Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on September 20, 2014, 04:55:07 PM
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Could all have been different if Delph or Clark had scored. Maybe we aren't going to win the league after all.
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I really don't like Arsenal and their fans. Not at all.
Still they were the better team. The mystery of Okore goes on. Clark is still Clark. :(
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Oh well I enjoyed the season whilst it lasted and watching MOTD
Realistically, we were never going to be more than one of the teams in the bottom 12 or so and given that I think we will improve this season once everyone is back, our battle is with the likes of Swansea, Southampton, West Ham and Stoke to finish between about 8th and 12th
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I suppose the get out of jail card will be this bug that wad going round, but that was a completely unprofessional display which got what it deserved.
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Fell apart for 5 minutes. After that we made a sensible choice not to get more humiliated. I'd rather we'd made it respectable scoreline but it was vital we didn't get totally battered, especially with the fixtures we have coming up.
That Virus has come along at the worst time.
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What really fucked us was losing Baker and Westwood. I also wonder how many who played today may have been affected by the bug/virus?
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5 minutes of poor defending. The rest was Ok, nothing special. That's more like the Villa we're used to.
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We cant complain about the first four games but this is a reality check. I thought the best we'd do is get a point but to collapse like that is unforgivable and shows that we're still not that much better off than last season. I just hate these teams coming to Villa Park every season and pissing over us. 1998 was the last time we beat them at home and that hurts. As bad as today feels I cant help but fear next week will be even worse.
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a very bad day, kept the score down in the second half which was about the most positive thing.
Clark had a nightmare, Cissokho has possibly less football ability than Baker, Sanchez's Ali Dia impression. Very little positive really, even Nzogbia looks like a 50 year old man these days on the pitch. Cleverley was tidy but not much gumption about him, taking little responsibility which was disappointing.
anyway getting Benteke and Vlaar back is huge but this is a season where anything above 40 points is a bonus.
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Attendance anyone? It looked nearly full. Which makes it even more disappointing as everytime Villa fans seem to show up at home in numbers we get tapped.
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Attendance anyone? It looked nearly full. Which makes it even more disappointing as everytime Villa fans seem to show up at home in numbers we get tapped.
40,013.
And we did alright at home to Chavski last season.
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I think we will get something against Chelsea.
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A write off. We made it very easy for Arsenal. 4 crazy minutes where we turned to total shite.
Vlaar was a big miss today. Likewise Baker's presence as opposed to Clark too.
Sanchez should have come off after the 3rd goal went in to be honest. He was horrific today. Ultimately it was way too soon for him.
Gabby started well, but we should so little intent after going three down, he was given a thankless task after that.
Cissokho was shaky today. Cleverley didn't look confident. Clark was woeful. Delph wasn't up to his normal standards.
Grealish was the one positive for me. Unfazed on the ball. Confident and composed. He looked like a footballer, whilst the rest of the side looked bobbins on the ball today. If he's that composed in a cluster fuck of a game like today against far superior opposition, then he's not going to be fazed playing Chelski or Man City. Start him. He's got a brain and a bit of guile we lack in midfield. What annoyed me today was that despite how much better Grealish looked on the ball than the rest, we didn't give him the ball nearly enough. And the movement to support him was poor.
I think we just have to write this off as another shit home performance against Arsenal. An almost yearly occurrence. I think we'll be better against Chelski.
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I really don't like Arsenal and their fans. Not at all.
Still they were the better team. The mystery of Okore goes on. Clark is still Clark. :(
I think after today, Lambert will be tempted to throw Okore in, unless it's a fitness issue. Clark looks done.
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I think we will get something against Chelsea.
A good hiding if we defend like that
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I think we will get something against Chelsea.
I don't but we will certainly be better I think. Our whole mentality and the ability of our players is much more suited to playing away where we are just good enough to frustrate a stronger team slightly off its game. Plus we may have players back - Vlaar, Westwood, Benteke and Baker
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Bump
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Attendance anyone? It looked nearly full. Which makes it even more disappointing as everytime Villa fans seem to show up at home in numbers we get tapped.
40,013.
And we did alright at home to Chavski last season.
Thanks. And good point.
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Thought we started well but fell apart in a crazy 5 mins. Second half was painful to endure but given the missing players and our excellent start I'm not down hearted
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Not even attempting to get back into the game was a disgrace.
40,000 people deserve better than that.
I don't buy this we did the right thing by keeping the score down.
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I think we will get something against Chelsea.
Me too.
I think they call it having a new one torn open.
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Who would have thought we'd be crying out for Nathan Baker??? Bizarre.
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Who would have thought we'd be crying out for Nathan Baker??? Bizarre.
Hilda Baker would have been better than Clark and Sanchez
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Who would have thought we'd be crying out for Nathan Baker??? Bizarre.
Baker would have made little or no difference today imo
Chelsea could really do us, maybe have the likes of Bacuna start for Weimann and pack midfield early on
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Not even attempting to get back into the game was a disgrace.
40,000 people deserve better than that.
I don't buy this we did the right thing by keeping the score down.
Bang on. Are we the only team that does that?
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A sharp reminder of the folly of rushing to conclusions after four games.
I don't get Clark. He has, to my eyes anyway, looked decent in midfield in the past, but he pretty much never has a really good match at centre half. I appreciate that Okore might not be considered "ready" for the Premier League yet, but I haven't seen anything in three years of Clark playing in that position to suggest he is, either.
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Who would have thought we'd be crying out for Nathan Baker??? Bizarre.
Baker would have made little or no difference today imo
Chelsea could really do us, maybe have the likes of Bacuna start for Weimann and pack midfield early on
In reality, he probably wouldn't. Arsenal today were a cut above Liverpool and had a lot more cutting edge. I hate saying it too, but Welbeck looks a good fit for them. Today was a much harder game all round.
We generally raise our game against Chelsea, and hopefully we'll have Vlaar and Westwood back. I'd start Jack too.
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Not even attempting to get back into the game was a disgrace.
40,000 people deserve better than that.
I don't buy this we did the right thing by keeping the score down.
Bang on. Are we the only team that does that?
No, but to my knowledge Hughton with Norwich was the only manager honest/dumb enough to admit it.
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192 seconds.
Bonkers. Hopefully that's our shitstorm moment of the season and we won't have that again.
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I doubt any of us liked that second half, but it was preferable to the Chavski game when we made no effort to shut up shop and were lucky to only concede 8. I know going for it in the second half doesn't automatically mean conceding a bunch more, but with that side we had out today I think we would have.
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Thought we did well for twenty minutes, then the extra class showed, and they controlled the game in the second half without being at their best. We faded, but it is still just one bad day at the office and may prove a good wake up call. I wouldn't have taken off Weinmann I think he did alright first half. It was a shame that Bent wasn't on the bench just because he would have been worth throwing on second half.
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I doubt any of us liked that second half, but it was preferable to the Chavski game when we made no effort to shut up shop and were lucky to only concede 8. I know going for it in the second half doesn't automatically mean conceding a bunch more, but with that side we had out today I think we would have.
I think so too. I hate it, but I think you are right. A 0-5+ hammering would have smashed us morale wise.
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You can't stand off Arse.You have to close them down quickly, and physically impose yourselves on them.Thats what Chelsk always do, and what Dortmund did, you play with high energy.We looked strangely lethargic today, partic in midfield.Makes me wonder if this "bug" was a bit more widespread than reported.
Also PLs tactics worry me.No team tactics apart from counter attacking.Fine when you're away from home, or against a better team,but when we go a goal down there's no plan B.
I actually thought Gabby was ok today, but we need CB or Kozak back, and a quality forward to play off them.
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Not even attempting to get back into the game was a disgrace.
40,000 people deserve better than that.
I don't buy this we did the right thing by keeping the score down.
I agree with you, but if 3 then turns to 5 or 6 we then can't moan, you can't have it all ways
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Typical Villa.
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I think those late changes and Sanchez coming and looking off the pace didn't help the balance in the middle. Unfortunately same with Clark who wasn't sharp and affected the balance and chemistry of the defence. Not blaming him for everything but it was a part of the issue. Let's see what we learn from this.
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Thought we did well for twenty minutes, then the extra class showed, and they controlled the game in the second half without being at their best. We faded, but it is still just one bad day at the office and may prove a good wake up call. I wouldn't have taken off Weinmann I think he did alright first half. It was a shame that Bent wasn't on the bench just because he would have been worth throwing on second half.
I wonder if Weimann was another who was affected by the virus? It seemed strange that he was subbed for any other reason as he did okay first half.
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We also need that dominant player up front to slow things down and hold up the ball. He's a few weeks away so we'll need to get through this and pick up points where possible. Let's not smash the side given we've done so well up to today. Disappointing as the result is it doesn't change what we have achieved so far this season.
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You can't stand off Arse.You have to close them down quickly, and physically impose yourselves on them.Thats what Chelsk always do, and what Dortmund did, you play with high energy.We looked strangely lethargic today, partic in midfield.Makes me wonder if this "bug" was a bit more widespread than reported.
Also PLs tactics worry me.No team tactics apart from counter attacking.Fine when you're away from home, or against a better team,but when we go a goal down there's no plan B.
I actually thought Gabby was ok today, but we need CB or Kozak back, and a quality forward to play off them.
I think we did that pretty well for most of the first half, but that mad five minutes just stunned us and we never recovered. I would have liked more of a go second half, but sometimes you just have to accept that we are playing a much better team who know how to punish weakensses.
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Thought we did well for twenty minutes, then the extra class showed, and they controlled the game in the second half without being at their best. We faded, but it is still just one bad day at the office and may prove a good wake up call. I wouldn't have taken off Weinmann I think he did alright first half. It was a shame that Bent wasn't on the bench just because he would have been worth throwing on second half.
I wonder if Weimann was another who was affected by the virus? It seemed strange that he was subbed for any other reason as he did okay first half.
You do wonder how many were actually affected by it and were just about able to play through it.
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More of a go in the second half would've probably resulted in 4 or 5 nil tbh which could've really fcuked things up like xmas 2012 did.
The key moment was 0-0 and Clark's miss. Yes Schzeney did well to save but from that range you simply have to score that especially against the top teams as you won't get countless chances.
Arsenal wouldn't have been scoring 3 goals in 30 seconds if we'd scored there and we probably deserved it from the first half hour.
This game reminded me of the Man. United home game last season. Played well but in a blink of an eye three nil down. Sadly we have much pyschological issues playing Man. United and Arsenal at Villa Park, would rather today's game had been at the Emirates as we'd probably have nicked a result.
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I can see both sides of the "why didn't we try to get back into it" argument.
Yes, the fans deserve that at the very least.
On the flip side, two years ago when we won at Anfield, we picked up similar plaudits as this season having done the same, only to embark on a run of hideous hidings. It wasn't those hidings that soured the rest of the season, it was the enormous knock to the confidence we took which hung around us for months afterwards.
The thought of that happening had we ended up shipping five or six today doesn't really bear thinking about.
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From what a couple of reporters are saying Lambert knew going in it was going to be a long day when the players reported in there were a fair few in the squad suffering from this bug. We will never know who, but if you take out 3-4 first team players, then put 3-4 more at even 80% against a side like Arsenal, you are buggered quite simply. We did well to keep the score down and get through the day in my opinion.
We did well enough first half hour, Clark scores that opportunity great. But he didn't, and while that would have made Arsenal more tense and tight, they took the let off and went for it.
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
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Well that's back down to earth with a bit of thud, I had a horrible feeling Ozil and Welbeck would have an impact today. Still other than those 5 minutes most of the first half was pretty positive. I didn't see the second half but sounds like we didn't do a lot. It's like I said on another thread we're going to have to learn to be more of a threat going forward.
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Not even attempting to get back into the game was a disgrace.
40,000 people deserve better than that.
I don't buy this we did the right thing by keeping the score down.
I agree with you, but if 3 then turns to 5 or 6 we then can't moan, you can't have it all ways
if they were struggling with a virus then fine.
We had gone 3 goals down playing that system so it obviously had not worked.
It is pretty concerning that we appeared to have no other way of playing.
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
Bollocks to keeping the score down is all well and good in hindsight. Not so great if it happens though is it?
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
I think so too. We were easily a match for them until the first goal and creating chances. The towel came in a bit too easily for me.
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
Bollocks to keeping the score down is all well and good in hindsight. Not so great if it happens though is it?
Would you have been happy to have paid to watch that second half?
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Back to reality then?
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Maybe we had to play that way in the second half as a few were fucked by that virus, and Lambert knew it? So chasing a game against Arsenal when players aren't fit is a recipe for taking a real tonking. Which long term would have been a very very bad thing.
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Ridiculously negative, we are certainly the most negative team in the league. And it's not a knee-jerk reaction, we were exactly the same last week despite winning. Sit back and hang on, possession is not important etc... Well it is in the long run, men behind the ball for 90 minutes is not a sustainable footballing philosophy.
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
Bollocks to keeping the score down is all well and good in hindsight. Not so great if it happens though is it?
Would you have been happy to have paid to watch that second half?
That's not the point though is it? Whenever we lose it's shit. But I bet the paying public wouldn't have been happy had we lost by even more.
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Maybe we had to play that way in the second half as a few were fucked by that virus, and Lambert knew it? So chasing a game against Arsenal when players aren't fit is a recipe for taking a real tonking. Which long term would have been a very very bad thing.
Agreed with this. We didn't do ourselves justice second half, but it is understandable our heads dropping, and you have to give Arsenal some credit for their play. It would have been much worse for confiderence if we had been hammered four or five.
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
Bollocks to keeping the score down is all well and good in hindsight. Not so great if it happens though is it?
Would you have been happy to have paid to watch that second half?
That's not the point though is it? Whenever we lose it's shit. But I bet the paying public wouldn't have been happy had we lost by even more.
I think the paying public would rather see us approach the second half like a professional, premier league football team, not a bunch of schoolboys who are playing against the big boys.
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One thing that's a concern is that our issue of conceding goals in quick succession has raised it's ugly head again. It's annoying to concede one goal, but it's suicide to concede a second and then a third straight afterwards.
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We carried on going for it against Chavski, i'm pretty sure with hindsight everyone wishes we'd shut up shop at HT when it was 3-0. It's very easy to say we should have gone for it, but we have no idea if fitness was an issue with some of them out there. What we do know is the potential damage a tonking can do, it took us months to recover from that Chavski game.
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I do home our home form problem has been addressed. We don't really know yet.
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Lambert's post match comments are all about the squad being really ill. Including a number of them that played today. He says he'll likely have to close Bodymoor for a couple of days.
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Lambert's post match comments are all about the squad being really ill. Including a number of them that played today. He says he'll likely have to close Bodymoor for a couple of days.
If that's the case We can file this game under bad luck and move on quickly from it.
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
I think so too. We were easily a match for them until the first goal and creating chances. The towel came in a bit too easily for me.
Sorry but what a load of bollocks. We may have to close the training ground because of this virus to get over it. 3-0 sounds like we got off light today.
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We might still have lost with a full side. We did play Arsenal after all. But having a squad that is ill and lacking energy isn't going to help matters. It also fully explains why we chose to shut up shop rather than chase things after the break.
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The defeat was the first in the league suffered by Villa this season as a combination of Arsenal's first-half performance and a virus that had swept through their camp proved too much for them to handle.
Villa boss Paul Lambert had lost defender Nathan Baker and midfielder Ashley Westwood to the illness but said that, despite other players "not feeling the best", his side would "go for it".
The home side were initially true to his word as Gunners keeper Wojciech Szczesny had to palm a Fabian Delph shot around a post and then save a Ciaran Clark header at point-blank range.
But when Arsenal click into gear they are difficult to stop, which a stunned Villa found to their cost as they conceded three goals in quick succession.
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Wimps, Bert Trautmann played on with a broken neck etc.............
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It explains a lot. There was no way we could play differently second half. We would have got smashed.
Take the medicine and move on
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Wimps, Bert Trautmann played on with a broken neck etc.............
They don't make 'em like that anymore John. I walked uphill both ways going to and coming home from school. Snowed everyday too. Parents couldn't afford to get a coat or shoes.
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I'm going to allow the bug as a reason for this week. It clearly affected us particularly with late changes. Lambert was interviewed on sky before kick off and he looked worried as if he knew what was coming.
Having said all of that it does once again show that we simply no plan b once the opposition decide when they are going to score.
Sanchez early days they may be but I'm not positive about him at the moment.
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To approach the second half like that, at home, is an utter disgrace.
Bollocks to keeping the score down. We should have been in their faces, closing them down, forcing them in to errors, who knows, maybe we might have created a chance or two, bloody hell, we might even have scored!!
In the end that second half wasn't even a heavy training session for Arsenal, it was a complete stroll in the park.
I think so too. We were easily a match for them until the first goal and creating chances. The towel came in a bit too easily for me.
Sorry but what a load of bollocks. We may have to close the training ground because of this virus to get over it. 3-0 sounds like we got off light today.
It isn't bollocks. We had a great chance to take the lead. Their keeper had saves to make.
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We did have a plan B which was given the circumstances to shut it down as opposed to taking a battering. Employing a different plan B while the team is feeling like shit wouldn't have had any affect and might have made things worse.
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Was surprised Weimann was withdrawn at half time but turns out he had the bug aswell.
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I'm going to allow the bug as a reason for this week. It clearly affected us particularly with late changes. Lambert was interviewed on sky before kick off and he looked worried as if he knew what was coming.
Having said all of that it does once again show that we simply no plan b once the opposition decide when they are going to score.
Sanchez early days they may be but I'm not positive about him at the moment.
Yes let's hope it was the bug, as for 20 minutes or so we did well.
Sanchez looks like he needs time to settle in. Unfortunately he did an impression of Djemba-Djemba today.
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At the match people were saying there was a flu bug which had kept Baker and Westwood out. Fair enough but why didn't Okore play? Is there something we are not being told?
We lost it for a few mins and paid heavily. In fact if Clark had put that easy header away we would ,in all probability still have lost. I think Lambert made a decision to stop a heavy defeat which could bring morale back down to last season's level.
He was probably right on this occassion.
Sanchez turned in a performance that equaled anything Paul Mortimer conjured up quite a few years ago, He was uniformly dreadful.
Still feel very optimistic,however. I think we are in for a much improved season.
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it doesn't take much to affect the chemistry in a football team. If players are ill, and the manager is making late changes, plus players starting to feel ill during a high level physical sport then it derails even the best laid plans. We might still have lost today but the performance in all likelihood would have been very different.
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I'm going to allow the bug as a reason for this week. It clearly affected us particularly with late changes. Lambert was interviewed on sky before kick off and he looked worried as if he knew what was coming.
Having said all of that it does once again show that we simply no plan b once the opposition decide when they are going to score.
Sanchez early days they may be but I'm not positive about him at the moment.
Yes let's hope it was the bug, as for 20 minutes or so we did well.
Sanchez looks like he needs time to settle in. Unfortunately he did an impression of Djemba-Djemba today.
First half an hour we did well, but it did seem as if we ran out of steam pretty quickly. We looked dead in the second half. No drive or energy on the counter.
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I thought we were pretty good for the first 30 minutes or so then had a shambolic spell of madness where we fell apart badly in such a short period of time. I think containment was the approach in the second half.
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On the warm up I saw westwood being tended by the coaching staff, he was pointing to his foot
If that is anything to go by. Then to see Sanches come out for the game was quite a suprise, he seemed totally unprepared and I believe not yet up to speed with the premiership, he improved his performance in the 2nd half I thought.
But what a shame for us after the Liverpool result. And also with Larry Ellison Watching in the Box behind me in the Trinity stand. We could do with some of his investment!
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Wimps, Bert Trautmann played on with a broken neck etc.............
They don't make 'em like that anymore John. I walked uphill both ways going to and coming home from school. Snowed everyday too. Parents couldn't afford to get a coat or shoes.
You had a home and parents??....jesus some people had it easy!
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For 30 mins we were the team most likely to score & Arsenal had offered nothing prior to scoring. Five mins of madness killed the game. After that it was damage prevention, which although not pretty, was the right thing to do.
Sanchez is not ready to start & that was evident throughout, however if Westwood was fit he wouldn't have started. There are easier teams to play against.
You've got to trust the judgement that Okore's not ready to start either, he's been out for a full season & had played only 3 games prior to that. So if we're honest we don't know if he's up to it either. Whilst he looked good in those 3 games, that was a serious injury & a year ago. Lambert & Keane see him everyday.
What is clear is that we will continue to struggle for goals & possession until Benteke comes back.
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I reckon we'll go to Chelsea game giving it the full Mourinho and try and steal something. A bit like Liverpool in some regards.
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We will go to Chavski, have 1% possession, 1 shot (which will actually be a Guzan hoof), win 1-0 and The Whinging One will explode with indignation. If there is a God other than Paul McGrath, please make that happen.
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We will go again.
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We will go again.
Seems like a few players had to keep going today.
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I see you're as regular as clockwork.
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I see you're as regular as clockwork.
I have a poop every morning before I get up.
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I think it's important we don't get carried away by this defeat like we shouldn't of by the start!
We clearly were missing players today and with a bug going through the camp that's clearly not ideal!!
As I see it this season is about improvement trying to get 45-50 points and a 10th-12th position!
These games are tough if we can pick up 2 from the next 3 games that would be 5 points from these 5 tough games which would be a good return!
I want to measure us up against the teams around us!
I also want us to look to really improve this season with our posession and attacking threat!
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Played well for 30 minutes and could easily have gone 1 up but for superb saves by Szczesny (?sp?). Then broke one of the the golden rules of football - if you go a goal down hold the ball for a while and don't concede again quickly. In fact we broke it twice. The rest of the game was a training exercise for Arsenal. Yes, we had injuries , and we lost more players to the squirts, but they are a class above us and move the ball really well, so no complaints with the final result tbh. Small positive - Jack came on and showed yet more promise - play him longer please Mr Lambert. Small negative - Sanchez was pretty shocking - hope it's just a case of getting up to speed, and not that his World Cup was a freak display.
And what was going on in the lower Holte after Arse scored? Seemed to be drawing more attention than the game
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Thought we were playing pretty well until that crazy five minutes.
Bad day at the office. Sounds like the illness in the camp took it's toll.
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That virus could cost us the title this season
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It does come to something when a team completely dominates the game
for 30 mins and then let's couple of donkeys shaped like Wurzel and
Welbz to make themselves look like thoroughbred race horses. So so it
was at VP today but hoping that man city beat Chelski tomorrow and
that will get us back to the top after we stuff them at the bridge next Saturday.
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Ifs, buts and virus. The thing is you have to ask why Sanchez stayed on the pitch. Why didn't PL take him off. Sounds from the wireless he was awful and really made us weak.
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Villa: 3/10, but forgiven for having the runs.
Man next to me: 0/10 for abusing "fucking foreigners," "fucking gays," "fucking cockney c***s" (repeatedly), claiming he's going to "fucking punch that cockney wanker in the face." And his witticisms of "If Scotland had got independence, could we send that fucking Jock back to fucking Scotland because he's a fucking foreigner?" He was quite pleased with that so said it about 5 times. He also wants Weimann to "fucking die." Hopefully Andi's case of the shits isn't that bad.
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Just write if off as a bad day at the office (*Dark Destroyer from The Chase face*).
Let's move on. We now know we were having virus problems, plus we were faced with having Clark in the side.
Hopefully that won't happen again too soon, and we'll see an appropriate improvement.
What is wrong with Vlaar, though? He really is made of glass, isn't he?
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Just home from the game. Agree pretty much word for word with CJ. For half an hour we played well then got suckered into conceding three goals instead of one. When you concede that early in the game you retrench and regroup. You feign injuries, you waste time, you slow down the opposition momentum by any means at your disposal. We did exactly the opposite. We chased around like kids in a school playground and lost the game in three minutes.
I don't buy into the virus alibi, it is too convenient. It may well have had a detrimental effect but from the 36th minute the game ceased to exist as anything other than a training exercise. I was not as pleased with Grealish as many have been because I think he does not show sufficient edge. To me he looks too half soaked to become a superstar. Just my opinion. Sanchez should have come off after the first goal.
Even in the damage limitation which the game became it was acutely depressing to see so much hoofball from Guzan. Bad day at B6.
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I do buy into the virus thing, because they were so bad. So devoid of any energy.
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I do buy into the virus thing, because they were so bad. So devoid of any energy.
So do I.
The second half, we looked like we were just looking at the clock so we could go and have a lie down. Now we know why.
Plus, really, if they were exaggerating a situation like this, they've have about 50 occasions to do it in the last two years following even worse performances.
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The virus clearly had an affect with us losing Baker and having Clark come in and an under cooked Sanchez instead of Westy.
We needed to take out chances and then got suckered by Arsenal's first real attack. Five minutes later it was all over. Disappointing performance, but Arsenal are a good side make no mistake.
Edit: I am not sure if Gabby has the bug, but he murdered three or four Arsenal players for pace, won a free kick and then looked absolutely shattered for the rest of the game.
I played football of Tuesday with a only a cold and ended up breathing out my arse because my nose and head was so blocked. It does have an affect.
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We shall see. The virus excuse has a very short shelf life.
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Poor old Ciaran Clark. He's not cut for this division, is he? I think it would be kinder to everyone if we let him go to Wolves or Derby or someone, where he wouldn't be outclassed each week.
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What if the alternatives to replacing Sanchez also felt like shit? Also, unless there is a like for like it may not have been able to simply swap him out without changing formation/tactics etc. He looked well out of sorts and running on a dying battery for a player who is almost the opposite of that. See also explanation for Delph, F
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Ifs, buts and virus. The thing is you have to ask why Sanchez stayed on the pitch. Why didn't PL take him off. Sounds from the wireless he was awful and really made us weak.
Maybe because of the virus problems? He had to take Andi off because of it, Delph was apparently struggling with it as well so he may have thought he'd have to take him off as well and that leaves us one sub. So even if was playing badly, a body on the pitch is better than nothing.
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
U ok hun? Xxxx
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Joe Cole could have come on. If I was unkind, I could argue you wouldn't be able to tell if he had the virus or not. I'm not that mean though.
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What was all the business going on in the bottom left corner of the Lower Holte? Everyone kept standing up to look over there and I had no idea what was happening.
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I don't see how anyone doesn't buy into the virus excuse/alibi considering we lost 3 players before the game to it, one during the game and a few other players looked fucked after half an hour.
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
only this evening?
WINKY
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What was all the business going on in the bottom left corner of the Lower Holte? Everyone kept standing up to look over there and I had no idea what was happening.
Was it like watching Meerkat Manor?
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#prayforpoorlypaulie
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
only this evening?
WINKY
Oh, all the previous stuff was just my bog-standard mental illness making me say that stuff.
Tonight I'm riddled with, err, virus.
-
#prayforpoorlypaulie
I want applause on the 46th minute.
Am also about to introduce a range of wristbands.
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
How will we know if you are ill or not?
/BOOM!
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Gastroenteritis may be used as a reason for physical malfunction but so much that went wrong on that pitch this afternoon was due to their mental not physical sharpness. Like I say, we shall see what post viral infection performances are like.
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Joe Cole could have come on. If I was unkind, I could argue you wouldn't be able to tell if he had the virus or not. I'm not that mean though.
Whichever virus he has, it clearly doesn't have any sort of wasting effect.
I saw him on a photo on the Villa twitter feed last week, hugging some fat child, and it took me about 30 seconds to work out which was the fat child and which was the professional footballer.
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There are times when i've felt shit (excuse the pun) and just a simple task like making a hot drink is an effort, and my concentration levels are non existent. Fuck knows how they can play a PL match when feeling like it.
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Gastroenteritis may be used as a reason for physical malfunction but so much that went wrong on that pitch this afternoon was due to their mental not physical sharpness. Like I say, we shall see what post viral infection performances are like.
Surely if you're physically ill, your mental sharpness is pretty irrelevant.
I watch matches and think "fuck, yes, I'd have just accelerated across the defence and executed a perfectly timed sliding tackle", but my body reacts by saying "actually, you know what, I think I'll just stay on the sofa, immobile".
Fair enough about the upcoming performances, but by the same token, don't they deserve a bit of trust given the preceeding performances?
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I had your average man cold this week (I.e. the Ebola Virus on speed) and really couldn't be arsed at work. If you're ill, the you're not 100%. I struggled to play football on Tuesday and I struggled to make peoples lives missable through my dastardlyness at work. God knows how hard it must be to try and play while ill in a Premier League game, especially against Arsenal.
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Joe Cole could have come on. If I was unkind, I could argue you wouldn't be able to tell if he had the virus or not. I'm not that mean though.
Whichever virus he has, it clearly doesn't have any sort of wasting effect.
I saw him on a photo on the Villa twitter feed last night, hugging some fat child, and it took me about 30 seconds to work out which was the fat child and which was the professional footballer.
I saw him hugging Barry Austin and it took me 30 seconds to work which was the footballer.
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
How will we know if you are ill or not?
/BOOM!
Out-thought by Toronto by a period in excess of TWO whole minutes, PWS.
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#prayforpoorlypaulie
I want applause on the 46th minute.
Am also about to introduce a range of wristbands.
I have had Elton John knock up a song for you, our English Rose.
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#prayforpoorlypaulie
I want applause on the 46th minute.
Am also about to introduce a range of wristbands.
I have had Elton John knock up a song for you, our English Rose.
#Goodbye Leamington's rose# etc
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
How will we know if you are ill or not?
/BOOM!
Out-thought by Toronto by a period in excess of TWO whole minutes, PWS.
See, i've got a virus and am slow replying! *cough*
Had nothing to do with getting distracted by the shite horror film i'm watching, honest.
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I'd just like to say, I'm not feeling great. I'm a bit sweaty and I've just been sick on the cat. I think I'm going down with something.
If I let you all down with a series of shit posts this evening, then please, bear this in mind.
How will we know if you are ill or not?
/BOOM!
Out-thought by Toronto by a period in excess of TWO whole minutes, PWS.
That's ok. He's not feeling well from a virus.
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I thought we were the better team and their goalie made two excellent saves. Then we had our kamikaze five minutes which effectively killed the game. I'm not chuffed obviously, but I'm not too despondent. Cautiously optimistic for the season on the whole.
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#prayforpoorlypaulie
I want applause on the 46th minute.
Am also about to introduce a range of wristbands.
I have had Elton John knock up a song for you, our English Rose.
I am going on a sponsored walk to the bog, donations here please
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This bloke will not stop clapping until Paulie is feeling better.
(http://media.giphy.com/media/VpomSdSve2ljy/giphy.gif)
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Reading between the lines, it sounds like it could be norovirus. I know people who've had it its basically three to four days leaning over the toilet chucking your guts up.
It cant have helped, so on reflection may well be partially the reason we appeared to give up in the second half.
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Reading between the lines, it sounds like it could be norovirus. I know people who've had it its basically three to four days leaning over the toilet chucking your guts up.
It cant have helped, so on reflection may well be partially the reason we appeared to give up in the second half.
We still talking about Paulie now?
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The spycam I put in Paulie's house is finally paying off
(http://f.ptcdn.info/989/006/000/1373209091-tumblrli2m-o.gif)
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Reading between the lines, it sounds like it could be norovirus. I know people who've had it its basically three to four days leaning over the toilet chucking your guts up.
It cant have helped, so on reflection may well be partially the reason we appeared to give up in the second half.
If it's norovirus it's a wonder the match wasn't abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
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Paulie is probably still trying to work out how there could be a virus that he can't get rid of by doing some clever technological stuff on a computer.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
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Why can't we get a virus during the international break. Bloody bugger and shit.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
I don't think Villa gave up. The players just couldn't get the ball off Arsenal. They had the game won and were in control.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
You're right but rather lose 3.0 than v Chelsea's 8.0 from 2 season's back.
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Us villa fans are that crazy that when were 3-0 down we keep the ball in stands , crazy we are
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No problem with playing a holding game but why not do it 10 yards further up the pitch to put them under a bit of pressure? We made all their defenders look like Bobby Moore/Beckenbauer on a Sunday afternoon stroll!
And we still gave the ball away at almost every throw in!
Why the f**k can't we give it to somebody in a claret and blue shirt...and keep it?
Looking forward to Chelsea and revenge for last season's robbery!!!
UTV!
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
I don't think Villa gave up. The players just couldn't get the ball off Arsenal. They had the game won and were in control.
We give up most of the possession in practically every game we play under Lambert. It's a horrible tactic.
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Has there ever being a more boring game that had three goals?
The second half was some of the dullest football I've ever seen. Villa weren't capable of attacking and Arsenal weren't interested.
The pressing game that worked so well at Anfield only lasted until Gabby charged at the keeper, after that they just let Arteta do what he liked.
As for Sanchez, it was pantomime stuff at times; with the crowd yelling man-on or he's behind you as An Arsenal nicked the ball off him again. Sanchez was well off the pace and doesn't seem to have adjusted yet to the higher pace in England. Hopefully this will come with time.
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An Arsenal mate of mine who was at the game said a few of them commented that a few of our players looked fucked and wondered what was up.
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The plus side is, worst case scenario we will be 5th after 5 games. Hands up who thought that?
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The plus side is, worst case scenario we will be 5th after 5 games. Hands up who thought that?
As long as we're not 38th after 38 games!
;-)
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
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I think we can finally put to bed the discussion that Clark is capable of being a Premiership player for Villa.
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I really do think that the illness running through the squad was instrumental in today's efforts. We did start to look drained after about half an hour. We go again.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
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I think we can finally put to bed the discussion that Clark is capable of being a Premiership player for Villa.
People were saying similar about Baker last season and he was great last week. That said, i don't think he's a centre half.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
I tend to think that there's a lot of unnecessary moaning on here but the lack of possession we have in general (not looking at one specific game) is a fair criticism and something that I really want to see us improve on. It's going to be hard to see that in this run of games but I want to see improvements against the weaker sides. The first half against Hull was good but we need more of that.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
Welcome back to the site.
Shame you couldn't have been around more for the last couple of weeks, it's been quite cheerful.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
[/quote]
Oh stop being so precious.
[/quote]
It's a forum. If you're going to post, expect a reply.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
[/quoteThe 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
It's a forum. If you're going to post, expect a reply.
Yes it's a forum, and apparently all views are welcome. Not just positive posts.
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I don't get why Clark is being so heavily criticised today. He may have left Wellbeck for the 2nd ? I'll have to watch MoTD in the morning. Someone who was at the game - please explain ?
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
[/quoteThe 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
It's a forum. If you're going to post, expect a reply.
Yes it's a forum, and apparently all views are welcome. Not just positive posts.
And like I said, expected to be challenged on them.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
Welcome back to the site.
Shame you couldn't have been around more for the last couple of weeks, it's been quite cheerful.
What's so controversial about what I posted?
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Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
Welcome back to the site.
Shame you couldn't have been around more for the last couple of weeks, it's been quite cheerful.
What's so controversial about what I posted?
I don't think you posted anything controversial.
I was just offering a friendly welcome back as I'd not seen you posting much on this part of the site since, ooh - probably the Leyton Orient game.
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Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Like i said, if you post, sometimes expect a reply. What's so hard to understand about that?
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
Welcome back to the site.
Shame you couldn't have been around more for the last couple of weeks, it's been quite cheerful.
What's so controversial about what I posted?
I don't think you posted anything controversial.
I was just offering a friendly welcome back as I'd not seen you posting much on this part of the site since, ooh - probably the Leyton Orient game.
Oh, you're suggesting I only post when we lose.
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Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Like i said, if you post, sometimes expect a reply. What's so hard to understand about that?
You've struggled with the quote button tonight.
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Some fantastic quote fails going on.
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Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Like i said, if you post, sometimes expect a reply. What's so hard to understand about that?
You've struggled with the quote button tonight.
I blame beer and miserable posters.
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Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Like i said, if you post, sometimes expect a reply. What's so hard to understand about that?
You've struggled with the quote button tonight.
I blame beer and miserable posters.
I'd call it a night if I were you
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Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Clampy, stop trolling for an argument.
Like i said, if you post, sometimes expect a reply. What's so hard to understand about that?
You've struggled with the quote button tonight.
I blame beer and miserable posters.
I'd call it a night if I were you
Nah, i'm fine.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
Welcome back to the site.
Shame you couldn't have been around more for the last couple of weeks, it's been quite cheerful.
What's so controversial about what I posted?
I don't think you posted anything controversial.
I was just offering a friendly welcome back as I'd not seen you posting much on this part of the site since, ooh - probably the Leyton Orient game.
Oh, you're suggesting I only post when we lose.
he's suggesting maybe when there are known mitigating circumstances that in large part explains our performance today that you ease up on your normal level of criticism. Nobody is happy with losing.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and all I get pounced on.
And you accused me of being a troll to suit your argument.
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The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.
Oh stop being so precious.
Welcome back to the site.
Shame you couldn't have been around more for the last couple of weeks, it's been quite cheerful.
What's so controversial about what I posted?
I don't think you posted anything controversial.
I was just offering a friendly welcome back as I'd not seen you posting much on this part of the site since, ooh - probably the Leyton Orient game.
Oh, you're suggesting I only post when we lose.
Definitely not.
There could be any number of reasons why you've posted more about the Villa since full time today than you have in the previous nineteen days combined.
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I really do think that the illness running through the squad was instrumental in today's efforts. We did start to look drained after about half an hour. We go again.
I know a few people are seeing the virus as an excuse, but having just seen the "highlights" on MOTD I thought several of them seemed patently ill - Weimann looked dreadful in the pre-match huddle, pale, sweaty and panda-eyed. He really did look like he'd just dragged himself away from the bog to take part. Lambert also looked bloody awful in his post-match interview. A virus would certainly explain why we were knackered after half an hour. We've shown many shortcomings over the last couple of years, but looking knackered after half an hour isn't one of them. It certainly doesn't fit with our first four games this season. I'm going with the virus theory.
Incidentally, if it is norovirus, as previously suggested, it's as potent and contagious as viruses come. (I speak from horrific experience). In which case, I wonder if we've managed to infect any of the Arse with it? See, there's always a bright side...
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and all I get pounced on.
it's not being pounced on. When you post things like this, given what you know about the squad today expect a response.
The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
I don't know that we've led in possession at any time this season but prior to today's game we were doing just fine despite that. It's one thing had you made a general comment about possession in the thread on the subject, or even after Liverpool as an observation, but you've chosen today after a defeat. You can see why you'd draw some criticism for that can't you?
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and all I get pounced on.
it's not being pounced on. When you post things like this, given what you know about the squad today expect a response.
The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.
I don't know that we've led in possession at any time this season but prior to today's game we were doing just fine despite that. It's one thing had you made a general comment about possession in the thread on the subject, or even after Liverpool as an observation, but you've chosen today after a defeat. You can see why you'd draw some criticism for that can't you?
Believe you me, this isn't the first time I've commented on our lack of possesion.
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I don't get why Clark is being so heavily criticised today. He may have left Wellbeck for the 2nd ? I'll have to watch MoTD in the morning. Someone who was at the game - please explain ?
At the game you don't get the luxury of replays...I was watching the ball and where it was going, not which player took up a certain position at a particular moment in time...
Not a moan, but the last people who "know" anything are the ones who were there...the Sky experts have already analysed it 40 times by the time we've thrown our arms up in disbelief and looked our seated neighbours deep in the eye!
UTV!
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we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.
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Believe you me, this isn't the first time I've commented on our lack of possesion.
We all have at some stage, but I really don't see the point after a game where it's obvious there were factors with the players health wise.
For all that we've been shit at times under Lambert, one thing I don't think we do is be that lethargic for so much of a match. Staggeringly shit and inept for long periods of some games, yes, but lethargic? Nope imo.
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we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.
The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?
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we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.
The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?
That's a fair enough point, but wouldn't it have been better to talk about it in the possession thread rather than have it come across as a point about this specific match when we know about the illness factor, which will effect the players both physically and mentally?
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we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.
The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?
Be good for someone to start a thread on that subject....oh wait Paulie already has.
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What was all the business going on in the bottom left corner of the Lower Holte? Everyone kept standing up to look over there and I had no idea what was happening.
There were some people making noise and that disturbs the rest of Holte Enders.
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I thought we were doing ok until that mad three minutes. Half time was one of those games where you think, well do we try and get back into the game or keep the score down. With Andi going off, it kind of made our mind up for us because we didn't have another striker on the bench and taking off a midfielder wouldn't have been a good idea anyway. The second half was dull but it could have been worse than it was.
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we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.
The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?
Be good for someone to start a thread on that subject....oh wait Paulie already has.
Oh yeah!
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Joe Cole could have come on.
Yes he could have but it takes a lot of effort from lifting yourself off the bench removing your track suit top and then running sorry walking on to the pitch. Joe is not cut out for that.
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Joe Cole looks overweight to me. Okay not fat as we mere mortals but for a footballer he looks to be carrying a bit of excess weight.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
It wasn't a tactic.
Most teams give up a lot of possession to Arsenal, and when half your team is suffering from the raging shits then there are some extenuating circumstances.
Nice to see you back by the way, missed your insight on the superb win at Anfield.
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I imagine WM will be gleefull over the chance to put the boot in for the next week.
Does Dennis still call to ask why we won't pick Warnock btw?
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
It wasn't a tactic.
Most teams give up a lot of possession to Arsenal, and when half your team is suffering from the raging shits then there are some extenuating circumstances.
Nice to see you back by the way, missed your insight on the superb win at Anfield.
Well I did post after the Liverpool game just like I do after all our games. You must only look for me when we lose.
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Agbonlahor completed 4 passes today. 3 of those were from kick off.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
It wasn't a tactic.
Most teams give up a lot of possession to Arsenal, and when half your team is suffering from the raging shits then there are some extenuating circumstances.
Nice to see you back by the way, missed your insight on the superb win at Anfield.
Well I did post after the Liverpool game just like I do after all our games. You must only look for me when we lose.
Yup, your one post on the post-match thread was nice to see. Shame you've not posted about the team at all in the time between that win a week ago and the defeat today.
Nice to see you putting the hours in tonight though to make up for it.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
It wasn't a tactic.
Most teams give up a lot of possession to Arsenal, and when half your team is suffering from the raging shits then there are some extenuating circumstances.
Nice to see you back by the way, missed your insight on the superb win at Anfield.
Well I did post after the Liverpool game just like I do after all our games. You must only look for me when we lose.
Yup, your one post on the post-match thread was nice to see. Shame you've not posted about the team at all in the time between that win a week ago and the defeat today.
Nice to see you putting the hours in tonight though to make up for it.
I'll post when and where I like. If you're suggesting something devious is going on well I can tell you you're wrong. You're supposed to be a mod so why are you trolling me?
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I think it is obvious we will concede possession to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. Hopefully in a couple of games time we will have Benteke back, we will have midfielders such as Westwood, Delph and Cleverley to provide the passing aganst teams of similar ability. The whole spine of the team was missing today, do wonder what is happening with Okore though. Lets keep positive, I didnt think we would have 10 points after 5 games, that is for sure
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
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I think it is obvious we will concede possession to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. Hopefully in a couple of games time we will have Benteke back, we will have midfielders such as Westwood, Delph and Cleverley to provide the passing aganst teams of similar ability. The whole spine of the team was missing today, do wonder what is happening with Okore though. Lets keep positive, I didnt think we would have 10 points after 5 games, that is for sure
But we concede most of the possesion to practically team we play, that's the point I've been making.
You're right though, 10 points after 5 games is an excellent return.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
It wasn't a tactic.
Most teams give up a lot of possession to Arsenal, and when half your team is suffering from the raging shits then there are some extenuating circumstances.
Nice to see you back by the way, missed your insight on the superb win at Anfield.
Well I did post after the Liverpool game just like I do after all our games. You must only look for me when we lose.
Yup, your one post on the post-match thread was nice to see. Shame you've not posted about the team at all in the time between that win a week ago and the defeat today.
Nice to see you putting the hours in tonight though to make up for it.
I'll post when and where I like. If you're suggesting something devious is going on well I can tell you you're wrong. You're supposed to be a mod so why are you trolling me?
Of course you're welcome to post when you like and about whatever you like. Just like I'm welcome to highlight that you've made one post about the team in the last three weeks (about how well Senderos played at Anfield) while the mood has been positive, yet you've made about twenty five posts in the last seven hours since we lost.
Being a moderator doesn't prevent me from pointing out the depressing inevitability of the above.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
It wasn't a tactic.
Most teams give up a lot of possession to Arsenal, and when half your team is suffering from the raging shits then there are some extenuating circumstances.
Nice to see you back by the way, missed your insight on the superb win at Anfield.
Well I did post after the Liverpool game just like I do after all our games. You must only look for me when we lose.
Yup, your one post on the post-match thread was nice to see. Shame you've not posted about the team at all in the time between that win a week ago and the defeat today.
Nice to see you putting the hours in tonight though to make up for it.
I'll post when and where I like. If you're suggesting something devious is going on well I can tell you you're wrong. You're supposed to be a mod so why are you trolling me?
He is not suggesting that there anything devious going on. He is stating that when we win you post a perfunctory congratulation, but when we lose you put your shoulder back to the wheel and resume normal service.
Nothing wrong with that, per se, given our performances in recent seasons.
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Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and I get pounced on.
It wasn't a tactic.
Most teams give up a lot of possession to Arsenal, and when half your team is suffering from the raging shits then there are some extenuating circumstances.
Nice to see you back by the way, missed your insight on the superb win at Anfield.
Well I did post after the Liverpool game just like I do after all our games. You must only look for me when we lose.
Yup, your one post on the post-match thread was nice to see. Shame you've not posted about the team at all in the time between that win a week ago and the defeat today.
Nice to see you putting the hours in tonight though to make up for it.
I'll post when and where I like. If you're suggesting something devious is going on well I can tell you you're wrong. You're supposed to be a mod so why are you trolling me?
Of course you're welcome to post when you like and about whatever you like. Just like I'm welcome to highlight that you've made one post about the team in the last three weeks (about how well Senderos played at Anfield) while the mood has been positive, yet you've made about twenty five posts in the last seven hours since we lost.
Being a moderator doesn't prevent me from pointing out the depressing inevitability of the above.
I wouldn't have posted as much tonight if you and a couple of others suggested I only posted when we lose (almost suggesting I'm gloating), which is absolute bollocks. I don't know where you're going with this, but if you're questioning my support of the Villa you're way off the mark.
By the way, I'm away all next weekend so if we beat Chelsea I won't be here to do cartwheels on the post match thread, nor will I be here to "gloat" if we lose either.
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
Totally disagree, think he will provide far more
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I think it is obvious we will concede possession to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. Hopefully in a couple of games time we will have Benteke back, we will have midfielders such as Westwood, Delph and Cleverley to provide the passing aganst teams of similar ability. The whole spine of the team was missing today, do wonder what is happening with Okore though. Lets keep positive, I didnt think we would have 10 points after 5 games, that is for sure
But we concede most of the possesion to practically team we play, that's the point I've been making.
You're right though, 10 points after 5 games is an excellent return.
I accept your comments, but really do think with a middle 3 of Westwood, Delph and Cleverley, plus Benteke to hold the ball up, possession should get better. All 3 of them are good on the ball and can influence things. What we have to ensure is we dont just lump the ball up to Benteke to flick on. I am all for hitting the balls into the channel, stretches play and Dortmund did that well v Arsenal the other night at times.
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
Good to see you've looked for the positives in somebody's home debut. He did fine.
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Agbonlahor completed 4 passes today. 3 of those were from kick off.
Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
I really do wonder how you still have the will to live.
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If Cleverley is good enough to win the premiership under Ferguson and play in a lot of games he is certainly a better option than KEA. He has started well IMO and will improve. He can pass the ball and move, something we are crying out for.
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Agbonlahor completed 4 passes today. 3 of those were from kick off.
Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
I really do wonder how you still have the will to live.
The other pass must have been the return pass to Delph early on that drew a save out of the keeper. Some people just seem to ignore the positives.
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Bad day at the office with reasons now becoming clear, the only consistent today, Clarke not a prem player now and never will be.
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I think the singling out of Saunders Heroes for unnecessarily sharp criticsm is uncalled for. So much depends on an individual fan's expectation of the team. Older fans usually, who have experienced watching some pretty good Villa teams, tend in my opinion to have higher expectations. What the hardcore, diehard fans demand is an important factor in the health and survival of any club. If you don't believe me just look at the travesty that is MK Dons.
That being the starting point of some fans expecting better of their club does not mean they are "gloating" if Villa lose or disloyal if a good performance is regarded as more like the norm we expect to see. It is a simple fact of life that the achievement of high standards flows from opprobrium if those standards are not maintained. You get what you are prepared to put up with. It is not disloyal to complain about playing standards any more than being branded a "Lambert hater" if you cast doubts on the manager's ability. It is not caring about those things which is disloyal.
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Just wish I'd have known about the virus before the game. Would have absolutely lumped on Arsenal at 10/11
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I sacked twitter off because people couldn't handle other peoples differing opinions, hope it's not getting like that on here....
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Apologies if this has already been mentioned,did anyone else have trouble with Arsenal fans sitting in the Holte? An old boy season ticket holder was ejected by a steward (much to our indignation)for having a go at one sat a few rows behind us,we sit right behind the goal,and it looked like a few others were in the lower Holte.
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There was a particularly obnoxious one in a box above the Middle Trinity.
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Apologies if this has already been mentioned,did anyone else have trouble with Arsenal fans sitting in the Holte? An old boy season ticket holder was ejected by a steward (much to our indignation)for having a go at one sat a few rows behind us,we sit right behind the goal,and it looked like a few others were in the lower Holte.
Sitting in the lower Witton End I noticed at least 3 separate incidents in the Holte End where it appeared that the police were required. One of them involved arguing Villa fans because they were sat close to my friend.
I've never previously had any issue with Arsenal fans but I must admit they were horrible yesterday.
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I'll never forget years ago I came up with the South West Lions for a midweek cup match against Arsenal and after we left the pub and was walking through the carpark at near the shop our crowd was jumped on and someone was bottled. It was completely unprovoked.
We went on to win and If I remember right I'm sure after the match Ian Wright was knoced over on the pitch by a fan completely accidental but he took it very we'll.
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Bought a programme yesterday for the first time in years (used to buy H&V.) I thought it was quite good. The programme seller was a very nice chap as well.
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I think the singling out of Saunders Heroes for unnecessarily sharp criticsm is uncalled for. So much depends on an individual fan's expectation of the team. Older fans usually, who have experienced watching some pretty good Villa teams, tend in my opinion to have higher expectations. What the hardcore, diehard fans demand is an important factor in the health and survival of any club. If you don't believe me just look at the travesty that is MK Dons.
That being the starting point of some fans expecting better of their club does not mean they are "gloating" if Villa lose or disloyal if a good performance is regarded as more like the norm we expect to see. It is a simple fact of life that the achievement of high standards flows from opprobrium if those standards are not maintained. You get what you are prepared to put up with. It is not disloyal to complain about playing standards any more than being branded a "Lambert hater" if you cast doubts on the manager's ability. It is not caring about those things which is disloyal.
Nobody is accusing him of 'disloyalty'. This isn't North Korea. The point isn't that he's complaining, it's that the bad of yesterday isn't being tempered with the good of the previous few weeks.
Plenty of 'older fans' didn't decide to go on a three week hiatus on posting about the club, which just so happened to coincide with the team getting good results, only to reappear within hours of a heavy defeat.
He, and anybody else can post whenever and whatever they choose. But I personally would find his (occasionally very sensible) points a little easier to sympathise with if there were a little balance here and there.
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
He put in a sublime cross that Clark should have scored from and a neat through ball that we should have done better with too. He undercooked three or four passes, but put himself about.
He looks useful to me, but it's difficult to read too much into that performance, especially when the game effectively ended after the third with the second half being a non-event; Arsenal sitting on a lead and us not being physically capable of pressing or doing anything about it.
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
He put in a sublime cross that Clark should have scored from and a neat through ball that we should have done better with too. He undercooked three or four passes, but put himself about.
He looks useful to me, but it's difficult to read too much into that performance, especially when the game effectively ended after the third with the second half being a non-event; Arsenal sitting on a lead and us not being physically capable of pressing or doing anything about it.
Agreed. His dead balls were better than Westwoods
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I think it is obvious we will concede possession to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. Hopefully in a couple of games time we will have Benteke back, we will have midfielders such as Westwood, Delph and Cleverley to provide the passing aganst teams of similar ability. The whole spine of the team was missing today, do wonder what is happening with Okore though. Lets keep positive, I didnt think we would have 10 points after 5 games, that is for sure
But we concede most of the possesion to practically team we play, that's the point I've been making.
You're right though, 10 points after 5 games is an excellent return.
You are correct and it frustrates the hell out of me as well.
You saw how Arse passed AND moved yesterday and wonder why we cant at least do this occasionally. Not suggesting we would get anywhere near Arsenals possession stats but our current possession percentage is woeful.
As I said to a Baggies fan in the week, the minute we start conceding goals we will be in trouble since out means if attack is so limited.
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Apologies if this has already been mentioned,did anyone else have trouble with Arsenal fans sitting in the Holte? An old boy season ticket holder was ejected by a steward (much to our indignation)for having a go at one sat a few rows behind us,we sit right behind the goal,and it looked like a few others were in the lower Holte.
Sitting in the lower Witton End I noticed at least 3 separate incidents in the Holte End where it appeared that the police were required. One of them involved arguing Villa fans because they were sat close to my friend.
I've never previously had any issue with Arsenal fans but I must admit they were horrible yesterday.
I was in the upper holte yesterday and wished they had ejected the prats sitting in row 12, K6 who at great volume moaned and swore constantly about everything. Im not easily offended but the constant use of the F and C words for 60 mins at high volume is wearing on those having no choice to listen. One kept talking to his Dad, and if he was my son Id be ashamed.
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I couldn't go yesterday as I was travelling back from holiday but from MotD we looked fairly lively until they scored, then nothing for the rest of the game. We all knew this run of games was going to be one to endure rather than enjoy but the decent start means that we are better placed to cope with it than we might have been.
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I couldn't go yesterday as I was travelling back from holiday but from MotD we looked fairly lively until they scored, then nothing for the rest of the game. We all knew this run of games was going to be one to endure rather than enjoy but the decent start means that we are better placed to cope with it than we might have been.
We looked the more likely to score in the first 30 minutes. Clark missed an absolute sitter too. Then they switched up the gears for 3 minutes and destroyed us. We couldn't handle it. After that Arsenal were happy to coast through to the end of the match while we huffed and puffed. We did look dead on our feet in the second half, so the virus must have had an effect.
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SH might be a mardy sod but he's no Gnasher. The criticism seems a bit OTT to me.
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I think the singling out of Saunders Heroes for unnecessarily sharp criticsm is uncalled for. So much depends on an individual fan's expectation of the team. Older fans usually, who have experienced watching some pretty good Villa teams, tend in my opinion to have higher expectations. What the hardcore, diehard fans demand is an important factor in the health and survival of any club. If you don't believe me just look at the travesty that is MK Dons.
That being the starting point of some fans expecting better of their club does not mean they are "gloating" if Villa lose or disloyal if a good performance is regarded as more like the norm we expect to see. It is a simple fact of life that the achievement of high standards flows from opprobrium if those standards are not maintained. You get what you are prepared to put up with. It is not disloyal to complain about playing standards any more than being branded a "Lambert hater" if you cast doubts on the manager's ability. It is not caring about those things which is disloyal.
Nobody is accusing him of 'disloyalty'. This isn't North Korea. The point isn't that he's complaining, it's that the bad of yesterday isn't being tempered with the good of the previous few weeks.
Plenty of 'older fans' didn't decide to go on a three week hiatus on posting about the club, which just so happened to coincide with the team getting good results, only to reappear within hours of a heavy defeat.
He, and anybody else can post whenever and whatever they choose. But I personally would find his (occasionally very sensible) points a little easier to sympathise with if there were a little balance here and there.
Again you're suggesting I only post when we lose which is absolute bollocks, and the reason I posted so much last night was because of the likes of you were suggesting something devious was going on, and I have the right to defend myself. I don't know where you're going with this but your style of posting towards me is uncalled for and not what I'd expect from a mod.
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At the end of the day, if a poster comes on here after our first defeat in five games (whilst we're still 3rd) and compares us to Burnley, then there's a good chance he/she is going to be disagreed with and i don't see anything wrong with that, it's a forum after all. Instead of sensible debate though, SH labelled a couple of us 'trolls' and suggested as if he was a mod himself that I 'have an early night'.
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Brian, sorry but I don't get your bit about older fans having higher expectations. Although not as, err, mature (that'll do!) as yourself I am a veteran of some forty-odd years of Villa watching so I've seen plenty of good and bad sides.
Every side we put out has to be looked at while taking into account all the circumstances that have bought it to the pitch, this side is, in my opinion, the start of a rebuild after a shocking austerity programme from the owner so rather than demand they be instantly great I will cut them a lot of slack, especially when they are playing a side full expensive internationals and half the team had the raging shits.
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Dunno if my eyes or memory are going, but have we shortened the pitch by a net-depth at each end?
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At the end of the day, if a poster comes on here after our first defeat in five games (whilst we're still 3rd) and compares us to Burnley, then there's a good chance he/she is going to be disagreed with and i don't see anything wrong with that, it's a forum after all. Instead of sensible debate though, SH labelled a couple of us 'trolls' and suggested as if he was a mod himself that I 'have an early night'.
Your first post to me last night was clearly designed to start an argument. What was that you were saying about "sensible debate" again?
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Dunno if my eyes or memory are going, but have we shortened the pitch by a net-depth at each end?
I never noticed that. The pitch at Villa Park is absolutely massive though. I'm sure I read a while ago that it's the biggest in the PL.
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We always miss Ron but then to have 2 more of the spine go down last minute as well as others struggling there has to be some slack given.
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Didn't follow any of the game nor have I seen the goals. But after our start and given the bug thing I'm definitely giving them the benefit of the doubt for this one
A bit concerned we'll not have the time to recuperate properly before Chelsea. Can't see us getting anything there.
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Joe Cole looks overweight to me. Okay not fat as we mere mortals but for a footballer he looks to be carrying a bit of excess weight.
It wouldn't shock me if we let him go in January as I really don't see him playing here much more than West Ham.
When Benteke and Kozak are fit I don't see him making the bench as one of the strikers will drop out to the bench and I'd rather have CNZ and Grealish as creative subs.
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I think every pitch in the league is now the same size?
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
Good to see you've looked for the positives in somebody's home debut. He did fine.
Cleverley worked hard yesterday, his set pieces weren't too bad (he took the free kick for the Clark chance didn't he?) but on the ball I can see why Man. United let him go as he dwells on it a little bit and so he isn't quite the creative midfielder we're still looking for.
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There was a particularly obnoxious one in a box above the Middle Trinity.
This is the one who my mate had a big issue with (we're on the back row of Trinity Middle, just in front of the boxes) and who used several hand gestures to me while we waited for the crowds to dwindle so my mate's disabled daughter could manage the stairs.
I pointed his actions out to a steward - he continued sarcastically clapping at me and waving while the steward watched - who wasn't interested at all.
I don't quite know why the stewards are there if not to do "something" about fans' behaviour.
Similar thing at home to ManU last season. Steward actually said to my mate's wife that he couldn't "give a shit". Which was nice!
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I think every pitch in the league is now the same size?
I think there's a minimum and maximum size, and we're definitely one of the biggest. Well we were anyway, perhaps it's changed.
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I think every pitch in the league is now the same size?
That's the rule but I think some exceed the regulated length, ours could be one of them perhaps.
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Perspective. Blitzed in 3 minutes of class and madness.
VP was buzzing for 20minutes, great to see fans back however fickle. Can't wait for my trip to Chelsea next week.
Am I they only one who is annoyed at howe many gooners wear scarves.
UTV.
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There was a particularly obnoxious one in a box above the Middle Trinity.
This is the one who my mate had a big issue with (we're on the back row of Trinity Middle, just in front of the boxes) and who used several hand gestures to me while we waited for the crowds to dwindle so my mate's disabled daughter could manage the stairs.
I pointed his actions out to a steward - he continued sarcastically clapping at me and waving while the steward watched - who wasn't interested at all.
I don't quite know why the stewards are there if not to do "something" about fans' behaviour.
Similar thing at home to ManU last season. Steward actually said to my mate's wife that he couldn't "give a shit". Which was nice!
Next time that happens, take their numbers and complain.
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
Good to see you've looked for the positives in somebody's home debut. He did fine.
Cleverley worked hard yesterday, his set pieces weren't too bad (he took the free kick for the Clark chance didn't he?) but on the ball I can see why Man. United let him go as he dwells on it a little bit and so he isn't quite the creative midfielder we're still looking for.
His form dipped and confidence was at a low at Utd. We know too well with many of our players when they lose there mojo there performances dip. I'm still hopefull he'll just get better and better for us and recapture that form that put him in the spotlight.
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At the end of the day, if a poster comes on here after our first defeat in five games (whilst we're still 3rd) and compares us to Burnley, then there's a good chance he/she is going to be disagreed with and i don't see anything wrong with that, it's a forum after all. Instead of sensible debate though, SH labelled a couple of us 'trolls' and suggested as if he was a mod himself that I 'have an early night'.
Your first post to me last night was clearly designed to start an argument.
I'm not one to start arguments on here, i never have been. I was just making an observation. I'll leave it at that I think for the sake of others wanting to post about the game.
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Perspective. Blitzed in 3 minutes of class and madness.
VP was buzzing for 20minutes, great to see fans back however fickle. Can't wait for my trip to Chelsea next week.
Am I they only one who is annoyed at howe many gooners wear scarves.
UTV.
I sat in the upper North and I saw a few of those horrific half Villa half Arsenal scarfs. It just isn't right.
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At the end of the day, if a poster comes on here after our first defeat in five games (whilst we're still 3rd) and compares us to Burnley, then there's a good chance he/she is going to be disagreed with and i don't see anything wrong with that, it's a forum after all. Instead of sensible debate though, SH labelled a couple of us 'trolls' and suggested as if he was a mod himself that I 'have an early night'.
Your first post to me last night was clearly designed to start an argument.
I'm not one to start arguments on here, i never have been. I was just making an observation. I'll leave it at that I think for the sake of others wanting to post about the game.
Your "observation" was clearly an uncalled for dig at me, nothing less, and well you know it.
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There was a particularly obnoxious one in a box above the Middle Trinity.
This is the one who my mate had a big issue with (we're on the back row of Trinity Middle, just in front of the boxes) and who used several hand gestures to me while we waited for the crowds to dwindle so my mate's disabled daughter could manage the stairs.
I pointed his actions out to a steward - he continued sarcastically clapping at me and waving while the steward watched - who wasn't interested at all.
I don't quite know why the stewards are there if not to do "something" about fans' behaviour.
Similar thing at home to ManU last season. Steward actually said to my mate's wife that he couldn't "give a shit". Which was nice!
Next time that happens, take their numbers and complain.
We did that last season Dave.
The steward wasn't visible for the next few home games but then was back in his usual spot, as he was yesterday.
I know they have a difficult job but I do wonder at times!
If the usual Trinity lot weren't so placid the idiot yesterday could've caused big trouble...and there he was doing the same thing after the game had ended, clearly feeling it was ok.
If I hadn't been feeling so depressed I'd have cuffed him with my programme!
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There was a particularly obnoxious one in a box above the Middle Trinity.
This is the one who my mate had a big issue with (we're on the back row of Trinity Middle, just in front of the boxes) and who used several hand gestures to me while we waited for the crowds to dwindle so my mate's disabled daughter could manage the stairs.
I pointed his actions out to a steward - he continued sarcastically clapping at me and waving while the steward watched - who wasn't interested at all.
I don't quite know why the stewards are there if not to do "something" about fans' behaviour.
Similar thing at home to ManU last season. Steward actually said to my mate's wife that he couldn't "give a shit". Which was nice!
Next time that happens, take their numbers and complain.
The stewards in the Upper Holte are quite good if there's anything untoward going on. They chucked out three Arsenal fans yesterday and have thrown people out for having beer on them. As Dave said, make a complaint if they're not doing their job properly.
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Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.
He put in a sublime cross that Clark should have scored from and a neat through ball that we should have done better with too. He undercooked three or four passes, but put himself about.
He looks useful to me, but it's difficult to read too much into that performance, especially when the game effectively ended after the third with the second half being a non-event; Arsenal sitting on a lead and us not being physically capable of pressing or doing anything about it.
The cross was great, I can't remember the through ball. I'm a little concerned that 2 games in I haven't noticed him much at all.
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Bloody hell some of us are quick to write off a player.
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Bloody hell some of us are quick to write off a player.
Who's writing him off?
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'Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.'
I'd say that is pretty definitively writing him off.
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Bloody hell some of us are quick to write off a player.
People round me yesterday were saying Sanchez isn't good enough and won't make it in the PL, based on presumably about 70 mins of football he's played so far as they didn't strike me as football hipsters who spent last year watching Elche.
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'Cleverley doesn't offer much, does he? He's definitely taken up the KEA role.'
I'd say that is pretty definitively writing him off.
That was just an observation.
Besides, how can I write someone off if I didn't rate them the first place? I'll give him a chance, like I do with all players we sign, but first impressions aren't good.
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I sat in the lower Witton yesterday bang on the halfway line for the first time in years and as I was coming back from getting the drinks at half time I walked past a young girl sat on the Aisle who was wearing an Arsenal shirt!
I'm not going to make an issue with a young kid but that's the trouble with these games, gloryhunting fans (or in this case the parents) in the Midlands don't understand the rules when sitting in the home end.
And these half and half scarfs have to be surely the worst recent new souvenir of modern football. I fully understand buying one if we're back in europe and playing a foreign team and the novelty of it but a premier league team we play year in year out. Bonkers whoever buys them.
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I sat in the lower Witton yesterday bang on the halfway line for the first time in years and as I was coming back from getting the drinks at half time I walked past a young girl sat on the Aisle who was wearing an Arsenal shirt!
I'm not going to make an issue with a young kid but that's the trouble with these games, gloryhunting fans (or in this case the parents) in the Midlands don't understand the rules when sitting in the home end.
And these half and half scarfs have to be surely the worst recent new souvenir of modern football. I fully understand buying one if we're back in europe and playing a foreign team and the novelty of it but a premier league team we play year in year out. Bonkers whoever buys them.
You should have beaten her up.
;D
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Reading between the lines, it sounds like it could be norovirus. I know people who've had it its basically three to four days leaning over the toilet chucking your guts up.
It cant have helped, so on reflection may well be partially the reason we appeared to give up in the second half.
Think Jack Grealish is to blame for not pulling his socks up - running around with wrinkled stockings
he's obviously caught the Nora Batty virus.
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TC's confidence still needs repairing I think. He wasn't too good yesterday, but obviously we can't be too sure how much was due to simply having an off day, or suffering from the virus (or both). He was good against Liverpool, not so good yesterday. But then again, the whole midfield turned to pap after 30 minutes, and Sanchez had an 85 minutes to forget.
Write this game off, look forward to the next. It's not a reality check in any way shape or form in all honesty. It's simply a better side beating us when we weren't at our best for one reason or another. We're going to lose more than we win against the (throws up in mouth a little) "big" 6-7 sides. That's our lot in life right now. We're in the making up the numbers group. We're in the higher end of that mob IMO and I reckon we'll be comfortable. But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
We could beat Arsenal on our day, at our absolute best, and our best requires dynamism and high energy, which we didn't have because of the virus. As it was they didn't even have to play particularly well to beat us comfortably.
1-3 points from the next 3 games would represent a good return in all honesty. The games that the success of our season will boil down to will come against the bottom 12 sides, and we've got a run of those in October and November.
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
What do you suggest we do then, apart from moan that a player isn't good enough after one match?
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
To be honest for more and more sides every season, simply staying in the Premier League becomes their lot in life. The gap is going to get bigger still I think. Perhaps Spurs and Everton might fall back down and have a few nipping at their heels, but Utd, with what they spend, are unfortunately likely to get back up to the top end again, and Chelsea, City and Liverpool will be up there too. FFP won't help either.
You just have to accept that there's 7 stronger clubs in this league we play twice. 14 games where if we win 4-5 of those we've done fucking well. Everton aside in that group, we can't compete anywhere close financially and the sad reality is, spending more money generally gets you better players.
It might be sad, but we're competing for best of the rest. That said, I think trying to be best of the rest is a damn site better than scrapping with the bottom feeders for another season. The onus is on us to improve our results against our direct rivals. Because actually, our results against the bigger clubs are generally not too bad. I think outside the top 7 we had one of the best records against the top 6 sides last season and we've already beat Liverpool this season.
But we can't have as many games like we did last season. Giving 6 points to Fulham and Stoke, losing at home to Palace etc. Far too many games like that.
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Bloody hell some of us are quick to write off a player.
People round me yesterday were saying Sanchez isn't good enough and won't make it in the PL, based on presumably about 70 mins of football he's played so far as they didn't strike me as football hipsters who spent last year watching Elche.
I freely admit to wondering what the hell Sanchez was doing until I realised he had replaced Westie and would not normally have been starting. He needs to play himself into the premiership and I hope yesterday didn't knock his confidence, he was caught with the ball 3 times?
Cleverly is an improvement on the player he has replaced, this is a good thing. I really enjoyed the first 31 minutes.
We need to put this game into the freak-show category with everything that is coming out about the virus.
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
To be honest for more and more sides every season, simply staying in the Premier League becomes their lot in life. The gap is going to get bigger still I think. Perhaps Spurs and Everton might fall back down and have a few nipping at their heels, but Utd, with what they spend, are unfortunately likely to get back up to the top end again, and Chelsea, City and Liverpool will be up there too. FFP won't help either.
You just have to accept that there's 7 stronger clubs in this league we play twice. 14 games where if we win 4-5 of those we've done fucking well. Everton aside in that group, we can't compete anywhere close financially and the sad reality is, spending more money generally gets you better players.
It might be sad, but we're competing for best of the rest. That said, I think trying to be best of the rest is a damn site better than scrapping with the bottom feeders for another season. The onus is on us to improve our results against our direct rivals. Because actually, our results against the bigger clubs are generally not too bad. I think outside the top 7 we had one of the best records against the top 6 sides last season and we've already beat Liverpool this season.
But we can't have as many games like we did last season. Giving 6 points to Fulham and Stoke, losing at home to Palace etc. Far too many games like that.
Fair post ST - all I would say is look at Noocastle - they have suddenly realised what they have become and they don't like it either.
They are hounding Pardew for all the wrong reasons because the owner is going no where - Pardew is doing the job asked of him - remind you of anyone close to home?
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
Because it happens, Aston Villa lose games in a season shock and against an opponent that has an unbelievable record at VP. Arsenal always rack up 70 + points during a season so that means they beat a lot of teams during the summer, yesterday was our turn.
Our record last season against the top lot was excellent for a team in the bottom half and this season we've already beaten Liverpool so it's something you can't say that under Lambert we roll out the white flag against the top teams except in Manchester of course.
Yesterday was a freak game in many situations so I've already chalked it off.
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They are hounding Pardew for all the wrong reasons because the owner is going no where - Pardew is doing the job asked of him - remind you of anyone close to home?
I know quite a few Newcastle fans, and think you'd struggle to find a single one of their lot who thinks Pardew is doing a decent job. The reasons they are hounding him is because of his prolonged run of truly dreadful results.
Don't forget, they've sold players, but they have also spent money, too. Their squad strength suggests they should be doing a lot better than they are.
If you are Mike Ashley, then you probably think your mate (i.e. AP, he's a gambling mate of Ashley's) is doing alright because that's all you want him to do, but fans are never going to see it like that.
I think over the last few years we have been a badly run club, but Newcastle make us look a model club, they're such a horrendous mess. They've now got to the point where they've banned a load of newspapers and other media from their home matches.
Then throw in some of the weird appointments they've made there - Dennis Wise, anyone? Joe Kinnear?
They really are a mess, no wonder their fans are upset.
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There is also the fact that Pardew is a complete and utter, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt, total twatwaffle.
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There is also the fact that Pardew is a complete and utter, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt, total twatwaffle.
Yes, that, too.
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Dunno if my eyes or memory are going, but have we shortened the pitch by a net-depth at each end?
It's ready for Joe Cole then.
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Touching on supertom's point about our record against the top six last season being very good compared to other teams outside the top seven, I think we actually had a better record than one or two in the top seven. I think we may have done better than Arsenal. As for Alan Pardew, a female journalist on Sky's Sunday supplement described him a 'statemanlike'. I think she was specifically talking about him putting up with his working conditions over the years under Ashley but it still made spit out my tea.
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Far too many Arsenal fans in home areas yesterday including around us in upper Witton End. This is always the case, disappointingly, when we play Arsenal, manure and Liverpool and brummie reds and exiles turn up in number and the fact they always win is even more galling.
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Over 40,000 including Randy and Benteke looks to be available for the next home game. Some positives.
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I'm going to shrug off this week's loss and performance due to the virus and a 5 minute freak period. I went out after 30mins at 0-0 and thought we were as good as them up till then. When I checked my phone and saw the score updating every minute, I couldn't figure out what the hell could be happening. But I thought that if I was giving the half time team talk the one thing I would stress would be to keep a clean sheet in the second half, and they did that.
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After being at the game yesterday, I've only just been able to face watching the goals again. None of our defenders particularly covered themselves in glory for their goals, but the way Clark switched off for the second and totally lost Welbeck was particularly poor.
Reading the reaction on this thread, Tom Cleverley seems to be getting some stick. One positive with him yesterday was his set pieces. His corners and frre kicks were decent.
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
What do you suggest we do then, apart from moan that a player isn't good enough after one match?
How about being positive to start with? Yes, other teams have spent more, but as we've proved as recently as this season, we can beat them. Look at Leicester today, they haven't spent anywhere close to what Man Utd have.
As for your second point, I can only assume you're referring to what I said about Cleverley. All I said was that my first impressions of him in a Villa shirt aren't very good. You're right though, I don't think he's good enough, but that's based on his performances at Man Utd.
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Besides, how can I write someone off if I didn't rate them the first place? I'll give him a chance, like I do with all players we sign, but first impressions aren't good.
As for your second point, I can only assume you're referring to what I said about Cleverley. All I said was that my first impressions of him in a Villa shirt aren't very good. You're right though, I don't think he's good enough, but that's based on his performances at Man Utd.
And that's giving him a chance.
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
What do you suggest we do then, apart from moan that a player isn't good enough after one match?
How about being positive to start with? Yes, other teams have spent more, but as we've proved as recently as this season, we can beat them. Look at Leicester today, they haven't spent anywhere close to what Man Utd have.
As for your second point, I can only assume you're referring to what I said about Cleverley. All I said was that my first impressions of him in a Villa shirt aren't very good. You're right though, I don't think he's good enough, but that's based on his performances at Man Utd.
We weren't beating Arsenal regularly when we were finishing top 6 under MON btw.
It's one game and there were expectional circumstances that went against us yesterday that made getting a result near impossible.
Edit: The sad reality atm is we will only compete regularly again at the top (or at least in the top 6) when we get new owners.
And even that is no guarantee, just more possibility than there is now.
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But when you take a battering against sides who can put out a 40 million pound player that they're fans aren't even fucking happy with, you just have to take it.
What's the point then? If we just have to accept getting beat by teams because they've spent more money than us, why are we even bothering?
What do you suggest we do then, apart from moan that a player isn't good enough after one match?
How about being positive to start with? Yes, other teams have spent more, but as we've proved as recently as this season, we can beat them. Look at Leicester today, they haven't spent anywhere close to what Man Utd have.
As for your second point, I can only assume you're referring to what I said about Cleverley. All I said was that my first impressions of him in a Villa shirt aren't very good. You're right though, I don't think he's good enough, but that's based on his performances at Man Utd.
I'm guessing from your username that you lean towards the negative. I wouldn't say you're exactly 'giving him a chance'.
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if arsenal had the virus , Wenger would be getting the game postponed.
Could have been a different game if Clark had scored with that header .
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We weren't beating Arsenal regularly when we were finishing top 6 under MON btw.
It's one game and there were expectional circumstances that went against us yesterday that made getting a result near impossible.
Edit: The sad reality atm is we will only compete regularly again at the top (or at least in the top 6) when we get new owners.
And even that is no guarantee, just more possibility than there is now.
Yeah, I realise yesterday was a weird one, but supertom's point was about accepting we can't beat the big spenders even if we had our full strength side (or at least that's how I interpreted it!).
I agree with your edit too.
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We weren't beating Arsenal regularly when we were finishing top 6 under MON btw.
It's one game and there were expectional circumstances that went against us yesterday that made getting a result near impossible.
Edit: The sad reality atm is we will only compete regularly again at the top (or at least in the top 6) when we get new owners.
And even that is no guarantee, just more possibility than there is now.
Yeah, I realise yesterday was a weird one, but supertom's point was about accepting we can't beat the big spenders even if we had our full strength side (or at least that's how I interpreted it!).
I agree with your edit too.
Yesterday was the day when I think we would have beaten them if we'd started with the team we wanted to field.
That we capitulated so tamely is not characteristic of this squad this season.
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We weren't beating Arsenal regularly when we were finishing top 6 under MON btw.
It's one game and there were expectional circumstances that went against us yesterday that made getting a result near impossible.
Edit: The sad reality atm is we will only compete regularly again at the top (or at least in the top 6) when we get new owners.
And even that is no guarantee, just more possibility than there is now.
Yeah, I realise yesterday was a weird one, but supertom's point was about accepting we can't beat the big spenders even if we had our full strength side (or at least that's how I interpreted it!).
I agree with your edit too.
Under Lambert last season weren't we the best team at taking points off the top 4/5?
And yet we still were in a relegation battle and couldn't make 40 points.
I don't care who we take points off just as long as we get a lot more than in recent seasons.
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I expected us to lose, I didn't see the game so I can have no complaints. Let's just move on, go again.
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They are hounding Pardew for all the wrong reasons because the owner is going no where - Pardew is doing the job asked of him - remind you of anyone close to home?
I know quite a few Newcastle fans, and think you'd struggle to find a single one of their lot who thinks Pardew is doing a decent job. The reasons they are hounding him is because of his prolonged run of truly dreadful results.
Don't forget, they've sold players, but they have also spent money, too. Their squad strength suggests they should be doing a lot better than they are.
If you are Mike Ashley, then you probably think your mate (i.e. AP, he's a gambling mate of Ashley's) is doing alright because that's all you want him to do, but fans are never going to see it like that.
I think over the last few years we have been a badly run club, but Newcastle make us look a model club, they're such a horrendous mess. They've now got to the point where they've banned a load of newspapers and other media from their home matches.
Then throw in some of the weird appointments they've made there - Dennis Wise, anyone? Joe Kinnear?
They really are a mess, no wonder their fans are upset.
The target of their ire should be the cock-walloper Ashley - that's why I said they are hounding him for the wrong reason - the main reason is he is a chippy, cocky, mouthy, squirming toad
The parallels with us don't go that deep as we are not a cash cow for Randy - Ashley uses NUFC to promote his business interests and make profits as a sort of entry-level club for players wanting to put themselves in the Premiership shop window.
Their performance after reaching 40 points last season was incredibly poor. They are suffering for that now as they don't seem to be bale gain any momentum.
Anyway enough of the Geordies even if it is good to laugh at others ;-)
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We weren't beating Arsenal regularly when we were finishing top 6 under MON btw.
It's one game and there were expectional circumstances that went against us yesterday that made getting a result near impossible.
Edit: The sad reality atm is we will only compete regularly again at the top (or at least in the top 6) when we get new owners.
And even that is no guarantee, just more possibility than there is now.
Yeah, I realise yesterday was a weird one, but supertom's point was about accepting we can't beat the big spenders even if we had our full strength side (or at least that's how I interpreted it!).
I agree with your edit too.
Yesterday was the day when I think we would have beaten them if we'd started with the team we wanted to field.
That we capitulated so tamely is not characteristic of this squad this season.
If that team includes Benteke, then yeah, I would've been really confident. We're a different team with Benteke, he offers us many different options, and it allows Agbonlahor to go back to what I think is his best position on the left of the front 3. Can't wait for his return!
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Just a few observations:
Sanchez reminded me of Stan Petrov's last gave for us before that horrible diagnosis. He was a good two yards off the pace and obviously struggling. As was Weimann and Delph.
Tom Cleverley had a solid home debut. Looked tidy & composed. Gave the ball away unnecessarily a few times but nothing like as bad as KEA
I'm not a fan of Ciaran Clark by any stretch of the imagination but people blaming him for that "miss" is absurd. He did everything right - he headed down and back the way it came. Their keeper pulled off a magnificent save is all. That being said he deserves all the pelters he gets for ball-watching instead of picking up Wellbeck for their second. That was criminal!
Was watching end of the QPR v Sturk match in the Doug Ellis concourse when three Arse fans appear, large as you fucking like in front of me wearing colours - two had home shirts & one an away. First off how the actual fuck did they get through the turnstile? (I can answer this one - the girl operating it was reading a paper and was not paying a blind bit of attention). Secondly the stewards stop them and say "you cant go up there like that - home fans only!" And then the stewards start asking Villa fans (me included) if they can borrow jackets for them to wear! I couldn't get my fucking hat on! "Throw the arrogant fuckers out!" I say but no, the ever acommodating villa fans duly hand over 3 jackets and off they trog up to the stands. I thought i'd entered Bizarro world!
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I see grealish didn't give the ball away once in the second half? Any cause for encouragement from his performance?
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Yes David Platt definitely didn't celebrate his goal at VP for Arse. Always some debate on how much stick he got in that game, I do recall some booing and remember the Match of the Day commentator that night mentioning it too.
sorry - wrong thread
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Don't quite know what to make of Grealish 45 mins. We were under the cosh and he certainly didn't bust a gut to win possession. Ambled around a lot I thought when they had the ball. Could be described as lethargic. When he got the ball excellent; very quick feet, good movement and could beat a man through skill; not sure whether he is that quick ? When we were attacking (very few occasions) he didn't seem to know where to position himself - too deep for my liking - waiting for the backward pass; I always like attacking midfielders to hit the box - ala Lampard; I haven't seen that from a Villa player since Taylor. I got the impression he lacked game nouse; he's only 19 - hopefully this will come
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Was watching end of the QPR v Sturk match in the Doug Ellis concourse when three Arse fans appear, large as you fucking like in front of me wearing colours - two had home shirts & one an away. First off how the actual fuck did they get through the turnstile? (I can answer this one - the girl operating it was reading a paper and was not paying a blind bit of attention). Secondly the stewards stop them and say "you cant go up there like that - home fans only!" And then the stewards start asking Villa fans (me included) if they can borrow jackets for them to wear! I couldn't get my fucking hat on! "Throw the arrogant fuckers out!" I say but no, the ever acommodating villa fans duly hand over 3 jackets and off they trog up to the stands. I thought i'd entered Bizarro world!
That actually happened?
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Was watching end of the QPR v Sturk match in the Doug Ellis concourse when three Arse fans appear, large as you fucking like in front of me wearing colours - two had home shirts & one an away. First off how the actual fuck did they get through the turnstile? (I can answer this one - the girl operating it was reading a paper and was not paying a blind bit of attention). Secondly the stewards stop them and say "you cant go up there like that - home fans only!" And then the stewards start asking Villa fans (me included) if they can borrow jackets for them to wear! I couldn't get my fucking hat on! "Throw the arrogant fuckers out!" I say but no, the ever acommodating villa fans duly hand over 3 jackets and off they trog up to the stands. I thought i'd entered Bizarro world!
That actually happened?
I shit you not. It was the senior steward doing the asking flanked by two of his minions.
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Was watching end of the QPR v Sturk match in the Doug Ellis concourse when three Arse fans appear, large as you fucking like in front of me wearing colours - two had home shirts & one an away. First off how the actual fuck did they get through the turnstile? (I can answer this one - the girl operating it was reading a paper and was not paying a blind bit of attention). Secondly the stewards stop them and say "you cant go up there like that - home fans only!" And then the stewards start asking Villa fans (me included) if they can borrow jackets for them to wear! I couldn't get my fucking hat on! "Throw the arrogant fuckers out!" I say but no, the ever acommodating villa fans duly hand over 3 jackets and off they trog up to the stands. I thought i'd entered Bizarro world!
That actually happened?
I shit you not. It was the senior steward doing the asking flanked by two of his minions.
What a fucking joke.
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Due to living down south, I had the miss fortune of travelling back on the train to London with 5 arsenal fans in my carriage, we are apparently:
"The toilet brush of the premier league"
"A s**tty little club"
"The jews of the north"
Their arrogance was astounding, I know arsenal fans are not all like that but it really left a sour taste in my mouth!
Would love us to go and beat them in the return fixture now.
Anyway it was all the virus fault 😉
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Arsenal fans have seemed to be a lot mouthier in recent years. Some on the train back to New Street were distinctly unimpressed when a Villa fan described them as 'Chelsea fans but without the trophies'.
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Was watching end of the QPR v Sturk match in the Doug Ellis concourse when three Arse fans appear, large as you fucking like in front of me wearing colours - two had home shirts & one an away. First off how the actual fuck did they get through the turnstile? (I can answer this one - the girl operating it was reading a paper and was not paying a blind bit of attention). Secondly the stewards stop them and say "you cant go up there like that - home fans only!" And then the stewards start asking Villa fans (me included) if they can borrow jackets for them to wear! I couldn't get my fucking hat on! "Throw the arrogant fuckers out!" I say but no, the ever acommodating villa fans duly hand over 3 jackets and off they trog up to the stands. I thought i'd entered Bizarro world!
That actually happened?
I shit you not. It was the senior steward doing the asking flanked by two of his minions.
What a fucking joke.
Three fans leant their jackets to random strangers at a football match?
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I see grealish didn't give the ball away once in the second half? Any cause for encouragement from his performance?
Our best player yesterday I thought. We didn't give him enough of the ball, but when he did have it he looked incredibly composed and always seemed to know what he was going to do with it.
I'd start him against Chelsea and City. I don't think he'd be overawed in the slightest and he's probably one of the few midfielders we have who looks consistently composed on the ball. Everyone else yesterday treated the ball like it was a live grenade with the pin pulled out.
I don't think it's too soon for him. I think he's got talent to burn and if we allow him a bit of freedom to drift, he could well help us in keeping the ball better.
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Arsenal fans have seemed to be a lot mouthier in recent years. Some on the train back to New Street were distinctly unimpressed when a Villa fan described them as 'Chelsea fans but without the trophies'.
I've never had a problem with arsenal fans in the past, but in recent years they've definitely become more gobby. I put it down to their lack of trophies and the frustration they get from the realisation they've been overtaken by the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea etc.
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I see grealish didn't give the ball away once in the second half? Any cause for encouragement from his performance?
Our best player yesterday I thought. We didn't give him enough of the ball, but when he did have it he looked incredibly composed and always seemed to know what he was going to do with it.
I'd start him against Chelsea and City. I don't think he'd be overawed in the slightest and he's probably one of the few midfielders we have who looks consistently composed on the ball. Everyone else yesterday treated the ball like it was a live grenade with the pin pulled out.
I don't think it's too soon for him. I think he's got talent to burn and if we allow him a bit of freedom to drift, he could well help us in keeping the ball better.
I don't really remember Grealish doing anything of note during the game yesterday. Hutton for me was motm, and I think he's been our best player so far this season.
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Think Jack had been on for 11 minutes before he got his first touch, then had to wait another five for his second.
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Arsenal fans have seemed to be a lot mouthier in recent years. Some on the train back to New Street were distinctly unimpressed when a Villa fan described them as 'Chelsea fans but without the trophies'.
I've never had a problem with arsenal fans in the past, but in recent years they've definitely become more gobby. I put it down to their lack of trophies and the frustration they get from the realisation they've been overtaken by the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea etc.
My mate is an Arsenal fan and gets quite embarrassed by them a lot of the time.
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Three fans leant their jackets to random strangers at a football match?
I wonder how long before Scousers pick up on this trick?*
*Apologies to both Scousers that aren't thieving gits
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Was watching end of the QPR v Sturk match in the Doug Ellis concourse when three Arse fans appear, large as you fucking like in front of me wearing colours - two had home shirts & one an away. First off how the actual fuck did they get through the turnstile? (I can answer this one - the girl operating it was reading a paper and was not paying a blind bit of attention). Secondly the stewards stop them and say "you cant go up there like that - home fans only!" And then the stewards start asking Villa fans (me included) if they can borrow jackets for them to wear! I couldn't get my fucking hat on! "Throw the arrogant fuckers out!" I say but no, the ever acommodating villa fans duly hand over 3 jackets and off they trog up to the stands. I thought i'd entered Bizarro world!
This reads like a parable, with the three Villa fans representing Villa players and each jacket given away being a goal given away.
Unbelievable!
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Was watching end of the QPR v Sturk match in the Doug Ellis concourse when three Arse fans appear, large as you fucking like in front of me wearing colours - two had home shirts & one an away. First off how the actual fuck did they get through the turnstile? (I can answer this one - the girl operating it was reading a paper and was not paying a blind bit of attention). Secondly the stewards stop them and say "you cant go up there like that - home fans only!" And then the stewards start asking Villa fans (me included) if they can borrow jackets for them to wear! I couldn't get my fucking hat on! "Throw the arrogant fuckers out!" I say but no, the ever acommodating villa fans duly hand over 3 jackets and off they trog up to the stands. I thought i'd entered Bizarro world!
That actually happened?
I shit you not. It was the senior steward doing the asking flanked by two of his minions.
What a fucking joke.
Three fans leant their jackets to random strangers at a football match?
Yep.
Like I said - bizarro world!
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That is the kind of thing that should be mentioned to Lee Preece.
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That is the kind of thing that should be mentioned to Lee Preece.
I know the priest , i will.
in the holte there was a fair few ejections, where the fuck do these twat arse fans come from, to think they can sit in the home ends.
btw thought we did alright apart from 5 minutes, we are an improving team and we are not likely to win the league this year UTV
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That is the kind of thing that should be mentioned to Lee Preece.
Is Lee Preece the new Nicky Keyes
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I do understand the virus but it isn't as if we've never had this problem of possession and a plan b before is it? Can anyone tell me if we've made so much progress how is it that palace by playing good attacking football can beat Everton on their own patch and also how is it that Leicester can tear united a new one in one half of a game whereas we seem entirely incapable of doing either.
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Palace had 24% possession and 3 shots on target. They did what we did at Saints last season when a lot on here were saying we were lucky etc
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I see grealish didn't give the ball away once in the second half? Any cause for encouragement from his performance?
Our best player yesterday I thought. We didn't give him enough of the ball, but when he did have it he looked incredibly composed and always seemed to know what he was going to do with it.
I'd start him against Chelsea and City. I don't think he'd be overawed in the slightest and he's probably one of the few midfielders we have who looks consistently composed on the ball. Everyone else yesterday treated the ball like it was a live grenade with the pin pulled out.
I don't think it's too soon for him. I think he's got talent to burn and if we allow him a bit of freedom to drift, he could well help us in keeping the ball better.
I don't really remember Grealish doing anything of note during the game yesterday. Hutton for me was motm, and I think he's been our best player so far this season.
I think what he did of note without setting the world alight, was at least keep the ball for longer than 2 seconds when it came to him and pass it to a team mate. In that regard he stood out over his team-mates who just couldn't seem to do even that in the second half. I certainly thing he showed enough to warrant a start.
He just didn't get given the ball enough, but I suppose we struggled to really find space, or even get near the half way line.
I'd agree though, Hutton has been the standout performer this season, closely followed by Swiss Phil, both of whom had their worst game of the season yesterday but we're still better than the rest of the side. Everyone in our side for that 192 seconds of insanity turned to complete shite though. They all lost their head a bit.
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Overt Away fans in home areas is just a no no. West ham found out last season when a couple of theirs took a few slaps as they ran out of the Doug Ellis
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Overt Away fans in home areas is just a no no. West ham found out last season when a couple of theirs took a few slaps as they ran out of the Doug Ellis
You approve of football violence then do you?
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Overt Away fans in home areas is just a no no. West ham found out last season when a couple of theirs took a few slaps as they ran out of the Doug Ellis
You approve of football violence then do you?
No. Nor do I approve of arrogant blasé away fans winding up home fans in a home section.
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Overt Away fans in home areas is just a no no. West ham found out last season when a couple of theirs took a few slaps as they ran out of the Doug Ellis
You approve of football violence then do you?
No. Nor do I approve of arrogant blasé away fans winding up home fans in a home section.
It's alright for them to "take a few slaps" then. How DARE they watch a football match.
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Overt Away fans in home areas is just a no no. West ham found out last season when a couple of theirs took a few slaps as they ran out of the Doug Ellis
You approve of football violence then do you?
It's not really organised violence or anything though, plus, imo, if you sit in the wrong end and act a twat you can hardly complain if someone takes the hump.
I remember smacking someone in the late 90s in the Lower Trinity when playing Manure. They scored and two blokes sat next to me went up in the air giving it the big one and I twatted one and then went after the other. I'm not condoning it, or particularly proud of it, but if i'd done the same in the wrong end I wouldn't be complaining if someone gave me a dig for it.
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Exactly. It's hardly blazing squad stuff is it.
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Yeah, what's the fuss?, it's just a bit of common assault. And anyway, they're not even human beings are they, opposition fans? Have you heard the language from some of these fuckers?! They come here, wanting to watch their team play football, the arrogant bastards, if they find themselves in the wrong seat and they dare to move when their team scores then they can't complain if their teeth are smashed down their throats, if I went to their ground and did the same I'd expect to be brutally beaten, I'd actually feel like I deserved it. I'd probably laugh it off. I certainly wouldn't come on here complaining about it and calling their entire club scumbags afterwards, definitely not. I'm no thug, but I'll happily punch anyone with a scarf that isn't claret and blue until they're in a coma. Serves them right. It's football, not ballet.
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Yes, because that's exactly what I said.
I've been stood/sat next to away fans numerous times over the years at VP , and had no problem with them as the vast majority are smart enough not to take the piss if they score, same was as anyone with an iota of intelligence behaves. I'm sure many of us have been in the wrong end in the past and used common sense.
I do however have a problem with away fans in the home ends, especially when they are sat next to me taking the piss and goading home fans. So yes, if I jumped up in the middle of the home fans and called them ****** as I flicked the Vs at them then I would expect someone to have a dig. And I wouldn't be a hypocrite and whinge about it afterwards.
The above scenario is what the 2 Manc fans did when they scored, so I had a go back. I didn't have a dig just because they were away fans watching a game.
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On more than one occasion we have helped opposition fans who have strayed into home areas - they usually seem grateful. It is the ones who have obviously come to take the piss like the Manure fans last season loudly proclaiming VP a "shit hole" and pushing people about I take issue with.
I don't like bullies whatever team they support.
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I was over for the game with a couple of my mates.
First off, one of my friends couldn’t find his passport, so ended up booking a second flight with aer lingus that cost around 200 euro. Then when he got to the airport on Saturday morning, his mistook a ticketless flight for one not needing a boarding card / check in. By the time he realised his mistake, the check in desk had closed and they wouldn’t let him check in. So he ended up getting another flight that left Dublin at 2:10, meaning he only made it to the ground in time for the second half. I’ve only just stopped laughing.
As for the game, it really was 3 minutes of madness, we were definitely the better team for the first half hour, but things went south after that. I couldn’t understand the lethargy in the second half, but the virus probably explains a good proportion of that.
A 3-0 defeat is always difficult to take, but given the circumstances I’m not going to give them too hard a time over it. Fingers crossed that it clears up soon, otherwise i fear for next weekend.
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As for away fans in home areas, I saw two guys in their mid-40's giving a father and son (who was around 6 or 7) grief in the holte concourse. The kid looked absolutely petrified. Presume those 2 heroes felt good about themselves afterwards.
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Violently approaching morons who make themselves known as away fans in home areas can solve future problems.
I am minded of that night in March 2003, where amongst other things, I learnt that the stairs in the upper Witton are made of rubber, as one particularly foolish Noses managed to bounce down each one of the steps. He was one Nose amongst many who had bought all the nonsense and thought he could come to B6 and take the piss.
The next year, and every year after, they turned up on 40 odd coaches and there hasn't been a serious incident at Villa Park involving the Noses since.
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Back in the day when 60,000 would be in Villa Park for a Man Ure game the party trick of the Mancs was to occupy the top section of the Holte and throw their empty beer bottles at the heads of the Villa fans below. Animosities towards away fans are historic and run deep.
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As for away fans in home areas, I saw two guys in their mid-40's giving a father and son (who was around 6 or 7) grief in the holte concourse. The kid looked absolutely petrified. Presume those 2 heroes felt good about themselves afterwards.
I absolutely hate that sort of thing, that kid will be terrified of football now.
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I don't know what would possess someone to sit in the home section if they're away fans. Okay, if they're watching the game with a home supporter that's one thing, and they need to be wary of their surroundings, or wary of Ads and PWS at least (ha ha). But larger groups of away fans coming into the Holte is barking mad and asking for trouble. Would they try the same at Millwall? I doubt it very much. They know what they're doing.
Occasionally you may get a visiting foreigner unaware of the rules, who's come to watch a bit of Soccerball. But the vast majority who do it are fully aware of what they're doing. If trouble brews and gets out of hand too, it doesn't do anyone any favours, not least to the notion to some that football fans are uncouth violent bastards who need to take sporting etiquette lessons from Rugby fans.
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As for away fans in home areas, I saw two guys in their mid-40's giving a father and son (who was around 6 or 7) grief in the holte concourse. The kid looked absolutely petrified. Presume those 2 heroes felt good about themselves afterwards.
I absolutely hate that sort of thing, that kid will be terrified of football now.
It's pathetic behaviour really, but the father should certainly have known better.
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I have no problem whatsoever with mouthy, arrogant away fans getting chinned. Let's face it, it would be them doing the chinning, if was the other way round.
Any other football supporter is welcome to sit wherever they want in my book and that includes the Arsenal fan who sat next to me on Saturday.
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I went into the away end at Southampton last year when they beat us 4-1(horrible day), but me and my mate were pretty respectful and the fans were fine with us. There was however another Villa fan who was being a complete twat and he was lucky he didn't get punched.
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I don't know what would possess someone to sit in the home section if they're away fans. Okay, if they're watching the game with a home supporter that's one thing, and they need to be wary of their surroundings, or wary of Ads and PWS at least (ha ha). But larger groups of away fans coming into the Holte is barking mad and asking for trouble. Would they try the same at Millwall? I doubt it very much. They know what they're doing.
Occasionally you may get a visiting foreigner unaware of the rules, who's come to watch a bit of Soccerball. But the vast majority who do it are fully aware of what they're doing. If trouble brews and gets out of hand too, it doesn't do anyone any favours, not least to the notion to some that football fans are uncouth violent bastards who need to take sporting etiquette lessons from Rugby fans.
Yes , your not wrong, but I dare say like a lot of us on here, have been going down the Villa forever. But Arsenal fans (for want of a better expression) seem season on season think they can come in the Holte end and act like home fans, its beyond me, are the that stupid. as ive said in a previous post there was a number of ejections saturday.
mate of mine actually tried to advise an arsenal fan with his son to cover up the arsenal shirt in the holt to be told by the arsenal fan, I can handle myself, ffs model of fatherhood.
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Arsenal fans are the worst kind of post-1992, Fever Pitch, Tarquin wankers.
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There were about 4 arsenal supporters sat in L2 near us on Saturday. I've no problem with that at all, but it is a bit idiotic to sit in the home end all wearing an Arsenal shirt and scarf. And why isn't anything said at the turnstile or by the stewards?
This is only going to become more common and away fans more motivated to try it as the availability and difference in cost of tickets becomes greater and greater between villa and certain other clubs.
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I do wonder how so many wearing colours get in the ground. And also what possesses someone to think "I'm in the wrong end for this game, wearing colours is a good idea."
The ticket price is a good point, I have an Arsenal mate and him and his dad often come up to the game, in the away end I should add! I went for a drink with them before the game last season and they were talking about prices, and saying it's cheaper to do away games from the Midlands up than it is to go to home games. And they live not far from the Arsenal ground.
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There were about 4 arsenal supporters sat in L2 near us on Saturday. I've no problem with that at all, but it is a bit idiotic to sit in the home end all wearing an Arsenal shirt and scarf. And why isn't anything said at the turnstile or by the stewards?
This is only going to become more common and away fans more motivated to try it as the availability and difference in cost of tickets becomes greater and greater between villa and certain other clubs.
I'm sure the signs above the turnstiles at the Holte that say Home/Villa fans only...so why were they not stopped by the stewards or were they too busy checking handbags...
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There were about 4 arsenal supporters sat in L2 near us on Saturday. I've no problem with that at all, but it is a bit idiotic to sit in the home end all wearing an Arsenal shirt and scarf. And why isn't anything said at the turnstile or by the stewards?
This is only going to become more common and away fans more motivated to try it as the availability and difference in cost of tickets becomes greater and greater between villa and certain other clubs.
I'm sure the signs above the turnstiles at the Holte that say Home/Villa fans only...so why were they not stopped by the stewards or were they too busy checking handbags...
Good point. I bet there is also a marked increase in man-bags for the stewards to check when Arsenal roll into town.
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There were about 4 arsenal supporters sat in L2 near us on Saturday. I've no problem with that at all, but it is a bit idiotic to sit in the home end all wearing an Arsenal shirt and scarf. And why isn't anything said at the turnstile or by the stewards?
This is only going to become more common and away fans more motivated to try it as the availability and difference in cost of tickets becomes greater and greater between villa and certain other clubs.
I'm sure the signs above the turnstiles at the Holte that say Home/Villa fans only...so why were they not stopped by the stewards or were they too busy checking handbags...
Good point. I bet there is also a marked increase in man-bags for the stewards to check when Arsenal roll into town.
Don't forget the coolbags for the strawberries and prosecco.
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Anybody wearing carrot bottom jeans, espadrilles, sporting a twatish beard and a leather satchel, with thick rimmed glasses is easily identified as an Arsenal hipster tarquin and should not have been allowed in any home areas.
Also, we should dig a moat after the hoardings in front of the away fans and fill it full of sharks.
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There were about 4 arsenal supporters sat in L2 near us on Saturday. I've no problem with that at all, but it is a bit idiotic to sit in the home end all wearing an Arsenal shirt and scarf. And why isn't anything said at the turnstile or by the stewards?
This is only going to become more common and away fans more motivated to try it as the availability and difference in cost of tickets becomes greater and greater between villa and certain other clubs.
I'm sure the signs above the turnstiles at the Holte that say Home/Villa fans only...so why were they not stopped by the stewards or were they too busy checking handbags...
They caused no problems at all really, but were pointed out to a couple of stewards before the game had started. They took the pragmatic view of asking them to cover up or remove the shirts. One of them covered his arsenal shirt with an arsenal training top!
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As for arsenal fans, could it be a case of the people possing as arsenal fans are actually johnny come latelies, and the closest theyve got to a football match is their ps4 , and tarquin says to stephan , hey should we go to an actual match, might be a bit of a jape.
that is the only way this can happen time and again imo
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I mentioned that the traffic jams had already put me in the red zone when I was pounced on by no fewer than three stewards for carrying an empty 200ml Red Bull can through the Holte turnstiles. I lost my temper and should not have done but two things collided in the heat of the moment. Firstly the stewards are there for more serious things than giving grief to an old bloke already looking for a litter bin and the gross discrimination against football fans. If we had been going into the Bears game at Lords or the Ayr Gold Cup I could have been carrying twenty pints of lager without stirring up the jobsworths.
On the way to our car a mom and dad of two young boys who had bought those half and half scarves for their sons said the stewards would not let them in the Holte with what they described as Arsenal scarves.
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On the way to our car a mom and dad of two young boys who had bought those half and half scarves for their sons said the stewards would not let them in the Holte with what they described as Arsenal scarves.
Well that's a start. Life ban for all half and half scarf wearing twats at league games.
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On the way to our car a mom and dad of two young boys who had bought those half and half scarves for their sons said the stewards would not let them in the Holte with what they described as Arsenal scarves.
Well that's a start. Life ban for all half and half scarf wearing twats at league games.
Agreed. The parents should have been made to join the Foreign Legion.
Half and half scarf wankers.
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Half and half scarves are the sort of thing Ned Flanders would invent. Utterly pathetic creation that must be stopped.
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Half and half scarves are the sort of thing Ned Flanders would invent. Utterly pathetic creation that must be stopped.
And never seen so many as I did on Saturday...what is their point?
Just for the neutral tourist?
Even some presenter on 5Live was ridiculing them! The BBC for Lord's sake!
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There were about 4 arsenal supporters sat in L2 near us on Saturday. I've no problem with that at all, but it is a bit idiotic to sit in the home end all wearing an Arsenal shirt and scarf. And why isn't anything said at the turnstile or by the stewards?
This is only going to become more common and away fans more motivated to try it as the availability and difference in cost of tickets becomes greater and greater between villa and certain other clubs.
I'm sure the signs above the turnstiles at the Holte that say Home/Villa fans only...so why were they not stopped by the stewards or were they too busy checking handbags...
They only seem to bother when it is Liverpool or Manure, I think Arsenal are seen as a bit soft really.
I got searched at lasy year's Manure game as I was buttonned up following the torrential rain - didn't mind at all if it keeps the feckers out
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There were about 4 arsenal supporters sat in L2 near us on Saturday. I've no problem with that at all, but it is a bit idiotic to sit in the home end all wearing an Arsenal shirt and scarf. And why isn't anything said at the turnstile or by the stewards?
This is only going to become more common and away fans more motivated to try it as the availability and difference in cost of tickets becomes greater and greater between villa and certain other clubs.
I'm sure the signs above the turnstiles at the Holte that say Home/Villa fans only...so why were they not stopped by the stewards or were they too busy checking handbags...
No stewards on the home turnstiles. There was a young girl operating our usual turnstile in P8 instead of the Asian lad who's normally there. She had a copy of the Daily Mirror open in front of her and was only interested in whether the light went green when you shoved your ticket in. What gets me is that the chief steward accommodated them like they were visiting VIPs and that he managed to get three Villa fans to lend them coats instead of fucking them off out of the ground.
Dont get me wrong I have sat in the home end myself on a couple of occasions and last year had a Scouse lad sitting next to me who made the schoolboy error of having a big fuck-off pic of Steevie Gee as his phone wallpaper. I made a crack about it and advised him to change it and we had a good natter with a bit of harmless banter. He was very well behaved and I wouldn't have dreamed of giving him up to the stewards. But to rock up wearing colours in the home stand is arrogance of Darwin Award winning stupidity.
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Half and half scarves are the sort of thing Ned Flanders would invent. Utterly pathetic creation that must be stopped.
I think they have their place. If you want a commemorative souvenir of the match itself - a cup final or big European tie. Like keeping a programme from a specific match.
Clearly a random league game against Arsenal very much isn't the place though.
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I thought we were pretty good for the first 30 minutes or so then had a shambolic spell of madness where we fell apart badly in such a short period of time. I think containment was the approach in the second half.
As it happens I missed the first 30 minutes due to transport problems.
I am a virus. :-(