Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on October 16, 2016, 10:06:52 PM
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Madjeski Stadium, 18th Oct, 8pm KO.
Yay, another game!
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Gollini- Bacuna, Baker, Chester, Cissokho - three hopeless chancers - Ayew, Kodjia, Grealish
1-1. outplayed after scoring early, but Bruce is a 'lucky' manager, which will augur well for the future.
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At least in the championship you usually get chance to get a shit performance out of your system within 72 hours or in our case heap more misery on.
1-1 standard
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Gollini- Bacuna, Baker, Chester, Cissokho - three hopeless chancers - Ayew, Kodjia, Grealish
1-1. outplayed after scoring early, but Bruce is a 'lucky' manager, which will augur well for the future.
Hutton was brought on before Bacuna on Saturday, so I would have thought he will get the nod at RB. You know what, after re-reading that last sentence, I just haven't got the will to add any more!!
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After wolves i can't see beyond a defeat. you don't get that lucky twice. 2-0
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2-0 Reading.
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10 votes in and not a single prediction of an away win.
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We'll win 1-2, I genuinly don't know why I think that.
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I reckon we lose. The first games of this season it seemed like this was a team about to break into winning form, the last few it feels like we are about to break into a losing streak. Reading feels like that game and I regard the new manager as neutral at best so I expect no help from there.
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Would like to see Rudy start and hopefully get the ball to stick and work off him. Who he takes out to play him though is a toughy.
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In a nutshell v Wolves the players simply didn't have a clue as to how Bruce wanted them to play, so why some 3 days later should that change. Footballers are thick!
Got to bring Westwood back in if only because he is less "crap" than the other options.
We could play Pele up front and I don't think it would make a great deal of difference so the area we need to look at is defence, Bacuna at right back and Baker in centre of defence, again the best of a very average bunch.
I am starting to fear for us this season, confidence has clearly been wiped out and the change of manager will take sometime to have any positive effect.
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1-1, because that's what we do.
Anything else will probably rip a hole in space time and start the end of the multiverse.
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Fuck off football.
I hope there's a decent film on.
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I was very tempted to have draw as the only option in the poll.
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I think we will draw 2-2 after being 1-0 up through Ayew only for them to turn it around to 2-1 before we finally show some steely determination and equalise late on through Gestede.
I think we should line up 4-3-3 as follows;
Gollini
Bacuna
Baker
Chester
Amavi
Westwood
McCormack
Tshibola
Kodjia
Gestede
Ayew
Use McCormacks brain to better effect in middle of Park with Pointy and Tish the ankle biters.
Gestede up through the middle to hold it up with Kodjia and Ayew working off him in the channels.
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1-0 Villa. Gestede.
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2 1 Villa, Gestede and Kodjia
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0-2. We've got to win a match at some point. Haven't we?
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0-2. We've got to win a match at some point. Haven't we?
Law of averages says yes.
Law of Aston Villa says no.
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Upside is this is away from home so I don't have to go
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I reckon a defeat in this one.
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A surprising 2-1 win for no reason at all.
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I think we should treat this match as you would a park game
Villa Secretary Er we are a bit short in central defence today can we borrow one of yours
Reading Manager I quite fancy a run out can I play?
Japp Stam makes his debut for us!!
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2-1 Reading
I think we'll still struggle until Bruce can get a couple in Jan.
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Can't see anything other than a 2-0 defeat.
I have a horrible feeling that we're going down.
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We'll extract the urine again & somehow snaffle a point.
1-1 via a laughable, miss-cued Pointy cross. Possibly.
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Can't see anything other than a 2-0 defeat.
I have a horrible feeling that we're going down.
This is terrible news, you've always been one of the most optimistic people on here.
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Routine away defeat.
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Team and individual performances getting worse with each game. Played 6 Away league games (lost 3 drawn 3). Scored only 2 goals in them and conceded 7.
Add in the 3-1 cup defeat at Luton.
No brainer. Reading to win 3-1.
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Can't see anything other than a 2-0 defeat.
I have a horrible feeling that we're going down.
I know what you mean Ads but I hope that the general air of negativity can be lifted by the end of the year. I hope the players haven't given up hope, they may have joined us thinking there was a real possibility of winning a promotion and in their eyes now that is too far away and recent performances support that conjecture. Simple footballing habits need to be adopted such as running off the ball, being first in the tackle, being available for a pass, playing with effort for the whole 90 minutes and being confident. I trust Bruce to get these in place and from there we can build, a mid table or above has got to be the minimum target now. I will take another draw tomorrow but a solid win against Fulham at the weekend.
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It's been over 400 days since our last away league win.
It's written in the stars we win at the sty.
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Taking 4300 when we haven't won away for 14 months, incredible support. I think we'll be rewarded with a long awaited away win aswell, 1-3.
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We just need to win a game. An ugly win or a lucky win or an outrageous robbery. We have to take a small single step forwards.
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Another tough game and Bruce hasn't had much time with the players yet. Think it may have been nice for him to have a week in between this and the Wolves game buts the Championship :) Will go 1-1 too. Bacuna for us.
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When was the last time the opposition had someone sent off against us,
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When was the last time the opposition had someone sent off against us,
Pereira for Forest?
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Obvious need to change things around with injuries and the quick turnaround. But all our half decent options are at the top of the pitch.
Gollini
Bacuna, Chester, Baker, Amavi
Westwood, Jedinak, Tshibola
Ayew, Kodija, Gabby*
* may aswell get his last chance out of the way
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them a few us not as many
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Anyone up for some form of sacrifice/ritual to try and sway the footballing gods?
I'll donate my first born, who's being a pain in the arse, to get things started.
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When was the last time the opposition had someone sent off against us,
Pereira for Forest?
That was so late it made little or no difference, we need an early red.
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I`m going to the game and haven't had the chance to be an anorak yet and look at Readings performances so far this season. However a QPR bod I know who watched them this weekend says they are a good team with Gareth McCleary a dangerous threat on the wing.
Call me a doom monger but I think we may get turned over again here. Reading have not lost at home so far this season? I will be glad to be proved wrong and dare I say it a draw would be a good result..
C`mon you Villa B*****ds ;D ;D
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Can't see anything other than a 2-0 defeat.
I have a horrible feeling that we're going down.
This is terrible news, you've always been one of the most optimistic people on here.
It's getting to me too!
I've only ever put us down for wins...until today, and being optimistic I've gone for a draw!!!
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Make it stop.Make it stop.Make it stop.Make it stop.Make it stop.Make it stop.Make it stop.Make it stop.
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2-1 loss.
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When was the last time the opposition had someone sent off against us,
Pereira for Forest?
That was so late it made little or no difference, we need an early red.
Agreed. I was more thinking about us getting some luck to change a game. An early red card. A dodgy penalty. A comical own goal. That kind of thing.
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Obvious 1-1 draw. We lead they equalise. Simple!
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Another 1-1 draw I'm afraid.
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1-0 own goal
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An early red card. A dodgy penalty. A comical own goal. That kind of thing.
Baker's probably starting, so you might get all three
Oh.... you mean for the opposition
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When was the last time the opposition had someone sent off against us,
Pereira for Forest?
That was so late it made little or no difference, we need an early red.
Agreed. I was more thinking about us getting some luck to change a game. An early red card. A dodgy penalty. A comical own goal. That kind of thing.
That would be nice - but presumably we'd still balls it up afterwards.
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Can't see anything other than a 2-0 defeat.
I have a horrible feeling that we're going down.
This is terrible news, you've always been one of the most optimistic people on here.
It's all Ads fault I got another Season Ticket - he said we'd smash everybody!
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We'll lose
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Don't we have a fantastic record against Reading? not that it counts for anything
2-1 to us.
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Don't we have a fantastic record against Reading? not that it counts for anything
2-1 to us.
W15 D2 L2. In the league W9 D0 L1.
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Not sure what the Manager can instill / change in 2 full days, with presumably Sunday was a recovery day (although I would have had them all running till they were sick to get fit)
Presumably after being "Tired" and not starting Ayew will come in
Gollini
Bacuna Chester Baker Amavi
Westwood Tshibola Gardner
Grealish Kodja Ayew
Subs
McCormack
Gestede
Adomah
Bunn
Hutton
Cissokhu
Jedinak
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I fear this will be a defeat. It seems like Reading are pretty handy under Stam so far. 2-0 or 2-1 to them.
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Ugh. Must we? I can easily see Reading taking the win here.
I feel sorry for Bruce because we have no decent midfield options. We can look at that In January, sure, but until then we have the worst Villa midfield I can remember.
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no no no, this one we can win.
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We're going to smash someone soon.
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I'm going 1-1.
In order to stop the rot or at least try to make us more solid I'd play the dullest 4-5-1 Bruce can come up with and try and nick goals on the break utilising the pace we do have.
Gollini
Bacuna
Chester
Baker
Amavi
Adomah
Gardner
Jedinak
Tshibola
Ayew
Kodjia
McCormack would be lucky to get a place on the bench in my view he was a disgrace on Saturday.
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I`m going to the game and haven't had the chance to be an anorak yet and look at Readings performances so far this season. However a QPR bod I know who watched them this weekend says they are a good team with Gareth McCleary a dangerous threat on the wing.
We can't be doing with facing good teams. Or even average ones.
2-0 Reading.
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Nope, can't see this one - Reading some, us less. I was going to say we'd have a point for a nice try but we can't even manage that these days. Is someone actually giving them bromide in their food at Bodymoor?
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Obviously a 1-1 draw which does us no good at all!
Team a basic 4-4-2, solid and dull:
Gollini
Hutton Chester Baker Cissokho
Bacuna Tshibola Gardner Amavi
McCormack (or Ayew) Kodja
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OK, I went for the Villa win, yes I'm deluded and to prove it I think one of our defenders will score a header from a corner...0-1 !
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Our nadir has yet to be reached.
Reading 2 Aston Villa 0
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considering Sunday was a rest day it means SB will have had just today to spend with the team. Not long enough. Not by about 6 weeks.
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Who'll be captain ? Chester ?
I know that he took over the armband on Saturday but he seemed to be looking round for someone to pass it off to.
Maybe Ross or Pointy (if either are in the team) ?
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Who'll be captain ? Chester ?
I know that he took over the armband on Saturday but he seemed to be looking round for someone to pass it off to.
Maybe Ross or Pointy (if either are in the team) ?
Ross for me, the only bloke who seemed bothered on Saturday - if they had listened to him then we would have been 10 yards further up the pitch and he might have had a chance now and again...
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I would go with McCormack as well. He at least has a football brain.
0-0 or 1-1 if we are lucky
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We'll win one half but which one? Good bet reading first and us second. I hope that way round anyway.
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I was so full of optimism saturday and just never thought we could be as poor as we were in the second half. I agree with others regarding Ross. Look at the way he had the brain to set up that great pass to Jack from which our goal came. As an old striker myself I know how infuriating it is to make good runs but the midfield are just too deep or, just plain not good enough, to pass a decent ball to you. On that showing, unless SB had duffed up a few since saturday, I just cannot see us getting anything at Reading. He wasn't my first choice manager but I'm right behind him to try to get the players motivated for matches. For us fans, they don't have to be world beaters, we only ask that they give their all but, it will take some time to turn this around. I really hope that I'm wrong and that Reading can be the start of something good for us.
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Aren't we due to batter someone? That was what everyone was saying a few weeks ago.
2 nil defeat
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I'll go for another draw - probably 1-1
Presumably there will be changes so would like to see us go with Gollini, Bacuna, Chester, Baker, Cissokho, Westwood, Tshibola, Gardner, Ayew, McCormack, Kodjia
Subs - Steer, Hutton, Amavi, Grealish, Jedinak, Gestede, Adomah
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Gollini
Bacuna Chester Baker Amavi
Gardner Westwood Tshibola
McCormack
Ayew - Kodjia
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This is the first game that I'll miss of the season. Therefore I'm going for a 2-1 Villa Win.
I'd go
Gollini
Hutton Chester Baker
Adomah Amavi
Tishbola Gardner
Ayew
Mccormack Kodjia
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Step too far for us to automatically think we will get something out of this game. Confidence shot to pieces again, a new manager who has come in and is attempting to change tactics and game plan. Footballers are thick and like domestic animals take their time to pick up new tricks.
Think we will benefit with Tommy out at least we will have a centre half who is capable of a decent performance playing.
Please Mr Bruce forget Hutton simply not good enough for professional football. Our best option at right back is Bacuna like him or not. I would also bring Westwood back into the thick of things and think of bringing Rudi on if things go bellies up on the pitch. Wish I was going now. Raise the roof Holte Enders we need it.
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Lets go for a draw against Reading ......
Then home win Saturday against Fulham ........
Then a Gabby winner as he comes off the bench for the last chance at Small Health .......
Damm ...the alarm just woke me up lol
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I think we used up all our luck on Saturday.
2-0 to Reading.
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i have some petrol/oil mix left in a can - I'm thinking about burning my Lerner scarf. We have to try every little thing.
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Please Mr Bruce forget Hutton simply not good enough for professional football. Our best option at right back is Bacuna like him or not.
Bacuna was left out on Saturday for the same reason as Ayew (long flight after international duty) so I think we'll see him back against Reading.
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i have some petrol/oil mix left in a can - I'm thinking about burning my Lerner scarf. We have to try every little thing.
Hang on....you mean the one ending "Bright Future"?
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Amavi, Bacuna, Baker, Ayew all must start.
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In all my years I don't think I've looked forward to a game less than this.
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In all my years I don't think I've looked forward to a game less than this.
You losing your Villa mojo is like the ravens leaving the Tower of London. We're doomed.
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We have to go further down yet..mark my words
Forget promotion, we need to stay up as the only target
Then I think we can rebuild
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In all my years I don't think I've looked forward to a game less than this.
Have you only just realised what a mess the club is in then? I've been thinking like this for the last 4 or 5 years.
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In all my years I don't think I've looked forward to a game less than this.
Have you only just realised what a mess the club is in then? I've been thinking like this for the last 4 or 5 years.
It's not a competition to see who can be the most miserable.
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In all my years I don't think I've looked forward to a game less than this.
Have you only just realised what a mess the club is in then? I've been thinking like this for the last 4 or 5 years.
It's not a competition to see who can be the most miserable.
Just as well because I'd have won that hands down.
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I nearly added '...it just seems like it.'
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There's a difference between getting beaten 4-1 away at Man City with all their ability and dreading facing some nobody outfit like Reading in the 2nd Division ahead of an inevitable drubbing.
I can't muster any hope or positivity.
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We will win tomorrow. I don't know how or why I think we'll win but we will.
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Was due to be going to this with my boss who is a Raeding ST holder, but thankfully we've been called down to a meeting in Cornwall so will both miss it! No chance of finding somewhere to watch a stream either! Happy days!!
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We will win tomorrow. I don't know how or why I think we'll win but we will.
If we say this before every game then one day it will be true.*
*Probably. Although it might be against Solihull Moors in the National League in 2019.
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There's a difference between getting beaten 4-1 away at Man City with all their ability and dreading facing some nobody outfit like Reading in the 2nd Division ahead of an inevitable drubbing.
I can't muster any hope or positivity.
Or 0-6 at home to Liverpool. No, honestly, the writing has been on the wall for years.
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We will win tomorrow. I don't know how or why I think we'll win but we will.
We're gonna get a result eventually, and we have relatively decent players for the league we're in so I'm sure we'll click sooner or later. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.
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Draw
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There's a difference between getting beaten 4-1 away at Man City with all their ability and dreading facing some nobody outfit like Reading in the 2nd Division ahead of an inevitable drubbing.
I can't muster any hope or positivity.
Or 0-6 at home to Liverpool. No, honestly, the writing has been on the wall for years.
That happened 8 months ago. 5 years ago yesterday we got beat 4-1 at Man City.
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There's a difference between getting beaten 4-1 away at Man City with all their ability and dreading facing some nobody outfit like Reading in the 2nd Division ahead of an inevitable drubbing.
I can't muster any hope or positivity.
Or 0-6 at home to Liverpool. No, honestly, the writing has been on the wall for years.
That happened 8 months ago. 5 years ago yesterday we got beat 4-1 at Man City.
Yeah it's been a steady stream of diabolical results and performances for over 6 years. Now we're finally in the Championship and we're nowhere near pissing it like you said we would.
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Another one who can fuck off.
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I am off to this in the home end. Just hope I can refrain from shouty swearing at our lot.
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Another one who can fuck off.
We'll have less of that thank you.
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I've driven 6310.50 miles across 24 league away games since we beat Bournemouth.
De-fucking-pressing.
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I've driven 6310.50 miles across 24 league away games since we beat Bournemouth.
De-fucking-pressing.
That's Dave's next post match article named.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cu_S874W8AEuzSW.jpg:large)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cu_S874W8AEuzSW.jpg:large)
So we just need to decide who the two other subs are going to be now.
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We will win tomorrow. I don't know how or why I think we'll win but we will.
If we say this before every game then one day it will be true.*
*Probably. Although it might be against Solihull Moors in the National League in 2019.
I went to watch the Moors last week and they would beat us now let alone in 3 years time!
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I really hope for the tide to turn, that we finally have a man in charge who can craft a result. But I am starting to get that pit of my stomach feeling about us being stuck fighting yet another relegation scrap because our players lack belief in themselves. I hope at best for a draw but sadly, the way we are playing I fear yet another loss. Miserable bastard eh? It's the hope that continually kills.
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I'd go with Bacuna Chester Baker and Cissokho in defence. Gardner, Tdibola and Lyndon in midfield. Kodjia, McCormack and Gestede up front. Jedinak, Ayew, Adomah and some kids on the bench to change things if needed. Oh and Gollimi in goal (he did OK on Saturday).
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Know what? I've got a feeling about this one. Fourteen months' worth of pain and false hopes later and...
...it'll be a fcuking draw. One each.
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At the momemt we need Sat-Tue-Sat sequences of games like a hole in the head. Can we just ask for a deferral on all games for the next few weeks so Brucie can give them a "mini pre-season" (© Sherwood, T, 2015) to get the fuckers fit and fighting?
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It's 1-1 or 2-0 to them.
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We will win tomorrow. I don't know how or why I think we'll win but we will.
We're gonna get a result eventually, and we have relatively decent players for the league we're in so I'm sure we'll click sooner or later. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.
Hope you both are right!
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I have been cautiously optimistic until now but that second half display on Saturday has seen all my optimism finally evaporate.
The stats don't lie, if we fail to beat Reading, it will be 3 wins in 50 league games!
It's hard to comprehend that we've had more managers than wins in those 50.
To those travelling, you deserve a medal.
I think it's going to take some time yet before Bruce turns things around.
3-1 loss, hope I'm wrong.
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as has been said dozens of times before, we can't even beat the laws of averages. I keep thinking this is all a very bad dream, and that I will wake up one fine morning and we will once more be a proper football club, who win games.
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2-0 Villa. Both goals from McCormack
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Can only see us getting a draw unfortunately. Kodija with the goal.
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My round trip this evening is going to be Loughborough-Birmingham-Aston-Reading-Lichfield and my alarm for Wednesday morning is still set for 4.50am. The very least im hoping for is a full 95minutes of effort from those on the pitch equal to that which I am putting in to watch them...
UTV, 2-2
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Be interesting to see how Bruce plays this one against a team with the highest possession stats in the league. I'm slightly worried we could be seeing legs of jelly earlier than normal.
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I think it's about time we won, on that basis alone 3 : 1 to us Baker 1 Gestede 2
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There's a difference between getting beaten 4-1 away at Man City with all their ability and dreading facing some nobody outfit like Reading in the 2nd Division ahead of an inevitable drubbing.
I can't muster any hope or positivity.
Oh mate.
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I have been cautiously optimistic until now but that second half display on Saturday has seen all my optimism finally evaporate.
The stats don't lie, if we fail to beat Reading, it will be 3 wins in 50 league games!
It's hard to comprehend that we've had more managers than wins in those 50.
To those travelling, you deserve a medal.
I think it's going to take some time yet before Bruce turns things around.
3-1 loss, hope I'm wrong.
what a stat weve had more managers than wins, you couldn't write this stuff. wher are all the Eamon Deacy's and David Geddis's not superstars but did a job.
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I'd play a three man midfield, with Uncle Albert out wide and stick with McCormack and Kodija up front. I'd probably put Bacuna in at right back. Hutton is just not good enough there. 1-2 win, McCormack and another penalty from Kodija.
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Did we beat these 4-0 at their place a few years back? Marlon biffing a late one in?
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Did we beat these 4-0 at their place a few years back? Marlon biffing a late one in?
I remember Harewood scoring a belter down there a few years back, but I don't think it was 4-0. The one game that sticks in my head was being two down in the FA Cup and winning 4-2.
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I'd play a three man midfield, with Uncle Albert out wide and stick with McCormack and Kodija up front. I'd probably put Bacuna in at right back. Hutton is just not good enough there. 1-2 win, McCormack and another penalty from Kodija.
I'd have Bacuna in a midfield 3. He will at least add some box to box energy which is the biggest issue with our one paced outnumbered midfield at the moment. That type of player should be the number 1 transfer target in January.
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Why an 8pm kick off?
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I'd play a three man midfield, with Uncle Albert out wide and stick with McCormack and Kodija up front. I'd probably put Bacuna in at right back. Hutton is just not good enough there. 1-2 win, McCormack and another penalty from Kodija.
I'd have Bacuna in a midfield 3. He will at least add some box to box energy which is the biggest issue with our one paced outnumbered midfield at the moment. That type of player should be the number 1 transfer target in January.
I was thinking this too, he played well on the opening day in midfield. We need more energy and pace in there.
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Why an 8pm kick off?
No idea. Got all excited thinking it might be televised but cant see it in the listings
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Why an 8pm kick off?
No idea. Got all excited thinking it might be televised but cant see it in the listings
Doesn't appear to be on TV anywhere so may be roadworks or something like that.
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Gollini
Cissokho
Baker
Chester
Hutton
Bacuna
Jedinak
Tshibola
Adomah
Kodjia
Ayew
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I had an excellent view of that Harewood goal. Great days.
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While I haven't at all given up on promotion I am now just looking for progression under Bruce. We have to establish some momentum because we have zero right now. I believe we have the required quality for promotion just not the belief. Hoping that we can get things started tonight.
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Does anyone know the last time we came from behind and won a league match?
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1-2. More in hope than any reasoned assessment .
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Does anyone know the last time we came from behind and won a league match?
Wasn't it Leicester in Dec 2014?
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While I haven't at all given up on promotion I am now just looking for progression under Bruce. We have to establish some momentum because we have zero right now. I believe we have the required quality for promotion just not the belief. Hoping that we can get things started tonight.
I could have written the same words, TV. I do think we need another strong midfielder though if Jedi doesn't come good.
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Does anyone know the last time we came from behind and won a league match?
December 2014, against Leicester. 2-1
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Hi, I have a spare ticket from the game, travelling from Nuneaton by car. Anyone interested please call 07858 269257. anyone know the best pub. Heard the nearest pub is 3 minutes away at least. (upside down).
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Chelsea (I have no idea why I think they're a valid comparison. Shit-induced delirium I expect.) seem to have turned around by going 3-4-3. Worth a try?
Gollini
Richards Chester Baker
Bacuna Tshibola Westwood Amavi
Ayew Kodjia McCormack
Just get whoever our equivalents of Hazard and Costa are to work their magic.
In other news, this absinthe is delicious.
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If we win tonight, I'll be on the absinthe all day tomorrow
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No calls re spare ticket for tonight. Leaving about 2 p.m. from Nuneaton. Anyway, everyone seems to have missed a point (excuse the pun). We played some very good football at the start of the season, but threw points way towards the end. Therefore the failure to play anything remotely resembling football is purely due to confidence. So, if we get back to the performances at the start of the season and with Steve Bruce then using his experience to prevent late collapses, we still have a chance of going up. Posts saying it will be at least two years, are actually a negative impact and effectively gives the players an excuse. If these players play with a belief we can get to the 30 point mark after 23 games. By that time we can boost the flagging midfield. Which would mean we need 46 points in the next 23 for the lay offs. I am very disappointed by the attitude shown by Jedinak and Elphink. These two are natural leaders and have not done there job. I believe they are still capable and it is an attitude problem. I am sure if Steve Bruce can bang their heads, then the on-field leadership will have a positive impact. There are others who should also start being more vocal. I don't believe we can lay John Ayew and Jack Grealish at the same time. Both look great on the all, but the final product is shocking. This means we can add some more solidity to midfield. I am sure that Steve Bruce will get a better end product from these players. If anyone doubts that promotion is still achievable, the Leicester turn around is evidence to maintain optimism.
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I've missed 7 of the last 8 games through work abroad and I'm actually looking forward to this one, even though Southern Railway are on strike (again) and doing their best to prevent me from getting to the game. I don't think Elphick will be a great loss and Richards certainly won't be, though Jack could have been quite effective. I know we keep on saying this, but the quality is there, and sooner or later Bruce will add determination and confidence to that quality. Tonight would be a good time and place to start. 2-1 to us.
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Have to hope McCormack doesn't get booked tonight or I believe he'll be facing a suspension for five bookings.
How's that for a (probably incorrect) stat?
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I wouldn't play him Chris.
I think we need pace and intensity to press which is why I'd have Tshibola and Bacuna as box to box options either side of Jedinak. Equally Ayew must start and Adomah gives us balance.
With Kodjia, we'd have 5 quick players capable of hitting the box. We're far too pedestrian of late, sat far too deep and have no out ball because the space in midfield is too great.
Give Jedinak a job of sitting and screening but put the other two around him to make the midfield competitive, but also capable of occupying spaces further up the pitch, which Ayew, Kodjia and Adomah will create.
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There's a difference between getting beaten 4-1 away at Man City with all their ability and dreading facing some nobody outfit like Reading in the 2nd Division ahead of an inevitable drubbing.
I can't muster any hope or positivity.
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
Have us down to lose this one, but it wouldn't be beyond us to get a draw.
Revival starts at home to Fulham at the weekend.
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I was hoping we not play another game until the January transfer window was open...but that doesn't seems to be an option.....
Soooo....hopefully a draw?
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I just want to see us have 3 in midfield for once tonight.
Gollini
Bacuna, Chester, Baker, Amavi
Jedinak
Tish. Westwood
Adomah. Ayew
Kodjia
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Have to hope McCormack doesn't get booked tonight or I believe he'll be facing a suspension for five bookings.
How's that for a (probably incorrect) stat?
Ayew, Ross, Elphick and Jedi are on 4 bookings.
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Rather have Leo's pace in the midfield.
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I think we will snatch a defeat from a draw of victory.
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Gollini
Cissokho
Baker
Chester
Hutton
Bacuna
Jedinak
Tshibola
Adomah
Kodjia
Ayew
This is the side I would like to see start tonight although I have to question my own thought processes.
There were times last season when Bacuna drove me insane. His lack of concentration led to all sorts of mayhem and here I am today championing him as a solution to get us out of this rut.
I wonder if Brucie's enjoying his first week?
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I think Gestede will start tonight as will ayew bacuna and Westwood brought in.
A 1-0 win
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My thought processes are "Just fucking win you c***s! Ooh my knee fucking hurts! I'm having that last bit of shortbread. Fuck me! The new neighbour has got a pair of tits like Carice Van Houten! Come on you Lions! You wankers!"
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For the first time in my Villa supporting days I'm really not arsed about tonight. Gone are the pre-match nerves, no planning to find a way to watch/listen to the game, no rearranging my dinner to fit in around the game, nothing. That may change later tonight but right now it's been replaced with anger at the acceptance of just how fucked up things are.
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For the first time in my Villa supporting days I'm really not arsed about tonight. Gone are the pre-match nerves, no planning to find a way to watch/listen to the game, no rearranging my dinner to fit in around the game, nothing. That may change later tonight but right now it's been replaced with anger at the acceptance of just how fucked up things are.
I'm very much the same. I won't be getting up at 3:30am Tokyo time to follow the game.
I still think we'll win 1-0, but can do without the stress and disliking the majority of our team before a day of university teaching.
Also, sitting through 90 minutes of useless twats like Hutton, Westwood and Cissohko is about as appealing as dropping my balls into a blender.
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I can't believe I'm cacking my pants about playing Reading.
A few years ago I remember we were having an earnest discussion over whether Jake Livermore would be available to play for Hull, and whether that would affect our chances of getting a result against them.
That seemed like a low point. God help us all.
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We can win this. RM to score a brace against his old team, whilst laying on a goal each for big Rudy and Kodjia, 4-0 and the start of a run that takes us top 6 by christmas.
Or maybe a 1-1 draw.
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Did we beat these 4-0 at their place a few years back? Marlon biffing a late one in?
I remember Harewood scoring a belter down there a few years back, but I don't think it was 4-0. The one game that sticks in my head was being two down in the FA Cup and winning 4-2.
Harewood's goal was the winner i think - 2008 and we won 2-1. A brilliant finish.
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Just leaving with my lad. Lets hope the A303 is kind to us. Meeting up with a couple of others from Dorset before the game. Traveling in blind hope more than any expectation! UTV
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Might sound ridiculous being its a Champions League night, but is this game televised?
Praying for a stream..
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Just remembered that we are playing tonight!
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probably best to remember to forget
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Did we beat these 4-0 at their place a few years back? Marlon biffing a late one in?
I remember Harewood scoring a belter down there a few years back, but I don't think it was 4-0. The one game that sticks in my head was being two down in the FA Cup and winning 4-2.
Harewood's goal was the winner i think - 2008 and we won 2-1. A brilliant finish.
Tonight is my first away at Reading since that FA Cup game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSBimb-dVg0) where Carew got a hat-trick.
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Might sound ridiculous being its a Champions League night, but is this game televised?
Praying for a stream..
Can't find it on any of the BT Sport/Sky channels. Think it's going to be radio commentary - AVTV or WM :(
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I'll follow it on Twitter and the match thread like I always do.
@AVFCOfficial MATCH PIC: Westy gets involved as Villa eye a comeback!
Match thread: bolloxxxxxxxxxx
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Match thread: bolloxxxxxxxxxx
Ha! I think the word 'bollox' was purposely created for Villa Match Threads.
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Did we beat these 4-0 at their place a few years back? Marlon biffing a late one in?
I remember Harewood scoring a belter down there a few years back, but I don't think it was 4-0. The one game that sticks in my head was being two down in the FA Cup and winning 4-2.
Harewood's goal was the winner i think - 2008 and we won 2-1. A brilliant finish.
Tonight is my first away at Reading since that FA Cup game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSBimb-dVg0) where Carew got a hat-trick.
Three things of beauty to behold;
A Villa comeback from two goals down.
The John Carew hat-trick.
Claret shirts !
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We must be the only team Shane Long ever scores against.
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Pretty sure Sidwell scored for Reading in their only ever win against us.
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Pretty sure Sidwell scored for Reading in their only ever win against us.
If that was the one with Carew and Young making their debuts for us then yes. I should be able to remember as I was there, but I THINK Sidwell had a blinder for them that day.
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Might sound ridiculous being its a Champions League night, but is this game televised?
Praying for a stream..
Can't find it on any of the BT Sport/Sky channels. Think it's going to be radio commentary - AVTV or WM :(
Live commentary here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p049tpr4
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Pretty sure Sidwell scored for Reading in their only ever win against us.
Didn't Nicky Shorey score a free kick against us there too?
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not bothered what other forward players he chooses but he must play Ayew for me,
he doesn't always do the right thing make the right decisions but he does make things happen, he frightens the opposition by running at them and a lot of our chances revolve around Jordon ayew in some way
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not bothered what other forward players he chooses but he must play Ayew for me,
he doesn't always do the right thing make the right decisions but he does make things happen, he frightens the opposition by running at them and a lot of our chances revolve around Jordon ayew in some way
That's exactly right.
He also carries some threat right up to the latter stages of the match, rather than breathing out his arse after the 60 minute mark.
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Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to see the Villa win away!
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Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to see the Villa win away!
How inappropriate. Christmas happens once a year.
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Live commentary here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p049tpr4
Don't think you'll be able to listen to it online as you can't listen to the WM commentary online.
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Live commentary here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p049tpr4
Don't think you'll be able to listen to it online as you can't listen to the WM commentary online.
I've installed a VPN (Hola) but it doesn't always work which tonight might be a blessing.
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Looks like we're going 4-4-2
Ayew, Ross and Tish on the bench.
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Looks like we're going 4-4-2
Ayew, Ross and Tish on the bench.
I think 433:
Gollini
Hutton
Chester
Baker
Cissokho
Bacuna
Jedinak
Gardener
Adomah
Gestede
Kodjia
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Unless Ayew is injured, continuing to bench our best player is oddball behaviour. As is 4-4-2, after Saturday's abomination.
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ugh..
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yeesh..
Cissokho, Hutton, Gardner :o
I do not see us getting a result with that line up, hope I am wrong.
lots of pace in midfield with jedi and gardner! tshibola was our best midfielder on Saturday. And it would be against his old club so guaranted a goal! Ayew tish and amavi shoild be starting
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Live commentary here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p049tpr4
Don't think you'll be able to listen to it online as you can't listen to the WM commentary online.
I've installed a VPN (Hola) but it doesn't always work which tonight might be a blessing.
I thought it was a case of they just don't broadcast commentaries online.
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I wonder if Ayew and Amavi are showing the right level of commitment on the training ground?