Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Steve67 on March 03, 2021, 07:58:28 PM
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Garbage
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Poor performance and even poorer result. 1 shot on target in 35 mins against the bottom of the table with 10 men. We never looked like scoring and our crossing was absolutely, totally, completely shite. 1 cross in 95 mins that went anywhere near Watkins and he hits the bar - he’s a cracking player, but FFS have you seen another CF do that more than Ollie?
We need Jack back ASAP.
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GET IT IN THE MIXER! Garbage.
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Not good at all.
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Can't understand why we went all this narrow crossing into the box.And why didn't Elmo have a go?
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Can't rely on the defence to keep a clean sheet every week. We have stopped scoring. 9 in 10 since new year and we have only scored more than once in a game twice, and not at all in 7 games. Can't win two in a row either. Hugely fucking frustrating, we don't have a good run in and this was an opportunity lost.
The subs did bugger all too, not sure why anyone would single out Davis. The other two were piss poor.
So fecking irritating.
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The most ridiculous post match thread title
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A totally frustrating watch from the first minute to the last. Terrible,terrible delivery into the box and without Grealish we've simply got a big problem.
Dreadful.
Not much to do but MIngs and especially Konsa brilliant.
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Fairplay to sheff utd they played like their lives depended on it. We were all over them. Poor in the final third. Substitutions, though a little late were ineffective. At least we know now Barkley doesn't have much to show in the last 20 mins of games contrary to what he thinks.
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Says it all about this season. I was more worried about tonight than this coming Sat
The sending off worked against us but we need to be more imaginative going forward, those deep crosses were infuriating.
From outset this was going to be a season of ups and downs and so it proves.
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Sheffield Utd are the worst team in this league. And tonight they played with 10 men for nearly half the match. And they were poor. They fought and put their bodies on the line, yes, but they were poor
And we lost to them. That was as lacking in craft and guile and imagination as you will ever see.
The crossing, our main tactic, was shocking.
We have scored 4 goals in the last 6 games......
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That really was the most unbelievable shit.
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Very disappointing. I genuinely believed that we’d batter these and that we would see Hayden get 15 minutes! How wrong was I?!
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One thing we know is we aren’t very good against teams that park the bus. Once they went ahead they were more or less doing that, and the red card worked against us as they sat even deeper with two banks of four.
We can point to some freakishly shite refereeing and VAR ing denying us a stonewall pen, but there’s no excuse for the absolutely abysmal crossing and passing all night long.
Elmo isn’t good enough for the PL, AEG is too inconsistent and others like Targett, just had shockers.
We are a long way from the pre-covid free scoring team – the swash seems to have fallen off our buckle and scoring seems to have become an issue.
I reckon we are about where we deserve to be in the table given our inconsistencies and it’s still better than most of us expected or hoped for.
Oh and Sanson looked a bit cack when he came on.
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No one could be fucked with a post-match thread either!
It's all a bit Spring'92 innit? Can't score for shit, although at least we've eked out the odd 1-0 win. Could do with big Cyrile coming on instead of big Keinan, mind. We'll do well to finish 8th like we did in 91/92 as well.
I wonder if we've been found out a bit or do we just need Jack to make something out of the ordinary happen ?
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I am Jack's complete lack of surprise. Come into a game versus a pile of shite, off the back of a really encouraging win, in a midweek game ... Villa still be Villa.
No one ever say "winnable game" again this season please.
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Will be very happy with 50 points this season but next season, if the owners invest again, Dean needs to be under pressure as tonight was completely unacceptable, shite.
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We all knew there would be a drop in final third quality without Jack, but fucking hell!! This much?
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The most ridiculous post match thread title
Agreed. Sums up the night. Shite.
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Prince Philip!
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Our worst game of the season so far. As soon as we get within touching distance of the top our bottle goes. It's bloody frustrating.
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That was an absolute dogs dinner of a game. Well done to Sheff U, they absolutely stunk the place out but we didn’t look like ever getting a shot despite having one million per cent possession.
They certainly know how to grind, that was the most tedious game of football I’ve seen in a long time. I watched it all with French commentary too. 🙄
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I almost knew that playing against 10 would make no difference. Unfortunately neither Smith nor the players show any tactical nous when playing against 10; it's not the first time this has happened.
There was hardly any attempt to get behind them; mostly lobbing in hopeful crosses...and moreover, this was against a team without any form, any confidence nor any great skill.
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Wank.
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Did Targett or Elmo attempt to overlap once tonight? When the opposition is down to 10 men the fullbacks overlapping should be a given.
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Wank.
Unlike an egg.
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The most ridiculous post match thread title
Agreed. Sums up the night. Shite.
Feel free to start one yourselves chaps! It’s accurate based on comments made tonight.
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Lot of work needed to move on
Never looked like scoring, apart from hitting the bar, the crosses in were dreadful.
Watkins bollocking Trarore to get closer to the back post.
Allowing that bearded twat the time to sweep the ball across the pitch then leg it down the pitch to score.
Barkley should have stayed in the seats and Sansom was as weak as a kitten.
Dont start me on Davis, I normally stick up for Targett but he was poor as was SJM
only credit, Goalkeeper had little to do.
Konsa and Mings were reliable
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First half I was actually o.k with. We had chances while not playing great and they scored a good goal against the run of play, it happens.
Second half was largely abysmal. From the Watkins header just before the red to basically injury time we created nothing and about 20 minutes seemed to consist of Targett (having his worst game since late 2019) and AEM just hitting it out of play or straight into Ramsdale.
Only in injury time did we start doing some decent one touch moves to move them around and get corners and shots on goal.
There's no way we ever do 11 v 10 drills at Bodymoor as we're consistantly useless v 10 men when we're drawing or losing. Can't think of many other top level teams who have as bad a record as us v 10 men over last few seasons. Could be a good idea to start.
Certainly a defeat we'll look back at in 3 months with loads of regret. Let's hope Jack and Cash can return on Saturday.
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Poor performance and even poorer result. 1 shot on target in 35 mins against the bottom of the table with 10 men. We never looked like scoring and our crossing was absolutely, totally, completely shite. 1 cross in 95 mins that went anywhere near Watkins and he hits the bar - he’s a cracking player, but FFS have you seen another CF do that more than Ollie?
We need Jack back ASAP.
Bit harsh, thought we had a number of good scoring chances. Traore and McGinn in the first half. Traore, Konsa, Watkins in second half
I thought we lost a bit of patience to be honest, chasing it late on. McGinn dropping into the pocket too often with deep crosses to the backpost. Our crossing was very poor (Elmo in particular had a shocker) and I dont think our subs made the impact we were expecting (well maybe Davis did ok). A bit more imagination was required. Maybe Barkley and Sanson should have been demanding the ball more but neither of them improved us unfortunately. Traore continues to disappoint for me, almost a worldie of a goal but made constant poor decisions with the ball. Needs to come out of the team.
Really poor goal to concede but I thought we played reasonably well. Missed Jack obviously but also Cash badly. One of those nights. Red card was harsh I thought, similar to the game at Villa Park. Benefit of the doubt should be going to the defensive teams in those situations. Didnt do us any favours anyway as Sheff Utd practically camped inside their 18 yard box for the duration of the game.
Martinez 6, Elmo 5, Konsa 7, Mings 7, Targett 6, Nakamba 7, Ramsey 6, McGinn 7, Traore 5, Watkins 7, AEG 6. Subs: Sanson 5, Barkley 5, Davis 6
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Did Targett or Elmo attempt to overlap once tonight? When the opposition is down to 10 men the fullbacks overlapping should be a given.
Targett has been superb all season but he was desperate tonight.
His crossing was comically inept.
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The most disappointing performance of the season.
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Awful game management, going direct against Sheffield Utd because it worked against Leeds was short sighted but Smith hardly ever changes a winning team. He needed to pick the team that was right for this match, not the last match.
Our crossing was fucking pathetic.
How many times did we play against 10 last season and do the exact same thing over and over again? Slow, ponderous, side to side, hit and hope crosses, subs too late. It was horrendous game management. He needs to learn how too manage these situations and unfortunately he hasn't learned anything in 18 months with regards chasing games, playing against 10.
Elmohammady is absolutely shite, he's a Championship sub at best, dont give me this shit about him being a good servant, he slows down every attack by taking a touch and passing it backwards and he loses his man contionuously. Costing us twice in 3 games since Cash has been injured. Getting rid of Guilbert and keeping Elmo was such a poor decision, Cash plays with constant energy, drives forward, aggressive defending. Guilbert had the same traits but too a lesser standard, he was like for like with Cash if we needed a change. Elmo means we have to change our whole ethos on the right. I can't get my head around that decision.
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Wank.
I love how your mastery of the subtleties of the English language shines through at times like these. Captures it perfectly.
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Did Targett or Elmo attempt to overlap once tonight? When the opposition is down to 10 men the fullbacks overlapping should be a given.
Targett did, several times, but El Ghazi ignored him.
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I know we are better than last season, I know we are a work in progress but I am bloody angry tonight. We can knock Jack not being there all we like but the goals had dried up before his injury - I think Burnley away or Newcastle at home was the last time we scored twice in a game? So so frustrating.
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Not one quality ball in, not one.
Poorest performance this season?
At least we didn’t have 5000 supporters wasting their evening in South Yorkshire.
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Sadly I have to admit that I was 1 of the 9 people that had us down to lose tonight. Our goals seem to have dried up and, we have been so predictable in losing after a win. Also, we seem to have no one who can run at defenders. How many times tonight did the ball go wide on our left to El Ghazi who then passed it backwards then ball was crossed in by McGinn only to be headed away again. We need to get back to our earlier season form when we were zipping the ball around not going sideways and backwards so often.
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I expected us to win so of course we lost. So infuriatingly inconsistent.
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Shocking.
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Another big chance squandered. Our crossing was abysmal throughout. I thought Deano missed a trick not bringing Davies on 20 mins before he eventually did. Against 10 men when we were slinging balls into the box left right & centre and we needed additional presence.
We may not want to admit it, but if we are not quite a one man team, we are not far from being one. Everybody else can see it and tonight it was plain to see for all. Without Jack, we lack real quality, creativity and a cutting edge.
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It was a bit mad to start a team that, though extremely solid, was not exactly fluid in attack against Leeds. Sheffield United were always going to defend for most of the match and we were only set up to counterattack. We have serious problems building attacks.
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Prince Philip!
Stick him up front etc.
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It was frustrating more than anything. We played some good football at times but were wasteful with our crosses into the box. Elmo's total lack of awareness for their goal and the the denial of a stonewall penalty for us were the defining moments in the game. It gave them something to play for and galvanised them to defend for their lives. We had enough chances to win but didn't. Elmo and Marv look to have proved to be not good enough for regular football. I'm disappointed but still optimistic for the club. Let's take out our frustration on Wolves and spank the cocky bastards.
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A team desperate for points get a lead - through very poor defending, particularly by Elmo - and then get reduced to 10 men. They park the bus.
The majority of teams would struggle to break them down - although they may have had better quality in their attempts than we mustered.
It would been better for us if Jagielka was only yellow carded as their "do-or-die" attitude would have remained less intense and we would have had more space.
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We were egregious. Let's hope we aren't when playing Wolverhampton Madrid.
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Struggling with what the biggest problem was tonight. Manager or players or both?
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No one, absolutely no one has the ability or confidence to actually take a player on and beat him. It’s all sideways, backwards and cross into the keepers arms. Jack is so so missed and shows up the inadequacies of the rest.
We have been poor for ages, but tonight confirms it all for me. Yes we have made progress this season but have a lot to do to talk about getting to the top 6. We are miles away for now
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Wank.
I love how your mastery of the subtleties of the English language shines through at times like these. Captures it perfectly.
I took it as an instruction. It was a welcome 5 minute diversion.
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Struggling with what the biggest problem was tonight. Manager or players or both?
Both for me. Not changing the team against bottom of the league was criminal and Smith deserves every bit of criticism he'll get just as he should take the plaudits for his decisions last Saturday. As for the players, utter bag of wank.
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Prince Philip!
Stick him up front etc.
He'll still be alive when we play in China in the World Club championship. He can insult the hosts.
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Sack of fucking shit tonight. Bollocks passing. Bollocks crossing. Bollocks urgency. A total lack of quality all across the pitch in that performance. A wake-up call if ever there was one. Mcginn shit. Nakamba can't pass a ball. Ramsey not enough. Subs should have been made as soon as the sending off happened. Davis is a waste of space, might as well stick a centre half up front, he really is shit.
I know he doesn't give bollockings but he needs to issue one for that shite tonight.
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I thought we were really poor. If you asked Sheffield Utd how they’d like to be attacked, 10 men or not, they’d say long balls and crosses from wide. Then we compounded it by really dreadful delivery into the box.
Elmo, Ramsey and Marv were really shown up tonight.
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Did Targett or Elmo attempt to overlap once tonight? When the opposition is down to 10 men the fullbacks overlapping should be a given.
Targett has been superb all season but he was desperate tonight.
His crossing was comically inept.
Some of the crossing on the left side would have been a hell of a lot better if Traore had attacked the back post a lot better. The co-commentator (whoever he was) kept pointing it out. The one time Traore did he ended up knocking the ball down to McGinn? for a shot in the box.
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Disapointing to say the least. I thought taking off Nakamba was a waste of a sub. If he just takes off Ramsey, he's still got Davis and Trez to use. Lots of effort but not a lot of quaility. Let's hope Jack is not too far away from fitness.
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We could have played all night and not scored.
The crossing was especially pathetic.
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👏
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Same all season though - if we fall behind, we rarely get anything out of the game.
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No one, absolutely no one has the ability or confidence to actually take a player on and beat him. It’s all sideways, backwards and cross into the keepers arms. Jack is so so missed and shows up the inadequacies of the rest.
We have been poor for ages, but tonight confirms it all for me. Yes we have made progress this season but have a lot to do to talk about getting to the top 6. We are miles away for now
Took the words out of my mouth. I’ll be honest and admit I’m not arsed about Europa League at all, but losing a game like this is unacceptable. Piss poor.
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It was a last season performance, not 1 player played well. Elmo, sorry, nowhere near good enough, just watched the ball for their goal.
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What is it about going behind, we can never win, rarely get a point. Balls into the box were shocking, catching practice for Ramsdale. Fair play Sheff Utd some tremendous defending.
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Poor performance and even poorer result. 1 shot on target in 35 mins against the bottom of the table with 10 men. We never looked like scoring and our crossing was absolutely, totally, completely shite. 1 cross in 95 mins that went anywhere near Watkins and he hits the bar - he’s a cracking player, but FFS have you seen another CF do that more than Ollie?
We need Jack back ASAP.
Bit harsh, thought we had a number of good scoring chances. Traore and McGinn in the first half. Traore, Konsa, Watkins in second half
I thought we lost a bit of patience to be honest, chasing it late on. McGinn dropping into the pocket too often with deep crosses to the backpost. Our crossing was very poor (Elmo in particular had a shocker) and I dont think our subs made the impact we were expecting (well maybe Davis did ok). A bit more imagination was required. Maybe Barkley and Sanson should have been demanding the ball more but neither of them improved us unfortunately. Traore continues to disappoint for me, almost a worldie of a goal but made constant poor decisions with the ball. Needs to come out of the team.
Really poor goal to concede but I thought we played reasonably well. Missed Jack obviously but also Cash badly. One of those nights. Red card was harsh I thought, similar to the game at Villa Park. Benefit of the doubt should be going to the defensive teams in those situations. Didnt do us any favours anyway as Sheff Utd practically camped inside their 18 yard box for the duration of the game.
Martinez 6, Elmo 5, Konsa 7, Mings 7, Targett 6, Nakamba 7, Ramsey 6, McGinn 7, Traore 5, Watkins 7, AEG 6. Subs: Sanson 5, Barkley 5, Davis 6
This completely sums up what I think tonight. I think you normally score a little harshly as well, but think that’s fair scoring as well.
McGinns early chance goes in we steam roll them, Ollies header goes in, we pull it round. Very frustrating and to be fair had lost some our zip before Grealish got injured, but need him and cash back.
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so angry I could cry
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Whoa.
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Another piss poor performance since the covid break too. We've completely lost our verve going forward. Even the wins have been, attacking wise, really disjointed.
Hook McGinn for Sanson and Nakamba for Luiz on Saturday. If Grealish is back all the better.
I'm really unsold on McGinn this season.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
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lacking the same urgency we had for the leeds job.
the final15mins was just lumping into the mixer, meat and drink to sheffield's big centre halves.
Barkley was taping up his socks ready to come on when Jagelka got sent off. Why did deano dither and tell him to sit down for ten mins whilst he studied Wilders changes?
I would of kept Traore (the man most likely in my view) on and taken Elmo off, the only way through the parked bus was dribbling & give n go's.
Can't seem to break the top six every time a win would take us there we flap it.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
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McGinn was dreadful tonight. He wasn't alone.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
it was
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
Depends on who's available I guess. I'm not sure Smith is the one to take us to the fabled "next level".
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Struggling with what the biggest problem was tonight. Manager or players or both?
Both. Smith picked the wrong team to play. The opposition did not merit the amount of caution we showed. The players were totally clueless. Number of crosses that fell right into keepers hand or hit the first man defending portrayed technical and tactical incompetence. Same with free kicks finding their first man. Just not good enough.
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I thought McGinn did ok tonight to be honest, he won loads of ball back and was trying to drive the team forwards. Crossing wasnt great but neither was anyone else’s.
I just we stopped trying to play through the centre of the pick and were just hoping for something to happen when a ball was thrown in the box.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Wilder on his 6th season with Sheff Utd, Deano has had one whole season and two halves, just saying like.
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Wank.
I love how your mastery of the subtleties of the English language shines through at times like these. Captures it perfectly.
I'm hoping it wasn't a direct order I've got to take the dog out.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
?
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Without Jack we are a hit & hope team. There's no way we're finishing in the top 7 & to be honest we're not ready to play that number of games.
Add 3-4 quality signings so that the likes of McGinn, El Ghazi, Nakamba, Davies, Elmo & Trez aren't any where near the starting 11 next season.
We have to remember where we started from & we won't get to the top 6 in just over a season.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Whoa.
With respect thats a b******s post.
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How shit are we at free kicks and corners?
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Agree on that starting the same team from Saturday made little sense. That team worked against Leeds because Leeds pose a very specific threat. Sheffield Utd are completely different and we needed guile and invention to beat them. Oh and what the bloody hell does Sanson need to do to get a start?!
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But...Ollie Burke, what a strange bloke. Does he like football?
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Think tonight showed that when a game isn't moving up and down the pitch, and we can't move the ball quickly, we struggle to create anything. We are waiting for a bit of magic from someone, which shouldn't be the case.
Our movement was really poor in that last 30 mins. I want us to at least try a few give and goes around the box, a few one-touch movements to move the ball quickly and get them out of position.
I know we're a world away from a team like City right now, but watch them when they are playing a team parking the bus - they just constantly recycle the ball with one-touch passes, rotating positions, looking for an opening - we looked pretty turgid trying to break them down. An unfair comparison, yes, but it was plain to see.
Yes, if McGinn's right-foot chance goes in, we win easily. If Bert's shot after his mazy run goes in, I'm sure we win. But once it becomes a game of attack vs defence, we really seem to struggle. Jack would obviously make a big difference to that, floating around looking for pockets of space, but I would have hoped to see us fashion one or two CLEAR cut chances in half an hour against 10 men sitting behind the ball.
Yet another big chance missed to close up to the top group getting away from mid-table.
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lacking the same urgency we had for the leeds job.
the final15mins was just lumping into the mixer, meat and drink to sheffield's big centre halves.
Barkley was taping up his socks ready to come on when Jagelka got sent off. Why did deano dither and tell him to sit down for ten mins whilst he studied Wilders changes?
I would of kept Traore (the man most likely in my view) on and taken Elmo off, the only way through the parked bus was dribbling & give n go's.
Can't seem to break the top six every time a win would take us there we flap it.
I would have made the subs about 10 mins earlier but to be fair to Smith, Ramsey had his brightest spell in the game around then. Surprised to see Nakamba being criticised on here. I thought he did nothing wrong that I could see anyway.
A little worrying for me how off it physically Sanson looked in his cameo. It might not be until next season that he is physically ready for this division. Barkley looked to be waiting for a handy pass that he could have a pop from outside the box. If anything he should have spun wide to create overlaps so we could have got in around the back of them.
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How shit are we at free kicks and corners?
And crossing and taking on and beating a man etc
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Marv rightly got many plaudits against Leeds. Surprised all of a sudden how many detractors he’s now got after his last 90 minutes. Certainly no worse than the majority of his colleagues tonight. I for one would have him in against Wolves.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
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Struggling with what the biggest problem was tonight. Manager or players or both?
Both. Smith picked the wrong team to play. The opposition did not merit the amount of caution we showed. The players were totally clueless. Number of crosses that fell right into keepers hand or hit the first man defending portrayed technical and tactical incompetence. Same with free kicks finding their first man. Just not good enough.
What team would you have selected as a matter of interest?
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Elmo just let the ball run and had no awareness for Sheffield’s goal. It was awful, Sunday league division 4 morning after a full on Saturday bender defending. Crossing was woeful. There was a domination of the midfield without creativity.
If, after 25 games last season you would have said we’d be on the same points as Tottenham, above Arsenal and two wins outside the top six with a plus goal difference then you’d been laughed at on here. If you’d said it the season before with 25 games gone you’d have been committed.
To suggest Smith isn’t good enough to manage us is just laughable at the minute.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
Same here. I'm enjoying this season on the whole, tonight was hugely frustrating but there's no need to go all Rita Hayworth.
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Could have played till midnight and not scored. Where has our attacking ability gone.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
you're right - but it doesn't mean we shouldn't be pissed off and want better - as tonight simply should have been better, regardless of last season :)
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Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
Leicester sacked the man who won them the league in the most amazing circumstances, and Chelsea have just sacked an ex-legend who got them Champions League in his frst season in less thn perfect circumstances. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions to progress. That time isn't now, but I'm not convinced that Dean is a top 4 level manager, and I think at some point we'll outgrow him if the owners are serious, which I think they are.
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Great result followed by piss poor performance is par for the course ......it's what this club has done for years
Champions League? You're having a laugh :)
Thank heaven's the points are on the board
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We started sloppily, with passes going astray (one absolute howler across-field from McGinn early crated an early goal for SheffU; and a couple from Marv): we picked it up somewhat. Generally, though, it lacked fizz, energy and precision.
I don't think we can look at the absence of JG tonight: rather, the players (Mings and Konsa aside) were below par. Decision-making - particularly from Traore - was poor, and we got sucked into a scrap rather than taking our time and playing considered and controlled football.
Really, really frustrating.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
it was
Outside of a few boffins, not really. Until 1998 you thought Alta Vista was Ford Mondeo's little brother, admit it.
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It’s like we have a sniff of doing something memorable and we collectively decide that we are not ready for success. There were some awful performances out there tonight and Smith should take some blame for not changing it earlier.
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Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
Leicester sacked the man who won them the league in the most amazing circumstances, and Chelsea have just sacked an ex-legend who got them Champions League in his frst season in less thn perfect circumstances. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions to progress. That time isn't now, but I'm not convinced that Dean is a top 4 level manager, and I think at some point we'll outgrow him if the owners are serious, which I think they are.
Let’s see what he does in the summer. It may have been as big a shock to the coaching staff as it has been to us that the team clicked like it did. We are moving forward, not stagnating as we did under pubehead and heading for a top ten finish .., first since Houllier?
Smith has earned the opportunity to take this team on, change and develop it. We were 16th in the championship just over two years ago. That’s slightly better than lampard taking over an established Chelsea side isn’t it ... reminding myself that Lampard failed to get a side out of the same division with all the loans and contacts he had from that academy.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
I was about to mention the Oldham game.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
Same here. I'm enjoying this season on the whole, tonight was hugely frustrating but there's no need to go all Rita Hayworth.
OK, Prince Phillip and Rita Hayworth up front. Now, what about the midfield ?
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What worries me is if Smith is without Grealish everything falls apart regardless of the division we are in.
And I do not need to told how great Jack is!
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In the last 2 seasons, I think it’s just one win when falling behind (Watford), and this season it’s just one draw at Chelsea.
When we go behind there’s never any tactical change. Even when Davis came on at the end, Watkins went wide.
We have to think better and do better to get back into a game.
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So so frustrating. We are simply woeful against 10 men. Smith and his coaching team should have demanded our wingers stay on the touchline and overlap the fullbacks. We simply had all our players within the width of the penalty area. Criminal game management. What a fucking embarrassment..
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Elmo just let the ball run and had no awareness for Sheffield’s goal. It was awful, Sunday league division 4 morning after a full on Saturday bender defending. Crossing was woeful. There was a domination of the midfield without creativity.
If, after 25 games last season you would have said we’d be on the same points as Tottenham, above Arsenal and two wins outside the top six with a plus goal difference then you’d been laughed at on here. If you’d said it the season before with 25 games gone you’d have been committed.
To suggest Smith isn’t good enough to manage us is just laughable at the minute.
Bender defending? Are you on the right topic? ; )
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What worries me is if Smith is without Grealish everything falls apart regardless of the division we are in.
And I do not need to told how great Jack is!
Smith this summer will finally have a settled, top half squad and be able to spend massively on a couple of creative players, so I doubt we will be so reliant on Grealish next season.
Just be grateful we've had him until now to get us to this point.
I personally want Grealish back central next season, and some big money signings for both wings.
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Elmo just let the ball run and had no awareness for Sheffield’s goal. It was awful, Sunday league division 4 morning after a full on Saturday bender defending. Crossing was woeful. There was a domination of the midfield without creativity.
If, after 25 games last season you would have said we’d be on the same points as Tottenham, above Arsenal and two wins outside the top six with a plus goal difference then you’d been laughed at on here. If you’d said it the season before with 25 games gone you’d have been committed.
To suggest Smith isn’t good enough to manage us is just laughable at the minute.
Digging Elmo out for being on another planet is justified entirely but we had more than enough time to recover.
Missing Grealish has a big impact on us and we're going to get tough nights without him.
People saying times up Deano have short memories.
If you want to fine but for every Sheffield Utd away there's a Liverpool at home.
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We've certainly learned that we need more off the bench.
Frankly, Davis and Barkley coming on made zero impact. Either, we're banking on the kids or we need to spend some more this summer.
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You do not score goals by lobbing diagonal balls int to box.
You also need some threat with free kicks and corners, we have nine.
We were offensively inept and made it very easy for Their defenders.
I hope that Smith drops El Ghazi and Traore for Saturday.
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Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
Leicester sacked the man who won them the league in the most amazing circumstances, and Chelsea have just sacked an ex-legend who got them Champions League in his frst season in less thn perfect circumstances. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions to progress. That time isn't now, but I'm not convinced that Dean is a top 4 level manager, and I think at some point we'll outgrow him if the owners are serious, which I think they are.
Totally agree with this. I like Dean a lot as a person, super bloke. But I couldn’t give a toss that he is one of us, I just want a top quality manager to take us to the next level. It maybe Dean, it maybe someone else, but as a betting man, I think it might be someone else. Losing to Burnley and the bottom wasters that are Sheffield Utd and outplayed at Brighton doesn’t help his case one bit.
Let’s think big for a change. Different era and times but go back to the early 70’s. Vic Crowe, lovely guy he was took us so far, but we took the decision to improve and in came Sir Ron. The rest is history. Improve from a position of growing strength is my view whether that’s players or managers. But don’t stand still. MON was the top quality manager of his day when he came in 2006, we need his equivalent now. Our owners are far more switched on than Randy is so I trust them to make the right decisions
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
you're right - but it doesn't mean we shouldn't be pissed off and want better - as tonight simply should have been better, regardless of last season :)
There's a bit of a difference between wanting better and saying the manager should be sacked every time we get beat.
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They looked like me out there tonight. Furloughed from work.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
I was about to mention the Oldham game.
Xmas ruined cos of Micky bloody Quinn ! Atkinson out !
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You do not score goals by lobbing diagonal balls int to box.
You also need some threat with free kicks and corners, we have nine.
We were offensively inept and made it very easy for Their defenders.
I hope that Smith drops El Ghazi and Traore for Saturday.
He won’t drop them both. He might play Trezeguet, which will be neither here nor there, but he’ll play 2 wide and Watkins up top. He always does.
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Time to take the rose tinted glasses off ladies and gents, we need to seriously ask is this Deans equivalent of Wilders 2019 season? We need to push on next season and no mistake. No passengers.
Bloody Nora.
If the internet had been around in 1992...
Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
you're right - but it doesn't mean we shouldn't be pissed off and want better - as tonight simply should have been better, regardless of last season :)
There's a bit of a difference between wanting better and saying the manager should be sacked every time we get beat.
Exactly so far over the top it’s unreal
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There's a bit of a difference between wanting better and saying the manager should be sacked every time we get beat.
I don't think anybody has though, have they?
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You do not score goals by lobbing diagonal balls int to box.
You also need some threat with free kicks and corners, we have nine.
We were offensively inept and made it very easy for Their defenders.
I hope that Smith drops El Ghazi and Traore for Saturday.
Traore offers more promise than he delivers. He clearly has ability. That piece of skill in the box in the first half was sensational. However it's the odd thing now and again. He needs to be more of a consistent threat to warrant his place.
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You do not score goals by lobbing diagonal balls int to box.
You also need some threat with free kicks and corners, we have nine.
We were offensively inept and made it very easy for Their defenders.
I hope that Smith drops El Ghazi and Traore for Saturday.
Traore offers more promise than he delivers. He clearly has ability. That piece of skill in the box in the first half was sensational. However it's the odd thing now and again. He needs to be more of a consistent threat to warrant his place.
I think he has a history of doing exactly that. Will he ever be more consistent? TBH I doubt it. If we want to be a mid table club, he will do fine for us over the next 2 or 3 seasons, if we strive to better, he won’t be part of it
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You do not score goals by lobbing diagonal balls int to box.
You also need some threat with free kicks and corners, we have nine.
We were offensively inept and made it very easy for Their defenders.
I hope that Smith drops El Ghazi and Traore for Saturday.
Traore offers more promise than he delivers. He clearly has ability. That piece of skill in the box in the first half was sensational. However it's the odd thing now and again. He needs to be more of a consistent threat to warrant his place.
He looked like he was playing for himself not the team, he lost the ball numerous times when there was a pass to a player in a better position.
He also bottled a few challenges. A liability tonight.
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Quality of delivery was very poor all night.
In retrospect we got the team badly wrong. We needed quality and guile against a stubborn and very limited side. We didn't need Nakamba and sadly a game too far for Ramsey.
Too slow to move the ball, some atrociously poor delivery all night, a penalty not given, Traore effort and the woodwork is about all we had to show. Totally devoid of any quality in the final ball.
Elmo has cost us 3 goals in 3 games. Cash plays, we draw or maybe actually find a cross, who knows
We are crazily inconsistent at the moment.
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One of those games where you just knew we would lose. Joe Cole giving us the big build-up. Sheffield doomed and comments about how down Wilder looked. A nicked goal - plenty of time lads we can beat this lot. Sending off, never works in our favour - made it worse. Elmo just nowhere as the ball came in for the goal (would Cash have dealt with that?). Targett, usually such a good crosser of the ball not on it tonight (I think he especially misses his link-up play with Jack). Then a moment of magic from Traore - wrong side of the post, blatant penalty which they didn't seem to even look at. And it's Wednesday night - we don't win Wednesday nights.
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McGinn and Traore simply have to score. That's the difference between us and other sides that go on winning runs. They are clinical when they get their chances, we are not!
Trezeguet's absolute howler against wet spam is another that instantly springs to mind. A glaring lack of composure when it really matters has cost us so many points this season.
It's very frustrating.
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It sometimes looks like Traore's legs have got a mind of their own. When it bamboozles the defender it looks great, but when he slices another clearance or kicks the ball tamely out for a goal kick, it's really infuriating.
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A poor performance by anybody’s standards. I’ve said it before but when you go beyond the first choice starting 11 we are pretty low on quality at the moment but we are still building and Smith will put that right in the transfer window. Ramsey and Sanson are for next season not now and Elmo, AEG, Nakamba, Davis are not PL quality. For whatever reason the quality in the final third was shocking tonight
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Quality of delivery was very poor all night.
In retrospect we got the team badly wrong. We needed quality and guile against a stubborn and very limited side. We didn't need Nakamba and sadly a game too far for Ramsey.
Too slow to move the ball, some atrociously poor delivery all night, a penalty not given, Traore effort and the woodwork is about all we had to show. Totally devoid of any quality in the final ball.
Elmo has cost us 3 goals in 3 games. Cash plays, we draw or maybe actually find a cross, who knows
We are crazily inconsistent at the moment.
I'm not sure that we have been inconsistent recently as a team exactly. Rather, the defence has been consistently outstanding but the midfield and forwards have been very ordinary.
4 goals in 6 games is ordinarily going to leave a poor run of results but generally the defensively solidity has got us out of jail.
Our lack of creativity over the last 6 games is worrying (even with Jack).
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A poor performance by anybody’s standards. I’ve said it before but when you go beyond the first choice starting 11 we are pretty low on quality at the moment but we are still building and Smith will put that right in the transfer window. Ramsey and Sanson are for next season not now and Elmo, AEG, Nakamba, Davis are not PL quality. For whatever reason the quality in the final third was shocking tonight
Harsh on El Ghazi I think, he's got the ability, just not the consistency, but he needs those around him to be better as well. Agree about the others, but a bench with Sanson and Luiz on it is heading in the right direction. Once again though, the decision not to strengthen up front looks like really costing us. When Watkins hits a barren patch we've nothing else whatsoever, Davis isn't even Championship standard to be honest. That's two years running they've done it now, and it's very naive I think.
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A poor performance by anybody’s standards. I’ve said it before but when you go beyond the first choice starting 11 we are pretty low on quality at the moment but we are still building and Smith will put that right in the transfer window. Ramsey and Sanson are for next season not now and Elmo, AEG, Nakamba, Davis are not PL quality. For whatever reason the quality in the final third was shocking tonight
Harsh on El Ghazi I think, he's got the ability, just not the consistency, but he needs those around him to be better as well. Agree about the others, but a bench with Sanson and Luiz on it is heading in the right direction. Once again though, the decision not to strengthen up front looks like really costing us. When Watkins hits a barren patch we've nothing else whatsoever, Davis isn't even Championship standard to be honest. That's two years running they've done it now, and it's very naive I think.
I think they thought Wesley would be back quicker and decided to risk it.
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What I don’t get is why we were so static around the penalty area, why we just lumped in hopeful balls, surely they practice movement when the box is saturated with defenders.
They were absolutely clueless, so either they do not practice pass and move or the players decided to go the hopefull route.
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He should have given Archer more of a chance instead of sending him out on loan to Solihull Moors for the season. Davis has shown time and time again that he is simply not good enough by a long way.
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You do not score goals by lobbing diagonal balls int to box.
You also need some threat with free kicks and corners, we have nine.
We were offensively inept and made it very easy for Their defenders.
I hope that Smith drops El Ghazi and Traore for Saturday.
I agree with your point about lobbing diagonal balls into the box. It was mostly catching practice for their keeper. Once they went to 10 men it was almost impossible to play the ball through a packed wall of striped shirts so we began lobbing the ball into the box. Matt Targett couldn't get going and gave poor service from the left and coupled with the absence of Grealish there was not a lot of supply from that side. Then on the other side we had Elmo trying unsuccessfully to replace Matty Cash's pace and ball delivery. All in all a recipe for an ineffective attacking game plan which panned out exactly that way.
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Ergh, fucking 3rd of March is a right twat of date.
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We had good opportunities to score and didn't take them. Elmo was caught badly out of position and ball gazing for their goal.
Konsa motm for me. Did you see his turn under pressure in our box on 70 mins?...sublime!
Subs were ineffective and I thought a little delayed anyway. Onto the next game with hopefully a better outcome. UTV!
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A night where nobody comes out with any credit. Special mention for Elmo, who was utterly dreadful for their goal. It almost smacked of "I won't be here next year so I can't be arsed".
Our crossing was woeful and we just ran out of ideas when we get near the final third.
And I'm going to stick my neck on the block Watkins is doing my head in. Works damn hard, but misses far too many big chances for me.
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Ergh, fucking 3rd of March is a right twat of date.
C*nt Night II.
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A night where nobody comes out with any credit. Special mention for Elmo, who was utterly dreadful for their goal. It almost smacked of "I won't be here next year so I can't be arsed".
I’d say that’s quite unfair. He’s a great pro. He’s switched off, that’s all.
Defence had very little to do really, but going forward was our biggest problem, we should have won that at a canter and still been ok to let a silly goal in. It was dreadful and completely void of ideas on how to score.
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Elmo looked like his legs had gone, his crossing was poor and every time he recieved the ball he turned inside and passed sideways or back. 2 games in a row too much for him.
Shocking lack of awareness for the goal.
I would give him 3 out of 10.
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No one, absolutely no one has the ability or confidence to actually take a player on and beat him. It’s all sideways, backwards and cross into the keepers arms. Jack is so so missed and shows up the inadequacies of the rest.
We have been poor for ages, but tonight confirms it all for me. Yes we have made progress this season but have a lot to do to talk about getting to the top 6. We are miles away for now
This.
There was no bravery in possession around their box, hence a shed load of absolute shit crosses. Each one a hit and hope, with no quality, and no target in mind.
As others have pointed out......wank!
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https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/12235037/ten-man-sheff-utd-claim-victory-over-villa
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Every time there’s a couple of bad results this shite comes out the woodwork. We’re 9th, this time two years ago we were mid table at best in the championship. We’re on average form but also completely secure in the division and have made huge strides and are frankly unrecognisable to any villa side since some point 11 years ago. I’ll keep my rose tinted glasses on for a bit longer ta.
Leicester sacked the man who won them the league in the most amazing circumstances, and Chelsea have just sacked an ex-legend who got them Champions League in his frst season in less thn perfect circumstances. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions to progress. That time isn't now, but I'm not convinced that Dean is a top 4 level manager, and I think at some point we'll outgrow him if the owners are serious, which I think they are.
Totally agree with this. I like Dean a lot as a person, super bloke. But I couldn’t give a toss that he is one of us, I just want a top quality manager to take us to the next level. It maybe Dean, it maybe someone else, but as a betting man, I think it might be someone else. Losing to Burnley and the bottom wasters that are Sheffield Utd and outplayed at Brighton doesn’t help his case one bit.
Let’s think big for a change. Different era and times but go back to the early 70’s. Vic Crowe, lovely guy he was took us so far, but we took the decision to improve and in came Sir Ron. The rest is history. Improve from a position of growing strength is my view whether that’s players or managers. But don’t stand still. MON was the top quality manager of his day when he came in 2006, we need his equivalent now. Our owners are far more switched on than Randy is so I trust them to make the right decisions
I don’t think it’s about him being one of us. It’s about him taking over part way through what was turning into another poor championship season and getting us up at the first attempt, then keeping us up and getting us to a cup final and now into a comfortable top half side, in less than 2.5 years. That is actually successful in the period of time. It’s also completely different to Lampard and the current expectations at Chelsea which are challenging for the league every year, and all the money he was given which dwarves even the big money we spent. Leicester were also near the bottom the year after they won the league when they pulled the trigger.
It was shite tonight and frustrating and I thought Dean should of made changes as soon as they went to ten men, put two up top earlier, and he shouldnt be beyond criticism, but talking about making a change next year, it’s beyond me to be honest.
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I know some are glad we don't 'do draws' anymore but I have to say I am annoyed by the number of defeats. Psycholoically defeats are horrible to take, especially against one of the worst sides in the PL era.
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I know some are glad we don't 'do draws' anymore but I have to say I am annoyed by the number of defeats. Psycholoically defeats are horrible to take, especially against one of the worst sides in the PL era.
That was us a few seasons ago.
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I know some are glad we don't 'do draws' anymore but I have to say I am annoyed by the number of defeats. Psycholoically defeats are horrible to take, especially against one of the worst sides in the PL era.
That was us a few seasons ago.
I agree on that, the progress is immense. It's just a frustrating night to lose to the bottom team when we had European qualification in our sights.
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It's not one step forward two steps back at all, we are making progress, but it is frustrating not to be able to string back to back wins together. Sheff U are terrible this season and that is three points chucked tonight. I don't like Wednesdays.
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Martinez- 6 .
Some poor kicks tonight including straight to opposition. Not troubled.
Elmo- 6
. Part switch off allowed chance and goal. Unable to offer much on attack with low set crossing. Had a header that went over from corner. Did ok but nothing more and was lacking in the energy and tempo stakes. Disappointing.
Targett-5.5
Repeatedly failed with crossing and backed off baldock allowing cross shot. At fault for goal chance.
Konsa- 7
Unbelievable composure several times on the ball and interception. One occasion he totally read the attacker and just took ball like candy from a baby. Felt for the central pair as they did they roles superbly this eve. Outside of sloppy goal.
Excellent control and shot which unlucky not to have been a goal brilliant effort any attacking player would be proud of.
Mings- 7
Rallied the troops and was doing job of Midfielders even before 10 men then was only one of a few who showed the care and determination. Solid in clearance and rarely troubled. Felt he carried ball forward well but was found wanting with little options and some of his longer passing. Midfielders were not able to disturb or offer option and was generally trying well with Konsa
Nakamba- 5
Does what he does well with interceptions blocks and tackles but such a limited footballer. Passing ability is shocking. Unable to set much up either long or short was found wanting . Had a few period move ball and passed appropriately and I like him as a defense shield but offers nothing in any offensive capacity or build up of play. Lacks the skill of Luiz. Nakamba not so marvelous today and not needed for this one from the outset.
Ramsey- 5.5
Some wonderful touches link up with AEG but again faded and generally struggling to impose. Has good burst of energy and movement on occasions but not for much today and rightly subbed. Probably shouldn't have started this one.
McGinn -6
Attempting to be a Midfielder general once Sheff Utd were at 10 players failed miserably. Series of repeated balls in to box floated in with no real intelligence.
Missed glorious chance with right foot. Did do a few sublime passes and moves but too few and far between. Had elements of composure and discipline which good to see. Was fouled several times which should have seen bookings.
El Ghazi 7-
pretty much the main attacking player and best Villa attacker. Unlucky he was not totally supported by others as first half had beating of full back and players. Offers goal threat and creativity but was inconsistent and unable to deliver final link up or pass. Showed some delightful touches dribbling . Disappointing but deserved the whole match. Targeted for several crude fouls. Shocking. Including red card foul. Which didn't even need VAR as so blatant. Several touchline fouls also occured as AEG was too good for anything Sheff Utd deal with when he dribbled .
Would have scored if not taken out.. unbelievable really.
Traore 6.5 -
well, better than Leeds match but couldn't be much worse! Another pretty weak showing. Brilliant dribble and near wonder goal. Should have scored with right foot but howling miss and tepid many times. Hardly helped out Midfielders Watkins or Elmo with his lack of movement of drifting on field and was really poor giving away ball guilty times holding on too long.
Watkins-7
mixture as miscontrolled hold up play but helped created chances and was full of running . Does need the support and times he did some elaborate play as well as looking good with some nice passing. Mixture but one of the better players again. Was all set to score but blatantly fouled and a penalty should have been given. Very unlucky.
Subs:
Barkley 6- Man of his quality should have started.
Sanson 5.5- Would have been more interesting from start.
Davis 7- Held up ball and created opportunities did well in his cameo
Ref: 4 /10
Pretty disgraceful.
Should have had a pen
Several players were being fouled and ref didn't caution
Jagilek was a red card and embarrassing he first show yellow
thank you VAR
Mcgoldrick should have been red for second yellow. Ref let him off twice!
Villa 5.5/10
Konsa, Mings AEG Watkins and Davis were best performing players in underwhelming performance. And rated all of them as decent in comparison
Felt rest were lacking and not enough to score anything other than below 6 to lose to bottom of table team who had 10 men.
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I'll take the blame for this not starting the match thread. Disappointing defeat. But it's who/what we are as a club at this point in time. And I have no doubt we will spend well again in the summer to help us push on again. Some current starters will be bench players. Some bench players will be gone. That's how it is meant to be done. We are better and deeper today to no longer be in the relegation discussion. Next year I hope we are in this spot again but with a much more ribust first XI and a genuine chance at the top 6. If we finish 8th this season as disappointing as it might feel given some of the highs it will still be a super campaign.
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For me, we have (so far) exceeded expectations at the start of the season.
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A poor performance by anybody’s standards. I’ve said it before but when you go beyond the first choice starting 11 we are pretty low on quality at the moment but we are still building and Smith will put that right in the transfer window. Ramsey and Sanson are for next season not now and Elmo, AEG, Nakamba, Davis are not PL quality. For whatever reason the quality in the final third was shocking tonight
Agree with a lot of this, but think some of the criticism of Nakamba has been a little harsh, as apart from one really poor pass in the first half I thought he did OK.
It was the most disappointing game this season though for me. I don't know why we just persisted on hitting hopeful crosses into the box when that is what they are probably most adept at dealing with. When we tried to play through them and slipped a few balls through, we caused them problems.
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You do not score goals by lobbing diagonal balls int to box.
You also need some threat with free kicks and corners, we have nine.
We were offensively inept and made it very easy for Their defenders.
I hope that Smith drops El Ghazi and Traore for Saturday.
Traore offers more promise than he delivers. He clearly has ability. That piece of skill in the box in the first half was sensational. However it's the odd thing now and again. He needs to be more of a consistent threat to warrant his place.
He looked like he was playing for himself not the team, he lost the ball numerous times when there was a pass to a player in a better position.
He also bottled a few challenges. A liability tonight.
He has been for weeks.
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He should have given Archer more of a chance instead of sending him out on loan to Solihull Moors for the season. Davis has shown time and time again that he is simply not good enough by a long way.
I don't think Davis did anything wrong tonight - won and held up the ball a couple of times and his touch was to set up a chance for AEG. Probably more than Barkley and Sanson contributed combined.
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Dismal display. Pathetic even.
(https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/hanna-barbera/images/2/2a/Snagglepuss.jpg/revision/latest/top-crop/width/300/height/300?cb=20100905140422)
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As much as I have respect for Elmo depth at RB is evident without Cash. We should invest in that area in the summer. This lad looks promising...
https://twitter.com/avfc_vilr/status/1367259622290182147?s=21
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Martinez- 6 .
... Felt rest were lacking and not enough to score anything other than below 6 to lose to bottom of table team who had 10 men.
How differently we see things:
- You're giving Barkley a score for having done nothing.
- You're giving Davis one of the highest scores; for what?
- You criticise Targett for poor crossing but score McGinn much higher despite doing the same thing
- The 'penalty' in the first half was outside the box; hence no VAR review.
- The sending off of Jagielka was harsh: the incident was a long way out; many a slip possible from there (particularly on last night's showing).
It was a horrible night, formed from a combination of this season's two Burnley games - lots of huff n' puff but no outcome; combined with some truly awful defending. I'd say that is a case of composite responsibility: no one player should take the can; they were all 'off it'. Or, put it a different way: Smith got it wrong with his selection.
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I'll take the blame for this not starting the match thread. Disappointing defeat. But it's who/what we are as a club at this point in time. And I have no doubt we will spend well again in the summer to help us push on again. Some current starters will be bench players. Some bench players will be gone. That's how it is meant to be done. We are better and deeper today to no longer be in the relegation discussion. Next year I hope we are in this spot again but with a much more ribust first XI and a genuine chance at the top 6. If we finish 8th this season as disappointing as it might feel given some of the highs it will still be a super campaign.
Absolutely 100% this.
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How does Elmo get a higher score than Targett when Elmo was as fault for the goal and barely a forward to sling in any atrocious crosses?
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still implacably angry over this, total brainfart. sort it Villa and quickly.
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All last night did for me me was confirm what most of us already knew, that as a team we are consistently inconsistent. We just made too many mistakes, wasted good possession and attacking positions and when we did create chances we fluffed them. You can point at this or that selection but the team picked should have been good enough to beat Sheffield United.
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I think we will finish 10th none of the bottom half clubs look consistent enough to break into the top half. It's a good platform for next season with a couple of key signings made. Last night just showed we are not quite there yet for any top 6 discussion, well at least in terms of attacking variety. Defensively we are.
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I didn't think we were anywhere near as bad as some are suggesting. Even though we were off the pace and fielding a weak team we created enough to win even though, as Dean said afterward, we were far too wasteful in their third.
Credit where its due, Sheffield defended superbly closing down space and making some great blocks when we did look like getting a shot away. I think even Wilder knew they had got lucky.
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Elmo looked like his legs had gone, his crossing was poor and every time he recieved the ball he turned inside and passed sideways or back. 2 games in a row too much for him.
Shocking lack of awareness for the goal.
I would give him 3 out of 10.
This for me too - whilst the defensive lapse was obvious, his lack of tempo completely nullifies any threat we have down the right and he certainly can't play 2 games in quick succession (and it's gonna be 3 come Saturday) I know it's raking over old ground but the decision to favour him as our cover over Guilbert is absolutely bewildering. Yes Freddie was equally likely to have lost McGoldrick, but he'd certainly have given us a lot more going forward (see the Twitter link above)
It reminded me of the Bradford league cup semi 2nd leg!
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Very disappointed with last night's performance we need to play a lot better against Wolves.
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Elmo looked like his legs had gone, his crossing was poor and every time he recieved the ball he turned inside and passed sideways or back. 2 games in a row too much for him.
Shocking lack of awareness for the goal.
I would give him 3 out of 10.
This for me too - whilst the defensive lapse was obvious, his lack of tempo completely nullifies any threat we have down the right and he certainly can't play 2 games in quick succession (and it's gonna be 3 come Saturday) I know it's raking over old ground but the decision to favour him as our cover over Guilbert is absolutely bewildering. Yes Freddie was equally likely to have lost McGoldrick, but he'd certainly have given us a lot more going forward (see the Twitter link above)
It reminded me of the Bradford league cup semi 2nd leg!
All of this.
I thought of the Bradford Semi aswell, everybody in the box and putting hopeful balls repetedly into the box.
The decision to let Guilbert move on in favour of Elmo is one I can't get my head round. Cash and Guilbert are the same type of player so Guilbert could come in and cover Rb and our right side would be able to play the same way as if Cash was there. Putting Elmo in instead means a complete re-think on that side, he slows us down hugely. Every pass is backwards and theres no driving forward.
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I think it's good to be constructively critical. Most of us are on here and Smith is as well. If we don't do well enough then he'll say so afterwards. t shows a club with real ambition. having just watched the Villa TV highlights I'm again in the Burnley defeat mode of 'how did we manage to lose that?' As a neutral you would say we played some good stuff but just didn't manage the end product. And I'm sick of all the plaudits for teams that fling themselves all over the area an 'put their bodies on the line' Traore and Konsa (and probably others) both had strong shots that would have gone in on any other day.
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Letting Guilbert go, for whatever reason, is shaping up to be a poor choice. We need good back up for every position if we want a realistic chance of European football, so to let one go and rely on the ageing Elmo seems very, very strange. I can only think there was a breakdown in the relationship similar to Engels and so they just wanted rid.
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Letting Guilbert go, for whatever reason, is shaping up to be a poor choice. We need good back up for every position if we want a realistic chance of European football, so to let one go and rely on the ageing Elmo seems very, very strange. I can only think there was a breakdown in the relationship similar to Engels and so they just wanted rid.
It's proving a huge mistake. Elmo has cost us 3 goals in 2 games. Hard to know whether Freddie would, but what a player Cash is in comparison.
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Letting Guilbert go, for whatever reason, is shaping up to be a poor choice. We need good back up for every position if we want a realistic chance of European football, so to let one go and rely on the ageing Elmo seems very, very strange. I can only think there was a breakdown in the relationship similar to Engels and so they just wanted rid.
Like I said above - Freddie was equally likely to the defensive lapse, but the overall shape and attacking verve of the team down the right would have remained in tact. These lack of options down the right have only served to put more pressue on the LHS IMO, further highlighting the lack of Jack. I think a fully functioning RHS and we would not have noticed his absence as much. Fair play to Matty Cash - stepping up from the Championship to being a key part of what we do.
It's proving a huge mistake. Elmo has cost us 3 goals in 2 games. Hard to know whether Freddie would, but what a player Cash is in comparison.
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Personally I think Guilbert was much better defensively than Elmo. He was a lot quicker which meant he could recover more easily, and had a good tackle on him. He's not as good as Cash, but still a much better option than an ageing winger.
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I could understand if Smith didn't rate Guilbert and sold him. I don't understand sending him on loan. Elmo is finished and I like Elmo.
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As disapointing as last night was, we could have gone within 3 points of the top 4. Whilst it's frustrating putting it like that, it also shows how far we've bloody come since nearly going down.
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We should have won that game quite easily. Credit has to go to Sheff U for the way they defended. If anybody watched the Man City game 2nd half against Wolves the previous night you would see how it is possible to break down the parked bus. It's not by humping in hopeful crosses..when we actually managed that, it's by facing their goal taking players on and putting in players who have already made runs into space. We don't have the players of Man City's caliber but we do have players who can play better than what we seen last night which brings me to Barkley when he came on. A number of times a ball was played into his feet with his back to goal and what does he do? he plays it back to where it came from which was no different than the person he replaced. Why not turn and take a player on, he has that in him but chooses the easy option.
That said, McGinn should have scored, we should have had a nailed on pen and Berti's mazy run deserved to be topped with a goal.
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This has happened too many times, we play well against tough oppositition then turn in terrible displays against cellar dwellers. It must be an attitude problem with some players. Smith needs to sort it.
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As disapointing as last night was, we could have gone within 3 points of the top 4. Whilst it's frustrating putting it like that, it also shows how far we've bloody come since nearly going down.
Even making due allowance for that, it was still a crap result.
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I don’t understand people trying to contextualise this result in terms of this season versus last. Those results were v City, manure, Arsenal and Liverpool. Let’s call this what it was. Poor all around. Wrong team selection and horrific Jurassic park football specially against 10 men. No one, from Smith to all those who entered the pitch, deserve any redemption. Let’s do better on Saturday.
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Trying to be a bit more rational this morning after steaming away watching Ramsdale being given catching practice for 30 minutes. What were they thinking to imagine that constantly doing the same thing would produce a different result?
I never expected anything from our 'Mighty Whites' encounter, so those 3 points kind of makes up for last night's brainfart of a performance.
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We're a counter attacking team - defensively well organised and designed to hit teams on the break with fast pace. We're not yet at a stage where we dominate possession, continually create and be ruthless with our finishing. We've shown glimpses of that (Liverpool) but not on a consistent basis. And even with the Liverpool game, their tactics of playing a ridiculously high line even when their press wasn't working and sticking with those tactics really played into our hands. When we've played teams like Burnley who are just happy to sit and contain, we don't yet have that ingenuity to know how to break it down. It just highlights the next phases in our development that we have to work on in the next couple of transfer windows and on the training ground.
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Cannot be many supporters begging the ref not to send an opposition player off - but i was as we seemingly dont have a clue to play against 10 men.
Although collectively we were not at it tonight i have to raise special mention for John McGinn - if we are to progress next season then im sorry but John just cannot be a regular starter in this division - great squad player to have but not 1st team.
I also thought it was Watkins worst game - his control (apart from one instance) was actually Heskyesque and it resulted in the ball coming straight back at us.
We have made huge strides this season but if ever there was a club that builds fans expectations only to shatter them just a quickly i struggle to think of one better at it than ours :-\
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Cannot be many supporters begging the ref not to send an opposition player off - but i was as we seemingly dont have a clue to play against 10 men.
Although collectively we were not at it tonight i have to raise special mention for John McGinn - if we are to progress next season then im sorry but John just cannot be a regular starter in this division - great squad player to have but not 1st team.
I also thought it was Watkins worst game - his control (apart from one instance) was actually Heskyesque and it resulted in the ball coming straight back at us.
We have made huge strides this season but if ever there was a club that builds fans expectations only to shatter them just a quickly i struggle to think of one better at it than ours :-\
It's the bit of guile and patience in midfield that was lacking I thought. Smith sent on two experienced players to provide that but they didn't really make an impact. It became a bit predictable with AEG and McGinn slinging in crosses from the left (we had little or nothing from the opposite flank that I recall).
Of course it was a terrible result last night but the reaction regarding the performance on here is very much over the top. It's not often you see a premier league team pretty much camped inside their 18 yard box for the last thirty minutes or more. Even at that we still had enough chances and Ramsdale made a brilliant save from Konsa. The likes of Liverpool and Man United have had similar troubles of late breaking the low block. The one player who is possibly more skilled than anyone in the division in doing that was unfortunately sat at home.
As an aside, I thought both Sheff Utd full backs were brilliant last night. We couldn't get past them.
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Martinez 7 No chance with the goal but kicking a bit off
Elmo 3- awful and responsible for the goal.
Konsa 8 Did not put a foot wrong
Mings 8 also tried to give some energy to our lackluster attack
Target- 6- poor by his recent standards
Marvelous -61/2
Mcginn 7- at least he showed enthusiasm and energy but lacked quality
Ramsey 6 Got over run at times and faded badly, ran out of legs should have been pulled earlier
AEG-5 Awful crossing no end product
Traore 4 Dreadfull use of the ball in good positions
Watkins 5 was easily marked out of the game but no support or service
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Agree with all of that CV but you missed out Marvelous.
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
Marvellous was excellent against Leeds and earned his start last night. Luiz lost his place after some really poor performances. Marv repaid the managers faith in him with a poor performance. His ball distribution was awful at times. Deano has learned something. Marv is probably never going to cut it on a regular basis and Elmo is another one who proved the same point. It was his absolute brain fart that cost us at least a draw. They were galvanised by it and had something to defend which they did gallantly. Something they're excellent at which they've rarely had chance to prove this season. They got their noses in front at Old Trafford and held on to the points. It's what they're good at.Without Jack we lacked the guile and genuine star quality to break them down. We learn. We move on. We improve. That's the way it's going to be for some time. Once we get everyone back fit I fancy us for a barnstorming end to the season.
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
Marvellous was excellent against Leeds and earned his start last night. Luiz lost his place after some really poor performances. Marv repaid the managers faith in him with a poor performance. His ball distribution was awful at times. Deano has learned something. Marv is probably never going to cut it on a regular basis and Elmo is another one who proved the same point. It was his absolute brain fart that cost us at least a draw. They were galvanised by it and had something to defend which they did gallantly. Something they're excellent at which they've rarely had chance to prove this season. They got their noses in front at Old Trafford and held on to the points. It's what they're good at.Without Jack we lacked the guile and genuine star quality to break them down. We learn. We move on. We improve. That's the way it's going to be for some time. Once we get everyone back fit I fancy us for a barnstorming end to the season.
He was excellent against Leeds
But he was there to do a specific job which he did
Saying he earned his place in the next game is exactly the problem
It’s championship manager thinking it’s small time
Play The best players you have to fit your tactics against what ever opposition you face
Simple as that
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A bit dramatic isn't?
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The Edge fancies us for a good end to the season: I'm inclined to agree, despite me being so pissed off about last night. Under Deano, there's been a pattern of us generally improving in the last stages in a season after having a dodgy patch, hasn't there?
Fingers crossed folks and get well soon everyone!
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A bit dramatic isn't?
Yeah well I’m still fuming about last night fuck up
And it was a fuck up
Smith has no excuses
Then you get the news that Gilbert has scored the winner for his new team and he’s got into every team of the week since he’s been there and we are still fumbling about with ‘he can do a job’ Elmo
i’m sorry It just does my head in
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
Marvellous was excellent against Leeds and earned his start last night. Luiz lost his place after some really poor performances. Marv repaid the managers faith in him with a poor performance. His ball distribution was awful at times. Deano has learned something. Marv is probably never going to cut it on a regular basis and Elmo is another one who proved the same point. It was his absolute brain fart that cost us at least a draw. They were galvanised by it and had something to defend which they did gallantly. Something they're excellent at which they've rarely had chance to prove this season. They got their noses in front at Old Trafford and held on to the points. It's what they're good at.Without Jack we lacked the guile and genuine star quality to break them down. We learn. We move on. We improve. That's the way it's going to be for some time. Once we get everyone back fit I fancy us for a barnstorming end to the season.
He was excellent against Leeds
But he was there to do a specific job which he did
Saying he earned his place in the next game is exactly the problem
It’s championship manager thinking it’s small time
Play The best players you have to fit your tactics against what ever opposition you face
Simple as that
You'd soon end up with a very pissed off group of players if you adopted that stance. There has to be reward for players who play well for you or they'd soon get the attitude of "fuck it why should I bother?"
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A bit dramatic isn't?
Yeah well I’m still fuming about last night fuck up
And it was a fuck up
Smith has no excuses
Then you get the news that Gilbert has scored the winner for his new team and he’s got into every team of the week since he’s been there and we are still fumbling about with ‘he can do a job’ Elmo
i’m sorry It just does my head in
I know, I get you and everytime I think about it it grinds my guts.
But you can feel annoyed and angry without it spiralling out of context. This isn't our last shot at the top 4. We will be closer to it next year.
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
Agree
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
Marvellous was excellent against Leeds and earned his start last night. Luiz lost his place after some really poor performances. Marv repaid the managers faith in him with a poor performance. His ball distribution was awful at times. Deano has learned something. Marv is probably never going to cut it on a regular basis and Elmo is another one who proved the same point. It was his absolute brain fart that cost us at least a draw. They were galvanised by it and had something to defend which they did gallantly. Something they're excellent at which they've rarely had chance to prove this season. They got their noses in front at Old Trafford and held on to the points. It's what they're good at.Without Jack we lacked the guile and genuine star quality to break them down. We learn. We move on. We improve. That's the way it's going to be for some time. Once we get everyone back fit I fancy us for a barnstorming end to the season.
He was excellent against Leeds
But he was there to do a specific job which he did
Saying he earned his place in the next game is exactly the problem
It’s championship manager thinking it’s small time
Play The best players you have to fit your tactics against what ever opposition you face
Simple as that
You'd soon end up with a very pissed off group of players if you adopted that stance. There has to be reward for players who play well for you or they'd soon get the attitude of "fuck it why should I bother?"
You’ll also end up mid table with all your best players fucked off to teams who want to play at the highest level
while you end up with those who you’ve bent over backwards to not piss off
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
Marvellous was excellent against Leeds and earned his start last night. Luiz lost his place after some really poor performances. Marv repaid the managers faith in him with a poor performance. His ball distribution was awful at times. Deano has learned something. Marv is probably never going to cut it on a regular basis and Elmo is another one who proved the same point. It was his absolute brain fart that cost us at least a draw. They were galvanised by it and had something to defend which they did gallantly. Something they're excellent at which they've rarely had chance to prove this season. They got their noses in front at Old Trafford and held on to the points. It's what they're good at.Without Jack we lacked the guile and genuine star quality to break them down. We learn. We move on. We improve. That's the way it's going to be for some time. Once we get everyone back fit I fancy us for a barnstorming end to the season.
He was excellent against Leeds
But he was there to do a specific job which he did
Saying he earned his place in the next game is exactly the problem
It’s championship manager thinking it’s small time
Play The best players you have to fit your tactics against what ever opposition you face
Simple as that
You'd soon end up with a very pissed off group of players if you adopted that stance. There has to be reward for players who play well for you or they'd soon get the attitude of "fuck it why should I bother?"
You’ll also end up mid table with all your best players fucked off to teams who want to play at the highest level
while you end up with those who you’ve bent over backwards to not piss off
How would that work? All your best players would be still at the club because they would be getting picked for playing well. Players in form get picked players out of form get dropped. That's how it works.
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I think what’s he’s trying to say is that for example, Luiz is a better all round player In that role that Marvellous, however as Marvellous had a good game at Leeds that the “in form” player will always get the nod.
I personally don’t think that theory has been applied consistently this season by DS.
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I think what’s he’s trying to say is that for example, Luiz is a better all round player In that role that Marvellous, however as Marvellous had a good game at Leeds that the “in form” player will always get the nod.
I personally don’t think that theory has been applied consistently this season by DS.
whether he was right to start him or not the fact is he was still on the pitch in the 67th minute when they were down to 10 men and we were one nil behind
Explain that one
67th minute
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I think what’s he’s trying to say is that for example, Luiz is a better all round player In that role that Marvellous, however as Marvellous had a good game at Leeds that the “in form” player will always get the nod.
I personally don’t think that theory has been applied consistently this season by DS.
whether he was right to start him or not the fact is he was still on the pitch in the 67th minute when they were down to 10 men and we were one nil behind
Explain that one
67th minute
We have an annoying habit of leaving it far too late to make changes. I'm a big fan of Dean and his staff but it's one area where they definitely need to wise up.
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I think what’s he’s trying to say is that for example, Luiz is a better all round player In that role that Marvellous, however as Marvellous had a good game at Leeds that the “in form” player will always get the nod.
I personally don’t think that theory has been applied consistently this season by DS.
whether he was right to start him or not the fact is he was still on the pitch in the 67th minute when they were down to 10 men and we were one nil behind
Explain that one
67th minute
I actually agree with that point.
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For me, we have (so far) exceeded expectations at the start of the season.
A good point Legion .....our expectations were raised following the great start we had ....nevertheless us seasoned Villa veterans are accustomed to the " after the Lord mayors show"type performances ....just when we are in touching distance of mixing with the so called "big six" we "bottle it" and we are forced to accept that we are not as big/successful as we like think we are ......yes historically we are a " big club" but our successes happened a long time ago ......are we " getting there" again under Smith? Only time will tell
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I sell lorries for a living
Red lorries? Yellow lorries?
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I think what’s he’s trying to say is that for example, Luiz is a better all round player In that role that Marvellous, however as Marvellous had a good game at Leeds that the “in form” player will always get the nod.
I personally don’t think that theory has been applied consistently this season by DS.
whether he was right to start him or not the fact is he was still on the pitch in the 67th minute when they were down to 10 men and we were one nil behind
Explain that one
67th minute
Dean Smith's subs nearly always follow the same blueprint, no matter the actual situation on the pitch.
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Its the painfully slow start that stands out for me.
If we'd have got in front early then we'd have picked up another win.
Jesus and our crossing and finishing.
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Given that Dean Smith must be well aware of the majority of fans views about his substations - or lack of them - we can only assume that he disagrees with us. That's fair enough but would appear to be totally contra to what we experience week after week.
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It’s no good battering the door down in the last 10 minutes
We should have been doing that since the man got sent off and we were one nil down
Whats a defensive midfielder not known for creating danger doing on the pitch in the 67th minute
67 minutes !
why did we start him in the first place against Sheffield United (not jumping on the bandwagon I said this in the Nakamba thread before the game)
I sell lorries for a living and even I know Luiz is twice the footballer Nakamba is
He’s a class player Sheffield United would’ve been a good game for him to regain his confidence
It’s pretty basic stuff really
So basic it’s worrying really
67 minutes ffs
Marvellous was excellent against Leeds and earned his start last night. Luiz lost his place after some really poor performances. Marv repaid the managers faith in him with a poor performance. His ball distribution was awful at times. Deano has learned something. Marv is probably never going to cut it on a regular basis and Elmo is another one who proved the same point. It was his absolute brain fart that cost us at least a draw. They were galvanised by it and had something to defend which they did gallantly. Something they're excellent at which they've rarely had chance to prove this season. They got their noses in front at Old Trafford and held on to the points. It's what they're good at.Without Jack we lacked the guile and genuine star quality to break them down. We learn. We move on. We improve. That's the way it's going to be for some time. Once we get everyone back fit I fancy us for a barnstorming end to the season.
He was excellent against Leeds
But he was there to do a specific job which he did
Saying he earned his place in the next game is exactly the problem
It’s championship manager thinking it’s small time
Play The best players you have to fit your tactics against what ever opposition you face
Simple as that
You'd soon end up with a very pissed off group of players if you adopted that stance. There has to be reward for players who play well for you or they'd soon get the attitude of "fuck it why should I bother?"
You’ll also end up mid table with all your best players fucked off to teams who want to play at the highest level
while you end up with those who you’ve bent over backwards to not piss off
I’m not sure that follows to be honest. The best teams in my memory, including Ferguson’s Man U teams and Liverpool last year, pick fairly consistent teams, with the odd tweak here and there, sometimes to reward good performances from understudies. Man City might be a bit of an exception just due to the huge squad they have. But generally the better teams play there better performing players regularly.
Smith does make his subs too late, yesterday Barkley had his shorts on, on about 55 minutes, but then nothing for another 12 minutes, don’t know if the sending off confused things for Smith but he needed to be more decisive then.
But generally I think playing the players that are performing better is not unusual to be honest.
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I didn't have too much of a problem with Nakamba starting or staying on personally as long as he did. I didn't really see the point in bringing Sanson on for him. That sub could have been used for Trez. I thought that was needed more.
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One thing we desperately need is tenacity when we concede first. I think we have gained one point all season after falling behind. That is not good enough, and implies some fragility.
I am extremely happy with our progress this season but the ability to eke out a result when not playing well would probably have seen us gain an extra half dozen points.
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I didn't have too much of a problem with Nakamba starting or staying on personally as long as he did. I didn't really see the point in bringing Sanson on for him. That sub could have been used for Trez. I thought that was needed more.
I disagree, the most important sub we could've made yesterday would've been to get Luiz on as soon as it became clear they weren't interested in anything but defending their box. His range of passing and ability to move the ball quicker might've led to more chances like the one where the red card came out. That was the only time all game where we got behind them. The final pass from us was poor but that was because we were playing in front of 2 banks of 4 with no space to be found, we needed to mix things up more.
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I think what’s he’s trying to say is that for example, Luiz is a better all round player In that role that Marvellous, however as Marvellous had a good game at Leeds that the “in form” player will always get the nod.
I personally don’t think that theory has been applied consistently this season by DS.
whether he was right to start him or not the fact is he was still on the pitch in the 67th minute when they were down to 10 men and we were one nil behind
Explain that one
67th minute
Dean Smith's subs nearly always follow the same blueprint, no matter the actual situation on the pitch.
This is a problem.
The substitutions are nearly always done on a like for like basis. This might be largely ok when we are winning, but when we should try something different to get back into a game, we never do.
The coaches must either have no other tactical formation or choose not to use it. When it’s working well and the players are on form, then it’s good, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we don’t adapt well if we fall behind.
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One thing we desperately need is tenacity when we concede first. I think we have gained one point all season after falling behind. That is not good enough, and implies some fragility.
I am extremely happy with our progress this season but the ability to eke out a result when not playing well would probably have seen us gain an extra half dozen points.
I agree that our record after falling behind is poor but we've certainly eked out plenty of results when not playing well this season, particularly the last few weeks. And our record when going ahead is extraordinary. For whatever reason we look less of an attacking force post Covid. Our solidity means we can defend leads but it makes it hard to get back into games when we fall behind. Buggered if I know how to solve it but I think we looked our best this season with Jack in midfield so would like to see that again when he's fit.
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Horribly frustrating result, where only one team was out to play football.
Elmo went to sleep for the goal, but it was a fluke in any case; McGoalDrought, as Forest fans used to call him, hit the ball into the ground, it bounced over Emi and in off the bar. In off the bar, did I hear you say? Yes apparently it has been known to happen, just not to us!
Agree with those who say Marvelous should have come off sooner -not because he had a bad game at all, but because he was surplus to requirements against an ultra-negative home side.
The crossing was beyond bad, the one exception from Targett was when Ollie was unlucky not to score. We saw some sharp passing and moving before the break but not much after. Tiredness of the players? Who knows?