Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa (F.A. Cup 3rd round): Post-Match Thread

[Rich6by7]

To be fair to ITV, they did have 27 fixtures to show highlights from today, crammed into a similar length that Match of the Day usually gets to show six or seven matches in. That doesn't excuse the amateurish summaries from the studio, the appalling picture quality from some of the games (Spurs v Cheltenham looked like it was filmed with 1970s equipment), or the pro-Man Utd stance from Ince and Strachan when anyone connected to Man Utd should be quaking in anticipation of their match tomorrow, be they a former player and cup winner with them to the scabbiest of armchair gloryhunter. ITV seriously need to get their act together to escape from the Conference of sports broadcasting, though.

[Pete3206]

Second Bent should be dropped for our next game and we should play the team that beat Chelsea.

I disagree 100%

How can you disagree 100%? That would mean that we shouldn't play any of the team that beat Chelsea? Better get the reserves warmed up then

OK, I strongly disagree that Bent should be dropped.

[PeterWithesShin]

To be fair to ITV, they did have 27 fixtures to show highlights from today, crammed into a similar length that Match of the Day usually gets to show six or seven matches in. That doesn't excuse the amateurish summaries from the studio, the appalling picture quality from some of the games (Spurs v Cheltenham looked like it was filmed with 1970s equipment), or the pro-Man Utd stance from Ince and Strachan when anyone connected to Man Utd should be quaking in anticipation of their match tomorrow, be they a former player and cup winner with them to the scabbiest of armchair gloryhunter. ITV seriously need to get their act together to escape from the Conference of sports broadcasting, though.

Plus the time taken up by adverts.

Apart from Star Soccer, ITV has always been a bit pants when it comes to football. I never knew anyone who watched the ITV FA Cup final coverage when I was a nipper and it was a choice between them and the Beeb.

[pooligan]

Job done. I felt we were always well in control .Minus points were Warnock and Dunne's customary  error.Plus points,the three goals and the injuries to Heskey and Collins.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

Clark was outstanding today: he does the simple things well and his goal from CB was pure class.
Petrov really is currently the team's heartbeat. And it was good to see Albie looking better with every game; he seems to have regained his confidence and has a greater maturity to his game. Also, I really liked seeing Guzan in decisive mode: his movement off the line was great. Even the much-maligned Hutton played well although he did not face much threat from BR down his wing.

What can be said about Warnock?! - he did well at Chelsea but since then he has been shocking. I seriously think AMcL should be looking to Stevens and Delph as short-term replacements for him.
Collins and Heskey go off - the hoofing stops. Hmmm: spot the connection.

Which two didn't play against Chelsea?

[Jimbo]

We played much better after the second goal, from which point we cruised it right up until the obligatory last-minute panic. We are good at beating very poor teams, yet when we come up against a bit of quality, we wobble. It was very encouraging to see the Academy lads do well, in fact it was the only really encouraging thing about this match. Warnock continues to be a liability - in fact the whole starting back-four could do with replacing.

[darren woolley]

I'm glad that's one hurdle out of the way and like others have said Warnock has to be dropped.

[preston28]

I wonder who we will be away to in round 4?

Bolton (if they win the replay) or Blackpool will do me!

[Chris Smith]

Potentially tricky tie negotiated with little fuss. Once we took the lead we kept the ball very well and so stopped them being able to build any momentum, just how a PL side should approach these games.

There was a little wobble at the end but thT shouldn't detract from the professionalism of the performance.

I thought Ireland was our best player.

[Archie]

I'm surprised to see people saying Guzan should keep his place.

He's done well, but have people forgotten how many points Given saved us earlier this season? Guzan is a decent keeper. Given is one of the best in the top flight.

Couldn't agree more. Guzan is a very good and reliable second kepper, Given is  a top class.

[Archie]

Boring game due to the awful pitch, but good performance of our academy. And fantastic assist by Richard Dunne, it's a scandal that such a gifted player earns only 65.000 a week!

There are plenty worse than Richard Dunne. If you are going to mention their wages Archie, no footballers deserve what they get.

You're surely right Dave, but it's difficult to find a player more over paid than him. I think that he got the wrong sport, he should choose a sport that is not played with feet. . .

[gervilla]

Guzan has done well.
After doing well for us initially when he came into the team he didn't quite look up to scratch in the League Cup semis v Blackburn.
The downside of is good performances this time around is that he may not be content with going back to the bench when Shay is fit and may want a move away.
Hopefully not because we need a dependable 2nd choice keeper as Shay has had injury problems over the last few years.

[Matt C]

Professional performance and as others have said - bar the moments of complacency at the end - we dictated the play pretty much throughout. Ireland, Albrighton & Clark very encouraging.

[Clampy]

Job done at the end of the day, we were fully in control. I was suprised that Bristol did'nt give us more of a game. I thought it was a mistake from the off to start with Heskey, him or Bent did'nt trouble there back line at all, it needed pace and Gabby should have started.

Warnock looks shot of confidence, he was dreadful again yesterday. It's too early for Edna so i'd consider playing Delph there, he can't be any worse.

It was nice to be on terracing again, even if it did feel like there was too many in there.

[stubbsyandy]

What a plus Stephen Ireland is...we should all be full of humble pie!