Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[ROBBO]

Knowing how Blackburn play if fit i would have played Carlos alongside Dunne to give us better aerial strength. The criticism on here is well over the top, Dunne didn't do anything wrong, Gabby is not a hold up player and is just back from injury, as for Ireland i will remind many on here who wanted Downing sold last year that you can't expect a player to come into a side and adapt straight away its psychological as well as physical. There are players like Hogg who are being given a chance and we will see more of them this season,GH will then move on the players he thinks won't make it. We will need a new left back, I would play Clarke there, Warnock was unproffessional in the way he gave away that freekick he made it personal and it cost us.

[SoccerHQ]

Carlos is injured...

Must say though even though I wasn't a fan of him at RB we are certainly weaker defending high balls at the backpost with him not somewhere in defence.

[AV82EC]

Got back ages ago but thought I'd calm down before posting.  We were fucking useless IMO and whilst I hate Blackburn for their Hoof and Press game that for me, Newcastle aside, was about our worst performance of the season.

Friedel - 5 - Whoops!
Young (L) - 6 - Solid without really causing any major problems and looked solid defensively.
Dunne - 6 - Thought he was Ok to be honest
Clarke - 6 - Again solid but I think he lacks pace.
Warnock - 6 - He's been better the last few weeks having been absolutely shocking earlier in the season.  Stupid stupid challenge on Diuof.
Downing - 6 - Good start but faded from the game.  Why he didn't swap to the left god only knows.
Bannan - 7 - MOTM for me.  Always wanted the ball, battled gamely and was never out of the game despite being surrounded by normally 4 blue and white orcs.
Hogg - 4 - Sorry but he's not going to make it.  He tries but what is he bringing to the side.
Young (A) - 6 - Another frustrating day for Ash as he got fouled constantly and got nothing from the Ref.  He needs to find some form just nothing is going for him at the moment.
Ireland - 3 - A fucking disgrace. Minimal applause when he was subbed and quite rightly.
Agbonlahor - 5 - Got muscled out of it by Nelson/Samba after giving Ferdinand/Vidic the runaround last week!  Another few examples of not being "aware" for rebounds etc.  Not match sharp yet.

Pires/Delf/Herd - Not really on long enough to make a huge difference but all looked at least they were trying.

Subs
Houllier - 6  - Blackburns Hoof and press game is well known and whilst we succeeded in getting the ball down and playing we were at times a bit tippy tappy and lacking in penetration.  Persisting with Downing on the right when Salgado was there for the taking was very strange.  We looked lightweight and got beaten by an experienced Premier League mid table team.  I know the injuries are bad but we needed more "fighters" today.

Forget it, part of the learning curve, move on.

[lukey27]

Three basic observations on the game. Stephen Ireland was abysmal, disinterested and unprofessional as per every performance he's given since he joined, the way I'm feeling now, I never want to see him in a Villa shirt again. Hindsight, but poor decision to sanction the deal with no manager.

Can't see Hogg making it at this level unfortunately and Warnock has been distinctly average now for 18 months. But I feel sorry for Houllier, this is the toughest period I've ever known for injuries at the Villa and we need to tough it out.

[avfc_1874]

Today's performance really didn't surprise me oddly enough. It's been the same all season really. We play some good stuff at times but the lack of attacking options upfront is really starting to show now as we are just missing that little bit of quality in the final third.

It's going to be a fustrating one this season as we'll show potential to be a great side like Man U last week and utter shite the following week. The january transfer window couldn't come soon enough.

[john e]

i didnt think the performance was as bad as some are making out,
 but we have absolutley no threat in front of goal,  finding players and a killer ball in the final third is a massive problem,
Gabby's first touch was non existant today, that and the service to him was pretty poor,

[eamonn]

I If we were knocking out comfy away wins at places like this we would be on course to win 10 away games a year which would put us top two.

    ********************************************************************************************Didn't we win 10 away games (or not far off) last season? Actually, I think we've already lost more away games this season than in probably MON's last season and a half here. Pity he was clueless at home.                                  ******************************************************************************************Thanks for tidying-up Legion, I won't post again until this thing is fixed.

[villajk]

The game may be wasn't the best, but crikey don't we take some idiots to games like Blackburn?

[Gazinks]

So depressing and so frustrating. Like Alex, I'm past angry. I just don't understand where this team is at mentally or physically. Someone please help them before I need help.

[pauliewalnuts]

The game may be wasn't the best, but crikey don't we take some idiots to games like Blackburn?

Yep, Ireland and Warnock for starters.

*wink*

[villajk]

The game may be wasn't the best, but crikey don't we take some idiots to games like Blackburn?

Yep, Ireland and Warnock for starters.

I know what you mean paulie, and it's enough to put up with them, without the idiotic suppoters today. 

*wink*

[TheSandman]

Lets start with the positives and the general case for the defence.

First, we made chances but didn't put them away. We were a bit unlucky too. I mean, how many matches would Brad make an error like that in? Anyone who who is giving him stick for that frankly doesn't have a clue. Even the best drop clangers (Howard, Reina, Cech and Van Der Saar have made worse this season) and he has been excellent this season.

Second, we are suffering a large number of injuries and very few teams could hope to go to Blackburn and win with 10+ senior players out. Even amongst those that made the pitch there wasn't full fitness. Gabby was anonymous because he is not 100% yet. 

Third, I've been giving big Dunney a lot of stick the last few weeks but today he was much improved and defended well. Probably our best player today. Downing, Bannan and Luke Young also deserve some praise. Oh and Pires looked okay.

Now some of the bad.

Every fucking week he makes stupid costly fouls like that. It is beyond a joke. I bet as a kid he kept on touching the pan when it was on the hob and burning his hand. He is nowhere near good enough and I hope Houllier knows a good left back. I just cannot believe he is so stupid.

Ash looked bright, but come on the same old petulance, shit attitude and diabolical decision making was in evidence today.

And Ireland... Christ almighty that was just about the second worst performance I've ever seen from the Villa player. He at least made a good pass to Stewie early on to avoid the number one spot. No one can defend that pish today. Ireland post City is a bit like Blanche Dubois towards the end of A Streetcar Named Desire.

[Bald Eagle]

Lets start with the positives and the general case for the defence.

First, we made chances but didn't put them away. We were a bit unlucky too. I mean, how many matches would Brad make an error like that in? Anyone who who is giving him stick for that frankly doesn't have a clue. Even the best drop clangers (Howard, Reina, Cech and Van Der Saar have made worse this season) and he has been excellent this season.

Second, we are suffering a large number of injuries and very few teams could hope to go to Blackburn and win with 10+ senior players out. Even amongst those that made the pitch there wasn't full fitness. Gabby was anonymous because he is not 100% yet. 

Third, I've been giving big Dunney a lot of stick the last few weeks but today he was much improved and defended well. Probably our best player today. Downing, Bannan and Luke Young also deserve some praise. Oh and Pires looked okay.

Now some of the bad.

Every fucking week he makes stupid costly fouls like that. It is beyond a joke. I bet as a kid he kept on touching the pan when it was on the hob and burning his hand. He is nowhere near good enough and I hope Houllier knows a good left back. I just cannot believe he is so stupid.

Ash looked bright, but come on the same old petulance, shit attitude and diabolical decision making was in evidence today.

And Ireland... Christ almighty that was just about the second worst performance I've ever seen from the Villa player. He at least made a good pass to Stewie early on to avoid the number one spot. No one can defend that pish today. Ireland post City is a bit like Blanche Dubois towards the end of A Streetcar Named Desire.

I think thats a good summing up. Get over our injuries and we will get there.

[Stu]

The only thing likely to be more frustrating than the match itself is going to be over emotional wailing on this thread!

Don't bloody read it then. Done.

[Matt Collins]

I too can't see Hogg making it, tho I didn't think he was as bad as some say. I was a bit concerned that Clark looked composed etc, but also slow and tooeasily turned and outmuscled. Looked better as a holding midfielder which is where I'd play him for now.     
Put Collins and NRC in that team and we'd have done much better. Need to stop making stupid mistakes at the back though.