Sandwell vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[andyh]

Tuanzebe looks so composed on the ball at the back. He’s bringing the ball forward every time. I think they’ll try to close him down more second half, and I fear he will get mugged at some point

He is playing so well...but I wish he wouldn’t overplay sometimes.
When he just beat 9 of their players dribbling across our goalmouth was a bit scary.

[brontebilly]

very even half I thought, our attacking players with the exception of McGinn havent quite gelled yet.

Bolasie in particular is struggling to get past their right back

Grealish has disappointed me thus far, not getting the ball in areas of the pitch that matter, Barry and Livermore doing a good job of closing the space

Pitch seems a bit tight maybe?

Hutton was a bit unfortunate with the goal, in hindsight I guess he should have tried to put it out right than play it

Superb chip by Barnes into Gayle for their equaliser

[Rudy Can't Fail]

They're running through our midfield and Bolasie, Abraham and Grealish all look poor/waste of space/lost.

Need a big improvement second half or we'll get picked of and lose this.

[thick_mike]

Tuanzebe looks so composed on the ball at the back. He’s bringing the ball forward every time. I think they’ll try to close him down more second half, and I fear he will get mugged at some point

He is playing so well...but I wish he wouldn’t overplay sometimes.
When he just beat 9 of their players dribbling across our goalmouth was a bit scary.

Yes, that’s what I was thinking...maybe a bit of overconfidence

[SamTheMouse]

We still look good and have created more chances than them. Even if we end up losing, at least we look like we've got every chance of winning. In every game we play, too.

The difference Smith has made is just crazy.

[kippaxvilla2]

Am I the only one who thinks we should be winning comfortably?

[jwarry]

They're running through our midfield and Bolasie, Abraham and Grealish all look poor/waste of space/lost.

Need a big improvement second half or we'll get picked of and lose this.

think I must be watching a different game

[andyh]

They're running through our midfield and Bolasie, Abraham and Grealish all look poor/waste of space/lost.

Need a big improvement second half or we'll get picked of and lose this.

Hmmm, not sure they are running through.
They are playing an awful lot of long balls though, which could leave us exposed.

[Marton]

Compare how Nyland deals with the rather weak finish in the "wrong" corner with the nearly identical chance Abraham has earlier where he catches Johnstone on the wrong foot with a the same kind of ball with weak pace on it.

Johnston stretches off balance and saves. Nyland just looks at it and falls backwards on his ass.

Sure it could be more of a difference due to camera angles but it looked nearly identical in how the ball came at the keeper in relation to the direction and the pace of it.

[JUAN PABLO]

Hogan to get the winner

[Rudy Can't Fail]

They're running through our midfield and Bolasie, Abraham and Grealish all look poor/waste of space/lost.

Need a big improvement second half or we'll get picked of and lose this.

Hmmm, not sure they are running through.
They are playing an awful lot of long balls though, which could leave us exposed.

they're also breaking well from the half way line, centre circle, unchallenged. We're far too open.

[ROBBO]

Bolaise is frustrating always looking to do the spectacular, pretty even game they are dangerous from the wings. We have had more of the chances and McGinn very unlucky off the post.

[malckennedy]

Am I the only one who thinks we should be winning comfortably?

No. We were unlucky when McGinn hit the post and was a penalty when Barry pulled him down. Their goal was a breakaway and Abraham has had 3 chances.

Hope we can keep it up.

[Rudy65]

Compare how Nyland deals with the rather weak finish in the "wrong" corner with the nearly identical chance Abraham has earlier where he catches Johnstone on the wrong foot with a the same kind of ball with weak pace on it.

Johnston stretches off balance and saves. Nyland just looks at it and falls backwards on his ass.

Sure it could be more of a difference due to camera angles but it looked nearly identical in how the ball came at the keeper in relation to the direction and the pace of it.

No comparison whatsoever

Nyland has no chance. Great finish from Gayle unlike Tammy. Shilton in his prime wouldn’t have got near that

[CJ]

Wonder if Kodj will be on 2nd half. El Ghazi looked to pull up at the end of the first