ferguson1

1 hour ago, Woodytom said:

So we came out of the blocks and really took the game to Leicester. Or did we take the best part of 75 minutes to even look like we might do something?

Who said we came out the blocks and took the game to them? What we did do though is make top of the league look ordinary with good organisation and play a second half that we pretty much had control of! Like I said in an earlier post, we were playing an in form team, top of the league and matched them! Gutless - no way!! 

18 hours ago, Woodytom said:

So we respond to our recent win with 75 minutes of the most gutless drivel I've ever witnessed. 

Leicester putting in arguably their worst performance of the season and ok, we get a draw, but my god, why are we so pathetic and lacklustre. It's unforgivable. 

Oh and those wondering why aly cissockho was loaned out - watch that game.

Not sure if this was written out of frustration and/or heat of the moment Woodytom but crikey, how wrong can you be! Moreover, Aly Cissokho has just played against two of the most in form wingers of the season in Zaha and Mahrez and has stood up really well to them!!

2 hours ago, AVTuco said:

Interesting bit of insight ferguson1. Thanks for posting.

Have you noticed how Richards or Clark behave in this respect?

Haven't studied every player intently but we are quiet on the pitch compared to the opposition. Richards especially unless something really winds him up! Clark is more vocal and probably the best of the bunch in this respect. Lescott less so I think but look for it yourselves.  Midfield bearly say anything to each other!  Like I said previously, we point and instruct but no one actually leads the team and commands - gets in the opposition faces and that of the referee. Some may say this is bullying but it can get you that 'decision'. If a Robbie Savage had been on the pitch yesterday for us and seen Huth do what he did on Kozak, he would have been screaming at the ref! You may not get that decision but then makes the ref think twice about the next one! Man Utd did this effectively for years with Neville, Keane etc. 

7 hours ago, Daholteend said:

If I recall correctly Garde  banned the speaking of French from the  dressing room. That would suggest that half the team will be quiet and the other half have nothing to say until they can speak good English and that alone might take a  while ;-)

Joking aside, your point is well taken. Villa lack having a number of English speaking, Premier League experienced  veterans that can leave their mark on a game with their leadership skills in play calling and strategy on the pitch especially defencively. Players like Laursen and McGrath come to mind.

Today though I thought Jores Okore put in a decent game and undoubtedly kept us in the game with his timely coverage and clearances. Could Okore be heard from where you were sitting Ferguson1 ?

Honestly, no! He certainly doesn't lead or command the back line.  I'm not saying for one minute that we are a mute team overall as obviously there is pointing and organising during a game but there is no real leader. Not sure the language even comes into it? Plenty of foreign players in the league who 'boss' their team.  A commander on the pitch who influences the team and at times can influence a referee. A Joey Barton if you like!!  We really miss this I think and could be invaluable next year whatever league we are in.  

One final point from me regarding today and this season is just how much we lack leaders/organisers on the pitch! I am in a fortunate seat position whereby you can here the real 'talkers' on the pitch and we are such a quiet team!! Drinkwater today never stopped talking to his team, us on the other hand have a midfield that don't speak. Okore Lescott partnership is probably our best at present - but neither organise/speak during games. It is a real problem and can be overlooked from afar ( ie TV ). This needs to be addressed with a signing or two because these types are just not in our squad.

2 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

Today wouldn't even make our top 10 worst performances of the season. Try West Brom at home, Stoke at home, Spurs away, Everton away, Arsenal home, Sunderland away, Norwich away.....and Wycombe away. O.k that's only 8 but you get the picture.

I thought pre match today would pan out a bit like Man. City at home...we'd sit back (as all out attack works in Leicester's favour) limit them to few clear cut chances and today it panned out like that.

The trouble is it's not November anymore and plucky draws aren't enough, we need wins. I feel Remi has now got a decent approach of regularly picking up in this league by how he's setting us up but we really need another 8 points on the board if it ultimately to be successful and for us to stay up.

Completely agree! We have seen some complete dross this season and at least we are now seeing team selections that make sense and performances to match. Think today was decent just not as good as midweek for sure. Think we have missed a trick not signing someone before today's game as may have just given us that extra lift? Like I said earlier it's just too late unfortunately.

Cannot fault the effort but we so lack guile and a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch, which has been really evident in the last two games. Partly down to the fact that we are keeping the ball better and not surrending it so easily as under Sherwood.    During a period in the second half today we must have made about 30/40 passes without Leicester touching it, but no end product! No real stand out performances today but Ally in the last two games has been really solid defensively! Has stood up really well to Zaha and Mahrez, which has shown that he should have been kept from the start.  Only slight disappointment for me over the last two games has been Gill - probably our best two performances of the season in a week and feel that our most creative player has been anything but and usually I really him.  I'm pleased to finally see a team that most of us would pick on the pitch and that we are playing football. Moreover, we are standing up to teams and not rolling over  but we are gone as there is just too much to do!! Too little too late unfortunately and a real shame.  Should be pleased about today but feel really down about things for some reason?

A late Spurs goal could be good for us, as it may take a lot out of the Leicester players! 

Did well last night but should be a squad player.   0 goals from central midfield this season is a big problem. He is not a youngster anymore and Veretout has the makings of being a much better player. We have no better at present and should be replaced in this window or the next.

Don't think you can dislike the guy to be honest. Seems a likeable character and  genuine when speaking. If we were mid table then he would have my full backing but not so sure he understands the fight required and/or the Championship should the unthinkable happen. Happy to be proved wrong though and should he keep us up then he should win manager of the year! Would be a monumental achievement!!

We were debating walking back to the car last night and you have to concentrate on the closest team to you, that is Sunderland at the moment and 4 points! Try to catch them one at a time!! I too think it maybe just a little too much overall but win at the weekend and results go our way, then it could be really interesting.  

I think a lot will depend on his form between now and the end of the season! If he scores say a further 10+ goals in our remaining games someone will take him. I for one would love to see him stay - his application is fantastic and would suggest he is a   popular figure in the dressing room. 

21 minutes ago, Richard said:

Need to capitalise on the momentum from last night and build on that with a couple of good signings.  Do you think Lerner realises?

Completely agree with you here Richard, if ever there was a right time it is now! Imagine, a couple in and on the bench for Saturday, would lift the crowd and players no end! Still can't think of who would be good though - Remy on loan to partner Ayew would be good but not likely I suppose.  Townsend on loan? Debuchy on loan? No doubt we may have tried but they won't come.  Strike while the iron is hot Mr Lerner/Mr Fox!!!

Still a little emotional to be honest, not sure if others feel that way? Almost the same feeling as a semi final win! I did post last night on Star City car park and the feeling was one of joy, relief and possible hope. Ayew MOTM for me as never stopped running and if he had put that one in at the end! Closely followed by both our full backs as they had to keep a close eye on Zaha and apart from the first 40 seconds they stood up really well. I have to admit as well that I am starting to have a soft spot for Veretout - I think he at times has found games tough but you can see glimpses of a real player, should he get a goal soon he may blossom for the rest of season. Finally, Kozak - he may not be pacey and silky skilled but he did cause problems with movement etc and Ayew looked bright playing off him. Has to start the next few games if fit.  It was said last night walking back to the car, we just need to chase down one team at a time and     Sunderland are not that far away - belief!! Off to work now finally with a smile. Onwards and hopefully upwards!

Wow, soaked but at least no one can see the tears in my eyes! Sitting in the car on Star City full of cold but I don't care this evening because it is worth it at times.  Best game so far this season bar none.  Fight, effort, determination and care on the ball - it was all there this evening apart from a real cutting edge going forward still but maybe we can grind out a few more 1-0 wins? Kozak - 90th minute and he cleverly wins a corner to relieve the pressure, now would Gestede have done that? Ayew - that run at the end, if only it had gone in! All of them on the pitch tonight were fantastic!! One thing I and I'm sure many noticed is that Garde didn't seem to fancy using anyone off the bench - speaks volumes that!! Anyway, I presume the goal was a goal? Ah hell I don't care if it wasn't anyway, let's just enjoy it and now I can finally go to work tomorrow with a smile on my face. Roll on Saturday and let's have a repeat of that!! Now need to get home. 

Perhaps a good signing in this or the next window could be a coach/back room staff member that the fans can actually relate to and the players actually respect (ie a Laursen type figure)? Petrov could have been that man but was perhaps not well enough. Obviously they would have to have some coaching ability but I for one would like to see this.

5 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

It was a very good point made there's hardly anyone vocal in our team and no leaders. It's a problem we've had since the MON years when the team was full of them so surely we can find 1-2 players capable of this a division lower.

It was so apparent on Saturday it was untrue, partly down to current confidence levels as well I'm sure. A Parker, Barton, Nolan type figure would work wonders on the squad I'm sure of it.  Often I am told by my Celtic supporting relatives that Scott Brown may not be the best player in their division but is such an influence on a match day. I truly believe we need one or two like this as it can make such a difference!

1 minute ago, VillaChris said:

Yes I read somewhere some of the PR people employed at VP have to browse the fan sites from time to time to judge the mood and relay that to the board.

Back to the Garde bit,,,,,surely the relevant question is are you confident Remi Garde is the person to bring us straight back next season, either automatically or through the play offs. To do either we'll need to win 25/46 games at least so just over 50% win ratio.

I've said before in recent years premier league teams who've gone down with foreign manager or rookies have struggled. Cardiff went down with Solsjkaer, he was sacked by October. Same with Fulham and McGarth. QPR went down with Ramsey, same result. When Wolves went down they appointed Stale Solbakken who'd done well in Scandinavia, he lasted just past xmas.

Whereas likes of Hull and Burnley who have managers who know that division inside out are in the top 6.

When I said before this I was told "totally different situation." I'm not sure why as we'll probably finish on lower points than most of those teams who were relegated and our club is as badly run as some of those clubs, indeed Fulham's a bit of a decent comparison with us. Were in prem for years and years without getting relegated, gradually got worse as they sold key players and the money got withdrawn and then they got a new owner in that Khan bloke and he's so far been clueless appointing managers and they don't look like going up anytime soon.

I am with you on this VillaChris, more so because I am a bit of a worrier at times. Garde different circumstances/time could have been a good appointment but I just don't see it where we are at present as a club.  Can't help but think Pearson would get this club going again but just my opinion of course.

I did post this on Saturday night and nobody replied but am still intrigued to know if people from the club read the topics on this site? Does anyone think someone does - just curious. Obviously, I'm not saying Randy or Tom Fox would but pehaps a PR/Media person? If I was a player and/or manager I for one would be intrigued to see what fans were saying about me. Moreover, someone from the club should print some of these comments and show them to certain people, maybe then we would see a reaction!

1 minute ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

I don't know if Nolan's legs have gone, or if he's just taking some time out of the game. But he would be EXACTLY the kind of player we should be signing. 

Sometimes you have to look at signing a player with a bit of 'character' as well as      ability. We simply don't have that character.  Nolan may have been a good or some may say bad example, but I think we need that type. I just can't think of a younger one!

Was at the game Saturday and one thing is really apparent - we are a quiet team! If we are to make just one signing this window (God hope there's more by the way) but we need a talker/voice in the middle of the park. The type of player that talks to players and the ref at times, can put his fist up to some to get them going and put an arm round others that need encouragement.  You can see that the current players have slowly regressed over six months.  Gana is mute I'm sure!  Now, I really don't know who but we need someone to lead us for rest of season and the next (ie a Joey Barton, a Kevin Nolan type player). It may also make the opposition think that we are not pushovers as I'm sure most teams do at present.  

I would like to see this team but doubt we will:

It may not be the best place to post this here but does anyone honestly know if people from the club read the topics on this site? Just curious. If I was a player, I for one would be intrigued to see what fans were saying about me. Moreover, someone from the club should print some of these comments and show them to the squad maybe then it would hit home?