srsmithusa

I can't believe that I agree with a post Fran Villa made about Houllier. Between that and the win today, I'm going to go party !!!!

General, I'm very serious. I work in higher education at a state university in Birmingham Alabama. I'll buy at Dreamland any time you can make it. Feel free to bring coach Goldfarb and Vinson with you. I've met them there for lunch before. Will you PM me to set a date?

I thought that today was his worst performance for us. As always, a few flashes of brilliant touch, vision, and anticipation. But not as many, and seemed a bit lost when we hadn't possession.

I thought Walker and Makoun both had their worst match for us. Whether any calls were right or wrong. We got a break that the goal wasn't allowed. We got a break that Bent wasn't called offside on his second. We got unlucky that the PK was awarded. I think it's the first time all year we got a more good luck than bad. Hope it's the beginning of a trend. Oh, and anyone that wants to blame this draw on Houllier, has much more agenda than rationale.

Where should I send my application?

General, I saw the local paper where you will be the new President of Birmingham Southern. It's a small school, but it has a huge academic reputation. I was more than a little shocked, but after thinking about it, Villa fans in Alabama are few and far between so, when you are next in town, I'll buy at Dreamland (Famous Bar-b-q place... not what it sounds like). I can also give you the run down on the local football scene, including the soccer programs at Southern. But since it's supposed to be a question... Can I come to your place on campus and watch Villa matches that aren't televised?

Actually, Salifou is so fast he was on both posts but moving so fast the camera couldn't capture his image... that's the reason it's blurry. Trust me, I just spent a three day holiday at a spa....in North Alabama.

Since you think very similarly to me, I can unequivocally state that you are brilliant.

Dodgy knees. I have stared at your avatar for some time now... and I must say, I'm pretty certain those are not knees. I think GH should stay for now, sign no-one until august when he sanctions bringing in a checkered player that doesn't want to be here in partial trade for our best player. Then, he should leave unannounced, in a snit, 5 days before the season, with the club still on an unsustainable wage bill. Oh, and take most of the coaching staff with him. That will set up the next guy for great success. Oh, and then have a caretaker who's a "nice guy" to make certain the players resent discipline when the new guy arrives. (I'm sorry, I know I'm not on the script here, but I couldn't help myself.)

I will grant that the manager needs to sort out our defending. (But the defending did not go bad after GH got here... Newcastle anyone?) Our defense made mistakes. (Baker was marking Cahill on both of Gary's goals. He deserves a little lenience being young and forced into action through injuries.) But please consider the defensive errors Bolton's "experienced pro's" made. Was it 5 blown offside traps that should have resulted in Bent one-on-one? Anyone notice the ridiculous marking on the one Bent tapped in? Watch the replay of Walker's build up to that goal. Two let walker go by, one let's the ball bounce, another lets Bent run right past him. Another stupid defensive play gave Downing a touch that was easier to score than to miss. An absurd lunge gave away a PK. (should have been in the book) My point is that the defense being slated here made errors, but Bolton's defense made more errors. Much worse because it was their first choice. The difference is that we were punished for the errors of kids. They were not punished for the errors of their first team.

I find that highly un-likely. There are handful here that will take a swipe at Houllier no matter what.

friedel walker dunne collins young/delph downing petrov coker albrighton young heskey Not necessarily what I would like.... but my best guess at what will be.

Let the hysterical overreactions begin. I'll check back here in a week or so when perhaps the rage has subsided enough that conversation is possible.

Friedel Walker – Collins – Dunne – Clark Bradley Albrighton – Makoun - Downing – Young Bent

Agree, which is the reason why I'd start a Midfield 3 of Makoun alongside one from: Petrov / Bradely / Reo Coker and one from: Delph / Downing / Bannan I second that line-up.

I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I think you are over-reaching just a tad.

This didn't take nearly as much time. I watched a replay of Aresenal Everton last night. Very fun match, very open, lot's of creativity. Arsenal seemed to flow well and Fabregas ran the show. I know, every match and every opponent is different, but since playing them in the same side on the same day against the same opponent isn't possible, you have to sacrifice some accuracy. So i just picked the most recent match i had seen for each. Fabregas vs. Everton. 60 passes 44 successful (41 from open play) 73.3% 16 unsuccessful 26.6% Makoun vs. Fulham. 73 passes 61 successful 83.5% 12 unsuccessfull 16.4% I really don't understand those that can't see he is class.

I'm not anti-Houllier. But neither am I anti-Petrov. Time will tell but I'm yet to be convinced that Makoun is any better than Bannan. In that case you should watch the last few games. Nothing more to be said. I've seen them, thanks for the advice. That's how I came to my opinion. Nothing more to be said. Ah, well. There was me thinking you hadn't. Easy mistake to make. Easy mistake to make.... that makes my day

The other solution, is for the intended recipient to move. If the opposition is overplaying the passing lane, the recipient should break toward goal and let Makoun hit the pass there instead.

IMO - if you can't see he's our best passer you're not watching. On the other hand, he was markedly less precise than he has been in the second half today. I'm wondering why. It could be tired, but I don't think so. I have the feeling that Fulham made an adjustment at half-time. But it wasn't marking Makoun, it was marking everyone around him more closely when he had the ball. Whatever happened, many of Makoun's passes started to get cut out, at the same time, more spaces began to develop. I found it interesting.

Not what I think we'll see... but what I think is our best 11 Friedel Cuellar - Collins - Dunne - Clark Albrighton – Bradley - Makoun - Young Heskey - Bent I wish GH would play it, just to prove me right

I didn't expect us to keep a clean sheet, but the way they were given up was disappointing. I called it on Makoun long before this one started. Within 3 weeks our top central mid will be Bradley and Makoun. Delph first alternate. Ashley Young needs to be moved to the wing and taken off free kicks, or else be sold.

Oh, that gave me an idea. How about a "Mak the knife" song?

I have had the very good fortune to be on the field with some players that played internationally for several different countries. The most amazing thing about the best of them was that they were always thinking 2-3 passes ahead. When the ball came toward them, they already knew their options and had already decided which one to take (often the second or third most obvious). They passed on target, effortlessly with one touch and moved to be an option for either a return or more amazingly to me, a second pass from a third teammate. Their vision and anticipation was amazing. Makoun showed that. I can't wait to see him settle into the team more.

I thought Makoun looked very neat, tidy, and efficient. He does not appear to be quite the boisterous tackler I expected, but he may be the attacking midfielder we've needed. The pitch was horrible. Clearly badly torn up in many places but terribly soft, and wet. Keeps the match from being fast, or neat, or technical. Running on a soft, wet field makes your legs heavy and tired and slow. I really think it's part of the reason we faded late in the match. The other reason we faded, was that our confidence is improved but very fragile after all the disappointments of the past few months.