srsmithusa

Our formation is very fluid. (As evidence by Dunne's goal) but it looks lke we're in something most resembling a 4-1-3-1 and running the show. One other note... no sign of changing to a drop back and defend approach. Although Downing looks like he may be getting a little tired.

Somebody whose a stat monster. How many goals and assists does Milner have since moving to the middle (agreed it's only one and a half games so far) I'll bet it's a record anyone would envy.

Goal to milner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

live chat on OS with commentary from the stadium say that Dunne just took a stroll forward, not a restart or set piece. Milner played him in to space in a lane on the right side. Total football anyone?

Well, it's no longer hypothetical. It's here. I'll enjoy everyminute of it. I'll root for the USA and gabby, milner, heskey, Ash, warnock, and downing. I'll hope for a usa win with a 6- 5 score line. Goals to gabby, milner, heskey, Ash, downing, for england and goals to donovan and 1 own goal by Barry, 1 own goal by Gerrard, and 3 own goals by Lampard. Simple!

Same team as Pompey except we swap the Brads. Petrov will start and finish the game as he should IMO. I don't think he gets "knackered" on 60. I think he drops back and sits deeper as instructed by the strategy to draw the other team to commit numbers into attack, so that the counter is more effective. We don't really sit back and defend. We adopt the goal of "bend but don't break" on defense to encourage the opponent to commit more bodies forward. Sorry to disagree with the prevailing anti-Petrovism, but that's my opinion.

We interrupt this lovers quarrel to discuss a football match between Aston Villa and Portsmouth, you may have heard about it. It was in three of the papers. The others were covering Manure.

I find myself wanting to complain about NRC's shot mostly because I wish those that see him as the savior would let it go.

A scrambling defense is always terrifying, but you gotta love it when it works. Cuellar is the man !

brilliant run from Luke and even better vision and pass from Petrov....

yeeeeeeeessssssss gabby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the "petrov in 4-4-2 = disaster" crew have become funny. They accuse MON of being "stubborn" but no matter what happens in any match they repeat the same mantra Pot - black ? We're 4th.

Just as frustrated as anyone else. However, I don't tend to gush with adoration of MON or someone that isn't playing. Neither to I tend to rage against MON or some that did play. I tend to wonder why an intelligent professional, who sees the players day in and day out in training, is making the decisions he's making? I don't assume that MON is an idiot (his track record and experience indicate he knows more than I do about this sport) I wonder what he's seeing in training that keeps Luke Young (and others) off the pitch. I think I can guess what he's seeing in Delph. Potential, but rash and therefore a risky liability. Needs to learn more discipline and composure first. I think I can guess what he's seeing in NRC. Works hard, but not "quick" and not good with possession. NRC's ideal spot is the one that Petrov is doing better. If I'm right about why we're not seeing NRC, he'll probably start on Saturday (Petrov suspended) I think I can guess what he's seeing in most of those he's not starting.... except Luke Young. Is he not fit? Is he mentally done? Is he a hindrance to the team spirit? Not accusing him or MON of being useless. Just wondering what's going on in that one, hoping someone on here has an idea. I don't buy the purely emotional rant that somebody is stupid and useless, or would be the instant saviour if only he got playing time. My experience is that life and sport are never that simple.

Friedel 5 - one disaster prevented what could have been a 9 - I might be hard on one mistake, but it's the nature of the position Cuellar 6 - Chelsea works the center and ignores the wings... not much to do Warnock 8 - Same as Cuellar but used the freedom to both attack and to cover into the center more Collins 9 - I really don't see how to separate the two, they complement and cover and have formed a tremendous partnership Dunn 9 - I really don't see how to separate the two, they complement and cover and have formed a tremendous partnership Milner 7 - Great work rate - great intelligence - sometimes he thinks faster than he plays so his pass would have been perfect a second earlier Young 6 - Not his best, but recently his defensive work has made up for being a bit off the mark with the ball.... two excellent corners Petrov 8 - Solid, got forward enough but stayed home when needed. He doesn't stand out to many becuase he doesn't do the flashy. He does the safe, the right, the smart. Does not hold the ball and get caught. He anticipated and wins the ball and plays it safely to a mate. Sidwell 7 - Much the same as Petrov really. Doesn't get headlines but that's largely because he's too smart to play much on the ball when the opponents like to flood the center mid. He doesn't anticipate as well as Petrov, but he makes up for it with better quickness. Carew 7 - Should have done better with the little flip from Milner in front of the goal but he worked held the ball well, kept the defense honest and worked back to help on defense often, especially at key moments. Agbonlahor 7 - Still getting better all the time. Kept Chelsea defenders at home should have been awarded a PK. Obviously good speed, good in holding possession. Would like to see him improve in traffic. He can disappear in a crowd. Best of the losers - Deco and Bosingwa

"Petrov - can he play in a 4-4-2?" I think ManC and Chelsky would say "yes." Case closed?

Friedel L. Young - Collins - Dunne - Warnock Milner - Petrov - Delph - A Young Sidwell Agbonlahor I think we'll do better this time with 4-5-1... not trying to teach NRC a lesson... I just don't think he's earned the start based on performances. I would rather have Delph's quickness.

does anyone have a clip of the penalty. Never get highlights in the states and my feed went out just in time to miss it.

granted, it didn't work, but despite the hysterics here, Heskey for Delph actually made some sense. Delph was on a yellow and has not shown the ability to hold up and be a bit safe in the challenge, so it avoided a possible send off. Samba moving forward had caused Warnock real problems on high balls so it added some height and strength on that side. We needed a goal so it created the option of 442 quickly converting to 433. Milner has proven he can be dangerous in the middle. Agreed, the middle becomes a little susceptible to attack, but Blackburn wasn't working the ball in from passes in the middle anyway. The sub had lots of good logic regardless of the outcome, which was admittedly very disappointing. But the sub was not our undoing.

I would play dunne and collins, let them continue their understanding of playing together. The faster they come to know each other instinctively, the better off we are. otherwise I would play nobody that started in the last three weeks. on the bench however, I would have friedel, Ash young, milner, carew, gabby. i'd let the fringe play, rest the starters, but keep the strongest bench possible in order to salvage the win if we're in trouble, late. but id don't think it's likely they'll be needed.

I noticed the passback immediately. Posted to the official web site, live discussion immediately, but they didn't publish it. Watching it on television in the U.S. I was also annoyed that the villa players didn't seem to think anything of it. My question is, all I could see was what the camera showed me. Did our players or manager do anything to "remind" any of the referee crew about this rule? I also posted another complaint about Atwell, but they didn't publish it either. Lesson: I like the new live discussion on the official site, but they won't let it become negative about anybody...

what explanation will the "a 4-4-2 will not work with Petrov in the side" crowd use for this one. I predict they'll pull out the "Portsmouth is very poor" excuse.

General, please address the on-line match coverage for those of us on another continent. I spent the entire match looking for a live feed. I would gladly pay an increased fee for AVTV if it could include the matches. Please. No video. Only stats. With all respect, Jack Woodward has the ability to talk for 90 minutes and mention the match action only a few times. It's half-time vs Bolton and I am so frustrated it's a struggle to keep this message respectful. Please. Give us video feed of the matches. Even if it's a delay. I'll gladly pay any reasonable increase in the fee for AVTV

General, I really want to order a home shirt with the name Krulak. I can pick a random number, but I would like it much better if you picked the number.

General, a post above gave me a great idea. Please have a shirt made with Krulak and your favorite number. I promise I will buy one. Please don't let the turkeys cause you to quit posting here. They don't have a clue. In fact, if I were you, I would respond to all ridiculous and offensive questions with a statement. "One of us doesn't have a clue." Please keep up the good work, tell MON and Randy to do the same, and let me know when the Krulak shirt is ready.

General, first complaint from me. From USA, AVTV is often the only way to get live coverage... The commentary is colorful, but not informative. There is a fascination with adjectives and not enough information about which player is doing what in which part of the pitch.