Barnsley v Villa predictable post match thread

[DeKuip]

I didn't see last night's collapse, so I'm asking those who did, was it the case that we sat back in our own half trying to protect the lead on 80 minutes? If this is still happening, then I seriously question the manager's thinking - or ability to think.

We now know that sitting back to preserve a slender lead is counterproductive — it almost certainly means we will surrender that lead. The evidence is overwhelming. So why not try the alternative? Attack as a unit.

Attack, and you have a chance of scoring. You put the opposition under pressure. You give them something to worry about. If they hit you on the break and you concede, the worst that will happen is what would certainly have happened if you'd sat back. It's about percentages — if the opposition is on the back foot, you have more chance of scoring, they have less chance. Any gambler can work it out.

So just fucking attack. Have a plan for it. When players are tiring towards the end, bring on a McCormack to keep the tempo up. Plan for the final ten minutes. Don't just sit back, cowering and panicky until the inevitable happens, then wonder why it did. It's not luck, it's a part of the game. Legislate for it.

No it was the opposite, we kept all our attacking options and were far too open. It became an end to end game.

[Marton]

2 things that you do not need to play 30 games as Villa manager to learn:

1) Grealish never lasts 90 min, he is all heart and no brains. Charge around for 60 min until tank is totally empty and then stalls.

2) Westwood is useless for most things but especially if you want to protect a slim lead. Its not so much what he does wrong its what he doesn't do. He do not put our attackers in play fast enough for them to pose a threat. Since the other side defense can focus on pressure och supporting their own attackers we lose all initiative. If the score is even or we are behind , Westwood just makes us dull, predicatable and uncreative. But when we are ahead, when the other team have to act...then he is the one that invites their offensive. When he pass or direct (point) its so obvious to the opposition. His passes rarely bring opportunity...only risk to make mistakes.

[Hairbandinho]

Allardyce would have a small chance of fixing this shit we find ourselves in.

Now...from a PR standpoint they may not have the nuts to do it..

[Ads]

No, Westwood sent on with instructions to sit 10 yards in front of the back four with Jedinak and compress the space between the defence is a player going out with a specific task. It would let Tishbola press and the wide men to do like wise, with an outball Westwood is capable of playing into the channel for the rapid Kodjia.

Last night we lost the ball on the edge of their box with Westwood 30 yards in front of Jedinak, who was left on his own in the middle, completely isolated.

What was explained to Westwood when he went on? I imagine fuck all is the answer.

[Jimbo]

I didn't see last night's collapse, so I'm asking those who did, was it the case that we sat back in our own half trying to protect the lead on 80 minutes? If this is still happening, then I seriously question the manager's thinking - or ability to think.

We now know that sitting back to preserve a slender lead is counterproductive — it almost certainly means we will surrender that lead. The evidence is overwhelming. So why not try the alternative? Attack as a unit.

Attack, and you have a chance of scoring. You put the opposition under pressure. You give them something to worry about. If they hit you on the break and you concede, the worst that will happen is what would certainly have happened if you'd sat back. It's about percentages — if the opposition is on the back foot, you have more chance of scoring, they have less chance. Any gambler can work it out.

So just fucking attack. Have a plan for it. When players are tiring towards the end, bring on a McCormack to keep the tempo up. Plan for the final ten minutes. Don't just sit back, cowering and panicky until the inevitable happens, then wonder why it did. It's not luck, it's a part of the game. Legislate for it.

No it was the opposite, we kept all our attacking options and were far too open. It became an end to end game.

Right, I thought I read somewhere that the last ten minutes was a panic job. I think it's difficult to panic when you're on the attack.

[Ads]

There shouldn't have been panic and there wasn't, as they didn't create a tap. One free kick in the first half, plenty of bluster, then nothing in the second until a good ball that was excellently defended by Adomah.

Last two or three minutes though we gave it away cheaply, but Gollini made one save all game.

[exiled on the wirral!]

We gave too many needless corners away towards the end..we lack composure at the back especially towards the end of games. This maybe due to the lack of confidence the defence may have in the goalkeeper.

[Hookeysmith]

It's just the crushing inevitability of it all. We just knew when we went 1-0 up that unless we scored a second it'd finish 1-1. It's too many times now to be bad luck. It's poor management, preparation and a lack of character. I am massively disappointed by Elphick and Jedinak in particular.

This 100%

I think both are crap - would prefer Gardner to Jedinak and Baker in next to Chester

[Clampy]

Other than a 15-20 minute spell in the second half, I thought we were poor last night. Not for the first time, the second goal would have killed the game off and why we're incapable of it is anyone's guess. With the amount of corners they were getting at the end, you just knew the goal was coming.

[AVH87]

Other than a 15-20 minute spell in the second half, I thought we were poor last night. Not for the first time, the second goal would have killed the game off and why we're incapable of it is anyone's guess. With the amount of corners they were getting at the end, you just knew the goal was coming.

You are generally quite patient compared to some of us, so how long would you give RDM now to start getting the wins we need?

[Clampy]

Other than a 15-20 minute spell in the second half, I thought we were poor last night. Not for the first time, the second goal would have killed the game off and why we're incapable of it is anyone's guess. With the amount of corners they were getting at the end, you just knew the goal was coming.

You are generally quite patient compared to some of us, so how long would you give RDM now to start getting the wins we need?

I'd still like to see him given as long as possible as long as the performances are there because overall, I don't think we've played that badly this season. Last night was really poor though which was a worry. Wins do need to start coming though.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

There's still not enough leadership or players taking responsibility for me. On 80 minutes we needed someone (Jedinak, Elphick, anyone...) getting in their team mates faces saying "WE DO NOT GIVE THIS AWAY AGAIN. WE DO NOT FUCK THIS UP TONIGHT "

When they get an 89th corner why weren't there Villa players players screaming in each other's faces "OVER MY DEAD BODY DO WE CONCEDE A GOAL HERE". Or to Gollini - "IF THE BALL COMES NEAR YOU, YOU MAKE IT YOURS EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE OUT EVERYONE IN YOUR WAY!" 

Instead we mope around like dopy, disinterested fucking twats.

[russon]

Walked my 8 yr old son to school today and delivered the news about Villa's latest surrender. He shrugged his shoulders in withering acceptance of our ineptitude then asked me a question -

'Who's your favourite Villa player Dad?'

We shuffled along in silence for 20 yards until he realised I was struggling to give him an answer.

'Who's yours?' I asked him. There followed a further 20 yards of silence until he replied, 'what we having for tea tonight?'

We're all out of words. Cheers Villa, how many more Villa loving fathers & sons are having their enthusiasm slowly squeezed out of them until we're bone dry? I could weep.

[Percy McCarthy]

I now refuse to listen to or keep up with away matches but my lad came whooping down the stairs when we scored - I fixed him with a steely glare that sent him scurrying away until he re-appeared at full-time with the expected news of the equaliser and a "sorry Dad" - we had a man-hug and spoke no more about it...

I just don't tell my lad anymore. He probably thinks we're top.

My 9 year old daughter this morning asked "did we draw again Dad" ..she thinks drawing is like winning

My 6-year-old daughter started asking me last season 'when are the Villa gonna win?'

'August bab' I assured her. Neither of us knew it would be August, and only August.

It's a good job I made the most of the I told you so's after that Rotherham game.

[brian green]

My sons and I are having it squeezed out of us and they have 70+ years on the Holte between them.  I think, I know I can take everything thrown at us except the endless expectation of patience.  Success flows from decisiveness, failure from indecisiveness.