Keener window-cleaner

Fully agree that he looks smaller. Not sure he is too lightweight though, compare him to De Gea for example. The problem for me is that he is too cautious and careful, too nice perhaps. Allthough I in general don't like nasty players, in his case I'd like to see him shout and bark more and make it hurt for opponents who try to win the ball when he comes out for the ball in his area. Something like that to gain respect and build up some confidence. He still looks scared on the pitch. His shot stopping looks good and I think he is good with his feet, just learn to get the crosses and I think he can be ok.

I wonder how much we'd have to pay for him to sign him?

Where can I see/hear the interview?

Ok, next week it's 8 h every day working on crosses. Every minute, every day, day in day out, only crosses. Nothing else.

I think he had a decent game, but I'm not convinced that holding midfielder is a good role for him. It worked today against a bad team, but he is not a good enough passer and too reliant on his left foot to be the playmaker. He is also too slow and weak to do a job defensively. I'd say he best suited to be a substitute to Jack or McGinn in their roles.

A game we should have won regardless of manager, form, tactics or players we put out on the pitch. What pleases me so much is that we didn't switch of at any time, no more of the one good half one bad half. It was a steady stable win where we controled the game from start to finish. Didn't hit the heights that we knoe we can, but saw it out. Happy times!

I don't think he has been great in any way, but not that bad either. I think he has showed over the last games that he is an ok left back at this level. I actually think his passing is quite good and that he is contributing to the improvement in our passing play. At times where our other defender would have just koncked it away, he tries to find a pass and quite often succeeds with it.

Tuanzebe: "We're playing much better football and it's a style I enjoy – keeping the ball and trying to create something by playing from the back. We've adapted well so far." I wonder what the midfielders and forwards think about the style of play then! (https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-bruce-smith-tuanzebe-15344697)

It's based on the assumtion that Bolton wont have a singel shot at goal ?

I think we have seen steady improvement in our passing and playing pattern, we have created loads of half chances and quite many clear cut chances, but haven't had luck on our side. I think Friday will be the game where all falls in it's place and we will blow Bolton away, both in terms of play and goals. I'm going for 4-0!

My god, we have just totally bossed the opponents away from home, playing som really good stuff. The margins wasn't on our side and they were lucky to nick a goal. How on earth can you blame DS for a match like this?

Completely bossed the game away from home for the first time in a long while, our passing and movement is improving very much. Can't believe we lost that one, very undeserved. If we play like this the coming games we will win most of them.

I agree that he was one of the better players. I think we could see signs of us taking more risks in the passing in midfield, previously it was mostly a direct pass back to the defenders who knocked in in the channels. Yesterday we tried some more risky passes between the midfielders which I think is good, and I think that's part of why Whelan looked better. He is a decent passer and comes more to his right when he can have the ball and pass, rather than chase the ball and defend.

I thought they were better during that 20 min spell between their goals, of which one was an error. Over the whole game I thought we were better, hitting the post and having more half chances. Last 10 we pressed and showed urgency and with some luck could have scored.

Very poor, Kodjia did much more on the few minutes he was on...

We didn't play particularly well, but didn't derserve to lose. Thought we were slightly better. Passing not good enough and Nyland error again. Tuanzebe the biggest plus, motm for me.

Ah it's only on International plus, that's why I can't see it on AVTV, lucky you living in Albania...

They are making it hard for us with their press, I would want us to keep the ball more, but they wont let us and we revert to kicking long more than the last game. I think we have been the slightly better team, created more clear cut chances, but can go anyway. We feel unusually solid and calm at the back though!

I missed th build up to the game, where is Bolasie?

Yeah I know my bad, just couldn't resist ?

Same here, found another channel, still worrying!

Same here!!!!

Meanwhile in Monaco

I fully agree with all you have said in your post and I must say I'm very glad that you are back with your thoughtfull and sensible reflections. I'd like to highlight this part as it was something I was slightly worried about how he would handle, or what would be made of it by the press. The way he has gone on about it just confirms to me what a genuine and professional football man he is. As you say it could have been easy for him to win some easy points with this, but I noticed when he first was presented how he played it down and said something about his family perhaps being more emotional about it than he was. I first thought he played down his own emotions a little bit too much, almost as if I was disappointed that he didn't proclaim what a supporter of the club he is. When reflecting upon it, it's an act of class towards his old club as well. It is also very clever as he shows that he is here because he has earned it, not partly because he is a supporter. And it's reassuring to know that he first and foremost will make rational football coach decisions, and not emotional supporter decisions. He shows that he is here because he is the best man for the job, and I just love it. More so knowing that within he is a supporter who cares as much as we do, but who won't let that come in the way of his decisions.