Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Brend'Watkins]

As good as Cuellar was he did bring a lot of pressure on the defence with some needless hoofing and heading out.  I thought Collins was the pick of the bunch with Ashley having a good game too. 

[dave.woodhall]

Ged has shown more tactical nous in five days than O'Neill did in four years.

[Toronto Villa]

Reading some of the posts on here today you'd think it was fashionable being negative. It was a local derby against a rival that didn't give an inch. It was never going to be pretty yet we came through it. Can we not just be happy for a bit and look forward to happier times?

And as for the upcoming Spurs game, I guarantee you Houllier will set us up in a manner that will give us the best chance to get a result. I'm looking foward to it immensely.

[Nastylee]

I think today showed a real sign of things to come.

First half we played reasonably well ... not the Villa that we'd all love to see but good enough to get a goal and keep the Dingles at bay.

The second half was fairly terrible. I've been sitting here for the 42 of the final 45 minutes shaking my head with disgust that we can't break them and get past their back line. Then we scored, and I must say that goal was absolutely outstanding. A perfect cross for Heskey to convert with his head. Not only that, it was done so well that I don't think we'll see a better placed header all season.

We then hung on those final 6 minutes and really made it known that we wanted to win, even though before that the 'spark' was just not there.


Friedel - 9 - Absolutely solid performance today. Performed a lot of outstanding saves.
Young - 7 - I'd like to see him make a bit more of a difference going forward. Didn't play poorly, but didn't play well enough to make a difference.
Cuellar - 8 - Clearly a better CB than a RB. Played fantastically. Won loads of balls and made some much needed important tackles.
Collins - 8 - Again, won the ball a lot. A solid defender who really cares about this team. By far one of MON's best signings.
Warnock - 5 - Far too angry today. Went in to far too many stupid tackles and, let's not fuck about, he's very lucky he got away with only one yellow card.
Albrighton - 7 - Still showing a LOT of promise for this team. Making many runs and getting past the full backs. Doing what he should. And let's not forget he set up Downing with that spectacular cross ... the kind of cross you'd expect to see from a seasoned professional.
NRC - 7- I like this guy and I'm happy to see him back in the first team. Makes runs to help in attacks, gets back and defends, and has enough pace within him to really make a defence scared.
Petrov - 4 - Disappointing today. Didn't see him make any difference and was not surprised to see him getting subbed off. I'm expecting him to get some really captaincy training.
Downing - 8 - Played really well. Converted that superb cross in to the net (with his right foot) and is really starting to show the potential that MON clearly saw in him when he signed him.
Young - 7 - Did play quite well but seemed to turn into one of them annoying "whiney-little-bitch" footballers. Still, I'm getting more and more impressed with him in that central attacking role.
Heskey - 9 - I'm really starting to like Ivanhoe. He's not the best striker in the world and he never will be, but he's starting to really show his colours without MON around. Not to mention he scored that fan-fucking-tastic header.

Subs. Gabby - 4 - Didn't see much from Gabby today ... I don't think he's suited for that winger role any more. Sidwell - 3 - Came on and made two tackles that saw him get booked and (very nearly) sent off. He was very disappointing today and really needs a beat down in the dressing room.


Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed. Any team that can still win when they're clearly not having a good game is the sign of a winning team. And, although some people won't agree, I think Randy Lerner made the right choice with GH.

Really don't think Sidwell deserves to be slated. He came on with 10 to go and provided some fresh legs. He broke up play which meant Wolves momentum was hindered. I don't mind slating a player but not for the sake of it since Heskey has proved there's a way back.

As for Petrov, he needed replacing during the summer as things really caught him up last season. It's hardly surprising to see him struggling. It's also no shock that our midfield is so weak given we've sold two top quality players from that area of the pitch. I also think our squad don't look fit, could the summer's events have an effect of this?

[luke25]

Just saw the goals on the net, that header is simply superb, it looked like it trickled in the corner from my view at the game, did'nt realise just how much power he got into it

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Great result.

I really enjoyed an entertaining first half; a proper local derby with both teams going for it. Wonderful move for the first goal.
Second half we really lacked ideas and Wolves took advantage and the equaliser came as no surprise.

The turning point of the game was bringing Gabby on, not that he did anything too special, he did well but it was just the fact that he was on the pitch forcing Wolves to change their play. It relieved a bit of pressure for us and allowed us to finally to start playing again.

I was preparing myself for a point when up rose Heskey. What an amazing goal. Anything can happen in a derby but I wasn't expecting that. Superb header, deserving of being a match winner.

[supertom]

As good as Cuellar was he did bring a lot of pressure on the defence with some needless hoofing and heading out.  I thought Collins was the pick of the bunch with Ashley having a good game too. 

Don't care where it goes, as long as it's cleared. For me Cuellar was pretty much magnetized to any ball coming into the box. But certainly, that looks a good partnership, and thankfully so with Dunney desperately in need of shifting poundage.
Cueller and Collins will take some displacing on current form.

[PaulTheVillan]

Petrov was poor today and really needs replacing.

NRC and Cuellar were very good.

Warnock IMO seems to be getting worse and worse. Worrying.

[PaulTheVillan]

Ged has shown more tactical nous in five days than O'Neill did in four years.

Yep, he actually replaces tired players.

Shock.

[SoccerHQ]

Thought we played worse than Stoke away yet won, guess that's football for you!

[UK Redsox]

I was really impressed by Cuellar. Standing in row B today close to the box, I could actually hear the thump of the ball when he headed it

To my surprise, NRC was excellent (although he remains the last person you want to see through on goal), as were both Youngs, Collins and Emile. Petrov needs to be replaced by Ireland when the latter's fully fit.

Gabby disappointed in the time he was on. To me the guy just can't read the game. He looks like he's worried about sprinting in case his legs go again. Given that his pace is all he has to offer, there's no point playing him until he's 100% fit.

Warnock could easily have been sent off. Maybe our rousing round of applause for Halsey during his warm up helped keep Steve on the pitch

[PeterWithesShin]

Excellent result, good use of substitutes by GH, well taken goal by Heskey. Cuellar immense.
We're 5th!

Shame I had to listen to some of the commentary on WM by Tom 'It's a ding dong derby, i've spunked in my pants' Ross.
His cretinous co-commentator, Pat somebody, was highly irritating too.

That'll be European Cup winner Pat Heard.

Couldn't give a monkey's, his commentating was arse.

And to think, we all used to slate Doug for his supposed attitude to our past.

As for the gamer, I saw none of it so can't comment much, but cracking win and good to see Heskey finally getting some credit. And even nicer to remind any doghead you see that it's now more than 30 years since they last beat us.

[PaulTheVillan]

Wolves pulled some right twats out of the bag at half time for Matt Murrays send off.

All of them linked with us at some point.

Lescott
Keane
Naylor
Edwards (former player)

[Ozzjim]

G Dog it wouild appear has that thing great managers have in spades... Lady luck on their side.

First half we should have got a couple. Second we defended well, only conceded to a fluke goal really and Heskey has shown what an arm round the shoulder and a bit of confidence from the manager and his assistant, who is a big believer in him too can do for a player. I do wonder why Martin could not get the same level of performance from him though, as it was thought they also had a very good relationship.

Team wise, I do hope that thwacking the ball square out for a throw is not a long term tactic, as it invites a lot of pressure. Collins was immense again short of a couple of missed headers. Warnock has to stop lunging in. Ashley was brilliant I thought much of the game, and Reo Coker showed again why he is a must to start.

Petrov is a real weak link now, and needs replacing as I think he is a major reason we fade so badly in games at the moment.

[hilts_coolerking]

Was I hearing things or did Alan Smith say "faggots and pays" on the Sky commentary?