Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Simon Ward]

The cries of "pass" from the Villa bench will obviously confuse the players for the next few games then they should get used to it!

Good to get the winning habit and beat a local rival as well.

[midnite]

The cries of "pass" from the Villa bench will obviously confuse the players for the next few games then they should get used to it!

Good to get the winning habit and beat a local rival as well.

LOL! Yeah I heard that too! The mikes kept picking it up. Was that Mcallister?

[Mazrim]

I think what we've seen so far from Houllier's Villa has been promising.  It's a work in progress, but to be 5th when that is the case shows we've got some good players down there and this may not be the transitional/mid table season some are predicting.

I think we need to not get too carried away.

There are clearly some deficiencies in the squad, and we're going to find it hard when we pick up more injuries. It is going to take a fair while for GH to get us playing the way he wants, so this season will be very much transitional, I think.

Good start, though.

Yes, I've pretty much accepted that is what this season will be. Anything notable we get from it will be a major bonus. But if we address our issues, change the way we play to a more attractive and possession based style, get some decent players in the January window (which I think we're sure to do) and bring some of the youngsters further along I can quite easily accept that.

Its a time of change but in its own way that can be exciting.

[Namaste]

The cries of "pass" from the Villa bench will obviously confuse the players for the next few games then they should get used to it!

Good to get the winning habit and beat a local rival as well.

LOL! Yeah I heard that too! The mikes kept picking it up. Was that Mcallister?

It's quite ironic really isn't it? And yes it was McAllister.

It will take time but we could've benefited from being more precise and comfortable with the possession; hopefully this will begin to take shape over the next few weeks or so.

[sfx412]

2 games in and 2 wins in, so far so good. Was pleased by the way they handled the push from Wolves when they scored a deserved equaliser, and how quickly Houllier spotted the tiredness of some, Albrighton, especially and changed it quickly, with experience.
I thought before he made his moves that we were in the same situation as under Mon, 60 m ins gone midfield starting to fail, Albrighton done, Coker failing, Petrov, none existent, hoofs out from defence to no one, Friedel keeping us in it, and who could he put on. Nice move to put Gabby so we didn't lose front line mobility, then Sidwell. Well he's better than nothing and that's what he replaced. All of a sudden, Coker stepped up a gear, our defence had fewer crosses to deal with and Young, who has been outstanding for the last few games took the game by the scruff of the neck and that amazing new forward we have jumped and scored a superb goal from a quick cross.
Its too early to say too much has changed, but there seemed a higher degree of confidence, especially from both Youngs, Coker, and especially Heskey. How long has it been since he played a full game and more importantly against tough tacklers, didn't fall down every 3 minutes.
Thought the Cuellar Collins partnership far better but then with a decent fullback at either end and holding midfield players maybe its easier. Collins went a game without an obvious error too. I hoped and sort of expected to see better from Coker and Luke Y, but must admit I've been amazed at Ashley Y's and especially Heskeys form since Houllier signed. What was mon doing to upset such players I wonder.
The tactic are changing, no one is sacrosanct, even Petrov was subbed.
Keep this up and avoid major injuries Houllier might buy enough time until he can get replacement midfield players, or even Ireland and Delph fit.
Chelsea will be a huge test.
Can't wait.

[Concrete John]

I think what we've seen so far from Houllier's Villa has been promising.  It's a work in progress, but to be 5th when that is the case shows we've got some good players down there and this may not be the transitional/mid table season some are predicting.

I think we need to not get too carried away.

There are clearly some deficiencies in the squad, and we're going to find it hard when we pick up more injuries. It is going to take a fair while for GH to get us playing the way he wants, so this season will be very much transitional, I think.

Good start, though.

I wouldn't say I'm getting carried away, but where you say there are deficiencies, which I agree there are, we also have to remember there are some very good players at the club.  And when I see your point about injuries, lets not forget we have Gabby and Ireland not at 100% and Dunne and Delph out, so we are coping with that well so far.

In truth though, we haven't really played anyone yet.  Our first 6 games have been against sides that will finish mid table at best, except Everton who always seem to start poorly and still out played us.  Which is why I said it will be interesting to see where we are after the next two games.   

[Monty]

Not getting carried away, but I thought NRC was our MOTM yesterday. Every time there was a gap left by another player, it was NRC there to snuff out the danger. He also passed well and even provided some good attacking moments. Long may it continue.

[VillaAlways]

Not getting carried away, but I thought NRC was our MOTM yesterday. Every time there was a gap left by another player, it was NRC there to snuff out the danger. He also passed well and even provided some good attacking moments. Long may it continue.

Much more effective as a Captain than Petrov too

[Monty]

Not getting carried away, but I thought NRC was our MOTM yesterday. Every time there was a gap left by another player, it was NRC there to snuff out the danger. He also passed well and even provided some good attacking moments. Long may it continue.

Much more effective as a Captain than Petrov too

I'm not so sure. I think that the Blackburn game showed that, even when he's not playing well, we miss Petrov's organisation and positioning when he's not around. I actually think that a big part of Nige's resurgence has been because of Petrov's influence alongside him, and that a shouter doesn't necessarily make the best captain.

[Mazrim]

I'm not seeing this great positioning much, Monty. To me he either backs off too much towards his own box or is outmanoeuvred too far from it.
In fact, that's the exact same problem we had with Barry towards the end of his Villa career.

And yesterday, far from feeling the benefit of Petrov's presence, NRC had to do twice as much to cover his lack thereof. I don't mean or want to hammer Stan but it is a concern of mine.

[Monty]

I'll agree that his positioning wasn't so great yesterday, but it was still OK, better than Barry's in the period you mention. Anyway, yesterday seemed to me the exception rather than the norm even for this season. There is no doubt that his use of the ball is not as good as it was. which is a shame as it was such a pleasure to watch him when he was on-song. I'm confident he'll recapture his form though, with modern physical training footballers of all positions play for longer, and his position is hardly one where speed is the most important quality.

[not3bad]

He'll be crap again by the time they come out.

Well, the patch they intalled on him is working like the clappers so far, even if Sidwell did reject his.

[PaulWinch again]

On his performance yesterday, I'd like to try and get Reo tied down to a new contract.

[Dave Cooper please]

I've decided that, of the handful of nicknames knocking about for our new manager, 'G-Dog' is quite comfortably, the least fitting.

I will get you all calling him Hotlips before the season is out.

[Blackcountry Villa]

Crap performance that. One of the most negative 2nd halves i've seen, camp in our own area and smash it, when it was plainly obvious Wolves were going to equalise. Our posession of the ball is diabolical aswell, we struggle to string 3 passes together to relieve a bit of pressure.