Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[not3bad]

Do feel a hit sorry for holman. Thought he was decent all game and very busy, a bit trigger happy if anything, then the one time he backs off we concede. I can see a good player there though.

According to Match of the Day 2 Holman was great.

[Summers]

I think we all agree - or should - that his energy and work rate were brilliant. One moment aside he gave no one time or space.

[Ian.]

We played a fairly narrow 4-4-2 from what I saw Ian. Bannan drifting left, Holman right of Ireland and KEA.

Thanks Ozzjim. From the little I have just seen it did look good. We seem to have created chances too with Bent and Ireland guilty of misses.
Brad was solid, fair play to the big man. Cracking strike from them, no stopping them.

It's going to be hard picking the team from now on, but with how Lambert put Brad in the sticks today I have no doubt he is not scared to make changes.

[olaftab]

Apparently  that **** Hensen reckons Newcastle played appallingly badly in the first half. Obviously  not because we didn't let them play.

[kippaxvilla2]

Did I read the stats correctly - 9 shots on target away from home?  I thought some of the football I have just seen was fantastic, such a refreshing change seeing players looking for space and playing close passing.  Signs are good now in my view.  Bent really needs Benteke and/or Gabby to help him.  If Bent scores 1 he will score 20 I am convinced of it.

[olaftab]

there wasnt one lazy player in a villa shirt today.

Yes and confirmed  just on MOtD2 when I saw Ireland covering and stopping their fullback on the goal line  for a corner to them.

[tomd2103]

How did we line up? I was surprised not to see there was no Herd or Delph in the squad too. Good to see Gabby getting a run out.

Only saw the highlights on MOTD2 so have no idea about his overall performance when he came on, but the way Gabby turned Coloccini and left him for dead in the 2nd half was like his old self.

[The Situation]

Really encouraging and positive performance today the way we played - it was really good to see. Newcastle are a good team and we've found it tough playing up there. We looked confident and made our chances where we could of scored more. I liked how we didn't let our heads drop after they scored looking like we just wanted to settle for a draw there and then, we got back up and looked like we still wanted to win the game. It was also nice to see Gabby come on and go into turbocharger mode with the ball, unlucky Bent couldn't of got his shot away though. Ireland did well I thought and so did N'Zogbia when he came on. In general it was a good team performance.

Defence didn't look panicky as it has been in recent times too. Vlaar looked good on the ball and Clark redeems himself getting the goal. Nice cross from Bannan too.

[ozzjim]

Ireland has been working much harder for a while now. He and Bent start getting a bit of confidence in front of goal, I am sure we are going to give someone a proper tonking.

[Ian.]

Ireland has been working much harder for a while now. He and Bent start getting a bit of confidence in front of goal, I am sure we are going to give someone a proper tonking.

It would be fantastic if Ireland recaptured the scoring form he had that season with Man City.

[peter w]

Let's just settle for a scrappy 1-0 win, eh?

[Olneythelonely]

Holman is a  strange one, he seems to be very divisive. I happen to think he was brilliant today and should start every away game. His effort and work rate is absolutely astonishing, he's not Messi though unfortunately.

[dicedlam]

Its been a pleasure reading such a positive post match thread.

Long may it happen!

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

All you doubters. Watch this game and start to believe. Our new signings will have watched this and been dribbling of the thought of being involved in this team.

[not3bad]

Let's just settle for a scrappy 1-0 win, eh?

Totally.  But there's promise we can build from there.  But yes, let's just get a win under our belts.  Score a goal against Swansea and then park the bus!  Whatever it takes!