John Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Karen Brady, David Sullivan, David Gold, Jasper Carrot, Ralph Gold, Trevor Francis, Joe Gallagher, Bob Hatton, Robert Hopkins, Noel Blake, Paul Tait, Barry Fry, Robbie Savage, Alberto Tarantini, Bill Howell…your boys took a hell of a beating! McLeish had claimed that this would not be a repeat of the Glasgow derby and that Martin’s better record in those games was due to his having the superior side then – No change there then Alex! That coach trip from Aston to Small Heath must have seemed like an eternity for those Noses who managed to last the full 90 minutes (yes we noticed those of you who began skulking out after the third). You always remember these sorts of local derby defeats. I still recall seeing us lose 4-2 to the same opposition back in 1967 and no doubt there will be a young blue nose or three who will recall this game with a similar shudder some 40 years on in much the same way as I still do that one. But, this game brought us 5 goals to add to the 4 and 6 we had scored in our previous two games. But there was to be no clean sheet this time and on the down side we really need to look at our tendency to take our foot of the pedal when we go 4 ahead! This was our biggest league win against our nearest neighbours since we beat them 6-2 at Villa Park in 1960 and this defeat will have Everton looking over their shoulders and Small Heath doubting their ability to get the 4 points from their next 3 games that they are likely to need to be playing us again in the league next season. But after 3-1 last year and 5-1 this and our now 6-game unbeaten league run against them possibly relegation would save them from further embarrassment! My player ratings from a game that will have led to dancing in the streets of Bolton and Reading as well as the moth balling of many a Penguin top are: Scott Carson - 6 – Solid enough when tested and showed no sign of contributing to the catalogue of goalkeeping disasters that our keepers have been prone to against this opposition in the past. Olof Mellberg – 7 – He enjoyed this victory against our neighbours and deserved his warm ovation when making room for Marlon with the game well won. Zat Knight – 7 – A solid display that will have meant a lot to him. Martin Laursen – 8 – Caused Agent Ridgewell a lot of concern from dead ball situations in their box and kept things tight in our own. Wilfred Bouma – 7 – As solid and dependable as we have come to expect. Stiliyan Petrov – 8 – Another very encouraging performance. He ran the show with Barry, particularly in the first half. Nigel Reo Coker – 8 – Won everything that was there to win and some things that were not. Gave 110% and a bit more yesterday. Gareth Barry – 9 – Hit a measured shot that Taylor did very well to push out for a corner on 37 minutes and then his strong run into the box set up Big John for our third on 53 minutes. This was the sort of strong midfield display that wins games and attracts unwanted suitors. Ashley Young – 9 – MOTM – A tremendous strike on 28 minutes opened the scoring and gave us the vital opening goal. Ashley then played a lovely one two off Taylor’s legs for our fourth on 63 minutes. He is relishing his new wild rover role and the watching Fabio must have been suitably impressed. John Carew – 9 – Nodded a corner just wide on 8 minutes and then leapt like a salmon to nod the ball past the despairing reach of Taylor for our second on 42 minutes. An old fashioned centre forward who is strong in the air and who brushes defenders aside like children when making his forceful speedy forward runs. Gabriel Agbonlahor – 7 – Left Taylor wrong footed when he struck our fifth on 77 minutes. Substitutes: Marlon Harewood – Replaced Olof on 85 minutes. Not on long enough to be fed or to score or to earn a rating. Replacing a defender with a forward with 5 already scored says a lot about or approach to yesterday’s game. Up the Villa and now for that 6-pointer at Everton! John Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 how could you not give young and carew 10 out 10!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 how could you not give young and carew 10 out 10!!! It was difficult not to Demitri, perhaps a hit-trick each would have swung it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted April 21, 2008 Moderator Share Posted April 21, 2008 Gabby is lucky he scored, because he did precious little else on the day. In a 5-1 win a striker was probably our weakest player. Not that it matters in the grand scheme though The rest of the team were irresistible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 In a 5-1 win a striker was probably our weakest player Agree 100% BOF. I doubt he did anything to impress Fabio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted April 21, 2008 Moderator Share Posted April 21, 2008 we really need to look at our tendency to take our foot of the pedal when we go 4 ahead! Brilliant comment. It's just not good enough is it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMFy Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I know there's been a lot of talk over the last few months about SHA with Carson Yeung and a takeover by a new owner. They all thought it had fallen through. After yesterday, we OWN them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonevilla Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Barry was majestic - he must stay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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