Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on March 30, 2019, 04:57:47 PM
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We played some lovely stuff at times and should have won by more. But we got edgy let them back in but saw it out. 5 in a row now
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Made far harder work of that than it should have been, but get the fuck in!
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Get the fuck in! 3 points. Good game.
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Five in a row. A bit 50p/20p at the end, but can relax now. Shame some of the results turned out the way they did, but we just need to concentrate on our results.
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Andreas Weimann the little scamp. Gonna have to do this the hard way.
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Made far harder work of that than it should have been, but get the fuck in!
Second this, we should take advantage of games like this, that said, another 3 pts and the form continues.
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Up to 5th as it stands. Derby have a game in hand a point back and Boro 2 games in hand 2 points back. So we have it all to do still and need to keep winning. Need Norwich to do is a favour tonight.
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Sounded like we did make it hard for ourselves at times, but five wins in a row? Dreamland.
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Bristol City also 2 games in hand.
Going to be a big game when we play them at home.
7 games left for us. 5 wins would guarantee it, 4 is probably a sensible target though and should be enough to see us in the top 6.
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5-0 at half time would not have flattered us at all, we played some marvellous stuff at times.
Can't believe we let them back in the final 20 minutes but who cares, five on the bounce!
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As good a first 30 minutes as the last 30 was bad.
Well done John McGinn for carrying the ball to the corner flag in the 94th minute.
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As good a first 30 minutes as the last 30 was bad.
Well done John McGinn for carrying the ball to the corner flag in the 94th minute.
What on earth was Admoah thinking a few minutes before? 94th minute on a break, and instead of heading for the corner or making an easy pass to a Villa player, he tries something stupid and gives it straight to them.
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As good a first 30 minutes as the last 30 was bad.
Well done John McGinn for carrying the ball to the corner flag in the 94th minute.
That was the sort of heroic run James Milner used to make for us all the time
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As good a first 30 minutes as the last 30 was bad.
Well done John McGinn for carrying the ball to the corner flag in the 94th minute.
What on earth was Admoah thinking a few minutes before? 94th minute on a break, and instead of heading for the corner or making an easy pass to a Villa player, he tries something stupid and gives it straight to them.
No idea but real headless chicken stuff. Though he wasn’t the only one. Poor game management after we got the 2nd.
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Mulgrew is so good at set pieces, could always see them scoring but we did what we had to do. Keep doing it Villa 👍
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An excellent opening hour and then some sloppiness and a drop in our intensity let in Mowbray's percentage football duffers, but we held our nerve and showed we can grind a win out.
Positives
Some of the football first half was outstanding. We ripped them apart time and time again and ought to have been 4 up at half time.
Second half we dominated the chances too.
Mings impresses, as does Whelan.
Jack, El Ghazi and the like had some very neat interplay and it was excellent to watch.
Green was a real handful up until his finally delivery.
Negatives
Green's finally delivery was very poor.
We spurned 5 or 6 excellent chances.
We panicked, dropped too deep, struggled to retain possession as we let their number 4 come deep to dictate things.
As it happened Blacknurn created one effort from open play. The free kick was idiotic from McGinn and Steer flapped. But errors breed errors and our generally play from our 2nd goal was lax.
I wasnt convinced of Jack's fitness and I felt Connor did well when he came on.
All in all I'm very pleased with how we've turned it around. When we tick, nobody in this league can live with us. We're solid at the back now and I'm feeling confident.
Shock result of the day Bruce's Wednesday drawing 0-0 with Stoke. Absolutely shocked. Big 3 games coming up, it would be huge to go into the Bristol game with 66 points on the board.
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Sky highlights (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/championship/11679480/aston-villa-2-1-blackburn)
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Was Southgate there today? And how did Grealish play?
Have been doing mumsie day stuff to make up for not seeing her tomorrow.
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We should and could have been 4-0 up at the break. Howeever, a few weeks ago we would have folded and not won the game. Amazing first half even though both Jack and SJM were not at their best.
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Sky highlights (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/championship/11679480/aston-villa-2-1-blackburn)
Thanks. If we keep creating chances like that, then we can't go far wrong.
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At this stage of the season with the finishing line in sight, we can only beat what's in front of us, no matter how we do it. Well done again Villa.
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Only saw the first half due to stream going down, but thought we were brilliant. I’m guessing the second half wasn’t quite the same. Finishing the only fault I can find first half.
The way Jack creates space for himself even when surrounded is the sign of a truly class player. Thought he was absolutely superb apart from one silly flick, maybe trying to impress Southgate? Everyone was good though.
To be fair as well, Blackburn were ok after looking appalling the first 15 minutes. Those weird long corners caused us all sorts of problems!
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Post-match interview https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1112053238449299456
Radio WM interview audio (https://audioboom.com/posts/7217821-dean-smith-after-the-2-1-win-against-blackburn)
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Abraham definitely not a top premiership player, Mings could play for West Germany he is that good
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(https://d3ix52z2istd7h.cloudfront.net/~/media/JPAMeetandGreet.ashx?h=720&la=en&mw=1280&w=1280&vs=1&d=20190329T173203Z&hash=2439AD60368CC763593433D3524336A6555AFE37)
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2019/03/29/angel-back-at-bodymoor-heath
(https://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/1111961305706041344/pu/img/oJNYk31E0j70WxGg.jpg:thumb)
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Could and should have been out of sight by half time.
But some of the football we played in that first half was sublime.
Many positives today, including whelan who was superb again.He must be loving football at the moment.
Mings and Hause were excellent and I though Elmo was very solid.
Jack seemed a little subdued to me, but it’s no bad thing because we need to learn to play when he is only 8/10 instead of 10/10.
There were a couple of small negatives for me.
Tammy was wasteful. His contribution to the game is without question but he just has to be more clinical.
Green. I stand by my previous comments that I just don’t think he has it in him. Whether it’s fear or nerves I don’t know, but he is the one I would drop for the next game.
There were 2 pieces of stand out professionalism were just superb.
The run 100 yard run by McGinn in the last minute to kill time and to win a corner was brilliant.
The other was Mings going down on 85 mins and asking for the trainer when we were under the cosh a little. There was nothing wrong him, but it took the impetus away that Blackburn has built up. It was just so intelligent.
Finally, the reception for JPA and Laursen was just outstanding.
It was a good day.
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I thought Green was good first half, he was beating defenders and had a hand in the first goal. Didn’t see second half tbh, presume he didn’t play well as he came off after 65 odd minutes.
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Very good first half and should really been out of sight at half time. We kept the ball really well and dictated the tempo throughout the half. We looked comfortable until they scored, but even then Abraham had a great chance to finish the game off after that. It then got a bit nervy, but they didn’t really create anything of note.
Sat in the top of the Holte for the first time in ages and thought the atmosphere was good up there today. Normally sit in the lower North Stand, so haven’t seen it before, but what is going on with the line of stewards by the away end and a few of our fans sitting the other side of them by the ‘North Stand’ flag?
Good to see JPA and Martin Lauren on the pitch at ht!
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Well we did our best to chuck away what should have been a routine home win. First 15 minutes it looked like we would run riot. Blackburn looked hopeless, and we were playing some lovely stuff. Disappointing how we handed them the initiative second half. Midfield seemed to disappear and we were sloppy in possession.
Positives were some great attacking play and reasonably solid defending. Green looked good first half but his final ball was poor and he seems reluctant to take on the FB too often. Tammy scored but also missed his usual sitter. Loving Mings and Hause at the back, and good to see Taylor, Whelan and El Ghazi looking ten times better than when Jack was out. Not sure what happened with Steer for the goal, maybe it moved in the air, but it was a stupid free kick for McGinn to give away.
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Could and should have been out of sight by half time.
But some of the football we played in that first half was sublime.
Many positives today, including whelan who was superb again.He must be loving football at the moment.
Mings and Hause were excellent and I though Elmo was very solid.
Jack seemed a little subdued to me, but it’s no bad thing because we need to learn to play when he is only 8/10 instead of 10/10.
There were a couple of small negatives for me.
Tammy was wasteful. His contribution to the game is without question but he just has to be more clinical.
Green. I stand by my previous comments that I just don’t think he has it in him. Whether it’s fear or nerves I don’t know, but he is the one I would drop for the next game.
There were 2 pieces of stand out professionalism were just superb.
The run 100 yard run by McGinn in the last minute to kill time and to win a corner was brilliant.
The other was Mings going down on 85 mins and asking for the trainer when we were under the cosh a little. There was nothing wrong him, but it took the impetus away that Blackburn has built up. It was just so intelligent.
Finally, the reception for JPA and Laursen was just outstanding.
It was a good day.
This is a good summary of the match today. Agree with almost every word.
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Lovely stuff just keep winning boys.
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Steer didn't look great in those highlights .
Anyone suggest he looked lost on the shots hit the bar and the goal free kick as well as a few crosses and corners seemed to stop on corner on those highlights ?
Villa look impressive in creating chances and to have 10 shots on target from 15 is good going would those who saw say should have had more goals ?what I like is it's another great 3point puts this club into 5th!
Good going
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As good a first 30 minutes as the last 30 was bad.
Well done John McGinn for carrying the ball to the corner flag in the 94th minute.
That was the sort of heroic run James Milner used to make for us all the time
Bloke behind me was shouting "take it into the corner". When McGinn was virtually on the touchline by the dug out. The fact that McGinn then took it into the opposite corner was absolute class, wasted more time and achieved what he set out to do.
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Talking to some Blackburn fans on the train back they were relieved to get away with a 2-1 defeat.
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Steer didn't look great in those highlights .
Anyone suggest he looked lost on the shots hit the bar and the goal free kick as well as a few crosses and corners seemed to stop on corner on those highlights ?
Villa look impressive in creating chances and to have 10 shots on target from 15 is good going would those who saw say should have had more goals ?what I like is it's another great 3point puts this club into 5th!
Good going
Steer has a few iffy moments - but looks much safer than any of the other keepers we have had this season. 5 games in March only conceded 2 goals. Both were a bit unfortunate.
At least we are safe from relegation now - unlike some other team in the area who would need to win every game left to catch us.
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Great start. First 20 minutes we were almost unplayable, got the early goal and we should have gone on to get more before half time. Having said that they threatened twice from well rehearsed corners as well as hitting the bar. As good as we were in the first half I thought we struggled in the second. Blackburn had a lot of the play and should have scored when they put a one-on-one wide. When we got the second that should have been that, but a combination of a stupid free-kick and poor goalkeeping brought them right back into it and the final whistle came as a relief. But three points is all that matters especially at this stage of the season.
Couple of asides - Jack didn't seem his usual self today and don't think he would have given Southgate (at the game today apparently) any squad selection headaches; and what a fantastic reception for Martin Laursen and JPA at half time.
The only thing that spoiled the afternoon was a pain of a journey home - accident on the M6 meant sitting in traffic for over an hour.
Onwards and upwards!
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Jack had his least effective game since his comeback just when Gareth Southgate turns up.
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Superb start, played some quality stuff, McGinn was causing havoc every time he touched the ball, for some reason felt he was starved of the ball for quite a bit of the 2nd half. When we got the second thought it would be comfortable then, but didn't turn out that way. Mings MOTM another class display.
UP THE VILLA
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Steer didn't look great in those highlights .
Anyone suggest he looked lost on the shots hit the bar and the goal free kick as well as a few crosses and corners seemed to stop on corner on those highlights ?
Villa look impressive in creating chances and to have 10 shots on target from 15 is good going would those who saw say should have had more goals ?what I like is it's another great 3point puts this club into 5th!
Good going
Steer has a few iffy moments - but looks much safer than any of the other keepers we have had this season. 5 games in March only conceded 2 goals. Both were a bit unfortunate.
At least we are safe from relegation now - unlike some other team in the area who would need to win every game left to catch us.
I think Kalinic would have looked safer too if he was behind the current back 4 playing how they are now....
Does the defence make the keeper look better or vice versa?
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Even though I predicted we would win 6-1 I was a bit nervous about this game. The break came at the wrong time for us, but we still won and that's another three points in the bag, which is the goal.
Look forward to the next one and let's hope for another three points. If we keep winning we will be in the playoffs.
Happy with three points. ;)
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Even though I predicted we would win 6-1 I was a bit nervous about this game. The break came at the wrong time for us, but we still won and that's another three points in the bag, which is the goal.
Look forward to the next one and let's hope for another three points. If we keep winning we will be in the playoffs.
Happy with three points. ;)
What are you talking about because the villa win . The break didn't come at the wrong time ?! For some reason you're cliche stating ?
It can be said the break came at wrong time for Sheffield utd who lost . Or Preston . Who also lost . Both in form like the villa . Villa win again that's 5 in row and continue form. I guess your basing it from your perspective of 6-1 score line prediction. Villa had the amount of shots and shots on target to get the 4 more you wanted but have a word with yourself the international break didn't stop any momentum did it ?
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Steer didn't look great in those highlights .
Anyone suggest he looked lost on the shots hit the bar and the goal free kick as well as a few crosses and corners seemed to stop on corner on those highlights ?
Villa look impressive in creating chances and to have 10 shots on target from 15 is good going would those who saw say should have had more goals ?what I like is it's another great 3point puts this club into 5th!
Good going
Steer has a few iffy moments - but looks much safer than any of the other keepers we have had this season. 5 games in March only conceded 2 goals. Both were a bit unfortunate.
At least we are safe from relegation now - unlike some other team in the area who would need to win every game left to catch us.
I think Kalinic would have looked safer too if he was behind the current back 4 playing how they are now....
Does the defence make the keeper look better or vice versa?
I knew it !! Steer really more a hot glove keeper and not as steady as a lot were trying to make out. I far from convinced by him and I think it sounds like he's shown up today. Exactly that , a defence of soundness , for Kalinic and he be ok and relegate this steer chap back to bench duty. I don't see him as someone who should be keeping Kalinic out of the team and I think Kalinic was left out of squad for international duty.
If steer costs us then it's not good at all especially more so with an established keeper in squad. I rather take a so termed 'calculated risk' with Kalinic -now steer is making errors . And we are kind of expecting errors by steer as he's not at standard . So when they do happen people be like oh well it's not a international number one keeper making those mistakes
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Going back to Steer, I thought he looked a little jittery at times and collectively, we seemed bemused by that corner to the far post thing on four occasions. We didn't play as clinically as we did against Derby and Boro but we won and that's all you can ever do.
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Even though I predicted we would win 6-1 I was a bit nervous about this game. The break came at the wrong time for us, but we still won and that's another three points in the bag, which is the goal.
Look forward to the next one and let's hope for another three points. If we keep winning we will be in the playoffs.
Happy with three points. ;)
What are you talking about because the villa win . The break didn't come at the wrong time ?! For some reason you're cliche stating ?
It can be said the break came at wrong time for Sheffield utd who lost . Or Preston . Who also lost . Both in form like the villa . Villa win again that's 5 in row and continue form. I guess your basing it from your perspective of 6-1 score line prediction. Villa had the amount of shots and shots on target to get the 4 more you wanted but have a word with yourself the international break didn't stop any momentum did it ?
Footy give it a break. I base it on the fact that it sounds like it wasn't our best performance in the second half. I don't need to have a word with myself. As for other teams, I don't really give a s&*t about them, I'm only really interested in how Villa are doing.
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One thing we never seem to improve upon is our lack of movement when we have a throw in.
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GTFI!
Keep it going guys - & we'll certainly be 'there or thereabouts' at the season's conclusion.
UTV :)
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Another excellent day at the office. They look so well-drilled, they're all talking, the passing and movement between them all seems almost instinctive now. A true team. We should've put these to the sword long before gifting them a glimmer of hope.
Barring injury, I honestly wouldn't change the starting eleven for the rest of the season.
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Even though I predicted we would win 6-1 I was a bit nervous about this game. The break came at the wrong time for us, but we still won and that's another three points in the bag, which is the goal.
Look forward to the next one and let's hope for another three points. If we keep winning we will be in the playoffs.
Happy with three points. ;)
What are you talking about because the villa win . The break didn't come at the wrong time ?! For some reason you're cliche stating ?
It can be said the break came at wrong time for Sheffield utd who lost . Or Preston . Who also lost . Both in form like the villa . Villa win again that's 5 in row and continue form. I guess your basing it from your perspective of 6-1 score line prediction. Villa had the amount of shots and shots on target to get the 4 more you wanted but have a word with yourself the international break didn't stop any momentum did it ?
Footy give it a break. I base it on the fact that it sounds like it wasn't our best performance in the second half. I don't need to have a word with myself. As for other teams, I don't really give a s&*t about them, I'm only really interested in how Villa are doing.
Sorry JD I didn't mean to have go I will have a break and tbh struggling with mother's Day missing mum step mum not the same so I think best not to be posting around on forums in my sensitive state. As well as infringe on a clear football thread not a psych thread!
I give you all a break and hope play offs happen. Apologies again I note in future what and what not to post and behave as I like to be treated.
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Just under 40k today with Blackburn just bringing a few hundred. Smethwick vs noses last night 24k.....Read it and weep there's only one team in town and one show in town. UTV
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Another excellent day at the office. They look so well-drilled, they're all talking, the passing and movement between them all seems almost instinctive now. A true team. We should've put these to the sword long before gifting them a glimmer of hope.
Barring injury, I honestly wouldn't change the starting eleven for the rest of the season.
See where you are coming from , but I think we'd be stronger with a fully fit Axel partnering Mings, and Hause back at left back.
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Great 1st half! We should have gone in at ht well ahead. A reasonable 2nd half though we allowed them a way back into the game. Tammy should have wrapped up a 3-1 at the end. Great noise all round ground today. Sat up in upper north today for 1st time in a while. Stewards still weird up there. They clearly don't like fans enjoying themselves. Great support at ht for Laursen and Angel. No noise for Southgate though. Clearly not held in the same high regard. 5 in 5 is great, we just need to keep winning! Well done the Villa boys. UTV.
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Steer didn't look great in those highlights .
Anyone suggest he looked lost on the shots hit the bar and the goal free kick as well as a few crosses and corners seemed to stop on corner on those highlights ?
Villa look impressive in creating chances and to have 10 shots on target from 15 is good going would those who saw say should have had more goals ?what I like is it's another great 3point puts this club into 5th!
Good going
Steer has a few iffy moments - but looks much safer than any of the other keepers we have had this season. 5 games in March only conceded 2 goals. Both were a bit unfortunate.
At least we are safe from relegation now - unlike some other team in the area who would need to win every game left to catch us.
Goal aside, I thought Steer was fine and has been when he’s played this season. I was sat almost straight behind the free kick and I didn’t think it moved too much. Thought Steer second guessed a bit and moved a bit too far over.
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Played ok, did what we needed and got 3points. Villa a few months ago would of dropped points today. Went with wife and kids and enjoyed the Witton Arms pre and The Bartons post match. Now back at in-laws getting more drunk 🙃
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Another excellent day at the office. They look so well-drilled, they're all talking, the passing and movement between them all seems almost instinctive now. A true team. We should've put these to the sword long before gifting them a glimmer of hope.
Barring injury, I honestly wouldn't change the starting eleven for the rest of the season.
See where you are coming from , but I think we'd be stronger with a fully fit Axel partnering Mings, and Hause back at left back.
That'll probably happen sooner or later but I think Taylor has played well recently. His interplay with Mings on the left has made him look a different player
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Another excellent day at the office. They look so well-drilled, they're all talking, the passing and movement between them all seems almost instinctive now. A true team. We should've put these to the sword long before gifting them a glimmer of hope.
Barring injury, I honestly wouldn't change the starting eleven for the rest of the season.
See where you are coming from , but I think we'd be stronger with a fully fit Axel partnering Mings, and Hause back at left back.
That'll probably happen sooner or later but I think Taylor has played well recently. His interplay with Mings on the left has made him look a different player
Agree to a point, but still our weak link for me
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Frank Taylor has played OK but he is still the weak link so if we want to make defense stronger he has to be replaced. Having said that I was alarmed the way their forward so easily walked past Hause and sent his shot wide of post with only Steer to beat.
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I'm certainly not saying that Taylor is the long-term or even short-term answer at left back, but he has played well in the last few games. His crossing is still poor, I admit, but defensively he's been pretty sound
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Taylor was ok, largely inconspicuous in that he's not noticeably dreadful like he was previously.
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First 20 is as good as I've seen us play since I don't know when. Didn't quite keep at that same high level but the second was still well deserved and that should have been that. We let them back in with a soft goal, I've lost count of the goals we've lost this season to poor goalkeeping, and then we looked jittery. They still didn't really have a chance after that though.
Agree Grealish was quiet today but he oozes class and the difference he makes to the team is enormous. Whelan, for example, looks so much better with Jack around. Mings had a good game too but looked hurt later in the game, hopefully nothing. Huge game next Saturday.
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Was Southgate there today? And how did Grealish play?
Have been doing mumsie day stuff to make up for not seeing her tomorrow.
Jack.generally ran the show, especially 1st half. He just seems to.have the extra time on the ball that all quality players do. He is way way too good for this level.
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Got home about an hour ago. Atmosphere was best of witnessed for a long while. Blackburn's away support was small and ultra quiet until they scored. Villa well on top and sublime in first half, very nervy after Rovers scored but never looked like conceding another. Mings and Hauser immense, Mcginn inspirational and Whelan was phenomenal. Not sure what happened second half in upper North but looked like a Villa fan ejected for fighting another. Also saw some amusing baiting between Rovers fans and Villa supporters behind them in a box. Decent day all round.
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Jack had his least effective game since his comeback just when Gareth Southgate turns up.
Id disagree with that. He was at the centre of everything we did well, and he always picks the right option. He made it look effortless at times today
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Another win, another 3 pts and the promotion juggernaut marches on, on, on!
But what a weird game...not quite a game of 2 halves, but may be 2 thirds? We started where we left off against Boro, controlling the game, dominating possession and grabbed the much needed early goal. We were so all over them that the Rovers fans must have been collectively shitting it and wishing that it was going to be less than 3 or 4 nil at half time...and that scoreline wouldn't have flattered us.
Mings and Hause give us a reassured solid foundation at the back, and the midfield trio of Jack, SJM and Whelan was working like a well oiled machine...winning everything, first to the ball, excellent interplay from front to back, confidence flowing through the team and creating chances with free flowing high press football. I thought I was watching Brazil or Barcelona at times today...and Whelan deserves an honourable mention as he was excellent again today...the Irish Xavi?!
We should and could have been 3 or 4 up at half time. It's hard and would be harsh to be critical of anyone but we need to be putting teams to the sword when we are dominant like we were in the first half. It was good to see Abraham get back on the score sheet but he really needs to be more clinical...he's definitely a talent but he isn't a Premier League standard player yet.
Very good crowd and atmosphere...and the Holte was back in good voice.
I'm not sure why the performance dropped off a cliff in the last 25-30 minutes. Our second goal seemed to energise Blackburn with little response from ourselves and they came back into the game...you could see they were well up for it and knew their goal was coming from the needlessly conceded set piece. Their little ginger no.4 started to dictate the game in midfield as we sat back and stood off, but I don't know if it Mowbrays changes or if we just tired badly after playing such a fast pace high press in the first half?
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Taylor was ok, largely inconspicuous in that he's not noticeably dreadful like he was previously.
I thought he had a decent game, but we still look short of quality in the wide areas, particularly going forward. There were times today when the ball went out to Taylor in space but he just hadn't got the pace to drive forward.
As much as I really want him to do well, I thought Andre Green was largely disappointing.
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Game should have been sowed up by half time. We ended up doing a Brucey once we went two up putting players behind the ball rather than continuing to take the game to Blackburn.
In the end given Blackburn's final 15 mins you could argue just about the correct result.
Oh that miss by Abraham - top premiership player no. His strength is finding positions but his conversation rate absurd as it sounds is moderate.
Mings an Empire State Building - walk round him and admire him. Far too good for this division and Hause had an excellent game.
Steer not good enough sorry to say in my opinion. Another case of a Bunn.
Finally the right wing position - am I completely bonkers but I would try Adomah on the left and the Egyptian on the right both cutting in. What was Adomah doing near the end.
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El Ghazi kept coming inside or hiding instead of offering himself out wide, and Green needs to put in extra hours on the training ground hitting crosses.
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Jack had his least effective game since his comeback just when Gareth Southgate turns up.
Good
I think an England call up would distract him at the moment. Let him wait till he is in the premier with us
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Jack had his least effective game since his comeback just when Gareth Southgate turns up.
Good
I think an England call up would distract him at the moment. Let him wait till he is in the premier with us
I agree.
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The atmosphere beforehand was tingling. The positivity was obvious, maybe it was the sunshine as well, who knows.
So I was convinced we'd lose.
First half was excellent, we should have been three or four up. Things changed after they made their subs, and they seemed to find gaps everywhere.
Mings was immense, again. McGinn was immense, again. Whelan, Hause.
I'm just hoping that next week sees the standard Smith v Bruce type of game where Bruce's team get a lesson in pass and move.
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First half was among the best performances we have seen from us in this division, we looked like a team 20 points clear at the top. Every player had a swagger about them and we were playing first touch into areas where players were moving into, it was terrific. We just couldn’t convert chances and the final ball at times, particularly from Green, was lacking. They looked to exploit Steers lack of height from corners and we really should have coped better with that but no harm done.
Second half I thought Jack looked to be carrying a knock and the work rate off the ball dropped meaning the available options for the ball holder were fewer and we lost fluidity. Green seeemed to lose confidence and tire rapidly and he became very wasteful. Their substitutions changed the game as they had two players playing between our defence and midfield and they started to have more possession in our third, that said we regularly forced them to cross from poor positions and Mings and Hause cleared. It really would be great if the crowd could control their nerves as it spreads like wildfire and clearly affects the players.
Some great performances, some more eye catching than others, I thought among the lower key ‘get the job done’ examples, Hause and Whelan were immense.
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Also worthy of mention team spirit, everyone bar the keeper congratulating the goal scorers. Love to see that.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
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Yes, the atmosphere was tremendous, not really before the game but got better as the game went on and was particularly good second half. As for team performance, this was the opposite. Started extremely well, and continued for the first half an hour, could have been 3 or 4 up. We stayed solid then throughout but lacked the fizz that was shown in that first half an hour. I thought Grealish and Abraham were the main reason we started well but they strolled in the sun a bit as the game went on. The defensive players were excellent, Hause, Mings, Whelan and McGinn who also drove forward well. We lacked a bit out wide, particularly from the wingers and this must be the main area for improvement. You do wonder how good we might be at the moment if we had wingers playing even close to the level of Abraham, Grealish and McGinn.
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Good win. We made much harder work of it than we should have but we're going to have games like that now and again.
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Seems like those who weren't at the game want to knock Steer ....yes he made a mistake yesterday but how many did Tammy make ? Are people having a go at him?
Steer has played a massive part in the defence since he came in and you can always hear him organising the defence
Any keeper when a mistake is made can concede a goal - lets not look for someone to have a go out. The whole team yesterday were excellent in the first half and should have been 4 up but second half everybody stopped playing
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
I didn't realise she was a Villa fan, I thought she was a Bristol City girl. If this is the case, then I love her too. She's perfect.
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she is - think she was working for ssn at VP yesterday
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Highlights are up
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Jack had his least effective game since his comeback just when Gareth Southgate turns up.
Id disagree with that. He was at the centre of everything we did well, and he always picks the right option. He made it look effortless at times today
I'm with Olaf, the poorest of the midfield three. When we needed someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half he was found wanting. McGinn and Whelan were miles ahead. Still, he's allowed an off day.
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Whelan looks like he's relishing finally playing for a team that play proper football.
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Highlights are up
Seems like Steer had a shocker yesterday. Coaches need to work on his footwork as he doesn't seem able to jump running backwards. At sea when a couple of those crosses went over his head. Less said about his effort for their free-kick the better, a competent keeper saves Mings header too, mind.
Super John McGinn looks on fire at the moment. At the heart of nearly all our best play in that clip.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
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Highlights are up
Seems like Steer had a shocker yesterday. Coaches need to work on his footwork as he doesn't seem able to jump running backwards. At sea when a couple of those crosses went over his head. Less said about his effort for their free-kick the better, a competent keeper saves Mings header too,
This is the championship level.
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Highlights are up
Seems like Steer had a shocker yesterday. Coaches need to work on his footwork as he doesn't seem able to jump running backwards. At sea when a couple of those crosses went over his head. Less said about his effort for their free-kick the better, a competent keeper saves Mings header too, mind.
Super John McGinn looks on fire at the moment. At the heart of nearly all our best play in that clip.
He should have done better with the goal but I don't think a shocker of a game.
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How could he have had a shocker?
He didn’t have to do anything other than that free kick.
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How could he have had a shocker?
He didn’t have to do anything other than that free kick.
I would also have to disagree that he had a shocker. He got the free kick wrong, but was fine apart from that. Not sure what he could have done really about the shot that hit the bar, but we were caught twice in a row with Whelan at the back post against Graham which led to the chance. I noticed that Whelan swapped with Hause on their next corner.
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Highlights are up
Seems like Steer had a shocker yesterday. Coaches need to work on his footwork as he doesn't seem able to jump running backwards. At sea when a couple of those crosses went over his head. Less said about his effort for their free-kick the better, a competent keeper saves Mings header too, mind.
Super John McGinn looks on fire at the moment. At the heart of nearly all our best play in that clip.
He should have done better with the goal but I don't think a shocker of a game.
Agreed. Have to remember he is so far a career back up goalkeeper. At this level it’s probably the longest run of games he’s ever had. In time I still think Kalinic will be number one. We haven’t shelled out that much on him for him not to play. But right now he’s behind a much, much better defence than either Nyland or Kalinic had and has don’t pretty well overall in what he’s had to do, which in fairness hasn’t been a lot. I can’t even recall outside of yesterday a big save he’s had to make since taking over.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.
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Yesterday reminded me of Ipswich when we were coasting and a soft goal suddenly had us hanging on for the last 10 minutes.
In the opening 20 we were as good as I have seen us this season. We should have won the game by half time. Our failure to cement our lead meant we were never home and dry though. Once we had the second I was hoping we would push on but I think the players switched off. Blackburn got more possession and slowly had more territory too, though truth be told Steer had almost no saves to make. I think we need to put sides to the sword when we are on top as this could cost us in the run in.
Standouts for me were McGinn and Mings, and the continued renaissance of Whelan, Elmo and Taylor. I thought Grealish was good at times but didn’t dominate the game. Green had a few good moments but seems to lack confidence and back himself.
I was in the upper Trinity yesterday near the halfway line so had a cracking view. Atmosphere was decent but because of the configuration of the stands a lot of noise from the Holte washes away from the pitch.
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Was in the upper north yesterday and the best atmosphere up there for quite a while.
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Whelan looks like he's relishing finally playing for a team that play proper football.
Certainly playing his best football since he has been with us. Always a bit sceptical when players start doing that just a couple of months before they are out of contract!!
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Yesterday reminded me of Ipswich when we were coasting and a soft goal suddenly had us hanging on for the last 10 minutes.
In the opening 20 we were as good as I have seen us this season. We should have won the game by half time. Our failure to cement our lead meant we were never home and dry though. Once we had the second I was hoping we would push on but I think the players switched off. Blackburn got more possession and slowly had more territory too, though truth be told Steer had almost no saves to make. I think we need to put sides to the sword when we are on top as this could cost us in the run in.
Standouts for me were McGinn and Mings, and the continued renaissance of Whelan, Elmo and Taylor. I thought Grealish was good at times but didn’t dominate the game. Green had a few good moments but seems to lack confidence and back himself.
I was in the upper Trinity yesterday near the halfway line so had a cracking view. Atmosphere was decent but because of the configuration of the stands a lot of noise from the Holte washes away from the pitch.
They were guilty of thinking that's it the game is won after the second. I can't blame the fans for thinking that after all Bburn had done nothing to worry us but yes players should be more professional about it. They did the same v Forest after the 5th. That goal was over celebrated with players possibly thinking they are down to 10 so surely this is the winner.
Green rapidly needs to improve his anticipation. There were a few instances when he got caught out particularly one where McGinn won the ball turned around and played it over to the right but Green was too slow on to it and couldn't manage to keep it in. I like his tricks though.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
I've spoke to her several times pre game and she is as charming as she is gorgeous. Definately a villa fan as her dad is as well.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.
I'm only an adopted Salopian though! ;D Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
I didn't realise she was a Villa fan, I thought she was a Bristol City girl. If this is the case, then I love her too. She's perfect.
I read that earlier on and read it as Michael Owen.
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Whelan looks like he's relishing finally playing for a team that play proper football.
Certainly playing his best football since he has been with us. Always a bit sceptical when players start doing that just a couple of months before they are out of contract!!
Lee Hendrie Syndrome
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.
I'm only an adopted Salopian though! ;D Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.
As a dyed-in-the-wool export from England's largest landlocked county, I say back off of our wenches.
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Great win and another three points so pleased for us I got back from the game with flu like symptoms but it was worth it.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.
I'm only an adopted Salopian though! ;D Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.
As a dyed-in-the-wool export from England's largest landlocked county, I say back off of our wenches.
Ratlinghope dweller here and I therefore claim superior rights over the lot of you :)
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Ratlinghope has a great pub and lovely beer
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Ratlinghope has a great pub and lovely beer
Being within walking distance of The Bridges wasn't a deciding factor in buying the house at all, honest!
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I think you've cracked it there. Perfect spot.
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Ratlinghope has a great pub and lovely beer
Pronounced “ratchap” by the locals and the real name of the pub was the Horseshoes but always known as The Bridges because of its location.
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It's a funny one, that. Some claim that Ratchup was an invention of the Post Office in the thirties, but I have a copy of a c17th map showing the spelling as Ratchope. Bridges is a curiosity, too, a hamlet in its own right but within the very spread out village that is Ratlinghope.
Anyway, back to football!
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I tend to normally sit in the lower North Stand, but was in the upper Holte on Saturday. What really was apparent from up there, was just how better we could be with two modern style full-back capable of attacking really well.
There were a number of times where Taylor in particular had a lot of space in front of him, but hadn't got the pace to really drive forward into it. Both full-backs also found themselves one-on-one in attacking situations at times, but didn't even attempt to beat heir man and just turned back.
I don't think either Taylor or Elmohamady had particularly bad games on Saturday (and the latter is OK at getting forward), but I just think that two of the more modern type full-backs could really add something to the team going forward.
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I tend to normally sit in the lower North Stand, but was in the upper Holte on Saturday. What really was apparent from up there, was just how better we could be with two modern style full-back capable of attacking really well.
There were a number of times where Taylor in particular had a lot of space in front of him, but hadn't got the pace to really drive forward into it. Both full-backs also found themselves one-on-one in attacking situations at times, but didn't even attempt to beat heir man and just turned back.
I don't think either Taylor or Elmohamady had particularly bad games on Saturday (and the latter is OK at getting forward), but I just think that two of the more modern type full-backs could really add something to the team going forward.
Think we need to consider bringing Tuanzebe back in and Hause to left back next game. Hause was very lucky to get away making a mess of an interception that led to their missed one one one in the second half. He isn't comfortable turning onto his right side at all. Taylor at his best is bang average anyway.
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The frustrating thing is that this looks a couple of players away from being a very, very good team but if we fall just short of promotion we will have to more or less start again.
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Nice footage of the JPA and Laursen visit.
A great camera angle for Tammys goal, and Laursen’s reaction to it is ace.
https://youtu.be/yzOeWELzAGQ
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The frustrating thing is that this looks a couple of players away from being a very, very good team but if we fall just short of promotion we will have to more or less start again.
If we were to go up, I think we would need a pretty major rebuild as well to be honest. Presuming we signed Mings and Hause, I still think we would need a keeper, two new full-backs, a defensive midfielder, two wide players and a striker (presuming Abraham would be off) just in the starting XI.
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The frustrating thing is that this looks a couple of players away from being a very, very good team but if we fall just short of promotion we will have to more or less start again.
If we were to go up, I think we would need a pretty major rebuild as well to be honest. Presuming we signed Mings and Hause, I still think we would need a keeper, two new full-backs, a defensive midfielder, two wide players and a striker (presuming Abraham would be off) just in the starting XI.
Yep.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.
I'm only an adopted Salopian though! ;D Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.
As a dyed-in-the-wool export from England's largest landlocked county, I say back off of our wenches.
Ratlinghope dweller here and I therefore claim superior rights over the lot of you :)
Oh damn! :(
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Ridiculous that we were hanging on, though not desperately, at the end. We should have been at least three clear at HT.
We can't afford to be this profligate if we're going to go up; it'll catch us out in the end.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.
I'm only an adopted Salopian though! ;D Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.
As a dyed-in-the-wool export from England's largest landlocked county, I say back off of our wenches.
Ratlinghope dweller here and I therefore claim superior rights over the lot of you :)
Oh damn! :(
Married to Adam since September 2015, chaps.
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Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.
Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! ;)
Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.
I'm only an adopted Salopian though! ;D Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.
As a dyed-in-the-wool export from England's largest landlocked county, I say back off of our wenches.
Ratlinghope dweller here and I therefore claim superior rights over the lot of you :)
Oh damn! :(
Married to Adam since September 2015, chaps.
Let's hope she doesn't tempt him with an apple or the whole sorry shitstorm may start over again.