Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on February 28, 2017, 09:38:43 PM
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Two straight wins, two straight clean sheets. It's witchcraft.
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Yay!! I can't recall what it felt like to win two straight let alone with clean sheets but I'll take it.
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Have that shizzle up your frizzle, Brizzle.
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Two in a row....I need to sit down :)
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More like it villa.
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Lovely stuff.
UTV!
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We're the form team.
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Two straight wins, two straight clean sheets. It's witchcraft.
Fake news surely ?
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Excellent.
Could of been three or four listening to the last 20.
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Rotherham away next, dare we dream of 3 wins in a row?
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Next!
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I am happier.
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Two wins! One after the other!
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This feels much better.
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People need to maintain the toilet trip, pancake eating, twitter viewing and match avoiding. It works, but only in combination.
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Can't complain with 2 in a row, still look/sound disjointed but a great chance to make it 3 in a row Saturday then surely the confidence issue can be put to bed(for a bit anyway). I'm still concerned by the general performance though. Looking forwards to hearing from those at the game as to what actually went on, rather than just listening to it.
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3 more points and sounded a better performance. No messing about against Rotherham now!!
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9 Points from the South and West Yorkshire folk in the next 3 games will see us safe
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Good job too. If we hadn't have won these two we would have been just 3 points above the drop. Hope we can start looking up now instead of down
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People need to maintain the toilet trip, pancake eating, twitter viewing and match avoiding. It works, but only in combination.
True dat. It's alchemy.
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Finally waiting up till midnight is rewarded
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All season I've either been at the game stressing, watched the game being stressing or followed the game stressing, Ive barely given the last two a customary glance so i'm taking full credit for the results.
In all seriousness though, that should be us safe, lets use the rest of the season now to prepare for a serious promotion push next season.
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People need to maintain the toilet trip, pancake eating, twitter viewing and match avoiding. It works, but only in combination.
And keep the TV cameras away!
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Two straight wins, two straight clean sheets. It's witchcraft.
Fake news surely ?
President Trump says well done Villa
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Back to back wins. Oh for a third on Saturday. Play-offs here we come... ...next season.
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Nice work Villa keep it up.
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2nd half so much better. Well done SB and the players, enjoyed that, looking forward to my trip on Saturday
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Much more like it. They're a horrible team and we put them to the sword. Well done Villa, and Bruce.
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Bruce tactical genius? Players finally gelling? Or Bristol not great...?
Ignored all villa related comms to prevent hex on the game.
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Excellent.
Could of been three or four listening to the last 20.
Clearly, you haven't had a browse through The Butterfly Effect thread?
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
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Great stuff, clean sheet, 2 goals, dreamland!
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Oh my. What are you like after we lose???
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Oh my. What are you like after we lose???
Happy?
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Oh my. What are you like after we lose???
Happy?
Boinging?
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Oh my. What are you like after we lose???
Happy?
Boinging?
Is that a euphamism for bashing the bishop?
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Just saw Green's shot hit the bar from 25 yards. What an effort which deserved a goal.
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Whatever the opposite to fickle is.
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Just a shame that it's typical for us that we finally have a fairly straight forward win but have 2 players go off crocked.
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When did we last win 3 in a row?
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Well ....blow my earwax out with a straw from McDonald's. ..Permission to spank the monkey sir ?
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When did we last win 3 in a row?
April 2010. We may avoid a full 7 seven years.
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Whatever the opposite to fickle is.
Steadfast ?
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People need to maintain the toilet trip, pancake eating, twitter viewing and match avoiding. It works, but only in combination.
I have to take my share of the credit for this win tonight. I adjusted the elephants in the room. I'll explain. Our daughter's first teaching job was in Aston and one of the kids was particularly fond of her, the child was Asian. One day the mother gave our girl the gift of a little wooden elephant that she'd brought back for her from a holiday in India which was a lovely thing to do.
When our girl came back home, she brought this elephant with her and it's lived on our hearth ever since. Now, I read somewhere that it's supposed to be lucky if you have him pointed towards the front door and I noticed today that he was a bit skewiff so I adjusted him back to his rightful place and lo, look what happened. We also have a tiny little ceramic elephant that sits on the base of a clock on the mantlepiece, I have no idea where he came from but I adjusted him too, just to be sure.
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Another 'record' could go against Rotherham. If we win we'll have 45 points, our highest points total since 2011 (48).
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Just saw Green's shot hit the bar from 25 yards. What an effort which deserved a goal.
Haven't seen any of tonight's game but he was unlucky with his header on Saturday I thought. Hopefully once one goes in the floodgates will open.
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Just a shame that it's typical for us that we finally have a fairly straight forward win but have 2 players go off crocked.
Who's injured?
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Christ, talk about half glass empty!
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Why didn't you go and witness it yourself?
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Just a shame that it's typical for us that we finally have a fairly straight forward win but have 2 players go off crocked.
Who's injured?
GG and Green.
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Another 'record' could go against Rotherham. If we win we'll have 45 points, our highest points total since 2011 (48).
Brimful of Asha!
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Why didn't you go and witness it yourself?
Because he's a fan NOT a customer.
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Sounds like the night Green became a man...typical he gets injured.
First half sounded the usual with Bristol looking most likely to score and us blazing a penalty over the bar.
Second half sounded much better. We upped the pace and created plenty of chances. Great hourihane's got off the mark, hopefully his performances will improve as a result.
All we can do now is have a strong end of season....to me 60 + points and top 10 is realistic.
Not great but a lot better than how it was looking 10 days ago.
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Good win, pity about the injury to Green though. Played some good stuff second half, let's hope we can keep it up and make it 3/3 on Saturday.
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Should the keeper have been sent off for the pen decision? I've only seen it once at the game and thought he should have walked. I'm assuming he wasn't the last man?
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Sounds like we put a shift in second half and upped the tempo. 3 massive points and an improvement in the performance. great stuff.
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Auntie beeb must have been waiting for tonights result to come out...
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39015629
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Back to back wins and crucially, back to back clean sheets for first time in 7 years
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Just got off the boat from a deep sea fishing excursion off Antigua to see the score. What a day. Villa shirt will be worn with pride this evening.
Don't suppose there are any links to the goals yet?
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Second half was good, could have won by more. Hourihane improved us when he came on. Lansbury looks like a proper midfielder. I thought Bristol City were dire, a throwback to Wimbledon in the 1980s.
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What is Green's injury? Hopefully not serious...
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Hurrah! Another win. Rotherham away seems like on paper the perfect game to improve on our dismal away record and rack up a third straight win so heres hoping we can build on the last two games. Didn't go tonight but sounds much better than the performance vs Derby.
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Aston Villa FCVerified account
@AVFCOfficial
💬️⚽️ Steve Bruce: “Andre Green has nicked his hamstring. Gary Gardner has twisted his ankle after 30 seconds.”
Steve Bruce: “After the first half, the fans will have thought ‘I wish I’d watched Coronation Street'...more quality after the break."
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Dreadful first half but much improved second against a piss poor side.
Struggled to see how we were trying to play in the first half; a problem which has been all to common under Bruce.
We showed a bit more composure and movement in the second half & hopefully this will act as a confidence boost. Need to keep it going on Saturday.
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I'm just frustrated at the stupid points we've dropped this season. It's good that we've won, but I'm finding it very difficult to enjoy these wins because the players have thrown our season away so early.
To not even be challenging for play off places is unacceptable. Sorry for being negative but that's the way I feel.
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Great to put away a shit side with the minimum of fuss. Did I see that it's two clean sheet wins in a row for the first time since 2010?
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Was Oasis played again at the end?
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Nice!!!
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Just back..In hand with the celebratory Jamesons 12 year special Malt and the Tuc cheese sandwich biscuits.
Observations....It was as turgid first half, as nearly anything we've served up this season.
Come Kodja's moment of impish magic,the shackles briefly came off and we looked like you'd imagine the sum of the parts to be.With our usual last 10 of creeping nervousness to follow.
Hats off to Andre.Looked scintillating in flashes.Lucky boy,he came off to a vociferous "He's one of our own" chant.
Jedinak won nearly(to my minds eye) every single aerial ball into our box.And they had an awful amount of set pieces.Taylor looked competent,Johnstone made a fantastic save post our opening goal.Hourihane looked the part,or rather appeared the player we'd thought we'd got.Energetic with an eye for keeping the ball.Good.
12 months ago their keeper would've been off.Unfortunately,there's a jeopardy law where if there's no pre-detirmined or over aggressive foul,keepers don't receive a straight red.Shame.as they were overty aggressive in the tackle at times.
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Was Oasis played again at the end?
Yeah it was played again.
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Should the keeper have been sent off for the pen decision? I've only seen it once at the game and thought he should have walked. I'm assuming he wasn't the last man?
The law has changed this season so it was just a yellow. Thought he may have been sent off though in the second half when he grabbed Green round the neck?
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Should the keeper have been sent off for the pen decision? I've only seen it once at the game and thought he should have walked. I'm assuming he wasn't the last man?
The law has changed this season so it was just a yellow. Thought he may have been sent off though in the second half when he grabbed Green round the neck?
Yeah - but Green was booked instead!!
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Was Oasis played again at the end?
Yeah it was played again.
Yeah gets played when we win
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Went to the game earlier. First half was the same garbage that we've all seen far too many times over the last few years. Much better second half though and won the game in a good 20 minute period of play. Some general observations:
Johnstone - kicking was woeful. Most of his kicks didn't get within ten yards of our players
Hutton - good game both defensively and going forward
Chester, Baker, Taylor - solid enough, but why oh why is Baker taking free kicks?
Jedinak - won a lot of headers
Lansbury - some good touches but is clearly not fully fit yet
Gardner - injured early on
Adomah - poor game tonight. Should have been taken off earlier
Green - some really good touches. Will be a shame if he is injured as he gives us so e pace
Kodjia - struggles up front on his own, but got a goal
Hourihane - changed the game for me and looked better in a more advanced position. Did something I haven't seen a Villa midfielder do for some time - make a run beyond the striker.
Bree - looked fairly neat and tidy when he came on
Bjarnason - looked lost again when he entered the fray
Quite encouraged by that, as I think it is coming together. It looks like he has found a formation that best suits the players we have and hopefully we can build from here.
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Should the keeper have been sent off for the pen decision? I've only seen it once at the game and thought he should have walked. I'm assuming he wasn't the last man?
The law has changed this season so it was just a yellow. Thought he may have been sent off though in the second half when he grabbed Green round the neck?
I was in the North Stand so didn't have the best view, but it looked to me like Green didn't do all that much and the keeper grabbed him around the neck and threw him to the floor.
Don't think the penalty would have been red, as Gardner's touch was pretty heavy and I'm not sure he would have got to it.
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I'm just frustrated at the stupid points we've dropped this season. It's good that we've won, but I'm finding it very difficult to enjoy these wins because the players have thrown our season away so early.
To not even be challenging for play off places is unacceptable. Sorry for being negative but that's the way I feel.
Tend to agree.
Anytime I have copped a glance of the Championship in recent seasons, I have been struck by how close it is.
Even well into mid March and April, teams as low as 14th can still have designs on being in the mix for the play offs. The standard isn't great, but it usually means most sides in the division have something to play for.
For us to torpedo our own boat so spectacularly after spending circa £70 million takes some doing.
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Glad I drove back from work in Leeds by the end. Some quick points:
1) Always look a better team with Jed in it. I am a big fan.
2) Andre Green has bags of potential and is great to watch. Shame about the hamstring tweak.
3) Think Taylor looks more solid and reliable than Amavi who will no doubt move on in the Summer.
4) Pleased for the defence and especially Johnstone that we have had two clean sheets. The confidence at the back will grow.
5) Alan Hutton, as crap as you are you also quite good.....bizarre
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Whatever the opposite to fickle is.
Original ay ya.
Prick.
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Another 'record' could go against Rotherham. If we win we'll have 45 points, our highest points total since 2011 (48).
Brimful of Asha!
Marvellous, thanks adrenachrome!
Two in a row, two in a row!
UTV!
I'm happy.
Someone on Twitter said Hutton looked like Ronaldinho in the second half.
Sounds good to me!
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Not much to add, first half was appaling and being half drenched I really wished I hadn't bothered going which is pretty rare, even over the last few years.
Second half we played at a quicker pace and at times looked entertaining. Just shows that in this division if we keep it tight at the back we only need 10 or 20 mins of attacking flowing football to win games.
All defenders and the goalie did well, apart from his poor kicking, Jedinak was superb defensively and Green showed a lot of raw promise.
MOM Hutton.
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Two wins, two clean sheets, and hopefully the return of some much needed confidence. That'll do nicely.
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Travel nightmare tonight. Torrential rain on M5/6 on the way there, then on the way back found out just after I'd got on the Expressway that the M6 was shut at Junction 7 and now no way to avoid it - an hour and a half later got to Jnc 7 and just got home. Thank fuck we'd won so I was in a good mood. Thought we were mostly poor in the first half, not helped by Kodjia missing the penalty, but second half we played well. Johnstone made a couple of excellent saves to keep the clean sheet. Green MOTM for me and unlucky not to score, but think he may be out for a few weeks - he wasn't hurt as a result of the foul he'd just received, but he looked to pull up a couple of minutes later - may be hamstring. Back to back wins, back to back clean sheets, if we can get another three points at Rotherham things will look a whole lot rosier than they did a mere week ago.
Edit: posted before reading the thread - now see that Bruce has said Green tweaked hamstring
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I've just broken the record for getting home to Shrewsbury from Villa Park: two hours and eight minutes. Goodness knows why the M6 was closed between J7 and J11, and then the M54 between J5 and J6, albeit I did know about that beforehand. Having said that, glad I was there; it felt as though a switch had been flicked early in the 2nd half and Green and Hourihane had excellent games, and Kodjia played like a man possessed. Finally, we showed some pace on both wings and had players making themselves available for the pass. I won't forget my 59th birthday.
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Agree with most of what's been said.
The first half was generally bereft of skill and technique on both sides.
Easy to say with hindsight, but I knew Kodjia would miss the penalty as the stick from their fans definitely seemed to affect him. Let Jedinak take over the duty as he has a good record for Oz.
He was my MOTM for playing the defensive role as it should be.
Green was much better tonight highlighted by his great shot against the bar so the injury is a blow. We may be stuck with Bjarnason unless Bruce gives Grealish a game.
We can't keep launching aimless long balls to Kodjia as we did in the first half, especially when there was too big a gap to the midfield. That changed once we scored.
Also we conceded far too many unnecessary free kicks and set pieces especially as they had the aerial threat of Flint.
I can't get too carried away, as I can see them going down with Abraham out, but at least it's a win and a clean sheet.
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I think Bennys Viking relatives must be holding Bruce's relations captive, there can be no other reason he keeps getting in the field.
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Now THAT felt like a win. Came away from Villa Park a happy man. Still concerning that after 10 minutes of utterly decimating them and scoring two fine goals we again revert to inviting pressure on rather than going for the jugular. Oh and Jedinaks distribution is fucking woeful!
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Just pulled onto Keele to grab something to keep me awake. Fellow Northern Villa here too.
What a fucking farce. M6 shut between J7-11. An hour plus to get off and an hour through Dinglehampton.
Good job we won!
Poor first half. Only once did a Villa player get close to Kodjia and that was Gardner for the penalty.
Second half was much better. More tempo and energy. Hourihane played a lot further up and hit the box a number of times. A Villa central midfielder tapping in from 8 yards. When was the last time we had a midfielder there?
Superb header from Kodjia. We just looked so much better getting players close to him. You could see us grow in confidence and put them away in a good spell.
Need to make it 3 in 3 now.
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http://www.skysports.com/efl/championship/video/10785970/aston-villa-2-0-bristol-city
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MOM Hutton.
You know this is good to see. Everyone wants our players to come good. Its extra nice when someone who has made mistakes in the past has a good game. Hope it continues!
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MOM Hutton.
You know this is good to see. Everyone wants our players to come good. Its extra nice when someone who has made mistakes in the past has a good game. Hope it continues!
Be interesting to see if the club offer him another year, playing well of late.
Happy for the boys, two wins and clean sheets. Roll on Saturday let's keep this run going.
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MOM Hutton.
You know this is good to see. Everyone wants our players to come good. Its extra nice when someone who has made mistakes in the past has a good game. Hope it continues!
Be interesting to see if the club offer him another year, playing well of late.
Happy for the boys, two wins and clean sheets. Roll on Saturday let's keep this run going.
We still have de Laet to come back for what it's worth, so I'm not sure I really see the point, unless Bruce sees de Laet as a CB.
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Well done Villa two in a row now lets make it 3.
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MOM Hutton.
You know this is good to see. Everyone wants our players to come good. Its extra nice when someone who has made mistakes in the past has a good game. Hope it continues!
Be interesting to see if the club offer him another year, playing well of late.
Happy for the boys, two wins and clean sheets. Roll on Saturday let's keep this run going.
We still have de Laet to come back for what it's worth, so I'm not sure I really see the point, unless Bruce sees de Laet as a CB.
i know he divides opinion but he's been a pretty steady performer this year. He has decent pace and seems to care. Granted if we are to go up he would need to be moved on but addressing the striking gk issues could be more important
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Mid-table Championship club, hard to get excited.
Did we actually deserve to win this one or was it the usual messy shit?
Oh my. What are you like after we lose???
Happy?
Boinging?
Is that a euphamism for bashing the bishop?
They are usually interchangeable.
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I've just broken the record for getting home to Shrewsbury from Villa Park: two hours and eight minutes. Goodness knows why the M6 was closed between J7 and J11, and then the M54 between J5 and J6, albeit I did know about that beforehand. Having said that, glad I was there; it felt as though a switch had been flicked early in the 2nd half and Green and Hourihane had excellent games, and Kodjia played like a man possessed. Finally, we showed some pace on both wings and had players making themselves available for the pass. I won't forget my 59th birthday.
Glad the boys won for you tonight BC54 VFC. My 59th birthday is 4 days before the return with SMA. I think we beat them 5-1 at VP on my 50th, hoping for something similar.
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Wasn't there last night so how we played I don't know but a welcome 3 points. Hopefully another 3 on Saturday will give the team confidence to go on and have a decent finish to the end of the season.
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nor I, as the bedlam that is the M6 saw me do around 12miles in over an hour and give up - great result though.
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Wasn't there last night so how we played I don't know but a welcome 3 points. Hopefully another 3 on Saturday will give the team confidence to go on and have a decent finish to the end of the season.
Ponderous and predictable in the first half, quick and inventive in the second. An encouraging sign of what this squad is capable of. I think Bruce must have had a word with Kodjia during the break because he went from looking like he was trying to do it all on his own against his old club to a player who remembered he was part of a team.
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http://www.skysports.com/efl/championship/video/10785970/aston-villa-2-0-bristol-city
Thank you. I love Andre' s shimmy and shot.
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I thought that Albert had completely missed the ball before CH scored. It fact, it was a perfect pass ;)
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Wasn't there last night so how we played I don't know but a welcome 3 points. Hopefully another 3 on Saturday will give the team confidence to go on and have a decent finish to the end of the season.
Ponderous and predictable in the first half, quick and inventive in the second. An encouraging sign of what this squad is capable of. I think Bruce must have had a word with Kodjia during the break because he went from looking like he was trying to do it all on his own against his old club to a player who remembered he was part of a team.
Albert drifted in and Hourihane played a lot further forward. Subtle changes but we looked a different side and you could see the tempo and confidence increase after our first.
Could have had more but we effectively blew them away in a 20 minutes spell and then buttoned down to see it out with ease in the end.
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Good win, much better second half. Amazing what happens when you pass the ball through midfield and don't hoof it over their heads. We also played at a higher tempo and got bodies forward and scored twice, not hard is it?
Now we're virtually safe I hope we throw the shackles off and see some entertaining games and start scoring more goals.
Bristol City are dreadful, wouldn't be surprised to see them go down without the goals of Abraham. Good support for a Tuesday night though.
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Not amazing in the first half (particularly the opening 10 minutes), but very good in the second half.
I thought Green had an excellent game and was really starting to take on opposing fullbacks. That curling shot he had from 30 yards out was really unlucky not to go in and probably would have been our goal of the season.
Pleased that Kodija scored too, shutting up their support who seemed annoyed that a player would leave Bristol City for Villa?!?!
Their players were all bloody criminals too, particularly that Wilbraham who twice clearly put the ball out and both times screamed at the Linesman for it.
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Wasn't there last night so how we played I don't know but a welcome 3 points. Hopefully another 3 on Saturday will give the team confidence to go on and have a decent finish to the end of the season.
Ponderous and predictable in the first half, quick and inventive in the second. An encouraging sign of what this squad is capable of. I think Bruce must have had a word with Kodjia during the break because he went from looking like he was trying to do it all on his own against his old club to a player who remembered he was part of a team.
I had WM on and they reckon the Brizzle City fans got to him in the first half. Good to hear about the second half though as opposed to the first.
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Not amazing in the first half (particularly the opening 10 minutes), but very good in the second half.
I thought Green had an excellent game and was really starting to take on opposing fullbacks. That curling shot he had from 30 yards out was really unlucky not to go in and probably would have been our goal of the season.
Pleased that Kodija scored too, shutting up their support who seemed annoyed that a player would leave Bristol City for Villa?!?!
Their players were all bloody criminals too, particularly that Wilbraham who twice clearly put the ball out and both times screamed at the Linesman for it.
In fairness to him, given his very advanced years he is probably losing it a bit mentally.
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He's a good man, Bruce. Cares about his players, takes responsibility, talks straight. In that regard, he's the best we've had for some time. Case in point: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1466688040041927&id=101566839887394&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F87l0HrcGni&_rdr.
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Wasn't there last night so how we played I don't know but a welcome 3 points. Hopefully another 3 on Saturday will give the team confidence to go on and have a decent finish to the end of the season.
Ponderous and predictable in the first half, quick and inventive in the second. An encouraging sign of what this squad is capable of. I think Bruce must have had a word with Kodjia during the break because he went from looking like he was trying to do it all on his own against his old club to a player who remembered he was part of a team.
Albert drifted in and Hourihane played a lot further forward. Subtle changes but we looked a different side and you could see the tempo and confidence increase after our first.
Could have had more but we effectively blew them away in a 20 minutes spell and then buttoned down to see it out with ease in the end.
That's the impression I got, we suddenly realised that getting players near our lone forward was worth a go and the whole thing clicked. This is why it's been so frustrating for the last few weeks because that was so obviously not happening. If Bruce can get an hour or more of that out of the team for the rest of the season then it'll be the sign that he can actually fix the problems and get us in the mix next year. He's seen how to do it now so he just needs to show the courage to commit to making it happen regularly.
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I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
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People need to maintain the toilet trip, pancake eating, twitter viewing and match avoiding. It works, but only in combination.
I shall refrain from having a Donald Trump until Rotherham, in the hope that the prolonged bake combined with the other person tossing his hardened batter will create a tsunami butterfly effect leading to a 6-goal victory.
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Wasn't there last night so how we played I don't know but a welcome 3 points. Hopefully another 3 on Saturday will give the team confidence to go on and have a decent finish to the end of the season.
Ponderous and predictable in the first half, quick and inventive in the second. An encouraging sign of what this squad is capable of. I think Bruce must have had a word with Kodjia during the break because he went from looking like he was trying to do it all on his own against his old club to a player who remembered he was part of a team.
Albert drifted in and Hourihane played a lot further forward. Subtle changes but we looked a different side and you could see the tempo and confidence increase after our first.
Could have had more but we effectively blew them away in a 20 minutes spell and then buttoned down to see it out with ease in the end.
That's the impression I got, we suddenly realised that getting players near our lone forward was worth a go and the whole thing clicked. This is why it's been so frustrating for the last few weeks because that was so obviously not happening. If Bruce can get an hour or more of that out of the team for the rest of the season then it'll be the sign that he can actually fix the problems and get us in the mix next year. He's seen how to do it now so he just needs to show the courage to commit to making it happen regularly.
The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.
I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.
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I doubt if that referee will progress any further up the ladder of officialdom.
Some very strange decisions and non-decisions.
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We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.
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MOM Hutton.
You know this is good to see. Everyone wants our players to come good. Its extra nice when someone who has made mistakes in the past has a good game. Hope it continues!
Be interesting to see if the club offer him another year, playing well of late.
Happy for the boys, two wins and clean sheets. Roll on Saturday let's keep this run going.
With De Laet and Bree waiting in the wings we need to trim the squad, you can't really have 3 senior right backs.
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We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.
Calling the 2nd an assist is a stretch, he tried to shoot and made such a mess of it that the ball bobbled 5 yards to his left to a completely unmarked Hourihane for what was pretty much a tap in. Even the first is pretty generous because that goal came purely from a moment of brilliance from Kodjia, to loop a header in from that position was an incredible finish.
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The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.
I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.
I agree that it's a novelty, my issue really is that, even with the midfield we started the season with, it shouldn't be. midfielders and the wingers breaking into the box like that is a fundamental requirement for this setup and it's taken us 3/4s of the season to see it. Loads of people on here have been saying that we need to close the gap between midfield and attack for months but this is the first time I've seen any evidence that the club had identified that problem. My concern is that it was Hourihane that did something about it rather than management because we weren't doing it before he came on.
I agree on giving RHM a chance, my concern with going for someone like Abraham is that it's a decision made on the same basis as Gestede, RM, Kodjia and Hogan (i.e. they have a good scoring record at this level) rather than any concept of how we can help them replicate the same form.
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Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.
If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.
But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.
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I dont think any ofthat is wishful thinking but it pains me to say this but I think finding a use for Grealish could be the one wish too far.
Hope I'm wrong.
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Good to see Hutton being suggested as MOTM for the last two games. For all the stick he gets he is wholehearted and never gives less than 100%. Whilst at times he is limited, he is a pretty effective defender and always willing going forward - albeit with hit and miss end product. He never hides and is always happy to receive the ball. I suspect he would get in quite a few teams sitting above us in this league and we'd look on and say something like 'he's doing a decent job for them, we could do with him back really.'
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Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.
If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.
But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.
Good wish list though. I would add to that RHM getting enough time for us to see whether he can play a big part next season. If he and Green can establish themselves, that's potentially two players we don't need to buy in from elsewhere, on reasonable wages, hopefully with the best part of their careers to come rather than having already reached the pinnacle.
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Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.
If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.
But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.
Good wish list though. I would add to that RHM getting enough time for us to see whether he can play a big part next season. If he and Green can establish themselves, that's potentially two players we don't need to buy in from elsewhere, on reasonable wages, hopefully with the best part of their careers to come rather than having already reached the pinnacle.
I think 1, 2 & 3 are realistic and hopeful all will be sorted. I'm less confident we will get much out of Hogan & Grealish but would love it if we could as I like them both. Agreed on getting RHM back i the fold, anyone know much about the status of his injury?
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The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.
I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.
I agree that it's a novelty, my issue really is that, even with the midfield we started the season with, it shouldn't be. midfielders and the wingers breaking into the box like that is a fundamental requirement for this setup and it's taken us 3/4s of the season to see it. Loads of people on here have been saying that we need to close the gap between midfield and attack for months but this is the first time I've seen any evidence that the club had identified that problem. My concern is that it was Hourihane that did something about it rather than management because we weren't doing it before he came on.
I agree on giving RHM a chance, my concern with going for someone like Abraham is that it's a decision made on the same basis as Gestede, RM, Kodjia and Hogan (i.e. they have a good scoring record at this level) rather than any concept of how we can help them replicate the same form.
I don't think Hourihane did it of his own volition. Most of the second half he adopted that more advanced role and sprayed some good balls into the channels too. Hopefully we see more of the same in the next three games.
Pity about Green. We lack a pace outlet now bar Kodjia.
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We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.
Calling the 2nd an assist is a stretch, he tried to shoot and made such a mess of it that the ball bobbled 5 yards to his left to a completely unmarked Hourihane for what was pretty much a tap in. Even the first is pretty generous because that goal came purely from a moment of brilliance from Kodjia, to loop a header in from that position was an incredible finish.
It's kind of the point I'm making. Regardless of how they come about he will be credited with two assists. While technically correct it's not the real story. I just don't know what our scouting team seen in him to suggest he's worth £7 million.
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We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.
Calling the 2nd an assist is a stretch, he tried to shoot and made such a mess of it that the ball bobbled 5 yards to his left to a completely unmarked Hourihane for what was pretty much a tap in. Even the first is pretty generous because that goal came purely from a moment of brilliance from Kodjia, to loop a header in from that position was an incredible finish.
It's kind of the point I'm making. Regardless of how they come about he will be credited with two assists. While technically correct it's not the real story. I just don't know what our scouting team seen in him to suggest he's worth £7 million.
I doubt that it was a matter of valuation - I think with Adama apparently keen to leave, we just tried to make the best out of that situation by getting a useful player who could slot in as a replacement.
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Please with the win back to back wins and two clean sheets hopefully we keep this run going roll on Saturday.
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Green blotted his copybook for me by picking up that yellow card for attacking their keeper's hands with his throat towards the end!
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The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.
I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.
I agree that it's a novelty, my issue really is that, even with the midfield we started the season with, it shouldn't be. midfielders and the wingers breaking into the box like that is a fundamental requirement for this setup and it's taken us 3/4s of the season to see it. Loads of people on here have been saying that we need to close the gap between midfield and attack for months but this is the first time I've seen any evidence that the club had identified that problem. My concern is that it was Hourihane that did something about it rather than management because we weren't doing it before he came on.
I agree on giving RHM a chance, my concern with going for someone like Abraham is that it's a decision made on the same basis as Gestede, RM, Kodjia and Hogan (i.e. they have a good scoring record at this level) rather than any concept of how we can help them replicate the same form.
The Hourihane thing happened after half time which suggests it was the manager rather than an off the cuff decision as you imply.
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But that would mean giving Bruce some credit.
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Green blotted his copybook for me by picking up that yellow card for attacking their keeper's hands with his throat towards the end!
I can understand why Andre was booked but their keeper should have received his second yellow
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Interesting that quite a few have said that the defence played well.
From the radio commentary it sounded as though we struggled with high balls into the area, failed to stop crosses coming in and allowed their players to carry the ball deep into the area.
I hate listening to radio commentary and not seeing it myself as it can be misleading.
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Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.
If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.
But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.
Not sure it is too much to ask Damon. If the side below can get a run of games together in the remainder of the season (I accept Green is now injured ) then we might be in a decent place with only a bit of fine tuning required in the summer:
Johnstone
Hutton Chester Baker Taylor
Jedinak
Lansbury Hourihane
Adomah Kodjia Green
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I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
We desperately need a striker who can hold the ball up and bring others in to play. For all his other attributes, Kodjia can't play that role.
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For someone who looks like he's afraid of an aerial challenge, that header by Kodjia is one of the best I've seen in a long time. Beautiful goal that came out of nowhere.
I think we've all questioned his character (and ball-hogging) a little bit but fair play to Jonathan last night. He channelled the jeers from the away supporters into winning the game for us. The insurance goal was all down to his perseverance and lay-off.
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Johnstone - other than a single decent save hardly troubled - he boils my piss though with his insistence on delaying distribution and causing panic in the 6yrd box by not coming for balls
Hutton - very limited player but last 2 games has gave his all - fair play to him
Baker - Steady
Chester - as Baker
Taylor - does not offer enough going forward but improving defensively
Jedinak - MOTM - patrolled in front of the back 4 and worked his socks off - limited footballer but we have really missed his presence
Landsbury - still a tad slower than needs to be but good quality player with great passing range and intelligence
Gardner - chasing down won us the pen - pity about injury
Adomah - makes me so mad - I do not know what he brings to the team - cannot head it, cannot tackle, no tricks, no pace to beat a man and when in position his final ball is awful - complete dud and needs replacing
Green - still raw and could easily have had 3 goals by now - the latest effort was superb and would have deserved gaol of the season
Kodjia - 1st half too much about him versus their fans - 2nd half really good performance for him and the team
Subs:
Conor H - significant contributor to upping the pace in 2nd half - huge difference to his game to play 10 yards further forward.
Bjork - I see even less of what he brings as I do with Adomah - reinforces how shit England must have been to be beaten by Iceland. he had 13 minutes on Saturday and I promise you did not touch the ball. Last night first touch was to run it out for a throw - waste of a shirt
Deserved win but still last 10 minutes were predictably uncomfortable as we let them have the ball and come at us
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The Hourihane thing happened after half time which suggests it was the manager rather than an off the cuff decision as you imply.
I'm not sure, it not happening in the last 10-12 games when it was a clear problem suggests it's either taken a long time for him to realise or something else has led to it, that's why I thought it might be down to Hourihane sitting on the bench and seeing the problem and then coming on and taking it on himself to address it. If I'm honest I'm not sure how long before half time we had to make the change so it might be that half time was the key rather than the sub.
But that would mean giving Bruce some credit.
Thanks for the snidy comment but it's not about giving credit or not, it's about whether this is a turning point or not. From what I've seen and heard this was the sort of performance that we should be putting in every match in this league with the squad we have. If Bruce has realised that then great we'll see a huge improvement going forward but I'm not going to say that everything is rosey because we've played our 3rd decent half of football in 5 months. The second half yesterday should be the default for how we play not an exception that we all get excited about, we have the squad to do it so now they need to deliver (and that includes the manager and coaches).
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We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.
Calling the 2nd an assist is a stretch, he tried to shoot and made such a mess of it that the ball bobbled 5 yards to his left to a completely unmarked Hourihane for what was pretty much a tap in. Even the first is pretty generous because that goal came purely from a moment of brilliance from Kodjia, to loop a header in from that position was an incredible finish.
It's kind of the point I'm making. Regardless of how they come about he will be credited with two assists. While technically correct it's not the real story. I just don't know what our scouting team seen in him to suggest he's worth £7 million.
Not quite sure how the second could be credited as an assist, as he completely fluffed a good scoring chance!! I don't mind him, but he had a stinker last night and should have been taken off earlier.
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We've actually had some fortune on our side. The miss-kick assist was the sort of thing that has gone against us. Same as a ball bobbling around the box and landing nicely for them rather than us.
Back-to-back wins and clean sheets for the first time in 7 years is an absolutely extraordinary statistic.
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But that would mean giving Bruce some credit.
Thanks for the snidy comment but it's not about giving credit or not, it's about whether this is a turning point or not.
I'll be honest I skim read most posts but the fact you seemed to think it was the player who decided to do whatever it was he did rather than the manager really came across as your reluctance to give Bruce any kind of praise for anything.
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People need to maintain the toilet trip, pancake eating, twitter viewing and match avoiding. It works, but only in combination.
I have to take my share of the credit for this win tonight. I adjusted the elephants in the room. I'll explain. Our daughter's first teaching job was in Aston and one of the kids was particularly fond of her, the child was Asian. One day the mother gave our girl the gift of a little wooden elephant that she'd brought back for her from a holiday in India which was a lovely thing to do.
When our girl came back home, she brought this elephant with her and it's lived on our hearth ever since. Now, I read somewhere that it's supposed to be lucky if you have him pointed towards the front door and I noticed today that he was a bit skewiff so I adjusted him back to his rightful place and lo, look what happened. We also have a tiny little ceramic elephant that sits on the base of a clock on the mantlepiece, I have no idea where he came from but I adjusted him too, just to be sure.
Hmm. When did you acquire this elephant? Was it, by any chance, on 9th August 2010..?
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I would imagine midfielders breaking into the box and joining in with attack is something all managers urge their players to do when possible (except maybe Tony Pulis). Lack of goals from midfield has been a problem for a few years, not just this season.
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Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.
If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.
But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.
Not sure it is too much to ask Damon. If the side below can get a run of games together in the remainder of the season (I accept Green is now injured ) then we might be in a decent place with only a bit of fine tuning required in the summer:
Johnstone
Hutton Chester Baker Taylor
Jedinak
Lansbury Hourihane
Adomah Kodjia Green
Oh my days!
In that XI - it's bereft (bar one) of all the wankers who relegated us! Yay!
We're a new team!!
According to most that Hutton played well last night. One game does not make up for the previous I am afraid. He is at the end of his contract come summer so goodbye.
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It appeared from what I've read and the little I've seen that in the second half, Bruce for the first time since coming to the club unlocked the shackles of conservatism and let the team play.
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The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.
I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.
I agree that it's a novelty, my issue really is that, even with the midfield we started the season with, it shouldn't be. midfielders and the wingers breaking into the box like that is a fundamental requirement for this setup and it's taken us 3/4s of the season to see it. Loads of people on here have been saying that we need to close the gap between midfield and attack for months but this is the first time I've seen any evidence that the club had identified that problem. My concern is that it was Hourihane that did something about it rather than management because we weren't doing it before he came on.
I agree on giving RHM a chance, my concern with going for someone like Abraham is that it's a decision made on the same basis as Gestede, RM, Kodjia and Hogan (i.e. they have a good scoring record at this level) rather than any concept of how we can help them replicate the same form.
To praise Hourihane is fine but it was Gardener who got the penalty by getting beyond Kodjia wasn't it?
If i was going to criticise the set up with what resources we had at our disposal last night it would be that Lansbury is lying far too deep. Shelvey at Newcastle directs play from the centre circle, runners go off him and he plays balls into the channels. We dont do that.
I don't know if its because Lansbury was one card away from a suspension since he's arrived but Bruce has played him far too deep and hes not had the aggressiveness i associated with him at Forrest. As he moved up field last night he played some delightful passes [not always anticipated by his team mates granted] but he really should be doing more of that for me.
Overall my view was it clicked for about twenty minutes in the second half, no more. By that time we were out of sight as Bristol really had no threat at all.
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People need to maintain the toilet trip, pancake eating, twitter viewing and match avoiding. It works, but only in combination.
I have to take my share of the credit for this win tonight. I adjusted the elephants in the room. I'll explain. Our daughter's first teaching job was in Aston and one of the kids was particularly fond of her, the child was Asian. One day the mother gave our girl the gift of a little wooden elephant that she'd brought back for her from a holiday in India which was a lovely thing to do.
When our girl came back home, she brought this elephant with her and it's lived on our hearth ever since. Now, I read somewhere that it's supposed to be lucky if you have him pointed towards the front door and I noticed today that he was a bit skewiff so I adjusted him back to his rightful place and lo, look what happened. We also have a tiny little ceramic elephant that sits on the base of a clock on the mantlepiece, I have no idea where he came from but I adjusted him too, just to be sure.
Hmm. When did you acquire this elephant? Was it, by any chance, on 9th August 2010..?
Well before that I'm glad to say. There have been times when I'd like to have seen MON trampled by one but I've got over him now. Onwards and upwards as they say.
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Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.
If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.
But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.
Not sure it is too much to ask Damon. If the side below can get a run of games together in the remainder of the season (I accept Green is now injured ) then we might be in a decent place with only a bit of fine tuning required in the summer:
Johnstone
Hutton Chester Baker Taylor
Jedinak
Lansbury Hourihane
Adomah Kodjia Green
Oh my days!
In that XI - it's bereft (bar one) of all the wankers who relegated us! Yay!
We're a new team!!
According to most that Hutton played well last night. One game does not make up for the previous I am afraid. He is at the end of his contract come summer so goodbye.
Well, only because the other candidate is built of poppadoms
Hutton, as much as Im not overly keen on him played well last night. Worked well with Albert I thought and his crossing ability has improved immensely, it's now one in eight that creates any danger as opposed to one in fifteen last year.
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I would imagine midfielders breaking into the box and joining in with attack is something all managers urge their players to do when possible (except maybe Tony Pulis). Lack of goals from midfield has been a problem for a few years, not just this season.
Indeed it has, and the consistent is that we've generally had safety first managers who have pinned our midfield deep. Sherwood was able to make a huge difference for a couple of months simply by letting Delph and Cleverley get into the box before his inability to do anything else became clear and he had to go. I think anyone watching us in the last few months could see that getting more people around the box was needed so I don't really understand why it's taken so long for us to give it a go. I'm really glad we've done so and I really hope it becomes the pattern going forward.
I'll be honest I skim read most posts but the fact you seemed to think it was the player who decided to do whatever it was he did rather than the manager really came across as your reluctance to give Bruce any kind of praise for anything.
You're still determined to miss the point so you can try to score points against me for not liking Bruce, my post is more about how frustrating i find it that if we'd done this a month ago we'd still be in the mix for the play offs. If it came from Bruce then great but I wish he'd tried doing this before the pissing about with formations and teams that happened all through January and February. I can't give him credit for trying it for half a game after so much fucking about but I will give him credit if he learns from this and what we saw last night becomes a theme for the rest of the season. If he can do that then I'll be happy for him to get the summer and take us into next season but I worry that the first sign of things going against us will see us revert to the backs-to-wall approach that he's used for most of his time with us.
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Albert drifted in and Hourihane played a lot further forward. Subtle changes but we looked a different side and you could see the tempo and confidence increase after our first.
This has been a common bugbear for me. Sometimes we've started games well, but when the opposition have switched it up we have failed to respond.
Bruce has often let it just play out for 60/70 minutes before making an ineffective non-threatening substitution in the latter stages of a game.
It doesn't always even need to be a substitution. Brentford could see that that Lansbury was hurting them with incisive passes from deep early on, so their midfield pushed up after 15/20 minutes and took him out of the game.
Subtle changes, as you say. But sometimes that is all you need.
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Not going to quote but i'm neither determined to miss any point (whatever it is) or score points (no idea how I'd redeem any). You suggested a player was responsible for a tactical change rather than the manager which seems highly unlikely to me. That's all, don't read too much into what little I post on here about football.
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[quote
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You're still determined to miss the point so you can try to score points against me for not liking Bruce, my post is more about how frustrating i find it that if we'd done this a month ago we'd still be in the mix for the play offs. If it came from Bruce then great but I wish he'd tried doing this before the pissing about with formations and teams that happened all through January and February. I can't give him credit for trying it for half a game after so much fucking about but I will give him credit if he learns from this and what we saw last night becomes a theme for the rest of the season. If he can do that then I'll be happy for him to get the summer and take us into next season but I worry that the first sign of things going against us will see us revert to the backs-to-wall approach that he's used for most of his time with us.
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Agree with this 100%
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Got to be honest, I struggled at work today. this winning isn't all its cracked up to be :)
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Not going to quote but i'm neither determined to miss any point (whatever it is) or score points (no idea how I'd redeem any). You suggested a player was responsible for a tactical change rather than the manager which seems highly unlikely to me. That's all, don't read too much into what little I post on here about football.
If you hadn't felt the need to be snide then I'd have no problem with it but if you you have a problem with me not being a massive fan of Bruce just say it, don't hide behind snarky comments, it's not like this is the first time you've done it in the last week or so. The point, put very simply, is that no one deserves any great credit for last night because what they did was what people on this forum have been suggesting for months. I pondered whether it could have come from elsewere because it's the first time Hourihane has played since he had to watch a game and a bit as a villa player and he then came on and did exactly the job he did for Barnesley and that needed to be done for us. I'm not saying anything negative about Bruce to suggest that he might have seen the problem and realised he could be the solution.
In fact I'd give Bruce more credit for signing a player with a brain of his own than I would for him eventually working out what the problem is months later than lots of fans on the internet.
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From my perception Steve Bruce has bought the players (including Hourihane) who play in the style that he wants to play, but most of them weren't here til fairly close to the end of last month, some of them hadn't played for a while, some have been injured, the whole lot have taken a few games to get used to each other.
What we 'have been seeing for months' in terms of how we should be playing hasn't been possible because we haven't had players with the pace or vision to play like that. We've had the players to play like that for about A month, since Bruce bought them.
Even if it was Hourihane who could pull the midfield up towards the frontline - that is what Bruce bought him for surely?
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It appeared from what I've read and the little I've seen that in the second half, Bruce for the first time since coming to the club unlocked the shackles of conservatism and let the team play.
I am pleased we won but it was as bad as anything I have seen at VP under Bruce this season and I am not sure if second half was by design or chance however let's hope people at the club learn from that and we keep improving.
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The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.
I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.
I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.
I agree that it's a novelty, my issue really is that, even with the midfield we started the season with, it shouldn't be. midfielders and the wingers breaking into the box like that is a fundamental requirement for this setup and it's taken us 3/4s of the season to see it. Loads of people on here have been saying that we need to close the gap between midfield and attack for months but this is the first time I've seen any evidence that the club had identified that problem. My concern is that it was Hourihane that did something about it rather than management because we weren't doing it before he came on.
I agree on giving RHM a chance, my concern with going for someone like Abraham is that it's a decision made on the same basis as Gestede, RM, Kodjia and Hogan (i.e. they have a good scoring record at this level) rather than any concept of how we can help them replicate the same form.
To praise Hourihane is fine but it was Gardener who got the penalty by getting beyond Kodjia wasn't it?
If i was going to criticise the set up with what resources we had at our disposal last night it would be that Lansbury is lying far too deep. Shelvey at Newcastle directs play from the centre circle, runners go off him and he plays balls into the channels. We dont do that.
I don't know if its because Lansbury was one card away from a suspension since he's arrived but Bruce has played him far too deep and hes not had the aggressiveness i associated with him at Forrest. As he moved up field last night he played some delightful passes [not always anticipated by his team mates granted] but he really should be doing more of that for me.
Overall my view was it clicked for about twenty minutes in the second half, no more. By that time we were out of sight as Bristol really had no threat at all.
I would like to see Hourihane and Lansbury pushed further up, with Jedinak sweeping up behind.
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Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.
If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.
But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.
Not sure it is too much to ask Damon. If the side below can get a run of games together in the remainder of the season (I accept Green is now injured ) then we might be in a decent place with only a bit of fine tuning required in the summer:
Johnstone
Hutton Chester Baker Taylor
Jedinak
Lansbury Hourihane
Adomah Kodjia Green
Oh my days!
In that XI - it's bereft (bar one) of all the wankers who relegated us! Yay!
We're a new team!!
According to most that Hutton played well last night. One game does not make up for the previous I am afraid. He is at the end of his contract come summer so goodbye.
Agree on Hutton. Might be coincidence, but his performances seem to have picked up a bit since he entered the final couple of months of his contract. Bree looked neat and tidy when he came on.
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I'm not going to do the quite thing again because, well, it's a bit silly this isn't it?
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I'm not going to do the quite thing again because, well, it's a bit silly this isn't it?
Yep, time to bond over Sandinista or something.
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I'm not going to do the quite thing again because, well, it's a bit silly this isn't it?
Yep, time to bond over Sandinista or something.
Much underrated album, revisit it from time to time. Anybody who thinks Cut the Crap is anything other than crap is clearly deluded though.
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I would be more than happy if Hutton left.
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I'm not going to do the quite thing again because, well, it's a bit silly this isn't it?
Yep, time to bond over Sandinista or something.
Much underrated album, revisit it from time to time. Anybody who thinks Cut the Crap is anything other than crap is clearly deluded though.
Only one song on Cut the Crap that is listenable, the rest are awful.
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Sandanista is a very mixed bag. On the other hand I think Give Em Enough Rope is V underrated second album - much like The Jam's This Is The Modern World which I think is stronger than In The City.
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Sandinista gets a bit silly when they get the kids doing cover versions but there really is some great and diverse stuff on there.
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I've watched it a few times and I still think the first came off Kodj's shoulder.