Post by: kippaxvilla2 on November 06, 2024, 07:41:51 PM
Post by: jon collett on November 06, 2024, 07:43:28 PM
Just found everything tonight ludicrous.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 07:43:41 PM
Post by: usav on November 06, 2024, 07:43:53 PM
Post by: Jane on November 06, 2024, 07:44:18 PM
Post by: Des Little on November 06, 2024, 07:44:28 PM
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 06, 2024, 07:44:41 PM
Post by: DB on November 06, 2024, 07:44:53 PM
Post by: Rigadon on November 06, 2024, 07:44:57 PM
We need to start Duran or Watkins. Playing both of them does not work.
Shit shit shit.
Shit day.
Post by: ez on November 06, 2024, 07:45:31 PM
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 07:45:39 PM
Post by: pauliewalnuts on November 06, 2024, 07:45:45 PM
Terrible, and we're getting worse.
Slow, sloppy passing, no cutting edge.
I get that Bailey is playing because he's our only wide option, but he's playing fucking terribly.
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 06, 2024, 07:45:59 PM
Post by: TonyD on November 06, 2024, 07:46:19 PM
Look like they have never played together before.
Bizarre.
Post by: Baldy on November 06, 2024, 07:46:29 PM
Please
Post by: TopDeck113 on November 06, 2024, 07:46:49 PM
Post by: Astnor on November 06, 2024, 07:46:57 PM
Post by: Sexual Ealing on November 06, 2024, 07:47:03 PM
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 07:47:07 PM
Well done guys. Done such a great job to get us there and now you playing like you just dont care.
A absolute terrible performance. Only kamara played well. Surrounded by ten hopeless players who showed no heart or passion.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 07:47:14 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
I don’t know how we’re knackered. We never run anywhere.
Post by: Dave P on November 06, 2024, 07:47:17 PM
Everyone else 2
Post by: Jane on November 06, 2024, 07:47:52 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
You're such an optimist!
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 06, 2024, 07:48:09 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
I don’t know how we’re knackered. We never run anywhere.
It's more mysterious considering we keep resting/rotating players especially so they won't be knackered, too.
Post by: TonyD on November 06, 2024, 07:48:25 PM
Maatsen 62 is generous
Everyone else 2
Post by: DC1874 on November 06, 2024, 07:48:28 PM
Post by: Risso on November 06, 2024, 07:48:28 PM
Post by: BC Villain on November 06, 2024, 07:48:44 PM
Post by: LukeJames on November 06, 2024, 07:48:53 PM
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 07:49:02 PM
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 06, 2024, 07:49:07 PM
We look shitter and slower with a full squad than we have at times when we barely had a bench.
Post by: Bobby Boy on November 06, 2024, 07:49:29 PM
We seem to want to slow every game down so that it feels as though we are playing in slow motion. Not just tonight but for weeks now.
Constant rotation so there's no connection or understanding between the players.
Play your best team Emery then play them again. Let's get some momentum.
Post by: pauliewalnuts on November 06, 2024, 07:49:32 PM
Liverpool are gonna fuck us up on Saturday night!
I won't be watching that, won't be able to, and am frankly glad.
Post by: Sexual Ealing on November 06, 2024, 07:49:41 PM
Emery had better not try and defend that performance. It was Gerrard-esque
None of them were the best version of themselves.
Post by: PhilVill on November 06, 2024, 07:50:12 PM
Post by: TonyD on November 06, 2024, 07:50:34 PM
Post by: PaulTheVillan on November 06, 2024, 07:50:39 PM
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 07:50:53 PM
Emery had better not try and defend that performance. It was Gerrard-esque
None of them were the best version of themselves.
We needed a moment of magic. Bring Phil back.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 07:51:24 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
I don’t know how we’re knackered. We never run anywhere.
It's more mysterious considering we keep resting/rotating players especially so they won't be knackered, too.
Sorry CD but im not buying that excuse. How can we be tired already? We looked shite on sunday and rested the team midweek.
Just think the teams not good enough. We replaced key players with players nowhere near the level and defensively we look even worse than last year
Post by: andyh on November 06, 2024, 07:52:20 PM
We have suddenly gone from a team that plays with pomp and confidence, to one that looks, ponderous, nervous and devoid of confidence.
If you didn’t know better, you would think we were a team in the middle of a relegation battle.
Ollie looks like he is battling demons.
Torres, who is unquestionable for some reason, is a liability who gives the ball away too much.
McGinn is caught in possession to often.
Our full backs are not allowed (?) to bomb on, but have to turn inside, constantly.
A super sub, who is just that. A super sub. Nowhere near good enough to start , yet the media screams out for him.
And Bailey has decided to be the shit Bailey that we saw in season 1.
Someone said on the match thread that we look like we believe our own hype.
I tend to agree, we seem to have forgotten that you need to run, tackle move and work.
Slow, backwards and sideways works sometimes.
But we have to mix it up.
Post by: jon collett on November 06, 2024, 07:52:32 PM
When you try and play slow paced to control the game it's very hard to suddenly slam through the gears and batter a side when it doesn't work and you go behind. And it's not something Unai seems keen on us doing.
We look shitter and slower with a full squad than we have at times when we barely had a bench.
The strange thing about that is there were games we started and played at a big pace not so long ago and thrashed the opposition. They couldn’t live with us.
It definitely seems to be a deliberate tactic as I saw Mings and Konda telling the others to slow it down.
Post by: PaulWinch again on November 06, 2024, 07:53:05 PM
When you try and play slow paced to control the game it's very hard to suddenly slam through the gears and batter a side when it doesn't work and you go behind. And it's not something Unai seems keen on us doing.
We look shitter and slower with a full squad than we have at times when we barely had a bench.
But we’re too imprecise to get control too.
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 06, 2024, 07:53:23 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
I don’t know how we’re knackered. We never run anywhere.
It's more mysterious considering we keep resting/rotating players especially so they won't be knackered, too.
Sorry CD but im not buying that excuse. How can we be tired already? We looked shite on sunday and rested the team midweek.
Just think the teams not good enough. We replaced key players with players nowhere near the level and defensively we look even worse than last year
I wasn't making any excuse. I was stating my bemusement.
Post by: TonyD on November 06, 2024, 07:53:31 PM
Post by: JUAN PABLO on November 06, 2024, 07:54:06 PM
Maatsen 6
Everyone else 2
thought kamara was 7
Post by: DB on November 06, 2024, 07:54:08 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
I don’t know how we’re knackered. We never run anywhere.
It's more mysterious considering we keep resting/rotating players especially so they won't be knackered, too.
Sorry CD but im not buying that excuse. How can we be tired already? We looked shite on sunday and rested the team midweek.
Just think the teams not good enough. We replaced key players with players nowhere near the level and defensively we look even worse than last year
Kamara is back and was our best player, we have the players. It has been poor. But Buendia is not the answer from the bench.
Post by: eamonn on November 06, 2024, 07:54:27 PM
Sounded awful. Mings should be banned and docked wages. Top 24 if we are lucky. Form since Bayern not fabulous.
Nah, we've 9 points already so you can't doom-predict us lower than 16th.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 07:54:44 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
I don’t know how we’re knackered. We never run anywhere.
It's more mysterious considering we keep resting/rotating players especially so they won't be knackered, too.
Sorry CD but im not buying that excuse. How can we be tired already? We looked shite on sunday and rested the team midweek.
Just think the teams not good enough. We replaced key players with players nowhere near the level and defensively we look even worse than last year
I wasn't making any excuse. I was stating my bemusement.
Oh ok mate 😃
Just to add never playel duran and ollie together again. Its a fucking disaster ans doesn't work
Post by: eamonn on November 06, 2024, 07:55:31 PM
Completely missed the Spurs game. But that was the worst performance I’ve seen under Emery.
Look like they have never played together before.
Bizarre.
They hadn't.
Post by: rougegorge on November 06, 2024, 07:55:40 PM
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 06, 2024, 07:55:49 PM
Post by: eamonn on November 06, 2024, 07:56:58 PM
Emery had better not try and defend that performance. It was Gerrard-esque
None of them were the best version of themselves.
Mings won't be able to look anyone in the eye.
Post by: Meanwood Villa on November 06, 2024, 07:57:13 PM
Maatsen 6
Everyone else 2
Maatsen was one of the worst. How does Digne get so many touches of the ball and this bloke's anonymous?
Post by: andyh on November 06, 2024, 07:57:18 PM
Players look tired and slow but I just can't fathom how any of the players are tired about a quarter of the way through the season.Our numbers previously showed we cover the least distance in the league.
Post by: Jane on November 06, 2024, 07:57:32 PM
I'm going to numb this awful day out with alcohol.
Ditto.
Post by: nordenvillain on November 06, 2024, 07:57:38 PM
Worst performance under Emery. By a looong way. Awful.
We need to start Duran or Watkins. Playing both of them does not work.
Shit shit shit.
Watkins had 58 minutes on his own and Durn 10, i.e. they played together for 22 minutes. It wasn't the system that was wrong, it was the player's attitudes. As I wrote in the Match thread, it looked like they were running in treacle. There has to be a Plan B, C etc. if what we are trying, i.e. Plan A, is not working. Emery has to take some of the b;lame for that performance.
Post by: Steve67 on November 06, 2024, 07:57:44 PM
Post by: Chip Butty 111 on November 06, 2024, 07:57:48 PM
Post by: Meanwood Villa on November 06, 2024, 07:57:51 PM
I'm going to numb this awful day out with alcohol.
Me too. Fortunately Belgian beer is rocket fuel.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 06, 2024, 07:57:53 PM
Rotation is great if nobody notices the changes. However, right now nobody notices the changes because we're shockingly underperforming. That's not supposed to happen, Unai.
Post by: TonyD on November 06, 2024, 07:58:11 PM
A bounce back.
Or a fisting.
Post by: ez on November 06, 2024, 07:58:29 PM
Post by: Chip Butty 111 on November 06, 2024, 07:59:10 PM
We’re playing badly, and getting worse. Tonight was Steve Bruce levels of bad.'We've had a horrible one'...
Post by: usav on November 06, 2024, 07:59:13 PM
I just cannot think of a reason for Mings to do that.
Because he takes mental breaks - he always has done, this is nothing new.
Post by: Flamingo Lane on November 06, 2024, 07:59:32 PM
Why would a footballer bend down to pick a ball up rather than just kick it?
That's actually a very good point. If I passed a football to a three year old child and he/she picked it up I'd be disappointed that he/she didn't kick it.
Post by: andyh on November 06, 2024, 07:59:57 PM
I just cannot think of a reason for Mings to do that.I still cannot fathom why he wasn’t sent off.
If it was a pen, then it was a deliberate hand ball.
Post by: Goldie.7 on November 06, 2024, 08:00:00 PM
Bailey needs to find a new home in January.
Post by: steamer on November 06, 2024, 08:00:07 PM
after 60 years it takes a lot to make me think about not watching a game, Saturday may be that moment.
What the fuck was Mings doing picking up the ball to put it down 2 yards away.
Absolutely zero attacking intent.
I did not see catweazel on the side lines, was he there ?
Post by: eye digress on November 06, 2024, 08:00:33 PM
Post by: MalcolmP on November 06, 2024, 08:01:35 PM
Maatsen 6Kamara best player by a country mile. Maatsen did little and nothing better than Digne
Everyone else 2
Post by: andyh on November 06, 2024, 08:01:41 PM
Only player (from the 10 outfield) tonight who looked like they could be bothered was Maatsen. The rest get 0.
Bailey needs to find a new home in January.
I take it you thought Kamra couldn’t be bothered, or are you just talking shit ?
Post by: eamonn on November 06, 2024, 08:01:43 PM
I know that for some reason top-class footballers trust their weaker foot as much as pub-players but it was amusing that Neddy may as well have had his left foot protected in a plastic bag when he came on.
Post by: ez on November 06, 2024, 08:02:18 PM
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 08:02:20 PM
Maatsen 6If you get 6 for passing the ball backwards like a hot potatoe then I agree
Everyone else 2
Post by: RamboandBruno on November 06, 2024, 08:04:06 PM
I really didnt think Brugge were very good, they must of booted it straight out of play about 6 or 7 times, so this is a bad defeat performance wise and in terms of potential progression. I think all the four games we have left are tougher than tonight, so everything is up in the air now.
The way we played tonight, it does feel like where is the next performance coming from, I certainly don’t see it on Saturday. The week off after might do us good to re-group before Palace.
I do think the midfield is the main concern and I think he has to try Onana and Kamara with Tielemans.
Post by: Hookeysmith on November 06, 2024, 08:04:07 PM
Post by: Goldie.7 on November 06, 2024, 08:04:20 PM
Maatsen 6
Everyone else 2
Maatsen was one of the worst. How does Digne get so many touches of the ball and this bloke's anonymous?
No, watch again he was actually making runs but for some bizarre reason we just kept stopping any forward momentum to pedestrian walking. There's no way most of these players are fatigued, they don't make any runs anymore.
Post by: nick harper on November 06, 2024, 08:04:45 PM
Why would a footballer bend down to pick a ball up rather than just kick it?
That's actually a very good point. If I passed a football to a three year old child and he/she picked it up I'd be disappointed that he/she didn't kick it.
I think it was the mentality of slowing the game down. I’m sure we came for a 0-0, but Mings picked it up from outside the six yard box so it looked like Martinez had taken it.
Konsa and Carlos must have had the ball for 10 minutes between them in that game. It was ridiculous how slowly they played given Bruges were not going to press.
Post by: Monty on November 06, 2024, 08:05:18 PM
Post by: Somniloquism on November 06, 2024, 08:06:08 PM
Why would a footballer bend down to pick a ball up rather than just kick it?
No idea. He wasn't looking at Martinez but was looking up the field so he didn't see Martinez had kicked it to him. But still he could have easily rolled it back with his foot. You would have thought he might have realised we don't just hoof it up the field after watching us most of last season from the stand. Although we didn't deserve a point anyway on todays showing so.....
Post by: Chip Butty 111 on November 06, 2024, 08:07:07 PM
Was it obvious in real time that the game had restarted?To anyone who has ever played football..yes. What went through Mings head only he knows. He'll have nightmares about it. Why some on here said it wasn't in play was bizarre..
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 08:07:47 PM
I'm going to numb this awful day out with alcohol.
Hahaha can i join you?
Post by: eamonn on November 06, 2024, 08:08:43 PM
Neither player started the subsequent games and we were shite in both. Let Olsen field the questions next time.
Post by: Villatillidie25 on November 06, 2024, 08:09:19 PM
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
Post by: Clampy on November 06, 2024, 08:09:48 PM
As for their goal, like someone else said, I can't work out why he wasnt booked if it was deemed handball.
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 06, 2024, 08:10:34 PM
I'm going to numb this awful day out with alcohol.
Hahaha can i join you?
Go on then. It's your round. 🙂
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 08:12:06 PM
Post by: jon collett on November 06, 2024, 08:12:08 PM
Post by: Skerra on November 06, 2024, 08:12:34 PM
Post by: caster troy on November 06, 2024, 08:12:46 PM
It’s having an impact on the rest of the team now as they either play it too safe or panic and try hollywood balls. McGinn is also in a slump which isn’t helping.
Post by: taylorsworkrate on November 06, 2024, 08:12:48 PM
That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
It was a stonewall oenalty. Mings picked up the ball when clearly in play
Post by: Somniloquism on November 06, 2024, 08:12:48 PM
Bailey just needs dropping. He is adding nothing at all in the attack or defence.
Rogers needs to learn to get an end product, maybe give Palmer exclusive use of the goal celebration and ask Palmer for goals and assists in exchange.
Watkins, seems he is back in his shallow period again after as he has done nothing since the Fulham match.
Youri, what has happened? Are other players not doing anything so you have no ball to release?
Post by: spk on November 06, 2024, 08:12:59 PM
Post by: London Villan on November 06, 2024, 08:14:14 PM
Post by: Villafirst on November 06, 2024, 08:14:47 PM
Post by: eye digress on November 06, 2024, 08:15:12 PM
As for their goal, like someone else said, I can't work out why he wasnt booked if it was deemed handball.Pity?
Post by: Somniloquism on November 06, 2024, 08:15:28 PM
https://x.com/villatil1die/status/1854242281165140025?s=46&t=1A7xfLJNUgdI6215TY6YlA
I expect the UEFA equivalent of PGMOL sent that around and stated, do not allow that again. There was a video on the BBC a few weeks ago when both teams in one game did that exact thing and pens were given then as well.
Post by: Villa Lew on November 06, 2024, 08:16:33 PM
Post by: LukeJames on November 06, 2024, 08:17:16 PM
I remember watching that Bundesliga video and pissing myself laughing while thinking how could anybody be so stupid..... step forward Aston Villa.https://x.com/villatil1die/status/1854242281165140025?s=46&t=1A7xfLJNUgdI6215TY6YlA
I expect the UEFA equivalent of PGMOL sent that around and stated, do not allow that again. There was a video on the BBC a few weeks ago when both teams in one game did that exact thing and pens were given then as well.
Post by: Monty on November 06, 2024, 08:18:01 PM
I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.
Ha, we are just the fucking worst.
Post by: pauliewalnuts on November 06, 2024, 08:18:06 PM
I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.
So it kind of is what you're saying, really?
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 08:20:21 PM
I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.
Hmm not aure about that swear he was at villareal longer and did well. Although i might be wrong?
I just cant see unai being so elite for 2 years then go to shit after that.
But this is bad at the moment. The worst under him. I think the warning signs been there and now the reality is kicking in.
It was always going to be a gamble having three players coming back from ACLs and 2 of the 3 have not been great so far. Only kamara has come back looking good.
Thought buendia was pants again today. I think its time to part ways. We have moved on from him
Post by: PaulWinch again on November 06, 2024, 08:20:47 PM
I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.
Ha, we are just the fucking worst.
I haven’t looked but suspect it stands up to zero scrutiny.
Post by: Skerra on November 06, 2024, 08:20:58 PM
That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.What bizarre decision was that exactly? Clear handball and just lucky not to be sent off.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
As regards Bailey, most players would be able to play a 5 yard backwards pass.
Post by: villa for life on November 06, 2024, 08:21:31 PM
Swap Dwight Yorke for Watkins and he takes the chances tonight and last game.
Swap Platt for McGinn and he gets the header tonight.
The pressure is on Monchi…
Post by: RamboandBruno on November 06, 2024, 08:25:04 PM
Exactly!!I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.
So it kind of is what you're saying, really?
That's it, its done, fooking best two years as a villa fan in decades for me, fooking gutted its all over after this week. Ah well at least I can stop rubbing my cheek in work now and I can also stop being demanding of myself and others. If only I’d known beforehand there was a two year window, i wouldn’t of let myself get drawn in.
Good fooking grief!!
Post by: Astnor on November 06, 2024, 08:25:22 PM
There has to be something going off in the background for this spectacular fall and decline , it smells like there are contextual issues underneath. Then again we haven't really played well all season , we've been getting away with it to an extent but now this looks like a serious fall off and major issues unfolding .Do we have a conspiracy theory?
Post by: brontebilly on November 06, 2024, 08:25:33 PM
That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
It was a stonewall oenalty. Mings picked up the ball when clearly in play
I thought it was very harsh to be honest.
But that aside, first 30 mins we were ok. Watkins nearly scores and McGinn missed a sitter.
After that, we were a complete rabble. Don't even know where to start. Kamara was ok but that's about it. Still in a strong position in CL but it's three terrible performances in a week. In all honesty, I don't think we have got going this season at all in terms of consistent performances.
Taking off McGinn after 57 mins, Emery is focusing on the wrong issue. Duran/Watkins doesn't work and will never work. Duran had an awful cameo, Watkins was rubbish again. Tielemans back to his form 12 months ago, a complete passenger. Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬. Faith in Bailey misplaced yet again this season, Rogers hardly had a kick.
Rotten throughout, an incredibly limited but spirited Brugge turned us over without even a battle after we went behind. Some players are struggling and Emery is too.
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 08:27:05 PM
I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.KRO mate
Post by: Dave P on November 06, 2024, 08:27:21 PM
Maatsen 6
Everyone else 2
thought kamara was 7
Yes that’s fair to be honest
Post by: andyh on November 06, 2024, 08:27:27 PM
Mings was looking down the pitch when Emi played a stupid 2 foot pass in front of him.
Why ?
Why not wait till mings was ready ?
Why not wait for the team to reset and reposition fully ?
Why play the ball to within 7 yards of the goal line, instead of spreading the play once the CH’s are in position ?
There was absolutely no need for Emi to pass that ball, and put into play, in the same was there was absolutely no need for Mings to pick it up.
Post by: Chris_Jephcott on November 06, 2024, 08:27:54 PM
This needs sorting out. It’s got the same feel as when we lost our way after Arsenal last season and the drop off in performance and energy from the players is jaw dropping.
This is the team that looked like world beaters a few games ago. Now we look like we’d struggle to win against anyone.
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 08:28:57 PM
5 max for Kamara , he isn't a creative type and was just doing the bare basics really . Needs a haircut tooMaatsen 6
Everyone else 2
thought kamara was 7
Yes that’s fair to be honest
Post by: Paul.S on November 06, 2024, 08:30:15 PM
I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.
We’ve got plenty of plans. Shuttle changes in the way we play have got us 9 points so far and we are 5th in the league. He’s a top quality coach and hasn’t got that reputation because he only has 2 good seasons wherever he goes.
I’d say there were too many changes tonight,
especially at the back and our passing game went to bits because of it.
A very bad performance yes and very unlike us under Emery but he’ll get it right again.
Post by: brontebilly on November 06, 2024, 08:30:33 PM
Not too worrying on its own, as we have nine points from twelve. What's concerning is we've now looked knackered for the last three and a bit games. This run is in danger of severely fucking up our season. Liverpool away next isn't exactly a nice easy one to put things right, either.
I don’t know how we’re knackered. We never run anywhere.
It's more mysterious considering we keep resting/rotating players especially so they won't be knackered, too.
Sorry CD but im not buying that excuse. How can we be tired already? We looked shite on sunday and rested the team midweek.
Just think the teams not good enough. We replaced key players with players nowhere near the level and defensively we look even worse than last year
Kamara is back and was our best player, we have the players. It has been poor. But Buendia is not the answer from the bench.
Seriously, how could anyone blame Buendia for that shambles tonight?
Post by: jon collett on November 06, 2024, 08:31:42 PM
The biggest thing I don’t understand tonight is why we didn’t just have a go.
Even if that exposed us at the back surely we had more quality and would have out scored them?
Why were Konsa and Mings telling the others to slow it down?
It doesn’t seem logical approach to a match in which we had the more highly paid side.
Post by: AGRIPPA on November 06, 2024, 08:31:45 PM
I'm going to numb this awful day out with alcohol.
Tried….its not working…
Post by: villa for life on November 06, 2024, 08:31:48 PM
Post by: MalcolmP on November 06, 2024, 08:34:53 PM
5 max for Kamara , he isn't a creative type and was just doing the bare basics really . Needs a haircut too
[/quote
5 for Kamara? Specsavers is open in the morning, I suggest you go there as soon as possible.
Post by: eye digress on November 06, 2024, 08:36:35 PM
Would also clip half a point off for the hair though, so it’s a 7 from me.
Post by: KevinGage on November 06, 2024, 08:37:34 PM
Something seems off
Without going all FV I wonder of some of the staff (and maybe Emery himself) have been affected by what's happened in Valencia.
Quite a few have strong ties there.
Post by: Villafirst on November 06, 2024, 08:38:38 PM
Post by: Villatillidie25 on November 06, 2024, 08:39:28 PM
That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
It was a stonewall oenalty. Mings picked up the ball when clearly in play
It really wasn’t. I get why it was given obviously but how else was Martinez meant to give Mings the ball to take the goal kick, head it to him? You see players pass the ball to their team mate to take a free kick and that player then pick it up up place it where they want the free kick to be taken numerous times per match. This is no different.
Post by: andyh on November 06, 2024, 08:39:32 PM
Something seems off
Without going all FV I wonder of some of the staff (and maybe Emery himself) have been affected by what's happened in Valencia.
Quite a few have strong ties there.
I think there might be some straw clutching there KG.Something seems off
Without going all FV I wonder of some of the staff (and maybe Emery himself) have been affected by what's happened in Valencia.
Quite a few have strong ties there.
Post by: RamboandBruno on November 06, 2024, 08:41:05 PM
If I park all the arguments over decisions to one side.Maybe we missed Onana’s drive?
The biggest thing I don’t understand tonight is why we didn’t just have a go.
Even if that exposed us at the back surely we had more quality and would have out scored them?
Why were Konsa and Mings telling the others to slow it down?
It doesn’t seem logical approach to a match in which we had the more highly paid side.
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 08:41:40 PM
For once, the upcoming international break might be a good thing. Perhaps a chance to reset?we said that 3 weeks ago at the last international break
Post by: Skerra on November 06, 2024, 08:41:51 PM
Post by: Bobby Boy on November 06, 2024, 08:43:29 PM
Something seems off
Without going all FV I wonder of some of the staff (and maybe Emery himself) have been affected by what's happened in Valencia.
Quite a few have strong ties there.
No, he's too single-minded and professional for that as awful as it has been.
To have so many players perceived to be out of form at one time is curious. I wonder whether there might be some unease at how they are being asked to play?
The nature of our uber-conservative, restrained style of play of late maybe doesn't fit with some of our player's instincts?
Who knows? Whatever it is we have been poor for some time now.
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 08:44:56 PM
If you want some really strange player rating numbers, have a look at John Townley’s. 6’s and 7’s all over the place. Not sure if he paid by Villa to big up the players as he’s done this for other matches too!he'll have been on the Trappist beers all afternoon so i'd take his ratings with a pinch of Belgian sea salt
Post by: Richard on November 06, 2024, 08:45:38 PM
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 08:48:29 PM
Post by: Villatillidie25 on November 06, 2024, 08:53:24 PM
That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.What bizarre decision was that exactly? Clear handball and just lucky not to be sent off.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
As regards Bailey, most players would be able to play a 5 yard backwards pass.
It really wasn’t, it was a poor pass/lay off from Martinez to give to Mings to restart the goal kick that meant Mings had to reach for it. Yes, you could argue he was silly reaching for it with his hands as it gave the ref the opportunity to make a blunder. You see players pass/give the ball to their team mates before free kicks and then the taker pick it up and replace the ball numerous times per match - this is no different so, in my opinion, was never a penalty. As for sending off, what goal scoring chance did Mings prevent?
I never said Bailey was good, just that he looked more composed on the ball today and didn’t give it away as much. Maybe it’s splitting hairs a little as it’s not like he was good or anything.
Post by: PhilVill on November 06, 2024, 08:54:58 PM
Post by: Flamingo Lane on November 06, 2024, 08:55:33 PM
For once, the upcoming international break might be a good thing. Perhaps a chance to reset?
That's what we said before the previous one.
Post by: Risso on November 06, 2024, 08:56:11 PM
Post by: Chip Butty 111 on November 06, 2024, 09:00:14 PM
Martinez places the ball on the 6 yd line and passes to Mings, the ball is in play as soon as it left his boot. It was taken in the correct position , no need for a retake. It was an unthinkable mistake that got punished.That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
It was a stonewall oenalty. Mings picked up the ball when clearly in play
It really wasn’t. I get why it was given obviously but how else was Martinez meant to give Mings the ball to take the goal kick, head it to him? You see players pass the ball to their team mate to take a free kick and that player then pick it up up place it where they want the free kick to be taken numerous times per match. This is no different.
Post by: Border villan on November 06, 2024, 09:00:30 PM
Post by: London Villan on November 06, 2024, 09:04:56 PM
Post by: PaulWinch again on November 06, 2024, 09:06:36 PM
Several player have had a real going over tonight yet Bailey has escaped relatively easily. When was his last reasonable/good game?
But this is the point. You could ask any one of us and we could point to several players out of form. It’s not just one, which suggests to me it’s more around the system, game plan or something.
Post by: Ads on November 06, 2024, 09:07:37 PM
Post by: Villafirst on November 06, 2024, 09:07:43 PM
For once, the upcoming international break might be a good thing. Perhaps a chance to reset?we said that 3 weeks ago at the last international break
We beat Fulham 3-1 and Bologna 2-0 after the last international break? It hasn't been the same since that late goal conceded against Bournemouth- although we played well and should've won that game.
Post by: Chip Butty 111 on November 06, 2024, 09:08:14 PM
When you are on a booking, a deliberate hand ball would normally mean a second yellow, and off. It was the only bit of luck we had all nightThat was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.What bizarre decision was that exactly? Clear handball and just lucky not to be sent off.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
As regards Bailey, most players would be able to play a 5 yard backwards pass.
It really wasn’t, it was a poor pass/lay off from Martinez to give to Mings to restart the goal kick that meant Mings had to reach for it. Yes, you could argue he was silly reaching for it with his hands as it gave the ref the opportunity to make a blunder. You see players pass/give the ball to their team mates before free kicks and then the taker pick it up and replace the ball numerous times per match - this is no different so, in my opinion, was never a penalty. As for sending off, what goal scoring chance did Mings prevent?
I never said Bailey was good, just that he looked more composed on the ball today and didn’t give it away as much. Maybe it’s splitting hairs a little as it’s not like he was good or anything.
Post by: tomd2103 on November 06, 2024, 09:09:10 PM
Martinez places the ball on the 6 yd line and passes to Mings, the ball is in play as soon as it left his boot. It was taken in the correct position , no need for a retake. It was an unthinkable mistake that got punished.That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
It was a stonewall oenalty. Mings picked up the ball when clearly in play
It really wasn’t. I get why it was given obviously but how else was Martinez meant to give Mings the ball to take the goal kick, head it to him? You see players pass the ball to their team mate to take a free kick and that player then pick it up up place it where they want the free kick to be taken numerous times per match. This is no different.
I agree that it was a penalty, but this wasn't given earlier in the year in the same competition.
No qualms with either being given as penalties as they are almost exactly the same, but one was and one wasn't in the same competition. The ref was waiting all night for his big moment and got it then.
No real grumbles about the result overall. We were poor throughout and kept on giving the ball away needlessly, so never got any real momentum going.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 09:09:18 PM
Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 09:09:29 PM
Poor v ManUre, Poor v IpswichFor once, the upcoming international break might be a good thing. Perhaps a chance to reset?we said that 3 weeks ago at the last international break
We beat Fulham 3-1 and Bologna 2-0 after the last international break? It hasn't been the same since that late goal conceded against Bournemouth- although we played well and should've won that game.
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 06, 2024, 09:09:53 PM
https://www.90min.com/mikel-arteta-why-gabriel-handball-did-not-lead-bayern-munich-penalty
(https://i.ibb.co/TTK15Hm/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TTK15Hm)
Post by: waynejames on November 06, 2024, 09:10:05 PM
We looked like a side that thought they could just turn up and win.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 09:10:10 PM
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 09:11:30 PM
Id put this down as bas as thw warsaw defeat. Really poor and now puts us under pressure to beat juventus
It was worse.
Post by: Villatillidie25 on November 06, 2024, 09:12:10 PM
When you are on a booking, a deliberate hand ball would normally mean a second yellow, and off. It was the only bit of luck we had all nightThat was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.What bizarre decision was that exactly? Clear handball and just lucky not to be sent off.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
As regards Bailey, most players would be able to play a 5 yard backwards pass.
It really wasn’t, it was a poor pass/lay off from Martinez to give to Mings to restart the goal kick that meant Mings had to reach for it. Yes, you could argue he was silly reaching for it with his hands as it gave the ref the opportunity to make a blunder. You see players pass/give the ball to their team mates before free kicks and then the taker pick it up and replace the ball numerous times per match - this is no different so, in my opinion, was never a penalty. As for sending off, what goal scoring chance did Mings prevent?
I never said Bailey was good, just that he looked more composed on the ball today and didn’t give it away as much. Maybe it’s splitting hairs a little as it’s not like he was good or anything.
Ah yes, I’d forgotten he was on a booking already. My bad but probably further proof the ref was incompetent as once it’s given it’s about as blatant a yellow as you can get.
Post by: brontebilly on November 06, 2024, 09:17:18 PM
Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 09:18:56 PM
Carlos can be brilliant but equally can be poor .Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Konsa simply isn't a RB and offers next to nothing going forwards down that side
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 09:20:42 PM
Id put this down as bas as thw warsaw defeat. Really poor and now puts us under pressure to beat juventus
It was worse.
Yeah your probably right as at least we scored a couple then. I think this is our worst result in europe under emery. Up there with stromgodset
Post by: Clampy on November 06, 2024, 09:21:42 PM
Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
You can tell we've lost.
Post by: Beard82 on November 06, 2024, 09:22:20 PM
Don't know if it has been mentioned but Gabriel did exactly the same as Mings in the Bayern v Arsenal QF last season. No penalty was given.Yeah - to be honest thats one is more blatent. Either could be given / not given. at least in the scheme of things its not the end of the world.
https://www.90min.com/mikel-arteta-why-gabriel-handball-did-not-lead-bayern-munich-penalty
(https://i.ibb.co/TTK15Hm/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TTK15Hm)
football referring is subjective - thats its such a mess.
Post by: eamonn on November 06, 2024, 09:25:37 PM
Brugges havent beaten a english team since the 90s. That tells you all you need ti know
And that was to a limited Chelsea team before they went all sexy with Rude Gullet, Luca Vialli (much-missed) et al. 1994/95 they were still the John Spencer Blues Implosion.
Post by: Somniloquism on November 06, 2024, 09:25:40 PM
I agree that it was a penalty, but this wasn't given earlier in the season in the same competition.
No qualms with either being given as penalties as they are almost exactly the same, but one was and one wasn't in the same season in the same competition. The ref was waiting all night for his big moment and got it then.
No real grumbles about the result overall. We were poor throughout and kept on giving the ball away needlessly, so never got any real momentum going.
Last season against Leverkusen. So it might be that after that debacle, UEFA told all their refs not to allow it again.
But yes, we were poor throughout with them getting the best chances in both halves and us barely troubling them.
I don't actually know why we have suddenly stopped playing. It isn't "sussing the system" as such but too many players just are not with it anymore? Some ex-players have mentioned that being under Emery with his meetings can be mentally tiring after awhile and have left because of it. Against Brentford we were playing as well as we usually have up until the last 10 minutes. Then it all went to piss. Since then we have barely been an attacking force.
Post by: Deano's Mullet on November 06, 2024, 09:27:26 PM
Id put this down as bas as thw warsaw defeat. Really poor and now puts us under pressure to beat juventus
It was worse.
Yeah your probably right as at least we scored a couple then. I think this is our worst result in europe under emery. Up there with stromgodset
If memory serves we beat Stromsgodset both games.
Post by: brontebilly on November 06, 2024, 09:28:00 PM
Carlos can be brilliant but equally can be poor .Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Konsa simply isn't a RB and offers next to nothing going forwards down that side
1 decent game in 10 is his level. One of their first attacks tonight, he has to get too tight and gives away a stupid free kick in a dangerous area. Mings gets booked, he simply has to get stuck into the ref and get booked for dissent. The countless amount of times he booted possession away under no pressure tonight. He's terrible!
Late on, Emery finally has enough and hooks him moving Konsa across. This is like the Duran/Watkins issue, how many times do we have to see Konsa and Carlos make a show of themselves, especially against weaker opposition, to say no more. We are basically wasting subs correcting terrible selection decisions.
Matty Cash, come back all is forgiven!
Post by: aj2k77 on November 06, 2024, 09:28:35 PM
Post by: aj2k77 on November 06, 2024, 09:29:00 PM
Id put this down as bas as thw warsaw defeat. Really poor and now puts us under pressure to beat juventus
It was worse.
Yeah your probably right as at least we scored a couple then. I think this is our worst result in europe under emery. Up there with stromgodset
If memory serves we beat Stromsgodset both games.
A young Vassell came on and turned the home leg around didn't he?
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 09:29:10 PM
Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Yes, efficient. That defence concedes less goals than any you would puck. Care to argue with objective, provable truth?
Post by: TonyD on November 06, 2024, 09:29:38 PM
Then there was today.
What has changed??
Post by: Beard82 on November 06, 2024, 09:29:56 PM
I think its not helped by a number of important players being out of form and being a little short of options in some areas. Meaning that if plan A doenst work - we have no plan b.
I dont think Watkins with another striker will ever work. Either or - which is fine as they will both have plenty of chances, and easily get 20 a season.
We could do with sorting it pretty bloody soon. Im sure Unai will, but this is the cloest to a slump we've had since hes been here. Up until now - a bad result pretty much guarenteed a response. But we've not been great for much of the season and pretty bloody poor since Ipswich.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 06, 2024, 09:29:59 PM
I read on a Spanish forum that a club only gets 2 good seasons out of Emery. This isn't my opinion, just what I've read. I think the opposition have sussed our plan, and we ain't got a plan B.
It's bollox, so no need to stress. For a start, at Valencia he took a 10th place side to 6th, followed by 3rd x 3 seasons.
Post by: Deano's Mullet on November 06, 2024, 09:31:22 PM
Id put this down as bas as thw warsaw defeat. Really poor and now puts us under pressure to beat juventus
It was worse.
Yeah your probably right as at least we scored a couple then. I think this is our worst result in europe under emery. Up there with stromgodset
If memory serves we beat Stromsgodset both games.
A young Vassell came on and turned the home leg around didn't he?
Yeah and Collymore got a hat trick in the second leg.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 09:31:25 PM
Carlos can be brilliant but equally can be poor .Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Konsa simply isn't a RB and offers next to nothing going forwards down that side
1 decent game in 10 is his level. One of their first attacks tonight, he has to get too tight and gives away a stupid free kick in a dangerous area. Mings gets booked, he simply has to get stuck into the ref and get booked for dissent. The countless amount of times he booted possession away under no pressure tonight. He's terrible!
Late on, Emery finally has enough and hooks him moving Konsa across. This is like the Duran/Watkins issue, how many times do we have to see Konsa and Carlos make a show of themselves, especially against weaker opposition, to say no more. We are basically wasting subs correcting terrible selection decisions.
Matty Cash, come back all is forgiven!
Translation: we need to concede more goals.
Any facts? I’ll wait.
Post by: somersetlion on November 06, 2024, 09:31:53 PM
On the Emery can only do it for 2 seasons. He won 3 Europa Leagues in a row with Sevilla and finished 5th, 5th and 7th in La Liga in those seasons
Post by: brontebilly on November 06, 2024, 09:32:54 PM
We played some incredible football against Bologna.
Then there was today.
What has changed??
We did but Bologna were a nothing team in all honesty. As were Berne. Brugge are about the same level but we let them get a foothold in the game and once they scored we fell apart. This is like Ipswich all over again.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 09:38:49 PM
Id put this down as bas as thw warsaw defeat. Really poor and now puts us under pressure to beat juventus
It was worse.
Yeah your probably right as at least we scored a couple then. I think this is our worst result in europe under emery. Up there with stromgodset
If memory serves we beat Stromsgodset both games.
You are correct apologies. There was one team im sure it was a scandanvian that we got embarrassed by and lost.
Also another one we lost where bosko balaban played? This results up there with them
Post by: rougegorge on November 06, 2024, 09:42:18 PM
You could be thinking of Helsingborgs and Varteks VarazdinId put this down as bas as thw warsaw defeat. Really poor and now puts us under pressure to beat juventus
It was worse.
Yeah your probably right as at least we scored a couple then. I think this is our worst result in europe under emery. Up there with stromgodset
If memory serves we beat Stromsgodset both games.
You are correct apologies. There was one team im sure it was a scandanvian that we got embarrassed by and lost.
Also another one we lost where bosko balaban played? This results up there with them
Post by: brontebilly on November 06, 2024, 09:44:15 PM
Carlos can be brilliant but equally can be poor .Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Konsa simply isn't a RB and offers next to nothing going forwards down that side
1 decent game in 10 is his level. One of their first attacks tonight, he has to get too tight and gives away a stupid free kick in a dangerous area. Mings gets booked, he simply has to get stuck into the ref and get booked for dissent. The countless amount of times he booted possession away under no pressure tonight. He's terrible!
Late on, Emery finally has enough and hooks him moving Konsa across. This is like the Duran/Watkins issue, how many times do we have to see Konsa and Carlos make a show of themselves, especially against weaker opposition, to say no more. We are basically wasting subs correcting terrible selection decisions.
Matty Cash, come back all is forgiven!
Translation: we need to concede more goals.
Any facts? I’ll wait.
We will keep conceding them in the manner of the past week with Carlos in the team and our best CB shoved out to RB to accommodate him. With the ball, Konsa at RB is where the ball goes to die and Carlos simply can't play.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 09:46:18 PM
Carlos can be brilliant but equally can be poor .Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Konsa simply isn't a RB and offers next to nothing going forwards down that side
1 decent game in 10 is his level. One of their first attacks tonight, he has to get too tight and gives away a stupid free kick in a dangerous area. Mings gets booked, he simply has to get stuck into the ref and get booked for dissent. The countless amount of times he booted possession away under no pressure tonight. He's terrible!
Late on, Emery finally has enough and hooks him moving Konsa across. This is like the Duran/Watkins issue, how many times do we have to see Konsa and Carlos make a show of themselves, especially against weaker opposition, to say no more. We are basically wasting subs correcting terrible selection decisions.
Matty Cash, come back all is forgiven!
Translation: we need to concede more goals.
Any facts? I’ll wait.
We will keep conceding them in the manner of the past week with Carlos in the team and our best CB shoved out to RB to accommodate him. With the ball, Konsa at RB is where the ball goes to die and Carlos simply can't play.
Thought not. Never is. Just the famously wonky opinions that you are well-known for on here.
Facts oppose your ‘argument’, which is why you avoid them I suppose.
Congrats on the ‘where the ball goes to die’ phrase. I can tell you’re proud of it.
Post by: CT Villan on November 06, 2024, 09:46:26 PM
Watkins and Bailey woeful, the rest of the team not far behind, Martinez, Maatsen and Kamara the exceptions.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 09:47:01 PM
Post by: Chris_Jephcott on November 06, 2024, 09:47:08 PM
I thought I’d calm down, but know this will be the first thing I think about when I wake up at 4am and spend the next hour fuming over.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 09:49:58 PM
I’m actually really pissed off about tonight.
I thought I’d calm down, but know this will be the first thing I think about when I wake up at 4am and spend the next hour fuming over.
I know how you feel Chris. Im angry but more disappointed. I did think the players would try make up for the recent garbage displays but it appears not.
I cant see it being any bettee saturday night at Anfield either. That would make four straight losses which is simply nlt good enough
Post by: VILLA MOLE on November 06, 2024, 09:56:46 PM
easier to play against and lack speed and energy in our attacks . Hopefully just a blip
Post by: brontebilly on November 06, 2024, 10:00:45 PM
Carlos can be brilliant but equally can be poor .Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Konsa simply isn't a RB and offers next to nothing going forwards down that side
1 decent game in 10 is his level. One of their first attacks tonight, he has to get too tight and gives away a stupid free kick in a dangerous area. Mings gets booked, he simply has to get stuck into the ref and get booked for dissent. The countless amount of times he booted possession away under no pressure tonight. He's terrible!
Late on, Emery finally has enough and hooks him moving Konsa across. This is like the Duran/Watkins issue, how many times do we have to see Konsa and Carlos make a show of themselves, especially against weaker opposition, to say no more. We are basically wasting subs correcting terrible selection decisions.
Matty Cash, come back all is forgiven!
Translation: we need to concede more goals.
Any facts? I’ll wait.
We will keep conceding them in the manner of the past week with Carlos in the team and our best CB shoved out to RB to accommodate him. With the ball, Konsa at RB is where the ball goes to die and Carlos simply can't play.
Thought not. Never is. Just the famously wonky opinions that you are well-known for on here.
Facts oppose your ‘argument’, which is why you avoid them I suppose.
Avoid arguments?...pull up more wonky stats then. Goals conceded this season, Cash on the pitch v not on the pitch - how are we faring out?
Post by: aj2k77 on November 06, 2024, 10:06:19 PM
Post by: Chris_Jephcott on November 06, 2024, 10:12:32 PM
We've started looking really pedestrian on the ball and lack a cutting edge.
I have a feeling it was like this after Arsenal at home last season and we never really recovered from it? It’s like it’s a performance fatigue or something.
Either way, I think I’ll try and avoid our trip to Anfield. Right now, the thought is about as enjoyable as a visit to the proctologist - or getting a camera up the old boy at the Urologist. Neither of which I fancy right now…
I do fancy another glass of wine though. To ease the pain of tonight. And the collective pain of the last couple of weeks of Villa induced anguish.
Post by: Taylor on November 06, 2024, 10:13:06 PM
I would also like to mention that Konsa and mings were trying to tell the team to slow the game down, at the time I thought it was the right call, coz Bruges were really getting a head of steam, and the crowd noise was building.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 10:18:10 PM
We've started looking really pedestrian on the ball and lack a cutting edge.
I have a feeling it was like this after Arsenal at home last season and we never really recovered from it? It’s like it’s a performance fatigue or something.
Either way, I think I’ll try and avoid our trip to Anfield. Right now, the thought is about as enjoyable as a visit to the proctologist - or getting a camera up the old boy at the Urologist. Neither of which I fancy right now…
I do fancy another glass of wine though. To ease the pain of tonight. And the collective pain of the last couple of weeks of Villa induced anguish.
Yeah im thinking to just fuck it off as well. Just cant be asked for them to ruin my weekend again
Post by: Beard82 on November 06, 2024, 10:19:01 PM
Been a bad day - this, and had to pick my son up from school, which transpires the route cause is some kid giving him shit. My advice of - just twat the knob - then lead to an arguement with Mrs Beard. Also stepped on dogs shit my the acces sroad for the fourth time in five weeks - which always seems to trigger me.
So having a beer than going to bed.
Well turn this round - we have a world class coach - we might not have it right at the moment, but it will get sorted sooner or later. The worst it will ever be under Unai is one step back to make two forward.
Post by: Demitri_C on November 06, 2024, 10:21:06 PM
Exit of a cup
Battered in league by fucking spurs (again)
Then embarrassed by brugges tonight. Dropping from 1st to 8th. All thw good work undone.
This feels like a gerrard week 🙁
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 10:35:52 PM
Confirmation again that Konsa isn't a RB , Maatsen looks a worse version of Moreno with absolutely no thought of doing anything than pass the ball back .
McGinn looks finished at this level, love the bloke but it's not looking good . there was zero leadership out there tonight, is McGinn captain ?
The players don't look happy , what's happened
Post by: SamTheMouse on November 06, 2024, 10:42:07 PM
Wtf was Mings playing at?
Post by: john2710 on November 06, 2024, 10:44:56 PM
Watkins is totally isolated but Watkins & Duran together doesn't work.
Tielemans never gets into the box the way Luiz used to. By the time we stroll forward with the ball the opposition are set defensively. When we do create chances we're not clinical enough.
Too many of our attacking player are out of form.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 06, 2024, 10:47:37 PM
Carlos can be brilliant but equally can be poor .Carlos is a clown, Konsa at RB 🤬.
Your desperation for us not to play by far our most efficient defence is bordering on obsession.
Does it stretch to wanting Olsen in goal?
Efficient? Carlos is an imbecile
Konsa simply isn't a RB and offers next to nothing going forwards down that side
1 decent game in 10 is his level. One of their first attacks tonight, he has to get too tight and gives away a stupid free kick in a dangerous area. Mings gets booked, he simply has to get stuck into the ref and get booked for dissent. The countless amount of times he booted possession away under no pressure tonight. He's terrible!
Late on, Emery finally has enough and hooks him moving Konsa across. This is like the Duran/Watkins issue, how many times do we have to see Konsa and Carlos make a show of themselves, especially against weaker opposition, to say no more. We are basically wasting subs correcting terrible selection decisions.
Matty Cash, come back all is forgiven!
Translation: we need to concede more goals.
Any facts? I’ll wait.
We will keep conceding them in the manner of the past week with Carlos in the team and our best CB shoved out to RB to accommodate him. With the ball, Konsa at RB is where the ball goes to die and Carlos simply can't play.
Thought not. Never is. Just the famously wonky opinions that you are well-known for on here.
Facts oppose your ‘argument’, which is why you avoid them I suppose.
Avoid arguments?...pull up more wonky stats then. Goals conceded this season, Cash on the pitch v not on the pitch - how are we faring out?
Avoid facts.
Cash on the pitch v not on the pitch isn’t very telling is it? He’s hardly played, although he’s still managed to concede a penalty. You must think Mings was brilliant last season.
As you were talking about how awful Carlos is, and how bad Konsa is at right back, I’ll talk about when they’ve played in those positions.
Second half v Young Boys.
Bayern.
Wolves.
Ipswich.
Bologna.
Half hour v Spurs.
Tonight.
Carlos AND Cash (seeing as you brought him up) helped keep a clean sheet against Man Utd.
I listed all the clean sheets since the start of last season previously.
13 for the defence you don’t rate.
6 for the defence you do.
I listed all the goals conceded last season previously.
32 for the defence you don’t rate.
45 for the defence you do.
Big differences.
Post by: SamTheMouse on November 06, 2024, 10:53:59 PM
But I also said that at least Emery wouldn't be trying that again. I genuinely don't understand why he did.
If this is about trying to keep both strikers happy, it's not going to end well.
Post by: BC54 VFC on November 06, 2024, 10:57:25 PM
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 11:05:12 PM
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 11:06:33 PM
The team have just landed back at EMA, after a flight that took just 39 minutes, so following from the rest they had earlier this evening, they'll be well rested and full of beans for Saturday evening.why didn't they go BHX , that's a stretch of the M42 now that can be quite tiring at night for them
Post by: V1lla on November 06, 2024, 11:18:18 PM
Feel for the Villa fans having to do that M42 extra tonight, and then work in the morning.
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on November 06, 2024, 11:44:54 PM
Post by: VillaTim on November 06, 2024, 11:51:13 PM
BHX runway closed.BHX closed ?? Why
Feel for the Villa fans having to do that M42 extra tonight, and then work in the morning.
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on November 07, 2024, 12:52:14 AM
Post by: LeonW on November 07, 2024, 03:12:23 AM
Despite their comparatively reduced resources compared to ours, they absolutely did a number on us. Much the better team without a doubt.
The themes we’re seeing are consistent and need arresting.
Post by: sid1964 on November 07, 2024, 06:16:12 AM
An awful mistake by Mings, he is not at the level we need to compete against Europe's elite.
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on November 07, 2024, 06:50:51 AM
Post by: Tom_Mc9? on November 07, 2024, 07:01:23 AM
We need to just get past our inevitable defeat to Liverpool and reset. A task ahead for Unai.
Post by: jwarry on November 07, 2024, 07:11:08 AM
Time for Unai to rethink his plans for this season
Post by: Neil Hawkes on November 07, 2024, 07:38:03 AM
What every player needs to realise (and soon), is they are never perfect and the only reason we have achieved such high finishes and European qualification is by playing collectively and to a plan determined by the manager/coaches - if the plan is followed to the letter and is not going well, then the subs can be made to change to another plan, that has also been determined by the manager/coaches.
In short - stick to the plan and let the management/coaching team on the sidelines determine if they want to change anything.
Post by: langleylions on November 07, 2024, 08:15:44 AM
Post by: Clark W Griswold on November 07, 2024, 08:17:35 AM
I saw a similar mistake as Mings made by a player in another game I watched earlier this season - it was during a game with Wrens Nest Under 8's.
:-)
Made me laugh.
Yeah lack of concentration, if he’s going to play we need the much improved Mings of the 9 months or so before his injury where he didn’t seem to have the concentration issues.
Post by: PaulWinch again on November 07, 2024, 08:47:27 AM
It was really poor. Too many players of out of form and have seemingly forgotten how to pass. Or concentrate.
We need to just get past our inevitable defeat to Liverpool and reset. A task ahead for Unai.
As I keep saying so many players out of form can’t just be down to individual circumstances. There seems to be a bit of a muddle in terms of how we want to play at the moment. I don’t think there’s a clear understanding.
Post by: Chris_Jephcott on November 07, 2024, 08:57:19 AM
It was really poor. Too many players of out of form and have seemingly forgotten how to pass. Or concentrate.
We need to just get past our inevitable defeat to Liverpool and reset. A task ahead for Unai.
As I keep saying so many players out of form can’t just be down to individual circumstances. There seems to be a bit of a muddle in terms of how we want to play at the moment. I don’t think there’s a clear understanding.
The thing that is so frustrating is that this is a style of football that Emery has implemented successfully in various games - but it’s exceptionally inconsistent at the moment. And it was in the 2nd half of last season too.
I think our other issue is that we have players out of form at the moment too:
Bailey is a ghost of how he was last season
Watkins - yes he’s scoring a few goals, but is continually missing more chances than he puts away.
McGinn - it’s almost like he’s lost the spark or they’ve figured out his bum turns.
Konsa - not a RB
Morgan - despite all the amazing running, his finishing is frustrating
I could go on and on. But we’ve got a strong team, but too many are out of form at the moment.
And I am still really pissed off about last night today. Really pissed off. Every time that we have a chance to do something, we fart and follow through, and end up drifting into the mid table.
Post by: Mister E on November 07, 2024, 09:04:44 AM
- looking at the last 3 months or so, PSR forced us to sell 2 players - Luiz and Diaby - at a time when 3 players were still recovering from season-long injuries (Kamara has been massively missed). The incomers were opportunistic (Maatsen), makeweights (SI-J, Barrenechea) or gambles (Philogene). Only Onana looks like a properly-considered purchase.
- Our reliance on Tielemans and Rogers is being stretched.
- Emery seems unable to recreate the discipline that saw us deservedly beat Bayern. Nonetheless, we have played some decent football this season (even on Saturday, apparently, we played some good stuff).
- Don't know why Onana didn't make an appearance last night: being saved for our defeat at Liverpool, presumably, but we needed to stabilise the MF and he could have come on and done that. Also, starting Bailey was an act of unwarranted faith - Ramsey could have started.
- Emery needs to review the playing style to be both tighter and more intense - too much pitty-patty stuff that results in nothing.
Post by: VillaTim on November 07, 2024, 09:23:56 AM
For once the international break comes at a very good time for us.We said that for the last international break
Post by: Louzie0 on November 07, 2024, 09:29:35 AM
I was rather puzzled, before that.
Post by: AV82EC on November 07, 2024, 09:36:01 AM
3 defeats in a row and I’ve been to all of them. We’ve got worse in each one as well, which doesn’t make me think a trip to Anfield at the moment is top of anyone’s list of things we’d like to do.
Post by: amfy on November 07, 2024, 09:45:07 AM
I saw a similar mistake as Mings made by a player in another game I watched earlier this season - it was during a game with Wrens Nest Under 8's.
An awful mistake by Mings, he is not at the level we need to compete against Europe's elite.
My grandson is the goalie for Wrens Nest Under 8s!
Post by: eamonn on November 07, 2024, 09:47:27 AM
I’ve just worked out that the PMT in the title stands for post-mortem.
I was rather puzzled, before that.
Me too, then assumed it was post-match.
Post by: VillaTim on November 07, 2024, 09:47:29 AM
After a night of reflection on my home end hand sitting, a rather panicked trip back to the airport to catch my flight and a crap nights sleep I’ve come to the conclusion we were shite.bad enough watching these games on the couch , can't imagine how bad it is in person and the time / money hosed away
3 defeats in a row and I’ve been to all of them. We’ve got worse in each one as well, which doesn’t make me think a trip to Anfield at the moment is top of anyone’s list of things we’d like to do.
Post by: Brend'Watkins on November 07, 2024, 09:57:05 AM
A few 'morning-after' thoughts:
- Emery needs to review the playing style to be both tighter and more intense - too much pitty-patty stuff that results in nothing.
Just upping the tempo now and then would be a start. We used to be good to watch but now we’ve become so dull.
Post by: ChicagoLion on November 07, 2024, 10:04:51 AM
Post by: Risso on November 07, 2024, 10:06:13 AM
Post by: astonvilla82 on November 07, 2024, 10:55:57 AM
Post by: Demitri_C on November 07, 2024, 10:58:54 AM
Think we should have loaned him out to rebuild his fitness because he is offering nothing at the moment
Post by: VillaTim on November 07, 2024, 11:27:32 AM
One player that looks way off the oace is buendia. Man he has looked bad most gamesharsh to single him out when there are so many simply not doing it, Bailey 2.0 is a liability, Maatsen looks like £35M wasted when we had Moreno, McGinn miles off it all season, Watkins missing great chances week after week, Rogers now miles off it , Torres a shadow of a defender
Think we should have loaned him out to rebuild his fitness because he is offering nothing at the moment
Post by: Demitri_C on November 07, 2024, 11:33:34 AM
One player that looks way off the oace is buendia. Man he has looked bad most gamesharsh to single him out when there are so many simply not doing it, Bailey 2.0 is a liability, Maatsen looks like £35M wasted when we had Moreno, McGinn miles off it all season, Watkins missing great chances week after week, Rogers now miles off it , Torres a shadow of a defender
Think we should have loaned him out to rebuild his fitness because he is offering nothing at the moment
Not just yesterday tim. I think buendia has looked off the pace every time called upon so far. He looks really weak and slow. Loses the ball far too much
Post by: Louzie0 on November 07, 2024, 11:38:25 AM
I’ve just worked out that the PMT in the title stands for post-mortem.
I was rather puzzled, before that.
Me too, then assumed it was post-match.
Oh, of course! ::)
Post by: Ads on November 07, 2024, 11:49:46 AM
Post by: VillaTim on November 07, 2024, 11:53:29 AM
We seem to be adopting this slow it down, try and frustrate and grind the opposition down away from home. It has worked to a great extent but I think we have been sussed out.I think you're right, the main weapon lately has been give it to Rogers and let him turn and run. Teams have sussed this out and are taking Rogers out of games
Post by: Rico on November 07, 2024, 12:15:23 PM
Post by: Risso on November 07, 2024, 12:18:58 PM
Post by: simon ward 50 on November 07, 2024, 12:26:52 PM
Post by: Chris Smith on November 07, 2024, 12:29:30 PM
We've not been sussed out. We keep gifting the simplest of opportunities to the opposition. Last night, Spurs, Palace. If you're easy to score against, you will lose.
That’s exactly it, we are making basic errors and getting punished for them. You just cannot legislate for the type of brain freeze Tyrone suffered last night.
Post by: Ads on November 07, 2024, 12:30:16 PM
Post by: simon ward 50 on November 07, 2024, 12:34:00 PM
The volume of fighting amongst ourselves last night was higher than usual. Put it down to the strong ale.
Surely that doesn't explain the performance on the pitch? :-[
Post by: martin o`who?? on November 07, 2024, 12:38:42 PM
Basically a class A fuck up.
Post by: The Edge on November 07, 2024, 12:47:24 PM
Because he stood to gain no advantage from it.I just cannot think of a reason for Mings to do that.I still cannot fathom why he wasn’t sent off.
If it was a pen, then it was a deliberate hand ball.
Post by: Hookeysmith on November 07, 2024, 01:22:06 PM
McGinn has looked lost.
Konsa relies too much on pretending he is fouled after fucking up something simple. I think refs are cottoning on to it.
Torres - the best passing CF in Europe suddenly looks like an amatuer level player
Watkins has turned into Heskey without the ability to hold the ball - really shocking from him.
Duran is believing his hype
Bailey - i think has been abducted and NZogbia put in his place.
Rogers now thinks he can walk past all the opposition so holds it too long and loses it.
The offside traps were like swiss clocks not they look as disjointed as a dogs hind leg
This is not a reaction to last night but the last 3-4 games.
We are so poor we could just go and shock everyone on Sat with a win - more likely we will get battered and the media will be all over it
Post by: The Edge on November 07, 2024, 01:26:46 PM
It looked clear cut but did you watch the link someone posted earlier? An Arsenal player did the exact same thing in a CL match and no penalty was given.That was truly awful, only matched by the performance of the referee who on top of the bizarre penalty decision made countless poor calls.What bizarre decision was that exactly? Clear handball and just lucky not to be sent off.
Maatsen seems to be getting the better ratings but I thought he was truly abject and I actually thought Bailey was a little better than he has been, certainly didn’t give it away as much. Kamara was just about the best player but tired badly. Everyone's was shocking, particularly Watkins, Maatsen and Rogers
As regards Bailey, most players would be able to play a 5 yard backwards pass.
Post by: Bully2345 on November 07, 2024, 01:43:33 PM
It looked clear cut but did you watch the link someone posted earlier? An Arsenal player did the exact same thing in a CL match and no penalty was given.
And it should have been given. The referee in that game took a call that wasn't based on laws of the game but on not wanting to give a penalty for silliness, in essence.
Mings was silly. He shouldn't pick the ball up when it's in play. Penalty
Post by: amfy on November 07, 2024, 02:00:37 PM
Post by: Beard82 on November 07, 2024, 02:05:46 PM
But if it hits a players hand in the area its a pen, is that delibrate?Because he stood to gain no advantage from it.I just cannot think of a reason for Mings to do that.I still cannot fathom why he wasn’t sent off.
If it was a pen, then it was a deliberate hand ball.
Post by: Sexual Ealing on November 07, 2024, 02:05:52 PM
Is ‘An Arsenal player did exactly the same thing….’ going to become the new ‘Why didn’t Barry take the penalty?’
It's especially silly from a 'big club bias' angle, given that Arsenal were playing Bayern, a much bigger club.
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on November 07, 2024, 02:20:11 PM
The volume of fighting amongst ourselves last night was higher than usual. Put it down to the strong ale.
Some of our mates were on 22% strength lager in one of the bars before the game. Saft
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on November 07, 2024, 02:33:50 PM
Post by: Risso on November 07, 2024, 02:43:32 PM
But if it hits a players hand in the area its a pen, is that delibrate?Because he stood to gain no advantage from it.I just cannot think of a reason for Mings to do that.I still cannot fathom why he wasn’t sent off.
If it was a pen, then it was a deliberate hand ball.
As I posted in the Mings thread, what he did wasn't a cautionable offence. It's only a yellow card for handball in the box if it stops a good goal scoring opportunity. And there's no way you can class picking up a pass from his own goalie with no opposition players anywhere near as a good goal scoring opportunity. The ref got everything absolutely spot on in that sorry episode.
Post by: tomd2103 on November 07, 2024, 03:06:38 PM
It looked clear cut but did you watch the link someone posted earlier? An Arsenal player did the exact same thing in a CL match and no penalty was given.
And it should have been given. The referee in that game took a call that wasn't based on laws of the game but on not wanting to give a penalty for silliness, in essence.
Mings was silly. He shouldn't pick the ball up when it's in play. Penalty
I'm fine with it being given as a penalty, but what isn't acceptable is if it becomes about the referee's interpretation.
I remember thinking at the time that Arsenal one should have been a penalty and still do, as the keeper had played the ball out and it was therefore live.
I don't know if there has been a rule change since the Arsenal one, which has made it clear cut, but you can't have a situation where one ref gives it and another doesn't.
Post by: Risso on November 07, 2024, 03:10:10 PM
Post by: Dave on November 07, 2024, 03:20:41 PM
The Arsenal ref got it wrong, the ref last night got it right, it really is simple as that.
IFAB 5.2 does give a bit of leeway though:
Quote
Decisions will be made to the best of the referee’s ability according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’ and will be based on the opinion of the referee, who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game.
So I think it can be argued that it's a reasonable decision last night and in the Arsenal - Bayern game. I'd have given a penalty for both, mind.
Post by: Risso on November 07, 2024, 03:32:09 PM
The Arsenal ref got it wrong, the ref last night got it right, it really is simple as that.
IFAB 5.2 does give a bit of leeway though:QuoteDecisions will be made to the best of the referee’s ability according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’ and will be based on the opinion of the referee, who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game.
So I think it can be argued that it's a reasonable decision last night and in the Arsenal - Bayern game. I'd have given a penalty for both, mind.
I don't think that's what 'spirit of the game' means in this context. It's not an excuse to just ignore the very clear rules of football, otherwise every game would just be chaos.
Post by: martyn ellis on November 07, 2024, 04:13:27 PM
Post by: Paul.S on November 07, 2024, 04:18:23 PM
We've not been sussed out. We keep gifting the simplest of opportunities to the opposition. Last night, Spurs, Palace. If you're easy to score against, you will lose.
Simply put and 100% correct. Defensively we’ve been woeful.
Post by: Sexual Ealing on November 07, 2024, 04:20:45 PM
Post by: VillaTim on November 07, 2024, 04:27:10 PM
That's not just it though , there are basic errors yes, but we are also playing poorly , slow insipid football sidewayd sideways backwards , and our only penatrative moves the opposition has already sussed what our low dimensional plan isWe've not been sussed out. We keep gifting the simplest of opportunities to the opposition. Last night, Spurs, Palace. If you're easy to score against, you will lose.
That’s exactly it, we are making basic errors and getting punished for them. You just cannot legislate for the type of brain freeze Tyrone suffered last night.
Post by: LeeB on November 07, 2024, 04:28:35 PM
That time Dion Dublin snuck up on the goalie that didn't realise he was there, having been off the pitch, was as anti-'spirit of the laws' as you can get, and I thoroughly enjoyed it (despite it being for Coventry). Mings simply fucked up, unfortunately.
Me too, but that was between two players on the pitch, this was a mistake born of confusion and an issue between our players and the official, and as a result Brugge got a penalty and three points without having done anything to earn it
Dublin earned that goal, Brugge didn't and that irks me.
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on November 07, 2024, 04:32:32 PM
I should imagine the Belgian Charlie was rife too.The volume of fighting amongst ourselves last night was higher than usual. Put it down to the strong ale.
Some of our mates were on 22% strength lager in one of the bars before the game. Saft
Post by: VillaTim on November 07, 2024, 04:35:21 PM
We've been easy to score against for 18 months , we were good at outscoring teams, that bit has stoppedWe've not been sussed out. We keep gifting the simplest of opportunities to the opposition. Last night, Spurs, Palace. If you're easy to score against, you will lose.
Simply put and 100% correct. Defensively we’ve been woeful.
Post by: Paul.S on November 07, 2024, 04:49:47 PM
We've been easy to score against for 18 months , we were good at outscoring teams, that bit has stoppedWe've not been sussed out. We keep gifting the simplest of opportunities to the opposition. Last night, Spurs, Palace. If you're easy to score against, you will lose.
Simply put and 100% correct. Defensively we’ve been woeful.
17 goals in 10 league games isn’t horrendous and neither is 6 in the first 3 CL games.
Leaking goals like we are means we have to chase games and some of the goals we’ve shipped have been abysmal mistakes. Stop the mistakes at the back and we’ll be back to where we were.
There’s no panic, as we are seeing all teams go through bad patches. Good players don’t just turn to bad ones overnight.
Post by: Ads on November 07, 2024, 05:47:08 PM
Post by: TopDeck113 on November 07, 2024, 05:55:25 PM
Post by: jon collett on November 07, 2024, 05:57:27 PM
Apparently Villa defenders always take the goal kicks. Watching it back that is plausible,
I never know why they got rid of the law that the ball must leave the penalty area. No confusion then!
Post by: Rico on November 07, 2024, 05:59:03 PM
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 07, 2024, 06:02:41 PM
Post by: Demitri_C on November 07, 2024, 06:36:17 PM
Post by: eye digress on November 07, 2024, 06:55:55 PM
One player that looks way off the oace is buendia. Man he has looked bad most gamesThought he looked ok, actually. One blind alley dribble but one exquisite ball to open up the left. Showed on the edge of the box in the last 5 to get things going - admittedly to no avail, but he didn’t hide.
Think we should have loaned him out to rebuild his fitness because he is offering nothing at the moment
Post by: pauliewalnuts on November 07, 2024, 07:10:48 PM
Brugge were the better team on the night, but they didn't deserve to win because of some freak penalty. It's not in the spirit of the game, and I'm glad it wasn't us scoring an undeserved penalty.
Ha ha ha. Really?
Fuck that, I wouldn't give one tenth of one single shit, personally.
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 07, 2024, 07:11:59 PM
One player that looks way off the oace is buendia. Man he has looked bad most gamesThought he looked ok, actually. One blind alley dribble but one exquisite ball to open up the left. Showed on the edge of the box in the last 5 to get things going - admittedly to no avail, but he didn’t hide.
Think we should have loaned him out to rebuild his fitness because he is offering nothing at the moment
Indeed. One of the few who didn't enter the pitch with his batteries on 5%. Kamara, Ramsey and Maatsen were the others.
Post by: eye digress on November 07, 2024, 07:24:25 PM
A few slagging off Pau too, but as he was forcing his passes a bit as the clock ticked down, naturally one or two went astray. Still a couple of great forward passes in there, though.
For me, the problem was mainly in centre mid (Tielemans seemed to let the crowd get the better of him), the lack of combination with the forward pair up and lack of penetration out wide.
Post by: Pat McMahon on November 07, 2024, 08:32:50 PM
We lack energy and fluidity at the moment. I was in with the home fans in the corner nearest where Mings handled and it was the least boisterous atmosphere of the last year’s European games. For 15 minutes we kept the ball and quietened the crowd but we seemed to think that was enough and didn’t go for the jugular as if we really, really wanted a win. They started to realise we weren’t hurting them and grew in confidence and ended the first half stronger.
They got the crowd going, scored their goal and then stoped us playing through them. At no moment did I think we would score though the Brugge fan next to me was having kittens. Other than Martinez I don’t think anybody had a good game and it feels like too many players are struggling for form.
Our support was brilliant first half but I don’t hear them after half time. Bruges were great hosts and their fans, staff and police were really friendly so it was a good trip but one that leaves a feeling that we dropped some of the easier points from our group that we may regret. It was a throwback to our generally poor form away in Europe last season.
I’m knackered after a great couple of days with Chico, Aftab and many others, but intensely frustrated at the result and performance.
Post by: PeterWithe on November 07, 2024, 08:56:52 PM
I thought they were limited but well organised, as soon as they lost the ball they got back into their defensive shape very quickly and we were too pedestrian in moving forward, not helped by Bailey and Maatsen showing little ambition to beat their players. It looked a stonewall 0-0 bore draw.
Bruges was fantastic, beautiful with some excellent pubs and bars, I think I read there are more than 600 beers available and my head feels like I tried most of them. There were some seriously paraletic Villa lads wandereing around.
Much like most of the last 20 years, a great time spoiled by the football.
Post by: Nii Lamptey on November 07, 2024, 09:22:03 PM
Someone was also dragged off on a stretcher on Tuesday night from Cafe Pick too - Suspected drug overdose.
Fucking morons - Ruining what should be a memorable time for everyone else.
Post by: astonvilla82 on November 07, 2024, 09:28:39 PM
Post by: john e on November 07, 2024, 09:36:09 PM
Brugge were the better team on the night, but they didn't deserve to win because of some freak penalty. It's not in the spirit of the game, and I'm glad it wasn't us scoring an undeserved penalty.
We made a mistake and they scored from it that’s the way most goals are scored to be honest
Post by: Ads on November 07, 2024, 09:38:11 PM
Post by: VillaTim on November 07, 2024, 09:41:56 PM
Post by: PeterWithe on November 07, 2024, 09:51:19 PM
Been to quite a few of the Euro aways the past two seasons, but this one seemed to attract a much larger proportion of our coked up fucktard portion of the fanbase. Lots of instances of Villa fans fighting each other - The bus out of the ground, trouble outside Cafe Pick, some middle-aged nobhead starting on young fans at the burger vans in the square, etc
Someone was also dragged off on a stretcher on Tuesday night from Cafe Pick too - Suspected drug overdose.
Fucking morons - Ruining what should be a memorable time for everyone else.
There were some people about who I wouldn't want to spend too much time in the company of, so we didn't, we just left and went to the next place, plenty of choice. It was great, I got the impression that a few of the places wern't particularly enamored with having English football fans there, but most were friendly and fine.
Post by: purpletrousers on November 07, 2024, 10:34:44 PM
Just saw a video of villa fans fighting with each other at the brugges game. Jesus absolute embarrassment
My lad said they were fighting each other in the ground also, supporters that is
A Celtic fan wrote “ What you have here is a fan base not used to European travelling.” underneath that video on Twitter.
Probably a good point except you’d have to have done 3 aways already to have got a ticket, though maybe the Belgian strong beers have a role. Hopefully some bans follow. It’s was much more civilised in the next block along ;)
Post by: AV82EC on November 07, 2024, 10:37:16 PM
Post by: Meanwood Villa on November 07, 2024, 10:38:37 PM
Just saw a video of villa fans fighting with each other at the brugges game. Jesus absolute embarrassmentMy lad said they were fighting each other in the ground also, supporters that is
A Celtic fan wrote “ What you have here is a fan base not used to European travelling.” underneath that video on Twitter.
Probably a good point except you’d have to have done 3 aways already to have got a ticket, though maybe the Belgian strong beers have a role. Hopefully some bans follow. It’s was much more civilised in the next block along ;)
I concur!
Post by: purpletrousers on November 07, 2024, 10:40:37 PM
Original article de-paywalled here https://archive.ph/mcPwH
[edit - this was published prematch]
Google translate:
WATCH – 1,500 Aston Villa fans in Bruges: no incidents with British supporters
Some Belgian Villains at the Egg Market in Bruges, with chairman Sebastien Neirynck from Bredene © JVM
(https://i.ibb.co/DCXqQHS/IMG-5295.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DCXqQHS)
Stefan Vankerkhoven
16:49
Updated on: 16:52
About 1,500 fans of the British football team Aston Villa had palmed the cafes in the Bruges squares in the city center on Sunday afternoon. There have been no incidents so far. Mayor Dirk De fauw had not even imposed a glass ban. The police ruled that the fans of this team from Birmingham posed little danger to public safety in Bruges.
Unlike previous European football matches, Dirk De fauw did not issue a mayor's decree, with additional security measures. Only the shopkeepers in the ashes between Zand and Markt received a letter in the bus, asking them not to place garbage bags on the footpath on Wednesday. Question of the British football supporters not to give reason to dump dumps with garbage and take care of litter.
Lower risk
Carlo Smits, spokesman for the Bruges police, confirms to us that Club-Aston Villa is less considered a risk match in terms of gradation than, for example, the recent match against Borussia Dortmund: “In any case, every match in the Champion's League is by definition a risky match, the presence of which requires extra police. But we have analyzed Aston Villa well, this team has a good reputation.”
“There were already 900 British fans present in Bruges on Tuesday. They celebrated well in the evening at the Egg Market. But there were no incidents”, said Carlo Smits, who on patrol through the Steenstraat on Wednesday afternoon in the company of a young German policeman: “Julia is the first Erasmus student to do an internship with the Bruges police. In Germany you have to get a bachelor's degree, before you can become a police inspector.”
Belgian Villains
Wednesday afternoon, Aston Villa supporters had mainly palmed the cafes on the Eiermarkt and the Markt. Flags hung everywhere with the light blue and purple colors of the team from Birmingham. In front of the window of the Court of Rembrandt was a flag of the 'Belgian Villains' – a supporters club from our country. Chairman Sebastien Neirynck from Bredene was drinking half a liter in the company of his son Wout (10) – a Club supporter – just like the other British fans.
Fans of Aston Villa on the Market in Bruges: singing loudly, but no incidents. © JVM
(https://i.ibb.co/K5n8nTw/IMG-5280.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K5n8nTw)
“The Belgian Villains have a hundred members, mainly fans from Aalst, Ghent and Kortrijk and of course Bredene. About thirty members bought tickets for the match on Wednesday evening. There will be a number of Belgian fans of Aston Villa, who bought their ticket in Bruges, among the home audience. But I don't expect any problems, they're all nice people.”
Thoroughly screened
“Aston Villa enjoys a dignified reputation, in the 80s there was a hard core that made amok, now not anymore. By the way, the security measures are enormous: when buying your ticket, your identity card was thoroughly screened. Since Brexit, customs formalities have been reintroduced and the British must have a passport to come to Europe. They too have been checked on the ferries”, says Sebastien Neirynck.
Striking fact: the British fans were allowed to drink their half liters in glass cups at the Egg Market and the Market. Mayor Dirk De fauw ruled that it was not necessary to issue a glass ban in the city center. On the Platse in Sint-Andries this was true for the Club supporters.
Christmas market
Because the Christmas market is in full swing, the British fans could not gather at the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter De Coninck on the Market: fences were placed all around. Sewerage works in the Steenstraat also formed a small obstacle.
“There is no 'corteo' – parade – from British fans to 't Zand or to the stadium. We do ask Aston Villa supporters to go to the Jan Breydel Stadium in buses in groups at 5 pm. Free shuttle buses are provided for British fans”, says Carlo Smits.
Post by: olaftab on November 07, 2024, 11:45:23 PM
There were a lot here without tickets. We reckoned about 4 to 4.5 thousand Villa in total and 1500 with official tickets and 500 in home areas with rest getting pissed in town.Just saw a video of villa fans fighting with each other at the brugges game. Jesus absolute embarrassmentMy lad said they were fighting each other in the ground also, supporters that is
A Celtic fan wrote “ What you have here is a fan base not used to European travelling.” underneath that video on Twitter.
Probably a good point except you’d have to have done 3 aways already to have got a ticket, though maybe the Belgian strong beers have a role. Hopefully some bans follow. It’s was much more civilised in the next block along ;)
Post by: purpletrousers on November 08, 2024, 12:09:15 AM
Meanwood Villa pointed out the Atherston Lions/Grendon Villans flag hung off the South Stand got taken down at half time, I was a bit surprised to see it up in the home area. I think it was there someone said there was an incident too.
I think maybe the curious amount of St.Georges flag/blue Union Jack stuff around the North Stand might have been mistaken for ours and somebody unwisely decided to join in!
We’ll have to ask Seb for our vexillology lesson.
Post by: 144 Hard Boiled Eggs on November 08, 2024, 08:09:24 AM
Post by: Demitri_C on November 08, 2024, 08:13:33 AM
Just saw a video of villa fans fighting with each other at the brugges game. Jesus absolute embarrassmentMy lad said they were fighting each other in the ground also, supporters that is
A Celtic fan wrote “ What you have here is a fan base not used to European travelling.” underneath that video on Twitter.
Probably a good point except you’d have to have done 3 aways already to have got a ticket, though maybe the Belgian strong beers have a role. Hopefully some bans follow. It’s was much more civilised in the next block along ;)
Yeah hopefully some bans incoming we dont need people like that embarrassing the club abroad.
There are alot of fans that missed out for these clowns so hopefully next time they can get a ticket ahead of those. Glad you had a nice time anyways purpletrousers !
Post by: PeterWithe on November 08, 2024, 08:34:29 AM
There were a lot here without tickets. We reckoned about 4 to 4.5 thousand Villa in total and 1500 with official tickets and 500 in home areas with rest getting pissed in town.Just saw a video of villa fans fighting with each other at the brugges game. Jesus absolute embarrassmentMy lad said they were fighting each other in the ground also, supporters that is
A Celtic fan wrote “ What you have here is a fan base not used to European travelling.” underneath that video on Twitter.
Probably a good point except you’d have to have done 3 aways already to have got a ticket, though maybe the Belgian strong beers have a role. Hopefully some bans follow. It’s was much more civilised in the next block along ;)
I don't suppose we'll ever know for sure but a fella I know had been chatting to the Belgian coppers, they said there were more than 6000 in Brugge based on the travel info. it certainly felt like you couldn't walk for more than a few minutes before bumping into someone you knew from Villa for a chat. 1400 had tickets and pretty much everyone you spoke to who was in their end said they were plenty of Villa around them in all the sections, there only appeared to be 4 places that were showing the game on the TV, there were about 40 people in the restaurant I was in, the other 3 pubs were packed but there wasn't 4000 people in them, there couldn't be. So Im wondering if guestimates of 1500+ in the home ends is that outlandish?
To be honest I didn't see any aggro or anything approaching it, or hear of it. There were plenty of really pissed annoying people and some of them were pretty belligerent. I blame the Trump win.
All in all, the Belgian Police were relaxed and treated people well and so didnt have anything to do. All good.
Post by: The Edge on November 08, 2024, 10:07:26 AM
They deserved to win because they scored a goal and prevented us from doing likewise.Great analysis. Thanks for that.
Post by: simboy on November 08, 2024, 10:14:04 AM
There were a lot here without tickets. We reckoned about 4 to 4.5 thousand Villa in total and 1500 with official tickets and 500 in home areas with rest getting pissed in town.Just saw a video of villa fans fighting with each other at the brugges game. Jesus absolute embarrassmentMy lad said they were fighting each other in the ground also, supporters that is
A Celtic fan wrote “ What you have here is a fan base not used to European travelling.” underneath that video on Twitter.
Probably a good point except you’d have to have done 3 aways already to have got a ticket, though maybe the Belgian strong beers have a role. Hopefully some bans follow. It’s was much more civilised in the next block along ;)
I don't suppose we'll ever know for sure but a fella I know had been chatting to the Belgian coppers, they said there were more than 6000 in Brugge based on the travel info. it certainly felt like you couldn't walk for more than a few minutes before bumping into someone you knew from Villa for a chat. 1400 had tickets and pretty much everyone you spoke to who was in their end said they were plenty of Villa around them in all the sections, there only appeared to be 4 places that were showing the game on the TV, there were about 40 people in the restaurant I was in, the other 3 pubs were packed but there wasn't 4000 people in them, there couldn't be. So Im wondering if guestimates of 1500+ in the home ends is that outlandish?
To be honest I didn't see any aggro or anything approaching it, or hear of it. There were plenty of really pissed annoying people and some of them were pretty belligerent. I blame the Trump win.
All in all, the Belgian Police were relaxed and treated people well and so didnt have anything to do. All good.
My lad is just back. The trouble in the ground was a combination of supporters not being able to take strong beer and losing a football match all in one evening according to him.
nothing new there then.
Post by: Richard on November 08, 2024, 10:19:39 AM
Post by: Demitri_C on November 08, 2024, 10:58:57 AM
Post by: The Edge on November 08, 2024, 11:07:25 AM
I love a beer but I have never ever understood why you'd be so paralytic before a game to the point where you'd have no idea what was going on. Each to their own of course.I spent years where the only way to get through a Villa game was to drink enough alcohol to soften the blow. Nowadays it's not just alcohol though it's the amount of the old Columbian marching powder they shovel up their noses.
Post by: VillaTim on November 08, 2024, 11:10:06 AM
I love a beer but I have never ever understood why you'd be so paralytic before a game to the point where you'd have no idea what was going on. Each to their own of course.Stopped going to away games as i didn't like to be near totally pissed up fans anymore . Might be an age thing
Post by: Neil Hawkes on November 08, 2024, 11:11:02 AM
Good to meet you in Bruges Mr Purpletrousers. Hope your journey home was ok. I was in block 426 along with around another fifty Villa fans (and plenty of empty seats). No problems whatsoever. The Bruges fans I chatted to kept asking why we play so slowly!Only on this site do you get polite discourse between people named purpletrousers & 144 hard boiled eggs.
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on November 08, 2024, 11:12:58 AM
Post by: Luffbralion on November 08, 2024, 11:16:12 AM
As for the game, very disappointing,,,we weren't able to get down the flanks (surprising, given we had Maatsen and Bailey out there) nor play through the middle (both Youri and Morgan below par). I was in the home end and their fans were gracious and respectful at the end of the game.
The airbnb we stayed in even offered free loan of a bike so even though I'm in my seventies I cycled up to the stadium (being overtaken by guys ten years older!). Let's just say the use of the cycle racks in Bruges is much more commonplace than we had at VP, even before they were removed (surprised Chris Heck hasn't offered a rickshaw service from the Bull Ring as part of a hospitality package).
Finally, yesterday morning I bumped into a fan from Budapest in a quiet cafe and was reminded some of our fans from far away have followed us even in the leanest years. UTV,
Post by: purpletrousers on November 08, 2024, 12:01:50 PM
Good to meet you in Bruges Mr Purpletrousers. Hope your journey home was ok. I was in block 426 along with around another fifty Villa fans (and plenty of empty seats). No problems whatsoever. The Bruges fans I chatted to kept asking why we play so slowly!
Haha. I was briefly post match in a pub by the stadium with Seb’s lovely Dad and father in law (who wouldn’t let me pay) poor Seb and his 10yo were locked into the away area quite a while as they were not leaving on the official buses.
I then had a great chat with incredibly happy Bru-ha fans on the bus to the station, I genuinely felt pleased for them (though confused by the harmless drunken old villa fan who felt he’d made a lovely Brugge mate and wanted to seal this by rubbing noses 🤣).
I don't suppose we'll ever know for sure but a fella I know had been chatting to the Belgian coppers, they said there were more than 6000 in Brugge based on the travel info. it certainly felt like you couldn't walk for more than a few minutes before bumping into someone you knew from Villa for a chat. 1400 had tickets and pretty much everyone you spoke to who was in their end said they were plenty of Villa around them in all the sections, there only appeared to be 4 places that were showing the game on the TV, there were about 40 people in the restaurant I was in, the other 3 pubs were packed but there wasn't 4000 people in them, there couldn't be. So Im wondering if guestimates of 1500+ in the home ends is that outlandish?
To be honest I didn't see any aggro or anything approaching it, or hear of it. There were plenty of really pissed annoying people and some of them were pretty belligerent. I blame the Trump win.
All in all, the Belgian Police were relaxed and treated people well and so didnt have anything to do. All good.
Yep those numbers makes sense, I wonder eg how many Dortmund travelled without tix/went in home ends.
It certainly didn’t feels as novel to hear CL music amongst the Bruges fans, but this was their 100th CL game as I embarrassed one of the guys on the bus who didn’t know it.
They of course mentioned being losing finalists 77/78 in the 2nd of the 6yrs of English dominance.
Had to get out Rotterdam photos to prove I was there as didn’t look old enough to be at the crescendo!
Post by: exigo on November 08, 2024, 04:26:40 PM
There were a lot of our fans absolutely hammered at 4.30am when the Eurostar check-in opened. There were many more who'd been overwhelmed by the 8% local beer by kick-off. It was moodier than normal at half-time, and certainly after the game on the bus back. We took the opportunity to spirit ourselves away from the hordes and were soon back in a friendly bar away from the main square.
Post by: VillaTim on November 08, 2024, 04:29:45 PM
Post by: Sexual Ealing on November 08, 2024, 04:30:06 PM
We had nothing but a great welcome the whole time we were there. The locals were great before and after the game, summed up by an older woman who ran one of the many chocolate shops. 'Aston Villa are not like other English fans. You are kind, show respect. And you're much better than the Italians and Turkish fans.'
I hope you asked her to write an open letter to the Evening Mail.
Post by: exigo on November 08, 2024, 04:36:27 PM
We had nothing but a great welcome the whole time we were there. The locals were great before and after the game, summed up by an older woman who ran one of the many chocolate shops. 'Aston Villa are not like other English fans. You are kind, show respect. And you're much better than the Italians and Turkish fans.'
I hope you asked her to write an open letter to the Evening Mail.
She threw in some free chocolate as a consolation for our loss. I'd hate to think how the Meaning Evil would twist that.
Post by: eamonn on November 08, 2024, 05:09:34 PM
6000 sounds like a massive exaggeration in fairness .
That includes the Bluenoses still lost there on the way to Sherlock Street.
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on November 08, 2024, 05:36:55 PM
There were a couple of Swedish Villa fans next to me in the home end in that corner and plenty of others around us as well. The Brugge fans were great which made me think of the Legia fans that were getting chucked out of VP last season.
I didn’t see any aggro or trouble in the centre and we all had a great few days. Ian Taylor was enjoying himself, saw Rambo outside his hotel and Elmo, Monchi and Vidagany on a morning stroll in the quiet backstreets.
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on November 08, 2024, 06:29:29 PM
Post by: Walmley_Villa on November 08, 2024, 09:24:10 PM
We had nothing but a great welcome the whole time we were there. The locals were great before and after the game, summed up by an older woman who ran one of the many chocolate shops. 'Aston Villa are not like other English fans. You are kind, show respect. And you're much better than the Italians and Turkish fans.'
I hope you asked her to write an open letter to the Evening Mail.
She threw in some free chocolate as a consolation for our loss. I'd hate to think how the Meaning Evil would twist that.
Was it the place that her husband and son make the chocolate? If so me and my lad were in there on the morning of the game and will happily take the credit. She was great!
Post by: Pat McMahon on November 09, 2024, 12:43:59 AM
We had nothing but a great welcome the whole time we were there. The locals were great before and after the game, summed up by an older woman who ran one of the many chocolate shops. 'Aston Villa are not like other English fans. You are kind, show respect. And you're much better than the Italians and Turkish fans.'
There were a lot of our fans absolutely hammered at 4.30am when the Eurostar check-in opened. There were many more who'd been overwhelmed by the 8% local beer by kick-off. It was moodier than normal at half-time, and certainly after the game on the bus back. We took the opportunity to spirit ourselves away from the hordes and were soon back in a friendly bar away from the main square.
Good to see you after the game Andy. We had nothing but positive interaction with the fans, townies and even the bilingual police of Bruges. It was a really good trip.
I was another in the home seats and bumped into some mares as well as a bloke I knew in the London lions in the mid 80s. I stayed under cover but the Bruges fans around me were fine, though they smoke almost as much as Mostar fans.
The stadium is pretty poor and has the slippiest concourses I’ve ever encountered, plus seats with no numbers. But pretty easy to get served in the ground 30 minutes before the game with a constant going and froing of people fetching beers.
Post by: nodge on November 09, 2024, 11:34:41 AM
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on November 10, 2024, 04:21:41 PM
Post by: exigo on November 10, 2024, 10:18:00 PM
I had no idea that was you, Nodge. Blame Nev for not making formal introductions. On a tangent, I only recently realised that Exigo on here is the fella I often travel to away trips with.
And vice versa, as it turns out.