Mansfield Town v Aston Villa all singing and dancing thread

[Steve R]

Whilst Bent looked distinctly overweight Weimann seems to have shed a few pounds. It was a bit like watching Yogi Bear and Booboo 2nd half.

[Matt Collins]

I will be very happy to be proved wrong but I still can't see Bent contributing much.

He scored a couple of tap ins v Mansfield.he also looked pretty chunky

[Phil from the upper holte]

I will be very happy to be proved wrong but I still can't see Bent contributing much.

He scored a couple of tap ins v Mansfield.he also looked pretty chunky

If he scores 20 tap ins next season that will do for me

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert insists the early signs are encouraging after seeing his side come from behind to beat Mansfield 3-1 in their opening pre-season friendly.

Lambert was happy with the contribution of newboys like Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson - and returning stars like Alan Hutton, Darren Bent, Jores Okore, Chris Herd, Gary Gardner and Charles N'Zogbia.

Villa boss Lambert was satisfied with the display - and thrilled that everyone came through the match at the One Call Stadium unscathed.

He said: "It was a useful workout.

"It's our first game this season - two halves with different teams - and it was pleasing.

"What is more pleasing is that everyone has come through it unscathed.

"Jores hasn't played for a long time. Charles is the same. Chris and Gary have come back into it. Darren has returned from his loan spell at Fulham. Alan has come back and, I thought, was excellent.

"I was delighted with the whole group.

"We should have been one or two up in that first half. But the response after Mansfield scored was pleasing. The first half was really pleasing as well.

"I am delighted everyone has come through it."

Lambert was pleased to see Bent and Gardner on the scoresheet - and he was able also to speak of the acquisition of Richardson for the first time.

He added: "If there is one lad who deserves a break, it's Gary because of his injuries. He's a terrific lad. He will have to fight. But if he plays like that and does things like that, why not force his way in.

"Darren has the knack of being in the right place at the right time. To be fair to Darren, since he's come back from pre-season, he's knuckled down and gave it a right good go.

"We have Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak coming back shortly. Philippe Senderos will join up with us and Brad Guzan too while Ron Vlaar will have a couple of weeks more off.

"It was good to have Kieran out there. It was there for everyone to see what Kieran can bring.

"He hasn't been here long and probably doesn't know everybody. But he will be a major asset for us."

[Steve R]

I shudder to think what shape Bent was before he 'knuckled down'. To be fair to him, he doesn't seem to have forgotten where to stand when we get possessio near the opposing penalty area.

I'm backing Tonev to be a big suprise this season.

[Toronto Villa]

"We have Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak coming back shortly

now that's good news

[tomd2103]

Lambert was happy with the contribution of newboys like Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson - and returning stars like Alan Hutton, Darren Bent, Jores Okore, Chris Herd, Gary Gardner and Charles N'Zogbia.

"Stars"? 

[kippaxvilla2]

Two asides.  I had to wait for the entire luis van gaal wankfest press conference on ssn before I got an update from field mill by none other than Steve Lee.

Second, twitchy was interviewed by the biggest arse on TV Jim white.  He confirmed Ferdinand signing and fee agreed for caulker meaning he will have four central defenders.  I would have thought Vlaar is therefore not going there at least.

[Des Little]

Pleased to see Bent back in the side tonight. As others have said, I'd take him being anonymous and getting a couple of goals every week.

[supertom]

I shudder to think what shape Bent was before he 'knuckled down'. To be fair to him, he doesn't seem to have forgotten where to stand when we get possessio near the opposing penalty area.

I'm backing Tonev to be a big suprise this season.

In fairness to Benty though, whilst he doesn't look as streamlined as he once did, I guess with a proper pre-season he'll shed a bit. It seemed he had some desire today. In the fat bastard stakes (or should it be steaks?) Gabby definitely won the chuba-lub award this evening. He's looking very portly and made Bent look like Peter Crouch.
I fancy in a month's time that Bent will look trimmer, and that Gabby will probably look the same.
Charlie N'Zog needs to shed some weight too, but in fairness to him he missed most of the last year injured.

Weimann looks like he's been working hard over the summer. He looks trimmer, which is good. Big season for Andi.

[tomd2103]

A trivial aside, but the new away kit looks good in the pictures!

[ciggiesnbeer]

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

That is usually how he plays but I disagree he was like that for todays match. He was involved a lot, hell I even saw him running the ball out from the back during a counter. I doubt the stats are available but I suspect he got more touches & passes than any other one of our forwards today.

[PeterWithesShin]

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

That is usually how he plays but I disagree he was like that for todays match. He was involved a lot, hell I even saw him running the ball out from the back during a counter. I doubt the stats are available but I suspect he got more touches & passes than any other one of our forwards today.

When I made that comment I was on about Wigan away rather than tonight. I agree and have mentioned that he did more than just goal hang and he looked a lot more useful than Gabby did tonight. I think it was SuperTom, who also said the same thing, that I said to that maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Obviously doing it in a friendly against Mansfield is a world apart from doing it week after week in the PL, but we can hope!

[ciggiesnbeer]

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

That is usually how he plays but I disagree he was like that for todays match. He was involved a lot, hell I even saw him running the ball out from the back during a counter. I doubt the stats are available but I suspect he got more touches & passes than any other one of our forwards today.

When I made that comment I was on about Wigan away rather than tonight. I agree and have mentioned that he did more than just goal hang and he looked a lot more useful than Gabby did tonight. I think it was SuperTom, who also said the same thing, that I said to that maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Obviously doing it in a friendly against Mansfield is a world apart from doing it week after week in the PL, but we can hope!

Oh fair do's. Agree with all that.

Gabby is indeed cause for concern.

[olaftab]

Lambert was happy with the contribution of newboys like Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson - and returning stars like Alan Hutton, Darren Bent, Jores Okore, Chris Herd, Gary Gardner and Charles N'Zogbia.

"Stars"? 

Yes ...it's Mansfield remember? You'd be a star there.