Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on November 25, 2019, 09:53:21 PM
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Job done, 5 points off 5th.
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Never in doubt, but Wesley really needs to up his game (if he can).
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Jack was Fcukin majestic tonight.
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Top stuff, should have buried them. But Jack, Conor and Konsa were real class.
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As comfortable as you can get. Konsa, Guilbert, Hourihane, Grealish superb.
The only dissapointment was that we didnt score a few more.
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We are frustrating as fook from open play but thank McGrath for the Cork fella's left foot.
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As comfortable as you can get. Konsa, Guilbert, Hourihane, Grealish superb.
The only dissapointment was that we didnt score a few more.
Oh I don’t know. Some of the spelling was fucking shit.
Sorry, I’m stuck at work and have nothing constructive to say. Except:
Great goal Conor.
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3 Well taken points, we could have improved on the scoreline but at the end of the day, 2-0 win, clean sheet, you can't grumble at that, Jacks back and was bang in form.
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Total superiority. Many good performances but honestly, Jack is monstrous. What a fucking player he is.
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Happy with a dynamic first half but thrilled with the fact that we saw it out comfortably, we need to do that more often.
But dear me, will Bruce ever learn? Cowardly, cautious and crap to watch. Thank God he's moved on. We have our misgivings but at least we are watchable.
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Never in doubt, but Wesley really needs to up his game (if he can).
I thought he worked his socks off tonight and could easily have had a couple
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
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Does anyone know if there is a replay on Sky?
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Barring the goals, I thought Wesley was good tonight. Lots of running, and was at least getting into goal scoring positions.
I’m starting to think he’ll come good.
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Comfortable yet i was still cacking it during parts of the second half, well deserved and top performances from Jack and Conor. Wesley won't get many better chances this season than what he had to score tonight and needs to start hitting the back of the net.
Heaton, fantastic positioning wasn't a fluke that the majority of his saves just happened to be straight at him. Oh and the clean sheet is a boost.
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Never in doubt, but Wesley really needs to up his game (if he can).
I thought he worked his socks off tonight and could easily have had a couple
Yep same, thought he did well and pressed fucking hard from the front.
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Jack really is the best naturally gifted player I've seen at Villa. That he's home grown is so cool.
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Never in doubt, but Wesley really needs to up his game (if he can).
I thought he worked his socks off tonight and could easily have had a couple
But he didn't! Actually, I'm probably being too picky.
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Good win. Grealish brilliant, deserved a goal.
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Guilbert had their winger, that Saint Wotsit-face in his pocket. Cracking little RB we’ve got there!
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We needed that as we have some tough games coming up
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
40 years? One word, Bosko.
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If Jack had finished wuth a hat trick and a couple of assists it wouldn't have flattered him.
On Wesley I think he did better than he's been given credit for. He worked hard tonight, really should've taken his big chance though.
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I thought we looked wonderful.
I wish Wes had scored, but I could see what else he did for the game.
Jack was fantastic.
I was very concerned about the lack of substitutions but at the end of the day we didn’t need it.
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Hurrah! I'm sooooooo pleased The Cabbage Magnet didn't do what I was fearing he would on his return to VP. I listened to the Beeb commentary nervously, but it sounded like we might well have stuck a few more in to stick a flake in the final tally. Still, 3 points is a very welcome tonic innit.
UTV!
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They all played well tonight, Grealish MOM, Hourahane next. Hourahane showing why he should always be in the team when we’re expecting to go at the opposition and try to break them down. Konsa impressive again apart from the slice. El Ghazi had a good game and Wes linked up very well at times with the attacking midfielders, particularly second half but should have scored, bad miss.
Overall very encouraging.
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We have the joint best Goal Difference in the bottom half. Might end up counting for something.
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Cracking performance with movement and energy, and every player wanting the ball. Love to see that.
The midfield combination looks nicely balanced.
Meanwhile, the Barcodes produced the very epitome of a Bruce display, with midfielders not permitted to cross the halfway line until the second half, and the rest only given licence to attack as a team when they were 2-0 down. Unadventurous, uninspiring shite.
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FOPH.
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Apart from a "what the fuck was that" 5 minutes at the start of the second half, we were so dominant tonight.
Liked the fact we were patient against Bruceball tactics in the 1st half, and could easily have got 2/3 more in the second. Jack was superb again, just so classy and aware on the ball and always wanting it.
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Does anyone know if there is a replay on Sky?
Give it half hour or so after the main programme finishes. Although it might be longer after their own live shows.
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Super performance- totally comfortable v a team in good form.
Well done - I thought Targett was unsung tonight, intelligent runs and really helped free up JG and Conor to run the game.
Loved it
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Positives
-Grealish back and at his majestic best
-Deano had tactics spot on (but Luiz should have gone off after 70)
-Conor is more suited to the Prem than the Championship
-Guilbert is quality
-McGinn in 2nd half showing a return to early season form
-The effort was there from Wesley
Negs
- McGinn’s 1st half
- Mings has a clanger in him
- Wes should have bagged a couple
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Heatons a solid keeper just to mention his performance.
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Hopefully that'll shut a few people up...
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Big shout out for Conor. He worked his nuts off tonight and was a real leader on the pitch too.
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Heatons a solid keeper just to mention his performance.
Their keeper played well too - which is actually a positive from our point of view.
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It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
So you think Bowery, Helenius, Balaban, McAvennie, Hogan, Penrice, McCormack, Gestede were all better for us? And that's just off the top of my head.
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The whole team played well and at times a joy to watch, however we do creat our own problems at times which is mainly down to the way we play it out from the back. However saying that this style is so much more pleasurable to watch than having to watch teams out pass us for 90 minutes while we look for a sneaky goal.
Again we haven’t probably scored as many goals as we should have and other than a couple slips we looked very very comfortable.
Conor was ace, I really like him. Jack was excellent and exciting to watch, deserved a goal. Both full backs were very good. Big Wes done well holding up play, but he’s never going to be a 20 goal a season player like Tammy. He is the Brazilian Ivanhoe. Heaton and Konya were very solid.
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If Jack had finished wuth a hat trick and a couple of assists it wouldn't have flattered him.
On Wesley I think he did better than he's been given credit for. He worked hard tonight, really should've taken his big chance though.
Yeo agreed he was strong and led the press from the front really well.
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Happy Birthday Sir Brian
We deserved it and played well stroking the ball about, everything revolved around Jack
Good to see Connor justify his start.
Newcastle were crap, a typical Bruce team, some dreadful play at times.
we need to get a natural goalscorer in Jan, with the chances we made it could have been 4 easily.
Not taking those chances against better teams will hurt us
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Great result as I've been nervous about this game all day. Well done Villa.
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There's still things to improve on but we're not far off being a decent top flight side.
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It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
So you think Bowery, Helenius, Balaban, McAvennie, Hogan, Penrice, McCormack, Gestede were all better for us? And that's just off the top of my head.
I think there if there ever was a case it is closed. I even had to think hard as to who this McCormack was.
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Well done Villa, thought Carroll and Gayle might have caused us some trouble, but we were very comfortable in the end. Apart from his finishing, Jack once again was superb and Conor, what a goal and assist. Pity Wes missed that sitter, needs a goal badly. See no reason, why we can't get something at Old Trafford.
UP THE VILLA
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Joelinton.
How much?
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From moaning on match thread I thought we were fucked but 3 points well deserved. Long hard slog to safety
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Joelinton.
How much?
Double the price of Wesley and looks worse in my view, at least Wes has the strength when he wants to show it.
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Jack, our talisman and leader. Everyone looks better when he's on the park. Even so I think I'd have given MOTM to Conor for being the game breaker.
Comfortable in the end, should have won by more. Only time we looked in bother was first 5 mins of second half. Carroll was shite when he came on.
Nights like this make me think survival will be a doddle but let's see how the next three go.
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Ace. Jack magnificent. Always, always, always has space. Brilliant footballer.
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Joelinton.
How much?
He was awful, only out done by Almiron for shiteness. I honestly think hes the worst player to ever play at this level, if he wasn't fast he'd have nothing at all to his game. Their other winger looks tricky but Guilbert played very well against him.
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Ha ha Bruce you ******!
He’s just said on Sky that both free kicks were soft.
This should put to bed the “what a lovely man” crap.
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Very good win.
Newcastle were set up to counter attack, and they have the players to do it; they won at Spurs.
The Cork man has a magic left foot. They couldn't cope with Grealish. Heaton has been a great buy.
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Ha ha Bruce you c***!
He’s just said on Sky that both free kicks were soft.
This should put to bed the “what a lovely man” crap.
As usual he seems to be watching a different game to everybody else.
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Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, £76,000,000, 1 goal. Ciaran Clark has scored more than the 3 combined.
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The ‘roll the sleeves up’ comment came out for an airing at the end too!! 😂
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Great stuff, so nice to see us keeping the ball and controlling the game for most of it. Jack, another level. Douglas Luiz is lovely to watch. Keep the faith with big Wes!
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2-0 flattered them big time. We missed at least two sitters (Konsa and Wes), while McGinn messed up a number of chances. Huge night for Smith, he owned Bruce tactically with some big selection calls picking ball players ahead of power. Targett and Luiz both very fortunate to retain their places but justified their inclusions. Konsa superb on ball. Hourihane , goal and assist . AEG was very impressive too. Smart saves from Heaton at times. Grealish on a different level. Took the piss out of Newcastle like he used to do to championship teams.
Heaton 8 - couple of very smart saves including one at start of second half
Guilbert 8 - great outlet on ball and owned the headband wearing clown. Andy Carroll did expose his lack of power on a couple of occasions mind
Konsa 8 - classy player, big call from Smith but justified
Mings 6 - sloppy enough I thought
Targett 7 - good on ball after a horror show at Wolves
Luiz 7 - very talented player but fitness is a problem, should have been hooked around the 70 min mark
Hourihane 8 - goal and assist, wand of a left foot. Won't play every week but great option
McGinn 7 - very busy as always but messed up numerous counter attacks . Very selfish at end too
AEG 8 - always rated this guy, talented player who creates and scores goals . Liked the way he played a bit infield tonight.
Grealish 9 - majestic, close control is outrageous and Newcastle players were scared stiff of him
Wes 6 - really poor first half . Worked much harder in second, missed a sitter but at least got the chance . Have seen him play a lot worse
Newcastle - beyond absymal. Not sure how they have picked up so many points already but it's a championship standard team. Lucky they weren't given a complete hiding tonight.
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Excellent result and a fully deserved one. I appreciated that Wesley dropped deep at times to successfully link the play up but I'm still not convinced. He never looks like scoring and that's a big problem.
Heaton, Grealish, Hourihane, Guilbert and El Ghazi were all excellent. McGinn, Mings and Luiz not so much. Luiz needs to stop dawdling on the ball, losing the ball so sloppily like that against teams like ManUre and Chelsea nine times out of ten will result in us conceding.
We need to build on this and pick up points away, hopefully we can sneak a surprising result or two starting Sunday.
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Sky Highlights (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11870408/villa-ease-past-newcastle)
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Great and much needed win utv
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It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
So you think Bowery, Helenius, Balaban, McAvennie, Hogan, Penrice, McCormack, Gestede were all better for us? And that's just off the top of my head.
Exactly this there’s been some shockers over the years but Gestede is the worst player I’ve seen in a Villa shirt. I think Wesley did alright tonight
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Surprised by the plaudits for Guilbert. Thought he was awful in the first half, constantly playing his man (their tricky winger) rather than the ball. I didn't notice him much in the second half so maybe he did his job well.
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15th, a third of the way through the season, above Everton and West Ham. I will settle for that.
We are only three points off Man U and Spurs, and have won as many games as fifth placed Wolves. Only six teams have scored more goals than us. There is plenty to be positive about.
Grealish was pivotal tonight . The grapevine suggests that if Eriksen leaves Spurs, Jack will be their target. He is to us as Zaha is to Palace, irreplaceable. Whatever his transfer value, he is worth the £130m that a PL place represents to us.
In the summer we bought a new team. Some have worked, others less so. Wesley still hints at being a force, but somehow is struggling to assert himself. I do not favour many, if any, transfer window purchases, Smith's priority must be to eke the most out of what he has already bought. At Christmas, relegation is still a possibility. The calibre of player we can buy with PL status retained will be better.
Our tactic of inviting Andy Carroll for a night out on Broad St after the game worked well. Tonight was our first home performance in which we were the better side, and secured the win comfortably. No late jitters / collapse.
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I thought he wasn’t great going forward (though never stopped trying) but excellent defensively for me. Guilbert, that is 7/10 here and that will do.
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Wes needs a goal. Strikers aren’t measured by playing well, it’s all about scoring and that chance was on a plate and the game is over. He needs to find a ruthless side to his game, because there will be times when misses like that will cost us big time.
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What was the attendance please?
Good win. Well done Villa. no-one had a poor game imo. We deserved to win.
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I am almost certain Almiron was wearing a Villa shirt underneath his barcode shirt :)
Should have been more, but it's nice to see us not wobble from 70 mins on.
At least poor old, never accepted, Brucie has plenty of opportunities to console himself with kebabs on the way home.
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DS Sky interview (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11870421/smith-home-form-is-key)
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Cracking win. That’s all!
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Excellent result and a fully deserved one. I appreciated that Wesley dropped deep at times to successfully link the play up but I'm still not convinced. He never looks like scoring and that's a big problem.
Heaton, Grealish, Hourihane, Guilbert and El Ghazi were all excellent. McGinn, Mings and Luiz not so much. Luiz needs to stop dawdling on the ball, losing the ball sloppily like that against teams like ManUre and Chelsea will lead to us conceding.
We need to build on this and pick up points away, hopefully we can sneak a surprising result or two starting Sunday.
On the bold bit I'm not sure. I said in the summer that I thought this team would net 50-60 goals and with 19 from roughly the first 3rd of the season we're bang on track for that. We're not reliant on Wesley for goals, we've scored more than anyone else in the bottom half of the league, so you have to judge him on his overall game. At times that has been disappointing because his head has gone down and he's not battled enough. Tonight was totally different, he pressed, he chased back and he made a pain in the arse of himself. If he puts in that level of effort every week he'll prove himself invaluable to this team and the goals will come.
On Newcastle, that was a very familiar performance to how we played away, sit deep, let them have the ball and try to catch them on the break then put in 5-10 minutes of 100% effort after half time trying to sneak one before settling back into the same defensive shape. as a team they were really poor but in a sea of shit Almiron still managed to look out of his depth. He was fucking dire and I'd go so far as to say it was one of the (if not the) worst performances I've ever seen against us.
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Villa Views
@VillaViews_
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16m
We've now won more games than we did in the season we went down! #avfc
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Yes Wesley did put the effort in and he is a big unit but that isn't enough is it. I hope he can improve because he didn't come cheap. We all saw how we stay up this season keep Jack Grealish fit, he was the best afield by far and the difference between the two sides, at least the penny seems to have dropped because he played a more forward role tonight.
Delighted and relieved at the end because we all saw that we can compete at this level and with the financial power of the owners and a good manager the future is ours.
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The goals.
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A talking potato (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11870423/bruce-disappointed-by-defending)
He actually says "roll wor sleeves up"!
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What was the attendance please?
41800. And fair play to their supporters for full house on Monday night live TV game.
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I am almost certain Almiron was wearing a Villa shirt underneath his barcode shirt :)
Yes Almiron is a circus act. Him and Shelvey were our best players😂
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Easy win really. Newcastle had a little spell just after half time but for the most part they were hopeless with Saint-Maximm playing circus football for half the game.
It's a shame Jack got injured when he did as it seems to have been forgotten we were looking much better with the formation before he went out and it was good again tonight.
I actually thought Wes put in a decent shift aswell, shame he didn't score at the end.
On to hopefully getting something at Old Trafford, we should go there in good heart.
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We looked like a proper front 3 tonight. Jack and AEG looked a lot more advanced. That has to be the way to make the most out of Wesley’s strengths.
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Heatons a solid keeper just to mention his performance.
Was a fantastic save start of second half, that could've changed things. He's just very solid isn't he? Claims the crosses, generally good handling on the shots and also communicates well with the back 4. He reminds me of Friedel when he first came in, hopefully he can save a penalty.
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As much as they hate us, I almost feel sorry for them. From their forum:
Hope Bruce has his head eaten by a Caterpillar
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Reminded me of when Jack came back against Derby last season. The result was never in doubt then either. Mention for Kinda who looked very useful tonight.
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Yeah agreed Heaton was good tonight. Couple of really good saves, was lucky that most of their shots were straight down his throat but he took them with no fuss at all.
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It's important not to get too carried away after a win against an poor side.
But, fuck it. We are great and we are going to win the treble.
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Wesley did fine I thought, really wish he'd put that chance away in the second half but at least the fans got right behind him afterwards as you can see he's trying.
Feel a bit for the Geordies, imagine having to watch that dirge every week. They won't be above us for long.
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Does anyone know if there is a replay on Sky?
Give it half hour or so after the main programme finishes. Although it might be longer after their own live shows.
Nice one, thanks.
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All been said, so briefly, jack just superb, they couldn’t get near him. Connor great game too. Heaton, both full backs & Konsa looked class. Mings probs worst performance for us 1st half, but back to relative normal 2nd. McGinn put a shift in but looked bit jaded. AEG and Luiz played well and Wes ran his b*llocks off. On the Wes debate, add Simon stain rod and Malcolm Allen from the 80s in the groups of much worse forwards than him.
Though newcastle were poor and will be there or thereabouts at squeaky bum time :)
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Thought we were pretty comfortable all the way through apart from that first 10 mins in the second half when they played with an organised press and we didn’t react and up the tempo.
Other than that it looked like a Newcastle performance we have seen so many times from ourselves under Bruce, they looked compact with little threat going forward.
Thought all the defenders and Goalie were good, El Ghazi and Connor decent, Jack superb, he just sets our tempo and looks a class above anyone else on the field.
McGinn had one of those games when nothing seemed to go right for him and not through lack of effort. Luiz good first half, poor second when I think they identified him as the one they were most likely to retrieve the ball from, too slow to move it.
Very welcome win, we really needed and deserved that with the run we had ahead of us.
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What happened to Engels tonight. DS said he was fit only a couple of days ago?
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Be interesting to see what happens when he’s fit again. Konsa is doing a really good job.
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Yeah agreed Heaton was good tonight. Couple of really good saves, was lucky positioned himself superbly so that most of their shots were straight down his throat but and he took them with no fuss at all.
Ftfy. There was only one lucky goalkeeper on that pitch tonight, and it wurnt ours.
Inspiring display from him. Everything stuck.
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Good first half, hesitant start to the second half. Had enough chances to make this more comfortable, and when they brought Carroll and Gayle on they had better options up front. Much needed win, three points and a clean sheet. Great night under the lights spoiled only by finding out the M5 was closed after we'd got on the M6, so ended up on a guided tour of the Black Country. Lovely
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My first game since Wembley, and an easier win than any of the Championship matches I went to last season. Ipswich gave us a better game. I was impressed with both full-backs and Konsa did well. How Bruce thought Newcastle would get anything by allowing Grealish to have so much time on the ball is beyond me. Had to laugh at the Newcastle fans agreeing with our fans when they conceded a corner from the halfway line. A better team than Newcastle might have got a result tonight thanks to errors in our half, but I can't remember an occasion when I've been to Villa Park in 26 years when the away team have looked less like scoring.
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Alan Hutton was fairly unambiguous in exposing Bruce's tactical limitations on 5Live after the game. He said:
"I just think the way Steve Bruce sets his teams up, there is such a big gap between the midfield and the striker, and that leaves him isolated, and it's difficult. You're really asking them to do something spectacular to score a goal"
and
"...this is the thing, everywhere Steve Bruce has went he's tried to play this formation, and even when he was at Villa he tried to make us play that formation. It didn't quite work out, he didn't get it going, but I just find it quite difficult, especially from a striker's point of view. Like I said, the gaps are that big it's very difficult to play that way."
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I thought Heaton was excellent from what I have seen and heard.
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Tonight Bruce showed exactly why I wanted him gone long before he left. Shit negative football, set up for a 0-0 and hope for a set piece, breakaway while mainly hoping for a bit of individual brilliance. It worked for us quite often as we had players far better than the opposition so the individual brilliance often won us points. At a higher level it's not working as well.
That after 14 games their top scorers have 2 goals and one of those two players is Ciaran Clark says everything about him and his outdated 'style' of football. Thank fuck he's no longer our manager.
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Tonight showed again how pivotal Jack is to the team and the creativity. He was at the heart of everything good for us.
I thought Newcastle reminded me of the way we played at Wolves, ineffectual and slow in the first half, and a bit better in the second.
However, the danger they created was often self-inflicted. Mings's decision making when trying to play out nonchalantly from the back nearly backfired a couple of times.
I thought Conor had a really good game, and I always think he should play. Nobody else delivers free kicks and crosses as consistently well as he does. El Ghazi did well and tracked back too.
A mention to Konsa, Guilbert and Targett too, with a special hats off to Matt after seeing him being sick on the pitch.
I still can't see Wesley scoring enough or being effective in dangerous areas, especially against the better sides.
He did a bit better tonight, but I think everyone's expectations are lower than they ought to be.
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Tonight Bruce showed exactly why I wanted him gone long before he left. Shit negative football, set up for a 0-0 and hope for a set piece, breakaway while mainly hoping for a bit of individual brilliance. It worked for us quite often as we had players far better than the opposition so the individual brilliance often won us points. At a higher level it's not working as well.
That after 14 games their top scorers have 2 goals and one of those two players is Ciaran Clark says everything about him and his outdated 'style' of football. Thank fuck he's no longer our manager.
Exactly. His tactics for us were, "Give it to Jack!"
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Much needed win and a pretty good performance on the whole. Few bits of sloppiness from Guilbert, Mings and Douglas aside, I thought it was a fairly comfortable win, although Heaton did have to make a few good saves.
I thought tonight was the first time this season that Grealish looked a level above everyone else on the pitch. He dominated the game the way he used to in the Championship and We just look a different side when he is playing.
I've been critical of Hourihane for a number of seasons now, but his quality in the final third and from set pieces is undeniable and it won us the game tonight. Thought El Ghazi and Targett were much improved tonight and the former does seem to be able to find the net.
I have to add that I thought Konsa had another good game tonight. I really like the look of the kid to be honest and I think if he has a good run in the side, I'd go out on a limb and say he could be in England contention by the end of the season.
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Please don't be harsh on Stevie. He has already worked on a master plan to defeat Man City on Saturday and revealed it in the post match interview. He is going to make his players roll their sleeves up.
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Tonight Bruce showed exactly why I wanted him gone long before he left. Shit negative football, set up for a 0-0 and hope for a set piece, breakaway while mainly hoping for a bit of individual brilliance. It worked for us quite often as we had players far better than the opposition so the individual brilliance often won us points. At a higher level it's not working as well.
That after 14 games their top scorers have 2 goals and one of those two players is Ciaran Clark says everything about him and his outdated 'style' of football. Thank fuck he's no longer our manager.
Exactly. His tactics for us were, "Give it to Jack!"
When he first came in it was actually more "give it to Kodj." If that didn't work "give it to Albert." But yes the general point is correct, his style of play/system relies on some individual magic from one of the forwards or if that dosen't work sling in crosses and hope someone gets on the end of them given a few of their CBs have scored so far.
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What happened to Engels tonight. DS said he was fit only a couple of days ago?
Has been training but still had pain in his hip so DS decided not to risk him, expected to be in the next squad.
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We have ridiculous depth at CB now.
Was impressed by Konsa tonight and bar the odd sloppy error Engels has been excellent aswell. Also got Chester and Hause as back ups.
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Tonight Bruce showed exactly why I wanted him gone long before he left. Shit negative football, set up for a 0-0 and hope for a set piece, breakaway while mainly hoping for a bit of individual brilliance. It worked for us quite often as we had players far better than the opposition so the individual brilliance often won us points. At a higher level it's not working as well.
That after 14 games their top scorers have 2 goals and one of those two players is Ciaran Clark says everything about him and his outdated 'style' of football. Thank fuck he's no longer our manager.
Bruce had a horror show tonight tactically. The back three quickly became a back five and they were getting completely outnumbered in midfield. Huge gap between the work shy front three and a very limited midfield duo in Shelvey and Hayden. Surely after 20 mins, he simply had to put the likes of Yedlin man marking Grealish and switch to a back four. Or at a minimum after we scored. Half time was too late but surely worth a double change to try and make a game out of it. His first sub tonight was around the hour mark in a game they were being obliterated. Luiz and Hourihane are talented players with the ball at their feet under no pressure but Bruce's tactics gave them the freedom of the park.
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Alan Hutton was fairly unambiguous in exposing Bruce's tactical limitations on 5Live after the game. He said:
"I just think the way Steve Bruce sets his teams up, there is such a big gap between the midfield and the striker, and that leaves him isolated, and it's difficult. You're really asking them to do something spectacular to score a goal"
and
"...this is the thing, everywhere Steve Bruce has went he's tried to play this formation, and even when he was at Villa he tried to make us play that formation. It didn't quite work out, he didn't get it going, but I just find it quite difficult, especially from a striker's point of view. Like I said, the gaps are that big it's very difficult to play that way."
Hope Hutton thought more highly of him when he played for him. Whatever you think of Alan Hutton as a footballer, sometimes his crosses were the only connection between the Villa forwards and the rest of the team. I still feel, however, that Bruce left us in a better place than when we were when he took the job.
I know that it was a bit of a joke but why didn't he acknowledge the Villa fans when asked to give us a wave. It might have lessened some of the animosity.
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Talking to a geordie on the way back to New St. They are far from impressed by Bruce. His words were......just shows how ambitious our owner is when he appoints Bruce.
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Worst striker in over 40 years? What a load of bollocks
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Really impressed tonight in all areas of the pitch. I thought Heaton was solid and made some nice saves,defence were more with it than in recent weeks , Hourihane & Jack were fantastic. McGinn had a quiet one,El Ghazi fine and grabs another goal, sometimes think he comes in for some unfair criticism but keeps proving why he should be on the pitch.
Wesley is splitting opinion,I thought he played well but needs to stop moaning and get on with the game,should have scored but he is getting there and just needs time.
Atmosphere was ok but i'm finding celebrations when we score are now very flat , even in the Holte ( VAR I guess?)
Was hoping to get to Digbeth Dining Club but it was too busy so opted for some Chips from Ali Baba after the game instead
all round decent night
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It was certainly muted after the second goal, think everyone saw AEG look to linesman after he scored and assumed it would get disallowed like the goals in previous home games.
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It was certainly muted after the second goal, think everyone saw AEG look to linesman after he scored and assumed it would get disallowed like the goals in previous home games.
He was very unsure, clearly got asked a couple of times and just shrugged.
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I like Konsa and prefer him to Engels, he seems steadier.
Grealish was very good generally but I still find him a bit frustrating, too often he had the chance to really run at the defence into the area and /or have a crack at goal and didn't back himself, laying it off instead. If he can get past that he'll be some player.
Mings was sloppy, not for the first time.
Luiz gets caught on the ball too often and needs to sharpen up.
Hourihane really adds something with his set pieces.
Heaton looked solid tonight and made some good saves.
Newcastle looked a typical Bruce side on a bad night. As the song says "tonight thank God it's them instead of you"
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Absolutely no need for that. Have a word with yourself.
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Just home after the usual evening bollocks on the M6.
Jack was different class again last night, absolute Rolls Royce of as player. They were really crap, apart from that Saint-Maximin who was lively throughout but with no end product.
The defence were much improved, and I thought the midfield three all did well, mostly. That was the most comfortable we've been all season, I never really thought for one second they'd get back into it.
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As the song says "tonight thank God it's them instead of you"
Best line in a song ever. Fact. Poignant and beautifully sung by someone who truly cares.
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You've ruined my night. Feels like a defeat now. 🤬
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You've ruined my night. Feels like a defeat now. 🤬
You'll wake up tomorrow and because Villa won it will be a beautiful day.
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All these U2 puns, no need. Mind you I did get a U2 monoply game for Xmas, like normal monopoly but the streets had no name.
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Couldn't believe how deep they were in the first half.
It was like a training exercise attack v defence.
They got what they deserved with such negative tactics.
We should have won by more but three points and a clean sheet gives us a bit of breathing space to the relegation zone for now.
Just shows how we missed Jack since Man C game and how important he is to us.
Bring on Man U.
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Alan Hutton was fairly unambiguous in exposing Bruce's tactical limitations on 5Live after the game. He said:
"I just think the way Steve Bruce sets his teams up, there is such a big gap between the midfield and the striker, and that leaves him isolated, and it's difficult. You're really asking them to do something spectacular to score a goal"
and
"...this is the thing, everywhere Steve Bruce has went he's tried to play this formation, and even when he was at Villa he tried to make us play that formation. It didn't quite work out, he didn't get it going, but I just find it quite difficult, especially from a striker's point of view. Like I said, the gaps are that big it's very difficult to play that way."
Hope Hutton thought more highly of him when he played for him. Whatever you think of Alan Hutton as a footballer, sometimes his crosses were the only connection between the Villa forwards and the rest of the team. I still feel, however, that Bruce left us in a better place than when we were when he took the job.
I know that it was a bit of a joke but why didn't he acknowledge the Villa fans when asked to give us a wave. It might have lessened some of the animosity.
Imagine the stick he would of got if he had waved to the Holte. "We wor 2-0 down and that twat was waving to the fuckin Villa fans" It was a no win situation for him.
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Good win, thought the whole team played pretty well but there were some really decent performances from Jack, McGinn (some of his passing was great) and Targett, first half especially. The only disappointment was not scoring more than we did.
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Just home thanks to the coning off of two southbound lanes of the M6 as part of the Highways Agency job creation masterplan. Jack was outstanding. Excellent display of goalkeeping.
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I agree Brian - as shite as the Toon were, Heaton kept us in control with a couple of outstanding saves. Jack was superb and deserved to score, whilst Wesley was the polar opposite - in fact, he was so anonymous, I only noticed he was playing when he missed a chance Harry's mother would have buried. We need a proven goalscorer in January and if i were being greedy I'd go for two, a centre forward and a wide man like Bowen who is really getting his act together again at Hull.
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Tonight Bruce showed exactly why I wanted him gone long before he left. Shit negative football, set up for a 0-0 and hope for a set piece, breakaway while mainly hoping for a bit of individual brilliance. It worked for us quite often as we had players far better than the opposition so the individual brilliance often won us points. At a higher level it's not working as well.
That after 14 games their top scorers have 2 goals and one of those two players is Ciaran Clark says everything about him and his outdated 'style' of football. Thank fuck he's no longer our manager.
Exactly. His tactics for us were, "Give it to Jack!"
When he first came in it was actually more "give it to Kodj." If that didn't work "give it to Albert." But yes the general point is correct, his style of play/system relies on some individual magic from one of the forwards or if that dosen't work sling in crosses and hope someone gets on the end of them given a few of their CBs have scored so far.
Tactics, who needs tactics? I don’t believe in them, very over rated.
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I agree Brian - as shite as the Toon were, Heaton kept us in control with a couple of outstanding saves. Jack was superb and deserved to score, whilst Wesley was the polar opposite - in fact, he was so anonymous, I only noticed he was playing when he missed a chance Harry's mother would have buried. We need a proven goalscorer in January and if i were being greedy I'd go for two, a centre forward and a wide man like Bowen who is really getting his act together again at Hull.
Jack was brilliant on the ball. When he runs at them with the ball at his feet he just glides across the pitch. Every time he got on the ball in or around their penalty area you just knew they couldn't cope. If he can learn to compose himself when a goalscoring opportunity comes his way he will be immense. I have to disagree about Wesley though. I thought he worked their back line tirelessly last night. He roughed them up all game. The problem is that there is a distinct lack of goal threat from him but i don't know if he's the problem or if we don't produce the chances for him due to the way we play when attacking the opposition. That's something for Dean and the coaches to slove. He should of buried that one in front of the Holte though.
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A great result, well done boys! If ever a team and manager deserve each other it was our bar coded opposition last night. They were woeful and I'm just glad we don't have to put up with bruceball anymore. Really pleased for Conor with his goal and assist. Impressed with Konsa, the 2 full backs and Heaton too. Other than a 5 minute spell after half time and some occasional sloppy play from Tyrone and Luiz, we looked comfortable. Grealish ran the show! We could easily have won by more but keeping a clean sheet was impressive too.
Be careful Villa fans parking on the industrial estate just down from the Manor Tavern. The area is being targetted for ticketing if you park on double yellows or the footpath. About 15 cars were ticketted round there last night!
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Well Bruce didn't get disrespected by the fans which was good. As much as he use to get on my nerves we have to appreciate he did do some good for us. Like bringing Tammy ALG and Conor.
More delighted we beat the toon who seem obsessed with us. That must have hurt them as they hate us.
We deserved the win we were pretty comfortable bartibv first ten minutes if second half.
Thought heaton was great as for grealish and Conor. Hard to choose a motm but I would have given it to Conor.
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Yeah there seemed to be less edge around the Bruce aspect than I expected, which was good.
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
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I felt we'd be ok once it was clear Bruce had set up with everyone behind the ball, trying to just hit on the break.
I thought we were really good, should have won by more too.
As for them, they're as bad as any championship team I've seen.
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If Jack had finished wuth a hat trick and a couple of assists it wouldn't have flattered him.
On Wesley I think he did better than he's been given credit for. He worked hard tonight, really should've taken his big chance though.
Didn’t have a great view of Wesley’s chance (upper north) but sometimes you have to credit the keeper. Just seemed to just throwhimself down and got lucky.
Think Wes will get there. Needs a bit of competition
Edit.
Just seen highlights, he should have scored
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With regards to no subbing, we had a clean sheet, unlike the other times we have subbed and then conceded. Maybe a team request in order to keep the balance and concentrate
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Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but what was the applause for last night? 59th minute was it?
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El Ghazi plays better inside than out on the wing. Although Wesley needs to improve to keep his spot he is way down the list of poor centre forwards, over the decades I've seen quite a few.
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
Worst for me Carlton Cole - who may have been decent elsewhere but appalling for us. Wesley is struggling though. He needs to control the ball and hold it up better. Heskey in his pomp, for all his finishing limitations, would fit in well with Smith’s plans.
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Just home thanks to the coning off of two southbound lanes of the M6 as part of the Highways Agency job creation masterplan. Jack was outstanding. Excellent display of goalkeeping.
Yeah, I got stuck in that. They seemed to time it perfectly for the end of the match.
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Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but what was the applause for last night? 59th minute was it?
Someone who would have been 59 passed away a few days ago I think.
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Just home thanks to the coning off of two southbound lanes of the M6 as part of the Highways Agency job creation masterplan. Jack was outstanding. Excellent display of goalkeeping.
Home just before 7AM your horse did very well Brian. Extra oats for the awesome beast today please :)
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Tonight Bruce showed exactly why I wanted him gone long before he left. Shit negative football, set up for a 0-0 and hope for a set piece, breakaway while mainly hoping for a bit of individual brilliance. It worked for us quite often as we had players far better than the opposition so the individual brilliance often won us points. At a higher level it's not working as well.
That after 14 games their top scorers have 2 goals and one of those two players is Ciaran Clark says everything about him and his outdated 'style' of football. Thank fuck he's no longer our manager.
Agreed. I don't know why I expected anything else from him. They were shite. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I actually feel sorry for their fans. It's utter garbage.
Joelinton. Maximus Minimus. Awful players. Newcastle haven't had more possession than any of their opponents this season.
We looked great at times and that's as easy a win as you're likely to see.
Hourihane is doing really well, and our players are always looking for the ball never hiding away.
It feels good this.
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The most convincing home performance of the season. We were helped by Newcastle's negativity but we were purposeful and controlled.
Our lapses were the only concern but Newcastle weren't good enough to take advantage.
A great tonic in readiness for some tough games ahead.
And Jack? Maturing like a vintage bottle of red.
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I enjoyed the game but for me the down side is the form of Mings and McGinn.
I think McGinn could do with a bit of a rest
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Grealish was pivotal tonight . The grapevine suggests that if Eriksen leaves Spurs, Jack will be their target.
There is no grapevine, it's in your head because you've put two and two together.
And in any case, they wont be paying what ever price we'd put on his head even if we wanted to sell. The same goes for all other clubs.
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Was very impressed with the team last night, kept there composure even that tricky first 10 mins of the 2nd half. Jack was outstanding, ably supported by El Ghazi and the midfield 3 were excellent, Targett was solid and Freddy got up and down. Konsa was athletic and composed.
A few specifics though.
Heaton - he just looks solid, good shot stopping and has good communication with his defence.
Mings - abysmal first 55 minutes seemed very tentative but the mistake around then that nearly let Newcastle in seemed to wake him up and he was fine after that.
Wesley - this lad is encouraging and frustrating in equal measure, but given time I think he’ll develop into a very good player. We need another striker in January though, it’s a lot to ask a young lad from another league to step up like this and carry that whole front man burden himself.
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Heaton 8
Guilbert 8
Targett 8
Mings 6
Konsa 8
McGinn 7
Grealish 8 (would have been 10 if he could shoot)
El Ghazi 8
Luiz 6
Wesley 6
Hourihane 8
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It was very reminiscent of Villa vs. Brentford with the same managers. Why Bruce thought he could just do the same and get a different result is anyone's guess. If I were a Newcastle fan I'd be coming away wishing Smith was our manager.
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I'd go
Heaton - 8
Guilbert - 8
Konsa - 8
Mings - 6
Targett - 7
Luiz - 6
McGinn -6
Hourihane - 8
El Ghazi -7
Wesley -6
Grealish - 9
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imo
Target was the pick of the back 4 for me, probably because there was only 5 mins of actual defending to do and he brings something going forward, Mings needs to lose some of the sloppyness
Perfect game for Conor to play in, we ran the midfield so he could be a goal threat which he was
Bruce played exactly the way we thought he would, so much better watching it from the other side, just a case of breaking through once that was breached we were home and dry
Wesley still struggling for me, and we cant use the excuse of no support this time as we were on top for most of the match
we have a massive problem as so much goes through Grealish we really are ultra dependant on him, we are just not the same team when he's not playing which is a bit of a worry for me
atmosphere was good as usual but not as deafening as Everton, what did happen that night that made it such a stand out night
el Ghazi on it in the first half, should have been swapped over for Trez in the second when his powers waned
massive 3 points for us as i don't expect any points form the next 3 games (please prove me wrong Villa)
oh and Grealish is still the best player in the world
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I wonder if the Mings sloppiness is due to opposition forwards realising that he will often turn on the ball when pressed. Looks classy when they aren’t expecting it and they get made to look mugs, but now they expect him to do it they can nick the ball.
McGinn is a bit similar. I think neither is a surprise package anymore, so they will have to adapt their games to keep the opposition guessing.
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Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but what was the applause for last night? 59th minute was it?
Someone who would have been 59 passed away a few days ago I think.
I was wondering the same. My pal reckoned it was a year to the day when we beat Small Heath 4-2 and 59 minutes was when Hutton ran through them like Lionel Messi and netted in front of the Holte. There was a rendition of "the scottish cafu" so this sounds feasible.
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Apart from Hutton scored after 76 mins.
The applause was for what Legion said, a chap passed away and yesterday would have been his birthday, 58th iirc from Facebook posts doing the rounds yesterday.
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I wonder if the Mings sloppiness is due to opposition forwards realising that he will often turn on the ball when pressed. Looks classy when they aren’t expecting it and they get made to look mugs, but now they expect him to do it they can nick the ball.
McGinn is a bit similar. I think neither is a surprise package anymore, so they will have to adapt their games to keep the opposition guessing.
Mings hasn't been the dominant force I was expecting for a while now. He had a massive brain fart second half and gave the ball away just outside our own area, although that was partly as a result of Heaton putting the defence under pressure with a stupid and dangerous roll out.
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Apart from Hutton scored after 76 mins.
The applause was for what Legion said, a chap passed away and yesterday would have been his birthday, 58th iirc from Facebook posts doing the rounds yesterday.
Sounds like a bit of both. I guess the applause was for the chap who passed away aged 58 and the young uns on the Holte singing Alan Huttons name were probably referencing the date which was exactly a year to the day. I joined in not knowing why. RIP to the fella.
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In the second half Mings did not go forward for every corner/free kick. At times he did not seem to be moving well, possibly carrying a niggle that is limiting his game?
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I am currently enjoying the sensation of looking forward to the yanited game. Can't remember the last time I could say that.
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As much as they hate us, I almost feel sorry for them. From their forum:
Hope Bruce has his head eaten by a Caterpillar
Now that’s funny , made me belly laugh 😂
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As I walked from the park to the Villa store I liked the fact there seemed to be more going on: new food outlets and a brass band. There was also the opportunity near the McGregor statue to be photographed with the European and FA cups. Anyone else take up this opportunity? (I'm assuming it was all legitimate).
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As I walked from the park to the Villa store I liked the fact there seemed to be more going on: new food outlets and a brass band. There was also the opportunity near the McGregor statue to be photographed with the European and FA cups. Anyone else take up this opportunity? (I'm assuming it was all legitimate).
They've had the cups up by the Holte for the last few games. I guess it must be legit or they would have been moved on by now surely?
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
Paul Kerr? Malcolm Allen? Carlton Cole?
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Really enjoyable, quite end to end at times but once we got on the front foot we always looked like we would see it through.
We have a great selection of central defenders to choose from now. Konsa has come in and slotted in immediately. He was excellent again last night. McGinn's energy was a joy to watch and Jack is becoming the player we all hoped/knew he would. He just needs to find more confidence to pull the trigger. Plenty to be optimistic about for the rest of the season.
Some of their attackers were comically bad. An awesome cameo of abysmal football from Andy Carroll.
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
Paul Kerr? Malcolm Allen? Carlton Cole?
Richard Walker?
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Have to say how shit was almerion and joelinton? Seriously if we had either of those players playing for us I would be very worried.
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Have to say how sh1t was almerion and joelinton? Seriously if we had either of those players playing for us I would be very worried.
They were Ali Dia level. Truly awful both of them, Almiron especially. That Saint Maximin guy must find them so frustrating to play alongside.
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As I walked from the park to the Villa store I liked the fact there seemed to be more going on: new food outlets and a brass band. There was also the opportunity near the McGregor statue to be photographed with the European and FA cups. Anyone else take up this opportunity? (I'm assuming it was all legitimate).
Yeah, we did. £3 for one person, £5 for two. Although the guy minding them didn't look like he'd stand up to a breeze, let alone anyone trying to do a runner with them.
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I assume Wesley was his usual statuesque self?
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I agree Richard. Some very woeful performances. That saint maximin is a top little player. Woudlnt mind him at villa.
But guilbert handled him brilliantly.
Joelinton 40m what terrible business that is.
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As regards Wesley, I'm sure a lot of us wrote off Traore far too soon. To be honest I am surprised how good he actually looks now.
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
Paul Kerr? Malcolm Allen? Carlton Cole?
Cascarino and Penrice.
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As I walked from the park to the Villa store I liked the fact there seemed to be more going on: new food outlets and a brass band. There was also the opportunity near the McGregor statue to be photographed with the European and FA cups. Anyone else take up this opportunity? (I'm assuming it was all legitimate).
Yeah, we did. £3 for one person, £5 for two. Although the guy minding them didn't look like he'd stand up to a breeze, let alone anyone trying to do a runner with them.
I don’t think they are official... the guy just had a high vis vest and was on his own. Would be a bit cheap of the club to charge too.
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Have to say how sh1t was almerion and joelinton? Seriously if we had either of those players playing for us I would be very worried.
They were Ali Dia level. Truly awful both of them, Almiron especially. That Saint Maximin guy must find them so frustrating to play alongside.
Both truly atrocious. Also thought Saint Maximin also was a bit of a headless chicken, some good runs but lacking with final ball.
No idea why Bruce made them play with the handbrake on for first 45. They were much better after half time and if they had a go. Sums up why we were right to get rid of him.
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Last night epitomised a Bruce team. Lacking in imagination, tactics and forward intent.
The calls into Talk Shite last night summed it up when they all wanted him out.
Both of us play Manchester teams at the weekend - I bet I know which one will set up to try and win.
My only worry is that some of our players the "occasion" might get to them
I fully expect McGinn to have a stormer just to show them what they would like but cannot have
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Have to say how sh1t was almerion and joelinton? Seriously if we had either of those players playing for us I would be very worried.
They were Ali Dia level. Truly awful both of them, Almiron especially. That Saint Maximin guy must find them so frustrating to play alongside.
Both truly atrocious. Also thought Saint Maximin also was a bit of a headless chicken, some good runs but lacking with final ball.
No idea why Bruce made them play with the handbrake on for first 45. They were much better after half time and if they had a go. Sums up why we were right to get rid of him.
Smith had him again. They were looking to hit us on the counter first half, and other than 1, maybe 2 opportunities, we didn't play their game. They wanted us to commit bodies en masse in and beyond their back 9, which was what it looked like from the UT, bank of 5, bank of 4. But we weren't to be drawn, and we made that pay off for us. After half time, they had to have a go, they were 2 down. Once that initial charge fruitlessly fizzled out, they had nothing. Reduced to bringing on a has-been and a never-will-be.
They were rubbish.
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Really pleased with last nights performance everyone played well hope we can play like that every game.
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Smith had him again. They were looking to hit us on the counter first half, and other than 1, maybe 2 opportunities, we didn't play their game. They wanted us to commit bodies en masse in and beyond their back 9, which was what it looked like from the UT, bank of 5, bank of 4. But we weren't to be drawn, and we made that pay off for us. After half time, they had to have a go, they were 2 down. Once that initial charge fruitlessly fizzled out, they had nothing. Reduced to bringing on a has-been and a never-will-be.
They were rubbish.
Did Gayle touch the ball? I honestly forgot he'd come on.
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Have to say how sh1t was almerion and joelinton? Seriously if we had either of those players playing for us I would be very worried.
They were Ali Dia level. Truly awful both of them, Almiron especially. That Saint Maximin guy must find them so frustrating to play alongside.
Both truly atrocious. Also thought Saint Maximin also was a bit of a headless chicken, some good runs but lacking with final ball.
No idea why Bruce made them play with the handbrake on for first 45. They were much better after half time and if they had a go. Sums up why we were right to get rid of him.
Smith had him again. They were looking to hit us on the counter first half, and other than 1, maybe 2 opportunities, we didn't play their game. They wanted us to commit bodies en masse in and beyond their back 9, which was what it looked like from the UT, bank of 5, bank of 4. But we weren't to be drawn, and we made that pay off for us. After half time, they had to have a go, they were 2 down. Once that initial charge fruitlessly fizzled out, they had nothing. Reduced to bringing on a has-been and a never-will-be.
They were rubbish.
Thought I was playing bingo with all those numbers! All good points though, and not least your last one, they really were awful.
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So happy Villa won but even happier with the manner in which we won. When we play in that style and win, there's not much better in life for me.
Regarding Wesley, I thought it was one of his better games for us. Bearing in mind Newcastle had everyone behind the ball, we had all the ball but not that many clear-cut chances, especially not for Wesley. Most of our chances came from midfield.
I appreciated that his running created space for everyone else, he seemed motivated and eager and barring a world-class save he would have scored last night.
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Near the end of the game we broke away with Jack having the ball. Wesley was free and if Jack had played it to him he would have had a run at goal. Instead Jack held the ball up and instead passed to McGinn who was square with him. McGinn took it forward a bit then turned and passed it back to Jack. Both of them completely never looking to play it to Wesley. I wondered then if there is a bit of "I'll pass to my mate" within the squad.
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Near the end of the game we broke away with Jack having the ball. Wesley was free and if Jack had played it to him he would have had a run at goal. Instead Jack held the ball up and instead passed to McGinn who was square with him. McGinn took it forward a bit then turned and passed it back to Jack. Both of them completely never looking to play it to Wesley. I wondered then if there is a bit of "I'll pass to my mate" within the squad.
I know the move you're talking about and I think it was more that they were playing it safe. At times earlier in the season we'd have pushed for a 3rd and got caught on the counter to set up a nervy finish, last night we were much more disciplined, players went when it was on and they had cover but other wise they held their shape and gave Newcastle very little space to break into (bar a couple of half chances).
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Near the end of the game we broke away with Jack having the ball. Wesley was free and if Jack had played it to him he would have had a run at goal. Instead Jack held the ball up and instead passed to McGinn who was square with him. McGinn took it forward a bit then turned and passed it back to Jack. Both of them completely never looking to play it to Wesley. I wondered then if there is a bit of "I'll pass to my mate" within the squad.
I know the move you're talking about and I think it was more that they were playing it safe. At times earlier in the season we'd have pushed for a 3rd and got caught on the counter to set up a nervy finish, last night we were much more disciplined, players went when it was on and they had cover but other wise they held their shape and gave Newcastle very little space to break into (bar a couple of half chances).
McGinn is historically less likely to lose possession or go to ground needlessly when the ball is played to him in a forward position. I'd imagine it was that.
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Near the end of the game we broke away with Jack having the ball. Wesley was free and if Jack had played it to him he would have had a run at goal. Instead Jack held the ball up and instead passed to McGinn who was square with him. McGinn took it forward a bit then turned and passed it back to Jack. Both of them completely never looking to play it to Wesley. I wondered then if there is a bit of "I'll pass to my mate" within the squad.
I know the move you're talking about and I think it was more that they were playing it safe. At times earlier in the season we'd have pushed for a 3rd and got caught on the counter to set up a nervy finish, last night we were much more disciplined, players went when it was on and they had cover but other wise they held their shape and gave Newcastle very little space to break into (bar a couple of half chances).
I think the initial post is mistaken anyway, Jack and Big Wes were having a big hug at the end of the game
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
Paul Kerr? Malcolm Allen? Carlton Cole?
Cascarino and Penrice.
Thought Wesley was fairly good to be honest, holds the ball up and passes accurately. There is definitley a footballer in there. Time, backing and confidence will be repaid I think.
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
Paul Kerr? Malcolm Allen? Carlton Cole?
Cascarino and Penrice.
Thought Wesley was fairly good to be honest, holds the ball up and passes accurately. There is definitley a footballer in there. Time, backing and confidence will be repaid I think.
Me too, I thought he was sound.
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I actually think that if we keep playing like we did last night, with grealish and AEG more advanced and closer to Wesley, and if Grealish weighs in with more goals, Wesley is very suitable for that formation and under less pressure to chip in with goals.
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I don't agree. His touch is poor, the ball rarely sticks when it goes up to him and he doesn't know how to time runs to get in behind.
The other players seem a bit reluctant to feed him as well which is a worry so I'd be giving Davis a chance when fit.
I'm not writing Wesley off yet but he has an awful lot of improvements to make if he's to be considered a decent premier league player.
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I agree about Wesley. He needs to learn to time his runs. El Ghazi showed him how to do it again last night. Wes was on his heels too often when the ball came in.
Time will tell, he's still young. It might take him a season or two to start clicking. The raw material seems to be there. One thing that couldn't be faulted last night was his work rate. He ran his socks off.
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But he hasn’t been entirely helped by the way we’ve been set up as smith has tried to find a winning combination in midfield.
In our worst performances he’s been completely wasted by the wide players playing too far away from him and sending in crosses that he’s not the slightest bit interested in. He must be one of the worst, most reluctant headers of a ball I’ve seen.
I think his real value is sitting a bit deeper with players buzzing around him. His main attributes are strength, close control under pressure plus he has decent passing over short distances. I don’t think it’s at all true to say nothing sticks to him. Apart from a few games where everything was off I think that is his main strength.
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If I can't get to our match, one of the best ways to keep in touch with goings on is on that smallheathalliance.com where they have a weekly match thread, for our games.
www.smallheathalliance.com/read.php?1,2768833,page=1
Of hilarity here - at one point, one of them mentions we can't stop singing about them, when most of them are incapable of writing so much as a tweet without "SOTV" at the end of it, and talks about us as obsessed by them. As one of them points out (to be fair), on a thread on there, about us.
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Steve Bruce brought Andy Carroll to use his size and strength to make a nuisance of himself all Andy Carroll did was fall over . He makes Wesley look like Lewandowski.
Chris Samba up front is better than either of them
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In the second half Mings did not go forward for every corner/free kick. At times he did not seem to be moving well, possibly carrying a niggle that is limiting his game?
It's been mentioned a few times during games he's got an ongoing groin issue. Clearly can get through games if in some discomfort at the end of them.
In normal cases he'd have an operation if we're safe by April but that would likely rule him out of euro 2020 and this is his one real chance to start at a major tournament.
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Good performance and much needed 3 points.
Observations:
We ain’t going down when you have teams like Newcastle in the league – they were dire, really really shit.
Guilbert had a great game..
It’s time to call time on Wesley – the worst Villa striker I’ve seen in over 40 years.
Oh and Jack…well what a difference one man can make to the team. Legend..
Really?
Paul Kerr? Malcolm Allen? Carlton Cole?
Cascarino and Penrice.
Marlon Fucking Harewood???
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Steve Bruce brought Andy Carroll to use his size and strength to make a nuisance of himself all Andy Carroll did was fall over . He makes Wesley look like Lewandowski.
Chris Samba up front is better than either of them
Yawn.
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Steve Bruce brought Andy Carroll to use his size and strength to make a nuisance of himself all Andy Carroll did was fall over . He makes Wesley look like Lewandowski.
Chris Samba up front is better than either of them
Do you think about some of the stuff you post?
Chris Samba is a better option up front than Wesley?
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Steve Bruce brought Andy Carroll to use his size and strength to make a nuisance of himself all Andy Carroll did was fall over . He makes Wesley look like Lewandowski.
Chris Samba up front is better than either of them
Do you think about some of the stuff you post?
Chris Samba is a better option up front than Wesley?
Just ignore him, makes life so much better
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Ignore who? ;)
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Is there a block button, asking for a friend?
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Is there a block button, asking for a friend?
I found out there is a "Modify profile" "Ingore list" - but that is only preventing PM's
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If I can't get to our match, one of the best ways to keep in touch with goings on is on that smallheathalliance.com where they have a weekly match thread, for our games.
www.smallheathalliance.com/read.php?1,2768833,page=1
Of hilarity here - at one point, one of them mentions we can't stop singing about them, when most of them are incapable of writing so much as a tweet without "SOTV" at the end of it, and talks about us as obsessed by them. As one of them points out (to be fair), on a thread on there, about us.
So there's a quote on there about a thread on here that's about a thread on there that's about us?
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Extended highlights
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Extended highlights
Thanks for posting👍 Lovely watching Jack with all the mascots , great to see the club , it’s players , leadership and fans all as one .
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Very good performance overall, apart from just after HT.
If Jack, who was superb, could work on his finishing, he would be one of the best players in the world!!
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His goal today was sublime.
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Agreed.