M_Afro

Totally agree. Give the lad a break and actually try getting behind him. He has shown enough to make me think he can be a success. It will be easier if we back him rather than slaying him every week.

Dean said an interesting thing in the press conference yesterday. He said that only Spurs had out played us so far this season. I absolutely agree with him. That is disappointing in a way because our points total does not reflect that but it also offers massive hope. If we all pull together I am sure we can turn it around. The part that we play, as fans, could be critical

The team felt better balanced today. I would stick with the formation next week but maybe switch Trezeguet/AEG and Connor/Douglas. Both of those are splitting hairs really but I just feel that it would provide better balance. I also think we will win our next two games.............but wtf do I know!

Absolutely needed to come and deal with the cross for their second today. He will be disappointed with that. Especially against Burnley.

It could be worse. At least we are not Man City fans..............have you seen the kit they are wearing tonight? Now that’s embarrassing!

Totally agree. He was in the last England squad ffs!

He is clearly not doing great at the moment but he is a fast learner. He, like the players, is on an upward learning curve. He needs to learn fast or it will already be too late but we really need to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater! Fulham should have stuck by their man last season, they didn’t and it was curtains. Every game seems hard to take at the moment but we really are not getting the points that we deserve. That can change very quickly. Huge couple of games coming up but 6 points is achievable. That would certainly be a good start.

No goals or assists this season. I know he is recovering from injury but he hasn’t offered much so far.

He just looks like he is trying too hard at the moment. He is getting better with each game and I fully expect him to add goals and assists in time. He was a real handful last night.

We keep missing opportunities to get points. This is something we cannot afford to do. Losing in that manner is very poor. Deano needs to improve things fast otherwise he won’t be around at Christmas!

With you mate.3 points incoming

I thought the midfield three worked very well last night. It was our most balanced midfield performance of the season so far. I don’t think Jack had his best game but he was still influential. He looks like he is trying a bit too hard to be brilliant. It will come for him.

I totally agree with this. I have been amazed by how much this has changed during our time away. All the teams look bigger, faster and stronger than is in the centre of the pitch. We are going to have to be much better at keeping possession to compete.

We are averaging a goal/game and easily could have scored more (and actually did but for the actions of an idiot ref). I do agree with a lot of your post and this season may be a struggle but it is too early to say in my view. Funnily enough, unlike a lot of posters, I actually think our midfield is a problem. We have good players but lack variety. We need a bigger more physical presence in there to compliment our ball players.

Why are people moaning so much about our performance yesterday? Deano summed it up really well in my opinion. Good start, followed by a ridiculous period before half time when the ref starting dishing out cards, followed by a decent start to the second half, followed by a red card. From that point, away from home against a decent side, it was always going to be difficult. We stuck in and but for a criminal decision would have taken a point. We are finding our feet and in my opinion should have more than the three points on the board. Refs and bad luck have cost us badly so far but that cannot continue. Maybe, following the high profile nature of Friend’s massive mess up, the refs will be a bit more reluctant to give us poor decisions. We need to stick together and get behind the team.

Thanks for posting this. I just read through it again. A very inspiring start to a Friday. We need to love this guy and watch him go.

The more I see this guy play and talk and also research his life story the more impressive he becomes. Before anybody accuses this guy of being lazy ever again they should look at what he has achieved, the lengths he has been prepared to go in order to achieve it and the many obstacles that have littered his way. Lazy people do not have life stories like his at any age let alone 22. It is those labelling him as lazy that are in fact the lazy ones. You have gotta love a bit of irony!

He has been really good. He works hard, has a great attitude and some real ability. Very impressive so far.

I am away on holiday with the family so had to make do with watching the match on the iPad. The thing that really stood out to me (and was also commented on by Sky) was the support. The crowd were unbelievable. We haven’t had support like that for years and you could really see it lift the players. I really believe that we are potentially on the cusp of something special. What we really need is to just stay up this season. If we can do that then we can/will really kick on. The crowd can really play their part with that. Well done to all who attended tonight. The atmosphere was electric. I actually felt pretty emotional watching it. It really was special. I thought Gary Neville was gonna rip his Oxford cotton shirt off and reveal a Villa shirt underneath, such waS his enthusiasm for the club. Really fantastic.

Anonymous first half but really grew into the game after the break. We really do have all the key parts to do ok we just need it all to kick.

Very good. He is cool. Never panics. Worked so very hard. Really very good

Such a thoughtful, intelligent man. A total leader. It also helps that he is absolutely ace at football.

He and Mings are brilliant. Best partnership for years

Absolutely superb tonight against a very good defence. Can we please cut him some slack now and give him a chance. This kid has got it all

Classic Delaney at the end. Totally loved it