Aston Villa vs Stoke Post Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

I was in the concourse when it happened but on the screens I saw him being applauded as he was walking off. No idea how many did, but some definitely did.

You sure it wasn't "fucking nice one Ron, you idiot you just lost us the game" ironic clapping?

Because if it was "bad luck Ron, we still love you" clapping then those people are morons.

[PeterWithesShin]

It was proper applause. Which is why it pissed me off.

[Dave]

Can't fault sherwood really at all.

Hang on, I thought the reason why he was a good option was the he could provide an instant lift and raise their games with his praise and positivity?

If he's not been brought in to do that, what is he here for? Based on today (and his whole managerial career), it's not his incisive tactical mind.

So you've judged him already after one week at the club and one game? And the games he lost in the PL like today are because he doesn't have an incisive tactical mind, so how about those that he won? Luck I assume?

I get that you don't like him, and he's a bad hire, but you're not showing much balance there are you in your assessment?

It's no less balanced than suggesting that he wasn't at fault in any way, when we spent 80% of the match launching high balls straight at Stoke's back line.

It's not his fault that Vlaar screwed up in the last minute, but nor is it the team's fault that they had been sent out with a game plan based on Lambert's from the second Bradford match.

[tomd2103]

I was in the concourse when it happened but on the screens I saw him being applauded as he was walking off. No idea how many did, but some definitely did.

Yeah there were a few, mostly in the Trinity Road by the tunnel.  There were a few boos and a few more choice expressions of disgust aimed in his direction as well.

[Risso]

It's not his fault that Vlaar screwed up in the last minute, but nor is it the team's fault that they had been sent out with a game plan based on Lambert's from the second Bradford match.

Eh?  The two games were nothing like each other.

[Toronto Villa]

Can't fault sherwood really at all.

Hang on, I thought the reason why he was a good option was the he could provide an instant lift and raise their games with his praise and positivity?

If he's not been brought in to do that, what is he here for? Based on today (and his whole managerial career), it's not his incisive tactical mind.

So you've judged him already after one week at the club and one game? And the games he lost in the PL like today are because he doesn't have an incisive tactical mind, so how about those that he won? Luck I assume?

I get that you don't like him, and he's a bad hire, but you're not showing much balance there are you in your assessment?

It's no less balanced than suggesting that he wasn't at fault in any way, when we spent 80% of the match launching high balls straight at Stoke's back line.

It's not his fault that Vlaar screwed up in the last minute, but nor is it the team's fault that they had been sent out with a game plan based on Lambert's from the second Bradford match.

There were many things that didn't go to plan today. I wouldn't for a second excuse Sherwood his piece of the blame for why we lost. I certainly wouldn't judge his ability as a manager based on today either. Because when he does win, it will be a combination of things that will have contributed to it including his tactics.

[walsall villain]

Can't fault sherwood really at all.

Hang on, I thought the reason why he was a good option was the he could provide an instant lift and raise their games with his praise and positivity?

If he's not been brought in to do that, what is he here for? Based on today (and his whole managerial career), it's not his incisive tactical mind.

So you've judged him already after one week at the club and one game? And the games he lost in the PL like today are because he doesn't have an incisive tactical mind, so how about those that he won? Luck I assume?

I get that you don't like him, and he's a bad hire, but you're not showing much balance there are you in your assessment?

It's no less balanced than suggesting that he wasn't at fault in any way, when we spent 80% of the match launching high balls straight at Stoke's back line.

It's not his fault that Vlaar screwed up in the last minute, but nor is it the team's fault that they had been sent out with a game plan based on Lambert's from the second Bradford match.

They certainly didn't play as I hoped they would but I am certainly not judging the manager based on one game. We all know they need to be more direct, hopefully they can mix it up a bit like the second half against Leicester, not all possession and not all long ball. It's not going to be easy trying to introduce yet another change in style, they have been working at keeping possession under Lambert. The big worry is he has so little time to change things and get results.

[Louzie0]

The first half was okay but once the equaliser went in we seemed to be resigned to our fate. A point would have at least been something to build on but Vlaar had other ideas. Only plus points are Sinclair who looks positive, Hutton and Clark. We need five wins and I can't see where one is going to come from. Get ready for the championship unless there's a spectacular turnaround.

Once the equaliser went in we were not resigned but fighting back.
Should have got another one.
Before that as well as after. Every idea what Vlaar was after, cheering him on. Go for it, Ron.
Awful referee.
Brill manager!

[Dave]

It's not his fault that Vlaar screwed up in the last minute, but nor is it the team's fault that they had been sent out with a game plan based on Lambert's from the second Bradford match.

Eh?  The two games were nothing like each other.

They both involved the main tactic of aiming for the head of our tallest player from around the halfway line for a lot of the game.

Besides, you're right - in the Bradford game, it was us that scored in the last minute

[Dave]

Can't fault sherwood really at all.

Hang on, I thought the reason why he was a good option was the he could provide an instant lift and raise their games with his praise and positivity?

If he's not been brought in to do that, what is he here for? Based on today (and his whole managerial career), it's not his incisive tactical mind.

So you've judged him already after one week at the club and one game? And the games he lost in the PL like today are because he doesn't have an incisive tactical mind, so how about those that he won? Luck I assume?

I get that you don't like him, and he's a bad hire, but you're not showing much balance there are you in your assessment?

It's no less balanced than suggesting that he wasn't at fault in any way, when we spent 80% of the match launching high balls straight at Stoke's back line.

It's not his fault that Vlaar screwed up in the last minute, but nor is it the team's fault that they had been sent out with a game plan based on Lambert's from the second Bradford match.

They certainly didn't play as I hoped they would but I am certainly not judging the manager based on one game. We all know they need to be more direct, hopefully they can mix it up a bit like the second half against Leicester, not all possession and not all long ball. It's not going to be easy trying to introduce yet another change in style, they have been working at keeping possession under Lambert. The big worry is he has so little time to change things and get results.

I'm not saying that he's not been dealt a pretty shitty hand, and nor do I think we are worse off than had we stuck with Lambert.

But we hired him because we thought (and presumably he did as well) that he would get us out of this situation. Apparently belief and motivation are his biggest attributes. Let's hope that the next few weeks give the players more belief and motivation than it seems like the last week evidently has.

[brontebilly]

Only saw the highlights but Ron Vlaar's efforts were truly of the car crash variety. Some captain

A point today and its a relatively solid start for Sherwood but that ending has removed any optimism out of Lambert leaving

First goal was brutal too, Vlaar barely got off the ground but Cissokho's efforts were horrific too giving Walters easy possession. Nice cross from our former POTY...

Good movement from Sinclair for his goal. Delph for all the criticism of his performance did supply the three chances I saw.

Burnley got a great result today though refereeing decisions certainly went in their favour. Joey Barton edged out Vlaar as worst captain of the week with his efforts. Sunderland are getting dragged into it too, like us they cant score.

Not sure selection wise what Sherwood should do from here. Okore has been making costly mistakes of late but Vlaar's efforts today were a new low. Cissokho is absolutely awful imo, Richardson is championship standard so do we move our best central defender, Clark, out there instead? None of our midfielders seem to be playing well consistently. Guess Delph will be kept on. Cleverley will probably be given another go next week but how much confidence does anyone have in him?

 It might be unpopular but Id prefer to see Gil coming on rather than starting as his fitness is miles off. Gabby, Weimann and Benteke wouldnt kick snow off a rope at the moment. Sinclair after his goal today will start on one side and hopefully will be an important player for us on the run in.

[Louzie0]

Just saw penalty on MOTD.

We should have won this!

[pauliewalnuts]

I wonder if there is even any point in using Vlaar any more.

He clearly doesn't want to be here, and even if he does stay, he's made of fucking glass. I appreciate he had a good world cup, but in the almost-a-season since then, he really might as well not have been here.

I'd have gone with Okore. He's made a few mistakes himself recently, but he at least wants to be here and shows a bit of promise for the future.

[Des Little]

Vlaar was way off today. He'll do well to get back in, and rightly so.

[Chipsticks]

With Senderos and Baker coming back into contention as well, we're not going to miss him too much.