Isn’t it strange how views can suddenly change during a game?
I was absolutely fuming at half time because of how we cannot stop giving the ball away far too cheaply.
Hourihane seemed the main example, but he was far from alone.
I get that if you’re trying to play a fast-paced, one touch type of game, you’re going to make mistakes.
But it’s not that, that bothers me.
Sometimes it’s just basic simple passing, in balls being totally mis-directed or more often way underhit.
It’s incredibly annoying.
But, looking on the bright side, you can’t knock the fact that we pulled two goals back to equalise, can you?
Of course, we should never have gone two down in the first place and I question Kalinic for at least one of them.
But just when we were looking well and truly beaten, so we managed to turn it around.
The second half was much better and while I still wasn’t convinced by our performance, we did show more energy and drive. So much so that I thought we were the better side.
What I think doesn’t matter though.
What does, is the fact that we’ve drawn at home. Again.
And that is simply not good enough.
We need wins if our rapidly fading hopes of the play-offs are to stay alive and we didn’t get one.
It was interesting that Smith seemed to listen to some of the fan’s criticism.
No Bree, no Hause and we played two attackers, although I’m not sure it was an out-and-out 4-4-2?
Ultimately, Hull will be happy with their point.
And after many of us thought we would probably lose this game, maybe we ought to be happy with ours too.
I just look at things historically and think we really ought to be beating Hull at home.
If I heard correctly, they haven’t beaten us at Villa Park since 1967.
Maybe that explains my massive disappointment?
Blimey, I’m shocked at Bolasie wanting to leave and frankly don’t believe that part is true.
I’ve liked watching him play, what with the expectancy of him producing a bit of magic.
But ultimately, he hasn’t produced enough and is simply not worth his wages.
As suggested, Green really is one I expect to come really good, if only for a short while.
Pacy wingers always seem to burn out quickly, don’t they?
I’m thinking Tony Daly etc.
Thing is Badger, Green cost us nothing (other than Academy costs), will be on a fraction of Bolasies wages, will deliver at least as much in terms of goals and assists and work harder for the team. That works for me.
I totally agree, DS.
He’s one of the kids that I have actually called for, for a while and I see something in.
Bolasie will struggle to get back to his Palace form. It will be interesting to see how he gets on at Everton. Not much happening in terms of incomings. I still think that we should be okay without any signings. We need a good CB and LB but if Smith can’t get his preferred choices it makes sense to hold on till July. £75,000 per week saved today. How much more off the wage bill will be saved when Whelan, Jedinak, Hutton, Richards and co. Depart? Just one concern is Greens contract ends this summer!
Did he jump or was he pushed?
Pushed, imo.
We’ve just made it look like it was his choice.
I’m all for making things look “honorable”.
That’s my thoughts Badger, something gone on after the match, imo.
Does that now mean we can afford Gary Cahill who today turned down Fulham – would we really want him?
Maybe.
But that would be yet another massive mistake.
That we won’t make, this time, imo.
He won’t be coming, simple, unless he cits his dough in half at least.
I wonder where he actually lives?
Cahill owns a house in Cobham Surrey. Since he has applied for planning permission to demolish and rebuild perhaps he is not living in it right now.
Not with the mind set the owner’s have Hitch, looking for player’s who’s legs hold out.
I don’t know Bill.
He doesn’t necessarily need the legs, as he can read the game.
But I’ll bet money we won’t get him, or don’t even want him, purely because of the wages.
I’d like to see the board put their money where their mouth is and start getting players in who are nearer the start of their career rather than the end.
While Bolasie wasn’t a bad player I’m not sad he’s gone. We need to wean ourselves off from using loan players. We invest a lot of time in them but we get nothing back in the long run.
“We need to wean ourselves off from using loan players.”
We will.
Smith has already said as much.
It makes no sense financially, either, given that we’ve tried it and loaners don’t get us anywhere near promotion.
I hope he was encouraged to leave as part of implementing the new future for our club – perhaps now that we’ve freed up some wages, incomings might start to happen. I would be disappointed if we used that all up in signing Cahill who, at 33, would fly in the face of what Purslow and Sawaris have said about the future direction of the club.
Cahill will NOT be coming in at anywhere near the wages that are being talked about.
IMO.
I don’t even know why we’re talking about it, tbh.
We definitely need incomers though and I hope they’re more up to the game than Hause, who, imo, will prove to be a terrible signing.
Harsh, I know, but I expect anyone who comes in can at least kick a ball in a straight line that he’s aiming at.
I’d rather have taylor and that’s saying something.
I think Smith is a good judge of player, and I think Hause is just the kind of player he is looking for. He’s strong and comfortable on the ball, and likes to bring the ball out of defence. He is a CB rather than a LB and when he gets up to speed and plays there it will be a better time to judge him.
I know a few Wolves fans who really rate him and are disappointed he has left. If he stays fit I think your comparison with Taylor will be one you regret!
Badger, I think you are being very harsh on your judgement of Hause. Obviously he wasn’t ready for the first team against Wigan and Smith has admitted he cocked up. Let’s judge him at the end of the season assuming he stays fit and gets game time. Sensibly we have an option to buy which will only be activated if he produces the goods. The player will know the importance of making an impression as his career is dependant on it.
Holte, you’re probably right.
It’s just that I feel that if I was him, I’d have at least kicked the ball to another Villa player, even at my age.
The fact is, on that showing, he was utter junk, simple.
The fact that Smith didn’t start him, shows how off the pace he was.
And frankly, massively lessens what Smith says via the OS, in “he looks sharp in training” or whatever.
You should at least be able to kick a ball at an aimed place, is my view.
If Hause comes back in and has a good game, I’ll be the first to applaud him.
But meanwhile, if he’s crap, I’ll say so.
And from what I’ve seen, I’m not expecting much.
Taylor massively failed to impress me from the off and I’m proven correct there, I think.
Hause has to majorly improve, for me to think he might even be an average Championship player.
He wasn’t a lower ranking Wolves player for no reason, put it that way.
Not surprising news that Moriera is to have his loan deal cancelled.
HITC suggests we should ‘take advantage of Downing’s contract situation’. No, no, a thousand times no.
Terrible news about Eliamino Sala; one can always hope for a miracle. Puts everything into perspective.
Apologies for misspelling his name; Emiliano Sala
Hell Hitch, I’ve been wondering what you was on about till I looked on the web, shite he only signed for Cardiff Saturday and was flying over the Chanel and plane gone missing, What bad luck was that, I hope that two man plane ok.
Terrible news about Emiliano Sala and those flying. It would be a miracle to find them alive now. On Villa we have ended another loan deal that proved pointless.
Apparently Mikel has rejected a move to Villa and gone to Boro.
I’m glad, we’ve had enough of players who are on their last legs. Let Boro pay him an exorbitant wage packet only to discover that he’ll probably be an impact substitute at best.
One article says that we’re lining up a DM and LB. I just hope it’s true. I’d settle for that right now.
Birmingham mail,
Jack Grealish will begin light training next week, Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has confirmed.
The talismanic midfielder hasn’t played since injuring his shin in Villa’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion on December 7 and the claret and blues have won just one of eight matches without him.
But Smith is preparing to welcome Grealish back into the fold for a crucial run of February fixtures.
“Jack is due to go out and run next week,” Smith told avfc.co.uk. “That’s a big positive for him and us.
“When he gleefully told me today he was due to run outside next week, he said, ‘You can arrange a game for me as well’.
“He’s very keen to get out on the pitch. He has an enthusiasm for playing and wanting to play so we will certainly have to have the reins on him. But I will want him back as soon as we can as well.”
Boy am I happy to know that……..
https://www.facebook.com/AVFC4LIFE1874/videos/361220584694793/UzpfSTUxOTc3NzAzODoyMDI5NjI3MzIzNzk3NDcx/
He’s definitely a Great Barr kid, isn’t he?
Sounds very much like me when I’m on the phone to clients, apparently.
Meanwhile, I’m now very concerned as to who is signing our players.
Is it our DOF’s or smith himself?
I feel a post coming on.
See Henry is doing a sterling job at Monaco – in fact so well that they’ve suspended him. Another bullet dodged there methinks.
Knocked down on his first management, some live in a dream world Va Voom. ..
No one but no one wants Villa.
Free agent Mutch linked up with the Midlands giants on trial this week in a bid to win a move to Villa Park, but he cut short the trial stint after two days after receiving an offer from K League side Gyeongnam FC to move to South Korea.
The 27-year-old, who had a spell in Major League Soccer last year with Vancouver Whitecaps, has now flown to South Korea to discuss personal terms with Gyeongnam FC ahead of finalising his move to the club.
Thruth be known we don’t get anyone.
Bill – we don’t need Andy Mutch – he’s just chasing money.
I have faith in Smith et al that we will get the right players in with potential that want to play for the shirt.
Keep the faith – part of the pride UTV
Who the F is Andy Mutch??? Didn’t he have big ears and play for Wolves in the 90s? Why are we trying to sign 50 year olds?
OK BFR – very funny! Freudian slip – you know very well we were referring to Jordon Mutch – it’s just I’m old, senile and can only remember players from my (relative) youth. Notwithstanding my comment is still apposite! Hi
We can get a bit paranoid that we aren’t signing anyone. The January transfer window is a pointless waste of time. I wish they would scrap it personally. Clubs should have their squads sorted out in the summer and if they don’t and struggle with injuries then that is tough IMO. Look at Brentford with 3 – 4 of their players being linked with other clubs mid season! On the injury front we have Jedinak back who is a much better option as DM than Whelan. Also Grealish should be back within a couple of weeks from what’s being said. I won’t mention Lansbury because I’m sure he will have a new injury before he gets fit. I think we might actually win tomorrow, but we are the Villa and Wigan game is still fresh in the memory.
Holte66, Hitch, sorry lads I don’t follow your train of thoughts, firstly its not so much that Andy Mutch chasing money, its that he didn’t want Villa we don’t know what was on the table for him, what getting to me is how many players have turned their backs on our club , I will go along Holte66 about January window its not wanted, teams should stay a team till end of seasons, Agents, and players have taken over football years ago , it would be nice if all players got the same wage in the game, and only get to play for the best team in the league .I know it would never be like that but you wouldn’t get greedy Agents and players holding a gun to the heads of clubs. Just my thoughts, ok its crackers but wouldn’t it be better for us fans.
It’s not crackers Bill. A teacher can expect a salary between x and y, as can a doctor, a banker, a lawyer etc, so why not footballers?
How about this: all footballers to work freelance, so they’re only paid if and when their services are required. In other words, lazy wasters would never get a game and would disappear, while talented grafters would be in demand and command the best wages. Now that is crackers! 😉
Bill – there are players that can improve our club, who want to play for us and then there are mercenaries. Mutch belongs to the latter category and, in any event, I don’t believe he had anything to offer us.
We’ve already employed too many mercenaries of late.
Rather we built a team around (young) players that wanted to be a Villan than bought (or tried to buy) promotion with the financial chancers – that is a road to ruin. If we haven’t learnt that already then go ask Pompey fans?