Aston Villa v Fulham Post-Match Thread

[Simba]

Talking about Bent and Gabby. I'd like to see Bent play a bit like Gary Linnaker played for Spurs. Where he would hold on the edge of the box and make the runs to the near post. Could try at goal (mostly successfully) or nod/tap it on. We never play near post, wingers ( Albi) always lofting it into the box. Why? As with yesterday we offer no threat that way.

Gabby can do the same with his speed but both would benefit from the defence splitting ball on the ground from central. We never do that either. Well seldom. The wee lad can make that pass, Ireland can too. Otherwise we need to play on the break.

As it was we are left with shots from Stan. Simply because there seems to be no forward movement . No alternatives to the cross. The goal yesterday, ok, from a spilt ball, was at least a different/direct approach from the youth team.

Something missing in the forward coaching IMHO.

[TheSandman]

If Gabby is in form, playing him up front on his own would be a good way to go, but when he isn't (as he has been since he came back from injury) you are probably better off playing with ten men. He has been this inconsistent throughout his career and it's that reason I don't like the idea of having him as our main striker ahead of Bent. Even out of form (as he has been this season) Bent gets goals. Out of form Gabby is a waste of a shirt. I think Gabbs is much better in a partnership though and I might even be tempted to throw Weimann in against Bolton as part of a front two or three.

[mozza]

Half empty stadium witnessed Andreas Weimann's last gasp winner but it was celebrated by supporters & players
as though we had won a 'trophy' -

Whilst it is still concerning that our final pass & delivery into the box is wanting..........the effort & committment was
much improved ..............maybe the season started yesterday ?   

[The Left Side]

Nice to get a positive results and last minute winners are just the best, still much room for improvement!

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Think Cuellar - Collins deserve some recognition for a solid performance. Pogrebnyak has been on fire and never got a sniff. Also Ireland has clearly stepped up his defensive duties and broke up several Fulham moves. I am not exactly a Mcleish fan but credit to his substitutions. Wieman and Gabby to start against Bolton ................. 

[PaulWinch again]

The whole back four was very solid yesterday in fairness to them. I really hope Carlos gets a new deal.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd also like to give Warnock a mention. While he hasn't been fantastic he has been much improved last few games. Fair play as his confidence must have been shot after that QPR moment.

[PeterWithe]

I'd also like to give Warnock a mention. While he hasn't been fantastic he has been much improved last few games. Fair play as his confidence must have been shot after that QPR moment.

Yup, he did well, as did Hutton

[nigel]

I'd also like to give Warnock a mention. While he hasn't been fantastic he has been much improved last few games. Fair play as his confidence must have been shot after that QPR moment.

Yup, he did well, as did Hutton

Pleased to see Hutton and Warnock getting a bit of credit too.
I think we're very quick to give them a slating but very slow to acknowledge when they do well.
I've been a critic of the back 4 (excluding King Carlos) but since Dunne's injury those 2 and Collins have been great.

[ktvillan]

In response to Percy, I think you  overestimate Gabby's hold up play, I really do.  For me Bent gives defenders loads more to think about because he's always looking to make a run off their shoulder.  He doesn't always time it right, or the passing player doesn't, which is why gets caught offside a lot, but he gives the crossing/passing player something to aim at.  There was a classic Gabby moment on Saturday about half way through the second half where Ireland received the ball just outside the box, looked up, saw Gabby and  and threaded the ball through to where, if it had been Bent, he would have made his run.  Gabby just stood there behind the defender and the ball went begging.  Ireland just looked daggers at Gabby as if the say "where was the run"?  And it had me yelling "move you useles c**t!" at the screen.  Gabby has good qualities but I sometimes think if we signed Messi either you or VillaNation could come up with some justification for excluding him for Gabby. 

[Concrete John]

I thought it was a good game.  We played well and got what we deserved.  Should have been 2 up by half time, such was our dominance, but the 2nd half was more even, presumably after Fulham had been given a rocket at half time.  Still, on balance we were the better side and played some neat football at times.

I agree Hutton had a good game (as he has for a few games now), but still thought Warnock was poor.  The Cuellar/Collins partnership seems to have clicked, which may well be benefiting the fullbacks.

Ireland MOM for me.

Gabby had a good first half, but faded a bit afterwards.  Bringing Weimann on to support him was the right call, but I would have taken Albrighton off myself.   

It was a game that would be viewed a LOT differently if he hadn't got that late winner, but we did.  And we deserved it.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Pathetic of McLeish to have a go at the fans in his interview. 'They don't need much encouragement to dislike me at the moment etc' Why not just enjoy the victory, thank us for our support on the day and say we deserved to see a win after all this time?

For once I was enjoying MOTD and he had earned some praise from me today, then he comes out with that nonsense. Very disappointing.

Thank us for what support? I must've missed that. The atmosphere was the same as usual until the goal.

What he said is right and if asked a question regarding the fans and how/what they think of him, he answered the truth.

[Simon Ward]

Two beefs about Saturday!

Our finishing and probably related but Gabby is not fit at the moment! Must admit I would have subbed him instead of Zoggy!

But what do I know?

A win is a win and we bossed the game even if at times the passing was a little pedestrian!

[Lizz]

Just heard Andreas on SSN. Impressed. Plus his accent's great.

[Percy McCarthy]

Kt, a reasoned post about Gabby/Bent, but then you spoiled it and got hysterical like Ozzjim usually does with that Messi bollocks.

I assure you I'm being as objective as I can. Was a big fan of Bent before we bought him and last season. It's only this year that I've noticed the weaknesses in his game that led to Spurs discarding him. Thought Spurs fans criticisms of him were sour grapes but now I feel they had a point.

Also, I'm really not over-estimating Gabby's hold-up play. I've seen much better from Withe, Savo, Yorkie. But I've also seen much worse - from Bent.

Just my opinion. And I wouldn't pick Gabby over Messi, just so we're clear.