God, yes, that game really annoyed me.
After a very competent start, that saw us take a lead I never really expected beforehand, it was satisfying to go in at half time with a 1-0 lead.
But it didn’t last long did it?
For whatever reason, we seemed to roll over yet again under seemingly not much pressure.
Don’t get me wrong, Norwich aren’t a bad side at all, but did they really look like league winners?
I seriously doubt it.
Looking at the major positive and my opinion says Dean Smith will have learnt a lot about quite a few of his players tonight.
First and I’m sorry to say it, is that Taylor is utter rubbish at Left back.
For me, he can’t defend, can’t cross and has little positional sense.
I’ve seen the argument that he needs time, but for me, no way.
We massively need a proper replacement if we’re to truly balance the defence.
I’d be looking at our reserves before him.
El Ghazi is a total fanny, that shies away from any decent tackle or treatment.
Don’t get me wrong, I like him, but he seriously needs to “man up” if he wants to remain a Villa player.
Hourihane?
I’m always reticent to slate him, in case he’s a “Frank Carrodus type” that I’m quite simply just not seeing.
The trouble is, I don’t see anything at all, apart from his set pieces.
Maybe someone can tell me what he does?
Grealish needs dropping, for me.
As much as he looks tasty, he offered nothing whatsoever, apart from quick feet, that do nothing.
Like an Ashley Young, if you like, but with no product whatsoever.
His frees were mostly abysmal, even when he won them.
We bought Hogan on.
Why?
Did he kick the ball more than once?
That’s not a criticism, by the way, as I’d have given him a coat of looking at too, if I was Smith.
But if Bruce had done it, what would we have thought?
So what’s my point?
Well I’m always gutted when we lose a game after taking the lead. It’s the way of things.
But more importantly, Smith will have seen a lot tonight.
We’ve too many fannies, that don’t look like they’re willing to roll their socks up against decidedly average teams.
Or perhaps more importantly, for whatever reason, just can’t keep it up.
I’ll bet money that this will change.
If you can’t play two halves of a game, you’re going to be gone, no matter how big your name is.
And it’s exactly what’s needed.
As the club was so near and the money has become available. The manager
should have paid Terry over the odds to play one more season and try to recover as much as was possible of the last seasons playing staff who did well.
Sorry chaps, no time to post tonight.
I’m not in the slightest bit confident.
Here’s the team;
Nyland, Hutton, Chester, Tuanzebe, Taylor, McGinn, Bjarnason, Elmohamady, Grealish, Kodjia, Abraham. Subs: Bunn, Jedinak. Hourihane, Whelan, Lansbury, Hogan.
Notice there’s no Bolasie again.
You can bet he’s crocked.
What a total waste of money he’s been up to now.
No room for O’Hare on the bench when Whelan and Jedinak are? Come on Dean, let’s not waste the talent we have. At least McGinn and Bjarnasson are back. Still have the joke of a GK and LB unfortunately.
yep, I noticed that too.
We’ve got one holding mid and have two on the bench.
Has Smith seen what Bruce knew all along?
Erratic start from McGinn.
Madly up for it, but making errors too.
Nyland saves a long ranger.
Much better intensity, even if it’s causing mistakes.
Let’s see how our fitness holds up.
These are no Norwich. We should be winning this match.
I don’t think you can say we aren’t trying.
The fans sound encouraged.
We have so many mistakes on simple passes. It puts us under pressure. I’m sure Smith will sort that.
At this pace, I’m not surprised.
Frantic start, but I think we’re playing a dangerous game.
That’s understandable when under pressure but not when there isn’t any.
We’re showing real signs.
If we click, well…..
Lynch gets booked for a cynical foul on Grealish.
Bloody hell, he’s a big unit.
Jack takes the free, the goalie thought it was safe, but it hit the post,
Grealish shooting lots.
0-1 via a route one counter.
Totally unfair, but you could see it happening.
Poor defending again. That is so simple.
Well, we know that’s our weakness DS.
I think Smith seems to think attack is the best form of defence.
We aren’t quite sharp enough there (attack). We aren’t direct enough. I don’t mean hoofing it but driving at their defence. Grealish is talented but slows everything down and drops too deep.
Whelan on for Bjarnason.
I think he’s lost a contact lens.
Dominate possession then game over and now Whelan for Bjarnasson.
Bring Bolasie on for Elmo otherwise why is he on the bench?
He’s not even on the bench.
Injured, via some ongoing thing, is my bet.
Bloody scandalous, given the wages he’s supposed to be on.
Ooh, a bit of afters afer the whistle.
Hmm, we’re unlucky to be losing, but we’ve played a dangerous game and been caught.
You can definitely see the Smith influence and I like it.
It’s definitely better than the shit we endured under bruce.
much better half from villa, tempo has been spot on, because we are pushing it more out of the players comfort zone they seem to be misplacing more passes than normal and our normal is normally a lot. also another note from the first half is a much improved grealish, hes not back to his last season best, but hes much closer to it. hes been more instrumental in our play. hes looked more interested aswell ,also had more attempts than normal for this season.
They’ve had their arses seriously kicked, I reckon Nath.
Genuinely “playing for the shirt and if you don’t like it, fuck off” type stuff.
I don’t get the impression that’s Smith’s style. I think he is more considered but the players will get the message.
Wells coming on. He usually scores against us. We need to make our possession count. Bolasie on finally for Elmo who has done nothing.
Elmo and taylor are by far the weakest links in the team. They are worse than useless. We will never progress whilst they are in the starting 11. No matter who the manager is.
Bolasie on for Elmohamady?
Was I seeing things earlier?