Swansea City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Legion]

It lasts about 30 seconds.

Oh, is there an ad break too?

Plus a lot of analysis from Andy Townsend.

[UsualSuspect]

Why isn't BB an automatic starter?

Can you really not think of a single reason why he might not be an automatic starter this week?

Fuck me

if the d/d was an issue he wouldn't have been on the bench. satrting the game or coming off the bench the fact is he played

3 weeks ago he was "a bit tired"

Our last 2 games have been crying out for the slightest bit of creativity

[PaulTheVillan]

Decent 2nd half. Didn't do enough first half.

[pauliewalnuts]

If we are sending a message to kids about Bannan, then why would we say it's ok for him to come on as a sub but not to start the game?

Nonsense.

[UsualSuspect]

Chris - Yes Bannan has had a 'busy' week but if he's on the bench he is presumably mentally and physically fit to play. He certainly looked it.

Yes but would it have been the right thing to do? What message does it send to other youngsters if in the week you appear in court you get picked to start in the first team?

I say that as a big fan of Bannan.

Bannan hasn't been used properly all season

cameo appearances as a right winger

I fail to see your arguement about him being a naughty boy  so he doesn't start but can come off the bench. If he was gpoing to be punished then it should be being dropped from the squad and staying at home.

AM would rather start fucking Heskey over our most creative midfield player

[olaftab]

Crap game.

Crap performance.

Crap manager.

Crap.

I can 4C where you are going with this one!

[olaftab]

If we are sending a message to kids about Bannan, then why would we say it's ok for him to come on as a sub but not to start the game?

Nonsense.

May be the message is if you do something like that you will only have to work half a shift!

[NeilH]

I don't think we played that badly to be honest, but the problem for me is that I cannot feel any emotion at all towards this team. I looked at the first 11 today and there are just way too many players who I simply don't give a toss about. Hutton, Heskey, Collins and Dunne and N'Zogbia represent all that I dislike about the sorry state of the club right now. Freeloaders the lot of them who by some miracle get picked no matter what. Watching Hutton's tackle didn't make it angry, it just made me sad that such a pathetic excuse for a footballer is playing in claret and blue.

[Simba]

NeilH - well articulated, I never thought about it that way. It is true that  from Manager down it just don't seem like a Villa team. Maybe that's why so many of us feel disconnected.

[timeoutbigbar]

You know that saying 'the table never lies'? Well thats bollocks.  Based on what i've seen this season,  if we're the 8th best team in the league so far i'll eat my hat. 

[Eigentor]

Some of the comments on this thread are a bit over the top.

We were very poor at the start, and the rest was below average, but not something that called for the shock and disbelief expressed on this thread.

That said, my expectations are so low that the main joy I derived from the match was that I can add Swansea to the list of teams that will probably finish below us in May.

Finally, what's sad is that the team is worse than it needs to be. If McLeish is bold enough and competent enough he can get the likes of N'Zogbia, Bannan, Bent and Gabby to play decent football (maybe Jenas and Petrov too when they get fit).

Our current back four is pretty crap, though.

[DB]

Everything seemed a struggle today - passing, control of the ball (esp.Delph). I hope form the latter part of the 2nd half he realises he need to ditch Delph, Heskey and also Hutton. Swansea were there for the taking, they just passed the ball with no penetration - apart from a Lita chance. We just di't have the conviction until he (finally) made the changes.

[steffo]

Going off on a tangent here, but my wife was at the Take That concert at VP in the summer where she was lucky to be in a box. Next door was a certain former Villa, Bloose and now Blackpool player. I won't mention his name but once scoed the winner for us v Bloose.

Anyways, he was in the next box and jumped over for a drink. My wife not a football fan said he was there - but i got the full conversation from some (male) mates who were there. He basically said mcLeish is a negative manager and likes to keep the play narrow. Wingers are forbidden! His parting shot was we are in for long hard season...

[swiss1968]

Spot on NH,apart from Gaby its like watching a team who has stole our kit !!!

[DB]

Yep, Gabby was superb. You could see he was frustrated.