Aston Villa 2-2 QPR post match thread

[tomd2103]

We miss JG clearly but AT and NT loss is also the reason for our issues

AT is good at bringing the ball out of defence this attracted an opposition player to him which created space. NT simply has a left foot and and being left sided naturally his positioning is better .I watched the game with my 12 year old nephew and noticed Hutton all over the place as he kept asking me why is Hutton running inside so much ..

Beyond that I think midfield has no balance and certainly no defensive stability .I'll have to see the first goal again but from what I recall the ball fell into MF the nearest MF was Houriane who failed to get anywhere near in running back , the cbs backed off and the QPR player stuck it into the top corner.Both BB and CH where unable to really effect the game in any way today and that's what cost us as well as poor positioning from Hutton again

Agree with a lot of that.  It is noticeable that we struggle in both attack and defence down our left side when Hutton and Kodjia play together.  Bjarnason was drifting out there in the first half and it was crying out for a naturally left footed player, as the three of them were continually having to cut back. 

Agree about the midfield as well.  Not mobile enough to compete when two out of Whelan, Bjarnason or Hourihane are in there.  What I've noticed since we've been in the Championship is that better midfielders seem to be the more diminutive ones who get about well and are constantly in the game.  We really need another couple like a McGinn who can get about and don't give sides a rest.   

[adrenachrome]

QPR's shameless time-wasting tactics throughout the game reminded me not so much of Pulis or Warnock, but of Sir Gareth Southgate's Smog Monsters at Villa Park many moons since. 

[ROBBO]

Hutton should be told that his job is to defend his wing that's what a full back is there for, amazed not just in this game at the distance there is between him and the player he is supposed to be marking, why doesn't the manager rip his head off for not doing his job.

[Ads]

Midfield is the problem.

That 2nd goal, you have the right back who has just been attacking having to come in and do the defensive tracking, thus leaving him out of position for the goal.

A new defensive midfielder of mobility will improve us. Hourihane is dire off the ball.

[Bad English]

I thought we were average and unable to dominate play decisively.

However, my main gripe is our kit: watching on the telly there is simply not enough blue on the sleeves. I thought I was watching FC Metz.

[mr underhill]

Hutton should be confined to history by signing a new left back and giving Bree a run at right back - and I'd also recall RDL from down under.

[eamonn]

FC Metz?! Yuck! At least the New York Mets have a bit of style.

Is it possible to win an indirect free-kick off a time-wasting goalkeeper/opponent? The ref should have double yellowed their keeper instead of giving him carte blanche to waste a fair bit of time more when he was finally cautioned towards the end. That would have softened his cough.

[QuintonVilla]

Our defence is piss poor but I agree that the problems start with the midfield. Hourihane and McGinn are 'lovely' footballers but we're soft as shit and so easy to play against. The opposition walk through them time after time and are in on our defence.
Bjarnason isn't good enough and nobody will convince me otherwise.

In defence we haven't got a commanding presence either. Chester is about 5 foot 6 and as scary as a labrador.

It's good that we're trying to play better football, although I'd say that we haven't since the Albion game and we've been poor since then. However, you still need that bit of grit and steel and a bit of a nasty streak. We're too nice and playing at Villa Park is too nice for the opposition. Big ground, big but virtually silent crowd, big pitch.

The frustrating thing is this league is poor and there is no standout team this season. Norwich let in loads of goals and are relying on late goals. Leeds aren't all that and always capitulate. Albion are bang average and concede goals for fun aswell and may be losing Harvey Barnes. Sounds simple but if we get a couple of players in to shore up that defence and midfield then we will be right up there.

[Gareth]

The linesman on the Doug Ellis stand side stood and watched QPR players jump into the crowd when they scored the 2nd goal yet chose not to draw the referees attention to it - think one of the 2 that did it had already been booked - shocking ineptness.  Referee himself had a poor game though it does make me laugh when you see said 40yr old fatman making free kicks be retaken 2yds away because he is so obv in need of a breather.

[Steve67]

I'm sure that Dean Smith sees what we all see, and more.  The step up to a big club, with big expectations will now become more tangible to him but I expect him to cope with it and start to redevelop the squad.  For some players it just hasn't worked, Hourihane, BB, Angela, Whelan etc it's time to call it a day. All big fishes at previous clubs but have failed to step up with any great consistency. 

[Oscar Arce]

For the first time I was a bit mystified with Smith's decisions yesterday.
Playing BB further forward than Hourihane for a start, which clearly wasn't working, then late in the game he changed it, and took off Hourihane instead off BB, playing Whelan further forward when BB was absoloutely knackered and could hardly run.
I think BB is nowhere near good enough at this level, along with Bree, but was impressed with Elphick's performance and attitude, and the goalkeeper coming back is a bonus.
QPR's consistent time wasting, fouling and narky tactics were a disgrace, standing in front of the ball at every free kick and continuously stopping the game, the goalkeeper was lucky to stay on the pitch due to the inept performance of the referee, who failed to put a stop to it from minute one.
It reminded me of every team we played in the old Third Division days.

[Drummond]

Not good enough.

No point griping about their approach or the shit ref, as it was us not being good enough that cost us. Again.

The squad needs an overhaul. Hutton played better on the left when he had Terry shouting at him all game. He's a trier but a headless chicken.

[SoccerHQ]

The linesman on the Doug Ellis stand side stood and watched QPR players jump into the crowd when they scored the 2nd goal yet chose not to draw the referees attention to it - think one of the 2 that did it had already been booked - shocking ineptness.  Referee himself had a poor game though it does make me laugh when you see said 40yr old fatman making free kicks be retaken 2yds away because he is so obv in need of a breather.

Ah the second goal. Surprised as initially Eze just stood by our fans celebrating and then the one camera went away from him towards halfway line (was watching in a pub).

So aswell as wasting minutes taking throw ins and goal kicks they also decide to string out a goal celebration over 3 minutes!

[Richard]

Not good enough.

No point griping about their approach or the shit ref, as it was us not being good enough that cost us. Again.

The squad needs an overhaul. Hutton played better on the left when he had Terry shouting at him all game. He's a trier but a headless chicken.

This. 9 wins out of 26 is both shocking and not promotion winning form.

[spartacuss]

The third 2-2 in 4 weeks. They'll be calling us Desmond Villa next.