that they haven't. If these players are so good, why are we so bad?
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We've had two players regularly in the team lately who were signed from the lower divisions. It takes a very vivid imagination to call them 'rubbish.'
And you've spent most of this season talking them up, yet week in week out we churn out diabolical performances. So you're a fine one to talk about vivid imaginations.
Are you sticking with the mantra that Westwood can't pass?
Yes.
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A league table of the last six games would have us 12th (I think). That doesn't sound diabolical, things have got better recently.
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We've had two players regularly in the team lately who were signed from the lower divisions. It takes a very vivid imagination to call them 'rubbish.'
And you've spent most of this season talking them up, yet week in week out we churn out diabolical performances. So you're a fine one to talk about vivid imaginations.
Are you sticking with the mantra that Westwood can't pass?
Yes.
Just to try and understand then. What do you consider a pass?
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I suppose that Harry's first home game meant this was not going to be easy for us, but we need to be more positive. We started well but after the first 20 mins QPR were much the better team. For me, only Guzan, Benteke ( in the first half) and Westwood performed well. Delph helped shore up an overrun midfield when he came on too. I was very concerned by Lichaj, and Holman, his goal excepted.
A problem is that we lose to the top teams and we say it is inevitable, we lost to Southampton and it was a freak, we draw at QPR and it was to be expected as it was Harry's first game at home. We need to be more confident of getting wins from games - hopefully 5 points this week is a platform on which to build. And unbeaten runs build confidence.......
I was chatting to a Fulham fan after the game and he said that he thought we had enough ability to stay up. That was worrying.
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I don't think how many years you've had a season ticket has anything to do with the fact you've said Westwood gave the ball away "left, right and centre" in a game where he misplaced 5 passes. It's perfectly fine to be unhappy with our performances & position. & even Lambert's policy on transfers. However picking out two that have settled well and are impressing just seems odd - especially when you seem intent on saying Westwood can't pass a ball. It's just odd.
When you claim those players have "settled well", its just your opinion. Just like my opinion which is that they haven't. If these players are so good, why are we so bad?
We're not a two man team. Lowton & Westwood haven't really put a foot wrong. It's players like Gabby, Bent, N'Zogbia & Ireland who should be doing much better. The experienced players haven't played anywhere near the level they should.
We've had two players regularly in the team lately who were signed from the lower divisions. It takes a very vivid imagination to call them 'rubbish.'
And you've spent most of this season talking them up, yet week in week out we churn out diabolical performances. So you're a fine one to talk about vivid imaginations.
Are you sticking with the mantra that Westwood can't pass?
Yes.
& you're so far wrong it's painful.
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A pass is something he'd say a lot on Mastermind if his specialist subject was football.
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Something he'd say a lot on Mastermind if his specialist subject was football.
Lol... actually brought a little chuckle..
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We've had two players regularly in the team lately who were signed from the lower divisions. It takes a very vivid imagination to call them 'rubbish.'
And you've spent most of this season talking them up, yet week in week out we churn out diabolical performances. So you're a fine one to talk about vivid imaginations.
I talk them up because they've been playing well. If the rest of the team had been up to their standard we'd be much better off.
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A league table of the last six games would have us 12th (I think). That doesn't sound diabolical, things have got better recently.
Is it always summer where you live?
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Something he'd say a lot on Mastermind if his specialist subject was football.
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6970jRcD21r82002.gif)
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Pleased with a point today as being a misery arse I thought we would get none. Oh, and Westwood can pass.
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A pass is something he'd say a lot on Mastermind if his specialist subject was football.
Ha!
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That clapping bloke is applauding the hard earned point. Sweet.
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A pass is something he'd say a lot on Mastermind if his specialist subject was football.
Ha!
Not really answering the question though Saunders?
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I don't think how many years you've had a season ticket has anything to do with the fact you've said Westwood gave the ball away "left, right and centre" in a game where he misplaced 5 passes. It's perfectly fine to be unhappy with our performances & position. & even Lambert's policy on transfers. However picking out two that have settled well and are impressing just seems odd - especially when you seem intent on saying Westwood can't pass a ball. It's just odd.
When you claim those players have "settled well", its just your opinion. Just like my opinion which is that they haven't. If these players are so good, why are we so bad?
We have been poor. You just happen to be picking on two of our bright spots is all. Just seems weird to pick on two of our good players rather than the dozen or so who have been medicore or poor.
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I don't think how many years you've had a season ticket has anything to do with the fact you've said Westwood gave the ball away "left, right and centre" in a game where he misplaced 5 passes. It's perfectly fine to be unhappy with our performances & position. & even Lambert's policy on transfers. However picking out two that have settled well and are impressing just seems odd - especially when you seem intent on saying Westwood can't pass a ball. It's just odd.
When you claim those players have "settled well", its just your opinion. Just like my opinion which is that they haven't. If these players are so good, why are we so bad?
We have been poor. You just happen to be picking on two of our bright spots is all. Just seems weird to pick on two of our good players rather than the dozen or so who have been medicore or poor.
yes he could be shooting fish in a barrel for mediocrity . but then again I think there is a lot of mediocrity in this league. I hope that keeps us up
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
There are lots of problems with this villa side / squad. But frankly, if someone questions Westwood or Lowton's ability to pass the ball I'd go as far as to say they didn't understand football, patronising as that may be.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
There are lots of problems with this villa side / squad. But frankly, if someone questions Westwood or Lowton's ability to pass the ball I'd go as far as to say they didn't understand football, patronising as that may be.
Key Passes %
1 Brad Guzan GK 0 16 25
2 Matthew Lowton DR 0 37 86
3 Ciaran Clark DC 0 27 96
4 Nathan Baker DC 0 27 78
5 Eric Lichaj DL 0 27 81
6 Brett Holman71' MR 1 30 87
7 Barry Bannan67' MC 1 39 72
8 Ashley Westwood MC 1 63 87
9 Chris Herd66' MC 0 15 60
10 Agbonlahor ML 1 31 71
11 ChristianBentekeFW 0 31 65
12 Karim El Ahmadi MC 0 12 92
13 Fabian Delph67' MC 1 26 92
14 Derrick Williams DC 0 6 100
From whoscored.com (http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/615065/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2012-2013-Queens-Park-Rangers-Aston-Villa#live-player-away-passing)
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Anybody who actually believes that Westwood cannot pass is a loon.
I thought we played well first half. Benteke molested Hill and Nelson to the point that a BBC enquiry was on the cards.
Second half I could not believe how poor th 5-3-2 was. As that is what it was. The "wing backs" were anything but. We gave them so much room in the flanks it was untrue. Only a couple of decent subs stemmed the tide.
QPR were there for the taking. They are abysmal at the back, yet second half we conspired to sit back. Strange.
All in all a point is a good result. Any point away from home always is. You have to feel that QPR have Bob hope of staying up. If they cannot beat Slumberland and us at home then they're doomed. With their poor away form, they have to win almost every home game left; which they wont.
Good. Vile little club.
We still need to strengthen that spine.
However, even after a brain melting session in the Island and thr Victotia, my opinion remains that it was a good result. We're picking up points when not playing well. About time.
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I see we're last on MoTD. Again.
Do we deserve to be anywhere else?
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A league table of the last six games would have us 12th (I think). That doesn't sound diabolical, things have got better recently.
Is it always summer where you live?
'Summer' is a good place to be. I like it there.
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from QPR Loftyheights blog - and it sounds rather more encouraging than many other comments about yesterday's match.
"The final 20 minutes were very nervy as Villa began to stamp their authority on the game and retained possession very well, frustrating the home crowd but were very effective."
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Chris Kamara on Sky thought we were good as well, all things considered.
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There were two parts of the second half when we simply decided we would take possession and keep it. By the end of one (which felt like it was a few minutes) the home crowd were booing QPR as they couldnt get the ball back.
Unfortunately we ended the possession by giving it away or Guzan hoofed it up front.
ANother bright point was Holmans goal which came at the end of a long string of passes.
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Wibble
The wibble and the Pie may have lost their 100% records, but at least they are still unbeaten.
If more had wibbled we wouldn't have wobbled..
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Has Westwood not set up our last 2 goals now, and Lowton put the ball in when Benteke was off-side?
63 passes in a game is a lot too. Convinced both of them will play at the highest level.
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Has Westwood not set up our last 2 goals now, and Lowton put the ball in when Benteke was off-side?
63 passes in a game is a lot too. Convinced both of them will play at the highest level.
Hopefully at the Villa !
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
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Laudrup is doing an excellent job I think. But that Swansea side has been about 6 years in the making. It's going to take time before Lambert's style is truly represented in the villa side. And we don't have the luxury of being a comfortable mid table side to make that transition. I agree on Holman's ball control though!
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PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
About a season and half would be preferable.
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PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
About a season and half would be preferable.
Yes perhaps a year and a half would be right. In my previous post I forgot Westwood mainly because the highlights didnt show him much.Its early yet but his passing is very accurate. He might have a promising future.
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
so you didnt watch the whole match and from the 3 minutes that you saw your match report is based upon this. villa played really well first half and passed it around with great aplomb. second half they came back at us and had a real go, we showed great resilience and got a well earned point. most pundits had us down for a defeat because of the harry factor but our lads acquited themselves superbly and is molding itself into a very good team. holman gave the ball away once in those highlights, so what, he had a good game, scored a good goal and worked himself into the ground. far too many years we have technically gifted players that couldnt give a fuck, now we have a hard working one where they will only get better and still we cant satisfy folk. this isnt a dig at you ron, but there is tons of negativity flying around and some of it is unreal. people cutting their noses off just to maintain their first thoughts!
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Not read the post match thread yet , hes my quick take on it.
I would have been happy with the point before the game . so I must be happy , well.
thought we were pretty dire to be fair , I know Gabby works hard but his touch and decision making is so poor and final ball is awful most of the time . We looked a very much TSM team yesterday . Holaman , great goal and Benteke was great again , would love to see him with DB . You are not going to win games with Ireland and Bent on the bench.
westwood, captain please next season , what ever division we are in .
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It's Benteke's 22nd birthday on Monday. Good. Tired of Lambert saying 'he's been fantastic, 21 years of age' in every.bloody.interview.
ha ha , like it , gets on my claret and blue boobies too.
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just watched Swansea . oh my Im so f**king jealous .
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
so you didnt watch the whole match and from the 3 minutes that you saw your match report is based upon this. villa played really well first half and passed it around with great aplomb. second half they came back at us and had a real go, we showed great resilience and got a well earned point. most pundits had us down for a defeat because of the harry factor but our lads acquited themselves superbly and is molding itself into a very good team. holman gave the ball away once in those highlights, so what, he had a good game, scored a good goal and worked himself into the ground. far too many years we have technically gifted players that couldnt give a fuck, now we have a hard working one where they will only get better and still we cant satisfy folk. this isnt a dig at you ron, but there is tons of negativity flying around and some of it is unreal. people cutting their noses off just to maintain their first thoughts!
I very much hope you are right and perhaps I am being too negative only time will tell. I like Holmans work ethic and his attitude its 100%
spot on. Its all about opinions and lots of us see things differently from each other.
We will need to work very hard against Stoke. We know exactly what to expect they have a system that works and it will be difficult to overcome.
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why do we keep giving the ball away too? that frustrates me the most
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just watched Swansea . oh my Im so f**king jealous .
Do you think Swansea collectively woke up one morning and started playing like that? Or do you think it took years of coaching and acquiring the right players to get there?
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Two minutes into the game i was convinced we were going to win at a canter. Their defence was all over the place so if i'm honest i'm disapointed we only picked up a point. I know it was important not to lose but with their defence as bad as it was, we should have won. As for the subs, bringing on Delph and KEA on at Old Trafford at 1-1 is fine but i think he should have been a bit more adventurous yesterday.
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just watched Swansea . oh my Im so f**king jealous .
Do you think Swansea collectively woke up one morning and started playing like that? Or do you think it took years of coaching and acquiring the right players to get there?
Chris I think JP is being sarcastic re my post. Of course you are right it takes time but the first 30mins at West Ham suggested Paul Lambert might be heading in that direction.
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Lambert is starting to worry me a little.
What happened to the compelling football mantra?
I wanted PL before we got him , I was over the moon when we got him and was expecting us to win games 4-2 and lose games 5-2 but I was quite excited with that , but he has made some baffling decisions and his stubborness frustrates me .
I am sure he will sort it but he is worrying me a little , I still think going to shite like QPR and looking for a draw is not good enough , you play your experienced best players , go for the win and stick a nail in QPR coffin.
what ever he is doing , is not working , we look dire . There is some postitives in there , Benteke, guzaqn and Westwood but he should and could be doing so much better.
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just watched Swansea . oh my Im so f**king jealous .
Do you think Swansea collectively woke up one morning and started playing like that? Or do you think it took years of coaching and acquiring the right players to get there?
no but Im still jealous and can see Villa never playing like that to be fair even in 6 years .
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Two minutes into the game i was convinced we were going to win at a canter. Their defence was all over the place so if i'm honest i'm disapointed we only picked up a point. I know it was important not to lose but with their defence as bad as it was, we should have won. As for the subs, bringing on Delph and KEA on at Old Trafford at 1-1 is fine but i think he should have been a bit more adventurous yesterday.
I agree, we were playing a team without a single win and I felt Ireland should have been brought on and bent for gabby- the game was there to be won but lambert seemed to be delighted with a draw.
I remember his press conference him saying his teams will always go for the win but yesterday we were negative in the 2nd half and invited qpr onto us.
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Two minutes into the game i was convinced we were going to win at a canter. Their defence was all over the place so if i'm honest i'm disapointed we only picked up a point. I know it was important not to lose but with their defence as bad as it was, we should have won. As for the subs, bringing on Delph and KEA on at Old Trafford at 1-1 is fine but i think he should have been a bit more adventurous yesterday.
I agree, we were playing a team without a single win and I felt Ireland should have been brought on and bent for gabby- the game was there to be won but lambert seemed to be delighted with a draw.
I remember his press conference him saying his teams will always go for the win but yesterday we were negative in the 2nd half and invited qpr onto us.
I think he would've brought Ireland and Bent on if we wouldn't been overrun in midfield in first 20 minutes of second half.
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I was pleased with Lambert being appointed and I think that he will prove to be a good manager in time, the club lacks any forward momentum at the minute and this isn't easily rectified.
What I do find odd is that we go to Man City two weeks ago with four at the back plus a midfield of Westwood, Wiemann, Gabby, Bannan and Ireland (pretty attack minded in my opinion) and then yesterday we go to QPR and play five at the back and even though they looked poor defensively we didn't really seem to go for the win, especially after the break.
I thought we played quite well first half but second half we didn't get hold of the ball at all in attacking areas and honestly believe that we had better options on the bench than those used. Even when Herd went off we could have gone to four at the back to have introduced another midfield player which is where they took control in the second half.
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I was pleased with Lambert being appointed and I think that he will prove to be a good manager in time, the club lacks any forward momentum at the minute and this isn't easily rectified.
What I do find odd is that we go to Man City two weeks ago with four at the back plus a midfield of Westwood, Wiemann, Gabby, Bannan and Ireland (pretty attack minded in my opinion) and then yesterday we go to QPR and play five at the back and even though they looked poor defensively we didn't really seem to go for the win, especially after the break.
Maybe it had more to do with Vlaar and 2 others being unavailable to play in a back 4?
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I think the pressure's got to him a bit regards going for the win all the time, and IMO he was right to be a bit cautious yesterday.
Earlier in the season, there was a post-match interview on the telly, where he started off quite bullish about either a result or a performance - can't recall what game it was so not sure which. Anyway, half-way through the interviewer pointed out that in spite of things having gone quite well that day, it was our worst start in so many years. I'm sure I noticed him wilt a little, and for the rest of the interview he mumbled that little bit more quietly.
Personally, I think we'll be great to watch if and when the pressure eases a bit, and the manager and players gain a little more confidence.
I think he now realises that managing The Villa is a different world to managing newly-promoted 'plucky' Norwich.
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You think Lowton and Westwood are out of their depth?
Yes I do actually. I'm sick to death of seeing them give the ball away with sloppy passing and general poor play. If they're so good, how the hell have we been so shite this season?
You mean the Westwood who has been our best passer of the ball for weeks? And the Lowton who looks every bit a Premiership full back? Strange two to pick out.
They're both out of their depth, and quite a few other players in our team as well. That's why we find ourselves down with the dead beats with the worst Villa team in years and years. Delude yourself as much as you like, but this club is only going in one direction with these type of players in it, and trust me, it ain't up.
There is no way Lowton or Westwood are out of their depth, they've been very good.
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I think the pressure's got to him a bit regards going for the win all the time, and IMO he was right to be a bit cautious yesterday.
Earlier in the season, there was a post-match interview on the telly, where he started off quite bullish about either a result or a performance - can't recall what game it was so not sure which. Anyway, half-way through the interviewer pointed out that in spite of things having gone quite well that day, it was our worst start in so many years. I'm sure I noticed him wilt a little, and for the rest of the interview he mumbled that little bit more quietly.
Personally, I think we'll be great to watch if and when the pressure eases a bit, and the manager and players gain a little more confidence.
I think he now realises that managing The Villa is a different world to managing newly-promoted 'plucky' Norwich.
He is reletively young for a manager too, and is still learning. Time and patience required, but he can clearly buy a player, and I think won us a point with his subs, rather than cost us 2. Second half they came out steaming, and we needed to get a foot hold in the game.
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just watched Swansea . oh my Im so f**king jealous .
Do you think Swansea collectively woke up one morning and started playing like that? Or do you think it took years of coaching and acquiring the right players to get there?
no but Im still jealous and can see Villa never playing like that to be fair even in 6 years .
Is this the same Swansea we played off the park a few months ago?
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Lambert is starting to worry me a little.
What happened to the compelling football mantra?
I wanted PL before we got him , I was over the moon when we got him and was expecting us to win games 4-2 and lose games 5-2 but I was quite excited with that , but he has made some baffling decisions and his stubborness frustrates me .
I am sure he will sort it but he is worrying me a little , I still think going to shite like QPR and looking for a draw is not good enough , you play your experienced best players , go for the win and stick a nail in QPR coffin.
what ever he is doing , is not working , we look dire . There is some postitives in there , Benteke, guzaqn and Westwood but he should and could be doing so much better.
Can't say I disagree.
3 wins in 3 months is brutal, but hopefully -between now and Jan/Feb, we can put some back to back wins together. A mini run of 2/3 on the bounce would ease the tension, and might give the younger players confidence to persist with the passing game- which we're seeing in fits and starts.
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Two minutes into the game i was convinced we were going to win at a canter. Their defence was all over the place so if i'm honest i'm disapointed we only picked up a point. I know it was important not to lose but with their defence as bad as it was, we should have won. As for the subs, bringing on Delph and KEA on at Old Trafford at 1-1 is fine but i think he should have been a bit more adventurous yesterday.
This
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Yesterday, it wasn't the result itself that bothered me moreso the manner in how we only ended up with a point. Having taken the lead we conceded soon after and for most of the game beyond that and especially in the second half we were decidedly second best. With two attacking players on the bench we could and should have gone after it more snd didn't, either not having the ability or desire. Yes, a point at QPR, with all of the side attractions is decent. But today we should really be talking about how we really put a dent in Redknapp's plans as opposed to presenting him with a bit of additional turbulence.
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I don't think we needed to throw the kitchen sink at them, that would have been risky in the second half but Ireland instead of Delph would have been a better move yesterday.
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I could not disagree more. As soon as the changes were made we suddenly had a lot more of the play and looked much better. Bringing Ireland and Bent on would not have had that effect on the game.
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This was my own take on yesterday's proceedings. I'd appreciate any comment: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/aston-villa/fansverdict/01-12-2012/queens-park-rangers-vs-aston-villa
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This was my own take on yesterday's proceedings. I'd appreciate any comment: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/aston-villa/fansverdict/01-12-2012/queens-park-rangers-vs-aston-villa
It's a pile of shit.
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This was my own take on yesterday's proceedings. I'd appreciate any comment: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/aston-villa/fansverdict/01-12-2012/queens-park-rangers-vs-aston-villa
It's a pile of shit.
Thank you for your honesty. Hopefully it inspired you to sign up and comment further.
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I thought it was quite a good read myself. Didn't agree with all of it but I'm not sure there was any need to be so rude.
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This was my own take on yesterday's proceedings. I'd appreciate any comment: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/aston-villa/fansverdict/01-12-2012/queens-park-rangers-vs-aston-villa
Made me realise we had a player called Derrick Williams. Who the fuck is he?
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I thought it was quite a good read myself. Didn't agree with all of it but I'm not sure there was any need to be so rude.
Oh and I agree with this. I thought Lee B was being humorous, if he wasn't then he was, indeed, being unnecessarily rude.
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I thought it was quite a good read myself. Didn't agree with all of it but I'm not sure there was any need to be so rude.
Oh and I agree with this. I thought Lee B was being humorous, if he wasn't then he was, indeed, being unnecessarily rude.
I've had worse criticisms from editors and suchlike. At least my grammar wasn't questioned.
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You made it sound like we lost 5nil.. Who has he alienated? A few keyboard warriors? Every fan I know is 100% behind him.
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I thought it was quite a good read myself. Didn't agree with all of it but I'm not sure there was any need to be so rude.
Oh and I agree with this. I thought Lee B was being humorous, if he wasn't then he was, indeed, being unnecessarily rude.
I've had worse criticisms from editors and suchlike. At least my grammar wasn't questioned.
Mine was, you lucky sod. Oh well, at least Blunderland lost. Happy gramur day.
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You made it sound like we lost 5nil.. Who has he alienated? A few keyboard warriors? Every fan I know is 100% behind him.
Go back and check the match thread. There were some strong opinions on his choices.
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I gave up after reading that we were well beaten.
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I gave up after reading that we were well beaten.
As is your prerogative. I'm employed for my opinion and it doesn't necessarily agree with everybody's.
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The only bit of the game I seen was on MOTD, not a true reflection I know but then I did hear Kamara's after match report where he said a draw was fair and that Villa were very good in parts. That's hardly 'well beaten'.
And what was this battering that Guzan's goal frame took? Wright Phillips hit the post and there was a deflected header that hit the top of the bar, did I miss a stack of other post/bar incidents?
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Yeah. QPR were majestic now Arry has taken over, and we were really shite. Why buy a newspaper on Sunday or Monday. Just a waste of hard earned cash. UTV.
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All four SSN pundits had us down to lose (including Merson). Really hope we can start getting results to shut these air heads up and AVFC to start earning some respect amongst the media. We now seem to be learning how not to lose. Arsenal-Reading-QPR. This will breed confidence and a home win against Stoke will do wonders for our position and belief ......
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I thought it was quite a good read myself. Didn't agree with all of it but I'm not sure there was any need to be so rude.
Oh and I agree with this. I thought Lee B was being humorous, if he wasn't then he was, indeed, being unnecessarily rude.
I've had worse criticisms from editors and suchlike. At least my grammar wasn't questioned.
I was trying to be humourous, replying to you appreciating any comment.
I would disagree on a couple of points in the article, but I'm about to finish on the khazi so I'll just add that it was well written, and your initial response was a fine display of restraint and decorum.
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All four SSN pundits had us down to lose (including Merson). Really hope we can start getting results to shut these air heads up and AVFC to start earning some respect amongst the media. We now seem to be learning how not to lose. Arsenal-Reading-QPR. This will breed confidence and a home win against Stoke will do wonders for our position and belief ......
We haven't conceded in the second half in the last 3 matches. That's an important improvement because if play was stopped at half time of each game we would be in the top 5.
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Still wondering who Derrick Williams is. A youth player I presume? Is he really good and I just haven't heard of him or is our bench a bit shit?
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Not been many Derricks around since Wilton, Mavis' husband. No flies on him.
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Derrick Williams is a highly rated left sided centre half. Played regularly for reserves for two seasons. The reason he is on the bench is because for one reason or another last seasons back four no longer play in the first team a fact that seems to have escaped a few on here.
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Not been many Derricks around since Wilton, Mavis' husband. No flies on him.
And if there were they'd be paying rent.
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The only bit of the game I seen was on MOTD, not a true reflection I know but then I did hear Kamara's after match report where he said a draw was fair and that Villa were very good in parts. That's hardly 'well beaten'.
And what was this battering that Guzan's goal frame took? Wright Phillips hit the post and there was a deflected header that hit the top of the bar, did I miss a stack of other post/bar incidents?
The match verdict - please note, not a report, as it's designed to promote comment and reaction - is always written in the immediate aftermath of the match by the writer involved. I followed the game on WM and I stick by my opinion based on what I heard and later, what I saw. For the majority of the game Villa were second best and I think eventually we did well to come away with a point, even though it was also a game we could of won; a strange game in may ways, which I tried to make clear in my article.
A few people have focussed on the phrase "well beaten", which is unfortunate because I think taken out of the context of the piece is makes it sound like I was following a different game. But like I say, I felt that QPR did more than enough to take three points. I'm glad that they didn't, obviously. And as regards Guzan's goalframe getting a battering or not, having it hit twice is twice too many.
I'm not writing to defend my work (you can't please everybody) but to stress that we're all entitled to a view and you should be prepared to back it up if you post to others. In fact, it gives me quite a lot of optimism that more people will be encouraged to check mine and my colleagues' opinions out after a match because we come from the same place as you do, which is as Villa fans.
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Any particular reason why you don't post the article on here as well as providing a link to it?
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Any particular reason why you don't post the article on here as well as providing a link to it?
None really, just because it helps get people to site I write for I guess.
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just watched Swansea . oh my Im so f**king jealous .
Do you think Swansea collectively woke up one morning and started playing like that? Or do you think it took years of coaching and acquiring the right players to get there?
Chris I think JP is being sarcastic re my post. Of course you are right it takes time but the first 30mins at West Ham suggested Paul Lambert might be heading in that direction.
I agree with this. The West Ham game really impressed me (and pre season). Unfortunately since then we have played a more mixed game.
Also to be fair yesterday there were spells when we kept the ball very well indeed.
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Curious orange,
I have just read it and enjoyed it. I don't agree with everything you write but you reflect a lot of my own thoughts both during and after the game in the pub with a few other London villains.
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Curious orange,
I have just read it and enjoyed it. I don't agree with everything you write but you reflect a lot of my own thoughts both during and after the game in the pub with a few other London villains.
Thank you very much. Like I say, I'm a Villa fan first and a writer second so I always put my honest opinion.
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Any particular reason why you don't post the article on here as well as providing a link to it?
None really, just because it helps get people to site I write for I guess.
A bit cheeky then
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just watched Swansea . oh my Im so f**king jealous .
Do you think Swansea collectively woke up one morning and started playing like that? Or do you think it took years of coaching and acquiring the right players to get there?
no but Im still jealous and can see Villa never playing like that to be fair even in 6 years .
Is this the same Swansea we played off the park a few months ago?
so you think Villa are better than Swansea at the moment . Why do people come out with these things . So Man Utd are shit because they got beat by Norwich or wigan should be top 4 as the beat Spurs away.
I watched a game with Swansea , which I thought the football was fantastic after watching that tripe at Loftus road .
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Nobody said Villa are better than Swansea at the moment. Maybe people come out with these things because they're getting a bit tired of supporters who constantly praise just about everyone else while running down every positive aspect of their own team.
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We also have to remember when talking about the likes of Swansea is that this is as good as it is ever going to get for them and it was not that long ago that they were facing being relegated to the Conference on the final day of the season.
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
good goal from Holman but he has one of the worst first touches I have seen in a Villa player. For all his 'workrate' he is about as effective without the ball as Albrighton. Powder puff tackling and running around so much like a headless chicken that his legs are gone after an hour. I dont rate him in the slightest
Baker's distribution needs to improve a lot. Solid lad alright but panics in possession. If you watch even someone like West Brom their players take their time on the ball, feint to play it with the left buy yourself a second to play it with your right. Id have to question how good the coaching is at the academy considering how poor some of the recent graduates have been on the ball. It pisses me off how gutless frankly our players are with the ball. At once stage at the weekend, we put together about 10 passes back to front, suddenly someone played a half arsed pass to Clark, he had no option in front of him, didnt bother trying to run it out, back to Guzan. Guzan hoofed it mindlessly straight down to Green. Gary Neville the co-commentator said something like fair play to QPR, great pressure on Villa and forced the turnover. It was just Mackie running at Clark that forced us to cough up possession.
As for players good enough. Benteke obviously. Guzan is thriving at the moment. Lowton is improving nicely but still a good bit to go positionally. The naive defending from him for Park's chance at the weekend was hard to believe for example. But tidy on the ball. decent going forward and is going to improve I feel. Vlaar has been an upgrade on Cuellar and Collins. Not brilliant but a decent defender for sure. These are all Lambert's players in fairness.
Clark is a decent defender but whether he is good enough for a decent Villa side is another matter. Baker is better than Clark physically but not as good on the ball. Only one of them is ultimately going to make it at a left sided centre half regular at the club. Question marks over very single defender on the roster. 3 - Dunne, Warnock and Hutton have probably played their last games for the club. Lichaj is a backup player but at right back only. Desperate player on the ball. Stevens isnt as strong a defender as Lichaj but is decent on the ball and has proved adequate backup thus far. Bennett has had a very slow start but early days for him yet.
Westwood had a very good first half yesterday and to be fair you can see he tries to make himself available for the pass and keep it moving to a colleague. He needs a far better player next to him though as he doesnt have presence and wont deliver goals. Bannan, Delph, Holman, Weimann, Kea, Albrighton, Herd, Ireland, Nzogbia - much of a muchness between any of them. Neither of them have nailed down a spot in a poor side. Ireland is the most talented but his wage packet seems to be influencing Lambert keeping him out I think. Then again he isnt good enough to be a luxury player in a decent team. really. What assists or goals does he deliver? Nice and tidy in possession but never in an area that hurts a side. Would be great if Nzogbia rediscovered his form when he comes back but what would be the level of confidence on here that he will - 20%? Then again wasnt too long Redknapp was trying to farm Gareth Bale out on loan to Nottm Forest so you never know. Midfield is by far our weakest area, Lambert doesnt seem to know what formation he wants there but we need better players if we are going to progress.
Up front, the penny surely has to drop with Gabby. I'm sorry to say but his day is done at the Villa. 3 years of just general shite and he seems to be getting worse. His running with the ball is horrific and cant get away from defenders as easy anymore either. Without that he has nothing really. Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
good goal from Holman but he has one of the worst first touches I have seen in a Villa player. For all his 'workrate' he is about as effective without the ball as Albrighton. Powder puff tackling and running around so much like a headless chicken that his legs are gone after an hour. I dont rate him in the slightest
Baker's distribution needs to improve a lot. Solid lad alright but panics in possession. If you watch even someone like West Brom their players take their time on the ball, feint to play it with the left buy yourself a second to play it with your right. Id have to question how good the coaching is at the academy considering how poor some of the recent graduates have been on the ball. It pisses me off how gutless frankly our players are with the ball. At once stage at the weekend, we put together about 10 passes back to front, suddenly someone played a half arsed pass to Clark, he had no option in front of him, didnt bother trying to run it out, back to Guzan. Guzan hoofed it mindlessly straight down to Green. Gary Neville the co-commentator said something like fair play to QPR, great pressure on Villa and forced the turnover. It was just Mackie running at Clark that forced us to cough up possession.
As for players good enough. Benteke obviously. Guzan is thriving at the moment. Lowton is improving nicely but still a good bit to go positionally. The naive defending from him for Park's chance at the weekend was hard to believe for example. But tidy on the ball. decent going forward and is going to improve I feel. Vlaar has been an upgrade on Cuellar and Collins. Not brilliant but a decent defender for sure. These are all Lambert's players in fairness.
Clark is a decent defender but whether he is good enough for a decent Villa side is another matter. Baker is better than Clark physically but not as good on the ball. Only one of them is ultimately going to make it at a left sided centre half regular at the club. Question marks over very single defender on the roster. 3 - Dunne, Warnock and Hutton have probably played their last games for the club. Lichaj is a backup player but at right back only. Desperate player on the ball. Stevens isnt as strong a defender as Lichaj but is decent on the ball and has proved adequate backup thus far. Bennett has had a very slow start but early days for him yet.
Westwood had a very good first half yesterday and to be fair you can see he tries to make himself available for the pass and keep it moving to a colleague. He needs a far better player next to him though as he doesnt have presence and wont deliver goals. Bannan, Delph, Holman, Weimann, Kea, Albrighton, Herd, Ireland, Nzogbia - much of a muchness between any of them. Neither of them have nailed down a spot in a poor side. Ireland is the most talented but his wage packet seems to be influencing Lambert keeping him out I think. Then again he isnt good enough to be a luxury player in a decent team. really. What assists or goals does he deliver? Nice and tidy in possession but never in an area that hurts a side. Would be great if Nzogbia rediscovered his form when he comes back but what would be the level of confidence on here that he will - 20%? Then again wasnt too long Redknapp was trying to farm Gareth Bale out on loan to Nottm Forest so you never know. Midfield is by far our weakest area, Lambert doesnt seem to know what formation he wants there but we need better players if we are going to progress.
Up front, the penny surely has to drop with Gabby. I'm sorry to say but his day is done at the Villa. 3 years of just general shite and he seems to be getting worse. His running with the ball is horrific and cant get away from defenders as easy anymore either. Without that he has nothing really. Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
Would agree with pretty much all of that Billy.
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spot on Billy , very good post.
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
good goal from Holman but he has one of the worst first touches I have seen in a Villa player. For all his 'workrate' he is about as effective without the ball as Albrighton. Powder puff tackling and running around so much like a headless chicken that his legs are gone after an hour. I dont rate him in the slightest
Baker's distribution needs to improve a lot. Solid lad alright but panics in possession. If you watch even someone like West Brom their players take their time on the ball, feint to play it with the left buy yourself a second to play it with your right. Id have to question how good the coaching is at the academy considering how poor some of the recent graduates have been on the ball. It pisses me off how gutless frankly our players are with the ball. At once stage at the weekend, we put together about 10 passes back to front, suddenly someone played a half arsed pass to Clark, he had no option in front of him, didnt bother trying to run it out, back to Guzan. Guzan hoofed it mindlessly straight down to Green. Gary Neville the co-commentator said something like fair play to QPR, great pressure on Villa and forced the turnover. It was just Mackie running at Clark that forced us to cough up possession.
As for players good enough. Benteke obviously. Guzan is thriving at the moment. Lowton is improving nicely but still a good bit to go positionally. The naive defending from him for Park's chance at the weekend was hard to believe for example. But tidy on the ball. decent going forward and is going to improve I feel. Vlaar has been an upgrade on Cuellar and Collins. Not brilliant but a decent defender for sure. These are all Lambert's players in fairness.
Clark is a decent defender but whether he is good enough for a decent Villa side is another matter. Baker is better than Clark physically but not as good on the ball. Only one of them is ultimately going to make it at a left sided centre half regular at the club. Question marks over very single defender on the roster. 3 - Dunne, Warnock and Hutton have probably played their last games for the club. Lichaj is a backup player but at right back only. Desperate player on the ball. Stevens isnt as strong a defender as Lichaj but is decent on the ball and has proved adequate backup thus far. Bennett has had a very slow start but early days for him yet.
Westwood had a very good first half yesterday and to be fair you can see he tries to make himself available for the pass and keep it moving to a colleague. He needs a far better player next to him though as he doesnt have presence and wont deliver goals. Bannan, Delph, Holman, Weimann, Kea, Albrighton, Herd, Ireland, Nzogbia - much of a muchness between any of them. Neither of them have nailed down a spot in a poor side. Ireland is the most talented but his wage packet seems to be influencing Lambert keeping him out I think. Then again he isnt good enough to be a luxury player in a decent team. really. What assists or goals does he deliver? Nice and tidy in possession but never in an area that hurts a side. Would be great if Nzogbia rediscovered his form when he comes back but what would be the level of confidence on here that he will - 20%? Then again wasnt too long Redknapp was trying to farm Gareth Bale out on loan to Nottm Forest so you never know. Midfield is by far our weakest area, Lambert doesnt seem to know what formation he wants there but we need better players if we are going to progress.
Up front, the penny surely has to drop with Gabby. I'm sorry to say but his day is done at the Villa. 3 years of just general shite and he seems to be getting worse. His running with the ball is horrific and cant get away from defenders as easy anymore either. Without that he has nothing really. Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
Hard to disagree with that, generally a fair assesment and spot on with regard to the midfielders being much of a muchness.
I'd be looking to keep Bannan, who's shown a good work ethic and has more ability, and Westwood.
I'd listen to offers for anyone else.
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
good goal from Holman but he has one of the worst first touches I have seen in a Villa player. For all his 'workrate' he is about as effective without the ball as Albrighton. Powder puff tackling and running around so much like a headless chicken that his legs are gone after an hour. I dont rate him in the slightest
Baker's distribution needs to improve a lot. Solid lad alright but panics in possession. If you watch even someone like West Brom their players take their time on the ball, feint to play it with the left buy yourself a second to play it with your right. Id have to question how good the coaching is at the academy considering how poor some of the recent graduates have been on the ball. It pisses me off how gutless frankly our players are with the ball. At once stage at the weekend, we put together about 10 passes back to front, suddenly someone played a half arsed pass to Clark, he had no option in front of him, didnt bother trying to run it out, back to Guzan. Guzan hoofed it mindlessly straight down to Green. Gary Neville the co-commentator said something like fair play to QPR, great pressure on Villa and forced the turnover. It was just Mackie running at Clark that forced us to cough up possession.
As for players good enough. Benteke obviously. Guzan is thriving at the moment. Lowton is improving nicely but still a good bit to go positionally. The naive defending from him for Park's chance at the weekend was hard to believe for example. But tidy on the ball. decent going forward and is going to improve I feel. Vlaar has been an upgrade on Cuellar and Collins. Not brilliant but a decent defender for sure. These are all Lambert's players in fairness.
Clark is a decent defender but whether he is good enough for a decent Villa side is another matter. Baker is better than Clark physically but not as good on the ball. Only one of them is ultimately going to make it at a left sided centre half regular at the club. Question marks over very single defender on the roster. 3 - Dunne, Warnock and Hutton have probably played their last games for the club. Lichaj is a backup player but at right back only. Desperate player on the ball. Stevens isnt as strong a defender as Lichaj but is decent on the ball and has proved adequate backup thus far. Bennett has had a very slow start but early days for him yet.
Westwood had a very good first half yesterday and to be fair you can see he tries to make himself available for the pass and keep it moving to a colleague. He needs a far better player next to him though as he doesnt have presence and wont deliver goals. Bannan, Delph, Holman, Weimann, Kea, Albrighton, Herd, Ireland, Nzogbia - much of a muchness between any of them. Neither of them have nailed down a spot in a poor side. Ireland is the most talented but his wage packet seems to be influencing Lambert keeping him out I think. Then again he isnt good enough to be a luxury player in a decent team. really. What assists or goals does he deliver? Nice and tidy in possession but never in an area that hurts a side. Would be great if Nzogbia rediscovered his form when he comes back but what would be the level of confidence on here that he will - 20%? Then again wasnt too long Redknapp was trying to farm Gareth Bale out on loan to Nottm Forest so you never know. Midfield is by far our weakest area, Lambert doesnt seem to know what formation he wants there but we need better players if we are going to progress.
Up front, the penny surely has to drop with Gabby. I'm sorry to say but his day is done at the Villa. 3 years of just general shite and he seems to be getting worse. His running with the ball is horrific and cant get away from defenders as easy anymore either. Without that he has nothing really. Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
More or less how I see it Brontebilly. Excellent well thought out post!
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Watching the BBC highlights this morning it brought home to me how awful Holmans ball control is. He was on for a chance just outside of their area lost the ball and they went straight up the far end and Guzan made one of several saves.
I watched Swansea beating Arsenal and saw exactly the style of play I was expecting under Paul Lambert....from Swansea that is.
I know you cant get a good impression from the highlights but we do look very average at times.
We have four players Benteke,Guzan,Baker, and Lowton who have Premiership quality in my opinion and seven triers making up that team.
Plus Bent who is top quality but it would seem not wanted by our manager.
Mr Lambert I would like us to play like Swansea do . Hopefully you will have a few pence come your way in Jan to buy some technically gifted players that your staff have identified abroad.
PS and get Robbie Keane back for another few months.
good goal from Holman but he has one of the worst first touches I have seen in a Villa player. For all his 'workrate' he is about as effective without the ball as Albrighton. Powder puff tackling and running around so much like a headless chicken that his legs are gone after an hour. I dont rate him in the slightest
Baker's distribution needs to improve a lot. Solid lad alright but panics in possession. If you watch even someone like West Brom their players take their time on the ball, feint to play it with the left buy yourself a second to play it with your right. Id have to question how good the coaching is at the academy considering how poor some of the recent graduates have been on the ball. It pisses me off how gutless frankly our players are with the ball. At once stage at the weekend, we put together about 10 passes back to front, suddenly someone played a half arsed pass to Clark, he had no option in front of him, didnt bother trying to run it out, back to Guzan. Guzan hoofed it mindlessly straight down to Green. Gary Neville the co-commentator said something like fair play to QPR, great pressure on Villa and forced the turnover. It was just Mackie running at Clark that forced us to cough up possession.
As for players good enough. Benteke obviously. Guzan is thriving at the moment. Lowton is improving nicely but still a good bit to go positionally. The naive defending from him for Park's chance at the weekend was hard to believe for example. But tidy on the ball. decent going forward and is going to improve I feel. Vlaar has been an upgrade on Cuellar and Collins. Not brilliant but a decent defender for sure. These are all Lambert's players in fairness.
Clark is a decent defender but whether he is good enough for a decent Villa side is another matter. Baker is better than Clark physically but not as good on the ball. Only one of them is ultimately going to make it at a left sided centre half regular at the club. Question marks over very single defender on the roster. 3 - Dunne, Warnock and Hutton have probably played their last games for the club. Lichaj is a backup player but at right back only. Desperate player on the ball. Stevens isnt as strong a defender as Lichaj but is decent on the ball and has proved adequate backup thus far. Bennett has had a very slow start but early days for him yet.
Westwood had a very good first half yesterday and to be fair you can see he tries to make himself available for the pass and keep it moving to a colleague. He needs a far better player next to him though as he doesnt have presence and wont deliver goals. Bannan, Delph, Holman, Weimann, Kea, Albrighton, Herd, Ireland, Nzogbia - much of a muchness between any of them. Neither of them have nailed down a spot in a poor side. Ireland is the most talented but his wage packet seems to be influencing Lambert keeping him out I think. Then again he isnt good enough to be a luxury player in a decent team. really. What assists or goals does he deliver? Nice and tidy in possession but never in an area that hurts a side. Would be great if Nzogbia rediscovered his form when he comes back but what would be the level of confidence on here that he will - 20%? Then again wasnt too long Redknapp was trying to farm Gareth Bale out on loan to Nottm Forest so you never know. Midfield is by far our weakest area, Lambert doesnt seem to know what formation he wants there but we need better players if we are going to progress.
Up front, the penny surely has to drop with Gabby. I'm sorry to say but his day is done at the Villa. 3 years of just general shite and he seems to be getting worse. His running with the ball is horrific and cant get away from defenders as easy anymore either. Without that he has nothing really. Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
easily the best post on this thread, nail on head billy mate
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Yep, spot+on.
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I agree with most of that but would say the following:
Ireland - really like him even though I know he's inconsistent. I still think that utilised properly he's a major asset for us.
KEA - underwhelming
Weimann - isn't a midfielder, so a bit unfair lumping him in. He's an out and out striker being asked to play an unfamiliar role.
N'Zogbia - one of the worst buys we've ever had.
But we absolutely do need more goals from midfield. When we used to have the likes of Milner, Young and even Downing weighing in with at least half a dozen goals exah season, it makes a huge difference. Milner for example, would have buried that chance that KEA fluffed at the end of the game.
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Interesting post, Billy, and here's the Guardian's post-weekend review (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/02/qpr-aston-villa-premier-league-report?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29) (mainly QPR-centric but gives the context to a difficult game for us; they praise us for holding back the Redknapp tidal wave).
I disagree that Lambert is still floundering for his best MF formation. It seems that he has settleed on a 3-man MF, with the flexibility to change the format up front and / or at the back (as he did on Saturday).
The issue that you've raised is much more about the quality of personnel available to him; and no one on here is going to disagree that we currently look light on quality. Lambert's taken a calculated risk that by not buying proven EPL players but rather by giving young potentials their head he can develop a squad that will grow together and become a useful EPL outfit.
It's a valid strategy if he gets the raw material right; which in many cases, he is.
The problem with the strategy is that we're relying on unreliable experienced players. With the exception of Guzan and Vlaar, our so-called experienced players are a bit 'in and out' (i.e. KEA, Holman, Gabby, Ireland, Bent, Charles).
Our challenge is not the kids, it's the older players who are not stamping their authority on games.
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Interesting post, Billy, and here's the Guardian's post-weekend review (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/02/qpr-aston-villa-premier-league-report?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29) (mainly QPR-centric but gives the context to a difficult game for us; they praise us for holding back the Redknapp tidal wave).
I disagree that Lambert is still floundering for his best MF formation. It seems that he has settleed on a 3-man MF, with the flexibility to change the format up front and / or at the back (as he did on Saturday).
The issue that you've raised is much more about the quality of personnel available to him; and no one on here is going to disagree that we currently look light on quality. Lambert's taken a calculated risk that by not buying proven EPL players but rather by giving young potentials their head he can develop a squad that will grow together and become a useful EPL outfit.
It's a valid strategy if he gets the raw material right; which in many cases, he is.
The problem with the strategy is that we're relying on unreliable experienced players. With the exception of Guzan and Vlaar, our so-called experienced players are a bit 'in and out' (i.e. KEA, Holman, Gabby, Ireland, Bent, Charles).
Our challenge is not the kids, it's the older players who are not stamping their authority on games.
Very true. Jan is key. Signing a couple of older heads in key areas could make the difference. They've got to be right. If PL can find us a bit of midfield magic akin to Bentekes level of quality then that would also be a very good move for us.
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Good post though I hope people aren't going to take to using the word "roster" instead of squad.
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Good post though I hope people aren't going to take to using the word "roster" instead of squad.
We gotta little thing here at Aston Villa soccer club brother called freedom of speech, and if somebody wants to call it a roster instead of a squad then it's their god given right man!
:)
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KEA - He started the season as our most consistent outfield player I'd say and now it's like a cooling off period where it seems to be catching up with him a bit. Like Eden Hazard I suppose.
It wouldn't suprise me if his performances improve again after Christmas but we'll see.
I honestly dont understand Ireland not starting recently. Yes he can drift out of a game now and then but his quality is essential in finding our forward players and keeping hold of the ball. What he and Westwood do well is show for the ball and move it on. Its the other midfielder that would complete this. The one we're hopefully going to get in January. The ball winning midfield tyrant who bosses a game.
The likes of KEA, Bannan and Delph are reasonable support.
I'd like to see Gardner stay injury free for a spell in the team when he gets back too but he's just more like Westwood and Ireland. We need a Vieira.
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Is KEA going to the African Nations in January?
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Is KEA going to the African Nations in January?
Hopefully :)
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We do seem to look better with Ireland in the game , eg Reading at home.
Not getting any match time on Saturday was another strange decision , as eveytime KEA gets the ball I start to worry.
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Is KEA going to the African Nations in January?
I'd happily drive him there
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A bit harsh no? He's hardly a liability.
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A bit harsh no? He's hardly a liability.
No, he's just had a bit of a poor run.
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I think its giving the ball away for me or giving a silly free kick away .
Is better than Makoun ? we will never know.
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I think KEA did pretty well against QPR when he came on with Delph and I can see why Lambert brought him in instead of Ireland. KEA is more suitable to play deeper and playing for both directions than Ireland, and Lambert probably thought we need two players in midfield who can work more defensively since we were getting hammered in midfield and it worked - we got back in game and took the midfield after the subs.
Bringing in Ireland instead of either Delph or KEA might've given us an edge to win but might have been too risky since Ireland plays in lot higher on the pitch than both of them.
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Watching the game on Saturday it occurred that what the midfield is lacking most is a player to run beyond the man with the ball and the strikers. A role well suited to Gary Gardner when fit.
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He is very good at timing runs into the opponents box.
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i have been waiting to see this all action midfielder Gardener, he has been a bit of a dissapointment, no where near PL level based on appearances so far.
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Maybe because he's been either injured or brought in to a struggling team in the wrong position?
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i have been waiting to see this all action midfielder Gardener, he has been a bit of a dissapointment, no where near PL level based on appearances so far.
I wouldn't necessarily disagree, I'm a massive fan based on his games in the youth team and stiffs but he hasn't cut the mustard at first team level. I'm as certain as I can be that he will do though given time.
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What is deeply worrying of course is Benteke losing his form. He has kept his performance level high so far. The law of averages says he will go of the boil sooner or later due to the responsibility he takes up front or injuries will take their toll.
As Mr Lambert may sell Darren Bent next month for whatever reason I hope he has identified a big centre forward of some premiership experience who can fill in while Bentekes out. One that can score goals. Its a big ask!
Or perhaps he has another system in mind?
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Why must he have Premier League experience? Benteke didn't.
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He doesn't need to have PL experience as long as we've done our homework and with our new scouting set up and value for money abroad, I doubt any targets will.
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Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
Could be worth adding to the Bent conspiracy theories. Perhaps the injuries have taken their toll, and Bent has lost his pace, and Lambert is trying to keep it covered up before he is offloaded in Jan.
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Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
Could be worth adding to the Bent conspiracy theories. Perhaps the injuries have taken their toll, and Bent has lost his pace, and Lambert is trying to keep it covered up before he is offloaded in Jan.
Must admit that did cross my mind when watching him earlier in the season. He looked very sluggish and could hardly jump, but that might have been because he missed a large chunk of pre season.
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Wasnt too long ago Bent was front runner to be partnering Rooney at the Euros. Guess we dont know if that injury he had has finished him a bit like JPA but he would add more on one leg than Gabby anyway.
Could be worth adding to the Bent conspiracy theories. Perhaps the injuries have taken their toll, and Bent has lost his pace, and Lambert is trying to keep it covered up before he is offloaded in Jan.
The thought had crossed my mind.
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A bit harsh no? He's hardly a liability.
On reflection perhaps, it's just the giving the ball away in key areas I get annoyed at, it's as if he's been to a Gavin McCann soccer camp.
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What is deeply worrying of course is Benteke losing his form. He has kept his performance level high so far. The law of averages says he will go of the boil sooner or later due to the responsibility he takes up front or injuries will take their toll.
As Mr Lambert may sell Darren Bent next month for whatever reason I hope he has identified a big centre forward of some premiership experience who can fill in while Bentekes out. One that can score goals. Its a big ask!
Or perhaps he has another system in mind?
I think Bowery is the big type of forward that may be back up if benteke gets injured- lambert must have seen something in him he liked.
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What is deeply worrying of course is Benteke losing his form. He has kept his performance level high so far. The law of averages says he will go of the boil sooner or later due to the responsibility he takes up front or injuries will take their toll.
As Mr Lambert may sell Darren Bent next month for whatever reason I hope he has identified a big centre forward of some premiership experience who can fill in while Bentekes out. One that can score goals. Its a big ask!
Or perhaps he has another system in mind?
I think Bowery is the big type of forward that may be back up if benteke gets injured- lambert must have seen something in him he liked.
Pretty risky back-up plan, unless Lambert has seen something that no other EPL manager has re Bowery. It's possible but ...
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unless Lambert has seen something that no other EPL manager has re Bowery. It's possible but ...
Which is what could be said of any player that any PL manager signs.....
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We have no idea if Lambert is the only Premier League manager to have seen something in Lowery. For all we know he might be highly rated by half-a-dozen who don't need to take a chance on a back-up centre-forward and another half-a-dozen who didn't think they could compete for his signature with the Villa.
Sounds like talking us down with very little evidence to me.
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it was also a game we could of won
If you fancy yourself as a writer, you might want to avoid shite like this.
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it was also a game we could of won
If you fancy yourself as a writer, you might want to avoid shite like this.
He's just posting in the local vernacular. Bit like Irvine Welsh.
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i have been waiting to see this all action midfielder Gardener, he has been a bit of a dissapointment, no where near PL level based on appearances so far.
I wouldn't necessarily disagree, I'm a massive fan based on his games in the youth team and stiffs but he hasn't cut the mustard at first team level. I'm as certain as I can be that he will do though given time.
Think he is injured and out for some time?