Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on April 04, 2017, 09:37:51 PM
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We got there in the end. Not overly convincing, and we still lack the pace, finesse, creativity and decisiveness to properly open sides up. It leads to what happened at the end where we kept giving it away and got more and more nervous. Despite the excellent run we need better players to take us forward. A summer project.
Well done Jimmy Danger yet again for winning us the points.
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Phew... well done chaps. Good to see Brum getting stuffed.
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If we could play well we would be unstoppable.
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Great results, not entirely convincing performances but loving it at the moment.
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Well if nothing else we are 11 clear of SHA.
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Hard work of it but can't complain at PL8 W7 D0 L1 F12 A1 GD+11 Pts 21. I wonder when we last conceded 1 goal in 8 league games?
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We're bloody hard to beat and keep clean sheets for fun. Another goal a game and we'll be up next year.
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Another point gained in our unstoppable charge to promotion?
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I think we are playing ok. The Championship the quality is just shitter. We are on the right track.
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Good stuff another win. We do really need to get better at holding onto the ball, if anything just to relieve the pressure.
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Is this stat correct? 8 hours since we conceded at Villa Park?
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Fortress Villa Park.
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Is this star correct? 8 hours since we conceded at Villa Park?
Yep, Barnsley 58th minute. 5 straight clean sheets since then.
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That's bloody impressive. All that effort for 11th...
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It's nice to think we're going to win before kick-off, during the game, and in the last 5-10 mins. Plus throughout this run I've followed the game on twitter. All hail modern technology.
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Fortress Villa Park.
Eleven wins at home. Last time we won that many.... i'll have a look but I reckon it was in Brian Little's time.
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Today was our 11th home win, the first time we've won 11 at home in a season since 2002/03. Although that was 19 home games and today was our 20th.
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Virtual tea-cups were being thrown around my living room for most of the 2nd half, so v relieved to hear the final whistle blow. It didn't sound particularly impressive, but another win's another win innit. Shirley the Play Offs are beyond us now, but fair play to Brucie for stickin' these results together. Onward & hopefully upward. ;)
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Fortress Villa Park.
Eleven wins at home. Last time we won that many.... i'll have a look but I reckon it was in Brian Little's time.
Probably Big Ron's time. if you look at our home record under Tony Barton, it was outstanding. If only the away form had been better
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Amazing turnaround, we're proper solid at the back. This is a brilliant platform to build our surge to the title next season. Kodjia, Hogan and a fit Green will tear the league apart.
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Five consecutive home wins with zero goals conceded. When did that last happen ?
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Thanks to Colhint for the radio nod.
It stopped dead on the 90, though, and I was going nuts for the last 4 minutes, reading the match thread and listening to 5Live for final scores.
Well done Steve Bruce.
And the team, especially Jimmy D.
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I was going nuts when Sky said "Equaliser for Queens Park......" Thankfully they didn't add the Rangers bit.
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They are playing like a team now, with the monkey of self doubt off their backs now
Yes, need to be more clinical, but another clean sheet. Woo-Hoo!
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Thank you Villa.
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Leeds and Fulham drop points.
The story of the playoffs is that they are won by the form team.
Let's hope we can keep this run up.
Dare to believe?
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Loving this winning thing UTV
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We won't catch Leeds. We're extremely unlikely to catch Fulham and Wednesday too, but the former have a tough run in and the latter have been terrible recently, so if we win the remaining six we might just might be in amongst it.
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We are going to finish a Barnsley home defeat away from the play offs.
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We won't catch Leeds. We're extremely unlikely to catch Fulham and Wednesday too, but the former have a tough run in and the latter have been terrible recently, so if we win the remaining six we might just might be in amongst it.
We're 125:1 to go up
It's not going to happen. But if people think there's any realistic chance you should definitely lump on
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I do rather like this regular winning thing.
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4 league wins in a row for the first time since December 2009 when we beat Hull (H) 3-0 Manure (A) 1-0 Sunderland (A) 2-0 Stoke (H) 1-0.
I reckon the last time we won 5 in a row was when JG arrived 19 years ago.
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Another Villa win and Small Heath and West Bromwich Dartmouth both lost ,i'll settle for that anytime
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We won't catch Leeds. We're extremely unlikely to catch Fulham and Wednesday too, but the former have a tough run in and the latter have been terrible recently, so if we win the remaining six we might just might be in amongst it.
We're 125:1 to go up
It's not going to happen. But if people think there's any realistic chance you should definitely lump on
Like I said, it's extremely unlikely. Can't be ruled out for definite though. Was 500/1 only two weeks ago.
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This is sexy 8)
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I've just seen the highlights on Sky and, that was a very nice goal we scored. So much send to be changing for the better. Long may it continue.
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We are no longer a joke. These are the kind of tricky midweek home games we excel in doing poorly in, great result.
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Well that was painful BUT what absolute pleasure it is that game after game at Villa Park the arseholes cooped up to my left have nothing to celebrate. Now that is worth the ticket money.
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rather happy. listened to our steve after the game, he'll do for me.
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Where the hell was Amavi playing tonight? I just assumed wide left but in the first half he actually popped up at centre forward at one stage which was bizarre.
It was a similar game to Derby really, we started well and got a deserved lead and then it became a bit of a grind although I never really felt QPR for all their decent play had much of a cutting edge.
Thought Baker and Jedinak were superb and yes new Holte end hero Alan Hutton played well also. If he'd played to that standard last 4-5 years I'd have no issue with him.
Lansbury was a bit off tonight I thought which limited the service to Kodjia as Albert was hit and miss.
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Well that was painful BUT what absolute pleasure it is that game after game at Villa Park the arseholes cooped up to my left have nothing to celebrate. Now that is worth the ticket money.
It was painful but we won and until we are top of the premiership I won't get fed up of winning, so ignore the clowns to the left of you, make the most of it and long may it continue UTV
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Hard work of it but can't complain at PL8 W7 D0 L1 F12 A1 GD+11 Pts 18. I wonder when we last conceded 1 goal in 8 league games?
But you know it's all luck as we could easily have lost all those matches and conceded a 10 goals ;)
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Fortress Villa Park.
We turn up thinking we will win we win and we don't let them score....it just can not get better.
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Jedinak looked like he was running through wet cement at times.I think the international break caught up with him tonight.We need cover for him next season.
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Hard work of it but can't complain at PL8 W7 D0 L1 F12 A1 GD+11 Pts 18. I wonder when we last conceded 1 goal in 8 league games?
But you know it's all luck as we could easily have lost all those matches and conceded a 10 goals ;)
So lucky that I deducted 3 points because we didn't deserve them!
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Started sharply and scored a very good goal. Slowly regressed though and were second best in the second half. Thought the back four with Jedinak helping out defended very well again and special mention to Baker who had a very good game tonight.
What was with the flags and banners in the corner of the lower North Stand?
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Jedinak looked like he was running through wet cement at times.I think the international break caught up with him tonight.We need cover for him next season.
Lansbury too is very one paced as is GG so another option needed. On the brief highlights I saw it seemed like we butchered three great openings, Adamoah and Amavi being brutally selfish and blazing over when well placed and Hutton somehow not finding an unmarked Hogan in the six yard box.
Surprised to see Hourihane dropped for Bacuna tonight, any particular reason do we know? Hogan too seemed a strange one to drop at home to QPR
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The second half was a struggle and the defending was a bit crazy at times. The back four were very resilient as was Jedinak. I think our problems stemmed from the fact that QPR seemed to come through our midfield almost as will leaving the defence exposed time and time again. Fair play though, we held on and I managed to avoid cardiac arrest.
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Jedinak looked like he was running through wet cement at times.I think the international break caught up with him tonight.We need cover for him next season.
Lansbury too is very one paced as is GG so another option needed. On the brief highlights I saw it seemed like we butchered three great openings, Adamoah and Amavi being brutally selfish and blazing over when well placed and Hutton somehow not finding an unmarked Hogan in the six yard box.
Surprised to see Hourihane dropped for Bacuna tonight, any particular reason do we know? Hogan too seemed a strange one to drop at home to QPR
Hourihane looked a bit jaded on Saturday, so that is probably why he was on the bench. Thought he should have maybe come on for Lansbury who himself look tired as the game went on.
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It's all about winning football so there're no complaints. Just keep it up and see what happens. We've probably left it too late for this season but I'm convinced we'll go up next.
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As 'someone' once said, do you want to bet against us...
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As 'someone' once said, do you want to bet against us...
But that was in reference to one team We are now battling with a 1/3rd of the division
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A bit like Saturday, we conceded loads of possession in the second half, probably even more than against Norwich, but in the end QPR barely had an effort on target. That was testament to Baker , Chester and Jedinak who headed and cleared everything.
Amavi and Bacuna were supposed to be the more creative or forward minded midfielders but they were the main reason why we kept handing the ball back as their retention, awareness, tracking and accuracy was generally poor. Lansbury ended up playing as another defensive player as the game wore on.
I don't really like the soak it up and see approach but we still created more than they did and watching the defence was enjoyable in a way but admittedly with the benefit of hindsight.
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If we win the next six games we're in with shout. Are we capable of doing it - yes. Do I think we'll do it - no. We're only one bad game or bad decision away from it being ended.
I think we'll finish 3-6 points short.
I'm still waiting for us to batter someone, perhaps we're saving it for Small Heath.
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Hard work of it but can't complain at PL8 W7 D0 L1 F12 A1 GD+11 Pts 18. I wonder when we last conceded 1 goal in 8 league games?
But you know it's all luck as we could easily have lost all those matches and conceded a 10 goals ;)
It isn't luck as QPR didn't have a decent chance all night despite having most of the ball, because the defence worked hard to deny them any space when it mattered. A decent Premier League team might carve Villa open though.
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Every time opposition get a corner I look at Baker and Jedinak in the 6 yarder and think no worries they are not going to score.
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Five consecutive home wins with zero goals conceded. When did that last happen ?
I believe I read before the game kicked off somewhere, that the last time we won 5 league games at home without conceding was 1983....not sure where I read it but it would have been main media I think.
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Just checked and we did do it in 1983, all against Midlands sides, Notts Co 2-0, Coventry 4-0, sha 1-0, bitters 1-0, Stoke 4-0.
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Every time opposition get a corner I look at Baker and Jedinak in the 6 yarder and think no worries they are not going to score.
And there was a time when an opposition corner pretty much guaranteed a goal. I know it's not the same being a league lower, but you have to start somewhere and we are building something now, or so it appears.
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After watching highlights of the last few matches, apart from the results which have been excellent (we've won, they haven't scored) I have been absolutely delighted that we can now take throw-ins and get the ball to our own players!
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Is this stat correct? 8 hours since we conceded at Villa Park?
No, it's seven weeks!
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Is this stat correct? 8 hours since we conceded at Villa Park?
No, it's seven weeks!
;D
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Fortress Villa Park.
We turn up thinking we will win we win and we don't let them score....it just can not get better.
Gong to work in the morning after getting up at 4 to listen to games, recently became a lot more pleasurable. My students are wondering what's become of their formerly very grumpy teacher.
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Another win well done Aston Villa
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dreadful performance but a great result - the early goal seemed to galvanise OPR and throw us onto the defensive.
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I like this willing lark. Fairplay to the team and Bruce. Nice to see them put together this winning streak!
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Another win, that'll do.
To stand a chance we'd pretty much have to win every game from now until the last whistle. Not impossible, but improbable.
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Awful performance apart from the first 10 mins, I thought both Chester and Baker were men of the match
It would be nice to see us string 4 - 5 passes to each other too take the pressure off the defence
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Wasn't there last night but by the sound of it, we made hard work of it again which is annoyingly common. Another win though which bodes well going forward and for confidence.
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We have the players that can do their individual jobs well at this level. What we are not doing well is playing as a team. That is either down to the coaching or players not playing as instructed. If the latter, my first point may not be correct. Another point is whether they are playing to their full potential. If not, why not.
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An entertainingly crap game of football
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Yep sounds like another bang average performance but another clean sheet and a win is an impressive run. SB has done what he does well. Made us hard to beat and we can dig out a result. In other words he's instilled a winning mentality. Phase 2 will defo involve bringing in the right players to enhance the team and improve the quality of play. I believe✌
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We have half a team that are playing extremely well, the rest exemplify that we have an excellent defensive unit and a goal threat, but little in between.
Amavi and Bacuna were woeful last night. Adomah's touch was desperate at times and Kodjia can't bring himself to do the simple thing. All of which meant that we we couldn't hold onto the ball and get forward. The keeper makes 'interesting' decisions which again don't help retain the ball and gain a little composure when it it matters.
From his post match comments it seems Bruce sees the problem clearly, but can only work with what he's got.
I think it's clear that Bacuna hasn't got a long term role. Amavai has shown he's not a full back, midfielder or winger. Adomah is willing but certainly not a second striker. Hourihane needs to sort himself out and find a role. Green and/or Grealish need to get more game time.
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Amavi needs to go - I thought his one attribute was crossing the ball decently but he was shite at that all evening.
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Well that was painful BUT what absolute pleasure it is that game after game at Villa Park the arseholes cooped up to my left have nothing to celebrate. Now that is worth the ticket money.
It was painful but we won and until we are top of the premiership I won't get fed up of winning, so ignore the clowns to the left of you, make the most of it and long may it continue UTV
maybe engage with the jokers to the right instead?
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No highlights?
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No highlights?
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
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We have half a team that are playing extremely well, the rest exemplify that we have an excellent defensive unit and a goal threat, but little in between.
Amavi and Bacuna were woeful last night. Adomah's touch was desperate at times and Kodjia can't bring himself to do the simple thing. All of which meant that we we couldn't hold onto the ball and get forward. The keeper makes 'interesting' decisions which again don't help retain the ball and gain a little composure when it it matters.
From his post match comments it seems Bruce sees the problem clearly, but can only work with what he's got.
I think it's clear that Bacuna hasn't got a long term role. Amavai has shown he's not a full back, midfielder or winger. Adomah is willing but certainly not a second striker. Hourihane needs to sort himself out and find a role. Green and/or Grealish need to get more game time.
I thought Bacuna played OK yesterday, including his key role in the goal. His energy is needed in the Villa midfield. However, he should have been deployed further forward late in the game in an attempt to break up attacks earlier and take some of the pressure off the defence.
Amavi seemed at times to forget that he wasn't playing left back and Taylor had to shoo him up the field.
Hourihane's the biggest post-window disappointment for me. I thought that he was considered the best non-Newcastle midfielder in the league when he signed but he's looked average at best.
Please, please, just let McCafu score a goal
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Really enjoying the results. The football is another matter.
In years to come people will look back at 2017 stats during this period and think.."that must have been a really good side."
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We started very brightly and pressed them into mistake after mistake then we lost tempo allowing them loads of possession that they didn't do anything with. Another robust performance where we didn't look like conceding but it sure wasn't pretty, the ghost of so many previous late goals conceded loomed large in an uncomfortable last ten minutes.
That said with a little more composure in front of goal we could have had three or four.
A strange game where most of the players did pretty well but the overall team performance was very disjointed, I put a lot of the blame for this on the two wide attackers Adomah and Amarvi who both played too close to their own full backs and slowed things down.
Like above I thought Bacuna did very well and showed purpose, energy and tenacity that has been a little lacking from Hourihane. Thats whats squads are for.
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Well pleased with three points and another clean sheet it's a great run we are on roll on Saturday.
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We have half a team that are playing extremely well, the rest exemplify that we have an excellent defensive unit and a goal threat, but little in between.
Amavi and Bacuna were woeful last night. Adomah's touch was desperate at times and Kodjia can't bring himself to do the simple thing. All of which meant that we we couldn't hold onto the ball and get forward. The keeper makes 'interesting' decisions which again don't help retain the ball and gain a little composure when it it matters.
From his post match comments it seems Bruce sees the problem clearly, but can only work with what he's got.
I think it's clear that Bacuna hasn't got a long term role. Amavai has shown he's not a full back, midfielder or winger. Adomah is willing but certainly not a second striker. Hourihane needs to sort himself out and find a role. Green and/or Grealish need to get more game time.
I thought Bacuna played OK yesterday, including his key role in the goal. His energy is needed in the Villa midfield. However, he should have been deployed further forward late in the game in an attempt to break up attacks earlier and take some of the pressure off the defence.
Amavi seemed at times to forget that he wasn't playing left back and Taylor had to shoo him up the field.
Hourihane's the biggest post-window disappointment for me. I thought that he was considered the best non-Newcastle midfielder in the league when he signed but he's looked average at best.
Please, please, just let McCafu score a goal
For me Bacuna and Amavi made a series of potentially costly errors in the 2nd half - a mix of poor technique, ball control and decision making. I can see that both do decent things, it's just that they're not consistent or reliable enough in a single game, let alone a season.
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General concensus among us was that MOM was very tight between Chester, Baker and Bacuna.
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Baker for me. I'm not a fan of him but he did very well last night.
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No highlights?
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
Cheers UKR.
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Well that was painful BUT what absolute pleasure it is that game after game at Villa Park the arseholes cooped up to my left have nothing to celebrate. Now that is worth the ticket money.
It was painful but we won and until we are top of the premiership I won't get fed up of winning, so ignore the clowns to the left of you, make the most of it and long may it continue UTV
maybe engage with the jokers to the right instead?
To be fair to robbo, he's just trying to make some sense of it all...
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No highlights?
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
Cheers UKR.
Based on that they didnt really trouble us
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No highlights?
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
Cheers UKR.
Based on that they didnt really trouble us
A few speculative long range shots and some crosses fizzing around the box pretty much sums up their attacking efforts.
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We have half a team that are playing extremely well, the rest exemplify that we have an excellent defensive unit and a goal threat, but little in between.
Amavi and Bacuna were woeful last night. Adomah's touch was desperate at times and Kodjia can't bring himself to do the simple thing. All of which meant that we we couldn't hold onto the ball and get forward. The keeper makes 'interesting' decisions which again don't help retain the ball and gain a little composure when it it matters.
From his post match comments it seems Bruce sees the problem clearly, but can only work with what he's got.
I think it's clear that Bacuna hasn't got a long term role. Amavai has shown he's not a full back, midfielder or winger. Adomah is willing but certainly not a second striker. Hourihane needs to sort himself out and find a role. Green and/or Grealish need to get more game time.
I thought Bacuna played OK yesterday, including his key role in the goal. His energy is needed in the Villa midfield. However, he should have been deployed further forward late in the game in an attempt to break up attacks earlier and take some of the pressure off the defence.
Amavi seemed at times to forget that he wasn't playing left back and Taylor had to shoo him up the field.
Hourihane's the biggest post-window disappointment for me. I thought that he was considered the best non-Newcastle midfielder in the league when he signed but he's looked average at best.
Please, please, just let McCafu score a goal
For me Bacuna and Amavi made a series of potentially costly errors in the 2nd half - a mix of poor technique, ball control and decision making. I can see that both do decent things, it's just that they're not consistent or reliable enough in a single game, let alone a season.
Lansbury looked absolutely livid when Amavi shot instead of passing to him in acres of space last night.
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No highlights?
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
Cheers UKR.
Based on that they didnt really trouble us
The defending was manic at times, bodies flying everywhere and the ball ricocheting all over the place. I don't think that comes across in the highlights.
QPR were by far the better team in the second half
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No highlights?
1. The pre match Guinness
2. The goal
3. The final whistle
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After a turbulent last few months Jnr and I came down last night - we thought it would cheer us up.
We spent a few hours "knocking around Brum" - i.e. showing Jnr where I spent my childhood and youth etc .
The much looked forward to pre-match Balti pie and chips were as "enjoyable" as ever and we got in the ground for a pre-match drink and to soak up the "atmosphere"
What followed can only be described as mind numbing (aside from the well taken goal).
I feel for all those loyal fans who have suffered that football all this season - ok we are not conceding and the points are being racked up, however the basics seem to be lacking - ie there is no strong holding midfielder, creative mid fielder - the control of the ball following a pass is woeful from most of the team, there seems to be an inability to pass the ball more than 4 times - the final pass going short on most occasions.
Hopefully we can finish the season on a high with a few more wins and no defeats - regroup in the summer and bring in an experienced keeper, an energetic lively mid fielder, a creative midfielder and a decent winger.
Finally did anyone else experience the difficulty heading back north last night? I ended up going via Tamworth and the A5 joining the M6 at Cannock -there were road works on M6, M5, A5, M62,M57 !!
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The build up and the goal were excellent
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however the basics seem to be lacking - ie there is no strong holding midfielder, creative mid fielder - the control of the ball following a pass is woeful from most of the team, there seems to be an inability to pass the ball more than 4 times - the final pass going short on most occasions.
That sums it up nicely for me vctm. It was a great result, a fine goal and the defence were magnificent but Bruce must be aware that we need someone to control the game and dictate. It doesn't appear that Lansbury or Hourihane are that type and Bacuna is similar in style. When we are under pressure we should be able to string a number of passes together and create openings instead of one or two and then a hopeful pass forward.
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I feel for all those loyal fans who have suffered that football all this season - ok we are not conceding and the points are being racked up, however the basics seem to be lacking - ie there is no strong holding midfielder, creative mid fielder - the control of the ball following a pass is woeful from most of the team, there seems to be an inability to pass the ball more than 4 times - the final pass going short on most occasions.
The one thing we do have is a strong holding midfielder. Jedinak is proving to be as important to our team as Kodjia is.
My one abiding memory of this game will be the reminder that Andy Blair is the worst co-commentator ever in the history of radio.
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It's not great football in a piss poor division but after five years or more of being absolutely bloody rubbish I am loving us being hard to beat and winning a few games - makes coming to work the next day so much more enjoyable!
UTV
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Finally did anyone else experience the difficulty heading back north last night? I ended up going via Tamworth and the A5 joining the M6 at Cannock -there were road works on M6, M5, A5, M62,M57 !!
M6 North, M5 South and parts of the M42 were all shut last night.
I dropped some friends off in Bournville after the game, so went straight through town and down the Bristol road. I was surprised at the lack of traffic.
That's a route that I might be using again the the future because it's only going to get worse on the M5 thanks to this........
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/m5-roadworks-misery-two-years-12171093
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I went along for the first time in a while last night. The first 5-10 minutes were great, an excellent goal, hit the woodwork and some other promising play and good football. It had me wondering if the long awaited hiding we've supposedly been due to give someone would finally materialise. Unfortunately it was gradually and then rapidly downhill after that.
The second half must rate as one of the poorest displays I've witnessed even in these straitened times. We couldn't seem to control, pass or hold on to the ball at all for long periods of it, and the decision making for passes was abject. The worst area was down our left where from about the 60th minute onwards Bacuna, Amavi and Taylor contrived to screw up just about every touch. Yet we still managed to make more clear cut chances than QPR, who had zero cutting edge - luckily for us. On the plus side the two centre backs played well and looked solid, and Johnstone looked untroubled except for a couple of dodgy back passes from Taylor and a couple of occasions when he weirdly chose to punch easily catchable balls. But I was most impressed with Jedinak who seemed to put in one tackle and interception after another. OK he got caught out once or twice but generally thought he was excellent, even made a few good passes forward. Most disappointing was Lansbury who takes a decent corner but didn't really contribute a great deal else - but at least he's not Westwood or Gardner. Bruce waited too long to change things when it was obvious we were struggling and I thought it was a bit desperate looking bringing on Elphick to try and hold on for the added time.
Finally a quick mention for Hutton. I'm one his biggest critics and usually think of him as a waste of space. I thought he looked ok last night, not great, but just about competent at this level. He does still look as though he's only just able to cope, and often reminds me of a drowning man just about keeping his head above water.
Overall it's nor easy to see how that team has won all but one of the last 7 or 8 games and only conceded once. The amount of possession we give away cheaply would see any decent side bury us I think.
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I feel for all those loyal fans who have suffered that football all this season - ok we are not conceding and the points are being racked up, however the basics seem to be lacking - ie there is no strong holding midfielder, creative mid fielder - the control of the ball following a pass is woeful from most of the team, there seems to be an inability to pass the ball more than 4 times - the final pass going short on most occasions.
The one thing we do have is a strong holding midfielder. Jedinak is proving to be as important to our team as Kodjia is.
My one abiding memory of this game will be the reminder that Andy Blair is the worst co-commentator ever in the history of radio.
Agree on how vital Jedinak is, for all his faults. We've won 7 from 8 since he came back, it's no coincidence.
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He played against Newcastle so since his return we've won
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BthBilulKwk/maxresdefault.jpg)
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For me we have a solid centre to the defence with Baker, Chester and Jedinak (who is an advanced central defender rather than a defensive midfielder) which is enough to get you plenty of clean sheets in this league if you have full backs who can hold their position and 2-3 midfielders who work back and press the ball in our final third. We also have the best striker in the league which means he can make things happen (7 of our 11 goals in the this run are from kodjia, that's a frightening reliance on one player) and convert clean sheets into victories. For now it's enough but we need to add to that between now and August if we want to really hit the ground running next season and push for automatic promotion. We have some tougher games coming up and the results and performances in those will be very telling in my opinion.
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He played against Newcastle so since his return we've won
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BthBilulKwk/maxresdefault.jpg)
So, seven of nine you say?
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Since Bruce arrived our league record when Jedinak starts is W14 D4 L5. Our record without him is W0 D1 L5. Which is QI, possibly.
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He played against Newcastle so since his return we've won
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BthBilulKwk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Very good
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The game was almost the same as Brentford at home early in the season. A Tuesday night game, Kodjia scores a cracker into the North Stand net, we are on top for a few minutes, then we allow the opposition to grow into the game. In the second half we retreat in a manner similar to Dunkirk, we can't string any passes together and seem to leave Kodjia totally isolated. We spend the rest of the game camped on the edge of our 18 year line longing for the full time whistle...
However, last night we didn't concede the usual late gutting goal to end our evening.
Why is this? Well for the first time in ages we have a manager who knows how to organise a defense.
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I went along for the first time in a while last night. The first 5-10 minutes were great, an excellent goal, hit the woodwork and some other promising play and good football. It had me wondering if the long awaited hiding we've supposedly been due to give someone would finally materialise. Unfortunately it was gradually and then rapidly downhill after that.
The second half must rate as one of the poorest displays I've witnessed even in these straitened times. We couldn't seem to control, pass or hold on to the ball at all for long periods of it, and the decision making for passes was abject. The worst area was down our left where from about the 60th minute onwards Bacuna, Amavi and Taylor contrived to screw up just about every touch. Yet we still managed to make more clear cut chances than QPR, who had zero cutting edge - luckily for us. On the plus side the two centre backs played well and looked solid, and Johnstone looked untroubled except for a couple of dodgy back passes from Taylor and a couple of occasions when he weirdly chose to punch easily catchable balls. But I was most impressed with Jedinak who seemed to put in one tackle and interception after another. OK he got caught out once or twice but generally thought he was excellent, even made a few good passes forward. Most disappointing was Lansbury who takes a decent corner but didn't really contribute a great deal else - but at least he's not Westwood or Gardner. Bruce waited too long to change things when it was obvious we were struggling and I thought it was a bit desperate looking bringing on Elphick to try and hold on for the added time.
Finally a quick mention for Hutton. I'm one his biggest critics and usually think of him as a waste of space. I thought he looked ok last night, not great, but just about competent at this level. He does still look as though he's only just able to cope, and often reminds me of a drowning man just about keeping his head above water.
Overall it's nor easy to see how that team has won all but one of the last 7 or 8 games and only conceded once. The amount of possession we give away cheaply would see any decent side bury us I think.
the second half was the poorest I've seen us play for some time. That fact that we are not conceding goes to show the benefits of having a settled defence (I would include Jedinak and Johnstone as part of that) and that there is very little real quality in the final third in the Championship. For all the pressure QPR had last night, I don't really remember Johnstone being too stretched.
I said after the game on Saturday that I felt Bruce had been a bit negative after we scored and I felt it was a bit the samje last night. Adomah and Amavi spent most of the second half a few yards in front of Hutton and Taylor respectively. Kodjia became isolated and there was literally nowhere to go when we broke.
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I'd rather be playing like this and winning than attempting to replicate Barcelona with mediocre players, losing the ball in our own half and giving away sloppy goals again. There is a style of football to get you out of the championship. It's not pretty but at this moment in time its effective. Just a shame it;s been found a bit too late.
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I'd rather be playing like this and winning than attempting to replicate Barcelona with mediocre players, losing the ball in our own half and giving away sloppy goals again. There is a style of football to get you out of the championship. It's not pretty but at this moment in time its effective. Just a shame it;s been found a bit too late.
This is the sort of reductive argument that gets bandied about all too often when people dare to say anything about how we're playing. What we're doing now (which is pretty much a defensive 541) and Barcelona aren't the only 2 options, there's a whole array of play styles between those that we could look at.
My concern with games like yesterday and Saturday is that 1 moment of Kodjia like brilliance from the opposition at any point and we're level with them attacking and us hanging on. It's been effective for the last 8 games but wasn't at all for the 10-12 before that. I'm not saying I expect us to go on a shocking run again but I'd like to see a genuinely comfortable win at some point, we should have the players to deliver that, or at least to have phases in games where we just take the sting out of things and hold on to the ball.
What really frightens me is the prospect of an injury to Kodjia, I just don't see how we win more than 1 in 4/5 without him.
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I went along for the first time in a while last night. The first 5-10 minutes were great, an excellent goal, hit the woodwork and some other promising play and good football. It had me wondering if the long awaited hiding we've supposedly been due to give someone would finally materialise. Unfortunately it was gradually and then rapidly downhill after that.
The second half must rate as one of the poorest displays I've witnessed even in these straitened times. We couldn't seem to control, pass or hold on to the ball at all for long periods of it, and the decision making for passes was abject. The worst area was down our left where from about the 60th minute onwards Bacuna, Amavi and Taylor contrived to screw up just about every touch. Yet we still managed to make more clear cut chances than QPR, who had zero cutting edge - luckily for us. On the plus side the two centre backs played well and looked solid, and Johnstone looked untroubled except for a couple of dodgy back passes from Taylor and a couple of occasions when he weirdly chose to punch easily catchable balls. But I was most impressed with Jedinak who seemed to put in one tackle and interception after another. OK he got caught out once or twice but generally thought he was excellent, even made a few good passes forward. Most disappointing was Lansbury who takes a decent corner but didn't really contribute a great deal else - but at least he's not Westwood or Gardner. Bruce waited too long to change things when it was obvious we were struggling and I thought it was a bit desperate looking bringing on Elphick to try and hold on for the added time.
Finally a quick mention for Hutton. I'm one his biggest critics and usually think of him as a waste of space. I thought he looked ok last night, not great, but just about competent at this level. He does still look as though he's only just able to cope, and often reminds me of a drowning man just about keeping his head above water.
Overall it's nor easy to see how that team has won all but one of the last 7 or 8 games and only conceded once. The amount of possession we give away cheaply would see any decent side bury us I think.
the second half was the poorest I've seen us play for some time. That fact that we are not conceding goes to show the benefits of having a settled defence (I would include Jedinak and Johnstone as part of that) and that there is very little real quality in the final third in the Championship. For all the pressure QPR had last night, I don't really remember Johnstone being too stretched.
I said after the game on Saturday that I felt Bruce had been a bit negative after we scored and I felt it was a bit the samje last night. Adomah and Amavi spent most of the second half a few yards in front of Hutton and Taylor respectively. Kodjia became isolated and there was literally nowhere to go when we broke.
It was poor but not the poorest. If it was the latter we'd have let one or two in. The defence played well overall as a unit even though Taylor was unusually sloppy going forward.
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Some reflections on last night's game:
Great start. Decent first half, with team shape rigidly maintained, and QPR causing us no trouble whatsoever. Poor second half, sloppy in possession and time spent mostly on the back foot. Notwithstanding all of the above, we have a settled and increasingly confident looking back 6, including goalkeeper and Jedinak holding in midfield. In the end QPR lacked quality to break us down.
We have the best striker in the League.
We have a yawning gap of four places in the team, consisting of the wide players and the two central midfield positions. This is where the creativity and drive within the team should lie, but instead there is a void, in which the ball is treated as a hot potato, passing is hurried and possession is quickly lost. No one has either the ability or the confidence to get on the ball, direct traffic and make things happen.
Lansbury was invisible on Saturday v Norwich and was only slightly better v QPR.
Bacuna is always abysmal. How on earth does he get a game? No composure, and spends all his time chasing shadows.
Why did Hourihane not start? Does Bruce judge Bacuna more worthy of a place in the team? Seriously?
What does Jack have to do to get a game?
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I'd rather be playing like this and winning than attempting to replicate Barcelona with mediocre players, losing the ball in our own half and giving away sloppy goals again. There is a style of football to get you out of the championship. It's not pretty but at this moment in time its effective. Just a shame it;s been found a bit too late.
This is the sort of reductive argument that gets bandied about all too often when people dare to say anything about how we're playing. What we're doing now (which is pretty much a defensive 541) and Barcelona aren't the only 2 options, there's a whole array of play styles between those that we could look at.
My concern with games like yesterday and Saturday is that 1 moment of Kodjia like brilliance from the opposition at any point and we're level with them attacking and us hanging on. It's been effective for the last 8 games but wasn't at all for the 10-12 before that. I'm not saying I expect us to go on a shocking run again but I'd like to see a genuinely comfortable win at some point, we should have the players to deliver that, or at least to have phases in games where we just take the sting out of things and hold on to the ball.
What really frightens me is the prospect of an injury to Kodjia, I just don't see how we win more than 1 in 4/5 without him.
Yep I'd agreed. Clearly I'm happy we're winning, but with this new found confidence we should now be looking to build control and dominance onto our solid foundation.
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Some reflections on last night's game:
Great start. Decent first half, with team shape rigidly maintained, and QPR causing us no trouble whatsoever. Poor second half, sloppy in possession and time spent mostly on the back foot. Notwithstanding all of the above, we have a settled and increasingly confident looking back 6, including goalkeeper and Jedinak holding in midfield. In the end QPR lacked quality to break us down.
We have the best striker in the League.
We have a yawning gap of four places in the team, consisting of the wide players and the two central midfield positions. This is where the creativity and drive within the team should lie, but instead there is a void, in which the ball is treated as a hot potato, passing is hurried and possession is quickly lost. No one has either the ability or the confidence to get on the ball, direct traffic and make things happen.
Lansbury was invisible on Saturday v Norwich and was only slightly better v QPR.
Bacuna is always abysmal. How on earth does he get a game? No composure, and spends all his time chasing shadows.
Why did Hourihane not start? Does Bruce judge Bacuna more worthy of a place in the team? Seriously?
What does Jack have to do to get a game?
Earn the managers trust. Being dropped by England U21''s for turning up late for a meeting is hardly helping his cause is it?
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Some reflections on last night's game:
Bacuna is always abysmal. How on earth does he get a game? No composure, and spends all his time chasing shadows.
Yes, damn that Bacuna and his one-two with Kodjia to set up the goal. Terrible play
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
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chasing shadows.
Why did Hourihane not start? Does Bruce judge Bacuna more worthy of a place in the team? Seriously?
Yes seriously he is based on Hourihane's contribution so far.
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Some reflections on last night's game:
Bacuna is always abysmal. How on earth does he get a game? No composure, and spends all his time chasing shadows.
Yes, damn that Bacuna and his one-two with Kodjia to set up the goal. Terrible play
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
The through ball did look a bit like a bad touch and stumble that falls nicely for Kodjia.
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I'd rather be playing like this and winning than attempting to replicate Barcelona with mediocre players, losing the ball in our own half and giving away sloppy goals again. There is a style of football to get you out of the championship. It's not pretty but at this moment in time its effective. Just a shame it;s been found a bit too late.
Fair point, but like others have said I don't see it is an either or situation really. I heard Bruce talking on WM on the way home and fair play, he did make the point that we need to be better in possession than we were last night. Steve Bruce should take a lot of credit for the run we are on, as he has found a formation that works with the players we have and has got us organised and strong at the back. I do think, however, there has been a pretty cautious approach at times when we could be a little more adventurous.
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Some reflections on last night's game:
Bacuna is always abysmal. How on earth does he get a game? No composure, and spends all his time chasing shadows.
Yes, damn that Bacuna and his one-two with Kodjia to set up the goal. Terrible play
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
Bacuna's performance, like that of a number of others, was a mixed bag last night. Some decent stuff along with some garbage. Not sure if he should be a starter for us, but he is fine as a utility option at this level.
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I think tiredness could have impacted
But overall I agree about the midfield. You play that midfield in the premier league and it's going to be embarrassing
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I think tiredness could have impacted
But overall I agree about the midfield. You play that midfield in the premier league and it's going to be embarrassing
I agree, but stating the obvious, we aren't in the premier league, so there's no point worrying about that.
On a similar note, as was discussed earlier yes, in circumstances like this match a really decent side gets one back and then we are hanging on.
Fortunately there are not many, if any, decent sides in this league. In fact, till this run the most frustrating thing was losing or drawing with really shit sides.
Newcastle worked this league out and got the balance right way before we did, and that's why they are going up.
They're not a good side, they're a side with a top class manager who worked out what to do to get out of this league in one season.
Paul_e is right, the football is grim to watch at times, but really, if - if - it is getting results like this and helps is return to the top flight ASAP, then i think most people will put up with it.
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[quote author=pauliewalnuts
Paul_e is right, the football is grim to watch at times, but really, if - if - it is getting results like this and helps is return to the top flight ASAP, then i think most people will put up with it.
[/quote]
Yes, I agree but what we do now will have a big influence on how we will do in the future. We have to start to form a solid base that is fit for purpose for the future.
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I think tiredness could have impacted
But overall I agree about the midfield. You play that midfield in the premier league and it's going to be embarrassing
I read somewhere that Steve Wyness has said that we need 3 teams. One for promotion, one to stabilise us in the prem and one to push on for top four. If that's the case then we've got nothing to worry about.
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Paul_e is right, the football is grim to watch at times, but really, if - if - it is getting results like this and helps is return to the top flight ASAP, then i think most people will put up with it.
Yes, I agree but what we do now will have a big influence on how we will do in the future. We have to start to form a solid base that is fit for purpose for the future.
That's the key really. The arguments of us being a club in decline and squad with no confidence are becoming old hat, and need to be let go of, certainly by the summer. With that in mind we need to start showing that we can develop from here. Yes getting the results is absolutely key but we need to find ways of getting results when things don't go our way. I still think there's an unanswered question around Bruce's ability to get us back into a game when we're behind.
In 29 games under Bruce we've conceded the first goal in 11 games and we've got 4 points from those games. That needs to improve and how we're playing to get wins right now won't help with that.
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I think tiredness could have impacted
But overall I agree about the midfield. You play that midfield in the premier league and it's going to be embarrassing
I agree about tiredness and I thought Jedinak and Lansbury in particular were certainly struggling a bit on Tuesday. I think the defensive midfielder position is very important in the current system and Jedinak's international commitments are quite a heavy toll over the course of a season. It wouldn't surprise me if that is one of the key factors in Bruce thinking about potentially moving him to CB and we might see another defensive midfielder come in over the summer.
In the more advanced midfield options we will have Lansbury, Hourihane, Bjarnason (who I still hold out hope for), Bacuna and maybe Tshibola. That should be enough options for two spots going forward.
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The thing to also consider is that a mid-table Aston Villa is nowhere near as appealing as an Aston Villa that finished the season winning game after game and just missing out on the play-offs when it comes to attracting the better players that we need when dipping into the transfer market in the summer. Its easier to sell to the odd Premier League player that isn't getting many games that we're only going to be here for one more season when you point to the run of victories. everyone other than us will just see that we won 1-1, 1-0, 2-0 and not how we played. We need to keep this going right until the end of the season.
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I'm not sure if this recent run is a case of Bruce's system working or if it's that we have been riding our luck and have come up against some teams with piss poor attacking options combined with better defending and Kodija managing to knock goals in regularly. We do seem to always end up hanging on rather nervously in second halves. I usually distrust possession stats as very misleading - it's what you do with the possession that counts - but we do seem to be developing a habit of conceding well over 60% of possession. I'm not sure that is sustainable in the longer term because of the relentless pressure it invites. It's a bit like watching Greece when they won the Euros.
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Another thing - I don't think this type of grinding out victories is suited to local derbies and 100 mph football. Unless we're playing with gay abandon and free flowing attacking football by then we could come unstuck.
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I'm not sure if this recent run is a case of Bruce's system working or if it's that we have been riding our luck and have come up against some teams with piss poor attacking options combined with better defending and Kodija managing to knock goals in regularly. We do seem to always end up hanging on rather nervously in second halves. I usually distrust possession stats as very misleading - it's what you do with the possession that counts - but we do seem to be developing a habit of conceding well over 60% of possession. I'm not sure that is sustainable in the longer term because of the relentless pressure it invites. It's a bit like watching Greece when they won the Euros.
I think while there is a mathematical chance we might get to the play offs Bruce is sticking to a plan. Why else would he leave Kodja so isolated and or introduce the likes of Grealish who may not be doing that much but is far more creative and better at holding the ball than any other bench option?
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I'm not sure if this recent run is a case of Bruce's system working or if it's that we have been riding our luck and have come up against some teams with piss poor attacking options combined with better defending and Kodija managing to knock goals in regularly. We do seem to always end up hanging on rather nervously in second halves. I usually distrust possession stats as very misleading - it's what you do with the possession that counts - but we do seem to be developing a habit of conceding well over 60% of possession. I'm not sure that is sustainable in the longer term because of the relentless pressure it invites. It's a bit like watching Greece when they won the Euros.
I think while there is a mathematical chance we might get to the play offs Bruce is sticking to a plan. Why else would he leave Kodja so isolated and or introduce the likes of Grealish who may not be doing that much but is far more creative and better at holding the ball than any other bench option?
Agree. There has to be a short term approach over the next few weeks as we are in a position where we have to win every game and performances don't really matter. I don't think you can really approach a full season with that mindset though and some work is going to be required over the summer.
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I'm not sure if this recent run is a case of Bruce's system working or if it's that we have been riding our luck and have come up against some teams with piss poor attacking options combined with better defending and Kodija managing to knock goals in regularly. We do seem to always end up hanging on rather nervously in second halves. I usually distrust possession stats as very misleading - it's what you do with the possession that counts - but we do seem to be developing a habit of conceding well over 60% of possession. I'm not sure that is sustainable in the longer term because of the relentless pressure it invites. It's a bit like watching Greece when they won the Euros.
I think while there is a mathematical chance we might get to the play offs Bruce is sticking to a plan. Why else would he leave Kodja so isolated and or introduce the likes of Grealish who may not be doing that much but is far more creative and better at holding the ball than any other bench option?
Agree. There has to be a short term approach over the next few weeks as we are in a position where we have to win every game and performances don't really matter. I don't think you can really approach a full season with that mindset though and some work is going to be required over the summer.
And beyond. I don't think anyone can accuse us of being the finished article even at this level and fortunately that includes those that matter. We have turned the corner however. That is a big thing as far as I'm concerned.
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The second half must rate as one of the poorest displays I've witnessed even in these straitened times. We couldn't seem to control, pass or hold on to the ball at all for long periods of it, and the decision making for passes was abject. The worst area was down our left where from about the 60th minute onwards Bacuna, Amavi and Taylor contrived to screw up just about every touch.
Some people thought Bacuna was MOM, but this is pretty much how I saw it. Although I would exempt Taylor from too much criticism as I felt Bacuna and Amavi kept playing him into trouble.
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Given the way our defence seems very difficult to penetrate of late, perhaps we may be seeing just exactly what Colin Calderwood brings to the party.
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Some reflections on last night's game:
Bacuna is always abysmal. How on earth does he get a game? No composure, and spends all his time chasing shadows.
Yes, damn that Bacuna and his one-two with Kodjia to set up the goal. Terrible play
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
The through ball did look a bit like a bad touch and stumble that falls nicely for Kodjia.
He even tricked the camera-man who missed switching to a wide-shot to show the goal in full.
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I'm not sure if this recent run is a case of Bruce's system working or if it's that we have been riding our luck and have come up against some teams with piss poor attacking options combined with better defending and Kodija managing to knock goals in regularly. We do seem to always end up hanging on rather nervously in second halves. I usually distrust possession stats as very misleading - it's what you do with the possession that counts - but we do seem to be developing a habit of conceding well over 60% of possession. I'm not sure that is sustainable in the longer term because of the relentless pressure it invites. It's a bit like watching Greece when they won the Euros.
Or Leicester when they won the Premier League. Posession is ovrrrated. It's important, but not vital.
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I'm not sure if this recent run is a case of Bruce's system working or if it's that we have been riding our luck and have come up against some teams with piss poor attacking options combined with better defending and Kodija managing to knock goals in regularly. We do seem to always end up hanging on rather nervously in second halves. I usually distrust possession stats as very misleading - it's what you do with the possession that counts - but we do seem to be developing a habit of conceding well over 60% of possession. I'm not sure that is sustainable in the longer term because of the relentless pressure it invites. It's a bit like watching Greece when they won the Euros.
Or Leicester when they won the Premier League. Posession is ovrrrated. It's important, but not vital.
More to the point, that lot in Smethwick started this run of 'success' they're having now by winning games by touching the ball about three times all match.
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Some reflections on last night's game:
Bacuna is always abysmal. How on earth does he get a game? No composure, and spends all his time chasing shadows.
Yes, damn that Bacuna and his one-two with Kodjia to set up the goal. Terrible play
http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-qpr/report/358578
The through ball did look a bit like a bad touch and stumble that falls nicely for Kodjia.
I thought it looked like he was stumbling as he was receiving the ball, which actually makes his through ball more impressive
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I like Peter's suggestion of getting a gay band on. Our half time entertainment needs a make over.
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I'm not sure if this recent run is a case of Bruce's system working or if it's that we have been riding our luck and have come up against some teams with piss poor attacking options combined with better defending and Kodija managing to knock goals in regularly. We do seem to always end up hanging on rather nervously in second halves. I usually distrust possession stats as very misleading - it's what you do with the possession that counts - but we do seem to be developing a habit of conceding well over 60% of possession. I'm not sure that is sustainable in the longer term because of the relentless pressure it invites. It's a bit like watching Greece when they won the Euros.
I think while there is a mathematical chance we might get to the play offs Bruce is sticking to a plan. Why else would he leave Kodja so isolated and or introduce the likes of Grealish who may not be doing that much but is far more creative and better at holding the ball than any other bench option?
Agree. There has to be a short term approach over the next few weeks as we are in a position where we have to win every game and performances don't really matter. I don't think you can really approach a full season with that mindset though and some work is going to be required over the summer.
And beyond. I don't think anyone can accuse us of being the finished article even at this level and fortunately that includes those that matter. We have turned the corner however. That is a big thing as far as I'm concerned.
Yep Tayls. Bruce has found a formation and has established a somewhat settled side that is getting results. That was definitely the priority after years of instability. Let's just see where we are come the end of May and build from there.
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I tend to agree, but I'd like us to start next season well set up for a promotion push from the off
I think we may well be, but I'd feel more confident if we were knocking the call about with some quality and beating teams more comfortably. The quality in this league is very poor so we need to be a whole lot better to compete in Big League (c)