Bradford City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[PeterWithe]

I actually thought Clark was going to cry at one point. I feel sorry for the lad, he's so out of his depth in this current run and he's the captain! Should have been 2-0 up and we'd not be having this conversation.

When cross after cross was coming in from Bennet's side no-one seemed to be offering him any advice, encouragement or a bollocking. We desperately need some character at the back.

[onje_villa]

I must say Bennett's performance was one of the worst I've seen in a villa shirt, and I like to think I'm not as prone to the hyperbole of some others!!

I didn't think Delph was as horrific as some said. But you do have to worry when Clark and Bennett are being repeatedly skinned by a player in the fourth division. Bennett barely stopped a cross all game.

I've backed him because he looks really promising going forward but last night was probably the poorest performance I've ever seen by a Villan...

[Concrete John]

Is it just me or is there a lot of overreaction. Bradford must be doing well to get this far and they have have just knocked Arsenal out. Bradford's keeper wins man of the match and the majority are saying how crap we were.

We weren't entirely crap, we created lots of chances, and didn't take them.

The problem is the defending. I look at their second and third goals, and I'm not thinking "oh no, we're not going to Wembley", I'm thinking "much more of that, and we're going down, without a doubt".

Agreed Paulie, I actually thought Clark was going to cry at one point. I feel sorry for the lad, he's so out of his depth in this current run and he's the captain! Should have been 2-0 up and we'd not be having this conversation.

That's the thing.  People go on about them being from League 2, but when basic defending deserts you it really doesn't matter who it is you're presenting golden chances to!

[Pete3206]

Those having a go at the fans can get knotted. The vast majority were well behaved, supported their team throughout and had little reward for shelling out their hard earned for that dog's breakfast of a performance. The focus is always on the minority of idiots.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Frankly it still surprises me that people thought we'd walk this before a ball was kicked. Which Aston Villa have they been watching?

All my pre-match confidence drained away when I saw the team selection. I've come to the conclusion Lambert doesn't do caution, no matter the opposition (Chelsea) or the occasion (yesterday).

Like our kids, he has a hell of a lot to learn.

[fredm]

I must say Bennett's performance was one of the worst I've seen in a villa shirt, and I like to think I'm not as prone to the hyperbole of some others!!

I didn't think Delph was as horrific as some said. But you do have to worry when Clark and Bennett are being repeatedly skinned by a player in the fourth division. Bennett barely stopped a cross all game.

I've backed him because he looks really promising going forward but last night was probably the poorest performance I've ever seen by a Villan...

The local paper says today that they had identified Bennett as the weak link and built their tactics around that.  If they can see it then so will 19 other clubs!!!

[onje_villa]

What on earth do people expect? We're at half time in a cup semi-final. We've had a shit first half but with some composure could easily have been winning by the same margin ourselves.

I take your point, there were several things we did well this evening, and should have had the game out of sight.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, it's not that we're 3-1 down halfway through, it's that the same problems which we have seen for a chunk of the season are still there, even when we're playing a league two side.

I can totally live with not reaching the final. Yes, it'd be embarassing, but then again, I'd back either Swansea or Chelsea to have enough to beat us in any case.

It's not that I am worried about, it is that this trajectory of increasing shitness in midfield and a defence who look like they've never met each other before is going to continue to punt us down the league and into the Championship

Defend like we did for the second and third goals - and that's what we've done most of the season - and you get relegated. There's not much getting away from that.

Yep, I actually care very little whether or not we get through to Wembley this year, it's more that it's another in a long line of abject and worrying performances against lesser and lesser teams. The real fear is relegation not missing out on a possible trip to Wembley.

[DerHammer]

I must say Bennett's performance was one of the worst I've seen in a villa shirt, and I like to think I'm not as prone to the hyperbole of some others!!

I didn't think Delph was as horrific as some said. But you do have to worry when Clark and Bennett are being repeatedly skinned by a player in the fourth division. Bennett barely stopped a cross all game.

I've backed him because he looks really promising going forward but last night was probably the poorest performance I've ever seen by a Villan...

The local paper says today that they had identified Bennett as the weak link and built their tactics around that.  If they can see it then so will 19 other clubs!!!

Unfortunately there was1 person that couldn't last night.

[exiled on the wirral!]

Im always quite positive, but i thought the teams performance was an absolute disgrace. Im very critical of Lerner, but last night the buck stops with the players. I thought Bannans performance especially in the first half was lamentable, strolling around without a care in the world, rarely making any runs, finding space, basically hiding. Even Delph was having a go at him, trying to get him going.

Our achilles heel is undoubtedly defending set pieces, this has been a problem all season and shows no sign of abating. Absolute no organsisation, and thats down to the players, even sunday league players know when it comes to corners you pick a man and you stick to him, its not rocket science.

So blaming Lambert last night is futile in my opinion. In his post match interview he looked as flabagasted as the rest of us, when talking about the defending at set pieces. As a manager you can only do so much with the players, if they cant do the basics right, the basics which you learn at schoolboy level, then what else can you do!

For what its worth, the only players to come out of credit last night were Nzogbia who always looked a threat and And Weimann who worked his socks off, but the others were pathetic in all honesty. I still think we will get to the final, but I think this is a very damaging defeat as regards being able to fight against relegation, every premiership team are going to fancy there chances against us. I would also like to add, i thought our fans were brilliant last night, and thats the only thing we have to be proud of our club this morning, yes there were many angry claret and blue at valley parade last night, but after that gutless performance can you honestly blame them.

On a personal note the only positive note of last night, i was back on my drive for 11pm, oh and im off work this week so i can hide for a few days!

UTV!!!!

[onje_villa]

We Need a Martin Laursen type character.

Yes please. The man himself wouldn't go amiss as defence coach

[Simon Ward]

I must say Bennett's performance was one of the worst I've seen in a villa shirt, and I like to think I'm not as prone to the hyperbole of some others!!

I didn't think Delph was as horrific as some said. But you do have to worry when Clark and Bennett are being repeatedly skinned by a player in the fourth division. Bennett barely stopped a cross all game.

I've backed him because he looks really promising going forward but last night was probably the poorest performance I've ever seen by a Villan...

The local paper says today that they had identified Bennett as the weak link and built their tactics around that.  If they can see it then so will 19 other clubs!!!

Indeed Bennett should have been subbed!

[Damo70]

We Need a Martin Laursen type character.

Yes please. The man himself wouldn't go amiss as defence coach

The man himself wouldnt go amiss as a defender. Thirty five with a shot knee and he would still be our best defender at the moment.

[exiled on the wirral!]

Id put Mcgrath along side him, at least with them 2, we would be able to clear a corner!

[Apyadg]

We could probably tempt Mellberg back from the Spanish second division, as well.

[villajk]

Some bloke on our coach took offence to Bradford fans waving goodbye, ffs its Bradford they have beat a prem side and they are league 2, Id go mental, who can blame them for enjoying it

There were a handful outside a pub about a mile or so from the ground waving at the coaches as we went past.  I waved back.  They  have every right to enjoy themselves and indulge in a little piss taking.