Aston Villa v Wolves post-match thread

[PeterWithesShin]

I can see the logic of playing Heskey in away games, or vs Stoke for example, and in fairness I think he's played well so far this season. But at home, especially against the likes of Wolves i'd like to see being a bit more positive from the start with the lineup. Or at the very least, make subs that are attempts to win the game, I don't think our use of subs today was at all inspiring. 

[Monty]

Bannan is the most talented player at Villa, including the likes of N'Zogbia and the unquestionably gifted Ireland. Without saying he's good enough for Barca, he would doubtless fit right in there in terms of style and prioritisation of technique and busy-ness over physicality. He has vision and skill to throw in as well. How he isn't starting does not reflect well on any of our managers since he's been old enough to play for the club.

[villan1975]

With you both.

Bannan has the potential to be an absolutely magical player. I won't guarantee he will meet his potential but the reason he won't do this will have nothing to do with his size. For a wee guy he is very tenacious and I've seen big blokes struggle to knock him off the ball. If you are good enough then you are big enough.

Totally agree and the stupid thing is Mcleish is playing Heskey in Bannans perfect position.Although Heskey did'nt play too badly today he is not an attacking midfielder.Would even prefer Ireland after Tuesday.

[myf]

Was it really that bad?  I'm getting sick of the expections and moaning of our fans.

Maybe some fans are bewildered by the extent to which our expectations have plummeted over the last year or so.

Maybe.  But it seems to have become moaning for moanings sake and some ppl just want to see McLeish fail.  RAdio WM was unbelievable this afternoon.  I'm dreading the fallout after we lose our first game!

I can understand fans skipping the game for financial reasons and the uncompetitiveness of football in general - I'm one of them - but I can't abide with ppl turning their back on the club due to Randy's revised "expectations".  Fickle IMO.

[hawkeye]

Was it really that bad?  I'm getting sick of the expections and moaning of our fans.

Maybe some fans are bewildered by the extent to which our expectations have plummeted over the last year or so.

Maybe.  But it seems to have become moaning for moanings sake and some ppl just want to see McLeish fail.  RAdio WM was unbelievable this afternoon.  I'm dreading the fallout after we lose our first game!

I can understand fans skipping the game for financial reasons and the uncompetitiveness of football in general - I'm one of them - but I can't abide with ppl turning their back on the club due to Randy's revised "expectations".  Fickle IMO.

you really did not need to use the F word

[brice jovial]

Im disappointed weimann has gone out on loan as i believe this game would have been ideal for both him and the fonz to have been involved.
Herd was outstanding considering not his position.
I enjoyed players commitment and unfortunately when we put pressure on wolves goal on this occasion we did not score.
I think a slight change in personnel when at home will see us win our next game at villa

[myf]

Bannan is the most talented player at Villa, including the likes of N'Zogbia and the unquestionably gifted Ireland. Without saying he's good enough for Barca, he would doubtless fit right in there in terms of style and prioritisation of technique and busy-ness over physicality. He has vision and skill to throw in as well. How he isn't starting does not reflect well on any of our managers since he's been old enough to play for the club.

I think you are getting a bit carried away mate.  If he was that good there would have been a load of clubs sniffing round him by now.  Don't forget he was in the shop window at Leeds as well and whilst I understand he was okay there not sure he set the world on fire.

[Monty]

Bannan is the most talented player at Villa, including the likes of N'Zogbia and the unquestionably gifted Ireland. Without saying he's good enough for Barca, he would doubtless fit right in there in terms of style and prioritisation of technique and busy-ness over physicality. He has vision and skill to throw in as well. How he isn't starting does not reflect well on any of our managers since he's been old enough to play for the club.

I think you are getting a bit carried away mate.  If he was that good there would have been a load of clubs sniffing round him by now.  Don't forget he was in the shop window at Leeds as well and whilst I understand he was okay there not sure he set the world on fire.

I didn't say he was good enough for Barca (in fact I specifically said he wasn't), but just that he would fit in stylistically. You can't really judge a young player on the ludicrously limited playing time he's had so far (MON would never dream of playing his type of player, frankly), nor on performances in a not great Leeds team in a Championship division the physicality and refereeing standards of which would hardly suit him.

[Dante Lavelli]

Bannan is the most talented player at Villa, including the likes of N'Zogbia and the unquestionably gifted Ireland. Without saying he's good enough for Barca, he would doubtless fit right in there in terms of style and prioritisation of technique and busy-ness over physicality. He has vision and skill to throw in as well. How he isn't starting does not reflect well on any of our managers since he's been old enough to play for the club.

I think you are getting a bit carried away mate.  If he was that good there would have been a load of clubs sniffing round him by now.  Don't forget he was in the shop window at Leeds as well and whilst I understand he was okay there not sure he set the world on fire.

Whilst he was at Leeds he wasn't for sale, he was just gaining experience so I can understand why there were not a truck load of offers for him.  More worryingly, I thought he was on Alex Ferguson's radar (probably sending him christmas cards...) after he took a Man U reserve team apart.  There was certainly some press speculation shortly afterwards.

[hilts_coolerking]

Maybe.  But it seems to have become moaning for moanings sake and some ppl just want to see McLeish fail.  RAdio WM was unbelievable this afternoon.  I'm dreading the fallout after we lose our first game!

I can understand fans skipping the game for financial reasons and the uncompetitiveness of football in general - I'm one of them - but I can't abide with ppl turning their back on the club due to Randy's revised "expectations".  Fickle IMO.

I don't think there's any moaning for moaning's sake.  I think the alarming and rapid decline in the club's ability to compete and, even worse, apparent desire to compete are more than sufficient grounds for concern and complaint.  If by "fickle" you mean unwillingness to keep going when things get tough, then isn't that a charge that could also be levelled at the board?

[john e]

For all the talk about Bannan, Macoun etc you just know he'l pick the exact same line up next time out, MON  mk ll

[Shrek]

Now I'm not comparing player for player just an analogy.

But imagine of Barcelona said right, Xavi, Iniesta your too small and lightweight and decided to play a midfield of Busquets, Mascherano and Heskey.

That's what we are basically doing. We should have Bannan and Makoun in our midfield and try to outplay teams.

I'm aware we don't have the midfield general to accommodate them both, but with Delph and Petrov we should be playing at least one of Bannan/Ireland/Makoun, not bloody Heskey!

[Villanation]

Now I'm not comparing player for player just an analogy.

But imagine of Barcelona said right, Xavi, Iniesta your too small and lightweight and decided to play a midfield of Busquets, Mascherano and Heskey.

That's what we are basically doing. We should have Bannan and Makoun in our midfield and try to outplay teams.

I'm aware we don't have the midfield general to accommodate them both, but with Delph and Petrov we should be playing at least one of Bannan/Ireland/Makoun, not bloody Heskey!

This is true, quite frankly i don't think Emile should even be at the club any more, he should have moved on and so should Villa or at least been a bit more progressive.

[myf]

Bannan is the most talented player at Villa, including the likes of N'Zogbia and the unquestionably gifted Ireland. Without saying he's good enough for Barca, he would doubtless fit right in there in terms of style and prioritisation of technique and busy-ness over physicality. He has vision and skill to throw in as well. How he isn't starting does not reflect well on any of our managers since he's been old enough to play for the club.

I think you are getting a bit carried away mate.  If he was that good there would have been a load of clubs sniffing round him by now.  Don't forget he was in the shop window at Leeds as well and whilst I understand he was okay there not sure he set the world on fire.

Whilst he was at Leeds he wasn't for sale, he was just gaining experience so I can understand why there were not a truck load of offers for him.  More worryingly, I thought he was on Alex Ferguson's radar (probably sending him christmas cards...) after he took a Man U reserve team apart.  There was certainly some press speculation shortly afterwards.

So only players for sale get sold!?  Football players are multi-million pound commodities and clubs have scouting networks to identify the most promising youngsters.  They are studied in youth and reserve games, as well as first team games.  Scouts are employed to seek out the quality and it is rare in this day and age that those with potential don't get snapped up by the big clubs for large sums.

Bannan looks promising I agree but to declare him as the clubs most talented player is simply ridiculous.

[kipeye]

Very average first half-Dog Heads were on top. Second half don;t think they got in our box until a free kick after half an hour.
I thought this would be a decent Wolves side but they were completely outplayed for most of the second half. We were unlucky and a bit short of confidence which showed in the last 15 mins.

I was clamouring for Bannan to come on for Peskey (One great attempt his main contribution and walked through most of the second half) but until he brought Albrighton on Barry was playingwide in the N;Zog position.

Thought Charlie was promising but needs a few more games. Herd was very good after a nervy start and his interplay with Zog was excellent in the second half-he can head a ball too. Zog also needs to stay wide when we haven't got the ball as this exposed Herd with two in front of him.

Overall-worrying first half-much better second-still not very inspiring.