Lost Dressing Room? - Update! (Nzogbia Row?)

[ozzjim]

I am warming to the manager I have to say. He has proved that he can get us playing going forward, and the defence is not his fault IMO. Hutton has been poor yes, but not cost us that many goals compared to the other 3. He was stuck with Warnock, Collins and Dunne, has managed to get the footballer out of Ireland and NZogbia is starting to look better, while Keane was a terrific signing. I hope he sees us over the line with 45 ish points similar to last season, and dismantles the side.

In the mail on the 1st after the window closed he said the squad needed an overhaul but it was dependent on offers for what we have. I am bold enough to say I reckon he can get us up top 8-6 again with a bit of backing. New back 3 with Hutton improving his form and a proper defensive midfield player, get Keane in full time and next season could be ok.

[kippaxvilla2]

I am warming to the manager I have to say. He has proved that he can get us playing going forward, and the defence is not his fault IMO. Hutton has been poor yes, but not cost us that many goals compared to the other 3. He was stuck with Warnock, Collins and Dunne, has managed to get the footballer out of Ireland and NZogbia is starting to look better, while Keane was a terrific signing. I hope he sees us over the line with 45 ish points similar to last season, and dismantles the side.

In the mail on the 1st after the window closed he said the squad needed an overhaul but it was dependent on offers for what we have. I am bold enough to say I reckon he can get us up top 8-6 again with a bit of backing. New back 3 with Hutton improving his form and a proper defensive midfield player, get Keane in full time and next season could be ok.

Provided we can muster another 4 wins this season.  Next 6 games are crucial.

[ozzjim]

True. Going to Norwich last day for a result.... been there before a couple of times I recall.

[curiousorange]

True. Going to Norwich last day for a result.... been there before a couple of times I recall.

If we're not out of it by then we deserve to go down.

[DeKuip]

True. Going to Norwich last day for a result.... been there before a couple of times I recall.

If we're not out of it by then we deserve to go down.

No! The teams who FINISH the season in the bottom three deserve to go down - when every team has played all the others home and away. And the team that FINISH top always have, and always will be, deserving champions.

[caster troy]

People keep defending McLeish because he inherited a poor squad, what about the teams above us like Norwich, Swansea, Stoke, Sunderland? Do they have better squads? We're 5 points behind Sunderland now and their back four includes the likes of Phil Bardsley.

[JUAN PABLO]

did you see that shambolic throw in between Warnock and Dunne in stoppage time . Sums up some of  the players to me.

[Somniloquism]

did you see that shambolic throw in between Warnock and Dunne in stoppage time . Sums up some of  the players to me.

I've mentioned it before, but the thing that sums up most of our defence (and some of our other players) is the lack of reaction to mistakes. Terry and Ferdinand might be twats most of the time but they both do their nut when their teams concede, especially if it is because of mistakes.

[PaulTheVillan]

Got back around 30 minutes ago and really felt we deserved more out todays game. Some real decent football played at times as well. Certainly some positives but on the other hand veryvery frustrating result.

This may be interesting for those who havent already read.

Mcleish explaining half time sub.

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/02/05/aston-villa-alex-mcleish-explains-why-he-substituted-stephen-ireland-at-half-time-against-newcastle-united-97319-30271621/

Do you think the ankle knock is true?

I do mate.

about  10 mins in he went in for a challange in there half and looked like he'd picked up a knock and then about the 15=20th min he went down when there player was down but didnt have any treatment.

i hope it true tbh as Ireland's put in some cracking performance last 2 months.

Was just about to comment and say the same thing. he also got challenged by the half way line and went down a bit heavy.

[themossman]

People keep defending McLeish because he inherited a poor squad, what about the teams above us like Norwich, Swansea, Stoke, Sunderland? Do they have better squads? We're 5 points behind Sunderland now and their back four includes the likes of Phil Bardsley.

All different from us though in their own way. Newly promoted teams generally have a cohesiveness and team spirit that gets them results that defy their actual quality. Stoke are 100% Pulis' team, precision engineered to play his unique brand of shite football.

O'Neill in fairness is different and I agree there. He is one of a few managers who can genuinely get a limited squad to play above their station. But then he left us in the shit.

I don't actually think the issue is to do with the quality of the squad, it's entirely down to the character (or lack of). McLeish inherited a team that had showed a terrible combination of trouble making, fragile confidence, and complete lack of bottle the previous season, but without its best player by a mile. If he has chosen not to replace the main culprits then the consequences are on his head, but do we really think he is the problem there?

[Merv]

People keep defending McLeish because he inherited a poor squad, what about the teams above us like Norwich, Swansea, Stoke, Sunderland? Do they have better squads? We're 5 points behind Sunderland now and their back four includes the likes of Phil Bardsley.

No. We actually have a pretty decent squad. So are we under achieving or over achieving?

We actually don't win many games at all - six league matches all season; one a month. Blackburn, Bolton, Wigan, Wolves, Norwich and Chelsea. We've shown we can beat the poorest teams in the league, fail to do so against most of the rest.

[Mazrim]

I know I'm pretty tired of my club paying lambhearted useless gobshites like Richard Dunne a fortune for absolutely nothing (unless you count anguish).

Sometimes I wonder if it would be worth getting relegated to cleanse this club of all the unwanted gristle.

[kipeye]

I know I'm pretty tired of my club paying lambhearted useless gobshites like Richard Dunne a fortune for absolutely nothing (unless you count anguish).

Sometimes I wonder if it would be worth getting relegated to cleanse this club of all the unwanted gristle.

You are not the first to think this Maz. I don't think we are there yet-but if the summer doesn't change things then I think everyone has a view that they would rather it got worse in the short term to get better in the long.
Trouble is, although we have successfully rebuilt the club after relegation, there are no guarantees that things wouldn't get worse.
We do need things to change though.

[john robsons sideburns]

From what I have read and certainly by McLeish's comments I reckon the half time team talk went something like this

McLeish  -  "Stevie, why the f~#k did you not close the guy down.  What the f@*k were you playing at, how many time have I f##+ing told you, we defend at this football club first, not attack you jessie"

Ireland - "But boss, my ankle is really sore and I couldn't run, don't be cross with me, I'm not as bad as Hutton or Warnock"

McLeish - "If your ankles that f@*king bad then you shouldn't be on the pitch, Barry, get warmed up"


 

[Concrete John]

I know I'm pretty tired of my club paying lambhearted useless gobshites like Richard Dunne a fortune for absolutely nothing (unless you count anguish).

Sometimes I wonder if it would be worth getting relegated to cleanse this club of all the unwanted gristle.

I just can't see how getting relegated can ever been seen as  a positive!  If we want these guys out then let's just pay up their contracts, accept low offers for them or just wait until their out of contract - either option costs less then relegation.

This summer could prove VERY interesting.