Fulham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Morten]

Reading these threads after the games actually help my mood after a defeat, because it is a relief to see that other people see the same issues, for example:
- Westwood should not be taking set pieces
- Lunas throw-ins are terrible
- Bacuna is a midfielder, not a right back
- What has Lowton done wrong not to get picked
- Weimann is off form
etc.

We might not always agree on the answers, but it helps that I am not the only one frustrated about the above. But it annoys me that Lambert does not change things, for example try different corner kicks. At least try. Or give other people a chance, when players are out of form.

It is a bit difficult to blame him for the cheap signings, because I have not got a clue what the budget is or if he has been told not to loan players or buy older players with no sell-on value. We hear nothing from Lerner about our goals, plans or ambitions and that annoys me. What are Lernerīs plans for Villa ?

[eastie]

A great weekend in London almost ruined by watching that pile of utter gash - are we really improving?   

Yes, this time last year we were in the relegation zone, we currently sit 10th.

Yesterday was a crap performance there's no doubt about that but it happens, let's see how they react next Sunday.

Lets not get too carried away that we are 10th - only 6 points between 10th and 19th - a few big games coming up which will tell us a lot about our squad this month .

Don't get me wrong I'm pleased to be where we are now but the bottom half is very tight and we need to continue to pick up wins.

[eastie]

Reading these threads after the games actually help my mood after a defeat, because it is a relief to see that other people see the same issues, for example:
- Westwood should not be taking set pieces
- Lunas throw-ins are terrible
- Bacuna is a midfielder, not a right back
- What has Lowton done wrong not to get picked
- Weimann is off form
etc.

We might not always agree on the answers, but it helps that I am not the only one frustrated about the above. But it annoys me that Lambert does not change things, for example try different corner kicks. At least try. Or give other people a chance, when players are out of form.

It is a bit difficult to blame him for the cheap signings, because I have not got a clue what the budget is or if he has been told not to loan players or buy older players with no sell-on value. We hear nothing from Lerner about our goals, plans or ambitions and that annoys me. What are Lernerīs plans for Villa ?

Maybe bacuna should be on corners - his set piece delivery can't be worse than westwoods.

[fredm]

Midfield definitely needs freshening up . Someone who can pass forwards and make a forward run to support the strikers.  Johnson and Gardner must be worth a look at right now.

I thought Johnson was very poor against Pool u-21 the other night and did nothing to show he was worthy of being near the first team squad. And Lambert was there watching it so one would think they would be busting a gut trying to impress.

[Morten]

Exactly, why not try Bacuna on corners ? It can only get better. If not, try another one..

[silhillvilla]

Whilst we were poor the Ref has done us out of a point , possibly all 3.

[supertom]

Whilst we were poor the Ref has done us out of a point , possibly all 3.

I think Fulham would still have found a way through to be honest. The ref was bloody shocking but we didn't deserve anything out the game sadly. Had we played even anywhere approaching mediocre I'd be really pissed off about that reffing display, as it was we were that bad it's not really bothered me too much.

[Salsa Party Animal]

and poor set pieces/throw in/corners is not good enough. When we had Martin Laursen and John Carew in the team with Ashley Young it is much more dangerous. I would love to see the stats we score from corners and free kicks header in last 18 months

[supertom]

The funny thing was we were all crying out for Lowton in the last few games. He came on against Soton and looked poor (albeit CH) and then he came on yesterday and gave the ball away in a good position at one point, which thankfully Fulham didn't capitalize on.
While our side is really struggling at the moment, I'm not sure what difference Lowton will actually make. He's a player who's clearly short on confidence himself. There also appears to be something between him and the gaffer. He's not far off having been treated like one of the bomb squad. What's gone on is anyones guess.

The fact Herdy came in and got a game over him spoke volumes. In fairness to Herdy I thought he was the best (of a bad bunch) at the back yesterday. What I do like about Herd, and why I wouldn't mind slipping him into midfield, is his commitment and attitude. That said, they lad went off injured again. If he fell into a barrel of boobs he'd come out sucking his thumb.

[Stu]

It's all been said, but I just want to add how intensely frustrating I find Westwood's set piece deliveries. Whip a few in for fucks sake. Get it in the fucking mixer!

Definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

[supertom]

and poor set pieces/throw in/corners is not good enough. When we had Martin Laursen and John Carew in the team with Ashley Young it is much more dangerous. I would love to see the stats we score from corners and free kicks header in last 18 months

I think in 07/08 we scored a ton of goals. 70 odd, and about half of them came from set pieces. Not just Young either, we had Gaz Baz taking corners from one side too and he could whip in a goodun.

[Meanwood Villa]

Whilst we were poor the Ref has done us out of a point , possibly all 3.

I think Fulham would still have found a way through to be honest. The ref was bloody shocking but we didn't deserve anything out the game sadly. Had we played even anywhere approaching mediocre I'd be really pissed off about that reffing display, as it was we were that bad it's not really bothered me too much.

Agreed. They could have had more. We barely looked like scoring. Again.

[supertom]

Whilst we were poor the Ref has done us out of a point , possibly all 3.

I think Fulham would still have found a way through to be honest. The ref was bloody shocking but we didn't deserve anything out the game sadly. Had we played even anywhere approaching mediocre I'd be really pissed off about that reffing display, as it was we were that bad it's not really bothered me too much.

Agreed. They could have had more. We barely looked like scoring. Again.

Guzans save from Berbatov in the first half was world class. So we're damn lucky to have a top keeper as well.

[eastie]

The funny thing was we were all crying out for Lowton in the last few games. He came on against Soton and looked poor (albeit CH) and then he came on yesterday and gave the ball away in a good position at one point, which thankfully Fulham didn't capitalize on.
While our side is really struggling at the moment, I'm not sure what difference Lowton will actually make. He's a player who's clearly short on confidence himself. There also appears to be something between him and the gaffer. He's not far off having been treated like one of the bomb squad. What's gone on is anyones guess.

The fact Herdy came in and got a game over him spoke volumes. In fairness to Herdy I thought he was the best (of a bad bunch) at the back yesterday. What I do like about Herd, and why I wouldn't mind slipping him into midfield, is his commitment and attitude. That said, they lad went off injured again. If he fell into a barrel of boobs he'd come out sucking his thumb.

Lowton Made a difference against Cardiff i felt - bacuna was shocking at right back yesterday , more effective in midfield .

[RussellC]

I have literally no idea why Westwwod has every indirect attacking set-piece. they're not even average, they're really poor. The only times his corners have ever lead to goals have just been because Benteke's been able to out-jump everybody else in the box.

I remember Tonev taking a corner against Malaga in the sumemr and it being an absolut epeach that landed right on Vlaar's head, at pace, inswinging, from 6 yards out. Why's he never taken one in a competitive match?! Westwood's lofted corners are probably the thing I find most frustrating about this current side.