WBA v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Damo70]

I hate to bring it up but I refer to the introduction of Van Nistlerooy with just 25 minutes left against us in the Cup all those horrible years ago.  Ferguson had no intention of bringing him on because he was trying to preserve him for the league but when they went 2-0 down on he came.  That was management genius - what Lambert did wasn't apparently.

Yes remember that. It was  double subs with VNR and Keane coming on and whole atmosphere on and off the pitch changed. Last night to see 3 subs lined up to come on as early as the 55th minute sent a shudder around the ground. It was a signal that we mean business. I see that the whole media is mentioning the Lambert move and some last night were comparing him to AVB and his inert subs on Sunday.

It's always good to have game turning options from the bench, the best teams in the league have plenty of them, the mid table teams generally don't.

The problem for us is the 3 that came on will shortly be back in the starting line up as they're among the 11 best players at this club so either we hope the likes of Tonev and Kozak significantly improve to become game turners from the bench or I suspect Lambert will have to find some more in the transfer window.

That is my argument for keeping N'Zogbia. I think he can come on and change a game from the bench. I thought the ref had a good game. I commented just before kick off that after a rocky start to his career I rated him as one of the better refs now.

[olaftab]

I think having the option of bringing on one or all three of Bent, N'Zogbia and Tonev is quite good?

[dave.woodhall]

We haven't had an " Oh shit,  not him" player to come off the bench for years. Maybe Collymore was the last but on Monday night we had Gabby. It's all hyopothetical, but I wonder if he'd have had the same effect if he'd started.

[LeeB]

We haven't had an " Oh shit,  not him" player to come off the bench for years. Maybe Collymore was the last but on Monday night we had Gabby. It's all hyopothetical, but I wonder if he'd have had the same effect if he'd started.

We've had loads Dave, it's just that it's usually us saying it.

[Merv]

That's not an option we'll ever have, in my opinion.

Tonev does strike me as a decent option off the bench, though.

[SoccerHQ]

We haven't had an " Oh shit,  not him" player to come off the bench for years. Maybe Collymore was the last but on Monday night we had Gabby. It's all hyopothetical, but I wonder if he'd have had the same effect if he'd started.

One I always liked coming off the bench was Maloney in his brief time here. Pretty sure he won us a point or two in 07/08 as a superstar. Maybe Carew when he was benched aswell but yep more often than not our bench consists of underachieving players/just making the numbers up.

[Dave Cooper please]

In the paper tonight Lambert is quoted as saying about Westwood. 'He's a really clever footballer and he was outstanding.'

Westwood in my opinion is not 'a really clever footballer' not at all. He passes well over 20yards  but does not create. He keeps possession well but not for most of this current season. And apart from last night does not offer a goal threat.

What in Gods sake is clever about him?

I think you have to stop trying to dissect what Plumbutt says about his players.

He never slags them off and when asked always finds something really good to say about them. That's the way he is and it won't change.

[Chris Smith]

In the paper tonight Lambert is quoted as saying about Westwood. 'He's a really clever footballer and he was outstanding.'

Westwood in my opinion is not 'a really clever footballer' not at all. He passes well over 20yards  but does not create. He keeps possession well but not for most of this current season. And apart from last night does not offer a goal threat.

What in Gods sake is clever about him?

I think you have to stop trying to dissect what Plumbutt says about his players.

He never slags them off and when asked always finds something really good to say about them. That's the way he is and it won't change.

I think Westwood is a clever player in that he reads the game well, always makes him self available and is tactically aware. It's similar to when Petrov was doing that job, it looks simple and is often underrated but vital to the team.

[Concrete John]

In the paper tonight Lambert is quoted as saying about Westwood. 'He's a really clever footballer and he was outstanding.'

Westwood in my opinion is not 'a really clever footballer' not at all. He passes well over 20yards  but does not create. He keeps possession well but not for most of this current season. And apart from last night does not offer a goal threat.

What in Gods sake is clever about him?

You have to be clever yourself to see it 

[LeeB]

In the paper tonight Lambert is quoted as saying about Westwood. 'He's a really clever footballer and he was outstanding.'

Westwood in my opinion is not 'a really clever footballer' not at all. He passes well over 20yards  but does not create. He keeps possession well but not for most of this current season. And apart from last night does not offer a goal threat.

What in Gods sake is clever about him?

I think you have to stop trying to dissect what Plumbutt says about his players.

He never slags them off and when asked always finds something really good to say about them. That's the way he is and it won't change.

Are you talking about yourself in the third person there? Like Bomber from Auf Wiedersehen Pet?

[Dave Cooper please]

Plumbutt says he isn't and he is referring to the nickname that absolutely no one else uses for the Aston Villa manager.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think Westwood is a very promising player. I thought he did very well for large stretches of last season.

He's had an iffy start to this season but let's not forget, until just over a year ago, he was playing for Crewe [moyes_must_go]IN STUPID LEAGUE 10 WITH LEEDS[/moyes_must_go]

He's not going to slot into the top flight and adapt immediately.

Whether we can afford to rely on too many players who are making this transition is a whole different question, but I am surprised how many people forget this when evaluating some of our players.

See also Lowton, Sylla, et al.

[TheTimVilla]

Tim?

How can I help?

[tom jennings III]

My last post confused me! Should of been bigging him up. Tim Westwood as in the DJ.

Me and a Villa supporting mate love doing the Tim Westwood explosions for our Ashley W, and singing "and it's Friday yes it's Friday" in tribute to both!

[LeeB]

My last post confused me! Should of been bigging him up. Tim Westwood as in the DJ.

Me and a Villa supporting mate love doing the Tim Westwood explosions for our Ashley W, and singing "and it's Friday yes it's Friday" in tribute to both!

He certainly "dropped the bomb" on the bog-eyes on Monday