Southampton vs. Villa Post Match Thread

[Steve R]

Most of the early bumbling came from a continuous stream of unchallenged crosses. We really have problems at full back. The centre of the defence looked solid enough. I do wonder whether the problem with playing both Richards and Lescott is that they both want to be top dog. Dropping either will make the other play appreciably better.

The contrast between the way Pelle worked tirelessly to close down our centre backs and Gestede's relaxed trotting is little short of embarrassing, and that is before you get to footballing ability.

[Monty]

Are we really complaining about a point after what could have been 5-0 after 20 minutes? Yes, we're still monumentally shit, but ever so slightly less shit than last week. Right now, I'll take it.

No, the point is obviously a fine result. And I'm not asking them to have brought Adama on for Lescott and 'gone for it' Sherwood-style. But taking a minute and a half over every goal kick and throw in? I'm not so wild about that. I don't think it'll look all that great after we lose next week (and we will almost certainly lose).

[supertom]

Good result. Okay display. Southampton weren't at the races which helped us. Ayew ran his socks off and caused them problems. I think he's head and shoulders our best attacker. Unfortunately Sinclair and Gestede offered little.
In defence we really rode our luck. Lescott and Okore got away with a few. Lescott did make some good blocks and clearences though, and of course got the goal.

In midfield Sanchez was typically Sanchez. Solid for the most part but an absolute nightmare every now and again. I don't know how he switches off so badly, so often, and almost always in positions that cause us huge problems. And what was with that "injury"? There seemed absolutely nothing in it. He's less "the rock" and more "the marshmallow." He's one of many that need turfing out to be honest.

I'm torn on Gana and Veretout. They have good engines. They work hard. THey're quite good on the ball, but neither really offers a cutting edge pass or an attacking threat and neither is probably solid enough to anchor a midfield. I think you need to play one of the other. We need a playmaker in midfield. Trouble is...we have no other options.

I thought Bacuna did okay today. Certainly he looked less worrying than Rico at left back. Hutton played well I thought. Hutton's not a very good player by any means but I like him for his determination. If the opposition put the ball on a truck and drove it toward goal, Hutton would throw himself in front of it.

Guzan had a couple of flaps but generally was solid and not too worrying with his kicking. In fact one punt up field to Ayew was pretty good.

It's a great result for us. I'd have snatched your hand off for a point, but I'm a little disappointed at conceding such a sloppy goal, because after we scored they rarely looked like troubling Guzan at the back. One good save aside he wasn't overly tested. We did ride our luck in the opening 30 minutes it must be said though.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Positives from today..

Gueye, Vertout and especially Ayew all showed brilliant fight throughout. Something to build on.
Jores and Lescott did okay which is better than most weekends when we're talking central defence.
Hutton gave his all as ever and was rewarded by a fantastic dummy for Lescott's goal.
A point is better than nothing and something to build on.
Everybody gave it their all, heads and hearts are still there after the Watford defeat.

I still believe come the end of the season the bottom 3 will set a new lowest points record for relegated teams.

[PeterWithesShin]

Are we really complaining about a point after what could have been 5-0 after 20 minutes? Yes, we're still monumentally shit, but ever so slightly less shit than last week. Right now, I'll take it.

No, the point is obviously a fine result. And I'm not asking them to have brought Adama on for Lescott and 'gone for it' Sherwood-style. But taking a minute and a half over every goal kick and throw in? I'm not so wild about that. I don't think it'll look all that great after we lose next week (and we will almost certainly lose).

So having lost 2 and pretty much written next week off, don't you think a point today is vital rather than risk 4 straight defeats?

[aj2k77]

Goalkeeper who doesn't make you shit your pants.
Big hard no fucking around centre back.
Left back who isn't a complete donut.
Centre mid, holding player who can pass to replace Sanchez, he's not going to make it in this division.
Someone to lead the line.

That's the bare minimum I think we need to stay up and you're looking at £35-40m.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Hate to be negative, but we needed to win.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It might only be a point but fuck it...i'm off out to celebrate.

Me too, I've just had some soup.

[andyh]

I think the biggest thing about today is the fact that we battled.
Not always well, and not always effective, but it seemed to me that we played for each other and tried to get stuck in.
A million times better than at Everton, and a hundred times better than last week.

[Monty]

Are we really complaining about a point after what could have been 5-0 after 20 minutes? Yes, we're still monumentally shit, but ever so slightly less shit than last week. Right now, I'll take it.

No, the point is obviously a fine result. And I'm not asking them to have brought Adama on for Lescott and 'gone for it' Sherwood-style. But taking a minute and a half over every goal kick and throw in? I'm not so wild about that. I don't think it'll look all that great after we lose next week (and we will almost certainly lose).

So having lost 2 and pretty much written next week off, don't you think a point today is vital rather than risk 4 straight defeats?

Or possibly gain a win. Southampton looked shaky.

Look, I'm not asking for mad flooding forward here, just not to look like a lower division team just happy for the day out and scrabbling for a result of unexpected dignity. We didn't need to commit forward, but I'm really not sure we needed to do what we did. It reminds me of McLeish's post-Stoke draw fist pump.

[Chris Jameson]

Hadn't realised who the three subs were who came on, I hope come the end of January they aren't anywhere near the first team.

[Witton Warrior]

Well done on the point Villa - only 30-odd to go now!!!!
Well done on the support as always - you amaze me...
Happy supping this week

[Ron Manager]

After the first 18mins when we should have been 5-0 down I thought we played well. Ayew continued his good form of late,Gana put in a wholehearted performance. Veretout showed in patches what he can do as well. Quite happy with a point although Westwood should have at least got his effort between the posts. With the players available that was encouraging.

[saunders_heroes]

Good result, and irrespective of how shite we've been this season we're still not relegated yet. Loads still to play for.
Come on Villa!

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Goalkeeper who doesn't make you shit your pants.
Big hard no fucking around centre back.
Left back who isn't a complete donut.
Centre mid, holding player who can pass to replace Sanchez, he's not going to make it in this division.
Someone to lead the line.

That's the bare minimum I think we need to stay up and you're looking at £35-40m.

Even if we get that lot in January, we'd have to go on a ridiculous run to stay up. I'm resigned to it now. Can't fucking believe it's going to happen. After 4 years of thinking, phew, that was close, well obviously we'll sort it out now!