Aston Villa v Reading Post-Match Thread

[darren woolley]

I'm pleased with another clean sheet and we got the win just hope we play better against QPR I would also start with Ireland.

[Monty]

I notice Reading have lost 1-0 away to West Brom and Liverpool this season, too, and they beat Everton at home 2-1 a couple of week's ago.  Looking at their other results, no team has actually gone out and given them a thrashing this season which would suggest they are a solid enough outfit set up not to get beaten.

Given the circumstances, this was a very good result for us.  Some folk say the sign of a good team is that it will get a win even when not firing on all cylinders and that's exactly what we managed to do last night. 

It's true, I think I'm right in saying they haven't lost by more than the odd goal all season? As much as we really needed to win last night and anything else would have been unacceptable, it was never going to be easy.

[JUAN PABLO]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

Spot on Paulie

[Monty]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

Spot on Paulie

Still not what I was saying though. I know the performance yesterday was pish. My point was directed at miseryarses, not at people criticising the performance.

[PeterWithesShin]

I notice Reading have lost 1-0 away to West Brom and Liverpool this season, too, and they beat Everton at home 2-1 a couple of week's ago.  Looking at their other results, no team has actually gone out and given them a thrashing this season which would suggest they are a solid enough outfit set up not to get beaten.

Given the circumstances, this was a very good result for us.  Some folk say the sign of a good team is that it will get a win even when not firing on all cylinders and that's exactly what we managed to do last night. 

It's true, I think I'm right in saying they haven't lost by more than the odd goal all season? As much as we really needed to win last night and anything else would have been unacceptable, it was never going to be easy.

Chelsea (a) 2-4 and 1-3 v Spurs (h) are their only defeats in the league by more than 1 goal. And the 7-5 v Arsenal in the LC.

[Monty]

I notice Reading have lost 1-0 away to West Brom and Liverpool this season, too, and they beat Everton at home 2-1 a couple of week's ago.  Looking at their other results, no team has actually gone out and given them a thrashing this season which would suggest they are a solid enough outfit set up not to get beaten.

Given the circumstances, this was a very good result for us.  Some folk say the sign of a good team is that it will get a win even when not firing on all cylinders and that's exactly what we managed to do last night. 

It's true, I think I'm right in saying they haven't lost by more than the odd goal all season? As much as we really needed to win last night and anything else would have been unacceptable, it was never going to be easy.

Chelsea (a) 2-4 and 1-3 v Spurs (h) are their only defeats in the league by more than 1 goal. And the 7-5 v Arsenal in the LC.

That's it. They played pretty well in those three games as well, especially the Chelsea one (the Arsenal tennis set was farcical).

[QBVILLA]

I think a lot of the problem lies with the fact that "It's only Reading". Well in all fairness we've played all three of the promoted sides and we've lost to two of them. A lot of teams will be looking at a fixture with us and thinking there are three points to be won. Personally  I think we had enough clear chances to have won 3-0 last night and then the performance would've been heralded. Our finishing wasn't up to scratch and the pressure told on the young players as the game wore on at 0-0. Positives being unbeaten in two,  back to back clean sheets and a goal for Benteke.

[pauliewalnuts]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

Spot on Paulie

Still not what I was saying though. I know the performance yesterday was pish. My point was directed at miseryarses, not at people criticising the performance.

Hmmm

*wink*

[Monty]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

Spot on Paulie

Still not what I was saying though. I know the performance yesterday was pish. My point was directed at miseryarses, not at people criticising the performance.

Hmmm

*wink*

It made sense in context! Honest guv!

[pauliewalnuts]

Ha ha, fair enough!

(I hadn't read your reply on the previous page, either, in fairness)

I think, generally speaking, we did well considering how many kids we had last night. Average age 23, youngest starting XI we've ever sent out in the PL etc etc, they were always going to be somewhat nervy, which didn't help.

It was a poor performance, but as mentioned, there have been plenty of indicators this season that progress is being made. I imagine the likes of Enda Stevens learn a bit from every match at this point in their careers.

My only concern is that the weakness of the squad means a possible over-reliance on young players, which risks being detrimental both for the club and the players, and that the progress we make is going to be "drowned out" by poor results and a spiral of doom.

[PeterWithesShin]

On the flip side it could be the making of them as well. A sense of 'in this all together' and growing in ability and confidence as a group.

[Monty]

The point about depth is a valid one, and there also isn't a huge amount of variety in the squad at the moment either. We essentially have about one type of midfielder, and we need a bit more in there.

[He wears a magic hat]

result was all important - Performance pretty average but on the plus side another clean sheet thats 3 from the last 5

[myf]

I thought bannan's corners were very good last night. We should have scored twice from them. He was a bit enfuriating, but he was progressive in his passing. He's certainly playing several levels above albrighton. I'd love it if albrighton could come roaring back but I suspect he's finished at tha level. I just don't see what qualities he really has, now that the surprise factor has gone and he no longer seems able to cross.

I agree with Bannan - some good passes/corners but obviously the crowd focuses on his stray passes which put us under pressure.  Not sure why he was playing so deep either as he offers nothing defensively.

[Dave Cooper please]

The other thing about it being 'only Reading' is that this is the sort of team many of us thought we wouldn't have the bottle to beat in a relegation scrap. It's early days but I think we are seeing that this side will scrap for points when they need to.