Hull City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[supertom]

I can fully appreciate people calling this game dreadful even if it's slightly exaggerated. It certainly wasn't good. If our away form is suppose to be our strength, then how can a point against a newly promoted side away be seen as a decent result? Lets not let the City win make us think our home form is cured. If we're struggling to gain points at home, we have to getting them away from home, which means winning games like this. If we win games like this at Villa park, so be it, but we're likely going to struggle. Today was a missed opportunity. We're a better side than Hull, but I'm not sure Lambert put enough on his bench or in his starting 11 to really attack this game.
KEA and Westwood together doesn't work. Wiemann mostly struggles playing out wide. I really don't want this to become a long term position for him. He's not got the ability to play it. What he does have is great potential as a center forward though.

There were other players who could have played today, either from the off or off the bench, who might have given us more attacking impetace. I'm thinking Sylla, Albrighton, Helenius. Perhaps even 1-2 of our younger players like Johnson and Robinson (perhaps too early, certainly for the latter).

I actually thought in the first two thirds of the pitch we kept the ball quite well. Particularly in the first half. But again we saw the problem we have in the way Lambert wants to play. We don't have technically proficient players for when the passing becomes quicker, more precise and more intricate in the final third. Almost our entire side today had a mediocre first touch (defenders obviously you don't expect to be Dennis Bergkamp). If Lambert wants us to play like Arsenal, he's got to sign players with better ball control. I wouldn't mind seeing Johnson come in. He looks very tidy on the ball, good with the ball at his feet too and has some mobility.

We still definitely lack a number 10. If we can get a poor mans Juan Mata, that would be good.

[mr woo]

Just watching Sunderland v Man Utd.

I would have Craig Gardner in my side ahead of Ashley Westwood all day long.
And that really says a lot.

[PaulWinch again]

We do have a tendency to want to throw players under the bus. Westwood is a good example, he was excellent last year but he hasn't started well this year. I think we need a bit more patience.

[Irish villain]

Westwood ain't the player he was...seems to be the same with Lowton. Second season syndrome?

Sylla should start ahead of Westy...in fairness, it was about December before Westy got going last season so a bit of a rest might do him good.

[supertom]

Just watching Sunderland v Man Utd.

I would have Craig Gardner in my side ahead of Ashley Westwood all day long.
And that really says a lot.

On current form yes. Westy's looking a little bit too League 1 at the minute. I didn't think Huddlestone had a brilliant game by any stretch but his touch and composure on the ball was Premier League. I couldn't say that about Westy today, nor probably KEA.

Its frustrating that two of our best performers last season, Westy and Lowton, and also two of our classier players, have struggled this season so far.

[supertom]

We do have a tendency to want to throw players under the bus. Westwood is a good example, he was excellent last year but he hasn't started well this year. I think we need a bit more patience.

My worry about certain players is, opposition get an idea of how to combat them, and when you need to kick your game on a bit, some players can be found wanting. Westy isn't getting the space he got last season. Lowton hasn't been getting the attacking freedom, and the gaps he leaves have been exploited even more.
To stay at this level you have keep developing your game. So I hope Westwood and Lowton really kick on again.

[Karl Bridges]

Helenius was ill.

[PaulWinch again]

I do think that Helenius(when fit) deserves to be given a shot.

[eamonn]

Westwood ain't the player he was...seems to be the same with Lowton. Second season syndrome?

Sylla should start ahead of Westy...in fairness, it was about December before Westy got going last season so a bit of a rest might do him good.

Didn't Westwood only make his full debut fairly well into the season (was it the win at Sunderland, start of Nov?)?

[Ads]

You could have put all the other midfielders together and they wouldn't have looled half as good as Delph. What a quality player he is.

I am not going to knock the defence, as Hull created nowt. Guzan might as well have brought a good book with him. But given how awful Hull are going forwards, its hard to tell if it was out good work or not.

A point away from home is always a good result. Never believe anybody that tries to tell you otherwise. The problem is, I have had the misfortune of having paid to watch that garbage, which sours both my mood and opinion.

[supertom]

Helenius was ill.

I wonder if he was ill against City. It's the only way I can fathom that Bowery keeps playing. I like JB, he works hard, but even he must be wondering how he's playing premier league football. I honestly thought we'd not see hide nor hair of him this season and he'd eventually trickle out on loan never spring.

[olaftab]

My worry about certain players is, opposition get an idea of how to combat them, and when you need to kick your game on a bit, some players can be found wanting. Westy isn't getting the space he got last season. Lowton hasn't been getting the attacking freedom, and the gaps he leaves have been exploited even more.
To stay at this level you have keep developing your game. So I hope Westwood and Lowton really kick on again.

I agree with this. We had about bonus 6 months last season when Lowton and Westwood were emerging as other teams did not take care of them. However due to their success towards the end of the season teams are looking after them and they ard struggling. If they are going to be top class players they will have to overcome that and kick on as you say. Problem is do we have the time and space these days to allow them that luxury? I would say they have till Xmas.

[mr woo]

Would agree with your sentiments on Huddleston there, Supertom. He was certainly more 'involved' which is one of my biggest criticisms of Westwood, even last season.

It's one thing being tidy, but that's a world away from being one that pulls the strings in midfield and dictates play.

Im still unconvinced he'll ever be good enough to be international quality.

[JUAN PABLO]

oh well . Im off to to my music studio to work on some electronic hard Industrial remix I need to finish   ,  then get a good chinese takeaway with cold beers and might get the girlfriend to try on the new lingerie shes just bought .

Its not all bad

[mr woo]

These are all valid points. It wasnt too long ago we were writing Albrighton off after his bright start because it was suggested he'd been 'found out'.

Well, surely it follows that if a player can be repeatedly nullified by playing a certain tactic it only proves said player is simply not good enough.

Time will tell as far as Westwood is concerned.