West Ham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Nastylee]

What I saw was a promising start with Ireland in particular getting on the ball and trying to probe. Holman and N'Zogbia got into some promising positions but failed at the decisive moment while Bent made some good runs but wasn't found. However, that petered out and West Ham built momentum through cheap freekicks which ultimtely was our downfall. By this time, the ball wasn't reaching Holman, N'Zogbia or Bent and Ireland, El and Delph were 30 yards from our goal. This was the pattern for the remainder of the game and the subs did nothing to change that.

Whilst the stats might show 60% possession and more shots than WHU, the reality is we kept possession very deep in our own half where WHU were happy not to pressure us and get players into position. As for the shots, two efforts from range courtesy of Ireland and Vlaar were the only notable efforts while WHU had two cleared off the line in addition to their goal so the stats can be twisted into making things look better than they were. I wonder what the possession stats were in the opposition half? In any case, afer the second half I would suggest the BBC's 51% was probably closer to the truth.

However, I'm prepared to see what develops. If Delph/El are going to sit deep and protect the defence then it's essential that Holman, N'Zogbia and Ireland push on to support Bent. We looked a bit too rigid and when you see Ireland of Man City days he bust a gut to get into the box. We need to get players forward. Lambert stated, "Villa fans shouldn't have to wait 40 mins for a meaningful shot." Yet, that's exactly what happened yesterday so there's plenty to be done to increase the confidence so that players push on and of course, some work in the transfer market.

[VinnieChase84]

Think I must have watched a different game compared to most of the comments I have read!!
As bad as anything last season? Really? People clearly have very short memories.
I thought we looked like the 'home' side in the game. Seeing us actually want the ball and want to keep it and pass was a refreshing change. With a couple of tweaks/new additions we won't be far off being a half decent side. Rome was not built in a day and we all know this rebuild is going to take at least another 2 transfer windows. However, I thought he initial signs give us more hope and optimism for the future.
Was nice to see Delph in the side, a few times he looked to burst through the middle and pose a threat. Hope he can stay injury free and put a run of games together.
I hope west ham go down, what a horrible horrible footballing side. I thought they were a sack of shit and can't even think of anyone stand out from them.
If that game was played middle of season and not opening day I'm sure we would have won.
Hope we can add a couple of players over the next two weeks and push on.
Overall, I'm optimistic

[Mister E]

What I saw was a promising start with Ireland in particular getting on the ball and trying to probe. Holman and N'Zogbia got into some promising positions but failed at the decisive moment while Bent made some good runs but wasn't found. However, that petered out and West Ham built momentum through cheap freekicks which ultimtely was our downfall. By this time, the ball wasn't reaching Holman, N'Zogbia or Bent and Ireland, El and Delph were 30 yards from our goal. This was the pattern for the remainder of the game and the subs did nothing to change that.

Whilst the stats might show 60% possession and more shots than WHU, the reality is we kept possession very deep in our own half where WHU were happy not to pressure us and get players into position. As for the shots, two efforts from range courtesy of Ireland and Vlaar were the only notable efforts while WHU had two cleared off the line in addition to their goal so the stats can be twisted into making things look better than they were. I wonder what the possession stats were in the opposition half? In any case, afer the second half I would suggest the BBC's 51% was probably closer to the truth.

However, I'm prepared to see what develops. If Delph/El are going to sit deep and protect the defence then it's essential that Holman, N'Zogbia and Ireland push on to support Bent. We looked a bit too rigid and when you see Ireland of Man City days he bust a gut to get into the box. We need to get players forward. Lambert stated, "Villa fans shouldn't have to wait 40 mins for a meaningful shot." Yet, that's exactly what happened yesterday so there's plenty to be done to increase the confidence so that players push on and of course, some work in the transfer market.

True, Lee; it also requires the FB to get forward and leave the CB and the 2 deep MF to defend. Yesterday, Lowton only really got forward in the second half and Baker didn't really at all. We lacked width and penetration in part because we didn't use the FB  properly.

In addition, Charles was crap and Holman (who I think will come good) didn't get off to a good start.

[Monty]

I agree with Vinnie and Lee (nice rhyme to that). Comparing it to last season is totally erroneous. We passed the ball around nicely yesterday but the openings didn't come. In other games, with better form, when the players are more used to each other, the openings will come.

[olaftab]

So some or many on here are not happy with 60% possession. Are you the same people who were not happy with 30% in most games last year?
The key to success for any team is to keep the ball. It looks as though we are going to able to do that however we will have better tests than a team coached by fat Sam. Next step is what to do and how to exploit the ball retention. This will come. I predict that we will finish higher than the two teams who won 5-0 yesterday.

[Toronto Villa]

So some or many on here are not happy with 60% possession. Are you the same people who were not happy with 30% in most games last year?
The key to success for any team is to keep the ball. It looks as though we are going to able to do that however we will have better tests than a team coached by fat Sam. Next step is what to do and how to exploit the ball retention. This will come. I predict that we will finish higher than the two teams who won 5-0 yesterday.

The possession is something we've all been crying out for. We just need to make use of it. My concern is outside of supplying Bent we don't have forwards who create things for themselves. Look at Fulham or even the Tesco bags and see how they versatility up front. They have choices whereas our forwards are quite similar. Makes us quite predictable and easier to plan for.

[Matt Collins]

Gabby does when he's on form tho I agree he's not 'creative'

CNZ should do in theory

[Mister E]

So some or many on here are not happy with 60% possession. Are you the same people who were not happy with 30% in most games last year?
The key to success for any team is to keep the ball. It looks as though we are going to able to do that however we will have better tests than a team coached by fat Sam. Next step is what to do and how to exploit the ball retention. This will come. I predict that we will finish higher than the two teams who won 5-0 yesterday.

The possession is something we've all been crying out for. We just need to make use of it. My concern is outside of supplying Bent we don't have forwards who create things for themselves. Look at Fulham or even the Tesco bags and see how they versatility up front. They have choices whereas our forwards are quite similar. Makes us quite predictable and easier to plan for.

You're right, which brings us back to the Lambert approach last season of switching the Norwich gameplay during a match. We just need the variety of players; maybe a large Centre Forward is going to be brought in before the end of August, along with a nippy LB.

[brian green]

Just as a suggestion I wonder if BB could be used as an out and out winger ?   Ever since we lost Milner we have had nobody prepared to drive forward and take the game to the opposition, somebody determined to play the game in our opponents' half of the pitch.   That is where possession is important.   BB is quick he is aggressive he is committed and he has grit, a quality N'Zogbia has a complete deficiency of.   Ireland when he was Ireland was a constant penalty box intruder but his mind set of maybe I will if I feel like it is folly at Premiership level.   If we are going to persist with the luxury of carrying an out and out goal hanger we have to have others who are less cotton wool wrapped breaking their balls to get wide and get forward.

[Monty]

Bannan doesn't have the pace or one-on-one running ability to be an out-and-out winger. I still think we should play him ahead of N'Zogbia though.

[Toronto Villa]

Bannan doesn't have the pace or one-on-one running ability to be an out-and-out winger. I still think we should play him ahead of N'Zogbia though.

we'd create more and be more inventive. At times watching N'Zogbia it's hard to believe he's made it to this level.

[Monty]

Bannan doesn't have the pace or one-on-one running ability to be an out-and-out winger. I still think we should play him ahead of N'Zogbia though.

we'd create more and be more inventive. At times watching N'Zogbia it's hard to believe he's made it to this level.

I like our approach and I think it suits Bannan. On the ball, the players interchange, move in relation to each other and seem to basically have total freedom of movement; off the ball, we press quickly then drop into a shape where each player seems to go to the position nearest to him, rather than any 'set' position for them - the shape is more important than the literal personnel from KEA forward. Frankly, it is an approach that could have been designed for Bannan.

[olaftab]

So some or many on here are not happy with 60% possession. Are you the same people who were not happy with 30% in most games last year?
The key to success for any team is to keep the ball. It looks as though we are going to able to do that however we will have better tests than a team coached by fat Sam. Next step is what to do and how to exploit the ball retention. This will come. I predict that we will finish higher than the two teams who won 5-0 yesterday.

The possession is something we've all been crying out for. We just need to make use of it. My concern is outside of supplying Bent we don't have forwards who create things for themselves. Look at Fulham or even the Tesco bags and see how they versatility up front. They have choices whereas our forwards are quite similar. Makes us quite predictable and easier to plan for.

We have a classic dichotomy here. Bent is our problem he is also our solution. I am glad I don't have to fix this however the man paid  a few millions a year will I am sure of that even if that is no Bent in the future.

[danlanza]

N'zogbia has had long enough in my view to get his act together. Watching the game over here on tv yesterday it would appear that he still has the" Head down and run into trouble" style. His awareness of his fellow team mates positions on the pitch is virtually non existent and in my view only he is a total waste of money and should be moved on.

[brian green]

Back in the day out and out pace was not considered as important as acceleration.  The classic case was Kevin Keegan who was never going to win a long race for the ball but over fifteen strides he was very fast from a standing start.   Players with that quality were referred to as "nippy" a term which has long fallen out of serious use in player evaluation.   The ability to get in front of a player was considered more important than long foot races for the ball down the touchline.  I feel intuitively that there is a damn good footballer somewhere in BB we just have to find the right way to use him.