cicottrell

So who would play in the Sanchez position next weekend? If Westwood is not fit, it would mean playing Bacuna, Cole or N'Zogbia. This would disrupt a successful formation, as none of these of the same type of player. Could Delph drop back? or Richardson?

Frank De Boar would be my choice…. fantastic achievements at Ajax, understands how to manage injuries, world wide influence, great at bringing on potential in a young players, massively respected…. Granted he might think Villa was too small for him (and he'd be right), but hopefully Fox can persuade him it would be a great leg up for when the Liverpool or Arsenal jobs come up in the next couple of years...

I think our biggest problem is procession and movement. And scoring. And defending. We can't keep the ball, we don't move off the ball, we don't play high enough up the pitch and we don't track runners when the opposition attack. I can not think of a single thing we are good at. Not a single Villa player would be on any watch list of the top 15 in the premier league. They are all average Championship players. Remember the "you don't villa anything with Kids" game in 1995? Man U still had Parker, Irwin, Keane, McClair, Pallister and Schmeichel in that team. We have 27 year old Gabby as our senior man. Not the man to look up to is he?

Watched every game for the last month or so and this was obviously coming…. Bacuna is no right back (found myself even thinking about Hutton… OMG!). Westwoods set pieces were terrible. El Amhadi and Tonev invisible. Baker gives away too many fouls. Thought considering it was his first game for a year, Herd was great (relatively speaking obviously). Looked more solid than a Clark - Baker partnership. Tactically again were were clueless. Hoof ball to Benteke who can't control a hoof ball.

I'm not going to bed until I hear Lambert explain himself....

Was Randy there? Also, I only listened to the second half, but I've just read that Ireland was playing! I honestly don't think he was mentioned by 5 live once in the second half. As someone earlier said, to be fair, full backs apart, most of our best players are Lambert signings.

I've been away this week so have only seen the Chelsea and Liverpool games on Match of the Day but I'm very concerned about the form of Agbonlahor. He is our only fit experienced attacking player (maybe Ireland as well) but I can't remember his last good game. We need him to lead by example but it's not happening. I can forgive the kids for a poor run of form, but senior players like Gabby should be averaging much better.

interesting how lots of media/commentators were surprised with how much city celebrated the goal, given there was still half an hour left. Thats because they knew one goal would be enough. We never had any intention of scoring. City knew that, as did Man U, Liverpool, Spurs and even Swansea. In terms of performance we should have lost all those games 10-0. But why would the opposition waste energy battering us when they can jog about in 2nd gear and still win. We are so unimportant to them. 3 points, minimum effort and if we're lucky, the kit will still be clean enough for the next game without a wash. Dull.

Just seen the 'Eck interview on BBC website. Interviewer talking about his Blues connections as a reason the fans don't like him. When will the media realise its him and his 'tactics', not the blue connection. Want proof? Hands up who would gladly take Chris Hughton? Exactly. We all would. Maybe even Steve Bruce! ;-)

Yet Carlos is the man who missed Barry at the back post. Harsh. Collins followed the ball to the back post and left Lescott all on his own. Amateur.

Randy? 'Eck... although I'm not impressed with Falconer either. Got no issues with Randy...

I'm so angry. We either have no tactics or hoof it tactics. We need the midfield to put their foot on the ball and play it. Bannan, Ireland and N'Zogbia can do that. Petrov can't cope with any team that plays 3 in the middle, let alone the league leaders. I blame 'Eck 100%. He picks the team, he (presumably) sets them up to play a certain way. We play the wrong players in the wrong positions with the wrong tactics. I would love to manage the team. Petrov, Collins, Heskey, Warnock, Hutton, Dunne would be out on the streets within 5 minutes. They don't offer anything to the team, other than to bleed the accounts dry. If say, a Jose Mourinho team was 1-0 down, but on top 4 minutes into injury time.... would he have put Baker on, or would he have put Weimann or Bannan on. Sums 'Eck up perfectly. Don't lose, even at1-0 down in the 94th minute. Whats the worse that would have happened? 2-0? Shocker? or maybe an equaliser? Get Out Of My Club.

Absloutely this. I'm missing the excitement of last season'e relegation scare. Funny you should say that. If I'm correct we've played 24 games this season and got 28 points. Last season we had the exact same number of points after the same number of games. The only reason why we're not in a relegation battle (yet) is because the teams below us are poorer this season. The big difference however is that Houiller had a plan. He was building a team with a shape. AMcL doesn't seem to have a plan.... team selections, substitutions and formations might as well be plucked out of thin air....

Anyone got Houllier's number?

no fight, no talent. Its the older players who are letting the side down. Make me manager and Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Hutton, Petrov and Heskey will never play for the club again. I'd prefer young enthusiastic players like Lichaj, Baker, Gardener, Bannan and Clark. Mode the team around a core of potential then coach them properly. Add N'Zog, Ireland, Bent and Given and you get a starting point.