Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Eckybloke]

I'm another in the pro-Holman camp. 

How much of it is he's having to try extra hard since it wasn't PL who brought him in?

[Risso]

The differing opinions on Holman's performance are quite startling.

I think he will be that kind of player. We'll see what Lambert thinks from how often he starts him.

I thought he was the least impressive of all the Villa players BECAUSE HE'S A MCLEISH SIGNING AND I HATE HIM!

Ahem, not really.  Holman worked hard, but his final ball was ofen a bit rubbish, and several good moves broke down because of it.

[Monty]

Also, don't know if you have noticed, but his usual facial expression (when not playing, too) is one of a slightly scowly, put upon Australian who has been told to run up several large hills, and has just done so.

It's a kind of mix of a thousand yard stare with exasperation.

Haha yeah, I think some mud on the face would complete the image perfectly. I think he could become something of a cult hero - and, unlike Salifou, for all the right reasons!

Tom, that's all very interesting stuff from the Telegraph there. Something which caught my eye was Lowton's 83% success rate from 12 tackles attempted, the highest in the team. Also, despite their respective reputations as a ball player and a tackler, Bannan and Herd have attempted the same number of tackles, with the same success rate, while Bannan has made 5 interceptions to Herd's 1. Granted, Bannan has had more games, but it is interesting reading nonetheless. Also, KEA's 60% success rate from 6 attempted and 7 interceptions are positively Petrov-esque statistics, a very encouraging sign considering his real tidiness on the ball.

[Jimbo]

Holman's work rate is an attitude - it's part of him; his dodgy passing is a technical aspect of his game, something that can be coached. With time he'll be a better passer of the ball, probably a better all-round footballer, but his tenacity appears to be in his DNA, which is why he can be very important for us.

[oldtimernow]

Bent 7  Holman 4.......please?

I think Holman could ell prove to be our Frank Carrodus of the current era

[Billy Walker]

Holman gets the thumbs up from me.  Des Bremner was a bit before my time but would I be right in saying he was a similar type of player: busy, in the opposition's faces, never wanting to give up?  Holman seems to have a bit of fire in his belly and every team needs that.  I think he has it in his locker to weigh in with some crucial goals, too.  A very good all rounder to have in the team/squad, in my view.

[Billy Walker]

Losing those first two games could be a blessing in disguise. We've been written off as relegation fodder, no-one is paying us any attention and the manager has been able to do drop some big names without the upset that normally occurs.

There's no doubt that before yesterday the BBC and papers generally had written us off, but as ever, a couple of good results and they'll turn faster milk in the hot weather and no fridge

No no, they will be "They are just riding high at the moment but soon they're gonna fall and relegate"

We'll be riding high and then they (the media) will start annointing Lambert as Fergie's successor.  The media can't actually visualise/compute a stable, successful, long term Aston Villa. Hopefully the club will have learnt from past experience with MON that planning long term and batting the media aside is crucial for future success.

[Ron Manager]

Bent 7  Holman 4.......please?

I think Holman could ell prove to be our Frank Carrodus of the current era

Thats exactly who he is....Frank Carrodus!

[nigel]

finally off the mark with a solid point and one we should have probably turned into 3 with the chances late on.

Positives - the manager. Big call in goal was justified, bringing Clark back in was justified also as was dropping Nzogbia. Positive substitutions late on bringing on Gabby and Nzogbia helped us no end. We also played some good stuff in the second half I thought and Ireland and/or Bent should have won it for us. Wiemann too had a decent chance but lacked conviction in the shot.

Negatives - Brett Holman ran around like a headless chicken for the 90 mins. Also thought we were desperately negative in the first half after we scored. Hardly put 5 passes together and just hoofed it clear. Lowton pushed on a bit but we need more from our full backs considering how narrow we are set up in midfield.

Guzan 7 - came and caught a lot of punts from Newcastle. His kicking particularly from the hand needs to improve and Id worry about the all or nothing come out for long balls but he has assured yesterday and it gave confidence to our centre back pairing.
Lowton 6 - still finding his feet at this level. Most of what he did was ok.
Vlaar 6 - Solid enough display but thought he was outshone by his defensive partner. M
Clark 7 - Good goal but no stupid tackles either and was assured in possession. Would like to see him win a few more aerial duels.
Lichaj 6 - Picked to counteract Ben Arfa turning in field and defended very well. Dreadful on the ball though, cant kick the ball with his left foot.
Holman 4 - Ran around an awful lot but did zilch with the ball and was poor for the goal. Thought Lambert should have withdrew him long before the end as he was running on empty for the last half an hour.
Kea 7 - decent display. Clever in possession and always find a bit of space for himself. Mobile too without the ball. Already a key player for us
Ireland 7 - Very good second half. Talent not in doubt but a player of his ability has got to start scoring and laying on chances. Seems to do a lot of his best work away from areas that will hurt teams. Then again kept the ball pretty well. Chance to score could have really got his season firing. Needs a goal I reckon.
Bannan 6 - Great delivery for the goal but disappeared after that until Kea went off. Finished the game pretty well in the centre. Tidy in possession. Some good deliveries too from set pieces. One of his better games in the last 12 months.
Weimann 6 - Far more lively than the Fonz for example. Started well and I would be happy enough with that showing. Lacks a bit of spark in front of goal
Bent 7 - good display from Bent I thought. When he got the ball to feet he seemed to use it well. Had a couple of decent chances too but took an unnecessary touch for the better one.

Gabby 7 - cracking cameo appearance. Gave a much needed physical presence up there and skated away from the Newcastle defence for the Bent chance. Id bring him back into the side slowly if I was Lambert but that was a decent first outing from Gabby that would have been key if one of the late chances had been taken

Nzogbia 6 - No way did he deserve to start. Trundled along as he often does but was actually on a decent run when Gutierrez dragged him back. Bit better anyway

Id like to see Herd come back into the side when fit. Holman had a bit of a shocker I thought. Bennett and Benteke are surely likely to come into consideration as is Westwood. Hopefully Kea isnt out for too long.

Certainly a lot better but I wouldnt be as overly positive as some here. Newcastle were dire I thought. Cracking goal from Ben Arfa but Cisse was anonymous. Wonder if he will struggle this season and they badly missed Tiote in midfield. We badly need more from our full backs out wide and the midfield still needs a lot of work I reckon.

Amazed you listed Holman as a negative, I thought he had a really good game and deserved great praise for his efforts. Ben Arfa scored a wonder goal on his weaker foot - harsh to give Holman a 4 mark in the extreme.

Sorry bronte.
I know it's your opinion on Holman, but I think your talking ballcocks with a 4

[OCD]

I loved Holman's performance, almost because of his flaws: he'd give the ball away, run about 70 yards to win it back, play a lovely neat one-two then give it away again, cue more running etc. It was great fun.

So basically, Holman is our Golden Retriever - give him a ball to chase and he'll go haring off after it and come back with it, panting and looking for Lambert's approval.

[rutski]

finally off the mark with a solid point and one we should have probably turned into 3 with the chances late on.

Positives - the manager. Big call in goal was justified, bringing Clark back in was justified also as was dropping Nzogbia. Positive substitutions late on bringing on Gabby and Nzogbia helped us no end. We also played some good stuff in the second half I thought and Ireland and/or Bent should have won it for us. Wiemann too had a decent chance but lacked conviction in the shot.

Negatives - Brett Holman ran around like a headless chicken for the 90 mins. Also thought we were desperately negative in the first half after we scored. Hardly put 5 passes together and just hoofed it clear. Lowton pushed on a bit but we need more from our full backs considering how narrow we are set up in midfield.

Guzan 7 - came and caught a lot of punts from Newcastle. His kicking particularly from the hand needs to improve and Id worry about the all or nothing come out for long balls but he has assured yesterday and it gave confidence to our centre back pairing.
Lowton 6 - still finding his feet at this level. Most of what he did was ok.
Vlaar 6 - Solid enough display but thought he was outshone by his defensive partner. M
Clark 7 - Good goal but no stupid tackles either and was assured in possession. Would like to see him win a few more aerial duels.
Lichaj 6 - Picked to counteract Ben Arfa turning in field and defended very well. Dreadful on the ball though, cant kick the ball with his left foot.
Holman 4 - Ran around an awful lot but did zilch with the ball and was poor for the goal. Thought Lambert should have withdrew him long before the end as he was running on empty for the last half an hour.
Kea 7 - decent display. Clever in possession and always find a bit of space for himself. Mobile too without the ball. Already a key player for us
Ireland 7 - Very good second half. Talent not in doubt but a player of his ability has got to start scoring and laying on chances. Seems to do a lot of his best work away from areas that will hurt teams. Then again kept the ball pretty well. Chance to score could have really got his season firing. Needs a goal I reckon.
Bannan 6 - Great delivery for the goal but disappeared after that until Kea went off. Finished the game pretty well in the centre. Tidy in possession. Some good deliveries too from set pieces. One of his better games in the last 12 months.
Weimann 6 - Far more lively than the Fonz for example. Started well and I would be happy enough with that showing. Lacks a bit of spark in front of goal
Bent 7 - good display from Bent I thought. When he got the ball to feet he seemed to use it well. Had a couple of decent chances too but took an unnecessary touch for the better one.

Gabby 7 - cracking cameo appearance. Gave a much needed physical presence up there and skated away from the Newcastle defence for the Bent chance. Id bring him back into the side slowly if I was Lambert but that was a decent first outing from Gabby that would have been key if one of the late chances had been taken

Nzogbia 6 - No way did he deserve to start. Trundled along as he often does but was actually on a decent run when Gutierrez dragged him back. Bit better anyway

Id like to see Herd come back into the side when fit. Holman had a bit of a shocker I thought. Bennett and Benteke are surely likely to come into consideration as is Westwood. Hopefully Kea isnt out for too long.

Certainly a lot better but I wouldnt be as overly positive as some here. Newcastle were dire I thought. Cracking goal from Ben Arfa but Cisse was anonymous. Wonder if he will struggle this season and they badly missed Tiote in midfield. We badly need more from our full backs out wide and the midfield still needs a lot of work I reckon.

Amazed you listed Holman as a negative, I thought he had a really good game and deserved great praise for his efforts. Ben Arfa scored a wonder goal on his weaker foot - harsh to give Holman a 4 mark in the extreme.

Sorry bronte.
I know it's your opinion on Holman, but I think your talking ballcocks with a 4

agreed nigel. lowton was superb as well

[not3bad]

Losing those first two games could be a blessing in disguise. We've been written off as relegation fodder, no-one is paying us any attention and the manager has been able to do drop some big names without the upset that normally occurs.

There's no doubt that before yesterday the BBC and papers generally had written us off, but as ever, a couple of good results and they'll turn faster milk in the hot weather and no fridge

No no, they will be "They are just riding high at the moment but soon they're gonna fall and relegate"

We'll be riding high and then they (the media) will start annointing Lambert as Fergie's successor.  The media can't actually visualise/compute a stable, successful, long term Aston Villa. Hopefully the club will have learnt from past experience with MON that planning long term and batting the media aside is crucial for future success.

"Newcastle also drew 1-1 at home, this time to Aston Villa, to go to 300/1 for the league. Villa, meanwhile, have once again been cut for relegation despite winning their first point of the season at the Sports Direct Arena. Paul Lambert’s side are now 2/1 from 5/2 to be playing Championship football next year."

http://bwinbetting.com/leagues/premier-league/arsenal-141-title-glory-villa-cut-drop,23847.html

[richard moore]

Bent 7  Holman 4.......please?

I think Holman could ell prove to be our Frank Carrodus of the current era

Thats exactly who he is....Frank Carrodus!

Who I used to pretend to be aged about 14 playing lunchtime football matches at my old school in Yorkshire. None of my friends (all Leeds, Man Utd and Man City fans) knew who he was...

[olaftab]

That's brilliant! How on earth do you confuse 'El Ahmadi' with 'Given'?

Given time Shay may well develop into a midfield general!?

Did...did you mean to make the pun with his name or is this just a beautiful accident?

Inspired by Paul's post match "in this given time" comment!

[villan from luton]

Think the comparisons with Frank Carrodus and Des Bremner are spot on. Neither of them were great footballers, but they were great team men and never stopped working. Holman seems to have the same attitude and there needs to be a mix in every team and I think he could become a big asset to the team. Think the stick for the Ben Arfa goal is a bit harsh as well, though perhaps should have got a little closer to him. It was a screamer with his right foot. The passing at times was as good as I have seen from a Villa team for many years