Aston Villa v Blackpool Post-Match Thread

[Dante Lavelli]

Didn't see the game today so I am unsure exactly how it panned out, however I can see the logic in westwood dropping into a back three as theoretically it allows the fullbacks to push further forward and also adds a decent passer to the defence.  Liverpool used the tactic well with Gerrard last season.

The team selected today had little natural width (cole and grealish are not really wingers) so it was important the full backs could push forward knowing that they were covered defensively.

[andyh]

Didn't go today but to be honest all that matters is that we're in the next round.

I did and it doesn't.
Frankly, it was bloody disgraceful.

It was shit today. But the single most important thing is being in the next round. I'd much rather have today's performance and result than to have played an absolute blinder and lost.

That said, playing well does somewhat increase the chances of winning.

Don't get me wrong, I am of an age where winning the FA cup is the last remaining thing I want to win before I kark it.
To me and many others it is still the holy grail.
BUT, there is no way on gods earth this is team is good enough to win the FA cup.
Lambert was 2 or 3 minutes away from being strung up, but has been given (yet) another stay of execution by Benteke.
I am not naive enough to think that an 88th minute goal in an otherwise sea of shite, makes everything ok.
All I know is that the bloke is stangling the life out of the team and needs to be gone.

[Des Little]

My only ambition in football is to see us win the cup. I'm 43 and just hope I live to see it.

[Gareth]

Unconditional backing didn't help the players either!  Complete nonsense that booing affects the players, are they really that weak? for me this lot & their leader have got of very lightly.

Why do you think teams have better home records than away ones if home support means nothing?

Never said it didn't, though I suspect our record over the last few seasons might not support the home fortress theory! 

In a time when you are giving your fans very little to cheer support has to be earned a little & if some want to boo or chant for his job they have every right.

[PeterWithe]

That was fucking awful, just so slow and allowing them to get men back behind the ball every single time, Lambert never seems to learn and needs to be sacked asap.

Westwood as a centre back?

Only bright spots where Okore, again, Sanchez, again, Cole and the goal. Everything else was abysmal.

[Gareth]

Didn't see the game today so I am unsure exactly how it panned out, however I can see the logic in westwood dropping into a back three as theoretically it allows the fullbacks to push further forward and also adds a decent passer to the defence.  Liverpool used the tactic well with Gerrard last season.

The team selected today had little natural width (cole and grealish are not really wingers) so it was important the full backs could push forward knowing that they were covered defensively.

If only we had a couple of left backs who were better at attacking than defending :-) this passing around in circles with nowhere to go was obviously discovered after he sent both Luna & Bennett away for the season :-)

[Tayls_7]

My only ambition in football is to see us win the cup. I'm 43 and just hope I live to see it.

Wow, I'm 43 too. What a coincidence. How long are you planning to live for?

[aj2k77]

He's been on skysports news talking shit about creating chances in each of the last few games. Then reporters asked him if the chanting hurt him and he said 'no doesn't bother him been happening all his career but it doesn't help the players'

Why would it bother the players and not him? They're not his children who get all tearfull when daddy Paul gets a kick up the arse by the only people who still have standards at the club. Boy does that man talk some bollocks.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Thanks for the suggestion that I go follow West Brom, I'd give you a proper answer but those damn kids might be reading.... :-)

As for the actual discussion not the snidey comments....I expect the local press to challenge our clubs and their managers when they are doing badly....to reflect the various opinions of the fanbase...not just cozy up in the hope of an extra bacon sandwich at press confs or a bland exclusive interview to fill a page or two.  Have you read one word of genuine questioning from the Mail or heard one word of sense from WM?

Not what I meant. No I meant reading them record West Broms rise and our decline which is what they really want to see. Certainly not implying you should go support another team just because you disagree with me, if it came across that way I apologize.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

My lad came with me today for the first time in about 2 years.

He's not really into football at all but loves me and The Villa enough to tolerate my strange obsession.
His very non-expert comments during the game were interesting:

"They're not very confident are they?"
"You know when they get into really good positions? Why do they keep passing it backwards?"
"Why don't they run towards the goal and have a shot now and then?"

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings....

He's 30, btw!

[KevinGage]

Those of you who like Lambert deserve each other.

There's no need for that is there.

Admittedly I've been sailing the good ship Caledonia Best for most of the afternoon, so the aul judgement could be even more impaired than usual (and that's going some).   But I took that to be a flippant end of the pier remark.  Take my Mother-in-Law.  Please.

[Gareth]

If its celebrations when we lose and misery when we win like Pat Murphy that you want but with a local flavour then try Radio WM!

Hard working local sports journalists exposing the evil schemes of Paul Lambert, week after week! He would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for those damn kids! As a bonus just like Pat you can follow them record the glorious rise of the pride of the midlands West Brom!

Thanks for the suggestion that I go follow West Brom, I'd give you a proper answer but those damn kids might be reading.... :-)

As for the actual discussion not the snidey comments....I expect the local press to challenge our clubs and their managers when they are doing badly....to reflect the various opinions of the fanbase...not just cozy up in the hope of an extra bacon sandwich at press confs or a bland exclusive interview to fill a page or two.  Have you read one word of genuine questioning from the Mail or heard one word of sense from WM?
[/quote]

Not what I meant. No I meant reading them record West Broms rise and our decline which is what they really want to see. Certainly not implying you should go support another team just because you disagree with me, if it came across that way I apologize.
[/quote]

Thank McGrath for that...I look crap in stripes :-)

I don't think there is a vendetta or favouritism shown, I just think the clubs aren't challenged at what they are doing / not doing - look at the BLose reporting, do any of the local media do their own research or just take sound bites from a website?  They should be over that like a rash.  Pat Murphy has a beef with Lerner never speaking to the media, others do with Peace at Tesco likewise.  Just seems there is no opinion anymore and the media are little more than extensions of the club comms depts! 

[Steve kirk]

My only ambition in football is to see us win the cup. I'm 43 and just hope I live to see it.

Wow, I'm 43 too. What a coincidence. How long are you planning to live for?

Well I am 58 so much older, you two might see us win an 8th F A Cup, I am hoping to live a good while longer but I do wonder whether I will see it happen.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Aye, no worries! I do think Murphy has had it in for us since Mon left to be honest, its not just a Lambert thing. Its why I have it in for him

So while I would like there to be a smart / critical reporter out there, I find the likes of Murphy approach it in a very insincere and petty manner. I don't think he wants us to get better regardless of Lambert, I think he wants us to fail.

[lovejoy]

Unconditional backing didn't help the players either!  Complete nonsense that booing affects the players, are they really that weak? for me this lot & their leader have got of very lightly.

Why do you think teams have better home records than away ones if home support means nothing?

Never said it didn't, though I suspect our record over the last few seasons might not support the home fortress theory! 

In a time when you are giving your fans very little to cheer support has to be earned a little & if some want to boo or chant for his job they have every right.

Without wishing to turn this in to a " who has a right to boo" discussion, booing will detract from the teams performance then make them play worse. So booing and moaning the team play badly is a self fulfilling prophesy.