Newcastle v Villa Post Match Thread

[jwarry]

Leeds and today were supposed to be the first two games of a 'winnable' run of games.

For those who saw the end, what was Gerrard's body language about? What happened?

You could read that either way.  It could mean he’s reached the end of his tether with these players and sort it out, or he’s just completely dumbfounded

One thing we do know is that he is a winner and will not like that

[Smirker]

They can all fuck off. I am sick of the sight of them. Bottlers.

We are going fucking nowhere because we recruit too many players who don't have any bottle for a scrap.  11 years and counting since Aston Villa, one of England's most successful clubs, managed a top half finish.

Not good enough.

Crazy when you read it like that.

Should have finished top half last season.

😢

[eamonn]

Ugh, a result that will go a big way to keeping them up and usurping us before too long with their ill-gotten gains.

Also, likely the last time for a while we'll be the favourites/have a decent chance of winning in that fucking stadium.
Not done it against 11-men there apparently since 1-2 David Platt with what proved to be the winner, 1989....for the love o'Jaysus...

[Clark W Griswold]

Absolutely fucking dismal. I knew we wouldn’t score once they did and even when by some miracle we did it’s ruled out by this fucking cretinous offside rule of his toenail being off.
Martinez not troubled, Cash poor, Digne worse, I thought Nicky Shorey was back in the team for a moment. Chambers and Mings not troubled much, nothing bad and nothing good really. Luiz fucking wank in the extreme, McGinn ok first half and poor second, after a great midweek display Ramsey looked as self indulgent and in-effective as Grealish did in some of his early games. Buendia back to his early season form, Watkins largely a waste of time, Coutinho classy when he saw the ball but it wasn’t often enough. Chucky too late to say much, but Ings and Bailey looking nothing like the impact subs you’d hope they’d be. Bailey quite worrying poor really although he has had the injury.
Fucking terrible all round.

[Exeter 77]

That was almost excruciatingly poor. The referee made some 'interesting' decisions though. All their rotational fouling to stop us breaking in the second half drew no bookings but every time a Villa player mistimed a tackle the yellow card came out.

[SoccerHQ]

Thought Chambers was very average at the back aswell, would've played him as DM today tbh as Doug seems to have mentally checked out of the club.

[astonvilla82]

Why did we only have 4 defenders and the goalkeeper playing,he should have played the attackers and midfielders as well

[Small Rodent]

Seen worse.

We were the better team. The neutrals in the pub I watched in all agree.

It’s the usual bias of being a fan that highlights  the inadequacies. Some real, some not.

The biggest inadequacy I see is the the lack of a solid midfielder. Doesn’t have to even be the mythical “DM”. Just disciplined and tough.

And passing accuracy.

[mr woo]

Gerrard is entitled to a pre season.  But I've still not seen anything to think it will work. 

[lovejoy]

The attitude of the players at the end was appalling, giving away cheap free kicks when out of possession just played in to Newcastle's hands.

[aldridgeboy]

Awful. Just awful.

I can handle playing well and losing to top teams. But we are poor against bottom half teams.

Samson and Ings must look at the last few games and think “ what have I got to do to get a game “

Change needed next game. Watkins Luiz and McGinn need to be dropped.

[Nev]

We're regressing by the game which is a worry.

I didn't fancy us up there but thought we'd put on a better performance.

[supertom]

Dreadful. Excuse wise...it's difficult if Beundia, Coutinho and Bailey for differing reasons, and being our creative players, were all doubtful for the game. It showed.
Watkins was dire, McGinn and Luis particular poor. Digne looked like the only one who might make something happen.

I hate VAR decisions like that. A fucking studs worth of difference. I much prefer the days of attackers having benefit of doubt and I'd much rather judge it on bodies rather than limbs. That said, the rules are the rules and Ollie is fucking terrible at staying safely onside. Ings might have been dreadful when he came on, but I think he stays half a yard safely on for that and gets a tap in.

Playing Chambers was the wrong call I feel. Woods didn't do a great deal but had an awkward presence. Hause deals with it better. Sanson deserves to play too and I'd be inclined to perhaps get Ash in the next came just to give a bit of nous. For me though, something clearly isn't working at the moment. I hope Gerrard is decisive and addresses it. He got it wrong today.

It was also a classic example of a side with nothing to play for, up against a side looking over their shoulder with a rocket up them. We're coming to that stage where playing anyone fight top 6 or bottom 5 is gonna be a bit of a nightmare. Because that initial spark and workrate, the intensity when Gerrard first came in, is fading out, because we've got nothing to play for but 10th place. So I hope he's making it abundantly clear some players are playing for their places going forward.

[eamonn]

Thought Chambers was very average at the back aswell, would've played him as DM today tbh as Doug seems to have mentally checked out of the club.

He's in love with a bisexual Villan. Understandable if his head is all over the place.

[PhilVill]

Got my second dose of COVID presently and to be honest that's more enjoyable than that pile of turd. I'm starting to think no one can get a tune out of half  of this squad. Congratulations to all the team for spending the last ten minutes giving away pointless free kicks to make sure the clock ran down with no pressure on the Geordie's. Off back to bed.