Post match thread Villa 3 Fulham 1

[RamboandBruno]

The high and lows, gutted when I saw the team sheet and Jack was out again, I was ranting at the TV on 60 mins, couldn’t understand how Smith and his team couldn’t see the set up hadn’t remotely looked like working for the whole game. And then the turn around, which had me on a high for the rest of the day.
I don’t think Smith will change his shape without Jack but don’t necessarily think he has to. Davis may or may not make it long term, almost definitely needs to go on loan next season, but whilst Jacks out, stick him up there and play Ollie out wide. He absolutely cannot do any worse than El Ghazi out there, his mini spurt of form over Xmas seems a long time ago, and he really doesn’t bring anything to the table on too many games.

 I said last week that Trez shouldn’t start for us again, so egg on my face to an extent. The problem for me is that Smith will probs start him next week now, and I still, despite great instinctive goals yesterday, don’t think he’s good enough and I would have him as an impact sub only.

Dougie has ran out of steam this season and Sanson finding his feet. Problem is when we’ve started Ramsey, he hasn’t had an impact on the game. If Dougie needs a rest it’ll have to be Nakamba coming in for a few games for me, until we hopefully improve in that area in the summer and have proper competition/support for Dougie.
McGinn tired but looks better further forward.

thought Smith looked coy when questioned about Grealish after the game. Hope I’m wrong, but his comments, although on the face of it benign, said to me Jack won’t be back next week.

Finally, a win does wonders hey! If we get another three wins and and a draw this season, ending the season on mid 50s points wise would be very positive and a great platform for next year

[Ads]

All 3 subs had urgency. That changed the speed st which we moved the ball, moved Targett up to support and pressed as a front unit.

It was completely absent in any of our play previously in the game. It was aided by Fulham surrendering territory and possession, but nonetheless, it was pleasing to see.

[Risso]

All 3 subs had urgency. That changed the speed st which we moved the ball, moved Targett up to support and pressed as a front unit.

It was completely absent in any of our play previously in the game. It was aided by Fulham surrendering territory and possession, but nonetheless, it was pleasing to see.

It's been almost completely absent for weeks now, but hopefully it's a corner turned. However, Liverpool and City up next, so can't see much from either of those.

[cdbearsfan]

Having players to turn games has been a major failing all season, hence we had only got one point point a losing position before yesterday. Brilliant impact from all three yesterday.

[OzVilla]

As pleasing the contributions of both Trez and Davis were yesterday, neither are good enough for us to progress.

[olaftab]

The team which played yesterday would have a relegation fight next season.

I can’t see Fulham will have a relegation fight in the Championship next season.

[Gareth]

So on Grealish - if not injured can only be one of:

Had a row with Smith
Some kind of illness
Drunk
Drugs
Broke Covid rules again
Criminal act
On his way oot
Abducted by aliens
Just wants to sing

Should we open a book?

You should do it because as they say fools and their money are easily parted :-) could be a money spinner

I’ll have a pound on the boring reason - he was injured, there was a reaction & he wasn’t risked...but I won’t go more than a pound because Dean didn’t phone me personally to tell me.

[Sexual Ealing]

Whilst I'd still massively prefer Fulham to survive ahead of Newcastle (the ground, the nice fans, Steve Bruce, Mike Ashley, the confected 'rivalry etc), I won't shed a tear for them if they go.

After they beat us in the play-off final I'll never forget Cairney saying something along the lines of, "this isn't just a victory for Fulham. It's a victory for football."

I happen to think that, objectively, he was 100% correct about that, but there was no need to say it out loud at that moment, the serially relegated prick.

[Zia of Rivia]

Whilst I'd still massively prefer Fulham to survive ahead of Newcastle (the ground, the nice fans, Steve Bruce, Mike Ashley, the confected 'rivalry etc), I won't shed a tear for them if they go.

After they beat us in the play-off final I'll never forget Cairney saying something along the lines of, "this isn't just a victory for Fulham. It's a victory for football."

I happen to think that, objectively, he was 100% correct about that, but there was no need to say it out loud at that moment, the serially relegated prick.

Haha. I was fuming when he said that, too.

[VILLA MOLE]

Whilst I'd still massively prefer Fulham to survive ahead of Newcastle (the ground, the nice fans, Steve Bruce, Mike Ashley, the confected 'rivalry etc), I won't shed a tear for them if they go.

After they beat us in the play-off final I'll never forget Cairney saying something along the lines of, "this isn't just a victory for Fulham. It's a victory for football."

I happen to think that, objectively, he was 100% correct about that, but there was no need to say it out loud at that moment, the serially relegated prick.

I know it has been said before, but in the long run it was better that we did not go up .

Dr T and premiership £££😳😳

[LukeJames]

After they beat us in the play-off final I'll never forget Cairney saying something along the lines of, "this isn't just a victory for Fulham. It's a victory for football."

It was certainly a victory for us.

[Damo70]

So on Grealish - if not injured can only be one of:

Had a row with Smith
Some kind of illness
Drunk
Drugs
Broke Covid rules again
Criminal act
On his way oot
Abducted by aliens
Just wants to sing

Should we open a book?

You should do it because as they say fools and their money are easily parted :-) could be a money spinner

I’ll have a pound on the boring reason - he was injured, there was a reaction & he wasn’t risked...but I won’t go more than a pound because Dean didn’t phone me personally to tell me.

If it was anything illegal it would come out in the media. I suspect it has been an injury that they originally played down but which has dragged on longer than they originally expected.

[Risso]

Whilst I'd still massively prefer Fulham to survive ahead of Newcastle (the ground, the nice fans, Steve Bruce, Mike Ashley, the confected 'rivalry etc), I won't shed a tear for them if they go.

After they beat us in the play-off final I'll never forget Cairney saying something along the lines of, "this isn't just a victory for Fulham. It's a victory for football."

I happen to think that, objectively, he was 100% correct about that, but there was no need to say it out loud at that moment, the serially relegated prick.

A victory for football. In a game in which they should have had a player sent off for stamping on a fellow pro.

[algy]

As pleasing the contributions of both Trez and Davis were yesterday, neither are good enough for us to progress.

I'd disagree on both counts, with caveats. Davis needs to start a few games. He offers something different. However, he is starting to enter make-or-break territory now. The next 12 months will be massive for him.

I like Trez and think he's still got a role to play next season. That said, I think either him or AEG will need to move on in the summer, whilst we can still recoup what we've paid for them. For me, I'd keep Trez and flog AEG but I'd not be massively fussed if it was the other way round.

[cdbearsfan]

I don't remember that quote, bit of a twatty thing to say. You could understand if it was some bitter rivalry, but Villa vs Fulham?