Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on April 01, 2017, 04:56:27 PM
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Comfortable 2-0 win. Rarely troubled and another 2 for Jimmy Danger. What a striker he is! We still lack pace and at a higher level we'd be taken apart on the break, but this is good enough for this level. Well done boys!
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Faarkers farked.
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Boring boring Villa.
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8) 8) 8)
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Excellent stuff. Hope Hogan isn't seriously injured.
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Oh that we now had here just 6 more points.
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Since, for various reasons, i've missed a bunch of games we keep winning. Last time I saw us win was Wigan back in December!
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Aston Kodjia 2 Norwich 0.
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Another good result. We've conceded one goal in last 7 games I think. If we had even 3 more points I might start to get carried away, but we wont make the play offs this year. Hopefully if we can keep this form up for the remainder of the season we can hit the ground running next season.
Fair play to Kodja, a bit selfish maybe, but a really good striker for this level.
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What happened to Hogan? We've been at a funeral most of the day and only just got in.
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From the BBC
Villa's three straight home wins have all been clean sheets - for the first time in the league since December 2012. They last won four in a row at Villa Park without conceding back in October 1983.
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Splendid result and from 31% possession according to the BBC stats.
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Dear Dr Tony, please sign Kodjia to a long-term contract now
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'Watched' it on BBC site, and we need better possession, but it depends what you do with it.
Kodjia needs a consistent partnership, tho' he seems to be doing OK atm 8)
UTV!!!!!!
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Thank goodness Norwich forwards were crap. We held on for a period in the second half. Kodja outstanding and Albert decent. Wish I could say the sane about Gardner when he came on.
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Kodjia's a lazy little git at times, but his finishes were pretty impressive today!
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if only we hadn't fucked up twice this season we'd be up imo - the one win in 12 did it
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Kodjia's a lazy little git at times, but his finishes were pretty impressive today!
Couldn't care less, Jane, as long as he's scoring.
His two goals today were great finishes.
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Another clean sheet, another win.
Is it too much to ask for us to start and play like this in August.
If we can it's going to be a very good season I think.
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Well done, another win and yet another clean sheet. Now Bruce has a team which he's pretty much put together were reaping the rewards. Keep this up til the end of the season and we will be ready to storm the league next season. Excellent.
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I'm never going to get tired of seeing Villa win. Routine 2-0 be damned
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I'm never going to get tired of seeing Villa win. Routine 2-0 be damned
Indeed just a bit frustrating we had such a bad start to 2017.
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Happiness is being out all day with the kids, then checking the scores at 5pm to see a comfortable 2-0 win. Super stuff.
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On the way home happy with the win and another clean sheet long may it continue.
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Just got back in after being at the game. Similar story to the last few weeks really, not a great performance but got the win and another clean sheet. Thought the keeper and defence were very good today and Jedinak helped out defensively as well. We looked off the pace in midfield though and Gardner was very poor when he came on.
Despite the result, I was a little disappointed with Bruce today. We started positively with a 4-4-2 formation, but soon as we scored he immediately switched to a 4-5-1. We never really regained any momentum and Norwich were the better side in the second half, but got the win in the end.
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Kodjia's a lazy little git at times, but his finishes were pretty impressive today!
You must be watching a different player to me. He had next to no support after Hogan went off. He worked his socks off in that lone role.
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Kodjia's a lazy little git at times, but his finishes were pretty impressive today!
Couldn't care less, Jane, as long as he's scoring.
His two goals today were great finishes.
Errrr - that's what I said!
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Kodjia's a lazy little git at times, but his finishes were pretty impressive today!
You must be watching a different player to me. He had next to no support after Hogan went off. He worked his socks off in that lone role.
Yep, he was very isolated in the second half. Adomah and Amavi were very deep at times.
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Just got back in after being at the game. Similar story to the last few weeks really, not a great performance but got the win and another clean sheet. Thought the keeper and defence were very good today and Jedinak helped out defensively as well. We looked off the pace in midfield though and Gardner was very poor when he came on.
Despite the result, I was a little disappointed with Bruce today. We started positively with a 4-4-2 formation, but soon as we scored he immediately switched to a 4-5-1. We never really regained any momentum and Norwich were the better side in the second half, but got the win in the end.
It was forced though, due to Hogan's injury. A pragmatic decision that ended with a 2-0 win is hard to fault.
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Just got back in after being at the game. Similar story to the last few weeks really, not a great performance but got the win and another clean sheet. Thought the keeper and defence were very good today and Jedinak helped out defensively as well. We looked off the pace in midfield though and Gardner was very poor when he came on.
Despite the result, I was a little disappointed with Bruce today. We started positively with a 4-4-2 formation, but soon as we scored he immediately switched to a 4-5-1. We never really regained any momentum and Norwich were the better side in the second half, but got the win in the end.
It's a concern, but we're developing good habits even if the performances aren't much cop.
We've started getting the second goal to kill sides off. The more we do that, the more it stops being an abstract awareness of maybe we can do it and becomes a feeling of certainty that we will.
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Other than scoring two Kodjia worked very hard today specially in the second half when we had very little ball.
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Just got back in after being at the game. Similar story to the last few weeks really, not a great performance but got the win and another clean sheet. Thought the keeper and defence were very good today and Jedinak helped out defensively as well. We looked off the pace in midfield though and Gardner was very poor when he came on.
Despite the result, I was a little disappointed with Bruce today. We started positively with a 4-4-2 formation, but soon as we scored he immediately switched to a 4-5-1. We never really regained any momentum and Norwich were the better side in the second half, but got the win in the end.
It was forced though, due to Hogan's injury. A pragmatic decision that ended with a 2-0 win is hard to fault.
Hogan wasn't injured when the change in formation was made. I think he might have injured himself doing the turn and shot which brought a smart save from their keeper.
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Enjoy!
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10 minutes after start of the game I was totally confident we will beat Norwich even if they scored first. They had some neat passing with good midfielders but very ineffective forwards. Felt a little nervy when they had lot of possession at the start of the second half however in that 20 or so minutes we actually had two clear cut chances , Hourihane miss and Kojdia just wrong side of the post from Adomah assist, they created nothing.
Very pleased with Hutton MotM for me and also special mention for Amavi.
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Effective. Routine. Dull.
A typical Bruce performance. Well done Villa.
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Thought their 21 was impressive.
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Alex Pritchard - like Will Hughes I thought or Barry Bannan - tidy but nothing special. We gave him space and he hardly delivered.
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Alex Pritchard - like Will Hughes I thought or Barry Bannan - tidy but nothing special. We gave him space and he hardly delivered.
Yes I agree. He seemed to take nearly all the set pieces and a lot of corners but delivered little.
In fact, although they had a lot of possession in the second half they had precious few attempts which was testament to the defence and protection in front of them.
I'm still expecting a bit more from Hourihane and Lansbury but it's better than it was.
Without Kodjia we'd be lost up front. He can be selfish but he probably mistrusts the others to score. Adomah worked hard and Hutton and Chester played well. However Gardner looked shattered after 5 minutes and there was a case for subbing the sub.
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Kodjia's a lazy little git at times, but his finishes were pretty impressive today!
Lazy is not a word I would ever attribute to Kodjia.
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Thank goodness Norwich forwards were crap. We held on for a period in the second half. Kodja outstanding and Albert decent. Wish I could say the sane about Gardner when he came on.
Need to find another midfield option on the bench because he is becoming almost a liabitlity when he comes on.
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It makes you wonder where we would be without JK's goals. Does anyone know percentage wise how many he has against total goals scored?
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I'd rather Grealish had come on instead of Gardner who was woeful.
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Just home. Strange thing to say but all around me we agreed that it is still hard to believe we don't screw up our games. Us losing all the time is a hard mind set to get rid of. Johnstone gets better and better. Mile is a pants footballer but by God does he do the business for us.
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Weird atmosphere today - very quiet, probably because they had the bulk share of the ball. Only 31% possession but it's what you do with it that counts - for all their possession Naarich didn't create a great deal, didn't have much of a threat up top, and the two superb goals by Kodjia were the difference, with some resolute defending and a little bit of luck delivering yet another clean sheet. I do find it frustrating that we sit so deep, more or less surrender the midfield, and invite pressure on, and the longer the second half went on and the more corners we conceded I was convinced it was only a matter of time before they scored, but at the end of the day they didn't and it's the end result that counts. Maybe if we left someone upfield at corners (especially when they were down to 10 men) the ball wouldn't come back so quickly. Ironically when Hogan went off I thought we had a more balanced shape, but the longer the game went on the deeper Amavi got and at times it was more 5-4-1. Thought everyone put in a good shift today, although I'm still very doubtful that Gardner's up to it even at this level - thought he had a shocker when he came on. I could get used to all this winning and clean sheets
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Wondered what the applause in the 3rd minute was for and have just read about it. Terribly sad and belated thoughts go out to his family and friends.
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Just got back in after being at the game. Similar story to the last few weeks really, not a great performance but got the win and another clean sheet. Thought the keeper and defence were very good today and Jedinak helped out defensively as well. We looked off the pace in midfield though and Gardner was very poor when he came on.
Despite the result, I was a little disappointed with Bruce today. We started positively with a 4-4-2 formation, but soon as we scored he immediately switched to a 4-5-1. We never really regained any momentum and Norwich were the better side in the second half, but got the win in the end.
Toyally agree with your comments about Bruce.
Gardner is really not up to it. End of.
Best game I've seen from Adomah.
Hogan looked good until his enforced departure.
Johnstone looking much more secure.
And, well done to Taylor for keeping cool and doing okay.
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It makes you wonder where we would be without JK's goals. Does anyone know percentage wise how many he has against total goals scored?
41% (17 out of 41) it's the 2nd highest in the league behind Wood at Leeds.
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Enjoy!
Thanks, Rudy.
I bet you just loved that second goal in which our GK got the assist. :Winkything.
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Great result, Kodjia brilliant! Taylor played well on what may have been a difficult day for him. I didn't like the way the club announced the starting 11 pre-game. Did anybody else have problems downloading it?
Keep the run going Villa!! VTID
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Norwich played ok, quite dodged but not end product
We did what we had to. We did sit back and try and get them on the break 2nd half. Albert is so frustraiting to watch.
Saw a quite lovely rainbow over the Witton lane too
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Weird atmosphere today - very quiet, probably because they had the bulk share of the ball. Only 31% possession but it's what you do with it that counts - for all their possession Naarich didn't create a great deal, didn't have much of a threat up top, and the two superb goals by Kodjia were the difference, with some resolute defending and a little bit of luck delivering yet another clean sheet. I do find it frustrating that we sit so deep, more or less surrender the midfield, and invite pressure on, and the longer the second half went on and the more corners we conceded I was convinced it was only a matter of time before they scored, but at the end of the day they didn't and it's the end result that counts. Maybe if we left someone upfield at corners (especially when they were down to 10 men) the ball wouldn't come back so quickly. Ironically when Hogan went off I thought we had a more balanced shape, but the longer the game went on the deeper Amavi got and at times it was more 5-4-1. Thought everyone put in a good shift today, although I'm still very doubtful that Gardner's up to it even at this level - thought he had a shocker when he came on. I could get used to all this winning and clean sheets
Agree with all of that
Fuck me gardner is a terrible player, he looked fucked 5 mins after coming on
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I'd rather Grealish had come on instead of Gardner who was woeful.
Indeed. Grealish has too much talent to risk ostracising him. He needs to be involved.
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Get quite sad watching Gardner come on and have the shocker that he did. From all the promise that he showed coming through, he's letting his confidence affect his technique to such an awful extent now that it's sometimes hard to watch. Even the most simple of decisions (there was on in the second half when he gave Amavi what should have been a routine 10-yarder two potential hospital passes) he is second-guessing himself on now, and its difficult to see (other than a run in the side or another 6 month loan spell where he plays well) what would fix it.
Great, solid, performance by the Villa today mind. The kind of performance you have to have to keep the winning run going.
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That's 19 for Kodjia now, right?
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We seem to have had the better chances and quite a few of them. I'm confident we can hold on to kodjia and mount a challenge for the top two next year
Although the evening mail'a description of a few highlights were hyperbolic to say the least:
- brilliant move for the first goal
- wonderful finish for the second
- amavi through on goal and brought down for the red
Erm . .
Defending in the championship is terrible isn't it. When Cameron Jerome waltzed through our back four four before miskicking -even a bottom four premier league team is probably gonna stick that away
If you add a better centre back than baker and better central midfield cover than Gardner who I've now given up on, both of which should be manageable, I really do think we can be strong next year.
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Decent 3 points in the end,until the sending off though we stood off them and made it easy for them,luckily the defence and the keeper look solid now. Onto Tuesday and hopefully another win. UTV
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Another impressive win against decent opponents. Our second goal though was like something out of a junior match. Rank defending, great awareness from the old codger though.
We still need a midfielder who can dictate play.
Chasing the ball over two thirds of the time can be overlooked when we're in-form and resilient but will make our bad runs longer when they come round again which they inevitably will. We need to start bossing games.
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Highlights (http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-norwich/358566)
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3 points, clean sheet, job done. Onwards and upwards, time to stick one up the West Country Goblins arse on Tuesday.
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When you weigh up January and the wholesale changes we had plus missing Kodjia it's no wonder we was at the races. Any team would seriously miss Mr Danger.
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Really disappointed for Hogan to go off injured again.
The pass for Kodjias first goal was lovely and his turn and shot in the box was excellent.
Has anyone heard why he went off and the extent of his injury?
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Hogan's first touch for the goal was excellent
The pass was an absolutely bog standard one for me though
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Does anybody have a clue what the entrance music today was? Due to the crappy PA system all I could here was the word 'closer' being repeated.
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Everyone still up for selling Kodjia this summer then?!
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The Jerome miss was a joy to behold. Even without the slight deflection it wasn't going in
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Never mind the game, why were the two lorries "parked" across Witton Lane?
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Really disappointed for Hogan to go off injured again.
The pass for Kodjias first goal was lovely and his turn and shot in the box was excellent.
Has anyone heard why he went off and the extent of his injury?
Bruce said he took a knock to the ankle he damaged at Newcastle. Not thought to be too serious. However, we've had shocking luck with injuries this season.
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Never mind the game, why were the two lorries "parked" across Witton Lane?
That was Gabby and McCormack making their way to the ground.
/baddumtish
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Never mind the game, why were the two lorries "parked" across Witton Lane?
To block the African Car reverser.
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Never mind the game, why were the two lorries "parked" across Witton Lane?
Sign of the times.
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Really disappointed for Hogan to go off injured again.
The pass for Kodjias first goal was lovely and his turn and shot in the box was excellent.
Has anyone heard why he went off and the extent of his injury?
Bruce said he took a knock to the ankle he damaged at Newcastle. Not thought to be too serious. However, we've had shocking luck with injuries this season.
He looked to be intimating to Bruce that it was his ankle after he had been subbed.
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Frustrating day. Felt we suffered when Hogan went off as there was nobody close to Kodjia.
It was far to easy for them to play out. Hourihane and Lansbury were well off the pace. It was far too easy for them to pick up the recycled ball deeper inside our half. Their paceless back four was able to hold a ridiculously high line and we let that Tottenham oik Pritchard run the show.
That said, they only had one chance in the second half and Johnson was again quick to react. They could have had a couple of goals in the first half if Jerome wasn't terrible and Johnson didn't make a brilliant double save. Mind you, Hogan went close and one of Baker or Hourihane should have scored.
Ultimately we were comfortable letting them have most of the ball. It's becoming pleasingly routine this winning lark. We're difficult to breakdown and therefore difficult to beat. 6 clean sheets in 7 games is excellent going.
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Never mind the game, why were the two lorries "parked" across Witton Lane?
Sign of the times.
Their idea of fun, was being in a gang called the disciples.
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Got an earlier train for once so just got back in - 2-0 flattered us but like Derby a few weeks back you can have all the possession in the world and it means bugger all if you've no cutting edge. Defensively we were excellent, Hutton man of the match and Kodjia is just a predator. Adomah was skinning the Norwich left back all game but his final ball was pretty ball. Gary Gardner had a very dodgy last 15 mins indeed. All in all though, another enjoyable day made even better by the fact my son was in the programme so I've ended up coming home with six copies!
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This isn't a very good division first and foremost. that we've won so many games recently whilst not playing well shows that the difference between the teams that go up and the rest is having a goalscorer. Keeping Kodjia fit is vital for us next season. Add one or two and we'll be right in the mixx.
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Just home. Strange thing to say but all around me we agreed that it is still hard to believe we don't screw up our games. Us losing all the time is a hard mind set to get rid of. Johnstone gets better and better. Mile is a pants footballer but by God does he do the business for us.
Jedinak looks like a lumbering lump of blubbery meat when he runs, but when a crucial interception is needed he seems to be there every time. He was very important in the midfield today, particularly with Hourihane and Lansbury having disappointing games.
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This isn't a very good division first and foremost. that we've won so many games recently whilst not playing well shows that the difference between the teams that go up and the rest is having a goalscorer. Keeping Kodjia fit is vital for us next season. Add one or two and we'll be right in the mixx.
You want to keep him now?! ;)
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Just 2 wins out of that shit run and we'd be 4 points of playoffs.
We should be looking to shit on the league next season.
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I thought it was a good game today, a decent contest with chances at both ends. Our ball retention wasn't very good but our defence look like they can cope with anything at the moment.
Johnstone seems a lot more assured now. Two cracking finishes from Kodjia. A good assist and another decent chance from Hogan. Adomah was frustrating, so often did the difficult bit and then his final ball or touch let him down.
I don't really care where we finish now. I'm just enjoying us winning again.
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Really enjoyed the game today. Had a great view of the sending off tackle and knew he was gone long before the ref reached for the red card. Kodja is by turns frustrating and inspiring but by God he's doing the business.
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This isn't a very good division first and foremost. that we've won so many games recently whilst not playing well shows that the difference between the teams that go up and the rest is having a goalscorer. Keeping Kodjia fit is vital for us next season. Add one or two and we'll be right in the mixx.
You want to keep him now?! ;)
The price is now £40m
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Just 2 wins out of that shit run and we'd be 4 points of playoffs.
We should be looking to shit on the league next season.
This is the second post that has referred to the poor run early 2017 but singularly failed to mention the abysmal start under balloon head.
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I thought it was a good game today, a decent contest with chances at both ends. Our ball retention wasn't very good but our defence look like they can cope with anything at the moment.
Johnstone seems a lot more assured now. Two cracking finishes from Kodjia. A good assist and another decent chance from Hogan. Adomah was frustrating, so often did the difficult bit and then his final ball or touch let him down.
I don't really care where we finish now. I'm just enjoying us winning again.
I thought it was adomah's best game for us. Ripped past 2 players on a number of occasions. Only really saw one bad Cross that went straight over bar. The game bypassed midfield 2 for the majority which it shouldn't need too now we have wes and angie. Frustrated that we brought on Gardner (who was awful) rather than Grealish but Bruce is in the results business so cant fault after the event. Johnston was excellent. As we're Taylor and Hutton. Kodjia bit of skill in his own half about 80 mins in was a stand up and apluad moment
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Highlights (http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-norwich/358566)
Thanks
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We've got into the winning habit which is a great place to be. I wasn't overly concerned even when they spent most of the second half in our half. The trio of Chester, Baker and Jedinak are so solid and I always fancied us to get a goal on the break. Us as fans are still coming round from the trauma of 2011-16 but we'll get used to wins again soon and there'll be a lot more again next season. One word on Kodjia- fan-dabby-dozy
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If we can keep Kodjia I'll be having a wad on winning this league next year, not just getting promoted.
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I thought it was a good game today, a decent contest with chances at both ends. Our ball retention wasn't very good but our defence look like they can cope with anything at the moment.
Johnstone seems a lot more assured now. Two cracking finishes from Kodjia. A good assist and another decent chance from Hogan. Adomah was frustrating, so often did the difficult bit and then his final ball or touch let him down.
I don't really care where we finish now. I'm just enjoying us winning again.
I agree with all of this but I am not paying to read it.
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It makes you wonder where we would be without JK's goals.
Why should we care about that? He is a player in our team and doing his job.
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It makes you wonder where we would be without JK's goals.
Why should we care about that? He is a player in our team and doing his job.
It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it.
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I'd imagine (hope) that Kodjia's on a salary that only clubs whose sights are set higher up the food chain could improve upon.
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I'm starting to believe in the Villa again and I like it!
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Enjoy!
Thanks, Rudy.
I bet you just loved that second goal in which our GK got the assist. :Winkything.
You've still got me all wrong. Just because I see the need for a team to be able to string a couple of passes together doesn't make me El Presidente de Republica de Tiki-Taka . I loved the utter cheek of Kodja going to the left side of the defender and getting the touch. Shocking defending but that's their problem not ours. Well done Kodja, I say. The kind of thing Brian Little used to do when he wasn't standing there on the half way line with his hands on his hips. Winkythingbackatyou.
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Bloody hell, nice couple of goals those.
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Well done Villa, 3 more points keep it going lads.
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To think when we signed him I said he was too right footed.
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The 2nd goal reminded me of Cumbes/Lochhead I'm sure that someone can come up with the date/match.
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Another good win and despite Norwich playing fairly well, I couldn't see them scoring. I thought Adomah had probably his best game for us and Kodjia should have had his first hat-trick. Fairly comfortable and enjoyable game all round really.
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Kodjia's first was fluid and assured, as if its final destination had been decided the moment he received the ball. The second was clever and opportunist, the sign of a switched-on player. And still some people think he's lazy or selfish. Sometimes I don't think we quite realise what a gem we've got here. He could break all kinds of records for us.
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I'd imagine (hope) that Kodjia's on a salary that only clubs whose sights are set higher up the food chain could improve upon.
I don't think any of the top six would want Kodjia. But if Lukaku leaves Everton, that's maybe where bids will come from, or perhaps Southampton/West Ham?
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If we can keep Kodjia I'll be having a wad on winning this league next year, not just getting promoted.
I imagine it would require a very large bid for us to part with him and I can't see that.
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I think the problem is that any kind of realistic bid of over £15m is going to unsettle him and at his age it's going to be difficult to tell him to be patient and wait for a promotion push next year.
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I thought it was a good game today, a decent contest with chances at both ends. Our ball retention wasn't very good but our defence look like they can cope with anything at the moment.
Johnstone seems a lot more assured now. Two cracking finishes from Kodjia. A good assist and another decent chance from Hogan. Adomah was frustrating, so often did the difficult bit and then his final ball or touch let him down.
I don't really care where we finish now. I'm just enjoying us winning again.
I agree with all of this but I am not paying to read it.
You must have read it already to know you agree. The invoice is in the post, VAT and disbursements included.
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Does anybody have a clue what the entrance music today was? Due to the crappy PA system all I could here was the word 'closer' being repeated.
Connor Hourihane music.
I am just made up a few results coming in
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Kodjia is a scorer of some real great goals, him and Hogan are going to take this division to the cleaners next season. An upgrade on Jedinak, someone who can pass the ball well as well as break things up. Baring in mind this is like a pre season for us with new manager, new midfield, new forward parternship and new philosophy I think we are going pretty well right now. The performances aren't the best but we just don't look like giving goals away right no and that's most of the battle in this division. Keep it tight, compete physically for 90 minutes and let our quality up front tell in the end. Sounds like a Bruce blueprint to promotion again coming together.
Very happy to be winning a few again.
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We're in the habit of winning games which is a great habit. Still lots of work to be done though. I'm really disappointed in Lansbury. I don't know what he brings to the team apart from averageness.
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We are winning games.
Whatever Lansbury brings, is helping us to do that.
That'll do for me right now.
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We're in the habit of winning games which is a great habit. Still lots of work to be done though. I'm really disappointed in Lansbury. I don't know what he brings to the team apart from averageness.
I like him, he brings a calmness in possession and defensive stability. His forward passing seems to have deserted him for the moment but I think Bruce is discouraging them from going too far forward. The shackles are still on.
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I'm not too sure about the shackles being on. If we take all our chances yesterday, it could have finished 4-0. We might let the other teams have too much possession at times if anything.
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We are winning games.
Whatever Lansbury brings, is helping us to do that.
That'll do for me right now.
I still don't think he is fully fit and therefore we probably won't see the best of him until next season.
Edit - thought Amavi did well when he came on the left wing yesterday. Really hope he can begin to flourish in that position as it would be a good addition for us.
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Ange was pretty subdued yesterday but we look miles better with the January signings in the side. BTW how egregious is 5'scoverage of the Chumps League? Watched this morning and again no discussion whatsoever of our game or Kodjia's storming form. Mind you, that's probably a blessing given the truly abysmal quality of the hosts and pundits - the blonde bird looks like she's on an industrial strength proscription of diazepam.
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Ange was pretty subdued yesterday but we look miles better with the January signings in the side. BTW how egregious is 5'scoverage of the Chumps League? Watched this morning and again no discussion whatsoever of our game or Kodjia's storming form. Mind you, that's probably a blessing given the truly abysmal quality of the hosts and pundits - the blonde bird looks like she's on an industrial strength proscription of diazepam.
That's Lynsey Hipgrave, one time sidekick of Danny Baker on Saturday mornings. She always came across on there as industrial strength thick, always taking every thing Danny came out with as gospel. One classic was that if you throw an egg over a house it wont break.
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I thought it was a good game today, a decent contest with chances at both ends. Our ball retention wasn't very good but our defence look like they can cope with anything at the moment.
Johnstone seems a lot more assured now. Two cracking finishes from Kodjia. A good assist and another decent chance from Hogan. Adomah was frustrating, so often did the difficult bit and then his final ball or touch let him down.
I don't really care where we finish now. I'm just enjoying us winning again.
I agree with all of this but I am not paying to read it.
You must have read it already to know you agree. The invoice is in the post, VAT and disbursements included.
Oh bugger I have done it again...ok a signed blank cheque is in the post just don't hound me please.
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I've noticed that since Mr Sox is back on match thread duty and I've resumed post match victory threads that our luck has turned immeasurably. All Hail Mr Sox and TV.
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So all our recent good form is down to you two and nothing to do with Steve Bruce and the players? ;)
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So all our recent good form is down to you two and nothing to do with Steve Bruce and the players? ;)
I believe that's a very accurate summary sir.
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Considering he had only come off a plane 24 hours earlier I thought Jedinak was immense yesterday. He wins tackles, headers, interceptions and makes life so much easier for the centre halves. In the second half he was everywhere around the edge of the area.
I know he's not the best passer, but apart from Kodija, I think he's the most important player in the team.
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Considering he had only come off a plane 24 hours earlier I thought Jedinak was immense yesterday. He wins tackles, headers, interceptions and makes life so much easier for the centre halves. In the second half he was everywhere around the edge of the area.
I know he's not the best passer, but apart from Kodija, I think he's the most important player in the team.
And Elphick's the most important player out of the team.
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Kodjia's a lazy little git at times, but his finishes were pretty impressive today!
Couldn't care less, Jane, as long as he's scoring.
His two goals today were great finishes.
Errrr - that's what I said!
Errr- I was agreeing with you about the goals!!!
Regarding him being lazy, I wasn't
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Gary Gardner is pushing Tommy Elphick hard for his Keep On The Bench At All Costs crown.
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The only issue I would take from 1 or 2 comments on here is that we don't look like conceding. Let's hope we can keep it up but, them not scoring was more down to their inability to put the ball in the net rather than our good defending. On the plus side, we do now seem to be quite strong in the air defensively and seem to win most of the headers.
Agree with others that Gardner really shouldn't be near the team.
Overall though, it's a great feeling going to Villa Park thinking that we will win and, usually do now.
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Gary Gardner is pushing Tommy Elphick hard for his Keep On The Bench At All Costs crown.
The two blokes next to me had a bet yesterday on what Gardner would do first when came on yesterday - get booked or make a mistake that cost / nearly cost a goal. The latter happened within minutes of him being on.
We still look very thin on midfield options beyond the three playing in the side.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
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Yes we deserve nothing we are all sinners, the whole lot of us players, Manager and fans, and need to do more a lot more in order to be considered for any redemption.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
Absolutely. God forbid we should be enjoying ourselves or thinking that six wins in seven games is a sign that the team are doing well.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
Absolutely. God forbid we should be enjoying ourselves or thinking that five wins in six games is a sign that the team are doing well.
Based on the Villa callers to WM after the match last night you'd have been forgiven for thinking we'd just witnessed our tenth successive 6-0 defeat. If you can't enjoy winning I'm really struggling to understand what is the point of following the team at all!
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The team are winning, so doing well, but not winning by playing well. Out of the games that we have won in the recent run how many have you left the ground thinking, "we played really well today"? Its not about not enjoying the wins, that's just daft, but the next step is to try and play well in a game, take the game to the opposition and win well. We still short of that.
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If we'd lost six out of seven and scored one goal there isn't anyone who would have been saying that we were playing well and could easily win the next five. You can be lucky to win one game; the sort of record we've had lately isn't down to luck.
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Two fans whose opinions I regard highly, DW and Peter W merge to touch upon a very odd metaphysical sensation we discussed en masse in our part of the Holte Lower yesterday, to whit, we can't actually believe that bad luck seems to be leaving us alone. I think that as far as Villa are concerned I had come very close to being institutionalised to failure. Like Red in The Shawshank Redemption.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I would disagree a bit with that Peter. I agree that performances have not been too convincing, but I think Bruce has at least put some foundations down in that he has built a decent spine of a side and has introduced a formation that suits them. Yes there is still a lot of work to be done and some fine tuning in regards to personnel, but I think we are a far more solid outfit than before.
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No it's not luck. But we are having things fall our way. A couple of decisions that could easily ave gone against us in terms of penalty shouts - such as Derby - and games where the opposition have had more shots than us - on and off target. That sort of 'luck' runs out at some point if you aren't able to dominate teams and games which we aren't. i think bruce has now said for 3 wins on the bounce that we haven't played well and I really can't think the last time we did. Maybe Huddersfield away? But even then...not really well.
maybe its just a case of trying to rush things and wanting things that we aren't yet ready for. momentum is a funny thing and if we stay unbeaten for the rest of the season then we'll see a completely different mindset from everyone on and off the pitch next season.
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I look at the last 7 games and honestly, how many clangers have we dropped, how many times have the opposition missed sitters? Hardly any, we've been clinical up top, because we've spent some serious money and got a seriously decent forward at this level up top.
I honestly believe that half the battle in this division is working hard, keeping it tight and such it the quality/lack of eventually the opposition will present an opportunity that one of our good forwards (Ok Kodjia, but hopefully Hogan next season too) will bury and it's game over unless we brain fart.
The main thing at the moment has needed to be becoming solid and getting some belief in the players that we can do this and aren't eternally jinxed and destined to be shit forever conceding late goals until the end of time.
Slow steps, 6 wins from 7 is fantastic, our time will come again, so will the good football.
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No it's not luck. But we are having things fall our way. A couple of decisions that could easily ave gone against us in terms of penalty shouts - such as Derby - and games where the opposition have had more shots than us - on and off target. That sort of 'luck' runs out at some point if you aren't able to dominate teams and games which we aren't. i think bruce has now said for 3 wins on the bounce that we haven't played well and I really can't think the last time we did. Maybe Huddersfield away? But even then...not really well.
maybe its just a case of trying to rush things and wanting things that we aren't yet ready for. momentum is a funny thing and if we stay unbeaten for the rest of the season then we'll see a completely different mindset from everyone on and off the pitch next season.
I agree about dominating teams and was saying to the two blokes next to me yesterday that apart from Rotherham at home, I haven't really seen us control a game this season to the point where the other team just aren't in it.
That said, after all that had happened after the last few years, the last couple of weeks has been great. I've gone from hating football to the point where I'm now looking forward to going on Tuesday.
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We could have won all of our most recent games by a lot more, so it cuts both ways.
We'replaying like a side capable of winning the league next year. We're not blowing people away every week, but we're very well organised, disciplined, defnisvley impressive and we can physically match sides and create enough for our extra quality to tell.
They'll be occasions where we fall short, where we bladder somebody, but next season I anticipate we will beat most sides like we are doing right now. Keeping them at arms length then giving them an almighty right hook; one punch, maybe two and good night.
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We could have won all of our most recent games by a lot more, so it cuts both ways.
We'replaying like a side capable of winning the league next year. We're not blowing people away every week, but we're very well organised, disciplined, defnisvley impressive and we can physically match sides and create enough for our extra quality to tell.
They'll be occasions where we fall short, where we bladder somebody, but next season I anticipate we will beat most sides like we are doing right now. Keeping them at arms length then giving them an almighty right hook; one punch, maybe two and good night.
I'd agree with that Ads. Newcastle are a good example of the kind of side you mention and as I said above, I think we are on course to be that kind of side next season. We will need to make one or two smart signings in the summer and have a bit of luck on the injury front, but we should be looking to build on the last few weeks.
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PL7 W6 D0 L1 F11 A1 GD+10 Pts 18
That's the kind of run we'll often be having next season as we win the league.
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Just happy that we're on this sort of run. Long may it continue. No, the performances and the personnel aren't perfect, but after the last five years and - indeed - after the start of this season and the start of this calendar year it's a joy. What's more I'm anticipating a 2+ points a game average for the remaining fixtures.
With a few pieces of smart business in the summer, an injury free preseason and all Bruce's experience in ensuring no complacency, we'll be the real deal in August and this time next year I'd fully expect us to be all but home-and-hosed in the promotion race.
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Two fans whose opinions I regard highly, DW and Peter W merge to touch upon a very odd metaphysical sensation we discussed en masse in our part of the Holte Lower yesterday, to whit, we can't actually believe that bad luck seems to be leaving us alone. I think that as far as Villa are concerned I had come very close to being institutionalised to failure. Like Red in The Shawshank Redemption.
It's something that had woven itself deep into every fibre of the club over the years. Us supporters were the last to succumb entirely to its pervasiveness. It's gonna take a while to shake ourselves completely free of it.
But in (hopefully short) time, we will accept that that growing light at the end of our particular tunnel is just that, and not the headlamp of an express coming the other way.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I wouldn't call 6 wins in 7 or several clean sheets 'getting the breaks'. I'd call it a good run of form. Why not try and enjoy it?
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I think what we are is defensively very very solid. 1 goal conceded in seven games tells its own story but no one looks like breaking us down despite possession and pressure. Norwich were a case in point yesterday, lots of nice play up to the box but then fuck all clue what to do with it once they got there and they're faced with the Villa defensive screen. I'll admit it's not pretty and Kodjia can get isolated but it's bloody effective at the moment and with a bit more composure at times it will develop further. It's also interesting to note that starting with two up top meant we played very differently up until Hogan went off and were certainly I felt worth our 1 goal lead and playing half decent football.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I wouldn't call 6 wins in 7 or several clean sheets 'getting the breaks'. I'd call it a good run of form. Why not try and enjoy it?
And by same token we hit the post and bar a couple of times a game during RDM's time. And inch inside and he could still be manager and we could be somewhere near the top with him still in charge. Those are the breaks sometimes. Right now we are generally very solid. We allow teams to have the ball in mostly non threatening areas. It's all a bit MON but after so many years of garbage, so much of it at VP, we should be enjoying becoming hard to beat and resolute. It's a great formula to get out of this division. I'll worry about aesthetics another time.
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I understand the point that we are not *dominating* games, yet still winning them - which does admittedly leave us sometimes under more pressure than we need to be for periods in matches. But the run of form we've had in the last 7/8 games isn't luck - I think best demonstrated by the way we have instantly returned to form after having that disappointing result at Huddersfield.
There are MANY ways to go about consistently winning football matches - and dominating games in possession, shots and thus goals week in week out... that's something that very few teams even at the elite level can do. Certainly not something that the two teams at the top of the Championship have consistently done this season - both the Toon and Brighton have had their wobbles. I think what Bruce has done is play to our strengths - with, as has been mentioned, a strong back four and taken advantage of our clinical finishing. Hopefully if we carry this momentum into next year (and with a couple of signings), we'll see a bit more of a controlling style at home - but for now I think asking for that relatively early into Bruce's time here is a bridge too far. Just enjoy the winning feeling again!
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I wouldn't call 6 wins in 7 or several clean sheets 'getting the breaks'. I'd call it a good run of form. Why not try and enjoy it?
Where did I say that I wasn't enjoying it?
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My only worry about the bench on Saturday was the lack of attacking options - Hogan looks really injury prone which leaves just Kodjia - we need another striker in the summer as a priority.
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Reverting temporarily to miserablism our attacking problem with Codger plus AN Other brings to mind the old (sexist) adage of not putting two women in the same kitchen. Johnny does like to be the star. Johnny does not like to pass.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I wouldn't call 6 wins in 7 or several clean sheets 'getting the breaks'. I'd call it a good run of form. Why not try and enjoy it?
Where did I say that I wasn't enjoying it?
Well in fairness you didn't but you don't come across as overly impressed either. How did you think we played on Saturday out of interest?
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not brilliantly but we won which is all that matters
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If I had to use one word to describe our performance against Norwich it would be "solid". Solidity has been a long time coming.
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I'm a firm believer in that teams mostly end up where they deserve to be over the course of a season. of course there will be moments of luck and dodgy decisions, but we were mostly shit at the start of the season and in January, and we're better now. It's just a shame that we had all of those points chucked away in the last few minutes of games, as even 5 more points now would make a huge difference to the chances of sniffling a play off place.
My big worry now is hanging on to Kodjia. That's going to be the big battle at the end of this season, as I can't see that there's any way that a Premier League team won't offer big money for him.
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I sort of see where Peter is coming from because it's the same concerns I had in November/early december where it felt to me like we were due a run of bad results, we were just nowhere near good enough even when we picked up points. This run doesn't have me so worried. I'm not a fan of how we're playing but this is now a Bruce team playing like a Bruce team. There will be games where the lack of possession bites us on the arse and we concede the first and I'm still concerned that Bruce doesn't really know how to chase a game but this is now 'what it says on the tin'. It's just a massive shame that he had the brainfart with the formation, etc in jan/feb which realistically ended our chances of the playoffs.
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From where we have been for the last 6 or 7 years, I think we need to accept our rise to greatness will come with small steps.
Stop getting beaten so easily.
Win some games at home.
Start to win away games.
Look solid.
All of those are being achieved.
The next stage will be to start dominating games and play with a bit of flair.
That will all come with the confidence of winning regularly.
Small steps.
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From where we have been for the last 6 or 7 years, I think we need to accept our rise to greatness will come with small steps.
Stop getting beaten so easily.
Win some games at home.
Start to win away games.
Look solid.
All of those are being achieved.
The next stage will be to start dominating games and play with a bit of flair.
That will all come with the confidence of winning regularly.
Small steps.
Is the correct answer.
One thing that looks to be changing is attitude. It looks like we no longer believe we have a divine right to win games. It looks like we've twigged that everything must be earned with hard work, both physically and mentally. And it looks like we're approaching games with a 'must win' and not a 'should win' attitude. This can go on for the rest of the season as far as I'm concerned. Create a 'must win' culture and the nice football will follow.
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Pretty football yes please, pretty football and losing no thank you, what is the greatest feeling now, is not having that ache in your guts 5 minutes before half time and the same again just after, then the gut wrenching 80th to 96th minute feeling that Villa had transplanted into me.Clean sheets my missus loves them.
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The team are winning, so doing well, but not winning by playing well. Out of the games that we have won in the recent run how many have you left the ground thinking, "we played really well today"? Its not about not enjoying the wins, that's just daft, but the next step is to try and play well in a game, take the game to the opposition and win well. We still short of that.
You're right that on the whole we're not dominating teams, but we are playing (very?) well defensively and with Kodjia there's always a goal threat - for those reasons the run isn't down to luck.
Where luck does play a part is avoiding an injury to Kodjia. Without him we'd be back to the form over Christmas, because the midfield doesn't retain possession and nobody else seems to create much of a goal threat, although Hogan looks to be finding his feet.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I wouldn't call 6 wins in 7 or several clean sheets 'getting the breaks'. I'd call it a good run of form. Why not try and enjoy it?
Where did I say that I wasn't enjoying it?
Well in fairness you didn't but you don't come across as overly impressed either. How did you think we played on Saturday out of interest?
Nothing special but took the two goals very well. Cameron should have score early on and I think Naismith had a header which he really should have done better with. I think the lack of decent forwards is glaring in the Championship. I also think that we contained well from what I saw and Johnstone made a good couple of saves from a through ball. Attacking wise I don't think we held the ball well enough and rushed the final ball too often.
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The team are winning, so doing well, but not winning by playing well. Out of the games that we have won in the recent run how many have you left the ground thinking, "we played really well today"? Its not about not enjoying the wins, that's just daft, but the next step is to try and play well in a game, take the game to the opposition and win well. We still short of that.
To me we are winning games now in the style Newcastle have been all season.
I've seen Newcastle about 6 times this season on TV (twice v us and four other times) and I can't say they've impressed me much more than we have.
They however score at the right times in games, have individuals like Gayle and Ritchie capable of scoring at any moment and can grind out results given who their manager is.
Newcastle scraping past Wigan 2-1 at home is surely not more impressive than us beating them 2-0 away?
They just had a very good start to the season, we didn't.
Brighton have been more impressive but even a few weeks back when they had a dodgy spell a few of their fans were saying they weren't playing great.
I just don't think it's the sort of league where you can play wonder football and steamroll teams on a regular basis. Maybe the odd game here and there but over 46 and playing every 3 days regularly negates that I think.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I wouldn't call 6 wins in 7 or several clean sheets 'getting the breaks'. I'd call it a good run of form. Why not try and enjoy it?
Where did I say that I wasn't enjoying it?
Well in fairness you didn't but you don't come across as overly impressed either. How did you think we played on Saturday out of interest?
Nothing special but took the two goals very well. Cameron should have score early on and I think Naismith had a header which he really should have done better with. I think the lack of decent forwards is glaring in the Championship. I also think that we contained well from what I saw and Johnstone made a good couple of saves from a through ball. Attacking wise I don't think we held the ball well enough and rushed the final ball too often.
Amusing thing is those two forwards cost about 15m between them.
I thought in January Steven Naismith would've been a good signing for us but he's been awful at Norwich, 8m he was.
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We had more chances than Norwich.
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Saw the on line highlights and that awful 35 seconds allowance we have on Channel 5 (have we ever been a extended highlights game on there?)
And have not seen the Jerome miss - I wanted to see again just how poor / lucky it was
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Reverting temporarily to miserablism our attacking problem with Codger plus AN Other brings to mind the old (sexist) adage of not putting two women in the same kitchen. Johnny does like to be the star. Johnny does not like to pass.
I don't think he was complaining about the pass he received from Hogan for the first. It may take a bit of time for them to form a partnership where they both feed each other but you'd hope it will happen and when it does the goals will flow.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o4BjGAMkakg
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Saw the on line highlights and that awful 35 seconds allowance we have on Channel 5 (have we ever been a extended highlights game on there?)
And have not seen the Jerome miss - I wanted to see again just how poor / lucky it was
Every time we're on Sky we get extended highlights on there.
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I think this is less true now than when Bruce first arrived. Then we were getting last minute winnners, penalties, having to come back to win games, quite a lot
I wouldn't get too excited but we're looking more solid at the back, scoring slightly more goals and winning games with a bit more to spare
Still absolutely miles off premier league quality though
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And despite all this positivism I can't help think there's an air of the emperor's new clothes about it. We're somehow getting the breaks, the turned down penalties, the clean sheets, the 1-0/2-0 wins, but we're not dominating games, turning teams over or looking like we're actually playing that well. It feels to me at least that we could just as easily lose the next 5 as win them.
I think this is less true now than when Bruce first arrived. Then we were getting last minute winnners, penalties, having to come back to win games, quite a lot
I wouldn't get too excited but we're looking more solid at the back, scoring slightly more goals and winning games with a bit more to spare
Still absolutely miles off premier league quality though
We have to get back there as quickly as possible though, time really isn't on our side.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o4BjGAMkakg
Only just saw this - thanks