rubberman

Yes - I agree.  That's why 'not passing' was in ' '  - it seems to be a common complaint in this thread, but I don't think he's been given enough time.  Hard to say whether he'd ready to start or not, but I'd certainly like to see more of him at either end of a game.

I think part of the reason for his 'not passing' is that he's been desperate to show what he can do in such limited time.  Give him a bit longer - for me that's coming on round about an hour gone when people are tiring - and I think / hope he'd be more inclined to show an all round game.  See the change in Ayew over a couple of weeks.  Adama's looked such a perfect super-sub option it's been disappointing not to see more of him. 

rubberman
Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle
Leicester 2-0 Watford
ManUtd 1-0 WestBrom
Norwich 0-1 Swansea
Sunderland 0-2 Southampton
WestHam 1-1 Everton
Stoke 0-0 Chelsea
Villa 1-2 ManCity
Arsenal 2-2 Spurs
Liverpool 1-1 Palace

http://pastebin.com/cRiqSN6V

Yes - I agree with you there. 

The problem isn't that is was so much worse than Sherwood.  The problem was that it was the same as Sherwood.  A team proven not to work.  A team that, apart from Lescott, was only good enough to be relegated last season (if not saved by Benteke).  The problem was not choosing any of the players we spent £50m on.  When they did belatedly get on, we started to play so much better.

When the team was announced everyone on here could see that it was not good enough.  The pundits were laughing at it.  I know he had to step in and was only warming the seat for Remi, but if you know for a fact that a particular group of players has failed repeatedly, why not chance your arm and try something more progressive.  Don't go down the same road as the manager who has just been sacked.  I don't think there's any big conspiracy, but I do think it's bloody stupid.

That's the side I'd like to see (though not fussed if Clark is swapped for Okore).  And as AshVilla suggested I'd have Sanchez man-marking DeBruyne.  Bring on Adama for 30mins if (when) we're behind and I suppose Westwood when Sanchez starts flagging.

I thought Senderos did a pretty good job for us.  Would be good to get back in as a back up.

I agree, though it does seems ridiculous that we've had pre-season then a mini-pre-season and STILL they aren't fit enough.  How can that be?  We really are in a right state.

There's only Richards and Guzan as options for now - first choice, experienced etc.  I'd stick with Richards. (and make him learn french).

(Just checking back at premier league appearances across the squad and it's complete lolz.)

Proper team.  Proper positions.  Proper subs.  A battling 1-2 loss.

I hope this is the case 12 days down the line.

This is exactly why we're bottom.  Tim and K-Mac didn't know their managerial arse from their elbow.

...let's hope not, eh?

I can't wait to see his first team.  

Agree with all that as well.  Apart from the fact I think the selection was not for Tim necessarily, but as a result of Tim and Wilkins banging on about the new players not having the stomach for the position we're in.

Whatever they see on the training ground - last night's starting team has already proven itself to be relegation fodder last year so there is no point in ever playing it again.  They WILL be relegated so we have to play the new players, whatever the outcome. It is crystal clear to anyone with half a brain.

£1m flushed down the bog.

If Garde puts a sensible team out to start with, that will be a step in the right direction.

Taking £50m worth of players and benching or dropping them from the squad entirely is not likely to help our position.

We just escaped relegation last year and lost 3 of our best players from that team as everyone knows well.  To then play that exact same team and expect us to win is absolutely mental.  Whether the new players are up to it or not, we know for an established fact that the leftover ones aren't good enough on their own.  There is no point in playing that side - just beyond belief.

Having thought about it overnight, I don't think it was some kind of point-proving conspiracy.  I just think K-Mac is a bit thick and/or out of touch with the first team and has been listening to Sherwood & Wilkins saying the new players aren't good enough for a relegation fight. Sherwood would have been picked that team as well.

Still depressing and does make me wonder what he's coaching into the youth.

I was excited this afternoon and thought another loss wouldn't phase me. It didn't really.  What really has boiled my piss is that team selection.  There is no way anyone can say that's our best side. It has been picked to make some sort of point and they are **** with our club to score points. 

Not acceptable.  Kevin should be shown the door immediately - that was disgusting.  There really is something rotton in the club  if this can go on.  Randy watching that would see £50m chucked down the shitter

The only tiny glimmer of hope is that it shows remi who not to ever pick again. 

Awful night. 

Quite literally the last side I would have picked.  Randy will be thinking he could have trousered £50m in the summer and be in the same position. 

I actually can't believe it. Surely a spoof. 

I'm excited.  (Even after tonight's next loss).

Hooray for Remi's claret and his blue army.

Spelling the hash tag wrong - That is so embarrassing.  Amateur hour.

I'm certainly not wildly optimistic about the rest of the season - what Villa fan could be.  However I do feel that our results have been worse than the performances merit.  We've been hamstrung by individual errors on the one hand and managerial weakness on the other (the former no doubt made worse by the latter).  I know it's all ifs,buts and maybes...but I take a small measure of optimism from Leicester last year - they were playing better than their results and eventually things turned round.  If we start playing in the same way but cut out the mistakes we'll pick up draws from losses, and the odd win.  If we start to play to potential, I can see enough wins from what we have left.

My glass is half full (and probably rose-tinted too), but I'd rather be us than Bournemouth or Sunderland right now, which just leaves one of Norwich and Newcastle to get ahead of and just about enough time to do it.

But...a win tonight would mean there is bugger all between the bottom 5 and we would have the best goal difference.  Assuming Chelsea will disappear up at some point, I'd also expect at least one other to be dragged into the mix by Jan.  You're right that we will have to put together a run of wins at some point - from mid Dec to the end of Feb looks very possible.  Staying in touch over the next month is the main problem for me.