Norwich City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[eamonn]

We drew the same amount in 2006/07.


That makes it alright then

[gervilla]

He got Blues to play the "Alec Mcleish way", I think he successfully got us playing that way too. We were lucky to stay up, next time, if he stays, we won't be so lucky. Do you hear me Randolf ?

[luke25]

"That wasn't an Alex McLeish team today."

Could somebody give me an example of an Alex Mcleish team?

Have you ever sneezed all of a sudden and its gone in your mouth? then you have to hold it in your mouth for the time it takes you to run from the front room to the toilet to spit it out, well that few seconds that the snot is in your mouth is the nearest thing I can think of to compare to an Alex McLeish team.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

some more - and updated - stats / facts:
- Win ratio of 18.5% for the EPL season.
- Worst points haul since 1986-7.
- Highest number of draws in the division: 33% more than the next team (Sunderland).
- Highest number of draws in a season since 1975-6.
 - Lowest number of goals-scored in the bottom 6 clubs (and only surpassed by Stoke in the whole division).
- Lowest number of goals scored in a season since 1969-70.
- Worst record in the league for losing from winning positions – 22 points lost.
- Conceded more from set pieces than any other team.
- The only EPL team not to score from a corner all season.
- Villa's worst-ever league home record.
- VP crowds down by 9% this season.

Yes, but Bent got injured you know.

[Dribbler]

This might be a promising sign:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2770925,00.html

[bertlambshank]

This might be a promising sign

This might be a promising sign:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2770925,00.html

He's gone.

[rob_bridge]

This might be a promising sign:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2770925,00.html

Here is hoping. I just hope the no knowledge of football Chief Exec and Owner don't fupp up for a 3rd time in recruiting a manager.

[SashasGrandad]

Another promising sign

White smoke coming from McMinge's office as they burn his personalised stationery.

[bertlambshank]

This might be a promising sign

This might be a promising sign:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2770925,00.html

He's gone.

And take PF with you you pair of bullshitting ******.

[supertom]

How bad does someone have to be to play such a team devoid of any attacking threat? Warnock, Herd and Clark in midfield. Cueller as fullback. Lichaj playing on the left, which he doesn't look right at (he's not good enough any how). Heskey up front is pretty much a defensive choice too.
Worse still, 81 minutes, we have Carruthers and N'Zogbia on the bench who could come on to provide width. What does he do? Bring on Baker!! That's one of the most moronic decisions in the history of football. The games pretty much lost. Why make a defensive change to sure things up??

The blokes a waste of fucking oxygen. I wouldn't wish him on the shittest pub team on earth, because he'd make them even worse.

To finish a season on 38 points at this club is fucking atrocious. It should be a foregone conclusion that we fuck him off.

[PeterWithe]

Do we have any mascochists that want to see 'The Alex McLeish Way' perfected?

I'd rather guzzle urine.

What an utter ******.

[rob_bridge]

From the OS

Grant Holt and Simeon Jackson scored the goals which ensured victory for the home side on a sunny afternoon at Carrow Road.

The only crumb of comfort for the travelling troops - bedecked in fancy dress - was that were was no mega goal difference swing at the foot of the Barclays Premier League table, ensuring Villa stay a top-flight titan for another season, Bolton slipping through the relegation trapdoor.

It's worth pointing out that there's certainly no shame for Villa in losing to Paul Lambert's team, who have proved to be a slick and stylish side in their first season in the Barclays Premier League.

Norwich played like a team who wanted the season to run and run while Villa looked like a side who were desperate for it to end.

Villa really didn't get going in the first half, with Norwich taking control with their attractive brand of progressive football.

Norwich, on the crest of a wave after their impressive campaign, played with confidence and class.

Ironically, Villa did have the first chance of the opening 45 minutes, Stephen Ireland blasting wide from 25 yards out after meeting a corner clearance.

But after that, the Canaries soared and took the lead on nine minutes.

Grant Holt, who finds himself mentioned alongside Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent and Peter Crouch in contention for the Euro 2012 squad, did his chances no harm by bundling home Simon Lappin's free-kick from the left-hand side.

While Villa couldn't get to grips with things in the outfield, Shay Given was showing his shot-stopping skills in goal, however.

Given stretched to his right to keep out a 20-yard Johnny Howson blaster and then produced an even better stop to keep out a free-kick from Lappin.

That offered Villa some brief respite, but not for long.

Jackson doubled the lead on 22 minutes, finishing comfortably from close-range after an error from Carlos Cuellar.

The Spaniard misplaced a header, with the ball falling perfectly for the Norwich striker to stroke home.

Villa did go close late in the half, Eric Lichaj abandoning his defensive duties for a moment and going on a mazy run before firing goalwards.

John Ruddy managed to dive to his right to tip away the on-target effort.

Villa's forward momentum increased after the break, Alex McLeish's men coming out of the blocks fast.

Ruddy, in fine form in the Norwich goal, tipped away efforts from Ireland and Heskey in consecutive minutes in the opening exchanges of the second period.

In fact, both goalkeepers proved to be the main men after the break, with Given showing his undoubted class too.

Wes Hoolahan, Bennett and Jackson were all denied by brilliant stops from the Republic of Ireland ace as the final half of the season continued apace.

There were moments for Villa at the death, Ireland heading over from Gary Gardner's pinpoint cross and Barry Bannan blasting over from 30 yards out.

But the visitors couldn't bag that vital goal which would have made the nerve-ends tingle for the home side in the closing moments.

Despite the loss, there was a lovely moment after the final whistle, with Cuellar donning a wig, his national flag and throwing home shirts into the away end for his adoring masses.

Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Naughton, Bennett, Johnson, Hoolahan, Bennett, Lappin, Howson (Crofts), Holt (Morison), Jackson (Wilbraham). Subs: Steer, Drury, Surman, Fox.

Villa: Given, Cuellar (Gardner), Collins, Dunne, Lichaj, Herd (Bannan), Clark, Warnock (Baker), Ireland, Heskey, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Carruthers, N'Zogbia, Delfouneso.

 
/quote]

'Norwich, on the crest of a wave after their impressive campaign, played with confidence and class.

Ironically, Villa did have the first chance of the opening 45 minutes, Stephen Ireland blasting wide from 25 yards out after meeting a corner clearance.'

This the same Norwich who were on the beach a month ago and lost 3-0 in their last home game to the worst Liverpool team in 50 years.

What is ironic about having the first chance?

Who writes this drivell?

[damon loves JT]

I don't know if anyone has suggested this. Is it possible the players were trying to ensure he got the sack?

[enigma]

We got extremely lucky.  If the season lasted one more game we'd be gone and no-one would miss us. We've stunk the place out week after week.

We got less points than Blose managed last season for crying out loud.

[N'Rexy]

I agree with that sentiment. The players clearly don't respect him as they don't play for him. Perhaps they realised that they could help get him sacked.