Mansfield Town v Aston Villa all singing and dancing thread

[Steve R]

I assume that regardless of what pre-season is and isn't about, we will at least play in a style that we intend to persevere wih. In which case there was plenty to admire tonight.

[VinnieChase84]

Still think if we're going to be going 5-3-2 a lot this year, then DB definately has a role to play.
Having said that, he seems a much larger DB than I remember.

[Clampy]

And did nothing for the rest of the match. Which is the Bent conundrum.

Some strikers are like that though. His strength is being in the right place at the right time. Kozak's the same by the look of it and as long as they both knock them in, that's fine by me.

[PeterWithesShin]

And did nothing for the rest of the match. Which is the Bent conundrum.

I'll take doing not much and netting 2 (almost 3) over Gabby's contribution of doing nothing and not coming remotely close to scoring.
I actually thought too, completely unlike Benty, that he dropped out the box a few times to get involved in the play. Not too much, but he did it a few times. If the World Cup winners could still find a place for Klose, who does nothing outside of 12 yards, then I'm hoping we've still got plenty of use to get out of Bent.

It would be near impossible for him not to contribute more than Gabby has the last couple of seasons. Aye he did drop deep a few times, which was good to see. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks and he has realised he can't just be a pure goal poacher in the the current game.
The problem is you almost have to set up your entire team to suit Bent, i'm not sure Lambert would want to do that when you are going to change things around the second Benteke returns.

[PeterWithesShin]

And did nothing for the rest of the match. Which is the Bent conundrum.

The game lost all sort of shape after the bent goal, flare and long delay. You cannot fault bent for that.

But he hardly touched the ball for the next 80+ minutes. That is the potential problem with Bent. I'd love to see Bent back to form as it can only be good for the Villa, but with the likes of Cole, Zog and even Richardson and Delph, he may well get the service to be more effective for us this season. Especially if we get Bacuna/Hutton etc getting down the wings and crossing.

[PeterWithesShin]

Anyway it doesn't really matter, tonight has proved we're title contenders and that is the important thing.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Attendance: 3,342 (1,078 away).

[Louzie0]

So good to read a match thread with 3 goals for us and lots of positive comments about how the team were playing.
Fingers crossed we get a few more like this next season.

[pauliewalnuts]

Anyway it doesn't really matter, tonight has proved we're title contenders and that is the important thing.

To be honest, I'm a bit worried about the alcohol based tsunami I'm going to inflict on my body when we bag the league AND the FA Cup this season.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I could write an odyssey about my only ever trip to Mansfield, I probably have and posted it on the memories thread,
However, my first attempt to go to this cultural centre, was back in 72 the year we won the third division.
It was our last away game, I went to work as a young apprentice and decided during the day , I was going to Mansfield.
My sympathetic Villa supporting Boss let me leave after lunch.
Off to New Street Station, stood in the queue for destinations starting with M.
Return ticket please, sorry no train station in Mansfield.
Distraught, how can a town not have a train station !
Rush off to Digbeth, Midland Red, Bus went via all horrible places east two hours ago.
That was it, I was stymied, no way of getting there.
Looking at my "complete record book" not everyone was as daft as me, there was a crowd of 12000+ that night.
Another oddity, I had forgotten was that well known Bnose Vowden scored in the match, in fact he scored 6 goals in the last 6 games.
Steamer

[silhillvilla]

Attendance: 3,342 (1,078 away).

Oooooh Lord empty seats.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Glad to see Bent scoring, the Hutton assist cracked me up. Was like the bomb squad rub it in

[Phil from the upper holte]

Also pleased for Gardner. Overall enjoyed it

[pauliewalnuts]

I could write an odyssey about my only ever trip to Mansfield, I probably have and posted it on the memories thread,
However, my first attempt to go to this cultural centre, was back in 72 the year we won the third division.
It was our last away game, I went to work as a young apprentice and decided during the day , I was going to Mansfield.
My sympathetic Villa supporting Boss let me leave after lunch.
Off to New Street Station, stood in the queue for destinations starting with M.
Return ticket please, sorry no train station in Mansfield.
Distraught, how can a town not have a train station !
Rush off to Digbeth, Midland Red, Bus went via all horrible places east two hours ago.
That was it, I was stymied, no way of getting there.
Looking at my "complete record book" not everyone was as daft as me, there was a crowd of 12000+ that night.
Another oddity, I had forgotten was that well known Bnose Vowden scored in the match, in fact he scored 6 goals in the last 6 games.
Steamer

I have been to Mansfield for a match, too. A quick check of soccerbase tells me it was Tue, 26 Apr 1988. Two of my mates at university were Mansfield and Sunderland fans, Sunderland were in the third division that season, so a car load of us went down (from Newcastle) to Mansfield for the match. Sunderland won 4-0.

It was an, err, interesting place to drink after. Lots of people you'd make every attempt not to ever make accidental eye contact with.

[silhillvilla]

I'm not sure how many cul de sacs there are in Mansfield but am I right in assuming CNZ has been down them all this evening?