Possession v Stoke

[midnite]

I wonder what the ball in play times are against stoke compared to other games during the season.

[cdbearsfan]

I noticed that Delap didn't need to dry the ball when they were losing, but he did at nil-nil and one-one. Funny that. Just book him for time-wasting bloody gutless officials.

[ROBBO]

Lppk at it from Stokes point of view, season to season all they think about is survival no matter what it takes. They play the brand of football they can afford thats why i am worrying about the present Villa set up.

[Dante Lavelli]

Then again he did put Agbonlahor through with a brilliant instinctive pass. Had Gabby scored we'd be hailing that as a moment of genius.

I thought that was Ireland (not Bannan). 

Anyway, back on topic, I heard on the Tuesday Club podcast that Stoke have attempted 5 through balls all season (up until the game before Villa).  That is truly shocking.

[SoccerHQ]

Stoke had a lot of the ball in the 2nd half.

Having less possession than them in a game is very embarrassing.

[Matt C]

If we can master the art of retaining possession a little better I'd expect some of our defensive problems will dissapear too.

[Villa in Denmark]

Lppk at it from Stokes point of view, season to season all they think about is survival no matter what it takes. They play the brand of football they can afford thats why i am worrying about the present Villa set up.

Swansea?

[GarTomas]

Then again he did put Agbonlahor through with a brilliant instinctive pass. Had Gabby scored we'd be hailing that as a moment of genius.

I wouldn't give up on Bananaman just yet. I think part of the problem is our players are too thick to read where he is going to put it.
[/quote

And there in lies the answer.  Easily the most talented of the current crop.

[brian green]

BB has the most potential to become an outstanding player.   If he continues to try to play killer passes and gets better at it he will become a very good player indeed.   If he becomes a percentage player and always plays safe he will gravitate to the Championship or more probably follow the same route as Steven Davis into the SPL.

[ozzjim]

Bannan gives the ball away too often. I don't believe the hype with this kid.

I think he needs to take the simple pass option more often than he does.



He is the one player this season I have seen able to put Bent in time and again. He reads his movement brilliantly, and if Bent were playing now with Bannan and Irelend in, we would be scoring goals I am sure. Movement up front helps a ball player no end.