Bradford City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[villajk]

Elements of our support was a disgrace last night, fighting amongst themselves, (saw at least 2 fights), and if you were the bloke in block E row f seat 127, you are the most disgusting fan i have ever met, non stop vitriol (effing and C'ing) at our players from the very first to the last whistle.
i can appreciate some frustration, but this is out of order!

They had to close the Queens pub because of, alleged, trouble.

[silhillvilla]

Absolutely no excuse for vandalism (unless at small Heath). Total morons.
I understand their frustration though. In these austere times to shell out on a night what £40 ticket, coach £15? Other sundries £25, so about £80 to watch the players do what they did last night . Absolutely understand the anger.

[villajk]

Absolutely no excuse for vandalism (unless at small Heath). Total morons.
I understand their frustration though. In these austere times to shell out on a night what £40 ticket, coach £15? Other sundries £25, so about £80 to watch the players do what they did last night . Absolutely understand the anger.

£25 ticket, £20 coach and £25 for taxi back from Birmingham.  Plus the cost of food and drink.

[Nelly]

I can't believe how many are calling for Lambert to go. Had Benteke taken any of the numerous early chances, it'd have been a different game entirely. So they scored and we caved, that's football, we all know it. It happens. We're in a shite run but sacking yet another manager won't solve that.

[paul_e]

For me:

Given - Did nothing wrong but isn't vocal so doesn't help the inexperienced defence get organised.

Lowton - Looked tired and got caught out a few times by not concentrating (both in attack and defence), he really needs a few games to rest.
Baker - The best of the defence on the night, didn't really do anything wrong and put in a few last ditch tackles to bail out the other 3.
Clark - Carrying far too much responsibility at the minute and the pressure has got to him massively after he originally appeared to grow from the responsibility the Chelsea game broke his confidence in both himself and the other youngsters, he needs a few games out to get his belief back.
Bennett - Terrible performance, easily the worst player on the pitch, had no idea how to handle Hines and just withdrew further and further into his shell.  Gave away the corners that led to the 1st and 3rd through poor defending and didn't follow his man for their 2nd.  I can only think of 1-2 chances they had which didn't come from their right side.  Should have been taken off at half time.

Delph - Sat too deep but didn't shield the defence by doing so, made himself far to easy to be marked by their forwards, letting them defend with 2 deeper central midfielders, which killed the space for the front 4.  Was fairly neat and tidy going forward but didn't really create anything or threaten to score himself.
Bannan - One of 2 players who regularly looked to create chances for the others, could easily have had 3-4 assists on the night (in particular the 2 crosses early in the 2nd half were absolute class and showed what he could offer in the role Nzogbia had).  Still sat too deep though and was sloppy with the ball a few too many times.

Weimann - Did well when he got the ball, we need to find him in the box much more often.  Wasted a good chance early on by trying to pass when it was begging for him to go himself.
Nzogbia - Looked decent but he doesn't play for Aston Villa, He plays for Charles Nzogbia whilst wearing a Villa shirt.  Far too many times he ran away from his support and then ended up with a tame shot or losing the ball.
Gabby - Very sloppy in possession, didn't look fit enough to have started.

Benteke - Constant threat but really should've taken at least 1 of his chances, was always looking to bring others into the game and, like Bannan, was at the heart of everything we did well.

Bent - Only when a team is on a run like us can they bring on one of the best goalscorers in english football, have him miss a sitter and injure himself in the process.
Burke - Didn't really have the time to get involved much, was a strange choice at the time, Carruthers would've been a much better choice.

Lambert - He really isn't doing himself any favours.  All 3 of their goals were as a result of piss poor defending from corners, lower league sides will always look at set pieces being their best chance and we were far too accommodating.  Bad mistake to not replace Bennett at half time and should have been shouting at Bannan and Delph to get further up the pitch.

Overall, if we'd taken our chances and we weren't so soft from corners we could've won comfortably and, other than Bennett I don't think anyone was particularly poor, we can definitely still go through but we really need to get someone to organise the defence.

To add a comment about Matt Duke - I've seen a few people say we didn't test him, that's because his positioning was exceptional all night.  A good goalie will rarely need to make the big diving saves, they simply get there positioning right and make things look simple.  On the night he was easily the man of the match and, if he's like that regularly, should be playing at a far higher level, he was very very impressive.

[PaulWinch again]

I can't believe how many are calling for Lambert to go. Had Benteke taken any of the numerous early chances, it'd have been a different game entirely. So they scored and we caved, that's football, we all know it. It happens. We're in a shite run but sacking yet another manager won't solve that.

That's not really the issue, and I kind of agree on getting rid of the manager by the way. However he doesn't appear to do anything to deal with our defensive and midfield issue. It can't be ignored anymore, of our back line the only one I'd start is Lowton and in the midfield the only one would be Westwood. So that leaves a lot of gaps to fill with quality players and also actually do some defensive coaching.

[Brend'Watkins]

I can't believe how many are calling for Lambert to go. Had Benteke taken any of the numerous early chances, it'd have been a different game entirely. So they scored and we caved, that's football, we all know it. It happens. We're in a shite run but sacking yet another manager won't solve that.

On a positive note, Benteke's finishing last night and his recent performances suggest he will be off the radar of the bigger clubs for a while.

[silhillvilla]

Absolutely no excuse for vandalism (unless at small Heath). Total morons.
I understand their frustration though. In these austere times to shell out on a night what £40 ticket, coach £15? Other sundries £25, so about £80 to watch the players do what they did last night . Absolutely understand the anger.

£25 ticket, £20 coach and £25 for taxi back from Birmingham.  Plus the cost of food and drink.

So all in all not far off £80. Hope you had a good curry up there at least.

[Nelly]

I can't believe how many are calling for Lambert to go. Had Benteke taken any of the numerous early chances, it'd have been a different game entirely. So they scored and we caved, that's football, we all know it. It happens. We're in a shite run but sacking yet another manager won't solve that.

That's not really the issue, and I kind of agree on getting rid of the manager by the way. However he doesn't appear to do anything to deal with our defensive and midfield issue. It can't be ignored anymore, of our back line the only one I'd start is Lowton and in the midfield the only one would be Westwood. So that leaves a lot of gaps to fill with quality players and also actually do some defensive coaching.

Fair enough, let's see what he does now the windows is open.
In terms of coaching, I'd wager they do lots, despite what it looks like right now. How long did George Graham take to solidify the Arsenal defence? Not saying that's what we will become but it probably will take time. They need to get used to each other. We will get better. Anyway, we're all hurting right now, I don't mean to preach.

[bertlambshank]

Big up the new half season ticket holders with their "guaranteed Wembley seat", too.

That promotion was kind of asking for it.

I said at the time it was a stupid idea.Another bonkers idea by the board.

[Boz]

I can't believe how many are calling for Lambert to go. Had Benteke taken any of the numerous early chances, it'd have been a different game entirely. So they scored and we caved, that's football, we all know it. It happens. We're in a shite run but sacking yet another manager won't solve that.

Totally agree.

So we were subject to a "giant killing" performance, we're not the first and won't be the last, and the tie's not over yet.

If we had someone to put the early chances away, the fans would be posting a different set of messages.

Our defensive frailties are there for all to see, and it's up to PL and his henchmen to do something about it, as well as improve our strikers ability to put the ball in the net.

[supertom]

Who's gonna be handing out the cyanide pills on saturday?

[Legion]

Lambert's demeanour on the bench concerned me last night. He looked a beaten, broken man with nothing left to offer.

[exiled on the wirral!]

Lambert's demeanour on the bench concerned me last night. He looked a beaten, broken man with nothing left to offer.

When it was clear Bent was injured and he wanted to come off, i couldnt believe how long it took for him to replace him, there was no communication between either of them, he just carried on sitting on the bench. I do hope he is not broken, otherwise we really are doomed!

[Drummond]

I can't believe how many are calling for Lambert to go. Had Benteke taken any of the numerous early chances, it'd have been a different game entirely. So they scored and we caved, that's football, we all know it. It happens. We're in a shite run but sacking yet another manager won't solve that.

Quite. And don't pack your trunk or say goodbye, the clowns may have been poor but I hear the the piss artists are good.