Villa v Leeds Post-Match thread

[Brend'Watkins]

A draw was a fair result. Even though we had the better of the first half the two Amavi screw ups at the back could easily have cost us. Then we had Jedinak with his passing into no mans land which he manages a couple of in most games.  He really needs to cut this part of his game out sharpish.  2nd half Leeds were pretty much in control and looked far more organised than we were. Even so, Bunn didn't have too much to do for all the possession They had. He was dreadful for the goal mind, that should be routine stuff for any keeper.  The one very pleasing thing about last night is our Manager's ability to make the changes to get us back in the game. Bruce is a good manager.

[rougegorge]

A draw was a fair result. Even though we had the better of the first half the two Amavi screw ups at the back could easily have cost us. Then we had Jedinak with his passing into no mans land which he manages a couple of in most games.  He really needs to cut this part of his game out sharpish.  2nd half Leeds were pretty much in control and looked far more organised than we were. Even so, Bunn didn't have too much to do for all the possession They had. He was dreadful for the goal mind, that should be routine stuff for any keeper.  The one very pleasing thing about last night is our Manager's ability to make the changes to get us back in the game. Bruce is a good manager.

I agree with all of this, although I think Amavi had more than a couple of screw ups, committing himself in no-man's land and then leaving the wide player free or constantly trying to shepherd the ball out.

The organisation was key; they were more organised especially in the second half. We have some good players but they don't join up the dots consistently enough.
Bringing on Adomah changed the game as Hutton and Bacuna never really combined all evening to any effect.

[olaftab]

Bacuna and Grealish are the only two midfielders who give us movement and ball retention so we need another two to win and distribute. We will need that to get anywhere close to winning promotion.

[The Edge]

Well done to all those that went, it looked bloody cold.

It was much colder than it looked😟

I didn't think it was that bad to be honest. I expected it to be colder than it was.

Hells bells, is this a late contender for most banal thread exchange* of 2016! It's like listening to three old women at the laundrette.

*my contributions excluded

Our kettle needs fixing.

[paul_e]

I think yesterday showed why Bruce can do a decent job at this level but also why he's failed at the next level up.  We started brilliantly and showed that if we pressed their defence and midfield high up the pitch they'd make mistakes and gift us chances and then instead of pushing on that exposed weakness we backed off and kept our shape for an hour to keep the game tight and ended up being fairly lucky to take a point.  That lack of flexibility to change the approach when we stumble on something effective is a big concern.  If we'd kept the defensive line high and really pressed them for the entire first half I think we'd have gone in 1-2 to the good and with huge support in the stands, we didn't and instead they used half time to get themselves up and battered us for most of the 2nd half.

[Ads]

Why is Bruce a failure in the top flight?

[Villa Lew]

I think most of us agree yesterday wasn't great. Have not been able to get to VP this season due to ill heath, but have watched all the tele games and read reports on the other matches as well as the H & V post match threads. I can think of only 2 matches that you could say we played really well, talking here about the majority of the 90 mins, not just 1 half and that's the Rotherham and Brighton matches.

[Villafirst]

I'd still like to see Tshibola given a chance. A complete mystery as to why he's not even making the bench....

[paul_e]

Why is Bruce a failure in the top flight?

being relegated twice and sacked for being in a third relegation battle is a fairly good indicator.

[damon loves JT]

Another point towards safety.

How many will see us safe? 42? 43? Worrying times.

[Ads]

Why is Bruce a failure in the top flight?

being relegated twice and sacked for being in a third relegation battle is a fairly good indicator.

Relegated with those titans of football Small Heath and Hull, who he put there and kept up there for a time? That's why he's a failure?

Because a big club stole Sunderlands best player mid way through the season when they were in 10th place?

[kippaxvilla2]

I didn't watch the game.  It sounded like a dreadful first half and they upped it in the 2nd before we came back.  On that basis a draw seemed right.  One thing I have noticed is the sudden media fawning over Leeds United again.  After their first decent half season in about 10 years.

[paul_e]

What's the point in even arguing it, you clearly won't accept any criticism of him so lets leave it and how about you actually comment on the main point of what I posted instead of arguing about a single word that you disagree with.

[Ads]

If you don't want to discuss it, that's up to you. You said he was a failure, I asked you to qualify it. I don't think you have done that still.

The beauty of the forum is the users prerogative to argue about what they disagree with.

I disagree with his lack of flexibility to change; Adomah came on, we became more direct and profited from it.

Do you accept that you're wrong? Cuz if not, then what was the point in even arguing it?!11!!

[Skerra]

Let me start by saying I am no fan of Westwood as a player. For me, a midfield player is either a defensive one that can win the ball in midfield and, break up the opponents play or an offensive midfielder who can thread some useful forward passes to the strikers. Sadly, Westwood does not come into either of those categories. Rarely puts in a tackle of note and usually plays the ball sideways or backwards.

I think, the main problem for us at the moment is that we play as 3 seperate units and, not much link up play with a lot of "hit & miss" passes. However, on a really bright note, I also think SB knows exactly what we require from the transfer window and, once he addresses our midfield issues, we will look like the team we as fans also want to see.

Not all is lost and, I really think that if we do make the play offs, I would fancy our chances against any of the teams we have played in the league so far.