Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on September 16, 2017, 07:28:19 PM
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Bastards score 3 times. In one game. As soon as I leave.
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Let's hope it's not a false, dawn. Good performance though.
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Bastards score 3 times. In one game. As soon as I leave.
Please, never ever attend a game again! 😘
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I own the match threads. Nice result.
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That was great today. Very good all over the pitch.
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I am Keinan Davis and so is my wife.
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Yeeeeee Hawwww! Lots more nights like these, please.
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That was better. 3 away from home, clean sheet. JK made a difference.
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Liked Adomah today. Looked better with Kodija back, obviously.
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That was better. 3 away from home, clean sheet. JK made a difference.
Was Prince Albert for me. Full of running and attacking menace.
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I'll take that all season long. More please! :)
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We put together some decent passing, I thought
Defensively we are starting to look pretty solid. The keeper looks way better than he did last season, and we're not afraid to pass the ball out of defence.
I honestly think we are a confidence side to a larger degree that most teams, too. Last time we had a boost, against Norwich, we pissed it away. This time we absolutely must build on it.
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That was better. 3 away from home, clean sheet. JK made a difference.
Was Prince Albert for me. Full of running and attacking menace.
Yeah can't fault him either, but we addedsomething extra today. Just hope they can build on this.
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Very enjoyable. I hope this becomes a habit.
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Good stuff.
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The sort of performance we should be turning in regularly.
I think a team to do well has to have several 7 out of 10'performances.
We had that all over the pitch.
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Much much better. I said we'd sneak a win, but there was no sneak about it. Better than the result was the defence who finally look to be clicking. Possession was none too great again but 10 shots with 7 on target means it doesn't matter in my mind. Sometimes management is easy and all i ask from Bruce is he keeps the same side next game. Let them gain confidence from this and go with the flow, because this is about as good as it gets away from home. Well done to the players for once.
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Lovely relaxed last 30 mins. Not sure That has happended since about 2009 under MON. Good result but need to build on that now
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The balance of the side looked so much better with Kodjia and Adomah in it.
Its the sort of scoreline we should be seeing away from home more often than not against these very poor sides.
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Great performance that finally resembled football.
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This is the sort of game and result I thought we'd get more regularly down here.
Score an early goal, soak up a bit pressure then score again to secure a comfortable win.
This is the sort of win teams like Newcastle and Brighton produced consistently last season.
We still have a long way to go but this is a good day at least. Next three are Forest, Burton and Bolton so good chance to fly up the table now.
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Villa win away.
Blose lose and sack 'Arry.
Cold beers in the fridge.
...not a bad day all things considered!
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Fun game. Happy with that!
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Villa win away.
Blose lose and sack 'Arry.
Cold beers in the fridge.
...not a bad day all things considered!
The only damper is SHA sacking Harry. He could have harmed them further by staying a bit longer.
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I thought he was doing a great job and then the bastards go and sack him. There's no justice.
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Quite pleased for Bruce. Ridiculous how one man can deserve the spoken and written abuse from drawing a few matches in what is a fucking game of football.
3 pts from Forest please spud chops.
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Quite pleased for Bruce. Ridiculous how one man can deserve the spoken and written abuse from drawing a few matches in what is a fucking game of football.
3 pts from Forest please spud chops.
Jesus
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Actually looked like a football team with purpose. Enjoyable to watch. Well done and more of the same please.
Good to be reminded how a Villa victory can lift the mood! :-)
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Tuscans come on there is no need for that.
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Follow it up with another performance against Forest, last time we wasted the momentum by going 5 at the back and being all over the shop against Bristol, similar attacking intent and we will have another 3 points.
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Nice cross from AEM for the third.
I've been critical of him this season but from what I've seen no criticism of him playing at RB.
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Yes, people have only been complaining because we drew a few games. Good grief.
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Well done Villa boys and Bruce. More of this and no more shit.
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Quite pleased for Bruce. Ridiculous how one man can deserve the spoken and written abuse from drawing a few matches in what is a fucking game of football.
3 pts from Forest please spud chops.
You can tell he was still pissed off in his interview straight after the final whistle. Let's hope we just move on now, we're all in this together. Fans will always be happy with a winning team. What he has to realise though is that we've had 7 years of abject misery so he also has to take that into consideration.
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Infinitely better.
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Quite pleased for Bruce. Ridiculous how one man can deserve the spoken and written abuse from drawing a few matches in what is a fucking game of football.
3 pts from Forest please spud chops.
You can tell he was still pissed off in his interview straight after the final whistle. Let's hope we just move on now, we're all in this together. Fans will always be happy with a winning team. What he has to realise though is that we've had 7 years of abject misery so he also has to take that into consideration.
At least you got it.
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Our defence is finally looking the business as well.
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First half we led from two hoofs, which seemed to be our tactic. We didn't really do much or look any good.
2nd half we started high tempo and Barnsley couldn't be bothered because of it.
Potato needs to play the same lineup for a run of games. He changes it far too much.
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A win is always welcome but still mixed feelings in that it prolongs the tenure of a man I think is not up to the job in the longer term.
Today could be the turning point or it could be another oasis in the desert of dross, like Norwich was, the managerial equivalent of Flabby busting a gut when the new contract is due, then reverting to being a fat useless lump. It still didn't sound very convincing and it will take way more than one victory every few games to convince me.
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Post match interview and the twat mentions "mass hysteria" twice. https://www.facebook.com/pg/avfcofficial/videos
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Villa win away.
Blose lose and sack 'Arry.
Cold beers in the fridge.
...not a bad day all things considered!
The only damper is SHA sacking Harry. He could have harmed them further by staying a bit longer.
Don't worry. Just like last season the replacement will do a worse job.
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Well done chaps. Good showing by both strikers. Onwards and upwards.
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Given the time and resources afforded to Bruce, this sort of result should be the norm.
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Post match interview and the twat mentions "mass hysteria" twice. https://www.facebook.com/pg/avfcofficial/videos
Silly of him. If he wants to have a pop back after being told (by me and others) he needs to go then fine. That snark aside though he was right about each of his comments about the players.
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His job is to get us up not to get us to love him.
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I'm delighted we won. Some good performances including Terry and Johnstone. Hard work from all the players. Barnsley have some poor players and made it easy for us but with confidence building we might sneak into eighth position by the end of the season.
It's better than losing, that's for sure.
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I'm not a Bruce fan by any means but we won easily and totally shut out a useful forward line. Credit where's credit's due and criticising nan's hair would seem churlish to me after that clinical performance. Bruce is obviously annoyed with sections of the fanbase and fairplay he obviously has the players onside. It's in Bruce's hands now and he should stop tinkering. Hopefully this is the turning point
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Much needed
Now lets go and win the next 3
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Much needed
Now lets go and win the next 3
Imagine that.
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Much needed
Now lets go and win the next 3
8.
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That's pretty much what I expected from a Bruce team full of talent. Hard working that creates their own luck. It wasn't great but it didn't have to be today. He got the team selection pretty spot on with the exception of Elmo who left us exposed to many times down the right. Whelan was asked to cover too much ground but still managed to give the back line plenty of cover.
Positives were starting with two strikers, Davis is a joy to watch as he holds up the ball so well, great that he got off the mark. Great cross from Elmo I have to say. Albert was well up for it, Kodja is still finding his feet but we know there's more and better to come. Snodgrass is perfect for this season, the fella drives us forward with aggression, determination and a bit of flair. He's playing like he has a point to prove. Long may it continue.
The subs were pretty much spot on even though we never reached the same heights again. Josh Onomah will hopefully start more games in the coming weeks, he's great talent and can solve our midfield issues. I still can't see Hogan making an impact the way we play and the service he's given despite all his effort. Bjork replaced tired legs and ran around but never offered anything more.
Overall, delighted with three much needed points, an away win, a professional performance and something to cheer up our traveling away support. It's going to take a hell of a lot more to convince me Bruce is the man to lead us to promotion. He only seems to respond when his job's on the line. Still, he's got some more easy games this month to get plenty more points on the board before we're really tested in October.
Onwards and upwards? Hopefully.
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Very pleased for the fans that go away.Scenes when Davis scored.
Most excellent.
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Well done Villa boys and Bruce. More of this and no more shit.
You can't say fairer than that!
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I'm delighted we won. Some good performances including Terry and Johnstone. Hard work from all the players. Barnsley have some poor players and made it easy for us but with confidence building we might sneak into eighth position by the end of the season.
It's better than losing, that's for sure.
Terry looking like the player we thought we he would be when we signed him. Defence looking rock solid with him in it. Mopped everything up today with confidence.
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Highlights (for a change!) (http://www.skysports.com/football/barnsley-vs-a-villa/374703)
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I'm delighted we won. Some good performances including Terry and Johnstone. Hard work from all the players. Barnsley have some poor players and made it easy for us but with confidence building we might sneak into eighth position by the end of the season.
It's better than losing, that's for sure.
Terry looking like the player we thought we he would be when we signed him. Defence looking rock solid with him in it. Mopped everything up today with confidence.
See his deftness of laying the ball off to "our" players, one touch, straight to either Whelan or Taylor. Massively composed, keeps it really simple...haven't had a defender like him since Carlos Cuellar!!
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His job is to get us up not to get us to love him.
Correct however despite my reservations about him I will love it if he gets us promoted this season.
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I'm delighted we won. Some good performances including Terry and Johnstone. Hard work from all the players. Barnsley have some poor players and made it easy for us but with confidence building we might sneak into eighth position by the end of the season.
It's better than losing, that's for sure.
Terry looking like the player we thought we he would be when we signed him. Defence looking rock solid with him in it. Mopped everything up today with confidence.
See his deftness of laying the ball off to "our" players, one touch, straight to either Whelan or Taylor. Massively composed, keeps it really simple...haven't had a defender like him since Carlos Cuellar!!
Yep, it's nice to see a centreback passing to our own players than say a Nathan Baker hoofing the ball left right and centre.
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Just got back.
First half was mediocre to be honest. Taylor got a right runaround and Snoddy couldn't beat his man. But we went in two up; weird really.
Second half: we looked much more solid. Snoddy still failed to deliver but Taylor stiffened up.
Overall, I thought hourihane and whelan did ok. Kodjia and Davis looked very good. Adomah played well and Elmo was surprisingly alright. Johnstone looks so much more assured this season.
For me, we have to find a slot for Onomah who was very lively when he came on.
Fans were magnificent throughout. Barnsley were really not up to much (although their No. 20 was very good in MF).
Regarding the manager: this really is a stay of execution. He has to show - as he didn't do after the Norwich game - that he can work out how to build momentum, get the best out of his players. Which will be interesting.
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A couple of things mentioned which are not cut and dry
1. Elmo had quite a decent game a lot better than Taylor at left back and it was a great ball for him that brought the penalty for the second goal
2. Defence not as tight as some are suggesting. What I think is happening is that terry is rock steady and Johnstone now looks and acts confidently
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
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A couple of things mentioned which are not cut and dry
1. Elmo had quite a decent game a lot better than Taylor at left back and it was a great ball for him that brought the penalty for the second goal
2. Defence not as tight as some are suggesting. What I think is happening is that terry is rock steady and Johnstone now looks and acts confidently
I think half of the defence looks solid, it's the guys out wide of the defence that I'm still not convinced about.
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
Up the Revolting.
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Best performance I have seen us put in for a while. I thought the disallowed goal was onside but the penalty shout wasn't a penalty. Their player was sliding in and had the ball kicked into his arm.
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Best performance I have seen us put in for a while. I thought the disallowed goal was onside put the penalty shout wasn't a penalty. Their player was sliding in and had the ball kicked into his arm.
Best performance....better than Norwich?
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
Up the what?
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Best performance I have seen us put in for a while. I thought the disallowed goal was onside put the penalty shout wasn't a penalty. Their player was sliding in and had the ball kicked into his arm.
Best performance....better than Norwich?
To be fair we won convincingly away whilst under pressure to get a result and we could have won by more. Although a debate about which is the better of two performances is a welcome break from a debate about which has been our worst performance of the season.
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Best performance I have seen us put in for a while. I thought the disallowed goal was onside put the penalty shout wasn't a penalty. Their player was sliding in and had the ball kicked into his arm.
Best performance....better than Norwich?
To be fair we won convincingly away whilst under pressure to get a result and we could have won by more. Although a debate about which is the better of two performances is a welcome break from a debate about which has been our worst performance of the season.
Which is normally a tie between 20-25 games.
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Best performance I have seen us put in for a while. I thought the disallowed goal was onside put the penalty shout wasn't a penalty. Their player was sliding in and had the ball kicked into his arm.
Best performance....better than Norwich?
To be fair we won convincingly away whilst under pressure to get a result and we could have won by more. Although a debate about which is the better of two performances is a welcome break from a debate about which has been our worst performance of the season.
True, I suppose Johnstone hardly had a save to make although Barnsley had all the ball.
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Best performance I have seen us put in for a while. I thought the disallowed goal was onside put the penalty shout wasn't a penalty. Their player was sliding in and had the ball kicked into his arm.
Best performance....better than Norwich?
To be fair we won convincingly away whilst under pressure to get a result and we could have won by more. Although a debate about which is the better of two performances is a welcome break from a debate about which has been our worst performance of the season.
True, I suppose Johnstone hardly had a save to make although Barnsley had all the ball.
yep isn't that what bruce does to get promoted? It's not my sort of football but at least he's finally managed it.
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Best performance I have seen us put in for a while. I thought the disallowed goal was onside put the penalty shout wasn't a penalty. Their player was sliding in and had the ball kicked into his arm.
Best performance....better than Norwich?
To be fair we won convincingly away whilst under pressure to get a result and we could have won by more. Although a debate about which is the better of two performances is a welcome break from a debate about which has been our worst performance of the season.
True, I suppose Johnstone hardly had a save to make although Barnsley had all the ball.
I thought Johnstone did everything he had to do . I think he is a solid keeper who can get better and I hope we sign him permanently.
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One thing: it's the first time I've seen crowd surfing in the concourse before the game: pissed blokes jumping off the roofing into the crowd - scary!
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I need to see this a few games in a row to be convinced this is any more than a mirage. We all thought after Norwich that we had turned the corner. Bruce then goes and repeats it to a point vs Wigan and then instead of reinforcing this newly discovered system and confidence he goes and does something stupid like 3 CB's at Bristol City. I need to see this built upon vs Boro this week and then in the next league game.
Today is another start. A very good day in the end after what at times was a poor display. But we need to build on it. We have the players.
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
Up the what?
Benefit of the doubt
Smartphones
Predictive Text
or Fat Fingers
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Chester and Terry were fantastic tonight. Can't remember the last time I watched a villa game and felt totally confident we would get the three points in the second half.
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Chester and Terry were fantastic tonight. Can't remember the last time I watched a villa game and felt totally confident we would get the three points in the second half.
yeah. totally solid i thought. Nice to see all the "terry is making chester crap" bobbins consigned to the rubbish bin
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Chester and Terry were fantastic tonight. Can't remember the last time I watched a villa game and felt totally confident we would get the three points in the second half.
I do like Terry's tactic of fouling somebody and giving the impression he has accidently stumbled into them.
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
Up the what?
Me too.Never ever ever vile
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onwards and upwards
we all know that Bruce is here to do a job. Get us promoted.
He (I think) is not acclaimed as the next shankly, Busby ,or Saunders.
Do the job
if he looks like faltering or not up to it, get rid.
I did not want him, but I accept if he is doing his job hold fast.
It might take more than one away win to convince me.
Win some more, play with a determination to win and you will be doing your job.
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
Up the what?
Me too.Never ever ever vile
I quite like taking the sting out of their 'hilarious' dig of calling us the Vile. Although I'm never sure whether they just genuinely don't know how to spell Villa. They should do the amount of times they mention us. I quite like us being the pantomime villain (no pun intended) when they are just a pantomime.
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Feels a lot better!
Not great first half but generally solid, and posed an attacking threat all game. The 442 trade off - less quality possession but more threat. Shouldn't forget first two goals were v lucky and they were better team first half
This was all about the spine: Terry and Chester / Whelan / Davis
Ratings:
Johnstone 7
Elmo 7
Chester 7
Terry 8
Taylor 6
Snodgrass 6
Whelan 7
Hourihane 6
Adomah 8
Davis 8
Kodjia 6
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I'd play 4-4-2 for the next few weeks.
With key players fit again for the final third like Kodjia and Adomah we can overpower teams at the back.
Look again at the formation when we play Wolves and Fulham who can keep the ball.
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
Up the what?
Me too.Never ever ever vile
It's tongue in cheek lads and a piss take.
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Feels a lot better!
Not great first half but generally solid, and posed an attacking threat all game. The 442 trade off - less quality possession but more threat. Shouldn't forget first two goals were v lucky and they were better team first half
This was all about the spine: Terry and Chester / Whelan / Davis
Ratings:
Johnstone 7
Elmo 7
Chester 7
Terry 8
Taylor 6
Snodgrass 6
Whelan 7
Hourihane 6
Adomah 8
Davis 8
Kodjia 6
Seems right. The penalty came at exactly the right moment really. Terry & Chester were superb. I wouldnt underestimate Kodjia's impact though. Although he didnt score he is a bit like Benteke in the way teams just cannot afford to ignore him because they know what will happen. I also think he was not offside for the Davis through ball.
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Joy to the World.
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Don't think the Barnsley stewards thought so
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We were average. Got lucky for the first two and then it was game over. Confidence grew as time went on.
Adomah was good, Terry was good, Johnstone too.
Hopefully a bit of confidence will go a long way. We need to win next week.
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
But better 2nd half and ended up comfortable winners. Keinan very good and great to see him score his 1st goal. Still a long way from turning the corner, but win the next 3 league games, which we can, then I might start believing
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How was the second lucky? Penalty all day long for me. If it had been the other way around, I'd have held my hands up and said the defender can't be going in like that.
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Have to say Terry was outstanding. He really seems to be settling in here and at this level now. First game for ages where I knew we wouldn't concede.
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We were average. Got lucky for the first two and then it was game over. Confidence grew as time went on.
Adomah was good, Terry was good, Johnstone too.
Hopefully a bit of confidence will go a long way. We need to win next week.
And Davis? Johnstone didn't have to do much with Terry/ Chester protecting him.
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
But better 2nd half and ended up comfortable winners. Keinan very good and great to see him score his 1st goal. Still a long way from turning the corner, but win the next 3 league games, which we can, then I might start believing
You are right, 19% possession is dreadful. Although when that stat was flashed up at half time I was genuinely shocked. I must have been watching the half through my claret and blue tinted glasses.
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Bruce sounded like a dick in his post match comments referring to crisis and mass hysteria.
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Bruce sounded like a dick in his post match comments referring to crisis and mass hysteria.
By using the words crisis and hysteria he sounded like the one suffering from hysteria. I like him but you can't win one match out of X amount of matches at any given point and then act like it outweighs all the games you have failed to win.
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
But better 2nd half and ended up comfortable winners. Keinan very good and great to see him score his 1st goal. Still a long way from turning the corner, but win the next 3 league games, which we can, then I might start believing
You are right, 19% possession is dreadful. Although when that stat was flashed up at half time I was genuinely shocked. I must have been watching the half through my claret and blue tinted glasses.
Barnsley's terrible back 4 played into our hands, their keeper was our MOTM. Chucked two in and conceded the penalty.
Nice to win well but we still have it all to prove against better defensive units.
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How was the second lucky? Penalty all day long for me. If it had been the other way around, I'd have held my hands up and said the defender can't be going in like that.
It was a definite penalty. It was lucky given it was against the run of play. We were more convincing after they realized they weren't going to get back into the game. After the first goal it was mainly them right up until the penalty.
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Terry and Chester were very impressive today and they had to bale out Taylor's weaknesses on several occasions. The first half was average but Barnsley rarely looked like scoring. Davis and Kodjia looked a real threat together, even more noticeably so when they were subbed as it highlighted the difference in quality. The only frustration was the fans going on and on about Redknapp instead of watching the game..reminiscent of Blackburn last season.
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I genuinely can't remember the last time I saw us score three away from home. I like it.
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Home safe now babez.
It feels very strange to have had an away day enhanced, rather than ruined by, going to the match.
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How was the second lucky? Penalty all day long for me. If it had been the other way around, I'd have held my hands up and said the defender can't be going in like that.
It was a definite penalty. It was lucky given it was against the run of play. We were more convincing after they realized they weren't going to get back into the game. After the first goal it was mainly them right up until the penalty.
True but after the other night we deserved a bit of luck today.
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A good win without playing particularly well I thought although once we scored, we looked very comfortable. I thought Davis was very good. I'm chuffed he got his goal, he deserved it. Great day and the fans were terrific again
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I'll take that all season long. More please! :)
More by luck than judgement....
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Haven't read any previous posts but......wasn't that great!
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I genuinely can't remember the last time I saw us score three away from home. I like it.
4-0 vs Sunderland.
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How was the second lucky? Penalty all day long for me. If it had been the other way around, I'd have held my hands up and said the defender can't be going in like that.
Definite pen
It was lucky because it was such shit defending - like the first
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I genuinely can't remember the last time I saw us score three away from home. I like it.
4-0 vs Sunderland.
That was a fun day! :) Fun goals, showboating, opposing fans going ballistic at their manager. Great stuff.
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Totally surreal out of body experience. Bruce now needs to ram all the potato and dinosaur based jibes down our throats by going on a ten-game winning streak. Or he can fuck off.
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
Is he our top scorer? Him and Hourihane perhaps, who've both hardly had a kick until recently.
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
Is he our top scorer? Him and Hourihane perhaps, who've both hardly had a kick until recently.
I think you might be right, Percy. I'd definitely keep both in the starting lineup. They offer us some balance, and both have goals/assists in them.
I'd like to see O'Hare/Odomah given more game, too. Could Onomah play a holding role or is he more box to box?
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
But better 2nd half and ended up comfortable winners. Keinan very good and great to see him score his 1st goal. Still a long way from turning the corner, but win the next 3 league games, which we can, then I might start believing
You are right, 19% possession is dreadful. Although when that stat was flashed up at half time I was genuinely shocked. I must have been watching the half through my claret and blue tinted glasses.
Barnsley's terrible back 4 played into our hands, their keeper was our MOTM. Chucked two in and conceded the penalty.
Nice to win well but we still have it all to prove against better defensive units.
I don't like to sound too pessimistic after scoring 3 goals but I have to agree with this. Barnsley have lost a huge amount of players and yet once again we set up in such a negative fashion and never took the game to them.
They gifted us the first 2 goals and that was game over. Personally at that point I would have liked us to have really gone for it, but its not the Bruce way.
On the positive side we have kept another clean sheet and the Davis, Kodija partnership looks promising.
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I was more impressed with the Barnsley 0 than the Villa 3, because defensively, apart from the one near miss towards the end, we shut them out magnificently. I have to give him credit that the defence does now look very good, i would say easily good enough for top 6. Going forward we looked poor again until we had the slightly lucky first, although fair play to Adomah for asking the question. After that we looked a little better, and then once we got the second we did look reasonably good going forward. It did feel that a bit of luck got us the goals to then give us the bit of confidence, otherwise who knows. Its pretty obvious though from the odd times we have done well that as long as we're set up right in attack and the confidence is there, we should be seeing these sorts of results most of the time.
Bruce now gets till the international break but to say that the jury is still out would be a big understatement.
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Message to Steve Bruce who has spent his career managing underdogs.
Please understand the difference between hysteria and expectation that comes from managing a big club.
Hull - Disappointing after signings made and full pre-season
Cardiff - Desperate
Reading - Desperate (Don't be fooled by our late goal making it look closer)
Norwich - Excellent, stumbled across KD due to injuries
Wigan - Excellent, different players coming in but continue with attacking intent
Bristol - Changes structure of winning team and loses all momentum
Brentford - fails to spot small ginger headed guy who has run the last three games we have played against them
Middlesbrough - wastes 40 mins by not changing things whilst we have extra player
Barnsley- Excellent
Please use the Barnsley game as platform, stop going on about hysteria and start spotting things that are happening on the pitch.
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His job is to get us up not to get us to love him.
Correct however despite my reservations about him I will love it if he gets us promoted this season.
Agreed. Three away goals and a clean sheet certainly gets me up. Keep it up Bruce! Looking forward to a goal bintje from now on.
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Well said K4.
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I was more impressed with the Barnsley 0 than the Villa 3, because defensively, apart from the one near miss towards the end, we shut them out magnificently. I have to give him credit that the defence does now look very good, i would say easily good enough for top 6. Going forward we looked poor again until we had the slightly lucky first, although fair play to Adomah for asking the question. After that we looked a little better, and then once we got the second we did look reasonably good going forward. It did feel that a bit of luck got us the goals to then give us the bit of confidence, otherwise who knows. Its pretty obvious though from the odd times we have done well that as long as we're set up right in attack and the confidence is there, we should be seeing these sorts of results most of the time.
Bruce now gets till the international break but to say that the jury is still out would be a big understatement.
Barnsley's defence was crap. They exerted some control in the first half, missed an easy header in the first half and I thought we were slightly lucky to be two up at halftime.
Their No.20 - Potts - was very good.
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At last an enjoyable away day, including the game! Davis and Kodja looks promising. It means we can go short and hold the ball up or go over the top into the channels.
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His job is to get us up not to get us to love him.
Correct however despite my reservations about him I will love it if he gets us promoted this season.
Agreed. Three away goals and a clean sheet certainly gets me up. Keep it up Bruce! Looking forward to a goal bintje from now on.
Agree with all of this. Including the 'getting me up' part
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Two up top and we look more than a threat, who'd have thought it :-).
Third goal is how we should be playing....press them high up the pitch, get the ball back, and get it in the danger areas with players in the box.
Still thought we sat back a little (see possession stats...think we had 31%) when they were there for the taking...but much much better.
Home games are where we should be really taking it to teams...not sitting deep and counter attacking.
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
My only worry about playing two up top is the prospect of getting overrun in midfield. Davis and Kodjia have the potential to form a good partnership though. I know he has said he prefers to play on that side, but Snodgrass doesn't look a good fit on the right, as he's always looking to cut inside.
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I agree, for 15 minutes before the penalty we were getting over run through the centre, Whelan looking like he was running through treacle. Maybe a diamond would suit us better if we are gonna play two up front.
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We were always a threat throughout with four attacking players and then 5 second half when Hourihane pushed on.
We defended very well and contained them. Taylor struggled a little against their 7 first half but Terry was imperious.
We capitalised on mistakes which this league is predominantly about and then second half we dominated entirely. We moved the ball nicely and broke well.
442 suited us and despite recycling possession a bit too often first half, it was a very pleasing win indeed.
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
Just for clarity, that 19% stat was a "last five (or ten, can't remember) minutes posession" stat, not a "first half" one.
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3 goals
Clean sheet
Away win
Win on Sky
Ball bag face leaves Small Heath
Carlsberg Saturday. Up the Vile.
LOL. As Tony would say I'm getting 🔨 tonight. Up the Vile.
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
Just for clarity, that 19% stat was a "last five (or ten, can't remember) minutes posession" stat, not a "first half" one.
Seriously who gives a flying fuck about possession stats when we just won 3-0?
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
Just for clarity, that 19% stat was a "last five (or ten, can't remember) minutes posession" stat, not a "first half" one.
Seriously who gives a flying fuck about possession stats when we just won 3-0?
How we laughed when TSM2 used to mock the possession stats, only to quote them when we had good ones after an embarrassing defeat.
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Message to Steve Bruce who has spent his career managing underdogs.
Please understand the difference between hysteria and expectation that comes from managing a big club.
Hull - Disappointing after signings made and full pre-season
Cardiff - Desperate
Reading - Desperate (Don't be fooled by our late goal making it look closer)
Norwich - Excellent, stumbled across KD due to injuries
Wigan - Excellent, different players coming in but continue with attacking intent
Bristol - Changes structure of winning team and loses all momentum
Brentford - fails to spot small ginger headed guy who has run the last three games we have played against them
Middlesbrough - wastes 40 mins by not changing things whilst we have extra player
Barnsley- Excellent
Please use the Barnsley game as platform, stop going on about hysteria and start spotting things that are happening on the pitch.
Welcome K4. Excellent first post. Agree with your summarisation of our recent form.
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I agree, for 15 minutes before the penalty we were getting over run through the centre, Whelan looking like he was running through treacle. Maybe a diamond would suit us better if we are gonna play two up front.
We rarely seem able to function with a middle two hence rarely playing 4-4-2. Would be interested to know how many other Championship teams play 442.
Any statto's out there got the facts ?
For the record, I thought Whelan played very well yesterday and was a vital cog in the side that allowed us to be more attacking
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Didn't see the match as I was expecting it to be shit. That'll teach me! Great result, now let's get on a run. Four more wins by the end of the month and I won't be hysterical any more Steve.
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
Just for clarity, that 19% stat was a "last five (or ten, can't remember) minutes posession" stat, not a "first half" one.
Seriously who gives a flying fuck about possession stats when we just won 3-0?
The person who mentioned them in the first place?
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Albert Adomah,given his initials and his work-rate may I suggest that henceforth he be known as Duracell?
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AA has fixed the Villa engine. We may also need the AA because of post-match celebratory and/or depression-induced binge drinking.
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
Is he our top scorer? Him and Hourihane perhaps, who've both hardly had a kick until recently.
I think you might be right, Percy. I'd definitely keep both in the starting lineup. They offer us some balance, and both have goals/assists in them.
I'd like to see O'Hare/Odomah given more game, too. Could Onomah play a holding role or is he more box to box?
Onomah's best performances for England U20s were more of a holding position, using his excellent passing ability and vision to pretty much orchestrate the game. He does like bring the ball forward and to get forward when the opportunity arises but he looks like the complete holding central midfielder.
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Really impressed and happy with the win Davis was our motm but all of the team deserve a mention played so well we need to build on this result and keep playing the way we did against them so much better than we have played in recent weeks and also pleased with another clean sheet.
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Well done to the Villa players and team for a great result yesterday. It seems potato head is peeling a little agitated and appears to have a chip on his shoulder judging by his post match comments. I'll keep this simple for him as he struggles with too many numbers and facts and figures. For this season only he has only managed a 25% win ratio in the league-not good enough! He has only managed 4 points out of 12 away points- not good enough! He has only managed 6 points out of 12 home points-not good enough! Due to PH's poor start we are in catch-up mode already. Bruce needs to get a grip, do his job and show some humility towards the fans ( he should have dedicated yesterday's win to our long suffering away support, instead of the passive aggressive stance he decided to adopt). He may not like the pressure of fan expectation, but he has brought it on himself and I for one won't relent until he starts to do the job for which he is handsomely paid
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
Is he our top scorer? Him and Hourihane perhaps, who've both hardly had a kick until recently.
I think you might be right, Percy. I'd definitely keep both in the starting lineup. They offer us some balance, and both have goals/assists in them.
I'd like to see O'Hare/Odomah given more game, too. Could Onomah play a holding role or is he more box to box?
Onomah's best performances for England U20s were more of a holding position, using his excellent passing ability and vision to pretty much orchestrate the game. He does like bring the ball forward and to get forward when the opportunity arises but he looks like the complete holding central midfielder.
You always speak sense mate, so I say get him in that position. We don't need a Whelen in the team really, do we?
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Given Gareth Barry's milestone weekend, I'm disappointed that it's not been marked with a twist on the leit-motif he helped create for the H&V denizens, namely:
Why didn't Kodjia take the penalty?
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
Just for clarity, that 19% stat was a "last five (or ten, can't remember) minutes posession" stat, not a "first half" one.
Seriously who gives a flying fuck about possession stats when we just won 3-0?
Well I do because in the bigger picture if we continue to allow the opposition that much of the ball, we wont be so lucky in getting 3 goals.
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Message to Steve Bruce who has spent his career managing underdogs.
Please understand the difference between hysteria and expectation that comes from managing a big club.
Hull - Disappointing after signings made and full pre-season
Cardiff - Desperate
Reading - Desperate (Don't be fooled by our late goal making it look closer)
Norwich - Excellent, stumbled across KD due to injuries
Wigan - Excellent, different players coming in but continue with attacking intent
Bristol - Changes structure of winning team and loses all momentum
Brentford - fails to spot small ginger headed guy who has run the last three games we have played against them
Middlesbrough - wastes 40 mins by not changing things whilst we have extra player
Barnsley- Excellent
Please use the Barnsley game as platform, stop going on about hysteria and start spotting things that are happening on the pitch.
Well said
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
Just for clarity, that 19% stat was a "last five (or ten, can't remember) minutes posession" stat, not a "first half" one.
Seriously who gives a flying fuck about possession stats when we just won 3-0?
Well I do because in the bigger picture if we continue to allow the opposition that much of the ball, we wont be so lucky in getting 3 goals.
I disagree. How did we "allow" Barnsley to have possession? I think we defended well which is the reason their possession didn't turn to goals. We should of had one more pen possibly two. 4/5 goals wouldn't have flattered us.
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I'd fancy that if you go through a season having less than 40% every game you'll lose more than you'll win. In a one off game it's irrelevant like when we won at Southampton with something like 22%, do it every game and it's a matter I reckon.
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Better teams will punish us if we allow them too much of the ball and if we don't keep it ourselves. Not everyone will be as toothless as Barnsley.
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To those that were at the match, is there any truth that Terry was far more vocal yesterday than in previous games?
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Can't remember the last time we went in 2 up after such a dismal 1st half. We just couldn't keep the ball, 19% possession is dreadful.
Just for clarity, that 19% stat was a "last five (or ten, can't remember) minutes posession" stat, not a "first half" one.
Seriously who gives a flying fuck about possession stats when we just won 3-0?
Well I do because in the bigger picture if we continue to allow the opposition that much of the ball, we wont be so lucky in getting 3 goals.
I disagree. How did we "allow" Barnsley to have possession? I think we defended well which is the reason their possession didn't turn to goals. We should of had one more pen possibly two. 4/5 goals wouldn't have flattered us.
Because that's how Bruce has set us up pretty much every game. We sit deep and allow the opposition to come on to us, its been one of the biggest complaint's from the majority of fans.
We defended okay against an average team, but with the players we have, we should be dictating the game and we certainly didn't do that before we were gifted a goal. Yes we won the game but im just thinking of future games.
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
Is he our top scorer? Him and Hourihane perhaps, who've both hardly had a kick until recently.
I think you might be right, Percy. I'd definitely keep both in the starting lineup. They offer us some balance, and both have goals/assists in them.
I'd like to see O'Hare/Odomah given more game, too. Could Onomah play a holding role or is he more box to box?
Onomah's best performances for England U20s were more of a holding position, using his excellent passing ability and vision to pretty much orchestrate the game. He does like bring the ball forward and to get forward when the opportunity arises but he looks like the complete holding central midfielder.
You always speak sense mate, so I say get him in that position. We don't need a Whelen in the team really, do we?
Fuck me don't tell him that
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
Is he our top scorer? Him and Hourihane perhaps, who've both hardly had a kick until recently.
I think you might be right, Percy. I'd definitely keep both in the starting lineup. They offer us some balance, and both have goals/assists in them.
I'd like to see O'Hare/Odomah given more game, too. Could Onomah play a holding role or is he more box to box?
Onomah's best performances for England U20s were more of a holding position, using his excellent passing ability and vision to pretty much orchestrate the game. He does like bring the ball forward and to get forward when the opportunity arises but he looks like the complete holding central midfielder.
You always speak sense mate, so I say get him in that position. We don't need a Whelen in the team really, do we?
Fuck me don't tell him that
Haha.
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I'd fancy that if you go through a season having less than 40% every game you'll lose more than you'll win. In a one off game it's irrelevant like when we won at Southampton with something like 22%, do it every game and it's a matter I reckon.
I'm pretty sure Leicester won the league with around 40% possession on average
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If we're gonna play 442 - and there was a good case presented yday - we will almost certainly regularly have less of the ball
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I've been to two away games in the last two seasons. Two wins, five goals and none conceded.
Any contributions for my travelling fund are greatly appreciated.
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I'd fancy that if you go through a season having less than 40% every game you'll lose more than you'll win. In a one off game it's irrelevant like when we won at Southampton with something like 22%, do it every game and it's a matter I reckon.
I'm pretty sure Leicester won the league with around 40% possession on average
True but that was a freak one off which probably wont happen again. They were also regarded as under dogs in that league and could justifiably play counter attacking football.
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Valencia scuffs one in.
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Valencia scuffs one in.
4-0 in the 1,254th minute of injury time! ;)
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Bruce benefits from Fergie time.
*I may have posted in the wrong thread!
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Bruce benefits from Fergie time.
*I may have posted in the wrong thread!
Nope, I say we take it! 4-0!
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I'd fancy that if you go through a season having less than 40% every game you'll lose more than you'll win. In a one off game it's irrelevant like when we won at Southampton with something like 22%, do it every game and it's a matter I reckon.
I'm pretty sure Leicester won the league with around 40% possession on average
True but that was a freak one off which probably wont happen again. They were also regarded as under dogs in that league and could justifiably play counter attacking football.
Personally I think possession stats are overused and overrated. Does anyone know what our possession stats were when we won the league and the European Cup? I doubt it.
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Lazy post so apologies if it's already been mentioned but when was our last away win by a three goal margin in the league?
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Lazy post so apologies if it's already been mentioned but when was our last away win by a three goal margin in the league?
Sunderland 4-0 under Sherwood.
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To those that were at the match, is there any truth that Terry was far more vocal yesterday than in previous games?
Either way he was excellent.
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Possession without territory makes the statistic irrelevant. Barnsley had the ball first half in areas they couldn't hurt us. Same as Norwich.
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Excuse my ignorance but is possession measured as the length of time a team retains the ball or the number of passes completed without giving the ball away? Would Westwood rack up higher possession running from one touchline to the other with the ball than four of our players passing the ball sideways to cover the same ground?
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Possession as a percentage of play would probably be the former.
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Thanks Lee. So effectiveness, that is, what you can do with possession is not factored in. Thus Westwood purposelessly running 60 yards across the pitch for one minute counts the same as say, four linked passes that might lead to something for a similar period. As Charles Dickens might have written. Statistics is a ass.
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Thanks Lee. So effectiveness, that is, what you can do with possession is not factored in. Thus Westwood purposelessly running 60 yards across the pitch for one minute counts the same as say, four linked passes that might lead to something for a similar period. As Charles Dickens might have written. Statistics is a ass.
It's harder to score if you don't have possession though.
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True, but I was trying, by the inclusion of Westwood's name to highlight the difference between pointless possession for possession's sake and constructive possession from which an attack might spring. I think I will chuck a couple of logs on the fire and go to bed and dream of JT holding that lovely old trophy aloft.
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Message to Steve Bruce who has spent his career managing underdogs.
Please understand the difference between hysteria and expectation that comes from managing a big club.
Hull - Disappointing after signings made and full pre-season
Cardiff - Desperate
Reading - Desperate (Don't be fooled by our late goal making it look closer)
Norwich - Excellent, stumbled across KD due to injuries
Wigan - Excellent, different players coming in but continue with attacking intent
Bristol - Changes structure of winning team and loses all momentum
Brentford - fails to spot small ginger headed guy who has run the last three games we have played against them
Middlesbrough - wastes 40 mins by not changing things whilst we have extra player
Barnsley- Excellent
Please use the Barnsley game as platform, stop going on about hysteria and start spotting things that are happening on the pitch.
Hysteria! Just calm down! :)
Seriously, good first post.
Welcome!
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Valencia scuffs one in.
4-0 in the 1,254th minute of injury time! ;)
You should put your money where your keyboard is.
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Middlesbrough - wastes 40 mins by not changing things whilst we have extra player
What changes would you have suggested?? Tactics ? Personnel ?
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Middlesbrough - wastes 40 mins by not changing things whilst we have extra player
What changes would you have suggested?? Tactics ? Personnel ?
We had a Jedinak as a defensive midfielder in acres of space marking no one. We could have pushed him to make a two in midfield and pushed one of the midfielders further up, or taken him (as he did at half time) or one of the other midfielders off and put another attacking option on (either a wide player and moved Snodgrass inside or another forward).
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We've always been pretty rubbish against 10 men. Spurs boxing day springs to mind. Weren't we 1-0 up They went down to 10 men early doors and we managed to lose 2-1
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I think playing two up front works well for us, and Davis compliments Kodjia well.
I'd even go three up front in some home games, with Kodjia drifting and Hogan and Davis through the centre.
A good away win, looked solid for the most part. I enjoy watching Albert play. He creates alot for us when he does.
Is he our top scorer? Him and Hourihane perhaps, who've both hardly had a kick until recently.
I think you might be right, Percy. I'd definitely keep both in the starting lineup. They offer us some balance, and both have goals/assists in them.
I'd like to see O'Hare/Odomah given more game, too. Could Onomah play a holding role or is he more box to box?
Onomah's best performances for England U20s were more of a holding position, using his excellent passing ability and vision to pretty much orchestrate the game. He does like bring the ball forward and to get forward when the opportunity arises but he looks like the complete holding central midfielder.
I think there is a strong case that if we are going to go forward with that formation then Onomah and Hourihane should be the two central midfielders. The more I see if this league, the more I think that pace in attack is key as it really hurts teams (more so than in the top flight where pace is more common and you need a bit more guile as well).
Snodgrass obviously has some quality on the ball, but having him on the right and a right footed option on the left kills our breaks somewhat as they are forever having to check back on to their favoured foot (happened a number of times yesterday with Snodgrass). I still think we should have got a quick, out-and-out left winger over the summer and had Adomah / Elmohamady on the right and another pacy option on the left, with Green coming on when fit as an impact sub in the latter stages,
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Great by the team.
Manager sounded like a petulant little shit in his post-match comments.
Quite pathetic really.
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We've always been pretty rubbish against 10 men. Spurs boxing day springs to mind. Weren't we 1-0 up They went down to 10 men early doors and we managed to lose 2-1
I thought it was a very embarrassing 2-0 defeat.
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We've always been pretty rubbish against 10 men. Spurs boxing day springs to mind. Weren't we 1-0 up They went down to 10 men early doors and we managed to lose 2-1
I thought it was a very embarrassing 2-0 defeat.
Just checked. Boxing Day 2010 We played for over an hour against 10 men and Spurs went 2-0 up after going down to 10 men. Albrighton made it 2-1 in the 82 minute.
The very embarrassing defeat was the 4-0 Boxing Day 2012 after the 8-0 at Chelsea
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A very enjoyable first trip to Barnsley for me. Love the ground - proper old-school and proper floodlights. A welcome change in this era of sterile, identikit corporate temples.
I was impressed with JT. He didn't make any mistakes of note and dealt with everything. No fuss, no danger. This is surely what SB bought him for.
Adomah was great, especially first half when he was involved in most of our positive play. Davis is a pleasure to watch.
I do hope Spurs let us keep Onomah for a good while as he looks really promising. There's a frisson of excitement when he's on the ball. It's been a while since I've felt that watching the Villa. Nice.
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We've always been pretty rubbish against 10 men. Spurs boxing day springs to mind. Weren't we 1-0 up They went down to 10 men early doors and we managed to lose 2-1
I thought it was a very embarrassing 2-0 defeat.
Just checked. Boxing Day 2010 We played for over an hour against 10 men and Spurs went 2-0 up after going down to 10 men. Albrighton made it 2-1 in the 82 minute.
The very embarrassing defeat was the 4-0 Boxing Day 2012 after the 8-0 at Chelsea
Aha well I probably left when they scored their second. I think going 2-0 down to 10 men team was more embarrassing than 4-0. Also because we had a decent team in 2010.