Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[philthebar]

Bore draw

[ADVILLAFAN]

I think Lawrenson has summed it up really:-

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have got to decide what they want to do. I look at them and it's exactly like watching Birmingham last season - they've made themselves compact, difficult to beat and don't commit too many men forward - but I feel they've got more attacking quality than that.

They've got to go for it a bit more - and if they did that they'd win more than they'd lose. In Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent they have two very good players, but they are just not getting the best out of them. They're a little bit conservative. I think Alex McLeish is aiming for mid-table - and that's probably exactly what they'll get, no more, no less.

[Iago]

I think Lawrenson has summed it up really:-

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have got to decide what they want to do. I look at them and it's exactly like watching Birmingham last season - they've made themselves compact, difficult to beat and don't commit too many men forward - but I feel they've got more attacking quality than that.

They've got to go for it a bit more - and if they did that they'd win more than they'd lose. In Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent they have two very good players, but they are just not getting the best out of them. They're a little bit conservative. I think Alex McLeish is aiming for mid-table - and that's probably exactly what they'll get, no more, no less.

You cannot just aim for mid-table, you need to go out to win in all games.

[Matt Collins]

You can never tell what team McLeish will play can you?

I reckon Emile will play, especially away from home. Worried about Guzan on set pieces.

So I reckon Herd and Petrov in the middle, N'Zogbia and Gabby wide, Heskey behind Bent, is what we'll play.

I really don't know what team I'd pick. I'd like to think we could play a fluid 433 with Bannan in the middle. But in reality we'd probably suffer from having noone to hit upfront and be totally inept as a result.

[bertlambshank]

So 40% wanted him sacked, that's "a lot" isn't it, considering the relatively strong position we were in at the time? At that time, amongst those people, he was just as unpopular as McLeish is now. Similarly Houllier and DOL got the dog's abuse.

I'm beginning to detect a pattern.

Another thread turned into the the Chris smith show.How boring it is getting.

[TopDeck113]

The good news is that without their first choice centre backs I reckon we'll score.

But then again, so will they.

1-1

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

We've got the players to win tomorrow, but not if we go out with the intention of trying to get a draw which is all AM seems to be interested in. I'm gonna repeat the obvious: it's great having quality like Gabby and Bent up front, but not if we simply keep hoofing the ball up to them so that Cahill and co can just keep sending it back. Our midfield is conspicuous by its emptiness.
Hate to say it but if I was Owen Coyle I'd see this game as a really good chance to kick-start a revival!
As an optimistic Villa fan I see it as a chance to get our first away win of the campaign.

[garyshawsknee]

Two bald men fighting over a comb,0-0.

[Villanation]

As before for me Gabby is the key, if he can get the service he can turn a game with consummate ease, not knocking Bent and not doubting his scoring ability but the way Villa are being set up he's surplus to requirement, don't get me wrong he great to have in the side but its becoming painful watching the bloke trying to score and then slowly drifting out of games, I would be more inclined to bring Gabby central and up front and max out the midfield which is generally where we are being over run in most games.

Its one of those issues again, all comes down to how AM sets it up.

[Iago]

So 40% wanted him sacked, that's "a lot" isn't it, considering the relatively strong position we were in at the time? At that time, amongst those people, he was just as unpopular as McLeish is now. Similarly Houllier and DOL got the dog's abuse.

I'm beginning to detect a pattern.

Another thread turned into the the Chris smith show.How boring it is getting.

Very tiresome indeed.

[Chris Smith]

So 40% wanted him sacked, that's "a lot" isn't it, considering the relatively strong position we were in at the time? At that time, amongst those people, he was just as unpopular as McLeish is now. Similarly Houllier and DOL got the dog's abuse.

I'm beginning to detect a pattern.

Another thread turned into the the Chris smith show.How boring it is getting.

What the fuck is wrong with that post? It's an indisputable fact that many people on here wanted MON out all the way through his last season, they then wanted Houllier out after a couple of months and they now want McLeish out.

You're acting like a bunch of bullies, because I don't fall into line and have an independent view you all think it is open season to have a pop at me.

[Iago]

Bannan must start and the team must be given access to attack. Feed the Bent and he will score.

[gervilla]

So 40% wanted him sacked, that's "a lot" isn't it, considering the relatively strong position we were in at the time? At that time, amongst those people, he was just as unpopular as McLeish is now. Similarly Houllier and DOL got the dog's abuse.

I'm beginning to detect a pattern.

Another thread turned into the the Chris smith show.How boring it is getting.

What the fuck is wrong with that post? It's an indisputable fact that many people on here wanted MON out all the way through his last season, they then wanted Houllier out after a couple of months and they now want McLeish out.

You're acting like a bunch of bullies, because I don't fall into line and have an independent view you all think it is open season to have a pop at me.

Yup. That sounds like me, but I can't speak for anyone else. I have an aversion for watching shit football.
If the results are good then it's a bit more palatable. When the results are pants then the trigger finger is far more itchier. I thought MON has taken us as far as he could and I wanted someone to come in and take us on to the next level.
Egg on face. I still hate the fucker for what he did though.

[ozzjim]

Chris, I wanted Mon out but not houllier. He had a long term vision. Mon and eck seem not too and play turgid football at home to boot.

[gervilla]

After Sunderland at home I defiantly wanted him gone, No point pretending I didn't as I'm sure some of my vitriolic posts would be dragged up if I did. That wasn't the only time I wanted rid either.