Aston Villa vs Leyton Orient Post Match Thread

[Nastylee]

Most people in the pre match thread had a similar team to the one fielded. On paper it looked pretty strong and I'm sure most fans and PL assumed it would be good enough. Unfortunately some of the players were poor. Not entirely the manager's fault that Bacuna failed to deliver or Bent missed chances he normally thrives on.

There have been far too many examples of this so yes it is the managers fault not being able to see it at HT or half way through second half and make changes in tactics and personnel to see off a third tier team.

As people pointed out - Joe Cole looked like he was going to have his heart pumped after 15 mins. Why did he show for the 2nd half. Is Lambert that fucking stupid?

And he still picks the walking calamity that is Baker.

I think Lambert plays Championship Manager as much as Villa Kicks

In your world, who would've partnered Senderos in defence?

I'd have picked the slightly better Clark (assuming Vlaar was rested due to his World Cup exploits and injury record).

Still don't understand why Guzan was rested.

Okore and Vlaar were injured and I don't have any confidence that Clark would have done anything to change the way the game ended. As for Guzan, can't say I saw Given do much wrong. The problem was yesterday's midfield were all happy to play deep and make no effort to join the isolated Bent. The amount of times we got in reasonable positions and were looking to hit a pin point cross to one player in the box was ridiculous.

[Nastylee]

Shin pads these days are pathetically small.

[rob_bridge]

Most people in the pre match thread had a similar team to the one fielded. On paper it looked pretty strong and I'm sure most fans and PL assumed it would be good enough. Unfortunately some of the players were poor. Not entirely the manager's fault that Bacuna failed to deliver or Bent missed chances he normally thrives on.

There have been far too many examples of this so yes it is the managers fault not being able to see it at HT or half way through second half and make changes in tactics and personnel to see off a third tier team.

As people pointed out - Joe Cole looked like he was going to have his heart pumped after 15 mins. Why did he show for the 2nd half. Is Lambert that fucking stupid?

And he still picks the walking calamity that is Baker.

I think Lambert plays Championship Manager as much as Villa Kicks

In your world, who would've partnered Senderos in defence?

I'd have picked the slightly better Clark (assuming Vlaar was rested due to his World Cup exploits and injury record).

Still don't understand why Guzan was rested.

Okore and Vlaar were injured and I don't have any confidence that Clark would have done anything to change the way the game ended. As for Guzan, can't say I saw Given do much wrong. The problem was yesterday's midfield were all happy to play deep and make no effort to join the isolated Bent. The amount of times we got in reasonable positions and were looking to hit a pin point cross to one player in the box was ridiculous.

I don't know - Clark and Baker are both very limited defenders. I'd say Clark is slightly better with the ball at his feet (i.e. passing) which may have helped last night.

Given (and I was always a fan when he was with The Toon)  does not command his area or marshall his defence much anymore.

I prefer Guzan - I think he is a much better keeper.

Cole should have been taken off at half time. He is clearly not fit.

[Ron Manager]

Most people in the pre match thread had a similar team to the one fielded. On paper it looked pretty strong and I'm sure most fans and PL assumed it would be good enough. Unfortunately some of the players were poor. Not entirely the manager's fault that Bacuna failed to deliver or Bent missed chances he normally thrives on.

There have been far too many examples of this so yes it is the managers fault not being able to see it at HT or half way through second half and make changes in tactics and personnel to see off a third tier team.

As people pointed out - Joe Cole looked like he was going to have his heart pumped after 15 mins. Why did he show for the 2nd half. Is Lambert that fucking stupid?

And he still picks the walking calamity that is Baker.

I think Lambert plays Championship Manager as much as Villa Kicks

In your world, who would've partnered Senderos in defence?

I'd have picked the slightly better Clark (assuming Vlaar was rested due to his World Cup exploits and injury record).

Still don't understand why Guzan was rested.

Okore and Vlaar were injured and I don't have any confidence that Clark would have done anything to change the way the game ended. As for Guzan, can't say I saw Given do much wrong. The problem was yesterday's midfield were all happy to play deep and make no effort to join the isolated Bent. The amount of times we got in reasonable positions and were looking to hit a pin point cross to one player in the box was ridiculous.

I don't know - Clark and Baker are both very limited defenders. I'd say Clark is slightly better with the ball at his feet (i.e. passing) which may have helped last night.

Given (and I was always a fan when he was with The Toon)  does not command his area or marshall his defence much anymore.

I prefer Guzan - I think he is a much better keeper.

Cole should have been taken off at half time. He is clearly not fit.

Shay Given never did command his area, in the same way as Budgie didn't. Given is very good at reaction saves. However as time passes his
ability to move quickly is diminishing fast.

If Cole is not fit ,and you would think he would be, he should not have started.

[Chris Smith]

Cole should have been taken off at half time. He is clearly not fit.

I agree, the problem is he needs to play games to get fit.

[mr underhill]

but not for us

[Ads]

but not for us

Why not?

He played some good through balls and looked useful, but as Chris has pointed out, he was nowhere near fit. With somebody a lot more mobile than Bent up top, better things may have happened.

[supertom]

Sadly I think we have to resign ourselves to the fact that Lambert will never approach these games in the right way. Whether he takes opposition lightly, or just genuinely sees the cups as a needless distraction, or both, we seem to be getting into a poor habit under him of going out with a wimper to lower league opposition.

I'd honestly have fancied our chances more against Chelsea or Man City in the cup over whoevers at the arse end of League Two.

Pathetic, uninspiring, but completely unsurprising. Upon checking the score I more or less just groaned and shrugged. I'd expect the same in the FA Cup.

The main thing for me though is Lambert keeps us up, then parts ways so we can hopefully move onward, and perhaps, if we're lucky, under new ownership. Then we can put a whole sorry 4 years behind us.
It'd be nice to send our side out all guns blazing genuinely intent on progressing and potentially winning a cup and ensure we're well versed on whatever opposition we're up against.

[tomd2103]

but not for us

Why not?

He played some good through balls and looked useful, but as Chris has pointed out, he was nowhere near fit. With somebody a lot more mobile than Bent up top, better things may have happened.

Again, it might be down to lack of fitness, but he just looked so slow last night.  He just didn't seem to have the pace to get past players and the difference between him and Grealish when the latter appeared in central areas was stark. 

[django]

Cole looked looked like his legs have gone and generally past it on last nights evidence, doesn't mean he is. It could just be down to fitness, after all he was gasping for breath after about 5 minutes.

[JUAN PABLO]

Cole looked looked like his legs have gone and generally past it on last nights evidence, doesn't mean he is. It could just be down to fitness, after all he was gasping for breath after about 5 minutes.

He should try those vapour e lights instead of Benson and hedges