Bolton 1 Aston Villa 4 Post Match Thread.

[Smithy]

Tactically we were all over the shop in the first half, I lost count of the number of times McGinn got the ball in our half, with no one within 15 yards of him and immediately looked for a long ball to Watkins.  Which was inevitably overhit, misdirected, or won by the defender.  Whereas Bolton were RIGHT up for it from the first whistle, and let's be honest about it, they were not without ability on the ball, either. They scored a very good goal, one we'd be purring about had we scored it.

The second half was much better, and the midfield seemed a little closer together, and we regularly looked for overloads in wide areas - though I still think we look a little disjointed at times, as if the player receiving the ball needs to look up and see what his options are, rather than "knowing" what he's going to do with it.  This makes us look ponderous.  We were, however, deserved winners and it could (possibly should) have been a bigger margin - but that's to be expected against a team two divisions below you.

I still worry about what a competent and combative midfield will do to our own midfield.  I feel like Rice and Soucek could have a field day in our porous midfield on Sunday.  I hope I'm proven wrong.

[colin69]

I agree totally with the strong side he put out last night no fringe players even those that came on as sub are first team squad
I’ve Wanted a manager to take the cup matches seriously so now we’ve got one I’m not going to moan
I know we’ve got to finals in the past but generally winging it in the early stages and all too often we have gone out in the early rounds to poor sides
Would have preferred to have seen Archer have more of a game or a start but in general Gerard did what he said he would do when he came and that is take the cup seriously

Having said that the performance wasn’t great again was it
Good to have a 4-1win but it’s still not filling me with much confidence
I’m probably One of McGinn’s biggest fans on here and he was terrible Last night there’s no other way of looking at it, all I would say is we know he’s a far better player than that, we’ve seen it so whatever it takes to get him back again and if that means a rest then so be it

I want to give Gerard time to put a successful team together but I really would like to see some Performances to give us signs that we are heading forwards and at the moment that’s difficult to see

Yep, that’s a pretty fair assessment.

[darren woolley]

We wasn't very good in the first half much better in the second I'm pleased we are in the next round.

[Brend'Watkins]

Bolton put up a good fight for an hour but understandably ran out of steam. Watkins is not a striker in the real sense. When put through he should have buried that chance in the first half. Archer looks like a striker, he showed that when he came on with that effort their keeper saved. Everything he did in that move was instinctive. He should be given a chance.

[Legion]

That is not on the highlights. Are there extended ones anywhere because I cannot find any.

[Legion]

Good save, I thought https://twitter.com/buendiazboyz/status/1562197312163790848?t=ogzUd1Vdo_CFYrlpzLTpiw&s=08

[Delboy Villan]

First half even our usual consistent performers looked jaded and lacking confidence? Chambers and Bouba were all over the place. I think the team is low on confidence/motivation and they don't seem to know the system?

Watkins looked really pissed off when he got subbed?

This feels similar to the end of Deano's reign?

[olaftab]

Well done got through a difficult, can easily go wrong, cup tie. Little bit concerned how Chambers made a real hash of stopping their forward when they scored. Shocking phase of play all around.

[cdward]

I thought their big Portugese defender (and captain)  Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos looked half decent.  He beat Watkins in an early foot race and outmuscled Bailey later on. He certainly knew how to put himself about a bit.

[Smithy]

Something I've been thinking about since last night. In the first half particularly, Bouba committed three or four what you might call 'silly' fouls when we lost possession in the final third.  Not dangerous bookable tackles, just bumping into players from behind, enough to put them down and stop them turning or moving the ball on.

I do wonder if this is a deliberate instruction? Tactical fouls in moments of transition when we concede possession.  Man City are masters as it (and regularly rotate the player doing the fouling), it's very sly, but it's a good way of preventing effective counterattacks.

[Brazilian Villain]

I thought their big Portugese defender (and captain)  Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos looked half decent.  He beat Watkins in an early foot race and outmuscled Bailey later on. He certainly knew how to put himself about a bit.

Had a quick look on the Trotters' forum. Seems some of their fans had previously been referring to him as a "lazy non-league defender" so may just have risen to the occasion.

[Baldy]

Quality prevailed in the end, a well deserved win and hopefully a confidence booster. Lots to be happy about.

Main concerns, McGinn and Watkins. McGinn too frantic, Watkins not deadly enough.

Give Archer a chance. We have better quality on the sidelines then McGinn.

Great to rub Sky's nose in it. Giant killers, my arse.

[Stu]

I thought their big Portugese defender (and captain)  Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos looked half decent.  He beat Watkins in an early foot race and outmuscled Bailey later on. He certainly knew how to put himself about a bit.

Caught on his heels for the penalty

[brontebilly]

I thought their big Portugese defender (and captain)  Ricardo Alexandre Almeida Santos looked half decent.  He beat Watkins in an early foot race and outmuscled Bailey later on. He certainly knew how to put himself about a bit.

Until he ran out of legs and we sliced through them at will last 20 mins. Archer, Ramsey, McGinn were at least three very good/sitter chances missed. I think Buendia had one too.

[brontebilly]

Something I've been thinking about since last night. In the first half particularly, Bouba committed three or four what you might call 'silly' fouls when we lost possession in the final third.  Not dangerous bookable tackles, just bumping into players from behind, enough to put them down and stop them turning or moving the ball on.

I do wonder if this is a deliberate instruction? Tactical fouls in moments of transition when we concede possession.  Man City are masters as it (and regularly rotate the player doing the fouling), it's very sly, but it's a good way of preventing effective counterattacks.

I think it's a stupid tactic. Ref does his job and Kamara gets booked after about 30 minutes and likely first man hooked soon after. Used happen Luiz a lot when he played at 6, get a yellow early on and under pressure then. City as you say rotate the fouler and generally in the centre of the pitch too so no dangerous set piece as a result. Kamara was just blatantly fouling last night, nothing sly about it.