Aston Villa v Fulham Post-Match Thread

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Poor old Pat Murphy was so disappointed we won which makes it all the sweeter...

He really did come across as disappointed didn't he.  Poor lad.

Nothing new from Prat Murphy.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

If only we could have some serious investment to get 2 new full backs and a quality midfielder, apart from a tinker here and then, plus a couple of squad players, we'd be almost there.

[DB]

I won't get too excited, glad we won and put some points between us and the bottom 3 but it we still play awful. That's the thing, we shouldn't be talking about the bottom 3, our squad should be competing with liked of Everton.

We're a point behind Everton, we've played two games more but we're closer to Everton than we are the bottom three, even if they win their two games in hand.

Yes, sorry, I did see they were closer. But my overall point is we should be higher up the table with the squad we have.

[kippaxvilla2]

Well that's McLeish's job safe until Christmas.

[mrfuse]

Finally got to leave Villa Park smiling after a win. And a nice big fuck you to the "you don't know what you're doing" brigade. That very substitution where he didn't know what he was doing, scored the winner. I wonder if any sang "you do know what you're doing". Didn't think so.
And also a lovely fuck you to the Fulham fans who seemed to enjoy singing about us as much as they did their own team. Twats.

I don't think any of the fans that sang you don't know what your doing had a problem with Weimann coming on, in fact that's exactly what we needed.

It was the fact that it was Nzogbia who was the one that was taken off when it looked clear that Petrov and Herd were the ones running out of steam and unlikely to be the ones that would create a goal scoring opportunity.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

As what happened last week, I thought we should've had it won by half-time and we played well.

Unlike last week, although the performance slipped from the first half, we didn't really let Fulham back into it like we did Blackburn.

Thought Herd had a good game, as did Ireland. Puzzled at N'Zogbia being brought off, Albrighton, though putting the effort in as always, is not producing the goods, as always.

Haven't cheered like that for a long time when the goal went in. Forgot how good it feels to a) win and b) win with a last minute goal.

Can it spur us on??? Let's hope so...

[olaftab]

I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.

Than Bannan found the ball on the right steadied him self turned twisted and found Gardner who took 1 step to his left and sent a cracking shot but straight at the keeper who failed to hold and and Weimann pounced and scored.

I didn't understand why those 3 were on the pitch but than again I am not a football manager paid £2M a year.

[midnite]

Great result. We dominated fulham so it was deserved I'm my eyes.

I didn't boo the sub of N'Zogbia as I don't agree with booing but I did question it. Not for who came on as I was saying from half time it would be a good game for wiemann to come on. But I questioned N'Zogbia going off when he seemed to be creating things and linking up with Ireland so very well through out the match. in my opinion albrighton did less and didn't play as good so warranted maybe being subbed instead of N'Zogbia.
Ireland has a real trouble with other players, with them not being on his wave length. N'Zogbia does seem to be though and they can make things happen. Ireland for me was MOTM. Se wanted the ball all the time, is passing and movement were really good. And he looked hungry for the game.

We deserved the win, we got the win. I'm chuffed to bits. Have forgotten what it's like to walk away from villa park feeling like this. So I'm off to enjoy the evening.

[PeterWithesShin]

Finally got to leave Villa Park smiling after a win. And a nice big fuck you to the "you don't know what you're doing" brigade. That very substitution where he didn't know what he was doing, scored the winner. I wonder if any sang "you do know what you're doing". Didn't think so.
And also a lovely fuck you to the Fulham fans who seemed to enjoy singing about us as much as they did their own team. Twats.

I don't think any of the fans that sang you don't know what your doing had a problem with Weimann coming on, in fact that's exactly what we needed.

It was the fact that it was Nzogbia who was the one that was taken off when it looked clear that Petrov and Herd were the ones running out of steam and unlikely to be the ones that would create a goal scoring opportunity.

In which case they should wait until full time to moan and whinge just in case he does know what he's doing and it does work. Like today.
I'd have taken Petrov off earlier, but until full time I wouldn't know if he did the right thing or not so no point creating a negative atmosphere as you can end up looking a twat. I learnt that the hard way after spending ages screaming at BFR to take Dalian off against Tranmere at home as he was doing fuck all.

[London Villan]

Whilst I'm no McLeish fan I could see the logic in all the decisions...

I didn't understand wht N'Zogbia was subbed and Weimann came on.
He had a quiet second half it was a gamble to change the game. It worked this time (although I think moving Ireland to the wing for ten mins was wrong)

I didn't understand why he replaced Herd with Bannan. Herd after all was our best player.
Herd is coming back from a few weeks out and had worked his socks off, definitely one of two candidates for MoTM. Ireland been the other.

I didn't understand why Gardner was brought on with 1 minute to go.
Petrov had picked up a knock.

[CJ]

Well if the team put in performances like that every game I wouldn't have a problem with McLeish. To a man they closed Fulham down quickly, got stuck in, disrupted their flow and then played some decent stuff. After the first half I was thinking 'lots of endeavour but no cutting edge up front', and to a degree that still stands, and while it won't go down as his best ever goal, Weimann did well to follow the shot and be Johnny on the spot to bundle it in. Havoc ensued all around - it was like we'd won a cup final!

Can't remember Given having to make a meaningful save - credit to the defence.

The defence is far better with Cuellar there - I hope we offer him a new contract. I'd rather keep him and see Dunne go. Warnock didn't have much to do but he was OK and got forward well. And it hurts me to say this as I've been amongst his biggest critics but credit where due - thought Hutton played well  today.

Very impressed with Herd again. I think he could replace Stan next season. Petrov seemed to be on a one man mission to improve our overall stat for attempts off target for the season. He got stuck in but clearly his legs are tiring. Thought N'Zogbia did well especially as Fulham doubled/trebled up on him, and was disappointed he got subbed. Thought Albrighton should have gone off - not sure he's going to make it in the long term. Ireland was superb today and MOTM for me.

Up front Gabby laboured a bit and has to start taking chances when he gets them - especially like that 1 on 1 chance in the first half.

Great to see 'kids' getting their chance. Bannan did well and unfortunate when his shot hit the bar. Gardner didn't have much time to impress but, like his brother, has got a decent shot on him. And Weimann - great poaching.

Three subs and no Heskey time - has McLeish seen the light?

[ozzjim]

Ireland out wide didn't work at all really. I though it was the right player to come on but the wrong one coming off, NZogbia had their right back in his pocket at times, notably just before he was hooked, harshly.

I think the same formation, with Ireland behind Bent and the wide players the same and we would score goals just though Bent moving in more threatening ways to Gabby, who for all the work rate was ineffective and about as threatening as a wooden spoon. The problem is the strikers with all round work rate and touch, coupled with good movement and finishing ability are generally at the very top clubs. Scouting out a 19-20 year old version that can take us forward would be good.

[olaftab]

I note that suicide brigade are not in tonight.

[Chipsticks]

There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.

Serves the bastards right.

[CJ]

There's something so mundanely satisfying while at the same time infuriating about coming home from a game, knowing that everyone who left 5 minutes from the end to 'beat the rush' has missed the winning and only goal.

Serves the bastards right.

Two of my mates always leave 5 minutes before the end. Needless to say they got a smug text from me today