terrytini

It was indeed a dreadful game..( both sides were awful)..... As for the fans....I don’t share your view....I thought our low point was at Watford. Today I thought most seemed desperate to get behind the side but were given nothing to work with. I sing for most of most games but it was impossible today. Things started badly, reached bottom, then got worse. We ended up in two groups, one hostile, and one utterly deflated.

What the hell was that today ?

Smith has just echoed that the level of performance from the players was dire, that he told them so at half time, and that responsibility for that rests with him. I agree with him on all counts. The responsibility for getting a level of performance is on the Coach. He isn’t responsible for mistakes, skill levels, or players having an off day. But today we were, to put it in simple terms, out fought. Again. Thats 100% on him. Last week we gave a performance full of effort, desire, commitment. I ranked his performance Very Good. When those things happen I credit the Coach. When they don’t, it’s on the Coach. When it’s too often, we need to look at whether he’s the right man.

As I say I see your view but don’t share it. Not that I think we have some wonderful players, but that I don’t see them as any different to players in half a dozen other sides. We aren’t failing to compete against Southampton or Bournemouth because of their quality. In my view.

As you know I don’t see eye to eye with you on much of this season. I maintain a struggle was to be expected, that we are not a million miles off. And struggles often bring out the negatives in fans, players and Coaches. But we are not producing the levels we are capable of. Too hit and miss. I expect inconsistency. But I expect to be properly competitive against sides in the lower half. He managed that in the first half of the season. He isn’t managing now, and hasn’t been for some time. Thats my issue. At our best we are no worse than half the League. He doesn’t seem able to get us playing at our best, or even remotely close to it, against teams we should be competitive with.

Respect your view but I think the team is good enough, if it performs best it’s best. Thats not happening nearly enough. If I thought the players weren’t good enough I’d stick with the Coach. I think they are good enough. Look at us against Liverpool, Leicester, and for decent spells in many other games. That Saints team today weren’t better than us. Neither are half a dozen or more others. But we keep failing to produce. Im afraid that has to be on the Coach.

Not at all surprised. There was something wrong on the touch line all game. And a lot of inter player/ coach arguing. CH took his life in his hands debating with some fans at the end. Couple of punch ups in the crowd - villa fans only - at final whistle. Its felt very wrong today.

I’m afraid the Coach needs to consider his position. We have to give teams in the bottom half a game, and recent trips here, Bournemouth, Brighton ( Fulham) and Watford have all been (a) very poor and (b) identically so. I have had, and have, no issue with getting beat, no issue with mistakes, no issue with inconsistency. I can by and large accept pretty much all tactics, even when they are hard to fathom. But we simply must get a level of desire, commitment, and hunger from the team every week, and if the Coach can’t bring that about - and I’m afraid it appears he can’t, we need someone who can. There is another argument, tgat the players aren’t up to it. But I’ve seen enoughover the season to think they are.

Great post. Its on the Coach, for better or worse, this half.

Very poor. Its clear to all our “ beat the press” tactic is wrong for this game. Has to stop second half. More specifically it was very disappointing to see Mings needing to bawl out the Coaching staff for (1) being so slow to attend to El Gazi then even worse (2) not having Trez warming up ready. Basic in game management lacking again I’m afraid. Lijewise, although I rarely see much point criticising specific tactics it must be saidour use of throw ins is very poor. It’s a pretty basic part of the game to steal a few in a row down the line, whereas we are putting ourselves needlessly under pressure playing in field. When you add to that Reina making poor decisions AND kicking poorly, a featherlight midfield of Luiz ( who has not developed a defensive game at all since Spurs Away on Day 1, when he was weak) and an oddly timid Nakamba, it makes for a grim first half. Thank God for Mings. The responsibility for correcting most of that is on the Coach. He needs to make a significant contribution very quickly.

Just gave thumbs up .

Looks line a sore right knee. Had a bit of attention. Still rubbing it.

Reina struggling

Every game. Always hope for the best. I watch the others too. Weve no reason to fear anybody.

Ffs get a grip of yourself man !

Or being beaten by them ?

All week I’ve thought it’s a high scoring Win for us today. 4-2 or 4-3, something like that. But, tragically,I had a really nice easy journey, parked2 minutes from the ground, had a lovely doze in the car and just had a fantastic bacon baguette. No way do we Win on top of that. Sorry folks.

Nothing makes me happier than that I don’t stand near someone like that

It’s talked about, primarily by you, almost daily, and has been all season. Again, that’s your right, but don’t knock those of us who would love to not hear it for a bit.

Let’s not do the whole but again but...how can it possibly be denial ? The facts speak for themselves as regards our defence ( by which I agree with you means throughout the side). I’m not denying anything. I couldn’t be clearer....the difference is not between “those in denial” and “ realists” as you persist in portraying it. Its between those who think there are plenty mitigating circumstances, that time and patience is needed, and those who don’t. Now, I fully accept those in the latter camp are entitled to be so. They annoy me intensely, but it’s their view, fair enough. But to keep having the suggestion made that those people are in some way more realistic, or seeing some great revelation, isn’t on. Im not in denial. I’m just fully behind the Coach and the players in this fight.

General consensus around everyone near me in the Upper Holte. Consensus in the Holte Suite after the game. Consensus everywhere except social media methinks.

Continually complaining words removed ?

Yay ! Sack somebody !

The amount of people on here saying “ I’ve no idea what he does” in one breath, and “ sack him” in the next . “Ive no facts or information to go on but he needs to go.”

Neither do I. And in the case of any other player I share your views 100%.