Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[taylorsworkrate]

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.

Not going to happen with Warnock in the team.

[lordmcgrath5]

I think some of the criticism of Ashley Young's performance yesterday has been way over the top. He had three good efforts on goal, including a truly excellent header - there weren't really that many more in the game from us, were there? Overall, I think he's improved over the past few games, with not so many misplaced passes and not so much falling over and moaning. I just hope it's for our benefit and not because he's putting himself in the shop window for Spuds or whoever.

Overall, though, a very poor game indeed yesterday that Blackburn fully deserved to win. Clearly, the injury situation means we've got to use players like Hogg and Ireland, who wouldn't otherwise be in the team at the moment, and I hope that Gabby's performance yesterday was down to simply not being fit.

What particularly worries me is thinking about a week Wednesday. Blackburn were physical, bossed us around in midfield, made the most of the mistakes we made and were very well organised, simply not letting us into their penalty area (with one or two exceptions) in the second half. That all sounds right up Mr McLeish's street for his game plan at the Sty.

[pedro25]

Although we were missing a number of players I would probably have only put Albrighton, Collins and Petrov in if fit, so we should be able to cope better when only missing 3 guys from the 1st 11.

[Simon Ward]

I agree with The Sandman's summary on page 12

[pablopicasso_10]

i really feel for blackburn fans.. having to pay to watch that week in week out... "hoof it upfield, back in, fall over and try an win as many free kicks, corners and throw ins as possible, while standing on the keepers foot.."

its not pretty, and its not subtle, but fair play to them, yesterday it did the business... unfortunately, we got sucked into the same thing for about 25 mins of the first half, and we really dont play that game very well...

our team really misses albrighton... having downing on the right wing is pretty pointless for me, as he keeps cutting in and it slows down any momentum... ireland was awful, and really didnt look interested at all... friedel was abysmal, albeit probaby shaken from the physicality he had to endure all afternoon... agbonlahor did all he could with the very limited service he had, ashley young flattered to decieve more often than not which pretty much seems to be his game these days, warnock and dunne are liabilities, etc etc... barry bannon played well, but needs to cut down some of the hollywood balls... clark did ok, but struggled a little with the physicality of the battle... delfouneso did well when he came on, and showed good alert movement... i think he is starting to look sharper with the more game time he is getting... would like to see him and a fit agbonlahor play as partners...

overall, we simply werent good enough... we improved second half as we passed it along the deck more, and created a few chances, but we didnt supply or support the front man enough, and it was just one of those days where we just wasnt ever going to score...

but, having said that, it is difficult at the moment with the injuries.. o'neill picking his moment to leave when he did to ruin our season and get his media mates to claim he got us playing above ourselves, has caused huge damage to our season... we need more bodies and we need more experience to help the youngsters... i have written off this season and just want to use it as an opportunity to give the kids experience... the game time will help their development no end, and that can only bode well for the future... once houllier has had time to bring in his own players, then we will start to see improvements... we just have to be a little patient...

[hawkeye]

Cuellar NRC and Albrighton should all be back next week, add those 3 to the team and it will make a big difference

[TonyD]

Completely missed the game yesterday.  Suprised we lost, I expected a minimum of a draw.  Sounds like Ireland had a 'mare.  What did he do that was so bad.

[lordmcgrath5]

Completely missed the game yesterday.  Suprised we lost, I expected a minimum of a draw.  Sounds like Ireland had a 'mare.  What did he do that was so bad.

He actually started off reasonably and made one very decent pass, but seemed to lose confidence as the game went on, opting for safe, square passes rather than taking the ball on himself. Became more and more anonymous and should have been taken off before he actually got substituted. Overall no more than a passenger yesterday, and it showed, as Blackburn totally outmuscled us in midfield.

[JJ-AV]

My worry is the Christmas period. I think everyone can see what Gerard's working towards and the change in style and shape that has occurred already... But with the current injury list we've too many players who are not capable of playing in the system.

The next 8 league games are a massive worry to me:

Arsenal - H
Liverpool - A
West Brom - H
Wigan - A
Spurs - H
Citeh - A
Chelsea - A

That takes us into the January window.

IMO, Clark, Dunne, Warnock, Hogg, Ireland, Gabby, Delfouneso - are either not ready/good enough/fit enough to be playing for our first team at the moment.

We're fortunate SHA play Fulham and Everton play West Brom next weekend, otherwise we could have found ourselves in the bottom four come next Sunday.

We threw away 3 points against Man Utd and Fulham, I think we'll come to regret that over the next 6 weeks.

[TonyD]

Completely missed the game yesterday.  Suprised we lost, I expected a minimum of a draw.  Sounds like Ireland had a 'mare.  What did he do that was so bad.

He actually started off reasonably and made one very decent pass, but seemed to lose confidence as the game went on, opting for safe, square passes rather than taking the ball on himself. Became more and more anonymous and should have been taken off before he actually got substituted. Overall no more than a passenger yesterday, and it showed, as Blackburn totally outmuscled us in midfield.

I wonder why GH started him?  We played so well without him against ManU!!

[Yeltzer]

Completely missed the game yesterday.  Suprised we lost, I expected a minimum of a draw.  Sounds like Ireland had a 'mare.  What did he do that was so bad.

He actually started off reasonably and made one very decent pass, but seemed to lose confidence as the game went on, opting for safe, square passes rather than taking the ball on himself. Became more and more anonymous and should have been taken off before he actually got substituted. Overall no more than a passenger yesterday, and it showed, as Blackburn totally outmuscled us in midfield.

I wonder why GH started him?  We played so well without him against ManU!!

probably to give the lad some game time and a bit of confidence. sounds like it backfired spectacularly

[Merv]

Injuries, in all honesty. Had Albrighton been fit, I'm sure Houllier would have started him, used Downing wide left and Young just behind Gabby, and Ireland would have been on the bench.

But, given the comments Houllier has made about Ireland against Sunderland: ie, giving the ball away too easily, not playing particularly for the team, it didn't surprise me at all to see Ireland playing safe passes, keeping possession, etc.

[pedro25]

Collins height was missed at the back, would be useful to have him back next week.

[Chris Smith]

We've struggled all season against sides with a direct approach. We're a soft touch at the moment to sides who throw it into the box. Last season we had the 2 centre backs, Cuellar and either Heskey or Carew to deal with corners etc. We play some decent football going forward but until we sort out the basics we will continue to lose games we should win.

[cheltenhamlion]

We played pretty well in periods of that game. The lack of height came back to haunt as I thought it might however.