Luton Town v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[David_Nab]

RDM said Baker had taken a knock to the head and had to go off.

I'd imagine McCormack is not match fit and after a game Sunday he wasn't up to another 90 mins hence his subbing ..both replacements were horribly though.

No bigger banker bet than Villa to concede with Richards at CB.

It was clear after the Boro pre season game that when we concede we fall to pieces, whilst some are not good enough the reality is even ones with talent have been mentally damaged by last season.We haven't won away in a year , won 3 times all last season in league.The only way to rectify this is to clear out players and rebuild but then you have to then gel the new players together.

It's very clear now that promotion is going to be very very difficult this season.

I also think we will still be hanging on trying to get players up until the window closes especially the ones we want on loan who may want to see what other offers there are out there for them.Elphick made an impression in defence at weekend we now need someone like him in midfield as so far this season the MF has been useless

[auntiesledd]

It is significant that the two main architects of our cowardly capitulation to Luton were Okore and Richards both of whom have chronic attitude problems.   Because they don't want to be at Villa, they don't care what happens to Villa.  Can you imagine the scene this morning if Clarke or Bond tries to bollock Richards or Okore for last night.  Their agents would be on the phone in about twenty seconds.

It begs the question as to why this pair of tossers are still at the club. They epitomise why we continue to be a laughing-stock: yet here they are still, cheerfully stinking the place out whilst earning a fortune. If Xia has even a modicum of sense, he needs to ensure that the shite gets removed asap and replaced with incumbents who, at the very least, are prepared to give 100% every time they pull on the claret & blue. I just hope to God the owner's pockets are deep enough to ensure the necessary happens sooner - rather than later.

[mr underhill]

but therein lies the problem - who would want them? With each game they play, they become even more unsaleable.

[Clark W Griswold]

Can we please get a very good centre back and a very good central midfielder in today. Not tomorrow, not next week, today. Thank you.

[auntiesledd]

but therein lies the problem - who would want them? With each game they play, they become even more unsaleable.

I agree, but Xia HAS to find a way of binning the shit. Let's pray he gets on with the job now - lest his glorious 5 year plan is over before it even starts.

[TopDeck113]

Even if last season's points haul and MOTD highlights weren't sufficient evidence, in these days of detailed statistical analysis with reams of data on every player for every game, it beggars belief that RDM had to sacrifice a cup competition and subject the club to yet more embarrassment to find out what was already patently obvious.   

[Ads]

I think somebody who made the point about looking good in training may be onto something. There's no pressure there, so when Team Bibs puts one past Team Shirts, its not an issue. Last night has got to have been illuminating for RDM as to the absence of quality and mental strength in Richards, Okore in particular.

How can you hope to achieve anything at any level with them too? Both charging out of position. We're trying to hold a defensive line that has more in common with an Alpine road. Baker was guilty of it too first half without his brain Elphick telling him where to stand.

[Clark W Griswold]

Even if last season's points haul and MOTD highlights weren't sufficient evidence, in these days of detailed statistical analysis with reams of data on every player for every game, it beggars belief that RDM had to sacrifice a cup competition and subject the club to yet more embarrassment to find out what was already patently obvious.   

I suppose so but he probably wants it to be known that he's willing to give everyone a crack of the whip and at least see it with his own eyes. Probably looks better to incoming players that he tries to be a fair manager. After that though, I don't think anyone would blame him for packing Richards and Okore into a bin liner and leaving them outside the main gates at Villa park, or for immediately transfer listing Baker and Gardner or for making sure Hutton, Green and Gestede are our last option for future games.

[oldtimernow]

It is significant that the two main architects of our cowardly capitulation to Luton were Okore and Richards both of whom have chronic attitude problems.   Because they don't want to be at Villa, they don't care what happens to Villa.  Can you imagine the scene this morning if Clarke or Bond tries to bollock Richards or Okore for last night.  Their agents would be on the phone in about twenty seconds.

all the more reason for them to get that bollocking

[darren woolley]

Poor, rubbish, useless you name it we was it I thought it couldn't get any worse but then this happens.

[in exile]

we have just carried on from last season, none of tonight is De Matteo's fault but I'm not sure he's the man to sort this out
I don't know who can to be honest

Even though RDM fucked about with the defence it wasn't his fault.
I'm guessing you thought Amavi had an outstanding game defensively too

[Des Little]

A number of learning points from last night.  One being for our fans - giving it the 'Easy Easy' chant when we are a massive one nil up with just 75 minutes to play is rather embarrassing isn't it? 

[Clark W Griswold]

Amavi wasn't great defensively but I'm not sure that I've ever seen a player come back from a long term injury and play well straight away. It will take him some time. He did put a few good crosses in second half but there was no one getting near them. I still like the idea of playing him left midfield, after all Grealish has done jack shit in that position since the FA cup semi final.

[Ads]

He also had Okore next to him for 45 minutes.

[brian green]

My point entirely Top Deck. The season is underway, we are already out of one cup competition and the window is starting to close.  All of this forensic navel gazing should have been done when we got rid of Lambert a year earlier than we did.  We farted around with Sherwood and his approach to player recruitment akin to a game of snakes and ladders with a lunatic, got in Garde but none of his Lyon team and adopted a policy of zero player recruitment, gave Black a vital period which he used to lubricate a move to a club where his language skills outweighed any football commitment.  Then the circus came to town.  New owner, new manager, new board, new CEO, new coaches, 500 employees dispensed with.  The result was more forensic navel gazing.  Players that are known trouble makers remain in place because it cannot be decided what to do with them.  Shall we pay them off?  Shall we take the hit and put them out on loan?  Hard call, need to think about that.  Tell you what, let's make the worst one team captain.
In life and business you always have to tackle the hardest problems first, not last.  We have done the easy stuff.  Sinclair to Celtic, Bennett to Sunderland, Clark to Newcastle, Gana to Everton,  Veretout back to France.  The hard decisions?  That's that big lump under the carpet.