Aston Villa v Norwich City Pre-Match Thread

[Risso]

I thought N'Zogbia played very well last week.

It'd be nice to see him carry on this week. He's an exceptional player who is just taking time to settle.

I think the people giving him most stick have obviously forgotten what happened with Downing.

I think the people who keep comparing him to Downing have obviously forgotten what happened with Marlon Harewood . All I'd say about N'Zogbia at the weekend is that he wasn't as bad as he has normally been.  I certainly wouldn't say it was a "good" performance.

[Ads]

I agree with you Paulie, I thought he played well.

He brought a lot of players into play and look dangerous on the break. My one criticism is that he likes to drift inside a bit too much for my liking, after a good few years of watching Young maroud down the line, I'd like to see him take the full back on a lot more.

[PaulTheVillan]

He seems to cut in too close to the byline, then will always have to shoot from a narrower angle. Maybe if he cut in towards the edge of the box like Ash used too, he'll have the choice to shoot or cross.

I thought he was better, about time.

[TimTheVillain]

I agree with you Paulie, I thought he played well.

He brought a lot of players into play and look dangerous on the break. My one criticism is that he likes to drift inside a bit too much for my liking, after a good few years of watching Young maroud down the line, I'd like to see him take the full back on a lot more.

I don't think he has the pace for that.

He would play far better for us if we kept the ball around the box as opposed to panic and get over anxious.

Albrighton was supposed to bridge the wing gap, but he isn't doing it.

N'Zog will be a great player for us IF we play to his strengths.

If we don't, he'll continue as he is.

[JUAN PABLO]

I agree with you Paulie, I thought he played well.

He brought a lot of players into play and look dangerous on the break. My one criticism is that he likes to drift inside a bit too much for my liking, after a good few years of watching Young maroud down the line, I'd like to see him take the full back on a lot more.

I don't think he has the pace for that.

He would play far better for us if we kept the ball around the box as opposed to panic and get over anxious.

Albrighton was supposed to bridge the wing gap, but he isn't doing it.

N'Zog will be a great player for us IF we play to his strengths.

If we don't, he'll continue as he is.

a bit like Bent really , play to his strengths   and he will score

[Risso]

Other than when he misses off course!

[Dave Clark Five]

The players need to use their own initiative as well. Just standing and waiting for the ball has never been part of the game, regardless of formations and managerial instructions.

[Vanilla]

I don't think N'Zogbia is actually sure what his role is. Surely this would have been discussed with him before we bought him. And the fact the manager admired him for so long makes the fact he looks lost in the team even more of a mystery.

[Concrete John]

I don't think N'Zogbia is actually sure what his role is. Surely this would have been discussed with him before we bought him. And the fact the manager admired him for so long makes the fact he looks lost in the team even more of a mystery.

His role is that of the wide right player in a 4-3-3.  I don't think there's any communication issue there - just that he's been playing poorly!

[Dave Clark Five]

Exactly. Oh look, I've crossed the half way line. Must pass it now. It's not bloody table football, where you are all swinging from a rod with someone controlling you. Nobody needs to tell Rooney to go and fetch it.

[Simon Ward]

Squeeky bum time again as we struggle to kill off a match we should win!
2-1 with us holding on for dear life at the end of 5 minutes added time.

[AV82EC]

Is it just me or is anyone else getting worried abouthe fact that Jenas is being cast as some kind of saviour this week? I seem to recall someone else being lauded to the skies in the week before a home game with Norwich and we all remember how that turned out.

[AV82EC]

Oh and 2-1 to the Villa.

[glasses]

Is it just me or is anyone else getting worried abouthe fact that Jenas is being cast as some kind of saviour this week? I seem to recall someone else being lauded to the skies in the week before a home game with Norwich and we all remember how that turned out.

You might need to remind of who that was?

[Ads]

Is it just me or is anyone else getting worried abouthe fact that Jenas is being cast as some kind of saviour this week? I seem to recall someone else being lauded to the skies in the week before a home game with Norwich and we all remember how that turned out.

Not really.

Jenas is a good player and coming into an area which has been gutted over the past two or three seasons. Its not just Young and Downding, its also Barry and Milner who've never been replaced.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jenas in there, as I think he is the sort of player that drives on past the front man and link up the midfield with the attack. Anybody that can bring a bit of get up and go to the middle of our park is more than welcome.

People say we're a mid-table side. We're not. We have plenty of good players, we just have a poor midfield that lets us down.