ozvillafan

The big thing for me was that he kept shooting on sight in the second half...... ... that must mean he was following instructions. If not, he would have had strips torn off him at halftime and changed his game. As such, I can't blame him for trying it on every time - I can only hope he adjusts his radar next time.

Aye. We'll prove you can win things with kids. ;-)

We did not play well against Norwich. Period. However, what we saw was very encouraging: - Different formation: More of a 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) with Wieman and Tonev providing the width and dropping very deep with our fullbacks tucking inside (at least defensively). - Full debuts for 2 players: Tonev and Bacuna - Decent hit out for Kozak and Helenius Given our formation change, blooding new faces and the fact that Norwich are usually strong at home the result was an excellent one, albeit the game was not easy on the eye. We do need to graft out games when needed and I thought we did just that. Good stuff.

Helped push up our "shots" statistic today.... ... and that's the only positive I can find. Looks off the pace and, much like Andi, is trying too hard to do something every time he gets it. Needs more work/time - but should not be retained for our next game based on his performance today.

His work rate is amazing and most of our good play in the first half went through him...... ... but I get the feeling he's just trying a little too hard and overdoing it. Had he scored in the first couple of minutes instead of hitting the post I think he would have had a stormer. He really needs a goal.

Many people wanted Sylla in instead of KEA for this one, but I thought KEA was great today.... ... and Syllas performance - albeit as a substitute - was anonymous.

I see it the other way around. Footballers play in it for the sheer prestige of representing their country on the world stage. It's football in it's most pure form instead of the chequebook loyalty we are used to seeing from players. How FIFA distributes the motza it makes from the event is a different matter.

Hence the reason the Australian FA has asked FIFA for it's money back.

3 at the back? NO. The opposition (generally) will want to sit and counter. Having only 3 cover that much ground is asking for a walloping. 4-2-3-1 with Syllla/KEA and Delph making the '2' and Tonev, Helenius and Agbonlahor making up the '3'

Agreed. Formation needs to change to 4-4-1-1 with wide midfielders or even 4-5-1, again with wide midfielders. We need to not only take advantage of the space available, but we need to press the game onto the opposition. Attacking football would bring the best out of the crowd, too.

Playing a midfield of KEA, Westwood and Delph at home isn't positive enough. It works well away from home where we are drawn into our own half and need to harry down the opposition midfield. But at home, we need to force the pace and need to put the opposition on the back foot. You can't really do that with 3 grafters in midfield. Having said that, who is our AM? Tonev? Helenius? Bacuna? N'Zogbia?

Stopped reading there. Can you make it into a short video for me instead?

So it's an animated gif.... ... but with sound?

10 years ago: - Jonathon Bewers turned 21 (on this very day, apparently. Happy Birthday!) - Our summer transfers included the double signing of Gavin McCann and Thomas Sorenson from Sunderland - Rover - our main sponsor then - were still in business - Doug owned the club While you can argue that all this contributed to where we are now, I think we can agree that it has had less of an effect on our current situation compared to the last few seasons.

Well no because that means ignoring the total transformation to our squad in the past 12 months. Even Risso who is reserving judgement has acknowledged that it appears to be going in the right direction. Or are we as Villa fans so uncomfortable with positivity that we'll steadfastly refuse to admit things look to be going quite well, right up until gameday 38 when it can no longer be reassonably denied. If that's how long some want to wait then fine. I'd honestly rather enjoy supporting the club and feeling good about the club right now. To flip it on its side for you. What is there to moan about at present apart from the lack of signing a CAM or a scrum half in the summer window? Not sure if it's being "uncomfortable with positivity" so much as the subjectivity of the future as compared the 100% clarity of the past. Like you, I "feel" good about where we are heading - but the last few seasons were anything but pretty. It can be hard to look past that.

Wouldn't have thought Herd was the type of player Postecoglou would be after. He's more of a throw-back to the socceroos of the 80's as far as technical ability is concerned. That said, it would be a good move for Herd. The A-League is on about par with the Championship anyway.... ... but we have better weather

I missed a bus once. Well, I say "missed" but the simple fact is it didn't turn up at all. I had to wait for an hour and a half, then 3 turned up. I hate the bus company for that. It was frustrating and I had to make many apologies to the people who were expecting me to be there on time. That was a few years ago now. Since then, I haven't ever missed a bus - they run on time almost every time. But that's their job, isn't it? I'm happy they got it right at last - but I still hate them for what they did to me years ago and I just know they will make me miss a bus sometime in the future. I think the best thing to do is throw more buses on the roads. They should be coming every 3 minutes, not every 15 minutes. That way, if I miss a bus, it won't ever be long till the next one. They need to be better, more comfortable buses too. But I know the bus company under current stewardship wont do that. It would be better if somebody who is willing to spend that kind of money took over. Sounds familiar, no?

theworldgame.com.au foxsports.com.au (equivalent of ESPN down here)

That's some seriously good business in my book: - Young hungry talent coming in - Younger talent on loan for experience - Unwanted, bad return on investment or those simply not good enough going out Not too unlike last year, tbh. That being the case, is there a reasonable cause to think that: a. We wont strengthen again next summer? b. Lambert will no longer be backed? c. We will plateau this season as far as results are concerned? I'm not expecting to challenge for the title within a year - but the trend is up and I see no compelling reason under our current leadership (Lambert/Lerner) to doubt that it will continue. Edit: Source for transfers: here

We also seem to gloss over the re-signings of Wiemann and Benteke. They were on better terms and, again, before any of the deadwood departed.

Or Tonev? Or Helenius? Or Bacuna? Or Gardner? Or..... Bann... no, not Bannan.

Puts our game with Liverplop in perspective. ManUre were dire in the first half, had the run of play in the second but couldn't produce a goal. Sounds familiar.... ... although I think we created more chances (and, yes, we were at home).

Always rated KEA, though it did take him a while to find his feet. I always thought he was one of our better movers in midfield - after passing he would immediately move to a position ready for a return pass. Case in point: Wonderful goal. Unsurprising that, imo, 2 of our harder working players (KEA and Wiemann) have the most touches in the lead up to the goal. Notice how KEA moves to receive the ball, keeps possession, lays off a simple pass and then puts himself in space, giving an option to the last person he passed to and, if nothing else, dragging defenders with him Class.

He's one of the best paid players in the world. No chance.