villan-scott

I've said it before to get the best out of Ireland he has to play behind Gabby for me, with Young and Albrighton on the flanks, Petrov and NRC holding!

This. So simple. But thus far Mac has refused to play it. Hopefully we can get a manager in that is capable of playing players to their strengths in their strongest positions, and can spot this glaringly obvious fact!!

If Ireland had played we wouldn't have beat everton

Only because of the way Mac would have set the team up, if Ireland had played more advanced where Young was playing and pushed Young out wide to where Downing was then we would have still won imo. Mac is too blind to see that Ireland and Petrov get overran, and without NRC in there yesterday Evertons midfield would have had more of a field day than they already did.

Ireland is the most gifted player we have along with Young, so we need to accomodate him further up the pitch, and let him combine with Young and Gabby in more dangerous areas to really damage opponents.

Fair enough. I'm sure we'll learn more tomorrow, hopefully it's nothing too serious ad he can be fit for the Stoke game.

At least with Houllier we couldn't complain about not scouring the European market, as I'm sure he would bring in a fair few obscure signings from the netheregions of the European leagues, like Cheyrou and Le Tallec, or maybe Djimi Traore?

He looks out for a few months too me!

By the expression on his face? Not the greatest judge of an injury by all accounts. Mac said he had a tight hamstring, and having scans in the morning and we will know more then.

Please not Brown! He was very quiet and sheepish on the matter and had a broad grin on his face. Can't see it myself!

To be fair Keane did well at Sunderland, and he's the reason they're back in the Prem, and Ipswich have started well this season now he's got his stamp on them and it's his squad. Wouldn't be the end of the world imo.

Just posted this over on the Mac thread....

How would we feel if they appointed Mac in the morning, and he signed 2 quality players that we needed, or we bided our time for a week and employed a top candidate but obviously couldn't sign anybody until January? I would be inclined to wait for the right man and January.

Figured it may get more discussion in here.

It will be an interesting week or 10 days or so IMO. Basically we still have no real idea who it will be, and that is fair enough as the board don't want to put all their eggs in one basket. Would really like Ranieri to be honest, this international break is ideal as currently employed managers will be easier to meet and talk to, and interview for the job. I have a feeling we might be pleasantly suprised by the appointment, and RL and PF will get the right man for Villa.

I think we can rule Bradley, Koeman and Kilnsmann out then. That leaves Houllier, Sven, or an ambitious Jol maybe. Ohh i'm excited now, I would imagine SSN and other media will pick up on who is being interviewed this week and we will learn a little more.

K Mac said on BBC that he's recommended 1 or 2 players to the board etc.

Did he say this today after the match?

Yes.

I like the sound of this to be fair. I hope they're good recommendations and the board take him up on them, I would like one more new signing before Tuesday, even a loan.

How the hell did we win that?! It's goals that count though! Epic defensive performance! How we've missed Collins, my MOTM for steadying the ship after some woeful defensive displays. I don't think Cuellar would have got us that goal some how. Monumental effort from everybody, they left everything out there on that pitch. I love Ireland, but had Mac set us up as he was going to with Ireland in there I think we may have lost. Mac needs to learn how to play our players in their best positions if he keeps the job. Fantastic win!

Keith Harris the dude speculated to be something to do with the Liverplop takeover? Looks a lot like him. I remember this with Steve Strides Huntelaar look-a-like son!!

1-0 HT can't complain. Dunney looks to be struggling with an injury, possibly Cuellar to come on for him as his lack of mobility may cost us. Bring Gabby on for last 35 mins to give their defence something to think about. Been impressed by Petrov, NRC and L. Young today. C'mon boys!!

Collins playing very well

Great to have him back. A monster in the air. Needed him against Carroll!

**** referee's!! Such shit!

Still shaky at the back. Close by Pienaar. Just need to keep it tight and not give stupid goals and free kicks away.

I think we will turn a corner today! Our main problem has been our defence, and with the return of Collins next to Dunne at the heart of our defence should sort this, as long as Mac isn't too blind to see Young in the hole and Ireland deeper isn't working and to stick Young back out wide and push Ireland further up, and bring NRC for his energy and running to cover the hole that Cahill and Arteta operate in. I'm saying 2-1 Villa, I really think that we can't get any worse than we have been.

He was definitely too deep! KM needs to stop bowing down to Young and stop playing him centrally, it is hindering our whole team and shape. It leads to the whole set-up being unnatural and unbalanced. It's so simple to see, and so frustrating!! Push Ireland up into the hole and Young back out wide to get at full backs! With NRC and Petrov deeper!

I think he was a class above last night, until he tired a little but like you say he does need games. He is composed, skillful, and has a great eye for a pass. He definitely puts a shift in as well, he covered a lot of ground and tracked back well, and put in some good tackles and interceptions. Once all the shit settles down and we have a new manager I can see him and Young scaring the life out of opponents.

I think Randy is holding out for Jol, and that could explain why it is taking so long. Perhaps Ajax's result tonight could have a bearing on that, who knows... I just can't wait for this to be resolved so we know where we stand and can set our hopes for the season, and we know what to expect.

A stepping stone to where then? I mean as he is already at Real Madrid where would he go to?

Well it hasn't worked out for him at Madrid, as has happened with many quality players in the past. He would look for a move to us to play reguarly and prove he has still got the talent, which I'm not doubting, or infact stating I don't want at Villa, but once he plays well for us and the bigger Champions League teams or richer teams (Man City) come sniffing he would be up and off again.

In response to where, there are plenty of answers to that question. A move to Italy perhaps? Or Bayern in Germany? 2 leagues he hasn't been to yet. Or maybe even City if they decide they need even more centre midfielders. There are plenty of possibilities for him to use us as a 'stepping stone'. I might add though, as others have stated, I dont have a problem as long as he gives us quality service and effort. Not that all this matters as we won't sign him

There is a reason he's been at so many clubs already.

This. I'm sure we would be seen as just a 'stepping stone' for him. Good player though.

Diarra would be using us as a stepping stone?

Yes. Because he seems to be that arrogant. And that is the terminology he has previously used in one of his many moves. He would stick around for a season or 2 then want to move once proving himself back to a Champions League team, all imo.

There is a reason he's been at so many clubs already.

This. I'm sure we would be seen as just a 'stepping stone' for him. Good player though.

Having had almost a day to reflect and a very very long journey home yesterday I have come to the conclusion we were shite. Mac failed in gee-ing up the players prior to the game, we knew Newcastle wanted our blood for the manner in which they got sent down and we took the piss. They wanted revenge and revenge is what they got. They do say it's a dish best served cold, and I'm sure it tasted very sweet for Newcastle yesterday.

We didn't help our cause by starting a midfield 2 of Petrov and Ireland against the animals that are Nolan, Smith, and Barton, had disaster written all over it, Young was playing as a striker and too far up leaving us exposed in the middle, but he was the only one to shhow any desire so credit to him for that. Ireland did well for me, covered a lot of ground, and did too much of Petrovs work for him, and he was also way way too deep for me, and that again is Mac's doing, but we can't expect miracles from Ireland when Petrov was such a passenger. Ireland put some good tackles in, some nice passes, and a lot of hard work was put in by him, so I saw enough to make me believe he will be a great addition based on yesterday.

The defence was shambolic. Carroll bullied us, and for me got into Dunnes head, and Dunne seemed suprisingly overawed by the task of handling Carroll, and when your defensive leader is all at sea the rest of your defence knows this and is adversely affected as we saw yesterday. Clarke didn't have his stalwart next to him and in turn it ruined his game, and both of the full backs games. Dunne is an awesome defender, but yesterday he seemed scared of Carroll and his presence, which is the first time I have ever seen Dunney intimidated by a forward.

Going forward our wingers and Carew were abysmal. That penalty summed up his game. Mainly Carew who was given the task of holding the ball up to build our attacks, and he did not do this once. He lacked mobility, drive, and the quality yesterday. Therefore all our attacks had broken down before they started. Downing did nothing for me, not helped by the lack of forward play by Carew, but he did little when he had the ball. Albrighton was full of running and drive, and showed a lot of effort also, but a tired young kid against an experienced Jose Enrique led to him providing nothing for us, not his fault.

And as for Friedal, diabolical. Should have done better for Barton's 'wonder' strike, and was atrocious when he pushed Nolan's soft header right back into.... that's right, Nolan's path, and it was uphill from there.

Well it's done now. We have a game Thursday to take this out of our minds, hopefully yesterday was a one off, and we are at the races next week against Everton or we could be embarressed again.