West Ham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[The Situation]

I like what Lambert's said there and sees what we saw today.

[Pete3206]

West Ham were more than happy for Villa to dominate possession. One up front, especially Bent was never going to be effective. They stifled the supply line, which was hopeful through balls from Ireland and there was no alternative plan.  Jaaskelainen may as well have stayed on holiday.

[Toronto Villa]

I like what Lambert's said there and sees what we saw today.

Unlike TSM I don't think Lambert is oblivious to the obvious. TSM was in permanent denial. Lambert will have seen what he needs and things to work on. Hopefully Faulkner learned from last year and backs the manager to get what he needs in the next two weeks.

[Toronto Villa]

West Ham were more than happy for Villa to dominate possession. One up front, especially Bent was never going to be effective. They stifled the supply line, which was hopeful through balls from Ireland and there was no alternative plan.  Jaaskelainen may as well have stayed on holiday.

Our lack of shots on goal is one thing we simply have to change and improve on. I don't have the stats but over the past two years I'd bet we have been amongst the lowest shots on targets of any team in the top two divisions.

[pauliewalnuts]

It is Lerner who needs to do the backing, ultimately.

I like Lambert a lot, and think he's a good appointment, but the squad is nothing like strong enough. If you take out Given and Bent, not many neutrals would look at our squad with envy.

I just hope Randy isn't thinking we don't need to strengthen.

[Toronto Villa]

This squad may very well develop in time, but we need to bring in some experienced and accomplished players in the next two windows to compliment and help it grow. There's a lot of talent there but they need help from some more mature heads. Not having Stan is a big blow, so we could do with some additional leaders.

[villan from luton]

Not seen the game, but from reports it seems that Lambert is more than fully aware of the need for the team to be more potent. I am sure there will be a few more signings and we will improve. Lets give it a while while the team adapt to the new style and new players. I recall Villa being at home to ManCity first home game of the season in 1977/78 in midweek after opening game away. We had Ken McNaught having replaced Chris Nicholl and Jimmy Rimmer in goal. McNaught in particular looked awful, it does take time for new players to gel in sometimes, and the present players have to get used to passing the ball after the last idiot in charge

[Toronto Villa]

Yes quite. No need to panic. Just work to do and holes to fill. Everton seem to start every season in relegation form and they recover just fine. We need to give everyone time to get this right.

This season is about making sure seasons like the last never, ever happen again, and creating a solid base for sustained comptetiveness and success.

[peter w]

I do wonder if Darren Bent is too nice a bloke to be captain? I'd be happier if it as the concrete one to get in the players faces when needed. I'd rather Bent just concentrated on scoring goals ad not much else.

Clark seemed to be the defender doing the most motivational gestures.

I think long term he will be the captain of the club. He is maturing quite nicely and getting better as a player. Vlaar, I hope will be a very positive influence on him.

Really? I thought Clark was a one-man disaster area for about 10 minutes leading up to the goal. i didn't see anything to prove he should be playing in the first-team at centre-half. I'd sooner have Baker there.

[Toronto Villa]

I do wonder if Darren Bent is too nice a bloke to be captain? I'd be happier if it as the concrete one to get in the players faces when needed. I'd rather Bent just concentrated on scoring goals ad not much else.

Clark seemed to be the defender doing the most motivational gestures.

I think long term he will be the captain of the club. He is maturing quite nicely and getting better as a player. Vlaar, I hope will be a very positive influence on him.

Really? I thought Clark was a one-man disaster area for about 10 minutes leading up to the goal. i didn't see anything to prove he should be playing in the first-team at centre-half. I'd sooner have Baker there.

He's developing. He needs to be a better player before captain I agree.

[john e]

I do wonder if Darren Bent is too nice a bloke to be captain? I'd be happier if it as the concrete one to get in the players faces when needed. I'd rather Bent just concentrated on scoring goals ad not much else.

Clark seemed to be the defender doing the most motivational gestures.

I think long term he will be the captain of the club. He is maturing quite nicely and getting better as a player. Vlaar, I hope will be a very positive influence on him.

Really? I thought Clark was a one-man disaster area for about 10 minutes leading up to the goal. i didn't see anything to prove he should be playing in the first-team at centre-half. I'd sooner have Baker there.

He's developing. He needs to be a better player before captain I agree.

he was still a lot better than the two twats playing there last season,

 i didnt see any big pressure we couldnt deal with from West Ham, they scored a spiffy goal, but we cleared almost everthing else with ease, cant remember us being pinned back much

[peter w]

I thought that the defence was pretty much solid and given came off his line a few times to claim a couple of hoofs. But, I disagree that he looked better than Dunne and Collins. I thought he was as poor as I think he usually is.

[brian green]

I recall that 1977 game against Man City Luton villan.   It was Damon's first game.   I too remember thinking that Ken McNaught was overweight and slow and that Jimmy Rimmer could not kick straight.   First impressions are often very misleading.

[Percy McCarthy]

It was the fence that did for us that night.

[villan from luton]

I recall that 1977 game against Man City Luton villan.   It was Damon's first game.   I too remember thinking that Ken McNaught was overweight and slow and that Jimmy Rimmer could not kick straight.   First impressions are often very misleading.

Ken McNaught had awful start, Bilbao night brought him on a lot, peeing down if I am correct?,