West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[hilts_coolerking]

2-0 up at half time and absolutely cruising.  How we ended up clinging desperately to a point 45 minutes later is a mystery.  I suppose it was a combination of them improving, us doing the one thing we absolutely didn't want to do at the beginning of the second half, and a couple of substitutions of which the very best you can say is that they were ineffectual. 

We keep finding new ways of shooting ourselves in the foot.

[Apyadg]

Holman came on for Zog to sure it up and press.

Well, he did a fucking sterling job of that.

[richard moore]

Feels like a defeat yet again

Our huge lack of experience means we pay again in not having players with the know how to see out a lead against a very average, off form team

I didn't see it but it seems very odd to have taken N'Zogbia and Deph off for headless chicken Holman and Bannan

[Grande Pablo]

Would have settled for a draw at 1730, but really disappointed we didn't get more being 2 up & having furhter chances.  Everyone who started plus Lichaj deserves credit.  CNZ finally found his mojo.

[andyh]

And that second half 'performance' ladies and gentlemen, exactly why we will get relegated this season.

Fuck off, you're really boring now.

Wanker

[SoccerHQ]

We need to sort the defence and midfield out.

The front three were excellent first half today and we have Weimann and Bent in the mix aswell. None of the other relegation threatened teams have that strength in attack but christ we have very little quality in midfield or defence when the going gets tough.

[JUAN PABLO]

Charlie is the key.

but Lambert decided to lock the door and throw away the key

[russon]

Looked like a football team again tonight, quite happy with the performance all in all. Bennet surprisingly good, Gabby and Benteke a threat, only Holman looked out of his depth which makes a change when normally 7 or 8 of them appear bereft. Vlaar made a big difference.

[Legion]

Cut it out both of you.

[SamTheMouse]

We have the core of a decent side, but there are just too many players in the team who aren't good enough right now, especially at the back: Lichaj, Bennett, Clark and Holman should be squad players and only feature regularly when we're in a midtable comfort zone.

It seems Lambert and/or Lerner is/are not prepared to sanction the emergency purchase of some solid experienced defenders. Whichever of them thinks we can stay up with our current defence is deluded.

[atomicjam]

Excellent first half, nervous second. Holman is not very good. Charles, Gabby and Ron made a real difference today. I am unhappy we let a two goal lead sip but happy that we looked a lot better for large periods. I have slightly more confidence we can stay up.

[nigel]

Great first half. Terrible second. Should have been in the bag. Why was CNZ substituted? Bizarre.

Injured?
Knackered?
Take your pick

[London Villan]

Bannan just can't stand up to a full sized footballer, all they have to do is put their arm out and he can't get near them. It's embarrassing as much as anything. Hope CNZ was injured, because he was man of the match.

Still it's a draw I guess...

[Rip Van We Go Again]

We've got a very good selection of front players - Benteke, Bent, Gabby, N'Zogbia and Weimann.
It's the midfield and defence that fuck up any good work they do, it's a joke.

[pbavfckuwait]

PL has to justify why he takes off for once this season Villas most dangerous player to sub with a sub standard prem player and then brings on Holman to keep Stripey filth on the front foot, understand if he was trying to close the game down, but neither sub is capable of that, a point more than what we thought we would get before the game but to be 2-0 up and give them two goals is two points defo lost and may cost us dearly in May