Villa 5-5 Forest post-match thread

[olaftab]

It was a pleasure to be at Villa Park tonight. One of those crazy nights that will live in memory for ever and we will talk about for years to come. Let's forget the defensive issues and  just think about how wonderful we are going forward. Love it.

[brontebilly]

Way too critical on tuanzebe

For the first three goals he was left hugely exposed by others. It's hard to defend well when you're that exposed, right throuhh the middle of the side

He has no idea where the danger is for all three goals. body position is horrible so doesnt see run coming behind him until too late, first three goals were all scored from the right centre back position. decent holding midfielder might be able to bail him out but there are basic flaws there.

thankfully Smith brought in a proven defensive coach with him, oh wait....

none of our defenders are helped by a thoroughly unbalanced midfield three of Hourihane, McGinn and Grealish.

But the Blues found it very easy to play against our midfield with Whelan in there next to Hourihane and we possibly conceded the same amount of chances.

[Karlos96]

Equalled the most goals I’ve seen in a game at Villa Park and that game was as bonkers as this one. Can’t really complain after watching a 5-5 it’s better that the turgid rubbish served up by Bruce.  We can’t defend like this with the games coming up we'll get beat comfortably. Just hope we can keep in touch until Jan then sort out that bloody defence.

[andyh]

I want to get out of this fucking poxy division so forgive me if I am not singing in delight at giving their 10 men a draw with minutes to go.

[Villafirst]

Terrible defending. The legacy of Bruce with no defensive cover. No central defenders on the bench to call on at all. Bruce screwed the defence and letting Jed Steer go on loan was equally crazy! We must try and get Cahill back and Heaton in goal come January!

[The_ads]

There’s a school of thought Paul Heaton would be a better option than the total clown we have

[PeterWithesShin]

Whereas all of us that found the game entertaining want to stay in division 2 forever. Some choose to take the positives out of watching a once in the history of VP game, never mind a once in a lifetime game. If the next 20 games see us concede 5 each time I doubt anyone will be enjoying it as much.

[PeterWithesShin]

There’s a school of thought Paul Heaton would be a better option than the total clown we have

If we bring him in it will take A Little Time.

[The Edge]

Equalled the most goals I’ve seen in a game at Villa Park and that game was as bonkers as this one. Can’t really complain after watching a 5-5 it’s better that the turgid rubbish served up by Bruce.  We can’t defend like this with the games coming up we'll get beat comfortably. Just hope we can keep in touch until Jan then sort out that bloody defence.

Yeah I think that's the name of the game now. Our awesome attacking prowess at this level should see us in touch with the top by January. Teams have realised that attacking our ropey defence and powder puff keeper will reap rewards. I trust our new backroom team to address the situation in due course. I make us even money for promotion this season now. But the future is definitely bright for us.

[SoccerHQ]

I want to get out of this fucking poxy division so forgive me if I am not singing in delight at giving their 10 men a draw with minutes to go.

The previous manager will see to that by hardly beating any of the bottom 8.

[The_ads]

Equalled the most goals I’ve seen in a game at Villa Park and that game was as bonkers as this one. Can’t really complain after watching a 5-5 it’s better that the turgid rubbish served up by Bruce.  We can’t defend like this with the games coming up we'll get beat comfortably. Just hope we can keep in touch until Jan then sort out that bloody defence.

Yeah I think that's the name of the game now. Our awesome attacking prowess at this level should see us in touch with the top by January. Teams have realised that attacking our ropey defence and powder puff keeper will reap rewards. I trust our new backroom team to address the situation in due course. I make us even money for promotion this season now. But the future is definitely bright for us.

Even money?? No ta mate I’ll take my business to William Hill

[Toronto Villa]

Many of us have spent years saying how fucking boring we are, especially under Bruce, 16 goals in 2 games at VP and they still don't enjoy it. Bloody hell.

While there’s loads to gripe about if this represents the steps forward we’ve taken in such a short period of time under Smith then I cannot wait to see what he can do with a window or two under his belt.

What has been really challenging is that when it comes to closing down games he cannot call on BB or Jedinak and insured needs to bring on Whelan who’s useless. More importantly it now be clear to him who is replaceable. The defenders are playing themselves out of a starting role. Even AT, while Nyland is at fault for the last goal, our CB has to be stronger than that. He is the best of a very poor defence which says it all.

The game was riveting at one end, dire at the other, but you have to excited by the trajectory of the club not 2 months of Bruce had bored us all to near death.

[SoccerHQ]

I thought Whelan was o.k when he came on, passing was good and won his tackles.

Our game management at 5-4 just wasn't good enough. Instantly dropped off, starting conceding silly free kicks and just let Forest pass the ball around which given what they'd created before wasn't a good idea.

[PeterWithesShin]

Shame the Norwich and QPR results weren't reversed which would have had us scoring 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in that order under Dean. Time to hit Pulis for 6.

[adrenachrome]

Whereas all of us that found the game entertaining want to stay in division 2 forever. Some choose to take the positives out of watching a once in the history of VP game, never mind a once in a lifetime game. If the next 20 games see us concede 5 each time I doubt anyone will be enjoying it as much.

For what it's worth, my post was based on the "that's entertainment" comment of the the post  which I quoted, based on the excellent pop tune by beat combo "The Jam".

When SGT came back to VP for his second stint, he said that he would rather lose a game by trying to win it rather than playing for a draw, and I agreed with him.

Following the events of the summer and Steve Bruce's reaction to them, plus the appointment of Dean Smith, we have taken this philosophy to an entirely different level.