Victorious Villa v Drizzle Brizzle post-match thread

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The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.

I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.

I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.

I agree that it's a novelty, my issue really is that, even with the midfield we started the season with, it shouldn't be.  midfielders and the wingers breaking into the box like that is a fundamental requirement for this setup and it's taken us 3/4s of the season to see it.  Loads of people on here have been saying that we need to close the gap between midfield and attack for months but this is the first time I've seen any evidence that the club had identified that problem.  My concern is that it was Hourihane that did something about it rather than management because we weren't doing it before he came on.

I agree on giving RHM a chance, my concern with going for someone like Abraham is that it's a decision made on the same basis as Gestede, RM, Kodjia and Hogan (i.e. they have a good scoring record at this level) rather than any concept of how we can help them replicate the same form.

I don't think Hourihane did it of his own volition. Most of the second half he adopted that more advanced role and sprayed some good balls into the channels too. Hopefully we see more of the same in the next three games.

Pity about Green. We lack a pace outlet now bar Kodjia.

[Brend'Watkins]

We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.

Calling the 2nd an assist is a stretch, he tried to shoot and made such a mess of it that the ball bobbled 5 yards to his left to a completely unmarked Hourihane for what was pretty much a tap in.  Even the first is pretty generous because that goal came purely from a moment of brilliance from Kodjia, to loop a header in from that position was an incredible finish.

It's kind of the point I'm making. Regardless of how they come about he will be credited with two assists. While technically correct it's not the real story. I just don't know what our scouting team seen in him to suggest he's worth £7 million.

[passitsideways]

We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.

Calling the 2nd an assist is a stretch, he tried to shoot and made such a mess of it that the ball bobbled 5 yards to his left to a completely unmarked Hourihane for what was pretty much a tap in.  Even the first is pretty generous because that goal came purely from a moment of brilliance from Kodjia, to loop a header in from that position was an incredible finish.

It's kind of the point I'm making. Regardless of how they come about he will be credited with two assists. While technically correct it's not the real story. I just don't know what our scouting team seen in him to suggest he's worth £7 million.

I doubt that it was a matter of valuation - I think with Adama apparently keen to leave, we just tried to make the best out of that situation by getting a useful player who could slot in as a replacement.

[darren woolley]

Please with the win back to back wins and two clean sheets hopefully we keep this run going roll on Saturday.

[Richard E]

Green blotted his copybook for me by picking up that yellow card for attacking their keeper's hands with his throat towards the end!

[Chris Smith]

The second goal was something of a novelty, to have a central midfielder that far forward that he can poach one in from less than ten yards. Hourihane found acres of space and by his presence, made space for Green too as he took a Bristol player deeper or inside with him. We looked a lot more capable and had an idea about how we were going to break them down.

I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.

I'd rather give RHM a go. I think his pace could cause a lot of problems. Just look at Green last night and the trouble he caused.

I agree that it's a novelty, my issue really is that, even with the midfield we started the season with, it shouldn't be.  midfielders and the wingers breaking into the box like that is a fundamental requirement for this setup and it's taken us 3/4s of the season to see it.  Loads of people on here have been saying that we need to close the gap between midfield and attack for months but this is the first time I've seen any evidence that the club had identified that problem.  My concern is that it was Hourihane that did something about it rather than management because we weren't doing it before he came on.

I agree on giving RHM a chance, my concern with going for someone like Abraham is that it's a decision made on the same basis as Gestede, RM, Kodjia and Hogan (i.e. they have a good scoring record at this level) rather than any concept of how we can help them replicate the same form.

The Hourihane thing happened after half time which suggests it was the manager rather than an off the cuff decision as you imply.

[Chris Jameson]

But that would mean giving Bruce some credit.

[UK Redsox]

Green blotted his copybook for me by picking up that yellow card for attacking their keeper's hands with his throat towards the end!

I can understand why Andre was booked but their keeper should have received his second yellow

[old man villa fan]

Interesting that quite a few have said that the defence played well.

From the radio commentary it sounded as though we struggled with high balls into the area, failed to stop crosses coming in and allowed their players to carry the ball deep into the area.

I hate listening to radio commentary and not seeing it myself as it can be misleading.

[tomd2103]

Like everyone, I wish this was the win that sent us six points clear at the top of the table. But we have to eat what's on our plate.

If, by the end of the season, we have eleven players who can function as a team, if Green in particular has become a first team regular, if Lansbury and Hourihane and Jedinak develop a proper understanding, if Hogan comes back hungry and fully fit and we've found a way to use Grealish, I would have to be satisfied with that.

But looking at that wish list it's quite a lot to ask. Would be surprised if half of it comes true.

Not sure it is too much to ask Damon.  If the side below can get a run of games together in the remainder of the season (I accept Green is now injured ) then we might be in a decent place with only a bit of fine tuning required in the summer:


                                            Johnstone

Hutton                       Chester               Baker               Taylor

                                              Jedinak

                        Lansbury                         Hourihane

Adomah                                    Kodjia                         Green

[tomd2103]

I'd like to see Abraham with us next season - 16 goals in 30 games for Bristol City, only 19, light years away from the first team at the Chavs; even on loan it would be a useful addition, particularly given Hogan's injury record.

We desperately need a striker who can hold the ball up and bring others in to play.  For all his other attributes, Kodjia can't play that role.

[eamonn]

For someone who looks like he's afraid of an aerial challenge, that header by Kodjia is one of the best I've seen in a long time. Beautiful goal that came out of nowhere.

I think we've all questioned his character (and ball-hogging) a little bit but fair play to Jonathan last night. He channelled the jeers from the away supporters into winning the game for us. The insurance goal was all down to his perseverance and lay-off.

[Hookeysmith]

Johnstone - other than a single decent save hardly troubled - he boils my piss though with his insistence on delaying distribution  and causing panic in the 6yrd box by not coming for balls

Hutton - very limited player but last 2 games has gave his all - fair play to him
Baker - Steady
Chester - as Baker
Taylor - does not offer enough going forward but improving defensively

Jedinak - MOTM - patrolled in front of the back 4 and worked his socks off - limited footballer but we have really missed his presence

Landsbury - still a tad slower than needs to be but good quality player with great passing range and intelligence
Gardner - chasing down won us the pen - pity about injury
Adomah - makes me so mad - I do not know what he brings to the team - cannot head it, cannot tackle, no tricks, no pace to beat a man and when in position his final ball is awful - complete dud and needs replacing
Green - still raw and could easily have had 3 goals by now - the latest effort was superb and would have deserved gaol of the season

Kodjia - 1st half too much about him versus their fans - 2nd half really good performance for him and the team

Subs:

Conor H  - significant contributor to upping the pace in 2nd half - huge difference to his game to play 10 yards further forward.

Bjork - I see even less of what he brings as I do with Adomah - reinforces how shit England must have been to be beaten by Iceland. he had 13 minutes on Saturday and I promise you did not touch the ball. Last night first touch was to run it out for a throw - waste of a shirt

Deserved win but still last 10 minutes were predictably uncomfortable as we let them have the ball and come at us

[paul_e]

The Hourihane thing happened after half time which suggests it was the manager rather than an off the cuff decision as you imply.

I'm not sure, it not happening in the last 10-12 games when it was a clear problem suggests it's either taken a long time for him to realise or something else has led to it, that's why I thought it might be down to Hourihane sitting on the bench and seeing the problem and then coming on and taking it on himself to address it.  If I'm honest I'm not sure how long before half time we had to make the change so it might be that half time was the key rather than the sub.

But that would mean giving Bruce some credit.

Thanks for the snidy comment but it's not about giving credit or not, it's about whether this is a turning point or not.  From what I've seen and heard this was the sort of performance that we should be putting in every match in this league with the squad we have.  If Bruce has realised that then great we'll see a huge improvement going forward but I'm not going to say that everything is rosey because we've played our 3rd decent half of football in 5 months.  The second half yesterday should be the default for how we play not an exception that we all get excited about, we have the squad to do it so now they need to deliver (and that includes the manager and coaches).

[tomd2103]

We played with confidence in the 2nd half and showed what we're capable of so more of that please. Two assists by Adomah would suggest he had a big say in the game, my eyes tell me different.

Calling the 2nd an assist is a stretch, he tried to shoot and made such a mess of it that the ball bobbled 5 yards to his left to a completely unmarked Hourihane for what was pretty much a tap in.  Even the first is pretty generous because that goal came purely from a moment of brilliance from Kodjia, to loop a header in from that position was an incredible finish.

It's kind of the point I'm making. Regardless of how they come about he will be credited with two assists. While technically correct it's not the real story. I just don't know what our scouting team seen in him to suggest he's worth £7 million.

Not quite sure how the second could be credited as an assist, as he completely fluffed a good scoring chance!!  I don't mind him, but he had a stinker last night and should have been taken off earlier.