McLeish out Chants / banners / protests

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Much seems to be made of McCleish's League Cup win at Birmingham. Whilst winning it is an achievement of sorts, they only had to beat two half decent teams throughout their cup run, us and Arsenal reserves. Its harked as some kind of monumental achievement and a stamp of McCleish's ability when it was more due to a piss easy run of games and a shite Arsenal keeper     

Arsenal reserves?

Szczesny; Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy; Song, Wilshere; Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin; Van Persie

[bertlambshank]

No,GM II.

Not sure I agree he would have given us a lot more.  GH signed him and didn't play him much.  Then neither did Mcallister, AM obviously didn't fancy him either and he's not been playing regularly in Greece either.

We will never know which is a shame.

[Macho Man Randy Savage]

Much seems to be made of McCleish's League Cup win at Birmingham. Whilst winning it is an achievement of sorts, they only had to beat two half decent teams throughout their cup run, us and Arsenal reserves. Its harked as some kind of monumental achievement and a stamp of McCleish's ability when it was more due to a piss easy run of games and a shite Arsenal keeper     

I certainly don't remember many on here hailing it as an amazing achievement at the time.

Quite.

It was even easier than our route to the final the year before.

[Macho Man Randy Savage]

Realistically any form of protest is going to be a waste of time at the moment. We are half way through McLeish's first season and we are 10th. I've not been impressed by most the football we've been playing so far and I don't really expect us to ever be a decent side under McLeish, but on his current record the board isn't likely to get rid of him.

[He wears a magic hat]

Mcleish note to self - Woah did you hear the support last night. I thought this lot hated me. Maybe i should set the team up to play like that more often

[Concrete John]

I think there wasn't a great change in how the team was set up last night, just that the performance level was there when it generally hasn't been so far this season.

[He wears a magic hat]

I completely disagree. the team was set up completely different to the games against man u and liverpool

Last night we played a much higher line and closed them down from high up
the pitch and stopped them playing. Against man u and liverpool we played with 2 banks of 4 and surrendered possession

[jonc73]

Last night was far more like it, if AM can continue to build on it he's probably got a chance.

[PaulWinch again]

The fact Mcleish said 'I know the fans appreciated that performance' suggests hopefully he understands what we expect as Villa fans.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Where did you read that, Paul?

[PaulWinch again]

On Sky Sports News, it's on their website if you want a look under the Villa section. Although I've paraphrased slightly, he said 'approved' not appreciated, but it amounts to the same thing.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I completely disagree. the team was set up completely different to the games against man u and liverpool

Last night we played a much higher line and closed them down from high up
the pitch and stopped them playing. Against man u and liverpool we played with 2 banks of 4 and surrendered possession

This.

[Ad@m]

There was definitely a tactic last night to get in Arsenal's faces and close them down quickly.  You do wonder why it was so different on Sunday.

Those tactics won't work against Stoke though.  It'll just turn in to a battle.  Much better to let them have the ball when deep because they're not good enough to hurt us.

[Concrete John]

I completely disagree. the team was set up completely different to the games against man u and liverpool

Last night we played a much higher line and closed them down from high up
the pitch and stopped them playing. Against man u and liverpool we played with 2 banks of 4 and surrendered possession

This.

Not so sure.

I think the system of 4-5-1 has been employed for the majority of this season, but they just seemed more 'at it' last night.  I think one factor was Ireland, who had his best game for us until the injury, having more energy than Heskey, yet still playing that bit further forward.  CNZ has also played the majority of games, but none as good as that. 

So I think we've tried to play that way before, just that this time it clicked. 

[Merv]

Right system, right players. Most of the season, many of us have been baffled at the use of Heskey in that attacking midfield role, when we have two players (Ireland, Bannan) who are absolutely perfect for that. Not saying it was the sole reason for improvement last night, but you're right, John - it clicked and it was much better.