Derby v Villa Friendly

[Namlod]

I thought Albrighton played crap. He never took his man on and won, he over hit most of the crosses. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Guzan, I thought he had a good game and kerp the score down.

[PeterWithe]

I thought Albrighton played crap. He never took his man on and won, he over hit most of the crosses. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Guzan, I thought he had a good game and kerp the score down.

He did manage our only shot on target though.

[Namlod]

His shot was a cross IMO

[luke25]

I thought Albrighton played crap. He never took his man on and won, he over hit most of the crosses. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Guzan, I thought he had a good game and kerp the score down.

He did manage our only shot on target though.

Guzan? ;-)

[PeterWithe]

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

At HT I was waiting for a pint when I saw a lad of about 19/20 who looked like he'd had a bit of a shoeing, from earwigging the stewards it turns out he was a SHA fan who had come along with Villa mates, been recognised and had a clip round the ear.

[fredm]

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! 

I think we learnt that, as said above, not many of those playing last night said to AM "you have got to pick me for Fulham".  The back four were ok, Clark played well, the two full backs did all right and Beye did sufficient.  Midfield we had a fair bit of possession, especially first half, but were not decisive enough with it.  Too much receiving it from the back four only to pass it back to the same player.  Too many players not seeming to read each others game and ending up blind alleys or having the ball taken off them by a Derby player whilst they were thinking about what to do.  Bent made some runs but got very little, if any, decent service. I am afraid Albrighton is at the bottom of a dip at the moment, and was poor, let's hope he can work through it.

Initially we started with Makoun and Delph in front of the back four with Ireland playing in front and Albrighton and Bannan alongside Bent.  Eventually, and particularly in the second half, that changed with Bannan dropping back and Ireland looking as if he should be playing up front on the left, but IMO that was a disaster.

The subs who came on did not shine at all, the one thing of note was what looked like a two footed jump tackle by Gary Gardner that if so would have seen him walk in a normal match but which got him the only yellow of the game.

To me, a disappointment overall, I thought the players on show would have put more into their game in an attempt to impress AM.  Other than Clark and possibly Bannan I do not think they did given the quality of the opposition who I do not think will be making much of an impact in their league this year.

[Phil from the upper holte]

If thats true peterwithe its a bit sad considering it was a friendly

[VillaAlways]

If thats true peterwithe its a bit sad considering it was a friendly

Toilets got smashed up as well apparently

[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! 

I think we learnt that, as said above, not many of those playing last night said to AM "you have got to pick me for Fulham".  The back four were ok, Clark played well, the two full backs did all right and Beye did sufficient.  Midfield we had a fair bit of possession, especially first half, but were not decisive enough with it.  Too much receiving it from the back four only to pass it back to the same player.  Too many players not seeming to read each others game and ending up blind alleys or having the ball taken off them by a Derby player whilst they were thinking about what to do.  Bent made some runs but got very little, if any, decent service. I am afraid Albrighton is at the bottom of a dip at the moment, and was poor, let's hope he can work through it.

Initially we started with Makoun and Delph in front of the back four with Ireland playing in front and Albrighton and Bannan alongside Bent.  Eventually, and particularly in the second half, that changed with Bannan dropping back and Ireland looking as if he should be playing up front on the left, but IMO that was a disaster.

The subs who came on did not shine at all, the one thing of note was what looked like a two footed jump tackle by Gary Gardner that if so would have seen him walk in a normal match but which got him the only yellow of the game.

To me, a disappointment overall, I thought the players on show would have put more into their game in an attempt to impress AM.  Other than Clark and possibly Bannan I do not think they did given the quality of the opposition who I do not think will be making much of an impact in their league this year.

Thanks for the summation.

Sounds like it was more a lack of urgency/desire then rather than ability?  Very disappointing if true. 

[Namlod]

Toilets got smashed up as well apparently


It's a shame but there was an air of trouble eminating from a very small section of the crowd.
Shame really as it make us all look bad.

[Clampy]

Last night was a bit disapointing to be honest. We never really looked like scoring which was a bit of a worry. Bannan was the one who looked most likely to create something but like someone else said earlier, he overdid it a couple of times, trying a first time pass when he should have kept the ball, but at least he's got the confidence to do it. He's done enough to get a start at Fulham instead of Ireland i think, he's seems to have a lot more energy for a start, Ireland just seemed to be going through the motions a bit.

Albrighton seems to be lacking a bit of confidence, but hopefully N'Zogbia coming in will take the pressure off him a bit.

Good turn out though, it'll be a shock for Eck to see so many travelling away fans.

[supertommykN'iba]

Toilets got smashed up as well apparently

It's a shame but there was an air of trouble eminating from a very small section of the crowd.
Shame really as it make us all look bad.

There were some arseholes there. We were standing outside the Merry widows about half 6 (I think) and a group of 10-15 lads walked past trying to make a scene. Everyone just turned and looked at that as if to tell them to pipe down. Made me laugh really, think they were trying to find a pub that would accept them and pretty much failed.

On the game, think Herd and Bannan had good games, and Hogg looked composed on the ball. Obviously his challenge let him down a bit but otherwise he did look pretty good!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Toilets got smashed up as well apparently


It's a shame but there was an air of trouble eminating from a very small section of the crowd.
Shame really as it make us all look bad.

Agreed.
There did seem that bad atmosphere in a couple of sections.  A slightly different version of the pathetic Tracey Andrews chant as she has been/ is being released ? There was even a chant of "We will see you all outside" directed at the Derby fans (very 1980s). I guess the half time incident was why the police were out 2nd half doing their bit of filming.
I will be charitable and put it down to a few beers on a hot humid evening and being back after the close season.
You would have thought they would have got it out their system at Walsall but I guess there was only Kev the dancing retard from Bloxwich to laugh at from the other mob for that.

[N'ZMAV]

Beye and Clark were good.
The rest we're Ok or crap.

[PeterWithe]

I thought Beye was poor, the slightest bit of movement from the fella he was marking left him floundering, some nice interceptions though, I'll grant him that.