switters

He is completely disingenuous. Always has been. First to complain if something against him, but never holds his hands up if his side has been the beneficiary of a bad call. Unless they've found a new camera angle since the match, there has been no TV footage that shows a stamp. At worst you can see a slight move of Herd's leg - but no evidence of contact, particularly considering Olsson has zero reaction.

Clearly Darren Cann's moment of idiocy was a big turning point. Alas, we can't defend set pieces and that cost the goals. I don't blame the manager for this game, thought the starting line-up was good, and that was justified by a good first half hour. The subs did not change the game but all were justified at the time - Cuellar was a forced decision, Heskey because we needed more height (both for defending and trying to hold the ball from hoofs) and Albrighton because Bannan faded out of the match in the 2nd half. I don't think any other choices would have worked out better, tbh. Ratings: Given 6 - okay, don't think he could do anything for the goals. Hutton 4 - very poor player, tackle on Long was reckless even if he won ball & though he managed to avoid yellow there, got a stupid one later. Warnock 6 - pretty decent Dunne 6 - okay for most part, but he's gotta take some blame for the poor set piece situation Collins 6 - see Dunne N'Zogbia 5 - limited impact before the red card, even less after Herd 6 - assuming he didn't stamp on the player (and the replays certainly did not show much) he did fine and is very unlucky with the decision. Perhaps a bit over-enthusiastic in a couple of tackles, but he could grow into that DM role Petrov 5 - got over-run in 2nd half & was a bit wasteful with passing sometimes Bannan 6 - promising early on, good shot & a couple of good balls in, faded after the red card as he couldn't get on the ball Gabby 7 - deserves a lot of credit for winning the pen, few players would have the pace & anticipation to do that, also put in a lot of running. Bent 5 - scored the pen, but limited impact otherwise and missed the best chance of the match. If he's not going to do much else he has to bury chances like that. subs: Cuellar 5 - looked a bit rusty, at fault for the 2nd. Still I'd like to see him stay in the team ahead of Hutton as he will get better. First game in a long time, so not surprising he was slightly off the pace Heskey 5 - limited impact Albrighton 5 - poor crosses on the 2 or 3 occasions he had a chance

Herd in for Delph; Bannan and Zog for Ireland and Heskey Looks a good lineup to me. Shame Clark gets benched straight away, though I can understand keeping Collins-Dunne as first choice pairing.

2nd goal was the killer. Stupid Warnock. 1-0 down at the end of the 1st half, wasn't too bad - had a couple of chances. But then step out in the 2nd half concede a really sloppy 2nd and there's no way back. City when confident are always going to add more. Generally there's not a lot to draw from today. City are going to beat nearly everyone at home. I thought we could've pressed forward a bit more in the early stages, when City were playing a bit slow & giving the ball away. We had Gabby's chance but never really stepped up the pace. Once they got into the game, the goal was inevitable, and as I said, once the 2nd went in the game was over. Not that it was likely we were going to get anything from 1-0 down, but the 2nd might've been more interesting if we'd held out for a bit. Not sure who MOTM is. No-one really stood out.

I think Ireland deserves to keep his spot, probably just had his best game for Villa so not the time to bench him. If Bent and Jenas are fit, then N'Zogbia and Delph are the ones to make way for me: Hutton-Collins-Dunne-Warnock Petrov-Jenas-Ireland Bannan-Bent-Gabby Somewhere between 433/442 with midfielders taking turns to push forward/go wide and Gabby to join Bent in the box as much as possible. Gabby/Bannan can also switch sides. If Jenas still ain't ready, keep Delph in.

Certainly came into the match stronger in the 2nd half, and the hope that he can build on that might mean I'd favour him being kept in the team for the next match. Think he'd be best on the left of midfield 3 with license to go forward, rather than in the holding role (though I can sort of understand the thinking with that, given the options we have). Don't agree with people saying try him at LB, I thought he did okay there as someone playing out of position, but not enough to make me think it's an actual position for him, much like say Reo-Coker at RB. Maybe LM/LW, though I'm not sure what his crossing is like.

Bannan's really promising. Still not totally there with decision-making - i.e. when to try the first-time clever pass or beat the player and when it's best to just play it simple and hold onto it - but certainly in the 2nd half yesterday showed what he can do. The through-ball for Delph was the pick and I do like that he has the confidence to step up and score a penalty, placing into the corner where it's almost impossible to save rather than just hitting as hard as he can. With him and Ireland in the team, there is hope that we can actually play some football if we manage to keep it on the ground.

Tbf, it might be different if were chasing the game. Albrighton makes more sense at 1-0 up.

Much much better this half, we actually look good when Bannan & Ireland get on the ball. I think the worry now is the entire defence is on a yellow and the ref owes them a decision after the penalty. Home fans going to be on his back for everything and Campbell and SWP running at defenders = high potential for another yellow..

Looking at the bench, team pretty much picked itself, only choice being whether to retain Albrighton or Ireland from midweek. I wanted to see Jenas and Herd, but I guess neither are fit. Seem to remember Hall getting absolutely destroyed on the opening day and with Gabbidon missing he's back in - Gabby should be able to get some joy against him. In fact, Young aside, their defence looks like it could be dodgy. Taarabt, Barton, Bothroyd & SWP is a pretty good front 4 though, our defence need to be on their game & we need to hold possession in midfield much better than vs Newcastle

We can really only afford to carry 1 mercurial talent struggling for form, so it's either Ireland or N'Zogbia in the team at the minute, but not both. Jenas should start if he's fit. And if Herd is fit, put him at DM and rest Delph who's struggled the last couple of games. I think the addition of Jenas, who should be keen to impress on debut, and Herd, who should provide energy & battle, would refresh the team a bit. Bannan has to be starting based on form and, even if being on the right is not ideal, we should have Hutton providing the real width there. Back four are doing okay generally, Hutton's probably still got to work up to full match fitness, but no real reason to change there, so for me: Given Hutton-Collins-Dunne-Warnock Herd-Petrov Bannan-Jenas-N'Zogbia Gabby

I reckon Ireland for a goal tonight. Glad him and Bannan both playing - 2 players who can pass in the team, should improve things. Good team tbf, also glad that Fonz is starting. Hope that Gardner gets a runout too.

As the best we seem to be hoping for is midtable obscurity, cups are the only hope of anything exciting happening this season (and probably several seasons to come). So take it seriously, keep a fairly strong side but also use it for some fringe players to prove themselves - they should be hungry for games & to try and stake a claim. e.g. Herd, Ireland, Fonz, Albrighton, Gardner - for if we don't use them in the cups, then when? Better to use them pro-actively than wait for when we're forced to play them due to injuries. I don't think Bolton are going to be much up for the game this week - they've got big problems in the league & they'll not have great hope of winning away at Villa. It's a good draw for us.

I'd like to see us try a front 6 along the lines of: Herd Bannan-Petrov Ireland Gabby-Fonz A sort of narrow diamond - get the full backs to provide width, if we have Herd there to sit and cover. plus Bannan or either Gabby or Fonz can go wide where needed. It'd be nice to have Bannan and Ireland on the pitch - 2 players who actually like having the ball and can make intelligent passes, and perhaps provide balls for the pace of Gabby & Fonz. Of course, if Petrov injured, Jenas or Delph there.

I said in the summer we need to find a player like Tiote and that was demonstrated very well today. Can't help but think we now have Bannan, Delph, Petrov, Ireland and Jenas in CM - any two of whom would probably play well with a proper battling DM behind them, but none of whom are really suited to sitting in front of defence & winning the ball back. Petrov can do that to a degree, but doesn't really have the pace/energy which is why McLeish has preferred Delph there. But Delph doesn't really have the presence for that role, at least not yet. Herd or Clark in DM might well be best option for some games. Zog and Bent are both struggling for form which is a big problem for the attack. Good job Gabby has remembered how to score or we'd be in trouble. Wonder if Bent carrying an injury somewhat and needs to be rested? Zog I think just has to find an understanding with team-mates. He's a different type of player to Young & Downing, more inclined to take players on but not put the cross in straight away and that's probably harder for the strikers to read. e.g. there was a case near the end where him and Hutton were on the right and neither would put in 1st time cross - then Zog did cut behind defender and put ball into the near post, but no strikers had made a run there as I don't think they expected it when it finally came.

I think I'd like to see Herd for Delph. We need someone who's going to battle and win the ball back in midfield, just too open there.

Yep, maybe. I think Herd could find his niche this season as the guy to bring on for Petrov after 60 mins to inject some energy into midfield.

Good team. All the midfielders needed this match and I'd like to think Bannan, Ireland and Makoun can absolutely dominate possession between them. Chance for all three to stake their claim. I'd also hope Fonz gets a decent run-out (perhaps on for Bent at half-time should we have a lead by then), slightly disappointed he doesn't start. Pretty telling that Beye doesn't even get selected for this one.

Not a bad result. First half was okay, but completely failed to build on it. Is McLeish gonna be another frustrating manager who won't make obvious subs? Weird situation in 2nd half where in theory we had 3 strikers on the pitch, but Bent was totally isolated & the midfield was outnumbered. Gabby stuck on the left and seeing little of the ball & Heskey operating in some nether zone neither attack or midfield. Surely would've made sense to bring on Ireland or Bannan who would want the ball & use it. And clearly should've brought Makoun on for Petrov after the hour mark. Petrov was decent first half, but faded out of the game. Defensively solid & a clean sheet is a good way to start things. Given did well, Warnock made a good return & Dunne in particular won pretty much everything he had to. Delph had a good 1st half, but faded with the team in the 2nd. Zog looked rusty, creativity should improve as he gets to sharpness & awareness with the rest of the team. Overall, not an inspiring game in the least. That said, first match of the season away to a team who should be a bit ahead of us in match sharpness so can't draw too much from it. I'll be disappointed if we keep trying to fit Gabby, Heskey & Bent on the pitch at the same time. Really can't see a way of that working effectively as an attacking unit.

Decent first half, fairly even in terms of chances but we've had more of the ball. Think Delph has done well. Need one of the chances to fall to Bent rather than Heskey! Zog looks a little rusty, but has put in a couple of good crosses. Defence okay, but as ever, one or two scary moments. Collins worst culprit.

Looking at the lineups, think Fulham's weakness is slow defence. If we can exploit that we've got a good chance. Fancy Bent to get in good positions behind Senderos-Hangeland. But their front 6 is well established, Zamora-Johnson will be a handful & Dempsey provides good support.

Expecting Fulham to line up with 12 men, eh. That could make things difficult.

I expect Heskey to start after having good pre-season, and the hint has been that Zog will be used as sub due to not being fully fit. So my prediction is we'll see a lineup along the lines of: Given Young-Collins-Dunne-Warnock Petrov-Makoun Gabby-Ireland-Heskey Bent Subs: Guzan, Clark, Beye, Bannan, Delph, Albrighton, N'Zogbia

If Petrov is respected and popular in the squad, I see no reason to change it. Players who are louder on the pitch can still be loud without wearing an armband. That said, I think only someone close to the squad as people (as opposed to just watching them on a football pitch/in interviews) can really judge who would make best captain. It should be largely symbolic but there is probably an important psychological aspect that you have to take into account in making the choice.

I'm not sure that's exactly true. If we get to the end of the transfer window with the squad as it is now, Ireland will have at least until the January transfer window to get chances in the team. Simply don't have the squad to sideline him completely, though he could find himself behind someone like Gardner in the pecking order should he fail to perform.