Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[fredm]

This may sound strange but there isnt actually a lot wrong. Its just that what is wrong is fundamental.
It wouldnt take much to tweak this team into very good one that's maybe 20-25 points better off than is the case at the moment. Which I think is encouraging.

In the meantime, the same mistakes are costing us and will continue to do so.
A really frustrating season but once a couple of problems are addressed in the summer, I think we'll be up the right end of the table, with THIS manager.

- New keeper.
- New left back.
- Walker situation???
- One top class centre half.
- Fuck the last of the dead wood off.

Spot on here.

Friedel was slow off his line which might have prevented the corner and then should have come out and cleaned everyone out of the way when Cahill scored the first (eg Robinson on Baker last week)

A new centre back playing with Clark and having a pre-season to get to know each other plus a decent left back will sort out the defence.

Also think that away from home we are too open - we really need three in midfield with Bent and 2 from Ashley, Downing and Albrighton.  I know that will mean leaving one out but with those three behind Bent we are short on defensive quality in the middle of the park which in turn leaves the back four exposed.

I know people have been saying we have been poor at defending all season but how many times have we had the first choice back four actually play - especially in successive games?  Very few I would imagine.  That is I think the main problem this season - I know Fergie changes his team but generally he tries to leave the back four intact and tinkers with the rest.  The fact that this season he has has injuries to his defenders is one of the reasons why they are vulnerable.  So it is not only us.

Bolton have lost 2 games at home this season and I think any neutral there yesterday who saw the whole game, not bits on TV or internet, would have said we deserved to win and if we had put our chances away we would have done so as Bolton would have been dead and buried.

[WikiVilla]

One of the barmaids in the Barnstormers was well fit. Almost worth the journey to see that alone !

[WikiVilla]

Interesting that SAF & "king kenny" were at the game. Watching Ash ??

[JUAN PABLO]

Interesting that SAF & "king kenny" were at the game. Watching Ash ??

I think they will stick with Charlie Adam now ..   ;-)

[WikiVilla]

There is a picture of Bryan Small in yesterdays matchday programme which I found a little disturbing

[JUAN PABLO]

There is a picture of Bryan Small in yesterdays matchday programme which I found a little disturbing

He only ever played good against MAnure..

[TimTheVillain]

Most sides have the little men on the posts Tim - they are useless marking in the middle so it is the most effective place for them.

Not that little though Dave, surely ?

Back to our central defense - Collins and Cualler

we would probably top of the league If we didnt concede one corner   through the season ..

...............and the ref blew 'full time' on 80 minutes.

[olaftab]

His record at pens is good, inevitably eventually he will miss one. I don't think he deserves stick for it.

Today, though, I did find myself wondering why Barry didn't take it.

You may have not noticed but he was on the touchline getting treatment to an injury caused by a fat wallet!

[Ian.]

This may sound strange but there isnt actually a lot wrong. Its just that what is wrong is fundamental.
It wouldnt take much to tweak this team into very good one that's maybe 20-25 points better off than is the case at the moment. Which I think is encouraging.

In the meantime, the same mistakes are costing us and will continue to do so.
A really frustrating season but once a couple of problems are addressed in the summer, I think we'll be up the right end of the table, with THIS manager.

- New keeper.
- New left back.
- Walker situation???
- One top class centre half.
- Fuck the last of the dead wood off.

I have to agree, I think Houllier needs to just sort out these basic mistakes and we have a good team. He needs to get someone in on that training ground and sort it.

I reckon your right too Brian, Houllier did look quite mad. He had "a look" which I just can't place? Madness or just exhaustion I don't know.

[olaftab]

Interesting that SAF & "king kenny" were at the game. Watching Ash ??

Hopefully they were watching Friedel, Luke Young, Petrov and yes Ash at £20+!

[Crabman]

I don't know why people think Clark will be ok for us at centre half? He quite simply isn't big enough and gets bullied by any big centre forward. He's not going to sudden sprout 4 inches! Best bet for him would be to stay at fullback.

[Dave Cooper please]

I don't know why people think Clark will be ok for us at centre half? He quite simply isn't big enough and gets bullied by any big centre forward. He's not going to sudden sprout 4 inches! Best bet for him would be to stay at fullback.

Eh?
This is Ciaran Clark you're talking about isn't it? The 6'2" tall Ciaran Clark?
He probably needs to beef up a bit (not to Dunne standards mind) but he's certainly tall enough. He's also, possibly, the best young centre-half I've seen for a long time, he'll be a star for Villa.

[olaftab]

No. Disagree. Clark is not a fullback never will be. He may not be 7 feet tall and 6 feet wide but he is a composed performer who will use guile to make CB position his own. A Gareth Southgate rather than a George Curtis. (If you don't know George C he was proverbial BSH)

[Crabman]

I don't know why people think Clark will be ok for us at centre half? He quite simply isn't big enough and gets bullied by any big centre forward. He's not going to sudden sprout 4 inches! Best bet for him would be to stay at fullback.

Eh?
This is Ciaran Clark you're talking about isn't it? The 6'2" tall Ciaran Clark?
He probably needs to beef up a bit (not to Dunne standards mind) but he's certainly tall enough. He's also, possibly, the best young centre-half I've seen for a long time, he'll be a star for Villa.

Oh sorry i always thought a defenders job was to defend? How many clean sheets have we kept in the games he's played in? Can you seriously tell me your not worried about every ball that comes in to our box when he's on the pitch? He gets bullied everytime.

[PaulWinch again]

Ciaran Clark will be top top class, no doubt.