beasley14

OP is just daft, clearly doesn`t rate either player. I think they are both good and will in time settle down to be more consistant and assured.

Got to be keep for me.

Of course, but I'm not talking about every attack, because with every team, some of their attacks will break down.

But if we contrast our 4-4-2 with Laursen last season. We had Petrov and Barry pushing forward, neither of which are really pacy enough to get back and catch players. I felt a lot more comfortable about us occasionally being caught short when we had Laursen.

Tonight, as always this season, I have felt worried when the opposition have gotten behind our midfield, and it's because I do not trust our defence as much as I did with Laursen.

I still think Petrov has a role to play in a 4-4-2. But tonight, we had Carew and Heskey up front, neither of which really came short to link the midfield (as OBE mentioned), and we had a defence who have hardly set the world alight. So Petrov had to go forward more, and then get back more, and had to get back so much harder because our defence is not as strong as it once was. As a result, he had a lot more to do.

A tactical problem IMO, not a personnel problem. We have a personnel problem in the defence.

I see where you are coming from and there is no doubt that having Laursen would dramatically help our cause because of how good he was. It`s just that be it personnel or tactical we didn`t have people running at our back four as we do now. I`m not sure whats changed because as you say Barry wasn`t the quickest either. Maybe it was his general quality and positional sense that use to help us out.

We did the hard bit by getting 2-0, I thought the team was excellent, then We should of made changes to kill the game.

Isn`t that what makes it more frustrating, we did the bloody hard bit.

cack.

Went in the Holte pub before and after and was looking forward to progressing to the group stage.

Arse.

Thought we played well enough to win.

Feck.

Should have played NRC though.

Bollox.

Got 2 pens and the ref was still shite.

Wank.

Got to hand it to the topless Hitler-Spawn, they didn't shut up from start to finish.

And Rob, thats one hell of a match summary if ever i`ve seen one!

Unless we're playing 4-5-1, which protects the defence more than a 4-4-2. I don't think Petrov is the problem. If we had Laursen, Petrov would not have to run as hard to get back and defend. He's better in the holding role of a three-man centre midfield, but he's not out-of-sorts in a 4-4-2. For me, once the defence is good enough, a 4-4-2 will work because the defence can afford to absorb more pressure. But right now, they cannot

I`m not too sure about this mate. Even the best defences in the world will struggle to keep clean sheets if they are constantly having players running directly at them from midfield. Certainly when then end up having free men to pass to as our cm can`t keep up or get back to make a tackle.

It's fustrating, I saw a contribution from Heskey tonight, he brought others into the game well and let Carew play on the last shoulder.

When I played football, a player we had upfront scored 6 goals but was one of our key assets and he completly reminds me of Heskey, he missed some chances yeah, but he was so key to the team and people don't see the contributions at times unless your playing with him.

I thought he was good tonight, HOWEVER he has been poor in many games for Villa.

I agree with this. Sadly and it has taken me some time to notice it properly but Petrov in a 4-4-2 is not working. He didn`t close down too well, didn`t burst forward and generally didn`t want the ball too much. I like him as a player and he does well in a central 3. He just can`t play in a 4-4-2, our cb`s were totally exposed after 60mins. They looked pretty solid up until that point. Maybe it wasn`t just Stan, but it has to play a part.

The team in general played well though, they good have just done with some help and fresh legs when Rapid started to push on. I`m not sure why NRC wasn`t used when we were 2-0 up tbh.

I Completely agree, I thought we were excellent, but as soon Rapid showed signs of coming into the matches, changes should of been made,

Exactly and as much as i like MON it worries me that he doesn`t do this. You can`t just let things go and hope its your team that scores next or that you get away with it.

Petrov didn't play too great tonight. But he I thought he had more to do tonight than against Liverpool. Had to go forward and help create as well as get back and defend.

Unfortunatly though thats what makes his legs go and we are pretty open when this happens. I know its easy to say now but surely brining NRC on to chase them down was the thing to do at 2-0

It's fustrating, I saw a contribution from Heskey tonight, he brought others into the game well and let Carew play on the last shoulder.

When I played football, a player we had upfront scored 6 goals but was one of our key assets and he completly reminds me of Heskey, he missed some chances yeah, but he was so key to the team and people don't see the contributions at times unless your playing with him.

I thought he was good tonight, HOWEVER he has been poor in many games for Villa.

I agree with this. Sadly and it has taken me some time to notice it properly but Petrov in a 4-4-2 is not working. He didn`t close down too well, didn`t burst forward and generally didn`t want the ball too much. I like him as a player and he does well in a central 3. He just can`t play in a 4-4-2, our cb`s were totally exposed after 60mins. They looked pretty solid up until that point. Maybe it wasn`t just Stan, but it has to play a part.

The team in general played well though, they good have just done with some help and fresh legs when Rapid started to push on. I`m not sure why NRC wasn`t used when we were 2-0 up tbh.

Well he did ok tonight he wasn`t the reason we lost. Sadly i have to agree that Stan in a 4-4-2 is killing us. He just hasn`t got the legs and didn`t really want the ball tonight. Delph was far more effective.

I put Disitn, i think he would add more right now.

Season ticket holder and go to a few away games. Damn the mortgage!

Got to be really after a performance like that, 4-5-1 that is!

I still say yes but we need to sort out a few issues shaprish

I thought he`d do well this year but he didn`t win many of his duels for headers yesterday which puts us under pressure.

Well i guess that shows you don`t always have to guess to save pens. He unsettled their players then

Did Guzab save it

Get in Brad

Guzan is doing well though, he`s been close to all but 1

Dickhead

What a pen!

There ripping into him here. Buffon is on the inside.

Comedy we don`t even play the full time now. Fergies watch haha

medium brad....

Our feet are also out running our brains!

The commentators actually know thre stuff, even if they do come out with moments of comedy!

Albrighton always puts in a good ball.