Swansea City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Small Rodent]

I thought I saw Bannan also 'pinging' balls into no-one in particular.
He was maybe not as guilty as some for that, but I can't buy into the thought process that everything will be better if Bannan is playing.

So Bannan wasn't in the driving seat?

[kippaxvilla2]

There's a breathtaking arrogance from those who expect us to sweep the likes of Swansea aside. Unfortunately we are now having one of our more common average periods in our history.

If you look at the players 1 to 11 - you would have to ask how many of these would get into any team above say 15th places line up.  I can only confidently name Shay Given, Darren Bent, Gabby and possibly Richard Dunne.

That, unfortunately isn't the fault of the new manager as he has been given these tools to work with. I can see that he does try and do positive play at times but, all too often he prefers to be careful and not take risks.

The big test comes in January.  Is he going to be allowed to put more of his own stamp on the side.  If yes, we might see some positive changes, if not, then expect this season and the next until they realise investment is required to be average/pottering around mid table at best.

[Simba]

It is the fact that this manager might put his stamp on the side which worries me.

Hutton is an example and 'positive changes' as you put it are not probable given his history. Sorry.

[KevinGage]

Kevin Gage mentioned how long it's been since we had a mongrel in the team, somebody to snap at the ankles. Whilst I agree with him, I most certainly wouldn't call Hutton a mongrel, not unless you're talking about a mix of a rabid doberman pinscher and a starving pit bull. How he managed to stay on the pitch, I've no idea. The man is a lunatic and he's another I'd love to get our money back in January. His only saving grace is that he can actually cross a ball, something N'Zogbia prefers to let him do.

Fair enough Mark.  As an allround player you won't get any argument from me that he's not all that.   Compare and contrast with Walker.  I'd also like us to keep an eye on the lad Naughton at Norwich -who was actually ahead of Walker development wise at the time both went to Tottingham.  He's recently said he'd consider his future at the end of the season.

But focussing on Hutton for a while, I get the feeling that the dislike for the manager (not in your case though MK) might colour opinions somewhat.  Hutton is his signing, hasn't set  the world alight and has been responsible for a few heavy tackles.  The way I see it, we aren't one of the fancied clubs, so if Hutton truly had crossed the line he'd have seen red by now.

I'm also prepared to cut him some slack, this is his first stint of regular football for a while and some players need time to find their rhythm.  He'd probably admit himself he's not at his best. But he's better than he was back in September.    I also see a wee bit of promise there, in that he's got a good turn of pace, can cross (as you said) and has a bit of fire to his game (putting it mildly).    He was first pick for Tottingham this time last year too, so he can't be a complete mug.

In contrast, Ivanhoe most likely won't improve with more game time.  He looks as awkward now as he did three years ago.

[Clampy]

I don't think Hutton has been as terrible as some people have made out on here, but i'd prefer Herd at right back. Yesterday, Hutton seemed to drift inside too often at times and N'Zogbia was finding himself at right back, which is not where he's meant to be.

[N'ZMAV]

I prefer Herd in centre midfield. He gives us an energetic bite we've not had since Boateng was in the team.

[supertommykN'iba]

I really don't think I can watch Emile Heskey playing for Aston Villa much longer. He is absolutely dreadful and offers nothing.

Think we really improved yesterday in the second half - if only McLeish had seen how useless Heskey was at Half Time and put Bannan or Jenas in then. Think we'd have won it comfortably.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Thats bang on KG.

  Hutton might not be top class, but he had a reasonable game yday.Did what i want a FB to do, get tight, put a foot in, close down quickly, against a very good player in Sinclair.Plus he supported well, and made some good runs off the ball.He was far better than Warnock yday.

 Naughton, i feel might be too small, and Gabby tore him apart.I still like Onohua tbh.

 Regarding Hutton, have some of our supporters forgotten Steve McMahon, Eammon Deacy and Trevor Hockey, not to mention Andy Lockhead, Sammy Morgan or Shaun Teale.We are turning football into a bit of a 5 a side game are'nt we.

[exiled on the wirral!]

Many people on here slagged MON's style of play. After another dire performance yesterday, I miss those halycon days of attacking football where we actually looked like scoring a few goals!

[Merv]

Hutton's okay, though I've liked Lichaj since the first time I saw him play and would like to think, when fit, he'll challenge for RB. I think our problems lie elsewhere, to be honest.

[Iago]

I thought I saw Bannan also 'pinging' balls into no-one in particular.
He was maybe not as guilty as some for that, but I can't buy into the thought process that everything will be better if Bannan is playing.

Ridiculous, we are a billion times better with Bannan in the side.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Thats bang on KG.

Hutton might not be top class, but he had a reasonable game yday.Did what i want a FB to do, get tight, put a foot in, close down quickly, against a very good player in Sinclair.Plus he supported well, and made some good runs off the ball.He was far better than Warnock yday.

 Regarding Hutton, have some of our supporters forgotten Steve McMahon, Eammon Deacy and Trevor Hockey, not to mention Andy Lockhead, Sammy Morgan or Shaun Teale.We are turning football into a bit of a 5 a side game are'nt we.

KG did indeed make some valid points in defence of Hutton and I agree he certainly had a decent game, especially considering how busy he was. I still think he's a libility and was lucky to stay on the pitch. With Ferguson refereeing our next game you know he won't be so lucky.

It's not just his tackling, it's his ability to go to sleep once the ball has moved into the centre of our penalty box. He'll just stand there, staring at space instead of getting in there to help out. I've noticed it now in a few games so yesterday wasn't a one off. I'd much prefer to see young Eric given a chance there, even Carlos but I doubt it will happen as I can think of 4 million reasons why Hutton will stay at right back. My only hope is that KG is right and Hutton starts to improve with regular first team football. I won't be holding my breath.

BLF, sadly I think the days of the hardmen are over. Modern football has no place for them even if the crowds do love them. Chris Herd's 'solid' challenge in front of the Holte the other week against Norwich drew possibly the biggest cheer of the night.

[CT]

For me the most consistent failing in the way we play is the total and utter lack of movement off the ball.

So glad you mentioned that Paulie! There were times yesterday when Gabby & Heskey just stood still, while WE had the ball in midfield. Then we wondered why our options seemed so limited. As with most others, we looked far better when Bannan and Jenas came on.

Those MOTD2 highlights looked far better than watching it live!