FLVillan

My take on what I've seen so far under Gerrard is that when we're good, we're very good.  Conversely, when we're bad it's painful to watch.  If he can get the squad balance right and bring in 2/3 more high-quality players then the very good should start to outweigh the bad.  I like the fact that he is clear in saying he knows what he wants from the team and won't be happy until he's turned around the mentality.  I'm sure this squad have driven him bonkers at times since he's come in.  I hope he's up to the job.  I think he is, but only time will tell... 

Brilliant performance in the first 70-odd minutes.  The Coutinho/Buendia substitutions were understandable given the fact that they had both run themselves into the ground.  After going 2-0, it was probably too soon to make the first change, as Coutinho would have been buzzing from his goal and could have gone another ten minutes on pure adrenaline.  Rodri's goal was a direct result of that change in shape by us, as he was getting forward more, knowing he didn't have to keep an eye on Coutinho anymore.  The half-time change from Citeh, then the introduction of Gundogan completely changed the dynamic on that side of the pitch (our right) and Cash/McGinn/Buendia weren't coping, especially after Gundogan came on.  The substitutions changed the game completely - Sterling with an assist, Gundogan with two goals and Rodri exploiting space that Coutinho vacated.

What if:  Martinez had been fit?  He would have probably saved the second goal and certainly got across quicker on the third.

What if: Michael Oliver had been an impartial official?  Fernandinho's foul on Watkins would have been a free-kick and red card.  Rodri's shove into the back of Watkins would have been a penalty.  96 minutes would have been played after TWO Citeh players went down injured after 90 minutes for at least two minutes. 

What if: We had a pair of 50+ cap international attacking players to come off our bench? 

8 hours ago, TheAuthority said:

Arlo White on NBC just said, "For the last time this season in a few moments it will be the famous You'll Never Walk Alone song from the Liverpool fans - you won't want to miss that."

NBC sports is about is good as NBC news.  When they first started covering the premier league Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Earle were well-respected.  Now their bias towards the "big six" is beyond pathetic. Earle especially is really disappointing - I used to really enjoy his commentary....

31 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

I would have Tielemans all day as an 8 over McGinn. Bruno Guimaraes already shown in a few months he's a more effective 8 aswell so he'll be in that sort of team next season. Ward Prowse pretty unlucky not to make that team aswell based on whatever metrics were used.

Got a mate who's a Leicester season ticket holder.  He said he'd have McGinn over Tielemans all day.  Says Tielemans goes missing every match, but scores the odd long range goal and all of a sudden people think he's great. 

30 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

If ever there was a game you didn't want your number 1 keeper out to try and keep it respectable.

It's this one ffs.

May 1982?  

21 minutes ago, icouldtelltheworld said:

Something in this IMO, looks much more comfortable next to Chambers, could be a good partnership forming there.

I think it might partly be that Chambers is better on the ball than Konsa, which takes pressure off Mings. My old man pointed out against Palace that Emi looked to play the ball out short to Mings on his left every time he got it, until Chambers came on and he started to go to his right as well

It probably relieves some of the pressure on Mings having Chambers alongside him.  Chambers is more vocal, better on the ball and vastly more experienced than Ezri (not as quick or mobile though).  

The block from Weghorst was as good as Pope's save from Traore.  

1 minute ago, will87 said:

He's getting way more game time than he's ready for imo, needs a season or two on loan. It feels like this is Gerrard trying to appease him so he'll sign a contract, but if playing regular Premier League football at 18 is a condition of him signing the contract then that is ridiculous. I'd have much rather seen what Sanson could do over the last few months, instead we'll now likely lose him in the summer.

It could also have been a case of "here you go son, here's your chance to prove to me that you're worth a stupid-money contract."  

Getting substituted ten minutes into the second half wasn't a good sign that he proved anything to the manager...

6 minutes ago, Tom13 said:

I'm trying to like Gerrard.

In some interviews he's likeable, but some I don't like how he comes across. Gives off a vibe that he really hasn't got much patience with certain players.

I think that last sentence is accurate.  I think he has seen a mentality with some of the players he's inherited that he doesn't like.  Like him or not, he's a born winner and I can't imagine he has patience with players who don't have a winning mentality.... He's seen enough of them all now, on a day-to-day basis and in matches.  A player being "nice and honest" is not often one that is a win-at-all-costs personality.  I know which ones I'd rather have. 

O'Leary used to get pelters for always referring to the players as an "honest bunch of lads" which was code for "they ain't good enough."  

I've watched this lad a few times now, both in the first team and for the kids.  You can see he's technically gifted, but beyond that I'm not sure where the hype is coming from.  He seems to stroll around the park without much purpose most of the time.  Tonight, quite a few times I saw him just standing with his back to the game while we were trying to pass it from front to back.  Just didn't look like he even wanted to get on the ball.  Doesn't seem to exert himself enough for me.  Maybe that's just body language, I don't know, but at his age you really need to be very special to make an impact in top flight football.  I just don't see it.  Hope he can prove himself here, but all the stalling on signing a new contract doesn't seem worth the effort.  He'll not go anywhere at an equivalent level and pull up any trees.... 

21 minutes ago, chappy said:

Voted McGinn MOTM, manager average and ref good. Pope was the best player on the pitch and won them a point. Loved seeing Bertie get minutes.

Game was absolutely ruined for me though by an unsavoury incident on the train out to the ground (I was on my own). Few blokes being (imo) threatening/inappropriate to a couple of women and making a load of sexist remarks to them and other women on the platform. I called one out on it. Then our team was released and they were all mispronouncing Chukwuemeka (deliberately, again imo), one of them said who cares how you say his name. I called him out on this.  Maybe I should’ve kept my mouth shut both times but don't want to condone casual sexism or racism and hate to see it from villa fans. Two of them squared up to me, backed me into a corner up against the train door, offering me out at Witton, despite me repeatedly saying I wasn’t looking for trouble. They wouldn’t stop and when we got to Aston they said words to the effect of you’d better get off here. Pretty scary to be honest! Would like to thank the two lads that walked with me from Aston station to the ground if they’re on here! Just makes me sick to think we have ‘fans’ like that. Glad of the break til August now tbh.

Sad people with sad lives and probably too much booze.  Thankfully these types are more rare nowadays... Glad you made it out safe... 

16 minutes ago, Tom13 said:

I don't know a load about Ron Saunders, but the bits I've seen of him, he oozed calm confidence. Didn't want to please or live up to anyone, just focused on his squad. Get many SAF vibes from him.

A single-minded man who knew what we wanted.  Wasn't afraid to make big decisions (selling John Gidman and Andy Gray for example) and emphasized fitness, hard work and team shape.  He didn't want superstars, he wanted hard-working footballers.  When he bought Peter Withe as Gray's replacement nobody saw it as a good signing - but he was 100% correct that Withe was the final piece of the jigsaw - perfect target man and foil for the nippy Gary Shaw.  He was brilliant with the media (stone faced and never got emotional - Bill Belichick is his modern equivalent).  Only Ferguson since has run a club the same way as Ron ran the Villa and Clough ran Forest.  

13 hours ago, sheepyvillian said:

Ivor Linton, I remember him playing in one of the early rounds and performed quite well if I remember. 

Decent utility player.  Played in midfield a few times as well as coming in for Kenny Swain at right back occasionally.  

On 14/05/2022 at 02:11, delboy54 said:

No Jimmy Rimmer ????

One of our best keepers ever, I wonder why he is not going to be there? He did his part in getting to the final as well as the few mins he played in the final.

So looking forward to seeing the team of 1981/82 again.....the team I grew up with in my early 20's.....I might have something in my eye when they do their lap of honour

No Tony Morley either.... Hope they're both in good health.... 

1 hour ago, sidcow said:

I'm not sure about Irn Bru. 

I hear he's got a bit of a Coke problem. 

Yeah, but Dr Pepper will sort that out.... 

1 hour ago, Johnnyp said:

I remember Tim Vickery, the Brazilian based English journalist saying when he was asked about Coutinho as regards his personality etc, in January when we signed him on loan, he said he’s “ painfully shy “ He did look a bit uncomfortable at the award thing tonight, happy , but you can tell it’s not his scene. The drop in wages might be an indicator of what the guy values. I think it’s very important to him whether it’s football, socially - to be in an environment where he is happy. He loves it here i think and he may well be privy to what’s coming down the tracks as regards signings, that pushed his deal over the line. 

Yes, he's very much a family man and just wants to play football.  That's why he wouldn't have been swayed by the nightlife aspects of Lahndan or Mancland. And let's face it, even if he has taken a massive pay cut, he is still wealthier than he could ever have imagined.  My guess is that he won't be blowing all his wealth either.  

56 minutes ago, Mantis said:

A personality like that is infinitely preferable to someone like Grealish if I'm honest. I doubt Phil will be going out getting pissed and crashing cars.

From signing an ageing Glenn Whelan to prime Coutinho in 5 years - we've certainly come a long way.

Although we could have used a prime Glen Whelan at times this season.... 

Getting Coutinho on a permanent deal is an absolute no-brainer for the club.  Not only is a he world-class, but the statement it sends is massive.  Potential new signings, the existing players, the fanbase, the media will all immediately see Villa at another level in terms of the type of players we can and will attract to the club.  No more of this "let's see what bargains we can get and hopefully develop" as the primary transfer policy.

Yes, Coutinho can be inconsistent, he can be quiet in games.  He was the same way at the Dippers.  But he produced/produces enough quality over the longer term that offsets his quieter games/moments.  He is a creative player, and sometimes teams will set up purely to stop the ball getting to him.  It is up to the staff to surround him with enough quality to ensure him being double-marked is not an effective tactic.  At the dippers he had players like Gerrard, Suarez who were also match winners, so stopping him only gave more space for others. 

3 hours ago, duke313 said:

Well he's a defender, where do you want him to be?

Holding a clear line (so as not to play everyone onside), attacking the ball when it's there to be won, getting close to opponents who have the ball, stepping up and blocking shots and crosses, not blocking the goalkeeper's view by falling back when an opponent is about to shoot, getting tight to an opponent who has his back to goal to prevent him from turning.... 

He's great when everything is in front of him and 25+ yards from our goal, but once he gets turned around or is faced with 1v1 situations he is nowhere near at an elite level.  He's not a sweeper, he's a centre-back.  Big difference. 

2 hours ago, MikeMcKenna said:

Don’t know if anyone else noticed but in the first half Gerrard had a massive go at Mings. We had a freekick just inside our half, which Mings passed side/backwards. Gerrard went ballistic at him for not playing forward. A few minutes later when play stopped for an injury, Mings went straight to Gerrard and appeared to be saying whats the problem and ‘having words’?

In view of the fact that Gerrard publicly raised the question of who should be captain next year, I don’t think he rates Mings and that he will move him on in the summer.

I think it would be a massive statement of intent if he does move him on.  For me he's just doesn't have a proper defenders instinct.  Spends too much time standing off and dropping deep.  Yes, he's vocal, but there's more to defending than organizing and barking orders when the game is in front of you.  

12 minutes ago, AVTuco said:

His mistake was terrible, and negates his goal more or less. I agree he was very good when Nakamba was on.

He was at fault - It was a sloppy pass for sure, but we still had plenty of men behind the ball and Mings should have done a much better job in closing down the crosser and at least make an attempt to block the cross, of which he did neither.  Basic fundamentals of defending - get close enough to the player on the ball to prevent him from looking up and picking his pass/shot.  Block shots/block crosses.  Then Digne/Konsa leaving Mane unmarked in the box was the final nail.  That second goal wasn't just about the sloppy pass by Luiz. All around poor defending. 

9 minutes ago, AvonVillain said:

DG grabbed the ball before the whistle went, which you can't do. So it was handball.

Well generally when your opponent has raked his studs down your shin and stamped on your foot, from behind, with the referee five yards away and you fall to the floor a free-kick is the outcome.  Stevie Wonder would have given a free-kick to Dougie. 

3 hours ago, TheMelvillan said:

Before we make konsa enemy no.1 let's just remember he has been excellent for 90% of his time with us and that this is his first real bad patch

He had a decent game tonight.  But apparently there are some who have just decided he's crap now..... I don't understand how he could be singled out for criticism tonight after the defensive display from Mings..... 

5 hours ago, flashingqwerty said:

Mings has so many lapses though.

Even tonight loads of his "clearances" never found touch, he tripped over his own feet multiple times, hospital passes to his teammates, was often 10 yards deeper than the rest of the team, etc.

Hes supposed to be the leader marshalling that defence but half the time it's in disarray.

Glad I'm not the only one who sees it.  Couple of people actually said Konsa was poor tonight, which couldn't be further from the truth.  I thought he had a good game.  But Mings was culpable on both their goals.  The first, who knows what he was trying to do as it fell to his feet.  Control it?  The ball should have gone fifty yards up the pitch or into Row Z of the Trinity.  On the second, Luiz gave it away but then, as usual, Mings didn't close down the attacker properly and gave him the extra yard of space he needed to look up and pick a cross.  No attempt to block it either.  He's just not got a proper defender's instinct.  Time and time again he gives opponents too much time and space.  And this habit of dropping 5-10 yards behind everyone else is suicidal.  I get the fact that he's "vocal" but he's only any good as a defender when the game is in front of him and there's no 1v1 pressure.