Fulham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Apyadg]

Bent will save our season.

Not by scoring 20 goals, but by being sold in Jan for at least what we paid and bring in some quality to get us out of this mess.

I doubt we'll fetch half of what we paid for him. No one's paying big money for a striker who barely gets a shot all season (whether it's his fault or not).

Plus, he must be keen to get out. I wouldn't be surprised to see him try to force a sale.

[onje_villa]

I think this will be rectified in January.

They got Bent in last time Randy has the money if needed and I think they'll spend it.
Hopefully by the end of the season our youngsters will be blossoming alongside a few new quality signings.
Left to their own devices, the kids have got a hell of a job to do to stay up.

Looking at the Villa squad, there's just no real star quality but I think if we can sign one or two in the window we'll do OK.

The villa hierarchy not doing something arseways? I wouldn't hold my breath.

[arnie66]

Randy's got a $billion dollars coming from the sale of the Cleveland Browns.................We need a big chunk of that spent on Villa please Mr Lerner

[olaftab]

Getting slightly worried now.....

[The Situation]

Honeymoon period well and truly over.
We are in deep shit and sinking and right now I can't see any improvement over the majority of the dross we watched last season.

What honeymoon period??

[Stu]

Randy's got a $billion dollars coming from the sale of the Cleveland Browns.................We need a big chunk of that spent on Villa please Mr Lerner

Not happening, Faulkner said as much a couple of months back or whenever it was.

[hawkeye]

The idea that this can be solved in january is tenuous, we could be too far gone by then

[tarzansbrother]

Cup games are the only games worth watching now. Owner wishing to sell, wankers like Ireland still being picked. Same old tripe. Git my swindon ticket but think they will dick us. Has Lambert said we gave our all yet?

[john e]

maybe we will win the league cup and still go down

has anyone ever done that before ?

[Stu]

The game against Norwich is a must win. There can be no other outcome from that game.

[PaulWinch again]

Cup games are the only games worth watching now. Owner wishing to sell, wankers like Ireland still being picked. Same old tripe. Git my swindon ticket but think they will dick us. Has Lambert said we gave our all yet?

Ireland has been one of our best players and you can also note we keep conceding when he's substituted.

[Matt Collins]

We just really really need to beat Norwich! Got the impression bent didn't do much, but then he wouldn't have missed some of the sitters benteke ha missed for us

[ez]

The game against Norwich is a must win. There can be no other outcome from that game.

It is a big game for us. Can't believe im saying that at this stage of the season.

[Yossarian]

We just really really need to beat Norwich! Got the impression bent didn't do much, but then he wouldn't have missed some of the sitters benteke ha missed for us

None of the strikers appear to be justifying their place in the team.

[brontebilly]

Benteke and Nzogbia were a lot better when they came on but we are just piss poor really. Delph did alright but is just so limited on the ball it aint funny and Holman is worse than Delph with the ball.

Our lads with the exception of Bent tried hard but there was no way we deserved a clean sheet today. Some of the defending from our younger three lads bordered on the criminal at times. Vlaar was solid. I thought Kea was decent in midfield but he is never going to create a goal or anything. We really look like we wont score too many. This was the case last season too and I think is actually getting worse under Lambert. No-one from midfield getting beyond the forwards like Ian Taylor used do. Its something I thought Chris Herd had in his locker, Stephen Ireland once upon a time did it for City but prefers to tap around near the halfway line these days getting up his passing stats.

As for the solution, Bent particularly needs wide men. If you look at the goals when he first came they were pretty much all laid on by Walker, downing or Young. What we wouldnt do for players of that quality today. Lowton twice went forward today, Bennett cant remember him at all getting beyond the midfield with the ball. None of the players in midfield went out wide. The call will be to bring in Albrighton and Nzogbia for the next day but Albrighton bar having a decent cross has nothing else to his game. Nzogbia could well throw out a stinker of a performance again but until our full backs push forward more, it will be difficult for wide men anyway. If we play those 2 for example, we will likely be very light in the middle. Kea and Delph are far too defensive as a partnership and lack physical presence too.

guzan 6 - commanding enough but a modern goalkeeper needs to be able to kick the ball. he is shocking with the ball at his feet
lowton 6 - decent stint at centre back maybe bumps him up a rating. One decent cross at full back but some terrible positioning at times defensively
vlaar 7 - our best player probably. some good blocks, used the ball well. solid performance
baker 5 - very ropey start but had started to settle into it a bit before going off with a nasty enough injury
Holman 5 - sure he tries hard but plainly not of EPL quality I reckon. His first touch is so bad his second is a tackle
Kea 6 - decent enough display. only wishes to do the bare minimum with the ball though, the same as Delph which restricts our play badly
Delph 6 - maybe I was a bit harsh on the lad during the match thread as to be fair he wasnt all that bad. just a very limited player with the ball
Ireland 5 - one moment of quality at the start of the second half showed his quality. but for much of the rest he walked around like a lad who really hadnt the heart for it. when is he ever in the opposition box or actually coming up with an assist. he is given a free role in the side to get goals and assists and does neither despite nice touches
bent 3 - sure what is the point. if we dont play with width there is no point having him on. gabby and himself cant play together, end of
gabby 5 - tried hard but zero goal threat. started well but faded. difficult for our forwards though as they are dependent on supply and there was zilch coming through from our midfield and full backs. 25 games or so in the EPL without a goal is a pretty desperate stat. hard to believe this is the same players that was destroying arsenal at the emirates not too long ago or destroying vidic at old trafford. he looks a championship player at the moment

subs - nzogbia did ok and probably deserves a start. benteke offers more than gabby and bent at the moment I reckon. should have scored but was in the right position anyway and gives us a physical presence up there anyway. lichaj was piss poor in his cameo

I honestly think we are in huge trouble this season. Lambert's gamble on not bringing in experienced players doesnt seem like it will be pay off. we are so badly lacking in different areas, I think staying up will prove a serious stretch this season.