Norwich City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[mr woo]

Got what I asked for....a dirty, scrappy 1 nil.

Funny how I didn't feel happy till I heard Bentekes injury wasnt too serious.

So, now I hear it isn't......



WAAAHHHAAYYYYY. 

GET THE FUCK IN!!!!!!!?

[Dave]

Well, that's nice.

Don't think I've ever woken up in the morning to news of a Villa victory.

[Ron Manager]

It seems churlish to complain about anyone after a much needed win and the first clean sheet since Charlton Heston was winning that chariot race. This fellow Tonev, however, would be of more use to the team if he had a shot at goal occasionally. I can only think its lack of confidence!

Seriously though (as Hughie used to say) I think both clubs will be fighting to stay up if thats the best they can manage. Weimann who gives 100%  operates at both ends of the scale. Some of his passing was horrific. Luna although he has some skill looks out of his depth at the top level. Sorry, I know he scored (but so did Terry Donavan a long time ago) but our 7mil aquisition didnt appear to have anything that will particularly
worry top class number 5s through the season. On the credit side Guzan and the right back Bacuna were excellent. Gabby played well and Clark made some crucial interceptions in the second half.

That performance didnt fill me with any confidence Im afraid.

[Villafirst]

It seems churlish to complain about anyone after a much needed win and the first clean sheet since Charlton Heston was winning that chariot race. This fellow Tonev, however, would be of more use to the team if he had a shot at goal occasionally. I can only think its lack of confidence!

Seriously though (as Hughie used to say) I think both clubs will be fighting to stay up if thats the best they can manage. Weimann who gives 100%  operates at both ends of the scale. Some of his passing was horrific. Luna although he has some skill looks out of his depth at the top level. Sorry, I know he scored (but so did Terry Donavan a long time ago) but our 7mil aquisition didnt appear to have anything that will particularly
worry top class number 5s through the season. On the credit side Guzan and the right back Bacuna were excellent. Gabby played well and Clark made some crucial interceptions in the second half.

That performance didnt fill me with any confidence Im afraid.

You need to give the foreign players time to settle; new team, new league, Country, culture etc. It's far too early to judge - it takes a good 6 months usually to adapt.

[junxs]

Tonev - don't want to get on his back as he's still adjusting to life here.. but please Lambert don't select him again for a few months. Almost cost us the game, his passing is too weak and he keeps shooting from stupid poistions.

[Villafirst]

Is it coincidence that the players who've signed new bigger/longer contracts aren't really performing? (Benteke excepted) Weimann, Lowton, Westwood? Still can't see why Sylla is continually left out either......

[PaulWinch again]

Is it coincidence that the players who've signed new bigger/longer contracts aren't really performing? (Benteke excepted) Weimann, Lowton, Westwood? Still can't see why Sylla is continually left out either......

In fairness Weimann was pretty decent today.

[Monty]

Is it coincidence that the players who've signed new bigger/longer contracts aren't really performing? (Benteke excepted) Weimann, Lowton, Westwood? Still can't see why Sylla is continually left out either......

In fairness Weimann was pretty decent today.

Especially in the first half, where he hit the post and played two really good throughballs.

[Mortimer's Bear]

Brad Guzans save reminds me of the Gordon Banks against Pele

I always thought that one was overrated.

[villan from luton]

I also thought Weimann looked decent today. For me Clark was my motm, closely followed by Guzan, KEA and Bacuna did a good job at right back. Tonev was awful, but there again so was Bacuna IMO when he made his debut. Gabby was superb first half hour, did he have a slight injury when he went off? Anyone remember Benteke's full debut v the baggies, not exactly a great performance. Nice to see a good battling performance.

[paul_e]

Weimann did exactly what we needed today, he doesn't deserve any major criticism, the only players that do and Tonev who looked what he is, a young guy new to the country who isn't adjusted to the league, he needs to get the odd run out for the next few months but it'll be the new year before we can see exactly what he can become for us.  Luna is a difficult one , he had a hard time against Snodgrass but I don't think he was as woeful as some are suggesting, Snodgrass was their best player by a long way and that wasn't entirely down to Luna playing badly as some people are suggesting.

[martyn ellis]

A word for Helenius. He looked tidy, intelligent with the ball and it's only the fact that he's about 6 foot 13 inches tall that makes you think he must be no more than a target man. I anticipate him coming much more into the regular frame this season. I like what I've seen so far. In fact, of Lambert's signings, only Tonev is beginning to worry me so far. We saw what Luna can do against Arsenal and he just needs a bit more discipline positionally; Bacuna is beginning to fit in nicely, has pace and useful crossing ability; Kozak showed a bit of class when he came on; and we all know what a loss Okore will be.

[Jimbo]

Tonev, or as I now call him, Pryzbylewski, Prez for short.*

*Fans of The Wire will know.

[barrysleftfoot]

  For me Bacuna was MOM, did'nt get beaten once, looked a bit nervous and was certainly using the old adage safety first, but i like that.Defend first, play football when you have the chance.His pace is important now Okore is out.

 Guzan, steady as ever, with a few bits of top quality thrown in.A good solid goalie.

 Vlaar and Clark...2 criticised players, who both defended very well, their positional sense was very good today, probably helped by Delph and KEAs work ethic in front of them.

 Luna, The Norwich player, forgot his name, is a good player, not Tonys best game, but did'nt buckle.

 KEA and Delph, at times Delph looks a real top quality player, good feet, good acceleration, a bit frenetic at time, but getting better and better.KEA, a good solid performance, closes down better than any player at VP, played well together.

 Weimann and Tonev, have to perserve with both of them, Weimann was fluctuating between awful and very good, and Tonev was mainly just awful, but he has to stop trying too hard, and his pace and good feet suggest a good player is in there.Weimann needs to keep playing there because he offers a more attacking approach than we currently have.

 Kozak, 1st half brilliant, 2nd half , not so...needs to hold the ball up better.

 Gabby...brilliant today, constant threat, great crossing, missed him when he went off.

 Overall, looked comfortable today, Bacuna and KEA both made a difference, good management, 1st half in partic, with a bit more composure and surity, we could have got another 2 or 3 goals.

 Onwards and upwards.

[Lastfootstamper]

I thought Bacuna was hugely encouraging today, he pretty much eliminated the threat down the right.

Call me old-fashioned, but this is what I primarily look for in a full-back. Being good in the opponents' half is a bonus.