Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on August 23, 2014, 12:00:46 PM
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Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar, Cissokho, Westwood, Delph, Richardson, Weimann, N’Zogbia, Agbonlahor
Subs: Given, Baker, Bacuna, Cole, Bent, Sanchez, Grealish.
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Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini (c), Dummett; Anita, Colback; Gouffran, Sissoko, Cabella; Riviere.
Subs: Elliot, Haidara, S.Taylor, Abeid, Obertan, de Jong, Perez.
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Justifiable, having an unchanged side, but I thought Gabby was just a hole in the air last week. Needs to improve this time.
Be good to see Sanchez and Grealish on the pitch together at some point. And Joe Cole. It would give us a different complexion in midfield.
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Fairly predictable selection, I suppose - I didn't expect Sanchez to start today.
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Options and experience on the bench which is nice. Okore eventually to replace Baker and also Benteke and Kozak plus whoever else we sign makes it that much deeper. It doesn't have fragility of last season about it, even if it still lacks enough genuine quality.
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I know it never seems to actually make any difference to them, but Newcastle don't half have some good players.
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Id have dropped Gabby for Zog or Bent. Disappointing.
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I know it never seems to actually make any difference to them, but Newcastle don't half have some good players.
nuts isn't it? They've got some tremendous scouts that bring these players to the club yet they can never put it together for one reason or another. Something always gets in the way and it is almost always self inflicted.
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Id have dropped Gabby for Zog or Bent. Disappointing.
I agree he deserves dropping, but when Bent is the alternative I think sticking with Agbonlahor is probably the better option.
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Id have dropped Gabby for Zog or Bent. Disappointing.
N'Zogbia's playing. Bent maybe but he hardly sparkled himself in the pre-season.
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I know it never seems to actually make any difference to them, but Newcastle don't half have some good players.
nuts isn't it? They've got some tremendous scouts that bring these players to the club yet they can never put it together for one reason or another. Something always gets in the way and it is almost always self inflicted.
It's strange, and hilarious too, but I just worry against the day when it DOES all come together!
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Still no Okore? Worrying.
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Still no Okore? Worrying.
He's pulled a muscle in trainign, I think I read somewhere?
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Id have dropped Gabby for Zog or Bent. Disappointing.
N'Zogbia's playing. Bent maybe but he hardly sparkled himself in the pre-season.
Didn't he score at err Mansfield.
Ok fair point.
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I know it never seems to actually make any difference to them, but Newcastle don't half have some good players.
nuts isn't it? They've got some tremendous scouts that bring these players to the club yet they can never put it together for one reason or another. Something always gets in the way and it is almost always self inflicted.
It's strange, and hilarious too, but I just worry against the day when it DOES all come together!
Given they have won something like only one major trophy in their entire history chances of it ever coming together are pretty slim. They'll win games convincingly but lose games equally bizarrely just when you think things are coming together.
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Still no Okore? Worrying.
He's pulled a muscle in trainign, I think I read somewhere?
Lambert said he was doing ok yesterday and he trained yesterday. I think he's a week away and there's no rush.
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lets beat these foreigners
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Still no Okore? Worrying.
I'm sure he'll be on the pitch for a presentation at half time.
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lets beat these foreigners
As opposed to our all English elect?
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Still no Okore? Worrying.
He's pulled a muscle in trainign, I think I read somewhere?
I heard it was just knee swelling or something last week and that he was left out as a precaution though if he trained yesterday and will be back next week then that sounds a bit better.
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Newcastle have some decent players, but they are not that great looking at that side. In fact put Benteke back in ours and I would fancy us today. As it is, I would take a draw today, and a win against Hull before the nightmare starts.
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Weird still sat on the bus this close to kick off and not stood outside the ground selling!
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Agreed, Ozzjim. I'm looking forward to Benteke and Kozak to be back so we have some very good options.
As for Bent, I think he's a spent force, unfortunately. A square peg in a round hole.
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Newcastle have some decent players, but they are not that great looking at that side. In fact put Benteke back in ours and I would fancy us today. As it is, I would take a draw today, and a win against Hull before the nightmare starts.
It'll be a decent test for our new old defence today, as Newcastle have some very tricky attack-minded players. Cabella especially could easily cause trouble for Vlaar and Senderos.
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Id have dropped Gabby for Zog or Bent. Disappointing.
Not really. Newcastle's weakness is lack of pace at the back. Let's hope Gabby rips them a new one.
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Everyone says Newcastle players are very good. I've hardly heard of any of them!
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We'll win 2-0.
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Think i would have been miles out on GTC. i would have gone 34000+
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Everyone says Newcastle players are very good. I've hardly heard of any of them!
Quite. That they still have Williamson, Colbeck and Dummet in their side suggests they are not quite the Man City wannabe's we have may built them up to be.
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Ah I see what we're doing. Play like the away team and hopefully we'll get some of our away form. Very clever, Villa. Very clever.
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unlucky NZog great cross
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Beautiful cross by Aly
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bollocks that looks serious for vlaar
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Vlaar injured?
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Thank fuck hes up.
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Ron looks fucked
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He looks okay, fortunately.
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Mike Dean's giving some soft decisions against us.
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19% possession so far!
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That's a point, when are we going to sort Delphs and Vlaars contracts out? No better time than during the transfer window.
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Great crossing from Cissokho, and some good play there in midfield
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Christ, Aly is our most dangerous player. He's going to be real fan favourite at this rate
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close
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We're playing some pretty decent stuff.
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We are very decent at crossing the ball. We need Kozak and ultimately Benteke back as soon as possible. We have next to no threat in the middle.
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Cissokho been good again.
This game needs Grealish also.
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We are very decent at crossing the ball. We need Kozak and ultimately Benteke back as soon as possible. We have next to no threat in the middle.
agree
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Whisper it quietly but even if we lost this today, there are some signs we could be a decent side this season. If Lambert does add 2 more as he said he wants, and Benteke, Kozak and Sanchez come back in, we should not be struggling too much.
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I would say Keane has already had an influence on this team. Looks like we're trying to keep it down through midfield, quickly get it forward and wide and get on a cross....similar to how United played back in the day.
I hope we don't start lumping it when the big boys come back.
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The way we want to play doesn't suit the players that play up front. And we don't have the talent to play it through the middle, but to do so probably suits the players we have playing right now.
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Chance for Newcastle there.
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Whisper it quietly but even if we lost this today, there are some signs we could be a decent side this season. If Lambert does add 2 more as he said he wants, and Benteke, Kozak and Sanchez come back in, we should not be struggling too much.
Early days but I feel more confident than I did last year. I will be shocked if we're bottom 5 or 6 all year
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agree Ozzjim, we don't look like an amazing team or anything, but theres a bit of a pattern of play, and a bit of composure at the back. A couple of our players look better than that. Great move just now.
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Much better from us. Better cross needed from Hutton
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Not doing too badly now, we look very dangerous.
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We are crying out for a proper forward. It has to be killing Lambert and Keane
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Beautiful ball across the goal from Weimann
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In fact even Bent could take advantage of this
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In fact even Bent could take advantage of this
Yea Darren would attack the space Gabby isn't
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Worth a dig Fab....unlucky son.
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Nice move, Delph might have done better thee with a good touch and a bit of composure.
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Nice move, Delph wasn't too far off with that shot.
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Kieran is doing well in the centre of the pitch
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Gabby with the gentle first touch of a rapist
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We haven't looked good at all from corners. We have some bigger players now and the delivery just isn't good enough
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We haven't looked good at all from corners. We have some bigger players now and the delivery just isn't good enough
I think we've looked junk since Laursen retired.
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44% possession at home. Not great.
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Unlucky, good break from Huts
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44% possession at home. Not great.
Means nothing
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Great bit of play from Hutton.
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Good move again. This hasn't been bad and we look much more assured at the back mainly due to an absence of Baker.
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44% possession at home. Not great.
Means nothing
Doesn't really though does it. If we've got the ball we are more likely to score and they are less likely.
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What was that Andi
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Why on earth would Weimann try and shoot from there with Cissokho overlapping?
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Weimann you greedy twat
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Weimann you greedy twat
Yep.
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44% possession at home. Not great.
Means nothing
No, means nothing. Putting the ball in the net and keeping it out of yours is the game, not passing along the back four and into midfield for 90 minutes. 1 break takes seconds and BOOM....goal.
Keep your stats
Doesn't really though does it. If we've got the ball we are more likely to score and they are less likely.
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44% possession at home. Not great.
True, but we look much more solid than last year, which is more important. We're not seeing mass panic in the defence every 10 minutes now.
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Great bit of play from Hutton.
This is not a double post.
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Three things:
1) Our kit is crap. Makes us look like West Ham.
2) Hutton is playing well for us, which is something I never thought I'd say.
3) Will the Newcastle fans forgive us now after our 17th minute gesture?
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No, means nothing. Putting the ball in the net and keeping it out of yours is the game, not passing along the back four and into midfield for 90 minutes. 1 break takes seconds and BOOM....goal.
Keep your stats
OK, but common sense says teams who have the ball more tend to score more goals. Counter attacking is fine but it isn't the only way to play the game.
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New contract for Hutton?
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Quality from Westwood there.
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Scottish Cafu really playing well
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0-0 as the ref blows for HT
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44% possession was positively outstanding for us at times last season.
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Ah was it Hutton, Dutch commentators saying it was Westwood and only saw it once :P
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That Alan Hutton chap looks like a really good full back. Did we just sign him?
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Nzogbia, Hutton, Westwood, Cissokho, Vlaar and Senderos have all looked decent. Delph looks ok. Gabby and Weimann look in truth pretty poor at the moment.
Sign a wide forward please before the window shuts Lambert!
Grealish and Bent could have a big say in this game.
Quite impressed with the work Richardson has got through too. We are a strange team now, we look totally different to the jittery side of much of the last couple of seasons.
Can't wait to see the beast in this side.
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Senderos reminds me a lot of Collins.
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Ok not bad, but we still have no genuine talent up front. Bent could take advantage of this if given the chance. I'd like to see Sanchez for Westy, Bent for Gabby and Grealish for Zog at some point in the game.
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No, means nothing. Putting the ball in the net and keeping it out of yours is the game, not passing along the back four and into midfield for 90 minutes. 1 break takes seconds and BOOM....goal.
Keep your stats
OK, but common sense says teams who have the ball more tend to score more goals. Counter attacking is fine but it isn't the only way to play the game.
No, I agree. But 44% for Villa at home or any ground is actually bloody amazing if you compare those figures to a lot of games last season.
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We may have found some full backs.
Midfield looks ok.
Front 3 fairly average.
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No, means nothing. Putting the ball in the net and keeping it out of yours is the game, not passing along the back four and into midfield for 90 minutes. 1 break takes seconds and BOOM....goal.
Keep your stats
OK, but common sense says teams who have the ball more tend to score more goals. Counter attacking is fine but it isn't the only way to play the game.
No, I agree. But 44% for Villa at home or any ground is actually bloody amazing if you compare those figures to a lot of games last season.
Fair enough mate.
Grealish and Sancvhez 2nd half please 8)
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Keep that up for the next 45 and we won't lose. Newcastle look like they're crying out for a striker....a bit like us. But I think we can grab this 1 - 0.
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Hutton is playing really, really well. I am shocked, but pleased for him. We've gone from having two very bad full-backs to two very good ones, and it's making a hell of a difference.
Westwood is also covering loads more ground than he ever did last season and actually tracking back, getting stuck in a lot more, showing far more bite and zip. I sense the influence of Mr Keane there.
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No, means nothing. Putting the ball in the net and keeping it out of yours is the game, not passing along the back four and into midfield for 90 minutes. 1 break takes seconds and BOOM....goal.
Keep your stats
OK, but common sense says teams who have the ball more tend to score more goals. Counter attacking is fine but it isn't the only way to play the game.
No, I agree. But 44% for Villa at home or any ground is actually bloody amazing if you compare those figures to a lot of games last season.
Fair enough mate.
Grealish and Sancvhez 2nd half please 8)
I reckon if we go 1 up we will see Sanchez maybe. 1 down and Cole or Grealish maybe
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I don't think we need Sanchez or Grealish, but Bent. We're getting the ball into really good areas, but there's nobody there to take advantage.
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Hutton is playing really, really well. I am shocked, but pleased for him. We've gone from having two very bad full-backs to two very good ones, and it's making a hell of a difference.
Westwood is also covering loads more ground than he ever did last season and actually tracking back, getting stuck in a lot more, showing far more bite and zip. I sense the influence of Mr Keane there.
Agreed. It's a massive difference having good full backs and both have a lot of strength too so won't get bullied.
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Why on earth did BT choose to show this game ?
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Hutton is playing really, really well. I am shocked, but pleased for him. We've gone from having two very bad full-backs to two very good ones, and it's making a hell of a difference.
Westwood is also covering loads more ground than he ever did last season and actually tracking back, getting stuck in a lot more, showing far more bite and zip. I sense the influence of Mr Keane there.
Agreed. It's a massive difference having good full backs and both have a lot of strength too so won't get bullied.
Yup. That we avoided relegation last year was an unlikely (but welcome) outcome of a dangerous bet.
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Love Gabby but a player that relies on pace really have to move to pose a threat....
Benteke is sorely missed as a central threat..
But...at least its nice to watch a home game and not being afraid for 90 min.
And why the heck didnt Lambert at least give Hutton a chance last Season?
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No, means nothing. Putting the ball in the net and keeping it out of yours is the game, not passing along the back four and into midfield for 90 minutes. 1 break takes seconds and BOOM....goal.
Keep your stats
OK, but common sense says teams who have the ball more tend to score more goals. Counter attacking is fine but it isn't the only way to play the game.
No, I agree. But 44% for Villa at home or any ground is actually bloody amazing if you compare those figures to a lot of games last season.
Fair enough mate.
Grealish and Sancvhez 2nd half please 8)
I reckon if we go 1 up we will see Sanchez maybe. 1 down and Cole or Grealish maybe
That's logical but also symptomatic of Lamberts reactive use of subs. I wish he would take the initiative more with them, spotting a tactical flaw in the opposition and bringing on a player to take advantage.
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We did okay that half. Oh to have Benteke on the end of some of those crosses. It's getting a bit cold.
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Why on earth did BT choose to show this game ?
It's hardly been the most boring game ever now, has it? Two Premier League teams is the reason, I'd imagine.
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Ok not bad, but we still have no genuine talent up front. Bent could take advantage of this if given the chance. I'd like to see Sanchez for Westy, Bent for Gabby and Grealish for Zog at some point in the game.
Gabby's link up play in the first 25 minutes was probably the highlight up until then but they've really closed him down and crowded the middle. Despite us using the flanks well we're still not stretching them enough. They're very compact in there, our best hope is to play an early ball through the middle and let Gabby run at them.
Hutton is again having a great game. The defence, apart from one occasion look pretty comfortable.
Shame we're seeing Delph playing so deep, we really could do with him being more box to box. N'Zogbia is putting in a shift by his standards, Andi will probably get replaced some time in the second half, hopefully for Grealish.
If we can just improve our delivery, we can take the 3 points. Not seen anything from Newcastle to really worry about provided we remain focused.
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We did okay that half. Oh to have Benteke on the end of some of those crosses. It's getting a bit cold.
Agreed, it's not all the doom and gloom that the media have predicted for us.
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So, reading your views about Hutton, how much of his former play was down to coaching? Was he asked to play that way?
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FFS Andi.
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Shit there from Weimann.
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So, reading your views about Hutton, how much of his former play was down to coaching? Was he asked to play that way?
I don't to throw him a complete pass because some of his play was dreadful but it certainly didn't help the way TSM had us set up to defend for 95 minutes a game.
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I really loathe Mike Dean.
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So, reading your views about Hutton, how much of his former play was down to coaching? Was he asked to play that way?
He played badly under McDoom. Lambert didnt fancy him. Nit sure if he hadboff field problems. Was he involved with bouncer fracas
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Time to take N'Zogbia off.
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I do wish Waddle would stop saying Guzman. It's Guzan for god's sake.
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Lambert needs a new Halftime peptalk cause now the passing looks like last season again...
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Time to take N'Zogbia off.
Yep, need a change now.
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Our poor 45
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Dean can't wait to give decisions against us. He takes such glee in it. Winds me up how he is so eager.
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Newcastle have puhed up, with the pace we have we should be able to get behind them but have reverted to last seasons hoof ball.
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Rock
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Early change, good.
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Our shirt looks great on him. He is so muscular.
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Nice first touch from Carlos
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Toronto La Roca likes La Roca. Lovely ball there to Hutton
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Hey he's good isn't he.
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Rock what a ball
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Beautiful ball from Sanchez there. Played it like it was his last.
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What a fucking idiot tackle Senderos!
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My new favourite player.
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That was a dive fuck knows why Senderos has been booked.
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No way
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Senderos stuck out his foot to trip him. I would love to stick the boot into Dean, but not really his fault there.
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Totally lost our way at the moment.
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Not happy with this. It's looking too much like last season now.
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Senderos stuck out his foot to trip him. I would love to stick the boot into Dean, but not really his fault there.
Probably need to see it again then just looked like he touched him with his arm and he went down.
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Certain that if that had been a Newcastle player Dean would have given it.
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Bacuna coming on.
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Huttons like Zidane and Beckenbauer rolled into one.
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Sanchez knows how to pass.
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It was definitely a foul by Senderos and a good one. Neither Clark or Baker would have done it.
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Weimann gets away with it re the hook. Richardson was just starting to find space wide left too.
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Go on Daz
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Bent is looking chunky.
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I fucking love Fab
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C'mon Aly, man up
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Delph is a classy player.
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I would love to get a grilling from Keano.
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Nearly the gab pace of old
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They do look pretty solid. Sure, we'll probably lose now I've said that, but they look competitive.
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Balls, Baker coming on
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uh oh, Baker
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Aly boy, there's nothing wrong with you
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No Cole, no Grealish, and some Baker. Terrible recipe.
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Fuck...Baker for Aly...thats NOT a good sub.
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I'd rather he left Delph at LB and put Grealish on
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I'd rather he left Delph at LB and put Grealish on
This tbh
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Badly want a win here. Get Grealish on ffs.
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Dean you are a prick. First foul for Sanchez and a card
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Baker nearly strikes again
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Baker been on the pitch for 1 min and he already lost his man.
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Good delivery from Westy, I'm glad we've stopped doing the floaty ones.
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Phew, that was close
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Guzan save after Westie hesitated.
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good save Guzan.
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Baker shite.
Gabby and Weimann poor this half.
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Played Guzan
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Well done Brad two more important saves today. At least someone is earning his pay!
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Would be happy with a whistle and a point now...
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Fine save.
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The timewasting from the fans is 8)
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ta ra wills
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Given the lack of chances I think I would have thrown someone like Cole on. We Bent on we need better service.
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Newcastle down to 10, although too late to capitalise on it.
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Would be happy with a whistle and a point now...
Agreed. Pity that could not have happened earlier! I'd have taken 4 points after two games tbh.
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If that was a Villa player I would be going nuts....but it isn't so....WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
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I think I would have taken 4 points too. Two clean sheets. Just frustrating when we drop points at home to teams we really should be beating.
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Williamson has had a decent game too shame for him. Come on Villa!
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2 minutes to go for it now
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I think I would have taken 4 points too. Two clean sheets. Just frustrating when we drop points at home to teams we really should be beating.
Think it is more the performance. There is little to choose between us and Newcastle and a draw isn't bad, but to not even have a shot at home isn't good enough.
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Gouffran you twat
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Hutton MOTM the rival goes on! ;D
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Not bad, we would of lost that last season
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Happy with a point and clean sheet.
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Top of the league!!!!!!!
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Not bad but really wanted the win. Another clean sheet though.
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Goals are clearly our problem
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Called it really, that had a draw written all over it. Like many others I am pretty happy with four points plus two clean sheets from the opening two games. As long as we beat Hull next weekend then it would have been a steady start. The home form has to improve long term though.
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2 games, undefeated and no goals conceded. Bloody brilliant, our best start for 15 years.
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Think a big moment was Cissokho having to go off. If that hadn't happened, or if we'd kept on Richardson, we could have brought on Cole or Grealish for a little more incision. As it is, two games, four points, one for, none against - it's not terrible at all, and the side looks competitive and like it has balls enough to compensate for its lack of quality. In short, a solid, secure, happily boring midtable Premier League side. Well done Lambert and Keane - that's what they needed to do.
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Two clean sheets in a row. Practically unheard if recent years and frankly speaking rather comfortable overall. We are dying for our too forwards to get back though.
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Some improvement there but still plenty of work to do.
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We still don't control games enough at home. It's all too one dimensional and reliant on the counter attack. We have to adapt and have more of the ball at home or our record against the lesser sides will never improve.
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2 games, undefeated and no goals conceded. Bloody brilliant, our best start for 15 years.
That's a joke surely! We have not won two back to back opening fixtures in all that time?
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2 games, undefeated and no goals conceded. Bloody brilliant, our best start for 15 years.
That's a joke surely! We have not won two back to back opening fixtures in all that time?
99 under Gregory was last time
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Happy we weren't beat. But blimey we are so poor in the forward and creative departments. No shots on target. Last on motd. But top.
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It's positive. We didn't look rushed. We were quite composed most of the game. Not the heart in your mouth bollocks of recent seasons. Hopefully Cissokho is ok because along with Hutton we look the best we have at FB in ages. There's a ton of work to do let's not kid ourselves but it is a very long season. Newcastle have a lot of talent and we created as many chances as they did. It will be ok this season and might take off once the Beast returns to dominate and put away those chances.
And Gabby, I love you, but you look a spent force.
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Attendance : 30,267
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Attendance : 30,267
Not surprised. Must have lost 3k season ticket holders.
After last 4 seasons of home shite the fact we got that much is a testament to the paying fan.
Older more affluent fans stop going. Kids on zero hours contract cant afford to replace them.
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Attendance : 30,267
Not surprised. Must have lost 3k season ticket holders.
After last 4 seasons of home shite the fact we got that much is a testament to the paying fan.
Older more affluent fans stop going. Kids on zero hours contract cant afford to replace them.
3000 were Geordies too.
Next week v hull could easily be sub 30k.
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Attendance in midweek could be interesting.
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Attendance in midweek could be interesting.
Yep, thinking 15k ?