Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Rigadon on April 25, 2023, 09:54:23 PM
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Nobody else seems to be starting one, so here ya go.
Another fantastic result. The pressure is mounting now and I thought we looked a bit tired in the second half. We could really do with some of the injured players coming back for the weekend game, not sure how realistic that is.
Anybody else looking at the table this evening and wondering; how are we here, imagine where weld be if we’d had Emery from the start, and maybe, just maybe… It’s some achievement is this.
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5th, 26 points out of 30. There's been worse times to be a Villa fan.
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Thing is, this was probably our easiest game left.
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That was absolutely shit.
I'm delighted.
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Won,clean sheet. Kept it tight, probably because we were tired. A good night. If we can get one or two back for Sunday I fancy us.
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Totally dominant first half, totally not second half. A clean sheet though, and up to 5th. Lovely.
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I'll take a scrappy 1-0 win any day.
Give Emery whatever he wants. He'll win us the league eventually.
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First half was a tactical masterclass.. possession seemed to be 95 - 5 %.
We tired in the second half and Fulham made some good adjustments. Glad to grind out a win at home and keep the clean sheet.
5th in the table boys - enjoy it!
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Emery really is the business isn't he? Poor performance or not this is some achievement to be where we are considering the position we were in when he arrived. Well done to all concerned in giving us back the joy that is Villa.
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Scored in 20 straight games, 10 unbeaten, 7 clean sheets in those 10, 5 straight home wins. Welcome to the new Villa.
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We looked knackered in the second half, although the team is resolute - for all their possession and running, Fulham had one attempt and zero on target.
Think we need some players back now though, Sunday will be very difficult and Ash will be suspended I think? Had his 5th booking tonight.
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Bring Bruce back.
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That was absolutely shit.
I'm delighted.
Those that couldn't get a train tonight will count themselves lucky. Still, 3 points but we're going to have to dramatically improve against the Plastics or it could be nasty. Too many players tonight just no on it, no more so than Ramsey, Buendia and Watkins.
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Not a game for Ollie, hardly touched the ball second half. McGinn was everywhere and Mings was excellent. Moreno was poor second half as was Ramsey. Bert decent enough when he came on.
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Great win - we really need some players back - Unai just has no options and limits what he can do.
I thought we we're brilliant in the first half - never really looked threatened at any point - but I thought Beundia was poor - ollie hardly got a kick, and ramsey struggled to make an impact
McGinn and Luiz good all game, Moreno excellent first half - Konsa, Emi and Mings look composed and in control.
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We are definitely starting to look tired. The team picks itself and we ain't got much on the bench.
Some very fragile Villa fans getting bad feelings in the match thread though, victory was never in doubt!
UNAI EMERY'S CLARET N BLUE ARMY
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If we wanted to conserve energy and win that was a genius performance. Never got out of first gear. Difficult to watch.
But hey. 3 points is 3 points.
Onwards and upwards.
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We will raise our game for Man U I am sure, but we looked a little knackered out there in the second half. But fucking hell, the number 5 is big number tonight. 5th in table, 5 straight home wins, 5 straight clean sheets, never really troubled, had most of the ball. A good night all round capped off by the winning goal from our number 5.
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Scored in 20 straight games, 10 unbeaten, 7 clean sheets in those 10, 5 straight home wins. Welcome to the new Villa.
Yes boss!
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For years we struggled to win 5 home games all season, we've just done 5 in a row and are 5th. We haven't been this good this late in a top flight season since Noah was a young lad.
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Completely missed game in London on work.
But fuck another 3.
We are a juggernaut out of control.
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Got the job done -which was the main thing-but we are starting to look tired. These players have been giving it everything but it’s starting to catch up with us. I think are lack of business in January is going to come back to haunt us.
Oh and the officials were less than useless.
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We have taken four points from two games where we were nowhere near our best, that’s some achievement really. Under the last bloke we’d have lost both of these games.
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We haven't conceded a goal at VP since the Arsenal game.
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We won't play as badly ad the last two vs MU at the weekend. I'm absolutely certain of it.
Not saying we'll win but the performance will be better.
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Quite clear that we need more squad depth to play this way. The players were running on empty in the second half.
Great win, nonetheless.
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What a wonderful feeling. Another win at home, another clean sheet.
I hope Unai gives them a 'rest' for a day or so. Whatever constitutes that nowadays.
Visited (Very) Old Man Bridge in hospital earlier and told him we could go fifth with a win tonight. Hopefully this will aid his recovery.
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We will raise our game for Man U I am sure, but we looked a little knackered out there in the second half.
Yanited have looked leggy themselves recently. The game's on Sunday so we'll have 5 days to recuperate and Yanited have to play on Thursday night.
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Second half was very disappointing with the ball but we should have been home and hosed by half time anyway. Defensively superb and proved beyond doubt that we need to stay with Emery's script. We don't retain possession from long punts so need to scrap them.
Martinez 7 - solid as always but seemed to take responsibility for some of those punts in second half
Young 5 - second half a real struggle, hoofing away the ball constantly. Shattered and should have been replaced 15 mins earlier I thought
Konsa 8 - really impressed, calmness personified throughout, I've been very critical of him
Mings 8 - got the winner and solid as usual
Moreno 7 - very good first half, quieter after break but solid defensively
Luiz 8 - outstanding first half, quieter in second bit still provided the classy touches
Donk 6 - good first half but very quiet second. If we had a sub he probably would have been replaced
McGinn 7 - great first half but tired a bit in second
Ramsey 6 - tidy first half, quieter second but wouldn't have hooked him
Buendia 5 - poor frankly, simply has to improve his ability to retain possession
Watkins 6 - should have had a peno early on and thought he was well held in truth tonight
Digne was fine, Traore offered nothing
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We have taken four points from two games where we were nowhere near our best, that’s some achievement really. Under the last bloke we’d have lost both of these games.
I'd say 7 from 9 when you include Forest. And battered best Newcastle team in 20 years. Maybe Emery knows how and when to play in different gears.
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What a wonderful feeling. Another win at home, another clean sheet.
I hope Unai gives them a 'rest' for a day or so. Whatever constitutes that nowadays.
Visited (Very) Old Man Bridge in hospital earlier and told him we could go fifth with a win tonight. Hopefully this will aid his recovery.
Best wishes to him mate.
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Scored in 20 straight games, 10 unbeaten, 7 clean sheets in those 10, 5 straight home wins. Welcome to the new Villa.
That’s incredible stats.
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What a wonderful feeling. Another win at home, another clean sheet.
I hope Unai gives them a 'rest' for a day or so. Whatever constitutes that nowadays.
Visited (Very) Old Man Bridge in hospital earlier and told him we could go fifth with a win tonight. Hopefully this will aid his recovery.
Best wishes to him mate.
Thank you Sir - he is 88 and had pneumonia. Hopefully out in the next couple of days.
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We have taken four points from two games where we were nowhere near our best, that’s some achievement really. Under the last bloke we’d have lost both of these games.
I'd say 7 from 9 when you include Forest. And battered best Newcastle team in 20 years. Maybe Emery knows how and when to play in different gears.
That's it, couldn't help thinking in the second half that we were probably holding back a bit, because why go hell for leather when don't need to, and have a game in a few days time where we'll have to be absolute on it? No disrespect meant to Fulham there, but we were in a position at half time where as long as we held them at arm's length, which we did, then we'd win.
I like this thing where Villa score goals all the time and don't let in many. I reckon we ought to give that a try for a whole season at some point.
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That was a terrible game but what a superb result. 😁
I think both sides respected each other a little too much & Fulham sat with men behind the ball, so we tried to play around them & slowed our game down, they matched that speed, the game got sloppy & neither side got out of first gear.
Both teams tired in the second half, but they had a few more options from the bench so threatened us a little right up until the point it mattered. We should have been out of sight in the first half though.
On the positive side, thats a game where we didn't play well, it became very sloppy & yet we still came away with another win & another clean sheet.
Thats what good sides do.
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Not a game for Ollie, hardly touched the ball second half. McGinn was everywhere and Mings was excellent. Moreno was poor second half as was Ramsey. Bert decent enough when he came on.
Moreno wasn’t the same after he took that knock.
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The crowd was a lot more anxious than the players towards the end. We didn't create much in the 2nd half but neither did they. Top grinding. Onwards!
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Tired performance. Fulham had more of the second half, but never really threatened Martinez.
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Another win. That’s all that matters!
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Everything was flat second half including the supporters, we badly need some of the injured players on the bench, Emerys options are very limited.
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Need our injured players back. We did just enough to get the 3 points. Remarkable to see us 5th...
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What a wonderful feeling. Another win at home, another clean sheet.
I hope Unai gives them a 'rest' for a day or so. Whatever constitutes that nowadays.
Visited (Very) Old Man Bridge in hospital earlier and told him we could go fifth with a win tonight. Hopefully this will aid his recovery.
I'm sure it will, rob!
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Earlyish goal and Villa with the chance to go top 5 and you'd expect VP to be jumping.
Not so.
Not the first game recently where we haven't played that well either. But we find a way.
Emery knows.
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Think we maybe could have got that second goal if we really wanted to but they seem really confident in their ability to keep it tight, as nervy as it was a bit to watch. Not going to pick out any iffy individual perfomances because they don't deserve it. Its been a phenomenal run.
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https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/12866439/aston-villa-1-0-fulham-premier-league-highlights
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As others have noted looked very tired 2nd half but were still the team in control.
Really need some of the wounded back very soon.
Rest, regroup and let's go smash the redscum
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https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/12866439/aston-villa-1-0-fulham-premier-league-highlights
Cheers, Leeg.
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I guess a yardstick of progress is, when you come away disappointed at the manner of a win, the fifth straight home win, and 26 points from 30.
I’m comparing how I felt this time last year.
Bloody hell. It’s good isn’t it.
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I keep saying we really need a few back as we look tired.
What a boost Kamara and Cash could be, don’t fancy Young up against Rashford.
Incredible to be in 5th.
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The crowd was a lot more anxious than the players towards the end. We didn't create much in the 2nd half but neither did they. Top grinding. Onwards!
According to BBC stats, they had one "chance" all match which was the one off target into the side netting.
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Surprised that DC has not been given more pitch time when needed.
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Another routine win...
Onwards and upwards.
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Surprised that DC has not been given more pitch time when needed.
Me too - but our CB pairing is the one part of the team that has been consistently excellent across this entire run. If Carlos played any other position, he'd definitely have had plenty of minutes over the last 4-5 games.
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Our orange boot brigade with the possible exception of Dougie all off it tonight. But as stinkers go I’ll take it all day long.
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We won and are 5th in table. Great place to be at this time of the start of the season.
They sat off us, we kind of fell into the trap of playing slowly and lost momentum in the 2nd half. Agree that we could do with a few more options returning to the squad for the run-in.
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They had one shot off target and one blocked effort, according to the kid walking behind me on the way back. I love those kinds of stats.
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We did the absolute bare minimum to get the win and with a tough away fixture on the horizon, the three matches in a week and our paper thin squad it was the smart move.
A month ago Brentford had 6 points more than us now we have 10 points more than them. Being 5th in the table at the stage is truly remarkable.
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Christ that second half....
We did what we had to do and won the game reasonably comfortably but feck me attempting to defend a 1-0 lead v Brighton final day isn't going to be for the faint hearted is it?!
I think tonight showed if Buendia has an off night as he did pretty much whenever he touched the ball then Ollie gets pretty isolated so that could be a problem for the remaining games. We badly need some of the injured players back for May.
Still 5th place under the lights at end of April, imagine thinking that was possible six months ago.
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For years we struggled to win 5 home games all season, we've just done 5 in a row and are 5th. We haven't been this good this late in a top flight season since Noah was a young lad.
First time we've won 10 home games in premier league since 07/08 season. We've only done it twice in about 25 years, no idea when we last won 11 homes in a league season so that is very possible.
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I think tonight showed if Buendia has an off night as he did pretty much whenever he touched the ball then Ollie gets pretty isolated so that could be a problem for the remaining games.
As little attacking threat as Fulham offered, they seemed to get that part right. Whether it was more by luck than design is hard to call.
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I think tonight showed if Buendia has an off night as he did pretty much whenever he touched the ball then Ollie gets pretty isolated so that could be a problem for the remaining games.
As little attacking threat as Fulham offered, they seemed to get that part right. Whether it was more by luck than design is hard to call.
Yes Buendía and Watkins were a bit off it tonight.
Fulham stepped up a few yards in the second half and did better, but their expected goals of 0.09 does say a lot about their threat. We only conceded one shot all game, and although we huffed and puffed in the 2nd half, the only way they were going to score would have been through a mistake. They certainly did way more fouls than had shots.
Mings played really well again.
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That was a tough watch at times but who cares when our run of results have been so spectacular? I thought Konsa was an absolute rock in rhe second half. Moreno brilliant in the first half but did nothing second. Was that a tactical change by Fulham or just Morenos fitness levels? If it's tactical I think that's the first time Unai has been out thought by an opposition manager since he took over at B6. Thought the ref was piss poor especially when a rare second half chance for Watkins was clearly deflected for a corner. The crowd was quiet but it was that kind of occasion especially with such a piss poor away section who must of all travelled onthe same bus. We are fifth inthe league. FIFTH. Let that sink in.
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When Unai arrived we were 3 points off bottom place.
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A gritty, hard-fought win in the end and a massive 3 points.
Really enjoyed our first half performance and thought we were completely in control.
Second half we seemed to drop off whether tactically or through tiredness and ceded some control but without being threatened too much.
One of those games to take the win over the performance but to jump into the top 5 with it is just outstanding.
Rest and recover now for Sunday.
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Tired performance in the second half but we toughed it out. We need players back because as well as they’ve done it will catch up on them at some point. Special mention to the two centre backs today, controlled possession in the first half and stood up to their defensive duties in the second.
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One highlight of that night that will stay with me was being able to get a train home. Free too as the Aston ticket machine wasn't working...
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I thought we were sublime in the first half, playing with confidence, control and penetration. Second half was painful however I couldn’t see Fulham scoring in a month of Sundays.
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One highlight of that night that will stay with me was being able to get a train home. Free too as the Aston ticket machine wasn't working...
That train's always 'free', isn't it?! I've certainly never bought a ticket for it. Although it helps that I'm normally getting off at Barnt Green, which is unmanned, when I use it.
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We did enough, Fulham however decent they have been this season, were well off it tonight. 2nd was pretty dull, Dougie MotM for me and possibly McGinn.
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Four points from two games where we haven't really played at anything like our best. We're just in that winning groove at the moment, which is lovely.
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Thought that was an absolutely excellent performance, 2nd gear, comfortable victory, Konsa and Mings had a cigar on. It didn’t need to be eyeballs out as it was controlled composed and pretty easy.
Like Forest and Bournemouth beforehand Fulham came to protect the point and hope they could nick something….they also failed :-)
We are getting respect from opponents now, which makes the results even more impressive.
Could do with Kamara, Cash & Coutinho getting fit over next week or so…Ash could do with a rest and Buendia needs some competition from Coutinho as tonight he was dispossessed soooo easily time and again.
Bring on ManYoo…we might not win (we might do) but they will fear us and what we can do….
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That had to be the smallest and quietest away contingent of the season, absolutely pitiful turnout from Fulham, even Bournemouth brought more.
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In the space of 6 months we've gone from the team everyone wanted to see next on their fixture list to a side not one club in the country wants to see next on their fixture list. And most impressive of all, we've done that with virtually the same group of players.
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We did what we needed to do. They had one shot in 90 minutes. We did them.
We can win in lots of different ways now. We can pass the ball. Retain possession. Make the opposition make mistakes. Frustrate the opposition.
We're going places.
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Tired 2nd half performance. And tired north west support after that shithouse of an M6.
Man United
Wolves
Spurs
Liverpool
Brighton.
Only 1 team above us in our last 5. Pretty remarkable when walking back from Craven Cottage 6 months ago.
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We deserved to be further ahead by half time and while that second half wasn’t pretty, we again found a way. Mings was imperious.
After giving the whole league a third of a season head start and looking like nailed on relegation fodder, we are now fifth in the league. Fifth. 5th! Utterly remarkable turnaround.
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The Fulham point of view...........always interesting to see how others see us
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Tired 2nd half performance. And tired north west support after that shithouse of an M6.
Man United
Wolves
Spurs
Liverpool
Brighton.
Only 1 team above us in our last 5. Pretty remarkable when walking back from Craven Cottage 6 months ago.
I think when we had ten games left, eight of our opponents were above us in the league, all except Wolves and Leicester I suppose. Gradually we put them all below us and beat them.
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Dominated the first half and I still don't know how the officials missed the foul on us in the area, but looked leggy in the second half.
Glad we get 2 extra days rest to Manure.
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We really had to grind it out but got the job done. Fulham never really threatened us, but 1-0 is always a vulnerable scoreline. UE admitted that some players looked tired - I said before that the fitness of Kamara, Cash and Coutinho is crucial - hopefully they'll be ready for Man United this Sunday - at least as options off the bench. But hey, what a run it's been these last 10 games!
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The first half was a stroll, but without the goals to go with the performance.
Very controlled, steady passing movement, no panicking on the ball.
Second half Fulham pushed and pressed a lot more but still had no clear cut chances.
A win that a decent, well managed team, can get week in week out. Fair play to Unai for coaching the players to this level of consistency and through that confidence too.
We look tired, we need to swap a few out if possible but another win (16 now) and 5th for a short while at least.
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Excellent in first half, lost our heads a bit in the second. I know other teams have games in hand but nice to have points on the board.
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Totally dominated the first half without getting out of second gear, Moreno caused havoc for Fulham down the left.
Second half we lacked any real tempo but still created the best chances, what a turnaround from the despair under Gerrard.
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Tired 2nd half performance. And tired north west support after that shithouse of an M6.
Man United
Wolves
Spurs
Liverpool
Brighton.
Only 1 team above us in our last 5. Pretty remarkable when walking back from Craven Cottage 6 months ago.
Blimey, that's a long walk.
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Not the best, but we ground out the result. Little concerned by Ollie, who has been off the boil last 2 games imo.
Mings my MOTM. Formidable at the back, and channeled his inner Beckenbauer with some of his passes forward.... and Cundy was still belittling him on Talkshite last night. I'd say he's up there with the best of England's defensive pickings at the moment - Seems to have cut out the brain farts entirely since we started this run.
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Tired 2nd half performance. And tired north west support after that shithouse of an M6.
Man United
Wolves
Spurs
Liverpool
Brighton.
Only 1 team above us in our last 5. Pretty remarkable when walking back from Craven Cottage 6 months ago.
Yes a big thank you to everyone involved in shutting one lane of the Expressway feeder ramp, a really good decision on a match night but particular thanks must go to the Highways Agency for shutting 3 lanes of the M6 North at Stafford South for absolutely no reason whatsoever. What a bloody clown show.
As for the match, did what we needed to, tough games to come but we’re capable of getting results so still feeling confident of 6th or 7th. Hopefully some injury returnees by Sunday.
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A dull routine win where we were never ever in danger. Magnificent, more please.
Really positive to be picking up wins where we simply didn’t function as an attacking force with seemingly all the creative players off their feed.
MOM - Mings, Konsa very close.
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Not the best, but we ground out the result. Little concerned by Ollie, who has been off the boil last 2 games imo.
Mings my MOTM. Formidable at the back, and channeled his inner Beckenbauer with some of his passes forward.... and Cundy was still belittling him on Talkshite last night. I'd say he's up there with the best of England's defensive pickings at the moment - Seems to have cut out the brain farts entirely since we started this run.
think it was Cundy on talksport, a Leeds fan phoned in about Bamford being shit last night and has been for a long time,he was saying how he likes Bamford and does this does that,I thought if that's Watkins you would slagg him off every opportunity
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Plus it's nice to get up on a Wednesday morning regardless of the performance
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While not the best attacking display, the way the team have been coached defensively is superb.
Emery is a class act and these players are giving everything for the club. You can see they are tired but somehow they find something to carry on and never switch off. We have more than 1 way to win a game and for the last half hour last night I think we decided to sit in and use the least amount in energy possible.
It’s going to be tough run in but whatever happens it’s been an unbelievable turnaround.
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Honestly, thought we controlled the second half mostly. You can control a game without the ball, and while it really wasn't pretty, sometimes it's what you got to do. Ball wasn't sticking up front, Buendia had his bad half, somehow Ramsey couldn't wriggle out, and the Donk is a fine stopper but his passing under pressure from a team like Fulham, who know how to press, can go off and it did.
It happens, but fuck, it was another win. Look at how many wins that is! Look at all the wins! It's unbelievable.
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I sat with my arms folded for most of the game last night, I'm getting used to how the manager wants us to play, the players are patient and we need to be. Of course, I don't want it to be like this every week but then, during the last home game I never sat still, bawling howling, singing and celebrating. We must expect both and Newton Heath at the weekend will be a lot more tense.
The Manager seemed rather relaxed in the second half as well and this seems to transfer to the players and his manner is key in seeing out games and getting those tight victories.
I do concede that we look jaded though, having at least one of Cash or Kamara back on Sunday would be an enormous boost.
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Honestly, thought we controlled the second half mostly. You can control a game without the ball, and while it really wasn't pretty, sometimes it's what you got to do. Ball wasn't sticking up front, Buendia had his bad half, somehow Ramsey couldn't wriggle out, and the Donk is a fine stopper but his passing under pressure from a team like Fulham, who know how to press, can go off and it did.
It happens, but fuck, it was another win. Look at how many wins that is! Look at all the wins! It's unbelievable.
Yes, and four points from the last two games when we haven't been at our best is not to be sniffed at. The lack of decent options on the bench could become a problem though, if we had another striker I'd have taken Watkins off on 60 minutes last night.
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Sometimes your fluency deserts you, our quality level isn't yet such that this will never happen. However, the question is 'what have you got to fall back on when it does' - and in our case, it's absolutely tremendous defensive organisation.
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Sometimes your fluency deserts you, our quality level isn't yet such that this will never happen. However, the question is 'what have you got to fall back on when it does' - and in our case, it's absolutely tremendous defensive organisation.
A statement like that would have been unthinkable back in the days of the 'cornalties'
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Honestly, thought we controlled the second half mostly. You can control a game without the ball, and while it really wasn't pretty, sometimes it's what you got to do. Ball wasn't sticking up front, Buendia had his bad half, somehow Ramsey couldn't wriggle out, and the Donk is a fine stopper but his passing under pressure from a team like Fulham, who know how to press, can go off and it did.
It happens, but fuck, it was another win. Look at how many wins that is! Look at all the wins! It's unbelievable.
In the first half the Fulham press was really halfhearted, they looked resigned to losing. Moreno had time and space to get at their fullback at will and Mings kept feeding him. They were much more aggressive in the second which blunted us but we still dealt with everything they had to offer.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
Yes, and we did a lot more punting it forward last second half, to mostly not very good effect. Which just highlights that Emery's way is the right way.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
Yes, and we did a lot more punting it forward last second half, to mostly not very good effect. Which just highlights that Emery's way is the right way.
Agree, thought Ollie did ok with those too, didn’t win many but challenged every one…perhaps big leggy in midfield that we didn’t manage to get Buendia and Ramsey once he had that knock onto the second balls
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Arse - should have drew
Citeh - took a point off them
Wet Spam - bogey team
'The Mighty Reds YNWA' - yet to play and try to win
Wolves - yet to play and try to win
Beaten:
Newcastle
Manure
Spuds
Brighton
Fulham
Brentford
Chavski
Palace
Bournemouth
Leeds
Foxes
Toffees
Forest
Saints
14 teams beaten this season with the long overdue Manure at home one of the pinnacles.
Emery - the KING.
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Not a great advert for a 15% rise in season ticket prices? But a win nonetheless! UTV
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Honestly, thought we controlled the second half mostly. You can control a game without the ball, and while it really wasn't pretty, sometimes it's what you got to do. Ball wasn't sticking up front, Buendia had his bad half, somehow Ramsey couldn't wriggle out, and the Donk is a fine stopper but his passing under pressure from a team like Fulham, who know how to press, can go off and it did.
It happens, but fuck, it was another win. Look at how many wins that is! Look at all the wins! It's unbelievable.
In the first half the Fulham press was really halfhearted, they looked resigned to losing. Moreno had time and space to get at their fullback at will and Mings kept feeding him. They were much more aggressive in the second which blunted us but we still dealt with everything they had to offer.
Moreno and Ramsey were causing all sorts of problems down the left in the first half. They seemed to struggle after getting knocks before half time and we found it difficult to get at them in the second half. But as others have said, our defensive organisation is so good now that although Fulham had lots of the ball they created fuck all.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
A bloke a few seats away from me in the Trinity doesn't get it either, regularly bellowing "Stop pissing about! Lump it! Get it down the wing! Smash it! Hoof it out!" then spends 10 minutes on his phone checking how Leeds and Wolves are getting on!
And leaves 10 minutes early!
FFS!
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Not a great advert for a 15% rise in season ticket prices? But a win nonetheless! UTV
No, you're right, a win at home to move up to 5th in the table was definitely not much of a positive! ;-)
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Purpletrousers and I were commenting that we could do with a Mings headed goal as they gathered for the corner. And lo and behold........
Unfortunately, we did the same with Traore when he came on, but that didn't work.
What I have found really pleasing of late is that our defensive shape is forcing errors from teams; they seem to be playing the ball out of play a lot when trying to shift it around.
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I couldnt be prouder or more pleased with the team and the players - we have made about 2 years progress in 6 months - and I think everyone at the club will see top 6 as the aim for next season and buy into that 100.
Literally it is the bare-bones of a squad - and they have been brilliant. The final step of European competition may be a step to far given the injuries and the SG drag factor, but whatever happens between now and the end of the season a lot of players have really done the club proud and that's all we can ask. The future looks really bright!
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Mid-week/night games always seem to be a bit crap. Traffic was awful after as well, and didn't get home until after midnight.
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It’s one of those games where it’s a bit hard to say anything that’s not obvious. We totally bossed the first half and should have scored more, looked tired in the second but didn’t really look like conceding, we’re getting more and more comfortable playing out from the back, Moreno was our best outlet first half, defence and Douggie played well, Ollie and Buendia couldn’t quite get into the game (but did manage to get into each other).
I am in London for the week, so headed back there after the game and there were a couple of Fulham fans on the train comparing our first half performance to Man City, which was nice. Also quite complimentary about the atmosphere which i I personally thought was ok but not amazing. Guess we’re getting spoilt?
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Mid-week/night games always seem to be a bit crap. Traffic was awful after as well, and didn't get home until after midnight.
Expressway being mostly closed was utterly shite, must have been a Blues fan in charge. M1 was also down to 1 lane in a couple of places too.
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Mid-week/night games always seem to be a bit crap. Traffic was awful after as well, and didn't get home until after midnight.
Expressway being mostly closed was utterly shite, must have been a Blues fan in charge. M1 was also down to 1 lane in a couple of places too.
And the trains were mostly not running.
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I thought Villa winning under the lights at Villa Park was meant to be the best sight and sound in football.
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Mid-week/night games always seem to be a bit crap. Traffic was awful after as well, and didn't get home until after midnight.
Expressway being mostly closed was utterly shite, must have been a Blues fan in charge. M1 was also down to 1 lane in a couple of places too.
Ha, walking down Witton Lane last night before the game, a car came towards us from Expressway direction, driving slowly past the ground playing Mr Blue Sky at full blast with all his windows wound down, tosser
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I thought Villa winning under the lights at Villa Park was meant to be the best sight and sound in football.
Quitest game in years last night, not helped by all the Fulham fans coming in the same taxi.
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I did hear them them singing about us crying at Wembley in the play off final . Can we let our Fulham friend on here know that it was the best thing to happen to us in a decade.
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I did hear them them singing about us crying at Wembley in the play off final . Can we let our Fulham friend on here know that it was the best thing to happen to us in a decade.
Especially as we then didn't go on to do "a Fulham"!
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I did hear them them singing about us crying at Wembley in the play off final . Can we let our Fulham friend on here know that it was the best thing to happen to us in a decade.
Based on where it feels the trajectory of the club is right now, its the best thing to happen to us in many, many decades! Never have I been more thankful for losing a game than that one - crazy to think where we might've been had the people in charge at the time been given the Premier League money.
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Although we were well on top in the first half, thought we could have upped the tempo and really gone for the jugular and put the match to bed at half time, which would have given the fans a relaxing 2nd half, but as it turned out we saw the game out comfortably which is one of the things, we have being doing under Emery.
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I'd love to know how much of our second-half performance was deliberate, or to instruction - i.e. completely taking our foot off the gas? Was it a case of "They're not looking like scoring, so let them come at us and we'll pick them off"? I mean, we were clearly much worse second half, but it's not like Fulham were much "better" - I don't think they had a shot on target all game?
Although we were far from brilliant, I expect the players conserved quite a lot of energy in that game compared to a typical blood-and-thunder premier league fixture, which might be helpful come Sunday.
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The Man City comparison is not far off and I was thinking that last night during the first half. We will retain possession and be risk free until an opportunity arises then try and create. With Stockport City the comparison was made to a snake slowly strangling their opponent and it's not far off what we do, I've referenced previously how we seem to draw the sting out of teams which means the climax to a games is not particularly nervy. The major difference being the respective quality of the squads, and the fact that Stockport rarely deviate from this but Emery gets us "up and at 'em" if you like when required.
I've never been a fan of that slow style, but the fact that it's working for us and we keep winning is making me a rapid convert and I will be the first to acknowledge that I am something of a luddite when it comes to modern football but if it eventually sees us waving a trophy around I really couldn't care less how it's achieved.
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The Man City comparison is not far off and I was thinking that last night during the first half. We will retain possession and be risk free until an opportunity arises then try and create. With Stockport City the comparison was made to a snake slowly strangling their opponent and it's not far off what we do, I've referenced previously how we seem to draw the sting out of teams which means the climax to a games is not particularly nervy. The major difference being the respective quality of the squads, and the fact that Stockport rarely deviate from this but Emery gets us "up and at 'em" if you like when required.
I've never been a fan of that slow style, but the fact that it's working for us and we keep winning is making me a rapid convert and I will be the first to acknowledge that I am something of a luddite when it comes to modern football but if it eventually sees us waving a trophy around I really couldn't care less how it's achieved.
I think there is a difference between "slow" and "patient". I'd prefer us to move the ball a little faster, but remain patient. A few times last night, Konsa was up over halfway, stationary with the ball at his feet for several seconds looking for an option, before passing it back and starting again - that "ponderous" looking play is a bit difficult to watch - but I'm completely happy for us to knock it about between our defence and midfield waiting for a good opportunity to move forward.
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I'd love to know how much of our second-half performance was deliberate, or to instruction - i.e. completely taking our foot off the gas? Was it a case of "They're not looking like scoring, so let them come at us and we'll pick them off"? I mean, we were clearly much worse second half, but it's not like Fulham were much "better" - I don't think they had a shot on target all game?
Although we were far from brilliant, I expect the players conserved quite a lot of energy in that game compared to a typical blood-and-thunder premier league fixture, which might be helpful come Sunday.
No, I don't think so, Emery was doing his nut on the sidelines.
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I did hear them them singing about us crying at Wembley in the play off final . Can we let our Fulham friend on here know that it was the best thing to happen to us in a decade.
London Franky I think you mean, a decent sort and I can pretty much guarantee he's sharp enough to know that them beating us in that play-off final was to our benefit as much as Fulham's. I like Fulham btw, never seem to be up their own arses.
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I did hear them them singing about us crying at Wembley in the play off final . Can we let our Fulham friend on here know that it was the best thing to happen to us in a decade.
London Franky I think you mean, a decent sort and I can pretty much guarantee he's sharp enough to know that them beating us in that play-off final was to our benefit as much as Fulham's. I like Fulham btw, never seem to be up their own arses.
Yes that is the fella , it wasn’t a criticism really , it amused me that they would bring it up . I felt like clapping 😃
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I did hear them them singing about us crying at Wembley in the play off final . Can we let our Fulham friend on here know that it was the best thing to happen to us in a decade.
London Franky I think you mean, a decent sort and I can pretty much guarantee he's sharp enough to know that them beating us in that play-off final was to our benefit as much as Fulham's. I like Fulham btw, never seem to be up their own arses.
Yeah, he's a good bloke.
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If we continue our good form going forward, I think last night was a sign of things to come in terms of teams sitting off us at VP and putting everyone behind the ball.
Just thought we slowed right down and then lost momentum in the second half. Think we have got to try and keep a high tempo in those circumstances and keep moving the ball quickly.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
Yes, and we did a lot more punting it forward last second half, to mostly not very good effect. Which just highlights that Emery's way is the right way.
Agree, thought Ollie did ok with those too, didn’t win many but challenged every one…perhaps big leggy in midfield that we didn’t manage to get Buendia and Ramsey once he had that knock onto the second balls
There was a real lack of movement from our advanced midfielders, nobody seemed to want the ball other than SJM who led by example. I'd forgotten Ramsey was playing for the first 30 minutes and thereafter he seemed to be playing Statues. Buendia was demanding the ball but in very tight situations where he was unlikely to do anything with it.
Playing it out to Moreno is great but we do need to find alternative ways to attack. It became a bit predictable, not to mention frustrating.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
It's not too bad by me in the UT. There's one bloke somewhere behind me that's still a "get rid of it!” disciple, but everyone else seems a full convert. At one point we had a backpass to Martinez that brought a smattering of applause. Strange but welcome times.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
It's not too bad by me in the UT. There's one bloke somewhere behind me that's still a "get rid of it!” disciple, but everyone else seems a full convert. At one point we had a backpass to Martinez that brought a smattering of applause. Strange but welcome times.
I am in upper Trinity as well and people around me seem more acceptable to the playing out from the back than say 10 games ago, apart from the guy who sits next to me (who I have never spoken to as he is an absolute nuicance) he sits shaking his head and shouting in a high pitched voice "NOOOOOO" every time we go back, even that applause last night was met by him with a shake of the head and him saying to his mate " I dont know whey we do that, we will never win anything playing like that" to be fair, I really hope he doesnt renew and I get a neighbour who isnt elbowing me or standing on my foot all game even though he never stands, even when we score.
He was also condemming of the taking a knee, he always used to say to his mate "I dont know why they applaud that rubbish" whilst his mate was applauding.
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It was reminiscent of the Forest game where they tried to negate our style so didn't make for a great spectacle. I'm so glad Mings got the winner as he's deserved a goal for some sterling displays this season. He was my MoM too. Thought the Donk was good first half. Normally I'd be having kittens with only a 1-0 lead going into the last 10 minutes but we're a different team under Emery. He hasn't just transformed us he's metamorphosed us.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
It's not too bad by me in the UT. There's one bloke somewhere behind me that's still a "get rid of it!” disciple, but everyone else seems a full convert. At one point we had a backpass to Martinez that brought a smattering of applause. Strange but welcome times.
I am in upper Trinity as well and people around me seem more acceptable to the playing out from the back than say 10 games ago, apart from the guy who sits next to me (who I have never spoken to as he is an absolute nuicance) he sits shaking his head and shouting in a high pitched voice "NOOOOOO" every time we go back, even that applause last night was met by him with a shake of the head and him saying to his mate " I dont know whey we do that, we will never win anything playing like that" to be fair, I really hope he doesnt renew and I get a neighbour who isnt elbowing me or standing on my foot all game even though he never stands, even when we score.
He was also condemming of the taking a knee, he always used to say to his mate "I dont know why they applaud that rubbish" whilst his mate was applauding.
Some of the older ones near me in the UT do like sucking through their teeth when we’re playing around at the back but I’m putting that down to a generational thing as much as anything but the two old codgers who sit behind me have said it’s a breath of fresh air to see the team treating the ball and possession with respect and they love it! I suppose some people are just not patient and want everything to be done at 100mph. Plus it is a bit of a British cultural thing, the up and at em style and it’ll take a while for these fancy foreign ways to become embedded.
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It was reminiscent of the Forest game where they tried to negate our style so didn't make for a great spectacle. I'm so glad Mings got the winner as he's deserved a goal for some sterling displays this season. He was my MoM too. Thought the Donk was good first half. Normally I'd be having kittens with only a 1-0 lead going into the last 10 minutes but we're a different team under Emery. He hasn't just transformed us he's metamorphosed us.
Absolutely agree.
It's just so nice to watch us being calm and controlled and confident on the ball.
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What I did find interesting last night, particularly in the second half was the amount of supporters around me (Witton Upper) who haven’t grasped how Emery wants us to play…sure it can be a bit boring when the ball is going between Emi, Mings and Konsa but just yelling ‘forward’ when no player has space is not his way :-)
We didn’t have as many of those pass, pass, pass accelerate type transitions last night as recent games but when we did we looked good.
It's not too bad by me in the UT. There's one bloke somewhere behind me that's still a "get rid of it!” disciple, but everyone else seems a full convert. At one point we had a backpass to Martinez that brought a smattering of applause. Strange but welcome times.
I am in upper Trinity as well and people around me seem more acceptable to the playing out from the back than say 10 games ago, apart from the guy who sits next to me (who I have never spoken to as he is an absolute nuicance) he sits shaking his head and shouting in a high pitched voice "NOOOOOO" every time we go back, even that applause last night was met by him with a shake of the head and him saying to his mate " I dont know whey we do that, we will never win anything playing like that" to be fair, I really hope he doesnt renew and I get a neighbour who isnt elbowing me or standing on my foot all game even though he never stands, even when we score.
He was also condemming of the taking a knee, he always used to say to his mate "I dont know why they applaud that rubbish" whilst his mate was applauding.
When I went v Forest I was slightly bemoaning Ollie wasn't making more runs wider and dragging the centre halves out of position. Transpires if he does that we score less goals. WTF do I know after 45 years watching them :)
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Forgot to mention I thought the ref was a real lightweight certainly not premier league standard
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Some of the older ones near me in the UT do like sucking through their teeth when we’re playing around at the back but I’m putting that down to a generational thing as much as anything but the two old codgers who sit behind me have said it’s a breath of fresh air to see the team treating the ball and possession with respect and they love it! I suppose some people are just not patient and want everything to be done at 100mph. Plus it is a bit of a British cultural thing, the up and at em style and it’ll take a while for these fancy foreign ways to become embedded.
I think it is a seen by some as almost an arrogant way to play. There's nothing we like more in this country than saying "who does he think he is?". I think some people see it as "Oh, so you think lumping it forward to the big man is beneath you, do you? Well go on then, try your little passes, see where that gets you".
I heard someone say the other night "The problem with Emery is - he hates losing possession of the ball".
But the crowd in general has really taken to the new style, which is great. I guess if 5 wins at home on the bounce, without conceding a goal, doesn't convince you that this might work, you may be a lost cause!
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I'm not sure if this has been commented on already, but watching again the goal, Buendia could easily have applied a simple finishing touch to Mings's header, but had the awareness and presence of mind not to do so, since he would have been offside.