Srathem

Cheetos

God I loved those, not the shitty wotsit kind, the crunchy cheesy kind. Can still get em from the U.S. but cost a fortune.

Will be interesting to see attendance. Looks half full!

Looking around the 30k mark.

Capello needs to grow a pair of bollox and leave him out of the Euros squad

To be fair he should be left out on form alone!

Thanks for the comments, useful stuff. You make some good points but I would just point out this is just a snapshot opinion of mine about the game, sure I talk about some key points and I usually concentrate on the Villa side of the story rather than reviewing each player etc. I do try and look for the positives when I can, there is enough negativity around the club but it won't stop me writing a damning article when one is warranted.

It could have been a very different game had Frimpong not gone off injured, he was immense for Wolves but we did kick on second half, no reason to think we couldn't have won the game regardless of injuries or red cards.

I do like Keane, although I could think of more urgent requirements that we have than a new striker, although one positive is that it has allowed Nathan to go out on loan and, hopefully, get some game time. However, I do think your fantasy of him joining us has coloured your view of the match. I thought Keane was poor in the first half - touch and passing - and added very little, only really starting to look like a player (other than the two very good strikes) after Frimpong went off and they went down to ten men. Prior to that we looked poorly balanced with two lightweight CM'ers and two strikers that didn't really look like a pairing.

I can see your points but we do lack that link up player behind the frontman, Ireland is coming good slowly but Keane made more of an impact in 45 mins than Ireland has to date. He is better than Heskey and the Fonz, I am under no illusions about Keane by the way and I agree he was off the pace in the first half and I could understand why a lot of fans wanted him subbed at half time but a game lasts 90 minutes and he more than made up for it. Surely the manager should get a slight nod for leaving him out there and having faith rather than pulling him off the pitch?

I think you have given McLeish way to much credit in your appraisal:

1. we were set up very poorly for an away derby match initially with a very lightweight CM. Stan + a creative youngster has never worked for us and actually damages the youngster's career IMO. Ever since Delph's first game against Wigan (2-0 loss at home in the season opener) this has been evident. He just doesn't have the energy to play alongside that type of player in a pairing, particularly not in a high tempo derby game. Frimpong and Henry were owning the CM and you conveniently forget to mention the loss of Frimpong and the effect of them being reduced to 10 men on the outcome.

2. if Gabby had not been unwell do you think he would have made the change?? I don't. Even though it was clear we were short in CM and Clark was getting murdered by Kightly.

3. Keane is a fine player but he is not a partner for Bent. This was evidenced at Spurs when Keane was probably playing at a higher level.

Yes we looked better second half but that was only because McLeish was forced, by injuries and lack of options, to set the team up and play the way we should have played from the off.

1. I think he did set us out to attack, the trade off being we were a bit lightweight in the middle of the park. Certainly Frimpong going off had a big impact on the game but the lads and even the manager deserve some credit for pulling it round.

2. I do yes, I think he would have brought Warnock on and moved Clark into MF, probably sacrificing Gardner but we have no way of knowing I guess.

3. I don't think they played together that often to be fair and I think they could click together but it is a moot point I guess as he is off in a few weeks.

Mcleish wasn't forced to make those changes, he could have just plonked Bannan on as a replacement but he did change things so why not give him the benefit of the doubt? As I said I don't want him in charge and he seems to be doing enough to stay in a job which is frustrating but if he can't get even the slightest bit of good feeling from the fans after a derby win away from home (whatever the various scenarios were) then there really is no chance for him.

Sorry mate but your C&B specs have fallen over your eyes again. It was a red card but Marc made an obvious meal of it. Having said that, his reaction/overreaction was no different to that which 90% of professional footballers would have made.

Perhaps, the reaction was on a par with 90% of professional footballers but this was unprovoked violent conduct, not someone cheating to get another player sent off.

I really hope he doesn't start against the Arsenal. We will get mullered, as we ususally do against Arsenal, if we play 4-4-2 and leave their three in CM against Stan + 1. Many people see 4-4-2 as the much more attacking option BUT you cannot attack if you don't have the ball and we won't see much of it if we go in with this set up.

I don't think we will lose, we should have got at least a draw at Villa Park earlier this season and our record at the Emirates is good. This is a very different Arsenal team than last season, suspect defence, short on recognised full backs and when you compare the midfield 3 of Song, Ramsey and Arteta (probable) compared to Wilshire, Nasri and Fabregas I really do think we can go and get a result. I do agree though we need to go 4-5-1 to achieve it.

Thanks again for the comments.

Thanks very much, I will certainly be posting more if people like the style and content.

It is a sad state of affairs, I feel for the fans I really do but HMRC need to take a stand against this behaviour, with Harry too. Pompey have had a chance or two to wipe the slate clean but just haven't been able to do it. If they do go bust I am sure they will rise again through the leagues, their fans will make sure of it.