honest_bertie

Great work breaking up play and protecting back 4. Really slow and passing off still. As long as he sticks to the breaking up and destroying role we can build from there. And nice to see him being quite vocal and standing up to the opposition as well.

I really hate the abuse Westwood gets but his time is up. He is dreadfully short on confidence and if jedinak is playing the defensive role then  that makes him unneeded. Tishbola should have played instead I think. AW has always been the deepest lying mid but that has to be jedinak if he can break thinks up and protect the back four like today. Gardener is more attacking and from the choice we have right now tishbola seems to be somewhere between the two. No badfeeling towards Westwood from me but he is at the end of the line well and truely at the moment, Jed, Tish/Bacuna and Garderner for me at mo

11 minutes ago, villarocker said:

I'll tell you what gets in the way of most professional sports men and women - the other half and parenthood. 

I remember the days when I loved watching snooker but got bored of it because Steve Davis won everything. He got married, became a Dad and then starting being beatable. Along comes young Stephen Hendry who too becomes unbeatable. A marriage and fatherhood later and he becomes beatable. 

Look at the relationship problems Gabby Agbonlahor has had, together with how many children he's fathered - including having a sick child - and you can see why his career halted and went backwards. Too many off-the-field problems have led to him not fulfilling his potential. And, before people say he's always been bang average, please remember that top defenders of his time have commented how they hated playing against him. 

I am not too sure what happened with his child that was sick but, I recall Juan Pablo Angel's first season being pretty poor and that being mostly put down to the fact his son was seriously ill. These things would affect any person's life, regardless of profession. 

I'm not defending the guy, just saying. Let's face it, he chose to bed the girls and not take precautions!

It's a fair point, I think this was a major reason we didn't see the best if Vertout last season along with new country, language and poor manager. 

I like baker. Not bothered about if he was or will be prem standard as all that matters is now and right now he's should start next to Chester. Been doing well and taken his chance. Competiton for places is good and Elphick will have to wait/fight to get back in. 

Great goal

The more I hear him talk and the more good results the more I like him. Thought he was the right choice but didn't really want him as I've never really liked him. Must admit I think now I was just being pig headed, from all accounts seems a decent guy, pleased to be here and Doing what's needed so far. More and more I hope he can be the success we've been waiting for the last however mangers. Lots of work to do but he's got my support.

Didn't play well second half but generally I thought he was the only player who looked like he new how to actually use the ball. I quite like him, seems to have a bit of intelligence to his play and understands the idea of passing, moving and creating space etc. Unfortantly he seems alone in that though.

So wish we had Albrighton here rather tha JG. Jack shouldn't be starting. Has some skills but for all the hype still not good enough and not performing as he should. Wolves guy Costa is 8 months older and 8 times the player from what I saw yesterday.

2 hours ago, bobzy said:

Toss up between him and Grealish for best player today but definitely needs to work on end product.  Decent pace and can beat a man nicely, though.

Really?! Looks pretty average to me, don't remember one good delivery from him or shot

56 minutes ago, Richard said:

I just don't see it

This. Played well for about 10mins and then back to the usual of running into players, and waving his arms around when he looses possession. 

Chester needs some help holding that defence together. I think he was the only outfield player who looked like he knew what he's doing and what his role was. Should have been sent off but was constantly making up for the rest of the defence being shit and having zero protection worth speaking of from our midfield.

16 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

By the way would be fantastic if this mystery manager turned out to be hughton. Would be absolutely delighted he is my number one choice out of all managers employed in championship

Not going to be CH but would be happy if it was

Not sure who I want now, feels like whoever comes in will doomed by the Villa curse. I like the idea of Dyche but for some reason Bruce just seems to make sense in a way that fits right now. Never been a fan of Bruce but think at this moment in time he might be the best option. Confused.

Probably be Bruce and although I would prefer someone else he makes sense. Alternatively I would like Houghton or Wagner but both a bit riskier and would require compensation. 

Can't believe I have been reduced to being ok with Bruce or Fat Sam managing Villa. Would prefer Rowett or the Huddersfield boss but whatever RDM got to go. 

So glad I didn't pay to watch this one on nowtv. Sounds like we turd

Hope we win but can't see it.

1-3 

Please prove my pessimism unfounded Villa

18 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

So he's playing well and receiving universal praise. He misses a game through injury, returns with a very average display against an extremely well organised defensive side and he's suddenly a fringe player?

Jesus wept. 

Sorry, No thats not the case. He's recieved praise from certain posters, but not universally. Although he's done ok I don't think he has has been at the level he should be yet this season or ever in a villa shirt. Considering all the hype he gets I think he still has a long way to go and as yet should not be a definite starter in first 11.

I'd consider dropping both Grealish and Ayew. Would like to see a front two of Kodija and RMc. And 4 in midfield... MJ, AA, Tish and  someone else but not  sure who, guess it would be GG or AW. In that senario and with less pressure being part of 4 rather than 2 I'd try GG, plus he seems slightly better than AW in final third. Or maybe one of the u23s, might as well

As much as I like Ayew and Grelish and would like to see them tear up games I can't help but feel they are bit detrimental on balance to the team. Ayew seems to show brilliance without end product and i get annoyed the way Grelish seems to slow things up and more often than not runs into a tackle or gets pushed off the ball.

 So wish we could play with 2 wingers keeping wide and creating space and chances for Kodija and RMc up front. Hopefully Adomah will be one those sort of players but at the moment I think Ayew and JG aren't effective enough.

I like RDM, think he recruited pretty well and probably missed out on a few targets, especially in midfield that we would be seeing in the team each week now had we got them. I like the back room team he has put together. But like like others what concerns me is his ability to organise and inspire the team. Someone mentioned are the back room staff not advising him or is he just going with his own view and being blind to what seems obvious to most of us? I'm wondering this, so far it's been square pegs round holes. I hope he can sort it out but have concerns.

1 minute ago, RaptureJames said:

Im sure this was covered here at the time but the other week Elphick had to force him to go and clap the fans after the game.

 

cant believe I'm thinking it but would prefer Gabby in his place right now!

Didn't seem to bother to celebrate when Grelish scored, just started walking back whilst everyone else went to Jack. Moody and selfish.

Dr T has done all he could have so far and more. The only one thing that I think he's made a mistake in is tweeting about how Ayew would be going knowhere. It was before the season started and since, except for some  good dribbling Ayew is yet to show why he's worth keeping, in fact his moody attitude and lack of willingness to play in others worrys me. I hope we don't just keep him because of that stance. Would prefer a replacement to play alongside RMc