It's not Sherwood!

[ciggiesnbeer]

We conceded one goal against a team that cost 1/2 billion to assemble. I think Gary Neville the one eyed toerag should remember that. If he wants to be critical about us then our inability to create any real opportunities or take shots should be a much easier target. Or in fact something he won't do is criticize his former employers for being so fucking average two straight weeks despite how much they've spent not to be.

It shouldn't but it still surprises me how this obvious fact gets ignored by so many commentators. The way they talk about it you would think the premier league was competitive, it just is not. About six or so spend hundreds of millions buying success. Sure every now and again one of the bottom 2/3rds of the league can beat one of the money clubs but thats a chance occurrence notable when it happens because it is unusual.

I am not sure they spread the lie that the two teams playing are genuine competitors because they want to continue the fantasy the league is exciting or they are just so stupid they believe it.

[adrenachrome]

We conceded one goal against a team that cost 1/2 billion to assemble. I think Gary Neville the one eyed toerag should remember that. If he wants to be critical about us then our inability to create any real opportunities or take shots should be a much easier target. Or in fact something he won't do is criticize his former employers for being so fucking average two straight weeks despite how much they've spent not to be.

I just watched the Sky coverage of the game, and Neville's criticism was largely focused on wide set plays, where he said that our back 4 was a shambles, and that it would have to be sorted out. He said that nobody was organizing the back line.  He was quite vehement about it, from their very first free kick.

I must admit I did not see that at the game, and I was more concerned with midfielders loosing their runners, and forwards not getting into the box.

[ozzjim]

It was clearly Clark who in the end started to do it from about the 3rd set piece they had, and we were clearly better after that.

Gueye and Westwood switched off to midfield runners during the game. It is very frustrating when players do the hard bit, track all the way to the edge of the box and then ball watch for 3-4 seconds and it is all gone.

[Diablo]

Like him or loathe him Gary Neville knows a thing or two about defending. I'm pretty sure he has a point and I'd say fair comment. The amount of money spent is pretty immaterial, we should get the basics right from a set play and I think that was the point Gary Neville was making.

[Ads]

I think Neville should be more concerned that Beaker has spent hundreds of millions to assemble a squad that is functional and compact in its approach to games and nothing more.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think Neville should be more concerned that Beaker has spent hundreds of millions to assemble a squad that is functional and compact in its approach to games and nothing more.

Redknapp bought that up at half time and the comment was completely ignored as if it was a subject that could not be discussed. 
 

[Steve67]

The whole coverage was shit. It was a complete United cumfest from start to finish. A great pity we couldn't beat them just to put a dent in their script.  We lost to a lucky goal, we were not outplayed in any way. Two fairly evenly matched sides but Villa lacked punch thanks to a lack of movement and hold up play up front.

[john e]

Is Nzogbia injured, or has Sherwood finally realised what the rest of us did a long while ago that he's not good enough to make the starting 11
I'm hoping it's the latter

[Clampy]

Is Nzogbia injured, or has Sherwood finally realised what the rest of us did a long while ago that he's not good enough to make the starting 11
I'm hoping it's the latter

Didn't he remove all things villa related from his twitter account a few weeks ago? He just wasn't good or consistent enough.

[john e]

Is Nzogbia injured, or has Sherwood finally realised what the rest of us did a long while ago that he's not good enough to make the starting 11
I'm hoping it's the latter

Didn't he remove all things villa related from his twitter account a few weeks ago? He just wasn't good or consistent enough.

It sounds like a change of scene would be best for both parties then
easy said than done with wages etc though

[AGRIPPA]

We conceded one goal against a team that cost 1/2 billion to assemble. I think Gary Neville the one eyed toerag should remember that. If he wants to be critical about us then our inability to create any real opportunities or take shots should be a much easier target. Or in fact something he won't do is criticize his former employers for being so fucking average two straight weeks despite how much they've spent not to be.

I just watched the Sky coverage of the game, and Neville's criticism was largely focused on wide set plays, where he said that our back 4 was a shambles, and that it would have to be sorted out. He said that nobody was organizing the back line.  He was quite vehement about it, from their very first free kick.

I must admit I did not see that at the game, and I was more concerned with midfielders loosing their runners, and forwards not getting into the box.

Neville is right, Richards conceded a free kick on our right and spent the walk back complaint instead of organising the defence.
Shambolic is the right word, they were all over the place.

Happened a couple of times later too... Defo summat to be worked on

[Villa in Denmark]

There were loads of occasions, including for the goal where Clark and Amavi were holding a different line to Richards and Bacuna.

If Clark and Amavi had stepped up in line with the other 2 Januzaj would have been 1/2 yard off-side.

Add to which Guaye let Januzaj run of the back of him without checking Richards was picking him up (he wasn't he ran straight behind Richards) there were 2 chances to stop Januzaj's free run before we get to Richards over committing because he's out of position.

Yes the final finish was lucky, but we cocked up 3 times in 5 seconds to let it get that far.

[john e]

I've got no problem with Neville, all he said was what we have been saying on here but we are allowed because we support the team
He has been extremely critical of Utd in the past same as Scholes has,

Like a lot of people I couldn't stand him as a player but as a pundit he's the best around, he says it as it is and sometimes the truth is hard to swallow, he obviously supports Utd and I have no problem with that we have Merse, Collymore, Mcinally Taylor etc who favour us but sometimes also put the boot in when necessary

[fredm]

Let's hope that Tim and Ray take notice and get it sorted.
With regards to Man U I am sure I heard Van Gaal say he was pleased how they are playing. The days of two flying wingers and relentless attacking play are gone IMO. He will have them keeping it tight at the back and snatching a goal. Whether the glory hunters will appreciate it or not remains to be seen.

[Ron Manager]

We conceded one goal against a team that cost 1/2 billion to assemble. I think Gary Neville the one eyed toerag should remember that. If he wants to be critical about us then our inability to create any real opportunities or take shots should be a much easier target. Or in fact something he won't do is criticize his former employers for being so fucking average two straight weeks despite how much they've spent not to be.

I just watched the Sky coverage of the game, and Neville's criticism was largely focused on wide set plays, where he said that our back 4 was a shambles, and that it would have to be sorted out. He said that nobody was organizing the back line.  He was quite vehement about it, from their very first free kick.

I must admit I did not see that at the game, and I was more concerned with midfielders loosing their runners, and forwards not getting into the box.

Neville is right, Richards conceded a free kick on our right and spent the walk back complaint instead of organising the defence.
Shambolic is the right word, they were all over the place.

Happened a couple of times later too... Defo summat to be worked on

Richards had turned his back on the Utd player who was taking the free kick.He should (as captain) have run backwards shouting at the backline to get into position. Their bloke could have taken the free kick quickly with Richards still having his back turned. Something Wilkins will have noticed and pointed out, no doubt. Early in the game but something to work on and not repeat.