Aston Villa vs Queen's Park Rangers - post match thread

[adrenachrome]

Vlaar even first half had zero composure, everything was being launched high into the air when he should have been using his brain.

That was not zero composure in my estimation. He was obeying instructions to hit Benteke early and get him involved in the game and to not fanny about about at the back.

I don't know if you have ever spoken to Vlaar, but he is far from brainless.

[silhillvilla]

Vlaar even first half had zero composure, everything was being launched high into the air when he should have been using his brain.

That was not zero composure in my estimation. He was obeying instructions to hit Benteke early and get him involved in the game and to not fanny about about at the back.

I don't know if you have ever spoken to Vlaar, but he is far from brainless.

Yes. And if I thought he was "brainless" I wouldn't of said he should be using his brain.

[adrenachrome]

Vlaar even first half had zero composure, everything was being launched high into the air when he should have been using his brain.

That was not zero composure in my estimation. He was obeying instructions to hit Benteke early and get him involved in the game and to not fanny about about at the back.

I don't know if you have ever spoken to Vlaar, but he is far from brainless.

Yes. And if I thought he was "brainless" I wouldn't of said he should be using his brain.

Yes. And I submit he was using his brain, insofar as that he was doing as instructed. My submission is based on comments by the manager about getting CB involved early in the game and the need not to make mistakes such as that made at home to Sterk.

The route from Vlaar to Benteke was a clear pattern from my seat in P6, and I was not the only person to comment on it.

On the other hand, I came to the conclusion that you, particularly in a previous incarnation as Coopers Injury, hardly ever use your brain before firing off posts. The complete U-Turn on Harwood in the space of a few pages of that thread was but one clear example of this.

[tomd2103]

http://screamer.deadspin.com/god-save-queens-park-rangers-the-most-fun-bad-team-in-1696535615/+billyhaisley

An interesting post Game look at QPR and specifically at what Charlie Austin does well (score goals) and what he doesn't do well (everything else)

Having seen him live for the first time on Tuesday, he is nowhere near international class (well in terms of England anyway). 

[supertom]

http://screamer.deadspin.com/god-save-queens-park-rangers-the-most-fun-bad-team-in-1696535615/+billyhaisley

An interesting post Game look at QPR and specifically at what Charlie Austin does well (score goals) and what he doesn't do well (everything else)

Having seen him live for the first time on Tuesday, he is nowhere near international class (well in terms of England anyway). 

I think there's often been a bit of a fallacy at international level with some strikers. We've often been hesitant to play goal poachers in the last 15 odd years. As regulars. We've sometimes tried a big man. We've sometimes put Rooney up top by himself. But you look at Defoe (who granted had more all round quality than Austin does), and he's mostly been a sub over the years.

I'd say with our attacking talent, we should have a bit more faith in finishers. Why play Welbeck who may miss 5 before he gets 1? Sturridge is actually similar.  I'd like to see us put a bit of faith in Kane, with Rooney behind. Austin would be a back up option.
The striker up top might not do much work. His all round game may not be brilliant, but if they get 2-3 chances in a game, chances are they'll tuck one away. We lacked cutting edge in the World cup. We suffered from poor finishing and our defence wasn't good enough at the other end. The likes of Sterling, Lallana, Barkley, Rooney etc will create things for a Kane, or Austin. Whilst Sturridge is able to fit anyway along the top.

We've put too much focus on all round game and/or workrate in recent times. Lets have a go at putting faith in exceptional finishing ability.