Derby v Villa Friendly

[eastie]

was delph any use - assume he got a yellow card, pretty much a given - but did he do anything??

No yellow card but taken off after 60 odd minutes, I thought he looked quite good and appeared to be coming into the game more before he went off. Bannan used the ball well but sometimes tried to over play, Ireland didn't really get much of the ball and when he did it wasn't far enough up the pitch. What with his lack of games over the past year we are taking a risk by placing a lot of our attacking va va voom at his feet. Bent looked isolated and Albrighton looks reluctant to take on his man.

Just heard on the TV that McLeish said we need to strengthen. I'd agree that we need a few more options and I think to get the best out of Bannan he may have to play behind Bent as he's got a great eye for a pass.

Was impressed by Herd at r/b.

Lack of chances created was a concern but a nice evening out all in all.

maybe he wasnt talking about transfers then, i was hoping to see a couple of additions.

[oldtimernow]

In my day they used to open the gates at half time and you go from Witton Lane to the Holte end to see the Villa attack in the second half.

Also when we didn't have the money we could watch part of the match from the hillside of Aston Park and nip in at half time when they opened the gates.

[eastie]

In my day they used to open the gates at half time and you go from Witton Lane to the Holte end to see the Villa attack in the second half.

Also when we didn't have the money we could watch part of the match from the hillside of Aston Park and nip in at half time when they opened the gates.

And get into the ground for the last 15 minutes or so when the exits were opened.

[PaulTheVillan]

Ciaran Clark is clearly a class above all our other '2nd string players'.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Agreed Paul, He was one of the better ones, I fear a long hard slog is ahead

[Phil from the upper holte]

Incidentally, do they always open the exits at half time so the smokers can have a wander out ? First time I have seen that.

Incidently did anyone see that scuffle outside at HT? A lad was being held back by the stewards and he seemed to want to attack a group of lads.  Also there was a bit of a chavvy element at the station singing we'll do what we want etc

[TimTheVillain]

Lack of goals,not creating a great deal, where have i heard that before said about a Alex McLeish team?

For a team with only one goalscorer plus Gabby who's a bit out of things imo; we can't expect many goals this season.....

Hard season ahead, we are skint it appears.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

was delph any use - assume he got a yellow card, pretty much a given - but did he do anything??

No yellow card but taken off after 60 odd minutes, I thought he looked quite good and appeared to be coming into the game more before he went off. Bannan used the ball well but sometimes tried to over play, Ireland didn't really get much of the ball and when he did it wasn't far enough up the pitch. What with his lack of games over the past year we are taking a risk by placing a lot of our attacking va va voom at his feet. Bent looked isolated and Albrighton looks reluctant to take on his man.

Just heard on the TV that McLeish said we need to strengthen. I'd agree that we need a few more options and I think to get the best out of Bannan he may have to play behind Bent as he's got a great eye for a pass.

Was impressed by Herd at r/b.

Lack of chances created was a concern but a nice evening out all in all.

maybe he wasnt talking about transfers then, i was hoping to see a couple of additions.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11677_7079750,00.html

[Zhong Yi]

A poor result considering the team had the England no.9 and a decent midfield playing. Let's face it, usually a game against Derby County is a given - home or away and considering how shit they are these days our reserves should be able to beat them. No offence Derby. I recognise that they are starting the season this week but am slightly annoyed at the 'shrug of the shoulders' remark on the villa website concerning the review of the game:

"The Rams, who open their Championship campaign at home to our Second City neighbours this weekend, understandably had a sharper edge."

oh well that's all right then and thanks to all the loyal supporters who made the pointless trip to a footballing armpit.

by the way: I don't like Derby - the town or the club!

[PaulWinch again]

I hope he meant we need to bring players in.

[villajk]

Great turn out, must have been 4500 there.

The crowd was around 8,000.  Jon asked the steward how many the stand we were in held and he said 4,000, so I reckon there were at least 3,000 of us there.

I did a seat count of the Villa end (sad I know).
37 rows x 122 across = approx 4,500. All the rear sections looked fairly full to me, and the front sections where they put fans when they realised  how many were turning up looked about 75% full. The official crowd I think they said was just under 9,000.
On that basis, looking at how many were on the other 3 sides I would estimate a minmum of 3,500 maybe approaching 4,000.
A quite staggering turn out for an away friendly. 

Incidentally, do they always open the exits at half time so the smokers can have a wander out ? First time I have seen that.   

Blimey, I'm impressed.

Don't know about Derby, but I've not known any other grounds open at half time for the smokers.

I've also not known any other ground sell beer throughout the game.

[Concrete John]

So, did we actually learn anything from last night?

We already knew our defensive cover was poorish, although it should be said that under normal circumstances Lichaj and Cuellar would be picked ahead of 75% of that defence.  So did the midfield and forward line fail or where they starved of the ball by a poor back line?  Ireland, Makoun and Delph is pretty close to our strongest centre mid combination, but presumably failed to dominate?  Again, we know we need a good solid DCM, so is there any great shock there?

I just hope it highlighted our weaknesses to spur Randy on to open the cheque book again.

As an aside, can anyone tell me how Albrighton played?  I've said before he's one of the players we need to have a good season, but so far he's had a poor pre-season! 

[Somniloquism]

Don't know about Derby, but I've not known any other grounds open at half time for the smokers.

I've also not known any other ground sell beer throughout the game.

Probably both only occuring during pre season friendlies as I thought there was a law or something about when alcohol can be served at matches.

[Lew Chatterleys Lover]

Took time off work for that garbage. £5 to park, shit pub, Derby totally unprepared for about 4,000 travelling fans. Queues worse than Alton Towers, paid a tenner, missed the first 20 minutes, wished I missed 90, not one shot on target. Apart from Bannan they looked relegation fodder.

OK I know friendlies don't mean jack, but that was dire

[PeterWithe]

Great turn out, must have been 4500 there.

The crowd was around 8,000.  Jon asked the steward how many the stand we were in held and he said 4,000, so I reckon there were at least 3,000 of us there.

Only the 50% out then, thats quite good for me. When the crowd was announced I did say to my brother 'Where would they put another 23k people in this ground?'