Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on November 01, 2013, 05:37:42 PM
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Available Saturday 2.11.13 @5.45pm.
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Poor turgid uninspiring game between two poor teams - thank god there are a few other bad sides below us in the table .
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Utter garbage.
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Too many of these games now for my liking....something isn't right.
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Glass half-full verdict: another clean sheet.
Glass half-empty verdict: another performance TSM would have been proud of.
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Is this the height of our ambition?
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I can take us being crap, but it's being comfortable with it that grates. Horrible match.
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Shit.
Absolutely clueless. Lucky to walk away with a point after all that.
Strikers need to take their damn chances and our midfield needs to actually work hard with and without the ball.
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4 games without a goal is completely unacceptable. We were set up negatively today and were devoid of any quality. We'll get the normal thing of 'the lads put in 100% effort', but I'm afraid that's not enough at this level you need quality as well and our midfield offers nothing. Only positives are we didn't concede or lose, but that was very very poor.
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Another game we got more points than the same fixture last season. Nice away point. Have it.
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Will any of that actually make MOTD. Utter, utter pants
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I didn't see any of the game, however based on comments we weren't exactly Brazil 1970. On the plus side, another clean sheet and i'm not devastated with a point at West Ham.
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We'll that sounded like a load of shite, even if we could have nicked it. Four games without a goal. And I really don't like the 532. Would be a better result if we were winning at home at the moment
Let's hope we get gabby and a proper left back fit again ASAP, never mind Delph. I think the latter is illness not injury?
Anyway, I refuse to let villa ruin any more of my weekend. Off to watch some proper football in the arsenal - Liverpool game.
Funny to think that I thought we'd be inconsistent, maddening but exciting this season. Not so far!
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Poor,Poor,Poor. no bite in midfield. No idea why KEA was on the field for
what he did. Still at least we got a point
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Shockingly dull.
Only positive thing of note from that piss poor performance was the exceptional vocal support from the Villa fans.
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We'll that sounded like a load of shite, even if we could have nicked it. Four games without a goal. And I really don't like the 532. Would be a better result if we were winning at home at the moment
Let's hope we get gabby and a proper left back fit again ASAP, never mind Delph. I think the latter is illness not injury?
Anyway, I refuse to let villa ruin any more of my weekend. Off to watch some proper football in the arsenal - Liverpool game.
Funny to think that I thought we'd be inconsistent, maddening but exciting this season. Not so far!
We're everything you said. Bar the excitement.
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We would have (and did) lose those games last season. That's the only silver lining for me.
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Glass half full:
A classic away point - soaked up lots of pressure; clean sheet; couple of chances to have nicked all three points.
Glass half empty:
Alarming lack of quality; poor ball retention; little creativity; general air of mediocrity.
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we need two or three midfield options in January, one at least that is not only different than what we have but significantly better to create things. Broken record, but it's critical now. We didn't look in much danger, becoming more solid, but in doing so predictable and rather boring. I suppose that might be the natural transition from last season.
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Available Saturday 2.11.13 @5.45pm.
Technically, 5.45 finishes never happen anymore. 5.51 perhaps /pedant
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Well, we didn't lose. There are lots of words to describe us at the moment. Crap, clueless, awful, incompetent, shite, etc. But the word that keeps creeping into my head is 'dreary'. We've become a rain-dashed cobbled back street in Burnley; a dusty beige curtain in a motel; a bag of stale rice cakes at the back of the fridge; a brown Morris Marina, without the vinyl roof and radio. We're as dreary a team as any I've seen.
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I'm starting to have a horrible feeling we won't win the league this season.
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Available Saturday 2.11.13 @5.45pm.
Technically, 5.45 finishes never happen anymore. 5.51 perhaps /pedant
@ (approx.)
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Another clean sheet - Good stuff.
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Woeful.
Two shots on target, one corner and second best throughout against a toothless West Ham. Two great chances, both not taken
And this is our so called 'easy' period
On the plus side, the defence were ok, just a shame it took 5 of them to keep a clean sheet against a team playing with Kevin Nolan as a makeshift striker
Very very poor. I mumbled to myself half way though 'i wouldn't pay to watch this shit' then realised i am going next week. Oh hum
No different to the garbage served up under McLeish no matter how much we try to kid ourselves. And that will have made another mockery of Lambert's we aren't a long ball side
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Another point away to a mid-table team. We didn'tplay well but didn't lose. I'll take it but expect improvement.
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Like Hull,it's a game we would have lost last year for sure. Performance sounded like it was disappointing but you can never complain about a point away from home. We really need to start picking up some points at home ASAP.
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Brad was great and we do look more solid at the back.
The midfield are as poor as I ever remember us, nothing attacking about any of them, no spark, no shots, overlaps, close encounters of the goal kind, nothing. The problem is, there's is no more potential in them either, they are what they are going be, utter avegareness.
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Every bit as uninspiring as the worst shite served up under TSM.
We look like a team actively set up not to try and win the game.
Flipping hell, we have had some really, really shit midfields over the last few years.
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Just not happening for Benteke. Chances today and against Everton and Spurs.
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I know its all opinions but I am surprised by the reactions here. if a team had come and done that to us at Villa park we would have called them "solid, well organised, came to stifle us and did." I was pleased Lambert decided to play more conservatively away.
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Down side - awful ball retention, hardly any creativity, not really looking any better than last season in this spell of matches in that sense, two pass maximum in operation prior to losing ball.
Up side - defended well, seeing West Ham had the ball almost constantly.
Suspect less goal shy sides would have made it much harder, though.
Watching us of late isn't much fun.
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The two Benteke chances will no doubt be used by Lambert to illustrate how "dangerous and attacking" we were. I hope he only says these things to keep the public perception as bright as possible. Surely he has some plan in mind to make us use the ball better. He can't really believe we're anything more than bog-average.
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Quelle toss.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Lambert really likes three at the back and is oblivious to the fact that it actually becomes 5, who get more work than they should because we have real problems in midfield.
I'd be a bit happier with the point if it actually meant something. Unless things really go nipples up it won't.
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Clueless, gutless and Lambert not sure what he is bringing to the table, Kozak why just why, more of the same mediocre championship players and that is where we will end up if we do not supplement with some quality. West Ham shite thank god for that
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I'm starting to have a horrible feeling we won't win the league this season.
Might still scrape in to the CL places - we have beaten 2 of the teams currently in the top 4!
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So long as I can see progress, I won't complain.
Not much of a spectacle, but we look like we have a bit more resolve about us this season.
Some games, you just have to grind out a result. Particularly against sides managed by Sam Allthepies.
That said, I hope we recapture some of our attacking verve pronto.
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I'm starting to have a horrible feeling we won't win the league this season.
Might still scrape in to the CL places - we have beaten 2 of the teams currently in the top 4!
We're lulling everyone into a false sense of security.
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I didn't see any of the game, however based on comments we weren't exactly Brazil 1970. On the plus side, another clean sheet and i'm not devastated with a point at West Ham.
Agreed. I'd call that a bread and butter kind of point. We are clearly becoming a harder team to beat than last season which suggests, defensively, we are improving. If this season turns out to be another step along the road towards us developing into a top side again I'll take these types of points.
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It could be worse, we could be in the bottom 3 of the championship.
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Sodding typical. You get the one end of the pitch sorted out and the other one goes to pot.
It's going to take some time before we're as good as we want to be again and not all of us will have the patience for it.
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Another positive is that we are pretty regularly getting better results than we did in the same fixtures last season.
(http://grammagood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/glass-half-full.jpg)
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0-0 draws away from home are fine ....
If we're taking points at Home.
Ohh, wait a minute ...
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It could be worse, we could be in the bottom 3 of the championship.
And they haven't lost 10 points for going into administration yet!
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On the plus side that's a really good point, another improvement on last seasons results and a rare clean sheet. We aren't shelling goals as much and we never seem to do well there.
On the bad side, that was a horrific match to watch and most of the summer money looks pissed down the pan.
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Fucking wank.
Not scored in four now.
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From what I saw today the ball retention was really poor. Playing that way against a side who expect to beat you is one thing, doing against a pile of shit like West Ham is frustrating. If we're going to play with wing backs you really need 1 of the midfielders to push on and link things up with the attack, for the half hour I watched it really looked like Benteke and Kozak were playing their own game up front. The problem was summed up by a long ball from Clark early in stoppage time where we'd made 7-8 passes around half way but with no one to link things up we ended up just throwing one into the mixer.
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Another positive is that we are pretty regularly getting better results than we did in the same fixtures last season.
(http://grammagood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/glass-half-full.jpg)
It's every one, isn't it?
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Positives - We lost there last season and got a clean sheet.
Negatives - Did we string more than three passes together?
Not pretty but next week is getting close to 'must win'.
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Playing a back 5 and three defensive midfielders is never likely to win many entertainment awards.
Agree with Jimbo on 'dreary'. No doubt Lambert will be delighted with the result, something along the lines of "the lads gave everything out there and I can't ask for anything more".
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Proud History no Future that was shite
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Another positive is that we are pretty regularly getting better results than we did in the same fixtures last season.
(http://grammagood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/glass-half-full.jpg)
It's every one, isn't it?
We've matched a few, but as far as I can remember we haven't had a worse result this season. Hull obviously can't be counted.
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Yes it can. A bonus point!
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Another positive is that we are pretty regularly getting better results than we did in the same fixtures last season.
(http://grammagood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/glass-half-full.jpg)
10 games so far - no result worse than corresponding fixtures last season (7 games) the other 3 games an extra 7 points. Average 1.1 a game - heading for 42 points....
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Yes it can. A bonus point!
Draw, draw and a win against the relegated three. So we matched it! Yay!
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Absolutely appalling again, but you know what I'll take a point down there.
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All I can say is I've been with a mate to Man City v Norwich...
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I'm glad we didn't lose.
Everything else was fairly dreadful.
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Its going to be a long hard struggle for the rest of the season with Lambert telling us 'We're doing just fine' . Im glad he thinks so.
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Zero creativity in midfield for about the 3rd season in a row. How can we have failed to score in 6 out of 10 games?
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We didn't lose. Losing that one would have been a disaster.
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1. Results have to come first, decent result.
2. Clean sheets away from home as well, something we were crying out for.
3. Better results than last season on all (?) games so far. Well that can't be a bad thing.
Ok we are not playing like Barca right now and home form is poor, so those can be numbers 4 & 5 on the list. I think we are going about it in the right order.
January, a creative midfielder has just got to be way way way on top of the list though.
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The 5-3-2 really isn't formation we can play and hope to win with the players at our disposal.
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Yes it can. A bonus point!
I laughed hard at that because I imagined Lambert saying it: 'we got a bonus point 'n all this season, we are going fine'.
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Anyway, I refuse to let villa ruin any more of my weekend. Off to watch some proper football in the arsenal - Liverpool game
Fill your boots then.
I must have been hallucinating when I saw us put 3 past Arsenal. Thank fuck they were playing proper football though, otherwise it must have been a dream sequence.
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I'll just be relieved to dodge a 4th relegation struggle in a row with some signs of the team gelling.
Injuries do not help. Weimann has apparently done his hamstring.
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7 years on from Lerner's takeover and we've achieved nothing. We had better years under Deadly Doug's reign. Bright future?.. a joke!!
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Anyway, I refuse to let villa ruin any more of my weekend. Off to watch some proper football in the arsenal - Liverpool game
Fill your boots then.
I must have been hallucinating when I saw us put 3 past Arsenal. Thank fuck they were playing proper football though, otherwise it must have been a dream sequence.
Eh? We played very well that day. I don't see how that makes today's performance any better though. And I don't see why I should feel ashamed about liking watching good teams play football either, thanks.
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7 years on from Lerner's takeover and we've achieved nothing. We had better years under Deadly Doug's reign. Bright future?.. a joke!!
I think we spent so much time wanting Doug out we are giving Randy too much 'benefit of the doubt'. The club has just stank of paralysis for a long time. Even in MON's last season you could sense we were a bit rudderless.
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Gone from scoring a fair few last season but conceding buckets to keeping clean sheets but sacrificing our attacking threat. If Benteke doesn't score we don't score. I don't even think of us long term anymore, its just on a week to week basis and whether the result is going to affect my weekend.
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given up on PL its not working players not good enough for the prem utter shite
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First off I'm happy with the point, and a reasonably resolute defensive display away from home.
But that's about as positive as it gets...
Paul Lambert will point to another like for like improvement on last season's corresponding result I'm sure, but it's such a shame he has abandoned everything that we found exciting last year in order to achieve it. Im sure Alex McLeish will be salivating at the crafty way he s managed to shoehorn not one, not two, but THREE defensive midfielders in front of a back five for the entire game but I doubt many supporters would be appreciative.
Our attacking play is continually woeful. You can count on the fingers of one hand the passes we are capable of making in the opposition half before a rapists touch or misdirected pass will give up possession cheaply. Not occasionally, but time after time after time.
Are our players all so untalented? Or are they struggling to retain the ball because the options to offload it dont present themselves? Either way, it needs to be worked on.
Thought Bacuna did well at left back, thought Lowton struggled defensively but his delivery from deep crosses is a useful weapon, we've missed that.
KEA was found wanting, and Westwood continues amaze me by being completely anonymous.
In other news, we're crying out for width blah blah blah etc etc
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The stats may say we've improved on the relevant fixtures from last season but watching us today I'm hard pressed to say that's a team which has come on leaps and bounds. In fact today we looked worse coming forward and in possession. We did look more in control at the back but then again we had five there against pretty much fuck all from West Ham.
But it's more than that. We just looked so... ordinary.
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Clicky (http://www.101greatgoals.com/goals/england/west-ham-play-out-a-goalless-draw-with-aston-villa/)
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Zero creativity in midfield for about the 3rd season in a row. How can we have failed to score in 6 out of 10 games?
3rd season in a row that our squad is beginning to look very threadbare and weak as we approach Christmas.
Edit - make that 4th season in a row.
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Currently our passing simply isn't good enough.
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From Pravda:
Paul Lambert felt his side could have snuck the three points at Upton Park - but he was also more than satisfied with the draw.
Lambert pointed to clear-cut chances for forwards Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann during the 90 minutes.
But Villa boss Lambert was happy to leave the capital with the 0-0 result, considering the determined nature of the opposition and his own team's injury list.
He said: "I thought in terms of chances, we had the better ones.
"Christian had two in the second half and Andi had one in the first half.
"I think we had the best chances.
"It was always going to be difficult because it's a physical game but all credit to the team.
"Considering the injuries we have, I thought we stood up to a man and competed brilliantly.
"I was delighted with the lads because of their attitude. It was a clean sheet too. Last season, that might have been a game that would have got away from us.
"But the resilience I thought was excellent.
"They have come on leaps and bounds. We have started the season pretty decent considering the games we've had.
"It's another massive point for us away from home. It's a big point for us. The resilience and attitude, I don't have a problem.
"If we keep going we will have a good year."
Lambert was somewhat aggrieved by Ravel Morrison's challenge on Andreas Weimann in the first half, with the pace ace through on goal before being tugged back.
Lambert felt it was a clear foul although he accepted the decision of referee Howard Webb was made in good faith.
He added: "I saw it. I had a good chat with Howard. I had my view. Howard has his.
"I respect him because it's a difficult job. But I certainly think there was a tug on him.
"But Howard called it. Andi isn't a lad to stop when he's through."
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From Pravda:
Paul Lambert felt his side could have snuck the three points at Upton Park - but he was also more than satisfied with the draw.
Lambert pointed to clear-cut chances for forwards Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann during the 90 minutes.
But Villa boss Lambert was happy to leave the capital with the 0-0 result, considering the determined nature of the opposition and his own team's injury list.
He said: "I thought in terms of chances, we had the better ones.
"Christian had two in the second half and Andi had one in the first half.
"I think we had the best chances.
"It was always going to be difficult because it's a physical game but all credit to the team.
"Considering the injuries we have, I thought we stood up to a man and competed brilliantly.
"I was delighted with the lads because of their attitude. It was a clean sheet too. Last season, that might have been a game that would have got away from us.
"But the resilience I thought was excellent.
"They have come on leaps and bounds. We have started the season pretty decent considering the games we've had.
"It's another massive point for us away from home. It's a big point for us. The resilience and attitude, I don't have a problem.
"If we keep going we will have a good year."
Lambert was somewhat aggrieved by Ravel Morrison's challenge on Andreas Weimann in the first half, with the pace ace through on goal before being tugged back.
Lambert felt it was a clear foul although he accepted the decision of referee Howard Webb was made in good faith.
He added: "I saw it. I had a good chat with Howard. I had my view. Howard has his.
"I respect him because it's a difficult job. But I certainly think there was a tug on him.
"But Howard called it. Andi isn't a lad to stop when he's through."
The effort might be ok, but the quality definitely hasn't come on leaps and bounds and it has to improve.
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Wasnt even a foul for me. Thought Weimann was done for pace and had to lean into the defender in order to keep ahead. Looked like he just lost his balance to be honest.
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Come on in leaps and bounds - oh dear - how depressing if he really believes that :(
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That is quite possibly the worst midfield we have put onto a pitch in a long long time. Individually, none of these players are good enough for the Premier League, collectively they offer next to nothing going forward. Can't fault the effort, but you get what you pay for & we pay next to fuck all. We have less quality than we had a year ago & granted the quality we had was seriously suspect, we needed quality and experience. I don't expect us to do any business in January.
With a bit of luck we'll scrape through the season, but it's painful to watch. Surely we can't be that skint we can't afford some experience / quality?
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Come on in leaps and bounds - oh dear - how depressing if he really believes that :(
If he means from a defensive perspective he's right, but from an attacking perspective we have gone badly backwards.
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Anyway, I refuse to let villa ruin any more of my weekend. Off to watch some proper football in the arsenal - Liverpool game
Fill your boots then.
I must have been hallucinating when I saw us put 3 past Arsenal. Thank fuck they were playing proper football though, otherwise it must have been a dream sequence.
Eh? We played very well that day. I don't see how that makes today's performance any better though. And I don't see why I should feel ashamed about liking watching good teams play football either, thanks.
Who said you should feel ashamed? I didn't. If you're cheered up by watching Arsenal play Liverpool, have at it.
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Only saw the last half hour, but that was enough. Many of our forward passes were 'kick in the general direction of a team mate and hope it reaches him', which a good deal of the time it didn't. Cue several minutes of defending and trying to win the ball back. Then repeat the exercise. Dire stuff to watch.
Losing at home and playing for a draw away is not necessarily a good strategy.
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That is quite possibly the worst midfield we have put onto a pitch in a long long time. Individually, none of these players are good enough for the Premier League, collectively they offer next to nothing going forward. Can't fault the effort, but you get what you pay for & we pay next to fuck all. We have less quality than we had a year ago & granted the quality we had was seriously suspect, we needed quality and experience.
Quite agree.
Please can we take off those 'young and hungry' blinkers this January.
Im not for a minute suggesting we should sign these two, but I thought both Stewart Downing and Joe Cole gave examples of what we miss today.
Its that little bit of knowhow, the extra bit of class, the weighted first touch that gives you the space to get a shot away.
Things you just dont find in the English third division.
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That is quite possibly the worst midfield we have put onto a pitch in a long long time. Individually, none of these players are good enough for the Premier League, collectively they offer next to nothing going forward. Can't fault the effort, but you get what you pay for & we pay next to fuck all. We have less quality than we had a year ago & granted the quality we had was seriously suspect, we needed quality and experience.
Quite agree.
Please can we take off those 'young and hungry' blinkers this January.
Im not for a minute suggesting we should sign these two, but I thought both Stewart Downing and Joe Cole gave examples of what we miss today.
Its that little bit of knowhow, the extra bit of class, the weighted first touch that gives you the space to get a shot away.
Things you just dont find in the English third division.
Downing cost WHU more than our 3 CM ..there's your problem right there.
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Wasn't it interesting that the one time we actually passed the ball Benteke hit the bar? Every game we have like that, with shite passing and a slightly cowardly attitude on the ball, we tend to have one move or even spell in the game where we pass it and look good. Perhaps we could look at those times and attempt to replicate it for longer than 3 minutes a game.
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That is quite possibly the worst midfield we have put onto a pitch in a long long time. Individually, none of these players are good enough for the Premier League, collectively they offer next to nothing going forward. Can't fault the effort, but you get what you pay for & we pay next to fuck all. We have less quality than we had a year ago & granted the quality we had was seriously suspect, we needed quality and experience.
Quite agree.
Please can we take off those 'young and hungry' blinkers this January.
Im not for a minute suggesting we should sign these two, but I thought both Stewart Downing and Joe Cole gave examples of what we miss today.
Its that little bit of knowhow, the extra bit of class, the weighted first touch that gives you the space to get a shot away.
Things you just dont find in the English third division.
Downing cost WHU more than our 3 CM ..there's your problem right there.
I know what you're saying, but let's also not forget that Downing cost less than our new bench warming centre forward.
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Wasn't it interesting that the one time we actually passed the ball Benteke hit the bar? Every game we have like that, with shite passing and a slightly cowardly attitude on the ball, we tend to have one move or even spell in the game where we pass it and look good. Perhaps we could look at those times and attempt to replicate it for longer than 3 minutes a game.
What did my nut in today was how often we'd play two passes and then what would be at best a 50/50 ball, usually long.
Like you said, today, we finally put together a passing move and nearly score.
That is exactly what happened against Man City and it culminated in KEA's goal.
Ultimately, some of the players really need to start to up their game or be replaced with others more capable of passing. I know I have just mentioned a goal of his, but KEA is really the epitome of an "all fart, no shit" player.
Swans around with that air of "look at me, I'm a playmaker" about him, looking the part as he drifts into space, but provides nothing for weeks and weeks on end.
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Downing had a good game for them today. No doubt. Still he is miles away from being a quality player in my opinion.
I would be more depressed if we were buying over priced Premier League workmen versus taking gambles in cheap lower league/imports at least you can get the odd pleasant surprise the latter way.
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didn't see the game today,
SO how did Sylla get on as I know a lot of people were calling for him in the team ?
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Wasn't it interesting that the one time we actually passed the ball Benteke hit the bar? Every game we have like that, with shite passing and a slightly cowardly attitude on the ball, we tend to have one move or even spell in the game where we pass it and look good. Perhaps we could look at those times and attempt to replicate it for longer than 3 minutes a game.
Completely agree, you'd think any analysis of the game would show that. That move was really good and nearly created a goal, I've said it so many times we are at our best when we pass the ball. We are rubbish when we go long.
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Wasn't it interesting that the one time we actually passed the ball Benteke hit the bar? Every game we have like that, with shite passing and a slightly cowardly attitude on the ball, we tend to have one move or even spell in the game where we pass it and look good. Perhaps we could look at those times and attempt to replicate it for longer than 3 minutes a game.
What did my nut in today was how often we'd play two passes and then what would be at best a 50/50 ball, usually long.
Like you said, today, we finally put together a passing move and nearly score.
That is exactly what happened against Man City and it culminated in KEA's goal.
Ultimately, some of the players really need to start to up their game or be replaced with others more capable of passing. I know I have just mentioned a goal of his, but KEA is really the epitome of an "all fart, no shit" player.
Swans around with that air of "look at me, I'm a playmaker" about him, looking the part as he drifts into space, but provides nothing for weeks and weeks on end.
Yep there are too many players who aren't justifying their selection. That passing movement that led to the Benteke header against the crossbar should show that when we pass and move we're a threat. As soon as we go direct we're hopeless.
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didn't see the game today,
SO how did Sylla get on as I know a lot of people were calling for him in the team ?
His performance showed why Lambert has overlooked him so far, painfully out of his depth, along with the rest of the midfield.
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didn't see the game today,
SO how did Sylla get on as I know a lot of people were calling for him in the team ?
Pretty average. Had a few simple touches, disappeared for bits of the game, made some good cut outs at the back. Although he ran a lot, it was often to where the ball had been not to where it was, so he just trailed it around a bit. Definitely needed the game time.
5/10
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Wasn't it interesting that the one time we actually passed the ball Benteke hit the bar? Every game we have like that, with shite passing and a slightly cowardly attitude on the ball, we tend to have one move or even spell in the game where we pass it and look good. Perhaps we could look at those times and attempt to replicate it for longer than 3 minutes a game.
What did my nut in today was how often we'd play two passes and then what would be at best a 50/50 ball, usually long.
Like you said, today, we finally put together a passing move and nearly score.
That is exactly what happened against Man City and it culminated in KEA's goal.
Ultimately, some of the players really need to start to up their game or be replaced with others more capable of passing. I know I have just mentioned a goal of his, but KEA is really the epitome of an "all fart, no shit" player.
Swans around with that air of "look at me, I'm a playmaker" about him, looking the part as he drifts into space, but provides nothing for weeks and weeks on end.
He played very poorly today, but there have been games where he's clearly played better than Westwood in the same position. The problem today was the absence of Delph, which seemed to give the midfield a kind of collective energy enema. Then they really were all fart and no shit.
You and I have gone on about this for years, Paulie, but it's all about off-the-ball movement. Look at Arsenal right now - they never stop moving, all of them, looking for space and making their markers very confused about what to do. We're lucky if one of our players does that.
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Wasn't it interesting that the one time we actually passed the ball Benteke hit the bar? Every game we have like that, with shite passing and a slightly cowardly attitude on the ball, we tend to have one move or even spell in the game where we pass it and look good. Perhaps we could look at those times and attempt to replicate it for longer than 3 minutes a game.
What did my nut in today was how often we'd play two passes and then what would be at best a 50/50 ball, usually long.
Like you said, today, we finally put together a passing move and nearly score.
That is exactly what happened against Man City and it culminated in KEA's goal.
Ultimately, some of the players really need to start to up their game or be replaced with others more capable of passing. I know I have just mentioned a goal of his, but KEA is really the epitome of an "all fart, no shit" player.
Swans around with that air of "look at me, I'm a playmaker" about him, looking the part as he drifts into space, but provides nothing for weeks and weeks on end.
He played very poorly today, but there have been games where he's clearly played better than Westwood in the same position. The problem today was the absence of Delph, which seemed to give the midfield a kind of collective energy enema. Then they really were all fart and no shit.
You and I have gone on about this for years, Paulie, but it's all about off-the-ball movement. Look at Arsenal right now - they never stop moving, all of them, looking for space and making their markers very confused about what to do. We're lucky if one of our players does that.
I find it amazing that professional players at the top level are incapable of movement off the ball.
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Downing had a good game for them today. No doubt. Still he is miles away from being a quality player in my opinion.
I would be more depressed if we were buying over priced Premier League workmen versus taking gambles in cheap lower league/imports at least you can get the odd pleasant surprise the latter way.
Granted when you put it like that.
The point I'm making though is that EVERY player has his merits and weaknesses and so blindly discounting every player over 28 because they dont fit a 'policy' is daft. Its the blend that needs to be correct, surely. The kids at Man Utd would never have made the impact they did without Cantona, Keane and Schmeichel for example.
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We're not allowed to talk positively about watching the arsenal game apparently
On the positive side, just scan down tonight's league table and work out which teams we've played. Eight off the top and two off the bottom, carol, is the answer.
But we do need to start playing a lot better and carrying more goal threat if we're to win some of these upcoming games. I think there's a decent argument that the 4231 of last week worked pretty well for an hour. But with Weimann and gabby out the three in behind benteke would look pretty untested. Bacuna / helenius / Tonev? Not for me at the moment!
But a side of Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark Bennett - bacuna Westwood Delph Tonev - gabby - benteke
Looks a bit better, albeit with some weak links still!
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I don't see Bennett as a player who improves us much, and Tonev has hardly set the place alight.
I also don't know why we're not allowed to talk positively about watching the Arsenal game.
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We need a player in central midfield and an attacking wide player who are significantly better than what we have. That'll cost money, but it's the only way we'll improve in the long and short term.
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We're not allowed to talk positively about watching the arsenal game apparently
On the positive side, just scan down tonight's league table and work out which teams we've played. Eight off the top and two off the bottom, carol, is the answer.
But we do need to start playing a lot better and carrying more goal threat if we're to win some of these upcoming games. I think there's a decent argument that the 4231 of last week worked pretty well for an hour. But with Weimann and gabby out the three in behind benteke would look pretty untested. Bacuna / helenius / Tonev? Not for me at the moment!
But a side of Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark Bennett - bacuna Westwood Delph Tonev - gabby - benteke
Looks a bit better, albeit with some weak links still!
On the subject of goal threat gabby and Weimann have scored once between them this season so far.
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Just leaving euston, exceptionally busy out there. The queue at uptown park tube was ridiculous after the game and the obligatory pre-game a derailment of a train on the hammersmith and city line made the journey arduous and slow. No trains between Liverpool street and barking. What is it with trains etc on the weekends, is it all intentional to ruin peoples weekends, sort it Boris.
To cap things off I've gone into whistlestop at euston to try and get a few snifters on board for the journey back, robbing bastards want £3.49 for a 250ml can of Gordon's and tonic.
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4 games without a goal, that is dismal. I doubt we even had a drought like that in the TSM season. The problem is staring Lambert right in the face, he needs to act in January.
Overall a decent point but stating the bleeding obvious we really need a win and a few goals next weekend as things have gone flat in this season now.
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Downing had a good game for them today. No doubt. Still he is miles away from being a quality player in my opinion.
I would be more depressed if we were buying over priced Premier League workmen versus taking gambles in cheap lower league/imports at least you can get the odd pleasant surprise the latter way.
How about a mix of both?
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4 games without a goal, that is dismal. I doubt we even had a drought like that in the TSM season. The problem is staring Lambert right in the face, he needs to act in January.
Overall a decent point but stating the bleeding obvious we really need a win and a few goals next weekend as things have gone flat in this season now.
I agree and also the likes of Weimann, Agbonlahor and Westwood need to start performing or they must be dropped.
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
No left back, no Delph and no Gabby, so good point in the end.
Benteke played like Darren Bent today.
A positive, Nathan Baker is turning into a beast of a centre half, wins everything in the air.
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didn't see the game today,
SO how did Sylla get on as I know a lot of people were calling for him in the team ?
I think we have so many mediocre players in the squad at the moment, either by ability or form, that whoever is not in the team gets an instant elevation in perceived ability.
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I don't see Bennett as a player who improves us much, and Tonev has hardly set the place alight.
I also don't know why we're not allowed to talk positively about watching the Arsenal game.
I don't see Bennett as a player who improves us much, and Tonev has hardly set the place alight.
I also don't know why we're not allowed to talk positively about watching the Arsenal game.
I don't see Bennett as a player who improves us much, and Tonev has hardly set the place alight.
I also don't know why we're not allowed to talk positively about watching the Arsenal game.
Is rather Bennett at left back than bacuna having to play there
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The defence and midfield are average at best. doubt any of them would get into any of the top 10 prem sides. I can only see a bottom half finish again. just so boring and depressing
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4 games without a goal, that is dismal. I doubt we even had a drought like that in the TSM season. The problem is staring Lambert right in the face, he needs to act in January.
Overall a decent point but stating the bleeding obvious we really need a win and a few goals next weekend as things have gone flat in this season now.
I agree and also the likes of Weimann, Agbonlahor and Westwood need to start performing or they must be dropped.
Replace them with who? Bowery and Tonev.
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4 games without a goal, that is dismal. I doubt we even had a drought like that in the TSM season. The problem is staring Lambert right in the face, he needs to act in January.
Overall a decent point but stating the bleeding obvious we really need a win and a few goals next weekend as things have gone flat in this season now.
I agree and also the likes of Weimann, Agbonlahor and Westwood need to start performing or they must be dropped.
Replace them with who? Bowery and Tonev.
NZogbia?
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4 games without a goal, that is dismal. I doubt we even had a drought like that in the TSM season. The problem is staring Lambert right in the face, he needs to act in January.
Overall a decent point but stating the bleeding obvious we really need a win and a few goals next weekend as things have gone flat in this season now.
I agree and also the likes of Weimann, Agbonlahor and Westwood need to start performing or they must be dropped.
Replace them with who? Bowery and Tonev.
What a frightening thought.
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4 games without a goal, that is dismal. I doubt we even had a drought like that in the TSM season. The problem is staring Lambert right in the face, he needs to act in January.
Overall a decent point but stating the bleeding obvious we really need a win and a few goals next weekend as things have gone flat in this season now.
I agree and also the likes of Weimann, Agbonlahor and Westwood need to start performing or they must be dropped.
Replace them with who? Bowery and Tonev.
NZogbia?
Injured.
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
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I'm lucky I don't have far to travel home, I pity you season ticket holders that go home and away that have to watch that tripe most weeks. I can't see how that was a positive when we're so shit at home, the next few weeks are crucial and that was a game, against a poor side, that we should have won.
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I'm lucky I don't have far to travel home, I pity you season ticket holders that go home and away that have to watch that tripe most weeks. I can't see how that was a positive when we're so shit at home, the next few weeks are crucial and that was a game, against a poor side, that we should have won.
I would say it was game between 2 piss poor sides to be brutally honest!
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We have sadly become a very mediocre club, rich in history but at present so poor in quality, for me we are a fraction better than last season because of the experience gained by some of the young players in last seasons nightmare and not because of our summer signings which Okore and maybe Bacuna apart are very underwhelming, although we are prepared to spend a reasonable amount of cash as a total outlay I am guessing we are only prepared to pay 20k a week on new signings which omits premier league signings and possibly top championship players which leaves us shopping in Div 1 and in lower European leagues, if you pay peanuts and all that.
We have enough to stick around in the Premier league this season but if we continue to shop for additions in this way it will catch up with us in the end.
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didn't see the game today,
SO how did Sylla get on as I know a lot of people were calling for him in the team ?
I think we have so many mediocre players in the squad at the moment, either by ability or form, that whoever is not in the team gets an instant elevation in perceived ability.
Yep, these are my thoughts to
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
They were. Start of the game it was all singing slagging West Ham but got more positive as the game went on.
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I'm lucky I don't have far to travel home, I pity you season ticket holders that go home and away that have to watch that tripe most weeks. I can't see how that was a positive when we're so shit at home, the next few weeks are crucial and that was a game, against a poor side, that we should have won.
I would say it was game between 2 piss poor sides to be brutally honest!
You're right, but what better chance to beat someone when they're shit too.
When I popped it to a pub in old street for a beer the barman was doing a betting slip, I said don't bet on the Villa, he said I know that game could go anyway of three ways, I looked at him in total silence waiting for him to smile but he just carried on looking at the fixture list, that and a comical moment when one of our lot purchased 5 £1 Umbrellas and tried to offer one to a drunk outside mecca bingo on the Barking road was the highlight of the day, He said "here you are love, keep the wind off" she shouts "stick it where the Fackin sun don't shine" and threw it into the air into an on coming group of Fans.
When the day is so shit its moments like that that make you realise why you keep going.
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Downing had a good game for them today. No doubt. Still he is miles away from being a quality player in my opinion.
I would be more depressed if we were buying over priced Premier League workmen versus taking gambles in cheap lower league/imports at least you can get the odd pleasant surprise the latter way.
Granted when you put it like that.
The point I'm making though is that EVERY player has his merits and weaknesses and so blindly discounting every player over 28 because they dont fit a 'policy' is daft. Its the blend that needs to be correct, surely. The kids at Man Utd would never have made the impact they did without Cantona, Keane and Schmeichel for example.
How about a mix of both?
True, a few vets would be fine.
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Downing had a good game for them today. No doubt. Still he is miles away from being a quality player in my opinion.
I would be more depressed if we were buying over priced Premier League workmen versus taking gambles in cheap lower league/imports at least you can get the odd pleasant surprise the latter way.
Granted when you put it like that.
The point I'm making though is that EVERY player has his merits and weaknesses and so blindly discounting every player over 28 because they dont fit a 'policy' is daft. Its the blend that needs to be correct, surely. The kids at Man Utd would never have made the impact they did without Cantona, Keane and Schmeichel for example.
True, a few vets would be fine.
Exactly - what manager has ever been successful by buying every single one of his 14 players none of whom have ever played in the division they are bought to play in?
The blend of youth and experience is sadly lacking .
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I am not going to freak out about the lack of creativity in recent games. Our cobra like strikes seem to have deserted us but at least the back line seems much less porous. However, Lambert commented earlier in the week that there was more to us than just counter attacking. Well anytime you want to show us that Paul please crack on. No bullshit please. The midfield has been a serious issue for a long time now.
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
They were. Start of the game it was all singing slagging West Ham but got more positive as the game went on.
I also heard one or two of our lot making a bit of noise during the minutes silence.
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I posted after Spurs how crap and defensive we were. Also whilst we want to win, football is an entertainment sport and we were verging on being totally boring a la McLeish. I didnt go against Everton and couldnt be ar5ed today to watch an internet link.
In summary, no quality, no entertainment, poor tactics and management. McLeish woud be slaughtered for this
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I agree totally with all those saying McLeish would be slaughtered. I thought we were dreadful today. KEA drives me mad, in my opinion he offers nothing at all. Weimann looks like he has put on a bit of weight, too many nights out in Birmingham if my cousin is to be believed as I know he sees him on a regular basis drinking in town. If Gabi doesn't play, or doesn't play well, we have no pace or penetration. We all know Benteke is going to be a great player but he will leave and so far this season he hasn't really done that much anyway
Lambert bought in a load of rubbish in the summer. Helenius and Tonev, neither has any pace, neither looks like delivering anything. We have no width at all which could easily have been addressed. I know that people will say McLeish wasted money on N'Zogbia for example but I would rather have him in the team right now if he wasn't injured. We would have been far better off had Lambert added one or two better quality signings than just filling out the squad with garbage. I'm very concerned this is our year for relegation. Norwich might be awful but they won't sit around and let Hughton lose too many more games. Lerner doesn't care so I can see us being the one to go with Sunderland and Palace
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Talking of wasted money, how much did we pay for Kozak ?
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
They were. Start of the game it was all singing slagging West Ham but got more positive as the game went on.
I also heard one or two of our lot making a bit of noise during the minutes silence.
There was a lot of singing on the concourse before the game and, to be honest walking up to my seat, I didn't realise they were having a minutes silence, people coming up still singing would have made it sound worse than it was, coupled with West Ham fans slagging them off you have a whole lot of noise.
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Talking of wasted money, how much did we pay for Kozak ?
£7.5m. Lazio must be pissing themselves.
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Highlight today was Wet Spam fans singing to an above average Villa fan Humpty Dumpty get back on your wall.
Still marvel hoe footballers cant pass to a team mate, ball retention was as bad as ever.
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It wasn't a good game today but I will happily take a point and a clean sheet because we was poor where I was seated they were trying to get everybody to sing some did some didn't bother.
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No improvement since TSM we are stuck with Lambert, Who could replace him if we got rid?
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It wasn't a good game today but I will happily take a point and a clean sheet because we was poor where I was seated they were trying to get everybody to sing some did some didn't bother.
Which row were you in, Darren?
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No improvement since TSM we are stuck with Lambert, Who could replace him if we got rid?
Let's see how the season pans out. Lambert's only been with us for just over a year, he's only just getting started.
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No improvement since TSM we are stuck with Lambert, Who could replace him if we got rid?
Let's see how the season pans out. Lambert's only been with us for just over a year, he's only just getting started.
Next season will be a big one for Lambert.
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I was behind enemy lines in the Alpari Stand ( west stand), I can confirm the villa end was in fine voice.
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cracking ball in from lowton for Benteke's chance. seems the only positive from the game.
agreed with others, that midfield trio are awful. Lambert signed the three of them too.
I dont buy the 'good point away from home" cliche. We are woeful at home and seemingly a lot better on the road. The performances at Hull and West Ham are unacceptable for me. I wouldnt have any more confidence beating either of those sides at home.
It really doesnt look good for us at the moment, Luna doesnt seem any better than Bennett, Okore out for the season, only Delph is of any use in midfield, with the exception of Bacuna none of our summer signings are adding anything, no goal threat or creativity in midfield, Gabby and Weimann are playing absolute muck, Nzogbia is out and Benteke isnt what he was last season.
If this continues the board will be under pressure to make a decision coming up to January.
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No improvement since TSM we are stuck with Lambert, Who could replace him if we got rid?
Let's see how the season pans out. Lambert's only been with us for just over a year, he's only just getting started.
Next season will be a big one for Lambert.
We were saying that last season about this one.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
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Why did he drop Delph?
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Why did he drop Delph?
He didn't he was ill
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
Define improvement? From what to what? 13th to 12th?
And obviously you have a number of suitable list of prospective candidates who can step and replace him Pray tell?
And of this number how many do you think Mr Faulkner and Mr Lerner would be interested in hiring? Assuming you don't rate the current incumbent -- do you trust PF and RL to hire someone better. Their track record in recruitment prior to Lambert has been suffice to say sub optimal.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
It's ok keep saying that it would be bad to appoint a new manager, but would it be much worse than having to watch the dross that is being served up at the moment? I'm not saying he should go yet, but when you look at the midfield and think they are all Lambert's signings, signings which I may hasten to add don't look like they have the potential to improve, where do you find hope in what he is doing?
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No improvement since TSM we are stuck with Lambert, Who could replace him if we got rid?
Let's see how the season pans out. Lambert's only been with us for just over a year, he's only just getting started.
Next season will be a big one for Lambert.
We were saying that last season about this one.
I don't see a contradiction.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
It's ok keep saying that it would be bad to appoint a new manager, but would it be much worse than having to watch the dross that is being served up at the moment? I'm not saying he should go yet, but when you look at the midfield and think they are all Lambert's signings, signings which I may hasten to add don't look like they have the potential to improve, where do you find hope in what he is doing?
Let's wait until he has something like a settled side for a start.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
It's ok keep saying that it would be bad to appoint a new manager, but would it be much worse than having to watch the dross that is being served up at the moment? I'm not saying he should go yet, but when you look at the midfield and think they are all Lambert's signings, signings which I may hasten to add don't look like they have the potential to improve, where do you find hope in what he is doing?
My point is that do you think either Lerner or Faulkner could identify an available alternative who would be an improvement.
Graham Taylor has oft said it takes 2-3 years for a manager to shape the team in their own image. If we have another 35 or more game relegation scrap as we had for 3 seasons then serious questions should be asked. I don't see us in that bracket this season.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
It's ok keep saying that it would be bad to appoint a new manager, but would it be much worse than having to watch the dross that is being served up at the moment? I'm not saying he should go yet, but when you look at the midfield and think they are all Lambert's signings, signings which I may hasten to add don't look like they have the potential to improve, where do you find hope in what he is doing?
My point is that do you think either Lerner or Faulkner could identify an available alternative who would be an improvement.
Graham Taylor has oft said it takes 2-3 years for a manager to shape the team in their own image. If we have another 35 or more game relegation scrap as we had for 3 seasons then serious questions should be asked. I don't see us in that bracket this season.
I don't trust them no. But there is shaping a good squad and shaping a squad filled with rubbish. At the moment I don't see that any of his summer signings with the exception of Bacuna are enhancing the squad. By now I think we would be seeing signs of a squad developing if you are taking Graham Taylor's 2-3 year thing seriously. If that squad was developing players like KEA wouldn't be getting anywhere near starting a game but because he bought so dreadfully this summer the squad is dismal and we still see KEA doing absolutely nothing for example. I'm not as anti Kozak as many on here but players like Helenius and Tonev for example were just a total waste of funds
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
It's ok keep saying that it would be bad to appoint a new manager, but would it be much worse than having to watch the dross that is being served up at the moment? I'm not saying he should go yet, but when you look at the midfield and think they are all Lambert's signings, signings which I may hasten to add don't look like they have the potential to improve, where do you find hope in what he is doing?
- Wins against Man City and Arsenal, near misses against Liverpool and Chelsea.
- Only 4 goals conceded in the last 4 league games - a big improvement on last year
- Benteke coming back to full fitness.
- Agbonlahor and Delph to come back into today's team, plus a recognised left-back.
- Clark and Delph having improved hugely on last year.
- Okore, albeit out for the rest of this season, having looked like a very astute buy.
No, everything's not perfect, far from it. But many reasons to find hope.
If asked what we had to do from last season to improve, most people would have said sort out the defence. There are signs of improvement there. The next step is to improve again going forward.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
Mid table or the 8 team relegation battle as it was last season?
Mid table to me means comfortably avoiding relegation, I see no evidence to suggest we will be anything but down in the thick of another relegation battle this season.
We are playing as bad at the moment as anything produced under McLeish.
I think Lambert made a real balls of things over the summer with some shocking signings and the promise shown at the end of last season has evaporated.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
Mid table or the 8 team relegation battle as it was last season?
Mid table to me means comfortably avoiding relegation, I see no evidence to suggest we will be anything but down in the thick of another relegation battle this season.
We are playing as bad at the moment as anything produced under McLeish.
I think Lambert made a real balls of things over the summer with some shocking signings and the promise shown at the end of last season has evaporated.
This is what I don't understand. We're awful, dreadful, appalling, doomed. And yet, a point away and no goals conceded in three away games is bad. You can't have it both ways.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
Mid table or the 8 team relegation battle as it was last season?
Mid table to me means comfortably avoiding relegation, I see no evidence to suggest we will be anything but down in the thick of another relegation battle this season.
We are playing as bad at the moment as anything produced under McLeish.
I think Lambert made a real balls of things over the summer with some shocking signings and the promise shown at the end of last season has evaporated.
This is what I don't understand. We're awful, dreadful, appalling, doomed. And yet, a point away and no goals conceded in three away games is bad. You can't have it both ways.
The point was welcome, but the performance was dreadful, again. I don't think that is a controversial viewpoint.
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[Mid table or the 8 team relegation battle as it was last season?
Mid table to me means comfortably avoiding relegation, I see no evidence to suggest we will be anything but down in the thick of another relegation battle this season.
So if we finished one place above the relegation zone in 17th, but 10-12 points clear of the next team, that would be mid-table according to your definition then?
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
Mid table or the 8 team relegation battle as it was last season?
Mid table to me means comfortably avoiding relegation, I see no evidence to suggest we will be anything but down in the thick of another relegation battle this season.
We are playing as bad at the moment as anything produced under McLeish.
I think Lambert made a real balls of things over the summer with some shocking signings and the promise shown at the end of last season has evaporated.
This is what I don't understand. We're awful, dreadful, appalling, doomed. And yet, a point away and no goals conceded in three away games is bad. You can't have it both ways.
Although no goals scored in four games isn't too clever. I don't think a point away at West Ham is ever going to be thought of as a "bad" result, not at all. And I also thought we defended very well today. That's a definite positive point.
We're not as awful as some are painting us out to be, that is definitely true.
We are, however, a pretty poor team at the moment. We create next to nothing, we don't pass the ball or keep it, and we don't fight to get it back, or move off it I hope it doesn't stay like that for too long, as I think a lot of us who have bought into the project will start to lose faith if it does.
I think basically it is just a bit frightening when we see performances so devoid of creativity, they could have come from the McLeish season.
It's like adopting a dog from an abusive home. He'll be largely alright and relaxed in his new environment, but every now and then, you'll cough unexpectedly, and he'll jump out of his skin. A reminder of what has happened in recent times.
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Benteke should have buried that header though.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
Mid table or the 8 team relegation battle as it was last season?
Mid table to me means comfortably avoiding relegation, I see no evidence to suggest we will be anything but down in the thick of another relegation battle this season.
We are playing as bad at the moment as anything produced under McLeish.
I think Lambert made a real balls of things over the summer with some shocking signings and the promise shown at the end of last season has evaporated.
This is what I don't understand. We're awful, dreadful, appalling, doomed. And yet, a point away and no goals conceded in three away games is bad. You can't have it both ways.
5 points from playing Norwich, West Ham and Hull is poor imo. Particularly away from home where we tend to be better.
Of course you could also choose to ignore our appalling home form, dreadful football and lack of goals as you have....
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
Mid table or the 8 team relegation battle as it was last season?
Mid table to me means comfortably avoiding relegation, I see no evidence to suggest we will be anything but down in the thick of another relegation battle this season.
We are playing as bad at the moment as anything produced under McLeish.
I think Lambert made a real balls of things over the summer with some shocking signings and the promise shown at the end of last season has evaporated.
This is what I don't understand. We're awful, dreadful, appalling, doomed. And yet, a point away and no goals conceded in three away games is bad. You can't have it both ways.
5 points from playing Norwich, West Ham and Hull is poor imo. Particularly away from home where we tend to be better.
Of course you could also choose to ignore our appalling home form, dreadful football and lack of goals as you have....
As I said - we're shit, going down, doomed, and yet five points from three away games is poor. You could also choose to ignore beating the team who are running away with the league and the team who are currently fourth, as you have.
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In regard to the 'McLeish would've been slaughtered...' posts, that's true, he would have. But McLeish didn't oversee home and away wins over Man City, an away win at Arsenal, a 6-1 win to Sunderland etc.
For better or worse, we seem to visit the extremeties a lot with Lambert. MON and Gregory, for example, wouldn't have lost to Bradford, but then they wouldn't have effctively got us out of trouble with a 6-1 thumping (true, they probably wouldn't have got us into trouble in the first place), McLeish or Houlier would never have considered beating Man City 2-4 in a cup tie. Obviously the shite's difficult to take, but I quite like the possibilities Lambert offers.*
*Written after a boring 0-0 against West Ham. It's no wonder I'm atracted to our lack of coherence.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Yes, let's get rid after ten matches while we're mid-table. Then let's appoint our fifth manager in just over three years. That's a surefire formula for success.
It's ok keep saying that it would be bad to appoint a new manager, but would it be much worse than having to watch the dross that is being served up at the moment? I'm not saying he should go yet, but when you look at the midfield and think they are all Lambert's signings, signings which I may hasten to add don't look like they have the potential to improve, where do you find hope in what he is doing?
- Clark and Delph having improved hugely on last year.
I accept that you don't get the full picture from watching MOTD, but Clark had two really poor pieces of defending today. His wild miskick that gave Jarvis a chance and ball watching that allowed Nolan in were schoolboy stuff.
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Another good away point and a clean sheet. Fuck any ****** thay thinks an away draw is a poor result.
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If there is no improvement before January I think he has to go!
why wait that long Lambert a run of the mill Manager
Feckin comedians are out tonight in a big way!
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Over all Clark has been much better though Tom. As has Vlaar.
Lowton and Westwood have both had second season syndrome, and as a fan of Westwood I have been disappointed, but he will come back, and I don't agree with the post about potential. I think one of the things that has hurt us this season is not getting the right 3 in the middle, and that would be Delph, Westwood and Sylla, the former who is knocking on the door of the England squad and the latter 2 who do have potential and showed it last season. The way people are written off on here is amazing. I was quilty with Delph, and have been happily proved wrong.
And for all the being woeful... we had 2 great chances to win it today, the better chances but missed them at Hull, could have been 2 up last weekend before conceding and Weimann was unlucky not to see Morison sent off early on. All in all we have been "in" almost every game despite not being very good much of the time, which bodes well for the times we do get it right.
A manager needs time. Sure there might be some tepid shite along the way, but building a squad on a shoestring is not going to make us Brazil. It is going to take time to lay foundations before being able to stick in some windows and soft furnishings. We can all see what we need, I am 100% sure Lambert can too. But giving people time seems to be an alien concept these days. Give him 3 full seasons before judging him in my view.
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Oz, people will only see what their prejudice allows them to see. Fuck em'.
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Another good away point and a clean sheet. Fuck any c*** thay thinks an away draw is a poor result.
I actually agree with you. A point away from home against anyone in this league is a good result, especially considering that we're currently a lower-mid table side. I think people are just annoyed at the way we went about it today, and I suppose I'd rather draw 2-2 than 0-0 too.
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Oz, people will only see what their prejudice allows them to see. Fuck em'.
Had a few drinks have ya? ;-)
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This result was no surprise at all so I can't say I'm disappointed. West Ham are bobbins and we're bobbins at the moment. It was only ever gonna end in a snore fest.
A clean sheet is indeed positive, although not walking away with one against this lot would have left some serious questions.
The sooner we get Benteke up to speed and Gabby and Delph back in the side, the better. We need as much of our quality as possible. But right now we've got a lot more questions than we have answers. Randy's got to get the check book out and Lamberts got to spend it on first 11 quality, particularly in midfield. If you don't have a single midfielder with decent technique then you're gonna struggle to keep the ball and no amount of formation tinkering will solve anything (if Lambert wants us to be a passing side).
I think a Bent style statement signing in midfield could well be in order in Jan. By that, a signing that will instantly change our side, show we're still here to compete and ensure that we nail down survival. Obviously this wouldn't be 24 million, but we will probably need to dig deeper than Lambert has thus far to acquire some proven quality, whilst still ensuring that sell on value has more potential than Bent.
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Another good away point and a clean sheet. Fuck any c*** thay thinks an away draw is a poor result.
Please take the night off and and apologise tomorrow. Calling others posters ****** for having a different opinion is not acceptable.
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I noticed that its the same people complaining about no goals in four who were complaining about no clean sheets a few weeks ago. We are a limited team and at the moment can do one or the other. We should give the team and manager credit for 3 clean sheets in last 3 away games.
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I noticed that its the same people complaining about no goals in four who were complaining about no clean sheets a few weeks ago. We are a limited team and at the moment can do one or the other. We should give the team and manager credit for 3 clean sheets in last 3 away games.
We should but at the same time for all those who feel our dire home form can be appeased by good away form, there's a problem right now that we're not scoring as many goals away from home as we did from Feb-May last season. We've got to start stringing wins together somewhere. I'm thankful the defense looks better. But right now we look like we did under McLeish. We don't look like we'll concede masses of goals (though we imploded when Dunney got injured) but at the same time we look very poor in attack and are still losing more than we're winning.
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In regard to the 'McLeish would've been slaughtered...' posts, that's true, he would have. But McLeish didn't oversee home and away wins over Man City, an away win at Arsenal, a 6-1 win to Sunderland etc.
For better or worse, we seem to visit the extremeties a lot with Lambert. MON and Gregory, for example, wouldn't have lost to Bradford, but then they wouldn't have effctively got us out of trouble with a 6-1 thumping (true, they probably wouldn't have got us into trouble in the first place), McLeish or Houlier would never have considered beating Man City 2-4 in a cup tie. Obviously the shite's difficult to take, but I quite like the possibilities Lambert offers.*
*Written after a boring 0-0 against West Ham. It's no wonder I'm atracted to our lack of coherence.
I agree there is a hope with Lambert that was never there with McLeish. I'm not sure what that hope is based on though, a season of his playing career with Borussia Dortmund does not equate to the next Jurgen Klopp. Lambert had achieved successive promotions with Norwich but so had Nigel Adkins at Southampton. Just think Lambert stumbled upon a decent set up half way through the game at home to Newcastle last season and we looked very dangerous going forward anyway for the remainder of last season. Gabby and particularly Weimann's form this terms has fallen away alarmingly, now we are 4 games without a goal and playing football that McLeish would consider primitive.
Lambert made a huge mistake in the summer wasting decent money on Kozak when an attacking goal scoring midfielder was what was badly needed. Now we have some total non entities playing in midfield, El Ahmadi and Sylla arent footballers at all.
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On the midfield, it definitely feels the weak link at the moment, I'm not questioning that. If we're not going to play Bacuna there, and Tonev isn't really a number 10, then with N'Zogbia injured, Holman and Bannan gone, then it's arguably been weakened since last season. Like others, I'd have really wanted someone with good technique who can either play in a two or three ideally; or a classic playmaker.
On Westwood, I agree his form is a cause for concern. But I don't agree he hasn't got good technique. He was a safety first player at time last year, but:
- he regularly posted pass completion stats of 93% plus. You can't tell me anyone can do that
- towards the back end of the season, he was playing some lovely defence splitting passes - for Gabby at Norwich away in the last minute for example. He's also the only villa player who's regularly assisted from set pieces in the last few seasons.
I don't accept that he's shit any more than I accept Lowton is. I do think he's not playing well on the ball - though defensively and positionally he's improved. In those respects, he's almost an allegory for the team.
Get Westwood and Lowton playing like they did in the last third of last season and it'll make a huge difference.
Plus, results wise, it is statistically proven that we're better than we were last season. What we clearly aren't, at the moment, is playing as well as we did in the last third of last season.
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The last 3 months of the season filled wme with hope for this one but we seem to have lost our way somewhat - we don't pressure teams and seem to want it as much as we did late last season and there are too many players who have not performed to their best .
The likes of Lowton, kea, Westwood, gabby and Weimann all need to deliver or find themselves benched .
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we need two or three midfield options in January, one at least that is not only different than what we have but significantly better to create things. Broken record, but it's critical now. We didn't look in much danger, becoming more solid, but in doing so predictable and rather boring. I suppose that might be the natural transition from last season.
I doubt Mr. Lambert will make any January purchases. He seems to prefer buying early in pre-season and integrating them into the team.
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Gareth Barry would be fantastic in our midfield. Just not on our balance sheet
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Well we were very well organised and the midfield quickly got back into a bank of four when we lost the ball, which was nearly every time we had it. It was just so dull.
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2 dull teams playing out the dull nil nil draw that I'd predicted in the pub before the match. A point, a clean sheet but very dull.
Nightmare to get back to Central London afterwards. Queued for 40 mins outside Upton Park tube then they closed the station and told us to walk to Plaistow which was rammed and no trains came for about half an hour.
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Oz, people will only see what their prejudice allows them to see. Fuck em'.
Had a few drinks have ya? ;-)
Erm... lets just say I wouldn't be in a position to drive home. Still, drunken posting stops drunken texts.
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I didn't see any of the first half (apart from the highlights this morning) and the picture in the pub for the second half was a bit naff.
From what I saw though, we missed Gabby's pace and Delph in the middle. Bacuna didn't look comfortable at left back but he did his best I suppose. Not going to grumble too much about a draw away from home but we need to start finding the net again soon.
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I have just seen PWS post.
Apologies to all, not very becoming.
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I was looking at Man Citys bench at half time yesterday afternoon. It read Hart,Richards,Lescott,Milner, Kolorov,Navas,Dzeko.
That was their bench. They won 7-0!
What chance is there for a club like ours with little financial backing from the owner.
The best we can hope for is mid table in the top flight....any season!
and maybe a League Cup run.
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You cannot compete with that, although even when we were spending a lot of money I don't think the expectations were to actually mix it with the top two or three.
I wonder when the last time we as fans held those expectations?
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I take the view that any away point is a good point. Also bear in mind we had two first choice defenders unavailable through injury and still kept a clean sheet. We also lost here last season. Let's look at the positives rather than be unnecessarily negative.
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If Benteke had buried that header then i think the game would have been ours.
99 out of a hundred times he would have buried it, just not yesterday.
Oh well, a point is better than nothing.
Lets hope we get a result against Cardiff. If we don't then we will have to start asking some awkward questions about what is going on.
Keep faith. We will improve and when we do we will go on a very good run.
UTV
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You cannot compete with that, although even when we were spending a lot of money I don't think the expectations were to actually mix it with the top two or three.
I wonder when the last time we as fans held those expectations?
Fair comment. I suppose we should try to get really organised with the players that are on the clubs books. Southampton have achieved a style of play that works so it can be done.
On reflection a point away is always acceptable but our ball retention was shocking in the extreme.
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Poo
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Southampton have done well to spend a decent amount of money on a couple of players who can make the difference.
Whether they have that money to spend I don't know. There seems to be common agreement that we are one attacking midfielder away from putting together some good home form. Our away form is very good; three clean sheets on the spin, lost one game we were cheated out of; get those next level players in the summer (or January?) and we will be a decent all round outfit.
While the sides we have played at home have been by and large the top six, its a pity we haven't been able to dig out a result to earn a scrappy point as we have away from home.
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Happy with the point. Clean sheet.
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Southampton have done well to spend a decent amount of money on a couple of players who can make the difference.
Whether they have that money to spend I don't know. There seems to be common agreement that we are one attacking midfielder away from putting together some good home form. Our away form is very good; three clean sheets on the spin, lost one game we were cheated out of; get those next level players in the summer (or January?) and we will be a decent all round outfit.
While the sides we have played at home have been by and large the top six, its a pity we haven't been able to dig out a result to earn a scrappy point as we have away from home.
But weren't we saying last season similar about getting two or three quality players in - the problem has still to be addressed.
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There was a clear decision to build the squad, a necessary one in my opinion when you consisder what happened in December when we couldn't rotate players out of the firing line.
We are working to a budget which may be a hinderance or it may be that Lambert is very particular. He wanted Dempsey, there were rumours that he wanted Countinho in January and we know he wanted the guy from Nuremburg. I think we are poorer for not getting that player, no doubt about it, but if there are limitations to how much we spend, then surely it is understandable that we are slowly improving based on the level of overhaul we have had in the past 16 months.
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There was a clear decision to build the squad, a necessary one in my opinion when you consisder what happened in December when we couldn't rotate players out of the firing line.
We are working to a budget which may be a hinderance or it may be that Lambert is very particular. He wanted Dempsey, there were rumours that he wanted Countinho in January and we know he wanted the guy from Nuremburg. I think we are poorer for not getting that player, no doubt about it, but if there are limitations to how much we spend, then surely it is understandable that we are slowly improving based on the level of overhaul we have had in the past 16 months.
The re-assuring thing is that at least we know he's after another attacking midfielder. I can only presume we were either told the Nuremberg guy was not for sale or we were quoted a ridiculous fee. We are missing that someone who can help us win a game when the strikers are off form.
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
That would have been the West Ham fans, who were singing Claret and blue army all game.
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There was a clear decision to build the squad, a necessary one in my opinion when you consisder what happened in December when we couldn't rotate players out of the firing line.
We are working to a budget which may be a hinderance or it may be that Lambert is very particular. He wanted Dempsey, there were rumours that he wanted Countinho in January and we know he wanted the guy from Nuremburg. I think we are poorer for not getting that player, no doubt about it, but if there are limitations to how much we spend, then surely it is understandable that we are slowly improving based on the level of overhaul we have had in the past 16 months.
Decent points maybe , but it begs the question as to why we spent so much on Kozak to sit on the bench when it was clear we needed that creative spark in midfield.
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2 dull teams playing out the dull nil nil draw that I'd predicted in the pub before the match. A point, a clean sheet but very dull.
Nightmare to get back to Central London afterwards. Queued for 40 mins outside Upton Park tube then they closed the station and told us to walk to Plaistow which was rammed and no trains came for about half an hour.
Don't lie, you just didn't want to meet us at Embankment for a beer.
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Benteke needs to be given the ball more. All that passing in our own half is such a waste..20 passes for nothing only to lose the ball. Can't fathom it.
I watched it in a foreign sports bar with a solitary WH fan..we were in agreement by HT..a miserable draw. Man City on next screen and Manure in back..even Stoke goalie goal seemed to just be rubbing in the inadequacies of both sides! How did Benteke miss?
Oh well back to the beach! Always another game..
I can't understand why the barman in Sports bar gives a strange look when I ask if the Villa game is on..Why? Who?, he repiles
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
They were. Start of the game it was all singing slagging West Ham but got more positive as the game went on.
I also heard one or two of our lot making a bit of noise during the minutes silence.
There was a lot of singing on the concourse before the game and, to be honest walking up to my seat, I didn't realise they were having a minutes silence, people coming up still singing would have made it sound worse than it was, coupled with West Ham fans slagging them off you have a whole lot of noise.
Text from a WHU friend of mine last night:
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because they would not shut up. They also booed the advance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
He's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he has over-reacted.
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Benteke needs to be given the ball more. All that passing in our own half is such a waste..20 passes for nothing only to lose the ball. Can't fathom it.
I watched it in a foreign sports bar with a solitary WH fan..we were in agreement by HT..a miserable draw. Man City on next screen and Manure in back..even Stoke goalie goal seemed to just be rubbing in the inadequacies of both sides! How did Benteke miss?
Oh well back to the beach! Always another game..
I can't understand why the barman in Sports bar gives a strange look when I ask if the Villa game is on..Why? Who?, he repiles
I really don't like seeing both Westwood and kea in the team together - one or the other for me - I think it was tough on tonev to miss out yesterday .
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We are working to a budget ...
Yes, I suppose we still have Ireland, Given and Bent on the books.
However, the P'ship is now worth more than ever before and I cannot believe that a couple of season-changing purchases would not be sanctioned for January.
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
They were. Start of the game it was all singing slagging West Ham but got more positive as the game went on.
I also heard one or two of our lot making a bit of noise during the minutes silence.
There was a lot of singing on the concourse before the game and, to be honest walking up to my seat, I didn't realise they were having a minutes silence, people coming up still singing would have made it sound worse than it was, coupled with West Ham fans slagging them off you have a whole lot of noise.
Text from a WHU friend of mine last night:
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because thwy would not shut up. They also booed the avance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
He's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he has over-reacted.
Regrettable , I think it was the fact it was david gold walking onto the pitch that led to the booing , but still very disappointing to hear.
Some of the chants yesterday made me cringe - west hams a shithole to the tune of sloop john b , and the on the piss song - we are not going to attract many positive comments about our support when it can be so disrespectful at times .
I much prefer the fans to get behind the team and players on the pitch than sing about other clubs.
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We are working to a budget ...
Yes, I suppose we still have Ireland, Given and Bent on the books.
However, the P'ship is now worth more than ever before and I cannot believe that a couple of season-changing purchases would not be sanctioned for January.
Bent and Ireland wages will be part paid by their loan clubs- we have got the likes of heskey, collins, warnock, dunne, and regrettably stan off the wage bill along with others - so we have reduced it greatly.
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2 dull teams playing out the dull nil nil draw that I'd predicted in the pub before the match. A point, a clean sheet but very dull.
Nightmare to get back to Central London afterwards. Queued for 40 mins outside Upton Park tube then they closed the station and told us to walk to Plaistow which was rammed and no trains came for about half an hour.
Don't lie, you just didn't want to meet us at Embankment for a beer.
We got there eventually, chap. Had a few in there but it got busy and they were playing Keane songs at full blast so we left. We ended up in the Coal Hole on The Strand. Can't remember how I got home
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Worst away game I have been to, no singing from Villa fans all game. Not once during the whole game, was the whole away end singing together.
Strange. All through the game, all I could hear on my stream was the Villa fans in fine voice.
They were. Start of the game it was all singing slagging West Ham but got more positive as the game went on.
I also heard one or two of our lot making a bit of noise during the minutes silence.
There was a lot of singing on the concourse before the game and, to be honest walking up to my seat, I didn't realise they were having a minutes silence, people coming up still singing would have made it sound worse than it was, coupled with West Ham fans slagging them off you have a whole lot of noise.
Text from a WHU friend of mine last night:
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because they would not shut up. They also booed the advance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
He's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he has over-reacted.
I wasn't there but our support is normally really good. Yes, you get the odd knobs who can't take their beer but minutes silences are usually respected.
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Terrible game,our midfield was shocking and we never really threatened to score,kept a clean sheet away from home though so that's something,having said that we were missing 2 of our better players in Delph and Gabby. Got from upton park tube before all the delay as well so that was a bonus
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2 dull teams playing out the dull nil nil draw that I'd predicted in the pub before the match. A point, a clean sheet but very dull.
Nightmare to get back to Central London afterwards. Queued for 40 mins outside Upton Park tube then they closed the station and told us to walk to Plaistow which was rammed and no trains came for about half an hour.
Don't lie, you just didn't want to meet us at Embankment for a beer.
We got there eventually, chap. Had a few in there but it got busy and they were playing Keane songs at full blast so we left. We ended up in the Coal Hole on The Strand. Can't remember how I got home
I gave you £50 and put you in a taxi home. You can pay me next week.
That was one of the dullest games I have seen in years. We were compact but lacking any penetration or flair. Annoyed at how often we were second to the loose ball in midfield and unable to keep possession without going sideways or backwards. And the whole ground was flat re atmosphere all game I thought - not that there was much to ignite the crowd.
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How's the head this morning, Pat?
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Another thing regarding yesterday's game, did anyone else think Howard Webb bottled out of at least booking Morrison for bringing down Weimann in the first half? The pundits on MOTD didn't seem to think it was a foul despite the fact that Morrison didn't make any kind of attempt to get the ball.
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How's the head this morning, Pat?
I don't think I shall be inventing anything clever in the garden shed today. And yours?
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Anyone else notice that Benteke seems to be short a yard or two of pace compared to last season? Not particularly just in recent weeks after returning from injury, but obviously before that he didn't seem his typically sharp self (though he still scored 5 goals before getting injured to his credit). He just seems a tad heavier after the summer. Obviously this injury hasn't helped either, nor did missing part of pre-season I guess. He's not running at defenders as much as last year which has taken one aspect out of his game somewhat. Right now we desperately need goals but we're not getting those moments of Benteke magic where he'll score a goal out of nothing. The goals he has got already have been well taken, or pens, but he's not produced moments like WBA last season or Liverpool away etc.
I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed that he'll be sharper by next week and back up to full speed by the week after, because if he's not going to score the rest of our squad couldn't score in an Amsterdam brothel with their pockets stuffed with Euro's.
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I think the Morrison one may have been a foul but it was a v difficult call and would have had to send him off for it. No complaints from me
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Don't get all the moaning. It's a very decent point, another clean sheet and we are building a solid defence now which is the basis to any successful side. Happy.
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I was looking at Man Citys bench at half time yesterday afternoon. It read Hart,Richards,Lescott,Milner, Kolorov,Navas,Dzeko.
That was their bench. They won 7-0!
What chance is there for a club like ours with little financial backing from the owner.
The best we can hope for is mid table in the top flight....any season!
and maybe a League Cup run.
I often feel like this. Then I look at Southampton and Everton and think better is achievable with the right leadership and structure.
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I think the Morrison one may have been a foul but it was a v difficult call and would have had to send him off for it. No complaints from me
I'm not sure Weimann would have kept control of the ball and had enough puff left to compose himself and slot it away. It certainly wasn't stone wall. A bit clumsy and a bit of a forwards challenge but it's one of those that could have gone either way. Sadly it went Morrisons way.
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On squad building, if we can keep benteke and then add a really good CM to complement Delph plus a creative player - either centrally or wide - next summer, then I think we start looking like a good side. Spend the £20m additional revenue on those players.
But the problems are a) £10m players tend to want big wages. Can we go there? Perhaps we can with lots of others off the balance sheet. B) benteke must be likely to leave soon. Every other player in that Belgian side plays for teams that are much better than us. And whatever money we bring in its going to be really hard to replace him. So far, kozak doesn't look like the answer, but I'm not writing any of the summer signings off yet.
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I was looking at Man Citys bench at half time yesterday afternoon. It read Hart,Richards,Lescott,Milner, Kolorov,Navas,Dzeko.
That was their bench. They won 7-0!
What chance is there for a club like ours with little financial backing from the owner.
The best we can hope for is mid table in the top flight....any season!
and maybe a League Cup run.
I often feel like this. Then I look at Southampton and Everton and think better is achievable with the right leadership and structure.
Exactly. And we could certainly at this time afford to spend a little more than we have done. The suggestion also seems to be that Lambert hasn't spent all he's been allocated either. Just how genuine the Dempsey bid was I don't know, and would it have required the money eventually used for Benteke? Or the money we were going to use on a midfielder this summer? Did that end up being used for Kozak or has he still got money aside for a mid?
Who knows. I certainly think after xmas, if we're in the shit, we could well see a Bent-esque signing in midfield again. And again with the massive TV money injection over the summer and many of the smaller prem clubs spending more than they would normally have, I think we should have a few quid.
A couple of decent midfielders is an absolute must. We need players of at least Delph's quality to partner the fab one in midfield.
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I think the Morrison one may have been a foul but it was a v difficult call and would have had to send him off for it. No complaints from me
Maybe but I can't help thinking that he'd have given the foul had it been in the middle of the pitch.
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Another thing regarding yesterday's game, did anyone else think Howard Webb bottled out of at least booking Morrison for bringing down Weimann in the first half? The pundits on MOTD didn't seem to think it was a foul despite the fact that Morrison didn't make any kind of attempt to get the ball.
For me , I think if he gives the foul then he would have to give a red card - certainly seen them given but I think it was the sort of decision to go against an away team.
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I was looking at Man Citys bench at half time yesterday afternoon. It read Hart,Richards,Lescott,Milner, Kolorov,Navas,Dzeko.
That was their bench. They won 7-0!
What chance is there for a club like ours with little financial backing from the owner.
The best we can hope for is mid table in the top flight....any season!
and maybe a League Cup run.
I often feel like this. Then I look at Southampton and Everton and think better is achievable with the right leadership and structure.
That's modern football, the have's and the have not's. We are in the majority of the have not's.
That said, I honestly thought we had the best young manager around when he came, yes it was hard last season due to the open heart surgery needed after MON to the TSM the state we were left in. But towards the end of last season, I thought we clicked and played some superb football. This season, seems we have fallen back again, yes some good results but also really poor ones. His signings from the summer have not really set the world alight, and when you look at Soton, Everton as you say really look ahead of us. OK, I'll wait until the end of the season, it's still early days and have some winnable games coming up....
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i thought vlaar and baker played well yesterday.
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i thought vlaar and baker played well yesterday.
Yes they did, although west ham hardly looked a threat up front , defensively we were fairly solid
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i thought vlaar and baker played well yesterday.
Yes and we were never in any danger of losing this match.
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Not pretty but last season many on here were bemoaning our inability to grind out a point when not at our best. To do it with 3 or 4 key players unavailable was even more pleasing.
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I was just chatting to my neighbour who is a Hammer. I hadn't realised that they were worried before the game as apparently they had lost their last 3 home games and had no fit forwards, hence Nolan playing up front.
He reckoned the crowd would have been on their back if we had dominated possession or scored first. His view was that we were tame and toothless and that our movement and ball retention were awful. Like me he thought it would be 0-0 after the first 10 minutes.
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I think the Morrison one may have been a foul but it was a v difficult call and would have had to send him off for it. No complaints from me
I thought it was a foul and a red (as did today's Independent), but it would have been a soft one. What was more annoying was Allardyce's incredibly smug dismissal of the incident on MOTD
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Not pretty but last season many on here were bemoaning our inability to grind out a point when not at our best. To do it with 3 or 4 key players unavailable was even more pleasing.
There seems to have been a plethora of ´not pretty ´Games yesterday , mainly due to the weather . Just listening to the Everton Spurzz game and apparently that is also the same ( dross ) , at least we got a favourable mention , commentator saying we were unlucky to lose to the Toffees last week .
A lot teams go through this sort of non scoring form during at some time during a season perhaps a lot has to do with a greater emphasis now placed the defensive part of our game in that we have yet to find the right balance .
Thought Lowton looked better yesterday and the overall defensive performance was very good , desperately missed Delph and Gabby,s speed up front . Watching the game on TV ( here in Spain ) I can,t go along with the opinion that Kozak did,nt contribute much , IMO he was much improved from the previous week and put himself about well . What we miss is ´guile´and or a player who can take on a defence , like Ashley Young ...when he gave a shit ...........Godzvilla!
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I was just chatting to my neighbour who is a Hammer. I hadn't realised that they were worried before the game as apparently they had lost their last 3 home games and had no fit forwards, hence Nolan playing up front.
He reckoned the crowd would have been on their back if we had dominated possession or scored first. His view was that we were tame and toothless and that our movement and ball retention were awful. Like me he thought it would be 0-0 after the first 10 minutes.
Your hammers mate seems spot on
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i thought vlaar and baker played well yesterday.
As did Clark. Bit unfair not to mention him.
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I think Vlaar has been excellent most of this season.
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I think Vlaar has been excellent most of this season.
He has. He's looked very assured and sometimes it's just difficult to come in and be exactly what we all want him to be. He was scouted playing in another league at a high level. Even the very best have difficultly adjusting and Vlaar had the added difficulty of playing with very young players around him without much PL experience. He took on the role of captain and mentor all in one and he's coming through this season. It's just a shame we won't see him develop a relationship with Okore because we were all looking forward to that.
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What was/is wrong with Delph?
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What was/is wrong with Delph?
Just ill according Mat Kendrick
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What was/is wrong with Delph?
Just ill according Mat Kendrick
Good news.
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What was/is wrong with Delph?
Just ill according Mat Kendrick
Thanks. Good news, as he's been our star man this season by some distance.
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What was/is wrong with Delph?
Just ill according Mat Kendrick
Good news.
Not really, it's ebola.
That's a joke.
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I was stuck in Norfolk.
No internet . No TV . No mobile coverage
THANK FUCK
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Don't get all the moaning. It's a very decent point, another clean sheet and we are building a solid defence now which is the basis to any successful side. Happy.
Playing like we did under McLeish is not building a defence.
We look strong with Vlaar and baker at CB in my opinion. Lowton was solid yesterday, but we are too weak in midfield. Delph has carried our midfield this season.
That Leroy Fer at Norwich or Shelvey would have been good for us, with their height and strength.
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I was stuck in Bordesley Green
No internet . No TV . No mobile coverage
THANK FUCK
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I was stuck in Norfolk.
No internet . No TV . No mobile coverage
THANK FUCK
Have they got running water and electricity yet?
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I think Vlaar has been excellent most of this season.
He certainly had a very good game yesterday.
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On squad building, if we can keep benteke and then add a really good CM to complement Delph plus a creative player - either centrally or wide - next summer, then I think we start looking like a good side. Spend the £20m additional revenue on those players.
But the problems are a) £10m players tend to want big wages. Can we go there? Perhaps we can with lots of others off the balance sheet. B) benteke must be likely to leave soon. Every other player in that Belgian side plays for teams that are much better than us. And whatever money we bring in its going to be really hard to replace him. So far, kozak doesn't look like the answer, but I'm not writing any of the summer signings off yet.
Benteke to Chelsea January is my guess
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I doubt it. In the summer perhaps.
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It'd be a bit weird for Chelsea to sign benteke when they've got lukaku already
And I think mourinho may have said benteke's a special player but not a Chelsea player
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I doubt it. In the summer perhaps.
Agree but we are in for another window full of Benteke transfer talk I am afraid.
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I was stuck in Norfolk.
No internet . No TV . No mobile coverage
THANK FUCK
Have they got running water and electricity yet?
Yes open sewers have semblance of running water and they have managed to run some cables from the railway line to light a few bulbs replacing their gas lamps.
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Benteke to Chelsea January is my guess
The way he as been playing since his return from injury Benteke is going nowhere either in January or Summer.
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Benteke to Chelsea January is my guess
The way he as been playing since his return from injury Benteke is going nowhere either in January or Summer.
Bit harsh , he has been getting into positions and hitting the target, apart from very good saves he could have had 3 or 4 goals , not as though he's been putting them wide or over the top .
Weimann and gabby on the other hand have 1 goal between the pair of them and need to both up their game when fit.
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Benteke to Chelsea January is my guess
The way he as been playing since his return from injury Benteke is going nowhere either in January or Summer.
Bit harsh , he has been getting into positions and hitting the target, apart from very good saves he could have had 3 or 4 goals , not as though he's been putting them wide or over the top .
Weimann and gabby on the other hand have 1 goal between the pair of them and need to both up their game when fit.
No way Chelsea can afford another striker who is isn't putting them away. They would be better getting Lukaku back from Everton.
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Just trying to find morsels that give me hope we will hang onto him....
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We will. Until July.
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Benteke won't be sold in January, it will be the daftest thing Lerner has done since TSM and I actually would boycott the rest of the games of the season, I would be that angry with things.
I just want to see Benteke with a good playmaker just off him, if only for 6 months.
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Benteke won't be sold in January, it will be the daftest thing Lerner has done since TSM and I actually would boycott the rest of the games of the season, I would be that angry with things.
I just want to see Benteke with a good playmaker just off him, if only for 6 months.
I agree, it would be great to watch. Once Benteke is match fit again he'll be flying.
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
Impeccably observed by everybody in the away stand itself. There was a fair amount of noise by fans arriving late on the concourse beneath, but they were roundly shushed and quickly quietened down.
Unfortunate. Although by about an hour into the game just about the entire stadium was observing silence.
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My opinion. They announced David Gold and some of our fans booed at his name, briefly. Then they announced Paul Faulker and that they were both coming on to the pitch with wreaths. The whole ground clapped and the next announcement, during the clapping, regarding the minutes silence, was barely audible and was probably not heard at all by those still in the concourse who continued to sing as they made their way into the stand for kick off.
I have never known our fans be deliberately disrespectful during a minutes silence.
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
Impeccably observed by everybody in the away stand itself. There was a fair amount of noise by fans arriving late on the concourse beneath, but they were roundly shushed and quickly quietened down.
Unfortunate. Although by about an hour into the game just about the entire stadium was observing silence.
That's what it sounded like to me as well from my spot in the STB Stand. Everyone in the stand was quiet but there was singing coming from the bar. How were people down there meant to know that there was a silence being held ?
The tannoy quality was so bad that us in the seats could hardly hear what was being said.
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
Impeccably observed by everybody in the away stand itself. There was a fair amount of noise by fans arriving late on the concourse beneath, but they were roundly shushed and quickly quietened down.
Unfortunate. Although by about an hour into the game just about the entire stadium was observing silence.
That's what it sounded like to me as well from my spot in the STB Stand. Everyone in the stand was quiet but there was singing coming from the bar. How were people down there meant to know that there was a silence being held ?
The tannoy quality was so bad that us in the seats could hardly hear what was being said.
I got text from a WHU friend of mine last night - he's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he over-reacted.
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because they would not shut up. They also booed the advance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
As In say, he can be a little over-reacting.
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Mister E , please see my post a couple of posts above.
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
Impeccably observed by everybody in the away stand itself. There was a fair amount of noise by fans arriving late on the concourse beneath, but they were roundly shushed and quickly quietened down.
Unfortunate. Although by about an hour into the game just about the entire stadium was observing silence.
That's what it sounded like to me as well from my spot in the STB Stand. Everyone in the stand was quiet but there was singing coming from the bar. How were people down there meant to know that there was a silence being held ?
The tannoy quality was so bad that us in the seats could hardly hear what was being said.
I got text from a WHU friend of mine last night - he's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he over-reacted.
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because they would not shut up. They also booed the advance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
As In say, he can be a little over-reacting.
He's a West Ham fan. He's been going for forty years. And the worst thing he's seen is a few people singing away from the stand while a minute's silence is happening?
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
Impeccably observed by everybody in the away stand itself. There was a fair amount of noise by fans arriving late on the concourse beneath, but they were roundly shushed and quickly quietened down.
Unfortunate. Although by about an hour into the game just about the entire stadium was observing silence.
That's what it sounded like to me as well from my spot in the STB Stand. Everyone in the stand was quiet but there was singing coming from the bar. How were people down there meant to know that there was a silence being held ?
The tannoy quality was so bad that us in the seats could hardly hear what was being said.
I got text from a WHU friend of mine last night - he's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he over-reacted.
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because they would not shut up. They also booed the advance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
As In say, he can be a little over-reacting.
He's a West Ham fan. He's been going for forty years. And the worst thing he's seen is a few people singing away from the stand while a minute's silence is happening?
Tell me. Was that 6th Round cup tie in the last 40 years? Yes. That must have been cockney humour.
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Villajk and UK Redsox have it right. The concourse under the away end is very cramped and you can hear nothing over the tannoy. There was more atmosphere there than in the ground itself and fans coming up to their seats continued the boisterous singing - they were probably bemused by the silence.
Out of interest did other clubs lay wreaths too before yesterday's games? I can't remember this happening as early as on 2 November in the past.
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Since when has Poppy Day remembrance with wreath laying has become a normal event at football matches?
Or is it "the PC thing to do " these days?
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Since when has Poppy Day remembrance with wreath laying has become a normal event at football matches?
Or is it "the PC thing to do " these days?
West Ham fans are like that though aren't they? To sterotype (massively), they all smack of being Talksport listening, Sun buying, I facking lav Ingerlund, bladdy immigrants taking our jobs, make gas noises and sing about Hitler gassing Jews at White Hart Lane types.
Gold was booed, not the wreath bearers in some odd political message and those underneath were unaware of the minutes silence, what with Remembrance Sunday being practically two weeks away at the time.
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I was on the far left of the STB and agree with a couple of the posters above, you could hear Villa fans singing in and around the bar in the bit below the stand, they wouldn't have been able to hear the announcement so had to be told to shut up when they came out into the stands. Does anyone know why they were having the Remembrance Day stuff a full 9 days before Remembrance Day itself?
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
Impeccably observed by everybody in the away stand itself. There was a fair amount of noise by fans arriving late on the concourse beneath, but they were roundly shushed and quickly quietened down.
Unfortunate. Although by about an hour into the game just about the entire stadium was observing silence.
That's what it sounded like to me as well from my spot in the STB Stand. Everyone in the stand was quiet but there was singing coming from the bar. How were people down there meant to know that there was a silence being held ?
The tannoy quality was so bad that us in the seats could hardly hear what was being said.
I got text from a WHU friend of mine last night - he's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he over-reacted.
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because they would not shut up. They also booed the advance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
As In say, he can be a little over-reacting.
He's a West Ham fan. He's been going for forty years. And the worst thing he's seen is a few people singing away from the stand while a minute's silence is happening?
Yes, he must have forgotten about their cup game against Millwall a few years back.
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I was on the far left of the STB and agree with a couple of the posters above, you could hear Villa fans singing in and around the bar in the bit below the stand, they wouldn't have been able to hear the announcement so had to be told to shut up when they came out into the stands. Does anyone know why they were having the Remembrance Day stuff a full 9 days before Remembrance Day itself?
Probably as it's their last home game before the day - I have no problem with that whatsoever , it seems it happened at most grounds at the weekend .
It clearly seems any booing was aimed at gold beforehand and that if anyone was making a noise during the silence it seems to be bacause they were unaware rather than disrespectful.
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Did we?
Villa fans disrespect minutes silence. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrikLGqF-Q)
Impeccably observed by everybody in the away stand itself. There was a fair amount of noise by fans arriving late on the concourse beneath, but they were roundly shushed and quickly quietened down.
Unfortunate. Although by about an hour into the game just about the entire stadium was observing silence.
That's what it sounded like to me as well from my spot in the STB Stand. Everyone in the stand was quiet but there was singing coming from the bar. How were people down there meant to know that there was a silence being held ?
The tannoy quality was so bad that us in the seats could hardly hear what was being said.
I got text from a WHU friend of mine last night - he's a bit of a drama queen sometimes but because I wasn't at the game I cannot really comment on whether he over-reacted.
"Afraid to report that your supporters are a disgrace. 1 minute silence had to be cut short because they would not shut up. They also booed the advance party wreath bearers, I always had respect for Villa. Irrespective of the result Villa are the losers. Never witnessed that kind of behaviour in over 40 years of going to top flight football".
As In say, he can be a little over-reacting.
He's a West Ham fan. He's been going for forty years. And the worst thing he's seen is a few people singing away from the stand while a minute's silence is happening?
As I say he's a bit of a drama queen ....
When I received his text I had not had any insight into what had happened; now, it all seems clear: he's a lot of a drama queen!
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Benteke to Chelsea January is my guess
The way he as been playing since his return from injury Benteke is going nowhere either in January or Summer.
Bit harsh , he has been getting into positions and hitting the target, apart from very good saves he could have had 3 or 4 goals , not as though he's been putting them wide or over the top .
Weimann and gabby on the other hand have 1 goal between the pair of them and need to both up their game when fit.
one thing I noticed , wheres Weimann's pace gone . maybe too many Kebab's .
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Yes, he must have forgotten about their cup game against Millwall a few years back.
And the entire 1980's.
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one thing I noticed , wheres Weimann's pace gone . maybe too many Kebab's .
I dont want to criticise him too much, because as always, the work rate is there in abundance, but he certainly looks like he's carrying some timber. And he looks slower.
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one thing I noticed , wheres Weimann's pace gone . maybe too many Kebab's .
I dont want to criticise him too much, because as always, the work rate is there in abundance, but he certainly looks like he's carrying some timber. And he looks slower.
Weimanns always been quite a heavy set player. Similar to Rooney, minus the brute strength. He works his bollocks off, but part of what frustrates me about Andi and also Lambos resistence in resting him, or taking him off in certain games, is that he's pretty much fucked by 70 minutes. So he's got to be more sensible with his output I feel, but does need to work on his fitness. I mean Weimann is no slouch but I've never thought he's had pace to burn by any stretch of the imagination. He's quick enough that we can attack at pace but there's very few modern day defenders, particularly at fullback, that he's going to roast.
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one thing I noticed , wheres Weimann's pace gone . maybe too many Kebab's .
I dont want to criticise him too much, because as always, the work rate is there in abundance, but he certainly looks like he's carrying some timber. And he looks slower.
Respectable kebab munchers don't fall over when grabbed by a lightweight like he did!
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We are the new Stoke City.
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one thing I noticed , wheres Weimann's pace gone . maybe too many Kebab's .
I dont want to criticise him too much, because as always, the work rate is there in abundance, but he certainly looks like he's carrying some timber. And he looks slower.
Respectable kebab munchers don't fall over when grabbed by a lightweight like he did!
I'm with you Aftab. I take it you have carried out scientific research on this point?
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Maybe ravel Morrison is as fast as Usain Bolt but I dont think so . He does need a rest but there really is not the quality to replace him.
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I have complained that Andi has been picked when he is clearly out of form, but then if I were to sit down and pick a side to play away from home, somebody as industrious as him would get picked.
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I'm with you Aftab. I take it you have carried out scientific research on this point?
All I will say after years of toil is Kebabers are under rated! It's a form of athleticism in itself.
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I'm with you Aftab. I take it you have carried out scientific research on this point?
All I will say after years of toil is Kebabers are under rated! It's a form of athleticism in itself.
Get back to your Paul Gascoigne Fan Club.....