TRO

I thought Carew and Sidwell were the only saving grace, because god knows who would have got blamed for that performance, had they of not come on. Forget Carew and Sidwell.The problem was there way before they come on the scene. There were some very poor performances out there tonight from some very protected species.

something has gone wrong with Carew....He has been held in high esteem by the fans because he was good at what he does.... he isn't right now he is a shadow of the player he has been.

except without Dunne & co they would have won about 6-0 no i guess for most they didn't play well because they didn't score.... I thought they didn't play badly at all. In boxing terms they completely out pointed us.

good analysis im my view. I would now like to see a few of the performances reflected in the team selection....like it seems is so easy with other personnel

"We didn't play too well, although the same can be said for Surs in all honesty" did you watch the game.... without 4 players on our side it would have been an avalanche....admittedly they didn't score, mainly due to extraordinary performances for 4 players.... but the rest of their outfield play completely eclipsed ours. and it is slowly becoming the same 4 players every week, thats getting us out of jail. Dunne Freidal Collins Cuellar that is worrying to keep relying on them guys.

That doesn't always work. In theory yes, in practice no. too many players the same, no matter how good, don't work in a team.

close call this one for me. Laursen was very good but used to drift out of position more than Dunne, but I think Laursen was more dominant in the air, by perhaps a cigarette paper. Both dominant centre halves, who I have/had the pleasure to watch. I wouldn't feel comfortable choosing between 2 very good players

Interesting comment there, and very apt,quite a close admission to the existence of the "rose tint " brigade.

Dunne definately MOTM, Gabby took his goals well the second was well executed. Petrov had a very good game IMO, his reading of the play and his "pick pocket" work was classy....Took a lot of pressure off the back four. I don't think he is a traditional ball winner, but he is effective at what he does. I think i will nick name him "Fagin"

petrov needs a rest, but i think he has been playing very well.

TRO, agree with some of your points. The original post was about potential and not a comparison of Milner after 14 games and Gerard at his peak. As to energy, I think this is a highly valid point but I think Gerard also has this attribute and that is why I am suggesting that Jimmy might be better suited to the third midfielder/second striker role? I think his weaker games have been against sides playing 4-3-3 where he tends to get the runaround, especially when playing with Stan who is not the most athletic DCM. The 4-3-3 system would really release him IMO and we could see a 20 goal a season midfielder in the Lampard/Gerard mould. Barry, as you know, we agree on so many points and yes I know where your coming from. Jimmy Milner is getting all the plaudits right now and many parts of his game are impressive. I think he was a fine signing and his attitude is second to none a great acquisition. I think at times when we havn't got the ball against some teams we look vulnerable.It is always going to be difficult to close teams down with 3 wingers.... and I appreciate that we all look for different things in a game. I favour the "smash & grab" counter attacking style and then the ability to deny the opposition space.... the other night would have me a coronary if I had to watch it regularly despite the sheer excitement of it all. Martin O'Neill is clearly looking for an attacking option and these 3 are very good at times and doubtful at other times( Particularly when the opposition are stronger in midfield, like at the emirates) but he has got his mindset and while it works who can knock him.

....Technical ability, no comparison.... despite jimmy's impressive displays. Gerrard is much stronger on the ball and has far more awareness of whats going on around him. Gerrard has greater ability to change a game, however jimmy is young and who knows what he can acheive. I think Platt was a better player too....slightly different but more effective. I have mixed feelings on jimmy's energy, sometimes he covers too many area's and we lose our shape..... particularly when we havn't got the ball. not trying to be picky, but not as convinced as some.

ditto

...At 0-2 thought we were in big trouble.... but the character was very impressive. as for embarrasment big sam's comments was the only thing I was embarrased about.

I thought the game posed more questions than answers. wasn't sure why Milner spent most of his time on the flanks when I thought he was supposed be centre midfield.

you are not on your own, but then I don't favour 3 wingers in the side.

a goal for today, would have given credit to what was a piss poor performance. There were so many errors all over the park, that a goal would have negated the clear deficiencies of our play.

He definitely didn't. Wim Jansen did, i reckon.. you reckon correctly, my mistake thanks for that. but Henrik larsen did join us at one stage

He definitely didn't. Wim Jansen did, i reckon.. ....you got me thinking now, you could be right. someone will put us right soon.

Pomp, he did'nt DICK ADVOCAAT did but Martin Kinda developed his game there, just making the point of top quality and his association with it.

you make some poignant points, my biggest worry or concern with our forwards is footballing Nous I most emphatically agree with your remarks towards attracting the talent. not a doubt in my mind that Aston Villa football club within reason could attract top talent some talent is slightly flawed, some talent is ageing, some have fallen out with their managers and are getable for non-exoribitant prices. these players are also dreams on the training ground for all the kids to learn from. go on Martin, get us a Henrik Larsson

I think our strikers are ok.... each one has limitations, fortunately for different reasons.... but on their day, they are exciting, gabby at Arsenal, John Carew against Stoke( i think) I am absolutely convinced the players we buy are Martins Choices, not Randy's and if Martin Wanted a technically gifted player, Randy would fund it for him. Can we attract a technically gifted Player, like Paul Merson Benito Carbone Luc Nilis Dwight Yorke Juan Pablo angel Nobby Solano David Ginola Didier Six Morley some others I may have failed to mention Previous Managers with far less funds, and far less charisma than Martin O'Neill have attracted players with Tech Ability( with modest funds) .... so no we have what we have by design, not the fact we can't attract them. He may well have a plan do this next, we'll have to wait and see. but don't blame it on money or attraction. PS It would be interesting for the statisticians amongst us if we could tell where we were in the league when we signed some of the above magicians. I seem to remember we were still in Birmingham too.lol

Friedel in the league to keep his run going.

talking to Tom Ross on BRMB, Martin O'Neill said Delph was tiring, but said he was pleased with him as he was unwell, but wanted to play. sounds like he was carrying a bit of lurgy to me.

This for me. The Plop games in the second half of last season and earlier this season and the Arsenal game shows that we are not good enough to play Sky 4 teams that play 4-3-3 with a 4-4-2 and that we need to match up to their formation to give ourselves a chance. Whilst this Plop team, particularly without Mascherano, are nowhere near as slick as the Arsenal CM they would overrun a Petrov + 1. The only change I might make is to drop Stan, who IMO had a very poor game against Arsenal and looked tired (but MON will never do this), and bring in Albrighton to keep Jimmy in the middle. JC as the impact sub and big Emile to get a rest before the Blackburn FA Cup game. Please God a 2-0 victory! In my view the reason stan had a poor game is because, young, milner & downing were not winning anything....some may say its not their game , but then that leaves it up to stan on his own to protect the back 4..... too much. 3 wingers in the team ...when we havn't got the ball leaves us vulnerable.