See also, every time Johnstone had the ball in his hands. Not one defender showing for the ball. They all just skulk off so that he has to hoof it long and watch it come back.
Quote from: exigo on August 16, 2017, 12:50:57 PMSee also, every time Johnstone had the ball in his hands. Not one defender showing for the ball. They all just skulk off so that he has to hoof it long and watch it come back. Yeah, that was really irking me too. It happened so often that it must have been under instruction from Bruce. There was one point in the second half where De Laet did actually show for the ball and Johnstone waved him away to kick it long, straight back to an unchallenged Reading centre-back.
Quote from: RussellC on August 16, 2017, 09:42:45 AMthere was a good call into TalkSport after the game last night, noting that at Chelsea Terry was constantly 'in the ear' of the referee, cajoling his team-mates and generally leading the team. In his first 3 games at Villa he literally looks like he's strolling around. He's not made any mistakes, per se, but we're paying him stupid money to do what hie did for Chelsea, not just a slightly less adequate (and decade older) version of Nathan Baker. It looks like a an absolute clanger from Bruce so far. Totally agree with this. And also he's not getting in the ears of the players around him. Last night, when their bloke was down getting treatment, Stam had got a number of players together to give them pointers. Bruce just scowled around the dugout, while Terry and most of the players just stood with their hands on hips. No fight, no leadership, no responsibility, no communication.See also, every time Johnstone had the ball in his hands. Not one defender showing for the ball. They all just skulk off so that he has to hoof it long and watch it come back. We won about three bloody headers all night; and at no point did Terry or anyone say 'hang on a minute, we need to take control of this and change things around'.
there was a good call into TalkSport after the game last night, noting that at Chelsea Terry was constantly 'in the ear' of the referee, cajoling his team-mates and generally leading the team. In his first 3 games at Villa he literally looks like he's strolling around. He's not made any mistakes, per se, but we're paying him stupid money to do what hie did for Chelsea, not just a slightly less adequate (and decade older) version of Nathan Baker. It looks like a an absolute clanger from Bruce so far.
In Taylor's defence it did always look like Onomah was the only player upon who it had dawned to actually move and show for the ball from throw-ons. Another example of how un-rehearsed we are as a side.
throw ins ??not that it should have its own thread but why oh why do we allow the opposing team to determine the line at throw ins. its been happening for years now when we are within 25-30 yards from the opposition box why doesn't one of our players go and stand on the goal line as you cant be offside from a throw in then it throws the complete team team onside
Quote from: class-of-82 on August 16, 2017, 05:45:54 PMthrow ins ??not that it should have its own thread but why oh why do we allow the opposing team to determine the line at throw ins. its been happening for years now when we are within 25-30 yards from the opposition box why doesn't one of our players go and stand on the goal line as you cant be offside from a throw in then it throws the complete team team onside The only time in living memory that I can remember the team ever having looked like they had anything even vaguely resembling a routine at throw-ins was under MON, when Carew would always drop into wherever the throw was being taken, and the player whos position he was occupying would push-on 5 yards higher up the pitch to collect the flick that Carew would inevitably win. A really, really simple thing, and one that probably took no more than 10 minutes on the training ground and a quick reminder before the game, but one that was so effective in allowing us to keep possession of the ball so often. I dont even think that should be classed as attention to detail, just basic footballing strategy, but its been sorely missing ever since MON left.