Gerard Houllier

[Villa'Zawg]

For those of us who were involved in that "is GH changing our style debate" and thought he was, it's good news from the world of statistics:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thefootballtacticsblog/2011/01/ruthless_chelsea_expose_predic.html .

Third lowest number of long balls attempted, beaten only by 'perfect goal' seekers Arsenal and Man City. If that's not a shift in emphasis from the MON days, I don't know what is.

You might be right but that table on its own doesn't explain whether we are using the long ball more or less often than before. We might have a low total number of long passes because we haven't had much possession and our percentage of long passes to short passes may be worse than many other clubs.

[koreanmeatballs]

That table shows Stoke below Manchester United...Do Stoke play better football?

[Bad English]

I'll just blindly scream at the claret and blue shirts "GET THE FUCKING BALL IN THE NET", and ignore the stats. Thanks anyway.

[Monty]

That table shows Stoke below Manchester United...Do Stoke play better football?

No, and the stats are blind. No doubt Man Utd play accurate long passes which Stoke's players can't do, so their long balls are more likely to be 'into the mixer'. Stats are useless without a reference to real life. I just thought it reflected a change that I think I've seen on the pitch, that's all.

[sfx412]

back to back wins in the league another away win, things are better, amazing how a full squad helps.

[hawkeye]

some one explain Downing on the right  Gabby on the left ?

[Chris Smith]

some one explain Downing on the right  Gabby on the left ?

Six points explains it.

[pauliewalnuts]

some one explain Downing on the right  Gabby on the left ?

I wonder if part of it is that he knows Gabby's pace and willingness to cover plenty of ground will be useful in helping out the LB behind him in what has been a problem position of late

[Chris Smith]

The goal made a world of difference to Gabby.

[glasses]

Im still not Gerards biggest fan. I think I just dont like him. I may warm to him, I may not. Cant explain it really. I still love the club. I hope we can gather some momentum with the recent good results. Things are looking up at last, thanks to some good performances and a bit of belief.

[SoccerHQ]

some one explain Downing on the right  Gabby on the left ?

Downing's played on the right for a lot of his villa career, pretty much all of it last season.

Gabby on the left isn't ideal and dosen't suit him but we've got good draws at Chelsea and SHA playing this way and a brilliant 6 points this week so I'm happy for this to continue away from home, certainly he'll play there at Old Trafford next week.

For the rest of our home games though, most of it which are winnable, I'd prefer a more attacking 4-4-2 so Bent and Gabby/Heskey upfront, Albrighton on the right, Young on the left and two from NRC, Petrvo, Downing and Makoun in the centre.

[pauliewalnuts]

For those of us who were involved in that "is GH changing our style debate" and thought he was, it's good news from the world of statistics:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thefootballtacticsblog/2011/01/ruthless_chelsea_expose_predic.html .

Third lowest number of long balls attempted, beaten only by 'perfect goal' seekers Arsenal and Man City. If that's not a shift in emphasis from the MON days, I don't know what is.

To be honest, I always thought the long ball tag when applied to O'Neill was very unfair.

We weren't reliant on the hoof particularly, it was more about the balls whacked in from the wings. Not as easy to do as the hoof, but not much less predictable maybe, but really, not long ball at all.

[hawkeye]

For those of us who were involved in that "is GH changing our style debate" and thought he was, it's good news from the world of statistics:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thefootballtacticsblog/2011/01/ruthless_chelsea_expose_predic.html .

Third lowest number of long balls attempted, beaten only by 'perfect goal' seekers Arsenal and Man City. If that's not a shift in emphasis from the MON days, I don't know what is.

To be honest, I always thought the long ball tag when applied to O'Neill was very unfair.

We weren't reliant on the hoof particularly, it was more about the balls whacked in from the wings. Not as easy to do as the hoof, but not much less predictable maybe, but really, not long ball at all.

one big difference is that Friedel often throws the ball or gives it to the backs, under MON that was rare

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

some one explain Downing on the right  Gabby on the left ?

Cutting on on their stronger foot, Like Gabby in the first 30 seconds against SHA.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Since losing to Sunderland at home we have played 5 games with 4 wins and 1 draw and break club transfer record and add 3 players and got rid of Sidwell, Davies and I think the pressure is off for GH for now. Phew. 2 more wins on the trot could see us in top 8. Maybe he isn't too bad now.