Our New 'Edge'

[kippaxvilla2]

I have noticed we have a new edge.  Some say it is cheating, others say it is just gamesmanship, most say it is smart game management.

For years, the Villa ethos was to be as soft as shite and pretty well accept everything that was laid in front of us, shit decisions, rolling over to the so called bigger teams, rolling over against 'hard men' teams.  As was once said, you were okay at the Villa earning a decent wage as long as you didn't get relegated.

Now we challenge lots of decisions, we are in the oppositions faces when we get fouled, there is a lot more professional game management, such as delaying throw ins to get ourselves back into position.  We can also ensure we get our fair share of free kicks and get in the referee's ear.  We are in other words no one's pushover all of a sudden.

Thank you JT for all you have taught us!  And long may it continue! UTFV!

[aj2k77]

It's a winners mentality emerging. Fight for everything, look for an advantage everywhere. Stamp your authority on matches, situations, opponents.

The days of laughing when you miss a chance are gone.
The days of trudging away from the ball after a poor decision against us are gone.
The days of everyone standing around with a thousand yard stare after we concede another goal to a mistake are gone.

There are leaders in the team and a culture in the squad now that doesn't accept it and hold others to account for standards. It's brilliant.

We won't win them all and a top 10 finish this season would be fantastic. But it fully feels now like we are back on a proper footing.

[Border villan]

Was worried when I opened this as I thought it was about the other twat in U2.

[Brend'Watkins]

Terry might well have an influence on that I think. 

[exigo]

It's great to see. Like we've finally grown up.
Although I'd say it's more Shakespeare's influence than Terry's.

*Insert 'as you like it' gag here*

[Hookeysmith]

I loved Hoddles comment last night.

"I have been enjoying watching Villa recently and i like the way they play - Dean Smith is building something here"

Yes he is Glen, yes he is

[dave.woodhall]

I loved Hoddles comment last night.

"I have been enjoying watching Villa recently and i like the way they play - Dean Smith is building something here"

Yes he is Glen, yes he is

I keep saying it, but it does remind me of that time between 1978-80. Not all the results will be favourable and not all the players will be a success but it's gradually getting better.

[Hookeysmith]

I loved Hoddles comment last night.

"I have been enjoying watching Villa recently and i like the way they play - Dean Smith is building something here"

Yes he is Glen, yes he is

I keep saying it, but it does remind me of that time between 1978-80. Not all the results will be favourable and not all the players will be a success but it's gradually getting better.

I also have likened it to SGT first stint. After getting promoted by the skin of our teeth we then stayed up by the same skin and same teeth. IIRC  (and it was a long time ago )our 2 best players at the time both left (Keown / McNally) and most of us thought relegation next year was a formality. To add insult to injury we replaced those 2 leavers with Callaghan and Ormandroyd

Finishing 2nd when the league was ours - only Doug and the Cascarino affair put paid to it

[dave.woodhall]

There is that, but I think it's because we seemed to be playing night matches every week as well during the time I mentioned.

[West Derby Villan]

Yeah last season it was very noticeable how naive and soft we were. We’ve learnt from that and are benefitting from last seasons experience. Love the fact that other teams are moaning about it because it means we’re getting under their skin and long may it continue.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

It seems that fans of many of the teams we have played this season have all commented on what a horrible team we are to play against. The words ‘dark arts’ have been used.

Bring it on, I say. It means we must be doing something right if opponents hate playing us. We are no longer a soft touch and now have a proper winning mentality.

I bet Wolves for example loved playing us last season. Not anymore.

[Ads]

I've said before that I think we're a really nice side to watch, good on the ball and willing to have a go in numbers.

But we're also absolute shithouses. We go down easy, we whinge and moan a the while, we do cynical game management fouls, we have some real warriors who leave a foot in too. I love it.

We must be horrible to play against.

[Risso]

Nothing used to wind me up more than being served our arses by the likes of Man U or Liverpool, and Alex Ferguson or whoever being all complimentary about us.

[rob_bridge]

Nothing used to wind me up more than being served our arses by the likes of Man U or Liverpool, and Alex Ferguson or whoever being all complimentary about us.

Especially when said teams would go to Bolton or Everton or Blackburn and scrape a point and be battered and bruised. As opposed a nice day at lovely football ground and 3 points guaranteed

[Drummond]

Nothing used to wind me up more than being served our arses by the likes of Man U or Liverpool, and Alex Ferguson or whoever being all complimentary about us.

Especially when said teams would go to Bolton or Everton or Blackburn and scrape a point and be battered and bruised. As opposed a nice day at lovely football ground and 3 points guaranteed

Pisses me off even thinking about it.