Manchester United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Dave Summers]

We were set up to lose, and lose by the bare minimum possible, and I think we did that.  Manu Utd could have had 10 if they really fancied it.

Midfield was poor, why McLeish keeps playing Gary Gardner against the best teams, and sitting him on the bench for the weaker teams is beyond me, is he totally trying to destroy the lad?  I have to say on yesterdays evidence he has succeeded. Gardner was woeful and I feel sorry for the lad.  He has potential, serious potential, but is not being nurtured in any way.

Barry Bannan proved yesterday that he is just not good enough, his set piece delivery is poor, his positional play is poor, cannot fault his work rate, and admittedly he's playing out of position, but where he's concerned I think that he's just going to fall short.

Ciaran Clark is going to be a good squad player, but I've yet to see anything to convince me that he's going to become a Villa regular or has the ability to command a starting place in any position.

Stephen Ireland i still think could be ok, but as he does not have a set position, and is not quite good enough to demand a team built around him, then I'm struggling to think of a good reason to keep him.  He doesnt score enough goals to play 'in the hole', cannot play on the wing as looks lost.  The only place for him to play is in one of the two centre midfield places, but we'd have to have wide midfielders tucking in to help out in the middle....not our style, and as I say, he's not good enough for us to build things around him

Little Samir Carruthers, now there looks a player.  He showed something that we've been missing since Gareth Barry left.  He was demanding the ball, supporting the man in possession, always making himself available, and he gives me real hope.  I don't think I've seen a lad impress me so much in 10-minutes as he did yesterday.  A real talent, absolutely no doubt in my mind.  Next season could be a big one for him.

Couldn't agree more with you JRS.   I'm still waiting to be convinced about Gardner, but there are enough people who have said how good he is to be certain he will make it.   I agree though, he now needs to play all the remaining games to have a run in the team and also build up some confidence.

Barry Bannan?.  Well, after the 2-2 v Utd last year when he ran the show, I was convinced he would be a player for us.   I would get rid now and I agree he is playing in the wrong position, but he just doesn't impress me one bit.   Always trying Hollywood balls instead of simple stuff and never pulling them off.   

100% agree on Carruthers.   Can't remember the last time a player excited me as much as he did yesterday, well maybe Weimann two weeks ago :-).   No, he has something a little different about him and I want to see him start on Saturday.  Reminded me of Milner more than Barry, but either way, looks quality.

We need to build our team around the likes of Gardner, Lichaj, Carruthers, Clark and Weimann for the future.   Keep the likes of Bent and  Given (because he will) and get rid of the wasters who are just collecting money, Warnock, Dunne, Nzogbia etc.   With a few judicious signings then who knows, maybe an improvement next year?.  Either way, it will be more fun watching our home grown talent giving it a go and I guess the crowd ought to stay with them more then as well?

Question is, is Mcleish the right man to build this team?.

Nah !!!!!