Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Dave on August 04, 2014, 02:34:40 PM
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Tuesday 5th August, 19.30
Pre-match, match and post-match discussion.
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Will go 1-1 on this one. Take a punt on Gabby to score ours, and Hutton to be sent off.
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Will we still be jet lagged?
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1-3
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Legionville 1 - Villa 4
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I don't know about a punt, I'll take a point from this one.
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Have just been at Bescott in their reception office getting a client a job.
They have had an open training session and all look like kids to me!
Said hello to their manager who was in a very smiley mood...
2-2 Bent Senderos
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I don't know about a punt, I'll take a point from this one.
I'll punt you if you don't stop with the cheek!
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I reckon we will win this 3-0.
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Wonder if we'll put out pretty much an U-21 side like the Chesterfield game again.
I'd like to see us starting to put out closer to a strongest 11 now. I'd also like to see Zogbia on the pitch with Bent a bit more. Someone who can create chances for a striker of Bent's ilk.
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........... Someone who can create chances for a striker of Bent's ilk.
I am more pessimistic about this season than any season before. I still hope for good news and salvation, one thing I am sure of, it's not coming in the form of Darren Bent.
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0-0.
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3-1 villa. I think lambert has to stick a strong side out and a preferred formation at this stage of pre season.
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It will be interesting to see just what the hell our preferred side and formation are!
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I don't know about a punt, I'll take a point from this one.
I'll punt you if you don't stop with the cheek!
:-)
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Anyone got any idea on the chances of rocking up on the night and buying at ticket? I did this a few years ago and got in with no problems but they might have tightened the allocations up since.
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Our boys need a significant victory to boost their morale.
2-0 to the Villa. Bent 2
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Walsall 1.2 Villa
Buckley for them
Little and Robson for us
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Anyone got any idea on the chances of rocking up on the night and buying at ticket? I did this a few years ago and got in with no problems but they might have tightened the allocations up since.
Not sure about the home end but we've nearly sold all 3500-odd of ours.
I'm going and it will be depressing.
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1-1 and we will go again
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Repeat of last years stroll in the balmy august twilight . 4-0 villa and the green shoots of recovery .
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10 - 10
until we do it again, what's your 20? Catch you on the flip-flop good buddy.
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........... Someone who can create chances for a striker of Bent's ilk.
I am more pessimistic about this season than any season before. I still hope for good news and salvation, one thing I am sure of, it's not coming in the form of Darren Bent.
Probably not. I live in hope that at least for the first 10 games he can nab 3-4 goals somewhere. Even if he only touches the ball a dozen times in those 10 games.
I also live in hope that Gabby has been practicing his diving, as we could do with plenty of free kicks from 25 yards out. Charlie Zog could then net us a couple.
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7-0 to us.
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Pay on the gate I presume from the Walsall end?
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Pay on the gate I presume from the Walsall end?
Usually is. We normally have three sides of the ground.
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My mum supports Walsall so I'll probably just go in their end tonight.
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Taking the wife and kids. I have been to a number of the Walsall friendlies. I think Guy Whittingham scored on his debut in one of them. The only time I have seen us lose was when Paul Merson was their player manager. Haven't been for a few years though. The last one I think Weimann scored a couple and it may well have been MON's last game in charge. I'm looking forward to it. My eight year old daughter was up at eight this morning digging out one of her older brothers old Villa tops out to wear. She has got a 'Bent 9' one so I hope he plays and scores.
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we're all sitting in the Walsall end, never had a problem before. i'm predicting 3-2 either way
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Dancing Kev awaits.
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Given
Richardson
Vlaar
Okore
Hutton
Westwood
KEA
Grealish
Zog
Gabby
Bent
4-4-2 is how I would go tonight.
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Expecting first choice team first half and then gradual changes after half time. Would like to see a starting team of:
Guzan
Okore Vlaar Senderos
Bacuna Westwood Delph Richardson
N'Zogbia / Cole
Bent Weimann / Gabby
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I was thinking of going and then decided not to. I felt it was important you all knew that.
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Expecting first choice team first half and then gradual changes after half time. Would like to see a starting team of:
Guzan
Okore Vlaar Senderos
Bacuna Westwood Delph Richardson
N'Zogbia / Cole
Bent Weimann / Gabby
Just looking at that side, the second string would be:
Given
Herd Clark Baker
Hutton KEA Gardner Stevens
Grealish
Gabby / Weimann Robinson
Wow that's a sobering sight.
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It is by our standards, but what is the second XI like for Albion, Stoke, Sunderland, Leicester etc etc? Outside the usual suspects i'd guess that the second XI wouldn't exactly be top class for the rest of the division.
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Trust we'll see a line-up and shape that will be representative of what we might see against Stoke tonight.
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I think a draw.
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I still feel that we are vulnerable against any organised team in Europe at League 1 standard or above but only on the basis that Walsall are hardly setting the world on fire with their pre-season matches - I think we might scrape a draw.
But given the total shambles that we are, on and off the pitch, a defeat wouldn't surprise me at all.
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I wouldn't play Gabby. He needs a proper good kick up the arse. I've not known a player do so little for so long throughout a season and keep getting picked. He's been good for about 30% since he broke into the team and he's probably started 90% of the games.
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Result really doesn't matter I just want to see us dominate possession with obvious fitness improvements and play some good football. Please Lambert, give me some bloody hope.
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Guzan, Clark, Baker, Okore, Hutton, Delph, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Richardson, Weimann, Agbonlahor.
Is that a clue to our opening line up? Vlaar would come in for Baker of course. I'd have thought N'Zogbia would come in too, perhaps for Weimann.
If we still look shit with this team out I'm going to be concerned
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Subs: Given, Senderos, Herd, Bennett, Stevens, Gardner, Bacuna, N’Zogbia, Tonev, Grealish.
No Vlaar is a bit of a surprise. Let the conspiracy theories begin. And I wonder where Bent is? Is there a good late night shopping centre in Walsall?
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Cole still carrying an injury?
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yeah - you see van persie isnt going to start the season
i do wonder a bit about vlaar's readiness for the stoke game
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I assume Vlaar will play on Saturday against Parma.
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No Bent?
Edit: Jack says bent bit of a injury niggle. Vlaar in training and will be available for Parma
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yeah - you see van persie isnt going to start the season
i do wonder a bit about vlaar's readiness for the stoke game
His fitness should be okay because of the WOrld Cup but it's a bit strange that at most he will play in one pre-season game for us.
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the world cup finished in early July. Is he really going to be match fit after taking a month off and only just getting back into training, with at most one pre season friendly?
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yeah - you see van persie isnt going to start the season
i do wonder a bit about vlaar's readiness for the stoke game
His fitness should be okay because of the WOrld Cup but it's a bit strange that at most he will play in one pre-season game for us.
I don't know. Van Persie only just came back to Man U and he's in the same boat. As long as Vlaar didn't balloon up to resemble, say Darren Bent then he'll be fine
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I'd have Vlaar starting against Stoke over Baker or Clark.
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I'd have Vlaar starting against Stoke over Baker or Clark.
Legion wins the annual H&V "No shit Sherlock" award.
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Yes! I've won something!
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I really cannot wait for the day that I don't have to witness Baker and Clark in a Villa shirt again.
Optimism for this season is the lowest I've felt since I started following in 1990
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Yes! I've won something!
Which is something the Villa won't be doing I think Leeg...
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Yes! I've won something!
Winning is a habit!
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Yes! I've won something!
Speech, speech!
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I'd like to thank... Oh, shit. I've dropped it.
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Cole still carrying an injury?
Rhetorical question ?
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I'd like to thank... Oh, shit. I've dropped it.
not on the bloody granite
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Cole and Bent injured.
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I'd like to thank... Oh, shit. I've dropped it.
Under the bus?????
(http://mit.zenfs.com/210/2011/04/aD5X.jpg)
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I had this trophy made just for Leeg.
(http://cdn-www.i-am-bored.com/media/spelling-trophy-typo.jpg)
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Just logged into AVTV to watch and got this message "you do not have an active subscription". Gits.
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Cole and Bent injured.
Cut and paste that for the rest of the season.
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Just logged into AVTV to watch and got this message "you do not have an active subscription". Gits.
Me too, I renewed my season ticket ages ago but it has not arrived so I do not have a new code. Bugger!
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Stream anywhere else than AVTV?
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Jesus: NBaker again ... Lord save us.
Has Lowton actually got the loan to Boro? If not, why is he not in the squad?
The midfield options look so mediocre ....
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Just logged into AVTV to watch and got this message "you do not have an active subscription". Gits.
Me too, I renewed my season ticket ages ago but it has not arrived so I do not have a new code. Bugger!
I didn't renew so can't really complain, but I will anyway. A bit shitty to cut it off before the last pre-season away.
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Seems a bit petty. Particularly when other clubs broadcast them for free.
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Jesus: NBaker again ... Lord save us.
Has Lowton actually got the loan to Boro? If not, why is he not in the squad?
The midfield options look so mediocre ....
Lowton is in the squad/ on the bench.
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I like seeing us try and play out of the back. We are bad at it, but we need to keep doing it. Only way we are going to get better.
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We're looking competitive at least. But some of the passing is so sloppy. And I really struggle to see us score too many set up this way.
The full backs are pushed on quite far. But you really need some fluidity and creativity in midfield or up front to make this work - a Merson or Yorke. Cole was that sort, but you can't see him being a key part of the way we play. As boring as teh 433 can be, you do get an extra attacking player in there
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Oh well if they want to be twats about showing the game, fuck 'em.
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Yeah there is also a gap between defense and our attackers. Our midfield shape has been poor for so long now.
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AVTV stream is really jerky for me.
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Surprised it isn't on Dave.
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Has Baker ever scored for us?
He's got such a 50p head
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Has Baker ever scored for us?
He's got such a 50p head
And Toblerones for boots.
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Has Baker ever scored for us?
He's got such a 50p head
he's a big lad and he's brave too. How or why he doesn't pile in during corners is baffling. I've always said he has every attribute a CB should have except intelligence. Apparently that's important.
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Has Baker ever scored for us?
He's got such a 50p head
No. I believe his official score tally is -1.
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Yes. Okore however is a better passer than either of our front two today.
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Baker passing to no one constantly, smh.
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that was straight out of the brazil 1982 side!
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golgolgolgolgol
1-0 Villa, Alan Hutton.
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Hutton on the scoreboard 0-1
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
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He kissed the badge! Alan kissed the badge!
Welcome home big man.
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Losing to Villa. How low have they sunk?
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Wow. Didn't expect to be reading that tonight but fair play to him. What was the goal like?
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As much as it's a depressing time, I don't think there's much doubt that Hutton, Okore and N'Zogbia are welcome returnees given our predicament - and considering the alternatives
I think all have to start v Stoke
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Wow. Didn't expect to be reading that tonight but fair play to him. What was the goal like?
Smashed in from close range.
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Hutton has been decent this summer. Fair play to him for having the right attitude this summer.
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
That is a sentence I have not expected to see. I hoe he continues because we need defensive presence next season.
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Wow. Didn't expect to be reading that tonight but fair play to him. What was the goal like?
He tried an overhead kick but got blocked, then there was a scrabble and he recovered first to get a tap in. Actually I prefer the "smashed in from close range" description :)
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Agree, why the fuck has Lamberk ignored him for 2 years? Sheer incompetence.
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Hutton tried an attacking overhead kick for Aston Villa in 2014. Who ever expected to witness that?
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That missed header sums Gabby up.
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Wow. Didn't expect to be reading that tonight but fair play to him. What was the goal like?
He tried an overhead kick but got blocked, then there was a scrabble and he recovered first to get a tap in. Actually I prefer the "smashed in from close range" description :)
They're playing scrabble ? Hope they are using a larger than normal board otherwise its pretty crap for the fans to watch.
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Westwood spraying it around. Very much under rated in my view
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Richardson has done pretty well, nice touches, good on the ball.
Delph looking good, too.
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Agree, why the fuck has Lamberk ignored him for 2 years? Sheer incompetence.
Let's not get carried away, he's scored against Walsall.
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AVTV stream is really jerky for me.
Are you using Chrome by any chance? On a Mac (although might be same on pc)?
Was the same for me, had to switch to Safari, fine on that.
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Nice one on one save. Give brad a bit of confidence.
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AVTV stream is really jerky for me.
Are you using Chrome by any chance? On a Mac (although might be same on pc)?
Was the same for me, had to switch to Safari, fine on that.
Safari so good!
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Was that another glaring miss from Gabby?
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Excellent cross from Hutton. he is playing like a man who.. err .. wants to play.
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Agree, why the fuck has Lamberk ignored him for 2 years? Sheer incompetence.
Let's not get carried away, he's scored against Walsall.
We'll be lucky to hang on to Hutton once the champs league sides start calling
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Agree, why the fuck has Lamberk ignored him for 2 years? Sheer incompetence.
Let's not get carried away, he's scored against Walsall.
We'll be lucky to hang on to Hutton once the champs league sides start calling
Messi never scored against Walsall.
Advantage, Hutton.
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Was that another glaring miss from Gabby?
he's become rather profligate has our Gabby. Gets in good positions which is the encouraging bit, but sharp as a a butter knife in front of goal.
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Hutton. To be fair he has been really good.
Agree, why the fuck has Lamberk ignored him for 2 years? Sheer incompetence.
Probably for the same reason most fans said that he should not play for Villa again after the McLeish season.
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Ha, forgot this was on
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the question with Hutton isn't when he is coming forward because he does look rather good, it is when he is asked to defend. Worse when he is asked to mark a winger as he becomes a liability. Now I will temper my views on Hutton because under McLeish he was asked to defend all the time and generally play only in his own half. Hardly playing to his strengths. It might be a whole new Hutton we see in a more attacking 3-5-2
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Can't get avtv on a tablet so instead I'm building a little Hutton shrine.
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Bloody hell. Gabby and Weimann are awful. Probably both be outscored by Curtis Davies and Martin Skrtel again next season.
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We were attacking then and Westwood decides to go back instead of a few strides forward into open space for a better option. These things annoy me.
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the question with Hutton isn't when he is coming forward because he does look rather good, it is when he is asked to defend. Worse when he is asked to mark a winger as he becomes a liability. Now I will temper my views on Hutton because under McLeish he was asked to defend all the time and generally play only in his own half. Hardly playing to his strengths. It might be a whole new Hutton we see in a more attacking 3-5-2
Towards the end he just about gave up defending and was the furthest man forward (seriously he was ahead of the strikers). Not sure that is wise for a wing back but he is clearly desperate to play for us.
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the question with Hutton isn't when he is coming forward because he does look rather good, it is when he is asked to defend. Worse when he is asked to mark a winger as he becomes a liability. Now I will temper my views on Hutton because under McLeish he was asked to defend all the time and generally play only in his own half. Hardly playing to his strengths. It might be a whole new Hutton we see in a more attacking 3-5-2
One of the problems in the past with Hutton was that he'd go wandering upfield or stroll out of position, and leave enough room to stage the Glastonbury Festival behind him.
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I remember Brett Holman having a decent pre-season but being mostly naff once the season kicked off so it's best not to get carried away.
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True but it beats being thrashed 4-1 by FC Groningen.
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True but it beats being thrashed 4-1 by FC Groningen.
The night is young.
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the question with Hutton isn't when he is coming forward because he does look rather good, it is when he is asked to defend. Worse when he is asked to mark a winger as he becomes a liability. Now I will temper my views on Hutton because under McLeish he was asked to defend all the time and generally play only in his own half. Hardly playing to his strengths. It might be a whole new Hutton we see in a more attacking 3-5-2
One of the problems in the past with Hutton was that he'd go wandering upfield or stroll out of position, and leave enough room to stage the Glastonbury Festival behind him.
true, but going out with TSM's instructions ringing in his ears, I imagine by the end he had lost all will to live let alone show any kind discipline on the pitch.
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True but it beats being thrashed 4-1 by FC Groningen.
The night is young.
I am blaming you if that happens.
;D
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I thought Lowton was off to Boro? Maybe not.
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Is the camera man pissed?
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Is the camera man pissed?
You're watching the game through Jack's iPhone Pete. What were you expecting?
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Nzogbia trys to take on a man too many and loses the ball.
/assigns a key macro
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Did they have one of those girly drinks breaks first half ?
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Did they have one of those girly drinks breaks first half ?
What, you mean like Babycham?
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Did they have one of those girly drinks breaks first half ?
What, you mean like Babycham?
Lambrini slags just wana have cock.
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433 this half is putting us more on the front foot
but weimann really isn't suited to the number 9 role. he's not offering much at all
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Gabby's shot then. Terrible.
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gabby shoots for the mooooon!
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Gabby how is it even possible to shoot that far over when you've got the ball under control?
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That one landed in Dave Cooper's garden.
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Sooooo Lowton's playing?
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Gabby how is it even possible to shoot that far over when you've got the ball under control?
you just got done by one of those magician's illusions.
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Sooooo Lowton's playing?
Yup. Looks ok.
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gabby shoots for the mooooon!
It's on the M6
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gabby shoots for the mooooon!
It's on the M6
What's the moon doing on the M6?
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gabby shoots for the mooooon!
It's on the M6
What's the moon doing on the M6?
I think he meant the shot was so far off target it is now in the possession of Tony Moon in Italy
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Sooooo Lowton's playing?
Yup. Looks ok.
I'm not really watching, cheers. Why isn't he in Middlesbrough? What else have missed?
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gabby shoots for the mooooon!
It's on the M6
What's the moon doing on the M6?
Driving his van down to Verona?
edit: dammit, beaten.
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What position is Bacuna playing today? Does Lambert pick it out of a hat game to game?
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I don't really understand how we didn't score then
Delph a complete class apart with no Vlaar or Benteke on the pitch
All in all a decent workout and we look competent. But pretty blunt up front. I'm not really sure there's a team we can put out at the moment that would correct that.
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What position is Bacuna playing today? Does Lambert pick it out of a hat game to game?
Who knows but he's been slowing the game down way too much.
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bloody hell. It really shows when your main striker is out and then his back up what we're ultimately left with to finish off chances. We've done ok in the build up but with no finishing at all.
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Meh
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Interesting to see Zog and Jack on the pitch at the same time. Made us almost look PL!
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An encouraging display in terms of our ball retention but we should have won that by a few more. N'Zogbia being back is going to be a big plus in terms of our attacking play but I can't see us scoring many until Benteke or Kozak are back.
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We looked solid but toothless. Thats a step up. I will take it.
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I wonder where the goals are going to come from until Benteke and Kozak come back.
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From what i could tell from my stuttering steam on AVTV, N'zogbia looks as if he might make a difference and Delph looked very good again as well. A clean sheet is always welcome too.
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I wonder where the goals are going to come from until Benteke and Kozak come back.
I think we'll be ok defensively, ok in midfield, and shocking up front. When the forwards can't score combined with a midfield that really doesn't then you put a lot of pressure on keeping clean sheets.
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Credit to Hutton so far he is taking his chances all be it in pre-season games against weak oppersition. As sad as it is to say, but he has done enough to play at Stoke on the opening day, unless we sign someone better between now and then which I don't see.
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My Bolton season ticket holding mate kept saying last season how good Hutton was. A class above
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Looks like we are all in agreement , we are ok except upfront,forgot Weimann was playing and Gabby played like a midfielder but his passing and control ain't up to that.We need a striker in this team before Benteke and Kozak are fit.
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We did look really toothless. If we play 433 n'zogbia will start on the right and I think Weimann again showed he can't play the central role in a three
If we play 352, if still pick n'zogbia I think. He's bloody frustrating but he looks like he can create
I can't decide which formation I prefer at the moment.
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Having watched us scrape past Walsall I've got just one question, can somebody tell me one thing that Weimman brings to the party, just one? He was abysmal yet again in Villa colours tonight and I can't for the life of me see why he gets picked.
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He scores at Anfield.
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I like Weimann but he looks better when he's got someone to play alongside rather than being stuck out wide.
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He scores at Anfield.
If that's the only requisite lets bring back Ian Olney.
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Having watched us scrape past Walsall I've got just one question, can somebody tell me one thing that Weimman brings to the party, just one? He was abysmal yet again in Villa colours tonight and I can't for the life of me see why he gets picked.
Careful. He will cup his ears at you for that!!
I agree. I just don't see anything from him, or Gabby to be fair. I am almost beginning to think Bendtner would have been a better option! Jeez, how sad is that?
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Weimann is not good enough, as are most of that squad. Therein lies our problem.
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I wonder where the goals are going to come from until Benteke and Kozak come back.
Alan "Xbomb"
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I just got back. My first live villa action in quite a while.
1. The atmosphere among villa fans ranged from humour to resignation to boredom throughout.
2. We looked pretty ordinary throughout but particularly first half.
3. We look better in the 2nd half with notable introductions of Lowton and Charlie.
4. I blame our general turgidness at Lamberts door almost entirely. Some of his tactics just make no sense. Eg gabby off (correct decision) but replaced by bacuna who was shoved out to the left with grealish pushed up front on his own.
5. It's all just well a bit stale.
6. Defence looked a lot more solid a good thing but hardly tested really.
7. Agree re Delph quality performance.
I understand that £10m has been made available. We need every single penny.
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Delph is a class above really, only dynamic central midfielder we have.
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We looked solid but toothless. Thats a step up. I will take it.
Sounds like the woman next door. She's got nothing up front nowadays either.
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Pretty unremarkable performance, only Delph looked a class above Walsalls level.
A long season beckons.
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Find it hard to believe that he took Gabby off and pretty much replaced him with Bacuna...no significant reshuffle, just take a bloke off and put another bloke on to replace him!
A wing back (???) to replace Gabby???
Even I would have the sense to muddle 'em about a bit!
An enjoyable (!!??) evening out at the Banks's Stadium where you can drink anything but Banks's!
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Gabby's shot that landed somewhere near Wednesbury was the best thing ever.
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He scores at Anfield.
If that's the only requisite lets bring back Ian Olney.
You asked for one thing. There's one thing. You created the requisite thing so you may hoist your own petard forthwith. Or ask for another thing. making two.
Or bring back Ian Olney.
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Let's.
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I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.
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With regards to the game, I thought we were dreadful. Delph was decent and N'Zogbia had his moments but that's about it.
Playing Grealish up front on his own for 15 minutes was a stroke of genius.
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Just got back in after a few post game drinks. That's the first time I have seen us this pre-season and unfortunately, I have got major concerns. It seems we haven't really made any progress and the same problems are still very apparent. First half we played 3-5-2 and looked a bit disjointed. We played a flat three in midfield rather than have that more advanced player to link things up. Westwood did OK in the main and Delph had a good game, but KEA still really doesn't offer much at all. Okore looked sharp, but Clark was patchy at best and Baker was really poor (terrible passing and giving away stupid free-kicks in dangerous areas). Richardson did fine on the left and although Hutton didn't look completely at ease at wing-back, he did OK. Gabby and Weimann posed little threat really and without Benteke, I can't really see where the goals are going to come from.
I thought we looked more comfortable in the more familiar 4-3-3 formation after the break. N'Zogbia looked sharp on the right, but didn't really produce anything of note. Apart from being beaten once, Senderos looked solid and surely will be an unpgrade on the aforementioned Baker and Clark. Lowton and Stevens didn't really have too much of a test at full-back and the amount of substitutions had nullified the game by the time Bacuna and Grealish came on (substitutions which left us playing without a striker for the last 15 minutes).
My concern is that the same problems from the past few seasons are still there and haven't been addressed. The midfield isn't creative enough and KEA and Westwood are too similar. We are so light in that area now. If KEA, Westwood or Delph are injured, we've only really got Gardner to bring in and the jury is still out on him. Without Benteke, we don't really pose a goal threat and with Benteke, Kozak and Bent out, we've only got Gabby and Weimann. Okore looks solid and hopefully Vlaar will stay, because Senderos apart, the other options aren't good enough for the top flight. After seeing that tonight, we've got to replace Baker and possibly Clark in the squad because neither have improved and are still making the same mistakes.
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I love Delph. I particularly like that thing he does when he quickly flicks the ball from one foot to the other then back, then moves into the space he's created.
I thought that was actually our best pre season performance (missed one of the US tour games, mind).
I thought CNZ looked good, as did Grealish when he came on (he's so happy on the ball). I barely noticed Westwood, thought KEA did OKish at least, and thought Gabby and Weimann looked like fans who had wandered onto the pitch, awful, both of them.
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I love Delph. I particularly like that thing he does when he quickly flicks the ball from one foot to the other then back, then moves into the space he's created.
I thought that was actually our best pre season performance (missed one of the US tour games, mind).
I thought CNZ looked good, as did Grealish when he came on (he's so happy on the ball). I barely noticed Westwood, thought KEA did OKish at least, and thought Gabby and Weimann looked like fans who had wandered onto the pitch, awful, both of them.
If he can add a few more goals to his game (which I think he is capable of) he will be a top player.
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Weimann continues to run around without actually doing anything of note...Gabby well there should be a sign on the M6 warning motorists of low flying footballs.
Kozak and Benteke can't come back soon enough.
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I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.
Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.
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I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.
Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.
Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus. Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!
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I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.
Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.
Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus. Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!
Oh thats excellent. I am afraid I had jack woodward parked too close to the mic when it was going on.
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I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.
Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.
Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus. Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!
Bastard! Just made me listen to it to see what this "da da da" is all about. Good work, Olney. Did he really kiss the badge tonight?
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I don't know what it is with our midfield with the main focus being on, as soon as you get it look to pass the ball back. That tactic defending a goal lead against Stoke might have merit, but against Walsall? We looked solid in defence despite Baler's timing in the tackle. Midfield, Delph apart, is below average standard. Up front, for all the effort that lot don't look to have too many goals in them.
Vlaar was a few seats away from where I was. He looked focused or maybe bored.
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I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.
Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.
Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus. Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!
Bastard! Just made me listen to it to see what this "da da da" is all about. Good work, Olney. Did he really kiss the badge tonight?
I didn't see any badge kissing but he applauded the fans at half time whilst walking back to the tunnel.
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Delph looked the fittest of all the players by far last night.
Lowton & CNZ linked up well down the right.
I thought Weimann & Gabby were awful.
Hutton was OK coming forward, didn't think much of his defending.
Okore likes a pass back to Guzan.
Richardson looked OK, nothing spectacular, think he'll be better than Luna/Bennett.
Baker and Clark, nothing need to be said here.
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Hutton didn't kiss the badge, he wiped his nose on his shirt.
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I thought Baker loked pretty solid, not that they offered much in attack.
Their ginger midfielder was pretty impressive, one to keep an eye on.
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I thought Okore passed it well. Baker was ok but made a typically rash challenge that almost let them in. In really hoping vlaar is there to replace him v stoke
Delph - especially in the second half - was on a different level to anyone else on the pitch. As frustrating as it is, that midfield three is our best bet at the moment. It's just a question of how we fit around them. Play 433 and we lack width, play 532 and we lack attacking threat unless the forwards are in top form
The big let downs were the forwards. N'zogbia ran into a lot of blind alleys but was still our biggest threat by some distance. I thought gabby was poor though he did have some threat. Weimann was anonymous. As much as I'd like more creativity and muscle in midfield, this is our biggest problem in the short term.
A loan signing for a proper centre forward is a no brainer for me. Bent isn't the answer. We haven't got anyone in the squad who's been effective at centre forward within the last three years. We don't tend to keep clean sheets. We need to get some points on the board in our first three games. This is an absolute priority.
Wenger has said that Sanogo and Campbell aren't for loaning but I wonder if they could be tempted with a two month deal? Otherwise I'd even take someone like hooper from Norwich. Can't really think of anyone else domestic.
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I thought Okore passed it well. Baker was ok but made a typically rash challenge that almost let them in. In really hoping vlaar is there to replace him v stoke
Delph - especially in the second half - was on a different level to anyone else on the pitch. As frustrating as it is, that midfield three is our best bet at the moment. It's just a question of how we fit around them. Play 433 and we lack width, play 532 and we lack attacking threat unless the forwards are in top form
The big let downs were the forwards. N'zogbia ran into a lot of blind alleys but was still our biggest threat by some distance. I thought gabby was poor though he did have some threat. Weimann was anonymous. As much as I'd like more creativity and muscle in midfield, this is our biggest problem in the short term.
A loan signing for a proper centre forward is a no brainer for me. Bent isn't the answer. We haven't got anyone in the squad who's been effective at centre forward within the last three years. We don't tend to keep clean sheets. We need to get some points on the board in our first three games. This is an absolute priority.
Wenger has said that Sanogo and Campbell aren't for loaning but I wonder if they could be tempted with a two month deal? Otherwise I'd even take someone like hooper from Norwich. Can't really think of anyone else domestic.
That's exactly how I see it too. Surely lambert and co know we can't go with what we have up front until Kozak and Benteke are fit. Loans appear the likely solution.
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I thought Hutton had a good half and Grealish looked good when he came on. Okore looks far more composed than Baker or Clark. Delph was very good. But I can't argue with what people are saying about Gabby and Weimann. Unless Paul Lambert is confident of a rejuvenated Bent a short term loan signing up front looks needed. I was amused by the half time chant in the bar of "It's one way M'lord".
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I don't think bent has shown enough to give any such confidence. Even when he was on form he couldn't play that number nine role
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That's exactly how I see it too. Surely lambert and co know we can't go with what we have up front until Kozak and Benteke are fit. Loans appear the likely solution.
Samaras is available on a free ;)
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I think we should have been getting Robinson in on the action every game in pre-season. He might have proved useful in the opening stages of the season and perhaps offered something unexpected for the opposition.
The lack of striking options is frightening at the moment. Gabby can't seem to be arsed. Weimann is a poor player truth be told, and though Bent may well chip in with a couple of goals, he's not a player you want starting week in, week out at this stage.
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I think Bent is a player that needs to start if there is any point having him at the club because I always believe he struggles to make an impact on games as a sub. Whereas Gabby possibly would be a decent impact sub. I'm not sure about Weimann at the moment. I like him but he needs to start performing.
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A short loan for a striker would be ok, signing another striker would be a massive error. Kozak and Benteke will be back before long, and striker we get in is just keeping the spot warm for them.
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I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.
Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.
Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus. Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!
Sick of hearing that song after a week at Hampden Park for the CG. Bit of a come down to experience the Villa at Bescot.
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Did anybody else on here try "The Legends Bar" in the Community stand last night?
I was expecting it to be quite a nice place befitting the clubs legends, instead it seemed like a long air raid shelter with a bar the size of a corner shop counter.
All the beer was canned or bottled not a pump in sight. And the two ladies serving were busy ripping open four packs of Carling, probably bought on special offer from Morrisons and then then flogging it off at four quid a can.
Oh and there was one picture of a legend in there........Ray Graydon.
I thought I'd mention this because I've got nothing to add about last nights match that hasn't already been said.
Oh and there was a smoking room in there, but confusingly it had a sign on the door saying disabled toilet.
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Mr Lambert didn't give a post match interview last night and there are no quotes from him about the game on Pravda.
He has clearly, definitely, been sacked and a billion dollar takeover must be imminent.
Let the good times roll!
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Bescot celebrity watch :
Chris Hughton
The Bradford manager (well the one who knocked us out the cup)
Barry Bannan
and possibly that local bloke from One Direction
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Gordon Cowans said hello to me. I nearly bowed.
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Did anybody else on here try "The Legends Bar" in the Community stand last night?
I was expecting it to be quite a nice place befitting the clubs legends, instead it seemed like a long air raid shelter with a bar the size of a corner shop counter.
All the beer was canned or bottled not a pump in sight. And the two ladies serving were busy ripping open four packs of Carling, probably bought on special offer from Morrisons and then then flogging it off at four quid a can.
Oh and there was one picture of a legend in there........Ray Graydon.
I thought I'd mention this because I've got nothing to add about last nights match that hasn't already been said.
Oh and there was a smoking room in there, but confusingly it had a sign on the door saying disabled toilet.
The away supporters' bar is a always a highlight of playing Walsall. Loads of room for us and a decent choice of beer at a good price - I paid £2.40 for a pint of M&B Mild and a bit more for a pint of hand pulled Long Man bitter - both pretty good and a sight better than the choice we get at VP. My cheese and onion cob was £1!
Puts us to shame!
No pictures of Ray Graydon though!
;-)
UTV!
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Forgot to add TLP - avoid the Legends' Bar next time!
;-)
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I went in The Saddlers Club before. Was OK, just too fucking hot
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Didn't watch game as tablet don't support avtv. Can anyone confirm what time baker went down with a head injury ?
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Gordon Cowans said hello to me. I nearly bowed.
Whaddyamean nearly?!
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One of their players was on the same train as me on the way to the game. I didn't even twig that he was a Walsall player even though he was kitted out in a tracksuit with a Walsall badge until a fan asked for his autograph outside the ground. It would seem that luxury cars at this level of the game are something of a rarity.
Is the lad who won their MOM award the son of Mark Kinsella? He was presented with a bottle of Champagne after the game. He looked old enough to be doing his GCSEs next year.
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Is the lad who won their MOM award the son of Mark Kinsella? He was presented with a bottle of Champagne after the game. He looked old enough to be doing his GCSEs next year.
Yes it is. First name Liam by the way.
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One of their players was on the same train as me on the way to the game. I didn't even twig that he was a Walsall player even though he was kitted out in a tracksuit with a Walsall badge until a fan asked for his autograph outside the ground. It would seem that luxury cars at this level of the game are something of a rarity.
Is the lad who won their MOM award the son of Mark Kinsella? He was presented with a bottle of Champagne after the game. He looked old enough to be doing his GCSEs next year.
Did he point a lot? If so he would be related.