Aston Villa -1 Jon Moss’s Liverpool - 2 Post Match Thread

[Drummond]

I think he should be advised to retire a few games early.

The evidence shows he fucking did.

[Smithy]

It's been a while since I read a post match thread where the opinions differed so wildly, from we played well, to it was nowhere good enough, from Nakamba did really well, to he was garbage, to Coutinho did nothing, to he was great in parts and worked hard.

Personally, I quite enjoyed the game last night (as much as you can when losing, anyway).  Considering we've lost to them by the odd goal twice this season, the difference between the two performances couldn't be starker.  For large chunks of last night we went toe-to-toe and held our own against one of the best sides in the world, perennial league challengers and Champions League hopefuls.  We had good chances to score more (as did they), but a draw would not have been an unfair result.

I thought Nakamba did great in the first half - yes, his distribution is below average, but we know this already, it's nothing new.  I thought our work rate was also excellent, I lost count of the times we won the ball back with our pressing. I've had Liverpool supporting mates message me to say we better work that hard against City, such was the noticeable level of effort we put in. This also bodes well for Gerrard's ability to motivate the team. Luiz did enough last night as an 8 to convince me he needs to be kept in the squad in that position, and Nakamba fights with Tim to become the second choice DM to whoever we bring in.

On last night's showing, I genuinely think we're a centre-half, DM and clinical centre-forward away from being a very good side indeed. 

[Risso]

The former Liverpool captain was then informed that Moss is retiring at the end of the season.

He replied: "Is he? Good."

[The Edge]

Pundits said the game was too quick for referee Moss. He was fucking useless, and we suffered due to his incompetence.

This was a game involving one of the two teams fighting for the Premier League title. A packed night game at Villa Park with a fiery atmosphere to match was a given. They could have chosen any of the elite referee's to take charge. So why on earth did they choose him?

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

Pundits said the game was too quick for referee Moss. He was fucking useless, and we suffered due to his incompetence.

This was a game involving one of the two teams fighting for the Premier League title. A packed night game at Villa Park with a fiery atmosphere to match was a given. They could have chosen any of the elite referee's to take charge. So why on earth did they choose him?

To ensure that we got nothing from the game....

[Des Little]

He won't be going away.  He'll haunt us from his VAR bunker for years to come.

[ROBBO]

I don't think any ref goes out to disadvantage any side but it was clear half way through the first half he was well out of his depth, some of his decisions were head scratching.

[Rigadon]

I suppose a pretty clear and recent comparison is Spurs (with Son and Kane) got a point after giving this team a good game.

[RichardBatchelor]

He won't be going away.  He'll haunt us from his VAR bunker for years to come.

But at least he won’t have to run from there!

[villa `cross the mersey]

I managed to salvage some retribution this morning as my dog, Marley pissed up the front gate of Manes` house (who lives next to Klopp).

[Clark W Griswold]

I didn't think anyone played particularly well or particularly badly, but as a team we looked solid and cohesive. That's in contrast to what you normally get with the Villa, normally we see good individual performances but precisely that, individual. We could have got something from the game and well done to Gerrard despite the narrow loss. That ref is indeed a big fat fool and his retirement is well overdue.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

"The referee's a Scouser!"

Couldn't fault the team's collective effort, though. Hope we carry on in that vein against Palace, and not put in a Villaesque anticlimactic performance.

[Bobby Boy]

It's been a while since I read a post match thread where the opinions differed so wildly, from we played well, to it was nowhere good enough, from Nakamba did really well, to he was garbage, to Coutinho did nothing, to he was great in parts and worked hard.

Personally, I quite enjoyed the game last night (as much as you can when losing, anyway).  Considering we've lost to them by the odd goal twice this season, the difference between the two performances couldn't be starker.  For large chunks of last night we went toe-to-toe and held our own against one of the best sides in the world, perennial league challengers and Champions League hopefuls.  We had good chances to score more (as did they), but a draw would not have been an unfair result.

I thought Nakamba did great in the first half - yes, his distribution is below average, but we know this already, it's nothing new.  I thought our work rate was also excellent, I lost count of the times we won the ball back with our pressing. I've had Liverpool supporting mates message me to say we better work that hard against City, such was the noticeable level of effort we put in. This also bodes well for Gerrard's ability to motivate the team. Luiz did enough last night as an 8 to convince me he needs to be kept in the squad in that position, and Nakamba fights with Tim to become the second choice DM to whoever we bring in.

On last night's showing, I genuinely think we're a centre-half, DM and clinical centre-forward away from being a very good side indeed. 

I'd say that this is a fair assessment of the game and where we are more generally.

In terms of the differences of opinion I guess some of it comes from the fact that every fan has favourites and also players that we don't really rate and this colours our reactions.

I'm a big fan of Nakamba and I was pleased with his inclusion. I thought that he did the things he is good at really well. Gerard evidently wanted to get about Liverpool and not give them time on the ball and Nakamba continually disrupted them and stopped them from getting into a rhythm.

However... his passing leaves your nerves in shreds at times. One careless pass in the first half could easily have led directly to a goal for them.

So both views can be true depending on your personal tastes.

[olaftab]

The former Liverpool captain was then informed that Moss is retiring at the end of the season.

He replied: "Is he? Good."

Good reply but is he now in disrepute territory?

[olaftab]

One positive for Pool fans I thought their Coutinho chant when he was subbed was brilliant.