Spurs v Villa Post-Match Thread

[tomd2103]

Oh and yes, Jack was shite again. While we're arseing around waiting for him to fire we're never going to do much. I won't write him off completely yet but he should be used just from the bench until we see him consistently have an impact on games, he's little more than a passenger at the moment.

Thought he was very frustrating today.  He seems more interested in playing his own game and trying to beat players than making a meaningful contribution to the side.

To be totally honest, we tired towards the end, but if we are as organised and hard working as that most weeks, we should do well in the Championship.  From that team today, if we swapped Kodjia for Agbonlahor up front, Lansbury for Grealish in midfield, Bacuna for Hutton at right back and bought in a decent natural left winger, I think we would be in decent shape.

Thought Johnstone did very well today and thought it was the best game I've seen Adomah have for us.  Also, why Gardner and Westwood have consistently played ahead of Tshibola this is a mystery. 

[john e]

as daft as it will sound i thought the keeper looked a proper one just in the warm up,
solid no fafing about, actually catching the ball you could tell the defence and the fans were full of confidence with him in goals

at last

[tony scott]

Predictable result goalie. Looks the business, because Jack lacks pace he never seems to try the give and go often.  I think he's a luxury we can't afford he looks so assured on the ball it's frustrating for me, plus points so far Albert, Chester Baker and Kodja.  I can't see us spending much this Window when you 8consider the amount of players we need to move.

[supertom]

I saw Grealish at half time having a laugh and a chat with Pele Alli or whatever that hyped fellas name is that the commentators were spaffing their undercrackers over. He may act like he's one of the big boys but today he looked like what he is, and that's a player who's struggling to standout in the second tier. He's a long, long way off being what he was being hyped as after the Liverpool semi-final. He's regressed and I think that's 110% down to taking his foot off the pedal. He's not the first. He's not the last, but he's got to pull his finger out now. I'd rather put a carthorse in his place who's going to work their bollocks off. You can't carry someone like Grealish if they're not delivering what they should regularly enough, and he's not.
Today showed he's not fit to the lace the boots of a Tottenham reserve.

I thought not taking Baker off when it was clear he was having one of his bi-monthly bodily shutdowns was an error on Bruce's part. The triple substitution was desperate and made is completely imbalanced.

Mostly I was disappointed the way we approached the game. I know, as it's all too painfully clear, that Spurs are eons ahead of us, but we came out looking like an Evo Stick Premier League division side on a plum tie in the cup, not like a side that was not too long ago on a level playing field with Spurs. Actually I take that back, because an non-league side might have thought "fuck it" and had a go. I even heard Bruce yelling "Park the bus!" at one point. Pathetic.
Yes be disciplined. But at least attempt to win the game. It's a one off tie. Everything is about the day. No points...just go for it. 

[supertom]

Oh and whilst Gabby may be trying he's done now. Absolutely finished as a player in the top two divisions. His legs have gone and he's got no ability to fall back on. He belongs in League 2, if he's lucky. He can't undo the damage.

[john e]

so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
 whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week

sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league

[supertom]

so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
 whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week

sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league

Well no, in an ideal world you have someone who works and creates, but my point is, if Jack isn't scoring or creating, what's the point of him? Okay I'm thinking more so of a game like today. If we had someone like Reo-Coker we may as well have played him there and effect the game defensively. As it is of course we're short of willing and able cart horses. We've got Jedi and he's 57.
Robbie Brady as an example works hard, but he'll make chances too.
Not too many successful championship sides will carry a luxury like Grealish or Ayew for example. Sometimes a bit of ordinary, maybe a tad boring 7/10 every week will take you further.

Adomah is the only player we have who creates. Which is why we're struggling. 

[john e]

so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
 whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week

sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league

Well no, in an ideal world you have someone who works and creates, but my point is, if Jack isn't scoring or creating, what's the point of him? Okay I'm thinking more so of a game like today. If we had someone like Reo-Coker we may as well have played him there and effect the game defensively. As it is of course we're short of willing and able cart horses. We've got Jedi and he's 57.
Robbie Brady as an example works hard, but he'll make chances too.
Not too many successful championship sides will carry a luxury like Grealish or Ayew for example. Sometimes a bit of ordinary, maybe a tad boring 7/10 every week will take you further.

Adomah is the only player we have who creates. Which is why we're struggling. 

you see I think Albert flatters to deceive, I would much prefer Grealish,
maybe today's game was difficult but without him you really would have been parking the bus in true Pulis style

[Steve67]

We looked ok until the substitutions. Defensively sound until the last 20 minutes and then the silly mistakes crept in. We are solid enough but need more going forward. Agree with others about Gabby. He isn't mobile enough, although playing on your own up front is tough. Keeper was good. Can we agree a deal now please?

[old man villa fan]

Grealish needs to develop some drive and purpose is his game, he's too peripheral.

I was thinking about Grealish and how comfortable he looked on the ball but delayed passing too long and was often closed down/tackled.  I thought he looks a good player but is not getting anywhere and your points are spot on.  Bruce needs to get him into a system that he plays to so that his talents can be developed and start to dictate games.  He needs to bring other players into the game.

[Mister E]

Adomah is actually very average, lacking pace and incision.
I rather liked the three sub approach but thought it came 10-15 minutes late.

What is going on with Amavi? - another mediocre display, I thought.

[Chris Jameson]

I saw Grealish at half time having a laugh and a chat with Pele Alli or whatever that hyped fellas name is that the commentators were spaffing their undercrackers over.

What a massive bastard, who the fuck does he think he is? Did he not get the memo that both smiling and laughing or having a stern expression are no longer permitted. As for talking to opposition players, disgraceful behaviour.

[ROBBO]

the first half was the most disciplined performance I've seen from Villa in a long time everyone played a part. Grealish lacks a yard of pace and he gets caught against better opposition he seems to slow the game down. If Bruce can get the forward line to perform as good as the defence we will be a good side.

[old man villa fan]

What is going on with Amavi? - another mediocre display, I thought.

He seems to have struggled a bit since we have gone to having a wide midfield player right in front of him.  I think he needs space to use his pace.  He is not the strongest of players and when play is congested he gets knocked off the ball.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Saw the game on TV, wasn't impressed but like the goalkeeper Johnstone. I don't think we actually tested Spurs goalkeeper Vorm at all.