Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on September 17, 2016, 05:15:12 PM
-
Ho hum.
-
Fire away.
-
Insipid.
-
Dross.
-
£50m gets you 0 shots on target against Ipswich and clinging on for a 0-0 draw. Embarrassing.
-
Same problems, no urgency and no apparent plan to attack. It's clear that McCormack is the only one who creates space. Once again inviting pressure after the 85 minute and bar a few last ditch clearances we would have lost.
Also thus far I think Elphick and Jedinak haven't appeared to show any sort of leadership.
-
The decline continues....have no faith in the manager...we are getting worse.
-
Di Matteo comprehensively out-manoeuvred by Mick McCarthy. Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.
-
glad i had a kip for an hour
most worrying thing isnt that we've spent a bucketload to still look wank its the fact that the half arsed twat rdm hasnt made one iota of difference
-
Should never have got the job in the first place for me, completely the wrong man for the job. 1 win in 8 confirms it. He is on borrowed time.
-
I thought Ayew in particular was absolute shite and I'm a fan of his. I also thought Kodjia kept wondering out on the wing way too much for my liking.
Very, very lucky to come away with a point.
-
That would have been a decent point if we had won the two home games but we slip further behind.
-
Get rid now. Phone call to Steve Bruce.
-
There's awful then there was today. A new low.
Just nothing from any of the players. Some don't even seem to care anymore.
Highlights for me, us fans and managing to get on the 17:09 train out of Ipswich.
-
It's not a terrible result but sounds like a lambert era away performance.
I thought the switch to 532 was a worrying sign about a manager losing confidence in his ways. Must have had so little time to prepare - plus does tend to encourage the opposition onto you. I don't really want to see much more of it.
Hoping that McCormack, adomah and Tshibola are ready to start next week.
Other than that I think it's time to forget about the villa for another week.
Losing a bit of faith in RDM, but it would clearly be ludicrous to get rid of him anytime soon after just having given him £40m to spend. And we've still only lost twice in the league. I'm more worried about the last two performances than anything
-
I really don't even know what to think about our prospect going forward.
I'm just really unhappy. I am beginning to feel the resentment I felt halfway through last year. This plight will seemingly never end. I don't see us getting better and RDM just falls flat on his face with all of his adjustments. Strange formations, poor substitutions, unable to engineer any sort of threat on goal.
It's all just so irritating.
-
If I hear any more bollocks like "if we play like we did against Forest we'll be fine" or even worse, "any time soon we're going to hand somebody a thrashing" I'll go a bit postal like Michael Douglas in Falling Down.
-
Hanging on for dear life against Ipswich having failed to trouble their keeper all game. Have we hit rock bottom? It surely can't get any worse than this... can it?
-
This will no doubt go against popular opinion, but I thought Westwood was much more effective than Jedinak. He at least tried to add some urgency in the second half. Jedinak is meant to disrupt the opposition's flow, but he barely got near them.
-
Di Matteo comprehensively out-manoeuvred by Mick McCarthy. Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.
Is this not a recurring theme? Hasn't RDM been out thought by the manager of all the teams we've played so far?
-
how unlucky are we with injuries 3 first teamers out. And the ref gave us nothing. the 2 free kicks at the end for them were nowhere near as bad as the ones on jack and ayew.
Westwood adds nothing but he's never injured, I guess by doing nothing you stay injury free
-
This will no doubt go against popular opinion, but I thought Westwood was much more effective than Jedinak. He at least tried to add some urgency in the second half. Jedinak is meant to disrupt the opposition's flow, but he barely got near them.
When there are 0 shots on target its damning on the forwards, but moreso the delivery.
We have CMs that cant play a dangerous forward pass.. EVER. We need a quarterback, not a tidy sideways passer.
-
The ONLY crumb of comfort at the moment is that at least we are picking up points albeit one at a time. To think that this club has spent gbp100 million on new players in 12months is staggering when you look at our present position. Something has to change soon and Dr T doesn't strike me like the patient understanding type so who knows but I hope RDM hasn't bought a house locally and is only renting. 18th in the league is not remotely acceptable.
-
Rowett, Bruce, Warnock or McCarthy would all have us in a playoff position. Sod long term, get promoted first, worry about staying up next season.
Time to be ruthless instead of toothless for once.
-
Get rid now. Phone call to Steve Bruce.
This I'm afraid
RDM won't survive the next two games IMO
-
If I hear any more bollocks like "if we play like we did against Forest we'll be fine" or even worse, "any time soon we're going to hand somebody a thrashing" I'll go a bit postal like Michael Douglas in Falling Down.
Yes.
-
Going down.
-
Going down.
Web will be closer to this than the playoffs
-
One win in eight in the championship...that's not good enough in the premiership...50 million spent by the owner so we can't knock him...no matter what job you have these days you come under pressure to deliver results so our overpaid management and players need to come under pressure as well....unacceptable and bollocks to all this ' we need time to gel'. ..
-
8 games, 8 goals, 8 points out of 24 available.
Which is relegation form going off last years table. :o
*Edit. I thought four teams went down but it's only three, it's not quite relegation form but it's damn near close.
-
We were probably the better team in an awful game. McCarthy knows how to close players down and crowd players out when we get to their penalty area and RDM had no answer to that, so we end up hanging on for a goal-less point at the end with goal-line clearances and the post to thank for a point.
8 points from 8 games is relegation form - teams went down last year with 39 and 40 points - and we shouldn't be hanging on for points against the likes of Ipswich, or Huddersfield, let alone be losing to the likes of Bristol City, and lower league opposition in the cup. It's simply not good enough. RDM has spent a lot of money and needs to sort it out quickly or do one. I don't get the impression that DR T is the sort of person who'll take much time if results don't pick up and a decision needs to be made. The question is if he goes, who comes in - but that's a topic for a different thread
-
On the plus side, we've lost less games than Noocassil !
-
Never thought we would be anywhere near 18th going into the season, no matter what squad we had. After spending 50mil its just completely unacceptable. We have a serious inability to score or even create chances. Going to Ipswich and not bothering their keeper with a single shot is criminal.
I just don't know what it is about this club.. you read the pre-match thread and some blind optimism is still there, but it has got to be running out. We are incapable of beating anyone, let alone delivering this "5-0 thrashing" everyone goes on about. I just don't see that happening.
I hate to be rash but something has to change.
-
7 seasons of struggle, the likely ignominy of back to back relegation.
-
We're not going to get relegated.
-
I'm more annoyed by today than v Brentford. RDM has to expect pressure when it's clear he has not idea what way to set us up. It's his job to do so and yet it's clear he hasnt a clue.To bring in so many players and dont know how to set them up is a farce.
Today the set up caused the same end of game problems we've had so far, yet took away any ounce of attacking threat we've shown prior.
-
7 seasons of struggle, the likely ignominy of back to back relegation.
Pile your money on at the bookies if you think we're going down.
-
Why not? We are fucking wank. That was abysmal. We are averaging a point a game. It's not going to get any better and that isn't good enough to stay up.
-
With the exception of a couple of sides the others all seem to be capable of winning games. Even Blackburn who looked horrific earlier in the season banged in 4 to beat Rotherham. Yes it's Rotherham and the only side we managed to beat but they won a game. Which we seem entirely incapable of doing. I didn't expect the ride back to be easy but fucking hell we are making it as hard on ourselves as possible.
-
Then shove your money on it. I won't be though, because it's not going to happen.
-
The patient has received major surgery, unfortunately the condition is still critical.
-
Did anyone go down with 46 points?
-
This week have been really poor. We are at the stage so soon of throwing out formations to try and land something that works. The players haven't been bought with anything discernible in mind. After throwing away leads he's also started to shit himself. Not venturing out of our own half on Wednesday, todays selection and approach, it's shit your pants time Di Matteo is scared already. It all looks clueless, and i've yet to see a manager start off looking clueless and suddenly discover his arse from his elbow in a long long time. I reckon it's just that process again of people running out of excuses as the performances don't pick up and eventually the minority become the majority and it's the chop.
So so poor.
-
Rowett, Bruce, Warnock or McCarthy would all have us in a playoff position. Sod long term, get promoted first, worry about staying up next season.
Time to be ruthless instead of toothless for once.
I have to agree. I have little to no confidence in RDM & can see things getting even worse all the time he stays in charge. If I'd spent £50 million of my money backing him, I'd be spitting bleedin' feathers seeing that shite. It's a totally unacceptable situation & I'd be very happy to see Rowett or Bruce getting the gig asap. Over to you Tony...
-
7 seasons of struggle, the likely ignominy of back to back relegation.
We're not that bad, surely!
-
7 seasons of struggle, the likely ignominy of back to back relegation.
We're not that bad, surely!
We're not. We just look completely devoid of confidence at the moment and I'm sure that alongside the injuries is having a big impact.
-
Rotherham will go down as they've somehow lost to both ourselves and Blackburn this season so only two other spots to worry about.
As bad as we are I'm not worried about relegation at all. For example our owner at this stage of his tenure won't let things drift like Lerner would've done.
-
7 seasons of struggle, the likely ignominy of back to back relegation.
We're not that bad, surely!
Nah, "we will batter somebody soon...:
-
7 seasons of struggle, the likely ignominy of back to back relegation.
We're not that bad, surely!
We are that bad.
And don't call him Shirley.
-
I'd I'd just appointed a manager and given him this much money, sacking him eight games into the season having basically bought a whole new team would not be what I'd be doing
I am absolutely confident we're not going down, no matter how shit or lucky we were today
-
The patient has received major surgery, unfortunately the condition is still critical.
The surgery was a success except the patient died but you can't win 'em all😀
-
We should be competing for the title. Instead we are likely to be in the bottom 3 come kick off next week.
-
Did anyone go down with 46 points?
Not last season, but in 2013 Peterborough went down with 54 points and Wolves with 51. Bloose stayed up on goal difference with 44 points in 2014. I know it's a long season and there's plenty of games but we really need to start posting some wins pfq.
-
We aren't going down, I think it will gel eventually, we've only lost twice which shows we are a bit more resilient, we need to start turning draws into wins though
-
If I hear any more bollocks like "if we play like we did against Forest we'll be fine" or even worse, "any time soon we're going to hand somebody a thrashing" I'll go a bit postal like Michael Douglas in Falling Down.
I said something very similar to a colleague this week, except I think I said "I'll be taking hostages"
-
Just don't know what to make of it anymore. We have now had several managers and, not one of them seems to have a clue as to his best team or how to set them up. I thought RDM was the man for the job but, not anymore. He seems as clueless as all the others. Maybe it's time for Dr T to appoint one of us as we seem to see more from where we sit than the Manager does. The one common theme with all the managers has been thinking Westwood in undroppable!!
-
We aren't going down, I think it will gel eventually, we've only lost twice which shows we are a bit more resilient, we need to start turning draws into wins though
It shows this league is appalling. A better manager would have had a go at us earlier than Ipswich did and the last 10 minutes were chaos. Pretty soon the other sides will realise we are pish and have a go earlier.
-
I love away games. I don't have to sit through away games. I actually feel ok today. Really I do.
(http://66.media.tumblr.com/78450de3943b6df61ad3a52635468932/tumblr_inline_ns2m39Z7NZ1qhcehh_500.gif)
-
The thing about Westwood being undroppable isn't true, he's just only centre mid who stays fit for an extended period of time.
-
Look at some of the results today and the sides that won. Does anyone right now think we would beat Preston 5-0 like Brentford did? Or how about going to Newcastle and winning like Wolves did? I can't see where the next win is coming from and my concerning the team are starting to think that way too.
-
Ads, I'm with you on this one. So many seem to be content if we finish mid table. Like you, I'm not happy with that prospect at all, we are Aston Villa not Pelsall Villa, with due respect to them!!!
-
Maybe after years of ongoing decline we should recognise the scale of the job and stop assuming that each consecutive manager is awful and that any previous achievements are somehow a con?
Last season was the worst villa team I've ever seen by a country mile, and one of the worst the premier league has ever seen. I really didn't think we'd be anywhere near promotion this season
Having bought the players we've got in, we should be competing right at the top of the table. But we will be inconsistent and take time to gel
i still saw enough against forest and in other games to think we've got the ingredients to do that. Our biggest enemy is now confidence - the manager, the player and the fans
A game against Newcastle could be what we need to step up. Of course, it could be a throughly dispiriting defeat
-
No chance of anything but a Newcastle bounce back next week. A good chance we will be in the bottom 3 before a ball is kicked and once you're in, it's hard to get out.
-
as people have rightly said
£50 million spent in the championship with 1 win in 8 games and the worrying sign is I think the signings have been good as the fans of the clubs who we signed them from all said why did we let him go etc etc and a great signing for Villa but RDM has made them look pretty average at the moment .
I mean Jedinak has gone from MOM for Palace in the Prem to looking lacklustre and lost at the moment in the championship and the so called leaders we have supposed to have signed has turned into cheerleaders instead. He seems to have the Lambert knack of turning a solid player into a no confidence waste of space .
He needs to sort this quickly
-
I love away games. I don't have to sit through away games. I actually feel ok today. Really I do.
(http://66.media.tumblr.com/78450de3943b6df61ad3a52635468932/tumblr_inline_ns2m39Z7NZ1qhcehh_500.gif)
The face you make when you realize you have mistakenly signed up for celebrity bukakke.
-
Very very poor in all depts.
Nothing changes from week to week - no urgency , pathetic pedestrian passing.
Every corner is the same . No variation or invention.
Every corner we defend we have every player back - no out ball so the ball comes straight back .
It's basics
-
it doesn't help matters when our creative players are so predictable. For me, Grealish and Ayew are like a hybrid of Simon Stainrod. Nice bit of skill, but you just know hardly fuck all will come of it
I thought we were well on top without ever looking threatening - our composure during the injury time period was more than alarming.
-
Do we have any youth players that play centre mid?
-
Do we have any youth players that play centre mid?
Ah but can they point? No one can point like Westwood, no one I tells yer.
-
That was utter shit.We clung on to draw against a team who spent the grand sum of a million quid in summer.2 clearances of the line and the post saved us.Not that they deserved it they were shit too but they at least had a game plan and were dangerous at set plays.
Defence looked shaky most of the game under the little pressure they were put under ,midfield is so one paced and has no one who can take hold of a game.Jedinek can break play up but he still looks slow and him and Westwood play tidy passes but cause opposition no problems.They aim to give it to attackers and stand and watch them do something .We get taken apart near end of games as they just can not control the game.
Ayew and Grealish did ok ,former was always busy but I feel if he was closer to goal he would be more dangerous.Grealish needs movement around him and got very little.
New team so needs time to gel but I just feel we don't have the right players , Tshibola again. O able to play and without him just no drive in middle of pitch.
-
So today didn't work, what's the formation we try next week? 7 days to conjure something else up.
-
Do we have any youth players that play centre mid?
We do. Riccardo Calder out on loan somewhere. A big lad.
-
Loose to Newcastle and Tony will get trigger happy. Robbie's not a leader.
-
Do we have any youth players that play centre mid?
We do. Riccardo Calder out on loan somewhere. A big lad.
Doncaster, wiki says for 6 months, if he has a recall option get him back, sack off that little pointing girl and try him out. The only way he can be any worse is if he's actually Gary Gardner in disguise.
-
Westwood never gets injured
but you wont if you dont tackle
-
Westwood never gets injured
but you wont if you dont tackle
Or run, have you ever seen him break in to a gut bursting sprint? He jogs everywhere, like he's Mo Farah in training.
-
We go again......
-
We aren't going down, I think it will gel eventually, we've only lost twice which shows we are a bit more resilient, we need to start turning draws into wins though
That's where i am with it as well. Can't comment on the performance but it sounded like a typical 0-0 half way through judging by the commentary.
-
I guess playing with three at the back was worth a shot but it looked as if the players first heard about it on the bus to Ipswich.
Team just looks totally shapeless and self belief is on the floor. Injuries mounting up too
-
How did Richards play?
-
Interesting that of our eight league goals I think only one of them has been away?
-
How did Richards play?
He was ok.
-
I wouldn't be so worried about the results if it looked like the manager had a plan. But at the moment, I'm struggling to see much of a difference between this and the formation/personnel merry-go-round that we enjoyed under Sher
lockwood.
Why can't we get someone who has a clear idea about the way he wants his team to play, then buy him a load of players to fit that?
-
Reasons to be cheerful: we're only 6 points off the playoffs.
Haha look at Coventry.
-
Look at some of the results today and the sides that won. Does anyone right now think we would beat Preston 5-0 like Brentford did? Or how about going to Newcastle and winning like Wolves did? I can't see where the next win is coming from and my concerning the team are starting to think that way too.
I think that the team is actually worse than lady season. It's just the fact that the standard of opposition is lower that's allowing Villa to draw rather than lose.
-
Richards did ok.
The last 10 minutes were exaggerated by some of the worst referee decisions all season, the 2 free kicks that results in corners headed off the line were just horribly poor decisions.
We did though, show some resilience, and a bit of fight for it, so I am taking that from it at least. We created some decent openings too but had a lot of shots blocked etc.
I would stick with the formation as a solid base, and work from here personally.
-
I am not 100% convinced by RDM but if you sack a manager after 8 games it sets a precedent which then puts ridiculous amounts of pressure on his successor.
There have been so many enforced changes through injuries plus new signings from the end of the window still getting their feet under the table and that is on top of the huge turnover earlier in the summer. Difficult as it is I think we just need to tough it out and see if he can get the team to gel.
-
Rotherham, Cardiff and 1 other will keep us up
-
Richards did ok.
The last 10 minutes were exaggerated by some of the worst referee decisions all season, the 2 free kicks that results in corners headed off the line were just horribly poor decisions.
We did though, show some resilience, and a bit of fight for it, so I am taking that from it at least. We created some decent openings too but had a lot of shots blocked etc.
I would stick with the formation as a solid base, and work from here personally.
Agree with the first part of that
I definitely wouldn't keep the formation tho. And I don't think RDM will. He hinted as much after the game
-
Rotherham, Cardiff and 1 other will keep us up
After being relegated, then spending £50m, talk of promotion at the first attempt - to even literally discuss us in the breath of by relegation is astounding
-
Just watched the highlights
Not pretty. One chance by the looks of things
But I still maintain that while we've been inconsistent, we very easily could have been in the play off zone with exactly the same performances we've had.
I'm not judging RDM on 8 games and anyone who does is a nazi
-
Rotherham, Cardiff and 1 other will keep us up
After being relegated, then spending £50m, talk of promotion at the first attempt - to even literally discuss us in the breath of by relegation is astounding
It is only if you believe it.
-
Yet another frustrating day,at least we arnt losing i suppose! I think this week is a big one,Im guessing it is the first full week that RDM has to work with the full squad without the distraction of a midweek game/internationals. Hopefully it gives him enough time to work on a plan to move forward & to try to get them playing as a team.
-
Even today there were a fair few times we just did not play the final ball or dwelt too long on it. We created some decent pressure in both halves at times.
If we are on 16 points in 8 games time, he will deserve serious scrutiny, but I doubt he will be.
-
Richards did ok.
The last 10 minutes were exaggerated by some of the worst referee decisions all season, the 2 free kicks that results in corners headed off the line were just horribly poor decisions.
We did though, show some resilience, and a bit of fight for it, so I am taking that from it at least. We created some decent openings too but had a lot of shots blocked etc.
I would stick with the formation as a solid base, and work from here personally.
Agree with the first part of that
I definitely wouldn't keep the formation tho. And I don't think RDM will. He hinted as much after the game
Pin the formation on the donkey. I guess at 4-5-1 next match.
-
Even today there were a fair few times we just did not play the final ball or dwelt too long on it. We created some decent pressure in both halves at times.
If we are on 16 points in 8 games time, he will deserve serious scrutiny, but I doubt he will be.
Problem for me is that we look worse every game. I think those late goals have really knocked the confidence of the tea and some of them can be attributed to poor tactical decisions by the manager.
-
Just watched SHA win. They look really average but have 15 points. But, although limited, they play as a team.
-
Just watched SHA win. They look really average but have 15 points. But, although limited, they play as a team.
Game plan, well drilled, hard working, know what roles they play, organised. The basics in other words.
-
None of us are happy, but:
We haven't got worse with every game
And we haven't played a different formation every game
It's just bollocks.
-
Next week is now huge, and potentially a wonderful springboard to restart our season. Beat Newcastle and the world looks so much better.
-
Hopefully Adomah and Tshibola will both start against the Barcodes.
-
Beat Newcastle and we'll only be 4 behind them. The only problem with this scenario is we'll probably get dicked.
-
Last season all over again.
-
Yes, didn't we play this game last season, beat them and them and we are only 5 pts behind. Beat them, them, them and them and we are back in it. Win our next 7 games and we will stay up.
-
"I don't think it was a boring 0-0. We were resilient and defended well against the threat of Ipswich.
"We were better on the ball in the first half as we tried to create a bit of danger and we had some half-chances.
"The second half was a bit more difficult but it was a good solid performance at a place that is always difficult to play at.
"A point away from home is always a good point and I am pleased with how we fought until the end."
-
RDM is beginning to sound a bit nuts.
-
Beat Newcastle and we'll only be 4 behind them. The only problem with this scenario is we'll probably get dicked.
Quite. I fear a comfortable win for them and us plunging towards the bottom.
I'd take a draw now and then try and build at Barnsley and Preston. If we can't get an away win in those two I'd make a change if I was Dr T
-
Beat Newcastle and we'll only be 4 behind them. The only problem with this scenario is we'll probably get dicked.
Quite. I fear a comfortable win for them and us plunging towards the bottom.
I'd take a draw now and then try and build at Barnsley and Preston. If we can't get an away win in those two I'd make a change if I was Dr T
See the real problem wasn't really today, ok we were poor but IF we'd beat Forest and Brentford at home and then drew 0-0 today people would have said it was a decent away point and 7 from 9. When you consider who we've played at home, to only beat Rotherham is pathetic.
-
We've not lost at home so far and haven't come anywhere near losing. I'm less pessimistic than that. Getting the midfield right will be key of course and I hope Tshibola is considered more match fit. The fact he didn't make the bench today isn't that encouraging though.
-
Tshibola was fit just not considered match fit for today, bar any set backs he will be back for the next game.
-
Beat Newcastle and we'll only be 4 behind them. The only problem with this scenario is we'll probably get dicked.
Quite. I fear a comfortable win for them and us plunging towards the bottom.
I'd take a draw now and then try and build at Barnsley and Preston. If we can't get an away win in those two I'd make a change if I was Dr T
See the real problem wasn't really today, ok we were poor but IF we'd beat Forest and Brentford at home and then drew 0-0 today people would have said it was a decent away point and 7 from 9. When you consider who we've played at home, to only beat Rotherham is pathetic.
And if we'd had half the luck we had today spread across those two games we'd have got four more points
-
I don't know why, maybe it's the beer, but I actually think we're going to beat Newcastle. It is a massive game and a win could turn our season round.
-
Those beer goggles must be fucking huge
-
Those beer goggles must be fucking huge
Beer radio telescope.
-
Just watched the highlights
Not pretty. One chance by the looks of things
But I still maintain that while we've been inconsistent, we very easily could have been in the play off zone with exactly the same performances we've had.
I'm not judging RDM on 8 games and anyone who does is a nazi
Well you can call me Auntie Goebells if you want then, Matt, because I think his non-existent tactical nous; lack of leadership; inability to organise & inspire players - and the resulting unacceptable performances - is not what our football club needs after years of utter shite. If he has the ability to bring about an upturn in our fortunes then he either needs to shape up now, or shove off asap. His prior Championship success at The Bitters seemed to suggest that he would be a good appointment, but I'll be buggered if I can see any signs of him repeating it here anytime soon. Christ knows what he'd have been like if he'd been handed the entire squad of tossers from last season to work with! At least I'd have had some sympathy for him for the rubbish we've served up thus far.
-
The highlights. Such as they were.
http://www.skysports.com/football/ipswich-vs-a-villa/358202
-
I don't need 8 games to earn my swastika. Luton with Richards in the captain's armband at centre back gave me a very good idea of RDM's ability.
-
The channel 5 championship programme, called us the 'clarets and blues ' Fucking pricks.
-
RDM is correct that as 0-0s go, it certainly wasn't boring; especially the last ten minutes.
It's also correct that, in isolation, a point away from home is good.
However, this was the first time this season that Villa played in a way that deserved to see them beaten by two or three goals.
-
If we were to "gel" against anybody, it would be trollololol to do so against Newcastle.
-
watching that, all I noticed was the ridiculous coloured boots these so called players ponce around in
-
If we were to "gel" against anybody, it would be trollololol to do so against Newcastle.
If we were to gel against Newcastle it'd take a very very large tube of KY.
-
watching that, all I noticed was the ridiculous coloured boots these so called players ponce around in
I reckon if a player turned up with black boots he will really stand out.
-
We buy good players and as soon as they get here they turn to jelly. What the hell are they putting in the food at the Bodymoor canteen?
-
I was watching on the tv and had to check the cable box cause it seemed like every time we attacked, the video was running at half speed.
Don' think anyone came out of that smelling of roses. Utter crap...and I've still yet to see an opposition team I would call quality, but we still can't win.
-
Right, next week is like to see this get an extended run
Gollini
Bacuna, Elphick, Chester, Cissoko
Tish, Jedinak
Adomah, Ross, Jack
Kodjia
Think this is our most balanced yet attacking side
-
Good defending clearing off the line twice. We'd have lost that game last season.
-
Could part of the problem be that the club still believe we are a premier league club, and as such approach games in that way?
This slow, tippy tappy football with lots of sideways and backwards play is so reminiscent of the last few years.
Maybe we really do need to go a bit more gung ho, and high tempo but I don't think we have either the manager nor the playing staff (especially in midfield) to approach games like that.
-
I think a lot of people thought we were going to smash the league were not it's tough and we need to get tough.
-
People slag the blues saying they are shit but they pick up points they have done a lot better then us with a fraction of the money spent
-
People slag the blues saying they are shit but they pick up points they have done a lot better then us with a fraction of the money spent
Well, they've had a lot more practice at this division that we have.
-
People slag the blues saying they are shit but they pick up points they have done a lot better then us with a fraction of the money spent
Indeed. Could it be that they have a manager who actually knows what he's doing?
-
People slag the blues saying they are shit but they pick up points they have done a lot better then us with a fraction of the money spent
Well, they've had a lot more practice at this division that we have.
They seem to know what theyre doing though, we certainly don't.
-
As soon as I saw the lineup with 3 CBs in I thought 'oh no'. It just screams of the manager losing confidence already in himself and the attacking principles he seemed keen on. We were playing Ipswich, with the players we've got and having spent £50m we should be letting them worry about stopping us, not filling our team with defenders to combat what they've got.
RDM has a couple of games to get us going and get a win for me, 3 max as then we hit the International break.
-
People slag the blues saying they are shit but they pick up points they have done a lot better then us with a fraction of the money spent
People slag the noses because by and large their fans are dickheads, they associate with scum, their ground is a hovel, they've employed some of footballs nastiest thugs, they're obsessed with us in a bad way, they're deluded and think they have 100,000 fans but can't fill their tiny spitoon, the Porno's being massive twats, Karen Brady and her small time jealousy. They win a few games is a completely shit division now and then but nearly always fail and fuck it up and then fantasise about it and try and turn it in to some grand morale victory.
They are a joke and a stain on our city, fuck them, congratulations on beating Sheff Wed, I'd rather be shit, play 1950's 4-2-4 formations and have the most inept , weedy and ineffective centre midfielder I can ever remember seeing play for us than use them as anything we should hold ourselves up to be.
-
As soon as I saw the lineup with 3 CBs in I thought 'oh no'. It just screams of the manager losing confidence already in himself and the attacking principles he seemed keen on. We were playing Ipswich, with the players we've got and having spent £50m we should be letting them worry about stopping us, not filling our team with defenders to combat what they've got.
RDM has a couple of games to get us going and get a win for me, 3 max as then we hit the International break.
To be honest, I felt that on Wednesday night. Moving Kodjia out on the wing seemed a really strange move and it smacked a bit of changing things for the sake of it. To completely change formation today is another concerning sign.
-
There will be another one next Saturday, today was shit he won't go wingbacks again, expect 3 in the middle with Wingers instead and 4-5-1 Kodjia alone upfront if McCormack is injured.
-
Considering Villa have been crap for a good 5 years now, eventually resulting in relegation, I never expected it to change overnight or even during a summer of mass overhaul at the football club. On that basis with it only 40 days into the season I actually think to some degree these string of draws are actually a positive, they feel better than 11 loses in a row did.
I still want to see how we set up and perform with a fully fit squad and settled 11, another 7-8 games for me and then I'll pass judgement.
-
Considering Villa have been crap for a good 5 years now, eventually resulting in relegation, I never expected it to change overnight or even during a summer of mass overhaul at the football club. On that basis with it only 40 days into the season I actually think to some degree these string of draws are actually a positive, they feel better than 11 loses in a row did.
I still want to see how we set up and perform with a fully fit squad and settled 11, another 7-8 games for me and then I'll pass judgement.
Good call.
How many times had the back 4 on Wednesday night played together? New central defensive partnerships are notoriously fragile.
What RDM needs to address right way, however, is fannying around at Villa Park. The natives just will not have it.
-
I just feel that IF we can beat Newcastle next week in what is becoming an increasingly important game the last couple of drawn games won't look so bad and maybe we can start to build. I know it's early days and we're disappointingly a bit off the pace, but as mentioned earlier I think we need to give RDM another few matches before we can really decide where he's taking us.
-
See where we are after we've played Blose. Thats 3 months in and around 14 games.
Saying that zero shots on target against Ipswich is phenomenally poor. Ive taped it but i'll not bother now.
-
See where we are after we've played Blose. Thats 3 months in and around 14 games.
Saying that zero shots on target against Ipswich is phenomenally poor. Ive taped it but i'll not bother now.
Watching the game it did feel like we had about 15 shots that were all smashed into an Ipswich defender. Call it good defending or poor shooting ...
-
Considering Villa have been crap for a good 5 years now, eventually resulting in relegation, I never expected it to change overnight or even during a summer of mass overhaul at the football club. On that basis with it only 40 days into the season I actually think to some degree these string of draws are actually a positive, they feel better than 11 loses in a row did.
I still want to see how we set up and perform with a fully fit squad and settled 11, another 7-8 games for me and then I'll pass judgement.
Good call.
How many times had the back 4 on Wednesday night played together? New central defensive partnerships are notoriously fragile.
What RDM needs to address right way, however, is fannying around at Villa Park. The natives just will not have it.
I get the negativity but I always had the understanding most supporters say, "Give a manager 2-3 seasons to build his team", that would be 4-6 transfer windows. Does that change if you do all that in one summer?
I listed to Talksport after Utd lost to Feyenoord and 2 supporters called in to say Mourinho has to go ... I guess that's where we are with some people.
-
After watching the replay I wasn't as despondent, Ipswich have a good defence and only played one up front, they crowded their penalty box so a lot of blocked shots. I have changed my mind about getting rid of the manager and now think we have to give this team time to settle and get to know each other. Gollini has to learn to come for balls, twice he put the defender under pressure because he stayed on his line.
-
The two points that stick out to me today and to be fair most of this season, point 1, is our total lack of ability to move the ball at speed and I think the two main culprits of this, are probably the two players we hang most of our hope on, Ayew and Jack, Ayew seems to run up blind alleys and when he occasionally gives the ball as he should, the other players are not on the same wave length, Jack always seems to need to cut inside or take two or three extra touches, he never releases a quick precise ball.
Point 2 which only 8 games in, is even more concerning, is the seemingly lack of passion, involvement of not just RDM but Clark as well, yesterday the only one that seemed to be given players any direction was Bond, yes I know you dont need to be a raving, jumping up and down nutter on the touch line, but there seems to be no connection there at all.
-
The highlights. Such as they were.
http://www.skysports.com/football/ipswich-vs-a-villa/358202
Fuck me, was that it. One shot wide?
-
The posters going on about 0 shots did you all watch the game? I'm guessing not! As Tuscans has mentioned we had plenty of shots charged down by a team who were all to happy to sit with everyone behind the ball bar Pitman.
I honestly think with Mccormack fit we may have had more chance of opening them up,.
Im in no way trying to gloss over a dire game but Ipswich are no mugs judging by thei results and personally will take a positive from the game that we didn't concede in the last five despite heavy pressure.
Onwards and upwards really looking forward to the geordies next Saturday, Wolves have shown the way yesterday RDM take note!
-
So today didn't work, what's the formation we try next week? 7 days to conjure something else up.
A manager changes his teams formation. How dare he, hang him.
-
How did Amarvi play? On the basis of his performance in the week he was very lucky to get a place in the team and not cast off into the reserves. Or space.
-
The posters going on about 0 shots did you all watch the game? I'm guessing not! As Tuscans has mentioned we had plenty of shots charged down by a team who were all to happy to sit with everyone behind the ball bar Pitman.
I honestly think with Mccormack fit we may have had more chance of opening them up,.
Im in no way trying to gloss over a dire game but Ipswich are no mugs judging by thei results and personally will take a positive from the game that we didn't concede in the last five despite heavy pressure.
Onwards and upwards really looking forward to the geordies next Saturday, Wolves have shown the way yesterday RDM take note!
I watched the game and lost count of how many blocked shots we had against an incredibly defensive team, so I'm not sure where the zero shots on target has come from. At least we didn't concede late on and nobody got permanently injured.
I often thought that Westwood gets unfair stick about standing around and pointing instead of tackling people, so I made an extra effort to watch him during this game and can confirm that this is indeed mainly what he does, and him standing around pointing almost cost us a goal a couple of times. Wouldn't mind if he got dropped forever.
-
How did Amarvi play? On the basis of his performance in the week he was very lucky to get a place in the team and not cast off into the reserves. Or space.
Got into good positions and linked well wit Grealish but delivery was poor.
-
Yeah he was actually alright. Nowhere near fit though.
-
Defensively Amarvi got caught a couple of times but he was a good outlet going forward.
-
I thought Richards was actually decent yesterday.
-
are any of our players ever fit? We always seem to be bemoaning player fitness levels.
-
To be fair I think that this is a reasonable result. We've not played particularly well. Ipswich were marginally better. Could have won it at the end. This is the first time this season that we've come away with a "result." Rotherham we turned over easily. Sheff Wed we should have had a point. The other games we've played we should have capatlised on our chances and periods of dominance and won them. We've actually taken something from this game, and on recent form we'd probably have been nailed on to lose it in the last 5 minutes. We probably tried our level bastard best to do that of course, but we've actually come away with a point. I'm reasonably satisfied with that. Away point against a solid side who will probably be nipping at the bottom of the playoffs. 10th up to 6th maybe.
We do definitely have to improve, and I don't, by any stretch think 3-5-2 is the way to go if we want to do anything but grind out results.
-
Right, next week is like to see this get an extended run
Gollini
Bacuna, Elphick, Chester, Cissoko
Tish, Jedinak
Adomah, Ross, Jack
Kodjia
Think this is our most balanced yet attacking side
I agree - I think there's a choice between adomah and ayew though. Ayew was sensational against forest and I've never seen adomah play.
People are talking like we're on a massive losing streak. In fact I think we've been behind for a grand total of about 30 minutes all season haven't we?
-
Just read RDM on the OS then checked out "on this day", Hells bells can anybody help?
-
Right, next week is like to see this get an extended run
Gollini
Bacuna, Elphick, Chester, Cissoko
Tish, Jedinak
Adomah, Ross, Jack
Kodjia
Think this is our most balanced yet attacking side
I agree - I think there's a choice between adomah and ayew though. Ayew was sensational against forest and I've never seen adomah play.
People are talking like we're on a massive losing streak. In fact I think we've been behind for a grand total of about 30 minutes all season haven't we?
That's just it. Anyone reading this thread not knowing the score would guess we'd been beaten. I know it's not been the best of starts and yes, we should be doing better but it's not the disaster some are making out.
-
Right, next week is like to see this get an extended run
Gollini
Bacuna, Elphick, Chester, Cissoko
Tish, Jedinak
Adomah, Ross, Jack
Kodjia
Think this is our most balanced yet attacking side
I agree - I think there's a choice between adomah and ayew though. Ayew was sensational against forest and I've never seen adomah play.
People are talking like we're on a massive losing streak. In fact I think we've been behind for a grand total of about 30 minutes all season haven't we?
That's just it. Anyone reading this thread not knowing the score would guess we'd been beaten. I know it's not been the best of starts and yes, we should be doing better but it's not the disaster some are making out.
I think people are just intensely frustrated at the stumbling start, we've played some great stuff at times but been defensively suspect in the final stages of games. It doesn't help when teams come to VP and grab a point late on and celebrate like they've won the World Cup.
That said the last two games have shown some worrying signs of us being a bit disjointed. Still all part of the bedding in process to this League.
-
He's got to take a minimum 7 points from next week's fixtures against Newcastle, Barnsley and Preston.
-
He's got to take a minimum 7 points from next week's fixtures against Newcastle, Barnsley and Preston.
Setting yourself up to be disappointed if it doesn't happen though Ads? I absolutely accept we need to see the shoots of progress if we are to challenge for promotion but never has the expression one game at a time been more apt.
-
I know I will be disappointed. What he needs to do, what he ought to be achieving and the reality are different matters entirely.
A defeat to Newcastle will be followed by a daft loss at Barnsley. With two defeats on the bounce, we will be lucky to bag a draw at Preston. He'd have to be sacked.
Desperate for any sort of win against Newcastle. Stabilise the appalling start and boost confidence. Can't see it though.
-
People slag the blues saying they are shit but they pick up points they have done a lot better then us with a fraction of the money spent
People slag the noses because by and large their fans are dickheads, they associate with scum, their ground is a hovel, they've employed some of footballs nastiest thugs, they're obsessed with us in a bad way, they're deluded and think they have 100,000 fans but can't fill their tiny spitoon, the Porno's being massive twats, Karen Brady and her small time jealousy. They win a few games is a completely shit division now and then but nearly always fail and fuck it up and then fantasise about it and try and turn it in to some grand morale victory.
They are a joke and a stain on our city, fuck them, congratulations on beating Sheff Wed, I'd rather be shit, play 1950's 4-2-4 formations and have the most inept , weedy and ineffective centre midfielder I can ever remember seeing play for us than use them as anything we should hold ourselves up to be.
Just need to look at the table to see if they are a joke on the pitch at the moment.
-
I'd rather be shit, play 1950's 4-2-4 formations and have the most inept , weedy and ineffective centre midfielder I can ever remember seeing play for us than use them as anything we should hold ourselves up to be.
Well we are there and they have a better team team than ours at the moment.
-
My first trip to Ipswich. It's just like Norwich. Except for a less good away pub serving less good beer with a less good view of a less good river and a less good ground serving less good pies and with less good locals making a less good atmosphere.
-
The last time I went (the day Nilis broke his leg) we had a few drinks round the town, it was great.
-
I'd rather be shit, play 1950's 4-2-4 formations and have the most inept , weedy and ineffective centre midfielder I can ever remember seeing play for us than use them as anything we should hold ourselves up to be.
Well we are there and they have a better team team than ours at the moment.
And sooner rather than later they'll make a glorious failure out of it and do something repulsive and them and their tiny fan base will be back to square one. If i'm not mistaken they were second at a similar stage last season before dropping off because they can't sneak a result everyweek being the poorer side.
-
My first trip to Ipswich. It's just like Norwich. Except for a less good away pub serving less good beer with a less good view of a less good river and a less good ground serving less good pies and with less good locals making a less good atmosphere.
I have only been once, in '81 for the FA Cup loss.
The only things I remember were drinking on the way in a village called Nasty with a coach load of W Ham who were a laugh.
There was a net between us and the Ipswich, we hammered them on the pitch and somebody handled the ball as they scored the only goal...
-
We just shouldn't underestimate how damaging last season must have been for the mentality at the club. Yes we've got a lot of new players. But half the squad still bears the scars.
If we end up inconsistent until xmas and then strong second half of the season putting us in the play offs, I'd have taken that at the start of the season.
I know others wouldn't. But I always thought automatic promotion was a huge ask for us
-
Matt, what would you say is a reasonable points tally for the new year if we are realistically to challenge after it? or indeed for the manager to keep his job?
-
watching that, all I noticed was the ridiculous coloured boots these so called players ponce around in
I reckon if a player turned up with black boots he will really stand out.
I Recon if a player scores a goal he would stand out also 😄
-
Someone mentioned the word frustrating earlier and that sums it up for me. I don't actually think we've played that bad this season overall (one or two exceptions obviously) but even if we'd hung on in just two of the games that we've thrown away, 12 points wouldn't have been too bad a return. We've shot ourselves in the foot by not finishing teams off when we should have and that's my only gripe so far really.
-
Those beer goggles must be fucking huge
Beer radio telescope.
Beer Hubble Telescope.
-
Matt, what would you say is a reasonable points tally for the new year if we are realistically to challenge after it? or indeed for the manager to keep his job?
I'm sure there is one, but I'm not working it out!
I'd say we need to be top 12 or so by November and top 10 by early Jan - within touching distance of the top 6 - as a minimum. Then by March we need to be right in there.
I'm not saying we will do that. But it still feels perfectly achievable to me.
-
Just read RDM on the OS then checked out "on this day", Hells bells can anybody help?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorem_ipsum
-
Just read RDM on the OS then checked out "on this day", Hells bells can anybody help?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorem_ipsum
All it should say is 'Semper in excrementum, solum profunditas mutat'
-
So we're currently sat in 18th place after 8 games on 8 points. Simply not good enough is the correct answer.
-
So we're currently sat in 18th place after 8 games on 8 points. Simply not good enough is the correct answer.
I don't think anyone is arguing that point. The split is between those who want the manager sacked for those results and those who think he should be given more time. I'm in the latter category myself, as I think 8 games is far too soon to make a sensible judgement.
-
I wasn't arguing any point to be fair...just stating a simple fact about our current position. I would agree that 8 games is too short to consider sacking RDM, so on the basis that we're playing a 46 game season, I would give him another 7 games as we're only 6pts off the playoff positions...if we don't see improvements in results after another 7 games, then we need to give another manager the chance to rescue this season.
-
My first trip to Ipswich. It's just like Norwich. Except for a less good away pub serving less good beer with a less good view of a less good river and a less good ground serving less good pies and with less good locals making a less good atmosphere.
and a less good football team.
-
I have been a supporter for around 50 years. I have always given my backing to new managers and players because I am a Villa fan. It seems these days there are many people that make their minds up immediately based on the person not being 'their man' and are then over critical from day one based on diminishing the height of hurdles in front of us and magnifying the importance of relatively small points. Add to this the ignoring of relevant mitigating factors and then reading some comments, you start to think some people are biased.
-
I have been a supporter for around 50 years. I have always given my backing to new managers and players because I am a Villa fan. It seems these days there are many people that make their minds up immediately based on the person not being 'their man' and are then over critical from day one based on diminishing the height of hurdles in front of us and magnifying the importance of relatively small points. Add to this the ignoring of relevant mitigating factors and then reading some comments, you start to think some people are biased.
True dat
-
I have been a supporter for around 50 years. I have always given my backing to new managers and players because I am a Villa fan. It seems these days there are many people that make their minds up immediately based on the person not being 'their man' and are then over critical from day one based on diminishing the height of hurdles in front of us and magnifying the importance of relatively small points. Add to this the ignoring of relevant mitigating factors and then reading some comments, you start to think some people are biased.
I thought he was a good appointment.
I don't think what we've seen so far is anywhere near good enough. At the end of the match yesterday I thought we might as well just sack him now, so shit was it. Having thought about it today, I've calmed down a bit, but we're currently 18th in a league choc full of absolutely shit teams.
That's not good enough, and he needs to fix it really quickly.
-
I have been a supporter for around 50 years. I have always given my backing to new managers and players because I am a Villa fan. It seems these days there are many people that make their minds up immediately based on the person not being 'their man' and are then over critical from day one based on diminishing the height of hurdles in front of us and magnifying the importance of relatively small points. Add to this the ignoring of relevant mitigating factors and then reading some comments, you start to think some people are biased.
I thought he was a good appointment.
I don't think what we've seen so far is anywhere near good enough. At the end of the match yesterday I thought we might as well just sack him now, so shit was it. Having thought about it today, I've calmed down a bit, but we're currently 18th in a league choc full of absolutely shit teams.
That's not good enough, and he needs to fix it really quickly.
That's a mirror image of how I feel/felt.
-
I have been a supporter for around 50 years. I have always given my backing to new managers and players because I am a Villa fan. It seems these days there are many people that make their minds up immediately based on the person not being 'their man' and are then over critical from day one based on diminishing the height of hurdles in front of us and magnifying the importance of relatively small points. Add to this the ignoring of relevant mitigating factors and then reading some comments, you start to think some people are biased.
I thought he was a good appointment.
I don't think what we've seen so far is anywhere near good enough. At the end of the match yesterday I thought we might as well just sack him now, so shit was it. Having thought about it today, I've calmed down a bit, but we're currently 18th in a league choc full of absolutely shit teams.
That's not good enough, and he needs to fix it really quickly.
That's a mirror image of how I feel/felt.
Im also a fan of around 50 years standing.
I am working on the basis that it takes a while to integrate players into a squad and that it will take a while for both Clarke and RdM to get it together.
But I feel that this is a very positive view of the current situation.
-
What worries me it RDM doesn't seem to grasp what his team need , at least not during games.
At the Ipswich game while Westwood was being stitched up, there was 3-4 players going to the side seeking some instruction how to handle something (could be anything as both defense and attack was getting progressively worse). RDM totally ignores them, do not engage any of them,this is despite having an excellent chance to do so. Later when we did changes , he wasn't even animated. Assistants did everything.
My view is that RDM is delegating leader, but as anyone who had leadership training knows that you have to engage a group differently based on the state of the factors "motivation" and "skill or knowhow". This is the most basic form of group management theory and surely must be a part of the mandated coachingclasses needed to get a licence:
1st stage ) A fresh team (like a youth squad or a newly composed team), usually doesn't need to be motivated but the do need alot of instruction. As the group progress, they gain skill but as it starts from a low point there are often setbacks and confidence drops.
2nd stage ) Not yet proficient and with confidence dropping. Now they need both instruction and pep. This is the most unproductive phase as there is Confusion about What to do and lacking the drive to learn how.(This is where I think Villa are right now).
3rd stage ) When it becomes clear on how to play, it takes a while until the squads see the progress (especially if the results doesn't always reflect the better play the instant the team gels and the players "get it"). This is the stage when the leader has to "pep" or support but can scale back on instructions as player know what to do, they just need belief in that they can.
4rd stage ) This the performance stage as skill and motivation peek. The leader can now delegate and trust the team to handle the task by just expressing priority and enable and empower. (Example here is Barcelona or Chelsea when RDM inherited them).
So we got a team that is quite talented but quickly dropping to stage 2 with a manager that only know how to manage a stage 4 teams....Result the manager expects them to just execute and the team needs to know how to play (together) and has a quickly fading belief that they can do it.
Newcastle while we are like this looks scary, but you hope that what we see from the outside is quite wrong and RDM is doing all the moves during the week, because at gameday he looks as oblivious and clueless as Dim-Tim and as uninterested as Remi Garde.
-
Yes, he's been a bit wank so far hasn't he.
-
To even suggest a manager should be sacked after 8 games is ridiculous.
If we start going down that road we'll never have any stability and will stay out of the top flight for as long as Leeds, Forest, Derby etc etc.
If we've made such a castrophic appointment that it's proved wrong after 8 games then it's the person who's made that appointment that is the real problem.
-
To even suggest a manager should be sacked after 8 games is ridiculous.
If we start going down that road we'll never have any stability and will stay out of the top flight for as long as Leeds, Forest, Derby etc etc.
If we've made such a castrophic appointment that it's proved wrong after 8 games then it's the person who's made that appointment that is the real problem.
Who is that person is what I wonder?
-
What worries me it RDM doesn't seem to grasp what his team need , at least not during games.
At the Ipswich game while Westwood was being stitched up, there was 3-4 players going to the side seeking some instruction how to handle something (could be anything as both defense and attack was getting progressively worse). RDM totally ignores them, do not engage any of them,this is despite having an excellent chance to do so. Later when we did changes , he wasn't even animated. Assistants did everything.
My view is that RDM is delegating leader, but as anyone who had leadership training knows that you have to engage a group differently based on the state of the factors "motivation" and "skill or knowhow". This is the most basic form of group management theory and surely must be a part of the mandated coachingclasses needed to get a licence:
1st stage ) A fresh team (like a youth squad or a newly composed team), usually doesn't need to be motivated but the do need alot of instruction. As the group progress, they gain skill but as it starts from a low point there are often setbacks and confidence drops.
2nd stage ) Not yet proficient and with confidence dropping. Now they need both instruction and pep. This is the most unproductive phase as there is Confusion about What to do and lacking the drive to learn how.(This is where I think Villa are right now).
3rd stage ) When it becomes clear on how to play, it takes a while until the squads see the progress (especially if the results doesn't always reflect the better play the instant the team gels and the players "get it"). This is the stage when the leader has to "pep" or support but can scale back on instructions as player know what to do, they just need belief in that they can.
4rd stage ) This the performance stage as skill and motivation peek. The leader can now delegate and trust the team to handle the task by just expressing priority and enable and empower. (Example here is Barcelona or Chelsea when RDM inherited them).
So we got a team that is quite talented but quickly dropping to stage 2 with a manager that only know how to manage a stage 4 teams....Result the manager expects them to just execute and the team needs to know how to play (together) and has a quickly fading belief that they can do it.
Newcastle while we are like this looks scary, but you hope that what we see from the outside is quite wrong and RDM is doing all the moves during the week, because at gameday he looks as oblivious and clueless as Dim-Tim and as uninterested as Remi Garde.
So where does RDM's promotion with WBA fit into this theory ?
-
What worries me it RDM doesn't seem to grasp what his team need , at least not during games.
At the Ipswich game while Westwood was being stitched up, there was 3-4 players going to the side seeking some instruction how to handle something (could be anything as both defense and attack was getting progressively worse). RDM totally ignores them, do not engage any of them,this is despite having an excellent chance to do so. Later when we did changes , he wasn't even animated. Assistants did everything.
My view is that RDM is delegating leader, but as anyone who had leadership training knows that you have to engage a group differently based on the state of the factors "motivation" and "skill or knowhow". This is the most basic form of group management theory and surely must be a part of the mandated coachingclasses needed to get a licence:
1st stage ) A fresh team (like a youth squad or a newly composed team), usually doesn't need to be motivated but the do need alot of instruction. As the group progress, they gain skill but as it starts from a low point there are often setbacks and confidence drops.
2nd stage ) Not yet proficient and with confidence dropping. Now they need both instruction and pep. This is the most unproductive phase as there is Confusion about What to do and lacking the drive to learn how.(This is where I think Villa are right now).
3rd stage ) When it becomes clear on how to play, it takes a while until the squads see the progress (especially if the results doesn't always reflect the better play the instant the team gels and the players "get it"). This is the stage when the leader has to "pep" or support but can scale back on instructions as player know what to do, they just need belief in that they can.
4rd stage ) This the performance stage as skill and motivation peek. The leader can now delegate and trust the team to handle the task by just expressing priority and enable and empower. (Example here is Barcelona or Chelsea when RDM inherited them).
So we got a team that is quite talented but quickly dropping to stage 2 with a manager that only know how to manage a stage 4 teams....Result the manager expects them to just execute and the team needs to know how to play (together) and has a quickly fading belief that they can do it.
Newcastle while we are like this looks scary, but you hope that what we see from the outside is quite wrong and RDM is doing all the moves during the week, because at gameday he looks as oblivious and clueless as Dim-Tim and as uninterested as Remi Garde.
So where does RDM's promotion with WBA fit into this theory ?
I do not know how WBA earned that promotion but my guess (since they did get promoted)that had both confidence and a winning concept (by WBA standards) when RDM got them promoted. That makes sense for a delegating manager as a phase 4 group does fit with delegating coaches. However if WBA that season started out as a dysfunctional unit it suggests that RDM are indeed capable of flexible management...however I do not follow WBA so I really cant say but my guess is that WBA-team was a contender from the start and RDM didn't have to build confidence and invent a winning tactic. This is very basic leadership theory but its easily adoptable to apply on Football Manager Personas for Sports-book betting purposes.
There are a lot of other factors but do you not agree that this team.... on the back of last season, the huge restructuring during summer transfer window and the defeatism that have been reigning at VP for years....would benefit from a Manager that can both motivate and instruct? Especially from the sideline during games when doubt,pressure, fear and confusion is evidently ravaging our beloved Villa. He just sits there watching how we implode without offering help or support. Its heartbreaking.
Any way my point is that he may be excellent if we find balance in the team and string together a few good results and start to dominate the full 90 mins against teams that is way less talented. But is he dynamic and flexible enough to make that happen? I had hope for RDM... now I have doubts...because of how he behaves during games. It might not be the entire truth...but it looks like a bad fit.
-
Statistics are an arse. I'd like us to be doing so much better but the truth is we have lost twice in 8 games. Yes, only won once, but, so many new players that need time to get used to each other. I am not and never was RDM's biggest fan but even he is going to need around half a season to get this shit sorted. We expect some players to be world beaters, instantly. Never going to happen, particularly with the injuries and the fact that pointy gets in every week.
-
i listened to the Brentford game on Radio WM, and Garry Thompson noticed that RDM and Clarke came out for the second half a good 2 or 3 minutes before the players did. He seemed amazed that a manager should do this, and said he had never seen it or experienced it before.
I did wonder if RDM had left the team doing their own team talk. If would certainly explain the drop off in the second half of that game.
-
What worries me it RDM doesn't seem to grasp what his team need , at least not during games.
At the Ipswich game while Westwood was being stitched up, there was 3-4 players going to the side seeking some instruction how to handle something (could be anything as both defense and attack was getting progressively worse). RDM totally ignores them, do not engage any of them,this is despite having an excellent chance to do so. Later when we did changes , he wasn't even animated. Assistants did everything.
My view is that RDM is delegating leader, but as anyone who had leadership training knows that you have to engage a group differently based on the state of the factors "motivation" and "skill or knowhow". This is the most basic form of group management theory and surely must be a part of the mandated coachingclasses needed to get a licence:
1st stage ) A fresh team (like a youth squad or a newly composed team), usually doesn't need to be motivated but the do need alot of instruction. As the group progress, they gain skill but as it starts from a low point there are often setbacks and confidence drops.
2nd stage ) Not yet proficient and with confidence dropping. Now they need both instruction and pep. This is the most unproductive phase as there is Confusion about What to do and lacking the drive to learn how.(This is where I think Villa are right now).
3rd stage ) When it becomes clear on how to play, it takes a while until the squads see the progress (especially if the results doesn't always reflect the better play the instant the team gels and the players "get it"). This is the stage when the leader has to "pep" or support but can scale back on instructions as player know what to do, they just need belief in that they can.
4rd stage ) This the performance stage as skill and motivation peek. The leader can now delegate and trust the team to handle the task by just expressing priority and enable and empower. (Example here is Barcelona or Chelsea when RDM inherited them).
So we got a team that is quite talented but quickly dropping to stage 2 with a manager that only know how to manage a stage 4 teams....Result the manager expects them to just execute and the team needs to know how to play (together) and has a quickly fading belief that they can do it.
Newcastle while we are like this looks scary, but you hope that what we see from the outside is quite wrong and RDM is doing all the moves during the week, because at gameday he looks as oblivious and clueless as Dim-Tim and as uninterested as Remi Garde.
Academics amaze me. All those words to say you need to coach a team to play well and once they are doing so and have confidence and a winning formula it becomes a bit easier?
I bet Fergie couldn't get enough of management models and leadership courses.
-
I think this game shows how crucial Ross McCormack is going to be for us this season - hope he's fit for next Saturday!
-
i listened to the Brentford game on Radio WM, and Garry Thompson noticed that RDM and Clarke came out for the second half a good 2 or 3 minutes before the players did. He seemed amazed that a manager should do this, and said he had never seen it or experienced it before.
I did wonder if RDM had left the team doing their own team talk. If would certainly explain the drop off in the second half of that game.
the players had to go to the loo on the way out
-
I wonder what Kevin Bond does that Steve Clarke cannot do?
-
I've only seen the highlights -any idea how Mick set his team up...?