Southampton vs Aston Villa post-match thread

[ASHTONVILLA]

On the basis of that line up, we forgot to get rid of one extra staff member with Sherwood!

McLeish would have been ashamed to put out such a negative teamsheet. They played better than I expected, but hopefully whoever comes in wont pick such a rubbish lineup.

I honestly think there is a midtable team in there somewhere, just need to pick a reasonable formation an stick with it. Agree on the earlier post though, too many 'utility players' that are jack of all trade and master of none. We need to nail down responsibilities and stick with a lineup for a few weeks.

[Bad English]

I know what you mean Batman, those moneymen are Robin bastards

Absolute Joker!

I think we may have jumped the shark.

Hang on! That was Fonzie in Happy Days. Doh!

[Steve R]

This kind of thing happens time and time again.



No one tries to exploit the gap between defenders and midfielders on the edge of the area. The two lads at the top of the picture are always edging away from the ball looking for a cross that will never come. They may as well not be on the pitch.

Other teams are very adept at causing us grief with runners going across the front of our back line. When are we going  to learn? We have players -  Gil or Grealish - who have the ball control and ability to turn quickly and wreak absolute havoc in that area. Why not use them to do just that?

My other pet hate - the way Hutton lets runners go past him and accept simple lifted passes over the top. FFS.

[Bad English]

I know what you mean Batman, those moneymen are Robin bastards

Absolute Joker!

I think we may have jumped the shark.

Edit. Hang on! That was Fonzie in Happy Days. Batman was shark repellant. Doh!

[Monty]

That's a horrible photo Steve. Shows our problem pretty clearly.

[cdbearsfan]

We would've had to play Liverpool next at our bogey ground.

[Ivo Stas]

Didn't follow the match, just watched highlights online and read the team sheets.

3 right backs, 2 left backs, 1 defender, 2 defensive midfielders... WTF..?

[django]

A picture that speaks a thousand words, mostly me saying 'fucks sake'.

[passitsideways]

That's a horrible photo Steve. Shows our problem pretty clearly.

The thing is that we've never ever gotten the hang of it. Even Grealish, a player basically designed to play in those spaces, has spent most of his time so far coming in from the left. Westwood gets rightful stick for a lot of things he does, but I don't think he's a coward who doesn't want to pass the ball forwards - there just so rarely is the opportunity for him to make that sort of pass.

[silhillvilla]

looks at car crash, keeps moving past it.

Oh so negative ....... 

[CT Villan]

My guess is that was Sherwood's team selection and K-Mac didn't want to rock the boat too much so close to the game when he took over. Let's see what happens for Spurs.

Team was crap, not sure anyone comes out of that with any credibility, maybe Grealish perhaps.

[Olof's Beard]

It made no sense at all not to play Veretout and Adama at the very least in a game like that, or at least Gil. Instead we just threw any full back we could find at the problem for some reason. We could never get MON to play more than one full back, now we seem to want to shoehorn half of a team worth into the side.

I really hope the manager situation is sorted soon and that whoever comes in is already looking at the players. He needs to decide on a team and a style that suits very quickly. It is one heck of a pressure cooker situation to be coming into - the whole club is utterly devoid of joy at the moment.

[Toronto Villa]

looks at car crash, keeps moving past it.

Oh so negative ....... 

It is, but given that I'm generally positive it stands out. When it's you it blends in with every other one of your posts.

[Walmley_Villa]

Back in my Portsmouth hotel after the game and credit to the fans tonight albeit with plenty of dark humour which is concerning considering it Is October. Have to say the yellow kit and shorts don't do Gabby any favours. He looked about 18 stone. No wonder the fitness coach has been given the tick tack.

[CT]

Just got back and wanted to vent a few thoughts....

Gallows humour hugely in evidence, the majority laughed at what was going on during the game. The fucking pathetic team selection, the fucking pathetic substitutions and the even more fucking pathetic sight of the overweight No.11 wobbling around, always five yards offside and apparently...our CAPTAIN.

That team reminded me of a League 2 side who'd got a cup draw against the Premier League team and were "trying their best".

I've changed my mind on Remi Garde. We need someone to sort that rabble out instantly. It has to be Moyes or Rodgers or we are done for. Although why either would want any part of that God only knows.

We have brilliant support, incredible actually. Some of those players should take a look up and be ashamed of themselves.