Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[David_Nab]

Gota say currently the young hungry players looks a mistake.Especially in midfield just no quality there.

[hawkeye]

I honestly think the major problem is that the players aren't good enough.

Look at that squad objectively and pick out the quality. This was my main worry at the end of the transfer window, we largely bought average championship players.

Benteke and Vlaar look decent but two or three players of proven middling quality was never going to be enough.

It is really the culmination of three years of so of dreadful mismanagement / stewardship of the club.

I think it is unrealistic to expect the manager to work miracles, but it is equally unrealistic to pretend that "young and hungry" (and were we a cynical lot, we could add "cheap" to that) is going to be a magical solution to our increasing decline.

I agree with this, I would add that Lambert should know enough to have worked out that you need a midfield, we have started this campaign without one.

[JUAN PABLO]

The players who weren't involved today, Nzogbia, Ireland, Bannan, Dunne aren't without their (much discussed) faults so it's not like we're waiting for players who will definitely turn it round. I think its changing the system that is our best shot.

Difficult though because I feel Lamberts struggling to accommodate 4 strikers into 2 slots let alone 4 into one.

Bent, Nzogbia and Ireland have been our biggest signings of the last two seasons (combined it must be something like £30M) but they're barely involved.

and If PL does not play them , we are down.

[pauliewalnuts]

Also, whilst Lowton has done ok by and large, Bennett looks miles out of his depth to me. Also spends far too much time banging the ball hopefully down the wing.

[David_Nab]

Holman great workrate but overall not good enough with the ball.

[PaulWinch again]

I honestly think the major problem is that the players aren't good enough.

Look at that squad objectively and pick out the quality. This was my main worry at the end of the transfer window, we largely bought average championship players.

Benteke and Vlaar look decent but two or three players of proven middling quality was never going to be enough.

It is really the culmination of three years of so of dreadful mismanagement / stewardship of the club.

I think it is unrealistic to expect the manager to work miracles, but it is equally unrealistic to pretend that "young and hungry" (and were we a cynical lot, we could add "cheap" to that) is going to be a magical solution to our increasing decline.

Agree completely, but even within that we're not selecting the best of those available.

[JUAN PABLO]

When I saw the team I thought dull.

And we were.

[hawkeye]

Ireland is the only one of that 3 that should start,

[JUAN PABLO]

Holman great workrate but overall not good enough with the ball.

I thought we had Des bremner when I first saw him .  I think he's more Rory Bremner .  Not Prem quality for me.

[nornironvillain]

Also, whilst Lowton has done ok by and large, Bennett looks miles out of his depth to me. Also spends far too much time banging the ball hopefully down the wing.

to be honest paulie i think very player we bought has looked miles out their depths - Bar Benteke - even Vlaar who is a bit of a cult figure is a bombscare, a mistake waiting to happen

to be honest we will probably get beat by swindon next week and then sneak a win against one of the big 3

[PaulWinch again]

Also, whilst Lowton has done ok by and large, Bennett looks miles out of his depth to me. Also spends far too much time banging the ball hopefully down the wing.

Agreed Lowton looks decent. Bennett looks physically and mentally completely out of his depth, as you say.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Also, whilst Lowton has done ok by and large, Bennett looks miles out of his depth to me. Also spends far too much time banging the ball hopefully down the wing.

Bennett looks incredibly slow, in thought as well as physically. Neither of them augments the attack with overlaps either.

And while I wouldn't absolve our mdfield of all blame for not keeping possession or creating chances, when Ireland isn't playin almost no bugger is getting themselves into space to receive easy balls forward.

We seem to be setting ourselves up as a counter-attacking team with almost zero cautner-attacking ability.

[j66acd]

Ahmadinejad is rubbish he didn't influence the game at all today. I'm fact the whole midfield was poor. Gave the ball away too much. Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar and Herd played well and Bennett was off the pace.

A game we should have won but the red card changed the game. Felt sorry for Bent when he came on, had no service other than long balls.

[E I Adio]

Did we have a midfield? My confidence in Lambert has all but evaporated. Guzan and Benteke both did well but were the only two players to come out with any credit.

Can't remember such an utterly poor performance against weak opposition at home since the sixties. Truly embarrassing.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

I'm definitely on the wobble as far as Lambert is concerned. Tactics and team selection not right for a little while now. Injuries don't help, but even so.