Norwich v Villa Post-Match Thread

[andyh]

I'm not sure the defence is quite that bad - we are not shipping tons of goals every week. The problem for me is that we are not scoring nearly enough with the attacking options we have.

For the last 3 or 4 games we have barely created any chances, let alone score goals.

I think one of the reasons we are so upset about last night is because we can see how slow and difficult progress is going to be.
I have said for weeks that although we have had a new manager bounce, it really feels like it is built on sand and we are still very fragile.

We look a million miles from a side who can muster a challenge for promotion.
A second season in this league though is unthinkable.
To have to compete with the financial muscle of the teams who will be relegated, and without our parachute payments,  means a stay in this division could be lengthy.           

[Ads]

We looked streets ahead of Brighton four games ago. He needs to go back to what was working, three men in there, until a time he can buy in January.

[Proposition Joe]

It seems after the bounce our performances are reverting to the Villa mean.

I've said it before, but there absolutely must be something fundamentally wrong with the training setup at Bodymoor that goes beyond players, coaches and manager. Why do virtually all players and managers for that matter regress so badly after being with us for a certain period of time? How can a player like Ross Mac who has scored bucketloads everywhere he's been look like a fish out of water in our team? How can so many internationals display technique that would shame a league 2 player? How can Westwood and Gabby earn places in the matchday XI?

[anton hillman]

Bruce was brought in as the manager to 'turn things around' and he started by offering a 'clean sheet' to the set of wasters that he inherited. Well now maybe it's time to rip up the clean sheet, cleanse the wasters out and convince the owner that major renewal is needed in January.

[oldhill_avfc]

Amavi was the best player in a Villa shirt by a mile. Got caught out twice; once in the first half because he won three successive challenges but no Villa player closed the space so they dinked it in behind him and the other in the second where he jumped.

Continually caught out of position, which he recovers from with his pace but then conceeds a corner or free kick.

Continually hoofs the ball and loses possession, form which the opposition launches another attack.

[FranzBiberkopf]

How can a player like Ross Mac who has scored bucketloads everywhere he's been look like a fish out of water in our team?

Because he;s patently unfit/carrying too much timber?

Other points I agree with.

There is some hyperbole on here though. There's nothing wrong with this team that a centre-midfielder with drive (think of an Ian Taylor, an Andy Townsend) plus a proper right back, wouldn't solve.

[DB]

Midfield / attack balance is not right. We need to strengthen in the middle to supply the strikers better. Yesterday was worst we played since Bruce took over. Get rid of Ayew and Gabby and get a decent midfield.

[paul_e]

How can a player like Ross Mac who has scored bucketloads everywhere he's been look like a fish out of water in our team?

Because he;s patently unfit/carrying too much timber?

Other points I agree with.

There is some hyperbole on here though. There's nothing wrong with this team that a centre-midfielder with drive (think of an Ian Taylor, an Andy Townsend) plus a proper right back, wouldn't solve.

There's plenty more wrong than that but most of the rest of it should be being addressed at the training ground.

[Tony Erdington]

Elthick out of his depth, Gabby finished, westwood  whats the point, Gestede head on a stick, Golini young, apart from them were ok,

if we buy at least two midfielders with what we have as strikers we should be alright, for the play offs,

Bruce after the match comments, were appreciated.

[passport1]

The worrying thing is that some believe that our midfield would be improved by the addition of Bacuna and Tishbola. Dear god.

[The Edge]

The worrying thing is that some believe that our midfield would be improved by the addition of Bacuna and Tishbola. Dear god.

Have you heard of clutching at straws. ....

[oswald funkletrumpet]

The worrying thing is that some believe that our midfield would be improved by the addition of Bacuna and Tishbola. Dear god.

I have no time for bacuna but would have him start over westwood any day of the week for at least having some attacking intent

[Oscar Arce]

From the start last night the players looked lethargic and unfocused, waiting for things to happen.
No chances created in the whole game, I cannot see the point of Ayew, like many I though he'd be excellent in this level but his attitude stinks, he gives the ball away and refuses to pass in easy situations, I really would get rid of him at the earliest opportunity.
Constantly giving the ball away throughout the side, Agbohlahor's awful touch led to the goal, he is a busted flush now.
This could be Bruce's wake up call that there are seven or eight players there that need replacing.

[ironmaidenmania]

No chance of promotion now and I always thought we might sneak the playoffs but last night was awful. Play like that against Spurs in the cup and we could be looking at a cricket score.

Ayew and Grealish cannot play together. Should play a 442 formation which gives us more bodies in midfield (assuming the wingers come back) and the chance t create with 2 strikers. Adomah & Grealish out wide 2 midfielders to bolster and Kodjia plus someone upfront.

I make that 2 midfielders and a striker in January either bought in or on loan.

Bruce has to see that this is not working. No idea what Tish has done to upset SB but he needs to play ahead of everyone in midfield at the moment.

[DBTW]

When Elphick plays we seem to defend so, so deep, not even leaving our own half.

With Jedinak sitting just in front the gap between attack and centre midfield is huge, which i think is the reason the ball just keeps on coming back at us.