Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[OzVilla]

To be fair, I think Chris has a point.  I could think of similar trips to Blose and Olybiun over the last few seasons where we've done pretty much what we did to the Dogheads yesterday.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Even MON's biggest critics would have to conceded that our away record, in terms of results, was extremely good.

True.
Pity that a lot of the home performances were toilet though.

[fredm]

Great result.  Those who are saying we did not pass the ball are, I think, dismissing the first half.  Thought we were the better side then and deserved to be in the lead.  Second half they changed their system and got at us, as any team playing at home and being behind would do.  Agree that when we did get the ball we should have made better use of it, but it will take time for these players to get over old habits.  I also feel that they are not 100% as fit as they should be and when tiredness starts to creep in then the natural inclination is to give it a welly rather than try and find a pass.

Whilst the use of substitutes was good I think he left Petrov on a bit too long, as most people now say after 60 mins his legs seem to go.

Gerard said after the Blackburn game that he had yesterday, a reserve match and an arranged match this week when he would take a look at every player and see them in a match situation.  Then he would have a clearer idea of what exactly he has got.  Also we have the Spurs match then a break when he can put those not absent on international duty through some decent sessions.  It may be that the team/tactics for Chelsea might be different to what we have seen so far.

[Concrete John]

It's not hard to come to the conclusion that it was an MON-like performance when you consider it's still his side and the new guys have only had a week to try and bring in their own ideas.  True comparisons can only be drawn once the Houllier effect starts to take hold and he's bought one or two of his own players in.

[damon loves JT]

Under MON we'd have drawn that game; under KMac we'd have lost it. 

That's a snappy line but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Go ahead, scrutinise my wild speculation, see how far it gets you

[Chris Smith]

Under MON we'd have drawn that game; under KMac we'd have lost it. 

That's a snappy line but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Go ahead, scrutinise my wild speculation, see how far it gets you

OK, when are you next on the box?

[Mac]

Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition.  Wolves had a right go 2nd half and pinned us back - it's the way football matches go sometimes!

We let them, straight from kick off we retreated to the edge of our box and said 'break us down', when it was plainly obvious they would score. We looked alright going forward first half yet second half we didn't string three passes together until our goal.

So how come this obvious goal, that was so obvious in coming, was a complete fluke and they never really troubled us then?

[pauliewalnuts]

It's true, our away results under MON were largely very good, and we particularly had a knack of going to local "rivals", looking like a draw was a fair result, but then taking all three points at the death. Which was nice.

Someone of this parish made the point to me last night, though, that yesterday was not dissimilar to x hundred games against Man United at our place in the past, where we would put in much huff and puff, have long, decent spells, but ultimately not threaten much, then get hit on the break and punished.

I'm aware it is too fanciful to say "it was just like that", but there were definitely similarities between that and what we did to Wolves.

We played some very good stuff in the first half yesterday, just as we have in other games this season. There are definite signs of a change in style, but it isn't going to happen overnight. It's just good to see that it is starting to happen

[dave.woodhall]

Under MON we'd have drawn that game; under KMac we'd have lost it. 

That's a snappy line but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny. We've had a great away record over the past couple of seasons, full of games where we've won when we've spend large parts of it defending. I know that it's hard for the revisionists to take but it was a very MON like performance.

Except for the substitutions, the change in tactics, Heskey playing well and scoring.

[kippaxvilla2]

It's a cliche but there are literally no easy games in the Premier League.  Especially away.  Wolves have strengthened their squad and it came as no surprise to me that we came under severe pressure during the game.  The fact that we withstood it like men impressed me the most. 

[luke25]

Saw Emiles header 9 or 10 times now, don't want to go over the top but im struggling to think of a better header that has ever been scored, the leap, the way he hung in the air, the power he got and the placement was simply amazing, adding to that the move which lead to it wasn't bad either

[Pete3206]

I've always said that Heskey would come good given time and 2 years later I've been proved 100% correct.

Golden boot odds?

[cheltenhamlion]

Bloody good header from Ivanhoe. We hung on for an important 3 points when you see the games coming up.

We weren't great in the second half but I'll take it.

[Matt C]

Can't believe that Wolves lad has a broken leg as a result of the Sidwell challenge.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Was a fantastic header from Heskey and justified a victory. Was great to see Mr H bring off Petrov who had become "untouchable" under MON. We are now seeing substitutions used made which can make the changes which are so obviously needed. Gotta get Gabby fit and back in the mix. We are gonna need him ...........