Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa Post Match Thread

[Phil from the upper holte]

I think Gardener is very slow. I want him to do well I just can't see it

[PaulWinch again]

Just game 39 of 15/16 for me.

The next few weeks j the transfer window are critical.

AND

Gestede.  Why?

That's just utter nonsense. I don't remember us dominating any game last season like we did in the second half today. Losing to a lucky goal when you are dominating is totally different to being played off the park every week.

[Richard E]

In fairness to Gardner it was his first competitive first team game for us for 3 1/2 years so I think he's entitled to be cut a bit of slack for the time being.

[London Villan]

Gardner has been playing at that level for the last two years though.

[Ivo Stas]

Just watched the game online having avoided the score earlier... my player comments...

Gollini - couple of smart saves, looked alert and competent, until the Guzan-like clearance. Now I worry about his confidence going into the season...
Hutton - same as always, up and down, can't really defend or cross but definitely has an engine.
Elphick - my man of the match, looked a good signing on paper, now looks a good signing on the pitch too. The new Shaun Teale (also signed from Bournmouth)?
Baker - when I saw the clash of heads in the first half, I thought here we go... but to my amazement Baker managed to go 90 minutes without a concussion today.
Cissokho - all the grace of a giraffe on rollerskates. Probably would look a better defender if he had some help from Ayew.
Bacuna - Curacao's finest is either terrible or okay, today was an okay day. A few good deliveries. It just troubles me that we still have Bacuna and Hutton as our right flank.
Gardner - waited a long time to see him in our midfield again but didn't really show much (other than an intent to pick up a yellow card) but was part of an always improving team performance for 70 minutes
Westwood - can we put someone else just outside the box on corners because Westwood is world-class at just shooting about a yard past the keeper's right-hand post. I did notice one good interception in our box in the first half, otherwise I forgot he was on the pitch.
Ayew - I just love how, no matter where on the pitch nor no matter how many opponents standing him up, he will always, always go on a dribble. Needs to find a better pass after all his good work carrying the ball.
McCormack - looked quite good in a quiet sort of way, should have scored though. At least Westwood is relieved of set-piece duty.
Gestede - Mr Ronseal, does what it says on the tin. I'd rather drop him, play Grealish and attack teams on the grass but it was a good flick-on to McCormack in the second half.

Tshibola and Grealish and Green - cameos too short to really judge but hopefully all three will offer something this season. If we are going to play Gestede, then Green should be thinking of getting in ahead of Bacuna.

Final thought - Sheffield Wednesday, proud old club, their current Ipswich-style home shirt is a disgrace.

[Richard E]

Gardner has been playing at that level for the last two years though.

Fair comment, but it wasn't as part of this squad.

[Clampy]

I thought we were poor first half but much better in the second. I think 0-0 would have been a fair result. Disappointing start but not the end of the world. Once we find our feet we'll be ok.

[ozzjim]

I thought the centre of midfield was painfully weak and Ayew needs to be further forward. Elphick is brilliant as a leader and could be the signing of many a summer.  Gollini despite the kick impressed me greatly. 

McCormack obviously has a lot of class and if he had a more mobile partner today I think would have hurt them. Gestede just needs to be an impact player for a while.  Work in progress but think RDM knows what he is doing. 

[Lescottstweets]

We were good enough to win in the 2nd half. Still not impressed by Cissokho, why is he still played? Goal came from a poor clearance and Wednesday shouldve been a man down in the 2nd half

[AV89]

Just watched the game online having avoided the score earlier... my player comments...

Gollini - couple of smart saves, looked alert and competent, until the Guzan-like clearance. Now I worry about his confidence going into the season...
Hutton - same as always, up and down, can't really defend or cross but definitely has an engine.
Elphick - my man of the match, looked a good signing on paper, now looks a good signing on the pitch too. The new Shaun Teale (also signed from Bournmouth)?
Baker - when I saw the clash of heads in the first half, I thought here we go... but to my amazement Baker managed to go 90 minutes without a concussion today.
Cissokho - all the grace of a giraffe on rollerskates. Probably would look a better defender if he had some help from Ayew.
Bacuna - Curacao's finest is either terrible or okay, today was an okay day. A few good deliveries. It just troubles me that we still have Bacuna and Hutton as our right flank.
Gardner - waited a long time to see him in our midfield again but didn't really show much (other than an intent to pick up a yellow card) but was part of an always improving team performance for 70 minutes
Westwood - can we put someone else just outside the box on corners because Westwood is world-class at just shooting about a yard past the keeper's right-hand post. I did notice one good interception in our box in the first half, otherwise I forgot he was on the pitch.
Ayew - I just love how, no matter where on the pitch nor no matter how many opponents standing him up, he will always, always go on a dribble. Needs to find a better pass after all his good work carrying the ball.
McCormack - looked quite good in a quiet sort of way, should have scored though. At least Westwood is relieved of set-piece duty.
Gestede - Mr Ronseal, does what it says on the tin. I'd rather drop him, play Grealish and attack teams on the grass but it was a good flick-on to McCormack in the second half.

Tshibola and Grealish and Green - cameos too short to really judge but hopefully all three will offer something this season. If we are going to play Gestede, then Green should be thinking of getting in ahead of Bacuna.

Final thought - Sheffield Wednesday, proud old club, their current Ipswich-style home shirt is a disgrace.

Amazing how opinions vary.  Just readthe Daily Mail match report and its says Elphick was disappointing and cost us the game......

[Bungle]

Disappointing result, but I think we all knew that it will take more than 4 new bodies to resolve the problems of the last few years.  On the plus side at least Villa did not get buried.

[adrenachrome]

The Heil used to have a semi decent sports section, but they have gone to heil, as is were.

[preston28]

Got back about an hour ago. Can't be bothered to trawl through the previous posts so apologies if a lot has been said befor!
Support was fantastic.
First half poor second half better.
Gardener way off the pace,  Cissoko should have not been on the pitch, Bacuna s just the thickest footballer I have ever seen and should not be starting.
Not enough width & too many aimless long balls.

[joe_c]

On the one hand, if Sheffield Wednesday are one of the better sides in the division then we shouldn't have much to be afraid of this season. On the other, we should really have won and I don't have much confidence at this moment in time that we'll pick up sufficient points from the remaining 45 games (ugh) to be promoted. Further investment still required.

[castlefields_villan]

Just watched the game online having avoided the score earlier... my player comments...

Gollini - couple of smart saves, looked alert and competent, until the Guzan-like clearance. Now I worry about his confidence going into the season...
Hutton - same as always, up and down, can't really defend or cross but definitely has an engine.
Elphick - my man of the match, looked a good signing on paper, now looks a good signing on the pitch too. The new Shaun Teale (also signed from Bournmouth)?
Baker - when I saw the clash of heads in the first half, I thought here we go... but to my amazement Baker managed to go 90 minutes without a concussion today.
Cissokho - all the grace of a giraffe on rollerskates. Probably would look a better defender if he had some help from Ayew.
Bacuna - Curacao's finest is either terrible or okay, today was an okay day. A few good deliveries. It just troubles me that we still have Bacuna and Hutton as our right flank.
Gardner - waited a long time to see him in our midfield again but didn't really show much (other than an intent to pick up a yellow card) but was part of an always improving team performance for 70 minutes
Westwood - can we put someone else just outside the box on corners because Westwood is world-class at just shooting about a yard past the keeper's right-hand post. I did notice one good interception in our box in the first half, otherwise I forgot he was on the pitch.
Ayew - I just love how, no matter where on the pitch nor no matter how many opponents standing him up, he will always, always go on a dribble. Needs to find a better pass after all his good work carrying the ball.
McCormack - looked quite good in a quiet sort of way, should have scored though. At least Westwood is relieved of set-piece duty.
Gestede - Mr Ronseal, does what it says on the tin. I'd rather drop him, play Grealish and attack teams on the grass but it was a good flick-on to McCormack in the second half.

Tshibola and Grealish and Green - cameos too short to really judge but hopefully all three will offer something this season. If we are going to play Gestede, then Green should be thinking of getting in ahead of Bacuna.

Final thought - Sheffield Wednesday, proud old club, their current Ipswich-style home shirt is a disgrace.

Is it me, or is it unclear where Ayew was playing today ?  Was it 4-3-3 or was wide left in a 4-4-2, if that's the case I think Cissoskho had every right to be having a go at his lack of tracking back and doing the defensive side of the midfield work, I know that's not exactly the strongest part of Ayew's game, but the midfield is there to protect the back four as well as supply the forwards.

Yes, I agree about their kit, nothing to do us with us I know, and yes times change, but as a traditionalist it barely resembled a Sheffield Wednesday kit.