Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[brian green]

It was a combination of  Chester's interview, in which he conveyed an explosive dressing room atmosphere expressed in under stated language.  Plus the Hogan incident because I thought if Chester takes team spirit seriously, as captain he should have shown solidarity with Hogan and finally what I see at games with players reluctant to encourage each other.  I think hating each other is too strong a description,  but they clearly do not get on.

[brontebilly]

It was a combination of  Chester's interview, in which he conveyed an explosive dressing room atmosphere expressed in under stated language.  Plus the Hogan incident because I thought if Chester takes team spirit seriously, as captain he should have shown solidarity with Hogan and finally what I see at games with players reluctant to encourage each other.  I think hating each other is too strong a description,  but they clearly do not get on.

is there a danger we are reading into things too much at the moment?

Hogan is barely at the club a wet week, its a stretch that he could have fallen out with all players bar Hutton already

[Chris Jameson]

The only positive from last night was that it had no affect on my mood. In the past i'd be in a foul mood (rather like my son, during and after the game) and would have to ignore my phone and social media to avoid piss taking Geordie mates, over recent seasons i've barely allowed any result to affect me either way.

My son asked who my favourite Villa player was last night, took me ages to think of one and even then it was by default because I couldn't think of him doing anything too wrong. So James Chester got my vote, although Hutton was close because although he's rubbish and has been for years, at least he looks like he gives a fuck.

[brian green]

You are right of course Bronte but when Kodjia shot wide from an angle instead of giving Hogan the tap in against Ipswich the look Scott gave him was not "hard luck mate".

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

The only positive from last night was that it had no affect on my mood. In the past i'd be in a foul mood (rather like my son, during and after the game) and would have to ignore my phone and social media to avoid piss taking Geordie mates, over recent seasons i've barely allowed any result to affect me either way.

My son asked who my favourite Villa player was last night, took me ages to think of one and even then it was by default because I couldn't think of him doing anything too wrong. So James Chester got my vote, although Hutton was close because although he's rubbish and has been for years, at least he looks like he gives a fuck.

I think Chester has looked crap in the last few games too

[CT]

The only positive from last night was that it had no affect on my mood. In the past i'd be in a foul mood (rather like my son, during and after the game) and would have to ignore my phone and social media to avoid piss taking Geordie mates, over recent seasons i've barely allowed any result to affect me either way.

My son asked who my favourite Villa player was last night, took me ages to think of one and even then it was by default because I couldn't think of him doing anything too wrong. So James Chester got my vote, although Hutton was close because although he's rubbish and has been for years, at least he looks like he gives a fuck.

I think Chester has looked crap in the last few games too

Agreed. I had Chester as a nailed on Player Of The Season but the last few games has been poor. I suppose everyone else has been so bad he's still ahead for me anyway!

[mr underhill]

Kodjia for me, despite his faults. Without his goals thus far we'd be right down amongst the dead men.

[Chris Jameson]

Kodjia for me, despite his faults. Without his goals thus far we'd be right down amongst the dead men.

I know it sounds daft as he's our leading goalscorer but his inability to pass and him continually slowing down our already painfully slow attacks really, really bugs me.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Kodjia for me, despite his faults. Without his goals thus far we'd be right down amongst the dead men.

I know it sounds daft as he's our leading goalscorer but his inability to pass and him continually slowing down our already painfully slow attacks really, really bugs me.

His inability to get himself in the box when the ball is coming in from the other wing did my head in last night. There were times Hogan  was alone in the Newcastle penalty area surrounded by six defenders plus the keeper yet Kodja stuck to the left wing like his life depended on it. And you wonder why we don't score.

[Scratchins]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the final post match annoyance (to put it mildly) of last night. The A1M was closed and the diversion signs were confusing to say the least . I was on coach 2 which went through narrow country lanes devoid of all human life only to come out where we started. The sat nav signals kept fading and we only got back on track thanks to an enterprising passenger who sat by the driver reading the map. It took so long that the driver was in danger of exceeding his tacho hours and we had to  stop at Woodall services for 45 minutes. It was 03:50 when we reached Villa Park but we were the 'lucky' ones; the remaining coaches got back at 6. Some of the fans only had time to eat and shower before setting off to work.
It reminds you of the old slogan "is your journey really necessary?" 

[brian green]

The closing of trunk roads at night is a national scandal.  Somebody somewhere has decided that journeys between 8pm and 6am are of no importance.  It is a nightmare for people like my son who work late then are delayed interminably by road closures.

[KevinGage]

Thing I don't get with boofer spoofer Bruce is if he is so content to boot the ball long and sees that as a legitimate and potent mode of attack in 2017 -why not sink the Hogan money on a targetman?

A cursory glance at any Hogan goals in the last 6 months would suggest that he is a player who needs to get on the end of things; usually well-worked team moves (fat chance here).

I'm not and have never been a fan of the Bruce style of football, but if he wants to persist with it in this era, and least sign the players who fit that limited straightjacket.

[mallo]

I've got my new phrase : we haven't gelled yet.

Saves me typing sandpaper, eyes, forever.

I will use this a lot.

[LukeJames]

Thing I don't get with boofer spoofer Bruce is if he is so content to boot the ball long and sees that as a legitimate and potent mode of attack in 2017 -why not sink the Hogan money on a targetman?

A cursory glance at any Hogan goals in the last 6 months would suggest that he is a player who needs to get on the end of things; usually well-worked team moves (fat chance here).

I'm not and have never been a fan of the Bruce style of football, but if he wants to persist with it in this era, and least sign the players who fit that limited straightjacket.

Exactly that, it makes no sense and looks like Hogan was brought with little research beforehand on the back of his goal record. Hogan will be a real asset for us if we utilise him right, that will never be under Bruce though.

[Des Little]

I'll share this here because it's as good as anywhere to do it. At about 85 minutes last night, the bloke two rows down from me stood up, as did his Villa scarf wearing son who was about 12, and they left. No big deal, apart from the fact that Dad practically carried his son down about 30 steps as he was clearly unable to do it on his own. All of a sudden, a sense of perspective. This isn't meant to dilute our frustration but it helps at times.