Fulham vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[The Laughing Policeman]

Just back from the game, apart from a ten minute spell at the start of the second half, we looked comfortable.
Albrighton for N'Zogbia made us look more threatening and we looked more solid than last season. Lots of hard work from the team, Heskey won loads in the air, and Collins still sprays long diagonal balls out for throw ins to the opposition.
I'd have taken a point before the game, so not to disapointed.

Hooray for a reality  check. At least one Villa fan saw the same match that I did.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Just back from the game, apart from a ten minute spell at the start of the second half, we looked comfortable.
Albrighton for N'Zogbia made us look more threatening and we looked more solid than last season. Lots of hard work from the team, Heskey won loads in the air, and Collins still sprays long diagonal balls out for throw ins to the opposition.
I'd have taken a point before the game, so not to disapointed.

Hooray for a reality  check. At least one Villa fan saw the same match that I did.

*cough cough*

[The Situation]

Heskey and gabby aren't suited to playing the roles they held today , I'd go with -

                       Given

   Young.    Dunne       Collins.   Warnock




              Delph.    Petrov.  Makoun




             Ireland.            Nzogbia



                         Bent

I like that except maybe swap Ireland for either Albrighton or Gabby.

[LeeB]

I m sorry but he has no footballing brain. In the past three seasons he hasn't developed as a player.

Yes he has, maybe your brain can't see it.

[eastie]

Albrighton looked up for it when he came on and impressed me I must admit, but I'd like to see Ireland start against Blackburn and he may be the man to break them down.

[citizenDJ]

Heskey and gabby aren't suited to playing the roles they held today , I'd go with -

                       Given

   Young.    Dunne       Collins.   Warnock




              Delph.    Petrov.  Makoun




             Ireland.            Nzogbia



                         Bent

I like that except maybe swap Ireland for either Albrighton or Gabby.

Sorry Eastie, but I have to disagree with that as a team - I think if we're going to play Ireland he has to be central, otherwise the game just seems to pass him by, he's a player who needs to see a lot of the ball to make things happen.

That aside, three defensive midfielders seems excessive even for McLeish!

[Dante Lavelli]

Would makoun and Delph sitting reasonably deep allow us to line up like this:

-------makoun----Delph--------
--Albrighton--Ireland---Nzogbia-
----------------bent-------------

I reckon that could work versus Blackburn.

[eastie]

Id use Ireland in behind bent as the link between midfield and strikers ,Delph and Makoun can both pick a pass and are not out and out defensive midfielders , I'd prefer Ireland and nzogbia playing behind either side of bent than to persevere with gabby or heskey , wouldn't have a problem with albrighton starting if not Ireland, but of course the game is all about different opinions.

[Percy McCarthy]

Heskey and gabby aren't suited to playing the roles they held today , I'd go with -

                       Given

   Young.    Dunne       Collins.   Warnock




              Delph.    Petrov.  Makoun




             Ireland.            Nzogbia



                         Bent

I like that except maybe swap Ireland for either Albrighton or Gabby.

Sorry Eastie, but I have to disagree with that as a team - I think if we're going to play Ireland he has to be central, otherwise the game just seems to pass him by, he's a player who needs to see a lot of the ball to make things happen.

That aside, three defensive midfielders seems excessive even for McLeish!

I agree with what you say about Ireland, but don't see Makoun, Delph and Petrov as particularly defensive.

[citizenDJ]

That's pretty much how I think it will be, Dante, using the same 4-2-3-1 formation as today.

[citizenDJ]

Heskey and gabby aren't suited to playing the roles they held today , I'd go with -

                       Given

   Young.    Dunne       Collins.   Warnock




              Delph.    Petrov.  Makoun




             Ireland.            Nzogbia



                         Bent

I like that except maybe swap Ireland for either Albrighton or Gabby.

Sorry Eastie, but I have to disagree with that as a team - I think if we're going to play Ireland he has to be central, otherwise the game just seems to pass him by, he's a player who needs to see a lot of the ball to make things happen.

That aside, three defensive midfielders seems excessive even for McLeish!

I agree with what you say about Ireland, but don't see Makoun, Delph and Petrov as particularly defensive.

No, I mean in terms of playing in very deep roles as that formation shows them.

EDIT: Actually, I think I might be looking at that wrong!

[eastie]

To be fair to him petrov put in a shift today and I doubt would be left out after his performance today.

[Percy McCarthy]

To be fair to him petrov put in a shift today and I doubt would be left out after his performance today.

For all the criticism he receives, he's been first pick for the last five Villa managers.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I agree with what you say about Ireland, but don't see Makoun, Delph and Petrov as particularly defensive.

Makoun is Petrov in negative.

[citizenDJ]

Agreed, he's pretty good, and the formation today actually benefited him, I think.