http://videa.hu/videok/sport/cp-avl-11-DiUW00aFizLAQUHK?start=14.48
I thought this was a very decent game and while the result was ultimately disappointing there were some really strong signs of encouragement in the way we played at times.
Okay, we could possibly talk about our game not being pacey enough, but it was the same for Palace too, at least in the first half and let’s not forget it was roasting hot this afternoon.
That said, we looked a bit more comfortable with a slightly slower pace and I think we were holding our own, although Palace probably shaded it chances-wise.
We didn’t have many chances in the first half, but three do come to mind.
First was Gabby’s. He did his usual good work in outpacing the defender, leaving him a one-on-one with the goalie, only for him to hit it unconvincingly and too easily for the goalie.
Sanchez was next, with some good work before a shot that went well over.
Which is all fair enough, as he’s not a supposed goalscorer. It was just nice to see him have a crack.
And then Grealish played a nice ball on to Gabby, who, slightly wide of goal, caught it with the wrong foot and just made a complete Horlicks of it again.
Those two chances should have been two goals for any decent striker on form, it’s as simple as that for me, but it wasn’t to be and we went in 0-0 at half time, with Palace probably having edged things overall.
The second half was a different matter though and Alan Pardew had obviously given his players a rocket. Two were subbed.
His team duly upped their game and it showed as our lads began to look much less comfortable with the increased pace and pressure, which resulted in the ball ending in our net at around the hour mark.
Ultimately, while the ref originally allowed it, he had a prolonged conversation with the linesman and it ended up being disallowed for offside.
A very good decision on this occasion.
It was only a brief respite for us though, as Palace were firmly in control.
I think many of us were probably calling for Sherwood to change something and he duly did, with Traore coming on and Sanchez coming off, who had looked very competent.
As I’d suggested in the preview, I had a feeling Sherwood was winding us all up when he said Traore was miles away.
Where many of us might have had a problem with that substitution (indeed it seems some were asking for Gabby to come off), in retrospect, I can see exactly why Sherwood chose that option.
Whether we like it or not, someone at the Villa loves Gabby.
And the thinking was probably that if you going to keep playing him, it doesn’t make sense to knock his confidence.
He was, after all, getting in the right positions to make the runs wasn’t he?
I don’t think I’ll convince many of you with that argument, but it’s the only one I’ve got.
His finishing is simply awful.
Anyway, within a few minutes of Sanchez coming off, we conceded.
The ball came in from a corner and Scott Dan met it strongly to head in a decent goal.
Clark’s challenge was noticeable by it’s abscence and had me fuming. But it happens.
But then, Traore had what might have been his first touch out on the right wing and went on a blistering run that took out a couple of defenders. His cross deflected off another defender and the ball was in the net for the equaliser.
What was striking was the turn of pace. Defenders just aren’t going to be able to live with it.
The kid had another similar type run that resulted in a very decent cross.
Lip-lickingly good stuff and very likely to put bums on seats, if he doesn’t get hacked (as he was a couple of times) and does his ankles or whatever.
One each then and we were looking on target for the point.
Only for Amavi, who had had a very good game up until then, to give the ball away at the back and the defence, who, for once hadn’t worried me, went to pieces, for Sako to shoot and score.
I’m not exactly sure what happened and in fairness, it was a good shot, but I just had the feeling we were poor in our positioning and decision-making.
So 1-2 and then the game looked beyond us, with not enough minutes remaining.
I didn’t expect much from this one, so I’m not overly upset.
We played some very nice football at times, which is a great change from some of the rubbish we’ve played in recent years, although the way Palace play helped us, I think.
More importantly, I find it difficult to call anyone out for having played poorly today, although Gabby is the most likely candidate.
His finishing is just rubbish and you have to wonder how long Sherwood will put up with it.
I suspect we’re still looking for another striker, put it that way.
Click the link at the top, for another look at Traore’s goal.
Until it gets pulled, that is.
I am really confused why Sherwood took Sanchez off. I know it’s only the third game but you would think that Lambert was in charge watchng the game. what I can see is that we have nothing up front.
I think that’s pretty much why Gabby was left on.
He ought to be the perfect foil for Gestede, who toiled well today, but frankly didn’t do much, his blazing free header apart.
But it just doesn’t work, imo.
Gabby isn’t a good enough footballer overall and it’s only his pace that is a plus.
Which is why I’ve been calling for him to be dropped for ages.
Sanchez was playing well, but he’s marmite with the fans and I suspect sherwood just isn’t keen on him.
I think he’s a great player, myself, but he did have a strong tendency to give the ball away last season, which is why many don’t rate him.
Regardless, the big issue seems to be the substitution.
You would think Wilkins agreed with the decision.
Or are they argueing already?
with how bad gabby was playing it would have been better to take him off and put on sinclair or ayew . gabby is done as a player .
I do believe once Sherwoods seen the light with shabby things will only improve.these unplayable games he rarely produces are now a thing of the past & Tim should start recognizing this.I’m totally deflated & now for a change going to drown my sorrows.
We should go all out to buy Austin – proven goal scorer and also good ball player. £15m for English CF that will get you 15 goals is not expensive by today’s standards – will TS maud a late move for him – if not will be another striker for sure.
I agree with that H60 and very much suspect Sherwood is trying to make it happen behind the scenes, as Austin is his kind of player, I reckon.
It’s all about the money though and let’s not forget while it seems we’ve spent some, we really haven’t.
Regardless, I’m convinced we’re after someone,
Worth a punt on Austin but not for £15m. I’m not convinced re Gestede I think even though he has height he seems a bit lightweight for my liking
I shouldn’t be negative but I’m so bloody angry at the moment, not trying to sound like a know it all but I said to my son that we would concede a goal as soon has I saw Sanchez being taken off. What a stupid amateurish decision from Sherwood, he should’ve taken off Gana who was very ineffectual today, then taken off Gabby and played Sinclair up front with Gestede. Sanchez was enormous today, constantly breaking up play and protecting the back 4. Bringing on Traore was a no brainer so I’m not giving Sherwood any praise for that, I feel that he’s so arrogant and won’t see his own mistakes. Would’ve he taken off Sanchez if he was a Sherwood signing, I think not.
Oh,and by the way I like Amavi, but he was awful in the 2nd half, can’t believe that was the same player who played so well v ManU.
Dave, Palace upped their game and most players didn’t look as good in the second half, imo.
Which probably isn’t far off what I expected.
Lots of foreigners who just aren’t used to it.
But it will come; I can see the makings.
We knocked it around at a fast pace, at times, which is why I’m encouraged.
I agree Gana being hooked would have been fine with me.
But I think that’s a case of Sherwood trying to instill confidence.
You can’t knock the bloke for that and you have to support the players you bring in, at least initially.
I have to be honest and say I’m a bit shocked at how quickly some of us are turning on Sherwood already.
Even though we’ve lost today, I’d take him over Lambert or McLeish any day.
At least he tries to play the game properly.
Yes, he’s learning, but he has decent advice from Wilkins who surely knows the script.
Ooh, I feel a post coming on, when this one has died down 🙂
I prefer Sherwood to Lamberk but only because he has a bit more charisma which isn’t hard. Other than that I’m struggling to see the difference. IV said it many a time the top teams have a foreign manager that’s what we need not these young motivators who learn in the job at our expense
Was with a couple of mates (one Villa, one United) when the team was announced today – all three of us completely baffled by Gabby’s inclusion – Ayew must be thinking what the fuck already. Sinclair must be in the same boat. Every time we sign a player we think it’s signalling the end of Gabby but he just keeps coming back like a zombie in a horror movie (but with a worse first touch). The guy is a laughing stock – even his moustache is shit. Last season there were people on here defending him – that support seems to have finally gone!!!!
Gutted tonight, absolutely gutted. We could have won that game, but the worst thing is that no one at the club seems to understand that a point away from home is no bad thing. Sherwood was a central midfielder – he of all people must know what happens when you remove your enforcer from the game. I feel sorry for Sanchez.
Rant over.
On the plus side – welcome Traore, you are lightening!!!
PS – Badger, I haven’t turned on Sherwood though – I think it’ll all come good, but it felt like we lost an avoidable point at least today.
Fair play Kent.
“even his moustache is shit. ”
That made me laugh mate 🙂
Agreed, we should/could have got a point.
But that’s footy, eh?
And why we love it.
Absolutely right, if we didn’t love Football there’s no way I’d be hanging round on a blogging site!!!! ????
Will continue to pray for Gabby to miss the Sunderland game.
Again the basic rule of football we were all probably taught as kids is if u can’t win a game then don’t lose it. I reckon we could of had at least 10 more points last season if weren’t so naive. Surely someone with the experience of a Wilkins would drill this into them
like a zombie in a horror movie that made me lol 🙂
For those that didnt see the game today, here is how I saw things.
Guzan- Great on crosses, horrible distribution as usual.
Bacuna- Had a tough time, but Palace do have good wide men
Richards- Fairly solid and some good bursts forward, needs to use ball better.
Clark- Good defensively (bar their first goal) but gave the ball away so many times
Amavi- Great first half, tired in second. Bad mistake at the end
Sanchez- One of his best games for Villa, crazy he was taken off.
Gueye- Not his best game, was more effective first half though
Westwood- Great against United, got outplayed in the middle today
Grealish- Great 60 mins, back to his form from last year, then got tired
Gestede- I’m not convinced by him yet, although most of the balls to him were just hit and hope. Would not surprise me if we sign another striker before the deadline
Gabby- Simply awful
Traore- This kids looks unreal. WIth him and Grealish in the same side, we will start scoring goals.
I can’t see much wrong with that assessment, Benno.
As I’ve said previously, I expect Palace to be a bit of a surprise package.
They have some very good players and a decent manager.
Pardew thinks they won by the skin of their teeth.
That’s very decent of him, I think.
Easy to be magnanimous when you win Badger 🙂
Have to say – having watched the first goal back, I think it was a foul on Clark.
Kozak anybody? The guy is a natural in the box finisher, can hold the ball up well too. Was scoring in pre season so where is he?
He’d do a better job that the twat that must talk his self into the team, why do we see things going wrong and they don’t, I’m as angry as the next fan, do we have another manager saying I know what I’m doing? because truth be known he made a wrong decision today, why don’t he admit it. 3 more games for me to turn.
Patience, Bill, patience.
We aren’t going down this year, no way and that’s an improvement, at least.
hmm I would say steady on lads, half a season and 6 games of a new one? thats not very realistic expectation for a manager considering where we started under tim …
lots to do, and figure out, but even the right decisions don’t mean success, its sports, luck and the 19 other teams trying to do the same as you can nullify the best decisions/plans
I think yes, we dropped a point today, but to be honest, I don’t think we did anything to earn it in the second half,
and welcome Traore!
Agreed Adam.
He looked very good from what I saw in the friendlies.
Just not one of Sherwood’s faves, I suppose.
I still suspect Sherwood is under orders to play Gabby.
If so, It won’t last, imo.
Fair point can’t do any worse
I will be shocked if we don’t see Kozak get a run out soon. If Sherwood favors the player or not Kozak deserves as much a chance as Sinclair and Ayew, who have both failed to impress so far this season… not to mention Gabby.
Tim is like a lad who has realised his old Lego set was worn and jaded, so he decided to buy some shiny new pieces and chuck out all his old stuff. Well – all bar the base which he attempted to straighten and the top piece kept out of sentiment. Today those old pieces let him down.
Guzan at the base has improved considerably in challenging for crosses, he now leaps and catches the ball instead of giving it a 2 fisted punch. Unfortunately his right foot kicking has got worse, hard to believe but true. His left foot kicking is just poor, but he gets distance. Today the mistake Sherwood complained of was started by Guzan having caught a Palace cross with a few minutes left. He is 16 yards out and could have kicked the ball into the space beyond Palace’s back line but he throws it to Amavi 18 yards out who loses it. The ball is whipped inside and fired beyond the out-of-position keeper.
The other jaded bit does not fit any more. The away fans always lead the terrace opinion, and for the first time today I heard. “Gabby G G G Agbonlahor, He’ll never score, He’ll never score.” As for the Dream partnership – one of them was dreaming, A classic 1 on 1 fluff by Gabby from the best pass of the game. Gestede is a clever player though not blessed with a great first touch or Benteke’s drive. He won only 40% of the aerial duels in the first half, but by the last quarter he won every duel. Gabby never once showed any clue about getting on to the flicks, it took a tiring Grealish to run past him and pick one up.
Sanchez was immense, playing in the temperature he was used to at home, he was moving well when taken off and the resulting hole had not been plugged by Micah adjusting when Palace scored. Traore was sensational, he even played for the deflected-in goal.
Tim blames defensive errors. Watch MOTD TIm – you made a selection error in starting Gabby, and a sub error in keeping him on and taking off Sanchez. What’s more you kept Guzan who was half responsible for their winner.
Good post OOL. Btw what’s with all this stopping after 25 mins for water coz its hot. No one ever died on a pitch because it’s hot. Complete joke. You wait they will start doing this more and more then start showing ads when that happens I will no longer watch football as it will be like American football crap
There is definite progress being made, team is much stronger and how many times have we pulled a goal back after going behind over the last few years? We still lost but there is a definite fight there.
I think Adama has to start against Sunderland next week, his attacking intent will put them immediately on the back foot and they normally cave in massively when put under pressure.
if sherwood is going to keep faith with gabby westwood and guzan i ve had enough
like sherwood like his buys but today big no no only one sub with 3 new signings on bench gabby has had good chances in 3 matches fluffed the lot god he even fell over his own feet for fuck sake
sinclair wasn t signed by sherwood and it s showing best player again utd subbed no chance today not looking good for him
lerner has only spent about 5/10 million ion a team that survived relegation 4 years on spin we need number 9 only new since before cup final benteke was going 6m striker from div 1 doesn t cut it,, a keeper , for now
today grealish should been subbed after hour mark.westwood at half time why can he not hit a deadball.corner
gabby should be made waterboy all he s good for
One point made by a few on here is players tiring in the second half- against Utd some showed it 30 mins into the game. The new signings are not used to the relentless pace of the PL and will take time to adjust. Also, many of them missed the majority of pre season training.
TS made the right call in preferring Sanchez to Vertout and then a massive error in subbing Sanchez – yes there were defensive errors but we looked more vulnerable immediately he was taken off.
Like everyone else, I don’t understand why Gabby is playing at all, let alone for the whole game. A few players should be banging TS’ door down demanding an explanation.
o fuck iv worked it out
sherwood is playing a big fucking game. he will keep playing gabby until the board allow him to buy his love child Emmanuel Adebayor .
fuck how did we not see this.
sherwood wants adebayor and sure as fuck he is going to get him. he is willing to lose a few games to get who he wants. the board will say why do we keep losing and sherwood will say well iv no one up front who can lead the line with premier experience and the board will give in and let him buy the chosen one.
or maybe iv drunk to much vodka tonight (and im on the russian standard platinum) lol. i hope im wrong !
but after watching today’s match even i would welcome adebayor instead of gabby in the first team. and i feel cheap saying that 🙁
Fair point but like Maureen subbing Terry last week
Havn’t done this in a while on here so;
Player Ratings & Short Reviews
Guzan – 6 – Arguably played a part in Palace’s winner but could do nothing to stop the first. Had very little else to do, some poor distribution at times.
Bacuna – 5 – Made some decent attacks at times but wouldn’t have made the impact he was wanting, started slow and was quite susceptible at right back. Made a couple decent interceptions.
Richards – 7.5 – Cannot fault his performance at all. Made a crucial challenge early in the second. Very solid performace. Looked ok on the ball.
Clarke – 4 – Easily beaten for Palace’s first goal and cannot blame anyone but himself, poor. Not his best game. Did win some other important aerial duals.
Amavi – 4.5 – Certainly at fault for Palace’s winner but will learn. Overall his game wasn’t bad but wasn’t his best performance. Beaten defensively on occasions. Lost the ball too often and made although made some good runs forward his final ball and decision making seemed off.
Westwood – 7 – Underrated by many in this game. Westy had a very good game, had an impeccable pass completion percentage (96%) and opened Palace up at times with some quality balls and vision. Needs to work on set pieces. Sits in front of the defense well as always.
Sanchez – 7.5 – Felt he was arguably Villas best player and unjustifiably substituted in my opinion. He sat in front of defense well and does an incredible job of breaking up the play. Regularly won the ball for us and played it out quite well, even got forward and took it to Palace a couple of times. When he went off we immediately look a lot more vulnerable, indirectly resulting in two Palace goals.
Gueye – 4- Did little for me, ominous for most of the game. Never got into it Uninfluential and Passenger come to mind. Made a couple of decent takles.
Grealish – 6.5 – Great on the ball and was a presence especially in the first half, quite composed with ball at foot but sometimes I question his decision making, at other times he is pure quality and has great touch and plays some quite exquisite passes. Loves to take on players and can beat almost anyone when he decides to. Finished slowly as he began to tire.
Gestede – 5 – He just about came off level with his direct opponent, positioned himself well at times but struggled to make a big impact, especially on goal. Had a free header he should have done better with. Cannot fault his effort.
Gaby – 3 – Worst player for us again. Started ok making a couple good runs and getting into a one on one with McCarthy and should have scored. His finishing again let him down. Had no influence at all in the second half, another passenger in todays game.
SUBS
Traore – 7.5 – Id give him more but he is a sub. Was calling for him all game and he made the impact I was hoping for and have seen in his Barca B displays. Lightning pace, quality touch and strength to go with. Broke Palace’s defense, got past two and directly forced an own goal. This kid has so much potential.
Sherwood Sherwood Sherwood. The game called for a change and called for Traore, most of us could see that and were calling for it at least by late in the first half, Traore’s introduction certainly produced results in one way however it was Sanchez being the make way that is the question. Why oh why would you take off a player who had been so influential in keeping Palace at bay and breaking up the game up to this point. Palace were far more dominant going forward without Sanchez there and most immediately questioned this decision. This decision resulted into an almost immediate goal as Palace opened us up far more easily and got into better positions without Sanchez covering the defense.
There were better options for a substitution in my opinion, Gueye for one had done very little if Sherwood wanted to remove a CM. Gaby for another who was the definition of a Passenger.
Long time to make a substitution that he only got half right. Should have replaced Gaby by half time.
THE TALKING POINTS
Who would you have brought off for Traore to enter? We ALL wanted Traore and he made the impact we all wanted but was Sanchez the right make-way?
Gaby Gaby Gaby, how long can we keep making room for him? Would you have left Gaby on? Who would you have substituted him for?
Defensive errors again, will we ever learn or is this young team still learning?
Darren and Benno above are – like my friend I go to games with – not convinced about Gestede. It depends what you expected. I saw him playing a few games last season. He isn’t a double figures a season striker, unless he plays with wingers and dead ball kickers with pinpoint accuracy, and we don’t have those yet.
As a target man though he is a clever player. Centre halves have different ways of stopping you receiving and distributing balls played up to you when you are facing your own goal. You the striker should have signals agreed with your team mates telling them to aim for your head, or chest or to the left/right of where you are standing. With luck you will have the beating of the marker in one of those options, even if he is the boss in others. Gestede demonstrated against Scott Dann, a very power full CH (see him shoving Clark out of the way to score) that he could work him out – and in the last 20 minutes Getede was flicking on every aerial ball played up to him. Unfortunately Villa had nobody bar a tiring Grealish on the same wavelength to anticipate the flicks. Ironic that MOTD featured Wilson and Defoe demonstrating what a good strike partner could do with flicks like that.
OLL, stood out a mile that defending from Clarke, they have got to lean very quickly how to deal with attacking players, correct on Gestede we are not playing to his game, you would think Westwood and Wilkins would see that from the offset, I’m down at the minute to how we are playing, I cannot share Badger patience idea from what’s been given to us as fans, I don’t see aggressive wanting in our game we are like 10 Abonglahors headless chickens.
Sorry not Westwood Sherwood, I’m a prat.
cant believe you lot aren’t giving Guzan more stick – for me his fault for the last goal. 3 mins to go away from home and roll the ball out to your tired LB who has a man coming for him. get rid down field and wait for the draw.
I did in my last night’s post above. You are absolutely right. Guzan can punt it from there, even if he just aims for the middle the ball should go over the Palace back line. Keepers should not throw a ball to a player who has not got the time and space to take two touches, There is no pace on the ball and it may have a waist high bounce. These are basic errors I tried to coach out of my Sunday side – who on earth is coaching these top pros?
That’s what worry a me OOL these are allegedly pro players making school boy errors what the hell are they doing in the training ground! Having said that players on £40-50k PW should know that anyway
The trouble is OLL, that we can’t trust Guzan’s kicking either.
Did you see his previous punt that went straight out for a throw-in?
That’s unforgiveable, imo.
That said, I still think his actual saving ability outweighs his poor distribution, although I know you won’t agree. Which of course is fair enough.
Definitely does, makes me wonder if Sherwood told Gabby to throw it out more often. Or keep it short at least. Gotta think a few training sessions of Guzan aiming a pass has to be on the cards soon.
A totally SHITE decision by guzan the only thing that should of been on his mind at that stage of the game was getting the ball as far away from the his goal as possible.can’t see shabby doing bench time certainly after making him vice captain don’t add up imo.if Richards is injured he’ll leave the vice captain on the bench???? Never heard of that before, if shabbys fit he’ll be playing.
I don’t think a fwd should be captain regardless of how good or bad they are anyway. Gabby has gone so stale it’s untrue we should try and put him out on loan till Xmas
I can’t see sending out on loan would improve him,his days are over now he has nowt there to improve.
Would he be prepared to go to a league 2 club?
I see alot of the papers pointing the finger at amavi for the second goal,I really don’t think he was expecting to receive the ball.I know where I’m pointing the finger.
Bournemouth and Palace are good, attacking sides and United have a strong team this year. Yet we have certainly held our own in all 3 games. No need to panic yet.
Also, I feel that the likes of Ayew and Veretout were dropped because of all our new lads they are taking the longest to settle, as French reporters had suggested when we signed then, so they’ll get a full run out against Notts County Tuesday. Maybe alongside players like Sinclair and Gil, who I was surprised to see not added to the bench. I know he picked up another slight knock, but I thought Sherwood said he was fit to play.
Probably didn’t want to risk losing Gil for another few games – sensible IMHO. Agreed Notts County good game for Vertout, Gil et al to get some time on the pitch.
That’s what gets me, excuse after excuse, what we are seeing is what’s gone on in the past, just look at who they are, Cuzan, Clarke, Abonglahor, its not changing just excuses. For gods sake drop the twats and give us what Leicester, Bournemouth, can do not this shit.
Bill, I’m with you on Guzan and Abonglahor but Clark was our stand out performer at the end of last season before being injured so I’m willing to go with him for now – who do we have fit that would be an improvement?
I reckon TS should go back into the market for a top goalkeeper – but who would come and who can we afford? Experienced CB is a must – if not Senderos then I’d take Lescott on a short term deal. We also need an experienced PL striker – of those ‘available’ the only one that’s within our price range is Austin and rumour has it he wants to stay in London!
Experienced Premier League striker I don’t think we need, but we need someone with quality. Adrian Ramos is a possibility, Mbokani, Kokorin, Musa, Rolan, Roux, Slimani, etc.
Not sure who would be available as a top keeper. I’ve read of interest in Kameni and that’s why Sherwood was in Malaga. Few quality German keepers like Baumann, Zieler, I’d go all out for Ruffier of Saint Etienne myself, Rafael off Napoli would be pretty easy as well.
If the squad hasn’t improved by the time of the Liverpool game then I think we can worry a little bit, but until then this just seems like the natural growing pains of completely overhauling a squad. It’s awful to watch Villa lose, but with the players we now have things can only get better with each game.